Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar Review

As you know I signed up for Leiania House of Beauty bundle last March and I got the Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion and Beauty Bar. The bundle also came with the C-E-Collagen Serum Concentrate, which I am still going to try.

I am still using the Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion and it is on its last drops. I like how it really moisturizes my skin. As for whitening, I don't notice any big significance but that's okay since my I'm after its moisturizing property. Read my first impressions here.

Actually, I have already used up the Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar. It just took me time to update you guys, not being able to gather up my thoughts and post about it. 

Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar is best used with with the lotion for skin moisturizing and healthier glow. This comes in a whopping 135 grams but melts easily if placed on a wet container. I sliced the soap into small pieces, so got to use it for about a month and a half.

Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar
Enriched with emollients for
exceptional moisturizing properties that helps
skin hydrated, smoothen, and lighten up uneven skin tone.

What I like:

• Smells nice! It smells like the lotion.
• Lathers well and can be used alone but I prefer to use a wash cloth or scrub for a foamy consistency.
• This is not drying. I have used kojic and papaya soaps that promises that brightening effect but it is expected that you have to use a moisturizing lotion. This Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar does not make you skin dry.

What I don’t like:

• This can melt easily when placed on a wet container. It is best to keep it dry and safe from splashes of water.

Will I repurchase?

I think I may! This is non-drying and really made my skin moisturized. I think it helped recover my skin from dryness. Of course, together with the lotion. The Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar is priced at Php 150. Leiania House of Beauty is also available in beautymnl and beautymnl constantly have flash sales, which you could take advantage of. I could take note of Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar or Lotion to be in my to-buy list.

Have you tried Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Beauty Bar, too? It really is worth a try! Please share your thoughts about it. m(__)m

Know more about Leiania House of Beauty:

Website: https://leianiahouseofbeauty.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Leiania_HOB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iloveleianiahob/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leiania.houseofbeauty/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAb452yxOejFbTAEi0oY9OQ

Beauty Bakery Charcoal and Clay Scrub Mask Review

I had Beauty Bakery Charcoal and Clay Scrub Mask for 11 months to be exact, and that was just the time that I was scraping the last bits of it. Talk about sulit, right?

I got Charcoal and Clay Scrub Mask from the Beauty Bakery kiosk in the nearest mall for Php 199 per 100 grams tub. It’s has a creamy texture with little bits of grits in it. You’d reckon it’s a scrub and mask hybrid from its name, which I believe that you can use as a scrub or a mask at a time. You can also use it as a mask, then a scrub.

The instructions on the tub, however, says to rub it on your damp face in circular motions then rinse with warm water. You can use this three times a week. It is just a scrub as the label implies.

Beauty Bakery Charcoal and Clay Scrub Mask
Pulls away deep-seated dirt and sebum from skin. Tightens the pores. 
Instructions: Rub in circular motion on damp skin. Rinse. Use 3x a week.

What I like to do with it is to use it with the Fiddysnails Grit method. On the mask stage, I leave it for 20 minutes on my face or until it has hardened, and then wash it off. It doesn’t dry out or suck my skin’s moisture even if I prolong it for 30 minutes (of course this is not ideally recommended). It works well as a mask also.

So, it’s really like a scrub and mask hybrid. It’s nice to have for lazy girls like me, who want to have a physical exfoliator that will suck out deep seated dirt and gently scrub out dead skin cells.

Can you distinguish the texture?
It's creamy and not difficult to spread on your face.

What I like:

• Perfect for lazy people who want to save themselves from mixing.
• It’s very affordable and locally available. You can get it from their kiosks, Shopee, beautymnl, bazaars.
• It’s a scrub and mask in one. You can use it as a scrub, as a mask, or a mask then scrub.
• It doesn’t dry out my skin if used either as a scrub or mask.
• It makes my skin supple and clean after every use.
• A little goes a long way. I had my tub for 11 months. I didn’t have other masks and I used it once a week, though.

What I don’t like:

• It doesn’t have a full ingredients list.
• It doesn’t really have instructions if used as a mask. There’s no mention how many minutes to leave on your face. (It’s better to patch test first if you have sensitive skin. Here comes the advantage of a full ingredients list.)

Will I repurchase?

Yes, I may repurchase. It’s affordable and can be purchased anytime I want to (given it’s not sold out). I’m still open to using other masks and I’m curious with other masks that need mixing. If my laziness gets the better of me, I would repurchase this in a heartbeat.

Have you tried Beauty Bakery Charcoal and Clay Scrub Mask, as well? Please share your thoughts about it? \^o^/

Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion Review

I signed up for Leiania House of Beauty last month to try out their products. I selected their body lotion and bar bundle because I want to moisturize my legs. This bundle also has a their legendary Vitamin C serum by the way.

