Your Prettiest on that BIG DAY

The wedding month of June may be over but weddings will always be a year-round affair - like love that knows no season or reason.

So yesterday, I dropped by Blissful Beginnings bridal fair at the Gaisano Mall, Davao City for the sole purpose of catching up and interviewing one of Davao's young and talented makeup artist Ryan G. Wong of Makeup by Ryan Wong. I first met him when he and another makeup artist Noeh became our instructors for All About Eyes makeup class with other Davao Lady Bloggers. I know that his expert opinion on bridal makeup will help you ladies in preparing and planning THAT DAY when you say "I Do" and promise forever, in sickness and in health to the love of your life. 

The bride Rica- MUA Ryan G. Wong, photo by Kulay Potograpiya 

Human♥Nature Healthy Lotion

When I started working more than 10 years ago and earned my own money, the first thing I splurged on were toiletries. You know the usual girl stuff of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and anything that I didn't have to ask from my mom. I naturally gravitated towards the imported and expensive brands because I equated quality with the price and where it's made. 

But a few months ago, I discovered Human♥Nature during a bloggers' event and became enlightened on the importance of using natural products. Natural means no preservatives and no chemicals whatsoever. Whatever I put on my skin will be absorbed by my body, including chemicals and synthetic substances. Yikes!

Human♥Nature Healthy Lotion in Berry Bliss

This awareness made me start using Human♥Nature products which is the first range of affordable (yes, you read it right, affordable) and genuinely natural products in the Philippines. One of the first products I tried was their 100% Healthy Lotion in Berry Bliss. I've tried a LOT of lotions in the market but very few actually delivered. Until I tried this product. The lotion is so lightweight, I never felt that sticky, greasy feeling even though I use it as my day and night body regimen. It also has a nice berry scent that is not overly sweet you'll fear ants will start feasting on you. Human♥Nature Healthy Lotion is so emollient and easily absorbed by the skin that you need not cover yourself just the get that velvety smooth skin! I became a fan  of this lotion after noticing a big improvement with my skin's texture. Mom, who is also very particular with her skin, fell in love with it so I bought for her the Vanilla Delight variant. It smells really sexy too. Even our house help was convinced and immediately asked me to order a big bottle for her. :)

Probably the most emollient lotion I have ever used

While there are lotions that can moisturize, the question is are you sure it's not damaging your skin and body in the long run? Well this lotion does not contain parabens and synthetic mineral oils which are the second evil to your skin - the first one is good old sun. Human♥Nature's lotion only has avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, passion fruit seed oil, aloe vera juice, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and antioxidants to give you skin that is smooth and incredibly healthy. What could be better than that? I only wish it comes in bigger bottles. :)

Only the good for your skin

Human♥Nature Healthy Lotion is so affordable at Php 199.75/200ml and Php 64.75/50ml. You can buy their products from their website or you can comment at the bottom to place an order since I already signed up as a dealer *grin*.

This lotion has ended my long search for a product that makes good on its promise of smoother and healthier skin. 

Top 5 beauty must-haves for busy moms

I was very lucky to join an exclusive beauty workshop  yesterday for Davao Lady Bloggers and friends. All About Eyes was sponsored by BYS, a new line of cosmetics developed in Australia which continues to fill the void for innovative, good quality and great value cosmetics that everyone can afford. The participants dabbled on everything that has to do with the eyes - brows, lashes and lids using BYS products. 

Discovering Human♥Nature

Last Saturday I was able to Human♥Nature's May-June magalogue (magazine and catalogue) launching after fellow blogger and lawyer Suzette posted an invitation for interested bloggers. I have been hearing about Human(heart)Nature for the longest time that I got curious about their line of Philippine-made, natural products. I reckoned it will be a good event to go to since lately I've become more discerning of which personal and beauty products to use because one, I'm not getting any younger and second, Mum's bout with the dreaded C word (cancer).

Human♥Nature Davao team introduced to us what the company is all about and their three philosophies of being Pro-Philippines (products formulated using ingredients that can be grown in the Philippines), Pro-Poor (aims to develop world-class organic farms and other enterprises for poor communities. Incidentally, Human♥Nature is the offspring of Gawad Kalinga) and Pro-Environment (products free from harmful chemicals that may seep into the soil and water and thus helping preserve nature). By the way, I learned that the correct way of saying the brand is Human Heart Nature - HHN for easier access.

My basic four-step regimen

Ladies - be honest, aside from your weight, relationship status and if you still have feelings for your ex, which question leaves you blank for a few seconds to ask yourself if you should tell the truth or not?

If you say your age, well I don't blame you. One of the worst things for the fairer sex to hear is someone telling you that you look older than you really are! It's like receiving a slap on the face and any woman would feel insulted unless she deliberately wants to appear older. Who would want that?! I believe this is the rallying point of the beauty industry - make women age slower and more gracefully. Do I get an "Amen"? 

Not all of us are gifted with perfect skin, it's genetics and nobody's fault. But if you don't start taking care of your face and incessantly complain how old you look, then the problem is you. Fashion designer Coco Chanel captures this with this quote, "Nature gives you the face you have at 20; it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50". If you have not been kind to your skin, better turn a new leaf before the dreaded wrinkles find its way to your face. A little TLC now will save you a lot of money later when the only option left comes with at least a five-figure price tag. :)

Me @ 33, Jakarta, Indonesia. Notice the break-outs on my forehead :)

Hey you pretty momma!

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. - Buddha

Photo from the web

I was sitting in front of my laptop one night and while cleaning my face and reading an article all at the same time, I had my light bulb moment. Why not make a beauty/fashion blog for moms? Yes! So after hours of set up, I gave birth to my second blog - Hey You Pretty Momma!

There were quite a few times when people would tell me I don't look like a mom after finding out I'm raising a three-year old daughter alone. Quite honestly I don't know how to react because initially, statements like this is supposed to be a compliment but on the other hand, there lies the pre-conceived notion that mothers are expected to look a certain way. To elaborate, it means you have to let go of yourself because once you give birth you are to fit the motherhood mold. It is the sad truth that the moment we take ourselves for granted, we are also killing little by little our self esteem.