My Zenutrients Loot

A few months ago, I celebrated my 30th birthday and along with that came my obsession for health and wellness. My interest in reading about organic products became an everyday habit and soon I found myself rading the organic beauty lane of Landmark to buy myself some of Zenutrient's best selling products.

Moisturizing Goat's Milk - Gives dry spots like elbow & knees the hydration it needs with its smoothening AHA-rich blend. It contains virgin coconut oil, water and milk. I bought this product because of  the AHA and milk combination. I have sensitive skin with skin asthma, the tiny little red bumps usually found in the upper arm and legs and I am hoping that this will improve my skin condition. Expect my updated review of this product after I finish it.

Avocado Skin Repair & Nourishment Cream - Improves skin texture and elasticity with Vitamins A, B, C & E. This can be used for the face as well. This was recommended by the saleslady. I was hooked because of the scent and texture. I usually apply this in the morning, focusing on my neck and body. I decided not to put this on my face in fear of getting allergic reactions. Yes! I am that sensitive, so I prefer to use facial creams from my trusted Dermatologist.

Smoothening Coffee Body Scrub - Rich in antioxidants and has ground barako coffee and VCO as its primary ingredients. Initially, I was apprehensive in buying this product but after taking a whiff of the rich coffee scent, I was sold. I've tried this twice and so far, I have nothing bad to say about this product. I love the silky feeling of my skin after scrubbing and I love love love the scent.

100% Natural Detoxifying Mask + Scrub - This is the only item from Human Heart Nature that I purchased. Do not get me wrong, I love this brand especially their Mandarin Conditioner but I decided to buy my loots from Zenutients that day because I love variation and well, it's organic.

The next on my shopping list are the all is well spray, gugo shampoo and conditioner, green bamboo massage oil, lip scrub and green tea soap. All of them are from Zenutrients too. Has anyone of you tried them already? Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions especially if you know any organic products that can help lessen chicken skin. I am planning to get some products from V&M Naturals too but I am still waiting for their response about my inquiry. For those who might be interested, here are the links of Zenutients: ZENOFFICIAL & ZENWEBSITE

**This is not a sponsored post. I was not paid to review or feature the products mentioned.**

South Salon Digital Perm Experience

I've always been fascinated with curly hair. Women donning them looks sexier, free spirited and effortlessly stylish.

I had my first perm way back March of 2013. For my post about that, pls refer to this link. Anyway, I had it done at Beauty Brick Salon before and my experience was ok but not that great. I still went to South Salon after to have it treated and Menchie, my favorite hairstylist in the world had to do her magic (precision cutting & hair color) to make my then curls look more natural and soft looking. Anyway, now that I know better, I went back to them and this time chose to let them do all the process. I wanted a shorter locks this time around and my peg of choice were that of Ema Stone and Bea Alonzo.

First, Menchie gave me a haircut. Mind you, my hair grew longer than I expected - around waist length - before I had the time and moolah to go back to 'em. Second, they treated my hair to remove the buildup. Next, the perm was done. The whole procedure lasted for six hours. I was instructed to go back a week after for hair color, because doing them on the same day will damage my hair. Here's the end result.

my hair before the procedure

my hair post procedure

The pictures doesn't give justice to the haircolor but I'll take better pictures of it and post them here next time :) It was a 3 color combination. Dark brown for the base, red and honey blonde for the highlights. I've been receiving a lot of compliments about it (I tell you) 

For maintenance, I was advised to use any shampoo and conditioner of my choice. They also taught me how to dry my hair properly to make my curls look more lovely and manageable. They also suggested this strengtheng hair serum from Malaysia which I truly love. The price is around Php600-700. Not bad for a 250 ml packaging.

