Hey everyone! Last week, I made a quick visit to SM Hypermarket at Eton Centris to buy groceries and of course a trip to any store won't be complete without checking the beauty section where I found another budget friendly product.

Beauty Formulas body & face cooling mist is an affordable skin freshener made in the UK and is now being distributed in local malls. This was discreetly stacked on display with other facial care products on the bottom layer of the shelf so good thing I didn't miss it.

This comes in a 150 ml pressurized container with a spray. I like that it's handy and convenient to carry around. It reminds me so much of my former body mist, the Bio-essence BIO Spring Water but a lot cheaper (139 Php) and more importantly, available in local supermarkets. 

I initially didn't like the spray because the product came out of the container like droplets instead of mist. Then I realized my fault after reading the instructions because I didn't give the can a good shake before use. It instantly refreshes your skin giving it a clean and moisturized feeling. It didn't cause any irritation or pimple break outs. The canister is properly labelled with the manufacturing and expiration dates. It's suitable for all skin types and you can use it regularly as often as you want. I love to use mine during Zumba because of its cooling effect.

Overall, I'm really happy I found this product. I will be repurchasing this when it runs out and recommend it to those who want a good cooling mist that's more affordable than other imported brands and is locally distributed. 

So what do you think? Have you ever discovered a really good dupe to any of your favorite skin products? Do let us know by leaving your comments below. Have an awesome week ahead!

♥ ♥ ♥

NYX: Official Boutique Opens in Manila

 

Anyone who's interested in cosmetics is at least familiar with NYX. I for one have been wanting to own most of their products since I discovered their existence a couple of years ago but unfortunately during that time, they were only available in a few physical shops with limited choices.



Although NYX is widely sold in the internet nowadays, a fair amount of risk is still involved when shopping online for cosmetics. Authenticity tops the list followed by product quality, cost and most importantly, sample swatches seen online may not look the same in person. This is why my world was in suspended animation when I saw this..

 

 

Yes, it's finally here! NYX just opened its very first boutique in the country at the upper ground floor of The Annex SM North Edsa, Quezon City last Friday, July 5. I didn't know about it until this morning when I saw those three iconic letters just as we were headed back to the parking area. I stopped for a moment and all I could think of was to take pictures as if I needed them to prove I'm not dreaming.

The store has a huge area which is really great because I expect it to be always jam packed with customers once the word gets out that they're here. There were only three display shelves, one is located near the entrance and two are placed beside each other near the makeup area. A couple of tables displaying several other products can be found near the cashier in the middle of the store.

The first thing I asked the lovely Sales Assistants was their opening day and I literally gushed with excitement telling them how happy and amazed I was to finally be in a NYX boutique. They were both really nice and encouraged me to look around.

There were a lot of familiar products on display like the Love in Rio eye shadows, Nude on Nude palettes, round lipsticks, The Curve eyeliner, butter glosses and many more! I wanted so much to see everything I ended up circling the entire store more than thrice before finally getting a few stuff I've been itching to try.

If you're wondering why I have two bags, it's because I came back a few minutes after making my first purchase. I figured I wanted more so I got these..

I got the Jumbo Lip Pencil, Jumbo Eye Pencil and AUTO eyebrow pencil for 300 Php each then a Stick Blush for 390 Php. Okay, they seem over priced compared to online sellers but the main advantage is I got to try all of them before purchasing and they all look pretty amazing. I'll be posting a review in the next days so do check back in when you can.

Overall, I love that NYX finally opened a boutique in Manila and is just a mall visit away from us. Now we have the advantage of going through their stuff and trying them before we purchase. The prices are still reasonable but online sellers are still cheaper by a few pesos so if you're pretty sure of which shade of lipstick, eyebrow pencil, blush or eyeshadow you want, you may still buy them from reputable online stores. Otherwise, it's still best to see first what you intend to splurge on. 

How about you? Are you as excited as I am about having a NYX boutique in Manila? Tell me what you think on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 ♥ ♥ ♥ 

DIY: Dry Your Brushes Vertically

You don't have to be an expert to know that cleaning your brushes should be a habit in order to maintain healthy skin. It may seem like a chore sometimes but you have to do it eventually. One more thing I don't enjoy about cleaning my brushes is drying them. I used to do it by laying the brushes over paper towels but they take forever to dry. Later on I learned from other makeup enthusiasts that you can speed up drying time by letting the brushes stand vertically using brush guards. 

What if you don't own brush guards or other fancy tools for drying brushes like the Sigma Dry'n Shape? Well don't worry about it because I recently got an idea from Pinterest that I can't wait to share with you!

Admit it, above image is indeed a CLEVER idea! To do this, use any elastic band like a rubber band or hair tie. First step is to insert the brush in the band, then loop it over a towel rail and finally, hook it back on the brush handle. It's that easy!

Notice how I got to use different elastic bands like a pony tail, a thin rubber band and several thick ones. You may use any of them but I prefer the hair tie because it's easier to adjust and manipulate. 

I really love this idea because it's so witty yet simple that anyone can do it. It also requires zero skills and minimal materials. It helped me save money because now I don't need to get myself Sigma's Dry'n Shape or a brush tree just to dry my makeup brushes. Who would've thought elastic bands are all you need in drying your precious tools? So what are you waiting for? Show some love for your skin and clean your brushes regularly. Try this technique and let me know what happens. Thank you for reading and have a blessed week! 

♥ ♥ ♥

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!

