[Review] V&M Naturals ExfoBomb and CPC+G Oil for Underarm Whitening

The underarm whitening journey never ends! After having undergone 2 sessions of underarm diode laser hair removal, I now have better hopes of whitening my underarms. So to resume the journey, I took advice from a friend to try to V&M Naturals ExfoBomb, an all-organic exfoliating and skin-lightening salve. According to BeautyMNL reviews, it's effective in lightening the skin as long as you use it religiously. I bought one from their Glorietta branch, and also got sales-talked into getting the CPC+G Oil too. They're a good combo according to the sales lady. And me being in my overly-open-to-suggestions state spent a hefty ₱745 for 50g of a whitening salve, and 30ml of a miracle oil. Definitely not affordable for topical whitening agents, but is it worth it?

Hell, yeah.

Not gonna recommend them fully yet, but I can say that it's truly effective. Consistency is key in maximizing the effects of these products. I've only used it for 21 days straight (started on July 20) and I can already see results. Not drastic, mind you, but there's peace in knowing that slowly but surely it does the job.

I apply the products before going to bed, exfobomb first then 5 drops of CPC+G oil next. I make sure to clean my underarms before application, and also make it a point to wear sleeveless or sando shirts to avoid getting oily residue on my shirt sleeves.

ExfoBomb -  (₱395, 50g)

It's waxy, seemingly oily, but not the annoying type of oily. The main exfoliant is dead sea salt, which is great because it gets dissolved eventually as you massage it on your skin, hence you don't need to rinse it. Also, it smells nice!

It's day 21 and I'm almost through my first tub so I already bought myself a spare. I'm thinking a tub would last 1 month of regular use if applied on both underarms.

UPDATE: My 2nd tub was so different. It has less exfoliant. Maybe they lessened the amount of sea salt? Parang hindi masyado nakaka-scrub itong 2nd tub ko huhu. I'm kinda disappointed. Will give it another chance on my 3rd tub!

CPC+G Oil (₱350, 30ml)

Recommended use is 5-6 drops per underarm. I do 5, and so far I've only consumed 1/4 of the bottle for the last 21 days. The oil feels warm for some reason, but it doesn't burn okay. It comes in a dropper bottle for easier application and I put it after the exfobomb. I'm not sure if it's the right order but the sales lady said you can layer the products, so I didn't care so much for the order. BUT, tonight I'm gonna try putting the oil first then the exfobomb 'cos I feel like my skin should get the oil first hahaha.

After application of these products, your UAs will feel oily but it's not disgusting. The feeling is tolerable. Or maybe I tolerate it because my whitening needs is more pressing than my underarms' comfort haha. Anyway, just do it before going to bed to avoid the potentially icky feeling.

I didn't see any harmful reactions on my skin. It didn't itch or burn, and I didn't notice any peeling. I believe it's all happening slowly in a micro level because for sure it does work, just not that fast. My underarms did look a bit lighter, and I know I still have a long way to go before achieving the shade I want haha. I have progress photos too but I'm too hesitant to show them because, uhm, TMI and I'm shy hehe.

So yeah, will continue using the products because the effects are rather promising! I've had it with instant whitening products whose effects also instantly fade off so maybe an all-natural and organic product is what I've been waiting for. :)

You can order online from their official website or at BeautyMNL.
You can also visit their stores listed here.

[Review] SkinStation Underarm Diode Laser Hair Removal

I availed of SkinStation's 8+1 promo for ₱5,000 two months ago which entitles me to 9 sessions of UA diode laser hair removal. Each session should be taken with 6-8 weeks gap in between to allow you to observe its effect.

Was it effective? Oh yes! After just my first session, my underarm hair growth has lessened significantly. Growing hairs are thin and can be plucked with my fingers. It's super amazing. The primary reason I availed of this service is really to treat my super dark underarms. Nakakahiya so you don't need to see them, just know that they're very dark lol. Laser hair removal doesn't have direct whitening effect but less hair growth is said to help lighten the underarms by limiting the growing follicles that causes itchiness and chicken skin. So it's kindof a 2-step thing for me. Laser hair removal is step one, then underarm whitening is next. Clear and hairless underarms are said to react better to whitening agents... so we'll see lol.

Related: [Review] My Wink Laser Studio underarm whitening experience

The process for both underarms only takes 15 minutes. Super fast. They cover my eyes with protective shades and start cleaning my underarms with a cleanser. I felt they slightly shaved my UA too. Then they apply a cooling gel then begin massaging the area with the Diode laser device. It's said to be painless but I still felt some stinging sensation. Nothing too painful though. It was tolerable.

The process was fast and the results are quite impressive. My underarms seemed lighter because of less hair, but it's not really lightened per se haha.

I like the vibe of SkinStation branches. The place looks serious, very clean, super bright, and the personnel are very professional. They don't hard sell. They'd recommend their other products and procedures but never make kulit about it. Another thing I liked about the clinic is their system. Everything is digital. You can book online and they'd notify you through text and email. You can call to set an appointment and they can identify you through your number. This isn't breaking new technology but I appreciate their use of it.

Oh and one more thing, SkinStation has A LOT OF BRANCHES so it's very accessible for me.

• Session 1 (June 2, 2018) - Fairview Terraces branch
• Session 2 (July 17, 2018) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 3 (September 8, 2018) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 4 (October 20, 2018) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 5 (December 22, 2018) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 6 (February 5, 2019) - Fairview Terraces branch
• Session 7 (April 20, 2019) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 8 (June 12, 2019) - Shangri-la Plaza branch
• Session 9 (August 21, 2019) - Shangri-la Plaza branch

Soooo, in terms of hair removal - check na check tayo dito. I've seen results from my first session agad so I'm hopeful for the coming sessions.

In terms of whitening - nope this is not a whitening treatment so I didn't get my hopes up. It's a good prep for whitening treatments though. :)

Oh and if you could recommend effective and affordable underarm whitening treatments, thank you in advance!

