Essence Makeup Haul Part 6

August is my birth month and recently I celebrated my birthday. I'm not the type who would tell people that it's my birthday. Having a party is not my thing. But then as my friend says I should be happy and celebrate it as life is meant to be celebrated. Well what can he expect from the drama queen like me? And because of my birthday I decided to treat myself to some make up. But honestly it left me with guilt feelings afterwards as I barely wear make up and it might just be one of those items I purchased but I never use. Anyway, I can't return these anymore and I opened them already so since I have I might as well share them with you through photos:

Essence is a brand of make up from Germany. And so far it still holds the top spot of being the most affordable makeup in UAE. The only shops I know that carries them are the Carrefour in Oasis Mall and Geant in IBN Battura. But if I were you don't bother visiting Geant as they seem to be always out of stock unlike Carrefour Express that seems to replenish the items from time to time.

It is so affordable that I'm able to have an almost complete collection. I have all the lipstick shades that I like. I think I also have all the shades/line of lipgloss. All the shades of Essence Silky Touch Blush. And I don't know what has gotten into me that I purchased a lot of Essence Mono Eyeshadows and now as I think about it I should have just spent the money into buying another Timberland Boots. Each Essence Mono Eyeshadow costs only 9.00AED. While the Essence Silky Touch Blush in Sweetheart costs only 23.00AED. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. Will post some swatches as soon as I get time to take photos.

Why do I have so many face products?

Women has so many different products and let me try to explain them (and it is making me smile.. me out of all the people when I can't even explain myself properly most of the time. But what the heck, ha!) in the best way that I can. 

Facial Wash ~ is it a soap designed for the face only. As we know face is sensitive compared to other parts of our body. Using a body soap or a body wash in our face is a big no no. I love trying out different brands due to their smell but I don't pay much attention to their claims as it is usually for marketing purposes only. 

Facial Cleanser ~ they come in different forms and usually being used at night to clean the face from make up and other dirt and impurities after the long day. Micelle solution is the current trend of facial cleanser right now as they are the most gentle. But if it is not available in your area then it is okay as the market has too much to offer. Others love to use cleansing oil. Wipes. Rose water. Even toner is a type of facial cleanser too. Did I miss anything out? 

Toner ~ as I have said above toner is a type of facial cleanser too. You have to use it after cleaning your face with a cleanser to make sure that there's no more residue left by the cleanser and/or make up. It is believed to be restoring the PH balance of the skin too. Honestly I think it is just a personal preference. I always have a toner but I don't use it on daily basis especially on the days that I don't even wear make up. 

Exfoliator ~ product meant to remove the dead skin cells. The top layer of the skin. So we will have a glowing skin. But exfoliating shouldn't be done on daily basis. 2 to 3 times a week is the recommended use. But then I am still skeptical if it is really the dead skin cells being removed from my face. Because it does not look like dead skin to me. I think exfoliator is just another facial cleanser with different ingredients/formulation. But still I do so to pamper myself. As it feels great.

Scrub ~ it is a product with micro beads. It claims to soften the skin and open the pores (here we go again with opening the pores thing) so the active ingredients can penetrate the skin and promises to give a youthful look because of this. It is safe to use on daily basis.  But methinks this is the same thing with exfoliator just in another name. Again it is a person's choice is he wants to use scrub even if he is already using an exfoliator. If it makes him feel good then go ahead. 

Hope this little post helps anyway. Till next time.

Fino Leatherware License Card Holder

Fino Leatherware License Card Holder

Price: 595.00PHP @ Fino MOA

Made in Philippines

Good morning/good evening guys wherever you are. Well I had been checking my stats and I have seen that some who dropped by are people who are looking for information about Fino Leatherware. For those who doesn't know Fino is a Philippine brand of leather goods. They had been around for 2 decades if I am not mistaken. You can check them on Facebook, Instagram or just visit their website.

