Farmstay Grape Stem Cell Whitening Ample

Hello dear readers! Here is another review from me, this time, from a Korean brand called Farmstay. I bought this product last May through BeautyMnl because of all the raves I have read over the internet and from fellow bloggers. I also want to lighten post inflammatory marks left by a recent bout with adult acne. 

My order was neatly packed and arrived the next day. I paid Php 690 plus the shipping fee.

                                                                                                                                                                               

How my right cheek looks like after a month of religiously using the ampoule. Some have lightened but some are still reddish.

The effects are gradual so consistency is key. I have more marks on my left cheek than on my right. I have yet to see the full whitening effect of the ampoule.

What It Claims: 

Due to highly-enriched texture, it softly applies on the skin and grape callus extract and whitening ingredient, Niacinamide, organizes the skin texture, provides an elastic and moisturising solution to manage the time of the skin ages and to make healthier skin.

Pros: 

• You get more than what you pay for. The bottle is heavy and full and may last for three to four months with everyday use.
• The bottle is a dark-colored glass with a matching glass dropper. This will prevent the contents from undergoing oxidation so as not to lose potency.
• It has a milky and watery consistency and leaves the skin smooth and soft upon absorption.
• It did not break me out.
• The scent is mild and reminds me of fresh grapes. This is good for people who are sensitive to strong scents.
• My skin looks bright when I wake up.
• It can be used alone or in combination with a night cream for added effect.
• I can use it under my eyes and on top of my lids and it doesn't sting.

Cons:

• Effect is gradual so consistency is key. 
• I only use this at night 'cause I observed that I get small whiteheads when I use this in the morning.
• It is always out of stock. 
• Available only in selected Ayala malls and online stores.

My Verdict: 

I give this a 4/5. I may repurchase when I run out of this but as of now, I am still on the hunt for a night cream or serum which is much more effective and works faster.

I will continue to finish the contents of my first bottle and will give an update. Ciao!


Update as of July 14, 2017:

As of today, I already finished my bottle of whitening ampoule until the last drop. It really helped in making my skin brighter upon waking up and also made the pimple marks appear lighter. But it also gave me whiteheads when used at daytime especially when I sweat a lot. However, if your main concerns are acne marks and dull skin, I can recommend this.It also works for the under eyes.




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.

Aloe Vera Gel Brands Review (Mumuso, Farmstay, Nature Republic)

Hello everyone! Given our hot and humid weather, body gels and moisturisers are on demand. Personally, I am not a fan of sticky and greasy lotions that leave sticky films or residues on skin. I also have sensitive skin so I am wary of using skincare products with lots of harmful chemicals. However, the skincare junkie in me itches to try out new skincare products all the time, one after the other, hoping that these might work on me. Aloe Vera Gels are now selling like pancakes and of all the brands in the market today, I have tried these three, Mumuso, Nature Republic, and Farmstay. I have finished one tub of each so here's my review.

Mumuso Moisturising Aloe Vera Gel 92%

I bought this 300mL tub for Php 99.00 at Mumuso, Market, Market branch.

Ingredients: Deionized water, Glycerol, Propanediol, Aloe Vera, Trehalose, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), D-Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Allantoin, Methylisothiazolinone.

Pros:

• It did not irritate my sensitive skin. I apply this immediately after bath while skin is still damp. I use it all over my body but not on my face.
• You get more than what you pay for with its 300mL tub.
• It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin.
• It is easily absorbed and leaves a matte and non-sticky finish.
• It has a refreshing effect.
• It is very cheap and effective.
• The scent is mild and dissipates quickly. It reminds me of cucumber.
• It has the least ingredients, the lesser the better. 
• It soothes my eczema when I have flare-ups.

Cons:

• It is always out of stock.  

My Verdict: 

I give it a 5/5. It is the cheapest one that I can find and also works for me. I already hoarded when I saw that Mumuso re-stocked on this. :-)

Farmstay Aloe Vera Moisture Soothing Gel 100%

The first products that I've tried from this brand are the Snail Gel and the Grape Stem Cell Whitening Ample. That time, I bought the snail one instead because the aloe was out of stock. So when I chanced upon this on the shelf and while my favorite Mumuso was still out of stock, I decided to try this.

