I just completed my 7-day Challenge for June 2014 using products from the exclusive BDJ Box featuring Benefit. I know what some of you are thinking, "Didn't they release a Benefit exclusive box last March?" Yes, they did. But the products I got are different except for one, the Porefessional Pro Balm and I surely didn't mind because this one's an amazing primer and I could surely use another tube especially in this crazy heat! Isn't it supposed to be rainy season now?


Anyway, let's get on with my first impressions and mini reviews.


So happy that my June 2014 BDJ Box came with They're Real mascara.  This is HG quality, people! Though I wonder why the consistency is "wetter" than my previous tube. Probably coz my old one is almost dried out. Anyway, this is A MUST for everyone with short lashes because it really lengthens! A couple of coats and you get enough volumizing effect that looks very natural as if "THEY'RE REAL"! 😊 If it clumps, then just comb through your lashes and it'll separate. 👍👍



My first time to try Fake Up concealer since hearing so many rave about it. I got one in Medium so it's great for my dark circles. I wasn't sure it would work at first because it is very lightweight and moisturizing. I thought it would slide off my face but the hydrating effect actually helped in concealing as it diffused those fine lines under the eyes. Man oh man! 😃 It's so easy to work with and you can see how well performs. I have yet to master this concealer but for now I find that setting it with my favorite banana powder makes it last longer. It looks very natural, too. Indeed the name speaks for itself! Good product and I do recommend it for those seeking hydrating concealers with lines to hide. 👍👍



I have to admit the Benetint is pretty good. 😊 You know I'm not a "blush" person but perhaps because I've never found one that lasts! Well, Benetint really does stay up to 12 freakin' hours! ☺️ OMGWTFBBQ! It's blendable and is pretty thin in consistency so it doesn't leave unwanted blotches as long as you work faster and pat it all over your cheek immediately. Had to be careful doing so since I didn't want it to move my foundation. I did just 5-6 dots on my cheeks and I was able to create a natural-looking blush. Not bad for my first experience with cheek/lip tints! ☺️👍👍


This Lollitint is perfect for that #kawaii look. Doi ikenai? It's a bit thicker in consistency compared to the Benetint so it was a challenge to blend it. I ended up moving a bit of my base/foundation. ☺️ Need to be careful next time coz as you can see my blemishes are showing even though I had concealed them. I had some difficulty blending it, although I love the fact that like Benetint it doesn't stain your fingers. It's such a lovely lavender pink blush and lip tint that automatically makes me look so much younger. 😊 Arigatou!


I believe this Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow shade in (I'm So Money) Honey is my perfect match. 💕 It's super lightweight up to medium coverage. I still needed just a bit if concealer for my dark spots but my face is significantly with less [layers of] makeup with this foundation. 😊👍👍 Its oil-free, too! My acne-prone and oily skin is happy with this. Though I got shiny after 3-1/2 hours. 😁 But that's just my face, which nothing a primer/blotting powder can't fix. ☺️




It's Pore O'Clock! Thanks for another tube of Porefessional Pro Balm! It helps in easier makeup application serving as primer and even perfect for touch-ups to get rid of that shine fast! ✨ Make this your #poreoclockph habit! 👍👍 


Last but not the least, here's Big Easy. And now I think it's indeed better than BB. 💕 Most BBcreams that I've tried make me super oily instead save for some few faves of mine but Big Easy creates an amazing liquid to powder finish. If I didn't have blemishes, I'd wear it alone because it's awesome for a no-makeup makeup look. 😊 You also don't have to worry about the shade so much as it just blends with your skin, evening out your skin tone so no worries about getting a ghostly white face or mismatched neck color. Although one layer didn't hide my blemishes but perhaps it will if I had layered it up a bit more; however, I didn't want to even though it really is pretty lightweight as if you didn't put on anything at all. ☺️ I also love the velvety feel of my face after application of Big Easy by Benefit. Oh and it's got SPF 35, too! 👍👍


So there you have it! Another set of Benefit products that are worth every single centavo. You know what they say -- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. And Benefit continues to live up to its name.

If you want to receive beauty boxes like this each month, subscribe to BDJBOX or sign up at www.bdjbox.com to learn more and get your own surprise beauty loot!


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Thanks for visiting my blog and come back soon for more beauty reviews!



