Keep Calm & Beautify

This is my first attempt at nail art. I see a lot of nail art on blogs, youtube, and instagram. They're all so cute! So I know it wouldn't take long before I'll be trying it out. :)

I had intended of just painting my nails in one color, just orange, but got bored because I have been using the same color for many weeks straight.

The other nail polishes I already had, bought still in Zamboanga half a year ago before I came here in Manila. The pale pink is actually very gloopy now, if you can see on the picture. The black, which I rarely use, is still in good condition but I'm not the type to sport black nails. :( I have tried it, it didn't feel like me.

So, instead of painting with one color, I immediately decided to try making nail arts! I did five designs. :D What do you think looks best? I like my pointer finger because it what's looked the neatest, but I don't like that it has too much black on it.

Weee! I'm excited to do more. I have to buy more colors though. I don't think black and orange looks very nice. Kinda looks like Halloween :D I'm way too early for it.

Anyway, I haven't done my left hand. I'm left handed you see? My left could do all these details, but I'm sure my right hand is gonna make a botch job at it. :( I just painted my left with a plain orange color. Would that be weird?

I had been searching for a good facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer that would suit my skin type and address some anti-aging issues (I hear we're suppose to start our anti-aging regimen as early as the age of 25). And while bloghopping, I have found this kit, I believe that was on Dos Marias' blog.

Of course, my curiosity was piqued. 3 products in one at the price of P149.00, in sample sizes (or travel size) so we could test how the product fares before committing to a huge and expensive bottle.

When I got the chance to buy it, I did. Yay! I finally got a toner and moisturizer; which I haven't religiously used for many years. I did tend to have them now and then, but never to the point of applying them weeks in a row. :(

What's good about these are that the toner is alcohol-free meaning no sting, and the moisturizer is water-based and oil-free. They're very skin friendly. They're very light on the skin too. Both facial wash and moisturizer are very fluid, the moisturizer leaning a bit to a gel consistency and the wash really watery which surprised me because most washes like this have a thick consistency.

So how did I fare? I have used these for about a month or so, to best test the effect of them on my skin. Well, on the first few days I used only the facial wash. I still get a little oily after a few hours, especially on my nose which didn't surprise me at all since it happens all the time, but disappointed me nonetheless. I have been searching for an oil controlling product, and this is not it.

When I finally started using the toner, I got more oily. I wondered if this has to do with not having used a toner in so long and my skin reacted to it and tried to produce more oil, since toners are known to be drying. But still, this promised to be alcohol-free which made me believe that it won't be drying.

About the week since I started with the kit, I started with the moisturizer. And boy, did I oil after that. Oil slick galore! I had thought the moisturizer would help. Adding more moisture to my skin would somehow tame the oil production. So I waited for them to take effect. Sometimes, it takes a while for something to get into the source of the problem and do its job.

Fast forward to a few weeks later, I broke out! Argh!!! My face has bumps all over and I've got pimples! I rarely get pimples, even when I was a teenager. And I haven't used anything new since using this kit. I also changed my pillowcase a few weeks ago. So, I could only blame these products. It's probably all the oil on my face that has blocked my pores.

See for yourself:

Let me take just a moment of everyone's time to say that I had just taken a bath before I took a pic (or pics) that's why my hair is a mess. Okay, now don't stare too much. I am still not comfortable sharing my face here. :P Sharing my face for the first time and then it looking like this? Hmmm, it's not helping my confidence a bit. :P

I am so not buying this again. That's understandable, right? I have actually bought a new facial cleanser yesterday, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. So let's all pray this works out this time.

As for this Celeteque kit, I have read Marie's review on it and she says it worked out great for her. I believe it depends on the skin type. Those with oily skin should stay away. This might probably work for normal skin. Or those with dry skin.

So, that's it for today. What do you think? Should I be less adventurous next time? Or should I have stopped using it right away? Thoughts and comments are welcome. :D But don't be too harsh. :D

Let me start this with a grin. ^____^

Over the weekend, I have received a Liebster Award from Beautiful Doki Doki. She is a USA based beauty blogger who's into Asian cosmetics. I am so honored to be included in her 10 blogger nominees. :D

The Liebster Award is an online award, there's no real trophy here or prize or anything. It works like a chain letter, where bloggers pass the award from one to the other, but more of like a multilevel network / pay-it-forward scene. That's why some bloggers don't feel at all obliged to accept it and pass it on, which is okay. But there are some benefits to it, to those who would take the extra time to do it. Among the benefits are:

• Making new friends.
• Gaining more readers.
• Sharing your readers with others.
• Creating a community of bloggers.

