Organix Acai Berry Avocado Shampoo & Conditioner

I am thinking of growing out my hair for this year. I like short hair, but this year I am making things different. I have a hard time growing out my hair because it seems it has a mind on its own. The shampoos I have tried claiming it will help fight the frizz and dryness, didn't made my crown and glory manageable. I have no idea what to do with my hair so basically I go to my trusty hairdresser and chop it off with a short choppy hair. I LOVE SHORT CHOPPY HAIR! 

But this year, I am growing my hair out.

While at Walgreens few weeks ago, we were shopping for cough syrup (I was sick), I happen to spot a variety of Organix shampoo and conditioner. It was difficult for me to choose, but I knew I had to pick one during my stay. My eyes already spotted Macadamia Oil and Argan Oil of Morocco... until I saw that pink packaging with 'ACAI' written on it, and I knew I just had to get it. It even says 'nutritional' on the product so I thought, my hair do needs a lot of nutrition and I do hope this shampoo and conditioner will help my hair problem.

Acai Berry Avocado Shampoo ($6.99)

Acai Berry Avocado Conditioner ($6.99)

An exotic nutrient luxurious blend of antioxidant rich acai berry extract and guava to instantly nourish and enrich your hair while avocado proteins add nutrition and balance along with Moroccan argan oil to moisturize your tresses and create a shiny, smooth, frizz-free finish. [link]

It has been three weeks since I started using this, and I got to say I LOVE the light berries scent of the shampoo. I always look forward to take a bath just to nourish my hair with such delicious scent! Both the shampoo and the conditioner comes in a pink and fat packaging and with a golden flip cap. The shampoo has a slight thick in texture and it is purple in color. It lathers well and made my hair clean and moisturized. While the conditioner is light purple in color and has thick texture; I let it sit on the ends on my hair for 2-3 minutes and which made my hair soft. I had a little problem squeezing the conditioner out of the bottle though since it is so thick, but nonetheless, it will make your hair soft. I hardly recognize my hair anymore. I can feel and see the difference in my hair. It is soft to touch, shiny and healthy like never before!

However, there is a tiny bit of annoyance now with my hair... or perhaps it is just me and I need a lot of getting used to. Now that my hair is soft and nourished like the product says it does, my hair look flat. I always prefer my hair to have a little volume. I really just have my own preference when it comes to my hair; we all have one of those days what style we want for our hair. Anyways, I am happy my hair has now been nourished thanks to this product. I really would never have expect this would make such a difference.

Overall, I love the product! Hair is soft and nice to touch.

ETUDE HOUSE Sun-prise Natural Corrector SPF42/PA++ Sunblock

Everyone needs to wear sunscreen both men and women. Whichever part of the world we are from, we need to protect ourselves because the ozone layer surrounding Earth is slowly deteriorating. I live in a tropical country and I always bring my handy umbrella and sunglasses along with me whenever I go out whether it is sunny, rainy (of course, no sunglasses), or cloudy; sunblock is a must on any season!The sun's rays by 9am until 3pm are painful to the skin so protection is key to prevent certain skin diseases and premature aging. I have tried a lot of sunscreens (and I wasn't able to blog about that!?).

Before I begin, you might be wondering why this isn't in my Korean and Japanese Skin Care Haul few days back. Actually, I bought this product on Amazon months ago for $9.56. Though yes, there are some good sunscreens out here, I decided to get mine online since I am already browsing for some stuff, so why not?

Etude House Sun-prise Natural Corrector SPF42/PA++ Sunblock 50g ($9.56)

UV defense moisturizer whitens skin with Niacinamide and improves wrinkles with Adenosine. Formulated with Mangosteen, Lotus Flower and Aloe extracts for skin soothing relief.

Skin Type

Combination Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Sensitive Skin

• Has SPF42 PA++ that protects your skin from harmful sun rays
• Contains ingredients that stimulate cell renewal while reducing wrinkles
• Helps moisturize and soften the skin
• Preps your skin to hold the makeup longer
• Make Up Base + Wrinkle Care + Whitening

Ingredients

Adenosine, Aloe Barbadendis Leaf juice, Aluminum Hydroxide, Beeswax, Beta-Glucan, BIS PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Hexyl Laurate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Leucojum Astivum Bulb Extract, Magnesium Stearate, Methyl Trimethicone, Niacinamide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquoleate, Stearic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Zinc Oxide

