Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm Haul

It doesn't get any more natural and unprocessed than this. Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm has been around for at least thirty years now producing honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly and beeswax; further creating other natural handmade bee products like soap, shampoo, candles and more for affordable prices. By visiting their farm you can see how simple and honest their philosophy is, behind the store I witnessed three ladies sitting by the window making and packaging their soaps. All receipts were hand written and they only accept cash. They even limit their Virgin Honey to one per customer!

I recommend giving them a visit and even booking a tour on their website, which I now regret not doing. My family and other family friends were in Tagaytay for vacation so it was a spontaneous trip to the farm. Although if you are interested in purchasing some of their products and won't be able to make it to Tagaytay, you may also order online and have it shipped to Manila.

I have only tried the lip balm so far and I'm really liking it, it's similar to Burt's Bees but I like this one better. We were so overwhelmed with all the products that we ended up hoarding (this doesn't include the pasalubong we bought) but for once we weren't guilty because of the affordability. 

Virgin Honey 420 g PHP 345

"Propolis is better for coughs, colds, flu, fevers, asthma and boosting immune system."

Honeymilk / Royal Jelly Cleanser & Moisturizer PHP 80

"Made from beemilk or royal jelly, honey, beeswax, propolis, & natural flower, herb and seed oils. Can be used as a make up remover or moisturizer."

Green Tea Honey Propolis Liquid Soap PHP 70

"Calming hand soap with green tea oil."

Honeymilk / Royal Jelly Lotion PHP 120

"Made from beemilk or royal jelly, honey, beeswax, propolis, & natural flower, herb and seed oils. Quenches dry and scaly skin to make it supple and smooth. Excellent for cold climates, and for alleviation of dry rashes."

Healing Massage Oil PHP 155

"An aromatic blend of essential oils of herbs, flowers, fruit and nut oils with honey and bee propolis. Our massage oils do not leave a sticky feeling."

Honey & Propolis Shampoo (big) PHP 150

"Made from honey for conditioning and hair growth; propolis for scalp infections, dandruff, falling and graying hair; and natural oils like palm kernel, castor and coconut oil for a gentle cleanse."

Honey Face Scrub PHP 140

"Made from virgin honey, beeswax, oatmeal, pollen, and royal jelly. Good for cleansing, moisturizing and softening."

Cinnamon Soap PHP 60

"Good for eczema, ringworm, pimples and all types of skin infections. Stimulates blood circulation to ease muscular pains, powerful skin cleanser and excellent stain remover."

Lavender Soap PHP 65

"Soothes and relaxes tired muscles, calms away stress, exhaustion, fatigue, and nervous tention. Promotes restful sleep."

Sandalwood Soap PHP 60

"Beeswax, honey and propolis with sandalwood oil that is soothing, healing and relaxing."

Propolis Feminine Wash PHP 45

"Proppolis gold is anti fungal, antibacterial and antiviral action."

Honey & Propolis Throat Spray PHP 80

"Breath freshener, bacteriostatic throat and mouth spray. Prevents colds, coughs, even fever / flu, if taken immediately after feeling an itchy throat. Made form virgin honey, propolis gold, and peppermint / spearmint oils."

Propolis Ointment (big) PHP 175

"For skin irritations and infections. Good for relief of persistent skin rashes, skin itches, insect bites, infected wounds and burns, and acne. Made from propolis gold and beeswax in an olive oil base. Scented with eucalyptus oil for its added anti-microbial effect."

Honey Mint Beeswax & Propolis Lip Balm (pot) PHP 65

Honey Mint Beeswax & Propolis Lip Balm (stick) PHP 65

"Made from refined beeswax, propolis gold, virgin honey and a medley of fruit oils."

Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm

Website: http://www.ilogmaria.com/

Address: 47 Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 1, Muncipality of Silang

Email: info@ilogmaria.com

*Operating Hours: 8 pm to 5 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays and some holidays)

November '13 Favorites

Everything included in my November Favorites are fairly new except for my Fairydrops Platinum Waterproof Mascara, which was a rediscovery of mine. The reason why I put off using it is cause the wand holds too much product and fiber, making my lashes too dramatic and clumpy looking for everyday. I was getting fed up because literally all mascaras are lousy when it comes to holding a curl on my eyelashes, I recently started using this again but this time wiping off the extra product on a tissue and I don't think I can be without this again. It's everything I want in a mascara; it does a good job with separating, elongating and most importantly holding a curl on my lashes. Even though I love this mascara it's a pain to remove. My Bioderma wasn't cutting it so it was about time to add a cleansing oil to my night time regimen - I went with Muji's Cleansing Oil for Sensitive Skin. It's been saving me time in the bathroom and is way more gentle than rubbing my eyes off with Bioderma.

