MySkin Essentials Zumba Party

Getting that healthy glowing skin does not solely depend on using natural products and making sure that we cleanse, tone and moisturize. Some factors that also affect our skin are diet, exercise and mood. Our environment also play a crucial role to having that beautiful, young-looking skin. It goes to say that our lifestyle is a major factor that affects how our skin looks--the healthier lifestyle we have, the more healthy, glowing and young-looking skin we attain.

In its advocacy to promote a healthy lifestyle, MySkin Orgins partnered with the Greene Dare and the Metro Lifestyle Gym  in promoting a healthy living by: using natural products for your skin, cleansing with natural juices, and sweating all your stress out. A Zumba Party was held last April 26 which was attended by bloggers, customers, and health-conscious individual together with friends and family to help promote this advocacy. 

 Our most energetic Zumba Instructors all the way from Gensan! Super love! <3

Even Kids <3 Zumba and joined our fun fun evening!

Everyone had a chance to taste the Greene Dare's juices. I love the Beet flavor especially when ice-cold!

Stress-free, beautiful people who partied for a healthier lifestyle and a more glowing skin!
(c) Alan Echano

Yin and Yang: Beauty Photography

Remember my Powder Ballet Photo Shoot December two years ago? I had mini-reunion with one of my models twelve months after the ballet session with her. I got the honor of shooting her and her cousin for a Beauty Photography Fun Shoot that was scheduled just in the spur of the moment.

Meet Celeste and Shannon.

Just two of the most feminine and sweetest subject for photography I have had. They are not professional models, FYI, but wold you believe? They are full-time students (and yes, Celeste even had her books with her during the shoot) but have been very easy to work with. They have a positive but very distinct energies from each other. It was a wonderful afternoon that stretched until evening so quickly.

Special credits to Darryl Lara for selflessly lending me his photography gears and to my favorite team:

Hair and Make Up: Karina Asetre

Production Assistant: Anna Domini

Production Assistant (and fan to the HMUA): Niel

Without further ado, the best photos of the day:

CELESTE

SHANNON

and more...

For a rare moment, I got to convince my team to pose for me as well!

Thanks to my beautiful ladies! <3

My Skin Essentials for Summer 2014

Everyone's favorite season for beach getaways and nature trip is here! Although we may have some frequent rains lately, no one can't deny the summer heat is really here. 

We may love the sun and the sands but one thing we regret after is our skin. Out skin gets dry from the hot weather not only because the sun heats up but because we may get dehydrated, too! Our skin also gets exposed to the sun even if we are not directly under it unless we stay in a dark room. And lastly, as we travel, we expose our skin to oil and dirt.

So here are My Skin Essentials list for summer:

1. Hydrate with Water

Drink more than 8 glasses a day! Our body needs eight glasses but summer heats up our body and our body burns up faster during this season. We also avoid heat stroke if we hydrate, so never forget the secret to a glowing skin maybe just a few more glass of water.

2. Protect with Natural Products

Since we cannot avoid going under the sun, allow your skin to be exposed after using products that will protect and help your skin maintain its beauty. I highly recommend My Skin Origins products not only because its smell so refreshing but it also has SPF 45 and it uses only natural products. 

For nourishing, revitalizing and to lighten your skin, use Revitalizing Pinkish Glow. 

Summer Tip: The My Skin Origins Facial Day Cream for this set is also a perfect alternative to your moisturizers. After cleansing and toning, apply the cream and viola,your skin is ready to go. Apply lip gloss, some light eye makeup and your perfect summer skin is a vavavoom!

Go for a body that is white and glowing with Ultra White Body Set. Its good for exfoliating and fixing skin pigmentation.

Summer Tip: The Ultra White Day Lotion works with instant powers. Your skin looks younger immediately after applying. When you want to be refreshed from the summer heat, apply the Day Lotion and the smell will relax you and give you that positive vibe!

Prepare to be confident with your underarms, use Extreme White Underarm Set.

Summer Tip: Products do not work miracles if you don't use them faithfully. Make sure not to miss using the product to see best results.

Keep pimples away and lift out dead skin with Acne Perfecting Facial Set.

Summer Tip: When taking a bath, enjoy washing your body with the My Skin Beauty Bar. Leave the soap in your skin for a few minutes--sing and enjoy a bubbly wash before rinsing off to allow the ingredients to work better.

Maintain that white beautiful skin and use Ultra White Facial Set.

Summer Tip: The My Skin Night Serum is best to lock in moisture to your face. You will wake up in the morning as if you had a long beauty rest! Do not forget to use it before going to bed.

3. Pamper your Skin with Facials

Visit My Skin Origins with your girlfriends and reward your skin with facials and other various skin treatment. Have a good laugh and bonding time while you have your skin being taken cared of. To know more about their facial and other derma services, visit them at Door 2, #93 Jacinto Street, Davao City. You may also visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MySkinOrigins.

Because I was born with a list of allergies, I have been looking for a skin care that will be safe and effective for me and I found them with My Skin Origins. Thanks, My Skin! <3

A shameless selfie worth sharing. Taken a morning after my facial with My Skin--before my morning rituals. Yey or Nay?

