The Fun Way to Take Your Vitamins with Wellspring!

 

Who likes taking their vitamins?

I am definitely NOT raising my hands.  I am one of those laziest person you can find to take vitamins as I find some multivitamins to be too big and too smelly!  

Yeah, I am such a big baby, I shouldn’t complain but that’s me being honest here! So when I was introduced to a fun way to take vitamins by my good friend, I can’t say no of course!  Who does not like better ways to take vitamins?  Even as an ADULT?  COUNT ME IN!

Wellspring can help me in so many ways since it is in gummy format, I can easily plop a supplement in my mouth as I continue to do household chores!  Even without water!  Best of all?  It tastes good!  And Wellspring has 5 variants to choose from: Daily Immunity, Melatonin, Collagen, Biotin and Apple Cider.

If like me you want to make sure to be reminded that these are NOT candies and are to be taken as real vitamins, check out the right dosage on how to take these vitamins!  

And just in case you wonder, the Gummy Melatonin can actually be taken by kids 4 years and up!  

I personally started taking Wellspring Collagen since I just finished the previous brand I was taking (What good timing!).  I am also taking Biotin since these can help get better hair, skin and nails and I am having issues with my weak nails nowadays!  Aside from that, my husband and I are taking Daily Immunity for our daily Vitamin C and Zinc needs!  I gave Melatonin to my parents and Apple Cider for weigh management since the doctor advised them to lessen weight due to blood pressure.  I made sure they got approval from their doctor and so far, they did! 

Watsons shoppers pick their best beauty products

 

Before I started to Blog, I remembered searching online for TOP Favorites from E-commerce sites and read reviews from various Bloggers!  That helped me so much in purchasing products that work.

A mask-proof lipstick, a tried-and-tested beauty soap and a body lotion with vitamins are some of the beauty products chosen by Watsons shoppers as their Most Loved for 2021.  

Do you know what they are?  Feel free to add these items to your cart, perfect for your self-care routine especially since we are always locked inside our homes!

 

Best Shampoo: Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol Anti Dandruff Shampoo

What's not to like about this shampoo? It cleans hair gently with a menthol fresh feeling and leaves it moisturized.  This is my husband’s ultimate favorite and I have been purchasing and repurchasing this for years!  As of the moment, I have back up bottles of around 10!

Cathy Doll Glow Gel Tint Review

 

Happy Monday!

Bringing you a big smile to start the week!  It was a restful (uhm. Not so) weekend!  I was busy watching random Korean Variety shows until wee hours of the night!  Ahhh the joy of motherhood!  You find solace at night when your kid is sleeping!  Hahaha Can anyone relate?

So few weeks ago, on my Instagram page, I shared a look with gradient lips, an easy way to create gradient lips with Cathy Doll Glow Gel Tints!  I got 3 shades so I used them all, but you know you don’t need to use all 3 right?  

Cathy Doll says —

Get a luscious lips with Glow Gel Tint! It is enriched with Hyaluron and Vitamin E to provide intense nourishment for your lips! Available at Watsons Online Store.  Priced locally at Php149.00 each.

Available at Watsons Philippines

Cathy Doll Glow Gel Tint

02 Peach Kiss

This is really peach and would appear bright if you have light colored lips!  My lips are originall pigmented so it turned out a bit deep!  I prefer to use this as base if I want gradient lips, I can wear this on its’ own and I like the youthful vibe it gives.

4 Brow Shapes and Shades = 4 New Looks

 

As a make up artist, I have worked with so many types of brows!  I even worked for a client who does not have ANY brows at all leaving my imagination to create new set of brows for her!  A lot of times, my client would always say something about their brows.  They would leave my imagination on Eyeshadow, blush and lip color but they really have a thing for sticking to what they were used to! 

So this post, is a post of recommendation - I HIGHLY recommend you to work with different types of brows because it really can change up your overall look, vibe and feelings!  There are times people say I look young, I look cuter, I look fresh or mature?  Well, I have to thank (and no thank LOL) my brows for it.

Here’s an overview on how different brow shapes and shades can change your overall vibe.  CAN YOU SEE WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO HERE?

