The Beauty Bin

Six Products I'm Currently Loving

2013-05-06T20:11:47-07:00

I'm alive and baaaack from my 5-month long hiatus (long and tiring story...) and I can't contain my excitement on getting back to blogging and reading my fave blogs!

Over the course I've been absent from the blogosphere, I haven't stopped thinking about the stuff I wish I could share with you. Now that I'm finally and officially back, let me give you a rough picture of some of the beauty products I've been crazy about these past months. Presenting...

Six Products I Like So Much (with a short intro/ review about why I love each):

1. Relumins Advance White Oral Whitening Formula. Finally, an oral glutathione that doesn't make me too yellow like tathion 307. I've been on it for a week now and I have to say I'm quite impressed with the effects.

2. Avon Skin So Soft Lotion (especially the soft & white with marula variants). After basking under the summer sun from previous vacations, the intensive whitening lotions from Avon have aided me in evening out and actually improving my body's overall fairness.

3. Tony Moly Acerola Sheet Masks. My cheeks have gotten so annoyingly dry lately and these sheet masks have done a good job in helping me wake up to better-looking skin. Too bad these red packets are almost always OOS in stores :(

4. Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen SPF 110. My second most awesome purchase for the summer. I use this for the face during trips to the beach and it has never failed me. Proofs in a lengthier review to follow!

5. Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation. I've purchased this last year, loved it back then but failed to blog about it. I'm still very much in love with it now especially since it fakes a fresh face in this sweltering heat. I top it off with Joppa MMU in Grecian Gold to improve its hold.

6. Clarisonic Mia. I consider this my best beauty purchase for the first half of the year (review coming up!!!). It just really works for me and the results are instant: I get cleaner, clearer and healthy-looking skin after using this. I use the Mia with Clinique liquid facial soap/ Neutrogena Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser and with the deep-pore cleansing brush head.

If you are keen enough, you may have noticed how these product faves are mostly about keeping the skin fair. I noticed that too just now and I don't have a damn good reason why. I will be reviewing each of these products in detail very soon and perhaps by then, I can tell you why I'm such a whitening whore!

Foundation Glue: The Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse Primer

2012-12-12T16:05:00-08:00

I like the Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse because of how incredibly impressive it makes makeup stay all day despite the sweltering heat. I have combination skin and I prefer swiping the lightweight mousse primer along my T-zone area only as it tends to dry up my cheeks. Talk about a genuine face mattifier!

How much? 2.29oz of product for: P2,200 (limited ed); P2,000 (regular bottles); $35 on Shu Uemura website

Where to buy: Shu Uemura counters (Trinoma, MOA, Rustan's Shang and Makati)

Sun Protection: SPF 30 PA+++

This can be a stand alone face base for those with already great skin (not for those with dry skin though). The primer is limited to gluing foundation to the skin, blurring pores to a significant degree, and keeping the face from excessively oiling up. It cannot conceal acne scars and pimples.

Other cons to consider are:

limited shade range: pink and beige
too mattifying even for those with combination skin
face can feel a wee bit sticky before the product gets fully pushed into the skin
mousse pump difficult to control (the bottle dispenses too much when all you need is a small dollop). To get the right amount, make sure to press the pump on its farthest side opposite the nozzle. Pump cautiously (the sneaking-in-the-house-way-past-your-curfew cautious type) in an upward direction.

Some helpful notes:

The shades do not adapt to the skin color and tone. I remember my face looking beige and afloat my neck after putting this on. Its color does not overpower the foundation shade that sits on top of it though.
I thought the Shu Uemura UV Underbase mousse primer smelled like beer.
You get a velvety smooth face after letting the product sink in to the skin.
Limited edition bottles are purely beauty blings and are in no way extra special inside than the regular bottles.

Product wastage captured in photo (below). This is what happens when you treat the pump as you normally would a pump--pressing it on the middle. You will only need half as much to cover the entire face. And if you're arguing that you can use the remaining half to build coverage, don't be disappointed when you end up looking a lot more beige than covered.

Recommendation. Those who have oily skin with minor imperfections will enjoy this product. Makeup artists may also find this a reasonably priced primer--cutting down on touch-ups and beauty boo-boo's during events is after all, priceless. I also recommend this to those who feel like they will never find a face primer that will make foundation stick. This product is worth trying before totally giving up on primers.

Despite the efficiency of the product, it is surprising that I rarely want to use it. The Shu Uemura UV Underbase mousse primer makes me look too made-up (for my liking). I can use it on its own to downplay the look but it lacks decent coverage to give my face the near-flawless illusion it needs.

Shiseido's Pre-Christmas Sale

2012-11-28T16:05:00-08:00

Time to buy back-ups and products you've always wished would go a few pesos lower!

Shiseido Trinoma Mall branch is having a 20% off sale on all Shiseido products

November 29 - December 2, 2012

Dear Perfect Refining Foundation, I've Never Given Any Foundation This Much Chance

2012-11-26T16:05:00-08:00

I've had the Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation for almost half a year now and during these times, it's mostly just sitting on my dresser. Not that it's a horrible product (I actually like how it performs and find myself wanting to use it on most days), but it has consistently aggravated pustules every time I use it.

I know it's a serious problem and that I should just get rid of the black bottle, but the advantages I get from it outweigh its most unnerving flaw. I seriously don't understand why Shiseido foundations are acting funny on my skin (even the Perfect Smoothing foundation, which I loved to bits until the day it broke me out).

• Enjoy Paris' review of the foundation
• Miss Glitzy's compares it to Clarins Skin Illusion
• See why Claire thinks it's at par with NARS Sheer Glow

I give you an ultimatum my dear Shiseido Perfect Refining foundation. Today, I have an almost clear skin and if you mess with that one pimple persisting on my cheek, I have no other choice but to let you go.

