Video taken during Miss Universe 2018

Hello everyone! A couple of weeks ago, Miss Philippines Catriona Gray made us all proud by representing our country and bagging the Miss Universe 2018 title. She dazzled us with her beauty, even more so with her performance from the iconic lava walk down to her heartfelt answer during the final Q&A.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Illuminants+ Axillight Treatment Antiperspirant

Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! Today we're digging into a product I've been using for several months now, the VMV Hypoallergenics Illuminants+ Axillight Treatment Antiperspirant. This review has been long overdue so when I finally noticed the bottle nearly empty, I thought I'd just throw in my two cents' worth.

2017 FAVORITES: Body Care

Hello everyone! In the past weeks I've posted my 2017 favorites in the skin care and makeup category. Today, I'm back with my 2017 Favorites, body care edition. I may have mentioned several body and hair care products in the past but today is extra special because I'll be including all my favorites for 2017. Let's get started!

2017 FAVORITES: Skin Care

2017 is about to conclude in a few hours and now is probably the best time to round up everything that made this year worth reminiscing. Over the past years, I've shared with you my favorites in skincare and makeup but this time I thought of adding more categories like body/hair care, tech stuff and travel. This way, you can just choose to browse a category you like instead of going through tons of products or information that don't really interest you.

PRODUCT EMPTIES

Hey everyone! I'm back with an empties post which is very timely because I've finished a pile of skincare products recently. Since I started doing the 10 steps to Korean skin care, my stockpile of used products have doubled, making it a little more challenging for me to keep the reviews coming. You know how we sometimes put off doing a task until it's too late and you end up skipping it completely? I tend to have those with newly acquired products which is why I decided to do an empties post instead to let you in on what I've used up in the past months.

2016 FAVORITES: Makeup

Happy new year everyone! This is the second installment of my 2016 favorites and now I'm featuring the best makeup products I've encountered the past year. Just to give you a background, I'm actually more of a skin care than a makeup junkie which is why I'm making a disclaimer that the products I'll be mentioning are the best of the ones I've used so far.

PRIMER: Missha The Style Silky Soft Base
I don't regularly use a primer but whenever I feel like I need my choice of foundation to hold up, I always reach for The Style Silky Soft Base by Missha. It's actually a gift from a dear friend who knew I needed a really good primer. I love how this product easily applies on my face and blurs out my pores hence providing a smooth canvas for my foundation. This primer effectively keeps foundation in place and helps keep oil at bay.

2016 FAVORITES: Skin Care

Hey guys! I'm happily ending the year by featuring my favorite skin care products of 2016. Since I've been following the Korean 10-step skincare routine for about a month now, I might as well let you in on the products I've been using to stick to this regimen. Needless to mention that items included in each category are the best ones I've tried so far. Let's get it on shall we?

My Updated Travel Essentials

Hello everyone! I really enjoy taking time off especially when I feel saturated with work like in the past weeks. Fortunately, I was invited to an event at the Conrad Manila and got to stay there for 2 days. If you're not yet aware, allow me to inform you that I'm a skincare junkie and I don't mind taking an army of products with me when I'm away from home.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-boo Balm

Hey guys! I've been out of wifi range most of my days last week and it felt almost crippling. I know it seems a bit dramatic but I think you'll agree with me when I say that once you're used to having access to the world wide web 24/7 then suddenly gets regulated to just having it for a few hours, you can really feel the huge difference. 

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Illuminants+ Cream

Hello guys! I've been planning to get a diamond peel for months but my schedule doesn't seem to cooperate. If you're wondering why I need to have one, it's because my melasma is acting up again  mainly on the lateral areas of my forehead and cheeks. To be honest, I never had any idea what melasma was years back but in my early 30's I started to notice the sides of my forehead getting a bit darker than the rest of my face. I wasn't bothered at first since I can always even it out with foundation or BB Cream but the discoloration was getting more obvious during midday especially in well-lit places that I had to do something about it. 

