Olay Age Protect Cream

Got some bug of listening to celeb testimonies lately about the goodness of Olay creams, though I know product endorsement is some sort of a rubbish as celebs only did it for money, but a little try won't do harm anyway so I give it a go.

I've been using Beauche for several years now but it did not do some tricks to my fine lines around my eyes and the horrifying "crows feet" started to show up!

I wanted to try a retinol-based cream but I could not find a perfect variant, so I settled for Olay Age Protect.

It says on its label that this is an anti-ageing cream that lightens dark spots, visibly reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone, well the same promises that several facial creams had made down the ages.

Anyway, let me see if it holds to its promises. I will wait for five weeks to see the results. So far, I did not experience stingy feelings or irritation or itchiness. The texture of the cream is very smooth with a slight scent and after application I felt the tightening of my skin.

Collagen Mask Facial Treatment

Last Monday evening I had a horrible facial problem. Some tiny red dots suddenly sprouted in my face for reasons I could not understand. 

I've no clue where it came from since I've no allergies on foods, as a matter of fact I can gorge anything I want without worries, and for the past 48 hours I didn't eat anything strange other than the Chicken meal we ordered from KFC during the post wedding photo shoot of Juvy and Roy at the Ritz hotel, Garden Oases. 

But Jesus!I've been eating KFC chicken for the past 10 years why suddenly I would develop allergies? Or maybe my skin reacted to the fresh milk and mashed banana with honey that I put on my skin, but I've been doing this natural facial scrub for the past decades.

Unable to figure out why all of a sudden my face developed a very strange allergy, I thought of visiting a facial center on weekend to scrape out the dried red spots on my face.

So after spending lunch at the UIC Bajada gymnasium (where the university is celebrating the installation and investiture of the new president), I went to G.Mall immediately without changing clothes and had a facial treatment at Wally Facial Center.

I chose the Collagen Mask treatment because it relaxes  and renew tired and dull skin, even out skin tone and tightens pores. It is also an anti-aging treatment because the mixture has antioxidants elements, so I settled on this.

I loved the gentle application, the facial toner used was honey while the facial wash applied was a therapeutic tea. So relaxing!

And for three hours, my mind was at peace, listening to the soothing music  while my face undergo a soothing treatment and massage. I was able to relax and had a short nap while the Collagen Mask had put on.

The service was good I should say. I loved the way my skin was pampered, toned and firmed, a skin firming laser and a skin tightening galvanic toning gadgets were applied. 

There was a free facial and shoulder massage that accompanied the treatment so the whole thing was a bit gratifying.

Soothing Collagen Facial Mask

Taking a short nap while the mask hardened

Due to some red patches around my face brought by allergies, I immediately head on to Wally Facial Center still wearing my office uniform and undergone a collagen facial mask treatment. Nice feeling afterwards, my face seemed invigorated and tightened.

The steps of the treatment:

• Facial cleansing using a healing tea facial wash.
• Facial toning applying a honey toner.
• Steamed deep cleansing while dead skin cells, white and blackheads were gently removed using a facial equipment.
• Application of Collagen Mask which will be stayed for about 30 minutes or until it hardens.
• Dark spot eliminating cream application
• Moisturising and Whitening cream application
• Skin Firming Laser
• Skin Tightening Galvanic Toning
• Relaxing Facial and Shoulder Massage

I paid P1,000.00 for this treatment but I've no regrets because the collagen mask, the massage and the process itself were fantastically great!I felt my skin was thoroughly renewed and invigorated.

Wally Facial Center has two branches in Davao City: Victoria Plaza and Gaisano Mall. The facial treatment only cost P300.00 but if you want to undergo a Collagen Mask treatment then the rate would go up to P1,000.00 including facial massage.

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Great Finds for Acne and Blemishes

I'm one of the thousand girls out there who had been devastated with acne since the teenage years. I don't know why, obviously it's not genetic because none of my siblings and even my parents had acne in their teens. 

For the past 10 years of my life, I am very vigilant with my food intake and made sure that I have a balanced diet in a week, I religiously followed a Mediterranean Diet (click Mediterranean Diet to read more) and turned down sweets including chocolates. But to no avail.

Oh well, my skin is just so oily. Period. 

Last Summer 2012 with some acne around my chin and nose, oh God, so annoying!

