Hit Pan: May & June 2012

Here's another round of my month-end Hit Pan posts. These are the products I used up for the last two months.

May Empties

1. Etude House Happy Teatime Cleansing Foam in Green Tea

This one's my current go-to facial wash, and I'm now on my second tube of the same variant. It works so well for my oily skin.

2. Human Nature Baby Wash

I got this a few months ago because this was the only body wash that Human Nature sold (aside from their 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash). It's made for babies, so it's super mild and gentle on the skin. It's not very bubbly so I have to pour a generous amount of this on my bath lily so it would foam up. It has a subtle calming scent because of the lavender, rosemary, and chamomile ingredients, but I like my body wash fragrant with a lingering scent. This would work great for those with sensitive skin though.

June Empties

3. Belo Essentials SunExpert Face Cover SPF 40

I finished up this sample and immediately bought the full-sized bottle! It's even better than other more expensive sunblocks I have tried. While other sunblocks make my oily skin oilier and sticky with an uncomfortable and heavy feel, this one is lightweight and non-greasy. I use this everyday!

4. Maybelline Magnum Super Film Mascara

This one has reached its 6th month mark so I chucked it out of my kit. It's still workable, but sometimes I have a hard time applying it because it clumps. I repurchased the same variant and it's now sitting in my kit begging to be used. (Hello, new mascara!)

6. The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter

Chocoholics like me would love the scent of this body butter. I find this variant stickier than the core body butter range, but maybe that's because of the 48-hour moisturizing claim of this one compared to the regular body butters with 24-hour moisturizing power. I love the scent of the Chocomania range - it's warm and comforting, perfect for the (sometimes) cold and rainy weather we have.

7. Human Nature Natural Feminine Wash

This one's the best feminine wash I've tried. No dryness and itchiness, just plain natural freshness. This one is the last bottle we have at home though! I haven't gotten around repurchasing because I lost my dealer discount. (Harhar!)

What are your current empties? :)

Love,

Helen

Candy Charms

I may no longer be a teen but I'll always be a Candy girl at heart. Candy celebrated their 13th birthday this year and gave away cute Candy charms along with their March, April, May, and June 2012 issues. Of course, I had to collect them all!
 

And because no charm bracelet fits my tiny wrist, I'm making this my bag charm instead. Aren't the charms so cute and dainty? I love the milk tea and cupcake charm the most!

Also, check out Candy's July 2012 issue featuring Emma Stone! Candy has an all new look and an even better price. Out on newsstands now! :)
 

Love,

Helen

Mid-Year Sale: Ensembles | Freeway | Solo

It's almost mid-year already; time flies by too fast! One thing I love about this time of the year is all the mid-year sales we're having in the malls. (Hello, new clothes!)

Top clothing brands Freeway, Ensembles, and Solo are having a MIDYEAR SALE (up to 70% off) starting on July 1 until August 5, 2012!

Now's your chance to grab those hot clothing items off the rack. Make sure you visit early on to get first dibs on those sale items. I'll be dropping by these stores for sure to get more clothes for work (and play). Happy shopping!

Love,

Helen

Five Cows Resto and Ice Cream Bar

Most days of the week, I bring packed lunch to work so I can indulge all I want during the weekends (which means additional money for shopping and food tripping!). To treat myself, I love to eat good food. Even if I am almost always in Trinoma, it's my first time to visit Five Cows Resto and Ice Cream Bar. My sister recommended this place because she tried it out last week and fell in love with the food.

This restaurant has a cute barnyard feel, with white wooden ceilings, tables, and chairs. The simplicity of the furniture adds to the unique ambiance of the place.

Plus, there's free WiFi!

The place is quite small, but we got lucky enough to spot an empty table during lunch hour. The service is good too, as the attendants were quick to take orders and serve food. (There goes the 10% service charge!)

 

Creamy Beef & Mushroom (P190.00)

Penne. Beefsteak. Assorted mushrooms. Cream. Parmesan cheese.

My sister was raving about the best pasta she has ever tried, and this was it! I'm no fan of wet, saucy food but this was very good, creamy, and filling. The mushrooms are extra juicy. However, some parts of the beefsteak were a bit hard to chew. Plus, I got very distracted with the spiky spice (not sure what it really is) used to flavor the dish. (Next time I would ask them to remove that spice.)

Boneless Chicken Barbeque (P180.00)

Chicken leg fillet. Pickled vegetables. Java rice.

After Eight (Slice - P110.00, Whole - P1,100.00)

A rendition of a classic English concoction made with layers of double chocolate chip and mint ice cream atop our choco cookie crust, covered with chocolate cake and frosted with a dark chocolate ganache

 

After Eight quickly turned into my favorite (ice cream) cake after one bite! While the cake part could use some improvement (as it lacked moisture), the dark chocolate ganache (which reminds me of the bittersweet chocolate of tiramisu), oreo layer, and the minty chocolate chip ice cream more than made up for it! I'm seriously craving for another serving. The slice is big and thick, and can be shared by two people. (But on "down" days, I WILL eat an entire slice all by myself. Haha!)

