Kikay Kit Currently

The trick for a lightweight kikay kit? Multitasking tools and products! I'm talking about lip and cheek mousse in a tube, a trusty palette with highlighter and bronzer which can double as eyeshadows. A peach lipstick that I use as an undereye corrector. Mix and match them all!

What's in your kikay kit currently?

Echo Store Body Basics Mini Soaps | Into My Travel Toiletry Kit You Go

These little ones caught my attention at Echo store counter in Podium. I need some tiny bath soaps for our frequent sleepovers and occasional trips. For only P29 each, these soaps perfectly fits inside my toiletry kit. I bought three scents - Rosemary Mint, Olive, and Grapefruit. I am excited to try them all especially Grapefruit.

These soaps are VCO-infused, cruelty-free, and SLS-free. The ingredients include: VCO, refined coconut oil, aqua, sodium hydroxide, olive oil, coconut milk, natural essential oils, sodium silicate, BHT, tetrasodium EDTA.

How cute and tiny! Visit their online shop to know more about the brand and their products.

A little background on Echo Store 

ECHO Store, which stands for Environment Community Hope Organization is a home-grown brand promoting sustainable lifestyle in our country by carrying green fair trade products produced by marginalized communities around the Phlippines. It currently holds not only bath and body products, but also a market and a café. Their products are all-natural, organic, and eco-friendly. 

Lifestyle Directory
Echo Store
Website  | Twitter | Facebook

ECHOstore Serendra
G/F Serendra Piazza McKinley Parkway,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

ECHOstore Centris
1-F ETON Centris Walk EDSA corner Quezon Avenue
Quezon City

ECHOstore Podium
G/F, The Podium Ortigas, Mandaluyong City

SIMPLE Kind to Skin Moisturizing Facial Wash | A Non-drying Facial Wash for Sensitive Skin

The Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash has been a part of my daily skincare routine for about a month now and I am happy. I came across this product at a store selling imported goods at the lower ground of Robinson's Galleria. I was about to buy my Neutrogena T-Gel scalp shampoo when I spotted this cleanser.   I have been hearing about this from bloggers and YouTubers like Ingrid Nilsen so I decided to have my own tube.

Current Candle Choice: To Be Calm Mini Balance

I almost abandoned my fascination with scented candles ever since I read articles on how they can be harmful not only for your health but also for the environment. Thankfully, I discovered the brand To Be Calm which sells soy-based candles which are all natural and environment-friendly. 

The company was founded by Cherylynne Clews around 30 years ago. It revolves around the concept that beautiful fragrance can play a big role with precious memories and celebratory moments with families and friends. 

As I have written before, I am drawn towards aromatherapy at home. It's not unknown to us that we cannot always control the busy and often stressful tasks of our daily lives. We can however still customize the atmosphere and the environment we work or live in and make it more relaxing and fresh. 

Revamping my Skincare Routine with Mario Badescu

It is a known fact that one should have a skincare routine morning and night as it is an investment when we grow older. Even if you have the most luxurious makeup lined up on your dresser, it won't be much of a use without a good skin as a base. After a little tour on the beauty blogosphere, I decided to up my skincare game by adding some Mario Badescu in it. I purchased them from Sephora last weekend. Below are the three new products added to my arsenal. 

A little background on Mario Badescu, the company was founded in 1967 by Romanian-born chemist-cosmetologist Mario Badescu. They pride themselves on manufacturing a botanically-based, effective, and affordable skin care line.

Now let's move on to the products!

Stress Busters | A Little Latte Talk

We all have those days of being worn out and stressed. They feel exhausting and too draining that we usually feel like quitting and escaping into a place far away from our busy lives to fill those 'empty tanks'. This happens to a lot of us, especially during this age of multitasking with spiking lifestyle and work demands. I would like to share with you some ideas that help me cope during tough times. I hope that they will be helpful for you in some little way too.

