Look What I Found: Snoe Hair Heroes Amplify and Eau La La

Got some Snoe finds from their store in Glorietta. :)

The Hair Heroes Amplify is a five-in-one product with rosemary, ginseng, burdock and coconut to help increase hair density for thinning hair. It can be used on its own as a cleansing conditioner, after shampoo conditioner rinse, scalp rub-on overnight treatment, deep treatment creme or leave-on detangler. What's great is that it's good for daily use!

(Note: As in my previous purchases, Snoe's pump packaging really needs some work, especially for bottles containing rich ingredients. A big bottle does not necessarily need a big pump. I changed my pump to a smaller one from my old Muji cleansing oil bottle and it worked much better)

On the other hand, the Eau La La is a "magical" peeling liquid gel, with chia seeds and prune, for exfoliating dead skin cells and is supposed to give immediate results. It's targeted to fade discoloration, even out skin tone, hydrate, and help alleviate fatigue. If you are familiar with the popular Cure Natural Aqua Gel from Japan, this seems to be the local (more affordable) version. I tried it first at the store before buying. Fritzie, the assigned sales person, was very helpful in demonstrating how to use the product. She placed a bit of the product on my hand and then gently massaged it in a circular motion. As the gel got absorbed after a few seconds, little flakes or balls came out and she explained that these are supposed to be dead cells (jeez, I had a lot of them). 

I appreciated that Fritzie was very knowledgeable of the Snoe products that she was selling and yet not pushy in making me buy them. She took her time to explain the purpose of some of the products that piqued my curiosity. In the end, I was convinced that I need only these two for now :)

Excited to try these! #supportlocal #buyFilipino

Disclaimer: I am not a beauty blogger. I do not recommend or rate products per se. I only share my experiences while using them and the whole thought process behind getting, using, falling in love or hating the product. I leave the beauty blogging to the experts; in fact, I go back to their reviews from time to time though I may not necessarily agree with all of these --- What's good for her may not be necessarily good for me. I am a confessed novice in every way --- I only try to view each experience with "new eyes" and reflect some more on how beauty can be a gift that should be experienced rather than seen. So don't take my word for it --- What works for me may not necessarily work for you --- but go ahead and take that adventure! The risks we take do make our lives interesting. =)

Celebrate: First Oscar for Leo

Finally, Leonardo DiCaprio won a bloody Oscar!!!!!

After six nominations and 22 years. Oh well, life plays these games sometimes.

Almost the whole world celebrated this long overdue triumph with him.

The memes of old days died peacefully and were replaced with still funny congratulatory themes.

In my case, I gave in to THIS.

Carmen's Best is a Philippine ice cream brand. When I first tasted it (Malted Milk), I couldn't help but gasp on how premium the ingredients felt like, how unadulterated the milk seemed, and that there was definitely no scrimping on quality.
On the other hand, this almost-hard-to-find flavor is a funny take on women's comfort-slash-breakup ice cream. He's Not Worth It! Lots of chocolate like mud pie, walnuts, and cookies/fudge brownies.
Read more about this brand here and here. :)

Last Friday, there was a entire batch of this in the supermarket freezer. When I returned this evening, there was only one tub of this "intriguing" flavor waiting for me at The Landmark Supermarket. So why not, right?

Here's to sweet victory, folks! Cheers to you , Leo! Thanks for giving me the perfect excuse. :)

Look What I Found: Ostrich Meat

I usually play it safe. In most aspects of my life, that is.

The kitchen is the exception. I am not your typical grocery shopper who plans her weekly menu, comes up with her detailed list, and buys her supplies strictly based on that list. I do have a weekly menu, but it's a very vague picture of anything organic, tasteful and sinful (I have Wednesday's Wendy's as my cheat-day, for example). I write down my list of to-buys but when it comes to the "food stuff", the listed items can be as generic as "fruits", "herbs", "fish fillet", and "meats". And that's the part where I don't play it safe.

I love grocery shopping. Sometimes even much more than make-up shopping. Clothes shopping stresses me out --- the fitting, the lack of the perfect size, the rarity of good quality classic designs --- so I don't enjoy it much. Shoe shopping stresses out my wallet, hahaha.

Back to grocery shopping and not playing it safe. =) I love discovering new things --- new ingredients and spices, and new meats to cook up. I bought my first turkey and cooked my Thanksgiving turkey relying on plain old beginners' luck. I bought cornish hen, did some research about it, tried one recipe, loved it and bought another cornish hen the next week.

A few weeks ago, I went back to that same spot where I'd usually find the cornish hen at Rustan's supermarket. This time, I found a new bird's meat that tickled out the curious cat in me. Ostrich meat ?!