I tried Leiania House of Beauty's Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion first. It was just in time that my favorite body butter ran out. My legs have become very dry over the cooler months for some reason. Perhaps, for not using lotion always? I wake up quite late more often than not and always hurry to work. I also got scaly patches on my legs. I want them to be moisturized again. Whitening is not really my concern but I have some dark areas that I would be happy if they would be brightened.

Leiania House of Beauty
Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion
100% Natural Certified Organic
Cruelty-Free

Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion has a lot of moisturizing properties and whitening ingredients. It has Glutathion, Niacinamide and Vitamin C - perfect for whitening and moisturizing. It also contains other organic whitening ingrediets. This is perfect for you guys out there, who want to use local, cruelty-free, and organic products.

This Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion also comes in a whopping 250 ml. I think it could last me more than four months  because it has a light and watery texture. You only need a small drop of it to cover your entire arm. It looks like milk and smells like berries. The smell reminds me of SkinWhite lotion, the pink one.

The color of it is like milk with the consistency of water.
It's not tacky, even in this summer heat.
Smells nice, too!

It doesn't feel tacky when you apply it. I don't even mind  putting this even if the season now is very hot and humid. I really can tell the difference if I do not apply LHoB Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion. My skin will be dehydrated and, of course, not smell nice.

This baby may last me more than four months.
If you could see, it's not even half the bottle yet.

What I like:

• A little goes a long way. I don't have to put a lot because of its watery texture.
• My skin stays moisturized throughout the day.
• It smells nice and long lasting (as far as i have noticed). I thought this would give me a sour smeill because it's on the sweet side but no, it did not. YMMV though. The smell on me lasted for more than 9 hours. Though it's not as fragrant like body shop or bath and body works. Of course, upon a application it is very fragrant until 2-3 hours. Depending if you sweat a lot. The smell fades quite nicely. There's still a hint of its sweet smell and moisture even when I get home.
• Local, cruelty-free, and organic! It's so nice to know of local brands with competitive products.

What I don't like:

• Nothing of the product! 
• I just don't like the pump. I appreciate that you can lock the lotion but I can't seem to recognize if I have locked it or not. Just a personal dislike.

Will I purchase?

Maybe, I will! It's priced at Php 800 for 250 ml. It's almost of the same price as my favorite body butter. It's 100% certified organic and cruelty-free. It definitely gives me the moisture that I need, just like my fave body butter.

I'm so hyped with how it moisturizes my skin that I can't say anything of its whitening properties, yet. I will update you on this, along with the other products in the bundle that I got from Leiania House of Beauty.

Have you tried Leiania House of Beauty Skin Bomb Whitening and Moisturizing Lotion, too? It really is worth a try! Please share your thoughts about . m(__)m

Know more about Leiania House of Beauty:

Website: https://leianiahouseofbeauty.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Leiania_HOB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iloveleianiahob/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leiania.houseofbeauty/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAb452yxOejFbTAEi0oY9OQ

My First Impressions on Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water

This is the first time for me to buy and try Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water. I'm not an avid fan of using micellar waters because:

1. You may use too much cotton pads - #zerowaste  no more.
2. I've gotten used to putting toners with my palms, so no unnecessary tugging or abrassions.
3. I don't think they can deeply clean your pores. I trust cleansing oils for removing sunscreen and makeup as the first step for double-cleansing.

I've read/watched blogs and vlogs that you may still need to rinse off micellar water with water after. Micellar waters contain surfactants that may just stay on top of your skin if you just let them be. This may result clogging of pores and acne. I've learned about micellar waters from Lab Muffin.

But because of the unfortunate events, it lead me to buy one.

Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water
A 200 ml costs Php 169 in the nearest Watsons outlet.  

I got Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water from the nearest Watsons in my area. I think it's reasonably priced at Php 165 ml per 200 ml. I know there's another brand with a better pricing per 400 ml and has more positive reviews but it wasn't available. I'd like to try that, too. But I chose Nivea Micellar Water mainly because of the price and its claim of being 0% alcohol.

Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water Ingredients List

It's too early to tell what I like and not like about Nivea micellar water. So here's a few first  impressions:

• It took me six square, Cuddles-brand cotton pads to completely clean my face.
• I can't detect any smell.
• I still rinsed my face with water and baby towel combo to be sure. Good thing that there's no residue on the towel.
• My face has become oily-dehydrated, so I can't say it is that moisturizing. My face felt smooth to touch but there's this kind of a parched feeling. 
• I am now curious what other contenders have to offer. 

See the cleansing transition left to right.
I've used six square, Cuddles-brand cotton pads before I can declare that my face is sunscreen and makeup-free.

Honestly, I feel better with my double-cleansing method with cleansing oil then facial wash. Since there's this ridiculously water supply problem, saving water is crucial. But then, there will be more potential waste because of this alternative. I haven't really thought about using reusable cotton/cleansing pads, yet, so that's another story.

