I just finished my bottle of Chamomile Gentle Make-up Remover, and I went to The Body Shop to grab some more. Lo and behold, when I went to the store and checked out, instead of paying P550 for a bottle, I only paid P350 because I had the rewards card. Nice!
Until September 26, you too can get P200 off ALL Chamomile make-up remover range if you have The Body Shop's rewards card. Yay!
For what seemed like forever, I've been trying to hide my dark under eyes. I am an evening person and I do function better at night. I have a love and hate relationship with mornings. In college, plates kept me up until the wee hours of the morning (I studied architecture). When Allie came along, I'm lucky if I get to sleep straight at night. I'm sure you guys can totally relate, especially you mommies. We are usually the last ones awake, and the first ones up, and don't even get me started with waking up multiple times at night to feed the baby.
Enter dark circles. It's so hard to hide them. I hate putting heavy concealers on, so when I saw this Covergirl and Olay Simply Ageless Eye Corrector, I couldn't wait to try it.
I got mine in the US, but I saw some at local department stores. They sell them at around P600 or maybe even less. Remember to get 230 Eye Corrector, because the other ones have similar packaging but they're concealers.
The white swirl you see is Olay Regenerist Serum, which I also use at night (I'm scared to have forks on the corners of my eyes, hehe), so having this with my under eye corrector is a bonus. The yellowish ones are specially blended pigments to cover up even extreme dark circles. You have to remember, yellow tints cover blue, so this is really good for dark circles (and bruises too). Just fyi and not totally unrelated to this post, green tints cover reddish spots like pimples and yes, hickeys (lol).
Anyway, it's so easy to use.
1. I just use my finger then blend the white and beige shade in the compact.
2. Then I dab it on my under-eye circles and on the inside corners of my eyes.
3. I usually put finishing powder afterwards because I don't want to put additional concealer anymore, but you can if you'd like.
This is probably the most effective under eye concealer I've had. Nope, this is not sponsored, so you have to trust me on this. I've converted 3 people already within my first week of use. How cool is that?
A few weeks back, I ordered some Shu Uemura from Taste Central. It was my first time to get some Shu Uemura stuff. I read about it online, and was swayed into buying. Did I mention ads and good reviews work for me? Haha.
I got a couple of Shu Uemura sets. Each one has the following -- cleansing oil, UV under base mousse and tsuya skin.
Using oil to remove make-up was something I've heard of before, but you know, not in the Shu Uemura sense. When I was in high school, I tried removing my heavily made up face (it was prom) using baby oil on cotton to no avail. It was hard to remove. Of course, my face was left greasy and all. Icky. I had to wash my face with facial wash twice, maybe more. I didn't use it again.
I've tried my fair share of different makeup removers, and although I've been satisfied with a couple of them -- see my post here and here, it never stopped me to try this one.
So anyway, for you who's trying this for the first time, I am super sure you will love it. I love how my face feels after every use of this product. It leaves my skin feeling soft and radiant; I think I am hooked. I try to use it every time I wear makeup. Here's how I use it:
[1] Take about 5-8 drops, or about a shallow pool on your palm that's smaller than a penny. If you have the pump one, about 1 to 1-1/2 pumps will do. (It's recommended for you to use 4 pumps, but I find that less works well too.)
[2] Massage into your face for about a minute. Start on your cheeks and forehead. End on your eyes/lids and lashes. I swear it melts the heaviest of makeups. But be careful, although it's gentle to the eyes, the tiniest bit of oil will make your vision blurry. Easy enough to remove. Use some eye drops or contact lens solution. It works on your lips too but I'm too scared to use it there.
[3] Wet you hands and rub gently on your face. This will emulsify the oil; it will turn into a milky white substance. Continue to massage it for about 20 seconds more.
[4] Rinse with water. It really doesn't leave that greasy feeling.
[5] Dry with a soft towel.
If it's hard to follow, watch this video from Shu Uemura on how to use their cleansing oils.
I think Taste Central still has the Shu Uemura Summer Fresh set on sale here. Only P840 plus P100 shipping.
I am a lover of energy. I am a lover of possibility. I am a lover of power. Energy, possibility and power represent emerald, the Pantone color of 2013. So it's no surprise that this is my favorite color of the year from Pantone so far.
Now, folks, we don't have Sephora (yet) in the Philippines. But you my lucky readers who have a Sephora near you, you get to see the wonderful Sephora + Pantone Universe collection in person.
Bring out the confidence in you by getting this six-piece makeup set featuring emerald colors. Although I won't be using all these all at the same time, it's good to have because using at least one will enhance your eyes, I'm sure. :-)
"This year, Sephora + Pantone Universe evolve their breakthrough partnership to forecast the color of radical modernism, where graphic shock meets the speed of modern life. Transfixing and dynamic, the Color of the Year sparks a highly charged mood for the seasons ahead. Visualize a color revolution of infinite potential—from subtle effects to saturated statements—fueled by a hunger for high-tech impact. Experience Emerald from every angle through never-before-seen formulas designed to energize the way you wear color in 2013. Connect. Charge. Power up with the Color of the Year." -Sephora
Sephora has three Color Theory Shadow Block ($26 each) under their Sephora + Pantone Universe Collection.
