Hey guys! Don't you just love it when the sky is clear? I admit to having a love and hate relationship with the sun. I love a sunny day but I also hate the sun's harmful rays which is why I never leave home without my umbrella and sunblock. Thank heavens there are so many products in the market that offer protection from UV rays like BB Creams. 

I've tried different brands like Shu Uemura, Clinique, Dr. Jart, Neutrogena, Missha, Tony Moly, L'oreal, Garnier, Too Cool for School, Maybelline and Celeteque (wheh!) but the BB cream I've always wanted to try is Skin79 Hot Pink. I've read a lot of great reviews on Skin79 but because this brand is not widely available in Manila and there are so many fake versions being sold out there, I never got around to buying one.

Several months ago, I came across Suesh Cosmetics' website and saw that they're selling Skin79 BB creams in full and trial sizes. I've been to their Trinoma outlet countless times but trial sizes were always out of stock. Last week when I met a friend for coffee, I tried my luck for the nth time and dropped by their stall. When the sales rep said they have trial sizes of the Skin79 BB Plus (orange), I asked right away what makes it different from the Hot Pink variety. She said the only difference is the higher SPF. I really didn't need much convincing since I've been waiting too long to try it and besides, the tiny tube was only 150 Php so I finally bought one. 

The Skin79 Beblesh Balm trial size comes in a small orange tube with a twist off cap. 

The back of the tube shows that it has SPF 50+ PA+++ for protection against UV rays.

I actually like the squeeze type tube with a narrow nozzle to carefully dispense the product and prevent wastage. I also like carrying this around in my bag for quick touch ups.

The Skin79 Plus BB has a creamy texture and a very subtle scent that's almost undetectable. It spreads easily and the formula seems to melt immediately upon application. It gives you an instant pearly white finish which I guess is expected of products with high spf. Although it initially gives off a white cast, it blends eventually with your complexion giving you a healthy glow. It may appear a bit shiny but you may balance it off with a finishing powder. 

Image courtesy of lifelittletales

Remember, when using BB creams don't slather a generous amount in a single application. Instead, squeeze out a pea size, dab it around your face using your finger tips then spread either  in a swiping or patting motion. You can layer it if you think you need more coverage but be careful not to overdo it. Chances are you will achieve your desired look without the ghostly cast if you do it this way. You'll notice being oily after about 2 hours of use but a little finishing powder is all you need to control it. Staying power is quite disappointing with obvious fading after 4 hours. 

Now let's see how the Skin79 Plus BB fairs compared to my all time favorite BB creams, Tonly Moly Luminous Goddess Aura and Clinique Age Defying.

In terms of color and consistency, Skin79 is more similar to Tony Moly Goddess Aura, both having a subtle yellow undertone and creamy texture unlike Clinique which gives a rosy white hue and has a runny consistency. All three spread effortlessly with Clinique drying off the fastest followed by Skin79 and Tony Moly. As for the white cast, well I've come to realize that it actually depends on the user's complexion and the amount of product used. 

All three don't give out a ghostly cast when used sparingly but I have to mention that Skin79 seems to appear the fairest. It also appears as dewy as Tony Moly unlike Clinique which has a matte finish. All three offer light to medium coverage while oil control is best when using Clinique followed by Skin79 and Tony Moly. In terms of price, Tony Moly is the most affordable at 748 Php/45 ml tube followed by Skin79 which retails for 1,000+ Php/40 gm bottle and Clinique which is around 1,850 Php/40 ml tube. 

Image courtesy of Skin79

Overall, I really like the Skin79 Plus Beblesh Balm and I will definitely buy a full size bottle when the tube runs out. I do recommend it to those who want to try a really good BB cream. If you're on a tight budget, I suggest you go with the trial size and decide whether to get the full size later. You may buy the trial size at any Suesh outlet store or if you're from Q.C. and have time to spare on October 4 and 5, go to Il Terrazo, Tomas Morato, Q.C. and restock your beauty essentials at the Beauty Fair 2013 from 12NN to 9PM. Thank you so much for reading and have a beautiful day! 

