Commuting to CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines)

A lot of people seem to think that CCP is only accessible via car or cab, and while I can't deny that those are convenient options, it is possible to commute to the area.

To commute to CCP, first try to get to Ocampo Street. This is usually a short walk from the LRT or a jeep to Vito Cruz Station along Taft Avenue. If you're not going through Taft Avenue, you can also choose a jeep that goes to Harrison's.

From Ocampo Street, you can take the orange jeep which will pass through CCP. It will also pass by the Folk Arts Theater, PICC and the Coconut Palace. You can also walk the 16 minutes google maps estimates. I prefer walking myself, but I allot around 25 minutes walking time since the crossing at Roxas Boulevard can take a while.

Google Maps: Vito Cruz to CCP

If walking along Ocampo Street, choose the the side closer to BSP, Harrison's and Rizal Memorial. While Manila streets aren't that pedestrian friendly, that side is a lot better than the other.

Going back after is, admittedly, a bit more difficult for a gala performance: the jeep going back comes by rarely and is often full. It's also not a good idea to walk the Ocampo-Taft area at night time unless you are in a group.

Human Heart Nature

With Human Heart Nature being so accessible, either online or through several stores in malls nationwide, I'd never thought I'd want to visit its flagship store. Located at 463 Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, it's not the easiest places to go to, but I went because Human Heart Nature has their Switch to Goodness campaign which gives you a 30% discount of their products when you trade in clean containers of the same product type.

That was a really good incentive.

I got there and inside was something completely unexpected.

Tosca 2015

Last Sunday, I was lucky enough to watch Puccini's Tosca at CCP. This was the first time I was able to watch a staged opera in real life, and it was amazing: While the stage wasn't as lush as expected (as seen on television) both the music and the singers were something to hear, especially the titular Tosca.

My only complaint was that I wish the 3rd act was a bit longer.

Unfortunately, Tosca is no longer running. The last time it was seen before this was during the Marcos era. Still, it gives me hope that more of the like will be shown in the future.

Romeo and Juliet 2015

Tonight was Ballet Manila's first Romeo and Juliet for October 2015. At first I wasn't quite sure about it as the dancers, especially the danseurs, were very badly synced: some too fast, others too slow.

Fortunately, as the show progressed, I found all leads to be strong with some interesting choreography going on. My only qualm by that point was the balcony scene: while well done, I felt that the levels between Romeo and Juliet could have been played with more. But that's just me.

Special mention to how expressive Juliet's face was.

All in all, I enjoyed the performance. The only true sour point was seeing bits of the audience leave early. It was a good performance and to leave like that is disrespectful.

Ballet Manila will be performing Romeo and Juliet until this Sunday.



A

Erwin's Gastrobar

Last month was a great month for theater for me. Another good thing was I got to try out new places to eat that I haven't been to. One of these places was Erwin's Gastrobar at the City of Dreams, Manila. Since Solaire was so close, our party decided to go there for the first time.

While being a gastrobar, none of us drank alochol. The board was pretty cute though!

St. Ives Green Tea Gel Cleanser

Life, for the past few weeks, has been super crazy. It's winding down again but I know it's gonna happen a lot in the future. How crazy? I've considered it a luxury when I am capable of washing my face and brushing my teeth twice in one day.

My skin has been faring poorly from a month previously because of this, but it's not as bad as I've been expecting. One of the reason's why is St. I'ves Green Tea Gel Cleanser.

St. Ives Green Tea Gel Cleanser

I originally bought this since I already foresaw that my current cleanser, while great for my everyday life, wouldn't be able to keep up with turbo mode. I needed something that would keep those big zits from coming out even with a super hectic lifestyle. Thus, my choice was an oil-free salicylic acid cleanser.

Purederm Make-up Cleansing Tissues

One year ago, Nivea's facial wipes exploded across news feeds everywhere. However, I found them too big and too expensive to store in my bag for daily use. Luckily, I saw some smaller and cheaper alternatives in Watsons. One of these were Purederm's Make-up Cleansing Tissues.

I was, at first, hesitant to purchase this (over the in house brand) because of my previous experience years ago with the Make-up Remover Cleansing Tissues of agest past. For those who've never tried it, the originals were soapy and required water to remove. I'd always get a residue even after using quite a bit of water and would end up using another cleanser (this was way before oil/double cleansing was popular). 

Fortunately, this is extremely different from before.

August Round-up

August 2015 was a great month for me because I was able to watch a lot more shows than I usually do in a month. Of course, that leaves me with too few funds for daily needs such as food and skincare, but I wouldn't change a thing!

Therefore, in lieu of an empties post (and with an empty wallet), I've decided to rank the shows I've watched instead.

Listed by overall enjoyment:

1. Hamlet (play) - simple but great acting.
2. La Cage Aux Folles (musical)  - the power of a single star outshining everyone.
3. Singing in the Rain (musical) - not bad, needs polishing.
4. La Cenerentola (concert reading, opera) - great music, dismal direction.

