NiceLadiesThings

Our family is a huge fan of online shopping - especially those with a COD (Cash on Delivery) payment method option. My brother always has vouchers and would ask me what I wanted to buy at Lazada. Power banks are in these days but I didn't think I really need it - I realized though that its a must have for me especially when I am out in the office on training from 9am to 5pm and since my phone is almost 2 years old - the battery drains really fast especially with the data/internet turned on.

This cute powerbank caught my eye at Lazada - especially because it is cheap. I do not know what a Totoro is but I learned from research online that it is a cartoon character in a Japanese anime film. Anyway, I know I should have purchased a more reliable brand like Romoss but I decided to try this one because it is CUTE!


It was on a discounted price of P474 with a freebie 8ml Rose scented EDT but with my brother's voucher I only paid about P390 for this which isn't really that much.


This is how big it is - for me its quite handy and its not that heavy. The plastic material (the pink portion) has a rough texture (not rubberized) which is fine for a better grip, the white portion is smooth.

The box has no manual or instructions at all even at the back its just blank- and that made me realize that this is indeed a generic powerbank which means that its declared capacity should not be expected. The included USB cable is quite disappointing because its short - probably about 10-12 inches.




The lights of the powerbank blinks as it charges which is really cute - but its performance is inadequate.

Charging time takes exactly 8 hours. I tried it and it only charged my Samsung Note II once (full charge) and an Iphone 4s (1 full and 50% charge). Calculating these devices battery mAH it means technically this powerbank only has 5,245 mAh or probably less at 5000mAh compared to what it claims that it is 20,000mAh.
So I am keeping this cute little thing, I just hope it would last! I don't really mind if it really has only 5,000 mAh as long as it is durable somehow.

I was using Belo Kojic + Tranexamic Acid products (soap and lotion) for a good 6 months last year when suddenly I suffered from skin itching due to a food allergic reaction. I had to stop using both the soap and lotion for weeks because my arms and legs were filled with itchy red pimple like bumps - I used some sulfur soap and vitamin E lotion and after about 3 weeks my skin's back but I felt I needed to use a different whitening regimen. SkinWhite looked promising to me so I gave it a try.


The soap at 90g is about P60 at Puregold Supermarkets and the smallest lotion (very cute and handy 50ml bottle btw) is priced at P89. (It is expensive!)

So since I saved the box of the soap - here's exactly what was written on the back:

"Here's an energetic way to white! Treat your skin to a large helping of Glutathione made better with a dose of Vitamin C for a refreshing way to beautiful blush white skin in just 7 days!
Still not convinced? This soap is also powered with our exclusive Advanced TriPower Technology that:

1. Helps block nasty UV rays*
2. Suppress melanin production, and
3. Prevents its release to the outermost skin layer, preventing skin darkening

Skinwhite's Vitanourish formula contains Vitamins A, B3, C and E for full on moisturization so your skin doesn't just look good but feels good. Its Synchronized Whitening Technology whitens, moisturizes and protects your skin all at the same time.

You're on your way to your beautiful blush white skin ever, so atta girl1

For best results, apply SkinWhite Glutathione + Vitamin C Lotion after bathing.

*synergistic effect when used with SkinWhite Glutathione + Vitamin C Lotion


The soap lathers great and smells lovely! One 90g bar lasted 2 weeks on me compared to Belo's soap which at P60 also only lasts 7 days. The lotion - hours after my first application my skin was dry! I can see the patches of my white dry skin which is bad. The good thing is after a week my skin was able to adjust and the dryness was gone. What I didn't like about the lotion is its TOO THICK. I had a hard time at first applying it evenly on my arms especially because I am quite on the hairy side (balbon hehe). You also have to wait a while for this to dry down on your skin but after that you'll see that the lotion delivered in terms of its promise of instant whitening. The good thing is my skin is lighter from using Belo - and it even got whiter (only instantly) with this lotion.

Stepping into the shower I realized how thick the lotion was. I watched my arms transform from a white color to a darker shade as the lotion washes off. Its like body foundation, and after 2 weeks of using the lotion I felt its not effective in terms of natural whitening. It instantly whitens, yes but its still not the real thing which is bad. What if it rains and your arms get wet? I'm sure you'll see white steaks on your arms which won't be a good sight. I can't imagine how this lotion would look on a natural morena skin toned lady. It is WHITE and it is THICK and will sit on top of your skin and act like some kind of foundation for that instant whitening - it wouldn't look pretty on a morena, if you want to use this you'll probably have to use a Kojic soap first then this one.

Let me show you a picture of me in natural outdoor daylight with this lotion:


As you can see my arms skin color are lighter than my legs - I only use the lotion on my arms btw given that it is expensive - I use a Nivea whitening lotion for my legs. All my life I've always known that my legs skin color is whiter than my arms because it is always exposed to the sun whenever I go out. But after the summer of 2015 due to several swimming parties with my family and me wearing short shorts I suspect my legs were still trying to recover from skin darkening. My point is the lotion's instant whitening effect is good given how light my arms look in this picture. And given how thick it is - it only has SPF20 but when my mom and I shopped over at Divisoria last December and walked hours under the sun my skin did not suffer from any darkening at all!

