Hey guys! I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but my still-half-filled 500 ml bottle of Bioderma Micelle Solution for sensitive skin unfortunately got thrown away. I literally freaked out when my mom said she thought it was left over drinking water and got rid of it. Anyway, I can't cry over spilled milk or in this case, spilled micelle water. I thought of repurchasing but I couldn't get myself to accept the astronomical price tag it comes with in the local market. Good thing Bioré came out with a more affordable version called Micellar Cleansing Water.

The Bioré Micellar Cleansing Water comes in a 90 ml bottle. It has a flip cover and a narrow spout which makes dispensing easy and spill free. It appears and feels like water, is scent free and doesn't sting even when used on the eyelids. It effectively removes makeup including water proof eye liner and mascara. A lightly soaked cotton pad is enough to eliminate traces of makeup and dirt. I love that it leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean that it's nearly as good as washing my face. 

Overall, the Bioré Micellar Cleansing Water is an effective makeup remover which I think comes head to head with Bifesta, my other favorite brand. Both are so similar in apperance, consistency and feel that you can't easily tell them apart. Although Bioré costs only Php 198 per 90 ml bottle, you still get to save more with Bifesta in the long run because it comes in a 300 ml bottle and costs only Php 419. Bioderma on the other hand still tops my list while Bioré and Bifesta equally rank second. 

So what's your favorite makeup remover? Do share it with me on the comments section below. Thank you for your time and have a great weekend!

♥♥♥

GLAMOURBOX: BYS Special Edition Box

Hey guys! September has got to be the busiest month of my third quarter which is why coming home to a boxful of awesome goodies from Glamourbox the other day felt exactly like Christmas in September. Last week, I got to bond with my good friend Christine of allaboutbeauty101 over lunch and a little shopping. She told me about the Glamourbox BYS Special Edition Box and it didn't take long for me to decide I want one too, hence this unboxing post.

First of all, I love the way Glamourbox delivered on time. I also commend them for making sure the parcel is securely packed. See that bubble wrap? There's no way anyone or anything  can mess up the goodies inside. 

Opening the box initially reveals this information card which details all the products included and a brief description of each item as well as the retail price. 

Now the best part is finally seeing the variety of BYS products. Just the sight of these full sized items made my day complete. 

How can you not gasp over these lovely products? Allow me to give you an overview of the contents so you'd know what you're getting should you decide to avail it. 

BYS Nude Eyeshadow Palette (Nude 1) -- Php 1,199 

I know what you're thinking. This palette looks so familiar you almost thought it was Urban Decay's Naked Palette right? Well it may look similar to the Naked palette but it only costs a fraction of the price. This has a metal case that looks and feels sturdy. It comes with a dual ended brush and a humongous mirror. I'm not sure if it's just my palette but I'm sort of weirded out by the mirror giving a magnified reflection. The eyeshadows are further protected with a transparent seal to prevent them from damage. 

BYS Contour Trio in Sweet -- Php 449

I have no skill when it comes to contouring which is why I have yet to figure out how to make the most out of this palette. Meanwhile, I do love that it includes a blush, highlighter and contour housed in one palette. 

BYS Blush Duo in Miss Pink -- Php 349

This blush is as big as a compact powder so I'm guessing it will be in my stash for a very long time. It includes 2 shades of pink with one color lighter than the other. I'm so excited to give this blush duo a try and see if I can get more than a couple of looks by mixing them in varying intensities. 

BYS Matte Lipstick in Tango -- Php 299

I've been looking into wearing a pop of color on my lips, good thing Glamourbox and BYS threw in a lip color that appears deep red. Packaging is pretty simple but I do hope the stick retracts all the way down so I won't ruin it with the cap. I've read a lot of great things about this lipstick so I'm quite excited to try one for the first time. 

BYS Brow Definition Kit -- Php 399

I'm a newbie when it comes to brow grooming so I've only tried a brow kit once. I didn't enjoy it much and struggled with making the wax and brow powder work for me. I eventually shifted to using the mascara type which had my brows looking dyed so I also ended up not liking it. I'm currently using a brow pencil and so far so good but this brow kit from BYS might be a good way to ease my way back to using brow palettes. 

BYS Nail Polish in Reign Supreme -- Php 199

Lastly, is this nail polish in the shade "Reign Supreme" which appears blue violet. Although I prefer discreet shades like nude and blush, I'm also for trying out new things so this polish will come in handy. 

Overall, this BYS Special Edition Box from Glamourbox is a real steal! Imagine getting an assortment of best sellers from BYS worth almost Php 3,000 and paying only Php 1,100 plus minimal shipping fee. So go get your own Glamourbox now until they're available.

Any thoughts on Glamourbox or BYS? Do share them on the comments section below and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for visiting and have a great week!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

CLINIQUE: 3-Step System Package

Hey guys! I'm sort of getting on a roll here with enough time to pitch in another post before the "ber" months come marching in. I was out with friends weeks ago to watch the screening of Fantastic 4 but I got to the mall too early giving me enough time to visit a few shops. I was holding back from making any unnecessary purchases especially related to beauty products but seeing a neatly assembled package of skin care goodies from Clinique at a reasonable price literally shook me. 

