Hello everyone! Time flies really fast that June is almost over. Hope everyone is still doing great despite whatever crazy schedule or things that we are all up to. And before this month ends, let me review this wonderful hair treatment:Hello Everybody Berry Vinegar Water Treatment.

 Claim:

• pH 3.2 Acid Balance citron vinegar adjusts the balance of the scalp and skin that has been alkalized by hair styling, dyeing, and perming to slightly acidic and helps keep the hair and scalp healthy.
• 10 berry extracts that have an excellent anti-oxidative effect remove active oxygen and keep hair healthy and glossy.

Ingredients:



Content: 250ml

Country of Origin: South Korea

Price: PhP 220 (approx. US$4.50) 


It may sound (or smell) awfully when you think of using Vinegar in your hair. I read somewhere that using vinegar on your hair helps to detox hair from harsh chemicals (hair dyes, rebonding, relaxing, bleaching, etc), but I guess nobody likes the smell of vinegar especially in the hair. But Hello Everybody Berry Vinegar Water Treatment smells so good that you want to smell your hair every time you touch it. It has a sweet vanilla-berry scent that is not overpowering. Though I have a short hair, I can still smell the berry scent everytime I shake my hair even after exposed to heat and sweat.

 Hello Everybody Berry Vinegar Water Treatment is also easy to use. After shampoo just pour the treatment at the ends of your hair working up to the scalp. If you have an oily scalp like me, you can pour it near your scalp area then massage your scalp for 1-2 minutes then rinse.

I actually used this in replacement for conditioner for 7 days and this is the result:


 Day 1: I took a photo of my hair before taking a bath. As you can see I have a very oily scalp and also have itchy scalp and dandruff problems. On my first day of using it, aside from my hair smells really nice, I noticed that my hair has a volume and it's manageable.

 Day 3: My hair was a little sticky and stiff (not sure if it is because of the weather) and hard. I don't usually comb my hair mid-day but I had to several times. 

Day 5: I noticed that my already fading brownish-red color became a little bright and my hair is shinier. There's also less itch and dandruff.

(no photos anymore. :( sorry, I forgot to take it.)
Day 7: During day 6 my hair was a little stiff again but it became smooth again on day 7. I noticed more volume and less itch and dandruff too.

The week after I tried Hello Everybody Berry Vinegar Water Treatment, I noticed that my scalp is not itching anymore and my dandruff problem is dramatically almost gone--well still there but I can wear black shirt again! Another plus is that I didn't get pimples in the areas of my face where my hair usually at.
♥♥♥

Have you tried a vinegar hair treatment before? 

We all wanted to have beautiful skin. And if you're not blessed with a translucent and clear skin the best that you can do is to search for products that will at least take you a step closer to that dream skin. I bet most of you have already heard and know of this cult favorite Korean skincare product, and a lot of beauty junkies have already reviewed this. If you're acne prone like me, I bet you've already heard of CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad.

Claims:
"One step Pimple Clear Pad is designed to wipe away excess dirt, oil, and purify clogged pores with exfoliating pre-moistened pads".

Ingredients:

Content: 70 pads

Country of Origin: South Korea

Price: PhP 665 in Watsons (approx. US$ 13), PhP 900-1,000 in online stores (approx. US$ 18-20)

Make sure to not fully peel/remove the protective foil. It will keep the pads from drying.
I was really skeptical at first because I'm a believer of traditional toner. But when I saw it at Watsons (and way cheaper compare to online stores), I decided to give it a try and I never looked back or regret this purchase. And I'm currently on my second tub and I have a reserve because this is always sold out (both online and in Watsons). 

If you actually read my previous posts regarding my dilemma with dry patches in my face, I'm happy to say that it was over. Ever since I added this to my (night) routine, I noticed that I'm getting less dry patches and my make-up really looked better than before. I noticed that my skin is getting better after more than a month of using CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad. 

I still get acne and my skin still go crazy weeks before my period, but unlike before where pimples pop everywhere in my face and my skin gets really patchy and oily, now I get pimples most of the time in jaw, neck, and forehead and less in face area and no patchy skin everywhere. I think CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad's exfoliation really works in removing dry patches and helps well in the absorption of skin care products (and make them really work!).


Look at all those grime! *eewww* It really wipes away oil and dirt.

The formulation is a little thicker than a regular toner and takes a bit of time to absorb but it will not leave any sticky feeling or residues. I usually wait a minute to dry before applying my serum. 

