Shady Brand Alert: Triquetra

Trawling thru BeautyMNL and I found this:

Can you see the shady thing?

Travelling Tip: Shampoo and Body Wash

I am not the only one that does this, but it deserves some consideration in this era of super specialized products. When travelling, consider using the same shampoo and body wash to save the hassle of packing a lot of stuff!

I do this for both long trips away from home and short ones. For the former, I use a bottle of shampoo I know to be good at cleaning but not stripping to the hair and body and smells good. For the past year, I have been using both the red and purple versions of Hana shampoo. This is the purple one, Garden Blooms and Lychees.

It is even better for short trips with sachets. I use one a day and it's great because I don't like keeping them for later use. Using 1 sachet for the whole body is better than 1 sachet for 2 and 1/2 uses as shampoo of some sort.

Of course, I just buy the bottles which come with sachets as part of the purchase since I am not much into purchasing sachets. :D The price of 200ml of product is around P150-180 and usually can be found with a lot of sachets as a freebie.

Personal Care Acne Control Treatment Pads

Currently out of town and I realized that I just emptied this without talking about it!

So before I throw it out, here are my thoughts regarding these pads:

Nivea Sun Protect & White Whitening Sun Protection Face Cream

I'm sorry, I tried my best to like you but I really can't.

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me, maybe we're just not meant to be.

Massive Sun Protection Post

Since it's summer, it's only right to post a lot about sun related products and reminders. This is one of the latter: Guys, regarding sunscreen, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends 3 things:

1. SPF 30 or higher
2. Broad spectrum
3. Water resistant

But why and what else?

FYI, you can just end here (check out the beautiful infographic by informationisbeautiful).

An Empty and a Bit: Bare Lotions in Rosemary and Green Tea

A long time ago in a post far, far away from the top, I reviewed a conditioner by Bare, which I enjoyed. Better than that though, is their key product:

LOTIONS!

I actually reviewed a lotion mix by Bare before this but this is a bit more in depth.

Banana Boat Ultra Protect Faces Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Last week, I posted on why I disliked Beach Hut's sunblock. I was glad that I wasn't a complete leech and brought my own facial sunblock! Banana Boat's Ultra Protect Faces Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 was the sun protector I used during my last provincial trip and this is what I've found.

Short Rant on Online Shopping

I don't do a lot of online shopping because in order to save money, I like to experience the physical pain of giving cold hard cash instead of the ease of card usage. I do use other methods such as gcash and dragonpay, but that sometimes involves lining up...

However, supplied with my phone, I do a lot of online window shopping. But I sometimes get a little frustrated with certain retailers. Why?

Beach Hut Max SPF 100 Sunblock

Store pic because I didn't buy this. It was my friend's sunblock and I tried to use it on vacation. I actually wasn't going to post about it but I've been seeing a lot of Watsons related posts for the summer which included this as one of the brand picks.

IMO, if you're thinking of buying this, don't!

Acne Patch Alternative

Half dinished another article before realizing I cannot post about it due to reasons. Hayz. Instead, here is my alternative to those expensive acne patches!

DIY Lip Scrub

Ya know, there was a time in my life where I really wanted those bullet type exfoliating lip scrubs (around the time matte liquid lips became en vogue) but they seemed so expensive just for the price of convenience of having it in stick form. And I wasn't a big fan of matte lips anyway so I shelved that thought. But as liquid lips became the norm, I found my lips getting chappier (there was a shortish period where I stopped balming it up because I am very very lazy) until I decided to get a lip scrub. And got sticker shock again. I mean, P200-400 for an edible lip scrub? NO WAY!

I can make my own without spending any extra money, thank you. Here's how:

Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert 2018

Is just ok.

A mostly strong supporting cast (hello pharisees :D) but balanced with a lukewarm Mary Magdalene and a weak Herod and Jesus. Seriously, Jesus.

Everytime I look at you I don't understand... if you are having an asthma attack. Or if you understand your character that well. Poor Judas.

Staging isn't bad either but pretty rushed and static with regards to the leads. No flow, no interaction with the main character...

You are still much better of watching the 1973 or 2000 version. I haven't seen 2012 so I can't compare.

