Every girl wants to look good - some makes extra effort to look
really good and put on enhancers, like make up, while others are much simpler and loves their face,
au naturelle. But whether you are the girlie-girl type or the simple gal you definitely have
secret rituals to keep your skin clean and looking fresh, yes? After all, a clean face is a good canvas (if you're going to put colors/makeup).
Let me share some of my
not-so-secret skin care regimen.
#1
Cleanse. If you are wearing make up, you need to have a good cleansing oil to remove all the grime. Personal favorite is
Shu Uemera (you can also use
Pond's cold cream), then followed by your trusty foamy facial wash to remove the oily feeling or the oily traces from the cleansing oil. I have a sensitive skin and the only products that don't make me break out are
Neutrogena Facial Cleanser and
Celeteque Facial Cleanser.
#2
Tone. Toners are facial lotion or wash that cleanse the skin and helps tighten pores. However, I've recently learned from a dermatologist that if you have dry skin, it's better to skip the toner as it will rid your face of moisture. In the past, I have bumps on my forehead (it's not really a pimple, it's more on well -- for lack of a better word, a bump!) and so I used
VMV Superskin 2 Primer as I have a combination skin type -- for the
un-oriented, it is when the T-zone, meaning the forehead-nose-chin area, is oily and the cheeks are dry. I used it once a week for 1 month, then 2x/week for another month and then every other day for one month as prescribed by in-house dermatologist. I'm happy to report that it worked for me (yes me who have a real real
cosmeceutical-sensitive skin!).
Currently, I switched to
Human ♥ Nature Tomato and Lemongrass Toner, an organic and gentler toner as my forehead is already bump-free.
#3
Moisturize. A good moisturizer is your skin's best friend. No matter how oily
you think your face is,
do not skip moisturizers, instead opt for a water-based one, like
Celeteque Facial Moisturizer. It contains
Pro-Vitamin B5 (deep penetrating moisturizer),
Aloe Vera (natural extract that soften and soothes skin)and
Glycerin (binds water to the skin to prevent moisture loss) that provides optimum hydration without the greasy and icky feel. Now I'm sounding like a commercial voice-over.
**During nighttime, I use
Emu Oil to soothe and rejuvenate my skin.
#4
Protection from the sun. I never leave the house unprotected. Exposing your skin to the sun's harmful rays without any sunblock on, is like going to the battlefield without bullet proof vest. Put sunblock and half the
skin battle is won. I swear by
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer with Helioplex SPF 50 as it's waterlight, hence good for daily use without the heavy feel that are typically associated with sunblock.
**BTW, I use sunblock even if it's cloudy as the UV rays are just hiding behind the clouds and also, UV rays penetrate the clothes.
#5
Exfoliate. Once a week
(aside from my daily body wash of course), I make it a point to use body scrubs to help my skin dislodge dry and dead skin cells and make way for new ones. I use the rice bran scrub my mom got me from
Human and the Spa Milk Salt from
Venus&Mars (an online store which houses organic products and the famed emu oil)
[segue: I also got my antibacterial, soft, non-irritating and affordable make up brush set from them!]
Whenever I'm feeling really masipag, I use my own concoction which contains brown sugar, olive oil and calamansi/lemon (you can also use rock salt, but I prefer brown sugar as it has a finer texture).
I love scrubs so it's really nice if I will win so I can try the Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Body Scrub (if I don't, but I really hope I will! haha, I will still buy it so I can try it! :D) Oh! btw, I have tried a soap with lulur as the active ingredient and I love it, it's one of my favorite soaps.
#6 Masks. My extended beauty ritual secrets included facial masks and eye masks. I either use a ready-made mask which I get from Etude House or The Face Shop (they have really good facial masks) or again I use my ingenuity to create my own (LOL). My home-made version mainly consist of A) egg whites, milk and honey -- it tightens pores and minimize wrinkles (this is my mom's favorite as it really tightens her skin/pores instantly and she says her face glows after each use) ; B) egg whites, lemon juice/calamansi, oatmeal, olive oil -- it can treat dry skin, acne and eliminates redness (based on personal experience)
For eyes, I use the good ol' chilled cucumber. Oh, and after washing my face I rub ice cubes all over as it tightens pores and I love the chilly feeling. teehee ^_^
So now it's out! I am indeed vain! *blushes* The above are my moments of vanity and my way of loving and pampering my skin. I have tons of these, like, spot treatments for zits, how to keep my feet from drying and heels from cracking, what home-made mask/s I use for my hair, etc.. but I may bore you to death and mayhap, you girls know it already. :p
You too can share your beauty tips and join the contest Liz (of Project Vanity) is hosting. The mechanics are simple and you can win great prizes. More details after the jump.
