Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack Bija & Aloe Sleeping Pack

Today's post will be a quick skincare review. I haven't tried a lot of Innisfree products so this was a very welcome gift from an officemate. 💚

A sleeping pack with bija oil and aloe extract that soothes sensitive skin and provides moisture

Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack has a lot of variants targeting different skin concerns. What I have is the Bija & Aloe Sleeping Pack, which is meant to be used as a night moisturizer. Each capsule contains 10 ml of product, and you can put the cap back on since this is meant for multiple uses. (They advise to use this up as soon as possible, but you may opt to store this in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. And ALWAYS remember use clean fingers to dispense the product.)

It comes in a transparent gel and it feels cooling and soothing on my skin. You leave it on overnight and wash it off next morning. I like using this whenever I'm breaking out as it provides instant relief to hot, itchy, irritated skin due to pimples (and not allergies). Initially, it feels a bit sticky on the skin but it's quickly absorbed. It's not drying and I wake up with softer, calmer skin.

I'm happy with this affordable skincare discovery. While I'm not sure how much this costs in Innisfree stores in the mall, it's only around PHP 85 when you buy from Shopee. (Who needs the mall when there's Shopee? 😂)

Love,

Helen

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Swatch: H&M Metallic Lip Colour in Calluna Frost

Today's short and sweet swatch will be about my first lipstick from H&M. This was gifted to me last year on my birthday. (Thank you, Auntie Anabel and Myles!)

A comfortable and creamy lipstick that combines gorgeous hues with a soft metallic sheen

Calluna Frost is a limited edition shade. This was probably released in 2018, as indicated in the production date sticker on the box. It's made in Italy and is good for 18 months after opening. The texture is surprisingly very creamy with zero grittiness, unlike metallic lipsticks in the past. It glides on smoothly and feels like a satin lipstick. It's very hydrating. I like that it has no scent.

 

The tube is beautiful and feels luxe in cream and gold.

How pretty is this purple metallic lipstick! The shade looks deeper in actual. I don't wear this everyday though, but it's a unique shade to have in my collection. It's perfect for evening wear or the holidays.

 

Ingredients

Have you tried H&M Beauty?

Love,
Helen

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Review: Quick Fx Pimple Eraser & CC Cream

I've been seeing Quick Fx products in Watsons for the longest time, and when I attended the SM K-Beauty Playground, these products were part of my loot. To be honest, I wasn't too interested in these at first as they looked like sample sachets, but it was M who told me that Pimple Eraser had a lot of good reviews and was always sold out. And so I got curious!

Quick Fx products are made in Korea. After using these for months, I finally appreciated the packaging as they're actually convenient and mess-free. I bring CC Cream in my gym bag to calm down the redness on my face post-workout, and I bring Pimple Eraser with me in my office kikay kit everyday.

Helps dry up pimples diminish and reduce dark spots due to scarring and helps protect against the sun.

Pros:

• Convenient and mess-free sachet packaging with cap
• Lightweight and travel-friendly
• Just the right size for trial
• Manufacturing and expiry date indicated on the packaging
• Contains zinc oxide, glycolic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and vitamin C
• Dries up my pimples quickly

Cons:

• Contains mineral oil (as 2nd ingredient) and petrolatum

Price: PHP 59

 

Despite my initial apprehension with it containing mineral oil and petrolatum (which are pore-clogging ingredients), I still tried it for the sake of review. (That's the job of a beauty blogger.) Surprisingly, it dries up my pimples fast. And whenever I feel bumps forming on my face by midday, or there's an itchy spot on my face, I just apply the Pimple Eraser and the it stops the pimples in its tracks. I'm amazed! I use this only as needed; in the morning before putting on makeup, by midday when I feel a pimple forming, and/or also in the evening, but not everyday.

Color correct formulation that conceals hydrates and protects in one application helps illuminate the skin for a healthy glow.