It has a soft pink color to it and it is creamy. It can be blended easily and leaves skin a matte finish... but hours later, it made my skin look dry. I do not know if it's just me, but my skin looks and feels desert dry!!! It leaves a white cast on my face whether I apply little or a lot (in my experience), but either way, better to apply as little as possible. It makes my face looking ghastly like someone tries hard to be "white". I am happy with my skin color and all I want is a good sunscreen. I took a selfie one time with this sunscreen on and I look like a ghost. I ran to the bathroom to wash the excess sunscreen off my face and neck! I have tried a lot of sunscreen, and it will leave a white cast on the face, but not like this. I did read online that this has whitening properties, but I didn't expect it will leave this obvious floating white cast on the skin. It's more like wearing someone else's skin color!

See the photos? The third photo left my hand with a white hint to it. It may look okay on my hand, but it looks different when I applied it on my face. I read somewhere that it is better to test products by applying it to the neck. I think people with a (more?) lighter skin tone can use this sunscreen. Be sure to remove whiteheads and blackheads on your nose too. You don't want those things sticking out because it makes them pretty obvious. I further searched online that this is a good make-up base. You must have known by now that I am so clueless when it comes to make-up. Yes, girls like me do exist. (Yea, hi!)

I have a love-and-hate relationship with this product. The packaging is cute. I love it because it helps protect me from the harmful UV rays from the sun. I love that I can bring this with me around, though it feels sticky reapplying sunscreen. With its .21 point, you can control the amount of product you need. All you need is a little bit for the face and neck, that's it. Blend it out. I do also think it only comes in one shade.

It says 'Natural Corrector', and I do not know what that even means.

Honestly, I don't use this product everyday so I couldn't tell you if it fights wrinkles, but what I do know, since it is sunscreen, it will help protect the skin from the sun to prevent premature aging. If I only feel like I'll be outside under the scorching sun for a long time, then I will use it. I do use a different kind of sunscreen as back-up because I just don't like how this sunscreen make my face look. And even though it says, SPF42 with PA++ on the packaging, you still need to reapply at least every two hours because the time I went home, I checked the mirror and my face looked a little red while I was under the sun for too long (In other words: BURN). By evening, I just wanted to treat my skin with soothing masks, eat healthy food, apply moisturizer and a good sleep to recover from the sun's damage.

I do not like this product. I am into sun protection, but the way it made my skin look? No. I'd be very happy to hand this sunscreen to someone. Suited for people with (more??) lighter skin color.This product is not for me.

Korean and Japanese Skin Care Haul

I've been saving my money for my must purchase: Korean and Japanese skin care. I was in Japantown yesterday, and luckily besides Daiso, there's also The Face Shop (Korean Skin Care and Cosmetics) just a few walks away! This is an awesome time saver without traveling from Point A to Point B!

I first visited The Face Shop. It was an overwhelming experience because I do want to try every product while I was inside the store. I was screaming with joy! Do keep in mind that I had a difficult time which products I want to purchase.


THE FACE SHOP

Raspberry Roots Sleeping Mask ($20)

Overnight treatment mask is formulated with plant extracts of Himalayan raspberry roots and grain extracts for continuous hydration and pore-tightening effect while you sleep. Plant extracts also boost skin's ability to produce collagen, leading to a dramatic improvement in skin tone and texture upon waking up, making the most of your beauty sleep.

Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Oil to Foam ($22)

Cleansing oil + cleansing foam type

Melts make-up and impurities gently like cleansing oil

Enables clean and refreshing feeling without double cleansing

Enriched moisturizing ingredient of mango seed protects skin to be moisturized after cleansing

Konjac Sponge ($7)

This cleansing puff made with 100% all natural vegetable fiber konjac contains 10% natural bamboo charcoal removes skin impurities.

Volcanic Clay Nose Strips ($6)

The Face Shop Volcanic Clay Blackhead Aloe Nose Strip, formally known as the Blackhead EX Pore Strip, is your go-to product for removing close to 100% of the white and blackheads. The product contains New Zealand Volcanic Clay and has strong blackhead and oily secretion absorption properties.

Volcanic Clay Black Head Gel Oil ($15)

The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Gel Oil is a pore scrub gel oil specifically used to remove blackheads. It is an effective cleansing product that draws out black heads and removes dead skin cells with the use of micro scrub technology.

Modeling Gel Patch Goodbye Smile Fold ($6)

Boost up your skin strength with face yoga and this amazing patch! A patch that will create a lively lock around the mouth area by making the skin smooth and resilient.

