One haircare I got in the mail is TIGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Shampoo and Conditioner. After a month of trying them out, here’s my review. Please take note that results may vary depending on the hair condition, that’s why I included my hair’s background above. Also, these results are based on my usage of both the shampoo and the conditioner. I didn’t try using each alone as I can’t afford to wash my hair with shampoo only, or vice- versa.

Product Information

TIGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Shampoo

Striaght Straight Straight! Let’s get to the point; you want straight, smooth and frizz-defying hair that starts in the shower. Help protect against UV rays & thermal damage while smoothing your locks into flawless style with this sulfate-free shampoo infused with a shot of straightening booster.

TIGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Conditioner

Straightened not stirred, goes down smooth. Yeah, we know what you want… shiny, touchable hair with not hassles sever straight up. Help protect against UV rays & thermal damage while smoothing your locks into place with this conditioner infused with a shot of straightening booster.

I love them because…

• they have sleek packaging. Both the shampoo and the conditioner come in normal tube bottles, but they definitely look expensivo even from a far.

• both shampoo and conditioner have nice fruity scent, which they call Shimmering Starfruit. This yummy scent lasts even when my hair dries and until my next wash.

• they don’t cause me any breakouts – face or back.

• they don’t cause me dandruff.

• my hair stays soft, smooth, shiny and silky straight throughout the day. I immediately saw the difference on my first usage.

• they don’t dry my hair and scalp.

• they don’t cause much hairfall.

• they are concentrated. Although the shampoo has thinner consistency compared to other brands, it doesn’t affect its richness. A little goes a long way.

• they help protect my locks against UV rays and thermal damage.

• some of my frizzy ends are more tamed. I’m not saying they can completely get rid of frizz. They just help in straightening them a bit whenever I use them.

• they are sulfate-free.

I wish…

• they are less expensive. Shampoo is PHP 1,850 and conditioner is PHP 1,930.

• they don’t tangle my hair when wet. Once I untangle them with a wide-tooth comb though, my hair becomes silky straight and tangle-free the whole day. It’s feels smooth and healthy as soon as my hair dries.

• it’s readily available everywhere. You can’t find them in grocery stores or supermarkets. You can only buy them in selcted professional salons.

Application Tips

• Consult your hairstylist first on which TIGI Bed Head product suits your hair condition.

• For best results, use TGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Shampoo and Conditioner sparingly. I tried using them for five days straight. My hair felt so heavy on the third day. There was just too much volume and it felt sticky. I thought I wasn’t able to rinse my hair well, so I tried using it again for the next two days. Unfortunately, I ended up with the same result. On the brighter side, your tubes can last for two to three months since you won’t need to use them everyday. Use them once or twice a week only and alternate them with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

• Pour a small amount of shampoo on your palm and dilute it with water. Even if the shampoo has thinner consistency compared to other brands, it’s still very concentrated.

• Do not apply conditioner on the roots if you want your hair to have volume. Apply conditioner mid-shaft, and then concentrate more on the tips.

• Make sure to close cap after use. I accidentally left the shampoo’s cap open. Since I left the tube standing and the shampoo has thinner consistency,  a lot of the product spilled (almost one fourth of the container gone). I just saw it the next day when I smelled a strong fruity scent inside the shower. Oh gawd, if only I could put back the shampoo in the tube…!!! Well, the only consolation I got was my shower smelled so fruity for a couple of days. LOL!

Conclusion

I’d recommend TIGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Shampoo and Conditioner to those who love high-end salon products. It’s a great maintenance to keep your locks soft, smooth and silky straight. As for my tangle problem when my hair is wet, it’s still manageable. I love how my hair feels when it dries, anyway.

I cannot vouch for hair breakage prevention as I don’t experience such problem. I also cannot vouch for its straightening properties as my hair is rebonded. I noticed that some of my frizzy ends are more tamed though whenever I use TIGI Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Shampoo and Conditioner.

For chemically-treated hair like mine though, I do suggest checking out other TIGI Bed Head products. I believe they have another variant of shampoo and conditioner that specifically target sensitized or distressed hair.

