Quick Review: Skin Food Black Sugar Mask (Wash Off)

I like Skin Food products because they work well on me. The first bb cream that really didn't give me any issues was their Peach Sake BB Cream. :) Anyway, I was lucky enough to be picked by the beautiful blogger Des of Chic Sassy Mom and the products included were all from Skin Food so I got to try some of them including this wash off mask.

Sample size of the product. I used it 3 times. :)

Instructions from the Skin Food site:

Apply evenly after cleansing. Avoid eye and mouth area. Gently scrub and wash off with lukewarm water after 10 - 15 minutes.

Take note it says lukewarm water, not boiling water, not freshly boiled water either~! Don't hurt your skin. I usually mix hot water with tap water and test first so it's slightly warm but not hot. You get what I am saying? ;)

Texture: Yay!


It is thick and grainy, just like what I expected because it has sugar. Look at the pictures below.

It is thick and brown.

Spreadable~! And you could see the grains.

Some of you might fear that the grains are too big. I think that it was ok and it didn't really hurt. I think the sugar kinda melted with the heat from my hands as I spread them. XD  So no worries on how big the grains are.

Scent: Yay!

It was kinda citrusy and sugary. I LOVE IT!  I wouldn't mind using this mask regularly hahaha.

Effect: Yay!

My face felt really nice and clean.  Some bloggers said they looked like they had a glow after using it.  I couldn't really tell because of the lighting at home.  But my face felt oh so fresh and clean.  It didn't feel dry so I think that's a good thing.  

Overall I was happy with this trial packet and I am considering to get this after I used up my exfoliating creams. Well, unless I end up too happy with my Human Nature Strawberry scrub that is!  I can't comment on the packaging because it is different when you buy it full size.  I am also not sure of the cost when you buy it.  I think it's around PhP 550 or something.  Not bad, considering that's their mall price.   I am glad I had an opportunity to try this out for a week! Thanks again, Des! :)

Review: Nanny Rose's Waxing Starter Kit

Remember my post about the package from Amanda?  I have a bunch of products from ARD Organics, the makers of the Nanny Rose's product line.  I have tried Nanny Rose's Sticks & Pulls last year and I had an inconsistent experience with it.  Anyhow, Amanda advised me that it is best used as a hot wax so this is what I did this time around. My legs are so hairy and I really don't like that so I decided to finally try this again after not shaving my legs for a couple of weeks just so the leg hair will all show up already (more or less) prior to waxing.  I used this waxing kit from Nanny Rose's -- it is made of Sticks & Pulls and the After Wax Salve.  

the boxes of the items that are part of the kit

details on the salve (includes ingredients, expiration date, manufacturer info)

details on the wax (includes ingredients, instructions, expiration date, manufacturer info)

So... this is the reason why I need to use these products:

Told you. I have a bad case of leg hair. ~_~ Thick, coarse leg hair. UGH.

Prior to waxing, I followed the instructions on the box: Washed my legs and made sure they were dry.  I also sprinkled some baby powder on both legs just to make sure they were dry.  Instructions also said that the wax should be heated up so I did that.  I had to let it cool down for around 6-10 minutes before I started using it because it kinda boiled in the microwave.  I am not sure if it being in an airconditioned room with an electric fan running helped in cooling down the product. I wouldn't be able to use it otherwise.

Review of the Sticks & Pulls/Wax

Texture/Consistency - Yay!

When it is not yet heated, it is quite thick but not solid.  Maybe something like a really heavy and thick syrup.  But once you heat it up, it becomes more liquid.  I put it in the microwave for around 15 seconds, using the medium-high setting. It was easy to spread on my skin. There were no granules in the wax. I did recall reading somewhere that some folks experienced that there were granules in the wax.  Maybe they improved the formula for the product this time around. :)

Application - Yay!

When I spread it on my skin, it was a bit sticky but still easy to spread.  But as it became cooler, it became a little more difficult to spread thinly but it was still ok.

Scent - Yay!

It was kinda sweet but not overpowering. :) Pleasant smelling stuff always make it easy to work with them!

