No 'Poo Hair Care

My hair and scalp went haywire and this was due to an overabundance of chemical buildup on my scalp from chemical treatments, residues, as well as dirt and sweat. Aside from dry, parchy hair, my scalp was in an embarassing state of flaking and I would see some red, irritated patches. It would also itch and sometimes, I would see rough eczema patches on my left ear and my neck. I planned to color my hair for the Holidays but with my hair in this situation, hair color might make it worse. So just like being supersaturated with the toxicity of social media that we unfollow, my hair had to go on forced detox.

This detox didn't mean that I should stop washing my hair because that would be gross. So what to use to clean my hair? DIY 'poo-free shampoo, meaning a shampoo that's free of sulfates, silicones, and all these chemicals my hair is already quota na with. You can make your own shampoo with a few things. Some of them can even be found in your own kitchen such as apple cider vinegar, olive oil, VCO, water (distilled), baking soda, lemon juice, etc. As natural as it can get with ingredients that are easily pronounced and uncomplicated.

For my DIY chemical-free shampoo, I googled recipes with ingredients that are not hard to find. I found a recipe that uses castile soap. Since castile soap would be too harsh for my colored hair, I found another soap/shampoo base alternative - Coconut Oil soap, which I purchased from Naoe, a local online shop that sells raw materials to make your own DIY home and body care products. Coconut oil soap can both be used as soap/shower gel and shampoo. The ingredients for this soap base are just water, coconut oil, and vegetable glycerin.

Naoe essential oils  for my DIY products, prouldy local

To make my no 'poo shampoo smell better, I use essential oils, which made my hair product (and other things I can make on my own) smell better and more spa-like Even before essential oils became a thing, I've been using them just in my air purifier or burning them in my oil burner (I got one as a wedding favor from a wedding that I did many years ago). It was mostly for aromatherapy really but I didn't know these oils had awesome uses aside from smelling good. Naoe also has essential oils (starting at Php 180) but you can also purchase essential oils from Ilog Maria, which is also the same that they use to make their soaps.

DIY shower gel ingredients

The procedure to make this is simple. All I had to do was combine coconut oil soap base, almond oil (or jojoba oil) for moisture,  lemon EO, rosemary EO, and peppermint EO (peppermint feels so good and soothing on my scalp. Not to mention I smell like a Christmas candy cane after). Topped this with distilled water and gave it a good shake and I'm ready with my shampoo. I sometimes follow up with an ACV rinse (a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and distilled water) to balance the pH of my scalp. If there's no ACV, a squeeze of lemon or juice from two calamansi would do the trick just fine. I actually prefer the latter because the ACV smell still lingers even though very mildly.

We can purchase bottles to store our DIY care from Beabi, True Value, or The Oil Lifestyle. The Oil Lifestyle also has mini funnels (Php 18 for a pack of 2) if you would want to make small batches of these products. 

going hipster with pastel labels

A little over a week into this and I've noticed that my scalp does not itch even if I didn't wash it in the morning. There's no more eczema on my hairline and ear and the flakes slowly disappeared as the days went on. My hair doesn't have that gross "hasn't been washed" smell or feel. I do not itch after a workout, even a sweaty Corewell session. Also, less hairfall when I brush or blow dry my hair.

a literal I-woke-up-like-this look daily

There's one con to this DIY product though: How my hair feels. It may smell really great and my scalp and ears are so behaved but my hair was in a state of stickiness. I thought I totally murdered my hair at the expense of my scalp but when I googled about it, it was actually a period of my hair detoxing and going through a withdrawal phase from all the chemicals it has been used to -all the silicon coatings, the chemical buildup, and my scalp producing more sebum than it should thinking my hair is so dry. It does go away though.

To make me look less like Professor Snape, I periodically brush my hair to redistribute the oils so they don't get stuck at the roots. This made my hair look smoother and shinier instead of taong grasa waves. Blowdrying in a cool setting also helps it "set" better after a shower. If I still look horrible, I just tie my hair and no one notices my roots.