Despite the presence of pimples, I am still smiling :-D

I thought this number one skin enemy would vanish naturally when I reached the pearl age, but to my chagrin the "enemy" lingered until the year 2012 strikes the calendar. One of my consolations amidst the distressing presence of acne is "oh wow, I never aged!My body cells are still in early 20s and maybe biologically I am only 23" ^______^

Despite this consolation, my system is ravaged with frustrations that my confidence seems eroding. I lost interest in meeting people. So I continued with my adventure of finding a magic remedy that could eliminate acne for good.

Every weekend I would visit and check the cosmetics section of the department stores in the city hoping the "magic remedy" made its way to the shelves, I would read endlessly the description of the ingredients of each skincare product but none was convincing. 

Since I had this silly habit of reading all the labels and ingredient compositions of the products I am eyeing to buy, one day, I stumbled this facial wash that really caught my attention. 

To the rescue....

Clean and Clear Acne Clearing Cleanser. It has salicylic acid that fights skin bacteria

I am familiar with Clean and Clear facial care products from Johnson and Johnson company and quite aware of the varieties of this brand so I wasn't surprise to see the different items at the beauty cosmetics section of the mall, what caught my attention is the phrase "Acne Clearing Cleanser" thinking that this item could provide some sort of relief to my sprouting acne that day, I picked one tube. Then tried that night.

The feeling was relaxing. I could feel the smoothness of the liquid gel around my face. It has a menthol effect and has a very mild scent. What I experience that night after washing my face with water was its softness and smoothness all over. It did not dry my face. Then one day, I saw a slow transformation. No more pimples and acne. No more oily skin.

Some scars remain though but I am more confident now 

After three weeks of continued use with this product, my skin had a rebirth. So happy that the "enemy" I'd kept battling for the past 20 years had finally gone. Confidence is back and my mind is at peace.

Another great finds for acne and oily skin remedies is Garnier facial scrub, it has tiny granules that would eliminate dead skin cells while unclogging the pores. I used this at night to scrape out dust and bacteria I encountered outdoor. Facial scrub exfoliates the skin thorougly.

I'm using this at night to unclog pores and prevent acne-causing bacteria from penetrating deeply on my skin. The anti-microbial beads thoroughly exfoliates skin.

Conzace

Conzace is excellent for the skin, this is what I'd noticed after several days of intake.

It is primarily antioxidants which fight free radicals, it aids the quick process of cell renewals making the skin more glowing and youthful. I never experienced any side effects, well, aside from occasional "sleepiness", none of the side effects frequently mentioned by others, like stomach upset and nausea, surfaced in my system.

Each capsule contains:

Vitamin A (retinol Palmitate)                       5000 IU
Vitamin E (di-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)     100 IU
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)                           500 mg
Zinc                                                               25 mg

At first I was hesitant to take this vitamin because I'd read so many testimonies of stomach upset and nausea, so I waited for several months before making a go. After asking our school nurse about it, I thought I better give it a try. They said that when taking vitamins you must take it in the morning after breakfast but I am used to the habit of taking vitamins and supplements at night, so I took Conzace at night but I never take it in a daily basis, just every other day.

I am taking Co-enzyme Q10 when not taking Conzace. Con-enzyme Q10 is another powerful antioxidant supplement that may help delay the process of ageing, just like Retinol supplements, it is also anti-wrinkles and anti-inflammatory. But it is costly, with P30.00 per gel, Co-enzyme Q10 is a bit "challenging", but its effect is wonderful. I know the clearness of my skin texture can be attributed partly to Co-enzyme Q10.

Well, Conzace is a lot cheaper, only P12.50 per gel. According to others, Conzace can help treat various skin orders like pimples and dark spots. 

Garnier Face Powder

Garnier Face Powder covers greasy appearance around the skin surface and hide skin blemishes, thus, using it daily is one of my top beauty regimens of the day. I regularly applies Garnier Cream before leaving the house so the face powder of the same brand sounds like a perfect combination for a smooth and youthful skin all day.

I am currently using the ivory shade because it looks like Garnier has no available shade for girls who have fair skin. But I love its very refine texture because easily blends with my skin. What I like more about this face powder is its nice effect on my skin, the translucent radiance, smooth surface and oil-free performance plus it has SPF 18 which protects my face from ultra-violet radiation. 

