The diameter of this pick-me-up is about the size of a five peso coin. It's been a constant staple in my purse simply because it's small, it's easy to use and it works. Find out more about this product after the jump. ;)
Product Name: Blushing Beauty Lick My Lips Color Changing Lip Balm
Size: 5g//Retail Price: Php 200.00
Where I Got It: *Free* from Sample Room
About The Product
A revolutionary and innovative clear lip balm that changes into shining, shimmering pink color as it touches the lips. LIKE MAGIC! Moisturizes and nourishes with long-term benefits. Blends well with any lipstick color and comes in strawberry flavor.

- Keeps lips soft and smooth instantly
- Moisturizes to prevent chapped lips
- Blends with any lipstick color

Ingredient List
Diisostearyl Malate, Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Silica Dimethyl Silyfate, Hydrostearic Acid, fragrance, CL 45410, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil


THE VERDICT
It is true that I am a makeup junkie through and through. I don't think I will  ever go to the office without primping myself up. However, I will also admit that there are lazy days or days that you are just in a hurry. Blushing Beauty's Lick My Lips Color Changing Lip Balm is one of the beauty products that can easily transform me, even on a bad day. Pink is a universally flattering color but even so you still need a shade of pink that is perfect for your skin tone. This baby does just that: after swiping the clear lip balm, it changes into a pink that suits your lips' natural tone. And just like that, you are instantly prettified.


IN ACTION, ETC.
It smells like strawberries, some may like it that way and some may not. This time, although I am not that much of a fan of scents, I think I am fine with it. Some lip balms have flat finish when applied, and some are shiny, this one is shiny and after like thirty seconds it turns pink. I have tried applying this on someone else's lips, which was darker and the result was a darker kind of pink too, almost wine colored. I've tried using this for five days straight and never not once did I have any problem with chapped lips afterwards. It kind of kept my lips smooth too. 
That would be my lips before and after using the Color Changing Lip Balm.I know that the color makes no dramatic difference but it means a lot on a Sunday, when your boyfriend is waiting for you and he is in a hurry to leave, and you at least have to not look too pale on the lips. It goes well with a tinted moisturizer (like this one here) for a nice, natural look.

TO CAP THINGS..
It's always nice to own lots of different colors of lipstick but owning some simple pink lip balms will never be out of style. Every girl should own something uncomplicated to apply. And that is how I usually refer to this lip balm: uncomplicated but works all the same. It is also very affordable and fits right into your small purse.

I will leave you with this photo of mine using the bespoken Color Changing Lip Balm from Blushing Beauty.
...And that would be me wearing the Color Changing Lip Balm.
XO,

 Carissa

Blushing Beauty has a Facebook account you can check by clicking this link.
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Me, a non lip gloss lover reviews these babies from Burt’s Bees. Did they sweep me off my feet? Find out after the jump.

Product Name: Burt's  Bees Lip Gloss
Price: Php 700.00 Size: 0.2 fl oz/6 ml
Where I Got It: Sample Room

About The Product 
Rich, pearlized color combines with natural oils rich in nutrients to leave your lips soft, shiny and 100% naturally beautiful. 
Colors:
Neutrals: Autumn Haze, Solar Eclipse, Harvest Time, Sweet Sunset, Sunny Day 
Pinks: Ocean Sunrise, Rosy Dawn, Spring Splendor, Summer Twilight
Reds/Plums: Evening Glow, Nearly Dusk, Starry Night
Delivers rich pearlized color with high impact shine
Enriches with nourishing oils
Promotes healthy looking and beautiful lips
Available in 12 gorgeous shades
Featured Ingredient:
Sunflower Oil —
Extremely nutritious, Sunflower Oil is easily absorbed and won't leave skin feeling greasy. Even better, it’s rich in the essential fatty acid, Linoleic acid, as well as Palmitic and Stearic acids – all of which are important components to healthy-looking, happy skin.

For a complete list of ingredients, click here.

