Why Say No When You Can Just Say Cheese?

It is bright and sunny as I am typing this - the storm has settled down and finally found its way out of the country. "Glenda" certainly gave Manila a beating huh? It sure spooked the hell out of me too, during its height two days ago, what with its mighty blow running for three hours - an ample amount of time to leave the entire metro in absolute havoc. Even though I was in the comforts of my own room, I still couldn't help but be worried about the safety of my loved ones. But good thing that's all over with now. Only thing left for us to do is to clean up the trail of mess that is occupying the major streets of the Metro, move on, and just charge everything that happened to experience. 

(Photo from my instagram: jemyeahreyes) 

 Meanwhile, while I was confined to the four walls of my room yesterday, since pretty much the entire city was experiencing a total blackout, I decided to catch up on my reading. I ended up reading Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It's such an easy and light read that I finished the whole thing in less than an hour. What fascinated me the most with this self help book is how simple and blatantly written it was, and if you didn't know anything about it, you might even associate it with a children's book because of the large fonts and the fact that it is a less-than-a-hundred paged writing. Shortly after reading it, I found myself thinking real hard about life again. 

Do you ever get of one those moments? Moments wherein you begin to question life, you begin to question your philosophies in life & whether the path you're treading on is of the right path? Very rarely do I get those, but when I do fall into that abyss, I always pick up something from it. 

See, what I realized is, that life is simple. Yes, I know, everyone's heard of this story before, it's what graduation ceremonies, cell groups, and whatever self-help group out there is made of, but I'll go on with it anyway because who knows, someone out there might actually need it. (I needed it) 

Yes, life is simple. The questions that we have in our heads all this time? They come with an even more simple answer. In Who Moved My Cheese, there are four characters in the story namely, Sniff, Scurry, Hem, & Haw. Now, these four guys, they all live inside a maze in which they struggle, everyday of their lives, to find cheese. Yup, THE CHEESE. And the cheese is a representation of what our goals in life are - whether it's got something to do with our career, relationships, family, or some other thing, that's the Cheese. 

Sniff is a little mice who, as his name suggests, "sniffs" his way into life. He trusts his instincts and therefore, know when it's time to move on and change. Scurry is, again, as his name suggests, is one who scurries. He doesn't over analyze things, he scurries instinctively, and when he senses that something isn't working out already, he walks away. They're pretty similar as you can see, but instead of being like these guys, most of us (including yours truly), end up being more like Hem & Haw. 

Now good guy Hem is a little human being who has gotten way too comfortable living with his Old Cheese, that he stays "hemmed" in that station forever. He doesn't prepare for the worst and therefore, when life brings it hard to him (like when his Cheese went missing), he becomes emotional, he blames people, and he denies the change that is happening right before him. To cope, he assures himself that everything's just temporary, that eventually it'll come back to normal. 

And then there's Haw, who, just like Hem, denies the change that is happening right before his eyes. But what sets Haw apart from Hem is that, he is not afraid of change, is not afraid to see it and in the end, learns to accept it, and then does something about it. When he noticed that the Cheese isn't coming back, he gave it much thought, and after realizing his own folly, laughed at how simple the answer could have been, and decided to go back into the Maze in search for New Cheese. 

To sum this long entry up, change is what makes up life and not everything is meant to work out in this life time - whether that's your career talking or your bad relationship talking, it's the same story. We have to learn how to be flexible and we have to learn how to adapt to new situations. We can't be stuck in this rut, incessantly questioning where we went wrong, what we could have done - no. Because over analyzing things, only leads us to more questions rather than answers. And the answer, my friends, couldn't have been more simple. If something isn't working out in your life anymore, move on. 

And moving on isn't going to be easy, not now not ever, not when you feel like you're okay with this, that you could live with this, but get this. The only thing standing between you & your chance of finding your Cheese, is your fear. Your irrational man made fears, all thanks to your over active brain. Yup, all you my friend. However, when you're able to laugh at your own follies & realize how absurd your fears are, things are going to look up for you. All of what you're going through (as what Haw figured in the book) is all a blessing in disguise. Because it's going to lead you to finding New Cheese. A better one at that.

