Fashion and Beauty Blog

Carmex Lip Balm

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:36:00 +0000

I've only heard good reviews of Carmex Lip Balms but I haven't really tried it until Carmex Philippines sent some of their balms for review.

The first time I used Carmex, I was dumbfounded on the minty flavor. (Carmex said that the mint flavor was phased out but their lip balms have a tingle feel). It was too much for me. I suffer from lip allergies and I had tiny rashes on my lips that time and the mint gave me a cooling effect that was way more than my lips can tolerate. I wiped the balm off my lips and decided to let my lips heal first before trying the balm again. (That means no chicken, bagoong, or eggs for me for a few days).

Ingredients list

Now my lips have healed and I'm ready for an adventure. Due to my allergies, my lips have become very dry and cracking and I can't wait to try Carmex' moisturizing qualities. Good to know that the minty feel that made me uncomfortable on the first try is not so disturbing anymore. I love mint on my lips and, in fact, my regular lip balms are all minty. Carmex is no exception, except, that Carmex has a stronger mint flavor compared to that of Human Nature.

I've always practiced waiting for around 5 minutes after applying lip balm before I apply my lipstick. With my experience, applying lipstick right after putting lip balm on would just cause the former to glide and slide. It's amazing that with Carmex, I can instantaneously apply my lipstick right after the lip balm without worrying that my lipstick would just slide off. I'm using VMV Matte Lipstick and we all know how matte lipsticks need some moisturizing lip balm underneath. Carmex has not only moisturized my lips but it also gave me the smoothest glide. I like that it did not alter the shade of my lipstick and in fact, it enhanced it.

My favorite from the Carmex line is the Original Flavor Moisturizing Lip Balm Stick. Yes, it may feel like I have slathered wax on my lips but the moisturizing effect is really amazing. It's perfect for preparing my lips before lipstick. It has SPF 15 which makes it a great product in protecting lips during minor sun exposure.

Tube vs. Stick
Trying out two variants of Carmex lip balms, I just can't help but compare one from the other. The tube type is in a gel form, and you just need to slightly squeeze the tube to get the product out. Both have minty flavors. The tube cap does not appeal much to me because I don't like screwing it back specially when I'm in a hurry. That's why I like the stick variant better.

Invisalign | The Newest Alternative to Braces

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:54:00 +0000

I've had braces when I was in elementary. But I never got to use them for more than 3 months the reason being that I would develop sores because of the metal. I also had a block bite that time and it really affected the way I speak.

Having crooked lower teeth doesn't really bother me. But if money is not an issue, I would definitely get myself an Invisalign. So what is Invisalign and what does it do?

Invisalign Montreal is an alternative to braces. It straightens out your teeth but promises a more comfortable approach. You will be made to wear clear invisible aligners for a period of time. Because it's clear and invisible, nobody will know that you're wearing these aligners. It is a proven way to straighten crooked teeth and is now widely used by orthodontics all over America.

Now, some of us must have some rough childhood and although no matter how we take good care of our oral health, we lose one, two, three, or more teeth in our lifetime. Dental Implants Montreal could be the solution to our problem. In choosing dental implants, we must always consider the color of our teeth. Not all teeth have the same shade so we must choose the one which is closest to our natural tooth color.

Dental implants are not for everybody. To be able to get implants, you must have a good bone density and you must also have a strict oral hygiene. You need to properly take good care of both your real teeth and dental implants for a healthy mouth.

Choosing a Bridal Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:55:00 +0000

The bride must be the most beautiful person on her wedding day. But the groom must also match her bride's beauty. And the whole entourage must look dainty as well. It is very important to choose a good bridal shop which can provide elegant and pretty dresses for the whole bridal entourage.

