SK Products Philippines

*PHOTOS are not mine. Got them from Google Images. I'll share the source once I find it again.

From time to time I had been experimenting with different products that promises to whiten the skin. For the record, I am not aiming to be as white as Snow White. I love being morena but I wish to have an even skintone. No black spots. Almost a decade ago I used to buy these products in Watsons Philippines. It is called Dermacare SK or just SK. But Google only knows the SK II from Japan. That's sad. Price back then was around 100PHP only. I was using the Peeling Lotion and it really works. I am now remembering this underrated products as none of the supposed to be peeling/whitening products I purchased/tried works (Shark Oil, Green Peeling Oil, RDL Lotion, One Earth Organics etc. etc.) Will try to share my experiences with them. Now I am asking my friend and siblings to try hard to look for these products for me. And once they find it I will hoard that will last for the next 5 years. Try to Google it and you'll not find much info about it :(

Une Rouge Lipstick R04

Une Rouge Lipstick R04

Price: 59.25AED Sale Price

79.00AED Regular Price

Centrepoint @ MCC



I was able to get another lipstick from Une because of the sale last March. Une Rouge Lipstick has only 8 shades. This time I got the R04 Shade. This is already my 3rd lipstick from this line. That's how in love I am with this brand. This lip color is one shade darker the natural shade of our lips.

Small House Designs #1

*PHOTOS are not mine. Source: Pinterest

When I was a kid I always wanted to live in a castle. Heavily influenced by the stories 0f Princesses. Now I am all grown up and working. Living in a small and crammed space (thanks to sky high rent prices) ~ life is tough only a few people can really afford a huge space. I am now fascinated into designs of small houses. I will update this post from time to time whenever I see good photos from Pinterest.

Daiso Product #8: Charcoal Pore Care Pack [Nose Strips]

Daiso Charcoal Pore Pack

Natural Charcoal

4 Pieces Per Box

Price: 7.00AE @ Daiso UAE
Made in Korea

For the last 8 years here in the UAE I had been using a different brand of nose strips. I don't have a problem with that brand but then I am glad that I found Daiso Charcoal Pore Care Pack. The one I am using cost 17.00AED (6 pieces in a box). Yes, price plays a major factor why I made the switch. Daiso is cheaper. But can do the same job. Definitely no way that I'll ever use another brand again. But the downside of this Daiso is the availability. It is usually out of stock. When you see it available you better stock up or wait a long time when it will be available again.

 

As of the first weekend of April they were not available at Mirdif City Centre and Lamcy Plaza. So for this month of April even though I no longer have a budget once it becomes available I'll surely buy a dozen or so. I cannot live without nose strips as sadly white heads whether I like it or not is something I cant get rid off 100%. Nose products can only lessen them but not make them totally vanish for good.

Celebrity Urban Legends

Will just share one entry from the discussion about Celebrity Urban Legends from Pinoy Exchange:

Incredible Urban Legends on Pinoy Celebrities

Here are six incredible and even preposterous urban legends on local celebrities:

1. Snake Charmer

First heard: Late '80s.
The lowdown: Robina Gokongwei has a twin, a giant serpent, whose secret lair is located beneath Robinson's Galleria. When it's time to feed the snake, a trapdoor opens in one of the Galleria's fitting rooms, sending one unlucky shopper down through a maze of pipes and into the snake-pit. One day, Alice Dixon was in the wrong fitting room at the wrong time. Lucky for her, the serpent fell in love with her and decided to let her go.
Truth factor: As likely as Alice resurrecting her career.

2. Lightbulb Moment

First heard: Late '80s.
The lowdown: Richard Gomez is Jaime Zobel de Ayala's paid lover. In the course of one intercourse, Zobel shoved a light-bulb up Goma's rectum because he's that kinky. Unfortunately, the glass broke and poor Goma had to be rushed to the emergency room.
Truth factor: C'mon. Zobel, with all his riches, can afford to buy a titanium dildo. You actually think he'd use some cheap store-bought bulb?

3. The Elevator Incident

First heard: Early-to-mid '00s.
The lowdown: Ting. Elevator door opens. In walks Gretchen Baretto, also known to her family as Satan, and her entourage of yayas and bodyguards. Another woman enters the elevator right after her. Deeming the woman unfit to be sharing the same space as her (and her Bulgari jewels), La Gretta proclaimed, "please tell this woman to get off my elevator", to which the woman retorted, "please tell this woman to get off my building." It turns out that the woman is Mrs. Yuchencho, a member of the clan who owns RCBC plaza. Exit la Gretta.
Truth factor: Smoke, fire, you know the cliche. Plus, she doesn't really hide the fact that she's an uber-*****.

