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.

Shiseido, Canmake, Etude and Laneige Haul

There are many types of reasons.  There are those reasonable that no matter what argument you throw, the reason is fair and sensible.  And there are those unreasonable which might be a result of an impulse, like my reason for these haul which starts with "Just because".

"Just because" someone from Japan is coming to Manila (thank you my friend), I got the Shiseido Perfect Whip Cleanser and the Canmake Shading Powder.  I don't basically need them but heck these two are waaaaaay cheaper in Japan than in here, so why not.

Aside from the usual sachets of samples (thankfully, I only got two BB creams which is a miracle.  I usually give away sample bb creams because they are too light for my skintone although I'm fair and pale) and face mask, I got some nice deluxe sample products.  I'm actually expecting some Laneige samples but heck these are awesome and will be perfect for travel.  Got these because of the below purchases.

Etude House Royal Jelly Plus Collagen in One

Please excuse my photo, I did everything to make it look decent and resorted to layering with geometric figures...it look fine right?

After more than a year of hoarding and being addicted to sheet masks, I finally calm my senses and stopped my vice of checking almost every masks that is or has been the talk of the town.  I'm now down to around 15 sheets individually wrap and to this one from Etude House.

Now if you are using a sheet masks on a regular basis, wouldn't it be more economical to just use buy them in bulk as in like wet wipes type?  This was my thought when I saw Etude House's sheet masks that are in this plastic box that contains 20 sheets:  it's definitely cheaper and also saves a lot of plastic wraps and excess essence.  I got Royal Jelly + Collagen variant because it's moisturizing, perfect for my dry skin (nevermind the firming part) which is I think also better than just the Royal Jelly mask that is individually wrap.

The milky essence is sticky, I won't lie and most of the time I have to splash water to my face after use of the mask to remove it's ickiness but it's really moisturizing and saves my face from becoming a Sahara dessert (here goes my exaggeration).  Another unhappiness about this product that can be remedied is of course the uneven distribution of essence so every now and then I have to turn the plastic box upside down so the top sheet wouldn't dry out.  And well, if you already tried asian sheet mask then you might already probably know the fact that the shape of the sheet mask is weird that even me who is asian have a hard time fitting it to my face but it's okay...I'm already use to it :)

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Etude House Baking Powder

You may deduct from the photo above that a.  it is well love, b.  overly use and c.  has been with the owner for a very long time.  I've been using this Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam Moist for around 6 months (turning 7 this end of May) and finally it's time for me to say something about it (and nope Etude House is not selling baking powder but it would be cute if they are selling one...I imagine it in a cute container and I will tell people "I bought my baking powder in Etude House and look at it's cute packaging!", okay stop the nonsense and on with the details!).

Description:  Formulated with Baking Powder to penetrate and cleanse deep within pores to remove makeup and residues.  Maintains rich, smooth lather for moist sensation.

How to use:  Wet face and dispense small amount onto hands.  Lather and apply foam to face, gently massaging entire area.  Wash and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

I mainly got attracted with the "cleanse deep within pores" because my pores on the cheeks area look big although I have dry skin meaning my pores attracted lots of dirt and oil.  The rich, smooth lather is a bonus:  it's so foamy and dense it reminds me of a shaving cream (so if you suddenly ran out of shaving cream, you can just use this as a quick substitute).

This foam cleanser is refreshing not only because of its lemony scent but also because it feels like it removes all the gunk in my face every after use especially this summer where all my skin do the whole day is sweat.  On cold weather days though, I feel that everyday usage of this cleanser just strips all the oils of my skin leaving it dry, tight and sensitive so I only use this every other day for the first two months of the year.

If you're a foam lover (like me), use this with a cleansing brush or a konjac sponge to create an abundant amount of foam:  just a pea size of this cleanser is enough to cover not just your face but your neck as well (and sometimes my pits too hehehe, it seems like it also removes deodorant and helps in removing b.o.).  Although, my pores are still visible they have improved and is less noticeable than before.  It will also help if you use warm/lukewarm water in cleansing the face as it will loosen the unnecessary oils clogging the pores.

Now if you're going to ask me, "can this remove make-up" - I'll just state my usual answer:  I don't know, I always double cleanse whenever I put makeup and this cleanser is just an assurance that everything has been removed and that my face looks and feel fresh and clean.

That's all for this cleanser and share your favorite cleanser or your favorite Etude House product with me :) (I love EH 's collagen cream).

Till then, Arya

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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 Philippines/ Etude 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!

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!