Brow pencils used - CATHY DOLL Skinny Brow Pencils (Php199.00 each)

Check out my full review HERE

Straight, thin Brows 

Shade: 02 Dark Brown

My peg for this particular look are Kpop idols and K-stars!  My brows are naturally bushy, dark and long so I had a hard time trying to conceal the rest of my brows but this was the closest so far.  The effect is very kind, timid and shy.  I would say this type of brows would work well if you have thin and sparse brows to start with so filling in with a brow pencil won’t make such drastic change to your look.

Bushy Brows ala Brooke Shields

Shade: 01 Soft Gray

This is a bit too much for me since I used a darker brow shade.  The shade Soft Gray would work well on users with medium to dark complexion with dark colored hair!  I find this to be youthful and perfect for teenagers who have brows all over the place and don’t know what to do with it.  

Here’s a tip:  Just fill in blank spots with a brow pencil similarly colored as your natural brow hair with a short hair-like strokes.  The effect will be natural - I promise you.

Arched Brows

Shade: 03 Light Chocolate

This is my least favorite brows since my features are quite uhm...how do I say it, FLAT? Hahahah. Okay, I was trying to say is, my facial features are not distinct like that of a Western look.  And my natural brow shape isn’t arched at all so forcing it to be arched looks a bit unnatural but for the sake of demonstration, I want you to see how having arched and very defined brows can change my look to be more mature, more professional and powerful?  

Sometimes I would wear this type of brows when I attend meetings and also, I do this type of brows when I was doing makeup professionally because back then, I look so young that mothers and lolas of the bride and groom does not give me the time of the day!  They won’t even listen to my suggestions and would complain every step of my application.  Yeah...Professional MUA job isn’t easy ok?

So yes, authority?  CHECK! 

Power? CHECK!

Confidence? CHECK!  On the outside but burning on the inside LOL!

Naturally YOU Brows

Shade: 07 Chestnut Brown

This brow shape I also call the “You Do You Brows”.  For clients who ever have their brows drawn, I would use a light colored eyebrow pencil and just define what they have.  I may fill in sparse areas but only with lighthand strokes.  I would never go above or beyond whatever brow shape they have because I don’t want to shock them and make them hate brow products forever!

So this, is my natural brow shape and I actually LOVE it the most!

A quick video on how I draw 4 shapes of brows! 

Which brow shape and shade is your favorite?

Cathy Doll Skinny Brows are available at Lazada and Shopee.  You may also order from Watsons.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

How to #StayStrongStayBeautiful

Can we all bounce back from a series of setbacks that were unexpected and for which we were all  unprepared?  (That's me, I wasn't able to eat, sleep and drink well during the first month of ECQ!)  We are uncertain about the future but we remain hopeful. 

Thankfully, we've been slowly getting back to work as the economy is opening gradually. Children are going back to school soon. Many businesses are open again. There's reason to be hopeful.

Life today truly comes with its challenges. As we adjust to a new way of life, Watsons is here by our side.

Please read on for some tips and recommendations on how we can all stay strong, stay beautiful, during these times.

Barry M Nail Paints Now In the Philippines!

The first time I laid my hands on a Barry M product was actually a nail polish which I won from a contest year 2009.  (You don't believe me?  Click HERE).

Beauty Blogging was way different back then.  I don't have access to a lot of international brands so I ended up doing a lot of "Blogger Shopping Switch" (I purchase items for an International Blogger and they shop for me in their country!)

So anyway, back to the brand story!  I have tried Barry M polishes and knew they were great!  But since the brand never arrived our shores, I just set this aside (at the back of my head wishing and hoping they'll be available locally).

Who would have thought it would happen on a crazy 2020?  I mean everything about this year has been bad so hearing such news is such a wonderful bud of leaf peeping through a dried out soil (okay, I'm too negative here but you know what I mean right?)

So a lot of you would probably shrug your shoulders and say: "Meh".

The nail polish and nail art lover in me is REJOICING! 

You can easily see it by the look of my face - pure joy as I applied a coat of Barry M Gelly Shine Nail Paint!  I got 3 shades to play with and used 2 immediately + a top coat!

