December 2, 2022

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green review

I dyed again! It has been four months since I last dyed my hair and it seems I'm on the Jennie shade roll. I want to try something darker and it's just a coincidence that the previous hair color I had was a Jennie shade. 

I dyed this time with Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green.

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green
Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green
Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green results
Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Mermaid Green results

My hair is already long, reaching a bit deep down the bra line. My hair is thick but layered and the strands below on the bottom part have become a bit thin. One box was still okay but if you have thicker hair than mine, use two boxes. 

It was still able to cover my hair, especially on the roots but the ends haven't really processed. though it's not that noticeable, as seen on my Insta reels. It's okay and I still look decent.


Before dyeing...

Six days after dyeing...

Clearly, my hair have become darker and it made my complexion a bit brighter. My grays have become green right after application but faded well in a week. It doesn't look patchy, I dare say. So it's good. I feel this vibe compared to the vanilla blonde I tried. What do you think? Do you like it, too?

November 29, 2022

My Skin Care Journal as of November 2022

I just added a retinol product in my skin care routine recently. Mainly because I want to keep/achieve a youthful appearance. However, I am still testing the tides. Honestly, I forget to apply it sometimes. XD 

As I was reading about how to incorporate retinol in my skin care routine, I stumbled on the term "skin cycling" which is kind of a trending topic in the skin care community.

According to my research via Google, skin cycling is a term coined by Dr. Whitney Bowe. It is a four-night schedule; exfoliation night, retinoid night, recovery night, recovery night, repeat. The day time routine can consist of a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, a barrier-protecting cream, and of course, SPF. Basically, skin cycling is done at the night time where you alternate the use of actives and exfoliation.

Come to think of it, I've been doing the same night routine for my self, minus using the retinol product. If I want to be more consistent with retinol, I have to be more mindful of my skin care routine. 

Here's my updated skin care routine, by the way. 

Day Time skin care routine

  1. Water cleanse 
  2. Toner
    • Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
  3. Serum
    • I skip this step sometimes or apply Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (office days or when feeling extra dehydrated).
  4. Moisturizer
    • COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
  5. Sunscreen
    • Biore Perfect Milk (office days)
    • RA&GoWoori Real Kill
    • Hello Glow (for body only)

Night Time skin care routine

  1. Makeup remover
    • Issy and Co Cleansing Balm
  2. Facial wash
    • CosRX Low PH Cleanser
  3. Toner
    • Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner (plus Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion when feeling dehydrated)
  4. Serum
    • Manyo Factory Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule
  5. Moisturizer
    • COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream (Applies extra on the eye area.)

Skin care on alternate days

  • Detox Sundays or Mondays
    • Clay masking with Apotheke Science Detoxifying Face Mask
      • This is satisfying when I apply CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid the night before then do clay masking the next day. My skin feels so refreshed, clean, and ready for the next week. XD
  • Exfoliation every two to three days
    • Dermorepubliq Glycolic toner
    • CosRX BHA


Sometimes, if I feel there's some bumps or rough textures on my skin, I slather on some Glycolic toner or BHA. I think two to three days is a good measure for exfoliation for me but if I follow this instinct, it's hard to incorporate retinol consistently. It's not good to have retinol and some acids on the same routine, and I think on the same day. So. I'm not yet sure when to insert retinol. I think after clay masking day is a good measure. Then again, I forget! XD

I've seen those skin cycling charts on Instagram and Pinterest. It could help. I may try but let's see. 

In skin care journey I've learned that

  • The most important thing is to listen to your skin
  • Stick to what really works for you. You can try something new and stick to it for a few weeks to a month and see. If it works, then good. If not, let go. However, this can cause over-the-budget expenses. So, read as much as you can and rely on good reviews from certified professionals or seek a forum or groups with common people trying on the products. 
  • Be patient and be consistent. Results don't happen overnight. 
  • Wear sunscreen or avoid sun-exposure. XD

All the products that I have listed above have all worked for me. If you check the previous routines I've posted, you can see some similar products. Redundant mentions are my holy grails (HG)! So, let's see if I can put retinol in my skincare routine. :D


August 3, 2022

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown review

I dyed a couple of weeks ago with Mise en Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown. 



It came out very, very golden brown on me. You can see that it's not exactly the same with what's on the box, especially under different lighting.


Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown under fluorescent lighting
Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown
under fluorescent lighting

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown in natural lighting
Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color in Brown
near the window with natual lighting


I like it but I'm not sure I love it. I got raves with it, though. 


Check out my video posted in Instagram and Tiktok to see how it fairs.


What do you think?

June 5, 2022

Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum review

Funny that I have repurchased Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10% serum multiple times already and recommended it to my friends but I haven't really talked about or posted my thoughts about this serum in my blog or social media!

So, here I am now!

I've discovered this serum while scrolling in Insta and I think at that time I was looking for a local brand carrying a niacinamide serum. The Ordinary Niacinamide serum is just expensive for me. I'm glad I found this serum and I've been using this serum since then. That was three years ago!

The Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum claims to

  • Minimize lines and wrinkles.
  • Restores skin radiance.
  • Reduce blemishes, calms breakouts, unclogs pores.
  • Combats oily skin by balancing sebum levels.
  • Improves skin's barrier function, preventing it from losing water and protecting it from pollutants and irritants.
  • Protects skin agains damage from sun exposure.
Before, it is only available in 10% concentration. 

Now, it has 5% sister for folks who have sensitive skin or who want to try using niacinamide for the first time.

It sits in a bed of 100% aloe vera gel, aloe vera extract, and seaweed extract.

Apotheke Science Niacinamide bottle
Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10%
A very straightforward product.
It just comes in a bottle
with a shrink plastic and
you can clearly read its claims and ingredients list.
No frills!


Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum consistency.
Once pumped, it comes out a a gel, and then
dissolves into a watery consistency.
This serum is genuinely not icky sticky!

I love this serum! I just can't remove this from my skin care routine because it has a lot qualities to love. It comes out as a gel but glides as watery. My skin quickly absorbs it. I can use it alone or along with other serums and moisturizer. It helps prep my skin before makeup application and it doesn't bother the makeup. It's perfect for  people with oily and dehydrated skin like me. It is also very soothing and cooling. I've used this multiple times on sunburned skin. 

In a nut shell...

What I like about Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum

  • Affordable and locally available.
  • Hydrating and soothing.
  • Does not irritate me.
  • Very light and skin absorbs it quickly.
  • A multi-use product, not only limited to the face.

There's nothing that I don't like!

Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum retails for Php 499 for the 60 ml and Php 269 for the 30 ml. And you choose the 5% or 10% concentration.

I guess this is my HG niacinamide serum!

Have you tried this Apotheke Science Niacinamide serum, too?

April 16, 2022

Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color Hair Dye Shampoo in Vanilla Gold

I want to copy Mamamoo Solar's hair from Honey, her latest video. Solar has honey-colored locks that make her look so fresh. I want to cop her hair color, too. 

Solar in Honey

So, I bought Mise En Scene Hello Bubble Foam Color Hair Dye Shampoo in Vanilla Gold, thinking I could achieve the same hair color, given my faded hair color. The middle effect is the targeted result.

My before-hair was already getting brassy. I forgot to talk about it here but posted it in my IG stories. If I remember correctly, it was Intense Dark Ash Blonde from Epsa. It's the cheapest DIY hair dye I've tried.

Check out the color transformation in my Instagram and TikTok accounts.

I feel like my head is a big sunset or the red panda in the movie, Turning Red. Of course, it's nowhere near Solar's hair. But I think it hits the vanilla gold-ish under different lighting.

I'm not very thrilled with my new hair color. It looks pretty decent, though. Lol

What can you say about my recent hair color? Let's see if I can get by to love it. 


April 5, 2022

Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen Review

Hi guys! I just want to share with you the sunscreen I've been loving recently. 

This is the Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen. It is true to its claims that it moisturizes and brightens (I believe this is the better word) your face. I'm not sure about the soothing part because I don't have any concerns of any skin irritation right now. 

The Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen will make you really look forward to wearing sunscreen every day. It is non-sticky and very, very light. The texture is watery. Your skin can immediately absorb it. You can easily do a two or three-finger method when applying this sunscreen. 

There is also no visible white cast as it dries down.  So it really is perfect this summer and for oily-skinned people, like me. And to anyone looking for a very light-weight sunscreen. 

What I love:

  • Lightweight
  • Non-sticky
  • Watery
  • Skin quickly absorbs it
  • Very affordable 
  • Locally available!


Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen

Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen
ingredients

Fairy Skin Premium Brightening Sunscreen

I'm really glad I found about this sunscreen from one of my Instagram friends, @emuhleethebee. It's very, very nice! I love it! Check out also how I applied this sunscreen. :D

Have you tried the Fairy Skin Premium Brightening sunscreen as well?


February 5, 2022

Bioré Makeup Remover Review

I always prefer an oil-based makeup remover compared to cleansing balms and micellar waters. It's very straightforward. You just pump out what you need and use it. It frees you from using any cotton rounds and you don't have to pop any lids to use the product. 

I've tried using facial oils as a makeup remover but sometimes it's hard to actually remove them with a second cleanser. You need to rinse it off first so that your facial wash can do its thing. Some facial oils need to be rinsed off with warm water or wiped with a warm towel, though the latter can be very relaxing. But sometimes, we don't have time for that, do we? That's why a formulated cleansing oil is my go-to first step cleanser.

Time and again, I would still come back to Bioré Makeup Remover. I've tried other brands, even better, but they're hard to find in the Philippine market, worse, in the Davao market. Bioré is just so affordable and easy to find in your nearest Watsons. It does the job and even comparable to the ones I really like. I can't really find anything not to love from it.

Bioré Makeup Remover
Bioré Makeup Remover


Bioré Makeup Remover ingredients list
Bioré Makeup Remover
ingredients list

In a nutshell...

What I like about Bioré Makeup Remover

  • Scent is not strong.
  • Removes everything from sunscreen to waterproof mascara.
  • Very light, easy to rinse off.

What I am neutral about BiorĂ© Makeup Remover

  • Non-foaming type.

Do you use makeup removers? If so, what type? Please share about it.