As moms, we often put others first like our children and husbands, that we oftentimes set aside our needs and wants.  But I realized a long time ago that it's not at all bad to make time for ourselves for self-love and self-care.  As simple as bathing longer with maybe scented candles and your fave Bossa Nova music on the background.  It could also be coloring your hair or religiously doing your skincare routine without being disturbed.  Self care is good for us especially for our emotional and mental health.

One way I express my self-love is using products that will make me feel beautiful without breaking the bank.  I always turn to Shopee Beauty Luxe for all my beauty product needs and wants.  One of the brands I always add to cart is L'Oreal Paris!  

Here are some of L'Oreal Paris products that I recommend you also try!

L'Oreal Paris Excellence Ash Supreme Haircolor with Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo

You've seen my ash blonde hair color I've sported for months? I need to retouch and recolor and I'm so glad I've found the NEW L'Oreal Paris Excellence Ash Supreme which comes in 7 Pure Cool Ash shades that are meant to last longer and be ashier than ever. I got so excited upon learning that it's made with the FIRST-EVER PURPLE SHAMPOO and MASK to boost color, lift Ash tones up to 3X, and defy brassiness.

BENEFITS:

• High fashion and trendy Pure Cool Ash shades
• Salon-quality results with up to 3X TONE LIFT visible even on dark hair
• Color-boosting Purple mask that intensifies Ash shades
• Brass-Defying Purple shampoo that removes yellow tones and prolongs Ash color

I found it mandatory before the start of yet another quarantine in Metro Manila to visit my favorite skin clinic, SkinStation, for my third Revitalight Facial.  The two-year anxiety-filled community quarantine has been affecting the quality of my facial skin.  It's become a bit dry and dull, fine lines started appearing, and pores are going from almost none to gigantic!

Before the third lockdown, I made sure I get my third laser facial.  But what sets this facial apart from other facials we usually know?  Aha!  Good question.  If you're especially in my age (40s) or even a bit younger maybe around 30s and are experiencing some skin-aging issues, then this is the right facial for you.

Revitalight is a combination of facial, diamond peel and Nd-Yag laser to refresh and rejuvenate dull, dry & tired-looking skin! 

Below are the instant benefits you get from it:

• Revitalizes instantly to give you younger looking skin
• Rejuvenates skin from dull to glowing
• Promotes collagen formation
• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Minimizes pore size

This quarantine has made us moms more prone to dry and dull looking skin. Why?  Staying at home contribute to this.  I won't even start on all the washing, cleaning and sanitizing everything else.  That's because as moms, we want to care for others before us.  But it's also important to take care of ourselves by spending time for a little self-care.

One of  my self-care ideas at home is taking care of my skin.  I try out brands to see what works and what doesn't.  I recently discovered Face Republic.  It's a complete set of effective yet gently skincare product that uses clean and safe ingredients, just what we all need these days right?

For K-beauty fans or skincare enthusiasts like me, I recommend you try these too.  Here's a rundown of the products they have that I've tried and recommend to you as well.

FACE REPUBLIC SKINCARE LINE:

 1. AHA/BHA TONER - This gently strips away dull and rough skin, preps your skin by giving it that extra TLC on those bad skin days.  It has Salicylic Acid, the gold standard for treating skin problems and Lactobionic Acid, the next-gen AHA, that gently exfoliates the skin without irritation. Known for its crazy water-holding capacity, Sodium Hyaluronate gives your skin that plump and elastic feel. With Tocopherol, a.k.a. Pure vitamin E, antioxidants are put to work, protecting your skin from nasty free-radicals and against UVB rays. 

Shopee Link here: AHA/BHA TONER

 2. MILD CLEANSING WATER - is a gentle cleanser formulated clean. This Mild Cleansing Water preps your skin by clearing it of make-up, dirt, and excess oils on your cleaning or double cleansing routine. With Poloxamer 184, a gentle cleansing ingredient that isn’t as tough as it sounds. It removes breakout-causing dirt and oils without irritating your skin and eyes. It has antioxidants like Glycine Soja Extract, Soy Seed Extract and Vitamin E that help protect your skin form free-radicals that get in the way of collagen production. With Panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, to moisturize the skin, it draws water in to the skin and while holding onto it. 

