The Body Shop Shea Body Whip and Olive Shower Gel

Lately, my skin has been very calm: there's no itchiness, no new wounds and scars...it's just silently recovering and I think part of this nice recovery is these two from The Body Shop.

The Body Shop Shea Body Whip
This is a kind of lotion that I can wear on summer days without worrying that I'll be greasy because it's light just like the whip cream version of heavy creams.  My skin easily absorbs it but doesn't compromise the moisturizing goodness of shea making my skin really soft and smooth (I know I already reviewed tons of lotions and say the same thing but this one tops them all).  I also like that this one has a lighter nutty smell compared with it's body butter sister and most of the time last the whole day/night.

The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel
It cleans and bubbles well without making my skin feel tight after every bath but why does it smell like moringga with olive...I just hate the combo and it's too overpowering.  Aside from the "bad smell", my skin loves it and use it alternately with the Cetaphil cleanser.

This is very short, but at least I think I covered the basics :)  no need for extra schmanciness.

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and it's all Hair Products

Just a quick post with most of the stuff that I use on my hair while drinking a cup of tea and a donut, a combo that is comforting in this gloomy rainy weather (it's not summer here anymore).

Watsons Revitalizing Treatment Shampoo
I like the honey variant better mainly because of the smell:  this one has more like a baby powder scent...it's as if the shampoo is sprinkled with some powder.  I like getting these shampoos from Watsons because they are big, they works just fine and most importantly, CHEAP!

Hair Fix Hair Treatment Deep Repair
It seems like I'm sensitive with sensitive nowadays because I hate the smell of this one, it's like a pomade and it's so strong it can last two days on my hair, what a bummer.  But aside from the smell, this hair treatment is really good as it moisturizes my hair making it shiny and bouncy and I also like the fact that it's in sachet instead of tub...it means I can try other variants (this one is argan oil & aloe vera) or other hair treatments from other brands without spending too much hehehe.

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration
I remember hating Clairol products before because it makes my hair stiff, frizzy and tangled and it's a good thing that they improved a LOT!  This is probably one of my favorite conditioners to date:  it's light as if my hair absorbs it real quick, it's easy to rinse, it has a nice light smell (nothing too strong and I hope the girls who wanted to sway their hair on the train would use this instead of the overpowering flower smell (I think more overpowering than the powerpuff girls) from other conditioner brands) and gives the right amount of moisture (nothing greasy).  It hit all the necessary basics!

Loreal Total Repair Night Essence
An impulse buy cause by the sudden change of hairstyle from shoulder length to the unexpected pixie hair.  I'm thinking that if my hair is less damage, it'll grow way way faster and hair products are my desperate cry.  I'm not a fan of "leave on" hair products and this is no exception because it does nothing.  I don't feel that it's helping my hair and it just makes my hair shiny for a short period of time (I put this at night after a bath, wake up with a shiny hair and wouldn't wash it for the shininess' sake by midday, my hair feels heavy and greasy).  A waste for me, I should have just gotten a hair treatment mask...but most of the part I think it's me not use to using "leave on" products fault.

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Fancied de Lata: Spicy Tuna in Green Beans

It's saturday night already here in our country, still haven't done grocery...our fridge is almost empty-inhabited with ice cubes, cold water and some papayas (which I really don't like, but it's good for the skin so I still weeping-ly drink it (I shake them)) and our savior are canned goods.  We call foods that are in can here "de lata", it's a staple goods in the pantry that saves a hungry stomach when the fridge is all out.  Tuna is the most popular de lata especially when I was still in college.  Just open and pour it over a hot rice and I'm good to go but of course eating it almost everyday kinda makes a meal very boring so we (my sister and I) spiced it up and come up with Spicy Tuna in Green Beans.

The ingredients are no brainer:
oil enough to saute garlic
minced garlic (depends how much you like)
thinly sliced green beans or what we call here baguio beans (depends on how much you like)
a can of tuna flakes in spicy oil
salt and pepper to taste
soy sauce, optional

How to:
1.  Saute garlic.
2.  Add string beans, saute until tender (but hopefully still a bit crispy).
3.  Add the tuna.
4.  Season with salt and pepper.
5.  If you are going to eat it with rice, then add some soy sauce for extra saltiness and flavor.
6.  Simmer until everything is cooked.

And voila!  A not so boring meal!

