[Skin Care] Human Nature Facial Care Products Mini Haul

Hi  Everyone! If you would remember from my last skin care review post, I have mentioned that  I  was  waiting for a package of my orders from a store called "Human Heart Nature". What made me decide to try this store first among others was their Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment advocacy. Somehow, we all have that "I want to save the world" feel inside us, and so do I. Especially where the environment is at stake. Thus, if anything will strongly promote a Go Green campaign, I am all for it. 

Anyhow, I have pointed out that my skin is ridiculously sensitive. My worst skin problem ever since is that I easily break out into pimples and rashes whenever I use skin care products of any type, no matter how mild the formula states. Even those claiming to be hypoallergenic proved to be still too strong for my face.

A few weeks  ago, a morning TV show featured a newly booming local business that manufactures Organic skin care products. I will not be name dropping at the moment since I have yet to buy from their store. At any rate, it had me contemplating on trying out Organic products once more. I used to own one particular bar of soap  made out of 100% Goat's milk and it was the only product that did not react negatively on my face. Unfortunately, I couldn't find  the  brand  anywhere  else. Having said that, I thought I should give another  try  on  natural-made  products. So I did an extensive research on local companies that sold such and engaged in yet another episode of comparisons and wishlists before I ended up buying at Human Nature. A lot of good  reviews from other beauty bloggers were also a factor on this verdict. So for starters, I have bought a four-piece set of facial products: Facial wash, Facial toner, Facial Scrub and a Beauty Oil. Here was how the package came in:

I love the box! It speaks of their advocacy, and it was properly sealed. 

Bunch of brochures on top 

Thank you note from their Founder

More brochures

Balancing Facial Wash

Balancing Facial Toner

Purifying Facial Scrub

Sunflower Beauty Oil

Noticed how all four products stated "100% No Harmful Chemicals"? I guess that's quite a good news, yes? Currently, I have a lot of zits and scars and I do hope these products would be the answer to my prayers. Let me post my present photo as this will serve as the basis of my progress after a month or two of usage:

zits and shine everywhere!

I will most probably be reviewing the Balancing Duo facial wash and toner first since I make use of them twice everyday so make sure to wait for that post! I will be back once I have emptied these super cute bottles. Chiao!~

Love Lots,

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[Skin Care] Glam Works Body Scrub Review + Zen Zest Raspberries Collection

"Nature gives you the face you have at twenty, 

it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty"

~Coco Chanel

My love for Beauty and Body care products was a whirlwind romance. Obsession might be a more accurate way to put it as I suddenly found myself spending an entire day looking for online stores (because I'm too lazy to go to the mall) that sold organic products, registering on one website after the other, comparing products, semi-deciding, comparing again and adding to wishlists for the verdict the following day. I was astounded, to be honest, at the countless variants and scents of body scrubs/washes/butters that for so long I had no idea about. Though enthralled as I am, I was still reluctant to get one right off from the online shelves. This made me conclude that I had to purchase from an established store in the meantime to somehow satiate my cravings and put my hesitations to rest.

Last week, my friends and I dropped by at a Watson's branch in Makati, which was around the corner of our office building. I went straight to the Body scrub section and grabbed a familiar brand: Glam Works. I have first learned about this brand when an officemate gifted me with one last Christmas. Truth be told, I don't use scrubs. I was safely stuck with my soap and water regimen for both my face and body for the longest time because I have super sensitive skin and I easily break out into pimples and develop rashes all over my body. I did make use of this scrub after a few months just to give it a try. 

Since I had been using this product for several months now and my bottle is almost empty, I guess it's rightful and just to share to you my thoughts on this product in terms of the following:

Scent:   

I fell in love with the luscious scent the moment I opened the lid. It was a bit strong that it filled the bathroom even before I lathered it on my skin. I'm a sucker for anything sweet and I Iove avocados too. Although the scent wasn't anything like Avocado. It smelt more of candies, which I liked as well.

Packaging:   

The scrub came in an easily squeezable, flip-top lid bottle, unlike other scrubs which came in tubs, like The Body Shop's Body Scrubs which I was lusting over last weekend. I've read somewhere that the latter type of packaging is extremely prone to bacteria. So this makes it a plus for Glamworks Scrubs. 

Texture:   

It was creamy though it was more on the runny side so I had to quickly lather it onto my skin else it would drip onto the bathroom floor. What I liked about it was the Aloe Vera extracts and mild exfoliating beads, which leaves my skin extremely soft and supple and fragrant too. Still, I would have preferred a scrub with a thicker formula.

Availability:  

Glam Works Body Scrub is exclusively distributed by Watson's Philippines so you can buy this product at just about any SM Malls or Watson's branches near your area.

Affordability:  

Since the Avocado scrub was given as a gift, I had no idea of the pricing until I went to Watson's myself to get a new bottle. It was priced at around Php 140.00 to Php 150.00, I couldn't recall exactly as I already lost the receipt. For 354 ML, this product is definitely a good buy. Watson's own line of body scrubs was smaller, around 320 ML but was more expensive than Glam Works. I am definitely one to go for both quantity and quality.

Will I Buy it Again?  

I just did, in Raspberry scent this time. 

Right after I bought the Glam Works Raspberry Scrub, I had this notion at the back of my head that I need to get more skin care products to complete my regimen. So when my family and I went to SM Marilao last Sunday and came by a stall of Zen Zest, my feet automatically dragged me to it and scouted their products which were grouped into scents: Cherry Blossom, Cotton Flower, Honey Dew Lemon, Spring Bouquet, Vanilla Cream and Raspberry. I took a whiff of everything without looking at the scents indicated in their labels. Well surprise surprise! I ended up choosing the Raspberry Body Wash, Body Spray and Hand Sanitizer. Here is my happy little Raspberry family    

I will probably write another review on my Berry family when I'm finished with them. I've been using the Body Wash for three days now and I'm loving it so far! 