 Shopee Link here: MILD CLEANSING WATER

 3. CICA GEL MOISTURIZER - A lightweight gel that helps soothe and ease skin troubles. It has a deeply hydrating formula minus the stickiness.  Ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Tea Tree Oil eases skin inflammation while healing small wounds and acne scars. Moisturizing reduces the chances of skin irritation and problems. With Sodium Hyaluronate, the skin absorbs and holds more onto water like a sponge, giving you a healthy and plump skin.  Hydroxyethyl stabilizes oils to form a gel formula giving you that non-sticky and cottony finish. Perfect even on hot and humid days. 

Shopee Link here: CICA GEL MOISTURIZER

 4. PURITY SUN ESSENCE - The Purity Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++ is your solution to a clean & mild daily sun protection! Formulated in the purest form, it contains no ingredient that could harm your skin nor the ocean.  Physical Sun Screen with No Whitecast. Has non-nano mineral filter that guarantees a fresh finish and ZERO whitecast.  Extra-Lightweight & Non-sticky.  Clean & Mild formula safe for those with sensitive skin. Ocean-friendly, Fragrance-free. Has an EWG level of 1-3. 

Shopee Link here: PURITY SUN ESSENCE

 

 5. HYDRO BOOST SOLUTION SERUM  - Hydro Boost Solution Serum is a lightweight Hyaluronic Serum that deeply hydrates and relieves the skin with 7 types of Hyaluronic Acids, leaving a moisturized and plumped skin.  7 types of Hyaluronic Acid that deeply hydrates the skin (Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate)  What I love about this is it's anti-wrinkle. Contains adenosine, which helps maintain firm skin and reduce wrinkles. HA also helps keep the skin smooth and elastic.   All ingredients with green level of EWG.

Shopee Link here: HYDRO BOOST SOLUTION SERUM

 6. FLORAL BREEZE HAND GEL - Dry hands no more from frequent use of alcohol and washing of hands. This gel type sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs while enjoying the following benefits (1) Deep Hydration from Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Camellia Japonica Seeds and Rosemarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (2) Blooming Floral Fragrance with a rich note of Lavender (3) Safe and reliable for daily use. KFDA tested and approved.  I love its powdery finish and light fragrance

Shopee Link here: FLORAL BREEZE HAND GEL

Get all these amazing Face Republic products and on @shopee_ph. You'll be surprised at how effective yet super affordable their quality skincare products are! Skincare and K-beauty fans, Face Republic's got you!

It's International Women's Day today!  Today, is an important day for us women as we celebrate our beauty, strength, uniqueness, and our contribution to the society we're in.  As somebody who's been championing self-love and self-care, I want to share with some beauty products that I have been using on days when I simply want to indulge in a soulful bath and after-bath routines.

As moms, I know we tend to get busy taking care of the family and as well the household with endless cooking, cleaning, dishwashing, teaching kids their school lessons, and tending to the little ones.  As wives, our duty is to be our husband's helpmate, bestfriend, and of course their partners for life.

But no matter how busy we may be wearing different hats all day, let's not forget ourselves.  Let's set aside time for self-care with products that celebrate us women and our authenticity such as DOVE.  

"But it's impossible to do self-caring throughout my day!"

Nothing's impossible if you really want to do it.  So decide to do it so you can know when to do it.  Let me share how I do it throughout my day.

When To Do Self-Care?

Morning

The moment I wake up, I thank God I'm alive with eyes to see my loved ones, ears to hear them call my name (Mahal or Mommy).  I do my quiet time for my daily devotions.  This way, I feed myself with God's grace and I'm able to start my day right.

Bath and After-Bath Time

Personally, bath time is sacred because it's the only time I get to really take care of myself and feel totally refreshed afterwards.  So I make sure I use  Dove Body Wash Invigorating Ritual Avocado 250ml.  I love its feminine and floral scent that instantly energizes me!  It has Avocado Oil and Calendula extract to make sure I achieve a naturally soft, smooth, revitalized skin with a really healthy glow.  Depending on my mood, I also use Dove Body Wash Glowing Ritual Lotus 250ml which has Lotus flower extract and rice water that has a fresh and invigorating scent that makes me feel special and loved.  It lifts my mood when I bathe with Dove Body Wash because the scents linger longer.  I usually use puff with body washes because it lathers well and it's more practical. 

