Divasoria

Lili Paz Tiongson is a registered nurse based in Houston, Texas. She also blogs at SWANKY::CHIC::FETTE where she channels her inner Martha Stewart. Her brand of cool and chic lifestyle ideas has landed her on one of Pinterest‘s most popular boards. On top of all of that, she is a loving wife to her doctor husband and devoted mom to her 5-year-old son, Aston.

****

1) Hair : Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner by Organix, not the next shampoo out there but this is what I’ve been liking lately. Love the smell and when used along with the Moroccan Argan Dry Oil, it makes me hair look shiny and healthy. I rotate the conditioner along with 2 others, Fekkai Shea butter and Philip B Forever Shine conditioner – both leaves a long lasting heavenly smell to the hair and makes it manageable and soft.

I use the Moroccan Argan Dry oil after a towel dry my hair and before blow drying. It leaves hair shiny. Ojon finishing spray is another product I recently tried and liked used as the last thing to put on your hair after styling. My two favorite dry shampoo, Oscar Blandi. I dont wash my hair everyday and I start applying dry shampoo on the 3rd day. It adds volume and absorbs scalp oil that wears hair down.

2) Face/Body : Olay ProX Advance Cleansing brush – been using it over a year now, 2-3x a wk and seen major improvement on pore sizes and overallface skin smoothness. I use it with Fresh Soy Face cleanser which is really mild and afterwards use my Algenist cream.

On days I dont use the Olay cleansing brush, I am loyal to my Proactive routine (due to adult acne that started after college). And with the scars left by cystic acne, i use Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution (works wonders) as well as Mederma (works just as well for less $$ but smells awful). During winter, I use this Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating treatment which is an amazing gel-like lotion that does not leave skin sticky yet moisturizes and hydrates extremely dry skin. And the best smelling all-natural deodorant, Lavanila.

3) Makeup : I love using a palette collection (like this one from Too Faced, a gift from last Christmas) – it takes out the guess work on makeup color choices. Same as this Benefit Fine One One, another product I love that multi-task – it brightens & contours cheeks and is also a lipcolor. But I have to apply a few times to get the right amount of color I need since I have a darker skin tone. I am obsessed with BB creams and I have tried a bunch of them and finally focusing one 2 that I really like. Dr.Jart Water Fuse BB cream has a lighter coverage than the Dr.Jart Black Label Detox BB cream. If I needed more coverage I just top both BB creams with Maybelline Instant Age Rewind eraser treatment makeup in Creamy Beige. Its a liquid makeup in a tube that blends really well and has anti-aging elements and SPF in it. My concealer comes from this Maybelline line as well, the Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Fair shade. During the day, I rarely use eyeliner but when I do at night I use my favorite eyeliner, Stila sparkle waterproof eyeliner in Rock Candy. Same with mascara, rarely use it during the day but I just curl my lashes with Sephora’s eyelash curler. But for special nights out I love using Theyre Real mascara from Benefit. Glides easily and no clumping! For eyes, I use Chanel Smoky eyes collection set # 93. I usually use those for evening events that call for dark smoky eyes. I rarely use it but its a good collection to have for those special night.

I hoard cheek tints and blush. Nars Super Orgasm is my blush choice for summer nights because of its glimmer and shine. Laura Mercier pink mosaic shimmer is also a favorite for spring/summer. For pink peachy cheeks everyday, I use Chanel’s Blush Horizon from Spring 2012 (no longer available i think). I love carrying in my makeup bag either my Benetint cheek stain (i’m almost out of it) or Tarte’s Tickled cream stain for touch ups or for days where I dont want to look fully made up but still want a bit of color on my face, I dab either one on both cheeks.

My lipcolor favorites range from peachy, pink and red shades. Tom Ford Casablanca is a cross between peach, brown and pink. Great everyday shade and TF creme lipsticks are longlasting. My favorite pink in Chanel is Chanel Camelia and favorite red is Rouge Allure 39. An everyday lip stain for me is the Tarte Joy Natural lipstain with lipsurgence. It looks orange in the stick but comes on as bright pink. I also love that it has that minty feel on your lips from the lipsurgence ingredient making you feel like your lips are fuller. I am not a lipgloss fan but if I need to add shine and luster to my lips, I use Chanel Glossimer 277 and 146, both in peach shades. For lining my lips, I use Chanel Aqua Crayon lipcolor stick. I hoard Revlon’s ColorBurst Lip Butters and my go-to favorite shades are pink truffle, brown sugar, berry smoothie and peach parfait. These lip balms with highly pigmented colors give you the color you need as any lipstick would but has the calming smoothing properties of any lip balm. The color lasts longer and I find myslef using them daily. Another inexpensive lipstick find that I like is the Rimmel lipstick line by Kate Moss. I love its creamy texture and with the small number of color choices, I especially love 08, 104 and 103 – all in pink!

4) Scents : I’ve been using Denenes since high school and now I splash it on my son after shower. I love the baby scent on the blue version. Another similar scent to Denenes is Jacadi’s Garcon which I use everyday. Just a fresh smelling mild clean scent perfect for babies too. My tried and true favorites for fall/winter are Annick Goutal‘s Passion and Eau de Sud which I would spritz on for nights out. During the day, Eau de Sisley 3 and 1 are also great ~ they have distinct sporty scents that really lasts all day. Lastly, this a new one that I have been using ~ I think its perfect for summer and spring, Calypso St. Barth’s Bellini. Sweet, fruity scent perfect for daytime.

5) Nail care : I swear with the following nail care products – Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat, leaves nail shiny and protected from early chipping. it quickly dries too and i reapply if i want to add luster and sheen to an old polish. Julep Quick Dry polish drops are exactly what theyre called – a quick drying liquid to top your manicure with an amazing scent & all-natural ingredients (all Julep products anyway which i love about the line). Im weird because I know all these products are really good but when I use OPI or Essie, I top my manicure with this other favorite Essie Good To Go top coat that’s also fast drying and leaves nails just as shiny as the Julep counterpart. And when I do my nails, which is quite often, I use Julep Acetone free conditioning nail polish remover. Removes toughest nailcolor coats but it leaves a sweet smelling scent unlike other nail polish removers that has that pungent strong smell.

My favorite colors – neutrals : L-R butter london yummy mummy, chanel frenzy, essie The Glamour Purse (dupe for Particuliere, in my opinion), essie Case Study, Chanel particuliere.

