Aca-rtehan

Aca-artehan: New & old finds

Aca-artehan is finally back on regular programming! I haven’t posted anything in a while but for that period since my last entry (Aca-artehan: Current faves) & Aca-artehan: My Skincare routine (eh ano bang alam ko?), I finally found my staple products- well at least for now.

My criteria still stands: I want to be in A.W.E (pucha, ang arte ng paandar ko dito ha! hahaha). A – Affordable | W – Works for me | E – Easily accessible.

I’ve talked about the Garnier PureActive charcoal (£3.33) previously and I still use it up to now (I’ve got extra stash all the time, that’s how I love it!). I get too lazy at times so I try to look for products that are multi-functional (wash, scrub and mask) so pasok sa vanga! The only downside for me is that it can get a bit messy cause obviously, it’s charcoal but it definitely helped me and my oversized pores. Alternatively and/or subsequently, I also use the Cetaphil Oily skin cleanser (£5.99) which is a joy for my oily skin and the huge pores that come with it. In addition, I use the Foreo Luna PlayPlus (£39) to massage it all over my face and believe me, it unclogs my pores quite excellently.

I did rave about Etude House’s Wonderpore in my previous entry but since I wanted something within arms reach, I had to improvise. Luckily, I stumbled upon Garnier’s Pure Active Clarifying toner (£4.99) which I felt helped to manage my biggest issue – pores – plus, because of it’s salicylic acid component it helps with pimples too! Of course, Mario Badescu facial spray (£7) is still part of the routine and one that I may have forgotten to mention before, Mario B’s drying lotion (£16) which I use for spot treatment.

(1) Lucas Pawpaw in clear plus tints in red and pink (I saw this on TK Maxx and was around £10 for all 3 tubes). I’ve always been curious what the hype was about and I could say it does the job but I’m not it in love with it yet. I’m mainly using these for my lips and so far, it feels quite similar to Vaseline. I’m still waiting to have a change of heart, we’ll see.

(2) Neutrogena Hydro Boost body gel cream (£4.99). This is a new find and I am extremely impressed! A few weeks into using it, I could already see a difference. I wish I’ve discovered this earlier though (would be very useful in winter) but I can see myself using this for the long haul. I think I might also try to explore this hydro boost range.

(3) Finishing Touch Flawless brows (£19.99). Bought this because I’ve been so lazy and the online ads seemed so appealing. I’ve used it twice and it does save me from the pain of plucking or threading.

(4) Hycosan Extra (£8.65). I have a gland dysfunction which causes redness, pain and dry ever so quickly so this is my new essential. Reminds me so much of Eye-mo but it did help improve my symptoms plus it’s also compatible with contact lenses.

Aca-rtehan

Aca-artehan: Current faves

Disclaimer: I am not in any way an expert on these things, nor do I 100% know what I am talking about. Ako po’y isang pawang consumer lamang who wants to share my experiences re products that I recently discovered for fellow noobs like me- thus, my new blog series – Aca-artehan

So here goes!

As I said, I’m still a beginner when it comes to make-up or skin care products or any self-care items and I’m still in the process of discovering what really works for me. Unending trial and error parin ako hanggang ngayon mga besh! Fortunately, I found some products na naka hiyangan ko na but I’m still on that route of trying things out. My main goal is to achieve the AWE (affordable, works for me, easily accessible) factor. Oh di ba may pa acronym ang lola nyo!

Ang haba na ng intro ko, eto napo yung current faves ko!

1. L’oreal Bonjour Nudista BB Cream (£9.99)

I was looking for a beri beri light funda for use at work para di naman ako mukang pang beaucon or di rin ako mukhang haggard and I stumbled into this bb cream instead. It’s so lightweight so mukha ka lang fresh pero pakak padin yung glow. A little also goes a long way din since di ko pa ubos up to now (2+ months) and I’ve been using it everyday at work.

2. L’oreal Infallible Total Cover (£9.99)

I’ve finished my current funda (Revlon Colour stay) and thought of trying this one since I’ve heard a lot of raves and good reviews. I’ve used this on our trip to Barcelona and it was just w-o-w! Girl, sobrang inet sa Barca that time and in fairness, kahit pawisan, hindi nahulas ang funda ni girl! Nag hiking pako pero plakado padin siya after 2 hours na umaakyat sa rurok.

3. The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain (£8)

I’ve replaced my benefit tint for this cause it basically does the job but mas malayong cheapangga siya so pasok sa aking criteria.

4. Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara (£10.50)

Again, I only use mascara on special ganaps and I was just curious how this one works kase gusto ko ma-achieve yung mukhang naka falsies. As expected for benefit, may kamahalan siya and for a newbie like me medyo messy to apply at the start pero it does give me the sasampalin kita with my pilik mata look. Winner!

5. Nyx Lip Lingerie in Lipli (£7)

I used to wear really bright red lipchook kasi feeling ko dala na niya lahat pero parang as I age bet ko yung mga neutral or discrete lang, pabebe lang ganern so far, I am loving this! It’s not drying as most matte lipsticks and ganda lang ng lapat niya

6. L’oreal Infallible 24H matte powder (£5.99)

Since na-confirm ko na oily talaga ang pez ko, I learned na locking the funda with a powder is really important. Oh dba may natutunan ako?! Again, I’ve been so hiyang with the Benefit powder I didn’t want to switch but I wanted to find a cheap dupe and so far, this is working for me! It’s also compact so easy to bring and comes with mirror and foam applicator.

7. Benefit Hoola bronzer (£10.63)

I wanted to experiment how to contour since sobrang jubiz na ng face ko so I gave this a try. So far it’s so easy to use and di siyang super galit na galit na shade. I bought the mini so it’s perfect for when you travel and sakto yung brush for the face.

8. Mario Badescu facial spray (£7)

I’ve been using this for quite some time now pero I don’t know why I’m only writing about this now. Anyway, this has been a staple in my kit and I make sure I have one for the house and one in my bag. Pag tamad2 si girl, I use it as my moisturizer; it also works as a primer, finishing spray and pag feel mo lang to look refreshed and hydrated, spray ka lang at mabubura lahat ng problema mo sa buhay, char!

Since it’s lapot season, of course ayaw mong maki uso sa mga umaalingasaw na amoy araw sa tabe-tabe. These are currently my go-to scents:

9. Victoria’s Secret in Turquoise Waves ($20)

Inuubos ko lang yung extra dollars ko when I bought this sa airport. I just liked the packaging so kinuha na agad ni girl and the smell kind of grew on me. Medjo coconut-y.

10. The White Musk in Green (£8.50)

This is my actual favourite. I normally buy the purple one but I thought of trying this out kasi summer vibe yung green and I’ve stocked it ever since. I looove the scent, parang mix of fruity and sweet pero not too intense that will throw you off. Plus, super mura pa!

11. Moschino in I love, love (£19.95)

This was actually a gift and I normally use it for mejo special na lakad. Long lasting din yung smell and you only need to spray on the usual points and youre good to go!