Brides looking to add a spark of beauty to their wedding would be smart to visit Dimitra Designs. As one of the most well-known bridal shops in Spartanburg SC, Dimitra Designs specializes in all sorts of wedding apparel. They feature beautiful wedding gown designs by a number of famous designers including David Tutera, host of My Fair Wedding on WETV. From exquisite mermaid cuts to extravagant vintage couture bridal gowns, this bridal shop in Spartanburg SC has a dress for every woman and every body type. Once a bride has picked out her dream dress, it's time for the groom to find that perfect stunning tuxedo. Dimitra Designs carries all of the hottest wedding tuxes so the man can look his best. With designers like Calvin Klein and Perry Ellis there is really a great variety for grooms to choose from. The tuxedo consultants at Dimitra will evaluate the body type and style choices of the groom and best man to help them make the best choice. There's a lot to see and choose from for bridesmaids dresses too. Brands like Allure, DaVinci and Mori Lee are all represented with gorgeous designs and awesome selection. Flower girls can also get super cute dresses to suit them as they walk down the aisle. Choosing a wedding dress and tux for the big day can be a hard decision, but the experts at Dimitra Design make the entire experience great. Their awesome service and great selection makes the preparation that much easier.

Stem Cell Therapy now in Davao City

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:45:00 +0000

We've all heard about Stem Cell Therapy, and mostly, we've heard it from celebrity endorsements. Stem Cell Therapy can made you beautiful, give you back your youth, will make you glow.

But do you know that Stem Cell Therapy is a breakthrough in the medical field?

Stem Cell Therapy has arrived in Davao City through iStem, the first regenerative medical clinic in Davao City offering Fat Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Procedures. The iStem Clinic is located at Door 1 Lucita Building, Sobrecarey corner Lapu-Lapu Streets, Davao City.

Dr. Diana Diaz-Calimbas, MD, spearheads the iStem Clinic. She is a board-certified physician specializing on Alternative and Integrative Medicine since 1996.She has completed the AdiStem Training on stem cell therapy.

Dr. Diana D. Calimbas

What can stem cell therapy do for you?

The symposium was entitled "It's all in your fat." I learned that there are around 6 to 8 stem cells surrounding each fat cell and in every gram of fat, there are about 5 million stem cells. However, these stem cells are "asleep" and cannot be utilized to their full potential unless and until they are activated. To activate these stem cells, we much exercise for at least 20 minutes a day. But of course, if we want to fast track the activation of our stem cells, we can undergo a stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy has produced significant and positive results in the improvement of many degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, Arthritis, Multiple Slerosis, Heart Disease, Cancer, Skin Disease, Vascular Disease, Spinal Cord Injury, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The symposium has really got me curious about stem cell therapy. It costs P700,000.00. It's not cheap but it is also very promising. I have heard testimonials from patients, and even from other doctors who have seen the power of healing that stem cell therapy has given to them and their family members.

And do you know what I'm thinking? I hope that my insurance benefits include stem cell therapy.

Krave Mineral Upgrade 12 HD Liquid Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:03:00 +0000

I'm posing here with Baby Yanna

This is just a quick post about Krave Mineral Upgrade 12 HD Liquid Foundation. Currently, this is only available in two shades and of course, I got the darker shade (Almond). I didn't test this out before purchasing but I took the risk. I can always give it to my sisters if the shade doesn't fit. Surprisingly, this liquid foundation blended well with my skin and the shade is almost perfect! I dusted Cover Girl Face Powder over it and used Krave's Arch Precision Eyebrow Definer Kit for my eyebrows. All from Trendsetters Fashion Boutique.

This photo was taken during the Globe Community Event held at Park Inn by Radission Davao.

FASHION EDGE | A Summer Fashion Show

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:58:00 +0000

Fashion Edge 2013 Summer Lookbook VIP models: Arlfred, Stephen, Enzo, Fern, LA, Astrid, Vanna, Nica, Pauleen and Yani, graced the catwalk last April 13, 2013 for a Summer Fashion Show.

I love the shades!
And this girl has got some swag!

Matching hat and shorts.
Sexy shoes!

Relaxed and Confident.
Perfect outfit for any day.

Sexy and flirty.
Fit for fun summer nights.

Ladies were clad in colorful summer apparel and bikinis while gents strut their way with relaxed beach ensemble. I loved the maxi dresses and skirts, they look comfortable and I'm sure that they are the best summer outfit, you can use them on the beach or even while just strolling in malls.

The models were styled by two of Davao's top fashion bloggers, Cheyser Pedregosa of The Walking Rescessionista and Lance de Ocampo.

