October 31, 2012

Some Freebies!

A sample is usually just good for 1 to 3 applications so I was really glad that the seller of my ebay purchases gave an ample amount of freebie samples that are just in time for my quick trip.
Innisfree + Hanskin
Innisfree Canola Honey Serum is like honey itself: it's thick than normal serum and has a sweet smell.  I didn't bother to apply moisturizer during the day because it already gave my face enough moisture.  This gives my skin a natural glow but still in doubt if I should purchase the full size of it.  Seems like I'm having minor breakouts with it though not 100% sure if this serum is the main reason behind my small dilemma.  Sample is good for 3 to 5 applications.

After 10 minutes after I applied the serum, I put the Hanskin Super Plus Perfect BB Cream on.  The smell reminds me of an almond oil and kinda feel like the oil too: it's not heavy or oily but you will feel that there is something on the face.  This one is too white for me upon application so I have to blot my face with tissue to remove the white cast.  It's only after 5 hours (because it's the only time that I managed to look at my face in the mirror) that I appreciated how nice this bb cream is and the reason of the whiteness is that I applied too much.  It naturally covers my blemishes and gave me a pinkish, silky glow.  Sample sachet is good 4 to 6 applications.

Speaking of samples somebody emailed me about this site called FreeFlys.com.  The site offers a variety of samples from food, beauty, for kids and health.  You just have to join their site by filling up a form though it's open for US territories only.  I have to agree with their slogan: cheap is good but free is better!

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 30, 2012

TheFaceShop Clean Face and E'thym

It's the time of the month when girls can't stop pimples and breakouts and also it's ~ber months which means that my skin gets extra dry even when the weather is not too cold and so when I visied my family back in our province last weekend, I do not have any excuse to skipdoing my usual skincare routine but it's just a hassle to bring all the products that I'm currently using and so I relied on the samples that I got from my purchases.
Clean Face + E'thym
I got tons of TheFaceShop samples when I became a Club20 VIP member and chose to bring with me the above products because they claim to be mild yet are best for acne, troubled skin.  It takes a month to see the full effectivity of a product but I only have three days so I'll do my best to; although brief, describe the necessary details of the samples.
photo from The Face Shop Clean Face Series fb page
Clean Face Acne Solution Foam Cleansing claims to wash away acne-causing bacteria and debris.  This cleanser has a soapy with a hint of citrus smell.  It iss foamy and leaves my face squeaky clean.  The sachet is good for 2 to 3 uses.
photo from The Face Shop Clean Face Series fb page
Clean Face Mild Toner claims to provide quick and effective care for skin troubles.  I pour a just right amount of the toner to a cotton ball and was really surprised to find brownish color on it (just when I thought that the cleanser removed all whatever is on my face.  I should never underestimate the power of a toner).  Just like any other toner, it's transparent, liquidy and has a citrusy smell with a hint of alcohol into it.  Good for 3 to 5 uses.
photo from The Face Shop Clean Face Series fb page
Next is the Clean Face Mild Lotion which I'm a little skeptic to because well it's called lotion (maybe I'll post something in the future the differences of face lotion, emulsion and cream).  It has the same smell as the toner and is white in color.  Consistency is like of a body lotion and feels heavier than an emulsion when applied to face.  My skin didn't absorb this quickly and have to pat my face for like a minute.  Good for 3 to 5 uses.

These three somehow helped in lessening the redness of my pimples probably because of it's main ingredient Tea Tree extract which; as indicated in the label, treats oily or problem skin more quickly and effectively.

Now since I have dry skin, I also brought with me this essence and cream to use at night.
photo from http://international.thefaceshop.com
I already gave my thoughts on the essence so I'll move on to the E'thym O2 Aura Cream which is liquidy rather than creamy yet it feels heavy when applied and my face looked oily.  I also don't like the scent of this one because it smells like melted plastic.  The result is just okay: my face is moisturize and a little smooth, but will not be a fan of this line.  I think it's more for those with normal skin type.  Good for 1 to 2 uses.

Do you also bring samples when travelling?

