Finally, after the very long and tedious search, I have found the ONE.  I have discovered the toner that solved one of my biggest skin issue - clogged and visible pores.

If you have been a reader of le blog for quite a while, you probably have known how much I complain about my pore problem.  I've already tried a number of skin care products that I thought could help me shrink and unclog the pores on my nose area and only a very few of them have proven themselves effective.

Eventually, I learned that exfoliation is a key step, so I religiously do it every week.  Afterwards, I noticed a small improvement.  One factor that has significantly contributed is my current facial scrub by Skinfood.  Click here for the review.  However, this toner by Paula's Choice deserves 80% of the glory.

Name of this toner is very straightforward.  I got this from Lazada at around 1,000 php.  Paula's Choice is a US skin care brand, so it's not easy to find it here locally.  I also tried to reach them through their PH Facebook page and they said that I could buy from them directly.

By the way, I'm sure you want to ask.  Who is Paula?


Paula Begoun is the founder of this brand, obviously.  She is a famous author and she spent years of research to create this skin care line that's dedicated to bring us only the best and effective skin care products.  100% guaranteed.

This toner suits any skin type.  It works as a regular toner which of course, balances the skin's pH level and removes any residue from washing.

I won't do the usual "what I love about it" part of my review because, I really do love the product itself.  All of it.


The packaging is a simple plastic bottle.  I wanted to transfer it to my liquid pump dispenser for convenience, but I totally forgot to do so, and now that I remember it, it's pointless because I've used up 3/4 of the toner already.

I use it twice a day, after washing my face.  It doesn't feel drying at all, though you still need to apply a moisturizer after.  It's pretty much like plain water.  There's no tingling sensation and again, no scent whatsoever.

In terms of oil-control, I haven't noticed any difference.  I use an anti-shine moisturizer anyway, so I don't mind.


I haven't encountered any irritation, redness and breakout as well.  Whenever I wipe my face with this toner using a cotton ball/pad, I usually see dirt or makeup residue, so I think it also has good cleansing properties.

I don't have before and after photos, so it would be a bit difficult for me to convince you that it is indeed, working and effective.  HAHA!  Anyway, let me still testify that my skin condition has become better ever since I switched to this toner.  Of course, it's with the help of my moisturizer and most importantly, the exfoliation part.  My skin is loving that combo!

To be honest, I still have visible pores even under BB cream, except they're lesser now compared before.  Some are still clogged, yes.  But every time I do my regular facial scrub and use this toner everyday, my skin is a whole lot better.  I don't even consider this pore problem to be a biggie for me anymore.


At the end of the day, it all still boils down to the products you're using and how you help them to be effective.  If you want to shrink down 'em pores, first, you have to unclog them.  How?  Exfoliate and use a working pore-reducing toner after.  That very first step would even maximize the benefits of the products you'd apply after, because it helps the skin absorb all of the good stuff.  Skin with a layer of dead skin cells will never ever be able to get that.

I'd definitely recommend this to everyone who wants to deal with their pore problem.  Actually, I plan to repurchase and try more products by Paula's Choice.  Truth is, I don't even wanna buy a different toner.   But of course, #bloggerduties first.  HAHA!  Don't worry.  I'll still share other brands and let you know if it worked for me or not.

Another thing to love about the brand is how they target all skin types and problems.  Whatever your skin issue is, I think they would be able to help you.  Here's the link to their site.

What do you think?


your sweetest drug,

I got another free lipstick!  Yay!  Thanks to Mami Joy for this awesome birthday gift!  Prior to this one, she also gave me Rimmel Kate Moss in Shade 09.  You can check out the review here.

I do not have a huge collection of lipsticks, but I'm starting to grow it little by little.  As I have mentioned, I'm also obsessed with lip tints and I usually prefer buying them over the other.  Furthermore, almost all of the lip products in my makeup bag are in bright colors.  I have no idea why and how it happened, but maybe, it's because I often opt for colored lips than nude.

Next to color, another preference of mine are long-lasting lippies.  I'm not fond of re-applying multiple times throughout the day, so it is important for me to use a lip product that has a very good lasting power.  That brings me to this lipstick's most awesome feature.  Now, onto the review.


Packaging

If there's one thing that Wet N Wild has to improve, it has to be their lipstick packaging.  The bullet is always exposed and the plastic covering has very poor quality.  You need to be careful because it is very likely to hit and damage your lippie when you open or close the tube.


Color

The shade is called Old School Glam, a bright coral red.  It looks lighter when applied compared to the actual color of the bullet.

