Wow... It's been a while since the last time I've updated my blog. As you all know, I'm in Med School so I was so preoccupied with school stuffs lately. Aggh... Med school is med school. Expect the worst. It has always been emotionally and physically draining but well, I'm enjoying it.
Anyway, i feel so overwhelmed with how loyal my readers are. I feel so embarrassed for not updating this regularly unlike before... I will be posting new articles one of these days. Just don't give up on me yet, okay? Ü Just keep the comments comin'! I love you all! Mwah!

Another award! :)

Yey! I soooo love awards. It makes me feel appreciated. It's nice to know that there are people who take time dropping by this little home of mine. Anyway, thanks fo Gi-Ann of The Second Realm. Mwah!

I want to pass this award to the following:

Photos Are Memories
Shiezar
BlackBerry

2009 Hairstyles: What's in and What's out?

I have always been a fan of hair make-over. I've had my hair rebonded, permanently curld, colored... aaghh... all for the sake of "new look." Luckily, my hair has not dissapointed me yet. Thanks to hair treatments!

This year, hairstyle trends are hotter than ever ranging from short and sexy to long and curly. We all know that since 1-2 years ago, celebrities and even common girls have been sporting bangs. From side swept bangs to full bangs. Based on the fashion forecast, bangs are still one of the top hairstyles that's gonna rock 2009.

Expect extremes hairstyles this 2009. From extermely short to extremely long. From extremely girl-next-door-ish to extremely sexual. But always remember to choose the hairstyle that suits your face shape and personality. One more thing, the key to a jaw-dropping look is C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E!

Agyness Deyn's short fringed bob. Personally, I don't think I can pull this off. Only women with confidence can look great with this. :)

This hairstyle is definitely wash-and-wear. However, it would probably look more playful if she applied some mousse. :)

This one I lurve! I'm used seeing Hayden Panattiere in her curly layered long locks in the TV series Heroes. She is definitely beautiful, but seeing her in this hairstyle? Wow. Long or short, curly or straight, she is really lovely. And oh, I love her one-shouldered top. :)

The long and flowy hair is still hot. :) I love long hair. It can definitely complement any face shape, any personality plus you can style your hair whatever you want depending on your mood.

The sleek and straight is still in of course. Make sure your hair is healthy and shiny or else your hair would look like a disaster.

The mermaid look. They also call this as the 1940's waves. Very sophisticated. :)

By the way readers who I love wholeheartedly, since I love you, I found this website where you can have your make-over... virtually. :)

Thanks fashionising.com for the photos. :)

Friendship Chain! :)

Thank you soooo much Blackberry for passing this wonderful friendship chain. You are the first one who tagged me. haha! It was an honor. :)

Begin Copy
This is the easy way and the fastest way to :

1. Make your Authority Technorati explode.

2. Increase your Google Page Rank.

3. Get more traffic to your blog.

4. Makes more new friends.

Rules : 1. Start copy from “Begin Copy” until “End Copy” to your blog.

2. Put your own blog name and link.

3. Tag your friends as much as you can.

1. Picturing of Life 2. Juliana’s Site 3. Hazel-My Life, My Hope, My Future.4. Jeanne-The Callalily Space5.My Family is my Life 6. The Simple Life of a Baghag 7. On A Wonderful Day Like Today 8. House Everything 9. The Creativity in Me 10. Travel and Photography 11. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 12. You Are My Sunshine 13.Song to Remember 14. Super Blog 15. Philiippine Tv Marathon 16.Simply Blue 17. Breaking the Boundaries 18. Top Five 19. A Simple Life 20. Simple Happy Life 21. Things That Matter Most 22. Business Matters 23. Amiable AmyBeyond Photography 25. Beautiful Language 26. Beautiful Soul 27. San Diego w/ love 28. allinkorea 29. idealpinkrose 30. Krislea's World 31. BlackBerry 32. Let's Prettify!
End Copy

Now, I'm passing this to:

Photos Are Memories
Add Topic
Aesthetic
Modern Rock
Free Cracked Games
Body Health
Baby Growth
Fauzy
Fazel
Anoopaholic
Golden's Diary
It's Not Always About Me

Diamond Peel

Okay. Tret has been doing an excellent job on my skin. However, I am still not satisfied. I missed having my skin diamond peeled! It has been more or less one year since my last diamond peel session and I sooo love the results!