Marnie's Wedding

2012-11-14T17:09:39-08:00

Do you still remember Marnie from "Ang TV"? She's not as popular as most of her contemporaries but because I find myself singing to do-wah diddy-diddy dum diddy-do every after school during my younger years, I'm able to put a face to that name.

(Her real name is Marie France Arcilla)

Marnie, or rather, Marie France, currently works as a stage and TV actress in New York. Her most celebrated TV stint to date may be her Gossip Girl appearance as Blair Waldorf's seamstress (she had lines!).

I learned she got married last year. While I usually don't click on nuptial videos of people outside my circle, I ended up watching Marnie's and felt lucky I did so. Nakakapangarap.

Julien: Nine years ago, on this island, we became a couple. I remember telling you at that time, "If you're ever going to marry somebody, please let it be me."

Marnie: I remember one day when you came up to me to say, "You are so beautiful baby ko, i love you so much" ...but on that particular day, I smiled and turned to look at you and was reminded by the kitchen mirror that i was covered with chicken pox! And that's when i knew i would never find anyone who'll love me the way that you do-- absolutely, unequivocally and unconditionally.

The video is like a long trailer for an extraordinary love story movie:

By posting this, I thought I could share two things with you (and even a third one, too: Marnie's beautiful Pronovias gown) : a video done so beautifully and a partnership that has tied two cultures in genuine love. I hope you take time two watch the 6-minute footage. I promise you it's some few minutes put to good use.

Fractional CO2 Laser Timeline

2012-11-15T09:24:09-08:00

Skin resurfacing using fractional CO2 laser has a more severe downtime than my well-loved pampa-blooming TCA peel procedure. Despite this unfortunate consequence, it is able to improve my deepest & most discouraging acne scars better than any chemical peel.

But before you commit to a more aggressive acne scar treatment, you may want to check the kind of downtime this scar-busting procedure can give your skin.

Day 0: I look severely, overly, very, annoyingly RED immediately after the treatment (as shown on my first fraxel* post). Positive facial swelling. Dot marks on the skin only visible upon close scrutiny.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 4/5

I feel abnormally self-conscious because I came to the clinic with a normal-looking face and went out looking bloody red. However, since I come out of the clinic after dusk (around 7pm), I get less uncomfortably conscious about my reddened face making the 4/5 rating drop to 2/5.

Days 1-2: Less reddish but notably more swollen. Untreated areas of the skin, for some reason, look soft and nice. Dot marks still less visible but begins to turn brownish towards the end of Day 2.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 2/5

I'm still able to meet people but I'm definitely aware that they're whispering behind my back saying, "mukhang nagpaderma." Definitely not the best time to see someone you have a crush on so better be around two types of people only: those who love you for who you are and those you care less about.

Days 3-4: Burnt-look. Dotted marks start to look very brown, almost scab-like, and micropeeling around the "screen wounds" take place. Skin looks rough especially on the nose area. Facial swelling is remarkably reduced by Day 4 though.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 4-5/5

I hang around with only one type of people: those who love me for who I am. I stay home and refuse to go out by Day 4.

Day 5: Major peeling happens on Day 5. Still, I refuse to leave home.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 5/5

Days 6,7, 8: Redemption Days. Approx 90% of the scabs completely peel off to reveal better-looking skin on Day 6. The scabs that are the last to go off are those on the sides of my face, nose, and on the temples. Some dot marks especially those on the nasal area may still be rough-looking.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 0-1/5

There may still be scabs and dot marks on some areas of the face but the new skin that has resurfaced definitely makes up for it decreasing the self-conscious factor at its lowest. Still, Day 6 is not the best day to be seen by the guy who makes you swoon --- only because you want everything to be perfect when he's around.

Day 6 of Laser Resurfacing session 2: 90% peeled! Do you notice the dot marks along my lower mandible area?

.................................

This timeline is what has generally happened to my skin post-fractional CO2 laser treatment on sessions 1-3. My latest treatment, just last Thursday, yielded a quicker-paced timeline perhaps because Doctor Foronda shifted my retinoids from 0.05% to a 0.1%.

There's a catch to the early onset of peeling, though. I've never had post-fraxel peeling as unsightly as this:

Day 4 heavy peeling. Day 3 had more of those unsightly peeling scabs.

It may be a cliche but the good old saying holds very true for skin resurfacing via fractional CO2 laser: No pain, no gain. If you're ready to go through purposeful scabbing while becoming overly self-conscious for days, then you're definitely a step closer to better skin with less embarrassing acne scars!

*fraxel - I only use this term to shorten fractional CO2 laser. The Multixel machine is used for my treatment.

The 1-Minute Hair Twist Using Goody Spin Pins

2012-11-01T01:09:29-07:00

I use Goody's Mini Spin Pins to secure my no fuss half bun. Ever since I got these innovative hair screws, I retired my collection of good old hair clamps which makes securing the twisted hair style very obvious. Goody's spin pins are almost invisible it wows my girl friends I can pull my hair up in a bun like magic!

If you think I spend so much time with the bun and pins, I don't. After several practices, I am now able to come up with a no-brainer, one minute do. Here's how I twist, spin and pin:

I pull my hair in a half pony, twist it counter-clockwise into a tight bun.
The spin pins mini come in sets of three. I use the first pin to secure the middlemost part of the bun.
The second and third pins go to the left and right lower areas of the bun respectively. This further secures the hair style so that it doesn't fall apart.

Voila, I'm set to go!

What makes it an easy task is that I don't have to be mindful of hair strays and a loose bun throughout the twist, spin and pin steps. It comes out sexy and effortless with the imperfections. I definitely feel that my 1-minute Goody mini spin pin half bun is worthy of becoming my perennial hair style!

