Warts and All: The 411 on Electrocauterization

As soon as Tepper turned 2 months old, I told myself, no more excuses. 

I was going to exercise (c/o my friend Kat Garcia's recommended nutrition/workout routine), and really make an effort to go to Dr. Yanee Santos at Aesthetic Science Clinic to get my post-pregnancy skin issues sorted out. 

Let me tell you, I have never been this excited for a facial. Especially since my last facial, also at Aesthetic Science, must have happened, oh about two years ago. 

I was actually looking forward to getting my face pricked and primed, and diamond peeled to perfection.

But how to achieve perfection when I've got warts staring at me in the face every time I looked in the mirror? Especially since they multiplied during pregnancy. (Oversharing? Well, this is me, warts and all! Heehee.) So I finally made a go to get all my warts removed. 

I'm sharing with you the 411 because I know, I am not alone with a secret of this dastardly sort. Shhhh. Anyhoo, here's what to expect, when you're expecting to say bye to warts.

Step 1. EMLA cream (a topical anesthetic) was applied directly on the warts, after my facial. Some kind of medical grade tape was applied over the cream. For my neck which was festered with warts, it was covered with cling wrap, no less. Lolz.

Step 2. Electrocauterization. After 45 minutes, and the anesthesia had numbed my skin, the warts were zapped to kingdom come by Dr. Leah Salido via electrocauterization.

Because I have sensitive skin, it turned all red like this. This is expected, and is absolutely normal.

Step 3. A therapist applied antibiotic/anti-inflammatory cream to all affected areas after Dr. Leah was done. I was told not take a bath for 24 hours, and reminded to just let the scabs fall off on its own.

Step 4. Before settling my bill, I was given a set of instructions, all printed out, which I appreciate.

I would probably forget if this was given to me verbally. I like that Aesthetic Science has thought of all the little details such as this. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Before I left the clinic, Dr. Yanee told me what to expect (itching, no scratching, etc.) and ran me through the list, reminding me to just take a bath after 24 hours, and apply the healing cream, 2X a day for 2 weeks.

She told me to stay away from direct sunlight, 2 to 3 weeks post treatment as it could darken the spots where the scabs fell off. The perfect excuse for me to buy this Ines dela Fressange hat for Uniqlo actually, heehee.

She told me not to apply my usual facial creams five days post-treatment, although it was highly recommended that I protect my face with sunblock of SPF 15 or more.

THE HEALING PROCESS:

About a day later, the treated areas had turned into scabs.

I couldn't wait for them to fall out. I was so tempted to pick at it, but then I remembered I was explicitly told, "DO NOT PICK ON THE SCABS." 

But I think the scabs bothered me more than it bothered friends I met up with over the course of healing. Come to think of it, if I didn't tell people and drew attention to my face and neck, they wouldn't even have noticed.

About 5 days later, the scabs started to fall off. I would swipe at my neck with Bioderma Sensibio H20 and some would come off on the pad.

Close to two weeks later, everything is totally gone. And finally, my skin feels so smooth when I run  my hands down my neck. No scars or dark spots too, thank goodness to my liberal use of healing cream.

I kind of actually miss the scabs, I'm looking for more areas to treat, haha. There's a certain kind of satisfaction seeing those little bastards fall off. 

So worth the discomfort, trouble and a little bit of embarrassment, promise.

Wart Removal via electrocauterization costs about Php2,500 at Aesthetic Science, but if you have 2 or more areas treated in one go, it will cost Php2,000 per area.

For inquiries contact:
Telephone No.: 809-8021/899-3643
Website: www.aestheticscienceclinic.com
E-mail: aestheticscienceclinic@yahoo.com

Aesthetic Science Alabang
Ground Floor of the Kennedy Center
Prime cor. Venture Sts. Madrigal Business Park
Muntinlupa City
8098021 / 09178082921

Aesthetic Science Makati
Ground Floor, Jupiter Place
Jupiter St., Bel-air Makati City
8993643 / 09178082926

The Flawless Pink Revolution

Flawless Face and Body Clinic continues to give Filipinos easier and more affordable access to medically-sound and innovative skin and body solutions with the Flawless Pink Revolution - their 5+5 service packages month long promotion this December!

“We really want to mark this fantastic year and share the success with our clients,” shares Rubby Sy, CEO of Flawless.  