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: id Monolaurin Gel

Hey guys! I've been wanting to share a great product with you since I started using it a couple of months ago. I waited a while longer to see how it fairs on prolonged use so stay tuned and know more about my new favorite skincare product, the VMV Hypoallergenics id Monolaurin Gel.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Papaya & Pineapple Skin Lightening Soap

Hey guys! I'm not sure if you noticed that I've been posting reviews mainly on VMV Hypoallergenics since October started. This is because I can't wait to share with you how I'm loving this brand. I took advantage of their 25% off promo and got myself a complete skincare set that I recently reviewed plus several other items I'll be featuring soon. For this post, I'll be talking about a soap I've repurchased and have been using for more than a couple of months now. This is the VMV Hypoallergenics Papaya & Pineapple Skin Lightening Soap.

This bath soap has a simple yet chic packaging. It's a medium sized soap that's opaque white and has no distinct scent. It easily creates a fine lather when used on moist skin. It feels so smooth and creamy just like a liquid bath soap. I love how it rinses off easily and leaves your skin clean without feeling dry like most bar soaps with papaya tend to do. I noticed micro peeling on certain areas of my face like on the forehead, around the nose and on my chin. What I do like about it is how discreet the peeling skin appeared. You wouldn't even notice it with a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream on. I noticed my skin tone was beginning to get even in a week and pimple marks looked less obvious after about 2 weeks of everyday use. This is actually a big improvement for me since my pimple marks always seem to stay on for a month.

Overall, I am loving this heavenly soap to bits that I'm definitely retaining it as my daily bath soap. You get the cleansing and lightening benefits of papaya as well as the hydrating and softening properties of pineapple in one bar for just Php 295. This soap can last for up to 6 weeks when used twice everyday but it may take longer depending on how often you use it. This may be too steep for just a bar soap but believe me when I say that your skin will definitely thank you for it. You may get this and other VMV products in all local branches of VMV Hypoallergenics and on their official website. That's about everything! If there's anything you want to ask just leave your queries on the comments section and I promise to get back to you the soonest time possible. Thank you for reading my blog and have an amazing week!

♥ ♥ ♥ 

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Cleanse, Tone & Moisturize

Hey guys! I'm pretty much excited to rave about a skincare line I've been using religiously for almost 6 weeks now. Before I reveal my current regimen, allow me to give you a gist of my skin condition. I have combination to oily skin and I've been fighting acne since teenage years. Needless to say that I was introduced to a vast array of products and procedures at an early age. Not that I'm complaining but I'm used to having more than a couple of products for my face alone. Since my battle against the big A started, I've been pretty loyal to my Dermatologist's products for nearly 2 decades as of today. Although YSA products still do wonders for my skin, I can't help but try other brands just to expand my options.

A couple of months ago, I saw an obvious improvement on my friend's face. Hers was brighter and clearer from the last time I saw her. She said she went back to using products from an old time favorite, VMV Hypoallergenics. The brand is not new to me and I've tried their powder foundation in the past but I never got to use any products from their skincare line. Good thing VMV was having a promo so without thinking twice I got myself a set of products all at 25% off. Talk about great timing!

This post is about my 6 weeks experience with VMV Hypoallergenics' skincare system which is composed of three products for cleansing, toning and moisturizing the skin. The rest of the VMV products not mentioned in this post will be discussed separately in the next few days.

VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Cleaning Oil-Control Antibacterial Facial Scrub (Php 735) for oily skin comes in a 120 mL tube. I love the classic white color of the packaging which emanates a simple yet elegant vibe. I find the matte feel of the tube very appealing and quite useful because it's easier to hold even when your hands are wet. Although I would've preferred a flip top cover for ease of dispensing, the screw on cap that it comes with isn't so bad.

The narrow spout is great for dispensing just the right amount. It appears milky white and has a thick creamy consistency. It's saturated with natural pumice that can thoroughly unclog your pores. I love that the micro-beads are just the right size so they don't feel too rough when massaged on your face and neck. This facial scrub is non-drying, doesn't sting and leaves your skin looking fresh and clear of dirt or makeup residue.

