Human Heart Nature: 100% Natural Premium Deodorant

I've used a lot of 'regular' deodorants to make me look and smell fresh everyday. But these few years, I start to get conscious on what I take for my body -- inside and out. I start to read and opt for natural products especially deodorants. Not only that these 'regular' deodorants has a lot of health risk because of these harmful chemicals that can absorb through our skin and enter our bloodstreams, it is also the cause of dark underarms.

I can't recall when I bought this Human Heart Nature's Happy Pink variant. I also love the color pink that's why I picked this. I've read some good reviews online, and I thought to try it. The packaging is so cute! It's a roll-on deodorant which comes in a 50ml for Php89.75. It has no parabens and has no aluminum salts. That's great news!

Our Premium Deodorant gives better odor-masking and longer deo protection that can last all day! Now you can be active all day without worry!  Its natural extracts and oils even help lighten and smoothen underarms, without leaving those ugly white streaks on your shirt.  And because it’s 100% free of harmful chemicals, you get only the good!

Why risk it? Many chemical antiperspirants contain aluminum salts that close pores to stop sweating. Studies have linked these and other ingredients (e.g. parabens) with health risks from neurotoxicity to reproductive problems.* Is it worth the risk? You decide! Our deo is not an antiperspirant but will protect you from body odor without harmful chemicals.

Ingredients: aqua, glycerin, zea mays starch (cornstarch), triethyl citrate (plant derived), stearyl alcohol, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, sodium caprinoyl (vegetable
derived), lauroyl lactylate (vegetable derived), fragrance (all natural), glyceryl stearate, glyceryl caprylate (coconut, palm and glycerin derived), xanthan gum, p-anisic acid (anise seed derived)

I shake the product before I apply this on my underarms after taking a bath. It feels sticky when I applied it, but it dries afterwards leaving with moisturized underarms. It didn't caused me itchiness, redness nor caused me dark pits. In fact, I've read some reviews that it helped them lighten their underarms. It didn't stain my clothes which is a plus!

Unfortunately, I am not happy with this product. For a 50ml, which is not quite a lot, is taking me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get this over with! I had this product sitting in my closet for months now. I used it the following day as soon as I bought it, but it didn't gave me the protection I needed even when I'm at home, or if I know I won't sweat that much since I am inside an air conditioned office. Few hours after use, I swear I could smell myself whenever I raise my arms. I start to get tense, though I knew I shouldn't tense too much because it will only aggravate my hormones and possibly lead to worse which is very embarrassing. It did mention I should re-apply throughout the day as needed, but I hate to swipe it again because it makes me feel sticky. It also doesn't feel sanitary re-applying this throughout the day. Won't it hasten the growth of bacteria from my pits to my deodorant?

I hate to throw this when it still has some product left. I wouldn't say I didn't wash myself thoroughly nor I didn't washed my clothes properly. I don't suppose it's the humidity that got me into this stink. Even when I'm inside an air conditioned room, I still smell. Perhaps this deodorant is not working with my body chemistry? Could it possibly be my natural smell somehow clashed with whatever is in this deodorant that got me this bad? I have no clue WHY. How much more if I play some kind of sport (which I'm not) or had to run errands in this hot climate when I'm wearing this deodorant? I also wouldn't say it's something I eat because I try to eat as less or no processed food at all; I try to eat as healthy as I can opting for more fruits, vegetables, fish, and plenty of water. I know someone who eats way LOT of meat, processed food, alcohol and is a smoker which causes this person's body to emit this unpleasant smell that NO deodorant nor expensive perfume can help. True story.

I've been in front of this computer for hours with this deodorant on as I write this review... and I smell. I have no idea what to do with this. I hate throwing away money. Maybe if I use this with places with cold climates*, then maybe... just maybe it may work.

Check the expiration date before purchasing. Don't forget to keep this out of direct sunlight, and store it in a room 35 degree Celsius and below.

Beauty Tip from Human Heart Nature:

Here’s a nightly underarm care tip many of our customers swear by: before going to bed, apply a few drops of Sunflower Beauty Oil on your underarms and leave on overnight. With regular use, sunflower oil can help even out and lighten your skin. In the morning, apply the Premium Deodorant to continue daytime care for your underarms while keeping body odor in check!

I hope they could improve their formula for this deo so I could use it with confidence whenever I go out. I would love to repurchase this, but this 'smelly' experience is making me hesitate. For now, I'd have to stick to my usual routine to keep my underarms clean, fresh and happy!