Pros:

• Convenient and mess-free sachet packaging with cap
• Lightweight and travel-friendly
• Just the right size for trial
• Manufacturing and expiry date indicated on the packaging  
• Contains sodium hyaluronate, zinc oxide, fruit extracts, and v-peptide
• Self-adjusting universal shade 
• Minimizes redness
• Blurs pores
• Natural dewy finish
• Hydrating, doesn't accentuate dry patches
• Feels like a tinted moisturizer
• Skin feels soft after I remove the CC cream at the end of the day

 
Cons:

• Light coverage
• Wears off and looks oily in hot weather

Price: PHP 99

While I like Pimple Eraser, I was not too impressed with the CC Cream. It's good for when you're staying indoors in an air-conditioned environment. For example, I like using this after I take a shower in the gym as it cancels out my skin's redness post-workout. I use it also on weekends when my family and I go to the mall. But I won't use this when I have to commute to work on a hot day as it makes me look oily. Also, the coverage is light only, so it's good only if you're skin isn't problematic to begin with.

Swatches:

Pimple Eraser & CC Cream

When worn:

Wearing Quick Fx CC Cream alone on the face

As of now, I've used up half of my Pimple Eraser sachet and I'm pretty sure I will use it up in a few weeks time. I don't think I'll be able to finish the CC Cream, unless the weather gets any cooler here which is very unlikely. 😆

Now, I'm curious with other Quick Fx products! Which ones have you tried?

Love,

Helen

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Human Nature Made to Bloom Lipstick

You were beautifully, wonderfully Made to Bloom. One of my current favorite and go-to lipstick is Human Nature's Made to Bloom Lipstick. It's the first time I fell in love with a lipstick from packaging, formula, to the story behind it.

These lipsticks are inspired by the Bible verse Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 

Clockwise from top: Joy, Warmth, Wisdom, Strength, and Grace

Shades:

Grace - pink nude

Joy - rosy nude

Wisdom - light tan

Strength - chestnut brown

Warmth - brick red

When worn:

Bare lips vs Joy

Joy

Pros:

• Cruelty-free
• 100% natural, no harmful chemicals
• Contains cocoa butter and passion fruit seed oil
• Does NOT contain mineral oil, BHT, carmine, synthetic dyes, or other toxic chemicals
• Comes in 5 shades made for morena skin tone (They chose among 60 prototype shades!)
• Beautiful environment-friendly floral packaging (made with paper and less plastic)
• Super smooth and buttery glide, just like a lip balm but with way more color
• Demi-matte finish, looks healthier than flat matte
• NEVER drying
• Natural-looking shades, nothing over the top
• Won't darken your lips
• The shade Joy livens up my bare face. It's a keeper!

Cons:

• Scent, it smells like "old" cosmetics even though it's not expired. (This would be better unscented.)
• Short life span (a little over a year)
• Soft formula (my sister's shade Wisdom lipstick came off the tube after a few uses), my tube Joy is still intact
• Doesn't last long on the lips, reapplication is necessary

Price: P495

Available in all Human Nature branches nationwide, online via www.humanheartnature.com/buy, and in all Beauty Bar stores

My favorite shade among the 5 is Joy. I'm halfway through with my tube, and I'm expecting to finish this by October (which is its expiry date). Even if I have a lot of lipsticks, I wouldn't want this beauty to go to waste. 💋

May Human Nature's Made to Bloom Lipstick Collection reveal the grace, wisdom, strength, warmth, and joy that pass through your lips. 💕

Love,

Helen

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Snoe Torrid & Magic Beso Balm Reviews

I have to review these Snoe Lip Treatments (fancy name for lip balm) before I declutter my beauty stash. I initially didn't plan on reviewing them anymore since my experience was meh, but found these photos in my file so here goes. 😂

Snoe Magic Beso Balm Color Changing Lip Treatment

Snoe Torrid Beso Balm Sizzling Lip Treatment

Each lip balm costs a whopping P399 per stick, and the only reason I bought them was because they were on a buy 1 get 1 promo. So I got 2 for P399, but realized later that it was still expensive.

First of all, Snoe's packaging is really catchy. Snoe's Torrid Beso Balm boasts of cinnamint, chili, and 3x the breath fresheners. I love all things minty, and was so curious at how minty or spicy this could go.

As a minty lip balm, it was okay but I wasn't pleased with the condition of the product I got. I remember there were 3 stocks of this left on the shelf, but all were unsealed.

I got the freshest stock manufactured 2018 as the other 2 were manufactured 2017.

When I got home, the top layer of the product itself looked slightly curved, like it was already swatched. I didn't have it exchanged anymore since on my next visit, it was already out of stock. So I just sliced off the top layer and used it.