UPDATE: As I'm nearing the end of my sessions, they increased the intensity of the laser. At this point the treatment feels more painful. There's more heat, more stings, so don't be afraid to tell your aesthetician if it's getting uncomfortable so they could apply more cooling gel. On my 7th session I had noted discomfort more than 4 times and my aesthetician complied by applying more gel. She would also ask me from time to time if it's getting too hot or prickly so just be honest para hindi masaktan! Haha

FINALLY: I finished my last session with them last week (August 21) and they recommended to get booster sessions once in a while if I still see some growth. A session of UA Diode Laser Hair removal costs ₱1,500, but I know from time to time they offer Buy 1 Get 1 free session, and actually just now they're offering the 8+1 promo again (until August 31, 2019).

Now off to look for mild yet effective underarm whitening treatments!

How Hormones Affect Your Complexion

Photo from Pixabay

Both men and women undergo many changes throughout life, often due to the action of their body’s hormones. This is often reflected in the condition of our skin, and will be especially apparent in women, who not only undergo hormonal changes every month during their reproductive years, but also the major change that comes during and after menopause. The level of hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, will definitely cause changes in the condition of your skin.

What Are Hormones?

Your endocrine system consists of a number of glands that produce hormones vital to the functioning of your body. Hormones can be looked upon as the messenger system for the body. For instance, your adrenal gland produces adrenalin, which gives your body the extra boost it needs in times of stress or danger. The adrenal gland also produces some of the sex hormones that will influence your complexion. The major producers of sex hormones, however, are the ovaries and testes. The king of the glands might well be considered to be the pituitary, as this gland oversees all the other glands and hormones.

Age and Your Skin

Every woman understands the changes that hormones can bring to her skin during different phases of her life. Obviously, some of these changes will occur from environmental factors such as drinking, smoking, exposure to the sun, but even if these are eliminated, there are still hormonal changes with which to deal.

• Puberty is the first time that major skin changes will become apparent. As the body of a girl adjusts to new levels of estrogens and androgens, the skin of the face, back, and shoulders will often become subject to pimples and acne. The skin is usually quite oily during these years, and this is when an acne treatment will be needed. 
• The halcyon years for a woman’s skin probably start when she is in her twenties and into her mid-thirties. At this point, her hormones have settled down from the turbulent teens into normal levels, and the skin is usually free of blemishes. Oiliness has also calmed down so there is much less chance of pimples developing. 
• While a woman’s complexion is usually lovely during these years, there can be flare-ups caused by her menstrual cycle and pregnancy. These will not be long lasting, however, and the skin will return to normal quickly. Birth control pills can also cause pimples. 
• While less oiliness during the later thirties into the early forties means that fewer pimples will form, it also means that as the skin becomes drier, and wrinkles will begin to form, usually around the eyes to begin with. The skin will not be as elastic as it once was, and exposure to the sun will really start to make negative inroads. 
• Menopause, beginning in the middle forties turns off the source of estrogen to a great degree (fat still produces some, and the ovaries still dribble out a little bit), which means that the skin’s elasticity fades even more, and as the amount of collagen produced diminishes, more wrinkles will appear and the skin will begin to sag. Needless to say, the older a woman gets, the more chance there is that her skin will deteriorate.

Keeping Your Skin Lovely at Any Age

While there are hormonal changes that are unavoidable, keeping your skin looking good however old you are is not impossible. Most of these involve simply being sensible and are not hard to do:

• Get adequate sleep. Fatigue makes it more difficult for your body to repair the wear and tear of daily life, a good night’s sleep refreshes and restores. 
• Do not smoke. Smoking introduces a number of dangerous and harmful toxins into your system, and worst of all, it narrows the veins and capillaries that deliver blood to your skin, so they actually starve. The skin of heavy smokers usually looks like corduroy. 
• Stay out of the sun. Sunlight directly damages your skin, breaking down all the layers of the skin, leaving eventually to resemble leather. 
• Eat a healthy diet. Healthy, natural foods will keep your body stronger and your skin in good condition. 
•  Use a mild soap and face wash. Check the ingredients to make sure that the products are not full of chemicals. Find a good moisturizer and use it faithfully. You will want one that penetrates the epidermis to nurture beneath the skin.

Following these simple steps can help you to have a healthy, attractive skin your entire life.

NOVUHAIR turns favor with Holiday bash promo

Disclaimer: This is a press release.

So you’ve got your festive outfit set and the fancy gift wrapped for your “monito” or “monita”. All that’s left undone is a party season-perfect hairstyle.

The fresh out of the shower look can be seductive yet temporary. Blame it to tropical climate, it can spoil your appearance, besides making you feel sweaty and stale. The heat and humidity brought about by extreme weather condition, likewise, dries out the locks easily and make it more fragile. Adding damage to your delicate strands are the chemical contents of various products on hand. From shampoo to conditioner and hair treatment, down to styling goods to groom it to your liking, their harsh synthetic materials jeopardize the natural oil and luster of your mane.

Because you are what you eat, the fate of your crowning glory is in the plate. Your diet must have the correct balance of vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to become shiny and strong. So don’t overindulge, especially this time of the year when gastronomic feasts are spread almost everywhere you go. Be careful on what you take in, thinking that it’s also what you feed your ‘do.

Even stress can wear off the beauty and health of the tress. And that’s exactly what you should avoid this Yuletide season. Never put pressure on yourself just to please everyone. Just take it easy, let your hair down and party all night long.

In this time of gratitude, NOVUHAIR makes everyday “a good hair day” for its valued patrons like you with its Christmas and Year-End Promo. Get an extra NOVUHAIR Herbal Shampoo 200 ml. worth P1,040 for FREE if you buy a NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack at participating WATSONS stores nationwide (DOH-FDA CCRR Permit No.: 967 s. 2017).

