Trend-spotting | Red is in for Autumn 2013!

This season's makeup trend is all about being fiery and bold. And nothing speaks bold like a tube of smoldering red lipstick. So expect MAC's Ruby Woo and Rimmel's Kate Red to be selling like hotcakes this season. (As if Ruby Woo isn't a bestseller all throughout the year, lol.)

Not to be outdone by the European and Western brands, Korean cosmetics companies have also released makeup collections that are attuned with this season's trend.

Feast your eyes on the latest releases from some of my favorite Korean makeup brands.

Han Bo Reum for The Face Shop.

It is what it is for The Face Shop's Fall (and Winter) Collection - Simply Classic. 

My eyes are fixated on the fourth to the last tube. :)

Their Artist Touch lipstick has three ranges - Moisture, Glossy, and Creamy Matte. Pictured above are the shades from the Moisture range.

Yoona for Innisfree.

Meanwhile, glossy, moisturized lips are the promise of Innisfree's Color Glow line. There are ten different shades in the collection, and those purple-toned ones in the middle kinda tickle my fancy.

BoA for Missha.

Missha, on the other hand, calls its Fall collection 'Belle Epoque' - reminiscent of the era of artistic and cultural refinement in French history. That wine red lipstick from the Fatal Aura range is giving me the 'Moulin Rouge' vibe - chic, sultry, and utterly sexy.

Rosy Tint Lips.

Etude House's Rosy Tint Lips are actually lip stains - with a twist to it.

Sulli for Etude House.

They're packaged like lip glosses but are highly pigmented, with a creamy texture and a matte finish. And I can't wait to grab shades number 3 and 8 for myself, lol.

Loving Laneige. :)

Last but not the least, there's Laneige and their heart-pounding, show-stopping collection of 'Serum Intense' Lipstick. They have 20 different shades in the collection, all of which have a lovely, satin finish.

But why, you may ask, is red the 'in' thing this autumn?
Park Hye Jeong, a makeup artist at NARS, puts it this way, "A prolonged recession makes people feel that they can't afford even a little bit of luxury. A simple touch of red lipstick alone is like complete make-up, so the answer is red."

So ladies, which red lipstick will you be wearing this season?

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Kids Bath Soap.

If there's one loyal Human Heart Nature user in this household aside from me, it's my little man. He's been using Human Heart Nature products since 2009 - exactly a week after he turned one. He's turning five next month, which means he's been using nothing but organic products for the past four years!

One of his favorites from the brand is the Kids Natural Shampoo, which he fondly calls 'yummy shampoo'. Now he has a 'yummy soap' - aptly named 'Chocolate Adventure' - to go with it.

Get ready for some Chocolate Adventure! 

This is the all-new, 100% Natural Kids Bath Soap, which was included in the box of goodies sent to me by GK Inc. It comes in a cute and colorful box, which immediately caught the little man's attention as soon as he spotted this in the package.

100% Natural, Biodegradable, Cruelty-free.

What I like about this soap, (and with Human Heart Nature products in general) is that it contains none of those chemicals that can do more harm than good to a child's sensitive skin.

Looks like a chocolate bar!

There are no harmful synthetic surfactants (like SLS or SLES) in this product; instead, it has natural cleaning agents such as coconut oil and sodium hydroxide (lye) that remove dirt and grime. It also contains sugarcane-derived sodium lactate and sodium gluconate that keep your child’s skin from drying unlike most chemical soaps. It's also formulated with plant-derived decyl glucoside for a foamy lather, and to make bath time more fun for the little ones.

It's 120 grams; about 8cm wide and 2.5 cm thick.

Oh, and this soap smells heavenly, too! Like a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie, which my little man loves.

Bits and pieces of 'chocolate'.

What I love:

- Cute packaging.

- Sweet, chocolatey scent.

- Made with all-natural ingredients.

- Contains no harmful chemicals.

- Keeps the skin soft, smooth, and moisturized.

- Safe for sensitive skin.

- Proudly Philippine-made.

- Cruelty-free.

- Affordable price.

What you might not like:

- None that I can think of. :)

The Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Kids Bath Soap sells for Php 69.75 each, and can be bought online, through registered dealers, and at local branches nationwide. Hopefully, this product will be available in the US website, too!

Foodie Goodie | Spaghetti Aglio Olio.

Weekends are for watching old Korean dramas. At least that's what they are, for me. And the past weekend saw me finishing 'Pasta' - all twenty episodes of it. This hit romantic comedy series, which aired in 2010, revolves around the life of Seo Yoo Kyung (portrayed by Gong Hyo Jin) and her dreams and struggles to become an elite chef.

