V&M Venus and Mars Smooch Lip Detox: A Review

I know I want to try Maybelline Baby Lips even if I'm perfectly happy with the balm I'm currently using.. Say hello to the natural lip balm that dethroned by previous fave Human Nature lip balm:

  V&M Smooch Lip Detox 

RATING: 5/5

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Yes, you've read it right. It's my new fave one! I love the glossy finish and the cool minty feeling it leaves on my lips. It's colorless so after swiping it on my lips, I dab on my favorite lip tint and off I go. Compared to the Human Nature one, this is less sticky. I doesn't have a scent (or if it does, I don't notice it!) so if you're into the fragrant kind, this might not be for you. I also love the fact that it makes me feel like I'm taking care of my lips by going organic!

WOULD I REPURCHASE: I will buy a boat load of these babies... except they're a little pricey as compared to other local organic brands. I got mine for 205php. Other brands retail for less than 100php :)

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?: 100% go BUY it here now! If you want something that gives a longer-lasting cooling effect, try the Ilog Maria one instead!

Maybelline Baby Lips: A Review

Who doesn't want baby lips? :)

I know I vowed to try to use all-organic products but I can't pass up on these. At least not until after I've given them a try! :)

Here's what I think:

PROS:
- moisturizes decently
- less chapped lips

CONS:
- I don't love the feel it makes on my lips, like there's an extra film or something but it's not really that bothersome.

Overall, i'd give it a 4/5. I'd have given it a higher rating if it were organic :)

I've had the Smoothing Cherry first then the Energizing Orange next. I like the smell of the orange one more but I think the cherry one does a better job in the moisturizing department. I am yet to try the other 2 variants. I guess I'll go with the berry next time. :)

I alternate the use of this with my organic lip balms:

Ilog Maria Honey, Beeswax & Propolis Lip Balm
Human Nature Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Orchid
and
Venus and Mars Lip Smooch Detox

I usually use this before bedtime. I usually wake up with hydrated lips if the lip balm isn't wiped away while I'm sleeping :))

Have you tried these? Do they work for you? What's your favorite lip balm? Tell me all about it!

Skinfood Sugar Hand Cream (Wrinkle Care): A Review

Skinfood Sugar Hand Cream (Wrinkle Care): A Review

Update 9/12/2012:

New Rating: 3.5/5

Okay, I think I've gotten used to the smell now. The only con now is that it's super sticky but I do see a positive difference in the appearance of my hands whenever I use this. :)

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RATING: 2/5

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: I really expected a lot from this product. The reason why I love Skinfood so much is because of the scent of their products and I'm afraid scent is the reason I am hating this hand cream. I bought this because I'm starting to get conscious about the most neglected part of my body when it comes to skin care and.. well... also because I'm afraid of having very wrinkled hands... :) So there, I tried this product out because of the label that says it's for "wrinkle care" and... okay, to be honest, I'm really not sure if this product works but I can't continue using it because it smells sooooo weird! I hate the smell and I'm so sensitive when it comes to products' scents. Also, my hands felt super sticky after use! I wouldn't have minded the sticky-ness if it weren't for the offensive smell.

WOULD I REPURCHASE?: I don't know if it's just me, though because countless times have I been told that I smell things other people really don't... like the guy in the movie Perfume.
Okay, not that intense but still pretty intense. SO... this is a NO GO.

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?: Guess not, maybe we're just better off with the old overnight petroleum jelly/virgin coconut oil home treatment.

Human Nature Exfoliating Facial Scrub with Superfruits and Black Rice: A Review

Human Nature Exfoliating Facial Scrub with Superfruits and Black Rice: A Review

Update 9/13/2012:
   Sadly, this product has been discontinued. They offer a new facial scrub and maybe I'll give it a try!

RATING: 4/5

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: I really like this product from Human Nature. My skin feels so smooth right after using and it doesn't feel dried out. I use this product once or twice a week but it feels gentle enough to be used for more than that if needed. The only reason I did not give this a perfect 5 is because the black rice are a little too big. Nevertheless, another good one from Human Nature!

WOULD I REPURCHASE?: I see no reason as to why not!

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?: Yes. If you're looking for a gentle exfoliating scrub. Say hello to this one.

Click here to BUY THIS PRODUCT!

(I know, I know... I've only been reviewing Human Nature and Skinfood products... but but I love them... and you just wait, there's more to come!)

Human Nature Goat's Milk and Cocoa Body Butter: A Review

Human Nature Goat's Milk and Cocoa Body Butter: A Review
 

RATING: 3.5/5

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: It really moisturizes my skin well. Not to mention, it puts my mind at ease because it's 100% organic and I just happen to know (through the Human Nature Website) that 60% of the chemicals we use are absorbed by our skin. The only reason why I gave it a 3.5 is because I'm not a big fan of the smell and it's a little sticky-feeling.

WOULD I REPURCHASE?: No. Not that it matters, I think this is discontinued.

WOULD I RECOMMEND?: Worth a try.

