Getting Organized with LadyPlans App

As you may have read in my previous post, one of my goals includes finding balance and establishing it in daily practice. But once again, busy work and errands schedule sometimes makes it impossible and turns me into a ball of  a disorganized wreck. Up until recently, a certain app helped me get back on track and regain the sense of balance between work, personal life, and everything in between. 

image source: LadyPlans.com

The LadyPlans app is a personal organizer dedicated to women and helping them manage their daily lives easily. It is developed by Julie Dando, a working mom, and a mother of two toddlers. This app is helpful for women struggling with busy schedules and myriad of responsibilities not only for themselves but for their family and loved ones.

WHAT'S INSIDE

Homepage

image source: LadyPlans.com

As you may notice, the homepage is very clean and is user-friendly. The event maker section is not only limited to you but to your kids, partner, home, and holidays.

Perfectly Pixi by Glamourbox

As all of you may know already, I am obsessed about curated beauty kits and boxes. To date, I got the Saladbox March, April, & May boxes, Project Vanity Universally Chic Kit, and now Glamourbox's Perfectly Pixi, a Pixi by Petra curated box. I knew right away I had to preorder when I saw the Instagram post two weeks ago. I am over the moon about the brand as I bought some of their products last month. Here's a little unboxing for you guys and I am telling you, this box is super worth it!

Here's what the box looks like. As you can see, it's in signature Pixi green. Inside is a mix of skincare and cosmetic items which I all love. 

 Here's a little card with the contents and other information.

Little Beauty Bits - Mini Products I've Been Loving

I always adore mini beauty bits and sample products not only for their cuteness but simply because they help me decide which products to get by trying them out on my skin. I do read product reviews but each of our skin will have a unique reaction to different products. These samples and minis will save me a lot of money for a full size product that won't work for me. Among the numerous bits I have, these are the ones I reach for the most. 

For my chapped lips - Apart from Glossier Balm Dotcom, I also tried and loved this Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips. Yes, you've read it right, "Nipple" balm for lips. This can be used not only for parched lips, but also for nursing mothers whenever their areola and nipple area gets very dry form lactating. I use my Glossier everyday and reserve this one for severe cases of dryness. I got this sample for free from Sephora.ph upon checkout.

For skin detox on my T-zone - This Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is all I need for my weekly dose of detox. I put this one on my forehead, nose, and chin area where it is usually oily. Take note, I have combination skin type. For those with oily skin, I recommend putting this all over your face. I just leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with water after. I got this one for free at Origins Megamall. 

For toning and exfoliating- I have always loved Glycolic Acid in my skincare routine and this mini Pixi Glow Tonic is the one I'm reaching out for more often. This acid is an AHA which is a good chemical exfoliant. It is advised to use a cotton pad but I prefer using my hands and pat this product all over my face. It contains 5% Glycolic Acid which is perfect for twice daily use.  I got this from Glamourbox for P390 (15mL). 

For eliminating skin dullness - Philosophy Brighten My Day Brightening Essence is the first essence I have used and incorporated in my routine. I use it before my night cream. It has a milky texture and is easily absorbed. I am not a fan of the smell but it is tolerable. I noticed my skin is less dull after a week of using it every night. I got this for free from Sephora.ph. They gave me a Philosophy skincare kit since I ordered two products from the brand.

For my tired eyes - I use Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Eye Treatment for my eye area for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. This product is packed with anti-aging antioxidants and mineral pigments for subtle luminosity. It's non-sticky, fragrance-free, lightweight, and packaged in a pump bottle. This was given to me as a gift by a friend.

The only thing mini about them is their size! They have been nothing but giants of my skincare routine. Any other beauty minis would you recommend? Share them down below!

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Glossier Balm Dotcom: Universal Skin Salve

So I have been in a mini hiatus again lately. I really missed blogging for you guys! There were some work and personal issues I needed to attend to. For my comeback post, I decided to review a product that has parked in my purse ever since I got it. It's none other than Glossier's Balm Dotcom.

