2010 is starting out to be one heck of a busy year. I meant to do this last December but I had no time to organise it, not to mention, no time to see it through. What am I talking about? Well, I wanted to give away some stuff to celebrate Christmas, my birthday and Style Manila’s 3rd year anniversary. Yes, this blog turned 3 early this month!

So what exactly am I giving away? Let’s start with a few beauty loot bags which will contain the following:
Loot #1
AVON’s Jet Femme …

It’s not something I’d recommend you do but, yea, I do tend to try out a lot of skincare products and have gone through countless bottles, tubes and pots for the past, er, decade or so. I’ve had my fair share of bad choices and rare finds. There’s joy in the journey though it sometimes can be a bit awkward to switch esp when you’ve grown used to (and actually love) the one you’re currently using.
But it’s been a long road of discovery after discovery. Though I have loved, I …

I’ve heard mixed reactions when it comes to using Dove soaps. Some say that it’s hard to rinse off and others rave about how it helps moisturise their skin. If you’re going to ask me, I belong to the group that falls under the latter. Though I can appreciate the squeaky clean effect of other soaps, I prefer the after-shower feel that I get from Dove. It’s true. It does help moisturise my skin and that weighs a lot.
So, yea. I’ve been a Dove user for a good half a …

If we talk about skincare, I’d often turn and put importance to the essentials. Cleansing is a vital part of taking care of one’s skin. Then I’d move on to moisture balance and exfoliation. The latter is important since in order to maintain the skin’s smoothness and elasticity, we have to regularly hydrate. As for the latter, it’s maintaining a healthy layer of skin to achieve suppleness and, yes, smoothness.
This brings us to the basic one-two skincare combo I currently use: The Cream Cleanser and Regenerating Serum, both under …

One of the best marketing strategies that worked really well for the Philippine market is to say that a product will help you achieve a fairer and whiter skin, coupled with a mestiza looking (or worse, someone who already is a fair-skinned individual) endorser. What can I say, a lot of Filipinos (mostly women) still believe that having a fair skin automatically makes them prettier. Sad but true.
I have to admit I fell victim to such things when I was younger. I remember pestering my mum to buy me whitening …

Women are more aware and conscious about their skin nowadays that we are all trying to perfect our skincare regimen. Which of the products out there will provide value for money? Which ones will be effective? Will these products truly minimise lines, refine pores, provide anti-oxidants, or nourish, tone, lift, and exfoliate the skin? Sometimes, it’s too frustrating to choose among the ones currently in the market. I reckon that’s why some of you ladies do resort to reading and research before buying a bottle, pot, or tube, eh?
Since it …

Now, for the fourth installment of that beauty weekend (see Parts 1, 2, and 3) I had, it’s all about the beautiful things to pamper the skin. Yes, it’s all about caring for the skin today.
Up for review are a few of the latest The Body Shop’s products I’ve managed to get my hands on.

Seaweed Night Treatment and Seaweed Day Cream

Vitamin C Capsules

And the Yes Yes Yes Limited Edition Tantalising Lip Butter
I’ve only tried each once, save the lip butter which I haven’t had the chance to try …

A face-off between four anti-aging day creams. A must-read.

What is the Oxygen Paradox?

Another skincare system arrives at my doorstep. Figuratively.