Rustan's Beauty Addict Season 3: Beauty Neon

Beauty Neon Gives Back With Season 3 of #RustansBeautyAddict .  It was my third year and I am so happy to say, I've been to all 3 because I really like the idea of how beauty can really give back! (Read about Season 1 HERE, Season 2 HERE)

This year, the theme is "Beauty Addict: Neon".  A retro-themed party that took neon inspiration from the 80s and as usual, I went for fun and games and meet the people behind the brand!  It was great catching up with some of the brand people whom I haven't seen for quite some time.

Tip for the Day: All About Eyes

One of the most difficult product to review (in my opinion) are eye products!  The effects, both positive and negative, can sometimes be seen at a prolong period of time!

"Do eye products really work?"

The answer, is variable, depending on who you talk to.  Some may use the most expensive creams in the market and still cannot see any effects at all while others can purchase the cheapest eye cream in the market and the product could work for them!  

If you ask for my opinion, after years of eye products usage, it does work!  I can vouch on that with photos at the latter part of this post!  I cannot type down the products that work for me and assure everyone that it's the best in the market, we have different genetics and we are different, all I can do at the moment is to list down the top 5 products I've tried from the most inexpensive to the most expensive that works!  Bear in mind that the products mentioned here are only the ones I've used!  There are far more eye cream brands out there that I haven't used!  Research and read a lot...

1. Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll (approx Php199.00/$4.00)

This is the most inexpensive eye product that works!  I've heard feedbacks from readers who told me that this product did nothing for them, but I got a chunk of readers who told me it worked for them.  In my own experience, this works for me especially on the first month, I can see the bags under the eye area decreased a bit but the reason why I stopped using this and gave it to my mom-in-law instead is because I am not seeing any results after the 2nd month!  My eyes probably got used to the product.  My mom-in-law on the other hand, finished 3 tubes of these and she loves this, she told me it works even better than her expensive eye creams!

If you are not allergic to anything with caffeine and you are on a very tight budget, you can give this a try, this is the best packaged eye product!  Quick tip: do not over "roll"!  It may cause stress around the eye area and cause more wrinkles or skin sagging!

2. GoodSkin Labs Eyliplex-2 (Php2,600/approx $56.50)

The most innovative packaging that separates day and night regimen!  The reason for this is that the day cream comes in lighter formulation and the night cream is more potent in texture.  I found myself using this more often because I don't want the day cream to finish faster than the other or vice versa that's why this gave me the push to use both day and night eye cream regularly!

The Eyliplex-2 works really well on dark circles base on my experience, puffiness did disappear but the  more obvious part would be the lightening up on the under eye area!  This is actually one of my favorite eye cream in which I recommend to a lot to my readers and friends!  Since I have the blessing of testing so many eye creams, I actually gave this up when my sister gave me a call and ask for good eye creams!  I did not think twice of letting this go immediately and so far, she told me she's liking this!

3. Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler (Php2,600/approx $56.50)

For anyone with issues on wrinkles or obvious lines around the eye area, this is what I would recommend.  I have used this on both mature clients and myself!  You can click the name of the product to go to my review on the said product.  The lines are immediately blurred out, but the real effect of line reducing takes a bit longer time approximately 1 month to 2 months!  

This product is quite tricky to apply, it can form dried up "glue texture" and may make it quite difficult to apply makeup!  The huge trick I can share is to warm the product on your hand first, then quickly pat it on the area where lines are visible, leave it for a couple of minutes before you proceed to your next skincare or makeup routine!  If you get through the tricky part, this is a very good product a lot of beauty bloggers love!

4. Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream (sorry I don't have the price for this)

When I had the worst case of eye allergies a couple of years ago, I was scared to use anything near my eyes for almost a year, the first eye product I've used and trusted was the one from Clinique and it was a sample size of Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream in which I got from purchasing the 3-Step System.  

What I like about this eye cream is the fact that it's easy to apply on the eye area, it gets absorbed easily as well and even if I apply this on both the lids and the under eye area, I don't have any allergies or irritations. 

The thing about this eye cream though is because it is too intensive, there is a certain amount needed to be applied on each eye, applying too much will give me puffy eyes when I wake up in the morning.

