Busy, busy

Might not be able to post for the next week or 2 because my relatives from New Zealand are in town and staying with us. They've been here since Tuesday evening and we've been busy taking them out and shopping then birthdays are coming up.

Tonight is my aunt's birthday party just in time with their 3 week visit to the country. Next week it's my turn! I bought all my presents already this week (from hubby).

Aside from our visitors, our house (or my parents' house) is being renovated so everything is dusty and just in chaos. It's been going on for 4 weeks now with 1 week of not being able to do much because of the rains since the roof for the additional room wasn't put up at that time. The carpenters still have a ton of things to do. When all of those are done then I'll have my own dresser at last. I asked the carpenter to build me one and I have my own design and measurements done on paper. I even have photos printed from the net to show him what I have in mind. I can't wait.

Until then, I do have drafts of posts but they're only photos and I haven't typed anything because I can't think straight as of now.

MAC Shadestick (For Sale)

I got a couple of MAC Shadesticks both in Lemon Chiffon a few weeks ago from a CP in the US.

I wanted to try these out so bad coz I've read blogs saying these are good to use as lid primers. These aren't sold locally except for this collection and when I asked the MAC counter at Shang specifically for these, they said the whole line in general was discontinued and they didn't have those in this collection either.

After logging in to GirlTalk I read that the girls there got their shadesticks the same day or days after I asked about it in the same MAC branch. Hmm, MA's playing favorites?

I won't bother with swatches coz I'm sure a lot of you have seen them in other blogs or own these yourself. I tried them on my oily eyelids without anything else on and in a matter of a few hours (a couple I think) they creased. I guess I'll just have to use these with my trusty UDPP or Artdeco Eye Shadow base.

I surely won't be able to use the 2 pcs. of the same shade in my lifetime. I'm willing to give up the other one which is still brand new in box although I got it for a higher price since I paid for additional tax and int'l shipping. Please email me for details if you want to get it off my hands. Local buyers only please.

BBW Creamy Body Wash

I heard about the Bathed & Infused Anniversary sale from my Vox friends and have been contemplating on making an order. It is 40% off the entire order and I"ve always wanted to order bath products to try out there. After staring and making ghost carts for most of the week I ended up not getting any. The international shipping is too expensive plus the long wait (even if I'm very patient waiting for my int'l packages) stopped me. Good thing I found an alternative, mwahaha!

I've been addicted to Bath & Body Works' Creamy Body Wash for 3 years now and in fact it is my HG of body washes. It is hard to find locally as stores mostly sell the shower gels which I dislike coz they're drying so I get mine from my cousin in the US if ever she comes for a visit here. Because of my dilemma in ordering from B&I, I tried looking for an alternative over at Multiply and I found an online store selling my beloved Creamy Body Washes (which I'll keep to myself, ha!). Good thing the seller had lots of stocks and scents to choose from including my staples so I ordered on Wednesday night, paid Thursday morning and I got my package this morning, yahoo! Instant gratification :-)

I got Warm Vanilla Sugar (my favorite), Brown Sugar & Fig and Sparkling Peach. I now have additional stocks to my last few tubes that would last me till middle of next year. Price isn't bad either although I do prefer the ongoing sale price of BBW mid-year sale. I definitely will order more tubes in a month or 2 to stock me up for a few years.

Makeup Mix Shop Sale on Jessie's Girl Cosmetics

The Makeup Mix Shop is having a 15% off sale on all Jessie's Girl Cosmetics thru June 18, 11:59 PM CST.

I like using the Bejewelled palettes (pictured above) as they're pigmented and easy to bring along for travel.

They ship worldwide.

Free shipping for orders of $20 or more to US and Canada.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Ever since I was in my teens I've been prescribed Retinol medication for my acne. Who knows how long I've used it but my acne was still there albeit controlled...but still present.

Okay so I know it (topical ones) didn't do anything dramatic for my acne (except for Accutane which I took 2 cycles of), I know it is good for exfoliation and prevention of lines and wrinkles. That was probably the only good effect I got from it.