BACK STORY
I mentioned earlier that I am not a fan of lip glosses. I don’t feel comfortable wearing one because they always seem so sticky. I’ve also experienced dryness and chapped lips in the past due to lip glosses so I’ve veered away from them.

Enter my VIP Membership in Sample Room at the start of 2016 and these lip glosses were on the sample cabinet. I was in order galore mode and so I grabbed the chance of being able to try anything from Burt’s Bees, since it is a very popular company that produces 100% natural products.


THE VERDICT
There’s so much to love about these lip glosses. Yes, they feel sticky but in a good way kind of sticky. The kind that makes your lips feel plump and hydrated. I’ve never experienced chapping or dryness afterwards. They also have a very light scent, a bit milky or vanilla, reminiscent of the smell of the holy host that you take at communion if you are a Catholic. It is of course, 100% Natural and doesn’t contain any products that are considered harmful. They fade away so easily, lip glosses that they are which is totes understandable. They can be worn alone, in a jiff, especially if you have to run errands or in a hurry. They also look great when worn over a matte lippie.



CLOSEUP  LOOK
It comes in a standard transparent tube and has doe foot applicator. The three shades that I have contain shimmers but is more apparent in the Sunny Day (221), shade but more on that later.

Summer Twilight
Summer Twilight belongs to the pinks shade but it looks red, almost maroon to me, LOL. It has shimmers. The color actually reminds me of Edward Cullen’s (from the Twilight fame’s) lips, aptly named too maybe because it is called Summer Twilight. The color is red on the tube but actually looks more washed out when worn on the lips.

Rosy Dawn
Rosy Dawn would be the one that I have worn most in the bunch, simply because pink is the most flattering color on me. It looks beautiful, especially when paired with brown eyelids. I also love wearing this on top of a pink matte lippie in a very close color range (i.e. Avon’s Matte Pink). This is my kind of pink, not too bright, not too light.

Sunny Day
Sunny Day is the shade that I’ve used least in this bunch. When I put it on, it’s as if I’ve only put shimmers and nothing else. I can imagine wearing this over a matte peach lippie but I have yet to find a good pair for it.

L to R: Summer Twilight, Rosy Dawn and Sunny Day
SWATCHES + IN ACTION
Top: Summer Twilight//Middle: Rosy Dawn// Bottom: Sunny Day
TO CAP THINGS
The 'damaged' cap. Oh no what a hot mess! That would be my daughter (again) sneaking in on some of my photo sessions. :)
And literally, I have issues with the screw cap. It just came off. It might be due to the very hot weather and so whatever was connecting the cap (adhesives??) just melted off and so it came off. But so far, I've only had this issue with the Summer Twilight shade. The other ones have stuck well. 

Apart from that, I love these glosses. The only thing I could say is that (and it is still debatable, LOL) some or many people might find the price steep at Php 700.00 a piece. I'll enjoy them while they last 'cause when they run out I am not ready to shelve out seven hundred grands for one tube of gloss. 

XO,

Cassie

PS, that would be me, wearing the Summer Twilight. Whatddya think?
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Synopsis
"Brida, a young Irish girl has long been interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest, who teaches her to trust in the goodness of the world; and a woman who teaches her to dance to the music of the world. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationship and her desire to become a witch."

****
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
I will take you straight to the very end of this book. She ultimately gets what she wants and becomes a witch. Not without going through many challenges. But this story is not just a tale about magic. It also talks about love, passion and finding one's Soul Mate. 

How many of us dream of finding our Soul Mate?  Here's an excerpt from the book.

"In certain incarnations, we divide into two. Our souls divide as do crystals and stars, cells and plants...and those new souls are in turn transformed into two and so, within a few generations, we are scattered over a large part of the Earth... 
If we merely keep dividing it would keep growing, but it would also become gradually weaker. That is why, as well as dividing into two, we also find ourselves... that process of finding ourselves is called Love. "

At the beginning of the book, The Magus (the wise man who dwells in the forest) asks Brida a question, of which if she gives an honest answer, the Magus will agree to become her Teacher. In essence, the question was, would she be willing to give up everything she had learned about magic in order to be with the love of her life. She said she's give it all up. He agreed to become her Teacher. They fall out and she finds another Teacher (the woman who teaches her to dance to the music of the world).

