Hey guys! I'm not sure if you noticed that I've been posting reviews mainly on VMV Hypoallergenics since October started. This is because I can't wait to share with you how I'm loving this brand. I took advantage of their 25% off promo and got myself a complete skincare set that I recently reviewed plus several other items I'll be featuring soon. For this post, I'll be talking about a soap I've repurchased and have been using for more than a couple of months now. This is the VMV Hypoallergenics Papaya & Pineapple Skin Lightening Soap.

This bath soap has a simple yet chic packaging. It's a medium sized soap that's opaque white and has no distinct scent. It easily creates a fine lather when used on moist skin. It feels so smooth and creamy just like a liquid bath soap. I love how it rinses off easily and leaves your skin clean without feeling dry like most bar soaps with papaya tend to do. I noticed micro peeling on certain areas of my face like on the forehead, around the nose and on my chin. What I do like about it is how discreet the peeling skin appeared. You wouldn't even notice it with a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream on. I noticed my skin tone was beginning to get even in a week and pimple marks looked less obvious after about 2 weeks of everyday use. This is actually a big improvement for me since my pimple marks always seem to stay on for a month.

Overall, I am loving this heavenly soap to bits that I'm definitely retaining it as my daily bath soap. You get the cleansing and lightening benefits of papaya as well as the hydrating and softening properties of pineapple in one bar for just Php 295. This soap can last for up to 6 weeks when used twice everyday but it may take longer depending on how often you use it. This may be too steep for just a bar soap but believe me when I say that your skin will definitely thank you for it. You may get this and other VMV products in all local branches of VMV Hypoallergenics and on their official website. That's about everything! If there's anything you want to ask just leave your queries on the comments section and I promise to get back to you the soonest time possible. Thank you for reading my blog and have an amazing week!

♥ ♥ ♥ 

SKIN FOOD: Vita Water Foun BB SPF15 PA+

Hey guys! If you have been visiting my blog for some time now (thank you!!!), you'd know how crazy I am about BB Creams. Although I do enjoy being dolled up occasionally with full coverage makeup, I usually prefer (and can only manage) a simple everyday look. In my vocabulary, simple equates to BB Cream or tinted moisturizer in place of foundation. Come to think of it, I'm really not much of a foundation user myself because I never get the right shade. So imagine my excitement when I learned about a product that offers the coverage of foundation and the comfort of BB Cream in one bottle. Allow me to introduce to you an awesome innovation, the Skin Food Vita Water Foun BB SPF15 PA+ (Php 1,100+ / 45 gm).

Since the label is in Korean, I only managed to get information from their website. The Skin Food Vita Water Foun BB SPF15 PA+ contains Vita Complex Extract which helps you achieve moisturized and velvety skin. It comes in 3 shades: #0 Porcelain Light Beige, #1 Light Beige and #2 Natural Beige. I'm an NC 25-30 and from the description alone I would've gotten #2 Natural Beige but Skin Food's beauty adviser said #0 Porcelain Light Beige matches my skin tone perfectly so I took her word for it.

This product comes in a cute bottle with a pump dispenser which I love for ease of dispensing. The pump is protected by a snap-on transparent cap so you can bring this with you when you travel without the hassle of spilling the contents. 

Although it comes with a sponge applicator, I like putting this on with my finger tips in a patting motion. This product is unscented and has a creamy consistency. You may need to be quick when applying it on your face because it dries off fast. It instantly brightens your complexion and gives a matte finish that you can get away without a finishing powder. This foundation and BB Cream in one offers more coverage than a regular BB Cream but doesn't look cakey or feel heavy on your skin. It covered most of my minor blemishes but you may still need a concealer for more obvious marks. I love that it didn't irritate my skin or cause break outs. Staying power is quite decent and lasts for 6 hours after which I get a bit of shine on my T-zone. 

Overall, the Skin Food Vita Water Foun BB SPF15 PA+ is a great product to have in your stash. If you have combination to oily skin, this will definitely suit you. If you have normal or dry skin, you may need to moisturize your skin prior to application or simply use an after makeup mist to set it. Personally, I prefer a BB Cream that can give me a dewy finish like the Tony Moly Luminous Goddess Aura BB Cream hence it's still on top of my long list of favorite BB Creams. Any lingering thoughts? Do share them on the comments section below. Thanks for the visit and have a great week ahead!