I didn't have that "detox" period on my skin though as my skin loved the DIY shower gel. It was great for a nighttime bath since I scented it with lavender, ylang ylang, and frankincense. My hair rebelled though when I used it as a shampoo but this is my chemical-dependent hair still undergoing a detox.

The fun part though was making other things from the raw materials. I made my own linen spray when I ran out of linen spray (a mix of witch hazel, lavender, and distilled water) which also served as a dusting spray and since these are so mild ingredients, I used them also to tame my greasy hair.

A DIY spray for home and even hair

I also noticed that my hands do not crack as much with these DIY home care products or do my nails break like crazy from harsh chemicals (I do wear gloves just in case). Since I have pets, I steer clear of EOs that are not good for pets and give a good rinsing on  surfaces and keep my materials away from them. I also make sure that I do not use phototoxic oils on surfaces that would be exposed to sunlight. Caution should always be exercised and if an oil is not safe due to allergies or whatever, it's best to stop using it.

I do would like to continue using DIY skin and home care, even the DIY shampoo. The shampoo though isn't for me to do so forever, but I can use it on the occasion that I would want to go on a detox. I can continue on using my DIY home care, knowing that linen and dusting sprays can cost so much money when I can make something on my own.  I should also remember to make small batches since these, being freshly made in my own kitchen usually do not last longer in storage than commercial products. I can try mixing different blends too, to match my mood. Any blends for me to try out?


Store Directory

Beabi
www.beabi.com.ph; facebook.com/ilovebeabi; instagram.com/ilovebeabi

Ilog Maria
www.ilogmaria.com; 

Naoe
available at Retail lab Glorietta and Ayala at the 30th and The Park, Shangri-La Plaza
www.naoe.ph; facebook.com/naoe.ph; instagram.com/naoe.ph

The Oil Lifestyle
facebook.com/oilifestyle; instagram.com/oilifestyle/

A Visit To Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm

I've always been intrigued with Ilog Maria farms. I buy the products and I've been using some for quite a while now. I've been curious at where the actual farm is located as some of my friends are users of their honey-based products as well. I buy my supply from Manila-based resellers and organic stores. I've never got the time to actually pass by the actual place, and I know it's somewhere in Cavite,

While on my way home from a Tagaytay wedding, Waze directed me to a different route rather than the usual Sta. Rosa exit (which is usually traffic).  It lead me to take Aguinaldo Highway instead. When I saw the sign on my right of Ilog Maria, I wondered if it was open on a Sunday. Turns out it was and so we took a detour to Ilog Maria to check it out.

I always thought it would be a sanctuary with a river with a miraculous grotto and all from the name, and there would be nuns singing as they would be by the river or harvesting honey. The road from Aguinaldo Highway leading to the place is a super narrow one-way rough road that you'd actually thought you'd be lost in. Trusting Waze, it led us to a gate with the sign telling me that "Okay, you're not lost"

There's a small Italian restaurant on your right and there's another super narrow passageway and you'll be welcomed to a parking lot and a farm.

Yes, this place actually existed.

The white boxes contain the hives I guess where the honey is harvested. The whole place is an animal sanctuary of chickens, ducks, geese, bunnies, and even dogs and some cats.

The cats were just super cute and adorable. I even gave them some food.  Once in a while, we would see a kitten chase a few chickens.

The highlight of the place for most visitors is this shop which sells Ilog Maria products. The bath and body products are usual bestsellers, from their organic and super nice-smelling soaps, shampoo, and lotions.

There are soaps in various flavors. The spearmint and oatmeal is my absolute favorite, especially since it's super duper hot. I really love minty soaps. I want to try the Coffee soap in the morning to perk me up.

The shampoo has a cooling effect on the scalp and leaves the scalp smelling fresh all day. The effect though depends on the person. On me, I use this if I'm going to get my hair styled since it gives my hair the right texture and natural hold it needs. On some people, the shampoo leaves hair super soft.

