To my surprise deep astonishment, some of the products I used got a flat out 7-10 on the hazard weight scale. What’s more shocking and disturbing is that products that claim “all-natural” or “organic” got at least 3 and up on the scale.

For sure, you’re largely dependent on how the product suits your skin needs. But, knowing what lies on the  ingredients included in it might make you think twice–consider Formaldehyde (and its derivatives) as a case example.

The Real Deal with Ingredients

Discovery’s Planet Green listed some cosmetic ingredients and their adverse effects in human health. As mentioned earlier, Formaldehyde (Formalin in layman’s terms) is a preservative and disinfectant used in embalming process or product preservation for better, longer shelf-life. (Over)exposure could lead to disastrous effects such as Cancer.

In 2007, the European Union bans the use of it for embalming. The Netherlands, in  particular, bans the use of it for textile products. California bans Formaldehyde-based toilet chemicals.

Paraben is a preservative commonly found in almost any beauty products available. It has some common derivatives such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isoparaben, and more. It seems like an innocuous ingredient, yet is highly suspected to also promote the risk of getting Cancer. It can mimic estrogen hormones, which other studies claim that it plays a role in the development of breast cancer and urogenital abnormalities. Of course, it doesn’t mean you’re in big trouble having estrogen hormones. It’s naturally found in females. But, overdosing yourself (inadvertently or not) with such hormone is another story.

Others may have allergens that could trigger reactions in your body–from light to fatal.

What to do then?

Before immersing yourself into mass hysteria and mindlessly throwing your beauty arsenal directly into the bin, consider these options:

• Investigate. It won’t hurt doing more research on the suspected hazardous product you’re currently up to. Look at product reviews and testimonials. I suggest MakeupAlley.com for less biased reviews.  Also, there could be medical articles available online and offline, discussing the product or the active ingredient present. Doing an extensive study can basically “sort things out” and help you decide whether it’s worth the ditch or not.

• Ask Your Doctor. Seek professional help. Your doctor, or dermatologist for that matter, will help your way to the path of product enlightenment. Ask how the ingredients will affect you. His/her recommendation surely helps.

• Ask Yourself. Nothing beats asking yourself if the product’s worth the keep. Is it really necessary? Won’t you be complete without it? For a beauty junkie like me, there are so many products stashed inside my drawer that I don’t religiously use. In the end, I just have to throw them away, or give it to someone else who’s willing to try it out.  Of course, if I found it hazardous, I might as well throw it away than risk someone getting a serious disease. To sum it all up, if you’re willing to let go of it, then do so.

Curious about your favorite products safety factor? Visit http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ to know product’s hazard scale.

Lush Honey I Washed The Kids soap really has a catchy name, with its catchy beehive packaging.

Imagine pulling the comb straight out of the hive, slathering that divine honey all over, then being showered by a delicate spring rain. Honey I Washed The Kids handmade soap calms sore, sensitive epidermis with a rich aloe vera lather and leaves skin silky smooth and deliciously satiated. Slight hints of bergamot and orange lift your spirit and lull you into an intoxicating honey bliss.-Lush

This is one of Lush’s best-sellers, so I didn’t mind getting a bar or two. Though the scent, unfortunately, didn’t stay on my skin that long (scent was gone as soon as it’s washed off), the bar IMO has a dual purpose. The rough, darker part of the soap that looks like a hive works exactly as an exfoliator, sloughing off those dirt and dead skin cells from my body. It’s a nice, everyday body soap for me.

Great thing, there’s an available solid perfume version of this one, and it’s vegan! xx

Finally, a French makeup brand that understands Asian skin! Lancome recently develop its new powder-foundation that promises to suit Asian skintypes like mine–Lancome Maquicake UV Infinite Powder-Foundation. Its unique light-as-air and anti-sweat formulation help skin breathe amidst the tropical country’s  scorching heat and humidity. It promises to provide buildable coverage as fine as a veil silk for a just flawless finish.  And of course,  this powder is just also perfect to stash in this blazing heat of Summer!

Light as Air~!