Before I end this,let me just clarify that this is not a sponsored post. I went to the salon and paid for all the services which cost me around Php13,000. This review is therefore unbiased and purely based from experience. So if you're interested to get a perm try them out. I'm betting my life that you won't rerget it :)

You may like their fb page here

You may visit their website here

Salon locations:

UGF-A Westgate Tower

Investment Drive Madrigal Business Park Ayala Alabang

Muntinlupa City

Today 9:00am - 7:00pm

Phone 809.9363 | 809.9486 | 576.9044(makati)

Email southsalonmakati@yahoo.com / thesouthsalon@gmail.com

South Salon Makati

2F A.Venue Lifestyle Center Makati Ave., Makati City

0917.8515577 | 5769044

The Best Things In Life Are Free

I really wish that the products I'm gonna talk about are for free but it isn't :)

Last week mom and I went to the mall to buy cosmetics. Shopping is one of our bonding sessions because we're girly and kikay like that. I am on a shopping ban right now but after discovering the almost empty containers of my blush-on, I gave in to my mom's prodding and bought myself a new one.

The blush on the right side is Clinique's Sunset Glow (my holy grail and my all time favorite) which was sadly discontinued a few months ago according to my sister. :( On the right side is Laura Mercier'second skin cheek colour in sweet mandarin. It has a lovely coral shade but I find it too pricey because it only lasted for 2 months. Aside from that, the color fades easily so you'll have to reapply a couple of times during the day.

Without much choice left, I opted to get one from NARS. Mac makes my skin breakout and since I've been reading a lot of good reviews about their blushers...I tried on their bestseller - ORGASM. I was not impressed with it...the color doesn't show well on my skin. TORRID was much better. I fell in love with the peachy coral effect...kinda similar to Clinique's sunset glow shade...but they ran out of stock :( I was about to give up and just go home but the Makeup Artist persuaded me to give DESIRE a try. I smirked at the sight of the bold pink color but after trying it on...it was love at first sight. Suprisingly, the color fits my skintone well. According to the NARS website and some beauty blogs I have read, this pink blusher from NARS suits all skin color. It is intensely pigmented and totally blendable (even if it's matte)- soft and not powdery in texture. For my initial application, it lasted about eight hours on me without fading. At Php1650 - the price ain't bad for the quality you'll get. I'll definitely be back for TORRID and Benefit's CORALISTA.

Moving on, the Makeup Artist was kind enough to give me a FREE sample of the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. The coverage was beyond great and I am seriously considering to switch from Laura Mercier's Oil Free Foundation to this one. Of course, I'm gonna try Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation first because I've been hearing raves about it. Any comments on which one is better? Your feedbacks will be highly appreciated :)

Before I end this post, I am also happy to share that I was invited by NARS to attend their workshop on Sept. 25. An international Makeup Artist will be conducting a seminar about the latest techniques and trends in makeup artistry and I'm really excited about it. I can't believe that this opportunity was given to me for free. I hope I can make it to this event. Do you agree with my blog title now? :)

To Have A Tea Party

"To have a tea party, we're gonna need a teapot, to have a tea party, we're gonna need something else...tea, tea, rosy tea, tea, tea for you and me" I am literally singing while typing this. For those of you who aren't familiar with the song...To Have a Tea Party is one of the hits of the most famous children's pop musical group in Australia Called - The Wiggles. I've memorized most of their songs when I stayed in New Zealand last year because of my nephew who was an avid fan of this group.

Anyway, I chose this title because of my latest discovery from my Dermatologist's clinic - THE SLIMMING TEA - I use to drink Kankunis whenever I'm having digestive problems but I despise the stomach pains I get from it afterwards. So one fine day, when i went to their clinic for a facial...I saw this tea at the top of the front desk countertop and immediately bought it. :) Sweet and definitely no regrets - no more dreaded stomach pains for me and the fact that it was being sold at my Dr's clinic is a plus because I know it's safe for consumption.

Here are the contents of the tea: 

green tea - reduces bad cholesterol, kills cancer cells, destroys bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions, regulates blood pressure, anti-depression, anti-wrinkles, increases the metabolism

senna leaves - soothes anal fissures and hemmorhoids, alleviates skin irritations, relieves constipation

licorice roots - relieves sore throat, bronchitis, cough, and infections caused by bacteria or viruses, used for various digestive system complaints including stomach ulcers, heartburn, colic, and ongoing inflammation of the lining of the stomach (chronic gastritis), increases fertility in women with a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome, used to treat prostate cancer and the skin disorder known as eczema, used for osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), liver disorders, malaria, tuberculosis, food poisoning, and chronic fatigue syndrome 

lemon - rich in potassium, folate, Vitamin B6 and thiamin, contain bankable amounts of magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A and E, hydrates and oxygenates the body, relieves heartburn, belching and bloating 

All ingredients are natural and has no harmful side effects. Try it and you'll be surprised on how it effectively curbs your appetite. You'll feel light and clean as it detoxifies your body from toxins.

You can get this at Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo's clinic. Here's a list of their branches:

Forbestown Center Burgos Circle 2nd Floor, 

East Bldg. Bonifacio Global City, Philippines 

Regular Clinic hours (Monday to Saturday) – 10 to 7pm 

Dr. Aivee Teo’s Schedule (Tuesday to Friday) 

Tel. No. +632 403.3245 +632 403.1982 +632 828.0197 

Email draivee@aiveeaguilarteo.com 

      info@aiveeaguilarteo.com 

The Bellevue Hotel Ground floor, 

The Bellevue Hotel, Tower Wing Alabang, Philippines 

Regular Clinic hours (Monday to Saturday) – 10 to 7pm 

Dr. Aivee Teo’s Schedule (Monday and Saturday) 

Tel. No. +632 822.1546 +632 822.1548

Asian Hospital & Medical Center 

Rm 417/422 Medical Office Bldg. 

Filinvest Alabang Muntinlupa City, Philippines 

Open for medicines (Monday to Saturday) – 9 to 6pm 

Tel. No. +632 771.9252 

Las Pinas Doctor’s Hospital 

Rm. 301, 8009 J.J Aguilar Ave. Pulanglupa II 

Las Pinas City, Philippines 

Open for medicines (Monday to Saturday) – 10 to 5pm 

Dr. Aivee Teo’s Schedule (Saturday) – 10 to 2pm 

Tel. No. +632 829.9763 

Singapore Paragon Medical Suites 11-04-05 

Paragon Shopping Center 290 Orchard Rd., Singapore 

Tel. No. +656 235.2343 +659 090555 – 6 

Email drz@z-aesthetics.com info@z-aesthetics.com

As of this writing, a box (containing 15 or 16 tea bags, I really can't remember since I threw the box away) is priced at Php680.00. Quite pricey, but you won't regret it, I'm telling you. :)

Gloww Follow-up Review

As promised I am now going to give an honest feedback about the Gloww Skin Supplement which I took for a month. I just finished a box of it and I am not going to purchase it anymore. I am no Dermatologist and supplements can have different effects on people but I certainly didn't like its effect on me. Right now I have about four pimple marks on my right cheek and 3 small pimples are errupting on my right chin. I cannot really tell if this is because of Gloww but I can't think of anything else aside from it because I've been living a healthy life for the past few weeks. I have been preparing vegetable and fruit juices to lose some weight, which I believe should be beneficial to the skin; I have been exercising and I have been sleeping well. 

Aside from the pimples, I didn't notice any changes on my skin especially the pinkish glow result that this product promises. It could be my bad because it was stated that results will be seen after 2 months. Still, I wouldn't recommend this product to people with sensitive skin esp to those who have allergies to foods and medicines. I have a feeling that I was allergic to some of its ingredients. Oh well, I'm lucky that I have a good Dermatologist. I am now taking some antibiotics to dry the pimples and I was given some ointments to peel off the scars. That's the price I have to pay for being adventurous. 

Burns and Scars

Enough of the self-pitying...I gotta start fixing myself and my life. Never thought that a second-degree burn was all I needed to wake up from this depression mode. Sometimes, God really wakes His people in the most unfathomable way...and though I can't understand everything that's happening to me right now...I trust that He has everything under control and that He has better plans for me. 

