When I got an invite from Watsons last week for an event, I came expecting that yet another interesting brand will be launched. Like similar to the Beyond Bath launched in Manila Hotel last year. Let us just say, I got more than I bargained for. I came in with the above image on the slide. While I already am partial towards Watsons, even when it comes to health products, it is great to know that there actually is a worthwhile advocacy they are pursuing.

Dr. Ancheta explained to the media present how superbug comes to existence and how it can be prevented through visuals.

Watsons  Pharmacy’s Antibiotic Compliance Program is designed to make the public aware how important it is to for a patient to take the prescribed antibiotic prescription. It is common for people who are ill to stop taking antibiotics altogether as soon as they see that they are feeling better. Regardless, if they are midway towards the full course of the medication.  The danger of doing this is downright alarming and I believe people should be made aware of  – ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.

Aside from Antibiotic Resistance, there is also something bigger that we all should watch out for – the super bacteria or “superbug.” The superbug is a powerful bacteria that carries several resistance genes. Thus far, it has already spread to Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. It is, to date, not curable by any known medicines since it is resistant to the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, including carbapenems, the most powerful antibiotics created by medical science.

Superbugs are especially life-threatening when they bear the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (or NDM-1). Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by superbugs that neutralizes antibiotics. The NDM-1 mutation can be passed from one type of bacteria to another, so that more and more types of bacteria may become antibiotic-resistant. Health agencies like the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and even our own Department of Health have expressed concern over superbugs and their frightening potential to cause a pandemic.

The superbug may be developed inside the human body when patients do not properly use antibiotics. While antibiotics are very effective in killing bacteria, proper use is crucial. When antibiotics are used in the wrong way, not all of the bacteria are killed—the surviving bacteria then have the chance to develop mutations that make them resistant to antibiotics.

The statistics will speak for itself. It is downright alarming, to say the least.

Antibiotic misuse usually starts with self medication and includes taking the wrong type of antibiotics, skipping doses recommended by doctors or lessening the number of days of antibiotic ingestion when patients feel relief. Doing any of the above-antibiotic under dosage or over dosage- may only cause bacteria to mutate to become larger and more powerful and become the dreaded Superbug. Widespread misuse of antibiotics in the Philippines, if not stopped, will eventually create new strains of superbugs that will have no cure, endangering us all.

This totally makes the Compliance Packs Watsons has come up with very handy for us consumers.  The compliance packs made by UNILAB. So we can expect to only get high quality medicines at 60% cheaper than their more popularly branded counterparts. There is also a brochure printing in every Compliance Pack that feature information about the Superbug and tips on how we can prevent it.

L’Oreal White Perfect Day Cream comes in a tub, which is the least of my favorite about it for first impressions. But I thought if it was going to deliver, all with its tourmaline gemstone promise of helping to stimulate the skin microcirculation. Thus, should give my skin a rosy glow. I actually will not mind the tub for its packaging. I just wish companies will rethink packaging beauty creams in tubs. Not that it is too old school. It is just way sanitary if creams will come in container pumps instead. It gives me a sense of confidence that I need not expose my skin to unnecessary bacteria and whatnot.

So far, one week in and I find that my skin does not react negatively towards L’Oreal White Perfect Day Cream. Yes, I could make use of a higher SPF. It having no more than SPF17. But no breakouts, no enlarged pores, so this should be good. But compared to the BB cream that I have been using for the last six or so months, I find L’Oreal White Perfect Day Cream on the greasy side. But nothing that my MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation can’t take care of.

Since I have nothing at hand but a blackberry torck that I could make use of  to upload photos, I will have to rely on L’Oreal’s site for the product image.

The plan is to use this for one whole month and I will then be able to gauge if L’Oreal White Perfect Day cream works for me or not. Till then.

Natural Eyeshadow Palette by e.l.f. caught my attention primarily because I am more of neutral eye girl, that is if I would at all squeeze in some extra time to apply makeup. My eyes go color less more often than not. Lazy days. Second is because I love e.l.f.  The size is also perfect to fit in your purse. All for the price of P249.75 (approx. $6)

Since my favorite Brightening Eye Quad in Butternut (by e.l.f. still) ran out, I thought I’d give this palette with 6 shades a try. It was actually my first time to finish an eyeshadow in all my thirty plus years. Late bloomer in the house.

