Road-tested: Pure Beauté Bath and Body Products

Monday, November 28, 2016

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When I attended the #GetBLISStified workshop, I received a lot of goodies from partner brands. The thing I was most excited about was the Pure Beauté skin and bath products. They are made from all-natural ingredients, and don't contain any SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) or parabens, which are harmful chemicals commonly used in commercial personal hygiene products. 











Pure Beauté is a work of love from Jean Javier, also known as Simple Mama. Her husband comes from a family who makes products from coconuts, so she decided to develop a brand of products made from virgin coconut oil. 



"Simple Mama PH has been something in my heart for a really long time," Jean tells us in an interview. "I wanted to make luxurious natural living available to the middle class (simple) mom. I know that an all-natural lifestyle can be intimidating to the simple mom especially in terms of cost (because we are ever aware of our home budget) and I really wanted to break the barrier."



I'm not yet a mom, but I became part of Simple Mama's target market because I want to be more conscious of the products I use for my face and body. Knowing that these natural products will also help lessen my carbon footprint is a bonus. Ever since I saw posts about Pure Beauté on Instagram, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. I was especially drawn to the invigorating body scrub, which looked so luscious!








The entire range of full-sized products from the Pure Clean line for Php1,800. Love the packaging!



But because I have sensitive and acne-prone skin, I hesitated in buying the full sized set. I can't count how many times I bought products I had to throw out because I broke out after using them. The thing was, the travel-sized products weren't yet sold then, and were only available for special orders. So it was a pleasant surprise when I found out we were taking home the travel-sized kit for our workshop! Finally, I could try the products first to test if they're compatible with my skin.



The kit includes the clarifying facial wash, the revitalizing shampoo and conditioner, and the nourishing moisturizer. It comes in a clear resealable pouch perfect for traveling. The facial wash and moisturizer also has an additional cap to prevent spills. Although the body scrub wasn't included in the kit, it was fine. I still have a big tube of body scrub I haven't finished anyway.









The first thing I tried was the clarifying facial wash. It has a thicker consistency than most facial washes, and its color is clear rather than white. One small pump is enough to wash the entire face, but you'll wish to use more because it smells so heavenly! The scent reminds me of cotton candy, and I enjoy washing my face with it. There's no tingling or tightness after washing your face, just a smooth and squeaky clean feeling. It also removes makeup well, but you may want to wash your face twice to be sure.



After washing my face and applying my usual toner, I used the nourishing moisturizer. Confession: I'm a few months away from turning 30, and moisturizing has never been part of my skin care regimen. Shocking, I know. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize has been drilled into my magazine-reading consciousness since I was a teen but I never really followed through. Because of my problematic skin, the closest I had to a skin regimen was the Proactiv line, which has an anti-pimple cream instead of the moisturizer, and that's not really the same, is it?



So it was my first time to use a moisturizer. The first night, I pumped more than I needed and I just used the excess as lotion for my hands. And because I'm a noob, I also used the product around my eye area. A couple of days later, I noticed that the skin around my eyes felt more tender than usual, and it stung. The only thing different with my routine was the moisturizer, so of course I Googled if I could use it around my eye area. You can guess what the answer is: a big resounding NO. The skin around our eyes are more tender so we need to use a separate eye cream for them. So for newbies like me, you have been warned!



But other than that mishap, I LOVED applying the moisturizer. Like the clarifying facial wash, it smelled like cotton candy and the formulation is not sticky at all. I have oily skin and this is a perfect moisturizer for me. I use it twice a day, and I regret starting it too late, because just a week after using it, the difference was so noticeable! I attended another workshop and when I posted my photo on FB and IG, three people told me I was blooming. And I totally credit the moisturizer because I wasn't even wearing concealer on the photo, just regular face powder! The evidence:






That's me on the left, with Frances Sales of Topaz Horizon

So there. If I had to pick a favorite among all four products, it's the moisturizer hands down! One pump goes a long way because you don't need a lot for your entire face. And while I still got a couple of pimples, it was during my period, and what's different is they seem to heal faster now. Maybe it's because my face is moisturized and not too dry from using the anti-acne gel on my pimples. I also brought this to my recent trip to Japan, and it worked great for the cold weather. It prevented my skin from becoming dry. 



You want to know something shocking? As I was reading other feedbacks from those who have tried the Pure Beauté products, I found out that the moisturizer was used for the hands! So I clarified with Jean and she said it's actually a face and body moisturizer. See, it is so good and pure that it's gentle enough for your face! I am hooked, I tell ya.