I came to know about this brand a little late and I'm already here in the Middle East. Fino License Card Holder is the 3rd Fino product I own. What I love about Fino is they offer small leather goods in different colors. I visited some leather shops in the UAE and I'd say only Fino has this license card holder. If ever that others might have then expect it to be in black or brown color only. Price starts from 195.00PHP (keychain). Guys I'm sorry but I have to go now and I don't have much to share with you. If you have any questions just leave me a comment and I'll try to answer them. Okay? Ciao! 

Current Brands I'm Using

I still have so many items that I would like to share with all of you. Why am I doing so? Well even here in the Middle East the price of gasoline became high. And expect the prices of other goods to follow. I personally don't like it but then just like the rest there is nothing I can do about it but just take it or leave it. Even if the cost of living is so high that it's hard for all to make ends meet BUT still we are all consumer. We all have to eat. We all buy cosmetics. And women like me still buy make up. We still have other needs. 

What I am doing is to keep on looking in the market for the items that would cost less than the other brands we all know. And I want to share them more of public awareness that a certain product exists. No photos for me to share now but here are some affordable brands that I'm using and they are available in UAE Market. I think blogs help as sometime we will not just pick up a brand that we don't know about. When we shop we usually go for brands that we trust. We trust because we had been using it since forever or we see them all the time in advertisements. Or personally recommended by a friend. Blogs introduces us to many brands we don't know exists and actually good. Brands that will not pay for advertisements so they can keep their prices low. Since ads can cost a fortune.

Daiso ~ this is a Japanese shop that we can all compare to a Dollar Store. As much as I can I am writing posts about items that I purchased from them. I know there are still people who are skeptical to use Daiso products but please at least try as I am a living proof that not because they are cheap means they are harmful. I had been shopping to since late last year and it helps to stretch my budget. 

Byphasse ~ it is a Spanish brand of cosmetics that happens to be so affordable and in Dubai it is available in the Tati Shop. Unfortunately there's only one Tati Shop and it is in Mirdif City Centre. I don't know if there are any plans of expansion. I hope so.

Nectar of Nature ~ it is a French brand of affordable cosmetics and available in Carrefour across the UAE. So far the items I tried are water mist, wax strips and body washes. So far so good.

Now to get the best deal I usually buy when there is an on going promo or sale. But not with Daiso. They'll never go on sale as their prices are already the cheapest in the market. Even though I am enjoying these brands for now I will still try to look for cheaper brands if ever there is. And expect me to share them all with you. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. Feel free to leave me a comment if there is any questions or suggestions. Good night!

Nectar of Nature

I grew up using limited brand of products and I don't know why. Most of us back then in Manila only knows Colgate and I keep on forgetting that it is a toothpaste and there are so many brands available in the market. Same goes with soap that if you want something that smells nice and luxurious then Dove is the answer. I could go on and on with others. And whatever I was using when I was in Manila I did not switch brands when I landed here in UAE. There are handful of grocery stores that offer Filipino products. And when I'm feeling extravagant then I'll go for Loreal. Yes. Loreal was the most expensive product I knew of.

My products knowledge broaden only when I became addicted to skin care products and decided to treat some skin issues I'm having. For a moment I became obsessed with French, Japan and Korean brands (only those well known or highly recommended by beauty gurus which can be soooo expensive at least for me). But then that obsession was short lived as I had to go back in reality that I'm not rich enough to sustain those prices and I used enough products that does not really work. Especially the whitening ones. This is where the Nectar of Nature brand enters. 

I found some blogs about this brand but they are in another language that I don't bother to read anymore. All I know is Nectar of Nature is a French brand of cosmetics that aims to provide affordable products to every family as the cost of living just keeps on getting higher. Their slogan is 'Beauty is not a luxury. It is a right'. It is available in Carrefour across the UAE but I don't know since when? I had been shopping in Carrefour since 2006 but then I don't go to areas where there are SAs (I'm sorry ladies I know you are just doing your job) and they are stationed in cosmetics area. I found Nectar of Nature in the aisle of sale items and that is one of the sections where no SA will persuade you to choose a product.

What draws me to the Nectar of Nature was their body wash has so many variants that looks good and smells good. Plus it was on sale. Price was lower compared to other brands I know. That I went ahead to give it a try. And after my good experience with the body wash I came back again to try other products from the line. But only those that are on sale. The body wash as can be seen in this photo. I got it for only 8.00AED on the promo of buy 1 take 1. 