Four Local Online Beauty Services On the Rise

2012-10-30T19:56:47-07:00

2012's last quarter is definitely a milestone for most beauty enthusiasts. There are now a number of operational and up and coming local beauty services online!

Saladbox is the first company to launch their beauty and lifestyle subscription box (September 2012). You may want to check out my unboxing post. Monthly subscription cost: P500/month

BDJ Box first launched this October. I saw the boxes sent to bloggers and the contents are more likely to be loved by beauty junkies than Saladbox's. Plus, it's P20 cheaper. Monthly subscription cost: P480/month

Glamourbox will be out by November. Among the subbie boxes, this one's most costly. Let's hope the contents are more impressive than the other two! Monthly subscription cost: P595/month

Sample Room is a service I learned about from the lovely Shen. It's an up and coming sampling service that will only charge for the shipping cost. It sounds really promising and I can't wait for its launch.

Which of these services are you most excited about? The revolutionary four are sweet treats to end this controversial year. I do hope and pray that the people behind them are passionate and hardworking enough to come up with the best things in beauty delivered to our doorsteps.

Snip, Snip --- Will I Make It Big in the Hair Industry?

2012-10-29T17:05:00-07:00

One day, my pitbull Maxx volunteered to play guinea pig to find out if there was any chance for me to make it big in the glamorous world of hair styling:

Wahl's a great clipper!

And he concluded quite mockingly (with his huge tongue sticking out of his ginormous mouth) that I will never make it. I protested he was such a pain to work with and that I'm better off with scissors and a human subject. He smirks and bets that I will never find anyone who'd want to be guinea pig to my cutting prowess.

Will any of you trust me with his/her hair?

Saladbox's September Box Review

2012-10-28T22:00:41-07:00

Here's what I think of the products inside Saladbox's September box:

Like The SaladBox on Facebook & Follow them via Twitter

Check out the SaladBox website for the latest goodies!

1. Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal Clarifying Soap (P150/135g) - This, in my opinion, is the best product to try out among the four. Camaru has replaced the plastic packaging with an attractive paper wrap this time (which I love!). Check out my in-depth review of the Camaru Bamboo Charcoal Soap. I highly recommend this product as it worked well for me!

2. Hot Shop Pour Femme Perfume in Happy (P400/50mL) - You might remember that I was very eager to check this product out because of the wonderful scent it gave the entire box. This is a sweet and fresh scent best worn on casual days. I am disappointed though that it seems that this scent smells better sprayed on paper than on the skin. The scent lasted barely two hours on me. Won't recommend.

3. BC Fragrance Pillow Mist in Relaxing Mint (P150/60mL) - I loved this more than Hot Shop's perfume. When I opened the box, I really didn't think I'd love this, but the minty and refreshing scent it left my pillow and sheets was just pure love! Will recommend!

4. Natura Cosmetics Gorgeous Argan Cheek and Lip Stik (P150/10g) - It's more of a lip balm than a lip & cheek tint --- I find it's too tacky to be on the cheeks! The color is a disappointing beatdine-ish pigment, however, the creamy smoothness it leaves my lips makes up for it. I don't think I'll recommend this.

Overall, the September Saladbox Press kit did not meet my expectations. It's really a bit sad because this is the first subscription box I have received. I did like BC Fragrance's Pillow Mist in Relaxing Mint and Camaru's Bamboo Charcoal soap though. I do hope the Saladbox improves in the next few boxes to come.

I Can Be Body Beautiful at Any Age with Wacoal

2012-10-28T21:19:11-07:00

Do you ever consider support and style for your undergarments when buying them? Or do you just focus on the design, color, and appeal? There was a time when I used to not care about bra/underwear form and fit and just went after how cool and sexy it looked on me. That was before I turned 32.

Now older and wiser, I start to rebuild my undergarments. Wacoal has an age-specific undergarment collection. My eyes are on their medium support shape pants and non-wire, thin pads cami bra which is a good pair to feeling body beautiful at thirty:

I now stay away from heavily padded bras and find a good use for tummy-tucking knickers. There are more selections from Wacoal that make undergarment shopping a breeze, thanks to the age-specific collection!

http://www.wacoal.ph

They have good pairs waiting for every women at any age. Check out what they have to offer for women in their 20's, 30's and 40's!

The Body Shop Crayon Concealer Review: How I Hide My Huge Zits

2012-10-24T17:05:00-07:00

I have been using the Crayon Concealer since 2009 and realizing that it's currently The Body Shop Philippines' 2nd best seller, I must say that I'm not the only one loving the product! (All-In-One Face base tops the list while the Oil-Free foundation came in third).

Product Description. Our creamy concealer cares for your skin even as it hides its imperfections. With community Trade marula oil. It effectively covers blemishes and blends easily to conceal redness. Available in a variety of shades.

Medium to high coverage
Blends easily
Dermatologically tested

Results. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer's thick texture works well in making my non-peeling/non-flaky zits less visible. It fares even better in concealing redness and post-acne blemishes. During the initial several uses though, I struggled with blending and making the concealer look smooth & natural when working with huge zits. I figured that using a brush to work on the periphery of the makeup works better than using the fingertips.

Also, the very creamy concealer can appear cakey when set with powder foundations that provide great coverage (like the Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation). If you plan to use the concealer under a medium to heavy coverage powder foundation, be sure to set the concealed area/s with a sheer powder before applying foundation.

Shade Range. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer comes in six shades, 01-06. 02 fits my NC 25-30 skin.

Product Versatility. The concealer isn't for the undereye --- the texture is too rich. But it can pass for an eyelid base for eyeshadows especially if you don't oil up a lot. I have oily lids but I was able to prime mine to make eyeshadow colors look better.

Comedogenic? It neither caused nor treated zits. It's plain makeup on my skin and does not double as skincare.

Cons.

