The reason for this blog...

These past few months, I've been sharing with you different beauty products that I've already tried and tested. While there were products that worked so well and made me ecstatic, there were also products that disappointed me and failed my expectations. Perhaps starting this beauty blog may have altered or strengthened other people's perception of me. Some may see me as vain, "maarte", or even "magastos" (yes, these products don't come in free but believe me, I'm as frugal as can be), but thankfully, others could go beyond what they see and find what I write helpful.

Why did I start this beauty blog anyway?

We all have our own insecurities. Some are insecure of their weight, their height, their eyes, nose, legs, you know what I'm talking about. Whatever positive remark others may say about us, we will always find a negative in ourselves.

My skin is my biggest insecurity. If you've read some of my previous entries, I've mentioned that I have extremely sensitive skin. My skin tends to flush most especially when the temperature is high, there would be moments when I suffer from prickling (thank God for anti-itch ointments that I always have on hand), cosmetics would USUALLY cause a reaction, and what I hate most is that I can't eat everything that I want. My skin is so sensitive that there was a time I was even brought to the emergency room because I developed some form of allergy all over my body, the nurses had to inject me with steroids to immediately lessen the redness and irritation. I've already taken various types of vitamins just to strengthen my skin's immunity.

Puberty hit and I started to develop pimples when I was 16 years old. I had a few but it didn't really affect me that much. I started using commercial products to help stop its occurrence and heal it (and just because my friends were using them, too), and I later realized that it was the biggest mistake I have ever made. We all have different skin types and I should've known that earlier. Instead of healing the few pimples I had, these products irritated my skin more and pimples spread all over! It was a disaster. I panicked so much, used more products to help it heal, but these all annoyed my skin. I swear I didn't know what to do.

Teenage years should be the best years of someone's life. I wouldn't say mine wasn't good, I had a lot of fun during those years, but it indeed wasn't the best. At this stage, you develop your identity and gain confidence. You make a lot of friends, establish relationships and form connections. Don't get me wrong, I did not become a quiet type. In fact, I was one of the noisiest in school, but what people do not know is that my self-esteem can't help itself but weaken and decrease. It was difficult, but keeping it to myself made it much harder.

Some people think that having acne is just a physical problem and crying over it is nonsense. They are wrong. Acne affects you psychologically and emotionally as well. It will make you feel out of place and unappealing, thus making others seclude themselves from the world. There was a moment when elder relatives saw me after a long time and blurted out "What happened to your skin??", that was so embarrassing I wanted to hide myself under a rock. There would also be times when I would look at myself in the mirror and feel hideous, of course, a crying session would follow (don't laugh hehehe!).

I asked my parents to bring me to the dermatologist and seek for professional consultation. After a few visits, I finally had my problem under control. Because of what I experienced, I became careful of what I put on my skin. I would always read the ingredients, research and read on dermatological articles and the do's and dont's. My doctor told me I was lucky I didn't pick on it because that would have probably caused scarring.

Although not as much as what I had, I still experience skin irritation. But I try to stay away from harsh products and whenever there's a new product, I read reviews and research on it first. Acne affects the majority of the population and whenever you feel down, please know that you are not alone.

Based on my experience, here are the things that you should do whenever you experience skin irritation:

1) Keep your hands away from it. Don't touch it. Don't pick on it. Your hands have a lot of bacteria and touching the irritated area would make it worse. Picking on it may also cause scars.

2) Don't panic. Don't use numerous products that you don't even know the ingredients of. Seek a professional.

3) Don't try to cover it with lots of cosmetics. It will make the condition worse. (I rarely use liquid foundation until now, I'm scared of it!)

4) Don't use numerous products at the same time so if ever your skin develops a reaction, you'll know what's causing it.

Yes, I try products because I still haven't found what's best for me. But please remember that whatever product I use and review on this blog had been researched, the ones that didn't work probably gave the majority great results while it did not give the same effect on me. 

Believe me, this is just one of my insecurities. I definitely have more! But I don't think about it that much anymore. We will always see something unsatisfying about ourselves, but be convinced that you are beautiful and others feel the same way about you too. People will love you for who you are and not for what you have or don't have. Try focusing on the positive and think of ways to enhance it, while working on the negative. I have accepted that my sensitive skin is a part of me, and it is something I must live with. But I don't need to suffer from it because there are a diversity of ways I can do to make it better.

I developed this blog because I want to help others feel good about themselves and boost their confidence, because I'm hoping that what I write could probably give them ideas on how to enhance what they already have. 

Insecurities suck but we have a choice not to let it take over us! And please know that there is something you can do!

Thank you for reading this long post. Sorry also for not being able to update this blog daily.:( Watch out for more product reviews in the coming days and remember to always feel beautiful!:D

Beauty Essential Tool: Velcro Hair Tape

Hello everyone!