As much as I love e.l.f. products in general, I particularly find two shades of this six eyeshadows chalky. Particularly the white and the gold shades. I am deeply disappointed with the white shade, which should serve as the highlight. It has practically zero pigmentation. It is too powdery with chunks of glitters and that’s just about it. I love that the gold is very sparkly. It’s a good party shade but can be somewhat chalky. But nothing that a good base or primer can’t solve. I could easily do away with that tiny brush that comes with the palette and the equally tiny mirror. Both of which are not in any way functional with the palette for my taste. I use the brush for my brows instead. I lost the one the comes with my eyebrow kit and it does its job right there but not in this palette. As for the four other colors, I find them creamy and pigmented enough. For its price I still find this palette a bargain. Just make sure to use a good base with careful application to prevent fallout

Finding good quality eyeshadow palette can really be a treat. It must be a lot like when you buy gold online and you are certain that its no dud. The opening of this eyebrow palette proved to be a challenge at first. I had to go figure how it works. I swear, if I had to linger on doing that I would have knocked it on the wall altogether. I guess I expected more from e.l.f.’s Studio Line, which I believe this palette belongs to. But then again, I get exactly what I paid for in that aspect. But I believe that at the end of the day, with four pretty eyeshadow shades that are just my color, although they have a tendency to be on the powdery side, it is still a good buy.

When dear Frances of Beauty for a Living told me to help myself with her full to the brim container of makeup goodies, it was Kiehl’s  Facial Fuel  No-Shine Moisturizing lip balm that I first got hold of and then some. Thanks, Frances!  The beauty goodies you share with me are just fab! (and pricey, if I may say). Most of which I cannot exactly say that I will go splurge my hard earned money on just to experiment with. With my favorite Aloe Lips not easily available anywhere (I have to go to FLP myself or order online), I knew I was ready to experiment on another all natural kind of lip balm. Although I love Burt Bee‘s giving my lips the color that I want, it just does not perform as well as Aloe Lips does. For the most part, my lips would still remain cracked even if I reapply all day.

Technically, Khiel’s Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm is from Khiel’s Men’s Skin Care Line, which explains the manly packaging. Being someone who was never a stereotype fan, I could not care less if it’s intended for men or otherwise, as long as it works. The No-Shine factor in this balm is basically what makes it designed for men. (But even then, I cannot, for the life of me, have the hubby hear of it – even if his lips go crackin’ with windburn).

I personally find that it gives the result that I need. I have been pretty much under the weather these past weeks and although Khiel’s Lip Balm did not exactly cure me, my lips are intact and remained crack-free. My lips never fail to giveaway my health status. It is always the first to go. It is my primary indicator, that even if I’d go into self-denial, my lips will just say it out loud for me and I will have to get the hint or my peeling instinct will get my lips go bleeding like crazy. Cracked lips never fail to give me the compulsion of having to help smoothen them out by peeling the cracked portions off. Eew, right? But I know well enough that I am not a lone ranger here. A lot of ladies (and men) out there feel with me and have the same instincts when it comes to cracked lips.

As with Burt’s Bee’s Lip Shimmer, Khiel’s Lip Balm also gives that minty zing I get from Ilog Maria’s Beeswax Lip Balm. Since this is a gift, I’m not sure how much this retails for in the market. It’s my second favorite. I gave somebody a hint and I might just receive for Hearts Day a couple of Aloe Lips in a RedEnvelope. Kiehl’s lip balm clearly performs as it should but I still want my Aloe Lips supply.

When I blogged about my certified lead-free lipstick in 2008, I said that I have been using it for four years then. Making it 7 years now. Sure, I still buy lip stain and lipstick that I fancy. But this is the one lipstick that I cannot do without. Why, I can even sleep in it and not worry about it causing my lips to darken or whatnot.  The packaging of this herbal lipstick is so cheap, you actually can mistake it for one of those cheap China cosmetics in that are all over our tiangges. Think again! This cheap looking lipstick costs no less than P600 (approx. $14). I was surprised myself. Because if I remember it right, the last time  I bought my previous one, it was just around P450 something.