After-bath

I go a little extra after bathing and make sure I moisturize with daily skin lotion to address dryness and uneven skin tone.  I also make sure I take proper care for my underarms.  I can't trust these with just any brand but Dove.  So I use Dove Ultimate Repair Dark Marks Corrector 150ml.  I've been a Dove deo user for years because with ¼ moisturizing cream and vitamin B3 it helps repair underarm damage and correct dark marks. It also gives you up to 48 hours of antiperspirant protection.  I know you've seen how I am quite conscious about my underarms.  Who isn't?  That's why I take proper care of them. This comes in two scents: Soothing Jasmine or Fresh Lily.   Your scent choice but any for me will do, they both smell fresh and make me feel more beautiful.

Do you know what works for my underarms too?  Dove Deodorant Dry Serum 50ml.  It absorbs quickly and contains serum ingredients that penetrate underarm skin 20 layers deep. Enriched with Collagen and vitamin concentrates, it is clinically proven to accelerate skin renewal and remove and prevent underarm dark marks for naturally beautiful, even-toned underarms within the epidermis.  It has collagen (responsible for renewal of skin), Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, and Omega 6 - which all work together for you to achieve an even, smooth, and whiter underarms.  I know you also have kili-kili goals like me.  So I'm sharing one of my underarm care secrets.

When kids nap, that becomes a solo time for me to give in to other indulgences.  It's either I sleep or watch KDramas on Netflix.  Sometimes, I also blog or get some admin stuff done.  I love that during this time, it's quiet around the house.

I've taken self-care more seriously since I turned my back from corporate life.  I realized that I have been working and stressing for years to meet deadlines, launch projects, to present marketing plans, deliver blog duties plus other passion projects, and the most important of all is fulfill my wife and mom duties at home.  I rarely take notice of caring for myself. Mindful self-care wasn't regular.

I neglected my skin.  Because of this, I get acne breakouts (hormonal and because of not having regular facials) and my skin started to show signs of aging like sagging, the appearance of fine lines and having a double chin.  Though I've been religiously following a skincare routine at night, topical skin care isn't enough to get my desired skin rejuvenation.  Though many have said I don't look my age, there are still some skin aging issues that I want to be addressed.

I was referred by a dear friend to the beautiful Dr. Yanee Vasquez, founder and Medical Director of Aesthetic Science Clinic.  Dr. Yanee and I met in their Makati branch (there's another in Alabang) to check the condition of my skin and recommend the best facial treatment to address whatever concerns I have.

But I don't want any surgery. I can't afford downtime.  Invasive treatment isn't my thing.  

Dr. Yanee said not to worry.  Aesthetic Science has what they call NEWTHERA an anti-aging treatment perfect for individuals whose faces have shown signs of aging especially on the face and neck area.

They say, usually sagging jaw or the neck areas are age giveaways.  For these there's Newthera.

WHAT IS NEWTHERA?

• Newthera is a non-invasive and non-ablative treatment for tightening and firming of the skin of the face and the neck. 
• It restores youthful look without dermal fillers or plastic surgery.
• Newthera can deliver instant results, visible lifting will be noticed over time.
• This uses safe ultrasound technology to regenerate collagen and give a visible but natural-looking lift to the jawline after a few weeks.
• A single session of Newthera can already tone and tighten mildly loose skin on the
• Makes you look younger than your real age
• It uses a High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound machine from South Korea
• One session could last you a year or depending on skin condition.

MY NEWTHERA TREATMENT EXPERIENCE
A week before having my treatment, I visited Aesthetic Science Clinic Makati for a consultation.  Since I kind of neglected my facial skin health, my face showed sun spots, acne marks, whiteheads, blackheads, and discoloration.  I had facial with diamond peel which will better prepare my skin for the Newthera treatment I was about to take a week after.

Now I know why Aesthetic Science Clinic offers THE. BEST. FACIAL. IN. MANILA!  The facial therapist had very gentle hands, thorough in cleaning, was pleasant yet professional, no pain at all, and my face was clean, fresh, and soft after!  I was glowing.

A week after, I came back for Newthera.  On a normal patient, the treatment includes topical anesthesia and a cool healing cream after the procedure. I would like to consider myself special because I still breastfeed my youngest.  The topical anesthesia which was supposed to stay on my face for a good 45 minutes could enter my bloodstream chances are, my son would take it in somehow.  I opted not to have any anesthesia nor the healing cream.

You may watch my treatment experience vlog below:
Yes especially if you have a low tolerance for pain or your skin is sensitive or you've never had a laser treatment before.  But during the talk with Dr. Van (Dr. Yanee wasn't available that time), she was able to manage my expectations and explained to me the risks, what I could possibly feel without the anesthesia.  I assessed and said I'd go for it.

