Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone

a Merry Christmas!

Cheers!

Haloscan Help

Any users of Haloscan here?

Haloscan sent a notice that they were upgrading to Echo (paid service) and that within 2 weeks all comments should be exported.

I did as instructed to the letter but Blogger won't import the comments.  I am in danger of losing ALL 700 ++ comments in my blog because of this.  I tried exporting to Wordpress but it also wont import the comments. I've been mulling over this since last week, trying every limited knowledge I have of computers to no avail.  It keeps saying there is an error (with Blogger).

HELP!!!

NYX Cream Blush Rose Petal vs. Natural

Here is a comparison between NYX Cream Blush in Rose Petal and Natural.

(with flash)

NYX Mini Haul 3

My 3rd NYX mini haul from Sol of digital traincase. I got Cream Blush in Rose Petal and Round Lipstick in Thalia.

ShadesofU MAC Brush Sets Giveaway!

The Shades of U blog is having a contest open to all followers:

http://www.theshadesofu.com/2009/12/mac-brush-set-giveaway-for-subscribers.html

MAC Brush Sets are being given away.  I sure would like to win one!

Stila Smudge Pot in Bronze

This one isn't mine but my mom's. We bought them at the same time as my Stila Little Black Dress (previous post). Just wanted to show a swatch of it and how nice it looks.

Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pot in LBD

Hi all! Christmas is fast approaching and I still have a few gifts to get for the family.

My DD's Christmas party in school (with parent participation) is coming up this Saturday and so is my baby nephew's baptism -- in the afternoon of the same day!

One of the products I didn't regret buying a few weeks ago is the Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pot in Little Black Dress. I got it for Php 895 (around $18) for a 4 gram glass pot. Cheaper than US prices, I think. And don't you just love the packaging? It's Barbie's eye that winks at you in a 3D/ hologram-ish sort of lid cover.

L'Oreal UV Perfect SPF 50

Another sunblock I tried out! This time it's the L'Oreal UV Perfect in Even Complexion. I've read so many raves for this brand that I had to try it out. It costs Php 495 at local drugstores, supermarkets and department stores. It has 3 variants - Transparent Skin (white), Anti-Dullness (lilac) and this one.

Sally Hansen Problem Cuticle Remover

There are different kinds of cuticle removers from Sally Hansen. Out of curiosity I chose this one - the Problem Cuticle Remover.

Busy, busy...

Hi all!

I've been so busy the past couple of weeks that it is only now I am able to open the PC to read and write. Again all my posts have been scheduled posts done so many weeks ago and I think they're until next week. That's if I don't get to add some more.

First off my SIL stayed with us for a week because we lived near the hospital and she was due at anytime. I was on labor watch as she was induced here at home bec. the baby still wouldn't come out. Then we were still on labor watch when she was at the hospital for 2 days. A C-section was done Sunday and hubby and I were in the OR with her (me as the photographer) when our little nephew was born. He is sooo cute! He looked so much like our daughter when she was born except that he's a bit chubbier (of course, he was a big baby that's why a CS was done).

Also, Sunday was hubby's and my anniversary. I felt a bit guilty that we couldn't celebrate that much because we (mostly I) were thinking of our SIL and the unborn baby. I couldn't even think about all the beauty stuff at Rustan's Essences the very short time I was there because my mind was in the hospital.

Not to mention the Christmas parties to be attended. We went to our hospital department's party yesterday in between looking after the baby bec. he was brought in for circumcision at the same time. Another hospital party end of this week to go to.

Plus, my DD and I are sick with the sniffles (DD with cough, too). Haaay. Must be the stress. I still haven't done any shopping for my parents, bro, SIL and our colleagues.

Hopefully I get everything done soon. I have so many posts in draft form but don't have the time to write them down. Maybe after Christmas. Even my crops in Farm Town have died :-(

Palmer's Cocoa Butter SPF 15

I ran out of my body lotion with SPF so I went to Rustan's and got me the Palmer's Cocoa Butter w/ Vit. E SPF 15.

I like 2-in-1 (or 3-in-1) products because they are easier to use. I put on sunblock even on my body (arms, neck and legs) everyday (well, most of the time if I don't forget or I just don't if I'll only be staying home that day). I saw this product on their shelves months ago and promised to get it as soon as I ran out of what I was currently using (another promise is to use up what I currently have before buying something else!).