Miss Universe Updates

As you may have already watched in your live streaming, the Miss Universe pageant is currently being held in Moscow, Russia. The first cut included the top 16 candidates where the final slot given to the Social Media candidate. Did any of your favorites got it?

1. Costa Rica
2. Ukraine
3. China
4. Ecuador
5. Great Britain
6.  Indonesia
7. Venezuela
8. Dominican Republic
9. Puerto Rico
10. Spain
11. USA
12. Nicaragua
13. Switzerland
14. India
15. Brazil
16. Philippines (Social Media Candidate)

Should I be surprised by Philippines, being the social media capital of the world, getting the spot for the social media candidate? The telecast continued with some back stage clips and the later, the introduction of judges which included Steven Tyler of Aerosmith who is also one of the performers for the night. 

For those who were following updates in the website of Miss Universe 2013, you may have known that Miss Nicaragua won the Best in National Costume Award together with the other top five contestants  (for this category) that include: Japan, Indonesia, Russia and, Trinidad and Tobago. A short clip was also shown to present the winners during the pre-pageant judging.

Can you imagine walking in this outfit? Bow to Ms. Nicaragua!
Photo courtesy of  missuniverse.com

Did you hear the crowd for Miss Philippines? I can feel the tension even just from watching TV! And now in, the top 10 finalist:

1. Spain
2. Philippines
3. Great Britain
4. India
5. Brazil
6. USA
7. Ukraine
8. Ecuador
9. Venezuela
10. Dominican Republic 

Will the crown remain with USA? Or will other countries snatch it with their beauty and wit as the long gown and the interview portion followed? However, let's reserve the thrill later as we enjoy the series of presentations and av-clips for the evening.

Now, here is the result for the Top 5:

1. Ecuador
2. Brazil
3. Spain
4. Philippines
5. Venezuela

Miss Philippines in her long gown....Not my favorite look for the night though :(
Photo from pinoyrepublic.net

For the first time, the contestants will answer the interview questions immediately after the announcement of the finalist! Here are the Q& A portion of the pageant:

ECUADOR

Q: What would happen to the world if we could no longer use the internet?

A: I believe that computers itself as well as technologies nowadays, has its advantages and disadvantages. And one of the disadvantages is that we are no longer as close together with our families. I would like to use this moment to tell teenagers and everybody that we should use the methodology of computers and internet for....way. It’s never too late to start, let us start right now.

BRAZIL

Q: What is your opinion on places that do not allow women to do things such as travel aboard, vote or drive cars?

A: In my opinion, we as women achieved our independence through time. Unfortunately, nowadays we still have some problems with our independence as women but we need to keep our open minds, because nowadays, we are home-makers, we are out there in the workforce, in my country we have a female president. We are capable of everything. 

SPAIN

Q: What the most significant thing we can do we can help women elect more women to political offices around the world?

A: I believe in order to select a good woman she must possess the good qualities in order to perform a good job. Discipline, ...how to adapt herself, how to respond, her work her performance, and fulfilling her job.

PHILIPPINES

Q: Can be done with the lack of jobs for young people starting their careers around the world?

A: For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education (that is my primary advocacy) because if every one of us is educated and well-aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs, we could land good careers in the future. So education is a primary source and a ticket for a better future.

VENEZUELA

Q: What is your biggest fear and how do you plan to overcome it?

A: I believe that I might have al lot of fears but nonetheless, this is nothing negative. I believe we should overcome all our fears and this in turn will make us much stronger and thus we can become stronger persons. As soon as we overcome our fears and we are sure of ourselves, we can face any challenges.

AND THE BIG RESULTS!

4th Runner Up: Brazil
3rd Runner Up: Philippines
2nd Runner Up: Ecuador
1st Runner Up: Spain
Miss Universe 2013: Venezuela, Gabriela Isler

The new Queen of the Universe from Venezuela.
Photo: AFP, Alexander Nemenov

Congrats to all the girls! You are all pretty and winners!

Have a Brow-tiful Day with Browhaus

Way back before my blogging days, going to a formal party is a dread for me because it meant that I would go to a salon and if things go uncontrollable, the unkind makeup artist would shave my eyebrows! Sure it will look good when I still have my makeup on but waking up the next morning and finding myself looking at a stranger in the mirror is the part I dislike the most. Friends, remember Kilay 2000?

Most people may not know that the line and symmetry of our eyebrows change the way we look. Remember Betty La Fea and how goofy she looked with her unruly brows? Or how villain Bella Flores looks even when she is smiling? Or check Jose de Venicia, need to add some more?

Because our eyes are the windows to our soul, our eyebrows make sure that our windows are in proper frame. So this one favor for yourselves ladies, visit Browhaus and see what difference would a few eyebrow hairs when trimmed could make. Now don’t worry because Browhaus is THE specialist to trust with your eyebrows. Trained all the way from Singapore and are constantly being monitored by QA’s from their headquarters, Browhaus makes sure that getting the right eyebrows appropriate for your face shape is not as painful as plucking it or from traditional threading. Having tried regular threading myself, I can vouch that this is the least painful eyebrow-fixing I have experienced.

