For the past months, after residency, I have been experiencing break outs. Maybe due to hormonal changes or stress, but whatever the reasons are behind these unwanted pimples, what's important is how to get rid of them and prevent them from dominating my face. Well, pimples aren't new to me, I have been a victim during my teen-age years. It really got worse that my mom already brought me to a dermatologist. I had my face treated and I judiciously went to the clinic for treatment and after a few months, not only did my pimples clear but I had a healthier, fairer and more radiant complexion. So since then, I became very loyal to my dermatologist's products, from facial wash, toner, moisturizer and sunblock, all things I put on my face I bought from her line of products. There were even times when I tried on new commercial products I saw on advertisements but I never got the exact same results that I get from my derma. I always ended up going back to my old routine. So for more than 10 years now, I haven't had any pimple problems until 2 months ago. I started having pimple break outs on my face so I just continued the regimen I'm used to. But it seemed endless, one pimple would break out after another. Leaving dark pigments on my skin that don't heal as fast as they used to. Maybe because I'm aging and skin regeneration is slowing down on me. I felt so helpless, as helpless as I was years ago. So I started to look for ways to treat the pimples. I bought Clean and clear pimple treatment gel which really worked but not to the point of preventing other break outs. I hate the dark pigmented areas on my face after each pimple dries out. Also, I hate the fact that I need a spot corrector to get rid of the pimple marks. So I searched the net for products that will help me find a solution to all of my concerns. The answer came just in time when I received the email update from body shop. I browsed through their line of products to find out what they offer to those with pimple problems. Tea tree was the answer I got. So I went out and bought their starter kit which by the way was on sale at that time! Here are the products I bought:

Tea tree oil starter kit, all 4 products in a cute net-like green pouch

Tea tree skin clearing facial wash, toner, oil and lotion

Tea tree skin clearing facial wash (60ml): A refreshing daily gel-based facial wash to remove excess oil.

Tea tree skin clearing toner (60ml): 

A refreshing "shake to activate" toner with mattifying powders that effectively tone the skin and remove traces of impurities to leave skin looking matte.

Tea tree oil (10ml): A naturally infused, targeted solution to help clear blemishes quickly and effectively without overdrying the skin.

Tea tree skin clearing lotion (15ml): 

A lightweight moisturising lotion that contains powders to help absorb excess oil and control shine.

     I purchased this last week and I am now on my 5th day of using the entire line and I must admit, I am very much pleased with the results I am getting. I start off with cleansing my face using the facial wash, followed by the toner. Then I use the tea tree oil, applying a small amount on the blemish using a small cotton and finish off with the lotion all over my face in upward and outward stroking motions. On the first day, I felt tingly from using the toner and the concentrated tea tree oil. It was bearable and lasted for only a few minutes. They smell like menthol when you use them which didn't bother me at all. I love the way body shop made this starter kit which is very useful and a great buy for those who are not yet sure what products to buy from the tea tree line. Well on the following days, I saw my face starting to clear up. The pimple marks were peeling off discreetly and appeared lighter. I felt a new pimple about to break out on my chin the other day, but when I applied the tea tree oil concentrate, it never appeared, as if nothing was there in the first place. Well, I have to admit that I never thought I would discover a new effective way of treating my pimple problems. I have never seen any other product that delivers what it promises. The Body shop Tea Tree line truly gives the results it promises: visibly clearer and deep cleansed skin with reduced excess oil and unclogged pores without the harsh side effects of blemish-control products. All these results from the power of Body Shop's Tea Tree.

FITFLOP

     I really haven't heard of Fitflop until just recently. I remember seeing them on displays at different malls and some of their designs certainly captured my attention but I have to admit that I never tried on any because I thought they're a bit expensive. I was thinking I could already buy a pair of decent shoes instead. So I went around by passing each and every pair that caught my attention. But when I realized I needed comfortable footwear that can fit with any dress on my trip to Singapore next month, I reconsidered and tried looking for Fitflop on ebay. Well, there were many designs to choose from and they cost way cheaper than the original ones. But when I went to SM North this afternoon and saw this..

