August Finds

Time flies fast… really fast! Seems like it was only a few days ago when I am writing about my July Finds but here I am now, writing about my finds for the month of August. Oh time! Where’d you go?

Anyways, I didn’t try a lot of new products this month because I suffered from breakout and until now, I’m still trying to find out the reason for it. So the only items I tried for the first time for this month are:

1. Human Nature Moisturizing Conditioner. Like the organic shampoo, it is my first time to try an organic conditioner. So as trial, I opted for this 50 ml. bottle.
2. Human Nature Strengthening Shampoo. As the name suggests, this shampoo should strengthen the hair the natural way. Since it is natural, the shampoo doesn’t lather into foam like chemical-laden shampoos. Using a shampoo that doesn’t create foam can be a bit weird but I’m trying to get used to it. Review will follow in the days to come.
3. Avon Glimmersticks Chromes Eyeliner. It’s retractable and on sale so I bought it.

Cerro Qreen 7-Pc Brush Set

If you have read my previous posts, you are probably aware that I am no makeup expert. I am just one of the girls trying to learn this beautiful art. With this, I humbly say that expensive brushes are out of my league… yet. Besides, I rarely put on makeup when going to work as I am always in a hurry so it isn’t wise for me to shell out that much money for brushes I rarely use.

As practice tool, I use this Cerro Qreen 7-pc brush set I got from What the F auction a few months ago. This is originally priced more than Php 450 but I won this in the bidding for Php 170.

The set contains:

• 1 Powder Blusher - made of wool
• 2 Eyeshadow Brushes (big and small) made of horsehair
• 1 Eyeliner Brush made of fiber
• 1 Eyebrow Brush made of fiber
• 1 Lip Brush made of fiber
• 1 Sponge Brush

Calamansi and Baking Soda to Treat Dandruff

For months, I have been wondering how to get rid of my itchy scalp caused by flaky dandruff. I tried using Head and Shoulders but I have to stop using it after a week because it gave me split ends and made my hair dry. I cannot even say that it works in eliminating my dandruff since there is no significant change. I also tried adding a pinch of baking soda to my shampoo once a week but to no avail.

After failed attempts with commercially-available products, I knew that I have to take things seriously to get rid of this problem once and for all. I am determined to get rid of the itchy scalp through natural remedy. After reading blogs and forums about possible cure, I came up with my own solution. A lot of people mostly Westerners swear by apple cider vinegar and though it is also available in Iloilo, I decided not to go with it because my being frugal kicked in. One large bottle costs around Php 150 and since I needed only a small amount I didn’t think that it is practical to buy one. If only it is available in smaller bottles...

With that, I experimented a solution that I can use for the meantime. If it works then good, if not then that’s the time I would give ACV a try. Thankfully, my solution worked and I haven’t been getting flakes for more than a week already. Here’s what I did:

1. Cut three pieces calamansi into half and massage each slice to your scalp. When doing so, you may want to wrap the calamansi into a cloth to avoid the mess of pulp and seeds. Also, you may want to increase or decrease the number of calamansi depending on your needs.
2. Let it stay for 30 minutes or so.
3. Rinse hair with water and shampoo using a mixture of one part water and one part baking soda. Let is stay for one to three minutes and rinse. Use conditioner if desired. (I suggest you condition your hair since baking soda can be drying.) Rinse.
4. Repeat the process for three days.

On the fourth day, you can go back to your previous hair care routine and do the treatment every other week or as necessary. As for me, a couple of days after my three-day treatment, I switched to using organic shampoo and conditioner to strengthen the treatment. I will talk about organic shampoo and conditioner in another post.

Scientific name for calamansi is Citrofortunella microcarpa but is also called golden lime, calamonding and calamandarin.

Have you tried this remedy? Do you find it helpful? I’d certainly be glad to know if my remedy works for you too.

