Bubble Hair Dye Review: Lolane Z Cool in Cutie Mint

     Do you love changing your hair color but couldn't afford to go to expensive salons in a regular basis? Now you can do it yourself with Bubble Hair Colors/ Color Foams. Innovation has introduced to us this type of hair dye which makes color application a breeze. Traditionally, hair dyes come in cream or powder form and should be applied from hair roots to tips and section by section to achieve an even color. It's really hard to do it alone so a lot of us has to go to a professional to have it done. Good thing that bubble color foams are out in the market and there are so many brands and colors to choose from. 

     Here is my review on one of the brands that I've tried recently, Lolane Z Cool Bubble Color Foam.

I bought this for Php 400 at Watsons since there is a Php 50 discount

Just follow the instructions written on the box since the leaflet enclosed is in Thai.

This is the color developer and you would replace the cap with the pump after mixing it with the activator

This is the activator bottle. Pour the contents in the developer bottle.

How it looks after applying the Bubble Color Foam on my short hair.

Result: Seen on the left side is the color of my hair before application and on the right is the color of my hair post application.

Verdict:

    I really like the color shown on the box but I did not achieve the color as I expected. The smell is also strong and pungent. After a week, I noticed that color starts to fade despite using color care shampoos. So all in all, I will not repurchase.


Disclaimer: This review is based on my experience and not a paid one. I bought the products with my own money and tried each product for at least a month before making a review. Everybodys skin is different. There are products that I love which might not work for some. Just take it with a grain of salt. To each his own.

Haircut at Ricky Reyes (Market, Market)

It's already summer and I can feel the scorching heat of the sun everytime I go out. Anyway, I had my  short hair trimmed two weeks ago by Chris of Ricky Reyes, Market, Market. I'll share with you my before and after photos and if you like it, then you'll know where to go and whom to look for.

This was cut in January in an inverted bob by the same hairstylist. However, I really have an ugly hairline at the nape so I have to have it trimmed every 3 weeks.

This is my haircut now. I don't really know exactly what this style is called. I just told him to trim my hair and I want to grow it out just like before.

I love that it's a wash and wear hairstyle and how it gives my hair its much needed volume. I will wait for a few weeks again before I go back for another trim. I will keep coming back until I reach my desired hair length. I paid Php 200 for this haircut and it's not bad considering how much I paid for other known salons that only gave me bad hair days. 

Do you  like it? Let me know what you think!

Food Supplement Review: Healthy Options Biotin 5,000mcg

I used to have long hair with curls. But I grew tired of maintaining my locks because if I don't, they will really become frizzy and dry. So I decided to cut my hair short. I love my hairstyle now but I'm beginning to miss wearing my hair in a ponytail. My hair grows pretty fast but I want it to grow faster and healthier. One time, while I was surfing the net, I came across a blog mentioning "Biotin, the hair vitamin" along with the wonders that it does to her hair. So I purchased Biotin from my trusted health store, Healthy Options, and here is my review:

I bought this for Php 595 at Healthy Options Megamall

Description: Biotin, a B vitamin long used to aid in metabolism and support healthy hair, skin, and nails, has recently been discovered to be beneficial for blood glucose already within normal range. Recent research has shown that biotin, when used in high doses, such as the amount found in Biotin 5,000mcg, can help promote glucose uptake in muscle tissue. It can also help to potentiate the glucose supportingproperties of the mineral chromium picolinate.

Supplement Facts:

Serving Size: One capsule

Amount Per Serving: 5,000mcg, 1667% Daily Value

Other Ingredients: Cellulose, capsule (vegetable source), magnesium stearate (vegetable source),

silicon dioxide.

Suggested Use: Take one capsule daily with food.

CONTAINS NO artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives; no wheat, gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, crustacean shellfish or fish. Suitable for vegans.

It looks exactly like Glutathione capsules and is very easy to swallow .

It gave me a painful cystic pimple on the chin after three days. In this picture, I already stopped taking it and has applied Centella gel so it's already healing.

VERDICT: I will not be purchasing again. Despite its health benefits, it gave me a nasty cystic pimple on the chin after three days of taking it. It also made my skin and hair oilier than usual. It's definitely not for me. 