I surprised myself, writing that list: I'd have a very different list if I were looking at how "good" I found each performance compared with others of its ilk. However, this has shown that a great experience in the theater, no matter what type of performance, doesn't just depend on the work of those on stage. Part of this burden rests with management and with the audience itself.

Hamlet, August 2015

Yesterday, Sunday (August 24, 2015) CCP's Little Theater, better known as Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, was host to Hamlet. This was the work of Terruno Espressivo and Shakespeare's Globe.

For a little background, the goal of this tour is to hit all 205 nations in 2 years, marking the 450th year of Shakespeare's birth and the 400th year of his death. Thus, unfortunately, the Philippines only had 2 shows marked on the same day at CCP.

What do I think? This play was very much worth it, even for those who aren't big fans of his work (in general).

Singin' In The Rain, August 2015

Last night, I watched the first performance of Singin' in the Rain at Solaire. As usual, especially at opening night, the show started later than expected. Thankfully, not as long as I expected it to be. It also had the smoothness of a first show: meaning none at all. There were certain glitches in the sound system, and the show had to stall for 20 mins in the second act due to technical difficulties. There was also a misguided rainshower during intermission.

La Cenerentola August 2015

Yesterday, I watched La Cenerentola at Meralco Theater. La Cenerentola is a Rossini comic opera of Cinderella , and this was the concert reading thereof. Despite the stellar cast of Arthur Espiritu, Karin Mushegain, Beong In Park, Noel Azcona, Ronnie Abarquez, Myramae Menezes, Tanya Corquera with conductor Ang, it was the worst theater experience of my life. And it was not even because of the sound system, though I could not hear the males properly at the lower ranges when they didn't project their voices.

It was because of how this concert was treated.

La Cage Aux Folles, August 2015

When La Cage Aux Folles came out early this year, it barely came on my radar. I was aware of it, yes, but I had no intention of watching it. I'm not very interested in drag queens, aside from the occasional episode of RuPaul. Luckily, I was able to see what I was missing out on.

La Cage Aux Folles, done by 9 Works Theatrical, is as what one of their lines say: gaudy and grand. In a good way.

L'Oreal Smooth Intense Polishing Conditioner

Current conditioner: L'Oreal Smooth Intense Polishing Conditioner.

Does it work? 

Top Coats

This is a list of my current top coats that I've just recently checked for usability, with the last two about to be thrown out.

(L-R) China Glaze in Matte Magic, Orly Top 2 Bottom, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, Orly Won't Chip.

July Empties

Very few things were finished last month, but at least some things are officially gone.  This month's empties are:

L'Oreal Feria in Cherry Crush, Etude House Pearl Aura Brightening Essence Lotion, Clean & Clear Fruit Essentials Facial Cleanser in Energizing Berry and Victoria's Secret Body Lotion in Secret Charm.

The only thing that I haven't reviewed in this list is the Etude House Essence.

The Body Shop Shampoo in Rainforest Balance

If you've read my blog recently, you'll know that I dyed my hair red relatively recently. In order to help the color stick, I've been using The Body Shop Rainforest Balance, a shampoo for oily hair.

This shampoo costs P695 for 250 ml. Fortunately, I was able to buy this on sale! Why did I buy this?

Superhero Ennui

I'm getting tired of all the superhero movies going around. At first, like most of the world, I was enchanted with Nolan's Batman. Other movies followed, with varying degrees of success. I even supported some of the reboots: I preferred the X-Men 2011 reboot to its predecessor.

But now reboots are being rebooted, TV series linking to movie counterpart, and lesser known characters placed in the spotlight.

The new Fantastic Four? Count me out. Deadpool. Ditto.

And it's not even due to the characters themselves, but I'm oversaturated. I've missed some movies and am definitely passing on the TV series. The next superhero movie I plan on watching will be Batman vs. Superman, and it will be due to the attractive powers of Henry Cavill and Jeremy Irons… and curiosity as to a Jesse Eisenberg Lex Luthor.

Cupcake Lab Peanut Butter Reese Cupcake

Cupcakes are a bit of a dying trend in the Philippines. People have already gotten tired of the cronut. I'm hoping the macaron will gain more popularity, especially since Laduree is coming to the Philippines (but that's another story). However, there's still a part of me that craves a cupcake now and then.

I then ended up getting a Peanut Butter Reese Cupcake (not sure if this is the real name) at Cupcake Lab for P90.

Peanut Butter Reese Cupcake

Why? I love me some peanut butter and Reese. And this did not disappoint.

Reflections: Skin Changes

Looking back at my previous posts, I've realized that my skin is completely different from how it was as a teenager.

As a teenager, my face was oily and acne prone. I was heavily obsessed with anti-acne products, some more successful than others. Still, my skincare was relatively simple with emphasis on cleansing, toning and spot treatment. I was not very fond of most moisturisers since oil-free and gel variants weren't part of my vocabulary.

Tsoko Nut Batirol

Last Saturday, a bunch of us went to Ayala Museum in hopes of getting free entry. Unfortunately, the place was totally packed and we decided to go somewhere else.

We ended up at Tsoko Nut Batirol at SM Makati.