Janda Loafers from Parisian’s Comfy Collection

I cannot remember when the last time I bought a pair of shoes from Parisian was. In other words, it was so looong ago. I have one explanation for this - the last pair (nude peeptoe) I bought from the brand caused me painful blisters and utmost discomfort that made me promise myself that I will never buy anything from them. From then on, I don’t even dare look at the items from Parisian each time I visit the mall.

For years, my impression of the brand remains the same until that one time when I noticed their new collections. Being a fan of flats, loafers, mules and anything that provides utmost comfort, I got a bit excited upon seeing their comfy collection. They have a wide array of shoes that are actually my kind of shoes, the type in which I can wear to work, mall, to church, when going on road trips or just hanging out with friends.

When I tried one, I felt like my foot is in feet heaven. More than stylish, it feels comfortable because of its cushioning and contoured foot bed. It also has rubber out soles therefore reducing the risk of slips which I am prone to considering how “unladylike” I am. And with a price of less than Php 1000, what is there not to like in these babies?

Review: Body Music Sports Bra (A60)

When I was just trying to develop my jogging routine, I promised myself that I will get a new pair of shoes should I became consistent with the activity. Well, I already bought a new pair of shoes months ago and until now, I am still committed to continue what I have started. Thus, I rewarded myself with another purchase that I can use when I go jogging - a new sports bra. Well, it’s not actually a reward since it’s actually necessary and what I got is just a basic and simple one. But it’s a reward just the same since I won’t be buying it had I stopped doing the activity.

Anyway, what I got is nothing high end, expensive or from a popular sports brand. It’s the type that any other frugal girl like me would buy. The product is by Body Music. I can’t find enough information about the brand online so I’m guessing that the brand has either not developed its online presence yet or is simply not that popular to gain attention of other sports enthusiasts.

37th Milo Marathon in Iloilo: Running in the Rain

The 37th Milo Marathon in Iloilo took place exactly a week ago (August 4, 2013) and it was something worth remembering. Every participant who were at the venue were all wet, dripping wet to be exact, because of heavy rains around 30 minutes after the 21k started and right before the 10k race started.

Photo Credit: Milo Philippines

But despite the rain, the spirit of the participants was not dampened. Many decided to push through and finish the race though running while the rain is raging is never the easiest thing to do. I have to deal with countless puddles of rainwater forming in the road (and other runners intentionally stepping on these puddles to hit other runners with water), the rain hitting my eyes (didn't bring a cap), wet socks and shoes (at least it's not squeaky, thanks Nike), the cold that seems to have reached my bones and back pain probably caused by cold.

Review: All Organics Goji Astringent Bath Soap

The past couple of months have been productive months for me because I was able to publish my targeted number of blog posts. I love it! For the month of August, I intend to maintain it thus I have been motivating myself to make my creative juices flow nonstop. It isn’t that easy though as I have to juggle my time among my fulltime and part time work, exercise, family and personal errands, relationship, friends and other social activities as well as this blog. Tiring, yes, but the results of each of them make life worth living.

If you have read my previous posts, you probably have read my post about my WTF Finds. One of the stuff I got from that auction is this Goji Organic Soap from All Organics. Half of the bar has been used already and I am sharing to you the review of the product.

Human Nature Iloilo Experience

I knew when the Human Nature opened its first concept store in Iloilo. I knew where it is located but for some reason, it took me this long to visit the said store. First, the store is not easily accessible to me before. Second, I work from 9am to 6pm, and the store closes at 6pm as well so I cannot drop by the store after work. The store is open on Saturdays and though I do have weekends off from work, it is reserved for doing the laundry, cleaning the house and sadly, making up for my backlogs if there is any.

But then, nothing is impossible to the person in need. :D I have been dying to try their Balancing toner so I really scheduled my trip to the store. A couple of weeks ago, I went to the store for two reasons; one, to buy and two, to see the store and take pictures to go with this blog post. But shyness got the better of me, so I wasn't able to take even just one picture.

Photo credit: Human Heart Nature Iloilo