How about the effect?  The immediate effect cannot be seen, what I noticed though is the skin around my eye area is moisturized and not as dry as before!  The lines around my eye area did not deepen but it wasn't obviously gone!  

5. La Mer Intense Eye Cream (Php6,000/approx $133.00)

I know, this is very pricey!  But trust me, I tried my best NOT to love this product because I am not into expensive products!  I have to surrender though, this product --- WORKS!  I have tried 2 sample sizes of the old version called La Mer The Eye Concentrate, it works in the moisturizing department but the consistency of the old version is quite runny!  The new La Mer The Eye Balm Intense is creamier in consistency and the effect is seen as soon as one week!

The puffiness on my eye area decreased a lot and even if I sleep only 3-4 hours at times, it wasn't shown when I woke up!  Even Mr. AMW noticed the puffiness around my eye area lessened drastically and take note, I am only using a sample size of this!  The sample size lasts me 3 weeks now and I still have enough!  Imagine how long the full size will take you!

I recommend this for people who have problems with puffiness and has the budget! 

A photo of my eye from early this year until recent

Last photo (R) was taken within the week

Whatever eye creams you choose, do not choose just because someone says so, or just because it works for other people.  Purchase eye creams base on your budget, base on trying out testers, base on research and always check on the ingredients to make sure you are not allergic to it!  If eye cream brands do not have testers available, the least you can do is ask from a friend who purchased a certain eye product you wanted to try and maybe, pay a small amount for a sample?  Give it a test.  I suggest taking photos as the difference cannot be seen at once but if you have a photo, you will feel better!  I do take a look at my photos every now and then and it gives me a nice push to consistently use my eye creams because it does work!  It takes months or even years, but the result is obvious...again, pictures do not lie!   (You can click photo above to enlarge, photoshop was used only to crop, watermark and brighten up photos)

Do you believe in the power of eye products?
What's your favorite eye product to date?
Have you seen a huge difference after consistently using your favorite eye cream?
Tell AMW your thoughts!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: La Mer "The Essentials"

At long last, I've finished writing my La Mer experience post! This is one of those more difficult reviews to do as a human being, you can't help but think that expensive products will definitely work! So after putting that thought aside (which isn't easy) I'm finally ready to give my ultimate review!

I have to say though that this review is based on my experience, what you read is what you get :) I have to stress again that my skin is sensitive, dry, mostly exposed in an airconditoned environment. And I am a crazy individual who makes strange, crazy faces daily! Plus I am under stress recently...so my skin is taking a lot of stress! lol

I have used La Mer "The Essentials" sample for more than 2 weeks. Thanks to the La Mer's Marketing Manager, Ms. Sandra Lacson, for giving me the chance to test on these wonderful products and thanks to my dear friend Ms. Gracie for giving me additional samples so I can test it longer!

If you want to see product information, do smile and click HERE.

CREME DE LA MER

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• very moisturizing minus the heavy feel
• my skin is moisturized the whole day
• skin became more supple
• a little goes a long way
• I wake up with seriously soft skin
• the product absorbs to the skin quickly
• smells wonderful
  

Cons

• very pricey
• ingredients are not disclosed (I do understand due to secrecy) but for someone who's allergic to certain ingredients, you wouldn't know.
• no SPF

Overall

I said it before and I have to say it again, I have a serious case of flakiness and dryness on my face. The Clinique DDML works but I'm done with it. How does Creme de La Mer compare? Well, the moisture property lasts longer and my skin stays soft and moisturized the WHOLE DAY. If you are someone expecting miracles, then do not purchase this! I have a feeling that effect of this product is long term, so if you don't have the patience to see results, the first result expected is softer and smoother skin.

I feel that using this product feels so luxuriously good and it immediately calms the itchiness and a bit of pain from dryness. Definitely luxury in a tub!

Tips

• use a spatula to get your desired amount of product
• always use skincare products with clean hands
• pat on your face, DO NOT rub
• warm the product on your fingertips by rubbing them together

Will I repurchase?

I am seriously saving up for this! Out of the 3 I've tried, this one is a re-purchase material!

