Review: NYX Matte Lipstick

Finally! I was able to acquire this NYX Matte Lipstick. I have a few moisturizing and sheer lipsticks in my possession and I have been dying to try a matte one to find out what lipstick type is better.

The price of this lipstick in eBay ranges from Php 270 to Php 300 but I got mine from my co-worker for Php 340.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink

Ingredients:
Bees Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla)wax, Ceresin, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Octyldodeanol, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Oleyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Bis-Digylceryl Polyacyladipade-2, Tocopheryl Acetate, B.H.A, and Fragrance. MAY CONTAIN: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxide Red (CI 77491), Iron Oxide Yellow (CI 77492), Iron Oxide Black (CI 77499), D&C Red No.6 (CI 15850), D&C Red No.7 (CI 15850), D&C Red No.27 Aluminum Lake (CI 45410), FD&C Yellow No.5 Aluminum Lake (CI 19140), FD&C Blue No.1 Aluminum Lake (CI 42090), or D&C Red No.36 (CI 12085).

NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink

Product Description:
NYX Matte Lipsticks are highly pigmented, richly formulated lipsticks that glide on smoothly, stay put and impart a non-glossy, high-fashion matte finish as they envelop lips in brilliant color. From Pure Red to Nude, Matte Lipstick is available in 22 rich, shades.

What I like about this product:

• Highly pigmented
• The color stays longer compared to NYX Round Lipstick. Even after eating, there’s still a trace of color left.
• Not difficult to apply.
• The packaging, although plastic, is more classy and sturdy compared to Nyx Round Lipstick. It has transparent part in the middle thus one need not to open the tube to see the color.
• It is available in 22 beautiful colors.

NYX Matte Lipstick in Shocking Pink

What I don’t like about this product:

• NYX products are not available in our local malls thus the need to purchase online or from a private seller. When purchasing online, you also cannot see the actual color or test if it would look good on you.
• This lipstick can be drying if used alone. The lips must be exfoliated too before using as this won’t look good on chapped lips.

Rate:

Other NYX Products:


   

A Photo A Week: Fireworks!

I am not blessed with talent in capturing beautiful sceneries into photos so when I captured this, I became quite excited and proud of myself. :D I know this shot is not spectacular but it made me really happy. This was taken during the Dinagyang 2012 Luces in the Sky Competition held at SM City Iloilo Car Park.

Review: Nivea UV Protect Body Lotion

I am such a fan of Nivea skin care products and I have been using Nivea Intensive Milk (Dry Skin) for years now. I only use other lotions if they are a gift from relatives or friends.

Knowing the need to protect my skin from harmful rays of the sun, I decided to try other Nivea skin care products and this one caught my attention. And it was only then that I realized the difference between milk and lotion. Intensive Milk is easier to apply while this has thick consistency that needs more rubbing to be able to spread to the skin evenly.

Product Description:
Nivea UV Protect Body Lotion is a daily protection moisturizer especially developed to maintain your skin’s healthy radiance. Advanced UVA/UVB filters protect your skin o the surface from sun exposure while Vitamin E actively works as an antioxidant neutralizing skin-damaging radicals. The skin’s own protection system is reinforced, preventing pre-mature skin aging. As a result your skin looks healthy, radiant and strengthened to fight damaging stress factors.

Ingredients:

What I like about this product:

• Basically, I like this product for it claims to protect the skin from daily effects of UV rays. Although it doesn’t have SPF, its UVA/UVB filter is enough for me since I am only out under the sun from 8:00 – 9:00 am and then during lunch break.
• It fosters new aquaporins for over 24 hours of natural moisture.
• Due to its thick consistency, small amount of this lotion goes a long way. Additionally, you will be able to give your skin a good massage since it takes a few more rub to spread the lotion evenly.
• The smell is ok, not fruity, sweet or musky but not as light as Intensive Milk.
• The price is reasonable and is available in most grocery, malls and drugstores.

What I don’t like about this product:

• The only thing I don’t like about this product is that, you really need to spend a few precious minutes applying the lotion to your skin. Since I am always running late for work, I find it annoying at times. :D
  

Additional tips:

• It is best to apply the lotion right after going out of the bathroom and your skin is still wet to lock in moisture and for easy application as well.

Rate:

More products from Nivea:

A Photo A Week: Sea Urchins for Sale!

