Getting back... to FITNESS!

Lovelies!

I was MIA for more than a month now. How're you all doing? Been so busy lately. And every time I want to blog, something comes up! I'd rather do it than procrastinate. Then when I get home, I'm all too tired to take pictures and to write. :( I didn't think it would be this tough to blog! I missed blogging. I missed interacting with you through answering your comments. I honestly don't mind attending to your comments, giving my advice or opinion about different stuff. I should definitely reply to hanging ones later. 

Just to update you, I've been doing some workout lately. And that includes some running, lifting weights and mat exercises. I'm noticing some flabs here and there so I've decided to go back to working out. I am on the weight gain side but I want to do it correctly. Gaining muscle mass than fat mass! I don't do it everyday but I think I average 3-4days a week, morning or evening. If I wake up too early for office or I have an extra hour or two before I sleep, I do it. 

I bought new shoes and yoga mat to motivate me. ;) Here's my IG photo. Sorry for the low res photos as these were taken with my phone's camera.

Nike Free TR Fit 2 Women's Training Shoes and Nike Yoga Mat

I wanted to buy running shoes because I already have training ones. I liked this pair and asked the SA if  these are running shoes and he told me yes. FAIL! I figured later on that this pair is for training. :( Well, its lightweight and does the work so I'm using it. 

For my workout clothes, I suggest buying from Nike and Adidas. I am really petite so I its hard for me to find nice fitting workout clothes.

I really like Nike Sports Bras! I have it in different colors because they fit me so well and I can feel the support it gives. Its a plus that it doesn't restrain upper body movements. Choose the Dri-Fit Sports Bras. And Adidas for nice jogging pants or how do you call these? Jogging capris? Whatevs! haha Just get the Climacool ones.

Nike Jacket, Adidas Climacool jogging capris, Nike Free TR Fit 2 and Nike Yoga Mat

Don't get me wrong. I don't run with just my sports bra on! I put a jacket over it so I can easily sweat it all out. haha

That's it for my Fitness ramble. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be diligent enough to continue working out. More than getting fit, workout makes me more disciplined in a way. ;)

I need tips from you guys. Can you suggest a routine that will make the flabs on my arms go away? Its the hardest to get rid off. haha

Love,

Anna

Clarins Defining Eye Lift

I recently bought something from Clarins and the SA was generous enough to give me some samples to try out. I am not so keen with product sampling. I usually disregard using them. But I have long wanted to try an eye cream and that's what she gave me. Of course, their newly released eye cream (not sure though if it really is that new! haha)

Samples, samples!

I was born with problematic dark circles and with extra baggage beneath my eyes. haha I don't know what to do with it! If I am to choose one product as a staple, that would be an undereye concealer. Suprise, surprise! hahaha

Actual product
PHOTO CREDITS: Clarins Website

I have only used this product for the 2nd night now. But this morning after my first try, I was so amused with the result. I awoke with less puffy eyes. yes the dark circles are still there but hey, the extra baggage was lessened. 

I can't say too much for it now. I will let you know. And if this works for me, this is a miracle eye cream as nothing have worked for my undereye area. haha

LOVE,

Anna

Skincare Routine

As promised, I will be sharing with you my updated skincare routine.

On my recent blog post, I have mentioned that I've been battling mild acne for over a year now. I have tried so many products but nothing really seems to work. I got frustrated I almost gave up.

Surprisingly, out of all the lines I have tried this one worked. I have not popped a single zit on my face except for my hairline once (which is strange, haha). And to mention, I am proud of myself for not shelling out too much moolah on this skincare regimen. I am already out of the mentality that 'the expensive ones prolly work better'. 

Here are the 3 products I swear by...

Flawless Erythromycin 2% Solution

I am guessing this toner is doing the miracle for my blemished skin. The dermatologist insisted that I keep using this Erythromycin Solution to keep my face zit-free. She told me this has antibacterial properties that clears and prevents the skin from breaking out. I use a cotton and gently wipe it on my face. 