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 29, 2012

5 Korean Skincare Routine

When I was a kid, I just wash my face.  When I'm in my adolescent stage, I wash my face then moisturize if only necessary.  When I'm already in my early 20's I learned a little about toning but never bothered to include it in my wash and moisturize routine.  So, I'm shocked when I heard that Koreans have 5 steps in their skincare.  Most of you probably already know this but for the benefit of all latebloomers out there like me, here's an intro on how most Koreans take care of their skin.
photo from bellasugar.com.au
1. Double Cleanse
Nowadays when all kinds of dirt and pollution are present in our faces and with the trend of wearing make-up, double cleansing is a must.
A good cleansing cream or cleansing oil removes dirt and makeup while a cleansing foam washes away anything that is left behind your face, leaving it clean and refresh.
photo from http://trendnstylez.com

2.  Massage, Scrub and Mask
Now to make the skin look brighter and looking healthier, regular massaging and scrubbing should be part of a good skincare routine.
It is said that facial massages improves blood circulation leaving your skin looking stress free and glowing.
Use a mild scrub once or twice a week as scrubbing slough off dead skin cells and will help in resurfacing new cells though this part is not advisable for those with oily or acne prone skin type as it will irritate the oil glands.
Once in a while when you are not massaging your face, you can use facial mask/sheet mask.  I use whatever kind of sheet mask that is available in my closet once a week but if undecided as to what sheet mask to get then a cleansing and/or a moisturizing one are the best options.
By the way, massage, scrub and mask are part two of the routine but whenever I use facial mask/sheet mask, I first tone my skin.
photo from holisticmamas.com
3.  Tone
For many years, I neglected this part of the routine because I thought it's unnecessary.  I mean toner for me before is like an ordinary liquid or water put into a cotton pad.  But of course I was wrong as toner removes any residue left behind by foam cleansers and make-up.  There are a lot of kinds of toner that are available in the market that can help remove dead skin cells, balance the skin PH and other features depending on your skin type.  Toners also prepare the skin to the next step of the routine.
from realsimple.com
most serums in the market are in pretty bottles 
4.  Essence or Serum
Essence or serums are liquidy concentrated substance that penetrates the deep layer of the skin to nourish and help treat specific skin problem.  There are brightening, whitening, nourishing, moisturizing, anti-aging and whole lot more.  Just ask the sale assistants in the shops or your dermatologist as to what is the best for your skin type.
I just started to use a serum this year and it did help in smoothening and hydrating my skin.
photo from http://www.123rf.com
5.  Moisturize
After letting the skin absorb the essence or serum, apply moisturizer or emulsion to keep the skin well hydrated.  The outer layer of the skin will benefit the most from this step.  Creams are more advisable for those with dry skin while emulsion is more for those with oily skin type because it's more liquidy and lighter than a cream.

I'm still learning as to what is the best for my skin but maybe in the near future I'll post my discoveries and more specific topic on each step.  How about you what's your skincare routine?

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

sources:
k-popped.com
http://tonymoly.ph
arya de guzman's brain and experience :p

October 27, 2012

My Online Purchases!

Yey, finally my online purchases have arrived and I just wanted to share them because it's a first for me.

Let's start with these mask:

TheFaceShop facial mask
I know they are quite a lot.  20 pieces actually because I ordered it when there was a buy 10 take 10 promo from Bae Lu in facebook.  I almost run out of patient though, I think I waited for almost 2 months because it's a pre-order and some holidays in Korea.  Anyway, still very happy when I saw the package in our dining table, patiently waiting for me.

Next is my ebay purchases.  Actually one of my friends ordered these together with her's to save some moolah on shipping fees:
used Ipod to capture these samples so it's a little blurry
Ordered lots of samples to try out from different Korean brands that are new to me like Skin Food, Liole and Missha.

I feel like a kid today because of these packages.  Do you feel the same whenever you received your orders?

