La Martina at the Harper's Bazaar World of Fashion 2014...

Last two weeks ago, I got an invite to check out La Martina's latest collection at the Harper's Bazaar World of Fashion at the Mall of the Emirates.  I honestly had to think twice if I would attend because, isn't it obvious, fashion is not my thing! I mean, I wish I can be fashionable…I tried, and I still keep on trying but I guess, it's just not one of my few talents. Hahaha!

But then I realized that maybe, I can get to learn a thing or two if I would start attending such events.  So I said yes and I'm so glad I did, because I got to see all the action from the front row! 

La Martina is a sports and leisure clothing brand from Argentina and a known icon of the royal sport, horse polo.  It's also an official supplier of jerseys and equipments for most world polo tournaments. Through the years, it also became a go-to brand when it comes  to fashion in and out of the polo field. 

Looking at what the models strutted on the catwalk, their clothes are stylishly elegant, yet casual. 

Laroche-Posay Effaclar is my best bet against acne!

My absolute skin saver:  Laroche-Posay Effaclar Duo and Effaclar AI

I first got to know about these French skincare products from Digitaltraincase when I was still in Manila.  That time, my skin was fairly normal and I was on the look out for maintenance products that will make my skin stay as such.  I got the Effaclar toner, Effaclar Duo, Effaclar K and Effaclar A.  I've finished a bottle of the toner (and loved it) but as for the rest of the products, they had to take a back seat because I didn't really find the need for them at that time.  My main issue has always been the scars left by nasty breakouts, so I jumped in to another set of skincare products that focuses on that.

When I got here in the UAE, my skin took months to adjust. So again, break out galore. Probably because of the water? Maybe.  Then when the cold season kicked in, it just totally went haywire. And guess what, I also started getting back acne.  When it rains, it really pours…indeed!   

Then on one of my trips to Boots (which is my new Watsons, by the way hahha) I again came across these Laroche-Posay products.  I got the Duo and AI but unfortunately, the Effaclar Toner is not available here.  So I got their Physiological Soothing Toner instead. Those three products made the condition of my skin turn 180 degrees in just 2-3 weeks!  My face and my back just stopped breaking out and when I felt that my skin has finally calmed down, I jumped back in to using Obagi to help with the scars.

My October 2014 Glambox...

'sup my loves!? It's midweek (at least in this part of our world) and I'm sure like me,  you can't wait until it's again the weekend. What are your plans?  

For me, I'm expecting this weekend to be busier than my usual eat-sleep-watch tv, because there's a few errands hubby and I need to do, a kids' party and a crash course training for my new job. Oh yeah,  I am moving to a new job. I'd tell you about it later but for now, I can tell you that I'm scared. Scared because it's gonna be something new for me and it was decision I've thought long and hard.  Geesh,  I still have second thoughts about it to be honest but I already made a decision.  I just hope and pray that this change will be worth it and that this is  indeed something that I need to do for now.  SIGH.  Hay Lord, ikaw na po bahala.

Anyways, another month is ending it's again time for unboxing a beauty box from Glambox Middle East!  Unlike last month's box, this came early. I got it just before the weekend last week and now I'd be sharing with you what I got. I'm not sure if everybody else got the same stuff though.

October 2014 Glambox

Before you freak out and ask why there are only 4 items in the box, let me tell you that I only took a photo of the beauty items but there are tons of vouchers included!  So keep your cool, okay? Hahaha!

Caudalie Divine Oil

Ever since I switched to using body oils (from lotions) after I take a shower at night, I never looked back. Body oils keep my skin more hydrated and moisturised, and I just love how they get absorbed faster.  And the scent lasts longer too!  My current favourite is the Radiant Oil from The Body Shop's Wild Argan Oil collection and since I have been using it every night, I am almost done with my first bottle. So I got this just right on time! I've read a lot of good things about this oil from Caudalie and one thing that piqued my interest almost immediately is the fact that aside from you can use it on your hair and body, you can also use it on your face.  Hmm, I'm just not sure if I'd be using it on my face though.  I applied this all over my body after taking a shower last night and I love it. The scent is not as strong as the argan oil so you won't need to worry about it overpowering your perfume if you use this as an after shower-body oil in the morning.

