The Secret For Being Ready For Anything

I think that term ibuki has dual facets when applied to women.

Defined as inner strength, ibuki reveals that women possess gentleness and grace-but a woman also has the drive and desire to fulfill her dreams. An admirable woman will do what it takes to achieve her ambitions.

A woman building her career has to be ready for anything. She has to possess the skills, confidence and the excellence to be good at what she does. Confidence can be achieved knowing that you have outstanding skin. This is one way of facing anything.

That's the concept behind Shisheido's Ibuki skin care line. Purchasing the whole skin care line can be expensive for someone sticking to a budget. But Sample Room has made it available for those who want to experience ibuki for the skin.

I got to try the Purifying Cleanser and Softening Concentrate thanks to Sample Room.

 

 Shisheido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser

It's not my first time to try a cleanser from Shisheido. But the prices from this particular brand can be pretty intimidating. However, there is always quality to look forward to.

Pros

• It may not look like it, but the pure white foam has gentle exfoliating beads that deeply cleans
• This could be the right cleanser for oily-dry skin
• It is gentle and the good lather can have a positive gentle massaging effect on the skin
• Requires only a pea-sized amount for a good clean!
• It is also concentrated

Cons

• I find that it dries the skin a little

Shisheido Ibuki Softening Concentrate

I have wondered why Shisheido would call their toner/freshener a softening concentrate. I believe that it is to distinguish it from other brands' toners and fresheners because admittedly, it is unique and is beginning to be my favorite skincare product. I've always thought and desired for my skin being even in tone and firm to face the demands of my days. Now it is possible. 

Pros

• It is a multi-effect product in one, it softens, tones and firms!
• The substance glides on very smoothly on the skin
• I really like that it has no sting unlike any alcohol toners that I have tried, this is the superior plus factor for me!

Cons

• The sample size is too small, this is my only complaint (after all it is a sample) which leaves me with the option to....
• Repurchase (I have to save up for this, but I think it will be worthwhile).

My Overall Thoughts

I really thought that the quest for balanced and healthy skin for me would be an elusive concept, not until I found ibuki and the inner strength not just for me but also for my skin. 

So how do I make sure that I am ready for anything?

My formula would have to be:

My Skills 

+

Healthy and Balanced Ibuki Skin

+ 

The Desire to Be Excellent

Being Ready for Anything

I draw my inner strength from the fact that I have what it takes to accomplish my tasks, and that I have good, healthy skin to back me up. 

What do you think of the beauty bios that I made? How about you, how do you make sure that you are ready for anything?

amBAG: A Thousand Bags For a Thousand Smiles

Growing up, a child becomes familiar with the everyday encounters that surrounds him or her. As long as there  is family who can provide shelter, food and the basic necessities a child needs. But the recent crisis that has beset my hometown has left many families displaced, and kids have not only lost their homes, they also have lost their school materials, toys, and other material possessions that offer them familiarity in a different situation.

Adjusting can be difficult for young children, and they need all the guidance that they can get. But with our help, we can bring smiles to these children's faces through amBAG.

INITIATIVE

amBAG is a Filipino word that means a form of contribution or a share in a collective affair. As an initiative, it is our CONTRIBUTION to help the people who lost their homes and their lives and our SHARE in the realization of the children's dream to be educated and be the youth of tomorrow.

Approximately 10,018 structures were razed to the ground during the Zamboanga crisis, according to the Bureau of Fire and Protection. Some among the important structures ravaged by fire were schools. The Department of Education reported that the tragedy also affected over 20,000 students, causing some to vacate their homes and preventing them from going to school.

                The amBAG project is a post-rehabilitation initiative by Ateneo de Zamboanga University that aims to address the basic educational needs of the students who were affected by the crisis. It will aid them in their journey back to normalcy. The team behind the project believes that it’s the community’s moral obligation to help in upholding the right of education of the students, especially now that an incident of great gravity have caused the access primary education be tough and elusive.

BENEFICIARY

Elementary students from the areas of conflict, namely, Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina, will benefit from this project. Each child will be given a bag filled with school supplies and other school needs.

DONATION

            Donations for the initiative may be given in CASH or IN KIND. Cash donations may be deposited into the BPI Account Ateneo de Zamboanga University 2111-0001-42 and email the deposit slip to ambagzamboanga@yahoo.com or notify (0906) 353 7767.

In kind donations may be dropped off in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Fr. William H. Kreutz, SJ campus or sent to El Consejo Atenista Office, Ground Floor Xavier Hall, Fr. Eusebio Salvader, SJ Campus, Ateneo de Zamboanga University La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City, 7000

                Each Bag To School kit is valued at P500. Every donation will help in gathering the necessary school supplies needed for the kits. It will make a student go to school for the year and will make his dreams closer to reality.