The bottle is 8.5 oz or 250ml for Php495. It has broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection that soothes marks and tones skin.

Babyliss Hair Straightener

Pressies I got for myself over the weekend: a Babyliss Pro 230 and a Barbie Loves Stila Smudgepot in Little Black Dress (which I'll tackle in another post).

NYX Cream Blush in Natural

Another NYX haul from digitaltraincase. I got my first ever NYX lipstick and cream blush in B52 and Natural respectively.

Stocking Stuffer: My Calgon Discovery

Done with your Christmas shopping yet?

I am, more or less. For hubby, all the kids and important relatives (in-laws, aunts, cousins) on my list I'm done. For my parents and siblings I'm not, as I have no idea what to give them. Also we're all eagerly awaiting the arrival of my baby nephew supposed to be born this weekend! I guess that eclipses any gift giving in mind as we will all have a baby this Christmas.

Anyways, when mom & I went to S&R yesterday after a derma appointment (my monthly glycolic peel, diamond peel and IPL maintenance) we found this:

Japanese Hair Fringe Grip

I was feeling so sad this morning because someone I made plans with last week for tomorrow (which I am so excited for) texted me early today. He said he won't be able to go with me bec. he made new plans with his friends. And to think I had the day all planned out for tomorrow :-(

It was such a pleasant surprise when my friend C. sent me an unexpected early Christmas gift thru her dad this morning. It really brightened up my day and I really appreciate the gesture. Thanks so much C.!

China Glaze Fortune Teller and Magic Matte

Better late than never as they say. Since China Glaze is not readily available locally I still source my CG np's from e-tailers in the US or kind-hearted friends who do CP's.

Here's my latest China Glaze haul from my friend A. of The Shades of U. It's the Sally exclusive Halloween shade Fortune Teller.

YLBB Lipbalms

I love lip balms especially deliciously flavored ones. I ordered another batch from my friend J of Your Lips But Better when she had new flavors a few weeks ago. I got the package in around 2 weeks. Not bad considering it's the holiday season and packages get here a loooong time (oh, and I'm still missing 1 package sent September, grrr).

NYX Haul

Another haul that came in last week which I wasn't able to post is my NYX haul from Sol of digitaltraincase.

Those in the Phils. can get your NYX fix by ordering from her. Great CS and fast shipping even with pre-order items since NYX is not available locally. She also sells the cheapest NYX here compared to other resellers.

Anyway, I got the pressed blush in Spice and 3 nail polishes.

Eyebrow Coat

On one of my Saizon-Daiso trips I found this on their beauty racks: Eyebrow Coat.

I don't understand most of it since it's written in Japanese. Packaging is c-u-t-e!!!! Looking closely I was surprised to see the brand Ever Bilena at the bottom. I didn't know EB was a Japanese brand. I thought it was a local brand ever since. The product itself is Made in Taiwan though.

Major Haul!

All my packages came within a span of a week! I'll just post individual reviews and swatches some other time.

From Eyeko - my nail polishes (and a free FS Beauty Rehab Rose Salve for using code E120). I was supposed to give this as a gift but my little girl opened it. She wanted to use all the colors right away so I swatched them all on her nails (sorry, no photo).

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

My friend S. said I will get hooked on this and I am! CURE NATURAL AQUA GEL is one of the most expensive skin care items I ever bought. This is available locally for Php 1,699 at Beauty and Minerals.

Product info from Beauty and Minerals website:

"What is Cure
Cure Natural Aqua Gel is a gentle and natural exfoliating gel that removes dead
skin effectively without causing undue stress to the skin. Unlike chemical peels
which use strong acid, Cure is very gentle on the skin and only removes the
unwanted dead skin. It does not dry or thin your skin which causes your skin to be vulnerable to sunlight.

Properties of Cure
Made of 90% revitalized hydrogen water and natural plant extracts of aloe vera,
ginko and rosemary. Contains no preservatives, fragrance, artificial colorings and alcohol.