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Finally! Here's my unboxing post for the 1st Ever BDJ Box Luxe edition, an exclusive by Shu Uemura, the #1 Asian makeup and skincare brand. If you'd rather watch a video instead of reading through this entire blog, then please watch it below or visit my YT channel or click here (http://youtu.be/tBO1uTHy43M).


It's a huge box containing a lot of products worth over P15,000 for only P4,280! The contents of the box are as follows:


OB Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil (full size)
This cleansing oil effectively removes makeup and impurities while maintaining skin's needed moisture level, perfect for combination to oily skin types. It is formulated with Sakura Complex to minimize course by eliminating excess sebum, visibly smoothening the skins surface. (Price: 450 mL, Php 4095)


OB UV Under Base Brightening Mousse (full size)
This weightless, brightening mousse makeup primer/base evens out skin tone and texture. This new instant brightening light mousse is clinically approved to show brightening efficacy to make skin looking clear with a more even toned complexion. Use before makeup application to prepare face for a flawless finish. (Price: 50 g, Php 2200)


The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation (full size)
Achieve beautiful, glowing skin and high coverage with the Lightbulb fluid foundation. It's multi-glow oil complex signal a new way forward for a natural finish, while providing long-lasting moisture for up to 12 hours. It's non-comedogenic making it suitable for all skin types, even on sensitive skin. (Price: 27 mL, Php 2350)


Gloss Unlimited Lip Gloss (full size and deluxe size)
This new shape memorizing lip gloss is designed to create unlimited mirror shine with "3D shape-memory technology" to give lips a high shine veil. It's applicator traps gloss inside and fits perfectly with the lip for precise application in one stroke. It melts into the lips through a moisture active complex formula that nourishes and protect your lips all day long. (Price: 4.8 g, Php 995)


Depsea Hydrability Intense Moisturizing Concentrate (deluxe size)
This intense moisturizing concentrate has the highest amount of active ingredients boosted by Aquatoril, designed to instantly melt into the skin. It delivers the ultimate "hydrability" to the skin for 24 hours lasting moisture. See skin texture and dullness visibly improved and dry lines reduced. (Price: 50 g, Php 2750)


Whitefficient Whitening Emulsion (deluxe size)
This rich yet refreshing emotion is formulated with the 1st Mito-White Complex and Whitening Actives that helps boost creation of brighter skin cells and prevent evaporation of moisture and active ingredients throughout the night for a more radiant, uniform and supple skin in the morning. (Price: 75 mL, Php 3100)


Phyto-black Lift  Smoothening Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion (deluxe size)
A lightweight anti-aging moisturizer that wraps the skin with long-lasting hydration to boost radiance and leave skin visibly smooth. Provides long-lasting moisture while focusing on reversing the signs of aging suitable for normal to combination skin. (Price: 75 mL, Php 5100)


Tsuya Skin Youthful Radiance Generator (deluxe size)
This youthful radiance generator is enriched with rhamnose a molecule that helps to reactivate "skin power switch" clinically proven to give more healthy looking applesauce glowing in more youthful looking skin. (Price: 50 mL, Php 5000)

 
Face Powder Sheer (deluxe size)
This face powder has a sheer and transparent finish to make skin look luminous and glowing with vitality. Best used for highlighting and face contouring. It comes with a velvet-textured puff designed specifically for sheer powder application. (Price: 20 g, Php 2350)


Depsea Hydrability Moisturizing Lotion (deluxe size)
This lightweight lotion contains the highest amount of Depsea Water and formulated with an exfoliating agent to gently remove excess dead skin cells and replenish skin with 24-hour moisture to make skin feel soft, smooth, and supple with visibly enhanced translucency. (Price: 150 g, Php 1650)


Anti-Oxi Skin Refining Anti Dullness Cleansing Oil (deluxe size)
A groundbreaking skin refining oil cleanser that helps remove external pollutants that cause skin dullness. Formulated with innovative moringa extract for purifying and anti-pollution action. It contains anti-oxidative green tea extract and ginkgo leaf extract that leaves skin clear, refined, radiant and healthy looking. (Price: 450 mL, Php 5295)


Tsuya Skin UV Under Base Youthful Radiance Mousse (deluxe size)
This new anti-aging mousse primer helps improve the skin's appearance and overall condition while providing a natural cover to help conceal dark spots, blemishes, and scars. Perfect for all skin types and tones, the unique mousse formulation delivers hydration and coverage with an aerolight texture for radiant, youthful looking skin. (Price: 50 g, Php 2250)



Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil (sample size)
This beauty cleansing oil has the mix of carefully sought out precious essences of 8 exquisite botanical origin oils to help achieve the highest skincare efficacy of superb cleansing and effortlessly removes all kind of makeup and impurities for a softened, nourished and glowing skin. (Price: 450 mL, Php 6250)

Whitefficient Cleansing Oil (sample size)
This powerful brightening cleansing oil is perfect for dull complexions. It helps to gently and effectively eliminate accumulated melanin-filled dead skin cells and heavy makeup with its Mito-White Complex and Vitamin C formula to leave skin clear, radiant and evenly toned. (Price: 450 mL, Php 5295)

RED: Juvenus Vitalizing Refining Lotion (sample size)
A light refreshing gel-like lotion replenishes skin intensively for radiant skin that feels energized and revitalized. Skin looks immediately radiant and feels more elastic. (Price: 150 mL, Php 2350)

Tsuya Skin Youthful Radiance Generator (sample size) - Repeat for deluxe size. See above.


RED: Juvenus Vitalizing Renewing Night Cream (sample size)
This soothing night cream seals skin with long-lasting moisture and nourishment. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and frist wrinkles and immediately skin feels plump, smoother and more refined. (Price: 50 mL, Php 3650)


Also the box came with vouchers for Free Brow styling and Free 10-Minute Makeovers! :)


Note: I was supposed to publish this last week but I received the wrong box (the one with the typo!) but then the amazing team of BDJ Box sent the correct box along with BDJ goodies! So I had to edit my video as well take photos for this blog post.


And to end this post, take a look at my #nofilter selfies and #FOTD thanks to Shu Uemura and BDJ Box Luxe.





Do let me know what you think of the 1st EVER BDJ Box Luxe edition featuring Shu Uemura: Art of Beauty in the comment section below. Thanks for reading this post and come back soon for more beauty reviews, hauls, and unboxing. Until then...

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The May 2014 BDJ BOX is full of new stuffs which I haven't tried and so I looked forward to try them all out. Naturally, I took on the 7-day challenge.

The first ones I picked were the Organix shampoo and conditioner sachets.


Hair (like mine) which is chemically-treated frequently need all the TLC it can get. This anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner not only makes the chemical smell of dyes/developer go away with its absolutely amazing rich scent but the keratin proteins in it increases elasticity of my hair plus the argan oil smooths and conditions my hair for a beautiful shine. ✨ Makes hair glossy, not greasy! 👍 Aside from the Anti-Breakage Kerain Oil variant, I also tried the Thick and Full Biotin & Collagen as well as the Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco ones. I'd pick the Keratin Oil anytime because it's the most fragrant and the Argan Oil of Morocco for making my damaged hair look super healthy.


Then we have the Revlon Colorstay nail polishes. These #Revlon Colorstay Seashell and Bonsai swatches are truly lovely. Don't you agree? 👍👍 They make nails look so dainty and girly. Pretty combination, isn't it?


Next, we have the Too Cool For School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack. It came in full-size! Tested it even though I have really weird, troubled oily sensitive skin. I found out that this product is actually best for dry skin because it moisturizes, exfoliates and shields skin from dry environment (which means it's great during the cold season). Then I did a little experiment hoping to see the results after I turned the a/c on at full blast (so I can also sleep comfortably and get relief from the crazy heat during the daytime). I woke up with glowing skin as the product's ingredients -- Pumpkin Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Licorice root oil, and Bromelain -- worked their magic into my problematic skin. The consistency is a cross between creamy and gel-like so it's not heavy on the skin and you get a pretty cool feeling. It's recommended to use 1-2 x a week. Try it and give your skin some extra lovin'!

The May 2014 BDJ Box also came with vouchers and as of now, I've only used and claimed the one for AVON. It's for (1) Belle brassiere but since they had a promo I went ahead and got matching panties! Woot!

Isn't this awesome? This is the bra that let's you adjust your cleavage! 😍 Oh wow! Something every girl needs! 👍 Ladies, listen up! If you're feeling sexy, all you need to do is just tighten the ribbon... Et voila! ✨ Cleavage like my baby's bum! ☺️ Forgive me for the post but what can I say? It's the truth. THIS IS THE DREAM! 😊

And then there's the collagen essence masks from Dermal Korea.


While everyone went out partying and celebrating freedom last June 12, I was trying to deal with tired feet (and legs!) from the Independence Day parade which I joined in and of course, pampered my sleep deprived face with a collagen essence mask.


