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I tried pushing my luck further by using Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate alone. And so, starting from Day 10, I was using the concentrate alone every night sans the acne meds. I got lucky on the first night. My skin was still soft and supple, and didn’t break out to boot.

Unfortunately, my endeavor wasn’t fruitful enough coz my face broke out a bit into these tiny pesky zits on the following days (10 and 12). Well, maybe I pushed way too hard. I wasn’t sleeping well during the past few days as my insomnia struck hard again.

So, starting Day 13, I’ll be using Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate together with my anti-acne topical meds. I still have around 2 days to go to finish my 15-day challenge.

I’ll also try getting a good night’s sleep again. Hence, it’ll involve adjusting my body clock perpendicular to my normal time zone. For those who are insomniacs like me, I know it’s really difficult and crazy[!] considering that I’m only taking a placebo (natural medicine). So again, wish me luck!

On the last day of the challenge, I will sum up  all the yays and nays I experienced using this product for two consecutive weeks. I will also announce the mechanics on how you can get your own Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate bottle. Hint: it has something to do with the same challenge.

I know, the post is a bit overdue, but I ran out of time yesterday as I attended an event in 1Esplanade and then brought my mom to the Podium for late dinner. x

Three days have passed, and it’s been such a blessing, particularly to my skin. I’ve noticed how my skin dramatically softens and smoothens in the process. This may not be because of Kiehl’s Midnight Concentrate alone, of course. But, what’s more important is that it has no side effects on me whatsoever. It hasn’t caused me a (ginormous) zit yet! My skin is rather getting clearer. I still am bothered with the scars left, however, but I know they will all be gone in no due time!

So far, it really helps a lot in hydrating my face especially at night. Since most acne medications dry up my face to the point that it’s not healthy anymore, this one serves as a balance to keep my entire face from getting all dried and flaked up. Its botanical spa scent (reminds me of The Body Shop’s Monoi Miracle Oil) relaxes and induces me to rest. Au contraire, it claims to be fragrance free, so it must be the concoction of essential oils that I’m smelling, which is far different from artificial fragrance oils. After all, one of its ingredients is lavender essential oil, which is best known for its de-stressing properties.  So yeah, let it be known that I’m a sucker for scents, and I just love taking a sniff off it whenever I want to calm my jarring nerves! :p

Another good thing about this product is that it’s mineral oil and paraben free. It’s 99.8% natural, so it’s mostly made up of organic ingredients. The glass bottle, dropper and plastic squeeze top are recyclable, not to mention the carton container which is 100% biodegradable. To sum it all up, this beauty product is generally eco-friendly.

The price may be a little bit on the steep side at Php 2,880/$ 42. But, a 30ml bottle will last you for a  long time, since all you have to utilize is just 2 drops of the concentrate per nighttime application.

I still have 6 more days to go,  and I’m still looking forward should there be any beneficial changes to my skin. I’m hoping for one soon!

PS. Stay tuned as I’ll be giving away a full size bottle of Kiehl’s Midnight Concentrate after the 15-day Challenge. This will be my first giveaway ever, so I’m pretty much excited about it! xx

Admittedly, I’m not pretty much a stickler to the “rules”. I wasn’t able to sleep early last Saturday, since I went to do some errands shopping for food in Banchetto–a midnight street food market that’s only available every Friday night until the wee hours of Saturday. Part of my weekend routine is binging on food by trying to visit every booth existing to see if there’s something worth relishing. I specially like the Angus beef kebab paired with Biriami rice; both are being sold on one specific booth (which I forgot the name but it’s the only one selling angus beef kebab there, methinks).

Going back, I notice how my skin gets softer amidst the course of religiously using it. My breakouts have also tamed, though I can’t vouch if it’s the work of the concentrate or not since I’m amid acne medication alongside. How I wish it could fade dark spots brought by past zits, as I currently have lots of such scars marring my whole face.

Anyhoos, I’ll try to sleep early as I did last night. So yeah, I’m up to my 7th day today.

Thanks to L’Oreal for giving me this pretty red box. I’m sure there’s something quite nifty inside.

L’Oreal’s surpise in red.

Ta-dah! First thing that looms is a piece of L’Oreal Revitalift Mask. It’s apparently infused with ingredients that are proven effective in firming the skin and nixing wrinkles. But, we’ll keep looking further down below. (more…)

My previous entry’s lost in the wilderness. I don’t even remember deleting it ever. But, anyway, I doesn’t matter since I bailed out doing the challenge on the first week due to very important issues concerning my day job.

Yes, I already mentioned about how taxing my job is several times already. Little did you know that since last month, I’ve been drudging toiling on this certain project which entails working more than 8 hours a day. So toxic, that I was able (sort of required) to work twice on double shifts! I even had offsets during the weekend.

