Random Goodies

Hola! I hope you're all having a fantastic weekend. Mine was still pretty busy because I was working earlier today and this week has been stressful. Stressful is the understatement of the year! Anyway, I think this week was still pretty good because of the goodies I received and purchased and for this quick post, I'm sharing some of them. Please do note that I am not bragging or anything. I haven't done a goodies post for a couple of months now, I think, so I decided to do one tonight. And it was the easiest thing to post because my brain's too tired (and so I am) to do a review or do an EOTD/FOTD. I badly need to recharge. :D Well, here are the goodies. These aren't much but they were enough to cheer me up after a  few long and tiring days.

1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay in Place Makeup Intensity 1.0
2. Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Frame and Curl Mascara
3. Kanebo Kate Eyebrow Gel in BR-3
4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector in 710 Light

5. Tony Moly Berry Berry Magic Lip Tint in Strawberry
6. Tony Moly Cherry Pink tint

7. Bath & Body Works Pocketbac in Fresh Lemon
8. Bath & Body Works Pocketbac in Island Margarita

Goodies from Genson:
9. Vitacreme B12 Regenerative Cream
10. Purederm Exfoliating Foot Mask
11. Purbasari Lulur Scrub (I read a review where the blogger claimed that she likes this better than Asian Secrets Lulur Scrub. Now I'm curious.)
12. Nanomed Finale Whitening Cream

That's pretty much all. I no longer included the shampoos and conditioners and Cetaphil. Reviews coming up.

How about you? Any goodies recently? :P

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Cheers,

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Product Review: Purederm Botanical Choice Anti-Stress Heat Therapy Mask "Apricot"

Stress is something that anyone would want to get rid of. I'm sure anyone would do anything that can help relieve stress and its effects. I, for one, am stressed due to work and perhaps quarter life crisis is adding to that so I grab any chance I can get to do something that will help me relax without burning a hole in my pocket. When I received my Purederm gift box, this is one of the products that were included and I have been waiting for the perfect moment to try it. Today, I was feeling stressed and restless and I thought that was the moment I was waiting for so I can test its effectiveness. Read on for my review of Purederm Botanical Choice Anti-Stress Heat Therapy Mask "Apricot".

This is a self-heating mask containing apricot and avocado which claims to relax and invigorate its user.

Click photo for product description and instructions on how to use as well as cautions.

What I like:
- This product smells good! I don't know how to describe it but all I know is that is smells really good.
- The color is a very pretty milky peach-pink and consistency is neither thick nor runny.
- Once applied, it immediately does its self-heating power and you can definitely feel it heating up right on your skin. It's like steaming your face without the sweat.
- I find the warm sensation relaxing. Invigorating? Not sure but it did manage to relax me while I have it on.
- Does not leave an oily film or residue on the face and is easily washed off with water.
- No stinging sensation and did not make my face itchy.
- Locally available at selected Watson's and SM department stores.


What I don't like:
- I am a bit impatient and waiting for 15-20 minutes (as instructed) was a pain for me. Definitely not for those who want a quick pampering.
- Made my face red for a good 10 minutes. Scared me, really. But then I realized that it could just very well be the natural reaction of the skin when heated. But it is the feeling that I might have once again irritated my face that I didn't like.

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes. It really helped me relax a bit. :)

The mask. Color is so cute.

On me. Has a slight pinkish cast.

Have you tried self-heating masks?

Happy Monday, super awesome peeps! :)

NOTE: Product received for review but has not in any way influenced my experience and review on this product.
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Product Review: Purederm Cell Illuminating Hydro Pure Gel Mask

Pampering ourselves definitely do something good for our health and wellness. It helps us relax during times of stress and "haggardness" and we sometimes want to just go Houdini on other people and have a little "me" time. But there are times when we are too lazy to drag ourselves to a spa and have facials and treatments and all the other types of pampering we need or we just don't want to splurge on those things. Thank goodness for face, hand, foot and all other kinds of masks that we can easily get from malls and drugstores. Last year, I hoarded several types of masks from different brands and got to try each of them. I like how I get to treat myself to a little pampering at home so I keep stocks of those masks. I'm going to review the latest face mask I was able to try. This was really something new to me as I am used to wash off and plain sheet masks. This one is different as it has gel. It's the Purederm Cell Illuminating Hydro Pure Gel Mask.