“Several milestones were achieved not just for Flawless but for the entire Philippines. 2014 is the year that we launched the country’s first ever widely-available all-in-one intravenous vitamin mix – called the Beauty Drip - and our All-Natural Ultimate White Facial. This is also the year that we managed to exclusively bring in the world’s first 100 percent natural in origin, 100 percent biodegradable and 100 percent hypoallergenic beauty line, Novexpert.” Sy continues, 

“We also opened two more locations this year, one in Bacolod and another in Eastwood. With plans to begin operations early next year in several move sites – we can’t be more thankful to everyone who continues to support us. And that’s why we instigated the Flawless Pink Revolution.”

Sy shares that under the Flawless Pink Revolution, they are matching 100% of the 5 sessions customers initially purchase to thank and empower their loyal patrons with 5 more FREE sessions of the same services, which they can share with family and friends. 

Their best selling services such as the Cell Booster Infusion Mask, Nano Power Peel, Laser Hair Removal and Shape and Sculpt are included in the package!

UPDATE: Promotion is extended to January 31, 2015. All services purchased in this promotion are redeemable until July 2015. 

To know more about the Flawless Pink Revolution, like Flawless Face and Body on Facebook or follow @myFlawless on Instagram and @myFlawless on Twitter. Or you can visit any of the 38 Flawless clinics nationwide.

Louis Phillip Kee Opens New Locations

Robina and Roseann Ko of Louis Phillip Kee Premier Salon have expanded beyond Fort BGC opening salons in Legaspi Village, C5 Acropolis and Banawe.

My friend Marcie invited me to the Acropolis branch to try out their services a few months ago, just in the nick of time too, as my hair had become too long and limp.

With a few snips by my stylist John, he brought new life to my hair! Tadaaaa!

Oh, this should be interesting for girls who rebond their hair! I got to bring home these Keratin infused shampoo and conditioners by Keratherapy and more hair care products from Schwarzkopf. These should be available at Louis Phillip Kee Premier Salons too.

I got to use the Keratherapy shampoo & conditioner and they do make your hair feel very moisturized. If you have dry, frizzy hair, Keratherapy will really tame it down!

Louis Phillip Kee Premier Salon

Fort 
8 Unit F-116 F-117
Forbes Town, BGC, Taguig City
Mobile: +63-918-8424888
Telephone: +632-856-3388
Email: louisphillipkee_premier@yahoo.com

C5 Acropolis 
Unit 3 SRK Building
Acropolis Subdivision
E.Rodriguez (across Shopwise Libis), QC
Mobile: +63-916-5305170
Telephone: +632-638-4001

Makati 
Unit G11 Grand Midori Condominium
Legaspi St (near Dela Rosa), Legaspi Village
Makati City
Mobile: +63-906-4396148
Telephone: +632-847-9520

Banawe 
3/f Unit 307 Z Square Mall
Banawe Street Cor Del Monte Avenue
Quezon City

MFO's Verdict On: Kosmea Skin Clinic Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil

The Product: Kosmea’s Skin ClinicTM Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil 

Rose hip oil is the multi-tasking beauty product everyone is talking about. The much- hyped miracle ingredient was first bottled by the innovative, Australian family-owned Kosmea in 1993.

Kosmea sources its rose hip oil from a 100% USDA certified organic wild crop from the Maluti Mountains in Lesotho, South Africa. This process helps provide a sustainable economy for an otherwise poverty stricken community.

Setting itself apart from the pack, Kosmea extracts rose hip oil without heat or solvents, retaining all the anti-ageing vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants to give your skin a healthy glow.

The Promise:

The benefits of Kosmea’s Skin ClinicTM Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil are undeniable – it protects, repairs and adds radiance to your skin like nothing else can.

Rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, this easily-absorbed oil is a real treat for the skin. It may:

• help smooth wrinkles 
• heals wounds and reduce appearance of scars, from minor burn scars to acne scars
• moisturise and soothe dry, sensitive and sun-damaged skin
• helps treat pigmentation, stretchmarks, cradle cap and nappy rash
• nourish and hydrate ageing skin
• balance oily skin
• reduce the appearance of blemishes
• Great for giving that glow to dull, tired skin!

It is free of harmful chemicals, colorants, fragrances, mineral oils and animal products – it is simply ‘skincare as nature intended.’

