I am Joyce Manalo. I'm a photographer, otaku, and grad student. I've spent almost all my life in a third world small town tucked away between a pretty polluted lake and a dormant volcano. It's a beautiful place, very close to nature, with a crazy micro-climate (twisters, hale, 5-second rain showers? we can has it) Naturally, we're miles away from any fashion capital.
While most of the people around me (and in this country in general) are pretty laid-back, my laziness still stands out. I've been known as the girl who only combs during special occasions. There are certain days when I'd dress up in something epic, but most of the time I'd go out in flip-flops, bare face, and uncombed wet (!) hair. I've gone to job interviews wearing slippers (thankfully I still got the job, but not without reprimand after), and I've appeared in front of my parents VIP-friends looking short of presentable.
Secretly, I ogle fashion collections every season. I collect Japanese fashion magazines - not for just the cute boys, mind you. I view makeup tutorials on youtube, and is extremely particular about my skincare regimen.
Which is why I often surprise people during cosplay and photoshoots. Suddenly, ugly-poor-lazy girl can apply makeup and style like a pro.
Still, it's as though I've convinced myself that fashion and beauty should play second fiddle to my other interests. I could probably predict trends two seasons from now, but I'm too poor to actually buy stuff. I could probably look a lot more decent with a little color on my face, but I'm too lazy to actually reach for those formulas and find my perfect color.
But all that is about to change.
Watch this ugly-poor-and-lazy girl from a third-world small town transform herself into
Or die trying.
