Review: Blythe by Careline Stellar Satin Lipstick in Juliet

I know I already have a lot of lipsticks, but I couldn't pass up this pretty and delicate nude pink shade... and so I bought Blythe by Careline Stellar Satin Lipstick from Lazada.

This collection is a collaboration between Careline and 17-year-old actress Andrea Brillantes. How cool is it to have your own makeup line at such a young age? 👸

I like the cute packaging, from the box to the tube. (Blythe seems fond of the galaxy theme! 💥) I don't have a lot of rectangular lipsticks in my kit, so this one's easy to spot. The shade of the case corresponds to the lipstick bullet shade. And the inside part where you twist the lipstick is rose gold! Blythe offers 8 shades of lipsticks, but based on online reviews and swatches, my favorite was Juliet. I felt that this would make for a great MLBB for pale lips, and I was not mistaken.

 

The manufacturing date and ingredients list are printed on the box. What's nice about this lipstick is that it's free from animal testing, parabens, and lead.

Swatches:

The shade Juliet is gorgeous! It is literally my lips but better, cliche as it may sound. It makes me look alive without looking like I wore makeup. It's so near the shade of my lips but less pale. I like the buttery glide, but since it has a satin finish, staying power is bound to be weak. I do not mind reapplying, though. It's like wearing a tinted lip balm.

As much as I like the shade, there are two caveats. First is the strong scent when you take a whiff of the lipstick for the first time. It smells like chemical, but it becomes unnoticeable when you wear it. I prefer it to be unscented.

Second, my lipstick bullet broke when I did the arm swatch. 😭 I hurriedly put the broken part back on the base. It seems stable and not wobbly now, but I was so shocked! It's the first time this happened to me, and it could be an isolated case since I haven't heard of this lippie breaking in other reviews. I usually wouldn't bother with a lipstick after it breaks, however, I'm still keeping and using my Blythe Stellar Satin Lips because it's a beautiful everyday shade. And yes, I use it everyday while working from home. Haha 💋

Price: PHP 165

Available at Lazada

For any purchase of Careline beauty bundle at their Lazada store, you will be able to donate a hygiene kit to a frontliner. 👍

Love,

Helen

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UV Care Pocket Sterilizer Review

I bought the UV Care Pocket Sterilizer last year, July 2019 to be exact. I bought it for the specific reason of sanitizing my office keyboard in a shared workstation of day/night shift workers.

Last year, I bought this for just PHP 1,200, and the colored ones cost PHP 1,500. Because of the pandemic, the price has increased to PHP 1,800 and it still gets sold out!

These are the contents of the box: the pocket sterilizer, micro USB cable, user manual, and warranty card.

You can use the UV Care Pocket Sterilizer on shopping cart handles, table tops, door knobs, public bathroom surfaces, counter tops, cutting boards, kitchen utensils, mobile phones, laptops, keyboards, toothbrushes, kids toys, etc. Basically, anything that the light touches! The small size makes it travel-friendly, and I have used this before to sanitize my airplane seat, too.

That's just a name sticker. I labeled my device so it won't get lost when my colleagues pass it around.

Take note that this device is NOT rechargeable.

You can use 4 AAA batteries...

Or plug the micro USB cable to a power source, such as powerbank, laptop, or CPU. I honestly find this a hassle, because I bought the device thinking it was rechargeable. I prefer to use 4 AAA batteries because it's more convenient. As of press time, I've replaced the 4 AAA batteries twice already. I have yet to buy rechargeable batteries and charger though. They're expensive. 😭

Here comes the magic! The UVC lamp has a lifetime of 8000 hours, and battery life lasts for 1-3 hours depending on usage. It can kill 90% of bacteria and viruses in as fast as 1 second, and exposing a surface for a few seconds eliminates up to 99.9% of germs, viruses, bacteria, dust mites, flea eggs, and certain allergen-producing organisms such as Mold A. The instruction manual has a table for recommended exposure time to achieve 99.9% sterilization.

I also use this on my makeup, especially my beloved lipsticks since they're prone to contamination. I used to just wipe the lipstick's top layer off with tissue, but now I take this extra step.