I was about to start doing the challenge last July 5, but since the arduous project’s deadline has been extended, I had to go overtime which is kind of counterintuitive to the challenge.  I usually do midshifts (from 4pm-1am), albeit I have recently adjusted my shift starting from 1pm to 10pm in order to go home and sleep earlier than usual. However, since I still extended my hours finishing as many tasks as I can to beat the deadline rush, I ended up going home late and sleeping in the wee hours of the morning. Sadly, my spiking stress levels coupled with lack of sleep took a huge toll on my health and skin. I got sick and  breakouts to boot.

Right now, I’m amid recuperating from cough and cold. And, I’m glad to tell you that I’m finally back on track! I technically started the challenge last Tuesday (July 13), so it’s my 3rd day (going 4th) today.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Challenge: Day 1-3

So far, so good. As said earlier, I was worried about trying the product at first due to its greasy consistency. It generally has a watery-oily consistency. Well, in fact, it has a “water-free” formulation. The oily part is what I fear the most, lest it may cause an adverse reaction to my face breaking it out even further.

Kiehl’s developed this anhydrous concentration of Squalane, night-blooming Evening Primrose and essential oils including therapeutic Lavender. The formulation also contains Coriander and Rose Hip Seed Oils, which when combined, provides a complete blend of Omegas (Omega 3, 6 and 9). Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids have a restructuring benefit which reinforces the cutaneous barrier, therefore keeping the epidermis hydrated. It’s formulated to be used at night when skin is most receptive to recovery and repair.- Kiehl’s

Using it is pretty simple, I simply have to apply 2-3 drops of Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and spread evenly on my face. The bottle already includes a dropper (which I find cute btw), so I don’t have any problems getting a trickle or two sans messing up. It says that you have to apply by gently patting it onto your skin using  fingertips, and not by [vigorously] rubbing it. In my case, it’s very important to spread it evenly, until the product is fully absorbed by the skin. Not doing so usually leaves me a greasy feeling which I really abhor!

Cutesy dropper with black plastic squeeze top  included

Tested it on my hand. Notice the subtle sheen on my hand. It actually looks greasier if not spread evenly.

It’s been three days since I restarted, and I haven’t noticed any remarkable nor horrific difference yet. Good news is, it doesn’t cause me breakouts so far, maybe because I use it along with anti-acne products. As for the moisturizing (and repairing) part, I guess it helps keeping my face from getting too dry brought by anti-acne medications. It also calms down dry patches on my face from further flaking.

Let’s see how it goes as I’m consciously making an effort to sleep early, and at least 7 hours a day. Yes, I now sleep on or before 12 midnight. It’s such a bit of an ordeal  for someone who has erratic sleep patterns like moi, but here’s to hoping for the best!

Also, you can check other Bloggers who are now approaching the finish line of the 15-day challenge:

Nikki of Askmewhats

Shen of Shen’s Addiction

Frances of Beauty for a Living

For all of you Love Your Body members out there (including moi[!]), The Body Shop is having another super sale this weekend, from July 15-18, 2010! Buy one at a regular price, and get a second product at half the price!

Offer is exclusive to Philippine stores only.

So, here’s something that I was going to reveal last Friday but had to wait until today. Kiehl’s just invited me for a pretty challenging 15 days of sleeping well and early. Sounds pretty tough and intimidating, isn’t it?

See, I’ve been very busy especially this past month doing a big project, which involves tedious work that usually lasts up to 16 grueling hours a day! Getting a restful sleep wasn’t really much of an option then, as I’ve been simply a stickler in meeting very stringent deadlines.

That’s why this month, it’s just timely that Kiehl’s has given me such healthy opportunity to correct my erratic sleep patterns and regulate my sleeping hours. This is in addition to trying out on a new product, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, an elixir that works well during the night where the metabolic rate for nutrition and restoration of the skin is at its peak, giving me a fresh and rejuvenated skin the day after. Moreover, it’s 99.8% paraben-free and naturally-derived which make things much more interesting.

Going back to the challenge, it entails 7 Habits of Healthy Sleepers:

1. Get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
2. Drink soothing beverages before bed such as herbal tea, water or milk!
3. Try to avoid exercise near bedtime.
4. Stay away from late afternoon, early evening stimulates like caffeine.
5. Enjoy relaxing activities before you go to sleep, like reading or taking a bath.
6. Shut the TV off when you are in ready to fall asleep.
7. Curb your alcohol consumption.

