Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Shiseido White Lucent gave me my best skin ever!

I've always been prudent when it comes to my purchases, and am not one to blow big bucks on cosmetics because there are a lot of drugstore products that work. I'm used to having okay skin and have accepted breakouts as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Then I discovered something early this year after trying out deluxe samples of Shiseido's White Lucent range. In order to have great skin, you have to invest.
 

My best friend gifted me with this Shiseido White Lucent range a few months back, and it was just recently that I edited my entire skincare range and made way for these babies. I don't know what's wrong with me by delaying its use. I could have been intimidated or scared to like these too much that I'd eventually have to repurchase, but here we are! 😍

The star ingredient in Shiseido White Lucent products are Japanese cherry blossoms - they help the skin become resistant to dark spot appearance. This range works in 2 ways by treating dark spots and helping the skin resist hyperpigmentation. It's alcohol-free and can be used immediately after facial treatments (like laser) to help skin recover faster. It's potent but that gentle, too.


Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser works as an alcohol-free toner with intensive brightening ingredients. High up on the ingredients list is Tranexamic Acid which I first encountered when I used Belo Intensive Whitening Bar. It's a peptide proven to inhibit inflammation and melanin formation. In short, this helps the skin resist dark spots such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne breakouts.

The Luminizing Infuser feels gentle on the skin, and never did it sting even on parts where I picked my skin. (I'm bad, I know!) It does effectively remove leftover dirt and preps my skin for the next step.
 
Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser Ingredients


I feel that Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener has the same purpose as the Luminizing Infuser. Both can be used as toner. But for extra hydration, I use the Luminizing Infuser first with a cotton pad, then apply the Brightening Balancing Softerner with my hands via patting motion. It relaxes my skin. Initially it feels sticky but when it's absorbed my skin feels soft and balanced.


Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion (day) and Luminizing Surge (night) are both emulsions which have a lighter texture vs. creams, making it perfect for my oily skin.


Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion has SPF 15 - quite low so I have to use a separate sunscreen if I'm spending the day outdoors. What I love about this though is the light texture and how my skin just drinks it up. It gives me a really healthy glow, and since I started using this range, I haven't had the need for liquid foundation. I can just use pressed powder and still look makinis. The Luminizing Surge is a light-textured moisturizer that gives me a glow every time I wake up even when I'm sleep-deprived. It has a soft gel-cream formula that creates an invisible veil to protect the skin and and give it a lasting glow. You can also use the Lumunizing Surge during the day, but remember to follow with SPF afterwards.

I wake up to softer, healthier skin now and I'm deeply in love with the Shiseido White Lucent range.

I say that the Shiseido White Lucent range gave me my best skin ever because I haven't had breakouts since I started using it, even during that time of the month. It's a miracle, really! It has also effectively faded out the red spots from my previous breakouts. Here, I'm not wearing makeup except for lip balm. No edits as well. Just great skin by Shiseido.

I'm this close 👌 to repurchasing the Luminizing Infuser (P3,950) and Luminizing Surge (P4,400) the moment my tiny bottles run out. My wallet is already crying but I figured that with great skincare, I won't have to shell out too much for makeup anymore. 💖

Facebook: Shiseido Philippines

Love,
Helen


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Monday, February 12, 2018

Carefree x Laybare Intimate Beauty Studio

Yesterday was a productive day as I was able to sneak in a few hours to visit the Carefree x Laybare Intimate Beauty Studio at Glorietta - my first kikay event of the year! (Guys, I'm alive! Haha) 😂

It was really nice of Carefree and Laybare to come up with this one-day event where empowered women can reveal their intimate beauty secrets. Pinays are known to be conservative, and some don't even want to talk about waxing or how they take care of themselves down there. It doesn't have to be that way. As for me, I think I had it a bit easier since I grew up with 5 sisters  and we talk about girl things all the time! 😉


There were 3 stations inside the Intimate Beauty Studio. In "Get Ahead', there was a flatlay table where we could showcase our creativity. 💮


I got a bit nervous at  the "Get Real" section since there was going to be an interview. It turned out to be a "Fast Talk" interview about intimate grooming preferences - no right or wrong answers. Whew! 😌


"Get Intimate" is where we could share our very own intimate beauty secret.

Make pantyliners your BFF para super fresh all day!
(Important to change throughout the day!) 😊

Ladies usually wear panty liners towards the end of their monthly period since it absorbs less liquid than pads, but that's not its only use. It's handy for light discharge and everyday cleanliness. Just make sure to change it at least by midday/lunch time to keep you fresh throughout the day.
 

I've kept this a secret for so long, but when Carefree's Intimate Beauty Ambassador Gretchen Ho revealed that wearing panty liners can be tipid sa labada, I couldn't agree more and I realized that it was normal. LOL. Ever since we stopped hiring household help, I've been doing my own laundry for years and it's such a chore. Panty liners make my life easier because my panties are always clean and easy to wash. Plus, they make my panties look new for a long time. 👙

Also, I heard about panty liners causing UTI. Totally not true! I've been wearing one everyday and have had no health problems. It just boils down to proper feminine hygiene: change your liner (or pad) often, keep your vaginal area dry, and wipe from front to back after you pee. Also, drink enough water and do not hold your pee. You'll be fine! 