Caution: Do not expose your skin and eyes to UVC light. Prolonged exposure may cause cancer. Correct usage should be safe. UV Care Pocket Sterilizer has a sensor ball inside the unit. This will automatically shut off the lamp light if the lamp is facing up or on its side.

UV Care Pocket Sterilizer is laboratory tested and proven effective. Well, all their products are. I love that they do hospital tests, such as this one from Tagaytay Medical Center. They also conducted 3 laboratory tests with Chinese General Hospital on the bacteria count of surfaces exposed to UVC light using their UV Care Room Sterilizer, and the result was no growth even after 24 hours because the bacteria are destroyed on a DNA level.

I love having this little piece of safety with me, especially during uncertain times like these. There are so many sellers of UV sterilizers now, and some of the may be cheaper, but I will still go for UV Care.

Purchase price: PHP 1,200 (from SM department store last year)

New SRP: PHP 1,800 (at https://uvcare.net/collections)

Love,

Helen

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An icy body wash for the scorching heat

I prefer body wash over bath soaps, and I've talked about it here through the years. I recently shifted to bar soaps because they're more environment-friendly, but some soaps, especially hydrating ones, may leave a layer or soapy residue and make the skin extra sticky on hot and humid days. We don't have air-conditioning turned on the entire day because that will render our electric bill crazy high, but I've recently discovered a new body cleanser that feels like ice on my skin. I'm in shower heaven with this one!
 

For days when the shower runs hot even with no heater, I love using Human Nature Cooling Body Cleanser. This body wash is 99.8% natural. It contains rosemary and mint so you can inhale that uplifting spa-like scent in shower. Peppermint and eucalyptus give the skin that icy cold sensation that lingers for a while, even after you bathe.

✓ Coconut-based, pH-balanced cleansing

✓ Protection from dryness with aloe extract

✓ Natural cooling sensation

✓ Invigorating rosemary & lemon scent 

✓ No harmful chemicals

✓ Free from irritating SLS/SLES

✓ Paraben-free

✓ Synthetic fragrance-free 

John 13:34 New International Version (NIV): "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

To maximize the lather, I use The Body Shop's Body Polisher (AKA the green background of the photos above). For me, it's better than a bath lily (that harbors germs as it doesn't dry up completely). The Body Polisher is an exfoliating nylon body towel that increases the lather of your body wash and removes dead skin cells. It's machine washable, too. As for mine, I just rinse and air dry it after bathing.

This body wash from Human Nature is kinda pricey if you're comparing it to Watsons brand (that's 1 liter and even goes on buy 1 take 1), so I consider it as a little luxury that I enjoy as I work from home.

SRP: PHP 199.75 for 200ml

(I bought mine for PHP 159 from Elegante Beaute in Lazada.)

Love,

Helen

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Shopee discovery: DIY matcha milk tea for my cravings

One random Shopee find was this 500g pack of InJoy Matcha Milk Tea. I haven't heard about the brand before; it only appeared on the Flash Deals tab. Since it's matcha (I love all things matcha) and it had a lot of good reviews (4.9 out of 5 stars), I bought one to try. I've been craving milk tea and during the quarantine I had my milk tea fix delivered thrice, and if that will continue, it will get costly. Hence, the DIY route!

Preparation:

500g Injoy Milk Tea Powder + 4 liters of cold water = 14-16 servings

Their Shopee page has individual serving instruction of 4 tbsp (45g) Injoy Milk Tea Powder + 360ml water + ice, but I think that would be too much powder. The pack's Nutrition Facts state that the serving size is 36g powder, and number of servings per pack is 14.

I didn't bother to transfer the powder to another container. I just seal it using a food clip. I also put a baby formula scooper inside the pack for easy dispensing.

