Current Skincare Routine

Here's my updated skincare routine for 2016. I've actually been using these products everyday for the past few months. It's a mix of drugstore products, because you don't have burn your wallet just to have a good complexion. :D

For makeup remover: SAVE or SPLURGE
 

I have oily skin so I like to use something light and refreshing for my entire face, just like Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion. It's a 2-in-1 product - cleanser and toner, and it actually feels just like water! You can just apply this using a cotton pad to cut short your skincare routine for tired nights and/or for when you have something done on your face (AKA eyebrow threading or tattoo) and can't wet your face. Super handy! It's efficient, and I like it a lot since it removes my everyday light makeup quickly. (My everyday makeup is devoid of any eye makeup, so that's another story.)

For days when I wear heavy waterproof makeup and/or eye makeup (shimmer eyeshadow, liner, and mascara), Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion is not enough. To prevent tugging, I reach for my potent cleansing oil, Shu Uemura Whitefficient Skin Purifier, to remove my makeup with minimal effort. As in, it melts off my makeup in seconds. This is also a 2-step product: makeup remover and facial cleanser. You first apply it as oil all over your face (or on your eyes and lips, if you prefer), massage to loosen the makeup, emulsify it with water, and rinse off. A little goes a long way with this one, so a big bottle will last you months.

For makeup removers, you can SAVE because there are a lot of options that will get the job done, but SPEND if you want to save time and get it done with minimal effort. 
 

Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion (P419)
 

Shu Uemura Whitefficient Skin Purifier
 

For facial wash: SAVE

Belo Essentials AcnePro Pimple-Fighting Gel Face Wash (P99.75)
 

Don't fall for facial cleansers that promise you the world. At the end of the day, all they do is wash off dirt and oil from your face, while the fancy ingredients only sit for about a minute on your face. For my facial wash, I just use whatever is on the sink. This time, it's from Belo AcnePro. I like that it cleanses without drying out my skin, but I honestly prefer a less-scented foamier one. This gel fomula lathers up a bit, and it takes me more product than usual to get it to foam up and remove all the oil from my face. The good side is that this one's not drying at all considering it's an anti-acne product. It's also unique since its active ingredient is purified bee venom, a natural ingredient that fights pimples and reduces inflammation. 
  
For toner: SPEND
 

Tony Moly AC Control Whitening Toner (P898)
 

Toner restores the skin's PH balance after washing (usually with soap, which is alkaline). Our skin has a thin, protective layer on its surface, referred to as the acid mantle. Toner removes leftover dirt, oil, and makeup our cleanser might have skipped, thus minimizing breakouts. They also prime the skin for it to absorb moisturizer better. I like Tony Moly AC Control Whitening Toner since it makes my skin feel soft! I've used up this bottle to the last drop, and I loved how mild and gentle it is. Long term use also resulted to lighter post-acne marks. 

For eye cream: SPEND
 

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel (P1,248)
 

Bioderma is a French drugstore skincare brand. Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel is for sensitive skin. It's hydrating and it has a light gel cream texture that feels refreshing on the eyes. It moisturizes my skin without feeling oily, so I can use this even during daytime under makeup. It is gentle as it didn't irritate my eye area - no itchiness, no milia. Puffy eyes aren't my biggest problem, so I can't tell if it really depuffs, but it doesn't lighten dark circles. Overall, this is a basic eye cream; it moisturizes gently and prevents wrinkles. 

For pimple/spot treatment: SAVE

Nature Republic Bee Venom Treatment Spot (P525)
 

I picked this product up on whim during Nature Republic's launch at Robinsons Place Manila. Little did I know that my sister and I will be using this almost everyday. Yes. We all love this!

For starters, this one is made of MD Water (Alps Matterhorn Glacier Water) and 77% Bee Venom Complex. The ingredients list is extremely long, but it's mostly filled with natural extracts from plants. This product is a spot treatment, and I use it for zits that have reared their ugly head, and those that have yet to come (when I feel a bump forming). It flattens pimples before they fully emerge. It works in drying out my pimples in 2-3 days. It has a gel cream texture that absorbs well. It doesn't dry the skin surrounding the zit, nor does it sting or leave a dark post-acne mark. The packaging comes in a hygienic squeeze tube with a slim nozzle to dispense the right amount of product. The best part is that it contains 30ml worth of product. This could last me over a year; but then again, my two sisters steal this from me every night. It's super effective and it has been keeping my skin clear for over 3 months. Now, I want the entire Nature Republic Bee Venom range!

For moisturizer: SAVE
 

Pond's Flawless White Dewy Rose Gel (P399)

I say SAVE because moisturizers don't go into deeper layers of the skin. (Serums do.) This one's my unexpected favorite light moisturizer. The only Pond's product I've ever used consistently was their cold cream and this! I was initially apprehensive of using this one at first since its rose smell was kind of strong for a face product, but I tried it anyway. I'm happy to say that I'm now halfway through with my third tub, and I'm planning to repurchase. They came out with a cream version of this with SPF (interesting), but I'd still go for the gel formula because of my oily skin. This moisturizer absorbs quickly, and the scent goes away in a minute. It keeps my skin hydrated but never shiny. The gel formula feels cooling, too!