What I like:
- This mask instantly brightened my face.
- Comes in a sealed packaging so you're rest assured that the mask is fresh.
- No stinging sensation and no allergic reactions for me.
- Has a little scent which I cannot tell but it is so faint my highly sensitive nose just ignored it. :P
- Not your ordinary sheet mask because the mask literally felt like gel on my face, I wanted to think it was solidified gel. Hehe.
- It has two separate sheets for the upper part of the face and another one for the lower part of the face. I sometimes find applying a whole sheet on my face kinda difficult.
- The usual problem with sheet masks is that it's not super easy to smoothen out the bubbles formed on the face. With this one, the bubbles were easily gone by gently patting on them til they disappear.
- Locally available at Watson's and SM department stores. Not sure about the price but will get back to you on that.

What I don't like:
- Kinda messy to apply due to the gel-like texture. I had gel all over my hands and hair and it felt like I had slime on my face.
- Since it goes on really smoothly on the face and because it has a gel-like texture, it does not easily adhere on the skin. It slides off and found one of the sheets covering the airways on my nose and the other one on my lips. I had to keep pulling them up so they will stay in place.
- Other than brightening, I didn't see any other significant results.

Overall rating: 3/5

Will I buy again? Maybe not. I am off to try their other masks and besides, I am too attached to their Dual Wellbeing Pack and the Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask.

On me

What are your favorite face masks?

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps! :P

NOTE: Product received for review but has not in any way influenced my experience and review on this product.

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Product Review: Purederm 3 in 1 Beauty Magic BB Cream

A lot of multifunction skin care products are becoming more and more readily available in the market. Since it is of utmost importance that we take care of our skin, having everything we need like moisturizer, sunscreen, and anti-aging products in one tube is so convenient. There is no need to slather on a lot of products on the face, layers after layers, making the skin unable to breathe and making you feel as if you are wearing a mask. So BB creams made its way to consumers who are so much into skin care, though these were originally for those who underwent surgery or other facial procedures that has made the skin raw and vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun.

I mentioned on my review for Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream that I think BB creams are nothing but mediocre products and are just glorified tinted moisturizers due to my bad experience with Skinfood Mushroom BB cream. But Maybelline made me want to give other BB creams another chance to work their magic on me.

I was checking out BB creams on eBay and looking for reviews about each brand that I encountered along with their different variants when I received an email asking if I would like to try Purederm's latest product in the Philippine Market which is the Purederm 3 in 1 Beauty Magic BB Cream. With all excitement and enthusiasm, I replied with a yes!

So after almost a month, I received a black box with pink ribbons and a Purederm gift tag. When I received it, I felt like I was once again a little girl who was handed a Barbie doll. I almost jumped with joy. :P Anyway, after more than a week of testing, I am finally reviewing this product. I would normally take my time in testing out a product before giving it a review but when I really like something, I would review it the soonest possible time so enough blabbing for me and on to the review.

When I was doing my research on reviews about BB creams, the most common problem I found was the color match. Some BB creams only have one shade and does not fit all skin tones as opposed to the usual claim that one shade fits all. For most Filipinas, having a shade that is warm enough to suit the Filipina skin is a problem. Some are either too light or too dark or does not have enough yellow in it and leans toward the pinkish side more. When I read reviews about this having a shade that will suit Filipina skin tones, I was even more excited and true enough, it has enough warm tones in it.