Removal Power - Yay!

I followed the instructions that I should spread it in the direction of the hair growth and pull against the direction of the growth.  It was easy and painless to remove the hair.  I just pulled and then saw the hair against the cloth.  I guess it helps that my leg hair wasn't that short. XD

Applicator - Nay :(

I don't know why but I think that the wooden applicators I got from before seemed sturdier.  I got the bigger jar of Sticks & Pulls last year and the sticks were much thicker and stronger.  The ones I got here were more brittle. :(  One of them broke while I was spreading the wax.  I don't know if it's because this is a smaller box and this is the kind of applicator that fit.  I want the other applicator -- but I have the misfortune of having lost them. I think my mom threw them out thinking they were just sticks.

Cloth - Yay!

I really like the cloth that came with the wax. I think that it was sturdy enough.  And it didn't feel scratchy against my skin.  I even cut the cloth into smaller squares so that I could easily use them.  Longer strips of cloth on bigger areas on my skin seemed harder to work with back then.  

The box of the wax, with the cloth strips and one of the sticks.

Packaging - Ok

It's in a plain brown box which could keep your sticks and cloth when you're not waxing.  The tub of wax is a microwavable one so you don't need to worry about transferring the wax when you need to use it.  Plus the label does tell you when it would expire.  I think that's something important.  Oh and one more thing: You probably need to remember to store the wax in the ref.  When I used one before, I forgot to store it in the ref and just kept it in the box on my desk.  But I ended up putting so much stuff on my desk and so I didn't notice that the box was on its side and the wax seeped out. ~_~ Ants ended up crawling on my desk. Now my new small tub of this wax is in the ref.  

Overall - Yay!

I like it better this time around. Maybe my previous experience and what I've learned from that, as well as Amanda's tips in using this wax has helped me remove my leg hair without pain.

 Review of the After Wax Salve


Texture/Consistency - Ok
It was more like a thick liquid rather than a cream so you could probably say it's a little too runny?  It's in a tub so I expected it to be thicker. But I guess it's easier to spread that way.

Scent - Yay!

It was herbal and it faded fast enough that I didn't think it was annoying.  I like things smelling nice or scentless when they are applied on my skin because I don't want to smell bad stuff.

Soothing Effect - Yay!

I can't judge it too much, I suppose, because it's the first time I used a salve after waxing.  I am not sure if I will attribute not having chicken skin on my legs to this salve.  But maybe I could? I guess?  Before I wouldn't use any salve after waxing. I would just wash my legs and then there would be chicken skin-like texture after waxing.  This time it was just smooth.

Packaging: Ok

I am not a big fan of the packaging because it's in a tub.  Putting it in a tube like the other salves might be better. Or maybe it should be in a bottle so that it's like a lotion.

My leg here does look much cleaner, doesn't it? And no chicken skin effect!

Overall - Ok 

I am not sure how much this is but considering that the Sticks & Pulls is affordable, I would assume that this salve is.  And if I am right about it helping me avoid the chicken skin effect, this is a good product and I would consistently use it after waxing from now on.

I am still new at DIY waxing and I've only used products from Nanny Rose's.  So far, my experience has improved because the leg hair removal was pretty much painless.  At the same time, I think that the salve might have helped in making my skin look better than what it usually did after waxing.  However, it might be said that the wax in the small might be only good for 2-3 waxing sessions if your leg hair problem is like mine.  Not sure how many uses other products are good for so I can't really compare yet.  Also, you might want to try to get the bigger tub of wax because I think that its applicators are sturdier.  If they could include the same kind of applicator in the package of the smaller tub, it would be great.

Once again, thanks to Amanda for letting me try this product. :) It would surely help me prepare for my summer look with smooth hairless legs. ;)

PS: I think that Watson's carries this brand.  After all, that's where I got my first tub of Nanny Rose's Sticks & Pulls.  Check it out if you became interested after reading this review.

