Review: Garnier Lightening Peel Off Mask (Light)

I've been ultra busy these days, please forgive me...

My plate is full of writing, formatting, proofreading, editing-but that's for my regular job. My blogging activities do mirror my duties at work-but a gal has to prioritize. My past post here was all about thoughts, you can see the way I write and voice out my rants and raves- so unlike blogging... But....

I have decided to try my hand (or head) at another review.  The Garnier Lightening Peel Off Mask was innocently just sitting in a layer of my drawer organizer, and I decided to give it a spin. This is one of the surprise goodies the sweet Jannie shared with me. You see, I ran out of facial scrubs and badly needed to exfoliate, my skin was showing the signs of dreary, hyperpigmentation again, and so- I decided that Garnier and I should have a pretty good time. Initially, my brother announced interest on it but I said, what the heck, there's enough for the both of us.

 

Squeeze a little of the yellow and lemon-scented susbtance on the clean face and let it dry for a few minutes until it feels stiff. You can see that my forehead is flooded with the signs of stress, and it is shiny with a thin layer of the mask.

After a few minutes of waiting, the mask can already be peeled off, just like a second skin to reveal.... 

There are two ways to go about it, either you trust your fingers so much to do the peeling, or you enlist the help of a cleansing or cleaning facial sponge and do it slowly with lukewarm water to peel it all off. I just enjoyed ridiculing myself in front of the mirror with my own hands. Besides, it smelled fun! (Alright, that was weird of me to say.)

Is this face selfie-worthy already? You should know by now that I am not used to the term selfie, nor am I really a fan of taking selfies. But to each his own!

Pros

• Fresh, citrusy scent 
• Gentle on the skin
• Quick drying
• Easy to peel
• Deep cleansing and exfoliating 
• Good for two uses
• Reduces oil and sebum
• Non-irritating

Cons 

• No immediate lightening effects observed 
• Needs at least two uses to achieve intended brightening effect 

 Do you enjoy authentic Japanese beauty products? There's only a few days left to join my Wawaza Giveaway! 

Do stay tuned because I have prepared a huge October giveaway for you guys! Mwah! Clues: Did you know that apart from Cancer Awareness Month, October is the month of Fiesta Pilar Celebrations among Zamboanguenos? That's just something for you to look forward to here at Raisie Speaks...

My Eyes Are Getting Smaller- Arguing Over Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Photo from wildlandfireleadership.blogspot.com

One reason why I don't want to share rooms with anyone is because I value sleep. I love my sleep. I need sleep. Especially if I want to wake up motivated and rested for the next working day.

Last night my Sis was already in bed when she woke me up with a question, as if it were a matter of life and death, only to find out if Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was in Saving Private Ryan (1998) together with Tom Hanks. I said no, it was Vin Diesel. (I know for sure because I am a huge fan of Vin Diesel, I have a crush on him ever since he became triple X.)

She insisted no, it was The Rock. I said no, it was Vin Diesel. I should know because I follow Vin Diesel and most of his movies, yeah, you too Jason Statham and Ethan Hawke, I am watching you!

So it took her about half an hour to realize and admit it, yeah it was Vin Diesel. You should know my Sis, she wants to win possibly every argument.

Now that she succeeded in waking me up, I went to tossing and turning my way back to sleep. This was a really unfortunate time to stay awake because of the red alert status in our area too. I could really use as much sleep as I could get in order to stay awake at work.

Now that I am at work, I feel my head becoming heavier and heavier and my eyes are becoming smaller and smaller. I already have small Chinese eyes and now the most that they resemble are tiny, little slits. I am now depending on caffeine to keep me awake until lunch.

Product Spotlight: San San Nail Polish in Perfectly Pink

 

Even before the urban warfare started here, I got the chance to pick up new nail polishes from HBC in the city thanks to my ever constant shopping companion who understands my need to be girly girly. Apart from the Rosy Blush that I picked up earlier, I also got these two shades of additional nail polishes in Perfectly Pink and Seal Brown.

One thing that I really like about the San San nail polishes from HBC is that they are long-lasting and don't chip that easily. Let me elaborate later on. But why Perfectly Pink and Seal Brown? For one, I wanted to see how subtle of a pink the shade will look on my nails, and for the latter, I am a huge sucker for anything dark brown. Really, let me show you a collection of all my browns later, ok?

 

I find that you can get really good value for these 12ml bottles, because at Php 37 each they sure can last long with a decent amount of topcoat for protection.

Perfectly Pink is too frosty for me, but I think this will do for the outdoors or during travels and trips to the beach. It is super feminine, but I find it too attractive to be worn to the office. But I am keeping this shade with me just in case, especially for weekend trips with friends and loved ones.

Don't forget to join my Wawaza Authentic Japanese Products giveaway, this is your chance to do so, it is extra special, don't let it slip you by!