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 26, 2012

TheFaceShop Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera

Finally, my facial masks online order just arrived.  I have 20 masks from TheFaceShop so expect a lot of facial mask reviews from the said brand.
I'll start with aloe since I need something that will hydrate and soothe my sensitive skin because this crazy weather is giving me skin asthma.
TheFaceShop Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera
A soothing/hydrating mask sheet containing aloe extract, which hydrates and soothes the skin with a rich sense of moisturization, to provide instant care to puffy and and sensitive skin
CAUTION:  Use with caution if you have allergy to adhesive tape.  Do not use on broken or abraded skin.  Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash appear.  Keep out of reach of children.  Keep package sealed until use.  Avoid contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water
The words soothe and hydrate were mentioned twice in the short description so I really hope this will provide enough moisture to my thirsty skin.  It has 1000mg of extract from grounded fresh aloe so that's only 10g of essence.  Hmmm  I usually use mask that has at least 20g of essence.  Here's how to use:
Directions:  1.  Pull out a sheet 2.  Unfold and place a sheet on a clean face after cleansing and toner stages 3.  Remove the sheet after 15~20 minutes and let the residue get absorbed deep in the skin
The facial mask itself has 12 cuts, is horizontally elongated that it almost reached my earlobes and is neither thick nor thin.  It doesn't cover the mouth and nose area well.

As for the essence, it smells like a real aloe though it also has a strong alcohol scent when I opened the mask packet.  Good thing it goes away after a minute or two after placing it on my face but can still be irritating for those with sensitive nose.  The essence is oily for me; it's like a dry oil though it's not sticky.

When I take out the facial mask from the packet, it's not dripping wet just okay wet (??? what a term) and there's not much essence left for me to apply on my face for the whole week.  After 10 minutes the outer area of the facial mask started to dry out so I applied all the little extra essence left from the pocket.  You'll know when 20 minutes has elapsed because the mask will start to fall out of the face .

When I removed the mask sheet, my face doesn't feel sticky and heavy and my hands glides easily because the essence is really like an oil.  I have to wait around 15 minutes before my skin fully absorbs the essence and take note, I am in front of a fan.

I woke up with a moisturized face though I am a 50~50 on the soothing part, my pimple on my forehead is still angry in red.  Don't ask me about the puffiness part because I don't have a puffy face to begin with (ahahaha my face actually needed some puffiness, just a little though).

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 25, 2012

Saizen Face Washing Brush

So here's the face washing brush/pad that I use on a daily or every other day basis, a simple almost heart shape pad made of silicon from Saizen.
Saizen Face Washing Brush
I nicked this from my sister (hehehe, anyway she have 2 of these now).  This I guess is best for those with sensitive skin like me because of it's soft small bristles that doesn't irritate the skin.  This does not surely remove blackheads and will only loosen up the whiteheads from the skin but it sure does help in foaming up my cleanser and give a gentle massage and exfoliation to my face.
a closer look of the bristles
There's another version of this pad but looking into the pictures from Saizen's Facebook page, I prefer the handle of this one as I just have to insert it between my pointer and middle finger.
back part
Very gentle exfoliation + light massage~ check!  I can't afford to have an exfoliator machine so I'm good with this for now.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 24, 2012

Etude House Happy Teatime Cleansing Cream

So I've been to Divisoria (a place with a shopping bazaar, wet market, flea market mall, grocery store and the like all in one place) two weeks ago and since it's ~ber months, the place is already pack with shoppers and the place is a bit wetter.  So when I got home, I'm a complete mess because of the pollution and wanted to immediately wash my face.  But I kind of practice what my mom always remind me: that is to rest first before hitting the bathroom or I might get a disease called "pasma" sorry but I don't know its english counterpart.  Anyway, here's the cleansing cream that momentarily save my not so comfortable face.
Etude House Happy Teatime Cleansing Cream In Aloe Tea
simple yet classy to me
look how cute and classy the cover is, sweet!
I actually bought this out of curiosity.  I just wanted to try and know the effect of a cleansing cream.  Anyway, in the events like the above scenario or when I'm using BB cream, I use this the normal way.
Cleansing Cream's creamy texture contains Aloe extract to remove dirt and makeup while keeping skin moisturized with the pleasant fragrance of tea.
Directions:  Apply cream to all areas of the face.  Massage thoroughly and wipe clean with cleansing tissues or rinse with warm water to remove excess.
and here's the nasty dirt from my face
But on my ordinary days, I'm using this as a wash off facial mask and massage.  I apply, spread all over my face then let the product settle for about 20 seconds.  Then with the help of facial scrub pad, I massage my face in a circular motion.  Then after about a minute of scrubbing and massaging, I wash my face with foam cleanser then rinse.  Sometimes I wash with cleansing foam first followed by this cleansing cream if I'm lazy to put moisturizer or I'm already dead tired and just wanted to immediately hit the bed because this cleansing cream is really moisturizing.
and here's the cream
The smell reminds me of the jasmine shrubs that I cut back in the province when I'm still a kid, a little flowery yet refreshing.  I can't really distinguish the aloe from the tea but the smell is pleasant and not irritating to the nose.