See what I mean? There's no way anyone (well anyone who's a skin care devotee like me) can pass by the Clinique counter without noticing what an awesome deal this is! Imagine having the chance to try out Clinique's world famous 3-Step System for the low price of Php 495. 

The Clinique set consists of the Clarifying Lotion #2, Liquid Facial Soap Mild and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +. All the remaining packages available have these specific products for dry combination skin and there were no other varieties left. Good thing my current skin condition is more on the dry than the oily combination. 

The Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild comes in a 30ml tube which I'm really loving for travel. It's unscented and clear with a slightly runny gel like consistency. A small amount, about the size of a 25 centavo coin, is all you need to cover your entire face and neck. It gives a subtle cooling feel on application and builds up into a rich lather. It washes off completely leaving your skin freshly clean without any dryness. I've tried tons of liquid facial wash brands but I always go back to Clinique especially during bad skin days. 

The second step features the Clinique Clarifying Lotion #2 housed in a 100ml bottle which again is great for travel. Is it just me or the wash of lilac already looks refreshing? This toner is fragrance free although I still get a whiff of minty scent on application. I love that it gives my skin an invigorating feeling without the sting. It effectively removes the remaining impurities on your face and neck after cleansing. 

Lastly is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + in a tiny 15ml tube. Okay, it's disappointingly small for everyday use but look on the bright side, this will barely take up space in your travel kit. I know I'll be enjoying this on my next trip. This moisturizing lotion is light yellow and unscented. It has a very light texture that melts like butter on your skin. It instantly moisturizes your skin without the heavy feeling or oily finish. I love that it doesn't irritate my skin or cause pimple break outs. 

Overall, this travel set of the Clinique 3-Step System rocks! If you have dry combination skin, do drop by a Clinique counter near you and avail of this amazing offer. I'm not so sure if other branches have sets for other skin types but you may still want to check out their other products. Probably the only downside here is availability of stocks. Last time I checked, Trinoma still has 6 of these so don't wait too long to get your own set. Any questions in mind? Ask away and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for reading this post and have an amazing week!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

Random Favorites

Hey guys! I seriously need a ton of free time to catch up on my blogging. I've been putting this off for more than 3 weeks now due to a crazy schedule. I also notice my phone's memory is getting dangerously low with all the unused blogging pictures taking up much space. Anyway, I'll just assemble a few random things I'm currently obssesing on and make a series of collective reviews. First items I'll be talking about are my everyday essentials.

The Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray has been on my radar for years but I sort of got strayed by other perfume brands that are equally great in our tropical weather like Incanto Shine by Salvatore Ferragamo and Moschino Funny. A little over a year ago, I finally bought one for 50% off the tag, an awesome deal that's too tempting to pass up. Now this bottle, though too bulky to carry around, has never left my bag since I started using it. I love the cool and clean scent it gives off, so perfect for hot days to freshen up the mood. 

Next item I have is the Benefit Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up in Toasted Beige. I can't help but admire the packaging every time I use this compact. I find the magnetic closure so chic and the large mirror an added bonus. It also comes with a small brush and sponge housed in a separate compartment. The compact instantly turns into a fine textured powder after a few gentle strokes of the brush. It applies smoothly and blends like a dream. It offers light to medium coverage and can cover up minor blemishes. You may still use concealer underneath to amp up the coverage. Staying power is quite decent, keeping your face shine free for up to 6 hours max. 

A recent favorite is the Nature Republic By Flower Wood Eyebrow Pencil. I am currently obsessed with this product because it instantly grooms my brows with just a few gentle strokes. This wonder product allows me to beautifully sculpt my untamed brows and stay that way for hours. I got the #2 shade which has a light charcoal hue. This tool has a spoolie on the other end that works perfectly in smudging the shade for a natural look. 

An all time favorite is the MAC Eye Shadow Lustre in the shade Honesty. This has been my go to eye color for a year now and it still hasn't hit pan. It comes in a cute tiny compact with a see-through top so you can spot the shade right away. I literally cried out after accidentally dropping it on the floor one time. The transparent cover went off but I got to snap it back on like nothing happened. Thank goodness the product remains unharmed. This shade gives off a coppery bronze with tiny bits of golden sparkle. Color pay off is excellent and the velvety texture makes it a breeze to apply and blend. 

Lastly is the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Chunkiest Chili. This lip product is my most recent purchase among the group and it has become an instant favorite. Packaging is pretty much the same with its predecessor, the Chubby Stick. It applies smoothly on the lips giving them just the right pop of color that's not opaque nor too sheer. Staying power may not be too long but I really don't mind since I love redoing my lip color as often as I can. It has a deep berry color that looks really flattering on medium to dark colored skin. 

So those are my random favorites. Let me know if you have questions about any of the products I mentioned and I'll get back to you with hopefully satisfying answers as soon as I can. Thank you for taking the time to read this entry. Have a wonderful day!