As for the revitalizing shampoo, I was surprised that it lathers well, considering it doesn't contain any SLS. It also smells like cotton candy, and even if I've had an active day (from working out or running errands), my hair retains the smell. I also dyed my hair and even if I didn't use any other treatments, my hair didn't become dry or frizzy. That's the virgin coconut oil at work!



Among the four products, the revitalizing conditioner is the one that smells like coconut. Using it instantly transports me to the beach! And like the shampoo, this worked great for my dyed hair. 



I'm so excited for the other products they will offer. I hope they come out with a makeup remover since I've seen a lot of articles on the web about the wonders of coconut oil as makeup remover (and general beauty use). 



For now, you can buy the Pure Clean set at the Simple Mama website. They also offer other lines such as the Pure Detox (a set you use once a week to remove product build-up and impurities), Pure Baby (the gentlest products for your little one), and Pure Bounty (Virgin Coconut Oil, which I'm interested to use for my baking). You can buy them as a set or individually. You may also order thru their hotline, +639067044249. They're now offering the Pure Clean travel-sized kit for only 599! 











Simple Mama has also begun to get distributors around the country to reach more clients and help moms earn. Jean shares: "That is the other aspect of Simple Mama PH, we are built for distributorship so that moms may have the option to make an income as well." 



Now for the best part! Because you read until the end, you're in luck because the generous Simple Mama is offering a 10% discount to those who will purchase their products from my page! Just go to their website, create an account, choose the products you want, and input the code SIMPLEMAMAPH-RIAG upon checkout. This is an EXCLUSIVE OFFER for my dear readers so go, go, go!





Simple Mama PH

+639067044249

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*Road-tested is my review of products I purchased (unless indicated otherwise). If you have product recommendations or situations for my next road tests (waterproof products on the beach), leave a comment below!



**2nd and 4th photo from Simple Mama's Instagram.
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Awesome Gifts for Only 88 Pesos!

Friday, November 18, 2016

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The holiday season is here and you're probably fixing your gift list for family and friends. It's also the time for exchange gifts among barkadas and office mates. If you're on a budget, wastelands are the perfect place to search for your gifts! I did the window shopping for you dear readers, and I found awesome items at Daiso Japan (a.k.a. the 88-peso store) in Trinoma (it's inside True Value on the ground floor). While they're affordable, they don't look cheap, plus they're all very useful! There's also a variety of gifts to choose from for whatever personality the recipient has.





For the Girly Organizer: A flower-printed plastic accordion file keeper.



This is so cute! It has 13 pockets for receipts, tickets, and other knick knacks. It's also great if you're trying to budget your cash. Just put sticky labels on the tabs for each budget category. It's small enough to fit your purse.








The print is so kawaii!





Oh, here's a spending tip I learned. If you want to buy something, say a pair of shoes or a bag, it's better to save for it first. Put away a portion of what's left of your money after savings and expenses (use this accordion keeper!), then when you have the money and the item is still in the store, then buy it. That way, you don't incur an unnecessary expense, plus you get time to think about your purchase. Do you really want it or is it just a spur-of-the-moment thought? Then, if you end up not wanting it after all, or if it's no longer available, you end up with more savings! 












For the Wanderlust: A waterproof travel document holder. 





This is great especially when you're traveling to a place with rainy weather, or if you're clumsy and have a tendency to drop your things. It's important to keep your travel documents safe and dry! Daiso has other passport holders in different designs including Mickey Mouse and Star Wars prints. 









This document holder doesn't just hold your passport, it also has pockets for your airline tickets, boarding pass, foreign currency, and even your train cards. A travel tip: Make sure you have the local currency of your destination with you before you leave the airport. You don't have to exchange all your money at the airport, because you might get a better rate in money exchange stores outside, but make sure you have at least $100 worth with you for emergency purposes.











For the Techie: Daiso has an entire wall devoted to different products for your phone and computer. iPhone cases, headphones, cables, mouses, take your pick!











For the Fitness Enthusiast: Weights.



The blue and red dumbbells on top weigh 1Kg each, while the aquamarine and baby pink ones below don't indicate the weight, but you can fill them with water to make them heavier. The 1Kg dumbbells are such a great deal because those cost a lot in sport shops.


