As much as possible don't let this product get close to your eyes because it can make your eyesight a little blurry but don't panic if it happens.  Just wash with water, wait for a minute and your vision should go back to normal.

Overall, I can live without this but I really like the instant freshness it gives so I'll enjoy this cleansing cream's company while it's still in the market (I think soon, this will be discontinued like it's foam cleanser counterpart).

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 23, 2012

TonyMoly UV Sunset BB Cleansing Foam

Last month, I shared my TonyMoly sale haul and got this a facial wash as a freebie and loved it! and so is my sister.  It's not yet for sale and haven't also seen it in TonyMoly's international website so it's a sample...a full 150ml size sample!
TonyMoly UV Sunset BB Cleansing Foam
This mild foam cleanser effectively removes highly-adhering UV protection products and make up base products such as BB cream and foundation
Just a wash with this leaves my skin squeaky clean though I only use it whenever I wear a BB Cream (got an ample amount of this cleanser and gave the rest to my sister).   I also use this to wash my BB Cream brush (I  don't know how to call the brush and since I only use it in applying bb cream, I call it the bb cream brush ^_^) because it effectively removes the accumulated cream in just one or sometimes two washes unlike in ordinary facial cleanser wherein I have to repeat the process of cleaning at least 4 times, leaving the bristles soft and smooth.
Directions:  When washing your face, work into a lather and gently massage into the face, work into a lather and gently massage into the face, then rinse off withlukewarm water
Some ingredients that I think worth mentioning:  Carrageenan, Lavender, Matricaria, Methylparaben, Prophylparaben
I like the smell of this one; it's citrusy that kind of perks me up,  it's the smell that you get from a slice of a lemon or the zest of an orange.
and here's the facial cleanser
The cleanser is pearly white in color and is creamy and a little airy.  It doesn't produce a lot of foam nevertheless it still removes BB cream that has spf 40 off my face and it also doesn't it irritate my skin and my eyes (yeah, some cleansers irritates my eyes and make them blurry).

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 22, 2012

LYB Members Only Give Joy Party

So my friends and I went to The Body Shop's LYB Members Only Give Joy Party for a girl bonding last Saturday, October 20, 2012 in SM Mall of Asia.
from The Body Shop Philippines email
After the registration, we are introduced to an SA to guide us in our shopping and at the same time  show to us the season's limited edition goodies and new releases.




These photos are from http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com because I forgot to take photos.  Aside from the body butters, there's also lotions, soaps, shower gel and perfume of the Cranberry Joy, Ginger Sparkle and Vanilla Bliss.  Oh my friends and I can't help sniffing on the Cranberry Bliss and Vanilla Bliss body butters that I give-in in buying the mini gift set of the two and got another one for free just for being an LYB Member.  With a little persuasion, my friend bought the free ahahaha.  I can buy the Ginger Sparkle next time.
Cranberry Joy and Vanilla Bliss mini gift set
There are also special christmas sets where you can save tons of money and are packaged in a cutesy christmas way that whoever receives it will surely appreciate and feel the christmas spirit.  Oh I should really have taken photos but better to visit The Body Shop stores to have a close encounter with those cute packaging and gifts sets.

My friend who is not yet an LYB Member was also welcome to The Body Shop family by giving her a free membership and a gift set.
my friend's welcome gift set
I know I'm on a haul ban but I can't help buying presents that I ended up buying a lot.  Anyway, most of the items are on sale so I saved some moolah and I promised myself that I will not use the products until December and gave some to my sister as an early christmas gift.  I also got a free bag because of my purchases.

