Empties: September 2014 - January 2015

Avon SSS - with babassu oil that firms and restores skin's vitality. I still prefer the SSS with argan oil but nevertheless, the smell is quite soothing and I just put this lotion on areas that needed firming while

Avon Lotion hand and body lotion - is what I use to slather all over after bath or whenever I'm feeling dry patch somewhere like on my elbows and knees. This is perfect for everyday use especially when I'm going out and about, running errands, site inspections and whatnot as it didn't feel heavy on skin. What I only noticed is that you just have to reapply it every now and then so you better have a travel size on your pouch just in case.

Avon Natural Kids Wacky Watermelon Shampoo and Conditioner - reminds me of beaches, sands and summer. Refreshing, cooling even, but I still prefer the apple or strawberry scent because of the lingering sweetness.

Sunsilk Smooth and Manageable - haven't I told you guys how it smells insanely good!?

Pantene Total Damage Care Conditioner - perfect for frizzed fried hair like mine. It also helps prevent split ends.

Ever Bilena BB Cream in Oriental - the local brand I use on ordinary days. Good coverage and when set with HD compact powder, foundation could last the whole day especially when you're stuck on an airconditioned room.

Glyderm Stretch Mark Cream - cheaper alternative than derma procedure. The catch is, effectiveness is based on how early you use it. The younger the stretch mark, the better it will work against it. And oh, do not scratch. I repeat do not scratch! :)

Yves Rocher Pure System Daily Exfoliating Cleanser - used this twice or thrice week. Get rid of dead skin cells including deep-seated dirt and dried pimple scars and traces of makeup. It doesn't dry me out and it feels like my skin is ready for serums and essences. Yum!

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser - I usually use this at night after removing makeup. Removes dirt that makeup remover didn't get and effectively cleans skin without feeling dry and itchy.

Celeteque Sun Care - SPF 30. Doesn't leave white streak if blended well on naked skin. This sun screen before moisturizer, the face is now ready for foundation.

Empties July to September 2014

Time pass by so fast when you're busy and it's never too late to welcome the Ber-months with empty bottles of goodies ready to be disposed of, or better yet, recycle and replace! ;)

Cycles Sensitive - is my baby's everyday head-to-toe wash aside from J&J milk bath and we're on our 3rd bottle. Its fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and paraben-free. It's light and perfect for baby's sensitive skin. Plus, you could reuse this container over and over and over again. ;)

Palmers Post-Natal Firming Lotion - with Shea butter, collagen, elastin and vitamin E. Another way to enjoy chocolate is by smothering your skin with Palmers cocoa butter formula products. It did enlighten my pregnancy scars but still the best way to beat stretch marks is when it's not yet seen. Apply Shea butter during pregnancy is still the best way to do it. ;) BTW, Got this goodie here.

Avon Naturals Green Papaya and Calamansi - this hand and body lotion smells citrusy, leaving skin lightly scented and moisturized without the heavy feel. Calamansi is my mom's secret and I would definite get this again!

J&J Milk and Rice - since I cannot find the milk bath on the aisle, we go for milk and rice baby bath - we didn't regret it! We now have love for both milk and rice and milk bath! We always never wanna run out of these two. Smells good and last longer than other baby bath.

Bench SupraWhite - my favorite among the three. Has nanobright technology and SPF 10. It's light on skin during hot humid weather and the fragrance always makes me snuggle my skin a little more, if that is humanly possible. Hihi

Glam Works Avocado Body Scrub - got this on a sale and I could vouch that this is a steel, er, steal... With aloe vera extracts, and exfoliating beads, it scrub away rough dead skin cells effectively leaving skin soft and smooth! Trivia: it's nice to know that avocado has a natural SPF!

Herbench/ So In Love - with each rainbow comes a drizzle that meets the sun and starts to sizzle. You and I on that bridge above, forever one and so in love. What more can I say? :)

 Block & White Pearly White UV Natural Pearls - I used this as my on-the-go hand cream since I can't find my favorite Baies Sucrees Sweet Berries Handcream. For the second time around, it does the job well. Why, you could look older than you really are with unhealthy hands, ya'know?

