Oh Looky: These Tools

Just a quick look at these three tools that I used to massage my face and decide which one to keep.  I don't know their names so I'll refer them by color.

Kindly read Oh Looky before proceeding to read, thanks.

Black is a souvenir that I got from Taiwan.  It's a multi purpose massaging tool for different parts of the body (as demonstrated by the nice grandma who did his very best to communicate with me through body language) but I mainly use it for the face.  The curve is surprisingly perfect for my jaw lines and I used the top (or bottom) side part to the rest of my face.  It's thin so I have to be light to avoid hitting my bones (it hurts when it happens and definitely need some cream or oil for it to glide smoothly).

Oh Looky: Cleansing Stuff

Let the skin breathe from all the makeup and pollution - your skin will definitely thank you.

Kindly read Oh Looky before proceeding to read, thanks.

Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
I got this thinking that it's a dupe for the Tatcha Rice Cleanser thing (I don't know the exact name but many beauty gurus/youtubers swear by it because it helps in making the skin glow but holy it's so pricey).  So as the name suggest, this cleanser is in powder from like granules of sugar that is easily dissolve with water.  I like that with just a small amount (this cleanser lasted for more than 5 months) I can create a great amount of foam that cleanse and keeps the skin soft.

Pond's Washable Cold Cream
A makeup remover favorite as it is affordable and readily available (I got mine on a 2 for 1 sale).  I like that it keeps the skin moisturized and soft while removing light makeup.  I wouldn't rely on it if I'm wearing heavier and waterproof makeup.

Oh Looky: Shine Bright My Hair

Here are three simple items that makes my hair looking shiny and healthy.

Kindly read Oh Looky before proceeding to read, thanks.

Avalon Organics Conditioner
I first tried the lemon variant and fell in love with it (and if ever that I wanted to go on the more natural products again, I'll hunt that variant - seems to be always out of stock) cause it just makes my hair moisturize (no split ends when I still have short hair) and less frizzy some people thought I had a salon treatment.  My hair just soaks this conditioner that there's not much residue when I rinse it.  The difference between the lemon and the peppermint variant aside from the fragrance is the consistency: the lemon is thicker.  The only downside I guess is that my hair is not as shiny compared to when I'm using the usual chemical based conditioners.

Oh Looky: Cosrx

A sudden popular brand recommended by many beauty enthusiasts spark the curiosity in me to get and try Cosrx.  After finishing them all I can ask is, WHY?

Kindly read Oh Looky before proceeding to read, thanks.

Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
After reading some articles, all I know is that AHA and BHA are acids that can be use as chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, blackheads and whiteheads. blah blah blah it sounds good, reviews are all positive (not sure now) let's give this brand a try.

Everything Too Faced

Oh Hey!  It's been a while...let's just start immediately with my thoughts with some Too Faced products...Game Changer if you ask me for a summary.

Too Faced primed Poreless Skin Smoothening Pressed Powder
I don't like wearing foundation because as soon as I set my foot outside, hulas agad - foundation starts to melt and this one solved that problem.  This finely milled pressed powder can be use as a primer or as a setting powder or both.  It's makes the skin soft, smooth and slightly matte.  It also makes me less sweaty - now I'm on drier side of the skin spectrum so I don't know how will this fair with oil control.

Girlies out their  will like the princessy packaging and the size is perfect to carry around (it's slim) and it has a decent mirror too.  I just don't like the sponge that came with it but I like that there's a compartment for it to hide extra money.  Char! Hindi favorite sponge or small brush.

And Another One! This Time From It's Skin

I have another reco serum/essence/ampoule for those who are just diving into the korean skincare world and it's cheaper compared to the Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum.  It's the Power 10 Formula CO Effector with Phyto Collagen from It's Skin.

But of course, this is just based on my opinion and personal experience.  Products that works for me might not work for you.

This is a bit thicker and stickier than the Innisfree but the effect is almost the same.  It's as moisturizing but a half step lower when it comes to nourishing but it makes it up to it by making my skin softer.  And since this serum is thicker, I only need half of the pipette to cover my face and neck.  And because it's cheaper (average $10), I sometimes layer it but not up to 7 times like what I do with the Hatomugi Skin Conditioner.

Serum For First Timers and It's From Innisfree

I was so clueless when I started with skincare.  I thought that I should have an essence, a serum and an ampoule because I didn't know that the three are in the same category.  I also thought that first essence and essence are the same thing but it turns out that I should use the former before toner and the latter after toner.  There's a lot of trial and error, and a lot of money wasted and if I could go back in time, I should have also watch k-beauty youtube channels in addition to my blog readings.