The feminine wash is a favorite of a lot of people based abroad. This leaves a cool and fresh feeling after and it's gentle enough for this delicate area. If you find conventional feminine washes harsh, consider switching to this. It also is super affordable at Php 45.00. The ladies in the store even told me balikbayans  would buy boxes of these.

I take a bottle of liquid soap with me in my bag. Their liquid soap is good from head to toe and leaves a nice and lingering scent.

I'm sensitive to conventional multivitamins and take bee pollen instead. I take a spoonful of bee pollen (the spoon is included with every purchase) on an empty stomach in the morning followed with a glass of water. The taste is a bit sweet and woodsy. I wasn't able to buy but I also like the Bee Propolis, which I take to boost immunity.

Stuff for home is also available here, such as wood polish, which takes away the use of chemical wood polish and leather conditioner. The leather conditioner smells really good (I don't like the smell of conventional shoe polish) and this is available for any color of leather product, If you're a candle fan, they have dripless candles as well.

The products I bought in the trip were quite a lot and I was surprised I spent almost half  than what I would spend had I bought the products in Manila. They make excellent Christmas giveaways. You can pick a selection and then choose your own combination when giving gifts. You can even compose a set to give as a gift to a bridal shower, say a couple of candles, a bar of feminine wash, and a bottle of lavander liquid soap. Or you can buy an oil burner, essential oil and probably a candle if your friend is into aromatherapy. If you're a bride, you can assemble a cute and affordable gift pack for your entourage, say choosing two soaps she may like, or something.

Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm is open from Tuesdays to Sundays (they are closed Mondays and Holidays) from 8:30 am to 5:30 p.m. If you're there on a Wednesday or a weekend, be sure to have lunch at the Italian restaurant nearby. They serve super awesome Italian food.

Looks like I would have a stopover if I have another gig in the Silang or Tagaytay area. :)

What's In the Gym Toiletry Kit?

Part of being beautiful is not just layering makeup or all those lush creams. Since I started going deeper into exercise and fitness, it kind of makes sense that it also helps not only with the body's circulation, but your overall well-being. Pole has helped me gain strength in my core, which I still need in my job, carrying all my heavy equipment. It also helped in my overall self-esteem. When I cross-trained in yoga, I started out first with a gentle yin practice, with the initial intention of getting a split. When I got in deeper by doing dynamic yoga practice like Vinyasa, it helped also with my own inner peace and concentration. Exercise, whatever form you may find comfortable be it dance, gymnastics, Crossfit, running, or just working out in your neighborhood gym can really do good not only in detoxifying the body and giving it its definition but making you stronger and improving your own well-being.

So hence, I have finally decided to just have my own little gym bag which I have ready just in case I could sneak some time to pole or visit the yoga studio to get my endorphin fix. Aside from our change of clothes and the usual essentials, I'd like to share what I keep in my gym toiletry kit and how I maximize space. The bag I have to work out isn't very big. It's actually a tiny one that has the same capacity as a school backpack. Thankfully, my pole/yoga clothes are very tiny and save for the heels I sometimes need to bring for pole class, I can still have a lot of space and it doesn't get overstuffed. 

I'll start first by going through my toiletry kit, which usually contains the toilertries I need if I have to shower after I work out, since I have a meeting later or just to refresh after sweating the pizza I had the day before.

Since my exercise bag is small, naturally, my toiletry kit is just a small pouch instead of a toolbox or a tote bag. Number one rule, sample sizes are our best friends. This is when the shampoo/conditioner sample sachets or bottles we get in magazines, events, department store counters, or giveaways come in handy. Same goes for the shampoo and shower gel bottles we get in hotels. 

So, here are the contents in my toiletry bag:

See? No need to lug out the big pump bottles of shampoo and conditioner. For those who aren't really fond of sachet sizes, you can always buy travel-sized bottles at department stores and just transfer your favorite shampoo there. Okay back to regular programming. I prefer using liquid shower gel to solid soap as well since it's easier to pack and less messy in the bag. I save the solid cleansing bars for home use.

