The Magic of Hair Extensions

It’s been ages since my last blog! I’ve been really busy with things, but now I’m so back!

Let’s talk about Hair!

I grew up with very long, thick, brown hair. Of course I have my Mom to thank for that because she was the one who took care of it since I was born, until I grew up into a normal teenager. By normal I mean a kid who, at some point, would have a mind of her own and experiment on things and try to form an identity not influenced by the parents. Well, my ‘teenage experiment’ was to cut short the beautiful, long, brown tresses that my mom lovingly nurtured for 15 years.  I sweet-talked my older sister, who couldn’t say no to me, into conspiring with me and creating a ‘New Me.’ Needless to say, she took the brunt of our parents’ wrath when they saw my new shoulder-length hair! It was fun at first, but alas, the novelty of having short hair didn’t last very long. As I grew older I tried growing my hair again into what it used to be but sadly I never really achieved the original look. I succumbed to modern day hair technology, which made my hair look great at first but truthfully had a negative deep-rooted, lasting effect on it. It may not have been so apparent but I know it’s been downhill since then.  After I gave birth, I started shedding my hair! That is Code Red for me!  I’ve been on the lookout for natural products that would help de-stress my hair and make it as healthy as it once was. How I wish I could turn back time and have my long, thick hair again.

My one-year old hair

My six-year old hair

Before the scissors had its way

After.....

Time machine please....

 

Bad hair day... present

You can imagine my excitement when La Filipina Hair invited me to try samples of their human hair Clip-On Extensions. I have heard a lot about hair extensions but it’s a first for me to try one on. 

Hair extensions recently gained much popularity and it is one of the hottest trends nowadays.  It seems every celebrity is wearing them as part of their wardrobe.  For some women, hair extensions are not just a fad but are used to volumize their natural thin hair. These are also used for health and medical reasons.

Let’s face it, some people are just lucky to have naturally thick and voluminous hair and are wise enough not to mess it up. And not all of us can grow hair as long as Rapunzel does. Well maybe not to that extent but at least to the length that we desire.  I know a lot of you have experienced a haircut gone badly or hair color gone horrible as I did. The good news is, there’s nothing to worry about now as hair extensions are here to save the day!

So let’s get started with my very first sponsored review.

La Filipina invited me to try their Clip-On Human Hair Extensions.  Since it’s my first time to try Clip-On Extensions I needed their help to install it on my hair.
 

I tried two styles: 18 inches Diwata Straight and 16 inches Floresca Curl Clip-On extensions. They taught me how to install it on my own which is quite easy to learn. Boy, was I impressed by its quality, texture and appearance!  It blended perfectly with my natural hair, adding a ton of volume to it. The hair was really gorgeous; it reminded me of the long, thick hair of my youth. 

18 inches Diwata Straight Clip-On Extension

One of the great things about this Clip-On is that it is easy to put on and easy to remove. You could wear them everyday or on special occasion for a change of hairdo. You can have it trimmed, colored or permed.

 

While my Clip was being installed, I had the chance to chat with La Filipina’s Marketing Executive, Mr. Rodel, and ask where they get their hair and what type of hair they use.

La Filipina Hair uses 100% virgin Filipino human hair.  Virgin hair refers to hair that is unprocessed and is not chemically treated in any way.  That is the reason why their hair has a vibrant, natural look. La Filipina Hair has trained hair collectors who personally hand pick the hair to ensure high quality.

16 inches La Filipina Floresca Curl Clip-On Extension

I had my Clip-On extensions installed in the morning and went straight for a two-hour drive family gathering. After wearing the extensions for about 6 to 8 hours I was able to unclip them easily and didn’t experience any shedding or tangling, which amazed me more. What a totally impressive thing to add to your wardrobe. I am completely charmed!

Price:

18 inches Diwata Straight - US$ 97 per set (8 pieces clip on per set)

16 inches Floresca Curl - US$ 109 per set (8 pieces clip on per set)

* 1 set is good for 1 full head

La Filipina offers other hair products like wigs, hand-weft extensions, machine weft extensions and closures. 

To learn more about La Filipina Hair products visit their website at www.lafilipinahair.com. 

Email them at  247@lafilipinahair.com

Call them at

Mobile: (63) 917 561 0611
Phone: (63) 2 400 7448

And visit their facebook at www.facebook.com/lafilipinahair

My final verdict:

I highly recommend La Filipina Clip On hair extensions.  These extensions are worth every cent! Try them girls and be charmed yourself!