Late on the Primer Bandwagon: Smashbox Art. Love. Color Photo Finish Foundation Primer & Primer Water Pair

With my skin type being combination to oily, it was a surprise, even to myself that I have not explored the use of a primer.

I have this misconception that primers will make my face feel heavy and sticky. Then I learned that with a good quality primer, your makeup does not only stay longer but your skin will also feel less greasy as the day progresses. Since we live here in the Philippines, it is a given that the days are mostly hot and muggy and no matter how water- and sweat-proof our makeup is, it will still get to its melting point.

My First Sephora PH Haul

My orders just arrived! It was my first time to order from Sephora Philippines and it arrived in just 3 working days! I ordered Sunday morning so I counted from Monday and it arrived today, Wednesday. I was busy shooting some photos when I heard a knock. Since I was expecting the package to arrive next week, can you imagine my face when the delivery personnel told me it was from Sephora? Aldrin saw my face by the way and it was a face of mixed confusion and delight, probably an obnoxious expression I assume.

Prints Made Pretty Glisten Up! Strobing Kit | Happy Skin x Plains & Prints

Two homegrown brands, Happy Skin and Plains & Prints, recently announced their collaboration and launched their Prints Made Pretty Collection. It is a collection of makeup and clothes filled with fun and friendly vibe inspired by both brands' aesthetic.

Among the newest products in this new collection, everyone has been raving about the Happy Skin Glisten Up! highlight, blush, and contour cheek sticks. Since I have been in a hunt for a no-fuss contouring product, I gave the Prints Made Pretty Glisten Up! Strobing Kit a go.
  

Life Lately | My Week on Instagram

I decided to compile and chronicle what transpired all throughout my week with the help of my Instagram. Here are little snippets of my life lately!

Eyebrows on (its way to) Fleek! | K-Palette Real Lasting Eyebrow 24h

My brows are naturally unflattering. It is a straight line suddenly dropping on its tail. I have seen eyebrows done by other girls and they look really polished! How do they do it? I can't even draw my brows to make it seem symmetrical. I. just. can't. It's impossible. 

I am in a constant hunt for an eyebrow product for that eyebrows on fleek look. Then I was introduced to K Palette 24h Tattoo Real Lasting Eyebrow. It helped manage my brows even if I am not skilled on that department.  I have not achieved on fleek just yet but I am definitely learning. Well, I still can't make it look symmetrical, but I have been told that brows are sisters and not twins. Yup, I believe my brows are of female gender. 

Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

I have been exposed to relaxing scents for a very long time through several massage spas I've been to. The usual scent I instantly smell whenever I enter the spa is usually minty with a hint of eucalyptus. I noticed that the scent immediately uplifts my mood, relaxes me, and keeps me calm to the point of almost dozing off during a massage. I wanted to bring that ambiance at home so I researched and filled my browser's history with articles discussing essential oils and aromatherapy. 

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Lip & Eye Remover | Affordable Make up Remover

Finally! I found an effective make up remover that won't break the bank! Little story, I went to The Face Shop to buy a sharpener and an eyelash curler and when I am about to checkout, there was this product on the counter belonging to another customer. I squinted my eyes trying to focus on the text written. My vision tunneled into "Lip & Eye Remover". The product name was a bit barbaric and brutal, but I naturally assumed that it was Lip & Eye MAKE UP remover, like a normal human would assume. I asked the staff the price and it was a steal at P350, so I asked the staff to get me one. The point of the story? If it wasn't for my chismosa and nosy tendencies, I wouldn't have discovered this product!

Friday’s 10 Happy Things | 3

Welcome to Friday’s 10 Happy Things, a list of ten things that brightened up my week. Simply recapping these highlights to fill my thoughts with positivity and gratitude.

