Beyond deadlines and bylines: The journalist's crazy happy life

IN the fast-paced world of journalism, each day presents a different kind of crazy. Some days can be insane with their twists and turns, and dead ends, leaving me feeling stuck or unhinged while other days are more joyous, inspiring me to pull myself together and meet deadlines with a smile.Given this dynamic, planning ahead while making sure to take care of myself is a crucial balance that allows me to function at my best each week.With that in mind, I usually start my day by doing skin care. I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin; so, it's necessary for me to apply moisturizer daily and only use products suitable for my skin type. Looking put-together can be as simple as donning an all-denim ensemble from SM’s GTW Urban. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO My favorite facial cleanser so far is Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser. I pair it with Celeteque's Hydration Alcohol-free Toner and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Face Moisturizer afterward. I also love spraying Fresh Skinlab's Aloe Vera Face and Body Mist all over my, well, face...as well as my back.Whether staying home or going out to cover events or run errands, I make it a point not to skip my sunscreen. My go-to sunscreen for years now has been Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence because I love that it does not leave a white cast nor a sticky feeling after application.For a change, I have recently purchased Blk's mineral sunscreen stick. I've heard good reviews about Round Lab's Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen and 1025 Dokdo Toner. I'm excited to try them next.When I have events to cover, I typically rely on GRWM Cosmetics' Life-proof Primer and Happy Skin's multitasking serum concealer. I cap it all off with Sunnies Face's Fluffmatte lipstick in the shade of Rosas or lip dip in the shade of Obsessed. I also use Nichido's lip pencil for a sharper and more defined lip.My secret for when I need to elevate my look is wearing Kiss' false eyelashes, which I can easily stick on my upper eyelids using a transparent lash glue liner. They are quick to apply; I've even put them on in a moving car once. The convenience it brings is satisfying, which is something I'm sure fellow journalists and other busy bees can relate to. SM Woman’s white shortsleeved crop blazer and wide-leg pants give off a clean, polished look that’s perfect for smart casual events. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO I also lean toward products that are made with natural ingredients. I particularly love and support products by Human Nature and Naturals by Watsons.Other products that are constantly on my shopping list are Cream Silk Triple Keratin Rescue Ultimate Bleach Enhance Purple Conditioner for my bleached and highlighted hair, Nivea's Extra Bright 10 lotion for my body and Dermplus Moisturizing Sunscreen for added sun protection when I go outside.Truth be told, I wasn't born with great skin, and at times, skin concerns affect how I feel about myself. These products are my little lifesavers, saving not just my skin from drying but also my confidence from fading.Some other self-care items in my bag include an oil clear sheet, a hair styling stick, a comb and Centrum Advance multivitamins for my daily supplement fix, too.Wardrobe staplesClothes are another form of self-care for me. I have loved mixing and matching tops and bottoms since high school. Aside from writing, dressing up is how I express and represent myself best.To this day, clothes are a huge factor at every event coverage, interview or assignment in the field; outfits of the day are my instant confidence boosters.The style I choose depends on the types of events I cover and the industry of the people I interview. Whenever possible, I make an effort to incorporate the colors of brands hosting the events. In doing so, such sensitivity and adaptability helps build a strong personal branding of such traits for myself.I have recently covered a company's anniversary event that requires formal attire. For this, I have thrown my trusty brown plaid blazer over a red dress — that matches the company's color by the way — finishing it off with a belt to elevate the look. From formal wear to business casual, SM Fashion caters to different types of clothing needs. This writer is wearing SM Woman’s boxy blazer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Considering the variety of event types and dress codes I encounter, my wardrobe staples mostly include items from SM Woman and other brands within the SM Store. These include a few coats, a white top that can be layered to suit multiple event types, a skirt, a button-down shirt, jeans, a pair of heels, an elegant yet comfortable pair of neutral-colored shoes, and a versatile bag that works for both formal and casual settings.I can't overstate how important it is to have comfortable shoes as a journalist, as they can make or break the day. The right accessory also adds a nice touch to any look.On days when I'm working from home, I rely on comfy loungewear.One-stop shop for beauty and fashionI mostly buy all these things I mentioned at different SM Store branches. In urgent cases — such as, one time, when I needed to buy a Filipiniana outfit for a forum and resort wear for an out-of-town coverage — SM Stores' Beauty and Fashion sections have, honestly, been my top-of-mind place for shopping.This is probably because I've grown up in a family that always visits SM malls every weekend. There's even an inside joke within the family that we'll visit every SM branch nationwide. A long list of products await to be discovered at SM Beauty’s hair section, where this writer has recently gotten her Naturals by Watson’s shampoo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Recently, I've swung by SM Makati to restock my self-care essentials, and I'm quite surprised to see a treasure trove of brands and products that I don't usually see in other branches. It's a good thing that it's the closest SM to where I live right now.There are so many beauty products available in its SM Beauty section that I've somehow suddenly lost track of time in the South Korean products section. In that floor that's overwhelmingly full of various products, I didn't expect to be — as Gen Z-ers say — "budol-ed" by trendy finds such as that of W.Dressroom, a popular brand for being one of BTS' V and Jungkook's favorite perfumes.Sadly, dress perfume No. 97 April Cotton, Jungkook's favorite, wasn't available when I visited the stall, but I found one that I really liked: No. 55 Grape Sherbet.I'm also getting more into cosmetics at this point of my life; so, it's good to have such accessibility for both my everyday must-haves and those "I deserve this" moments. 3C Not to mention, I appreciate that SM carries socially responsible brands and promotes sustainably sourced products in its stores through initiatives such as Green Finds. That way, consumers — myself included — make more environmentally conscious purchasing decisions.Beyond all these tangible self-care items, I also make it a point to take a much-needed pause every now and then. Whether it's dining out, getting a massage, visiting the salon, catching a movie or just strolling around, SM malls have not failed to offer options for my needs.As a loyal customer, I have also benefited a lot from exclusive discounts, rewards, promos and perks, including access to the Prestige Lounge for when I get tired from shopping and roaming around.With my busy schedule as a media professional, time is a luxury I can't always afford. Having a mall that allows me to quickly find everything I need under one roof has truly been a boon.From buying school supplies and playing around as a child to relying on it for my essentials as a young adult, the SM Store has become my happy place. I'm proud to have met my deadlines and earned my bylines while mostly maintaining my sanity thanks to this brand over the years. What’s in a lady’s tiny bag? Almost all of these treasures of course! Each one comes highly recommended by yours truly. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOs