FOR VANITY'S SAKE! I WAS NEVER A PARIS HILTON FAN. MY FAVORITE GIRLS AND WHY

Well, still with all due respect to Paris Hilton, she deserves the popularity vote. But I was never a fan. Why? OK. I'd just keep it to myself. I don't want my opinions clouding your judgment. Haha! Anyways. here are my favorite girls! It's a redhead powerhouse if you would come to realize.

MY ONLY FILIPINA BEAUTY ICON

Imelda Marcos is my only bet. She is really divine. She loves shoes and I do, too. She claims that there is no extravagance in beauty, but there is in ugliness. I am still trying hard to understand that for a long time since I heard her say it. She wants all things beautiful, by the way, who doesn't?
I just can't stop myself to love her more. Up to this date, she still has the glow. Truly imeldific.

THE FIRST EVER GEISHA IS MY ICON

Hey hey hey, she's Japanese! I love her! Mineko Iwasaki was the first ever geisha. She is simply beautiful then. Her skin on her days back then is truly something to die for. I still admire her up to this date. She really aged gracefully. There's no doubt that I really have this thing for beautiful people hailing from the origin of my roots.

MY CHILDHOOD IDOL

I love her band, No Doubt. I love the singer that she is. She is hip, fun and cool. She has got this crazy outgoing personality that is so sexy and glamorous at the same time. I am a Gwen stefani fan since I was in Grade 3 I think. She rocks. Her abs and her teeth are gorgeous.

I LOVE THIS SONGSTRESS

Tori Amos. Yes the girl with some weird songs and equally weird music videos. I can't get over her musical style. A Sorta Fairytale is one music video and song I am obsessed about. I find her attractive and appealing. The red locks and her voice have it.

THE HAZE!

OK. I don't care if she's a porn star and does all the heck of adult stuff on film. Jenna Haze remains to be one of the hottest female in the planet. I adore her hair, her skin and youthful looks. She's got a fab bod too! One hot birthday suit!

THE UKRAINIAN HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY

Vera Farmiga. I saw her in Running Scared (a movie starring Paul Walker) and I became an instant fan. She's lovely and sexy. She does acting good. You will be completely moved. I find her facial features so incredible appealing, too. Just my taste, though.

"CARMEN"

Paz Vega. Appeared in movies like Carmen, Spanglish, The Other Side of the Bed etc.
I adore her for her looks and her charm. Definitely a goddess. She's a hot momma! Her eyes is in fire everytime she gazes. Her skin and hair is terrific too. Love her teeth. Haha. The smile! Looking at her makes me want to take care of myself more than anything. Smiley.

THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL

Marcia Cross. Bree Van de Kamp in Desperate Housewives. I am not a fan of the show, but I am definitely her fan! She's got the fairest skin of all! Few wrinkles, and super bright all over. I admire how she takes good care of her skin. What I've gotten from her? This redhead never gets exposed to the sun however impossible it is. I suppose she wears a very high SPF! If you would see her pics on the net, she's always wearing a hat and shades outside, often times with her twins. I do the same too. But sometimes I forget the hat, I just have my umbrella. Haha.
Oh vanity.

LL IS FOR LINDSAY LOHAN

I am a fan of Lindsay. I like her skanky goodness. I like her style too. She's got a fabolous cleavage! Her boobs are real. Well, I don't know why I like her so much. I don't care much about her antics. It doesn't matter to me really.
Her hair is like locks of eternity. She's got the most beautiful hair in Hollywood. She has my vote. I just hope she quits smoking. It's doing her skin bad. Oh well.

BRITNEY'S ON MY LIST

She may have gotten a bit crazy on some part of her life but I still love this chick. She's so sexy! Well she's sexier way back then. Looking back at I'm a Slave for You video - she's the bomb! She still makes it to my list. Crazy hotness. She's getting back on track too!

MY NEWEST BET

Pathology star Lauren Lee Smith is my newest favorite girl. Watch the movie. You'll find out why. This tall and beautifully stunning creature also starred in the L Word.
Her seductive Canadian looks and attitude is way too sexxxaayyyy!!! Gets the bread and honey! She also starred in the Canadian film Lie With Me. I am a big fan of her now, and I want to see more Lauren Lee Smith!!!!!

You have my list! Did you find paris Hilton in it? OK. I am redundant.

I GET DANDRUFF WITH COMMERCIAL SHAMPOOS BUT NOT WITH THIS ONE!