About Glossier

Glossier (gloss-ee-AY) started as a successful beauty blog IntotheGloss.com since 2010 and started their skincare product line just in 2014. Emily Weiss, a former fashion assistant at Vogue, is the founder and CEO of Glossier. I have watched several of her interviews and she is inspiring. She was featured in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2015 and yup, I already followed her on Instagram and Snapchat lol.

For my first Glossier product, I decided to get one of their bestsellers, the Balm Dotcom Universal Skin Salve. It's an all around balm you can use on your lips, elbows, and elsewhere that is running low on its moisture bank. I chose the Cherry variant which is part of their recent releases. My favorite thing about it is its smell. It smells like the cherry bubblegum I used to buy from a sari sari store when I was young - those red little round bubblegums. My second favorite thing is its formulation. It's non-sticky, lightweight, and really hydrating for my chapped and parched lips. The packaging is a simple yet delightful minimalist tube which I love. 

Kojie San Men celebrates the saktong pogi with ‘Saktong Pogi Night’ | PR

What makes a guy attractive? Is it really his looks? Although some may say so, this conventional definition of pogi—that is, having movie star looks and a well-built physique—is no longer totally true in the modern world. These days, a guy’s looks don’t really matter as much as his personality and characteristics.

Most girls now believe that for a guy to be deemed attractive, he must have attributes such as being confident, well-rounded, independent-minded, goal-oriented, and multi-talented. Most importantly, he must practice good grooming and hygiene and is focused on being the best version of himself.

In other words, it is the combination of a guy’s positive traits that make him attractive. And this is what makes a guy Saktong Pogi.

Three cheers for the Saktong Pogi

With this, Kojie San Men puts the spotlight on all the Saktong Pogi guys of the land with the Saktong Pogi Night. It was held at the 12 Monkeys Bar at the Century City Mall, Makati City, last June 2, Thursday. The guests had a grand time as we enjoyed good food, beer pong games, and music courtesy of up-and-coming alternative, soul, and indie rock band, SUD.

Saktong Pogi Night is hosted by no other than the lovely Joyce Pring

Wil Dasovich, Joyce Pring and Bogart the Explorer open the night talking about what the ideal ‘Saktong Pogi’ guy is

The Saktong Pogi Night was hosted by popular TV and events host and radio jock Joyce Pring, and was graced by Saktong Pogi ambassadors Wil Dasovich and Marco Ho. During the event, Wil and Marco—who have both gained local prominence with their YouTube channels Tsong and Tsonggo and Bogart the Explorer from Davao City, respectively— explained the Saktong Pogi concept to the attendees.

Meanwhile, Meredith Villanueva-Balmes, Brand Manager for Kojie San Men, was also be present and talked about Kojie San Men and the brand’s Saktong Pogi campaign.

According to Balmes, “Kojie San Men pursues the idea that being handsome isn’t measured solely by how physically attractive one is. He can simply practice proper hygiene and good grooming, and be confident, and still be considered handsome.”

“Proper hygiene and good grooming play a huge part in being ‘saktong pogi.’ And with its line of skin care products, Kojie San Men is here to help men become ‘saktong pogi’—the best version of themselves—by making available to them all the products they need for good grooming and hygiene,” she adds.

The Kojie San Men skin care line includes products for the face and body, namely the Kojie San Men Whitening Body Wash, Kojie San Men Facewash, and the Kojie San Men Whitening Soap and Extra Fresh Soap.

Win a date with Jinri!

The highlight of the Saktong Pogi Night was a Dating Game with actress/model and former radio jock, Jinri Park. Two weeks before the event, an online contest was held via the Saktong Pogi Facebook page to determine the Dating Game’s five finalists as well as two friends who would act as wingmen for each finalist.