Ingredients

This lip balm worked okay for me. It wasn't drying or irritating despite being very minty. I like it, but I disliked that the seal was flimsy. I use this mainly at night as it had no tint and I also use this to remove my lipstick at the end of the day.

On to the next!

I'm a sucker for color-changing makeup. HUHU! This one I had bought in good condition. It was a fresh stock then and not expired, as I bought these 2018.

Ingredients

Swatches:

The balm is yellow, but it turns hot pink on the lips. No need for lipstick, and even if the balm wears off, it leaves a pretty pink tint. I was so happy with this lip balm but my happiness was short lived. One month after I bought it, the yummy minty bubble gum smell and taste soon started to taste bitter. I keep my makeup well and wipe them from time to time, and I do NOT retouch when my lips are dirty/oily with food. Not sure if it's really like this or it's just a bad batch. I contacted them then, but they just read my message and never replied. 😕 I've been using Snoe stuff since 2011, and it's the first time I'm so dissatisfied with their products. And so, I haven't bought any more Snoe products since.

Currently loving my In Her Element Nourishing Cocoa Balm, but I'll save that for another post. 💋

Love,
Helen

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BackJoy SitSmart Mini Posture Plus in Hello Kitty

Confession: I didn't want a BackJoy until I became a tita. I used to work for the company that imports and distributes BackJoy, but I honestly didn't care about it because it was expensive even with employee discount. Fast forward to around 2017 or 2018, my friend Monica had one that she uses daily in the office, and she told me that it really works in lessening back pain from sitting all day, everyday. Now I want one, too!

I did my research, reading up on reviews online and was so sure that I was going to purchase. I needed the BackJoy Mini (fits 30-55 kgs) which was the correct variant for my weight (around 43 kgs). According to my research, this was the variant for me because I'm petite and my hips had to be bigger/wider than the seat. If I used the ordinary version, it wouldn't do much for my back. The problem was, BackJoy Philippines didn't sell the mini variant anymore! One thing, I have to commend their Lazada chat support because they were honest enough to tell me that some items are only for 55kg up to 135kg. Compared to kiosk salespeople that would push sales even if the product is not for you.

Off to Carousell I went... lo and behold, someone was selling her brand new BackJoy Mini Hello Kitty (a limited edition!!!) at way below SRP. I was able to buy mine for only P750 (including shipping fee). I believe this was meant to be mine. It's too cute! 😍

BackJoy Mini fits 30-55 kgs

I knew this was legit because it had the distributor sticker and 7-digit barcode that I used to work with. Super good find!

Since this was launched around Holiday 2014, it was definitely stored for so long. The 3 rubber circles at the base crumbled already and was messy to touch (leaves black marks when touched), so I just sticked scotch tape over it and it's good. Still not complaining!

I love my BackJoy Mini. It's the cutest thing. I initially wanted a black one (for practical reasons) or a pink one, but Hello Kitty is way better even if she turns gray with age. LOL. And yeah, it does work. First 2 days there were some adjustments, and my neck was a tiny bit sore. Then the mild discomfort disappeared. And because I sit on it everyday, I'm so used to the feeling that sometimes I forget it's there. I bought it in preparation of our months-long overtime work, and I haven't had a sore back since. Now, I'm using mine everyday at work and I miss it whenever there's no work. 😆

Do you also use BackJoy?

Love,

Helen

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Before & After: Instant white armpits in 30 seconds with Shiro Waki Hime

Okay, it's 2020 and it's time to be fearless with my reviews. 😂 Today's review will be about an armpit makeup. Yes, there is such a thing!

Shiro Waki Hime (P795) is an instant armpit lightening cream that works in just 30 seconds. It's made in Japan, so you don't have to be scared. The ingredients aren't sketchy, and it makes use of fruit acid to exfoliate your pits.

You just leave it on for 10 seconds, then rub it for 20 seconds. No need to rinse off! My underarms aren't problematic to begin with as I've had diode laser and Revlite laser done to it years ago (the last time was 2015) and I haven't touched them since. I still have some light shadows and chicken skin.

See actual, unedited photos below:

 

I don't use deodorant, but if you do, this is meant to be applied after your deo has dried. It leaves a white coating on the skin that is smooth to touch. It comes off when you bathe at the end of the day, but if you use this regularly, it may lighten your underarms because it has an exfoliating effect. This tiny tube might be pricey, but it REALLY works!

Love

Helen

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