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.

Rules on Love

Good morning everyone! Rainy days are over and I'm in a good mood to post something for you to ponder on. I got this from the internet like 8 or 10 years ago??

(Sorry I already forgot:-) )I really love this article that I had it posted inside my room. Hope you like it too...

Rules on Love

1. Do not fall in love everytime you fall in bed.

2. Learn to detach emotionally.

3. Sex does not equal commitment.

4. Do not revolve your entire life around him/her.

5. Addiction is bad for your health.

6. Do not cling, act needy or demand.

7. Doormats are for your feet, NOT your heart.

8. It's ok to say NO.

9. Do not grill them, or their friends for information.

10. Master the art of LISTENING.

11. Treat him/her as you would your bestfriend.

12. Friendship creates long term love, and comes before sex.

13. Forget about fixing your partner. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

14. Your choice of partner is a reflection of who you are and who you are not.

15. Enjoy the moment first. Live in the present.

16. Don't worry about the ex's, or start naming your future children.

17. Never read their journal or go through their paperwork.

18. If you have no TRUST, you have no RELATIONSHIP.

19. Allow space and freedom between you.

20. Do not always be available.

21. Caling frequently is a turn off and signals insecurity, neediness, and control.

22. Open your eyes to lies and cheating, OR close them, justify the bad behavior, and live with the consequences.

23. Little or no eye contact? Start walking away. They won't notice you are gone.

24. Anyone preoccupied with their physical appearance usually have very little or nothing to offer from within.

25. Look beyond the physical.

26. NEVER compromise your values.

27. DO NOT lose your identity.

28. December-May relationships are great! However, seasons change and the May lover will sooner or later hear the call of spring.

29. If someone really wants to be with you, he/she will be.

30. If they ask to be just friends, be just that and look elsewhere for a love partner.

31. If they keep giving reasons for not calling, or say they are extremely busy, GET THE HINT and leave them alone.

32. DON'T EVER give up your friends for him/her.

33. IF YOUR PARTNER ONE DAY LEAVES YOU, BE SURE YOU HAVE FRIENDS, MONEY, A CAREER AND A LIFE OF YOUR OWN WHICH YOU NEVER GAVE UP. If you don't, who do you have to blame but yourself?!

Fx Curl Booster and Finishing Spray

Hello everyone! It's a really cold afternoon and my hands are getting numb! I can't think of a lot of things today but I have to let you guys know about this nice hair product that I discovered recently..saw this at the Landmark and I asked the saleslady if it is a good curlbooster. I often curl my hair using my flat iron to give an illusion of a full-bodied hair (I have a naturally fine and straight hair). However, to my dismay, the curls do not last for even half a day. So I tried this product on my hair to see if it would make a difference...

I bought this at Landmark Makati for Php 299.00

An actual photo of my hair after using the curling iron and curl booster

Verdict:

          I give it a 5/5 rating. I love the effect it gives to my hair making it shiny, more defined, and makes the curls last longer, plus, it has a nice scent too!

Dermstrata's Total Block Gel with SPF 35

Summer days are over and it's raining cats and dogs all over the metro. However, don't be misled by cloudy skies because UV rays can still pass through those clouds and harm our skin. It wasn't my habit to put on anything on my face especially at daytime because I want to avoid having a greasy face at the end of the day. My face is so oily that all the dirt and dust will stick on it only after two to three hours. So my quest for the perfect sunblock continues until I come across Dermstrata. And hurray!!! I finally found my HG sunblock!!!

Dermstrata's Total Block Gel in Big Jar for Php 1,250.00

It is colorless and unscented

As you can see in the picture, I used a small scooper for hygienic purpose.

What I Like:

• Perfect for people with oily and sensitive skin like me
• It is water based and doesn't sting my eyes because I apply it on my whole face
• Works great with my VMV Pore Mattifier, making my skin shine free for hours!
• Doesn't leave a whitish cast 
• It is odorless and colorless. Can be applied before makeup.
• No breakouts and didn't clog my pores

What I Don't Like:

• They reformulated this sunblock which doesn't suit me so I have to order this from them and wait for less than a week
• A little expensive for a sunblock
• Available only in big jars so you have to make sure your hands are clean before you scoop it out or in my case, I use a small scooper from my old night cream to get the amount that I'll use

Verdict:

         I give this sunblock a  5/5. I've been using this for years and I haven't yet come across a substitute for this one. This is truly one of the best from Dermstrata hands down!


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.