Rainy Day Beauty Do's and Don'ts

Seems like the weather here in the Philippines has started to transition from clear skies to cloudy with a chance of rainfall. Rainy season is finally here! While it's a joy to finally escape from the extreme heat of summer, rainy season can be also be a bummer. Read: sticky face + hair and smudgy makeup is not a pretty sight. So before heading out with that umbrella on hand, here are some of the beauty dos and don'ts during a rainy day.

L&L Random: The Pink Army | The Evolution of My Love for Pink

I just love pink and every shade of it. Everything about pink is a contradiction - it's calming yet exciting, innocent yet seductive, modest yet bold!

I used to be indifferent with this color during my high school and college days. I should blame it to my love for hard rock back then. I just resisted anything pink to the point of being averse to people who likes pink. I just couldn't get why the color gets that much love from everyone. The joke is on me now lol.

Then things changed bit by bit unknowingly. When I was in medical school, at my mid-20s, I started purchasing pink items little by little without noticing it. I starting to have the tendency to lean toward the pink version of an item. Yet when everyone asks me if my favorite color was pink, I still say hell to the no. See throwback photos below. During this time, I still deny that pink is my favorite color.

Saladbox April 2016 Unboxing: A Fresh Start with VMV Hypoallergenics | #VMVxSaladbox

It's time for a Saladbox unboxing once again! This time it's their April box in collaboration with VMV Hypoallergenics. The box "Fresh Start" contains skincare and makeup items which will definitely take you out of that beauty rut and introduce your skin to a fresh start. It was Benefit Cosmetics last month and now it's VMV Hypoallergenics.

VMV Hypoallergenics is a company founded by a Filipino Dermatologist-Dermapathologist, Dr. Vermen M. Verallo-Rowell in 1979. She is a board-certified member of the American Boards of Dermatology and Dermatopathology.

What I like about VMV:

Validated hypoallergenic

100% Dye-Free.

100% Free of Irritating Waxes (including Beeswax and its cross-reactors), Phthalates, Parabens + Preservatives.

100% Free of All-Types-Of-Fragrance.

Non-Comedogenic, Non-Drying. Non-Darkening. Usage + Patch-Tested

Contents:

VMV Hypoallergenics Superskin Starts Here Set (P1245) The set contains a cleanser, toner, and a moisturizer. This one is Regimen C which I am assuming stands for Combination Skin Type for my skin. The Hydra Balance Gentle Cream Cleanser has 30ml product and  is formulated with monolaurin, virgin coconut oil, and antioxidants. The Superskin 2 Primer Toner has 30ml product. It has Mandelic Acid which is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid like lactic acid and glycolic acid) derived from bitter almonds. This toner promises deep-cleaning. acne-managing, firming, mattifying, and brightening therapy. The third product is the Hydra Balance Smart Moisturizer which hydrates the drier areas of my face without clogging the oily T-zone area. It has 30ml of the product and it's perfect for moisturization on the go.

VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport Sunscreen SPF 70 (P515) This is a holy grail sunscreen for many. This has water-resistant formula making it useful even when swimming or doing water sports. I included this on my recent article Sunblock 101. I used it this morning to work. It's non-sticky and it absorbs quickly. I layered my foundation over it and it went on smoothly.

VMV Hypoallergenics Velvet Matte Lipstick in Saloon (P1075) I chose the shade "Babe" since I already have this shade but I am glad they sent this one so I have another for back up. I love this lip color! I categorize it under nude/MLBB lippie. The matte finish is surprisingly moisturizing. It's lightweight but not to the extent that you forget you're wearing a lipstick. The longevity is quite questionable since after 4 hours there is only a subtle hint left. The good thing is that it has minimal transfer.

VMV Hypoallergenics Gift Certificate for Skin-a-Jiffy Free Facial (P750) No expiration on this one! I'm excited to try it! According to their website, it includes the following treatments:

1) Skin Picker-Upper  - This dual-action clarifying-hydrating facial perks up tired-looking skin.