At this time, I'm waiting for a package of another set of skin care products. I made a little haul at the Human Heart Nature online store where everything is almost 100% organic! I can't wait to try them all and share my experience after a month or two.

Apologies on this huge block of text. Apparently, I missed blogging so much and my lovely readers too! I'ma take a happy bath time for now and will be on my way to a date with my best friend. Chiao!~

Love Lots,

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[Outfit Post] : Last Valentines Day

Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. 

~Author Unknown

It is apparently the first week of October, two and a half months before Christmas and here I am, blogging about Valentines Day. Eight months delayed yes? Well, better late than never. I guess that would be my standard spiel every time I'm having a comeback post from hereon.

So anyway, this was what I wore on Valentines day. Apologies for the super bright background. It looked okay on my phone though. The beauty of the Aquamarine shade of this chunky knitted sweater was not so evident in here but believe me, it looked so pretty and felt so warm and soft when worn. Thank you to Foxy Youth shop for all my one of a kind knitted pieces!

To add a softer, more feminine vibe into this already-delicate look, I donned a 3D rosette top in Cream and a ruffled skorts of the same color. The shade was unexpectedly so put together it looked like a dress. And I absolutely loved how I looked that day. Nevermind the sweat that was starting to build up at my back because of the thickness of the cardigan. For some reason, it was really humid in this mall. Hello Trinoma! Are you aware that your air conditioning system is really bad?

Cardigan; Foxy Youth Shop | 3D Rosette Top ; Kheis Collection

 | Skorts; Frugalista Shop | Wedges ; Sam's Closet PHSM Parisian

Aaaand of course, blog post isn't complete without a selfie from the fiance! How I love calling him that :D A year from how, I'ma call him hubby yiiieeee XD

Love Lots,

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The Day I Said Yes

"I made up my mind, I was going to find someone 

who would love me unconditionally

three hundred sixty five days a year".

Last July 17th, 2015, on the day of our 5th anniversary, John asked me to marry him. Truth be told, I emptied my head for any expectations of an engagement ring and a mind-blowing proposal. Years before, we were already discussing our future plans: wedding, dream house, family. Hence, there was not a trace of ever saying No to him, should he finally ask me that. I kept on telling him, "you don't need to propose to me anymore. No need for a ring, etc etc" being the practical (or stingy) fart that I am, I was more worried on the cost of the ring he would get me rather than having all these overrated fairy tale like proposals all over the internet. 

That day, we left home early as we planned to spend the anniversary at Luljetta's Hanging Gardens and Spa located in Antipolo, Rizal. I had been dying to visit the place for years ever since I saw it on TV. Imagine an infinity pool overlooking mountain ranges instead of the usual beach. It was something different, exciting, and romantic. It was an unusual choice during the rainy season, but the thought of a crowd-less spa carved through the mountains was enticing. And we made the right choice! We tried all the Hydro facilities and indulged in the luscious Greenery of the Antipolo mountains and Laguna de bay. My favorite spot was the Infinity Pool. 

We were taking photos of our silly selves, when he asked me to stay at the edge of the pool, turn back and strike a pose. I obeyed cluelessly, thinking it was for some epic blog photos. And he was placing his phone on a stand. I did as I was told anyway, when I felt him approach me. I asked how he was going to take my photos if he left the phone at the other corner of the pool, and he said he brought along a shutter. I couldn't see his other hand because it was under the water but I knew he held something "Red", thinking it was the camera shutter. Seeing I was looking intently at the "shutter", he held out that hand from underneath the water and showed a heart shaped box. My world stopped spinning for a half a second, totally going blank. He opened the box and the diamond ring sparkled before my eyes. He took out the ring and held my hand. "Honey, will you marry me?".

...

...

...

o___O

Uhh..

...

What?

...

I knew I fell into a state of coma for a moment there. My mouth hung open, my eyes were not seeing anything at all and my neck mechanically spun to the right, slowly regaining vision of the mountains. And then I cried, uncontrollably. Though I knew I found the voice to say "Yes." Or I think I answered "siyempre" lol. And we sealed it with a kiss. :*

So much for all the sappiness. Here's a quick overview of the place:

Five years plus 2 months, we are still together. The road we took was not the less traveled. It was bumpy, muddy, dusty, with cracks here and there. But we are still together. Five years had gone by, and I still couldn't get the hang of it. We fought, a lot, made each other cry, made wrong decisions every once in a while, but we're still together. We are strong after all. And next July will be our 6th year. And a few months after that, will change our lives forever. Thank you for wanting to marry me lol. I'm not perfect, I'm not the best, I'm clumsy and sickly, I don't cook nor do laundry nor iron clothes. I spend money on clothes like hell, and sing and dance to K-Pop. I scream after cute K-Pop boys and watch anime and bowl over Korean dramas and Pinoy movies. I don't watch your gigs and don't listen to most of the bands you liked. I'm all these and more and you're still here with me. I cannot thank you enough. But I will thank you nonetheless. 

Thank you for always listening to my rants, for giving me advices that sounded a hell lot better than any shrink. Thank you for never failing to remind me to eat, take my meds, take a bath (lol), every day without fail. Thank you for always taking me home, every date, despite the distance and travel time, and unpredictable weather. Thank you for dancing with me to "Wonderful Tonight". Thank you for dropping by the office sometimes to surprise me. Thank you for the unyielding patience of taking photos of me for my blog for the longest time. I have so many things to thank you for, not even this space is enough. But always know, I am here for you. I love you. And I'm marrying you! 

#MayForever
#JohAnne17

Love Lots,

Happily Engaged.