Holiday Gift Ideas: Kiehl's 2015 Holiday Collection

Since the holidays is just around the corner, I'd be posting the holiday collections from some of my favorite brands to help you cross out some on your gifts list.  I'm pretty sure most of you are still trying to complete your gifts list and hopefully this post (and the several others that will follow) will be able to help you.  Me, I haven't even started! LOL. Though for the past years, I've ended up just giving away gift vouchers/money to spare myself from thinking what to give who.  But honestly, shopping for gifts is so exciting. And well, it's much more personal.  (wink)

 

For today, check out the holiday offerings from Kiehl's:

 

 

 Kiehl's 2015 Holidays Collection

 

Each year, Kiehl's collaborates with the artist community to adorn some of the brand's selected most loved products for its holiday collection. In keeping with this tradition, Kiehl's partners this year with the art legend Peter Max.  The brand's best-selling Crème de Corps, Crème de Corps Whipped, Ultra Facial Cream and a new collection of scented Richly Hydrating Hand Creams in Lavander, Coriander and Grapefruit will all bear the celebrated artist's whimsical designs from his acclaimed work, "The Cosmic Runner."

 

Kiehl's Crème de Corps Whipped Body Butter

(AED 250)

Kiehl's Crème de Corps

(AED 280)

 

Something New: Boots No7 Early Defence Skincare

Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure. If you don't agree then stop reading this blog right at this moment. 

 

'kidding!

^_^

 

But with all seriousness, I know that you'll all agree on my first statement is absolutely correct.  When it comes to our skin, it is never too early to start taking care of it  and making sure that we keep all skin problems at bay. The earlier we try to avoid aging, the better.

 

On that note, let's all welcome (with open arms, I should say) the newest anti-ageing skincare line from Boots. 

 

No7 Early Defence Skincare

 

This new skincare line is consists of a day cream, a night cream and an eye cream. The line works as a stepping stone to help in the transition from everyday skincare to proactively delaying the signs of ageing. 

 

The key to this new skincare range is No7's new and most effective patent pending daily protection called Double Defence, combined with the brand's unbeatable 5* UVA Technology.  With these two combined, Double Defence gives skin advanced daily protection from the sun and environmental stress to help keep it looking younger for longer.

 

Patent Pending Double Defence Technology contains:

 

Ginseng and Mulberry - both are rich in polyphenols which are effective against superoxides which gets produced on the skin when you get exposed to sunlight or pollution.

 

Vitamin C - effective against Ozone, which is formed from ultraviolet light and atmospheric electrical discharges.

 

Lipochroman and Vitamin E - both are effective against singlet oxygen, an incredibly damaging free-radical produced from being exposed to UVA.

 

Rice peptides and Alfalfa - these are effective inhibitors of age-accelerating enzymes (MMPs) in the skin. They are produced by the skin to help in self-repair. 

 

Tried and Tested: Kaya Skin Clinic Aqua Radiance

The last time I had a facial was last August and that was when I was still in PH.  It's been a while yes, but you see I can be quite picky when it comes to entrusting my skin to a facial clinic. I mean, aren't we all?  Well I guess not everybody, but seriously, we should all be. 

 

So when I got the chance to try out a facial treatment from Kaya Skin Clinic, I didn't think twice. Not because I know I'd be getting the service for free, but because they are known to be one of the trusted skincare clinics here in the UAE. As a blogger, I also sometimes get an invite to try out skin treatments but I don't always say "Yes."  You might think I'm being a diva, but I am definitely not. I'm just being careful as I don't want to be just grabbing anything free that comes my way and then end up being sorry or ranting online when it doesn't turn out good.  And remember, it's my skin we are dealing with here.  I'm sure you'd do the same.

 

Anyway going back to the treatment, I chose to go for the Kaya Aqua Radiance. I chose it because it kinda reminded me of the Oxygen Facial that I always go for whenever I visit my derma back in PH. The latter really helps make my skin glow and look rejuvenated, and that's exactly what I need now that stress is taking its toll on my skin.

