Etude House Happy Teatime Aloe Tea Cleansing Cream

I have to confess, there are lots of times I go to work without any makeup on, just because I get sooo lazy when I come home from work all drained, and makeup removal is the last thing on my mind. (My super kikay self from a few years back would gasp in disbelief when she gets to read this.) This product from Etude House is the perfect remedy for my laziness, because it actually makes me look forward to removing makeup at the end of the day!

This was part of my mini haul from Etude House early this month. I've tested this for almost a month now so here's my quick review.


Even though the BA from Etude House was recommending the Lemon Tea Cleansing Cream, I still went for this because I like the color of the lid/packaging better. Haha. That was the power of cute packaging that lured me in. Plus, the Lemon Tea variant's scent reminded me of Pond's Cold Cream in Lemon (which I used before), so I wanted to try something different.

Etude House says:

Cleansing Cream's creamy texture contains Aloe extract to remove dirt and makeup while keeping skin moisturized with the pleasant fragrance of tea.

[Directions] Apply cream to all areas of the face. Massage thoroughly and wipe clean with cleansing tissues or rinse with warm water to remove excess.

It looks like a cute little teacup, minus the handle.

Here's the cute little lid that I just had to take a picture of!

Pros:

• It has a super cute packaging.
• I'm in love with its light gel-cream texture. I was quite surprised when I sticked my finger in to get some product, because I was expecting it to be dense and creamy (like Pond's Cold Cream). This one is more watery.
• Since it's more watery, it feels fresh and light on my skin when I massage it on my face.
• It is not so greasy.
• It removes my makeup thoroughly. Yey!
• It did not give me breakouts.
• The scent is refreshing (no old lady scent or whatsoever).
• This one gives great value for your money because of its big size and cheap price.

Cons:

• Because I was used to using creamy makeup removers before, I tend to use more product with this one because of its lighter texture.
• I am not sure if this will work well with waterproof makeup (like mascara) because I personally don't use waterproof makeup.

Will I repurchase? YES! In all other variants too so I get to collect the cute little jars. Haha!
Price: P198.00 for 180ml (Talk about value for money!)
Available in Etude House stores and kiosks (in SM Department Stores) nationwide.

What makeup remover do you use? :)

Love,
Helen

The Body Shop Earth Lovers Biodegradable Shower Gel in Pear and Lemongrass

Before, I used to be a soap girl. Since good ol' soap already does its job, I saw shower gels as little luxuries that I did not really need, but I would secretly get kilig whenever I received those little travel-sized bottles of shower gels (mostly from The Body Shop) as gifts. The one thing that turned me into a convert was that my bacne got healed after I started using shower gels. Now I don't get them anymore. It must be the soap before which would leave a film of residue on my skin, which blocked my pores. After using up my bottle of The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel, here's another shower gel review! This one is from The Body Shop's Earth Lovers range, probably the most eco-friendly bath product ever created!

The Body Shop says:

Enriched with the goodness of natural herbs and plants to refresh, invigorate, and cleanse skin, the Earth Lovers collection boasts a soap-free base suitable for sensitive skin, and contains no chemicals such as colorants, sulphates or parabens, helping you to cleanse just as nature intended. Stimulate your senses with six different scents to make you feel good whatever your mood.

Fresh and Radiant

Use: Pear & Lemongrass

Ideal as a quick perk-me-up, the fresh aromas of pear and lemongrass will put a spring back to your feet, while restoring radiance to dull-looking skin.

One quick whiff of this shower gel reminded me of a fresh cut flower, like a Sampaguita. The scent is totally clean, fresh, and juicy. I can distinctly smell the pear and lemongrass combo upon pouring it on my hand and foaming it up in my bath lily. I wish mosquitoes will repel from me with the lemongrass scent, but it does not work that way. Hehe. I like that this shower gel is clear and free from any kind of colorants. I have used natural/organic body care products before, and from what I experienced, they do not lather as much as you would like them to. This one, however, produces just the right amount of lather. I use a little more than a 5-peso coin size, and fluff it up using a bath lily, and it can produce lather enough for my whole body.

