Just Some Products in My Closet

It took me three photo sessions just for me to get decent photos for this post and the post before this, the new place where I moved in just don't have enough natural lighting (and props, now I miss my niece cork board) so forgive the uneven color and blurriness of my pictures.

I love aloe gel and tried some from a couple of brands namely Nature Republic and It's Skin and so far this is the one with the most aloe on it at 95%.  The Saem Big Brother Soothing Aloe Gel offers the same goodness of the aloe gels I used:  it's soothing, refreshing and lightly moisturizers the skin without being sticky...it's a good companion on summer days especially when it's as if the skin is hot and burning as this can cool it down.  This one from The Saem is more jiggly (comparing it with Nature Republic's) and is not clumpy (comparing it with It's Skin's).  I like that it has more aloe but based on availability (I pre-ordered this) and affordability (because of the shipping fee), I'd chose Nature Republic (which is most of the time available in the malls that I go to).

I got this Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream for free when I bought the serum from the same line...and I don't like it.  It has the same instant almost like erasing and smoothing of the skin like a primer would do effect but this one gives mini bumps on my face.  I thought the bumps would start to go away after 2 weeks of using but they just multiply so I used this instead on my feet but it's sticky and I feel a little itchiness from using it so I just have to give up on this product.  Also, I feel some grittiness when I apply it on my face, I don't know where it's coming from since the cream looks smooth.

This mist is an impulse buy when I was strolling in a mall while everyone seems to be panic buying plus it's from a brand that is new to my eyes and I can't believe that it's under Samsung!  A regular type of mist from a spray bottle which I hate because it doesn't sprit evenly (sometimes it squirts) and upon browsing mist from other brands, it hits me that I could have gotten a mist with a better packaging with what I paid for this but anyway, this is a handy mist that instantly refreshes my face without drying it or sets my makeup or tone down a bb cream when I apply slightly too much and it can also be use as a toner.  I don't know about the effect of the Coenzyme Q10 in it since I don't regularly use this stuff.

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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! 

They Hate Me = I Hate Them: Drugstore Products That Just Won't Work

Well, for me.  Some of the products here works okay with other people but it seems like my skin and scalp are brats these days that the most behaved part of my body is surprisingly my face.

Affordable and readily available are two major characteristics why I always roam around department or grocery stores.  Most of the time, the products that I buy works just fine but in this batch, everything seems bad to me.

Asian Secrets Lulur Body Scrub with Seaweed Extract and Vitamin E - P137 (around $3.20)
Surprise?  I know there are a lot of gals loving this scrub but it did a great deal of a damage to my skin.  After using this twice, I find myself scratching every part of my body and small itchy reddish bumps (like acne/pimples) started to appear.  There are three probable reasons for this shocking effect:  first is that the whitening ingredient in this scrub is just too much for my skin, second is probably an allergic reaction to the seaweed extract and third might be because of the small beads; polyethelene (a type of plastic), that acts as the scrub irritated my skin.

Olay Regenerist Cleanser - deluxe sample from the Olay Regenerist Specialty Cleanser Set
This one also has polyethelene that after just using it for a day, a few numbers of mini bumps appeared on my face.  I gave it another chance after a week but the result is still the same.  I also hate how this one smells like plastic.

Lorys Deep Moisturizing Hair Cream - P185 (around $4.30)
It's great that this hair mask can be use as an intensive mask and an everyday conditioner.  A week has passed of using it and my hair still feel damaged and became stiffer (but a bit straighter) than before.  I thought I can live with it and maybe after a few more weeks my hair would finally be less damaged and moisturized.  Rather, I found myself scratching my scalp intensively after some days so I finally gave up and decided to kick this hair mask out of the shower.

Essence Mosaic Compact Powder - P229 (around $5.30)
My first ever compact that I should have a bit of some kind of sentimental feeling with it but I find this too glittery.  I'm aware that there are parts of this compact that have glitters on it but when I swatched it before purchasing, the glitters look subtle, sheen and nice.  For the first few swirls, this compact actually looks good but as I swirl deeper, I find the glitters getting bigger (which I hate) and it also started to make my face itchy.  I heard a lot of good thing about Essence's translucent powder though which is what I planned to buy in the first place but it was (and still) out of stock.

Common denominator of these products: making me itchy!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

All of a Sudden: Cleansers

All of the sudden, I realized that I have 4 kinds of cleanser in the bathroom.  I don't know how that happen but anyway, I'm sharing them to you (this is not a proper review post).

Let's start with a foam cleanser.  I have dry skin so I should be using cream cleansers but I just can't resist the goodness of bubbles.  The SA in Etude House said the Baking Powder range is good for the pores.

After months of pondering, I finally gave in and tried Etude House Baking Cleansing Foam in Moist because I have dry skin.  I love it's perky citrusy scent and how thick the foam it creates leaving my face thoroughly cleanse.

Come the cold months, using foam cleanser twice a day makes my skin a bit drier than normal (in the first place, I should use a cream type of cleanser because of my dry skin...and that is the second time that I said that, ngek) so I opened the Rice Firming Cleansing Milk from It's Skin.  It's a cream type of cleanser that is light and moisturizing.  Not sure about the firming effect of this cleansing milk though.

Cleansing Oil mesmerizes me, I just like the magic of the oil in the skin turning milky when rubbed with water.  Lacvert Pure Deep Cleansing Oil is the cheapest I can find online and so far so good:  it removes most of the make-up that I use like bb cream, foundation and blush.  I have a bit of a trouble with the eye area because it clouds my vision but I'm working on it.