Pinks/red/purple : L-R essie Wrapped in Rubies, Nars jungle Red (my favorite red nailcolor), Trina Turk for Julep Delauney (a great red orange color), Julep Eva, Tom Ford African Violet

Blues : L-R Julep Melanie, Chanel Blue Rebel, Chanel Blue boy, Chanel Coco Blue, Chanel Skyline, Zoya (lost the name sticker), Essie blue rhapsody

as told to divasoria

Viella Galvez is a former ballerina & current PlanaFORMA instructor who also spends her free time tutoring students of all levels in Math & Science, thanks to her Biochemistry degree.

****

I have combination skin and have been blessed w/ skin that only suffers occasional breakouts, so my daily routine is pretty simple. I favor cream cleansers because they don’t dry my skin out too much, and they can clear my skin of makeup (the brands I use, anyway) and the occasional use of a clay mask always gets my pores back into shape (esp during summer). I don’t use astringent toners or a moisturizer when in Manila (only when in cool, dry weather, and Estee smells great and isn’t gunky at all) so I find that this moisturizing toner works to clear my pores of remaining gunk AND provide some sort of moisture for my face as well.

For hair care, I tend to switch up shampoos yet I’ve recently become attached to Dove. For an affordable brand, the shampoo and conditioner have the exact texture and lather that I want. I love the smell of Herbal Essenses’ shampoo as well. I have a penchant for playing around w my hair color so the color conditioning mask is a must. I recently bought this sampler packet of Hi-Pro Pac Intense Protein Treatment (for Color Treated & Highlighted hair) at a beauty supply store somewhere in NYC’s Upper West Side (during a stroll down Amsterdam & Broadway) and I swear it’s amazing for undernourished hair; it felt like my strands thickened more after washing.
-

I discovered Fresh’s Absolute concealer years ago when I asked a Sephora salesgirl for a cream cleanser that was the closest match for my skin tone and texture. I have not found a replacement for it since. I rarely wear foundation on a normal day but I like going a shade or two darker because I hate looking too pale in photos. This Maybelline shade was a recent discovery (again, in NYC) and I think I’ll be sticking to it. I have bad luck w bronzer/blushers because i tend to break them but I am partial to these three. Physician’s Formula is a brand I love because of their matte bronzer (I use their eyeliners as well, a good alternative to Rimmel), the Sephora bronzer was a pleasant discovery months back. My Bobbi Brown shimmer brick has been around for almost a decade, and no, I still don’t break out when I use it so I guess its safe to say that its an awesome investment. Great Lash is a known MUA go-to, but I love this new version for its brush. The Face Shop brow pencil is a great shade and a good alternative to the more expensive Anastasia brand that I get from Sephora. I use Muji blotting paper & MAC translucent powder sparingly on heavy makeup nights to keep the oil and my makeup in check. I recently got myself the Urban Decay All Nighter spray and I love coz it does keep everything in its place on my face (just be careful about spraying too much on coz you’ll end up looking like a glazed donut). I like products that multitask for you, and neutral colors when it comes to makeup (less is more!) and this Estee compact provides everything I want. I don’t usually wear lipstick, a stain usually works on normal days (coz I eat a lot and the lipstick wears off too often), but I recently found this set of lipticks from Sephora near the checkout line… The 5 shades i would defo end up using for every occasion under the sun.

I don’t like cloying scents and the smell of baby powder makes me sneeze. I never used to like fruity florals till I found this variant of Estee’s popular Green Tea line.

as told to divasoria

Christel Ruiz Garcia-Salas is a senior project manager working for the Online Division of the Estée Lauder Companies in New York City. She helps develop, manage and launch infrastructure projects as well as e-commerce and m-commerce sites for the ELC brands. Prior to joining ELC, she graduated from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business full-time MBA Program and subsequently worked as a Product Manager focusing on marketing and new product development for Broan-NuTone.

***

Face
1.Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – I’ve been using this for years, and I love how fresh my face feels after cleansing my face with this. Highly recommended by my dermatologist! I use this twice a day – when I first wake up and before bedtime
2.Estée Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Moisture Gel Crème – I was told use moisturizer daily! I love how this smells and how it keeps my skin soft. I use this in the mornings after cleansing and before putting anything else on my face
3.Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum – Greatly improved my skin tone and helps prevent any breakouts. Just a little goes a long way. I use this nightly after cleansing
4.La Mer Eye Concentrate – Love this product! Every evening, I feel like I am getting a mini spa treatment when the wand touches my face. I use the wand to apply the cream and lightly massage in a circular motion over my eye area. It is so soothing! Really helps with any puffiness and dark circles when I sometimes stay up late
5.Crème de la Mer – I use this nightly and it works so well. I especially need it during harsh winters as it is a thick, rich cream! My face feels so smooth and soft in the mornings. Definitely helps with any dryness or rough patches
6.Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment – I use this about once to twice a week at night when my face needs a good scrub. I apply this after cleansing and before putting on the serum and night cream, while my face is still a little damp.

Hair/Body
7.I like to rotate my shampoos. I typically rotate between Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin shampoo and Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Neutrogena Clean Shampoo (once a week)
8.Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital Conditioner – I love how soft my hair feels after using this conditioner. I just massage a little bit of it into the strands and the ends, and leave it in for 5 minutes before rinsing off.
9.Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax (once a week) – I especially use this in the winter when my hair starts feeling dry (you can tell from the static!). I just do 2 pumps of it onto my hands, then lightly run my hands over the strands and ends while avoiding my roots and scalp
10.Ojon full detox™ Rub-Out™ Dry Cleansing Spray – Gives me a quick way to cleanse and refresh my hair! Especially handy when I don’t want my hair to look limp (and sweaty) after being at the gym
11.Bumble and Bumble Texture Hair (Un)Dressing Creme – I put a pea-sized amount onto the palm of my hand, rub my hands together then scrunch it through my hair while damp. I use it for days when I want a little more volume and style to my otherwise super straight hair

12.I also like to rotate my body soaps. I use either Dove, Ivory or Aveda Rosemary Mint Hand and Body Wash
13.Darphin Aromatic Hydroactive Body Lotion or Origins Smoothing Soufflé or Clinique Body Cream – I also rotate among these three body lotions. They all smell great and keep my skin soft and well moisturized!
14.L’Occitane hand cream
15.L’Occitane foot cream – I apply this once or twice a week, more in the spring/summer so my feet look good in sandals