Packed with 19 natural ingredients—mostly standardized herbal extracts, essential oils and co-factor nutrients—NOVUHAIR Topical Scalp Lotion does not only help prevent the hair fall malady, but also aids in stimulating hair growth. NOVUHAIR helps prevent hair loss, improve overall appearance, promote nourishment and rejuvenation. It is clinically-tested and proven safe and effective.

Opt for the best with this Christmas and Year-End promo. Whether it’s a luxury gift for your loved ones, or a self-indulgent treat for you, NOVUHAIR has the perfect gift to inspire and keep you party-ready this Holiday season, while providing you with the ultimate styling result.

For inquiries, please call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575. You may also visit www.novuhair.com or Novuhair’s Facebook page – Novuhair Official.

Choosing the right hairstyle for your engagement shoot

Need ideas on how to wear your hair during your engagement shoot? Take a look at the following considerations to help you narrow down your choices.

Your theme

One of our prenup shots by Dave Sarabia

Engagement shoots can go from relaxed casual to full-on dramatic, depending on the couple's taste. If your shoot will be more on the casual side, then you can try light and flowy curls like these. It gives you a refreshing look without looking unnatural. Because you'll be putting on makeup that will highlight your features, it's important to use hairstyles that helps reveal your face.

Your venue

16 Inch 7 pcs Clip In Body Wave Brazilian Human Hair Extensions (#2 Dark Brown)

If you're working on an outdoor venue, pick a hairstyle that's easy to manage and retouch. Go easy on the mousse and let your hair get into a natural mess every once in a while. It helps paint a nice picture and makes your shoot look very natural and relaxed. For indoor shoots, work closely with your theme to ensure your outfits and hair match. Styling a picture perfect engagement is a combination of proper clothes, great hair and makeup, and of course a good photographer!

You natural features

18 Inch Micro Loop Body Wave Human Hair Extensions (#60 Ash Blonde) 50g

Always consider your face when choosing a hairstyle. As mentioned, choose a hairstyle that will open up your features and complement your face. Knowing the shape of your face helps. Long curls work well with round faces. Medium length hair with soft waves are great for heart shaped faces. Long hair with fringes is a good match for girls with long faces. Search for inspiration and get crazy with your options! :)

Top 5 make-up trends this 2017

Honestly, I'm becoming more and more interested in make-up lately. My stack is still pretty basic though, but for someone who's not a beauty enthusiast I'm surprised quite a lot of trends caught me this year!

Here's 5 of the top beauty trends owning the internet this 2017:

Photo from Unsplash

1. "No-makeup" makeup

Nude's still in. Girls want to look as bare as possible by putting as much as possible on their faces. Guilty as charged here! Neutral palettes and flesh-toned lipsticks are still so popular today, and for good reason. Nude makeup gives you a fresh and glowing finish that looks natural. Like you didn't even try (even if you sat two hours at the vanity). Don't we all want to look effortlessly beautiful?  No wonder Urban Decay's NAKED palette is such a huge success.

2. Bright and daring makeup

As much as nude makeup is in, this year is also the year where wild and extreme colors rose to popularity. Glittery lip gloss and neon eyeshadows, despite what people think, is more of a statement than a preference. Take California based Lime Crime Cosmetics, a line of vegan and cruelty-free makeup. Its creator, Doe Deere, takes pride in producing high quality and highly pigmented makeup fit for everyone who takes self-expression unapologetically.

3. Microbladed brows

Or at least, full looking and defined brows. Gone were the days when thin arched brows were lit. Right now, people are investing in all sorts of products to achieve more natural-looking brows. Even brow products are evolving. There are feather brow pens, 3-in-1 sculpting pencils, and even brow fibers now, can you believe it?

Microbladed brows, however, offer a more permanent and natural-looking solution so those who want to stick to this trend - which I presume will stay for another three years or so. It's a type of cosmetic tatooing involving an ultra thin and wispy blade that certified specialists use to manually draw hair on your skin. You know what, I'm actually saving up for this. 

4. Unique makeup brushes

Because regular makeup brushes are so effective, somebody decided it's time to reinvent them for more profit.  Beauty blenders, silicon sponges, paddle brushes are all the hype this year. I'm 110% skeptic at first, but in fairness, they're all the rave online. So I had to try them right? I personally have a beauty blender and I don't use it anymore haha. I have a couple of paddle brushes too and can I just say that they're cute and fluffy and feels super good on the skin. Other than that I'm good with my regular brush set! Haha

5. Excessive contouring

Not the most well-received trend, but still a very popular one at that. It's a complicated trick that's originally made for red carpet celebrities because it was meant for HD cameras and harsh lighting. How it suddenly gained mainstream popularity, I have no idea. Now, a highlighter, a contour powder, and tons of concealer are part of every girl's make-up kit, and Instagram has become their version of a red carpet.

Out of the 5 I didn't get particularly obsessed with bright makeup and contouring -- mostly because 1) contouring is hard and 2) I'm not too confident about sparkly things on my face! But for the rest, I was so in. I told you, I have paddle brushes and a beauty blender. I'm getting my brows microbladed one day. And the no-makeup makeup look is my daily game.

What beauty trends are you following this year?

Head of the family: not just a provider but a father

Imagine working in a world where time seems to just pass by and almost everything changes instantly. Think of having to keep up with an environment where it costs a lot to stop or even slow down for a while. Sound taxing, right? What more of prioritizing the welfare of everybody in the household.

But every head of the family doesn’t mind about it. Fathers are said to be the pillars of our homes. They toil sun up to sun down to give our needs and desires.

Some of them go abroad with tears in their eyes because they will be physically separated from their families. However, there is a certain joy in their hearts knowing that they will be able to provide for their loved ones back home.

