Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas: Take A Peek On What Makes Me Happy!

I know my Christmas Shopping Ideas pop in and out like a mushroom!  I'm so sorry for that!  As you can obviously see and feel, I am on a panic mode, most of the gifts have been wrapped and sent but I still have a long way to go!  Relatives, friends and more gatherings are still pouring in!  This made me realize, I have good amount of friends!  #hahahaha

Anyways, I've been receiving gifts here and there too!  I want to thank friends and companies whom I met through years of blogging for spoiling me with gifts!  And even though I have enough makeup , skincare products and just ENOUGH GIFTS in general, I still find myself opening up each gift like a kid!  And you may want to take a peek on what made me happy and giddy this season and maybe, you can look at this list as a cheat sheet for your last minute Christmas Gift Ideas.

Photo taken from Strip Ministry of Waxing

Laneige Milky Way Fantasy Holiday Collection

(IG: @laneigeph FB: https://www.facebook.com/laneigephilippines)

The best-selling Water Sleeping Mask is housed in a limited edition holiday packaging!  You may have friends who are a fan of this sleeping mask and he/she will definitely appreciate the new packaging!  Aside from that, you may include Two Tone Shadow Bars which are mostly "holiday colors", shimmery without the glitters!  Will definitely share more looks and photos of these Two Tone Shadow Bars soon!

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist Review

Who loves facial mist?

Who thinks facial mist are vital in one's beauty regimen?

ME! ME!

I used to think these are just "extra" in anyone's beauty routine until the weather gets extremely hot and humid I can't seem to want to put anything on my skin!  That's when I rely heavily on Mist to hydrate my skin at the same time, give the nutrients it needs on a daily basis minus the "weight".

And the new Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist came right on time!  When my schedule gets really crazy and all I want is an instant caffeine-fix for the body and GinZing Mist fix for the face!

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosing Treatment Lotion Mist  Says ---

This ultra-refreshing, oil-free, treatment lotion mist is packed with energizing coffee beans and panax ginseng—plus, nutrient-rich pomegranate. Just a quick spritz lightly hydrates and rapidly restores radiance, leaving skin looking vibrant for longer. The perfect pick-me-up for skin throughout the day, it helps skin will feel smoother, softer, and more supple. Its innovative pump delivers a fine mist—ideal to use throughout the day, even over makeup 

Believe in the Power of Tea with Rituali Tea

I have always believed in the power of Tea, especially since I lived in China for 3 long years!  I've been to a "tea" factory and had expensive tea sessions with my students and learned the importance each tea variant gives!  That's why I am NOT surprised when Beauty Companies tap on the power of "tea" to beautify us not only on the inside but also on the outside.

Origins have recently launched their RitualiTea face and Body mask range.

Ritualitea Powder Face Masks (Php2,400.00)

Ritualitea Cleansing Body Masks (Php1,850.00)

The face masks come in a tin can while the body mask comes in a squeeze-type tube!  Each variant is color-coordinated and each variant has a specific function meant for specific skin types.

Origins Rituali Tea 

Simple Beauty Hacks That Makes a Difference!

Today, I will be sharing some beauty items that I recently discovered!  Items you've probably seen in stores or online but never thought of including them in your life.  But once you did, you may not let go...

Now that sounds like a #hugot song!

For the Hair

Whenever I visit a Zenutrients booth, I always go for their scented products, all thanks to Sampleroom I get to try this Gugo Strengthening Hair Serum.  I may not have thinning hair issues but I have a lot of hair fall especially the past few months were stress is really taking a toll!

What I usually do is just massage a small amount of this into the scalp evening before I go to bed and wash off the next morning!  It took around a week or two to see a huge difference on less hair fall!

Php499.00 per 40ml bottle

How To Cover Dark Spots and Acne Marks

Yay for another "How To" series, this time for my dear readers who have been emailing me to learn tips on how to cover their pimple spots or acne marks.  

Thankfully, my dear client was so gracious to let me take a photo of her pre-makeover.  She actually has gorgeous glowing skin but because she is going through skin treatment through her dermatologist, she was left with marks (not scars) that is just on the verge of healing.  So, as her make up artist that day, I am tasked to make her look like herself, at the same time, cover the spots that hides her lovely face!

I personally have gone through a stage almost like my client, but most of the spots are on my cheeks so I looked like I had natural "blush" from afar.  It may sound silly to some but I almost never wanted to go to school!  I wished I knew about concealers back then! #hehehe

AMW Visited Origins Retail Concept Store in SM Makati

Remember when I shared to you that Origins will be back in the Philippines?  (Post HERE)

Well, you can definitely feel the excitement more when you see their first Retail Concept Store in SM Makati!  I was there during the opening day and my heart was extremely happy!  The store is indeed one of the prettiest "beauty store" I've seen..here and abroad!

