AMW Reviews: Neutrogena Body Oil

The quest for a good moisturizer for dry skin continuous, and I'm glad to share my journey with you!  Body Lotions, Body Creams, I've tried....and now..there's Body Oil to give it a test!

Neutrogena Body Oil 

Light Sesame Formula

Neutrogena Body Oil says ---

Experience Neutrogena Body Oil .  Its light sesame formula glides on easily to moisturize dry skin.  It's so sheer it vanishes into shower-damp skin leaving it soft and silky, with a radiant, healthy glow.  No moisturizer can touch this experience.

Ingredients

Isopropyl Myristate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Propylparaben, BHT, Fragrance.

AMW says ---

Pros

• moisturizing.  Moisture stays longer than regular lotion
  
• doesn't feel greasy once absorbed
  
• smells really nice
• gives the skin a nice glow
  

Cons

• to people who hate the texture of oil, this is not for you
  
• I'd love to have it "housed" in a better packaging, the cap gets oily and product could easily spill
  

Overall

Though I have super dry skin, anything with "OIL" written on its packaging is a huge NO NO for me.  I am allergic to anything OILY!  And I am sure a lot of you feel the same.  The first "oil" based product I've tried for my skin is the Johnson's Baby Oil Lite which I didn't use long enough.  I really, seriously hate the feeling of oil no matter how "non-greasy" they claim to be.

So when I was given the chance to try the Neutrogena Body Oil, the first thing that attracted me is the scent!  I've even given this a try when I know I'm not leaving home, I am THAT skeptical.

My skin hasn't improved overnight but it does give a nice "glow" and "moisture" my skin needs for the day!  Crazy as it sounds, I do use this right after shower then add up with a body cream to further "seal in the moisture", and yes, I do that night time to wake up with baby soft skin! Wooppeee! Wanna touch? *winks* LOL

Tips

from Neutrogena

While skin is still damp, smooth on a few drops to help seal in moisture.  Let your body dry naturally, or simply pat dry with a towel.

Or in the bath, add to water and soften your skin while you bathe.

from AMW

• it seriously doesn't make a difference for me to apply this right after shower or not.  I apply this prior to going out and let it absorbed into my skin first before sunscreen application
• gently massage this body oil onto the dry area, massage more if needed
• if your skin is extremely dry: apply this body oily right after shower, once absorbed, re-apply your favorite body lotion/cream
• do not forget to apply sunblock prior to going out
• store the product upright, as it could spill
  

Will I repurchase?

Yes!

Where to purchase and how much?

You can purchase this for a cheaper price together with Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact (at half its original price) for Php939.50 (approx $20.40)

Can be easily purchased at department stores or beauty stores.

A photo of skin

with and without Neutrogena Body Oil

No Photoshop, cropped photo as is

 

Have you tried body oil to moisturize your skin?
Game to try? Afraid to try?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Orly Nail Lacquer Remover

Funny how I'm addicted to nail polishes and never blog about the nail polish remover I've been using.  I guess I've been using it for such a long time it felt like washing my face!  *laughs*.  For your information, I do have a preferred nail polish remover brand.  And I discovered it when I went to Hong Kong a couple of years ago when I purchased this for it's size.  I can't seem to find huge sized nail polish remover locally!

Orly Nail Lacquer Remover

Extra Strength

16 FL Oz/480 ml

Orly says ---

• Perfect for natural nails
• non-drying formula
• no oily residue
• works instantly

Available in 2 variants

• Orly Gentle Formula Nail Polish Remover (in green) - Great for artificial nails.  A non-acetone, non-oily formula that removes polish quickly and safely.
• Orly Extra Strength Nail Polish Remover (in blue) - Developed for natural nails, this salon-proven formula quickly removes polish.

Ingredients

Acetone, Aqua/Water/Eau, Parfum/Fragrance, CI42090/Blue 1, CI 17200/Red 33, Citric Acid

AMW says ---

Pros

• does not have a strong acetone scent
• non-drying
• easily removes polish without wiping hard
• it shouldn't make a difference, but the color is quite nice to look at! LOL
  

Cons

• pricier as compared to local brands
• the huge 480ml size is not available locally
  

Overall

I never thought the right type or kind of nail polish remover would make a huge difference in nail polish removing.  I haven't tried a lot of brands but I've definitely used local brands as compared to this and I am obviously hooked to this as this is non-drying and doesn't leave a white "film" around my nails.  I also like the fact that it doesn't make my nose suffer each time I remove my nail polish.  

Tips

• I prefer using a cotton pad instead of cotton ball to remove nail polish
• Leave it for a couple of seconds before wiping gently
• Always keep the cap tightly closed when not in use.
• If you have an acetone pump, use a pump dispenser for easier polish removing (can be purchased at Prettynails' website)

Will I repurchase?

Yes!  I have backups and I need to repurchase.  Anyone going to Hong Kong? lol

Where to purchase and how much?

