Askmewhats Reviews: Nana May's Magic Facial Scrub

As seen in my previous post
I have gotten the chance to try on Nana May's Magic Face and Magic Hands.
It took me quite some time to finally write a review on this as I made sure to test on the product myself and note down changes (both good and bad)

Here's how the product looks like, this comes from a special set for RM80, it comes with a simple glass case with plastic spatulas to scoop out the product.

The plastic spatula is sturdy, I use the smaller side to stir the product and the bigger side to scoop them out and transfer on my hand!

For such a small product, I've used just 1/4 of this for a month!

Nana May's Magic Face Says ---

A more delicate mix for fine skin. Excellent for controlling teenage acne. Great for mature skin, leaving you feeling silky smooth.

There is no need to use a cleanser, toner or moisturizer

Ingredients (There are no added chemicals and the products are not tested on animals)

Salts - Dead Sea Salts & Celtic Salts
Essential Oils - Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Rosemary & Chamomile
Carrier Oils - Jojoba, Vitamin E, Apricot Seed, Avocado and Hazelnut

Askmewhats Says ---

Pros

• 3-in1 product, what more can we ask for?
• all natural, just take a look at their ingredients!
• Smells heavenly
• I love the tingling sensation it gives after every washing and I love it more that the tingling feeling lasts only 5 minutes (I hate it when it stings for so long it gets to be irritating)
• After a month long of nightly usage, my skin felt soft and never have the dryness problem
• No matter how oily it feels, after you wash it with water (still oily) and tap your face gently with towel, the OILINESS was gone! like magic!
• No allergies or breakouts caused by this product
  

Cons

• not available in the Philippines, have to order online and of course, ordering online meant adding shipping charges
• a bit messy for someone who's used to regular cleansing regimen
• a bit too oily to start with (this doesn't bother me though coz it gets to be dry after patting with a towel)

Overall

For someone who's used to the 3 step regiment like I am, it is a bit difficult to steer away from the toning and moisturizing step because you always have the feeling that your skin regimen isn't complete! I find this a bit hassle to use at first but after sometime, you'll get the hang of it!

This product after a month, in my opinion doesn't give out a MAJOR change in my skin, but definitely NO dryness, no allergies and some red spots from previous breakout lightened a bit. Plus of course, the additional fact of using an all natural product makes me feel good!

Tip

• Stir product with the spatula slowly, never shake it
• Never use your finger to get the product directly
• Do not leave the product in direct sunlight
• Massage the product gently, never SCRUB hard
• Do not forget to massage the rest of the product to your neck and even hands!
• Do not scrub on the eye area, this gets to give a "minty" feeling so rubbing this product accidentally on the eye area could cause a bit of sting.
• If you are a heavy make up user, always cleanse your face with a make up remover first, do not expect this product to remove all the make up for you.
• After you are done massaging your face, use the remaining product and massage your hands gently
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes, this is a good product!

Visual Presentation

Use the spatula that comes with the product. Stir the product gently and use the bigger end of the spatula to rub the product on your hand, no need to scoop, a little does go a long long way!

This is just how much product you need to cover the whole face and neck

A Closer Look
The yellowish color is the oil
the whitish thing are the salt/scrubs

Distribute the product all over your face
Gently massage your face
DO NOT rub too hard

After massaging onto my face for a couple of minutes, I choose not to wash my face at once, I leave the product onto my face until the oil gets absorbed
As seen in the photo below

Wash your face with water, I prefer warm water and slowly pat gently with a dry towel!

Watch out for my next review on the Nana May's Magic Hands!
If you are interested to learn more about Tiny Tapir's products, feel free to check out their site
You can also check out their ordering information by smiling and clicking
HERE

5 Musts in a Relationship

Pear and Miemiemie tagged me on this, thanks girls!

Here it goes:
Rules:
1. Pass this game on to 5 people
2. Write down 5-10 ways your relationship ticks and works for you!
3. Include a brief history of how you and your significant other met or a timeline,
whichever you prefer :)
Best part? NO WORD LIMIT

5 Relationship Must Have!

1. Trust and Honesty

I believe that in any relationship without trust and honesty, it will NEVER work out. As you know, you can never be with your significant others 24/7. If you are a type of person who gets paranoid and freaks out on any girl your partner talks to, you will be dying YOUNG! lol

A lot of people are surprised why I was able to manage a long distance relationship with my then BF Keith for 3 years going back home once a year. It was an easy answer: "I trust him"

2. Understanding

Understanding is easy to say but really, it's very difficult to do. Why do couples argue? Because they just don't understand each other! We always say "I don't get him/her"

We must understand why he wasn't able to pick you up on time, we have to understand why he loves computer games so much, we have to understand why he has to do a certain decision. And it's all vice versa. It's not always "just one" who's understanding! It is a 2 way street!

