Domesticity Reviews: Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Gel

I never thought I'd begin a blog post with the phrase "Continuing with our ongoing themes of pimples and Australia," but... here we are.

The story goes like this: During my trip to Sydney - and I think it could've been the day after the city tour including Bondi Beach - I found myself sporting some unfortunate-looking red spots on my chin. Since I knew for sure that there were no mosquitoes nor sand flies in that area (good gravy please, NO), I thought I'd go ahead and trudge through downtown Sydney in search of a pharmacy... or at least a store that sold decent cosmetics.

Long story short: I made a new friend on George Street.

After getting over the initial giggles over the name itself, I ducked into the local Priceline in search of something to take care of my little problem. But all of my leads came up short, and the only pimple-fighting brands I could find were "the usual suspects" targeted for teenagers.

I was just about to give up when I thought, Hey, why not duck into the Neutrogena aisle and see what they have over there? That's what I did, and that's how I managed to walk out of that store with my first decent spot treatment  in years.

No, scratch that: I walked out of that store with one of the greatest pimple-fighting spot treatments of all time.

Here's why Neutrogena's Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Gel is worth all that trouble, and more: When they tell you to start with a thin layer of product, they mean one thin layer of product - and when they tell you to start using "once daily," they mean once daily. Usually, when I put pimple-fighting stuff on myself, I have the tendency to pile it on the monster and let it dry overnight. I was tempted to do exactly that with the Neutrogena on one of the zits on my chin... but since this one was a gel, and formulated for acne sufferers who are no longer served by the Clearasil market, I figured I should try going slow first. Besides, the tube promises to fight and fade - and it wouldn't hurt to do it more than once if it didn't work the first time, right?

The next morning, I checked myself in the mirror: One application + one thin layer = zits gone, practically overnight. Bingo.

The secret, so to speak, is in the sauce - specifically, the proprietary blend of salicylic and glycolic acids that get over and under the skin to get to the zit without leaving the unsavory acid-burn marks that come from traditional zit treatments. It works for me, especially, since I suffer more breakouts on my T-zone and don't have to worry about acne everywhere else. I also appreciate the fact that the gel formula absorbs fast (unlike the goopy peel-off mask gels that I've used in the past) and the fragrance isn't obnoxious at all.

The only caveat I could think of with this is the increased sun sensitivity as a result of all the acids in the formula - that, and the possibility that it might not work if you'll need something stronger for regular breakouts - but other than that, no problem anyway.

Verdict: Thumbs way up, and worth passing on to your family and friends.

Edited to add: The folks at Neutrogena recommend starting with one application daily, and then building up to two to three times daily if the zit is especially bothersome. Good thing to know! 

Domesticity Moments: Wellington, NZ

Just for the record: I HATE THE YANKEES. And I replaced this one with an All Blacks cap anyway.  

Ignore the hellish state of my skin here for a moment, because it's all about the lips and lashes here.

The retouched version. (No, I didn't crop out the Yankees cap here; it just happened that way.) 

The lip gloss I'm wearing here is Clinique's Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Kissyfit, which was basically the only gloss I wore throughout the trip - and, heck, the only non-balm product that I sported during all my jaunts. (This, by the by, will be reviewed in an upcoming Glosswatch Extra; it's about time, too, since I've had this one for a while.)

The mascara I'm wearing, on the other hand, is Maybelline Lash Stiletto, which was a grab-and-go purchase that I made at the Duty Free Philippines store in NAIA-1 before leaving for Auckland. I purchased this for US$7.50, but it has turned out to be one of the best purchases that I've made for this trip. While it's not exactly my holy grail of mascara - that one will always be, now and forever, Cover Girl's Lash Blast - I've actually grown quite fond of Lash Stiletto throughout this trip. The pointed brush does get those little lashes in the corners, and the formula itself does lengthen like nobody's business, so it actually does give that doll-eyed effect that most folks usually get with false eyelashes. Plus it lasts all day, so I don't have to worry about waking up with runny black eyes. If there is one complaint that I can make about this mascara, though, it's the clumping; as much as I like how it lengthens and lasts, it does look and feel like asphalt going on, and could get even more asphalt-like throughout the day if I'm not careful. That means I have to do the extra "work" of wiping the brush and applying the mascara in thin coats rather than going all-out in one swipe, which is something I can't faff with if I don't have the extra hours in the morning. Other than that, though, I'm actually quite happy with this, and I might actually consider this as a repurchase. 