Some thoughts about Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

I got these samples from Estee Lauder Philippines. Got wind of these samples through my friend's blog on Dolled Up and Down.  Turns out that my other friend Shimmerjjang Andy also tried it so I thought that there's no harm in checking out this new product out there, considering there are free samples.  So I answered their poll on Facebook - and read other tips from various Estee Lauder fans.  (Some were quite inspiring!) Anyway, after getting my sachets of the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, I started using it.

The liquid was not thick. It was like the serums I've tried before.  And it was easily absorbed by my skin so that's something comfortable to put on my face.  The scent was faint so it didn't irritate my nose. BUT I suspect that this product wasn't agreeing with my skin. :( Unlike other serums I've used before, they help me deal with pimples and keep my skin feeling fresh.  However, when I was using this, it seemed like my pimples just kept showing up.  I went to Hong Kong for 4 days so I was the lazy packer and didn't include any skin care products in my carry on.  My skin became better.  But when I got back and started using this again for a couple of days, the pimples (especially below my chin) started showing up again and they're quite big. UGH. Maybe it's just me.  But I don't think this product suits my skin. :( I am glad to have tried it through their samples and I do know it's effective on other girls.  However, I will skip buying this and use another brand.  If there are any Estee Lauder products that I am curious about for future purchases it would be their lipsticks but for now, I won't be getting other stuff any time soon.

Quick Review: Laneige In Dream Red

It was my birthday last weekend so I decided to be a little different by wearing red lipstick. The one from Shawill is a little too dramatic for a casual date so I went for Laneige Snow Crystal Moisture in Dream Red.

 
Color: Yay! It's a nice cherry red with a bit of shimmer which isn't so obvious unless you look closely. Or the light hits the lips a certain way.

Without lipstick
With lipstick Wear: Ok
It kisses off. I hate seeing lipstick stains on my cup or straw. But even though it kisses off I didn't really need to reapply so much. And for a day of eating it was on me for 4 hours. The color was still there. Not bad at all. 

Moisturizing property: Yay!
It didn't dry my lips. :-) I suppose my nightly lip cream helps. Packaging: Yay! The cap is secure. Not too tight. And it looks so pretty. The white tube looks classy. And the label at the bottom says the shade you have.
Price: Ok
I got it on sale so it's cheaper than usual. ;-) For someone who is more of a lip balm and lip gloss person, this is good though of course I find the other shade I have as more "sulit."

Overall: Yay! 
I prefer tints and lip gloss but this line from Laneige does make me like lipstick. The nice thing is I really like the color even though it's something that I wouldn't wear everyday.

Quick Review: Tony Moly Eye Decoration #8

I bought some stuff from Tony Moly in SM North last month after I met up with the pretty Marilou of Princess Wannabe. :) Here is a photo of my purchases from Tony Moly:

Tony Moly Lemon Seed Massage Cream (PhP 198), Crystal Blusher #7 (PhP 298), Crystal Eye Decoration #8 (PhP 248)

A closer look at the Crystal Eye Decoration

I think that from this point on, reviews will have a general Yay, Ok or Nay comment. Each factor to be reviewed will have those words.

Form Factor: Yay!

It is one of the most convenient things, ever. If you're someone on the go and have not much time to do your face, or if you want to transform your no makeup look into something a little more funky, the Crystal Eye Decoration is convenient to bring along in your bag/purse.  You get an eyeliner and an eyeshadow in this stick form.  No need to bring brushes along too.  The applicator is built on one of the ends of this makeup product. ;)

This is the eye shadow end of the product.  Unscrewing the cap reveals the applicator. The cap contains the eyeshadow.  When you tip the cap over, the eye shadow doesn't fall out of it so don't worry. ;) It's fine even for makeup newbies! If you want more product, just screw the cap back on and then unscrew it.  The applicator end has a spring-like mechanism that unwinds the applicator when it's not capped but when it's capped, it kinda makes sure that it pushes the sponge tip against the eye shadow.  It's a little hard to explain.  But you could head to your nearest Tony Moly counter to check it. 