Tsoko Nut Batirol

Though they were selling these P99 cooler blends, I went and got the large hot chocolate Tsokolate Ah Batirol (P98).

Tsokolate Ah Batirol

While not as rich as some other blends, this is a very good mix of tablea chocolate that reminds me a lot of  my childhood. The cold version, which I sipped from one of my companions, was quite nice too.

I'd forgotten about this place but it was nice to be reminded again.

Victoria's Secret Hydrating Body Lotion in Secret Charm

Here I am holding my mostly empty bottle of an old bottle Victoria's Secret Hydrating Body Lotion in Secret Charm. This is not a new scent, because the bottle is old. I don't think the new lotions look like this anymore.

Victoria's Secret Secret Charm Hydrating Body Lotion (old version)

If you've read one of my older posts, you'll know that I have an endless stash of lotions: this was one of them. When I first used this, it seemed familiar to me, but I knew I never tried this before….

The Giving Tea Organic Green Tea

It's the little things that make life better, and one of the things that have made me happy is The Giving Tea's Organic Green Tea that R picked up for around 200 Baht (P260, $5). Its 100% certified organic status, is something that might draw people in, but there are other things that I like about it.

The Giving Tea Organic Green Tea

Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion

Time flies by so quickly: I remember when the Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion was a new thing, way before Bioderma's Sebium H2O entered the Philippine market.  It's a bit late now, but at least now I've got a better grasp of what the Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion can do.

Bifesta Cleansing Lotion

Bifesta is actually a cleansing water, and not a "lotion" as used normally. I used to use this on days where I couldn't wash my face properly - before the days when "beauty wipes" became in. Though I didn't feel perfectly clean after, I never had any irritation or break outs after using just this product at the start of the day. As to its original purpose as a make-up remover, I was happy enough with it as it was cheap at around P400 ($8) and it could take off my BB cream, blush, eyebrows, eyeshadow and lipstick.

L'Oreal Feria in Cherry Crush

I wasn't able to get a picture of the dilapidated box this came in, but these are the contents of the L'Oreal Feria Dye Box:

L'Oreal Feria Cherry Crush

Since my roots were showing after my last bleaching experience, I decided to dye my hair on a whim. Unfortunately, a quick trip to Watsons didn't yield a bubble dye for me to try so I decided to use this stored Box of L'Oreal Feria instead.

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum

During my previous posts, I complained about the old Nivea Body Milk but said that I was using the Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum as part of my summertime sun-sparers.

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum

Bought during the great Nivea sale, did I regret this purchase?

Green Frog Bus Review

Just this week I was able to try the Green Frog Bus System, once at 4 pm and one after 5. My first trip was comfortable: I lined up at the hybrid bus stop and was able to take a seat. I paid the exact fare and went down at another stop comfortably.

My second trip was murder.

Cafe de Seoul

Cafe de Seoul is a relatively old cafe at One Archers Place, Taft Avenue, Manila. I had a hard time finding the entrance to this place, because of its non-standard placement. The layout is interesting and not your standard square.

I liked that the place wasn't too cold, a probable malfunction in the airconditioning, but it has few outlets to use: this place is better suited for hanging out than working. You can also order rice meals. The decor was quirky, interesting, though not as well embelished as its older sibling, Noriter, another Korean coffee shop in the same area.

I liked their matcha tea latte, which was quite strong and sweet (customized). The staff is very accommodating. I'd hang out here again in the future, but I'd avoid the student crowd during rush hours.

Sushi Foodie

With all the Japanese restos around the Metro, I'm surprised it's the first time I've seen a sushi place (that's not a mall kiosk) catered specifically to those who want sushi on the go.

There was only a small variety of selections in Sushi Foodie (the place is relatively new, and I came relatively late in the day) so I chose the set below for P162 (~$3.5) because it looked like the most filling and appetising option. They had some cans of CC Lemon and a few other drinks, but it wasn't cold, so I declined.

Sushi Foodie P162 Set

As seen above, there are 8 pieces of maki divided into 3 pieces of nigirizushi, 1 piece inarizushi (3rd from top) and 4 makizushi (bottom 4).

Marumiya Ajidouraku

Are you kitchen-illiterate? Do you want cheap, cheap food?

If you answer yes to both questions, you are probably part of the population that exists on canned goods and instant noodles.

But did you know that you have another option?

All you need is rice - available via rice cooker, convenience store and cafeteria - and Marumiya's Ajidouraku: a  rice topping for the busy or lazy person!

Marumiya Ajidouraku

June Empties

Or, a list of bottles that took ages to empty.

June Empties

Sale Shopping in the Philippines

What have I been doing that I've been missing the mid-year sale?

While not as phenomenally marked down as the January end of the year sales, the mid-year sale (which lasts for most June and parts of July) is one of the best times to shop in the Philippines (a place without Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Yes, I believe that Black Friday and Cyber Monday should be capitalized. In the Philippines, where businesses do NOT believe in stacked discounts (coupons, discount vouchers etc. disclaiming their validity for regular items only) and international shipping (costing at least 100% more than the product itself in "taxes" if you are lucky enough to get the item), the end of the year and mid-year sale are the best time to find good deals on clothes and shoes.