Clarins Autumn 2014 Makeup Collection...

For autumn, the essentials are matte, tones of nude, beige and auburn.  I know some may see neutrals as boring (like I used to!) but with Clarins Autumn 2014 collection called Ladylike, it's all about elegance, natural beauty and femininity. 

via

Let's try to get to know each product in the collection:

Perfect Eyes and Brows Palette

(AED 210)

If there's one item I'd like to get my hands on from this collection, it will be this!  It has 3 powder shades that you can also use as eyeshadows for a simple, neutral look, a nude pink shade eyeshadow that can be used on the inner corners of the eyes or just below the browbone to highlight and a transparent wax to keep those unruly brow hairs primped all day.  You also get a tweezer, a spoolie and an eyeshadow applicator.  

Eye Quartet Mineral Palette

(AED 230)

This palette includes shade of soft beige, intense dark brown and two taupes. It can be used wet or dry and since they are of satin-finish, this palette is perfect for those with mature skin as they won't highlight or accentuate creases or wrinkles on the eyes.  

Blush Prodige in Tawny Pink

(AED 180)

Infused with bamboo powder and tomato extract, it gives the cheeks that most-coveted, natural healthy glow. It looks like a dark mauve and with some gold specks on the pan but after checking swatches online, it looks almost matte. 

Our Crab Fest Experience at Chimes...

I love seafood. Good thing I am not allergic to it like some people or else, I'd be miserable. Oh alright, I'm exaggerating.  But really, I just can't imagine my life without my favourite sweet chilli or steamed crabs and shrimps!  I know that some people don't really like seafood because it can be messy to eat them, but I don't mind at all.  C'mon, what's not fun with eating with your hands?  
^_^

So when I got an invite to check out Chimes' Crab Festival, the seafood lover in me just couldn't say No.  

Chimes is a small restaurant located in Barsha (Dubai) which offers an extensive menu of specialties from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

The interiors are  simple and they have an open kitchen so you can see their chefs working on their magic while you wait for your food.  They only have 5-6 tables in the restaurant and I heard the place can be jam-packed during weekends so make sure to make a reservation first.  

Product Review: Lush Mask of Magnaminty...

I am no newbie when it comes to products from LUSH having tried a number of their products in the past years, but this is the first time I decided to give their masks a try.  I am not really a fan of facial masks most especially those that you need to apply all over your face as I usually get too lazy to wash them off after. (I am such a lazy ass, LOL!) I looked around their shop at Al Wahda Mall (which is my new Megamall by the way), and saw that they have a lot of facial masks available.  I got confused at first on what to get, but decided to pick up the Mask of Magnaminty because I think it's the mask that is best suited for my skin.  

LUSH Mask of Magnaminty

(AED 100 / 315g)

A mask with a mixture of gentle yet effective ingredients to clean, calm and clear the skin. It has peppermint oil to cool and invigorate the skin, marigold oil and chlorophyllin to treat breakouts, and evening primrose and ground aduki beans to exfoliate.  It also has honey to moisturise and serve as an antiseptic and kaolin to cleanse the skin and keep the oils at bay.  

This is also multi-purpose as you can use it also on your chest and/or back if you also suffer acne on those areas.

Product Review: The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo..

I am not a fan of my flat, limp hair but one thing I like about it is that it doesn't suffer from probably one of the most common hair problems...dandruff. Maybe it's because like my face, my scalp is oily and dandruff usually affects those with drier scalp.   Unfortunately, my husband suffers from it and for years he has been switching from one brand of dandruff shampoo to another. He has tried a lot, even the expensive ones like Kerastase which to our dismay, even made his dandruff worse.  He eventually settled for Head & Shoulders (Classic Clean variant) and though his dandruff problem still remains, it is by far what he likes the most among all those he has tried.  

I actually feel guilty for not being able to help my husband with his scalp problem. I am a (beauty) blogger and migawd, I scour the net for stuff to try and review but didn't even really bother looking for products that will totally make his dandruff go away.  So one day when he was getting all frustrated again after seeing a lot of flaking on his scalp, we turned to dear Google and typed the words "best dandruff shampoo" away.  We did get a lot of recommendations but the first one which got our attention was the Ginger Shampoo from The Body Shop, mainly because it's easily accessible.

