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| Pop-up All Things Hair Refillery Station spearheaded by Unilever. Credit: All Things Hair |
The All Things Hair Refillery is set to run from March 23 to April 19, 2019 and can be found in Trinoma, Glorietta, and Alabang Town Center. Consumers may bring their clean, used bottles with the same label as the product they're getting or can avail of reusable bottles that are sold for P10 each at the respective refilling station.
This may be a good initiative and there's a good cause behind it, but I personally wonder why it will only run for a specific period of time when it should be a norm, a part of one's daily living.
Philippines as the Third Largest Plastic Waste Contributor
In a recent report by The Street, Philippines is among the countries that produce the most plastic waste in the world, attributing to about 2.57 million tons of plastic litter each year. In fact, the country is reported to be the third largest contributor to marine pollution.
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| Pile of Plastic Litter. Credit: Pixabay |
It must have got you thinking, right? Are humans really such a hopeless case when it comes to disciplining themselves in these tough times? The world is going astray and climate change has been breathing directly on our necks and yet we can't do things as simple as recycling plastic waste? Well, here's my two cent.
Let's not forget about the real enemy here: poverty. Environmentalist Heather Koldeway stated that there is a strong link between plastic waste and poverty. According to her, single-use sachet is the most accessible for poor communities because that's all they can afford. This is why I hate seeing hateful comments from privilege Filipinos about how our fellow countrymen cannot stop themselves from buying goods in sachet, as if everyone here can afford to buy in bulk.
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| Slums in the Philippines. Credit: Pixabay |
The Philippines is home to over 100 million people. In 2015, statistics showed that 21.6 percent of the country's population lives below the national poverty line. For starter, that's a huge percentage already. Perhaps, these people are either unemployed or living below the minimum wage. They try to make ends meet on a daily basis and barely have enough money to buy the most basic needs such as food and water, let alone shampoo in a bottle container.
But let's be real here. Even middle-class families buy sachet products. I come from a middle-class family, and although we can afford to buy in bulk, there are times when we would buy sachets instead because of its accessibility. Say, you run out of shampoo and can't afford to go grocery shopping yet, you can easily get shampoo sachet from sari-sari (neighborhood sundry) stores.
Reaching Out to the Grassroots
If there's one thing I really noticed about these sustainable-driven brands and organizations is that there are A LOT OF THEM, however, they're not easily accessible and affordable. I once attended this lifestyle fair where sustainable brands gather and sell their products. Almost all of them use organic or recycled materials, which is good, and they seem to be really committed to championing sustainability. But I guess sourcing these materials isn't cheap either which is why the goods are sold at a rather high price.
The idea of sustainable lifestyle is good, but it will not work if it's targeted to a certain group only.
The masses are the biggest portion of the community, and even if there are organizations that aim to promote and educate, when they fail to reach the grassroots level, then their advocacy is barely efficient. For one, the refilling station initiative of Unilever comes from a good cause, but the fact that they will be located at select malls only where many don't have access to makes the argument that the poor cannot afford sustainable lifestyle valid.
I appreciate seeing these big corporations doing their part in saving the environment, but years and years have passed, and the world remains at high risk of climate change. And if we're being honest, it seems to be getting worse and worse. So, what more can we do? Make sustainable lifestyle a lifestyle for all, including poor communities.
The only way that we'll ever successfully attain a zero waste, zero plastic world is when sustainable lifestyle becomes the standard lifestyle for all. Stop selling products in sachet; use alternatives that will still be accessible to the poor. Stop promoting methods that only lead to a dead-end and start giving solutions with actual long-term results. This may be easier said than done, but we've got to think bigger because even if I refuse to use plastic, there are hundreds, thousands, or even millions out there that will continue to do so, and it will never stop if we're being fed the same old, dying ways. Soon enough, the world could be dying with us, too.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. :)
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While the beauty community is championing inclusive beauty and fighting against colorism, I have noticed that brands found a way to ride the waves and market themselves in a way that people with darker skin tones and advocates won't be offended, and I'll have to commend BeUtify for their way of branding.