 

For the clinic branch, I decided to go to the Abu Dhabi Mall branch with their clinic located at the Ground Floor.

 

  



 



 



 



 



 For inquiries and reservations, give them a call at 02 6435030

 

Prices of their treatments are not posted on their website but no worries because they will be more than glad to provide you with that info plus other concerns you might have.

Essie Cashmere Matte Nail Polish Collection

Nail polish addicts, here's one more reason to rejoice and add a bottle or two (or more) to your collection...

ESSIE Cashmere Matte Collection

The nail polishes are created with a soft matte finish with a gorgeous reflective pearl colour. There are 6 available shades all of which are inspired by a luxurious neutral color palette of rich cashmere.

Spun in Luxe

Black base with blue shimmer

 

 

Wrap Me Up

Whitish Beige

 

 

Just Stitched

Baby Pink with blue shimmer

Keep Your Skin Looking Young With Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair

 Dermalogica is a skin care company whose product portfolio includes cleansers, exfoliants, toners, masques, treatments targeting specific skin concerns, moisturizers, sun protection, as well as acne treatment products for younger skins.  Men don't need to fret, as Dermalogica offers products for both men and women. Their packaging is pretty straightforward too. No fancy packaging here as you'd see that their products are mostly packaged in simple white and silver/gray packaging. Their products have been tested and proven effective, hence their confidence that they don't need a flamboyant packaging just to capture attention. They are the kind of products you'd be looking for in an ocean of products with fancy and extravagant packaging. Simply because, you know they work. And they do because these products are being used by skincare professionals themselves.

 

 

 

I've used a number of their products and if you're interested on how it fared on my skin, check my review here, here and here. And oh, I've also tried one of their facial treatments and it's still one of the best I've tried. Read on my experience here.

 

 

And now, Dermalogica has done it again by launching the first-ever customizable retinol treatment.  The product is called the Overnight Retinol Repair which promises to accelerate skin renewal, reverse signs of photo-aging, improve skin tone and increase skin firmness.  Because it's customizable, it allows users to enjoy the benefit of retinoid depending on their skin needs.

 

Swatches and Review: Make Up Forever Plexi Gloss in 104, 204 and 406

 

Make Up Forever Plexi Gloss

(AED 95)

 

Make Up Forever launched this range of lip glosses a few months back and from the swatches I've been seeing online, I just knew these are worth checking out.  They are highly-pigmented, ultra-shiny lip glosses which also come with a promise that they stay put and  that they don't bleed. 

 

This line has a wide selection of shades, starting from the softest to the most show-stopping and is divided into 5 categories: 100s are nudes, 200s are corals, 300s are pinks, 400s are reds and the 500s are the artsy shades.

 

swatches of 104 - 204 - 406
 

Shade #104

 

This shade is a beautiful soft brown which I think can be a great topper on most lipstick shades.  It's nude, but no worries as it won't make you look like a zombie when worn on its own.

 

These glosses have this funky-looking split-tip applicator but it really does a good job in applying the color evenly and easily on the lips. It packs on a good amount of product on the wand and it's flexible, making it easy to reach the inner corners of the lips and on the shape of your cupid's bow.
 

Grand Opening of Studio XY in Abu Dhabi

  
Two weeks ago, yours truly got an invite to attend the grand opening of Studio XY, a cool new salon located at the NYU Campus in Abu Dhabi. We know that ladies (and well, men too!) consider a salon as one of the best places to de-stress.  It's basically one of the places that we go to for some good "Me" time. I've been to some salons here in the UAE and I have my favorites already, but that won't stop me from checking out new places where me and my girls can spend a day pampering ourselves and getting ready for let's say, another crazy week at work. And of course, I'd be more than happy to share with you my awesome finds...be it about makeup or not.
^_^
 
When we arrived at the venue, we were surprised that there are actually 2 salons: Studio X for ladies and Studio Y for gents.  Cool!
 
 

Studio X Ladies Salon

 



 
 

When you enter the salon, first area you'd see is their Nail Services section:

 



 

 



They have a wide selection of nail polish brands and shades where you can choose from.