Anyway, if I could recommend a serum for first timers for all skin type, I would suggest the Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum.

For that Watery Moist Skin Look

How do Koreans achieve that "Moist-Glowy" look without too much make-up.  I'm very curious and almost asked someone while I'm in Korea on how to achieve it but well but I'm too shy to have a conversation.  I tried a full blown Korean Skincare before but I still didn't achieved the look.

Anyway I'm still thinking that moisture is the key and so I got the Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream which is the perfect variant for my dry skin.

This will be  quick review.

Hatomugi and 7 Times Skin

From a non-believer to a constant user and now trying out the "7 Skin Method" trend, Toner or Skin as known in Korea or Lotion in Japan has been constant in my skincare routine.

In my younger years, I always thought that a toner is either very strong to the point of burning the skin or as bland as water packaged into a fancy bottle.  As I got to skincare, I learned (and still learning) that a good toner (or Skin in Korea and Lotion in Japan) can restore the skin's pH balance quickly and prepare it in your next skincare step and provides extra moisture and nutrients thus helping in repairing the skin's protective barrier (and so much more depending on the ingredients of your toner).

Zenutrients Besties

Ohhh I'm missing the cold weather months of MNL.  Laying in bed full of pillows and covers and wearing boots and layered outfits is not overkill but I can't deny that my skin is greatly suffering from the cold and dryness of the wind and layering of moisturizing products is a must to save it from its cracking and itching state.

Here are my skin's besties last sweater weather season (I hope the coming rainy season will be nice and not brutal).  There's a phase in my life that I go all organic in my skincare and Zenutrients has been a familiar brand (and still) to me. I'm happy that I'm supporting a local brand #supportlocal (and

Before They Go: Makeup II - Eyeshadows

I thought that finally, I'll be a makeup junkie when I started blogging and will finally be girly just the way others had hoped for me.  But for me, putting piles of stuff on my face aside from skincare is totally bothersome.  I still enjoyed the time spent playing with makeup and at the same time I can confidently say to other people that the "me" is not really girly and enjoys the simple routine of bb cream, some blush (sometimes highlighter) and a little something something on the lips that is not too loud in color.  I'll definitely stick to the items that will work for me and not the other way around and I don't want to feel that I am only beautiful when I have makeup on.

And so here are some items that I tried, used a couple of time, sits in my drawer and are now expired (I think).

Before They Go: Makeup I

From a crazy idea to a beauty staple, BB cushion conquered and found a steady spot in the beauty world.  Lovers of liquid base makeup can now enjoy their favorite bb/cc cream or foundation in a compact form without the hassle of a bulky packaging, a mirror and a sponge or brush.

I don't touch-up so I do not necessarily need a cushion but I got curious so I got a refill to satisfy my curiosity and it did not disappoint though I have some minor issues with it.

So here's what's inside of the cushion (for those of you who is noob like me), it's a plastic container with a cover that contains a sponge soaked with; in my case, foundation (confusing, I know because of the name but a "BB Cushion" can contain bb/cc cream or foundation which I already mentioned above, sorry paulit ulit lang and if you are feeling adventurous you can actually DIY and customize the content of your very own bb cushion).

I got the IOPE XP Cushion C21 SPF50+/PA+++ because IOPE started it all!  It has a light to medium coverage with a dewy finish which I very much like because it makes me look fresh and younger :) Plus I look artistahin when I wear this although that effect fades in just an hour or two so touch-up is really needed but I can't be bothered so I just let it fade since the fading anyway looks natural - not patchy and there's no creasing involved at all especially when using the specific sponge that should be use with the cushion.

Not the Same featuring Missha and Aloe Vera Gel

They were the favorites with a "holy grail" status.  The "go to" when the new items failed their purpose.  They are like your BFFs that you reach out to when you have skin problems.  But then suddenly, you feel they don't give the same effect anymore.  Was it a new formulation? Or perhaps my age and diet (what I eat)?

Whatever the reason, here are the items that awed me before but just won't work anymore now.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Borabit Ampoule

THEN:  I raved about this before here and it's one of the reason why I tried some more items from Missha.  Here'a an excerpt from my review: "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." Overall, I think it made my skin almost to the flawless artista level.

