Smith's Rosebud Salve

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Aside from using Aquaphor, I also like this Smith's Rosebud Salve. It really is a good lip balm. I also like how it smells. It has a mild rosy scent to it.

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizer

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I used to hate using hand sanitizers because it makes my hand sticky afterwards. So, for a very long time, I use isopropyl alcohol to clean my hands when I'm outside. I always bring a tiny alcohol in my bag. Then my sister insisted to have me try and use her Bath & Body Works hand sanitizer. She says that aside from the very pretty scent, it will not make my hands sticky after. I was afraid to try it but she kept forcing me to use it and will not stop until I do. So, I did.
Well, it was nice! It really did not make my hands sticky afterwards and it's even better than the isopropyl alcohol I have been using. 
I like the cute PocketBac... It's convenient to leave one in my bag.



I read somewhere that the correct way to use a hand sanitizer and really kill the germs in your hands is that you should pour enough amount on your hands that will really wet your both hands when you're rubbing it together. If by the time you are rubbing it and the hand sanitizer dries up instantly, then you are not using enough, pour more.

OPI in Lincoln Park After Dark

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Every time I get to read a magazine article about the best nail polish shades, I always, always see OPI Lincoln Park after Dark listed.



I love this shade! It's a very dark purple. It's really close to black but it isn't. Definitely one of my favorite shade.


It's a bit hard to capture the polish in it's right shade. Here's another picture where the reddish tones are visible.

Kiehl's Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub "Grapefruit"

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I don't use body scrubs as often as I use a facial scrub because I'm a bit lazy scrubbing my entire body. I try to use a body scrub at least once a month. The body scrub I'm using right now is Kiehls Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub "Grapefruit".

Milani in 3D Holographic Nail Polish #510

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If you read my blog, then you'd probably notice by now that I love glitter nail polish.


Shade #510 is gold. I do own other gold polish, but it isn't glitter.


The glitter specs are holographic, some of it turns into a light green shade when viewed in different angles.
What I like about this polish is that, even though it has glitters, it still paints out a smooth finish. 

Pimple Treatment: Neosporin Antibiotic Ointment

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Whenever I get a pimple, I don't grab those acne spot treatments that can be found at drugstores. I found out that I'm allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide when one morning, I woke up and half my face was swollen, red and itchy. It was the most horrible morning ever. And to make matters worst, I had to try and find a way to subside the swell quick because I had to go to school.

Since Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective pimple treatment, I really had a hard time finding a zit cream for me.

I came to accept what my mom has been telling me the whole time. To just dab my pimples with an antibiotic ointment. Well, since pimples are infections, antibiotic will heal it.

I use Neosporin Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment.


Antibiotic ointments are pretty good in healing acnes. What I do is, after I clean my face with face wash and astringent or toner, I'd dab this onto my pimple. I'd put a bit of cotton on top of it and tape it with a Transpore or Micropore tape. Then, I'd go to sleep. Most of the time, the next morning when I wake up, it usually brings the pimple to a head. Sometimes, it even gets pop by itself. If it didn't brought the head out yet, don't worry. Just repeat the process every night until it comes out. Continue applying the ointment until it's completely healed.

I highly recommend this to those of you who, like me, get those huge sore cystic acne. Benzoyl peroxide doesn't actually heal cystic acnes since those kind of acne grows from the inside. Applying benzoyl peroxide on it will only dry out the skin, while the pimple is safely hidden underneath. Antibiotic ointments gets absorbed  in which eventually heal it or brings it to a head.

Quite disgusting to read about it here but it's effective.

Cover Girl Cheekers Blush

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 Cover Girl Cheekers Blush is cheap yet quite pigmented. According to Cover Girl's website, these blush's basic rule is, easy and natural-looking.



I always get the Pretty Peach shade. Come to think of it, I think I should try the other shades sometimes. 
The powder blush is very easy to blend. Just don't use the brush that came with it. It's too tiny to work with. I bet the other people who's getting this also doesn't use the tiny brush. 


Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

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If you're looking for a non-drying facial cleanser for the colder weather, then Ultra Facial Cleanser is for you. This is a really mild cleanser that does a really good job in washing off makeup, excess oil and dirt. The clear liquid gel is so thick and creamy that a tiny amount will foam up on my entire face. I'm guessing that's the reason why it comes in a tube and not with a pump. We might not be able to pump it out because it's just too thick.

After washing, I don't get the tight feeling on my skin that I experience with other cleansers. I get that means it really isn't drying out my face. Since a small amount can do the job, it will take a long time to finish the whole tube.

TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo

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I am a brunette, but this shampoo isn't really for blondes. TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo is a shampoo for damaged or chemically treated hair. It's also for those color-treated or after highlights. Since I just had my hair digitally permed, I used this.

Mentholatum Sunplay Powdery White SPF47 PA+++

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It's really hard to find a sunscreen if you have oily skin. If you use something too greasy, chances are, you'd breakout bad.


This sunscreen is different from the ones I've used before. Mentholatum Sunplay Powdery White SPF47 PA+++ comes in liquid form. You have to shake it first before using. There's this clicking sound when you shake it, just like when you shake a correction pen before you use it.

Neutrogena MoistureShine Lipstick in Just Whisper

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 Here's another Neutrogena MoistureShine Lipstick . This time, it's shade #210, Just Whisper.


The color is a bit nude with a pink undertone.


This lipstick is very moisturizing.




Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy Body Lotion

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I'm not a fan of thick moisturizers or body lotion, so, seeing a picture of the actual cream really helps me decide what the consistency is.

I always have a hard time deciding which moisturizer to get, whether it's for my face or for my body. And it's also hard to find reviews online with pictures. I've wasted a lot of bottle (and money) because the moisturizer was either too thick, too greasy, or too oily. Made me feel hot, made my skin sticky or made me sweat. So, aside from posting pictures of the actual cream of facial moisturizers, I decided to include body lotions as well.  I find pictures of the actual cream really helpful and I hope you too.


Here's Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy Skin Protectant Body Lotion. It comes in a box, but I don't have the box anymore.


If your skin is sensitive and very dry, this is a good body lotion. It's unscented and good in moisturizing. The lotion isn't thick and surprisingly, it wasn't greasy at all. The lotion dries up pretty fast as well. I did not expect a clinical strength lotion to be like this.

TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Curl Amplifier

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I just had my hair permed again yesterday. I have straight hair and I have it permed sometimes to make it wavy. Now that it's back to being curly, I can use this again...


I like TIGI products. They all smell so wonderful! So, the first time I used this, I was just love how it smells.

TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Curl Amplifier will define your curls more, whether natural or perm. I use this on towel-dry hair as instructed to me by my stylist. I apply it as I scrunch my hair. I then blow-dry my hair as I twist up sections of it.

What I do not like about this is that my hair dries up crunchy after. It feels like I just sprayed on tons of hairspray. You can't brush or comb it after or it'll ruin your do. But the curls will last me the whole day. If sometimes my hair feels too curly and crunchy because of this, I'd run my fingers on my hair a bit to loosen up the curls.

Don't use a lot of this product though. I use less than a pump on my shoulder length hair. Too much of this and my hair will look like I just came from the 80s- super curly wet-looking hair. The pump also is a bit weird. It has the same pump as of a mousse product, but this product comes out as a cream. So, careful not to over-pump.

Maybelline ExpertWear Eye Shadow Quads in Chai Latte

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Here's the palette...



The Brow Bone highlighter doesn't show up much on my skin.

Maybelline ExpertWear Eye Shadow Quads in Charcoal Smokes

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I'm really not that good in makeup. I got Maybelline Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quads in Charcoal Smokes when it first came out. The ads in the magazines make it look like it's so easy to do smoky eyes. 
The eye shadow palette has labels as to where you should apply each shade.

At the back, it came with a instructional guide telling you how and where exactly you should apply each shade onto your eyes. This made me think that I can learn eye makeup all by myself.


I must be totally clueless on how to apply this because with all the instructions that came with this, I still can't do it properly. And having an almond-shaped Asian eyes made applying eye shadows even harder.

Luckily! I heard about a makeup workshop that would teach you the basic day and night makeup application. I signed on to learn the basic art of makeup.

Anyway, to make the long story short, I did learn how to do my makeup properly. Best thing is, I now know how to do my eyes now!


Now that I know how to apply makeup, this palette is great! It made everything so much easier. This palette has all the shade you need for a smoky eyes look. The eyeshadow doesn't rub off easily. After my workshop, my sisters and I went to a mall and I was trying to rub this off my eyes because I had smoky eyes in bright daylight. To make matters worst, it was an outdoor mall and the weather was pretty hot. I kept wiping it off with a tissue but it just won't come off.

Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Sweet

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Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick with Sila-Silk Technology is a very rich and creamy lipstick. 
This lipstick is very moisturizing and has just the right amount of sheer. The "Sila-Silk" technology is another Smashbox innovation. The formula they created will give you exceptional shine and a flawless application. This lipstick does glide on smoothly. It also lasts for quite a while.

Here's a swatch of the lipstick in "Sweet"...



