Friday, May 31, 2013

June 2, 2013

Okay, I may hate the fact that in a few hours, it will be JUNE again. That means school will start soon. Eurghhh. However, I am looking forward to Sunday, June 2, 2013. Why?

1. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will have an Open House this Sunday from 10-11:30 am, introducing their Anniversary Blend and Scottish Breakfast Tea Latte.

2. VMV Hyperallergenics is having an Armada Sale - 20% on the Armada line. I am ambivalent, as I already have a lot of sunblocks... but I am looking at their lipblock....

3. The last day of the fashion sale at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.

4. The last day of the sale at Robinsons' Department Stores.




Thursday, May 30, 2013

May: Finished!



Things I’ve Recently Finished: *

1.     Suave Juicy Green Apple Shampoo and Conditioner: Two very meh products when used together. I bought it because I like green apple, and apple scents in general. I liked the shampoo because it cleaned my scalp well, as well as providing a nice rich lather. Unfortunately, the conditioner was a bit too light for my hair. While they're nice to use in the shower, the scent dissipates in one to two hours under normal weather conditions. I did not use these products separately. 
2.     Neutrogena Hydro Boost Essence: Same as February's post, the short review is here. I did like it, but I think my skin might be better served by something else.
3.     Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo: I like this shampoo because I could use it to remove build up every 10 days or so, or whenever I used an oil treatment of my hair. It has a nice, clean scent with good lather, even when using a little product. Since I didn't use it everyday, a shampoo with a price tag of less than P200 lasted for more than a year.
4. Vaseline Healthy Hands and Nails Lotion: I haven't noticed my hands and nails getting any stronger, but it does moisturize them well, and sinks in pretty quickly. My only problem with this is that the tube is a bit fat, so it's a bit awkward to maneuver on-the-go. I end up leaving it at home. 

I've been going through bars and bars of Nivea and Dove creme soaps. I much prefer the Dove soaps by virtue of their shape, smell and lather. I tried the Dove 7-day challenge on my face and ... no. It really doesn't work on my poor acne-prone face. Creme soaps melt quicker than the usual bar soaps. While it is not necessary to use a sponge to trap excess moisture on the soap, especially considering its price, make sure that there are no puddles anywhere near your soap dish.

-SS

*No pictures. Lack of decent camera woes, as usual. Plus I’m lazy (see my name).

Monday, May 27, 2013

EOTD: A Noob's Eye Makeup

Just went out for a bit today. I thought I'd try a trend for a change. Super basic eye make up with the Stila Barbie Palette. I still have no camera, so I'm using my webcam. I used only one brush for the entire look. I think I'd get a better effect if I used at least one more :))





Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Years and years ago, I posted a tutorial about Aztec Healing Clay. While I did like it's effect on my skin, the mess and the smell, as well as the time it took me to use it resulted in it falling out of favor. My current favorite is the Garnier Self Heating Sauna Mask. However, my favorite mask product (I'm not sure if I have an HG mask yet) is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.

The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a green clay mask that hardens. According to the directions, you're supposed to take it off with warm water and a washcloth (like the Aztec mask). However, I find this process tedious since it's a thick paste that's difficult to take from the tube (around the time that it's half gone). It's near impossible to portion control with this thing - I always end up using more than I need. Product is a thick green paste with a consistency somewhere between play-doh and toothpaste.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - from the tube


As you can see, there's a bit of a semi-circular impression when i try to maneuver the bottle without swiping with my fingers. Since squeezing too little gets only a tiny amount of product, and squeezing a lot makes it fly everywhere, covering my entire face can get very frustrating.



Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - spread

Spreading it is not a problem after you get your desired amount out, but I prefer using it as an overnight spot treatment for zits that need to be dried up. Thus, I can't really say I like it as a mask. It dries up in less than 15 minutes, depending on how much you put on. A light layer will dry up in around 5.

While this is much more expensive in the Philippines (P250-P350, depends on where you get it) than in the US ($5 dollars), an 8 oz. tube will last at least a year with me and it really isn't expensive, compared to other products. This used to be hard to find a few years ago, but it's much easier to get now.

Now, this product is not a miracle worker for most of my zits (because my zits hurt :( ), but it does dry out the small zits and shrinks the mean ones enough to make them easier to hide the next day. If I had more obedient zits, it probably would be a miracle worker - as it is for some people. If only I could use this as a color corrector under make-up! I only use it once a day because it's very obvious.

This substance is very drying, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, I suggest you use this product sparingly.

Ingredients: water, kaolin, bentonite, glycerin, zinc oxide, propylene glycol, sulfur, chromium oxide greens, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben.

Yays

  • good drying capability: kills baby zits, shrinks the big ones
  • minty smell
  • inexpensive, lasts a long time

Nays

  • tube packaging is horrible: difficult to take product out of the tube, get's everywhere if you're not careful
  • hardens, so tube needs to be finished quickly (or cut up to get the bits that won't be squeezed out)

Hays

  • don't sleep with this on unless you're fine with it going all over your sheets, or if you don't move and sleep on your back
  • use a light coating if you're using it as a mask, use a heavier coat if you're using it as a spot treatment 
  • don't wear it as a spot corrector if you're going outside
  • remember to use a moisturiser after use 
  • cut up the tube when you can't squeeze out anymore to make the most out of your product

Okays
  • acne prone skin
  • anyone with a zit

Buy Again?
Yes, it's a staple in my beauty closet! I might ignore it, but I go back to it when I need it.