Rave: Myra E Vitawhite Whitening Face Lotion

Hello ladies! I'm back after a week of being gone, truly sorry for that! What matters though is that I'm back and I simply can't wait to share to you this product that saved my skin when I was breaking out really bad last summer. I used this in conjunction with my Witch Hazel toner that I previously reviewed about right here. Anyway, this product's called Myra E Whitening Face Lotion. To begin with, I am not really keen when it comes to skin care. I generally had decent skin until my second year in college when I began to see and feel changes, skin wise. What a nightmare, I know!. Must be all the stress, I figured. So last year, I discovered this moisturizer from my cousin  who uses this religiously and who, up to now, has super nice skin. So being the always intrigued person that I am, I bought this immediately when my mum and I were doing groceries at our local supermarket.

So here's how it looks like:

I've used up different moisturizers in the past but when my skin is breaking out, I go back to this and its only a matter of time till my skin looks healthy again. What's great about this moisturizer is that it sinks in immediately and it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. This product claims to whiten skin and yes, it does whiten my skin, BUT you have to be very patient with this product. Its not an overnight kind of thing so you have to be religious in applying this moisturizer. After a month of using this, I noticed that my face became less dull looking. It has a very nice glow to it and some of the blemishes that I've had began to lighten as well. Very promising, I tell ya!

This also contains an SPF of 15 so its really ideal for day time wear. But if you're the kind who spends a lot of time under the sun, you might want to consider putting a separate sunscreen.

Jem's Thoughts: 

First of all, if you are looking for immediate whitening results, skip this. This isn't meant for that anyway. There are plenty of other drugstore brands if your main concern is to whiten your skin. I, on the other hand, only wanted a moisturizer that will suit my combination skin and fortunately, I did not experience any breakouts while using this. My face looks healthier now and I hardly get any pimples these days. I'm on my 5th tube now, and I even recommended this to my mom who used to be an Olay user. Now she's a convert! In fact this was the first product she threw in her bag when she went on a trip to Jordan. She must really love this one, huh? Well that makes two of us! Love love love this product and I definitely would recommend! :) 

Effectiveness: 5/5 

Availability: 4/5 (Only available in the Philippines) 

Price: 5/5 (104.50php or $2.53) 

Packaging: 5/5

Buy again? 

YES! 

Thank you for reading my blog! See you on the next one! 

As always...

JEM

Hello!

Hi ladies! My apologies for not being able to blog as much. I'm currently in our province right now and the internet connection here simply sucks. Yep, that and the fact that I forgot to bring my camera with me so I'm truly sorry for my absence. Not that any of you should care, but just to let you know I have not completely abandoned this blog. I promise something will come up in a day or two! Love you all! :-)

As always...
Jem

Product Rave: Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Extract

Hi ladies! How are you all? I just want to say sorry for not being able to update my blog as often as I used to. This week is our finals week and on top of that, my thesis proposal is already due this Friday, which is basically what's stressing me out more than anything else! But enough of that! Let's move on to what this blog would be all about today :)

So I just want to share to you this wonderful toner that saved my skin last summer when I was breaking out really bad. Now, I've used a number of toners before but none of them worked as well as this. I've used stuff from Pond's, Celeteque, Face Shop, Etude House, and even Eskinol, and while some of them have worked okay for me, I still find myself going back to this product because nothing else compares to it! Not so mention its SUPER CHEAP! (78php or $1.89) Not only did it clear my face, it also refined my pores and more importantly, prevented breakouts! I still have an occasional pimple or two when its my time of the month, which is totally normal for us ladies, but nothing like those ones that I get last summer. YEY!

And here's how it looks like.

Results don't happen overnight so you really have to keep up with this for at least a month to see results. Don't worry, it pays off! As with other things, patience is key. 

The Good bits: 

Very effective in shrinking pores 

Prevents breakouts

Doesn't dry the face but doesn't oil it up either

Balances the skin

Affordable at 78 php ($1.89)

The Bad Bits: 

I don't know where else this is available aside from Healthy Options, so getting this might be difficult for some. But other than that, this product is perfect! 

My rating: 

5/5! 

As always...

