April 23, 2014

April 2014 Playlist: On YouTube


At random, here's my playlist this April 2014 which I compiled on YouTube :P  I'll be skipping the monthly artist now and I guess forever unless I start being obsessed again.

1   Sick Muse  Metric
2   7 Black Roses  Chicosci
3   Tonight You're Perfect  New Politics
4   Paradise  Coldplay
5   Flux  Bloc Party
6   Wake Up  The Arcade Fire
7   The End  Pearl Jam
8   Need Your Love  The Temper Trap
9   Bitter Sweet Symphony  The Verve
10   Mr  The Killers (happy 10th birthday!!!)
11   Last Nite  The Strokes
12   Maps  Yeah Yeah Yeahs
13   Wonderwall  Oasis
14   All of Me  John Legend & Lindsey Stirling
15   Spectrum  Florence + The Machine

April 22, 2014

Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System


After a whole lot of time delaying, I finally have to say something about the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser which I got last November 2013.

The set consists of:

Olay Regenerist Skin Renewal Cleanser (20ml)
I already talked about this cleanser in some of my posts (here and here) and I still have the same sentiment about it: I like the idea of a cleanser with beads on it that acts as a scrub but hate that it smells like plastic and the fact that it irritates my skin.  Also this type of cleanser in my opinion doesn't go well with the cleansing device because of the beads...I think it's too much exfoliation and I can definitely feel the scrubs hurting my face.

Brush Head
This brush head is soft especially on the first month of use and the size is just enough for my face and that I can use it on the sides of my nose without any trouble.  The only problem is I don't think the bristles are gentle enough to be used on a daily basis because when I did use the device on a daily basis for a whole week, I can feel that my skin became sensitive so I'm hoping that Olay will release or offer a much more softer brush head like in toothbrushes wherein there's an extra soft option.  I'm already on my 4th month in using the brush head and it still looks good, I just cut some of the bristles that sticks out.  Also, storing it upside down will help in keeping the green grime/stuff? at bay (I don't know what to call it but it's the green that looks like algae that inbibits wet/mushy things).

Duracell AA Battery
Fantastic batteries!  It's still working after more or less 4 months.

2-Speed Control and Water Resistant Facial Cleansing Device
It just have the right size that I don't have problem gripping it.  Also, it's water resistant so I don't have to worry if I splash a bit of water on it but I never use this when I'm showering because I don't want to risk.  It has to 2 speed and most of the time I just use the "slower" speed because the "faster" one is just too much for my sensitive skin.  Anyway, the motion is just like it's massaging my face.

Using this cleansing device definitely made a difference in my cleansing regimen.  I can definitely feel that my face is a lot cleaner and my whiteheads lesser so my face is a bit smoother.  Also, the absorption of the face products that I use is faster than before   Using it on a daily basis made my skin sensitive though so I only used it twice or thrice a week so I'm really hoping that Olay would release a softer brush head for people like me who have sensitive skin.

If you're going to ask me if this can remove make-up, will I think it still depends on the cleanser that you use.  I use cleansing oil first to remove my make-up then follow up with this cleansing device with a gentle cleanser so I really can't tell if using it alone can remove make-up.


Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye! 

April 21, 2014

April 2014 Haul: Hooray for Free Stuff

This April I ate lots of chocolates courtesy of my brother (who also gave me some other free stuff) and I'm so happy and fluffy at the same time (I think I gain like a kilo from eating chocolates for a week).

My friends also gave me other stuff:  a former colleague gave me a Deep Cleansing Hand Soap from Bath & Body Works (plus candies too) as pasalubong and our friend KB also gave me a Collagen Food Supplement, sachets of Rotenyu Meguri which I thought was a scrub (it's not) and Egyptian Magic Cream which I love and so happy to receive.


I also got a cute manicure set from the local department store; SM, which surprised me when I'm already paying because it's at 50% off, passport holder to protect my unused passport (I really should book a flight soon) and a pair of slippers that is not so comfortable at first but is now a massage on my feet after a long day of walking.


