Finally! A Pole-Friendly Lotion To Use!

Before that Saturday that I went to my first-ever pole dance class, the warning given to me by all my pole teachers was this: don’t wear lotion, oils, moisturizers, creams, and body butters. It also follows not to use moisturizing soaps or shower creams. Why? Because it will make you slip and since the lotion sticks on the pole, it will also ruin the day of the next pole user because she will slip as well. As a result, my skin care has drastically changed. During my pole days, I stick to my usual strong soaps and only wear lotion at night. With a pole at home, and working hard on an audition video, it was unpredictable to know when exactly to pole. Just to be safe, I’d been skipping moisturizing stuff like the plague during the day.

As a result, not wearing moisturizers has made my skin really dry, scaly, and blotchy. I actually thought before, that the drier the skin, the better to pole. On the contrary, dry skin is prone to burns, chafing, and also slipping. The chafing and burns probably explained the scabs on the top of my climbing foot.  It kind of made sense that dehydrated and dry skin is weaker. Healthy skin is actually stickier on the pole. Now the question is, how can we make our skin achieve that healthy state that enables us to stay put on the pole without slipping or scabbing?

I’m glad that there are innovative people out there who understand our needs to achieve that perfect balance of skin conditions and keep our love for pole.  There is in fact, a lotion that’s enriched with vitamin E and still pole friendly. Talk about the best of both worlds! No slip, no slick, no problem! 

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Pole Physics is a lotion especially formulated for pole dancing that gives the skin the nourishment it needs without compromising our performances. It used to be available only abroad but now, it’s available here locally at my second home  - the PolecatsManila studio! This lotion feels absolutely lush on the skin,. You can use it in the morning after a shower, then you can go to work, or go about your regular day and then attend pole class at night without having to wash or rub alcohol on your skin. It’s also non-greasy, so you could even use this in summer, where it’s humid but the skin’s absolutely dry during the day. No ick and stick factor during rehearsals at noon, say Stellar Summer show. It’s also fast-absorbing on the skin. Actually, I’ve tried this on the studio and then poled after like 20 minutes of warm up and I didn’t slip, even during cross ankles.

This is the formula  that I’m currently using. The gradual tanning formula gives a warm summer glow when we need it and there’s no beach available. The faux tan actually looks quite natural. Always remember though to exfoliate before applying this lotion and wash hands immediately to avoid the telltale sign of orange palms. Wait too until the lotion is fully absorbed before putting on clothing. Another thing I like about this too is that it does not smell chemical-like like other self-tanners that have that typical self-tanner scent.

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The scented one is perfect for summer, with as the label says an invigorating summer scent. This citrusy fresh scent is a great pick-me-upper on days where we feel sluggish.

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For those who don’t want too much on the scent factor can go with unscented – clean, simple, and still nourishes the skin.

With a week of using this, my skin has been thankful before and after pole. It’s healthier with less of the blotches and scales and my pole life didn’t have to suffer for it, and so do the people after me since they don’t slip too. It’s an awesome Christmas gift to a pole dancer friend (hint hint! J ) and a perfect addition to my pole dance kikay kit. Oh, and the pump bottle makes it an easy way to dispense product without the insides drying out.  Do take note though, that this is not a grip aid. This is something that will help care for the skin without compromising our need to pole.

The cost of a bottle of pole physics lotion is Php 1,500 but now they’re offering it at an introductory price of Php 1,200 at the Polecats Manila studio. I’m also happy to tell you that this is a product that does not do animal testing. For more information, you can check out the Pole Physics Facebook Page.

Security System for Baby Skin

With our shizophrenic weather, would you believe that the rainy season has pushed forward to the supposedly Christmas months already? Just yesterday, I unfortunately experienced a drizzle on my way from the office building of a project I'm doing to the mall. Anyway, we do know that there are hassles the rain bring about, like floods and puddles of stagnant water which bring about more hassles like traffic and the dreaded dengue (tadadadaaan).

With the dengue scare rising, precautionary measures have been taken. One time, my favorite organic store had their citronella-based bug sprays selling like hotcakes it was too late for me to grab a bottle. If you're a mom and have kids that go to school, you'd notice that schools have already taken precautionary measures and distributed memos to parents already.

Citronella and other organic-based insect repellents have been proven to repel bugs like mosquitoes. Personally, I like the citronella alternative because it's safer on the skin and just as effective. I'm not bothered by the scent and I'm actually fond of it. However, I do understand that there are some people who aren't exactly fond of the citronella scent but would want mosquito protection that's safe on skin.

