"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Friday 28 March 2014

Try This! MyBeautyCompare, A Practical Beauty Products Matching Service For Your Needs..



Credits: www.frmheadtotoe.com

With thousands of products in the industry catering to different types of skin, how would you know which one is suited for you? I have to admit that it can be overwhelming somehow. I could go on ahead and dive into trying new products but it would mean having to wait for weeks for visible results to appear, and what about having to spend money and in the end not get the results I’ve wanted to achieve? Going by this method might seem time-consuming and also a waste of effort, right? 

Now wouldn’t it be good to have an automated matching service online for all your beauty needs based on your profile? My Beauty Compare does just that. It’s free to use, easy and you get leads very quickly. Visit the site and fill out the details being asked and you can immediately find the beauty products that suit your needs. It’s the very first beauty comparison site of its kind. Clever idea, isn’t it? 

How was my experience? 

The quiz is detailed and personalized, from skin type, complexion, skin concerns, eye color, hair color, texture and length, daily water and alcohol consumption,  even specified if I were a smoker or not. After clicking on the confirmation email, you can get started. 


I like lipstick and have been playing it safe with just pink for some time now because that’s what I normally get from beauty subscription boxes and it’s a staple when it comes to work. But I was surprised to find four beauty product matches under lipstick and it was a raincheck for me, even if I have Asian features and brown skin, I can still dare to wear (Maybelline) Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick and (LancĂ´me) L'Absolu Nu Replenishing & Enhancing Lipcolor. What’s great is that I also get to see the prices of each listed product and helpful reviews from users who have had experience with their recommendations from My Beauty Compare. Almost all of them are satisfied with their new beauty discoveries. 


Next, I was next to empty with my current body wash and I was eager to see what else is out there. I enjoy nice, calming showers and I was surprise when my top matches led me to (Victoria Secret) Dream Angels Heavenly Angel Body Wash (only £7.20!) and (Anna Sui) Dolly Girl On The Beach Shower Gel. I wasn’t even aware that Ana Sui had a shower gel available.

As for a little color, I like playing with eyeshadow. I am ultimately in love with my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette and was thinking of what else is out there in terms of color since I’ve been an Urban Decay loyalist for long enough. I now can’t wait to try out (DIOR) 5COULEURS Eyeshadow Palette Summer Look which I would not have discovered without My Beauty Compare.



The Verdict
 
I found My Beauty Compare to be a helpful tool in helping me discover new beauty finds that I would not otherwise be aware of because there are certain brands that I patronize. However, with this new matching service, I am able to take a second look at the new products that are on the market today. I can say that I will staying on for longer hours checking out what else I can try the next time I reach an empty tube of personal care and beauty needs.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

4 Great Christian Reads

While there's no shortage of literature that celebrates the Lord, some books and devotionals are better than others. Here's a quick list of four Christian books that everyone should have on their shelf.

1: "Mondays With My Old Pastor: Sometimes All We Need Is a Reminder from Someone Who Has Walked Before Us" by Jose Luis Navajo

Even the strongest can have a crisis of faith, and in this book, a burned-out preacher rediscovers his spirituality after a series of afternoons with an elderly mentor.


2: "Pocket Catholic Dictionary" by John A. Hardon

If you've ever found yourself confused by the terminology of the Catholic church, this is the book for you. From common prayers to hard-to-understand theological ideas, John will broaden your knowledge of the supreme.


3: "Disciplines for a Godly Family" by Kent and Barbara Hughes

It isn't easy for the modern family to stay connected to God. This guide, however, will help you and your loved ones navigate the 21st century with confidence and faith, offering tips, tricks and prayers for togetherness as well as spiritual growth.


4: "The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text: Interpreting and Preaching Biblical Literature" by Sidney Greidanus

Despite its significance, the Bible isn't always easy to parse. This book seeks to bridge the gap between reading and understanding. While it's meant for preachers who want to share the word of God with their congregation, it can also be used as a personal guide, too.


These are just a few great books for celebrating your faith and renewing your commitment to the Holy Savior. Shop in Christian bookstores for more! 

http://www.favoritechristianbooks.com/products.html

Tuesday 25 March 2014

For Those Graduation Ceremonies, Why Not Choose Your Short Cocktail Dresses 2014 From DressV?

The month of March is popularly marked with graduation ceremonies here and there. (Look at all those alliterations.) But it all means the same thing to everybody, it's a time for celebration! I bet the most cheerful people towards the end of the month are none other that the graduates themselves who have toiled very hard to be where they are now.During my school days, it meant a lot of requirements, studying for exams and getting things together just to be able to see those marks appear on the academic roster. (I was maintaining grades to be able to keep my scholarship and boy was it quite a challenge of my own wits! Anything below 85 meant I received a warning.)

But now that you've done it, it's time to celebrate and attend what you normally call the Graduation Ball. The ball is usually a time of fellowship and you wouldn't want to look at your yearbook photos five or ten years from now wondering "what was I thinking when I wore that?" right? 

Luckily, DressV has got you covered with beautiful short cocktail dresses 2014 http://www.dressv.com/cocktail-dresses-2014-c103450/ that you can wear to your Graduation Ball. One way for you to look blue and gold is to choose the right fit and style for your body type, match it with comfortable shoes, add a sparkle in terms of jewelry, fix your hair and put on a pout and you can enjoy your Ball. 

 
 
 
 
 

DressV offers short cocktail dresses 2014 of different styles and materials from chiffon, to lace, to satin. It all depends on your personal style and what you envision wearing on your Graduation Ball.

Now is the time for you to enjoy, make memories with your friends and the people who have helped you along the way, and you can start preparing for your special evening. You can visit DressV and see what other short cocktail dresses 2014 they have! 