Product Information

Break free from chemicals! Give your lips the authentic, lavish pampering it has always wanted. Made out of the finest essential oils, lips will surely be younger-looking in no time. There’s nothing more it could ever ask. Not at all heavy on the lips!

Ingredients: EMU Oil, Castor Bean Oil, Almond Oil, Carnauba Wax, Mica, Peppermint, Beeswax, Vitamin E Oil

Pink Posies – A really great pink shade! Not too overpowering at all. Your lips will look naturally pink and stunning. Great for day and even night wear! (Even I am surprised to love a shade like this one, you may think it’s too pink for your taste at first glance, but this baby will prove you otherwise!)

I love it because…

• there’s no allergic reaction.

• there’s no greasy or waxy feel.

• it doesn’t feel heavy on the lips.

• it’s moisturizing.

• the pink tint stays on my lips even after drinking or eating.

• it only contains natural ingredients.

• it can also be used as a cheek tint.

• it comes in different shades- Salmon Peach, Pink Posies, Cherry Berry, and Wine Pearl.

• it’s affordable for only PHP 185.

Charm Essentials Vegan Brushes, just like Charm Travel Pro, were carefully designed by Sophie. Being a makeup artist herself, she very well knows the type and quality of brushes that could greatly help in achieving various looks. The main difference of her new babies from Travel Pro (aside from the size) is that Charm Essentials Vegan Brushes are all made from synthetic fiber. Hang on there, don’t judge yet. I know a lot of you, including myself, have this perception that synthetic brushes maybe soft on the skin, but don’t perform well like natural animal hair. Although synthetic brushes are best used for liquid and cream products, how can Charm Vegan brushes perform on powder? Here’s my review.

Powder Brush
(PHP 400)

This Powder Brush is ultimately soft on skin (no exaggeration!). It’s dense that it’s close to a kabuki brush. It’s multi-purpose. I use it to set my liquid foundation/ concealer with a loose powder and for pressed powder touch-ups. Plus, it can also be used as a blush brush. It can give sheer to medium coverage. This brush can also be used for cream or liquid. It doesn’t shed or bleed, even when washed several times. It takes a while to dry the brush though since the fibers are compact.

Blush / Contour Brush
PHP 400

Like the powder brush, this Blush / Contour Brush is very soft. It doesn’t shed or bleed even after several washes. The bristles are firm that you won’t get a fluffy brush after washing. As the name suggests, it’s dual purpose. Since it’s an angled brush, it’s easy to use it for contour to add dimensions on the face and for blush to give you that healthy glow. It can be used on powder, liquid, or even cream products. A clean brush can also be used to remove eyeshadow fall outs. It may not grab as much pigment as compared to natural animal hair, but the good side of it is you won’t end up with a blob on your cheeks. I just slowly build the color, until I achieve my desired result. In this way, the blush/ contour look more natural. There are no harsh lines and blending would be such a breeze!

Big Eyeshadow / Concealer Brush
PHP 250

This brush is great for packing eyeshadows all over the lids. It can be used for both wet and dry application. With its dense and firm bristles, it also doubles as a concealer brush, which is perfect to use under the eye or other large areas. The brush doesn’t shed or bleed even after several washes. It doesn’t pick up as much product in pressed eyeshadows compared to animal hair, but it’s good enough for me. It’s what I used to pack gold eyeshadows in this look. I also tried applying loose eyeshadow using this brush and it came out perfectly. I’ll share that in another makeup post. This brush may be quite big though for those with small eyes.

Small Eyeshadow / Precise Concealer Brush
PHP 230

This is the smaller version of the big eyeshadow brush. It can be used to pack eyeshadows (wet or dry) on smaller lids. With its firm bristles, it also doubles as a concealer brush for the sides of the nose, edges of the lips and other areas that need spot concealing. The brush doesn’t shed or bleed even after several washes.

