Hey guys! I just want to share with you this simple yet economical product I discovered last year and has become an essential part of my daily routine, 

the Sembem cosmetic cotton. 

Last year, I saw this on display at Landmark's beauty section, got curious and bought the smallest box just to try it out. From then on, I got hooked and I haven't used any other cotton pad. I used to buy the smallest box but I figured I can save more by purchasing the biggest box.

I love that it comes in a sturdy plastic container pretty similar to that of a wet tissue bin. The top flips off easily and the pads can be pulled out. This contains a total of 300 pads so it will definitely last for a long time. It's a little bit thicker compared to wet wipes but the fibers don't separate even when soaked. One pad is enough to apply several liquid based skin care products at a time like toner, softener or acne treatment solutions. What I also love about this pad is that you get to save more of your skin care products because a small amount is enough to soak its entire surface. 

Overall, this product rocks. You might want to give it a try because I highly recommend it to everyone. I just repurchased the biggest box for Php 124.75 and this will definitely go a long way before it runs out.

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Unboxing my December-January BDJ Box

Hi guys! Lately I've been so busy and wasn't able to share with you the unboxing of my December-January BDJ Box right away so I just made this short video clip using iMovie on my iPad to be quick. Enjoy watching and do subscribe to my You Tube channel pinkvernis for more of my video blogs. 

CC Cream: The Next Best Thing?

Aloha! In the past days,I've been so busy with wedding preparations and I have to say HAIL to all wedding organizers. The stress level it entails is way up there so I can't imagine doing this more than once, more so doing it for others I don't even know. So to all brides/grooms out there, be considerate and reasonable when dealing with your organizers. You'd be surprised at how they can go above and beyond the call of duty just by treating them nicely.

On to the subject of this post. Early last year I heard of CC creams as the next best thing in the beauty industry. Surprisingly (or not), it didn't really make the headlines nor make a great impact on consumers unlike BB creams. I for one was quite skeptical about it because it felt too obvious that they're hitching onto the popularity of BB creams. Remember, consumers nowadays are wiser and can't be fooled into thinking that newer products perform better than their predecessors.

Image courtesy of  michellephan.com

CC cream, short for color correcting cream has been spotted as early as 2009 and made popular in Asia by Rachel K after its debut in 2011. In 2012, Chanel launched its own CC cream in China making it the first international brand in the market. Shortly after, Olay joined in the band wagon and came up with their own version.

Olay Total Effects CC Cream comes in a 50 ml slim container with a pump. I'm quite impressed of how the contents were designed like a vertical helix. I may have dropped this several times yet it remained intact. Now I can't wait to consume it to see how it looks when half empty.

HITS:

The texture is comparable to a thick cream but is non greasy

Virtually scent free.

It easily melts in your skin hence making application effortless.

It blends well with your complexion without leaving a white or gray cast.

It gives you a moisturized and dewy finish that doesn't appear oily.
Provides sun protection (spf 15).

It doesn't feel heavy on your skin.

It didn't cause skin irritation or pimple break outs.

It only takes a small amount to cover your entire face and neck.

MISSES:

It can only offer you sheer coverage.

Your skin may get a little greasy over time.

Not yet widely available.

It's quite expensive.

TIPS:

For better coverage, use it with a concealer or top it with a foundation. To keep your face from getting oily, retouch with a finishing powder especially in the middle of the day. You may also use an oil blotting film if you're not into face powders.

I had mixed reactions when I found out Olay came up with their own CC cream. First, I felt happy because Olay is my ultimate favorite moisturizer but a bit sad because I've been commending them for standing by their products and not formulating new ones just to join in the BB craze. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for new and improved skin care products especially the ones made by Olay but it would've been better to stick with the label tone correcting rather than color correcting. At the end of the day, the name won't even matter especially when a product delivers great results.

Overall, I like the Olay Total Effects CC Cream but I have to admit that after using this for several days, I haven't noticed its difference from a BB Cream. Maybe it's still early to make a final judgement but in terms of immediate benefits like coverage, sun protection and moisturization, both BB and CC creams deliver similar effects. I will continue using this but if it delivers the same benefits as a BB cream, I may have to go back to my BB cream and not repurchase this once consumed.


