The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge

Anyone who reads my blog would know that my blog's content is basically everything that can make a person feel beautiful in and out.  And most of you will find loads of product reviews from yours truly as I believe in spending your hard earn money on products that deliver!

When Sheena Dy from Kiehl's contacted me (and 4 other beauty bloggers, I believe) to try the new Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, it was a right timing as I just finished  my Cellnique's Intensive Hydrating Complex, my skin is all ready to try on other products!  I don't mind testing on Kiehl's as I own a skincare travel pack gifted to me by my brother and I don't have issues with the ingredients used by the brand.  

What's The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge?

I was encouraged to follow the 7 Habits of a Healthy Sleeper:

1. Get at least seven hours of sleep each night - goodluck to me on this
2. Drink soothing beverages before bed such as herbal tea, water or milk! - I definitely go well with water
3. Try to avoid exercise near bedtime - definitely will!
4. Stay away from late afternoon, early evening stimulates like caffeine. - no issues on that, I finish 2 cups of coffee before 10am! And I'm not into sodas *hahaha*
5. Enjoy relaxing activities before you go to sleep, like reading or taking a bath.  - how about blogging?  It's relaxing for me! (seems like I'm being  hardheaded eh?)
6. Shut the TV off when you are ready to fall asleep.  - definitely!  I even need to turn off lights!
7. Curb your alcohol consumption. - No problem at all!  Not into alcohol!

Over the course of 15 days or less, I am encouraged to write my experience about the experience.  This is also a way for busy bloggers like myself to recover my sleep-life!  And I'll definitely share my experiences to you for sure!  Expect honest to goodness review from me as always!  Feel free to ask me questions as I go through this challenge and encourage me to sleep early!

I started the challenge July 5, 2010 Monday night and here are my impressions and reactions. As you all know, this is a concentrate, a 99.8% natural, paraben-free serum which was said to be proven to rejuvenate my skin while I sleep.

Nikki's Stats:

Skin Type: Dry/Normal (I included normal as I've been using the right type of products and my skin condition isn't as dry as before)
Skin Condition: Sensitive
Products used: Facial Wash, Toner and Kiehl's Midnight Recover Concentrate (nighttime)

AMW's First impression: (Days 1-2)

• looks and feels like oil but doesn't feel heavy or oily
• feels a bit weird after application because of its texture
• my skin is dry and I feel it takes a bit of time to absorb, can you imagine how long it'll take for oily skin to wait for this product to absorb?
• the concentrate absorbed to the skin approximately 5-10 minutes depending on temperature of the room
• no itchiness nor skin irritations
• no signs of redness or allergies
  
  
  
  
• woke up minus the oily look and feel
• no signs of change after first night, after the second night, skin feels moisturized even after washing my face with facial wash

For 2 days, those are my observations!  I'll definitely report more in the coming days!


Before I end this post, good news to my local readers (sorry to my international friends! I will be hosting contests soon for everyone across the world and universe!)!  The people from Kiehl's will give one reader a chance to try on the new Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate in Full Size!  Keep on reading and I'll announce the contest soon!

WIN YOUR OWN BOTTLE SOON!!!

Encourage me to do all 7 steps ok?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Maybelline ColorSensational Moisture Extreme Color Review

Remember 2 Eureka Moments for Maybelline's ColorSensational Moisture Extreme Lipcolor?  If you can't, here's a flashback.

Eureka Moment: "My Favorite Pink" Lipstick

Eureka Moment: "Another Red Lipstick that Works"

This lipstick line from Maybelline impressed me so much I have to own a shade or orange and a shade or brown!  After using and testing on all 4 shades.  I am ready to share to you my 2 cents on these lipstick army!

Mr. AMW Reviews: L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ Oil Control

Happy Monday everyone!!!  I slept quite well over the weekend, in short, I slept a lot over the weekend!  It has been very hectic since the start of this year but I'm not complaining!  I am quite thankful that there are so many things to keep me busy to keep me from going to emotional mode!  

I want to thank my 1000 followers!  I've reached the 1,000th mark over the weekend it warms my heart to know you guys include me in your daily reads and thanks for the trust!  I promise to do more reviews and put you readers "in-the-know" as much as I can!  Can I ask for group hugs? *group hugs*  

I know I don't have a lot of male readers, but I'm sure my female readers have special men in their lives - the husbands, the boyfriends, the dads, the brothers, the cousins, the boy friends!  My husband, who's been a soap user for years, is finally willing to give some male products a try! Yay for Male Vanity!!!  He has used a couple of skincare line for men and I'll be interviewing him for reviews for the men in our lives!  

