I never really used to wear eye shadow, but with the pandemic, eye make-up rapidly became one of the things I've been using to express myself and feel better. For the entirety of 2020, I depended on one palette to see me through, and that was Maquillage's Dramatic Styling Eyes in OR 321.
Now I'm not sure if you can buy the exact product right now off Ebay, but I've looked at the website and boy, do I want to buy their other eye shadow palettes.
I love drinking: alcoholic and non-alcoholic, coffee or tea, hot or cold. When I feel like I need a sweet drink, instead of going for a milk tea, or adding sugar to my coffee, I've been going for flavored teas.
Sometimes, I go for fruity teas, but it's honestly not enough to satisfy my sweet tooth so I've been going for these korean honey teas.
I've just been adding hot water instead of proper tea so it's a sweet and mild caffeine-free merienda/afternoon snack drink.
I've only tried two variants: citron/yuzu based and citron with ginger. I prefer the former but I tend to use the latter when I need a heatier kick. Each jar will cost somewhere between Php 300-Php 700 and I tend to go through one or two a month when it's cold (Dec-Feb) so it's started to become a significant expense.
It's still significantly cheaper than my previous coffee shop habit, and my parents love it too, so I don't think this will be changing for a while.
Hada Labo recently reformulated their lotions in 2020, continuing to 2021. For example, the Melano CC lotion has just changed. I'm kinda sad that my previous reviews on the premium and light versions are now obsolete since they've reformulated. Especially as I still had one pending review of the old formulation of the Gokujyun Alpha but since it's now discontinued, I guess that won't be happening. I do like the Alpha Lotion too though.
But I'm very happy that Hada Labo continues to upgrade and improve their products. It seems that unlike some reformulations, the changes are generally for the better. It makes me want to go back to them, but as I am on a low buy, that might take quite a while...
Illiyoon is a brand I'd never heard of despite existing for quite a while under Amore Pacific, but blew up sometime last year. However, as part of a low buy policy last year (and this year), I didn't end up buying anything from the line until February's 2.2 celebration in which I bought a bunch of masks and this little beauty:
This is just a deluxe size of Illiyoon's Probiotics Skin Barrier Essence Drop. I bought it on shopee and while it's supposed to cost Php 200, I got it for around Php 75 (though I saw that its price sometimes drops to around Php 50 sometimes too).
At first I was hesitant, despite the price, because my skin doesn't like galactomyces ferments and this may have perfume, but I decided to take the risk because the hype got to me.
I love me my Chai Li Won Green Tea, but I've recently been into Barley Tea. I've bought a bunch of tea bags for heated versions, but I've been enjoying this Roasted Dark Barley Tea.
It isn't sweetened, but it's sweet and nutty. It's much richer in taste and darker in color than the normal yellow to green barley drinks. It also feels richer than most hot mugi cha I've had recently (although I haven't had much lately. However, it is very expensive, running at Php 60-70 for a 520 ml bottle and is found only at certain Korean groceries.
I'd also recommend this for everyone for at least a try.
Aveeno, while not that expensive, is not something that I'd ever thought I'd use. Luckily, I was somehow able to get a sample each of the Daily Moisturizing Lotion and the Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. And ended up recommending the latter for C's baby's use!
Why? It's not just because the second product was meant for babies.
A while ago, I posted my review of my favorite sensodyne toothpaste, and while that hasn't changed, I think it's time to do a dental care post since it's one of the most important things to take care of while you don't have access to or don't want to go to a dentist.
First things first, dental care starts with what you eat. Try not to eat many sugars or acidic foods such as softdrinks since these can wear away your teeth and provide a breeding ground for bacteria. If you do eat or drink meals or snacks, rinse your mouth with water after every meal. If you can't rinse, at least drink a glass of water after. I don't use toothpicks, but these can be used after meals to take care of loose food between the teeth.
Next is to have a good dental care routine. A good dental routine should actually begin with flossing. Honestly, I only do this once or twice a day but should be done every time before brushing. I'm working on it. Floss between all the spaces between your teeth. I prefer Oral B's Glide series, but I'm currently using Radius' Cranberry floss as a more environmentally friendly alternative. It has been discontinued so I might go back to Oral B or try something else once I finish this. I don't recommend the Watsons brand floss as I find it too hard and stringlike for my tastes. Try for brands that specialize in dental care or dental floss. A good alternative is the waterpik, but I don't have one so I'm not sure which one would be better.
After flossing, brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice or thrice a day. The last one should be after the last meal of the day. Don't eat after your last brush! When brushing, remember to target the interface between gums and teeth and brush in a circular motion. Remember to do both the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth and both the top and the bottom set. Do a quick run through of all the tooth surfaces after. You can use your toothbrush or a separate tongue scraper to do a quick tongue clean.