Difficult to blend with fingers without appearing cakey
Does not hold well on oily skin types (4 hours max on me)
Needs a special sharpener (costs P200+) --- but you can have it sharpened at The Body Shop stores
Emphasizes skin flaking

Other Info: How much: P600+/3.2g; Shelf-life: 3 years; If you plan to have your concealer sharpened at The Body Shop stores, don't forget to sanitize right after sharpening.

Overall Impression:

True to its claim, The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer hides imperfections by providing medium to heavy coverage. Though blending it out was initially a problem for me, I strongly feel that makeup pros will find the concealer's texture very easy to work with.

My greatest gripe is that it slides off easily exposing my plump and inflamed pimples in just a few hours. The biggest advantage on the other hand, apart from its being an effective concealer, is its shelf-life. I needed so little of the product that my 2009 purchase lasted me till first quarter of this year --- that's huge savings! I definitely dig why it's a best seller.

Colorful Cleansing Oils from Nature Republic's Forest Garden Line

2012-10-18T17:59:39-07:00

When I was researching for a good alternative to Shu Uemura cleansing oils, Nature Republic's Forest Garden Cleansing Oils caught my fancy as their line up carries a good array of makeup removing oils close to Shu's (feel free to comment below if you know of brands with such variety). Shu's got six variants, Nature Republic has five.

Price: P665 (10% off for Nature Republic cardholders)

Available at: Nature Republic boutiques at Festival Mall, SM North and SM Fairview

Their "Balancing" cleansing oil may be the best for me as I am drier on the cheeks and oily along the T-zone. The scent is quite overpowering but wasn't anything near unpleasant.

Five variants of the Nature Republic Forest Garden Cleansing Oil Line:

MOISTURE (Borage Oil & Carrot Seed) - blue; moisturizing; best for dry skin

BALANCING (Rosemary & Ylang Ylang) - pink; revitalizing; perfect for stressed out skin

FRESH (Tea Tree & Lemongrass) - green; acne-busting; capable of targeting pimples and comedones

PREMIUM (Argan Oil) - white; perfect for those who want added radiance

MILD (Chamomile) - lilac; a good choice for those with sensitive skin

And I actually thought 'Balancing' was meant for unbalanced/combination skin, hee!

blue, pink, green and white bottles (lilac variant not in photo)

My only question is: why can't I have Balancing, Fresh, Premium and Mild in one bottle? The good old saying holds true in beauty products, too: "You can't have 'em all!". Ho well, the Nature Republic Forest Garden cleansing oils are worth checking out anyway --- great packaging, and from what I've been hearing from people, tough on the most stubborn gunk on the face!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser Review

2012-10-17T17:05:00-07:00

The Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser promises to:

remove 99% of dullness-causing dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam
provide skin with the proven whitening efficacy of mulberry extracts (Morus alba root extracts) that are rich in Vitamins B3 and C to help visibly brighten skin.

CLEANING ABILITY

The cleanser dispenses a fragrant and astonishingly silky ball of foam I love putting on my face. I use four pumps of the product to properly clean my face and it does the job. That is, if I do not put on foundation or bb cream. Otherwise, I use the Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser as a follow-up to my Shu Uemura cleansing oil routine.

Available at: Watsons

Price/ weight: 307.50/ 175mL

I have been alternating the cleanser with a salicylic facial wash for almost 2 months now and it never caused me to break out (compared to the Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit variant). It is consistently non-drying and does not leave my face uncomfortably taut.

WHITENING POWER

If you expect this to land you a MAC shade lighter in no time, pull your standards down a bit. In 2 months, I only see brightening wonders after each use. I don't remember waking up and gushing over a fairer complexion. It's also proper to consider that:

I do not use the cleanser on a daily basis
I've only almost used up one bottle of the Brightening Mulberry ultra foam wash

Perhaps a more frequent usage or another bottle of this Neutrogena cleanser will do permanent wonders. Morus alba extracts are known to function as natural skin bleaching agents making it a little difficult to discount the possibility that this cleanser can improve skin clarity over time.

Recommendation. If you're on the hunt for a mild cleanser that's tough on non-makeup dirt and impurities, this is a good product. I strongly feel that those with less problematic skin (acne-free) will find this a good cleansing staple. Plus, there's a bonus of ending up with a brighter complexion after each wash, too!

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser.

My First Fraxel Experience: A Giant Leap In Rehabilitating My Scarred Skin

2012-11-12T08:17:24-08:00

The first few months I was with my derma, Dr. Six Foronda, she recommended that I save up for Fraxel sessions offered by the Belo Medical Group. She explains how cost-effective and efficient the treatment was for the type of acne scarring I have on my cheeks and temples.

However, I was reluctant to see a different doctor knowing how my skin felt to be under the best care with Dr. Foronda. And so I told her I'd wait till she acquires a Fraxel machine.

During the first quarter of this year, she finally gets a fractionalized CO2 laser machine, Multixel. Let me share with you what happened during my first treatment session --- a giant leap for me in getting the best treatment for my acne scars! (I will be using the term "Fraxel" as we go along as it is a more popular term for and a shorter way to type out "fractionalized CO2 laser"). For the record, the procedure I'm getting is laser resurfacing via fractionalized CO2 laser using Multixel.

BEFORE TREATMENT

Prior to the big day, Doc Six requested I stop using tretinoin at least 5 days from the treatment date.

Topical anesthesia, Lidocaine, was applied on areas to be treated (pretty much the whole face). My chin area was breaking out that day and so it was spared.

Doc Six explains what to expect from the procedure while we wait for the anesthesia to numb my skin.

DURING TREATMENT

At this point, I am unable to take photos. But let me show you what came in contact with my face:

Dr. Foronda explains the pattern that the laser will create on my skin. Using a paper, the laser beam is applied (red light on left photo). Right photo shows the dots that will appear on my skin

Doc Six customizes my Fraxel treatment: skin resurfacing on the scars and large pore treatment on the rest of the unscarred skin. Oh the wonders of having a good doctor to work on my skin!

