Hit Pan: December 2012

To complete my series of Hit Pan posts, here's the last installment of my product empties for 2012. This would also be my last post for the year.

December Empties

Hair Care

1. Human Nature Natural Moisturizing Shampoo in Lush Vanilla

I'm glad that there are lots of sulfate-free hair care products that keep popping up on store shelves lately. I've still got 3 bottles of different brands to try here at my stash, and it might take me some time before I get to repurchase this one. I love vanilla, but this vanilla smells more floral to me. Hence, I might get the Mandarin Fresh variant instead for Human Nature's hair care line. Mandarin Fresh smells like freshly squeezed oranges - which is my kind of fresh scent.

2. The Body Shop Banana Conditioner

This is one of my favorite conditioners. Every time I use it, I feel like I am pouring banana shake to my hair. Haha! It leaves my hair smelling good and feeling soft. It's kinda pricey though, so I'll just repurchase this when it goes on sale.

Skin Care

3. Happy Teatime Green Tea Cleansing Foam

I'm now on my third tube of this same facial wash, and I swear this one cleared up my skin. I get to try different facial washes for review, but I always go back to this one. I'm surprised that something so cheap could be this good. I know this one's getting discontinued soon, and Etude House are just clearing up their inventory of the Happy Teatime range, so I am worried that I might not find a good replacement for it that my skin would also love.

4. Snoe Past Present & The Future Eye Serum

A P1,400.00 eye serum that is comparable to a $715.00 facial care product. Will post a review soon!

Body Care

5. The Face Shop Oriental Flower Body Cleanser

I love shower gels more than bar soaps. I'll post a review on this soon, too.

6. The Body Shop Chocomania Beautifying Oil

This is a multipurpose dry oil that can be used for the hair, face, and body. I absolutely adore the warm, chocolatey scent, and I think it's perfect for cold months.

7. Snoe Magic Apple Whitening S-rub

This one didn't make it to the group shot above, but I finished it up just in the nick of time. This one is the second tub I have emptied. I use this as a regular body scrub, and I rinse it off even if Snoe says that there is no need to rinse this product off. It is effective for me, as it brightens up my skin. I particularly love using this to exfoliate my underarms.

8. Zen Zest Cocktail Collection Bellini Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer

If you're fond of those hand sanitizers that can be hanged onto bags, then you'll love what Zen Zest has in store for you. A cute bottle of this hand sanitizer plus strap costs just P50.00! I love how this makes my hands all clean and smelling fresh in an instant.

Makeup

9. Lipice Fruity Lip Balm in Strawberry

This one has a super minty feel plus SPF 15. Now the only thing it lacks is color, otherwise it would be super perfect for me.

10. Maybelline Angelfit Perfect Concealer in Light Beige

Finally, it took me almost 2 years to finish this tube of concealer!

This is supposed to be a year-ender post, but I am never good with dramatic stuff. All I know is that blogging has been such a blessing for me. I never knew that writing and sharing my thoughts online would lead me to get to know great people like you - my blogger friends and lovely readers. Blogging has also opened up a lot of opportunities for me, so I am thanking the brands that put their trust to Lucky Citrine. If 2012 was good, I bet 2013 would be even more awesome! :)

Love,

Helen

Choco Peppermint Cupcakes by San-Ria Delights

I've raved about San-Ria Delights' wickedly delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes here, and now I'll be sharing with you their newest release: Choco Peppermint Cupcakes!

Choco Peppermint Cupcakes by San-Ria Delights

Last Christmas, I ordered a couple of Red Velvet Cupcakes from San-Ria Delights to give as gifts, and the owner was so sweet to give me a box of their Choco Peppermint Cupcakes to try.

A pretty box of four cupcakes is priced at P120.00.

Choco Peppermint Cupcake

Since I am a fan of everything peppermint, I was so looking forward to finally trying this. While I initially thought that the entire cake would be minty, it turned out that this was actually a choco fudge cupcake topped with a mint meringue on top! (I thought it was just cream icing on top, but mint meringue is genius!) I wished it would have hints of minty decors/toppings like shavings of mint green Andes Mint Parfait Thins, perhaps, to declare to the world that this is a Choco Peppermint Cupcake. But then, it's my first time to try mint meringue so I liked it, too!