The end brings us to Brida's initiation and at the crossroads, it turned out that The Magus was her Soul Mate. He has been aware of that fact from the very beginning because he saw the point of light on her left shoulder which only wizards can see on their Soul Mates.  No, they didn't end up being together in the end. And we thought Soul Mates always end up together! On this premise, he let her go.
Photo credit to skyhdwallpapers.com//post-processed by itsnotpoison.blogspot.com
“People give flowers as present because 
flowers contain true meaning of love. 
Anyone who tries to posses a flower will 
have to watch its beauty fading.
But if you simply look at a flower in the field, 
you'll keep it forever.
That is what the forest taught me. That you
will never be mine, and that is why i will never 
lose you.” 


Bugger. This statement has to have reservations for 'What if's', right?! It sounds so right and also so wrong at the same time. I need to argue but I can't. Or won't. What a one-sided decision. But love is indeed, setting someone free. Give or take, Paulo has done it again. Tugged a few strings in my heart.

****
Another wonderful topic that has been discussed in the book is the celebration of the strength of a woman. Just like a mother, she nourishes the world and preserves all things that are beautiful. Despite making so many sacrifices and going through persecution she remains gentle but tough. I looked to myself and realized that even if men are physically stronger, there are so many things that a woman's gentle strength is capable of.


I've also read some wonderful quotes from the book.

"Nothing is completely wrong, even a broken clock is right twice a day."

"Some of God's blessings arrive by shattering everything around."

I've also noticed that a lot of scenes in the book happened in the forests of Ireland and so I got curious and Googled some photos and I found that the forests of Ireland are truly lovely and they look magical. Here's a sample which I found in Reddit. I take no credit for the photo. No copyright infringement intended.


****
To cap things, you probably noticed that my title is in the form of  a question: "Would you rather be a flower on the field?" which is of course, in reference to the ending of the book. Truly, love is not just holding on but also letting go. For me it is holding on. And no, I would rather not be the flower on the field. I would want my Soul Mate to be with me. The Magus of course, a teacher and a wizard, full of wisdom that he is, has his reasons for deciding how he decided. Although I hoped otherwise, I am glad that I have also learned many lessons in this book. I am glad that I have a different insight about the word Soul Mate. 

On a sillier note, a long time ago, I wanted to become a witch. I even researched about it. LOL. As I read the book I learned that it's a hard process and you would need a really good teacher.  But to be able to cross different world through magic? To be able to see your previous incarnations? I only wish it were that easy. :)

XOXO,

Carissa

P.S. According to the book, it is possible to find more than one Soul Mate in an incarnation because of course, we have been divided into so many pieces over time. So.... ;)
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This proudly Pinoy brand always has something new and exciting for us to try. Take a look at some of the products from the Intensive Whitening line from Belo. I got all of these from Sample Room.

The Belo Intensive Whitening Squad.
These products boast of 2 active ingredients that help intensify skin whitening.

Kojic Acid

An organic compound that effectively inhibits the production of tyrosinase and melanin, giving skin a visibly lighter appearance.

Tranexamic Acid
A peptide proven to inhibit inflammation and melanin formation. It is ideal for stubborn dark spots that do not respond to other skin lightening ingredients.

So let's take a look at these products from Belo and how about a quick Yay! and Nay! for each of them.