Fast forward a few years. I came across RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream and read positive reviews about it. I purchased it for $17 at Amazon last year since it isn't available locally. It claims to have intensive anti-wrinkle moisturizing treatment reducing expression lines and deep wrinkles. Plus you get visible results in 12 weeks.

The cream is white and not greasy, absorbed right away by the skin but it has a strong floral smell. I could smell it on me even as I was about to sleep. Yeah, it made me a bit nauseous as all floral scents do (no offense to those who like foral scents). I used it initially on my forehead and around the nose where frown lines and expression lines are but I got bumps in a matter of 2 days! I knew the culprit was the retinol so I stopped temporarily until my face cleared. I tried it again a few days later and...bumps!

Okay I stopped using it on those areas and started it below my eyes where I have a very deep line across both lower lids. So far so good, no bumps. I continued using it only at night (it is a night cream and retinol should not be used in the daytime coz it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun hence the use of high SPF). I was hopeful for the reduction of the lines.

It's now been 6 months since I started using it. Effect? NOTHING!!! On me at least. I did not see any line reduction but there were no new ones though. But still, I at least hoped for a bit shallower lines. I wasted $17!!! And I'm nowhere near finished with the tube as it's still at least 3/4 full of the 1 oz. tube because only a little is needed for both undereyes. I also got used to the floral smell that I didn't mind it anymore but I know it is still there.

A few days ago I decided to stop using it and started on the ANEW Rejuvenate 24 Hour Eye Cream (Day Cream SPF 25 and Night Cream) from Avon. I'll post on it when I've used it for a few weeks.

I'll just use the RoC on my neck instead so it won't go to waste. I hope I don't get breakouts on my neck!!!

Mini Haul & OPI Matte Nail Envy

Yesterday was a holiday (Independence Day!) and it seems that everyone was out on the streets even with the AH1N1 scare. We went to the mall to get my DD's school stuff and I ended up with my own mini haul.

Garnier Nutrisse Cream hair color in Dark Golden Brown (Php 299). Last time I colored my hair was early this year and it now looks so ugly. I'm still on the allergy test phase since I haven't used this brand before. So far so good. I'll probably color my hair tomorrow or Monday.

Trim Men Styptic Pencil (Php 129). It stops bleeding from minor nicks and cuts. Very handy for when I DIY my nails and accidentally nick myself. I actually used this yesterday when my left thumbnail scratched the skin of my right thumb (ouch!). Just dampen the tip of the pencil and apply to the wound for a few seconds and that's it. Hurts like hell though.

OPI Matte Nail Envy (Php 695). My nails aren't the strongest. They're soft and easily crack or dent and peel. I heard good things about this and am glad this is available locally (also the new collections of OPI are available at Rustan's Essenses but I successfully controlled myself not to get any) but price is a bit steep. There are different variants like Original, Maintenance, Dry & Brittle, Sensitive & Peeling and Soft & Thin.

It took me a long time to decide which one to get but chose the matte one coz I intend to use it on my finger nails. Call me weird but I don't like wearing polish on my finger nails. Even glossy clear ones! I just keep them neat and clean and perpetually short.

I've applied it last night following the instructions. It says to put 2 coats initially then 1 coat every other day for a week then remove if there's still some left on the nail and start all over again. It can also be used under nail polishes.

The first coat was indeed matte but when I put on the second coat this is what it looks like:

Not so matte but not too glossy either. Oh well, I just hope my nails get stronger and healthier from this.

Heads Up on Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Gals in the Philippines! (Paging Cands!)

I was so happy and excited when I saw tubes of Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque at Healthy Options in Shangrila Mall today! It's less than Php400 (forgot the exact price as usual) and they have the other variants, too. Maybe the other branches of Healthy Options have it also? The price is still good considering if you get it in the US you still have to pay taxes and/or shipping which amounts to the same thing or more.

I wanted to hoard but I still have 1 unopened tube in my closet. A tube lasts sooo long (my current one is almost finished and I've been using it for almost 2 years!) so until I use the remaining contents I still have another one to use for the next 2 years ha ha!