That's Crystalderm Patchouli Herbal Soap with Aloe Vera. It's a shampoo bar! I have been using as a natural hair grower and scalp cleanser for quite sometime now. I have realized that it's not the place where I study or work that gives me dandruff, but the liquid shampoos I have been using before. Now, that I have found what suits what my hair needs, I'm not going back to those chemically-laden shampoos that give me the itch and dry hair! I have long and naturally wavy hair and this products gives beautiful body to it.



My mom is a fan of this too, the patches of barber's itch on her hairline have started to show hair growth. The products has a very leafy and herbal scent. When you wash your hair with it let the lather stay on for like two minutes. You will feel a very coarse result after rinsing it off. So you really have to use a conditioner with this shampoo bar. Just apply your favorite conditioner after and rinse. Be sure to prepare a vinegar and water solution as a final rinse to detangle hair and add shine.

A 160 gram soap costs PhP50.00. Also available in a smaller bar.
It's available at Landmark TriNoma, and I just bought my recent stock over at SM Centerpoint Sta. Mesa. Crystalderm has a stall there. I'm not sure if it's in second or third floor though.
Thanks to my bf Louie who accompanied me just to buy it there. The concierge can't find the stall in their list of shops/ directory. (she said wala daw Crystalderm dun sa Certerpoint, but me and my bf looked for it and was able to find it!)

How to care for it: A big bar would last you very long if you keep it air-dried after every use.

My ProVanity Rating:
Crystalderm Patchouli Herbal Soap with Aloe Vera
*Shampoo Bar*
VVVVV (PERFECT MATE!)

Here's a nice pic with my friends when we went to Enchanted Kingdom. My hair looks good here. "Hindi ako bad hair day nyan!"
Kaso di ako nakatingin sa cam. Dalawang cam kasi kumukuha when that shot was taken. =)

I'm with my beautiful friends here, Mayjay and Ate Karen.

HBC'S SAN SAN AGE DEFENSE PRESSED POWDER DOESN'T COST A LOT BUT GIVES FLAWLESS TOUCH!

I just have to buy this because of two reasons: First, my White Result Two Way Foundation dropped and the compact powder got cracked and messy all over, I can't use it anymore and I met up with my bf today and I don't want him to see me in my oily goodness. haha.

I have to admit that I have underestimated San San Make-Up but not until I came across this product.




Let me review it this way.

SAN SAN AGE DEFENSE PRESSED POWDER
What's your shade?
Shade 2

Is it affordable?
Yes. Costs like PhP110.00 only. Not bad!

How's the packaging and applicator?
Refillable compact case. Neat and presentable.
I love the sponge that comes with it! It's the softest of all I have ever tried. Plus, it has it's own space on the case so you don't have to worry about germs and bacteria piling up on the powder compact.
**"For some weird reason, I used the powder on my bf, Louie, out of boredom and fun, and he affirmed on the applicator's uber-softness."**

Coverage deal?
Great. It delivers a flawless and smooth finish. Starts off matte and ends up beautifully sheer after 5 hours.

Does it work for the oilies?
Yes, I think this would work best with ladies who have combination skin. Like me.

Did it cause you breakouts?
NO.

How about for people with acidic facial skin?
I have acidic facial skin and I believe that this powder minimized it.

Any added points?
The SPF 15 and added skin vitamins A, C and E are good 'features'. I hope they do my skin good.

Bad ones?
Contains some parabens. Has a bit of classic talc smell but it's not that strong. The smells wears off after you apply it on skin.

Would you buy it again?
Yeppers. I would have it refilled when the compact gets exhausted.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THESE BENCH SKINCARE BABIES

Hmmm...
These are two items we tend to overlook at Bench counters:

BENCH ACNEDOT

and

BENCH CLEARPORE NOSE CLAY PACK

Notes:

Well, I am a satisfied user of Acnedots since last year, when I get occasional break-outs, I treat my zits with honey and green tea and I apply a 'dot' over the inflamed pimple so that it wouldn't be infected with unnecessary dirt and bacteria. It never fails to help in the whole pimple clearing process I do whenever I spot a zit. It does wonders. It helps to make them less inflamed and near to vanishing. each dot contains 0.0.5% of Salicylic acid, an agent known to fight pimple causing bacteria. I keep my Acnedots on its sheet pack in a cool and dry place.

BTW, I am a first time user of Clearpore, it is some black clay stuff in a patch that you apply on wet skin. It stiffens on your nose after 15 minutes of application indicating that the patch is ready to be removed. I've tried the procedure and it helped me clear my nose from stubborn blackheads. It's my problem eversince. It did not remove the blackheads totally but it made my nose appear a lot clearer. I'll buy a few more strips and watch the improvement. you can use it 2 times a week with 3 days interval between every application.