And I cannot believe that I fell in love with the shirt because fruit on my tees are not my cup of tea but the mint color and the orange just go so well and I also got pants that are so comfortable and both are cheap!


And last batch of this haul consist of mochi, teas and a brow gel.  I got the Royal Family Mochi in Red Bean and Green Tea and I said to myself "these mochis will be perfect for my tea time) but it turns out that they go well with Coke too =) The teas are for me to sleep well at night but they seem to not helping me at the moment.  And lastly a brow gel from Essence to...I really don't know why I bought it :P


Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Random Stuff Giveaway-CLOSED

To all who join the giveaway (specially those who did a good deed), thank you very much and hope you'll continue to support The Certified Latebloomer.  Funny that my sister was first randomly chosen by rafflecopter as the winner so I disqualified her and Elle G. got the prize.  I already send you an email Elle and congrats!


I just want to get this out of my head: in my mind for a some days already I am this not so girly gal who writes and play instruments for different bands without revealing who I really am (because I think it's cool).  And now that you know that, please erase it, laugh it off and here's a giveaway for you...well that is if you have a Philippine address that LBC can reach.


I'm just giving away random stuff that I have which includes 7 sheet masks from FoodAHolic and Etude House, a cute yellow pair of socks with a unicorn design, a 3W Clinic Olive Hand Cream, a 15ml Mild Sun Cream from IOPE and some sample sachets.  And if you happen to like tea then let me know :D

Using Rafflecopter for this very first giveaway of mine and is only open in the Philippines (I hope soon I can host an international giveaway).

a Rafflecopter giveaway Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

April 6, 2014

Sunshine Blogger Award

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Liebster, Versatile now it's The Sunshine Blogger Award which is given to bloggers who bring sunshine to the blogging world.  All thanks to Seul Park of (Just) call me IT girl! for nominating me.

The Rules:
1.  Post a picture of the Sunshine Award
2.  Post 11 random facts about yourself3.  Answer 11 questions from the nominating blogger
4.  Link back to the blogger who nominated you
5.  Nominate 11 wonderful bloggers, that you feel bring sunshine to the blogging world. (Be sure to notify them)6. Write 11 questions for your nominated bloggers

Okay the above rules are actually fusions of all the Sunshine Blogger Award rules that I can find in the net.  I can't find the origin of the award but if you know, please send me the link and I'll revised this post :)

Random Facts About Me
1.  You can't tell that I'm into skincare and a bit of make-up when you happen to bump into me.
2.  I love ube (purple yam) and people are surprised when I say that fact.
3.  Up to now I haven't set my foot on a foreign soil.
4.  Frustrated singer here :P
5.  I always have short haircut (the longest is up to shoulder level only).
6.  I hate making and taking phone calls.
7.  Introvert.
8.  I'm afraid of holding dogs or cats.
9.  I can roll my tongue into a flower (well, almost).
10.  I can't hit pan a make-up.
11.  I noticed that I change my eyeglasses every year.

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Questions to answer:
1.  What do you prefer to do on Christmas, open gifts or give gifts?
I'm more of the open gifts but I do like to wrap gifts.


2.  Party invitation, do you prefer to wear a dress or pants?
Pants forever!

3.  What designer would you like to model for?

None ahahaha, silly me.

4.  A model you wish you were?

I guess Tyra Banks because I watch America's Next Top Model before and she did a face that totally blew my mind.

5.  When you go on a date do you prefer Movies or Bowling?

Movies na lang.

6.  Which will you have to like, a mountain or the beach?

Mountain so I can hike and shout that I'm on top of the world!


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7.  Favorite Lip Balm?
Hmmm I guess the medicated Nivea lipbalms (forgot the name)

8.  Restaurant or home made food?

Home made please (the good home food not the one with so much instant ingredients).

9.  Eggnog or Champagne?

Champagne because I haven't tried Eggnog.

10.  From all of your blogger followers, who would you want to meet?

None :)  I don't want to show my face for now.

