All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

Hello dear readers!

All The Vanity & organic skin care brand Made From Earth has just something in store for you.

Made from Earth is a certified USDA organic beauty brand that includes natural, chemical and preservative-free skin care products to promote a healthy and holistic living. Their products range from face care, body care, hair & body care and lip care. Each is specifically formulated to meet your healthy skin care needs. Now, do you don’t have to fret about your skin care products having such strong, undesirable ingredients that may actually have carcinogenic or estrogenic effects which lead to various dreadful diseases like Cancer. You will never find any of these chemical ingredients in their products:

- Petrochemicals and Phthalates
- Parabens (Methyl, Propyl, Butyl)
- Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate Diazolidinyl Urea
- Cosmetic Fragrance

Click here for more info about Harmful Ingredients in Skincare Products

We offer a large selection of healthy and chemical free skin care products, including Organic Aloe Vera, Chemical Free Jojoba, Organic Lavender, Organic Honey Lotion, and Organic Green Tea Toxin Cleanser. We also offer chemical free organic face creams, which are full of potent and top-quality organic ingredients such as organic rosehips.- Made from Earth

Everyone can have a taste of such healthy & guilt-free pampering coz they ship their products globally. Now this some vanity I want to have!

One of the products to look forward to is the Three Berry Daily Organic Face Cream, which packed with organic blueberry, organic raspberry and organic cranberry. For healthy anti-wrinkle and face firming treatments, there’s Vitamin Enhanced Face Firming Serum that uses organic compound DMAE to naturally and instantly firm your face in 15 minutes after application.

Start shopping now by simply visiting their website here.

Set an oriental vibe with these interesting beauty products found in the East. Also, get to know more about the latest Asian makeup craze as well as organic, all-natural skin care products that are made from the purest and most essential ingredients!

The Philippines

Human Nature Avocado and Gugo Bark Natural Hair Mask - Treat your locks once in a while with this strengthening and moisturizing hair masque from Human Nature. Made from avocado and gugo bark, your hair will surely be soft and manageable while reducing hair fall and breakage with regular use. Best of all, it’s guaranteed organic and chemical-free at a very reasonable price.

Price: Unavailable (inquire at http://humanheartnature.com)

Thailand

Panpuri Thai Original Herbal Hot Compress – After a long day’s work, nothing beats a total rejuvenating pampering session whilst sitting in the comforts of your own home with this best-selling Aromatherapy Hot Compress from Panpuri. This Thai Original Herbal Hot Compress is infused with a mix of exotic ingredients such as lemongrass, turmeric, leech lime and tamarind, which turns into an effective muscle soother and skin enhancer when sprinkled with water and steamed.

Price: 16.50 in Amazon

Japan

Chidoriya Secret de Maiko Organic Facial Cream – If you’re not that much open into slathering the brand’s infamous beauty product into your face, then this one is a much better, dropping-free option. Inspired by the Maiko’s original make-up base, this Shea butter-based facial cream is combined with hand-cold pressed 100% pure Japanese camellia oil, organic rose hip seed oil and pure essential oils of rosewood & geranium. Albeit it’s recommended for all skin types, this better suits those with dry skin. It thoroughly moisturizes and conditions sun damaged, snow-burnt and wind-burnt skin, leaving it smooth and well-hydrated. Plus, its soothing aroma creates an atmosphere of Maiko girls in Kyoto, which is why this cream can also be used in relaxing facial massages.

Price: $29.99 in Chidoriya Yahoo! Store

Korea

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42  PA++ – Korea in the beauty world is best known for BB or Blemish Balm creams that sell like hotcakes in Asia. This BB Cream from Missha in particular is perfect for all skin types, as it lightens the skin tone by healing visible wrinkles and blemishes, and prevents skin aging with its whitening and anti-wrinkle properties. Unlike other BB Creams, a friend of mine swears that it doesn’t cause build-up or makes the skin oilier, so those with oily skin types like mine can grab this baby!   Need not to worry about those harmful sun rays (UV rays to be exact) that can damage your skin, as it belts a high dose of  SPF.

Price: $20.99 in Amazon

Singapore

Adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in Green Tea – This Singaporean brand boasts its certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in its purest form. Gathered in the Island of East Sumatra, this hydrating and nourishing beauty oil visibly soothes dry patchy skin,  helping to lock in moisture which is essential in maintaining  softness and smoothness of the skin. Known for its versatility, this also acts as an overnight pimple treatment, as its cleansing ingredient, lauric acid, helps remove deep-seated bacteria, reducing redness and inflammation on the zit. It also aids in the removal of dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, suppler skin layer. Furthermore, it also works as an intensive deep conditioning treatment for the hair and scalp. The refreshing scent of Green Tea invigorates your senses, which makes it perfect either as a massage oil or a bath oil with an aromatherapy burner.

