Y'all know I used to be a smoker, right? YUP, YOU READ THAT RIGHT...USED TO BE! I've officially stopped smoking! Ahhhhh so ecstatic just typing it!! I've officially celebrated a month of being smoke-free yesterday and this may come as a little thing to some people but not to me. People who are close to me knows how much I smoke in a day and they were all surprised how I was able to go cold turkey! I mean, I couldn't believe it myself. I thought the day would never come. I'll officially be sharing more on that on my next post but today, I'm excited to be sharing a new product discovery with you guys! 

So since I've started smoking almost 9 years ago, I've noticed that nicotine does take its toll on those pearly whites. I used to have fairly white teeth until I started smoking. Recently when I went to the dentist for a visit, she also pointed out how a portion of my gums have started to have a dark color due to smoking. Of course I didn't want to paint that graphic image in your head, but I wanted to share how ~gross~ smoking has been for my mouth so today, sharing something that will somehow help me remedy that!

I've seen a ton of activated charcoal videos showing how it has been proven and tested to whiten teeth. I was considering using Crest Whitening Strips but I found a healthier and more natural way to do so--Carbon Coco! Products are 100% natural teeth whiteners that aims to naturally whiten and polish teeth, strengthen enamel and detoxify the mouth without the use of chemicals. Let's get on with the products!

If you guys have seen my previous video or post in here, you know how I've been battling the worst breakout of my life since 2016. And I think I also did several rants in here during my worst moments which is why I feel that it's also my duty to share with everyone how I've coped and still coping. At the moment, I'm still wearing makeup to work because I'm still insecure about my acne scars so I make sure I got those areas covered with concealer and foundation. 

But of course there are moments where I practically don't want anything on my face but then the insecurity haunts me so I put a foundation or end up not having to go out at all. I've considered the idea of BB creams but isn't that basically like foundation too? In terms of letting the skin breathe, at least. So you cannot imagine when a friend of mine started venturing into organic makeup! I was specially thrilled because they have tinted sunscreen! I MEAN WHAT, if that isn't what I'm looking then I don't know what could be more perfect. I won't be diving into a lot of details about it on here since I made a video! Please watch to know my thoughts, And subscribe if you haven't yet!

Believe me when I say I tried really hard to review these products. I even read beauty blogs so I can pick up commonly used adjectives, lol. As a starter, if you have any suggestion on how I can make my beauty reviews better, by all means, put it up in the comments section. 

LA Girl - I didn't like this one. To bring more context, I don't like glossy lipstick at all. Before Matte shades became all the craze here in the Philippines, I would dab a little baby powder on my lips to remove the gloss of whatever it is I was using. The color was also a tad too bright for me. While I've seen a lot of morena's sport bright red lipstick, it just doesn't sit well with me. 

Colour Collection - This one was given by an online seller who asked me to promote her products. Just like LA Girl, I didn't like that it was glossy. The color was also confusing since I couldn't figure out if it was bordering pale pink or pale red...so, no. 

MAC - This shade actually works fine with my skin color. But then again, I didn't like that it was also glossy. I should start telling people that I only accept Matte, hehe. I've used it a couple of times when I ran out of my usual EB Matte and I like how long-lasting it is. It also doesn't dry up my lips unlike LA Girl. 

Etude House - This one has to be my favorite among the four. Aside from the cute aesthetic, I love how the dark contrast of red is right up my alley. Aside from my obsession with Matte lippies, I'm also in love with dark shades. I don't care if I'm going out in the morning, I don't care if it's for afternoon tea, I would always wear dark shades of lipstick. Which is probably why this one is my favorite. I tried my baby powder technique so I can reduce the gloss but it didn't work. :( So now, whenever I wear this one, I just make sure I dab my lips with some paper towel so it's not as glossy. 

I remember being fond of make-up when I was a child. But I also remember being utterly terrified by it when I swallowed a tube of our house helper's chocolate-flavored lipstick. In my defense, I was kid--and I thought make-up was edible. From there, I sort of developed this phobia when it comes to make-up. It also didn't help that my school didn't allow make-up, even when we were already in highschool. My basic staples were baby powder, oil film and lip gloss. I don't know about you but we bragged about all sort of Chapstick or Maybelline lip gloss flavors in high school. I remember being the cool girl one time because my Grandma got me Lip Smackers in Candy Confetti and I was the first girl in class to ever have that flavor, lol. 