Despite my low pain threshold, I was able to tolerate the very uncomfortable heat form the machine. It just got painful when the light passed through my forehead, nose and temples.

At the end of Fraxel, it was already very painful. I felt like fluids were oozing all throughout my face.

It is also noteworthy to include how it smelled burnt skin all throughout the procedure.

AFTER THE TREATMENT

I silently prayed for strength from God to cope with the progressing pain.

Doc Six handed me an ice roller to help subdue the pain. Answered prayer! (I pay attention to the littlest things like that)

I was instructed the following: (1) keep face off water until the evening of the next day, (2) resume tretinoin the next day (evening) to prevent any possible PIH, (3) cold compress & analgesics to soothe pain (4) protect skin form the sun at all times.

Immediately after Fraxel, I was so red. A day after treatment, the redness decreased a bit but my face looked so swollen.

Immediately after Fraxel as the pain continues to build up

I was less conscious of how my face looked like on the fifth day after treatment; it took six days for my skin to completely heal. A month after the treatment, I noticed that my skin further improved versus Day 7 post-treatment.

(N.B. Day 0- treatment day, Day 1 - day after treatment)
You may click to enlarge

Here's an old photo of my skin before laser skin resurfacing taken from this post

There was very little improvement after this first Fraxel experience. It made me think twice about going back for another painful round of skin cooking but waking up to less scarred cheeks (no matter how minute) has motivated me to be patient with my doctor's treatment plan. I have had three treatments to date and I will post more about my adventures in fractional CO2 laser treatment in the next few weeks!

Sentro 1771's Keso Flan Is My Current Favorite Dessert

2012-10-13T17:05:00-07:00

Some few weeks ago, the sibs and I decided to spend one rainy Sunday afternoon eating merienda at Sentro 1771. I loved everything we ordered especially the Keso Flan. It's cheesecake, bibingka and leche flan rolled into one! Oh, Keso Flan!

I would not have guessed that the slices of salted duck egg mixed with a spoonful of the sweet & creamy keso flan created a wonderful burst of flavor! I loved Sentro 1771's version of leche flan down to the last bite. I didn't eat the queso de bola though. I never liked it.

P220 is quite a big price to pay for a dessert I chowed down in a little over a minute. Parang taga bundok lang, naexcite sa bagong pagkain na pagkasarap-sarap! The serving, in my opinion, is quite small especially for something so amazingly palatable.

It wasn't just this dessert that I loved at Sentro. I'll tell you about the others soon after I get the photos fixed. For now, I'll leave you with this so you can help me figure out why this dog kept barking crazily at me when I tried to pose beside him.

Get fresh updates via the Sentro Facebook page and their Twitter

Sentro 1771 is located at the Serendra Piazza (across Cupcakes by Sonja) and Level 2, Greenbelt 3

Sentro 1771's Keso Flan has raised the bar in leche flan. That's at least for my simple and easy-to-please palate. But if you want come up with a verdict and and try out a delectable treat where leche flan, cheesecake, bibingka, and itlog na maalat tag teams to knock your tastebuds out, go and try the Keso Flan any time soon!

What's Inside My First SaladBox?

2012-10-29T01:06:11-07:00

Last week, the kind people from The SaladBox sent me a sample of their beauty & lifestyle subscription box. If you're wondering what's inside, take a peek:

The Press box is themed "Filipino Pride" and contains four homegrown products. Except for the Camaru Naturals bamboo charcoal soap (whose new packaging got me so excited), I am unfamiliar with the rest of the brands.

Full-size Natura Cosmetics Argan Cheek and Lip Stik (P150/10g) - beauty
Full-size Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal Soap (P150/135g) - beauty
Full-size Hot Shop Perfume in Happy (P400/50mL) - beauty
Travel-size BC Fragrance Pillow Mist (P150/60mL) - lifestyle

Among these products, I'm least excited to try out the lippie. I can't wait to test out the perfume though while the Pillow Mist intrigues me as it claims to "clear the mind" --- definitely not something you'll sleep in before a big exam, hehe.

Check out my review of the products inside the September Saladbox.

Is It Worth Subscribing To? At this point, it is unsound to come up with a conclusion. I was sent a Media edition of the beauty box which is in no way intended to mirror what paid ones contain. SaladBoxes are supposed to be a customized set of products based on the subscriber's beauty profile during sign-up.

Also, SaladBox subscribers are promised---

Beauty, grooming and lifestyle products you will definitely love
Experience new, up-and-coming brands & timeless classics
Get four or more deluxe miniatures from the best beauty and lifestyle brands worldwide
Try new products without breaking the bank and filling your dresser with all that unwanted clutter

These are huge promises and getting all these for P500/month is a very good deal if you ask me.

In all honesty, I feel that the SaladBox Press boxes may have been a less fruitful attempt in encouraging beauty enthusiasts to sign-up. Some conclude that the Press boxes ARE the actual boxes and so they shy away from hitting that 'Join Now' button. Again, Press Boxes ≠ Subscription Boxes.

If you're on the fence about getting this wonderful aquamarine box, you may initially want to try their monthly recurring plan and cancel before your credit card is charged for the following month's subscription. OR, hypnotize a good friend into sending the subscription to you as a gift! *winks*

Like The SaladBox on Facebook & Follow them via Twitter

Check out the SaladBox website for the latest goodies!

Did you subscribe for the September/October SaladBox? Do share with us what's inside your box when you get hold of it!