Price: $30 in B-Glowing

I’ve been stumbling upon blog entries containing Hair in Manila’s fabulous giveaway, which consists of Kérastase hair care line in minis! Since I’m such a fan of the brand, I just can’t say “no”.

So, I’m posting this:

Aren’t they salivating?!

To join the contest, simply visit his entry here. *fingers-crossed!*

Last time, I got an uber-delectable 3-in-1 bath set from Philosophy. This time, a good childhood friend of mine who has just returned from her trip in China, gave me this shampoo, conditioner and lotion set from L’Occitane in travel sizes this Christmas.

I’ve known L’occitane for their rich body creams, soaps, massage oils and lotions that smell just super great! Most products are made from botanical extracts and essential oils that take you to an exquisite Provençal experience–evoking a refreshing and relaxing idyllic vibe.

I remember raving about their Honey & Lemon Soap, a cutesy hexagonal soap that really smells lusciously sweet like honey with a hint of lemon. This time around, I got myself an Aromachologie Shampoo, Aromachologie Conditioner and Verbena Body Lotion.

Here’s what L’Occitane has to say:

Aromachologie Shampoo and Conditioner is a blend of pure and natural angelica, lavender and geranium essential oils work to revive and refresh dry and damaged hair. Soothing, repairing and stimulating, this vegetable complex will detangle, soften and add luster to dry, damaged, color-treated or permed hair.

Verbena lotion is prized for its citrus aroma by women and men. A lightweight lotion that easily absorbs to comfort skin. Will eliminate the “tight” or itchy feeling skin often has after showering. Organic extract of verbena helps to calm skin; orange, geranium and lemon tree essential oils contribute to uplifting aroma.

I haven’t actually tried them yet, since I’m reserving these teensy tiny goodies for upcoming out-of-town trips this Summer. On the other hand, I actually took a whiff at each, and I’m instantly loving the Aromachologie line. I’m not that much into Verbena though, but I’ve yet to give it slather on.

I’ve been battling dandruff for years, and I haven’t tried any topical product that works and cooperates very well with my flaky scalp. For somehow, my dandruff problems were put to a halt during the time I was taking isotretinoin (anti-acne oral medication that shrinks oil glands, keeping the grease at bay). But, I must say taking this drug requires a great deal of patience and effort, since it entails so many contraindications–something that I won’t risk to try again. I stopped taking the med ever since my skin cleared up, and so my dandruff boo-boos started to show signs.

I started loving Kerastase when I got Oleo Relax back then, but I got little to no time spending on such meticulous hair treatment. Recently, I got Kerastase Oleo Relax Nuit, a night time leave-in treatment which smells and works wonders as well in making my hair uber-soft and more manageable (reviews soon!).

Left: Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage Shampoo, Right: Kerastase Specifique Fluide Purifiant

Much to my dandruff annoyance, I also got Kerastase Specifique Bain Gommage. It’s an anti-dandruff shampoo meant for dry hair. My hair has long been dried out, so I got this instead of the oily hair variant. For more aggressive treatment, a coupled it up with Kerastase Specifique Fluide Purifiant, a leave-in serum that purifies, softens and re-balances flaky scalp for a much lasting dandruff-free hair.

The verdict?

Soothes Itchiness, But Does Not Totally Eliminate Dandruff

I have used the products for 5 days straight. I must admit that I’m not super happy about the products, although I’m glad that the shampoo somewhat helped soothing the itchiness sans over-drying my hair. The purifying fluid, on the other hand, perhaps contributed in lessening the flakes.

Unfortunately, both still didn’t do a lot in completely nixing all the dandruff, albeit I could say that it virtually minimized the dandruff by a bit, something that cheaper products could also do (such as Nizoral).

On the other hand, both smell kinda good; you’re gonna like it if you’re a man ‘coz they smell somewhat masculine.

Oh well, I guess I hafta give it a chance and use it for some more time. If all else fails, I’ll keep on searching for the right anti-dandruff product/s for me. I’m eying to get something from Phyto soon. Until then, icky flakes will still continue to haunt me.

Damage: $29 for Bain Gommage and  $34 for Fludie Purifiant

Amidst the scorching weather whilst painstakingly trudging along  Ortigas area, I found a new haven to momentarily rest myself and my oh-so-abused crowning glory. See, it’s been more than a year since I had my hair treated. Also, I really forgot when was the last time I had my haircut. Oh yes, you can imagine me having a siren-long hair (plus the frazzle).

