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.

Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel

Exfoliating gel has been popular lately because of...well Cure.  I haven't tried the awesomeness of Cure (my budget won't allow me) so for now I settled myself with Pure Beauty's Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel.

Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel

While strolling Watsons, just saw these glimmering red boxes that seems to be really luxurious and since there's no SA around, my sister and I checked them out ( hehehe, I'm guilty of checking products when there's no salesperson around) and Pure Beauty somehow rings a bell because I think I read from one of Erika of ErikaJjang.tumblr.com post (I think it's where she introduces the different korean brands here in the Philippines) about it.  I even got more curious of the brand because despite it's nice aesthetics, it's actually quite affordable.  I already have toner, essence and cream that time so the exfoliating gel got me curios because I'm running out of Appletox from TonyMoly (again, that time) and that's where an SA suddenly pop-up at the back of the scene and let us try the gel.

So as you can see the exfoliating gel is in a simple yet elegant tube with shiny red (representing pomegranate) cap.  It says that it protects collagen reserves, promotes healthier skin and helps skin rejuvenation and is dermatologically tested which is one factor that I'm looking for a product because I somewhat have a sensitive skin.

contains Ecocert ingredients

It says that the product contains Korean Pomegranate Fruit extract, Swiss RADICARE, French ECOCERT validated fruit and herbal extracts and Bulgarian Rose water that works together to promote healthy, radiant and youthful skin, promoting nutrition, hydration and invigoration, while simultaneously fighting free radicals and providing anti-aging and antioxidant benefits.  I hope Pure Beauty could care to explain more about the Swiss RADICARE and French ECOCERT part because I don't know what they are and couldn't find anything about them.

the ingredients and all about the product

It's great that even if this one is made in Korea, everything is in English and there's no need for me to crinch.

With an appropriate amount, massage gently the gel to the dry face (yes, it's important that the skin is dry) and within seconds you'll see white sometimes brown or gray particles forming on the surface of the skin.  Then rinse with supposedly with warm water but I always use tepid water.

I couldn't say that the particles are pure dead skin cells and dirt, of course the product is also included in the particles because I experimented a little and put another layer of gel after a minute and the "particles" are still forming though they are more on a whitish form and a lot lesser.

Caution! if you have sensitive skin please do not do what I just did because it can irritate your skin,  I got mini red spots.  Also, do not use this on a daily basis.  I did another experiment of exfoliating with this gel on 2 consecutive days and there's a slight irritation on my skin.  It says so too on the instructions that this can be use 1-2 times per week so I can't imagine what the SA is feeling because she said that she and her friends are using this on a daily basis to remove their make-up (my face was actually shocked when she said this because exfoliating on a daily basis is not good for the skin as the natural oils will be stripped off and will damaged the first layer of the skin and I hope that she is listening when I'm explaining this part to my sister).

how it looks like and how it performs it's magic

Since this exfoliating gel removes the dead skin cells of the skin, I'm not surprised that my skin somehow looks brighter and smoother.  Amazingly, it also doesn't dry my skin just don't know about the rest of what this product claims but just seeing those dead skin cells lifting of my face makes me satisfied with this product.

Of course let's not forget about the smell, it citrusy sometimes like a candied or juice pomelo.  The gel has this cool feel when applied to the face (which I like because it's refreshing.)

I have some issue with the price of this product though.  I got mine for P299 but a week after that the price went down to P189 (this made me cry).  Then when the Cure got released here in the Philippines, the price went up to P400+ (not sure with the exact amount).  Then they have this promotion again that you can buy the gel and the cream from this line for P299 each but when we (with my sister) checked it out in the nearest Watsons, it seems like no one knows about it and waited for like 30 minutes for the SA to clear it out with her supervisor then there's a problem again with the cashier saying that the bar-code is not valid and made us wait for like 10 minutes and still they keep on  battling about it ahahaha and my sister got pissed off because the SAs should know about this and we left empty handed because the SA and the cashier can't settle on what to do *sigh* what a waste.  Anyway I hope Pure Beauty would settle a definite price for their products.

Oh I also use this exfoliating gel on other parts of my body like my elbows.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Cheap Grocery/Department Store Finds that are Great, Okay, Meh and Hell No!