So, to start my story...I had my monthly visitor last Friday and in dire attempt to stop the abdominal and pelvic pain on my second day (which was yesterday), I asked for a hot pack. I pressed my lower back on it to let the heat do its magic but apparently the hot pack had a crack on the left side so the pressure of my weight made the hot water inside squirt out. You can imagine what happened next. Right now, I am currently nursing three blisters...two of them already burst open and got infected while the other one didn't but is too painful and sensitive to touch. I was crying all day yesterday wallowing myself in self-pity. The last three months has been harsh to me...I've felt unwanted, insecure and all other negative things you can think of and then this will happen!!!! How's that as a climax for my unfortunate life story? Anyway, after some time...I had some self-realizations. One, I was lucky that the blisters were on my back - that could've been harder to manage if it was on my face. Second, it must be God's wake up call for me as I've been neglecting myself lately. Through this accident, I've come to realize my self-worth and that I should take care and learn to love myself again. Lastly, forgive...forgive people who have hurt me and forgive myself so that I can move on and be whole again. 

Moving on to my next problem...while some would say scars are tattoos with better stories...I definitely wouldn't like this burn to leave a scar on me :( I've searched the net for herbs and medicines that can help me make this wound heal faster and so far Manuka Honey has been delivering good results. The blisters are less itchy and painful whenever I'm using it. I started applying it on my wound because according to some researches abroad - "honey quickly clears up existing wound infections and protects against further infection, reduces swelling and minimizes scarring, removes infected and dead tissue, and speeds healing by stimulating new tissue growth." In fact, this special honey is now being used in various Hopitals across New Zealand and Australia especially for patients who suffered from burns and those who underwent surgery and amputations. I hope this will work for me too. **crossing fingers*** Meanwhile, I am also planning to buy Contractubex - an ointment usually prescribed by Doctors here in the Philippines, which promises to reduce scarring when applied three to four times a day on the problem area. I will definitely use this once my blisters have closed. To know more about this product you can visit this site.

As an alternative, I was also advised by a good friend to get a Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Vit E Scar Serum to maximize positive results. In all honesty, the recessionista side of me doesn't want to spend too much on products that may not really work so if anyone has a better suggestion pls. do share it with me. I also read that some people use the oil directly from the Vit E capsule and apply it on their stretchmarks and scars but some researches say this isn't effective. Others claim rose hip oil, olive oil and aloe vera can work wonders too..so I'm really confused about which one to get. Help me please :) Before I end this post, for those who might be interested, you can get Manuka Honey at Healthy Options; Contractubex at any drugstore and the Palmer's Scar Serum can be purchased at PCX.

Snoe It's Oat-K It's Alright Beauty Bar

Kudos to Snoe for coming up with this product and to it's clever marketing strategy...from their packaging to their one of a kind product name. I have been a regular user of Dove soap because of my chicken skin so I like my soap unscented, moisturizing and mild. Luckily, some friends introduced me to this product so I went to Festivall Mall one day and bought my first Snoe soap. I was apprehensive to try it at first because I have super sensitive skin but since it contain OATS, I decided to brave and try it. Oat helps in exfoliating rough skin...it is also recommended to people with Dermatitis which means it is mild and safe to use for sensitive skinned people like me. Anyway, I'm about to finish my bar and I am looking forward to buying another one. I have decided to replace Dove with this one because I was happy with the results. It made my skin smoother and softer to touch. :) 

It’s Oat-K It’s Alright
Beauty Bar
Goat’s Milk, Oat Extract, Pili Nut Oil, Acerola Cherry
5.2 oz. /150g
For sensitive skin
It’s Oat-K It’s Alright restores the skin’s natural moisture balance to aid in healing minor skin irritations while it mildly exfoliates. It will hydrate, tone, whiten and soften the most sensitive skin.

It contains:
Oat Extract - anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and moisturizing. It can soothe, smooth, and nourish skin.
Goat’s Milk- is one of the finest moisturizers and has excellent emollient properties. It contains vitamin A, and several B vitamins including riboflavin, niacin, B6 and B12.
Pili Nut Oil- a known source of Vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin E and phytosterols

Source: pls. click here

Meanwhile, I am also planning to buy one of their lotions but I am torn between Here comes the Sunblock SPF 45 Singkamas and Here Comes The Sunblock SPF45 Instant Rosy White. To be honest, I don't need a whitening lotion because I am happy with my skin tone but I like the fact that this is a lotion and sunblock in one. I'm a daisy lazy most of the time so this product is on my next shopping list. Although, when I tried it at the store..I found the scent too strong for my liking. So if you have any recommendations for a lotion that has a mild scent and works well for chiken skin...please please please share the product name. I've tried too many lotions in this lifetime..from organic ones to several Dermatologist concoctions but I haven't found the perfect one for me yet. So please your suggestions will be highly appreciated. :)