I've also spotted a nice promo from Pond's at Landmark Trinoma. Get a free exclusive rose gold sling bag when you buy P500 worth of Pond's Flawless White products inclusive of 25g BB Cream. I've been lemming for the Ponds Flawless White BB Cream in Light since Julia reviewed it, so now's the perfect time to shop! :D 
 
Love,

Helen

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Beauty By Tellie Blog Sale (Baby) Haul ♥

My friend Tellie is currently having a Giant Blog Sale, and I believe her items are flying off the shelves quickly. I'm trying to save up this month, and I'm hosting my own sale, but her deals are just too hard to resist! :D

Yes, I was the one who called in dibs on the Shu Uemura Skin Radiance Set! Mwahaha >:) Good thing I saw her post early. The next day, she informed me that there were 7 other ladies vying for this set should I change my mind. :o I was choosing between this set and the Shu Uemura Perfect Poreless Set, but my curiosity for the cleansing oil won me over. Somehow, I do regret not getting both! Haha!

Shu Uemura Skin Radiance Set

Shu Uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Cleansing Oil 50ml

Shu Uemura TSUYA Skin Youthful Radiance Generator 7ml

Shu Uemura UV UB Brightening Mousse SPF 30 PA+++ 30g

I still can't believe I got all these for P300. It's like the best P300 I've ever spent. *happy tears* :') I'll be testing these products one at a time, just to be sure that they don't break me out. The cleansing oil I'll keep for the meantime, since I'm only halfway through with my current makeup remover.

Just this week, I dropped by her place to get the items (since our houses were just about a 10 to 15-minute ride from each other. The long chika was fun! :D (Dawn, matutuloy na yung bonding natin sa wakas! Haha)

Tellie was also so generous! She let me raid her stash, and gave me these! :3 Pantene 3 Minute Miracle is an old favorite. The Bifesta Sebum wipes I shall reserve strictly for travel. I'm currently trying out the Avene Hydrance Optimale Light Hydrating Cream as my day moisturizer/sunblock. The ChapStick mixstix was too cute too pass up! Excited to try the Strawberry Banana Smoothie flavor.

Gaah. So many new products to try! It's been a while. Thanks for re-inspiring me to write kikay stuff, Tellie! See you soon! :D

Love,

Helen

Sangobion Go Love Life! Makeover Event

This year, I've had a significant change in my schedule. My work shift is now (informally) Monday to Saturdays due to overtime (woe is me!), and on weeknights I have Bible study and choir practice (both of which I truly enjoy). On Sundays, I wake up early for church and have lunch with my friends afterwards. So that leaves me with only 3 free nights to blog/attend events, if and only if I don't have to work overtime. I like being productive, at the end of the day, I would feel so drained and exhausted. There are days at work when I feel so lethargic so early in the morning. Sometimes, I feel that I don't have time for myself anymore.

And my prayers for some much needed "me time" were answered when I received an invite for Sangobion's Go Love Life! Makeover Event! :D

Sangobion’s Go Love Life! campaign was launched last May to remind women to make their health and well-being a priority, so we can go on leading the life we love. On social media, Sangobion challenged women to make a pledge to change for the better. Through an online promo, many women submitted their own pledges, while also promising to take Sangobion everyday.

The theme of the event was all red - just like Valentine's Day on August. Look at these cute candies on the centerpiece I hoarded! Haha :D

Aside from taking Sangobion daily, the brand ambassadors all agreed that it was important to have some me-time every now and then.

The 40 winners were treated to a beauty day courtesy of Shu Uemura and Blo Blow Dry Bar last August 16 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Ladies had their make-up done and also got to take home gifts from Shu Uemura.

I didn't get a makeover done since I was already wearing makeup, but everyone got these goodies from Shu Uemura! ♥

Blo Blow Dry Bar was there to expertly style our hair. On their menu were curls in different styles imaginable, but since I already have wavy hair, I decided to give the tired stylist an easy job by going straight instead!

Executive Sweet Blo Out by Blo Blow Dry Bar

we're talking skyscraper straight

While Sangobion helped them stay healthy on the inside, Shu Uemura and Blo helped the lovely ladies look as good as they feel.

Unlike other iron supplements, Sangobion has Ferrous Gluconate, an organic iron, which is absorbed better by the body to help fight the signs of iron deficiency such as paleness, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of focus and concentration. Each capsule is chocolate-scented that leaves no iron after-taste. Sangobion also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Copper, and Manganese to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also contains sorbitol which acts as an anti-constipation agent that generally occurs in iron supplementation. Taking Sangobion everyday can help you boost your iron, so that you can look and be at your best.

Since I get easily tired lately, I'll be taking Sangobion to see if it can give me an overall health boost. It's no miracle pill, but consistency is the key to see its effect on the body.

If you missed this latest event, join Sangobion’s next Go Love Life promo and get a chance to win a shopping spree! For more information, Like Sangobion Go Love Life on Facebook.

Love,

Helen