Size: 50 ml//Price: Php 349.75
Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream
Instantly covers blemishes and imperfections as it works to intensely whiten skin. Use alone for a flawless no makeup look, or layer under your favorite foundation or powder.
Close up look of the Belo BB Cream
Here's my go-to BB Cream for the greater part of this summer. It lightens the skin as it protects from the sun's harmful rays.
Yay!
No strong scent
High SPF Content
Tone correcting and evening properties
Affordability
Easy to apply and spreads easily on skin
Nay!
Medium coverage only, you would need a backup concealer
May not be advisable for those with oily skin 
                                   
                                      Belo Intensive Whitening Bar
Size: 65g //Price: Php 64.75
The new Belo Intensive Whitening Bar combines the power of Kojic Acid, Tranexamic Acid and Lemon Scrubs. As many of you may have already experienced, the Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid combo are efficient actives that are clinically proven to whiten skin 64% better than products that contain Kojic Acid alone.
Close up look of the Belo Intensive Whitening Bar
This product does sting the skin a bit upon using which I guess is due to the acids doing their part in the whitening process. But other than that, I didn't experience any irritation whatsoever. I can compare this from the previous version and the exfoliating lemon stuff is a nice upgrade.

Yay!
Light scent 
Exfoliating properties, skin feels smooth and clean after every use

Nay!
Melted rather really easily, I only used the product a couple of times and it was already gone, LOL!

Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream
Size: 150 ml// Price: Php 199.75
The perfect complement to the Kojic Bar, the new Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream (Lotion), with Kojic Acid & Tranexamic Acid that intensively whitens skin. It has SPF 30 that protects skin against harmful UV rays.
Close up look of the Belo Body Cream
I hate lotions that feel heavy and greasy on the skin like ick!!! This one is heaven-sent. It's not just the whitening that's intense but the moisturization as well. 

Yay!
Intense moisturization without the greasy feel
SPF Content
Keeps the skin smoother and lighter
Light scent

Nay!
None for me :)

Leave it to Belo to always have something for us Pinays in the whitening department. Not so long ago I wished for a BB Cream and now they have it, with SPF 50 no less. In truth, I am not one of those so obsessed with skin whitening. I am more after on the sun protecting capacity of  a product. But if you can hit 2 birds with one stone, why not, ayt? 

XO,

Carissa
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Ever been curious if what were the hit songs on the year you were born? I certainly have been which is why I decided to Wiki if what were the Billboard Hot 100 Songs for 1987. My curiosity might have something to do with a hangover on Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour which I watched the other night. At the beginning, she screams something like "Hi, I'm Taylor and I was born in 1989." The album (1989) of course is inspired by the popular music of that generation.

 
I scanned the Billboard Hot 100 Songs for 1987 list and truth be told, I am unfamiliar with a whole lot of them. I chose about 15 or so which I think I liked and was familiar with. And, drumrolls please... here's the list. 

"Alone" by Heart
 

Yes! The song that Anne Curtis loves "singing" was 1987's 2nd biggest hit. Amazing how after all of these years this song is still quiet relevant.  While Heart's version is great and has withstood the test of time, and Anne's (she gon' hit those notes, ayt?) make me feel nervous, Celine Dion's rendition just gives me goosebumps!

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "Didn't We Almost Have It All" by Whitney Houston
 

Whitney at the top of her game was just mind-boggling. How she hit those notes (seemingly) with ease and without distorting her face makes me wanna sigh as I recount her ill fate. NVM. She lives in her songs. "I Wanna Dance" in on the soundtrack of one of my fave chick flicks, "13 Going on 30" featuring Jennifer Garner.

 "Livin' On a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi

I honestly thought these were 90's hits. SRSLY. Jon Bon Jovi's been around that long? Apparently yes! Is he a vampire? :) IDTS. But he is much cooler than some vampires that I know. What am I talking about. I would want to learn how to sing the anthemic "Livin' On a Prayer" on videoke, if only I had the throat for it. But anyway, I would be pick their songs any day than the current hits that talk about butts. :p

The Mellows 
These were songs that I "hated" hearing on the radio when I was younger because they were boring. Now that I'm more mature, I've gotten around and learned to appreciate them.
"Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" by Glenn Madeiros
"The Next Time I Fall" by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant
"Somewhere Out There" by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram
"Will You Still Love Me" by Chicago