Always look closely at what you're buying. You're buying not only old stock, but products that may have been manhandled a thousand times. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no "lemon" laws for wearable items on sale, not in the Philippines. Recent trips to an international clothing chain and shoe chain have told me that all these transactions, being sale items, were final.

Now, this may be obvious and more helpful next year since it's already July, and most stores are already on the tail end of their sales, but items that are still in store at the end of a sale are probably undesirable (whether innate or acquired). It may still be too expensive for the audience it's catering to, in a size too small or too large (advantageous if you go to an international store with non-average sizing), or have a defect you can't see at first glance. You may be able to haggle the price down (if you really want the item) in small businesses, but most stores in malls will not allow further reductions for even glaringly inferior products (such as stains, tears, etc.).

On the other hand, be prepared for LARGE crowds, especially at the start of the sale. Wherever malls are built in Manila, the people flock and traffic slows to a crawl. This is a hundred times worse during big sales and some major malls become so crowded that it becomes impossible to try on items in a dressing room, pay without queueing for hours, use the public restroom, eat in a decently-priced restaurant, park inside the building, or even move without hitting another person.

I know a mall, which I will not name, that I refuse to step into when it's on sale for reasons of preserving my sanity and my ability to breathe. If you do decide to go to such a sale, eat well, empty your bladder before hand, wear something you can easily put clothes over (shorts, spaghetti strap and slippers) and gird your loins… maybe bring a lemming if your morals allow you to: I have seen women have children, SO's and service personnel line up at the cashier while they shop.

As someone who has been in the poor soul's position, unless the other offers to save you a spot, don't. I generally prefer going to smaller malls with less traffic, if I go at all. While the selection is not as varied,  I end up being able to do more and even enjoy the experience.

However, if you do like seeing people losing their temper to get a "must have,"mall sales are the place to be. Also, if you like stealing stuff (theft done by both shoppers and pickpockets). Watch all your things, and people too (because, kidnap does happen here). Note that the mall is not a place for infants and young children that tend to cry, get hungry and get lost. However, if you're lucky, you might find a place for some of your youngsters: While there are few actual day care centers in Manila, I've seen a revival of the "mall playcare centers." Slots may be enough for regular days, but not during big sales.

This post is incomplete and may be edited in the future!

Hopefully, this will be helpful for future shoppers.

Not sorry for the semi-long post.

Clinique: Can you guess?

A remnant from one of Clinique's Bonus Time offers ages ago (old but unused), some of you may be familiar with this blue and silver tube:

A short pause to think about it.






Hint, its's a mascara.









This is the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara, and its not quite as its namesake promises: It's quite capable of lengthening my short, stubbly lashes without spiders or clumps; but it does not double the size. Even with the first coat, my lashes are much visibly longer, though not much volume is added. Using 1-3 coats looks natural enough with smaller length increases with each added coat. Though it doesn't look quite so natural, I've used up to 5 coats without any problems for added volume. The wand is the regular pine cone/christmas tree shape, and it's fairly easy to use. I don't have any problems with its drying time either, just a few minutes and I'm good to go.

Unnfortunately, in this weather, it tends to smudge in like crazy, giving me instant dark circles. Ugh. I can use it if I'm sure to be in an air conditioned room the entire time, but not if I'm exposed to a tiny bit of heat (which is all the time in the Philippines!). At night, with temperatures on the cool side, it'll last around 3 hours before smudging.

As a freebie, I can't really judge the price, but the Clinique Bonus Time offers are always worth it for me…

Can I use this mascara? Sometimes, but I wouldn't recommend this purchase for people who live in the tropics.  I think this works quite well for quick night excursions or in-office use (applied in your office's bathroom) but it's no substitute for a waterproof mascara. I'll be using this but I'll be passing along any  tubes I see in the future.

Sunplay Skin Aqua Acne Clear Milk

As shown in my previous pre-sun care routine, I've been using Sunplay Skin Aqua Acne Clear Milk for my face this summer. The picture below was its original packaging and I'm not sure how much it costs now, but I remember it being quite cheap.

This bottle contains 25 g of product that promises SPF 50+ and PA ++. I've been using it for a while and I haven't run out yet. The milk itself is white and watery, but doesn't leave a whitish cast. The scent isn't remarkable and it dries quickly without being sticky. It's marketed towards those with acne prone skin, and while I haven't seen a definite improvement because this product, it hasn't worsened at all (no clogged pores for me!). However, from what I can read on the back, this product also contains vitamin C and E, so those who are sensitive to vitamin E may decide to steer clear.

I wouldn't recommend using this on the eyes. While I do this since I don't have a dedicated eye cream with SPF right now (as I stated before), it is a bit irritating used alone.

Summertime: Sunsavers 2015

Before summer ends and the rainy season officially begins, here's a quick look at the products I've been using.