"How do you cook this thing?" The question briefly surfaced at the point of making the decision: to buy or not to buy. But that is quickly brushed aside. "I will research on that later..." After the meat has been paid for, unpacked and safely stored in the fridge. Yeah, that's me. I take risks. I dive into the unknown. I jump in and worry about the details later...Hmmm, I wish I can be that way in other things (*winks*).

Choice cut for the big bird

Ostrich has about the same protein as the other birds (chicken and turkey) but with much lesser fat, calories and cholesterol!

I got the almost-half-kilo pack. When you take adventures, you only need a short dip to taste the difference, right? I am not the greedy type. I leave some for others to try. 
And we're still talking about ostrich meats, here =)

A moist heat cooking method is suggested for those that prefer meat that is well done, because of the lack of fat the meat will be dry and tough. (http://www.ostriches.org/cooking)

My research informed me that this type of meat only requires a few minutes of pan-frying if you don't want to dry it out and keep the juicy- ness. I sprinkled in some anchovies for added texture and bite. The meat is red --- it looks and tastes more like beef than chicken. It's from a really big bird after all, the kind with the 15-cm eggs and that is capable of running at 40 miles per hour. 

Filipinos are used to having their meats "well done", that any hint of redness will alarm us into thinking that the meat is raw and therefore not yet right for eating. But for a change, I tried cooking some slices as "rare" and "medium rare" to experience the difference. I found out that I liked it most as "medium rare". (Note to self: Will request for that one next time I get a chance for some steak feast). When raw, ostrich meat is actually dark brown. When cooked rare, it turns red; when cooked well done, it turns pink. :)

I looked forward to my lunch "baon" in the next few days. The meats are densely packed and filling, that a portion (of no more than 3 inches) was enough to give me energy until the late hours of work)

I think that my almost-half-kilo lasted for about four breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners (estimates), which I alternated with my fish fillets and e-cafe lunches so I wouldn't "wear down" my palate with an all-ostrich menu. I'm of small built by the way, so it takes less to feed me well.

I enjoyed my brief "ostrich risk" and will have no second thoughts in taking that risk again. :) 

Now, what do I do with those lamb necks?

Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Cleansing Oil

How clean is clean? asks the OC to the AA. 
I think it's pretty clean, says AA. 
OC shakes its head and says, Not good enough.

Some people swear by cleansing oils (oil cleans oil, they say). Others by facial washes and water (if it has worked in their teenage years, why change?). Still some professed their loyalty to cold creams (tried and tested stuff passed on from one gorgeous generation to the next). Mostly, cleansing aids are sought out and trusted for reasons of keeping breakouts at bay and having that coveted clear complexion.

Well, I have a different reason for using Human Nature's cleansing oil: I want to avoid eye infections.

The label says: 100% Natural Cleansing Oil with Sunflower Oil --- No parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, PEGS or other toxic substances

Size: 6.59 fl. oz (195 mL)

Where bought: The Landmark Makati

Price: Php 374.75

Ingredients: Premium cosmetic-grade Helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, fragrance (all-natural)

Please read more if you want to see how it worked for my specific needs.

My Two Cents: Snoe Poudre Phenomenon

Snoe Poudre Phenomenon
Pore Erasing High Definition (HD) Powder
Price: Php 899
Where bought: The Landmark Makati
Net contents: 12 g

My two cents on Snoe Poudre Phenomenon Pore Erasing High Definition Powder (Please read more):

Warm Welcome: Messy Bessy

Warm welcome to my Messy Bessy cleaning agents!

These are from another Philippine brand (so proud).

I'm ditching Procter & Gamble beginning TODAY. 

No offense meant to the brand, but it's about time my hands AND the environment stop suffering from chemicals.

Prices

Linen Spray: Php 130.00 for 200 mL

Liquid Detergent: Php 168.00 for 1 Liter + 50 mL

Dish Cleaner: Php 78.50 for 260 mL

Where Bought

Rustan's Supermarket - Rustan's Flower Shop, Makati City

Research and decisions

I have been researching about Messy Bessy and Human Nature's cleaning agents for quite sometime until I decided to see and smell the products for myself. Good thing these lines are both available at the Rustan's Supermarket.

After some more pondering --- i.e., going back and forth the counters and aisles of the supermarket --- and paying for my selections,  I realized that I ended up crossing-out my checklist with Messy Bessy buys.

Please click Read More for my "two cents".

Warm Welcome: My All-Filipino Bath & Body Team

The rain has cooled down the weather for just a teeny weeny bit.

Still, frequent showers are most welcome these days. 