This innovative formula containing soft-focus fillers (Synthetic Mica) to conceal irregularities and imperfections, and coated spherical fillers for a gentle perfect fit sensation-Lancome

Sweat-Proof Formula

Maquicake UV Infinité prevents your perspiration and sebum to “shine”, thus minimizing the need to for “touch-ups” throughout the day–a must for many Asian women when looking for the ideal compact foundation.-Lancome

Plus, it’s packed with SPF 20/PA++ to help your skin protect against sun’s harmful UV rays, as well as keeping your skin from dark spots and discolorations.

Price is at Php 1,795/ US$ 55

Looks like someone had it reviewed at Makeup Alley. Hmmm… now, it beckons me to try it out soon!

For Philippine residents, it’s currently available at the ff malls: Lancôme Paris, 1/f Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La Tower, Rustan’s Alabang, Marionnaud Mall of Asia

I, for instance, still feel sad whenever reminded about her. I sorely miss her, especially whenever I take a look at her picture. That’s why, I think for some stylish ideas in order to alleviate the sad feeling.

Have a Makeover

Admit it or not, having a makeover never fails to make us happy. It’s like having a fresh start, having something new to look forward to. One most common thing depressed people do is to give themselves a haircut. I always wonder why, of all things. But of course, it depends on what kind of ‘do you want to sport on. Great, fabulous haircuts that make you look better, surely make you feel better in return. Give your hair some oomph by adding colour and highlights to make it look more lively and vibrant.

Exercise

Remember Elle Woods defending fitness maven Brooke Taylor Windham from her murder case in the movie Legally Blonde? She [Elle] did not believe that Brooke killed her husband–all because of one thing–she exercises regularly. Remember this line: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t”?

Surely, exercise produces this feel-good hormone that helps us keep the depression at bay. Not only it does good for our psyche, but it also makes our bodies fitter & healthier. It doesn’t require you to abruptly enroll in a pilates or yoga class. Brisk walking or jogging will do wonders.

Smile

Do this first thing in the morning, or whenever you feel sad or agitated. A simple grin works like magic, as it instantly churns your mood into something filled with much optimism. Not to mention, smiling makes you look younger and lovelier.

So, what to bring then?

*(L-R) Goggles from Speedo, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 50+ Sunblock, Two-piece Bikinis from Speedo and H&M*

Quite frankly, I do not see a point lugging a mammoth-size bag and pack in bulk, not unless you are coming along in a huge group or staying for a time. Clearly, the weather gives us an ease when it comes to packing, since clothes to don are definitely smaller and thinner.

However, just mind the few basics:

1. Bring a sunblock. Your spf buddy in a bottle is this season’s mush-have BFF. You may love the sun, but I don’t think you’re gonna enjoy loving your stinging, sunburnt skin later on. Moreover, it helps your skin fight against premature aging. You’ll know what I mean by reading this post.
2. Keep in mind: Goggles and gadgetry. For sure, you’re gonna need this in order to make your beach escape more fun and hassle-free. Goggles, for instance, protect your eyes from getting reddish and irritated by the pool’s chlorine or by the beach’s high-sodium waters. I, for instance, also bring earplugs in addition to combat pressure sickness underwater. Gadgets, such as an underwater camera, watch or inflatable lifesavers help you capture those moments impeccably, whilst keeping you safe and secure.
3. Wear a Swimsuit! Of course, never go swimming sans wearing your swimming gear. Your swimwear surely has a lot to offer, aside from flaunting your curves or flashing your washboard abs. May it be a two-piece bikini, a one-piece boyleg swimsuit, trunks or boardshorts, these fashionable garments help you move along the water and swim better.
4. Pack Enough Clothes & Addons. I know you’re gonna wear your swimwear all day and night long, but of course, you still need some clothes on! Remember to pack enough clothes, depending on the duration of your trip. Keep two-piece clothing (aka tops and bottom) in pairs, so does your lingerie! You may have an option to pack some coverup, should you fret exposing your skin too much and need to take some cover.
5. Lastly, one pair of flipfops could do wonders. Of course, exploring the rest of the beachside is something you ought to do once there. A pair of flipflops can take you afar without actually hurting your footsies. Not to mention, wearing them always feel refreshing. Once in the beach, ditch your shoes and grab your nifty flipflops.