2) Waltzing Matte-ilda - Instant ""mattification"" that gets oily skin cool, clean, and refreshed in smooth, simple steps.

3) With All ""Dew"" Respect - Dry skin gets its ""dew"" with softening, moisturizing quickie.

TOTAL VALUE OF THE BOX: P3585.00

About Saladbox

A saladbox is a skincare, makeup, and services box subscription for P500/month. Each box will be curated by favorite beauty brands every month. Last March it was Benefit Cosmetics and this month it's VMV Hypoallergenics. The value of each box is approximately P3000-P3500. They also hold events such as beauty soirees and workshops featuring the brands.

Visit http://www.saladbox.com.ph/ for more details on how to subscribe to their plan.

Here are the popular hashtags on Instagram to search for Saladbox features:

#saladboxph #VMVxSaladbox #BenefitxSaladbox

Beauty Directory

Saladbox PH

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VMV Hypoallergenics

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Sunblock 101: SPF, Sunscreen vs Sunblock, Active Ingredients Explained

Summer has been with us for more than a month now and I hope everyone is having their daily dose of SPF! I have to admit, sometimes it's a hassle to apply sunscreen and skipping it is the easiest thing to do. But there are times when I come to my senses and realize that I have to give my skin some love and protect it from the harmful rays of the sun.  I have said this before and repeating it now, it is of grave importance to put sunscreen every single day or else your old age skin will have to pay for it.

Here are some must-knows about your sunblocks.

UVA vs UVB

UVB stands for Burn. It is the primary cause of sunburn. UVA stands for Aging. It goes deeper into the skin and causes premature photoaging and also sunburn at some extent. It is more potent in generating free radicals and causing oxidative damage to DNA and macromolecules.

Both UV rays are linked to skin cancer with UVB being the more carcinogenic between the two as it induces direct chemical damage to the DNA. UVA rays, however, is more abundant in sunlight and indirectly damages our DNA by producing free radicals whenever it is absorbed by other molecules which are endogenous photosensitizers.

SPF and UVA-PF

Sun Protection Factor is a measure of protection against UVB
The amount of UVB radiation blocked by SPF 15 is 93%, SPF 30 is 97%  and SPF 50 is 98%. Going beyond SPF 50 does not add a whole lot of protection. 

UVA stars (PA in North Asian countries) is a measure of protection against UVA. It is recommended to use sunblocks with UVA★★★ or PA +++ which delivers 60-80% protection from UVA rays.

With the statements above, we can simply say that SPF is for UVB rays while UVA stars/PA is for UVA rays.

Sunscreen vs Sunblock

Sunscreen and sunblock differs in the kind of protection it offers. The former being chemical and the latter, physical. It is both effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays through different mechanisms.

Sunblock

• physical kind of protection
• The usual ingredients: zinc oxide & titanium oxide
• It leaves a white cast on the skin when applied
• It is good for sensitive skin

Sunscreen

• chemical kind of protection 
• usual ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
• No white cast
• Sensitive skin may react to some of its ingredients (like PABA)

A small table of the common ingredients in sunblock/sunscreen and their sun protecting properties

Application
Recent studies have shown that the following mode of application is effective: apply 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply once within 1 hour.

Here are some promising products to try.

So there you have it! Whether you are simply running some errands or you are enjoying your favorite summer destination, remember to never skip the SPF! Love and protect your skin!

For comments, questions, and suggestions feel free to comment down below.

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Current Body Wash | De-stressing with Aveeno Stress Relief Body Wash

I have been showering multiple times a day lately because of the insanely hot and humid weather. I often use Safeguard Derma Sense hard soap on my body but once in a while, I pop this lavender-infused body wash into a loofa for an extra relaxing bath. Just smelling the product instantly calms me.

I purchased this from Beauty MNL for 430 php for 354mL of product. It has a gentle and non-irritating formula. The active ingredient is colloidal oatmeal which is known for its skin soothing properties. The lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang scents deliver the calming aromatherapy during bath time.