 

What I like:
- Let me start with the packaging. It is in a hot pink tube with a silver cap. I can't get enough of the color. It is pink and really pretty and so girly! :P
- It is really warm toned making it easier to match most Filipina skin tones.
- I was a bit hesitant when I first squeezed out a product from the tube because I thought it would be dark for me. But once I started spreading the cream at the back of my hands, it eventually blended well and adjusted to my skin tone.
- Scent smells like a typical liquid foundation. Thank goodness it doesn't smell like granny make up (once again, apologies to the grannies but I can't help it).
- It has SPF 30 PA++ and blocks both UV B and UV A rays which I find good since I won't be needing to wear sunblock underneath as it would be too much if I apply both.
- It provides light to medium coverage. It helps even out my skin tone though it does not fully cover the redness on some areas of my face.
- It feels light as if I am wearing just a tinted moisturizer.
- Spreads easily and blends well with the skin and it does not oxidize on me.
- Lasts for about 6-8 hours on my skin if I don't sweat a lot especially on more humid days.
- No whitish cast on pictures.
- It did not make me break out!
- It does not dry out my skin and does not emphasize dry patches on my cheeks.
- It makes my skin brighter and does not make my skin oilier than the usual. Of course, I set it with foundation or loose/pressed powder for a somewhat matte finish but when my T-Zone starts to oil up, I get a rather dewy look than an annoying oily and greasy face.

What I don't like:
- Although it claims to be waterproof and sweatproof, I once went out wearing this and it was pretty hot that day. When I got home after 4 hours, there wasn't much left although there are still traces of this product on my skin.
- The consistency is a bit runny. I really hated it when I opened the cap and the product came pouring out from the tube and landed on my bed sheet (and I did not squeeze it at all). It happened a few times now so I make sure my hands are always ready for the catch every time I use this. So I have to be extra careful in using this so it won't make a mess.

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes, I will purchase one (since it is available at Watson's and SM department stores for PHP699 if I remember it correctly) when I run out of this and the other BB creams I have.

Swatch

On me

Close up, set with Kryolan Anti Shine Powder, no concealers at all so you can see my under eyes. :P

By the way, Maybelline together with this one has restored my faith in BB creams. So this is what I have been into lately after my lippies phase.

P.S.
Thanks to Tiff for sending me this product along with other Purederm stuff. :)

Happy Thursday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Product Review: Purederm Botanical Choice Shiny & Hydrating Mask

Recently, I have been into hair care products since my hair was damaged and I needed something that can bring my hair back to life. I found that conditioners alone were not enough since my hair has undergone a lot of battle and was really not in a good state - they were coarse, dry and frizzy. I have been trying a few brands every now and then and found some that I love with all my heart. But still, the curious cat in me wanted to try something else and I will be sharing the latest hair mask I have tried - the Purederm Botanical Choice Shiny & Hydrating Mask.

What I like:
- It has peppermint so it has a really nice cooling effect. *If you have tried Human Heart Nature's Hair Masks, this one is kinda similar to the minty feel, just a little less cooler though.*
- It has jojoba oil that nourishes the hair.
- My hair feels really smooth and soft after it dried.
- This didn't make my scalp itchy.
- The peppermint scent lingered in the bathroom for a few minutes. I went in again after 10 minutes or so and I still smelled the minty scent.
- My hair looks really shiny and does not feel coarse and dry at all. After all, this is recommended for those with dry hair.
- Since I have permed hair, I shouldn't be brushing my hair when it's dry. My hair was still manageable and I can easily comb through it using my fingers.


What I don't like:
- Direction says it should be left for 5-15 minutes depending on your hair (I assume it's how thick or long your hair is). It's not for those who are in a hurry and have long hair.


Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? Yes, I would purchase this on my own since I received this product for review. Though I am still in love with my L'oreal Total Repair Deep Repairing Mask, a minty feel on my head won't hurt every once in a while.