According to Godiva Skin Station Philippines:

Diamond Peel is a safe, easy and painless way to refine the texture and color of your skin, improve causes of mild acne, mild to moderate sun damage, early fine lines, skin discolorations & scars, and oily skin. It stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin, which increases oxygenation and stimulates cell turnover and renewal. It is commonly done on the face, underarms, and the back.

The Diamond Peel is safer, less extreme and has zero downtime compared to chemical peels. There is absolutely no pain during the 30-minute procedure and most beneficial when done every two weeks or so.

• increased firmness


• more even skin tone


• minimized pores


• reduced pigment marks and scars


• minimized appearance of stretch marks

======

As far as I can remember, every diamond peel session with my dermatologist starts by having my face cleansed first. She put on some creams and a facial mask, and was rinsed using a moist sponge. Then she turned on the machine beside us (now, the diamond peeling is about to start), and a wand touched my face. She said that this wand has a disposable tip encrusted with diamonds that will encourage exfoliation. The wand will also act as a vacuum, sucking out the impurities, dead skin cells, whiteheads and blackheads from your skin. It wasn't really painful. It just feels like you are being pinched a lot of times. My face was red after and when I touched it, it was like I can feel the diamond powders on my face. My derma told me not to wash my face when I get home. It should be free of other chemicals and water for at least 24 hours.

The following day, I noticed the difference on my skin. I looked like I am not stressed at all, then my skin felt so soft and smooth just like a baby. My pores were less visible and my skin was free from whiteheads and blackheads! But the downside here is that you have to have this diamond peel every 2-3 weeks to maintain the result since our skin turnover occurs every 28 days.

I miss diamond peel! I miss how my skin looks every after session! Might as well have it before school starts!

Ciao! :)

Outfit For the Day

I went into a luncheon, so I have to wear a smart casual attire. Something formal and yet edgy. I've decided to wear this dress, paired with sandal. I can't actually find a nice bag, but since I am wearing a pink toe nail polish, I decided to use a pink bag. And it matched perfectly with my dress. My hair is permanently curled already so I just put on some mousse after the shower. I barely wear make-up even at occassions like this because my cheeks are already rosy, and I like everything to be sweet and simple. You can wear this kind of look when going to a job interview, a meeting with a client, a business meeting, on a typical day at the office, and of course, on a date. Your partner will definitely be impressed. ;)

Want to look 7 years younger?

*Article by Leesa Suzman , Good Housekeeping (http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/219/look-7-years-younger/)

Maybe this sounds familiar: You find a photo taken a decade ago at the bottom of a drawer. It shows you barefaced, grinning, while hiking with family or friends. Back then, you thought that without makeup, eye crinkles clearly visible, this photo made you look old. If only you could get that look back now! Plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and the makers of many face creams will tell you that you can, but their wares can be expensive and invasive. We asked dermatologists what affordable, at-home steps will help restore your more youthful appearance. Here are six moves that research proves can deliver; two are even free!

Step 1: Shun the Sun

Why this works: Repeated sun exposure eventually leads to brown spots, fine wrinkles, deeper creases, and sagging skin. If you need proof, just look at the skin on the underside of your arm where the rays are less likely to reach. Does it look smoother and less blotchy? "What the sun does is fast-forward your aging clock," says Doris Day, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City. "Around age 40, you cross that line — your collagen and elastic tissue have experienced enough damage to really start showing a change. You look in the mirror, and uh-oh, you can no longer ignore it or easily cover it up." Protecting your skin year-round will help prevent you from further accelerating your age.

