Allergic to Chapstick?!?!

*EDIT (2/29/08): My lips are finally getting better!! Thank goodness it didn't take a whole week to heal. The itching has stopped and the puffyness is gone. My lips doesn't look like I had collagen injected in it. Thank you Kiehl's, and sorry for even thinking about replacing you :(.


I learned the hard way that sometimes saving money is not the best idea in the world.

... in some occasions.

I love my Kiehl's lipbalm. What I don't love is the price. $8.90 for a tube? But I guess the MAC Lip Conditioning one costs more. But see, there's this thing called Chapstick that can be purchased at Target for a dollar each. I stopped using Chapstick for the reason that I thought I might be allergic to it. So then now I gave it a try again (cuz it's so cheap!), thinking that maybe it was something I ate, the weather, or the gloss I was using at the time that gave me the reaction.


... but I was wrong. It was the Chapstick!!!! It's confirmed after a SECOND trial. After two days of using it, my lips started puffing up, dryness and tiny bumps around my lips, very itchy, and at times stings and burns, and some redness. The horror! It is bugging the shit out of me. I looked at the ingredients, and I guess I'm allergic to something that's in it cuz most of the stuff on Chapstick is not in my Kiehl's lipbalm. And Chapstick was the only thing new I'm using. Now I know to be more careful with what I use on my lips that makes me check what's in it first before using it. But seriously, allergic to Chapstick?? ARGH!!


Obviously, I returned the Chapstick back. Because after two days of using it clearly does not do me any good but more bad. I should have stopped when I already felt the weird feeling after applying it the first time. It's getting a bit better now that I stopped using it. But I had a strong belief that maybe I was overreacting on being allergic to Chapstick. But clearly I am allergic to it or something in it. My safe balms for now are Vaseline and Kiehls. So I'll probably go back to Vaseline because it's more practical and cheaper compared to the latter. I really can't be switching balms, or just using anything because this might happen again. Another incident was when I used the Aveeno lip balm too. The healing phase or just getting a reaction from it is not all that fun. I guess my reaction is not that bad compared to what I have read where people's lips actually starts to bleed or the reaction is super obvious. GAHHH, I would die!!!

And now, I sit and wait until everything gets better. I should stop by Target again and maybe pick up some Vaseline to speed up the healing process or at least soothe the itching. This sucks!

Anyone else had this problem or reaction before?

My Daily Skin Routine

DISCLAIMER: This routine is what has worked for me after numerous trial and error on different products and methods. Everyone has different skin and reaction to certain products. So, just because it worked for me, does not guarantee the same results for you.

My skin: Combination. Oily on the T-Zone. Occasional drying on the cheeks depending on the weather. Acne-prone. For reference on how my skin was almost a year ago, you can read it from this post.

Finally, here is my daily skin routine. Italicized is my input on the products.

A.M.

1. Wash face with Philosophy Purity cleanser with WARM water to clean and rinsing it off with COLD water to close the pores. I cannot stop raving about this cleanser. It removes makeup and cleanses your face. This has definitely helped me with my previous acne problems with continuous usage. My skin has gotten a lot better after using this product!!


2. Using a cotton pad, apply Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner to refresh and moisten my skin. This is my HG toner. I've used Neutrogena in the past, both Alcohol-Free and the Pore Minimizing toner, and even the Mario Badescu Cucumber lotion after reading MUA reviews. But nothing tops Nivea! It's really gentle on my skin, and it doesn't sting when applied to your face unlike the previous toners mentioned. Nivea toner really freshens up your face and also help moisturize because it has chamomile and aloe in it. Also it's alcohol-free!!! No stingy feeling.


3. Depending on my mood, I use my Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough face serum. Let it dry for a few minutes, I just really pretty much use this because it was in the kit. But I did definitely saw improvements after using this. Also improved the condition of my skin and shrunk my pores.


4. then, apply Philosophy Hope in a Tube eye firming cream under my eyes.


5. Moisturize with Philosophy Hope in a Jar. It does the job. I'm not sure if it's my HG moisturizer, but for sure I know it doesn't break me out, so that's all that matters. However, it really keeps my face moisturized since I tend to be dry on certain areas on my face.


6. Apply sunscreen. I use Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion for Face and Body. This moisturizer is a lot thinner than its cream counter part which is pretty thick. I love this sunscreen. It's very light and it dries on quickly. Only problem with it is the price. $40 a pop for a bottle of this sunscreen. It's all worth it for me though.


7. Then I take my blow dryer, set it on high, COLD setting to dry my moisturizer. This will allow your moisturizer set in faster, and I've also read that this helps in the long run in looking younger :]


8. If I'm not in a hurry, I buff my foundation on. I use Everyday Minerals in Buttered Tan in Semi-Matte. Love this foundation. You can barely tell I have anything on my face. Definitely not cakey and it gives me an even looking skin.

