Mini Haul: ETUDE HOUSE and SNOE

Had a little skin care shopping the other day! Though I would love to splurge more, I still have enough skin care products back home to last me for a month or two.

Start with SNOE first:

I wrote a review about this product a year ago. It's SNOE's Extra Strength Glutathione Whitening Powder Mask [Php349]. Here is the link to my review in case you haven't read it yet. It is a whitening mask you apply on areas on the body where you want it to lighten. I have tried it and always been coming back for this every time I feel like I like to lighten some uneven areas in my body.

This is one soap from SNOE that I always feel like I'm a little apprehensive of. I didn't know which soap I should buy: the EAU LALA SEED SERUM NATURAL BEAUTY BAR or their EMU.CLEANSE CREAMY BEAUTY BAR. [ Read my review here. ] I read at the back of the packaging the benefits of both soaps just to be sure I'd be getting a soap I really need. It was recommended by the sales person that I should try their EAU LALA SEED SERUM NATURAL BEAUTY BAR [Php399] when I told her I got a dried up rash in my body that I needed to lighten. And so I bought it. It is a bit expensive, and I'm crossing my fingers.


Next, ETUDE HOUSE:

I got their HAPPY ESSENTIAL FOAM in COLLAGEN (pink) [Php248] because I love it so much as well as their HYALURONIC ACID (blue) facial cleansers! It is creamy and smells divine whenever I wash my face with this. I always keep coming back for this every time! Collagen is that "glue" that keeps our skin together keeping it look fresh and young. You can read my review here.

I bought 5 sheet masks [Php58 each]: ACAI BERRY (antioxidant), SNAIL (smooth firming), PEARL (bright complexion), POMEGRANATE (smooth & energizing) and COENZYME 10 (tightening & firming). I had to pick an each of my favorite masks to give my skin variety whenever I feel like I need a little boost after a long day. Have you noticed I never post reviews on sheet masks? :)

They also gave me a freebie! Since I spent over Php500 worth of products. (It depends what freebie you'll be getting if you reached a certain mark). I got two sample sizes of their ZERO SEBUM clear gel which is perfect for me because I have oily skin. I'll let you know what I think about it in a few days.

Have you also bought any skin care items you want to share? :)

xoxo,
Chloe

Human Heart Nature Body Wash Sweet Orange

I've always loved Human Heart Nature's berries body wash scent, but I think I'd rather go something different and try their SWEET ORANGE for a change. Oranges are one of my favorite fruits and its smell always revitalizes my senses before I start my day.

Human Heart Nature Body Wash: Sweet Orange 200ml | Php159.75

99.78% Natural -- Lather up to soft, clean skin with moisturizing touch of Human Nature's Body Wash. Rich with natural glycerin and aloe vera, it effectively cleanses away dirt and grime while being gentle on the skin.  

Spruce up every shower with a lush of bouquet of Sweet Orange or Gentle Berry scents.

How to use:

Pour and lather onto a bath sponge or directly onto your body, then rinse thoroughly. Because our natural body wash has coconut-derived ingredients, it may thicken in cold temperatures. If you find it difficult to dispense, simply warm the bottle under how water for 30 seconds.

This orange scented natural body wash is amazing! It is a natural product; Paraben-free and SLS/SLES free. I love how my skin feels every single time. My skin wasn't irritated. It is moisturizing, and leaves skin soft. It lathers well and a little of it goes a long way. It was surprising to find that the body wash was slightly thick, translucent and smells great! I love it! It's probably their new formula.

Human Heart Nature is all about being proud and celebrating the skin we are in. Everywhere nowadays are whitening skin treatments left and right. For us Filipina with morena skin (and every skin tone from all over the globe!), it is all about loving and seeing the beauty the skin we all are in. I am happy this is one Philippine product that doesn't introduce whitening infused products from their soaps, creams or lotions.

I think I would try the GENTLE BERRY scent when I ran out of this. I wish they would come up with more scents like chocolate or vanilla!

xoxo,

Chloe

How to Lighten Dark Underarms

Dark underarms are embarrassing. It happens when the skin is exposed with chemicals like deodorants with whitening properties as promised or constant friction of clothes, or because of a medical condition called Acanthosis Nigricans which is often the result of insulin resistance, obesity, certain medications and hormonal disorders. Other causes of dark underarms are shaving, accumulation of dead skin cells, too much scrubbing, and regular use of removal hair creams. If you are still doing any of this, do stop because they are so bad for our underarms.