NOW:  It just became a normal moisturizer in a liquid form.  I read somewhere; although not official, that an active ingredient was replace with the "Borabit" edition as Missha had an issue with Estee Lauder because guys, in Korea this is being marketed as a cheaper version of the Estee Lauder Night Repair.  I wish that I have gotten the former formula because I am missing the goodness it gave to my skin.

Before They Go: Skincare

I've been trying to minimized the stuff that I have to somehow de-clutter my space and my mind.  So far not so good but I guess I'll start again by looking into my skincare and bodycare.  Here are the items that will definitely say goodbye to me with mini reviews.

Let's start with these items that works but I have to let go of them because either they are already expired or because I don't need them anymore (I don't use make-up for the past few months): Purebeauty Cleansing Oil-In-Gel, Lacvert Pure Deep Cleansing Oil and Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam.

Purebeauty Cleansing Oil-In-Gel is a gel in texture kind of makeup remover that turns into a nearly oily state once applied to the skin.  Being a gel, it's cooling and can give that relaxing feeling when massage into the skin.  This is enough if you only wear light make-up but you'll definitely do a lot of massaging, tugging and pulling when it comes to heavy make-up like dark eyeshadows and eyeliner.

Lacvert Pure Deep Cleansing Oil is the first and only proper cleansing oil that I tried and it change the way I look at double cleansing.  I only use foam cleanser before and I noticed that the cotton pads that I used when toning is always brown and I tell myself "Oh my toner is really good, it removes residue from my cleanser".  But I got curious about double cleansing and cleansing oil so I tried one and glad I did because the brown thing in the cotton pads is actually bb cream.  I haven't tried any other cleansing oil so I can't compare but this one from Lacvert is satisfying, I really wish that it's readily available here in the Philippines.  It easily removes make-up, it's not oily to the skin as it melts into something milky when I incorporate water while massaging my face and it leaves my skin feeling moisturized.

Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam really creates a thick, rich, dense foam even if I only use a dot of it.  It can cleanse without stripping the moisture of the skin, it's actually a great cleanser for any skin type.

My Heart is Crushed: LANEIGE

I've been in love with Laneige's Water Sleeping Pack_EX which is the BEST Sleeping Pack/Mask for me, I put it in a pedestal and is now my measurement for a good sleeping mask in case I try new ones (you can check my amazement with the product here).

And so when Laneige released a firming and then an updated version, I got excited! checked my wallet to see how much more should I make tipid to get them and voila! got them last year.

So are they good enough? Well my intro photo is a hint.

Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack
Already in my late 20's (it's inevitable, I'll be out of the calendar soon!) I just new that my skin needed some firming and all the anti-aging sheesh because they say, once you hit the land of 30s, lines, wrinkles and sagging will suddenly knock on your door and barge-in in your life with or without your permission.  And so even though a lot of people couln't guess my real age (yes! baby face lang) a little help of firming from Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack is very much welcome.

I saw an ad about this product that the pudding like pack will restore its form after sometime no matter how many times you jiggle or break it.  Sounds amazing but I thought "what will that do to firm my face, will the product particles once in my face will contact each other and say "Let's Bolt In? what a gimmick!".

of Facial Mist -Innisfree and Skinfood

Facial mist to me are just toner packed in a fancy can or bottle.  With that, I tend to skip looking at them whenever I visit skincare stores or look for new releases.  But for some reason, facial mist always do something to catch my attention so here are two that I currently have.

I got the Skinfood Herb Anti-Dust Coating Mist deluxe sample for free when I ordered from Sae Sil (if your planning to order stuff from her, please mention my name...pretty please).  I don't know how this mist is anti-dust but whenever I feel the need to feel refresh when I'm at home, I spritz this and it will instantly cool my face.  The smell is very refreshing even its main ingredients are from herb namely Edelweiss, Marjoram, Mallow, Yarrow, Lady's Mantle.

I seldom use this though when I have a heavy makeup on for the fear that there will be slight smudging since the mist of this one is most of the time, not even which leads me to use the Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist.

Surprisingly Good Lipsticks

The colors of the photo above is a lie, because of the light and a little tweaking from fotor, they are much more brighter but don't worry the swatches below are near the real thing.  Without knowing the brand, I thought that these two tube are from the mid-range category of lipsticks because the packaging looks classy-black with silver topped with the color-representation of the lipsticks inside.  Quite surprised that they are from Ever Bilena.