The Mechanics.
1. Simply write an answer to this question!
For the brides: The big day draws near and you have to look perfect. How do you plan to look your best? You're encouraged to talk about your gown, makeup artist, desired look, motif, beauty rituals, and how Asian Secrets can help you on your big day.
For the general readers: What are your beauty secrets? Youʼre encouraged to talk about the beauty products, tips, tricks that you swear by, plus how Asian Secrets can be incorporated in your routine.
2. Once you have it, blog your answer (+1 entry) and/or post it as a note on Facebook (+1 entry). Donʼt forget to include four things: your answer to the question, the contest poster, mechanics, and link to the contest page. You can also promote this contest on Twitter (+1 entry), and Plurk (+1 entry) for more chances of winning. For Twitter and Plurk entries, include the hashtag #asiansecrets.
3. Post all the direct links of your entries in the comments page (below). Donʼt forget this step, because without it, we wonʼt know you joined! Also include a valid email address.
Prizes at stake.
For the Brides-to-be: full body makeover package worth P15,000. It will include a relaxing spa day, waxing, hair cut, color, facial, nails, makeup lessons, and other similar treatments in the best salons all over the metro. Aside from that, we will also be giving the lucky bride a beauty loot worth P5,000 which she can use on her wedding day. She will also win a supply of Asian Secrets.
Not a bride-to-be? Don't worry! There will be a second winner. The winner will get a 32 gig iPod Touch to help with her daily productivity and lifestyle. She will also get a beauty loot worth P6,000 full of goodies. She will also win a supply of Asian Secrets.
Reminders:
This contest is open only to those who live or can travel to Metro Manila. Transportation will not be reimbursed.
The winner who wins the bridal package should be personally available on the whole day of October 2, Saturday, for the makeover and turnover of products, which I will cover for my blog. Date is tentative and may be moved.
The winner of the iPod + makeup should be available on October 2 to personally claim the products from me. No shipping. Date is tentative and may be moved.
They will be announcing the grand winners on October 1 at 6 PM. Hop on to their page to see the full details of the contest.
Click here.
GoodLuck to y'all!
**crossing my fingers and ankles and hoping to win** as I have never won any blog contests to date! ampft..
September will be over in a couple of minutes [maybe it will be over even before I publish this post]. As early as the first week of this month, as I was doing my usual mall rounds [ha!] I've seen the usual Halloween stuff. Ah, these retail stores are gearing up for the Halloween as early as September (?) I though, do we really celebrate Halloween as they do in other countries? I'm not talking about the visiting of the departed dearly beloveds armed with flowers, candles and what-have-yous. I am referring to the commercialized aspect of Halloween -- attending costume parties here and a li'l of trick-and-treat there, you get my drift? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against going to parties and dressing up as what - a vampire? LOL. fairies, princess, witch, ghouls and sometimes even superheroes. In fact, back then, we will always dress up and have a family reunion with a Halloween theme!
September will be over in a couple of minutes [maybe it will be over even before I publish this post]. As early as the first week of this month, as I was doing my usual mall rounds [ha!] I've seen the usual Halloween stuff. Ah, these retail stores are gearing up for the Halloween as early as September (?) I though, do we really celebrate Halloween as they do in other countries? I'm not talking about the visiting of the departed dearly beloveds armed with flowers, candles and what-have-yous. I am referring to the commercialized aspect of Halloween -- attending costume parties here and a li'l of trick-and-treat there, you get my drift? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against going to parties and dressing up as what - a vampire? LOL. fairies, princess, witch, ghouls and sometimes even superheroes. In fact, back then, we will always dress up and have a family reunion with a Halloween theme!
