IAMBRIGITTE

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, combin...

Do you get enough sleep?  I don't.  During weekdays, I only get to have 4-5hrs of sleep.  Sometimes, I get longer hours but that only happens when I go straight to bed as soon I arrive from work. I am usually dead tired after a day's work so as soon as I hit the bed, I'll be off to dreamland.   Okay na sana , but the thing is, I'd still have my makeup on. And if ever I wake up in the middle of the night, I'd be too lazy (and sleepy) to get up and wash my face. The result?  My skin breaks out.  Sometimes I get lucky that my skin would still behave despite the ordeal it goes thru but I would notice that my skin would look dull, tired and well, old. Yaiks!  I know I'm not getting younger but that doesn't mean it should show up on my skin. Tama!? I wish to get that youthful glow back despite my already  tita-stage age. Well, who doesn't? I've been contemplating to go back to Obagi Nuderm but with this scorching heat, I think I wou...

Don't you just love multipurpose products? Nope, I am not talking about makeup here.  This time, I am going gaga over this cream that is being considered by many as a skin problem solver for the whole family, even for babies! Human+Kind All-in-One Family Remedy Cream (AED70/40ml, AED120/100ml) This all-around cream soothes and reduces the appearance of eczema, psoriasis and acne-prone skin. It also relieves dry, cracked and sensitive skin, minor burns, itching and razor burn, cold and bed sores, athlete's foot, insect bites and stings, brittle nails and sunburn.   It is suitable even for those with sensitive skins and is formulated with No Chemicals, No Colourants, No Parabens, No Additives and No Perfumes.  It is also not tested on animals and is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.  Active Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis, Marshmallow, Betula Alba Bark (Birch), Broccoli Extract, Shea Butter, Calendula, Centella Asiatica Extr...

If you have a problematic skin (acne-prone, pores easily clogged because of makeup and blemishes, among others) like yours truly, you'd need all the help you can get. I personally like my skincare to have AHAs or ingredients that can help exfoliate and brighten skin  (much better if it can lighten too) and prevent future breakouts.   Geesh, I do sound like my skin has a lot of demands no?  Well, demanding talaga siya!  I wish I could go back to those days when my skin's a lot more normal and when I didn't have to worry about oilies or acne.  Oh god, I'd give anything just to have that kind of skin back.   Kung maibabalik ko lang, sabi nga ni Mareng Regine. But that's now impossible.  I mean, let's face it...I am on my way to being a lola (fine, exag na ako!) and my skin won't be back to its younger self so instead of wasting my time wishing to get that skin back, I'd rather do things that will help me sort of slow down the ageing proces...

I woke up today and realized, we're on the last month of the first quarter of the year!  Oh geesh, ang bilis talaga ng araw .  I feel so pressured! Most especially because in a few days, it's gonna be my Mahal's birthday and until now I don't have an idea yet of what to give him. Though we've agreed we won't be giving extravagant gifts this year because we need to save up for something REALLY IMPORTANT (care to guess what it is?), I still feel like I need to give him something.  It doesn't have to be big, but gosh, I really am running out of ideas. Besides, we've been together for more than 21 years and I think I've already given him all possible presents I could give him (except for one..sniff).  Give me more gift ideas please. Putting that aside for now, let me share with you what I got for the February box from Glambox ME.   Glambox Middle East February Box  When I opened the box, I honestly got disappointed to see not one, but ...