Growing up, I didn't really feel the need to invest in make-up. One big factor would be not seeing my Mom wear make-up, ever. Well, she did some times. Mostly during school occasions and it would be a teenee-tiny dab of pale lipstick. Until now, I still don't see the need to invest in expensive brushes, contouring shit, sponges, to name a few. I have learned to add a bit of color to my face though, lol! If that's something I can even be proud of. My interest in make-up may grow in the future but for now, I'm fine with my everyday beauty essentials. 

I've always had ugly skin. I have 3 sisters and they all have the perfect skin and complexion that sometimes I wonder if I was adopted, loljk! But I wasn't kidding about the part where I have ugly skin. My face was pretty low-maintenance until College. I started having really bad breakouts during my first year and sort of had this epiphany (lolwhut) that I need to take care of my skin. Back then, taking care of my skin meant a facial cleanser and a basic moisturizer. Well, that actually went on until last year, haha. Thanks God for friends who look after you, even if that meant criticizing every inch of your face. Before 2014 ended, I consulted a dermatologist because I had two unflattering red dots on my face and they won't go away! December was the time I wanted to hide from my friends and avoid any client presentation as much as possible because I felt uncomfortable with those two red dots looking like  targets on my face. I was told to go through the whole shebang : a regular facial, a deep cleansing facial and an anti-acne treatment. I felt like they were more painful than when I was having my tattoo done! I suddenly remembered why I don't like going to the dermatologist!

With that, I was also prescribed after treatment care. Everything was so tedious that I swore I would start taking care of my face and my skin so I won't have to ever go through everything again. It also didn't help that I had to make those appointments during the busiest month of the year! Traffic was unforgiving and setting up an appointment was a pain since everyone seemed to want to look beautiful before the year ended. Anyhoo, those two big red dots (as seen on my Christmas and NY photos) are almost gone and I'm relieved that I can finally go out without having to think too much of what people are saying when they see me, lol. Anyhoo, I've decided to share my new beauty regimen, and yes, I've graduated from the basic cleanser + moisturizer phase. Please don't laugh at me!

When I was in College, my makeup staples were baby powder (I know, not even pressed powder!) and my good 'ol trusty Nivea Lip Balm and/or my Born Lippy Lip Balm. This set hasn't changed a lot, I still use baby power (you must be laughing right now.), lip gloss, cheek tint and lipstick! I evolved, you see. I now welcome color into my face with the addition of cheek tint and lip stains to my daily beauty must-haves. 

I must say since my evolution was a bit late, I've just been enjoying the seemingly endless world of colors. I am true and loyal to just 1 brand of cheek tint but my lipstick collection is a combination of cheap and expensive stuff that have impressed me over time. 

A current favorite is Avon's Ultra Moisture Rich Rose Lipstick in Carmen Rose. And no, I won't be be reviewing the product, there are already a lot of reviews out there. Plus, I have fugly lips sooo..

..this is more of a Carmen Rose appreciation post. Lol. 

Those are just some of the things I'd love to wear this summer. If I can even wear those in the office, I would. Too bad we have dress codes and all that corporate stuff I'm suppose to be adhering to as a corporate zombie. 

Well, what do you think? Share with me your summer outfit posts so I can visit too!

TGIF!

I'm not very fond of makeup. I'm not the type of person who'd scream if you give me prettifying things from The Face Shop or Etude House. I use the basic cheek tint, gloss and baby power. Yep, you read it right. I still use baby powder for my face. Lol. Some months ago, I was pretty satisfied with the Maybelline Pressed Powder I was using until it cracked its way to destruction. I figured it's more messy to keep a pressed powder than baby powder hence I chose the latter. 

Out of topic because I'll be talking about my current favorite lippie today! A lipstick is the only thing I'd bring if I were to go out because it gives your face and an outfit that instant oomph! No photos of my lips though, I don't really know how to properly apply lipstick so hit me up if you have tips! Meh.