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

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

VMV Hypoallergenics

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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