My Summer Beauty Finds

My beauty routine is boring. But when I find a good product that suits me, I stick with it for years. This summer, I had a chance to try awesome new products that are now part of my basic skin care and beauty must-haves: A face mask, a face powder, and a lip tint.

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Hydrate Inside and Out for Healthy Skin

Over the past couple of years, I've added a few steps to my very basic skin care regimen, kasi tumatanda nako, hehe. Seriously, after I hit the 40 mark, my skin drastically became drier and more prone to irritation, and worse, occasional eczema flare-ups which I never experienced in my youth. Top priority is really to keep my skin hydrated everyday. Aside from drinking more water than I'm used to, I also go with my trusted skin care brands na hiyang talaga ako. So, let me share what these #WaterfulSkincare and #PurifiedByNature brands are, plus some practical tips that can help us achieve healthy beautiful skin.

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Blushing with K-Palette Lasting Cheek Tint

When it comes to makeup, I've always stuck with the bare essentials. I can live on just face powder, and lip color. It was only two years ago that I've come to appreciate eyebrow pencils and liners. I got hooked on K-Palette Lasting 2-way Eyebrow Pens, and eventually had eyebrow microblading from Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic. Mascara, eyeliners, and blush powder are reserved for events and special occasions. With blushers, my skin tend to feel drier when I use them. Then a few weeks ago, I was able to try for the first time the cream cheek tints from K-Palette. I'm in love!

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Eyebrow Microblading at Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic

I took the plunge. I had microblading procedure at Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic for eyebrows on fleek. =) I'm late in the game when it comes to eyebrow aesthetics kasi I never had any concerns on that part of my face until two years ago. After college, I just pluck stray hair to maintain the shape of my brows and that's it. In 2016, I learned about microblading from friends who have undergone this procedure. It got me very interested coz you'll literally wake up to perfect brows everyday!

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Reality Bites: My Baby is a Tween

M turned 11 three weeks ago. My baby is a tween na! Well, last year pa naman, when she turned 10, she proclaimed that she's officially a tween na daw. Siyempre, I don't want to face that reality yet. And before her birthday month ends, allow me to share some of my special and challenging moments with her. She is, after all, my spunky little lady.

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My Aryana Experience: Diamond Peel and Diode Laser Hair Removal

I've always been very low maintenance when it comes to skin care and makeup. But age is catching up and bare minimum just doesn't cut it anymore. Medyo late in the game na nga ako when it comes to beauty treatments. I've tried some special skin and facial treatments in recent years that did wonders to my age-related skin problems and hair removal needs, but I failed to maintain. 

The good news for me was when Aryana International Aesthetic Center, a beauty and wellness center, opened in my neighborhood a few months ago. I had the opportunity to be treated to a customized program that fit my needs. I highly recommend this to those who also seek safe, effective, yet fuss-free skin care and hair removal treatments like me.

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Benefits of Red Light Collagen Therapy by Suaviss

If you Google what the benefits of collagen are, you will learn that aside from improving the health and appearance of our skin, collagen also helps strengthen hair, nails and teeth, reduces joint pains and degeneration, and even boosts metabolism. Collagen is the main structural protein in the human body that holds our cells together. Basically, it promotes skin elasticity which helps reduce signs of aging. I'm in my 40s now and I really felt the changes on my skin over the past few years. Our body's collagen decreases as we grow older, and we can't escape that fact. This is where Beauty Lab Whitening can help.

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Mom-Finds: SIMPLE Face Care Micellar Water and Makeup Remover

Last Friday of the month: Beauty / Skin Care

I have a very basic, fuss-free skin care regimen. The simpler the better. If you've been a long time follower of my blog, you would know that I just stick with the bare essentials when it comes to skin care and makeup products. As I hit 40, I've noticed my skin has become drier and more sensitive. While I tried different brands to find the right combination for my current skin condition, I still maintain a 3-step approach to skin care which consists of a soap-free cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer. I am still not consistent with applying eye cream though.  Most recently, I added this amazing micellar water to my regimen.

