And why I keep on going back to BBW and VS ♥

I now have almost a 100 photos in my camera that I'm about to post here in my blog. But I just don't have time yet to transfer them in my laptop and finally upload them here in my Blogger. But anyway this post is about the reason why I always end of buying skin care products from Bath and Body Works or Victoria's Secret.

 

There was a time that I used to think and say that their products are too expensive. But then I was buying French brands of skin care from pharmacies. But comparing the prices French brands like Avene and La Roche Posay prices are way too expensive than Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body Works. But as months go by I'm realizing that I'm slowly turning away from French brands as well as South Korean brands. And now my stash are mainly from the two said brands that I keep on mentioning.

 

As of Bath and Body Works it is their Aromatherapy line that made me come back to their shop. BUT their edge from other brands would be: they have a SNS accounts. And through their SNS accounts they are always announcing their promotions. Bath and Body Works may be expensive but because of the said promotions it is making them a little affordable for people like me who are on a budget. While Victoria's Secret may not have an SNS account in Middle East at least they are sending SMS. These two shops seem to have a promotion on going alternately.

 

2 weeks ago maybe? Bath and Body Works had this Buy 1, Take 1 promotion. I grabbed the opportunity and get myself their Aromatherapy Body Scrub. I haven't seen any brands like them to have that kind of promo [The BodyShop, The FaceShop, Soap and Glory, L'Occitane, Lush what else?]. While Victoria's Secret may not always have discount like with the Bath and Body Works but they always have this mix and match thing going on the whole year. Choosing Victoria's Secret mix and match will make their prices lower if compared to other brands I mentioned.

 

And speaking of Victoria's Secret they have a line called Body Care Line. Most of the products are discontinued in international market but I have seen some stocks are still available in UAE market. I'm eyeing this one as I'm interested in their body oils and body scrubs. And if my budget will allow me to I'd like to have some luminous cream and body butter. ♥


UPDATE as of May 17, 2016
Last night I checked Bath and Body Works Instagram account and the DUCK is back. Meaning they will have a major sale again. Well the major sale last January left me disappointed as those items that I want where not included in the sale. So I'm hoping to have time this weekend to visit. But no I will not hoard again. I will check them out to see if there's anything that I can buy as gifts.

As this early I'm already buying Christmas gifts for family and friends in the Philippines. Don't judge. I don't have a budget to buy them all at once. So what I'm doing is to buy monthly basis during sale. As for myself I don't deny that there are still some items that I want but the difference between now and then would be I wont hoard. Just a body scrub and body oil for me.

As of Victoria's Secret the Sales Assistant told me to come back on May 24, 2016. They will be having a sale but she's not sure which product. If its their weightless oil then I'll get some for myself. But if its not then I'll let it pass. I already have too many body moisturizers that I'm trying to finish.

Just another tidbits..

In just a few weeks it will mark my 10th year anniversary of being an OFW in the Middle East. It has been a decade since I left the Philippines. But sadly whether I like it or not time will come that I have to go back in my own country. This land will never ever embrace me as one of their own. Well that is another story that I'm avoiding to discuss. But back when I first came here I don't even have a proper luggage. It was just a huge native bag, I wish I have a photo to share right now. I don't even know what it is called. Fast forward after 10 years ~ the girl with just a few earthly possessions now have a clutter at every corner of the room. And that is one of the things in my life now that I am trying to change.

Inventory ~ This is the first step. To write down everything I own. From clothes to beauty products. I started with beauty products only last 2014 and in spite of not having a money seem like I accumulated a lot. Well for me that is a lot since I'm not really using make up on daily basis. And there's a regret on that.

Pan Project ~ Means whatever I have I am using them and making sure that I finish them up to the last drop. Whether it is make up. Skin Care Product. Or even FOOD. Yes there were times that I also hoarded food. Beats me if I know why I have done so. Almost everyday I am posting an Empty Bottle. So I'd say somehow I have a little success in this area. Key Word: Little. Because there are still items that I buy and going to buy. But whatever I'm going to buy are something that I don't have like the massage oils and scrubs.