Fashion Edge is an annual event of SM City Davao and is currently on its 6th year. The event is made possible by SM Department Store, SM Surplus, SM Ladies Fashion, SM Men's Fashion, SM Accessories, Sunkissed, GTW, Coco Cabana, Tank, Culture, Roxy, Parisian, Levi's, Folded and Hung, and a lot more.

Photos used in this post were taken by Jamir. Check the whole album here.

Beauty Makeover with Krave & Ellana

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:02:00 +0000

This is Jovan. She recently graduated high school and this is her look during her graduation day.

For her graduation makeup, I used the following products:

Krave Concealer in CrostataKrave Mineral Foundation in BanofeeKrave Arch Precision Eyebrow Definer KitKrave Mocha Matte EyeshadowEllana Minerals Inspiration EyeshadowEllana Minerals Intense Eyeshadow

Other products used:VMV LipbalmVMV Lip Gloss in Miami (Peach)Dior Lip Gloss in PinkVMV Tarte a Tan

Before and after:

Notice how the Krave Concealer has visibly reduced the pimple marks and redness on Jovan's face. I applied the concealer heavily on Jovan's cheeks and I also used it as the highligher by lightly applying it on her forehead and chin. After blending the concealers, I dusted Krave Minerale Foundation in Banoffee (old packaging) all over the face. One jar of this foundation costs only P230.00. The old packaging of Krave Minerale makeup line is currently on sale at Trendsetters Fashion Boutique.

I opted for a natural daytime look and the eyeshadow colors that I used are perfect! I stuck to the browns because I wanted a natural look. I also lined her eyes with Ellana Minerals in Ethereal (black). The arch precision eyebrow definer kit in pecan deluxe was perfect for jovan's eyebrows, I used the wax to tame and put the hair in place and then applied the powder to fill in her brows.

Jovan is also notorious for being allergic with some food so I opted to first apply VMV lip balm on her lips not only to moisturize it but to protect it from the lip gloss that I am going to apply later. The VMV lip balm is transparent and provides SPF 60. For the lip color, I applied VMV Lip Gloss in Miami which is peach in color and then I mixed in some pink lip gloss from Christian Dior, the effect is marvelous! A few swipes of VMV Tarte-a-Tan on Jovan's cheeks completed her whole look.

I hope you'll agree with me that Jovan looked fabulous on her graduation day!

Why do you wear makeup?

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 02:17:00 +0000

Why do I wear makeup? Hmm, this question has made me pause and think about the reason why I wear makeup. Here are my top 3 answers to the question:

It makes me feel good. Doing my own make up is therapeutic for me. I like experimenting with colors, on which specific shades of eye shadows suit my complexion. I like looking for the perfect shade of my ever-changing complexion. Looking for a foundation is a challenge for a dark-skinned/morena ladies such as myself and I've been constantly trying to look for the perfect one for me. Sure, I've tried a lot of foundation shades already and I've got around 2 or 3 almost perfect shades. I'm in pursuit of the best foundation that will not only match my skin color but won't give me allergies as well.

It enhances my beauty. I am comfortable going out even without make up although I was not blessed with flawless skin. I get some pimples from time to time and I suffered bad acne during my early 20's. I've been battling with skin allergies for as long as I can remember. Because of these skin problems, I often get pimple scars and red marks on my face. Covering them up with concealer or even just foundation really makes a big difference in so far as making my skin look better. We all have our flaws: high hairline, uneven eye brows, bad eye shape, dark circles under the eyes and eye bags, nose too narrow or wide, lips too thick or thin. We can all correct these imperfections with make up. We really don't have to be perfect because nobody is. But we can enhance our beauty with the correct tools and makeup techniques. I like learning about all these techniques and apply them on myself and teach others about them.

It reinforces my confidence. Looking better means feeling better. Although my confidence is not necessarily tied only to how I look, having makeup on does not only transform my face but transforms my attitude as well. Just imagine these: high-arched brows for a long day at court; sweet and simple look for a romantic date; sleek and sexy makeup in attending a fashion show event. It's like creating different looks for different occasions and influencing your attitude with your makeup.

So, that's why I wear makeup. I have a thousand other reasons and I won't get tired wearing makeup. If you're like me, why not give me the reasons below, why do you love wearing makeup?