Here are tips to help lighten the dark underarms:

1. Remove the hair at its roots. The hair is one culprit that makes the underarms look darker. By removing the hair from its roots, it would take time for the hair to grow. It's the subtle hair peeking through will seem look like a shadow. I would not suggest to tweeze because it will lead looking like chicken skin (Have you seen a chicken's skin when its feathers are plucked?) A waxing kit or an epilator (electric hair removing device) are excellent ways to remove the hair and keep underarms look and feel smooth. Waxing the underarms also helps in exfoliating. An epilator may look and sound scary at first, but you will soon get the hang of it and remove unwanted hair with breeze!
2. Exfoliate. Like how we exfoliate our face, our underarms also need a nice exfoliation. With regular exfoliating it removes dead skin cells. Make a paste mixing a tablespoon of baking soda and water. Gently scrub in circular motion.
3. Make your own natural deodorant. There are recipes online on how to make one at home. It is healthier for our body because we know what's really in it and what we put on our body. I've tried one deodorant and just days after using the product, I felt a slight pain on my lower back. I soon felt a little weak and I knew why it was happening and I threw the deodorant immediately. Eating a healthy diet and drinking lots of water will also help keep the body odor at minimal.
3. Use safe and natural whitening soaps and creams. There are creams and soaps out there that will help lighten underarms with regular use. There are only, however, some are high in Mercury which are bad for the body or parabens or aluminum in it. Please see to it it is safe and organic. Do a patch test first to see if you are allergic to its ingredients. If rashes occur, let it heal on its own. If it feels itchy, do NOT scratch... ever!
4. Peeling oil. This is the kind of oil that helps peel the 'old' skin and reveals fresh skin underneath. Most women I know use it for their body. Pour some oil on a cotton pad and apply it on dark areas for 3days (depends on the instruction sheet) you wish to get rid of the body such as the underarms. Wait for the skin to peel on its own. Do NOT pull the 'old' skin while it is peeling. If in case you feel itchy, do NOT scratch it. Let the skin heal.
5. Underarm Detox. The skin is the largest part of the body. Like our organs, we detox when we feel like we had a lot of consumption of junk food. Detoxing our underarms is a breather from the toxic we apply on our underarms from conventional deodorants. Imagine all those years of chemicals we put on our armpits! Most people say they noticed less odor and less sweating.

   Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons of water

  Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until smooth.
2. Spread an even layer over the armpits and let it sit for 5-20minutes. Start slow and let your body adjust till you can let it sit it for a longer period. If it hurts or painful on your skin, remove immediately.
3. It will cause redness because of an increase of blood flow to the area, but it will go away. Wash it off with warm water in the shower.
4. Do this daily or as needed until the underarm odor goes away and has adjusted to the natural deodorant.

   ***Drink plenty of water to help stimulate the cleansing process.


Below are natural whitening skin ingredients you can find in your kitchen. These have natural lightening properties that can also help with the dark armpits.

1. Apply lemon juice on your underarms for 15minutes and wash off.
2. The potato has a lightening enzyme called catecholase. Rub a potato slice on your underarms and let it sit for 15minutes and wash with warm water.
3. Mix sandalwood powder and rose water to make a paste. Spread on the underarms for 15minutes and let it dry. Wash it off with soap and water.
4. Make a paste using gram flour (chickpea flour), plain yogurt, lemon and turmeric. Leave it for 30minutes on your armpits and wash off with warm water.
5. Apply coconut oil on the area before shower. Leave in for 15 minutes. The coconut oil has Vitamin E to help lighten the underarm. It is also a natural deodorant as well.

Lightening the skin takes time. Do not overdo these because it could cause more harm than good. Be patient. You'll be raising your arms with confidence in no time!

xoxo,
Chloe

THE FACE SHOP Cherry Blossom & Perfume Seed Travel Kit

I had this travel kit for free (or was it?) while I was shopping for some skin care products at THE FACE SHOP. Who doesn't like free items before check out? Even though its size is suited for traveling, I do not have the patience to wait.