Hopefully, my acne won't aggravate and I can get a technique on how to deeply clean my face with Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water. It's a game changer and it would be interesting to see if this would work on me in the long run.

Have you tried Nivea Acne Clear 0% Alcohol Micellar Water, too? Please share about it. \^o^/

Zenutrients Coco Honey Nourishing Shampoo Review

I've been using organic and non-sulfate shampoos for quite sometime now. If you have read some of my blog posts, I've used different variants already. Some variants from Human Heart Nature and some finds from Watsons. I am still trying out other brands since I haven't found my holy grail yet. I have found one for repurchase, though. ^o^

I've repurchased Zenutrients Coco Honey Nourishing Shampoo when I ran out of the shampoo bar that I brought along when I went home to my hometown during the holidays. I've actually tried their Gugo Strengthening and Argan and Chamomile shampoo variants but this made a mark in my heart.

Zenutrients Coco Honey Nourishing Shampoo
(Photo taken from my Instagram feed)
My BB likes it that she slowly peeled the tag in excitement. Omma likes it, too.

What I like:

• Smells like kaya or coconut jam.
• Did not made my hair stiff after it has dried.
• Did not experience any hair fall, nor hair fall worsened.
• Scalp did not itch or became oily.
• Very Affordable. Php 249 for 250 ml.

What I don't like:

• It's quite tricky to emulsify on my thick hair but my BB's and Omma's hair has no problem with it.

Will I repurchase?

I see no problems on repurchasing this. I might try its conditioner counter part, too. ^o^

Have you tried Zenutrients Coco Honey Nourishing Shampoo or any of their shampoos? Please do share! (^o^)

Beachbornph DIDI CUPPS Shampoo Bar Review

I've been using organic and non-sulfate shampoos for quite sometime now. If you have read some of my blog posts, I've used different variants already. Some variants from Human Heart Nature and some finds from Watsons. I am still trying out other brands since I haven't found my holy grail yet.

I saw beachbornph's IG post on their new shampoo bars and thought I should give it a try. Aside from looking for organic and non-sulfate shampoos, I also want it to be eco-friendly and supports the #zerowaste initiative. Though it may be a challenge to be completely zero waste, it won't hurt to start little by little. Baby steps if you may, right? So, start with shampoo!

Taken from beachbornph's Instagram page
This ad made my heart flutter. It says:
Do away with sachets!
Each of our shampoo bars is the equivalent of 3 250ml bottles!
Plus they’re also 100% biodegradable 🐳💛 
Talk about the sachets you could avoid throwing in the landfill!

Beachbornph is quite known locally for their purple shampoo and conditioner. I believe they're the first local brand that retails this kind of shampoo to for bleached and/or dyed hair. I haven't tried that variant but I read raves about it.

I got Beachbornph DIDI CUPPS 2-in-1 shampoo bar with the tin. It may come naked without the tin if you wish. I got one with the tin because I want to bring it with me when I travel or for over-nights like team buildings. They have other variants but I got this one because it is a shampoo and conditioner in one. This variant is also recommended for dry hair. My hair is not really dry but it is dyed. Getting this one is also like hitting two birds with one stone and it's pink.

Beachbornph DIDI CUPPS 2-in-1 shampoo bar description and claims:

DIDI CUPPS 2 IN 1 SHAMPOO BAR  

We used the finest butters & oils for this do-it-all shampoo bar!  

Cocoa butter for that lovely, shiny, silky feel + extra virgin coconut oil to deep condition, repair split ends and get rid of all that nasty "poo"! 

To top it off, we even added some grapefruit essential oil which is packed with vitamins to help thicken and strengthen hair, ylang ylang and bergamot essential oil to help manage frizz and give your locks a lovely yet natural smell! 

Directions: Apply bar directly to wet hair, lather, massage and rinse thoroughly.
Best for: dry, damaged hair
Smells like: lush floral

• all-natural 
• cruelty-free 
• no parabens 

Too bad, I wasn't able to take a picture before using this. Rest assured that their site shows what exactly their shampoo bars looks like. However, I remember that it smelled like fish food upon opening the tin can. It did not smell like lush floral as the description says. I contacted their customer service and the representative reassured me to just leave the container open and keep the shampoo bar dry. The smell went away but it did not leave a flowery/fresh smell as it claimed. I was able to check a naked variant in a distributor's store in my hometown and it smelled accordingly to the description. So, I guess the fish food smell was just a result of it being kept in a closed container. It wasn't bothering, just weird. I like the shampoo all the same!