Domesticity Reviews: Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Retrograde

This is how my new Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow came to be in my possession:

Not a picture from my own camera, BTW. But still, it's so FURFLE!!!!!!! 

Now, I have to tell you, I wasn't sure about getting away with this, especially with my current life being non-conducive to wearing shimmery purple eyeshadow. But this is a gift from a dearest friend - along with another life-changing item that I need to review soon - and she assured me that this was going to work especially well for me. 

And so... 

Urban Decay Stardust eyeshadow in Retrograde, worn with Sephora Super Shimmer lip gloss in Pink Ballerina

Subtle, yes. But so pretty! And not at all drag-queenish, considering that I just brushed it in dry powder form on my lids without any primer. 

Here's the fun part: I wore this look to the office. Why? Because I can, and also because I needed a little jolt after spending the rest of the semester with barely-combed hair and a perma-scowl. 

The uncensored "fashion pictorial" version of the same.

I was expecting a lot of sparkly purple fallout for the rest of the afternoon, but guess what? After hours of checking papers, stapling midterms, and the occasional eye-rub, I went to the bathroom and found that the eyeshadow was still very much on my eyelids, with no intention of leaving before I decided to wash my face and be done with it.

How could I have taken Urban Decay for granted all this time? 

Retrograde is a true keeper. The UD website describes it as a "dark purple with iridescent shimmer," which is exactly what this product is in real life. The sparkle isn't gritty or frosty, and I could look at this pan all day long and never get tired of the iridescence of it all. One day, when I'm not as pressed for time, I would also love to use this as an eyeliner because this is the kind of purple that really brings out the eyes. 

The first and last UD shadows that I have purchased (one of which was ABC Gum, which is basically the matte-powder version of the MAC Paint Pot in Painterly) were as long-lasting as advertised; it's too bad that I never got around to keeping them, because they were fantastic. After reading the reviews for the Stardust shadows, however, I'm glad that my experience with has been confirmed... and now I want to reconsider the whole brand all over again, at least for their eyeshadows. Can't wait to try more! 

Glosswatch 2011: Life Would Be a Party

This should teach me not to leave the house without makeup. (And/or take my picture in a moving vehicle.) 

The gloss: LORAC Multiplex 3-D Lip Gloss in Cliche

What Sephora says: The Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss features a viscosity that visually retextures the lips, and smoothes away imperfections allowing color to appear more vivid and luminous. The unique formula is infused with antioxidants to help nourish and protect, while the creamy, moist texture helps lips look silky-smooth and ultra-glossy. It combines a liquid lipstick and lip lacquer for high-impact color and the 3-D Holographic effect will make your pout stand out!

First impressions: Pink. Piiiiiiiiiink. PINK. And not just pink, but icy, blue-toned disco pink with blue glitter. And this is supposed to be popular how, Sephora?

Texture: Quite pleasant, actually - not too sticky, slippery, or creamy. As much as I wasn't crazy about the color, I actually loved touching this one up because I loved that texture.

Color saturation: A little sheer in person, but the blue does stand out. A LOT. (See picture above.) On the plus side, the blue frost does wear off eventually, leaving behind a nice pink base.

Minty-fresh factor: There's a bit of a tingle, but nothing too serious.

Hydration capacity: I wore this during a cold day in December and it did not dry my lips out one bit. That's another reason why I couldn't stop touching up my lips with this gloss.

Glosswatch 2011: The Happy-Making Gloss

I... honestly don't remember wearing any other makeup when I took this picture. 