The first thing I noticed about BeUtify is the misspelled word "beauty." I must admit it's intriguing, and after a bit of digging, I have come to discover that its purpose is to portray what the brand is all about—to be you (be u).
Basically, the brand is promoting self love. It encourages its users to be themselves while still having the chance to achieve "a better you" by using their products. If you think about it, it actually makes sense. Skincare is part of self love, and who doesn't want to achieve a better skin? Definitely not me. Another thing about this brand is they claim to "lighten" instead of "whiten," meaning you'll achieve a radiant glow rather than a fairer complexion, and we'll see just about that as this post goes on.
BeUtify is still on its infant stage, and I am among the few lucky people who got to test the products prior to the actual launch. I've been using the beauty set for more than a month now, and I think it's high time that I share my honest thoughts and opinion.
Their product line consists of six products, namely Kojic Plus Soap, Reign Clarifying Toner, Expose Lightening Lotion, Lucent Lightening Creme, Divine Gel Creme, and Time Eye Serum. By using these products simultaneously, BeUtify claims to unveil "a better you." But, does it really?
Truth be told, I am not a fan of kojic soaps in general. I just don't like the harshness it gives my face, the tight feeling as if all the moisture is being stripped off my skin. Not to mention that many of these leave my skin literally peeling. After all, it's not in my priority list to have whiter skin. Still, I had to try this.
I had a gut feeling that the BeUtify Kojic Plus Soap was worth trying, and I'm glad I did! This is, thus far, the mildest kojic soap I have ever used. Whenever I write reviews, I always critique the pros and cons, and I am very particular about its effect on my pores because my skin tends to react on new products and leave me with clogged pores. I find clogged pores difficult to get rid of that's why I take extra caution when trying out new products. Fortunately for this soap, it does not clog my pores or trigger breakouts. It also does not leave my skin feeling dehydrated or peeling. I must say it does the job without giving me any adverse effects.
They say tiis ganda is the mantra for people who ought to achieve clearer skin through micropeeling, but thanks to BeUtify's newest technology, you can bid goodbye to harsh toners that leave you with visible drastic peeling.
BeUtify Reign Clarifying Toner has a little alcohol content in it, but its floral scent overpowers the harsh smell. In fact, it doesn't sting when applied to the skin, though I only use small amount and pat it with cotton instead of rubbing. It claims to lighten, exfoliate, and tighten—and true enough, my pores feel refreshed whenever I use this product. It did minimize the appearance of my pores around the cheek area, but I think my nose is a bit problematic due to it containing a lot of sebum which is why the pores remain significantly noticeable.
Still, this is a good buy considering it contains powerful ingredients such as glycolic acid and witch hazel extract. This product will also suit you if you're not a fan of harsh, alcohol-laden toners.
The BeUtify Lucent Lightening Creme claims to have instant lightening effect, but what I really like about it is the glass skin effect it gives me. When wearing this, I can confidently go out even without makeup, and if you knew me personally, you would know I'm insecure when it comes to my bare face. Also, this product allows me not to worry about sun exposure anymore because it is infused with SPF 30, a reasonable amount of SPF for an effective UVA and UVB protection.
In case you're wondering, it does have an instant lightening effect. It sets into the skin after a few seconds so it doesn't look weird as though you covered up your skin with a wrong foundation shade to make it look lighter. In short, it looks natural. However, I can't really say much about its long-term effect. I'm not that morena to begin with, and I don't care much about my skin tone to notice if there's any significant change. But if we're talking about drastic changes in a one-month span, there isn't much. I think you'll have to use it longer than that to achieve your desired effect. Better skin doesn't happen overnight, anyways.
The Divine Gel Creme is the night cream slash moisturizer among the set. It claims to nourish, hydrate, and soothe the skin. What I love about this one is it feels light and refreshing, plus it is infused with aloe vera extract, and in case you don't know it yet, I'm such a sucker for aloe vera! It also contains hyaluronic acid, and this particular ingredient is beneficial to the skin. In fact, in one of the articles I've written before for Zen Health magazine titled 'What Should You Look for in your Moisturizer," a clinical dermatologist stated hyaluronic acid among the main ingredients that a moisturizer must have. I believe this really steps up the game!