I know the world right now has so many problems. I am just a poor girl having to work overseas and for sure a lot can relate to my situation. But then in spite of being a poor I am still a consumer. I still have to purchase. Food. Make up. Toiletries. We can't do anything (quick solution) about the cost of living skyrocketing. The only thing I can do is to hunt down the market for the most affordable I can find. What others called dirt cheap. And writing about them to let other women know about it too. Though I haven't gotten around into posting about food and recipes. One of these days I hope. 

That's all for now. Expect me to introduce some more Nectar of Nature products soon. Thanks for dropping by. Ciao!

Daiso Haul Part 8

I keep on saying that I am broke. I will not spend anymore. I will first finish whatever products I have on hand. Which takes up much of the space in the tiny room. But then I visited Daiso in Dubai Mall and my plans of not spending dirhams anymore flew out of the window. But still I'd like to think that I am a smart spender. Because I did not buy items that would cost me an arm and leg. And even though I hoarded a little these items would last for months. Maybe until next year just before they expired. Isn't it one of the things smart spender do? When there is an item that you always use and they are on sale better buy it in bulk if you can. 

 

I love Daiso Dubai Mall because I think it is the only Daiso in UAE that keeps on selling new products. This time I got myself Daiso Almond Peeling Gel and Daiso Lemon Peeling Gel as can be seen in this photo:

Peeling Gels! I bought myself 6 pieces each because I know once the stocks are finished it will take time for Daiso to replenish. A tube costs only 7.00AED and contains 100grams. And for those who wants to know what is peeling gel is, it is a gentle exfoliator. I would like to say that this is big in Asia but the none of my friends and family knows about it. Even in my loop in Social Media are pretty clueless about it. So much for me for saying about it being a BIIIGGGG thing! Well maybe for those who are updated about beauty products.

I was about to say that there is no counterpart of it in western products. But then this has the same function with western facial scrubs. Peeling Gel and Facial Scrub both do the same job of skin exfoliation. But just made of different ingredients. Both I'd say are gentle on the skin. But I'm sticking around to this Daiso product because of the price. I ain't going to spend a fortune again for another product. 

Daiso Peeling Gels are available in 2 variants. Daiso Almond Peeling Gel and Daiso Lemon Peeling Gel. I know there are still some people who would not give a Daiso product a chance just because of the price and they think it will ruin their skin or something. I hope you guys will change your mind and give it a try. This has been my nth Daiso product and so far so good. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by. 

Empties Part 3

It has been a long time since the last time I have written a post. Well life has been harder since July. Company owners decided to apply for ISO Certification. Well I am not against it but for those who are working in an ISO certified company knows that there's too much documents needed for it. I have gotten busier than ever that I don't even have time to share a favorite song like I used to do. Plus July weather was unbelievably so hot. That I don't know anymore what to do. If you are in a cold weather just put on layers of clothing and walk a lot and you'll be fine but in extremely hot weather like this all I can think about is staying in the shower the whole day if possible. Even with umbrella while walking outside was not enough. I don't even want to cook not because laziness creeping up but every time I want to cry and just run away from here as it is so damn hot in the kitchen too. Feels like I'm inside a big oven. Weather is the main reason why I'm wishing to land a job somewhere cold. But still lady luck hasn't smiled on me yet on that area. 

Moving on.. Today I'll be sharing the 3rd part of my empties post. Before I don't really pay attention that much in whatever I was using (cosmetics) only last year when I started observing closely and noting down if there will be at least changes depending on what I was trying to achieve.

From left to right: Olay Refreshing Toner, Bioderma Face Wash and Clearasil Face Wash.