My Thoughts: Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

There is always a certain thrill in trying out new things, whether it be hopping on a crazy, near death-like ride in an amusement park, skydiving, having your belly button pierced, or getting inked - whatever it may be, there's a certain high that we get from trying out something for the first time. And no matter how insane or out of this world that is, if it's a new sensation, then count me in sister! 

 However, I can't share the same drive when it comes to trying out a new skin care routine. In fact, there are only a handful of brands that I trust enough to use on myself simply because I have the most ultra sensitive skin in the entire world. Don't get me wrong though, I'm open to the idea of trying out new things, even if that means being my own guinea pig, but unfortunately, my skin doesn't share the same sentiments. 

I remember a time when a favorite blogger of mine wouldn't stop jabbering about the Pond's cold cream, always mentioning it on her blog/vlog telling the whole world that it's all the goodness in the world in one jar (or something akin to that at least). So, like the forever curious person that I was (& still am), I took the plunge & bought the said cream. It was dirt cheap anyway so I figured, what have I got to lose? Needless to say, a couple of days after, I broke out in places I never thought I would in this lifetime! I. Was. Outraged. As it turns out, I have a sensitivity towards "mineral oil", one of the main components of that infamous cream so since then I said, never again.  But that's history and I think it's safe to assume that I know better now. 

So today, I want to share to you a product from Etude House that my skin seems to agree with lately, what else but the Wonder Pore Freshner. Was it a hit or miss for my skin? Read on to find out! 

First of all, I love that this can be used in multiple ways: a toner, a mist, & even a mask if I'm not mistaken! Talk about value for money, eh? And not only that, you take home with you a massive bottle. As in, give-me-a-lifetime-to-finish-this-whole-thing-up kind of bottle. So at first, the retail price which is around 600php (more or less) may seem like a rip off, but with the amount that you get, really, it's just fairly priced. 

However, this product has its own limitations. As a toner, I feel like it doesn't do much for my skin. It's pretty similar with the Skin Malgem actually, & the only thing that sets them apart is the smell. The Wonder Pore, as its name already suggests, is supposed to not only cleanse our pores, but to minimize its appearance as well. And I do have big ass pores by the way, so that gives me the chance to review this product extensively. This toner isn't at all that bad though, because it cleanses my face thoroughly,  thereby preventing future breakouts & it's also free of any alcohol content. It doesn't give me that dry feeling afterwards & it doesn't strip my skin of its natural oils, so in a way it does the job, but that's that. After about two months of using this, I am yet to notice a difference on the size of my pores. And on top of that, I am still as oily as ever. So honestly, when I run out of this thing, I wouldn't repurchase & instead, I'd go back to my good old Dickinson's Witch Hazel because it yields better results than Etude House's.  

The Wonder Pore Freshner, however, is amazing and practically heaven sent as a mist. You would agree, too, if you live in Manila and therefore, know how harsh (if not agonizing) the weather can be sometimes. Anyway, I transferred some of it to a smaller, spritz-type bottle just so it's easier to lug around. When I'm in need of an instant boost, I just whip my bottle out & spritz some on my face. What I love about it the most is that when I put this right after doing my make up, it eliminates the powdery & matte look, so what I get is this ever so slightly dewy & healthy looking skin which I'm absolutely digging at the moment.

So literally, I have a love/hate relationship with this product. Love as a mist, hate as a toner. 

I'm not disappointed with it though, but I'm not blown away by it either. I'll use it up for now, and enjoy it (mainly as a mist) while it lasts. 

But like I said, I wouldn't repurchase. 

So, tell me, have you tried this toner before? 

Comments are mooore than welcome as usual 

JEM 

My Thoughts: MAC Please Me

Yes, this blog is still alive. The only thing that's dying on me right now is my laptop, hence, the 2 month hiatus. (sigh) So while it's still hanging around, I might as well do something productive with it before it bites the dust. So today I want to introduce to you to the one lipstick that changed my life, that is if you haven't met her yet because I did include here in my February favorites.

And so, you might ask, what the hell does that vinyl up there got to do with anything in here? Well, I happen to be a huge Beatles fan (actually, my dad is the ultimate fan, I'm just the benefactor haha), and if you haven't heard of their song "Please Please Me", know that it's never too late to hop in the bandwagon and be exposed to the band that started it all, and not just the hairstyle, footwear and even the coordinated suits alright.. By ALL I mean revolutionized rock music. It is no debate - no other band has influenced pop culture the way these guys have. They are hands down the best thing to happen in the 20th century. And yes, still happening. 

