Can you believe it's 2018 already? My last post for 2017 featured all my favorite skincare products for that year so if you haven't, please do check it out by clicking this link. I also mentioned that this time I'll be including more categories for my 2017 favorites so now I'm back with this long list of products that made it to the makeup category. If you're into makeup or just about to plunge into the cosmetics world then you're in for a treat.

I have to warn you though that I'm a makeup enthusiast who's into simple everyday makeup and my favorites are based on products I've used so far. If I mention a favorite concealer, it may not be the best among all the ones available in the market. I'm simply featuring the stuff I love to use based on the products I've already tried which may be limited compared to those who live and breathe makeup. With that out of the way, let's continue shall we?

PRODUCT EMPTIES: Gone too soon..

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.

TARGET: beauty haul

Hey everyone! I'm recently loving the look of foundation and concealer on my skin but because I've been a BB Cream junkie for so long, I honestly don't know much about foundation and concealer. This is why it excites me to discover the ones that work well on me. I've tried a number of foundations and a couple of concealers but I'm still on the look out for more. So when I set foot on a Target branch in Florida one fine day, I knew exactly where to go and what to get. 

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.

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.

L'ORÉAL: Revitalift Laser X3 Power Water

Just a few days left and it's Valentines! Make yourselves date ready before the big day by sticking to a good skin care routine. If you're the type who wants to keep using products your skin is used to but doesn't mind adding an extra step to your daily ritual, then this post screams your name. 

L'OREAL: Visible Lift Blur Foundation

Hey guys! After all the fuzz about BB, CC, DD (and so forth) creams, a new line of products is starting to break the trend and steal the scene. I am talking about blur creams. I first heard about it several months ago and got to try one from Kiehl's. I instantly loved it so much that I wished more blur creams will be released. Good thing L'oreal came up with their own version in a form of a foundation called the Visible Lift Blur Foundation.

The product comes in a simple 40 ml squeeze-type tube with a screw cap. The spout is just the right size for easily dispensing the contents but be careful when squeezing the tube to prevent wastage. This foundation appears to be quite runny but I love how it spreads effortlessly and melts like butter on your skin! You'd be surprised how it can hide minor blemishes like a dream! It doesn't look and feel heavy. A thin layer appears so natural you'd fool anyone into thinking it's your bare skin. A second and third layer offers better coverage but you still need a good concealer to hide darker blemishes. It has a matte finish that doesn't cake nor settle in fine lines. It comes in a variety of shades and #204 Creamy Natural perfectly matches my NC30 skin. This foundation lasts the entire morning and may cause your skin to look a little shiny towards the afternoon. I also love that it didn't break me out.

Overall, I am totally obsessed with the L'oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation that I use it everyday and intend to repurchase when it runs out. It's perfect for my oily combination skin but I believe it also works well for all skin types. The only downside is that it's not yet available in local stores but I got mine at a fair price (Php 400) from bon marche, a trusted online seller recommended by a dear friend. 

Any thoughts on the L'oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation? Do share them on the comments section below. Thank you for reading this post and have a great week!

♥♥♥

L'OREAL: Gentle Cleansing Milk

Hey guys! I recently explored the beauty section of Fishermall, the newest place in town and I'm quite satisfied with the array of brands they offer. What caught my attention was the L'oreal counter. There were  just a few pieces on display which I guess made it easier for me to check out everything including this Gentle Cleansing Milk.

This makeup remover comes in a generous 200 ml plastic bottle which I'm guessing can last me a while. L'oreal suggests to use this as a gentle makeup remover by lightly massaging your face with an ample amount using your fingertips.

The bottle comes with a screw type cover that protects the wide spout. No complaints about the container although a pump dispenser would've been more convenient. 

The L'oreal Gentle Cleansing Milk is opaque white and is quite runny. It spreads effortlessly on your face and you can see right away how it melts your makeup and lifts remaining dirt off your skin. You will notice a distinct floral scent that goes off immediately after you wipe off the excess with cotton. It tends to leave your face looking a bit shiny but you can either wash your face or follow through with a toner. This cleansing milk didn't cause any skin irritation or pimple break out.  It costs a little over Php 300 and is available almost everywhere.  

Overall, I find this a good product that you can use everyday for removing makeup if you have normal to dry skin but if you have oily or combination skin like me, it may not be the best product for you. 

