Hey everyone! I'm back with another empties haul for today. I've actually been using up every stuff I have opened whether hair care, skin care or makeup just to be certain I'm not wasting any in storage. Although I still try new products here and there, recently I decided to use just one of each kind. I chose the title "gone too soon" because of several reasons I'll be disclosing as I feature each product. Have I got you intrigued yet? Good! So without further introductions here are my product empties.

GARNIER SKIN ACTIVE: Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector

Hey everyone! I can't wait to start reviewing a skincare line that in my opinion is so underrated and truly deserves a great deal of attention. I am talking about Garneir Skin Active products particularly their Clearly Brighter line. Before visiting the US, I was all set to look for Garnier's highly coveted dark spot corrector. I learned about this product from a good friend who swears by it and since it's not available in the Philippines (why oh why Garnier???), this made it to my must-buy list.

BDJ Box Beauty Social, Primp and Prettify

Hey guys! BDJ Box, the country's leading beauty box subscription, held another successful Beauty Social last September 29 at the Skydome in SM North Edsa. I knew there will be a lot of bellas out there so I preregistered and got sure seats for the first 2 talks and a guaranteed loot bag full of goodies! 

Good thing I have a fellow beauty enthusiast, Miss Kleng of all All About Beauty 101, a good friend who was as excited as I was to attend the event. Although the talks were scheduled to start by 1:00 PM, we opted to be there during opening at 10 AM to scan the place.

Image courtesy of BDJ Box

Upon registration, we were given a passport which contains a lineup of activities and a really helpful floor map for a bird's eye view of the whole place. There were a total of 12 booths in the event providing a variety of fun activities and services that promote each brand. 

First booth we visited was that of Cure since they were already entertaining participants by the time we got there. Sorry I really have a hard time remembering names but the one who assisted me was really nice. She showed me how to use Cure Natural Aqua Gel by demonstrating it on my hand. I actually love how it felt as she gently rubbed the gel in a circular motion. In a few seconds, dead skin was beginning to come off leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth without a trace of dryness that other exfoliants tend to do. I also noticed my skin looking a bit lighter with a fresh, clean scent. 

Cure is available in all beauty bar stores nationwide and the full size retails for 1,500 Php, not bad for a 250 ml product that can last up to 8 months! After the demo, we were given 2 sachets to bring home.

 

Next stop, Too Cool for School (TCFS), a fast rising Korean brand known for its cute packaging. TCFS recently hit Manila on the 2nd quarter of 2013 when it opened its flagship store in SM Mall of Asia and was followed by another branch in SM North Edsa 3 months later. I've only tried their BB Cream and loved it to bits. I was surprised with the variety of products they offer. 

Image courtesy of Too Cool for School

One product which caught our attention was the Rules of Pore Magic Pore Balm used to minimize the appearance of pores and wrinkles. It comes in a tin pot, has the texture of a balm but finishes off smooth and powdery. It can be used as a primer to your foundation or BB Cream. 

TCFS also made us participate in a classic Korean game and we luckily won sample sachets of assorted products.

Then we headed to the Cover Girl booth where we took the clump crusher challenge. After repeatedly applying Cover Girl's Clump Crusher Mascara for 30 strokes, I couldn't believe my lashes were thicker and longer without clumping! It was such an amazing product that my friend has claimed it to be her holy grail when it comes to mascara. 

As for me, I really haven't found mine yet but this CG clump crusher is an excellent candidate. Participants were given discount coupons worth 95 Php each and I can't wait to use mine soon.

 

At the Bifesta booth, they gave away different prizes including sachets of Bifesta cleansing lotion and a pink velcro head band. They were also giving free hair makeover using Lucido-L products. Although we wanted a new do, we opted to skip it since the line was already building up and the talks were about to start.

Things were really heating up at the Beauty Social especially when the crowd was getting bigger towards the afternoon. Luckily, Garnier was giving out mocktails for everyone! The lovely ladies manning the booth also introduced us to Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Energizing Facial Foam, a refreshing face wash which I'll be reviewing soon.

The staff in the Ralph Lauren booth gave us an idea of which scent best suits our personality and lifestyle. I was given a choice between sporty fresh and fruity floral scents but I prefer the latter since it radiates a more feminine vibe so they handed me a sample tube of Ralph Lauren for Women 3. 

