Permed Hair Necessities: My List

Today's post will be all about hair. Not just any hair, though. I'm talking about permed hair. If you've read my previous post regarding my traditional perm care of Bench Fix, then you'd know that I now sport curly hair.

Curly hair is supposed to be low maintenance. For one, you don't comb your hair. Not because you're lazy, but because you're not allowed to. Combing the hair frizzes permed hair and ruins the curls altogether. But do take note that the "low maintenance" claim is purely subjective.

I, for one, do not find my curled hair low maintenance. I do a lot of things for my hair right now than when I had my naturally straight hair. And to accomplish these things, I need particular products to keep my perm looking nice.

Some of the products I use are pictured below. I will be including a short description for all but if you want a more in depth review, make sure to comment down below so I can put it in priority.

Clinique All About Eyes: Review

When should one start applying eye cream? In their 20s? 30s? That is the question. After reading through several articles, it is said and agreed upon by many different dermatologists that eye cream isn't necessary in the 20s unless you have dry skin. Otherwise, they just promote sun protection.

I am in my mid-20s and I've been using eye creams for about 5 years now. I also have oily skin. Does that mean I've been doing my routine wrong all this time? Not necessarily. Although experts say that most people don't need it in this period of time, there are still exceptions to the rule. In my case, I started noticing dryness under my eyes at the young age of 21. Dryness leads to fine lines. Who wants that? I know I don't. This pushed me to start with eye cream.

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover: Review

Removing makeup is a part of my evening routine that I simply cannot skip. There's just no way for me to sleep with my makeup on. My body system just can't take it. For some reason, when I doze off with makeup on, I wake up in the middle of the night to realize this fact and I immediately drag my butt to the bathroom, no matter how sleepy I am, to cleanse.

Before my basic routine of cleanse-tone-moisturize, I use a good makeup remover to completely remove the products I have on my face. Just like choosing good skin care products, choosing a good makeup remover is a must because not all types of makeup remover suits all types of skin. In my case, since I have sensitive acne prone skin, cold creams usually don't mesh well with me. It effectively removes makeup but breaks it out the next day. I don't know if it's because of the richness of most cold creams but I find that going with cleansing lotions and oils are better suited for me.

 

These days, I've been loving Clinique's Take The Day Off Makeup Remover. I've used this particular product, on and off, since 2012 and time and time again, I get satisfied with its results. Clinique products' formulation usually sit well with sensitive skin like mine. It doesn't break me out and it does the job pretty well. I like to wear waterproof mascara and because this is an oil based product, it easily and gently removes stubborn makeup on the face.

While Bifesta Cleansing Lotion (Sebum) remains to be my favorite face makeup remover, Clinique has got to be my favorite lip and eye makeup remover. I use it mainly with products that are really hard to remove like mascaras (as mentioned), eyeliners and lip tints.

Normally, I wouldn't buy this product as I can only assume it has a hefty price tag but thankfully, I have an aunt who showers me with these good Clinique stuff from time to time. She's also the same person who gave me the Clinique 3 Step Skin Care system. (Thanks Tita! ^^) So if you don't mind shelling out money and if you have really sensitive skin, I highly recommend this makeup remover. I swear that it's a product that surely won't disappoint.

5 Random 'In Between' Products: Collective Short Reviews

Before I go on with the formal content of this post, I would like to invite everyone to join my ongoing giveaway. I will be giving away a hair dye from the Japanese brand called Dariya Palty in the shade Milk Tea Brown, which happens to be one of the popular shades they have. It is open internationally so everyone is encouraged to join. :) (You will probably see this introduction in most of my future posts up until the giveaway is over. I hope you don't mind the post by post plug. ^^)

I've long accepted the fact that not every single purchase I do would yield to phenomenal results. Not everything is a hit nor a miss. Sometimes, products just simply performs at a mediocre level. Instead of posting individual posts on products like these, I decided to collate a few of them and create this random list of products that are just 'in between'.

Take note that 'in between' products don't mean I regret buying/using them. It probably just didn't do anything extra special that would warrant an individual post from me. Otherwise, I'm still glad I was able to try all the products below. ^^

1. Love Labo Bihada Ichizoku Hatsukoi Makeup Base

This particular product was actually a gift that I received from Jasmine (Thank you!). It was among a pack of nice goodies that came all the way from Hong Kong. It's a makeup base from a Japanese brand.

What I particularly liked about this product is the packaging. I like the design up front. The drawing looks like a nice character from a Josei anime, one of my favorite anime genres. Another thing that I liked is the scent. It has a nice flowery scent that goes away after a minute or so of application.

It functions as a nice primer to create a smooth canvas prior to makeup application. I didn't see any pore minimizing effects (even though it had a silicone texture)  so other than the change on the texture of my skin, it didn't do anything else. Sure, it was able to help me blend my foundation/bb cream easier but nothing more than that.

