Do you have anything special planned for this long weekend? If your agenda doesn't include an out of town gig and you're just enjoying the freedom from school or work, try to drop by YSA Skincare Center and avail of their services at 50% off.

I highly recommend their basic facial and diamond peel. I've been loyal to their basic facial since I first stepped in their clinic at Amberland Plaza in my college years. From then on, I've been to several other branches including St. Luke's, Fairview, MacArthur Highway and most recently in Congressional Avenue. I've seen first hand how they have evolved and constantly improved their services over the years. I tried their diamond peel 2 years ago and have been having one at least twice a year. 

Needless to say that I trust YSA with my skin and I am confident you should too. So go grab this opportunity and try their signature facial and other services at 50% off until August 21, 2012 from 10 am to 2pm in a first come first serve basis. For inquiries you may call them at 912-0703 or visit their website at www.ysa.com.ph. 

L'OREAL: True Match Super-blendable Powder

This month has really inspired me to do a lot of reviews since I've been replenishing most of the stuff I'm running out of including cosmetics and skincare products. I have been very good at avoiding my impulsive tendencies when it comes to shopping in the past months so when I ran out of my favorite finishing powder (Physicians Formula perfecting mineral concentrate), I couldn't wait to scan the counters at Landmark and get myself a replacement. Before my mall visit, I did a little internet browsing to look for different brands of finishing powder. I was considering Tony Moly, The Face Shop, Neutrogena, Cover Girl and L'oreal. In the end, I got this..

L'oreal true match super-blendable powder in natural ivory. It comes in a 9.5g powder compact with a sponge applicator and mirror at the bottom. I guess the idea is to keep the sponge away from the powder but I really find it hard to use the built-in mirror. You will find this a bit awkward to use unless you get all the powder you need on the sponge (which is impossible) to keep from flipping the compact constantly to get more.

When I asked the sales rep if I could swatch this on my chin, she gave me a triangular sponge applicator which I think is better than the round one included with the compact. The triangular sponge easily reaches all corners especially around the eyes. Feels soft and glides smoothly on your skin too. I asked the sales rep if they sell triangular sponges and she generously gave me what I used to swatch the powder and an extra sponge.

lorealparisusa.com

The powder has a very fine and smooth texture. It blends easily on application and instantly evens out your complexion. This blots away the shine especially on your T-zone and gives a matte finish without any shimmer. You can wear this light for oil control or add more to build up the coverage. It has a faint almost unnoticeable scent and it comes in various shades to cater to different skin tones.

Overall I find this product very impressive that I highly recommend it to everyone who wishes to have a powder that truly delivers. Though it's quite pricey for a drug store brand, I will definitely buy again in the future.

Skin Facts by Obagi Medical

A few months ago, I splurged on an Obagi signature facial treatment. Though it was discounted at 50% off via Groupon, it still turned out to be more expensive than an average facial. Anyway, the excellent service I got was worth every centavo. You may click here to read the review.

houseofobagi.com

House of Obagi Trinoma

After the treatment session, I helped myself with the array of brochures stacked near the reception area. I was so satisfied with their service that I decided to know more about other skincare procedures they offer. Among the handouts I got, the most interesting was the brochure about sun protection. The contents are so informative that I decided to share them with you. Credit goes to Obagi Medical for coming up with this very simple yet educational handout.

CONTENTS:

• When you're not wearing sunscreen to protect your skin, UVB and UVA rays can cause the following damage: 
• Sunburn
• Brown spots (sun spots) 
• Faster skin aging
• Increased skin cancer risk
• Obagi sunscreens help prevent sunburn and protect skin health because of their unique combination of ingredients:
• Physical (inorganic) protection uses ingredients such as mineral pigments to reflect UV rays away from the skin 
• Chemical (organic) protection uses chemical ingredients to absorb UV radiation and disperse it as heat

• UVA
• Penetrates skin more deeply than UVB
• Plays a major role in accelerating photoaging : wrinkles, skin roughening, blotchy skin color, brown spots, poor skin tone, sallowness
• Can contribute to development of skin cancer
• UVB
• Penetrates skin less deeply than UVA
• Is a primary cause of sunburn
• Plays a key role in the development of skin cancer
• Contributes to photoaging
• What is Sun Protection Factor (SPF)?
• SPF numbers signify the duration of protection against UVB rays versus not using a sunscreen.