To honor these gallant paternal men and let them feel how extraordinary they are and important their sacrifices are for their families, Father’s Day has been a yearly universal event. As we mark again this special occasion on Sunday, June 18, 2017, our applause and recognition will never be enough to show them how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

Our dads, together with our moms, take good care of us the moment we’re born. They are the ones who provide everything we need for our everyday lives. From infancy up to adulthood, they feed and clothe us.

As we take our initial baby steps, our patriarchs guide and lead us in the right direction. When we stumble and fall, they assist us to rise and move on. In times of danger or any threat, they shield us from any harm.

All of these, they do out of unconditional love. Their selflessness, though, has its own toll. Working tirelessly could lead to high levels of stress constantly and problems not only mentally, but physically, too. So better watch out for the signs.

Has tatay been constantly complaining about losing strands and strands of his hair every day? Or maybe has he been searching for a way on how to get them to grow back?

According to the hair loss statistics conducted by Statistic Brain in the year 2016, 40 percent of men experience noticeable mane vanishing as early as age 35. And as per the American Hair Loss Association, there are a couple of different factors that cause excessive hair fall, one being extreme degree of stress.

Nutramedica Inc. introduced a revolutionary product that aims to address this problem: NOVUHAIR, nature’s answer to hair loss. Being the only topical scalp lotion in the country that is made from 19 natural herbs, essential oils and co-factor nutrients all working synergistically, it’s perfect for all the heads of the family out there, be they biological or not.

NOVUHAIR is proven effective and safe to help prevent and stop the progression of hair loss and, at the same time, help promote locks’ growth. Simply spray a liberal amount of NOVUHAIR topical scalp lotion onto the scalp and massage for 5-10 minutes. Voila, it penetrates deeply into the roots, which helps rejuvenate, nourish and maintain the natural moisture of the hair.

Still have no idea on what to give him on his big day? Well, NOVUHAIR might not be the most expensive gift to impress him, but the most valuable present he could ever have. This nature’s answer to hair loss provides him the chance to be ahead already in preventing his “crowning glory” from receding in the near future.

So, head on to all leading stores nationwide and get a dose of this breakthrough product. NOVUHAIR is also available in shampoo and conditioner formats to further complement the benefits of NOVUHAIR topical scalp lotion. NOVUHAIR is available at Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores nationwide. You may also order NOVUHAIR online at www.lazada.com.ph. For inquiries, you may call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575, and visit www.novuhair.com.

[Review] Laneige Essential Care Trial Set - Moisture

My usual skin care routine can be summed up in 0 steps. My face is lucky if it even gets a splash of water before going to bed. So yep, I don't do skin care. At least not before I got paranoid that I won't look my best on my wedding day. So last month I decided to change. I googled for skin care tips and specific products a total noob like me would need. And that's when I found out about Laneige.

To be fair, I'm not completely ignorant about skin care products. I know what a facial wash is, what a toner does, and what a moisturizer is supposed to do (you know, moisturize). Heck I sold Avon and Mary Kay for some time so I can answer the basics. My problem with routines is the word itself, ROUTINES. I'm averse to it, specifically those that would do me good (ie. working out, eating healthy, sleeping early), because don't we all subconsciously wanna die early? Kidding.

Anyway. My googling led me to Korean skin care and how obsessed they are with it. I told myself I just needed a basic 3-step routine that's proven effective, but what have you, they have up to 10 15. I prepared myself for it, after all, I only have a few months to work on my skin. If I had to do 20 steps - bring it on. LOL JK.

Back to the products...

The Laneige Essential Care Trial Set (Moisture) comes with a pouch containing 6 products. In order of usage:

1. Multi Cleanser_EX (facial wash)
2. Essential Power - Skin Refiner (~toner)
3. Essential Balancing - Emulsion (facial lotion)
4. Water Bank  - Essence_EX (serum)
5. Water Bank - Moisture Cream (moisturizer)
6. Water Sleeping Mask (mask)

The Moisture variant is for dry to normal skin. They also have a Light variant which is for combination to oily skin. I'm supposed to get the Light one but they only have it in full sized so nope, trial muna para sure!

How to use:

Suggested use is twice daily, morning and night, but I only do it once a day - in the morning before going to sleep because I work the night shift. With my usage, this pack could last a month. I'm not sure how long exactly but my set is about to get empty na and it's been a month pa lang hehe.

1 month of trial is already enough to make me a believer in this set. It really works especially with moisturizing the skin!

Okay,

1. Multi Cleanser_EX

First, wash your face using the Multi Cleanser_EX, then pat dry with a towel. I love it because it really cleans my face, seryoso! I also feel whiter after washing haha. Squeaky clean finish but not dry hehe. This reminds of me of one of Pond's facial washes.

2. Essential Power - Skin Refiner

Next, the toner! Well, the Skin Refiner isn't exactly a toner but it acts and smells like one. It's very watery in consistency so sorry for the preview, that's the best shot I got haha. But actually compared to other toners I've tried (Eskinol and Olay), this one's thicker and lathers smoothly on the face. I looooove it. This isn't alcohol-free but it's not too strong so that's good!

Normally you'd douse a cotton ball (or cotton pad na ba uso ngayon? haha) with the product and wipe your face clean, but I feel like I'm wasting too much product with that so I put it on my face first and spread it evenly before wiping it clean with a cotton ball.

You'd be surprised at how it's able to pick up some more dirt from your face even after washing!

3. Essential Balancing - Emulsion

I don't know what to call this at first but it definitely looks like a lotion of sorts. So yeah, let's call it that. After wiping your face clean with the skin refiner, get a pea sized of this and spread it evenly on your face, massaging it while you do, until it settles in and is almost dry.

The reason I do this routine before going to sleep is that the products tend to pile too much on my face that it looks too dewy and sticky. It could be that I'm using too much products, or that it's actually okay on dry skin (which I don't have), I don't know haha.

The Emulsion is probably something I'd take out of the routine once the pack is empty since I'm not really suffering from super dry skin. But if you are, by all means don't skip this step!