First row (L-R)

Eye cream and Face moisturizer with SPF 35 - Olay Total Effects Eye cream is light enough to be used during the day and the double-duty Olay Regenerist Day Cream has SPF as well so no need to bring a separate bottle for SPF

Second Row

• Shu Uemura Cleansing oil (travel bottle) - Going to Hot Yoga or Vinyasa yoga class is better with a makeup-less face since I don't want my makeup to land or stain the studio yoga mat. This is my all-time favorite in removing heavy duty makeup easily. Also, it removes deodorant, i-Tac, and Grip Paste residue as well.
• Facial Wash
• Shampoo and Conditioner - To keep with the natural and organic theme, I packed organic shampoo with no harsh chemicals. I got Human Nature Shampoo and Conditioner in the tiny 50-mL bottles (Php 44.75 each) at the grocery store. Right now, what I do is buy the big bottle and just refill the smaller bottles until probably when the small bottle gives out (it's actually Human Nature Peppermint shampoo in the bottle when I already finished the Mandarin Fresh). They smell really good too!
• Shower Gel -The Body Shop shower gel gift sets are classic gifts and I use this for travel or in my exercise bag because it's so handy. Sometimes I switch to a different scent when I feel like it. The gel variation is also pole dance friendly!
• Baby Wash - Human Nature's Baby Wash smells really mild! It's also an awesome all-in-one gentle but effective wash that can be used as a facial wash, body wash, and feminine hygiene wash
• Feminine Wash - Again, I am thankful for Human Nature for having tiny bottles that are perfect for the tiniest gym bags. 
• Deodorant - roll-on, stick, or spray. Doesn't matter as long as it does its job keeping my armpits dry and my skin likes it.
• My Amazing Blow Dry Quick Shake 'N' Spray (travel size) - So I can blow-dry my hair so that it can look decent enough for my next appointment without taking an hour to do so. Read my review about it here and thank me later when you purchase your first spray bottle. 

Third Row

• Hand cream - I use this if I know that I won't be touching a pole after. This works amazingly for chafed heels (since I work out barefoot) and hands as well as rough knees and elbows
• Wide-toothed comb - separates our wet hair strands and detangles hair without breaking it.

My second bag is more specialized, since it contains equipment that I need for the actual sport I do, as well as a bit of after-pole or yoga care.

This is the one I take out while at the studio.

0Top Row:

• iTac - Initially, I use this in pole to give my skin some grip since grip paste can be too much. a little goes a long way! I've had my little jar of iTac since Stellar 2. 
• Tite Grip - I use this on my shoulders to prevent slipping from sweat when I do my shoulder mounts. 
• Leukoplast and Mueller foam - in the absence of wrist support (Tite Grip and iTac are available at the Polecats Manila Studio) 
• Rubbing Alcohol - to help dry up the skin and make it more pole-ready. As long as there's no moisturizer.

Bottom Row:

• YogaLove Healing Cream (check link for store availability and contact information) -  a nice-smelling cooling cream that's non-oily and easily absorbed by the body. it relaxes the mind and relieves pain. I use this to relieve migrains too.
• Band-Aids - for scraped skin and whatever little boo-boo or accident happened.
• Wet Tissue - to clean dirty feet and hands after 
• Salonpas - the more travel-friendly pain killers, the better.

With packing-friendly packaging, I still have space for my workout gear and towels, and it's still light enough for me to carry from Strata to Podium and back. Plus, lockers are tinier this time and can't seem to fit the big gym bags that double as overnight bags,. 

Next up is what I pack inside the main gym bag. Stay tuned. 

Throwback with Ellana Minerals and its new look

Do you remember the time when mineral makeup became the craze in the market? I remember that it was quite about the time I was still a makeup newbie. At first, they were being sold just by the sample gram sachets or tiny jars in Ebay or in Multiply resellers. Mineral makeup promises a natural, dewy glow while covering imperfections without that heavy feeling. It's also makeup that's talc-free. fragrance-free and hypoallergenic and pregnant women who need their makeup fix can use it. Mainstream brands even produced their own mineral makeup line in line with this trend.

