AMW Reviews: Obagi CLENZIderm

Hey there!  How's Christmas?  Mine went out okay, minus the fact that Mr. AMW got a fever on Christmas Eve!!!  I'm glad he got better but boy was that a Grinch?  

Anyways...minus the sudden fever, everything turned out well, we celebrated a quiet Christmas staying at home with the family!  

Today, I will be reviewing a skincare regimen you probably wouldn't think you'll find in my blog...ever!  The Obagi Clenziderm Regimen....

Don't worry, I know my skin, my skin is darn sensitive and I can't use any skincare regimen that involves peeling!  Oh goodness, just the thought of it made me cringe!

I will be reviewing  THE OBAGI Clenziderm that has been used by many who suffers from acne, this time, we have to thank Mr. AMW for sharing his experience to us!  A quick flashback, Mr. AMW has the best looking skin ever during highschool, funny how he went through teenage years with gorgeous looking skin then "BAM!" suffered acne right when he reached adulthood!  It started with food allergies then the acne scars and marks just won't go away!  

When I heard from fellow beauty blogger Sophie on how effective Obagi Clenziderm is, I immediately advised Mr. AMW to try this set and see if it works on him!

The Obagi Clenziderm includes the following ---

CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

(2% Salicylic Acid) 

This gentle foaming salicylic acid cleanser removes dirt and acne-­causing excess oil, leaving the skin clean and   refreshed.

CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy
(2% Salicylic Acid)

It contains 2% salicylic acid and benzalkonium chloride that effectively unclogs, clears dead  skin cells and prepares pores to deeply absorb the Serum Gel.

CLENZIderm Serum Gel

Potent gel turns to liquid serum on contact. Delivers liquified benzoyl peroxide deep within your pores where acne starts. Quickly clears acne and prevents new breakouts from occurring.

Obagi Clenziderm says ---

The Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. System is the only prescription-strength acne treatment that contains a patented, solubilized form of 5% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) to penetrate deep into the skin and treat acne where it starts.

The CLENZIderm M.D. System products are specially formulated to work together to provide optimal results. Ask your skin care specialist today which CLENZIderm M.D. products are right for you.

Ingredients: 

of Foaming Cleanser

of Pore Therapy

of Serum Gel

Benzyl Benzoate, BHT, Cyclomethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ehtylhexyl Isononanoate, Ethyoxydiglycol, Silica.

Mr. AMW says ---

Pros

• Each product newly purchased are sealed for freshness.

• Each product has a marked expiration date

• The serum comes with a pump which makes it easier to control the amount dispersed.

• Skin doesn't oil up as much for the whole day.
• Personal opinion of Mr. AMW, the regimen doesn't sting or hurt his skin.
• A little goes a long way, this regimen may last you 2-3  months.
• New pimples does not show up as much as compared to not using Obagi.
• The Obagi Facial Wash has a minty feel which is refreshing to use.
• The Obagi Pore Therapy also has a minty feel and it reduces oil.

Cons

• The serum case probably has problems as it kept on spilling out of the packaging.
• Other people may find this regimen too pricey.  (Personally speaking, if this works for you, then it's worth the investment.)
• The serum may stain your clothing if you're not careful with application.  It can even stain your pillow casing.
• The stinging, the sensitivity of your skin may cause discomfort.
• Some people may go through peeling which may be difficult at the first few weeks.

Overall

Mr. AMW doesn't expect all his pimples or acne marks to be completely gone with this regimen as he understood he need to go through facial treatments (but of course, he's lazy to do so).  The regimen does help some of his pimples disappear at the same time, he does not oil up as much and doesn't grow new pimples as opposed to not using this regimen.

Tips

• Use the daily foaming cleanser with warm water.
• It pays to leave the cleanser at least 20-30 seconds before washing it off.  Be careful not to get the product into the eyes.
• Pore therapy is best used on dry skin with a cotton pad rather than cotton balls.
• People with sensitive skin should do a patch test first before using the products all over the face especially on the serum gel.
• Apply a thin layer of serum gel on your first few usage as this may cause tingling sensation or even sting.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after serum application.
• Be careful as the product may stain your clothing or pillow casing and bed sheets.  Cover them with a used shirt or cloth to prevent stains.
• Use sunblock when you go out under the sun.  Check with your dermatologist to know how high your SPF should be.
• If your acne is sever, do have monthly checks with your dermatologist to have your facial done.