Barry M Gelly Shine Nail Paints are indeed high shine (a coat is enough to see the shine!)  and it is quick drying!  I applied this on a whim while doing an unboxing video and had a busy day ahead so I washed my hand 5 minutes after I applied the top coat expecting them to be ruined!  Well, it did not!  And I am still sporting this lovely nails while typing this blog post!  

Please watch my quick nail art video and see the real SHINE and how opaque these are!

Cathy Doll x Hello Kitty Collection (Full Review, Photos, Swatches and Video!)

Hi AMW Friends!

This will be the longest, most detailed review and photos I've done in so many months!  I mean not because I am not taking the other posts seriously, because this is a HUGE collection I can't help but be particular about each item. (And editing the photos and writing and checking shade names took me 2 FULL hours minus the hours of swatching on both arms and face!)

After posting about this on my Instagram, a lot of you commented how you would want me to put up a swatchfest PLUS detailed review. 

Your wish is my command.  After weeks of testing these out, I am ready to share my thoughts with photos and a video!  I hope you appreciate this by commenting and telling me your favorite product in this collection!

Introducing, the FULL Cathy Doll x Hello Kitty Collection available in the Philippines!

Cathy Doll x Hello Kitty Oil Control Blur Pact

Php249.00

This is a translucent powder pact, meaning, there's no color and is meant to work as an oil control powder for the face!  I find this product to be like any translucent pact you see in Korean brands.  It does a good job controlling oil, so good that my skin turns dry because I already have dry skin!  Don't get me wrong, if you have oily skin, you'll love this product, it just won't work for my skin type instead, I love to use this product to set my lipstick because it is "mask season" and this helps any lipsticks from transferring from my lips to my face mask!

Lifestrong Hairfix Review + Different Functions

I've talked about Hairfix products briefly as part of my favorites start of the year.  I specifically remembered mentioning it a couple of times because I was amazed how effective the product was in a single use and how inexpensive it was!  It was specifically a Fuchsia packaging called Keratin Straight and indeed, my hair was smooth and straighter than it normally was.

And since I can't go out for a salon session, I am so happy to receive these as gifts over quarantine period!  Who would've thought there were so many variants?  I only knew 1-2 but didn't know the brand expanded to more ranges based from the hair needs of each individual.

Hairfix Keratin Protein Shampoo and Conditioner

Buy 3 for Php199.00

I don't know about you but I have a kick whenever I see "Keratin" in a haircare product.  Keratin is a name for a protein found naturally in hair strands and using haircare products that has that will strengthen hair and keep hair smooth and shiny.

1 pack comes with a shampoo, a conditioner and a treatment.  You get 2x25ml of product each bag making it "sulit".  You can even use it 3-4 times if you have shorter hair.  As for me, I use all 25ml glory because I have long and thick hair!  The shampoo itself is non-drying and I don't have the need to pull my hair inside the shower.  My favorite part is the Conditioner, it acts like a treatment so I am saving up the treatment to be used once or twice a week depending on how damaged my hair is!

Hairfix Keratin Protein Warm Hair Mask Treatment

Php109.00

Available HERE

Watsons Help Us Work Toward Good Health and A Strong Immune System

Our new normal is all about good health and a strong immune system. My husband Keith and my son Kyle are two very important people in my life. I want to live a longer life for them. I have always tried to be healthy but being on enhanced community quarantine has only served to further highlight that. As we make wellness a new way of life, you can count on Watsons to be with you every step of the way. I get our vitamins and medications from Watsons, as well as our basic hygiene supplies like soaps and paper products.

Here are a few recommendations from Watsons on keeping your immunity strong and your family healthy.  Before ECQ, I have been going to the gym fairly regularly. I like being active because physical activity gives me more energy and it helps relieve stress. Of course, being active also means a stronger immune system and that is what we need right now. While we’re all staying at home, I still do simple workouts five days a week, around 30 minutes a day on my own. Then, three or four times a week, the whole family does short Kyle-friendly physical activities. Exercising with the family really makes me happy right now.

