So here I am, now on the verge of searching for the best makeup in town. I consider the concealer as a primordial item in my makeup kit, long before lippies, blushers, highlighters/bronzers and liquid foundations came forth.

It’s also my HG makeup. To think, it’s been my savior all along, camouflaging those flaws on my skin–hence, blemishes and dark undereyes.

I’ve been a Cinema Secrets fan, but trying new won’t hurt as long as it’s quality, too!
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I am such a big fan of scents. I collect body mists, perfumes and even shower gels to boot, albeit the latter tends to have the least shelf life so I hafta consume it asap.

One of my Christmas wish list was this set from Philosophy. I so love Philosophy 3-in-1 shower gel, shampoo and bubble baths. They got this really sweet, often relishing scent that really serves as a perfect pick-me-upper as soon as you hit the shower. I got Strawberry Daquiri before, and now I’m craving for more!

Former coworker and good confidante P, who happens to own a beauty blog as well, chose to give me The Coffee House Set from Philosophy. It consists of three Philosophy 3-in-1’s: Cafe Au Lait, Eggnog Latte and Caramel Mocha Latte that come in a cute, nifty house-designed box. (more…)

I have recently discovered this all powerful potion care of my dermatologist. I was breaking out like crazy a couple of months back because of my hormonal problem, so I sought her help (again). She recommended me using MaMa Lotion to fade those dark spots caused by zits as well as to make the skin more supple and control the incoming flare ups.

You may wonder why is it called MaMa Lotion. I, on the other hand, thought that it has to do something with “mothers”. Ha-ha. I know it sounds silly. But, MaMa lotion is a 20% AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) solution which consists of 10% Mandelic acid and 10% Malic acid and has an acidic ph of 2.5. So obviously, the name is gotten from the two acids it contains.
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I just made one big mistake in my vain, superficial life. I inadvertently slathered something on my medicated face sans asking my dermatologist if it’s safe.  I was about to nix my upper lip (mustache) hair goodbye, so I put some depilatory cream atop of it. The product’s intended for sensitive skin. What I didn’t know is that mine’s extra sensitive. Yes, I got rid of the hair, but irritated by skin big time!

So, Bam! The skin on my upper lip area stung like mad. Great thing I remember that I have Aquaphor Healing Ointment from Eucerin stashed somewhere in our common drawer. So, I put it on the affected area to mitigate the redness and irritation. And, thank God, it really did wonders to my red, burning skin though I still got this anti-inflammatory beta cream from my dermatologist that’d hopefully cure and clear it up eventually.

Moreover, I also use Aquaphor to soothe my chapped lips from continuously shedding. I’ve been painstakingly bearing my over-dried, chapped lips for weeks. My current lip balm couldn’t even mend it, whilst my favorite lip balms (Crab Tree and Evelyn & Kiehl’s) were either out-of-stock or hard to find then.

Here’s what Eucerin has to say about Aquaphor: (more…)

Smashbox recently launches its Halo Hydrating Powder, the first of its kind skincare-and-makeup arsenal  that specifically targets fine lines and wrinkles in as fast as 10 minutes! It comes with a perfect compact powder and a mini kabuki brush that amply help you apply the right amount of makeup for a radiant, younger looking finish. Its innovative built in shaver gives the just-right amount of loose powder sans the mess!  (more…)

Image From: Kiehls.com

Kiehl’s is one of my favorite brands because of its moisturizing prowess. Now, I’m currently lemming for this lip balm in particular, Kiehls Facial Fuel Non-Shine Lip Balm.

This lip balm is said to work wonders relieving chapped or cracked lips in pronto. I have been suffering from painful chapped lips since I restarted taking my oral isotretinoin meds (in which one of the effects is dryness particularly on the lip area). It also temporarily protects lips sans the shine, leaving the pucker stick-and-grease free.

This pocket-sized lip balm costs $8.50 in a 4.4 g stick. Not bad, eh?

Image from: VMVhypoallergenics.com

Sweat Acne is just a thing of the past with this potent, versatile gel from VMV Hypoallergenics. VMV Id Monolaurin Gel effectively combats fungus that causes sweat acne, leaving your skin cool, clear and supple.

