#Wonderful2014 | Looking Back and Moving Forward.

So, I have been challenged to do a blog post about the 'what ifs' and 'could have beens' from 2013. I could devote an entire day just writing about all sorts of trials and tribulations, but I'll spare you all from the drama. I don't want to spoil the festive mood of New Year's Eve. Haha!

Instead, let me share with you some nuggets of wisdom from my hero and icon - Bruce Lee. This pretty much sums up the story of my life this 2013.

I hope the past year had been good to all of you. Let's all welcome the New Year with a bang (not literally though), and look forward to an even more #Wonderful2014! Cheers! :)

Spotlight | Sutla Flawless Papaya Soap.

Several weeks ago, I received a Flawless Starter Kit from one of my favorite online shops, Pink Fortune. Included in the kit were three items - a tube of Sutla Lightening Lotion, a tub of Sutla Face & Body Bleaching Cream, and one Sutla Flawless Papaya Soap. This post will concentrate only on the latter, but rest assured that the other two items will also be featured in this blog. :)

This year saw a surge in the popularity of the Sutla Flawless Papaya Soap. They're all over Facebook and Instagram, and they're quite a hot topic on most women's/beauty forums - which made me all the more intrigued and excited to try this product. (Thank you, Pink Fortune for the opportunity! ^^)

Sutla Flawless Papaya Soap.

I did a bit of research before I actually used the soap. You see, I have really sensitive skin which makes me a bit wary when it comes to skincare products with whitening claims. Plus the fact that there's nothing much to read at the back of the box. Just a brief description of the product, some simple instructions on how to use it, and that's it. No ingredients ingredients whatsoever. (And you know how I love checking labels and reading through a product's ingredients list.)

Brief descriptions and instructions at the back of the box.

Anyhow here's what the Sutla Flawless website has to say about their 'Super Skin Whitener' soap.
Be white and flawless in just 2 weeks without any derma treatments. This natural soap does it all for you. Its combination of ingredients including papaya, moringga, bengkoang, kojic, glutathione, collagen, vitamin E, and placenta gives you a power soap that works effectively to cleanse, moisturize, whiten, soften, and tighten the skin. This soap can be used as often as you wish for faster results.

Made only with natural ingredients, this cold-processed soap contains no mercury, no hydroquinone, no animal fat, and no harmful chemicals. From what I know, Sutla Flawless Papaya Soaps are available in one size only (80 grams) and come in orange pouches that bear an odd resemblance with Jollibee's Peach Mango Pie. This soap, along with other Sutla skincare products, are manufactured by Glowcal Manufacturing Corporation - a BFAD-approved, local company that pioneered cold-processed soaps here in the Philippines.

Fits in the palm of your hand. :)

Now with regards to my experience with the soap, I've been using it for a little over two weeks and my skin feels softer and smoother than before. The soap's texture is a bit rough, so rubbing it directly on the skin is not advised. What I do is I wrap it with a small towel before rubbing it on my skin. There are no drastic changes in my complexion yet, but I've experienced a bit of micropeeling on my arms and legs. My skin didn't feel dry, and there were no allergic reactions either, which is the part that I like the most. One soap can last for about three weeks, and since my skin seems to be liking this product, I guess I'll be purchasing a few pieces of this from Pink Fortune. They sell for only Php 25 a pop, by the way. :)

What I love:

- Mild, fruity scent.

- Cute packaging.

- Made with natural ingredients.

- Softens and smoothens the skin without making it dry.

- Very affordable at Php 25only. 

What you might not like:

- Ingredients and other product details are not listed in the packaging.

Sutla Flawless Papaya Soaps are available at Pink Fortune for Php 25 each. Want the complete skin whitening regimen? Get the Sutla Starter Pack for only Php 380! :)

Foodie Goodie | Confetti Cake.

Christmas may be over and done with, but the festivities aren't because we still have the New Year (and New Year's Eve parties) to look forward to! And if you're that kind of party host who likes preparing everything from scratch - from appetizers to entrees to dessert, here's a cake recipe that's sure to ring in the New Year with a bang!