JEM <3 

Rave: Maybelline Smooth Color and Care in Strawberry

Just lately, I decided to take a break from using lipsticks simply because my lips needed a break from ALL the stuff I've been putting on it. I'm the kind of person who can't stick to one shade of lipstick/brand for too long so basically my lipwear is in a constant state of flux. I always want to try out new shades and I probably won't stop until I find my HG lipstick! Haha! So you'll know where to find me when I'm in the mall! Hehe. Well anyway, I have always preferred matte ones over lip tints (which I believe is even more drying when used alone) or balms, just because of its staying power, and unfortunately,  it has finally taken its toll on my lips. Lately, I always wake up to a dry, chapped lips, even though I make it a point to exfoliate regularly. (sniff sniff)

So I decided to try Maybelline's Smooth Color & Care Tinted Lipbalm in Strawberry. Whoa that was mouthful! So anyways, Maybelline has been around for far too long, so they became one of my trusted drugstore brands. I have used their 8-1 BB cream (liquid), their AngelFit blush on and lipbalms (Red & Peach Blossom if I remember correctly), and so far, I have had satisfactory results. So when it comes to lip care, I always come running back to Maybeline. When I bought this last week, I was honestly torn between the Baby Lips and this, but then I realized the latter does not have a tint to it, so I opted for this one instead. But maybe I'll get the Baby Lips soon because I found it to be uber cuuute! Like its really meant to be in every girl's make-up bag!

Notice how its almost the size of my pinkie! Cute huh! :)

Swatch:

Le barelips:

And Ta-daaa!

JEM'S thoughts:

Obviously, I love this! My lips are beginning to look better than last week. I also love the color -- not too bold nor too pale, JUST RIGHT! As for the staying power, well, this is probably expected of any lipbalms out there. They're not exactly long-wearing but then again, its something I don't mind because re-applying it is as easy as 123! And for its price? Definitely a steal!

You can get a hold of this baby right here at Maybelline counters in all SM department stores nationwide. And there are supermarkets carrying this too so you might want to check out your local Supermarket for this :) Super affordable at 89php! (2.14 USD)

How about you? Have you tried this one yet? Do share if you have!

Thank you for reading my blog! See you on the next one!

As always...
JEM

Nichido True Colors Review/Swatch: Sunkissed, Peach Glow, Cool Rum, Electric Pink

Hello dear followers! How was your weekend? Mine's pretty awesome, and I did blog about that so just in case you missed it, here's a link. So anyhoot, today I want to talk about these blushes from Nichido that I've been using quite a lot of lately. I bought all of them separately but they're super affordable at 88php that you can just haul them at one shopping.

One thing I do love about this is that they all come in a small pot with a transparent lid, where you can easily distinguish which shade you are picking up, as opposed to flip-top ones where you might end up getting the wrong one. Instances wherein you might be in a haste and you end up picking a dark shade that's meant for contouring instead of a simple pink shade for day time wear. What a nightmare right?!  However, even with those good bits being said, one downside to this is that unlike others, this does not come with an applicator. But this isn't a big deal for me because its already so cheap and asking for an applicator is just too much! Plus, you wouldn't have to touch up so often because it has a decent staying power. Unless of course you dive into a pool then obviously, its going to run off! But otherwise, it stays put.

So one of my personal favorite here is Sunkissed. It looks so natural on my cheeks. This is normally how my cheeks look like after a 30 minute jog, which is by the way one way to determine your natural blush. I love that its not too faint nor too pigmented, just right for school wear.

Next is Peach Glow. I also love this color, just not as much as I do Sunkissed. Its too faint for my liking. And for my dull face, (especially lately because I haven't been getting enough sleep), I like my blushes to have a wee bit of color to them. This looks like the tamed version of Cool Rum though so if you love Cool Rum but think its too too for everyday wear, then you'll definitely like this!

Cool Rum. This is a very versatile product! It can double up as a  contour powder or simply a blush on, whichever works best for you. Word of caution, as this is very pigmented, I suggest you apply very lightly. You don't want to look over blushed, now don't you?

Last but definitely not the least, is Electric Pink. Alright, so originally this is meant to be an eye shadow. But I bought it as a blush on out of curiosity. Its slightly cheaper at 68php so I went for it! Among the others, this is my absolute favorite! In fact, this is my everyday, go-to blush on because it makes me look fresh and awake, which is what blushes are supposed to do, right? And since I go to school on most days, I want my make up to look more natural, to look like me but just a little bit more enhanced. Love love this and since it comes in a smaller pot, its much more ideal for travelling!

And here are some gorgeous swatches:

Jem says:

Overall, I love this stuff! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a decent yet affordable blush-on! And also, they have a lot of shades to choose from so I'm pretty sure you'll find something that will work for you.


So there you go. Thank you for reading my blog.
See you on the next one, alright?

As always....
JEM

My weekend wrapped up: Phantom of the Opera yet again

Hello dear followers! Tonight I just want to share to you what I've been up to over the weekend. Well, guess what. I got to watch the Phantom of the Opera again last night with my mommy dearest! Too bad I wasn't able to take a picture at the CCP though but so far, here's what I have.