*UPDATE: November 13, 2013

No. It doesn't work even on cold climates. But it does make your underarms lighter in the long run so that's a good thing. So maybe, it's up to your discretion when to use it.

Short Choppy Haircut

Guess who's getting a haircut? ME!

I'm not the kind of girl who has to have long hair. A long straight hair is nice, but I just don't see myself with long hair. A lot of people seem afraid for me for that drastic change, but I don't need to listen to any of them! It is my hair and I will do what I like. I am doing this for myself.  I've been thinking about getting a short hair for months now suited for my heart-shaped face. Out of all the short choppy hairstyles, this is the ONLY haircut that struck me most.

HEART or INVERTED TRIANGLE 

The heart shaped face is sometimes called the inverted triangle, particularly if the hairline doesn't come to a point on the forehead. This face shape is the opposite of the triangle or pear; it is widest at the forehead and it narrows toward the jawline. The jaw is the most narrow area of the face. Again, it may be angular or more rounded. 

People with heart shaped faces may want to avoid blunt-cut, straight bangs, as they will make the face appear shorter and the forehead wider. Slick-backed styles will have the same effect. Chin-length and jaw-length bobs look fantastic on this face shape. Texture such as curl, wave and long layers also accentuate its features. Try side-swept bangs, side parts, and wispy layers to create balance to this pretty face shape.

That is just beautiful!

On my search, I did find another current photo of a girl who has the same haircut! She took a photo of herself showing the side and the back of her hair for another terrific reference! I am telling you, out of all the photos out there, my heart is telling me to get this! I am going to print these photos and show them to my hairdresser. I REALLY LOVE IT!

Am I ready? Am I ready??? I cannot wait for this! I. breathe. for. this. Let's go!

Venus & Mars: Bare It All Cream

I am always on a look-out for moisturizing and lightening creams in the market, and one of those creams is V&M Bare it All Cream that I always need to repurchase because my haul doesn't seem complete without it.

Venus & Mars Naturals is the first emu oil skin care line in the Philippines. I love that their products are made in the Philippines, pure, and organic without the harmful chemicals. I've tried their line for years now, and I still keep coming back for their products that I may want to try.

Underarm Chicken Skin? Cracked Heels? Corns and Calluses? Rough and Dark Knees and Elbows?

Sound familiar? Now you may say goodbye to these frustrating skin dilemmas that have been around since time immemorial.

Bare It All Emu Body Cream is specially formulated to smoothen and whiten the roughest and darkest skin areas. Shea butter, jojoba oil and mango butter 
are known to be the best moisturizing elements from nature. Just imagine how good these can be when mixed with EMU OIL, the ONLY natural oil that is closest to the human oil components. It also penetrates 5x faster than any other natural oil! This could be the holy grail of body creams! This product also has papain, a powerful whitening extract. The peppermint content is sure to give you a relaxed mood that’s enough to ditch all day’s (or even the brewing!) stress. 

Ingredients: Emu Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Mango, Papain, Peppermint

I bought a 100g of their Bare It All Cream which comes in purple. It can be applied on areas such as the underarms, feet, elbows, knees, and thighs! It comes in two variants: plain and minty. You know I always pick the fan favorite and I got the minty one. I immediately love that lavender scent to it because it's just that soothing. I always am looking forward to grab this especially on days I need a pick-me-up. It's one of those products I love to apply after my bath and feel that cool sensation that lasts for few minutes. My boyfriend asked me if I was wearing a perfume because it just smells so good. LOL! If he only knew I wasn't wearing any perfume! If I feel like staying home and read books, I apply this on my underarms as my deodorant. I do not smell funky throughout the whole day, but I wouldn't suggest it if you know you are going out in public without enough protection. I've never dared applied this on my face because it just doesn't say, though it can quite be tempting to use this all over your body. But because with this tub right here, I hate to see it go away so fast so I use as little as I can. A little bit goes a long way! It is a heavy cream, but it doesn't feel greasy or sticky afterwards because it sinks to your skin as soon as you applied it. It is really moisturizing and makes skin soft to touch. However, since I'm only using it for weeks, I cannot vouch for its lightening results, but V&M said you could add few drops of their CPC+G Oil to help lighten your skin faster.

Below are old photos of V&M's Bare It All Cream. See how much I loved it?