Cooking is another thing I love. Even pre-ECQ, I would prepare the family’s meals personally.  Keith and Kyle love home-cooked meals. They prefer my cooking over fastfood. These days there is a more conscious effort on my part to make sure that our meals are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Seafood, lean meat, dark green leafy vegetables and yellow veggies (like squash and carrots) are ingredients that are easy to find. Tea is a drink that’s rich in antioxidants. I’ve been enjoying Nutrabliss by Watsons Tea.

Body Fantasies Has Disinfectant Properties!

I have seen these Body Fantasies scents in SM Department stores several years ago --- I was still in College back then so that was more than a decade ago, or 2 decades ago :P   

When the brand sent me these products during lockdown, I was one of those few Beauty Bloggers who really read on ingredients list because ---

1. I have sensitive skin.

2. I like to review products so I really take notice on their main ingredients.

One thing that really caught my attention is the presence of 70% Ethyl Alcohol.  I mean, I'm not the type who would advertise and share to everyone to use these in replace of alcohol.  But one nice thought is that a Beauty Item can help sanitize - which is a perfect item especially during these times.

I also took a small peek at their Facebook page and felt a sense of happiness when I saw how the brand actively helps Frontliners by donating a lot of these products to several hospitals!  Though these items are not exactly items that hospitals REALLY need, these are the types of items that are on the category of "Unsung heroes".  Items that are deem to be pushed aside during hard times but can really make a small difference and a smile on anyone's face whenever used as gifts!

Can you just imagine how hot these days are and how nice it is to sniff something really amazing on a bad day?  --- well I could be wrong, but that's just me!

Again,  keep in mind that I won't replace alcohol with these items in my household but they are indeed "added" in my feel good items! 

I may sound or feel like a less busier person during ECQ but I am actually the same busy gal as ever after the 2nd week of Lockdown. 

After getting used to the "new normal", I went back on my feet doing the things I love to do and more!  I continued my "work from home" jobs while managing the household.  Because of that, I tend to stay in my room for longer periods of time doing research and answering back emails as I do various calls (lots of concentration needed I tell you!).

I also cook more than usual, you can see that on my stories!  After cooking, I would go back to my room and sit at my office corner and can still smell "food" lingering inside the room and my clothing.  I mean, that would kill ANY working mood I got left! 

So this is my tiny secret to energize in between random tasks.   I tried spritzing Body Fantasies not only on my clothing but I like to spritz a few amount on pillows and stuffed toys and voila!  Instant pick-me-upper!

Baby Bright Mineral Matte Lip Paint Review

Try to search for Baby Bright online, you'll find a lot of articles but mostly in Thai.

This brand has been around for years!  I've seen this in most of my trips in Bangkok but wondered why they aren't locally available!  Well, I am WRONG!  These are actually available in the local scene --- at Watsons Stores in particular!  

Baby Bright MM Mineral Matte Lip Paint

Shade 02 Evening Peony

This was gifted to me so I don't have the exact price but will update once I chance this upon Watsons stores again!

Maintains lip gloss, mineral water comes with a lip brush. Pigmented with a smooth, smooth lip color. Moisturizes the lips, but does not dry. Provides long-lasting moisture for long lasting colorWith mineral water extracts. The color of the lips is up to 12 shades, inspired by the colors of nature in the tone.  Earth Tone can be applied to all skin types. 

BTLA Compact Powder Oil Control Review

I haven't talked about Face Powder for quite some time right?  Because I assumed everyone found their favorites as of the moment and maybe aren't interested anymore?  

Please...comment and share your thoughts.

Though in reality, I may have my top 3 favorites but I'm still testing out various brands whether high end or drugstore just because I'm a makeup geek like that!  I like to explore and share my experience in the process..yeah..that's me!  Still getting giddy and excited over makeup!

Today, I am featuring a drugstore brand called BTLA.  BTLA gave a loud bang when they dropped a box-ful of BTLA products.  I was overwhelmed, but after recovering, I had a game plan.  

I started out using products that I really use on day-to-day basis.  To prove that, I reviewed the BTLA Matte Blush Duo!

And I picked a Compact Powder Oil Control after using a whole lot of skincare and my skin went back to Normal!  Meaning, I am actually okay to use Oil Control products and my skin does not look like a Sahara Dessert!