(L-R) Nivea UV Whitening Serum, OraLabs Lip Naturals Lip Balm, Sunplay Skin Aqua and Neutragena UltraSheer Sunblock

Nivea UV Whitening Serum: used on the body for "regular days" when I'm sure I don't go out in the sun. Review to be done in the future.

OraLabs Lip Naturals Lip Balm: used on the lips

Sunplay Skin Aqua: used on my face. I don't have a dedicated eye cream with sun protection so this also ends up over a non-retinol eye cream. (Also, I just realized that I didn't review this, so review in the future!).

Neutrogena UltraSheer Sunblock: used on the body for days with known sun exposure. I'd use this everyday, but it's too costly to do so for me.  While I probably won't review it anymore (because I didn't review this either, apparently), this was a hoarded item that I'm considering stopping just to try newer (and less expensive) body blocks.

Use sun protection everyday, even when it's cloudy. However, honestly, I try but I usually end up skipping the body blocks during rainy season...

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza

I've finally been able to try Gino's Brick Oven Pizza at Podium Mall!

Gino's Brick Oven Pizza

I've been curious about this restaurant ever since C recommended it, but I've only been able to try it recently. So far I was able to try the following:

SMEGG, P420

 A pizza composed of sausage, mushroom, egg, gouda and cream. Very good by itself but I think it works better with their Spicy Honey.

Salted Egg, P190

Salty, delicious and interesting. I'd try this again.

BOMB, P420

Balsamic onions, mushroom, blue cheese. My favorite pizza of the night. The mushrooms had just the right level of sweetness and the blue cheese complemented nicely.

Aglio Olio Pasta, P170

A bit too heavy on the olive oil, probably wouldn't order again.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza, P395

Tomato sauce, mozzarella, buffalo chicken, blue cheese. A lot of my companions loved this, and I liked it too (especially with the super generous mozarella serving). It was a bit too spicy for me though.

I loved the pizzas I've tried and would probably return for the same or other varieties. Each pizza is sliced into 6 generous slices, and I'd honestly be able to put away half a pizza because of how good it is.

Something to try is the dalandan pitcher for P170 because it's pretty rare to find in a restaurant. It's pretty sweet and the pitcher serves around 6, diluted in ice.

Gino's has pretty great value for pretty good pizza. Service was decent, and the place looked well enough with metal and wood furnishings. The only problem I had was the prevalence of backless chairs, which could be replaced with normal dining chairs.

I highly recommend this place.

DIY Hair Bleach Hortaleza Professional

Before you start DIY Hair Bleaching, you should either know what you're doing or accept whatever mistakes you make. Color correction is expensive and you're better off going to a salon if you aren't willing to laugh at and live with your mistakes. There are some great, inexpensive salons out there and vouchers are available for some others. If you still want to try DIYing your hair bleaching, then continue.

You will need:

1) Bleach Powder - Hortaleza Professional Hair Bleach Powder (below)

2) Developer - Hortaleza Oxidizing Lotion 12% (below)

3) Tinting Brush - brand forgotten (unknown)

4) Non-metal Bowl - repurposed Victoria's Secret Body Butter tub

5) Gloves - I used latex gloves, but vinyl prefereed

6) Clamps - not pictured

7) Shampoo - not pictured

In addition, I'd recommend having:

1) Hair treatment - Cream Silk Hair Treatment (a remnant of years ago before a packaging change, maybe I should review this in the future)

2) Cape - I recycled the capelet from the Richenna Bubble Dye set. Also, use the grottiest clothes you own while doing this.

3) Detachable showerhead - makes clean-up easy

4) Good ventilation - to get rid of that ammonia-bleach parlor smell

5) Friend - to help with the hard to reach areas

Get all your things ready. Make sure to prepare your bathroom by taking out anything that you don't want bleached or laying out newspapers to catch anything as you would by dyeing.

Put on gloves and mix your bleach powder and developer. The Hortaleza Professional Hair Bleach Powder is a blue tinted powder, though it can't be seen well in the picture. Empty a single packet for short hair reaching around chin level. You'll need more for longer hair.

Hortaleza Professional Hair Bleach Powder

Make sure you have your ventilators on as you add the developer with a 1:1 ratio.  I used the 12% because I have very dark hair. Mix with the tint brush.

Hortaleza Professional Hair Bleaching Powder + Oxidizing Lotion 12%

Use the tint brush to apply on hair. Ideally, you'll have person help you reach the back areas, else you might miss areas of your head. Apply around an inch from your scalp, using clamps to segment your hair. Go back for the roots after 15 minutes.

I followed the instructions on the back of the packet, but realized the time wasn't long enough to bleach my oily roots. It's better to judge by the color - I removed mine once I saw lightening at the roots by rinsing until the water ran from blue to clear, and then shampooing once. The bleaching process turns your hair into straw so make sure to use a good hair treatment both immediately after and the weeks to come.

The Hortaleza Professional Hair Bleaching Powder and Oxidizing Lotion bleaches well. Unfortunately, it does this by damaging hair and your sense of smell. If you don't mind the hassle, the set cots less than P200.