Disclaimer: I'm not discouraging everyone from taking this. What doesn't work for me may work for others. I am known to be sensitive to almost 75% of skin care products and medications so a lot of products that are getting so many raves from so many users just don't work for me.

                              

Avon Skin So Soft Fast Hydration Body Gel Lotion

   Healthy skin is well moisturized skin. Our skin actively works to help balance moisture by using its own natural moisturizing factors and by preventing too much water from evaporating. But in a hot and humid country such as ours, applying body creams and lotions can be quite uncomfortable, especially when mixed with dirt, dust, and sweat, thereby leaving a greasy feeling at the end of the day. Summer is just around the corner so my search for the lightest, non-greasy lotion has begun.

   I have oily skin on my face but my body skin tends to be dry and sensitive. I've been trying out different brands of body lotions which serve different purposes because I am hard to please when it comes to skin care products partly due to my skin type. As much as possible, I want my skin to feel taut and very clean after bath especially when I have to go out of the house. I only apply cream-based lotions at night after bath so it would be well-absorbed and would not give me that icky feeling. I am a fan of gel lotions but unfortunately, only a few known brands have them and at expensive prices. Anyway, I happened to pass by an Avon outlet in Market, Market and as I was browsing through their product displays, a teal-colored bottle caught my attention and to my surprise, it was a Body Gel Lotion! I sniffed it and since I love the refreshing scent, I immediately purchased one for an unbelievable price of Php 119!

I started using this last February 15 and I'm in love! 

It's easily absorbed and leaves a silky smooth finish.

What I Like:

• The packaging is simple and spill-free.
• It is very affordable and being an Avon member, I get to enjoy a discount on top of the promo price!
• The scent reminds me of Bath and Body Work's Cucumber and Melon Body Spray.
• It leaves a cool, minty feeling upon application.
• It is easily absorbed and leaves a subtle,refreshing scent. 
• It makes my skin smooth and silky.
• It's like applying water on my skin, lightweight and non-greasy.

What I Don't Like:

• It has no SPF, but it's not a big deal for me.

Verdict:

        I give this a rating of 4.75/5. It is affordable and it works for my skin. I think I have found a HG lotion for me. I will repurchase again after I finish my first bottle. Highly recommended!!

Tony Moly Easy Touch Auto Eyeliner

Thank God it's Friday. Here is another quick review on Tony Moly's eyeliner which I've read in a blog. The review was so convincing that it made me buy one on that same day. There were two shades available, brown and black, but I got the black one because the brown eyeliner has some glitters in it and I was afraid that it might irritate my sensitive eyes.

I bought this at Tony Moly Market,Market for Php 348.00

How to Use: Lift up your eyelid slightly and fill in between eyelashes, as close as possible to the lashline to express more defining eyeline.

Ingredients: 01-Cyclomethicone, Iron oxides (CI 77499), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polyethylene, Ceresin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Silica, C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Prurus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil.

I have monolids so you can't see much of the eyeliner when applied on my lashline

What I Like:

• It is affordable and available at all Tony Moly branches nationwide
• It is very pigmented and glides on smoothly on my eyelids
• There is no need to sharpen it since it's automatic
• Doesn't smudge on my oily eyelids, a lot of eyeliners do leave me with panda eyes despite their claim to be waterproof
• Excellent color pay-off
• It is sealed and expiration date is printed on the packaging

What I Don't Like:

• It stings my eyes no matter how little and where I apply it. 

Verdict:

        I give this a rating of 3.5/5. It has almost everything that I'm lookin for an eyeliner but unfortunately, my sensitive eyes react to its ingredients. I just gave mine to my mom and she loves it. 

Milea All Organics Mineral Make-up Powder Blusher

Do you want to have that much coveted naturally glowing skin in an instant? Every fair-skinned lady dislikes a pale, dull-looking skin that will make anyone think that you're sick or stressed out. I, for one, loves to have a rosy white complexion that will require a little to no make-up at all. Blushers are a good choice to achieve a three-dimensional look with less effort. Sad to say, I have an oily and sensitive skin so I have to use something that will not cause breakouts and rashes nor aggravate my oiliness. I have found a few good matches for my skin type but after using them for a while, my skin developed immunity or whatever you call it, causing small zits to form. So, in my quest for a blusher that would do the job that I wanted, I came across Sesou at Market, Market and with much hope that this would work for me, I bought Milea All Organics Mineral Make-up Powder Blusher in Rose.