4. Miss Hooker World

First heard: Mid '90s.
The lowdown: Ruffa Gutierrez may have lost the prized Miss World crown in 1993, but her exposure in that pageant helped turn her into a globe-trotting, world-class prostitute. With her mom as pimp, Ruffa snagged high-paying clients and eventually, settled down with Turkish mobster, Ylmaz Bektas.
Truth factor: You know there's a little truth to it when the source is your distinguished law professor.

5. Pinay Winona Ryder

First heard: Mid '00s.
The lowdown: Pretty, fair and demure Lucy Torres is a shoplifting freak. Her thievery has escalated to the point that she can't shop without being followed by an assistant who pays for every item she's lifted. A security camera at Rustan's captured Lucy doing the Winona hand-trick and the footage found its way to the desk of Karen Davila. The Kapamilya station agreed not to air the video in exchange for unknown favors from Goma.
Truth factor: There's something quite off with Lucy. Maybe this is it?

6. Death in Dos Palmas

First heard: 2002
The lowdown: On March 29, 2002, at the Dos Palmas resort in Palawan, bedimpled matinee idol Rico Yan, now Saint Rico, died due to "cardiac arrest following a rupture of the pancreas." Those in the know, however, claim that Rico overdosed with a cocktail of illegal drugs and that on the night of his death, Rico banged a hooker who was delivered and paid for by his dear friends, Dominic Ochoa and Jana Victoria.
Truth factor: Isn't it a little strange that they didn't release his autopsy report? Hmm.

from misterhubs.blogspot.com

Reading it just for FUN sometimes. Till next time. Thank you for dropping by.

Macarena - Los Del Rio

Los Del Río
I'm not trying to seduce you

Carla Vanessa
When I dance they call me Macarena
And the boys they say que soy buena
They all want me, they can't have me
So they all come and dance beside me

Move with me, chant with me
And if you're good I'll take you home with me
Move with me, chant with me
And if you're good I'll take you home with me

Los Del Río
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Carla VanessaNow don't you worry about my boyfriend
The boy whose name is Vitorino
I don't want him, can't stand him
He was no good so I... ha ha ha ha

Now come on, what was I supposed to do?
He was out of town and his two friends were so fine

Los Del Río
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

I'm not trying to seduce you

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Carla Vanessa
Come and find me, my name is Macarena
Always at the party con las chicas que son buena
Come join me, dance with me
And all you fellows chant along with me

Los Del Río
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Hey Macarena

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.

Muji Sunscreen Lotion SPF40

Muji Sunscreen Lotion SPF40

Price: 30.00AED 30ML @ Muji UAE

Made in Japan



Photos above are taken using iPhone.
I know I said that items at Muji are so expensive that I avoid buying from them and as much as possible I buy only from Daiso. So why a post about a Muji product? Well Daiso UAE is different from Daiso in other countries. Food is not available. Skin care products are limited. Daiso 'might' have their own sunscreen or sun protection product but that will never be available here. Purchased this Muji Sunscreen Lotion SPF40 for the month of March. I did not hesitate buying as the price is lower compared to French brands. I am also aware that there are  affordable drug store brands of sunscreen BUT I can't bring myself to do a trial and error when it comes to sunscreen. That sticky yucky sunscreen I used years ago lingers on my mind. I read somewhere that Japanese sunscreens are nowhere that yucky gooey I experienced in the past. With that in mind ~ I didn't have second thoughts making this purchase at Muji.

When I got home I immediately Googled it. I'm not sure if I am entering the right key words but I can't seem to find forums and blogs about it. If the product is amazing it will be popular. If the product is popular it will be all over the blogs or forums. Or maybe those blogs and forums are in another language that's why I can't find them? I would love to know other people's experiences about this product.

Muji Sunscreen Lotion is watery. It surprised me as what I am using now is cream type. This is my first encounter with this kind of texture of sunscreen. It is white in color but absorbs by the skin quickly so there will be no white residue left on my face. Been using it for just a few days now. I'm still observing it if it will adds up to the oil in my nose (or clog pores) that seems to produce hundreds of white heads no matter how I clean my face and use nose products often. If my skin wouldn't have negative reaction to it then I might stick with this brand.

That's all for now, thanks for dropping by!

Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Toner

Avene Gentle Toner
Price: 110.00AED 200ML @ Aster Pharmacy
Made in France
Ingredients: Water, Fragrance, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Trisodium EDTA

Selling point of this company is the main ingredient in their products is the THERMAL SPRING WATER. This water as they say is good for our skin. Me as a regular consumer will really fall into that as we all know that water is really good for our skin/body. Out of all the Avene products I tried this is one of my favorites. Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Toner or just Avene Gentle Toner. And I am already in my second bottle which I was able to purchased when Aster Pharmacy had their promo. But even though I love this product the second bottle would be my last one as the main issue for me is the price. I just can't accept that this 'special water' is the main reason why this product is so expensive . 