Benefits of Cure
Our skin is the largest single organ in our entire human body and being the outermost layer of covering, it is most exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet light and the free radicals in the environment. Our skin undergoes a renewal process every 28 days where the growth of new skin cells will push up the old skin cells to the surface. When these old skin cells are not removed, it will hinder our skin renewal and regeneration, giving rise to various skin problems such as clogged pores, blackheads, dull skin tone, blemishes, pimples, and etc.

CURE gently and effectively removes old and dead skin cells to regularize skin turnover and prevent skin problems. Cure will complement any facial regime, making sure your moisturizers and serums have better and deeper penetration when your old skin cells are removed. With regular use of Cure, your skin is kept healthy, smooth, and glowing".

I pre-ordered my own bottle months ago when I read raves about this product. It is one of Japan's best-selling products and so, when I got it last month I used it right away. The first time I used this, I was amazed at how soft and smooth my skin felt right after. I think it was the first time my skin felt that soft.

To use, I just pump 1-2 times and apply on my just cleansed face and neck. I let it dry a few seconds then start gently massaging my face until I feel the flaky stuff come off my skin. Here's what it looks like:

I then rinse off the white residue and go thru my tone and moisturize steps. It is recommended to use this only up to 2x a week as too much exfoliation can be bad for your skin. Although with a product this mild, some use this every other day. I stick to the once or twice a week schedule myself.

The bottle says it is made up of 90% water. It is a transparent milky color, no fragrance, no preservatives nor alcohol. End result is radiant and soft skin which makes the other steps of your C-T-M routine work better because the dead skin cells have been exfoliated.

I hope my bottle lasts me a few months. It is 8 oz. or 250 ml. in size so I am using it sparingly. My Singaporean friend M. wanted to try it out too but found it a bit expensive in Singapore. I told her it was worth it.

Has anybody else tried or used Cure Aqua Gel?

McDonald's Coke Glasses

They're out today! Hurray! I aim to collect all 6 of these glasses made by Luminarc for Coca-Cola. You can get them from McDonald's for Php 25 each with any Value Meal order.

I went yesterday to my neighborhood McD's but it wasn't available yet so I told the person behind the counter taking my order that I would buy the next day instead when the glasses are out LOL!

On the way home from picking up my DD from school this morning, we dropped by McD's and got 3 value meals for lunch and 3 glasses. We got Purple, Pink and Charcoal.

Three down, 3 more to go. Next to get are Blue, Lime and Green! I think I'll drown in Value Meals for the next 2 or 3 days. Yes, we do collect McD Happy Meal toys too for DD although we rarely complete them like the Hello Kitty anniversary collectibles.

***

I am not in any way connected with McDonald's, Coca-Cola or Luminarc. I only like McD's food and I don't even drink any kind of soft drinks (bad for the health!).

***

Photo taken from Coca-Cola Conversations website. Thanks!

Crystal's Giveaway

For Philippine residents only:

Crystal of Musicalfan Loves Minerals is giving away a Belle De Jour 2010 Planner!

Link to contest rules and her blog here.

Ooh, I want one of these (instead of the Starbucks Planner) and I hope I get to be picked.

EG Minerals Haul

This came in the mail last week. It's my haul from the EG Minerals sale a month ago.

I got a sample of the Mineral Mousse foundation in Helena, a FS bottle of the Liquid Mattifying Moisturizer and Complexion Corrector in Apricot and samples of the Yellow Tweaker and Cover Me foundation in Soon.

Here is a swatch of the 2 pigments:

Soon on the Left and Yellow Tweaker on the Right.

I'll post reviews of the other 2 products once I've tried them out. I'm especially excited about the Mousse foundation. I'm glad this package came right on time for their current sale of Buy 2 get 1 free.

BOO!

Happy Halloween!

Contest from OVI by Nokia

To all readers from the Philippines:

Share your best fashion or beauty discOVIry to fashiondiscOVIry@ovi.com.

Contest period is from October 27 to November 20, 2009. We will award 10 winners per category, and each of them will win P1000 Ayala EGC!

Important:

1. Readers must first open an OVI Mail account at www.ovi.com.

2. Put the following details in their email entry: (a) Name, (b) Address, (c) OVI Mail Address, and (d) Mobile Phone Number.

The Nuffnang Team

What's Up?

Hi peeps! How's everyone doing?