I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to lighten their skin, or just indulge yourself with this.

Price:

100g - Php285

300g - Php695

Human Heart Nature Soaps Review

I am going to review three soaps from Human Heart Nature: Natural Cleansing Bar, Kids Natural Bath Soap, and their Pure Strength Black Diamond Cleansing Bar. I purchased these soaps 3-4 weeks ago, and I am happy to tell you all how I love these soaps.

100% Natural Cleansing Bar 120g | Php64.75

Our 100% Natural Cleansing Bar harnesses nature’s goodness to wash away the day’s dirt and grime while leaving your skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized. And because it’s  fragrance-free, your skin is left clean and clear from all synthetic irritants found in chemical soaps. 

Our cleansing bar is cold-processed, which means that it takes more time to make than your usual chemical soaps, which are hot-processed. Hot-processing removes the naturally hydrating glycerin in soap, which is often replaced afterward with synthetic fillers and harmful additives that leave the skin dry and dull after bathing. Cold-processing, on the other hand, produces high-quality soap that retains beneficial natural glycerin which keeps skin soft and hydrated. As a bonus, cold-processing consumes less energy and produces less waste - so it's not only skin-friendly, but eco-friendly as well!

Review:

I used this soap not because I have skin problems (aside from acne). I love this soap because it is simply fragrance-fee, not artificially colored and very mild on the skin. I used this soap for my body. I love that it cleanses and lathers really well, and gives that clean and soft feel afterwards knowing that this doesn't have harmful chemicals. It didn't caused me irritation or rashes. Though it is moisturizing, I still use a lotion after my bath.

The downside of this soap is that it melts easily -- which is a good thing! I hope the people behind Human Heart Nature make other variants of this such as vanilla, peppermint, chocolate, coffee, or added with herbs. I would love that!

Pure Strength Black Diamong Cleansing Bar 120g | Php79.75

This is more than just a soap. This is a symbol of an era where all men can be heroes. Where men don’t need to harm their environment or their health just to look good. The Pure Strength Black Diamond Cleansing Bar contains deep-cleansing bamboo carbon known in East Asia as the “black diamond” for its powerful beneficial properties. It’s charged with all-natural premium powerful ingredients and none of the compromising chemicals. So staying clean and looking good goes beyond good grooming. It’s good stewardship.

 No triclocarban. No synthetic fragrances. No parabens. No EDTA. No sulfates. 100% No harmful chemicals. 

Review:
I got this for my boyfriend. I decided to purchase this soap and see if he likes it. It comes in a black soap and a quick whiff of this soap left me for more because of its peppermint scent. I already can guess that menthol feel on every use. I am so excited for him to try this. It is natural and not packed with harmful chemicals!

I didn't took a photo of the soap because my boyfriend was in a hurry to use it. He tried it for 2-3 days, and I can't believe he didn't like it. He didn't like the cool feel after using it, and the scent for him was just too strong. But he will still use the soap until it ran out. *sighs* I just don't know what else to say.

One of these days, I am going to try this soap myself. I am really curious now. I just read their website, and it says this soap can be used by men AND women. I will update this for my review about this soap soon.

100% Natural Kids Body Soap - Chocolate Adventure 120g | Php69.75

Our Kids Bath Soap works like a charm in getting your child clean and fresh after a long, fun day of dreaming, playing and exploring. Natural yet effective cleaning agents effectively remove dirt and grime without harmful synthetic surfactants like SLS or SLES, while natural glycerin from the soap’s cold-processing helps keep your child’s skin from drying unlike most chemical soaps.

Review:
This soap is for myself. It did say it's for kids, but I bought it anyways because of CHOCOLATE! I love chocolate. Knowing it is chocolate, I simply had to try it. When I opened the box, I was surprised to see that it looked like HHN's Natural Cleansing Bar, but with shreds of chocolate-soap. The scent reminds me of a chocolate biscuit that I love to eat when I was a kid. It's mild on the skin, lathers and moisturizing. Though this soap melts easily, you'll be happy to know that you aren't washing your kids, or yourself, with harmful chemicals. Not only kids will love this soap, but adults as well would love to give this a try! Who doesn't love chocolate?



Be sure to check the expiry date before purchasing. Store it below 35 degree Celsius. Keep it away from direct sunlight.