Walk Happy with KaduKadu

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:19:00 +0000

"I did not expect that I'd be able to fulfill my dream of having my own shoe business while I'm travelling," says Kadu, owner of the international shoe brand KaduKadu.

KaduKadu started in Indonesia. It is aggressive in penetrating the South East Asian market and has since included Malaysia and Philippines in its target. The brand will become available in the Philippines on the first week of April 2013.

I'm really excited to have my first pair of KaduKadu shoes. The brand promises comfort, the shoes are made of leather and are handmade, so you can just imagine the amount of hard work they put in every shoe. Aside from being affordable, its is also made very comfortable by using authentic aniline leather for its sole. Your feet will definitely fall in love with KaduKadu shoes!

Let's take a sneak peek of what KaduKadu shoes look like:

Name: Love Struck
Body: Suede Leather; red
Insole: Aniline leather; golden brown
Sole: Rubber; white
Lace: Standard; dark red
Eyelet: Silver

First on our list is Lovestruck. Hmmm, what can I say besides i love red! I was actually hesitant to make a guy wear red shoes but I discovered that it really looks good on guys. Guess what? It actually looks sexy! This style got sold out as soon as it was out in the market.

Lovestruck is designed to be a bonding item for dads and their kids. It's has kids' sizes so daddy and little guy can have identical shoes, wouldn't it be exciting for your little buddy to be hanging out with the same shoes as dad's?

Next in line: Ottoman Green.

Name: Ottoman Green
Body: Suede leather; washed-green
Insole: Aniline leather; golden brown
Sole: Rubber; white
Lace: Candle lace; dark green

While touring Istanbul, the proprietor of KaduKadu shoes was greatly inspired by the domes and mosques which he described as ancient yet still very powerful, he feels drawn towards them. The Ottoman Green style wants to create that feeling of confidence and power. Something that will make you feel proud and ready to take the world when you wear them. Ottoman Green is particularly popular with women.

The proprietor, Kadu, while in Istanbul.

The complete line:

To know more about KaduKadu shoes and how you can purchase your pair, visit their Facebook page:

Summer Beauty Workshop | Makeup by Micah Zurita

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 08:44:00 +0000

It's summer and we girls need to update our makeup to the tune of the season. Summer is the time for bright bold colors and fresh look. Recently, I joined a makeup workshop by Micah Zurita held at Bigby's Abreeza.

Here's Micah Zurita with her model, Tinay.
Micah briefed us about the basics of makeup and facial structures.

I'm glad that makeup basics were already provided during the workshop.
Aside from the usual cosmetics, tools were also provided such as: eyebrow scissors and blade.
Micah emphasized the importance of having well-groomed and perfectly-shaped eyebrows.

My "BEFORE" and "AFTER" looks.

This is the part where I introduced myself to my fellow attendees.
I was wearing no makeup at all. Just notice my eyebrows.

AFTER WORKSHOP
I still had issues with my right eyebrow, it didn't want to be tamed.
My left eyebrow's shape is PERFECT!
Also notice my eyes, I think that I blended my eyeshadow well.

For this makeup workshop, I did not use much of my own makeup because almost everything was already provided. It's nice because Micah provided us with affordable brands which can readily be purchased at any department store.You really do not have to have the most expensive makeups to look good. What's important is that you know how to properly apply them.

Before I end this post, I will leave you with one Makeup Tip: Do you know that you can use two blush shades for your cheeks? Yes, and it's the current trend! Apply a darker shade of blush on your cheekbones and a lighter blush shade on the apples of your cheeks. Blend, blend, and blend!

By the way, Micah Zurita will be having a series of makeup workshops this summer in Davao City, if you are interested, please read the poster below:

Tragedy: Liquid Foundation Emergency

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 05:23:00 +0000

Hmmmm, so my Revlon Liquid Foundation fell from my very own hands and viola! I didn't want to waste the remaining product so I hurriedly went to HB1 to purchase small containers.

I was lucky that these 2 containers cost me around P50 only and it already has a spatula which really helped a lot in transferring the remaining liquid foundation.

Weekend Look

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:10:00 +0000

It's been 2 weekends now that I've been able to spend some time with my siblings, I hope that this is going to be a regular outing for me and the "kids."