 
My hair. I wish you can see how shiny my hair looks but I really can't capture it. I promise my hair looks better in real life.

Happy Friday, super awesome peeps! :P

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September Favorites!

Heya! This is the first time I will be doing a favorites post though I have been planning to do so since July buy have never gotten around to doing that. So these are my September favorites!

PureDerm Acne Wash Cleansing Tissues for removing my makeup and an instant facial cleanser.

Dove Intensive Cream for keeping my skin hydrated and moisturized - this works best for the driest parts of my body (elbows, knees, ankles, hands).

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream - works like a tinted moisturizer for me. Feels so light on the face with minimal coverage. Perfect for hot days and when I don't feel like wearing makeup.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation - rediscovered my love for this product. Never broke me out and gave me the coverage I needed.

Shu Uemura Glow On Blush M Pink 30 - my go to blush. I reach for this blush almost every day since I got it and I barely made a dent on it. Seems like it's bottomless! Perfect for daytime or everyday makeup.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Tea Rose -  I have recently made a revisited and reviewed post for this blush. I have finally learned to appreciate sheer blushes. Another go to blush.

ELF Studio Line Eyebrow Kit in Light - my brows never looked better! Makes filling my brows easy as pie!

Nivea Fruity Shine Pomegranate Tinted Lip Balm - moisturizing with a hint of color. I sometimes skip lipstick or lipgloss with this lip balm.

MAC Satin Finish Lipstick in Twig - another MLBB lipstick that is perfect for everyday makeup.

Adorned with Grace Ingenue Dual Fiber Brush - perfect for blending concealer especially on the under eye area. helps concealer blend well with the skin to avoid the cakey look.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara - my lashes but better. Smudge proof and holds the curls very well. I have not experienced any clumping at all, no spider legs either.

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer in Ivory - I like using this on my under eyes and even in covering up blemishes on my face. Blends easily and doesn't cake as long as it is blended well. Works well with the AwG stippling brush and MAC 188.

L'oreal Paris Total Repair Deep Repairing Mask - made my hair healthier, smoother, softer, and more manageable. My hair no longer feels dry and damaged.

L'Oreal Paris Total Repair Repairing Shampoo - saved my hair from total destruction.

So these are my favorite products for the month of September. What are your favorites?
Happy Sunday! :P

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Product Review: Purederm Acne Wash Cleansing Tissues

I make it a point to always take my makeup off my face the moment I get home. I remember being told to not immediately wash my face without letting my eyes rest for at least half an hour. But I hate the feeling of knowing that my face caught a lot of dirt from outside so I resorted to using makeup removers but it is more convenient to use facial wipes that can also remove makeup. And here's the review for what I have been using lately.



What I like:
- My face feels moisturized but does not look oily and greasy after using this.
- It's refreshing and my skin looks clean.
- It effectively removes makeup but may need to concentrate more on waterproof eye makeup.
- Smells nice, nothing really annoying.
- It has salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and aloe vera.
- Did not break me out!
- Comes in a resealable package that is housed in a box.
- Cheap. 30 sheets for only PHP99.75
- Locally available at Watson's and SM Department Stores
.

What I don't like:
- It takes a while to remove waterproof mascara and gel liner.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Will I buy again? Definitely! I am on my second box and I already have a back up. :)

See the dirt from my face? Not a good sight, I know. :P

Happy Tuesday! :P
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My Best and Worst Product Purchases in 2009

I have been inspired by fellow bloggers' posts about the best products they have purchased and used in 2009 so I decided to come up with my own. So here are the best and worst products I have bought and used for the past year.




Let me start with the worst or probably the products I regret to have purchased and used.

The 10 Worst 2009 Buys: (in no particular order)

1. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner - Yellow Variant
- This product made my skin look dirty and I broke out with it.