The gloss: Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lip Gloss ($21) in 40 Winks

What Sephora says: Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss nourishes and conditions lips with nutraceutical properties that rejuvenate lips, helping to protect against environmental attack. The gloss includes natural ingredients from BORBA's Age Defying, Replenishing, and Clarifying lines […]This gloss contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients such as grape seed extract, which helps accelerate production of natural elastin to restore the skin's clarity, and vitamins A and C, antioxidants that help prevent premature signs of aging and free radical damage. It's also formulated with acai extract, an antioxidant-rich super fruit that promotes cell regeneration and has known anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties, and chamomile extract to treat and heal dry skin. Dermatologist-tested.


First impressions: Ooooooo, SHINY! The Sephora site calls the shade a "sheer golden peachy-pink," and - true to form - it looks like shiny, glittery bubblegum in the tube.

Texture: Surprisingly lightweight and smooth. Like Mint Glaze FX, this sample comes with a doe-foot applicator, so the gloss just glides on nicely.

Color saturation: Don't let the sparkly bubblegum shade fool you; as you can see in this picture, it's pretty sheer - not thick like a lipstick would be - and it does fade out into a gorgeous shade that will remind you of pink grapefruit. I'm also surprised by how well this photographs compared to the other glosses I've tried.

Minty-fresh factor: Not a lot of it, surprisingly. The gloss does smell like actual tropical fruit, though, as opposed to the plastic-y "fruit" smell you'd find in other glosses.

Hydration capacity: No joke - this is a highly moisturizing product. Some reviewers on the Sephora site have reported that it's more moisturizing than other lip balms, and I have to agree on that... though, again, I probably won't recommend wearing this when you've got actual chapped lips.

Glosswatch 2011: Like Whoa

Before I begin: The MAC Foundation Finder says that I might be an NC42, but I can't be sure of that until I haul myself out to the nearest MAC counter. Not that you can tell from the judiciously-cropped picture shown below, though.

Taken right before going to work, while the lighting's still good.
In other news, my hair really needs to get its act together soon.

So, on to Glosswatch 2011!


The gloss: Buxom Lips Full Color ($18) in Roxanne. [Note: The Buxom brand is brought to you by the folks at Bare Escentuals, who are also responsible for BareMinerals.]

Sephora says: "Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Buxom Big & Healthy Full-Color Lip Polish naturally creates a fuller, more voluptuous lip-look. This mineral-infused polish imparts intense sheen and color opacity with no sticky or tacky feeling [...] A deep infusion of antioxidant vitamins A and E helps keep lips soft, smooth, and protected, while the tingly, cooling sensation reminds you that your lips are getting an immediate boost."

First impressions: Something about the way it looks in the tube registers as "copper bronze," which makes it out of place among the reds and pinks in the box set. The Bare Escentuals site calls this one "a pink raspberry shade," while Sephora calls it a "berry rose." (Users on both sites, however, agree that the shade descriptions given by both BE and Sephora are wildly inaccurate, since most of the colors are warmer and more orange-y in person than they are as advertised.) But how could I resist it otherwise?

Color saturation: Smooth, creamy, and opaque. Personally, I think that the shade itself is a bit of a chameleon: depending on the lighting conditions and wear time, it can be anywhere from a pinkish-berry, to straight-up bronze, to even a pleasant peachy nude. That chameleonic quality to Roxanne also reminds me of MAC's "O" lipstick, which has a darker base than Roxanne but shares the same aspects of opacity and golden sheen.

That said, a frosting-like product like this deserves a more efficient applicator than the mop-like brush that came with this tube, which did not exactly do a good job of spreading the gloss efficiently. Thankfully for the rest of us, newer tubes of Buxom Full Color are now made with felt doe-foot applicators (like the ones featured here, and here, as pictured on Karen's Makeup and Beauty Blog) so it should be much easier to get a smooth, even application every time.

