Empties October 2013

Hello November aka birth month! As I prepare myself to embrace my soon to be 26years of existence I am balancing work, baby and home. Including to home duties are my bids of adieu to my October empties to make way for new and exciting products to try such as Yves Roches, Clinique, Kiehls and many more! Now, who made it to my October 2013 list?

Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil - all about the oh-so-good sunflower, click here.

Hype Body Spray in Vamp - Nostalgic, this body spray reminds me of my college days. Walking on Harisson Road late at night because our chemistry class ends at 9pm. Running up and down the streets of Hillside early morning while avoiding dogs on the loose, catching my breath and wishful thinking for a waiting jeep so I wouldn't have to wait an extra 15minutes or so, or else it would mean being late on my Surveying class, which means I either have to look for my group on Burnham Park or enter the back door and sneak my way to a vacant seat without noticing which is better than to completely diss my class and hope, that no pop quiz or the field experiment is not yet through or else I'm dead. This reminds me of picnic square's stone table with chessboards and rough seats, Athletic Bowls dirt paths, of my walks with friends on the busy and noisy session road while licking selecta ice cream while discussing our frustrations either on our demanding instructors and the formulas we have to sing and dance to the finale. This scent reminds me of governor pack road and its street food which means merienda for some and lunch for other students, of Maharlika's single escalator (which is the oldest escalator in Baguio, btw), of Abanao Square, SM Baguio's Shakeys nights and most of all, this reminds me of monthsarry dates with my boyfriend-then husband-and-father-of-my-child-now.

Physiogel Intensive Cream - read about my self-made-and-impose challenge and result here.

Splash Control Hair Polish Hairdressing Cream - not that bad, I just wish it smelled a little better - I mean smelled good.

SpectraBan - wicked SPF60 here.

Sweet Honesty Body Talc Powder - feminine, mild, classic.

Body Recipe Skin Lightening Hand and Body Lotion in Papaya - thanks to the peachy pink sisters for letting me try this yummy lotion, here.

Etude House Oh M'Eye Lash in curling and clean - all about this Korean mascara here.

That's it. See you on my November empties. I am happy to say I'm half way through some of my old stocks here in my vanity. Empties posts is a breather, I tell you, especially if you don't have that much of space to put things you love to hoard! ;)

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!

Chermainho International Giveaway!

Wanna win these?

If you wanna try some Korean and American beauty products,

Join here!

Makeup Little Tips and Tricks

If you are as busy as a bee, and don't have extra time for vanity and glamour, then these little secrets will help you save time and still look and feel fab!

#Smelling good gives an impression of cleanliness and studies shows that it tends to make people respect you.

How to Have Longer Lasting Scent: Match your lotion with perfume! Scented spray layered with similar scented lotion will keep you fragrant all day long (the first thing that comes in my mind is the Avon matching lotion, body talc,deo and body spray). Don't forget to put your fragrance perfume on a travel size container so you could spray on anytime anywhere!

*Check out Travalo (one item on my travel wishlist) for a fun way to make your perfume travel-friendly! But if you are looking for a more cheaper way to smell good all the time, then Watson's travel size bottle pumps should be your friends!

These are my cutie patootie travel bottles and pumps. Especially important if you will travel by air because only small  bottles are allowed on the plane! :) perfect for lotion, moisturizer,perfume and hand sanitizer! :)

#Oilyness is next to ugliness!

How to Stay Oil-Free: After applying foundation, dust loose powder on your t-zone area (forehead, nose and chin) for added staying power and shine-free makeup, don't forget to put blotting papers on your purse for touch up

*Check out my kawaii blotting paper bought from Market! Market! department store beauty section!

For a cheaper blotting paper, you could use  Starbucks tissues or any hard-like-paper tissue, cut them to your desired shape (rectangular or circular, go do hearts if your artistic enough lol) then keep them in your already-empty pressed powder compact (I prefer to store mine in a compacted mirror just for good measure!), will post about that soon so stay tuned!

Seoul-ful Cosmetics Giveaway

Who wouldn't dance on a Kpop song?

Op... Op... Op... Op... Op...

Hahaha I know you continue the song in your mind. :P

Aside from good music and catchy songs, Koreans are known for their good quality skincare and make up products! And whether you're a pro, make up junkie, newbie or an enthuasiast, you know you want to try Korean make up goodies... And as a chance, Chic & Sassy Mom is giving away these...