BTLA Compact Powder Oil Control

Php199.00

Available at Watsons

Baby Bright Plankton Matte Cushion Lip and Moist Tint Review

After the year 2010, my choice of lipstick shades have changed drastically!  I've been leaning on to warmer hues and saying bye bye to all the cool tone lipstick shades!

It just doesn't do justice on my skintone.  Aside from being the "warmest person by nature" *laughs*, I have the warmest skintone and wearing something like a cool tone baby pink shade would lead me looking like a "walking dead disaster".  

No seriously, I do!  And I haven't been wearing that shade ever since MAC Pink Nouveau!

Recently, things might have changed a bit with the difference of lipstick textures.  I chanced upon a brand called Baby Bright.  Although the packaging and name screams "TEENAGER!  Steer clear from this product!"  I gave it a go and hey, I think I can handle this shade...right?

Baby Bright Plankton 

Matte Cushion Lip and Moist Tint

Shade: 02: Beach Pink

around Php399.00

• ORIGINAL FROM KARMART THAILAND 
• 2IN1 Matte cushion lipsticks and moistTint .
• The textures can help you to be in your natural look , its ultra matte and lucscious gradient lookFrom the combination of Plankton which is moiturizing ingredients.  Its glide easily while matte cushion comes with long wearing and color rich formula.
• Achieve pigmented and long lasting matte and luminous finish.  
• The matte side can be used as Blush for the flushed look to achieved all in one perfection

Happy New You AMW Friends!

Happy New You!

Well, it's what we're all wishing for every New Year!  But after all the wishing, do you seriously do something to celebrate the new you?

It isn't difficult nowadays with my favorite Beauty Store in the world --- Watsons.  Yes, I visit every single Watsons in countries that has it. (Hello China!  Hello Hong Kong, Hello Macau, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore!) 

So when I got an invite to a Happy New You event at SM Megamall, I brought Kyle with me straight from school because I knew I had to celebrate with the retail chain that I frequent and feel good at! 

Photo by: Pau Guevarra

 During the event, I also learned What's Hot and new inside the store and aside from that, I also learned several tips from experts.

Soothies Foot Care Products Reviewed

 How many of you takes care of your feet aside from your face?

Not a lot huh?

I'm one of them!  Guilty as charged!  The most I've done was during the time my heels were cracking from going barefoot at the play area several times a day, so I ended up putting petroleum jelly on my heel area wearing socks at night before I go to bed.

That did not make the cut.  My feet sometimes look like it does not belong to a Beauty Blogger (there I said it!)  Embarrassing yet true, so thankfully, because of the launch of new Foot Care line called Soothies - I was forced to take care of my feet and after giving this a try for more than a week, I think I've found a good reason to start taking care of them - consistently!

Soothies 

Available at Watsons Personal Care Stores

My Go-To EVERY Holiday Season (Every Season Actually!)

What to give this Holiday season to EVERYONE who means the world to you?

I hope you're not scratching your head right now because if you are, you are missing ONE store that has EVERYTHING we need for our loved ones at a VERY affordable price!  

WATSONS, the store I frequent not only holiday season but on a weekly basis is also a perfect Holiday shopping place and I can't believe I've been blogging about this and telling you guys about this EVERY SINGLE YEAR!  (Baka lang kasi makalimutan niyo! :P)  

This year, I visited the store again and found even better range of Christmas Gift ideas, and the best part?  The merchandise are categorized by gift-giving ideas per recipient!  Not only easy for the pocket but easy to the eyes too!

Customized Sets for Special people in our lives!

Cathy Doll Soft Brow Pencil & Spoon Brush Review

I am so in love with Cathy Doll's Skinny Eyebrow Pencil and I have been recommending them to my friends on and offline for a while now!  I finished a pen in less than a month and is currently using the second one --- yes, that's the ONLY downside, it is so skinny and wonderful I finished it so quickly!

I was surprised to see Cathy Doll getting into the brow game!  After the success of Skinny Eyebrow Pencil, they came up with another unique brow product.