If you have acne and patchy skin, and you're not allergic to any of the listed ingredients, I suggest that you give CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad a try. I'm now a total believer and this is a staple!

PS: since this is a BHA product, make sure to use sunscreen! ♥♥♥

Hello everyone! Sorry for not updating for weeks. I've been occupied with so many things at work (and life too) and now I owe you a lot of post now. Ugh. 
 
Anyway.

Summer is almost over here in Manila as it starts to rain now. Most of us who lives in the tropics still have that summer tan and I think it's not too late to sport that warm summer makeup.

Before summer came, I started looking for a nice and affordable coral blush to complement the tan (whether you like it or not) and something that I can wear with just bare face and a translucent powder. And with all the wide range of choices, I chose to try A:Concept Everything in A: Coral Lip & Cheek.



Claims:
 "Changeable to desiring colors and able to insert one of lip products into the pocket cushion compact depending on daily makeup styles"

Ingredients:
ethylhexyl palmitate, diisostearyl malate, octyldodecanol, phytosteryl isostearyl dimer dilinoleate, silica, ozokerite, candelilla wax, titanium dioxide, mica, ceresin, phytosteryl / iso But are not limited to, stearyl / cetyl / stearyl / behenyl dimer dilinoleate, dipentaerythritol hexahydroxystearate / hexa stearate / hexa rognate, cetearyl hexanoate, stearyl heptanoate, sorbitan But are not limited to, sesquioleate, distearmonium hectorite, isopropyl palmitate, quaternium-18 bentonite, tocopheryl acetate, triethoxycaprylyl silane, propylene carbonate, dimethicone, caprylyl glycols, , 1,2-hexanediol, Red No. 201, Yellow No. 4, Red No. 104 (1), red iron oxide,

Weight: 1.5g

Country of Origin: South Korea

Price: PhP 310 (approx. US$ 6.50)


A:Concept Everything in A: Lip & Cheek has 3 colors to choose from: Coral, Pink, and Red. I chose the coral one because it complements not only the tan but my overall medium olive skintone. I love how small the product is that you can insert this to the A:Concept cushion or you can just put it in your daily beauty kit without taking so much space. I know in the photo it looks like a regular bullet lipstick, but trust me, it is really small and compact.



The content is more or less the same as a regular lipstick. It has a creamy texture and it's easy to glide, though you need a lip brush if you use it as a regular lipstick. 



I use this more as a blush than a lip color. I love how pigmented A:Concept Everything in A: Coral Lip & Cheek is and how it lasts for hours. On days when I don't wear foundation, I use this over my primer then top it off with my favorite Shiseido Medicated pressed powder or with W-lab Sebum out pressed powder. The color really shows off and usually lasts for 5-6 hours or until my face becomes an oil-slicked pan and needs to blot. 

If I wanted it to last longer, I usually brush a thin layer of coral blush powder and it stays so nice the whole day even after blotting.

Another thing I like from A:Concept Everything in A: Coral Lip & Cheek aside from being compact, is that it's so easy to blend (as blush) and it looks so natural. It's really perfect for no makeup look, dainty and sweet, or even kawaii makeup!

A:Concept Everything in A: Coral Lip & Cheek is really a versatile product, and a good to go makeup and a travel companion. ♥

Leaders Insolution Mediu Amino Clearing Mask Claims:When used daily, this product helps promote a clean and clear complexion with its formula of moisturising factor and lotus extract, and vitamin C supplement ingredients combined with 17 different amino acids. It is recommended for dull, tired-looking and uneven skin tones, with visible dark circles and pigmentation.


Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Acer Saccharum (sugar Maple) Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, Chamomilla Recutita (matricaria) Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ledum Palustre Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Palmitoyltripeptide-5, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolmine, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

How to Use:



Price: P128.00 in Watson's; P151.00 in Sephora (Approx. US$ 3)

Country of Origin: South Korea

Learders Insolution Mediu is one of the mask brands that beauty junkies rave. The brand boasts a wide selection of masks catering to every skin need. I actually had a hard time choosing which mask I should pick because there are masks that looks almost the same but differs in price, packaging, and maybe ingredients or effectivity.

 
Leaders Insolution Amino Clearing Mask just like most masks in the market has a thick and well-soaked cotton mask. Though the serum is a little thicker than the usual mask serums, there is quite enough for your other skin parts to indulge. It's also very moisturizing and perfect if you have a very dry skin or during cold and dry seasons. My skin also look a bit healthy and bright the next day, really good if you have a special event to attend.

I'll definitely wanted to try a lot of Leaders Insolution Mediu masks if not only for the price. Though it has a great effect on skin, you can also get masks with same effect for a lower price. 