Face Masks (Chia Seed Mask $4)

(Real Nature Face Mask: Rice, Acai Berry, Green Tea, Red Ginseng, Mung Bean - $2 each)

Chia Seed Mask: The moisture mask sheet consists of gel-type essence containing chia seed extract, which has 10 times more moisture than any other element, filling up your skin with water from the inside and transforming it into moisturized skin; Mung Bean - a cleansing/skin tone purifying mask sheet with mung bean extract, effective in purifying pores for a clean and smooth skin texture; Rice - an exfoliating/complexion improvement mask sheet to smoothen and brighten dull and rough skin; Green Tea - a hydrating & energizing mask sheet containing green tea extract to fill dry skin with refreshing and hydrating moisture; Red Ginseng has 6-year-old red ginseng gives rich nutrition to the face. The Red Ginseng with rich in Saponin helps the facial skin soothe and healthy; Acai Berry - A firming mask sheet containing Acai Berry extract to improve resilience and provide moisture to the skin.

After I paid, the lady told me to get $27 worth of FREE items. If you spent over a certain amount (I forgot how much), you are eligible to get free gifts, 30% of the total items bought. Here's what I got:

Milk Plus Creamy Body Lotion ($15; I got it for FREE)

Like a refreshing drink of nutritious milk, this body line with more than 11% of Milk plus complex and a blend of chamomile and petal extracts hydrates and soothes sensitive or parched skin.

Nature Garden Cleansing Bar: Aloe and Seaweed ($6 each; I got it for FREE)

A handmade vegetable-based soap for your face and body. It is so gentle and can be used by absolutely anyone. Low pH level makes it even better for a sensitive skin. 

ALOE: It relieves thermal burn and sunburn and promotes wound healing and prevents progressive skin damage. It also moisturizes while calming.

SEAWEED: It removes excess sebum while detoxifying so that it is recommended to oily skin. It has strong anti-inflammatory property so that it helps to heal wound.

And of course, how could we forget samples!

DAISO

There are definitely a lot of cute stuff costing a dollar and fifty which is very affordable! I even visited a small novelty store, and I was in tears how cute the erasers, notebooks, pens, plush toys, and etc were! *sigh* I already have some particular items in mind so it wasn't difficult which aisle in Daiso I need to go to.

Small Half-Moon Pouch ($1.50)

I love its cute polka dot design! It is small and handy for my epilator.

Foaming Net ($1.50)

I saw one of these on Youtube, and I find it a terrific idea. Been wanting to get these for months now! You only need a little amount of your favorite cleanser, add water, and you will get amazing fine lather for your delicate skin. Massage it on to the face gently. The foam acts as a cushion between hands and face preventing harsh habit of rubbing and damaging skin.

Pore Care Pack ($1.50)

It gets rid of blackheads and whiteheads.Though I am kind of grossed out with a photo of a nose

with blackheads. I get it, however, they could have made it like an illustration.

Pumice Stone ($1.50)

Gets rid of dead skin.

Natural Plant Sponge ($1.50)

This feels rock-solid when you touch it. This will be interesting the minute I try it and see how well it will exfoliate. Hydrate it with water. It will double its size and will become squishy to be used for the skin.

I am so happy! I cannot wait to use it and tell you guys about it!

DAISO Smooth Skin Hair Removal Pad

I. LOVE. JAPAN. Who doesn't love Japan? One of my dream is to visit Japan... and stay forever? LOL!

Anyways, so I was in Daiso months ago, and one of the things I found was this Smooth Skin Pad... in a circular-elevated thing around it. Yes, it took me a long time before I start using it... and now I have! If only I can read Japanese characters because I really have no idea what this is supposed for. But I grabbed it anyway because it says on the packaging: Smooth Skin. Immediately I thought it's got to be an exfoliator to be used in the shower, right?

I was almost right; it is a good exfoliator, but it actually is a HAIR REMOVAL. *dun dun dun* Who would have thought this cute thing is a hair remover? You've read that right! I just found out about this product just hours ago, and just had to tell you how mindblowing it was for me! I read online and I still could not believe my eyes. I had to double check what I just read -- HAIR REMOVAL!

Here's what happened: Just 2-3 days ago, I used this as I took the shower to exfoliate my elbows, feet, etc. I had no idea how can this little thing hurt me. I was also frustrated on this product because it always slipped right off my hand. I was like, "How can this help me exfoliate if it slips off my hands?" LOL! I soon washed the soap suds off and let it dry. However, after I got out of the shower, I noticed that my skin is red and irritated. (If anyone else is worried, I am okay and waiting for it to heal. Thank you. ^^) I must have overdone the rubbing. I looked over at the product again, and the purple pad itself is actually a little rough. It may look smooth in the photos, but it is rough like sandpaper.