EB BB Cream in Oriental - It was forever emptying this product! Maybe because I have other foundations/bb/cc creams on my stash or maybe because I only need a little squint to do the job? This is good enough for half-day medium coverage in an a/c room. This purple bottle is also whitening and moisturizing.

Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash & Baby Bubble Bath - these sample sizes went a long long way than I expected. The body wash has a pearly green while the bubble bath have pearly white color. Both has 5,5ph perfect for babies - and mommies! :P

4Life BioEFA - For Php1,320.00, you get 60 soft gel capsules of fish oil, flax seed and safflower seed oil that helps digestive system remove toxic while keeping internal organs at its best. For more info about 4life products, please visit 7581363.4life.com or call/text 09301248192, 09431297026 and 09053541249 and look for Nida Borja.

TCFC After School Watery Skin BB Foundation Lunch Box - a mouthful, for a mouthful of product. A squint of this is enough for a medium coverage. Easy to dry so blend away! It is also kinda lighter than my skintone so I usually use this to highlight the bridge of my nose and upper cheeks.

Ralph Lauren 1 & 2 for women - I can't decide which of these are my favorite. I think it would not hurt to say both of them are very fine with me. These sample sizes are amazed balls because it has a sprayer in it! I wish I could reuse them for my other perfumes so I won't carry a huge accident-prone glass bottle anymore. :P

Frontrow Luxxe White - I would create a separate blog post regarding this product so stay tuned.

Avon Naturals Soap - I got a the green which is the deodorizing has mint and basil extracts and this maroon soap which is the fairness bar is moisturizing although I haven't notice any changes on my skintone. At first I thought I will definitely love the fairness soap and never repurchase the green one but apparently I'm thinking of stocking up on the deodorizing soap and I will definitely try the walnut variant next time.

Anlene - for the nth time, this high calcium powdered milk drink is a must everyday in the morning for me right before my cup o' coffee. It has nano-calcium that is 100x smaller than regular calcium hence easier for the second weaker core of bones to be absorbed. Anlene is also packed with magnesium and zinc, important in building strong bones, and vitamin D that effectively help in absorbing calcium.

Sunsilk Pink - smooth and manageable. Read my previous empties? Then, you now know why this is a holy grail. Smells divine! I just can't stop smelling my own hair! My baby always wanna eat my hair! lol and the husband, goodness! He always want his face burried on my hair all night long! ;) #hairpower.

That's about it. I'm not yet ready to end my 2014, so I will jampacked my 3rd quarter to the max. :D

Empties February 2014

It's been awhile since February bid goodbye... and today I say my farewell and maybe see you soon, to some of my February 2014 empties!

Astringosol Gum Care - for swollen gums, bleeding gums and gingivitis. No alcohol, no sting, just fresh breath and healthier gums! Will definitely buy this again!

Johnsons Baby Powder - cooling effect perfect for summer. I think I'm gonna go and buy myself a big one!

1721 Hair Extension Detangler Spray - the longevity secret of my long hair extensions. ;) Will. Buy. ASAP.

Avon Anew - I did break out on this one, but my neck is happy with it.

Pharex Vitamin E - why buy expensive vitamin E if you could buy generic vitamins with the same benefits. Be wiser, get smoother skin and happy pocket! Happy to have cheaper vitamin E available out there. ;)

BioEFA - another 4life product favorite. Fishoil, glycerin and flax. All for the women! Happy women's month everyone! :)

Zen Zest Hand and Body Lotion in Melon - the perfect moisturizing lotion this hot summer! No oily feel, easily absorbed and best applied on still we're skin. ;)

Pantene Pro V Miracle Water - best hair mist in travel buddy.

Pantene Pro V Hair Conditioner - softer hair ain't for special occasions only, now its possible to have shiny hair everyday!

P.S. Check my Pantene Pro V hair here.

Empties August 2013

Gahhh! i fully wrote this post for three times now and I always accidentally delete everything for some reason and it all went gone! I wanna punch a Janet Napoles and skin her bebe gerr alive anytime today! Now, if only she wasn't that sick?! Again, for the fourth time (Good thing this "Empties" is somewhat a let-go unwind post therapy...) here are my empties for the month of August 2013!

Last month's empties was a success! I'm so proud of myself I patted me on the back and said "thumbs up for good riddance!"

