Snoe S Skin Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30

Hi! It's finally December. =) As I compile the stuff that served as my favorites for November, I think it's time to share with you my thoughts with my new sunblock, Snoe's S Skin Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30.

This is actually my first product from Snoe. Their products have always intrigued me but I never could decide what to try first. So when I ran out of my sun cream samples, my first stop was Snoe.

The SA of Snoe (sorry I wasn't able to get her name) told me that this works well as a moisturizer too, so it was like a 2-in-1 thing. Plus, Landmark was then having a cosmetic sale, so I got it at 20% off.

She suggested that I also use it only with loose powder, which I have done a couple of times.

Pros:
1. Has a faint pink shade so it doesn't really come off as a white film on your face
2. Even though it has SPF, it barely gives off a white cast on pictures
3. I can't describe the smell, maybe a cross of floral and powder, but it's good.
4. Very affordable. It's 169 bucks, but I got it for 135. It has a lot of product (no indication though of how much), and you're bound to use just a little amount anyways.
5. Fairly high SPF

Cons:
1. It's of a thick cream consistency. Almost paste-y, so it can be a little hard to blend. What I did was I mixed it with some aloe gel from Nature Republic (see last picture) so that I could blend it easier.
2. As for its moisturizing and stem-cell like properties, I can't really vouch for em since I really wasn't able to notice these effects. I've been using it for more than a month, but no visible effects. Maybe some time soon I'll see better effects.

For its prize and amount of product, this one's a good sunblock cream. Can't wait to try more products from Snoe. Cheerio!

Certified Movie Buff: Christmas With the Kranks

Hi guys. Just a quick post here about my favorite Christmas movie. It's plot is a little unusual, which made it such a good film. Besides, who could pass up a movie with Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Christmas With the Kranks (2004) is actually the movie version of John Grisham's 2001 novel, Skipping Christmas. I read the book after I watched the movie, which I don't always do because I always end up liking the book better.

IMAGE FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/tvlistings.zap2it.com

Christmas With the Kranks, tells the story of Nora and Luther Krank, who were faced with the fact that they were about to celebrate Christmas without their only daughter Blair, whose Peru trip clashed with the holidays.

When Luther realizes that they spent over 6,000 dollars for last year's Christmas celebration, he came up with the disturbing idea of not celebrating Christmas, and splurging their money on a Carribean cruise on Christmas Day instead, since Christmas won't be the same without their daughter.

Despite Nora's doubts, she goes on with Luther's ridiculous plan, which involved not buying Christmas cards, not taking out Frosty, not putting up lights and the works, much to their neighbors' dismay and being dubbed as Scrooge.

All hell breaks loose when Blair calls on Christmas Eve to say that she was about to come home to celebrate Christmas with her family, bringing her new fiance along. Now, Luther and Nora must come up with the plan to bring the Christmas spirit to their house in a few hours.

Although this movie has received a handful of negative remarks because of its negative message, I actually find the movie quite interesting. The movie isn't entirely about skipping Christmas but also about realizing the meaning of Christmas. Plus, I enjoyed watching Luther and Nora scour for every possible Christmas thing just to decorate their home on Christmas Eve.

This is definitely a must-watch, but I must ask you to keep an open mind as you watch this. =) Cheerio!

Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation in True Beige

Hi guys. Sorry for being gone for almost a week. My eyes decided to take a break from staring at computer screens. Anyway, when I started investing on makeup products, I skipped foundations and went straight to BB creams. It was just now that I realized I needed to try foundations as well.

Having oily yet sensitive skin made it hard for me to find the right foundation. I've heard that I should go for oil free ones, and I've heard raves about the Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation. My next problem was finding a yellow-toned one. With my sister's help, I think I just found the right one.

I've been using this for a couple of weeks and I think I'm ready with a verdict

Sorry about my sister's minions. =) The lighting was better on her bed.

30 ml for 349 bucks

 Pros:
1. Water based which makes it dry easily 
2. Very light on the skin
3. Has light to medium coverage
4. 100% oil free ( at least it says so on the container)
5. Hygienic tube opening. Controlling the product is easy.
6. 24 True Beige is a cross between yellow and pink tones. I thought it would be too pink for me, but I think it actually lies more on the yellow tone
7. Finishes matte
8. Last for about 4-6 hours before oil starts building on the T-zone area which is good enough for me. 

Cons:
I only have two problems with this foundation. Having it water-based and easy drying can be a con for some. I actually tried applying it using a brush, and it's a bit taxing because it can dry up before you can blend it well.  I suggest applying it with your fingers so it can stay warm until you can blend it.
And it doesn't have SPF, so using a sun cream before it remains crucial.

All in all, I think for its price, it's a very good foundation for those who have oily and sensitive skin like me. Its cons are something I can deal with anyways.

Any favorite foundations? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Certified Movie Buff: Last Holiday

Hi guys. Since the holidays are fast approaching, I thought that I might as well share with you some of the holiday movies that I absolutely love. You might want to check 'em out if you're into having Christmas movie marathons.

