Spotlight | Skin79 Kick It Side Thin Sponge.

As I was going through my blog entries from the previous year, I realized that I hardly wrote about makeup tools and techniques. That being said, I made a resolve to feature makeup tools more often, and do tutorials if possible. (Take note of the keyword 'if', haha!)

And so today, allow me to share with you this nifty little makeup tool that I have been using for the past few months. Yes, it's been awhile since I've had this product and it took me this long to blog about it. Talk about lazy bones. Har har. :)

Skin79 Kick It Side Thin Sponge.

This is the Kick It Side Thin Sponge, Skin 79's answer to the pink, egg-shaped sponge otherwise known as the Beauty Blender.

Brief description at the back of the box.

Its shape resembles two Hershey's Kisses on top of one another, with an ergonomic design that allows easier access to hard-to-reach areas of the face. Its soft, velvety texture makes blending a breeze, and leaves the skin with a smooth, natural finish.

Kinda looks like Hershey's Kisses, don't you think?

Soft and very malleable, the sponge retains its natural shape even if you squeeze it. It can be used damp or dry, but I prefer using it damp as it glides better on my face that way. Now from what I know, the Beauty Blender expands when wet; the Kick It Side Thin Sponge doesn't. The size is the same whether it's wet or dry.

My main squeeze. ;)

It's very easy to clean, too. This doesn't come with its own cleaner like the Beauty Blender, so what I do is add a few drops of my (organic) antibacterial liquid soap, let it seep through the sponge, rinse it with water, and let it dry.

The best part? I got this baby for only Php260 (a little over $5) at KimchiJib. That's a far cry from the $20 (or is it $30?) Beauty Blender.

What I love:
- Easy to use.
- Allows easier makeup application to hard-to-reach areas of the face.
- Leaves the skin with a smooth finish.
- Easy to clean, dries pretty fast, too.
- Does not contain latex.
- No rubbery scent.
- No allergic reactions, safe for sensitive skin.
- Affordable price!

What you might not like:
- None! :)

Hope you're all having a great Monday, everyone! It's rainy and super blustery from where I am, so yeah, I'm hibernating and going back to bed. Haha!  :)

Spotlight | The Cream Factory Bath Cream.

Just as I am a sucker for perfumes with hints of vanilla or cherry blossoms, I'm also a patsy for anything with milk or honey when it comes to body wash and liquid soaps. And when I saw my Instagram timeline flooded with photos of this new bath cream made with goat's milk, I was like, "Where do I buy this? And how?!"

Lucky for me, Sample Room had 150 samples in stock earlier this week. And luckier for me that I was able to snag one. (You have no idea how fast those Sample Room ninjas are! One email announcement, and whoosh! The next thing you know, the product you are vying for is already out of stock. Lol.)

And so here it is, the bath cream that I've been eyeing for the past few weeks. It's also my first online purchase of the year. Well, I can't even call it a purchase because I got the item for free. All I paid for was the shipping fee, which costs Php 130 (provincial rate).

The Cream Factory, courtesy of Sample Room.

Now here's a little background about The Cream Factory. Their story is pretty simple, actually. They started with Goat's Milk from the Netherlands, which is prized for its quality and purity. It's loaded with essentials (vitamins D, C, E, B1, B6, B12) that's good for both the skin and body.

Real goat's milk from the Netherlands!

Then they added active botanical extracts to make the formulation even better and to further address specific skin needs. As for me, I got the one with Honey, which is all too perfect for my sensitive skin.

Goat's milk & Honey.

In case you didn't know, honey contains anti-microbial properties which helps protect the skin. It's a great anti-ageing agent, and has the ability to absorb and retain moisture - keeping the skin hydrated, soft, and supple.

Kills germs, moisturizes the skin. :)

Now if honey isn't your cup of tea, there are eleven other variants to choose from. Here's the rundown: Goat’s Milk & Almond: The Detoxifying Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Jojoba: The Clarifying Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Yogurt: The Soothing Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Seaweed: The Revitalizing Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Cinnamon: The Purifying Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Avocado: The Radiating Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Acai Berry: The Age-Defying Soap 

Goat’s Milk & Witch Hazel: The Rejuvenating Soap

Bath cream, baby! 