♥♥♥

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS: Cleanse, Tone & Moisturize

Hey guys! I'm pretty much excited to rave about a skincare line I've been using religiously for almost 6 weeks now. Before I reveal my current regimen, allow me to give you a gist of my skin condition. I have combination to oily skin and I've been fighting acne since teenage years. Needless to say that I was introduced to a vast array of products and procedures at an early age. Not that I'm complaining but I'm used to having more than a couple of products for my face alone. Since my battle against the big A started, I've been pretty loyal to my Dermatologist's products for nearly 2 decades as of today. Although YSA products still do wonders for my skin, I can't help but try other brands just to expand my options.

A couple of months ago, I saw an obvious improvement on my friend's face. Hers was brighter and clearer from the last time I saw her. She said she went back to using products from an old time favorite, VMV Hypoallergenics. The brand is not new to me and I've tried their powder foundation in the past but I never got to use any products from their skincare line. Good thing VMV was having a promo so without thinking twice I got myself a set of products all at 25% off. Talk about great timing!

This post is about my 6 weeks experience with VMV Hypoallergenics' skincare system which is composed of three products for cleansing, toning and moisturizing the skin. The rest of the VMV products not mentioned in this post will be discussed separately in the next few days.

VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Cleaning Oil-Control Antibacterial Facial Scrub (Php 735) for oily skin comes in a 120 mL tube. I love the classic white color of the packaging which emanates a simple yet elegant vibe. I find the matte feel of the tube very appealing and quite useful because it's easier to hold even when your hands are wet. Although I would've preferred a flip top cover for ease of dispensing, the screw on cap that it comes with isn't so bad.

The narrow spout is great for dispensing just the right amount. It appears milky white and has a thick creamy consistency. It's saturated with natural pumice that can thoroughly unclog your pores. I love that the micro-beads are just the right size so they don't feel too rough when massaged on your face and neck. This facial scrub is non-drying, doesn't sting and leaves your skin looking fresh and clear of dirt or makeup residue.

Next product is the VMV Hypoallergenics Super Skin 3 Monolaurin + Mandelic Acid Toner (Php 785) for oily skin. It comes in a 150 mL bottle with a screw cap. It has the same white color and matte finish packaging like the facial scrub. This is a clear toner which gives off a chemical smell that doesn't linger. It stings minimally and gives off a cooling effect on the skin. The toner didn't irritate my skin, cause redness or peeling probably because I strictly followed VMV's application frequency guide (See Notes below). I started with applying the toner once a day for twice a week and gradually progressed until I reached the 6th week mark of everyday application. This toner has Monolaurin, a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that effectively addresses acne and helps mattify shiny skin. Mandelic Acid on the other hand provides firming, anti-aging and brightening. 

Last product is the VMV Hypoallergenics Spring Fresh Oil-Free Nourisher (Php 845) which, like the facial scrub, comes in a 120 mL tube. This moisturizer is opaque white, has a creamy consistency and is unscented. I love how it moisturizes my skin without the heavy feeling. It doesn't clog your pores and gets easily absorbed so you won't have to wait long before applying sunscreen or foundation. It also keeps your skin well nourished overnight so you wake up with a freshly moisturized skin everyday. 

If you haven't noticed, the VMV products I just presented are labeled steps 1, 2 and 3. This way, customers will be guided on how to use the products in proper order. If you're new to VMV Hypoallergenics like me, you will be eased into their skincare lines gradually by starting with these 3 basic products. Even if you already have a skin concern you want to address, they will start you off with the basics and eventually add specific treatment products like anti-acne, anti-aging or brightening. 

After 6 weeks of using these, my skin visibly improved with more even skin tone and less pimple breakouts. Since I got all these at 25% off, I really got my money's worth. Nearly 2 months has passed but these are still more than half full and I'm definitely repurchasing once any of these run out. I think it's also important to mention that VMV Hypoallergenics always seem to have a promo so it's refreshing to visit their branches or online shop regularly. Last time I checked, they're giving out a full-sized product for every single purchase worth Php 3,500. VMV Hypoallergenics also gives out a frequency card which you can use to exchange for products when you reach certain points. What's even more awesome is they also give you points for returning paper bags, boxes and empty containers. 

That's about everything! Feel free to leave me questions if you have any and I'll get them answered as quickly as possible. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and have a great week!

♥♥♥

NOTES:

To safely and effectively use the VMV Hypoallergenics Super Skin 3 Toner, VMV suggests an application frequency guide:

Weeks 1 & 2: Apply in the AM or PM on (for ex.) Mon + Fri only

Weeks 3 & 4: Apply in the AM or PM on (for ex.) Mon, Wed + Fri

Week 5: Apply in the AM or PM only on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun

Week 6: Apply 1x in the AM or PM only, everyday

Week 7: Use 1x everyday, but on some days, apply 2x a day

Week 8: Apply 1x or 2x a day, everyday 

BIORÉ: Micellar Cleansing Water

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!