My First Beauty Field Trip Experience

2012-10-10T20:27:19-07:00

Do you still remember how you get all giddy and sunny whenever school field trips come up? Last August (late post, I know!), I was reminded of that good old feeling as I counted the days to hopping on a big bus that will take me to Avon Philippines' Plant in Laguna --- my first beauty field trip experience!

Along with other bloggers, I had the chance to tour Avon's cosmetic and skincare plant. I knew all that excitement showed up when Shen uttered how much I look so geared up for the usual school field trip!

Some of my seatmates on that day --- Shen, Krissy and Kira

Clockwise: Huge mixers, digital message board welcoming bloggers (and shouts out the team's daily production goals), and the tidy production unit

Lipstick maker --- I wish I had the guts to break the rules and move a bit closer to take super proximal shots of how the lip products are injected into the metallic pink casing. It felt surreal that I witnessed how it's done.

Watching from a distance: pressed powder and cologne processing units must be germ-free at all times!

Among the field trip's highlights was the launch of the brand's Skin So Soft improved products. Apart from the new packaging, Avon now has marula, argan and babassu oils as ingredients in their popular body care line! More about these wonderful bottles in future posts.

Marula oil- for whitening

Argan oil- for added moisture

Babassu oil- for tightening the skin

What struck me most about that day was Avon's way of empowering its employees (and I can hear the kikay in me dying as I should be most excited about the cosmetics being produced & assembled!). Apart from the big bosses being truly inspirational when directing their people, empowering signs and posters were plastered everywhere to remind everyone about the greatness of committing oneself to a noble vision.

The environmentalist in me was so happy to see these posted inside the comfort room

The men and women of Avon are Good Morning thinkers. Whatever the time of the day, they greet each other with "Good Morning!" aiming to boost mood, morale and camaraderie. I secretly guessed it's their least effective way of empowerment but boy did I feel good after several good mornings & warm smiles! I now think that the good morning principle may be a perfect plan to revamp most of our local government offices' aura.

My first ever beauty field trip made me wish it wasn't the last. I can never look at compacts, lipsticks, lotions and beauty whatnots the same way again knowing the kind of devotion and hard work people put into a product.

photo from Hazel of http://dressmeupbuttercup.tumblr.com
(I'm the one wearing a gray statement tshirt, jeans and white flats. With my BIG backpack on me, you can definitely tell that I'm all geared up for this field trip)

Finally, A Local Beauty Subscription Box --- The SaladBox!

2012-09-08T05:30:45-07:00

I still remember how I fancied having our own local beauty subscription boxes whenever I read posts about international bloggers opening their Glossybox or Birchbox goodies. There's truly something magical about opening beauty packages so I kept wishing I could experience the same thing.

Birchbox- a popular beauty subscription box in the U.S.

And because this post's title give away too much --- yup, we now have our local beauty and lifestyle subscription box. It's called SaladBox!

For just PhP500.00 per month, a subscriber will receive a box filled with four or more beauty and lifestyle product samples. The SaladBox team greatly values the money their subscribers spend so these products will have a value of more than PhP700.00. SaladBox is currently in partnership with a lot of beauty and lifestyle brands, both local and international, up-and-coming and timeless classics.

Much like the popular international labels in subscription boxes, SaladBox is more than just a subscription box:

subscribers who write their reviews will receive reward points in their accounts (called SaladLeaves) which they can use for purchasing their favorite products
SaladLeaves are also awarded to those who successfully refer new subscribers
weekly flash sales on lifestyle and beauty that are unavailable to other group buying sites

Monthly subscriptions are limited as they go by the first come, first served ruling so better make sure to get a slot today if you're meaning to get one (subscription for your very own SaladBox is now officially open). Don't forget to visit their website, twitter and Facebook page for the latest news!

PLDT MyDSL is Looking For Derek's Next Anna!

2012-08-31T21:09:17-07:00

Breakups are getting unbelievable techie nowadays. If you have seen PLDT MyDSL's latest commercial on Anna's response to Derek's Youtube video, you'll feel bad for the poor guy coz her dream girl just dumped him right in front of every Youtube-ing individual.

Now if I were a youngster like Derek, I would be totally crushed. Heck, rejection via text messaging is difficult for me to accept so I can't imagine myself coping with a breakup video. But in a miraculous turn of events, Derek's family shows support for the heartbroken kid and seems to be pushing him to meet other girls who are far more interested in him than his classmate.

I wish I could do something for poor Derek too you know. But I barely know any girl teeny bopper I can make reto.

Now if any of you know teeny boppy girls aged 12-16, then you might just be able to help Derek recover from the heartbreak! All your referrals have to do is submit a video entry on why they should be Derek’s new Anna! If they win, they’ll be part of the next PLDT myDSL commercial and also take home a Samsung Ultrabook.

Visit http://www.dereksnewanna.com/ for more details on the contest!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser Review

2012-08-17T17:05:00-07:00

The Neutrogena Deep Clean Ultra Foam Cleanser comes in two variants: Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit and Brightening Mulberry. You must be wondering how someone overly gaga about brightening and whitening chooses to prioritize testing out the revitalizing variant over the illuminating one. Let me tell you that ever since I turned 30, I'm more for products that promote cell renewal!

Product says ---

Developed with dermatologists, the innovative new formula contains the leading Neutrogena® Deep Clean® Technology that effectively removes 99% of dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam, as well as Anti-Oxidant Pink Grapefruit Extracts that helps stimulate healthy cell renewal.

The product promises:

an ultra clean face through its ultra velvety-rich foam
better cell renewal c/o Pink Grapefruit extracts

The Deep Clean Promise

Unless one has a super techie device to objectively quantify a clean face, the best way to evaluate a cleanser's efficiency is to observe the amount of gunk a cotton ball shows us after toning. I often use an antiseptic, Clindamycin, after cleansing and the Neutrogena Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam cleanser passes the "cotton ball test". I never had to worry about any evidence of extreme dirt residue during the time I used this.