Red Velvet Cupcake

San-Ria Delights' pioneer flavor, the Red Velvet Cupcake, is a must-try!

 

My favorite part of this cupcake is the cream cheese frosting on top since it adds a sweet touch to the cupcake. Plus, see how moist the insides of the cupcakes are! ♥

San-Ria Delights cupcakes are packaged like these individually. For P40.00, it's already a steal since it looks very classy. They're perfect not only as gifts but also as event souvenirs/giveaways.

 

San-Ria Delights
Contact numbers: 09175146110 or 09088756110
Email address: sanriadelightskitchen@yahoo.com.ph

For more information, do check out my previous post. Also, feel free to like San-Ria Delights on Facebook to get updates on their new products!

Love,

Helen

Christmas Gifts 2012

Do you keep your gifts wrapped and open them on Christmas Eve? Or are you the type to open gifts as soon as you receive them? I am more of the latter! I can't contain the excitement so I rip gifts and packages open as soon as I get them. I'll share with you what I got for Christmas this year.

From my teammates:

I got all pink and pretty stuff from my teammates at work. I also received a Beabi receipt organizer which was not included in the picture (as my Dad is already using it). Can you guess what my favorite gift from the picture above is? :)

These were from my teammate who went to US for a vacation. Gotta love new makeup! Will post swatches soon.

From my family:

紅包 from my Grandmother and Mom

You can never go wrong with cash. Or GCs. But I prefer cash. Giving cash as gift may look effortless and unsweet, but it is very practical.

Minnie Mouse PJs from my sister Melissa

My baby niece Daphne adores Micky and Minnie Mouse, so my sister Melissa (who's the Mommy of little Daphne) gifted me with this! It's so cute and I'm sure Daphne will come running to me whenever I wear this one.

Jellybean Floral Platform Wedges from my sister Cindy

My sister Cindy is more fasyon than I am, and she says that I sometimes dress like a guy (especially when I am wearing my shirt and jeans combo). She vowed to give me something fashionable this Christmas, so here it is! It's actually my first time to own heels this high, like 5 inches? So wearing this would make me 5'6 tall. I like it! :D
 

Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? by Ramon Bautista from my sister Ann

I love this book as it keeps me entertained and enlightened. Too bad I just found out about the book signing held at National Book Store in Trinoma last November. I would have loved to have my book signed by Ramon Bautista himself! ♥ Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo? is book filled with questions and honest, witty answers by Ramon Bautista. Check out his Formspring account to get a glimpse of what is inside the book. It also comes with a free Ramon artista notebook, which I will be using to write inspired thoughts in. :D

Letter from my precious sister Cheska

Cheska is my youngest sister and she loves writing letters. I have a plastic envelope filled with her letters from the past, but it's been a while since she last wrote me one. I love this one from her; it's sweet. :)

From brands:

From Philusa Corporation

I received these jars of Apollo Pure Petroleum Jelly from Neb of Philusa Corporation, same company as that of Mediplast. Will post a review of this multipurpose product real soon!

From Kiehl's

A little something I won from their Facebook page. I'm happy to have received this as I wanted to lighten some of my post-pimple marks. Also, I am thinking of getting a bottle of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate because of the good reviews it had been getting from blogs, but I haven't tried it yet and am hesitant to spend almost P3,000.00 on something that may or may not work for me. For those who have tried it, any thoughts you'd like to share?

From The Body Shop

The Body Shop is the first beauty brand to trust Lucky Citrine, and for that I'll always be grateful. I've loved The Body Shop way back since high school (long before I started blogging), and it so happened that The Body Shop loved me back so you could say that we are in a long-term relationship. Haha! :D I now have a backup of my much loved Vanilla Bliss Body Polish. I also got a Lip & Cheek Stain in the Christmas packaging, and a Colourglide Shine Lip Colour in Pink Flash. Thank you so much for these, The Body Shop!