Any thoughts on the L'oreal Gentle Cleansing Milk? Please let us know using the comments section below. Thank you for reading this post and have a great weekend!

♥♥♥

My Current Skincare Regimen

Hey guys! I've been loving the effects of my current skincare regimen which consists of different product brands that thankfully work well together on me. Read further and see if we have some things in common. 

I start the day with cleansing my face using the Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser. This has got to be the gentlest facial scrub I've ever tried. It has fine micro beads that effectively penetrate your pores yet gently formulated for everyday use. I love that a small amount is all you need to cleanse your face and neck. It retails for 1,495 Php/125 ml tube which I'm pretty sure will last a long time. 

Dr. Lopez-Nazal's Acne lotion is my holy grail for pimple prevention and treatment. I've been using it for more than a decade and though the bottle has changed several times throughout the years, the formula remains as effective. You know how some acne treatment products tend to desensitize or get less effective in time? Well this hasn't and it never failed me each time I reach out for it. You may buy this from Dr. Lopez-Nazal's Clinic in St. Luke's or at all branches of YSA Skincare Center for 492.80 Php/200 ml bottle. 

You're probably wondering why the eos lip balm made it to this list. I tell you, it's an integral part of my skin care routine. You know how your lips tend dry up after washing your face and applying toner? Well thanks to this lip balm it feels like my lips are getting the same TLC as my skin. It retails for 250 Php and you may buy it locally from online sellers. Beware of imitations though and buy only from trusted sellers like The Fab Panda. 

I recently blogged about the wonders of this Youth Code Pre-Essence from L'oréal. The effects are so good and visible that I never stopped using it, you can definitely tell from the amount of product left on the bottle. Although L'oréal specifically indicated to use it before your usual skin care routine, I bent a little and use it after applying my toner. I love that it has a runny consistency, spreads easily, feels light and melts easily on my skin. This is available in all L'oréal counters in leading department stores for 1,495 Php. 

My current moisturizer is none other than my all-time favorite Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. I've been wanting to get the "plus" version but I still have this tube in my stash so I opted to finish it before splurging on another. I love how this moisturizer feels light yet effectively keeps your skin hydrated without looking too oily. A little goes a long way so I just put a pea size on my forehead, cheeks and chin each time. You may get this from Clinique counters in department stores and you might want to do it by March or September during Clinique Bonus Time to avail of their freebies for a minimum amount of purchase. I got this for free from Clinique Bonus Time but the full size is almost twice as big (50 ml) and comes with a pump dispenser which retails for only 1,350 Php. 

I'm slowly easing into using Shiseido products and it all started with this Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream with SPF 38, a gift from my loving fiancé. I love to use this as base for my BB Cream because it doesn't leave a white cast or feel heavy on my skin and the scent isn't to strong that it fades almost instantly after application. I'm not so sure how much this product is but my fiancé got it on sale for less than $10. I tried looking for this locally but Shiseido said we don't have it here.

Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream has always been part of my daily routine. I love the coverage and how it can go from light to medium. It gives you a brightening effect without being shiny. It has a decent staying power and still looks radiant after several hours. This 30 ml tube comes with a CC Cream of the same size and retails for 948 Php. You can also get the full size without the CC Cream for 748 Php/45 ml tube. 

After a long day, I use Ziaja Jasmine Micellar Water to remove my makeup. This product is water based but may sting a little so don't soak your cotton too much especially around your eye area. A tiny bit is all you need to melt your eye makeup and BB Cream. This 200 ml bottle has been with me for 3 months and will probably last 3 months more. It's available in Beauty Bar for only 295 Php. 

You may be wondering why I didn't mention an eye cream, this is because I haven't been using one religiously but I really plan to just as soon as I figure out which eye cream to get. So that wraps up my skin care routine for the past months. I hope you saw something that tickled your interest. Feel free to shoot me a question on any of the products mentioned and I'll attend to you as soon as I can. Thanks for reading and have a blessed week!