When choosing a base, I would really prefer it to make my pores look smaller as it is one of my problems especially on my t-zone areas. But then again, this was not a total waste of product. It still works well for everyday use and it didn't cause any untoward reactions to my skin. In conclusion, I can say that this product is just 'okay'.

2. Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover

This is a cream makeup remover in a tube packaging. Most cream makeup removers I've tried come in a jar packaging but Estee Lauder has it in tube. I particularly like this type of packaging as it is more hygienic. Out of all the types of skin care packaging out there, jars would have to be one of my least favorites.

This product works quite well in removing makeup. For some reason, it has a cool almost-manly scent. It's a little hard to explain but it has a scent close to men's perfume. I don't really have any problem with that but I ought to mention it for those who are curious.

Despite being a high end department store product, this item didn't do anything special in terms of makeup removal. To me, it's just another cream type makeup remover. You massage it on your face and then you wash it off afterwards.

3. Clinique All About Eyes Cream

 

Recently, I've been stressing about the fact that I have a case of bad undereye. I have fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. I feel like I look older than my age because of this problem.

I honestly had high expectations for this product as I've seen a lot of people incorporate this particular product in their skin care routine. Sadly, however, it didn't do anything for me. Other than the fact that it was moisturizing, I don't have any recollection of its effects on me.

4. Clinique Double Volume Mascara

I've used this product as an everyday mascara because I felt like the performance of this item was just so-so. When I first saw the name "Double Volume" mascara, I thought highly of it since volume is really something that I struggle with. I have long lashes but they're not that noticeable since they don't have enough volume. When I use this product, it adds onto the volume of my natural lashes but the effects aren't really anything impressive.

Also, I have stick straight lashes. Even after curling my lashes, it still goes back to its original state once I apply this product. It definitely doesn't hold the curl for me.

5. Collagen Eye Zone Mask

This is probably the cheapest eye mask out there and I'm guessing it takes after its price. It does provide moisturizing effects after use but even after using up all the sheets in this pack, I didn't really see any noticeable change on my under eye area. I'd still buy it again, though. Without much expectations on its effects, I can use it as a nice under eye moisturizer.

Have you ever bought any item that didn't do anything special for you?  Share them in the comment section below! I'd love to hear from you.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream (Rinse-Off Formula): Review

Before I go on with the formal content of this post, I would like to invite everyone to join my ongoing giveaway. I will be giving away a hair dye from the Japanese brand called Dariya Palty in the shade Milk Tea Brown, which happens to be one of the popular shades they have. It is open internationally so everyone is encouraged to join. :) (You will probably see this introduction in most of my future posts up until the giveaway is over. I hope you don't mind the post by post plug. ^^)

Can anyone guess who the handsome guy in the background is?

Clue: ******* (Winner gets bragging rights, of course. Comment down below if you know the answer!)

What happens when dead cells build up on our skin? That is the question. Sadly, not everyone is aware of the answer to that. For people who took time and effort to search and 'study', they know the horror that follows after such event.

A little over three years ago, I had no interest in beauty related things. Surely, I use products that are advertised to cater to my acne prone skin but I never really understood the science behind them. During that time, I didn't even know the importance of facial scrubs. I initially thought facial scrubs are just the same as face wash, only more intensive as it scrubs away deep seated dirt. I was really unaware why other people had to use them. I know the reason is not complicated but I was young and (that) oblivious. Thankfully, I grew to love beauty related things so now I know more about different beauty products like makeup and skin care.

To simply answer the question above, I will use this particular paragraph. It won't take long as the answer won't even exceed three sentences so allow me to take a few seconds of your time. When dead cells build up, it clogs your pores and causes oil (and dirt) accumulation beneath it. When this happens, normal face wash cannot remove the impurities fully. This, then, causes the formation of what we call pimples and blackheads. And that, is the very reason why we need to use scrubs.

With the use of facial scrubs, one is able to remove the unneeded (dead) skin cells by sloughing it off through friction. Do take note, however, that anything too much is not good. So one must be cautious in choosing a face scrub. I like to choose ones that have enough beads to get the job done and remain not abrasive and harmful to the skin. I've tried a couple of scrubs like these before but so far, the best would have to be Clinique's.

This rinse-off 7 day scrub cream from Clinique is the perfect product for my acne prone sensitive skin. It functions well as my skin feels nice and clean after its use. It isn't harsh on the skin and in fact, makes my skin soft, supple and moisturized afterwards. It doesn't have any smell and is gentle enough to be used everyday, hence its name. But despite that claim, I don't use it 7 days a week. I only use it for about 2 times in a week and I'm good.

It has really helped me maintain my 'better' skin condition and I'm really glad I got this tube from a package that my aunt sent me. (Thanks Tita!) I highly recommend this product to everyone out there. It is suitable for all skin types so you need not worry. :)