So would I buy these stuffs again? Yes. I always have Acnedots. It's a staple for me. I'll observe my progress with the second product.

MY TAKE ON ILOG MARIA BAMBOO CHARCOAL SOAP

I am a believer of honey-based beauty products. Honey never fails me. Now out of this loyalty to honey, I got curious with this local brand, Ilog Maria. Ilog Maria produces virgin honey, and other products such as beauty soaps, scrub and more. Girls in GT are raving about the brand so I was convinced to give in and take my share on the products.

Fortunately, I was able to find a place where I can buy my target product, which is the Bamboo Charcoal and Bergamot with Lime Soap. It claims to have a whitening action and skin detoxifying properties. I bought the soap for a marked-up price at the Riverbanks Mall the other day.



My Judgment: I was very impressed. The soap lathers well, I don't know why others reviewed it otherwise. The smell is soooo invigorating. Very spa-like! The bathroom smelled like spa. I used it on my face too. I left the lather for five minutes and didn't feel any sting or sign of irritation. After bathing, I was so refreshed. When I look myself up the mirror, I was amazed! My skin was clear and bright! This is no joke, I am fair with every review I make. haha!

Wait!: The soap is all natural but it contains very small charcoal bits. If you have sensitive skin and happens to be allergic with any charcoal product, use it with caution. Do a skin test first. Also, don't rub the soap directly on facial skin, the charcoal in it is a bit abrasive, you might scratch yourself!

Bottomliner: Two thumbs way up! I'll buy my stash of Ilog Maria products, too. Maybe I'll order online. Their product line is exciting so try to check 'em out!

ON EXPENSIVE FACIAL WATER SPRAYS AND THE WISE ALTERNATIVE

OK. My cousin from the US sent me loads of Evian Brumisateur Travel Trio packs a year ago, I got so happy. "Super-sosi na pangspray sa mukha eh!" The packs were on sale at that time on Sephora because the company is trying to get rid of the batch that has the classic packaging then. I enjoyed misting my face with this 'water from the French alps' (hehe!) and somehow I felt beautifully relieved and freshened everytime. I exhausted my stock for less than a year.

Then on the next package, my cousin sent me just two Avene Eau Thermal Spring water Spray, also a product of France. I enjoyed using this too, but my sprays lasted for like three months only.

Now, what spray do I have? Just a spritz bottle with mineral water in it. Now you see the logic.
Avene costs a lot more than Evian. (Actually even abroad.)

Bottomliner: My favorite would be Evian, because the water in it somehow tingles and evaporates with freshness on my face everytime. Kept me fresh then. The Avene Eau Thermal has this distinct smell channeling that of the trace mineral products. There are times when I get nauseated of the smell. I only use it then when I get heat pimples.

Just My Tip: Want to have a basic facial spray? Buy a small atomizer that would fit your "kikay kits" and buy a small bottle of Pure Mineral Water. The atomizer should be new, and should serve this sole purpose. as for the water perse, try Nestle Pure Life, or Viva Mineral Water. Use this to fill in your atomizer. Just remember that you should not drink from the water bottle of the mineral water for doing so will spoil it. Keep the bottle refrigerated too. Just refill the atomizer when the fluid runs out.

Mist your face everytime you need to freshen up, and to wake up skin every morning before taking a bath.

THIS FISHY OIL IS GOOD FOR OUR SKIN!

I know, I am a self-confessed skin supplement addict which makes me a fish oil freak, too. It's not what you think, I don't overdose the fish oil, I am just an avid taker! I take two fish oil caps once or twice a day, depending on my skin condition.

I discovered this supplement from my Dad who is taking it for his joint and heart health. Then, I researched what it can do for my skin. I even researched about EPA and DHA! I discovered very good news. Now, i am such a believer. I have been taking it for less than a year and I am so amazed with what it can do for my skin and well being.

I've tried generic ones and another Aussie brand, Thompsons, but nothing beats Nature's Own. Why do I say so? It's affordable, it's a trusted Aussie health care brand and the product is safe from any artificial surfactant, colour, preservative, it has no traces of fish pesticides and heavy metals such as mercury.

Have to thank my Dad for this stuff. He asked his brother to get this and gave me the whole tub of 400 capsules. Talking about free stuff. =)




Bottomliner: Being a tutor means a lot of mental activities. I have to stay focused. This helps a lot. I slip and slide once in a while and my joints have never prevailed this strong. I love my skin so much I hate getting even the tiniest of a line. This one helped me a lot in achieving young, healthy, and beautiful wrinkle-free skin . Genius!