Anyway, without further ado —

Makeup
Eastern Experiments: Intervene Makeup by Elizabeth Arden
Shimmer Liner Pencil in Golden Bronze, The Face Shop
Eastern Experiments: Gel Liner Addiction
Eastern Experiments: ARTISTRY™ Lip Colour Creme in Neutrale
Eastern Experiments: ARTISTRY™ Lip Colour Sheer in Sandrine
ARTISTRY™ Light Reflective Lotion SPF 15, Blushing Radiance
Eastern Experiments: ARTISTRY™ Waterproof Mascara in Brown
Eastern Experiments: Maybelline BlushStudio Mousse
Eastern Experiments: Maybelline Volum Express Turbo Boost Waterproof Mascara
Eastern Experiments: Elizabeth Arden, Color Intrigue Bronzing Powder Duo
NARS Super Orgasm’s Day Out

Skincare
Eastern Experiments: Elizabeth Arden INTERVENE Pause & Effect Moisture Cream SPF 15
Eastern Experiments: OLAY Moisture-Balancing Foaming Facial Wash with Vitamin E
A Night with OLAY Regenerist
Day Cream: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream (Perfecting Cream)
Battle of the Day Creams: OLAY Regenerist Vs Pond’s Age Miracle Vs RevaléSkin Vs Elizabeth Arden Intervene
Eastern Experiments: OLAY Regenerist Eye-Lifting Serum
Eastern Experiments: Neutrogena Body Oil
Eastern Experiments: Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O

Hair
Eastern Experiments: Sunsilk Smooth & Manageable Haircare System
Eastern Experiments: VITRESS Hair Solutions, Hair Spa
Eastern Experiments: Dove Advance Colour Care Shampoo and Advanced Colour Therapy Conditioner
Eastern Experiments: Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo

Bath
Eastern Experiments: Olay Body In-Shower Body Lotion
Eastern Experiments: Olay Body Ultra Moisture Soap with Shea Butter
Eastern Experiments: VEET Hair Removal Cream
Eastern Experiments: DOVE Beauty Body Wash, Calming Night

MISC
Eastern Experiments: PCA Skin and the Skin Peel
Eastern Experiments: Careline Extra Wear Nail Polish
Eastern Experiments: Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Lotion

Perfume
Eastern Experiments: Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana
Eastern Experiments: Dior ‘J’adore’ Eau de Parfum Spray

Whew! Quite a list, yea? I didn’t realise that I had tried this much beauty products throughout the year. Can you imagine the ones I may have failed to include in the list (cuz I know I’m missing some!) and ones I have yet to write a review for? Gah. It’s a wonder that my skin’s taking it well. This list will remind me that there should be limits. Hahaha!

Ah, well. Let’s hope that 2009 will be as interesting as this year’s! Wishing y’all a beautiful and an eventful year in beauty for 2009! Cheers!

Post from: eBeautyDaily

At present, my morning skincare ritual includes cleansing, toning, and moisturising +1.

Cleansing and Toning

Since I’m in the middle of reviewing this product, I’ve incorporated it in my daily beauty regimen: Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam from Clinique. I would then proceed with toning my skin with the Alcohol-Free Toner from Neutrogena.

Moisturising

Since I grabbed a hold of the OLAY Regenerist Regenerating Serum, not a day would go by without it. I would apply it under either the RevaleSkin Day Cream if I’m staying in or the Elizabeth Arden Intervene Pause & Effect Moisture Cream if I’ll be putting makeup on.

+1

I’m referring to my weekly exfoliation ritual. I turn to Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub for this special need. Though I am also perusing OLAY Regenerist Cleansing Cream (review to follow) which contains microbeads that can aid in the exfoliation process, I still prefer the former and simply use the latter sporadically in-shower.

So far, this ritual has been pretty effective in terms of balancing moisture and keeping my skin blemish free. All I need now is to keep my skin hydrated and re-gain the healthy glow.

What about you, my dear beauties? What’s your morning skincare ritual? Any other tips or product recommendations?