The Upbeats
 

Need no explaining, ayt? While I'm at it let me distract you with this photo of Gloria Estefan. She's pretty. I know of someone who has had a crush on her. :)
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship
"I've Had The Time Of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warmes
"Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machines
"Funky Town" by Pseudo Echo

Janet, Madonna, and Michael
Yeah, lastly. Pop songs of the 80's wouldn't be complete without these three.
"Let's Wait A While" by Janet Jackson
"Open Your Heart" and "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna
"Bad" by Michael Jackson


There, there. There was a time when songs were actually sung. What I'd do to have the big hairs of that era. Kidding aside. Music has been and always will be a huge part of my life. That is quiet true with most Filipinos, I think. #Throwback is huge these days and it's a good feeling to be able to look back and see how much music has evolved. And the hairstyles too! :)

XO,
Carissa

The Birth Year Playlist :)

by on Saturday, June 04, 2016
Ever been curious if what were the hit songs on the year you were born? I certainly have been which is why I decided to Wiki if what were t...
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BYS X Glamourbox Special Edition

Oh how my heart sings for this curated collaboration box has finally landed on my lap! I’ve been eyeing this from the Glamourbox website and it was priced at Php 1,100.00, which was already a steal since the entire cost of the contents amount to Php 3,000.00++. Lucky me, I browsed the GB site one hot summer night and to my surprise the box went on sale for Php 825.00. I knew then that I couldn’t just let the offer go and ordered the box in a heartbeat. I was tad too excited for it to arrive that waiting was an agony. Nearly two weeks! Two weeks of imagining how that Matte Eyeshadow would feel on my eyelids. Haha! Anyway, as I opened the box and read the curation card and took out those hot pink paper fillers, I knew that this box was worth the wait.

I've always preferred the matte look since I've had the impression that shimmers make my face look oilier. So hewego! I've actually seen the contents from the website but it sure is still surprising once you get to hold the real thing. ;)

Matte Maven
The Breakdown and First Impressions
The sturdy bow came snugly fit with wads of thick bubble wraps so thank you so much Glamourbox for making sure that nothing would break in the shipping and handling process. Behold the contents of the BYS Matte Maven Box!

Left to Right: Bronzer 1 is lighter with a pinkish undertone. Bronzer 2 is a neutral brown. Contour powder has light shimmers. Highlighter is a bit of champagne with shimmers also.
BYS Contour and Highlighting Kit in Shade 02 Goddess
This one was packed separately because it was so HUGE and it wouldn’t fit in the box! Just to prove my point, I put it next to my card so that you can have a clear idea of how big the pans are. The bronzers are perfect for my skin color and the powder is of fine quality, it just melts onto my skin. This’ll be the first contouring and highlighting kit that I’ve ever had and I am so excited to try them out. You can clearly see from the photos that I've swiped the pans. Who can blame me? :)
Browns, grays, peach for defining the eyes and the yellow which is a perfect color for highlighting the brow bone. I have no complains about this palette!
BYS Eyeshadow 8 Palette Neutrals
This palette is a dream come true for me. Just seeing the words matte and neutral on the same phrase in an affirmative tone spells happiness. I often define my eyes on a daily basis as part of my makeup routine and I prefer no shimmers. The formula, just like the contouring and highlighting kit, melts into the skin.
Latte To Go is way too lighty for me.
BYS Matte Lipstick in Latte To Go
My least favorite in the bunch (oh no!), simply because it doesn't match my lip color. It is peach and had it come in Marsala or Wine, for example, my opinion could be different. The formula glides on the lips and although it says its matte, I can detect some sheen. My lips look bad in it, the lines are accentuated. :(

Fuller look with these, huh?
BYS Liquid Brow Pen in Light Brown
I love the idea of the brow pen as I am able to control the application. However, I got another one which is a color mismatch. It is too light for my brows. But I love it because it stays put. I just have to find a way to utilize it, maybe not on my brows but on my eyelids. :)

First time to use some gel eyeliner. I hope I don't turn into a hot mess.
BYS Eyeliner Gel with Brush (Black Magic)

I'm quiet intimidated by this product as I have never used a gel eyeliner before. It does have a partner brush which looks similar to what I have been using for lining my lids so it may not be a daunting task after all.