What I like:

• Did not made my hair stiff after it has dried
• Made my hair soft, bouncy, and gave it more volume
• Did not experience any hair fall, nor hair fall worsened
• Scalp did not itch or became oily
• I would say this is very affordable. Priced at Php 350. This is a two-in-one shampoo bar. With proper storage, it lasted more than three months. I bought and used this around August and I was done with it last December. Not bad, right?

What I don't like:

• Apart from the first impression smell, nothing really. I believe if I buy the one without the tin, I'm pretty sure that it will smell like lush floral. :D

Will I repurchase?

Yes, definitely. Though, right now, I'm trying out a shampoo bar from a different brand. But I would repurchase in a heart beat! :D

Have you tried beachbornph's shampoo bars or their ever famous purple shampoo and conditioner? What do you think about them? Please do share! (^o^)

Beautylabo Hair Dye in Creamy Ash and Pure Beige Review

In my last hair dye post, I used Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown. It is an easy DIY hair color and I have no problems with it.

Apparently my hair grow fast, thus, roots show up real quick. After five months, color has already faded with roots showing

I was thinking very hard to repurchase Liese Blaune or try another hair dye. I wanted something a little lighter and cheaper. It took me awhile to decide, which brand and hair color. The Watsons sales attendant at the time suggested Creamy Ash when I was contemplating in front of the Beauty Labo hair dye boxes. She thought it was the closest to my hair color. So last October, I decided to color my hair with Beautylabo Hair Dye in Creamy Ash.

The color on me faded after a couple of months with dignity, in fairness. Last December, I decided to color my hair again with the same brand but in Pure Beige. It successfully covered my hair without any explicit difference from the previous color.

Beautylabo Hair Dye in Creamy Ash
This photo was taken in natural lighting, though it was a little bit cloudy.
It covered my gray hairs completely.
The color is just a little bit lighter than the Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown.
I must say the SA suggested well. ^o^

Beautylabo Hair Dye in Pure Beige
I have to pixelate my face in this photo because I look awkward on this one. ^o^
This photo was taken under fluorescent lighting.
The hair color is lighter than Creamy Ash but it's not over-the-top light.
It looks brown black under normal /  natural lighting or if you are under a shade.
It just looks lighter under intense lighting but not brassy.

What I like:

• Very affordable! Just priced between Php 200 - 250.
• Easy to apply.
• Smell is tolerable but be sure to dye in a well ventilated space.
• Does not fade into a brassy tone (at least for me).

What I don't like:

• Does not include hair treatment. Although, hair is not that hard to rinse.

Will I repurchase?

Yes! Well, I actually repurchased from my first use, right? You can't beat the affordability and the effectiveness.

Have you tried Beautylabo Hair Dye as well? With what shades? Please do share about it! #^o^#

Achievement Unlocked for 2018 Mundane Wishlist

Hi guys! Hello, 2019!

It's just the 4th day of the year but everyone's hectic already. Why? XD

My last blog post was about ticking off one of my mundane wishlist. Talking about that, I was just able to tick off two from last year. That's not too bad.

First off, I got Rob and Mara Brogues on the second quarter of 2018.  This was my first time actually buying footwear online. I was quite skeptical getting one because it may not fit me. I think I failed mentioning in the blog post that Rob and Mara has size charts for your reference that makes your online shoe purchase fool-proof. They also have very helpful and friendly staff to get you through with your online order a breeze. This will not be not the last time for me to get a pair from them.

Rob and Mara Brogues <3

Second, I got the coveted J.R.R.Tolkien's Beren and Luthien just late last year. Honestly, I haven't started reading it but I have already opened it from its plastic and covered the book with it. I'm excited to read but I want to be in the right condition first. 

I'm still crying tears of joy when I look at this.
I want to give my full attention when reading this.
I have to finish my current reads quickly!

My mundane wish list are all books right now. I believe I am already contented with what I have and I don't have anything in mind that I should really get. You see, I for this year, I want to buy smartly and not spend so much money on things that will just be in passing. I want to spend on things with quality but not necessarily expensive. I believe that way, I could live minimally, zero-waste conscious, and maybe somehow the kondomari way. XD

How about you, have you ticked off what you wanted last year?

Achievement Unlocked: Beren and Luthien

I finally have J.R.R. Tolkien's Beren and Luthien! T^T

I have eyed this earlier this year and have shied away upon seeing the hefty price. I was ready to scout again online for this book but someone got me this one. T^T My heart fluttered and crashed with happiness when I opened this Chritmas present from someone. This someone has never failed in helping me with my mundane wish list T^T. I'm still silently crying tears of joy. T^T

Actually, I don't even want to open it.... T^T

This is not yet opened. I don't want to, as of writing. XD

I can crash this, however, from my list of 2018 Mundane Wish List.

I should have done something like this in my previous posts,
screen capping my want-justification,
as the page is updated every now and then.
Don't you think so?