Minty-fresh factor:  I totally get that this is supposed to be a lip-plumping product, and thus designed to blow up my lips with a little, shall we say, minor irritation. The mintiness in the Buxom formula, on the other hand... good Lord, we're talking toothpaste-level mintiness right here. I once tried to touch this one up, and ended up with a minty, plumped-out mouth for the rest of the day... which is pretty nice if you're into that sort of thing, except that it didn't wear off even after dinner. (I should also note that the weather had been quite cold in our side of the boonies while I was testing this, which makes the cold mintiness even more annoying.) I did get over the tingling sensation, though, so I was still able to make the rest of the product work for me.

Lip inflation/ Hydration capacity: I don't ask for much when it comes to lip plumpers, so I already know that this product is not going to turn me into Angelina Jolie. Still, I'm pleasantly surprised by how this product has made my lips quite plump in a natural-looking way, and I also love the way left my lips smooth and moisturized.

Glosswatch 2011: In the Clear

The rest of my face, as it appears in my New Year's Eve photos: The Body Shop's Flawless Skin Perfecting Foundation in #04; BeneFit eyeshadow in Dandy Brandy; Ever Bilena black eyeliner; Maybelline Volum'Express Waterproof Mascara in Very Black; BeneFit bronzer in Dallas. I'd wear my makeup like this every day, if it weren't for the tiny stye on my eyelid that's taking forever to go away. 

The gloss: CoverFX Mint Glaze FX ($22 for full size)

Sephora says: "Cover FX MintGlaze FX is a protective, fortifying, and freshening pout primer that hydrates and softens the appearance of lip lines. It's perfect for anyone with chapped or fine-lined lips, as well as those who want sun protection."


First impressions: A product named "Mint Glaze" that comes in a white tube? Frankly, I actually thought it was a tooth whitener... but between the product description as a "pout primer" and the promise of a clear finish, I decided to give this one a chance.

Texture: Anything but toothpaste-like. Thanks to the doe-foot applicator, the Glaze goes on pretty smoothly,  and there's barely any stickiness. I tried using it as a primer, though, and found it a little too thick and goopy for lipstick and gloss to stick on.


Color saturation: None - thankfully! I could barely even see the opalescent bits from the gloss while I'm wearing it - just pure shimmer, straight up.

Minty-fresh factor: Gentle. There's a bit of a tingle upon the first application, but I find that it fades away quite nicely. The flavor and scent are not overwhelming.

Lip inflation: A little bit, but I owe that more to visual effects rather than actual skincare ingredients.

Hydration capacity: Very, very moisturizing. This is the gloss to wear when you're exposed to dry air, especially the dry winter winds that we get in the tropics. My lips chap easily, which prompts a lot of rubbing/ licking/ biting on my part... but Mint Glaze does away with all of that, and leaves my lips smooth.

This product will remind you of... Benefit's now-discontinued Smoooch, which shares the same white color and tube application. The big difference, however, is that Mint Glaze is miles ahead of Smooch in terms of scent, taste, hydration - practically EVERYTHING, in fact.

The person I'd kiss while wearing this gloss is... Nobody in particular, but I'd wear this to church - or any casual event where I know I would be doing a lot of beso-beso with friends and aunties. Mint Glaze is a clear gloss, after all, so I wouldn't worry about leaving honking red marks and/or sticky mint burns on people's faces.

My recommendations: Mint Glaze isn't exactly the all-in-one product that it promises to be; personally, I like glosses that have more pigment in them, so I have my reasons to hold back on this one. Still and all, though, it's an excellent product if you only want a basic, clear gloss that delivers moisture and shine in a non-tacky way.

Domesticity Reviews: The Fragrances in Meimei's Closet

Credit for this goes to a friend of mine who did this on his Facebook page.

For a quick refresher on which fragrances are which - besides the first three - click here.