Pros:

• The bottle of this shower gel is made of 100% recycled plastic. Whoever thought that recycled bottles could look this bright and cute? :D
• The bottle's slim shape makes it very easy to hold.
• The flip-top cap is more durable than the caps on their classic core shower gels.
• It has no sulphates, no parabens, and no colorants.
• It has a fresh and mild fragrance.
• It leaves my skin soft and moisturized. I skipped using lotion a lot after using this, and my (dry) skin still feels supple.
• There are 7 variants of this shower gel: 6 of them with mild and distinct scents, and 1 being unscented (for sensitive skin). Choose one for your every mood!

Cons:

• Due to its very mild fragrance, the scent does not linger after you take a bath (compared to their classic line of core shower gels).
• It's kind of pricey for a shower gel.

Would I repurchase? No. I still prefer fruity scents that linger on me (like their core shower gels).

Price: P595.00 for 250ml

Available at The Body Shop stores nationwide.

Beauty products with a conscience are great. Being beautiful need not come at the expense of our environment. The water that goes down the drain whenever we take a shower goes into the bodies of water with marine life in it, and this eco-friendly shower gel respects them and does not cause them harm. I'm looking forward to trying the eco-friendly hair care range of The Body Shop. Stay tuned for reviews on that soon!

Love,

Helen

My First Blog Awards

It's another manic Monday. As usual, there's work. When it was finally time to go home, I got to the LRT station and prepared myself to get stressed with the perennially crowded train, until an empty train made its first stop at where I was waiting. And that, my friends, seldom happens! XD That eased my not so good day at work. I was pondering on what to write today here in my blog (because writing is my stress reliever). I came home to find Anne from http://sweethestia.blogspot.com/'s comment, tagging me in her post. I got my first ever blog awards from her! Thanks so much, Sis! You really made my day. :)

Award rules:

1. Link back and thank the person who tagged you.
2. Post seven things about yourself and answer the list of favorite questions.
3. Pass these awards to 15 bloggers.
4. Notify the lucky bloggers who got these awards.

7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I used to be a chubby baby. Now I can't gain weight no matter how much I eat. I used to be so insecure about my weight. I even took protein tablets and drank Ensure milk together with my meals. I thought I had a medical condition so I had my blood checked for stuff like hyperthyroidism (which makes it hard for one to gain weight), but the results were normal. I even counted calories and took as much as I could. Nothing happened. One day, I just stopped and saw it as a blessing (instead of a curse). Someday, I would also love to grow curves in the right places, too. :P
2. My face got burned when I was a kid. I was running and I did not see our maid coming with a freshly-boiled kettle. My entire right cheek got a second-degree burn. I was crying and my grandma gave me 2 pieces of Sugus candy (in yellow and green) to make me stop crying. (See, I remember it in full detail.) Good thing it did not leave a scar.
3. I have a severe case of Monday blues! Really. I remember when I was in Grade 1, I would get teary-eyed every Monday morning because I did not want to go to school. Now, I don't cry anymore (Haha!), but I still get sad and feel down every Monday. I hope I finally find that one thing that would not make me dread Mondays.
4. I have mild OCD. If anyone checks my wallets, my bills are sorted upright from the smallest to the largest denomination, and from the most crumpled to the crispiest. Every night, I check my phone 4 to 5 times just to see if I set the alarm clock in the right time (7:30 AM and not PM). I love fixing and arranging stuff.
5. I hate math. Please don't make me solve math problems. I'd rather write a long essay than deal with numbers. Numbers make me want to vomit.
6. I don't like sauce on my food. I can't finish my rice when it is soaked with sauce. No gravy on my chicken. No mushroom sauce on my burger steak. No lugaw. I want plain white rice and dry ulam. I find it yummy like that. (I bet your saying "She's weird" now. Haha!)
7. My dream is to publish a real article. It might be shallow for some, but nothing beats seeing your name in print. I used to submit one-liners to Cosmopolitan magazine a lot. :D Someday I hope I can share meaningful articles, too.

The Favorite Questions:

Name your favorite colors:
I like pink and red. So girly! :D

Name your favorite song:
Stolen by Dashboard Confessional. It's my feel good song; I have it memorized by heart. <3

Name your favorite dessert:
Right now, I am craving for Selecta's Caramel Cheesecake Ice Cream. I tasted it for the first time last Saturday and I am craving for it again.

What pisses you off:
People who stop at the top and bottom of the escalator for no apparent reason.

