Feed My Vanity

The name sounds very Edward, I just had to say it.

Yes, for the longest time I avoided whitening products because unconsciously it seems very unfaithful to what is essentially Pinay. But I’ve come to understand that whitening products, when used wisely and not obsessively, can be a great tool in smoothening the color of one’s skin.

Say hello to Nivea’s new line:

I’ve yet to try it since I only got it this evening. But says here:

What does it do?

1. Whitening from Inside and Outside

2. Boosts skin hydration due to its Hyaluronic Acid – a moisture binding acid that plumps up the skin from the inside out

3. Protection against sun damage and redarkening

Just like its cousins, the Nive Pure & Natural deodorants it is also relatively affordable:

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Foam 100g  P150.00

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Scrub 100g  P175.00

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Toner 125ml  P175.00

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Day Oil Control  50ml P315.00

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Night Care  50ml  50ml P330.00

Nivea Visage Sparkling White Day Age Control  50ml  P315.00

For more information on Nivea products, visist www.NIVEA.ph.

I must mention that it was Nivea that brought me back to the land of blogging. I’ve been on hiatus for six months because I became a raging workaholic and a host of other stuff that’s too distasteful to mention. Oh life.

Anyhoo, I must mention why I came back. It’s because of two things I hardly use: deodorant and whitening products. I don’t use the former because I’m one of the lucky few who don’t need it (although I would’ve traded that trait for mile long legs), and the latter because I’m one of the rare Pinays who thinks brown is sexaayyy.

Then these arrive at my doorstep two days ago:

Apparently, one can never have too many deodorants and I never knew deodorants could be so interesting and diverse.

Well, if I ever had to have to use a deodorant regularly it would be Nivea’s pure & natural line because I have a very sensitive nose. I once sniffed a bottle of vanilla lotion before boarding a 12-hour flight, and I spent the whole trip scared out of my wits because my nose swelled and I felt itchy all over. Yes, my nose may not look aristocratic, but it has airs.

I can’t say it helped me prevent armpit smell because like I said, I hardly use deodorants unless it’s insanely hot which the weather has been lately. Plus I like the smell. It smells CLEAN and I didn’t break out in rashes.

I’ve been using the deodorant at the leftmost of the picture for two days. I chose it because it’s spray on. I dislike roll-ons, I have no explanation for this. Nevermind, the remaining three bottles are not even enough to battle the smell that is my brother.

Now, the press release says that the Nivea Deo Pure & Natural action has 0% aluminum salts, 0% parabens / preservatives free, doesn’t clog pores, black shirt friendly, and dermatologically tested.

I have zero idea what the first two abovementioned qualities translates for me, but I have enough brain power that when it says preservatives free? GOOD. Doesn’t clog pores? EXCELLENT, because my pores are clogged enough with pollution as is. Black shirt friendly? I personally have never witnessed a battle between a black shirt and deodorant but this I will test someday. Dermatologically tested? GREAT (what were the results?).

Yes, my sarcasm may be present, but sarcasm self aside, the Nivea Deo Pure & Natural action deodorant is a promising future member of my grocery list. It’s also reasonably affordable.

Available in:

-25ml Roll on (P50.00)

-50ml Roll on (P89.00)

-40ml Stick (P155.00)

-150ml Spray (P170.00)

Now, let’s proceed to its cousins in our next entry: Nivea’s Sparkling White UV Blocker

I’ve never really had a problem being called “negra” (dark) when I was young. I have a selective perception of insults, you can insult me (sometimes), and I wouldn’t care. It’s just too tiring to banter and get all worked up over something that doesn’t really bother me. Plus, I’m not dark, I’m exotic. Hahaha.

That being said, I’ve never been into whitening products. But for the first time, I WILL make an exception for L’Oreal’s White Perfect.

L'Oreal White Perfect

Mostly, I like how it promises it will get rid of dark spots. I’ve been hearing that promise over and over in advertisements, but I’m a L’Oreal fan, and I was sad when they phased out Ideal Balance (I use True Match now). I am sure it will deliver.

