Physicians Formula Blemish Rx Concealer: My Favorite Emergency Concealer

We all have times when we have some breakouts especially when we're stressed or during our period and I'm no exception. I hate days when I have to take extra time to conceal a pimple. And to make things worse, that at the end of the day, because the pimple gets more clogged because of the concealer so it gets even bigger. Yukk! Good thing my dermatologist introduced to me Physicians Formula Blemish Rx Concealer.

My first impression was the packaging looks so professional and pretty, like I am going to inject my pimple with some stuff. ;) Anyways, it's not just the packaging that I liked, it really does conceal my pimples and at the same time heals them. Plus it's not too thick so I know that it does not clog my pores and worsen pimple. I now have this in my essential beauty kit. 

My verdict: Physician's Formula Blemish Rx Concealer is a good concealer which both hides and heals your pimples. Highly recommended!

Free and Clear Liquid Facial Cleanser - Great Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

I have been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for years, but lately I've noticed that it wasn't doing good to my skin; I think that it gave me some pimples and blackheads. So I asked my dermatologist if I need to change my facial cleanser. She gave me Free and Clear Liquid Facial Cleanser.

She said that this cleanser thoroughly cleanses the face without leaving any residues that will lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. She also said that it's good for very sensitive skin. And she's right. I have combination skin that gets quite oily especially on the T-zone and I have very sensitive skin that gets red when I put something that doesn't agree with my skin. This is the BEST CLEANSER I've ever had.  The others leave my skin tight and feeling so dry, while the others too moisturized that I feel like I haven't cleansed my face at all. This one is perfect. I have been using it for a week and together with the Acne Plus cream of my dermatologist, my skin has greatly improved. No rashes, no pimples, just glowing clear skin. I'm so glad my dermatologist gave me this cleanser. 

My verdict: Free and Clear Liquid Facial Cleanser is a great cleanser for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Highly recommended!

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell in Greenbelt 5: My Favorite Salon!

One of my friends told me about Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell in Greenbelt 5 and how she raved about it. So I had to try it myself. I had digipermed hair for more than a year and would like to have my hairstyle revamped. I wasn't interested in hair color, just a good hair cut will do. So last Sunday, I went to Studio Fix.

Here's what I loved about my Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell experience:

Very friendly and accommodating staff. Hermes who is hands down for me one of the best stylists my hair has ever had! He actually listened and followed what I wanted done on my hair, analyzed my hair texture prior to styling it and gave me recommendations. And he wasn't pushy on selling me treatments and hair products. His cut and style were really good. I love how it looked good even without blow drying and styling my hair after it dries after showering.

Iced tea and coffee were complimentary which is a plus. And most of all, I felt like a valued customer, and I'm not even a celebrity!

For PhP 500 for hair cut, I think it's very reasonable.

My verdict: Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell in GB5 is highly recommended!

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - A Review

I have basically dry skin on my arms and legs because of my skin asthma and have been using my dermatologist's lotion everyday. But when I was in Cambodia with my friends last week, I forgot my lotion and had to go to the local store to buy one. I saw Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion and since I remembered that my dermatologist mentioned the brand to me before, I thought that it was a good lotion. But I was mistaken. 2 hours after we went out to go around the city to visit temples, I felt so itchy because my skin dried out. I guess my skin really preferred my dermatologist's lotion. I will really have to find a better substitute if ever I forget my usual lotion or when I run out of it and can't visit my dermatologist.

My verdict: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion is not a good lotion for dry skin or for people with skin asthma.

Revlon Matte Lipstick, Really Red - Truly Glamorous!

I was looking for the perfect red lipstick that I can use for special occasions and I saw the Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red hue in SM Department Store last week. Hmmmm... It's truly red in the sense that it doesn't have orange, pink or brown undertones. I tried it on myself and I instantly fell in love with it; I looked quite glamorous. ;)  The only thing that worried me was that it was matte and might dry my lips and may feel flaky after a while, but Revlon Matte was pleasantly creamy. I also love that it stays put and lasts for hours as long as you don't keep on licking your lips. My friends even complimented me on how fab my lips were that night at a party. I really made the right choice!

My verdict: Revlon Matte Lipstick, Really Red is a great red lipstick if you want to look truly glamorous. Highly recommended!

The Body Shop - Lip and Cheek Stain: A Review

I learned about this from my co-worker just last week when I complimented her about how natural her blush-on was. So last Saturday, I went to the nearest Body Shop store and got myself one. And I'm glad I did. The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain is very pigmented, just 3 dabs on each cheek, blend with the fingers and done! Gives me a natural rosy "under the sun" cheeks. I also tried it on my lips but it wasn't that great for me, it's a bit too fuchsia to look natural on me. Another plus is that it doesn't irritate my very sensitive skin. I will definitely use this as my everyday cheek tint.  

My verdict: A good cheek tint for that healthy rosy glow. Highly recommended!

My Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin) Treatment

I've been a long-time sufferer of keratosis pilaris (KP) or commonly known as "chicken skin." It's quite ugly since it made me very conscious of my arms especially when I wear sleeveless or even short-sleeved tops. I tried all sorts of lotions and creams, but even though the bumps get smaller, they wouldn't go away. Here was a photo of my arm with the KP:

So I asked my dermatologist what treatment I can undergo so the KP will go away. She recommended nanotechnology peel with special components that will be suited for my very sensitive skin and at the same time slough off the excess skin that causes the bumps in my KP.

Like the other nanotechnology peels that I had before, there was no discomfort when I had the peel. There was no itchiness nor embarrassing stage of too much exfoliation days after the peel. I had 4 sessions of the peel every 2 weeks. My dermatologist also gave me Skin Perfecting Lotion as take home medicine. A week after the 4th session, this is a photo of my arm:

My dermatologist advised that to prevent recurrence of the keratosis pilaris, I should maintain on moisturizing soap, colloidal moisturizing lotion and Platinum SF700 capsules (my current glutathione capsules), and try to drink at least 8 glasses of water and refrain from drinking alcohol (since alcohol dries the skin which can worsen skin asthma and KP). I'm faithfully following her instructions and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my arms will continue to be this smooth. 

My verdict: Nanotechnology peel is an effective treatment for keratosis pilaris. Highly recommended!