3. Humor

Up until now, me and Keith cannot end a day without laughing. We would go crazy and laugh so hard that we felt like dying. Well dying doesn't make the relationship last lol but I find a relationship really needs a lot of humor. Being too serious will bore both of you to tears!

Sharing something funny just the 2 of you knows gives out a certain feel of togetherness!

4. Patience

Keith is the most patient individual I know in my entire life. He has waited for me for more than 4 hours inside a mall while I finish our school project. He waits for me to choose my prom dress, he goes shopping with me and wait for me to try on all the clothes as it take some time for me to choose which one I like. Because of his patience, it is difficult for me to get angry if he came late, or if it's his time to do the stuffs he needed to do. Again, relationship is give and take. When we argue, he would patiently wait for me to calm down, no matter how long it takes before we talk, because he knew that if he insisted on talking at once nothing will be settled!

5. Love

Need I say more? Nothing lasts without LOVE! <--- in my dictionary!

Year 1995

I knew him from school, we always acknowledge each other and one Valentine's Day, I helped him deliver cookies to this other girl he liked. I DROPPED the cookies (not on purpose promise!) lol and we laughed about it now! Imagine? I am the one who delivered it to the girl???? lol

Year 1996

We've been schoolmates since 4 yrs old but we got to be classmates ONLY during our Senior years. During the 2nd semester, the sitting arrangement changed and I found myself sitting next to him. During Chinese class, it tends to get too boring and we ended up chatting up in class talking about our "crushes" lol

Year 1997

Well we because friends and we ended up liking each other, we don't know who like each other first but I call him my "FIRST AID" lol, don't get me wrong, I never had a BF beside him, but I just call him First Aid because whatever tiredness, headaches I have in life, He is my FA (First aid) lol Come to think of it, it is corny! LOL

November 3, 1997

Yeah, right after All Saints Day, I said "yes' to him over the phone and we became BF and GF

1997-2001

We studied at different universities but we make it a point to go out every Saturday for movies, shopping, or just dine out! I even have curfew then, he has to take me home by 5:30pm because I am a NERD and he loves me for that! LOL


Year 2001

We both graduated, I worked at China Airlines and he worked at China Bank <--- isn't that cute? LOL We seldom see each other but we make it a point to meet once a week (mostly Saturdays) as Sunday is definitely Family Day for me!

Year 2002

The crazy/adventurous side of me wanted to work in China. We've always been open about our dreams and I've always told him I wanted to be independent, learn to be strong and work abroad. I don't want to "travel" I want to live and WORK abroad. He said yes, as long as I am happy.

August 26, 2002

I left for Hangzhou, China to teach at Zhejiang University at the age of 23 :( I can still remember the pain I felt for leaving him behind, I even told myself if ever he leaves me, it's not his fault, as I was the one who chose to have a long distance relationship.

2002-2005

Surprisingly...our relationship grew STRONGER. The distance didn't destroy us but made us stronger. I've got a lot of challenges when I work in China but he's always there, to back me up, to read my long emails! YUP, TRUST ME..all these years, I write emails for him and my family at least ONCE a day..so he definitely has 365 x 3 emails!!!! Updated on everything that's happening in my life in China!

Year 2005

I came back and I've decided to come back home as I have fulfilled my dream of working and living outside my comfort zone. I came back (REALLY FAT) and he still loves me for who I am!!!! LOL

When I came back, his work needs him to work out of Manila, so we would see each other once or twice a month :( But we just let it be and didn't worry about it, we just had fun everytime we see each other!

February 28, 2006

He proposed, on my birthday. It was more than 10yrs of us being together! It was the right time!!! I SAID YES!!!

July 7, 2007
Eva Longoria got married <-- who cares??? This was my Engagement day!

October 27, 2007

We finally got married after almost 11 years of true friendship and love!

I honestly don't know who to tag as I'm late with this lol I am tagging everyone who wants to do this :D
Thanks for reading!!!

HK Hauls

A lot of you wanted to take a peak on my HK hauls that are beauty related. Trust me, I bought a lot of non-beauty related items and mostly gifts for family and friends which I don't include here coz....it's going to take forever for me to crop the photos! LOL

Anyways, the more "personal" side about the trip will be coming up soon and I separated the post on the haulage first before the real thing. To be honest, I've armed myself with information on stuffs I plan to buy before I left for HK, but things changed because I've been to HK quite a number of times when I was working in China and I wanted to be the "tour guide" rather than the shopper. I went with Keith, with his mom and dad and his younger sister. I think I panic bought these stuffs, LOL coz some of them I shopped on the departure "day".

