My Skin-care Products That Actually Worth Using

I have been on the lookout for a good skincare product for a decade now. My routine is just simple. DAY- Soap, Day moisturizer, Sunscreen,  NIGHT- mask, Essence/ Serum.

This year, I’m trying to create an evening skin-care routine that I can stick to. Hopefully.



I have been to drugstore and high end skincare. Believe me, I had my fair share of road testing products. I have yet to try LaMer or La Prairie when I have the budget for those hahaha. Right now, Im saving up for an incoming travel. Its just good that I have bought Murad Age Reform line which I think is good for 4 months of everyday use alternating with Sunday Riley samplers.

I usually ran out of skincare from April to May. That's why I always buy 2 different products on rotation, to rest my skin from retinol.

From Kiehls, Clarins, Murad, Estee Lauder, Dr.Perricone, FRESH, Algenist, Occitanne and Sunday Riley. I usually rotate on these products. They didnt cause me pimples which is good and somehow soften my wrinkles. Of course I always have my anti aging facials monthly to help with everything. BTW, I am 52 years old.

Before buying my skincare. It should have good reviews and testimonials from Makeup Alley or from top beauty vloggers like Jeffree Star.  He's been reviewing drugstore and high end products and advise what's really good on your skin accordingly.

This December, I bought a Murad product again on impulse. Its from the Age Reform Line,  the Rapid Collagen Infusion. It claims it "Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in 2 hours" .  It costs P4450+ at Rustans, Makati. I have been trying it for a week now. Let's see what it can do.

TIP:  Before buying on a regular size product, buy the sampler first or ask for a sampler from your SA. 

If youre travelling from Macau. Its good to buy your skincare from there. Its more affordable because its tax-free. I remember buying my  Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream With Super 7 Complex and save almost 1K for that product alone plus the SA gave me a handful of samplers.


Tell me what's your favorite skincare?  Hope to read your comment. Ask away.

Rustan's The Beauty Source treats Beauty Addicts to a night of fun and color

For its second season, Rustan’s The Beauty Source upped the ante with Beauty Addict Masterpiece. The city’s most glamorous women, including Phoemela Barranda, Mika Lagdameo Martinez, Iya Vilania, Bubbles Paraiso, Ruffa Gutierrez, CJ Jaravata, Alyanna Martinez, Maggie Wilson Consunji, Rissa Mananquil Trillo and Mariana Henud,  gathered for an interactive evening with their favorite beauty brands: Chanel, Clarins, La Prairie, Sisley, Nars, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, Hermes, Murad, Perricone, Lancome, Mac, L’Occitane, and Acca Kappa, among others. Inspired by modern art, the event was dressed in intricate origami patterns and awash in bright pops of color—and the activities were just as creative! Makeup, skincare and fragrance counters allowed guests to get creative in expressing their love for all things beauty, regaling them with generous freebies, fabulous makeup sessions and relaxing treatments.

At Chanel, guestsmade their own palettes using yummy chocolate balls designed to look like the brand'iconic pearl-shaped eyeshadows. Nail Polish brands, OPI and Deborah Lippmann, gave out free manicures and notepads, which they painted with their favorite shades. At L’Occitane, guests satisfied their sweet tooth with free cotton candy designed like artwork. Free makeovers were in full force with complementary glam sessions from Benefit and Estee Lauder and quick brow fixes at Bobbi Brown. Clarin’s literally combined beauty and brains with their All Time Must Haves Memory Game. Participants were challenged to match cards with images of Clarins products, in order to take home their coveted must-haves. On the other hand, Dermalogica offered a Speed Mapping Skin Analysis plus free samples based on one’s skin type. For fragrance fans, a generous bar was set up for endless testing of sultry scents from Acca Kappa, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Rance, Montheme, Hierbas de Ibiza and Gendarme. When navigating the counters, some relaxing body pampering wasalso in order. Guests head over to La Mer for hand and arm indulgences using the brand’s opulent body cream.

Aside from collecting their own beauty look, guests were winded down to live music from DJ Badkiss, an eye-popping performance by dancers dressed in geometric-print costumes and refreshing drinks from Belvedere. Everyone was also encouraged to do something beautiful for a worthy cause. Using lipstick, inspiring messages of hope were written on the Signed With Love freedom wall. For every note, Rustan’s donated a P300 pledge to ICanServe, a Philippine foundation of breast cancer survivors promoting early detection.

As a treat to beauty junkies, the event also launches The Beauty Addict card, so that customers can further indulge in their favorite brands through exclusive discounts, complementary products and spa services. Beauty Addict cardholders are entitled to one entry for this Season’s raffle for every purchase amounting P1,000. Prizes range from a two-night stay in a Grand Deluxe room with breakfast for two at The Peninsula New York (Cathay Pacific will also offer a special discounted rate for Business Class tickets to New York), Business Class round trip tickets to Hong Kong from Cathay Pacific, and a two-night stay in a Premier Suite with daily buffet breakfast for two and lunch or dinner buffet for two at Escolta at the The Peninsula Manila.