These healthy tips seem very easy to do; yet, I must admit that they’re sort of hard to maintain, even if it’s just only for 15 days. I’m still amid adjusting my sleeping hours, and the challenge officially starts tomorrow! *fingers-crossed*

Well, wish me luck readers. I will do my best to keep you updated, and I’m excited as well to see my everyday (or every other day) progress. Let’s see what happens after I finish this challenge.

Apologies readers! I’ve been into a pretty “rough” ride lately, but here I am struggling to make a post or two amid this uber busy month.

I believe it’s about time to give this stint another shot and revivify the heydays of having regular blog updates! I have a bevy of things to share, and quite a bunch of products to review.

First, there’s Philippine Fashion Week I attended for a couple of days to take a sneak peek into the local world of fashion.

Of course, this blog won’t be lacking with the latest beauty and fashion finds as well as product reviews from the mainstream to the underground brands. I always strive to review them as honest, in-depth and constructive as I can.

Plus, I got a little ” secret” to share. But, that’s gonna be for tomorrow! I recently accepted a challenge, which will definitely impact my life even if it’s just for 15 days. And as a special gift to you readers, you just might have a chance to take part on this special challenge with me!

I hope you spare some time to tune in, and find out what this challenge is all about!

I’ve always wondered why I’m associated with something involving “clean and green” programs since high school, as I recently stumbled upon another green project with Pureology this time around. Maybe, this calls for another purpose in life I suppose.

Curious about the brand, eh? Well, Pureology is a new line of organic hair care products made especially for color-treated hair. Its so-called Anti-Fade Complex promises to give you a long lasting hair color. More importantly, it’s 100% vegan—meaning, it contains no animal or animal-by product ingredients.

Pureology has recently teamed up with the town of Teresa, Rizal for a wonderful project that involves recycling and waste management.  Teresa has been known for practicing waste management for years, particularly turning trash such as plastic into hollow blocks for construction use. Not only that waste is lessened, but it also limits the use of expensive cement.

Thus, they invite you consumers to donate empty Pureology bottles to any selected Pureology salons in the metro. These bottles will be brought and utilized by the town in making such eco-friendly hollow blocks bearing the Pureology logo.

Currently, the two Pureology salons that I know of are Studio Fix Salon in Greenbelt 5, Makati and Hairworks Salon at BSA Tower, Legaspi Village, Makati. If you want your crowning glory to be treated the natural and Pureology way, certified Pureologists Alex Carbonell of Studio Fix and Chrissy Calderon-Uy of Hairworks are there to primp you up.

Many thanks to L’Oreal’s Katrina “Y2″ Villanueva for inviting me to this event. Rest-assured that my first Pureology bottle will be put into good use!

Event in Pictures:

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Admittedly, my hair is the most revolting part of my body, as it is the least taken cared of. It has been left untreated for God knows when. The only time it’s actually tamed was when I had it rebonded.

Since I’ve been using an anti-dandruff shampoo for everyday washing, my hair has been very dry and unmanageable. This prods me to go  in a quest searching for a mild yet calming conditioner around that will keep my hair soft and manageable sans aggravating my dandruff.

First stop is  in Greenbelt 5 where I got a tube of Kiehl’s Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner. It’s packed with fresh olive fruit oil, enriched avocado oil and a hint of lemon extract that promise to gently cleanse and moisturize the hair—leaving it softened, strengthened and nourished. This is perfect for those who have dehydrated and damaged hair like mine!

Easy To Rinse,Keeps Hair Soft & Easy To Comb

Unlike other emollient conditioners, this one is very easy to rinse.  It doesn’t take much  time and effort (not to mention, buckets of water) to take the conditioner off. In most cases, those hard-to-rinse conditioners often cause buildup and icky dandruff.  I’m glad to say that this one doesn’t cause nor aggravate my current dandruff condition.

It also makes my hair instantly soft and manageable. It makes my combing experience a whole lot easier than using an anti-dandruff shampoo alone before.  I notice that tangles are lessened.

True to its word, it keeps my hair overall well-moisturized without getting too greasy.

Hair is Light & Bouncy

What I also love about this product is that it doesn’t leave a heavy feeling on my hair. It’s light enough to keep my hair bouncy.

Does Not Calm Frizzes or Flyaways That Much

I do not expect this as a “miracle product”. It really softens and calms my hair in general, but only in such extent that it couldn’t really calm the peskiest frizzes or flyaways abound. I have naturally wavy hair cut into layers, so expect stubborn and scraggly flyaways particularly from the middle down to the roots. This is where other intensive hair treatment products come to the picture. Or, if I really, really wanted to have sleek straight hair, I would have gone another rebonding treatment in a salon.

All in all, I  love this product. It’s my current favorite everyday conditioner. The price may be steep, but I guess it’s worth the splurge.

Price: $ 19/Php 1,150 for a 200 ml tube