Thank you La Filipina!

Remedies for Cracked, Chapped, Dry Lips

I mentioned in my previous blog titled "Petroleum Jelly," that I used to suffer from dry, chapped lips during the cold months during my teenage years. Now that I am staying in a place with temperature that could get as high as 35 degrees Celsius the problem with chapped lips is back with a vengeance. With extreme weather conditions it is a challenge to maintain smooth, healthy skin.  You have to find ways to counter the negative effect of the weather and environment you find yourself in.  Find a product that will work best for you. 

Besides the Un-Petroleum Jelly that I recommended in my previous blog, I've been experimenting on natural remedies for these unsightly, painful chapped lips. 

What are the causes of dry, chapped lips?

There are a several factors that could lead to this, like:

Dry, cold weather
Hot weather
Sun exposure
Smoking
Excessive licking of lips
Vitamin C deficiency
Dehydration

Here are my TOP 6 Remedies

1.    Water 

Dehydration can be a cause of dry and chapped lips. Drinking plenty of water during the day to  keep your body well hydrated is the most natural preventive measure. Remember our body is composed of about 60% water. Every system in our body depends on water, even these little cupid's bows.

2.    Sugar & Olive oil scrub 

As I mentioned from previous blogs, sugar & olive oil scrub really work wonders. Exfoliating dead cells off your lips help reveal the lips' natural soft skin.  

* Mix 1  teaspoon of sugar and add few drops of extra virgin olive oil and apply the scrub on to your lips

3.    Honey & Olive Oil

Honey and olive oil are great moisturizers that will help treat your chapped lips.

* Mix half a teaspoon honey and half a teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. Apply the paste on your lips, leave for ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes, then rinse with water.

4.    Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is a natural moisturizer. Simply apply pure coconut oil on to your lips several times a day to keep them moist.

5.    Milk

Milk contains fats, and these fats are great natural lip moisturizer.

* Apply milk on your lips, leave for ten (10) minutes then rinse it with water

6.    Un-petroleum Jelly

As previously mentioned, I use Alba Un-petroleum jelly as my lip balm. It's very effective in treating dry lips. I apply it to my lips several times a day.
   

Whatever you do, always rehydrate!

Thanks for reading!

Your Skin Will Love Oats Too

Oats anyone?

One bowl of oatmeal a day keeps the doctor away!  

 

 

Everyone knows the nutrients and fiber oatmeal can give to our body. It helps lower down cholesterol level in our blood, hence reducing the risk of heart diseases. It's full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals; it stabilizes blood sugar, prevents development of diabetes and helps control your weight.

But did you know it could also do wonders for our skin? Yes, our skin!
It's one of my favorite face cleansers, especially when I'm breaking out. It helps zits and rashes heal faster.  It also works well on my 18 month-old daughter who has very sensitive skin. She sometimes develop eczema due to environmental pollution, so I use oats to cleanse her body.


Reasons why your skin will love oats:

• Moisturizing. It contains beta-glucan that forms a film on your skin and penetrates deep into the skin to provide deep moisturizing. It also helps remove dead skin cells.
• Fights Dryness. Oats are very effective in fighting dull, flaky dry skin as it contain polysaccharides which become gelatinous in water  and leave a fine protective film on the skin.
• Treats Acne. Cooked oatmeal is great treatment for acne. It absorbs and removes excess oil and bacteria from your skin.
• Skin Lightening. Oats are known for its lightening effects as it improves the skin tone and texture.
• Treats Poison Ivy and Chicken Pox. It has been used to treat eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, and chicken pox. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-itch properties.

I'll be sharing some oat recipes I have been using as cleanser and mask.

You may use the oats straight from the container, but for me I like to really fine. I put it in a blender, grind and put it in an airtight container. It's easier to use when it's ground.

Facial Wash

        I put 1 tablespoon of oatmeal in a small container, add a bit of water, wait for around 10 seconds, smash it with my fingers and apply on my face and neck. I scrub my face and let the oatmeal sit for a minute or two then I rinse with water.

Face & Body Scrub
Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of oatmeal, add some warm milk, mix until it turns into a  paste. Leave the mixture for around 5 minutes until the oatmeal become soft.  I use this to exfoliate my face or body. Let it sit for a while then rinse     with  water.