Esel introduced me to Guard, an insect repellant that could widen our choices when it comes to shopping for insect repellent during our next grocery trip. I received a sample two weeks ago and of course, I did a road test first.

The bottle pictured is actually the smallest size, I think about 30 mL, so I could fit this in a teensy tiny pouch should I need to reapply. The bigger bottles cost around Php120, this you could take on your next backpacking trip or let this stay at home. It's quite ironic though, that when you hear the word "Guard", you immediately think that upon opening, an armed dude would just materialize by your side and defend you from bugs that come your way, The Human Fly included. Despite the tough-side name though, Guard has a baby powder scent, so it's not that offending to the nostrils. In fact, it does remind us of childhood memories when our mommies or yayas would dust our backs and necks generously with baby powder. That nicks out the complaint of having insect repellent lotions in the past that smell like kerosene. We do understand that insect repellents are supposed to be offending to insects so they won't be attracted to the skin, but that doesn't include humans, right?

Secondly, Guard's anti-bug ingredient is Picardin, instead of DEET (N, N-diethyl-metatoluamide). Although DEET is an effective solvent, it's actually a skin irritant that should not even used under clothing or on damaged skin. Of course we wouldn't want harm on our kiddies' skin right? Picardin in fact, is the one recommended by the World Health Organization as an ideal insect repellent. It's less likely to irritate the skin than DEET but it's effective in keeping the bugs at bay. You could use this on children too, so our kiddies stay protected and bug-free.

Thirdly, when I tested this, the other thing I noticed is that it didn't leave a grimy or sticky feeling like I'm wearing an invisible overcoat on a hot and humid day. When I sweat, I still smell baby powder and no irritating chemical-like scent. It's great to use this on summer outings on the beach where we're exposed to the elements or our next camping trip don't you think?

In case though you're taking and using this on your next pictorial, here's how skin treated with Guard looks with and without flash.

Basically, there's not much effects or white-casting and skin appears relatively more normal. I suggest if you're a makeup artist to pack one on your kit so the model (and even you) stay protected from possible health hazards.

As of now, Guard is available at Rustan's and Shopwise branches. I saw Guard already at Rustan's Makati while I was grocery shopping. With the baby powder scent and a formula totally safe and comfortable on the skin, I guess mommies, daddies, and kids could now breathe for a lotion that's great for the family. If you're a backpacker or the type who's always exposed to the great outdoors, I suggest packing a big bottle of this as well.

Although I spend most of my time in the concrete jungle that is the city, my uniform of shorts and skirts tells me to slather some of these. Mosquito bites of course are irritating and they leave itchy patches and raised areas that destroy the continuity of flawlessly long and smooth legs. As they say, prevention is still the best cure.

[disclaimer: Product provided for review]

Bonding with SlimTone Therapeutic Day Cream: One Week After

Okay, so last week, I started out my quest on blasting away the ugly dimples on the backs of my thighs and buns. Aside from my exercises and trying to blast away salt from my diet (okay I do have occasional chips and fries too), I started to use SlimTone to help me tone and tighten my waist and problem areas.


So a week after using SlimTone, the moment of truth came, exactly a while ago when I had to measure my - eeek - waistline. I don't expect though that I'll be bouncing back to the 18-inch waistline I had in high school in a span of a week, though, but I just had to see. Get this: I was able to lose 1/4 inch off my waist. I have a 25-inch waistline originally and I guess it did have an effect. I wasn't able to measure my thighs though a week before, though. Yet I had my fitting so I knew my waistline measurement.


Anyhow, so overall how was my SlimTone experience?


After 24 hours from application, I didn't have any adverse side effects, like reddening or itching or skin burning. It didn't dry out my skin despite the fact that it's in a gel formulation. I also like that since most gel formulas tend to peel off the skin like glue, this one didn't. It got absorbed into my skin much like lotion did. After SlimTone pro, I apply regular body lotion so I have extra moisture and I'm glad it didn't rub off. I use this before I apply my self-tanner (I self-tan always at night) and it didn't get in the way with the self-tanner's absorption, since I saw that my tan was even despite that it was only on my thighs, buns, and abdomen that I applied SlimTone.


Actually, I had a beach shoot last Thursday and due to my busy schedule last week, I didn't have the time to do my usual intense workout, but just did quick maintenance and muscle-waking workouts so my muscles aren't lax. I was bloating a bit though and since the shoot would involve me wearing swimsuits and all, I was worried about puckering and dimpling. Therefore, I needed an extra help. Of course wearing a girdle is a no-no (nope, it's not a styled fashion sense) so I used SlimTone as an extra help. It did help firm up my problem areas and when I checked the mirror, I saw no obvious dimpling save when I have to pinch my thighs. I was able to go through the shoot without being yelled like "Your cellulites could be seen!" or "Suck in your stomach, I see bloat!" :P Oh, and remember the cooling sensation? Great for cooling the skin after being exposed to flash, sun, and lights.

