Oh goody!  My Lancome Hypnose mascara has almost dried out.  I have to get a new one.  But let me try some new products first before I get hypnotized to buying Lancome, which I absolutely love by the way!

While you are at it, there’s also free trial make-up from Yves Saint Laurent these Saturdays of June!

Neutrogena really cares for your skin that’s why they launched their newest product: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock.  It has SPF (sun protection factor) 50, which measures a sunscreen’s level of protection against sunburn causing UVB.  Apparently, SPF only shields us from UVB and not UVA which causes the actual skin darkening.

Neutrogena introduces Helioplex in this product.  Helioplex is a unique and patented technology in sun care offering strong and long lasting broad spectrum of protection from UVA.  I’m bringing a new friend to the beach!

It’s a Sunday of pampering and relaxation. I always go to Skin Perfect for a deep cleansing facial with laser treatment but since they up their prices, this was a perfect time for me to try out new clinics. We went to Timog to check out Daisy, where Bubba’s mom gets her facial. Unfortunately, it was closed. We were surveying the area, when we saw this billboard with a Xmas Promo Ad. Their facial is only PHP250, so without much ado. We parked the car and headed to the 3^rd floor of the building that also occupies Net Now Internet Café.

Let’s Talk About Face.

Since I was in a hurry to get my facial and get out of there since I had a 3:30 PM schedule at California Nails and Day Spa, I wasn’t able to get the prices of their regular treatments. I was really lucky though that the PHP 250 promo included the deep cleansing facial, laser treatment, tightening mask and hand paraffin! What a great steal!!! Promo according to the specialist who was steaming my face is good until the end of January. Christmas doesn’t really end in December.

California Nails and Day Spa

I profusely apologized to Monique of CNDS for not making it to my 3:30 PM appointment, with all that I had done in Let’s Talk About Face. I arrived at Greenhills around 4:30 already. Monique was really polite and accommodating. I wanted to get the Body Scrub but since I didn’t have that much time to spare either… I opted for the Calming Back Facial.

Nail Art Design

Nail art is a great way to express yourself. Have little ribbons or flowers adorn your fingertips. Add rhinestones for extra glitz. Paint on different cartoon and comic book characters. Select from various “French Manicure” designs. Cost depends on intricacy and amount of designs selected. From PHP 15-70 per nail.

Spa Pedicure

Feet are soaked in a soothing bath, then a gentle exfoliation lotion is applied to remove dead skin cells. Includes removal of corns and calluses, if required. An aromatherapy massage follows exfoliation, and a splash of cool body spray will leave your feet refreshed, relaxed and ready for a regular pedicure. 1 hour and 20mins: PHP 420

Paraffin Treatments

These relaxing treatments will leave your hands and feet feeling baby-soft. After exfoliation, hands/feet are dipped in warm, moisturizing paraffin wax, then wrapped snugly in terrycloth mittens/booties for 15 minutes. Special oils are then massaged into the skin until hands/feet become smooth, silky and rejuvenated.

Paraffin Hand Treatment (30mins) PHP 445

Paraffin Foot Treatment (30mins) PHP 490

Foot and Leg Massage

Using the combination of Chinese and Swedish massage, this is a perfect partner with your manicure. 30 mins: PHP 175.

Aromatherapy Massage

A soothing body massage for detoxifying and total relaxation. Using pure imported essential oils will strengthen the immune system. Soft music and a scented oil burner will complete your relaxation treatment. 1 hour and 20mins: PHP 600.

California Facial

A detoxifying skincare treatment, which removes congestion and dead cell buildup. Patterned after the classic European Facial, this includes: deep pore cleansing, a luxurious massage, steaming, mask, toning, and hydrating. 1 hour: PHP 695

Calming Back Facial

Our specialized treatment to unclog blocked pores on the back. Offers many benefits-detoxification, scrub, extractions, massage to relax sore and aching muscles. 30mins: PHP 420.

Body Scrub

A body treatment using fruity grains to gently scrub off dead skin cells and build up of lotions. After a refreshing shower, a finale of light massage using scented lotions will leave the skin with a new glow. 2 hours: PHP 800.

They have a special 20% discount for all services until January 31, 2007. Hurry and get that much needed spa treatment at a lower cost. Happy Three Kings!!!

California Nails and Day Spa

Units 8 & 9, One Kennedy Place, #3 Club Filipino Avenue, North Greenhilss, San Juan, Metro Manila.

Tel. Nos. 722-9245 722-9275

My face was a nudist back in college.  I was really a late bloomer when it came to make-up and beauty products because I felt it takes too much time and effort to do so… and being a tomboy that I was in high school, I was not able to utilize that period of my life to practice. 

In La Salle, the make-up that I only had in my bag were face powder and lip tint, which I rarely used.  I started putting make-up on when I started at Sabiclub Corp. Up until now, I am still an adolescent when it comes to putting make-up but I like experimenting.   My old Nine West make-up pouch (poochie) used to house a L’Oreal Foundation in Silk Ivory, Body Shop lip and cheek tint, Mac brown Mascara, Lancome Juicy Tube lip gloss, a cheap (from Yakuyen store haha) Japanese eye shadow, clip and toothbrush.  I actually only use the powder and the lip tint most of the time, but I had the rest just in case I need to be made up for some event/dinner that pops up. I was up in arms when I found out that L’Oreal is pulling out their Airwear line.  When I go buy, it’s always almost out, so why are they about to go extinct?  One of the beauty specialist explained to me that even if it’s sellable in the Philippines, if it’s not sellable overseas then they get rid of the line and put in a new one. Too bad.  I really liked Airwear and have been using it for 3-4 years.  It doesn’t feel like a foundation at all.  It’s so light and it makes your skin breathe through that layer of powder. I did not want to try out the new line because I tried another L’Oreal product, which was Ideal Balance and it wasn’t friendly on my skin.  That beauty specialist told me that the new line after Airwear is similar to Ideal Balance so I decided to go look at another brand. During an exclusive Rustan’s sale, I bought Estee Lauder powder foundation (which I got only for PHP1K something from its original price of 1,900.) and some other products.  I really liked the Estee Lauder powder until it fell from my bag and smashed on the floor during a Davao/Gen San trip. Last month, I finally decided to buy from Estee Lauder and spent 2,500 for the powder and 800 for the compact.  I really don’t get why I have to pay separate to get the compact with the mirror.  I guess because of the quality and the brand, I have to pay premium.  (Thanks Racq for helping me pick my skin tone/shade)

I got Hydra Complete face cream along with it, which is a multi-level moisture gel cream.  This is perfect for my dry skin.  The powder doesnt cake when I apply Hydrate before putting on the powder. 

On top of that, I got a new mascara from Lancome, which came in a promo pack with a Lancome eyeliner and mascara remover.  I found great use for the mascara remover since I used to only wash off my mascara and that doesn’t take out all the make-up.  My eyes are pretty sensitive but the Lancome mascara remover is gentle to the eyes and it somehow relaxes them. 

With all my new buys, I didn’t want to use my old worn-out Nine West cotton poochie.  When I got home that night, I was so happy to find in one of the boxes I have not used, a Tommy Hilfiger make-up pouch.  It was a freebie from a Tommy Hilfiger box that contained a perfume and a hand lotion.  Lucky me!  I remember when I first saw the pouch that I didn’t like it because it was yellow with red detail.  Now, I love it!  (Thanks Ninang Mary!) and it’s the perfect shelter for my new cosmetic items.