And I'm back!

As I was having tea minutes ago, I suddenly remember this neglected blog of mine. A lot has happened for the past months but we're not here for drama. We're here to be happy and pretty! 

One major change that happened to me is my conversion to this popular French brand, Avène. It all happened  when I got my skin diagnosed. All my life, I have compared my face to a frying pan because of its oiliness. But after the skin diagnosis, I was so shocked to be told that I have VERY dry skin. Yes, emphasis on VERY. All my alarms go off because dry skin is equivalent to wrinkles for me. And of course I was convinced to buy the whole range! I'm half paranoid and half gullible. But I don't really care just as long as my skin's all good. And now, I am so hooked to Avène.

Just to give you a little background about Avène, Avène's main ingredient is water from Avène thermal spring. Years after the discovery of the Avène thermal spring was filled with experiments exploring the potential of the water. It has been discovered that the water is soothing even to the worst skin conditions. This is what makes Avène products very good for sensitive skin. And the rest of the development is history. 

First up in my collection is my cleanser and my toner. 

I have the "Extremely Gentle Cleanser". 

Honestly, I don't really have sensitive skin for me to use this. I bought a pack that has this, the Skin Recovery cream, and the thermal spring water to save on money. Haha. But come to think of it, this one's a good start for my cleanser since has been irritated and very dry. The Extremely Gentle Cleanser has a white mucus-like substance. 

This cleanser has a no-rinse tissue off formula meaning you just have to use a cotton wool to wipe off dirt from your face. No rinsing and water needed. It is perfect especially when you're lazy to get off your bed to wash your face. Come on, we all have those moments. This cleanser is also good for those with sensitive skin that gets irritated by the water from the faucet. The only thing that I don't like about this cleanser is that when you have make-up on, it would take you awhile to get everything off. My solution for this is to use make-up wipes first before using the cleanser. In this way, you'll be sure that you got rid off of all make-up traces. 

For my toner, I use the Thermal Spring Water.

 Its unique constant composition is:

• Sourced directly from the Avene Thermal Springs
• Bacteriologically pure
• Rich in silica (14mg/l)
• Rich in trace-elements
• Low mineral content (207 mg/l)
• Bicarbonated profile, calcium & magnesium
• pH 7.5
• Preservative free

 It comes in an aerosol can which is very handy because you can spray this to your face and body at anytime, anywhere. I find the Thermal Spring Water very, very soothing. This is good for hot climates or even just something to freshen you up after working out in the gym or after a stressful day. As a toner, I just spray this directly to my face. I leave it for a while and then I pat it dry.

With these two products, I have cleansed and soothed my skin without stressing or drying it out. 

I guess this ends my comeback entry. I'll be back sharing with you my Avène moisturizers. :)

Tips by Tippy:
-Even if the company claims that their products are good for sensitive skin, it is still advisable to do a patch test. You might still react to some ingredients that they used. Remember, your skin is unique.
-Have oily skin? Do not fear! Avène has products for you. They cater to the needs of people with dry to very dry skin, normal to combination skin, oily skin, acne prone akin, intolerant skin, and of course, atopic skin. You can check this page to know what skin type you have and you can check this page to know what products to need to use. I would also be glad to give you advise on these wonderful products. Just hit me up with your questions in the comment section. But just a disclaimer, I am not a professional beauty therapist or anything. :)
-It's good to ask for samples first before actually buying the product. Some stores here in Canberra, like Muse beauty Boutique, give samples for you to try.
-For those in the Philippines, you can check out Dmark Skin Care.

P.S. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos. I just used my phone. :)

Once in a blue moon.

I rarely get pimples. And when I do, it's just those tiny little red bumps that rosehip oil can eliminate overnight. Last week, I had a special visitor. It's a red dot filled with white stuff inside. And she wanted to stay on my upper lip. How fortunate of me.