♥ ♥ ♥

Small Wonders

Hey everyone! I've been trying to reconstruct my finances in the past few weeks and haven't been buying any beauty related products to give way to more important stuff. I rummaged through my stash and it really looked as if I saved for the rainy days. I still have several bottles, jars and tubes of cleansers, moisturizers, BB creams and body lotion enough to last me months. Now I don't have any excuse (darn it) to break my thrift mode. I've also accumulated quite a lot of trial sizes from various giveaways and beauty boxes that I plan on bringing with me when I reconquer the Lion City in August. 

Among the array of samples these are my most favorite and are likely to be consumed even before I get the chance to bring them with me on vacation. 

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Oil (50 ml) 

I got this with two other Shu Uemura products as part of the Summer Fresh Set from Taste Central. It originally retails for 2,800 PhP and was discounted by 70% at 840 PhP. There are no words to describe how I adore cleansing oils from Shu Uemura and this particular variant has proven itself worthy of such admiration. I love the pleasant scent and light weight formula. It gives a smooth feeling when massaged on your face and rinses off easily leaving your skin supple without a trace of oiliness. Most importantly, it effectively cleanses your skin free of makeup and dirt. A few drops is enough to cover your face so this trial size will probably last me a while. 

Clinique Turnaround Instant Facial Masque (15 ml)

I got this from last year's Clinique Bonus Time and I have to admit I didn't know how to use it then. I was still acquainting myself to the brand when I got it so I thought it was just a regular no-rinse face mask. Later on, I found out it is indeed a face mask but you need to leave it on and rinse off after five minutes. It also doubles as a facial scrub because it's packed with micro beads. I like how it makes my skin feel clean and smooth after each use. You will also notice specks of glitter on your skin which I really don't mind because they visibly brighten up my face. You may use this up to thrice a week but if you have sensitive skin, you might want to lessen frequency of use.

Shu Uemura Tsuya Skin Youthful Radiance Generator (7 ml)

This serum was included in the Summer Fresh Set from Taste Central. It has a distinct scent but I can't put my finger on it exactly. It's not at all unpleasant and it goes off after a few minutes of application. It has a runny consistency and a few drops is enough to cover your entire face. The serum applies easily and gets absorbed almost immediately. It feels light and smooth on your face and doesn't leave a greasy finish. I've used it several times at night and I always wake up to a well hydrated face in the morning. It didn't break me out or cause any type of skin reaction.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream (14 g)

This came free with purchase a year ago. I've actually consumed the original content and refilled it several times. It has the consistency of a lotion and it feels like it doesn't get absorbed quickly so you might want to wait a while if you want to top it with a primer or BB Cream. It looks a little shiny at first which is why I only use it at night. I love that it can instantly make your skin feel smooth and silky and it locks in moisture so you wake up to a well hydrated skin.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich (5 ml)

I also got this from Clinique Bonus Time last year and it has become an instant favorite. It effectively moisturizes your under eye areas without causing irritation. As for the whitening effect, I haven't noticed any significant changes after using it for more than a month but I will continue using it and see what happens.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Day Cream (5 ml)

This cream came in my November BDJ Box last year. It has a pleasant scent, feels light on your skin and gets absorbed easily. I like that it leaves my skin moisturized without feeling and looking greasy. I would've liked it better if it came with a higher spf. 

So there you go, trial products you shouldn't ignore or toss aside. You may have collected some so don't just leave them lying around to spoil. Who knows, you might find something really good from sample sizes. Besides, great things can come from small packages. 

♥ ♥ ♥

ELIZABETH ARDEN: White Glove Extreme Skin Brightening Overnight Capsules

Hey guys! It feels great to be back. I've been stuck in bed since my surgery and though I wanted so much to work on some pending reviews I couldn't because my wound still hurts. Anyway, I didn't get to do my skin care routine while in the hospital hence my face felt rough and unpleasant the entire time. Luckily, I have plenty of stuff in my stash I haven't tried including this pouchful of Elizabeth Arden goodies from Miss Shen's 4th Anniversary Giveaway so I indulged the moment I got home. 

I went for the White Glove Extreme Skin Brightening Overnight Capsules because they seem appropriate for my week long neglected skin. Forgive me for the display of images, I missed blogging so much that I got a little trigger happy with my Ipad.

I love that they placed the capsules in this elegant jar, small enough to fit in any pouch making it excellent for travel. 

There were seven of these small gold capsules in the jar and one capsule is good for a single use on the face and neck.

To open, just twist the tab around twice and it'll snap off easily. This is my first time to try a product housed in a capsule and I have to say I like it. Capsules are neat for travel, dispensing the product is easier and you won't have to estimate the amount you need each time.

It's translucent gold in color and has the consistency of a thick serum, almost like a gel. Initially I was a little hesitant to use it because there were specks of dark brown grains in the serum and I wasn't sure of the expiration. So I searched online and luckily there were several reviews describing the product and showing actual images of the serum looking exactly the same as mine. 

The serum spreads easily and though it looks and feels a bit greasy on my face, it doesn't really bother me because I only use this at night. It has a subtle cosmetic scent that immediately fades a few minutes after application. I feel like it hydrates your skin throughout the night because you wake up to smooth, supple skin the next morning. 

After using it for three consecutive days, I feel like my skin improved and has become more soft and velvety. I haven't noticed any visible changes with the size of my pores or the fine lines around my eyes but I guess it's still too early to tell. 

Overall, this product isn't so bad but there are other affordable moisturizers in the market with the same effect. This is why I'm not buying it in full size. I do recommend it to those who are looking for something new to try and don't mind splurging on a good moisturizer but if you're on a tight budget, this might not be the best product for you. 

♥ ♥ ♥

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!