Here's the haul I've been wanting but kept stalling coz I've been guilty of spending so much on stuffs and I don't think I need more. But with hubby around who pointed a gun on my head and forced me to buy them *tee heee* What a wife to do but follow right?

(note: no price indicated, I will include the prices when I do a review on each of them, but if you are in a hurry to know the price, feel free to message me and ask)

1. MAC 187/Stippling brush - this is the only MAC product I planned on buying for liquid foundation application for that clean airbrush look for future clients and gigs.

2. MAC 217/ Blending brush - since I have been using my prestige blending brush EVERYDAY for my e/s application, I find it a bit big for my small eyes, so I wanted something smaller that can be used for both powder and cream e/s

3. MAC Charged Water - I honestly can't decide on buying Charged Water or Fixed plus but when I tested both, I was in LOVE with the scent. So I bought this for that "moisture" I need for my dry skin.

4. MAC Fix+ - after purchasing the MAC Charged Water, I was thinking about the Fix+ and how it kept on being Out of Stock, hubby again pointed the gun and said I can always keep one for back up since we're not sure when we will be going back to HK. So...end of story..lol

5. The small pot is a sample of a MAC Strobe Cream given to me by the MAC staff at Harbourcity (Facess). I didn't get any freebie at the MAC Sogo Dept Store.

Can I just add everyone looks GORGEOUS in there? They have flawless make-up application and great customer service.

Next stop, my Kiehl's Haul

1. Kiehl's No. 1 lipbalm - I have been using the famous Kiehl's No. 1 lip balm as part of my night routine. I have to moisturize my lips or else I'll wake up with dry bleeding lips in the morning. I have the Kiehl's lipbalm near my bed and I've been using this for months. I am loving it and I need back up!!!!

2. Kiehl's Hue - I have tested this lip balm with a hint of brownish red shade in the Philippines but it was out of stock. Since they are available in HK, I bought another one. Yes, back up! lol

3. Samples of Kiehl's Shampoo and Conditioner - 'nuff said, samples...I HEART!

The next one if for my mom,
Her HG night cream from
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex
Can I just add that it is 3x cheaper compared to the price here in the Philippines?
I think this will be my mom's 5th one! Works so well for her! She's 61yrs old but she doesn't look like one, I think I need to use this too???? lol

My Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Back Up
because it is cheaper again compared to the Philippines.
I think it is approx Php300 ($6.50) cheaper in HK

I have been using Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil on days I have a lot of make up on. I have used both A/O and A/I version and I planned to buy more BUT, the lady insisted that I use this one as it feels lighter compared to Shu and she promises that it cleanses way better than SHU. I know..she's just doing the marketing strategy thingy but this is way cheaper compared to Shu Uemura....so why not give it a try right?

YuMei Cleansing Oil
This one is also made in Japan

I have been coloring my own hair since I remember. Well sometimes my mom does it for me. I have told someone that I seldom repeat a hair color, but I always go for the safe color (the browns). I've seen a couple of hair color that I can't seem to find here in the Philippines. So....it is embarassing, but yes, I bought 2 hair coloring treatment, I am a L'oreal Feria user but the Revlon one looks interesting too!

Check out the box, both models look alike!!! I swear, I thought they're both the same!!!

Left - L'oreal Feria in Frosty Beige
Right: Revlon Color Silk in no. 43 Medium Golden Brown

The lipbalm I carry along my make-up bag when I'm lazy to use my Kiehl's
Mentolatum Lip Ice
We don't have this in the Philippines but it's available all across Asia, grrrr

Now now, it gets more embarrassing, LOL this is honestly Keith's Fault. I was getting ready with the stuffs to pay at the counter, he came up to me and said : "This looks really nice and the plastic doesn't look cheap, it's thick and it has a sifter!" <-- yes! He used the word SIFTER! I am going to kill myself, I am educating my hubby the wrong stuffs! LOL What can I do? My hubby is a smart shopper too and he has eye for useful products! 9HKD (approx $1.20) for 6 cases? Not bad....

I am glad Keith was wrong! It is NOT a sifter but it's just an additional cover to protect whatever product you put inside...lol...but really....SIFTER??? lol

I honestly have a lot of makeup pouch but hey, this color is just so cute and great for traveling! This baby is calling my name...."nikki ...nikki...nikki" and I just can't say NO!

Yup, that's it!
Surprising huh? I didn't buy a lot of cosmetics because I do know how to control myself and I just bought stuffs I have "planned" to buy for months. Yes, I was patient and I am IN CONTROL! :) I didn't overspend and I was able to come back home with gifts for my friends and family!