At last, I found Basement Salon amidst the bustling malls in Ortigas, which is located exactly in  Shangri-la Mall. It’s the only place where I can get my hair cropped sans the hesitation–well, if I’m in Ortigas! There are other salons in the metro that are also worthy of praise, but unfortunately they are somewhat located in the South (particularly Makati area), and I’m a North person.

Going back, this lone building beside  Shang’s Waterhole (some drinking place along the said mall) boasts quite a lot of services such as hair cutting, styling, treatment and reconstruction as well as makeup and hair removal packages and spa treatments.

I was supposed to get Jen as my stylist, but she had her hands full during that time, so I got Benjo instead. Well, Benjo didn’t fail to impress me with his ferosh cutting skills. He also made sure I’m satisfied with every cut or layer he makes. Alas, I just got rid of 4 inches off my super long hair, not to mention my new ‘do compliments my face shape! J’adore! xx

Price for the haircut  ranges from  Php 400/about $ 8.40 for the Junior Stylists to Php 600-Php 1,400/about $12.50-30 for the Senior Stylists. Jen’s rate is at Php 1000 ($ 21), while Benjo’s at Php 600 ($12.60) only.

No pics of my new ‘do yet, since it’s unkempt and untreated as of the moment. It won’t give justice to the cut!

If you’re in the Philippines and interested to know more about Basement Salon, simply log on to their website at http://www.basementsalon.com. Or, visit their place at GD 106 Carpark Building, Shangri-la Plaza
Mandaluyong City.

It’s been more than a year since I had my hair rebonded. And so, my locks are now starting to get unkempt, in a not-so-good way. It could have been tolerable should I own a Meg Ryan short ‘do, but I have been sporting a long hairdo since college. It’s been a pain in the ass managing one yet again I’ve got no choice (countless brush strokes, countless minutes of deep conditioning, etc), lest I’d end up looking like a smelly hag had I left my hair alone then.

Good thing, I recently discover Matrix, which really seems promising. Though I only tried its hairspray, I’m so amazed that it didn’t leave me reeking with ammonia-like smell at all! I also love its strong hold on my curls. And, I swear that getting one is definitely worth every penny. And speaking of the price, Matrix is surefire friendly on your pocket.

Matrix has a straightening treatment called Matix Opti.Straight. It’s a conditioning straightener that promises to give your crowning glory a soft, silky and straight finish sans fly-aways. Hair is manageable and healthy-looking.

It’s Opti.Straight’s Multi-Ionic technology that delivers top-class condition straightening. It’s got customized strengths to optimally enhance any hair type and an Asian Tea Fragrance which neutralizes the ammonia odor and gives you an uplifting aromatic experience even during the treatment itself.-Matrix

Sounds pretty much interesting, eh? I, myself, am giddy to try it out! But I guess, I’m gonna try to give my long locks a new color first, using So.Color Beauty coloring service. Hmm…I’m thinking of going brunette for a change. Maybe, my Frederic Fekkai lusting would put onto hold. xx (more…)

Remember the mission I blogged about? Well, here’s a preview on what happened:

First of all, the mission was to be Stunning for a Steal. To make sense, we need to look gorgeous without spending a goldmine! Recession is putting a dent to our pockets and budgets these days, so we need to cut some slack off from (over)buying expensive beauty products without compromising quality. This is where these three fab products come to the picture.

*Nail Technician hand-painting my nails*

Whilst waiting for the queue to have my facial first, I decided to bypass the steps and immediately headed to the Nail Spa station, where I had my nail art done. I’ve been a great patron of Nail Spa in Shangri-la Mall since I landed my first job. This is actually my first time to pimp my manos for some nail art fun. I chose something bluish amidst my pink and red ensemble I was wearing then, since I’m a typical blouse and jeans girl–blue denim jeans to be exact.

I was surprised to see that they actually hand-painted the nails one-by-one, sans using any stencil. Wow, that’s creativity + talent going on there. The nail art tools she used actually pique my curiosity. She told me those came from US. Hmmm…

*Here’s what my nails look like after. What’s great about it is that it’s still hasn’t chipped off amidst long hours of typing.*

Then, I had a luxe facial using Garnier Light products, which promises to bring a visibly fairer and more radiant skin I can measure. It uses natural products such as pure lemon essence and long dan essence that help remove dullness and effectively diminish dark spots whilst whitening the skin. I indulged myself lying around 20 minutes of uber-relaxing facial–the massage was so relaxing that I felt like dozing off! My once tensed skin felt de-stressed thereafter. What I love more was the smell of Garnier products, they smell really, really good that I want to eat it!

*Lots of Garnier skin care products used for the facial*

After some skin pampering, I headed straight to Matrix booth to have my hair done. The hairstylist asked me how do I usually wear my hair on a typical day. I told her, I just let it alone, silky straight. With a eureka moment from her, she resolved into giving my locks some lovely curls. Okay, another Marimar moment has yet to come!

