Why Organic Isn't Always the Way to Go

In an age of corporate social responsibility and consumer eco-centrism, organic skin care products have become a great boom! They don’t only promise to offer equal results than those of your typical cosmetic products, they’d even commit to helping you out with your skin problems more effectively. The reason being is because of their supposed all-natural effect on your skin that nothing can substitute. All of this is a result of bad and/or exaggerated marketing, really! There is reason why non-organic products are there in terms of providing you with the best results that your money can buy.

Firstly, the enhancements that organic cosmetic products offer are not as effective as those that you’d see in your typical cosmetic products. Those organic products which contain vitamin E would usually come from sources natural in the organic ingredient that they’d contain. It would take twice or thrice much longer for you to see and feel the effects of the product, than with non-organic cosmetic products. The reason behind this is that, naturally, these organic cosmetics enjoy a natural process of bodily absorption that has no quick enhancing effects. Therefore, you’re paying more for this inefficiency.

The second reason why this is impractical is because it is cost inefficient for you to do. Organic cosmetic products cost more because of the tedious manufacturing that it undergoes. Most companies and labs would want the finished product to be as pure and refined as possible. In effect, a more tedious process of manufacturing it could lead to a more pricey final product. In the long run, since these products take more time to take effect because they don’t have artificial enhancing, you’d be paying more than you should. Even if they are equally as effective as your non-organic cosmetic products, you’d still be paying more per bottle than you should. Your beauty regimen should not come at the cost of an empty wallet!

The secret to choosing the best non-organic cosmetic product is to remain practical with your choices. Nothing really gives you “the best results” unless you’ve seen it for yourself. So don’t believe all those hear-says about how these types of products always burns or dehydrates your skin. Go and try it out for yourself and see what works for you! When you steer clear from harsh chemical-based products, you’re good to go. With constant consultation with beauty experts and your dermatologist, you’d stay relatively as safe as you’d want your skin to be.

Bioessence Gold Launches Exilis Exilshape

Bioessence has truly gone a long way. With 18 years under their belt, Bioessence is one of Davao’s most successful homegrown brands in the beauty and wellness industry. Today, we are celebrating with them as they introduce another cutting edge treatment: Exilis Exilshape.

So, What Exactly is Exilis Exilshape?

Exilshape is the latest slimming treatment that helps reshape the body and rejuvenate one’s skin (face and body) through the fastest and most powerful non invasive aesthetic device available in the market. It uses safe thermal waves to heat your skin and target fat cells. Its dual energy delivery speeds up the metabolic activity and causes your fat cells to shirink. At the same time, it also stimulates and strengthens the collagen network which improves skin laxity and texture. Say goodbye to sagging post-fat skin!

Here are Exilis’ top features:

First off, it applies effective and rapid contouring solution that precisely targets deeper fat layers. This way, there will be a dramatic improvement of skin density and encouragement of dermal thickening. In terms of safety, it also has a built-in thermometer that constantly rechecks the tissue temperature so you don’t get “burned”, whatever skin type you have. Lastly, because of its non-invasive nature, it also has absolutely no-risk of over-treatment, no side effects and no downtime.

As remarkable as this new treatment is, so is its celebrated endorser, Nikki Gil, who admits that it is difficult for her to keep up with exercise and wellness treatments due to her very busy schedule. She was here for Exilis launch last November 26, 2012, at Bioessence Gold branch in Marfori Heights, Davao city. At the same time, it was also the birthday  of Dr. Emma Beleno-Guerrero, founder and proprietress of Bioessence.

The Nivea Pure and Natural Line

(No, I'm not the girl in the ad. Although most of the time I wish I am. Haha!)

I’ve always been a fan of those pure, natural, organic stuff. And all similar adjectives. They make me feel like I’m doing something good for the environment as much as I’m doing something good for my body. When Nivea sent me goodies featuring their Pure and Natural Line, every single cell in my body went happy-dancing.

So here it is, the entire line. Consists of the baby wipes, 150ml spray deo, the 25ml and 50ml roll-on deos and the 40ml deo stick.

Here are these babies’ prices:

25ml roll on – P50

50ml roll on – P89

40ml stick – P155

150ml spray – P170

50pc pack, baby wipes – P150

Who is it for?

Nivea Pure & Natural Products use gentle and pure ingredients that respect your skin’s nature; so you don’t have to worry about sensitivity problems and irritations that are known to be associated with some artificial and chemical ingredients. This range is suitable for all skin types; even to extra sensitive skin. Basically, it’s for EVERYONE.

What does it do?

Nivea Pure & Natural Products are inspired by nature, but they also draw on Nivea’s 100 years of skin care expertise and commitment to the highest quality standards. This means that the Nivea Pure and Natural range offers a pleasant and affordable way of looking after you naturally and doing your bit for the environment, while enjoying the highly effective are one’s come to expect from Nivea.

The Fast Facts

The deo range is a powerhouse of all natural deo protection that boasts nature identical and anti-bacterial active ingredients that ensure 24 hour intensive protection without clogging one’s pores. Pretty cool, huh? Those big words and all, hehe.