When you're upset you:
When I am upset, I go to the mall and buy something that's so not me. I got myself a black floral onesie and a black cutout swimsuit when I was sad. I'm trying to avoid emotional buys now. My quick fix is McDo fries and Chocolate Sundae. XD

Your favorite pet:
I remember having an askal puppy I named as "Doggy" when I was 9. He was the only one that had pure chocolate brown fur; all his siblings were spotted so I immediately noticed him. I taught him to climb the stairs by putting little pieces of bread on the steps, and boy, did he learn fast! Until one day, I came home from school to find out that my relatives gave him away to some other people. Evil. T_T

Black or white:
Black. Black clothes give more contrast to my skin tone. Chos!

Your biggest fear:
I can take the thought of being alone at times, but I can't bear the thought of losing my loved ones. :(

Best feature:
My lips (because it's the only photogenic part of me. Haha)

Everyday Attitude:
Hungry! I am always hungry. My office drawer is filled with snacks. I think I could open a little grocery there.

What is perfection:
Nothing is perfect, but being with my loved ones make me perfectly happy. Especially with my baby niece, Daphne. She makes me perfectly happy after a long, tiring day. She's the only one who can make me sing and dance, I don't care if she thinks I am a clown sometimes, as long as I see her smile.

Meet my niece, Daphne! She's turning 1 this August! :)

Guilty pleasure:
Joining contests! I join a lot in Facebook promos, and since I am kuripot, I get super thrilled when I win stuff. Hehe!

I am tagging these lovely bloggers:

Ahne from http://freedomandfashion.blogspot.com/
Ann from http://ibeauty-addict.blogspot.com/
Anna Luisa from http://lotsofgirlstuff.blogspot.com/
Charlene from http://charlene-b.blogspot.com/
Charles from http://wickermoss.blogspot.com/
Jackie from http://thenarcissusproject.blogspot.com/
Jes from http://jesroque.blogspot.com/
Krystle from http://ilovekits.blogspot.com/
Kumiko Mae from http://www.lovingsunshine.com/
Lady E from http://bitsandtreats.blogspot.com/
Meedge from http://poohpotato.blogspot.com/
Onika from http://onikaruchi.blogspot.com/
Ria from http://sugarsmile.blogspot.com/
Sugar from http://sugarpao.blogspot.com/
Yumna from http://sprinkled-strawberries.blogspot.com/

I hereby award you, and I hope to read your posts soon! :D

Love,
Helen

Weekend: Saturdate and Food

If there is anything I could do all day, it is to eat! I think my dream job is to be a food tester. Haha. Yesterday, my BF who is my BFF when it comes to eating and I went back to D' Original Maki Haus in Banawe to eat. Since I arrived first, I ordered beforehand so when he comes, the food is ready. I ordered one large order of Yang Chow Fried Rice, and the kuya kept on insisting (thrice) that I order the regular size since I can't finish the large one. I told him that I can, in 2 sittings. XD And I said that I'll be sharing the dish so I really wanted the large one. So there!

Yang Chow Fried Rice (P185.00)

This is so good, you can eat it on its own! Kanin palang, ulam na. This is REALLY our favorite Yang Chow Fried Rice. And this order is good for 3-4...NOT! Haha. The serving is kind of small for its price, but we still like it anyway.

Shrimp Roll (P145.00)

And this is the perfect partner for the Yang Chow Fried Rice, promise!

After our late lunch/early dinner, we went to Trinoma to buy some groceries. I did not buy much, just some crackers (for my office drawer), and these ice creams! Selecta Gold Berry Strawberry was my BF's, and mine was the Caramel Cheesecake (because I was seduced by the word "cheesecake"). We ate this in their food court section after buying it.

Selecta Gold Berry Strawberry and Caramel Cheesecake Extra Creamy Premium Ice Cream (P30.00 each)

THEY'RE SOOO CREAMY! The Berry Strawberry had real fruits in it. But we liked the Caramel Cheesecake better! At first, I saw 3 little chunks of cheesecake at the top of the cup, and I though that was it (no more cheesecake). But lo and behold, the entire cup was filled with cheesecake chunks. LOVE. Comparing this to overpriced frozed yogurts with measly cheesecake toppings that go over P100.00, go for this one instead!

After that, we went to Landmark Department Store just to walk around, and I saw these cute little pink jars with a spatula. I'll put in there my moisturizer samples (since they come in a sachet which is not handy at all). Yey for that! I also got this Bobbie Emery Board since the one I am using is already dull.