Lee Sun Kyun and Gong Hyo Jin in Pasta.

After watching this drama, I was prompted inspired to do two things - have my ears pierced near the cartilage - in the style of Gong Hyo Jin,  and cook Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic ala Choi Hyun Wook (the male lead, portrayed by Lee Sun Kyun).

Now I have three piercings on my left ear. :)

I've never cooked Spaghetti Aglio Olio before, so I did a bit of research and came across this recipe from the Food Network. The ingredients are pretty basic, and this dish takes very little time and effort to cook. It's perfect for days when I'm in the mood for pasta but don't want to go through the whole process of chopping and slicing and prepping ingredients, lol.

Spaghetti Aglio Olio

Ingredients:
500 grams spaghetti
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsps flat-leaf parsley, chopped
pinch of red pepper flakes
kosher salt to taste (plus 1 teaspoon)
zest of 1/2 lemon
parmesan cheese, grated

Procedure:
1. Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously.
2. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally until al dente, tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes.
3. While the pasta cooks, combine the garlic, olive oil, the 1 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes in a large skillet and warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until the garlic softens and turns golden.
4. Drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink, reserving about a 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
5. Add the pasta and the reserved water to the garlic mixture. Mix well.
6. Add the parsley and lemon zest. Adjust seasoning, to taste.
7. Transfer to a large serving bowl or divide amongst 4 to 6 dishes. Serve topped with grated cheese, if desired.

Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday. 

Wordless Wednesday #57 | Wedding Fair.

The little man checking out the exhibits at last weekend's wedding fair.

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature 100% Natural Healthy Lotion.

Last week, I had the honor of receiving this wonderful gift from Gandang Kalikasan Inc. (Thanks Sara and Reby for this surprise!) It's a box filled with Human Heart Nature goodies - some of their newest products that were launched during the last Magalogue Turnover.

L-R: 100% Natural Healthy Lotion, 100% Natural Day Moisturizer,
Natural Feminine Wash in Powder Cool, 100% Natural Kids Bath Soap.

I'll be featuring every single one of these products, starting with the 100% Natural Healthy Lotion. I've been using it since the day this box arrived at my place and I must say, I am loving this new Blossom Beauty variant a lot. It comes in a refreshing fruity floral scent that's not too mild and not too strong. Plus the scent lingers on the skin for hours. I actually find the Blossom Beauty better than the other two variants of the Natural Healthy Lotion.

100% Natural Healthy Lotion in 200mL and 50mL bottles.

Like its predecessors - the Berry Bliss and Vanilla Delight variants - this new product contains no harmful chemicals, no parabens, no mineral oil, and no synthetic fragrances.

Blossom Beauty.

But what gives this new lotion the edge is that it's packed with twelve, yes twelve of nature's best nutrients and antioxidants. These are: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, B12, C, E, K, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phytosterols, and zinc. That's quite a lot, huh?

Remember, all lotions can moisturize.
But not all of them are healthy! 

But wait, there's more! (I sound like an ad from the Home Shopping Network, hahaha!)
This lotion also contains soybean oil that protects your skin from harmful UV rays and a 24-hour moisture booster from sugarcane compound. Not to mention the already remarkable all-natural blend of aloe vera leaf juice and sunflower and avocado oils that locks in moisture and makes the skin soft, smooth, and beautifully radiant.

All natural, cruelty-free. :)

Its thin and runny-like consistency allows for easy absorption and doesn't leave the skin with a greasy, heavy feel. It's the kind of lotion that you'd want to use even on a hot, summer day. (Of course I know it's already autumn in most parts of the globe and the days are getting colder and all.)

Runny, but non-sticky.

What I love:

- Made with all-natural ingredients.

- Contains no harmful chemicals.

- Cruelty-free.

- Proudly Philippine-made.

- Fruity, floral scent that lingers on the skin.

- Loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.

- Softens, smoothes, and moisturizes the skin.

- Feels light on the skin.

What you might not like:

- This is an organic product, so no SPF.

- I know there are people who are allergic to soy. Be wary, as this contains soybean oil.

The Blossom Beauty 100% Natural Healthy Lotion comes in two sizes - 50mL (Php 64.75) and 200mL (Php 199.75), and can be purchased online, through registered dealers, or at local branches nationwide. Oh, and yes, Human Heart Nature is available in the United States, too! :)