Mix 1 table spoon of milk, honey, and extra virgin olive oil (equal portion each). Add 2 -3 table spoons of oatmeal. Leave the paste in a bowl until the oatmeal becomes soft. Use this to exfoliate your face or body and rinse with warm water.

Facial Mask

For Acne-prone skin:
Mix 2 teaspoon of oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, add enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste onto clean, dry face. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

For Oily / Combination Skin:

Mix 2 tablespoon of oats, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (juice from half a lemon) and 1 tablespoon of honey (you may also use extra virgin olive oil instead of honey). Apply on your face, leave for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

For Dry Skin:
Mix 2 table spoon of cooked oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 -3 tablespoon of plain yogurt (you may also use milk instead of plain yogurt). Apply on to face and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for reading. Happy weekend!

Petroleum Jelly: Is it good or bad?

I was born and raised in Baguio City, a city seated atop a mountain. And since it is on top of a mountain the temperature can go down to 10-15 degrees Celsuis  during the cold months. This is already cold for a tropical county like ours. I used to have chapped and windburned lips during these months. Until I discovered the petroleum jelly. I used it everyday on my lips and served as my lip balm. When my husband and I worked in Shanghai, China in 2009, you can just imagine how much more I needed petroleum jelly then. But by that time I already have done some research about the product and this is what I found out:

Petroleum jelly is  being used as an ingredient in many of cosmetic products and moisturizers. And it has been used by millions of people since its discovery in the mid 1800's. But there have been arguments whether petroleum jelly is good or bad for your skin and whether it is carcinogenic.

What is Petroleum Jelly? 

Petroleum jelly, also known as Petrolatum, is the byproduct of oil drilling. It was discovered in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, where this jellylike substance accumulated on the oil pumps. Until it was distilled into a wax in 1872.

Why is it said to be harmful to the skin?

• It suffocates the skin - therefore it keeps out air and moisture on your pores.
• It just give an illusion or false feeling of hydration but it does nothing to nurture, heal or restore moisture to the skin
• may cause premature aging as slows cellular regeneration
• since it is a thick emollient, it may cause breakouts or  aggravate acne and rosacea

What can we use instead?

There are a lot of natural alternatives in the market. There are products that use natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter that could deeply nourish and hydrate the skin.

I want to share a product that I've been using as an alternative to Petroleum jelly. 

Its Alba's Un-petroleum Jelly.  From the name itself you will notice it is "Un-petroleum" therefore there is no petrolatum in the ingredients.

Product Description: 

Alba Un-petroleum Jelly is the original, multi-purpose skin moisturizer made from only pure plant oils and all natural waxes

It soothes, moisturizes and softens the skin.

It is made without petroleum, paraffin, mineral oil, artificial fragrances or parabens. 

Hypo-allergenic

Here are the ingredients:

Castor seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, hydrogenated castor oil, tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol (Vitamin E)

You can get this thru online stores as I don't see this at Healthy Options though they carry the brand of Alba. Of course it's available in the US. It's where I get my supply.

Thanks for reading!

Face Mapping: What are your zits telling you?

How often do you break-out? Is it concentrated in one particular area of your face?

There are times when I experience horrible, painful break outs. There are a lot of reasons that can contribute to skin break out. Usually I get them when I eat too much oily and salty foods, or when I don’t drink plenty of water. 


What I’m going to share with you now is all about these spots and what they are telling you in relation to your internal health.

Have you ever heard of face mapping? This is an ancient art that can help you identify the cause of your blemishes by splitting the face into several sections. And each sections reflect different part of your internal health.

Zones 1 & 3: Digestive System
If you have high amounts of fats in your diet, this could lead  you to break out on your forehead. Cleanse your diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Take anti-oxidant supplements such as Vitamins A, C and E. Increase your water intake. Green tea also helps.

Zone 2: Liver
Alcohol and dairy are the main culprit for spots in this area. Limit your dairy intake of dairy and alcohol or just remove alcohol altogether. You may also consult your doctor first if you have food allergies or intolerance with dairy products.

Zones 4, 6, 8 and 10: Kidneys
Spots close to your ears and even dark circles around your eyes can be caused by dehydration. Increase your water intake to hydrate your body. Avoid coffee, and salty foods.