Put to the Test:

The instruction reads like this:

Apply 2-3 drops to slightly damp skin morning and night after cleansing and before applying your daily moisturiser. Applying to slightly damp skin will allow for the oil to absorb quicker and deeper into the skin.

This is how one drop of Kosmea's Rose Hip oil looks like:

And it covers a lot of area as it is. I use about 2 drops to massage onto 2 cm. long stretch marks on each butt cheek, which I got while pregnant with Xavi. In two months, the angry, red stretch marks faded well enough for me to expose my butt cheeks if I wanted to. Not that I want to, but just to say, they're practically indiscernible unless scrutinized. Wahaha.

I love that it absorbs easily and does not leave an oily film. While the oil is dark, it does not stain clothes.

Seeing how effective it is, I now use it in lieu of an eye cream. Let's see in a few months how it works for the skin around my eyes. I realize, I can also use it for the kids' minor scratches and booboos because of its healing properties.

Let me point out that this does NOT smell like roses, just because it's called a rose hip oil. It has a plant kind of smell, not entirely pleasant, but not gross in any way. It disappears eventually, so it's not a bother at all.

Passing the Verdict: I would buy again in a heartbeat before I run out. Because it has so many uses, it's useful and just handy to have around the house, doubling as an anti-ageing/beauty serum, moisturizer and first-aid for minor wounds.

Practical Tip: Kosmea suggests mixing the oil with foundation then applying onto our skin for a dewy, glowing complexion. This could be worth a try, and maybe I will do it soon.

While it has moisturuzing properties, it is also recommended that it be used in tandem with a moisturizer and should be applied prior to applying your favorite lotion or cream.

Price: Php600 for a 10 ml bottle, Php1000 for a 20 ml bottle

Point of Sale: In this Philippines, get Kosmea at Glamourbox.ph. Elsewhere, there's Amazon and Kosmea.

P.S. Glamourbox recently came out with the very first Special Edition Glamourbox in partnership with Avon Cosmetics.

The first special edition box reveals a line of products that highlights vividness and color—capturing exactly the message that Glamourbox and Avon would like to relay. Each and every one of us is beautiful—and that we should embrace this beauty and be proud of our individuality. 

Hurry over to www.glamourbox.ph to avail of this Special Edition Avon Glamourbox for just Php595. Box is valued at P2,865, you also stand a chance to join the exclusive Makeup Workshop when you subscribe to the Special Edition box.

MFO's Verdict On: Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil

The Product: Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil

The pencil is a nuetral taupe color that blends just as well into blonde hair as it does very dark brunette hair. The proof is in the sales, BDB has sold ten of thousands of these pencils with a 1% return rate. 

The Promise: No More Guessing Games! 

Formulated to work with all skin tones & hair colors, this amazing pencil goes on smooth and natural. Perfect for creating beautiful, natural brows whether you are a blonde or a brunette. This mechanical pencil always stays sharp and requires no pencil sharpener.

retractable pencil means no need for sharpening, comes with the built-in brush

Put to the Test: I used to not get the fuss about brows. Then again, I cannot groom my brows even if my life depended on it, so it was like a default mechanism that I just did not care about how my brows looked.

Don't get me wrong. I tried to do something about it. I've tried on pencil fillers and powder fillers but they looked so unnatural and cartoon-ish, I decided I would rather go without.

But then! My friend Eliza aka The Painter's Wife suggested I try Billion Dollar Brows at Beauty Bar and so I did.

I have only used it a total of three times, and considering that a ten year old probably does a better job at putting makeup than me, it's remarkably easy to use.

See Billion Dollar Brows on the left, and my natural, untamed brows on the right. See the difference?

BDB to the left, natural brows to the right

Passing the Verdict: It's a good and solid, BUY!

Practical Tip: For darker skin tones and hair colors, apply pencil until you’ve reached the desired shade. Use less pencil for lighter skin tones and hair colors. Blend using the brush end of the pencil. 

The pencil is water-resistant so no worries about losing your brows when caught in a downpour. And yes, you can even wear it to work out, if you want to.

With everyday use, the pencil should last about 3 months.

Price: Php850 but currently on sale at Beauty Bar for Php722.50

Point of Sale: Beauty Bar and online via the Billion Dollar Brows website.