For the New Mom: Baby socks/booties. I'm not a mom so I don't claim to be an authority in this, but I think it's best not to buy expensive gifts for newborns/infants especially for clothes and shoes because they outgrow them so fast! Just make sure that the quality of the product is good and won't cause any skin allergies for the baby. 















For the Explorer: Multi-Functional Portable Knife. This is a useful gift to your friends and office mates who love to be ready for anything. You can use it for camping, fishing, or just opening a wine bottle! It's made of steel too so you know it will last long.









Bonus: For the Makeup Lover, an acrylic case with mirror. 





This one costs more than Php88 (Php188 if I remember it right), but is still a good find because it sells for double the price in other stores. You can organize your lipsticks or earrings in the compartments and it has a convenient mirror for when you wear them. 











I love wasteland stores because you find a lot of affordable items that you'd otherwise pay much more for in other places. The important thing is to make sure you only buy what you really need because you can get carried away since everything is so affordable.



I hope I helped you trim down your list, go and share this post with your family and friends!



For a list of Daiso Japan branches in the Philippines, click here. 

Like them on Facebook for more gift ideas.


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Romy Dines at Trufa Pasta Bar

Friday, November 11, 2016

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I had appointments in Makati a couple of weeks ago and during my lunch break, I wanted to eat somewhere I haven't tried before. I rarely get the chance to explore Makati because I'm a North girl. There are so many restaurants to try! So I walked around and looked at my options.



I wanted to try Your Local and finally sample their famous Salmon Donburi, but I arrived past 2pm and they already finished their lunch service. I turned around and saw that there was a pasta bar across the street. I decided to check it out.



Trufa is a self-service pasta bar that also offers tapas, salads, drinks, and desserts. Co-owner Patricia Espino wanted to pay an homage to Barcelona, after a memorable trip to Spain. Together with her business partner Gerard Lorente, they created a menu perfect for a quick bite, a leisurely lunch, and even for a wind down after a hard day's work.









The interiors are cozy with wood, black, and white taking center stage. The soft lighting creates a relaxing ambiance perfect for people who just want to hide away from the busy and buzzing Makati. For people who like to hang out at Instagram-worthy places, this one is for you!



















Because I arrived after lunch, the place was quiet and only one other customer was inside. Service was quick and attentive.









The pasta bar is a self-service resto but I guess because there was no other customer, a server approached me at my table to get my orders.



From their tapas selection, I chose Montadino de Salmon (Php185), four crispy baguette slices topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Crunchy and tangy, I loved this appetizer! They sprinkled green onions and paprika on top, but I think they should also try adding a bit of red pepper flakes for a little kick.







There are three steps in ordering your pasta dish: 1. Choose your salsa, 2. Choose your pasta, and 3. Choose your alegria. In Spanish, the word alegria means joy, cheer, happiness. So for me, that third step is like the cherry on top of your cake! I chose Carbonara Filipina (Php260) for my salsa, tagliatelle (Php50) for my pasta, and trufa (Php50) for my alegria. I've always associated the aroma of truffle to feeling comfort, ever since I first tasted it in a ravioli dish at Bellini's in 2008. And since the restaurant is named Trufa after all, it's only fitting to try their secret truffle sauce.



They also offer Trufa in their salsa selection, but I was curious with the Carbonara Filipina , a mix of crispy dilis, smoked fish, cream, and parmesan.











The serving looks small but it is actually filling. I am partial to salty dishes, and I enjoyed this a lot although there are sweet notes that came from the crispy dilis. The flavors of the smoked fish and dilis are pronounced and blended well with the cream and truffle. 





Trufa is generous with their ingredients, so you get your money's worth. Since the prices for the salsa, pasta, and alegria are separated, the menu can be confusing at first glance so you must remember to compute the prices of all three to find out how much the dish exactly costs. This one totaled Php360. 







Trufa also offers a selection of desserts. I chose the Bocadillo Dulce (Php80), their version of a nutella smores sandwich. A marshmallow coated in chocolate is sandwiched by two chewy cookies, this is a sweet ending to a savory meal.



I would go back to Trufa the next time I am in the Makati neighborhood. And I'll make sure to bring someone with me so we can order more dishes, haha! As a pasta lover, I am elated with all the pastabilities! I want to try their other tapas plates and their signature Trufa dish. Here's their complete menu.


















TRUFA PASTA BAR


Planters Building, Esteban St., Legazpi Village, Makati

+639178045011

Operating Hours: 11am-7pm

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