The eyeliner end doesn't need unscrewing. Just lift the cap off to use the automatic eyeliner. :)

The product is straightforward in terms of using it.  Just dab/swipe the eyeshadow applicator on your eyelids to give your eyes the nice shimmery powder eyeshadow.  I chose #08 because it wasn't white. It's supposed to be peach but it looks more like a really light yellow to me. It's fine by me because it's not a very difficult color to wear. It looks a little natural when you just swipe it a couple of times but the shimmery goodness is more obvious if you swipe a lot of this product.

The eyeliner is an eyeliner. Twist the eyeliner end to extend the length of the eyeliner's tip. Then use it on your lashlines.

Swatches: Ok. (Neither Yay, nor Nay)

Here is a picture of the product's swatches.

On the left is the eyeliner; on the right is the eye shadow. The eyeliner actually has little golden shimmers. It is not so obvious here, sorry.  It swatches darker on my hand compared to what it's like when you apply it on the upper lashline. I guess it's because I can't really apply much pressure on that part of my eye. I am scared.  But not to worry because you could just apply another layer of the product anyway, if you want really bold lines, that is.  I think that the eyeliner's texture is not too soft, that's why I am more careful when using it. 

As you can see, the eyeshadow I picked is just really light. I am still not used to very dramatic colors so I picked this. It's just right for me.

Pardon the bad lighting in my room but here's a picture to show what it looks like when you use both ends of the Crystal Eye Decoration stick.  The eyeshadow is makes the eyes shimmery and brighter and the eyeliner really does define my eyes well. :)

Lasting Effect: Ok

I went to a couple of events using this. When using an eye primer, the eye shadow lasts practically all afternoon and evening.  But without, you need to retouch, depending on how oily your lids are.  As for the eyeliner, it gets a little smudgy if you're the kind who would easily cry or when you yawn, tears fall down. But in general, I think it's fine.

Value for Money: Yay!

I think that it's worth buying. :) I wanted a different color but it wasn't available in SM North. I should look at other branches to see if they have other colors available.

Overall: It's a Yay! for the Tony Moly Crystal Eye Decoration in my book :)

I have simple needs and this is so convenient. When I go out, I could just bring a couple of things in my purse for retouching/touch ups! They are: this, Benefit's Porefessional, a lipstick and oil control film and everything is fine. Seriously!  I will just be careful in using this on my lower lashline though. But all things considered, it's a go for me even if I do have oily eyelids.  As long as I've prepped my face properly before applying makeup and I've got all my essentials done and my full face on, I just need those things for retouching.

Quick Review: Laneige Snow Crystal Moisture in Tea Beige

Laneige Snow Crystal Moisture in Tea Beige

Price: 475 Pesos (reduced price because of buy 1, take 1 promo)

Place bought: Laneige Trinoma

I learned about the Laneige promo thanks to Chic Sassy Mom. :) Saw her post in Facebook about her new lippies and I couldn't help but get myself a couple because it's Laneige on sale. Hahaha. XD Marge/KikayTrekkie has good reviews about the Laneige lipsticks so I can't help but be curious myself. I've been looking at their website's listing of lippies ever since I read the reviews.

Pardon my really wide nose. Please look at how it looks like on my lips instead XD

So yeah, this lipstick is beige. I originally wanted the latte beige.  But I thought that this tea beige shade looked better on me.  It's brownish pink on me, something that I actually really like. It's one of my default lippies now because it's more natural looking than the Paparazzi Coral lipstick from Etude House's Look at My Lips collection.

What I love about it:

• The color is natural looking! 
• It lasts quite a bit longer than most lippies I have. It says 8 hours but it depends on what I eat and how much I wipe my lips.
• It doesn't dry my lips. I could use it even without a layer of lip balm first.
• So far, the packaging hasn't failed me, compared to the Look At My Lips one.  This one seems to have a secure cap!
• Got it on a discount. ;)

What I don't love so much about it:

• Maybe the regular price? But even if it happens to be at a regular price, I'd get it anyway.  I've been meaning to get myself a lippie or two from their shop.
• Maybe it's a little more difficult to say if this shade has lasting power haha. I think it looks quite natural looking on me depending on the lighting.