• You must link back to the person who nominated you.
• You must answer the 10 Liebster questions given to you by the nominee before you.
• You must pick 10 bloggers to be nominated for the award with under 200 followers.
• You must come up with 10 questions for your nominees to answer.
• You must go to their blogs and notify your nominees!

Beautiful Doki Doki's Questions

• What is your favorite thing about blogging and why did you start?

I started blogging around 10 years ago at Multiply, and it was mostly personal posts. I love the idea of being able to write and have others read what I write, without having to force them into reading it. They are at liberty to visit my blog if they wanted to. And if they're not interested with what I have to say, they could leave, as easy as that, and won't have to worry if they're being rude to me. That is what I like most about blogging. I could state my opinions and yet no one could scold me for being too frank or if my perception of things is wrong, or what not.

• How would you describe your fashion style?

• If you could be fluent in any language, what would it be and why?

• What is the worst skincare product you've ever tried?

• What is one makeup item you couldn't live without?

• If time and money weren't an issue, where would you travel and for how long?

• What is your summer beauty routine?

• What is the first Asian cosmetic brand you ever tried?

• Does cute packaging get you to buy?

Actually, to answer the question truthfully, cute packaging makes me want to buy. If only I have the budget I'm sure I would have brought something. :D

• Coffee or tea?

• A Piece of Mi
• Beauty and Beyond
• Beauty on a Shoestring Budget
• Cinderella in Combat Boots
• Dos Marias Says
• Gracey as Makeup Artist
• In My Humble Opinion
• Its a Mix of Those
• La Vita Est Bella
• Random Articulations

My Questions

1. What is the story behind your blog title?
2. What is your go-to makeup/fashion brand?
3. What is one recipe/dish you can make that you are most proud of?
4. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What do you consider beautiful in regards to aesthetics? Doesn't necessarily have to be about a person.
5. If you could visit yourself at the moment you were starting with makeup and skincare, what is one (only one) advice you would give your younger self?
6. Urban or countryside? Where would you rather be?
7. When is the last time you bought a toy for yourself and what is it?
8. What is your usual sick day routine?
9. Name one good thing and one bad thing in your life right now.
10. Name one product you love to recommend to people.

Today I'm gonna review two products that are complementary with each other, shower gels from Kensington Ablutions and facial sponges from Aqua Massage. Warning: it's gonna be a pretty long post.

I have run out of soap a few weeks ago so while out and about trying to find my favorite soap (which Metro Manila doesn't have on any store, by the way) I chanced upon these shower gels by Kensington Ablutions. They are displayed by the Watsons stall, and lo and behold, they are sold as a "Buy two at P149" deal. There were others on the shelves too, from the Watsons line itself and from other brands, but I settled with these. (It took me a long while to decide though, these deals from Watsons are the best!) Each bottle was priced at P179 so buying two for P149 is such a steal!!! They're both 500ml bottles and they would take forever to empty.

As seen on the picture above, the blue one's pump has been ejected(?) while the purple one hasn't because I have decided on using the blue one because the scent is promising, and I couldn't wait to use it as I have already run out of soap.

The blue one's scent is Fresh Waters Of The Valley. It's so intriguing because I don't usually see this kind of scent for shower gels as it's always floral or fruity. I have also grown up near the sea, with my Alma Mater being situated just across the boulevard and the sea just beyond that, and having moved to another city, I have missed the beach sorely.

The smell of this is really refreshing! I enjoy it so much. It smells clean, and has that unisex scent that even guys could use without feeling girly. I don't know why I'm into these scents lately (I have a shampoo with a unisex scent as well - you can read about it here). I am a big lover of fruits and floral, so I don't know what got into me recently.

Anyway, as to the performance of this thing, I find that it doesn't lather much. As in, just a few suds. I have first tried this on a loofah, and then with my bare hands. It didn't lather at all. I have to constantly pump more product to effectively wash myself, it feels like a used up a rather noticeable amount from the bottle just from my first use.

It rinses well though. It doesn't leave any film or residue, which is a huge plus for me. The scent stays for less than an hour though, bummer.

Here is the other bottle with its description. Wispy Jasmine sounds divine as well.

The packaging of the product looks classy compared to the other brands that were sold in Watsons. Those had a simple plastic bottle with pump and the label has a plain look. These ones from Kensington Ablutions, however, have a more detailed label with a gold logo and patterned background. Which is probably why I chose these instead of others on that display. Yeah, I know, crazy reason to pick out products. But I know I'm not the only one. Hahaha.

So having had problems with forming a good lather on the shower gel, I decide to buy a new sponge, something thinner than a loofah which would enable me to scrunch it up to get it to lather well. I found this at Watsons as well and they come two in one pack for P79.75. On the packaging it says that the sponges are 100% natural.