Makeup
16.MAC blush in “Mocha” – gives that very natural “flush” to my cheeks
17.Estée Lauder DayWear BB Cream or Origins A Perfect World BB Cream – I really like these BB Creams! The Estée Lauder BB Cream has more of a matte finish, while the Origins BB Cream makes my skin glow and look “dewy”. I use these when I need more coverage than tinted moisturizers provide, but don’t want anything heavy
18.Shu Uemura eyelash curler
19.MAC “False Lashes” mascara – Just one coat makes my eyelashes look longer, thicker and fuller
20.MAC eyeliner in “Grey Utility” – great in adding definition to my eyes
21.Lips: For daytime, my favorite shade is MAC’s “Party Line” lipstick with MAC “Strawberry Malt” lipglass on top. When I want a bolder or darker lip at night, I use either MAC lipstick in “Dark Side”, “Rebel” or “Diva” as my go-to shades
22.Bobbi Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette
23.Bobbi Brown Concealer – Goes on very smooth
24.Estée Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Loose Powder or Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

as told to divasoria

Joan A. de Venecia is a product of Ateneo de Manila University (undergrad) and UP College of Law. Joan was admitted to the bar in 2005 and was the topnotcher for that year. She completed her Masters in Law at New York University School of Law with concentration on International Legal Studies where she was a Fulbright scholar and a Graduate Editor for the NYU Journal of International Law and Politics. Currently, she is a litigator at the country’s biggest law firm, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan. She recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lucia Beatriz, and is thoroughly immersed in her new role as mommy, loving every second of it.

****

Before I got pregnant with my daughter, I spent a lot of money on beauty products, some of which were prescribed by my dermatologist, but many of which were either recommended by friends or featured in magazines. You see, I have oily/combination skin, and though it didn’t happen often, there were days when I would wake up with an unsightly pimple on my face. This was why I was in the constant look out for THE perfect products for my face. After thousands of pesos spent on this ‘endeavor’, however, I still wasn’t able to find these gems.

Then I got pregnant, and for the first time, was very careful about the chemicals I would put on my face and body. My cousin, who had just given birth, recommended a local brand, Human Nature. According to her, she had zero breakouts during pregnancy, and, the good news was, Human Nature products do not contain any harsh chemicals, are made in the Philippines and are very affordable. So I gave it a try.

I first bought the Balancing Facial Wash and Balancing Face Toner (Elemi & Orange). I loved the scent, but what I loved more was the fact that I had zero pimples during pregnancy. I even received compliments for my glowing skin! Happy with my discovery, I decided to try other Human Nature products.

I tried the Sunflower Beauty Oil, which I rubbed on my pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks. I am happy to report that I am stretch marks-free and I have no doubt that this oil (which has many, many other uses) was the reason for this. For removing make-up, I tried the Sunflower Cleansing Oil, which works wonderfully at removing even waterproof make-up.

After I gave birth, I continued using these Human Nature products because I was/am breastfeeding and so still avoid harsh chemicals, but was worried that they might not work as well post-pregnancy. Which is why I am so glad to discover that the facial wash/ toner combination still works like a charm! Five months in and no pimples to date (I hope I don’t jinx it!).

I read somewhere that it is best to alternate beauty products, to avoid product fatigue. I don’t know how true this is, but what I do is I use the Human Nature facial wash/toner in the mornings before work, while I use the Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser at night before going to bed.

I have sensitive skin, so I avoid soaps and lotions that have a strong fragrance. I pair Aveeno’s Skin Relief Body Wash with its Daily Moisturizing Lotion, both of which are fragrance-free for my daily baths.

For my moisturizer, I alternate Theraderm’s BB White Moisture SPF50+ and Aveeno Ultra-calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15. Theraderm is a tinted moisturizer, so I use it on weekdays as base for my powder. Aveeno I use during weekends. Both have a light, non-sticky feel and are easy to apply.

I don’t usually wear make-up, but I always put on my Laura Mercier foundation powder (No. 6), to prevent oil and shine. I love it because it works. Then, for my lips, I use either Benefit Benetint rose-tint lip balm with SPF 15 or Maybelline’s Baby Lips in Cherry Kiss for a little dash of color. That’s it for regular days.

For those days, however, when I have an appointment or attend hearings, I use Mac’s Rice Paper eye shadow to brighten my eyes. The light color makes it easy for me to apply it without fear that I’m doing it wrong. I use Shu Uemura to curl my eye lashes, and then apply Eye of Horus mascara. The combination is fantastic. To hide dark circles under my eyes, I use Mac’s Studio Finish cream concealer. Finally, for my cheeks, I brush on Mac’s Pinch Me for a barely there, rosy glow.

as told to divasoria

Candy Benedicto grew up in Manila. She was educated in California and New York. She works as a legal editor and an interior designer. After taking a break from her millinery and handmade line, Rina Matea, she is in the process of relaunching the brand, having recently shown with the Milliners Guild at a well-received exhibit at the National Arts Club in Manhattan. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband John and her dog Cinnamon.

****

I have many fond memories of watching my mom when she got ready for the day, an evening out, or a party. She had a deco vanity table that had a matching etched wall mirror and bench, which she upholstered in a yellow green crushed velvet. Drawers, organized with all manner of beauty powders, potions, and lotions, lined either side of the table. Tabletop was a shelf with glass doors, behind which she kept her perfumes, colognes, and scented waters. Mom never failed to look polished and lovely.

Now in present-day New York City, I have regrettably deviated from my mom’s more gentile routine. I rely on a short list of items and products, many of which are affordable and easily available. I’m a tomboy at heart, and would rather apply my energies elsewhere. I juggle different projects, so my focus is on getting out that door as soon as possible, feeling as if I had gotten ready with all the sweet, languid time in the world.

Pre-Bath

(1) Dry skin brushing. This is a great way to come to life in the morning, and my skin glows.

Bath
(2) Ivory Lavender Body Wash. Lavender is one of my favorite scents, and I have a positive visceral and physical reaction to it — so this sets me up for the day. Ivory’s version is fresh and, most importantly, not cloying.

(3) Soap & Glory The Scrub of Your Life. If my skin feels meh, I use this body scrub. It’s scented with Soap & Glory’s Original Pink fragrance, which is lovely. You also end up soft and smooth, as Madge would say, “all over your badeh.”

(4) Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner. I have fine hair, and this combo keeps the limpness and frizziness away. The coconut, avocado, and cocoa butter scent is gentle and sweet.