All About BYS Eyes

Since I’m feeling a little “kikay” today, allow me to share my notes on some BYS products that were used during Ryan Wong’s workshop with the ladies from Davao Bloggers. BYS is a great cosmetic line to get that makeup that you want. Not limited to eye makeup, BYS has a complete line for different beauty types—from foundation, eyes and lipsticks. Good news for me, BYS has developed products that are appropriate match to morena-skinned-Pinays like me (yey!).

I tried using BYS’ Souffle Eye Creme and Eye Shadow Mousse as well as their Gel Liner to do my makeup mostly on my eyes. For this “experiment”, I also tried using the Gel Liner for my eyebrows to check if it will make a good alternative if my trusted eyebrow kit will go MIA.

Take Care of Your Kissable Lips with Carmex

Do you know that you also needed sunscreen protection in your lips? Yes. Since our lips have skin like the rest of our body and are exposed to the sunlight, you need to find a lip product that will not only prevent your lips from cracking but also protect it from the sun.

Carmex Philippines is so generous to have us try their product and experience Carmex Moisturing Lip Balms. I was able to try the classic and the strawberry scent and the results are very pleasing. Here is what I have to say:

Godiva Skin Blog Giveaway Winners

Godiva White Skin Blog Giveaway!

Its my first giveaway so I will be super generous to all my avid readers! :D

As you have read in my previous post, Godiva Skin will be launching the new skin product that will give you "at last, a white skin that last." So as Godiva's way of thanking you for trying out the new products (supplies are running out fast in many grocery shelves) and for some who wants to experience the beauty that comes with using Godiva, we will be giving away Godiva products for you to win!

Here are the mechanics:

Check this box which will require you to log in using your Facebook or email. Then, you may a choose from the list (either like the Facebook page, tweet, post a comment, etc) to get points and raffle entries. More points, more entries, more chances of winning! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A set of Godiva Whitening Skin products (complete with soap, toner, facial cream, facial wash, anti-perspirant deo and lotion) will be given to four (4) lucky winners! So do not forget to complete ALL the options of joining so that you will have higher chances of being one of the awesome 4! Giveaway closes exactly a week from now on February 5.

For a White Skin that Lasts

Yes, we have been there. Scouting for means to make our skin beautiful maybe not necessarily powder white but that skin that makes us look glowing and beautiful.

Good news is that Godiva Skin is launching a new skin line that will help you get that fair skin..that lasts! With their active ingredient, Licorice, which has been proven to protect and nourish skin while it inhibits the production of melanin in our skin! 

Good to know that Godiva has now hit Davao stores and you can now try to have that dream skin of yours! They will also be visiting Davao City in a few days to launch formally to the public the new skin line. The new Godiva Skin has the following products available for you!

  Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Soap

Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Facial Wash

Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Facial Toner

Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Facial Cream

Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Lotion with SPF15

Godiva LicoWhiteTM Whitening Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Itching to try? Check this blogsite again tomorrow for our giveaway to our avid readers! :)

Basic Personal Makeup Workshop

with Ryan Wong and Noeh Jani

If I was the earliest in the group during the workshop (I was almost 2 hours earlier than the schedule), I am probably the last in posting this (my apologies, Ryan and Noeh). But I think I will make justice in this post...read and see!

Class photo. Photo credits to Ms. Crislyn Nieva

So last month, we were lucky enough to be taught by Ryan Wong (see his link here) and Noeh Jani (link here) how to do the basics in makeup during our Tete a tete with the Davao Bloggers organized by Ms. Ria. For someone who practically lives in our karate dojang, you could say that this topic is a little bit new to me. I only see makeup during photoshoots and its vary difficult to apply it personally to me because (as you may have realized by now) I am no fair-skinned Filipina. So our sunny Saturday was spent wisely in getting know more about brushes, face type, skin type, colors, pigments and hiding all those skin problems away. The best part, Ryan had a test to see what color would suit my skin and how to hide my panda eyes away (woooohoooo!).

Photo credits to Ms. Ria

Photo credits to Ms. Ria

Step one. See the difference? (Left eye with corrector and concealer, right eye none)

 We all ended our day feeling excited to do our personal make up for our everyday or special events. After trying out one of the four fab looks taught by our mentors, I had my own lightbulb moment to create a project dedicated to this workshop.

 Project four fab looks in one face! I did try my best on these, so excuse the flaws (lol) and here is the justice (or not) for the late posting. Took me quite a long time to find that dark lipstcik (lol again) but I am happy with the results. Any guess whats the name of (any of) the each fab look?

Thanks again Ryan, Noeh and Ria.

By the way, the duo is launching their 3rd wave of workshop. 

Check this link to find our more!

Soon: Poshnails Abreeza

Pamper yourself and learn how to shoo those stressors away! 

Poshnails is soon coming to Davao to open at the 3rd floor of Abreeza Mall.

Last week, I got the privilege to try how wonderful their service and met the people who will be part of the Posh Team. So Davao City, watch out for their opening and I shall be looking forward for that day too!