What to try: To start, make sure you always have broad-spectrum protection with an adequate long-wave UVA shield, says Richard Glogau, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. "Those UVA rays give you the wrinkles and the muddy skin tone that ages you," he says. Dr. Glogau recommends UVA filters like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which provide longer-lasting protection. Try Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 90+ ($9.49, drugstores) or Lancôme UV Expert 20 Sunscreen SPF 20 ($35, department stores). Also use a product — like these — with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect against burns. Get even better coverage by including antioxidants like vitamins C and E and pomegranate extract in your protection. "Antioxidants boost the benefits of sunscreen. They help neutralize the damage caused by UV light," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a dermatologist at Boston University Medical Center. Try C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Day Lotion SPF 25 ($19.50, Bath & Body Works), which contains vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidant-rich berry extracts, and UV protection. Of course, behavior counts, too: Whenever possible, avoid midday rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses (less squinting). If you want some color, try self-tanner. We like Jergens Natural Glow Health Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($9, drugstores). Or go with your own glow. "It will definitely help you look younger," says Dr. Day.

Years younger: 5. Within six months, your sun-protected skin should appear smoother and more even-toned, says Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Youth Equation. The catch: You have to continue protecting skin daily and avoiding the harsh rays, or you'll redo the damage.

Step 2: Smooth Lines with Retinoids

Why this works: In studies dating back over the past 20 years, they have been shown to help soften the look of fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production and normalizing skin-cell activity. "These vitamin A derivatives have a better-established track record than any other wrinkle-reduction creams," says Dr. Glogau. Even the milder, nonprescription-strength retinol may reduce the effects of chronological aging — albeit more gradually. When University of Michigan researchers applied a .4 percent retinol lotion to one of the study participants' upper inner arms as many as three times a week for 24 weeks, skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm.

What to try: The biggest challenge with retinoids is dealing with the potential side effects, such as redness and peeling skin. Your skin will, however, build up a tolerance, usually within six to 12 weeks. Retin-A is still the gold standard in prescription strength, though there are several less-irritating options — costing $100 per tube on average — including Retin-A Micro, Differin, Avage, and Tazorac. Researchers continue to seek ways of making retinoids more tolerable; one theory currently being tested at the University of Michigan is that using an ultra-mild facial cleanser and moisturizer will help calm the irritation. (The study findings are still a few years away.) Dermatologists also suggest you ease into using one: Apply a pea-size amount at night (sun exposure makes retinoids less effective), and try it every second or third night until your skin handles it better. If that's still too irritating, go with an over-the-counter retinol. These formulas are less potent, but are still effective. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Creme ($20, drugstores) or DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol 1.0 ($75, Sephora).

Years younger: 6-7. You should start to see an improvement in a matter of weeks with a prescription formula, but don't stop there. "Keep using it," says Dr. Dover, who claims he can always spot a woman on a prescription retinoid because her skin looks "too good" for her age. Over-the-counter retinol converts to the active form, called retinoic acid, at a lower concentration — but the benefits will start to show up after a few months if you stay with it.

Step 3: Exfoliate Gently and Often

Why this works: At-home peels or even a simple face scrub can make your complexion look much more youthful and radiant and may also boost collagen production, says Leslie Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute. "It's one of the best ways to see a quick difference," she says. As you age, skin tends to be drier and dead cells cling to the surface, giving it a rougher texture. When you shed those dead cells with a scrub or peel, it enhances the functioning of your skin: Water-retaining cells come to the surface, and active ingredients in your skin care — like antioxidants and retinoids — penetrate better. "Regular exfoliating is also therapeutic if you have acne-prone skin," says Dr. Glogau. One caveat: People who have sensitive complexions or rosacea should skip this step — or at least exfoliate less often — since those dead cells actually shield skin from irritation.