I've been using the Body Shop's Chamomile Gentle Eye Make-up Remover, and I shared with you my thoughts on it here.
Then I discovered another really, really good make-up remover. I found it at the Face Shop, and it's called Rice Water Bright Lip and Eye (Make-up) Remover. Okay, the bottle says Rice Water Bright Lip and Eye Remover. Scary if it were true, huh?
What I love about it is its smell. It smells so fresh.
The big question remained though. Will it do the work?
I decided to go ahead and use it on my eyes. The verdict? It removed the make-up (with eye liner and mascara) ever so easily, and it is very gentle on the eyes. It didn't sting at all.
"Your face needs brushing, too." I have heard this line too many times, and I decided to try it. I was talking to a friend about aging gracefully, and how I would want my skin to not have wrinkles for as long as it takes.
For years, I have been using Clean & Clear's Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub. I love how it leaves a cool feeling on my face. I use it daily, and so far, I have no problems with it. I started dreading wrinkles and I felt I'm not doing enough. Yes, I put a little moisturizer now and then when my face feels tight. I use Olay Total Effects.
Then, I was contemplating to buy Clarisonic. I was hesitant though because I wasn't sure how my skin will react to face brushing (for lack of a better term), and $100+ to shell out for a product that I might hate is not something I had in mind. I wanted to try Pro-X, since our family uses Olay all the time. I figured that for a fraction of Clarisonic's price, it is a good start. A good friend No, scratch that -- a great friend gifted me with Olay's Pro-X. She's been raving about it. She said it was better than Neutrogena's Wave.
I tried it, and I am liking it! The box comes with the Pro-X cleansing system, a starter Pro-X exfoliating renewal cleanser, and get this -- batteries! Don't you just love how battery-operated things come with free, ready-to-use batteries already? Although, I had a hard time opening the cover to put the batteries in. I had to ask my husband to take the cover off. I guess that's good because the thing is water-resistant -- and that means you can use it in the shower.
The Pro-X system also comes with this replaceable cleansing brush. I love how the bristles of the brush is soft on my face. The brush rotates, and you choose from 2 speeds. The cleanser has some kind of microbeads that's similar to the texture of iodized salt. I like it too.
My lips get dry and chapped easily, so moisturizing them is a must for me. I have always been a fan of Body Shop's Strawberry Lip Balm. It's yummy and make my lips super soft. I love it. I tried petroleum jelly too, but it feels icky and oily to me.
Just recently, I braved the new world of lip color. Yes, lipsticks. So far, in terms of the moisturizing benefits, MAC tops my list. But I still wanted more moisture.
While browsing the cosmetic aisle of my all-time favorite store, Target, I found these Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stains for just about $8. They are new, according to the shelf display, and I thought to give them a try. I bought the color Lovesick. I loved it so much I decided to get all the pinks. I don't think I carry reds and purples that well.
They are light, brimming with color, and still kissable, just as they claim. :) Most importantly, they moisturize my lips perfectly.
I went to Nordstrom just the other day, and found that Clinique has balm stains as well! I think I'm always the last to know about these great products because it looked like they had them for quite some time now. Anyway, Clinique Chubby Sticks sell for about $17. They look alike inside (maybe one copied the other or maybe they have the same supplier, I don't know). Hmm, I must try them too.
Have you ever felt your face so dry that every smile you make or word you say make you feel that your face is so tight? Every time I visit California, that's how I feel.
I have been looking for the ultimate facial moisturizer that does not feel oily after application. I got this Olay Total Effects last year just to try. I didn't get to try it often in Manila because it is so humid there, and putting moisturizer on your face just seems wrong (at least for me). I do put some, though, right after showering when my face feels tight.
The verdict? I love it! It feels so light on your skin, and with the added benefits like anti-aging, I'm sold. :-)
Having your makeup done by a professional is amazing... until you need to take it off. I swear it's like goo. They put on so much stuff on your face that removing makeup becomes too much of a chore.
I tried several makeup removers in my lifetime.
When I was in 7th grade, I remember using baby oil. It was the only thing handy. It seemed okay at the time. My makeup was not gooey yet.
I think it was during high school prom that I first had my makeup done by a professional makeup artist. I couldn't handle the thought of having makeup on before going to bed.
I feel like my facial skin couldn't breathe if I keep makeup on.
This time I was using cold cream. I put some on my face, and with circular motion, I felt the foundation melting. Eek. I continued using it though. It was the best one so far.
I wasn't a fan of cold cream when I was using it. It just did the job, but the process was gross.
I bought a gift bag for myself - I just liked the makeup kit and the make-up remover just happened to come with it. It was sheer luck.
It really leaves your skin moisturized while taking off the make-up. Yes, it takes off everything even mascara... and it's very gentle on the eyes... and no, I was not paid by Body Shop.
It's hard to beat this one ladies. It's cheap to buy and try it. The mini size (which I love too for traveling) is just 3 for $10, $4 if you buy just one.
Right now, The Body Shop has a Buy 3 Get 2 Free or Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion for their makeup and skin care products.
