Colgate Love All Smiles Toothpaste & Mouthwash

As our patron saint Lady Gaga once said, "It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M". Pride Month is still in full swing, so happy pride to everyone, no matter what you identify as and who you love!

To celebrate both pride and my return to the blogging sphere, I decided to review any pride-themed products I could find. And what better way to start than with Colgate's limited-edition Love All Smiles Toothpaste & Mouthwash!

Committed to championing inclusivity, Colgate released its first-ever products this June dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. While you can buy each one separately from Watsons or from their official Shopee store (link), I chose to avail of their bundle online for Php 260.00. And guess what? Every purchase helps support the education of LGBTQIA+ students through the Rainbow Youth Academy.

JIGOTT Snail Repairing Cream

I'll be honest. Like frogs and bugs, I find snails icky and you'd have to offer me a lot of money to make me even touch one. But would I slather my face with snail byproducts? YOU BET! I've actually been using the Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream for over a year now. Since I love it so much, I decided why not add another snail-y step to my skin care regime?

Now I never heard of the brand JIGOTT before but apparently it's pretty well known? I scored this from my bff who was selling all kinds of skin care stuff at the Flair pop-up bazaar last month. I also don't know the exact price because I see it being sold on Shopee and the like for Php 900 and up. I got this for just Php 600 though.

So the product's name and the little blurb under it are the only English text on the box. Everything else was in Korean. But thanks to the power of the internet, I quickly found a description off Amazon:

The product makes skin bright and healthy by protecting it from external stimulus including stress as nourishing cream containing various moisturizing factors. Its snail secretion filtrate gives skin flexibility and softness.

Miss Bella Marble Brush Set

After going through my current stash of makeup brushes, I decided I needed to get rid of most of them. Some were too old, and some just weren't that great. I also had way more than I needed and wanted to keep it to the essentials.

So after I tossed them all out, only keeping a small handful of newer ones, I got this Marble Brush Set (Php1,000) from Miss Bella to act as my core brush collection.

The set comes with 10 brushes, all housed in this beautiful, magnetic case you can display on your vanity. You can also choose brushes with either white or black handles, or get them in a pouch. The pouch set has the same brushes and is Php50 cheaper.

Skin Care Hub Rejuvenating Facial Set

Getting to work with local brands is always a delight. I love trying out and promoting products that are made right here in the Philippines, especially if they're affordable. While you can definitely love foreign brands, embracing and buying from local ones is just as important in my opinion.

One brand I recently got to collaborate with is Skin Care Hub, and they kindly sent me one of their best sellers, their Rejuvenating Facial Set (Php299), to try out.

Skin care sets are always exciting for me because I like the idea that all the products in it are supposed to compliment each other. Oh, and some great news: Skin Care Hub's products are natural and organic, paraben free, and cruelty free. Love, love, love!

Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Acid Essence Mask

Good news, sheet mask addicts! Asia's #1 best-selling sheet mask brand, Dr. Morita, is now in the Philippines. I was lucky enough to be invited to the official launch last week where we learned all about the brand and why it's been so popular for years.

Prior to the launch, I was already a semi-regular Dr. Morita user. The first one I ever tried was their Intense Hydrating Serum Facial Mask. I really liked how it gave my skin a super boost of hydration and made it so soft and supple, even after just one use. Today, though, I'll be reviewing the mask we were given at the launch and one of their top sellers: the Hyaluronic Acid Essence Mask (Php74.00/per sheet).

Dr. Morita says...

The Dr. Morita Hyaluronic Acid Essence Mask includes large, medium, and small Ceramide molecules and complex moisturizing ingredients that keeps skin moist, smooths fine lines, and resists skin aging.

AIW Skin Care 101: Hyaluronic acid is an important ingredient, especially for dry skin. It prevents premature aging because as we all know, the key to keeping skin looking young is moisture and hyaluronic acid is a humectant, a moisture-binding ingredient. Ceramides, on the other hand, are lipids (oils). They also help to retain moisture and strengthen the skin's barrier.

Is the hype real?: Luna Organics Autumn Clay Blush

I'm usually not the type of person who feels the need to buy hyped-up products. I'm no hype beast, let's put it that way. But every now and then, something starts trending and it catches my interest.

Luna Organics' Autumn Clay Blush has been all over Instagram and Facebook these past few weeks. I've seen tons of re-sellers cashing in on its popularity and there are already lots of imitations from other brands promoting their own form of 'clay blush'. Long story short, seeing how this looked on other girls instantly made me want it.