Confetti Cake

Ingredients:

Cake 

1 1-pound box angel food cake mix 

1/4 cup colored candy sprinkles 

Frosting 

2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin 

8 teaspoons cold water 

2 cups whipping cream (unwhipped) 

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Colored sprinkles 

Decorations 

2 decorative cake sprays (available at party stores) 

Wire star garland (available at party stores) 

1 sheet of shiny or metallic colored paper (for year star) 

Marker Tape

Procedure:
1. Follow the directions on the cake mix box, but just before pouring the batter into the tube pan, add the sprinkles.
2. Mix them quickly and gently with as few strokes as possible and pour the batter into the pan immediately. If you mix and pour too slowly, the colors may bleed and color the surrounding batter.
3. Make the frosting right before you plan to apply it so that it doesn't set. For best results, apply the frosting, sprinkles, and decoration no more than an hour before serving.
4. Combine the gelatin and water in a small saucepan. Let it stand until thick.
5. Set the pan over low heat, stirring constantly until the gelatin dissolves. Don't let it boil, as that would reduce the gelling power of the gelatin.
6. Remove the gelatin from the heat. While it cools a bit, combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl and whip them with an electric mixer until the mixture thickens slightly.
7. Gradually pour the liquid gelatin (don't let it set) into the whipped cream mixture and continue to beat at slow speed until blended. Then whip it at high speed until it's stiff and peaks form when you lift the beaters. 8. Frost the completely cooled cake with a generous, fluffy layer, making swirls and peaks as you go.
9. Add confetti (colored sprinkles) and the sparkly year decoration. (Tip: Apply the sprinkles to the sides of the cake by lightly tossing them against the frosting. After sticking the store-bought metallic sprays entwined with a star garland into the cake, cut a 2-inch star out of paper, write the year numerals on it, and tape it to the sprays.) 
10. Store the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

As seen on Spoonful. Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday.

Happy baking folks, and Happy New Year! :)

Wordless Wednesday #64 | Merry Christmas!

Hair Story | Tony Moly Berry Trendy Hair Color Cream in Cherry Wine.

Happy Monday, everyone! I bet you're all busy making some last-minute preparations for Christmas, which is but two days away! And before things get a little crazy here at home, let me share with you my latest hair coloring adventure.

You know I'm a big fan of Bubble Hair Coloring, right? This time around, I tried something different, from another Korean cosmetics brand. I'm talking about the Berry Trendy Hair Color Cream from Tony Moly. 

Berry Trendy Hair Color Cream.

Inside the box are the following: a tube of color cream (number 1), a bottle of liquid solution (number 2), a sachet of hair treatment, a pair of plastic gloves, and a plastic cape. Usage instructions and the list of ingredients can be found on the side panels. They're written in English on one side, and Hangul in the other.

English text, yay!

And for those who can understand Hangul, this side is for you! :)

The box also has a color chart, which can help you in choosing the perfect shade for your hair. From what I know, the Berry Trendy Hair Color Cream line has five variants and the shade I chose was 4R Cherry Wine.

Before and after.

To use, simply squeeze out the contents of the tube (number 1) into the bottle (number 2). 

Solutions 1 and 2. :)

Close the cap, and shake vigorously until the mixture becomes even.

Shake, shake, shake!

The mixture should look like this after a few minutes of shaking.

Purple-ish cream. :)

Once done, divide your hair into sections and start applying the color cream. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water, then rinse thoroughly with shampoo. Apply the hair treatment afterwards, leave it on for at least five to ten minutes before washing it off.

Hair treatment.

Now here are the before and after shots of my hair.

From black...

To reddish brown!

What I love:

- Very affordable at Php 328 per box.

- Convenient and easy to use.

- It does a good job of lightening the color of your hair. 

- The scent! It smells like strawberries!

What you might not like:
- The hair treatment. It does moisturize and soften the hair, but my hair seems to like Etude House's Silk Scarf Hair Treatment a lot more.

Thinking of changing your hair color without having to go to the salon (because I bet most salons are jampacked by now until tomorrow evening, haha)? Why not give the Berry Trendy Hair Color Cream a try? It's easily available at Tony Moly boutiques and outlets nationwide, and they won't even cost you a fortune. Gotta be economical. Times are hard, you know. Haha. :D