For the longest time, I've been eyeing SK-II skincare. I mean, who wouldn't? If you know Cate Blanchett, you'd know why.   I know you'd probably say but she has good genes (so you mean I don't!?? Hahaha!) and that she's of Australian descent and she grew up in a place with a much better climate than where I grew up and yadah yadah yadah . Fine, but I've seen a lot of good reviews online about this skincare and some of them are also Asians living in a tropical climate. So please don't kill my hopes just yet.   And just when I was on the verge of giving in to buying myself a trial set, I got a chance to try their Pitera Essence Set courtesy of our friends at Luxola  (thanks so much!): My love package from Luxola SK-II Pitera Essence Set Red Flower Limited Edition The box contains: Facial Treatment Essence, 75ml Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, 30ml Facial Treatment Mask, 1 piece

I've always been intrigued with the brand N°7 ever since I first saw it at Boots during my first trip in Dubai some 2 years ago.  I'm amazed that aside from their wide selection of makeup, they also have skincare.  I must admit that I hesitated checking them out until I got a chance to attend a launch event of their newest serums and I realized, the brand is indeed in a quest for excellence when it comes to anti-aging skincare. The Journey It started in 2007 when they launched the  N°7  Protect & Perfect Serum and at the time when serums are still quite unknown. A clinical trial was made and presented into the public.  The research showed that the product helped in increasing fibrillin, a glycoprotein which is essential for the formation of elastic fibers found in our skin.  The same effect can be achieved by using tretinoin, but we all know that it's a prescription-only treatment and when used excessively, it may do more harm th...

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 re...

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 hone...

July is almost over and in a week, so is Ramadan. For those wondering how is it to live in a Muslim country during Ramadan,  it's not really difficult. You just can't do your usual munching and drinking while at your desk, and it's not really because it's forbidden, but it's more like about respect.  Our Muslim brothers and sisters refrain from any food and drink from just before dawn until sunset and I think this year, their fasting takes about 20hrs a day because it's summer time.  Yes, they can be used to it already but still, they would appreciate if people around them won't be tempting them with food or drinks.  In our office, most of my team mates are Muslims but they told me I can eat/drink as long as I keep it discreet. Maybe they know I am usually stuck at my desk and they notice that I hardly go down to our pantry to eat or drink.  Anyway, I wish I can say the same thing for summer…I mean, that it's gonna end soon. It's so freaking hum...

Now that I am finally back to working, I get to apply makeup every day again.  You know how much I love putting on makeup and as matter of fact, more than half of my prep time every day is being spent on it. Tee-hee!   I do spend a lot of time doing my makeup, but I also make sure that I spend time taking it off my face too!  I believe in doing the "double-cleanse" method when it comes to taking off my makeup.  No, it doesn't mean cleansing your face with the same product twice but it's all about removing your makeup and cleansing your skin in two different steps to totally get rid of makeup residue, sebum and bacteria.  My usual method of double-cleansing is using my trusted Ponds Cold Cream first, massaging it all over my face to loosen up the makeup then wiping it off with wet wipes. Then I follow it with a facial wash.  When I have too much makeup on, or I've used mostly waterproof, I use a cleansing oil as my first step...

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Gentle, daily use exfoliating powder for all skin conditions. Unique Rice-based powder formula activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter. Our unique Skin Brightening Complex helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation while a super-soothing blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo and Colloidal Oatmeal helps to calm the skin, leaving it extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis. Not recommended for users of medically-prescribed exfoliation products. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors. I've had this product since January but have put off using it for a while because I've just started with my Obagi Nuderm regimen, and my skin is all raw and sensitive that time…not to mention peeling like crazy too!   

Some years ago, I remember a male colleague of mine asking me if he can also use the whitening cream I'm using on my face. He looked embarrassed, probably because he's expecting me to ask him if he's gay.   (laughs)   But no, I didn't.  Like us, men also have skin issues.  They also suffer from sunspots and other skin blemishes.  And besides, we are no longer in the age when men who take care of their skin and overall looks are considered to be homosexuals.  I mean, c'mon! Looking good to feel good isn't exclusive for us women.  I don't think it makes them less of a man when they take care of themselves.  I personally like that in a man, as long as it's not too much! ^_^ Pond's, the skincare brand that has been trusted by women for more than 150 years, also recognises that even men need to take care of their skin and groom themselves.  And so they launched their first range of skincare for men - Pond's men, and it's now ...