A gift for myself:

Charles & Keith - Beautiful Complement

Beautifully complemented by attractive shades and hard sleek ribbon, this carryall encapsulates everything about refined femininity.

I was torn between beige or black - beige looks more neutral and less work-y, but I've already used a beige bag all year long, so I got black instead. Black goes with everything, and will never ever look dirty. I love this one because I can either use it as a handbag or a sling bag (as it comes with a long, detachable strap). It has gold magnetic clasps and zippers to secure your stuff. Plus, it comes with a trendy snakeskin texture. The size of this bag is just right for work and events.

So those were the stuff I got this Christmas. It may not be much compared to what others got, but I feel happy and blessed! In fact, I do feel blessed all year long, and I have God, my family, friends, and brands to thank for that. :)

Care to share what you got this Christmas? Feel free to share them below! :D

Love,

Helen

Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream SPF 50+/PA+++

My love for BB cream has led to a great discovery. This review is all about Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream SPF50+/PA+++.

Etude House Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream SPF 50+/PA+++ (P978.00/35g)

I got this BB cream a few months ago from Meg Magazine. The one I have is in Natural Beige W13, which is the second shade among the three available shades in stores. To make sure if I won't be putting the product to waste, I tried out the testers in store first so I could still give it away unused if ever it wasn't a perfect fit for me. I went to Etude House and tried all three shades at the back of my hand, and Natural Beige looked too dark for me. (It must be the lighting of the store.) I didn't want my face to look too white/pinkish so I ended up just using the second shade anyway. I am so glad I did, as it turned out to be a close match for my skintone!

Whitening & Anti-Wrinkle • Anti-Darkening • Long lasting Waterproof

About the product:

Precious Mineral Sun BB Cream promotes silky complexion and brightened look with Pearl Mineral Powder infused sheer coverage. Powerful UV protection and long lasting waterproof formula for all day outdoor protection.

Ingredients:

Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide tops the ingredients list, which are powerful sunblock ingredients that does not clog pores. It also has pearl extract, arbutin, and pearl powder to give skin a brighter aura.

How to use:

1. Sponge application

- Dispense cream and use sponge to gather and apply coverage to all areas of the face.
 

2. Direct application

- Remove cap and dispense onto hands for direct and additional application.

Swatches:

Unblended

Blended

When Worn:

I used the BB cream alone in this picture, and I love how it evens out and brightens up my skin.

Pros:

• The packaging is convenient, and won't ever spill or leak even if it's built upside-down because of its cap that has a needle-like protrusion that goes into the opening of the tube.
• True to its claims, this BB cream does give me an even complexion that's flawless, poreless, and radiant!
• The coverage is not sheer. It is buildable and can be medium to heavy coverage (when used with the sponge).
• This can cover slight dark circles, so I didn't have to use a separate concealer.

• It has a very high UV protection, SPF 50+/PA+++ to be exact, which is even higher than the face sunblock that I use everyday.
• This one is  best used outdoors because of its high SPF and waterproof formula that does not slide off even during scorching hot days. 
• It looks super natural on daylight/natural lighting.
• Even if you don't set this with face powder, it won't give you that oily, greasy look. (To think that I have oily skin!)
• I have found the perfect shade for me with the second shade (Natural Beige W13).*
• It does not oxidize on me even towards the end of the day.

Cons:

• I have found the perfect shade for me with the second shade (Natural Beige W13), which means that the darkest shade might be too light for morena skintones.
• Because of its high SPF, it has the tendency to have a white cast on flash photography. (Just don't use too much, and you'd be all good.)
• It's long lasting and waterproof, so you'd have to use a separate makeup remover as facial wash won't be enough to remove all traces of the BB cream. (But this is not really a problem for me since I always use a separate makeup remover before cleansing my face at night.)
• If you apply this using the sponge, you'd have to clean it every so often to prevent bacteria buildup and pimples. (I prefer not using the sponge.)

