Posted in Monthly Hits

My Monthly Favorites

Would you believe time flies so fast ladies? It might have sound so cliche but as proof here we are now on the last week of the month talking about our month end faves. I made mine a combination of December and January since I find it too late to post now that favorites. 
For December here are my most used:

1. Hurraw Lip Balm – I’ve seen this floating on every celebrity blog here in the Philippines and I was taken by their praises of how this works. December is not of the usual cold month last year because of El Niño but my using of too much matte lipsticks has caused chapping of my lips. Very timely that I have this purchased on  Beauty Mnl. Since then, this and my lips became bff’s. 

2. Soap Wrap Manila Hand Balm – Contrary to the month of December, January’s weather is cold with it’s winds blowing in the mornings and evenings. I find that with this temperature, my hands starts to wrinkle and becomes dry. Though I had a hand lotion that I’ve been using for months now it doesn’t seem to target the problem area in my hands, unlike with this Hand Balm from Soap Wrap Manila which is actually a gift to my sister. What I specifically love is the formulation specially made for sensitive skin. Though it’s a bit greasy, it made my hands less wrinkled and it soften some callous parts making them softer now.

  
3. Made by David Organics Dry Shampoo – On the early week of January, taking a shower has been a struggle beacuse of the sudden drop of temperature. I’m just being honest that at times with my now long mane, my shower time tends to get longer than before. Good thing that I stumbled upon the newly replenished stocks of this dry shampoo. Aside from making my hair looking and smelling fresh, it is organic so I don’t have to worry on having flakes on my hair which the aerosole type gives me. Downside though, it’s a hassle shaking and pouring the product on my palm. But I guess I have to live with that tiny bit of a problem anyways I’ve been getting good results though. 

  
Come January, here’s what made my list.

1. Sooper Beaute Tomato Serum – I was lucky that I got to stock on this one beacuse of their 70% sale last holidays. I really chose Tomato infused skin care products as it effectively  brightens my face/skin. Aside from the savings that I got, Sooper Beaute skin products are really effective and affordable. I had suffered from a mild acne last year and really felt terrible beacuse the dermatologist recommended ones didn’t worked well on me. Only this that made my face truly compatible with, no breakouts. 

2. Sooper Beaute Pore Minimizing Serum – I was a skeptic really on pore minimizing products in the market. Be it an anti oily kind they seem to look the same to me. They just aggrivates my pores more. So when this was recommended to me, I had my sister be a living testimony first before I dive myself into it. I said, one product at a time since my face is at it’s recuperating stage then. So finally when my little enemies started to shrink on their sizes ( I got cystic ones ) I give this a shot. My sister also has a sensitive skin so having this worked well on her, I have no doubts. It really did make my face less oily unlike before and another good thing is that it also works well as a primer.

3. Sooper Beaute Retexturizing Night Cream – This I should say is my top favorite of the Sooper Beaute purchase that I made. I have this puny laugh line on my left face that really bothers me. When I say “bothers” literally, it’s the one that I see before I sleep and one that I look at as I wake up. It frustrates me that I got to buy so many anti wrinkle cream and serum. I even have a Q10 going same as with snail creams but to no avail. What I thought could be less effective because it’s cheaper and locally made solved my problem. I’m sorry that I had that mindset but this product just changes everything.

4. Sooper Beaute Tsubaki Oil – This is my life saver. This is the one that had cure my cystic pimples. Though it’s a bit pricey, thankfully this was included in their 70% off sale. Because it is an oil, a little bit goes a long way so my pimples will be totally gone before it runs out. I also apply this on my forehead for it could also diminish those fine lines. 

  
5. Vitress Hair Repair Cuticle Coat – Cold weather is equal to unruly frizzy hair specially mine. I have a natural wavy hair who in cold days were extra frizzy and with static situation goin on. Really ugly. This product were able to tame those frizz.  I was also able to wear my hair down without worrying it’ll go places. It makes my hair so smooth with no worries of getting oily at the end of the day. It’s one of the reasons why I was able to wear my hair down all through out the cold days.

