This Fossil Stella Resin Watch was my hubby’s advance Valentine present. This definitely surpasses my other Technomarine boyfriend-inspired watch in the design department. This pearlized watch is part of Fossil’s all-time favorite collection. I especially love the sparkling topring that channels eternity bands. It totally sets the whole feminine finish. Plus the pretty contrast of the pearlized acrylic bracelet and the chocolate dial. As common as boyfriend-inspired watches are this past years, it’s safe to say that the pearlized bracelet made this Fossil watch stellar unique.

My discovery of Apple Cider Vinegar being an effective hair loss remedy came by chance.  I have been suffering from some form of acid reflux since last month. I cannot seem to take in anything without feeling nauseated. I have been eating small portions of food frequently since. Because I wanted to steer clear of having to go visit the doctor and be given tons of synthetic medications and antibiotics, I just thought I’d do my homework by searching for a natural way to cure my tummy issues. Apple cider vinegar or ACV as health forum people would have it, came up more than once. It kind of did not make sense to me at first since my issue is leaning towards hyperacidity and the cure for it is to treat it with another kind of acid? I know! My exact thoughts! But then again, it has been working and has kept me out of the doctor’s clinic.

I digress, I know. But I think that little backgrounder was necessary for me to let you lovely people know how I found out about this wonderful discovery. Another affirmation that the internet is more than just for people who are into free online dating. Aside from ACV treating a whole bunch of illnesses, aside from my acid reflux problem, I also learned from a friend that swears by it who had a grandmother lived till 104 years old!  Meanwhile, as I read through ACV forums, I also found out that it is also an effective remedy for hair loss. I squirmed at the thought at first of having to bathe my hair with vinegar. Repulsive, I know!  I tried it once, I did not last the whole 15 minute recommended time of keeping it in soaked in a hair cap.  But I was amazed enough that as I washed the ACV off my hair, my locks felt so smooth and dried out really shiny. And those are not even the benefits that I was looking for!

After doing the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment for hair loss for two weeks now, I am happy to report that from approximately 30 strands of hair in the tub every bath, I can only see less than ten! And it has been two weeks since I last pulled out a huge clump of hair from my hair brush. I know I’ve got to get them cleaned anyway. Haha!

I use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. Although we have at least 4 bottles of ACV on our cupboard supplied by Heinz, I learned that raw and unfiltered, the one with “the mother” is best. I finally got hold of one from Healthy Options in Bonifacio Highstreet. But I also saw that it was also available in SM Supermarkets for five bucks less. As what I have gathered from the forums and what I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks. I do the ACV treatment once a week.

1. Pour one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar on a cup of distilled water (shake the bottle first before pouring).
2. Pour the mixed solution of ACV and water to clean and shampooed hair.
3. Put a shower cap over hair.
4. Wait 15 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm water.

The first time I did the ACV treatment on my hair, I immediately shampooed my hair again after rinsing. I was too afraid the vinegar smell will stick. But the following week, I just rinsed my hair until the smell comes off. I think it is safe say that rinsing will be enough since there was no violent reaction from the hubby when we went to bed that night. Haha! And did I mention that my hair looks really shiny whenever I have this done? I think the ACV’s cleansing and clarifying properties are doing this to my hair and I’m really loving it! To think that I was already getting frustrated since my Keratin treated hair was starting to get out of sorts.

It’s just amazing how these all natural beauty treatments are made available to us straight from our cupboards. And who would have thought that the Apple Cider Vinegar have such lovely benefits!

Before we got hold of Nautreal, the scars were holding up even after almost a couple of months since the cautery procedure.

Almost 2 months after the wart removal procedure, the scab marks were still all over the place.

Three weeks of using Nautreal Beauty Products and the scab marks have faded a great deal. Most of them, to some degree are  non-existent. The two marks that remain on the hubby’s left cheek are his moles. The ones that used to surround them on the former picture, which were scars from the scabs are practically all gone! And he sure is a whole tad fairer. Now, you know why he’s glowing and all, the next time you see him.  Here’s the bonus, the screaming pores that used to sit around his nose, which have been there since time immemorial are all gone! G-O-N-E!   Just recently, I showed him his “before” and “after” photos, he was so thrilled that he told me to make sure we don’t run out of their products!