Glow Baby Gloww

After several months of deciding whether to buy or not to buy this product…I finally gave in to my heart’s desire. Their magazine ads are enticing and the promise of a pinkish glowing skin is something to look forward too anyway. Since, I have a sensitive skin; I bought 30 tablets which is good for two weeks. The price is quite high at Php28 each but then again the skin is the largest organ of our body so we should invest on it big time. As of this blog drafting, I’m on my fifth day and I have noticed that my skin became more shiny and oily. I have six tiny pimples scattered on my chin and cheeks and an extra-large one on the tip of my nose. I’m afraid that this supplement is more suited for dry skinned women but I’m gonna give it a chance. After all, I’m nearing my period and the zits may just be an effect of hormonal imbalance.

Anyway, enough of my babbling.  Gloww is a skin supplement which promises to give you an even pinkish skin tone. It does not promise to whiten the skin…but it can help make it brighter and luminous by fading one’s pesky pimple scars and dark spots. For faster  results, it’s advised to take it 2 times a day for two months then you can take it once a day afterwards for maintenance. I have listed the ingredients of this supplement as well as their benefits below:

1. Collagen Strengthening (Marine Protein, Horsetail extract, Hydrolysed Collagen) - provides skin structure, increase thickness of the dermis (2nd layer of the skin), and adds moisture making the skin smoother and elastic 

2. Blood Circulation Enhancer (Grape seed extract, Lemon bioflavonoids) - improves blood flow in the distribution of nutrients and removes impurities that could give clearer and brighter skin 

3. Skin Waste Detoxifier (Green tea extract) - cleanses the skin’s impurities, thus making the skin clearer 

4. UV Protectant ( Tomato extract, D. Salina extract) - protects the skin from harmful UV rays thus preventing inflammation, redness and even melasma 

5. Free Radical Defense (Pine Bark extract, Vitamin C, Vitamin E) - prevents our skin from advanced ageing and degeneration

Before I end this post, I have to warn you that the smell of this product is off but bearable. I was also informed by a friend that some people may be allergic to marine protein and D. Salina extract which may cause pimples. However, you will never know if this will work for you or not if you don't try right? To give you a more detailed information about this supplement you can visit their FB page here. I’m going to do a follow up review after I finish the box. I will post pictures of my before and after shots as well. Wish me luck.  

My Digital Perm Experience

Three weeks ago, I decided to be brave and went to Beauty Brick Salon for their famous digital perm. This was a risk on my part because I'm not very experimental when it comes to changing my look but I have to say, I'm happy with the result:) Anyway, I'm going to share with you now my experience. I went to the Salon, located in Makati at 8am. I was the first customer to arrive (obvious lang na excited). I was nervous, wondering if curly hair will suit me but the staff was kind enough to answer all my questions. For one, they assured me that it will give my hair volume which made me all the more decided to have the perm done, because all my life, I envied women with full bodied hair. At that moment, I pictured myself waking up every morning with effortless sexy waves. No more hair dryer, no more setting lotion to give my thin/limp tresses a life. Here's a picture of me when I still had straight hair :)

At around 8:15 am, Mr. Shin arrived and was ready to help me with my transformation. He studied the texture of my hair for some time and his interpreter told me that he will be giving me medium waves instead of the big natural curls I was asking because I had virgin hair. I agreed on it and they started to work on their magic. First he gave me a haircut to emphasize the curls then they applied three creams on my hair. After that my hair was hooked on a device and two hours after, I had instant Goldilocks curls. I was not really happy with the outcome at first but after three days, my hair was better. To prevent damage, they told me to come back after two weeks for haircolor and they gave me instructions on how to take care of my curls. I was also not allowed to shampoo for at least two days after the procedure. I spent Php3500 for the perm and Php500 for the styling product that day. Below, is a picture of me with my precious curls.