I will read definitely read this, don't worry. It's just that... it's so priceless that I can't even open it, even I am so excited to read it. T^T

It's still a few days before the year ends. There will still be more time to get the rest, or some of my 2018 Mundane Wishlist.

Three Questions I Ask Myself Before Buying

I always see sale advertisements right now whenever I open my Instagram account or just check on some tutorial videos on Youtube. I sometimes can't help but go with the craze. Especially right now that there's Christmas bonuses, 13th month pay, and so on. You just can't help it but consider buying everything on SALE, online or in-store!

Self-control is really up for a challenge,especially for this season. So, here are three questions I ask myself before buying anything, whether if it's Christmas season or not.

1.  I always ask my self, do I really need it right now?
This question comes up when I see trinkets, fashion earrings, including shoes and lip products. There are always follow-up questions with this one, such as: Do I really need a new pair? Is my current pair already deteriorating? Or, have you used up even one of your lip tints? XD

2.  Have I already read or watched any reviews of it?
I stop and ask myself this question before I take the product to the counter, especially if I have the capacity to buy at the moment. This usually comes up especially when one of my skin care products is running out or if I just want to try because I saw it someone's social media account. This question is also helpful when buying gadgets or makeup. Before trying anything else, I want to read a lot of reviews or test the product if it's available in the nearest mall. Sometimes, you just want to try every product that you see in social media.  

3. Do you have any budget for that?
I guess this question is an understatement (question) for the two questions above. XD Because if I really need it or if I have read so many reviews about a product that I want to buy, this question pops out magically. Sometimes, if I'm really 100% sure to buy, I don't have the money. Follow up questions come to mind, such as: Will your savings account be compromised if you buy now? If you really need that, can you pay on time if you buy online? Do you have the patience right now or are you available anytime of the week to wait for Mr. Courier? I have to take them into consideration because sometimes a product that you see is just a want, not a need. :)

If the answer to all questions mentioned above is "No", I don't buy but I will try next time if I have done my conditions. XD

How about you, what questions do you ask yourself before buying anything?

Skin Genie Anti Eyeging Review

There's quite of a hype about this eye care product in beautymnl.com and I got really intrigued. Good thing that they were in Trendsetter's Bazaar last February and I got this for a buy 1-take-1 deal. It comes in a 10 ml roller bottle, like the ones used for oil perfume or cologne. I think this type of packaging is nice because it helps massage the under eye.

Skin Genie Anti Eyeging
I bought this from Skin Genie during the Trendsetter Bazaar last February.
They now have a new packaging when I checked beautymnl.com.

What I like:

• What's amazing is that this really soothes your eyes. If you have puffy, tired eyes, it will help your eyes calmed and moisturized. I now understand the hype.
• It's cool when applied. If you put this in the refrigerator, it will be more soothing. 
• In fairness, the product does not spill from the roller bottle. Of course, when you roll under your eyes, it dispenses quite more than enough.
• It's kind of watery but not oily. It's quite sticky like a serum or essence.

What I do not like:

This is not good under makeup, especially if you have rolled a lot. It is best only to apply during bed time or if you do not have any plans on going out of your house.


Will I repurchase?

Maybe. I'm still open on having an all in one product that moisturizes, soothes and can be used under makeup.

I don't want to say that I like this better than the Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream because I use them respectively on respective routines. I use Mizon for day time and Skin Genie for night time or when I am just at home. They do both work and I get no milia from using them.

Have you tried Skin Genie Anti Eyeging? How do you feel about it? Please share your thoughts!m(__)m

Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream Review

I've never used any eye creams or eye care products when I was younger. I really had an oily face before, so I don't use any moisturizer or any eye creams. I think I oiled too much to make my eye area quite moisturized. Well, I am not that young anymore and the grease production on my face has already calmed down. I need something to moisturize, calm and soothe my eye area, without getting unwanted side effects, like milia. I stare a lot at the computer for long hours almost every day and it tires my eyes badly. I can see some fine lines already. I'm also wearing contact lenses and it really tires my eye muscles after wearing them for more than 8 hours. I used aloe gel before but I feel that it's not that adequate for my eye issues. I think as you age, you may need a little bit of a help. So, it is already high time for me to get eye creams.

I got to know about Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream when I searched online for affordable eye creams. Mizon is often listed within the top 10 of many lists and there are a lot of reviews about it. Some like it, some don't. I also read Fiddy Snail's review and listened to Gothamista's vlog about it and that helped me decide buying this one.

I got Mizon during a free shipping sale from beautymnl in November last year. There are two variants for this eye cream: a tub and a tube. I got the tube one because it's hygienic, even though it's only 15 ml. I haven't finished it yet since I only put this usually at daytime, seldom at night. Though, I think I should use this up already. It has been a year already. (#^O^#)

Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream 15ml
As of writing, it is still sold the same price as the time I bought it last year. :O
Photo from beautymnl. 