(5) Bumble and Bumble Bb. Sunday Shampoo and Bb. Leave In Conditioner. I use this clarifying shampoo about twice a week when my hair needs a break from all that hot and heavy coconut, avocado, and cocoa butter action. I love this conditioner so much, and it doubles as a styling cream.

Face

(6) Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I wash my face in the shower. I’ve been using Cetaphil since college and won’t use anything else (although I’ve been bribed with free samples of other cleansers).

(7) Clarisonic Mia. Slather Cetaphil on the brush and brush away, and then the meaning of “squeaky clean” becomes clear. I resisted the Clarisonic for a long time, and instead bought the Olay version. For two years, I was really happy with the Olay brush and the Olay price, but it stopped working soon after water seeped into the power source. have high hopes for the Mia’s longevity.

(8) Agg-Tval Lanolin Eggwhite Facial Soap. Once a week, I lather up and use this as a 5-minute face mask. Brazo de Mercedes on your face — what could be better?

(9) Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner. I recently read that toners were invented to wipe off residue left behind by facial cleansers; today’s cleansers are residue-free, so toners are superfluous. But for days when I feel “life” residue, I mist my face and press the liquid onto my skin. It’s really refreshing.

(10) Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. I get stress acne, and apply this the second a blemish wannabe enters the scene.

(11) Shiseido The Skincare Day Moisture Protection SPF 15. Lightweight, smooth, and the best I’ve used.

(12) Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment. After years of suffering through either chapped or greased lips, Blistex was a miracle. I cannot imagine a world without it.

Body Moisture

(13) Kiehl’s Crème de Corps. The best part is that it’s scent-free, so you avoid your own personal scent war.

(14) Johnson’s Baby Lotion. Used at night –there’s something so comforting about that smell … sabay fetal position.

(15) L’Occitane Lavender Hand Cream. Shea butter is the only thing that works on my abused hands. In addition to its healing properties, uncap the tube during long air travel and inhale — it creates a strong lavender force field that keeps stinky neighbors at bay.

(16) Burt’s Bees’ Peppermint Foot Lotion. Because you have to show your tootsies some love.

(17) Bio Oil. I’m a big klutz. I use sharp scissors and needles on a regular basis. The scars on my hands are becoming less noticeable.

Fragrance
(18) Prada Infusion d’iris. Clean, fresh, and crisp.

(19) Fresh Sugar. I love citrus scents, especially when paired with caramel and vanilla.

Hair Styling

(20) Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. A few years ago, the texture of my hair started to change from fine to, ugh, hag-like. This brought it back to normal.

(21) MOP C C-System Conditioning Mist.

My makeup routine, if you can call it that, is fairly simple.

Face

(22) BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer, Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen. My good friend Jet introduced me to The Face Shop’s BB cream, which I loved, but sadly it was a shade too light. Tarte offers more shade variety, so I was able to pick a perfect match.

(23) Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. I use this instead of BB cream when my skin needs light coverage.

(24) Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer for light coverage.

(25) MAC Pro Longwear Concealer for fuller coverage.

(26) MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. Padded lightly.

(27) Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher. Applied sparingly.

(28) Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Blotting Sheets. Because my forehead becomes a shining beacon during the afternoon hours.

Eyes and Eyebrows

(29) Giorgio Armani Maestro Eye Liner. This is a nice strong (but not harsh) line.

(30) Sephora Collection Clear Defining Mascara. I can never wear regular mascara because, soon after application, I end up looking like a woodland animal (it’s my bone structure). I use a clear formula for everyday and false lashes for special occasions.

(31) Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler. Works more naturally than the other more popular scissor-like curlers.

(32) Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten. Used occasionally to add definition to my eyelids. I really have no business using eye shadow because I have no idea what I’m doing (but this is just such a pretty champagne shade!).

(33) Benefit Brow Zings. I’ve been anti-brow shapers for a long time. You know what I’m talking about. It’s exactly that episode of Girls where Hannah’s co-workers shape her eyebrows and she walks obliviously around town looking like pinaglaruan. But I do love this product, and apply it with a light hand.

Lips

(34) NARS Dolce Vita. This is really sheer and is a better version of my natural lip color.

(35) NARS Scarlet Empress. For date night with my husband.

(36) Clinique Different Lipsticks. I love Clinique’s pinks, and my three favorites are A Different Grape, Heartfelt, and Ice Bloom.

(37) Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry. Nourishing and girly-girl.

Nails

(38) Chanel Le Vernis in Frenzy and Particulière. Grace can take credit for introducing me to the stunning (and kuripot-challenging) world of Chanel nail colours. I favor the more earthy neutrals.

(39) Deborah Lippman in Glamorous Life. A very understated metallic rose.

And just because … Travel
I don’t travel a lot, but do so regularly enough that I have a stash of these two standby products.
(40) Lulu Organics Hair Powder. Because “oil slick” is never how I want my hair described. Yeah nga, you’ve just landed in Charles de Gaulle, pero your hair’s planchado naman. This, my friends, is the solution.

(41) Pond’s Original Fresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes. Around hour five of a trip, my skin starts to protest. I take off any facial products with these towelettes, then moisturize, then order a drink.

as told to divasoria

Caroline Dizon-Gorriceta wears many hats – she is the woman behind Trafalgar Realty, the Sales Director for E-commerce of Karat World and a financial advisor for Pru Life UK. She is also a foodie and a rehabilitated shopaholic. On top of all of that, she is a wife and a mother of 2.

****

I pride myself in being a pretty low maintenance type of gal when it comes to over all skin care and beauty (Well, so I thought). When I was younger I was just the basic wash and wear type of girl. I’ve noticed however that as you age, your skin care needs change along with it. Before, if basic cleansing was just enough, now you have to add a whole bunch of other things to feel at least decent to go out. It is probably because my outlook has shifted from covering everything up with make up to looking all naturally good with just a few products.

PERSONAL CARE

The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel – The best thing invented. You feel bango the whole day.
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-aging Body Wash – I love this for the radiant effect it gives you after washing.
Kiehl’s Nurturing Body Wash Cream – I use this when I have more time to pamper myself in the shower. I use this to relax myself after a long stressful day.

HAIR CARE

For Shampoo, I found that the best thing that works for me is constantly rotating my shampoos. I do however find myself going back to 3 brands, namely: DOVE, NATURES GATE Organic Shampoo and Pantene.

SKIN CARE

Facial Care

I’ve tried numerous facial washes and I found that the more natural ones work for me. I do the entire cleanse, tone and moisturize routine with Human Nature products. I’m in love with their Balancing Facial Wash and morning and night cream. At the end of the day, I think it’s finding what best works with you skin and so far, this is the best for me. I also alternate it with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser.