What I like about this DIY matcha milk tea is that it makes use of real milk and not creamer. I use a regular-sized mug, so I just need around 1.5 scoops of powder and either cold or hot water. Yes, it does dissolve fully even in cold water! And it actually tastes good. Parang binili sa labas. Well, it's tad sweeter and milkier compared to Starbucks Green Tea Latte, but for it's price, I cannot complain. The store does sell DIY pearls (also with good reviews), but I don't want the hassle of cooking tapioca pearls so I'm fine with the milk tea alone. They also have cream cheese and cream puff toppings. I might repurchase if I don't get tired of the flavor by the time I finish this pack, but as of now I'm currently enjoying this drink very much. Super tipid pero masarap! I'm not craving for milk tea delivery anymore...for now. They also have other milk tea flavors like taro, Okinawa, Hokkaido, chocolate, and caramelized sugar.

Ingredients

Nutrition Facts

Price: PHP 152 for 500g (14 or more servings)

This goes on sale sometimes, and Shopee has discount vouchers for more savings.

Available at Shopee

Have you tried InJoy products?

Love,

Helen

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VMV Hypoallergenics Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-boo Balm

I once thought that VMV Hypoallergenics was an international skincare brand. It was quite surprising to learn that it's actually a homegrown beauty brand! Truly, Philippine-made products are world class. I used to think that their products are expensive, but I came to appreciate how the brand values research (with over 75 published studies in medical journals and conventions) and rates their products according to the first and only hypoallergenic "grading" system. Their products' efficacy are backed by scientific research.

This VMV Hypoallergenics product was actually my first beauty buy during the ECQ. It wasn't part of my #nobuy2020 then because this isn't makeup. It took me a while to post because I had to test it first. I ordered it online on April 7, and it arrived on April 14.

VMV Hypoallergenics Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-boo Balm

Ouchless, crazy effective, and a cult fave among fans, doctors, and beauty editors, our monolaurin & virgin coconut oil "make-it-better" salve is the ultimate skin saver.

Think of it as a skin "swiss army knife"

• Quick, ouchless healing for various cuts, nicks, scrapes, rashes, even minor burns.
• An excellent lip balm that palliates and repairs even very dry, chapping lips and irritated lesions.
• Soothes and softens extremely dry patches of skin (even cracked, flaking skin, eczema, etc.).
• Customers have reported using it as a raw nostril healer in allergy season (and in very dry environments like airplanes or when skiing), a hair fly-away tamer, and an eyebrow shaper, too!

 

This product comes in 2 sizes: 8g tube and 15g tub. I prefer the smaller one because it's way more hygienic to dispense the product from a tube. The manufacturing date is printed on both the box and tube sticker, and the tube has an inner seal.

This product only has 3 ingredients: Petrolatum, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Glyceryl Laurate. It contains coconut-derived monolaurin - a clinically-proven antibiotic that's also antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal. It's said to be as effective as 70% isopropyl alcohol and topical antibiotics. Best part, it doesn't sting!

It has a thick texture that resembles petroleum jelly but is less sticky. The coconut oil is absorbed well and has a skin-soothing effect. It's hard to dispense when I leave this product in an air-conditioned room, but comes out soft in room temperature. I've used this on angry, itchy mosquito bites and it does provide immediate itch relief. I also apply this on my cuticles when they're dry and peeling. Once, I made a careless mistake of cutting my cuticle while it was the hangnail I was aiming for. I immediately put Grandma Minnie's The Big, Brave Boo-boo Balm on the small cut. The wound healed fast - it was okay again in just 2 days. Also, my sister had a small splinter stuck on her finger, so I told her to have it plucked out, wash the area with Betadine, and apply this product. She didn't pluck the splinter out. She just applied the Boo-boo Balm on it and went to sleep. When she woke up, the tiny splinter was gone (probably slid out while she was asleep) and her finger no longer hurts. (She told me that my "medicine" was amazing.) I also use this as lip balm before I go to bed, and I wake up with soft lips. This multi-use product is now a must-have in my kikay kit. It has so many uses, and I've discovered it just now. Looks like I have been missing out for years!