  
6. Daiso Shampoo with Argan Oil – This was actually a trial purchase because it’s Daiso I didn’t worry of getting dissatisfied because it’s only less than a dollar or Php 88. I admit some products here were hits and misses. Luckily I got a lot of hits with only one miss from my last purchase and this belonged to the hits! Geez I’m so happy. It undoubtly made my hair smoother, though the shampoo doesn’t lather that much in your hair. I’m totally satisfied of how smooth my hair has become.

  
7. San San  Nail Polish in Nude – Oh yes! It was a total love that I got with this nail polish. The pinkish nude was my ideal MNBB color. I wasn’t able to find a very beautiful nude one that I’ve been dreaming of until I found this. Though it’s a miss application wise, I still would endure all for the love of this color. 

  
8. Essence Eyebrow – My Wet and Wild eyebrow cake already hit pan. I was in the search  for a different product to consume actually so I changed brand. I stumled upon Say Tiocco’s eyebrow one day in one of her blogs and found myself getting so focused. Thankfully she selflessly shared the product that she’s using and off I went to the store to buy one. Luck struck me then for it was included in an ongoing sale. Eyebrows like lipsticks were I should say “my essentials” so it was one of my used makeup products. I was  inlove with how my brows looked so natural with Essence though it doesn’t have a wax included in the palette unlike of Wet and Wild’s still it was able to hold my brows color in place.

  
There you have my Monthly Hits. Until next month my Lovelies so excited to know yours!

Posted in Nail Polish

NPOTW: Dreamer by Chic Nail Polish


Dreamer is one of the three nail polishes that I purchased from Chic’s Boho Collection of Kathryn Bernardo ( current image model of Chic) Prior to this, another favorite also from this line was featured here.

As I stressed out on that post, what made me love this nail polish is that I got to find an exact dupe color of imported brands. Aside from that I got to pay only a fraction of a price compared to the sought after leading ones.

imageWhen I first saw Dreamer, my mind immediately scanned dupes of this that I’ve seen floating on other blog post or social media sites. As I did my research to confirm my thoughts, I saw not only one but four! Two of    them are Christian Dior’s Electric Blue and Essie’s Butler Please. I am but so ecstatic about this findings of my recent purchase though I know it wouldn’t be fair to compare but I’m overly satisfied of the color dupe alone.

imageI chose to put Dreamer side by side with Sally Hansen’s Xtreme Wear Pacific Blue (old formula) for it’s fair if you’ll consider about the price. Sally Hansen ranges around Php 130-150 (roughly $3-5) whilst Chic is Php 33.00 ( a little under $1 since the current exchange rate raise ) Though it’s still quite a difference but for me not bad. Okay, some might raise brows about the quality per se so let me bullet the points for you based on personal experience.

  • easy to apply
  • estimated drying time: almost a minute
  • lasted me for two weeks with no top coat
  • opaque at two coatings
  • affordable

imageI used this on my toes since it will be a waste to apply it on my overly “working hands” .  I just hope that the image has given justice to it’s real color since I’m not satisfied of the turn out. Still, excited to get my hands on the last of this three purchase. Until then, have a nice weekend Lovelies!

Posted in Nail Polish

Chic Nail Polish Gypsetter

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photo from chic centre website

My love affair with nail polishes is somewhat equivalent with lipsticks. I tend to hoard with my hearts content without the feeling of guilt or resentment. No rules broken, just my pocket. But I can’t include myself to those who own a collection maybe because I have a habit of giving them to friends/relatives once I grew tired. Or some just dried out.
Most of these that I owned are from a local brand named Chic. This is among the three popular nail polish brand that I grew up with and I should say that I don’t any qualms about it.
Just from a recent supermarket trip, I found out that Chic has currently released six new colors. I been amazed that they are finally stepping up with their game in terms of colors. They currently adopted having themes which is fun. The newly released colors where from the Boho Collection.
The informal term Boho from the word Bohemian which means unconventional, not the usual. With that being said, I was expecting the not so typical colors that they offer before.