My skin love these soaps. I can't wait to get my hands of their Pure Black Diamond Cleansing Bar now and try it myself! Affordable. Philippine-made. Cruelty-free. Organic. I will definitely repurchase! I do hope they'd make other scents soon.

Click here if you would like to learn more, or make a purchase, of Human Heart Nature's products.

Random Soaps Haul: Miss Kat, Be Organic, and Milea All Organics

I bought these from one online shop which offers a variety of soaps and some Korean and Japanese cosmetics. I feel like I am inside a candy store! Though I would love to buy everything I see, I try to as be as reasonable as I could in which soaps I would try. I would love to visit their shop in La Union one of these days, but for now, I ought to make a purchase online, pay through bank, and wait for my package.


BE ORGANIC
I have tried their Coffee Seaweed Soap a year ago. Even though I liked it, I think I'm going to try their other soaps.

 Triple Rice Soap and Goat's Milk Soap

TRIPLE RICE SOAP | 110g | Php 85.00

Exfoliating, skin lightening & Anti Aging. Get brighter, fairer and more glowing skin! This soap with three varieties of organic rice rejuvenates and nourishes the skin and helps eliminate dead skin cells to reveal younger looking skin.

GOATS MILK SOAP | 110g | Php 85.00

Nourishing, soothing & moisturizing. We make our natural soap from fresh goat's milk, a natural emollient that helps soothe and moisturize the skin. It is rich in Casseins, Vit A, B6, B12 and E making it an excellent natural moisturizer that helps hydrate nourish skin.

MILEA ALL ORGANICS

Visit their website.

I love Malunggay so much! Whenever I see products with Malunggay in them, I immediately buy them. Consider. this. as. my. weakness.

Malunggay Soap | 100gms | Price: 70php

High in anti-oxidants, Malunggay helps retain youthful glow and helps skin heal itself. 

Contains Saponified Virgin Coconut Oil, Moringa Leaf Extract, Vegetable Glycerine

Noni Soap | 100gms | Price: 70php

Noni fruit extracts are high in anti-oxidants. It helps purify skin and soothes irritation.

Ingredients: Saponified Virgin Coconut Oil, Noni Extraxct, Vegetable Glycerine, Vitamin E.

MISS KAT 

Miss Kat Soap is a cosmetic brand that wants every girl to feel happy and beautiful inside and out. We deliver products that promise for a healthy, nourished skin - naturally.

Visit their Facebook Page.

I love the cute packaging! Their MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL SOAP and EGYPTIAN 24K SOAP caught my eye out of all of these soaps. I love the smell of these soaps. I did expect they were very expensive, I was surprised to find them affordable so I thought to give it a try.

SUPREME MOISTURE | Php 100.00
Shea, Cocoa and Olive Vege Bar
Collection of rich amounts of moisturizing extracts that increase skin hydration. Shea contains beneficial vegetable fats that promote cell regeneration and circulation. It has cocoa that penetrate deeply into your skin that gives hydration and soothing effect and olive thats promotes smooth and radiant complexion. This vege bar is ideal for dryness, stretchmarks and scars. Its multi-tasking benefits makes skin even more beautiful and supple!


GENTLE FACE PEEL – Green Apple | Php 100.00
Whitening facial bar that sloughs off dead layers, improving complexion, tone and texture. Gives you the exfoliating therapy of a peel without any trace of dermal thinning, irritation and redness that makes it suitable even for the most sensitive skin.
Ingredients: saponified oils of palm and coconut, glycerin from coconut, calamansi, beta arbutin ,organic avocado oil, fruit acids

EXTREME ALL-OVER WHITENING |  Php 100
Papaya, Guava and Passion Fruit
Whitening body bar with active papain enzyme that promotes cell renewal and overall skin clarity. Also with active exfoliating features that restore the skin’s glow. With guava and grapefruit extracts that aid as an astringent and toner to complete the whole body radiance.
Ingredients: saponified oils of palm and coconut, glycerin from coconut, pineapple, papaya, guava extract, kojic acid, olive oil

PORE SHRINKER |  Php 100
Lemon Grass with Apricot Scrub
Lemongrass, known for its natural antiseptic that target skin issues caused by bacterial infections. It acts as astringent, which constricts the skin making pores minimal, less obvious, keeps skin firm and limits oil secretion.

MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL FACE AND BODY BAR | Php 150.00

This divine bar has intense moisture that improves rough and dry skin and reduces the appearance fine lines. With regular use, it heals existing acne blemishes, prevent the occurrence of new breakouts, and help reduce scarring. It is gentle enough for all skin types.