11.  I don't where it is :D

My Questions:
1.  Favorite vacation place?
2.  Summer or rainy season.
3.  Divergent or Hunger Games?
4.  Favorite actor.  Why?
5.  Your crush says "Hi", what will be your reaction.
6.  You're addicted to?
7.  Favorite youtuber?
8.  What food that instantly pops in your mind when you're angry?
9.  What do you think is the coolest job on earth.
10.  Favorite type of music.
11.  Are you beautiful (*wink)?

My Nominees (at random):
1.  Angel http://www.invisiblestilettos.com/
2.  Helen http://luckycitrine.blogspot.com/
3.  Xana http://momodicted.blogspot.pt/
4.  Rae http://scatterbraintures.com/
5.  Raimar http://www.sakuranko.com/
6.  Charlotte http://makeupbycandlelight.blogspot.com/
7.  Shayne http://www.queenofallyousee.com/
8.  Genzel http://www.genzelkisses.com/
9.  Mira http://lemieletlavanille.blogspot.com/
10.  AmicaiRai http://amiciarai.com/
11.  Saving this spot to you, yes you who happen to be reading this!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Etude House Vitamin Face Masks

Different kinds of vitamins is essential to ones being.  So why not also put them on the face?  Here are three sheet masks from Etude House with different kinds of vitamins as essence.

Etude House Essence Masks in Vitamin E, C and A
Regular price: P58/ around $1
Links/Websites:  Etude House PhilippinesEtude House Global/ Etude House Philippines facebook page

I find that these combo of sheet masks are perfect:  Vitamin E for nourishment, Vitamin C for brightening and Vitamin A for skin tightening.

Vitamin E Essence Mask Sheet is formulated with Vitamin E and rich essence for skin protecting care.  This one is very moisturizing that even if I didn't moisturize my skin the day after I use it, my skin is still soft and smooth and well, moisturize.  Among the 3 this is my favorite.

Next is the Vitamin C Mask Sheet which is formulated with Vitamin C and rich essence for skin brightening care.  This one is sticky so I went back to my old habit of refrigerating my mask before using which somehow helped in reducing the stickiness.  This is also a bit moisturizing and brightening but continuous use is needed in order to see maximum result.

Same goes with Vitamin A Mask Sheet which is formulated with (can you guess what?) Vitamin A and rich essence for tightening care.  This has a "funny" smell, I actually can't explain or understand the concoction.  The effect is not very noticeable but my pores shrunk a little and again, continuous is needed to see the amazing result of skin tightening which can prevent wrinkles :D

If you want to know more about this vitamins, you can read this link that I found while browsing for some description.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

The Body Shop in Apple Blossom and Vitamin E


I am finally on my last tub of the body butters that I hoarded from the The Body Shop last year and it's the Vitamin E Body Butter.  Mine is with the older packaging which I find better than the new one.  The pinkish body butter is way lighter than the olive or shea that I enjoy using it this summertime and even under the scorching sun I don't feel greasy with it.  It almost has the same scent and consistency with the sweet lemon variant.

The Apple Blossom Shower Gel and Body Lotion have just the greatest smell and I like that they somehow linger in my body.  It's like green apple and newly cut grass in one, it might be weird for others but the combo is just so light and refreshing.  The shower gel lathers up really well specially when use with a bath lily and the lotion is surprisingly not greasy and it sinks in like an essence but still leaving my outer skin smooth and moisturize.

I forgot how much I paid for these three but I know that I bought them at 40% off.  Great deal!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

April 3, 2014

EcoTools Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set

To be honest, my sister is my main influence with it comes to make-up and all it's shenanigan.  She's also the one who told me about the MakeupChair who suggest make-up and brushes that guides me as a beginner.  One of her videos featured these EcoTools brushes which is so cute in my innocent eyes so I got them.