Crease Blending Brush
PHP 275

This kind of brush would always be my favorite. It’s synthetic, but it works like my MAC 217 brush. It picks up the right amount of product. It can be used to highlight the brow bone, contour the crease, and blend eyeshadow. With this brush, harsh lines wouldn’t be a problem. It blends eyeshdow well, giving you a really nice and soft gradient. The size and length of the bristles are perfect even for small eyes. This Crease Blending Brush can also be used as a concealer brush as it lightly feathers out the cream or liquid concealer. The brush doesn’t shed, bleed or get fluffy even after several washes. It still stays really soft, like the other Charm Vegan Brushes.

Pencil Point Smudger Brush
PHP 250

This brush is perfect for smudging eyeliner to achieve smoky eyes. Since it grabs a good amount of product, I also use this to make my eyes more defined by intensifying my eyeshadow on the outer-v. It’s prone to harsh line though so I make sure to use the crease blending brush right after. I also set my eyeliner on my lower lashes with powder eyeshadows using this Pencil Point Smudger Brush.

Classic Blending Brush
PHP 250

This is quite a big fluffy brush, yet firm enough for better control. If you’re on the go and you simply want to dust some color on your lids, this can be your go to brush. It’s also a nice blending bush, leaving you with no harsh lines. Those with small eyes may find this too big though. I also use this to apply highlighter on my brow bone. It has soft bristles that doesn’t shed or bleed.

Angled Eyeshadow Brush
PHP 250

This brush can be used to apply all over the lids for a sheer color and to contour the nose. I love using this more for definition and contour of my eyes though. The synthetic bristles are soft, but firm enough for better control of the brush. It can pick up a good amount of product and it doesn’t shed or bleed even after several washes.

Angled Eyeliner Brush
PHP 250

I love using this brush when applying powder eyeshadow on the lower lash line. With its stiff bristles, it can also be used on gel or cream to line both the upper and lower lash line. It’s pretty easy to do a cats eye with this brush. It can also be used as an eyebrow brush. I just find it too thin to fill up my brows easily, taking me more time.

Pointed Eyeliner Brush
PHP 200

I love using this brush when applying gel liner on the upper lash line. It can also be used for liquid and cream. It’s perfect when you want a fine and precise line, though its softness might be a downside. It may not be too stiff for others, making it harder to control.

Overall

Honestly, I’m not a big fan of synthetic bristles as it doesn’t really deliver like brushes with natural hair. Charm Essentials Vegan Brushes though exceeded my expectations. Being animal-friendly is definitely a plus. I am very impressed with its performance. I haven’t experienced any of my brushes shed or bleed. All of them are soft on my skin even after several washes. I actually find myself reaching for these brushes more often these days when I do my own make up. I believe in the product so much that I ended up purchasing a set that I can use for clients too.

I once tried using this in one of my gigs and my client couldn’t help but ask where I bought my brushes. She loved the feeling of the brush on her skin that she felt relaxed while I do her makeup.

It’s nice that Charm is selling these brushes individually. The 14-pc brush set costs PHP 2,500 though, so you’ll obviously save more when you add up the cost of each brush (more than PHP 3,500). Plus, it comes in a really cute pouch already!

You can check out and purchase Charm Essentials Vegan Brushes at Beauty & Minerals.

Product Information

Conditioning formula helps strengthen and plump lashes for up to 200% instantly for maximum volume. Our precision tapered brush grabs every lash, individually, and coats it to plump perfection

Get the hypnotizing eye look:

Step 1. Glide Grow Luscious Lash Liner in Onyx along lash line from inner to outer corner of eye
Step 2. Apply Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara in Blackest Black to lash tips and allow to dry for 30 seconds
Step 3. Apply next coat starting from base of eye lashes extending to lash tips. Use tapered tip to easily reach corners of eyes and bottom lashes

I love it because…

• it’s easy to remove. I can take it off with a regular makeup remover, probably because the variant I tested is non-waterproof.
• it has a tapered edge, making it easier to reach those smaller lashes near the corners of the eyes.

