The Supplements that Saved Me

 I was on youtube a day ago and a local influencer recently made a video with a dermatologist regarding oral supplements. It got me thinking about the supplements I do take since I do take some of the supplements mentioned. The video looked at skin effects, and while studies don't really back them,  it's no biggie for me. Granted, I don't use them for my skin, nor do I take them daily. But I have found some of them do have an effect and slowly, they have become part of my life.

So here is the short list, why I take them, why I don't take them daily, and if they do have a skin effect.

PSA: Coke Formula Change

It is with great sadness that I have found that the Coke formula has changed in the Philippines. While it is better for the body, I have found that I dislike the taste of the new version which contains sugar compared to the hugh fructose corn syrup (edit, I think? It is significantly different) of the previous versions, even though it does contain less calories.

I'm not a huge fan of its closest replacement, Coke Zero. 

So I guess no more sodas for me. :(

The Commercial Patches I Buy: Acropass Trouble Cure

 If you've been following, you may know that I recommend using these instead of buying expensive pimple patches since they do the job of sucking out that gunk at a fraction of the price. However, I've long been interested in microneedle patches, but the high price tag really dissuaded me.

Finally, this 2021, I bit the bullet and purchased Acropass Trouble Cure since they were the cheapest of the lot available to me. And I'm already on my second box! But, you have to use it properly....

Review: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry

 I really have to hand it in to Laneige. They believe in their product so much, they readily give out deluxe samples of their star products (which is generally a legit purchase in my country since small sizes are the norm, instead of a GWP, but what can you do). Luckily, I got this for free as a GWP!

The only picture, because it ended up being super ugly after X months of use.

3g sample size and still going strong. I am very impressed. Why?

Leaders Insolution Basic Masks

 I've tried the Leaders Insolution Primer Masks and they were pretty good. Which is why I was so surpised at how bad their basic masks are.

These are their basic masks and while they are slightly better than the freebie chinese masks you get, they are definitely not worth the Php 60 ($1.2 ish) price tag these were going for. Glad I bought them on sale. Their online store has them sold out presently, but I suggest NOT buying these if ever they come back and buying their higher priced offerings instead.

Review: In Her Element Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser

 Trying out some photo-editing, so things might be a bit wonky for a while. But I'm actually about to finish In Her Element's Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser.

How does it look like? How was it?

Old School Eye Make-up Tutorial for Small, Deep-set and Close-set Eyes

 Today we're going to be doing something very different: an actual eye-make up tutorial. Unfortunately, it's mostly theoretical since my camera really won't capture my eyes properly. Still, I hope this will be helpful to someone, though it's a very specific subset of people who will benefit.

Now, this tutorial is only for someone with small, deep-set and close-set eyes (my own, eye shape). I've been trying out a lot of different styles but I've found that my eye shape requires a fusion of east and west to look most-flattering. This is how you do it, and why:

Review: In Her Element Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask

 FYI, this isn't technically mine, but I've half stolen this as I've grown to like it.

When I first tried it, I didn't quite like it, but my opinion's changed. And that took a bit of time.

MegRhythm Steam Eye Masks

Quick post as I realize 6.6 is coming soon. I think a good buy right now are these Lavender Steam Eye Masks from MegRhythm.

I realize that these are usually winter items, but I tend to use air conditioning in hot summer nights only since there's no winter here. And being winter items, this might be the cheapest time to stock up and store or use when the air conditioning is on.

These steam eye masks are single-use self heating eyemasks that work as both heat and aromatherapy. Just open a pack, tear to release the loops and enjoy.

I really like how easy and safe this is compared to using other eye masks (less risk of burning your skin off), though test it before you put it on.

While these lavenders are the only ones I've tried, there are an assortment of scents to choose from and they're worth it on extra special self-care days since they are very spendy.

These masks cost around Php 50-80 usually but are at around Php 35 on BOGO.

AHC Hyaluronic Toner and Emulsion

 Okay.