Will he repurchase?
Yes.  I am quite surprised how he religiously use this for the past months.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who suffers severe acne but they have to go have their skin checked by a dermatologist.

Where to purchase and how much?

At Obagi Clinics for Php6,700 (approx $155.00) for the whole set.

Here's a before and after shot of Mr. AMW's skin.  Let's thank him for sharing his before and after shots as he wants to show everyone if the product is effective or not.  Please bear in mind that each individual reacts differently on the same products.

Left photo taken on September 2011, right photo taken on December 2011.  The treatment was 3 months.  As seen on photo, the scars and acne marks are still there but some have lightened up especially on the bottom part.

Keep in mind that Mr. AMW's skin is used to having salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide slathered all over his face, he does not feel any pain nor stinging sensation during treatment.

I feel for Mr. AMW as these are actually cause of a bad allergy and it became long term effect on him.  Mrs. AMW won't stop searching for the right product for him! :)

Have you tried OBAGI CLENZIderm?
Any acne skin regimen that you think would work for guys?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Product was provided for review.  The review is 100% Mr. AMW's.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Weekend Food Tripping at: KL with the #EVURL Girls

Merry Christmas!  I'm sure a lot of you slept a bit too late from all the eating and partying!

I had fun yesterday!  Mr. AMW and I are proud to say, we've done our "panicky" last minute Christmas Shopping in half a day!  That includes delivery!  *laughs*  That shows how efficient we were under pressure!

One of the best Christmas present I received before the year ends was the NAPBAS 2011 invite.  Though I've been saying it again and again how tired I was from all the running around plus the lack of sleep, don't get me wrong...it was well worth it..and what made it even better?  Seeing the gorgeous Petronas Twin Towers at a gorgeous night like this....

PLUS...meeting my Malaysian Beauty Blogger friends again!!!  It was funny how we've been online friends for more than 4 years and the 4th year was the charm!  We met twice this year and even thrice between me and Lisa!

L-R PB, Xin, Bee, Connie and Lisa

After a day of shopping at KLCC, Pavilion and Sungei Wang, PB instructed me to go to the JW Marriott and they picked me up and drove me to a nice, cozy restaurant were a lot of people go!  #evurl girls, help me out on this!  I forgot the name of the restaurant *slaps forehead*

It was a first for me to try chicken wrapped and fried on a sheet of paper!  Thanks to my inquisitive mind that I asked about the exterior or else, I'll end up eating fried paper!

The chicken meat inside was juicy and flavorful.

 They also ordered some veggies

Beef Noodles!

I think down here, it's called Beef Hofan noodles with a lot of sauce!  The dish tastes just right, not one ingredients overpowered the other!  The beef, I may have to add is easy to chew. 

Pork Ribs

Another flavorful dish!  I am very tempted to grab these with my bare hands but I had to stop myself, I'll probably do that on our 3rd meeting!  *Laughs*

Fried noodles

This is almost similar to the Beef Noodles above but the ingredients were served differently plus the noodles are fried!  I think I didn't get the chance to eat much of this as I was already full by the time this dish was served!  At this very moment, I want to hit myself because I wasn't able to eat much during this meetup as I was busy catching up with them at the same time, I was really tired and sleepy that my appetite went from THIS (big) to this (small) ....

Oh!  Thanks to PB for insisting that I try their Barley Juice!  Remember the first barley juice I had at Wee Nam Kee?  This one is way better! 

Thanks Lisa for taking this shot!  See how many people were dining just by looking at the background?  No doubt, it's really a good and must try restaurant when you get the chance to visit KL!  Okay, don't ask me where, I hope one of the #evurl girls will tell me the name of the restaurant and the place!  *laughs*

After the wonderful dinner + story-telling..we continued our bonding at PB's place, it was an early Christmas Party as well with the exchanging of gifts!  Here's a family portrait....

I can't wait to see these girls again whether in Malaysia, Philippines or anywhere in this world!  I am so happy and thankful for wonderful friends I've met through blogging!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

NAPBAS 2011 Report: KL Day Tour

Wow, the day before Christmas!  Are you excited? 

I will be busy today as I'll be off buying gifts and sending them to my loved ones!  As I keep myself busy outside the road, I will be sharing to you Day 2 of my NAPBAS 2011 experience in Kuala Lumpure, Malaysia.