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I Leveled Up on My Skin Care and Makeup Routine

If you know me or have been following me and my blog, you'd know I always stick with the basics when it comes to beauty routine. While I've attended a number of beauty workshops in the past, I always end up with whatever I am "hiyang" with -- from facial cleanser to scrub, moisturizer and face powder. I am just too lazy to do so many steps kaya I just go with the bare essentials. All this changed after I went to Marj+Rowena's Beauty Workshop last year.

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Bathe in Perfume + IG Giveaway

Do you enjoy taking long baths? 
Do you love the feeling of soft of supple skin? 
Do you like a sweet lingering smell after a shower? 
Yes?
Well, I think you'll also like this Soft Touch Body Wash that I've been using for months now.

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Mom-Finds: My First STRIP Encounter with Cucumber Wax

Last Friday of the month:  Beauty Services

Have you ever tried waxing? How about threading? IPL perhaps? These are all safe and effective options for hair-removal from different parts of our body. I've tried them all over the years from different salons and from the derma clinic. Recently, I was invited to a Brow Wow Birthday Bash at Browhaus and Strip for a special waxing treatment with friends.

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6 Reasons to Bathe with Perfume Everyday with LUX

I love taking long baths and showers. It's a luxury for me to spend over 15 minutes bathing and using great-smelling body cleansers help me feel invigorated. I consider it my "me time" after a tiring day. Don't you just want to feel and smell wonderful even hours after you've stepped out of the bathroom? Well, there's a new bath product that delivers just that, and it's now in the Philippines. We can all have a luxurious experience of bathing with perfume every day with the new LUX soap and body wash!

I still remember in my younger years, my family used Lux, a well-loved brand of creamy scented bath soap. Today, LUX has created a new line of soap bars and body washes that will make you feel like you bathed with perfume! Sosyal!

I've tried the LUX Magical Spell Body Wash over the weekend and it truly made bathing a luxurious and relaxing experience for me, especially with it's elegant scent.

"Master perfumer Nicole Mancini helped design this irresistible fragrance with the unabashedly feminine woman in mind. Featuring an intense and alluring blend of dark woods, golden amber and vanilla bean that come to life in every bath, Magical Spell unlocks a woman’s bold side, leaving her feeling more beautiful and confident than ever."

Here are 6 Reasons to Bathe With LUX:

1. LUX Perfumed Bath Collection are masterfully designed and crafted by perfume experts from New York, Paris, and London, which lends a lingering perfumed scent on our body after a luxurious bathing experience.
2. Be bold with LUX's signature scent -- Magical Spell body wash 
• captures the addictive notes of the precious and exotic Black Orchid with opulent dark florals, crafted with fragrance pearls; infuses the skin with up to 8 hours of lasting perfume
3. For a flawless feeling, there's LUX White Impress body wash
• made with WhiteLight™ technology and the crystal clear scent with notes of peach, white florals, musk and amber
4. Go with LUX Soft Touch body wash
• for a playful mood with notes of vanilla, violet, bergamot, and its alluring perfume of delicate French Roses for irresistibly soft skin
5. LUX Love Forever is the world’s first body wash with Fragrance Touch Technology™
• with notes of sandalwood, scarlet rose and mandarin orange, that releases a sensual scent for long-lasting fragrance of up to 12 hours
6. If you prefer bar soaps, LUX also offers 3 scents in White Impress, Soft Touch, and Magical Spell.

SRP : PhP 120 - 125 / 250ml bottle

I got first dibs on the new Magical Spell body wash and soap, thanks to LUX, so I'm sharing this good news also to all of you too!

Be one of the first to try the NEW LUX Perfumed Bath Collection! 

Sign up now to get a special gift from LUX.
Click here: www.bit.ly/bathewithlux 

FREE!!! LUX Magic Spell Bar Soap and Body Wash in a leather pouch.