Okay, you can go get your own tube now (tiran nyo ko ha?).

Heliocare Spray SPF 50

Today I visited my dermatologist friend for a follow-up IPL session. I've finished the full session a few months ago but I still go for touch up treatments when needed because IPL is a permanent hair REDUCTION procedure and not REMOVAL. I also had a facial, glycolic peel and diamond peel. Love the impromptu skin treatment. Anyway, she said my skin looked better a year ago. Now I have a few hyperpigmented spots on my upper cheek area :-(

Before I left, she gave me a sample of Heliocare Spray.

I've seen this on her shelves before but as far as I remember, I didn't get it because of the price.

What it is:

Heliocare Spray is suitable for ALL SKIN TYPES. Can be used after Laser Hair Removal and Microdermabrasion to prevent skin damage. Natural daily photoimmunoprotectant against UVB and UVA, with antioxidant and repairing activities.

Indicated for:

-Sensitive skins: Rosacea, etc.

-Photodermatosis

-Medication-induced photosensitivity

-Prevention of skin photoaging

-Melasma and hyperpigmentation

I'll try this as soon as I can (I still need to put on a post-peel cream for 3 days and nothing else) and report back. It's only a tiny 5 ml spray sample,

but I'm sure it'll be enough to know if I get breakouts or other negative side effects. Hopefully not.

Has anybody tried this before? I'd really like to know how it does.

FOTD and me thinking out loud

You're all probably bored with my FOTD's coz they all look the same. Anyway, here's a recent one...still looking "the same" LOL!

Taken last Saturday at my friend's son's 1st birthday party. It was circus-themed complete with mini carousel, clowns on stilts, dog and monkey show and acrobats (they were amazing!).

Awkward pose but I cropped the photo to keep my good buddy's privacy (she's a pediatrician). I also forgot my camera at home!!! Of all times to forget my camera...I was only able to get crappy shots of the party using my VGA cam phone so this photo was from my friend's camera which she uploaded for my sake at Facebook (thanks J!).

As usual, I was in a hurry with only 10 minutes or less to put on everything so I used my pressed cosmetics.

What I was using:

Avon Magix Face Perfector SPF 20 as primer

Adorned with Grace foundation mix of Hope 3.8 and 4.2 (first layer)

Joppa Morning Dew foundation in Grecian Gold on top of AwG (2nd layer)

spritz with toner to set

Dreamworld Creme Topping FP in Cocoa

Aromaleigh URFP in Peaches & Cream

blush:

Cargo blush in Tonga

Eyes:

Artdeco eyeshadow base

Jessie's Girl Bejeweled e/s palette #2 and #4 using 3 shades for lid, crease and highlight

Indelible gel liner in Magnetism on upper lash line

lips:

Avon Glazwear lipgloss in Darling Pink

**I wish I could use my mmu loose shadows most of the time but I can't. I have more than 200 shades in my stash! I am always pressed for time when we go out because I have to put my DD first. By the time it's my turn to dress up, they're all waiting for me to finish and I don't like to keep people waiting so I end up using the first thing I see and the easiest to use (pressed shadows) or most of the time none at all. Just foundation, powder, blush and the gloss I apply in the car. Pathetic, huh?

I tried doing it the other way around with me getting my face ready first but it just isn't feasible. I would end up wet from bathing my little girl or all sweaty from the heat in the bathroom. Haay, difficulties of a mom (or is it just me?).

My Minerals Bath & Body Tinted Lip Balm

This tinted lip balm in Frosted Rose Petal is from My Minerals Bath & Body. I got this free as part of the summer promo they have which is still ongoing. What's good about this is that it is all natural with no harmful ingredients.

Ingredients:

Sweet almond oil, beeswax, mica, avocado oil, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, flavor oil

It has a nice strawberry scent that is not too strong. You won't be able to smell it once applied to the lips and there is no flavor as far as I could tell. It is sheer, giving out a very slight tint to my lips but very moisturizing. If you are on the lookout for a pigmented lip balm that won't need lipstick applied over it then sadly, it isn't this.