• Apply sunscreen generously--every day
• For maximum protection, it's important to use your sunscreen every day because UV radiation can reach the skin even on cloudy days and through glass windows
• Skin protection guidelines
• Seek shade, particularly between 10am and 4pm
• Do not burn
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths
• Cover up with clothing, broad brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
• Use a sunscreen every day with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen all over your body 30 minutes before going outside; reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating
• Every month, examine your akin head to toe for changes
• Every year, see your physician for a complete skin exam

I couldn't get a clear image of the Obagi products recommended for sun protection but you may check their website for the complete list. 

I had a wrong notion as to how frequent sunscreens should be reapplied until I read about it in Prevention. According to Dr. Arielle Kauvar, director of Now York Laser and Skin Care Center, to make sure you're covered, reapply your sunscreen at least once every 2 hours if you're in the water or engaging in sweaty activities. However, if you don't plan to work up a sweat or be outside long, sunscreen protection should last 2 to 4 hours, says Dr. Amy Wechsler a dermatologist in New York City. 

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Now does it really have to be as frequent as every 2 to 4 hours? I think it depends on how much your sun exposure is during the day. Remember that you need sun protection roughly between 10am and 4pm. So if you applied once in the morning and you're in the office for the rest of the day, there's no need for you to reapply unless you go out in the middle of the day. Let's say your work involves a great deal of sun exposure, a higher SPF will prolong the time before onset of sunburn but you still need to reapply sunscreen every 2  hours. 

cliparts101.com

I know how busy each day gets that we often forget certain things that do really matter. Believe me when I tell you that skincare does matter a lot especially when it involves saving you from the worst that can happen. When I say worst, it involves the big C. So the next time you feel too lazy to put on sunscreen, think of how you can save yourself from a lot of trouble with just adhering to a simple step in your daily routine.

TIDBITS:

• This entry is not intended to advertise certain brands or products. Just giving credit to whom it is due.
• If you have any questions, comments or additional information feel free to leave them on the comment section below.

BELO ESSENTIALS: Whitening Lotion SPF 30

It was just a few weeks ago when I saw something different from the familiar line up of beauty products stacked in one of the shelves at Landmark. That's actually a trait I'm pretty much gifted with, a hawk's eye on newly released products. Anyway, I was thrilled to notice that the entire display area for Belo Essentials were filled with the same stuff but with a new look. I eagerly scanned through them and almost jumped with excitement when I saw this..

The new and improved Belo Essentials whitening lotion NOW with SPF 30! Okay, this may sound a little over the top but I'm very much particular with sun protection. So much so that even if I slathered on a hefty amount of sunscreen, I still avoid direct sun exposure even for just a few minutes. This is why I salute Belo essentials for taking the bar a notch higher in terms of skin protection by increasing the SPF content without the additional cost. 

You read that right. I was keeping my fingers crossed as I looked for the tag and was more ecstatic to find out that the price didn't change at all despite the improved formula. By the way, I have this habit of keeping the tag on so I'd know how much I purchased a certain item. I also write the date of purchase on the  tag so I'd keep track of how long it lasted. 

What the label says is quite catchy especially the part saying 'it visibly whitens in just 7 days'. The micro-encapsulated technology is another thing that drew my attention. It says that this technology encloses active ingredients in microspheres to ensure maximum whitening power. These are claims that I do hope Belo essentials can truly deliver.