I've been pretty busy and got sick too. I had a bout of food poisoning last Sunday from something I ate and been sick the past 3 days. Too bad I had to miss seeing my cousin Sunday evening who flew in from the US just for the weekend (!!!).

We were already at Greenbelt 5 Sunday night because I was feeling better but an hour prior to our meeting time for dinner I felt really sick. So sick that hubby wanted to bring me to the hospital. Good thing for the great GB 5 bathrooms. I could live there, LOL! Hubby and I took a cab home and left my little girl with my mom and the car so they could still meet up with my cousin and her fiance. I missed the good food and the stories but there's still a next time. My cousin flew back last Tuesday after her long weekend break, *sniff*.

It's so hard to be sick. Good thing hubby didn't have any schedule for Monday so he took care of DD. The next day, I had to get back to mommy duties even if I still felt bad bec. hubby had to go to work. Oh well, that's life. At least I still accomplished a lot of stuff and errands I had to run. Still have lots of other things to do (passport renewals, entrance exams for DD for big school, etc.).

The only good thing that came out from being sick was that I lost 4 lbs. overnight! Although as soon as I could eat (and was I very hungry!) I gained back the 2 lbs. right away :-(

It's going to be a long weekend this week and I hope we'll be able to get out of the city for a rest. Hope everyone has a safe and restful weekend!

MM Gel Liner in Cocoa

I know other blogs have posted on this but I only recently tried it out. This is the Makeup Masala Gel Liner in Cocoa. This is my first brown gel liner so I can't compare it with other products although I do have other shades of the Indelible Gel Liners. I got it from the Makeup Mix Shop (click on my sidebar to shop).

It's 3 grams in weight housed in a glass jar with black cap. Consistency is very smooth, no tugging when applying. In the jar, you can easily get the gel with an eye liner brush (I use an angled liner brush) since it isn't hard. I like the brown shade. Black shades make my eyes look too strong or harsh.

The gel dries in a few minutes. It doesn't say if it's waterproof but it has very good staying power. On my arm I had difficulty removing it with soap and water and my Mandom Cleanser. It also didn't smudge when I tried to.

swatched on my arm:

with water:

smudged:

On my eye lids, though, it's a different story. I have oily lids so I used a primer (UDPP). The gel liner did stay very long without flaking off or fading but after more than 5 hours I could see transfer of the brown line on my upper eyelid. However, the line itself was still there on my lashline and not faded. Maybe I should have put on a dusting of finishing powder on top of it. Anyway, at least it does stay on. I just have to experiment more on how not to make it transfer on my upper eyelid.

Fast forward a few more weeks --

I've tried it a few more times and even applied finishing powder on top of it. Still there were serious transfer issues to my upper eyelid! Anybody know what I should do? This doesn't happen when I use my other gel liners (Indelible ones).

I'm sure for those with dry to normal or combination skin this gel liner would stay on all day without problems. It's my eyelids that have a problem-- even with UDPP, Artdeco or any other primer my shadow still creases so I have to pile on primers. I'm that oily, ugh! I'll still continue to use it coz this is my only brown liner.

NP Organizer

I was finally able to get myself back to Saizen-Daiso a few weeks ago and buy a few containers for my nail polishes. I had the collapsible non-sturdy one before and it was difficult to move it around. I got a few with just the right size and even if the color is majorly fugly there was no other color available with this size. I bought extra baskets too coz of my nail polish haul coming soon (*evil grin*).

I also got other items as well and smaller baskets for my make-up cabinet. Now I can say I have organized them better. I have easy access to everything I need so all I have to do now is USE THEM!

PS:

I really love the Saizen store. They have new products everytime I go there which isn't often. You just have to choose wisely because some are not worth the Php 85 price tag.

Bagder Balm Headache Soother

Aaah, Badger Balms. These cute little tin cans just smell so good.

What it says:

"Massage onto temples, neck, and forehead. Expect a calming, cooling sensation, silky smooth skin, nice aroma and a sense of well-being!"

Ingredients:

*Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Golden Yellow Beeswax, Essential Oils of *Peppermint, *Lavender, *Eucalyptus, *Mandarin and Sandalwood, and CO₂ Extracts of Rosehip & *Calendula.

* = Certified Organic

I bring along this tin can of Headache Soother everywhere I go. It comes in handy when I feel a headache coming on. I put it on my temples and nose or just sniff the balm and my headache is gone. It smells of peppermint and lavender, very soothing indeed. Just don't put too much on your face or it would be shiny.