Skin79 Mini Lip Gloss

Innisfree Jejubija Anti-trouble Starter Kit

Skin79 VIP Gold Super BB Cream 

Etude House Dressing Room Shower Gel

3 x Assorted SkinFood Masks

4 x  Somang RedFlo Camellia Shampoo

2 x Dermal Mask Sheets

2 x Nature Republic Mask Sheets

SkinFood Magic Hair Pad

SkinFood Gold Kiwi Gift Set

2 x Innisfree Eco Science Wrinkle Spot Essence

a rafflecopter giveaway

Join now! ;)

eh eh.. eh eh eh.. eh eh eh.. 2ne1!

Five Random Things This Week

These past few weeks are freaking crazy and hyped! Oh goodness, I'm super duper excited and happy that we finally arrived at our house here in Makati! Yay! That means we successfully packed our things to huge boxes! :D And safely headed home. :)

number 1 --- speaking of huge boxes, we had more than 40 boxes, plus the cabinets, study tables, dinning tables, chairs and things alike! :D which means...

number 2 --- time to unload the boxes! D: If packing is hard, then unpacking is harder!!! Geez... I had to put things into their places and change my mind about it and put it somewhere else! And there's this time, when I put it, change my mind, remove it, and change my mind again to have it put again (for the nth time) to the first place I decided to put it. (redundant I know, but heck I'm a girl yow!)

with grannies! :P

number 3 --- my babe can now roll whenever wherever! Said that, I need to give another extra focus and attention to him just to make sure he is safe, within reach and is always comfortable. You know, when he rolled, and he got tired, he don't know yet how to roll back. Hence, he'll just lay down flat face and won't care that he can't breathe because he is too tired to care, he'll just wait for me to see him in his situation and let me decide whether to pick him up or just let him lie there. :3 And of course, he know I'll pick him up! Smart boy ey?

number 4 --- I am designing a new website! Yay! It's taking too long but I'm patient enough... Hopefully, one magical day would arrive where I can show my site publicly! Whew... Clue? It's all about fashion! :D

number 5 --- Hey hey hey! I'm hosting a giveaway! Wanna join in?

Click here!

That's it for now! Watch out for my next post, as I will probably share to you my latest discovery on how to whiten those pearls! :D

One Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway!

Should’ve done this a month ago, but, alas, my hectic schedule hinder me to do so, yet you should agree that it is way better to be late than never, ey?

So without further ado, I give you

Join me as I celebrate my one year blog anniversary through a giveaway! :)

The prizes includes:

Belle de Jour Chronicles Forget-Me-Not Notebook

Belle de Jour Favourites Forget-Me-Not Notebook

Skin Food Emulsion Sachet

Skin Food Serum Sachet

Skin Food Cream Sachet

Skin Food toner Sachet

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Sachet

Clean Skin Shampoo

Clean Skin Body Milk

Sue Devitt Whipped Foundation

Anew Genics Sachet

Pantene NatureCare Shampoo

Pantene NatureCare Conditioner

Garnier Light Complete Whitening Cream Sachet

Garnier Light Moisturizing Cream Sachet

Etude House Sweet Look Body Wash

iWhite Whitening Pack

Yves Roche So Elixir Parfume

Mary Kay TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser

Mary Kay TimeWise Age Fighting Moisturiser

Etude House O2 White Intensive Serum

Etude House O2 Tone Up Toner

Etude House O2 Tone Up Emulsion

Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

Kerastase Nutritive Sublimateur Jour

Maybelline Lip Liner #25 Toast

Nichido Lip Gloss in Electra

Nichido Matted Eyeshadows & Blush Palette

False Eyelashes

Mr. Bean Head Keychain

Knitted Cellphone Case

NYX Eyeshadow Palette in Catwalk

Will probably add more goodies while the giveaway is ongoing and I’ll try to update the prizes, if not, well, it would be an extra surprise! Yay!

Get the chance to take these babies home!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Like I said I’m having a frantic schedule lately... What? I’m just juggling my newborn, work and household chores! D: And, did I mention that we are moving out? Yes you read that right! We’re currently on the process of packing our things because we’ll be moving back from Baguio to Makati for good. That's the reason why I'm MIA and super thankful for my android! :D

We already cut our internet connection hence I’m typing and editing this post in a net cafe. :3 I have way too much things on my hand right now, I’m actually starting to panic! Thing is, I originally planned to end this giveaway at the end of the month but it’s impossible for me to check my blog and emails lately, what more on checking the entries, right? I don’t wanna make haste on choosing the winner because I have to personally check if she/he is legitimate by following the mandatory rules just to be fair for those who did it right. Consequently, I decided to just end this giveaway on 6th of January that’s a Sunday and announce the winner on January 7. Winner has 3 days to claim the prizes to be shipped on January 11 and that’s a Friday. J I hope everything is clear enough. If you have more questions about the giveaway, just email me at gerilent @ gmail dot com.