It comes in only one size (2g) jar for Php 225.00

Description (according to their website):

Imagine a mineral blush so natural that it could easily be mistaken for your own lovely flush. Our Powder Blush is so delicate and lightweight, it allows buildable coverage for truly customisable colour. Soft and silky, shades are available in matte and subtle shimmer finishes to suit every look. Will not cause irritation, great for sensitive and pimple-prone skin.

Shades:

Rose, Peach, Berries, Merlot, Sienna

Ingredients (as stated in my Rose blusher jar):

Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Serecite, Magnesium Stearate, Zinc Oxide

An actual shot of this powder blusher in Rose shade applied on my cheeks

What I Like:

• It is talc and paraben free. I have an allergy to talc so I love this!
• It gives me a natural glow
• Very pigmented. A little amount of powder will already give you the natural glow that you want to achieve
• Perfect for oily skin
• Did not break me out
• Lasts throughout the day, there is no need to re-apply
• A little jar lasts for one to two months with daily application

What I Don't Like:

• Sesou stalls do not carry this anymore. I have to order it online through their website so I have to pay for the shipping fee as well.

Verdict:

        I give this a 4.75/5 because of its availability. But apart from that, I simply love this!! This is my HG powder blusher. I've been using this for two years now and it continues to work well for my complicated skin type.I definitely recommend this. Try it and tell me what you think!


Disclaimer: This review is based on my experience and not a paid one. I bought the products with my own money and tried each product for at least a month before making a review. Everybodys skin is different. There are products that I love which might not work for some. Just take it with a grain of salt. To each his own.

Dermstrata's Centella Gel

Happy Monday!! I know that a lot of us, girls and guys worry about pimples, acne, whiteheads and blackheads a lot. I used to have clear skin when I was younger but it seems like pollution and my diet have taken their toll. I've been getting zits lately and the pesky marks they left behind really diminished my self esteem. I've tried a lot of pimple zapping topical creams but they don't deliver as claimed. So in my unending search for a product that will clear up my skin again, I came across Dermstrata and tried their anti-pimple product especially formulated for cystic acne, well, according to their attendants.

I bought this small jar for Php 275.00

It is colorless and unscented

How it looks when applied on my skin

Notice how the redness disappears in just a few minutes after application

What I Like:

• It is odorless and colorless.
• It dries fast.
• It can be applied on top of sunblock or under makeup.
• It dried small pimples overnight (much to my amazement!) and also ideal for cystic pimples.
• I discovered that it helps to relieve itchiness and to soothe small cuts, burns, and insect bites.
• A lot of products broke me out but this one didn't.
• It heals pimples without leaving dark marks.

What I Don't Like:

• A little expensive for a small jar especially when you use it often. I apply it twice a day and a small jar lasts for less than a month for me.

Verdict:

       I give this a rating of 5/5 because I am a highly satisfied user and it really delivers results. I will be purchasing forever, it is indeed a HG product for my complicated skin type. Give it a try and zap those stubborn zits in no time!!

Cosmo Skin Advanced Whitening and Nourishing Hand and Body Cream

Hello Dearies! Here is a quick review on Cosmo Skin's Hand and Body Cream which I finished recently. I made sure to use it consistently every night to see its effect on my skin and to test its effectiveness as well.

I bought this at Watsons for Php 149.00

Ingredients: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Monostearate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Perfume, Marine Collagen, Arbutin, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Methylparaben, Propylparaben

What It Claims: Formulated with Advanced Skin Whitening Technology for extra fair and radiant skin. Its Marine Collagen, Arbutin, and Vitamin C have 50 times anti-aging and whitening power.

How to Use: Apply liberally on the whole body. Use twice a day with Cosmo Skin Whitening Body Bar for best results.

It has a thick and milky texture and I had difficulty spreading it evenly on my arm

What I Like:

• It's affordable at only Php 149.00 for a 200mL bottle
• It is available in all Watson's stores
• The scent is not overpowering and only leaves a subtle hint of green tea (reminds me of EA's Green Tea EDT, actually) minutes after application
• One bottle can last for a month depending on how frequent and how much you apply. I use it every night and it lasted for a month.
• It is non greasy and though hard to spread, it's quickly absorbed after a few minutes
• Leaves my skin soft and smooth
• I cannot attest as to its whitening effect since I am already fair to begin with, but I noticed that my skin looks radiant and glowing.

