Singapore Vlog.

This was our March 28-30 Singapore Vacation.

We stayed at the Robertson Quay Hotel and the whole trip was...quick but awesome.

Review: VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Armada Face Cover 30

When I started going to a dermatologist, I was "scolded" for not having a face sunblock in my skin regimen. I know.. I know... you should NEVER ever go out without your sunscreen. My dermatologist really stressed its importance.

As per behealthyandrelax.com :

The long-term effects of not using sunscreen

When you don’t use sunscreen lotions, your skin [has] no sun protection and you are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).  Whether from the sun or tanning beds, you invite skin damage, skin cancer, immune suppression, and cataracts. The increase in the number of diagnosed cases of these problems is primarily the result of our lifestyle choices as well as environmental carelessness, such as ozone depletion.

Given this knowledge, which is backed by decades of scientific studies, you can and should take measures to protect yourself by following these steps:

• Avoid unprotected UVR exposure at any time but particularly between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM which are the hours of peak ultraviolet radiation

• Wear sun protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, a hat with a three-inch brim and sunglasses.

• Apply sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to all unprotected skin 15-20 minutes before exposure and reapply it every two hours while exposed.

So okay, I had to go and find one. The problem is my skin is REALLY REALLY sensitive to sunscreen. Of course I have tried several brands already in my life, but most have caused very bad breakouts. So no sunscreen for me.

The search for THE sunscreen begins...
And this is the first one I've tried. Judging from the brand name, VMV Hypoallergenics...maybe it caters to more sensitive skin. I bought this one from Watsons in SM Mall of Asia for I think Php 780.

The product is this big (reference: my hand) and has 1.06oz of product in it. Just the right size, I think, for trying a face product. 

Consistency is a bit creamy but not oily. It's matte when it dries (on my hand).

The problem is when I put it on my face. It makes your face really really shiny -- sticky shiny (because of its SPF ingredients), so blotting and putting on face powder after is A MUST.

Fortunately, it doesn't give a "white cast" in flash photography which is good if you're the type who takes a lot of photos throughout the day (with flash).

At the later part of the day, I wasn't comfortable with it -- felt really sweaty and oily, so retouch retouch retouch. (Or maybe I'm just not used to wearing sunscreen in our already hot & humid weather?)

Overall, it's a good sunscreen since it didn't break me out (first time!). But I'm still going to be trying other brands -- I haven't had that "THIS-IS-DEFINITELY-IT" moment yet.

 

REVIEW: My Favorite Everyday Go-to Products -- Maybelline HyperSharp Liner, Maybelline Magnum Volume Express Waterproof Mascara, Etude House Drawing Eyebrow

Here's another review..or rather, reviewS. This will be a 'collective' review on my favorite trusty everyday makeup products -- my favorite liquid eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrow pencil.

Eyeliner: MAYBELLINE HYPERSHARP LINER

 

To be honest, I just came across this particular eyeliner when I was randomly looking for something to buy in Watsons. I was just starting to "explore" in using makeup and I thought I needed a liner that's much easier to use (than a pencil liner) for everyday. I searched through Watsons and wandered through the Maybelline area. I asked the lady there if she had an eyeliner that she could recommend and this is what she insisted that I buy.

Ho ho! She was right. It was easy to use (perfect for a newbie like me) and it was thin enough to make a nice cat-eye.
It has been in my bag ever since. :)

I usually use an Ever Bilena pencil eyeliner for stage makeup and comparing that one to this:

• When it sets, it doesn't smudge when you rub your eyes (but don't rub your eyes! you'll have wrinkles, sige)
• Wet enough when applied to
  
  correct little mistakes (c'mon, who doesn't make the occasional "lagpas")
• Easy to use; has a very thin brush.
• Pigmented enough (you don't have to go through your lines several times to get the opaqueness you want)
• Relatively cheap (P399 -- it's cheaper than other imported drugstore brands [of course the local brands are much much MUCH cheaper -- but the quality!? No.])

Mascara: MAYBELLINE the MAGNUM VOLUM' EXPRESS WATERPROOF

When it comes to mascara, I just hear one brand: Maybelline. I bought this one the same day as the liner in Watsons. I was originally just going to buy this one, but heck I ended up buying a liner too.

We don't really have much choices in Watsons, there were only three Maybelline mascaras there: the non waterproof version of this one, this one, and the Falsies (which was more expensive by P100). I just opted for this one since this is my first Maybelline mascara. Haha noob.

I really like the brush in this one. The brush is slightly curved. I found that the "convex" side is the side that builds up the product on your lashes and the "concave" side is the one that lifts up your lashes. Cool, right!? :D

This does the job, makes my lashes longer and more volumized. Up to this writing, I haven't had any problems with it.

Eyebrow Pencil: ETUDE HOUSE DRAWING EYE BROW in #02 Gray Brown

My favorite eyebrow product as of the moment! It's cheap (P149), easy to use, and the color matches my eyebrows perfectly. It has the retractable eye pencil on one end and a spoolie at the other! A 2-in-1 product in your hand right there!

Again, usually I use an Ever Bilena eyeliner (Brown) for my brows for stage makeup since it's more pigmented and creamier -- I need thick & OA brows on stage. Comparing that one to this one:

• Color is great for everyday use. Very light which gives you control on the darkness of your brows (No to bushman eyebrows!)
• No need to sharpen -- since it's retractable. It's refillable too (although most Etude Houses here are always sold-out of its refill).
• 2-in-1 with the spoolie at the other end. You need that end to lighten your brows and make them look more natural.

*If you're used to brown eyebrows (it just looks more fake to me, it might be just me), better get the #01 Brown. I just opted for the color closest to my natural eyebrow color which was Gray Brown.

So use them all together, this is how you'll look like. Forgive the low quality photos, they all just came from my phone. These 3 products just makes me look more put-together, and I really like it. :)

First Vlog.

First time to vlog. Just a day-with-me video. :)