This month's empties was humongous! I'm so proud of myself I need to pat myself on the back and say "two thumbs up for good riddance! Great hobby it should be a habit!" - I was thinking of doing my empties on a monthly basis as I initially attached the month and year on my previous empties... to (1) encourage myself to consume everything I have on my vanity - so I (2) could finally say something about that something since I could have said something about it when it was still quite new - say half of it was still full but due to a hundred reasons and excuses, last drops was consumed and am still mum about it... until now! :) - hence (3) will be aware that I don't need to buy "that thing that will go perfectly with ..." "that new brand of .../line of... "and "this thing that will match, complete, complement, blah blah blah yadah yadah yadah..." since I still have some things (similar) to finish up first and lastly, I believe having my monthly "empties" is a way to personally somehow (4) cure impulse shopping and hoarding (5) avoid "things i regret buying" and (6) future resentments like credit card limit charges! #ehem All this (7) while creating a list of "holy grail products" in my head. :)

So anyways, empties included here are a mixture of our family's recent favorite products and new random finds... Starting from upper left clockwise...

Avon Naturals Whitening Face Lotion -  in rose and rose-hips. I had nothing much to say to this product except that I'd used this as my makeup remover and moisturizer wrapped in one bottle on times when I'm too lazy to clean my face out of makeup especially when it's on the wee hours of the night. As a daily moisturizer, a pea and a half-size is enough for my entire face and neck to avoid excessive oil due to hot weather just like what I would normally do in any other moisturizer out there, but when I know I'll stay on an a/c room, I slap this on whenever I remember to do so. Hint: I put this on an arm's length away. ;)

Etude House Oh M Liquid Eye Liner - that I bought using my BDJ discount coupon last year. and a random black bear eyeliner that I got from Bonchic. Now I'm stuck with an ELF Gel Liner for smokey eyes and a Maybelline Masterliner in Brown for neutral looks that I won here. :)

United Homes Calactate & Fersulfate Iron and Anlene Total - my two over-the-counter everyday maintenance. For hair loss, sleepless nights and nursing a year old infant. :) Totally, love the taste of Anlene and I'm currently trying the chocolate flavor and will go back to vanilla because I decided I'll alternately the flavors. I wish they had it in Hazel flavor as well though just like Anmum! :)

Vitress Hair Polish in Strengthening - I'm ready to try another variant from this Vitress hair polish line anytime soon! :)

GOODSKINLAB Intense Clarity + Smoothing Peptide Serum - I bid my bittersweet goodbye before chopping off its tail while repeating "Off with its head!" with the Queen of Heart's baritone. Dramatic. But seriously, scooping the last cream out of its tube? It means quality at its best! This could have been my holy grail - replacing primer and moisturizer when I'm on the go since this really holds my makeup together and silky smooth face canvass just right after application! It glides on seriously! I'm so happy I get the chance to try this product by winning it on a GSK giveaway held by The Beautinomics way way back... My hopes are still up though, that this brand will find its way back here in the Philippines just like the ZA Cosmetics everyone is talking about! :) #staypositive

Maybelline Shine Free Cake Powder - in 04 Honey with SPF25 and PA++ stays true to its promises of

• All day Shine COntrol
• UV protection
• Fairer Skin
• Conceals
• Long wear
• Smoothes
• Evens
• Non Comedogenic

The only turn off? Its formula is too brittle, it cracks and breaks easily. Guess what? I'm one of the few that got a broken cake! Just my luck! That leads me to give in and spill the beans - I really didn't used this up, it just dust my makeup kit and anything it got in-touch with it until its gone. So hey Maybelline New York, I need a refund refill! Yes a refill would suffice! ;)

ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder -  in warm tan. Nostalgic. This is my first ELF makeup product after I've been swept away for face paint passion! And Michelle Phan's tutorial using shimmer bronzer as contour and eyeshadow makes me love this more. Another must-have when you're on the go and ready to run! :)

Cortizan - be it pimple, rashes, inflamation, fungi whatsoever, my family would just dab a cortizan! Its our ointment holy grail if that makes sense. Less than Php200.00 a tube.

4Life Transfer Factor Riovida Bursts - that I talked about in my last month's empties.