Bathe with perfume, bathe with LUX. With these four elegant perfumed body cleansers, mapapadalas talaga ang ligo natin! =)  Share this good news and sign up na agad to get your free sample bath kit from LUX!

Learn more about the entire LUX collection here:

www.HouseofLux.com.ph/BatheWithPerfume 

www.facebook.com/LUXPhilippines
#BatheWithLUX

Note: Photos from LUX Philippines.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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10 Cleaning and Care Tips with Cycles and Cradle

As a homemaker and discerning mom to two active kids, I've discovered so many products for every stage of our family life. Between giving birth to the boy and the girl, I've already tried countless home and child care products that address our ever changing needs. We've stuck with only a handful of brands we use on rotation, and that includes Cycles and Cradle.  

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Mom-Finds: Hydrating Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream

Last Friday of the month: Beauty / Shopping

Like water for my skin -- that's how I feel every time I apply this gel cream on my face... no exaggeration! You know me, I rarely feature beauty products on the blog and you're assured that whatever I share here are products that really work for me. My new face cream discovery from Laneige has made me a convert.

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My 3 Things: Cleanse, Care, Conceal

#my3things #bodycare

I am not very particular about body products, but I still want good quality. As long as they are non-drying, delivers their promise, and don't irritate my skin, I'm good with it. Over the years, I've also received so many skin care products as gifts, and I've tried and used most of them. Here are three of the latest that I'm using to cleanse my body, care for sensitive spots, and conceal imperfections.

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Why Kids Need to Play for Real and Importance of Sensory Play

Having digital natives in our home, plus a techie daddy, make it really challenging to reintroduce organic games and active play, just like the games we used to play as kids. Gadgets have become a part of our daily lives so we are not depriving them of that. I can't even stop myself from using my gadgets, that's why I don't think I can tell them to stop either. But there is always a time for everything, and our kids know that. We all recognize the value of playing for real. Active sensorial play enhances a child's holistic development. That's a fact.

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My New Skin Care Regimen at 42: Olay Regenerist Miracle Duo

I've been worried about how my skin got so dry and nothing seem to work on my skin anymore. I expressed this dilemma in a few of my beauty-related posts last year. I also went to a derma to re-assess my skin condition. I had phases where I need to switch or rotate brands, Olay included, just to recondition my skin again because it became more sensitive, dull, and dry. I started to observe these changes when I was nearing 40. Two weeks ago, I happily reunited with my old reliable Olay -- this time with the new Regenerist Miracle Duo.

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Mom-Finds Beauty Round-Up: Happy Skin, L'Oreal Revitalift, Zenutrients

Last Friday of the month: Shopping / Beauty and Personal Care

I usually have a hard time writing about beauty products coz wala akong masyadong masabi. And I don't do reviews either. In fact, if you notice from my blog posts, I avoid using the term "review" because in my previous line of work, a real review calls for a more thorough and in-depth analysis, even going technical, about a product or service. Presentation is more objective, and goes beyond usage or description. I prefer to write a feature story based on personal experience, with highlights on the subject. Hence, this round-up of beauty products based on my positive experience after regularly using them over the past month.

I'm really pleased with my finds during the holiday season, even if they're not so new anymore. First, I thought I need to show a demo or a before-and-after shot. But it was very challenging to take a selfie from a digicam, hahaha... so yan lang decent "beauty" shot ko pang "model" for today's beauty finds for face and hair.

I included my MAC Matte Taupe lipstick -- the one with the brownish shade on my hand, just for comparison to my next item below. It's a classic (old) shade. Mac's Taupe has been my all-time favorite neutral shade since the 90s (nung usong-uso ang brown shades). I used up several tubes over the years and I just got tired of it one day. I got that fresh tube very recently, and now, I'm reunited with my first matte love.  Go try it out and you might like Taupe too!

