Last summer, NIVEA Visage introduced their Sparkling White Range. It’s a matter of time to share this to you, especially now that summertime is over (which means tan lines and bronzers  are slowly taking a backseat) and some of us are conscious on getting their fair skin tone back!

I think most of us Asians desire of having a radiantly fair skin like we see on those poreless flawless South Korean or Japanese actors. Being copper-skinned doesn’t equate to being less desirable, mind you. I guess, skin colour is a matter of one’s own preference.

NIVEA Visage Sparkling White Range claims to help achieve such results; that is, keeping your skin fair and glowing no matter what skin type you have. Most products are formulated for all skin types, except for some that are specially dedicated to either oily, dry or ageing skin types.

Each product contains White Crystallites that naturally reflect micro pigments to achieve outer fairness. White Pure Actives (a combination of Dioic Acid and natural lightening ingredient Licorice) regulate melanin production, supporting the skin lightening process from the inside whilst reducing the appearance of dark spots. UVA/UVB Filters protect the skin against against harmful ultraviolet rays that cause premature aging, dark spots and freckles.

Some products under this range have additional ingredients that function for specific purposes (please see the portfolio below for more details).

Honestly, I haven’t tried them yet since I’m not in the mood of getting a fairer skin at the moment. Moreover, I’ll be hitting the shores within a few months. Anyhoos, I have asked friends of mine to review these products for me. Hopefully, they’ll comply soon!

Here’s a quick look on some of the skin care products under NIVEA Visage Sparkling White Range:

NIVEA Visage Sparkling White Whitening Scrub (Php 175) and Foam (Php 150)

NIVEA Visage Sparkling White Whitening Foam promises to deeply purify and remove skin impurities whilst preventing it from dehydration. On the other hand, NIVEA Visage Sparkling White Whitening Scrub contains micro beads that gently exfoliate the skin whilst keeping it moisturised.

NIVEA Sparkling White Whitening Day Care  (Oil Control) – Php 315

NIVEA Sparkling White Whitening Day Care Oil Control has Carnitine that regulates oil production of the skin. This one’s really meant for me! I’ve always taken my skin’s excess oil production as a challenge.

Jar Packaging

NIVEA Visage Sparkling White UV Blocker SPF 30 PA++ – Php 400

I’ve heard raves from some beauty bloggers about this product. Hence, I find it interesting. NIVEA Visage Sparkling White UV Blocker contains Soy Extract that supports repair and renewal process of the skin for fairer complexion. Hyaluronic acid moisturises the skin, making it appear smooth yet non-greasy. It also has an SPF of 30 which doubles as a sunblock. Seems like it’s a whitening, anti-aging and sun protecting product in one nifty dispenser.

Other products include:

Whitening Toner – Php 175

White Night Care – Php 330

White Day Age Control – Php 315

Sparkling White Portfolio

I have always been curious about Obagi products ever since my best friend I introduced them to me years ago. She used to go to Belo Medical Group for her skincare woes, and that’s how she discovered Obagi. Amidst researching about the brand, I’ve stumbled upon lots of raves—from common people to celebrities. So, I surmised that this product seems to work, perhaps because it claims to work on the cellular level. However, the steep price tag forced my desire (as well as my wallet) to take a backseat.

I have been frustrated with my skin since time immemorial, mainly because of zits, zits and more zits—not to mention, the dullness and the visible pores. I have taken and applied various medications courtesy of my dermatologist, and I am so glad that my skin is in almost tip-top shape. Well, I still get a nasty dot here and there, but it’s not something as horrible as before I visited a skin doctor.

Come Obagi’s 11th Anniversary in the Philippines, I attended the event sans hesitation. It didn’t fail me, of course! I have learned so much more about the product, particularly on the technical side of how it actually works. What’s lovelier is that I get to try Obagi Nu Derm products, which I still religiously use alongside with my Shiseido Pureness skincare kit.

So, here’s some of Obagi Nu Derm products that I’ve tried:

This gift must be super special!

(L-R) Obagi Exfoderm, Obagi Gentle Cleanser, Obagi Toner and Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35

Thus, this perfect gift comes with a Php 5,000 gift card. I used it to buy Obagi Foaming Gel for oily skin. I also used it to try the Obagi Nu Derm facial, which I enjoyed a lot!

About the product

Obagi Gentle Cleanser is a soap-free cleanser that gently removes impurities, oil and make-up, leaving skin clean and fresh.

Obagi Toner lowers the skin’s PH level for increased penetration of other products that are part of the skincare system.

Obagi Exfoderm removes the old, dead skin cells whilst promoting new skin cells for a lighter, brighter and firmer complexion.

Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 simply works as a sunblock. It’s needed especially when using strong topical products (i.e. exfoderm, strong doses of AHA or tretinoin, etc) which makes the skin more vulnerable to sun damage.

Here’s a video of women of have tried Obagi products (Nu Derm and C Rx):

Verdict?

I have been using the product for many months now, and all I can say is ” I LOVE THEM”! I also tried the Nu Derm facial, and I especially enjoyed the massaging and the galvanic part. Obagi Exfoderm is my favorite among the set. I believe this is responsible in making my skin look more rejuvenated as well as making my gigantic pores shrink. The sunblock isn’t so bad at all, as it doesn’t leave a sticky, greasy feel after application.

Whenever I get a dark spot, the fading rate is much faster when using the system. I can notice a huge difference after two weeks–as if I didn’t have a zit mark at all!

I’m thinking of getting Obagi Clear as well as getting the whole Clenziderm set. The latter is for acne-prone skin, and is much cheaper than Nu Derm. Ha-ha, time to save up for the sake of having a perfect skin!

If you’re interested simply visit the House of Obagi branches in Alabang Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Greenbelt 5, SM City Pampanga or SM North Edsa. You can also visit their website at www.houseobagi.com, or follow them in Twitter @houseofobagi.

Thanks to Sophie of Beautynomics for inviting me to the event. It was wonderful seeing a lot of beauty bloggers then.

Here’s an interesting skincare entry to start our tropical summer right!

The surging temperature has been bothering me recently, aggravated by the killer El Niño phenomenon. Now, I’m missing the cool, refreshing months brought by the holiday season, as I’m painstakingly bracing the crazy heat both indoors and outdoors—not to mention, I’m amid doing yoga which requires me to stay in a heated room for about a couple of hours!

The sudden temperature change is taking quite a toll on my skin. I’ve been experiencing breakouts especially on my chest and back since the heat starts rolling in. Now, even my face is kind of breaking out, which is something that I really, really don’t want to happen ever again!

This provokes me to grab a tried-and-tested acne regimen to answer my zit woes. Murad Acne Complex Kit has been proven by some friends of mine that it really works. Well, it could have worked on those who mainly have mild to moderate acne. So, I did not hesitate to grab a starter kit in pronto and give it a try, hoping that this will be perfect for my current skin condition. Moreover, it claims to clear skin in just 4 weeks—guaranteed!

Murad Acne Complex Kit is a three-step regimen (Cleanse-Treat-Hydrate) that must be regularly used twice a day. The set includes:

Murad Acne Complex Kit – (L-R) Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel, Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion and Murad Acne Spot Treatment

Cleanse

Murad Clarifying Cleanser is an antibacterial gel cleanser that promises to kill 99.9% of surface bacteria without causing skin irritation.

Treat

Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel is a gel-like serum that helps heal existing blemishes whilst preventing new ones from forming. It penetrates deep down into the pores, and eliminates skin cell-buildup.

Hydrate

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion is an oil-free moisturizer that keeps your skin well hydrated, as well as calms skin’s redness and irritation sans clogging your pores.

Plus, I also got Murad Acne Spot Treatment that stops a zit from brewing like crazy, while reducing redness and irritation. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Clarifying Mask, though you may get one should you order directly from their website.

I’ve been religiously using the complete set for three days in a row. So far, I haven’t noticed any adverse reactions, such as purging, caused by these products. I’m happy, on the other hand, as my skin momentarily stops breaking out even more! I still got around 27 days left, so let’s see how it is going to perform after a month!

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

L’Oreal Paris gives you L’Oreal Men’s Expert, a custom skincare range especially made for gents, depending on the  skin type. Hydra Electric boosts skin’s energy levels, making it feel lively and  invigorated. White Activ has whitening properties that keep the skin radiantly fair and bright. Vita Lift diminishes the effects of aging with its anti-wrinkle and anti-sagging capabilities. Lastly, Pure and Matte has clarifying benefits to the skin, keeping it oil-free and naturally glowing.

Best of all, you can get them at dirt-cheap prices. Prices for cleansers range from Php 195-225 (about $3-4.50), while moisturizers go from Php 375-795 (about $ 7.50-16) only!

Check the complete skincare line information  as well as its prices after the jump!

To know more about your skin type and the best L’Oreal Men’s Expert line for you, visit  http://www.lorealmen.com.

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:

you need this product if…

you’ve tried a lot of cleansers but never found one you loved
you crave deeply cleansed skin
you want a cleanser that will multi-task for you
you wear a lot of makeup
your skin is congested

Price is at $20 per 8 oz bottle, $32 per 16 oz bottle and $40 per 24 oz bottle. Check this website to shop now and for more details.