And you can also choose between two sizes. What I have here is the 221ml sample size. They're actually sold in bundled packs of three, priced at Php 799. Then there's also the 768ml full-sized bottle, which costs Php 699.

What I love:
- The scent! One whiff and I'm sold! And yes, the scent lingers on your skin for hours.
- The uber-cute milk bottle packaging. And no, they're not made of glass.
- Thick and creamy; just a little goes a long way.
- Effectively moisturizes the skin.
- Twelve variants to choose from, each addressing a specific skin need/problem.
- Made with natural ingredients.
- No harmful chemicals.
- Not tested on animals.

What you might not like:
- My only concern is that they're not available at the supermarket near my place. But then again, I can always order online. :)

Have you tried this bath cream? What's your favorite 'flavor'? :)

Top Tips to Help your Home Reflect your Style.

If like me, you feel your home could do with a bit of a makeover, one of the first things you need to think about is what style you’d like to go with.

Ideally, you should choose a home décor theme that matches your own personal style. This is what makes your home unique to you. Creating more personalized décor will help you to relax more after a long hard day.

However, it’s not always easy figuring out what your personal style is. I, for one, had a lot of trouble identifying what my personal home décor style was. If you’re struggling to identify yours then the ideas below will help.

1. Country girl at heart
If you’re a country girl at heart, your main goal should be to focus on warm colours. Browns, reds and blue are all great colour palettes for a country style home. My particular favourite part of a country theme is the heavy wooden style. Wooden furniture and exposed beams often play a large part in country homes.

Photo credit: Honduras Business.

If you are aiming to decorate your home in a country style, you may want to consider sash window refurbishment. The windows of older style homes tend to be slightly different to newer homes so a refurbishment can help to bring them up to date.

2. Eclectic
If your personal style is slightly out there, you’ll find it quite easy to decorate your home. My own personal favourite style is eclectic. To achieve this look you basically choose furniture and accessories that you really like that don’t necessarily go with anything else in the room. They also tend to stand out quite a lot too with bold, unusual patterns.

Photo credit: Indecora.

3. Art lover
If you’re a lover of art, you don’t need to spend a fortune on your home makeover. It’s possible to find artsy accessories and furniture at local markets. The flea market in Camden, London is a particularly great place to shop for antique style furniture on a budget.

Yin Yang Furniture by Kenneth Cobonpue.

These are three of the top styles that people aim for. It’s important to identify your style before you start your home décor project.

Foodie Goodie | Tous les Jours Brownie Mix.

Bet you didn't know the French-Asian bakery chain Tous les Jours have brownie mixes too, huh? I wasn't aware either, until I received this big basket of goodies last Christmas.

Tous les Jours Christmas Gift Basket!

They were sent to me by Tous Les Jours Philippines (thank you, TLJ Ph!) and inside were an assortment of their artisan cakes (Mini Castella, Mini Chiffon Cake, Cream Cheese Muffins, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Blueberry Muffin), a bottle of Strawberry Jam, and a box of Brownie Mix.

Tous les Jours Brownie Mix.

Unlike other brands of brownie mixes (as in the ones that we usually see at supermarkets) which requires you to add oil or eggs or milk or sugar, this one just needs water.

Just add water! :)

Preparation is a no-brainer. :)
1. Mix the TLJ Brownie Mix with 55ml of water in a mixing bowl. Stir until there are no lumps.
2. Put the mixture in a baking pan.
3. Bake it for 3 minutes and 30 seconds in the microwave. If you're using an oven, set it to 180°C and bake for 6-7 minutes. 
4. Let it cool for at least an hour. Slice and serve.
Tip: For fluffy and moist brownies, use 70ml of water instead of the usual 55ml.

Ta-daa! Homemade brownies ala Tous les Jours! :)

The TLJ Brownie Mix sells for Php248 per box, available at Tous les Jours stores in Metro Manila.

Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday. :)  

Wordless Wednesday #66 | Brain Food.

How about you? What have you been reading lately?