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Review: FRESH Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream

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Woo! A legitimate beauty product review, finally!

Pregnancy wreaked havoc on my skin. During my pregnancy, my skin was glowing! My skin was youthful, bouncy, and super smooth all thanks to overflowing estrogen. But after giving birth, my skin took on a weird, leathery texture. I was peeling all over and my skin looked dull, blotchy, and rough.

I bought the Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream (watta mouthful, eh?) while I was pregnant thinking that perhaps, it is safe to apply it on my face. It’s made from natural ingredients, just like my favorite moisturizer. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find more infos about its safety so I decided to use it after giving birth.

What is it: Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream

According to Sephora PH, the Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream a lightweight moisturizer

An instant glow face cream powered by a concentrated blend of crushed citrus fruits that reveal radiant skin in as little as one use. It’s made from “citrus fruits and fruit acids” that “soften and smooth the skin, and awakens dull, tired skin—all while imparting an invigorating citrus scent.”

Quality and Packaging

The face cream comes in a beautiful (and hefty) glass tub with a twist lid. The product was housed in a cardboard box and the list of ingredients are presented clearly on the side. The parcel came well-packed and wrapped in bubble wrap.

The cream itself feels lightweight and it has a strong citrus scent. It’s not orange-y, more lemony. I usually go for cleaner, subtle, cottony scents but I’m kinda digging the fragrance. Can’t say the same thing back when I was pregnant, the scent was too strong for my sensitive nose! That’s also partly the reason why I waited until I gave birth before I continued using this product.

I like the texture of the cream itself. It does feel hydrating and luxurious. Unfortunately, I don’t find this cream as hydrating as I thought. It’s just not enough to soften my dull, drying skin. Also, the cream doesn’t absorb into the skin as fast as I’d like. It tends to sit on the skin like a mask for a few minutes, which can be a drag when it’s warm. I could feel beads of sweat building up on top of the mask-like cream, ew.

I don’t find this moisturizer as lightweight, it does feel greasy at times. That’s why it’s best to apply this moisturizer when the AC is on full blast.

Performance

I have been using this cream for a month now and so far, the changes in my skin are minimal at best. Granted, I started using exfoliating products to offset the hyperpigmentation that occurred while I was pregnant so my skin is extra thirsty these days.

Still, I am not impressed enough to make the switch to this moisturizer. I feel like my old moisturizer performs better than this one although it’s pricier. Perhaps this product will work on gals with slightly dry skin or those lucky enough with a normal skin type. Not great for those with extra dry skin and oily skin, methinks.

Final Thoughts

I am not regretting my purchase because I feel like the Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream will help detox my skin. But as a moisturizer, it’s not as hydrating as I’d like it to be. I wish it’s much lightweight and that it absorbs easily. My curiosity with the FRESH brand was satisfied, however, so there’s that. The scent is nice but if you have a sensitive nose, watch out.

Review: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief

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I’ve had this fabulous body lotion since forever and I’ve only thought about writing this review now. Go figure! If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s the fact that I love all kinds of minty scents. I suffer from asthma and cat allergies all the time and I love fragrances that decongest, hahaha! No, but really. Any kind of mentholated scents, I love. That’s why it’s so easy for me to fall in love with the Bath and Body Works Stress relief range!

In fact, I have the body gel version of this body lotion but that’s a subject for another review. Let’s talk about the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief lotion, shall we?

What is it: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion

According to the brand, the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief lotion is a:

Ultra-creamy, fast-absorbing body lotion with nourishing shea butter & Vitamin E is formulated to give skin long-lasting moisture. An aromatherapy blend of natural ingredients & essential oils benefits body, mind & mood. Breathe deeply for best results.

Quality and Packaging

I’m a sucker for great packaging! I just love the old packaging of the Aromatherapy range. Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion is housed in a glass bottle.

The glass bottle and the dispenser look and feel so old school. These little things just add to the immensely satisfying experience of applying the product, you know?