Continuing the eye trend in this post, I've been really minimalist (or you can say lazy) when it comes to eyeshadow. Most days I just smooth MAC's Paint Pot in the shade Groundwork all over my lid and that's that, looks like I put a lot more effort than I actually did. I've tried a few different kinds of dry shampoos and the Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk is by far number one on my list. It absorbs oil the best and I need fewer sprays compared to when using other dry shampoos I own. For some odd reason my hands have been dehydrated lately. My go to hand cream of the moment is the Soap & Glory Hand Food; it was made to live in a bag, smells like marshmallows and keeps my dry palms at bay. Okay I'll be honest, it's all about the scent. Even if I had buttery soft hands I won't stop slathering this on!

Another thing I've been loving in the bathroom is Colgate's Slim Soft Toothbrush with Charcoal Bristles, super random I know! It has bristles that are thinner towards the top that leaves my teeth feeling spotless and they're extremely gentle, hands down the best toothbrush ever. The last random thing I've been using nonstop this month is my new Type Wreath Mug from Fab Manila. It'll make a great Christmas present to any tea or coffee drinker, and the best part is it's only 150 pesos! 

What were your favorites during November?

Now Open: Inglot in Manila (Glorietta 5)

Inglot is a Polish cosmetics brand that I've heard about from a few beauty bloggers a couple of years back. It's not as widely known compared to other bigger brand names in the industry like MAC and Nars, but definitely has a solid growing fan base with over 400 retail locations around the world. Its first in the Philippines which just opened in Glorietta 5 two days ago; November 30, 2013!

They've got lots of makeup goodies to offer as well as nail polishes, makeup accessories and makeup brushes. Have you ever bought a makeup palette but not like every single shade included? Well what sets Inglot apart from all other cosmetic brands is their Freedom System. It enables shoppers to customize and build their own unique makeup palettes with the liberty to choose what palette (the base, the size containing how many shades you want) and what shades you like. The Freedom System is available for eye shadow (158 colors), blush (24 colors), face powder, concealer, eyebrow and lipstick (90 colors) palettes.

The freedom to make your own palette is convenient in so many ways. Whether you're a makeup artist or simply just a makeup lover like me, you'd surely love to check Inglot out. I left the store empty handed but that's just because I was so overwhelmed with everything that I was so indecisive. I can't wait for my next visit though and finally get to customize my own!

What do you think of the Freedom System?

Inglot

Address: Ground Floor, Glorietta 5, Ayala Ave., Makati City (beside Starbucks)

Website: http://inglotcosmetics.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inglotphilippines

Instagram: @inglotph

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Camel Coat

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Camel Coat PHP 1,265

I've always been a fan of cream eyeshadows - they have better lasting power than powder eyeshadows, which for a girl like me with oily lids is a must! The only ones I own are metallic and shimmery (Maybelline Color Tattoos) so I thought it was time to invest on some matte or more everyday appropriate shades, and my brand of choice was MAC. I've heard lots of great reviews on MAC's Paint Pots so I thought I'd give it a shot and bought two, Camel Coat and Groundwork.

MAC is pretty much spot on with naming Camel Coat, tan with a tinge of gray that looks beautiful worn on its own or as a base. The consistency is creamy with a smooth application, the pigmentation and color intensity is build-able plus it lasts long too. I'm obsessed with the two shades I picked up and have been wearing either of the two everyday since I got it. I feel the start of a new obsession coming!

Have you tried any of MAC's Paint Pots yet? I'm currently eyeing the shade Stormy Pink!

