More To Mica - Life & Fashion Theme Update

Do you have those days when you shop because you found the product cute and interesting? Well, that's how this cosmetic sponge ended in my hands. T'was a random day when my mom needed a few meds at Watsons and I was oogling at the cosmetics department. Suddenly I spotted something pink and somehow looked similar to the Beauty Blender. But I'll say this early... It's nothing near to the Beauty Blender, it's just the normal/usual makeup sponge only in a pretty pink tear drop form.



The sponge came in a clear plastic packaging, you can see below. Literally labelled as Cosmetic Sponge because that's all you need to know. Hahaha. Really, this one ticked my impulse shopping button. I dunno, but I found it really cute at first.

Cosmetic Sponge - P149.00

I've used this for a number of times already, I can say it's okay and it does it's job. It's shaped like the Beauty Blender but it's use is to help you with the foundation application... blending isn't it's main function.



Well, for it's price of P149 (not sure if that's expensive or cheap) I'm fine with it... although, I kind of killed it already. Probably because I'd clean it every after use... Hahaha. #cleanfreak. Some areas started to break off.. how do you say it? basta butas butas na ung isang side.

Anyway, that's all.. I really don't know how I'm able to put so much words for just a simple cosmetic sponge.. Haha. Hope to see you on the next post!

Despite the long overdue of blogposts, I went on a short break because I'm currently back to one of my old ways which is online gaming. Like most I get engrossed in the game, addiction sorts of build up and I can't stop playing. I also have a day job so my time is split with everything (working, blogging, playing) ... Haha.

Anyway, it's another #ootd fashion post again. This time it's even more special... I'm wearing something I made. Yes! From the pattern to sewing it altogether (Thanks FIP!). I wore this to the Trendsetter's Bazaar last June. I kept it simple and I wanted something I can wear A LOT and just play around it with styling. Keep browsing to see all the photos below.

I don't remember where it all started but like many others I've grown to love things Japanese. I adore their quirky kawaii culture, art, fashion, and the country in itself. Not to mention, they're a treasure trove of unique beauty products.

My Tita had to stay in Japan for a couple of years so I kindly asked my uncle if he could spot the Naturactor Makeup Base for me. I'm so thankful he got one! Haha, #happykid. A bit sad that this will be the last year Tita will be in Japan, but it's better that she'll be back here (with my cousins too) with us. I've missed them! Anyway, so as you can see I'll be sharing this makeup primer that I'm currently loving in my makeup routine.



The Naturactor Makeup Base by Meiko has cream based formula that transparently protects skin from clogging caused by make-up. It contains vegetable properties (Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Shisoha Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract) to hep in moisturising the face. The Makeup Base comes in 2 shades; 1) Natural - For all skin types, 2) Green - For sensitive and acne prone skin. I opted for the natural for no apparent reason.



Just look at the back details... I don't understand [a single word], LOL. I don't have Japanese friends and there isn't much reviews & information online regarding the Naturactor Makeup Base either (info from meikocosmetics.co.jp & meikocosmetics.com.my) but since I've already used other products from their Naturactor Makeup Line (Cover Face & Silky Lucent) I'm confident to try this one out.



What I LOVE

• Easy application (even if I couldn't read the back details)
• Great coverage! A little goes a long way. 
• It's vegetable moisturising benefits.
• Light and not sticky on the face.
• Doesn't give off a white cast.
• It's tube minimalist packaging design.
• Affordable price.

What I'm not so happy about

• I wish it had a bit of SPF to it. (Though, that's why there wasn't any white cast)
• I'm not a fan of it's scent at initial application, smells something close to a cleaning agent (probably because of the herb ingredients) though by the time it sets the smell subsides and gives off a mild scent which I now prefer. Lol.
• It's not available in stores here in Philippines. I have to look up online but it's a bit risky since Naturactor products have been copied and imitations of it are out there. Even if it's the original thing price is doubled naman. Huhu.

Spread away.... I do have a few things I didn't like with the product but so far so good. And I've been using this for like... 3? 4? 5 months? Can't count anymore. Btw, even though I've got oily skin and somehow this product probably isn't the best for my skin type... I still like to use it to protect my skin and it helps with my makeup application, it's just that there might be a more suitable product out there. Not that it doesn't stop the oiliness it's just that I hoped it did a better job when it comes to keeping my face grease-free. This might be perfect for those with dry skin though.

This might be old news for most ladies, but for those who haven't heard  of or haven't tried Collagen. You guys have to start taking these beauty supplements. You may check Benefits of Collagen for Skin and Hair from Wellness Mama and more info about collagen on herbwisdom.