The tube might look tiny, but a little goes a long way. I think this will last for over a year, so it's worth it. I was also able to watch the IG live of @vmvhypoallergenics where their founding dermatologist disproved the claim that coconut oil was comedogenic. That notion comes from an outdated study performed on animals. VMV Hypoallergenics does not test on animals, and they have proved via their products that coconut oil is indeed GOOD for the skin. 👍 Also, after watching their IG live video, I am inspired (and alarmed, at the same time) -  I have to wear sunscreen again even when I'm just at home. Indoor light, laptop screen, and mobile phone screen can age your skin, so sunscreen is a must.

PRICE: PHP 790

Plus PHP 100 shipping fee for online purchases at https://vmvhypoallergenics.ph/

Love,

Helen

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Review + Swatches: Silkygirl I'm Matte Lipcolor

Mother's Day is coming up! I know we all can't go out to shop just yet, but we always have online shopping. 😉 Silkygirl is having a month-long sale at Lazada (up to 25% off on selected items).
 

SILKYGIRL I'M MATTE LIPCOLOR

DESCRIPTION & BENEFITS:

• A rich lipcolor payoff with superior adherence on lips, yet still remaining lightweight for a comfortable wear.
• Enriched with Cotton Seed Oil, Shea Butter and Rice Bran extract to keep lips moisturized and smooth.
• Each lipstick casing comes with an empowering statement (statements are selected randomly).
• Enriched with Vitamin E and Papaya Extract
• Paraben-free/Carmine-free
• Fragrance-free

 

Each lipstick is sealed upon purchase. On the wrapper are important information such as ingredients and manufacturing date. Silkygirl I'm Matte Lipcolor is not tested on animals, and its good for 24 months upon opening. Each bullet contains 3.6g of product in it.

Listing down the manufacturing dates just so I'd have a reference:

• 01 Savvy Nov 2018
• 02 Pretty Nov 2018
• 03 Sunny Jan 2019
• 04 Foxy Jan 2019
• 05 Earthy Jan 2019
• 06 Racy Jan 2019
• 07 Witty Dec 2018
• 08 Spunky Jan 2019
• 09 Fiery Nov 2018
• 10 Edgy Jan 2019

 

Shades (left to right):

01 Savvy, 02 Pretty, 03 Sunny, 04 Foxy, 05 Earthy

06 Racy, 07 Witty, 08 Spunky, 09 Fiery, 10 Edgy

While I do find the black tube packaging simple, the empowering statements are a nice touch as you can get one that matches your personality. It reminds you of who you are. ❤

SWATCHES:
 

PROS:

• Has a creamy matte finish
• Glides on very smoothly due to its lip nourishing ingredients
• Will NEVER dry out your lips
• Feels very lightweight
• Free from animal testing, carmine, fragrance, and parabens  
• Smells like vanilla despite being labelled as fragrance-free
• With empowering messages on each tube
• Fades gracefully, leaves a hint of tint on the lips
• Comes in 10 shades

CONS:

• Some shades look similar when worn
• The light shades (particularly 01 Savvy, 02 Pretty, and 03 Sunny) all have a very strong yellow base, are slightly patchy, and aren't very pigmented. You will need multiple swipes to get full coverage.
• Two out of ten lipstick bullets were damaged when I got them. The bullet of 04 Foxy has reached the cap, hence the bump. While the bullet of 05 Earthy looks "taller" on the group shot because the base is not rooted to the lipstick holder, making it wobbly.

My favorite shades from this collection are 08 Spunky (a mauve shade that looks really natural) and 05 Earthy (a flattering brown that should be named "Spice"). 💋

PRICE: PHP 350

Available at Lazada

Website: https://silkycosmetics.com/ph/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/silkygirl.ph/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Silkygirl.Ph/

Locate us: https://silkycosmetics.com/ph/locate-silkygirl/

Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/silkygirl-cosmetics

Shopee: https://shopee.ph/silkygirlph

You may backread ALL my Silkygirl reviews here. 😗

Love,

Helen

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Hello Kitty White Flower (Pak Fah Yeow) Review

We all know that White Flower is a Tita purse essential, but I never liked the scent of the classic blue-labeled bottle.