Vaseline Itch & Dandruff Free Milk Nutrient Shampoo

I'd never thought I'd end up reviewing something like this, but this shampoo was a pleasant surprise. This caught my eye as I was looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo. I'd gotten tired of the most popular options here in the Philippines, Head and Shoulders and Guard, and this one caught my eye for the "New!" tag it had on its bottle.

I've forgotten how much this costs, but it was less than P200 for a 275ml bottle. As shown in the cover, it's meant to be a family shampoo and has a gender neutral, but distinctively strong Vaseline scent. I like the strong fragrance in this weather because it doesn't fade and doesn't turn rank or "amoy araw" due to the heat.

It also does what it's meant to do, after 1-2 weeks of 4x week of use , I was 100% itch and dandruff free. As with most OTC shampoos, zinc was the active ingredient responsible for it.

If you have dandruff and live in the tropics, and don't mind the strong scent, I'd recommend you give this a try.

Nestea Red Tea

It's been a long couple of weeks, and I haven't been blogging because of everything that's been happening in my life. For now, I just want to make a quick post about my favorite powdered drink, Nestea's Red Tea -  a limited edition drink whose run has ended quite suddenly.

Summer Powdered Drinks

Pictured above Nestea Honey Tea, Tang Apple, Tang Four Seasons, Nestea Red Tea Sachet Packs

For the past few months, I bought this by the sachet, each sachet giving one liter of sugary goodness with a taste of raspberry. Unfortunately, I thought it would run through summer and failed to hoard enough to last me through it.

It is now no longer available in my grocery, replaced by a honey flavor (backmost in the picture).

I'd really like to know if anyone knows where to find the last of this goodness.

Rexona: Whitening Deodorant

Rexona's whitening deoderant promises lighter underarms in two weeks. While I was unable to see this effect, Rexona still didn't let me down as an anti-perspirant/deodorant.

It's active ingredient is aluminum chlorhydrate, second after water. While it does contain sunflower oil, ranked fourth after glycerin, and licorice root extract as the final ingredient, I was unable to appreciate any whitening capabilities.

The scent is on the sporty side, though not as intense as Skin White's deodorant. While I rank its antiperspirant capabilities as good, lasting around 24 hours of the 48 hour claim, the deodorizing capability is much weaker lasting 10-12 hours.

In other words, it's good at keeping the area dry, but not so good at keeping it stink free. If your problem is simple sweatiness, I'd recommend this product.

I probably would like to try other products, since I'm looking for an HG underarm product, but this is a good anti-perspirant/deodorant at an even better price point.

Saizen Instant Noodles

The country is crazy about ramen. Unfortunately, there few sources of ramen that can be considered both good and affordable. One of the best instant noodles I've tried is from Nissin and are found in Daiso/Saizen Japan. I bought these when they were 70% off and about to go off but they retail for P88 normally.

This is the   noodle bowl I'm talking about. Each cooks for around 3 minutes, use 420 ml of water and contain a whopping 497 Cals. The red one comes with a little tempura piece and a spice packet set. To make, put 420 ml of boiling water in the bowl along with the bigger half of the spice packet (the one on top of the fork).

I love the Nissin soba noodles because they both look and taste good. I like it more than the ones at Family Mart, and for around the same price. After three minutes, you should see the results below:

They look great, and taste quite differently from local instant noodles. It's not quite as good as the real thing but the price and energy value is quite nice.

Add the tempura piece and the smaller half of the spice packet:

Eat and enjoy!

Saizen Natural Pack (Charcoal Mask)

If you've used this tube, you've been a fan of the Saizen Natural Pack mask since it was launched! This is such a late post, but I've deferred blogging about this mask until I finished the last of my stash. The current packaging is a bit fatter, but it's the same product. This product costs P88 at Saizen, and while I've seen it go out of stock, I've never seen it go on sale.  

Saizen Natural Pack (Charcoal Mask)

The Saizen charcoal mask is a black peel-off mask to be used after cleansing. Each tube will last 5-7 applications, depending on how generous you are. I like to use a lot of product because it makes it easier for me to peel off. However, this method insures a longer drying time of around 25-30 minutes. Alternatively, use only and the nose and have a 15-20 minute drying time!

I've tried to take it off in the middle of drying, and it's very difficult to clean off with make-up remover and impossible with cleanser. Make sure you're ready for at least 30 minutes of a black face with limited mobility!

I've found that it's possible to peel off this mask in one piece. It is a bit difficult, but you can just roll the peeled off mask into a ball and dab on those missed pieces. Peeling isn't painful but may be uncomfortable as I've found it to be on the adherent side.

Afterwards, skin feels clean and on the tight side with some dirt/whiteheads visible on the mask. This won't work miracles but it's a good weekly maintenance mask. Make sure to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer afterwards for best results.

I've gone through 3 bottles of this product and I'm contemplating getting another if I can't find anything that catches my eye soon.

April Empties: Watsons Hand Soap Refills and Herbal Essences Color Me Happy

Last April, I was finally able to finish my hand soap refills from Watsons from their P109 BOGO promo and my Herbal Essences Color Me Happy shampoo and conditioner! It's not much but I was really happy to get rid of some stuff in my bathroom.