Before I go on, I have to mention that this product is possibly a FAKE and not Luna Organics authentic. I only say that because I bought it off Shopee from the seller haugentleness for Php155. I'm only listing the seller so you can avoid making the same mistake. As far as I know, the original costs a bit more and mine has a slightly bad printing job on the packaging as you can see.

I should have gone straight to the source and ordered from Luna Organics' official Instagram page, but at the time they were sold out and I wanted the convenience of paying COD, so I ended up on Shopee instead. There are many fakes on both Shopee and Instagram though, so beware. I, unfortunately, thought I was buying the real thing when I doubt I was.

Anyway, fake or not, I'm still going to push through with my review!

VWash Plus

A lot of us women are kind of picky when it comes to what we use in the shower. What shampoo to use, which body soap is best, or even if you should get a loofah or not. But what many don't really think about is the right kind of product for your most intimate area. That's right - your vagina. Your hoo-ha. Your cave of wonders.

I'm very particular about my own personal feminine hygiene, especially living in a country where one can get sweaty (and funky) in practically every crack and crevice of your body. That's why I like to try out different feminine washes to hunt down the best one for me. The latest one I decided to test was this VWash Plus.

The best defense against any vaginal discomfort is prevention. Protect your most delicate area with daily use of a special product - VWash Plus.

• VWash Plus is enriched with sea buckthorn oil which contains an abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.

• Daily washing with VWash Plus leaves a fresh sensation and maintains healthy vaginal flora.

• Prevents unpleasant odors and irritations in the intimate areas.

• Paraben and SLS/SLES free

The Face Shop Multi Sun Protection Cushion [Marvel Edition]

Hey, everyone! I know it's been a hot second since I last posted, but work and life kept getting in the way. I just never seemed to get a chance to actually sit down, take photos, and blog. But since I finally have spare time on my hands, I can get back to blogging again and hopefully this time I can maintain a regular posting schedule.

Continuing my love for all things nerdy, I decided to keep going with reviewing more of the products I got from The Face Shop's Marvel collection. Next up is the The Face Shop Multi Sun Protection Cushion [Marvel Edition]!

The Face Shop says... "The Multi Sun Protect Cushion improves the appearance of your natural skin tone without leaving a sticky sensation. 

• Easy-to-use sunscreen helps filter and screen harmful UVA/UVB rays using hands-free application.
• Improves the appearance of your natural skin tone.
• Multi functional cushion with BB cream and UVA/UVB - ray filter.

The Face Shop 2 in 1 Curling Mascara in 'Black Widow'

If you've known me long enough, and as I've stated here before, I'm a big ol' geek. And like any proud geek, I love my superheroes, especially the Marvel-ous ones. See what I did there?

Uhh.. anyway, when I saw online that The Face Shop was releasing a Marvel collection, I promptly screamed, maybe cried a little, and desperately tried to find out if it would be released here too. I nearly died was super giddy when my contact at TFS reassured me it would be and they'd even be sending me a few things from the collection.

Of course, my greed was too great and aside from what they sent, I also purchased a bunch of other items because MARVEL, guys! First one up for review is the 2 in 1 Curling Mascara in Black Widow.

The Face Shop says... The innovative 2-in-1 brush provides 24-hour curl by defining each lash, even hard to reach lashes.

Achieve ultimate curl, even on hard to reach lashes.

Experience ultimate curl from root to tip, even in hard to reach lashes (3.5mm from the inner and outer corners of your eyes) and bottom lashes.

Vice Co. Blockbuster Phenomenal Holiday Kit

Let's face it. The holidays are here and Christmas is fast approaching, which also means there'll be Christmas parties to attend. I don't know about you but I tend to have a standard, glam Christmas look which includes sparkly eyes and a vibrant red lip.

I've gotten a little nonchalant with my current red lipsticks so I decided to hunt down a new one. Since Christmas parties tend to involve a lot of eating, I wanted a lipstick that didn't only look great but could survive all the festive food binging. When I saw the much hyped about Vice Cosmetics toting one of their many lipsticks as 'the perfect red matte liquid lipstick', I figured that was the one to try. It's the Vice Co. Blockbuster Phenomenal Holiday Kit (Php295).