My only problem with this body wash is that it doesn’t feel rinsed due to its moisturizing properties. It reminds of some Dove soap way back with its old formulation. No matter how long I rinse myself, there is always this feeling of soap residue. The feeling usually disappears after I towel-dry.

This also doubles as a shaving cream which is a major plus!

This is perfect for baths before sleeping especially if you have difficulty dozing off. The lavender scent is known to help induce sleep. I even use this before nap time during weekends to achieve all-out relaxation.

Here are other Aveeno products I wish to try: 

They can all be found at Beauty MNL and your leading grocery stores.

Have you tried any Aveeno products? What are your favorites? 

April Skincare Haul | New Items to Try: Clinique, Origins, First Aid Beauty

Skincare Haul

For the next few weeks, these are the skincare items I will be trying on my face. The brands included are Clinique, Origins, and First Aid Beauty. I haven't tried the former two products mentioned and I am very excited to review them all. 

Here are the list of the items:

Life Lately | Accendere 2014, Gastronomic Discoveries, and Doses of Netflix

This blog needs a little lifestyle update. This post might threw you off a bit from the usual beauty post but Lights & Latte is a beauty and lifestyle blog. I also wanted to share a part of my daily experiences and chronicle it here at my blog. So without further babbling, here’s what I’ve been up to for the past week including places I’ve dined at and a show I am obsessed with currently.

Accendere 2014

I attended my batch yearbook launch. Our yearbook is called Accendere 2014. Accendere is an Italian word which means to light and 2014 is the year we graduated. The yearbook cover was designed by no other than my talented boyfriend Aldrin. It’s a calligram of a Blue Eagle with the phrase “No Atenean Left Behind” which is our school’s dictum in aiming for 100% every medical board exams.  We had a mini reunion. Food and drinks were overflowing.

Too Faced Cosmetics: Now at Sephora PH!

I checked my inbox earlier today and was delighted with what Sephora announced. It is now carrying Too Faced cosmetics! If you are not yet familiar with this brand, let me give you a brief background.

Image by Sephora.ph

Image by Sephora.ph

Too Faced cosmetics was founded in 1998 by the couple Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson. In the mid '90s, Blandino used to work at Estée Lauder make up counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. He would play around with make up samples, crush and mix them together, sometimes melting them with microwave, creating his uniquely designed items. Blandino used to call his clients "Too Faced" (I'm assuming two-faced?) since their sweet smile turns into a sour frown whenever he was out of their favorite lipstick. That's where the company name came from.

Their first collection instantly carried by Sephora (US), Nordstrom, and Fred Segal and was featured in Vogue.

Image by makeupandbeautyblog.com

Quick Facts

• Too Faced created the world's first glitter eye shadow
• They are cruelty-free
• Too Faced mascot is the couple's pooch Clover
• They support the Best Friends Animal Society
• Their Teddy Bear Hair brushes is 100% cruelty-free and made of synthetic bristles
• Best selling products: Better Than Sex mascara, Chocolate Soleil matte bronzer, Chocolate Bar eyeshadow collection,  Born This Way foundation, Melted lipsticks, Teddy Bear Hair brushes

Here are my Too Faced Wishlist:

Dark Chocolate Soleil P1619 | Better Than Sex Mascara P1349

Bright Red Lips by Sephora Lip Liner To Go in Ruby

This Sephora Lip Liner To Go in the shade Ruby is an impulse buy and I use it if I want to rock bold red lips. I purchased it at Sephora for only 335 pesos. I never owned a lipstick with a bright red shade so I decided to start with a lip liner for now and see if it works for me. I either use it to contour my lips and fill it in with a brownish-red lipstick or use it on its own for a semi-matte finish. 

Why use a lip liner?