And oh, I just forgot to mention. If you’re not staying in the hotel, make sure to bring most of your toiletries. At the end of the day, you must always head for the real shower! Another, it does not hurt to bring an extra, waterproof case to stash your wet garments inside.

All in all, enjoy Summer by smiling for thing in the morning. It’ll surely give your day a blast!

So here’s one to try from Shu Uemura. Shu Uemura launches its UV Armor High Proctection Sun Protector Face Cream that promises to serve as your armor against those ominous UV rays, leaving your skin radiantly looking all the day long–minus the stinging burns! UV rays are one of the major culprits of premature aging, so wearing this face sun block saves yourself from double-trouble!

It’s currently available into two variants, oomphed with much SPF power to withstand those UV rays as long as it could. Choose one from SPF 30 and SPF 50, whichever suits your skin better. Just a tip: the higher the SPF, the greasier it gets but the longer you can stay on the sun, and vice versa.

The Inside

Regular intake of fruits and vegetables really help in slowing down the aging process. Many claim that tomatoes help a lot in making your skin glow and look youthful.  Thanks to its lycopene, a pigment normally found in red fruits, that has both antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Antioxidants prevent aging-causing components from further damaging our skin. It also helps battling out other bodily toxins that can cause cancer and other grave diseases.

Avoid smoking. Smoking produces harmful toxins that hastens our aging process.

Most importantly, always take time to smile. Frowning gives our skin more stress to it, which can cause premature wrinkles in return. Plus, having a sunny disposition in life makes as feel better and younger!

The Outside

Sadly, pollutants in our environment as well as the harmful ultraviolet rays take a toll in our skin. They make our skin look tired and old. That’s why, it is highly recommended to religiously practice a skin care mantra. Protect your skin by means of a daily skin regimen with anti-aging properties that suits your skin type perfectly. This serves as our armament to keep those harmful skin pollutants at bay. It is basically composed of the following: cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

One to try

Cleanser

Have a smoother, brighter and more refined skin with L’Oreal Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. It nourishes your skin while gently exfoliating and removing all traces of dirt and makeup.

Price: about $9

Toner

L’Oreal Derma Genesis Toner has Pro-Xylane and Hyaluronic Acid that help create new cells as well as fight against wrinkles for visibly younger looking skin.

Price: Php 360/about $7

Moisturizer

Moisturize your skin during the day with L’Oreal Revitalift Day Cream that comes in a pump bottle [to get the right amount of product with ease]. It has Pro-Retinol A that stimulates skin regeneration, visibly reducing wrinkles. It’s also enriched with Elastin that makes skin firmer and more elastic.  Do not worry exposing yourself to the sun, as it also belts a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of 18 that fight against harmful UV rays that triggers premature aging.

Price: Php740/about $15

(For Derma Genesis Toner & Revitalift Day Cream SPF18) Available nationwide at SM Department Stores and Watsons Beauty Stores, PCX, The Landmark, Robinson’s Department Stores, Shopwise, Mercury Drug Stores, Gaisano Metro Department Stores*

*Ph Stores

Achieving a glowing angelic facade is now possible with a few swipes of blush-on, or a few drops of cheek tint on the apples of your cheeks–leaving a hint of pink. And when I say few, I mean applying the just-right amount of color without going overboard. I’m sure you don’t want to sport a clown face that will make people laugh instead of make them awe.

Here’s our top picks whether you wanna go natural or dazzle with shimmer: Benefit Benetint and Nars Orgasm.

Au Naturel

Get a [super]natural hint of rosiness with this lip and cheek tint from Benefit. Benefit Benetint, the mother of all lip and cheek stains, gives a hint of rosy color for that natural flush. It works perfect for a barefaced or no-makeup makeup look.

Price: $28

Shimmery Peachy Glow

This HG blush-on from NARS is surely present in every makeup junkie’s beauty arsenal. NARS Orgasm delivers a peachy-pink sheen with shimmer that gives an instant oomph for that lovely lustrous glow.

Price: $25

For more info about these products, visit www.benefitcosmetics.com and www.narscosmetics.com.