Lotions

My Top 3 lotions of all Time would have to be: Jergens Natural Glow, Kiehl’s Crème de Corps and Vaselines cooca Glow. I love Jergen’s because it gives you a natural sun kissed glow and at the same time it gives you UV protection.

Foundation

If there were 4 things I can’t leave the house without applying, these four products would be it:
Face Shop BB Cream – It’s very light. It feels like a moisturizer when you apply it. You get the coverage of a foundation with the feel of a moisturizer.
Stay by Benefit – Because of my really dark circles, concealer is my best friend. I’ve found that this product helps keep the concealer locked in the entire day. This product deservers an award of it’s own.
After applying Stay by Benefit, I top it off with Garniers Light BB Roll on or Face Shop’s double stick concealer. I lover Garnier because I get the coverage I need with it.

MAKE-UP

Moving on the cheeks and Face, these were my top pics:
Benefit High Beam – It gives you added definition to your cheeks very naturally. I describe this as the kutis artista glow.
Benefit Cha Cha – I usually mix this with my usual MAC dainty Blush
Sophie Magic – I usually keep this in my purse for quick touch ups. Another award winning product. All you have to do is squeeze and rub on your cheeks. It gives you a very natural pinkish glow.
I finish everything off by dusting on Guerlains Meteorites or Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick Compact.

LIPS

Carmex moisturizing Lip Balm and Cherry Stick – Before applying any lipstick, I use these products to moisturize my lips.I’m in love with these four shades now: A. Bobbi Brown’s – Hot 14. B. Benefits Flirt Alert C. Nars Jungle Red D.Mac – Pink Noveau

Eyes

Since I’m morena, I go for natural shades for eye shadow. What I use now are:
Chanel’s 4 pallete – 79 spice – I love the all natural eye look
Benefits Bright Eye highlighter – This is high beam for the eyes
Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara – Super easy to use

as told to divasoria

Ther Borra is the General manager of Synchronica Philippines, an IT firm specializing in mobile application development focused on instant messaging and social networking. She is also a well-rounded athlete and one of the proponents of Ultimate frisbee here in the country.

****

My Stash:
I normally start my day with washing my face – and while I tend to use any soap I find lying there (with the exception of Perla), I normally use the following:

1. Facial Scrub from my derma (for the day) – My good friend JC Medina introduced me to Dr. Mike Chua from Imperial Dermatology and I’ve never looked back. I love the fact that he is not strict with the products I use, as long as it works – he doesn’t force you to use only his products. He’s really sweet, really good and very affordable – all the things my dream derma is made of.
2. Neutrogena Facial Cleanser (for night) – Cleans my face without making it too dry.

The next thing I attack in the morning is my hair. I use the following products on rotation:

1. Dove Shampoo and Conditioner
2. Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil from Snoë – You can use this wonder product as a shampoo, conditioner, or deep treatment conditioner. Nowadays, I’ve been using this as a shampoo – I feel it protects my hair from getting too damaged from the blow-drying I need to do on my hair.
3. Hair Heroes Sage Tea and Peppermint from Snoë – This was recommended by my sister and I’ve only recently tried it. Same as the Argan Oil, this can be used as a shampoo, conditioner or deep treatment conditioner. I love this product – it is very cool on the scalp, leaves my hair really smooth and it helps prevent dandruff. Plus, it should be really soothing after an incredibly hot day under the sun!

Next stop is what I use for my body. Ohh lala!

1. Pink Safeguard – It smells so good, and makes me smell so good. I hardly wear cologne or perfume so it helps that this makes me smell clean and girly.
2. Dove original bar – I’m a dove girl, what can I say? I also use this for my face when I skip the trip to the sink and jump right into the shower.
3. Ivory Aloe Wash – This smells so good and clean – without being too heavy on the nose.

1. Nivea Baby Smoothing Cream – My brother introduced me to this and I am so glad he did. My shins tend to get really scaly for some reason and only lotions with Oatmeal Emulsion really work for me but they can be a bit pricey. This is only around Php160 and my skin is literally baby smooth.
2. Vaseline Aloe with SPF 24 – I use this during the day, it’s a nice light scent and I feel much more protected slathering some on before leaving home.

My facial regimen are mostly from my derma:

1. Clinda Toner for the morning
2. Acne Gel (day and night)
3. Eye Cream (day and night)
4. Glycosal Toner for the evening

I just add these products in the evening, when I have to remove my make-up.

For cleaning, I rotate between all 4, but I like the organic products the most:
1. Human Nature Sunflower Oil – I also use this for my face and neck after cleansing to brighten my skin.
2. Fushi Organic Rosehip Oil – This also brightens my skin, and is really effective in healing my skin after a long day under the sun.
3. My mom’s Estee Lauder Take it Away Gentle Cleansing Milk
4. My mom’s Clinique rinse-off eye makeup solution – for when I go to weddings and wear more eye makeup than usual.

For Makeup I use the ff:

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 – Is it right that I put this under makeup? I apply this before my foundation – it’s light enough that I don’t feel oily, and the SPF is always an added plus as most foundations only have SPF 15.
2. Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme – This is my mom’s honestly, but I’ve been using it so often that she has left it in my room. I normally don’t need to use concealer with this – unless I’ve just visited the derma and I need to go somewhere.
3. Lancome Teint Renergie Lift – This is also my mom’s and I use this when I’m a bit darker.
4. Nichido eyebrow pencil in brown.
5. MAC Fluidline Eye-liner Gel – For lining my eyes on very special occasions like weddings and dressed-up dates.
6. Fairy Drops Mascara – I love this product – it makes me look like I have lashes! Unlike other mascaras that deal with length, this only takes one application. Really easy to use and the results are very dramatic.

7. For my cheeks I rotate between Body shop Lip and Cheek Stain and the Feeling Dandy Package from Benefit. – When I rushing to work I normally use the stain, but when I have more time I use the Benefit pack. I love how there is a visual instruction on how to use the product!

8. MAC lipstick in Dubonnet – I am not really a lipstick person, but when I am in the mood to wear lipstick, I use this. It makes my lips look like a nice shade of pretty ☺
9. Lancome Best of Color Eye Shadow Pallete.
10. Johnson’s Baby Powder Nourishing White Milk – This finishes up my look. I apply this on my face and neck then brush out the excess. It smells so good and fresh that it perks up my mornings!