Chanel Chance: Remember when you purchased me from Liberty House several years ago, when you got your first non-student job? And you do remember that the first day of your second term is coming up, yes? So it would help that you should wear the very fragrance that has carried you through every single challenge in your career. Pick me, and I will help you fulfill your destiny!

Chanel No. 5: But ah, my dearest bonne Chance, you are mistaken! I have taught Meimei everything that she needs to know about power and destiny! Never mind that I have repeatedly failed in attracting the right garcon for her (then again, so has your dearest sister Allure) but what can one do when one is 18 years of age and could only begin to grasp one's true mission in life! So much potential, Meimei, but it is never too late to awaken it once again.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille: Je suis desole, les madames de Chanel, but I've been Meimei's go-to fragrance for the last 10 or so years, and she just can't quit me. Maybe it's because she's now used to that flan-scented top note?

4711: Meimei once wore me when she acted as a judge for a trivia-quiz night at the Math department, and ended up earning more respect from the undergrads for being tough and knowledgeable. If she'd known earlier that my dry down smells better than that intimidating top note, she'd wear me more often.

Le Petit b. b. by Agnes B.: Hi, Mr. 4711! Can I help you with your top-note problem? I'm a little too light, but I can still help you!

Sand and Sable: ...COOKIES!

Caron Farnesiana and Pan Ame de Patou: Darling, why are you still saving us for special occasions? Is it because we make you feel like you should be wearing a dress all the time?

YSL Cinema: Well, you did wear me when you went to watch Cats, right? And I did help you get through that intermission with all those intimidating high-society folks in attendance - even if you were, in fact, wearing a skirt from Gap. Wouldn't it be nice if you'd wear me again with a more glamorous gown, and possibly a much hotter date?

Mysterious Blue Bottle from Kuri's Stash: Yes, you can wear me to work. And by "work" I mean Domesticity and NaNoWriMo, if you know what I mean... KIDDING! No, seriously, you can totally wear me to work.

The Body Shop Indian Gardenia: Well, well, I just realized that Meimei's beginning to like me again as a floral. Wonder if she'll let me help 4711 and Le Petit b.b. on their sillage problems?

Pump and Lift, Episode 14: At Last, Another Video Review

I really wanted to hate The Firm. Really.

I blame the DVD you see on the left for my angst about The Firm. Yes, it's only one DVD - and the only one that we have in the Hacienda - but I honestly chose the wrong workout, and I ended up with knee pain and a list of complaints.

Too-fast pacing? Check. Annoyingly bland set? Check. (It's not for nothing that the Collage Video catalog always comments on videos with "The Firm-style" sets and workouts.) Inaccurate representation of difficult, higher-impact workouts as "easy"? Definite check.

Unrealistic-looking worker-outer extras in the video? Che-... wait a minute, nobody told me that the other girls in this video were actual Firm instructors themselves! All righty, then. If there's any comfort, though, I think I prefer the leggings-and-shorts aesthetic in The Firm to Kathy Smith's tiny workout leotards, which always distract me.

(Shallow note: As much as I enjoy Kathy Smith, I can't help but wonder if she and Madonna are neck-and-neck in the race to become the most intimidatingly fit cougar of all time.)

That said: This last month, I started noticing that I was losing muscle tone all over. My butt had deflated. My bra cups were not filling up the way they used to. I felt like a skinny person with fatty skin hanging over my bones.

It was about time, I thought, that I shook up my regular workout - but typhoon season had just set in, which meant that power-walking (and, therefore, my opportunity to work on my running) was not in the cards. I needed something that slayed two birds with one deathly efficient stone - something that gave me the stress-busting benefits of cardio with the "damn, that burns" efficiency of strength training.

Long story short, I dug up The Firm again, and found something that caught my attention: The Firm - Cardio Sculpt Fusion.



And I was hooked. 

The things I didn't like about the other Firm workouts were still there, but unlike the other workout I tried, the Cardio Sculpt one was much more fluid, which meant that I was more likely to catch up on the pacing with every workout. There was still a bit of knee pain, too, but it came and went and was more like a tiny pinch than a full hurt. It also helped that I only used weights on the exercises that needed more of a challenge from me, though that's more of my modification than their recommendation.