What I like:

• It contains 80% snail mucin. I'm quite a fan of snail mucin recently.
• It has no smell. 
• It is not greasy. It is very, very light and a little goes a long way. 
• It sinks in very quickly, so it is nice to put under makeup.
• It's good as a daytime eye cream. It's moisturizing enough to help you apply concealer smoothly.

What I don't like:

Nothing I can think of really. (#^O^#)


Will I repurchase?

I think, I would. I'm still open to other eye creams but this can be a repurchase without a doubt!

Have you tried Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream? How do you feel about it? Please share your thoughts!m(__)m

Quest for Cravings: Hansel Premium #ANewWorldOfWonders Japanese Creations

Two years ago, I posted about satisfying my green tea cravings with Hansel Premium Matcha Green Tea. Luckily, a few days ago, I saw a post from Hansel Premium bringing back their Matcha Green Tea crackers together with two other variants, White Cheese and Black Sesame.

Hansel Premium #ANewWorldOfWonders
Photo taken from Hansel Premium Official Facebook page.

Apparently, the Hansel Premium Matcha Green Tea is reintroduced as part of their new Japanese Creations series. We are to expect a wondrous taste of modern and old combined flavors. These three would be luscious, mouth-watering, and definitely heaven in each bite. Truly #ANewWorldOfWonders!

I checked Hansel Premium's Facebook page and I didn't see where it is available. I may have missed it though. So, I assume that it will be available in the same stores as where Hansel Premium sold their Cheese and Matcha Green Tea.

I'm very excited to try the Matcha Green Tea again and very curious how the White Cheese and Black Sesame would taste.

Are you exited too? XD

Visit Hansel Premium Official Facebook page for more information.

Zenutrients Tea Tree Oil Review

 I bought Zenutrients Tea Tree Blemish Oil about a year ago, when I ran out of the trustee ZenZest Tea Tree oil and there was no stock of it at that time.  So, I guess, it's more than enough time to share to you how great of a product this is, right?

Zenutrients Tea Tree Oil

Zenutrients Tea Tree oil in a 30ml bottle with a gold cap dropper. It straightforwardly claims to treat acne blemishes daily, as stated in front of the bottle. It has a minty scent instead of a strong tea tree smell upon opening. 30 ml seems a lot and you don't need really need so much if you're just going to spot treat.

Zenutrients Tea Tree Blemish Oil is not a bottle of tea tree oil per se but a mixture of different essential oils. It has sunflower oil, shea butter, virgin coconut oil, tea tree essential oil, green tea extract, peppermint essential oi, jojoba oil, and vitamin oil. If you spot-treat zits, you are pretty rest assured that it will not darken as it heals because of the essentials oils that come with it. And if you notice in its ingredients list, it doesn't have alcohol. It may take time to be absorbed and allot extra minutes for wait time if you want to use it under makeup. People sensitive to alcohol will love this.

Zenutrients Tea Tree Oil
Sadly, the ingredients list are undecipherable.
I had to squint my eyes just to read the ingredients.

I use this for healing acne and I usually put this at every night for the duration of the pimple life span. Given that I'll apply the Tea Tree Oil when it hasn't full blown, it will take 3-4 days for the zits to calm and flatten on my skin. Sometimes, if I've just let the pimple grow without medication, it may take up to seven (7) days before it will be really flat. It's nice that the zits don't darken as they heal. However, as soon as the zits calmed and flatten, I switch to tamanu oil for the blemish to completely lighten.

I also use Zenutrients Tea Tree Blemish Oil to spot treat insect bites. It immediately diminishes itches right away. I've read some sources that you can mix tea tree oil for other uses. I haven't really tried that yet. I believe using this, with its mixture of other essential oils, you'll get superior results with whatever you're concocting.

What I like:

• Helps calm down zits. It takes for 3-4 days for it to calm down on me. #YMMV
• Heals zits without them becoming dark as it heals.
• Smells nice - minty with a hint of tea tree.
• Can be used on insect bites.
• Very affordable.  Php 260 per 30ml.

What I don't like:

• Label on the bottle is undecipherable. I'm a fan of reading labels and ingredients. If you're also one, you may need a magnifying glass.
• Has grains because of the coco component. It's not abrasive but you may not like it if you have sensitive skin. It is recommended to just tap tap tap the oil until it is fully absorbed. 

Will I repurchase?

I think, I will!  This baby lasted me for a year, talk about a great deal. XD I only spot treat pimples and insect bites, so it lasted me a very long time.  Your mileage may still vary on how fast it may heal your zits, insect bites or other skin concerns.