Mineral makeup had its cult following in YouTube vloggers and several beauty bloggers both international and local ones. Since a big jar of imported mineral makeup can get too expensive for the startup makeup artist or college student, they were resold from imported brands and repacked in plastic ziplocs and sold in 1-gram sample sizes.

Ellana minerals is a local mineral makeup brand that became a cult hit among a lot of girls, makeup artist or not. It's affordable and it's got a lot of yellow-toned shades, named in such yummy-sounding names like almond latte, cafe breve, and french vanilla latte. The loose mineral foundations melt seamlessly to the skin making it seem like we really have naturally beautiful and smooth skin with no visible giant monster pores at all. Back then, Ellana can be found in Multiply, Ebay resellers, and SM Makati bazaar stalls. Back then, it still had this look. Remember now?

I still use this as a setting powder after makeup, especially to male models or grooms, who just need to look like they have naturally good skin instead of wearing makeup.

I was invited at the relaunch of Ellana minerals, which also introduced new packaging and their new showroom. The new packaging features artwork made by Manila's top lifestyle illustrator, Soleil Ignacio.

6g jar for Php 460, refills for Php 330

I did say that they have makeup shades that fit our Asian skintones right? Well morenas ought to be happy for they have a dark shade too that will not turn red, ashy, or gray as well. Love our own skin.

photo from the Ellana Cosmetics Facebook Page

The number one complaint though with mineral makeup is that they can be quite messy to take with you for on-the-go touch ups, since they come in loose form. Thankfully, Ellana now has the Ultimate Pressed Foundation and blushes which come in compacts.

 For those who want to be shine-free throughout the day, keep your loose powder at your home vanity and take the pressed form with you in your purse. For those who just want to look fresh without much coverage, you can use the pressed form since it delivers medium to light coverage. And it's so pretty it looks nice in your purse, office drawer, or touch-up kit. All you need now are tools for proper makeup application.

Of course, quality makeup wouldn't be complete if not for brushes. I'm glad Ellana also has very affordable brushes so we won't break the bank for our makeup fix.

A personal preference of mine is the flat angled kabuki brush, which can get makeup in hard-to-reach areas for better coverage. Not bad for Php350. For pressed or loose, this is all you need.

There are also dual-head brushes for concealer, brows, lips, and eyeshadow.

The brush cleanser  (php 400) is another personal favorite of mine. I love the refreshing cucumber melon scent it has. Perfect for quick-cleaning in summertime gigs, or on super stressful gigs. Brush cleanser is important, especially if I'm doing more than one face, say in weddings, fashion shows, or makeup demos. It keeps colors true instead of being muddy. It also prevents the buildup of gel liner in my gel liner brush so my application is still precise.

Starting MUAS who can't afford expensive makeup primers can use Ellana Minerals makeup primer, which functions just as well as the expensive brand. It fills in pores and fine lines, helping us attain naturally flawless skin. It literally says goodbye to shine as it mattifies the skin. I can use this for everyday priming up, and save my expensive one for clients or special occasions.

It's got this silicon-like finish that leaves skin feeling velvety smooth like a newborn baby's bonbon.

For a bit of color, the lip and cheek gel can be used under mineral foundation for a glow-from within. I really stress on using the cheek gel under powder makeup because it glides on evenly and powder will set the gel quickly making it hard to move. (remember to wash hands right after application)


I'm glad that there's mineral makeup made locally for ladies who want that same poreless perfection without costing a lot of money. When I posted this on Instagram, one of my friends commented that she has been using this since they started. For those who want to order, Ellana minerals is sold online in their website. You can follow them as well in Facebook and Instagram. The Ramp Trinoma, EDSA Shangri-La, and Glorietta are also carrying Ellana products so you may check them out as well.