The Celeteque booth was also starting to build a long line for their free skin analysis. Although we wanted to get our skin analyzed, we were told that they have to remove our makeup so we opted to try it towards the end of the event.

Yves Rocher gave us an idea on what skin care products to use for our particular skin type. Of all the different lines they carry, Hydra Vegetal has always been my favorite.

The Shiseido booth offered a free facial and makeover with every purchase of any product from their Ibuki line. They were also giving a free Ibuki Cleanser for every purchase of Shiseido Softening Concentrate and Moisturizer. We were so tempted to avail of the promo but didn't have enough resources to do it. I hope they get to do another promo by the time I saved enough to buy the Ibuki line. 

Max Factor's booth was offering free makeup tutorial while Revlon was offering free hair color application. I was really looking forward to a new hair color but we didn't have enough time to go in the mall and buy the product to be used for the procedure so we skipped that as well.

 

I was preregistered to attend two talks. Get Real with the BDJ Box Beauty Ministry at 1:00 PM was really fun! We got to hear tips first hand from Kate Alvarez, Nicole Romero and Tara Cabullo, members of the BDJ Box Beauty Ministry. The best part was, I got to ask my own question! I asked their opinion on getting facials and if they recommend non doctors performing them. Both Nicole and Tara said it's still best to visit your Dermatologist but it's okay to get facials from a trained personnel under the supervision of a Dermatologist. Both ladies also recommend the Shiseido's Oxygen Lounge for a rejuvenating experience. 

Ready for Anything Skin with Shiseido by Carmel Villongco at 1:50 PM was very informative especially of the newly released Ibuki line. Although I wasn't one of the four lucky ladies who got a full size Ibuki product, I'm still fortunate to try the entire line in sample sizes and will update you soon on the details.

Surprisingly, I was also preregistered for the Parisian Pretty with L'oreal Paris at 3:30 PM. I love how they taught us to wear vibrant colors and balance it at the same time. 

After the talks, each bella was handed with a loot bag containing an assortment of beauty products. Hooray to BDJ Box team for the orderly distribution of loot bags to all participants.

The event, for me, was a huge success! It's the very first beauty event I've been to and I'd like to thank BDJ Box for providing us bellas with such a memorable experience. I am definitely attending BDJ Box Beauty Socials in the future and so should you! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

❤❤❤

May BDJ Box

Hey everyone! In my last post I already gave you a sneak peek of what's inside the May BDJ Box and promised you I'll do a more detailed review. This post is intended to give you a description of the contents so you'd know the real deal why BDJ Boxes get sold out so easily.

Just to give you an idea, I've been a BDJ Box subscriber from the time they started which was October of 2012. I got a 3 month subscription and boy was I right in doing so because the first 3 boxes boasted of quality products from drug store to high end. BDJ has indeed made it possible for simple bellas to experience the luxury of high end brands.

Image courtesy of BDJ Box 

The BDJ Box soon became a common topic in the blogosphere and attracted everyone from all ages nationwide. It wasn't a surprise when the number of their patrons bloated in 2013 that their boxes became sold out a month or two before the scheduled release.

Unfortunately, I failed to subscribe from February to April and I could say those were three long agonizing months of avoiding posts of BDJ Boxes being reviewed. Up to now I regret not having the February Shiseido and the March L'oreal boxes. I inquired too late that the next box available for subscription was the May box. I have to admit I got too disappointed that I even considered not subscribing at all but after a few days of contemplating, I gave in and renewed my subscription. Good thing I did because the May BDJ Box was all I needed to cheer me up!

My BDJ Box came later than everyone else in Manila so imagine my anxiety while waiting for it. Then last night, my very own May BDJ Box arrived plus an extra gift! 

This box is bursting with three F's: Fun, Fresh and Fierce products from Garnier, Maybelline and Ralph Lauren.

Got to have these stickers everywhere as a positive reminder.

Garnier Light Intensive Brightening Scrub (100 ml)

"An ultra foaming texture, easy to rinse, with gentle micro-beads and lemon essence for an immediate action on dullness."

Garnier Light Multi-Action Whitening Cream (20 ml)

"This multi-action whitening cream acts on dullness, dark spots, excess oil and acne marks. It makes your skin visibly fairer while leaving it perfectly clarified."

Garnier Light Overnight  Whitening Peeling Cream (20 ml)

"This peeling cream peels off dullness overnight thanks to an intensive exfoliating action to help remove dark cells. It whitens the skin to reduce dark spots and further skin darkening."