Decluttering ~ This goes for other goods like shoes and clothes. As well as bags. Well I'm not saying that I have too much that it overflows. I only need a few of those. I either throw them away those that can't be use anymore but just lying around for reasons I don't know. Or hand them down to my younger sister so she won't need to spend money in buying things.

That is my project this year. I'm preparing as if I'm going to leave this place for good. Trying hard to be where I was before. The girl with only one small luggage. There may be things that I love and means a lot to me but I have to let them go now. Isn't it life like that, we are constantly letting go?

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche

Price: 110.00 AED @ Aster Pharmacy

Made in France

Ingredients:Water, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Liquidum / Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Urea, Glyceryl Linoleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glyceryl Linolenate, Glyceryl Oleate, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance



This is my favorite La Roche Posay product. The La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche. Although it doesn't contain SPF that is perfectly fine with me as I am already used to using a sunscreen every morning. And since it doesn't contain SPF meaning I can also use it at night as my night cream. I love the it comes with a pump which makes it easier to use. 

Clean and Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub

Clean and Clear

Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub

Price: less than 30AED @ Safeer Mall

Made in France

Ingredients: Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Polyethlene, Cera Microcristallina, Streareth-21, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Extrac, Aloe Bardensis Gel, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Potassium Cetyl Phospate, Propylene Glycol, Glucose, Butylene Gycol, Xatham Gum, Menthyl Lcatate, BHT, Parfum

I can't remember exactly when was the first time I use a facial scrub and what brand it was but all I can remember was the pain I felt when the beads had a contact with my skin. So for the longest time facial scrub is not included in my routine even though I know that exfoliation is really a must in gaining a beautiful skin. Fast forward 2014 when I finally decided to combat my skin problems and try different products including the dreadful facial scrub.

I love shopping at Safeer Hypermarket and Lulu Hypermarket for beauty/skin products than in Carrefour mostly because of the sales ladies. Yes, I understand they are just doing their job and they may have a target sales BUT please when a customer say that she just wants to look around then leave the customer alone and don't keep on yakking and following the customer around. For me it is annoying and I'll just walk away. In Safeer and Lulu I have the liberty to stay as long as I want. Checking each and every product. Reading the ingredients and comparing them with other brands. Sorry for ranting but a lot of times I had been stupid enough to listen to some them and gave in into purchasing. Only to find out that the product won't work well with me and I just wasted money. They even have this favorite selling line that they are 'personally' using it. Personally my foot!

Clean and Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub caught my attention without further reading any details just for the name alone. Blackhead Clearing. Daily. I had been with whiteheads as long as I can remember. I know it says Blackhead but Whitehead and Blackhead are both types of acne. Or comedo. Isn't it? If it will work with blackhead then it will work with whitehead too. Plus it is very affordable compared to all the products I purchased at the pharmacy so I got myself one to try.

Moment of Truth: as a scrub I don't have any issues with it. The micro beads doesn't hurt me. I can feel that it helps in cleansing my skin. And it is safe to use on daily basis as it won't dry out the skin. Now what is the problem? Unfortunately it doesn't deliver with its promise regarding 'clearing' the stubborn whiteheads on my nose. See fewer after 1 wash. That sort of thing didn't happen to me. At the end of the day I still go back to my good old nose strips to remove the whiteheads.

But who knows this product might work with people who has blackheads. There's no harm in trying it out as it is affordable. If it won't help with the blackheads then treat it as just a normal scrub.

Byphasse Haul at Tati Store Dubai

The last haul when I decided that I need to stop hoarding products so I can save money and finish all the hauls I made since last year. Byphasse is an affordable line of skin care products from Barcelona, Spain. I found it at Tati Department Store in Dubai. They were on sale for the month of April. The most expensive item from this haul is the Body Wash that costs 20.00AED. How I wish that it was their regular price that way I wouldn't have to hoard. And this time my haul was about basic toiletries. No make up. No whitening product. No peeling product. No product solely for pores. Will share my feedback about Byphasse some other time.