Flawless White Plus Cream

Now, who doesn't want a brightened complexion? This aids in lightening your skin tone. With continued use, I noticed it brought back the glow to my face. I am not afraid to use this because the dermatologist told me this is mostly made of plant based extracts.

Has a nice consistency that is easy to apply.

Flawless Retinoic Acid + Hydroquinone

The combination of Retinoic Acid and Hydroquinone makes up a bleaching cream and an exfoliant. It lightens as it exfoliates. And don't get me wrong, the exfoliation part doesn't mean you have to undergo massive skin peeling. As my dermatologist told me, I will have micropeeling which is true. Mind you, this cream is for short-term use only. Just for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. You also have to remember to minimize exposure to sunlight and to use a sunblock.

Has a thick consistency. You have to blend immediately!

For my routine...

MORNING

• Erythromycin 2% Solution
• White Plus Cream
• Any Sunblock

EVENING

• Erythromycin 2% Solution
• White Plus Cream
• Retinoic Acid +Hydroquinone Cream

Just for your reference, I have an oily skin. And I have been using this for almost 2 months now.  Religiously, without hitting the sack with my makeup on! Never have I experienced any skin purging with this line (meaning, no breakouts that subside with continued use). And also, no massive skin peeling.

I don't recommend that you use these without consulting a dermatologist. You have to seek  a professional's help to know what suits your skin best. 

There you have it Lovelies! I hope this post helps. 

LOVE,

Anna

PS

I will have a separate post for my at home face mask I have told you. And an eye cream that works to relieve my puffy eyes. ;)

Bidding Goodbye

Today, I am bidding my car goodbye. 

Although, the buyer will just check my car out and see if he/she likes it (if not, another agent will still try to sell my car). Still, it feels odd. Really odd. I had my supposed-to-be last moments with my car (which I had for 4 years) this morning. I have to make sure I get all my stuff out before the potential inspection. It may not go home with me anymore today. I also took a picture of it as a remembrance so I am (half) ready for its adoption.

I am letting it go for good. For more parking space in our garage for a car that will surely come in the next few days (which is my Father's). I may or may not buy a new car which will depend on my father's decision. I can have one of our cars anyway. But it is different with this car. I really like it so much because I chose it for myself over something pricier my father wants for me. 

I just hope the new owner will love it as I did. 

After gathering all of my stuff from my car, I headed to our pond to recollect myself. We have a small pond surrounding our gazebo which is a home to some of the father's beloved Kois. They are so lively and always hungry. Looking at them, I feel relaxed. I feel less of the odd feeling I have. 

Now, I know why my father loves his Kois so much other than the belief that these brings luck and wealth to those who takes care of it. After work, this is where he stays. 

They grow rapidly and the big ones are almost the size of my legs. Well it may be because I have chicken legs. haha 

Lovelies, do you feel relaxed with the presence of your house pets? 

Love,

Anna

Wet n Wild Megalast Lipsticks in Think Pink, Mauve Outta Here & Sugar Plum Fairy

I was basically MIA for about a week with no post/update/whatever. I had too many ideas to write but no energy to do so. I was consumed by my UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) which I know I deserve because I don't refrain from eating salty foods and I had no inkling to water. This resulted to a week of being absent from work. :(

I am always on the go when it comes to peeing. Had to drink A LOT of water to cleanse my body. I alternate my water with Coconut Water and Cranberry Juice as they say those were remedies too. Still, I have to strictly follow doctor's advice. 

Now I'm back with a post. I am an avid reader of My Lucid Intervals Blog and I saw Wet n Wild Sugar Plum Fairy in one of Donna's post. Such a beautiful plumy lippie. I just had to try.  Got mine from an SM Department Store for 299php each. Well, I also got some other shades. ;)

Here you go...