• my lashes look full and thick. In just two to three strokes of mascara, I get volumized lashes. You can easily apply more to get the desired volume.

• I don’t get any allergic reactions during or after application.
• my lashes look natural even when wearing this mascara.

• it doesn’t flake even if I wear it the whole day.
• it doesn’t smudge. It lasts on me the whole day without smudging, even if it’s not waterproof. Just don’t cry on them, please.
• it has lash enhancing benefit, which helps lashes grow stronger day after day.
• it’s available in 3 colors- Blackest Black, Black, Blackened Brown.

I wish…

• the wand is smaller. Although it has tapered edge, the wand is quite big for those with small eyes.

• it dries fast. It takes a while before the mascara competely dries, so you’ll need to stay your eyes wide open for a few more seconds.
• it doesn’t clump. I guess almost all mascaras have a tendency to clump if you don’t layer it as quickly as possible.
• it also lengthens. Although it volumizes lashes, it’s not as good when it comes to the lengthening department.

Application Tips

• Keep your eyes wide open until mascara completely dries.
• Use the tapered edge of the wand when applying mascara near the corners of the eyes and lower lashes.
• Apply 2-3 coats of mascara to achieve full and thick lashes. Just make sure to do this quickly as possible to avoid clumping.
• Don’t “pump” the wand in and out of the mascara. It just pushes the air inside the bottle, which could let the mascara dry up easily.
• Remove excess mascara from the bristles before application to your lashes. This is the key to avoid clumping and using too much product.
• In relation to my previous tip, don’t wipe excess mascara from the wand to the container. You’ll end up having hardened mascara on the lid, preventing the cap to close properly. This will cause the air to get into the container, letting your mascara to dry up faster. Use a paper towel/ tissue instead.
• Curl lashes first before putting on mascara. If you are left with no choice and you have to re-curl your lashes after application, make sure the mascara has dried up completely before curling.
• When applying mascara, wiggle the brush sideways while sweeping from roots to tips. This will help you have an even application on the hair strands.
• If product accidentally falls on any part of your face, let it dry completely. This is very important because removing it right away will just cause smudging. Once it dries up completely, use a q-tip/ cotton bud to pick up the product.
• You can use a lash comb to get rid of clumping and separate the lashes.
• If you’re a makeup artist, use disposable wands instead of the wand that comes with the mascara. Sharing wands is a no-no.

Conclusion

I’d recommend this to those with long lashes, but wants them to look full and thick. It’s also for those on the lookout for an everyday mascara that’s easy to remove. You won’t have to tug your eyes every night because of hard-to-remove mascaras- meaning, wrinkle prevention! For long nights and special occasions though, go for waterproof. Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara is also available in waterproof formula. For those with weak lashes, this mascara might be good for you as well. As said, the lash enhancing complex complements the natural growth cycle of lashes, helping them grow stronger day after day.

Actual Results

bare lashes

with 3 swipes of Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara

I received a lot of compliments with this nail art. It’s actually a head turner, even from a far. The first time my friends (and that’s a mix of boys and girls) saw my nails, they can’t help but ask for my hand. I mean, for my hand to touch my nails. Hehe! They find it amazing!

I guess it’s also the color combination that makes it attractive. You’ll never go wrong with the contrast of red and black. The white dots look like stones from a far. The silver-gold sparkles make it even more luxe.

It’s pretty easy to do it by yourself.

1. Put a red polish all over your nail and let it dry a bit.
2. Diagonally brush on a black paint on half of your nail.
3. Place some white dots on the edge of the diagonal line.
4. Use a silver glittered polish for the smaller triangle.
5. When everything’s completely dry, swipe on your favorite top coat.

You can also try other color combinations too!

Thank you Flirt Waxing Lounge for my gorgeous nails!

Here’s how I achieved my eye makeup:

For my eyeshadows, I only used Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio BR 209 (Voyage)

Instead of using the sponge and the brush that come with the palette, I used Charm Essentials Vegan Make Up Brushes for seamless eyeshadow application.