I first encountered the Nautreal Beauty Products during the Noel Bazaar at the World Trade Center. It was our girls night out. Bff Beth threw us a Wensha Spa treat. My friends and I figured while we’re there, we might as well check out the bazaar right smack our favorite spa place. Amidst all the various stuff on sale, real and knock off brands, cigar specials and even food stuff, I was taken aback when I saw this sign on Nautreal’s corner that says, “See Results in 1 Week or Your Money Back.” Now, that’s something we don’t see around everyday. That is one brave statement. You just don’t say things like that when you are not sure that you can’t deliver. You just don’t. So I just had to stop and have a look-see.

The different skin care lines of Nautreal

Because I have kind of gotten very particular with stuff I use on our skin, I had to ask Nautreal business owners Diane and Paul Tan, who formulated the beauty products. I was told that their products were developed by chemists and dermatologists. Sweet! That’s a major concern answered for me.

The Nautreal Perfect White Kit retails for P1,100 contains:  Whitening Papaya Soap, UV Protect Cream with SPF30, Whitening Facial Cleanser, and All Out Whitening  Cream

This is what the hubby has been using. We are way impressed! What I love about this skin care line is that they are so easy to apply and I honestly find the steps easier than your usual multi-steps skin care line. Yes, I was impressed enough that I recently began sharing this product with my more than willing product tester.

Daytime:
1. Whitening Papaya Soap
2. UV Protect Cream – apply all over face and neck

Night Time:
1. Whitening Papaya Soap
2. Whitening Facial Cleanser (Active Ingredients: Licorice Extract, Mulberry Extract and Witch Hazel) – moisten cotton ball then apply on face in a circular motion
3. All-out Whitening Cream (keep refrigerated) – apply all over face and neck

Easy peasy. This is actually the first multi-step skin care that I have gone beyond two weeks. If I were to try out one, I find myself  dropping them altogether on the third day.

The Nautreal Bare-able Kit retails for P1,200 contains: Whitening Kojic Soap, Apricot Body Scrub, Whitening Body Hydrant with SPF30 and Evening Lotion

Step 1: Whitening Kojic Soap (morning and evening)
Step 2: Apricot Body Scrub (morning and evening) – removes stubborn dead skin cells
Step 3: Whitening Body Hydrant with SPF30 (morning) – apply every morning
Step 4: Evening Lotion – apply every evening, moisturizes the skin

Since I only had to replace the usual stuff that I use, ushering these products to my daily routine was easy. I stashed my usual Neutrogena Body Oil (which I’ve been using for the past 15 years) and my usual SPF lotion in the drawer for now. I have been using the Nautreal Bare-able line for almost a month and I honestly think I have come to love them. I’m almost out of the Nautreal Evening Lotion, so I would need to have that replenished soon. I will probably order the big bottle, this time. As for its whitening effect, I really don’t find a very dramatic change on my skin. But then again, it’s probably because I’ve been considerably fair to begin with. But I sure am loving the Evening Lotion. My skin feels moisturized up to the day after. As for the Whitening Body Hydrant with SPF30, I kind of find its moisturizing quality lacking as I would sometimes notice some parts of my skin needing some reapplication by midday. It could also be our unforgiving tropical weather these days.

Nautreal Apricot Body Scrub

As a scrub kind of person, I do love the moisturizing feel of Nautreal Apricot Body Scrub. But in a way, I find its texture kind of lacking  in granules. I am just not sure if they have a reason they formulated it this way. But I have gotten the hang of body scrubs that are rich in granules.

My husband and I are loving Nautreal Skin Care Products, that’s for sure. We’re soon to order our replenishment for their Perfect White line and the Nautreal Bare-able Evening Lotion, in its huge bottle this time.  Vouching for Nautreal is inevitable, even as I find their products the gentlest whitening products I have used. No stinging and the micropeeling happened for only three days, tops. And with their Money Back Guarantee, Nautreal Challenge, I’d say, it is worth a try.