In clinical studies, this gel had a success rate of 100% when treating Pityrosporum Folliculitis (PF, or sweat acne), while keeping skin cooler, preventing over-sweating, and therefore preventing recurring PF. Unlike the less skin-friendly antibiotics and antifungals, this gel also showed 0% irritation. - VMV Hypoallergenics

It’s actually your safest alternative to Isopropyl Alcohol without the drying, tingly and irritating side effects most rubbing alcohols and other sanitisers have. It’s perfect to be used as an antibacterial sanitiser or a first-aid treatment to other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, other than the one causing zits! Lastly, it functions as a shine control to keep those icky oilies at bay–giving you a fresh matte finish your skin deserves.

Need not to fret for those with sensitive skin since with such powerful formulation comes a gentle topical gel that’s hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types.

Price: $20 for 120ml bottle.

I have always been a fan of MAC Studiofix because of its great coverage and staying power it delivers. MAC Studiofix has always been a staple to my makeup arsenal. It’s the perfect powder-foundation for me. I’m not really into liquid foundies since they’re too thick and heavy on my skin (my skin type’s oily) especially in a tropical weather I’m

However, I got a teensy complaint about it. Though MAC Studiofix is designed to be applied as dry, I wonder how it still tends to build up even if I apply it as is? I don’t actually wet my sponge and rarely retouch my makeup. If I do retouch, I make sure to blot my oilies first with the use of oil blotting sheets and then dab a bit of powder on my face. (more…)

Image from: Philosophy.com
Having clear and dirt free skin before taking the day off is a must. Our skin also needs its night worth of rest from those harmful pollutants and heavy oil & makeup buildups that heavily stress it during the day.

Cleansing is a vital part of our daily beauty regimen. That’s why, it’s very important to choose a gentle yet effective facial cleanser to get rid off stubborn dirt and reveal a clean and fresh skin which makes it easier to breathe.

Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple, a 2007 Best of Sephora awardee, is a one-step facial cleanser that removes oil, dirt, makeup and debris effectively. Its special formula dissolves them completely leaving your skin with no trace of dirt at all! You can use it alone or pair this up with your favorite facial wash, along with the rest of your beauty arsenal for maximum cleansing. It also suits all skin types.

Philosophy says you need this product if: (more…)

Image from: Cutndry.com, Neutrogena.com and VMVHypoallergenics.com

Many of us are dreading over getting wrinkles and age spots as we *sigh* grow old. Worse comes when those lines and spots appear prematurely, which in turn, make us look older than the usual. Of course, who doesn’t want to look youthful as time passes by? Having a radiant and glowing skin like a baby’s despite the high number (old age) makes us feel younger, appreciated and more energetic!

And, by this humongous number of people who don’t want to look old comes the bevy of various anti-aging regimens in the market, which is quite confusing to many and leads us to thinking—which is the best anti-aging regimen available? Some will even shred their pockets to splurge on a luxurious anti-aging cream that promises to counteract the signs of aging or diminish those fine lines and age spots. Others who fervently seek for instant results resort to facelifts (surgical or non-surgical ones) like Aptos thread or botox injections.

Clearly, there’s nothing wrong with splurging for costly anti-aging creams/emulsions or going under the knife. But why spend a lot there is a much cheaper option that’s evenly effective as well?

To answer the hanging question, the best anti-aging regimen, for us and for several others, is Sunblock, plus healthy sleeping habits.

Start religiously using sunblock coupled by practicing healthy sleeping habits while you’re young and your skin is still actively producing collagen (the one that keeps skin young, healthy and supple). Making it a habit is the key to getting a younger-looking skin without costing you an arm or a leg. You’ll thank yourself for doing this as your everyday mantra. One of the main culprits of premature aging is the treacherous sunrays—which is responsible for photoaging and skin cancer. Poor sleeping habits also hyped up the aging process since it apparently contributes to stress. And, Stress = Old Looking Hag.

Having trouble getting the right one? Here are our top picks after the jump… (more…)