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion

I'm trying to eliminate some items (slowly) in my skincare routine.  I started with emulsion and carry on with my life without it for some months.  But come -ber months, my face is drier than ever...and the emulsion must come back.

I'm happy with Etude House Moistfull Collagen cream so it's just natural for me to get the emulsion version when Etude House had their 20% off of all their products as a treat.

Etude House  Moistfull Collagen Emulsion
Regular price P628/around $15
Got it from Etude House kiosk in SM Makati for P502.40
Official Websites: Etude House Global/ Etude House Philippines

And here's the description that I got from the Etude House Philippines website:

MOISTFULL COLLAGEN EMULSION

Moistfull Collagen Emulsion is a moist and rich textured facial emulsion that supplies penetrating moisture and collagen treatment to improve complexion health and look. Active Ingredient Baobab Tree Extract and Collagen combination improves dermal structure and moisture retention.

It has the same smell as the Moistfull Collagen Cream which is on the citrusy side because of it's main ingredient, baobab which is said to be rich in anti-oxidant including vitamin c.

Even if liquidy, this emulsion is a bit sticky and I have to wait for it to settle before I can apply my next skincare product which takes around a minute (enough time to wear my pjs) but it's okay since it does really seals the hydrating essence that I'm using and really helps in keeping my face well moisturize in the cold weather.

Another good thing about it is that it makes my face looking moist and glow-y.

love the glass body and plastic cap

I'm trying to avoid too much massaging and patting to my face nowadays because I saw a video on youtube explaining that these motions stimulates the skin which is actually good but overdoing it will result to hyper-pigmentation which I think I already have so massaging and patting my face more will result to super-hyper-pigmentation to me hehehehe.  But if you do not have hyper-pigmention then dutifully follow EH's instructions in applying this emulsion as it helps in reducing its stickiness level:  Use hands to gather and apply emulsion to skin by gently massaging the face until hydration is absorbed.  Gently pat to finish.

If I still have this up to March (which is the start of the Philippine summer), I'll be replacing my cream with it so I can have a well moisturize face without the heaviness of the cream.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

I'm Hauling in Love Again this time with Sae Sil

(I'm listening to Eagle Eye Cherry's Falling in Love Again)  It's the first time that my blood boils and be palengkera at the same time (I kind of force myself so they can feels my woe) just because of a courier. In the end, I feel boggled as to what I've done was wrong or to harsh but then I paid a sum amount of money for a good service...but then again... ehhh enough, I think I'm torturing myself too much.

I made another order (my wallet is definitely skinny now) from an online seller named Sae Sil Parknshop(hmmm maybe I should make a post regarding all the online shops that I transact with this year) and I'll treat it as an early Christmas gift to myself.

Missha Sets

The items from Missha really looks like gifts because they are in a box set (maybe I should wrap them so I can open something on Christmas day since I seldom have gifts on that special occasion boohoo). I got stunned with the The Time Revolution Best Seller Trial Set because its cuter than I expected: I imagined it to be as tall as a "Venti" cup from Starbucks but it turns out it's just "Tall". Anyway the box is so gorgeous with its prism gold design. I also got the Super Aqua Special Gift Set because I'm loving the essence from this line. It's kind of lame that I didn't ordered it when it's at 30% but still got it at 20% off but still sayang yung 10% which is equivalent to 1 sticker in Starbucks (are you collecting stickers for the planner?, but I guess it's still a good buy!

they can fit at the palm of my hands

Next would be from The Saem: I got a tub of Aloe Vera Gel which is cheaper than Nature Republic's hahaha (extra moolah too for the shipping). I also got a (drum roll please) a pack of daily sheet mask from Etude House. Oh my please someone out there give this crazy lady a medication to her mask addiction.

aloe and honey

Lastly is this critically acclaimed powder: The 3W Clinic Professional Makeup Powder formerly known as Palgantong. I wanted the transparent pearl but Sae Sil is only offering the light and natural beige (I ordered the pearl from another seller, guess who?). Good thing my sister is also interested with this powder so I'll just give it to her as a gift.