L-R: Angled Eyeliner Brush, Crease Blending Brush, Angled Eyeshadow Brush, Big Eyeshadow Brush, Pencil Point Brush

1. Apply eyeshadow primer.

2. Using the big eyeshadow brush, apply the gold eyeshadow (middle color on the Shiseido palette) all over the lids. Do a patting motion to pack the shadows and then, do a gentle swipe to even out.

3. Using the angled eyeshadow brush, apply the darkest color (leftmost color on the Shiseido palette) on the crease. Then, add more of this color on the outer-v to have a darker shade on this area.

4. Using the pencil point brush, apply the lightest color (rightmost color on the Shiseido palette) on the inner corner of the eyes. Use the same color to highlight the brow bone. Touch the crease for the colors to blend and remove the harsh lines. You can use the crease blending brush for this.

5. Tightline your upper and lower lash line with brown pencil eyeliner.

6. On your upper lash line, do a slightly winged effect using a black liquid eyeliner to add more drama.

7. Using the angled eyeliner brush, line your lower lash line with gold eyeshadow. Also, add the dark eyeshadow towards the outer corner for more definition.

8. Curl your lashes and put lots of mascara.

Note that you can freely use other brands of gold eyeshadow for this look. I just used this palette for demonstration.

FACE:
Venus and Mars Mineral Primer Serum
Lancome Flash Retouche (under eye)
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (for blemishes)
Shu Uemura Face Architect Powder Foundation
NARS Orgasm Blush
Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit #2 (for contour)

EYES:
Red Earth Eye Make Up Base
Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio BR 209 (Voyage)
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner
Kate Liquid Eyeliner
Revlon Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara
The Body Shop Brow & Liner Kit
MAC Brow Set in Beguile

LIPS:
NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Perfect Red

Dove has been known here in the Philippines for their skin care, but in a lot of countries, the brand is also recognized for their hair care.

I first had a chance to try Dove’s shampoo and conditioner 2 years ago when it was launched in China. I was surprised how a “regular” shampoo and conditioner manage to keep my hair soft and shiny the entire day. By “regular” I mean, consumer goods that can easily be bought in grocery stores and not a salon-specialized product. Considering I have chemically treated hair, it’s really amazing how Dove hair care can make my locks smooth and healthy. You’ll probably understand why I’m reacting this way when I tell you this… Do you know that after almost 10 years it was only last September 2011 that I dyed my hair black?! I started in dark browns since I wasn’t allowed to have colored hair back in high school. Afterwards, I went for shades of red, brown, blonde, until I tried 3-4 colors of highlights. Yes, I do all sorts of things on my hair, which is probably the reason why not all shampoos, conditioners and treatments work for me. Oh, and add to the possible hair damage is my love for the beach and go surfing. I’m really blessed that my hair is still healthy! Thank God!

One brand that really works for my hair is Dove. Finally, it’s now launched here in the Philippines! It’s about time!!! Yay! Now, I won’t have to buy abroad just to get hold of bottles of their shampoos and conditioners. Seriously, you’ve got to try it! I personally use Damage Therapy Intense Repair, which is just perfect for my lifestyle.

If you saw my Going Around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia post, you probably saw a glimpse of this outfit already. This is what I wore in our night out at G Tower.

Well, the wide-legged pants look like a skirt. LOL! I’m such a fan of wide-legged pants. You can easily dress it down or glam it up. It’s very comfy to wear it too!

If you’re up for an afternoon shopping, just slip on your comfy sandals and grab your tote. If you’ll have a girls night out, you can wear it the way I did. Clinch a belt. Wear it with heels. Use a smaller bag. And you’re ready to go!

Chiffon top: Lush Angel
Pants: from Hong Kong
Belt: H&M
Cuff: Cotton On
Purse: Chanel Medium Flap Bag
Earrings: from bazaar
Connector rings: H&M and from bazaar
Booties: New Look

Special thanks to my dear Nikki for my eye makeup that night. I seriously miss being dolled up by someone else. Don’t get me wrong. I loooove doing makeup, especially to others. Sometimes, I just miss the feeling of having my makeup done by somebody else. Thanks Nikki for letting me feel it again! Loving my brown smoky eyes that night!