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Caramel Cake and Cupcakes almost like Estrel's

There's a time that I've been addicted to Estrel's Caramel Cake.  The cake looks simple but pretty and the taste is just light that before I knew it, I almost ate the half portion of the cake.  Now that I somehow know how to bake and have some tools to fluff an eggwhite, I made it for the first time for my bro's birthday.  I thought it was a total failure but after an hour, the caramel-y and yolky "frosting" sinked into the chiffon cake and it's so yummy I made another batch of mini cakes and cupcakes after a week.  All thanks to Heart of Mary for the recipe, please visit her site for the complete recipe and decoration of the cake.

VANILLA CHIFFON CAKE (recipe suitable for an 8” round, 3” high pan)

Ingredients:
(a) part one of the chiffon
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons white sugar

(b) part two of the chiffon
¼ cup corn/canola oil
4 egg yolks, from extra large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
(c) part three of the chiffon

4 eggwhites
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons white sugar

How to:
1.  Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
2.  In a large bowl, combine (a) well. Add in (b). Beat with electric mixer or by hand until smooth and well blended.
3.  In a separate bowl, beat eggwhites and cream of tartar on high speed until frothy. Gradually add in the sugar  and beat until stiff peaks are formed.
4.  Gradually and gently fold in egg whites into egg yolk mixture
5.  Pour batter into an ungreased 8” round, 3” high pan or to two cupcake pans. 
6.  Bake for about 50 minutes 8" pan or 15 to 20 minutes for cupcakes or until top springs back when lightly touched.
7.  Invert pan into wire rack immediately and cool completely before frosting.

I ran out of the caramel frosting, so I just put buttercream (which for me is just for decoration, it doesn't really have a special kick to it) on the other cupcakes instead.  And since I'm no expert in decorating cake, my minicakes have a messy but still decent look (like me).

CARAMEL ICING (enough to frost and fill 8” round cake)

Ingredients:
2 eggyolks
3/8 cup sugar, divided into 2 tbsp and 1/4 cup
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons full cream milk, divided into 1/4 cup and 1 1/4 cup
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

How to:
1.  In a small bowl, whisk the eggyolks with 2 tbsp sugar.
2.  Add 1/4 cup of milk and cornstarch.  Mix well and set aside.
3.  In a heavy saucepan; over low to medium heat, caramelized 1/4 cup sugar.
4.  When sugar is completely melted and already in a golden brown color, add boiling water.  Bring back to a boil making sure all the caramel is incorporated into the water by continously stirring.
5.  Carefully add the 1 1/4 cups of milk.  Heat mixture until it starts to boil.
6.  Without turning off the heat, pour a little of the caramel mixture into the eggyolk mixture to temper the eggs.  Mix until smooth.
7.  Pour the eggyolk mixture to the caramel mixture in the saucepan.
8.  Mix until icing reaches a thick but still pourable consistency.
9.  Off the fire, add the butter and extract.
10.  Let it cool just a little bit before pouring onto the cake.

Enjoy! And do check out Heart of Mary.

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June 2014 Haul: I'm Still Alive

Like the plant above which everyone think is already dead, I'm still alive!  Just got busy with paper works which is just a big pain in the neck, but it's okay since I like the reason behind why I'm doing paperworks.  Anway, haul time and I'm happy to report that I accumulated only a few items (but I'm going to buy lots of clothes...I already bought 3 items and planning to grab more basics).

Another body butter from The Body Shop and I'm so happy because I got it for free that I gave my mini shea body whip lotion to my sister and I'm planning to also give the olive body butter to someone who have dry/sensitive skin like me.  The generic konjac sponge (around $1.25) is my alternative to Olay Regenerist Cleansing System which I can't use on a daily basis.  And since someone went to Korea and don't mind buying stuff for me, I ask for the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Black Heat Out Balm which is luckily on sale (I think it's only aroun $3.50).

That same friend also brought home the above tea which I thought are in teabags and was so surprised to find them in granules meaning it's an instant tea.  And lastly, something for my toe nails to avoid blister and further damage to their abnormalities (I have a weird feet, but that's okay).

That's it, I'm amazed at my self control this month!