SALE price for those who wants to know:
Byphasse Alcohol Free Rosewater Toner ~ 8.00AED for 500ML
Byphasse Micelle Solution ~ 18.00AED for 500ML
Byphasse Shampoo ~ 15.00AED for 1L
Byphasse Body Wash Sensitive Skin ~ 20.AED for 1L
Byphasse Mouthwash ~ 10.00AED for 250ML
Byphasse Cleansing Milk (not in the photo) ~ 10.00AED for 500ML
Byphasse Body Lotion ~ 10.00AED for 500ML

Olay Refreshing Toner

Olay Refreshing Toner

Price: 20.95AED @ Lulu

This toner comes in blue green color that reminds me of ocean. I like this toner as this doesn't contain alcohol and non comedogenic. It has a slight cooling sensation upon using probably because of the Aloe and Cucumber extracts included in the ingredients. But it has a fragrance that I can't quite guess what is the source of the said scent. I don't usually mind the fragrance in the skin care products I am using and that is the case with this toner but the longer I use it the scent starts to irritate me. Aside from the fragrance this is indeed a good and safe toner. I just wish that next time around they'll come up with a fragrance free toner.

In the UAE market this is the most affordable Alcohol Free Toner that you will find. But as of the availability I can't guarantee that you'll find it in all the grocery stores nationwide. As this is nowhere in Safeer Hypermarket.

Boots Pharmacy Haul

The first purchase I made at Boots Pharmacy in Dubai. I went a little bit crazy as they were on sale for the month of April. Prices are mid range but becomes affordable when they are on sale. Promo was buy 1 take 1. I will definitely share my feedback about these products soon.. 

Prices for those who wants to know:
Soap and Glory Cleansing Milk ~ 50.00AED
Soap and Glory Scrub Your Nose In It ~ 50.00AED
Botanics Anti Spot ~ 65.00AED
Botanics Foam Facial Wash ~ 40.00AED
Botanics Eye Makeup Remover ~ 35.00AED
Botanics Toner ~ 35.00AED
Botanics Hand Cream ~ 25.00AED

RDL Transparent Facial Soap

RDL is a company that has been around since I can remember. It is a Philippine Brand and their products are made in the Philippines. Until circa 2013 I was using RDL Transparent Facial Soap on my face! Price was a factor as this is only 9AED compared to other facial wash in the market. So I thought I was saving a money. And I am really into supporting our own products. But it left me no choice but to finally stop using it. Maybe if I have a normal skin then this would have been a perfect product for my face. Sadly I have a combination skin. Dry on cheeks. Oily on my T zone. This transparent soap is unscented and doesn't produce foam like other soaps do but I am fine with that. I stopped using it as it didn't help in controlling the oil in my T zone. I am left with so many white heads than ever. White heads and sun spots are my concerns in the face. This led me into doing a trial and error in different face products.

Milky Dress Deo Peeling Gel

I frown whenever I post photos because it reminds me that until now I don't have a budget yet to get myself a new decent camera. I always wanted to get the smallest mirrorless compact camera from Panasonic but at the time it came out it was too expensive for me. Probably by now the price is lower but it may not be available in UAE market anymore. And newer, better models are already out like Sony. I have to decide soon if I will get a Sony or not as the cameras in the UAE market are slowly vanishing. Seems like nobody uses camera anymore. So here I am posting quite blur photos. Forget about the eye catching photo composition as that is my weakest point in photography.

Milky Dress Deo Peeling Gel. This is one of the purchases I made for the month of March. I got this from TheBBcreamgirl website. By the time I ordered it, price was only 60.00AED for 50ML tube then after a few days it became 70.00AED. Tried searching for blogs and reviews about it but I can't find one. Whenever I use a product I want to know also other people's experiences about it.

As can be seen in the photos above aside from Korean there's also an English translation. Making us, non Koreans understand. You have to use it on the dry underarms and wash it off. It claims the gel will melt away the dead skin as well as the odor. Making the underarms 'brighter' in the process. Now to be honest whenever I see the word WHITENING in any products I am always skeptical even though I still end up buying the product just to try it out. I know in this product they didn't exactly use the word 'whitening' but it is synonymous to brightening. I still believe that to whiten the skin or certain part of the skin the only way is to get a chemical peel from a reputable dermatologist. Almost all the products I used have this word whitening but alas I still have the same skin color. I bought it to see if it will be a good exfoliator for underarms and compare it with Bison Wakilala Clear Wash. Here's a photo from their website:

Based on my initial use as can be seen on the last 2 photos above I did not see any dead skin peeling away. To think that I used it in the morning before I take a bath. Meaning that is exactly the same thing that will happen in my underarms. So if you are planning to buy it I hope you will not expect for it to whiten your skin as obviously it will not. And sadly by the way it looks it will not also be a super effective exfoliator. But I love the way it smells. Reminds me of those sweet bubble gums from my childhood. Buy it only if it you still have extra budget and would like to give some extra TLC for you pits. And this is only for underarms and I thought I can also use this to other parts of the body.