FACE:
Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer
Lancome Maquiliquide UV Infinite
Lancome Flash Retouche (under eye)
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (for blemishes)
Shu Uemura Face Architect Powder Foundation (used to set the foundation and concealer)
Bare Escentuals Blush
Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit #2 (for contour)

EYES:
Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer (as eye primer)
MAC All That Glitters mixed with Satin Taupe eye shadow (all over lids)
MAC Espresso eye shadow (crease)
MAC Silver Ring eye shadow (center)
MAC Crystal Avalanche eye shadow (brow bone)
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Revlon CustomEyes Mascara
The Body Shop Brow & Liner Kit

LIPS:
Lancome Color Fever Dewy Shine

P.S. Thank you too Nikki for taking my photos! Love you girl!

As I opened the door, we were immediately welcomed by their girly themed receiving area. I felt so at home. I believe I mentioned a couple of times how much I love pink and black combination.

They have tidy rooms where waxing and massage services are done.

For some reason, I love to do my pampering during lunch time. The bad thing about it is I tend to skip lunch just to get pampered. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I do anything for relaxation and beauty indeed. LOL! Well, I bring my food sometimes to the salon. When I don’t have time though, which is usually the case, I choose to skip my meal. Bad, I know, so please don’t be like me. It’s definitely not part of my diet secrets. LOL! This pampering date with Michelle wasn’t an exception. It was lunch time when we arrived, but thank goodness we didn’t starve! They have a Cafe! You can have snacks while getting your services done! With their Gourmet Sardine Melt and Dark Chocolate Heaven Milkshake, I wouldn’t go wrong. Sardine Sandwich and Chocolate Milkshake are my faves! It was a delicioso meal, enough to satisfy me.

I first had my foot care done while I eat. I tried their Flirt Signature Foot Care (PHP 680).

Here’s what they used on my feet: Scrub, Gel Cooler and Jasmine Lotion. The gel cooler was relaxing! The cool feel on my skin makes me want to sleep. Of course, that ain’t possible with me and Michelle together! Chika all the way!

I decided to go for a gradient nail polish. My nail artisan used 3 polishes- light, medium and dark. Reminds me of doing an eye makeup! LOL! The lightest color was brushed all over the entire nail. The darkest color was then applied on the tips. The medium shade was placed on the middle, touching the dark polish for some blending effect. Lastly, a clear coat was brushed on top.

Here’s my Brown gradient nails!

As for my hands, I wanted a manicure with basic nail art (PHP 330). It has been a while since I had nail art. They have lots of designs, including the photos in Tintin’s (the owner) iPad. I had a hard time choosing, seriously! I like them all! LOL! I wanted something subtle/ simple since I was attending the Blog Awards that week. I didn’t want to be in a formal gown with some loud, attention-grabbing nail polish on.

I decided to go for something sweet and simple…

Here’s how my very creative nail artist did it:

1. Clear coat/ base coat all over my nail

2. One coat of white tip (just like how french tip is done), but no need for it to be perfect

3. One coat of silver glittered polish over the white tip

4. One coat of multi-colored glitter polish from the mid part of the nail to the tip

4. Then, the hardest part- draw the flower!

My nail artisan did my nail art with so much ease! She was so fast. It would seem like she didn’t had to put so much effort on what she was doing. Oh, and did you notice her nails?! She also had Ombre nail polish in different colors.

Now, I’m ready to go, even with my formal gown on! I love it!

I can’t wait to be back for another nail art session!

Thank you to Flirt Waxing Lounge for a wonderful experience!

with Michelle and Tintin

Flirt Waxing Lounge offers Nail Care, Face and Body Waxing, Eyelash Extension, Makeup  and Cafe. See, I told you not to be fooled by its name! It’s a one-stop beauty lounge!

