Lessons Learned: Tips on Importing Asian Cosmetics in the Philippines

I am one of the unlucky ones who always get pawned by the Bureau of Customs. Of the four instances of ordering from overseas online shops, three were subjected to exorbitant taxes. A couple of purchases from sasa.com got taxed by around 40% of the item cost, while a recent purchase from roseroseshop got taxed as much as 60% of the item cost.

And because I don't want other Asian cosmetic fans here in the Philippines to encounter the same monster, I'd like to hand out a few tips on how to at least minimize the damage on our pockets by the Bureau of Customs when we need to import cosmetics.

I present to you, Scumbag Bureau of Customs 

Review: Skin Food Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion

Folks, I present to you probably the best smelling product I've ever used. It had such a beautiful scent which convinced me to buy it solely for my nose's pleasure - Skin Food's Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion.

Is great fragrance its only selling point? Or can it deliver more than what meets the nose?

RoseRoseShop, Sasa, KoreaDepart et cetera to Philippines: Think twice before you buy

Thanks to the internet, Filipinas have wider selections in skin care and cosmetics. A great deal of these treasures are found in online shops such as Sasa, KoreaDepart, or RoseRoseShop. However, fellow Filipino consumers like me should be mindful when purchasing items from online shops based abroad.

Mini - Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask

Hi everyone! It has been months now since I've first started using this sleeping mask which came with the purchase of the cream from the same Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail line. Since this is a trial sample, it is best to just have a mini-review. Similar in everything with the normal reviews, but no comments on the price and long-term performance of the product.

Today's mini review is for Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask.

Cybercrime, libel and loveloveloves

The Philippines’ Supreme Court has declared the controversial “online libel” clause of the Cybercrime Law constitutional yesterday. While butt hurt politicians and artistas might be relieved, for the Philippine blogging community, the approval of this clause would be detrimental, if not dangerous for the blogs, readers and bloggers themselves.

How I destroyed my hands

I am not fond of taking care of my hands. I have dry hands, with the skin at the base of my nail frequently punishing me for it. I've also subjected it to insane amounts of wet-dry cycles. Pressing buttons on a console controller, then wash dishes (the game is paused), continue playing, and then I need to pee, continue playing.

But a few weeks ago, finally my hands have had their final straw.

My husband gave me this.

Valentine's Day Post: Does chocolate cause acne?

Happy Valentine's Day!

It has been a custom to give gifts during this occasion and chocolates almost always are a part of Valentine's. When I was in high school and being labeled as an "ugly girl", I used to sour grape all the time whenever the other ladies received chocolate and I had none (of course). I used to say to myself, "ha, go and eat those sweets and you'll have a ton of pimples like me". It's an old wives' tale and I believed it too: chocolate can cause acne.

So bitter or not (pun intended), can chocolate break you out?

Behold, the standard Filipino-middle-class-high-school-
bought-by-mom's-cash Valentine's day chocolate!
Image from walmart.com

Skin care chismis: please don't ban retinol in cosmetics

So while browsing today, I chanced upon a rumor of a possibility of the banning of retinol in skin care products. While I am aware that retinol, along with Vitamin A derivatives, is not exactly recommended for pregnant or lactating women, I am hopeful that there will be no such ban for retinol, which is one of the few effective anti-aging ingredients around.

I am afraid that retinoids (retinol is a retinoid) might become the next paraben. Replacing ingredients, especially highly effective ones in my opinion, should be subject to stringent studies which will justify this action. I am also unsure if topically applied Vitamin A derivatives are indeed the main source of the Vitamin A as there are a lot of Vitamin A rich food items. 

As someone who is trying to conceive, I am staying away from retinol for now, not because retinol is dangerous for pregnant women per se, but simply because shying away from this is more prudent. For everyone else, the safe path is to seek a dermatologist's advice prior to use of any active ingredient, especially if the concentration is high or you have no idea of what you are doing.

Image from knowyourmeme.com

Review: Too Cool For School Jean George Llong Sun Block

In my quest to find a new, alcohol-free sunscreen, I've chanced upon Too Cool For School's Jean George Llong. And on this quest, I've realized that some things are easier said than done.

Image from testerkorea.com

Life Updates: Frugal skin care, here I come!

Days ago, I've decided to commit to cut my spending on skin care products due to financial reasons. Following the mishap with one of the moisturizers I was using, I took the step of finally buying a drugstore product. No breakouts so far and that is why I am much more determined to push the use of cheaper products.

Pre-empting from something like this from ever happening.
Image from The Telegraph