At the end of the day, I could say that I am soooo happy about this product!  I am considering getting more Laneige lipsticks in the coming months, depending on how much lip product I end up using haha.

Review: Nature Republic Home Made Recipe Pack in Kelp

Note: I have oily skin and I deal with white heads, black heads and huge pores. The product reviewed here is based on my needs. What works for me might not necessarily work for you. 

When I heard that the Korean skin care brand Nature Republic will open a shop in SM Fairview, I couldn't help but be excited about it.  I went there the day after their opening because I was at work.  Anyway, it was a good thing I did because I was able to get some goods including this Home Made Recipe Pack in Kelp. (I mentioned this in my skin care routine post.)

What's up with that?

This is the pack recommended to me by their SA.

So I went there looking for possible skin care and makeup products.  I immediately asked about the products they have for people with oily skin and have to deal with blackheads and whiteheads.  She gave me several options but this Home Made Recipe Pack in Kelp caught my attention because it was less than PhP 300 (USD 7).  Affordable? Definitely.  And it's meant to be used only a few times per week so I still have this tube of product with me up to now.

How to use this product

A large version of the image so you could see what's on the tube itself.

As you can see, you need to wash your face first then gently massage your face using this gel. Keep it on your face for 15 minutes.  The SA told me I just need to use this 2-3 times a week so that's what I've been doing for the past several months. :)

Texture and stuff

Straight from the tube, it's a green gel.  Looks dark green.

Once you massage it on your skin, it becomes lighter because it is spread out.

I find it moderately sticky.  But of course, it's in gel form. I think it can't be avoided.  Anyhow, it's not uncomfortable to use even if you have to keep it on your face for 15 minutes or so.  

You might find it weird that it becomes warm when you massage it on your face. I think the SA said that it's really what happens when you use it because warming up your skin opens up the mores which makes it easier for you to wash of the dirt and stuff after.

What I love about this product

• After a few weeks of using it regularly I saw that I was using the pore strips less. Actually, I hardly use pore strips now.  I suppose it helps that I do keep a regular skin care routine but before I used this product, I'd have to use two pore strips on my nose on some days. 
• It's easy to use because I don't have to wait for it to harden on my face like some other masks/packs. I just wash it off after.
• It's affordable. 
• A tube of this product goes a long way because I only little of this product on my face for 2-3 times a week.  I bought mine last November and there's still quite a lot. I think.

What I don't love about this product

• The packaging -- because it seems like the tube is too big. I find it wasteful and I don't quite know if there's so much more air.  Also, because the tube is quite big, it won't be easy to bring this along on trips because it will make your kit bulky.
• It's not in stock in some branches anymore. Well, at least in SM North the Block I didn't see it anymore recently. Nuuuu~! Then again, maybe others have found it effective too, that's why.
• There are parabens in the product.

Sadly I don't have before and after pictures.  It would be gross to show you how much whiteheads I used to have though. If you have time to check out Nature Republic, just drop by one of their branches to ask for this product.  Talk to the SA about it and do a swatch so you know if your skin will react or not.  I know that sometimes skin care products are hard to find but if you get lucky enough, it would be more than wonderful.

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone! :)

NOTW: Etude House PetiteDarling Nails Matte in Purple Milky Way

This has got to be my favorite Etude House nail polish of all time.  This is not the first Etude House nail polish I bought. I think that this is the second. The first one I got was a beige-brown shade.  (Will check the number later but I am pretty sure that the lovely Erika Jjang has it too!)

This is Petite Darling Nails Matte in Purple Milky Way, a purplish brown matte nail polish.  I bought this from SM Makati last September. The price is PhP 98, or roughly USD 2.00 or so.

I've always been fascinated with matte finish on book covers and such. So why not nail polish in matte, right? I couldn't resist it.  And I love brownish shades so this one was definitely a must-have for me! ^_^


What do I love about this nail polish?