It works for minor headaches but at least I don't have to drink pain killers all the time. I've used this during one of my migraine attacks during that time of the month (for women) and when I would usually be in bed the whole day even with intake of 2 kinds of meds, this kept me up and about. I just kept it beside me and sniffed and rubbed. The wonderful smell perked me up. Sometimes even if I don't have a headache, I sniff this and I feel good.

The balm would probably last long for me because sometimes the smell is all I need. It could be a bit greasy but just use a little bit and massage on forehead, temples, neck. You can find this at Rustan's Essences for P395 for the 1 oz. tin can.

NOTD

This is the 2nd set of nail stickers I own. The first one I got from Skin Food a couple of years ago and this one is from The Face Shop.

The design is in light blue and white flowers and swirls. Very dainty and pretty. Actually, my DD picked it out herself.

I rarely put on polish on my finger nails but always on my toes. This is the first time I put nail stickers on my finger nails. I tried it out using Orly Calcium Shield as base coat then the sticker. I topped it off with Poshe quick dry topcoat.

And of course, the little girl put up a fight that I put it on only on myself. I used the Skin Food stickers on her footsies.

Hay naku, sobrang kikay talaga!

Weekend Haul

Went to Power Plant Mall last Sunday to meet up with my Malaysian friend on job training here in Manila. Wished we could have talked longer but time was so short.

Anyways, went for a little bit of retail therapy and I got the following:

Sally Hansen Problem Cuticle Remover (on sale)

L'Oreal UV Perfect in Even Complexion

Changpo Hair Coating Essence

Nail Stickers!

freebie from The Face Shop:

Reviews coming soon once I've tried all these properly.

Celeteque Advance Week 6

Celeteque Advance True Results Challenge Week 6:

This is the last week for the challenge. As you can see, there was no change in the fine lines on my under eye area.

before:

week 6

However, I did notice a slight decrease in the size of my eye bags. I didn't put anything else on my eye area the entire 6 weeks except for the Celeteque Advance Moisturizer which I applied morning and night religiously. No change also in the discoloration on my right under eye.

As I said in my previous post, I will continue to use this just on my neck area so it will not go to waste. I'll revert back to using my HG eye and face creams because Celeteque broke me out.

Did you take this challenge too?

Save 70% on Eyeko Nail Polish

Sale 70% OFF Eyeko Nail Polish this weekend only. Was 18 GBP before...now only 5.40 GBP (Php 409)!

All 6 Nail polishes for 5.40 GBP! Only until October 11, 2009.

FREE SHIPPING worldwide!

Type in code E120 at the Ambassador's code box for your FREE GIFT from Eyeko.

I just ordered my set. This was the sale I was waiting for! So excited to get this.

Celeteque Weeks 4 and 5

***Back to regular posting. Life goes on and so does mine.

Celeteque Advance True Results Challenge Weeks 4 and 5:

before:

week 4

week 5:

(Hid the mint julep masque covering a zit on my nose with a teddy bear on the last photo).

Still no changes on the fine lines underneath my eyes. I am not keeping my hopes up for week 6 so this is definitely not working for me in terms of fine lines. Good thing I got this bottle for 50% off!

And one more important thing I'd like to share. On the latter part of Week 3 I noticed small breakouts on my forehead. This continued everyday so I stopped applying the moisturizer just on my forehead thinking it might be the cause. Lo and behold my forehead cleared up after a few days.

My face also was not at it's best half the time I put on the moisturizer. Seems like I had a delayed reaction to it. On weeks 3 and 4 I also started getting breakouts on my nose, chin and face when I had been breakout free or have zits like once a week or 2. This time it was everywhere I put the moisturizer! I stopped applying it on my whole face EXCEPT for the undereye area for the challenge.

Now, going on week 6 my face is clear again when I went back to my regular moisturizers (Olay and Avon). I just use Celeteque Advance on my neck at night and under eye area 2x a day. Once the 6 weeks are up I am going back to my regular Avon eye cream and just finish up Celeteque on my neck.

I am really disappointed. To think this is a hypoallergenic brand and supposed to be safe for sensitive skin. NOT!