L-R: Think Pink, Mauve Outta Here and Sugar Plum Fairy

Without the transparent cap

Label at the bottom of the tube

Swatches
L-R: Think Pink, Mauve Outta Here and Sugar Plum Fairy

HITS

• Color pay off is superb. Though a second coat is advisable to get the ideal opacity and for the true color to show. 
• Wears for a long time. Stayed on for a good 4hrs on my lips regardless the activities i did like eating or drinking water.
• Price point is really affordable!
• Available locally at Watsons and SM Department Store sfor 299php each.

MISSES

• Lipstick Formulation is a bit drying so it may appear streaky on the first coat. Better put on lipbalm first before applying these lipsticks. Note to those with chapped lips: you may want to use a super moisturizing lipbalm prior to application. 
• My Mauve Outta Here shade fell off the lipstick tube while I was swatching. Packaging a not super nice and sturdy.
• You must carefully pull the transparent cover to prevent the cover from chipping the lipstick.

Overall, I give this lipstick a 4/5. :)

Today, I had a hard time taking swatch photos. Its is very gloomy outside. :(

This is our front lawn where I shoot some of recent swatches with green background. TIME: 7:30AM 

I usually get a lot of natural lighting here, but not today. :(

I take the photos specifically on this spot.

Have you tried the Wet n Wild Megalast lippies? If yes, what are your favorites?

Love,

Anna

Update on Healing my Skin

I had no issue with skin breakouts when I was in highschool and college. Just the occasional one bump brought by periods. And whenever I get one, it heals in 3 days (with no scars). So I thought I am lucky to have pass my puberty stage, acne-free. While friends my age dealt with skin problems, I was there enjoying a zit-free skin (not that I am boasting). And I was all too grateful for that. But then something changed when I got out of college. 

It started with a pimple on my left cheek. Then I think the neighboring right cheek got so jealous it had to produce its own pimple. So I had two. I started to freak out because never had I experienced having a pimple on my cheek (I get breakouts on my nose and ear area only in the past), and now I have them on both sides. I scrambled to look for some easy skin fix. Found some special pimple fighting facial wash but I guess my skin didn't like it. It broke out even more. Then I started to use spot treatments, it was of no help! It will heal the pimple but my skin will bear more pimples on other areas leaving nasty scars. I felt hopeless. 

Poured my time, effort and money on the search for a suitable skincare line. I have tried the Clinique 3-Step Line, Proactive and various expensive lines but my skin rebelled even more. I was searching for more than a year and now I think (crossed fingers), I have found my match. I am religiously using the products for almost 2months now and had minimum makeup when I go out. My skin stopped breaking out like crazy. And my scars are slowly fading. THANK YOU LORD! And thank you to my dermatologist. 

I will be writing a separate blog post for my updated skincare routine. And honestly, I didn't shell out that much money on this line from Flawless. I was TOTALLY suprised that the skincare products I needed to heal my skin can be found locally. I am excited to share this with you. And if you are experiencing an acne problem, I hope it'll help you. I have an oily skin just for reference. And I am using 3 products: Erythromycin 2% solution as toner, skin lightening cream and Retinoic Acid+Hydroquinone cream. I know Hydroquinone should only be used for short term treatments and soon I will stop using it as per Doctor's advice.

Let me show you what my bare skin looks like.

BEWARE: I have no makeup here. And yes I have super dark circles and puffy eyes. THESE PHOTOS WERE NOT EDITED! No flash, no lighting adjustments here.

Still with a few zits here and there & scars, but hey way to go.

This side had the worst breakouts and so far so good! :)

 PLUS an at home facial mask I swear by!

I had the worst time coping with acne so I know how it feels to scramble for the right skincare products. I hope I will be of help to you lovely ladies.

Love,

Anna

BIrthday Giveaway# 4 Winner

Hi Lovelies! 

I had a problem with Rafflecopter that scared the hell out of me yesterday. It doesn't want to pick a winner. There was simply no reaction for when I click the "Pick Winner" Button. It was like that the whole day. Then today, it dawned on me to open my Rafflecopter account in another gadget. So I picked the winner through my phone. Thank God! I thought the Giveaway might be a fail.

So, the lucky lady for my last birthday giveaway is...