L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ Oil Control Foam

and White Activ Moisturizing Gel Cream

Mr. AMW's Skin stats ---

Skin type: Very Oily

Skin condition: prone to breakouts

Skin color: fair

L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ
Oil Control Foam

L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ Oil Control Foam says ---

1. Cleanses, clears and mattifies for long - enriched with Salicylic Acid, this formula cleanses and clears skin efficiently: excess sebum and dull dead cells are removed, skin stays clear and matte for long.  Your skin is comfortable without tightness.  It becomes soft, smooth and radiant!
2. Reinforces the skin's natural resistance - ADS (Active Defense System), a powerful soothing active ingredients that helps to reinforce the skin's natural resistance against daily aggressions.  Results: less irritation, less tightness and more comfort.
3. Fine bubbles remove impurities for brighter skin - with L'Oreal Paris' new foaming texture with fine bubbles, impurities are washes out and your cleansed skin is brighter, leaving you a pleasant fresh feeling after wash.

Size: 100ml

Mr. AMW says ---

Pros

• scent is seriously good!!! (AMW can vouch on it!)
• bubbles up easily 
• nice squeeze-y tube 
• a small pea size is enough for the whole face
• skin feels comfortably clean and tight after every use
• does control oil!
• inexpensive
• tested on Asian men skin under dermatological control

Cons

• NONE!

Overall

For oily to very oily skin, this works so well as it does help decrease the feel of oiliness throughout the day. 

Tips 

L'Oreal Men Expert says ---

• lather in the palm of your hand
• apply on wet face and gently massage concentrating on forehead, nose and chin
• avoid eye contour area

Mr. AMW says ---

• gently massage for about 30 seconds to a minute, Mr. AMW personally feels this is much better for his face

Will he repurchase?

Yes!

Where to purchase and how much?

Php195.00 (approx $4.20) available in leading department stores, drug  and beauty stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets (SM Department Stores and Watsons Beauty Stores, PCX, The Landmark, Robinson's Department Stores, Shopwise, Mercury Drugstore, Gaisano Metro Department Stores).

A closer look at the packaging of White Activ Oil Control Foam

Texture is not too watery nor stiff.
Like a beaten egg white with a bit stiffness

L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ Oil Control

Moisturizing Cream

L'Oreal Men Expert White Activ Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream says --- 

1. "Oil-trapping-like-effect" for matte skin - this patented formula contains mattifying fibers to help create an "Oil-trapping-like effect" to mattify your skin.  Enriched with zinc-G, a powerful sebo-regulator, it delivers a long lasting oil-free feeling and look to your skin.
2. Helps to reduce excess sebum for brighten skin - enriched with Vitamin C and Salicylic Acid, this formula helps to remove surface dead cells  and excess sebum.  Skintone is brightened and healthy looking.
3. Moisturizing gel cream for men - hydrated skin all day long, non greasy, non sticky, penetrates rapidly with a matte finish.

Size: 50ml

AMW says ---

Pros

• smells great
• no allergies or skin irritation
• helps mattify the skin, lesser oil
• non-sticky on face
• non-greasy
• absorbs on skin easily

Cons

• for super oily skin like Mr. AMW: oiliness still occur after several hours

Overall

This is a nice addition to the oil control facial cleanser.  Has a tiny tingling sensation after usage but it doesn't bother him and the sensation was gone a couple of seconds after.  This product instantly mattifies the skin and creates a clean and bright face.

Tips
from L'Oreal

• use all over the face in the morning and/or evening on cleansed skin
• can be applied after shaving, can soothe razor burn

from Mr. AMW

• apply all over face then additional spot treatment on areas that  are very oily like t-zone and forehead

Will he repurchase?
Too early to tell if he really needed this, will wait a couple more weeks

Where to purchase and how much?

Php375.00 (approx $8.15) available in leading department stores, drug  and beauty stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets (SM Department Stores and Watsons Beauty Stores, PCX, The Landmark, Robinson's Department Stores, Shopwise, Mercury Drugstore, Gaisano Metro Department Stores).

A closer look on its packaging, 

mouth is a bit smaller than the White Activ Oil Control Foam

White in color, texture is not runny

Gently massaged onto skin

Dries up invisible

Thanks to Mr. AMW for patiently answering the questions I threw towards him!  He's been very patient with his explanation! 