And if it isn't obvious yet, that is the reason why I'm extra fond of this lipstick. Why? Because anything that makes me sing  "Please Please Me" (or any Beatle song for that matter) is for keeps, that's why. And for some people, that may come off as trivial, but for me, it counts as something simply because it brings me joy.  

And I'm sorry, I know I talk a lot (and add to that my propensity to say irrelevant things!) so I'll digress in 5...4...3..2..

MAC is absolutely one brand that needs no more further introduction. Why? Because it's MAC, period. Make up enthusiast or not, we all have a bit of love going on for this brand because it salvaged us at some point in our lives.  Now how many girls have gone running to their store in search for that perfect red lipstick to wear on a first date? Or a make up artist in search for a full coverage foundation to use on clients? I could go on and on about this but you probably get the picture by now. Any living, breathing, and functioning human out there owns at least a piece of MAC (whether its through samples or whatnot). 

(My apologies for its current state. I've had this for almost 6 months now, hence, the scratched label & all. Well that only goes to show how much love I have for it I guess)

(After 21 years, I still don't know how to "focus")

Please Me for me is the perfect pink to wear (and not to mention the most versatile) if you're undecided on what kind of pink would look good on you, simply because it looks good on everyone (and it goes well with a bunch of looks too). It has the perfect amount of warmth & coolness so it's sure not to clash with your skin tone and dare i say lift it up in the most faint way possible.  It is the most subtle pink I've worn that looks even more gorgeous up close, provided that your lips are well prepped of course (lip balm & all that shebang) because let's face it, cracked & bleeding lips are a no go 50 years ago, and it still isn't now so do your job woman! Exfoliate that sonuva betch lol. 

So if you read my blog often (yes, all 10 of them... just kidding!), you'd know that matte lipsticks are absolutely my go-to formula simply because they sit longer on my lips, hence, no need to retouch every -2.5 seconds. I get a good wear of about 3-4 hours on this, unless I eat or drink the number could be lower, but when my mouth isn't doing anything (that doesn't right) it behaves & stays put. 

Now, we've all heard about how MAC products are ridiculously overpriced here in Manila, making $23 a pop for a tube of lipstick even more ludicrous. But obviously, I'm willing to see through that because it is amazing and I am yet to find a dupe for it, and I guess even if I did I'd still have this beauty around (I'm clingy that way, sorry).  And when you think about the higher brands out there (think Tom Ford, Guerlain, Sisley etc), you wouldn't worry so much about how jacked up it is over here because it still is (ever so slightly) affordable, other brands considered. 

Please Me remains to be my HG lipstick after two years. It's exactly what I would put on when I don't know what to do with my face. It just adds an extra oompth to my otherwise dull & lackluster complexion & I have nothing but pure love for it. You just have to buy it to get my drift (or at least, test it if you're near a MAC counter) Overall, I'm in love & I would repurchase this for the rest of my life... for sure. 

So, enough blabbering! I guess from here I can just let the pictures do the talking! xx 

That's just me putting my big face forward. #sorrynotsorry 

Annnd concluding this post with a huge smile on my face. 

Comments are mooore than welcome, as yoosh :)

Hope you liked today's post guys. I'll see you on the next one? 

JEM xx 

My Thoughts: Daiso Cosmetics

I have been forever curious about the cosmetics from Daiso. I occasionally see them in both local and foreign blogs, and even though there isn't a lot of hype surrounding it, the perpetually curious person in me decided to give them a shot. It was quite a risk for me, obviously, because the sound of an 88php ($1.97) eyelash curler is not as comforting (or encouraging) as compared to, say, Shu Uemura's curlers priced at around 800-1000php here in Manila. 

But what have I got to lose, really? Who knows, I might actually end up liking some of them. So, for a start, I got these three cutesy little things. I happen to be a huge fan of Japanese cosmetics myself, not as much as Korean cosmetics though because the former is on the pricier side.. (yes, Lunasol, I'm looking at you) So I was quite thrilled to find these at such a bargain of a price. 