Makeup Thing Handy Cosmetic Case (P9.75)
Bobbie Emery Board (P29.75 for 6 pieces)

After doing all the rounds in the supermarket and department store, and crossing over to SM North EDSA, the food we ate already got digested so we went to Paotsin. This was introduced to my by my college friend when we used to go to SM all the time just because we were bored.

A rice meal like this goes for as low as P45.00. Kuripot? Nah. We're just wise spenders. Haha!

And oh, look at this. I used to buy this when I was in grade school! I got the shock of my life when I saw this again (after many years) in Landmark Supermarket and immediately got it. This was part of the groceries I bought earlier, and we ate it after having Paotsin.

Kitty Boy Fruity Cream Cone (P12.00)

This also comes in Chocolate/Vanilla and Strawberry/Pineapple (eww?). I'm so getting the Chocolate/Vanilla next time for me and my little sister.

The 4 little cones and the cream (that looks like a toothpaste)

We took turns making the little ice cream (kuno) cones.

Ice cream for you!

We had a fun day of eating and a little bit of shopping! How's your weekend? :)

Love,
Helen

Weekend Lunch at Chic-Boy

My dad wanted to try out this restaurant since he loves Chicken Inasal so much, so we went to a Chic-Boy restaurant near our house. Chic-Boy is a really catchy name! It stands for "Chicken at Baboy". It was patterned after its main competitor who also sells Chicken Inasal (even the tables, chairs, and condiment bottles are the same). I think their menu is more diverse though. The branch we went to was in Frisco. Despite the restaurant having 3 floors, parking seems impossible there.

The first floor had no air-con so we went up to the second floor instead. This place is clean and really spacious and can accommodate lots of diners.

House Soup (not sinigang though)

Chibog-Busog Meal: Inihaw na Liempo (P99.00)

This came with unlimited rice. This was my dad's order. The liempo is kind of pale, and I'm not used to that. Hehe.

Chiquito Meal: Hita (P49.00)

Chiquito Meals are served with rice and house soup. The chicken was really small. You get what you pay for, after all.

We also had a whole Cebu Lechon Manok (P210.00) for take out. I was not able to take a picture of it though. The chicken was kind of bland. Since this restaurant is kind of new, they still have a lot of things to improve on. And I hope they do! :P

Love,

Helen

The Body Shop Body Butter in Satsuma

The Body Shop Body Butters have been a staple in my bedside drawer for so many years. I love using it before I sleep (actually, I only use it before I sleep). My all-time favorite variant would be Mango, but I also buy different variants from time to time. A little really goes a long way when it comes to body butters from The Body Shop. A 200ml tub lasted about 4 months (with daily use).

What I bought now is their Satsuma variant, and I so love the scent! One whiff and it took me back to my childhood days, because it smelled like orange jellyace! Yum yum. :3

The bright orange tub makes me feel cheerful! I also love that it is sealed.

This Satsuma Body Butter is made for normal skin. It has a more watery consistency compared to Mango (which was for very dry skin). When you tilt the tub, the body butter flows, so it's more like a thick lotion than a body butter. Despite the lighter texture, it still does a wonderful job of moisturizing my skin (without the stickiness). When I wear sandals all day, I end up with dry, rough, and almost cracked heels, and body butter always comes to the rescue. I put some on before I sleep and my feet are softer again in the morning. Did I mention that this smells so zesty and juicy? Very refreshing indeed. Satsuma is a natural anti-depressant, so this scent might just leave you feeling better (and happier) after you use it. It's weird though when I use it at night before I sleep. I am so used to the Mango scent (which I find so comforting), and the Satsuma variant energizes me (therefore makes me feel more alert and awake). My sister uses this with me and she also can't get enough of this body butter. :)

Do you also use body butters? Which scent is your favorite? :)

Love,
Helen

Package Day

I hate Mondays. I always get a severe case of Monday blues (which starts from Sunday afternoon). But yesterday was a happy Monday because I got home to find a package waiting for me! Heehee! :)

^_^

Carefully covered with bubble wrap

YEY! A new mascara! :)

I won a Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara from E's Thanksgiving Giveaway. Check out her blog here! I'll use this as soon as I use up my Maybelline mascara. I'm so excited already! :D

Thanks so much, E!

Love,
Helen

Tony Moly Berry Lovely Girl Tip Concealer

When it comes to shopping for concealers, I fail big time. The first concealer I bought was from Maybelline, which was too light for me (but it is still workable). This concealer from Tony Moly, on the other hand, was too dark for me. Haha! But wait, when I mix the both of them together, I get the perfect shade for me. Yey!