I bought this at Market, Market Department Store for Php 290.00.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

Pros:

• Free of parabens, mineral oil, benzophenone, and artificial color
• Just like Mumuso, this one has a mild scent which I like.
• Can be bought online and in selected department stores in Ayala malls.
• It is easily absorbed and feels light on the skin.
• It has the lightest consistency among the three aloe gels maybe because of the alcohol content.

Cons:

• It is the most expensive among the three aloe gels that I have tried.
• It contains witch hazel extract which I think I have sensitivity to, so I don't use this often as it makes my skin itchy at times.
• It contains added fragrance.
• Aloe Vera Gel wasn't the first ingredient in the list so why put 100%? Maybe they are pertaining to the 100% natural aloe vera that was used in the product? This one confuses me...

My Verdict: 

I give this a 4/5. I will only buy this if I run out of Mumuso Aloe Gel.

Nature Republic Soothing and Moisture Aloe Vera 92%

I bought this at Landmark, Makati for Php 245.00




Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (92%), Alcohol, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Polyglutamic Acid, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Extract, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Water, Parfum, Disodium EDTA.

Pros:

• Aloe Gel is the first ingredient in the list, so I assume that it has the most amount of Aloe Vera compared to Mumuso and Farmstay.
• It is readily available in malls and online.
• It has a cooling effect after application mainly due to the spearmint content.
• It also has sodium hyaluronate to moisturize the skin.

Cons:

• It irritated my sensitive skin. I developed itchy patches on my skinfold (left arm) and behind the knee.
• It has the strongest fragrance among the three.
• It has the longest drying time and there is still a sticky feeling after a few minutes.

My Verdict: 

I give it a 2/5. Although there are a lot of raves on this brand of Aloe Gel, every skin is different. Maybe I am not "hiyang" on this one or perhaps there is an ingredient/s that triggered my eczema.


Update as of July 17, 2017:

I already finished my third tub of Mumuso Aloe Gel. I tried using it on my hair instead of my usual conditioner because I have read in a blog that it also works on her hair. Sadly, it made my hair stiff and dry after rinsing it with water. But all in all, it works best for me as a whole body moisturiser. I will keep repurchasing.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought these products with my own money and tried each one for at least a month before sharing my thoughts and experience. Everybodys skin is different. This may work for some and not for others. Just take it with a grain of salt. To each his own.

My Hair Makeover at Regine's Salon, Makati branch

Hello dear readers. It has been a long while since my last post. Got myself busy with a lot of things and I seriously neglected my colored hair making it dry and dull. Another thing, I don't like my latest haircut that much so I tie it up as much as I could despite the short length. Anyway, I then decided that it's high time to pamper my hair again and change my dull look into something different. I searched the net for salon reviews with regard to haircolor and haircut and I came across this: REGINE'S SALON at the Link. The reviews look good enough to convince me to drop by after office for a haircut. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of how my hair looked before the haircut. So let me just share with you what were done after.

After the haircut, the highlighting procedure was started by Marlon, the hairstylist.

It really takes a professional to do the procedure with ease.

Partially finished foiled highlights

After applying highlights and foil, Marlon also applied the same base color to my uncolored roots and covered everything with a saran wrap.

They were able to convince me to take the promo package of haircut+haircolor+hairspa. However, I wasn't able to take a picture of the hairspa procedure which was like applying conditioner with a massage and eventually rinsing it after just a few minutes.

After about an hour or less.....

View from my right

Back View

View from my left

From left to right: Sheryl, the bubbly and accommodating receptionist, Marlon, my hairstylist, and his assistant.

As for my hair type, I have fine hair that becomes limp as it grows so I always request a haircut with volume. Fortunately, Marlon was able to deliver what I asked of him. I even showed him pictures of short bobcuts that I want to achieve. Secondly, for the highlights, I asked him to make it subtle for just a 3D effect. So far, I think I got my money's worth this time. Thanks Regine's!

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!!