Lately, slippers have been my staple for weekends. And yes, I call them slippers, and not flip flops, though the two terms are the same. This has got me curious so I searched for the etymology of flip flops and found this on Wikipedia:

The term flip-flop has been used in American and British English since circa 1972 to describe the thong sandal. It gets its name from the sound that is made by walking in them, and is thus an example of onomatopoeia.
This footwear has a number of terms around the world. In India and Pakistan, flip-flops are commonly known as hawai chappal (हवा चप्पल), which literally translates from Hindustani as "air sandal". The Japanese wear similarly designed, traditional straw sandals known as zōri. Throughout the world, they are known by a variety of other names, including dép tông or dép xỏ ngón in Vietnam, chinelo in Brazil, Jandals (short for "Japanese sandals") in New Zealand, japonki in Poland, sayonares (σαγιονάρες) in Greece, Schlapfen in Austria, slippers in Hawai'i, slops in South Africa, thongs in Australia, tsinelas in the Philippines, and vietnamki in Russia and Ukraine.

There you have it, I should call it tsinelas because I'm Filipina.

That dress I'm wearing there on the photo was bought around 5 years ago. I haven't really worn much short dresses lately because I consider them inappropriate for work. My sister's "salt" t-shirt has a matching "pepper" t-shirt for Kuya, I just love those shirts!

MakeUp by Chris Zamora

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:14:00 +0000

I rarely have my make up professionally done, and when I do, I always book an appointment with my good friend, Toping. He's actually the only make up artist that I run to whenever I need some professional help. Toping has been doing my make up since we were still in high school whenever we have plays or stage performances. I also remember him doing my make up for my DanceSport Competitions and my debut.

I loved how he shaped my brows. I really have a hard time shaping my right eyebrow when I personally do my make up. I also like that he achieved the fresh look that I wanted for a night party. By the way, he was using Mac for my foundation and I discovered a really good palette for the lips: Kryolan. That pink stain on my lips is the same exact shade from the palette, I love it!

Here's my photo with Toping

We're here with Clyde. Clyde did my hair.

The ladies in purple:

And here's my after-party photo:

Do you want to know more about MakeUp by Chris Zamora, find them on Facebook:

Bench Fix | My Macho Hairstylist

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:30:00 +0000

When I went to Butuan last December for a wedding, I went to a certain salon and was surprised to see 4 macho men doing the hair services to their patrons. They were cutting and styling hair, re-bonding, and they were pretty good at their job. Most male stylists that I see in salons are gays, no offense meant. But in that particular salon, the hair stylists are real men. I just could not believe that real men can actually do hair styling for women. It seems off to me, but hey, let's not stereotype...

Before I left the salon, I told myself that someday, I'm gonna have my hair cut by a man. I've tried asking my beau's barber once but he refused. I could have had my haircut at that salon in Butuan, if not for the busy schedule of the male hairstylists.

Last month, I was deeply bored with my lifeless hair and decided to have a haircut. I went to Bench Fix in SM Lanang Premier and to my surprise, a male stylist accommodated me. My dream of having my hair cut by a real man will now become a reality.

Meet Carlos, my hair stylist.

I was happy that Carlos understood what I want for my hair. I've been looking all over Davao City for somebody who can cut and style my hair like Mommy Rose (my old hairstylist) did. I don't want any kind of hair straightening done to my hair, I just want a really good haircut that will enhance the beauty of my wavy locks.

Here's how my hair looked like a few hours after the haircut:

A month after, my hair has started to grow back and I like that Carlos achieved the look and style that I want with my hair. I'm pretty low maintenance and my hairstyle is good to go with just "wash and wear." Maybe I need some regular trim for my bangs. Hope Carlos is still there at Bench Fix SM Lanang Premier when I go back there soon.

Godiva | At Last, White Skin That Lasts!

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 06:06:00 +0000

Godiva is proud to launch their products first in Southern Mindanao, with their successful Godiva Beauty Journey, a 3-day event filled with pampering held last February 1 to 3 at SM City Davao Annex. The Godiva Beauty Journey featured free skin analysis, hand massage, make-over, and attendees were given a lot of Godiva samples to try the goodness of Godiva products.