Just going to share some random stuff that I have that are great, okay, meh or hell no!

hair products most of them are just okay

 So first pic consist of hair products that are under P200 ($5)

1.  PureBeauty Treatment Essence Water
I wanted the oil from this line (many popular bloggers love it) but it's out of stock so I settled with the essence water which is on a buy 1 take 1 promo.  On my first use, I spray it on my dry hair combed plenty of times for the essence to sink in and voila there's not much of a difference on my hair: a little shiny but overall my hair is still frizzy and dry plus as the day goes by the product weighs down my hair and made it a little sticky.  I only liked this product when I use it while my hair is wet then blow dry it because somehow it lessens the frizzeness of my hair but still, at the end of my day my hair feels a little sticky.  Oh this one has a very strong flowery/hairspray smell.
Overall this product is a MEH!

2.  Beauty Formulas Treatment Wax
It will definitely not colour your hair but it doesn't restore the softness, shine, and lustre if you use this product as recommended which is twice a week.  This is more like a conditioner to me in terms of scent, texture and effect and the claims can only be achieve if used on a daily basis plus if the hair is properly blow-dried.
Verdict:  Meh.

3.  Syoss Shampoo and Conditioner
The worst shampoo and conditioner that I tried!  Actually, this brand impressed me on my first and second used the horror started on the third used as it made my scalp itchy.  I used the anti-dandruff variant and dandruff appeared.  I used the moisture variant and it made my hair and scalp very dry.  My sister also tried this brand and we have the same sentiment.
This is a Hell No to me.

4.  Tresemme Hair Treatment
The commercial of this brand is haunting and effective.  I went to the hair section of the grocery and when I saw this the ghostly Tresemme voice played in my head so I bought it.  This hair treatment is decent enough to tame my hair for two days but there's something missing in the instruction that is to blow dry the hair after use.
Verdict:  Okay!

ramdon

The second pic consist of products that can be seen in Watsons.

1.  Veet Hair Removal Cream
I complain a lot about Veet before but finally the formulation improved!  No more harsh smell and effect on my legs and I just have to leave the cream for 3 minutes (but sometimes I go beyond the recommended time).  It's more affordable too compared to Tony Moly's but it doesn't make the hair on my legs less coarse.
Well there's no TonyMoly near us so I'll settle to Veet for a while.
Overall, it's an Okay product.

2.  St. Ives Apricot Scrub
The universal scrub for face and body.  It's an unpretentious product that does what is told to do: to scrub to invigorate and smoothen the skin.  I have no complain with it even my sister who have a problematic skin love this scrub plus it's one of the most affordable scrubs in the market.
Needless to say, this is a Great product!

3.  Glam Green Tea Nose Pore Strips
Most of the time this nose pore strip works.  It removes most of my blackheads and whiteheads.  There are times though that it doesn't properly stick to the skin because of the moist in my nose when the climate is too hot  or when I'm near a steaming cup of ramen or rice.
Verdict:  Just Okay.

4.  TonyMoly Four Way Nail Buffer
A great nail product at a very affordable price (if I'm not mistaken at more or less 80 pesos).  Again an unpretentious product that buff, polish and makes my nails glossy as if I put a coat of clear nail polish.  I just seat on the couch, watching tv with my hands and this buffer on my nails and voila! instant manicure.
It's a Great product!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Shopping Again, Spending Problem?

It's official, I have a spending problem.  Week by week I buy stuff out of a whim and pre-order Korean goodies without any hesitation.  This week is no exception because after spending thousands on baking stiff, I also bought some items that are relatively cheap but when put together gave a big hollow on my wallet.  I must impose a shopping ban for at least a month  after I pay my online orders and the only exceptions for the ban are black pants for work and ingredients for baking.

Well, shopping is still fun so here are the items from my latest haul.

for cleaning the face

I currently have a konjac sponge from TonyMoly so I have mixed feeling when I saw a similar one in Landmark at P59.75 (around $1.25).  Hay, most korean stores sell it for P120 to P200.  My sister also got curious and bought one for herself and love her first impression when she used it (ahahah she looked like a kid).  The sponge is a back-up, there's 2 in a pack so tig-isa kami ni ate (it's weird to call her ate (older sister)).  From Watsons, I got a peeling gel again as a back-up (that's one of my problem, I'm afraid to not have a spare).  And then, some make-up.