Photos © 2008 Sasha Manuel

Post from: eBeautyDaily

This made me try and come up with ways to manage dry skin. And right now, they’re the following:

1. Drink lots and lots of liquids, esp water and tea (English tea, please!).

6. Religiously following my current day and night regimen. You’ll soon find out what I’m using at night and I’ll probably let you know what my beauty regimen is when I wake up in the morning.

Admittedly, these things are still not enough. I’m actually looking into getting myself a creamy lotion (esp for my hands and feet!). I wish I packed a bottle of Vitamin E, too. Ah, well.

What about you folks? How do manage dry skin? Perhaps you can recommend something to me (and to the rest who are interested)? Much appreciated!

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Today, I’m fortunate enough to have tried not just one (1), not two (2) but FOUR (4) kinds!

First ever day cream I’ve tried and religiously used is the Elizabeth Arden Intervene Pause & Effect Moisture Cream with SPF 15.

Elizabeth Arden Intervene Pause & Effect Moisture Cream

In terms of packaging, this one takes home the prize. It screams elegance right off the bat. I’ve noticed that of all four, this one has that rich moisture you’d associate with most creams. There’s no question that you’re skin will be hydrated and moisturised. Lightly scented and cool on the skin. It’s a bit on the heavy side; you’ll definitely feel the cream on your face. It takes a while for the skin to absorb it but it’s an excellent moisturiser used together with liquid foundations. There’s always a need to dab excess moisture off, though.

Damage: $55.00 (Php 2,640.00 converted)

Next is the RevaléSkin Day Cream also with SPF 15.

RevaléSkin Day Cream

I have to admit that I’m the least impressed with this day cream. I only tried it for a week but it seems to lack the consistency that I want in a day cream. General absorption is typical. I do give it above average marks for its moisturising and nourishing factor. You can’t beat its ORAC score of between 15,000 and 17,500 higher than known antioxidants like green tea, pomegranate extract and Vitamins C and E. I had used the facial cleanser and night cream more often. I did find a use for this one though. I treat my underarms to this expensive moisturising cream regimen. Ah, the luxury!

Damage: Php 4,300.00 (around $89 converted)

I’m currently alternating Elizabeth Arden and this latest day cream find, the OLAY Regenerist Regenerating Cream (Perfecting Cream) which also has SPF 15.

OLAY Regenerist Regenerating Cream (Perfecting Cream)

What I love about this product is that effects are instantaneous. You will see and feel a brighter and smoother skin, respectively, upon application. It’s lightly scented that’s also soothing and relaxing. And I’m absolutely raving about its brilliant absorption. You’ll actually forget you have the cream on. I have indeed noticed that my skin is firmer after weeks of use. The Regenerist line has the exclusive amino-peptide complex and in theory it works like laser therapy by triggering our skin’s natural ability to heal itself, producing more structural proteins such as collagen and elastin. The amino-peptide also doubles up as a powerful antioxidant, claiming to be more potent than other natural sources like broccoli, avocado, and red grapes. My only problem with it is that I can’t use it with my liquid foundation and I seem to only use it if I have the Regenerating Serum on. Of course, that means I have to spend more cuz I need to buy two (2) products.

Damage: Php 999.00 (Around $20 converted)

Finally, I came face-to-face with the latest from Pond’s, the Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Cream with SPF 15 PA++ that P is currently using.

Pond’s Age Miracle Daily Resurfacing Cream

Unfortunately, I don’t own one nor am I currently using it. I was only able to try it out on a portion of my skin and take mental notes. Scent-wise, it’s fairly unattractive straight from the pot. However, once applied onto the skin, it changes into this light floral scent that’s quite reminiscent of roses. Pond’s had made use of Retinol in the form of patented formulations like the Conjugated Linoleic Acid or CLA anti-aging technology, was the main ingredient in the old formulation of Pond’s Age Miracle, has been blended with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), Retinol and Retinol Boosters to form the new Advanced CLA 4 Complex. It has great absorption. Packaging is very feminine and young.