Claudette Centeno with Jessica Kienle, the new face of Godiva

To celebrate the love month, Fashion and Beauty Blog is giving away three (3) sets of Godiva Skin Care products to three (3) lucky winners.

It's very simple to join:

1. Like Godiva Skin in Facebook and Twitter.
2. Share this blogpost in Facebook. Don't forget to tag Godiva Skin Care.
3. Share this blogpost in Twitter. Don't forget to tag @GodivaSkin.

To double your entries:

1. Like Swexie on Facebook and Twitter
2. Share FashionandBeautyBlog in Google Plus (Hit the G+ share button above)
3. Follow Swexie on Google Friend Connect

Extra BIG entry:
1. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post. Please make your post creative. It would mean a lot to us if you could include one of the photos above.

The three winners will be randomly picked using Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, another one will be picked on Feb. 21, and the last winner will be picked on Feb. 28. All non-winning entries for the first week will automatically qualify for the next week so don't lose hope!

This giveaway is for Philippine residents only. If you have a Philippine address, you're also qualified to join. Use the rafflecopter below to join our giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Save on Your Beauty Purchases

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:37:00 +0000

Let's just say that I'm stingy.

I buy a pack of cotton pads ON SALE and still push my thrift a little further by cutting each cotton pad into 4. My toner says that the cotton must be moist and not dripping wet with the product. I think 1/4 of the pad can do its job.

I place these pads on a canister with cover to prevent dirt from contaminating the cotton. It's important to keep them clean it's what I use for my face.

Do you have any tips on how to save on your beauty purchases? Share them with me on the comments below. (--,)

Godiva Skin Launches Beauty Journey in Davao City

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:37:00 +0000

I am excited for the newest natural skin care line to be officially launched here in my city.

Davao City can't wait to witness the launching of Godiva Skin's Beauty Journey. The event is scheduled on February 2, 2013, 10:00 AM at SM City Davao.

Let me give you a glimpse of what Godiva Natural Skin Care has to offer on their Beauty Journey:

AT LAST, WHITE SKIN THAT LASTS!

Introducing the NEW Godiva Natural Skincare

The problem with most whitening products is that it doesn't last long. Once you stop using it, you're back to your normal skin color. Well, that's not the case anymore. Not with the new Godiva Natural Skincare that is.

Back with a better formula, a new packaging and with more promising results, Godiva Natural Skincare range uses the proven power of licorice in effectively and safely whitening the skin. Extracted from one of nature's most effective skin whiteners - licorice root extract - Godiva gives you white skin that truly lasts.

Extraordinary Active Ingredient

Licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra is a plant widely used commercially as a sweetening agent. However, its root has been used for many years from as far back as 3000B.C. in Ancient China and Egypt as an herb with many medicinal properties.

Today, licorice root extract and its active ingredient called glabridin, is widely recognized all over the world as the most potent, naturally-derived whitening ingredient. Glabridin inhibits the production of melanin and the same time nourishes and protects the skin due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Yet it is uncommonly used commercially because of its high premium price.

The licorice extract used in Godiva Natural Skincare has passed various clinical trials and is guaranteed safe and effective for use in skin whitening, anti-blemish and skin lightening even for long periods of time. Because of this, Godiva Natural Skincare delivers whiter skin that lasts.

I am a user and a big believer of natural products. I believe that natural products are milder to the skin and can really help us girls be beautiful without compromising our health. I have observed that natural whitening products are either unavailable in the Southern Mindanao market or cost too high. Good thing because Godiva Natural Skin Care will now be available in Southern Mindanao on the first quarter on 2013, and with a major launch activity on February 1 to 3 at SM City Davao.

Godiva Natural Skincare products are initially available in South Mindanao for the first quarter of 2013, with a major consumer launch activity at SM City Davao (Ecoland) on February 1-3, 2013.

Like: www.facebook.com/GodivaNaturalSkincare

Follow: www.twitter.com/GodivaSkin

Visit: www.godivaskincare.com

The value of your SMILE

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:30:00 +0000

Your SMILE could be your most beautiful accessory. Don't wear any make up, wear normal clothes, don't even comb your hair, but SMILE, it will definitely make a whole lot of difference when you smile.

But how about for those who cannot smile?