Review: HBC's San San Rosy Blush Cheek Blusher

Some time ago, I chucked out my old Human Nature blush because I already used it up and abused it in good measure back when I was still a practicing journalist for print and television. Now that I have another desk job as a technical writer, I have time to get ready in the morning and motivate myself at the vanity before I head on out the door.

A few weeks ago, I picked up the San San Rosy Blush at the HBC branch in town and got if for a really affordable price of only Php 102 or $2.55. Such a steal, I know, I know. Does blush have its benefits? Why do women treat this as a beauty essential? Let's face it, blushers offer that healthy, rosy glow, it's just a matter of choosing which blush type and color that goes with your skin tone. In order to avoid looking too pale, blushers make you look like you have been sun kissed, and alive, not to mention it also contours your face and cheeks.

I've been using it to work lately (please just allow a girl to play with a hint of color) and here are my two cents on it.

Pros

• I was quite hesitant about the gold specks on it, but I don't see any speckles on my cheeks after application. 
• Simple, blue case packaging
• Easy swipes
•  Subtle, rosy, healthy blush 
• Absolutely affordable!
• Stays on for long hours, from morning, lunch until coffee break 

Cons

• No mirror in the packaging
• Applicator brush is too small

Overall, I think it gives just the right subtle blush and it is really appropriate for work, not to mention, it is affordable, even students can readily reach for it. Also, just in case I run out, I can just head on to the nearest HBC branch and get another one. 

I have another HBC San San product I want to review before I head on to the skin care series posts. Hmm, maybe I can do that next. Have a good weekend everybody! Join my Wawaza giveaway if you are feeling lucky!  

Wawaza Authentic Japanese Beauty Products Review + Giveaway

I don't even know where to start. For the past eight days, life here in mi ciudad has been on a standstill. I am lucky though that I live far from all the action and the happenings, but there is still the fear and concern since my family is in the pueblo. So much has happened already, and to add to the hurt, some people do not really understand what is going on and keep making negative comments about our city and people as if we have control and make it seem as if it is our fault that this has happened to us. I just wish some people were more sensitive to our situation.

Thus, the silence here.  But, in times of challenges and trials, there will be people who will stand up. And there will be people full of hope.

To distract myself, I am going to introduce to you a luxurious shop that specializes in authentic Japanese beauty products which have been used by geishas and even celebrities have been patronizing them. Enter, Wawaza Authentic Japanese products. I have been lucky to be chosen by Ms Hanako Mori for being able to review their products. When I say luxurious, I daresay even the Hollywood A-listers like Victoria and David Beckham have been using them.

You can head on to Wawaza to check their site and see if there is something that you might like. 

Cool, you are back? Now, let's talk about the products that I have received.

This is the skin secret of celebrities. I have tried it once and have been using it regularly ever since. (Gotta love Wawaza for this!) This is Uguisu No Fun or Nightingale Droppings Powder. Don't be quick to dismiss this product because this has been the beauty secret of many geishas for hundreds of years!

Uguisu No Fun is rich in natural guanine that contains high amounts of pearl essence for that porcelain-like Japanese clear skin. It also helps to prevent aging. 

Benefits:

• Restores damaged skin due to sun exposure and premature aging
•  Whitens skin
• Deeply cleans pores

Pros

•  I like that it leaves the skin instantly soft and smooth. It is a good and gentle scrub that also evens out the skin tone.
• You can tell that it contains pure guanine, no artificial fillers whatsoever 
• Fully organic and hygienic 
• Very versatile, you can use it as facial wash or mask

Cons

• Some people might not get used to the aroma of guanine

Now you can tell how meticulous the Japanese are when it comes to their skin. You see, Wawaza also sent me the Lady Butterfly Blotting Paper to try out. I am no stranger to blotting paper, but this is one of the more traditional formulations. It is made of first grade Abaca hemp paper with traditional techniques in Kanazawa, Japan.

Pros

• Compact, you can carry it anywhere
• For all skin types
• It is transparent and with a single texture so you can see how much of the paper you have already "blotched"
• Does not remove foundation powder or bases
• Fully organic

Cons

•  Needs careful handling or else it might rip before you use it up

 

 

Now time for the giveaway. I am also including 2 bottles each of the other products that was sent over by Wawaza to you my readers. You can also get to try out the  Bijn Japanese Rice Bran Facial and Body Oil and Aya Japanese Camellia Hair and Body Oil thanks to the additional samples sent over by the shop.

 

This is the loot that is up for grabs, thanks to Wawaza, you can experience luxurious pampering for your skin right at your own home just the way geishas and Japanese actors did years ago.

The giveaway ends on October 5, anybody in the Philippines with a serviceable shipping address can join. Be sure to enter the correct details, alright? Good luck!

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