• It adds definition to the lips. It is the road to the perfect cupid's bow.
• It prolongs a lipstick's staying power. 
• It prevents bleeding or feathering which is particularly useful when using dark lipsticks. 
• It is suggested to not only use a lip liner as an outline but as a base for the entire lips before applying lipstick. 
• Lip liners, especially the nude ones, are a nice alternative for those who are lipstick averse 

Application

You may check out this blog post for a blow by blow guide on how to use a lip liner:

How to Apply Lip Liner Properly and Enhance Your Lips by YouQueen.com

Ingredients:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Wax, Zeolite, CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), Mica, Stearyl Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polydicyclopentadiene, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Shea Butter.

The formula is silky and very pigmented. It glides easily and is moisturizing due to Jojoba Seed Oil and Shea Butter. Another good thing about this product is the travel-friendly size.

The shade is bright red with orange undertones

This is how it looks on my lips. The lip color is something I won't be able to use everyday but it will definitely add a punch of bright and bold lips when you need one. The finish is semi-matte and it transfers lightly. The staying power is around 4 hours but it comes off when eating. Another good thing about this product, it's not tested on animals.

How about you? Do you like bright red for your lips? Share your favorite lip liner brands and shades at the comment section below.

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The First #BenefitxSaladbox Beauty Soirée

It’s the Saladbox x Benefit Cosmetics Beauty Soirée! This time, I’m sharing it with my friends and other Benebabes!

Last Friday, April 15, 2016, we braved the Friday-Payday traffic to attend the Saladbox Beauty Soiree at Benefit, Central Square, BGC. My friend and I arrived pretty early so we grabbed some late lunch at Salad Stop! After enjoying our Chicken Caesar wrap over some catching up, we went back and registered.

Image by @saladboxph

We arrived just in time when they were giving out the instructions on how to get Benefit freebies. The instructions were pretty simple, create a look using the Benefit products. Take a photo of the event and a selfie of your Benefit #FOTD and upload it on Instagram with the hashtags #SaladboxBeautySoiree #Saladboxph #Benefitxsaladbox. So expectedly, everybody, myself included went gaga over the items. I was able to squeeze myself into the crowd and grabbed some make up from the counter. Since I already have foundation on my face before coming to the event, I just added the blush Dallas on my cheeks, Dandelion lip gloss on my lips, They’re Real Blue mascara, and some neutral eye shadows. I cheated a little since I used my own Real Techniques brush because I don’t think it’s sanitary to use the brushes displayed. After finishing my uber simple look, we lined up for the brow mapping which was rad!

So here are our #FOTD selfies and some photos from the event.

A screenshot from the video of brow mapping with my fellow Tita, Caye.

We scored some sample products just by presenting the Instagram photos. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take photos of the freebies we got since we were so busy laughing and experiencing the event.

I had a blast and there’s never a dull moment bonding with friends over makeup! I am excited for my April box (VMV products) and the next Saladbox event!

Saladbox PH

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Naturally Flushed Cheeks with Benefit Lollitint

"pop of dreamy sweetness"

The Benefit Lollitint is a product I often reach to if I want flushed cheeks without looking so made up. It's a multitasking lip and cheek tint perfect for low maintenance mornings. It comes in a nail polish-like tube much like its older sister Benefit Benetint. The shade is described as orchid-pink and it applies pretty sheer which gives my cheeks a naturally flushed look. 

How I use it:

I paint two stripes on one cheek and blend it with my fingers. Then I repeat on the other side. I have also seen others put it on a brush first before applying on their cheeks. I bet tapping it with a beauty blender onto cheeks would work too. Using my fingers though is my preferred method of application. 

Hit:

I love how it sets on my cheeks like I’m blushing. Imagine your cheeks after exercising for 30 minutes, that’s the look it gives on my cheeks. I love how fuss-free the application is. All I do is swipe and blend with my fingers. As for its staying power, it lasted for 3-4 8 (eight) hours on me on this summer weather.