Recent Favorites: Make Up

Yes, this is a baby bag,

but since I'm breastfeeding, this bag had spaces for my kikay kit! Yahoo!

still, missing playing with these e/s!

Here are my recent loves!

Current favorites aotm :))

First off, although not included in the photo, I'm still inlove with Garnier brightening oil control scrub! :D

Included in the photo are the

Lashem measurable difference lash gel,

GSK intense clarity-smoothing peptide serum,

Mary Kay e/s in sugarplum,

Jordana e/s in golden sun,

L.A. colors e/s pallete in ep41wine,

Etude House Oh Ms!

(Click the linkies to go the blog posts!)

lippies atm

Will be doing some reviews on some of the products included in these photos including swatches of these yummy lippies! :D

Whats your recent favorites? *it doesn't have to be make up* Share 'em!

Iambabypanda's Rainy Day Giveaway

It's raining hard like it will never rain again, that's why beauty blogger Iambabypanda decided to host a generous giveaway! :D Yay! :P

There will be not one but two winners for this giveaway which will get either SME Gifts or YGE Gifts! :D

SME Gifts:

♥ The Boys Album by Girls' Generation

♥ Sexy, Free and Single Album by Super Junior

♥ Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream SPF25/PA++

♥ Makeup Forever HD Blush Microfinish Cream Blush in Fresh Pink

♥ Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams in Monte Carlo, Addis Ababa, Milan, Tokyo, San Paulo

♥ Etude House Highlight Me Body Glam SPF 50+/  PA+++

♥ Dolly Wink Liquid Liner in Black

♥ Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara 

YGE Gifts:

♥ 2ne1 Album by 2ne1

♥ Alive Album by Big Bang

♥ Innisfree Eco Natural Green Tea BB Cream SPF25/PA++

♥ Makeup Forever HD Blush Microfinish Cream Blush in Fuchsia

♥ Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams in Monte Carlo, Addis Ababa, Abu Dhabi, Instanbul, Amsterdam

♥ Etude House Highlight Me Body Glam SPF 50+/  PA+++

♥ Dolly Wink Liquid Liner in Black

♥ Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara

So what are you waiting for, go ahead and join her giveaway here.

My New Quick Make Up Routine!

When you are single, you got all the time in the world to choose what clothes to wear, hair do to don and make up to use, but when you have a little you running around, calling out for your attention and is completely dependent on you, well, even combing your hair might be a hard thing to do! lol But its alright, I love being a new mom, it's a really hard 24hour task but its rewarding. :) Yet, that doesn't excuse us moms not to look good, right? So between juggling my baby, being a wife and work I still squeeze some social life and me-time whenever possible. :)

Looking good will definitely make you feel good! So here are some of the ways to keep things easy despite of all the hard works needed! :P

• Lippies - I don't have much time doing smokey eyes anymore so I stay contented with moisturized lips. I always use my venus and mars smooch lip to moisturize my skin and add a little color like lipstain and my ET pinkish Dear Darling Roll Roll Gloss or ET colar Moon Crystal Power Gloss. Having moisturized lips is a great way to kick-start the morning looking fab and refreshed! Wearing red lips needs a more neutral looking eye make up, so as long as the eyebrows are okay, I'm good to go!
• BB Cream - the answer for on-the-go mom, its a mixture of moisturizer and foundation in one! :D Thank goodness for this product it gives me more time to do more things than applying layers of products on my skin. It has spf protection, anti-acne, antioxidants and can give light to moderate coverage as a foundation and is available at any drugstore. Tinted moisturizers can also give us mom extra time, because it hits two birds with one stone! Applying moisturizer and foundation in one is a good time saver, right?
• Mascara - pop the eyes with the right mascara, I usually skip eyeliners these past few days and I have new love for mascara whether its brown, black or even blue! :P Just having my sparse eyelashes longer and thicker gives me self-confidence that I can conquer the day even with my arms full of baby! lol Good thing I'm still using my  Lashem eyelash and eyebrow conditioner. :)

That's it. My new everyday make up routine! Sometimes I slap on some blush but its OK to skip it.. :P The most important thing is you'll still look great. :)

Iambabypanda's Blogiversary Giveaway

Hey everyone, I would like to share to you an awesome giveaway! :D

It's IamBabyPanda's Blogiversary Giveaway!