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Ellana Icon Lip & Cheek Cream Color

And lastly, the most pigmented and boldest blush that I have - the Ellana Lip & Cheek Cream Color in Strawberry Red.  Like I said in my last post, I'm careful in choosing colors and most of the time choose something safe but one day while on youtube, the vloggers that I subscribed to rave about a certain blush and Estee of essiebutton wear it on one of her videos and showed the Nars Orgasm and I was like WHAT!!!! that is so bright and pigmented but it looks so natural on her.  And that's when it hits me that something loud or bold or pigmented can be naturally beautiful when applied properly and this just proves how little knowledge I have when it comes to make-up.  Anyway, I looked for an alternative-a bit similar to Orgasm and found Strawberry Red of Ellana.

Ellana Icon Lip & Cheek Cream Color in Strawberry Red
"Mini-pots of a sheer wash of long-lasting luminous color, creamy & easily blendable. To use as blush, dot on the apples of your cheeks and blend. To use as lip color, dot on the middle of the lips and blend towards the edges. Highly pigmented, a little goes a long way."

It looks dark pink in the picture but in person it really looks like the strawberry color in paints (almost like what is on this link).  It looks matte but when I apply it on my skin, it actually has a bit of shimmer on it.  It is creamy and blendable but I wouldn't use a brush in applying this if I we're you because it will just get stuck on the bristles.  It's more proper to use clean fingers in blending it and a dot really goes a long way (I made a mistake of swiping my fingers twice on the pan and slapped it on my cheek and it's like those little girls who buy the very red chewing gums and swipe them on their lips and cheeks for color hehehe memories, I use to do it when I was a kid).  Looking at the swatches below, the bottom part is just a light swipe from the pan showing how pigmented it really is and the upper one is just the blended leftover from my finger.

I haven't tried this on my lips and I do not have the intention to wear it on my lips, the shimmer forbids me to do so hahaha, silly but it's the only reason I can think of.  Anyway, I bought it with the pure intention of using it as a blusher.

I love the illustration of Soleil Ignacio in the packaging and that it has a magnet (I keep on opening and closing it for fun, is that crazy?) although the cuts and pasting of the paper and the interior needs a little improvement (I'm very careful not to stain the white interior of the packaging).  A little bit of shimmer is nice but I hope Ellana has a matte-as-in-no-shimmer-at-all version of this one because I really like how creamy and pigmented it is and the color just suits my skintone really well and it last the whole day on my cheeks with minimal fading (and I thank my dry skin for that, dry skin and cream blush go hand in hand) but there are days that I'm just simply not into shimmery things.

If you wanted to meet the rest of my blushers then you can check out my A Touch of Blush post and might as well look into my ELF Color Stick and Studio Blush and Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher entries (just click on the names and it will directly lead you to the post).  Thanks!

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Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher

Here's a short makeup story in my life:  There's a time wherein I'm afraid to wear blush because of those girls who reapply blush every now and then or they just apply too much that it seems like they've been slapped a couple of times and I was like "do I have to put blush like that?" with a very worried face.  Sorry if this seem to be a bit mean to others but I just want my cheeks to have a natural flush for me to have some glow and color and so I've been a bit careful in choosing colors and I make sure to just put enough and blend well when I'm using the two blushers that I have that are quite pigmented.

One of the blushers that I have that just do the right thing even when I apply to much is the Nature Republic's Shine Blossom Rose Blusher in 02 Coral Rose.  Wondering why there's a sun in front of the packaging?  My explanation is that it gives a nice sun-kissed effect on the cheeks.

Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher 02 Coral Rose (No 3711)
"Shine Blossom Rose Blusher makes your skin look more feminine with romantic rose color and perfume."

The coral rose perfectly describes the color of this blush:  it's like an old rose combined with the brightness of coral.  Like I said, it gives this natural sun-kissed effect that just brightens the face and can be used on a daily basis whether your at school or office or just doing some errands.  Let's just say that the color is pretty safe, simple, natural and laid back and even if I apply this thrice on my cheeks and forgot to blend it, I won't worry that I'll look like a clown.

Just look at the swatches below:  I applied the blusher thrice on the bottom swatch while the upper one is just lightly tapped and it just blends well with the color of my skin.

I also love the tin can packaging of this blusher with its metallic bronze/gold rose color and the size is just perfect for us girls who do not have a large makeup space.  The puff that comes with it also looks cute and perfectly fits the shape of my cheeks.  And even if this is in powder form, it can last the whole day that is IF I won't be sweating and wiping my face too much.

If you wanted to read my intro with my blushers then you can check out my A Touch of Blush post and might as well look into my ELF Color Stick and Studio Blush entry (just click on the names and it will directly lead you to the post).  Thanks!

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ELF Color Stick and Studio Blush

Finally, our internet is back!  I can finally continue with my blushers posts.