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter
1oz/30ml - Php7,400 (approx $154.00)

2oz/60ml - Php13,000 (approx $271.00)

Here's how Creme de La Mer looks like
applied on finger tips

Warm the product on hand
and the cream goes softer and
more "liquid" in texture

LIFTING FACE SERUM

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• aborbs to the skin in NO time
• very light, no heavy feel
• smells wonderful
• brightens the overall look of the skin instantly
• love the packaging, the dropper is just too cute!
  

Cons

• pricey
  
• could irritate your skin if you have super oily skin!

Overall

This is another "luxury" for me. I find that using this is just an "extra" since I am not a serum person. The only thing I found from using this product is that it brightened up the whole look of my face even prior to the application of Creme de la mer. I felt it tightened my skin as it gets absorbed quickly.

For dry skin like me, I cannot just use this product without following up with a moisturizer. It tightens my skin so much, probably that's the effect of "lifting" properties.

Tips

• apply this prior to moisturizers or creams
• do not forget to include your neck area, massage the serum going upward with light, massaging motion
  
• one drop works for the whole face, but work on it fast as it can get absorbed to your hands

Will I repurchase?

If I have a lot of money! lol Since I am not a serum person, I can give it a skip and save up on the Creme de La Mer

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter for Php 13,500.00 (approx $281.25) 30 ml

One Drop is enough for the whole face

Clear liquid consistency

THE EYE CONCENTRATE

**photo from La Mer

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• moisturized my eye area instantly
• very cute packaging, the full size comes with a metal spoon
• hydrates my eye area
• prevents further under eye wrinkles
  

Cons

• after 2 weeks of am/pm usage, I don't see any drastic change, maybe the time of usage is not enough
• pricey
• does not remove undereye circles, wrinkles remain the same
• the scent takes some time to get used to
  

Overall

Out of the 3 products I've tried, I've seen the least result on this product. But please do not take my word for it, it is my fault, for the past weeks that I've been testing this product, I have been in stress and I've been sleeping super late!

I think this eye concentrate is used to PREVENT further wrinkles rather than making them disappear. So far, the number of wrinkles I have did not change. (yes, I counted)

Tips

• never put too much! Putting too much does not mean that it'll quicken the effect of the product
• putting too much will make your eyes more puffier, I've done this test many times and I find that the end result of using too much of this eye concentrate is puffiness
• if you purchase a full size of this product, it comes with a metal spoon which you use to massage the under eye area, do it gently!
  

Will I repurchase?

Again, if I have the budget, its not bad to purchase this but I can settle for other eye creams for now.

Where to purchase and how much?

At Rustan's Makati La Mer Counter for Php 9,350.00 (approx $195.00)

The amount of Eye Concentrate I use for both eyes

Here's how a bare face would look
after each application

(Now, you know how much I love everyone
for showing my bare face!)

I know, it's expensive! But I do know a lot of friends who swore by this! *sis Gracie hello!*
I seriously believe that if it works for you, purchase it, use it!
If it doesn't, then don't force yourself to use a product just because "everyone else" thinks its the best!
Trust your judgment, nobody knows yourself better than you :)

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

The La Mer Essentials

**photo courtesy of La Mer

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

Because something has happened here that cannot be explained. If miracles are defined as unique events that appear inexplicable by the laws of nature, then surely Crème de la Mer is a miracle. For here is the crème that will truly change the way you see yourself, the crème that has inspired a devoted following.

THE ACCIDENT

Crème de la Mer was conceived under extraordinary circumstances. Years ago, aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber suffered a horrific accident – a routine experiment exploded in his face – covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered sufficient promise of help, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and six thousand experiments later, he perfected the crème that would help give skin a dramatically smoother appearance.

THE FORMULA

Crème de la Mer defies the laws of nature. At the heart of the Crème is a highly potent Miracle Broth™. There is nothing miraculous about its ingredients – sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, Vitamins C, E and B12, plus oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower. For Huber, it wasn’t the ingredients but the way those ingredients were distilled that made all the difference between a good moisturizer and a small miracle. No doubt, Huber understood the ancient science of fermentation. He discovered that an amazing thing transpired as these ingredients journeyed from individual components into a nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™ -- a process that took 3-4 months to complete. The ingredients did indeed transform into a whole far greater than the sum of its parts. Vital energies were spontaneously released and through this slow bio-fermentation process, Crème de la Mer was born.