Berry Lovely Girl Tip Concealer in #3

I mixed it with my Maybelline concealer to get the desired shade.

And I used it on my sister. :p It made her dark circles less noticeable.

Pros:

• It comes in a very cute, compact size. (somewhat the same as e.l.f. concealer's size)
• The concealer is very easy to blend.
• It covers dark circles well, but I'm not so sure for the pimples.
• 3 shades are available.

Cons:

• The shade on the packaging is not what you get inside. It appeared lighter on the tube. And the department store lights did not help a bit.

Price: P278.00

I'm getting the hang of mixing makeups lately. This morning I mixed Maybelline BB Cream with the Tony Moly BB Cream to achieve my desired coverage. But for this concealer, next time, I'm getting shade #2!

More Tony Moly reviews to come. Stay tuned! :)

Love,

Helen

Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring in Natural Brown

At last, I used my Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring in Natural Brown! I've been so curious about this product ever since first saw it in store. Having read to much rave reviews about it, I simply had to get it. I went looking for this on their grand sale, but it was always out of stock. Early this month, I saw this in their SM North EDSA The Block store and did not hesitate to get one. It was part of my mini haul for July. This is also Part 2 of my hair makeover (Korean style!). You may read about Part 1 here. :)

Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring is an easy to use hair coloring kit. It contains a pump bottle which dispenses the coloring agent in bubble form for streak-free application.

Instructions were printed on the box (all in Korean though)

This packet contains an instruction leaflet (all in Korean words), a pair of good quality gloves, and a thin plastic cape to protect your clothes from the solution.

Silky Perfumed Treatment

Instructions:

1. Combine the hair coloring packet (labeled #1) in the pump bottle (labeled #2).
2. Tilt the bottle from side to side to mix the solution. Do not shake!
3. Wear the gloves and cape provided in your kit.

This hair coloring kit had a floral, fruity scent (and this made me think that it was mild and gentle for my hair.)

Let's begin!

1. Pump a generous amount on to your gloved hand.
2. Apply the foam evenly to your hair.
3. Massage dye onto your hair.
4. Leave on for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse off with clean water and use the Silky Perfumed Treatment right after.

I like the mousse/foamy texture; the color of the solution stayed white the entire duration of the application.

It's just like putting shampoo on your hair.
(I experienced mild itch on the back of my ears when some foam came into contact with my ears for a few minutes.)

I washed it off after 45 minutes because I thought that the color would not lift on my very black hair. Very bad move. I had heaps of hair fall when I rinsed off the foam. I never read about hair fall in other reviews, so I think it was just me. Next time, (if there will be a next time) I will remove it exactly after 30 minutes. The Silky Perfumed Treatment smelled so nice and worked miracles to the coarse and hard feel of the hair (upon rinsing off the color). I wish they sold this separately.

THE HORROR. :(

Before:



I had long regrowth already due to my last hair coloring treatment last August 2010. I had L'Oreal's INOA Hair Coloring System done on my hair, but the color hardly showed.

After:

This was the result of the Bubble Hair Coloring in natural daylight.

Taken with flash (It looks like the color on the box, don't you think?)

Pros:

• It's very cheap at P378.00.
• One box is more than enough for shoulder-length hair. I should have shared it with my sister, because I had a hard time finishing it.
• The solution had a pleasant scent and it did not sting my eyes at all.
• The results were very visible.

Cons:

• I had mild itching at the back of my ears when it came into contact with the foam.
  
• It was not able to cover some of my white hair strands.
• It's not completely streak-free. The back of my hair was still darker than the front (because of the foam that was more concentrated in front).
• I had so much hair fall. :(

Verdict:
Day 2, when I washed my hair with water and conditioner, I did not have hair fall anymore. Hey, my hair is still in one piece! :D Just don't leave it on for long and follow instructions properly and you'll be fine. For now, I won't repurchase (and I'll give my hair ample time to heal), but if I were to buy another one, I'd get one in Wine Red (yey red hair!). If only I did not have exaggerated hair fall, this would have been a super duper HG hair coloring kit for me.

Price: P378.00
Available in Etude House stores and department store kiosks.

Have you tried this product for yourself? How did it go? :)

Love,
Helen