I totally love the smell of the hairspray, unlike others that smell like solvent. Surprisingly, it strongly held my locks all day long, even when I tied my hair into a bun going home.

*MUA doing makeup using Maybelline products*

Finally, here comes the makeup! I had my makeup done courtesy of Maybelline. The MUA gave me a natural look, using mostly Maybelline clear smooth mineral makeup! First, using MAC 187 brush, he gently dabbed on liquid foundation as base (which doubles as a concealer). Then, he buffed on some  powder-foundation to neutralize the color, making my base match my skin tone better. He accentuated my eyes using neutral colored eye shadows, eye liner pencil and mascara. Of course, he put some blush-on and lipstick for flushed-looking finish. (more…)

I’m not into splurging this month. So, I’m gonna share to you one of my practical mini-shopping sprees that actually transpired a while ago.

Nizoral Shampoo

I’m pretty much annoyed with my scalp right now. It gets flakier and itchier! I think Sunsilk shampoo is not gonna do wonders on me, that’s why I just pulled off a big switch to Nizoral–not because it could make my mane tamer and silkier. I seriously need Nizoral ‘coz my dandruff’s getting waayyy annoyingly serious!

Nizoral shampoo has 10mg Ketaconazole and is used for treatment of mild to moderate dandruff and its associated symptoms of scalp flaking, itching and scaling. It can be used twice a week for 2 to 4 weeks, but I’m meaning to use this every other day. (I wonder how my hair will look like afterwards)

Price: Php 350/ $7.47

Oh well, I’d rather follow the instructions than make it worse.

Mane ‘N Tail Shampoo

You’re gonna think I’ve gone mad using horse shampoo for my locks, but hey, a lot of people use this. Mane ‘N Tail shampoo has an exclusive original formula containing high lathering, cleansing agents fortified with moisturizers and emollients. Its micro-enriched protein formula proves “down to the skin” cleansing action and conditioning, leaving hair soft and shiny. I just bought a traveler’s pack for a try. Anyhoos, let’s see if it fairs and pairs well with my current conditioner–L’Oreal Elseve.

Price: Php 60/ $1.28

Panoxyl 4% Cream

This is my current skin saviour of the moment. Since all the flare ups and serious acne agonies are gone, I use Panoxyl as daily maintenance, in order to keep those nasty zits at bay (thanks to its Benzoyl Peroxide formula). I usually buy the gel type. But since the drugstore ran out of gels, I just took home this cream instead. Well, I surely hope Panoxyl’s cream-based product would be less drying but as effective as the gel-based one.

Price: Php 210/ $ 4.48

All Around Wipes + Lactacyd Wipes

Having all around wet wipes in your stash is a must! It’s really versatile that I could use it anywhere. It functions as a makeup remover, hand sanitizer, stain remover, desk & laptop cleaner, etc. I got one from Med Guard that has anti-bacterial properties for a hygienic, germ-free finish. Of course, femme wipes are a girl’s must-have. Nothing beats Lactacyd feminine wipes for moi.

Price: Med Guard Anti-Bacterial Wipes (30’s) Php 60/ $1.28 & Lactacyd Feminine Wipes (5’s) Php 25/ $ 0.53.

Get these at your nearest Watson’s store (SM Supermarkets nationwide).

I’ve been meaning to have my hair colored again one of these days. But, due to my busy and uptight schedule, and the fear of damaging my hair and my clothes, this idea was put onto hold for quite a while.

Upon checking Sephora, this hair coloring set loomed me. I was immediately attracted to  it–not just with its lavender-ish tones and interesting accessories included in the set. But hey, this one’s a product of Frederic Fekkai, one renowned celebrity hair dresser. And, I’d say his products surely got a lot to offer!

Frederic Fekkai Salon Color is a do-it-yourself permanent brush-on hair color that promises to deliver salon quality results.

The tried-and-true Fekkai “brush and bowl” approach allows for thorough blending and precise application. The brush-on method offers optimal control, even coverage, and excellent color adhesion—with no drips or missed strands.-Sephora.com

It’s also available in a wide range of brilliant colors. After use, hair looks healthier than before, sans any trace of grays. It also makes hair 40% shinier, silkier and softer.

Too bad, it’s not available locally. So, I’ll be asking someone from the States to buy it for moi. It might be a bit pricier for $30. But, if it swears to be drip free (meaning less mess and chances for my clothes to be stained), then I’m pretty sure this would be worth shelling out for! I’m thinking of getting a Dark Blonde, Light Golden Brown or Medium Auburn. xx

If you wanna get yours today, feel free to visit this link.