My family and I are confessed movie buffs, and we have probably watched Last Holiday more than 20 times and not strictly during the Christmas season.

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/CELEBRITYWONDER.UGO.COM

I probably love this flick so much because I'm a sucker for heart-wrenching films that make me pray for happy endings.

Last Holiday is a 2006 film starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. Queen Latifah plays the role of Georgia Byrd, a sales clerk/aspiring cook at the cooking ware of a department store who lived most of her life too timidly and safely. When a small accident leads her to have a CAT scan, everything goes haywire when Georgia finds out she has the Lampington's disease and has about three weeks to live.

With a new perspective, and a life deadline, Georgia takes on the risks to live her life to the fullest and the best ways she could, all while sending those around her in a reality check whirlwind of optimism and self-faith.

It's a fun story of Georgia's journey of this new road to self-discovery and the path she has never actually taken or looked at. It was great to see her transform and transcend into this whole new person who's willing to try everything in such a short amount of time. She just redefined "blowing" every penny she has.

What to check out: Georgia's funny self conversations with God, and her drop-dead gorgeous outfits like the one on the poster that she wore to eat out. Yes, to eat out.

Well, if you do have the time to watch a movie, do check this out. It's funny yet heart-warming, just perfect for the holidays. Cheerio!

Way Too Early Birthday Presents

Hi guys. A couple of hours ago, my sister insisted that I open my gifts from her. I thought she was kidding since my birthday is not in two weeks. She also reminded me to take pictures so I wouldn't forget that she already gave me gifts.

Despite me asking incessantly why she was asking me to open them now, I got no answers until I opened them. Way before, she kept on asking me if I wouldn't mind getting make-up. Of course I didn't since I was trying to grow a collection.

Here they are =)

Forever 21 Love and Beauty Glitter Gloss in Champagne

Etude House False Eyelashes

E.L.F. Get The Look Smokey Eyes Set

It turned out that she wanted me to know my gifts immediately because I was unconsciously buying items that she was about to give me, like the lashes that I bought from Daiso, the eyeliner from Nichido, the mascara I had swapped from Clinique, and others.

I'm actually ecstatic because I now have more items to review. =)

I hope you had a nice weekend. Cheerio!

Maybelline Baby Lips in Menthol

Hi. Days come by so fast. Although the days are not as chilly as they used to be, my lips never fail to dry up. So, aside from lip stains, I've got a couple of balms.

The first balm I've ever tried was a Nivea one. It was blue, menthol I think it was. But it was way too soft that I had to transfer it to a pot because it collapsed. Since then, I've been loyal to Blistex. It's medicated so it worked very well for me. I've finished two sticks of their mint one and a berry one. 

When Maybelline came out with their Baby Lips line, I was just so attracted to the packaging. It was perfect timing because I just ran out of my berry Blistex. My sister bought this for me by the way.

The Verdict:
First off, cute packaging. Period. This actually got me sold. I always opt for menthol/mint balms because they give my lips that refreshing cool feeling, and I'm glad that this actually gave me that.

It smells great too. Kinda reminded me of Mentos. My Blistex one smelled like hardcore mint so this was more candy-ish.

Affordable at 79 pesos. And of course, it's very moisturizing. Cures flaky lips in a few minutes.

Mine has already been tainted by splotches of pink because the color of my lipsticks have rubbed off but it doesn't color or anything.

I actually like this, but I can't say it's better than Blistex. Yet. I think they just released the tinted versions of Maybelline's Baby Lips. I may be checking those out.

What's your lip saver? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Clinique Lash Power Curling Mascara

Hi guys. Last October 27, I found out from Clinique's Facebook page that they were having a mascara swap in Trinoma, and since it was so near my place, I decided to give it a shot. I already saw their ad a few weeks before but the swap were in places I've never been to. =) So, I'm glad I waited. They were swapping their 3-week worth/2.5 ml Clinique Lash Power Curling Mascara for any new/empty/old mascara.

So, their regular sized one is 1,400 for 6 ml, so technically, I got a little less than half which would probably cost around 500-600..(sorry, no math genius here.)

The Verdict:

The first thing that got me excited was the wand. I've only tried 3 mascaras in my life, 2 were from Avon and one from Saizen (which I had swapped) and they all had straight wands and this has a curved one, which made application much easier. It also can coat every strand and since it's quite small, reach the short hairs. Plus, it's easy to tuck away.
Smell is your typical mascara smell.

The only thing that got me was that it's not long wearing. I know it says so on the container, but I have a tendency to rub my eyes, and this flaked all over on me. With my waterproof one from Avon before, I didn't have the same problem. The wand also takes too much product that I need to scrape most off so I wouldn't end up with super clumpy lashes.

It holds curls well and although it's not lengthening, it gives my lashes a little boost, kinda like the effect of the one from Saizen.

All in all, I like it. Nothing too special, but good nonetheless.

Cheerio!