Check out the prizes!

who wants Naked2? I surely do! :P

BB Creams!

10 Shades of Etude House Lipsticks!

What are you waiting for? Join now by clicking here.

Beautiful Gorgeous Eyes: How to Get it!

The nature of my work stressed me out, I always look exhausted with big and dark eye bags plus bloodshot puffy eyes and those premature wrinkles on my eye area! And since I'm on my third trimester of my pregnancy I sleep like a dough, rolling this way and that! But here is how I fake my tired eyes:

• I heart coffee, but since I have a bread in the  oven, not drinking coffee doesn't stop me from smelling and using coffee! :P It contains caffeine which is a vasodilator that constricts blood vessels in the skin, which in return helps tightens and firms nerves! Caffeine is a well-known antioxidant that also helps prevent premature aging of the skin! ;) Good exfoliation even once a week will do good to whisk away dead cells!
• I'm recently stuck here in Baguio (Its always cold in Baguio) and like always I take hot bath but that doesn't stop me from chill out my skin. What I do is I slowly adjust the temperature of the water from hot to warm to lukewarm up until what I can manage. The warm water open up the pores and rinsing it with cool water will close the pores and it will also stimulate circulation and hence leave a toning effect. It also make me look more awake and alive.
• Using up my GoodSkinLab Intense Clarity Smoothing Peptide Serum I am breaking out like crazy! And this serum help me moisturize my skin while stimulating natural collagen production and helping smoothen texture and tone! :D Dehydration is the root of fine lines and early wrinkles around the eye area and moisturing will help restore lost skin  elasticity. Plus, it has SPF that protects the skin from the harsh sun rays!
• Got a trick from one of my all time favorite beauty guru Michelle Phan to reduce puffiness of the eyes!

It's the tea bag trick! :D

Next time you make tea, save your tea bags (just make sure it’s caffeinated, and preferably green, white, or black tea) and let them cool on a plate. Once they’re cool, place a tea bag over each eye and let them sit for 10 minutes. The caffeine in the tea bag will diminish puffiness by flushing out the water in the tissues around the eyes. Bonus: Tea also contains antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin! For super puffy eyes, try using Chamomile tea—it’s an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce swelling and puffiness even more.

• Raving on the lashes! I try to curl my lashes to make my eyes pop, using mascara is also good and when I have luxury of time, I put my favorite Singapore False Lashes on! W_W Just to pop the eyes, dramatize and maximize the curve and length! Aside from that, I use my Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel as conditioner for my eyelashes and eyebrows!
• Concealer! I try to put minimum concealer under the eye area while I skip or just light coverage of my foundation! :) So far my favorite local concealer is from E.L.F. and EverBilena liquid foundation in Oriental.
• Sparkle the inner corner of my eyes and below the curve of my eyebrows. I try not to over do it. Just a hint of shimmer! :P My favorite white eye pencil would be from "Pearl White" from ELF and "Just Pearly" or the "Sizzling Summer" from Jordana since replacing silvery or pearlescent color with gold pencil eyeshadow would be perfect for summer!
• Even if I focus much on the under eye area, the upper lids should have some love too! LoL Tangerine, yellowy or peachy color eyeshadows will definitely cover and neutralize those black-eyes, so far my "Golden Sun" Eyeshadow from Jordana do the thing, I just swipe it on the base of my upper lids for that monolid simple eye make up.
• I love to perk up my eyes with my Etude House Oh M Liquid Eyeliner and Curling and Clean Mascara but sometimes I go for a lighter color shades like gold brown, charcoal black or chocolate-brown for a more subtle effect of opening up the eyes.
• When my eyes are tired, I wanna focus the attention on somewhere else, like the lips or the cheeks. It's either I put on a very bright red lippies or just blush brightly on the highest point of my apple cheeks with red hue colors. :)

These are the small things that I do to lessen the effect of tired eyes and achieve a more awake looking eyes. It's quite helpful but I still try to avoid stress and get enough sleep as well just to avoid long-term effects of abusing my body. What are your tips and tricks on faking tired puffy bloodshot eyes? I wanna know more! :D