The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

(AED 37)

After using it for days, the husband noticed that it made his scalp flake a lot more. But eventually, it stopped.  It's probably like when you use a new skincare product and your skin goes thru a purging stage kind-of-thing.  He said his scalp isn't as dry as it was before and that he didn't experience any itching at all.  After more than a month of using it, he says that he is again experiencing some flaking but not as bad as before. He says it's just "mababaw" and not as thick as it used to.  Actually, I haven't seen dandruff flakes on his shirt for quite some time so I guess this shampoo really works.  Maybe not 100%, but it's working.

I don't suffer from dandruff but I used it for quite a few times already.  It has this subtle spicy ginger scent which is actually addicting and it feels so fresh on the scalp.  It's light and doesn't make my hair oily.  Contrary to what some users say online, I didn't feel the need to use a conditioner as my hair already feels soft after using this.  And it lathers well too!

To date, Mr. X says this is the best anti-dandruff shampoo he has tried, but since he still gets a bit of flaking on some days, I think we'll try other recommendations after he finishes this bottle.  Maybe we'll try the Jason shampoo next, or Neutrogena, and hopefully they are available here in UAE.  I also read that Kiehl's has an anti-dandruff shampoo too and based on reviews online, it's also worth checking out.   

How about you? Do you suffer from dandruff too? If you have other product recommendations as well, they are all very much welcome.  Let me know!
^_^

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All Things Hair Philippines is now online!

Do you love watching videos in Youtube?  In Youtube, you can find almost everything!  I basically learned most of my makeup techniques from watching makeup tutorials. But though I love watching international beauty vloggers showcase their talents in whipping up makeup looks, I still prefer to watch fellow Pinays.  Oh yeah, I love my kabayans!  Tee-hee! It's also basically because I more or less have the same skin tone and/or skin type as them which makes it  a lot easier, to put it simply, copy their makeup look. 

For those who aren't much into makeup and are more (or also) interested in learning how to style your hair on your own, you can check out the All Things Hair Philippines Youtube channel.  The first in Asia, All Things Hair is a collaboration between Google, global hair brands - Dove, Cream Silk, TRESemme, Toni & Guy, Sunsilk and Clear, and Philippines vloggers like Kelly Misa, Laureen Uy, Nicole Andersson, James and Phil Younghusband and of course, my good friend, Angela Nepomuceno.

All Things Hair is a one-stop online resource for anything that has to do with hair: haircare tips, product recommendations, hairstyle inspirations and tutorials.  And since the vloggers are also fellow Pinoys, you can surely be able to relate any of your hair issues with theirs.  

Angela of Lushangel.Com

We are so proud of you, Marian, I mean Angela! 

Pa-autograph nga! 

^_^

 

I've watched some of the videos and promise, they are easy to follow! Geesh, now I wish I can grow my hair fast. I used to wear my hair down when it was longer because I had no idea how to style it.  Now with the help of ATH, styling our hair won't need a trip to a salon anymore.  

Check it out!

^_^

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My September 2014 Glambox...

Ohhh, somebody has gone MIA again…would you happen to know who that lazy ass is?

^_^

It's been a week already since the last quarter of the year has started, but please let me still share with you what I got for last month's Glambox. I actually got it pretty late, 'twas on the last day of September and so I first thought I won't be able to get a box,  but I did.  Thanks Glambox!

I heard that they have started customizing the box according to the subscriber's profile so don't be surprised if your box would be different from others.  Better update your profile to make sure that you'd get items suited for you.  I just updated mine so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get items from my wish list in the following months.  Wink! Wink!

So what did I get? Here they are:

September 2014 Glambox 

Sunsilk Refreshing Shampoo

I know it isn't good, but I shampoo my hair everyday. I just can't stand it whenever my scalp's unwashed.  I've been getting recommendations to use dry shampoo instead but, I couldn't bring myself to buy something which I'm not sure I'm going to use in the first place so getting this in this box made me do my happy dance. Hahaha!  I will (I promise!) try this soon and will let you know how it goes.