The night before, we headed to ZOUK for the after-party and we got back to the hotel pretty late so waking up early for breakfast and a day tour was extra difficult but I do not want to miss this!  I may have seen Kuala Lumpur years ago but that doesn't stop me from further discovering the city!

After quick breakfast at the hotel, the NN Philippine team huddled all together to get into 1 bus.  "J" was our tour guide and I like him!  He tells jokes, he knew quite a lot about our culture and...I just like him! :)

The travel from Putrajaya, Marriott Hotel to KL City took approximately an hour and a half so I appreciate it that J was talkative and loves to tell jokes!

First stop, we went to the King's Palace.  

Istana Negara, Malay for National Palace, were the King lives.  We were told that they recently changed a new king (the 14th King).  

 

We were told that the palace was empty when we visited the said place as it was replaced by a new palace as the official residence of the King this year!

The building is right within a compound with variety of plants.

The palace grounds are not open to the public so we were there taking photos outside the Main Palace Entrance.

Regular tourists wouldn't be taking shots of each other while..ahmm..taking shots?  It's unusual tourist behavior but since we're all bloggers, you can find unusual photography behavior here!  *laughs*

Afterwards, we headed back to the bus and hopped on to the next location, Plaza Tugo Negara

Tugu Negara is where you can find the National Monument (Bronze Monument).  The monument commemorates the soldiers who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom during World War II and the Malayan Emergency.

I wasn't able to take a shot of the monument but I Googled it and will share to you a photo from source.

The reason why I researched for this photo and felt inclined to share to you is because Tugu Negara is identified as the largest freestanding bronze sculptures grouping the the WORLD!

You will also see the Cenotaph nearby with the words "To Our Glorious Dead" with the year 1948-1960.  This was first built to remember the heroes who died during the first World War.   It was removed from its former site to this site when the Tugu Negara was being built.

Another eye catching structure is The Central Pavilion.  We weren't able to get inside but its definitely worth to take a shot of it. 

The place is picturesque beautiful and imagine how fashion and non-fashion bloggers enjoy taking a shot in such beautiful scenery!

Since the weather is a bit hot, Hannah went for ice drop and I went for my favorite White Coffee!

We hopped on to the bus again and I finally got the chance to meet my favorite Petronas Twin Tower.  This place is so memorable to me as me and my friends from college visited this place at night and we used our point and shoot camera to take shots!  My friends had to lay down just to take good shots! 

Just for kicks, I want to share to you that the Petronas Twin Towers were once the tallest building in the world until Taipei 101 was completed on the year 2004.  I think the time I visited Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Twin Towers were then, the tallest buildings in the world!

Below the Twin Towers is the Suria KLCC, which is a shopping mall and we had our lunch there at the food court!  Boy! It was jampacked and I even have to buy simple finger-lickin' food just in case I need to eat standing up!

Thank goodness for quick reflexes and probably, kind customers who told us there were 2 free seats for both Angela and myself to enjoy our Kebab.  I had a beef kebab from Kyros Kebab.

After meal plus a lot of chit chatting, we hopped on the bus again to visit the Cocoa Boutique.  There, we tried various chocolates from Almonds to Dark Chocolates to Durian Chocolate and Chili Chocolate! 

After more than half a day of activities, we went back to the hotel to freshen up for the night's activities!  If you don't think our day was packed, I do not know how it's called!  *laughs*

NN Philippines Bus!

We had dinner at the Pavilion and we walked around the mall and even outside the mall.  We were stopping ourselves from shopping as we've got a "set" time to meet inside the bus.

Noted down: Sephora's Location --- I shall return! :P

Made a wish by tossing a coin in this gorgeous piece right outside the Pavilion.
I won't tell you my wish, I may have to kill you if I did!
*exaggerated violent mode*

Yes, it was partying like there's no tomorrow at View Rooftop Bar at G Tower Hotel!  11:00pm is the official Hip-Hop music (according to Patty and myself!) 

Don't ask me what time we got back to the hotel.
Don't ask me how we danced!
I'll keep my mouth...shut!  *laughs*

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX Review

When I visited Korea last year, I remembered seeing a Laneige counter inside a posh-looking department store.  I gave it a skip as I've always thought the prices are way above the roof!  My blogger sister in Malaysia Xin emailed me on my last day in Korea asking me about Laneige prices in Korea and I nearly dashed out of the hotel room to check these out as she told me Laneige Products are good!