Two weeks after the perm, I decided to go to South Salon. I've been a South Salon baby for almost 3 years now and I only have praises for them. They offer quality service and the price is reasonable for the result you'll get. Menchie Vicente gave me another haircut to emphasize my curls. The result - no more frizzy ends and no more bushy hair :) . I swear she is the best in precision cutting. After that, she gave me the best highlights. She colored my hair with dark brown as base, then used mahogany and honey blonde for my highlights. Lastly, I was given a hair treatment to moisturize and soften my hair. I spent around Php9,000 all in all but I really loved the outcome. Here's the result:

How to take care of your hair after a Digital Perm:

THE GOLDEN RULE: DO NOT COMB YOUR HAIR WHEN DRY. YOU CAN ONLY COMB IT AFTER SHOWERING, WHEN HAIR IS STILL WET. - This will help retain your curls

* Make sure to condition your hair everyday to prevent frizz. Perms can make your hair really dry so, indulge yourself with moisturizing conditioners especially the organic ones. I use Human Heart Nature for my shampoo, conditioner and once a week intensive hair mask. So far, I am loving the result.

* Do not rub the towel on your hair to dry it, just squeeze the water out and wrap your hair in a towel to prevent frizz.

* Do not blow dry your hair. I was advised to let my hair dry naturally which means longer time for preparation and hair styling

* Remember to section your hair properly as advised by the hairstylist to achieve your desired look. For tighter curls, I section my hair into four, wind each section around my fingers then apply the product. For a natural wavy look, I section the hair into two and twist them around my fingers before I apply the product. If you want a beach-y, messy look, just allow your curls to dry naturally. I only do this when I'm home because I can't stand applying products on my hair during my rest days.

* Choose the best styling products. What works for me may not work for you but I'm going to share with you anyway what I'm using. When I have extra time to spare, I section my hair, twist it around my fingers and let it dry naturally. When it's 100% dry, I apply the Monoi Hard Wax with a bit of The Body Shop's Grapeseed Glossing Serum and apply it on my hair, especially concentrating on the ends for better hold. Make sure to crimp your hair to further define the curls. You can purchase the wax at Beauty Brick for Php500 and the glossing serum costs Php650.

When I'm in a rush, I apply the Monea Curl Defining Milk Lotion while my hair is still wet. Then I section, twist and crimp it until it dries. This product is realy affordable at Php98. I bought mine at Gaisano Supermarket in Alabang Town Center.

* Learn the habit of crimping your permed hair frequently to further define the curls/waves and to retain their shape. I'm so used to it now that when I'm bored, I find myself twisting and crimping my hair automatically hahaha. So, that's my digital perm story. Hope this helps. :)

Lip Service

I don't know what's gotten into me but I've been googling a lot about lipstick lately. I was checking my makeup kit awhile ago and I noticed that I only have four shades which is considered a scarcity for someone who has a basic makeup artistry certificate. Well, I am currently unemployed which explains why I'm on a makeup shopping ban but let me share with you my current wishlist. I hope my mom gets to read this :)

As I've mentioned I only have four shades right now and these are Mac Viva Glam 1, Fashion Nomad and Unlimited. I was also able to get an affordable tube at PCX. The Brand is In2It and the shade is called Flambe which has a vibrant pinkish red tone on it. Anyway, while I was looking at my pictures, I got bored realizing that I look the same most of the time and I have to say, lippies helps a lot in changing a woman's look for the better. (Yes I am justifying why I need more Mom haha!) That being said, here are my top choices as of the moment.

Mac Girl About Town

Mac Pink Noveau

Mac Russian Red

Mac Flamingo

What do you think of my choices? As you can see, most of them are shades of pink. This is because, I barely wear pink and I want something different this time. See..I was always on the safe side. Since I have brown skin, I wear the colors coral and peach more to accentuate my tan but it's becoming boring :( Shoutout to all the beauty bloggers out there. I don't want you to think that I am drugstore product snob. Who doesn't want to save right? I just want to be sure of the things I buy to maximize my hard earned moolah :) So, if you know any drugstore lipstick brands that looks great on morena/brown skinned gals like me...I would love to hear your suggestions. I am also looking for the best nude lipstick for my slightly pigmented lips. Hope you can help me :) 

That's it for now. I'll be blogging about what's inside my bag for my next post. Stay tuned.