Happy Skin SHUT UP & KISS ME Moisturizing Lippie  - Honeymoon Glow shade

This local brand was launched last year and I've been hearing positive feedback about their products from friends. I've been meaning to buy this lipstick shade since it was introduced but never seem to have the chance to get one from the store.  Cosmetics are at the bottom of my shopping list kasi, so you know I really like and use the products if I share them here, coz they're not that many. 

Thanks to the holiday season, I received not just 1, but 2 sticks of Honeymoon Glow from friends as gifts. I loved it the first time I swiped it on my lips. Happy mama with Happy Skin lippie. =)

I like the shade coz it's a natural earthy pink that complements my skin tone. It's good for everyday use -- long-lasting and non-drying.

"This lip-loving moisture stick is loaded with Shea Butter and Collagen.  High-pigmented and moisture-packed, it glides on smooth and leaves a rich, creamy finish."

SRP :  PhP 499

L'Oreal REVITALIFT LASER X3 - Night Cream Mask

This Revitalift night cream came at the right time. I was really looking for a good evening moisturizer since my skin is on a very dry phase with visible lines all over! Thankfully, L'Oreal Philippines sent me this jar and I was able to try this rich, velvety smooth anti-aging night cream-mask. Revitalift Laser X3 has a thick and creamy texture with a matte finish. 

After cleansing, I apply this nightly all over face and neck. I think I was over eager and used too much on my face the first few nights coz I had minor skin peeling on a few spots around my face, heehee. But no break-outs, no rashes. I just didn't like the scent. As the weeks went by, I did notice improvement on my skin: tighter skin, reduced fine lines around the eyes and forehead.  Na-hiyang ako. =)

What's good about this night cream-mask?

• Corrects lines with fragmented hyaluronic acid that deeply penetrates the skin to repair and reduce appearance of wrinkles
• Re-texturizes skin surface with LHA (Beta-Lipohydroxy Acid) by gentle exfoliation for a smooth and even skin tone
• Reconstitutes skin with 3% Pro-Xylane - "a powerful anti-aging molecule that stimulate and strengthen skin fiber"

SRP :  PhP 1,499.00 / 50ml jar

ZENUTRIENTS Super Smoothing Argan & Chamomile - Shampoo and Conditioner

I alternate different brands of shampoo and conditioner over several months. My hair tends to dry easily and I continue to experience hair fall, lots of it.  One of the brands I buy is Zenutrients -- their Gugo variant to be specific. Their newest line is the Argan & Chamomile and I received this shampoo and conditioner set, together with their wonderful all-around skin salve.

Good news: My hair loves this Argan & Chamomile hair care set even better. I will still alternate with the Gugo set as a clarifying shampoo. =)

I've tried other hair care brands with argan oil and I like what it does for my hair. This variant from Zenutrients has the same benefits-- it's nourishing, moisturizing, and feels smoother on my hair during and after use.  It has a mild eucalyptus scent which I love too. It also contains natural ingredients and is eco-friendly (that's why it's not bubbly as most shampoos). The shampoo is runny (malabnaw) so I just have to be more careful when I pour to avoid spills.

If you get the chance to try any of these products, let me know what you think.

Care to share your recent beauty finds?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
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Toddlertubs Baby Wash for #AntiAmoyPawis + RAFFLE

Bath time is usually play time for my kids.  They're 10 and 7 and both still manage to make a mess, whether they are in the shower or in the bath tub.  They like making bubbles or even cleaning the tub before they rinse! One thing they look for when bathing is their shampoo and liquid soap, or a head-to-toe body wash.  They really prefer a liquid body cleanser.  One recent find is Lactacyd Toddlertubs.

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Only Cycles Sensitive for Cheska and Gavin Kramer

A blog giveaway is happening at the end of this post so hope you read through this! =)

“All three kids of mine have sensitive skin. That is why I am always in search of the best skin care products for them. When I came across Cycles Sensitive, I was intrigued and tried it on my son, and I was pleased to see that my son’s skin became smoother and softer.” That's coming from meticulous mom, Cheska Garcia-Kramer on choosing Cycles Sensitive for her little ones.

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