MAC

Website: http://www.maccosmetics.com/index.tmpl

October '13 Favorites

This October I've included a few more steps into my skincare routine that I've really been enjoying so let's kick things off with those bits first! I've been on the look out for a good toner for awhile now and I think I may have found the one - Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion. It leaves my skin feeling so refreshed and clean but not tight or too stripping at all. The next product is something I have never been consistent with since I was a kid and that's sunblock. I haven't realized the importance of sunblock until recently and figured it was about time to incorporate that into my skincare. I wanted something affordable and at the same time performs well so when I saw Vivianna from Vivianna Does Makeup recommend the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ in one of her YouTube videos, it went straight to my list and I've been loving it. It's exactly what it claims to be on the bottle; ultra sheer, dry touch, ultra light, and moisturizing too. The last for skincare is the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil and I've been indulging my skin with a few drops of this every night since I got it.

Out of all the beauty products I bought in Singapore I think the Smashbox Photo Matte Anti-Shine is the best and also my top favorite for the month of October. I have combination skin and living in a tropical country makes me oily throughout the day to the point that I have to blot every once in awhile and carry a powder with me at all times. Ever since I started using this I find that I don't need to blot at all, at the most only once a day. Mind you, this was tested in Singapore's heat with me walking around Orchard Road all day from the moment I left the hotel before lunch time and got back around 10 pm. My primer's partner in crime from keeping my face shine free all day is Make Up Forever's HD Powder. Smashbox for my t-zone and Make Up Forever lightly dusted at the rest of my face.

Aside from using NYX Blush in Taupe as a bronzer I've been loving sweeping this all over my eye lids even more this month. In every eye makeup look I wore this month, Taupe was there. For lips I've been reaching out for my Topshop Lips in Beehive the most, a pretty everyday color. If my nails weren't bare, I was wearing Topshop Nails in Tidal.

What were your favorites last month?

Singapore Haul: Sephora, YSL, Topshop & Guardian

Soap & Glory Soaper Heroes Set (Clean on Me, Flake Away, Righteous Butter, Girligo, Hand Food) | Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil | Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ | Smashbox Photo Matte Anti-Shine | YSL Rouge Volupte Radiant Lipstick in #8 Fetish Pink | YSL Rouge Volupte Radiant Lipstick in #9 Pink Caress | Sephora Express Dry Shampoo | Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk | Topshop Lips in The Damned | Topshop Bronzer in Sandcastle | L'oreal Elnett Satin Normal Strength Hairspray

With every trip, comes a beauty haul. I can't feel anymore blessed and thankful to my parents who bring me along and on top of that cope with my beauty addiction. A big big thank you to them! A lot of these are stuff that I actually need while the rest were merely indulgent purchases. I was sorta disappointed with the Sephora in Singapore because they didn't have almost all the things on my list, the only two brands that they had that I was on the look out for were Soap & Glory and Josie Maran (and their products weren't even complete)! Then again it's alright since it held me back from spending even more.

None of these products are repurchases so I'm completely new to them (except for the YSL and Topshop lipsticks). I'd love to hear your thoughts on the products if you've tried any of them before, so make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Benefit Rockateur Box o' Powder

Benefit Rockateur Box o' Powder HKD 290

I love this blush, I really do... So let's start off with the one thing I don't like about it - the packaging. I just think that the lace, crocodile skin and chains came all together kind of (seriously) tacky. Come on Benefit, you could've done way better than that! Packaging aside, it's been receiving lots of love for the treasure, that is the actual blush, that can be found inside the not so pretty box.

It's described as a 'provocative rose gold cheek powder' that I think suits most skin tones, particularly lighter ones. It looks quite peachy to me with a slight rose gold shimmer, giving a really pretty and healthy satin sheen to the cheeks. It's the blush I've been using for the majority of the time since I purchased it almost two months ago in Hong Kong, which I'm sure you can already tell because of the 'rock' written on the blush starting to wear off. Another thing I love about the product aside from its color is how soft and finely milled the powder is. It's definitely a lot more fine and smooth than the other Benefit Box o' Powders, to the point that if I pressed my finger on it hard enough it would sink in. 

Just like any other Box o' Powder, it contains a small mirror in the packaging and a brush. I prefer using my Real Techniques Blush Brush over the one that comes along with it, but I have found a good use for it. It's wide, thin in length and angled which I find is the perfect brush to use for highlighting the top of my cheeks.

What do you think of Rockateur?