Miss:

The only struggle I have with this items is that it dries up quick on my cheeks so I need to blend it right away. I remembered when I initially used it. I applied three dots on both cheeks and when I tried blending it with my fingers it just wouldn’t blend anymore. It already settled into three dots on my cheeks making me look like Wendy (of Wendy’s fast food chain). My tip would be to blend it immediately after application, one cheek at a time. 

When swiped and blended

 I mostly use it on my cheeks since I am not a fan of it as a lip tint due to its sheerness on the lips. I often pair it with nude lips. For the look below, I used Revlon Color Burst Matte lippie in Sultry. 

Saladbox March 2016 Unboxing: Saladbox PH x Benefit Cosmetics | #benefitxsaladbox

This pink box is nothing but love!

I have never tried any subscription boxes before and Saladbox PH caught my attention with their collaboration with Benefit Cosmetics. Imagine all those Benefit Cosmetics items for only P500 per box. You have to order a minimum of three months’ worth of subscription to subscribe.

The thing with Saladbox, and I think most of the subscribers will agree, is that they have a little trouble with delivery. I received my March box only last April 8. Subscribers are not happy as I browse through their Instagram comments. As for me, I don't mind waiting but it can get a little frustrating. 

The box is really worth the wait. It contains one full sized item and a few deluxe samples. 

Contents:
Benefit Rockateur Box o’ Powder – Full sized
Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer – deluxe sample
Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara – deluxe sample
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation – deluxe sample
Benefit Brow Wax Gift Card (free waxing worth PhP650)

The full sized Rockateur alone costs P1,600 and the free waxing is P650. So those items alone costs 300% more than what you paid for. For the month of April they are featuring VMV Hypoallergenics which is a brand I also trust. If you want to try luxe brands for only P500 and you have the patience to put up with delivery delays then go ahead and subscribe. It's honestly a good deal!

Saladbox PH

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5 Things to Do on a Lazy Sunday at Home

I am the kind of person who likes spending a day in my weekend at home. It's important for me to designate one day in a week to just relax, recollect my thoughts, and gather myself together to reflect, re-energize, and prepare for another week ahead. There's no better place to do these than at your own sanctuary, your home. 

1. Organize your closet

Some find it relaxing and satisfying to simplify their closet at least once a week. Get rid of what you don't wear anymore. Hang what needs to be hung and fold what needs to be folded. You may also plan a rough draft of what you will wear for the coming week. This will reduce your stress of trying to decide what to wear in the morning.

2. Catch up on your favorite online reads

I bookmark my favorite blogs and visit them on weekends for a punch of inspiration. I do this with a cup of tea and some snack. 

3. Get lost in a book

It's also nice to sink into your novels and be away from the online world. I also love reading Lifestyle and Beauty magazines for a boost of inspiration. I am still on a self-help book binge lately and it's astounding how much I learn from them.

4. Pamper yourself

You can paint your nails, soak your face in masks while listening to music, take a long bath with scented candles, or get a massage. This is the time to be out of a beauty rut if you are in one. Also try to sneak in beauty naps to recover some hours of sleep you lost the previous week.

5. Plan for the week

I simply list my to-do's on my phone or on my planner so I get a better view of what I need to finish for the coming week. Also, reviewing the past week in retrospect brings a sense of accomplishment. You can also plan your weekly budget during this time to avoid unnecessary expenses and overspending.

6. Bonus: Catch up on your fave TV series

I know I only said 5 but I will be a hypocrite if I don't put this one here. While I don't recommend this because it will eat up most of your Sunday, this is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. I do a TV series marathon once in a while and lately I have started Drop Dead Diva. I am currently on episode 8 of Season 1 and I am loving every bit of it.

That was the top five, well six, of the things I do on a lazy Sunday at home. Honestly though, you can do anything you want. If sleeping all day makes you feel fresh and energized, then you can do that too! Let me know what lazy Sunday activities you do by commenting down below. 

Happy Sunday everyone!

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