3W Clinic Powder Crystal Creator Bright

And freebies!!!!!

ohhh green tea :)

Wahhh, I should have ordered a little more after my friend's order got out of stock to avail Sae Sil's freebie of the month.  I'm actually drooling over her November treat which is Pepero!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Something Moistfull and Nutrifull

Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack and Mistfull White First Essence

These two products was introduced last year by Etude House.  Both the Nutrifull Shea Butter Sleeping Pack and the Moistfull White First Essence have been in my "mini department store" since February of this year but it's only around summer that I started to use them.  As you can see, I already emptied the first essence while the sleeping pack is now half empty after using for like forever!

got this piece of info from http://www.etudehouse.ph/pages/plist.aspx?m=F&str=moistfull#TOP
15000 won
around $25
100ml

Since hit  pan this around summer, I do not have a photo of the actual product so I'll do my best to describe it for you based on my rusty memory (yikes!).  It's translucent milky white in color with little white beads that burst once applied to the face.  It's a little sticky so a lot of patting motion is needed but it's lighter than the first essence from the collagen line (if ever you tried it).  The smell is okay:  it's something clean and will makes you think if you're smelling alcohol or not.

eureka!  I found an old photo!

I got this when my interest for having bright skin is on top of my skincare priority and based on the description "...a facial moisturizer that fosters smooth, bright complexion with dewey texture and brightening beads..." smooth? bright? dewy? I'm sold! (although I think there's a need for a spell check in there).  These three words combined in one sentence just makes me happy for one:  I have dry skin so I wanted something to moisturize my skin and two:  I have dull skin so a little brightening is always welcome.

First essence are usually applied after cleansing the face because if I understood and remembered all the things that I read about skincare, the skin loses it's moisture when cleanse and in 5 seconds (well that's I remember) you have to moisturize it and so first essences are born.  Well I don't apply this essence by this manner though, in fact most of the time I apply this essence like most essences which is after the toner though half of the time I skip putting toners which is more economic I guess because I do not have to buy a toner and it extinguishes the time that I spend on putting a toner on a cotton pad and applying it on my face (talking about saving money and time!)

While I'm happy that's in a 2 in 1 product on my part, sadly it didn't do much in brightening my face although I'm taking note that it somehow helped in fading my freckles.  It's also makes my skin dewy and moisturize (during summertime I just put this on my face and skip everything else) and it also makes me wonder how the beads pop :)

photo and info from http://www.etudehouse.ph/pages/plist.aspx?m=F&str=nutrifull#TOP
15000 won
around $25
100ml

Another item from Etude House is something that el niño-skinned (just kidding) like me will love because it's just simply thirst quenching and nourishing (well for the skin), it's the Nutrifull Shea butter Sleeping Pack.

the product itself

I've been abusing this since May and look I still have a lot.  I even used this on my body twice but I don't know why I can't finished this product in just a couple of months so value for money people.  Aside from its 100 ml, the thick consistency is mainly the reason why this product can last on your vanity cabinet for a year because seriously you don't need much to cover your face yet the results is amazing:  I just wake up with a well moisturize face and my face looks as if it ate some something nutritious (kaya pala nutrifull).  One note that is worth mentioning though is that when I look at my face in the morning (when apply this at night) without rinsing the pack, my pores are quite enlarge.  Thankfully after washing my face, my pores are back to normal (so need need to worry), anyway it is a required step to wash the face in the morning if you use this sleeping pack at night.

Complete instruction on how to use:  After toning, smooth evenly on face before sleeping.  Do not rinse off-the product will absorb.  Cleanse in morning with warm water.  For an extra nourishment, use after Nutrifull Butter Cream.

Nope, I do not have the Nutrifull Butter Cream and I think I only need one product from the line because if I use all the product from the Nutrifull line I will end up with an oily,sticky face even if I have dry skin.  My guess is that the line is formulated and designed for those with dry skin under a very cold weather.

Oh for the smell, I love it.  Shea is something nutty deep and this one has it too but more on the lighter side so I love to sniff it, the scent somehow makes me relaxed.  The consistency is; well, thick but more like a whipped one with a glossy finish although it looks matted on the skin.  Overall, I love this product especially now that the weather is getting colder.


Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

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September 2013 Haul: A Little of Some Things

My sister commented that the buttons on my polo shirt looks like christmas lights the other day.  Can't completely relate to her statement because for me they are just golden small buttonss.  Me thinks:  "she's thinking Christmas!"

-Ber months and in less than 100 days, Christmas and holiday season na ulit!  I usually buy random stuff all year round so I don't know why I'm saying this...maybe because I spend without being guilty of spending because Christmas is just around the corner?  Anyway, here's some random stuff that I bought for the month of September.

random stuff from Etude House, Watsons, Bench and The Body Shop

Small to many maybe but this haul made another hole in my wallet.  Let's start with my lonely Etude House loot.