Favorite All-around Product

Vaseline petroleum jelly, hands down. I am a lip balm junkie, but I always go back to this one. It’s the best thing to put on your lips when they feel extra dry.

And petroleum jelly is so versatile! You can use it for removing make-up, for soothing overly dry cuticles, and even for preventing calluses when doing sports. I have one jar in my bedroom and another in my office – that is how attached I am to this product. The best part is that a small jar is so cheap!

as told to divasoria

Franz Marie Cruz is an ophthalmologist specializing in neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis and retina. She is a batchmate from the Philippine Science High School and she finished her pre-med, medicine and residency training at the University of the Philippines. She also recently completed training at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, USA. Recently, she joined a new eye center called Pacific Eye and Laser Institute and holds clinic in Makati and Binondo.

****

Genetics did not give me a clear, flawless skin. But I have a mom who stressed early on the importance of taking care of my skin. I developed a habit of washing my face 2-3 times a day. I find that the combination of these facial cleansers prevents break-outs and controls oiliness without drying my skin. I use Aveeno clear complexion foaming cleanser in the morning. I like that it contains salicylic acid and yet is still mild. At night, I use Body Shop’s Vitamin C facial cleansing polish followed by Aveeno positively ageless cleansing pads to wash off the make-up and a day’s worth of grime from my face. I particularly like the citrus smell and the silky lather of the Vitamin C cleanser. The Aveeno cleansing pads come in a plastic jar of 28 pads. I cut each pad into quarters and in that way, I am able to extend the shelf-life of 1 jar from 28 days to almost 4 months! When I do get the occasional break-out, I treat it aggressively with 5% benzoyl peroxide cream.

I have naturally wavy hair. It took me the first 30 years of my life to figure out that blow-drying damages my hair and I have to use an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner. I use John Frieda frizz-ease shampoo and conditioner which I unfortunately have to get from the US. Once weekly, I use Scalpex shampoo as prophylaxis against dandruff. I prefer good, old Safeguard over any other bath soaps and body wash. I don’t feel as clean with any other soap. Although I prefer a strongly-scented body wash, I just use whatever is in the bath basket.

I make sure I apply body lotion after every bath or shower. I have a small stock of scented body lotions from Bath and Body Works. I prefer body butters but this one is good enough for our climate. My hands get dry and are prone to hangnails from too frequent handwashing and sanitizing at work so I use no less than Burt Bee’s hand salve. For dry lips, Kiehl’s lip balm, which I received as a gift, works miracles. I don’t want to neglect my feet. This Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm was also a gift.

I started applying moisturizer in my mid-20’s. I’ve been using the Olay Total Effects line from the onset. I now use the Total Effects night cream. In the morning, I prefer a moisturizer that functions as a sunblock as well. Upon a friend-dermatologist’s recommendation, I’ve recently purchased and started using Clinique’s moisture surge. It is formulated for oily skin. My fine lines are less noticeable with it.

I am self-taught when it comes to applying make-up; in other words, I do not know if I am doing it correctly. I don’t have time in the morning and I always find myself putting make-up on inside the car during stops. A surgeon-friend gave me a Skin72 BB cream as a pasalubong from Seoul. I like it very much because, although it only comes in 1 shade, it blends perfectly to my skin tone and masks my pores and any skin discoloration. Luckily though, it is available in Cinderella at Glorietta 3. I use a Body Shop crayon concealer #02 under my eyes and over an old pox scar. One cosmetic item I am most happy about is Shiseido’s white lucent brightening powder-foundation. I’ve been using this for years and highly recommend it. It applies smoothly, has good coverage, and doesn’t cake. I only apply it in the morning and it is able to control the oiliness throughout the day and night. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic. A refill lasts me over a year, so I get the bang for my buck.

I only started wearing daily eyeshadow recently. I am liking the Mac eyeshadows in wedge and ricepaper. When I want (to attempt) to create the smoky eyes, I use Maybelline’s New York Night eye shadow quad. I have tried several brands and types of eyeliners and the Clinique quickliner for the eyes in black/brown is my ultimate favorite. It is very easy to apply, doesn’t smudge and is reasonably priced. Maybelline makes good and affordable mascaras. I am currently using its Falsies Volum express waterproof mascara (another gift from a friend-gastroenterologist). For a little color on my cheeks, I apply on a Mac powder blush in mocha. When I want the illusion of a more matangos nose, I use Mally’s shimmer, shape and glow, which was a Christmas gift from a cousin.

I like shopping for lipsticks but it can be time-consuming finding the right color and shade. For work, I alternate among Bobbi Brown’s Tulle, Smashbox’s Posy Pink or Estee Lauder’s Rose Envy. When I want a bolder color, I choose among Revlon’s Divine Port Wine, L’Oreal Red Passion or Victoria’s Secret Vino.

Depending on my mood, I wear 3-4 spritzes of Marc Jacobs’ Daisy EDP, Bulgari’s pour femme or Game by Davidoff Cool Water. The Daisy EDP has a long-lasting scent and I get compliments when I am wearing it.

as told to divasoria

Anina Abola is a freelance copywriter and make-up artist. She is the woman behind Irrational Fits of Beauty – a witty and fun beauty blog. She also helps out with the marketing of a lit-in-transit magazine called Metro Serye.

****

I’m a person of habit, almost painfully so. When I start liking something, I’ll use it forever. I have sensitive skin so I try to look for things that are gentle or organic. That’s why I use Johnson’s Baby Bath—I love that they come in these huge containers. I decant them into smaller squeeze bottles (I share the bathroom with two other women, I’ve just moved their things first) and use that since I also alternate body scrubs. (For no particular reason other than I bought them so I should finish them up.) I know St. Ives from their infamous apricot scrub so I ventured into their bath products, I like its fresh small. They’re what remain from a time when I would stare at the colorful bath scrubs displays at supermarkets wondering what would change my life. The Body Shop Cranberry body scrub I got on sale while buying gifts, I prefer the Strawberry one but this was what was marked down so this is what I have.

Leyende’s Clear and Present is just the best thing ever. It gave me big hair when I first used it—like “My man left me and all I’m going to do is sing loudly” big hair—and I still love it for that. I think it helped that I finally got a great haircut for my wavy hair (Rolly of Basement Salon in Shang has my hair heart.) I don’t really use conditioner since it just weighs my hair down, and like I said—I love my big hair.