These two are my first shocking colors in my makeup "collection".  Red and Pink!  I can never imagine myself picking these up whenever I buy make-up but thanks to my sister who always share with me her make-up stash, I became a rebel and opposed to my play-safe-color-rule.

Storm; which is a red with a hint of orange, is something I imagine wearing on a holloween:  me in all black and a pair of boots, hair straight down with black eyeliner.  Like the swatch above, I will look villainous, dangerous, and masungit.
Pink Flame despite having pink in it's name looks like a peach-mauve color; again, in the above photo swatch.  My usual everyday shade only, more noticeable than Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey.

But applying them on my lips gives different results:

Human♥Nature Overnight Elixir and 100% Natural Moisturizer

I got the Human♥Nature  100% Natural Night Moisturizer because it's so cheap.  It's  Php149 (around $3.50) for 50ml and it has jojoba which is said to be the the most similar to human skin oil and plant collagen which makes the skin looking plump and youthful.

The Overnight Elixir is an impulse buy.  I like to try the Rosehip oil but looking into the ingredients of the Overnight Elixir, I think it's better plus just hearing the "Elixir"word makes me want to have it even more.  By the way, I tried the Rosehip Oil (my sister has one) and I kind of hate how heavy the oil is plus it's smells like a cooking oil.

Even though everyone have good reviews in the site, I still kept my expectation low with the Human♥Nature 100% Natural Moisturizer and I'm glad I did because I am so surprise with the result- I can't believe it's cheap.  Aside from the price, here are three major reasons why I like it:

First is that it's fluidy and has an essence like consistency and texture that my skin absorbs it real quick.
Second is it's moisturizing not only the top of my skin but deep within as well.  While this moisturizer sinks into my skin quickly, it still leaves this thin-light and non greasy layer of oil that kinda coats the top layer of the skin making it bouncy.

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

One fine early afternoon, I woke up and said to myself "I need SPF in my life" and with the blazing sun this summer, that sudden tick of my mind is a bright idea else my skin is all fried and sun-damaged.

I am not a fan of sunscreen/sunblock/sun protection-whatever-you-call-them products because I always assume that they are one: sticky and heavy, two: smells funky and three:  gives white or gray cast.  I loved a sun cream in deluxe sample size before with the right spf and whatever pa+++ but the full size is so expensive and I don't know where to get a sample again so I just rely with whatever spf my bb creams have.

So considering the first reason that I mentioned above, I decided to look for something light like an essence and with that in mind I found Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence and I hit the jackpot.

The yellowish gel-essence-like-cream is water base so it's light and refreshing in the sense that it melts and gives a bit of a cool sensation when applied on the skin.  At first it weird me out because there's a quick phase wherein it turns into something sticky but glad that it will immediately turn into something powdery~it's like a light satin powder that can act like a make-up base or primer which is also one of the reason why I love this product.  It has a high SPF of 50 and it doesn't leave a white or gray cast.

Never Again: EcoTools & Collection Concealer

And the "Never Again" continues, surprisingly the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is included in this post which saddens me because it's my first concealer and a lot of beauty gurus adore it (that's why I got it, oh the internet just makes me buy stuff that I could live without).

Before the concealer, let's talk a little of the EcoTools Fresh and Flawless Complexion Brush Set.

I like the EcoTools Bamboo 5 Piece Brush Set but my inner masochist just go out when I clean my brushes so the mineral powder and mini kabuki brush shed like crazy and I have throw them.  In replacement, I got another set that I thought has the same size as the bamboo set but I'm wrong (I seem to not have the best luck with it comes to makeup and tools), they are way mini than I expected they only occupy 2/3 of my palms.

The Complexion Blending Brush is just slightly bigger than my thumb that it will take me forever to blend foundation or bb cream that I applied.  I usually use it as a blush brush and maybe in the future as a contour brush since it has a round and dome shape and it fits the hollows of my cheeks.  Same goes with the Precision Foundation Brush (pinkie size) so I only use it when an extra coverage is needed in a small area of my face like the sides of my nose.  I rarely use the Flat and Buffing Concealer Brush, maybe in the future if I can finally find a concealer that suits my skin.  And finally, Full Powder Brush which is perfect as a blush brush (I don't use face powder).  It's soft and tapered, picks just enough amount of blush and it's almost the size of the apples of my cheeks.

Overall, this set is a good travelling companion and is also perfect for those who cannot spare a lot of space for makeup tools.  Plus it's cute and the ferrules are really dainty.