4. Water Bank - Essence_EX

After the Emulsion sets on your skin, it's time to move to the serum! The Water Bank - Essence_EX is like a moisturizer that is lighter, more watery, and more concentrated too. It comes in a cute glass pump bottle that I like but it's hard to know how much is left unless you twist it open. I get 4-6 pumps of this and just like the Emulsion, I spread it evenly across my face, including my neck and back of it too, massaging it 'till it sinks in and almost dries. It dries faster because it's lighter hehe and I can feel it getting absorbed quickly into my skin too.

In real life I'm loo lazy to wait for them to dry so I end up piling them on top of each other lol. Oh, that explains the wet look I'm complaining about on the previous step HAHA.

This is a key product. Do not skip this. The serum is the miracle worker in any Korean skincare, so you should invest in it once you've found the one that works best on your skin. 

5. Water Bank - Moisture Cream

After the Essence, it's time to lock all the products in with the Water Bank - Moisture Cream. It's one heavy moisturizer. It's white and thick and just like the previous two, you get a pea sized amount of it and spread it evenly 'til it dries.

And that's it! On regular days, I do only 1-5. The last product is reserved only once a week, and replaces steps 4 and 5.

6. Water Sleeping Mask

Every Sunday I use the Water Sleeping Mask because it's the only day I'm sure to get a lot of sleep, hence more time for the products to work wonders on my skin. According to the literature, the Sleeping Mask is used after the Emulsion, so if you're using this, skip the Serum and the Moisturizer.

This water mask is also thick, but like a gel haha. It's cool on the skin and smells nice too! I would use it in lieu of the Moisture Cream but this one's too expensive to use daily hahahuhu.

Price and Availability

The Laneige Essential Care Trial Set costs ₱1,995 at local Laneige stores (bought mine at Trinoma). Other branches: Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Ermita, SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia.

I can say it's effective because in just a month my skin feels and looks more hydrated. Jeckie has been complimenting me a lot lately too and I can only attribute it to these products. Plus, I'm also drinking a lot of water na rin, as in 2 liters a day. Really helps!

The price is pretty hefty for me but it's a great way to sample their products without risking any regrets buying the full sized ones 'cos that's more than ₱1k per bottle rin no! This also gave me an idea what to purchase next. Oh yeah, you don't have to get entire set the next time, just pick the ones that work for you. Remember that the basic routine is to cleanse, tone, and moisturize - and the rest are all nice to have na lang! But I would say get a serum parin! Honestly I kinda want to have to whole set, plus an eye cream, but later na when I have more budget! HAHA

Oh wait, I skip the routine when I'm down with colds because my nose becomes super sensitive. Actually, it still is and I find these products too scent-y for my taste, pero I'm enduring it haha kasi... hala bakit nga ba?

Pero yung totoo as much as I want to repurchase, I'm still in this experimental stage where I want to try out a lot of products to know what works best for my skin. I love this line though, but I want a set with a milder scent, or none at all haha.

Okay, ipon ipon muna.

Shop your favorite Korean beauty products!

If you're looking for full sized bottles of these, get them online instead because they're much cheaper. I'm about to restock from Althea because it offers the best deals. BeautyMNL also carries Laneige but it's more expensive and always out of stock. Also, Althea ships their products straight from Korea and offers free shipping for orders worth ₱2000 and up! :)

Sign up using my referral link and let's enjoy the discounts together!

Any skin care products you can recommend? :)

[Review] Lily's Touch Miracle Cream

Swayed by the multiple celebrity endorsements and good reviews all over the web, I decided to try Lily's Touch Miracle Cream. I bought a small tub at Lazada for ₱471, free shipping included.

Packaging

Arrived tight and safe with bubble wraps pa. I like how the tub is packaged in its melon glory, for some reason it doesn't scream cheap.

Product

White cream with a whipped consistency. Instant whitening effect, check! Most probably because it's already too white to begin with lol. Smells like melon, yep. I personally don't like the smell even though it's good 'cos it triggers my allergies. Can't put too much of this cos I'm already wheezing like crazy on the first try.

On the face

My goodness, this is too white for my skin tone. And I was reading a lot of reviews saying that it makes a good foundation base. AY JUSKO. NOPE. Don't believe them. It's too white. It's not spreadable. It dries quickly. It's too white. Or maybe I'm just too dark.

Perhaps I should just put a little.

In fairness that kinda does the trick. But the less I put on, the harder it is to spread so it doesn't really cover much. It's matte and dry so don't expect a dewy finish off of this. If you have dark skin tone, just put a very little amount of this on your face and that will be enough.

USE A BRUSH for easier spreading, a flat powder brush or one of those cute paddle brushes work wonders. Not so much a beauty sponge cos that's just like using a fat finger that size of an egg, it doesn't help even out the product.

Uses

Okay. Even though I don't like the smell, how it spreads, and how it's too white, I figured that if you couple it with other products, it becomes easier to spread and helps increase coverage.

1. As a day cream

I once tried it on with a BB cream and liquid foundation and it looks better so... yeyyy. I'm not doing that again though cos the whitening effect is really intense that I look too made up with this on. Case in point: it's really just not my shade, and there's no other.

2. As a night cream

I'm still banking on the effects of this cream so I didn't want to dispose it entirely so I tried using it as a night cream but I added moisturizer and it's, hmmmm, good! You know when you don't put anything on your face before sleeping and wake up looking either super dry and wrinkly or messed up and oily? With Lily's Touch miracle cream I woke up looking white. Just white. Still a change. But the deal is, a quick wash will reveal the true miracle hahaha. I look glowing after washing my face! Daaeeebak! 3. As a whitening cream

If you've given up putting it on your face but still don't want to throw it out, let it sit in the dark corners...of your body haha. I'm talking about the underarms, knees, and elbows. I've tried it but not regularly so I can't say if it works. Just know that it doesn't have antiperspirant and deodorant properties so if you want to put it on your underarms, better at night or when you're about to sleep. :)

Will I repurchase? Nope. Just look at the 3 excuses I had to come up with just to finish this product (and I'm not even halfway). Haaay the consequences of too much sponsored content out there. Planning to get one? Try a smaller version first (if there's one) to see if it works on you. Didn't do much to me hehe.