Here is a photo I took months ago. :)

According to the sales person, I got it for FREE... but something tells me it wasn't.

TA-DAAAH! Here's a clear image of the product. I love Cherry Blossoms! The packaging is cute, floral, pink and feminine. Excited to give this a try!

Pamper yourself with a complete set of four essential products for your hair and body care needs. A perfumed body and hair care line with natural plant seed ingredients and ultra fine capsules delivers soft aromatic velvet body skin.

Cherry Blossom Shampoo (50ml)

A shampoo that has romantic fragrance and plenty of moisturizing agent and it cleanses the scalp with rich creamy foam.

Cherry Blossom Rinse (50ml)

A conditioner that has romantic fragrance and plenty of moisturizing agent. It coats each strand of hair, making it soft & glossy after shampooing.

Perfume Seed Capsule Body Wash (50ml)

A perfumed body wash with natural plant seed ingredients and ultra fine capsules that deliver soft aromatic velvet body skin.

Perfume Seed Velvet Body Milk (30ml)

A perfumed body milk with natural plant seed ingredients and ultra fine capsules that deliver soft aromatic velvet body skin.

The scent is heavenly and 'romantic' with its floral packaging. It's one of those products I like to sink myself into when I am pampering myself after a long day. I almost liked the PERFUME SEED CAPSULE BODY WASH because of the scent, but it wasn't moisturizing as I thought it would be... and I really wish it was. The CHERRY BLOSSOM SHAMPOO, CHERRY BLOSSOM RINSE and PERFUME SEED VELVET BODY MILK, however, I didn't like it. Again, the scent is nice but it didn't provided my hair and skin the nutrients I was looking for.


xoxo,
Chloe

The Vimala Alphabet: My First 40-Day Challenge

Nope. You didn't missed any of the updates. I've decided to jump this post on Day 40 with you, right now. You can read my previous post here of what I am talking about.

I have completed the 40-day Vimala Alphabet Challenge! I feel good and I got to say, I am never this excited to write. I have learned a lot and mindfully writing every letters as I practice my 'new' handwriting. I look back at the previous days since I started the challenge and I could see the progress. I keep in mind the affirmation behind the letters' strokes and curves. I gave myself the space to write for 40 days. Why 40 days? The number 40 is the number of transformation which takes the neurons in our brain realign; it is advised not to skip a day -- ever!

So... I haven't bought the book yet. For now, I copy (online) the proper form of writing letters as suggested by Vimala Rodgers. I also get to read some do's and don'ts on how to write letters. It's kind of amazing how my three letters that I intuitively chose speaks a ton about myself; it's kind of scary and accurate! I got myself started and write on a blank unlined piece of paper (in landscape) with my trusty pen. It was also suggested to write row of words starting with the chosen letter, row of words that contain the letter in the middle and another row of words that end with that letter. It wasn't easy at first because it also means I had to look at the Vimala Alphabet closely as possible and see how the other letters are written. I'm not going to lie, but it was frustrating! But as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.

There are times the "old" way I write letters creeps back. I simply rewrite it with the "new" way of writing. I sometimes find myself pausing for a while before I write either. Besides, who doesn't want to show off their 'new' handwriting? LOL! I started slow and steady and it gets challenging over time but surely I enjoyed the progress. I practiced writing fast while remembering the importance of letters of how it is supposed to be written. I love my handwriting! I am never this excited to grab a pen and paper and write! I can't believe how smooth and gentle I was as I write these wonderful letters. Everything paid off!

Improvements has got to do a lot with inner work and it takes time. Changing the handwriting, as what Vimala Rodgers suggested, will help rewire the neuropathways in our brain. It reverses and retrains the aspects of the brain and releasing from old patterns. It's a personal story for everyone as it expands one's perspective every single day on these changes.

From The Five Noble Truths of Integral Handwriting, I got to say, this speaks true from my experience. "The degree of difficulty in mastering a stroke change is directly proportional to the value it will have in your life. The greater the difficulty, the greater the value".