You can really see the texture of the sponge. It's not harsh at all. It may be a little stiff when dry but when you wet it with water, you can easily scrunch it up, and fold and such.

I have never used 100% natural sponge before. I have tried loofahs and shower puffs and towelettes, and I can say that they don't work much for me. I am not saying with forming a lather, but rather the cleaning part of bathing. Something's up with my skin, I can't rid it properly of dirt and dust and dead skin cells. I have even tried a stone I've found on the riverside (I'm such a country girl - shhhh!). It worked well, but way too harsh! My best way of exfoliating is through the use of my bare hands, which takes a very long time to get done.

I have even tried scrubs, salts, exfoliants, all to no avail! So I'm still on the lookout for a good exfoliant that is easy on the budget but totally effective.

So, do I need to tell you what I'm coming down to? Yes, this sponge works! :D So I'm totally in love with it. Not to mention that the colors are so cute! So <3 <3 <3 all the way.

I can see dirt clinging on the sponge while I bathe. I don't know why, but seeing dirt come off gets me high. lol. However, the shower gel still doesn't lather as much as I wanted it to, just enough bubbles for a limb. :( Anyway, after bathing I make sure to add an additional pump of soap on the sponge and launder it like a normal piece of cloth to clean it properly.

As to why I chose this sponge when it is said to be a facial sponge? Well, that is because it fits perfectly in my hands. And it's thin enough so I won't waste too much product (not that this certain shower gel is helping me in that particular issue), but I think this is perfect for what I want and need. There are smaller sizes of these sponges from Aqua Massage that would be perfect for the face, in my opinion. And there are bigger ones as well that they're passing off as body sponges. You can choose whatever you like, there's no specific rule to this, I believe.

I wouldn't buy the shower gels again. There's so much out there to choose from. And knowing that something out there could be the "one" wouldn't make me buy something I'm not 100% happy about again.

As for the sponges, "haaahhh" sound from heaven with the sky parting and sunlight pouring through. Yup, holy grail sponge, if there is such a thing. :D

So, I hope you enjoyed this very long post. I would love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and comments. Thanks for reading. :D

Note: Sorry for the differences in the look of the photos. I took them on different days.

One of the things I have been planning to buy is a mascara. I've never had one, and never used one by myself. I have only used them during those special occasions that makeup artists put on me. I've never really been a fan of them. They're heavy on the lashes, they smudge, they look weird, and the applications were horror-strickening! But maybe those were the mascaras the makeup artists / salon personnels use. Maybe I was just a little too harsh on the mascara populace. That's why I have finally lifted my mascara ban, I'm now giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I have seen a lot of beauty vlogs and tutorials that I could definitely agree that mascaras add something to the look, if not to cap it up. Something's missing when a vlogger didn't put any mascara on. So I decided that I need one myself. (These beauty bloggers are really harmful for our wallets, but dreaming is cheap. lol) But I don't want those huge, crazy, falsies-looking eyelashes they seem to like. I never use mascara and my lashes are sparse. I can't go from sparse to falsies in one day. That would be weird. And fake. :D

So I searched for mascaras that give natural looking lashes. I've come down to three options based on bloggers' reveiws: Etude House's, San San's, and Maybelline's Mega Plush.

I have been searching everywhere for this Mega Plush. I wanted this because it is on the average price range, and because Maybelline is known for their mascaras. What's sad is, it can't be found in the mall. I even asked a Maybelline saleslady and she didn't even know what I was talking about. I'm wondering if this has long been phased out or if this hasn't arrived yet.

Anyway, saw this in BonMarche. And they accept Paypal which I absolutely love and look for in online shops. (That's the general purpose of shopping online, so you don't have to get out of your seat :D) So, after a few months of saving, I finally bought it! :D

It comes in a light blue, club-like container with a cute violet font that Maybelline loves to use. The wand is bigger than what would have been appropriate for my lashes but I was still ecstatic nonetheless. :D The spindly looking wand didn't look at all freaky in person.

On the back of the carton it came in, it says:

Definitely love! This mascara is practically new so I'm not thinking about buying another, either this one or something else. I am just enjoying this.

Which could probably say a lot, since if this caused any negative experience for me I would have probably thought of something else to buy next, right?

I recommend this to anyone who wants to have natural looking lashes but wants something more defined, curled, and thicker than what they naturally got.

Thanks for reading my review. Thoughts and comments are always welcome. :D

A concealer is very important piece in an intermediate makeup enthusiast's kit because we all know that no matter how much we put on our face, we still aren't fully satisfied with how we look. An expert on the other hand has tested a lot of products, both skin care and cosmetics, and know which ones work and which ones don't, and therefore could truly make a look that is perfect in their standards. As for the newbies, well... I think they're pretty much happy with pressed powders and lippies (like I did all this time).