I also used these while using the soap and lotion:



The facial cleanser is just okay. Its just an ordinary facial cleanser. It didn't give me any breakouts same with the face cream powder - but I didn't like that it smells too strong - its like you're putting alcohol on your face. Meanwhile, I was impressed with the face cream powder's shade - the natural beige is so perfect for me! My face color is whiter than my arms I think - but this one disappeared on my facial skin like a perfect foundation shade! A true match for my (all over) skin color! Its also a cream face powder so you'll feel weird at first applying this on your skin the texture and feel is different but I am pleased because it is very matte and it covered my pores. I used up about 3 sachets of this and if you're lazy to put your foundation on then this will do.


For now I am back to using Belo's Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid lotion and found a perfect pair for it which is Kojie San's Dream White Anti-Aging Soap (cheaper than Belo's Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap and effective! They are compatible.) I would say that my legs has recovered and is now back to its natural whiter color but the good thing is my arms and legs' color are now even! :-)

For now I can say that I would buy SkinWhite's lotion again just for the purpose of instant whitening if needed and also because it is a very good sunblock!

This is my very first time trying out a L'oreal hair color. I bought this because it was on sale for P399 from its original retail price of P499- then after a few months L'oreal announced that this hair color will be on a permanently markdown price at P399. I had to laugh because I remember rushing into a Watson's store just to buy this one to catch up on the sale and save P100.

It took me about 15 minutes to decide which color to buy and I settled for this one because I hate orangey/coppery colors - it just doesn't suit my skin tone. I learned from my Revlon disaster hair color experience that any hair dye with a "golden" on its name - no matter how beautiful the model's picture was on the box - will turn out reddish/orangish on me. But after trying out this one - I learned it will also depend on your previous hair's color/state.



As you can see on the box, this is a beautiful color - it doesn't have a hint of red/orange on it.
Its almost like a darker hazel brown or caramel brown shade. But I was disappointed with the outcome after using this.



When I first opened the box - I can't stop sniffing it - it smells lovely like an expensive perfume has been sprayed on it. Only L'oreal hair colors have a protective pre-color serum. Most brands doesn't have one. They have also included a mini comb that you can use to replace the pointed applicator for an easy even hair color application.


I'll make this review short - so here are the facts:

My hair: natural straight hair - shoulder length as of this coloring January 2016
Previous hair color: Kolours in Medium Brown October 2015

About 12-14 hours from my last shower - I applied the hair color minutes after putting the protective pre-color serum on my hair. I didn't bother testing for any allergic reaction which I know is wrong. I was praying while dyeing my hair because I've read some articles of people who died while coloring their hair. Anyway, so I did put the protective pre-color serum mostly on the lower parts of my hair as advised on the leaflet - to protect the dry ends.  The serum smells a fresh floral smell - very nice. I was a bit doubtful also because the serum shouldn't be rinsed off according to instructions - so I was really thinking how the color would stick.

So here is my after shower photo. When I first looked in the mirror - I wanted to cry:




Clearly a disaster I know. My hair feels oh so soft and smells great thanks to the generous amount of their after color conditioner (a 40ml conditioner that you can use 2-3x) but when I looked in the mirror I was very disappointed.


The top of my head is color orange or gold or whatever. The middle and bottom - its dark brown - same color before I dyed. I wanted to like it so much and say, give it a couple of more days but I will be attending an office meeting in 2 days and I can't afford to look like this.



It's impossible that one box isn't enough - I have thin shoulder length hair. I used all of the mixture and my hair was very saturated all over with this hair color. I used a shower cap too and left it 30-35 minutes before rinsing.


Kolours saved my life after 24 hours - good thing I have a spare Medium Brown shade stock. I colored my roots the next morning. I really wanted to like this but I can't stand seeing myself with a very orangey top hair color and dark brown in the middle to bottom - if all my hair has turned this orangey/golden evenly all over perhaps I wouldn't mind.

So perhaps in the future I would still buy a L'oreal hair color given that their price is more affordable now at P399. Next time I would skip the Pre-color protective serum because I was suspecting that was the culprit why the color didn't stick. I would also leave it on for 50 minutes. I would also probably buy their Chocolate / Caramel brown shade.


PROs:
- Serum and conditioner smells good
- Color when mixed also smells pretty
- I love the comb applicator
- My hair feels so soft and shiny after coloring
- Easy to remove hair color stains on ears/face

CONs:
 - Color outcome on me not good - the color didn't stick
 - Chemical is too strong - I felt some stinging and my eyes watered a little while applying this
 - A bit expensive at P399


So the next time I buy a L'oreal hair color or if you plan on buying one - have a L'oreal expert at the mall apply it for you. They sometimes have booths that offers free application service and I will probably try that.