What's your favorite Leaders Insolution Mediu mask? 

I started using Kose Medicated Sekkisei way back before I decided to review things. I found my another unused/unopened product in my cabinet and thought that this product actually deserves a review.

  
Kose Medicated Sekkisei claims: (description taken from Sekkisei Website)

• A medicated lotion with carefully selected oriental herbal extracts that leaves the skin moist, refreshed, fine-grained and beautiful as pure snow.
• Contains highly moisturizing ophiopogon tuber extract, rose myrtle extract and more. Richly hydrates the skin for enhanced translucency.
• The exquisite balance of water and oil provides both superb permeation and hydration. Leaves the skin’s surface feeling supple but never sticky. Creates beautifully translucent and well-hydrated skin that hides pores well and keeps the skin grain plump.
• Contains two types of oleic acid derivatives for better permeation, allowing the lotion to penetrate easily into skin that is rough and dry.

Key Ingredients: Coix Seed, Angelica Root, Melothria, Ophiopogon Tuber, Rose Myrtle

Price: ¥500, tax excluded for 24ml (got it on sale at ¥300, tax excluded)

Country of Origin: Japan 

 
I bought this on a whim when I went to Tokyo spring last year. I first saw a full-size bottle in Don Quixote but I find it quite expensive (¥5,000++) for a 200ml bottle. So when I saw a 24ml trial bottle in a drugstore (and it's on sale too, at ¥300), I decided to get 2 bottles to try on.

The bottle despite being a plastic really gives the product an expensive and sophisticated feel. If you're an impulsive type of shopper, the bottle alone gives you a good feel to buy this at its regular price. Great design can really make or break a product (sorry, I cant stop my graphic designer self).


Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched has a strong herbal scent which is neither offensive nor soothing. I can't find a full english translation of the ingredients but I believe it contains a herbs and flower based ingredients but it has alcohol as well. I noticed that a lot of Japanese beauty products are using alcohol, and most of the time is one of the top ingredients. So I'm guessing that the smell of this Medicated Sekkisei really comes from the mix of alcohol, flower, and herbs.


Unlike most toners which is clear and transparent, Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched has a whitish translucent color when in bottle. You can apply it with cotton or pat it with your palms and fingers, though I prefer the former.


I was able to finish my 24ml bottle in 1 month, more or less, used every night. In that span, Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched helped my skin to have a slightly soft texture but didn't help my acne problem back then. I also noticed that my skin dried a bit so I have to exfoliate at least twice a week.

Since I opened my 2nd bottle recently, I am slowly adding it again in my skin night regimen. I'm trying to use it every other night and so far no breakouts or drying of skin. I guess this toner is not for me nor I'll think of getting it in full size though I'm actually interested to try their other products, especially their suncare and bb creams.

Have you tried Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched?

Have you heard of the "scream serum"? As funny as it sounds, it's actually a thing in K-beauty. "Scream serum" are actually serums that will make you scream because it stings when you apply it. It sounds scary, right? Like, why would you put something like that in your skin? Is that even safe?

Well, that's the catchy hashtag from Natural Pacific Fresh Herb Origin Serum. They explained that when you apply the serum in your skin the more it stings means that your skin is badly damaged by external factors. And the longer you use the serum the lesser it stings as it repairs the damage(s) in your skin.


Of course, that again, piqued my curiosity. Late last year, I was in desperate need of a good serum that will help the tight feeling in my face and neck area. I read that oil-based serums doesn't just combat dryness but acne as well. These are my two major skin problems aside from very dull skin (of course, because of dryness). With all the good brands that carry great oil-based serums, both my brain and heart *lol* brought me to this product.

Claims: 
Improves skin health and minimizes pore problems. Recommended to people whose skin is starting to have small wrinkles, multiple skin troubles, dry skin, and loosening pores.

Ingredients:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated palm oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Argania spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Aminobutyric acid, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Sodium chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine

Price: PhP 640.00 (approx. US$ 12) but got it on sale: PhP416.00 (approx. US$ 8)

Country of Origin: Korea 



When I opened my box carrying this product, the smell reeks out in the box— a very strong citrus(y) smell. It's not that bad but it's my first time to encounter a product that has a very strong smell, that the whole box smelled as if it's full of lemons and other citrus fruits. I even read a review where she puts the bottle inside her bag just to make her bag smell fruity.