This pressed powder from Garnier has a whitening component too which makes the skin lighter and smoother. But I've noticed, well, even if ivory is a good shade, this colour seems not the perfect choice for my skin because it feels like my face has a different colour from the rest of my body. Ivory maybe suits well with girls who have brown skin. But overall, Garnier pressed powder is a wonderful beauty essential when it comes to skincare.

Passionfruit Body Butter

Rich creamy texture with oh so sweet fruity scent!

That's passionfruit body butter from the Body Shop, an intensive skin moisturizer especially for people who have dull, flaky and old skin.

I love its sweet scent! It feels like I had sprinkled my body with fresh fruit juice. This body butter makes you smell like a fresh, sophisticated feminine that everybody loves. Its unique scent is so fantastic my skin feels like a bowl of fresh passionfruit. I always love body butter because it makes my skin so shiny and shimmery. With this product, my skin glowed and radiate even more.

Body butter is ideal for people who want their skin to radiate and glow even more, its milky effect protects the skin from dryness and irritation. After each application, I could feel softness and smoothness all over my skin.

Shea Shower Cream

Another great discovery, an excellent bath cleanser. So creamy and smooth!

Just tried this body cleanser and moisturiser two days ago and super impressed with its wonderful effect, I love its soothing scent and delicate smoothness. It has an amazing milky lather and calming effect and felt like I am bathing with one cup of expensive cologne! 

She Shower Cream from Body Shop has an aromatic fragrance which relaxes tired body and senses. I love its very tender effect, it makes my skin so soft and moisturised all day. It was so amazing, that even after two hours I continued sniffing my skin.

This is best to use at night before going to sleep because you can feel your skin's smoothness all over and the relaxing scent is so terrific! Honestly, I don't feel I still need to put on lotion after using this because my skin is already soft and tender. It is infused with Shea, a proven skin smoothener and moisturiser, so the result is fantastic!

Lightening Bars

Take your pick...

If you are looking for the best skin lightening product in the market, try using any of these beauty soaps which I already tried. Both are effective skin lighteners but I am not sure if it has the same effect on your skin as mine. Before deciding which product to choose, I will give you an idea first with its advantages and benefits.

G2thione Soap

This is a skin lightening bar, very mild with no harsh ingredients and scent. I can attest to its effectiveness as a lightening bar. It did not only help enhanced my fair skin complexion, but it also helped removed deep seated dirt in my skin surface.

G2thione is really an effective product, but do not expect to get a result of a whiter complexion right away. I think its main purpose is to enhance the complexion and make it lighter than make it whiter in short period of time. It can also help prevent skin darkening and blemishes due to constant exposure to the sun.

This is excellent for people who have sensitive skin, like me. I didn't experience skin irritation and dryness when I first I used it. I love its creamy lather and mild scent, this soapcan really scrub dead skin cells. It contains Kojic Acid, Virgin Coconut Oil, Goat milk and Vitamin E which make the skin supple, smooth, youthful and glowing. It protects my skin from pimples and acne and help maintain its natural softness and youthful glow. P80.00 each bar

Beauche Beauty Bar

This beauty bar had been in my bath basket for nearly four years now. I started using this soap in 2007 when my pimples became worst. This is a cream bar so it will easily melt when put in a wet surface. Try putting it in a separate soap holder so that it won't mix with other soaps. 

I love its sweet scent, very much orange rather than papaya, but don't worry the scent won't irritate your skin. It greatly works for my skin and thoroughly removed the old cells around the surface. After using, it, there's a slight lifting that can be felt around the skin face. What I like about this soap, is its soothing fruit scent which calmed my senses. It can also protect the skin from dark spots and blemishes. It has a natural moisturizer so it never dries up skin. P38.00 each bar

Facial Skin Antiseptic Soap

This is my latest discovery in facial skincare, I just saw it one day in the grocery section of Gaisano mall and read its contents and when I noticed that its ingredients contains antioxidants, I immediately bought one to try.