Have you tried Zenutrients Tea Tree Oil yet?  How was your experience about it? Please do share. m(___)m

My Skin Care Journal as of September 2018

I have been writing a beauty or a skin care journal which I started last year. I just use a note / journaling app in my phone and write about what I recently purchased, what I think works, and my current skin condition.

Here are the things I learned and realized about writing a beauty or skin care journal:

• I realized I am very lazy to follow a complicated routine. A short, simple skin care routine works for me very well. This is how my current routine looks like with the products I use.

Day Time

Night Time

1.       Water cleanse or cleanse with a low-pH facial wash = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Wash 2.       Toner = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Toner 3.       Moisturizer = COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream 4.       Eye cream =  Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream 5.       Sunscreen = Bioré UV Bright Face Milk SPF50+ PA++++ - If just stay at home, water cleanse is just enough for me and fast on skin care.

1.       Double-cleanse = Biore Cleansing Oil + Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Wash 2.       Toner = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Toner 3.       Moisturizer = Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask or  The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil non-humid days or exfoliation days. 4.       Eye cream = Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream (skipped when using The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil as moisturizer). 5.  Spot treatment for pimples =  Zenutrients TeaTree Blemish Oil 6. Spot treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) = Skin Genie Heal All Tamanu Oil Exfoliation: - When I feel bumps on my face, I use COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid after double-cleansing and with a 20-minute wait time. Usually after 2-3 days after COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. - On a weekend or a night before the workday, I use the Fiddy Snails method with COSRX BHA > The Beauty Bakery Charcoal & Clay Scrub Mask > Biore Cleansing Oil.

• I learned that over time, my skin has shifted from very oily to oily but dehydrated type. The dehydration mode depends on the time of the month, the season or the environment. For example, if it’s Summer or if it’s humid, I cannot stand having something very occlusive in my routine. I may need more moisture in a dry and cold environment, like being in the office.
• I like skin care products that are multi-purpose. I dab the The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil as a lip balm/cream at night. Sometimes, if I exfoliate with COSRX BHA, I moisturize with the The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil and that’s it. 
• It helped me pinpoint on what’s wrong or what’s going on with my skin and what I feel about the products that I’m using.
• It helped me in my skin care purchase decisions. So, it has made me into a very careful buyer. 
• Writing this skin care journal is a keeper! 

Do you have a beauty / skin care journal as well? Please share it! \(^o^)/

My Skin Care Journey So Far

So, I posted a picture few weeks ago in my Instagram (IG) Stories because I can’t help but be amazed on how my skin has become. It has never been that clear and in very good condition in many years!

Originally, my skin was very oily and has experienced a lot of acne. I had a very basic skin (s)care routine before. I just cleanse with a very alkaline facial wash and tone with an alcohol-y astringent. I was also very scared of moisturizers and of the thought of using oil on my oily skin. Sun screen application only happens during Summer or on a beach trip.

Fast-forward today, I learned that the basic of all skin care routine steps are always: cleanse, tone, moisturize. I also learned that there are different types of moisturizers that even oily skin peeps can enjoy. Oil for oily skin does not equate to a frying pan. Applying sun screen is anti-aging. I also learned that listening and empathizing to what your skin really needs is more important than having 10 or 20 skin care steps. “Take a step back and press reset”, just like what Liah Yoo said.

Here is the picture that I posted in my IG stories. 

I just slathered on sun screen,
concealed healing acne spots and set it all with powder.
Of course, kilay is life!

Hopefully next time, I can share my bare face with a better texture. *Crossing fingers* I have skin aging concerns aside from getting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from hormonal acne. I may need to incorporate another product for that or tweak something in my life. LOL

How about you, how’s your skin care journey? Please share all about it! \(^o^)/

Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown Review

My good friend @paofection raved using Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown. Seeing the result on her hair, I just can't help but to follow suit!

I have been dyeing my hair now for more than three years and this is the first time for me to dye with Liese Hair Dye. I have used Palty hair foam dyes but I have to say that dyeing with Liese is a very enjoyable experience. I particularly chose Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color because this type is great for gray hair coverage as it claims. I also got the brown shade and I really love it!

BEFORE DYEING.
See the grey hair peeking through, making my hair so uneven.
This is the result after four (4) months of not dyeing.

AFTER DYEING.
Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color in Brown completely covered my grey hair.
It also covered the old hair color, making it even-toned. 

What I like:

• Application is very easy and very enjoyable! It's just like shampooing your hair.
• It totally covered my gray hair.
• It has no ammonia smell.
• My hair was very soft after dyeing.
• The included treatment can be used until two applications if you have short hair.

What I don't like:

• It has a tendency to wash out if you frequently shampoo your hair. Better to use a shampoo with no sulfates!

Will I repurchase?