Five Cows is located at the 4th level of Trinoma Mall. I will definitely visit again to try out more of their tempting desserts!

Love,

Helen

Snoe and the Beach: Top 10 Must Haves

Imagine waking up to powdery white sand and crystal blue waters - isn't that just perfect? If I could just live by the beach, then I'd be the happiest girl in the world! But then, as much as I love to frolic around the beach, I hate getting dark. (Are there anyone else like me?) If there were only a way to keep my skin at its fair state while having fun under the sun!

And then, my wish came true when I met Snoe! Snoe is the classiest and sassiest local cosmetic brand I've came to love. With their wide range of innovative beauty products, you're sure to find something that you'll desire. From makeup, hair care, skin care, to body care items, Snoe has you covered. The best thing I love about Snoe is that they have products that let me keep my skin soft, smooth, and fair!

 

On my dream vacation, I plan to go to Boracay with my sister (who is my partner-in-crime when it comes to all things kikay and fun)! My bags are loaded with Snoe goodies, and I'll share with you my top 10 bets for a fun and fabulous vacay!

Whether or not you'll go to the beach, SPF is a must! Snoe girls like me take sun protection seriously, hence I'll bring with me this tube of Snoe SunTervention SPF 80++ for heavy duty sun protection that will never feel heavy on the skin.

Another must have is Snoe Here Comes The Sunblock SPF 45. This is actually my everyday sunblock, as I am in love with it's non-sticky feel and tropical cocktail scent! It's the best smelling sunblock I've ever used. While other sunblocks smell like weird chemical concoctions, this will leave you smelling fresh and make your skin instantly brighter (and lighter)!

When I go to the beach, I like to keep my makeup to a minimum. It's nonsense to sport thick foundation that will melt off in minutes and black mascara that will leave your face with scary streaks. I'd clip Snoe Hard Candy Lip Color on my beach bag (instant space saver!). It's the most kikay keychain you'll ever see! This one has 3 lip colors (pink, red, and coral) that work like lip stains. The color will last for hours on your lips, even with drinking or eating!

 

Of course, you must never leave home without Snoe Beso Balm. You get to meet lots of new friends while on a vacation thanks to your carefree self, so you definitely have to make a good impression. The Beso Balm will plump and soothe your lips AND freshen your breath in a pinch! I love the cool, tingling sensation this lip balm gives.

 

To add a pop of color on my cheeks, I reach for Snoe Glam Jam. It's a vitamin-enriched lip and cheek stain that looks very lovely and peachy when worn. I put it on in the morning, forget about it all day, and still end the day with a blush!

 

After soaking myself and my hair in saltwater, my hair is parched! Good thing Snoe Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil saves me from a bad hair day! It's a cleansing conditioner, which means that no separate shampoo is required. It's also a leave-on hair treatment, which means that no rinsing is required (when used in moderation). Plus, you can also use this as a shaving cream. It's SUPER handy for trips since you don't have to lug around separate bottles of hair care products!

After a long day, I'd like to de-stress and bask in the fresh, country apple scent of Snoe Magic Apple Whitening S-rub. It's a scrub and a rub - no rinsing required once more! It sloughs off all the dead skin cells that prevent you from having the most radiant skin.

For when I want to moisturize my skin and at the same time make it smell delicious, I spray on Snoe Body Ritual Recipes Sweet Hair and Body Glaze. This dry oil mist is multipurpose as I can use it to add shine to my hair and leave a moisturizing, fragrant veil all over my body.

To cap off the day, I have to clean my face before heading to bed. Snoe Emu.Cleanse Foaming Cream Wash does the job perfectly by getting rid of all impurities while leaving my skin soft and supple.

And to make sure I get a good night's rest (while being assured that I don't wake up to a new pimple), I use Snoe Star Night Star Bright Night Perfecting Toner as the last step to my skin care routine. This one keeps breakouts at bay because of it's potent but gentle skin calming ingredients.

Snoe is available in SM Muntinlupa, Festival Mall, Cinderella Glorietta 3, SM Valenzuela, Market Market, Landmark Trinoma, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas Cavite, Robinsons Galleria, SM Las Pinas, Shopwise San Pedro, One Pavillion Mall and Tony and Jackey Salons in Magallanes, Tomas Morato, Makati, and Malate.

Like Snoe on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

So that was my top 10 Snoe travel must haves! Care to share yours?

Love,

Helen

OOTD: Forest Flower

If you know me personally, you'd know that I am not fond of wearing jeans, pants, slacks, or any kind of long bottoms for the main reason that they emphasize my skinny legs. At work, I live in pencil skirts (in the sea of slacks). During the weekend, you'd see me in dresses or shorts. It's been ages since my last outfit post, and now I'm sharing with you what I wore to The Body Shop's Pulse Event.