My opinion about White Flower changed when I went to Taiwan last year. Cosmetics stores like Cosmed and Watsons sold Sanrio x Pak Fah Yeow Herbal Cooling Liquid in 3 cute designs/scents: Gudetama (Peppermint), Hello Kitty (Honey Lime), and Little Twin Stars (Camellia).

Each tube contains 15 ml of product, and what makes it unique from the typical White Flower Oil is its rollerball applicator. I tried the sample in store; I rubbed some on my nape and immediately felt the cooling sensation as it soothed my tired back. I instantly purchased a box of Gudetama Pak Fah Yeow for its cuteness and peppermint candy scent, then went back a few minutes after to buy another one in Hello Kitty. Little Twin Stars came in a white tube (same as Gudetama), but it would be cuter if it were purple. I didn't buy it though since I don't like the Camellia scent.

I personally liked the Gudetama variant more, but my youngest sister had frequent migraines and I asked her which one she liked better... So I was left with Hello Kitty. 😹

Pak Fah Yeow is good for dizziness, headaches, colds, itching, muscular pain, and travel sickness. I always bring my Hello Kitty White Flower with me because I get carsick all the time. The Gudetama variant in Peppermint scent is the best smelling variant of White Flower for me, and I'd repurchase that if it's still available in the future. 💛

Love,
Helen

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Seek The Uniq Mini Haul

And so my ECQ haul series continues... I think I have to stop buying stuff for now. 😅

When I told my friend T that I couldn't sleep, she didn't hesitate to recommend Pili Ani Sweet Dreams (PHP 265 for 6ml) to me.

And so I got one for myself! I bought this online from Seek the Uniq. I bought this last April 28, and it arrived on May 2. 💜 I used it ASAP that same night and it seemed to work. Too early to tell yet, but I will be reviewing this probably on IG when I've used it long enough. 😊 (What I can tell early as now is that this smells way better than Human Nature's Lavender Oil.)

Love,

Helen

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Healthy Options Tita Haul

And so my ECQ online shopping continues...

This time, it's a haul from Healthy Options! I ordered on May 1, paid online using Paymaya, and received my order on May 2. SO FAST! I was expecting these to arrive next week. Sneak peak: lippie swatches on my arm - blog post on that soon!

(In case you're interested, my Paymaya referral code is 3hy57r4 - we both get PHP 50!)

My Tita haul, literally.

Some for me, some for my nieces!

Happy Baby Organic Greek Yogis (PHP 295 each)

I had to get two packs for my two nieces (9 years old and 1 year old). They both love this expensive snack. I can't even buy one for myself. HAHA! I tried some and they're so delicious! They taste like yogurt candy with a meringue texture that melts in your mouth. Each pack is good for 4 servings, but my baby niece finished hers in 1 day. She even video called me on FB messenger to show me her empty pack. Ang cute pero ang takaw. Hihirap si Tita. 😂

Traditional Medicinals Organic Nighty Night Extra Valerian

Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Lemon Echinacea

(PHP 329 per box with 16 tea bags)

I've had bad sleep since we started the quarantine mid-March. I'm feeling quite anxious about the virus, and I don't really feel tired physically at the end of the day so I'm finding it difficult to sleep. My sleep also gets disrupted at around 3-4:00 AM daily. This has resulted to bad skin, even if I haven't been wearing makeup for almost 2 months. Hence the Nighty Night Extra tea. Throat Coat tea has good reviews, so I bought one to try. These are caffeine-free.

The Republic of Tea Peppermint Chocolate (P695)

I've been looking for this tea, and it was out of always out of stock in Healthy Options stores. So happy to finally get one from their online store! This one's caffeine-free, calorie-free, and sugar-free. 💚 Okay, my tea resolution starting this month is to lessen my Foodpanda milk tea orders and just drink this or my DIY matcha milk tea powder instead.

I sent a photo of the Peppermint Tea to a friend, and she got surprised and happy that Healthy Options has an online store. Minimum order is PHP 1,500, and the shipping fee is PHP 150. You get free shipping when your order reaches PHP 5,000.

Love,

Helen

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