Shop Online at Beauty Bar + Billion Dollar Brows

Just in case you did not know, you can now shop Beauty Bar online.

When you wake up at 1 am realizing, "OMG, I'm about to run out of mascara!", you can just go to http://shop.beautybar.com.ph/ and shop like it's nobody's business but your own. After all, it's your lashes, not theirs.

If you don't have a credit card, or you simply don't want to do business online because you're old fashioned like dut, then opt for the "Pay and Pick Up at Store" option. Yu-huh, there is such a thing. Convenient na din, if you like it the brick and mortar kind of way.

Take note though that the item you order will be available to pick up at your preferred Beauty Bar store on the 3rd business day from the day you placed your order. All the T&C's are here:

By the way, have your heard of Billion Dollar Brows? My friend Eliza aka The Painter's Wife, tipped me off on this wonder product. I've always been one of those scraggly kilay girls because I cannot groom my own brows for the life of me. I asked for her advice and she told me to buy BDB from Beauty Bar. So, I did. OMG. Life changing!

It's perfect for people of all skin tones and hair colors, because it's a universal brow filler. Go easy if you want it light, put more if you want to go dark.

For the first time in my life, somebody made bati to my kilay the first time I used this. My kilay! Imagine that.

I felt like a billion bucks!

Dove says Don't be Camera Shy

Here we go again Dove, hitting me right where it hurts = my self-consciousness when it comes to having my photo taken. Eeeek!

Dove asks, when did you stop thinking you were beautiful? How come when we were little girls, we were never this self-conscious?

Good question. I don't know who to blame - Genetics? The photographer? Those beautiful girls who make looking good, look so easy? Or myself, for being my own worst critic? 

Naks. Profound.

Oh which reminds me, there's this really great read by Kasey Edwards entitled "When Your Mother Says She's Fat". 

It's a thought-provoking reminder on why we shouldn't be so critical of ourselves. Because we project our insecurities to our daughters, and more than genes, we pass on our body issues to our kids.

Let's not mess them up!

Certified Organic Pulpe de Vie at Rustan's Beauty Source

If I were to judge a skincare product solely by its packaging, then I can almost taste the freshness of French skincare brand Pulpe de Vie. One look and I get images of bright Provençal sun-ripened fruits and an overall wholesome, all-natural appeal.

I kind of want to flip open a cap and squirt the Luscious Glow Body Milk straight into my mouth, then chase it down with a tube of Kiss Me lip gloss.

But more than bright, cheerful, almost scrumptious packaging, Pulpe de Vie's face and body products really do deliver the goods, in all its certified organic goodness.

• Fresh. All Pulpe de Vie products are made from fresh and organic fruit and vegetables from the Mediterranean area and directly purchased from local producers. Which means, less carbon footprint as no fruits were transported from afar  
• Allergen-Free. Formulated with fruit water, which is full of active ingredients and whose flavoring properties make it possible to replace the use of essential oils, Pulpe de Vie's formulation is soft on the skin and free of allergy risks. And yes! Safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women!
• Natural. Coloring agents are natural ochres from the villages of Luberon, also in the South of France
• ECOCERT Certified. Not tested on animals, no GMO, no silicones, no parabens, no fragrances or synthetic coloring agents, no phenoxyethanols, no PEG.  

In true MFO fashion, I tried on three of Pulpe de Vie's nine products myself, and they are nothing short of delightful.

The Kiss Me Lipgloss, made with prickly pears, lavander honey, bee's wax, olive oil and vitamin E, tastes like fruit-flavored olive oil. It truly feels all-natural, and not sticky, as most lip glosses tend to feel like fly paper on my lips. The color is as natural as can be. It looks dark in the tube but comes out to just enhance the natural color of my lips.

The citrus-y, berry delicious grapefruit/blackcurrant scent of the Luscious Glow Moisturizing Body Milk can really perk up your day. I suggest you save your thicker body creams for evening, and just slather this on in the morning after a shower. It's a very light, milky lotion. I like using it as a hand moisturizer too. I'd rub my hands together with it, and then cup my face to take in the scent. Transports me to a happy, sunshine-y place everytime, I swear.