I use Cetaphil Lotion and Leyende Body Oil when I actually do remember to moisturize. I also wish I had the time and the patience to find a perfume I like, but I do have this Dreams from Body Shop and two solid perfumes that works in the meantime. The little jar is called BraveHeart, it’s a balm that I use to soothe allergies and even headaches.

On the sink are the things with which I clean my face. Leyende’s Clean Slate and most things from Neutrogena are the only products I like using since they don’t leave my skin feeling itchy. The brown sugar scrub from Leyende is delicious, I have to stop myself from using it everyday. The Koh Gen Do spa water is an excellent make-up remover and I use it for make-up gigs too since it erases mistakes without leaving residue. I like using it with the MUJI cotton pads since they’re so huge, and when I have waterproof eye make-up or false lashes on, I just soak two pads and leave them on my eyes for a bit. It makes the experience refreshing, and it gets the cleaning done.

My face regimen is pretty simple. For day, I dot my face with the Kiehl’s damage repair serum then follow it up with Leyende’s Face Canvas. I keep telling myself to wear sunscreen, and when I do, i just mix it with the Face Canvas before I put on make-up. At night, I dot my face again then put two drops of the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum into my palms and pat my face with it. I love that the night serum has an actual medicine dropper, it makes me feel like I have my hands in an apothecary. I use the Kiehl’s Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment when I need to, and though it may not work immediately, I must say my skin is much better than when I first started using it six months ago.

It was only recently that I’ve really enjoyed my wavy hair (get a good haircut women everywhere!), and I’ve discovered that product does help. I started with the Aveda Be Curly system and would recommend them to anyone (I’d love it if someone would buy them for me too!) But since they’re not readily available, I tried out Kerastase Oleo-Curl and loved the results. My waves curl up into bigger barrels. I bought the bottle of The MorocanOil Intense Curl Cream to try it out, and it does condition my hair better while delivering some curl. I usually finish my ‘do ( my undo since I don’t really brush or style my hair) with the Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom to tame flyways, just usually the ends. The Aveeno Leave-in Spray I use to refresh my hair ( *cough* unwashed *cough* ) and the Snoe Hair Heroes PM Night Repair was another experiment. I was curious about Argan Oil this time. I just have to remember to apply it most nights.

Okay, now we get into the heavy stuff. Though I did train to be a make-up artist because I do love make-up, I’ve learned to depend on few(ish) products for my own use. Not finding the right foundation color was what made me start my beauty blog, I was frustrated that everything turned gray on my morena skin. But I think I have found the one—Illamasqua Skin Base in 13! I do love how light this product feels on the skin, and it’s got the coverage I need (I have huge pores, scars, discoloration.) It works best when applied with a beauty blender, or with a flat-top synthetic brush. For setting, I use Makeup Designory’s (MUD) Loose Powder in Desert which is a perfect match. But I just discovered Ben Nye Luxury Powder in Beige Suede and it just seems to make me more matte.

With the morena skin comes a natural smoky eye. I just don’t have dark shadows under my eyes, they’re surrounded. The Makeup Forever (MUFE) Camouflage Cream in Orange neutralizes the darkness, then the MUD Blue Corrector 4 makes everything even and brighter. The Ben Nye Banana Powder sets and helps brighten the area up, especially since I love the Drag Queen trick of brightening the V between the nose and the cheekbone. I pat miniscule amounts of MUFE HD powder to help blur the lines that are under my eyes.

Now comes some color. I’m a big fan of neutrals so the Urban Decay Naked Palette is great though I do reach for this personalized palette more often than not. I put together eyeshadows from MUD and Stila, the three shadows to steal are the brown ones in the middle — from the bottom to the top: Canyon, Taupe, and Cashmere. Taupe is the multi-tasker, I use it to give myself more defined cheekbones or a higher bridge on my nose, to deepen my eyes and even to fill in my eyebrows. Canyon (the more chocolate-y brown) is what I use to blend out any eyeshadow since it’s closer to my skin color. The two Face Shop eyeshadow compacts were bought solely for their kitsch factor, but they turned out to be great semi-matte neutrals for everyday use. When I want a really dramatic brow or even just to lighten them to soften my face, I use the MUFE Brow Corrector in 2 with an angled eyebrow brush.

I love eyeliner, but since I have oily lids, I’ve discovered that only liquid liners work for me. I’m currently using the Maybelline HyperSharp Liner and it’s a great felt tip liner for precise lines. To darken my lashline, I use an angled eyebrow brush with the MUFE Aqua Black which I discovered was the only the waterproof cream liner that didn’t smudge on me. If it works for water ballerinas then it should definitely work for me! The MUFE Aqua Eyeshadow Pencil in teal makes for an interesting smoky eye.

Because everyone says it was a great investment, I caved and bought the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Waterproof mascaras are a must so am loving this Maybelline Great Lash mascara, this Kate mascara (the black tube) has a comb applicator so it allows me to really get to the roots of my lashes and thicken them.

This picture gathers what I usually throw into my bag for touch-ups or if someone wants me to play with their face. There is a revolving door for the lip products, but yes, I bring majority of what is shown here.
1. The MAC SkinFinish Natural gives a great bright finish for a powder and it’s light enough for me to use for touch-ups during the day.
2. I like bringing the Smashbox contour kit because it has a mirror, also because I can use for a neutral eye look in a pinch.
3. NARS Dolce Vita in a blush and lip pencil are my everyday pretty secrets. They’re both matte so I can pretend that my flush is god-given.
4. The pencils are highlighters/brighteners. One is a MUFE Aqua pencil in a pink champagne color, the other is a MAC pencil in NC25—I use both to convince people that I actually am awake. I also use either to highlight my cupid’s bow.
5. The MAC Studio Finish concealer is still a great workhorse for either my undereye shadows or my blemishes.
6. The powder compact in a light yellow shade is a fantastic product from MUD called LemonCream, it’s a matte brightener so all you get is glow—no glitter or shimmer. Great for the Drag Queen V, cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.
7. The decanted bronze cream product in the white container is Chanel’s Bronze Universal. I like how it brings out my complexion, and I love how it smells.
8. The OCC Lip Tars are in Grandma (coral,) Anime (hot pink,) and Harlot (cherry red.) They’re liquid lipsticks that are so pigmented that you only need a drop to cover your lips. They can also double as cream blushes. I do recommend using them with a brush though since they do stain the fingers!
9. The lip moisturizers are Keihl’s and Aesop’s Lip Cream. The Aesop product has a unique smell and it really just moisturizes without adding gloss.
10. Benefit’s SunBeam and ChaCha Tint are morena must-haves. The Sun Beam is gold, while the ChaCha Tint is a happy papaya color. They’re liquid stains so dab a little then spread with your fingers.
11. The Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray helps tone down the initial espasol nature of my matte-ness, but it also helps my make-up stay longer.