Benefit

Website: http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benefitcosmeticsphilippines

Forever 21 Pink French Bulldog Tweezers

Forever 21 Pink French Bulldog Tweezers PHP 105

I was in Forever 21 yesterday for the first day of the 3 Day Sale in SM Megamall to shop for some workout clothes when I spotted this. I was in a hurry with a had a handful of sports bras and a pair of leggings and I just had to sneak this one in when I saw it laying on the counter. (Those items by the counter get me every time.) It was a toss up between this Pink French Bulldog one and the Black Persian Cat one, it was a close call but I'm happy with my pick.

I've been needing a decent pair of tweezers (I always borrow my mom's) for awhile now anyway. I've always wanted ones by Tweezerman because it's supposed to be great quality but I'd always hold back because spending roughly around $20 on tweezers seem loopy to me. Yet the cheap ones just don't make the cut, I have one that came in a set and it would always slip off a strand of hair instead of plucking it.

It's obviously the pink, french bulldogs and price that got me sold, but it's actually really good quality too. I tried using them this morning on my eyebrows, which recently got threaded, and it was able to grip on to the tiny fine strands that just started growing and plucked them away with ease. It also has a slanted tip, which I prefer with tweezers. The rubberized design stuck to the tweezers aren't just there to be cute, but provides a good grip to the one tweezing.

What brand is your tweezer from?

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm

Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm HKD 165

Nothing irritates me more than chapped or peeling lips - it can get painful, it ain't cute and looks horrible underneath lipstick. I try my best to keep my lips healthy and plump by using a lip balm during the day, at night and even overnight. My pick for an overnight lip balm is the Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm by Nuxe, another product I purchased in Sasa in Hong Kong.

The texture is as thick and smooth as a balm gets and a tiny amount goes a long way. It's heavy, as if it was made for cold weather conditions or for overnight use - how I prefer to use it. Concentrated with ingredients like honey, shea butter and grapefruit essence; it's a gem that nourishes, repairs, soothes and protects the lips. The morning after I apply this, I wake up with soft and supple puckers. For the day time here in rain-or-shine Manila, I go for a lip balm with a lighter consistency preferably with a tint, my favorite's Apivita's Lip Care with Black Currant. 

It comes in a compact little frosted glass pot that contains 15 g of the balm. It also smells of lemons and kind of reminds of key lime pie. The original price in Sasa retails for HKD 165 but I got lucky since it was on sale for HKD 132, which is about 733 pesos. It comes in stick form, too!

Have you tried this by Nuxe? What's your lip balm of choice for overnight?

September '13 Favorites

I just came to the realization that all the products that made the cut to my September Favorites were all bought from Hong Kong, except for my Dr. Jart BB Cream and Arajera Ear Pins. A lot of the items I bought are hyped and raved by other beauty bloggers so I had high expectations on their performance and quality - and they did not disappoint!

Let's kick things off with the items I purchased here in Manila. I've been crazy about my Arajera Ear Pins and you'll know that if you saw my post on it. I love both of them equally as much but I usually gravitate towards gold accessories on an everyday basis, so I've been getting a lot of wear from my Gold Wing Ear Pins. Next up is my Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB Cream, which was actually a repurchase and is my second tube of the glorious stuff. I used it a couple of times on my mom too and she liked it so she decided to pick one up for herself. I think I can claim that it's my favorite BB cream - guess that pretty much sums up my thoughts on it!

When it comes to cleansers, I look for something that doesn't strip off all the oils in my face but still manages to remove all the makeup and dirt. Apivita's 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk does just that plus it smells really good, too. The Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer is a lightweight and oil free moisturizer that my oily/combination skin loves. When my skin's feeling dehydrated and dull, I slather on my Origins Drink-Up Intensive Overnight Mask, and I wake up with soft and healthy looking (and feeling) skin. I hate the way chapped lips look and feel, so I always make sure to take care of them. During the day I like to use Apivita's Lip Care with Black Currant because it has the slightest tint that sorts out my pale lips and looks natural. Nuxe's Reve de Miel is an extremely rich lip balm that I like to use overnight for super soft lips.

During the days when I'm not using my Dr. Jart BB Cream because I want more coverage, I go for my Bourjois New Healthy Mix Foundation. It gives a medium coverage but surprisingly feels really light at the same time. The only thing I've been using on my cheeks lately is Benefit's Rockateur Blush, a peach rose gold color with subtle shimmer.