Novuhair Salutes All Women

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, Nutramedica Inc., encourages women to speak their mind and know their rights. Be it in society or otherwise, women have excelled over the years, creating a sense of socio-equality that every female across the globe shall be proud of.

This years’ theme is “Be bold for change”, a very subjective manner of approach to the present era where women are called to lead and influence. Novuhair calls for the same thrust. Novuhair empowers the female population by improving their appearance thru self-help ideas on social media. Channeling their self-esteem and confidence to exude.

Nutramedica Inc. itself is being led by a formidable woman, Sheila Mae Velilla, CEO and President. Ms. Velilla built the company from scratch, exerting much effort in product development and exemplary business & marketing acumen. Founded in 2004, Nutramedica was one of the first companies to market virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the Philippines. Today it is known for its comprehensive range of oral and injectable pharmaceutical lines, food supplements and cosmetic products.

At present, Novuhair has been awarded by Watson’s as the leading Medicated Hair Care Brand in the country for five consecutive years. The effectiveness of the product speaks for itself. Novuhair is made with 19 natural ingredients that include moringa oleifera, panax ginseng, virgin coconut oil and the natural essences of rosemary and peppermint and almost 100% natural.

Novuhair nourishes the scalp and hair by increasing the flow of nutrients and improving blood circulation to the scalp. Novuhair also helps hydrate the scalp, maintain the hair’s natural luster and prevent early hair graying, hair dryness and itching. It also penetrates deep to rejuvenate the hair follicles, provides optimum nutrition to help combat hair loss and/or thinning of hair, improves blood circulation in the scalp which contributes to the stimulation of hair growth.

Novuhair Topical Scalp Lotion, Shampoo and Conditioner are available in all Mercury Drug Stores and other leading drug stores nationwide. For more information visit www.novuhair.com, like the brand’s official Facebook Page at Novuhair Official, follow it on Twitter at @NovuhairNatural and on Instagram @novuhairofficial. You may also call the Novuhair hotlines at (02)413-6570 and (63)922-883-0575 and order online at Lazada and regaloservice.com.

[Review] SILKYGIRL Hi-Definition Brow Liner

I've been getting nice remarks about my brows lately but no one's asking me how so ako na lang magtatanong sa sarili ko haha. HOW?!

Dasal. Dasal lang talaga. Char. Ok, let's get to the point.

SILKYGIRL Hi-Definition Brow Liner is probably the best brow pencil I've used. As in! Even after swatching the much raved upon K-Palette products, I still think Silkygirl is better! I'm no pro but this is really good.

What's nice is that it only costs ₱299!

What to love:
✓ Angled tip - so it's self sharpening. Perfect for outlining and filling-in
✓ Waxy and pigmented finish. Unlike other brow pencils, this one's smooth and waxy which is good for me because I don't have the patience to fill in my thin brows with a hundred strokes hehe.
✓ Spoolie is super soft

For me, this is already enough to keep my brows neat and visible haha 'cos I have very thin brows hehe! If you want to glam it up some more, put on some brow powder for a fuller effect, lash it with a brow gel to set, and highlight the skin around it to define it some more. In short, use a ton of other brow products lol. :) Again, I'm no pro so I love simple and easy to use products like this. And since I'm not really gearing towards fleeky, instagram brows, but just want natural looking and fuller brows, this is heaven sent!

Sadly, it's only available in two shades: dark brown and black. Not a problem for me though 'cos I only use dark brown. :) Right now I've only seen it at Landmark Trinoma, and just recently, at Robinson's Supermarket (Regalado, Fairview at least)! Sooo happy I don't have to go all the way to Trinoma to restock! I've finished three of these already. I even had a hard time getting my second 'cos I kept asking 'Do you have Sky Girl?' Haha.

Anyway, to make it much much easier for you to do your brows, have it groomed hehe. ;)

Tis the Season to be SEPHORA Glammin

It's officially 17 days before Christmas and I'm officially putting my diet on hold. My dream body isn't gonna make it in time for the holidays so let me ditch all my faux eating plans and focus on something else!

Parties here and there are going to eat up your holidays, but before you eat your way, look at yourself in the mirror and make sure you're presentable at least! Gone are the days when all we cared about parties is the food. Now that everything is snapped and shared to social media, you don't want to be tagged with a mountain of food and a greasy face. Keep the mountain, let's work on the face. Kahit pano let's be glam. Parang ganito. Gandang di mo inakalang makaka-tatlong plato. ;) Charot

Special thanks to my friend, Ivy, who's a hair and makeup artist (follow her on Ivyoutiful!), I was transformed from that guest who's only after food, to that guest who's still after the food PLUS good photos! This soft glam look was from a random make-up session eight months ago which is also perfect for the holiday season. It's the glam look that's not scandalous. No glaring red lipstick and no fake lashes. Pure nude elegance. This is the look that will keep you looking poised even after your fifth round at the buffet table. And with the help of Sephora Philippines, you can easily recreate this look using their wide array of high quality beauty products.

Ready? Let's go!

For a smooth and blemish-free face

1. Benefit Cosmetics - The POREfessional Face Primer
2. Sephora Collection - 10hr Perfect Foundation
3. Benefit Cosmetics - Boi-ing Concealer

Using your fingers, make your skin smooth, tight, and ready for foundation by spreading a pea sized amount of the POREfessional face primer all over your face, including the neck. Next, get a single pump of Sephora's 10hr Perfect foundation and using a liquid foundation brush, spread it evenly all over your face, lightly brushing some on your lips as well. Lastly, apply the Boi-ing concealer under your eyes, on the laugh lines, on the sides of your nose, and on pimple marks and spots you want to hide, then blend with a brush.