The Beauty Blender is my favorite thing to apply make-up with—I can apply foundation, powder, cream blush, even highlighter with it. (I found that good old white Safeguard soap cleaned this beauty blender without harming it. ) But when I do use brushes, the Real Technique brushes are pretty hardy. I really like the blush brush, it’s easier to control since its tip is more narrow. I also use a blending brush from ArtNet to apply corrector and concealer so I can blend them out easily. I’ve had those MAC brushes for a while and they’re still functioning great (especially since I actually do know how to use them now.) The spatula and palette are a habit I got from training, but I do like mixing things (lipsticks, blushes) so it does come useful.

I keep telling myself that my beauty habits are relatively simple, but I should really just stop denying how kikay I really am.

as told to divasoria

Jen CC Tan is a “mompreneur” behind next9 – a brand that focuses on helping to bring back the basics of parenting. It offers a range of baby slings, cloth diapers, nursing covers, diaper inserts, bamboo liners, etc. Jen is also a part time consultant for a company in the healthcare industry.

Apart from being a wife, mother and businesswoman, she is a momblogger(http://jencc.blogspot.com) and is active on social networking sites twitter(@next9baby) and instagram(next9).

****

I recently started using lotion because — I’m in my 40s already!

Oasis VoCo Cream

Some people swear how this has helped their dry skin. I use this on my feet because it’s like triple strength lotion, and makes them softer and smoother.

Grandma’s Secret Miracle Moisturizer

I like this because my hands don’t feel oily at all after! I remember to rub a little bit on my elbows and knees too.

Moroccan Argan Oil Lotion (Souq Organics)

I started using this a year ago because it is very light and doesn’t leave a sticky nor oily firm on my skin. The fact that is smells great is a plus too!

I’ve switched most of my bath products to natural ones.

I have so much soap!!!

Top L – R:

Honey and Spice Glycerin Soap

Moroccan Argan Oil Gentle Soap

Tea Limelight by ByNature Handmade Soaps

Bottom L – R:

Honey Glycerin Facial Soap

Poppy Love by ByNature Handmade Soaps

Honey Propolis Feminine Wash

I’ve recently discovered the glycerin facial soaps of Ilog Maria. I initially used the honey glycerin one and I felt that my skin was cleared of the bumps. More than that, it didn’t dry out my skin. I bought the spice variant to try it out. Nice and cool to the skin. I use it when my skin’s extra oily!

I have been using ByNature Handmade Soaps as bathsoaps for the past 5 or so years. I like cutting the bar in half because I like changing scents often.

Prior to the soap by Ilog Maria, I used the Moroccan Argan Oil gentle soap for my face. I love its clean scent and how it kept my skin’s moisture intact.

Ilog Maria Feminine Wash – pretty much explains itself.

I tire of scents easily so I need several bottles to rotate.

Human Nature Strengthening Shampoo

I like this because it smells great!

Ilog Maria Honey and Propolis Shampoo

Whenever I feel that my hair has build up, I use this shampoo. I used to have long hair and it worked wonders! It still does now, even when my hair is short.

Biopha Organic Soap-Free Shampoo

I bought several bottles of these to give away for Christmas. Now I’m using what’s left.  It has a delightful nutty scent!

On days I don’t use the soap, I use body wash!

Qtica Mandarin Honey Gel

Funny but I found this in the box of some items I bought from Zoya. I guess it came free? This has a nice refreshing scent, great to use after the gym!

Biopha Organic Shower Gel

I got a bottle for me from my Christmas gift stash and used it. It is clear and makes me squeaky clean.

Celeteque Ultra-lifting Concentrated Serum

I got this free from sampleroom.ph. I figured that since my age starts with a “4” already, it might be good to try out something like this. I truly think it has helped because my skin has never been better!

Ahava Purifying Mud Mask

I got this from sampleroom.ph too! A friend recommended this to me, as she knew my skin is oily. I use this twice a week, and it helps keep the oil at bay.

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

My sister suggested this to me two years ago, and I finally got my own bottle over a year ago. Not cheap, but it works amazingly well. The freckles on my face (discoloration on my cheeks) are nearly gone! I use this after I wash my face every morning.

Moroccan Argan Oil

I took this on a trip to the US once and the usual flaky skin I get because of travel never happened! I’ve been using this since, and usually in the evenings only. It’s very tipid because I only use 2-3 drops for my entire face. I also put on my neck when I remember.

TDF Aces Vitamins Infusion

This I got from Skin Inc in Paseo de Magallanes. I use a tiny squirt for my face once or twice a week.

I hardly wear makeup, but if I do, and I just need a polished face, I use these.

L – R:

Human Nature blusher in Petal Bloom – lovely natural blush!

Palgantong Theatrical Powder in Beige Ochre – I use this after my BB cream to even out the whitish shadow of the BB Cream. It makes an even surface for the blush.

Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream – Amazing coverage! I will not need any other brand (except I want to try Fairy Drops!). Whenever I wear this (plus the Palgantong Theatrical Powder), I always get compliments on how my skin looks!

(tiny sample) of Tony Moly cheek stain – I like this as it just gives me the right blush – like after a brisk walk.

Tony Moly gel eyeliner – very easy to apply. I chose a charcoal color with some sparkle.

Tokidoki for Smashbox skin tint in Bella – a lovely coral! You might be surprised when you look inside as it seemed really bright pink, but once blended on the skin, it made me look so fresh!

(in front)

black Perfect Liner – been wanting to make cat eyeliner and was told that I needed a very think eyeliner such as this. So I got one at Sasa in HK, and well, I’m trying!

I use Zoya because there are no chemicals (free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor). I like the fact that they are long lasting and don’t make my nails yellow! So with these, I can change nail color every other day! (

I had finished a bottle of Shu Uemura cleansing oil a few years ago and can’t seem to get myself to buy a new one. Good thing I found this by Island Basics. Works pretty much the same way. I like pumping the oil directly on my skin and massaging my face to remove the makeup. I would add a little warm water and it turns the oil milky. Then I rinse off everything, leaving my face soft and clean!

as told to divasoria