So sosyal, my friends wonder what material it's made of and in the end settled with "first grade sosyal na katsa".  I also received a mug for attending the event.



I am very glad to be a LYB Member.  Be a member too to enjoy the perks of being with the The Body Shop family.


Here are the list of the activities of the event:
Join the party and get a gift from us! Bring a friend and he/she gets a FREE membership and a LYB welcome gift.
Be the first to try our Limited Edition Christmas gift sets!
Buy 2 and Get 1 FREE, Buy 1 and Get 20% off.

Add a personal touch when you create your own Christmas gift sets. (Applicable with a minimum purchase of P3,500)
Surprise your loved ones with a FREE sketch drawing with any purchase of Christmas gift sets. (Applicable to one service per gift & a minimum purchase of P900)
Get our NEW Scents of the World fragrance for FREE with a minimum purchase of P10,000.
Ask for a FREE makeover & get the party look everyone will love this season!

From The Body Shop, Philippines facebook page:
It's time to spoil yourself Gorgeous! Be a Love Your Body Member and enjoy all these perks!
*Earn points and voucher on your purchases with 5X rebate!
*Free shopping
*Divine discounts 
*A special birthday treat
*Invitation to Member-only events 
*Be the first to know 

-Membership comes free with a minimum single receipt purchase of Php1500.00 
-For expired members, visit our stores to renew your card for free! Just present your expired card. 


Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 16, 2012

Resting this Week

Yeah, I'll be away for a while because I'm having allergies or just bad skin reaction with a product (I updated my post with that product).  Actually it's terrible, it's really itchy...small itchy bumps all over my body.

I look like this right now:
photo from http://www.zerochan.net/365155

October 12, 2012

TonyMoly Hanbang Mask Sheet Pack Poria Cocos

And here's my mask of the week which I got on sale from TonyMoly.  I hope they have another sale on December which will be the time that I will lift my haul ban.

Hanbang Mask Sheet Pack (Poria Cocos) Chinaroot Greenbrier Rhizome
Provides highly enriched nutrition and intensive moisture on your skin with cotton cellulose (fabric)
"This Hanbang mask pack effectively makes the Hanbang (Korean traditional herbal) ingredients penetrate into the skin and maintain moisture in the skin for a long time. Use this mask 2-3 times a week to clear out skin troubles. In the summertime, keep the pack in the refrigerator to enjoy a more refreshing effect." TonyMoly Global Website
Unlike TONYMOLY Natural Pulp Essence Sheet Mask, this one has thicker mask sheet.  The essence is also light and not sticky and more refreshing and is as if my whole face is tingling.
back of the mask is in korean
Adhere to the face after facial wash for 15~20 mins. Remove gently and tap with hand on your face for absorption of product.
My face is really hydrated (in a smooth way, not the oily way) especially my nose area which suffered from dryness because I always wiped it for the past few days (I have colds/flu).  Funny how this zap some of my tiny zits and lessen the redness to some of my bumps (although not all) since it's a hydrating mask (probably my breakouts is due to dryness since I sometimes skip putting any moisturizer on my face).  Well, that's what I thought until I read something about Poria Cocos from http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/learning-center/Poria_Cocos

"The Poria cocos is known in traditional Asian medicine to treats dampness, which is beneficial for people who are suffering from Insomnia. The Poria cocos is well known in more traditional Korean folklore as a medicinal herb which is a blessing from the Gods." -naturalwellbeing.com
"Poria cocos is a mushroom which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been widely accepted in modern medicine as a treatment for inflammation and as a central nervous system depressant."- naturalwellbeing.com

So that explains the lessening of the redness but how about the hydration?  Here's another site that can maybe help us to understand about the hydration part http://www.gmaherbs.com/pcm.html

"Poria cocos is shown to have anti-inflamatory activity both when taken orally as well as applied topically. Recently, two patents have been approved for the use of Poria cocos in skin treatment creams, one for the treatment of oily skin and acne; the other for sun damaged skin.