Next product is the VMV Hypoallergenics Super Skin 3 Monolaurin + Mandelic Acid Toner (Php 785) for oily skin. It comes in a 150 mL bottle with a screw cap. It has the same white color and matte finish packaging like the facial scrub. This is a clear toner which gives off a chemical smell that doesn't linger. It stings minimally and gives off a cooling effect on the skin. The toner didn't irritate my skin, cause redness or peeling probably because I strictly followed VMV's application frequency guide (See Notes below). I started with applying the toner once a day for twice a week and gradually progressed until I reached the 6th week mark of everyday application. This toner has Monolaurin, a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that effectively addresses acne and helps mattify shiny skin. Mandelic Acid on the other hand provides firming, anti-aging and brightening. 

Last product is the VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Fresh Oil-Free Nourisher (Php 845) which, like the facial scrub, comes in a 120 mL tube. This moisturizer is opaque white, has a creamy consistency and is unscented. I love how it moisturizes my skin without the heavy feeling. It doesn't clog your pores and gets easily absorbed so you won't have to wait long before applying sunscreen or foundation. It also keeps your skin well nourished overnight so you wake up with a freshly moisturized skin everyday. 

If you haven't noticed, the VMV products I just presented are labeled steps 1, 2 and 3. This way, customers will be guided on how to use the products in proper order. If you're new to VMV Hypoallergenics like me, you will be eased into their skincare lines gradually by starting with these 3 basic products. Even if you already have a skin concern you want to address, they will start you off with the basics and eventually add specific treatment products like anti-acne, anti-aging or brightening. 

After 6 weeks of using these, my skin visibly improved with more even skin tone and less pimple breakouts. Since I got all these at 25% off, I really got my money's worth. Nearly 2 months has passed but these are still more than half full and I'm definitely repurchasing once any of these run out. I think it's also important to mention that VMV Hypoallergenics always seem to have a promo so it's refreshing to visit their branches or online shop regularly. Last time I checked, they're giving out a full-sized product for every single purchase worth Php 3,500. VMV Hypoallergenics also gives out a frequency card which you can use to exchange for products when you reach certain points. What's even more awesome is they also give you points for returning paper bags, boxes and empty containers. 

That's about everything! Feel free to leave me questions if you have any and I'll get them answered as quickly as possible. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and have a great week!

♥♥♥

NOTES:

To safely and effectively use the VMV Hypoallergenics Super Skin 3 Toner, VMV suggests an application frequency guide:

Weeks 1 & 2: Apply in the AM or PM on (for ex.) Mon + Fri only

Weeks 3 & 4: Apply in the AM or PM on (for ex.) Mon, Wed + Fri

Week 5: Apply in the AM or PM only on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun

Week 6: Apply 1x in the AM or PM only, everyday

Week 7: Use 1x everyday, but on some days, apply 2x a day

Week 8: Apply 1x or 2x a day, everyday 

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Lip Glitter Gloss

Hey guys, I cannot wait to tell you how I love this lip product from VMV Hypoallergenics. I was suppose to hit the sack because I have an early thing tomorrow but after trying this on, I couldn't possibly sleep on it and delay my review any further. So here it is..

The VMV Hypoallergenics Lip Glitter Gloss in Princess comes in a gorgeous glass tube with a twist off cap and applicator sponge tip. It's 100% fragrance-free and doesn't contain paraben, preservatives and irritating waxes. It glides on smoothly and has an initial sticky feeling but goes away in a few minutes. 

It's non drying and doesn't feel heavy on your lips. It gives a glossy finish with noticeable tiny glitters and gives a red orange hue very similar to Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss but less sheer. Staying power is quite okay but you may need to reapply after a drink or meal. 

Overall, I love this lip product from VMV Hypoallergenics and I will definitely buy other shades from the same line soon. I do recommend it to those who want glittery lip products that can stay on after a decent amount of time. If you're the type who likes glassy finish without much glitter then this is not the right lip product for you.

Hope this review helps!

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