I'm not really sure what to call this blush on because it did not come with a decent name. All it said that I could understand was Pink Color, but all that aside, I still think this is a good blusher because it includes all the colors I could think of that would not clash with my skin tone. I don't use the highlighter separately because sadly, it does fall out, so what I do is that I just swirl my blush brush and use all the colors in the pan as a whole. The effect is really nice because I get a natural looking color with a tinge of highlight for that healthy & glowing skin. 

The packaging is really nice and has a very sturdy feel to it too, which I was not at all expecting coming from something cheap. But sometimes, you really don't get what you pay for. Haha! Honestly, this blush on is up in ranks with my beloved high lighter from Etude House sans the hefty price tag. 

The wear time is pretty decent, with very minimal to no fading at all. It isn't very pigmented though because only two colors are matte and the others are high lighters. If you don't mind building it up to your preferred coverage, or if you have porcelain (almost glow in the dark) skin tone and you're afraid of uber pigmented blushers, then this is a good choice for you because it gives off such a natural looking flush. 

I have mentioned in this blog several times that my number one, go-to brow kit is from E.L.F. I love it so much that I'm on my second kit now. But that doesn't mean I'm closing the door on others. There are days when pencil types come in really handy because of their ease and quick of use. That's why I always have one or two of them around because you never know when you would only have 5 minutes to do your make up. 

I'm not really fond of the retractable types because even though it saves you from sharpening now & then, it still has a huge tendency to break because of how thin and fragile the product is. 

I really find this eyebrow pencil decent and even though I sweat a lot, it manages to stay put and does not run off like a cheap eyebrow pencil would. It is brown with a touch of red in it, something I would normally stay away from, but the minute I used it, I am totally a convert. 

Seriously, how glamorous does this eye curler look?! This can even pass up as something high-end, if you ask me! It doesn't look cheap at all, and the best thing is, it's GOLD! Just kidding, it also comes with an extra rubber pad so you get to use it longer. 

Perhaps my only beef about this is that I feel like it's not wide enough to cover the rest of my lashes, so I have to do it twice in order to curl the whole of it. I also find myself going easy because if done in haste, I can easily end up bruised because it does pinch reaaaal bad!  But I can't really ask for more because it's cheap and does the job. 

I say if you have worked with tons of eye curlers in the past and therefore, know your way around them already, then this is something you can count on to do the trick for you. If, however, you're a beginner and is simply starting to discover the wonders of eye curlers, be careful with this one & always, always work your way in caution. 

So immediately, even without mascara, you can see the big difference this eye curler makes! The process is quite a challenge if you're a first timer, but once you've nailed it, the results are amazing. One coat of mascara usually does the trick for me if I'm pegging for a more natural look. So far, I'm in loove with this eye-curler xx 

And here is my FOTD using all three. 

Sorry if some of my blemishes are still peeking through. I only used a BB cream under this so it wasn't able to cover much. But as you can see, the blush looks very normal on my skin and doesn't make me look clownish. The eyebrow pencil is rather decent as well, and is in synch with my hair because it has a bit of brown in it. The eye curler is of course, another love. <3 

So there you have it! See you on my next post.. as always <3

JEM :)

My Thoughts: Essence Silky Touch Blush in Natural Beauty

 

Quite recently I shared in this blog what my favorite blush is as of the moment, what else but the Silky Touch blush from Essence in the shade Babydoll. After my wonderful experience with it, I went in and bought another shade called Natural Beauty which is what I would be sharing with you guys today. I don't own a lot of blush as of the moment so if you're like me who is just starting to discover its wonders or you're simply a blush-on junkie, then Essence is definitely something for you to check out. 

Natural Beauty is this beautiful, soft, peachy shade with a touch of brown in it. You'll see on the swatch below that it has very fine shimmers, something I would normally veer away from because shimmery blushes do have the tendency to enhance one's pores, but not with this one surprisingly . The shimmers are not that bad, and unless you really zoom in your face to check, it is almost undetectable. You are mostly left with an ever so slightly dewy cheeks that does not look gross or greasy but instead looks healthy and natural. 

True to its name, it really does give my cheeks a "natural" flush. I find this gorgeous to wear during the summer-like months (yes, we only have wet/dry season here in the Philippines), because it adds warmth and life to my otherwise sallow and dull skin. And let's face it, pink, orange, or even red blushes can be quite overwhelming sometimes so yup, this is something I reach for when I don't know what to do with my face. This is the kind of shade that no one can go wrong with and given how universal its shade is, it should work on a variety of skin tones. 