In much the same way as with Reishi mushrooms, the women of the Imperial Chinese court used Poria cocos in skin treatments to moisturize, nourish, help prevent pimples and to promote "radiant "skin. Poria cocos is also thought to help prevent dark spots and wrinkles. " -gmaherbs.com

Seems like Poria Cocos is a wonder mushroom, well for me! (hahaha)

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 11, 2012

Aloe Vera 90% Body Shower Gel

So I got this body wash/shower gel by mistake.  After just one and a half hours of sleep and a long travel going to a place where almost all skincare products are present, my friend and I decided to visit Nature Republic (me because I need an Aloe Gel and friend because of JGS) after attending an event.  It's August, it's rainy yet I'm having very dry skin so I decided to also to grab an aloe body cream and I did, well that's what I thought because when I got home I found this body gel in my shopping bag instead.
Nature Republic Soothing and Moisture Aloe Vera 90% Body Shower Gel
here's a closer look
If you are familiar with Nature Republic's Aloe Gel (review here) then this shower gel is almost the same with the aloe gel only this one lathers though not as bubbly as Nature Republic's Morning Fruits series.  It has an aloe smell, it has the aloe cooling effect and also have the light moisture just like the aloe gel (so lotion/body cream is still needed if you have dry to very dry skin).  It has a California Certified Organic Farmers seal meaning the aloe used is organic and I also don't see any kind of paraben in the ingredients' list.
description + directions on how to use + cautions + ingredients
I always have to used body sponge for me to get some or use a lot of this shower gel to produce lots of bubbles so 150ml of this product is good for around 1 to 1 and 1/2 months. Also; although the container is better than the Morning Fruits', the gel is leaking.  Really, Nature Republic should fix the caps of their shower gels.
just in case you are curious as to how this gel looks like
It's a good product and I'm thinking that this is perfect for summer together with the aloe gel and body cream.  The lightweight and freshness it gives makes it perfect for hot weather.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 10, 2012

The Body Shop Elderflower Unperfumed Eye Gel

For the sake of having to put something on my dark circles, I decided to pick this product from the sale racks of The Body Shop especially that its packaging is so decent that I thought it would never go on sale.  Cooling and Unscented?  Let's see:  The Body Shop's Elderflower Unperfumed Eye Gel.
"Fragrance free, wide-awake refreshment to soothe, cool, and refresh those delicate peepers. With gentle elderflower extract and witch hazel."
Gently pat around eye area as needed
Hmmm, it's not really fragrance-free because I can smell alcohol upon opening the 15ml tub but upon application, the scent disappears.  It is a gel type so it's transparent and lighter than cream and is quickly absorbed by the skin.
transparent gel
It's main ingredient; Elderflower, has a cooling effect and can be used as a wash for irritated eyes.  And yes, it definitely has the cooling effect that relieves my tired eyes in an instant but I think it doesn't moisturize my under-eye area so I put some Sunflower Oil first before this gel and somehow this combo helped my eyes to look less tired.  Although I finally decided to get an eye cream that promises to lighten and lessen the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, I still uses this gel (and the sunflower oil) during daytime because of its cooling effect which is its main purpose.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

October 7, 2012

DIY Cotton Mask

Last week while reading and watching Etude House Philippines website and Michelle Phan's vblog, I decided to recreate their DIY masks.

Mask 1: 2 ingredients
a freshner + at least 6 cotton pads
peel and place the soaked cottons pads all over the face
Soak the cotton pads in freshner (a kind of toner that is a little thick than normal).  Here, I used my Etude House' Skin Mal:gum in Deep Moist.

Mask 2: 3 ingredients
toner + emulsion + at least 6 cotton pads
combined the toner and emulsion
Unfortunately I don't have a skin conditioner so I improvised.  I mixed 1 part of toner and 1 part emulsion.  Mixed well then soak the cotton pads then stretch, peel and apply all over the face.  Here, I'm using my Etude House's Skin Mal:gum in Smooth and Nature Republic's Aloe Emulsion.

The result is lovable as it made my skin soft, smooth, bright and refresh.  If you have been given with different kinds of toner and emulsion samples from your purchases, then I think it's the perfect time to use them with this DIY masks.  I'm going to use The FaceShop freebies next time.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!