When I began using it, I could smell  its natural tomato and cucumber extracts, I noticed also that it has a very mild scent with minimum lather but effectively cleanse the oil residue around my face. When I looked my face in the mirror I can see my pores flattened and even out my skin tone. I was amazed with its very fast result. Now I am regularly using this, G2thione and Beauche bar came in second and third priorities and used it alternately about twice a week only. This soap is primarily made from fruits and vegetables  extacts: Tomato, Cucumber and Papaya with Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamins A and C which help protect the skin from drying. This soaps acts as a natural skin toner and lightener. P40.00 each bar and available in the cosmetics section of Gaisano Mall.

L'Oreal Milky Toner

This special revitalift aqua milky toner product from L’Oreal has anti-wrinkle and firming solutions that help moisturize and rejuvenate sagging skin while fighting the rapid process of aging. It has pro-retinol and fibre-elastyl formulations which help refine pores and fine lines.

I've been using this for almost two years now and very much contented with the result. The milk extracts help refine my pores and some fine lines around my forehead and eyes. I noticed also that it lightens my skin more and has a different glow. It softens skin and fight the rapid process of premature aging.

Though I have an annoying oily skin, this aqua milky toner doesn't provoke pimples and acne. In fact, it clearly smoothen skin and erases dark spots and other blemishes. This is highly recommended to be used for people who have skin blemishes and large pores and especially those who are suffering from dry skin, this will help make the skin glow and radiate. 

I am using this product twice a day, first in the morning before I put on day cream or facial powder then at night before I went to bed. It helps soothe skin and acts as an effective moisturizer. 200 ml (picture above) is worth P300.00

Beauche Cosmetics

When it comes to eradicating pimples and acne effectively, nothing beats Beauche cosmetics. Its effectiveness is so fantastic and I can attest to that.

I've been suffering from skin blemishes and acne since high school and until in my early 30s these skin enemies did not leave my precious skin, until a friend of mine introduced Beauche in 2007. At first I hesitated to try it since I was already tired using all possible remedies available in the world but to no avail, but my friend insisted, so I finally gave in. It took three weeks before I saw the result and I was amazed! For many years  acne and pimples and skin blemishes sprouted in my skin, especially during heavy days, like annoying fellows that I am accustomed to its presence, I did not even think that I can still find an effective solution on this, so I made up my mind to just wait for the days that all oils will be secreted out from my body. Luckily for me, Beauche works its magic on my skin. This wonderful skin solution will not only eliminate acne for good but it makes the skin looks younger, smoother and glowing too!

 Finally I get rid of those annoying pimples and acne. Unlike other astringents for acne, beauche astringent (clarifying lotion) is not really painful, it has a stingy feeling but the effect on my skin is not really damaging as I never experienced any redness on my face. For three weeks in 2007, my skin had an amazing rebirth attaining a different vigor and radiance.

Beauche is a night-and-day application, this is also applicable to men whose skin is also ravaged by irritating acne. To see a very effective result, you must buy one set, depending on the manner of application, usually it lasts one month for first time users. Each set contains the following:

One Skin Toner
One Clarifying Lotion
One Exfoliating Cream
One Rejuvinating Cream
One Age Eraser Cream (also serve as sunblock)
One Soap

Night Procedure:
Apply skin toner using a cotton. Then wash it thoroughly with water and soap. Pat it dry. Apply substantial amount of exfoliating cream, let it stay for 15 minutes then apply rejuvinating cream.

Morning Procedure:
In the morning before you wash your face, rub ice cubes on your face to lift dead skin cells, then wash it with water and soap, before you leave the house, apply the age eraser cream.

...Then you are on the road of acne-free skin...

Skin Food Products

When it comes to cosmetics, hair and body care, nothing beats organic products because of so many advantages and health benefits the users can get from it. Last year, as I joined the Davao Lady Bloggers, I came across with these natural products straight from Korea sold by Davao TLC shop along Nova Tierra village, Lanang, Davao City. For more information, read my LIFESTYLE blog about SkinFood products

HOP BEER HAIRWASH

This is my super favorite product of Davao TLC Shop because of its fantastic effect on my hair. It is so amazing because I don’t need to apply any conditioner to soften my hair, it acts both a shampoo and a conditioner, plus the scent is so relaxing and sweet because of its Grapefruit extract. I love its therapeutic scents, it relaxes senses. Hop Beer Hair Wash has this lasting soothing effect on my head, it seems the organic ingredients heals tired mind that I have this wonderful aura after washing my hair. It works as therapy and its smell, which is like a lavender scent, helps calm weary mind. It never dries up hair and even if I would not apply conditioner, my hair strands still manageable.