Mineral Powder Brush/Eye Shading Brush/ Concealer Brush/Baby Kabuki

This Bamboo 5 piece brush set is earth friendly in the sense that the handles are made from bamboo (which is very appealing to me), the bristles are made of 100% cruelty-free soft taklon (which looks pretty in my eyes) and recycled aluminum ferrules.  The fifth item in the set is the cosmetic case which is made of natural cotton and hemp and even the storage pouch encasing the whole set is reusable.

Overall, the bristles of this brush set are soft, doesn't irritate my skin, dense enough  and doesn't bleed when washed.

Mineral Powder Brush is use to apply powder or mineral foundation all over the face in a circular, buffing motion and work inward towards the nose.  I sometimes use this with my darkest shade of blush to "contour" my cheeks (I apply the blush in between the hollows and the chubby part of my cheeks) because the center is a bit dented (no it's not a defect and if it's a defect, then I liked it ahahaha) so it's elongated a little like oblong shape.

Eye Shading Brush is said that it is expertly cut to apply and blend powder eye shadows. I think this is a bit big to be an eyeshadow brush? I'm having a hard time using it for that purpose although I have to admit that my eyeshadows are in very small containers and I also have small eyes.  For me, this is more like a fluffy blending brush.

Concealer Brush is small enough to be used on my under-eyes.  I don't cover my freckles and other discoloration in my face that much because I wanted my make-up to look more natural so I only use it whenever my under-eyes look extra dark.  The bristles of this one is more sturdier and straighter but still doesn't irritate my skin.  Oh I also use this to apply eyeshadows :)

Baby Kabuki is for buffing powder over areas that need more coverage but most of the time I use this as a blush brush (I use this all the time).  It has a dome shape before but is now deformed because of me constantly tagging and pulling whenever I wash it plus the bristles are shedding now (I used to be very brutal in washing my brushes, poor baby kabuki).  I keep complaining how small the handle of this brush is but it's a baby version so I shouldn't complain (so I got an "adult" kabuki).

Cosmetic Case is big enough to house all this brushes plus a small pot of eyeshadow, a lippie, a not so big blush and a mini size bb cream or foundation so it's a perfect partner when travelling.


I forgot how much I paid for these but it's more or less around $15 including shipping (If I remember it right) but there are a lot of local sellers (I'm talking Philippines here) that are already offering these brushes now.

I think this bamboo brush set from EcoTools are perfect for beginners like me, for travel because it's small enough that it can fit in the palm of my hand and also for those who want a cruelty free and vegan brushes.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

April 1, 2014

March 2014 Read: The Confession

It took me a month before I can finish this book.  In the first few chapters, I lost interest reading it because of too much information that bores me plus half of the story deals with the suspect who rapes a teenage girl and it angers me,  For two days though, I tried to finish the book:  the usual of John Grisham- of black versus white and juries but this time there's death penalty, politician too concern about their image a nd wouldn't care much about the truth and inefficiencies that resulted in an ugly mess.


"An innocent man is about to be executed.
Only a guilty man can save him.
For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn’t understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn’t care. He just can’t believe his good luck. Time passes and he realizes that the mistake will not be corrected: the authorities believe in their case and are determined to get a conviction. He may even watch the trial of the person wrongly accused of his crime. He is relieved when the verdict is guilty. He laughs when the police and prosecutors congratulate themselves. He is content to allow an innocent person to go to prison, to serve hard time, even to be executed.
Travis Boyette is such a man. In 1998, in the small East Texas city of Sloan, he abducted, raped, and strangled a popular high school cheerleader. He buried her body so that it would never be found, then watched in amazement as police and prosecutors arrested and convicted Donté Drumm, a local football star, and marched him off to death row.
Now nine years have passed. Travis has just been paroled in Kansas for a different crime; Donté is four days away from his execution. Travis suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. For the first time in his miserable life, he decides to do what’s right and confess.
But how can a guilty man convince lawyers, judges, and politicians that they’re about to execute an innocent man?"
The best book of John Grisham for me is still the A Time To Kill.  For the next quarter I'll be busy with Sherlock Holmes'.
Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!