Thursday 20 March 2014

Product Spotlight: The Cream Factory in Witch Hazel

I’ve got to be one of the last (if not already the last) persons to discuss The Cream Factory’s brilliant liquid soap that makes use of... (yep, you guessed it) goat’s milk. 

The thing is, I’m a self-confessed bar soap hoarder. I like bar soaps especially if they’re organic. When it comes to liquid soap, I usually just keep mum about them because there was this international brand that I tried but it didn’t quite meet my expectations (it sort of left some residue dye on my bath foam) and I stuck to citrusy bath bars from then on.
 

With the introduction (and rage) that Sample Room introduced with The Cream Factory’s arrival here, I got to test it out for myself. Having tried out the Witch Hazel variant (without having any idea as to what witch hazel actually is,) I have one option but to Google it and find out what makes witch hazel an important ingredient for a bath cream.

According to our good friend Wiki, witch hazel is an astringent and is sometimes called winter bloom. Witch hazel is loaded with antioxidants and is usually used as a skin care ingredient in many beauty washes and skin treatments. It's quite a clever move for witch hazel to be the star of this particular variant of The Cream Factory. I feel nothing short of fresh and rejuvenated after a good time in the shower because of it!

 
 

I'm rather pleased that regulator is small to be able to control the fluid that passes through. I've been using this for over a month and I still have about a quarter left in it. Talk about thrifty. It's just that The Cream Factory's products are not readily available in Zamboanga City just yet and it would take time for me if I wanted to restock, to make a purchase in the online shops and wait for them to arrive. That's not neglecting the fact that if I were to satisfy the shipping fee, I'd be forced to throw in some additional purchases too.


I particularly enjoy the rich, creamy lather and it comes with a mild scent. It's moisturizing on the skin and for this one, there's no need to apply a scented lotion. It's gentle and can be used on kids too. This is one treat that's undeniably refreshing, no wonder they call it Dessert For The Skin.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

All Natural, All Minerals: My AHAVA Favorites


All natural, all minerals from two extremes; this is the ambience that I transport myself to every time I apply a load of AHAVA Hand Cream in Mud (which is at least five times a day). I am so fond of my sample that it’s already half empty by the time this post is up. (It’s that good.)

AHAVA is an all natural and all minerals brand that takes pride in being the Dead Sea cosmetic brand, owing many years of research and discoveries in discovering the purity and natural richness of the Dead Sea region. But why the Dead Sea of all places? It is a basin of the greatest concentration of moisturizing minerals and age-delaying algae that helps to soothe the skin-all these grow in the driest of desert conditions. Who would have known that there is life in what we normally overlook?

I received these AHAVA products from the #Inspire bag from Sample Room except for the Dead Sea Osmoter Concentrate which came from my Sampler Buffet from Beauty Selection earlier this year. Even with just samples, I've already made up my mind about this brand.

The Eye Makeup Remover came in full size. It's just perfect timing for me to receive this because my makeup remover is about to go empty. I like that it's sheer and very lightweight and it's very helpful to have during late night events (every woman who's crazy about makeup should have a remover nearby). However, the stopper is just too wide, and it's enough to soak a whole round cotton pad, it could leave the face looking drenched in something so oily. But it effectively cleans eye makeup, there's no traces of makeup whatsoever, it's even safe to use on the whole face and even on the neck (might as well maximize a drenched cotton pad, yeah?)



The only regret I have about the Body Exfoliator is that the sample is only good for a single use. The other sample was Dead Sea Water and it was as good as empty in one of my weekend showers, but I don't regret it at all. Exfoliate, it did and I was wondering, how about if there was a body lotion to go with it, hmm? I felt like having an exfoliating experience in a high-end spa and it was a lightening experience. Perhaps I'd be sad to see this Dead Sea Mud Body Exfoliator go.


 Between these two, I'd have to say that the Hand Cream has got to be my favorite. It sits on my desk and I lather on every time I reach for it. It has a calming, soothing scent and the cream is quick absorbing and moisturizes the back of my hands and palms. I have calloused fingers because I grip pencils and write like there is no tomorrow on my notepad. I even have conditions of skin peeling in between fingers. But the hand cream was able to relieve the uber noticeable peeling skin. If anything, my hands look plumper though.

The comforting cream is a little magical worker. It's a handy partner (because of its size and wonders) in soothing sunburned and slightly tanned faces. One way to find out if the face really was overexposed is when there is an itchy feeling and reddish marks on the skin's surface. But this one helps to cool that burning, itchy feeling. It's not only good for sunburns, it also soothes allergies. Lately, I've had rashes appear on my arms and thighs, this little tube sure saved the day for me. Even if the rashes didn't disappear immediately, at least the itchiness disappeared. 

Lastly, I have to admit that I don't come close to knowing what an Osmoter really does. But that's nothing Google can't solve. According to AHAVA's official site, it's an "exclusive concentrated extract of mineral-rich Dead Sea water that helps restore the skin's vitality and enhances its natural ability to retain moisture".-so in short, this is a moisturizer. 

I use this after my cleansing, toning routine in the evening, and it's pretty quick-absorbing. When I get up in the morning, I can feel the concentration of the moisturizer still there even after nine hours of sleep. Just one pump of the osmoter and it covers my hyperpigmented forehead, then a portion goes on my cheeks and all over the face. I'll be sad when this will be empty, which it is nearing because it's just a sample size after all, and it's due because it has a subtle feel-good scent about it that I really like.


My absolute favorites among all of these products has to be the Hand Cream. I put it in my bag and pull it out when I feel like I need some hydration every time I look at my dry hands (which is often) and there I am- ridiculously happy gal.

I'm still dying to try their makeup and body lotion as well as body wash. Have you tried AHAVA? What are your recommendations?

You can still join my giveaway here with Christine's Books and Baubles. Good luck!