For the hand soaps, I got the Lavender Gel and Honey and Cream Cream (not pictured) 500 ml refill packs. I like the Honey and Cream soap more because it's a more unique scent and since it's a cream, it leaves my hands more moisturised. I like that it's quite cheap compared to other hand soap options (especially as a refill), but it's not quite as cheap as Daiso's* P88 for a 1liter bottle option. I find that I get tired of having the same hand soap after a while so I'll probably buy more from the brand, especially their creamier options, if other scents catch my eye.

Herbal Essences Color Me Happy

As for the shampoo and conditioner, these were inherited from M when she realized I kept using hers. They've been with me for a while, but I've been using them only when I had my hair colored since that's what it's labeled for. I think the packaging has changed, but I do like the way this set looks and pairs together in the bathroom. The set contains Morrocan Rose and Passion Fruit extracts and it smells quite nice - floral with fresh tones. The shampoo contains sulfates that make it lather quite well (something I do love), but might bother those who prefer their hair products sulfate-free, especially for those with color treated hair. I'm not particularly bothered by it since I don't believe in sulfates lifting color, but I do tend to wash my hair more on this product (because it smells so good), which does the opposite of preserving hair color…

I really like how this product smells, and it does a decent job of conditioning my hair without leaving my scalp either dry or oily. I would recommend this product for anyone who loves rose-floral scents, but not particularly for hair color preservation.


*Edited to Daiso, originally Saizen. I get confused :D

Summertime: May Days!

Summer is definitely here, and while some people are going to the beach, some are stuck with the daily grind. Either way, the hottest month(s?) of the year is just beginning. This is a friendly reminder to:

1. Stay hydrated! Drink enough water that your pee runs clear. I prefer plain water, iced due to the heat. However, if you find that you sweat more than usual due to exercise and the like (IMO, unthinkable in this heat), you might want to consider adding the water and electrolytes you lose back with additional sports drinks or even ORS.

2. Keep cool! Avoid things that will make you retain heat such as occlusive ointments and tightly woven fabrics. Let your body sweat and let that sweat evaporate to cool you even further. It may not look that good, but it's good for you. Did you know that sweating keeps you cool?

3. Avoid the sun! As I said before, use a broad spectrum sunscreen - with at least SPF 30. If you can stand it, chose clothes that will hide your skin from the sun. At the very least, avoid the sun from 10 am to 3 pm. Umbrellas and wide brimmed hats are your friends.

The youngest and oldest members of society are more prone to heat stroke. If you see someone getting dizzy due to the heat, bring this person to a shaded area, hydrate and try to cool him or her off. Please consult with a medical professional when more serious events such as fainting or seizures occur.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil

I got a few samples of the Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil a year ago when my friends and I went to the Japanese film festival. Luckily, I was the only one interested in the products. :) Since I still had my Bifesta (and I can't seem to find my review on this, so I'll be doing one soon, late as it is -_-), I ended up using this when it wasn't available. This is the pic of my last sample. I've tried a few of the Shu Cleansing Oils (yellow, green and pink variants) and I find this the best of the bunch.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil (sample)

Why? Among all the Shu Oils, this gives me the softest skin - moisturizer and second cleanser no longer required - while leaving my skin feeling very clean and residue-free. I have no make-up left on my face (admittedly using a BB cream instead of a foundation) with the toner test after using this. With the other oils, I still feel the need to do a second cleanse to get the residue off.

Unfortunately, the price of this cleansing oil (a bit more than their regular oils) is too steep for me, especially since bottles should be used within 6 months of opening - and I'm not a frequent make up user (yes, I know I'm supposed to double cleanse after sunblock… but I often don't). While it would look very nice, it would probably end up going rancid in my dresser. If you regularly use make-up, you might want to give this a try.

I'd recommend this product for those people with dry skin that need a moisturising make up remover.

Saturday Salads

I've been eating more salads this summer. By choice. And this is not to lose weight, but because I've found that I get tired of eating hot food on hot days. Salads, with their crisp crunchiness and pops of color, are a cool alternative for those who just can't bear the heat.

A basic salad has ingredients that all come from the ref. Fancier options may involve heat, but laziness and a lack of cooking skills prevent me from doing so. Unfortunately, my basic  salad consisting of pretty leaves + tomatoes + dressing don't really keep me full long so I usually add more protein to the mix.  

If my salad is a snack between meals: add olives and/or cheese.

If my salad is a meal: add tuna.

Salad Lunch

I like putting everything on a plate so that I can see exactly what and how much I'll be eating before I mix it up. It makes my eyes full as well as my tummy.

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd actually like salads, but here we are.

Summer is now a time for ice cream, iced drinks and salads.

Human Heart Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel

Since I've been trying to get rid of all the clutter in my room, and save some cash, it's been more and more difficult for me to justify buying products. However, one thing I'll need probably forever are anti-acne products and at P200 ($4-5), the Human Heart Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel was something I couldn't pass on.

Unfortunately, as I've lost the box, I've taken the ingredients list from their website.

