Nature Republic Petit Cherry Rouge in G09

Hello, sexy people! I'm back, but don't worry, no promises or excuses this time. Instead, here's a review from a Korean brand we haven't covered before: Nature Republic.

Sleek i-Divine Palette in Au Naturel

I am always attracted to makeup palettes when I see them because they are just so pretty to look at and I always love colorful things but I've never been tempted to buy those HUGE palettes which have all the colors under the sun. That's because I know myself well enough to know that I'll never use more than half those colors. I prefer picking out single eyeshadows one at a time just to make sure they'll be used.

Then all those neutral/natural palettes came out  one after the other and they were very tempting especially UD Naked 2 (more "me" colors. read: champagne), but frankly speaking, I don't wear e/s that often nor am I that great at putting them on so I couldn't justify the price tag on the Naked 2. Not yet, at least. I decided to get the Sleek i-Divine Palette in 601 Au Naturel. Let's start with this for practice, and if I get a lot of use out of this and if I get any better, maybe I'll move on to more grown up palettes.

Maybelline Baby Lips

This entry has been on my drafts forever maybe because there are just no words to express my love for this product.

Initially, I only bought this because it was so darn cute, not to mention cheap at PHP 79, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn it's much, much more than that. I got the one in menthol because I always like mint flavors, unlike fruit that I kind of have to be in the mood for. 

Lanvin Marry Me

And we just met, too. This is one forward perfume. Ha-ha. 

Well, it may not be a diamond ring but Lanvin Marry Me is as romantic as fragrances go. It's girly and floral, but so light and fresh-smelling, getting an up close and personal whiff of the person wearing it won't make you nauseated.

M2 HP Skin Refinish

The fight against aging starts in our 20's, and products that promise brighter, more youthful and flawless skin like the M2 line Luminaze are choice weapons. I've been dying to try them since I first heard about them.

I heard a lot of good things about M2 skincare products a while back and I recently got the chance to use it. Since I am a new user, I will be sharing my first impression of the product.

About the Product

This is a micropeel product. This line gets its name from the 2 main active ingredients: Mandelic Acid, which is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA derived from almonds and Malic Acid, which occurs naturally in fruits.

The product itself is a clear sticky dense liquid. I mean really sticky. I think a lot of people would be bothered by the stickiness of it, but I actually think it's a good idea. It keeps the product on my face and doesn't come off even if I sweat and it doesn't transfer to my pillow or sheets when I sleep. Besides, it dries to a kind of shiny film after a few minutes and becomes more comfortable after moisturizer is applied.

This product works fast! There was flaking around my nose and mouth areas the morning after my first use and I saw dead skin on my cotton pad when I applied toner. Also, like with products of this nature, expect a purging stage, where deep seated dirt and impurities come up to the surface in the form of breakouts.

Ingredients for those interested.

It's still too early to say but here are my thoughts so far:

Likes:

- fast results

- Comes in an airless pump bottle which twists up and out to open. No lost caps or parts. Very hygienic.

- A little goes a long way.

Dislikes:

- expensive! (for me, at least. 2K-3K for 50 ml)

- not widely available, (most people just buy online or through dermatologists)

- strong smell

- itching or stinging sensation. Not for sensitive skin.

- Purging stage

Etc.

- When using peeling/whitening products, always wear sunscreen.

- Don't be scared by the purging stage, the product is going to treat those breakouts as well. Just follow through or else you'll be left worse off than when you started.

- For new users, only use this product every other day for the first couple of months so that your skin gets used to the ingredients. (I alternate this with an acne treatment for the breakouts)

Will I buy again?

Undecided. It depends on the end result after 1 bottle.

Thanks for reading, 

Jackie

P.S. I was not paid by M2 to do this review. The product was also bought, not sponsored.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Addis Ababa

 Killing two birds with one stone as I practice techniques on personalizing blog pics and update the blog at the same time.

Addis Ababa is my second Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream. The first one was Milan, which I reviewed here in case you missed it.

I don't have a lot to add to what I already said about the product in that review, so just check that out for more details. This post is going to focus on the shade in particular.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Hey lovelies! It's been a while but I have news! I am officially a freelancer!
Still busy as ever, though. I'm still not done with Christmas shopping, can you believe it? The holiday rush and all the preparations for the big move next year: packing, trying to unload stuff at home, and all that. But I'm ready to blog at a semi-regular basis again. Wish me luck!

Moving on, here's a product that's been making me happy recently:  Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

 

image taken from website

Innisfree is another Korean brand I am interested in. Their products are said to be GMO, mineral oil, chemical, alcohol, triclosan, benzophenone and paraben free and most ingredients are derived from nature.The brand, as you can see is endorsed by Yoona of Girls' Generation (SNSD.)

Paris and Milan: A Tale of Two Lippies

Three Things I Love:

• themed posts
• lippies
• lame puns

Nyx RLS Paris

Nyx SMLC Milan

I got Nyx Round Lipstick in Paris and Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in MilanDigital Traincase at the booth during the Philippine Cosmetics Expo a few months ago along with Nyx Round Lipstick in Pink Lyric

Price:

• PHP 150 for RLS
• PHP 320 for SMLC (they're cheaper now @ PHP 280)

Going Red for a Change

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm probably gonna have more time for blogging soon. That's because I recently quit my job in preparation for moving another city.