Sunblock That's Environment Friendly

How was everyone's Holy Week break? I'm pretty sure that most headed to the beach last weekend to get some sun. I myself got into the tanning bit, but in the swimming pool so as not to join the crowds and all. I like things quiet as I "fry" myself and get my natural dose of vitamin D - with sunblock of course! Sunblock is necessary if you're out in the sun most especially, tanning or not. I know that I don't use lotion on my body during the day since I pole a lot but when it's swim time, it's a must to use lotion.

Here's the thing - sunblock feels greasy yes? And it has that irritating chemical smell and when you put sunblock in your face, it doesn't feel like sunblock - it feels like hollow blocks because it's heavy, sticky, and oily. Mixed with sweat and dirt my pores beg for mercy right? There are moisturizers though, that have SPF in their formula if you're just out in the concrete jungle, but with swimming either on the beach or the pool, we gotta have the real thing on the tube, since that's pretty water-resistant.

On my recent lunch with the people behind Leyende, I got to know about their sunblock, which is not only friendly on the skin but friendly also to the environment. I found out that day that one of the causes of coral bleaching is the chemicals from commercial sunblock. Does that mean that we should skimp on sunblock for the sake of our environment? Not with this around because Leyende Place In The Sun sunblock has ECOCERT-certfied natural/organic ingredients and preservatives that are also ECOCERT-approved. The ingredients are biodegradable so they don't harm our sea waters.  Although this one says it's for the face, it's okay to use for the body. This has very little scent when I tried it, and it feels light to be used on the face.

Another thing that makes me annoyed with sunblock is the whitish cast. Remember those beach photos when there's this perpetual white streak? Blame it on the sunblock, baby. Place in the Sun takes its cue from the surfers who use zinc oxide on them. But instead of having that annoying white paste on the noses, they come up with Zinclear, which is invisible zinc for non-greasy skin with no whitish cast. Also, there's no need to wait for a while until the sunblock binds with the skin - just spread and go.

It's a really tiny tube though, but Leyende would soon come up with a bigger bottle for those who spend a good deal of time under the sun for sport or for recreation or whatever reason. I also learned a tip - to not forget the ears and back of the neck.

So where is this available? You can buy Place In The Sun products at Robinson's, Crossings, and Sesou stores. You can also contact distributors and resellers as Leyende has listed their contact information here.

A Healthy and Zen Afternoon with Leyende

I first heard of Leyende products over at Jill's blog and her raves on their products got my attention to get myself aware of this brand in the market. Apparently, Leyende is another organic skin care brand that started right here in our shores. Yes, another Philippine skin care brand made from locally-grown products. So when Nina passed my email and blog over to them, I was really thrilled to meet the people behind the brand personally. By this time, I've seen Leyende products on my client's kikay kit as well as a co-worker's gig kit while we were doing a play together.

In a very intimate setting at Sugarleaf in Makati, I met with Neva and Claude of Leyende where they showed me some of their products as well as gave me a short background and lowdown of their ingredients, in a simplified and non-jargonic manner, of course.

Before starting, my man-hands were treated to a spa-like treat by the girls of I do nails. My hands were cleansed with the cleanser followed by a scrub called la dolce scrub.

Dolce means "sweet" and the grains are actually muscovado sugar, which explains the sweet sugary smell, which reminds me of calamansi juice (that's also because there's calamansi extract in the product, which acts as an antioxidant and it's also got benefits which helps even out the skin tone). The sugar melts into the skin instead of coating it with a slimy, oily, or heavy layer and it left the skin feeling soft.

Leyende takes inspiration from our lolas and their own kikay routines back then when spas and commercial skin care products didn't exist yet. Using calamansi to whiten skin, VCO to condition and thicken hair, the same principle of taking trips to the kitchen to make beauty concoctions synthesized into products without losing their potency and active enzymes. When I asked if the La Dolce scrub would attract ants upon storage, Neva told me it won't. Although Leyende products use ingredients derived from food products (pineapple and calamansi extracts, Mango butter, muscovado sugar, virgin coconut oil), they won't cause ant invasion since these aren't cooked and heat wasn't use to make the products. So not to worry about pests here. Also, it is important to note that although these smell yummy, the products are not to be ingested, even if sugar really is used.