Your face is now set!

For expressive eyes

1. Benefit Cosmetics - Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil
2. Benefit Cosmetics - Ready, Set, BROW! Clear Brow Gel
3. Zoeva - Nude Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette
4. Two Faced - Sketch Marker Liquid Art Eyeliner
5. Sigma Beauty - Sinuosity Lash Mascara

Starting with your brows, use the Goof Proof eyebrow pencil to outline and fill your brows. Its tear shaped tip helps define the shape of  your brows, and the spoolie at the other end makes for a good blender and filler. Set it using the clear brow gel.

Using the Nude Spectrum eyeshadow palette, let's get you smokey brown eyes! Pick a light color and apply it on the inner corners of your eyes and up to the brow bone. This will act as base and highlight. Next, get a soft brown shade and apply it to the crease, stopping below the brow bone and avoiding the inner corners so your light base remains. Finally, take a darker brown shade with shimmer and apply it on the outer corner of your eyes. Blend to make the transition look smooth and seamless, and for more definition, brush it carefully on your lower lash line as well.

Add more drama to your eyes by applying brown eyeliner; just a thin line across your outer lids will do. No need to wing it ;) Lastly, curl you lashes and put on a single pass of Sigma Beauty's lash mascara.

Now your eyes alone can speak volumes!

For an unmistakable glow

1. Edward Bess - Threads of Silk Powder
2. The Balm - Mary-Lou Manizer
3. Cover FX - Contour Kit

It's time to put more life on your face! Apply EB's Threads of Silk blushing powder on the apples of your cheek, making sure you're smiling as you do so! Using a contour kit, map your face and brush a deep brown powder along your jawlines, under your cheek bones, on the side of your nose, and above your temples. Blend carefully to achieve subtle shadows and the illusion of a slimmer face and a sharper nose. ;)

Lastly, let's light you up with up with Mary-Lou Manizer highlighting powder. Apply thinly above the jawline, below the eyes, on the forehead, and on the bridge of your nose to get that subtle glow and light up your features.

Aaaand you're ready to shine!

For well-defined and radiant lips

1. Guerlain - La Petite Robe Noire - Deliciously Shiny Lip Colour
2. Sigma Beauty - Lip Base
3. The Balm - Read My Lips Lip Gloss

You don't want to miss your lips! I've chosen products that have lighter nudes to finish off the soft glam look. Outline your lips using the Sigma Beauty lip base, and for a better effect, go on and fill your lips with it, this makes for a good base and will help your lipstick to stand out.

Now apply the Guerlain lip colour, starting at the center of your upper lip and slowly moving outward toward the corner. If it feels stuffy, blot it out with a tissue paper. Finally, put on your lip gloss to complete the look.

Almost done!

Last but not the least, make sure everything stays in place with spritzes of Mario Badescu's Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater.

This light, hydrating mist helps your skin look radiant and acts as a setting agent to keep your make-up from wearing out faster. You don't know when you're attending back to back parties. With this product on, you're going straight to your next venue without retouching! Sosyaaaal!

Aaaand there you have it!

I'm sure you're excited to take on this look using these amazing products. Not only will you look glam, glowing, and gorgeous, but people will also definitely ask you how you did it. Short answer: Sephora! Long answer: show them in detail or lead them to this post! :D

Ready for the parties? Shop more make-up products on Sephora PH here!

*Disclaimer: This post was created for a Nuffnang x Sephora PH contest. All products featured are only suggestions on how to recreate the look pictured above. They were not the original products used. :)

[Review] Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free BB Stick

because i didn't want to keep powdering myself throughout the day, i decided to get a BB cream! kasi daw it works like a powder that you don't need to retouch often, true enough!

Here's a review of Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free BB Stick (SPF 21 PA+++) in Radiance (the 03 shade) because it's the cheapest i could get with a nice brand to it. lol

Php 280.00

How it looks:

looks like a concealer

ang saya sayaaaa

What I like:

• it spreads easily on the face. if you're always on the go and want something you can easily apply, go for this!
• the stick form is very economical. you can see exactly how much product you have. unlike tubes where you have to trust that 20ml means 20ml haha. plus you can't scrape the insides when it has puffed out of contents. i find this kind of packaging very sulit. haha
• it's pretty affordable at Php 280.00. most BB creams range from 500-1000++
• available almost everywhere: department stores, supermarkets, drugstores, etc.
• lightweight - doesn't look like you have too much on the face
• good coverage. my skin looks smooth and clear with this on! haha
• it doesn't really stay put for like 8 hours straight but it's enough to keep me from powdering myself ever so often. in fact, i only put it during the day and leave it be without any retouches. :D

What i didn't like:

• it smells horribly like dangerous plastic. i want to stress this out because it's really bothersome, and while it doesn't linger on the face, it makes me paranoid that i'm putting on some toxic smelling thing on my skin. >XS
• it only comes in 2 shades (at least here in the Philippines), Fresh and Radiance. the Radiance one is the darker shade but upon application, it comes off a shade lighter parin than my face. eventually though it starts to even out. thank the oils!
• i don't think my skin agrees with this makeup. it looks good on the face, but sometimes my cheeks would itch! pero not always. nyay. i have combination to normal skin btw. joke! i don't know but i'm not the oily type. 
• it's hard to wash off. parang if you splash water on your face, waterproof yung effect nya. naaaks. so make sure to use a good facial cleanser or an exfoliating facial wash to rid your face of this stuff especially when you're about to sleep. :)

Will i buy it again?