Hi, my loves!  And so I went POOF on a few days again.  But no, it's not because I'm back to studying for another certification exam but because of I've been..well, watching too much TV.   (laughs)  I've recently got copies of The Vampire Diaries and have been watching it like crazy for days.  'twas like I've been glued to my seat and nothing else matters!  LOL.  But the good thing about it is, I haven't been eating much. I guess seeing Damon (the hot Ian Somerhalder) is more than enough to keep me full.  Hahah! Anyways, for today I want to share with you some of the awesome goodies I got as gifts from our friends from The Body Shop UAE (thanks!).  As you all know, their Spring 2014 collection is now out and so that's the first I'd be showing you…plus, some more!  (Thanks to The Body Shop UAE for these gifts!)

I've heard about the brand La Prairie before, but haven't really gotten the chance to try any of their  products yet.  I must admit, I got intimidated right after knowing that their prices are just like that of La Mer's, more expensive even.  I used to think that beauty products with skyrocket prices are just overrated, but Mom swears by La Mer, so I guess I should stop being judgmental and let brands like La Prairie prove their worth.   So when I got the chance to attend my very first La Prairie event, I made sure I'd be able to go and finally know what's so special about their products. The event was held at the posh Voda Bar at the Zabeel Saray Hote l in Jumeira.  The hotel by the way is so gorgeous, I wish I had taken some photos.  But I just got so shy I wasn't able to take selfies.  Yes, selfies!  Of course, I would want to be in the photos too! ^_^ Voda Bar entrance  

Back in PH, I wear makeup everyday…sometimes, even on weekdays.  And no matter how diligent I am when it comes to cleansing and exfoliating, my skin would still get clogged and therefore would need professional help to keep those nasty breakouts at bay. Because of this, I try to get a facial and a diamond peel every month.  And yes, it ain't easy on my wallet but I'm pretty sure you'd agree with me not to scrimp when it comes to taking care of your skin.  Before I left home, I made sure I had a facial and a diamond peel first.  My skin was not acting up at that time but I didn't get my hopes up for I know it will go gaga soon.  And it did.  Well, it did behave for a month when I was in the US. But when I got here in Dubai, my skin just went nuts!  When the cold season started to hit, it just got worse. Yes, that's how weird my skin is.  It gets more problematic when it's cold. Probably because it gets more clogged?  But the t...

I may be skipping makeup these days, but only because I stay at home (in other words, I'm still unemployed…ugh) most of the time.  But if there's one thing I'm not gonna skip on any given day, it's gonna be sunblock.   If you live in a place where there's too much sun, you ought to make friends with a very good sunblock.  I've tried a lot of sunblocks in the past (click here for reviews ) but what I'm reaching out for the most would still be the one from Obagi .  I also use the Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector with SPF50 PA+++ which is also good, but since I find it expensive for its small size of 30ml, I just use it on say, special occasions. ^_^ I wasn't really planning of trying out a new sunblock but when I was at Boots getting my 2nd tube of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, they were having their Buy 2 Get 1 promo on their skincare items. I've been meaning to get the Effaclar AI for my pimples too, so I figured it might be the right time t...

Everybody needs a time to rejuvenate and be pampered once in a while to break away from all the crazy things at work,  or even at home.  When I was still working, I remember looking forward to one full day when I can finally get a facial, a hair treatment or colour, mani-pedi and even squeeze in a body scrub/massage.  Too bad, such days didn't come often.  But whenever it does, expect not to be able to get any replies from me should you try to reach me.  It's a day I call, my "Me Day."   I love going to Spas.  Well, who doesn't?  So when I got an invite for the grand opening of Purity Med Spa at Al Wasl Road a few weeks back, I just couldn't say No.  I'm not really stressed since I'm still not working, but it would  be nice to know some good places I could run to once stress starts kicking in again. ^_^   Purity Medi Spa offers an extensive selection of elite treatments to their women-only clientele. Ever...