Clearasil Face Wash ~ this is affordable and easily available. I used this at that time I was desperate to find a cure for my whiteheads. Yes I thought it can be cured. I read a lot and some says that whitehead is also an acne so I treated it as one. People who are acne prone uses oil free products even on facial wash. And so did I hoping to see some results. I use nose strips on regular basis but of course it came to a point that I don't want to do it anymore and I searched for a permanent solution. I'm sorry if you landed here in my post hoping to see an in depth reviews of the products but I don't have. It is not my forte and I even lack in writing skills. I'm just listening to my pocket and my skin. As of this Clearasil Face Wash all I can say is it is really good as it does not irritate the skin. It does not hurt the skin. It does not have a scent. Cleans properly. But as of my whiteheads it did not help me at all. I did not notice any difference. It was good that it did not aggravate it but it did not lessen them either. And for that reason that I decided to try an oil free facial wash in the first place. Did not repurchase and moved on to another brand.

Olay Refreshing Toner ~ it a very affordable alcohol free toner in the market. I tried it as aside from my concern regarding my whiteheads I also started taking care of my aging and dry skin. It has been said that using Alcohol Free products will be a big help in maintaining the moisture of the skin. But honestly I tried so many toners hoping one of them might miraculously help in lessening the whiteheads but to no avail. I spent a fortune before it finally dawned on me that no facial wash or cleanser in the world not even a toner that can help with making those white bumps vanish! Nose strip is the only way. Meaning I clean my face everyday but without using a nose strip then it will not be gone. Olay Refreshing Toner is true to its name. Using it feels like your skin being refresh as it has a cooling sensation. Does not dry out the skin as it is alcohol free. I did not repurchase because of the reason that I can't stand the smell of it.

Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel ~ and because Bioderma Micelle Solution is so good that I went ahead and purchase other Bioderma products I can find. If I were to compare Bioderma to other quite known French brands then this line is affordable. But then according to my financial status it is still expensive. I bought the items with my eyes closed thinking it is worth it if it will help my skin to get better. This Bioderma Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel is created for combination/oily skin yay that's me! It is also oil free which is advisable for acne prone skin. And I think one more selling point of this is being suitable to sensitive skin. I'm sorry but I will be just repeating the words I have written above about Clearasil. The only difference is Bioderma is Paraben Free compared to Clearasil. But then I don't really care about Parabens. I have tons of products at home with Parabens and I'm still alive and kicking. Bioderma is a good face wash. No scent at all. Gentle on the skin. Cleans properly. Just leaning on the expensive side. And how about the whiteheads? If I will stumble upon a product that will help me about whiteheads to the point that I can give the nose strips for good then I'll be jumping with joy and might write about it daily no matter how busy I am.

Overall the above products are good only if you are looking for something to clean your face. If there is a specific problem in your skin then you must use a separate product designed for it. That's all  and thanks for dropping by.

There's no excellent beauty products.. yet!

I am working in a customer service industry that being said even if we know in ourselves that we are giving our best to the clients does not mean that they can call us (customers) excellent or even give us praises. The only time that they might do so is when we go out from what are expected from us. And so whenever I write a review/feedback to whatever beauty product I am using so far only a few I had been called the best but usually for the lame reasons.

There will never be an 'excellent' beauty product as long as the product just delivers what it is meant to be and most of the time they tend to promise heaven and earth and yet under delivered. So most of the time I'll just use the word 'okay' or 'good enough' in each of them.

As a customer I am not hard to please. As long as it is affordable. Easily available. Does not harm the skin. But as much as I am easy to please does not mean it is easy to earn my loyalty. The best customers in the world are the repeat customers. Those who keeps coming back. But there will always be a brand that will challenge an existing brands when it comes to affordability and availability. That's the reason why I don't really stick to one brand. Not unless they can offer something that others cant.

Just sharing.

Current sale in UAE shops

Just a quick post as I was lucky enough to visit at least 3 malls over the weekend. And here are the shops that are still on sale right now:

Tchibo is a shop in UAE that offers affordable clothing and household items and they are still on sale. They are offering 30% off on clothing items.

While Centrepoint/Splash is having a clearance sale. Meaning everything must go. Old collections of clothing.

And in Outlet Mall almost all the shops are having a massive discount too! So if you need anything this is the right time to purchase. And I can't say prices will still be the same in the years to come. It might be the last year that we all can enjoy this kind of sale.

That's all for now. Ciao!