• NOPE. unless they reformulate it to remove the ugly scent, release a darker shade, and make it more hypoallergenic. until then, i'll finish the stick and will probably look for other BB creams and convince myself to increase my budget for it cos the truly good ones have overkill prices. T__T i really love the stick form tho. :(
• YES. i thought i wouldn't but there's really no better alternative yet. it does look oily, but once i put powder on top, it looks better! :D so much for using a BB stick no, but yeah, i can live with powdering it. :D

Have you tried this one? Any BB cream suggestions? :D

[Review] Celeteque DermoScience Hydration Facial Moisturizer

naks naman bumu-beauty blogger. lololol.

in an attempt to step up my skincare regimen from nothing to something, i decided to start moisturizing daily. i actually used to put on moisturizer before when i was an active Mary Kay beauty consultant (shempre i have to be a convincing proof that my products work haha) but now that i'm out of the business, moisturizing became an irregular thing for me, as well as cleaning my face in general haha. i've grown quite loyal to MK that i didn't want to try anything else because it already works perfectly, but the weather is pushing me to try something more available lest my skin perishes along with my pride. haha

so here's an honest review of one of the most available and affordable moisturizers out there:

Celeteque DermoScience Hydration Facial Moisturizer

50 ml - Php 127.00 | 100 ml - Php 210.00

What i like:

• it's super available and affordable. 50ml tube is at Php 127.00, 100ml tube is at Php 210.00. you can find it in supermarkets, drugstores, and department stores. it's everywhere! <3
• works as a very good basic moisturizer. by that i mean, it keeps your skin moisturized enough especially during the night. it has a gel like consistency that spreads evenly on the skin, not too watery that it dries so fast, and not too sticky that you could feel the dust settling on your face. just right.
• it's water based, so it's really good for those with oily skin
• smells like nothing. which is great because i usually can't stand scented facial stuff.
• hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. works on sensitive skin and doesn't clog your pores.
• the packaging looks legit. ewan ko ba it has a Cetaphil vibe to it diba. it looks trustworthy and clinically credible. alam mo ung packaging pa lang, mukang hypoallergenic na? haha meganon ba. 

What i didn't like:

• nothing much except that i wouldn't want to use it during the day because it doesn't have SPF (like i care about SPF daw lol), plus it doesn't really have a primer-finish to it. you know how other moisturizers dry off in a dewy texture that could sit perfectly under makeup? this dries off nice naman but it looks wet. i don't look pretty waking up in this at all. but at least i don't look oily! XD
• hindi, actually i'm not yet on that phase where i need to moisturize during the day. but when that time comes, i'll probably look for another moisturizer haha.

Will i buy again?

• YES. this is now my go-to moisturizer until i've found a better alternative! or until i've found a regular source of discounted MK stuff. haha

Packaging details:

CELETEQUE DermoScience™ Hydration Facial Moisturizer has Triple Moisturizing System that contains Glycerin, Provitamin B5 and Aloe Verathat work deep down to provide lasting relief from skin dryness. Its unique hydrogel formula provides the skin with optimum hydration without the greasy after-feel.

• Ingredients:
• Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hexylene Glycol, Carbomer, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Citric Acid

Get a Summer Ready Body with Skin Philosophie's Summer Sale Promo!

Guess what! Skin Philosophie Medical Aesthetic and Lifestyle Center, your one-stop center for immaculate correction, holistic wellness, and lifestyle solutions is launching new promos for us this summer! 

Take a look at and see what services you could get for less, and get ready to achieve that summer body you've been waiting for!

1. Fat-Burning Radio Frequency (RF) Treatment
2. Underarm Laser Hair Removal
3. Underarm Whitening
4. Bikini Line Laser Hair Removal

Details below!

Fat-burning Radio Frequency (RF) Treatment

Source

Promo rate: Php 560 per session per body part
Regular rate: Php Php 2,800 per session per body part
Savings: 80% off!
With visible result after first treatment
For best results: 6-10 sessions
No lumpsum payment - pay only Php 560 per visit

Underarm Laser Hair Removal

Source

Promo rate: Php 2,700 per session

Regular rate: Php 4,500 per session
Savings: 40% off!
With visible result after first treatment
For best results: 4-6 sessions
No lumpsum payment - pay only Php 2,700 per visit

Underarm Whitening

Source

Promo rate: Php 960 per session
Regular rate: Php 1,600 per session
Savings: 40% off!
Number of sessions required depends on skin condition
No lumpsum payment - pay only Php 960 per visit

Bikini Line Laser Hair Removal

Source

Promo rate: Php 3,430per session
Regular rate: Php 4,500 per session
Savings: 23% off!
With visible result after first treatment
For best results: 4-6 sessions
No lumpsum payment - pay only Php 2,700 per visit


Amazing deals right? And if you don't know yet, Skin Philophie prides in being a leader in the field as they utilize advanced technology, equipment, and skin care products to ensure customer satisfaction. The center is headed by UK-trained doctor Dr. Kyla Talens, who considers safety and efficacy paramount to delivering their services. They offer customized patient-centered skin care programs, and always takes into account the client's resources and preferences before prescribing anything. You're in the best hands!

More treats for you!

If you want to avail of any of the summer promo services above, go on and contact them for a reservation, but since we're feeling extra generous we're extending an additional 5% discount to readers of this blog! Yup! i want to help you get that bikini ready body you've been dreaming of at a lesser cost!

What you have to do is just take a SCREENSHOT OF THIS BLOG and show it on your appointment to get that extra discount. :)

Here are other treats just for you <3

• 10% off on Skin Philosophie Regular Services
• Free Skin Consulation with Dr. Kyla Talens

Location and Contact

Skin Philosophie Medical Aesthetic and Lifestyle Solutions
Address: 3rd level, The Fort Strip, 28th corner 7th Avenue,
Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.
Contact numbers: 0917-8860646 | 0917-8906800 | 02-2118662 | 02-21580780 | 02-8567451
Website: http://skinphilosophie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skin.philosophie

[Disclosure: I am an accredited online lead generator for Skin Philosophie Skin Care Programs.]