I knew that this kind of pimple would stay about 2-3 days longer than a usual pimple would. But I wasn't too worried about it because I have my trusty rosehip oil with me. After two days of putting rosehip oil and no make-up, it was still there. UH-OH! I'm not happy about it! My miracle oil's letting me down!

Desperate to get rid of this unwanted visitor, I resulted to researching about what it is, what caused it, and how to get rid of it. After clicking through x websites, I came to the conclusion that the thing on my upper lip is a pustule. It is a pimple full of pus. It indicates bacterial infection, clogged pores, and accumulation of oil. I think I got this because I just recently got my upper lip threaded and the threading lady just put normal moisturizer instead of anti-bacterial cream on my upper lip. :|Anyway, I couldn't be bothered to get pissed off with my threading lady because I was just too excited to get rid of it.

I found  five easy ways to get rid of it.
1. Spot cream/gel. - I honestly haven't tried spot gel/creams because as I have said, I rarely get pimples. Plus, it would cost me money just to get rid of one ugly pimple that I wouldn't (at least I hope) get in a long time.

2. Popping it. -They say that there is a correct way of popping a pimple. But still, I don't recommend popping pimples. I would rather keep the pimple for a longer time than risk getting scars that are way harder to remove.

3. Exfoliation. -Just make sure to gently exfoliate the area to avoid irritation.

4. Using hot compress. -This helps reduce inflammation.

5. Avoid using anything with oil or anything that will give moisture.

I think I've expressed my disapproval of the first two options I gave. Obviously, I just tried the last three. 

I exfoliated extra gently because my St. Ives Apricot scrub is a bit coarse. I didn't put anything on it for a day. But what did the trick was hot compress. Well, I really didn't use a hot pack but I just used hot (not boiling of course) water to wash my face. I made sure that that pustule would feel the warmth of the water. And viola! Goodbye, pustule! Happy Tippy!

Funny how we have a million products to keep our skin clear but sometimes we just have to go back to basics with just plain old water.

Tips by Tippy:
-Every problem, may be it in our skins or in our life, has a unique solution. Be flexible to try something new.
-Do not pop your pimples. 
-Always remember to ask your threading/waxing lady to put anti-bacterial cream after your session so you won't end up like how I did last week. ;)
-You can click on this  to learn more about the types of acne.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Have you ever had a spider crawl down your legs? Are you sure? Because the worst ones are the ones you can't feel and see right away....Spider veins. But something that could be worse are varicose veins.

Since I grew up in the Philippines, I was never expected to get a job while I was studying. My sole responsibility was to study. Now that I am here in Australia, it's a whole new different thing! Kids as young as 14, I think, can work! And being the twenty-one year old that I was two years ago, I was excited to earn some moolah! So I got a casual job in a pharmacy/beauty store which meant 5-8 hours of standing and walking. Exciting at first but when my legs hurt and veins show up, it isn't fun anymore.

Yes, veins. I am pertaining to varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins are large, raised, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn. These are bulging veins that you can distinctly feel.  Spider veins, on the other hand, are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that also twist and turn. These are most common in thighs, ankles, feet, and sadly, in our faces.

What are the causes of having varicose and spider veins?

• Heredity.
• Occupations that involve a lot of standing, such as nurses, hair stylists, teachers, and factory workers.
• Obesity.
• Hormonal influences during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause.
• The use of birth control pills.
• Postmenopausal hormonal replacement.
• A history of blood clots.
• Conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen including tumors, constipation, and externally worn garments like girdles.
• Trauma or injury to the skin
• Previous vein surgery
• Exposure to ultraviolet rays

 Go ahead! Check your legs and even your face if you have any! If you don't, lucky for you!  But if you do, it's never too late!

I've seen a lot on medical procedures for varicose and spider veins like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser treatment, radiofrequency occlusion, surgery, lasers and intense pulse light, etc. But of course, these treatments may be off the budget. So here's what you can do to lessen and prevent having unsightly veins:

• Wear support stockings- These can help in the proper circulation of blood in your legs.
• Change your lifestyle- Observe proper hygiene. Lose weight if you need to(See doctor for this). Exercise! A good walk or run can help improve your blood circulation. 
• Wear the right kind of shoes if you know you'll be standing for ages.
•  If you can, avoid long periods of standing and walking. If you can't, make sure to elevate your legs at or above the level of your heart.
• One of the natural remedies you can use is distilled witch hazel. This is what I personally use. 

