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?

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?

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?

July '13 Favorites

This month's favorites are short but sweet. I was sick for the most of July which resulted to weekends staying in at home and I just wasn't feeling my best and my usually positive self for the most part of this month. Although I still managed to choose a couple of things that I've been consistently using and discovered & loved within July.

For skincare, I've been really loving both my Avene Thermal Spring Water that I've owned for several months now (and used ever since) and my Kiehl's Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate (phew) that I've just recently purchased. I spray the Thermal Spring Water all over my face, day and night, after I cleanse, I just find this a really refreshing way to hydrate my skin. As for the Kiehl's Concentrate, it's sort of a love-hate relationship. I've noticed that my dark circles have slightly lightened, though it didn't help me in the fine-lines department that it suggests it would, at all. 

I've owned Vichy's Dermablend Corrective Foundation for awhile but would only use it for occasions when I wanted a heavy coverage. Though recently I've been using this during the daytime too, but in tiny dollops. A little goes a long way for the day! Dior's Rosy Glow is my favorite and go-to blush of the month, and lives in my bag. You achieve a beautiful, natural looking flush when you use this and I love how it has a mirror and a really good quality brush that makes reapplying hassle-free.

Me without some color on my finger nails would be an odd sight to see, but unfortunately there's a price for everything including pretty looking fingertips: brittle, unhealthy, flaky nails. The Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment Strength has fixed that issue (the top layer of my nails would peel off) and have made them super healthy. My favorite nail polish as of late is Essie's Absolutely Shore! Check out my review here. 

A new favorite drink that I just discovered, Namyang Crushed Peach Juice from Tous les Jours. Plus a necklace from H&M that I've been wearing a lot!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favorites for July?

June '13 Favorites

Beauty Favorites:

Ahava Uplifting Butter Salt
There are no grains of salt in this whatsoever, it's consistency is really thick and moisturizing and not harsh on the skin at all. This product feels so luxurious and I'm obsessed with the Mandarin Cedarwood scent, I'm trying my best to use it slowly and save it!

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
My favorite deep cleansing mask for when my skin just isn't looking or feeling good. It's an instant at-home facial! Read up on my review on this product here.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation
Hands down one of the best foundations I've tried, that gives a medium to full coverage. What I like about this is that it doesn't look cakey or feel heavy on the skin at all. I love applying this with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush for a flawless, natural look.

Ahava Body Sorbet Caress
Best body lotion ever. No sticky feeling and my skin drinks it all up so quickly! It feels light too, which is important for someone who lives in a tropical country where it's hot all the time.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
Helps reduce my imperfections faster, especially those pesky tiny bumps on my face. Click here for my review on this product.

NYX Blush in Taupe
My go-to bronzer as of lately!

Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Lost Identity
The lip product I grab when I wanna put some color on my lips to liven up my face, while still maintaing a natural look. Ideal for girls in school cause it lasts long which means less applications and touch ups. This one's always in my bag! Click here for my review.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
The only brush I've been using for my foundations and bb creams! There hasn't been a time that I put makeup on without using this brush since I got it. Click here for my review.

Real Techniques Blush Brush
I find that this brush picks up just the right amount of blush I need, no more no less. Click here for my review.

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Non-Beauty Favorites:

 

Zara Flatform Sandals

Arizona Iced Tea with Lemon Flavor Tetra Pak

The Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal

Jenn Im | Clothes Encounters

Claire Marshall

Estee | essiebutton

Elle Fowler | Dreaming in Blush / allthatglitters21

Emma | Milkteef

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May '13 Favorites

Cure Natural Aqua Gel
My holy grail exfoliator. I use this twice a week and it's made my skin a lot more smooth and healthy. Read more about this product in my review here.

St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Gel Cleanser
I use this every morning and it freshens me up and has actually helped with my blemishes a bit. It smells really good too!

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain
I use this almost everyday because it's super practical for college students like me. I like this because I can just use very little to give a really natural subtle look or build it up. I usually use more product on my upper lip cause it's more pale - then I just add some to the center of my lower lip.

Revlon Colorstay Longwear Enamel in Provence
It stays really long on my nails and I've been so obsessed with this color lately!

K Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyebrow in the shade 02
I've tried eyebrow pencils, liners and powders but this has got to be my favorite way of filling in my eyebrows. It has an applicator that's similar to a a liquid eyeliner's - which makes it easy to create a natural or thick brow. This shade is also perfect for girls with really dark brown or black hair.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
I've been curling my lashes and applying mascara almost everyday this month and these help my lashes hold a curl longer.

April '13 Favorites

Beauty Favorites:

Bioderma Sebium H20 (Combination or Oily Skin)

Removes make up like a dream and is super gentle on the skin. I already stocked up during my Hong Kong trip!

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

It gives a light coverage, a dewy finish and contains SPF 27 that's practical for the weather here in Manila and for everyday use. For women with oily skin just set the BB cream with powder and you're good to go.

L'oreal Color Riche Le Nail Art

Really easy to apply and they have amazing designs. It's been more than a week since I put these on and they're still holding up!

Revlon Matte Blush in Blushing Berry

Love how the color looks on my skin tone and I've been using it almost everyday since I got it. It comes with a small mirror and brush so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Duo Waterproof Eyelash Adhesive (Dark Tone)

You won't have to worry about your false eyelashes falling off and it's also easy to remove. I regret getting the dark tone though cause eyelash glue can be a bit messy if you're not used to putting them on.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light to Medium Peach

You'll be surprised on the difference this makes when you put this on underneath your eyes first before putting on concealer.

Naked Basics Palette

It's a great palette to own for natural everyday eye make up. It consists of 5 matte eyeshadows and 1 shimmery eyeshadow that's great for highlighting the inner corners of the eyes and on the brow bone.

Non-Beauty Favorites:

Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps

(rosemary raisin pecan + fig and olive flavors)

These are my favorite to eat with comte and brie. Can't get enough!!!

iPad Mini Houndstooth Case

I love the design and the wood detailing on this case. It also has pockets inside the case where you can stick cards and the like inside.

Yoga +

Once summer started I vowed to myself that I'd exercise regularly. They have all sorts of yoga like bikram, flow, yin and more. It's my favorite studio in Manila and it's convenient for me cause it's near my place!

Aldo Mamette Sunglasses

Matte black frame and silver temples 

Zara Sandals

So obsessed with white lately + they're comfortable to walk in!