Ingredients as taken from the website: aqua (water), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf essential oil, levulinic acid (rice/corn-derived), glyceryl caprylate (coconut oil, palm oil and glycerin-derived), glycerin, dehydroxanthan gum, zinc lactate, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, p-anisic acid (anise seed-derived), phytic acid (rice-derived)

At first glance, it isn't expensive, but it actually comes out at P10/gram, so this isn't exactly cheap either. I used to use tea tree oil spot treatments either from zen zest or a private supplier and I'd consider this midpriced, though very affordable.  The pump bottle is a bit strange with the actual dispenser sticking out of the cover. It's not as hygienic but since I leave it on my dresser, it's not a big issue. I wouldn't recommend sticking this in your bag because while the cap insures that it won't spill, it could end up touching other things.

The gel looks cloudy when thick (as seen in the right side of the pic) but it's quite clear when thinner. It is easy to apply as it doesn't run at all, and I've had no problems controlling the amount of product dispensed from the bottle. While it takes around 10 minutes to dry fully, it does dry clear as a thin plastic-like film after dabbed on. However, I recommend using this product over a clean face since I can't really put anything over it after it dries.

It fares well enough on smaller zits and helps heal them a bit quicker than they would alone and with lest pigmentation afterwards. It is not very helpful for the larger ones though. The best thing about this product for me is that, unlike other spot treatments which remain wet for long periods of time (oils), bleach everything (benzoyl) or give weird colors (mario badescu/murad), I'm not afraid to go outside with this on. However, it does magnify larger, pus-filled zits in an unflattering way.

I don't think I'd rebuy this product simply because I find that the oils themselves have more uses than this gel does for the same price, and I'd like to find a product that targets both large and small zits. However,  I'd recommend this product if you're simply looking for a spot treatment for mild acne at a decent price.

Colgate Optic White

Summer is here, and aside from the standard body shaping and hair removal, teeth whitening is one of the IN procedures people want. It may seem weird to include teeth in the beach ready body… but I guess tanned faces look nicer with whiter smiles.

I on the other hand got this toothpaste + toothbrush combo of Colgate Optic White because it was on offer for P99.

I began using both toothpaste and toothbrush twice a day after meals and after 4 days...

I got noticeably whiter teeth!

Now, this version of Optic White doesn't seem to have any optic brighteners, but the toothpaste does contain hydrogen peroxide, good for bleaching. I haven't tried the newer variants (with stated optic brighteners) and other brands with optic brighteners, but I'm quite happy with this one. However, since unlike other versions, this doesn't promise to keep the stain off so I can't drink my tea and coffee as I usually like it if I want to preserve the color.

I don't recommend this product for long term use. Even though it says its enamel safe, it could weaken both teeth and gums. Currently, I use this 4 days a week and switch with a non-whitening toothpaste for the other three days. I've seen a slight improvement since the first week but it's not very drastic.

I will finish this tube, but I think next time I need a whitening boost, I think I'd go for the one with stain protection.

Contraception: Calendar Method

Note: This is an experimental post.

Ang pinakasimpleng paraan para hindi mabuntis ay ang abstinensya, ngunit hindi ito nagagawa ng maraming tao dahil sa iba't ibang dahilan. Kung ayaw mong gumamit ng paraang kemikal o magpa-opera, may iba't ibang paraang natural para iwasan ito. Isa sa paraang ito ay ang Calendar Method.

Para magamit ang Calendar Method kailangan na:

• Naitala mo kung gano katagal ang regla mo ng 6 na buwan na nakalipas.
• Hindi iikli sa 27 na araw ang pagitan ng iyong regla kada buwan sa 6 na buwan na nakalipas.
• Handa kang magtala at sundan ang galaw ng iyong katawan.

1. Sa 6 na buwan na nakalipas, hanapin ang pinakamaikling pagititan ng unang araw ng regla.

Halimbawa:

Ang unang araw ng regla ay naitala sa sa isang kalendaryo.

May 28 na araw na pagitan ng unang araw ng regla.

2. Magbawas ng 18 dito.

28-18= 10

3. Sa 6 na buwan na nakalipas,  hanapin ang pinakamahabang pagitan ng unang araw ng regla.

Halimbawa:

Ang unang araw ng regla ay naitala sa sa isang kalendaryo.

May 33 na araw na pagitan ng unang araw ng regla.

4. Magbawas ng 11 dito.

33-11= 22

5. Itala ang unang araw ng regla ngayong buwan at magbilang mula sa araw na ito hanggang sa dalawang numerong nakuha. Bawal makipagtalik (ng walang ibang proteksyon) sa pagitan nito.

Halimbawa:

Ang unang araw ng regla ay naitala sa iba-iba.

Kung ang unang araw ng regla sa buwan ng Abril ay ang unang araw ng Abril, magbilang sa araw na ito hanggang sa 10 na araw at 22 na araw ng Abril. Bawal ang pagtatalik ng walang ibang proteksyon mula April 10 hanggang April 22.


Kailangan tignan ang 6 na buwan na nakalipas bawat buwan!