Don't you just hate it when you're washing your face, putting on skin care products/ make-up and your hair just gets in the way? No, I don't have bangs but it still bothers me. What I tend to do is put on a hair clip or a headband to keep the hair off my face, but the problem is, it ruins my hairstyle by leaving a mark/indent which is unsightly and it puts off all the effort I've exerted to fix my hair :(

Watching beauty gurus on Youtube has been a hobby and it has been quite helpful. Beauty gurus made me familiar with "Velcro Hair Tapes". Velcro hair tapes are strips with two sides (the other is smooth while the other is rough). The rough side is meant to hold your bangs/ fringe off your face while doing your beauty regimen without damaging your hairstyle! Yey thank God for Asian Inventions!

Before, there were only simple-looking velcros, square-shaped in colors black, blue, pink, etc. But now, the market came up with cute-looking velcros! I've watched beauty guru Bubzbeauty and she used this bow/minnie mouse-inspired hair velcro; I knew I just had to get one for myself!

And I did! Tadahh!

                                         Bow/ Minnie Mouse-Inspired Velcro Hair Tapes

Isn't it so cute? Now every time I need to pull my hair back, this cute little thing helps me!

My sister posed quite a number of times for this post (thank you Liz!) just to let all of you see how to use it! It's so easy!

How to use:
1) Gather the hair you want to pull back or get off your face.
2) Get the Velcro Hair Tape and press it on lightly on the part where you want to place the hair.
3) Wash your face, do your make-up, anything you like!

This is one essential tool every girl should have! Boys can use them, too (maybe it will just depend on the style of the velcro hehe!) I'm so thankful to have found this item and I will keep using it!:)

The Body Shop's Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter

Long time no post! I sincerely apologize for the prolonged interval, been wanting to test products for a while before making any reviews. I just realized how I've been paying more attention to skin care and make-up and have been neglecting my hair. My hair is extremely moody! There will be great days (flowy and soft to touch) and some days would be exceptionally baddd (dry and feels heavy)! I would love to experience great hair day everyday that's why I seek products to improve its texture.

My friends and I visited The Body Shop during their Sale Season and one product that was on sale was The Body Shop's Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter for Dry Hair.

Product Description:

Create soft, glossy and tangle-free hair using a luxuriously rich and intensive deep-conditioning treatment without silicones, sulphates, parabens or colorants. With pracaxi oil, manketti nut oil and Community Trade honey and olive oil.

• Organic Community Trade honey moisturizes and conditions skin.
• Community Trade organic olive oil helps to condition hair.
• No Silicones, No Colourants, No Parabens

Instructions:
After shampooing, smooth 1-2 hazelnut-size amounts onto palms and work through damp hair. Leave for at least five minutes. Massage with some warm water and then rinse thoroughly. Use weekly or as required.

Even though I wasn't impressed with the scent (the scent is so strong; smells like a bunch of chemicals to me), I still got the product because of its rich, creamy and thick texture. I really thought it would offer something great for my hair and come on, it was on sale for 30% off! How can I say no to that? And my friend also got one so I thought it would be great for us to try it at the same time!

Guess what? It was a bad idea. It did nothing for my hair. I followed the instructions carefully. I even put a little bit more product because 2 hazelnut-sized amount won't be enough for my hair. After using it, my hair just felt the same, or worse. My hair didn't become any softer and it actually felt heavier! The hair butter was difficult to spread and massage onto the hair. After using it once, I asked my friend how she felt about it and she said the same thing. She wasn't feeling the vibe as well! We decided to give it a chance and test it one more time, I don't know how she feels about it now but I still think that it's not worth it.

Oh well, good thing I got this 30% off. This product is worth Php895.00 (200 ml tub).

Will I repurchase?  No, definitely will not! :(

NYX Round Case Lipstick in Thalia

NYX Round Case Lipstick in Thalia

 

This is my first Round Case Lipstick from NYX, thanks to my friend who gave this to me as a Christmas present!:) 

My idea of a perfect, everyday lipstick is something that would give me that natural pink lips and would suit every make-up look. It may sound easy but for the kind of lip color that I have, it's not. I have very pigmented lips and every time I directly put on a pink lipstick, the real color wouldn't show no matter how many layers I put on. But with the use of a lip concealer and a little dab of this lipstick, my ideal shade is now attainable!:)

NYX Round Case Lipstick in Thalia

As you can see, it's that beautiful rosy shade that gives you the right amount of pink. It is creamy, moisturizing and smooth on the lips. The color is buildable, too. The intensity of the color will depend on how many layers you will put on. I just dab a bit on my lips, spread it more with my fingers, and it gives me the color that I want and need! It doesn't dry out my lips and it lasts for a while. Retouching doesn't bother me at all as I don't need a lip balm to initially moisturize my lips, you can just dab it on again and go!:)

Here's a swatch!

And here are my Thalia-covered lips hehe!

I'm very satisfied with this color and I'm excited to try out other shades! For a product with good quality, the price will shock you! haha!
This only costs Php150.00. :) I'm sure this will last me a loonngg time!

What's your favorite Nyx Round Lipstick Shade? Please give suggestions on what should I try next!:)