Origins is launching their new interactive retail store which means, they will be more engaging with consumers encouraging them to explore and discover the beauty of the brand and history.

Origins Is Back!

Remember my first and Only Origins Post previously on Origins Modern Friction For the Body?
As much as I would love to ask my brother to help me purchase that product again and again, I stopped myself because I dislike getting addicted to products not available locally!

Thankfully, after leaving the country year 2005, Origins is finally back!  Don't ask me why they went hiatus but I'm surely glad they're back!  Because I would definitely want to get to know more of their products especially now that I know more about their history and brand mission.

Top: from Korea, Skirt: Zalora, Shoes: Zalora

 The event was held at Le Jardin, I can't even seem to think a more appropriate place for this launch!  Upon entering, I read the Origins' Purity Promise.    This promise made me fell in love with the brand even more.

AMW Reviews: Origins Modern Friction for the Body

Nature's gentle dermabrasion...

Once I read it, I told my brother I'll give it a go even if it scares me to try product with "exfoliation" as part of its function.

Early this year, I got the Origins Modern Friction for the Body as gift from my dearest brother.  It took me a while to finally muster enough courage to give this product a try.

It was actually a first for me to get off shower and not use my Neutrogena Body Oil which I find myself using if I came in contact with body products that dries me out.  

After using this multiple times, I am ready to reveal the beauty of this product!

Origins Modern Friction for the Body says ---

Nature’s protocol for age-smoothing exfoliation.

Corn Cob Extract plus body-brightening Scutellaria rapidly help reduce visible evidence of sun exposure, ashiness, crepey skin and uneven patches. Roughness-removing Rice Starch helps resurface to restore radiance. Purple Rice from China helps diffuse environmental damage-doers before they can create discolorations.  Shea Butter smoothes away sandpapery skin. And Amazonian Cupuacu Butter works to restore suppleness. Glowing results are apparent after just one treatment. Bodies reveal decreased appearance of crepiness and freckling. Skin feels so sleek and satiny the years seem to slip away. One more perk: the aromas of Bergamot and Lemon.

Size: 6.7oz

AMW says ---

Pros

• Simple squeeze type packaging, you get the most out of the container!

• The texture feels like paste so it sticks to your body and does not drip.  Not too messy!
• Does not hurt the skin.
• No irritating scent, it smells really nice.
• No redness nor itchiness.
• I've noticed my arms and shoulders look glowing especially when I wore sleeveless tops.
• Non-drying for dry skin, does not oil up for oily skin!
• Skin does not only feels soft but it looks super healthy right after first use!
• I don't mind the price because I've been using this for several months now, once every 2 weeks!  Now I'm doing once a month :)  Saving this product up!

Cons

• I don't even think this is available locally :(

Overall

Everyone needs exfoliation to remove dead skin cells to reveal brighter, healthier-looking skin.  I find this product is the answer to every skin-types' prayers!  It's never oily and it never dried out my skin!  The rough patches on my elbows and knees actually reduced overtime!

Tips
from Origins

• Apply this creamy, body-rejuvenating buffing paste liberally on dry skin.  Focus on age-prone zones: arms, chest, hands, thighs, shoulders and shins.
•  Wait a minute then massage gently in circular motions. 
• Hit the shower, massage in and rinse. 

from AMW

• I do use this ON DRY SKIN, it works perfectly this way rather than wet.  (I've done both for testing.)
• If you felt the product (applied dry) is too dry for your liking, add a little bit of warm water to help spread the product easily.
• Concentrate massaging on your body scars, dark areas like your elbows and knees. 
• If your skin gets too dry after using this product, do not forget to moisturize with your favorite body moisturizer.
• Start by using once a week then if your skin condition gets better, you can minimize it to once every 2 weeks to once a month!
• Do not use this on your face as there is a separate product intended for the face.  The beads here are bigger than the ones for the face.

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who does skin exfoliation at least once a week or once every 2 weeks.

Where to purchase and how much?

My brother bought this in Hong Kong.  I checked Strawberrynet Website, this costs $35.00 (approx Php1,540.00). 

Here, you will see the weirdest photo you'll ever see on my blog (actually, there's a lot! lol)  Here's a random photo taken recently with a regular camera (non-SLR), my knee part part actually is shinier (in person) and the color turns out the same as the rest of my legs!  I haven't been using any whitening lotion.   I've noticed this ever since I started to use this product!:)

(Photo taken while seated)

Do you exfoliate your body?
What products are you using and does it work for you?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!