What I'm Loving Now: VMV Soft and Swift Make-Up Remover

I came across this product a few months ago from the pages of Cosmopolitan Philippines. I was looking for a reasonably-priced make-up remover that won't sting much and would work for both the face and eyes and lips (Some make-up removers are for eyes and lips ONLY). And that's when I saw this make-up remover and I thought I would give it a try.

It came in a lightly sealed, very colorful box with very specific instructions on the label. I tried it out right away and found that it does take away make-up for both face and eyes and lips. You may need to use it twice or thrice, depending on how many layers of make-up you have on. When I only have light pressed powder, one cotton ball will do. But when I have my full make-up on (liquid foundation, concealers, heavy eye make-up, etc) I need a couple more cotton balls. It gives a clean feeling afterwards but it is better to wash the face with a light cleanser afterwards. And when I used it on my eyes, it did sting a bit but is very tolerable.

As stated in the label (and from experience), it is best to use with VMV Superskin Line but any other facial cleansers will do. I used to pair it with Neutrogena cleansers before switching to VMV.

It costs only Php 510.00 -- cheap compared to other removers. It is also hypoallergenic, so no need to worry especially if you have sensitive skin. It is available in most SM Health and Beauty Counters (not Watsons) and  stand-alone shops at Rockwell and Trinoma (to name a few).

One Week Post - VSRC TCA Treatment

Okay, so it's been almost two weeks since my VSRC 100% TCA treatment. And I think the last picture I posted was not yet *that* normal looking. I was busy with events over the weekend so I wasn't able to post the progress of my "after". So here it is:

See? No more scab wounds. But there are still remnants of my acne scars although they are remarkably lighter. Around 30-50% shallower than before. Too bad I don't have a "before" pic. This could be the "before" for my next treatment.

Yep -- I'm gonna have another 100% TCA Treatment in the near future -- maybe schedule it during the vacation so that there will be less eyes looking at me and asking what kind of microbe attacked my nose. I will be having a post-treatment check-up this weekend.

I remember around 5 years ago when I went to Belo Medical in hope that they will have the answer to my nose scars problem, the doctor downright told me not to get my hopes up. Well, here we are. Good thing I didn't give up, even if one of the 'best' dermatology clinics told me otherwise.

Lesson learned: Not because they have huge billboards and a constellation of star endorsers mean that they are the best -- they may be good, but there are those who are better.

What I'm Loving Now: Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Passion

I'm not really a big fan of lip balms and lip gloss because I find them heavy on the lips and sometimes -- most of the times -- I don't like how they taste. But I came across this product from Revlon -- I don't know if it's old or new or reformulated, I'm just new in this kikay business. 

Anyway... so I saw this product and I decided to try it out. It's Revlon's Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm. (I got it from my favorite online seller, you can access her FB page here.) When I tried it the first time, it kinda stung a bit but after using it repeatedly, it just goes on smoothly.

The color I chose was Passion which gives a strong pink color. The stick has two ends: one for the color, the other for the balm. The stain gives the lips the base color, which is matte and can be very dry. The balm gives it the shimmer to make it stand out -- and it does. It can come on too strong at first but fades in time, leaving a subtle, natural stain.

Yep -- that's my lips -- with Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in Passion under florescent light.

What I'm Loving Now: VMV Armada Face Cover 45

I've been using this sunscreen for a several weeks now. As I have been a VMV user for a few months now, I figured that I should try their sunscreen, too.

Armada is also cream-based, it is surprisingly light -- compared to the sunscreen I used before. 

I bought mine from the VMV Hypoallergenics counter in SM Makati. So I bought a small tube -- just to try it first before buying the big tube (it's pretty expensive) as I sometimes get irritated with heavy creams. But I have to let it set for a while before putting on foundation or powder because it can get pretty sticky and heavy. I haven't tried it in super humid weather though. And since it can get pretty heavy when my skin gets oily, I use it only when I go out -- as I prefer my moisturizer with lower SPF because it is lighter. 

Though I don't use it all the time -- as I prefer a lighter cream -- it's a good investment for when I go out and have absolutely no excuse to stay out of the sun. But if I can skip it and use my moisturizer instead, I would. 

TCA Post Treatment Day 5

After my TCA treatment last Saturday, I always go straight to the mirror after I wake up. So that's what I did today. And yes, I liked what I saw.

Although my nose is still relatively scabbed, I already shed some of them and they indeed left smaller pores -- compared to before. My only problem is -- I'll be going back to school today, so I will have to bear with my classmates unending questions as to what happened to my nose -- one even thought that I have herpes zoster -- it's not. I made it clear that they are scab wounds, not lesions caused by some microorganism.

I hope it clears up by Friday. I am attending a function on Saturday. :)

TCA Post Treatment Day 4

Okay. I woke up really worried. My nose is itching!!

So yeah, aside from the spot wounds, my nose is now also red. And a little bit itchy. But since I cannot scratch it as much (and as hard) as I want to, I had to rub it against my pillow, which my mom found to be hilarious.

I hope my nose clears up before Saturday. :)

TCA Post Treatment Day 3

Three-days post TCA treatment. My nose is sporting freckle-like dots. But upon close inspection, they're actually little spot wounds caused by the acid. Although the stinging is gone, I am still worried about how my nose would look like after the scabs are gone. Dr. Ong-Amoranto told me that my scars would be shallower. I sure hope so. She gave the treatment 1 full week before the effects can be seen, I guess I just have to sit back, be patient, and wait. :)

TCA Treatment Day 2

As I have posted yesterday, last Saturday afternoon, I got this TCA treatment for my the acne scars on my nose. These scars have been one of my most hated flaws. So when my dermatologist, Dr. Beverly Ong-Amoranto from VMV Skin Research Center in Makati, told me that there is a way to minimize them, I had my name written down for the next available schedule. 


Now I am on my 2nd post-treatment day. The white spots from immediately after the treatment became brown spots, as expected. There's no more sting, nose feels normal. Except when I look at myself on the mirror and see freckle-like spots. Mom made fun of me and counted the spots, she said they were at least 40. 

Dr. Ong-Amoranto told me that by Saturday, I will be able to cover them with foundation. Which is kind of a problem because I don't have a decent foundation. Need to shop? Yes. Will update on my TCA progress again tomorrow!!