... I couldn't just turn away and get out of the store empty handed. Especially when I tried it on, it felt so right on my feet. Okay, I know I've been ranting about this for a long time but seriously, though I feel that I have been defending my impulsiveness since I started writing this review, I believe I have made a reasonable purchase.. :) 

My very own SIGMA!!!

     I've been eager to get my hands on this baby for the past months and it's finally here!!! My very own SIGMA premium travel kit. Pictures first before the story of my long agonizing wait.. :)

The complete set: brochures, free gift, brush set with pouch

The brush kit was in this pink net drawstring pouch

Sigma premium travel kit 

Opened Sigma premium travel kit 

Sigma premium travel kit with flap open

7 AWESOME Sigma brushes

Freebie!!! Sigma blending brush E25

The entire deal.. :)

ORDER YOURS NOW!!! Click on the pic above.

     I can't begin to describe how I felt when I got this from the post office this afternoon. Finally, after the very long wait.. months of looking at different sites and blogs for reviews on the best and reasonably priced brush kits.. 4 weeks of waiting for the shipment to arrive.. Well, I have to say that it was worth the wait.. I love the brushes, carefully packed and placed in the pouch. Each one in its' own plastic cover. The bristles are so soft and they really smell good.. at least for me. The kit is everything I have hoped it would be. I love the pink metallic color of the entire collection. I also love the free brush they threw in, blending brush E25. I have never purchased a brush kit and it's really a good thing I never did and waited until today. :)

Newly acquired skin care and hair care products.. MINI HAUL

     Over the past months, I picked up a few new products I haven't tried before and not so new ones with new releases from a previous line I have used. I will review each product in the future but for now I just want to share what they are. 

*L'oreal total repair 5 repairing shampoo 

*L'oreal total repair 5 repairing conditioner

*Sunsilk co-creations weather defense serum

*Sunsilk co-creations weather defense light cream

*Dove daily moisture therapy replenishing mist

*Maxi-peel exfoliant #3

*The Body Shop soft hand kind heart hand cream

*Asian Secrets lulur whitening body scrub

OLAY: Regenerist eye make-up remover PLUS!

      Well, for the past months since I got My Ipad2, I have enjoyed using it so much that I haven't used my laptop. The Ipad2 has lived up to my expectations and exceeded them. It was everything that I have hoped it would be and even more. What I love about Ipad2 are the added features that sets it apart from the first Ipad.. CAMERA, therefore allowing facetime, taking pictures & videos and uploading them anytime, anywhere on the web! Since I have been using this incredible gadget for months now, the ONLY problem I have encountered is maintaining the cleanliness of my pink smart cover.. I know, this sounds like a minor issue but if you use a certain gadget everyday, as often as or maybe more often than using your cellphone, it gets really dirty and therefore unsightly. So I searched the net for an answer to my problem.. What is the proper way of cleaning the Ipad2's smart cover. Several suggestions included using water with mild soap, alcohol, leather cleaner (the ones you use to clean leather car seats) and some even mentioned vinegar (???). I didn't do any of that. I figured apple must've thought of manufacturing a suitable cleanser of some sort for the smart cover. So I dropped by the apple store in Trinoma a week ago and asked if they do have such thing and the sales person told me that there's none and suggested to just clean it with soap and water. I didn't do that either. Then one time I was going through my skin care products, I came across my OLAY Regenerist eye make-up remover which I got as a freebie from my last purchase of Olay products. 

I only used it several times since I don't regularly wear eye make-up. I told myself I might as well use it to clean the smart cover. I used a square shaped cotton to apply it and a wet tissue to wipe off the excess. The end product was FABULOUS! It didn't take much rubbing to clean off the dirt. It dried so fast that I didn't need to wipe off the moisture. Overall, I am very much SATISFIED with the result. By the way, I also used this to clean my white philips earphones and I must say that it gave me the results I really wanted.

RATING: ****