 

 

Illamasqua Earth Collection Nomadic Eyeshadow Palette

I can't remember the last time I held a gorgeous eyeshadow palette, but I'm guessing that the last was the Viseart Matte Eyeshadow palette which I ordered from DTCMakeup a year ago. (gasp) Has it been that long? Wow! 

 

Anyway, today I'd be talking (or writing) about this Nomadic Eyeshadow Palette from the Illamasqua Earth Collection.  It's my first time to try out products from Illamasqua and I must say I am really impressed. 

 

Nomadic Eyeshadow Palette

(AED 255)

 

 

 



 

The palette features 4 beautiful shades in either matte or metallic finish. The shades are: Loam (deep earth green/matte), Terra (clay red/matte), Solitude (grayish taupe/matte) and Gravity (pewter gray/metallic).

Product Spotlight: Make Up Forever Ultra HD Foundation

Make Up Forever Ultra HD Foundation

(AED 210)

When Make Up Forever came up with their original HD foundation a few years back, I had to make sure I have at least 3 shades of it (light, medium and dark) in my makeup kit.   If you also do make up on other people, I'm sure you'd understand why. (wink) I mostly use that foundation on weddings because it never fails to give me that naturally flawless look and airbrushed finish on and off camera. I had so many clients who ended up buying that foundation because they loved the effect on them. And I really can't blame them.  I used it too, but not for long. Not because I ended up liking it less, but because I have lots of other foundations to try and use.  #beautybloggerproblems

^_^

So when I got the invitation to attend the launch of their improved HD foundation which they now called Ultra HD Foundation, I know I won't dare miss it for the world. And today, I am finally sharing with you my thoughts.

But first let me scare you with my bare-faced photos: 



As you can see, my skin is FAAAR from being perfect. I have a lot of pigmentations, pimple scars, redness and the surface of my skin isn't smooth.

Rimowa Opens Its First Store in the Middle East

Rimowa has finally opened its first store in the UAE and it's located in the ground floor of the Abu Dhabi Mall (right across Sephora).  The store was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Social Development of UAE in the presence of HE Dr. Eckhard Lubkemeier, the German Ambassador to the UAE, RIMOWA President & CEO Dieter Morszeck and Tony Jashanmal, Group Director of Jashanmal Group.

 

 

 

The 185sqm store resembles the clean, sleek and modern aesthetic of the RIMOWA cases and their signature grooves.

 

...

Have you ever come to a point when you just realize that no matter what you do and how hard you try, you will never be enough?

 

 

I am not saying I am perfect, I have flaws too. In fact, I might have a lot. But so are other people...and yet I don't take their imperfections against them.  Yes I get angry when they come at fault, but it's normal.  But what's not normal is when you commit a mistake and people hold on to that mistake of yours as if all those good things you did in the past have been erased.  And what hurts the most is when they keep on reminding you of what you did wrong just to get away for what they have been doing wrong.

 

Do you know that I am so good at pretending?  I pretend that everything's alright when it's not. I pretend to be okay when in fact I am falling apart. But I get tired too.  And now I am just so tired all I want to do is sleep. Sleep is my escape you know.  Because when I am awake, I keep on thinking about a lot of things. Mainly about the things I did wrong and failed to do.  Believe it or not, I see myself as a big failure. And I use it to justify the way some people treat me. When they did me wrong, i'd be like, "It's because it's my fault...it's because I am not enough...it's because I am like this, and I am lacking on a lot of things." It's always my fault, and that I deserve to be treated this way.

 

I'm so tired and so hurt, I can't even cry.  All I know now is that things that would go wrong WILL ALWAYS BE my fault.  So tell me, is there anything else I can do?  I just want to curl up on my bed and do nothing. I'm scared to do something wrong because they will do something wrong in return and in the end, I'd be blamed. 

 

If you're reading this (though I'm pretty sure nobody's going to because it's too emo), then you'd probably be saying, "but she always looks so happy with all her makeup/food/whatever posts."  Then again, I'm gonna remind you that I am so good in pretending.  You have no idea how broken I am and how lonely I feel. 

