If you live in a rock, like me, you might not know that Starbucks is taking half of certain frappucinos on Mondays. Time and duration depend on location, but in the Philippines:
2-6 PM until May 28, 2012.
It's the perfect time to hang out with your friends over coffee. For those without a large budget, you can treat your mom to a belated mother's day frap ;)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Review: Methode Swiss Thermal Therapy Eye Essence
Bought at Sasa in Hong Kong, this product is not available in the Philippines. This product was one the first "higher end" eye creams I've tried, and I'm very satisfied with it. It was bought quite a while a go so I'm not quite sure how much it is but it is on the expensive side. I haven't been using it consistently since I've added a retinol eye cream at night. It definitely lightened my under-eye circles by a shade or two when I used it, but only while I was using it.
Packaging
I've lost the box it came with (so I can't give the ingredients), but this is a 15ml pump bottle. Since it doesn't come in a pot, it's more hygienic. However, you can't see how much product you've used since there is no indicator. One day, you're just gonna pump to find that there's nothing left. I also foresee me having to break the bottle to get the dregs of the product out. This product is made in Switzerland and there is no chance of the cap breaking or any accidental loss. There is also a manufacturing date at the bottom of the bottle so you know when to throw yours out.
One pump is enough to cover both eyes. I didn't have wrinkles when I used this so I don't know if it will help with that, but it hydrates the eye area well. After immediate application, you will feel your eye area growing hot, but it subsides after a minute or so. Added bonus, if you use this after you wash your face, you're less likely to fall asleep afterwards.
It takes a really long while for this product to sink in, around ten minutes or so. It's definitely moisturizing and my eyes never feel dry when I use this product 2x a day. Also, it doesn't give any sun protection so you still need to use something afterwards.
Pros
-hygienic
-covers undereye circles (cosmetic?)
-moisturizing
Cons
-expensive
-no sun protection
-doesn't sink in quickly
-no indicator of amount of product left
Buy Again? No. It's not locally available, and for it's price, I feel I'd be able to get a better eye cream with actual sun protection.
Packaging
I've lost the box it came with (so I can't give the ingredients), but this is a 15ml pump bottle. Since it doesn't come in a pot, it's more hygienic. However, you can't see how much product you've used since there is no indicator. One day, you're just gonna pump to find that there's nothing left. I also foresee me having to break the bottle to get the dregs of the product out. This product is made in Switzerland and there is no chance of the cap breaking or any accidental loss. There is also a manufacturing date at the bottom of the bottle so you know when to throw yours out.
One pump is enough to cover both eyes. I didn't have wrinkles when I used this so I don't know if it will help with that, but it hydrates the eye area well. After immediate application, you will feel your eye area growing hot, but it subsides after a minute or so. Added bonus, if you use this after you wash your face, you're less likely to fall asleep afterwards.
It takes a really long while for this product to sink in, around ten minutes or so. It's definitely moisturizing and my eyes never feel dry when I use this product 2x a day. Also, it doesn't give any sun protection so you still need to use something afterwards.
Pros
-hygienic
-covers undereye circles (cosmetic?)
-moisturizing
Cons
-expensive
-no sun protection
-doesn't sink in quickly
-no indicator of amount of product left
Buy Again? No. It's not locally available, and for it's price, I feel I'd be able to get a better eye cream with actual sun protection.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Alcohol in Toners?
Most people would say that you should not use any toner (or face product) that has alcohol in it, and I agree. This is because of it's drying, inflammatory and oil stimulating properties. Thus, for most people, alcohol-free toners are the way to go. And it should rightly be.
However, alcohol-free toners are rare among low-end products in the Philippines. A good, cheap replacement may be a green tea or apple cider vinegar toner. Short shelf life for the first and the smell for the second are drawbacks to these two options. Witch hazel may also be an alternative, but be sure that there is no alcohol in the distilling process or the ingredients list.
On the other hand, I'm not much bothered by the alcohol content in a toner. I live in Metro Manila, Philippines: There is a lot of pollution over here and oftentimes even a double cleansing (oil and water) may not be able to take everything off at the end of the day. I also prefer not to wash my face in public. No other toner works as well in removing all that gunk as well as an alcohol-based one on-the-go or after face washing (You cannot use your toner as a replacement for your cleanser).
It may not be the healthiest solution, but I can live with it (for now). Thus, at the moment, any product that has alcohol content is not necessarily a turn off for me. Call it hypocrisy, recklessness, youthful folly. Maybe I'll be better (or richer) when I'm a bit more grown up. I've seen that some toners are effective, even with their alcohol content. Some faces are also capable of bearing the alcohol. I think I'm one of them. Here's hoping for the best.