1. It is matte!  It doesn't have a glossy finish so it's not too eye-catching, I think. XD I could go to a client meeting and not be conscious about my nails.
2. The color is just so cute. ;)  Of course, it's a nail polish so it's best to buy something that appeals to you.
3. It is affordable.  Considering this is matte nail polish, PhP 98 is a good price.
4. It is locally available.  There are so many Etude House counters and boutiques.  Just go out and buy a bottle of this if you think it has a nice color too.
5. It dries quickly. Sorry I didn't time it but it's fairly quick to me. ^^; Less than 15 minutes, I think.

What do I think are downsides of this nail polish?

1. This doesn't last so much on my nails.  I suppose I should get the matte top coat to make it last more than 3 days.  Then again, such wear and tear depends on your activities.  If you do stuff that make it easy for nail polish to chip off, well, you better find a good top coat. ^_~
2. The color on the bottle doesn't really show it's true color when it dries.  I suppose the picture doesn't help much.  But really, it's much more purple in real life.  In the bottle it looks more like a dark beige or mocha though.  I am not sure if it's because of the frosted glass of the bottle.
3. The nail polish becomes too thick or something.  Would the proper term be viscous?  I have to use a solvent and mix it up so I could apply it on my nails.
4. The bottle is small!  I wouldn't mind paying a higher price but I wish Etude House would make this color and sell it in a bigger bottle.

Have you tried using this nail polish too? What are your thoughts about it?  Or maybe you have other nail polish that you'd like to recommend. Please feel free to post a comment. I'd appreciate it. ^_^ Have a great week ahead!

NOTW: Nature Republic BR901

This happens to be my favorite nail polish among everything I have.  I thought I'd like matte nail polishes more but really, this is just so special to me. To think that I just got it from Nature Republic on a whim, it was a lucky find and a great decision to get it. ;)

The pictures show you how nice and metallic this  nail polish is.  It has some shimmery stuff but nothing too big.  It's like heavy/thick caramel syrup with golden pixie dust to me XD  If you put just a layer of it, it doesn't look so brown.  It's pretty light, like maple syrup with some shimmers.

What I love about this nail polish:

1. In terms of texture, it isn't too thick nor very watery.  Just like the other Nature Republic nail polish I have, it's consistently like that.  That's why it's not so difficult to use it.
2. The color of BR901 is really pretty if you like browns or golds.  It's something that gives you a little of both.
3. The shimmers of this nail polish are small. They are so small that they're not that obvious.  If you're not into big chunks of glitter, or if you want to wear something shimmery on your nails without looking too casual or party-like when you're in the office, I think that this nail color will do.
4. For PhP 65 (or roughly USD 1.5), this nail polish is affordable considering the bottle isn't so small.  
5. It is available in the local market.  You don't need to order this online. ;)  Just head to the nearest Nature Republic branches in SM Fairview, SM North the Block, Festival Mall in Alabang.

What I dislike about this nail polish:

1. It chips off after 3-4 days.  It's pretty average in terms of chipping off from one's nails.  Most nail polish I have has that issue.  I wonder if getting from the more expensive nail polish set will yield longer-lasting nail polish.  Nature Republic has a more expensive set of nail polish and I have none from that set. Hmmm. That's something to try, I guess? :)
2. All glittery nail polish from Nature Republic are a little more difficult to remove. I guess it's the stickiness of the shimmers that is affecting it?  I suppose that if you're a little more careful with your nails this nail polish will last longer without chipping off.  At least that's my conclusion based on how difficult it is to remove.  It takes me much more effort compared to the plain nail polish. Maybe 3-4 swipes of cotton with nail polish remover compared to the 1-2 swipes to remove the plain/non-shimmery ones.

Unobserved point:

Drying time.  I haven't really observed how long it takes to dry. I just know that when I use the top coat with it, it takes much longer to completely dry.  Without the top coat, maybe it completely dries in 40 mins max?

In the end...

I really love this nail polish and would probably look for a silver version of this. :)  And if they have a black version too, that's another to check out. I am going out today so I am definitely going to see if they have other similar nail polish in stock.  In general, I think I've come to love Nature Republic's nail polish and most of the ones I have at home are from their shop. If there are two things I recommend from their shop, it's the nail polish and their kelp mask which I have yet to review.