Vice Co. says, "Ganda ('beauty') is in your hands right now. A vibrant pop of color on your lips that's light and lasts all day. It's smudge-proof and comes with a beautiful matte finish."

Can I just say that packaging is on point for this? I already heard a lot about Vice Co.'s lipsticks, both good and bad, but this box caught my eye from way across the store. Look at how shiny and pretty it is!

Seoul White Korea Instant White Tone-Up Whitening Cream and Double White Soap

Annyeong! *makes the obligatory tiny heart with my thumb and forefinger* What are two things lots of Filipina women love? Whitening products and anything Korean. K-dramas, Korean food, Korean boy bands, you name it. And of course, getting that sought after Korean complexion - fair, glowing, and flawless.

Seoul White Korea steps in to give the best of both worlds by coming out with two, whitening skin care products for every Filipina looking to achieve that fair, chok-chok (dewy) look. It's their Double White Whitening Soap and Instant White Tone-Up Whitening Cream.

Swan Blueberries Blender

When it comes to (makeup) sponges, everyone has their own preference. Some exclusively buy from higher-end brands while others stick to ones with more budget-friendly prices. There are those who prefer firmer sponges, and those who like them ultra soft and plush. Whichever you prefer, as long as it works for you, then blend away!

Personally, I have two favorite sponges. The original Beauty Blender and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Both work perfectly for me, and my skin type, and they're the easiest ones to use. Of course, I'm still open to trying sponges from other brands, especially if they're more affordable which is why I recently picked up this Blueberries Blender (Php 99.75) sponge from Swan.

For the unaware, Swan is a local Philippine manufacturer that's been making cosmetic puffs and sponges since 1958. Your grandma or older, female relatives will most likely be familiar with them!

Aside from its classic designs, Swan has a total of four other 'fruit-themed' sponges and a standard egg-shaped sponge. The former come in different shapes and colors, but I chose the Blueberries variant because it appears to be the easiest to hold and control, and I liked that it had a flat bit like my Miracle Complexion sponge.

Catrice Cosmetics Nude Illusion Make Up

Thanks to my dry skin, I rarely opt for foundations that have a matte finish because I want my normally dull skin to look more glowing and healthy. But, when a foundation promises to still give skin a 'healthy glow' and is moisturizing, I don't hesitate to give it a chance.

Just a note, according to the company's product page, this foundation is no longer available meaning it was most likely phased out. It is currently still available here in the Philippines, however. Only time will tell if it'll be phased out of stores too eventually.

Catrice Cosmetics says... "The Nude Illusion Make-up scores points as a light foundation with optimal mattifying coverage. Thanks to soft, light-reflecting pigments, the foundation provides a soft focus effect for a healthy glow. The formula is fabulous: moisturizing, long-lasting and with protective UVA and UVB filters. The finish: flawless and natural."

Catrice Cosmetics All Round Concealer Palette

I've mentioned before how color correcting has become a must for me nowadays when doing a full face of makeup. I definitely skip it on regular days when I have to go to work because really - aint' nobody got time for that. Nonetheless, I still make sure to keep a small stash of correctors on hand for days when I do have time for them.

One of the newest additions to said stash, even if I've had it for over a year already, is the Catrice Cosmetics All Round Concealer Palette. My immediate thought when seeing this was that it would be perfect for traveling since you've got a (small) range of concealers and correctors all in one compact container. Plus, it had the two colors I used most when it comes to correcting - green for redness and orange for my dark circles.

Catrice Cosmetics says, "A whole palette of options to always look great. With this set of five shades, it’s easy to even out small skin irregularities (beige shades), magic away dark shadows under your eyes (pink shades) and cover up redness (green shade). And application is super pleasant thanks to the creamy texture."

Human Nature Natural Toothpaste and Minka Bamboo Toothbrush

When you think of a necessary, everyday product like toothpaste, you don't really associate it with a word like "natural", right? After all, something that's meant to thoroughly clean (our teeth, for example) a surface that's constantly covered in bacteria means it has to be chock full of chemicals.

Local, pro-environment brand Human Nature wants us to change that way of thinking. A product doesn't have to be filled with chemicals, many of them potentially harmful to our health, to be effective. Cue the Human Nature Natural Toothpaste (Php149.75/120g and Php259.75/225g)! It promises all the benefits of a regular toothpaste, but with natural goodness on its side.