Moroccan Argan oil face and body bar, Youth begins in every bath!

Soap Idea: Look and feel young! This bar leaves the skin highly hydrated and conditioned for a renewed look and feel. It has antioxidant properties that protects the skin from the harmful environment. It heals and soothes skin irritations and other skin problems. This is a divine bar! Stay young, Morrocan Argan Oil Bar for a more YOUTHFUL you in a natural way.

Ingredients: Saponified palm oil, saponified coconut oil, glycerin, argan oil, papaya, butterscotch and vanilla fragrance oil, black beads wax

EGYPTIAN 24k GOLD FACE AND BODY BAR | Php 150.00

Your skin is worth every gold and glitter, Expose that radiance in you!

This exotic radiant bar, gives skin LUMINOUS, GLOWING and RADIANT complexion with every wash! It’s essential brightening ingredients leave skin’s complexion blooming and blushing. Egyptian 24k gold bar is the solution to an affordable but luxurious way to a dazzling skin.

Egyptian 24k gold face and body bar, because radiant and glowing is every woman’s luxury!

Soap Idea: Radiance bar. It leaves your skin luminous, glowing and radiant with every wash! Indulge yourself in beauty. Indulge yourself in our 24K GOLD BAR.

Ingredients: Saponified palm oil, saponified coconut oil, glycerin, gold powder, bearberry, vitamin e, grean tea, jojoba oil, chili and spice fragrance oil

Their online shop, however, doesn't ship outside the country.

...and there you have it! Let me know if you have tried any of soaps mentioned. I am so excited that I want to take a shower thrice a day? LOL! I'm just kidding.

UPDATE: February 6, 2014

Neither of these soaps were used on the face.

I used ALL of these as a body soap.

I cannot give my opinion on how it benefits for the face.

Venus & Mars: CPC+G Soap

I really admire other women who has that natural glow and healthy skin which shows how much they take good care of themselves. I love my skin color, but because of hyperpigmentation on some areas, I get self-conscious. I want an even tone skin, but not necessarily mean achieve a "whiter" skin. That's different.

CPC+G Oil: The "It" Whitenener
A photo dated 3-4 years back

This is V&M's CPC+G Oil which I also tried years ago. I am going to save my thoughts on what I think about this one because I honestly haven't written a review about it. But one thing for sure, as soon as they launched a soap derived from this lovely concoction, I just had to try it.

This is going to be my second (or, third?) purchase of their CPC+G Soap.

V&M CPC+G SOAP Feel Good Peel! INTENSE and CONCENTRATED Whitening Soap with Peeling Essence ARMPIT/BIKINI/GROIN/NECK MICROPEEL  

Price: PHP 165
WEIGHT: 60g-70g 

Clair Blanche – Papain – Calamansi plus Glutathione! This mixture does not only effectively whiten the skin, it also makes skin healthier because of its Vitamin A, C, E, pottasium and other more essential minerals content! This is a micropeeling bar that gets rid of dark epidermal skin, making it easier for the whitening extracts to seep better unto the deeper layers of the skin. 

What are the BENEFITS of V&M CPC+G Feel Good Peel Soap?1. It whitens even the most stubborn and darkest areas (concentrated whitening!)2. It sloughs off dark skin in the areas you desire to whiten.3. It moisturizes the skin and softens the appearance of chicken skin making it easier for our “chicken-skin-creams” to penetrate the skin. 

Tip: The longer you leave the product on before rinsing, the more intense and potent the whitening effect gets. Adjust the duration as desired. Do not forget to do a patch test before using the product especially on sensitive areas.

Like what I did on my other V&M soaps, I cut this in pieces to make it last. I like that this soap helps lighten dark spots while as I take a shower, and let it sit on my skin as long as I want. It is a spot treatment to leave on areas you only want to lighten.

I use this soap every day. It didn't irritated my skin nor did I see any dramatic peeling on the outer layer of my skin, which I thought it would happen. It lathers really well, and this soap can last to a month or two depending on use. The results, however, is a gradual process, and I wouldn't rely to this soap if you are looking for an immediate whitening within two months; it did help in some way, but not to the extent of a total skin make-over! However, V&M did recommend to use their other whitening products, aside from this soap, to help hasten the process.

I really hope they'd make a bigger soap of this.