I recommend this to those who need sheer coverage and are fond of using BB creams or tinted moisturizers. For those who need fuller coverage, this might still work when used with concealer or powder foundation.



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CLINIQUE: Happy Heart

Hello everyone! Just yesterday I received gifts from my loving fiance who unconditionally tolerates my kakiyan (vanity). He actually remembers stuff that I love and surprise me with them every time. I've been wanting to buy the Clinique Happy Heart since the day I tested the scent in their Trinoma kiosk so just imagine my joy when I got this.

This Clinique Happy Heart comes in a 100ml bottle which for me is more than enough to last for months because a single spray is all it takes to keep you smelling great. It has a warm floral scent that's not too girly nor too overpowering. This can be worn as your everyday signature scent and is appropriate for any occasion. I'm also loving the slim bottle which you can carry in your purse without taking too much space. Overall, I am over the top HAPPY for having this and will definitely buy one when it gets consumed which I believe won't be anytime soon. I highly recommend this to every lady who wants to try a scent that gives a lasting impression. 

The Brush Guard

Hey guys! I recently browsed through multiply and was surprised to find out that it's been exclusively turned into an online shopping site. I'm actually loving the concept because unlike ebay they offer more convenient payment options to online customers. 

I've been wanting to get a Sigma dry n' shape so I could easily clean and dry my makeup brushes but ordering it online will take weeks and costs a lot. Good thing I saw this on multiply.

The Brush Guard is designed to protect the bristles of your makeup brushes and makes drying and storage hassle free and fool proof. 

  

There are different sets available but I got the variety pack so I could try them on all my brushes. This includes 4 different sizes of brush guards covering everything from the smallest eye liner brush to the largest powder brush. Come to think of it, I wish I bought 2 packs so I could use one for storage and the other for cleaning. 

If you're familiar with curl formers, they pretty much have the same nylon woven material but the similarity ends there because The Brush Guard is flat and shorter.

For demonstration purposes I used my ever reliable Sigma premium travel kit which I use everyday but don't get to clean as often as I want to.

The variety pack is just right to clean almost all the brushes in the kit. The woven nylon stretches to accommodate the brushes leaving small spaces that allow them to breathe. 

Aside from storage, The Brush Guard also helps shape and dry your newly washed brushes. To clean your brushes you need anti-bacterial dish washing liquid, olive oil, plate, wide mouth glass container and your brush guards.

Mix 3 parts of anti-bacterial dish washing liquid and 1 part of olive oil. Dip each brush then swirl until all the dirt comes off.  

Rinse them under running water, gently squeeze the brush to remove excess water and blot each brush against dry tissue paper. Slip the brush guard over the handle until it extends 1/4 to 1/2 beyond the bristles. Allow the brushes to stand in a glass container with the bristles pointing down. This way, you're preventing water to reach the ferrule and cause early damage. 

Now I have a new set of clean makeup brushes to use.

You have to be careful with slipping the brush in each guard and check if the bristles are secured and not peeking through the tiny spaces otherwise the bristles might flair out.

I love that The Brush Guard is capable of multitasking as it helps shape and protect your brushes during storage or cleaning. It's also very affordable and can be bought locally via multiply. I got mine for only Php 250 with free delivery. I will definitely buy another set so I could store my other brushes and alternate them weekly. I also highly recommend The Brush Guard to everyone who owns makeup brushes.

TONY MOLY: Floria Cleansing Oil

I am forever faithful to Tony Moly especially after giving their Floria cleansing oil a try. I really don't use a cleansing oil to remove makeup and it was only a month ago when I got to try one. Thanks to Sample Room, I was given the chance to try the best cleansing oil there is, the Shu Uemura cleansing oil. Though I was amazed at how effective it is, I haven't bought one for myself because it's way over my budget. So when I saw the Tony Moly Floria cleansing oil on display and found out it's more affordable than Shu, I didn't think twice and bought one

I got this for only Php 998 and I'm confident to say that every centavo is worth it because this stuff is truly amazing. It comes in a generous 200 ml bottle with a pump dispenser. I find this cleansing oil pretty similar to Shu Uemura in so many ways. They have the same divine scent which is not too overpowering. Both of them feel so smooth when applied on your skin and turn to milky white when washed off with water. Both are highly capable of effectively removing makeup and can be easily rinsed off with water leaving your skin feeling soft and surprisingly non-greasy. None of them caused any skin irritation or breakouts.