 

I'm so sorry about this post.  I just need to let this all out.  It's not even everything that I wanted to say actually.  But I just need to breathe. I feel so messed up. I am running out of reasons why I still need to be here.  I think I am better off alone. I think people around me will be better off without me.

 

I know some people have it worse...but please, pray for me. 

I need it badly.

 

 



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Swatches of Happy Skin Cosmetics Holiday 2015 Collection

I'm sure that by now you already know that Happy Skin has finally opened their first standalone store. It's located near the entrance of Rustan's in Glorietta 3.  Also, they have released their Holiday 2015 Collection called Read My Lips. Yes my loves, it's all about giving our puckers a whole lot of love. Well, the brand is most well-known for their lippies in the first place, so why not!?  This time, the lippies are packaged in hardbound "books" which you can recycle and use to store your abubots. 

 

They have release a total of 4 books, but I skipped the How To Conquer The World because I already have Hear Me Roar and Royal Treatment lip lacquers.  To check swatches, please click here.

 

I initially thought of skipping the other new shades because 1) I'm not due to receive another box from PH (My Mom/Aunt sends me a package with all the stuff I get from our PR friends back home and some stuff that I use and cannot find here) and 2) I have tons of lipsticks already (I really can't stress this enough) Hahaha!  But, I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night knowing that I'd be missing out a lot if I don't get these babies.  Fortunately, I have a friend who's travelling back to UAE after a vacation in PH and ding-ding! That's my sign! LOL!

 

So my loves, I present to you 3 of the 4 books that lipstick lovers would not dare skip this holiday season...the Happy Skin Cosmetics' Read My Lips Holiday 2015 Collection.

 



How To Take The Perfect #Selfie Moisturizing Lippie Set

(Php 1499)

 

 

Pucker Up - Stay Happy - Strike A Pose

 

Pucker Up - Stay Happy - Strike A Pose

Givenchy X Glambox Event: Live Irresistible Fragrance Launch

 The event was held at the lovely Fortnum & Mason in Downtown Dubai,  known as one of London's most famous stores when it comes to luxury food items and quintessential English afternoon tea.

 

As soon as I stepped inside, I already felt the girly, carefree vibe because there's a lot of pinkness going on.  Each table were adorned with mini Givenchy goodies that were included in the Givenchy-exclusive Glambox some months ago, and of course with Fortnum and Mason's mouthwatering high tea delights.

 

 

 

 

 

Givenchy and Glambox specially curated box for the month of July featuring the former's signature products

 

 

My First Spa Experience in UAE: Namm Spa in Dusit Thani Dubai

And just like that, it's a Sunday once again. While my friends back in PH are still enjoying their weekend, and maybe spending time with their friends and family at the cemetery because today is what we call Undas, I am on the other hand is back to work.  I did had a great weekend though. We had some friends from PH who were here for a convention and we brought them to a desert safari. Unlike my first experience which is a total "blah," I really had a great time this time around. We really felt like we were in a roller coaster ride.  Kudos to our driver who have been doing it for more than 10 years so I guess, he can do it even with his eyes closed.

 

I had a full day last Friday: hubby's basketball game around noon, desert safari from late afternoon until around 9pm and a get together with another circle of friends until around 3am.  I usually just spend weekends at home, but it's nice to have some activities from time to time. 

 

One thing that I miss doing or having though, is a good massage.  When I was in PH, I try to have a massage at least once a week.  I usually have it done around midweek, sometimes every weekend. Of course I prefer having it done in the weekend as it really helps me get ready for another crazy work week.  So when I was planning for our wedding anniversary hotel staycation months ago, one deciding factor is the availability of a spa in the hotel itself.  And so I'm just so glad Dusit Thani has one (more about our hotel stay here), the Namm Spa.

 

 

 

Namm Spa

(Mezzanine Floor, Dusit Thani Dubai)

 

Namm, pronounced “nahm”, is a Thai word that signifies “water” - the most essential element of life that offers many healing applications both inside out and outside in.