What I do is I soak a cotton pad or cloth id you want with witch hazel and apply it to my legs. It's good because it's soothing and it reduces pain and swelling. A small bottle of this is around AUD 6-7. This is also available in the Philippines according to a friend of mine. Check out Healthy Options! :)

So ladies, always remember that prevention is better than cure. Take care of those beautiful legs!

Tips by Tippy:
- Since I have no medical background, here's a very helpful link if you want to read more on varicose and spider veins.
-It's best to see a doctor if you want to get rid of these veins. But there are natural  remedies you can use. Click here for remedies for spider veins. Click here for remedies for varicose veins.

P.S. I didn't post photos of spider and varicose veins because the photos I saw were too graphic.

My miracle oil.

Two years ago, I thought I was lucky to have good genes since I wasn't prone to acne(I had black heads and white heads though) . I also thought that cleansing your face was the only thing that I needed to do to keep it that way. It was only when I moved here in Australia and got the chance to work in a pharmacy/beauty shop that I realize that I was missing a big part of the basic skincare regime: cleanse+tone+moisturize+exfoliate. Cleansing is something we can't escape because we all take a shower. Toning is forgivable if you skip it but I still suggest that you do it. Exfoliation must only be done 1-3 times  a week so I wont put much stress on this. Moisturizing, lastly, is as important as cleansing.

"Any biological system, including the skin, survives by carrying out a multitude of biochemical reactions. In essence, biochemical reactions are chemical "transactions" involving biologically important molecules. The vast majority of biochemical reactions proceed normally only if the reagents are properly dissolved in water or, in some cases, oil. Lack of water in or around cells disrupts normal metabolism and tissue repair. Therefore, dehydrated skin has a decreased capacity for repair and regeneration."

So if you don't want premature wrinkles, you better start moisturizing as early as....NOW.

A good day moisturizer would have a high SPF (sun protection factor)--This would be a different blog entry. I want to focus on night moisturizers because it is in our sleep that our skin regenerates the best. And at the young age of 23, I have found a night moisturizer  that I know I'll use until I grow old!

 Let me introduce to my my miracle oil, Rosehip oil.

Rosehip oil comes from the “hip” of the rose, which is the seed pod or fruit of the rose that occurs after the rose petals fall off.

Rosehip oil  has natural ingredients like:

-vitamin A – also known as topical trans retinoic acid, this can help with oily skin, skin that is dehydrated from sun exposure, fine lines, wrinkles, and an uneven skin tone.
- Linoleic acid – helps to preserve the cell’s natural barrier to the environment and is vital for the structure of cell membranes.  This is an omega 6 fatty acid.
-Oleic acid – an omega 9 fatty acid, this helps to create supple and moist skin and improve overall skin condition.
-Linolenic acid – this is an omega 3 fatty acid and it may help to improve skin conditions by softening and moisturising the skin.  It is also important for the structure of cell membranes.
-Lycopene – this is an antioxidant and it protects the skin from free radical damage, reducing the risk of premature ageing.
-Beta-carotene – a source of pro vitamin A and an antioxidant to help improve the appearance of sun damaged skin.  It can also help to prevent the signs of ageing.
-Vitamin C – this is an antioxidant that protects against free radical damage.  It also plays a role in the formation of collagen.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, I am here to testify! I've been using rosehip oil as my night moisturizer for less than 2 years already. I am on my fourth bottle I believe. I love it becasue it's 100% natural. I'm not putting any chemicals on my face with this product. With all the other products I use, it's  good to skin my skin a breather.  Also, rosehip oil is good for any skin type! Even if I have oily skin, it doesn't make my skin oilier.