After exfoliation, My hands were coated with Lift Off, a natural peel-off face masque with calamansi extract (the label "F" means it's for the face, although it's pretty okay to use this on the hands, it will just be a bit costly to use this all-over body). Like peeling glue off hands when we were kids, it's the same principle. It was brushed on my hands and let dry till it was okay to peel off. It gets stiff and crusty but once you peel it off, there's soft skin underneath. There will be areas that are hard to peel, probably on areas where the masque was applied thinly. A cotton pad or damp towel could be used to remove this so we don't go out looking like a molting snake.

While snacking on pita wraps, my hands were massaged with the Face Canvas moisturizer. The first time I saw this moisturizer, it was still in a jar. I think packaging it in a tube makes it more hygienic, especially using this on clients. The face canvas also acts like a makeup primer also, so that's two birds in one stone, er, tube. Instead of using silicone to fill in lines and make the skin velvety-smooth, it uses mango butter which nourishes the skin with no greasy afterfeel. I sure could keep this in mind especially if I'm doing gigs which need everything fast.

I noticed that if not unscented, the products have a very faint scent that reminds us of food. For skin care on clients, I prefer those that aren't heavily perfumed since perfumes mean added chemical fragrances, which can irritate some clients. Not only too are the products friendly for the skin and wearer, they're also friendly to the environment. I'll get into detail with that when I review one of their products, the Place In The Sun sunblock, which I'm currently testing on myself.

Thanks to Neva and Claude of Leyende as well as Nina of justwandering.org.

Organic Goodies from Balai Isabel

Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas is a beautiful and breathtaking resort by the famous Taal Lake that's a famous destination for a relaxing holiday only 2 hours away from Metro Manila or for destination weddings. Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Sotto's wedding was held here and imagine the very kilig moment of saying "I do" by the shores of Taal Lake in full view of Taal volcano. Just check out the breathtaking pictures I captured, and I'm not a real photographer like my companions are. I'm just armed with a good view, nature itself, and the auto setting of my camera.

Sunset pictures

This little kitty likes it here too!

I was in Club Balai Isabel last Tuesday with the iSnap Creatives team for a super cute prenup photoshoot. During our lunch break (held when the sun's too hot and scorching), I noticed the gift shop selling little bottles and pots of balms. My kikay side sensing "organic goodies" made me waltz my way there. Imagine how my eyes just popped at that entire wall of bath and body stuff in scents like ginger, lavander, lemongrass, and olive. I didn't have my wallet at that time as I had my retouch bag with me. When I got back to the gift shop, I hoarded a few items that got my fancy.

Organic soaps that I could still use for pole class because I don't end up super slippery. I love lemongrass too. I think it's an interesting scent so I got the lemongrass soap in a teensy little size. But knowing organic soaps being really solid and pure, that ought to last me longer than a week. Pairing up with my lemongrass soap is lemongrass shampoo, which surprisingly didn't leave my hair sticky or weigh my hair down. My hair behaves quite nicely and looks really pretty during hairflips. It is however, kinda dry, from the nature of organic shampoos, which could be fixed by a good leave-on conditioner that doesn't weigh the hair down (because weighing the hair down would defeat the be-all end-all purpose of why I love this lemongrass shampoo). Hmmm... now lemme have lemongrass tea.

For me, whenever I get massages, I prefer dry massages if I'm on-the-go. If I'm just at home, I prefer using my own oils, depending on the scent and how it feels on the skin. I saw the massage body butter and I was drawn to it because with my experience on body butter, I think this is better than oil because my skin's less slick and slippery but it's got the same deep-moisture effect.