                The collection period for the project will run from September 30 to October 25. The kits will then be distributed on November 4, 2013.

We’re inviting everyone to join in this effort of providing a thousand bags for a thousand smiles.

amBAG Back-to-School Kit

Based on Department of Education and Save the Children, Inc. standard

Item	Quantity	Unit
Rubber eraser	1	pc
Notebook, composition, no spring, 80 leaves	5	pcs
Notebook, writing, no spring, 80 leaves	3	pcs
Glue stick, long	1	pc
Crayons (12)	1	box
Long brown envelope	1	pc
Short folder	1	pc
Pencil sharpener, double	1	pc
Pencils, Mongol #2	2	pcs
Pencil case, tin or plastic	1	pc
Raincoat, plastic, kid’s size medium	1	pc
Backpack, medium	1	pc
Long plastic envelope	1	pc
Lunch box 5”x8”x12”	1	pc
Tumbler, plastic	1	pc

A complete set is costed at P500.00

Weekend Haul, Lacquer Love

Judging by the photos that you see here, I think you already get the teeny-tiniest, itty bitty idea that............ I do.... I do... I do.... like NAIL POLISH! 

There....

It's all out... 

Whew. 

Check out my not-so-impressive nails here, here and here. 

The thing is, I already have quite a collection, but I don't really post and write about my NOTD that much, because I have my plate filled already everyday with work and other stuff that seem to creep up on my to-do when I am already awake. 

After J picked out his laptop to replace the old one which already wanted to give up, we got the chance to walk around and well, here's what I got in two separate shops in just a single afternoon! 

I have always wanted to have clean and neat French manicures, so that explains-"justifies" the Chic Nail Design Two Way Pen and Brush in Ivory.

Next, Bobbie has a new line - (well, new because it's the first time I have heard of it!) called Wondernails, and I will be showing you how it works (gritting my teeth in fear) because accordingly, a clear coat can spell the difference between the matte effect or so...

And I got the OMG in First Date because I needed to compare another color in pink that will be appropriate for work again.

You know, San San is beginning to be a staple in terms of nail polish for me. I picked up another bottle of the clear top coat, then I have Cloudy Gray, Warm Blue and Raspberry Peach. And because I am a sucker for bar soaps, I reached for the Allue milk bath soap.

Please don't ask me for the total amount because that will only make me squirm in embarrassment. I am now thinking of moving the nail lacquers to the big plastic container already.

But I promise, nothing goes to waste because I do share some of them with my aunts who also have an Achilles heel when they spot the little bottles on my vanity. I am keeping them organized as best as I could.

Saying "cross my heart, hope to die" is rather harsh, isn't it? 

Crimson Portia, Hello October

I have never dedicated a post to anyone before, but I think it is  about time that I did.

Today, my grandmother is celebrating her 80th birthday and so the whole family is together, including the rest of the senior citizens in our family, to wish her a very happy birthday. Because her favorite color is red, I thought of doing my nails in red.

Red is her favorite color and I even used red on most of her invitations and labels. Thus, today's color is for her, Portia.

Here are the red, crimson red and not-so-red that I have in my vanity.

I used San San's basic transparent coat (which is fast running out) for the crimson theme, and there is Cherry Blossom and Vamp (Regular) both from Bobbie. For the more glittery version, there is the Face It Gradation Nail Kit in Very, Very Red from my Pretty Fix Collections Haul.

This is what Bobbie's Cherry Blossom looks like. Up close it looks more like a deep pink that has lots of shimmer. I've never gone to see cherry blossoms in person, but if the petals were are dark, and microscopic, I think that's what they would really look like.

As for Bobbie's Vamp in Regular, it's kind of a bit messy to apply, but hey I did it. I had to get the help of cotton buds dipped in polish remover to clean up the sides. (Admittedly the glitter takes away the attention of the messy application.... Alright you can shoot me!)

This is what Face It Gradation Nails will look like if you had short nails like me. The first polish acts as the base coat and it is more of a sheer pink than red. There is the "gradation" from itty bitty glitter, to medium sized (as seen in the middle) to the bigger sized glitter as on the tips. One thing's for sure, the Gradation Nails Kit definitely did not miss out on all the glitter. 

That's it for Crimson Portia, I am officially welcoming October on a more positive note because Mom's birthday is also coming up. Can you keep a secret? I got her a beauty box and I yet have to see how she reacts! =) 

Have an awesome weekend! 

I'm currently putting together some stuff for a giveaway and all you have to do is stay tuned so you won't miss out! 

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...