I started using one of them and I love the scent! I use Nivea for underarm care (extra whitening deo roll on, the pink one) and I think the refreshing scent from the Pure and Natural line is one extra thing to look forward to everytime I finish bathing. Even my partner uses it now!

*0% Aluminum

*0% parabens/ preservatives

*doesn’t clog pores

*black shirt-friendly

*dermatologically tested

*non comedogenic

On the other hand, the NEW Nivea Baby Pure and Natural Wipes are moistened with organic chamomile to gently cleanse and soothe our babies’ bottoms. Personally, I also find this loot helpful during nights when I feel like I’m too lazy to wash my face (oops, don’t let me be your bad influence). Can’t help but love them; they’re 100% biodegradable, which means they’re totally flushable, and they’re based on natural cotton.

*contains organic chamomile

*100% natural tissue and biodegradable

*0% alcohol and parabens

*0% perfume

The Nivea Pure and Natural Line is now available at all leading department stores. Beat you to the lines! :)

Fashion News: Dorothy Perkins Launch Autumn-Winter Collection

Let me just say how happy I am that Dorothy Perkins nudged me about their new Autumn-Winter collection. So far, I only got a bag but I'm saving up for the other pieces. Here's their official statement:

For Autumn/Winter 2012 Dorothy Perkins offers great key fashion pieces, that will ensure you can create the most flattering and easy to wear looks.

Rock Luxe; is glam with an edge. Leather looks, fur, chiffon, brocade and shimmer are key. A palette of black, winter white and saturated darks and metallics keep this collection dramatic.

Charlie Girl; is a casual heritage trend that mixes tweed and denim with printed silky satins in blush, cream and chocolate shades. Animal motifs from birds to horses keep the collection fun and playful.

Mademoiselle; epitomises Parisian chic and is elegant with cute details. Nude tones are set against black, while texture can be found in faux fur, bouclé and chiffon. The ultimate new season silhouettes are prom, lampshade and peplum.

Whether you are after that “must have” coat or essential winter boot, there are three great collections to kick start the new season.

Robinsons Specialty Stores, Inc. (RSSI) is the exclusive franchisee of Dorothy Perkins in the Philippines. Get the latest Spring-Summer Collection 2012 at Dorothy Perkins stores located at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Power Plant Mall, Glorietta 3, TriNoma, Eastwood Mall, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia and Abreeza Mall, Davao.

And here are my personal favorites:

Yes, I am basic-black-and-white like that. How about you? :)

When Bored, Moisturize

I always tell my friends this: aside from not using sunblock, the worst thing that you can do to your skin is to NOT moisturize. And I mean everyday.

Know for a fact that soap is made of harsh chemicals (yes, no matter how "gentle" they claim to be) because they're meant to clean. Just like detergents. That is why everytime we use soap, we strip off layers of moisture from our skin. Yes, even the natural ones. ESPECIALLY the natural ones. 

That is why one has to work double time to retain moisture and to keep one's skin looking young and blooming.

Here are tips:

1. Use lotion with at least SPF 20 in the daytime. And use hydrating lotion for nighttime. (Same rule applies to face creams.) When we sleep, that's the time when our skin cells rejuvenate and recover so it's best to cheer them on with a moisture boost from a hydrating lotion. Trust me, make it a daily habit and one week you'll see awesome results.

2. Use hand cream. I know I've already nagged you into using hand creams through THIS BLOG ENTRY, but I still can't emphasize further. Hand creams are salvation to our hardworking souls.

3. Use a dollop for your skin. Never, ever scrimp on moisturization. If you only apply a little for the sake of "moisturization", it will only evaporate faster than a Kardashian marriage and will be deemed useless. See, lotion only works best if you use it generously. That's how the actual nutrients seep through our multi-layered dermis and eventually, reveal a healthy exposure.

4. Moisturize everything. A lot of people think that the only parts worth moisturizing are the parts that are always exposed (arms, legs) but seriously, it's always better if everything is even. Think about your naked self...in daytime. Moisturize your neck, the back of your knees, your elbows, your tummy and your chests. Everything. 

5. When bored, moisturize.

Here is my trustworthy army of moisturization:

For nighttime moisturization, Watsons Rosefairy hydrating lotion. Super hydrating, and you'll smell like a wedding afterwards. 

Left: Avon Silicone Glove protective hand cream - daytime use. To the right, Watsons Olive Hazel hand cream for nighttime use. It has a thicker consistency than the daytime one and it smells nice too!

The Nivea Express Hydration lotion is my daytime lotion. I doesn't have SPF so I mix it with sunblock. Makes for a better consistency too because this one is more liquid-ey. Sunblocks have richer, thicker consistency in comparison, so it's the perfect duo.

For nights out, I use Victoria's Secret Shimmer lotion. Smells as great as first love and leaves a veil of shimmer on your skin. Get ready to party!