Damage: Php 852.69 – eBay.ph (Around $17 converted)

I was able to make a small comparison between the OLAY Regenerist and Pond’s Age Miracle.

Pond’s has the more attractive colour for the cream but Olay scores major points for packaging, scent and absorption. Texture and consistency is almost the same but in terms of effectiveness, I can vouch for Olay and as for Pond’s P is still taking careful note if it is truly effective (no conclusive visible signs yet) or it’s the RevaleSkin night cream that’s working its magic. P’s major concern over the Pond’s day cream is the scent.

Bottomline, all four (4) day creams are anti-aging day creams, pushing the importance of sunscreen via the UVA/UVB protection. SPF 15 is the recommended strength for daily sun protection for the face. All give importance to antioxidants (though they differ in amounts) and regular moisturisation. It’d be great if you can treat your skin to rich nutrients that will help boost skin cell renewal, and improve your skin’s elasticity and firmness. And yes, the bright, rosy glow as a sign of a healthy skin!

This will now depend on your skin type, budget, and dire need. I hope I was able to note the important points per day cream to help you make a decision. If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

Top image: elizabetharden.com

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

This wasn’t the first time I brought the RevaléSkin Skincare System with me to the beach. I find them a good companion in caring for my skin. I guess I see the time I spend on the beach as an opportunity to relax — do some hardcore skincare rituals — a way to detoxify and stuff. After all, I’m far from the usual dirt and pollution of the city, might as well make full use of the break to let my skin re-charge, so to speak.

I brought with me the entire RevaléSkin set which includes the Facial Cleanser (middle), Night Cream (left), and Day Cream (right).

This reminds me, I haven’t written the full review on RevaléSkin just yet. I guess I’ve got a few more notes to finalise before I do. I’m still waiting on using the Day Cream more often. I have to admit, it’s only the Facial Cleanser that I’ve been able to use more regularly and as for the Night Cream, I’m only able to use it when I’m not too tired or too caught up with work. I’m still jotting down notes. I promise to work on publishing the review soon.

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Image: Sophie Uy

It’s not everyday do I post a photo of myself here at Beauty Bento Box. I just thought that with all the product photos I’ve taken and featured here, it’s becoming less and less personal. So, putting a bit of flesh onto the blog, I’m taking a quick peek from behind my laptop and show myself.

That’s me taking a break from asking a few questions to Dr. Roberto Antonio Pascual, Medical Affairs Consultant for Stiefel Philippines, during the event which launched the RevaléSkin™ skincare system here in Manila, just to pose for Sophie.

I’ve learned that with the product’s launch, a study (quite similar to the clinical trials conducted by David H. McDaniel, MD and Zoe Diana Draelos, MD) are in the works but this time subjects are Asians, particularly Filipinos. Though the main difference between Caucasian and Asian skins is just the pigmentation, I believe it to be better to have scientific proof of effectiveness and viability.

From personal experience, I’ve been particular about skincare products. It’s great to know whether it will be safe and effective prior use than to just go blindly into the whole process only to find yourself disappointed in the end. It would’ve been a complete waste of time and money, right? What’s even scarier is if your skin will turn out to be worse than when you originally started. That would be catastrophic.

Meanwhile, I’ll be doing my own RevaléSkin™ trial-at-home very soon. I’m planning to document, online and offline, all my observations however un-scientific they may be. You can expect a few posts on skincare and RevaléSkin™ in the coming weeks.

— — —

Roberto Antonio Pascual, MD
MD Eastwood
3rd Floor, Cybermall
Eastwood City, Quezon City
m +63 920 9133762

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Image: revaleskin.com

CoffeeBerry®

First and foremost, please do not mistake this for Rhamnus californica or Frangula californica, those two are totally different. We are talking about the fruit from a coffee plant where the coffee beans are from. I reckon this is the real CoffeeBerry.