Ever since I learned about bee venom and experiencing good results from it with my acne treatment, I just had to try this Dermal essence mask. And boy, was I pleasantly surprised! It's got an amazing cooling effect to the face and I can feel some firming effect, too! With vitamin E and collagen, my skin has never felt smoother, softer, and healthier! I love it! 😻😻😻 It makes me want to do this every night if only I could. I can't believe I've never tried this before! Now I want moooorrre!!! 😸

I also received a box of Godiva Natural Skincare anti-perpirant/deodorant and lotion sachets in the May 2014 BDJ Box.


These two are so convenient to carry around. Very handy at times when you're in a hurry so you can just put these on in the car on your way to wherever. I find the lotion to have a brightening effect and very moisturizing it almost feels like I just slathered oil on my skin since it becomes glossy (must be the SPF!). I'll have to test it some more and see if my skin reacts to the ingredients and if it's effective at whitening my skin. Hey, it's paraben-free! As for the deodorant, it's somewhat fragrance-free compared to the strongly scented lotion. It does a good job at controlling sweat and doesn't feel icky at all. 👍

And lastly, since I got a golden ticket, I was one of the lucky BDJ bellas who received a pair of Salvatos!

These are a lifesaver... Errr... Feet savior? 👣 After standing for hours (manning the photobooth during a wedding gig), what a relief to wear 'em! Folding flip-flops like these are so convenient to bring along... To anywhere slippers are allowed. 😊👣 

More vouchers from the May 2014 BDJ Box

I still have vouchers to claim but since I'm geographically-challenged as ever so I don't know if I'm going to be able to use them. Such a shame. Maybe I should give them away? Tee hee. So all in all, the May BDJ Box is really an amazing box full of goodies to try. I am not disappointed. In fact, the ultimate consumer/guinea pig in me was truly pleased! What do you think of this month's beauty box? Love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments below. 

Thanks for reading this post and if you haven't subscribed to #BDJBOX, it's time you should. Get beauty surprises each month for just P580 and get triple value inside your box!

Please visit www.bdjbox.com to find out more.

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As you all observed by now, I change my hair color very, very often. And just this summer alone, I managed to get it colored twice! With no further ado, let me show you my summer 2014 hair color picks.

MONDES VERY LIGHT NATURAL ASH BLONDE

A tube of Mondes hair coloring dye costs more or less Php80 only!

When I dyed my hair this color, I still had some bleached hair left and was watching Game of Thrones. I ended up leaving it wayyyy longer than I should and my hair became BLUE/GRAY! It would have been great it if were Targaryen white hair. But NO! OMGWTFBBQSAUCENOMAYO!


I looked like LittleFinger's niece! So I had to wash it off with anti-dandruff shampoo a couple of times to get rid of the blue-gray tint. It looked like granny hair and seriously I wasn't really digging it. Eventually, the color became "normal" in a few days and I was happy with my hair.


But 40 days later, hair roots were showing like a mofo and the color didn't last very long so I had to dye it again with another shade that I highly recommend for those of you who want to lighten your hair to a golden shine. Think: "Rapunzel, Rapunzel. Let down your golden hair!" It may not look like it on the box though but scroll down to see the results.

LOLANE Z COOL 9.30 - VERY LIGHT INTENSE GOLDEN BLONDE

Lolane Z-cool costs approximate Php 239 at my local supermarket.

I love this dye because it smells nice compared to usual hair dyes since it's got strawberry and green tea extract. FYI: I left the dye to develop on my hair for over an hour. And I actually didn't expect my hair to end up looking like "Lannister" gold but yeah, you get the idea.



See what I mean? That photo above was taken indoors in fluorescent white lighting. When I took a pic in daylight and indoors, it looked pretty tame and actually very natural.


BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! 

I just had to get Le Husband Noodle Boy's hair colored, too. This is another highly recommended hair color for summer.

BEST LURE JOYNNA 11.1 - LIGHTEST ASH BLONDE

The cheapest but good quality hair dye I've come across at only Php 40 per tube!

What can I say? This is one way to spend quality time together. I love being married to my bestfriend. Tee hee! Anyways, this is really the best thing for color-treated hair that's been damaged with chlorine and one which looks extremely brassy. Take note: Colored/bleached hair does not do well with swimming pools that's been treated with chlorine. But with this lightest ash blonde shade, it kills the orange right off the bat! No need for toner!