I wonder how different is matte from a regular nail polish?
BYS Matte Nail Enamel (Deep Berry)
Here's one that will definitely go straight to my toenails since I prefer neutrals on my fingernails. 

Here's the curation card and I did the math and the total price of the 6 full-sized items amount to Php 3044.00, which I got for only Php 825.00. Thanks Glamourbox for having this collaboration with BYS. Whenever I go to Watsons, I just usually look and skirt around the BYS stall because I find that the prices are a bit steep. Because of this box, I found out that the Eyeshadow 8 Palette Neutrals is an amazing one and I will definitely repurchase once I hit the bottom of the pans.

Curation Card
I will definitely post further reviews about each of the products. For the mean time, I will cut this short and say that I look forward to more boxes from Glamourbox. Unboxing was definitely fun and exciting!




XO,
Carissa

PS, BYS stands for BE YOURSELF. Is an Aussie brand.
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Human Heart Nature boasts of all natural products that are safe, pure, biodegradable, cruelty-free and free from harmful chemicals. I've made several blog entries and reviews about their products which I use personally. Their product line though is not just limited to personal care or cosmetics. They also have some for kids and today I would be sharing a trove of products that have been useful and helpful to me as a mom.

Bath Time Bundle

Kids Natural Shampoo and Body Wash
Celestine and I love the smell of this double tasker. It lathers well and doesn't sting the eyes. Whenever she uses it, she would tell me that her skin is bouncing, which I take it, she actually means that it makes her skin feel soft and smooth. I specially appreciate that it doesn't have a greasy after-feel which I have observed in other baby bath products. After washing, the skin just feels squeaky clean with undeniable softness.
Ingredients of the Kids Shampoo and Body Wash
Kids 100% Natural Bath Soap
When I ordered this soap I actually thought that it would come in a chocolate brown bar form. In truth it is a white-colored bar with chocolate strips embedded within and yes, it smells like chocolate. Even the ants took something for themselves as I’ve caught ones sneaking into the box. Just like the body wash, it also makes the skin feel soft and smooth with a squeaky clean after-feel after washing off.
Ingredients and deets about the Natural Bath Soap
Needless to say, I love these products and I wouldn't even deny that I’ve used them myself. :)

HHN also  has ...
Kids Spray Sanitizer which I bet is great since I’ve been using their all natural sanitizer for a while now and it has never dried up my hands.
Photo credits to www.humanheartnature.com
For little babies they also have an array of products such as Baby Wash, Baby Lotion,Natural baby Wonder Oil, Natural Nappy Cream and even Washable Cloth Diapers.
Photo credits to www.humanheartnature.com
Here are also other products that have been handy to me as a mom as my little one sets out to explore everyday.

100% Natural Bug Shield
Rainy season is just around the corner, so I know this will be very helpful in protecting me and my loved ones from bug bites. The smell is tad too strong, however, so this may not be everyone's cup of tea. ;)

100% Natural Rescue Balm
The Rescue balm on the other hand is wonderful for rashes, redness and insect bites. It also has a nice, clean smell.

 There, there. Do I sound like a Human Heart Nature endorser now? Well folks, it’s just nice to be able to share some info about a truly amazing Filipino company that's  Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment.

The great news is that these products are very affordable. I used to think that going natural or organic means having to spend so much or sourcing products from abroad. Human Heart Nature is right at our doorstep. They have a wonderful website from which you can order with ease. Shipping fee is incredibly low! Human Heart Nature truly helps me give the best products to my toddler while helping our countrymen.

My baby girl gamely poses with her choco-smelling bath soap.

Have you shopped at Human Heart Nature? Do share your experience.
XO,



Carissa
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