Sensodyne Repair & Protect Toothpaste (First Look)

GUYS, I AM SO EXCITED OVER TOOTHPASTE I HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED THAT I AM IN CAPSLOCK!

Forget about salt, baking soda and charcoal. They clean your teeth... but the best thing has always been fluoride with a little something extra for sensitive teeth... until this decade.

Watsons' Smith&Crawford Hand Lotion in Sea of Petals

Darn my stupid last in and last out tendencies, but I finally got to try a hand lotion I got last year...

Watsons' Smith& Crawford Hand Lotion in Sea of Petals!

Sun 2018

Life has been busy lately so I wasn't able to stop by Watsons' sun event. Which is a good thing, in a way, since I still have 3 body blocks good for daily use.

These are, from left to right: Nivea Extra White Whitening Body Serum, Silka Premium Whitening Body Lotion, and Vaseline Healthy White SPF 30 Serum. All three are decent for everyday use, but I would NOT bring these to the beach. All of them are SPF 30 and above but not one is labelled as a true Sunblock. They do vastly differ in terms of scent and texture.

Mia Care Acne Patches

No pictures, because I accidentally finished both day and night patches without taking any.

The mia care patches come in day and night versions both as singles and in combinations. I bought the day and night as a combination in watsons and it costed around P220 (I think?) For 18 patches. The singles cost P160 for 12.

Day patches are very thin and you can put it on when going out, as long as you aren't under acrutiny and you change it as soon as the patch gets soaked. You have to change this often as 1. Gross 2. The patch doesn't absorb as much as its night counterpart.

Night patches are thicker with good sticking power. They absorb more, but are very visible.

With how accessible these are I will probably by them again. The day patches are cosmetically acceptable and the night patches stick well. I wish though that they had good sizing options.

The Nexcare patches I tried before seems a bit better with pus absorption and it has 2 sizes, though the smaller ones sometimes move at night. It is also harder to find.

I will either try the CosRx option or try to math out which patches are cheaper in the future!

The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Moisturizing Toner

Nearly empty! It has lasted quite a while and it will probably last me through the month. You can't really see it but only around  fifth is lefth of the toner.

If you want yourself some quick, cheap hydration, you might want to take a look at this!

Cloud Cosmetics Pore Refresher

Short post because.... I have sadly lost the bottle! But I really liked Cloud Cosmetics Pore Refresher Spray Mist.

Huhuhu. Why is it gone?

Balanga, Bataan

If you haven't been to Bataan, then you should! I, myself, regret not being able to spend more than a night in Bataan (details later), but I would definitely go back again if it were possible.

Chinese New Year

Happiness is a tub, a mask and a beer. Happy long weekend!

The Face Shop Designing Eyebrow Pencil

After I first bought this product, I thought it was just ok since while it was packaged well, it isn't a lot of product at 0.3g compared to eyebrow pencils.

Boy was I wrong.

Mumuso Perfume Hand Cream in Avocado

The full name of this product is really long: Mumuso Natural Avocado Soothing Pefume Hand Cream Avocado. This was given to me, as the like was really popular last Christmas because it's cheap, cute and very useful.

Unfortunately, as I didn't go that route, I don't know how much this costs, but I know it's very affordable, probably a bit less than P100 for a duo or trio.

Ballet: Don Quixote

From February 9 to 18, Ballet Philippines will be staging a shortened version of Don Quixote at CCP's Main Theater. This version is very short and palatable, divided into 3 acts with two intermissions such that even newcomers will enjoy.

The show boasts a solid cast, from the ensemble to the leads. Both male and female leads, Joseph Gatti and Candice Adea performed very well both during solos and pas des deux. Honestly, during the performance I watched, the former shined a bit brighter than the latter due to the seeming effortlessness of the male. Then again, it's hard to be a girl on pointe shoes!

The set was unexpectedly lavish, windmills available. Costumes were par for the course. All in all, a visual treat. Music was done by the Manila Symphony Orchestra - enjoy the interludes between acts.

I do not know how other performers will fare, but I do recommend watching the Gatti and Adea performance.

