Intelligence is Value

If we are not the traveller type, we often wonder why people travel. Travelling is inconvenient and costly. What is it that inspires travellers? If we do not give travelling a chance to reveal its joy, we will forever wonder.

For travellers out there, we travel to satisfy our spirit. Travelling does not only give us the thrill but it also gives us spiritual contentment. Here are some life lessons that we get from travelling:

• There is no such thing as wrong turn: We might follow the map so we will get to our desired place but when we think about it, even if we take the wrong direction, we will always arrive at a particular place and sometimes, that unexpected place holds so much beauty.

• All good things must come to an end – even beautiful ones: In Japan, sakura (or cherry blossom sightseeing) is a marvel. Aside from its beauty, we have to realize that cherry blossoms also present a life lesson. The cherry blossom, no matter how beautiful it is, will eventually fall. We have to realize that all good things must come to an end even the blossoming of cherry blossom and accept it because that’s how life is.
• We will never run out of things to do or explore: There is a world waiting outside Singapore. We have to satisfy our spirit and travel. We will learn at the end there will always be something to do or explore. We will realize that there will be no idle moment so we have to live it.
• Travelling gives confidence and boldness: When we travel, we will gain confidence and the boldness to explore the world with or without a companion.

While getting a haircut seems like a pretty normal routine, for most girls, it’s anything but a simple routine. Every bit of our hair is important to us, which is why it’s no secret that we want it look the best that it possibly can. So to ensure that you get the results that you want on your next trip to the salon, here are five things that you should consider before letting your stylist get his hands on those sacred strands.

1. Hair Texture. Some hairstyles match better with specific hair types, so it’s best to know the kind of hair that you have before giving it a cut. Will a pixie cut work for a curly hair? Or will getting a one-length cut make your straight hair look stringy? This is one of the important things that you should think through, so consult your stylist first before they start working with the scissors.

2. Lifestyle. While it may not look like it, some haircuts actually require high maintenance. It may look good when you leave the salon, but are you equipped enough to recreate the look in your home? Think about how you’ll style your new do. Are you willing to commit if it happens to be quite time consuming?

3. Hair Colour. Another important thing to consider when getting a haircut is your hair colour, as colours like highlights tend to appear choppy and misplaced once cut. So if you’re going to have a new cut, consider doing a little touch-up on your hair colour as well to get better results.

4. Expectations. Bringing a picture of your celebrity hair peg is a good way to give your stylist an idea as to what kind of haircut you want to achieve. Just remember though, that you won’t get the exact replica of the cut but a version of it. Your hair peg will only serve as an inspiration and not the end-result, so set a realistic expectation about how your haircut will look.

5. Readiness. Chopping off your hair is one big commitment, because once it’s off there’s just no coming back. It may grow back sooner or later, but it’s important to ensure that you’re more than ready to accept the current change. If you’re considering cutting a significant length off your hair, make sure that it’s what you really want to avoid being shell-shocked when the cut’s already done.

Getting a perfect haircut is everything for most girls. So before you decide to take a trip on your salon, consider the aforementioned things first to get the cut that you’ve always wanted.

Exfoliation is an important step in almost every girl’s weekly skin care routine, as it aids in getting softer, smoother and healthy-looking skin. However, exfoliation requires some considerations depending on the person’s skin type. If you’re someone blessed with a rather sensitive skin, then here are four ways on how you can effectively exfoliate your skin and get that baby-smooth complexion.

1. Work With Acids. Although it may sound scary, it actually isn’t. Understand that glycolic acid and other acids are chemical exfoliators that will help in removing the dead skin cells off your skin. That said, we suggest that you start it slow at first and see the results that it may give you because you surely wouldn’t want to have a red face due to overusing some chemical peels.

2. Rub Instead of Scrub. Ever thought as to how a soft thing as a dampened konjac sponge can properly exfoliate your skin? Well, guess what? The sponge actually works like your classic exfoliating washcloth. Just perform a gentle scrub on a regular basis, and you’ll be surprised as to how flake-free your skin has become.

3. Try Peel-Off Masks. Using peel-off masks can be very satisfying, especially if you get to peel the whole thing off in one piece. Not only are they great for sucking all the dirt and product debris on your skin, they’re also excellent for peeling off your loose dead skin cells. Now, that’s dry skin and blemishes in one go.

4. Add Some Fruit in Your Routine. It may sound messy, but fruits actually contain lots of natural acids that are great for doing a gentle exfoliations. Use fruits such as papaya and strawberry in exfoliating your skin, but be careful about using these fruits straight-up as their undiluted acids might be too strong for your sensitive skin. If you decide to use fruits, always mix them with water or yogurt to dilute their strong acids.

Exfoliation is an important process to get smoother and fairer skin. So use any of the abovementioned ways on how you can gently, but effectively exfoliate your sensitive skin and get a fairer complexion just like that of a baby’s.

We’ve all experience this – you’re in a relationship that accurately depicts the romance novels of Nicholas Sparks, then things suddenly turn sour and you just find yourself there, going through a breakup again. Maybe you weren’t just a great match, or worse, you might be the one sabotaging your happy relationship. If the latter seems like the real reason behind your breakup, then maybe it’s time to step up your game and discover the ways on how you might be sabotaging your chance at a lasting love.