What I love about the new concept is that the colors are dupes from popular imported brands ( just take your pick and guess) With that being said, I would not have to cash out that much just to have that color from an imported brand which I’ve bren lusting over for quite some time.
Chic Nail Polish is manufactured by Chic Centre Corporation also from the makers of another leading local brand Bobbie and Color Trends. Chic Center Corporation is the manufacturer and Marketer of Cosmetic Products and Market Leader in NAIL CARE PRODUCTS and is an affliate of JG Summit Holdings.
I hadn’t completed the line and picked only three which are the Gypsetter, Wanderer and Dreamer
First feature (among the three) would be the Gypsetter
The color is a light grey cream with a hint of pale lilac. It’s opaque at two coats with a glossy finish that lasts me for two weeks.
It’s easy to apply with it’s medium brush that spreads evenly on nails.

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First coat

This is without base coat and top coat. My apologies ladies, I really didn’t touch my cuticles ever since. I prefer to do my manicures by myself.

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Second coat

I’m really bad painting my right hand. The controls… soo out of place! *sigh*

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Have to make up for the bad shots with this one. If you notice, the color is more on the lilac side.
Chic Nail Polish Gypsetter retails for Php 33.00 (roughly $1)
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Posted in Bags, Foot Care, Fragrance, Hair Care, Monthly Hits, Skin Care

My June Hits

Hi All!

Before anything else, let me just say how I missed you all so much!
I wasn’t able keep my word of posting due to time constraint but luckily has sneaked in a few hellos. Could you imagine how much time flew and we are on the seventh month of the year already. You just don’t know how preoccupied I was of the future topics that I want to post while on blogcation. Of how my body is so present in my current state but my thoughts are on my blogs. Oh well! What’s good is now I’m back and full of enthusiasm to share my ideas with you.
To start of, I know come end of June posts such as favorites and empties came around floating everywhere. I think this more of like an obligation to comply. But since I want to compress my favorites and hates under one post, I decided to give it a new name. Instead of favorites, I will now call this my Hits.
June seems to be a long month don’t you think?  I noticed, I have a number of items consumed or maybe just hardly took time using. Because it’s quite a few that I decided to section them. Skincare, Hair, Nail Polish, Fragrance and Bag.

 Skincare

My first hit is Cetaphil moisturizing lotion. This summer marks the most hottest to date as far as I exists. The heat index is really killing me! With this, there are some from my skin regime that’s giving me a love hate relationship and for one it’s wearing lotion. But I just can’t ditch the idea of not using because dryness could just escalate me to an itchy flaky irritation. Good thing my trusty lotion didn’t fail me on this department. It’s lightweight formulation gives ease to every application. No melting on skin or tacky feeling.Cetaphil-Moisturising-Lotion-250ml_5

Sunblock

Summer is the time of the year wherein we spent most activities outdoors. This just mean exposure to the sun and with that there’s nothing that I could ask for from my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock (whew! too long) Aside from the good Sun Protection Factor it gives at 50, this also contains Helioplex that protects skin from UVA and UVB rays. I admit that I was less educated when it comes to sunblocks. My notion is that the bigger the SPF, the better. Little did I know is that protection from UVB more so from UVA that matters most. Too much exposure to both UV rays could lead to skin cancer. You also have to take note on labels should contain the PA+ ratings.

PA is a Japanese/Korean rating system in place before the new regulations that was a way to show how much protection you are getting from UVA rays. You will see either PA+, PA++, or PA+++ on the label, with more + signs meaning a higher level of UVA protection.  