This body butter is sort of like a balm but less greasy. You grab a bit with your fingers and warm them by rubbing your palms together. It feels really nice on the skin. When the butter's all nice and warmed up, you smell the relaxing lavander scent.

And speaking of balms, the teensy pot of healing balm, I have to warn isn't a lip balm but it's like Salonpas/Tigerbalm/Vicks but better. Rub it on the temples to ease migraines, sniff it to aleviate dizzy spells or the like, or rub on muscle pains after a workout if you're going somewhere and got an ouchie but don't want to smell like a lola. And it's so tiny, my complaint is that it can get lost in my endless abyss of a bag but it's teensy enough to slide in a teensy weensy purse for nights out or if you don't want to carry a big bag.

Aside from my own personal hoards, there are a few other things I'd love to bring along. I'm curious though that they were selling real gugo bark there. They say it's good for the hair, but the love-for-convenience in me would really just rely on shampoo in a bottle or bar than a tree bark. The prices too are quite affordable, my hoards plus two full-size lemongrass soaps that I purchased as pasalubong for Danah and Stacy didnt cost me an arm and a leg altogether. Hopefully, I'll be having more destination gigs at Balai Isabel, and when I'm there you know where I'd stop by before heading back to the Metro.

My Organic Haul from Human Nature

With the trend going green and natural now, I'm glad that there are all-natural products that are being sold in the market now that are not only skin-friendly but also Earth-friendly. I guess it's sorta going "old school" with beauty and skin care, like taking inspiration back during the days when commercially sold-soaps and detergents and chemical synthesis of compounds were not yet available. Not do we pick and grind tree barks or pound leaves abd slather these on ourselves. We just take inspiration and our cue to their benefits and incorporate them to something that's more useful and in a less "raw" form.

I tried a few of these organic products and some of my favorites are found in a brand called Human Nature. The word "heart" in the URL is actually the heart symbol. I've been introduced to the brand when a makeup artist at work used the Cleanser and Makeup Remover and he swore by it. I've had good reviews about it from my models and clients whom I use the product to, so I tried exploring the brand more. I found a small stall in Glorietta 3 that sells organic products so I thought I'd give it a try.

Anyway, so far, here are my Human Nature products that I love and swear by.What I also like with Human Nature products is also their different variants on some of the products, so the fickle minded person that I am can explore various choices and opt for a different "flavor" of let's say hair masque or scrub. The prices are not bad too. Each of these products here on the picture cost about only Php100!

The Cleanser and Makeup Remover caught my attention since I've been looking for a relatively mild wipe-off facial cleanser that I could use in place of my conventional one. This cleanser has honey and cocoa butter, which are fantastic moisturizers. It not only cleanses the skin of makeup and debris but leaves it soft and supple.... just perfect for makeup where I only have 30 minutes or less to create a look.

The Tomato & Lemongrass Toner is recommended for normal to oily skin yet it feels just like water on the skin. I've had my share of toners that sting and burn especially when I'm burned by the sun's rays already beforehand. This one had nada sting. Since it has the key ingredients of tomato and lemongrass, we're loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that keep skin youthful and healthy. Scent also is very mild and although it contains vitamin C, this doesn't whiten the skin to pastiness but brightens it. Remember, lovely makeup starts with lovely skin.

Lastly, for my forever parched and dried locks, if I have time to spare, I use the Organic Hair Mask. This is my favorite "flavor" - mango butter, vitamin E, and peppermint. There's a bigger size than this, for those who have been regularly using the product. However, for those who want to try it out first, you could purchase the smaller size for only Php74.75. I massage like a glopful on my hair and scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes or more before rinsing off. My hair's been quite tamer and the minty feeling is perfect to cool me off during a hot day. The hair mask smells really fabulous too. Oh, and the minty scent clears up my sinuses real quick. :)

Another thing I like about Human Nature is that not only are they organic and devoid of all harmful chemicals but they also do not do animal testing. Definitely this brand lives up to its standards of loving nature, doesn't it? Hmmm... maybe I should try exploring organic skincare too?