This product is super old and doesn't exist out of ebay. But I used it years ago and rediscovered it hiding in my room somewhere and now I'm using it way past when I ought to because:

1. It doesn't look, smell or feel funky on my face.

2. I have no adverse reactions to it.

3. It's still worth using.

Thank heavens for airless pumps.

Anyway, while the toner is a bougie basic, it's not worth splurging on without the emulsion. Which is why it's a good thing it came in a set because. OMG. The texture of the emulsion. Its soft but cream-gel like and smoothens the skin like wow.

In all honesty, you can get the same effect with different products but the experience of hydrating with this is 🙌

I think previous me was savoring this for special times but got lost in the void that is my room.

Still, no wonder AHC's eye cream is the national standard if this emulsion is already so wow for a basic hydrator.

In Love with Butter (BTS)

Let me start by saying that I don't really consider myself as ARMY. Definitely not official, probably not unofficial (yet?). However, I really enjoyed BTS' newest single, Butter. If you haven't watched it and you're a girl in your late twenties or early thirties, I think this is definitely a must watch. Watch both the Original MV and then the Billboard version and see the magic.

True BTS fans will definitely love it (duh), but Butter drew me in more than Dynamite. Why? Dynamite reminds of the 70s and 80's with a lot of old Americana. A time and place where I can't relate, but may hold a lot of appeal for another market. Butter, on the other hand, is a visually and acoustically my time.

Opinions may vary, but this pop track reminds me of late 80s and early 90s music with the visual elements of both disco and a 90s boy band. Granted, the dance style and the majority of the outfits remind me more of the late 80s, reminiscent of an earlier hit, Smooth Criminal. However, the inner 90s boy band phase is also visible, especially in the latter half of the song. There are also some later influences, especially with the use of name dropping (Usher, ARMY) and the use of call and response in the lyrics - which are closer to the heart of millennials but as in fashion, some trends cycle.  But all of these, combined make a really catchy song that's visually, aurally and emotionally hard to forget. At least for 2021.

In summary, Butter is a newer, hotter song that was produced in a way that maintains and increases BTS' market share. It seems like this song was packaged both for people like me and for existing fans.Which is why I am amazed at both BTS and the production team(s?) behind this song. It's sure to be this year's biggest summer hit. I did not know I'd love it until I saw and heard it. So I recommend those my age give it a try (even if they aren't BTS fans).

I am now looking forward to more songs by BTS. And the BTS Meal.

PS. I think McDonalds really missed out by NOT creating a BTS Butter Pancake Set with the Boys' faces in the packaging as collectibles. May be another franchise will.

Short Post: Kojic Soaps

 I've recently finished a kojic acid bar soap from one of those rejuvenation sets that have been flooding the market recently and... well it's a bar soap alright.

It does its job in cleaning. But it's very underwhelming in terms of whitening combined with moisturizing. While there is some evening out of the skin, it's not worth the dryness of the skin you get.

There's not much to recommend it except that it's part of a set and lasts so long since it's so hard, unlike the OG kojie-san kojic acid soap, which requires manual effort in order to preserve and therefore, make the most out of the product.

And if you want a leveled up product with the new kid in town (though massive kudos to Dr. Belo who added Tranexamic Acid to Kojic Acid Soap long before anyone else), the Belo Kojic + Tranexamic Acid is another worthy bet, though expensive for its size.

I normally don't recommend kojic acid soaps in summer, because time in the sun means more skin darkening, but summer 2021 seems to be a continuation of 2020 here in the Philippines, so stay home, stay safe, and put on that sunscreen when you go out.

New Find: the Best Cheap Instant Coffee of the Year

 It's only the second quarter, and I've definitely found my new cheap instant coffee of the year! I've talked about how much I disliked the New Nescafe Gold. Despite the heavy marketing for it (in the Philippines), the quality has seriously tanked.

I've been trying a few but some brands, while delicious, lack in cost-effectiveness. After all, a single jar lasts less than a month, despite my addiction to all kinds of hot and cold drinks.

So what have I found to be an amazing cheap instant coffee find?