From Manila with Love Blog

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Prevention is better than the cure. I think I've said that already once here. In terms of skincare I do try to keep it clean and healthy by using products that cater to my specific skin type and skin needs. As much as I can, I make sure that un-needed chemicals aren't present (or in small quantities) and it incorporates as much plant-based ingredients as possible if not all-together organic/vegan.

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As part of any makeup wearer's routine, makeup removal is priority in cleansing. Before your head hits that pillow your skin should be clean. There are different ways of taking off makeup but you're no lazy girl. You don't need "A Lazy Girl's Guide to Cleansing". If you're like me, you take makeup cleansing seriously.

So my penchant for Kbeauty has always come hand-in-hand with Korean cuisine. I'm always on the lookout for food and restaurants that I haven't tried. I wanted to try one of the many Korean restaurants/cafes in Ortigas and I decided on Sopoong Food House. I wanted something cold that day (we went there during the heat wave here in the PH around March or April) so cold desserts were the goal.

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Goopy, sheer, thick and extremely sticky. This was really popular in the early to mid-2000s. And I didn't really care for them. The smelt nicer than the typical lipsticks at the time. Came in cuter packaging and cool (Lizzie MacGuire a.k.a. life peg) people wore them. But I just couldn't get over the constant hair sticking to the lip scenario. Not to mention it looked like I ate something really oily because most lip glosses available to me were reaaaaaally sheer. So I stayed away from them.

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It's really a Do-It-Yourself kind of DIY, not the Hey-I-need-your-help-sis/mom/bro/pet-to-put-this-mixture-that-smells-a-little-like-piss-on-me-DIY.

A lot of people have coloured hair here in the Philippines. And why not, it's a sure-fire way to revamp your look. I mean I've changed my hair's colour countless times whether at home or at the salon. Really good salons can get expensive, especially if you want something more than the typical shades of dark brown and sometimes salons can get it wrong too. Plus you're a busy superwoman juggling 10 things at once who has time to go to a salon anyway?

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I put a cute little bird because it's cute, like this line. And because...why not?

The search for a nice affordable base is never done. I've had this for quite a while. The tube still has some product inside but I gave up on making it work on my skin. It just doesn't look right. Read on for what I think.

BelAir Cosmetics, the company that made the brand 4U2 (and this BB Cream), is a US company but made in Thailand. Understandably it's quite popular in Thailand as well as Malaysia and the Philippines.

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Packaging | Price

I quite like the simple tube packaging. The whole "Love Pink" line is very affordable. The packaging is pretty evident that it's catered to the much younger (teen/pre-teen) crowd. I don't really care that much about the teeny-bopper-ness of the packaging as long as the product performed to my standards.

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Texture | Scent | Application

It's creamy, smooth and mouse-y (not runny). On the skin it feels very lightweight. It kinda has this medicated scent to it. I prefer this type of scent than the generic makeup or foundation smell.

Application is easy. Using a dense brush it gives a medium coverage from the get-go. Opting for a sponge (or a damp one) yields a lighter coverage. You can build up the coverage, but I feel like it won't be legitimately "full coverage". It's close though. It sets pretty quickly on me, so I can easily touch my face right afterwards and not feel any stickiness. It also doesn't dry out my skin. It can make dry patches look a little obvious though.

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As for the colour-match. Oy vey. The dreaded BB cream dilemma especially for Asian brands. This BB cream only comes in one shade. And it's a very peachy-pink-neutral leaning to cool one at that. So it looks off on me and you know from 10 feet away that my face doesn't match my neck. I look pink and ashy. Yes it's possible.

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Experience

Looking at the swatch you'd think that there's a decent amount of warmth or yellow in it. I believe it oxidizes to a more cooler tone or maybe that's just on me. Either way there's only one shade and it won't be a one-size-fits-all thing, it rarely is. If you're a fair, light or NC/NW 20-25 in shade you might match with this.

For wear/longevity, it lasted well (around 5-8 hours) on my normal-dry sensitive skin with oily t-zone. It has a tendency to cling to dry patches as I've said because of the texture. It did significantly fade at the end of the day but in a graceful way. It didn't crack, coagulate (whut) or separate on me. It just lost pigment and I think it's a really nice aspect of this.

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I also have a problem with how it's marketed as BB cream. "Real" legitimate BB creams, at the very least Korean ones, always have SPF in them plus other nice ingredients for the skin. Always. Otherwise it's called foundation. So I was pretty bummed that this didn't contain any sun protection at all. I feel like I wasted my money with this. It's not a lot of money but for something that I didn't like and was never going to use again (not a bb cream people) it's still money.