DIY Vanilla Coffee Scrub

I am not a coffee person. I have nothing against it but my body reacts ever so weirdly whenever it encounters a little bit of caffeine in a coffee bean form. No I don't get hyper or very talkative like a normal person intoxicated with coffee. Instead, my eyes gets sticky like I haven't slept for eons. I also get hot flushes much like a pre-menopausal woman sans the irritability. I stay away from coffee as much as possible. That's not true, I can totally devour half a gallon of coffee crumble ice cream. by myself but that's a different story. So when I received a bag full of coffee grounds from work, I was a little curious on what to do about it. I was contemplating on giving it away but I thought why not Pinterest this shiz. 

I discovered various ways to use coffee grounds not only for gardening but for my body too! I got really excited when I found out that it can be used as a body scrub. I have encountered coffee body scrub on menu flyers from different spa but they are very costly. A homemade body scrub saves money and you know exactly what goes into the mix. The ingredients are readily available at your own kitchen.

Coffee grounds filling our room with coffee-esque aroma!

Ingredients:

4 tbsp coffee grounds (you can also get these for free from Starbucks)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp essential oil in vanilla (you can use vanilla extract)

Finding Balance

I remember years ago in our leadership class when we were asked to draw an emblem of our self. The first thing that popped into my mind was a yin yang. There are two reasons why - first because I have always been fascinated by it ever since I was in my rock music junkie phase in high school, second because I know deep inside that it has always been a struggle for me to achieve balance in my life.

Fast forward to today. Lately, I noticed that I have been preoccupied with a lot of things that I tend to miss out some important details or tasks that needs to be done. I forgot to pay some bills, I was out of track with some of my monthly goals, and I have been failing at budgeting.  Don't get me wrong, the preoccupations are the things I really enjoy doing. However, a balance needs to be achieved in order to enjoy my passion and settle my responsibilities at the same time. 

How do I get back on track? Let me count the ways.

Love for a Palette | LORAC PRO

I just found out that I have never posted about my Lorac Pro Palette. It's one of my well loved and frequently reached product. I have yet to master my eyeshadow skills and this palette has been a perfect company. If I ever had to take a five things in a desert with me, this will be one of it. Well not really, it would probably food, water, lighter, fire, and a knife. But you get my point right?

It has 16 shades divided into two rows - the top row is completely matte and the bottom has shimmer and sparkle shades. All shadows are very pigmented so you just need a little product on your brush and you are good to go. I got mine as a gift and was purchased from Tupped Boutique.

  

SEPHORA is Now Here in the Philippines!

...well halfway here! :) The Sephora Philippine website was launched yesterday, February 1, 2016 at 8am.

The long-awaited wish of beauty mavens is finally here. Sephora.ph is now live! Singapore-based cosmetic online store Luxola was recently acquired and transformed to Sephora by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE. Unlike the Sephora US site, the PH online store carries a limited number of brands. Here are some brands that I wish they start carrying soon -  Tarte, Urban Decay, Boscia, Buxom, Marc Jacobs, YSL, Too Faced, Tom Ford, and Laura Mercier to name a few. Although a physical store is still out of the picture, this online market infiltration is a good sign. I can imagine a 'camp outside the mall on the opening day' scenario when that happens.

My Sephora Wishlist | A girl can dream!

1. A nice dry shampoo by Percy & Reed for my day two hair and beyond.

2. This Works scented candle in Petitgrain and Jasmine

Image credit: Sephora

Guided Meditation Videos | Anxiety Relief & Relaxation

As part of my goals this year, meditation has been a big help for me. It made me more focused, more relaxed, and less anxious. I have to admit, the daily plan became a twice or thrice a week gig but I am still positive that I will be able to make it a daily habit. As a beginner, I listen to guided meditations on YouTube. I usually meditate at night in my room. The ideal place is somewhere very quiet and comfortable. I tried meditating while having foot spa and it also worked. This goes to show that you can do this everywhere. Just make sure to bring your earphones so you can block the external noise which may distract you from your meditation. Check out my favorite guided mediation videos below.