The last cleanser is the deluxe sample of Olay Regenerist Skin Renewal Cleanser which is a type of cleanser with micro beads on it.  I like the idea of a cleanser which also acts as a scrub.  Unfortunately, I don't like this cleanser from Olay because of its plastic smell and how it gives me small bumps and zits.  Maybe I'll just use it on my feet :)

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum

They say that signs of skin aging starts to show at 30...then why do I see the signs already on my face when I'm only in my 20's (0_o).  I even took the quiz from this website; www.webmd.com, and my skin seems to be already in it's 30's.

Since I rarely show my face in this blog, let me quickly describe my skin:  It's a bit plump and mostly smooth but having a dry skin type there are some dry/flaky spots specifically in my nose area.  I initially have dry skin (but because of continues use of different hydrating and brightening products, my face now looks a bit radiant specially on my upper cheeks area) and my freckles are very noticeable specially when I'm under the sun for too long.  And lastly I have a few faint lines on my forehead, "spidery" lines under my eyes because of lack of sleep, and noticeable laugh line (because I love to laugh really hard :) and I have chubby cheeks).

And I'm most concern with the lines and thought that I already needed to apply an anti-aging product so even if it's over my budget, I still got the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum

Regular price P1499/$25.99

50ml

Got it from SM Makati Department Store

Links:  Olay website/ Olay facebook page/  Olay Philippines facebook page

I got this stuff at a very good promo (I got the serum plus cream bundle offered by a saleslady) plus I also it at almost 20% off.  I'm still not using the cream so that if there's any changes, I can fully credit it to the serum (since I'm constantly using the same set of products for more or less 2 months now).

It says in the box that this serum is for firmer, smoother looking skin + intense hydration and it's also with hydra-firming complex.  More product info from Olay.com below:

"Concentrated to give you brighter, more radiant skin that’s firmer after just 5 days. The ultra lightweight formula delivers anti-aging ingredients deep into skin’s surface and moisturizes to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 2 weeks. 

Younger looking skin without drastic measures.*
• Skin is instantly hydrated and after just 5 days, skin is firmer looking.
• Skin looks brighter and more radiant. 

* Results not equal to cosmetic procedures."

Let's start with the first point of this serum which is a brighter, more radiant, hydrated and firmer looking skin after 5 days.  Except for the the firmer looking skin, the rest can actually be observed in my very first application all thanks to the consistency and the golden color and the gold dust looking substance of the serum.

I hope you can see it in the below picture but it's like the serum is gleaming in gold and there's also specks of gold-like particles in it that makes the skin instantly brighter and radiant in just one application.  The consistency is a bit on a thick side that it scares me at first but after letting this serum set for like a minute, it becomes a bit powdery yet velvety and still creamy on my skin.

Once washed though (on my first day of application) all the effects are gone and these effects and the firming of skin part just became permanent (with continued use) after like a month so the promising 5 days didn't apply on me.  Still, I admire this serum for it's brightening and radiance effect which other products that I used didn't gave me and I can say that my skin is firmer than before.

can you see the golden dust?

Next is the anti-aging side of this serum.  Let me expound/continue the consistency part that I mentioned above:  it's like 70% of the product applied is absorbed deep into my skin leaving the 30% just sitting on the surface of my outer skin locking the 70% part thus moisturizing and keeping the anti-aging ingredients in my skin (I hope I'm still making sense to you) and this observation of mine actually back-ups the description of Olay.  I noticed that the lines on my forehead and my laugh line are less noticeable but not after 2 weeks...it's after a month which again is based only on my observation (I read some reviews that they see the promised results within the promised time).  The lines on my under-eyes didn't budge though even if I religiously put an ample amount on them (I guess what I need is a powerful eye cream or a surgery already, yikes).

mine is made in Thailand

Time for the packaging and scent which I wouldn't tackle much because this post is getting longer.  For me the packaging with it's glossy vivid red plastic bottle and silver and black cap and nozzle is so mature looking.  When the nozzle is pointing at the middle it means that it's open and when it is pointed at the side it means it's closed.  The scent is more on the flowery side, it's like the scent that I smell from posh wedding invitations.

Oh by the way I only use one pump amount of the serum all over my face and neck.  What I do is distribute the product on my finger tips then lightly press them first on my concern areas (forehead, under-eyes and laugh line) then whatever's left on my fingertips, I smooth it in a circular motion all over my face and neck, kind of like doing a quick face massage.

source

The time-frame given by Olay didn't apply on me but with continued and religious day and night application, the effects specially the radiance part which is very noticeable on my upper cheeks (it's as if I'm slightly wearing a highlighter) and the moisturizing and anti-aging promises of Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum became evident in my face (not equal to cosmetic or surgery procedures of course, wink!).

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Oh Look What I Got: Olay Regenerist Specialty Cleanser

Finally, I got my hands on the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser.

Olay Regenerist Specialty Cleanser
P1399

Actually, it's mine and my sister's.  We decided to share with the device since we are new to this kind of thing and the skeptic in us won't let us buy each of our own, so my sister just bought spare brush heads.

Olay Regenerist Replacement Cleansing Brush Heads
P349 for 2

Going back, the set of Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser (what a long name) consist of  a facial cleansing device, a brush head, a 20ml sample size of Skin Renewal Cleanser and 2 AA batteries (yep, it's battery operated).  Wow, what a complete kit that  I can't believe that the batteries are inside the box set.

what's inside

My sister was the one who mentioned this to me when Ms. Daphne featured this specialty cleanser in her blog.  I search for reviews and everything is positive and so my sister and I got psyche and always check if there's already an available unit in SM San Lazaro Watsons (I think for 4 weeks, we always ask the Sales Assistant assigned if they already have one) and finally, when we are about to give up it magically appeared today!

and here it is in all it's assembled glory

First impression:  I like it because it's just so soft on the skin, it's as if I'm having a facial massage.  Let's see if this can really help in making my skin forever young (cross fingers).

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!