AMW Bulletin: Before the month of October Ends...

Dear Philippine Readers:

Here's a compilation again on what's happening before the month of October ends!  I am so happy to be a bearer of these wonderful news!  Feels like Christmas as early as October!

My dear friend Sophie invites you to drop by the Beauty & Minerals booth over the weekend at Karl Edwards International Bazaar!  Heard her Intimate Bra Converter and Charm brushes sells like hot pancakes!  So better be there early and checkout the wonderful stuffs she offer.

Keihl's, the brand that a lot of you trust, will be having their 3rd Anniversary Sale on October 23 and 24 at Greenbelt 5, Makati!  All products are on 15% off and snacks will also be provided to thank their wonderful customers since their Philippine opening!

As wholesome as my blog looks, I know some of you are ladies out there who will be getting married or have friends who are getting married and wants to purchase something "nice and sexy".  Well, if you are into sexy halloween costumes as well, why not  coconut!  There's a new online website for lingerie lovers out there called Party Gal Lingerie, you can click link to check out their site!

Thanks to Jomi of Party Gal Lingerie, she told me that in celebration of the Halloween and Christmas season, they are offering sexy costumes to the female community, when you purchase from their online shop, a sexy feet accessories comes for free!  You can probably tell them "BLOG READER" as the offer is exclusive to blog readers only!  By the way, I am not affiliated with the company and I don't get paid doing so, if you are purchasing anyways, isn't it great to have a freebie as well? 

As they say: "It's fun to be sexy!"

Quirks Novelties & Curiosities is turning 1 this October!  As a way of thanking their loyal customers, they came up with a trio of celebrations!

1. Pick a prize from the Quirks bowl with a minimum Php1,500 purchase from any Quirks store (from October 16-31)
2. Upload your favorite Quirks product in the Quirks Novelties & Curiosities Facebook page, caption it as "My Favorite Quirk" and get a chance to win Php5,000 worth of Quirks Products! (from October 18-24)
3. "Everything is on sale!" Sale in their Power Plant and Shangri-La Branches (from October 25-31)

Last but not the least, calling all parents out there!  Global Art Philippines, an international Creative Art Program that develops and trains children's creativity and self-expression, is calling on young, budding artists to joint he 2nd National Art Competition. 

The theme for this year's competition is "One World", and both Global Art students and non-students aged 4-16 years old are invited to enter and put their imagination, coloring and drawing skills to test.  Participants will be divided in three groups, according to age. 

Winning entries for each category will take home a cash prize of Php3,000, a trophy and gift certificates from Global Art.  Interested participants must submit an accomplished Entry Slip,which can be acquired from any Global Art Branch or accredited schools for non-students, along with an entry fee of Php600.00, inclusive of t-shirt to be worn during the competition.

Deadline of submission is on November 5, 2010.  For more information, please contact Global Art at (632) 515-7005 or email at hq@globalart-phils.com or visit the Global Art Philippines website.

Hay, its so nice to be a bearer of news on different fields!

Enjoy the rest of your evening!  It's Thursday soon!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Stay informed!

(Note from Author: The author is not affiliated to any of the above companies mentioned, AMW Bulletin is written for information purposes to readers)

Salon Report: INOA Hair Color at Regine's Salon

In the middle of this year (wow, time flew by extremely fast!), I reported about the new professional permanent hair color that boosts their pride in saying INOA --- Innovation NO Ammonia! 

I received a gift certificate to try on INOA at Regine's Salon, because I just had my hair colored, I've decided to gift it to my mom-in-law because I heard the system is great not only in lightening or darkening the hair color but its great in covering whilte/gray hair! 

My mom-in-law is quite happy with the result and I can see how gorgeous the color she has on!  I wasn't able to go with her to the salon so no report about the treatment then!  I was quite amazed on how gorgeous the color came out and it stayed longer than regular at-home hair color system, I've decided to give it a try myself after I have more than an inch of regrowth!

AMW Reviews: Carmex Strawberry Click Stick with SPF15

More than 2 years ago, July of 2008 to be exact, I purchased my first ever Carmex Lip product because I got to know the brand from US magazines!  I first found it at PCX store and I grabbed it right away!  It was the Carmex Click Stick Mint Flavored Lip Balm in SPF30.  I've sworn off the product and never used it again because it dried my lips even more! 

Fast forward, thank goodness for the review as the Carmex Philippines Distributor commented on my post telling me that the possible cause of dryness is because of the high SPF (Could be true because my Burt's Bees Lifeguard's Choice Lip Balm dried the hell out of my lips!).  I was asked to give Carmex another chance and who am I to shut down the whole brand just because one of their product does not work on me right?  