Pros:

Nice packaging

Blends effortlessly and gets absorbed fast 

Leaves your skin hydrated without feeling sticky

Pleasant scent

Affordable price for a product that offers SPF 30 with protection from UVA and UVB rays

Cons:

*crickets*

I don't have any issues about this product but I do hope they can live up to their claims and truly deliver maximum whitening power with visibly whiter skin in 7 days.

In Conclusion:
Maintaining skin cleanliness and moisture are not enough to keep your skin healthy. You must also PROTECT your  skin from sun damage hence you need a product that doesn't only moisturize but also offers an SPF of at least 30 and protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Fortunately, Belo essentials have all these which is why I recommend this to all my friends. Will I repurchase? Yes, this product is a must-have on my list.

AVEENO: Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

I can't begin to tell you how much I love BB Creams (Blemish Balm Cream) and how I've been looking forward to the day when two of my favorite skin care brands, Olay and Aveeno, come up with their own line of BB products. A lot of other manufacturers from drug store to high end have released their own versions of this much talked about product except for these two. 

But reality check would tell you that they do have their own version in the form of tinted moisturizers, Definity Color Recapture for Olay and Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer for Aveeno. Unfortunately, both products are not readily available in Manila but I was lucky enough to receive the latter as a gift from my fiance who got it from Walgreens.

What the label says:

"These are the only tinted moisturizers with clinically proven active naturals total soy complex to brighten and even skin tone while providing SPF 30 sun protection. Natural light-reflecting minerals and lightweight coverage seamlessly blend away imperfections and immediately enhance skin's natural radiance."

*Active Ingredients

     Homosalate 5%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Oxybenzone 2% 

This product comes in a 75ml bottle with a pump which in my opinion is a generous amount for its tag. I love that the pump can be twisted either way to lock and unlock the spout. 

Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30 

Aveeno after blending

The texture resembles that of a liquid foundation but a little thinner in consistency. It spreads easily and blends effortlessly. It gives light to medium coverage as opposed to a liquid foundation so you might be needing a concealer for darker spots or areas like under the eyes. It has light-reflecting particles that make your skin glow without the glittery effect. 

What I don't really like about it is that it looks oily on my skin when used alone so you might want to top this with a finishing powder. I'm also not too crazy about the scent which is quite strong, but good thing it goes off in a while. 

(L) Tony Moly luminous goddess aura BB cream SPF 37
(M) Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30
(R) L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation SPF 18

(L) Tony Moly luminous goddess aura BB cream SPF 37
(M) Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30
(R) L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation SPF 18

(L) Tony Moly luminous goddess aura BB cream SPF 37
(M) Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30
(R) L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation SPF 18

Since I don't have other tinted moisturizers, I swatched this in comparison to Tony Moly luminous aura BB cream and L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation instead. Notice how similar they are when it comes to texture. 

(L) Tony Moly luminous goddess aura BB cream SPF 37
(M) Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30
(R) L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation SPF 18

Aveeno tinted moisturizer was the easiest to blend followed by Tony Moly and L'oreal though you have to bear in mind that these are three different products. 

Both Aveeno and Tony Moly appeared to have tiny specks of light-reflecting particles while L'oreal was matte finish without the shimmer. 

(L) Tony Moly luminous goddess aura BB cream SPF 37
(M) Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer (medium) SPF 30
(R) L'oreal white perfect liquid foundation SPF 18

After blending, Aveeno appeared to give sheer coverage while Tony Moly and L'oreal had medium to full coverage. 

Overall, I'm not so taken by this product but I do like that it looks natural on your face when used with a matte powder. Another plus would be the SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection. 

Do I recommend this to friends? I will to those with normal to dry skin types who have minor skin imperfections and only need light coverage. I don't recommend this to those who need medium to full coverage and those with oily skin. If you have combination skin type like me, again I suggest you top it with a matte powder. Will I repurchase this? Aveeno products have always been so effective on my skin based on years of personal experience this is why I regret to say I will not repurchase this particular product. I will however continue using this, maybe mix it with a matte primer or top it with loose powder and see how it goes.