We stayed at the Diamond Hotel overnight. Its like a 15 minute drive to CCP, excluding traffic. So if you were wondering why in the world we're there, a drug company recently launched a new product, and my mother, who is a Psychiatrist, was invited to witness the whole thing. As if that isn't enough, they also gave two Orchestra tickets to the Phantom of the Opera which would then explain why I got to watch it again last night with mommy dearest! She failed to snag two more tickets so it was just the two of us. Oh well papel.

My mom & dad. They sure make a lovely couple! :)

Again, I'm sorry for the blurry photos. With my brother right here.

Haha! Don't mind my starstruck face here. I still couldn't quite get over what happened after the show. My mom and I ended up in the same elevator as Jonathan Roxmouth (yes, the one who plays Erik in the Phantom of the Opera!), and he was wearing shorts and a cup of coffee in hand, seemingly normal without his Phantom mask on. I knew that they were staying at the DH, but I only saw a 20 % chance of that happening since we were only there for the night. But it happened! And I'm one happy girl! And to top that all off, he replied to me on Twitter! GRAAAAAND! 

So yes, that's my weekend wrapped up. Happy that I got to spend it with my family, and a few surprising moments here and there!

See you on my next blog! 

As always...

JEM

Review: Skinfood's Peach Sake Pore BB cream in #2

Hello my lovely readers! Today would be a review about this BB cream I'm currently using, which is Skinfood's Peach Sake Pore BB cream in #2. You may or may not yet already know this, but I am head over heels in love with BB creams! So much that I would put them next to lipstick, which is my number one favorite cosmetic. Isn't it such a delight whenever you come across a product that works for you? Oh I just want to give whoever invented this a BIIIG KISS! The whole concept of it is pure genius! Imagine the number of benefits it has to offer and all the while giving you your desired coverage (light-heavy) and letting your skin breathe! Definitely not what you'd get from your average foundation, that's for sure! Because as much as I love make up, heavy feel foundations are my number one pet peeve. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one on this. :)

So I was in the look-out for a BB cream that has a light-weight feel to it, but still, is able to conceal minor blemishes and even out skin discoloration. I say "minor blemishes" because I have long accepted the fact that I'm always going to need a concealer. Whatever it is that I choose to slap on my face, I will always need a concealer. Its currently my best friend! Haha!

So anyway, I was really confused whether to get the #1 or #2, because they only have two shades to choose from, but I'm glad I opted for this one instead. This shade looks more right on my skin, and the good thing about it is that it does not oxidize. It did not turn gray on me after a few hours, unlike others I have tried. Among all my other BB creams, this one right here is closest to my skin tone, so yes, its more on the yellow side. I honestly thought this would be a tad bit dark on me as I usually go for the lightest shade whenever I buy foundations, but this adjusted quite well on my skin. I think that's how most BB creams work. They just adjust to your skin tone.

As for the coverage. Well, why don't you just see for yourself?

Its good that it evened out my skin tone, and concealed some of my minor blemishes. But this isn't a full coverage BB cream to begin with, so a flawless finish is just impossible.

And after putting on concealer, and some powder as my finishing veil. 

And some more pictures.

Overall, I love this BB cream. Despite having read mixed reviews about this product, I'm glad I still went on with buying this thing because its become one of my favorite BB creams! Its a light-weight cream, but still does a wonderful job in concealing and evening out your skin tone. The only two cons I see as of now is that 1,  its SPF is lower compared to other BB creams out there. This one contains an SPF of 20 so you might want to wear a separate sunblock underneath and 2, its smell is something I find too much, it has a peach-y scent that can be a little to overpowering if you ask me. But other than those I have mentioned, this one is puuurfect! 

And just another picture after a looong day at school. 

What I love about this product: 

Doesn't feel heavy on the skin 

Has an spf

Covers minor blemishes

Evens out skin-tone

Small packaging therefore ideal for toting around 

Doesn't oxidize (no gray casts whatsoever)

This stays put for a good of 6-8 hours (with touch-ups)

I don't blot as much with this on 

What I hate about this product: 

It dries fast so you have to be pretty quick in applying

Only has an spf of 20

Scent is overpowering 

Will you buy this again? 

Not really.  But I might try other BB creams from Skin food as I've had a really nice time with this one. 

Who would you recommend this to? 

Those who have oily/combination skin. Like I've mentioned before, I have a combination skin but I don't blot as much whenever I have this on. 

Where can I buy this? 

I bought this online from a trusted seller for 500php, including shipping fee. Just a word of advice, don't ever ever buy Korean products in the mall as they are ridiculously overpriced there! When you do buy over the net though,  just make sure you know who you're buying from because they could be fake for all you know. If I remember correctly this is around 950php in the mall. See the difference? 

So there. Thank you for reading my blog. See you on the next one! 

As always...

JEM