And lastly, another favorite of mine has been midi rings! I know I know, I'm kinda late because I haven't seen stores in the Philippines selling them anywhere yet so I stocked up from H&M and Topshop.

What were your favorites last month?

Apivita 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk + Lip Care with Black Currant

Apivita 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes with Chamomile and Honey HKD 180 (around PHP 1,004)

Apivita Lip Care with Black Currant HKD 60 (around PHP 334)

I don't think I've ever bought a beauty product from a brand I've never heard of, 'til the day I bought these goodies from Apivita. The hotel I stayed in Hong Kong was connected to a huge mall, which I used to my advantage, trotting around and exploring until closing time every night. I passed by the store countless times while on my way to Origins or CitySuper and was intrigued by it, but it was when I saw the word "natural" that pushed me to take a peek.

I came in and left with a total of three products in my paper bag. Trust me, I'm usually indecisive and hesitant about purchasing products but for Apivita it was easy peasy, even if I've never heard of the brand. First it was the words stating that all products are "natural" "mineral oil free" "silicone free" and "propylene glycol free" that reeled me in, then the packaging, then the fact that the brand is Greek, then the scents, and the rest was history.

I was on the search for a new cleanser because my trusty ol' Cetaphil ran out, so I turned to an old St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Gel Cleanser and it made my face dry and tight, which resulted to me getting more oily in my t-zone and breaking out more. I went with the full sized version of the 3 in 1 and a sample size of the Cleansing Milk with Honey and Orange, which I haven't opened yet because I'm saving it for when I travel. 

The 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk scent is lovely too, it has that typical clean, soothing and warm 'newly washed sheets' smell...if ya know what I mean. (I wouldn't blame you if you don't, I'm horrible with describing scents.) I noticed a huge difference in my skin the first time I used it, after weeks of using a gel cleanser that sucked the moisture out of my face. In just one use it aided my skin back to life, it felt clean without being stripped of oils. Despite how gentle it is (I've gotten this in my eyes many times but it doesn't sting) it still has the power to remove makeup well. I use this as my second cleanse, my first being Bioderma. This is also said to have 99% natural ingredients - almond and olive oils to remove dirt and makeup, honey to moisturize, propolis for antioxidant protection, and lavender to soothe. They also replace water with organic green tea infusion! And of course, it's dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested.

Next up is the Lip Care with Black Currant, which gives the most color out of all the Lip Cares. It may look dark from the bullet but the color is sheer and subtle enough that it just looks like I'm wearing a lip balm without color. It smells delicious, it's super moisturizing, and I like the packaging. It's my favorite lip balm (I use Nuxe for overnight) as of now that I've been neglecting my Lucas Papaw. Olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado oil, castor oil, and jojoba esters to moisturize. While black currant oil and vitamin e help protect environmental toxins and prevents irritations. Too bad it doesn't contain SPF though!

What do you think about Apivita?

Apivita

Website: http://www.apivita.com/

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer HKD 265 (around PHP 1,470)

It seems that for the past couple of months I've been all about skincare, reading never ending skincare blog posts on products I know can't get my hands on and adding more and more to my wishlist. Well, about two weeks ago I went on a short trip to Hong Kong to visit family together with my prepared list of raved skincare and makeup bits by bloggers that I religiously follow.

Origins is a skincare brand I've been dying to try for awhile now, so when I went out of the country I took the chance to finally try a few things from them to see what the hype is all about. I decided on two of one of the most loved items from the American brand: the Drink-Up Intensive Mask and the GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, since I needed a daytime moisturizer that would work well with the Philippines' humidity. 

It was love at first whiff. I take one deep inhale in the adorable orange tub and the burst of citrus wakes me up. The scent of oranges and consistency is refreshing and perfect for groggy mornings, since it's a lightweight gel that feels cool on the skin. My skin drinks it up quickly too so I don't have to wait long before following with my makeup routine, plus it isn't sticky nor heavy. I suffer from combination/oily skin and I can say that using this has helped with that issue, since it's oil free.

I'm in love with this stuff, it's as if it was tailor made for someone like me who lives in a tropical country with dull and combination/oily skin. Ingredients like panax ginseng and coffee beans are the ones responsible for boosting my skin's hydration levels. This cream's properties are also said to create a healthy and vibrant glow, now I can't tell if it made a difference in that department just yet - but I'll report back! If that works, then that's just an added bonus for me.