So how do I use rosehip oil?
-After I cleanse and tone my skin, I use 3-4 drops of rosehip oil on my palm. I rub my palms and gently pat my whole face. It's best to just pat and not rub our face with the oil  because it is easily absorbed that way.
-When I feel a pimple coming out or if the pimple is already there, I just put more oil in that area(because I'm paranoid! haha!)
- When one of the threading ladies that I go to "accidentally" cut my upper lip, I also used rosehip oil on it.
-Sometimes, when I feel like it, I add rosehip oil to my moisturizer.
-When I have a wound or scratch, I also use a drop or two on it.

What are the AMAZING effects?
- I can definitely say that I have a more even skin tone than before.
-I believe I don't have wrinkles yet. HAHA.
-I don't worry about pimples because I can prevent pimples from coming out with rosehip oil. It helps me dry out the pimples that I already have. And the best part is I wasn't scared of pimple marks because there weren't any!
-I had no scars with the cuts I had from threading.

Not yet convinced? For a 25ml bottle, the cheapest you can get is AUD 20. This tiny bottle can last up to 4-5 months!---Of course depending on how you use it. BUT HOW GOOD IS THAT?

Still not convinced? See the difference!

This was the high school me back in 2007. See the little zits on my forehead? Hello puberty!

This was me in my freshman year in UP Diliman. Now say hello to my  face when it was exposed to all the sun and pollution the world could have. (I rode every possible public transportation there is just to get to school)

And this is the 2012 me! I have nothing on my face  in this photo but I look fresh and neat!

Now, I think that I was a bit in denial when I was told that I didn't changed the way I looked since high school. I'll take that as an advantage. I hope I still look the same when I'm in my 40's and 50's.

Well, that was a bit embarrassing! Forgive the photos. HAHA. All for the sake of proving a point.
Anyway, I've tried only a couple of brands namely Trilogy and Sukin.

There are only two differences between these: price and thickness. Trilogy is more expensive and thicker than Sukin. Other than that, it's the same thing.

Not to brag or anything, but I had a lot of people (in varying age groups!) asking me what my secret is. My skin isn't perfect but it definitely improved with just 2-4 drops a day. Simple as that! ;)

Tips by Tippy:
-Although Rose hip oil is all natural, it is a possibility that you can be allergic to some of it's components. Make sure to do a patch test first!
-Though I said it's a miracle oil, beauty can not be achieved overnight. You have to use it everyday for at least 2 months to achieve results. Also, maintenance is the key.
-Rose hip oil may not be the best moisturizer for you. Remember that we are all unique and our bodies react differently. I just highly suggest this because it worked for me!For some tips on how to choose your moisturizer according to your skin type, click on this.

P.S. I'm not sure where to get this in the Philippines because the brands I've used are Australian  made. I browsed through an online shop that sells this but I didn't take note of it.



Brows before hoes.

One secret of having a clean and neat looking face is to have perfectly shaped and well-groomed eyebrows. There will always be days when you'll get lazy to put on make-up. But if you have polished brows, I promise you, you can still look fabulous without make-up! Why? It's because your eyebrows help you emphasize your eyes. It emphasizes your eyes in two ways: physically and psychologically. Your eyebrows emphasize your eyes physically by defining your eye shape.  On the other hand, your brows can also help you express feelings.

There are only two steps to achieve perfectly shaped and groomed eyebrows. The first would be choosing the method of hair removal.

There are three ways of hair removal that you can do: plucking, waxing and threading. Plucking is tedious since you remove hair one by one and there is no guarantee to get a good shape. This is good for maintaining your current shape. Waxing is a faster way to get rid of hair but the shape isn't too defined. Last but not the least and I want to give more attention to this style, threading is a faster way of plucking using thread. ;)

When it comes to pain, plucking would have to be the most painful since you would feel every strand of hair taken out from the roots. Threading would be second since it is done line by line. Waxing would be the least painful since you can get all your hair out in one go.