Anti-ageing need not be so serious with Amant de Soir/Love Me Tonight Anti-Ageing Night Cream. 99% natural and 56.2% organic, it is made with a fruit cocktail of raspberry, fig water, blackcurrant, lime-tree leaves and prickly pear oil. It also contains 3 anti-ageing ingredients: beech buds (anti-wrinkle), hyaluronic acid (moisturizing) and hydroxyproline (restructuring). While I was initially put off by the thick, rich consistency (I've stopped using La Mer in Manila because it was too thick) and would only apply it on my neck and jaw area, since I figured these were safe zones that would benefit from a rich cream, I decided to try it on my face, and OMG, it just seemed to melt into my face. It was not greasy at all. It does have a slightly spicy scent, but hello, I've happily used Dr. Perricone on my face, which smells like fish. Fishy vs. Spicy? I have no complaints.

About Pulpe de Vie:

Pulpe de Vie was started in 2009 by a then 33 year old Julie Ducret, whose love for adventure and enthusiasm for life took her all over the world. She eventually went back home and moved to the South of France to do what she always wanted - start a business which reflected her own values: respect, quality, joy, simplicity and sustainable living. The result as we know, is Pulpe de Vie.

Today, Pulpe de Vie is available across France, and at select beauty shops in the US, Japan and the Philippines and remains a 100% French firm, where everything from production to packaging is still done in France.

In the Philippines, Pulpe de Vie is available at Rustan's, The Beauty Source.

Blanca de China

Have you fallen asleep while having a facial? In the middle of pricking? Ever?

I have. I just had a porcelain facial at Blanca de China, a new spa in San Juan (near Greeka Kouzina) and OMG - it was the most relaxing facial I have ever had in my life. 

While my face was about to be steamed, soft piped music playing in the background, a massage therapist magically appeared at my side and told me I was getting an arm massage. What a pleasant surprise, I thought. I let all my cares melt away, happy that I got an unexpected massage to go with my facial.

By the time my facialist Daphne started on extraction, the masseuse was massaging my left hand and then, I don't know what happened next. All I knew was that when I woke up, I had a mask on. 

It was that good. 

I can totally see how I can do this regularly and come out with skin like unblemished porcelain. This was not torture. It was a treat, through and through.

Blanca de China, or Blanc de Chine in French means "White from China", a type of white Chinese porcelain from Dehua aka Dehua porcelain. But it also refers to the boutique spa that my former officemates from Citibank, Francis and Joanne Magboo put up with their cousins.

And what a pretty spa it is. This is the receiving area/hand and foot massage area:

While these steps lead to the private massage rooms on the second floor:

This is the massage/facial room on the ground floor. Very clean, the sheets are fresh and the towels are still fluffy. Dada and I had a full body massage here a week ago, and we couldn't help but compare the experience to other massage spas we've been to where the towels feel threadbare, sad and forlorn. There's none of that here, everything at Blanca de China still has that new spa feel.

I told Joanne how much I liked the interiors and she shares that the look was patterned after her own home, which is very "Shabby Chic". In fact, some of the decor and furniture, like that French Rococo armchair you see below was from her house and was "donated" to Blanca de China.

It seems the warmth and coziness of Joanne's home came along with that armchair. After my facial and upper lip threading, my facialist asked me if I wanted some tea at the sitting area. She came out with this tea tray, how pretty.

Needless to say, I was charmed and smitten. It's like being welcomed into the comfortably chic home of a gracious hostess. I will definitely be coming over for repeat visits.

And at these prices, Blanca de China is just hard to resist. 

 

PS - White ain't right without serious sterilizing involved. Blanca de China sterilizes all instruments, diamond peel and cautery tips using a dry heat sterilizer that kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

For the complete list of services, updates and inquiries, like Blanca de China on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlancaDeChina
 
Blanca de China 

#259A Ibuna corner P Guevera Streets
San Juan, Metro Manila
Telephone: +632 542 8499
Mobile: +63927 529 9425

BYS Cosmetics Now in The Philippines!

BYS stands for "Be Yourself", a cosmetics brand that was established in Australia in 2004. 

Designed for girls first experimenting with makeup as well as women who are looking for exceptional quality cosmetics that are also affordable, BYS offers more than a thousand products and is found in over 30 countries worldwide including the UK, France, South Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East. Japan is its largest market outside of Australia.