Aside from all of these wonderful qualities is that it has an ultra light clean feel and most of all waterproof. Thus making this on top of my hits lists.IMG_20150707_160806

For my face I use Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock with SPF 35. What I like about this product aside from the protection it gives is that it also serves as my make up base. The tint it gives is a big plus for a no-make up person like me specially on warm days like these. All I do is dust it afterwards with finishing veil and I’m good to go.IMG_20150707_160802

Feet

It was a hate relationship at first with this product for it isn’t giving good results on my skin. But because I value my money’s worth, I look for something that will best serve it’s purpose. Luckily I succeed! Cathy Doll’s Body Snail Cream from it’s Snail Bright Line has made wonders with my dry dull feet. I used it then after shower bearing in mind the brightening effects that could give but failed. Instead of dumping, i rather used it as a night lotion for my feet. Ever since I’ve used my thong sandals as an official footwear this summer, too much sun exposure leaves my feet on it’s dry, dull state. As a rule of thumb for a girl to own if not nice at least a decent feet, I took everything at heart. Flaunting now my footsies with much confidence because of this product.IMG_20150707_160759

Hair

I admit that I’m a total neglect when it comes to taking care of my hair. As a result, I’m most likely to put on a bun. Not until I learned of Verdon Keratin Hair Spa in Coconut Milk. I used this twice a week to give moisture to my color damaged hair. I have a natural hair which means it’s a little wavy in some places, and is also one of the reasons why I shy away from styling them. Using this product gave my hair a straight look which I wished for quite sometime. Now I’m a convert!IMG_20150707_160742

Nail Polish

Alongside with wearing sandals are good looking nails to adorn. As I mentioned on previous post, I don’t own a girl structure of feet. So my only consolation is see to it that it’s well groomed and a good nail polish to boost. As much as I want to be very particular on my brands I feel that buying an overly priced nail polish isn’t defensible. Good thing is that I found a local brand that’s a dupe for popular imported nail brands specifically color wise. As of the moment, I’m loving the Chic Nail Polish Kathyrn Bernardo Collection in Chic Celebrity Edition. It’s opaque at two coats and lasts me for a couple of weeks. The big catch for me is the price.IMG_20150707_160809

Fragrance

My go to fragrance this summer is something that is light and nice to the senses. For this I go with my Body Shop Madagascar Vanilla Flower Fragrance Mist. The sweet scent reminds me of an ice cream and candies on a summer day. This bottle has been with me for three years now and I pull this one off specifically this time or whenever I want an uplifting feel.IMG_20150707_160755

Bag

This Satchel Bag from SM Department Store is a personal favorite because it best reminds me of Philip 3.1, my dream bag. And because of obvious reasons that I find it hard to purchase one, I opted for this version instead. I wore this as a body bag because of its long strap. The color really striked me being a lover of solid tan hues. Plus, I got to put all my summer necessities for it’s roomy interior.IMG_20150707_161023

There you have it. Pardon the long list but it just gives me an instant gratification to post and share the things that I Love to all. I hope to see what’s yours too!

Posted in Nail Polish, Spring2015

Spring 2015 Nail Polish Color Trend

When you think of Spring you see life, you see colors. Imagine those vibrant life colors be put into your favorite nail polish. Brilliant! It’s like a breath of fresh air on the mornings of springs. An inspiration to start the day anew.

Putting nail polish is my own depiction of mood radar. Since it’s a Monday, I often see the Manicure Monday floating around hence I decided to have my version and compiled my five favorite nail polish brand and what they came up for Spring. opi