It's also worth mentioning that the longer I wear this, the more it becomes gorgeous on the skin. There's a certain iridescence that it imparts as the day goes on and it sure isn't the product of my oily skin. It just makes you look even more glowing and just pretty. Don't worry, I'll let the pictures do the talkin' from here! :")

So now here's Natural Beauty in action xx 

Sorry if some of my blemishes are still peeking through but as you can see, it looks very natural on the skin! :")

Photobombed by my little Sophie! :") 

Spot the slight dewiness on my cheeks!! It's not so bad, huh? I didn't even use any highlighter at all! What a wonderful, multi-tasking product I've found in this! So which shade of lipstick do you think compliments the blush best? Can't really decide on one so I had to put 'em all here! I'll let you decide for now.. 

So how about you? What's your favorite blush as of the moment? Would love to know, for sure! I love discovering stuff from you guys! xx 

-JEM- 

<3 

My Thoughts: Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel

Hi guys! How have you been? As for me, it's officially the start of my summer break and I couldn't be more thrilled! I want this 4-month long break to be productive for me so you'll definitely see more posts in the coming days xx

Today I want to talk about this product I've been using for nearly two months now. I bought this on a whim when I visited Nature Republic's store in Megamall. I initially wanted to try at least one of their BB creams but I was overwhelmed with how many they have so I went with this instead. They seriously have the MOST number of BB creams to offer out of all the Korean brands that I know. They have more than 10 if I remember it right and hopefully next time I'll know what to get. 

On to the product.. I'm pretty sure you've seen this around before as it's one of their best selling products. There are many other Korean brands out their who also came out with their version of the Aloe vera gel such as Tony Moly, Deoproce, etc, but I went with Nature Republic because it's the most affordable one retailing at around 245php. 

Above are the many ways to use an aloe vera gel. Definitely a steal given the many things you can do with it and the amount of product that you get, don't you think? 

I mainly use this gel as a make up remover and as a daytime moisturizer/make up base and it's really amazing as both. So far, no breakouts for me! It really is great for removing make up because afterwards, my face just feels refreshed and revitalized as opposed to the tight feeling I would get from a drugstore make up remover, or the sticky feeling I'd get from an oil make up remover. This removes my make up gently and does not strip my skin of its natural oils and instead balances everything out. I think this has improved the texture of my skin as well because my face feels less bumpy now compared to when I wasn't using this yet. 

This  is just in time as a day time moisturizer too because obviously, summer has just landed in Manila. Not a huge fan of summer by the way because one trip to the beach and any bronzer can pass up as a powder for me. Haha. 

 After application of the gel, it would look slightly dewy and takes about two minutes to fully skin in. Once it does though, it leaves my face with a nice and even base for make up. I also noticed that it tones down the redness on my face and also improves the wear time of my make up. I seriously cannot stop looking at my face after application of whatever BB cream I'm using. It just looks sooo darn flawless! Absolutely no trace of dry patches on my face! And that never happens! 

And whenever I feel like sporting a light make up, I just mix this up with a tiny bit of foundation of my liking et voila, home made tinted moisturizer for me! 

Perhaps my only gripe about this product is that it's in a tub making it unhygienic and not travel friendly. I would have preferred it if it were in a tube because then it would be easy to throw in my bag and be on the go. But other than that, this product is perfect for me. And to prove you guys how perfect this is for me, I just ordered two more of these online because I can't imagine running out of it, ever. 

I'm in love with this stuff. Can you tell? 

      HITS: 

• Affordable 
• Easily available 
• Lasts a long time
• An all around gel 
• Removes make up gently 
• Improves the wear time of my make up 
• Makes my make up look flawless 
• Feels very light on the skin as a moisturizer 
• Does not break me out 
• Eases the redness on my face 
• Can be mixed with any foundation for a home made tinted moisturizer 
• Improves the texture of my skin 

      NEUTRAL: 

• I wish the packaging came in a tube instead but at least with a tub, you really get to use everything up. 
• Unhygienic because you have to dip your fingers in it. 

      MISSES: 

• I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about this product. xx 

Where to buy: Online (eBay, Amazon, Cosmetic Love), Megamall, Trinoma Landmark, SM North

Price: 245php ($5.45) 

Recommend? Yes. 