Lastly, Rustan's the Beauty Source Casa Mercedes promotion is back and they are giving away new, exquisite designs that are truly works of art to loyal customers. For every single receipt purchase worth P10,000 of all Cosmetics, Perfumeries, Toiletries products and Services, customers will be gifted with the Beauty Addict Fan -- a 13inch Bayanihan Classic fan emblazoned with a unique pink and white paint stroke design with #I am a Beauty Addict and finished with matching silk tassels. For those stepping up to P20,000 single receipt purchase, they will be entitled to an exclusive, specially designed Fishtail Fan done in satin blood satin, accented with a titanium grey accent leaf. For P30,000 singlereceipt purchases, they take home an exclusive limited numbered Abanico De Hojas Fan -- Hand Loomed Abaca is dyed in Sangria, accented with a beige leaf and a unique hoop set in rhodium plated silver, with a ruby colored crystal to enhance the holiday design, will their rewards.

The Beauty Addict card is valid at all Rustan’s department stores until January 31, 2015. The card can be purchased for P299, or get it for free with a purchase of at least P2,500 from the cosmetics department.

The Casa Mercedes promotion valid at all Rustan’s department stores until January 15, 2015.

I am a certified Rustan's Beauty Addict

RUSTAN’S THE BEAUTY SOURCE – A ONE-STOP SHOPPING HAVEN FOR BEAUTY ADDICTS

Assorted best nail  polish colors at the Deborah Lippman booth 

The freedom wall signed with love

I confess, I am a certified Rustan's beauty addict since 2008. If there's a rehab for using so much skincare, powder foundation, lipsticks, blush-ons and perfumes then count me in because Im guilty of the deed. I cant stop unwrapping, popping any make up staples from this department store. Rustans The Beauty Source celebrated Rustans Beauty Addict event last October 21, 2014. Food and drinks were served, games and freebies were made available at all beauty counters such as Chanel, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Sisley, Dermalogica, Deborah Lippman, NARS, Mario Badescu, La Prairie and many others to name a few.

With  Actress Ruffa Gutierrez and Model Host Phoemela Barranda at the Estee Lauder counter

Last year, Rustan’s The Beauty Source celebrated its newly renovated makeup, skincare, and fragrance counters with a star-studded evening of glitz and glamour. The city’s most beautiful women gathered together to check out the impressive lineup of prestige brands that can be found only at Rustan’s--Chanel, Clarins, La Prairie, Sisley, Nars, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, Hermes, Murad, Perricone, Lancome, Mac, L’Occitane, Acca Kappa and more.

I had my nails done at Deborah Lippmann counter

Making our paper "roses" at the Sisley counter

Our finish product

This year, the premiere beauty boutique  treated women to an evening of beauty, art, and music for the second season of the Rustan’s Beauty Addict. Different cosmetic, skincare, and fragrance counters were open for fun activities and prettifying workshops in-store for each guest.  Estee Lauder offers Modern Muse sultry look or sleek look, a quick brow fix at the Bobbi Brown booth. Identify your top skin concern with Dermatologica’s “Speed Mapping Skin Analysis”. There was a " Pamper yourself with a hand and arm indulgence at the La Mer counter, and a total Max Factor make over with make-up artist Sheyenne Leonardo.

Its "doodle time" at the Mario Badescu booth

I bumped into pretty and nice Martha of The Beauty Junkee

With my fellow " beauty in crime" partner,  blogger Jeman Villanueva of Orange Magazine

The event also hosts Rustan’s goodwill activity, Signed with Love. Manila’s stylish stars, media mavens, and VIP guests  used lipstick to sign on a mirrored “freedom” wall. These notes were equivalent to a P300 pledge for Rustan’s chosen charity -- the ICanServe Foundation.

Amidst the prettifying and the pampering, everyone enjoyed a selection of delicacies and delicious drinks sponsored by BELVEDERE, feel-good music and stunning performances as they experienced an evening that fused beauty, art, and music together. Truly Rustan’s Beauty Source is the go-to destination of every beauty addict.

Our "roses" from Sisley

Chanel surprised us with these delectable chocolates

Rustan’s is known for bringing the best beauty labels to local shores and is dedicated in giving its customers a convenient, comfortable, and luxurious one-stop shopping experience. To top off every Beauty Addict’s experience, Rustan’s introduces the Beauty Addict card, which entitles them to exclusive discounts and complimentary products and spa services.

The Beauty Addict cardholders are entitled to one entry for this Season’s raffle for every purchase amounting P1,000. Prizes range from a two-night stay in a Grand Deluxe room with breakfast for two at The Peninsula New York (Cathay Pacific will also offer a special discounted rate for Business Class tickets to New York), Business Class round trip tickets to Hong Kong from Cathay Pacific, and a two-night stay in a Premier Suite with daily buffet breakfast for two and lunch or dinner buffet for two at Escolta at the The Peninsula Manila.

Im very happy with my stash!

The Beauty Addict card is valid at all Rustan’s department stores, and comes free with a purchase of at least P2,500 from the cosmetics department. The card can also be purchased for P299.