Contains beeswax blended with herbal and flower extracts that help maintain the redness and moisture of lips. Long lasting. Non-darkening. Four shades to choose from.

This organic lipstick is exclusively distributed by BioEnzyme Plus. And as fail as its packaging is compared to the usual ones we find in the store, I keep coming back to buying my supply anyway. For one, I was never exactly the “norm” girl.  I really would rather a product does its job even if is as plain looking as this.

I just thought I’d blog about it even as I recently bought my supply. In brown, this time. I totally appreciate the fact that even if I have been under the weather for a good many days now, I can get away with having non-cracked lips with the help of organic and healthy cosmetic choice like this all natural lipstick. My lips are always the first to go as a tell tale sign that my immune system is down. This organic lipstick and its vitamins to do their job of taking good care of my lips.

Admittedly, there are a handful of Marks & Spencer scents that come as a little too matronly for me. Like their Rose collection, for instance. But that’s just me. China Blue did not give any of that hint to my descriminating olfactory sensors. It is my new M&S favorite. The dry down, non overpowering scent works for me.

I figured I was not alone in my partiality towards M&S’s China Blue.  Their Moisture Rich Shower Cream and Hand and Nail Cream were the last ones in stock. But I’m good with it. I love it so much that it doesn’t exclusively stay in the bath alone. You’ll even find it atop my kitchen sink. I am hoping to get hold of the China Blue 3 in 1 Body, Room and Linen Spray on my next visit.

Elianto is taking 50% off on Natural Therapy Line made in Korea, and Organic Olive hair care line, made with Olive oil from Spain. Facial Foam Wash is now selling from 299 to 150. While shampoos and conditioners are from 399 to 200 only! Invigorate again your skin and hair this new year for a brand new you!

Truth be told, I have not try a single Hair Care product of Elianto and this will be the time that I will maybe grab a hold of one of their organic products. I love things natural and even as I experimented on a few non-organic stuff last year, I resolve to only buy natural stuff from now on. I will surely post reviews and photos using one of my nifty trail cameras while I’m at it.

Despite the holiday rush, Elianto’s Week 6 – 50% off on Nail Care is something I made sure I rushed back to the mall for! I have practically given away all imported nail polish brands I have for Elianto. I have over dozen of colors of exclusive Elianto nail polish and this is the one chance that I can get the colors I have for cheap!

I love Elianto’ nail polish more than any other brand. Save of course for O.P.I. which is not as affordable and available from where we are. If there is one beauty item, save for scents, that I have collected ever since I can remember, it is nail polish bottles. I have started to have my own bag filled with nail care kit when I was in middle school. I might as well have collected something as major as that of a point of care cart if I did not stop when I got a little too overwhelmed when I was a first time mom. I don’t know about you, but I just got myself a whole bunch while the 50% off label is still on.

For week 5, Elianto is taking 50% OFF on all EYE makeup. Yes, you read that right – ALL EYE MAKE UP!!! Vibrant eyeshadows made in Korea, from 119 to 50 only. Stayon eyeliner pencils made in Germany, from 339 to 180, Supreme Volume mascara made in Italy, from 469 to 250!

Now if you still are not done with your Christmas shopping, then this is the best time to go get the ladies in your family their Elianto gifts! This is too good to not share. Whether it is the best colon cleansing pills you discover or the best bargain finds like Elianto’s, the word has got to get out! Make your ladies’ eyes glitter and dance with color this holiday season!

Sophie of Beautynomics.com will be having her last bazaar for the year 2010 this coming weekend – at the Rockwell Moonlit Bazaar! Mark your calendars: that will be December 17-19, 2010. That’s from 12 noon to 12 midnight.

Beauty & Minerals has amazing beauty finds you might want to get your loved ones for Christmas. Bazaars are just fun! I almost always get the most interesting stuff that I don’t leave empty handed. Why, you might even get good deals on baby shower invitations. But don’t forget to check out the B&M booth!