I haven't tried an electronic toothbrush but this might be a good alternative to a regular one. Still, remember to change your toothbrush regularly at least twice a year and when the bristles get deformed. I've already given my favorite toothpaste, and this hasn't changed but any fluoride containing toothpaste is a good place to start. I don't recommend using charcoal or baking soda because these could actually damage the teeth. Do not rinse your mouth after brushing as you want the toothpaste to coat your teeth after.
Mouthwash is not necessary for a good dental routine. Use mouthwash when you don't have the time or willpower to brush your teeth, and remember to hit both teeth and throat when you gargle.
I used to love Nescafe Gold. It was my favorite instant coffee for the longest time.
But things change.
I can't remember when but its packaging changed from the sexy lady packaging (small waist, large top and bottom) to the more aesthetic square cylinder. And it seems like a change in the outside was accompanied by a change in the inside. It was just as aromatic as before, but lost all flavor.
I tried several bottles, from the tiny 50 mg pack to the jumbo 200 mg bottle at different times to no avail. It was lost forever. Yet somehow gaining more popularity thanks to its marketing campaign.
Which I did fall for. But was disappointed by, again and again.
Instead, I have officially switched to Nescafe Taster's Choice in French Roast.
Really old product but opened only recently...
I really like how this looks and smells, sweet but sophisticated.
While it's not as good as L'Occitane, it's so much cheaper. It's super worth it, especially as we're all washing our hands more. Hope they bring this back soon.
I think I bought this a year or two ago, but I've only ended up emptying it now. But when I say empty, I mean uber empty: I've already cut out the tube and got the last bits out!
Garnier's Acne & Oil Clearing Foam is a long standing product and has been with me for more than a year. I'm glad it's been formulated so well that it didn't smell or look funny even with how long I've had it. So thanks to all those parabens, I guess... I'm not particular about it either way, but in this case, I'm glad they were in there.
I first bought this cleanser because I ran out of a good facial wash and this was easily available at Watsons. After a quick look, I found it had Salicylic Acid (as well as something called HerbaClear), which I always look for in my acne prone skin (at least one salicylic-laden wash per day!) so I ended up buying it.
With all the hullabaloo about sunscreens in general, and K-beauty sunscreens in particular, I thought it's a good time to look back on the sunscreens I've been using and which ones I'd recommend right now.
Best for daily use would be Nivea's Super Water Gel from Japan. I've reviewed this before and this is still my favorite sunscreen for daily use (even though I don't have one on hand right now). I tried the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel, 2019 formulation (and failed to review because I lost the tube too early :P), but I prefer this more since I don't need a mirror to apply and reapply. The latter sunscreen is also a good runner up if you can't find Nivea locally, but you can find it of shopee (but be sure to find a good reseller).
Best for swimming/sports/heavy use would be Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion. I used the one for sensitive skin (light blue bottle). This is part of the WetForce line and really sticks to the skin. Again, I can't do a full review because I lost the tube... again. Honestly, I didn't like how this looked and felt but this really stuck to my skin as a thick, opaque white film. It actually clung more than some of the old sports sunscreens I've tried. With repeated application every 3 to 4 hours, I had no burning/darkening even at a full day at the beach. If ever beach things are a thing again, this would be my bet.
Best local sunscreen would be Belo SunExpert BODY SPF 60. This is expensive if you really use it daily, but it's the best local sunscreen I've tried. And I've actually used this for both face and body without any problems. Slightly sticky but good enough for daily use. While I haven't done a full review, I have finished a tube of this recently.
I've been trying daily body sunscreens, and I've posted regarding Biore and Nivea's offering. I'd use both, with a preference for Biore right now, but I don't have one I'd solidly recommend to be both cheap and effective for summer. I sometimes use the Belo Body sunblock on hotter days but it's not sustainable for me to use it daily as a sunscreen for its price.
Anyway, I'm actually trying one sunscreen right now, but I'm not too fond of it so I'm opening my first K-beauty sunscreen soon. Still, I've been quite guilty of not using sunscreen as often as I should, so my next real sunscreen post should be in a while.
You know there's something wrong in the instant coffee world when the cheaper option is so much better than the expensive one.
Take this for example: G7 Coffee Ca Phe Thu Thiet tastes so much better than Starbucks' Via Instant Colombia.
Kilay is life, period. This has been true for 2020, and it seems like it'll be the same for 2021. As such, a lot of my make-up spending has been on brow products. Missing a brow mascara, one of the things I've purchased for 2021 is Etude House's Color my Brows in Natural Brown (Number 4). While I've yet to try their popular brow pencil, at least I've given this one a go.