That said, when Michelle of My Mom Friday invited us to a make-up workshop hosted by BYS, my fellow moms all got super excited. Guess who also wanted to tag along:

When Karrots, Berry & I got to the venue, we immediately loved the set-up. We had this portable make-up station to use, and I found via Instagram, when I posted this there, that it's available in Divisoria for about Php20,000 a pop. Is that a deal? Or no deal?

When we all got settled into our seats, Angie Goyena of iFace Cosmetics, the local distributor of BYS in The Philippines, warmly welcomed us and told the BYS story.

She  shares that iFace, the Philippine distributor, decided to bring BYS to the Philippines late last year. Currently, BYS is the only color cosmetic brand in the world with the largest range of products and colors. For the eyes alone, BYS has over 100 products/ colors in 12 categories. 

Take for instance, BYS eyeliner pencils do not only come in the usual black and brown, they also come in gold, in neon colors and even with glitter. Even eyeshadows come in neon shades!

They also have the largest range of nail polish with over 400 shades and variants such as Scented, Glow in The Dark, Magnetic, UV Reactive, Chrome, 3D Special Effects, Neon, Matte, Mirrorized, platinum, grafitti, mardigras and more.

BYS is also known for its mineral makeup range. The BYS Minerals Naturale line is formulated with natural ingredients free of chemicals, dyes, preservatives and talc and have passed the US FDA, European Union and Japanese safety standards. So safe that the BYS Minerals Naturale line is ok to use even after skincare and derma procedures like laser, IPL, micro-dermabrasion or a simple facial. 

Another standout from BYS is its line of Baked Cosmetics. The Baked Bronzers and Blushers are made with an innovative formula that keeps oiliness and moisture at bay and hides impurities. Texture is ultra silky and may be used wet for thicker coverage and dry for a more natural, lighter effect. The bronzers give a radiant, luminous glow on one’s face and body while the blushers provide a natural, long-lasting highlight to cheekbones. .

That said, we did get to play with the main makeup line as well as BYS mineral products. The standout for me was the eyebrow pencil and if only I were more adventurous in makeup, I wouldn't think twice about experimenting with BYS colors because not only are the shades fun - like hello, orange eyeliners, they're also affordable!

BYS is currently available in 33 select SM and Watson’s outlets in Metro Manila and a few key cities like Cebu. By the end of 2013, there will be 50 stockists nationwide.

For more on BYS, visit their website, and like them on Facebook! 

We All Have Issues And It's Not as Bad as We Think

Good gracious, I am not a crybaby, but watching this video I saw via The Fatherland had me tearing up.

Everyone has issues, even the prettiest, skinniest girls I know. Why do we do that to ourselves? That unhealthy obsession with perfection? Why do we let what our parents, siblings or cousins say about us or label us with (si "kulot", "payatot", "tabachoy", "babalu" etc.) affect the way we view ourselves?

Growing up, I was called "tingting" and "maliit". By the time I reached high school, boys started paying attention to me and thought I was cute and crushable. So that cured my insecurity, ahahahaha! Just kidding no! Personality still rules! Never equate self-worth with how attractive you are to others.

Seriously girls, remember this - You are more beautiful than you think! ;)

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

From time to time they also requested Copenhagen snuff, Havana cigars and jars of petroleum jelly, which Ida massaged onto her face for several hours each day. She was five feet tall and 70 pounds, nearly deaf and stooped like a question mark, but her face still bore clear evidence of its former beauty. “You could see what an extraordinarily pretty woman she once was,” O’Brien noted. “Her complexion, in spite of her age, was as creamy and pink and unwrinkled as any I have ever seen. It was like tinted ivory. Her profile was like a lovely cameo.” She hadn’t had a bath in years. - From blogs.smithsonianmag.com

A couple of weeks back, I read this story about a rich recluse who lived at the Herald Square Hotel in Manhattan from 1907 to 1932. She had the most amazing skin. Well ok, the story was really about how she lied about her past, and how she managed to snag this rich guy, and how she ended up with so much money but lived a life shut out from the rest of the world.

But the part of the story that stuck with me was her skin care routine! Because hello, this old lady, Ida Wood didn't take a bath for years and yet her skin "was creamy, pink and unwrinkled...like tinted ivory". You know why? Because she massaged petroleum jelly on her face for several hours each day. Now, here's proof that the "No Water Skin Routine" really works.