Hope this review helps to the men out there

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Something New: The Pond's Plains & Prints collection

When a leading beauty and skincare brands Pond's and famed home-grown clothing brand Plains and Prints unveil a collection that show's synergy between style and beauty, a very nice collection will be expected.

Eight of the most sought-after fashion and beauty icons in the contry lead the special collection with Pond's that will be seen in Plains & Prints stores nationwide starting July 3, 2010! 

These red and white dresses have been exclusively made for the collection which I believe took more than 6 months in the making.  The entire red and white limited edition collection represents Pond's Age Miracle and Pond's Flawless White lines.

Introducing, the Red and White Collection

You can click photos to enlarge

L-R Rissa Red, Kelly Red and Youthful Red Sleeveless Dresses

L-R Miracle Red,  Romantic Red Sleeveless Dresses and Classic Red Cap Sleeved Dresses

L-R Apples Red Cap Sleeved Dress, Eternal Red Sleeveless Dress and Lydia Red Cap Sleeved Dress

L-R Divine Red Sleeveless Dress, glowing White Cap and Stunning White Cap Sleeved Dress

L-R Gorgeous White Sleeveless Dress, Radiant White Cap and Patty White Cap Sleeved Dress

L-R Mai White Tube Dress, Bianca White Sleeveless Dress and Celine Sleeveless Dress

L-R Jacqe, Flawless White and Lustrous White Sleeveless Dresses

For loyal patrons of Pond's Age Miracle and Pond's Flawless White, every purchase off specially marked Pond's Age Miracle or Pond's Flawless White Day Cream 50g, Night Cream 50g, or Serum 30ml, shoppers will get Php200 off the Pond's Plains and Prints dresses or Php100 off on any Plains and Prints regularly-priced apparel.  Offer starts on July 3 until September 15, 2010!

I am eyeing for this Red dress.....

Rissa Red Sleeveless Dress

and this White number!

Flawless White Sleeveless Dress

Which dress caught your attention?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
(all photos from Pond's)

Weekend Food Tripping at: Crowne Plaza for a Wedding Reception

I attended a wedding reception last night at the Crowne Plaza Grand Ballroom.  I seldom blog about food I've tasted inside the hotel but I guess, this is the only food tripping I've done for this weekend that's different.  I've been eating the same food and restaurant over and over again!  First of all, I want to congratulate a highschool classmate Shiela for the wonderful wedding!  I wish her blissful marriage!

I've attended a couple of functions inside the Crowne Plaza and dinner could be either Lauriat style (Usually Chinese dishes) or Set Menu.  Tonight, it was a nice set menu and shall I add I always love their freshly baked rolls?  With Lurpack butter, the best!

Young Pumpkin Soup with Walnut

and Pecan Nut Royal Flan

The pumpskin soup is not strong in taste, just the right milky taste inside the mouth!  The Walnut and Pecan Nut Royal Flan looks a bit weird at first but its actually nice!

Salmon Tartar with Pommery Mustard

with Carpaccio of Sea Scallop

and Chive Sour Cream Dressing

The name itself is a mouthful!  Love the Scallop and Salmon!  I can literally taste the freshness!

Braised fish with Italian Sauce 

and Julliene Vegetables

The Italian sauce tastes really different.  The shredded vegetables gave a nice texture inside the mouth!

Chicken Saltimboca with Mashed Potatoes 

and Vegetable Batonette in Mushroom Sauce

Bacon wrapped vegetables, all went to my hubby's plate!  Not a bacon eater!  Love the mashed potatoes!  The chicken tastes ok, not outstanding but just right to fill in hungry tummy!  At this stage, I'm already full so I did not finish this dish!  Sad to say!

Warm Velvet Chocolate Fondant

with Orange Marmalade and Chocolate Ice Cream

A nice, unique dessert that I don't normally taste.  It's a combination of warm cake with ice cream mixed together inside your mouth brings a nice pleasure for the sense of taste!

My tummy was really full as I went straight to Preview's Best Dressed Ball!  Will report about it when I get the chance, for now, it's late, I'm full and I'm sleepy!  It's nice to be a pig for a day!!!

Before I end this post, a shout out to Sol from Digital Traincase for sending me a surprise gift!  It put a huge smile on my face as I was really in love with the shade of Orly Cotton Candy when I saw Jheng's post!  She read my comment and was sweet enough to send this to me as gift plus an additional super pretty pink lipstick from NYX named Acapulco!  My first time to try on NYX Black Label Lipstick!  Thanks Sol!!!

So many sales happening at SM Malls around the metro!  Enjoy shopping and take care of your valuable stuffs!  Have a lovely Sunday!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!