The consistency of the gel is unlike that of the Korean brand gels, and I'm pretty sure BeUtify didn't intend to formulate it as such anyway. I think it's good though because it isn't runny, and I personally like how my skin feels and looks in the morning. This is such a great product for overnight pampering, and I think it has significant contribution to the 'glass skin' effect!
One of my major skin concerns that never go away is my dark circles. I've been such a night owl since high school, and this has adversely affected my skin. I also noticed that my under eye lines are becoming more noticeable over time, and even if I apply moisturizer on them, they do not seem to improve. In fact, because of the moisturizer's thick consistency that isn't specifically formulated for the eyes, it actually gave me milia. In case you're not aware, the skin around the eyes is more sensitive than the rest of our face, which is why it's important to apply only products that are particularly made to address skin issues around the eyes.
Going back to the product review, the Time Eye Serum is my favorite product among the set. This is actually the first time I'm addressing my dark circles and fine lines, and the thought is comforting. Ever since I use this, I noticed significant improvements with both my dark circles and fine lines, and no more puffy eyes for me as well! I really love using this at night because it feels soothing to the eyes. Eventually, I found out that the reason for it is its passion fruit extract content, which is found to be helpful for a relaxing, peaceful sleep. This is such a great buy for anyone who needs it; I'd totally recommend!
I'm not a fan of lotions in general. I don't like the sticky feeling it gives me, and I'm almost always running late to even think about applying lotion to my whole body. Still, I went on and try BeUtify's Expose Lightening Lotion.
Fair enough, the consistency isn't thick and the finish is semi-matte that totally eradicates the sticky feeling. Similar to the Lightening Creme, it is also infused with SPF 30 so you don't have to worry about getting exposed to the sun. It also has the same instant lightening effect as that of the lightening creme. I honestly don't see much of a difference with the formulation of both products, and they seem to have similar purpose and effects, but I do suggest you use the cream for your face and the lotion only for your body as to not have any unwanted side effects.
All in all, this lotion works great plus it really does leave my skin feeling soft and supple. I think I might stick to using this product if I weren't such a tardy brat. Haha!
Well, that was the whole product line of BeUtify. This brand is very promising, and I'm excited to see more of what they will offer in the near future. I'll keep this post updated for further changes in my skin, and hopefully, I can include some photos for documentation. I've been really staying away from cameras recently for personal reasons so I hope you bear with my incomplete reviews. I promise, I'll try to do better in the upcoming weeks! :)
If you're interested in BeUtify products, you may check out their Facebook page and/or website.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. :)
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I've been hearing a lot of good things about Colourette for a long time now, but it was only recently that I actually decided to give the brand a go. I've been following them on Facebook, and one thing that I noticed about the brand is it's very Millennial/Gen Z-targeted; the aesthetic obviously attracts teens and young adults, plus it's a local Filipino brand so I'm totally here for it!
I got the shades Zola and Ondrei, both of which belong to the matte line. I heard that Zola is a cult favorite that's why I decided to try it. Also, based on the photos, it is the closest to the shade that I've been looking for in a lip tint. According to Colourette, Zola is a universally flattering rosy brown shade, which explains why many are raving about it. Though I must admit I was a bit disappointed when it first came in the package because it turned out to be not exactly the shade I was hoping for. Still, I have learned to like it eventually. On the other hand, Ondrei is a warm golden brown shade.
If you've noticed, because of its oil based formula, the pigments separate when you leave it for a while, so you have to follow the instructions on the box and shake the product for a seamless application.
One weird thing that I find about the Colourtint is the applicator. If I didn't know better, I would think this is a nail polish. Fortunately, it's never been an issue when applying the product, at least for me. After all, I only use a small dot because the product really does go a long way. For the smell, it has a sweet pastry scent that I like, not too strong that is irritating to the nose or the skin.