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion

The bottle has a nice heft to it, it doesn’t feel nor look flimsy. The plastic pump dispenses the right amount of product. The dispenser works smoothly and is robust.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion

Performance

The lotion itself is creamy yet lightweight. The product spreads evenly and is easily absorbed by the skin. The lotion has a lovely minty scent, which I adore. It’s doesn’t have any cooling quality though.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion

If you have extra thirsty skin, apply this to a slightly damp skin so the product absorbs better. The scent is never overpowering nor migraine-inducing. Quite long-lasting too, love it!

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion

I love the formula, it smoothens the skin and keeps the texture supple and bouncy. It’s not ultra hydrating enough for dry heels, knees, or elbows though. I prefer applying the lotion at night when my room is nice and cool! It’s nor greasy per se but I wouldn’t use this on a hot day.

Final Thoughts

I love B&BW’s aromatherapy line especially the eucalyptus and spearmint range so loving the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Lotion is hardly surprising. I love the overall quality of the packaging as well as the formula of the lotion!

Review: Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

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I haven’t been writing reviews for a while, ugh. I somehow lost the passion to do these kinds of review. Perhaps, I’ve been feeling burned out again. Good thing I have a beach trip coming next month, ahahaha!

Anyhoo, forgive me if this review is a quick one. In my quest to preserve my youth, I’ve turned to a fancy eye cream. I know for a fact that eye creams are sham products. The formula is no different to that of a face moisturizer.

The only difference is that the eye cream formula is made thicker or more emollient to give the sense of richness. This tricks consumers into thinking that eye cream formulas are more concentrated compared to regular moisturizers. So why did I get an eye cream?  It’s an impulse buy. I was shopping for a moisturizer and serum a few months back and was in the thick of things.

Basically, I was compelled to get one for the sake of getting one. The SA didn’t even push this product to me, I just saw this on the counter while paying for my purchases and threw it in at the last minute. Not even familiar with the Pep start range.

What is it: Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

According to Clinique, the Pep-Start™ Eye Cream aims to be “A pep rush for eyes. Just 3 seconds to look wide awake, refreshed. Hydrates, brightens, perks you up. Its cool touch and de-puffing tip help keep eyes looking fresh. Smooths the way for makeup, too.

Quality and Packaging

The product comes in a convenient tube, which I love because I don’t have to dip a finger in. Just squeeze the end of the tube and a small amount of the product will be dispensed on the ball-shaped applicator.

I love the overall quality of the product and the packaging. The applicator locks into place so it’s quite purse-friendly and portable. Since the tube is tiny, you can pop it in your kikay kit and forget about it until the under eyes need a little boost of freshness.

To use, just smooth the product all over the lids and under eyes using the applicator and wait for it to dry completely. The formula is quite emollient but not too thick. I didn’t develop bumps (milia), which I heard were quite common when using too-creamy moisturizers. It absorbs easily and has no discernable scent.

Performance

As far as the performance goes, I do think the Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream improved the texture of my undereye skin. I don’t have panda eyes per se but incessant cat allergies made the skin under my eyes a little sunken and discolored. Also, I suffer from extremely itchy eyes whenever my allergies strike so I’ve developed fine lines near the corners of my eyes, juju.

The product didn’t really reduce my fine lines although it made the skin under my eyes plumper, I feel like. The delicate skin around my eyes feels softer and smoother too!

At PhP 1600 a pop, the Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream is surprisingly affordable considering it’s a high-end brand. I don’t get why eye creams are so expensive, they are usually priced similarly to face moisturizers but they only come in teeny tiny pots and tubes. This one is a pretty budget-friendly.

Final Thoughts

The Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream is a terrific eye cream although it doesn’t really reduce fine lines. I think the formula is meant to hydrate and invigorate the skin, not to miraculously erase wrinkles. I had a great experience with this product and I quite like the formula. The packaging is also terrific, it’s petite, convenient, and

That being said, it didn’t make an eye cream believer out of me. I still think eye creams are one of those extra steps you could add to your existing skin care routine but it’s not really crucial to skin care as a whole. But if you’re the kind who think an eye cream is an essential part of your routine and you’re in the market for an affordable yet high-quality eye cream, try the Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream!