La Isla Bonita - Madonna

[ Spoken: ]
Como puede ser verdad
[ or Como puede ese olvidar ]
How could it be true?

Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
Just like I'd never
gone, I knew the song
A young girl with eyes like the desert
It all seems like
yesterday, not far away
[ Chorus: ]
Tropical the island breeze
All of nature wild and free
This is where I long to be

La isla bonita

And when the samba played
The sun would set so high
Ring through my ears and sting my eyes
Your Spanish lullaby

The beautiful island

I fell in love with San Pedro
Warm wind carried on the
sea, he called to me
Te dijo te amo
I prayed that the days would last
They went so fast

He told you, "I love you"
[ chorus ]
I want to be where the
sun warms the sky
When it's time for siesta you
can watch them go by
Beautiful faces, no cares in this world
Where a girl loves a boy,
and a boy loves a girl

Last night I dreamt of San Pedro
It all seems like
yesterday, not far away
[ chorus twice ]
La la la la la la la
Te dijo te amo
La la la la la la la
El dijo que te ama

He told you, "I love you"
He said he loves you

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.

Daiso Product #7: Ellefar Waterproof Mascara

Daiso Ellefar Waterproof Mascara

Ellefar Princess Series

Ellefar Princess Volume Mascara

Price: 7.00AED @ Daiso UAE

Made in China

Right after my disappointment with Daiso Clear Mascara it didn't stop me from buying another mascara AGAIN from Daiso. This one is called Daiso Ellefar Waterproof Volume Mascara. I am not really into mascara but then seeing so many photos from Instagram or other social networking sites; those beautiful women with beautiful lashes... It is encouraging me to try it out too. My verdict? This is value for money I think. I got what I paid for. I am not really extremely happy but not disappointed. Makes my lashes thicker but not longer. I am glad that I was able to try it without spending a fortune. But I will not purchase again as it is not really my thing. Lastly, yes this is really waterproof. Stays on my lashes the whole day. Will just finish it then stop using a  mascara as at night I am already too lazy to remove it. I'd rather have a few minutes added to my sleep than spending those minutes removing the mascara. But then that is just me :)

Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder

I don't have much to say about this product. Bourjois is a drugstore French brand of make up which I happens to like. I pretty much use a lot of Bourjois products which I will be sharing in the next few days. I even love their line Une. BUT I bought this powder by mistake. What I needed was loose powder. Which I was able to buy weeks after making this purchase. Had to wait for another sale. Price is below 100AED and I am pretty sure that I got it on sale. Maybe I got it around 50AED. I don't shop anyway if there is no discount. This is available in Centrepoint across the UAE. Sponge is not included so I had to buy one. Used it only once. I'll hand it over to my sister in law soon. I'm pretty sure this Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder is a good one as I am using a concealer from the same line. I just happen to have a dry and aging skin that is not compatible with ANY compact powders.

Photos above were taken using Pentax Q7 while the photos below were from iPhone6. That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by.

First French Brands Of Skin Care Products I Tried

In the UAE Market I don't think commercials and the likes are not much necessary or they don't need very popular figures as a lot of consumers like me doesn't depend on them to decide which products to buy/try. I don't even watch TV or listen to the radio to see/hear advertisements. So how do I wind up with different products/brands like this? By spending time in the malls looking around. By reading blogs and forums. From the word of the mouth. After finding and loving Bioderma Micelle Solution then I started searching for other French Skin Care Products. Avene and La Roche Posay are quite popular. Last year was the start of my quest for skin care products and make up. To be honest, French brands are expensive for me. But I shelled out a fortune anyway. I wouldn't know if I didn't try right? Out of the four products in the photo my vote goes to Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Toner then La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Riche. But the only way I will purchase them again is if they will be on sale. It's 2015 and a lot of drugstore brands are available at much more affordable prices. 

Japan's Baby Foot

Japan's Baby Foot

Price: 2014 49.00AED @ Carrefour MCC

           2015 65.00AED @ Carrefour MCC

Made in Japan

Tried it only once in 2014. My favorite. It really works. I am just waiting for some miracle that somehow the price in UAE will drop. Or it will go on sale and will be widely available across the country. And the new version will be available too. Or another brand will come along not necessarily from Japan. Maybe from Korea or Taiwan. 

You have to wear it for 2 hours and just rinse it afterwards. Then after a few days you'll see that the dead skin from your foot will peel away leaving you a soft feet afterwards hence the name Baby Foot.