Congratulations Ms. Franchesca Soleta!

You get three shades of Models Own Lipsticks.

Please send me an email with your shipping info. :)

Love,

Anna 

Models Own Lipsticks Review + Birthday Giveaway #4

Yes I know this post is late! I'm sorry. I was too absorbed by my two-day birthday leave (Saturday&Sunday). haha As you may know, I work 6 days a week Sunday-Friday for almost 10hrs a day. My only rest are Saturdays and my small birthday celebration fell on a Saturday. I should've had no rest this week but fortunately, my father didn't open our shop this Sunday, happy me. Come today, I have to renew my driver's license because it expired on my birthday. Which was a total fail because after having my medical done, LTO's server was already down. I have to wait till tomorrow. :(

Enough of my rants... I'm back! haha Hopefully, I can post more reviews for you lovely ladies. Honestly, I can post daily but I'm afraid my posts will be of non-sense stuff already. I want my posts to be always informative and not just my ramblings of usual what-nots! I don't wanna be wasting anyones time here on my blog. I want your visits to be full of happy thoughts and lemmings for good products. haha Is that bad? For the pocket, maybe. 

Let's proceed with the review...

Models Own Hyperbrite Lipsticks

(L-R: Annalise's Pink, Orangeade, Flaming Red, Pink Hawaiaan)

Swatch Time...

(L-R: Annalise's Pink, Orangeade, Flaming Red, Pink Hawaiaan)

HITS

• Very creamy lipstick formulation paves way for an easy application.
• Color payoff may vary depending on your desired opacity. Use it with a light hand for a flush of color and heavy to achieve the neon hues you want.
• Smell is heavenly!!!
• Packaging looks very classy yet UNIQUE. 

MISSES

• May not be for super chapped lips because the creamy formulation can seep into lip lines.
• Will eventually fade after eating. Not so long lasting!
• Available locally from online shops, click here to shop.

For my last Birthday Giveaway, I am giving away 3 shades of MO Hyperbrites to a lucky reader.

Here's how to join...

- Follow this blog. (mandatory)
- Like my Facebook page, The Makeup Suite. (mandatory)
-Follow me on Twitter, MakeupSuite (mandatory)
- Follow me on Instagram, themakeupsuite

- Giveaway is open from Sept 24,2012 (12:01PM) till Oct 1, 2012 (12:01PM). Winner will be announced on Oct 1, 2012 (around late afternoon).

- Open for Philipine residents only, both Metro Manila and Provincial. 

- Will ship this to you for FREE. 

THE WINNER FROM MY BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY#3 is...

Ms. Anya Lagrosa

Please send me your info at makeupsuite@gmail.com

Before, I end this blog post, I wanna thank all of you who participated in my 4 mini giveaways. Because I really enjoy giveaways and sharing my stuff, I have decided to have a consistent monthly giveaway, "Commenter of the Month". Prizes will be announced at the first blog post of the specific month. 

Love,

Anna

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS
Photo Credits to my sister Ann Charmaine Cay. 
She took all of the lovely product photos watermarked for my FB Online Shop. :)

(L-R: Annalise's Pink, Orangeade, Flaming Red, Pink Hawaiaan)

Only thank you's...

Thank You God for the 23years of bountiful blessings you bestowed upon me.

I cannot express how grateful I am of your love and compassion, within those years and the years to come. You are indeed the God of all whose unconditional love I have greatly felt. 

I thank you for surrounding me with beautiful people who tirelessly supports me whichever path I choose. Please bless them in return.

I pray for your continued guidance and blessing as without you I am nothing.

Love Your Child,

Anna

A photo back in 2009 when I was starting with makeup.

PS

Happy World Gratitude Day to you Lovelies!

Thank you for visiting my blog. :D

Etude House Products That I Love

Who haven't heard of Etude House? One of the popular Korean Cosmetic company in the country. I just recently discovered EH this year. They have nice and organized stores, all pink and girly. Even the security guards will greet you "Welcome Princess" as you enter the store premises (which for me is kind of awkward! haha).

