Nail Polish Remover

I never thought I'd make a dedicated post about this, but due to my recent experience, I just want to reinforce the fact that not all nail polish removers are equal. And not just due to the price. I know there are some expensive ones out there with allegedly better formulations with skin saving ingredients, but I've never bought them because I do cheap out on remover.

It never really hit me how different nail polish removers could be at the lower price point until my recent purchase of the Pretty Secret Nail Polish remover without checking its ingredients. 

ILLIYOON: THE DISCONTINUED LINE

For a hot minute, the skincare world was buzzing with one word: probiotics. From serums to cleansers, brands everywhere were cashing in on the idea that good bacteria weren’t just good for your gut, but superb on your skin. Topical treatment. Nature supercharged.

And honestly? They weren’t wrong. I hopped on the trend out of curiosity and enjoyed it,  but I didn't know how much I'd like it. Such that I ended up repurchasing, and even ended up trying set of 3 minis of the Illiyoon Probiotic Skin Barrier Cream, Essence, and Balm.

These weren’t flashy products. No over-the-top packaging, no overpowering scents, and definitely no virality. They never really got their moment like their sister barrier cream, which I do admit I haven't tried. But beneath those tiny white  tubs and tubes was a formula that just worked for me.

Spotlight: Lush Lip & Cheek Creme

I can't believe I'm exploring make-up again. One of the new to me things I've tried include Spotlight's Lush Lip and Cheek Creme in Blooming.

While this costs Php 425 for 6.5g, this was gifted to me by C.

Delia D.

 Finally, unlike last year, I was on the early side of watching a "musical".  Delia D. Is the newest jukebox musical with songs by Jonathan Manalo,  running until early June 2025.

As someone who dislikes this particular genre, and with no idea of who Jonathan Manalo was before a quick google and the experience of last year, I had phenomenally low expectations. 

But I was pleasantly surprised.

I have to say that I was very entertained from start to finish. Costumes and dancing was on point. The dialogue up to date and engaging - though some points could have been taken further. The cast sang and acted well, despite the thinness of the plot: The first act was a tension-less afternoon show while the second, more emotional act requires a massive suspension of disbelief (which I will not go into because spoilers) but was done with a believable depth of feeling. However, the show seems to have handicapped itself by muting the mics of the cast. The spectacle outshown the soul.

Still, I believe this is the most enjoyable watch of this type of musical (as a Filipino from X generation, I am not ashamed to say I like this more than Mama Mia) and I see the potential in this.

Watch this this year, and maybe 20 years into the future.