Whether you and your hottie date are romanticizing over a posh candlelit dinner, trekking adventurously in a faraway place or simply ambling at the seashore while waiting for the sunset,  spritzing on a fab scent is a total M-U-S-T.  You can surely rely on your lavish perfumes or body mists in order to turn your man on–starting off with his olfactory nerves!

We all agree that sweet, luscious scents are inviting. It somehow serves as pheromones that attract and  mesmerize the opposite sex,  even with just a single sniff!

Today, we bring you our Top Perfume Picks on Valentine’s  day, depending on what kind of date you’re having.

Intimate Candlelit Nights

Lanvin Eclat D Arpege is one of my favorite scents. It has a charming floral scent with a hint of musk, and is really perfect for posh soirees and nightly events. The lovely bottle alone, designed by the house of Lanvin, utterly spells sophistication.

Sports Unlimited

Davidoff Cool Water for Women has been a cult favorite by many. It’s generally made of fruity-floral top notes that instantly lift and perk up your mood, leaving you freshly clean and revitalized. This cool scent is really great for active women on-the-go. Wearing it will keep you going and going–so does your man!

Long Walks at the Beach

Escada Island Kiss is a mixture of yummy mixture of tropical fruits and flowers that’s really alluring and feminine. Wearing this fragrance exudes the beach goddess in you. Spice up your sensuous beachwear with this scent to get your summer lovin’ in pronto!

What are Zits/Acne/Pimples anyway?

Acne is an inflammation of the skin which caused by an irritant. This irritant is made of dead skin cells, oil (sebum) and bacteria put together in one vile concoction. Acne is actually formed to prevent further skin infection. It usually looks like a bump on your face that’s stuffed with something that clogs your pores–pustules and/or pus to be exact. Consider blackheads and whiteheads included in the list, aside from the cystic type.

If your skin is too oily, your diet’s not good enough, you tend to have a not-so-normal hormonal activity in your endocrine system and/or you just have poor hygiene, chances of getting a zit here and there are high.

Acne Dos and Don’ts

Acne can be very, very embarrassing and annoying, but resist the killer temptation to touch or prick it by yourself. Doing so will just irritate and make it worse–say, bigger and redder. It could also lead to dark spots or permanent scars (read:pockmarks). Also, try to be very careful if you’re self-medicating. Products you use may be too strong for your skin type. They may actually burn your skin in the process, aggravating your skin woes to boot.

Make sure you wash your face regularly–at most twice a day. Overwashing your face will just beckon your sebaceous glands to produce more oil on your skin.

Seek some professional’s help. Your dermatologist knows best. He/she is the one who’s the most capable of extracting those annoying zits from your face. If you’re fretting about that Jupiter-sized pimple, he/she can inject it with a cortisone shot to bid your huge worry goodbye in pronto.

In addition Your dermatologist will give you the appropriate oral and topical medications to treat your acne. If yours is due to hormonal imbalance, he/she may prescribe a hormonal pill for you to take regularly (BCP). If it’s due to bacteria, he/she may prescribe antibiotics (tetracyline, doxycycline or monocyline) that kills pimple-causing germs. If it’s due to excessive oiliness, isotretinoin (a derivative of Vitamin A) must be taken, particularly those with severe types of acne.

Of course, it won’t be complete without a skin care regimen. These are topical medications you put on the infected area daily. It may be consist of a cleanser, toner/astringent, moisturizer and/or other creams and serums that get rid or alleviates the inflammation of acne. Ingredients include salylic acid, glycolic acid (AHA), benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, tretinoin, erythromycin, clindamycin, hydroquinone and a whole lot more.

Patience is a virtue.

Of course, treatment takes time, depending on the severity of acne. I often regard it as hit-and-miss, because not all treatments can be effective for you. Some medications have side effects like breakouts on the onset of treatment. Given the not-so-positive news, don’t fret and lose hope. The flare ups may just last for as long as a month, and they will soon disintegrate and finally be cured. But, if months have passed and nothing’s changed (ergo, it has gone worse), consider asking your dermatologist about it and have a change in medication.