I was really hesitant to try their products at first. I am afraid that my skin will break out. This is how I am during my first tries from a cosmetic brand. And also, I don't wanna sound 'maarte' but I don't know the ingredients that goes in the products because they are dirty cheap and super affordable. There are some info written at the back packaging of the products in Korean characters---can't read them though. haha

I have had my piece of ups and downs from EH. As with other cosmetic lines, some products may work and some may not. I will only be mentioning those that work for me. :)

Here are they...

Dr. Oil Solution Oil Control Pact

I always bring this whenever I go out of the house. This is a quick fix for oil control. Although I wouldn't recommend this for girls with darker complexions. This is  a tiny bit ashy on me and I can only imagine have much more ashy it will be on darker tones. Perfect for fair-medium skintone.

Precious Mineral BB Cream

If you're looking for a BB Cream with a decent amount of coverage, this is the one. May come off shiny but can be mattified by powdering on top. Second best from my fave Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream.

Face Color Corsets and Lovely Cookie Blushers

EH has a variety of blushers with different price ranges. The most affordable ones are the Face Color Corsets. I am loving the Face Color Corset in Shadow Lady Fit which I use for contouring (fourth on top). I depotted the blushers I have from them so I can bring them all in one sleek compact, Z Palette. :)

Suprise Essence Liquid Concealer & Surpise Essence Stick Concealer

I use the liquid concealer for my undereye are and the stick concealer for other blemishes on my face. I suggest using a patting motion for applying these concealers. A rubbing motion may cause the pigmentation to appear off. Sheer coverage concealers for everyday use!  

Easy Brow Pencils

Got them in 3 shades: Dark Gray, Brown and Dark Brown. Very easy to pull off making it perfect if you're on a hurry on mornings.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed this post. Sorry for the not so lively post tonight, I am not feeling all too well. Just wanna have something for you Lovelies. 

I would love to know your most loved EH product. :)

LOVE,

Anna

What I Bring in my Makeup Bag

I personally don't like touching up through out the day. It takes time and EFFORT from me to do so. haha And I also don't like the feeling of piling makeup on my face either. The combination of oil+sweat+another of layer of makeup is not nice.

That's why I don't bring a lot of makeup in my makeup bag. Just some basics and some options for when I have to go somewhere unprepared.

Makeup bag that I use...

Kate Spade Pencil Case turned into my makeup bag! haha

What's inside at random...

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pinch O' Peach (1)

All time favorite blush for day engagements. It's something I opt for everyday.

MAC 129SE Brush (2)

A short handled blush brush that'll fit any makeupbag. Got it from a MAC collection a long time ago.

Etude House Dr. Oil Solution Oil Control Pact (3)

Powder I use to diminish the shine on my face. It really works but I think its already discontinued or will be discontinued. Please tell me. So sad.

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Waterproof (4)

I don't wear mascara everyday but I bring one for when I want an instant eye opener. This is my option for some not so dramatic lashes from a drugstore brand. For daily use!

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (5)

A very trusty lash curler. I've had this for years and I think I need to replace the rubber the soonest. haha

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart (6)

One of my fave shades from the new Balm Stain line of Revlon. It gives moisture and color to my  lips. 

Benefit Garden of Good & Eva EDT (7)

Antoher fave EDT from the Benefit EDT Line. Do you remember my Benefit Ring My Bella in my Most Worn Things Tag?

Hygienix Antibacterial Hand Spray (8)

Gotta have some antibacterial everywhere I go. :)

The Optical Shop Eyeglass Cleaner in Lemon (9)

Something I use to remove dirt from my spectacles. This isn't makeup but I just stash it in my makeup bag. haha

Hair Pins (10)

I'm growing out my bangs because I can't stand having them anymore. haha

MAC Lipstick in Chili (11)

Gotta have that red lippie for an emergency on the go glammer. You know what I mean! ;)

Lovelies, what's in your makeup bag? 

Love,

Anna