Photo credit: Leo Kun

This picture was taken during our trip to White Island in Camiguin last December, the day after typhoon Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro City. It was the first time I learned that sea urchins can be eaten. The locals are selling it for Php 15 each. With only vinegar, calamansi, disposable spoons and swimming talent as investments, selling sea urchins is definitely an extra income for the locals so long as the marine life in the island remains rich.

Check out the list of tourist attractions in Camiguin...

Review: Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil

I learned about this from a co-worker who is a distributor of Human Heart Nature Products. I was intrigued by the benefits/uses listed in the brochure that I researched for its reviews online. The product gets mixed reaction from users; some enjoy using the product while others are not too happy about it.

At first, I used the oil on my face day and night. But during the day, this made my face really oily, and exposure to dust and pollution will surely make my face the meeting place of all things undesirable. :D I stopped using this as my day moisturizer and opt to apply only at night in which I am loving the result. Applying this on my face and underarms at night makes me feel like I have smooth skin when I wake up in the morning.

Aside from my face and underarms, I also use Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil on my hair. A small drop of this oil can do wonders to my slightly frizzy hair. It leaves my hair shiny and manageable without that greasy feeling.

One 50ml. bottle costs Php 120 and can last for approximately four months if used on face, underarms and hair on daily basis. With all the benefits this product offers, Human Heart Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil is surely worth it.

Ingredients:
Premium cosmetic grade Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil

Product Description:
Do you believe in miracles in bottles? Feel the years fall away as our gold elixir works its magic. Helps minimizes dark circles and stretch marks, lighten and brighten underarms and even add healthy-looking shine to hair. No wonder Sunflowers are known as ‘Happy Flowers’ for the joy they bring.

Claims:

• 100% no harmful chemicals
• No parabens, phthalates, PEGs, mineral oil or other toxic substances.
• Smoothen and avoid wrinkles especially under-eye
• Removes makeup
• Minimizes stretch marks
• Lighten and brightens underarms
• Makes hair shiny

Rate:

Pros :

• Can be used as night moisturizer
• Helps remove makeup especially mascara
• Face feels smooth in the morning when applied at night
• Makes hair shiny
• Doesn’t have strong smell
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Not available in malls

Review: Beauty Credit Organics Whitening Kojic + Glutathione Soap

Last December, I bought this soap from a bazaar near my office building. I have been using it since then until just over a week ago.

Initially, I used the soap on my entire body including my face. Unlike other organic soaps that are soft, this one is different. It is more solid than other organic soaps I have used thus it does not dissolve easily. Additionally, this soap with citrusy scent is bubbly when lathered thus a little goes a long way. A 75-gram organic soap for Php 35, it can be considered a great value for money. That is if it’s indeed effective.

After a few days of use, I stopped using this soap on my entire body because I find it drying. I used it only on my underarms, knees and elbows to assess its whitening effect but I have not seen positive results.

I have already used up the 75-gram bar and I seem to see no reason to choose this over 1st Health Glutathione Soap or Cyleina Organic Soaps. Perhaps others find this soap effective but for me it simply does not suit my skin.

Ingredients:
Coconut oil, lye, water, glycerine, propylene glycol, grapeseed oil, kojic powder, glutathione, fragrance

Product Description:
Embellish your skin with the #1 whitening soap! Beauty Credit Organics Kojic Acid with Glutathione soap reveals your true natural fair glowing skin. With Kojic-Gluta soap there’s no chance of having dark skin, age spot, melasma and freckles.

Claims:

• Antibacterial
• Anti-aging
• Anti-oxidant
• Makes skin healthy and glowing
• Gets rid of age spot, melasma and freckles

Rate:

Pros:

• No harmful chemicals
• Does not easily dissolve

Cons:

• Drying
• Not really effective in whitening (longtime use will probably do wonders)

A Photo A Week: Katibawasan Falls

We explored the beautiful island of Camiguin last December (the day after typhoon Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro) and the Katibawasan Falls is one of the natural gifts we visited. Approximately 250 feet high, this one is the tallest water fall I have seen in real life. It's kinda difficult to capture the full length of the falls on a point-and-shoot camera, but my guy managed to capture this somehow.

photo credit: leokun

Had the weather been good, we might have swum in that rock pool...

Check this out to discover other tourist attractions in Camiguin...