4Life Transfer Factor Glutamine Prime - for less than Php3300.00, you'll get 180 capsules of building blocks that'll

• help you fight stress and avoid depression
• mood stabilizer - bipolar bears are out!
• more energy reserves - if you're a mom, nursing a year old, working and at home you need to reserve all the energy you could surely use for extra extra :)
• encourages your body to produce glutathione - whitening was not my priority (although I have several whitening products) but this will make you fairer while
• protecting your liver - love your liver not your liquor
• glutathione as body's antioxidant to fight free radicals

What are you waiting for, grab a Glutamine Prime now! You need it!

Sesou Haul Empties - including Giga Baby Insect Repellent Spray, Milea Baby Baby Cleaner and Human Heart Nature Spray Sanitizer. That is actually our 2nd Milea Baby Cleaner - my best friend when water is no where!

Sunsilk Smooth and Manageable Shampoo and Conditioner - is my every month favorites, can you tell? Can't believe we used up 3 refill sachets of Sunsilk pink, I guess Sarah G.'s irresistible commercial holds true to the family. I however find that the conditioner didn't really conditioned my hair so...

Dove Hair Fall Rescue Conditioner - is my perfect match! Sunsilk pink shampoo + this Dove conditioner = good smelling tangle free hair! It's love! I skip the Dove shampoo partner 'cause it tends to make my hair oily!

Black Beauty Shampoo in Crystal - yup, I ate up my words. This is my 3rd bottle and still counting!

Avon Skin So Soft Silky Moisture replenishing lotion with argan oil -  this sounds weird but at first, the scent of this lotion reminds me of coffins and burials, of small violet flowers used to that sad occasions... but as my nose adjusted (can't resist the organ oil goodness) and so, I'm done with the first bottle and since I bought two of these, I'm down to use the next last bottle. I'm not so sure if I would go buy this SSS lotion again, I might try another brand. But the argan oil - so we never know! Argan oil is good!

Johnsons Baby Powder - in pink included in my Johnson Baby Haul

Johnsons Baby Cooling Bath and Milk Bath - Last summer, I gave my babe a treat by switching to Johnsons Baby Cooling Bath, its like minty cool and he loves it too! And, later on we return to our love at first smell - the milk bath! It reminds me of my newborn baby Clyde! P.S. our first love was the orangey no tears formula!

That's it! Hello September! I'm so happy! If you're following me on my social media then you know why! Hint: Google Nexus 7! Ow Em Ji!

Empties July 2013

Fast forward June, now here comes the end of July and the end of some of my products - empty stashes of products that is. What I like most about posting Empties is that I could sum up what I think about certain items after fully using it - its like a review in a way but not really. Anywho, here's the batch for this month!

4Life Transfer Factor Riovida!

If you remember my post about the things I'm grateful for - the blessings I received - things I deemed thankful for, then you'll know how my heart surgery extended my life...

I never thought I would live the day and tell the tale on how my family and I surpass the ordeal! Well, one of the reason behind this success was my ever supporting family and loving friends, who kept my spirit strong and confidence high.

And also,

4Life Transfer Factor Riovida Tri-Factor Formula

RioVida is only Php5,040.00 for two bottles of 16.9oz each.

This magic bottle contains acai berry, pomegranate, elderberry, blueberries, purple grapes and apples with a total organic value of 27,864! It was even featured on Oprah Show, NC Today Show and Wall Street Journal! Why?

This yummy "juice" is an all good antioxidant potion that helps fight chronic diseases and immune system challenges. Using this juice as a daily maintenance will protect you and your family from cancer, heart disease, stroke, alzheimer's disease and diabetes!

As you can see on my photo above, I was cut on my upper left back so it is hard for me to move from side to side, get up and lean on my left. I was under surgery at around 7am until 1pm and spend the rest of the day on the ICU, got back on my room at around 6 in the evening and would you believe me if I tell you, the next day, I was up, can walk slowly and rather seat on the coach than lay in bed? :)

My appetite is not that good though, my dad bought anything to trigger my hungry stomach, he bought pizza, siomai, soups even sushi! :P hehehe but the important thing is, I recover fast! My secret? (I've been telling you this all through out this post!) Yes, it's the RioVida! :)

So start your year right! It's not yet too late! Give Riovida a try! ;)

xoxo,

Gerilen Elinessete