Overall rating: 5/5

So how about you ladeis? Have you tried this product from Nature Republic yet? Do share your experience with it if you have! Lets talk! xx 

My Thoughts: Sleek Pout Polish in Raspberry Rhapsody

Lately I decided to give my lips a break. That meaning no lipsticks for me no matter how nice the formula is. I do wear lipstick everyday and my preference has always been matte because it stays on longer. I just hate having to re-apply every 30 minutes, something that I'd get from a lipstick that has a glossy finish so yeah, my go-to, every day formula is definitely matte. However, my lips can only take so much from such a drying formula and no matter what the brand is, high or low end,  I honestly think that all roads lead to the same direction. So meet my dull, lifeless, and desert-like lips. Sorry, no picture because I don't want y'all to be grossed out but believe me when I say it was hideous.

No better word to describe the condition of my lips two weeks ago and much as I don't want to look back, I still would because I want to share to you this wonderful product that saved my lips from total damage.  

I have high regards for Sleek as a make up brand. I honestly think they are one of the underrated brands in the market today and although it doesn't t make as much clatter the way Benefit, Revlon, or MAC does, that doesn't make them any less of a wonderful and really worth checking out brand. Personally, I think they deserve to have stores rather than just stand-alone counters in department stores because they really have so much to offer to make up enthusiasts such as yours truly. Their blushes are very comparable to high-end brands too which I can attest to so thanks to Sleek, for now I get to let go of my high end ambitions! 

So today allow me to share to you one of my hit finds from Sleek which is called Pout Polish. These polishes come in various shades but I only have Raspberry Rhapsody (956) as of the moment but what a charming name isn't it? It comes in a round pot which I do find bigger than the usual tins that balms are in these days. It is quite full to the brim so I think it would last for about 6 months even with everyday usage. 

I love the smell of this lip polish by the way and even reminds me of the lip creams from NYX, which I know a lot of people love. If you do too, then I think you'll enjoy using this as much! 

The color is a lovely muted pink that is very sheer so when you apply it on your lips, it doesn't appear as pink as on the tin but instead improves the color of your lips. It just adapts to your natural lips and I noticed that the longer I wear it, the more it gives my lips that gorgeous glow. It's even better than "my lips but better" lipsticks because it doesn't take the life out of my lips even after taking it off. It provides the right amount of moist to my lips without the overwhelming sheen that lip gloss tend to give. 

The lasting power is quite poor but not at all that bad in my opinion. It is expected because lip conditioners are not meant to be long wearing in the first place. When it does fade though it fades gracefully and the pink glow is still pretty much there. All that aside, I still think it's a fantastic product because it really did wonders to my lips. No more chapped lips when I wake up in the morning! Exfoliation is a lot easier too and my lips don't bleed anymore in the process.  

I'm in love with this lip conditioner and I don't see trading it for anything any time soon. It hasn't left my make up bag ever since I bought it 2 weeks ago and is now a staple in my kit. Perfect for summer too because it's tinted, it's hydrating, and it has an SPF of 15! Who said sunblock is only meant for the skin huh?! 

Overall, I'm sold! xx 

      HITS: 

• Affordable 
• Moisturizing 
• Mimics your natural lip color
• Gives the lips a gorgeous glow 
• Improves the condition of the lips with longer use 
• Has an SPF 15 
• Contains a lot of product 
• Travel friendly 
• Comes with a lovely scent 

    

      MISSES: 

• Not yet widely available 
• Packaging is rather unhygienic 
• Not very long lasting 

Where to buy: The Ramp Crossings 

Price: 425php (approximately $10) 

Overall Rating: 4.75/5 

Buy again? YES! But I might try other shades. 

Now check out the lip polish in action! 

So now it's your turn. What do you reach for when your lips are in trouble? Do share! I love learning from you guys xx 

JEM <3 

My Thoughts: Yadah Puregreen Emulsion

I don't experiment a lot when it comes to skin care even when I badly want to. I don't know why but as with make up, there's a certain joy & thrill when going on a quest to finding that perfect (a.k.a. HG) moisturizer that only beauty junkies would understand. Sounds craaaazy I know. Unfortunately, growing up with such a sensitive skin, I really have no choice but to stick with what has already worked for me in the past & keep everything I use to a minimum. Anything with an ingredient I'm allergic to can send my skin into flares overnight... faster than you can say "zit" in fact! Hence, my faithfulness to my previous moisturizer. 