Moistfull Collagen Emulsion,  Apricot Stick, Styling Eye Liner

20% off! Oh yeah, thanks Etude.  Summer here in the Philippines and I'm already making my list on what to  buy on Etude House once their FB fanpage reaches 200,000 likes.  Unfortunately, summer has ended and rain drops are already falling but no sale yet and I keep on crossing the items on my list until there's none to cross.  A miracle happen though in the end days of August because the page only needs 7 likes when I checked it and almost every prince and princess of Etude House is commenting about the "momentous event".  Made a list again for the sale and again as weeks goes by, I keep on crossing and revising my list.

I posted this immediately ahahaha

Finally, I settled with a tinted lip balm, an eyeliner, wonderpore brush, cotton pads and silicone bands but replaced them with hair treatment  and masks (last minute revision) and off I went to SM Makati.  Sadly, the kiosk of Etude House there got smaller and there's no wonderpore brush which is what I'm excited about,  I'm about to walk away when I told myself, "Hey, you know what?  Just grab that emulsion for the sake of buying something and to uplift your morale.  I know it's a long story but that's the "history' of my lonely threesome Etude House haul plus of course I got a free mask.

Watsons and Bench

Hair Color pack from Glam (I hope you still remember the girl in the pic),  Evas Vitamin Hand Lotion and Bench Body Scrub are repurchases because they're cheap yet works really well.  Just a little upset with the price of the Evas hand lotion because it went up by 30 pesos in just a small span of time.  And I believe the most expensive in this group is the deodorant, can you believe that?  It caught my attention because it's made of tawas but in a stick and it's heavy (and expensive too).

from my excited sister 's viber

I was on a vacation when my sister texted me that she wanted to avail the BPI's promo of buy 1 take 1 of all the gift sets in The Body Shop.  When she vibered the photo I was like, huh? yan lang and you paid thousands?  (huh? that's it and you paid thousands).

Shea Body Whip and Olive Shower Gel

My ignorance of the different products of The Body Shop made me underestimate the price of the set because the body whip is actually pricier than regular lotions as it claims to be light and non-greasy...hmmm I think I'll reserve it for summer time next year (I still have apple lotion pa naman..teehee).

So these are the additions to my mini department store.  Have you gone shopping lately in preparation for the holidays?  I bet there would be a lot of sales and promos this coming paydays, so let's chain our wallets okay?

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

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Latest Haul :) plus I'm excited with Etude House Philippines 200,000 Likes

Yep, finally haul!  Actually I ordered the items last April if I'm not mistaken but only got it now which will explain my love-hate relationship with the seller (remember Bae Lu from my haul post here).  I'm supposed to received my orders early week of June but she had a problem with her suppliers which I understand, promised that she will have my goods by July but then another unfortunate event happen (by this time my eyebrow is already rising) but she greatly apologize and my boiling blood simmered.  Come August she said that the ones that I like are out of stock already (when I remembered it right she said she already ordered it).  I'm already like a volcano ready to explode but then a week or two after, she sent me a photo of my orders.  Yipee, I'm in cloud nine until I noticed that one item is missing.  Message her again and we have another long conversation with me having a boiling blood already.  In the end she found the missing item in the other box she have and will ship it to me free of delivery charge (yipeeee) but until now I still don't have it (which by the way is the most expensive item in my order).  I'm messaging her, but I got no response.  Hmmp, the only consolation that I have from her is the generous freebie/s that I got plus her patience with me plus I can have the things that I want from GMarket without me going to the customs.

Anyway, it will take a while before I will order to her...by December maybe since she's usually offering sale/promo for the holiday season. Edit:  I got my Missha essence now yipee plus I'm ordering again...my goodness I can't control myself!!!

Putting all these ramblings aside, here's my haul!

Lacvert by...can you guess who manufactured these babies?

By LG!  Yup, Lacvert is by LG.  Got curious with cleansing oils.  I got the two cleansing oil on promo at 9900 won buy 1 take 1 and got a calming pack for free.  I paid 500 pesos which is not bad but if I'm Korea I'll only be paying around 400 pesos :)

so far so good

I really hope this Epilette will make my legs hair-free!  I already tried this last night and so far soooo---just okay but hope I can benefit from this product in the long run.  Tried any kinds of these?

I can't get enough of mask

I got the Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam because it's on 50% off sale.  How I wish the Etude House here in the Philippines will also have this kind of promo and I'm also surprised that the masks that I ordered are also on a buy 1 take 1 promo, edit: they are not all in a buy 1 take 1 promo Bae Lu doubled my masks order (except for the collagen) as an apology hehehe so nice of her (I thought the collagen is only the one on a promo...yippee, that's my third yipee word...okay that's four).  I'm also excited that Etude House Philippines have 200,000 likes on their FB page which means 20% off sale on all products!!!!!  I must control myself in hoarding :)

freebies!!!!