TIDBITS:

• Aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizer SPF 30 costs $16.99 (Php 730) at Walgreens.
• All products mentioned in this entry are personal preferences and purchases and are not in any way intended for advertisement.

NEUTROGENA: Hydro Boost water gel

A couple of months ago, I was determined to get a new moisturizer just to try something new. In comes Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel.

I have to admit, I just started patronizing a couple of Neutrogena products a year ago starting with the Deep Clean facial cleanser followed by their Fine Fairness BB Cream and both of them proved to be effective based on experience. 

This comes in a 50g light blue jar with a twist-off cap. Inside is a reusable plastic lid which prevents the product from seeping through the inner portion of the cap. Overall, I like the way it looks except for the plastic lid that comes off freely if opened carelessly. A fitted inner lid would've been better.

The water gel is translucent and has a fresh scent. The consistency is nothing I've ever seen before in a moisturizer. It's fluid like and more runny compared to Clinique moisture surge. It only takes a little amount to cover your entire face because it spreads effortlessly on application. It easily settels on your skin and gets absorbed almost instantly that you don't have to wait long before applying your makeup.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel upon application

5 minutes after

10 minutes after

Above is a demonstration using an oil control film. Notice how Neutrogena leaves a minimal amount of oil over time resulting in freshly hydrated skin without the sticky feeling.

I've been using this product twice a day for a couple of months now. Though I haven't seen any dramatic changes on my combination skin, it didn't cause pimple break outs, skin irritation or other adverse skin reactions. What I do love about it is that I can proceed to applying makeup almost instantly after using it. I would recommend this to all skin types but I'd rather buy their newly released Hydro Boost Gel with SPF30 once this jar is consumed.

NOTES:

• I bought this from Watson's SM North Edsa at Php 830, quite a hefty tag for a drug store brand.
• All products mentioned in this entry are personal preferences and purchases and are not intended for advertisement.

MAYBELLINE: Clear Smooth BB Stick

In my last post I said something like "BB creams just keep getting better" and I have to say that this product, the Maybelline clear smooth BB stick can attest to that statement.

I wasn't suppose to do another BB cream review just yet but after trying this, 

I couldn't wait another day to rave about it. First of all, I have to admit that the P249.00 tag was the main reason why I bought it without any hesitations. 

I thought the very affordable price wouldn't hurt much if in case the product sucks. 

Luckily, this small wonder is truly a hit for me.

There are 2 shades available, Fresh for fair skin and Radiance for morena skin tone. I got the one in Radiance though I was leaning towards getting the former. Good thing I took the sales rep's advice and swatched it on my chin.

It comes in a stick, making it look like a jumbo concealer and it does work that way. 

It conceals your pores and imperfections in just a swipe. No kidding. At first I thought it would be a little dry, hard to apply and spread all over your face but it's the exact opposite! It has a creamy texture that glides smoothly on your skin. You get just the right amount of product in a single swipe without having to really scrape your face with the stick. It leaves your skin with a hint of moisture and a light powdery finish that doesn't get oily over time. 

Texture upon application

Immediately after blending 

After 1 hour of blending

What I really love about this is you can do away with powder during touch ups. Just a few soft dabs on your face, finished with gentle fingertip strokes can create a freshly made up look. It offers protection from the sun with its SPF 21 PA+++. 

It has a hint of chemical scent if you directly smell the stick but it's unnoticeable on application. This is also perfect for those wearing contact lenses who need to apply eye solution and constantly smudge their makeup with it. The size perfectly fits any bag so it's a good kikay kit stuffer.

Hooray for this innovative product from Maybelline. I definitely recommend this to my friends and I will repurchase once this runs out.

NOTES:

• My blog is turning a year old and I'm so excited of thinking a way to celebrate it. Maybe an anniversary giveaway? Let me know if you have any suggestions.
• All products mentioned in this entry are personal preferences and purchases and are not intended for advertisement.
• What works for me may not work well with others so results mentioned may not be the same with everyone. Individuality, finding what works for you is still the best way to spot a good product.