It's kind of sad: I have lived in the same house all my life (minus a couple of years in college and some time with relatives on vacations)  and I have worked in the same industry for about 5 years now. But I'm not gonna lie, I think it's a great opportunity to try new things.  I love my job and I think I'm pretty good at it, but I have always wondered what else is out there for me. 

Maybe I'll go to business school. I could sign up for a VeritasPrep gmat prep  course first and see if it's for me. This course is taught by only the finest instructors and not only guarantees a great score but gives you the knowledge and the tools which are necessary for success in getting your MBA. Hey, anything worth doing is worth doing well.

We'll see. That's just one of the possibilities, anyway..

Here's another bold move (for me at least, because if you've been reading my previous post, you'll know how much love I have for pink lippies.):  I got my first red lipstick: Ever Bilena Matte in Love That Red

 

 

Do Detox Foot Pads Work?

I bought the Kinoki Foot Pads online about 2 months ago. and I've had a chance to use it several times now so I think it's time I shared my experience.

Price: PHP 150  for 10  patches.

Product Information from the Seller (taken online:)

Detox Foot Patch contains all natural combination of wood vinegar, bamboo vinegar, chitosan, dokudami, loquat leaf, vitamin c,vegatable fiber, tourmaline, & dextrin. Simply apply the detox foot patch to the bottoms of your feet, before you go to bed, and remove foot patch when you wake up. You will feel vitalized detoxified and fresh the next morning.

Directions for use :
1. Apply Kinoki detox patch one hour before bed-time.
2. Wash and dry your feet or body part before applying kinoki Detox Patch.
3. Take one adhesive sheet and slowly peel off paper.
3. Place the foot pad on the adhesive where noted to "Put adhesive sheet on this side" and place onto the soles of your feet or the desired area of other body part.
(Socks can be worn if necessary)
4. Wear for 8-10 hours then remove pad.
5. Wipe surface with wet towel until it’s no longer sticky.
6. Used patches will appear dark greenish or grayish as they absorb toxins and waste matter from your body.
7. Continue to use each night until the discoloration of the pad subsides.
8. When used kinoki patches show signs of lightening, apply once or twice a week for maintenance.

Benefit of Kinoki  Detox Foot Patch

1.  To relieve heel and foot pain [ideal for those who always wear high heels and stand too long]
2.  Help to lose weight
3.  Help to treat acne
4.  Help to treat sinus problems
5.  Relieve back pain
6.  More fresh and energetic
7.  Reduce allergic
8.  Increase the rate of metabolism in the body
9.  Reduce joint pain
10. Enhance the immune system
11. Reduce high blood pressure
12. Improves blood circulation
13. Reduce foot odour
14. Release surplus toxins
15. Reduce tiredness
16. Reduce stress
17. Better quality of sleep
18. Speeds assimilation of nutrients to cells

My thoughts after the jump:

Fashion 21 Aqualicious Lipstick in Little Mermaid

The pink lippie obsession continues! 

The Aqualicious line of lippies from Fashion 21 is water-themed.. The box is a combination ofblue and white which makes me think of a landscape of a very cold region. The tube is also a very pretty blue. (similar to the packaging  of SanSan's regular cosmetics line)  and the shade names have aquatic elements to them like mermaid, starfish,  etc. It also promises extreme moisture.

First look at Snoe Products and All Glammed Up's October Sale

I am always happy to see local brands stepping up and I try to support them as much as I can. It's been over a week since I got these Snoe Products. I have used them a bunch of times already. It's too early for an in-depth review, but that doesn't mean I can't tell you what I think about it just yet.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Bonbon Pink

Shade P31- Pink Bonbon

The ColorSensational line of Maybelline lipsticks  promises extreme moisture and color. It is available in many supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. and costs PHP 299. I recently got one in Bonbon Pink (P31)

Review: Baviphat AC Therapy Sleeping Pack

 

This is a miniature version (6g) which was a part of my minis and samples purchase from eBay.

Baviphat is a Korean skincare and cosmetics brand famous for their "fruit miracle" series and infamous for their suspiciously familiar packaging designs. Some famous spokesmodels for the brand are Beyonce and Korean idol group F.T. Island.

Product Info (taken from seller)
An overnight mask  extract suppresses melanin formation and prevent hyper-pigmentation. Arbutin then hastens skin whitening for a fairer complexion with beautifully even skin tone. Uniformly apply mask on cleansed skin before going to bed. Wash off in the morning. Regular use of sleeping mask diminishes the appearance of dark spots and freckles.

How to use:
After basic skin care in the evening, apply evenly over face. Go to sleep without washing out. Lightly rinse with lukewarm water in the morning.

Use it as a substitute for cream at night. Apply an appropriate amount to face and neck. Then gently massage and tab until thoroughly absorbed. Rinse off in the next morning.

Suitable For:  All Skin Types

My review after the jump.

My Two Cents: Himalaya Herbals Neem Foaming Face Wash

Foam is a lovely, fun and effective way of cleansing our faces.

Himalaya Herbals Neem Foaming Face Wash's  formula is much gentler on the skin than facial washes I had been used to. It is soap-free and uses the power of natural ingredients. Neem has been used to treat acne for centuries. It is also known for its ability to keep skin elastic. It is also used as insect repellent, which is a real plus in our country's environment. Turmeric is a popular ingredient for beauty treatments as well. It has anti-aging and anti-microbial properties, and is also used for depilatory purposes. (I know someone who uses turmeric powder on cystic pimples.) The bottle also lists Vetiver as one of its main ingredients, but I think it's mostly for the fragrance.