Does it work? Well, I've only done the workout twice, but I noticed that my butt is significantly less pancake-like, and my chest is showing signs of pectoral muscle development. Plus, my abs always feel the effects right away... and I'm the type of person who thinks that no prescribed core exercise will ever be able to help my floppy ab muscles (not even crunches, which are way too easy for me), so this is saying a lot.

I'm not going to hold The Firm at their word that I'll see results in 10 workouts, because I don't need that guarantee from them. The point is that I'm getting hooked on the burn, and having fun in the process - and that, dear friends, is a sure-fire recipe for Awesome.

Domesticity Reviews: Johnson's Body Care 24 Hour Lasting Moisture Body Lotion

Photo credit: Fashionflick.blogspot.com. 

A little bit of disclosure, before we get to everything else: I actually bought this product at the supermarket. I also have a friend who works as a brand manager for Johnson & Johnson - and J&J is also an advertiser on this blog, via Nuffnang - but I did not get any samples or monetary compensation from the company for this review. 

That said, I've never really paid much attention to Johnson's Body Care until recently, when J&J started collaborating with local Filipino designers as part of their ongoing ad campaign. (Check out their most recent collab with Bayo, which showcased a lot of on-trend soft neutrals.) The timing couldn't be more perfect for me, as well, since I'm running out of my current go-to moisturizer (L'Occitane Shea Butter in Lavande) and I needed something that was just as practical and portable to take with me.

(Side note: Many products in the Philippines may be considered "travel-size" compared to their international counterparts; for example, the Johnson's lotion I've reviewed here comes in a 14-oz. bottle in the US market. I think it's due to the fact that Southeast Asians like us don't like to buy in bulk, since we don't always end up using the whole product in the long run.)

The other moisturizer-related problem that I have right now involves my hands, which go through a lot during my workday. You see, I tend to abuse hand sanitizer - I carry a bottle with me all the time, because I'll never know if I'll encounter terrible hand soap in the ladies' room (worse than no soap at all, IMO) or pick up garbage with no time to wash my hands. This leads to hangnails and dry cuticles, which would inevitably end up getting chewed out during moments of extreme anxiety. Any moisturizer that I would have to use on the rest of my body, therefore, will need to get tested on my hands first; if it does nothing for my cuticles, it will do nothing for the rest of me.

Last night, I slathered on the 24 Hour Lasting Moisture Body Lotion (whew, what a mouthful!) on my hands to avoid yet another stress-induced chew-a-thon. The first thing I noticed was the rich fruity-floral scent, which was so inviting and delicious that it could rival anything on the Bath & Body Works shelf. The smell alone tempted me to put the whole thing all over my body right away, but the rational tester in me decided to wait it out until I could observe how it does on my hands. 

Turns out that I didn't have to wait that long, because the lotion -  lightweight, without being runny - melted pretty quickly into the skin, leaving practically no residue behind. A few minutes later, I checked how it did on my fingertips, and I was surprised: No hard hangnails, no peeling cuticles, and practically nothing to pick on, no matter how tempted I got to do so. 

12 hours and several hand washings later, the scent has faded - but my hands are still as soft as they were on the first application, and I still can't find a single crack that I could pick on. In fact, if you shook hands with me right now, you might even say that my fingers and palms are practically "baby soft" - as opposed to overworked and under-manicured. I've even put a few drops on my ashy elbows, and they went from sandpapery to touchable with barely any rubbing at all. 

It's rare for me to start raving about a product after just one use, but Johnson's really did it for me this time - and for the price that I paid (PhP68 for a 100 mL bottle, or roughly US$1.50 under the current exchange rate), it was the best value for my money that I've ever seen. If you love department store body lotions for their rich formulations and fragrances, but can't pay the extravagant price tags for them, Johnson's would be the best bet for you.