Check our sidebar for details on how you can help sharing your SMILE to kids who need them.

GoFavor x Swexie New Year Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:01:00 +0000

Happy New Year! Nothing is more grand than welcoming 2013 with a bang! GoFavor.com, your one stop jewelry store, has teamed up with bloggers to bring you a fabulous giveaway at the start of year. GoFavor aims to be your favorite jewelry store not only with their best-value pearls, gemstones, and silver jewelry pieces, but also wants to build their name through excellent customer service and satisfaction.

Here are the prizes:

Rope Twist Bracelet
Pearl Heart Bracelet
Peacock Gem Bracelet
Bird's Nest Cocktail Ring
Ballet Shoes and Heart Bracelet

Cross Bib Necklace
Elephant Chain Bracelet
Mask and Bead Earrings
Black Mustache Earrings
Tassel Bib Necklace

There will be three (3) winners for this giveaway and each winner will get to choose three (3) prizes. This is an international giveaway and will be running from January 1, 2013 to Janaury 31, 2013. The winners will be picked on February 1, 2013 and will be announced the same day. Each of the winners will be receiving an official email from Swexie of Fashion and Beauty Blog and s/he will have 48 hours to reply. If the winner does not reply within the given time, we will pick new winner/s.

This giveaway is made possible by
Swexie, Kikay Corner, Janvie Tiu, The Shopaholic Diaries,
Sarah Dayrit, Health and Beauty Quest,Woman-Elan Vital,
Shopinggera, and Miss Litratista.

To join the giveaway, simply use the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY YOU HAVE THE BEST THIS 2013!

HPNOTIQ: It's all about you!

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hpnotiq for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you want to know how to get ready in style before hitting the ulitmate girl's night out? Or are you just prepping up for an after-prom party? Good thing 'cause Primp & Prep has got you covered! All of your questions aswered: from beauty and fashion tips, to the littlest things we need to know about guys, and what they think about our quirky habits, or what men really think about our party outfits.

Hpnotiq also brings up gorgeous cocktail recipes that will help us loosen up before the actual party. But this could also mean that you could host your own cocktail party by making your own Hpnotiq Hurricane, Harmonie Mojito, and Snowflake Martini. Aren't you itching to go over their website now and copy all those delicious recipes? And you know what I'm most excited to try? HPNO-RITA!

So girls, remember, hair down music up! Nothing beats a lady who is well-prepared for her party and I mean being prepared not only from hair down to your stilettos but on your manners as well. How do you greet a guy that you like? Or how do you text him the following day? The fool-proof, time-tested answers to your questions are all at Primp & Prep so you better hurry and give yourself some short pretty lessons.

Personally, my favorite part of Primp & Prep is the dozens of cocktail recipes that I can try. I like mixing my own drinks which all began when I first had a taste of cherry vodka. So yes, I'll get ready with my Hpnotiq and shot glasses so that I can start making my own Hpno-Rita soon. This is just so timely because my birthday is coming up this weekend and I can just simply invite my friends over for some drinks!

You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.

December Wedding Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:44:00 +0000

I posted a few months before about June having the most number of weddings. But something happened this year that truly got me curious: a lot of friends and family members are getting married on the Christmas month.

Here are some snapshots of lovely newlyweds:

Christian + Razel (Dec. 5)

Krisna and Obre (Dec. 12)

Rhyn and JV (Dec. 12)

Angel and Tisha (Dec. 23)

Love is definitely in the air! I can actually see their eyes twinkle, it feels good to be in love!

I have two more weddings to attend before December ends. December is definitely the new wedding month. Shall I say, "Move over, June?"

Photos are not mine.

DBXMAS: The Davao Bloggers' Casino Royale Christmas Party

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:41:00 +0000

The Davao Bloggers were exceptionally stunning that night as we celebrated our Christmas party with the theme "Casino Royale." As expected, a lot of James Bonds and Bond girls graced the event.

with Tere of www.davaolife.com

and Vernz of http://www.woman-elanvital.com

Photo by Verna Luga

with Arjay of www.gamedok.net and Tere and Charles Nierva of www.davaolife.com

Photo by Andrew dela Serna

with Natalie Jill Lim of www.luvnat.wordpresscom

and Princess of www.pinoyteens.net

Photo by Natalie Jill Lim

with fellow travel bloggers: Andres, Crislin, Grace, Anj, Mark, and Kaiser

Julie of www.astoldbyjulz.com
and Chamee of www.blog.misslitratista.com

Algene or www.iamthecoffeechic.com bagged two awards:
Best Personal Blog and Blogger of the Year

I did my own make up that night and since I wore a super red dress, I opted to mute my make up to achieve a "no make-up make-up look" with red lips.