❤❤❤

NEUTROGENA: Wave Duo

Hey guys! I was fortunate enough to try out a new (to me at least) skin care device without spending a single centavo. I'm talking about the Neutrogena Wave Duo bought by my cousin for half the price in Guardian, a popular store in Singapore. 

The device has an oval shape with one end serving as handle and the other having a flat velcro-like base for attaching the cleansing pads.

I forgot to ask my cousin if the cleansing pads were already included but based on Neutrogena's website, you get 2 weeks supply of cleansing pads as part of the kit. 

The cleansing pads are cottony in texture yet very sturdy. 

To start, just attach a disposable pad onto the velcro end of the device.

Notice how the mid part of the cleansing pad looks moist? This is because each pad is presoaked with foaming cleanser. Just wet the pad under running water to activate the cleansing pad.

Turn on the power button and select your desired speed. Speed 1 is for gentle daily cleansing to remove dirt, oil and makeup while speed 2 is for deep-pore cleansing to give your skin an extra boost. Gently massage on your face in a circular motion. 

Remove the used cleansing pad and wash the device under running water to remove any remaining residue.

PROS

What I love about the Neutrogena Wave Duo? First thing is its handy size which is comparable to a small computer mouse hence very suitable for travel. It's also easy to use and is more affordable than other cleansing tools. Being battery operated also makes this stand out from the rest. 

NEUTRAL

This cleansing tool doesn't have a built in timer so it doesn't shut off on its own. The length of cleansing time relies on how long you desire to use it which can be quite tricky on my part since I tend to get lost when using it because I love the way it feels on my face. 

CONS

There are a few things that I'm not loving about it. First is the flat cleansing pad which makes it really hard to reach the sides of your nose and the areas around your eyes. Being battery operated can be a burden sometimes especially when you run out of extra batteries. It also limits your choice of face wash since the pads are already presoaked with moist-activated cleanser. 

Image courtesy of Neutrogenawave.com

Good thing Neutrogena came up with different varieties of cleansing pads to suit your every need. The Gentle Exfoliating Pads with microbeads to sweep away pore-clogging impurities, Foaming Pads (included in the Wave Duo kit) that promises to help clean your skin 10x deeper than traditional cleansing, and the Shine-Free Blemish-Free Pads that help absorb oil quickly and remove blackheads.

Overall, I like the Neutrogena Wave Duo but not that much to purchase one for myself. Although it's more affordable than other cleansing tools, still it's not a cheap buy considering you need to purchase cleansing pads every month. The device costs $16.99 plus $6.49 for a month's supply of cleansing pads, that's almost $78 a year on cleansing pads alone! I'm also not too crazy about the fact that I don't get to use other brands of facial wash unlike with the Clarisonic or Olay Pro X but then again, it's like comparing apples and oranges. 

Image courtesy of Neutrogenawave.com

If you're open to try and add something new to your skin care regimen, then I guess it won't hurt to get a Neutrogena Wave Duo. If you're on a limited budget, you may get the original Neutrogena Wave instead. It's the cheaper version which doesn't have speed options and is being sold at around $10.99. But honestly, I think you're not really missing out on anything big if you don't get either of them. 

How about you? What do you feel about home cleansing tools? Have you tried any of them? Which do you think stands out? Do share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have an amazing week! 

❤❤❤

BIFESTA: Sebum Cleansing Lotion

Hey everyone! Washing my face at the end of the day has always been a ritual since I started using face products during my teens. In the past years, as my schedule became more hectic especially during residency training, I tend to skip this important step hence leaving my skin prone to pimple break outs. Good thing there are now better ways to cleanse your face without taking much time and effort. One of them is the use of makeup removers like the one I'm loving so far from Bifesta.

Bifesta is a water based makeup remover manufactured in Japan which comes in four variants; Moist for dry and sensitive skin, Sebum for combination-oily skin, Brightup for dull and flaky type, and Agecare for mature skin. 

Since there were no other variants available, I bought the Sebum Cleansing Lotion in trial size at Watsons in Singapore just so I could try it before splurging on the full size. Good thing this baby worked excellently on my skin.