I also learned a pro tip from Christine David of Laybare: You can use Laybare's Soothing Cream on your face as a moisturizer. No kidding! Since it's safe for the most sensitive skin (down there, post wax), it's definitely safe for your face, too.


Since Valentine's Day is literally just around the corner, why not drop by Lay Bare for a Brazilian wax? 😉 From my experience, they offer the most affordable Brazilian wax, and make use of natural ingredients for their cold wax (a mix of calamansi, honey, and sugar) so it's safe even for sensitive skin.

Don't miss the chance to elevate your intimate beauty rituals this February 2018 by visiting participating Lay Bare Waxing Salon branches to avail of FREE Carefree panty liners!

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just message me on IG! 😗

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Sunday, February 11, 2018

Mumuso Haul

Did you know that Mumuso Korea is actually a Chinese brand?

Visiting their stores is always a fun experience - going through aisles of cosmetics, beauty tools, cute stuff, accessories, and even gadgets. Thank goodness I have high restraint when it comes to shopping or else I'll be poor. Haha 😂


Last Christmas, I received a lot of Mumuso stuff as gifts so I decided to do a collective haul post on them. 🛍

My cousin gave me this cute makeup bag which reminds me of winter and Christmas season everytime I see it. 🎄


Last Christmas, my Dad went to Mumuso and shopped for girly gifts for us! My sisters and I each got different gifts based on our kikay needs. Papa handpicked this travel bottle set and lemon hand cream (below) for me. So sweet! 💛💛💛  My 2 younger sisters each got a vanity mirror, and my elder sister got a pedicure brush. LOL


My hands are so dry and they've always been rough, so whenever I get hand creams I am happy. Haha! My office Gurl gave me this tube of olive hand cream and double eyelid tape (below). I currently have 2 tubes of handcream on rotation. I'm doing my best to use them up. Then more 4 tubes in my drawer as backup. (Stop hoarding, Helen!) 😮


I only use double eyelid tape on my right eye (where my crease is smaller). When I don't use eyelid tape, it smudges my eyeliner. So whenever I'm wearing eyeliner, you can be sure that I have eyelid tape on. 😁 The double eyelid tape from Mumuso comes in a nice packaging where you can manually dispense the tape. It contains 300 pieces, and since I'm using this on one eye only, it will last a long time.

Brows: Pretty Looks (this is how my Cashmere Eyebrows look like now)
Lashes: Ever Bilena

This double eyelid tape from Mumuso is really good. It's matte and has a slight skintone tint, so it seems almost invisible. It also stays on all day. One time, I removed my eyeliner with micellar water and proceeded to shower. I put facial wash on my face and felt the eyelid tape. (Oopsie I forgot to remove it!) When I checked in the mirror, it didn't even budge.

I don't have the prices of these products since I got them as gifts, but you can be sure that they are affordable but of good quality. While I'm still not keen on experimenting with their skincare products, I like their beauty tools and accessories a lot. I love how giftable and varied their items are. Last time, I was even able to buy a cute water gun for my niece! 💙

Instagram: @mumusoph

Love,
Helen

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For quick updates or any questions, just message me on IG! 😗

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Saturday, February 10, 2018

Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow

I come home from work late every night, so I have this hobby of browsing online stores before I sleep to de-stress. It's fun and relaxing for me, but it's bad for the wallet. 😂 One time I was browsing at Althea and saw this hair shadow - perfect for the bald parts of my hairline.

☑ Add to cart 🛒  (weee!)


This product comes in 2 or 3 shades, and I chose #06 Baby Face Hair. This one's the darkest and most natural looking since my hair isn't dyed.


It comes in a cute portable packaging with a small mirror on the cap. Underneath the packaging is a soft little puff as applicator.

(I've already repurchased this for a friend recently, and they've changed the box from brown to white. The packaging itself comes in a lighter shade of brown, but the hair shadow inside remains the same. The newer packaging is also more secure - the cap doesn't easily open.)


This product contains rose hip oil, but I don't see how it can affect the hair line. But what I am convinced with is how this one manages to create a neater hairline = fuller hair, more youthful look. (I need this!) 😜

Swatch of #06 Baby Face Hair

Before & After

This hair shadow is very easy to use and the pigment stays on all day as long as I don't rub it. It's an essential for me since I'm always in a ponytail and this helps me look more polished. It's quite pricey at P600 for only 4g of product, but it works so I'd repurchase.


Price: P600
Available at Althea

Althea offers free shipping for orders above P999! This is why I prefer to buy my Korean beauty products here since the prices are sometimes cheaper and I don't even have to leave the house. 🛍 Get P200 off your first order here with a minimum purchase of P1,500. 💝

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just message me on IG! 😗

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