What I am wearing isn't really a dress - it's a bra camisole tunic from Uniqlo. It's supposed to be worn with leggings (as displayed in the store's mannequins). Since their mannequins are tall and I am not, this one is converted by yours truly into a mini dress! (By the way, Iza Calzado has the same tunic in purple!)

Bra Top: Uniqlo | Belt: Bazaar | Shoes: Sole Sister | Bag: Charles & Keith

Uniqlo has this basics line called Bra Top, which gives complete comfort and support, no bra required! (Don't worry though, because it has a built-in bra inside.) The fabric of the Bra Top is soft, quick-dry, and breathable, so it's perfect for the Philippine weather. The Bra Top comes in 3 forms - tanks, camisoles, and tunics. I like this range so much that I have 2 camisoles (in pink and black) in my closet aside from this tunic. The camisoles look like regular spaghetti-strapped tops, but I look more curvy and less skinny in it (compared to regular camisoles) so it's a winner!

Have you dropped by Uniqlo in SM Mall of Asia?

Love,

Helen

The Body Shop Pulse Store at SM Mall of Asia

In line with the Beauty With Heart campaign, The Body Shop has unveiled their first Pulse store in the Philippines last weekend in SM Mall of Asia. I am loving the new look; it's bright and fresh interiors literally draw you into store. I have to admit that I sometimes still get intimidated in entering The Body Shop, especially when I am not a regular customer of the branch (well, except for their SM North EDSA branch because I am almost always there and some of their beautiful SAs are my Facebook friends. Haha!), but this new store concept makes The Body Shop more "friendly" and "approachable" to everyone, in a way that makes you feel free to try out their products and roam around to your hearts content with its cozy and homey garden-like atmosphere.

Photo Credit: The Body Shop, Philippines

Upon entering the store, you'd be greeted by this very pretty and pink display of their NEW limited edition Lily Cole Cruelty-Free Makeup.

The limited edition Lily Cole makeup are at P200.00 off until July 14, 2012, for Love Your Body members.

 

They also have a new Make-Up bar that showcases their award-winning, skin-friendly cosmetics.

On the center of the store are tables that showcases their Top 10 Bestsellers. I have tried out most of these featured products, such as their Body Butters, Tea Tree Oil, Spa Wisdom Africa Scrub, Moisture White Shiso BB Cream, Olive Dry Oil Mist, Beautifying Oils, and White Musk fragrances.

Their newest fragrances are eye-and-nose-candy. (Yes, I invented that word just now.) Because their core fruity scents are so popular, The Body Shop have came up with Body Mists of the same lovely scents, such as Shea, Satsuma, Moringa, Strawberry, and VANILLA! Yes, Vanilla! I tried it on and went to cake heaven. It smells sweet, warm, and delicious!

 

Their various skincare range are also displayed on the center table. For any of your skin concern, you'd find a solution here.

 

One particular area that caught my attention was their Values Wall - it tells the story of The Body Shop's values in words and pictures. One thing I love about their Pulse store is that it engages and informs their customers. For example, along with the product display are stories on where the ingredients of the product came from, so you get to learn which part of the globe you're helping when you buy their Community Fair Trade products.

 

  

Also, people who are shopping for gifts will be delighted with their beautiful and colorful display of The Body Shop gift sets.

The display is so nice that you'd end up getting yourself a gift too even with no particular occasion. (Or is that just me?)

 

If you're on a budget, or just want to buy a small "perk-me-up" thing after a long day, check out these pails along the counter, where everything is at P195.00. (I like those Lily Cole Mini Hi-Shine Lip Treatments!)

 

Here's the spot where my Mom and I would most likely linger - their body care wall with lots of different Body Butters, Oils, Scrubs, and Lotions to choose from. (We both adore The Body Shop Body Butters!)

And, introducing their new Spa Fit Range for a firm and toned body. This home-spa range delivers the firming and toning power of a spa trip in just minutes with 100% natural actives (like citrus fruits and caffeine) and an exclusive massage technique. (Watch out for a review of this soon!)

 

On their opening weekend, the Pulse store gave FREE 50ml Body Butter with any purchase!

 

After going around the store and taking pictures, we were treated to cocktails by Max's Restaurant.

 

 

The first 30 Love Your Body Members who confirmed their attendance on the Pulse event got to take home a loot bag filled with these goodies! And because I was not able to attend the Lily Cole Workshop last weekend because of work, I made it a point to attend this one. When I said that you definitely have to attend events of The Body Shop, I meant it! Everyone from The Body Shop/Love Your Body team is so nice and friendly, and you'd get to appreciate the brand more not only because of the products but also the people behind it.

Also, do watch out for my upcoming reviews on these items from the limited edition Lily Cole make-up!

Thank you to The Body Shop team for inviting me over to see and experience the new Pulse store. Do visit the new Pulse store in SM Mall of Asia, and tell me about your experience! :)

Love,

Helen