  

I've been using it together with my favorite cosmetic cotton from Sembem and I haven't skipped since then. Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion has the same color and consistency as water. It's virtually scent free and doesn't sting or cause any untoward skin reactions. I love using it with the cosmetic cotton because you only need to dampen the middle and you're good to go. It instantly and effectively removes your makeup without leaving a greasy finish. You may use it before washing your face but its cleansing power is so good that you can proceed right away to applying your serum and moisturizer. 

I think longevity of the product is based on quantity and frequency of use. I've been using Bifesta at night for a week and consumed only a quarter of the 50 ml bottle. So a full 300 ml bottle which costs 400+ Php can last me 6 months! This may not be the same with others since I don't wear full makeup everyday, just BB Cream and a little eye color so my experience can't be conclusive for everyone. 

Overall, I love this Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion that I've decided to buy the full size once the trial bottle runs out. I also recommend it to those who are still looking for an effective water based makeup remover. If you're still unsure, why not buy a trial size from BeautyRx, my budding online shop.  This way, you get to try it without spending too much before deciding whether to get the full size. So have you tried any of the Bifesta Cleansing Lotion variants? Please share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a stress-free weekend!

❤❤❤

POWER BANK (20000 mAh)

Hey everyone! Living in an era of fast growing technology, it's not a surprise to find at least a single gadget in every household. Everywhere you turn, you will see someone hooked to a tablet or cellular phone. I for one am guilty of doing so every chance I get especially when there's nothing else to do but surf the net or play PVZ2. Unfortunately, frequent use may drain your battery life leaving you with no choice but to plug in to a power source. Are you guessing where I'm going? Since surfing the net seem inevitable in my case, I tend to go low on power with my tablet, phone and pocket wifi hence the need to get, what we are now fond of calling, a power bank.




Of course before purchasing, I did a little research on what to look for in an external battery. Power banks are rated in mAh (milliamp hours) which corresponds to the battery in our cell phones and tablets. Since I use an Iphone 4 which has 1432 mAh battery and the new Ipad with 11666 mAh battery, I need a power bank with at least 14000 mAh to fully charge both gadgets. Luckily, my cousin found me an affordable power bank with 20000 mAh in Cash Converters, a thrift shop in Singapore.

There was only one piece left and out of all the five colors, a PINK power bank remained. It was really meant for me! Originally priced at SGD 59 which is around 2,000 Php and bought on sale for only SGD 29, roughly 1,000 Php.

This device is quite big (15x8x2 cm) and fairly heavy.

The power button is found next to a small screen that indicates the battery life. The window lights up to four dots when fully charged.

On the bottom you will see the mAh label.

Over the edge near the power window are three ports: one small port intended for charging the power bank directly to an outlet or laptop and two USB ports to connect your gadget. It also has a small bulb which functions as a flash light. 

The set includes a connecting cable and four interchangeable connectors to enable charging every gizmo you have like digital camera, MP3 player, Ipod, Ipad or any mobile phone. 

Now for the true test of power, I charged the power bank for nearly 12 hours making the battery indicator light up all four dots. I drained my Ipad's battery life to 3% and connected it to the power bank.

The following day, my Ipad was charged up to 73%! I was actually expecting it to be fully charged but I later found out that external batteries can lose their energy through heat. On a separate day, I also used the fully charged power bank to charge my pocket wifi and Iphone 4. Both gadgets were fully charged and used up approximately 25% of my power bank's stored energy.


Overall, I really got an excellent deal by purchasing this power bank. It has everything I want from an external power source, feminine looking yet a tough device that can extend the power of my gadgets for an affordable price. Are you into gadgets as well? What external power source do you use? Do share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!

❤❤❤

GLAMWORKS: Charcoal Nose Pore Strips

Hey everyone! Don't you just love it when others share their skin care routine? I definitely do because that's when I get a lot of ideas on which products to try and review next. I usually hear new stuff from fellow bloggers I avidly follow, friends and even relatives.

Last week, my cousin Raquel urged me to try her Neutrogena Wave Duo (which I'll be reviewing soon) and reintroduced me to the use of pore strips hence this review. Just to give you an idea, she is blessed with blemish free skin and very few pimple break outs. She's based in Singapore and has been using Biore products for several years now. Actually she's fond of using Biore's charcoal pore strip but since it ran out, we were left to try the classic version.