Below is my handwriting from Day 39:

...and below are my handwriting for Day 40. I chose to write a quote from Rumi. :)

Just looking at my handwriting, I can already see (and feel) what my next three letters need to work on. Any guesses? :) I am going to continue writing every day and watch the progress before my eyes. Letters. are. no. longer. just. letters.


Visit their website.
Visit their Facebook Page.

xoxo,
Chloe

ETUDE HOUSE Collagen Moistfull Emulsion

I've been using ETUDE HOUSE's Moistfull Aloe Soothing Lotion for some time which is good. But I like to switch things up with my skin care routine. I had to try ETUDE HOUSE Collagen Moistfull Emulsion because of the collagen content inside! We know how important collagen is to our skin.

ETUDE HOUSE Collagen Moistfull Emulsion 180ml | Php700+

A concentrated moisturizer that immerses skin in rich moisture to improve skin health and moisture level. Fortified with Baobab Tree extract and collagen, skin is treated to advanced moisture with a dramatic improvement in texture and tone in as little as a few days of use. Increases skin elasticity and reduced the appearances of fine lines.

Directions: After Facial Freshner (toner), apply an appropriate amount all over the face. Tap lightly to help absorption.

Benefits: Moisturizes. Increases Elasticity. Increases Collagen Synthesis. Retains Moisture. Improves Skin Health.

The packaging is beautiful and slender just like Moistfull Aloe Soothing Lotion. I knew it doesn't come with a dispenser; I had to tilt the bottle to get myself a hold on the cream and it didn't look me long to get some it either. It had a nice scent to it. It is not too thick nor too runny; it is just right. Currently, I use this as my morning and evening moisturizer. I use a little amount of cream for my face, neck, decolletage and my hands to keep it these areas healthy, fresh, soft and smooth. I wait for it to fully absorb in the morning before I apply a layer of sunblock. (We got to keep ourselves protected from the sun!) And on evenings, I like to layer this with another moisturizer. It works well. After applying the product on to my face, it makes me feel a little greasy, but it doesn't matter and I don't let it bother me. It makes my skin look dewy on every application and in the long run! I could see the awesome results every time I look in the mirror. For an oily skin myself, it certainly makes my skin a lot shinier! I had to use blotting sheets throughout the day to keep the oiliness at bay.

xoxo,
Chloe

Marc Anthony Healing Macadamia Oil Body Wash and Lotion

I was browsing several bath products months ago at a supermarket. I love to see what's new while I read labels and ask questions (if any) to the sales person. I instantly had my eyes on MACADAMIA OIL and its beautiful rich chocolate brown packaging. (I've been loving the color BROWN lately, have you noticed?) I am almost ran out of body wash I was using so I needed back-up.

Healing Macadamia Oil Sulfate Free Body Wash 500ml | Php300

This Sulfate Free Body Wash infused with healing Macadamia Oil, Hibiscus, Green Tea and Vitamin E to gently cleanse and calm rough, dry, damaged skin while a light Tahitian Vanilla scent soothes the body. It moisturizes and restore a youthful, soft, supple glow. It is Sulfate Free so it is gentle enough for all skin types.

Healing Macadamia Oil Rejuvenating Body Lotion 500ml | Php300

This fast absorbing Body Lotion is infused with healing Macadamia Oil, Hibiscus, Green Tea and Vitamin E to calm and correct stressed, dry, damaged skin. It hydrates, softens and restores a youthful, soft supple glow. It is lightweight enough to be suitable for all skin types and offers protection to tired, aging skin.

The body wash is sulfate free, lathers well and moisturizing. The body lotion, on the other hand,  is creamy, nourishing and quickly absorbs to the skin without making me feel greasy. They are infused with Macadamia Oil,  Hibiscus,  Green Tea and Vitamin E.  My skin is not flaky or dry. I adore products that has 'extra moisturizing' written on the packaging to provide my skin an extra treat. The macadamia nut scent and a hint of vanilla on these products are heavenly! I love to smell my skin after I applied lotion...  and sometimes, I like to think of it as chocolate. My skin feels smooth throughout the day.

I would love to try the hand cream, body oil and body butter to keep that scent I love last throughout the day.

Visit their website.


xoxo,
Chloe