The first two blushers that I bought are from Eyes.Lips.Face aka e.l.f.  The Essential All Over Color Stick (the one in white chubby stick) is a cream type of blusher that is perfect for beginners like me because I just lightly tap it on my cheeks and blend it with my clean fingers and voila! my face is flushing with pinkish color, no need for extra tools.

e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick
"This 3-in-1 Color Stick adds a beautiful glow to your eyes, lips, or face! Get gorgeous color that illuminates and instantly conditions skin for fresh and natural color all day long. Blend anywhere you would like to highlight and brighten like your cheeks and brow bones."

I got the pink lemonade which according to the SA is the most pigmented among the 5 colors available while the others are more like highlighters rather than blushers.  These color sticks all have shimmer that acts like a highlighter though I haven't tried it as a brow bone highlighter but I tried it as a lipstick and it looks weird, it's like I'm from the future wherein all people wanted everything to have a touch of chrome.  It looked okay though when I top it with a nude lip balm and smack my lips plenty of times.

Overall, I'm okay with it as a blusher which leads me to decide to get an orangey color (because last year,  orange makeup looks really good).

But the color that I'm looking for is not available so the SA suggested another blush this time in powder form and it's the Studio Blush in peachy keen which I fondly call as a demi contour and demi blush because it seems like its contouring and blushing at the same time when I apply it in between the hollows and apples of my cheeks.  Yes, it looks orangey but when worn, it's more like a peachy with a bit of a golden tan color.  This one has a more refine shimmer to it compared with the Essential All Over Color Stick.

e.l.f. Studio Blush
"The soft sheer texture blends into the skin for a silky finish. Designed to be worn alone or layered for more depth. Highlight your complexion with a subtle healthy glow!"

My sister said that the packaging reminds her of the ones from NARS except for the clear plastic part and I already saw a blog post comparing the colors from the two brands.  So far I'm loving what I got from e.l.f. and though they are more pricey here in the Philippines compared in the US, they are budget friendly.

The shimmery effect is most noticeable when under a direct light.  Oh I almost forgot about their longevity,  I think 4 hours is the max...sorry that's my best guess I really don't look at the mirror much and I also don't have the habit of retouching makeup :)

If you wanted to read my intro with my blushers then you can check out my A Touch of Blush post.  Thanks!

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A Touch of Blush

According to Oxford Dictionaries, blush is a reddening of the face as a sign of embarrassment or shame.  But even with this definition, I find myself putting a blusher more often now as it gives a nice color to my cheeks and an overall cheeriness to my pale face (how weird that people find something beautiful/pretty on an awkward situation).

So far I only have 4 blushers and let me tell you, I already think that this number is too much.  I'm a person who normally don't re-apply make-up and always think that before I can hit pan them, they are already expired ready to be thrown.  Also, I'm just starting with make-up and don't want to spend too much money experimenting (in the eye shadow division, I already failed) but I'm happy to report that I'm lucky with blushers and I will be sharing them with you in the coming posts.

I'm not an expert in reviewing make-up but when I think about how I started with skincare products, I also don't know anything and up to now I'm still learning so be patient with me and salute me good-luck :)

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The Baby's of Maybelline

I cannot understand why my photos look "muddy" and extra grainy when I upload them here...anyone experience this too?  It's already bugging me big time and already applied all the solutions that I searched in google but failed!  Anyway, let's talk about the two babies of Maybelline that I have.

Maybelline Baby Skin
Poreless.  Baby Smooth.  Lightweight.  Breathable.
"On contact, translucent gel melts on skin and instantly erase pores, imperfections, lines and creases.  Skin looks instantly transformed into a perfect smooth canvas.  Skin is shine free, even and baby smooth.  No burden to skin.  The secret?  Cherry extracts, known for their antioxidant properties."

The translucent gel does smoothen the skin with velvety texture, however it blurs rather than erase by filling the gaps of the skin making foundation or bb cream easier to apply with evenness.  In my case, this doesn't make my skin shine free.  Just upon application I can see shininess that progresses as the hours go by that after around four hours, my face looks oily without really being oily (I have dry skin) so I suggest to use this sparingly about around half a pea size is enough for the whole face and neck.  More than the said amount, my face will look oily and feels heavy by the time I'm eating lunch.  I love that it doesn't feel sticky though and I'll believe in the words of Maybelline that it doesn't clog pores.

and here's what the baby skin pore eraser looks like

The next baby is the Maybelline Baby Lips in Smoothing Cherry
SPF20.  Instant 8 hour moisture.  Rejuvenated lips in one week.
"The next generation of lip balm is born, from Maybelline New York.  Adult strength care for baby soft lips.  Instant 8 hour moisture-  Shed away rough dryness for supple, smooth, and cushioned lips all day long.  In one week rejuvenated lips- It's proven:  Centella essence increases cell turnover to literally transform your lips, fine lines reduced, elasticity increased, suppleness increased."