I event went around the Duty Free Shops looking for Laneige products but to my dismay, I went home empty handed (not really!) "Laneige" Empty-handed!

Everyone should know, if I need to tell the world a girl crush of mine, it will be and will always be Song Hye Kyo!

Adding the fact that Laneige uses my "girl" crush, I've read raves after raves from fellow beauty bloggers outside the country! 

AMW Bulletin: Ways to Make People Happy!

I know I am!

I am meeting up with the relatives and I have been too busy to even shop for Christmas!  I know some of you may be on the same shoes as I am!  Thanks to companies sending me emails giving me ideas on how to spend your hard earned money to make your love ones happy!

The first time I visited Sasa and Bonjour in Hong Kong, it was "heaven" not for makeup lovers but fragrance enthusiasts like yours truly!  Sniffing various fragrances and spritzing them to test how they work with our body chemistry gives me the natural high!

Thanks to Retail companies who opened Art of Scent, Perfume Express and now FRESH Fragrance Bar.  All three have the same concept, bringing in fragrance loving people into one place for fun fragrance shopping!  

I still haven't visited the store but will definitely drag my lazy bum to Eastwood Libis to shop for fragrance to one of my family member who's into fragrances (aside from myself).  I won't tell who as he/she may be reading this post!  *laughs*

Brands that I am interested in that are available in this gorgeous Boutique --- Christina Aguilera, Dunhill, Swarovski, Thierry Mugler, United Colors of Benetton, Perry Ellis, etc...

Or, if fragrance isn't an option, there's always an easier way by sending your loved ones Gift Cards!  I learned this via my blogger friend and I think it's a great idea!

I'm 100% Chinese and you know how we love our "red envelopes" or "ang pao".  Today's generation, giving out "red envelopes" still excites us but we like to personalize it by showing the recipient how much we thought of them!

The problems with gift cards probably is their lack of variety!  For Gift Card Co., you just pick the card and your loved ones will choose their gift from these categories ----

• Apparel - Nike, Planet Sports, Nautica, The Athlete's Foot
• Food & Beverages - Red Mango, TGIF, Italianni's, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Krazy Garlic, Pig Out, Ma Maison, Bulgogi Brothers, Red Crab Alimango House, Clawdaddy, Crustacia, Sugarhouse
• Recreation - The Spa, Crabtree & Evelyn, Fitness First, Blow Up Babies, Celebrity Nails, Lay Bare Waxing Salon

Feel free to LIKE them on Facebook to get more ideas on the brands and promos!

And, if I may have to add, Christmas isn't Christmas without giving something back!  I wasn't around the country when Typhoon Sendong happened!  I want to thank Patty for sharing this information to us and I want to share it to you!

If you'd like to DONATE here's how:

The Bills Payment facility of Metrobank at any branchDonor fills out two copies of the Payment Slip and indicates the following details:

Company name: Ateneo de Manila University
Subscriber Name: name of donor as will appear in the Ateneo official receipt
Reference Number: DREAM Team
Subscriber number: 002
Mode of payment: Indicate whether cash or check
Amount of payment: indicate Php amount.

Giving checks or cash directly to the Ateneo For checks, pay to the Order of Ateneo de Manila University FAO DReaM Team and addressed to Dr. Edna P. Franco, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Xavier Hall 2F, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108. Please indicate donor's name and address so that an official receipt can be sent to the donor.

For donations in US Dollars, a wire transfer can be made via China Bank with the following details:

Beneficiary Customer: Ateneo de Manila University;
US$ S/A Account No. 101-732651-4
Beneficiary Bank: 803-3278-269; China Banking Corporation; Manila, Philippines;
Swift Address: CHBKPHMM

To deposit directly to Xavier University, you may deposit through their BPI Account:Company name: Xavier University
Account #: 9331-0133-63
Branch: CDO, Divisoria Branch Account

For those who wish to donate in kind, you may bring the following to the Ateneo School of Government at the Socio-Development Complex:
Personal Hygiene pack:
Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, handsantizers,
Footwear
Clothes
Blankets

If I may have to add, Mr. AMW works at Philippine Airlines Office at PNB Building, they are also accepting donations in kind.  If above details are a bit difficult on your part, you can email me and get my mailing address and send your donations (not in cash) to via AMW and Mr. AMW will help me forward it to the PAL office.  I know it's tedious but I'm trying to help in my own ways as well!

Helping is beautiful!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!