After 2 years, on my hand, the familiar yellow tube, red cap was on my hand and I gave the rest of my lip balms a rest and tested on this for a good 2 weeks.  Applied this before I go to bed and apply this throughout the day....

Carmex Strawberry Click Stick with SPF15 says ---

• Strawberry flavor in a solid stick
• Moisturizing lip balm
• Non-addictive and not tested on animals
• Contains SPF 15 sunscreen

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate and Oxybenzone - two sunscreen agents
AMW Says ---
Pros

• Housed in the classic yellow tube red cap that screams CARMEX even from afar.
• Safety sealed upon purchase

• The clicking sound is an added "pro" because it's addictive to listen!  *laughs*
• The mint feel lasts longer than regular minty balms!  I counted the minutes, it lasted almost 30 minutes before the minty feel is gone (tested without drinking or eating)
• Has SPF 15!  
• Glides on lips easily and does not feel dry!
• The nice strawberry scent is not overwhelming!  Tastes yummy!  
• The cooling sensation works so well especially on air conditioned room!  Lips does not feel or looks dry!
• Lipstick glides off easily after this lip balm application.
• Minimized the lines on my lips after application.
• Inexpensive!

Cons

• Has a hint of waxy feel
• Has a waxy look especially when applied outside the lips

Overall
Definitely better than my original Carmex Lip Balm!  


Tips

• Apply a generous amount onto lips especially when lips are super dry.
• Do not forget to hydrate by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day!  No amount of lip balm can hydrate your body!
• Apply a good amount on your lips before going to bed.
• Exfoliate your lips with a wet toothbrush at least once a week.
• I try to wipe the lip balm with a clean towel prior to storing it, to lipstick wearer, clean your lip balm prior to twisting it back to prevent bacteria formation!
• If the "waxy" feel irritates you, blot your lips with a tissue paper prior to lipstick application to remove excess.
• Always store in cool, dry place.
• For hygiene purposes, try not to share lip balms!  If needed, use a spatula and lip brush.

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
People who love to use tube-type lip balm.  Men or women who likes the minty feel on lips for prolong period of time!

Where to purchase and how much?

Locally at Landmark, PCX, Robinson's Department Stores, etc.. for approx. Php99.00 (approx $2.00)

A Photo to show the color and texture of Carmex Click Stick 

I think all Carmex Click Stick have the same color

Here's to show how addictive it is to re-apply with it's minty feel! 
Used this much in less than 2 weeks time!

Bare lips applied with approximately 2 coats of 

Carmex Strawbery Click Stick with SPF15

Photo taken 15 minutes after application

Not bad, I currently have this on my bed side to moisturize my 'mwah-ers' before I go to sleep!
What do you use before you go to sleep?  Or do you even moisturize your lips?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Product was sent for review purposes.  All information written are based on the writer's personal experience.  Author did not and will never receive payment for positive reviews.  Please purchase at your own discretion)

I Wonder: "Conquering your Beauty-Related Fear"

To those who knew me personally would know how I've always been on a safe side but wouldn't be surprised to see me try bungee jumping, sky diving or anything crazy!  My heart would skip gazillion times but its something not impossible for me to do because I may not be the most adventurous type but I love to challenge myself!

Here's a funny thing about me though, would you believe that I would choose bungee jumping on top of the Macau Tower over putting on contact lenses?  I think it has to do with my super bad eye allergies from an eye drops years ago that puts a huge scare to my "eyeball" life!

Me being the pusher, I put on contact lenses to be part of my "superficial bucket list", things to do superficially before I die!  *laughs* Gosh, I've got nothing to do eh? hahaha

Anyways, on my Korea trip, I went to this Myeong-dong underground shopping and you can see shops after shops of Eyeglasses, and contact lenses.  I told Mr. AMW that since I'm in the land of GEO lenses, I might as well purchase one since it could be cheaper there and it has 3 years shelf life!  3 years is enough time frame for me to muster up the courage to at least try right?

This whole set costs 25,000 Won (approx Php1,000/$23.00)

GEO Angel Grey Lens 

B.C.: 8.60

Diameter: 14.00

Includes: All-in-one cleanser, portable case and eye dropper

I actually had it kept somewhere and I never had the courage to try it because...just because...I'm a weakling that way! hahaha  I even thought of giving it away a friend who wear contacts! Yup, giving up!