There is a minor difference in consistency with it being quite thinner than Shu Uemura but it's almost unnoticeable. The big difference is the price because the Tony Moly cleansing oil is way more affordable so if you're an avid user of cleansing oils, give this product a try and you'll be surprised at how effective and cost efficient it is. 

I recommend this to anyone who's on the look out for a more budget friendly cleansing oil that doesn't sacrifice quality and efficacy. You can choose from 2 varieties available depending on your skin type whether you have oily or normal skin. If you have combination skin like me, the one for oily skin is more suitable for you. I will definitely buy another once this runs out.

Updated Kikay Kit Essentials

First of all I would like to greet everyone a happy and prosperous new year. I love that we get to have another chance to make things right or at least better. Though you can always start to improve yourself any day of the year it still feels different to do it on a momentous day when everyone else is sharing the same passion in the spirit of the holidays.

On to the real topic of this post, I figured that my kikay kit (vanity kit) needs to be updated for the new year. I'm making just a few changes so I can use other stuff I love.

I'm using this pouch from The Body Shop's tea tree travel set I bought a couple of years ago. It really pays to keep free pouches from gift sets. Anyway, you have to congratulate me on this because my vanity essentials are now down to 9 items.

(1) Kleenex oil control film is a must-have especially for those who tend to have oily skin in the middle of the day.

(2) The Body Shop all-in-one face base is my current favorite finishing powder since I started using it a couple of months ago. Just a few dabs help even out your complexion and reduce shine.

(3) The Body Shop mini hairbrush is a gift I got years ago but I never got to use it until lately. I love that the bristles are blunt  at the tips and don't hurt your scalp when used. The size is just right to fit in any pouch without taking too much space.

(4) Sanrio nail cutter or any nail cutter for that matter can come in handy anytime you need some nail clipping and don't have the time to have your nails done in a salon. I prefer this because it's designed to trap pieces of your clipped nail so you can use it anywhere without making a mess.

(5) Smashbox O-glow is my not so favorite cheek tint but after watching Miss Michelle Phan's way of applying cheek stains by patting quickly around the apples of her cheeks, I gave this another try and I'm glad to say that I'm loving the results.

(6) Tony Moly Cat's Wink Mascara is one of the slimmest  full size mascara I've seen. Though it's not my most favorite, it's still a good mascara that adds volume and a little bit of length to your lashes.

(7) Clinique Chubby Stick in super strawberry has been an indispensable item. I love the variety of colors available and how it instantly moisturizes you lips. The tapered tip that resembles a jumbo crayon enables it to reach the slim corners of your lips but the downside is it gets blunt after a while.

(8) Benefit Posie Tint gives your lips a natural flushed look and is best coupled with a lip balm or gloss for a more moisturized finish. 

(9) The Body Shop retractable brush is actually a blush brush that can double as a face brush. I love that it's retractable so the bristles are protected from being deformed. The bristles are so soft and densely packed that it glides smoothly on your face.

So that's it, I can't believe I'm surviving with just a few items in my kikay kit. Let's see if  I can trim it down again next year with just the most essential stuff. How about you, what do you carry around in your vanity kit?

Spread GREATNESS

Most of you are probably thinking that having a new year's resolution is old school or the thing of the past. I thought of it the same way and initially decided I won't have any this year until I rediscovered this..

The cover might give you an impression that it's an autobiography of someone famous, a national hero, a former president, a music icon or someone who won a Nobel prize. We can go on speculating who this great person is but I bet no one will ever guess it correctly until you open the pages.

Inside are blank pages. Yes, it's a journal which means that the great person is he/she who owns it, in this case I'm the great person. I still find it awkward thinking of myself as such but as Bo Sanchez says, each one of us is God's masterpiece created in His own image and likeness hence we are great and we are bound to do great things
to serve others. 

In comes my new year's resolution. I pledge to do my best in every endeavor so that I can be who I'm intended to be, a great child of a GREAT GOD created in His image and likeness. A great person who can help inspire others to do the same. I may not achieve this overnight, but I know I will in God's grace. How about you, what's your new year's resolution? You might want to consider being great too.


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