It lasts a few hours before you have to re-apply as all lip balms are. So far I have not had an allergic reaction to it unlike a few other balms I've tried in the past. The other tints available have different scents like grape and vanilla depending on the shade you choose.

Regarding the price, it is a bit expensive than most other lip balms ($6.99) and I'm happy I got this for free with purchase or I wouldn't have tried it out myself. For it's moisturizing properties, I give it plus points.

Embodyment Organic Essentials

Browsing through blogs I came across another organic bath and body brand called Embodyment. I was curious about their products since it is locally made and not that expensive.

A week ago, while waiting for a movie to start (Night at the Museum 2) I saw a stall selling this at the GreenBazaar in Trinoma so of course I spent my time there. They had bath soaps, lip balms, body scrubs, body butters and other items. I seriously didn't know which one to get in such a limited time. I sniffed the samples and it was the Goat's Milk & Vanilla scent that I liked the best. I settled for the small sized body butter (P150 for 50 grams) and a few soaps (3 for P200) for hubby since I was only going to try it out.

The soaps I got were Glutathione & Oats, Glutathione & Sweet Pea and Classic Glutathione. (Hubby likes his whitening soaps because he is now so dark from spending time in the sun due to sports). We haven't used the soaps yet since we still have other ones open.

The body butter smells soooo good! I love vanilla scents and this smells like it with an added creamy (milky?) scent that isn't too strong nor cloying. My little girl loves it too. We both have been using this every night since I bought it. The texture is light yet thick and is absorbed well by the skin. It is not greasy and is easy to spread on arms and legs. The scent lasts long (well I can still smell it faintly when I wake up) and skin feels smooth. It is moisturizing enough for the dry skin on my arms and legs.

I may buy a bigger size once I finish this (and my other lotions) since this is a scent that I really love (I sniff my arm over and over again LOL!) and I don't have to order it overseas. I can also make this part of my list as presents for Christmas since it's never too early to start thinking whom to give this to.

Locally this is available thru re-sellers here. I think this is the same seller I bought from in the Green Bazaar.

Blogger woes

Sorry about the changing templates the past couple of days. I've been trying to change the template into a more colorful and more "me" one but I am having a hard time. I was able to choose a nice template but I can't recover all the comments from the posts. Also I could not re-arrange the elements in the page. I am so not a computer geek (or wiz) so I am at a loss.

Is there anyone who can help me out? Even with the Haloscan instructions, the program would not install in the new template. Maybe coz it's not an "official" template that's why I'm having problems? I browsed other blogs that change their templates once in a while and they seem to not have any problems like I do.

So I'm stuck with this boring one until I find a solution.

Eyeko Touch Up & Glow Highlighter

This is the Eyeko Touch Up & Glow Highlighter.  

Like the concealer in my previous post this also comes in a pen-type packaging which makes it easy to bring and use anywhere.  Just twist the bottom end until you get it out from the brush tip.

The shade of this highlighter is pearly pink which I think would suit any skin type.  It is easy to spread and blend and doesn't have any huge glitters in it.  It's a good highlighter to use on the brow bone because of the lifting effect.  You could also use this on other parts of the face like the cheekbones (just blend it well) or inner corners of the eyes for a brightening effect.  

Comparing with the Eyeko Cream (Original), they have the same effect with the Cream having less of a sheen since it is also used as a moisturizer.  This lasts fairly well for my oily skin (maybe half a day?) but is easy to re-touch if needed.  

This will be one of the staples in my kikay kit (good especially for travel) along with the Original Cream (which I put in a small clam-shell sample container so as not to double-dip into the huge jar) as highlighters.

The Touch Up & Glow Highlighter costs GBP5 from the Eyeko website.  Type in code E120  in the comments box upon checkout for a free full-sized gift from Eyeko with a minimum purchase of GBP10.  Free worldwide shipping for all orders!