Here are the swatches of the two shades. As you can see, both are very pigmented, almost like they're liquid lipstick rather than a tint. Both come off really dark in the swatches but when applied to the lips and face, they actually look lighter. The finish is really matte for both shades, with thick consistency but feels lightweight when worn. I'm just not that much of a fan when applied to the lips because I prefer the natural, ombre Korean look when it comes to lip tints. Although, I'd say the product would be really good for a full face makeup.
Another upside is they're easily blendable and do not leave unwanted stain on the cheek even if you do not blend right away. For the cheeks, I prefer using Ondrei because it gives the perfect sunkissed look. For both my lips and cheeks, I only use my fingers to blend though it does leave a stain which you can easily wipe off with a tissue.
Longevity wise—upon application, it does not transfer. Even if it's my habit to wet my lips with my tongue, it does not go off. However, after you've eaten, you'll notice that some of the product fades and you'll have to re-apply to get the pigment that you want. What I really love about this being a lip tint though is that the longer I wear it, the more it sets which makes me love the finish better. For the cheeks, it leaves a natural blush look that you can build for a more drastic finish. It stays for a reasonable amount of time before you have to reapply.
Here's a photo of me wearing Zola on the lips and Ondrei on the cheeks. I heard that you can also use Colourtint on your eyes. I haven't really tried it yet, but I do think it's worth a try! :)
VERDICT
PROS:
- Lightweight finish
- Easily blendable
- Affordable (P249)
- Accessible (available online and in stores)
- Good pigmentation
- Transferproof
- Wide shade range (check out their website for more shades)
CONS:
- Doesn't stay after eating
- Doesn't give the ombre Korean lip look (for those who prefer it)
RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5.0 - This product is very promising coming from a local brand. I would totally recommend this to a friend!
WHERE TO BUY? Colourette has stalls and/or kiosks in the following mall outlets: SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Bacoor, SM Clark, SM Pampanga, SM Telebastagan, SM City Cebu, SM Davao Ecoland, Landmark Department Store Trinoma, Robinsons Department Store Festival Mall, Robinsons Department Store Metro East, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Makati, Market! Market!, and SM Manila.
It is also available online through the Colourette website, Lazada, and Shopee.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. :)
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Have you ever had small annoying bumps that aren't inflamed but never go away? I did too! They were so annoying and no matter what product I used, they never went away. It's like I was cursed with these bumps. Heck, I even tried the 10-step Korean skincare routine in hopes that I would finally get the clear, glass skin that we all long to have, but to my dismay, all it did was irritate my skin and multiple the bumps. From having them on my forehead area, they spread to my cheek. So, I tried getting a basic facial in hopes they can get extracted but the aesthetician said I needed a more expensive treatment, and I didn't want to pay extra for something that I wasn't sure if would work. But one day, I woke up and found the key to finally getting rid of my bumps.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THESE SMALL BUMPS?
First, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about, these small bumps are scientifically known as subclinical acne. They are superficial acne trapped just below the skin and are caused by a number of reasons including hormonal imbalance, stress, substandard cosmetic products, pollution, among others. They are non-inflammatory acne which explains why they are often skin-colored.
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| Source: https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=161449843&page=1 Disclaimer: If you are the owner of this photo and want to be properly credited or have it taken down, please contact me. Thank you. |
HOW TO GET RID OF THESE SMALL BUMPS?
For this routine, there only three steps. You may decide to stick with some of the products that you're currently using but I can't attest to what the effect will be.
STEP #1: Cleanse with Cetaphil
Cetaphil is known for its gentle and non-comedogenic properties, which means it will not clog your pores. However, there is a catch. Some of you may already know this but doesn't do it anyway. For cetaphil to work better, I use the non-washing technique. Instead of using water to wash the product off, I use facial tissue instead. This way, I know that the dirt is being taken off my skin because I can see the transfer on the tissue. I do this only at night and just wash my face with water in the morning. I find that overcleansing clogs my pores more.