I’ve been using the above for two days, so far, I like it. I’m 26, old enough to know the elasticity of my skin won’t last forever, enough to feel mortality, old enough to know I should take calcium supplements because I smoke and women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, old enough to know the fat on my cheeks will someday slide to… you get the picture. So I’m now making a conscious effort to slather on whatever is needed to protect the largest organ of the body, mostly because it will be cheaper than Botox in the long run.

Also, I’m not big on sunscreens, one of the biggest must-DOs of skincare. I don’t like grease, I apply enough gunk on my face every day to add sunscreen, even though it’s gunk that will save me not just from wrinkles but ultimately, skin cancer.

But L’Oreal White Perfect ain’t greasy and it has sunscreen! It shaves off a lot of seconds in my every day beautification rituals because I don’t have to force my skin to absorb it.

Going back to the dark spots, I have one pimple scar ON MY CHEEK. How prominent can it get? I work in a predominantly male industry, meaning, I’m surrounded by BOYS (take note, I said BOYS, not MEN).

The boys have dubbed my dark spot “Tamagotchi”.

Tamagotchi has been in residence for three months. I am planning to demand Tamagotchi to pay rent. But until then, I will use L’Oreal White Perfect to evict my Tamagotchi.

Anyway, here’s L’Oreal White Perfect in a nutshell:

1. More Transparent Skin:

Enriched with Melanin-Vanish™, this cream helps reduce spots and visibly brighten skin tone for a more transparent skin.

2. More healthy glow:

With Tourmaline gemstone, known to help stimulate skin microcirculation, this cream helps bring your skin a more rosy glow.

3. Protection against UV induced skin darkening:

Exposure to UV rays, especially to UVA, accelerates and intensifies the melanin production, leading to skin darkening. Enriched with powerful UV filters system, WHITE PERFECT Day Cream SPF17/PA++ provides protection against UV induced darkening and the appearance of brown spots.

Until my next post dear imaginary readers.

FeedMyVanity. Yes. In this particular entry, I am asking you to feed my vanity by reading about ME!

I worked in the media for a long time as a lifestyle writer, covering topics from travel, sports, business, even PARENTHOOD (I don’t have kids, take note). I have so far avoided talking about my life in this blog, preferring to share my finds and travels instead. However, when I turned 26, I somehow felt something was lacking so I went corporate… and I LOVE IT. Sure I had my misgivings, but my life in the media enriched my current work, a Public Relations professional for a multinational hotel and lifestyle group.

Boredom is a very real fear for me, second only to mediocrity. Call it arrogance, but for me it is the simple need for variety. It’s the thrill of working in a highly-competitive, fast-paced environment where you need to be steps ahead of everybody, not to mention the constant excuse to dress up. Hahaha.

An example: tomorrow’s itinerary is composed of one photoshoot, one taping, a meeting with one of the largest networks in the country, and a magazine launch at night.

How’s that for a fast-paced lifestyle?

Having said that, I’ve since then learned the trick of getting all dressed up and made up when signs of getting burnt out creeps up on me. Projecting a certain amount of glamour day in and out is tiring, especially when funds are lacking. Hahaha!

Not exactly having been gifted with mile-long legs meant I have to take extra care to stand out when the occasion calls for it. It’s fun to dress up, but there are days when no outfit feels right or I’m PMS-ing and everything I wear makes me feel fat, signifying the need to go back to the basics.

So when the going gets tough, it’s time to go black.

Black apparel is the universal staple, saver, and canvass that will ensure that flaws are smoothened out to the best of its abilities. A pound or two vanishes practically without a trace. And accessories can be ostentatious or simple, and you can still WERK it. It’s the weapon that will make sure you get the work done.

I’ve only realized now how black makes everything better for women. The LBD, the black eyeshadow for instant cat-eyes, black stilettos (I very much believe black stilettos can bring a man down, literally and figuratively speaking), black lingerie… the list goes on.

So it’s only fair that this time men get their own weapon right? Specifically, the L’OREAL Men Expert Pure &Matte. It’s not surprising that only a cosmetics and beauty giant loved by women all over the world can come up with a weapon for men.

Aside from the L’Oreal Men Expert. L’Oreal has recently unveiled White Perfect for Women which I will share in my next post.