I love it! What about you guys? What's your favorite summer hair color? Lemme know and also if there's any particular shade, do leave comments below so I can go check it out and perhaps try it the next time I change my hair color.

Until then! Thanks for reading and come back for more beauty blog posts!




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It took me a while to review these products (approximately 6 months since I got these) because I wanted to be sure of their effectivity. I don't like giving negative reviews because I always try to steer clear of negativity and I want to dwell in a cloud of optimism. I find that I am happier this way. But that's a different story.

For the sake of informing my readers and providing objective reviews, this post will be a combined review of (whitening) lotions I've tried over the past few months. I got the Vaseline Healthy White SPF30 PA++ Serum and the SkinWhite Advanced Whitening Lotion PowerWhitening SPF20 from Sample Room and the Avon Skin So Soft (soft & white) Glutathione hand and body lotion from my local Avon shop. So let's get straight to the point... Did they work as promised?


Nope. NOT FOR ME. You might say that I may not have tested it long enough but you know why? All because of this...


THAT IS WHY. Well, what is it, you ask? TBH, I don't know. I'm not a doctor nor am I a science expert so I can't diagnose it. But I will tell you that whenever I use of any of these lotions, I get the same super itchy reaction on the area where I put the lotions on. I thought at first that I had some skin reaction to something I ate. When I don't wear lotion (especially when I'm not going anywhere) my skin is just fine. I started to suspect the lotions were making my skin react so I stopped using these lotions altogether sometime in April when I underwent skin peeling.  But when I tried using them once more (sayang naman there's still a lot, you know!) around mid May, I had these skin reactions all over again.


And then my mom handed me this Neosporin Eczema Essentials Daily Moisturizing Cream to alleviate my skin condition but it only seemed to make it worse. It's supposed to relieve dry and itchy skin but it just doesn't work.


But when I use other lotions, such as my favorite Gluta-C Intense Whitening Lotion or my Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Sweet Pea triple moisture body cream (not a whitening lotion!), my skin is perfectly fine. I use these two interchangeably now depending on the weather or where I'm going. I never experience any redness or itchiness with both.

However, with Vaseline, SkinWhite, and Avon as well as the Neosporin I get skin reactions that eventually goes away after 24-48 hours or as soon as I take a real good shower (by good shower I mean, I scrub the hell off my skin and exfoliate!).  I wanted to do a last experiment so this week I used them again to give them one last chance. But I am so disappointed that they all gave me the same issue.


It recently occurred to me to check the ingredients so that's exactly what I did... and lo and behold! I think I found the culprit! So what's the common denominator of these 4 lotions?

Click to see larger photo.

I have a sneakin' suspicion that it's the dimethicone that's making my skin react and shit. It could be just that but, hey, this is just my suspicion really and no scientific method has been undertaken nor lab analysis has been made. Dimethicones are supposed to be key ingredients for anti-itch relief but why then am I scratching like there's no tomorrow? But then it could also be the ethylhexyl churvabells, niacinamide, PEG-100 stearate, phenoxyethanol, potassium hydroxide, xanthan gum, disodium EDTA, or mineral oil, although what do I know, right? Except that I do know for sure that some people get allergic reactions from makeup and cosmetics with dimethicone. Anyways, I think I'll just avoid any lotions containing that or if I find another lotion with that particular ingredient, I'll try it and see if there's any adverse reaction and then I can confirm that is indeed the stinger.
 

Comparing it to the other two lotions that I'm okay with, they both don't have dimethicone nor the other ingredients which I highlighted orange and yellow on the charts above. So apparently, that's what made me draw my conclusion. I strongly believe I could be allergic to those ingredients.

Do I recommend these lotions? 

Well, what can I say? I'm sorry that I am just one unfortunate person with skin that do not agree with the Vaseline, SkinWhite, and Avon lotions. If you don't have skin allergies, you can give it a try but if you have sensitive skin, I think you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Don't forget to check the ingredients of the product if you can. Save yourself the hassle and money.

On the other hand, I do recommend getting the Bath & Body Works lotion if you want to skip wearing perfume because the scent can be overpowering (though I wonder why fragrance is not in their list of ingredients when obviously it's there). I also recommend the Gluta-C Intense Whitening lotion because I've been using this for a year now and so far, it's one of the best lotions I've tried.

I'll update this post once I try other lotions so I could compare it further. That's all for now. Thanks for reading this blog post and come back soon for more beauty and product reviews.




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