Monday, April 30, 2012

Goodbye NY Times

I've recently found out that, once again, the NY Times is limiting its access to non-subscription holders from 20 to 10. Now I can only read 10 posts from the site every month. Though it is offering an 8 week subscription at $0.99, further subscription would cost more than what I am comfortable shelling out for an international paper (given that I do not live in the USA), even with a student discount (which I'm not sure is applicable to me).

It depresses me because this was my favorite online newspaper. It seems that quality news will cost me. I guess now I'll have to get news fix from somewhere else. Any recommendations?

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Review: Avene Eau Thermale (Thermal Water)

Some people say that the best things in life are free, but this product is really expensive!




avene thermal water 150 ml






Though much cheaper in the US , this product costs around P700-1,200 ($17-28) in Asia. This is my second bottle of this stuff, though because it delivers. Avene Thermal Water helps calm down my irritated skin, and is especially helpful now that it's summer: I can't live without it in my bag. Just mist over your entire face and let dry naturally (I don't pat dry).


Unlike those other sprays, which have about the same effect as splashing tap water on my face (admittedly with some effect, but I'd splash my face with ordinary water instead of buying those), this spray gives instant results with less redness and that refreshed feeling even under layers of make up. The mist is very fine and you can experiment as to how far you want this from your face.


It also lasts longer than expected so I don't have to spray as often as other sprays. While I occasionally use this to set my make-up, I go around with a bare face most of the time and I still find it dead useful for that hydrating, soothing effect.




PROS
-hydrating
-soothing/calming
- cooling/refreshing
-portable (150 ml for my bag)


CONS
-expensive


Buy Again?
Yes, once I run out and I have the funds XD

Friday, April 27, 2012

Iced Tea at Home

It's summertime right now and it's really hot! Beat the heat without air conditioning with a nice cold glass of iced tea.

Actually, anything cold will help, but I was craving The Chocolate Kiss's Iced Tea, so I decided to make my own.




Ingredients
.5L water
2 tea bags (tea of choice, I chose a black tea)
2 calamansi
LOTSA ICE
teapot
spoon
glass
honey


Procedure
1. Boil water
2. Steep tea for 10 minutes in a tea pot (I aim to oversteep a bit so I can add water later if I want to dilute it)
3. Squeeze calamansi into pot (don't let the seeds get in)
4. Fill glass with ice
5. Place honey in tablespoon, pour from teapot to spoon to glass (repeat until desired sweetness level is reached)
6. Stir and enjoy!

Note: you can add more water/calamansi/honey as needed. Also, all that ice WILL turn into water, especially if your pot is still hot when you pour (but I couldn't wait)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Review: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

Since I have less than a quarter left, I think it's time to review this tea tree toner. This is a picture of how much toner I have left after shaking process:



I love tea tree oil and I've been buying some version of the oil itself since high school. But let's see how the toner fares.

This toner smells like tea tree oil and doesn't seem to have any fragrance, so I bet there's a significant enough amount of oil in there. There is also witch hazel extract, which is also good for the skin. However, it also contains something they label "lemon tree oil" which is NOT tea tree oil. I don't know what skin benefits this may have, maybe as a deterrent to insects? Don't let it fool you! In addition, this product contains castor oil so you might have to be careful. This product contains alcohol, but I've already said that I don't mind alcohol in my toners.

What makes this product different is that it contains a significant amount of corn starch. I love the act of shaking the toner because I enjoy "interactive stuff" (because I am a child). Now, corn starch is great for mattefying, being a powder. However, it's a cheap enough ingredient that I'm not happy it takes a significant portion of the product (3rd in the ingredients list). Because it's a starch, you also run the risk of sbacteria feeding on it. While the tea tree oil may negate it, I wouldn't recommend putting it near any area that is prone to stinking up or that is acne prone. While I didn't break out with this product, and it was a mild enough toner, it wasn't really helpful for clearing out my skin.

Will I repurchase this product again? No. Not for the price, and not for something with corn starch.

Though being a tea tree toner, this may be better for someone who is preventing break outs and not for someone with acne prone skin.


Pros
-contains tea tree oil
-contains witch hazel
-mild
-you shake it ^^

Cons
-contains cornstarch
-contains castor oil
-contains alcohol (con for others, but not for me, see my opinion about alcohol in toners)
-expensive (650 for 250 ml)