Flirt Waxing Lounge
91 East Capitol Drive, Bo. Kapitolyo, 1603 Pasig, Philippines
(+632) 5848819

First in line in my reviews is this V&M Naturals Bare It All Emu Cream in Lavender Mentholated. Truth is, I don’t normally use body lotions or creams, especially during the day. Of course, when I’m in a cold place, that’s a different story. I even reapply when needed. With our humid weather here in the Philippines though, I get so sticky even before the day ends when I put body lotion. I rely on moisturizing soap and body wash instead. When I received this Bare It All Emu Cream from Venus and Mars, I first tried applying it at night only. Then, I eventually used it for day as well. Here’s my findings. Please take note that I don’t have really dry skin.

Product Information

Bare It All Emu Body Cream. “The” Cream for the Roughest and Darkest Areas. Underarm Chicken Skin? Cracked Heels? Corns and Calluses? Rough and Dark Knees and Elbows?

Bare It All Emu Body Cream is specially formulated to smoothen and whiten the roughest and darkest skin areas. Shea butter, jojoba oil and mango butter are known to be the best moisturizing elements from nature. Just imagine how good these can be when mixed with EMU OIL, the ONLY natural oil that is closest to the human oil components. It also penetrates 5x faster than any other natural oil! This could be the holy grail of body creams! This product also has papain, a powerful whitening extract. The peppermint content is sure to give you a relaxed mood that’s enough to ditch all day’s (or even the brewing!) stress.

Ingredients: Emu Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Mango, Papain, Peppermint

I love it because…

• it smells incredibly good. I have the Lavender and the smell is amazing, at the same time, relaxing. It somehow helps in making me sleep at night.

• it is mentholated. I personally like the cooling effect once the cream is applied. Surprisingly, the minty feel stays for a couple of minutes. It can also get a bit chilly when the aircon or electric fan is on. For those who doesn’t like mentholated products, fret not as they have other variants too – Lavender (mentholated and plain) and Mango (mentholated and plain).

• it’s rich and creamy, without the sticky and heavy feel. When I first opened the tub, I thought I wouldn’t even attempt to use the cream during the day. But when I tried it for several nights, I noticed how the cream is easily absorbed by my skin. It feels so light that I could use it both for day and night

• it’s not oily looking. As I said earlier, the cream is easily absorbed by my skin that I don’t look oily or greasy at all- definitely, a plus for me!

• it leaves my skin smooth and supple. I’m not sure though if it would have the same effect for those with extremely dry skin. For my skin type, it’s definitely good enough!

• it’s organic. All natural is always the best!

• it’s made in the Philippines. It’s about time we support and love our own.

• it’s pretty affordable. 100g tub costs PHP 225 and 300g tub costs PHP 580.

I wish…

• the product is contained in a bottle or tube. Tubs can be unhygienic since you have to dip your fingers to get some product.

• there are more variants, like unscented ones. No doubt, I love the Lavender scent, as I pointed out above, but not all people want there creams scented. Some people don’t like the scent of their body creams overpowering their  perfumes.

I can’t vouch for V&M Bare It All Emu Cream’s whitening properties since I’ve only been using it for two weeks. If darker areas did lighten, I didn’t notice it at all. My skin is still not even. It’s probably safer to say that drastic change should not be expected, especially if the product has only been used for a couple of weeks. Also, I’m not sure if this cream would work for excessively dry and flaky skin. I have normal skin and the hydration it gives is good enough for me.

Application Tips

• Make sure to have clean hands before dipping your fingers to the tub.
• Use it day and night all over your body or on specific areas you want to smoothen- like elbows, knees, feet, or even underarms.
• Do not use this as a facial cream. Remember, this is a body cream. Some ingredients may be too harsh for the face.

Conclusion

I’d recommend Venus and Mars Bare It All Emu Cream to those who love using or would like to try organic products. It can also give you that hydrated, smooth and supple skin we all want, minus the chemicals. Oh, and for those who are addicted to minty products, you’ll surely enjoy their mentholated variants. I swear, it’s really relaxing!!!