Almay Clear Complexion Pressed Powder

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I have been using this Almay Clear Complexion Compact Powder for a while now. What lured me into buying this face powder was that it's made for oily skin that's prone to breakouts. 

This powder has light coverage. It won't cover any blemishes but at least it'll help heal them. It contains salicylic acid to help clear and prevent pimples from coming back.

It also says it has oil-control that will absorb excess oil and prevent shine. I was so disappointed because it did not did those for me. My t-zone becomes as oily as it would have been with any other face powder I used. I still have to use those Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets to soak up the shine.

What I hate about this powder is that it doesn't seem to rub off onto the puff/pad easily. I had to really rub the puff onto the powder's surface to get it there so I can apply it onto my face. Don't even think about using a powder brush on this. You won't get any powder dust on the brush. To make this application process easier, I just cracked the pressed powder instead and made it into loose powder! It's just gotten too messy now. That's why the only picture I took is the pressed powder compact closed. 

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 vs. Aquaphor

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I have been using Aquaphor Healing Ointment for years now. I use Aquaphor on any dry spot I find on my skin. On my elbows, heels of my feet, dry patches on my arms and legs. I sometimes use it around my eyes area when it gets too dry from applying creams that are too harsh. There are practically a dozen uses of this wonder healing ointment.

But since I'm comparing this with another lip balm, I'll talk about using it only on my lips.

As a lip balm, I love how Aquaphor gets absorbed in my lips after about a minute of applying them. Petroleum Jelly just sits on top of my lips and doesn't get absorbed in, which I really hate . I don't experience dry lips since I use this often. I also use this as a base before applying lipsticks that aren't too moisturizing.


Kiehl's lip balm is pretty popular. The Kiehls - Lip Balm #1 also does a good job with dry chapped lips. A good thing about this lip balm is that it has an SPF of 4. Pretty low, but better than nothing.

It also gets soaked in by the lips when you apply a thin layer of this on. Apply too much and it would get runny. Mine is the original, unflavored one. It tends to melt in the tube when the weather is too hot. When it has melted, oil and not ointment would come out the tube. Since there are times when it's super hot here, I have to cool this in a refrigerator so I can squeeze the balm out.

Here's a recap of the pros and cons of each product:
Aquaphor (as a lip balm):
PROS
- gets absorbed into lips
- unflavored
- does great in treating dry and chapped lips
- ointment has the right consistency and doesn't change in any temperature

CONS
- too large to carry around (not unless you got the tiny tube ones)
- no SPF for lips


Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
PROS
- gets absorbed into lips
- unflavored
- good in healing dry and chapped lips
- has SPF

CONS
- melts in hot temperature
- melted balms turns into oil which tastes like petroleum

Aquaphor wins for me hands down. It does a good job in treating dry lips. Also, the ointment doesn't melt under hot conditions. It's many uses (aside from using it as a lip balm) is another plus, and it's also cheap! A 1.75oz costs $4.74 at Walmart while Keihl's Lip Balm is $7.00 for 0.5oz as listed on their website.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

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I don't know if they still have it now, but before there's this part on the Mario Badescu website where it asks you to take a short test/quiz. At the end of the quiz, it'll tell you which of their products will suit your skin type or skin problem. They didn't say that you can also get 80% of the recommended products in sample size and have it mailed to you for free samples! Imagine how happy I was back then to receive my freebies.

Anyway, my recommended cleanser from them was this Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel.

Of course I was hesitant in using this at first because I am not a fan of non-foaming cleansers. I tried it and to my amazement, it washed away all the dirt and oil! This is the first non-foaming cleanser I used to completely remove the oil on my face. 

This green-colored gel cleanser is mild so it doesn't dry up my skin. It contains papaya and grapefruit extracts as it's AHA agents. I think the AHA helps make my face smoother after washing with this. 

I'm not really good in describing smells, but I'm going to try my best. This cleanser has a mild smell, not over-powering but the smell will linger on even after you pat dry your face. I don't know how to describe the smell but one thing's for sure, it does not smell like papaya. I hate the smell of papaya which is the main reason why I do not eat the fruit. 

A little goes a long way, just half a pea size of this cleanser will clean my face thoroughly. I take around 30 seconds to rub this cleanser over my entire face then I rinse it off. The 8oz. bottle I got lasted a really long time. 

OPI in You Don't Know Jacques

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Some describe this color as grayish, some say it's brownish. Combining the both, the best color to describe this is it's taupe - a dark grayish-brownish color.



I don't usually like the color brown, but this color is absolutely fabulous on nails! It's distinctive. It's hard to find another nail polish that's the same color as this is. And that also one of the reason that makes this a great color! Another one of my favorite nail polish shade.


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