What product do you use as a daytime moisturizer? Have you tried anything from Origins?

Origins

Website: http://www.origins.com/index.tmpl

HK Haul: Sasa, Origins, Topshop, Apivita & more

Max Factor Wild Shadow Pencil in Caramel Rage | Bourjois New Healthy Mix Foundation in Vanilla | Caudalie Beauty Elixir | Avene Thermal Spring Water | Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm | Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask | Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer | Apivita 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk for Face & Eyes | Apivita Cleansing Milk for Normal/Dry Skin | Apivita Lip Care with Black Currant | Topshop BB Cream in Light | Topshop Lips in Beehive | Topshop Nails in Prim and Proper | Topshop Nails in Tidal | American Apparel Glow in the Dark Nail Polish in Moon | Benefit Rockateur Blush | Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! Last week was chaotic with my finals then I went to Hong Kong for a few days with my family. I'm back now though and I'll be back to posting regularly again! So for now, I just thought I'd share with you some of the beauty things I picked up during my trip. Two products are back-ups, the Avene Water and the Caudalie Beauty Elixir since they're both cheaper in Hong Kong. Other than those two, I haven't tried anything else so I'm excited to see if some live up to the hype and what I'll think of the products I purchased without researching beforehand.

Have you tried any of these products yet?

Essie Fall 2013 Mini Set

Essie Fall 2013 Mini Set PHP 750, from the Urban Bazaar

The Lace is On | For the Twill of It | Cashmere Bathrobe | Vested Interest

"It's a material world. This fall, a textile-inspired nail color palette piles on the luxe and amps up the chic. Colors take their cues from rich flannels, sumptuous knits, hints of lace and ultra-fine silk twill - for sensuously seductive lacquer looks."

'Glistening jewel toned pearlescent fuchsia' is how Essie describes The Lace is On. My second favorite from the collection, which is also metallic number. I think they nailed the description pretty well. This is perfect for the girls out there who still want to sport a pop of color to their look during the fall.

It's pretty obvious who the star of the show is in Essie's collection this fall. For the Twill of It is 'a rich medium brown with reflective green shimmer'. I personally wouldn't describe it as brown at all, but sorta reminds of the rainbow that forms from oil leaks on the road, if you know what I'm saying. It's a unique shade that I already started obsessing over since I laid eyes on it. It's also the reason why I bought this set in the first place!

Cashmere Bathrobe, a cool toned 'true flannel gray' with tiny, tiny subtle specks of silver that isn't noticeable from afar. I can see this as being my new go-to gray!

Lastly is Vested Interest, a 'cool gray teal' which is the color I'm probably least excited about in the collection.

I think Essie did a good job in planning this fall's collection, there's definitely something in here for every kind of girl to love. They have bright shades for those who like some color on their fingertips all year round or as transitional colors to fall, an edgy and daring shade, and a few more standard fall cool toned polishes. There are two other colors from the collection that aren't part of the mini set, which are Twin Sweater Set a 'vibrant crimson red' and After School Boy Blazer a 'academy blue black' that's gorgeous and I wish was in the mini set instead of Vested Interest.

What do you think of Essie's Fall 2013 Collection?

Hera Aquabolic Moisturizing Emulsion For Normal & Dry Skin

Hera Aquabolic Moisturizing Emulsion For Normal & Dry Skin ₩ 42000 (around PHP 1,650)

First off, how gorgeous is the packaging of this? The emulsion comes in a luxurious glass bottle that sits prettily together with my other everyday skincare products, but a pain to bring when traveling. Another thing I like about the dispenser is that it pumps out the exact amount needed to cover my entire face.

It has a slightly runny cream-gel consistency that allows me to slather it onto my face smoothly and evenly. I personally prefer to use this as my nighttime moisturizer since it takes longer (about 10 - 15 minutes) for the skin to fully absorb this product, compared to other moisturizers in the market. During the ten to fifteen minutes it can feel a bit (for the lack of a better word) sticky, and heading out in a tropical country with a sticky face is just downright uncomfortable for me. I'm also usually in a rush in the mornings and I like to wait for my moisturizer to sink in before applying my makeup.