 

Usually I use the product for a month or until I finish it before sharing a feedback but that is not the case here. I'll finish this tube and go back to Bison Wakilala Clear Wash. That's it for now and thank you for dropping by.

Soap and Glory: No Clogs Allowed

No Clogs Allowed™

Super Self-Heating Deep Pore Detox Mask

RRP £11.50/ €13.46 - 100ml

It deep cleans, melts away pore-plugging sebum and softens keratinised skin cells to prevent breakouts and blemishes. Just massage on, and stop when the paste changes from yellow to blue. No Clogs Allowed™ is perfect for weekly use on areas prone to blackhead build-up, or more often as a deep-oil-emulsifying, detoxifying face mask and all-round scrubby WONDER!

• 1-MINUTE HOT PORECLEAR™ TECHNOLOGY - a fast-acting, smoothing and polishing blend of micropumice, salicylic acid and hot clay, which activates with water contact
• GLYCERIN - to help skin feel soft and supple
• unique COLOUR-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY - (blue indicates when it’s activated)
• PLUS surface-polishing micro beads
• use weekly on areas susceptible to blackhead build-up
• strategically formulated for oily/combination skin

*Photo and product description are from the website of Soap and Glory.

All my life I always have white heads on the nose. I am already using various products for the nose and no matter how good those products are, they only works up to a certain limit. That's why I am a sucker whenever I see or find out products like this that promises to make the pores better. This month of April Boots Pharmacy UAE has on going promo of Buy 1, Take 1. Until April 27, 2015. I know as I already made a purchase from there a few days ago.

Honestly, I don't have a budget anymore with all those trips to Japanese and Korean Supermarkets. Two visits to Daiso. And well my first Boots Haul last Friday. But that Boots Haul will last up to one year I think. Knowing myself and my itchiness in finding the Holy Grail for the nose that in spite of not having a budget I'll end up getting this product anyway. I just hope that this is really worth it. Since I finished my last salary up to the last dime (I'm saving up a money in my Philippine bank account which I can't use overseas) I'll be using my 'vacation money'. I think it will cost less than 100AED. I'm really hoping that finally, this is it! That I will not regret purchasing it even if I'm short of money.

First La Roche Posay Products I Tried

These are the first batch of La Roche Posay products that I tried. Just like the other brands La Roche Posay is also a hit and miss for me. Some are good, some are better to skip. The Pigmentclar Serum and Pigmentclar Eye Cream didn't really work wonders on me. But I am quite happy with the Hydraphase Intense Riche. So out of the 3 products this is what I will consider repurchasing in the future once they go on sale again. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by.

Korean Skin Care Products

I wanted to post a clear and enticing photo appropriate for these wonderful products but then this is the result :( I am still a frustrated photographer and I am always blaming it on the camera and bad lighting. While other can capture a good photo with whatever tools they have for doing so!

Anyhow, these are Korean Skin Care Products. Different brands. I know Skinfood has a shop in Dubai but I haven't been there. And as I checked their website the prices are quite high, I know they spent money too on shipping and other but then this is a TAX FREE country right?  Faceshop; another Korean Shop also has some branches in Dubai too but still a lot of Korean products still haven't found their way in UAE.

A lot of online sellers through Instagram offers them as well as some websites but I always buy from a Filipina seller in Instagram. Her account is @koreancosmetics_uae. So this post is more on to promote her shop than the products as a lot of blogs and reviews has been written about them. Guaranteed authentic products as well as the most affordable Instagram seller. If some items are not in her photos then you can just ask her to order it for you.

That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by, ciao!!!