When it comes to availability, plucking is definitely number one. You just need to grab  tweezers and do it. Waxing would be second since there a lot of easy to use facial waxes in the market already. I still think you need to get it done professionally though. Threading would be last since there are only few beauticians that can do threading.

But when we look at the most important aspect which is the precision in shape, threading tops the list. Threading can take out even the thinnest hair that you have. Waxing goes second because it gives you a rough shape and you can just clean it out by plucking. Plucking goes last for me because sometimes you tend to get lazy since it's such a task to take out strands of hair one by one.

With this, I would definitely go for threading because even though it's a bit painful and it's hard to find a threading  lady, it'll be all worth it when you get your perfect brows.

Before yand after shots.

BEFORE

AFTER---Can you see how defined my brows are now? 

And to add to the greatness of threading, it's very good for sensitive skin since nothing will be applied to your skin. Also, the regrowth won't be thick! So not only can you have your eyebrows threaded, you can also have your upper lip, chin, and even your whole face threaded!

Now that you have your choice of hair removal, you need to have the perfect shape for your eyebrows. I'm not an expert on this so I'll let these links help you out. Click on this to know your face shape and the eyebrows that would suit you. Click on this to know the three point measures for your brows and to see how threading is done. 

So girls, get your brows done and ooze with confidence!

Tips by Tippy:

-Getting your eyebrows done is ALWAYS, ALWAYS a risk. You'll never ever know what your brows will look like after you have it done. Make sure to go to a trusted and recommended salon who does eyebrow shaping. In the Philippines, I've always had my brows done in Lay Bare. But there's this salon called Browhaus that I am dying to go to when I get home. Here in Canberra, I've been to a lot of threading ladies who have salons in their homes. But the best threading lady I know is only available on weekends which isn't favorable for me because I have work (You can message me for her number). I just resorted to going to Canberra Day Spa. And I am definitely going back there!

-Exfoliate your brow area the night before.

-Make sure that your brow area is clean and free from make-up when you have it done. If you're opting for threading, it's best not to wear eye make-up because it can make you teary-eyed.

-Exposure to sun after threading or waxing may cause discoloration.

-Do not wet your face after threading and waxing. 

Backstabbers.

Acne is the number one problem of most teenagers when undergoing puberty. Don't be deceived if you don't see marks on my face. I also battled acne. But it was my back that suffered from it. It was "bacne" that I had to fight with. Sometimes, I would also have some on my chest too. I despised it so much because it made me feel dirty.

Through the years, I've been using my facial wash and scrub on my back and chest thinking it would do the same job. It sort of did but not to the extend that I wanted to. Then, I decided to try out some "fancy soaps", as I call it.

I first started with Botani's Eco-Clear Body Bar. It's specifically used for body acne and as general antiseptic. It's main ingredient is tea tree oil, which is a natural antibacterial. This soap is amazing! I love it how it gets rid and prevent pimples. This is a very good maintenance for those with extreme body acne.

Around AUD 8

But then, Botani got discontinued in Priceline. I had to find another alternative. Since tea tree oil's the main ingredient for the Botani soap, why not try a tea tree soap? :)

Face Shop- Php 250

Like the Botani soap, it did the trick for me! Two things that I hate about this is that it dissolves quickly and it's expensive. It's expensive because later on I found Php 70 tea tree soaps which are pretty much the same thing as Face Shop's.

When I finished my stock of tea tree soap, I didn't know where to get some here in Canberra. Then came, Lush, my new supplier of fancy soaps. But since they didn't have tea tree soaps, I choose another alternative which is lemon. Lemon is one of the best natural cures for acne other than  tea tree oil. Also, lemon helps you tone and clarify your skin tone too.

I first tried their Bohemian soap which is packed with lemon oil.

Lush charges your per kilogram of soap that you get  which is good because you have a say on how much you want to spend.