 

The Gift of Beautiful Skin!

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The holidays came and went so fast! I had such a great year that I decided to give myself lots of self-care gifts, hahaha! I mean, seriously, we could all use a little self-care, right?

Since I’m turning 3-5 this year, I decided to amp up my skin care game. I finally used up my old Clinique moisturizer (didn’t like it, review here) so I went back to Origin’s Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment, my faaave. And you know what, the performance of the rejuvenating treatment has been nothing short of consistent. I always wake up to unbelievably glowy skin. My skin has never looked better and even my husband noticed.

Apart from scoring a pot of an old favorite, I gifted myself the Mega Mushroom Relief holiday sampler set, also by Origins. The holiday set is quite expensive at almost PhP 5,000 but you do get a full-sized serum, along with premium samples of the treatment lotion, cleanser, and mask.

Just so you know, I received several MMR treatment lotion packs and it was so good. I didn’t write a review about it because I was just using the samples. I needed to get a bottle to review the product as accurately as possible. The MMR treatment was so good, I decided to get the sampler set just to see how great the product works in conjunction with other products from the range.

I’ve been using the MMR serum and the treatment lotion together with my Make a Difference Rejuvenating Treatment and the results, so far, have been mindblowing. My skin feels like 1995, again, okay? Review soon!

I also got myself a gift set from The Body Shop. This holiday set is a mask sampler! How cute is the box? The set is comprised of TBH’s 9 packs of the brand’s most popular luxe masks (British Rose, Himalayan Charcoal, and Japanese Match Tea) plus a super cute bunny ears headband! I haven’t touched the masks yet but the plush headband, it’s so nice. I use it every night!

Do you love masking? I used to do weekly masking but kinda stopped sometime last year. I received several bottles of Origins masks + the luxe masks from TBH so I think I should get into the habit again!

Review: Soak Artisan Soap Bath Bomb Trio

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Yes, this is a long overdue review. Forgive me, homegirl’s gotta hustle! As you know, I ordered Soak Artisan Soap’s bath bomb trio eons ago because Lush is so, so far away. Soak Artisan Soap is a local indie brand that specializes in bath essentials. They sell everything from artisanal soap – hence the name – to room scents and bath fizzies.

What is it: Soak Artisan Soap Bath Bomb Trio

The Soak Artisan Soap Bath Bomb trio is comprised of 3 mini bath fizzers: Party Beach, Poison Berry, and Sweet Dreams. I ordered the trio online using my mobile phone so the entire process was straightforward. I was supposed to get the full-sized versions of the bath bombs but a rep said they were no longer available.

Quality and Packaging

The parcel came 2 to 3 days after completing the order. The bath bombs came in a brown box and wrapped in shredded paper. Each bath bomb has a plastic seal but the scent still seeps through the packaging.

Right off the bat, I knew the fragrance was too strong. I won’t lie, it triggered my migraine. I’m not sensitive to scents but there are fragrances that I cannot stand. Orange-y scent is one of them. I didn’t detect any orange-y scent at all. Maybe it has patchouli, ylang-ylang or something, I don’t know. I checked the website and the ingredients/fragrances were not listed.

Don’t get me wrong, the bath bombs smelled rather delicious but something about the fragrance induces my headache.  It was so bad that I seriously thought about giving these to others rather than use them myself. I just didn’t want to deal with a raging migraine while I’m on vacation.

But in the end, I still traveled with the bath bombs but I packed them in a tightly sealed plastic bag. This way, my things won’t absorb the fragrance. I also packed these with my swimmies so the fragrance will wear off as soon as we hit the beach.

Performance

I used the lavender-scented one on our first night in the city. I did a bath cocktail so the scent won’t be as strong. I added heaps of The Body Shop’s Almond Milk & Honey Calming and Caring Bath Milk (a fave, review soon!) + Johnson’s Baby Milk and Rice Bath. I added several squirts of Mumuso banana milk bath salt for good measure.