And if you'd like to know what I think about the cleanser in the least objective way, my face feels clean and looks brighter after I use it!

This product works well for those who use light face makeup or none at all. Since I am acne-prone, even if I wear sheer powder, I always tandem the Neutrogena Ultra Foam cleanser with a good cleansing oil or a cream makeup remover.

The Antioxidant Factor and the eX-Factor

The product introduces grapefruit extracts into the foaming facial wash to stimulate healthy cell renewal. I almost literally died when I learned about it since it was what my stressed out skin severely needs.

However, I started breaking out from the cleanser in less than a week. I gave it another week to be tried out but the pimples are just making my skin, in its already bad state, far more horrible-looking. And so I had to stop. I knew I had to give the Neutrogena Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser the eX approval. We were over.

I gave the bottle to a good friend who has a normal skintype and was experiencing occasional bouts of stubborn whiteheads (which she never experienced before). And what do you know--- she loved the cleanser and is using it religiously to date.

ღೋღೋ ღೋ ღೋ

I would have loved to keep the product because it:

was just P307 for an effective 175mL cleanser
had a citrusy, yummy fragrance (but is def too strong for those who prefer non-scented cleansers)
creates a rich, velvety foam out of the pump

I would have loved to experience a more permanent revitalized face from the Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser if only I did not break out from it. I am still unsure why I harbored tiny grape-like zits on my face but I'm hoping it's not from the grapefruit extracts!

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Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge

2012-08-04T17:05:00-07:00

I can't wait for these to get to our local counters! Although the beauty brand stayed safe with launching a couple of safe colors, I still think these lipsticks are worth checking out. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge creator, Dick Page, says:

The collection is about the simplicity of a lip gloss married to the intensity of a lipstick, with deep pigment and rich color payoff, long lasting shine and gloss.The lacquer rouge collection creates 'a speedy glamour'.

There are 12 shades to look forward to, four of which are Asia-exclusive colours (Carnelian, Amethyst, Rubelite and Sunstone). I dug up photos and some swatches from the net but wasn't successful with finding swatches for the Asian four (hee!):

Photo Source, by Ars Aromatica
Shiseido Lacquer Rouge swatched on NW18 (Asian skin)

Swatches from L-R: Nocturne, Drama, Savage, Nymph, Portrait, Blaze, Disco, Camel

Photo Source, by Beauty and the Feast

You can definitely tell that the lip lacquers are best on well-exfoliated lips!

For the Michael Kors NY Fashion Week Fall '12 runway, Dick Page did something marvelous with the Shiseido Lacquer Rouge. He used a wedged sponge and applied the liquid lipstick on the cheeks!

Check out The Effortless Chic for more photos

For sexy, flushed cheeks, makeup artist Dick Page used a white wedge sponge to spread Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Drama (yes, that's a lipstick) from the largest part of the cheeks down toward the jawline in a chevron shape. "It's how you look if you've been skiing or in a hot tub or having very good sex one hopes," Page said.

Also, I found one reviewer who loved the Shiseido Lacquer Rouge's formula over the Chanel Rouge Allure Laque (check her story). The other blogger loved Shiseido's more than YSL Glossy Stains and Chanel RAL (her lip swatches here).

My eyes are glued on the Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Blaze. I've never tried anything orange on my lips. I hear from other girls that among the 8 internationally released shades, Blaze is relatively transparent but buildable. The rest of the lip lacquers finish opaque at first swipe!

Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation Review

2012-08-03T23:45:29-07:00

The Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation is the first powder foundation I've tried from the brand. If you have seen my Bangkok trip photos, I've been consistently wearing this medium coverage powder in shade O40.

How much? P1800 refill, P1100 compact case, 10g

Availability: Shiseido counters (select SM Dep't stores, Landmark, Greenbelt, Glorietta)

Texture & Color. This foundation is milled to perfection allowing it to look natural and soft against the skin. O40's a great match. However, this oxidizes on me several hours after but I noticed that with a good primer, the degree of darkening is decreased (but oxidation is still obvious).

If your skin is notorious for turning foundations a notch darker, I suggest you get hold of the Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation one shade lighter than your perfect match (in my case, it's O20). Good thing it has 13 shades to suit most skin tones.

The Perfect Smoothing Foundation is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation

Finish and Feel. I apply this using the sponge that came with it and I end up with a glowy, smooth and evened-out skin. I think that the microglitters on the powder are the ones responsible for the amazing pearlescent finish.

On my face, it can feel a little heavy immediately after application, but I start to appreciate how lightweight it can get 30mins after as it melts into my skin.

Coverage & Wear. For those with acne scars and pimples like me, this foundation can get help from a good concealer on days you use it for big events. During weddings, I personally choose to use the Perfect Smoothing Foundation over a great primer and concealer. If you plan to use this on top of a liquid foundation, please use something that finishes sheer.

FACE: Shiseido Refining Makeup primer
Shiseido Perfect Smoothing foundation
Shiseido Oil-Free Bronzer #2

Photo taken 5 hours after application. You can tell that it has oxidized on my skin but because I wore a primer, it didn't look that muddy. Sans a makeup primer, you can just imagine how dark O40 goes on me when it oxidizes.

On normal days, because this foundation can cover decently, I just use it solo (over primer & moisturizer). It isn't foolproof when used alone, though. I blot several times a day and see the need for retouching with sheer loose powder somewhere in between long hours.

Others. I broke out from this after 5 months of using it. It's weird but if you knew the story about me and Clinique moisturizing gel, you wouldn't be surprised. Also, it wasn't until I broke out from it that I realized it wasn't the best formulation for my skin. The glowy finish can end up looking oily after severaaaal hours.