Definitely! I think I might also try the non-blaune counter part even if it's not really recommended for gray hair. I read that it also provides good coverage. So let's see how it works on my gray hair next time.

Have you tried Liese Blaune Creamy Foam Color, too?

The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling Review

I was using a popular apricot facial scrub for many years and, although, it gives a very clean feel, my face would become dry and become more oily. I just made the break just recently because I couldn't find any alternative exfoliants. Or I wasn't that open to other exfoliants. I'm scared that it would make my face sensitive or it would aggravate my acne or develop unwanted hyper-pigmentation.

I've tried those exfoliating astringents before and it's not really recommended to use them for a long time because they peel off your skin in generous amounts. Over time, your skin can become really sensitive and develop hyper-pigmentation, especially if exposed under the sun.

What I need is just a gentle physical exfoliant to slough off my dead skin cells and have that clean, clear glowing skin.That popular apricot facial scrub has become too harsh and abrasive and it doesn't really help if you have live, protruding acne. My skin would also feel tight and dry after usage and would instigate dry, patchy skin.

Thank God, I came across this detailed review about peeling gels and exfoliants from Lab Muffin. I had few fears and misconceptions about peelings gels, such as it peels off your skin and makes it more sensitive. But I was wrong, thanks to that review.

Like in the review, I got to try Tony Moly Floria Brightening Peeling Gel but I didn't really quite like it. Yes, it is really has more water content and you may dispense quite a lot of product for it to clump on your skin.

I enjoyed the The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling better. I don't have to dispense a lot for the gommage-cleaning-action to happen.

So let tell you about The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling Gel.

This is an affordable gommage-type of exfoliant. It cost around Php 300-400 for 150 ml. It lasted around eight (8) months on me.

The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling Gel 

It doesn't have a box. It is just wrapped with clear plastic. You can read right through the ingredients list. On first time use, you need to unscrew the cap to peel of the protective sticker of the product. You're rest assured that the peeling gel you're going to buy is unused.

Seal under the cap guarantees you for a fresh product!

The peeling gel looks like a translucent glue. Yes, it has a gel texture and it pills when you rub on dry skin. It is recommended to use this after you wash your face and make sure that your face is dry. Otherwise, the gommage action will not work.

Those little filaments can pill more as you scrub!

What I like:

• It is affordable.
• It doesn't sting on me.
• It relieves my skin of those dry patches and doesn't aggravate dryness.

What I don't like:

• Nothing really! It does smell alcohol-y but it's tolerable. Do not expect that it totally can get rid of your whiteheads and blackhead. This will help lessen them in the process and help your skin shed off those dead skin gently.

Will I repurchase?
I'm open to other peeling gels from other brands. I wouldn't mind going back to this because it is affordable and it gets the job done.

Consider The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling, or peeling gels for that matter, as a physical exfoliant rather than using those abrasive facial scrubs. You just need to slough off those dead, excess skin cells and not rub your skin dry, right?

Have you tried peeling gels? From what brand do you like?

Achievement Unlocked: Rob and Mara Brogues

It's funny to note that I almost forgot that I have a pair of brogues! I was browsing my mundane wishlist and I definitely listed for a pair of brogues.

I got my pair of brogues from Rob and Mara last April. I got to know about them from a post in Instagram (IG). They also have a Facebook page wherein they post their available and new styles, size charts, and reviews. They don't only sell brogues, but also slip on sandals, mules, and boots. The definite selling point for me are that the shoes are locally made and very affordable! I only got mine for Php 1,495. The shipping fee, of course depends on your area, but still this is a great steal compared to getting one from known brands.

This IG post got me interested!
Photo screen capped from Rob and Mara.

Rob & Mara offers high quality genuine leather footwear for every woman's lifestyle. Plus, we assure you great customer service. - About Rob and Mara in their Facebook page.

I originally wanted to have this.
Unfortunately, it wasn't available at that time.
The customer service agent happily suggested for an alternative.Photo screen capped from Rob and Mara.

It was also no hassle ordering from them. If your selected style is not available, they'll immediately inform you and offer you an alternative. If you pay immediately, they ship it the next day and your shoes can get to you within two days!  Their customer service personnel will also notify you if your order has been shipped already. Great customer service indeed.

My pair arrived in a box with a Rob and Mara eco bag.  The smell of genuine leather is evident once you open the box. You are guaranteed of the claimed quality and workmanship of your shoes.

So happy to get an eco bag!
Rob and Mara are partners with American Eagle, Mercino, and Eaglery.
See Rob and Mara for more info.

I can definitely crash this out from my list now. I'm a happy customer and I think I might order again from them. A pair of boots maybe? Let's see. XD

Rob and Mara has sizes for big-feet-people like me. :3

Have you tried Rob and Mara shoes yet? Visit Rob and Mara in their Facebook or Instagram page.