The huge bottle I got from Sasa Hong Kong for HKD36.00 (approx Php216.00)
For Local Buyers: 
Gentle Formula (16 oz) : Php 595.00
Gentle Formula (04 oz) : Php 179.75
Extra Strength  (04 oz) : Php 179.75
Marrionnaud, First Aid Greenbelt, PCX (Rockwell, Ermita, ATC), Watsons (G5, Makati, Megamall Department Store, Ayala Cebu), Landmark - Trinoma, Caswell-Massey, Jesi Mendez (New World, Ermita, Park Square I, Tutuban), Chocolate (Trinoma), and Nail Tropics (Serendra and Eastwood)


*Thanks to Sprint Asia Marketing for the information on the prices above.

 

What's your favorite nail polish remover?  Nail polish remover for me is an "unsung" hero!  Not everyone gives it the time of the day but come to think of it, it's such a vital part of nail beautifying! :D

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Peppermint Candy Cane Nails

Only a couple of days left before Christmas Day!  What's a nail art addict like myself do?  Share the Christmas spirit on my nails! :)  I've got reader request on simplee Christmas-y nails, so I've thought about the simple Reds, Greens and Whites.  Which led me to an inspiration from a Peppermint Candy Canes!!!

Here's my version

Step 1:

Apply 2 coats of Elianto white nail polish.  Let dry.

 

Step 2:

Using Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen in Green, draw a thin green line diagonally.

 

Step 3:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco thin brush polish in red, draw diagonal lines depending on your preference.

 

Use your imagination

 

The lines on each nails does not have to be the same

 

Step 4:

Apply a coat of any glitter polish to create an illusion of snow.  I am using Elianto's.

 

Step 5:

Apply your favorite top coat.  

 

Pepperminty Candy Cane Nails! :)

Lines doesn't have to be perfect but it's the thought that counts :)

Happy Holidays! :)

 

Have a wonderful start of the Christmas Day week!
What's on your nails for Christmas?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Shanghai Hand Pulled Noodle

To some of you who don't know, I've worked and lived in China for more than 3 years.  I've mingled with locals and I've tasted local delicacies.  I've been back in Manila for more than 5 years, though there's a lot of Chinese restaurants down here, I do miss the authentic hand-pulled noodles I've tried several years ago. 

On our way home, we passed by Shanghai Hand Pulled Noodle restaurant which caught my attention as I was craving for something warm.  A small yet cozy and very oriental looking restaurant greeted us.  As menu was served, I am quite surprised because the prices are very affordable for such fresh noodles!

You can see your noodles being made by the Chef <-- which I heard was trained in China.

 Dry Shanghai Beef Noodles

Php105.00 (approx $2.30)

It's not really dry but the soup/broth was served separately

I am not a fan of coriander but the beef is really tasty

and the noodles are definitely fresh!  Love this with chili!

 

Special Beef Noodle Soup

Php105.00 (approx $2.30)

Exact same taste as the Dry Shanghai Beef Noodles

Generous amount of noodles, can be shared

 

 Steamed Pork Dumpling

Php55.00 (approx $1.20) for 7pcs

Php95.00 (approx $2.00) for 14pcs

I love this better than the fried version

Cheapest dumpling I've tried and yet, it tastes great!

 

Fried Pork Dumpling

Php65.00 (approx $1.40) for 7pcs

Php105.00 (approx $2.30) for 14pcs 

 

Shanghai Hand-Pulled Noodle

411 NS Amoranto Street Retiro

Quezon City

tel no: 632-732-7061

Definitely a worthy restaurant to try if you're craving for authentic, fresh ---  noodles and dumplings.  They do offer lamb, chicken, beef and vegetable dumplings too!  If you're craving for rice meal, then this is not the place.  As the restaurant name stated, they are the masters of Hand-Pulled Noodles :)

*sigh* I was back to memory lane dining here! 

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!
Happy weekend food tripping! :)

I Wonder: "Do You Use Facial Sprays?"

I remember my first facial spray was the huge can from Evian.  Evian was such a huge brand name at that time as there wasn't much choices then.  It was pricey, but it was a great way to waken my senses without going to the dirty washroom during my high school years (which wasn't that long ago by the way...*laughs guiltily*)

Now, facial sprays have evolved.  From expensive to inexpensive, fragrance-free to scented ones, uncomfortable to tote around to handy...

I do not use facial spray on myself but I like using these to clients prior to make-up application.  For clients, I use MAC Charged Water and I use the more inexpensive brands for OC-ness spritzing such as spritzing my brush or sponges if needed.

One good fine is a Facial Spray from Watsons.  They are quite inexpensive, handy and of course smells wonderful!  They come in variable scents.  I bought this in Shanghai!  I'm not sure if this is available locally?

Watsons Facial Spray in Anti-oxidant variant

Closer look on the spritz bottle

 

I like it that this is recyclable!

I can use the spritzer to fill in alcohol!

 

Now I wonder:
"Do You Use Facial Sprays?"  

How do you like using them?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!