2. Charcoal Soap from Saizen
- Dried out my skin and made it flaky and gave me red marks and dried out my cheeks so bad.


3. Garnier Light Cleansing Foam
- Broke me out in the past, I should've known better instead of repurchasing this year to once again give it a try


4. Skin 79 Diamond Collection Star Glow Cheek
- This has to be the worst smelling blush/highlighter ever! Smelled like beans and greens and worse, smelt like a rotten one that I can't stand using it.


5. ELF Sunkissed Bronzer
- It broke on its own after less than 24 hours upon purchasing it so I was not able to use it.


6. False Eyelashes & Glue from Saizen
- The glue stung my eyes so bad and the pair I got was so hard to work with.


7. Olay Regenerist Cleanser
- Olay's supposed to be a good product but I am one of those unlucky bunch who broke out with Olay products.



8. Sunsilk Straight & Sway Shampoo & Conditioner (Green ones from the picture)
- Made my hair brittle and dry. I couldn't touch my hair as it feels annoying.


9. The Soap Factory Tomato Soap
- Broke me out after just a couple of washes.


10. A few more mineral make up
- I know mineral make up breaks me out but I decided to give it one more shot but still, I broke out no matter how nice the finish is and regardless of how long it stays on my oily skin.


The Top 14 Best Purchases of 2009:

1. NARS Blushes
- Being a blush girl, I do not and I don't think I will ever regret buying NARS blushes as these are a few of the best investments I made when it comes to make up. The product is so worth it for the price.


2. Kryolan TV Paint Stick
- The only foundation in a non-powder form that really works for me. Didn't break me out and for PHP1250, I could never go wrong. Beats all the powder foundation I have when it comes to staying power and its ability to conceal my blemishes.


3. Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder
- This kicked MAC Blot's behind when it comes to keeping oilies at bay. You get so much product (30g) for only PHP1350 which will most likely last you for years.


4. Chanel Joues Contraste and Irreelle blushes
- The most I had to spend on a single compact of blush but definitely worth it as Irrelle In Love is my current HG blush.


5. Saizen Charcoal Mask
- Made such raves and became one of the most wanted products in girltalk that it was always out of stock on the first and second waves of raves. Now, there is a lot of stocks at Saizen so feel free to go there and grab a tube or two.


6. PureDerm Strawberry Yogurt Pack & Dual Wellbeing Pack
- Inexpensive yet very effective products. These two are now officially part of my favorite products.


7. MAC 187 and 188 brushes
- MAC 187 haunted me in my dreams and I knew then that I had to have this brush. The most expensive single product I have purchased so far for PHP2950 back then and PHP3050 now, if I remember correctly. Very versatile as this can be used on foundations, powders, and best of all, blushes. :P
MAC 188 is the smaller version of 187 and I use it only for blushes and is priced at PHP2050.


8. Etude House stippling brush
- The most abused brush in my brush stash. Made my 188 and 187 kept in the brush box as I use this pretty much on everything. Works best with NARS blushes.


9. ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo
- Because of this, I don't have to buy a NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo. Cheap yet a good product.


10. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner - Gentle Coral
- This has to be my favorite tinted lip balm and is now my HG lip balm. I use this more than I use lipsticks and lip glosses. I use it every single day.


11. MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo.
- This has to be my best nude-pink lippie ever! :P


12. EcoTools Brushes
- Talk about cheap with good quality and eco-friendly tools.


13. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
- My best friend in deep cleaning my brushes. Makes brush cleaning easy as a breeze.


14. BRAGG Apple Cider Vinegar
- The best and cheapest toner I have tried. Not the best smelling product though. Smells like Tequila.



* I would've also added Aztec Indian Healing Clay as one of the best prods but I have not purchased one as I am using the sample I received form Japjap. :P*

So there you are. My best and worst picks in 2009. I would've added more but I can certainly go on and on and on and this might be a very long post if I do. Plus I already forgot everything that I purchased this year.

Happy New Year, everyone. Wishing you all the best for 2010!

xoxo,


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