1. You don’t trust him enough when he’s around other girls. Unless he’s given you enough reason to not trust him when he’s around other females, you need to stay calm girl. Jealousy is one of those unattractive and petty emotion that will only make you look insecure. The reason behind your trust issues could be because you were badly hurt in your past relationship. You’ve been cheated on so you assumed that it might happen again, but that might eventually cost you your new relationship now. So instead of living in the past, learn to move forward and give your relationship a chance. Remember, not every guy is like your ex.

2. You’re not giving him his own space and time. When a woman is all too clingy with her man, this slowly chokes the life out of your relationship. The truth may be quite harsh, but no guy wants to feel like they’re always being smothered. He definitely wouldn’t want to have a life with you if you don’t have a life without him. So try backing off a little, and give him the space he needs and deserves. Keep yourself busy when he’s not around by getting a hobby or bonding with your girls.

3. You overthink almost everything. Worrying and obsessing over every little thing is another thing that sucks the life out of a relationship. Remember that men are generally straightforward so there’s no reason for you to decipher the true meaning behind each message that he sends you. If you’re still not convinced, try talking with your guy. Always keep in mind that open communication is the key to a healthy and happy relationship.

4. Your expectations are way too high. If you’re one those girls who create lengthy lists of the qualities that their ideal guy must possess, then you should start burning off those lists now. Love isn’t like your favourite romance movies and novels, so stop looking for a guy that has no flaws. Also, don’t get too ahead of yourself especially when you’re still dating around. It’s okay to think about him, but avoid imagining what it feels like to walk down the aisle with him.

While things may be going haywire, there’s no need to give up on your sweet romance just yet. Think of the aforementioned advices and situations to help you fix your problems with ease. After all, your relationship might really be worth saving.

4 Tips to Prevent Summer Breakouts
While we’re all stoked for the warm weather, it’s no secret that the changes in the weather also results to changes in the skin. So don’t get all worked up when acne breakouts start springing up on your face. Instead, prevent those unwanted bumps throughout the summer season using these expert tips.

1. Fight Acne Breakouts from Within. While using creams and cleansers help in getting a fair complexion, maintaining it may lie more on your digestive health. Some studies showed that a poor digestive health often contributes to development of skin problems like acne, eczema and dermatitis. So restore and maintain your healthy digestion by consuming a good amount of fermented foods to not just promote better digestive healthy, but a fairer complexion as well.

2. Keep Your Sheets Clean. While they may not look like it, your bed can serve as a good breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria, and the best way to prevent this from happening is by regularly changing your bedsheets and pillowcases. With this, you get to eliminate all the skin-clogging debris on your bed and provide a fresh place for your skin to rest.

3. Stay Hydrated. Warming weather months often lead to an increase oil production in our skin, which may mean that it’s dehydrated. When this happens, wash your face with lukewarm water instead of using and applying harsh products. Also, make sure that you don’t skip on moisturizing your face every time you wash your face.

4. Establish a Routine and Stick With It. The last thing you’d want to do when you notice some signs of a budding acne breakout is to completely change your products. Instead of changing your beauty routine, stick with your usual routine and ensure that you perform it after a long day in the heat. Sleeping with all the sweat and dirt of the day still on your face only invites acne breakouts, so make sure to take an extra step by performing a mid-day facial cleanse with some cleansing wipes.

Regardless of the season, it’s important that you keep your skin clean and hydrated all the time to get and maintain that perfect complexion that you’ve always wanted.

Asking for a raise is the part of our career that most of us feel the most terrified of. We think we’ll come as improper and we feel a sense of guilt. However, if you want to get paid what you’re worth, you should learn how to do it right. These tips can help you ask for a raise without being perceived as desperate and unpleasant by your boss.

1. Don’t be Apologetic: When negotiating for a better salary, be warned that devaluing yourself won’t do any good. Don’t say you are sorry or that you know that this isn’t the best time to ask for a raise. Likewise, you don’t have to divulge your personal reasons why you need a raise. Remember that nobody cares about your issues. You are there to talk about your value and why you think you deserve more.

2.Prepare a Figure: Do lots of research. Find out how much a person with your experience and expertise is getting, so you know how much you’re asking for. You need to come with information supporting your request and the value you’re asking from your company.

3. Use Key Phrases: Be factual with everything you say and keep these key phrases in mind when stating them: “Here’s what I do for the company. Here’s the value I bring in every month. In six months this is the amount I could bring in for you, but I will need to get paid according to my worth and this is the amount…”

4. Give Silence a Chance: Once you have made your point, be quiet and let your boss rethink of the points you just stated. That awkward silence is actually a good thing. Yes, it’s uncomfortable and you might feel the need to fill the dead air by babbling a lesser number or a self-depreciating remark; but career experts said that all you need to do is to look the person you’re negotiating your salary to in the eye and wait for his response.

5. Practice Your Speech: Before heading out and bringing this topic to your boss, make sure you’ll look confident and assertive in front them by practicing your speech with your friends. It would help a lot to hear your words out in front of a small crowd—just in case you’ll be meeting a panel.

Every company, boss, and employee is different. However, when it comes to asking for a raise, there are universal ways to make sure you won’t appear arrogant or on the contrary feel apprehensive with your request.