My first attempt wasn't as successful as my two other cousins who saw how it effectively removed stubborn dirt in their pores. I wanted to retry the next day but didn't get around to doing it. So imagine my delight when I saw a local version of the charcoal pore strips in Watsons.

Glamworks Charcoal Nose Pore Strips are individually packed in sachets of 12 in a slim box.

Here's how the pore strip looks like once you tear it open. The top is cottony white while the bottom sticky part is black, smooth and filmlike in texture.

To use properly, you need to wet your nose thoroughly with water to make the pore strip sticky and adhere to your skin. With dry hands, peel off the strip from its transparent cover and apply the black portion on your nasal area. After ten to fifteen minutes, remove the strip by lifting one edge then slowly peel off.

As much as I want you guys to see my used pore strip, I opted not to disgust you and describe it instead. It was surprisingly half filled with dirt, mostly from the sides of my nose even after cleansing my face. There were a few charcoal residues left but was easily washed off with tap water. I love how it's easy to use, didn't hurt when peeled off, didn't irritate my skin and effectively removed remaining dirt in my pores. 

Overall, this is a good addition to your skin care routine and is best used at night when most of the dirt accumulate from a day's worth of exposure to pollution. I guess the downside is the additional 245 Php on your monthly expenses for skin care if you plan to use it everyday. Although it's a good product, I don't recommend it to everyone, just to those who don't mind shelling out a few extra for skin care. So are you into pore strips? Let me know what you think on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a great week!

❤❤❤

HADA LABO: SHA Hydrating Face Wash and SHA Hydrating Milk

Hello everyone! I recently got back from Singapore and bought a few stuff that I can't wait to share with all of you. As expected, I browsed through every skin care counter I could find during my trip and among the array of brands on display, Hada Labo solely piqued my interest. It's a Japanese brand I've seen several times online and I've always wondered why they seem to run out of stocks easily. 

Hada Labo has a wide range of skin care products like facial wash, moisturizer, serum and makeup remover but among these, I only got a couple of items, the SHA Hydrating Face Wash and SHA Hydrating Milk. In case you're wondering, SHA stands for Super Hyaluronic Acid, Hada Labo's patented moisturizing range of products. 

This Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Face Wash retails for SGD 13.50 in Fair Price but I got mine from Duty Free in Changi Airport for only SGD 12.60 (roughly 430 Php) which turns out to be a really great buy since it's being sold online in Manila for almost twice its price (850 Php).

It comes in this 100 gm tube with a flip type cover to easily dispense the product.

I love that it has a security seal and that the date of expiration is indicated on the label. 

This facial wash is opaque white in color, virtually unscented and has a very thick creamy texture. Up to now I'm still amazed that a pea size builds up into a generous lather that can cover your entire face and neck. It feels silky on application, doesn't sting and rinses off easily leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean after every use. It doesn't strip your skin with its natural moisture and instead gives it a smooth and supple finish. This face wash is tough on dirt and makeup residue yet mild enough to use twice a day without causing skin irritation or pimple break outs.

I bought this SHA Hydrating Milk from Fair Price for SGD 22.90 which is around 780 Php, still cheaper than buying online (900 Php).

It comes in this 140 ml bottle with a convenient flip top cover. 

Again, I commend Hada Labo for including a safety seal and indicating the date of expiration on the bottle.

This SHA Hydrating milk is also opaque white and unscented. As you can see on the image above, it has a runny consistency and mimics the texture of a thin lotion making it easy to apply on your skin. A pea size is all you need to cover your entire face with a thin film. It Initially makes your skin appear drenched and a bit greasy but it eventually transforms into a moisturized look. It takes a while for the product to get absorbed but a few minutes of waiting is all it takes to achieve a freshly hydrated finish. I love how it clings on to your skin even when layered with BB Cream unlike other moisturizers that tend to rub off. It's really an excellent moisturizer that does its purpose without causing any untoward skin reactions. 

Overall, I am truly amazed with these Hada Labo products that I intend to repurchase them even if they retail for a couple of hundreds more. I do recommend them to those who expect visible results in just a few days of use. Although these aren't available in local stores, you may purchase them in reputable online shops or have your relatives/friends from abroad  buy them for you. So have you tried any Hada Labo products? Let me know your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

♥♥♥