I'll also be talking about their Minka Bamboo Toothbrush (Php199.75). An eco-friendly, antimicrobial toothbrush that serves a good cause.

iVideo Pocket WiFi

Being connected to the internet at all times is just a must for many of us. When I'm at home, my laptop, iPad, and phone are all connected to the home WiFi. Let's face it, we often feel disconnected when we're not connected. I know some people will think of that as an unhealthy mindset or way to be, but whatever your stance, we can't deny that the world nowadays is wired to the internet 24/7.

Using my phone's data when I'm out, especially since I'm a heavy internet user, can rack up my phone bill like crazy. That's why I almost always have a portable WiFi device with me. When iVideo agreed to let me try out their pocket WiFi rental service, I was eager to see how it would perform and stand up to my frequent internet use.

I'm sure many of you, especially if you're a keen traveler, are familiar with the concept of renting a portable WiFi device. Whether I'm out of the country or just out of town, staying connected is even more of a priority for me. iVideo specifically 'specializes in providing low-cost wireless Internet access rental services to business and travelers'.

It's a shame I wasn't able to try this out during my UK and Vietnam trip, but I certainly made full use of it right here for the next 10 days.

Leiania House of Beauty Royal CoffTea

I'm no stranger to beauty supplements. As we all know, how 'good' we look isn't just based on what we put on us, namely (topical) skin care and makeup, but also what we eat and drink. As well as our general lifestyle, of course.

Since I don't have the healthiest of lifestyles, I do partly depend on supplements and regular vitamins to help me out a little. I don't like the idea of taking a lot of these specialized supplements on a regular basis though. In a way it feels like I'd be 'overloading my' body, that's why I choose ones which incorporate a lot of benefits in it already. Sometimes less is more after all. I got this box of Royal CoffTea (Php300.00 from BeautyMNL) from Leiania House of Beauty since it appeared to be chock full of those health and beauty benefits. Plus, I love tea!

I know some of you are probably wondering, "what the heck is COFFTEA"? Well, it's a kind of fusion between coffee and tea. I'll get more into that in a bit!

Sooper Beaute Lip and Cheek Rolly

Tints, while frustrating to work with sometimes, are indispensable for me. They're great for light makeup days and when you just don't feel like touching up too much throughout the day. I don't like using tint on my cheeks, but I do love using them on my lips!

Since I no longer had any tints left in my stash, I knew I needed to stock up and decided to try out the Lip and Cheek Rollys (Php150.00 each) from local brand Sooper Beaute. I've been seeing these tints promoted on their Instagram and it's also one of their best-sellers, so I went and got a few shades from the line.

Sooper Beaute says...

The most natural flush that will roll on your lips and cheeks! 

Lightweight formula creates a complimentary stain on the lips; delivers a flattering flush of color for rosy cheeks; nourishes and hydrates skin with vitamin E and jojoba oil; works as an anti-aging lip and skin treatment while you wear it. 

The tints come in seven shades: Blushing, Just Bitten, Bloody Red, Lust, Honey, Darling, and Crush.

TONY MOLY Red Cheeks Girl's Patch

Out of my entire face, my cheeks need the most TLC when it comes to taking care of my skin. They're prone to redness, acne (and the dark spots that are left behind), and persistent dryness. While I've found different products that help minimize or cover up all those problems, I'm still dreaming of scoring an all-in-one solution.

That's what I hoped the TONY MOLY Red Cheeks Girl's Patch would be when I bought it. Plus, I couldn't resist the cute packaging!

TONY MOLY says this is a "cheek patch that moisturizes and soothes red cheeks containing fruit extracts for an energetic skin."

Moisturizes? Soothes red cheeks? Right off the bat, this ticks almost all the necessary boxes. Any acne on my cheeks can easily be covered up with makeup anyway as long as my skin isn't dry, so I don't mind that this doesn't promise to do anything for potential or existing acne.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gradation Lipstick

One beauty trend I initially didn't get into was the gradient lip. To me, it just looked like your lipstick had started to fade and you needed to retouch it. However, I eventually came around and also decided to finally give it a try. Funnily enough, that exact thought popped into my head while I was browsing a Maybelline display earlier this week.

My eyes then spotted their line of Color Sensational Lip Gradation Lipsticks (Php349.00). I figured it was the best product for a gradient lip newbie like me so I snatched one up. Plus, it was on sale!

Maybelline says... 

"Now you can wear brights every day the gradation effect way! With a unique cushion blender, you can smudge out the bold matte pigment to create a gradation effect look."