P.M.

1. Clean face with warm water and Purity Cleanser. Rinse with cold water to close pores


2. Using a cotton pad, apply Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner.


3. Apply Ly-Na Pearl Face Cream. This is my nighttime cream. Since I couldn't find Top-Gel anywhere in the Asian markets here in the valley, I had to settle for this one instead. Packaging is probably worse than the Top-Gel, and it still has that old lady smell (but it's tolerable), but it has really lighten the dark acne scarring that ScarZone didn't some how lighten after it stopped working on me. It definitely evened out my skintone too. I would say the pearl cream I got is better since I never experience any drying or peeling on my face. However, the cream is not creamy in texture and I kinda have to dilute it a little by adding a drop of toner with it, so it wouldn't apply too thickly on my face. I only use it at night since it leaves a white cast on your face. I've been using this product for two weeks now, every night.

Treatments

Mask: I use Milk of Magnesia. Yes, the laxative. It has really helped controlling the oil on my face, helped with shrinking my pores, and minimized my acne breakouts . I leave it on for about 20 minutes after washing my face, and then rinse.

Exfoliant: Honey and sugar mixture (1:4 ratio). Well, I just pretty much estimate, but you definitely do not want too much sugar in the mix because it will become too harsh on your skin. I let the mixture sit on my face for awhile as a mask before I actually exfoliate my skin. However, I make sure that I wet my hands first, and in circular motions rub my face with my fingers gently. Since it's a bit watered, it'll make the honey less sticky which makes it easier to rub your face genlty. I use this instead of the popular aspirin mask because it's less drying on my face, yet it still does the job. My skin is glowy and smooth after.

Eye Makeup Remover: Lancome Bi-Facil. I only use this when I lined my waterline with pencil and my Purity cleanser didn't quite get it out.

So there you have it. That's how I take care of my skin for those who asked. Remember, it's important to stay consistent and following your own routine religiously however you do it. It won't work if you keep slacking off every other day by sleeping with your makeup on! Big NO NO. But I'm sure ya'll know that by now :]

Makeup Tip of the Day: Paint Pot Trouble

Can't get your MAC paint pot to open? Submerge your paint pot sideways in hot water on a container or hold it under a running hot water (be careful!) for about 15 seconds. Make sure you wipe your paint pot first before opening. This trick should help loosen the cap.

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara and Estee Lauder Projectionist Mascara (Review)

*EDIT: After a few more days of using Define-A-Lash, I'm dumping this thing out. THANK GOOODNESS IT WAS FREE! Probably won't purchase again because it's making my poor lashes fall off more than usual! ;[

Thank God I have some mark in one of my eye which makes it easier which eye was which when I uploaded the pictures. Anyway, I just did a comparison of my new vs. my old mascara. I chucked out the Estee because it's been three months already since I first used it. Remember ladies... throw those mascaras away after three months whether you used it everyday or not.

The Estee had the traditional brush applicator that has the bristles while the Maybelline has the new kind of applicator which doesn't really have hair but its flexible. I found it kinda odd in the beginning since I was so used to a more sturdy wand. It just take some getting used to using it.

Let's begin...!

Lashes were curled using Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Round 1: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara

Round 2: Estee Lauder Projectionist



And my take on it:

Maybelline: My lashes are pretty long to begin with but without mascara, it's not really that noticeable. The Maybelline mascara only defines my lashes (hence the name), and doesn't give it much volume compared to my Estee mascara. Maybelline gives that natural looking lashes minus the clumping. However, Maybelline mascara does not hold the curl at all. It just goes flat after awhile. What I like about it though is it separates my lashes without the clumping. It might be because of the wand applicator not your traditional one. For me this is ok for everyday use since I usually opt for a more natural looking lashes. I'll probably get more volume if I keep coating my lashes. However, the Maybelline mascara kinda reminded me of my old Fresh mascara that I really loved. It gave me natural looking, long lashes, and it curls your lashes even WITHOUT curling it before hand. Only drawback about the mascara was the price... $25. Would I purchase Maybelline Define-A-Lash again? No. Thank God for buy one get one free. This was the freebie. I would still use it only because it does a some what ok job and it's ok for my everyday wear. (The mascara is not waterproof.)

Estee: Estee mascara already lengthens and volumizes your lashes after one coat. However, more than two coats of it will my your lashes look really clumpy. It doesn't hold the curl too well, but it holds it better compared to the Maybelline. The only reason I've been using this mascara was because it was free. heehee. Probably would not purchase the full size though. (The mascara is not waterproof.)

In conclusion: I'm still in the search of my HG mascara with a pretty decent price. So I'll prolly test another on in three months when it's time for the Maybelline mascara to go. I still love my Fresh mascara... but I'm really just not willing to shell out $25 for it. Hopefully the pictures and my two cents on it helped a bit whether your the Maybelline or the Estee is worth purchasing.