 ♥♥♥

L'OREAL PARIS: Youth Code Pre-Essence

Hey guys! Have you been enjoying your new year so far? I keep forgetting it's already 2014 that I always end up writing 2013 in most of my prescriptions. I just can't believe how time flies! Anyway, I'm really excited about a skincare product I've been using for more than a month now. I've been so eager to review its wonderful effects on my skin but I opted to use it long enough to RAVE about how amazing it is. Are you on the edge of your seats now? I'm talking about a skincare product from L'oreal Paris called the Youth Code Pre-Essence. 

First off, let me give you a moment to admire the beautiful 30 ml bottle. 

Gorgeous right?

The silver coated cover unscrews and doubles as a pump to dispense just the right amount of product through a glass tube that looks like a dropper. This reminds me so much of my Chemistry classes in college.


I love the overall look but I'm afraid the dropper like dispenser increases the chance of contamination and is too much of a hassle for everyday use.

This pre-essence has a mild pleasant scent that doesn't linger. It's turbid and has the consistency of a runny serum. Just a few drops on your forehead, chin and both cheeks can cover your entire face. It spreads effortlessly, doesn't feel heavy or sticky on your skin and gets absorbed almost instantly. 

My post acne marks lightened faster and it didn't break me out even during my period. I love how it made my skin smoother and supple to touch without looking and feeling greasy. I'm not so sure about my pores or small wrinkles but the overall condition of my skin is way better than it did a month ago. 

The verdict? L'oreal Paris Youth Code Pre-Essence is a good product to try but don't expect it to work like the fountain of youth. It also takes continued use and a little time for you to see a noticeable difference. Do I recommend it? YES, if you have enough budget and you're in need of a product that can truly deliver. Will I buy again? Most definitely! Although it comes with a hefty (1,495 Php) tag, I still think it's worth your money because one bottle can last up to 3 months and most importantly it does wonders to your skin. Any thoughts on this product? Do share them on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

♥♥♥

My June BDJ Box 7 Day Challenge

Hey everyone! Since I got my June BDJ Box super early, I was able to test drive some of the products hence this 7-day challenge. The moment I opened my BDJ Box, I jumped right in to try these hair care products from L'oreal. I've seen these on display counters but never did buy any since I've been very happy with my Dove Shampoo, SYOS Conditioner and Kerastase Elixir Ultimate. Luckily, BDJ included these in the June box and I got them just as I was running out of shampoo and conditioner. 

The shampoo has a thicker consistency than I expected which I think is good since you only need a small amount to cover your hair. It has a pleasant floral scent which is quite subtle unlike other shampoos that tend to be over powering. It lathers up easily and feels so smooth when massaged on your scalp. It washes off smoothly leaving your tresses feeling light and velvety.

This has the usual thickness of other conditioners and a little amount is all you need to cover your tresses. It also has a subtle floral scent, spreads smoothly and washes off easily leaving your hair feeling smooth and tangle free.

This hair treatment is unlike any other I've tried because it's water based. Good thing the bottle has a pointed nozzle to easily dispense the product. L'oreal suggests to apply it directly on your scalp to reach the hair roots. It feels light and non greasy, smells really good and gives a certain luster to your hair strands.

Okay so let's talk about what matters most, RESULTS. The L'oreal Fall Repair 3x shampoo cleanses my hair effectively leaving it feeling fresh and light after each use. The conditioner efficiently detangles my strands and makes them feel lightweight and silky. As for the hair tonic, there are no significant changes in terms of hair fall control. I've documented the number of strands I see on my brush every after bath for seven consecutive days and the results were variable and inconclusive. 

Before using the L'oreal Fall Repair hair tonic in conjunction with the shampoo and conditioner, I have an average of five to ten strands of hair fall when I brush my hair after bath. In the next few days while using the hair tonic, I also had the same results but with varied ranges. After one week, I didn't notice a significant decrease in hair fall since I still averaged five to ten strands. 

Above image may show significant difference but when removed from the brush, the before image totalled seven hair strands while the image labelled after yielded six. Despite this, I don't feel disappointed at all because one week isn't enough to conclude whether a product is effective or not. In addition, others may have more significant results than mine. However, I plan to continue using these products and see what happens after prolonged use.

Have you tried any of the L'oreal Fall Repair products? What do you think of them? Do share your thoughts on the comments section below. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

♥ ♥ ♥

June BDJ Box

Hey guys! I hope everyone's finding ways to enjoy the rainy season. I for one have had more than enough time to spend indoors hence do a lot of cleaning and organizing in my room. I've also been free to update my blog hence I bring you this in-depth look of my June BDJ Box.