I was honestly scared that it won't lather up. But it did! It wasn't too bad until it came to the part where what was left was the white stuff----You can see it in the photo.  I forgot to ask what that was but whatever. It was really hard to soap my body because it wouldn't lather up as much. But regarding its acne fighting power, I put my hands down to this.

Now, I am using their Sexy Peel soap.

This soap is made out of  oils and juices from different types of citrus fruits. Also, this soap has an exfoliating texture thanks to natural peels from oranges, limes, and lemons. Sounds good? It smells better! It;s so fresh and invigorating!

If I am not prone to acne, I'd love to try their oatmeal soap or their sultana soap. Both are said to be good if you want extra moisture for your skin.

Tips by Tippy:

Always do a patch test not only for soaps but also for any other product out there. Soaps are tricky because you apply it in your entire body. So be careful because you might be allergic to something that you're not aware of. And of course, drink LOTS of water.

My 23rd Birthday.

I celebrated my 23rd a couple of weeks ago and even though I was so busy and sleep-deprived, it was definitely a blast.

I actually had two exams on my birthday. So, obviously I would be studying the night before. When midnight came, my boyfriend showed up on Skype wearing a party hat and he also had balloons!!!!! It was such a sweet feeling having a little party on Skype. I wish I could spend the day with him. But for now, this would have to do.    

With Sho <3

Coincidentally, my brother also gave me a smiley balloon! (The one I'm holding in the photo) HAHA. 

Then, I went to uni early. I had my two exams. Then off to the city to meet my mom and my dad because we were going to fetch my sister at the airport. It was a looooonnnngggg, tiring day for everyone that we decided to buy pizza, chicken and sushi for our mini feast.

Do we look tired? Haha

Then after our simple dinner, we just relaxed and watched American Idol. :) And just when I thought my day was over, my good friends here in Canberra surprised me with cake, banners, and confetti!!! I honestly saw it coming because it was way too obvious! HAHA. But I am deeply grateful for their thoughtfulness and effort. 

Nessa gave me a camera which I am using now for this blog!

With the people who planned the surprise!!! Thanks Boy, Nessa, Ken , Francis, Ate Joy, and Ate Grace!

I intentionally set my birthday celebration on a Saturday so that everyone could come and I wouldn't be so tired. But before I show you my party pictures, let me tell you a short background on how we party here in Canberra. (well at least in our little group of families.) My sister started the trend of having themes. 

Sister's Luau party. I was still in the Philippines when she celebrated her birthday. ;)

Mom's Hat party. I wore a golden, glittery hat!

Carlo's sporty birthday! I was supposed to be a temple runner but hitting Boy with a racket was fun. HAHA,

For my birthday, I wanted it to be simple and easy because I didn't want to bother anyone since I wasn't able to inform them ahead of time. So I decided to have an all green party!!!! Why? Because for my birthday party, I wanted to be a flower and my loved ones would be my leaves. I know it sounds corny but what the heck! :))

Me with my sister's present for me!!!If you can zoom in, pelase do. I used Revlon for my eye shadow and  Loreal Double Extension Mascara. I didn't have a proper photo of my eye make-up.

Foundation: Nude by Nature; Lipstick: FOA Forbidden fruit 

Top from Ally and Cotton On; Shoes from So Fab, Necklace from Equip

My gorgeous family

With Ate Grace

Ze siblings

With Ate Meg

With the boy

With Ate Meg and Carlo

 With the Jao Family

With the Ambida Family

My foster family, the Alvarez family

With the Sanchez and Ignacio family

With Nessa!

Silly with the girls!

With the Gomez family

With the Bague brothers

With Kuya Renen and Ate Pern

With Ate Joy and Ate Grace

MY CUSTOMIZED CAKE!!! How cute is that???

I also had a banner with my second year soph night picture. :))

And of course, my birthday won't be extra special if it hadn't been to the friends that I have back home. Thanks for remembering me even if I am miles away from you guys. 

I am just soooooooooooo thankful to have a wonderful set of friends, a very loving boyfriend, and a supportive family. I can truly say that I am happy.