Cathy Doll Soft Brow Pencil & Spoon Brush

 #03 Hot Caramel Brown

Php450.00

Create the perfect brows with the automatic pencil that features especially soft texture which is gentle to the brows. It glides on soft for line-by-line precision with natural result and allows you to draw a thick or thin line as desire. With the easy to draw, pigmented and long-lasting texture, it also comes with a fluffy spoon brush to facilitate blending for an even more natural result. Available in 4 trending colors.

Eureka Moment: Daily Defense Argan Oil

Up until today, I am still addicted to hair care products!  I still get that giddy, excited feeling whenever I see, purchase or receive hair products.  Because up until today, I am still (and always will be) on the lookout for the best hair care products for my type of hair ----

Dry, Damaged, Frizzy, Sensitized hair.

Ang saklap, but that's the reality of my hair due to constant hair coloring, chemical treatment and almost everyday use of hairstyling tools!

Recently, my hair was really in its' worst shape!  Hair looks extremely dry, frizzy and no matter how many times I mask it with my favorite Argan Oil, it just won't work!  So I changed my shampoo and conditioner and used a new deep conditioning treatment too!

Eureka Moment because it actually puts my hair back to life even for 5-10%  (not bad na yun ha!)

Daily Defense Shampoo, Conditioner and Deep Conditioner

Enriched with Argan Oil from Morocco

Exclusively available at Watsons

With a bit of research, I learned that Daily Defense is originally made famous by Clairol and Proctor & Gamble, the Daily Defense brand has been a trusted and consumer favorite for many years.  Now owned by CLT International, they maintain the same premium formulations using natural ingredients and botanical extracts.

The Argan Oil line is meant to help renew, replenish and add shine to hair.  It can also help minimize frizz and restore split ends.

True enough, after first use, I can immediately see and feel the difference.  My hair near the roots doesn't stay upright like before and they are less frizzy.  The ends are less dry and thankfully, my hair is easier to comb.  

The shampoo and conditioner is good but my ultimate favorite from the bunch is the Deep Conditioner.  Because that is the one product that I saw the most dramatic result after a week of usage!  I leave it for good 5-10 minutes with a shower cap massaging the product onto my scalp and concentrating more products on the tips of my hair were it tends to be frizzy and dry.

True enough, my hair feels softer to touch and thankfully, easier to comb! 

An added bonus on why I love such product?  HURRAH for color-treated hair users because these are available in Low-Sulfate and Sulfate-free formulas!  My hair color can last longer because the product won't strip my hair color making it look dull and flat!  

For a brand that has been sitting quietly in stores, I guess, it's time I give it a spot and make it SHINE because it does work!

Please keep in mind though that it may work for me and not work as great on you because we have different hair texture and condition! :D

Do you have beauty-related Eureka Moments to share today?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Cathy Doll Oh! So Clean 2 in 1 Makeup Cleansing Micellar Essence Review

Having good skin starts with cleansing, no matter how expensive your skincare products are, if you don't remove your  makeup thoroughly at night before going to sleep, you will definitely wake up with zits here and there.

I've tried almost all makeup cleansing products, from Cleansing Oils to Cleansing Foams and now Micellar Water --- the latter is my favorite by far because it does not leave greasy feel yet it removes makeup like a tough dishwashing liquid *laughs* (Don't use dishwashing liquid on the face okay?)

Micellar Water used to be very expensive, thankfully, more and more drugstore brands are coming out with their own Micellar water and one of my favorite brand Cathy Doll came out with one and yours truly have to test them out of course!

Cathy Doll Oh! So Clean

2 in 1 Makeup Cleansing Micellar Essence

Php149.00 for 75ml

Available in Watsons, 7-11, Rose Pharmacy and Robinsons 

What's your #HairGoals ?

I know guys may find it hard to believe but a good hair day really can bring out an unbelievable confidence in a girl!  I know there are days I wake up with a bad hair day and I can't help but feel conscious about it, trying to tie it up or hide it under a bun.

There are days naman I feel like a QUEEN!  I did nothing on my hair but it flows with the wind.  Just like this photo taken during the #SampleRoomEndlessSummer Party!

One thing I realized is that, a great hair day needs a little bit of work.  I have gone to good salons and good hairstylist to have my hair cut and colored.  I am quite bold and experimental with my cut and hair color as you can see on my hair journey!