I can't believe I'm buying make-up

I really don't know what to do with the 3D compact and just bought it for experiment, maybe I can use it as a bronzer or highlighter.  Got it on sale for only P60 (around $1.50).  Then got an all over color stick which is really cheap and something for my brows which is a first, never used a product for my brows before but I think it's time to groom them.

scar fighters

For the body I got two stuff from Zenutrients.  Finally, this brand is expanding.  Hope that I would get good results from these two because if yes, then I'll be an avid buyer of their body lotions, body butter and other things to keep my body healthy and well moisturize.

hooray fro mint shoes!!!!

Alas, Mint Green Shoes!!!  I also want an oxford style shoes from Matthews but it's hard to pair it with my clothes since I'm not really a fashionista so the mint green shoes won.

Next, are some whatnots.

I'm in search for a good drugstore conditioners since my last organicone made my scalp very itchy So I'm trying Syoss this time, good thing they have mini bottles.

tame my hair Syoss, I beg you

I can't resist not to stock some hand soaps because they are dirt cheap as in P75 for 2 (san ka pa?).  Cotton pads from Saizen because I'm running out of cotton pads.  2 boxes for P88 which is expensive pala when compared to Watsons *sigh*.

never imagined that I'll be buying these stuffs, my collage self will be shock

Sorry, I haven't made any post/product reviews for the past few days.  I have 5 pending but there's something wrong with my body and I don't what it is but I'm always out of energy.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Testing plus a Mini Haul

Just installed blogger again on my ipod and it's somehow working though putting pictures in place is a bit hard. Anyway, I'll just share some items that I bought for the past 3 weeks of April and all of them are from Watsons.

First is this compact powder; a first for me to have, from Essence which is a brand new in the Philippines. This is just an impulse buy but I needed a powder that can settle my bb cream plus the sales lady was really nice to me. The finished is also great so although I have a loose powder to buy in mind, I got this and would like to go back to try some eyeliner or an eyebrow pencil.

essence mosaic compact powder

Next is something for my hair since it's now beginning to become unruly because of it's length (it's now on my shoulders and I do not have plans to have a haircut). Got this Pure Beauty Essence at a sweet deal.

Pure Beauty Treatment Essence Water

Surprisingly, Bifesta is cheaper in Watsons so even if I got around 3 toners I still grab one. I got the moist this time.

Bifesta Moist Cleansing Lotion

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Just Another Watsons Haul

By now you must be getting tiredof packages/haul posts.  I know.  So I'm doing everything I can to not look on online shops and just write on a piece of paper whatever I like then throw it in the trash bin.  But last Saturday, I went out with my sister to do a regular grocery but fist have to check out something from Watsons and it just happened.  I ended up buying things (ooppss).

Let's categorize my haul into two:
First is for the Hair and Body.

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum P219
Eva's Vitamin Hand Cream Avocado Flavor P139 for two
Watson's Paddle Hair Brush P99.75
TREsemme Smooth and Shine Hair Mask P160

It's all the Nivea Serum's fault!  I don't know why I've become into Vitamin C infused products, maybe they promises to brighten dull skin.  The hand cream is so cheap I immediately agreed to my sister to buy it and split the price into half.

Next is for the face.
My sister and I are just looking, just looking and then there's Bifesta cleansing oil that other bloggers reviewed.  Oh it's cheaper than other cleansing oils but shedding P400 off my wallet just for me try it is a total waste of money but right next to  it are some products from a brand called Pure Beauty.  I'm so surprised how cheap this brand is despite of it's sophisticated packaging (serum at P399 compared to others at around P800+).  Really don't know what to choose between the peeling gel and serum (I asked myself that I should only buy one, for me to have the Nivea Serum).  My sister solved the problem by her; buying the serum, and I will just let her try the peeling gel (and vice versa.  deal!).  iWhite for the sake of sampling and mask for my satisfaction (why am I addicted to mask??) both are from Korea (as emphasize from the packaging) and also got some nose pore strips from Glam.

Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel P299
Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Serum P399
iWhite Whitening Aqua Moisturizing Cream P20
Watsons facial mas at P29 each
Glam Green Tea Nose Pore Stips P99 original price per box but on a buy 2 take 1 promo

I know I should stop.  But expect two or three more for the first quarter of the year *__*

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!