The Natural Pacific Fresh Herb Origin Serum is made with basically plant oils and fruit extract. You can actually see that the oil separates from the water extract. The first ingredient is Aloe leaf extract which will give you a great relief if you have a sensitive skin—aloe vera is known to calming ingredient to sensitive skin. 


You have to mix the product well to make sure that the oil will mix with the water. You just have to be quick because they separate quite quick. When applying the serum, you have to put and rub the product in your palms, and pat it gently in your face. I read in some forums that oil serums are best applied in gentle patting motion than rubbing. This will increase the absorption rate of the serum in your skin.

It takes time for the Fresh Herb Origin Serum to be absorbed in your skin. After patting, I usually let it absorbed for about 2-5 minutes before applying my moisturizer. The texture is actually oily but it sinks well in the skin. I think the aloe vera water and other plant extracts helped the absorption of the oil.

As for the painful application, well it did sting in some parts of my skin where there's a lot of acne and dryness but it's tolerable. Not sure how the others measured the pain, but as far as I know I have high tolerance when it comes to pain. It did sting for at least a week in some areas, and still stings everytime I do skin damaging activities like staying out in the sun for quite long or driving all day (aircon and sun combo). 

But what I noticed was the improvement in my skin texture; it's more fine and the pores around my nose and cheeks are smaller (can still see but better). My foundation also looks more natural and soft, and stays well, no dry patches or whatsoever. Also, I can pop my whiteheads easier now. I remember during my first week of use of this serum, while washing my face, I noticed that my face is so smooth and soft. Like what the Japanese call the "mochi skin". If you had tried glycolic peel before, you know how soft your skin is after it peels, that's the exact softness I felt. It will also leave a dewy look on your skin even when you put your daily foundation on, unless you're using a full coverage, matte foundation.

As for my acne, I still get hormonal acne or if I eat something that I'm allergic at. So this product won't shoo away your pimples, but it will actually help in improving your skin condition.

Overall, I really love this serum. I'm about to finish my current bottle and planning to get a second one. If you have skin problems or planning to get your first serum, I can totally recommend Natural Pacific Fresh Herb Origin Serum. Aside from the natural ingredients, it's affordable and it works!

What's your favorite oil-based serum? ♥♥♥

I bet we all had that experience where a pesky pimple pops out in the most undesirable place at the most undesirable time. I did. As someone who has an acne prone skin, I keep on purchasing products that can zap a zit overnight.

So when there's a raved product available, you just have to try it and cross your finger that it will do magic on you. Then I found CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch.



CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch has a good rating everywhere and raved by K-Beauty users. I've tried several acne patches before but they all ended up rotting in my closet and eventually thrown them out. So I was hoping that this will work, at least, and my money won't go to waste.

Claims: Heals acne blemishes quickly while preventing future breakouts.

Materials: Cellulose gum, Styrene Isoprene Styrene Block Copolymer, Polyisobutylene, Petroleum resin, Polyurethane Film, Liquid Paraffin, Tetrakis Methane

Content: 24 patches

Price: PhP190.00 (approx. US$ 4)

Country of Origin: Korea

CosRx is known for using few ingredients in their products. Based on the ingredients, I'm not quite sure which ingredient zaps the pimple. Someone, please enlighten me.


It's nice that they provided an English instruction on how to use the patches.



One pack contains 24 patches with different sizes—just choose which one fits that pesky zit. I place the patch overnight (at least 10-12 hours) and remove it the next morning. 

It'll look like this after you remove it.

I actually tried this in a pimple that has a visible comedone and one that's only red, painful, but no comedone. 

I'll start with red, painful, and no yet visible comedone pimple. Depends on the size and how it inflamed it is, the CosRx Acne pimple patch  will help reduce the inflammation and redness overnight. The pimple is still there the next day, but it's already manageable and can be concealed. But for bigger zits, maybe you can use a spot treatment before going to bed and let it dry first then put this patch. That could dramatically reduce the inflammation overnight but still needs a little make-up magic the next day.

For pimples with pus or visible comedones, this patch will not absorb the pus. It'll only reduce the redness and size and will help in removing comedones less painful. Most likely, the comedone will pop during warm showers so make sure to apply a spot treatment medicine to combat further infections.

So is CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch worth it? For me, yes. I find it really hard to conceal red and huge inflamed pimples so reducing the redness and size really matters to me. For someone who faces people for work, you don't want them to stare at your screaming zit. And you can actually wear this at work (or when you go out) if the place of your zit can be covered by hair, since the patch is actually translucent and slightly yellowish.

What's your favorite acne emergency product? ♥♥♥