Zone 7: Heart
This area of the face is full of dilated pores, so make sure you clean your make up brushes, sponges or anything that you use on your face. Reduce high blood pressure for internal solution. Replace bad fats with good fats like nuts and omega 3 rich food. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Zone 5 & 9: Respiratory System
If you are a smoker you will notice your spots  appear along the top of your cheeks. Increasing your exposure to fresh air and regular exercise will do wonders. And of course giving up on those little sticks will be the key.

Zone 11 & 13: Hormones
For us women, breakouts in this area indicates hormonal imbalances particularly around a certain time of the month or stress. There is little to do that can prevent these changes, but eating healthy with plenty of exercise will help.

Zone 12: Stomach
If your diet is loaded with rich, heavy, fatty and salty foods then spots will appear in this area. A detox, food rich in fiber and exercise will help in your digestion.

Zone 14: Ilness
Spots in this area indicates that your body is trying to fight off bacteria. Drink plenty of water and consult your doctor if you begin to feel unwell.

I hope this face mapping  gave you an idea what to do with your blemishes and spots.

Remember eating healthy, exercise and drinking plenty of water are key to a healthy skin!
Thanks for reading!

Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner Review

Hi everyone! I'd like to share with you one of my favourite toner brands, the Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner. My leaning more towards on natural skin care products lead me to this wonder toner.

I started using Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner when I moved back to Manila in 2011. I've heard about Witch Hazel some time ago before 2011 but I didn't know it was available in the Philippines. I just found out after I came back that it was available at Healthy Options.

Let's see its product details!

• Non-drying, for all skin types
• Gently cleanses
• Conditions pores to maintain clear, smooth and balanced skin
• 100% all Natural formula
• Tightens and refines pores
• Gently removes excess oil, dirt and makeup residue with out over drying
• Locks in moisture

Ingredients:
All natural Witch Hazel, containing 14% Natural grain alcohol, and Witch Hazel Extract

First thing, wash your face with a facial foam. Dry your face using unscented facial tissue. (I'll explain in my next blogs why I don't use facial towel).  Apply the toner using cotton pads/balls on the oiliest parts of your face first like the nose and forehead, then on to your cheeks. I tend to use this toner too as make up remover, except for removing eye make up.  So I tweak the process a little: apply toner first to remove make up, then wash face with facial foam, dry face using facial tissue, apply toner again and finally apply moisturizer and eye cream. It really makes my skin fresh and clean.

It has fulfilled what it promised! It has refined my pores, especially on my nose where I usually get blackheads.

One thing I don't like about this product is the scent!  It smells like the root or bark of a tree. But its benefits far outweigh its smell. 

I have recommended this to my sisters and friends and they love it as I do. One of my sister says, 'Who cares if I have to pinch my nostrils together while applying the toner, as long as I get the benefits the toner promises!'

Dickinson's also have in its product line Witch Hazel Foaming Facial Wash, which, I hope Healthy Options would import and include in its Dickinson's line, too. Errm... Mr RS, if you're reading my blog…

If I get a chance to purchase and try the Dickinson's Witch Hazel Foaming Facial Wash I'll post a
review as well.


Thanks for reading!

Moisturizer Plus

As far as I could remember, my mom would always apply lotion on my skin after bathing when I was young.  She would tell me it's good for my skin, to make it soft and smooth. This was instilled in me as a young girl and it became a habit as I got older. I have tried a lot of body lotions and body creams but there is one brand that I really liked which worked really well with my skin, the Nivea UV Whitening Cell Repair Protect.  I've been using this brand for more than five years already and it has never failed me. I  specially like its texture and its non-sticky feeling. 

Although I was satisfied with this product, I still looked for something that would give more moisture. I have very dry skin so I wanted additional moisturizer that would be easily absorbed and would last longer on my skin.  I did some research and stumbled on the JOJOBA Oil. I was working in Singapore during that time so it was easy to find a store which sells this kind of oil. Jojoba oil is extracted from the seed of a desert shrub called Simmondsia chinensis. It is very similar to the human sebum which is being secreted to lubricate our skin and hair. What I do is mix a few drops of Jojoba oil on my Nivea Lotion. This combination is very effective on dry skin like mine. The Jojoba oil is easily absorbed and provides skin extra moisture that lasts longer.

When I went back to the Philippines last year I looked for available brands in Manila and luckily I found Desert Essence at Healthy Options. It is priced for only around Php300 plus. You may also find it online stores.