STRAWBERRY BODY WASH

Wheew this product had help my skin glow and radiate even more. It has a luscious scent of real strawberry fruit with a creamy lather. The milk and strawberry extracts provide a smooth finish after each bath. The skin smells like a baby, very refreshing and relaxing. Just used loofah or sponge to achieve an excellent result on your skin as it thoroughly eliminate dead cells making the skin more renewed and smooth.


The advantage of using body wash is that it has no harsh ingredients like hardening and soda, so it won’t dry or irritate skin especially the most sensitive one. Strawberry Body Wash from Davao TLC Shop is very affordable. Its smallest variant is only P90.00 while the 150 ml size is almost P300.00 but this price is already sufficient and worthy as this product is made from all natural ingredients which provide the skin with healthy benefits. The Peach Body Scrub is another amazing product but I never tried it on my skin yet, I plan to buy it when I return to the shop soon.

BB Cream

Blemish Balm cream commonly known as BB cream is the latest trend in beauty cosmetics which drive sophisticated women crazy because of its terrific effect on the face, smooth like a baby at the same time protects the skin from premature wrinkles as it has UVR shield.

It is  an excellent replacement of foundation because it helps concealed blemishes and fine lines around the face. When I gone to Davao TLC, I took few samples of these BB creams and tried it on my skin and I was amazed with its very fine effect. My friend (who owns this BB cream item in the left photo) said she was very satisfied with its result, plus it is not costly as you will only pour a small amount on your fingertip to work it over the face.

This Skin Food Peach Sake Pore BB cream (left photo) from Davao TLC Shop is just so perfect, with its very natural and organic ingredients and fine texture, every woman can achieve the kind of look she dreamed of. It successfully smoothen and even out skin tone and  flattened the pores.

Davao TCL shop sells Korean products direct from Korea, you can visit the shop at Nova Tierra, Lanang, Davao City.

Nichido Starlight Lip Color

I am not into lipstick because I hate the "bulk" feeling it gives to my lips, besides, some lipsticks have no moisturizer or "glossy" effects so I prefer to use lip gloss instead because it has a dual action, it is both lip color and moisturizer.

I have four collections of lip gloss, all cheap, since I cannot afford the expensive varieties, but whenever I go shopping, especially for cosmetics, I usually go with the quality, apart from the common notion that quality products are only confined on the branded stuff, you are terribly wrong as there are also affordable brands that offer the best quality products, all you have to do is to be a wise shopper.

One of my latest "discoveries" in cosmetics is Nichido Starlight Lip Color, it is very affordable with a price of only P120.00. What I love about this product is its luscious scent, very fruity and sweet and it has a very light effect on my lips. It shimmers right away even if I just apply a small amount. 

This lip gloss is very easy to use as it comes with a paint-like packaging which users can control the amount of lip gloss to be applied. This is one of my favorite cosmetics and used it more often than other lip gloss because it suited my lifestyle. I am using the "georgia" variety because it compliments my color. Georgia is somewhat pale red and hot pink which spark innocence and lightness while creating a sophisticated lips for everyday use. The watery effect makes everything perfect for my daily looks, plus it will last for about six hours.

Garnier Whitening Cream

For the past years, I was looking for a moisturizing cream which would not only prevent dullness and darkspots on the skin surface but also makes me able to apply it in the morning without any oily effect on my face. Since I have an oily skin, picking a morning cream is a tedious task. 

I went to the Watson store in the mall and read every description of facial creams there until I stopped at Garnier, religiously reading its contents. After reading its natural ingredients: herbal extracts and pure lemon essence with SPF 15, I decided to give it a try. I have an ultra-sensitive skin which made me very cautious in selecting products  ever since, so I tested it first in my skin and after 12 hours without any irritation, I started using it.

It was great! After using it for about a week, I could feel the smoothness in my skin, it covers my pores and the fine texture even out my fine lines around my  forehead. I used it every morning as my sunblock, I also top it with face powder to have an excellent result.

Garnier Whitening Cream is a skin lightening which has a perfect combination of lemon extracts and other herbs which successfully eliminate dark spots and flattens fine lines around the skin surface.

It has SPF 15 which protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. It has a soothing scent from lemon and a fine texture which can be applied all through the day.