Gradually, but perceptibly, the amazing happened. The skin’s appearance was miraculously improved, just as Huber hoped. It became softer, smoother, more supple. Today, Crème de la Mer’s Miracle Broth™ is manufactured by the same slow, meticulous bio-fermentation process created by Dr. Max Huber. This extraordinary Crème must be individually hand-filled in order to sustain its delicate balance.

THE MIRACLE

For us schooled in logic, Crème de la Mer is something of a jolt to the imagination. But facts are facts and certainly the proof can be seen on the faces of those who use it. In a short time, skin becomes softer, firmer, looks virtually creaseless. Aging lines and pores are noticeably less visible. Even the driest of complexions are healed. Sensitivities are soothed. And, of course, there are also those who insist it has produced astonishing results—as Dr. Max Huber himself witnessed. No wonder many who have tried every cream available remain steadfast in their devotion to Crème de la Mer.

THE SECRET

Crème de la Mer’s Miracle Broth™ is suspended within its extraordinary formula. To activate the broth and release its key ingredients, warm a small amount between your fingertips. As you pat onto clean, dry skin, you will instantly feel the soothing effects of the broth. Smooth over face, neck end under the fragile eye area. Apply day and night – for a lifetime.

Retail Price:

1oz/30ml - Php7,400 (approx $154.00)

2oz/60ml - Php13,000 (approx $271.00)

Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Lotion 50ml* - Php10,750 (approx 224.00)

Creme de La Mer Oil Absorbing Lotion 50ml* - Php10,750 (approx 224.00)

* Same formula as the Original Crème de la Mer in a lightweight formula

**photo courtesy of La Mer

The Lifting Face Serum

A totally new and paired approach to reawakening the appearance of youth, The Lifting Face Serum and The Lifting Intensifier are designed to work in synergy, immediately and visibly lifting the skin and restoring clarity and brightness. At the heart of The Lifting Face Serum and The Lifting Intensifier is a rare blue algae that flourishes in pristine waters fed by ancient glacial waters and underground springs. Its exceptional lifting energies come to life as it journeys through a meticulous bio- fermentation process, boosting its efficacy far beyond anything previously imagined. A network of proteins within the Blue Algae Lift Ferment stimulates skin's own internal building blocks while other proteins help prevent their premature breakdown. Skin's ability to renew itself is greatly enhanced. A youthful smoothness and bounce are tremendously restored.

Retail Price: PhP 13,500.00 (Lifting Face Serum Solo-30ml) approx $281.25)

**photo courtesy of La Mer

The Eye Concentrate

This concentrated, ultraluxe eye treatment quenches and conditions impressionable skin. The Eye Concentrate significantly reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, lines and wrinkles, encouraging the eye area to look and feel healthy, supple and luminous as never before.

The Eye Concentrate is infused with three unique forms of Miracle Broth™: the original, a concentrated form and a new, encapsulated form designed to optimize continuous release to the skin. Known for its healing energies, the Miracle Broth™ infuses skin with the energy it needs to focus on renewal.

The Eye Concentrate works in tandem with a specially-engineered, silver-tipped applicator which helps cool the skin, immediately improving micro-circulation. Rich in hematite, a naturally magnetic mineral known for its energies, The Eye Concentrate works over time to dramatically dissolve the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. The eye area appears healthy, more vital.

Improving clarity and discoloration, an exclusive marine ferment penetrates the skin with a powerful wave of activity. The appearance of discoloration and unevenness is dramatically diminished. Skin that looks tarnished and dull regains a healthy radiance and brightness as it is brought back to its most luminous center.

Improving tone, The Eye Concentrate utilizes a wealth of precious marine and plant ingredients to help skin reinforce its natural support system. Skin that has lost its elasticity and suppleness is gently smoothed and toned, vastly reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Stamina and resilience are greatly restored. A wealth of anti-oxidants defends the eye area against future damages.

Retail Price: PhP 9,350.00 (approx $195.00)

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I've finished using the sample sizes of these three :)
Can't wait for my review? :( You have to wait! lol
Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!