Most will consider that this is all just hyped up marketing — likening it to the fountain of youth myth — and that there’s no real science behind it. Though, I can’t argue against the aggressive marketing strategy because I have to admit that they are out there making some noise. However, this “noise” does have substance. They are creating awareness and laying the foundation with useful information. They are armed with facts and studies, not just some celebrity endorser pushing customers to buy the product. Know what I mean?

I’m here to share some of the things I’ve learned from the Stiefel event that launched RevaléSkin™. This is where I first learned of CoffeeBerry®.

What is CoffeeBerry®?

CoffeeBerry is a proprietary extract of the subripe berry of the plant Coffea arabuca, from which the familiar ripened and roasted coffee bean is also derived.

CoffeeBerry is rich in natural polyphenolic antioxidants (helps prevent damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress; interact directly with cellular receptors to alter signal transduction pathways that affect the redox status of the cell), including condensed proanthocyanidins and chlorogenic, quinic, and ferulic acids (known for its photoprotective properties)

Source: CoffeeBerry: A New, Natural Antioxidant in Professional Antiaging Skin Care, Cosmetic Dermatology, Vol. 20 No. 10 S4, October 2007, p. 4

Moreover, CoffeeBerry® has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score between 15,000 and 17,500, which makes it the highest scoring antioxidant. Other known antioxidants are Green Tea, Pomegranate extract and Vitamins C and E.

Personally, I do try to get to know the product that I’m going to experiment on. I have to determine whether if it’s worth the time and effort, apart from the fact that I’d like to double-check if it’s actually safe to apply on my skin. So, from geeking over definitions, I move on to the important part. As with every customer, I asked the perennial question, “what’s in it for me?”

What does CoffeeBerry® bring to the table?

Double-blind, proof-of-concept, and comparative clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of skin care products containing 1% CoffeeBerry. The improvement of barrier function shown with daily use of CoffeeBerry products is an important aspect of improving skin sheen and texture and diminishing fine lines to give the skin a healthy appearance. The potential for increasing tolerability and adherence to retinoid therapy is an important consideration for future use of this antioxidant. Longer-term (6-month) studies are in progress to provide more data on the benefits of the antioxidant effects of CoffeeBerry.

The value of topical antioxidant skin care products for repairing and preventing signs of intrinsic and extrinsic oxidative damage is rapidly emerging. Early experiene and randomized, double-blind, clinical trials have indicated that daily use of the CoffeeBerry products is well tolerated and associated with significantly enhanced skin barrier function and improvement of fine lines, wrinkles, erythema, skin texture, and pigmentation.

Source: CoffeeBerry: A New, Natural Antioxidant in Professional Antiaging Skin Care, Cosmetic Dermatology, Vol. 20 No. 10 S4, October 2007, p. 9

As proven by clinical studies, CoffeeBerry® can reduce wrinkles by 46%, improve skin’s softness by 64% and has 79% potency against dry skin and discolouration when compared to other natural antioxidants.

From personal experience, Tea is the only antioxidant that I’ve banked on. Well, the vitamins are a given but developing preference to products containing green tea (and the like) have been a general practice, due to it being an anti-oxidant. I’ve considered antioxidants a vital part of my beauty regimen esp after I came across The Oxygen Paradox.

RevaléSkin™ is the only anti-aging skin care line formulated with natural 1% CoffeeBerry®, a breakthrough in anti-aging skin care. I’m currently working on the post that will tell you more about this skincare system. Meanwhile, let me know if you guys have further insights on CoffeeBerry® and questions about RevaléSkin™ so we can understand the ingredient and product better. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Have you guys heard of RevaléSkin and the amazing CoffeeBerry®? If you have and have been dying to know more about the product and what CoffeeBerry® can really do, I’m currently working on a post that I’m hoping to help us understand this ingredient better. I told you guys about the Stiefel event I was going to, right? We talked skincare and I certainly learned a lot. I’m encouraging you guys to ask that question so I can do my best to answer them.

AND guess what? I got myself a beauty loot from RevaléSkin. Three guesses on what’s inside.

You can expect that a First Impressions and an Eastern Experiments posts are in the works. Stay tuned!

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Post from: eBeautyDaily