Garnier Pure Active Anti-Imperfections Cooling Roll-On (15 ml)

"Concentrated in Purifying Salicylic acid, its fresh non-greasy formula quickly dries out imperfections instantly. It helps to improve skin, minimize redness and fade out marks."

Maybelline New York Hyper Curl Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara (9.2 ml)

"It offers thrice the volume instantly with 75 degrees curl and keeps curls for 18 hours. The unique formula makes it clump free and waterproof."

Ralph Lauren for Women 1 Sporty Fresh (1.5 ml)

"Catch her if you can. Confident and fearless, she is a natural born leader and ready to take on the world." 

Ralph Lauren for Women 2 Fruity Sensual (1.5 ml)

"Seductive and spontaneous, she follows her heart... and just might break yours. An irresistible flirt, yet a romantic heart."

Ralph Lauren for Women 3 Radiant Floral (1.5 ml)

"Rebellious and independent, she plays by her own rules. Always pushing her limits, she loves the thrill of discovery."

Ralph Lauren for Women 4 Delicious Oriental (1.5 ml)

"Daring and dynamic, with a flair for the dramatic. Her style express her unique personality. She is the life of the party."

Maybelline New York Lumineyes Eyeshadow Palette in Yellow Brown

" It comes with an illuminating color-control primer. Now eyeshadow color lasts longer. Eyes open up bigger and brighter than ever before."

Maybelline New York Colorsensational Lipcolor in Coral Crush (4.2 g)

"Fall in love with color all over again with crisper color from pure pigments and creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar. This lip color is so rich, so stunning... it's sensational. Enjoy 68 captivating shades!"

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Shine-Free Foundation (3.5 g)

"The blend of water and sebum-repellent powders keep skin matte and wonderfully fresh throughout the wear. SPF 25, among the highest in sun protection, shields from skin darkening, with PA++ for added protection."

Garnier Oil Clear Self-Heating Sauna Mask (2x6 ml)

"The formula generates a self-heating action on contact with the skin. Specially developed with clay and zinc, it works to remove impurities and excess sebum to unclog pores and refine skin texture. Your skin feels deeply cleansed and looks shine-free. It feels purified for up to 7 days"

Garnier Light Lightening Peel-Off Mask (2x6 ml)

"This is a real anti dull skin solution to gently remove impurities and dead skin cells that darken complexion. It instantly reveals a brighter complexion. You recover a naturally healthy-looking glow and skin texture is refined."

Maybelline New York Baby Lips Color Lip Balm in Cherry Kiss (4.5 g)

"Infused with pure color system for a translucent pop of color and shine. Formula with Vitamin E and jojoba oil helps to shed away rough dryness for supple smooth and cushioned lips all day."

Finally, I love that BDJ makes it a point to make you feel special, this time they added an extra treat with a hand written message. Inside is Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-On in full size. 

Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll-On (15 ml)

"This is a massaging roll-on that combines caffeine and the draining effect of a massage to reduce bags and dark circles and brighten the eye contour."

Imagine the humongous joy this little box gave me! It has everything a girl wants to have from skin care to makeup and fragrance, just the stuff I need to be my own kind of beautiful.

How about you, how are enjoying your May BDJ Box? Any favorites? Do share them on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a FUN, FRESH and FIERCE day!

♥ ♥ ♥

May BDJ Box Unboxing Video

Hey everyone! This is just a quick preview of the May BDJ Box. The contents are far too amazing that I want you all to see them in this short clip I made using iMovie for Ipad. Expect a full review in the coming days so do check back in when you can. Also, please subscribe to my Youtube channel pinkvernis and if you like what you see, a thumbs up would be a great way to say so. 

So what are you waiting for? If you love to get a monthly supply of quality products from BDJ Box like what you saw in the video, click here to subscribe. Thank you and have a great day!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

Wish Box

Hi everyone! I've been thinking of a year end special entry and I thought of doing Mykikaystuff 2012 Favorites by having a run down of my top products from different categories. But when beauty boxes emerged and became talk of the town since October of this year, I've been thinking what would it be like if I was to create my own beauty box. So I decided to do just that! Hold your horses, I'm not doing this for real. I just want you to know what products I would love to include in a beauty box if I were to make one.