J ♥ I ♥ N ♥ G

VASELINE: Spray & Go Moisturizer

Hey guys! I really love a good sale especially when I get items worth the effort of endlessly going through racks, display counters and waiting in long lines for check out. Unfortunately, I missed this year's midyear sale in Landmark Trinoma. Although it was a monthlong event, I only got to visit once. After scouring through their beauty section, I was a bit disappointed seeing 10-20% off on selected items only. What actually made the trip worthwhile was finally seeing a product I've been eyeing since I first saw it in S&R, the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer.

I previously posted about not finding this in local beauty counters, so I opted to get the St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion which actually turned out to be a great product. You may click here for my full review. Anyhow, though St. Ives immediately won my heart, I still couldn't resist the idea of comparing it to Vaseline. This is why I snagged one even if it wasn't included in the sale. 

This product is housed in a 6.5 oz spray canister. I love that it has a cap which you can twist either way to open and close the nozzle. The entire bottle has a matte texture with a tapered neck hence giving you a better grip. I'm actually impressed with how the spray works. The nozzle effortlessly delivers an even mist of moisturizer with just a light pressure on the cap. 

Instructions on how to use it is illustrated on the back and is pretty much the same with St. Ives. Just direct the nozzle and hold it 4 inches away from your desired body surface, gently push the cap and swirl all around your body. Quickly rub into your skin and you're off to go. This has a hint of vanilla scent which doesn't appeal much to me since I prefer the citrus fragrance of St. Ives. It gives off a cooling effect once the mist touches your skin. It turns into a light creamy texture that applies easily and gets absorbed fast leaving you with well moisturized skin. It's non-sticky and keeps your skin well hydrated the entire day although reapplication is a breeze.

Overall, I'm currently enjoying this product although I do prefer the citrus scent of St. Ives a lot better. It's also priced reasonably at Php 344.75, just Php 20 more expensive than St. Ives. This moisturizer is indeed another amazing product from Vaseline. If it weren't for the scent, I would've preferred this over St. Ives. I just hope Vaseline comes out with varied fragrances in the future. Any thoughts? Do share them on the comments section below and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for reading this post and have a great weekend!

NATURE REPUBLIC: By Flower Lip Scrub

Hey guys! I've been meaning to tell you about a product I never thought I'd be using simply because I always thought I didn't need one. But after hearing tons of good things about lip scrubs, I couldn't help but try it and see for myself. I was on the hunt for a lip scrub months ago and I had my eye on the Sara Happ Lavender Lip Scrub at Beauty Bar but I can't seem to let myself shell out a whopping Php 1,450 for it. Although Beauty Bar online shopping has a promo selling it for half price off, Php 725 still didn't feel right.

Good thing I got hold of the Nature Republic By Flower Lip Scrub the last time I visited their branch in SM City North. This one is way more affordable at Php 235. It comes in a tiny squeezable tube the size of a usual lip product.

Underneath the cap is a slanted nozzle with a tiny opening which I really like because you get to control how much product to dispense. 

This lip scrub is virtually unscented and has a creamy and slightly course texture. I love how it's saturated with micro beads that a few strokes is enough to make it work. I also like how the micro beads are just the right size. It feels really good when massaged over your lips, very invigorating and not at all scratchy. After rinsing you will immediately notice having softer and smoother lips that any lip product will easily glide on.

Overall, the Nature Republic By Flower Lip Scrub is truly an amazing product. I've been using it 2 to 3 times a week for about a month now and I'm totally loving the results. I haven't had cracked or peeling lips the entire time! My lips has never looked this great which is why I highly recommend it to those of you who don't mind adding an extra step to your skin care ritual. 

That's about everything but if you have any questions, do leave them on the comments section below and I'll get back to you soon. Thank you for reading my post and have a productive week ahead!

ELIZABETH ARDEN: Green Tea Scent Spray

Hey guys! The rainy season has indeed marched in with 2 consecutive typhoons that rocked us the entire week. The weather sort of got me sick hence forced me to take a few days off and rest. Although I felt really bad coughing the entire time, I did enjoy that fraction of freedom from this stressful world. Anyway, I also thought of making a blog entry just to make my unexpected vacation a little productive. Good thing I haven't reviewed my all time favorite scent, a classic that never goes out of style, the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray.

YSA: Post Acne Lotion

Hey guys! I've been having bad skin days with pimples breaking out from all over my face and I really can't tell what's causing it. I was looking over the products I'm currently using but not one is new to my rotation. I eventually concluded that it's not the result of what I'm using but it's actually what I've missed using in the past weeks. If you've read my old posts about my skin care regimen, you wouldn't be surprised to know that I've been using the same pimple treatment from my dermatologist since college days! It's quite unbelievable that I didn't develop some sort of tolerance to any of Dr. Lopez-Nazal's products particularly the Post Acne Lotion which I've been using for over a decade nonstop until I ran out about 2 weeks ago.