What oral medication is recommended?
Patients who are not allergic to Paracetamol are advised to take one capsule before bedtime on the day before the procedure, one capsule after breakfast on the day of the procedure and one capsule one hour before the NT procedure.  This is to manage or relieve any pain that I may experience.

Is facial before Newthera treatment necessary?
A clean face is always better to begin with than one that's not.  I had facial with diamond peel a week before Newthera.

Other treatment protocols: Newthera may be done after a Diamond Peel procedure.  Botox may be done on the same day after Newthera procedure. However, for patients who have had Botox done, they should be advised to have the Botox treatment after 3 to 4 weeks of NT procedure/

How's the procedure?
1. My treatment started with cleaning my face
2. Dr. Van outlined my face with targeted areas for contouring and tightening and marked X the areas which cannot be touched.
3. A cool gel was applied on my face for repelling the heat coming from the machine upon impact on my face.
4. Start of treatment.

Was it painful?
To be honest, because I've had Revlite treatments in the past which gave me "gulat" factors every contact of the machine on my face, I didn't feel any pain on the face.  I felt the impact on boney areas which are my jaws and forehead.  But had I have anesthesia, I wouldn't feel anything on those areas too.

How long was the procedure?
After around 30 minutes, wow, we're done!  Yes, it was that quick!  Add the time for consulting, cleaning, it took me around one hour tops. They applied a collagen mask instead of the healing cream (which has steroids by the way) on me to calm my skin.  I went home after the treatment.

Was there a downtime?
Downtime means, if my regular work or routine is compromised or stopped temporarily due to the treatment.  There's none.  No Downtime. But the effects of the impact on my jaw areas were felt for about two weeks. Do you know the feeling of lightly bruised for hitting a surface?  It's something like that.  It made me feel that the treatment was still activated in the deep layers of my skin and that's how I know it's going to give me great results.

What are the other possible side effects of the treatment?
1.     Swelling
2.     Transient erythema or redness
3.     Temporary numbness
4.     Soreness of area treated
5.     Occasional pain and slight discomfort of the area treated
6.     Headache
7.     Urticaria/Linear Striations and Edema


VISIBLE EFFECTS AFTER NEWTHERA

2 months after the Newthera treatment at Aesthetic Science Clinic.  Face is younger-looking and tighter as well!

"Wow mare, your face is tighter, and the jaw ha, parang more pronounced?  What did you do?"

- Joy Yap, mom of two, professional make-up artist, beauty consultant, mompreneur

"Louise, parang lately lalo kang bumabata!  Ang liit din ng face mo lalo ngayon!" 

- Maricel Prado, Executive Assitant,, churchmate, appreciates beauty.

"Ate, napansin ko yung jaw areas mo para ngang nagcontour, and yung skin nag-tighten!"

- Ehm Santos, sister-in-law, mom of three, mompreneur.

"Kaya pala ang ganda ng skin mo momsh...Nakatitig ako sa yo last Saturday, kasi younger-looking skin."

- Shishi Cruz De Leon, mom of one, career woman, and vlogger.

These were just some of the comments I received after the treatment.  I didn't tell them about the treatment, but I was so happy to hear them say something good about the way my face looked younger.  They noticed the tightening and contouring on my face.  After receiving these wonderful and flattering comments, I told them about Newthera.

Indeed the treatment gives visible results as early as 2 weeks.  Up to this day, my face gets tighter and looks younger!  There was no hyperpigmentation, again no downtime.  I highly recommend this to friends who are intentional about skincare and would like to address some aging concerns.  As Doc Van said during the treatment, this is best recommended to ages 35 and up.  How often?  It actually depends on the condition of your skin.  It may be once or 2x a year.


According to Aesthetic Science Clinic, here are some indications for treatment:

1.     Tightening of the Skin in The Face and Neck Area
2.     Improvement of the Nasolabial Fold and Marionette Lines
3.     Contouring of the Face
4.     Lifting of the Jaw Line/ Improvement of Sagging of the Jowls
5.     Lifting of Sagging and Drooping of Eyelids
6.   Tightening of Double Chin
7.     Instant and Immediate Skin Rejuvenation of Face and Neck

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
On the treatment:

The Newthera treatment itself wasn't painful for me and it was fast.  Doc Van explained every step clearly and told me some skincare tips plus facts about collagen.  She made the treatment comfortable for me as well.  The slight discomfort or soreness post-treatment was bearable and not something that I would need to rest it out.  Post-treatment care instructions were given which I followed religiously.