While taking photos for this blog post my mom had asked whether I'm really gonna blog about Neocell Super Collagen. She thought I'd rather keep it a secret. But beauty secrets like these is what my blog is for, it's the reason why I blog... I'd share all the secrets I can to bring out the most beautiful in each and every girl... but of course I still leave some to myself, like how I got my boyfriend to fall madly deeply in love with me (lol, kidding~ frankly speaking, I don't know the answer too.) Anywaaay...



Moving over to the  Neocell Super Collagen +C. Just so you know, this isn't the first collagen supplement I've tried so I kinda have some expectations already and comparisons over this one and the one I've tried before.

The first time I saw this bottle was at a medical/herbal/supplements (i dunno the proper term) kiosk at our local supermarket. Per tablet costs P10 each. A 250 bottle can be bought at P2,400. It was quite expensive for my pocket at that time so I passed. Then one day my mom was asking for help with purchasing a product from Lazada. So before I bought what she needed I searched for some collagen supplements that could come along with her order. Lo and behold, the Neocell Super Collagen +C I spotted at the supermarket was also available on Lazada.



I just wanted to test it out so I ordered 120 tablets instead of 250. The moment our package arrived, Mom had read the back info and she wanted to try the collagen supplement as well. We halved 120 tablets to the both of us... 60 for her and 60 for me.




Suggested use was 6 tablets daily. I told my mom to take the 6 tablets recommendation.. I'll take 4 (coz' I don't think I can swallow that much of meds). But then my mom took 4 tablets instead, saying she can't take that much too. I wanted to see if there's a difference if you'll take less... but oh well. Hahaha.



On the label:

Collagen is a complex structural protein that maintains strength and flexibility throughout the body. As we age, collagen depletion can lead to common signs of aging in the skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Super Collagen contains clinically studied BioActive NeoCell Collagen which supports healthy collagen formation throughout the body. Using NeoCell's technologically advanced hydrolyzation process, large collagen molecules are enzymatically hydrolyzed into small peptides that are both bioavailable and bioactive in the body.

Clinical Results: NeoCell Collagen has been shown to increase skin hydration by an average of 21% and up to 50%, with 92% of test subjects experiencing increased skin hydration and 60% experiencing firmer, softer skin.



After 15 days of diligently taking 4 tablets a day, except for 1 day where I forgot to take additional 2 capsules... So I took 6 capsules on the next day instead. Here's what I noticed:

First the downside.. it's really not a big deal but I didn't see the same glow I had with the previous collagen supplement (Japanese brand). Also, the capsules were big! Hahaha... It's kinda too much to swallow the recommended dosage of 6 pills a day. That's why I only took 4. I guess, that's just what I wasn't happy about. Actually for it's affordable price of P799 per bottle the cons really don't matter.

There's so much more to like about Neocell Super Collagen +C. The pros outweigh the cons.
1. Whenever my legs would rub onto each other my skin felt softer and smoother. Though my it seems that the softness had subsided a bit a week after I stopped taking the pills.
2. My left elbow, which is probably the driest area on my body had improved so much, no more rough & dry elbow, Wee!
3. My facial pores minimized. Not as small as I've expected but at least something happened.
4. Dark lips looked healthy and pinkish compared to before.
5. I'm not yet sure if Neocell Super Collagen did it but my hair seemed softer and shinier during the time I was taking the pills.



As for healthy joints & bones, I think I should've had my bones check before taking the pills and after. Haha. I do hope it strengthened my bones coz' I badly need stronger bones.

Just so you know, my mom gave her fair share of feedback. Since she gets to get out more than me, people have commented on her skin. She told me that people were saying 'ang kinis ng face mo' (you're face looks flawless). So I guess this supplement can really do wonders to our skin.

Overall, I liked this one and this will most likely be my go-to collagen supplement. For it's price and it's effects, this one's an ace. I would definitely by again. My mom's reaction was the same. Bili na daw kami uli. Haha.

See you on the next post!

A few weeks ago... I have been organizing my closet (trying to tidy it up until today). While doing so I've realised I've got quite plenty of clothes I haven't worn... and these are clothes bought 1-2 years ago. (What the heck.) I know I'm not alone and there are several girls out there with the same situation.



I used to buy most of my clothes online, and whenever I do I'd always order more than 1 piece in order to maximize the shipping fee... or I'd order more to reach the amount for free shipping. I'd even buy clothes/shoes/accessories for the sake of my #ootds.

Most of my clothes were bought online... Because of the shipping fee I'd buy more than one piece to distribute the shipping cost depending on the quantity I've bought. Some Instagram sellers would also give certain discounts if you buy wholesale, so that's either 3 or more pieces of clothes. Thus, a pile of clothing.