Well, somewhere out there, the universe gave me a slap on my face by telling me to get this done and not wonder how it feels to wear contact lens or how it feels to touch my eyeballs!  *laughs*  I've said NO to a lot of contact lens reviews way back and I haven't had any coming my way for a year!  Just when I was going to give away my own purchase of the GEO Angel Lens, Dashing Beauty Shop messaged me for a review of the GEO contact lenses she sells!  And she sells it for only Php670.00 LOCAL free shipping but this one is PREORDER!  I was told she gets this directly from GEO company and the retail price of this is actually Php750.00!

GEO Angel Brown Lens

B.C.: 8.60

Diameter: 14.00

with free case

A closer look on GEO Angel Brown Lens

Doesn't this remind you of WALL-E? *tee hee*

Ok, here it goes!  After a couple of YouTube viewing and tips from contact lens users, one fateful night, I finally did it!  Gosh, you just can't imagine the happiness and contentment I felt when I first put it on!  It was like winning a lottery!  *laughs*  Are you ready to see?  Please bear with me as I look quite stressed!  Hahaha it was done several hours before I go to bed...

I think I can be part of Twilight?  Or locally...IMMORTAL?  *laughs*  A closer shot on GEO Angel Grey Lens.  Sorry for the blank, soul-less eye expression, it's my first after 30 years, so please be gentle!  LOL

It looks quite natural in person.  The  moment it was put on, I didn't feel a thing so it's all good...

Now, the hardest part is..removing it!  Trust me, you wouldn't want to know how I look like trying to remove it!  I actually did!  And it's the feeling of winning a Lottery plus House and Lot plus Luxury Car!  You seriously wouldn't want to see that!  hahahaaha

Now, I wonder:
"Have you conquered your beauty-related fear?"
it could be eyelash extensions, eyelash curling,  injections, etc...


Nikki's Superficial Bucket List:
13. Wear contact lens
14. Walk around naked in public (na-ah! That ain't gonna happen! in this lifetime) hahahaha

Dashing Beauty Shop 

For all types of GEO lenses

Click FB or Multiply

Deadline for PRE-Order October 25, 2010

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Note from Author: GEO Angel Grey lens purchased on my own and GEO Angel Brown sent by company for review.)

AMW Reports: Skin Dermatology and Laser Center

Remember how I've always been telling you that I have the simplest and most basic skin care when I was growing up?  I just started to be vain when I worked in China for a good 3 and a half years!  I worked in a language learning center back then and schedule was crazy!  I can start work as early as 7:00am to 12:00nn and will have another class scheduled from 7:00pm until 9:00pm!  I usually ended up staying inside the office the whole afternoon to prepare for lessons and that entails to sitting in front of the computer for the whole day!  On rest days, I would go to nearby Spa centers just to relax and unwind!  There's one a couple of blocks away from my place and I started to go there to enjoy their spa services!  But they turned out to be good friends of mine and they would give me free facials!  Seriously, it was the best 2 hours spent in a week!  I always get VIP treatment with my own special room and get extra services! I guess it really helps to be friends with them huh? hehehe

I ended up purchasing a membership card (10 sessions + 5) and went there at least once a week!  Those were the times I had my faith in facials!  My skin has to go through 4 seasons and it gets really painful and dry during winter, with the facial treatment done for my skin type, I breezed through winter without issues at all!  Because of stress and work schedule, I do have more breakouts during those times, teaching in front of a big group of professionals took a toll on my skin!  With breakouts starting to rear its ugly head, I would go visit the center and it'll be gone in no time!  

When I came back home, sad to say, I had a couple of bad experiences so I ended up not going through facials anymore!  It has been more than 5 years!  Either I visit some facial salons and just have the usual facials without the painful pricking or peeling or not do anything at all and depend on my trusty at-home facial treatments!

Recently, I got an invite to try a beauty center --- SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center.  I nearly said no but thanks to my researching skills, I've learned that The Spa moves into the beauty world with this extension.  In this center, you can come in and have Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS)-accredited dermatologist to give you an in-depth skin consultations.  That's a number one priority for me for anyone to touch my skin!  I also had wonderful experience with The Spa on my Purifying Moroccan Mud Therapy so it's another "yes" point for me!

At SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center, though the term Laser made me feel like running to the opposite direction, I was quite surprised that I was never intimidated with it!  I guess because of the welcoming and cozy atmosphere that greeted me when I got in the center.

Let's not forget the best Ginger tea I've tasted a couple of months ago at The Spa, they serve it here as well!

While enjoying my cup of ginger tea, I had a consultation with the attending dermatologist.  I told her my skin concerns and my allergic reactions experiences on products I've used.  I also told her that I am not into hard core peeling as my skin is very sensitive.  She listened to my concerns and she created a personal skin plan for me that my skin would appreciate!  