I suggest that you test this on your face first before purchasing to see if the shades match your skintone, as testing it at the back of your hand can be deceiving. I almost missed out on my new favorite BB cream. I highly recommend this BB cream for those with normal to oily skin looking for medium coverage. It makes my skin look perfect, and it lasts all day.

Love,

Helen

Maven's Hot Holiday Special (December 2012-January 2013)

The Christmas rush might be over, but I bet we're all excited for New Year's Day! 2013 opens up a blank canvas - a fresh start for everyone who wants to make 2013 their year. (I know I'll be making my 2013 awesome!)

On the 31st, many of us will be having Media Noche, a midnight feast to usher in the new year with much hope and prosperity. That means another chance to get all dolled up (for the last time this year), and Maven is here to help us with that!

Maven December 2012-January 2013 featuring Andi Eigenmann

Maven's December 2012-January 2013 issue is their hot holiday special featuring the gorgeously fierce and independent Andi Eigenmann on the cover. I'm sure most (if not all) are aware of what Andi went through the past year, and reading about her story here made me all the more admire her.

The part I look forward to reading in every magazine is the beauty features, like these!

All that glitters are gold for the holidays.

Here are some gorgeous beauty loot to add to your wishlist.

This cute nail art page inspires me to play with my nails more often. (Gotta love Caviar Crazy and Magnet Magic over there!)

One of my favorite articles that's perfect for party season. Secret tricks on cheating your way out of tequila shots without looking like a killjoy. ;)

Fans of Andi will enjoy the 12-page cover feature of her!

Celebrity-inspired makeup looks to cop all year round:

• Kohl-rimmed eyes
• Minimal makeup highlighted with perfect brows
• Rich, velvety matte lips in dark berries and wine reds
• Highlighted cheeks and eye-opening mascara
• Gray smoky eyes (instead of black)

 

A fashion and beauty spread combined - what to wear and beauty pegs for your holiday parties!

This month, Maven featured Casa San Pablo in their "Life is Sweet" lifestyle spread. I loved the photos of the place and the food - it brings back the memories of me bonding with my college org mates for our teambuilding!

Sweet Patti Cakes, a sponsor of Maven's past events, had a full-page feature on their droll worthy cupcakes. I'm so craving for Red Velour. :3

Grab your copies of Maven's December 2012-January 2013 issue for just P100.00 while it's hot! Also, like Maven Magazine on Facebook and help them reach 7,500 fans as they're giving away a pair of Ray Ban sunnies! ;)

Love,

Helen

Art Bag Design Contest for Freeway’s National Artist Collector’s Series Fall 2013

This January 2013, Freeway launches its very first Art Bag Design Contest. This competition is the perfect avenue for young creative minds to showcase Filipino talent and fulfill Freeway’s vision to showcase Philippine art and culture through innovative interpretations. Because at Freeway, fashionalism is not just about Philippine fashion - it’s about dedication and commitment.

Let your creative minds and nationalistic heart work together as you create and submit your artwork! The winning designs will be put into production as part of Freeway’s National Artist Collector’s Series Fall 2013 in May together with the featured National Artist which has yet to be revealed. To enter the competition, submit an originally designed artwork that includes the elements of nationalism, Filipino pride, or our country’s art and culture together. It can be digital image, photo of own artwork in different mediums (pen and ink, oil, watercolor, pastel, etc.). All approved submissions will be uploaded on Freeway Online on Facebook for voting (which is 20% of the criteria).

There will be two grand winners who will not only receive the satisfaction of seeing their artworks with their names on the hangtags in Freeway stores as part of the National Artist Collector’s Series Fall 2013, but each of the winning designer will also receive a 16GB iPad Mini and Php 10,000 worth of Freeway gift certificates.

Contest period starts January 1 to February 28, 2013. Submission of entries will be accepted only until February 15, 2013. Voting starts January 1 to February 28, 2013. See full mechanics and download application form at freewayonline.com.ph.

Visit Freeway's website and Facebook page to learn more about Freeway’s Bag Design Competition. Join and be part of the historic National Artist Collector’s Series!

Love,

Helen