Rexona Motionsense Antiperspirant

I don't know what it is, but wow, Rexona's Motionsense antiperspirant really lasts over 24 hours.

Masters Oil Control Max Facial Scrub

While I had no power, I ended up at my parents' and ended up using one of my dad's facial washes: Master's Oil Control Max Facial Scrub.

Though I did have a small sample I used nearly a decade ago, I forgot how the smell was. Very man cologne. Men would not object.

Updates

Life is hard when you have no water.

Life is expensive when you need a plumber.

Parts and labor are separate things.

Can't live without it.

Goodbye to my wallet.

The Shelf: January 2018

The Shelf.

Bobbie Nail Polish Remover with Formula 30 Acetone

Just finished up a small bottle of Bobbie Nail Polish Remover with Formula 30. I don't know how it differs formula wi from the big bottled version I bought and finished a long time ago during my more nail-centric years, but the smaller version is terrible for some reason. Both large and small versions give you green fingers from rubbing, but I can't seem to remove polish well with the smaller one. The giant bottle I bought ages ago never had this problem even to the last bits, so I'm betting it's a cap tightness thing that was the issue as I didn't have this problem when I started using the remover at first.

JASON C-Effects Super-C Cleanser

I have been using JASON's C-effects Super-C Cleanser for around half a year. At first I wasn't quite sure that this actually had a lot of vitamin-C, orange scent not withstanding. However, a bit after a quarter month in, I noticed that the color of the product changed from clear to something with a slight yellow tint.

Darn it. Should have used more before it started turning.

Nichido True Color Collection in Bronze Eclair

Kinda late since I've been generally off social media for the holidays, but I've been using a Nichido single for the past month or two whenever there's been a gathering.

Miniso 1000 Cotton Pads

This tub is amazing. I am not quite sure, but this was P99 for 1000 pieces of cotton pads in Miniso. I used to buy the 2 for 100 pads at Daiso, but I am now a convert.

Tsujiri

Ceremonial tea daw, but uzucha taste :/

Spotted: Brush Cleaners

Stopped by Daiso and saw two brush cleaners: A small palm sized one for P88 and a huge mat for P188. Still thinking which one I should buy, but either would be a good investment, methinks.

P2P Galleria-Glorietta

Still in the commuter's hellscape that is Makati. Rode the P2P bus both ways from Galleria to Glorietta.

To Glorietta: Bus late by 20 minutes.

From Glorietta: Bus late by 1 hour and 30 minutes. Most sites not updated as loading point is no longer at Park Square.

P2P, like the green frog bus is great in theory but lacking in execution.

Basic Bleaching Set

Hi, you all. For those who are interested, this is my basic bleaching set:

1. Powdered Bleach
2. Oxidizing Lotion
3. Shampoo (for rinsing and bleach baths)
4. Tint Brush
5. Plastic container (mixing bowl)
6. Protective eye wear

Not included in picture
7. Gloves
8. Towel
8. Hair clips
9. Shower cap

Matilda 2017

Matilda, a show by children, for children.

There is no denying that the children casted in Matilda are very good. While not very impressive as actors, both song and dance numbers were done quite well by all counts. Esang de Torres, who performs as the titular lead, is a treat to the ears though a bit wooden (I can't really see her being Naughty).

As for the adults, well, they're a hoot. And while Jamie Wilson is no Bertie Carvel, he entertains both eyes and ears very well. The only exception is Chris Villonco's Ms. Honey, who takes Pathetic a bit too seriously.

To be honest, I'm not sold on Matilda, the musical as I found the movie to be more true to the book. However, I can see that this musical is a good way to introduce theater to both children and adults as there is enough "adult" content in a child appropriate setting. I can also appreciate the revolutionary spirit that will eventually lead them to Les Miserables (lol).

Honestly, I really didn't want to watch this as it was in Meralco Theater, but surprise! This musical started within 15 minutes of the desired time. Yay! Thank you, Atlantis for promptness.

I'd recommend this for all children, and for the parents that will come with them. Die hard book fans may be split, but I'd recommend watching to find out where you lie.

Matilda will run at Meralco Theater until December 10, 2017.