Please meet my All-Filipino bath and body essentials:

The Philippine Team(clockwise from left)
Human Nature Strengthening Shampoo in Cool Peppermint --- Yeah, in blue (;
Human Nature Kids Shampoo and Body Wash in Pineapple Pawikan --- Super-cute, right?
Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil --- I use this as cleansing conditioner.
Human Nature Moisturizing Conditioner in Lush Vanilla --- Obviously, I LOVE vanilla!
Human Nature Feminine Wash in Chamomile Cool --- Yup, they have this, too.
Belo Essentials whitening antiperspirant deo --- So far, this has worked well.
Snoe White Beauty Bar No. 3

No dears, I am not a dealer or a PR person of either Human Nature or Snoe (I don't think Snoe has dealers?). Not even Belo (hahaha). 

I am a huge advocate, a BIG fan, of good quality Philippine products.

 Back then, my personal "crusade" was constrained to clothes, shoes and bags (what were widely available at that time). 

Now that there are more breakthroughs, I'm more than willing to extend my advocacy to cosmetics and even bath and body essentials. 

As long as the products deliver on its promise of good quality, who can stop me from sharing to the rest of the world that Philippine-made products are worth it? =)

Happy Bath Time Dears!

Snoe Beauty Bar No. 3 (Special Kojic with Glutathione)

Snoe bars for fair skin? Hmm, let's see...
Snoe white beauty bars are made by Snoe Produits Beaute Inc., a Philippine brand.

This is Snoe Beauty Bar No. 3 (Special Kojic with Glutathione)

The label says: Produces double whitening action of both high-grade Kojic and Glutathione; 

Inhibits melanin production to whiten skin blemishes and dark spots; 

Dries out, prevents pimples and helps remove blackheads; 

Thus, creating younger fairer skin.

Size: 150g

Where bought: Cinderella - Glorietta, Ayala Center, Makati City

Price: Php 139.00

Active Ingredients: Higher Kojic content and L-Glutathione, Vegitol Bearberry, Vitamin A, C and E, Grape seed extract, Goat's Milk, AHA, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Songyi Mushroom, Papain Enzyme, Hyaluronic Acid and High Grade Coconut Oil

Warnings: Not to be used for sensitive skin; discontinue use when irritation occurs. Consult your dermatologist if necessary. Wash with water if product comes in contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children.

Directions: Wet skin. Lather beauty bar and apply thoroughly. Leave on skin for two minutes. Expect a slight tingling or prickly sensation. RInse thoroughly. For best results, use SPF 30 sunblock after bathing.

I finished my first 1/3. So I guess, it's time for my two cents.

My Own Sunblock Mix of Philippine brands

A sunny Sunday to us all! 

It's been sweltering hot these past few days with unpredictable rain showers and downpours. The pattern that we have grown up to have changed: There are rains on summer months and the icy biting cold is missed during holiday seasons. Climate change and global warming, you say. In my heart, I feel that Mother Earth will stay no matter what; but we, human creations, will eventually lose our home if we do not know how to take care of it.

This brings us to all the "organic" and "environment-friendly" fads which have been filling in the beauty counters lately. Have they forgotten the sunblock? By any chance, are there Philippine brands joining in?

No and Yes.

Sunblocks are quite expensive, especially if they are the ones that really work. What more if they claim to be organic? When I saw this Snoe sunblock made of Singkamas with an affordable price tag, I got curious and decided to give it a try. This is from a Philippine brand after all, and it costs under 500 pesos! 

Singkamas in a sunblock? --- very Filipino indeed plus it claims to give SPF 45 protection, just right for someone with my kind of activities: commute to the office, client meetings and occasional lunch-outs. 

Singkamas or Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus) is actually the Mexican potato and is also widely available in the Philippines. We eat it for snack, usually with salt; it is not filling or sweet but it has that refreshing juicy taste. It has brown skin (much like a potato, only thicker) and when peeled away reveals the "Snow White" inner core. When Filipinos compliment you on your "Singkamas" skin, they are actually referring to the perfect whiteness and smoothness of this tuber.

Singkamas tubers
Credits to teejaytrivia.blogspot.com

First impressions: I found Snoe's formulation really thick and I think this is best fitted as face sunblocks so I initially used it on my face. As always, I'm quite picky with what I put on my face. When I felt those "little bumps" after using it for days, I decided to stop using the sunblock on my face and apply it on the body instead.

But it's too thick!!! What to do?

I mixed it with the perfect lotion, Human Heart Nature's Healthy Lotion in Vanilla Delight,  and voila --- a moisturizer + sunblock which I can easily apply to the whole body. The estimated ratio is about 1:3 (Snoe : Human Nature) --- but if you decide to give this a try, the ratio is up to your preference =) Please read on.

Snoe Hair Heroes Intense Argan Oil

Hello lovelies! A beautiful hair day to all of us :)

Please read on if this seemingly "heroic" bottle piques your interest.

The label says: Morrocan Liquid Gold to save you from a bad hair day

Size: 250 mL

Where bought: The Landmark Makati, Ayala Center, Makati City

Price: Php 499

Main ingredients: Argan oil, wheat protein, milk protein, moringa extract, indian senna and cucumber extract