]]> http://www.kikaycorner.net/2012/01/beauty-find-nautreal-skin-care-products.html/feed 1 http://www.kikaycorner.net/2012/01/ensembles-boracay-contest.html http://www.kikaycorner.net/2012/01/ensembles-boracay-contest.html#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:49:51 +0000 admin http://www.kikaycorner.net/?p=3893 Here’s an exciting start for 2012 for Ensembles followers! To start the year right, Ensembles hopes to meet more of their new fans as well as reward their long time loyal followers. A few more weeks and Summer is officially on! Summer means having fun, adventures and getaways. And Ensembles sure is getting an early start to summer!

Ensembles is kicking this off by giving away an All Expense Paid BORACAY TRIP for TWO! Now that’s a chill way to plan out your summer getaway, sans the breakdown service you’re gonna have to consider when you go on a road trip. Join Ensembles Facebook Photo Contest this January 16 and reach for 20,000 Facebook likes. Once Ensembles reach this number, a lucky fan will be basking with her companion under the sun! Just upload a photo of you wearing your fave Ensembles outfit, tell us why you chose this photo and ask your friends to like it. The entry with the best answer and most number of likes wins!

To join the contest, visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/EnsemblesOnline and www.ensembles.com.ph for the full mechanics.

I especially love the tinted Nivea lip balms. Kind of takes away the trouble of having to apply lipstick altogether during my many lazy days. My lips would, every so often go into this stubborn chapping spree and it can be pretty annoying if left unaddressed. I usually end up with bleeding lips because my no less stubborn fingers won’t stop tinkering with wayward dead skin that needs peeling off. I know just so well that I’m not alone in this predicament.

While I have tried the Nivea’s tinted lip balms, I’m trying these new lip babies for the first time. Both Nivea Pinkish Boost 3in1 and Nivea Natural Volume took me by their SPFs. The former being SPF15 and the latter, SPF30. Nivea Pinkish Boost 3in1 is said to restore natural lip color, reduces lip dullness and protects lips with SPF15.

NIVEA Lip Care latest innovation Natural Volume

• with Collagen Enhancer – locks moisture in providing intensive care and natural volume from within
• captures and reflects the light, instantly leaving a beautiful shine for noticeable volume
• contains SPF 30+, protection against UVA and UVB rays

Nivea Lip Care Natural Volume is a new innovative formula with Collagen Enhancer and Light Reflecting Pigments provides your lips with natural volume and extra shine for beautiful, luscious lips – without being sticky.

But of course, being the responsible kikay that I am, I’m not just going to take their word for it. I had to try it out for myself. The SPF30 of Nivea’s Natural Volume Lip gloss appealed more to me, so I decided to test it, for starters. Because I was also going out when I first tried it, I chose the most natural lipstick I have, MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Blankety underneath Nivea Natural Volume Lip Gloss, just to test how smooth or otherwise it is when used with other products. Other glosses, especially those that we see in staples coupons sometimes don’t measure up. I am pretty satisfied. And yes, there is definitely no sticky feel to it too. Nivea Natural Volume Lip 8.5ml gloss locally retails for P175.

Now that these eyes issues have long been resolved, I am considering getting hold of Elastilash which is officially distributed by Obagi. I’m not a fan of applying mascara and I have really tiny lashes that there’s practically nothing to curl, that’s why I’m back to hoping this eyelash growth formula will work for me this time.

As per Obagi’s website, The Obagi ELASTILash Eyelash Solution is a safe, nonprescription treatment that helps achieve the appearance of thicker, fuller lashes. It is also said to be dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, nonallergenic too.  I’ll probably just have to quit in the event I get any of the previous symptoms I had in the former eyelash solution I used.

Getting an air mattress was a natural way around that problem, and it’s really worked out great. Of course, then comes the issue of where to put it. The living room can get a bit crowded and it isn’t like it’s just a single person laying out in an ordinary sleeping bag. This thing isn’t small and it’s a real bed when it’s fully inflated.

Even so, it’s worked out really nicely and the relatives love it. The only issues are usually when the kids or the household pets get involved and people suddenly feel furry paws climbing over them in the middle of the night or an inquisitive toddler staring at them early in the morning.