There will always be parts of our faces that causes insecurities. There'll always be something we want to change or hide. This, I think, is the reason why concealer is born. (I mean, why else would a concealer be born?) But using a concealer isn't as easy as swiping it on. There are rules or guidelines that should be followed.

For one, finding the right shade is critical. Then you should have the right consistency and tool for the specific blemish you have to hide. I won't be going into details as I think that would be too long or too lecture-y. I'll probably make a different post about it.

Aside from the typical concealer, a new breed of concealer has sprouted, the corrective concealer. This is said to correct discolorations, or blemishes with a specific color, and neutralize it. It's like adding (+)1 and (-)1. The sum would be 0. Okay, lecture-y! Moving on.

That's what it says on the box. ;)

The e.l.f. Studio Correcting Concealer comes in a palette of four colors. Beige, green, lilac and nude. It comes with a small brush and two clear acetates (plastic) that could be used for mixing colors should the need arise. Sadly, that skill has yet to be learned for me. lol. The product has a slightly creamy consistency that makes it a little hard to put on. It's either I'm not using enough or too much. And the brush isn't helping. It looks like I've been clawing on my concealer when I was only trying to swipe to get some product on to it. My finger on the other hand could pick up a good quantity of product (or maybe the heat of my skin helps) but it has always been too large for the areas I want to conceal.

Here are the swatches. The nude disappears into my skin and beige can barely be seen. But the face is whiter than the hand, and they said that concealers should be about one or two shades lighter. So I could probably use beige as my face's nude, and the nude would have no purpose. I am loving the green and lilac though, especially the lilac. Could I use them as eyeshadow, do you think? lol.

They look powdery here, as I said they were only slightly creamy. The pans have some beads of perspiration of oil, so... I don't know what to make of that.

This small palette comes in a black plastic packaging with a small peekaboo glass window so you can see what colors you will get. Might help with choosing the right color, but maybe not, since it's still better to test them out first yourself.

This is priced at P249.75 and can be found at SM department stores.

I'm not sure if I'll buy these again. I think I'm better off with a liquid concealer, or one that comes in a twist-up tube for convenience. I still have a lot to try and test in regard with concealers, so I'm sure this will be a long journey.

I might probably keep this one if I find a better way of applying it. :)

Anyway, I would love to hear your suggestions. Or some tips and tricks you can share. :) Thanks everyone!

On another source, it stated that when our scalp becomes oily, we get into the habit of washing our hair frequently, trying to get rid of the oil, but the author claims this would backfire as the more moisture is stripped, the more it is reproduced. His/her solution is not to wash the hair every day. Which is like "no can do" for me since I live in a tropical country and not washing is like gross. Think of the sweat your scalp accumulates in one day under the season these people call "summer" which is pretty much everyday for us. I do think people who made that rule only think of themselves and made it as a rule for the world, which sounds pretty self-centered to me.

Anyway, leaving ranting aside, I have learned that the best way to rid ourselves of oily scalp is using a clarifying shampoo. It cleanses our scalp of the goo and gunk that has built up and makes them feel anew.

There wasn't much choice of clarifying shampoos in the department and beauty stores, so I got this one. It claims to be gentle enough for everyday use.

My hair and scalp aren't oily now. :) My hair doesn't become limp a few hours after washing. It had decreased my dandruff when I first started it, but after several days I've noticed it worsened a bit. I am guessing it was probably because I have used this day by day because I thought this was gentle for everyday use. I have doubts about that now. I don't think we should. I'm alternating this shampoo with another one, an ordinary "make my hair pretty" shampoo. That has lessened my dandruff significantly.

I would also suggest to use conditioner every time you use this shampoo. It is very drying. I don't use conditioner all the time, since I'm used to having oily hair and thought I don't need it as much. Having used this shampoo without conditioner made my hair feel stiff and unmanageable.

This, anyway, has a clean scent which most people will love. I don't like it though. lol. I like floral or fruity scents in my products. But that's okay. At least if I have a strongly scented conditioner they won't clash.

A big bottle at 355ml priced at P140+, and not having to use it everyday, I think it's worth it. This would take months to empty. It is effective in preventing oil and build up, and not to mention the only clarifying shampoo I've seen in our stores. lol. Or maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.

I say this is a definite must buy for everyone, with oily scalp or not, since we need to cleanse our scalp from residue once in a while.

So that's it for my review for today. I hope you learned something new from me, or at least enjoyed my post. :) Let me know if you would consider buying this product, or if you have found and tried another clarifying shampoo that you'd like me to try. Thanks everyone! Have a nice day!