Oh yeah, now I remembered I bought a KATE by Kanebo eyeliner.... *looks around* where did I put it??? Well, I will be writing a review on that ...IF I find it! (Note: Yup! Found it! but I'm too lazy to take a shot of it so let me search the net)

Thanks for reading this mah friends!
And thanks for being interested with the boring stuffs I buy! LOL

Askmewhats Meets Kikay Pinay

Before I left for HK, I got a message from Shen if I could help her look for Sana Pore Putty, I immediately said YES because I know how it feels like to want something so bad but you just can't buy them because they're not available! She wanted a Sana Pore Putty and Givenchy Phenom'eys.

I did my research before I go to sleep to make sure I buy her the right product. I just felt bad because I was able to buy her 1 out of the 2 products she requested. I have been walking to different Lane Crawford and Facess and even the HK Duty Free shops and I just can't find the Givenchy mascara!!! Damn you Givenchy for hiding!

Anyways, the moment the plane landed and we were allowed to text message, I texted Shen right away because I am more excited I guess! LOL

I'm even more excited when she said she'll drop by the office to get the Sana Pore Putty!!! The last time I met her, it was quite short and I felt an instant connection with her right away, it's just too bad we didn't have enough time!

The beautiful Shen arrived at the office around 3pm and we chatted like there's no tomorrow! She even met Beatrilicious (my dear guest beauty blogger) and we chatted like we've been friends for decades!

Shen, my officemates thought we're college friends or something LOL

And i finally saw the wonderful PINK camera she got for her birthday!

Sorry I look like crap coz it was just 2 hours of sleep for me, and yeah, I went to work that day!!! NERD= Nikki lol

The sweet "future lawyer" gave me wonderful gifts!
I've got 2 falsies from her, a mineral veil and purple mineral e/s from ELLANA
Check out her online shop here

If you want to read more about the Sana Pore Putty she's been lemming for quite sometime, you know what to do!!!

Smile and click HERE

My Stila Goodies from the B-licious

When I started to blog, I was blogging for my "current" friends who may find some useful information. I never thought blogging could really move further to a higher level. Not only do I meet new people, but I meet new friends whom I share emails with and just brighten each other's day.

Blogging is my stress reliever. I never expected anything from anybody as just the fact that someone reads my blog and learn from it meant the world to me. But I guess life is really full of surprises!

The lovely B of Clumps of Mascara knew I've always wanted to try Stila products as you guys know, we don't have it here and the only Stila Product I have is the Stila Smudgepots in Black (I bought online) which I love so dearly. I have already accepted the fact that we don't have Stila so I gave up and never "lemm" for any of their products.

Boy! Just when I've given up, she sent me a wonderful package not 1 but loads of Stila goodies!!! I got this early morning before I left for the HK trip! And B, you do know that I got so excited I temporarily had an amnesia and forgot about my flight! LOL

Here's what greeted me early morning

Aren't they just PRETTY!!!!???!!!

1. Stila Cheek Color in Soar
2. Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Bronze
3. Stila Illuminating tinted moisturizer Shade 01
4. Stila Color Push-Ups All Over Color in Rose Flash
5. Stila Lip Glaze in raspberry (FINALLY!!!!)
6. Aaawww she called me Nikkilicious....
(my dear guest writer Beatrilicious, just lend the title to me ok? just this once! lol)


And here are the swatches for you gals who are interested on how it looks like

Looks like a MAC mineralized powder,
the color is just "stare-worthy" and super pigmented

The famous all over color swiped on my hand 2x

Cheek Color swatch
Very matte, can be used as eyeshadow as well

Check out the size of the Illuminating tinted moisturizer
with SPF 15



Can I just say, the color is just so ME?



Here's how it looks like when scattered on my hand
It doesn't show up so much color but it has a hint of glow

B promised me some of the products above would let me die and go to heaven (I hope not so soon) and she was right! It's like I got a personal shopper who knows my skin color and texture who shopped for me and send them all to me without any effort on my side. B, you made my days, months and years! Thanks for these goodies. I did receive them in a short period of time before the year 2009! LOL

*dances with joy*

Really, I must be doing something good to deserve all these! :D
Thank you so much B and to the everyone (you know who you are) who sends me stuffs and offer their help to buy me stuffs because they knew how much I would love to try on products and not being able to find them here. Really, its not about the product but it is the effort of making me happy and helping me! I do appreciate it!!! I am being sentimental...but to everyone who gives sweet comments everyday too?....THANK YOU and BIG HUGS!!!

Can you just believe with only 2 hours of sleep, I am still awake at 10pm?
I guess blogging keeps me awake!

I've got a couple of stuffs to blog about, a couple of orders I received and more gifts from lovely people....bear with me, LOL blame the postal office for sending me all at once hahaha