For my eyes, I used Desire from Ellana Minerals, which gave a hint of gold, just perfect for my morena skin tone. I also lined my eyes with Matte Mocha from Krave Mineral Cosmeceuticals, the same shade I used for my brows. My blush is Lust from Ellana Minerals.

I used Revlon Photoready in Medium Beige for my foundation, Banoffee Complexion Perfection Face Powder and Pretty Young Thin Contouring Powder, both from Krave Minerale Cosmeceuticals.

For my lips, I used my trusty bluish-red power lipstick from VMV Hypoallergenics, in Va-Va-Voom.

My hair was not styled that night but I got a lot of help from Human Heart Nature Hair Smoothening Serum for added shine, smoothness, and softness.

$500 Firmoo Giveaway for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:01:00 +0000

Christmas is fast approaching! Lucky us, we have a Christmas treat from Firmoo. Firmoo is giving away $500 worth of gift certificates that you can use to purchase prescription and fashion eyeglasses.

Firmoo is an online shop which specializes in providing high end eyeglasses to its customers. There are new designs and styles created everyday to suit the needs of their consumers. The best thing about Firmoo is that it provides a free pair of eyeglasses to every first time customer. To get yours, simply click here. An important note: There is still a need to pay the shipping fee. Only the item is free.

With Firmoo glasses, you can be fashionable in a frugal way. Since it's a season of sharing, Firmoo is giving away gift codes to lucky individuals. 3 winners will receive the following:

1st winner: $200 worth of gift codes

2nd winner: $150 worth of gift codes

3rd winner: $150 worth of gift codes

The giveaway is open worldwide. It will end on December 18, 2012. Prizes are not convertible to cash. Enter the rafflecopter widget below for a chance to win one of the prizes.

Hosted by: I Heart Giveaways

Co-hosted by: The Coffee Chic and The Bewitchin' Kitchen

Take note: You need to enter the password / code of the day before you can open the other entries in the RC. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Davao Bloggers Christmas Party | Casino Royale

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 05:55:00 +0000

Since last night, members of Davao Bloggers have been posting teasers on what they will be wearing for tonight's Christmas Party with the theme Casino Royale.

My facebook wall has been flooded with bow ties, fedora hats, stilettos, and bits of information on the grand party that will be happening at My Hotel later. I'm excited for tonight. Take a peak at what my colleagues will be wearing.

Power couple Ace and Crislyn of www.acelynnierva.com posted the following photos:

This sure looks sexy!

I'm excited to see Crislyn ala-Vesper Lynd!

Meanwhile, Julz of www.astoldbyjulz.com posed with her fedora hat. I can't wait to see her whole ensemble!

Aldwin of www.wanderfuldavao.com has also posted a photo of his bow tie for tonight. Could he be suiting up as Mr. Bond?

I can't contain my excitement to witness a glamorous party tonight. I can't wait to see a lot of James Bonds and Vesper Lynds, along with the showgirls, gangsters, and maitai-sipping tourists. This is going to be a fun-filled night for Davao Bloggers. Also, for the first time in Davao Bloggers history, the Davao Blog Awards will happen tonight to recognize the exemplary members of the Davao Bloggers community.

The Davao Bloggers Christmas Party 2012 is going to be the event of the year!

$500 Firmoo Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Swexie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Here is another FREE Sign Up for Bloggers!

Offer your readers a chance to win one of the Firmoo Gift Certificates.

Three lucky winners will get $500 worth of gift cards to spend on Firmoo (Open Worldwide).

What are you waiting for? Sign up now FOR FREE!

Giveaway is hosted by I Heart Giveaways and The Coffee Chic.

Major Sponsor: Firmoo.com

Co-hosting spots are also available.