The good part is that our air bed is comfy enough that, after I’ve tired myself out a bit preparing for the incoming guest, I’ll often find myself fighting a very strong temptation to take a brief rest of my own on it. I have to admit that, more often than not, I give in — at least until I hear the pitter-patter of tiny human and/or animal feet nearing my head! For a busy mommy a queen air bed is a great thing to have around the house, but sometimes a magic carpet to take me away from everything would be a whole lot better.

With the leadership of the ABS-CBN Foundation, the event promoted a safe and clean Pasig River and aims to bring back its former glory. The goal of this public-spirited undertaking is to raise funds, and to create awareness about what needs to be done until the river is clean. Here are some photos from the event.

Spotted: Job Gayta. The live mannequin we dressed during Boardwalk’s Eat.Play.Blog event.

More than a fashion/clothing company, Boardwalk presses on as it goes beyond this run and continue helping ABS-CBN Foundation in its quest to revitalize the Pasig River.  Wouldn’t it be fad if other brands follow suit?

As consumers who actually need to shop especially this gift giving season, I’d say it is always best to patronize those who are into this kinds of advocacy. It does not just make shopping guilt free but we are actually, in essence supporting the cause of the brand. Sure, there are a handful of choices out there. I actually have my eye on a variety stackable mothers rings I’m looking to giving my mommy friends. Yes, gift shopping is far from over yet.

Boardwalk His & Hers Timepieces

To give you a glimpse at how pretty they are, we just got to try them on.

Incidentally, here’s a lovely his and hers watch I recently received from Boardwalk. I love it! I’m still deliberating if I’d keep this or raffle it off. I’d say, raffle it off as a Christmas present over at our marriage, parenting and family blog, MarriageandBeyond.com to one of our dear readers. Stay tuned.

With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give  pair of new shoes to a child in need.  One for One.  —-> www.TOMS.com

I am beyond impressed. While I know that a lot of brands are tapping into different advocacies, this One for One is something else entirely. Most brands will just give a minute amount of their sales. But TOMS is at it One for One. That’s more than just zero guilt when buying their product. I love, love, love it! I haven’t bought a pair of TOMS yet. But this is definitely giving me the go signal. Especially after seeing the wedges in TOMS Holiday Collection.

TOMS has given away 1,000,000 pairs of shoes as of September 2011! This is with the help of TOMS NGO partners which are quite a few. This is understandable for the company to sustain their advocacy.

Above are TOMS NGO Partners in the Philippines. It is lovely to see familiar Christian organizations in the list like GCF and YWAM.

As I was downloading videos from youtube, here is what I saw –> a sneak peek on how TOMS go about their task.

TOMS currently give to the following countries:

1. Philippines
2. United States
3. El Salvador
4. Guatemala
5. Nicaragua
6. Haiti
7. Honduras
8. Peru
9. Argentina
10. Mali
11. Niger
12. Uganda
13. Rwanda
14. Burundi
15. Zambia
16. Swaziland
17. Lesotho
18. Ethiopia
19. South Africa
20. Malawi
21. Armenia
22. Mongolia
23. China
24. Cambodia

Another thing that sets TOMS One for One Advocacy is that they don’t give and leave. They keep giving the kids as they grow out their shoes. This is why TOMS strive to set up sustainable giving partnerships that will allow them to give repeatedly as children grow. Sweet!

Incidentally, TOMS is inviting everyone for their Give Fair happening on December 4, 2011 at the Trinoma Park, 4th Level Trinoma Mall, North Avenue Corner Edsa, Quezon City. With Christmas shopping people are onto these days, TOMS is a wonderful choice we can give our loved ones. We are essentially not just shopping for our loved ones and friends, we are also giving a needy child a pair of TOMS shoes for every pair that we buy. Now Christmas shopping can’t be more cool than that.

Noriku Norika

Abraham Chang

Emiliana Sison

Kindly email me via jenaspacio [at] gmail [dot] com your Full Name, Shipping Address with Zip Code and Mobile No. Please send me a scanned or photographed ID with your details for verification. Congratulations to Kikay Corner’s Another Nivea Giveaway! Stay tuned for more raffle contests!