The reason why I can't get mad with Bae Lu for a long time...look a full sized freebie and I've been eyeing this on GMarket.

I'm excited to use all of these

Still waiting for the mystery item from Missha...I actually don't know what she exactly ordered since I gave her two links and the liberty to choose for me.

Have a massive haul post?  Please share and comment the link below :)  I love to look into it.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Etude House Sweet Recipe Baby Choux Base

Etude House already releases 2 or 3 collection and yet I haven't shared my thoughts on this pink baby from the Sweet Recipe collection.

Sweet Recipe Baby Choux Base

It's a primer, make-up base, my concealer and corrector even a cc cream- it's so good on me that I fell in love with make-up bases because it's just what I need for my everyday make-up look.

Let's just say that I seldom use any any make-up to prettify my face with this:  it can even out my skin tone, hide my pores and give this almost porcelain dewy effect plus with extra layer it can somehow lighten (by covering of course) the appearance of my dark circles.  I'm a fan natural looking skin or the no make-up make up look so coverage is not a problem to me.

Now I sounded like I'm advertising but I'm not, really.  It's just that it's my first time to encounter this type of make-up base plus I'm new to make-up so I was astounded with the effect it's gives me.

This number 2 Berry Choux gives a little pinkish glow to my dull white face.  It's like it has bits of pearls or something that gives my face an illusion of illumination.

This light and fluffy choux cream-like base creates baby choux skin with it's moist inside and soft smoothness on the outside

I got the one with the glass packaging but there are newer versions of the Baby Choux bases in tubes.  There are three kinds (I know you are already aware of this fact so I'll make it quick):  the mint is for those with troubled skin to tone down the redness, the peach are for those with warmer skin tones to make skin bright and the berry one which is most suitable for those who have dull complexion  to make the skin look more vibrant.

SPF25,PA++ #2 Berry Choux
628 pesos
11000 won for tube type

Well it also has SPF, woot woot for a person who do not like to put another layer of product to protect it's skin from the sun, another point for Baby Choux!.  That's another pro but of course there's also a con to it: while I'm loving the raspberry smell to this make-up base I sometimes smell something off...something foul when I smell it from the container probable from the ingredients responsible for the SPF.

Another thing that I think is a con to this product is that when I apply to much it makes my skin so white that I have to wash my face again but (again) if there's a con to that then a pro is also present that is I can use the product longer since I do not have to use a lot, that's a big savings for me (and for you to!).

small bottle with great product inside

Yep it's light and fluffy and creamy too and can make my skin look moist (outside not inside).  Soft...well a little and yes to smoothness although I feel a little grittiness like tiny bits of pearl but after applying the product evenly, the grittiness disappears making the skin look and feel smooth.  And please forgive me for the redundancy in this post.

Directions for use is pretty basic.  The box says just smooth over the entire face a choux cream-like soft, smooth complexion.  I on the other hand put one pea size each on my cheeks, forehead and chin then spread the product outward then pat face for an even natural looking look.

The pretty bottle only contains 25g but with the right amount of usage can last for a whole year.  I'm using mine for around three months already and it's still 7/8 full (the picture is the evidence).

The frosted bottle and the cap looks elegant by the way, it makes my cube look girly.  The box also looks cute, it's like a miniature cake box.  Overall, packaging is pretty amazing, I just hope Etude House could do something with the description.  I mean "1 spoon of moisture, 2 spoons of soft smoothness"?  I know Etude House is trying to be cute but really what does the statement really means?

ingredients just in case your interested

Nice looking (all in one) product for a nice looking skin.  Thank you Etude House for creating Baby Choux!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Packages everywhere: Etude House and TonyMoly

I wish I could go to Korea myself but I have no time and budget >_<.  So these items that I will be posting from Etude House and TonyMoly are bought by my friend's friend (kapalan na ng mukha :P) too bad though she didn't catch the great sale in Korea .but I'm still happy because I saved around P700.

First stop Etude House!