Just a heads up, products I've assembled in this imaginary box may be a little over the top since most of them are my ultimate favorites. I call it Wish Box, very appropriate for it contains every product a girl like me would wish for.

This box originally contains a set of perfume and lotion from Gilly Hicks. I just positioned the bow to cover the label and made my own using the A+ Signature app from my Ipad.

Since this is just a make believe box, I went all out and included all the stuff I use on a regular basis and some that I think are worth mentioning. If you're subscribed to BDJ Box or Saladbox or have seen reviews on them, you would notice that none of the products in my Wish Box have been included in any of them.

This might also serve as a suggestion box so people behind these beauty boxes may have an idea on what other products we subscribers wish to recieve every month.

I assembled this Wish Box keeping in mind that I can include any product I like. So I reviewed my daily routine and chose the products as I would use them.

The Shu Uemura Whitefficient cleansing oil is a recent favorite and has become a mainstay in my daily routine. I got to try this via Sample Room and I've been hooked since then. It effectively removes all traces of makeup and accumulated dirt leaving your skin fully cleansed and feeling supple without being greasy.

Clinique mild liquid facial soap is one of my favorite facial cleansers because it truly matches my dry combination skin type. It adequately cleanses without drying your skin and leaves it feeling fresh and dirt free. 

The Floria Hydra Energy toner is one of the best products of Tony Moly. This watery gel type toner removes remaining dirt after cleansing your face. It doesn't dry your skin, instead it locks in moisture hence improving skin texture.

Clinique dramatically different moisturizing lotion maintains optimal moisture for dry and dry combination skin leaving it feeling soft and smooth. It doesn't cause any skin irritation or break outs. True to its name, this moisturizer dramatically improves your skin with continued use.

Celeteque DermoScience Brightening Eye Tuck plus Dark Circles Lightener instantly hydrates the skin around your eyes leaving them moisturized without looking puffy. It lightens your under eye giving it a brighter appearance. It's mild enough to use everyday and it promises to deliver results in 4 weeks. I actually got it free from Sample Room, you may click here for a detailed review.

Garnier Pure Active anti-imperfections roll-on is ideal for acne prone skin because it has antibacterial ingredients that can fight emerging and active pimples. It also has dual action formula that can eliminate blackheads and remove skin imperfections. I use this on emerging and active pimples because they dry faster and don't darken as much. 

Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream sits at the top of my list among the array of BB creams I've used. It glides smoothly on application and blends well with your complexion. It has a creamy texture that doesn't cake over time. It provides medium coverage and it leaves your skin with a bright dewy finish. Click here to see my previous review.

The Body Shop all-in-one face base has a fine texture that feels light and comfortable on your skin. This offers light to medium coverage and has a matte finish that looks natural without caking. It doesn't dry your skin or cause irritation and break outs. Click here to know more about this product.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Knock on Wood is so pigmented that you only need a few strokes to achieve a rich display of color. It gives just the right amount of shimmer to give you a glowing finish. The colors are wearable on any occasion from a simple day look to a dramatic evening look.

Tony Moly Cat's Wink Mascara enhances the volume and length of your lashes with just a few strokes. It dries almost instantly and doesn't feel heavy on your lashes. It doesn't irritate the eyes and can be easily removed by a cleansing cloth.

Tony Moly Berry Berry magic lip tint is my ultimate favorite lip product. It visibly stains your lips giving it a healthy glow. It has decent staying power and touch-ups are quite unnecessary except after a meal or drink. I've been using this for 9 months now but the pot still looks full so this will definitely last long.

Kleenex oil blotter is an effective product that removes excess oil leaving your skin feeling fresh after each use. It doesn't irritate your skin and offers a quick fix in the middle of the day when it tends to get oily. 

Organix Moroccan Argan penetrating oil restores shine and softness as it strengthens your hair. It also provides you with perfectly moisturized and silky straight hair that looks great and smells divine.

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth nourishing nail color effectively reinforces soft, bitten, weaken or thin nails protecting them from further damage. It also visibly lengthens the nails faster in just one week. The natural color of this polish makes it wearable on any occasion. 

This concludes my Wish Box, a fantasy box containing all the stuff that I love and hope to be featured in beauty boxes soon. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did rounding up the products included in this box. 

What about you? Have you ever thought of making your own beauty box? Share your thoughts and let's all dream big together. After all, some dreams do come true. Spread the joy and have a happy holiday everyone!

♥ ♥ ♥