Inspired by Ida, I now religiously use all my serums and creams. I've made it my mission and vision to really moisturize day and night. One time, I used Dr. Perricone's Cold Plasma and when Dada kissed me good night, he retched and said I smelled like fish. Whoops! Wahaha.

Making a conscious effort to moisturize really has made an impact on my skin. Not only does it feel softer, I can actually go out and not wear makeup, not even face powder. But the goal is to have unwrinkled skin well into my old age. So honeys, even with the summer heat, try and look for a non-greasy moisturizer for your face, let's keep the wrinkles at bay!

PS - I believe in you Ida, even if your life was a lie.

PPS - Here's one more proof that French women believe that tap water is the enemy. The Frisky's "The French Woman's Secret to Beautiful Skin".

PPS - Apparently, 33% of French girls between the ages of 15-19 start using anti-wrinkle creams via They Frisky's "How French Women Stay Hot When They're Old".

Aesthetic Science for Beauty & Wellness

When my friend Marcie invited me to check out Aesthetic Science, her friend Dr. Yanee Vasquez's dermatology and plastic surgery clinic on Jupiter St. in Makati, it did not take a lot of convincing. After living abroad for years, and then being pregnant my first year in Manila, my skin has never been pricked, prodded and pampered in what seems like forever. Marcie encouraged me to bring friends, so I ended up taking along my mommy friends and head SoMoms - Kris aka OC Mom in Manila and Janice of MommyMundo so they can also experience Aesthetic Science for themselves.

Another thing that really got to me, apart from the idea of finally getting a proper facial after approximately four years, was the thought of asking about getting a ting-sun, because I've always wanted to have a visible double eyelid, ahihihi.

So, over lunch at IMC Kavino next door, Kris, Janice and I got to speak with Dr. Yanee and her associate doctors Dr. Leah and Dr. Jason, where we talked about their clinic, their work and their passion for beauty, health and total wellness.

What I love about them is that they are just not about "outer beauty". Dr. Yanee is a devout yoga practitioner and she also practices Reiki healing.  Dr. Jason specializes in Digestive Cleansing. Both agree that while they help their patients achieve their "beauty goals", they also make sure that their patients don't go overboard and get addicted to plastic surgery. They always stress on the importance of loving and accepting one's self. That beauty procedures are ok, if you are realistic with your expectations. But, it will never be a guarantee of one's happiness if you are unhappy with yourself to start with. Heavy, pare.

Thankfully, I am happy with the face God gave me. I wish I looked better, but I can live with it, hahaha. So, I just opted to have a glycolic acid cleansing + diamond peel.

Feeling pampered and cozy prior to getting my face pricked and cleansed

OMG. It was such a great facial, I really felt my skin was totally cleansed to kingdom come. My aesthetician Jen had really nimble and gentle hands so it didn't feel like torture. Yes, despite the prickly feel of the glycolic acid (it's like rubbing calamansi on your face ha). I walked out of the clinic my face all red from the pricks and peel, which soon disappeared in an hour or so. Truly a  "lunch time facial" - procedure was done in 45 minutes, then I was back to normal activities like nothing happened, save for the temporary redness.

The great news incidentally, was that years of using a Clarisonic brush and over half a year into the no water cleansing routine, the aesthetician said I had pretty good skin, considering my last proper facial (excluding the Clarins ones I had while pregnant, which did not involve pricking) was uhm, 4 years ago. Yes, 4 long years.

Due to time constraints, since we scheduled a trip out of town that day, I ended up just getting the glycolic acid cleansing and will just try the full on treatment with diamond peel next time. I am also planning to go back for wart removal (remnants from my last pregnancy), and then maybe get my brown freckles zapped.  Then maybe, just maybe, I will get those double eyelids I've always dreamed of. Heeheehee. 

For inquiries contact:
Telephone No.: 809-8021/899-3643
Website: www.aestheticscienceclinic.com
E-mail: aestheticscienceclinic@yahoo.com

Aesthetic Science Alabang
Ground Floor of the Kennedy Center
Prime cor. Venture Sts. Madrigal Business Park
Muntinlupa City
8098021 / 09178082921

Aesthetic Science Makati
Ground Floor, Jupiter Place
Jupiter St., Bel-air Makati City
8993643 / 09178082926