  • OPI Hawaii – OPI has come out with 12 shades. Tropical Island is it’s inspiration hence called Hawaii. The colors of Spring is still visible in the collection like the pastels.That’s Hula-rious in mint Suzi Shops & Island Hops (pink) Aloha from OPI (deep coral) Hello Hawaii Ya?  (purple) What you see in this beautiful land has a mere representation in this colors. The blazing sun, Go with the Lava Flow (red), Is Mai Tai Crooked (orange) The water, This Color is Making Waves (blue green) The greenery, My Gecko Does Tricks (reminds me most of a green apple). And for those who are a staple nude wearer, check out Do You Take Leigh Away. A fan of mauve, Just Lanai-ing Around is for you. For those who loves purple just like me, Lost My Bikini in Molokini is a personal fave. Wouldn’t an Island be Hawaii if not for Pineapples?? Yes, Pineapples Have Peelings Too, in yellow shimmers. *These are also available in colorgel.
  • ZOYA Delight – It was love at first. Just looking at the colors is like staring a jar full of my favorite candies. In fact I’m in all smiles while typing this. Who wouldn’t? Delight comes in six colors. This is composed of three shimmers, and three cremes. Let’s start with the cremes. This three are all time pastels of mint, Tiana. Turquoise in Lilian and Pink which is Eden. The other three remaining still on the pastel family but this time with shimmers. Starting off with the yellow Daisy which reminds me of a butter. Rayne, the baby blue shimmer which reminds me of  Cinderella’s gown. And the last is Leslie in Lavender my personal favorite because it suits my olive skin tone well and with a plus because of the shimmer. This collection reminds me of the fairies, the gowns and the candy wonderland. A  Delight indeed.zoya
  • ESSIE Flowerista – essieEssie’s first collaboration with the renowned accessory designer Rebecca Minkoff . Flowerista has six colors that depicts the Flowers in bloom. First came to mind when I saw the collection and the name, “Flower Child” Specially with the star color Flowerista, the very rich purple that reminds me of a beautiful orchids in dew. The freshness brought about by the colors of Perennial Chic and Picked Perfect in hues of peach and nude. The Peaceful color of mint in Blossom Dandy so cool to look at. The Garden Variety that brings me to a beautiful Spring Garden wedding in coral blue. And the stone gray color of Petal Pushers as we walk the pavement in the beautiful day of Spring.
  • CHINA GLAZE Roadtrip – This collection showcases twelve colors. The first six mostly composed of light pastel colors. Pinking out the Window in carnation pink. Wanderlust in pastel purple. Pack Lightly in soft peach. Dashboard Dreamer in pastel blue. More to Explore in cream peach. And last on this team, Boho Blue in cornflower blue. The next six batch of six, I find it more of the bold ones. Suns Up, Top Down reminds me of the canary bird. The Trip of a Limetime in lime green. My Way or the Highway in turquoise. I Brake for Color in orangey red just like a sun setting in. Pop the Trunk in orange. Lastly, License and Registration Pls in ocean blue. Roadtrip as what it says is a picture of life in one’s journey from sun up with it’s light colors and still the brightness of the day in the bold ones.
  • CaptureORLY Sugar High – The six piece sweet temptations are as sweet as the name. If you want fresh and clean, chose from the array of Cake Pop in pale pink, Frosting for it’s pale white with shimmer. For a more polished look, have Candy Shop in mauve or Sweet Dreams in taupe. But if you want to amp up the sweetness, there is Key Lime Twist in neon yellow and Plum Sugar in a deep purple.SUGAR HIGH ORLY

*** OPI picture from https://instagram.com/opi_products/, ZOYA picture from https://instagram.com/zoya/, ESSIE picture from https://instagram.com/essiepolish/, CHINA GLAZE from http://www.chinaglaze.com ORLY picture from http://www.orlybeauty.com

***All opinions are that of the author and are in no way influenced by any form of compensation.  

Posted in Make up finds

Chubby Chic’s New Find: Nail Polish Solvent by Bobbie

  It’s a common bonding to us sisters to visit a local Drugstore near our place. We happened to swing by the other day and accidentally I found this product that I’ve been looking for quite sometime now. It’s a nail polish solvent. For those of you who doesn’t know what this is, it is used to dilute thickened nail polishes. The favorite ones that you store in that drawer for so long but is already on the stage of drying up. This is your life saver.DSC00117

This comes in a 30 ml bottle for a price of Php 29.00. It may come a long way though. Instructions says ” pour an adequate amount of solvent into the nail polish solution ( about 6 drops per 15 ml  ) ” . I stated what is written in the bottle for you’ll have a difficulty reading. My only rant. I hope they had a lighter background label  or a lot bigger letter. PicMonkey CollageI ended up dropping a lot  than stated. My nailpolish became a little runny. Anyways, it’s still usable. 🙂 I’m glad our local brand Bobbie came up with this product. Other brand that I know are of  Sally Hansen. Though it’s distributed here I’m not quite sure if they have it in the market yet. Or if it is, might be a little pricey. Now, I wouldn’t be throwing away dried up nail polishes. So happy that they are now restored to its original shape.