Good thing I hit pan before the zits showed up

Recommendation. The Shiseido Perfect Smoothing foundation is a jewel to those with normal to dry skin *sighs*. I must add that it photographs well, too, dry skin or not!

I recommend the sponge that goes with it and to not dip brushes on the pan to avoid wasting too much of the product. To avoid cakiness, after dabbing & sweeping product using a sponge, you can take out excess powder using a brush and flick it lightly, outwards.

I still hope to use up whatever's left in my Shiseido Perfect Smoothing foundation pan. I fell in love with it despite the strings of disadvantages (oxidation, poor oil control, not longwearing) because my skin looks a million times better underneath it without looking too made up. However, since we're already talking about zits here, I must restrain myself from even thinking about the almost used-up pan and just consider this among the products I had a hard time letting go of but had to.

Shu Uemura Ultim8 Workshop @ Trinoma

2012-08-03T17:21:23-07:00

I attended a workshop conducted by Shu Uemura makeup artist, Patrick Alcobar, at the Trinoma Mall last week. I ran in late but it's a good thing I didn't miss much.

Here are the main products used during the workshop:

1. UV Under base Mousse (in beige), P2000 - a primer and a moisturizer in a can. An excellent product for creating a smooth canvass for any type of foundation

2. Face Architect Liquid Foundation (in 554, medium sand), P2150 - gives medium to heavy coverage

3. Cover Crayon (in 7YRmed/7YRml), P1700 - undereye and face concealer in one pencil!

4. Face Powder Matte, P2350 - loose powder that sets the face architect liquid foundation perfectly.

5. Hard Formula Brow Pencil (in Walnut), P1400 - this is such an investment! No wonder both Phoebe and Kira likes this so much!

6. Chocolat Donna Eye Palette (in Raspberry & Mocha), P4000 - a beautiful set of browns perfect for any occasion. All shades are so wearble! This, by the way, is a limited edition palette.

7. Rogue Unlimited (in RD160 and PK315), P1195 - excellent pigmentation and staying power! I lalalalove RD106!

I rarely put makeup on even when I go to blogger events and so I learned how adding colour to the face can scream glamour!

Patrick shows how lining the eyes can make a big difference

Patrick urges all girls to wear eyeshadow! He paints the model's eyelid with only one color, Raspberry, and her eyes are set to go!

1. Create Flawless Skin

2. For the Day look, Patrick chooses the lips as the main focus

3. For the Evening Look: Patrick chooses to accentuate the eyes. He takes off RD160 and replaces it with PK315. For the eyes, he uses 3 more shades from the Chocolat Donna palette (while using Raspberry as the base): cream mocha, mocha in pearl and matte milk chocolate

L-R: glittery mocha, raspberry, creme mocha, gold accented mocha in pearl, matte milk chocolate with subtle gold accent, rich cocoa

I learned a lot from the workshop and went home with the UV Under base, the RD160 Rouge Unlimited lipstick, and a pressed eyeshadow refill. Review and swatches coming late August! :)

Epilogue:

I will never attend any workshop at Shu Uemura Trinoma. I was hugely disappointed because of the attitude some of the beauty consultants gave me. You see, I'm never that good with eye and lip makeup and so I wanted someone who can patiently walk me through the ropes. But perhaps because I looked sweaty with the chin peeling heavily, and that I didn't have ANY makeup on, they paid little attention to me. They assisted me naman but you know when one gives you the stare like they're doing something with a heavy heart? So, yeah.

Only one makeup artist really helped me out without being impatient with my questions--- Karen Crisostomo. Too bad she had to attend to the VIP's (Shu cardholders) who are already in the store.

Ho well, the world may have really gone that shallow.

Camaru's Bamboo Charcoal Soap Brightens My Skin!

2012-08-01T21:02:39-07:00

I've already told you how I use the Camaru Bamboo Charcoal soap to spot-treat pimples on my face. I haven't tried cleansing my entire face with the soap as it can be very drying, but I can attest to how much this bar can brighten my body in a few weeks' use.

I suggest you:

use it twice a day
work the soap into a rich lather on the body
let the soap sink in the skin for 5-10mins (only for the first week; succeeding weeks, I don't wait for the soap to get completely absorbed into the skin)
use Vaseline Healthy White lotion after bathing
use Asian Secrets Lulur thrice a week to ensure optimum effects of any whitening product on the skin

It stung like crazy when I allowed the soap to sink into my skin during the first week. My body (and hands!) exfoliated intensely which didn't look very pleasant at all. Thanks to the bits of patience left in me, I reaped impressive benefits after 3 weeks of using the bamboo charcoal soap.

Coping With Its Imperfections

The bamboo charcoal soap has a few cons:

Drying

It only becomes very drying on the early stages of using the soap. Unlike the Psalmstre Placenta Soap, this does not consistently leave your skin dry. Also, following up with a highly moisturizing lotion helps keep the skin from looking dehydrated.

Unpleasant Scent

Battling the unpleasant scent only happens when you rinse the soap off. The bamboo charcoal soap's lather stinks that it's a challenge to let it stay on the skin. Follow up with a fragrant soap to end up smelling delish when you step out of the shower!

Gets Quickly Used Up

The soap is too soft and because you need to work it into a lather, it gets soaked too long in the water using up too much product. To thrift on a P125 bar, I cut it into sections. It is also smart to store it in a well-draining soap dish far from the shower.

Gets Out-of-Stock Easily

After using up one full bar last March, I knew I had to get more. Unfortunately, it went OOS for weeks and I was devastated. The solution? Hoard. Nah, keep yourself updated through Camaru Naturals Facebook or Twitter on any stock updates!

The Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal soap made it to my list of best whitening soaps I've used to date! It may not have lightened the skin significantly as what Psalmstre Placenta soap did for me, but I was pleased with how my skin improved with a tinge of glow and suppleness.

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Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal Soap.