#shinestrong tag

*Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own*

Better late than never? I have one more tag from another blogger coming up, but for today, I wanted to share the #ShineStrong tag with Pantene.

1. Finish this sentence, “Strong is…”

Strong is knowing what you deserve. I think this does sound awkward, but let me try and explain. You see, far too often I hear stories about people not realizing the potential they have to achieve something. Or they don’t know that they deserve the best as long as they put in the best. In a way, it is like saying you should not settle for anything less. You should never short change yourself. But I know this is easier said than done.

2. What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

Bravest? Hmm…this one is a little hard. I would have to say the moments I stand up for my parents, when they are treated wrongly by those who merely see them as “immigrants”. It drives me nuts when we come across those unfortunate souls who think that they rule the world. So much so that they think they can legitimately put others who are different, down. I was much younger, and mom, bro, and I went somewhere. I can’t remember what had started it, but this man said some underhanded racist stuff to my mother. My brother and I were pretty upset, and she told us to ignore him. But instead, I spoke up and did what I could to open his eyes. I used to scold mom that she shouldn’t take that kind of verbal attack. She’s come a long way since then, cause she knows that she shouldn’t have to deal with the narrow mind of another, and feel small because of them. This ties in with my “Strong is” statement up there. You don’t deserve to be treated badly, no one does.

3. What do you do to unwind?

I listen to music, classical, old school, first generation kpop, or Aqua. Mini dance party is always good too. But generally I do the reading route. I have always loved to read, so I read a book on my favourites list, and get lost in the stories.

4. What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?

Haha…the first thing that came to mind was how to do a walk over. You know, when you do a back bridge, and then raise your legs over your head? If you do that fast enough after a cartwheel, it would kind of be a backflip. But I could never do it when I was a kid. I’m a little too round now, but when I do lose some of this weight, its something I want to try…before I completely lose all flexibility -__-

5. How does your #bff #ShineStrong

One of the things I love about one of my closest friends, is the way she will stand up for herself no matter the situation. She will not stand for people belittling her. We were out with a few friends, when this group who was older than us started making racist remarks. It helps that she actually does defense and arguments as part of her job, but she broke down the arguments that the other party tried using on us, and turned it back on the ignorance they were showing. She did this, without resorting to the foul language that they were using.

6. What natural talent would you want to be gifted with?

To say the exact thing I am thinking. I mean this in the sense that I am not as eloquent with my words, and thus I end up accidentally saying something that isn’t quite what I mean.

7. What is your idea of happiness?

To do what you love.

8. What is your motto? (Words to live by or that mean a lot to you)

Motto…I don’t really have one. IF anything it would be the golden rule idea, that we should treat others just the way we would want to be treated. Treating others with the decency of civility, because why should we resort to pathetic pettiness?

9. What is your ultimate #ShineStrong hairstyle?

I don’t get this…but I guess Straight and sleek.

10. Finish the sentence, “I love good hair days because…”

Then I can flip my hair and act like I just don’t care! Haha…no, really. Walk with confidence, and ooze grace.

11. Share your best tip for strong, healthy hair

Do I have a tip? Well…one that I am trying to do now (since I haven’t had a trim in ages), is to really step up in the treatment area for my hair. More on that below…

12. Finish the sentence, “I #ShineStrong when I…”

I #ShineStrong when I remember who it is that I am. A rather large part of my 20’s was spent cowering because I was not in line with typical things that people my age do. However, I have been working on trying to remember that despite my differences, to look at that which I have accomplished and keep moving forward.

Okay. The End :)

The awesomely fun Procrastinating Pretty did her #ShineStrong tag. As the one headlining this, I loved that she shared such thoughtful answers, and the great hair tip! Must try it out when I do my curls.

(btw sorry Jenn…my grammar will always annoy you then :P)

So, there is also a $2 coupon over at Smartsource. Seriously guys…if you aren’t putting coupons to use, you REALLY need to :D

So in addition to this tag, we also received a few Pantene goodies, which help to give us the boost in the hair department. You see, I haven’t had a trim/cut in over a year. Yup, I do minor maintenance for my split ends, but no proper work. I will have it soon when I take my vacation, but for now, it is a mess. Basically I have resorted to putting it up in a pony tail or bun. The fact that these products tried to whip my hair back in to sleek shape, meant that I should leave it down and feel that it looked pretty. I mean really, I know it might be superficial, but I want my hair to look and feel great. It helps with feeling put together, even on the minimalistic sense.

The Pantene Overnight Miracle has been something I have been using recently. I actually struggled A LOT with the opening of the pump, but once you get it open, you get the white goo.

apply to the ends, and go to sleep.

I don’t think you really need to keep it in overnight, though it might help it penetrate more? But even using it during the day has helped it look sleeker, as it acts as a moisturizer for your hair.

The first two pictures are of my hair in its usual state. The third picture is with the Overnight Miracle applied. The last picture is of it about 80% dried.

You can see from the first and last picture, that the individual strands have straightened out. This helps it look sleek. Though the strands dry up a bit, it keeps the strands straight and on the frizz free side. So, yup, it has been a huge help :)