Insomnia never occurred to me but for nights when I need to feel like I'm sleeping in a spa, I pop out my scented candles and apply this all over. This Spa Essentials Body lotion has a relaxing peppermint-may chang-lemongrass scent that makes you think of all the vacations you should have had. Got this for a little over P100 at Watsons too.

THE  BEST PART? THIS ARMY IS REALLY AFFORDABLE. CHECK THEM OUT.

Care to tell me your favorite lotion/ moisturizer? Come on, don't be selfish. Moisturized skin is a basic human right.

Best Beauty Tips: How to Have Gorgeous hands

Even if you have a wrinkle-free face and firm skin around your neck, there is another body part that (almost) never lies about our real age: the hands.

You know what they say: that if someone is stressed, overworked or (worse!) poor, one will have ugly, coarse hands. But seriously, you can be all three and still have gorgeous hands! Here are some beauty tips on how I keep mine from telling the truth:

1. If your job/ pastime entails typing for more than 2 hours a day, and with the massive texting that we Filipinos are used to, rest your hands for a little while before you wash them. This is done so that your nerves are more relaxed, so the veins won't be "shocked" by the coolness of water. If you're washing with warm water, then it's fine. 

2. Scrub your hands at least once a week. You have probably heard it from beauty gurus all over the world: always exfoliate. Slough off dead skin by using a body scrub, salt scrub or loofah. Once a week will do. This is done so that the younger, fresher skin underneath will surface more evenly. That way, you'll have smoother hands too!

3. Moisturize EVERYDAY. It is a mortal sin to not moisturize your skin everyday, and an even bigger one to make up excuses for not doing so. Before you head out for school or work, put lotion on them and make sure every millimeter is covered. What's even better, use a protective hand cream. I am currently loving Avon's Silicone Hands Hand Cream. At night, for the time when our skin rejuvenates, boost moisture and softness by using a nighttime hand cream. I use Watson's Overnight Repair Hand Cream. Both hand creams cost less than P200 only. What a steal!

4. Apply it right. When you apply hand cream or lotion to your hands, massage lightly and make sure the entire area is covered. Use a vertical motion when applying to your individual fingers, and stretch your hands to mold them into that coveted candle-like shape. 

Remember those 4 tips and keep in mind that doing those religiously are the ONLY WAYS to rock that manicure right...or enchant whoever it is you wanna hold hands with! :-)

Nail Bar Review: Nail-a-holics

Nail-a-holics SM Branch Rating: 5.5/10

Yesterday, I went on a Sundate with my bessie, Pamela. There are just times when I think that she's all I have in the world. Anyway, it wasn't really one of those days...those days are for breakups and heartaches. That day, we just wanted to catch up on each other's lives.

We went to SM, had a hearty lunch at Piyesta and then walked around SM for a while. We talked about how an Ipad will make our lives complete and how we must have one before our birthdays. In between muted sighs,  I looked down at my feet and saw that they needed serious pampering.

Whenever I needed to be pampered, I always go to upscale spas and salons. I know they're charging me a hefty amount for a service that costs very little...although the value of these services are high. I just want to feel REALLY pampered and luxurious, that's why! :-) So I went to Nail-a-holics and had my first pedicure there.

They had a lovely beach theme that sets your mood to a peaceful, vacation state right after you go inside. There were plush, bright blue seats, and cabanas. Pam found it especially adorable that even though she was just there to accompany me, she ended up getting a manicure herself. 100 points for set-up.

Even though the prices were a little steep (cheapest pedicure is P220), the service wasn't up to par with  my expectations. For one, the nail attendant commented how I should get a leg wax because my skin at my lower leg was stubby. I usually wax, you know, but when I'm in a hurry, of course I'd just shave. I knew she was just trying to sell me another service but she sounded offensive with the tone that she used. Moreover, as Pam and I were talking, she made comments and acted as if she was an actual part of the conversation. Sometimes this is adorable but it just wasn't, for her. Lastly, I didn't want to pay an extra P40 for Orly so when I asked if it was only Orly that we needed to pay the extra P40 for, and they agreed, I picked the non-Orly polish. I mean, I'm going to change the color in a week anyway. Orly or no orly. When I got to the counter, they charged me the extra P40. I asked them why. They said, I picked a "premium polish" anyway. God, if that wasn't deception, what was it? That was the part when I felt a little iffy and so the entire experience was ruined. What's more, they didn't even offer a drink or a magazine. They waited for me to ask them to bring me a magazine...and no, no drinks.

One last thing: I expected them to have a credit/debit card machine since they're in a mall. And most of the treatments cost more than P50 anyway!

Anyway, I had an eyelash perm a few months ago at Nail-a-holics Abreeza and my experience was good. Now I know where to go for my next (pricey) pedicure. IF I ever decide to have one again. I mean, there are other salons that go for just half the price and the service, really good. Examples include Pink and Gold Salon, Hair Zone and Harold's.You can find them at my salon directory. Ta ta! :-)

PS 24 hours after pedicure and the color faded already. Boo.