STEP #2: Use Calamansi (Calamondin) to Exfoliate
Edit (05/27/20): I have recently seen a Twitter post by a dermatologist saying that calamansi shouldn’t be used on the skin because it is too acidic and can potentially burn your skin. So while this method worked for me and some people, I suggest that you think twice before trying it. Do it at your own risk.
I think this is the most important step of this routine. This trick also worked for my sister in getting rid of her acne. In case you don't know, calamansi is a citrus fruit widely grown in the Philippines. It has natural AHA properties and it's good that it's organic. When using this, I squeeze the juice on my palm then apply it directly to my face using my fingers. I leave it on for 10 minutes, no more no less, then wash it off using water. I do this every night.
We don't have access to calamansi, can we use other citrus fruit like lemon? Honestly, I tried using lemon before but I find it too acidic to be applied directly to the skin. So no, I wouldn't suggest you do it. As for any other citrus fruit, I have not tried them yet so I can't really give my opinion.
STEP #3: Moisturize using Aloe Vera Gel
I personally use the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, but I think other brand will work, too. In fact, if you're familiar with Mumuso, I made a review of its aloe gel before, and I believe it's a cheaper alternative for Nature Republic. I really love aloe gel because it actually helps hydrate my skin and it's non-sticky. I apply this in the morning and at night.
STEP #4 (OPTIONAL): Pamper with Clay Mask
Clay mask helps suck out the dirt trapped under the skin, so it's a good way to get rid of subclinical acne too. I currently use the Volcanic Clay Mask by Innisfree and I love it because it has no scent and doesn't feel like it's sucking the moisture out of my skin. However, I used to use the L'oreal Pure Clay Mask in the Detox and Brightens variant. It also works well but it has strong scent. I think any clay mask will do as long as it suits you, and if you're currently using one, you can probably stick to it too.
And that's it! This is how I cleared my tiny bumps on the forehead. However, may I remind you that while this routine may have worked on me, it might not have the same effect on you. I strongly suggest that you do a patch test to see if it will have any adverse effect, especially due to the calamansi being acidic and might irritate your skin.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. :)
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There was a time when highlighters were all that. It's really the "glow" that spices up your look, they say, and I can see just why.
Today, I'm going to review the Cleopatra's Kiss Highlighting Palette by Sleek. The question is, does it really live up to its sleek name?
The palette comes with four shades, two of which are cream and the other two are baked powder. It also has a mirror and a brush (that I lost, lol). The first time I swatched these, I was really impressed but it wasn't that much of a surprise. This is the second product from Sleek that I tried, and the first one didn't disappoint either. In case you're wondering, it was the Sleek i-Divine Mineral Based Eyeshadow Palette, and it is indeed divine!
Going back to this palette, I have tried other highlighters before, but this was by far the best one—and it's even a drugstore brand! But hey, it's actually not that cheap. Here in the Philippines, it retails for P875 or $17 USD. Still, I think it's a bang for the buck. Just look at those swatches. Aren't they stunning?
In case you're wondering, sphinx and goddess are baked while dynasty and delta are cream. As you can see, sphinx and delta are darker compared to dynasty and goddess so whether you dig a smoky or natural makeup look, you have great choices. As for the pigmentation, I've noticed that sphinx and delta give more pigment than dynasty and goddess. Thus, the I believe the formulation doesn't really affect the pigmentation. To be fair, all of them work wonderfully. I guess you just need to layer those two shades more than the others; you won't even have a problem building the colors. Also, the powder ones don't have any fallouts, and even though they're powder, their texture is actually very creamy. So yes, all of them blend easily!
For your reference, here's what they look like when worn. I don't have much of a decent photo (sorry) but I hope it helps you picture wearing them in your head. And for the record, I get countless compliments wearing it, so yes, I'd say this Sleek palette is totally sleek!
Have you tried this product before? If not, would you like to try it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. If you enjoy this post, please share it with your friends, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
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