It will be the Ultimate Diamond Facial which combines a Signature Facial with Diamond Peel.  My heart skipped a beat when I heard the word "PEEL" but I was reassured it won't do bad for my skin!  We'll see...

First thing I asked before the facial was done are the products to be used.  I was told by Maricel that it's Dr. Jeff.  Dr. Jeff Skin Care is from the USA and the company constantly expand its product lines to offer new treatments and state of the art ingredients for spas and skin centers just like SKIN.

Let the treatment start...

Thanks to Maricel for the wonderful treatment and for answering my queries.

Here's step by step treatment base on my understanding and good 'ol memory!

• I actually went there without makeup but just to make sure, Maricel cleanse my skin with Dr. Jeff Cleansing Lotion.  She did it with massaging motion.
• After cleansing, she gently wiped off the cleansing lotion with cotton cloth.  Applied toner all over my face and neck.
• A gentle scrub, Honey and Almond was applied all over my face.  I again, advised Maricel my issues on scrubs and dry skin, she reassured me that Honey and Almond works really well for dry and sensitive skin. 
• Gently massaged the scrub all over concentrating on the sides of my nose, gentle on my cheek area and a bit of pressure on the forehead.

• After gentling removing the scrub, Maricel applied an enzyme on my skin thinly.  This will harden up and peel off including my dead skin!
• Maricel  uses her fingers to gently remove the hardened enzyme, it wasn't as rough as it sounds!  It's actually quite relaxing!
• As the face is clean and ready, steaming was done for 10 minutes to help unclog pores.  The rest of the 10 minutes went really fast because I was given a lovely massage on my back, neck and scalp! 
• Diamond Peel was done.  It felt super weird at first.  I feel a bit of pain because I can literally feel the tiny diamond pieces scratching against my skin while a tiny vacuum sucks away dirt and dead skin cells.  At this stage, I was acting the mature Nikki because I advised Maricel on the tiny pain I felt and she lowered down the vacuum strength which felt way much better afterwards!  Its really important to speak up when you do treatments like these!

The Diamond Peel was worth it!  She showed me the filter from the Diamond Peeling machine and here are the dead skin and excess hair from my gorgeous face!  *laughs*  In fairness to me, Maricel told me my skin isn't that dirty and its actually well taken care off! 

Applause to Nikki for taking care of my skin!  *claps claps claps*

After the Diamond Peel, dermatologist came in to do pimple injection, I had one rearing its ugly head on my chin area, the injection is obviously painful but its bearable!  Worth it because I don't have that pimple at this very moment!  Sorry I forgot to take a before and after shot of it!  But mark my words for it!  There's a couple of comedone extraction performed to remove some tiny marks like millia that we thought its just white heads!  

I was a bit scared that I'll be walking out with marks on my face, the dermatologist reassured me that it'll be fine because they will apply anti-inflammatory cream on my skin!  But I advised her if the ingredients of the anti-inflammatory cream includes steroids, she said yes, and I told her I'll give it a skip as I'm one of the few exceptions who's allergic to the said ingredients.  Better safe than sorry right? 

But the wonderful part?  Even without the anti-inflammatory cream,  I came out the center without red marks or scars!  I actually look refreshed and super clean and I even went out for dinner inside a mall!  

It's a great experience for sure!  The in-house dermatologist is super friendly and she understands how scared patients are especially on injections or extractions and she would make sure to divert your attention by telling you stories or asking you questions!

I was told these type of treatments can be done twice a month or once a month depending on your skin condition!  They did not hard sell me on any products and the dermatologist can also prescribe a daily regiment perfect for post treatment if needed.

I would like to thank people from SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center for making me feel comfortable!  I am not the type who would go for SKIN treatments weekly but if I have days wherein I really need to detoxify my face from all the cosmetics and pollution, I will definitely go back!  

Ultimate Diamond Facial price: Php2,800 (approx $63.00)

They also offer various treatments like  Body treatments, Anti-aging treatments, Complexion Recovery, Skin Whitening, Fillers, Facial Peels and of course, for those getting ready to tie the knot --- Laser Hair Reduction!  Feel free to contact them and and book yourself a consultation!  It's nice to know the dermatologist who work there are licensed and part of the PDS! 

SKIN Dermatology and Laser Center

The Spa Wellness at the Fort

Building 8, 908 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

tel. no: (632)403-8000/(632)856-5858/(632)856-3035

Website: www.thespa.com.ph

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Service was done for review purposes.  All information written are based on the writer's personal experience.  Author did not and will never receive payment for positive reviews.  Please try their services at your own discretion)