On staff and physical clinic:

Doc Van was really kind, detailed, and informative.  She's so pleasant!  Ate Belle the one that assisted during the treatment (she's good din daw with body massage and body scrubs!  I will try that soon!), was always smiling and it shows that she enjoys what she's doing and she loves her job.  The reception staff in their Makati clinic are all professionals yet warm, they make sure their clients are comfortable and attended to right away.  The clinic's ambiance has the right mood lighting, not too bright, which makes their clients feel relaxed like how you are in a spa upon entry.
On results and effectiveness: 
To say that I am highly satisfied with the results of the Newthera treatment is an understatement.  I still get super positive comments about my skin!  I am happy it's really tighter, I look younger than my age of 40, and I can even go out confidently without makeup! The result started to be noticeable 2 weeks post-treatment.


I am a HAPPY Aesthetic Science Clinic patient/client!  I will definitely go back to try more services! Special thanks to Doc Yanee for allowing me experience the Newthera treatment!

To know more about the Newthera treatment, other available services, and promos, visit their website http://www.aestheticscienceclinic.com/ and follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aestheticscienceclinic/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aestheticscienceclinic/.  You may also follow their stories with this hashtag: #bestfacialinmanila

BRANCHES: 

AESTHETIC SCIENCE ALABANG
G/F Kennedy Center Building Prime St. corner Venture St. Madrigal Business Park Alabang, Muntinlupa City
(632) 809-8021
(63917) 808-2921
Clinic Hours:
10AM to 7PM (Mon-Sat)
12PM-6PM (Sun)

AESTHETIC SCIENCE MAKATI
G/F Jupiter Place Building Jupiter Street,
Bel-Air, Makati City
(632) 899-3643
(63917) 808-2926
Clinic Hours:

11AM to 9PM (Mon-Sat)

I've already shared on my Instagram and Facebook Page my new look for 2019.  I have been contemplating the new hair cut for a month or two already.  I was supposed to have it done last December, but bilang the Christmas and the New Year seasons are the busiest, I wasn't able to find time to do it.  Finally, last January 6, Sunday, I chopped my hair.

Having a short hair again is liberating!  I love my new hair!

For some, having a new hair especially coming from long locks to super or extreme short meant may pinagdadaanan ang nagpagupit, like a heartbreak, loss of a loved one, or gusto magrebelde.  Some have their haircut to come out as a new person (psychologically speaking - the crowning glory really affects how we see and feel about ourselves most of the time right?).  But personally, no wala akong problemang mabigat, hindi ako heartbroken, and it's not really meant to welcome the new year with a new me kumbaga.  It's really to put an end to my longtime hair problem, damaged, curly, frizzy, and unmanageable long locks.  It had been years that I refused to have it rebonded again because I believe the damage and the reason why it became curly was because of years of it had been rebonded repeatedly.  I resorted to hair treatments, all the Brazilian spas, other restorative hair treatments, and daily conditioner, but waley, nega, deads pa rin, #salotkulot, and buhaghag forevs pa rin ang hair drama.

I just wanted to snip all these damaged part of my hair and start new, sumakto lang talaga sa new year. 

Let me share that this isn't so new to me because I sported a short hair since Grade 6, all throughout high school - college, and up until I gave birth to my fist baby.  I decided to grow it long after child birth up until last January 6! :)  So when people commented that I looked 10 to 20 years younger, I guess they were just reminded of how I looked when I was younger with this short hair.  Here are some photos of my younger self in high school and college:

High School grad pictures

College Grad pictures

Let me share with you my hair inspirations, it's like my hair-mood board:

Maricar Reyes-Poon and Riki Flo, my hair inspirations

Okay, so here's my haircut story.  I was referred to by many friends to Bench Fix Salon in Eastwood Mall.  It was where my kumare had her pixies and I really loved her cut!  I told her last year, someday mamang, I'll have that hair too!  So she supported me and went to see me pa after the hair cut!

My sister from another mother, Joy!  Uso na ang pogi-mommies!

About a month ago, I was treated to an extraordinary non-surgical dermatology procedure.  It's called The Pink Intimate System.  Why extraordinary?  Well, because it's not done on the face, not my neck, not the arms nor legs, not even the underarms, but the area we're mostly shy about down there.   Yes, down there.  The vajayjay as what others call it.  Yes our vagina.  I swear if it can only talk diba, I wonder what it's going to say to you all day!  Have you thought of that?  Well anyway....