However, having gone through six bottles of the same moisturizer for the last 2 1/2 years, my skin seemed to have developed a resistance to it, so much so that it doesn't yield the same lovely results anymore. So as much as I want to hold on to it, I just couldn't bring myself to anymore because things are not working out for the both of us. It was time to see other people ya know. LOL 

So that's why I was in the market for a decent moisturizer that could fit my needs. And it wasn't so much of a surprise that I would give Korean skin care a whirl because I've always been a fan of Korean cosmetics, with Missha being my favorite if not HG BB cream, and FaceShop having my favorite lip & cheek tint (which in my opinion trumps the ever so famous Benefit Cha Cha tint!) and so many others that I'd rather talk about on a separate post. 

So today's post is all about Yadah, a relatively new Korean brand that hit our local shelves last year. Yadah offers non comedogenic, mineral oil free skin care that is targeted for young adults. Their products are also free from any artificial colorant & synthetic preservatives making it great for those with sensitive/acne prone skin. They also have a make up line. I was able to test out the Angel BB cream through a generous sample & I'd have to say, I was pretty impressed because of how light it felt on the skin! I'm definitely considering purchasing the whole bottle but for now, I want to talk about the Puregreen Emulsion from the Puregreen line. This line includes a toner and a cleanser but at the time, I was only looking for a moisturizer so I went with the emulsion first! 

So! Let's get into the nitty gritty of this product now, shall we? 

Packaging: The product itself is housed in an 80ml plastic bottle that thankfully comes with a pump. While I find the bottle well-made, I also find it too unhandy & is not so much travel friendly. I also feel that I don't get as much product as I should because I feel like the bottle weighs more than the emulsion itself. Overall, I love the packaging for its simplicity and somehow, reminds me of a toned down Too Cool for School. They could even pass up as sisters! 

Fragrance: For something that claims to be good for acne prone & sensitive skin, this sure does have a lot of perfume in it! It has a strong floral scent to it that doesn't hang around for more than a minute making it quite admissible in my case. However, if your that sensitive to anything perfume-y, you might find this in a way excessive. 

Ingredients: And because I'm too lazy to write down the ingredients, I took a picture instead. Just click to enlarge the photo so you can see it clearer if you can't yet! :)

Finish: I have combination/oily skin and on me, it finishes off a bit dewy. Once it sinks in, the dewiness becomes undetectable which I still like because it still manages to give off that sheen that looks healthy & never greasy.  I use it under make up and so far, no struggles there. 

Efficacy: I have been using this for 1 1/2 month already so I guess that's enough time to see if it's something I would be buying again or not. Well, I honestly like this emulsion for the simple reason that it doesn't break me out. Not a pimple or two the whole time I was using this which is saying a lot considering my skin type. My face feels smoother and it also looks brighter and healthier now and I couldn't be more happier. I also feel like this emulsion (in conjunction with other products) has been preventing breakouts because normally, when I stay up late a few nights in a row, I would wake up with a huge, angry zit come morning, but nah, I don't ever get that anymore. So in terms of doing its job, I'd give this one a high five. 

Availability: I guess this is the only downside of this otherwise perfect brand because it's not widely available as of yet. Right now, it's only available in Beautybar, but I do think that they ship nationwide so definitely check that out first. Beauty Bar is available in Shangri-la & Trinoma. 

Price: It's fairly priced at 525php (approximately $12) because you get an 80ml product anyway which should last you 2 or 3 months, depending on how much you use everyday. 

Plus points for including the expiration date! 

I'm sorry for my hairy hands guys, haha! But as you can very well see, this gives a nice, brightening effect upon application which I really like. With prolonged use, I noticed that my skin looked brighter even when I don't have it on anymore which is always nice because we all could use that "lift" yes? :) 

So overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a decent moisturizer for oily/combination and acne prone skin. This is also a fantastic moisturizer especially now that it's summer because it feels light on the skin & yet is able to hydrate sufficiently sans the greasy feeling.  

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 


So now it's your turn. What's your skin type & what's your favorite moisturizer to date? I always love discovering new things so feel free to comment dearies! xx

-JEM-