Now that I knew it is actually a HAIR REMOVAL PAD, I took it out and immediately used it on my arms. The last time I epilated was 2 months ago (yikes!), but really, I can barely see the hair so I guess there is no need to panic. I reached out toward the sun and saw the tiny hairs on my arms. In a gentle circular motion, clockwise and counterclockwise, I had to see if it works. It says to use this product on a dry and clean skin, and use a lotion afterwards. I did it twice just in case, but it did not remove hair... although, I could see tiny flakes of dead skin cells which is a good exfoliator.

At least that's what I first thought about the product: an exfoliator. I guess it can be a good product as an exfoliator leaving skin soft, but as a hair removal pad? I don't think so. The product is cute and a very unexpected find. Daiso always surprises me with stuff I would never have thought of! I want to research stuff online, but the question is, I have no idea what particular product I should look up online because Daiso products are very random such as this one! For a $1.50, I would say it is very affordable. It's one of those products, either you love it or not, it doesn't hurt in one's pocket. Beauty products are, after all, about trial and errors.

I really would never thought that this product here is a hair removal pad! Guess if you find certain items that you feel hesitant to purchase, I suggest you bring someone who knows how to read Japanese characters. Unless you are one of those customers like me who go for anything cute and a little adventurous inside Daiso, why not? LOL!

Walgreens and Whole Foods Mini Haul

I had this cold and irritated sore throat 2-3 days ago thanks from eating sweets (chocolates and mochi) without drinking water before going to bed! Ugh! When will I ever learn! But even still I had to get up. Lying in bed all day makes me feel worse. 

Before heading home, we ought to buy some stuff at Walgreens. Looking around I bought some stuff... besides cough syrup.

Organix Acai Berry Avocado Shampoo [$8.99] and Conditioner [$8.99]

I wanted to try Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner and their Organix Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. I've already got my eyes on them, till I found this with Acai on it... I changed my mind. I LOVE ACAI! The scent is sooo delicious filled with berries!

EOS Blueberry Acai [$4.29]

There were only two kinds of EOS lip balm: Blueberry Acai and Strawberry Sorbet. Though I love pink (color), I would get the pink EOS lip balm. But again, the acai on this got me straight to my heart. -- and of course its cute egg-shaped packaging! Hmm... Is it just me, or why do I feel I want to collect each of them now?

If I'd be asked if I am a tea, chocolate or coffee drinker, I would definitely say I prefer tea... then chocolate. LOL! It feels so comforting to grab a mug of hot tea or chocolate on a rainy day. You can never go wrong with that.

Twinnings Pure Rooibos Red Tea [$4.24]

Twinnings Chai Tea [$4.25]

Bigelow Chinese Oolong [2 for $7.79]

Bought few items at Whole Foods and had to stop at their tea section. These are the teas bought at Whole Foods weeks ago. (I forgot to blog about it???) There were a lot to choose from and it was so overwhelming! LOL! I had to stick to my guts what I really want so it took me time to choose when I recalled this beauty guru on Youtube who love tea so much, she recommended the Yogi Skin Detox. So that's what I got, while mom chose the Yogi Detox. Next day, I checked online about the product and read reviews. Each cost $4.99.

Yogi Skin DeTox

Supports a Healthy Glow

I didn't realize the Yogi Skin Detox, besides its delicious floral flavor, also helps in clearing acne as it cleanses internally the impurities resulting to clear glowing skin. Of course it says 'Skin Detox' but I wasn't expecting such result for a tea. I tried few tea bags of this and see if it will help clear out some breakouts around my jaw... until I realized my mom also love the Yogi Skin Detox, thus we share. LOL! I cannot give out my opinion on this tea if it helped me get that 'glow' or reduce these breakouts because I did not finish the entire box myself. I simply love its rose and hibiscus note to it which is very freshing and soothing. I love to drink this at night for a more complete skin regimen I suppose you can say.

Yogi DeTox

Supports Healthy Liver and Kidney Function

I tried this once but I didn't like it that much. It has that strong ginger taste to it. I love that it helps to detox your body, but the taste is not for me. I will still drink this tea. It is always good to detox.

Do you prefer tea, coffee or chocolate?