I mainly use this now when I'll be under the sun for more than 30 minutes because of it's spf which is the only reason why I'm keeping this lip balm (for now).  Aside from the spf, I semi hate it because it makes my lips sensitive even after the week promise, it's like anytime my lips will bleed.  It does moisturize though when I just freshly apply it and smells like cherry too.

By the way the Baby Skin Pore eraser is said to be a dupe of Benefit's Pore Professional.

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Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule

Let's take a moment to admire the purple bottle of Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule.  This is just the sample size in 10ml but the packaging looks so good even it's golden box and the leaflet that came with it (together with the Time Revolution First Essence, I posted a photo in my instagram and you can visit this post to know how they look like) is so beautiful.  I've been using this ampoule for more than a month now and I still have 1/3 product left so paying $8 is so worth it specially because it works so well on me.  By the way, this is said to be a dupe for Estee Lauder Night Repair but the ingredients of Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule looks more "juicier" to me (for the list, you can check Missha US site).

Description:  Highly concentrated essential ampoule to help make flawless and sleek skin through promoting skin's original and natural power to improve skin condition every day.  Triplex-Activating System providing 3 benefits at a time:

1st:  Bio-Tech Activator:  Various lactic acid fermented ingredients help vitalize skin and improve skin damage from external harmful situations.  2nd:  Skin Power Activator:  Scientific damage recovering system considering skin condition helps active ingredients being absorbed effectively to the skin.  3rd:  Essential Activator:  Pro-vitamins increase skin's own adaptability and provide synergy benefit with following skincare.

Dual functional cosmetic of Wrinkle Repairing & Whitening.  Dermatologist tested.  Clinically tested.  Mild formula for your precious skin.  Paraben-free, Artificial colorant-free, Artificial fragrance-free, Ethanol-free formula.

Directions:  Before applying serum, apply appropriate amount over the face following skin texture.  Pat lightly until fully absorbed.

A mouthful of description but they are so true!  My face looks glowing, flawless and sleek.  With continuous usage, my face looks healthy and less sensitive.  My pores looks smaller and my freckles and sun spots are less visible. I never had a major breakout with this ampoule and my skin is soft yet firmer than before.

I skip using essence and serum with this plus: because it's summer, I sometimes skip cream or emulsion and this still moisturizes my skin:  just a toner, eye cream and this is enough for my dry and sensitive skin.  The brown ampoule is a bit sticky but lightly massaging it all over the face and neck (don't forget the neck) helps the skin in absorbing it faster.  I'm already use to different kinds of smell of skincare products so the scent of this one is mild for me and I'm happy that it's free of artificial fragrance although I read some reviews that despises its smell  (I'd rather put something on my face that smell like this ampoule than with something that smells like flowers yet full of artificial scent).

And like what I said in my intro,  I've been using this ampoule for more than a month and in my estimate, 10 ml can last for 2 months because just a little really goes a long way.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule is so good to me that I'm putting it on my list that I will surely repurchase after I'm done with all the ampoules and serum that I have.

p.s. as of 6/4/2014:  Missha is so nice to us guys...just received a message from Missha Philippines saying that they're giving a special promo for the trial set for only Php980 (instead of Php1100) and it's free of shipping plus of course samples as freebies so if you wanted to get the trial set of The Time Revolution Night Repair 10ml and The First Treatment Essence 30ml then better text or call Noemi Ronquillo of Missha Philippines at 09178302763.  Here's the message:
"Hi Arya! I read the messages to you of your followers and I would like to offer a special promo to you and your followers. We have the special trial set of the first treatment essence, 30 ml and the night repair ampoule like the one in your blog, 10 ml. The SRP in our stores is php 1100 but I am giving them to you for php 980 with free shipping. We will also include some sachets of BB Crean and CC Cream for your fans to try. They can call or text me, Noemi Ronquillo of Missha Philippines 09178302763"

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