That said I promised to change the way I shop. It's also a good thing that a huge percentage of my earnings goes to funding a small business of mine. That way, I have more reasons to walkaway from shopping. And since I have gained the ability to sew and make my own clothes I've increased the ability to stop myself from impulse buys.



And with the stories of abused sweatshop workers who are stripped of a better life just to provide our ever growing demand for clothes, I've decided to get rid of the bandwagon and shop for the clothes that I REALLY need and not for the screwed 'I-want-that-so-I'll-pretend-I-and-probably-need-it-too' old shopping ways of mine. Some would say that there won't be any big difference, but I do believe that even one, though small can still make a difference.



'Shop less, re-use & recycle more clothes' is what I will live by from now on. That said, all the pieces I'm wearing in this outfit were either used twice already or more. Also, not many of you know but I do wear glasses and this is how I am most of the day #foureyed. I just wear contact lenses whenever I'm in the mood, do a shoot or attend events.

There was a time when I was at the stage of just shopping for dresses because I believed dresses were somewhat a solution to my 'I-have-nothing-to-wear' dilemma. Well truth to be told, when I had to attend events I just grabbed on to one of the dresses I had bought at that time.

Right now, I'm on the lookout for cardigans. The one's I'm looking for are those that are loose, they kind of give a more korean fashion vibe to the outfit (on my opinion).. and it just looks way cooler when it's loose compared to the body/arm hugging cardis.



For this look.. I wore this black dress which I bought for about 700+ or more I think from one of the shops in Paseo, name of the shop is Mic's. Paired it with an abstract/ethnic print cardigan bought from Robinsons. Necklace from a bazaar seller in Nuvali. For my shoes, I wore my go-to overused black flats.




Two wardrobe staples; a cardigan & dress makes up one easy well-dressed #ootd combination. Specially if you're lazy to dress up but you still want/need to look your best. It even brought out the best of my worn-out shoes.

I've always used the loose powder from Naturactor, it's been doing a wonderful job in setting my makeup and mattifying my oily face. Unfortunately.. after a few hours of work and play, my face would somewhat return it's a greasy state. Sad part is even though I wanted to stick and retouch with this powder, I can't bring it with me all the time because of it's bulky 1.5" thick 3" wide dimension. So I was on the lookout for a powder that I can bring with me almost everywhere I go. Since I prefer to test the product to see if it would blend well on my skin, I didn't bother to shop online. And because I'm part of the #Team-Bahay & #Work-At-Home-Club I don't get to visit the malls that much. I'm usually out only on Sundays (for mass & grocery with fam)...



That day at Shopwise we were on our usual Sunday grocery trip and while going through the supermarket I stumbled upon Maybelline's counter. I tested several of their powders and such... until I decided to grab on to this Dream Satin Skin in the shade Nude Beige.



The packaging is simple with an engraved logo of Maybelline NY on the case. I liked the specific shade of beige kind of nude they used for the case as well.



I skipped the sponge that was included and applied the powder to my face with this pink cosmetic sponge instead. It is true to it's claim of having satin texture. I like that it's light and it doesn't feel like I've actually applied powder on my face.




Here's a before and after. So there wasn't a big significant difference.. But I did notice my redness is tamed. My pores were still noticeable though it seemed smaller with the powder on even though I just applied a thin layer on my cheeks... Since hiding pores isn't the purpose of this powder I'm totally fine with it, that's more of the job of concealers and I think I didn't apply any for this review. It's just the Dream Satin Skin Two Way Cake on my bare cheek.



Maybelline's Dream Satin Skin Two Way Cake promises to bring out the best in you, Lol. It's unique one-film technology provides an ultra thin layer with refined powder that's extremely fit for a stretchable finish (okay, what does that mean exactly? lol). The powder is extremely thin for an ultra breathable finish. (That's why, as I've said, I didn't feel like I've applied anything on my face).



I have used this two way cake for 4-5 times I think? I was somehow glad that it's most suitable for oily faced ladies like me. I really am happy with it's thin formula and that it contains SPF 32 PA+++ (I swear by cosmetics with sunscreen). And when I used this, I was out to man our booth at a bazaar and there ain't no aircon whatsoever. Just natural (warm) air and the sun. I expected my face to be in it's usual greasy state like how it is after a long day but that time in that situation my face was less shiny and oily. To think I didn't retouched even once from the morning I applied it. I was home at around 9pm, btw. The only downside is (I'm not that sure yet though)... I think this powder was the cause of my breakouts. Huhuhu. I used the powder last Sunday.. the next day I noticed small bumps on my face. But I've also been lacking water and sleep at that time so I do hope it's not because of the powder because I think it's a great product for my oily skin.