There are a lot of good things about this BB cream, make no mistake. The only caveat (for me) ultimately is the usual cry for better shade selection. I mean I didn't even bother with a face swatch. Just imagine a ruddy-ashy face. Apart from the terrible shade selection, it has performed well. Ultimately though I wouldn't get this again nor would I recommend it.

xx,
CJ

PS. Wore the foundation for about 6 - 8 times. I tried to make it work by mixing it with other foundations but the gray and ruddiness still shows through.
PPS. I know there are foundations with SPF and/or firming/moisturizing/anti-aging claims. It's just that when you say BB cream (or CC cream) it's supposed to be a "supercharged", "next-level" tinted moisturizer. This 4U2 one, for me, is just foundation. Suffice to say my faith was eradicated with this BB. Eh?Eh?Eh?*nudge**nudge* *hint**hint*... :'( Ok...

http://www.4u2cosmetics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/4U2-Cosmetics-Philippines

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I always get a nice surprise whenever I hear about a locally-available brand that's cruelty-free AND vegan. There's a couple now in the market, mostly indie online-centric brands that you can only shop at through Instagram or Facebook.

Weens Cosmetics Philippines is the 1st and only brand, manufacturing 5 Free Non-toxic formula, Cruelty Free and Vegan nail polish locally. Made from imported raw materials and FDA approved. - Weens Cosmetics Philippines

I'm not crazy about nail polishes to be honest. I have a few in my vanity and I rarely use them. I'm more into nail strengtheners and nail oils. Part of the reason why is because a lot of readily accessible polish brands have toxic chemicals in them that damage my already brittle nails. This where this brands' 5Free promise comes in.

What do you mean by "5 Free"?, you might ask. It means that these polishes are made without formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene along with the allergens camphor and formaldehyde resin—all potentially dangerous ingredients that could do everything from disrupt your endocrine system to cause cancer. (via)

Being already familiar with toxin-free vegan polish brands thanks to Picture Polish, I'm happy to share with you guys that you don't have to buy abroad to get some because...Weens. :)) (Seriously though isn't the name so interesting to say?)

Posted are some of Weens polishes from their latest collection— QT Nail Magic. (Php 66) I'm partial to the Emerald green one (Voyage). But which one do you like best? Do you use vegan/cruelty-free polishes?

xx,
CJ

Images via Weens.

Facebook : www.facebook.com/WeensCosmeticsPhilippines
Instagram : @weens_nailpolish

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If this adorable salon's name and motif isn't enough to remind you of cotton candy, lollipops and rainbows you will when I tell you they use sugar for all of their services. Melted (pulled? taffy-like?) sugar for waxing and scrubbing. Yes like the sugar you eat. Interested? Read on.

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A little disclaimer, I don't pluck my underarms. I've been using razors or removal creams but it's been a years since I've plucked them. So my tolerance for pain in this regard is pretty damn low. What more waxing.

Guuurl there was blood and pain, not going to lie. But the my attendant or sugar technician was very kind and accommodating. She decided to switch to plucking when the bleeding wasn't stopping. I was glad to switch to tweezers let me tell you, I barely felt it #numb.

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One thing to note though, you're supposed to have your underarms waxed when there's about an inch of hair not less, to make it easier to pull out and to make it more comfortable for you. Blame me for going there with a 5 day overgrowth, my sugar attendant did mention it was harder to pull out because of the short hair.

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For those who haven't tried underarm waxing at Whipped, it goes like this:

Polite sugar techs asking for your reservation.
They'll show you to an enclosed room and ask you to lie down.
Maybe ask a few questions here or there about your hair removal.
A wipe-down to clean and to remove deodorant residue.
The waxing itself using the soft pliable cold sugar wax.
Plucking smaller and/or thinner hair that didn't get caught by the wax.
Then another wipe-down.
Smooth armpits :)

They didn't get ALL my underarm hair, but seeing as the ones left were very thin and small like peach-fuzz—too thin to be plucked, I guess it's understandable.

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As for the eyebrow waxing that was leagues more tolerable, very similar to my experience with brow threading here.

Quiet atmosphere (I believe I was the only client at the time), comfortable and charming decor. If you're thinking of where to get waxing done maybe you should check them out. They're popular with guys as well (which I like) so guys please don't let the decor deter you! (they're just colours, c'mon)

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Branches

3rd Floor, Ayala Fairview Terraces
2nd Floor, Commerce Avenue Wing, Alabang Town Center

2nd Floor, Eight Forbes Town Center

xx,
CJ

PS. After a week (around 6 days) I noticed the hairs growing back are thinner than what they used to be. Usually the strands are thicker. Heeeey. :)

https://www.facebook.com/WhippedSalon/

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