Another tub of Moistfull Collagen Cream is a must because my skin loves it!  Don't ask me though what's the difference Moistfull Collagen Cream and Moistfull Collagen Cream Enriched because I do not know.  Korean price is 15000won.

comes with a 15ml essence

A sleeping pack from the Nutrifull line although I think the line was introduced in Korea fro the winter months to soothe very dry skin...I have dry skin but it's already summer here in the Philippines.  I just hope this will not make my skin oily.  Shed 15000won for this.

got it at a wrong season

Thinking there's only one kind of essence in Etude House, I got this Moistfull White First Essence not knowing that this is different from Moistfull White Essence.  This should be applied before toner but I'll break the rule and use it as a regular essence/serum.  This costs me 18000won.

missed knowing that one word

Next items are from TonyMoly.  Just two actually.

Oh looks it's me!  Well I hope this Panda's Dream Good-bye Dark Eye Corrector will help correct my dark circles (50% hope only).  Cute and bulky packaging gor 7000won.

panda's are cute, right? so I'm cute too?

And lastly, a 100% Natural Fiber Cleansing Puff that I got out of again, curiosity!  Curiosity I mean Cleansing Puff cost 3000won. 

squeeshy!

And this wraps up my February haul madness (I got these last week).

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Etude House Natural Mask Pearl

This is the first time that I will be posting a face mask from Etude House simply because it's my first time to use one, thanks to all the online sellers since physical stores of Etude House in the Philippines always run out of face mask, Pearl variant in particular which I used last weekend.  This is perfect for my skin since I have a dull one

Etude House Natural Mask (Pearl)
Essence mask contains pearl extract that promotes natural skin glow.  Tension fit design for improved facial adhesion and comfot
1000mg of essence
P58

I love the matted packaging and find the cartoons pulling  and holding the pearl a little funny.
The sheet mask has a medium thickness and doesn't tear easily.  It's a little short on the chin area though but other than that, it fits my face alright (those with big/matangos nose may have a little problem with the nose area of the mask, I have a small nose by the way).

only have 2 cuts

The essence of the Etude House Pearl Mask is so light it's almost like water but when I applied the excess essence, my face feels sticky.  It has also a light pleasant smell and it's white in color with some small pearly glitter particles when applied to the skin.  I am so happy at how this mask instantly brighten my face after 45 minutes (yeah, I let the mask stay on my face for nore than the recommended time which is 20 to 30 minutes) and when I woke up the following day (I use masks before I got to bed), the glow in my face remains and my skin is smoother.

I'm not just okay that it opened up my pores in the cheek area (I must really buy a closing pore serum) but overall it's a good refreshing and brightening mask.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

All the way down: The last for 2012

This will probably my last post for 2012 (unless I can have a great shot of fireworks later).  I wanted to post a mask review and other samples but I ran out of time and I'm still going to clean my stuff and throw all empty containers of what I used up for the last two months which leads me to capture them and show them to you.

For two months here are the items that I emptied:

The Moisturizers

an aloe, shea nut, cranberry and an apple...well at least the lip balm is made of beeswax

You can find my reviews of the products here, here, here and here.  As for the lip balm, well it's already been a year or is it two???  Oh no signs of ageing!!! Anyway I have to already throw it.

For Feet and Legs

one fine, two so~so, three okay

Happy Heels is just fine for me and found something else that delivers the same benefit and feel at a very cheaper price (it's from Watsons and I already used it before).  Strip It didn't strip all my hair in my legs so it's going to the trash or I'll mix a tablespoon of apple cidar vinegar, 2 tablespoons water and 3 tablespoons of sugar with it to make a scrub.  As forTonyMoly well it worked okay and will continue using it's hair removal creams (I bought the for sensitive variant).  Posts for these three can be found here, here and here.

Bath Buddies

etude, snoe, the body shop, etude

Etude House, did you know your SA here are so confusing?  The SA who assisted me when I bought the Petit Bijou said it will be discontinued.  That was 6 months ago, but a month ago I saw sets in one of your store?  Anyways, did everything to empty the Happy Essential Foam because; due to mishandling, the smell of it turned a little funny so I have to consume it rapido!!! Here, here, here and here for the reviews.

That's a lot!!!  Hope that I will continue with this blog for 2012.  I have a lot of setbacks this 2012 even if I just started blogging.  There are times that I would just like to stop especially when my rating skyrockeeted to top 100 then fall six feet underground to 500 and do other interesting stuff but because of some nice comments and all the products that are just laying around all over my room I decided to continue.  I'll just stop when there's nothing more to review so 2013 be good to me!

Thanks to all my readers and hope that you will still continue to read and support The Certified Latebloomer!

Have a fun, safe and bonggang (outlandish/lavish/extravagant...just think extreme happiness) New Year!!!