Inside are the much awaited stickers with this month's mantra "YOU are STRONGER than you seem, MORE BEAUTIFUL than you think". Now that's what you call girl power. 

Seeing the contents made my eyes pop with excitement! Seriously, it will take an ice queen to ignore how wonderful the products are. So without further introductions, here are the contents of the box as described by BDJ.

L'oreal Paris Fall Repair 3x Hair Tonic (90 ml), Php 259

Nourish your scalp with a water based treatment Fall Repair 3x Leave In Tonic. The tonic ingredient makes your hair resistant to external aggressions. Have a fabulous hair finish with the latest hair care set from L'oreal Paris!

L'oreal Paris Fall Repair 3x Shampoo (70 ml), Php 110

Grow your hair stronger from the roots! With L'oreal Paris Fall Repair Shampoo, your hair fibers get restructured as it nourishes your hair from the roots! Its latest discovery, Arginine - an essential amino acid vital for hair growth is the highlight ingredient of this innovation from Paris!

L'oreal Paris Fall Repair 3x Conditioner (70 ml), Php 119

Feel softer and detangled locks with L'oreal Paris Fall Repair Conditioner. Use this conditioner along with the Fall Repair Shampoo to address top 3 causes of hair fall: hair malnutrition, root fragility and fiber damage.

Physiogel Hypo-Allergenic Intensive Cream (50 ml), Php 574.50

This non-comedogenic cream is enriched with Derma Membrane Structure (DMS) technology, ceramide and lipids that mimic your own skin's lipid layers! Apply a thin film once or twice daily. May also be used more often, if necessary. 

Avon Vitaluscious Lipstick (3.6 g), Php 299

No more dry and chapped lips! Make your lips look alive and vibrant as you pose one fab smile with Avon's Vitaluscious Lipstick. This rich and full colored lippie has nourishing vitamins to hydrate and soothe your lips!

Revlon Photoready Kajal Intense Eyeliner + Brightener (2.4 g), Php 525

Get multiple on-trend looks with one dual ended pencil. The dark end's rich color gives you an intense, bold look. The light end brightens and opens up the eyes. Use both ends together for an on-trend smoldering look.

Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment (5ml), Php 5,000 (30 ml)

After cleansing and toning, visibly improve your skin texture and tone with Kinerase intensive treatment. It has Argireline - an ingredient that helps reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 30% in 30 days.

Kinerase Eye Cream (5 ml), Php 3,800 (15 g)

Kinerase's eye cream is a light and moisturizing formula that pampers delicate skin around the eyes with its soothing benefits. It has Coix seed extract and Sodium Hyaluronate that hydrate skin around contours of the eye area.

What I  L♥VE  about my BDJ Box

I actually think of the BDJ Box as my own personal shopper! I don't know how, but they seem to have a way of effectively predicting the stuff I need and want to try each month. Like this month's box, it was a good thing I haven't bought shampoo and conditioner before receiving my June box because they included hair care products from L'oreal. Now I don't have to think of which brand to try next when I restock. I've also been putting off buying an eyeliner (eye liner newbie here) simply because I don't know which one to get. Luckily, Revlon Photoready Kajal Intense Eyeliner + Brightener was included as well. I love that BDJ keeps us updated with new products in the market like Avon's Vitaluscious Lipstick and allows us to experience high end brands like the Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment and Eye Cream. Finally I have to say that only BDJ can repeat products and still make it look awesome! Who wouldn't want a tube of  Physiogel Hypo-Allergenic Intensive Cream right?

I used to envy beauty boxes in the US but not anymore since the birth of BDJ Box late last year. If you watch unboxing videos of international beauty subscriptions like Birch Box and ipsy, you'd know how great BDJ Boxes are. In my opinion, BDJ isn't only at par with these boxes, it's actually better! You get more value for your money because BDJ doesn't only stuff their boxes with random things, they give you a combination of well thought of products you can actually use. 

I got my BDJ Box for less then Php 500 and received more than Php 3,000 worth of products! So if you're still unsure, you may want to try signing up for one month and let that one time BDJ Box experience help you decide. Who knows, you might enjoy it so much you'd subscribe for a year! Thanks for reading and have an amazing weekend!