Beauty Mantra

Have you ever wished you were gifted with smooth porcelain skin that Hollywood stars have? I bet you do and so do I. Unfortunately, I got my skin type from my DAD who happens to have a problematic one and I am seriously straining my savings every month for skin maintenance. Blame it on cystic acne and keratosis pilaris - a skin condition more commonly knows as chicken skin which is manifested by the appearance of rough, slightly red, bumps on the skin. I swear that this skin condition is the bane of my existence. While everyone was enjoying wearing tank tops during summer, I was forced to wear regular shirts to hide my arms. I also have some of it on my legs but they are less visible unless you look at it closely. Anyway, enough of my rantings and let me just show you my everyday beauty mantra/rituals that somehow keeps my skin in good condition.

To start of, these are medicines purchased from my Dermatologist, Dra Aivee Aguilar-Teo. I start my day with her medicated soap (not in picture), then the medicated toner to remove the left over grime from my skin and to keep cycstic acne at bay. Then, I apply the ceramide cream as a moisturizer. Come evening, I use the medicated soap and toner again. This is followed by the retinol cream which peels my skin lightly to even out old pimple scars. I use this alternately with the AHA 15 gel to avoid extreme skin dryness. Lastly, I apply the kojic acid with vitamin c and this one is my ultimate favorite because it gives me that certain luminous glow every morning. 

The products above costs me about Php2500 but they're a keeper because they can last for two months. If you are interested, you can visit Dra Aivee Aguilar's clinic. I vouch for her service because I've been to different Dermatologists and she was the only one who was able to manage my skin problems. You may check out her website for more info.

Aside from my monthly facial, I also invest in a good facial exfoliant. Since I am using a retinol cream, I use this Aveeno Skin brightening daily scrub once a week to help remove the remaining dead skin cells on my face. So far, I had no breakouts from this product and it really smells nice, which is a plus.

I've always believed in organic products and that's where Human Heart Nature comes in. I am an avid fan of their shampoo and moisturizing conditioner because it's mild and it keeps my hair shiny and healthy. I had lesser hairfall when I started using it. I also adore their intensive hair mask with gugo extract which I don't have a picture of because I ran out of stock. (I should remember to get one soon) I use it once a week or whenever I have extra time to spare in the bathroom. It keeps the hair super soft and manageable

Moving on, these are the soaps I use for my skin. Of the three...my favorite would be the Oilatum bar because it really moisturizes the skin and I love the fresh mild scent of it. However, when I'm on a budget, I use Dove or Ivory. Both are cheaper alternatives but they also work wonders for my skin.

Haha. I was contemplating if I should include this one but since it is a part of my everyday beauty ritual, I decided to include it anyway :) I use Dove Whitening as my deodorant because well, I don't like strong scents. I associate strong scents with harsh products most of the time and so far Dove is known for being gentle and safe on the skin :) Anyway, see the bottle beside it. It is from The Body Shop and I use it on my hair after taking a bath to add shine and protection to my locks. I use this sparingly though, because most of the time I just forget to apply it but it's really a good product and again I am in love with the scent.

Lastly for the lotion, I use Dermaveen which is oatmeal based. My dermatologist sells this at her store but it's quite pricey so I ask my sister who is based in New Zealand to ship this to me and it's a lot cheaper that way. This doesn't have a scent but I love this because it controls my chicken skin dilemma. At night, I apply the AHA 15 gel on my arms and legs (that is if I remember to apply it haha) and then I top it with the Neutrogena relaxing overnight body cream. I love love love the smell of this one. It is indeed relaxing and refreshing :)

Pheeeww that was a lot. I hope you're not bored and I hope that this will help out people with super sensitive skin like me. Of late, I am scheduled to have my hair permed this Saturday at Beauty Brick Salon. (Wish me luck) I am both excited and nervous to see the results. I hope it will suit me. If you know any good products for permed hair please do share it with me :) Also, I've been on the lookout for the Neostrata Lotion with AHA 15. I've heard it's really good for chicken skin too. Anyone already tried this? Do you know any store or clinics that sells this product? Please share your experience :)

That's it for now dearies. Have a great week!!!