What I Don't Like:

• It has no SPF
• It's quite thick and hard to spread evenly on my skin  
• It comes in only one size (200mL)

Verdict:

         I give it a rating of 4.25/5 because it is affordable and "hiyang" to my skin. But I haven't seen any significant whitening effect. I use it every night after taking a bath. However, what's important to me is it leaves my skin soft and smooth. I will definitely repurchase!!!


Disclaimer: This review is based on my experience and not a paid one. I bought the products with my own money and tried each product for at least a month before making a review. Everybodys skin is different. There are products that I love which might not work for some. Just take it with a grain of salt. To each his own.

Max Factor Lipfinity Essential Catwalk Colours

Happy Monday! Today, I am going to make a quick review on my new make-up favorite, Max Factor Lipfinity in Essential Natural. For years now, I have an on and off love affair with Burt's Bees tinted lipbalm and I keep purchasing despite the pricey tag. I am not a fan of lipsticks but recently, as I was strolling along the mall, I found this one in the cosmetics section of a department store, tried their tester and the next day, I found myself buying one! 

I bought this at SM BF for  Php 775.00

This shade in Essential Natural #340 is only available for a limited time and lucky me, I was able to get the last one!

This is a two-step lipstick application. First, you apply the liptint and let it dry for a few seconds. It dries to a matte finish. Then, apply the clear moisturising gloss as the second and last step to give a subtle hint of shine.

How it looks on my lips. There isn't much difference in the overall appearance after doing the two steps, only a subtle hint of shine on the second picture.

What I Like:

• It is very pigmented and the color lasts for a really long time (lasted the whole day for me with just one application).
• It dries fast and doesn't smudge.
• It is non-drying on my lips. 
• It is non-sticky after it's dried.
• Other shades are available at all Max Factor outlets nationwide. (except for this shade)

What I Don't Like:

• This shade is available for a limited time only.
• The liptint forms clumps in the bottle after several uses (don't leave it open for too long).
• A little pricey for a drugstore brand.
• The clear moisturising gloss reminds me of the scent of Sebo de Macho.

Verdict:

        I give this a 4.5/5 rating because I really love its lasting color. I don't have to retouch more than twice everyday. But since it is only available for a limited time, I have to find another shade which would look good on me after I finish this one.

Update: 2/27/2015

      Though I really love the lasting color, I found out that it's quite messy to put it in my bag. The clumps that form between the cap and the container hardens in time and I saw that the lipcolor is found everywhere in my bag pocket, thereby creating a mess. I will just finish this one and will look for another brand with the same color and lasting power but with a spill -proof container. 

My Lashperm Experience at Let's Face It (Market, Market branch)

      Hi everyone. It's been a long while since I last posted an entry in this blog. I've been busy with a lot of things, and keeping myself beautiful and healthy ( I am a foodie, I so love eating!!) is one of them.

     

     So, now, let's get started. They say that eyes are the windows to our soul, which is perfectly true, and they can also have a penetrating effect (blessed are those who have naturally beautiful peepers, but I am not one of them). I have naturally thin and stick straight lashes. So, what I do is to apply eyeliner most of the time, or just have my lashes permed at Let's Face It Salon (mainly Greenbelt 1 and Megamall branches). Today, I decided to undergo the procedure at Let's Face It Market, Market branch. If I've only known that this would turn out to be a horrible experience, then I wouldn't have done it in the first place. My previous experiences with their other branches are fine, but this one, truly made a mark. Half an hour post application of the perming solution, I began to have this burning and stinging sensation on my right eyelid. I told the lady who's doing the procedure about it ( I didn't get her name but I remembered her face) so I guess she put something else on my lids which gradually minimized the pain. But after the procedure, I felt the pain again after I opened my eyes and I was so mad and frustrated when I saw what happened to my right eye.

It was swollen and I felt a burning pain, from misapplication of the solution

       I hope this won't happen to other clients of that particular branch. My lashes were not remarkably permed and sad to say, their customer service also sucks. I won't be going back to that branch, even if it's the most accessible one to go to.