When I dropped the bath bomb in the scented water, it wasn’t fizzing a lot. I guess I was so used to Lush’s awesome bath bombs that I was surprised how weak the fizzing was. It did, however, transform my bath water to a glorious lavender color!

On the next night, I decided to use two of the bath bombs at the same time. Again, I did a bath cocktail, mixing two different bubble bath + bath salts so the fragrance of the fizzies isn’t as strong.

Same results, the bath bombs weren’t as fizzy as I hoped. I guess the bath bombs could use more baking soda or citric acid, who knows. The diluted scent was nice, especially when mixed with other bubble bath products.

Final Thoughts

The Soak Artisan Soap Bath Bomb Trio was a good buy but not a life-changing product. It didn’t blow me away and the fragrance is cloying and intense. But for the price, I thought this was a reasonable purchase. I wish the products dissolved in a frenetic fizz though, that’s the best part about using bath bombs. The fizz was just meh. Would I repurchase? Probably.

Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

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I’ve been searching for a great serum to revive this old hag’s fez and was supposed to get the full-sized Origins Make A Difference™ Plus+. I got a 15 ml. sample bottle of the serum and was wowed with the results.

However, curiosity got the better of me, I decided to get the Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate because it looks so pretty in pictures. Yeah, and also, because I was trying out the moisturizer, I thought it was a good idea to get the serum too.

What is it: Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

According to the brand, the Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate is:

Supercharged water-gel hydrator instantly quenches dehydrated skin with a 179% moisture boost. Keeps skin hydrated for a full 24 hours.

What It Does:

Helps break the cycle of dryness and environmental stress that can lead to premature aging.

Liquid-Sphere™ Technology combines water-binding ingredients with encapsulated antioxidants. Hyaluronic Acid fragments and Activated Aloe Water plump skin with moisture.

Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance-Free. Non-Acnegenic. Oil-Free.

Proven Results

Moisture levels were measured before and immediately after applying it, and at 24 hours. Results showed an instant 179% moisture boost. Even a day later, skin retained an impressive reservoir of moisture.

As you can see, Clinique promised the sun and the moon with this one so my expectations were high. The serum comes in an elegant plastic container with a press-on dispenser at the top. Love the packaging, it’s so hygienic. I wish the Moisture Surge moisturizer (review here)came in the same packaging instead of the traditional pot.

Performance

The serum has tons of hydrating pearls suspended in the clear pinkish gel. The gel is quite lightweight, it feels like nothing on. The product itself absorbs into the skin almost instantly. The serum spreads easily, a single pump is enough to cover the whole face.

I used to layer the serum and moisturizer but these days, I combine the serum with the moisturizer prior to application. Essentially, I scoop a bit of the moisturizer, then a bit of the serum, mix them together using my fingertips and then spread the products all over my face.

I don’t recommend this method because I heard you gotta give skin care products several minutes to absorb into the skin but I think my method doesn’t change the fact that both products will be absorbed by my skin, eventually. I do this because I’m lazy and impatient, hahaha!

Thankfully, this serum didn’t break me out. It’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, which was amazing. I wish other skin care brands would come out with fragrance-free products so they’re less irritating on the skin.

However, I am unsure if this serum is as hydrating as promised. I still get dry patches all over my face. Sure, my skin feels slightly smoother but it still looks dull, not refined at all.

Sometimes I feel that the product isn’t doing anything much except hydrate my skin lightly. And I say lightly, I don’t think the serum + the Moisture Surge Extended Relief are hydrating enough for extremely dry skin.

I used this serum around the same time as the Moisture Surge moisturizer. You can check the week by week update on the product here. As you can see, the product didn’t really do anything significant on this parch fez.

Final Thoughts

The Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate is a lightweight serum and applying it feels so comforting on the skin. However, it’s not doing anything much except hydrate my skin ever so slightly.

At PhP2,800+++, this wasn’t cheap so I was expecting results. Unfortunately, this serum just isn’t as hydrating. That being said, this serum is light enough for daytime so it should keep the skin from drying out too much throughout the day. Also, my skin became clearer after using this serum in conjunction with the Moisture Surge moisturizer. I was breaking out less so that’s awesome!