I know I will probably regret this in the future.
:(
However, alcohol-free toners are rare among low-end products in the Philippines. A good, cheap replacement may be a green tea or apple cider vinegar toner. Short shelf life for the first and the smell for the second are drawbacks to these two options. Witch hazel may also be an alternative, but be sure that there is no alcohol in the distilling process or the ingredients list.
On the other hand, I'm not much bothered by the alcohol content in a toner. I live in Metro Manila, Philippines: There is a lot of pollution over here and oftentimes even a double cleansing (oil and water) may not be able to take everything off at the end of the day. I also prefer not to wash my face in public. No other toner works as well in removing all that gunk as well as an alcohol-based one on-the-go or after face washing (You cannot use your toner as a replacement for your cleanser).
It may not be the healthiest solution, but I can live with it (for now). Thus, at the moment, any product that has alcohol content is not necessarily a turn off for me. Call it hypocrisy, recklessness, youthful folly. Maybe I'll be better (or richer) when I'm a bit more grown up. I've seen that some toners are effective, even with their alcohol content. Some faces are also capable of bearing the alcohol. I think I'm one of them. Here's hoping for the best.
I know I will probably regret this in the future.
:(
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Review: Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel
For someone as acne prone as I am, there will always be a need for a spot treatment. Spot treatments are basically the precision attacks you use to kill zits when they are already there. I've tried several spot treatments and this is one of those I favor. Clinique's Spot Healing Gel's active ingredient is 1% Salicylic Acid.
It's actually my second bottle of this stuff. The first bottle I had had a green cap, which I like more than the white one. There was also some spill-over when I first opened this one, which was a bit of a waste of product. Fortunately, you only need a small amount, being a SPOT treatment (don't put it all over your face), so my previous bottle lasted me 2 years.
This product leaves a clear film over the zit. It is best used on newly formed zits (hit 'em while they're young). There is a stinging sensation when applied to the face, though it is not as bad as Eskinol Dermaclear-C Overnight Pimple Gel (that burnt my zits so bad, I had brown spots where my zits were when I placed it on overnight). I prefer to apply this after I wash my face in the morning and at night. Baby zits are gone in one day.
On zits that have already come to a head, this product initially makes the zit look works. It then takes a few days to work. DO NOT worry your face while this is happening. GROSS ALERT!! One day, the film will peel off with the hardened pus inside, in my experience.
I like that I don't have to use a cotton swab or even my fingers. When placed, it leaves behind a film, and should not be used under make-up. I prefer salicylic acid over benzoyl peroxide because of the carcinogenic and bleaching properties of the former. Of course, this product is not the only spot treatment I use as it has shown limited effectivity.
Pros
-clear
-effective on baby zits
-quick dry
-lasts a long time
-easy to use
Cons
-stings slightly (may not be good for sensitive skin)
-can't be used under make-up
-not effective on all zits
Buy Again? Maybe. Yes, unless I find a better clear spot treatment in the next 2 years.
It's actually my second bottle of this stuff. The first bottle I had had a green cap, which I like more than the white one. There was also some spill-over when I first opened this one, which was a bit of a waste of product. Fortunately, you only need a small amount, being a SPOT treatment (don't put it all over your face), so my previous bottle lasted me 2 years.
This product leaves a clear film over the zit. It is best used on newly formed zits (hit 'em while they're young). There is a stinging sensation when applied to the face, though it is not as bad as Eskinol Dermaclear-C Overnight Pimple Gel (that burnt my zits so bad, I had brown spots where my zits were when I placed it on overnight). I prefer to apply this after I wash my face in the morning and at night. Baby zits are gone in one day.
On zits that have already come to a head, this product initially makes the zit look works. It then takes a few days to work. DO NOT worry your face while this is happening. GROSS ALERT!! One day, the film will peel off with the hardened pus inside, in my experience.
I like that I don't have to use a cotton swab or even my fingers. When placed, it leaves behind a film, and should not be used under make-up. I prefer salicylic acid over benzoyl peroxide because of the carcinogenic and bleaching properties of the former. Of course, this product is not the only spot treatment I use as it has shown limited effectivity.
Pros
-clear
-effective on baby zits
-quick dry
-lasts a long time
-easy to use
Cons
-stings slightly (may not be good for sensitive skin)
-can't be used under make-up
-not effective on all zits
Buy Again? Maybe. Yes, unless I find a better clear spot treatment in the next 2 years.
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