Baviphat Naughty Girl Chiffon Cake Cream Blusher: A Review

Baviphat Naughty Girl Chiffon Cake Cream Blusher: A Review

RATING: .5/5 as blusher, 2/5 as highlighter (I'm being generous), 0/5 as eyeshadow

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: I bought the #3 shade in peach and I don't know if it's just the shade I chose but this product doesn't really give you much color. Well, it does, a little, after a few too many applications. The only thing I love about this is the highlighted cheeks effect it gives. So now I'm using this as my highlighter instead of my blusher. Hard to apply, though! This is the thing about cream-based blushers, my foundation wears off when I apply this! Must choose one that is of a creamier consistency. This one's too hard. I tried it just now as eyeshadow and my eyelids itch! Ugh!

WOULD I REPURCHASE?: No... wait, yes but only if it's 50 pesos! I bought this for a little less than 300 pesos over at Ebay plus shipping costs because there isn't a Baviphat store here in the Philippines and it's just not worth it. The jar is also so small! I'm also sure I would have to repurchase often because I need to apply a lot of the product for my cheeks to look a little flushed / highlighted. Plus, most the product stays in my fingers and not on my face while applying! Bad product! I almost gave it a zero.

Also, I'm not sure what the ingredients are so I'm not at peace. :) I need to find myself an organic/mineral highlighter. Know a good one? Tell me, I beg you!

WOULD I RECOMMEND?: Skip this one. Everyone deserves better.

Skinfood Parsley and Mandarin Toner: A Review + Word of Caution

Skinfood Parsley and Mandarin Toner: A Review

RATING: 4/5

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: This product, with the Skinfood Green Tea Bubble Cleansing Foam, saved my face! I was using other stuff, too, while using this, but to be fair, this did not break me out. This, along with the other stuff I used, seemed to help me with my acne-problem. I really like this toner, it has a semi-strong scent but it's not a bad one and I'm not really bothered with it. Whenever I apply toners the sensitive part of my facial skin (above the cheekbones) stings. I experience no stings with this product.

WOULD I REPURCHASE?: Because I now know they have parabens, NO. How sad, I really liked this one, it was gentle on my skin.

WOULD I RECOMMEND?: For those with oily skin/acne-prone skin but are afraid to use harsh products because of their sensitive skin... YES but maybe, NO. It might help in the short-run but would you risk it with the parabens? I mean, studies are still being done so...

Oh, I don't really know what to think. All I know is there is a POTENTIAL health risk there and as long as I can live without them, I won't use them. :)

Read this article about parabens and weigh it out yourself:

http://www.naturalnews.com/022113_parabens_cosmetics_chemicals.html

Skinfood Green Tea Bubble Cleansing Foam: A Review + Word of Caution

Skinfood Green Tea Bubble Cleansing Foam: A Review

RATING: 3/5


BACKGROUND STORY =) : Before coming across this product, I really struggled with acne for at least 3 years in college and just a year ago, I vowed to start using as much natural/organic products as possible because I felt like my skin was too harassed by all the products I used to get rid of my pimples (to no avail, mind you). That was when I came across the Korean brand, SKINFOOD. I absolutely love their products because it does feel like I'm just feeding my skin with all-nutritious stuff!

MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: In all fairness, this product really helped clear up my skin! I still get the occasional pimple here and there but this product was one of the main reasons why I don't have a pimple on my face 24/7 anymore. I used this product along with Skinfood Parsley and Mandarin Toner.


WOULD I REPURCHASE?: I am eternally grateful but I'm just not a BUBBLE foam kind of gal. I just like the normal, good ol' foam because with the bubble one, I feel like my skin isn't as clean as it could be with a normal foam. I guess it's a NO for me.

Plus, just recently, I found out that their products contain parabens!! How did I not know this before? How did I not research on this? The only thing they do is use natural ingredients in each of their products... they don't really claim to be 100% natural, do they? Jeez.

Read my post on Skinfood Parsley and Mandarin Toner and you'll see a link to a paraben-related article. Or you could just do your own research and be in the know.

WOULD I RECOMMEND?: There are better ones out there, ones that do not contain parabens and other potentially harmful stuff.


Now, this is important...

 I found out my skin looks better if I use several different brands of products every once in a while instead of sticking to one. So while I was using this as my facial cleanser, I was also using a bunch of other facial cleansers from Human Nature, Garnier, Pond's, and the one from my recent trip to the dermatologist BUT only once every two days. It did help clear up my skin but now that I know better than to expose myself to parabens, I'm off to search for my new facial wash :)

About Moi

Hey everyone! =) I am a 22-year old Filipina, who's trying to express my new-found love for cosmetics!

Just a few months ago, I did not even know how to use an eyeliner, bath soap was my facial wash and my skin was total dreckitude! I had pimples all over my face, which gave rise to the huge pores on my skin, my skin was too oily, I had to use oil control film every 20 min (I kid not), and do not even get me started on my hair.

Thankfully, I finally realized I am a woman! I got started on wearing makeup, using nail polish, getting waxed, and all things that have remained alien to me until recently.

Anyway, enough about me. I guess I just want to tell you guys that this blog is all about my cosmetic discoveries and that all my opinions here are mine alone. Meaning, I am not paid by any company, brand, or whatever to write the cosmetic reviews I'm gonna write.

And now that I got that out of the way... time to get started!

UPDATE: I am now trying to switch to using organic products! More health-friendly! Kinder to the environment! Plus, why would I risk using the chemically-laden stuff?