So how are my cellulite signs now? Lemme say that I have to pinch really hard to see dimpling. I like how my tummy feels flatter. My skin isn't dry and with regards to stretch marks, they, well, are still taking their time but I noticed that the marks are less depressed and feeling them, the texture is more or less uniform than before. The package told me though that I still have to wait a couple of weeks more for results so I'll get back to you on that.


So far, I'm a happy butty. :)

My SlimTone Pro Therapeutic Cream Day 1

Who doesn't want the baby-smooth, firm skin we see in photos right? In glossies and billboards, we see ripped and toned abdomens and firm arms and thighs. In real life, however, there are dimples, flabs, and the occasional stretch marks as the body bounces back to shape. Creams and gels have been available in the market to diminish all these uglies and I bet one of us is guilty trying a few in hopes of getting that billboard-worthy look.

As of today, I'm currently subjecting myself to the test to a new cream that claims to diminish visible cellulite and fat, improve skin firmness, and diminish the appearance of stretch marks. Hence, I meet SlimTone Pro, which would be my after-shower treatment in the following weeks in my own attempt to firm and tone.

SlimTone Pro, for one thing is topical. I don't take anything internally. I just apply the cream on my problem spots and see the results. This topical cream however, promises to get this - INSTANTLY FIRM and TIGHTEN the skin, just like wearing a girdle. Its promise of Total Sculpting Therapy does the following things we dream of: slimming, toning, cellulite diminishing, skin tightening, and stretch mark minimizing. Yay.

My take on this would be part-by-part first, so we all could see its effects in detail and in progress. Okay, so many of you guys might wonder, "Ikaw? Eh payat ka na eh!" I may not have a pouch on my tummy or batwing arms but I do have a few nasty cellulites and stretch marks that curses me on my hip and butt area. The stretch marks on my hamstring and bun areas were attributed to weight loss and taking my skin for granted in my younger days. The cellulite's a mystery though how they got to be there, but are there. If they're residual cellulite and have established the backs of my thighs as their area, I don't know, but they have to go. During my period, they tend to be more pronounced for some weird curse or something. Hopefully, SlimT0ne pro, coupled by my very intense exercises will finally blast these nasties to oblivion and nonexistence, or at least, diminish their appearance.

And so it begins, Day 1 of my SlimTone experience.

First of all, this is how it looks like... It's an ordinary tube of lotion, just like the ones we buy in the supermarket. This contains 60 g of the product.

So after my shower, I toweled off and when my clean skin was dry, I applied a moderate amount on my horrible problem areas - the thighs and butt focusing more where the horrid stretch marks lie. The first thing I noticed wih the cream was that it smells like lemon. Fresh! It also feels cool on the skin, unlike some lotions which make my skin feel warm. It's actually more gel than cream and it sorta reminds me of a lighter version of the gel they use during an ultrasound, except this isn't too thick and it doesn't leave a filmy residue.

I also massaged this on my abdomen and waist areas, in hopes of preventing stretch marks there in case they occur (chanting "I banish you stretch marks" may help, hopefully, but that's just me being crazy).

First impression was: My skin felt colder. Not really cold, clammy, and uh-oh-what's-wrong cold but my skin temperature on the areas applied were relatively cooler than those that were left untreated (my "control" parts). During a hot summer day, this could definitely be a good treat. Don't worry though, the feeling fades in a bit. In my case, I didn't feel itching like I do with other topical slimming treatments that say that this means they "wake up" the fat. Also, the cream didn't feel sticky on my skin. I do advise, however, to wait until the cream is fully absorbed by the skin before putting on any item of clothing or any lotion after and to make sure the skin is completely dry before using.

So how was it after? I felt a sort of "lift" and "pull on my skin, but not too much that everything's all -er-perkier. The area of my stretch marks felt relatively smoother and although that I'm modest about not posting pictures of my thigh area here, I could feel a bit more firmness. I could use this in shoots when I need a bit more of sculpting and toning when I feel the flabs coming. The visible cellulites too were diminished on the backs of my thighs. They do appear though if I start pinching and poking, but it's very minimal as compared to when skin was bare.

Basically, that's what the instant effect had on me. I'll keep you posted after a week of use of this product. If I get to have thighs devoid of cellulites, then I'll be one happy butty.