In terms of pigmentation, I have no complaints.  It is very opaque even if you swipe it once.


Finish

Not shimmery, not super matte and not creamy.  There's a very minimal amount of shine.

Application

It glides smoothly on lips.  No dragging or pulling required.


I prefer a stained effect than the full color.  With light dabs, I'd get a pink coral color instead red coral.

Texture

It doesn't feel heavy at all.


Formula

It's also not dehydrating, but I'd still apply lip balm prior to avoid chapped lips.

I also noticed that it is almost scentless.


Longevity

Here's what it looked like on my lips after drinking and eating.


The intensity of the color had worn off, but my lips were still tinted.  I love it!

If you're still not convinced, check this out.


After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I still got this.  I used my makeup remover to completely wipe off the color and stain.


Overall, I really enjoy this lippie very much.  Color payoff is really nice and it lasts a good solid 5 hours (or more).

I'm not sure if Fergie collection is available here locally, so I couldn't share the price.  But comparing it with their other lipsticks, maybe it doesn't cost higher than 300 php.


Btw, here's one look I've tried recently using Old School Glam. :)

What do you think?


Like Wet N Wild Philippines on Facebook.


your sweetest drug,

Most people with oily skin tend to have a hard time finding a perfect moisturizer that will keep their face hydrated and at the same time, control sebum production.  They also think that moisturizers will just boost the greasiness, so they would rather choose to skip this very important step.  However, as ironic as it sounds, oily skin needs moisturizer just as much as normal skin type does.

To help you in your search, let me share this product by Yves Roche (a newbie brand here on le blog).


It's called Ultra Mat Anti-Shine Moisturizer from the line Sebo Specific, which also offers mattifying toner and night cream.

A quick background first about the brand.  Yves Rocher originated from France and they focus on Botanical Beauty, which means that their innovative products are made from various types of plants.  They use natural key ingredients to create cosmetics that are very safe for everyone and for the environment.


For Sebo Specific, they used Scutellaria extract.  Yves Rocher researchers have discovered that the flavonoids derived from this plant have an extraordinary power of regulating skin shine and excess sebum.

Here are the other ingredients.


This little jar contains 50 ml of product and I bought it at 397.50 php from 795 php.  It's at 50% off!  Yea!  #somuchwin


It's a green emulsion gel and basically works as an anti-shine day moisturizer, but I also use it at night.

What I like about it:

• very pleasant and fresh scent
• simple but good packaging
• very lightweight, doesn't feel creamy
• has a watery consistency
• super smooth on skin
• moisturizes very well
• easily absorbed 
• very soothing
• oil-free
• contains salicylic acid 
• feels very comfortable even under hot weather
• no irritation or breakout
• doesn't feel sticky
• preps the skin for makeup

A dewy and glowy skin is a popular beauty trend in Korea.  It's the kind of finish that looks radiant, youthful and healthy.  I know some of us get a little confused about the difference between oily and dewy skin because there's a thin line between two.  And a lot of us shy away from it because we don't wanna look like a grease ball.  But I know, if you find the right product that works for your skin type, it might look good on you.



For this week's Sample Stash post, I'm featuring a magic potion that can help us achieve glowy-looking skin in an instant.

It's called Nymph Aura Volumer Pure by Etude House.  There are other 2 variants named Brilliant and Transparent.

You can use Nymph Aura Volumer in 2 ways.

1) Mix it with your BB cream, CC cream, foundation, etc.  Suggested ratio is 3:1.  A droplet can make a big difference already.

2) Use it as a highlighter by patting it on the highest points of the face (nose bridge, cheekbones, and forehead) before applying base makeup.

Simple, right?
In the above photo, you can see the effect when mixed with BB cream.  I'm using my Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit in Natural Beige which has a powdery or semi-matte finish.

• really delivers and effective in terms of giving you that dewy look
• doesn't lighten the coverage of BB cream 

• can also act as a highlighter
• very easy to use
• doesn't make the face makeup cake or become patchy

• little amount goes a long way - even a sachet can last a long time
• no irritation
• doesn't clog pores

• dewiness doesn't last all day
• might not be suitable for oily skin (oil-to-oil doesn't sound right)

• mixing it with another face makeup with dewy finish might intensify the effect; safer to use a foundation/cream with matte or normal finish
• makes the consistency of BB cream thicker and heavier

• I don't like the scent
• oiliness makes me a little uncomfortable upon application, so I use a brush
• makes the texture of BB cream stickier
• makes the color of BB cream a little lighter