It's helped hydrate my face without making it more oily than it already is, plus it leaves my skin feeling plump and soft. It also leaves a really nice floral scent that I can't get enough of. A little goes a long way with this emulsion, I've used this for several months now and I'm nowhere near halfway! Unfortunately, Hera products aren't sold here in the Philippines, I picked this up during my trip to Seoul awhile back.

Have you tried anything from Hera?

Haul: Beauty Bar + SM Makati

L'oreal EverStrong Sulfate-Free Hydrate Conditioner | L'oreal EverSleek Sulfate-Free Intense Smoothing Shampoo | Organix Moroccan Argan Oil 3 Piece Starter Kit | Rosehip PLUS Skin Boost Roll-On | Dr. Jart Water Fuse Blemish Base | K-Palette 1 Day Lash Perm Long Curl Mascara in Black | the Balm Instain Blush in Houndstooth | K-Palette Lasting 2way Eyebrow in 01 (accidentally got the wrong shade)

Have you tried any of these products yet?

Lush Tea Tree Water

Lush Tea Tree Water (250 g) PHP 575

I'm always on the look out for skincare products that claim to help blemish-prone and oily/combination skin. Lush's Tea Tree Water's been getting lots of love from bloggers and vloggers, but what really convinced me to go out and buy it is when I read one of Elle Fowler's posts on her new blog Dreaming in Blush. 

It was recently that I discovered that the reason behind the spots on the sides of my face (temples and upper cheeks) was because of my pillow case. From that day on I would lay a small towel on top of my pillow case, use it for two nights (one side per night), then change - the bumps and spots on the sides of my face started to subside after a few days. Elle Fowler mentioned in her post that aside from using the Lush Tea Tree Water on her face, she also uses it to spritz on her pillow case before bed. I thought it was genius and that was all it took for me to purchase it!

 Most acne busting toners are usually abrasive and contains alcohol, but this is gentle on the skin and isn't drying. Its main ingredient is tea tree oil which many people use as a natural remedy for acne. I include this in my morning and evening skincare routine when I notice that I'm starting to break out, by spraying this directly to a cotton pad then applying it all over my face. For times when I use this throughout the day to freshen up I just simply spritz some directly to my face. Then every night, I spritz some of the toner to the towel I lay on top of my pillow to help the spots and also to prevent it. It isn't too strong either to use everyday for my combination skin, although it might be for people with sensitive skin.

It has a light herbal scent that fades after awhile. I don't know why but I love the simple packaging; it comes in a sleek, all black recycled bottle. Keep in mind to check out the 'best before' date on the bottle before deciding between the 250g or 100g bottle, consider if you'll be able to finish it up before then. My mom and I picked up the bigger one since we're planning on sharing it. As for repurchasing I'm not really sure yet, maybe just the smaller size to use for my pillow at night.

Have you tried the Tea Tree Water from Lush, or any product with tea tree as the main ingredient?

Lush

Website: http://www.lushusa.com/

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious + Honey

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey (top) and Precious (bottom) PHP 575 for two
(according to the last photo)

I was walking around the department store and stopped when I saw a 'buy one take one' sign by Revlon. I've heard of these balm stains before but never thought of purchasing them since I knew I didn't really need yet another lip product, plus I already own a Chubby Stick from Clinique which is similar. But how can anyone pass up such a great deal? These were originally priced PHP 575 each, so I was able to score two for the price of one.

This product is basically a lip balm, but with more pigmentation and longer lasting color. They all have the same minty scent that most lip balms have, quite moisturizing, and also has the same natural finish of an ordinary lip balm. I've noticed that the color slightly turns more vibrant after a few minutes of it sitting on your lips, which I didn't expect to happen. It leaves your lips tinted, especially if you choose one of the darker shades. I also really like how it's shaped like a crayon because it provides a more precise application. I use the tip to line my lips first then fill them in by using the side of the crayon.

I'd say this is an almost perfect summer product except it doesn't provide SPF. Honestly, I think Clinique did a better job with the formula, their Chubby Sticks glide on a lot smoother and feel more moisturizing. However, Revlon wins in the scent and price (Clinique Chubby Stick retails for PHP 920) department.

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains?

Revlon

Website: http://www.revlon.com/Home.aspx