What to try: The most effective, least expensive options are grainy scrubs that have small, round particles. Try St. Ives Elements Microdermabrasion ($7, drugstores) or SkinEffects Cell2Cell Anti-Aging Exfoliating Cleansing Scrub ($10, CVS). "The particles should be smooth and feel like sugar in your hand," says Dr. Baumann. If they are too big or rough, they can tear skin. At-home chemical exfoliators work more slowly and may cost more, but they too help loosen dead cells. If manual scrubs are too harsh for your skin, choose a chemical wash with glycolic acid, or try a gentler salicylic acid formula (it may also treat acne). Try Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser ($35, aveda.com). And if you're also using a retinoid, try sloughing skin twice instead of three or four times weekly.

Years younger: 2-3. There are two provisos, say experts. First, you've got to stick with it to keep seeing improvement. You'll get even better results by also doing monthly doctor's-office peels (glycolic acid or microdermabrasion), which remove the upper layer of skin and may stimulate collagen production. Second, you'll benefit the most if you combine this step with one (or more) of the others listed here.

Step 4: Add Moisture

Why this works: By menopause, the majority of women need a daily moisturizer. "It's what gives skin that smooth, radiant look," explains Dr. Glogau. In fact, most skin care that promises to improve the look of wrinkles in just a few weeks is probably doing it by moisturizing.

What to try: Effective hydrators include those, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, that draw water into the skin, and others that prevent water from escaping, such as petrolatum and lanolin. Try Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ($7.49, drugstores) with glycerin. Natural moisturizers, like olive, sunflower, and coconut oils, can also hydrate skin; skip them, though, if you're prone to acne. Try: Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($21, Whole Foods) with sunflower and grapeseed oils. What won't work: drinking more water. There's little evidence that staying hydrated internally can do anything to reduce wrinkles, though if you're dehydrated, water will definitely give your skin a smoother look.

Years younger: 2-3. Though they have to be reapplied in order to keep up the benefits, moisturizers can help you look a few years younger almost immediately, says Dr. Glogau.

Mesothelioma Awareness

Last month, I found some news articles regarding Asbestos contamination of some Korean cosmetics. If you haven't read it, click here. Lately, I've been hearing a lot about asbestos, and the disease that it causes, mesothelioma.

This is definitely alarming considering that we might be using certain products that contain asbestos in it, making us at risk for having the above mentioned disease. So what really is mesothelioma? What are the risk factors? How do you know if you are at risk of having one?

I've been familiar with the term mesothelioma since I'm a Medical student. But let me give you the gist of what the disease is all about, and how important it is to protect ourselves from it.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposures to asbestos. Mesothelium is the thin protective lining that covers our organs. In here, malignant cells develop-- more commonly in pleura (which is the mesothelium of the lungs and upper chest wall), but may also occur in the peritoneum (covering of the abdomen), pericardium (covering of the heart) and tunica vaginalis (covering of the testis).

Symptoms

Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, hoarseness, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Blood in the sputum coughed up may also present. While peritoneal mesothelioma may manifest as weight loss and cachexia (muscle wasting), abdominal swelling and pain due to a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

• blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
• disseminated intravascular coagulation, causing severe bleeding in many body organs
• jaundice or yellowing of the sclera of the eyes and skin
• low blood sugar level
• pleural effusion
• blood clots in the arteries of the lungs (blood clots)
• sever ascites
  

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. That is why, if you feel that there is something not normal in your body, do not afraid to consult your physician. He knows what is best for you. Your physician may perform several tests and will take a thorough review on your history. Being exposed to asbestos (job related, etc.) may increase the suspicion of mesothelioma.

Who are at risks?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. Especially when you are exposed for a long time. The duration of exposure, the health status of the person exposed and some other factors are important in the diagnosis. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos. In rare cases, mesothelioma has also been associated with irradiation, intrapleural thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and inhalation of other fibrous silicates, such as erionite.

According to Wikipedia:

Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. The combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the airways (lung cancer, bronchial carcinoma). The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in its filters for the first few years of production in the 1950s and some cases of mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking modern cigarettes does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.

Legal Concerns

Some companies, especially those with asbestos exposure, can be liable if one of their workers will be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. I found one of the law firms that handle mesothelioma cases and it says on the website:

Being exposed to asbestos is not your fault. You may have been put in harm's way because of a previous job, a careless employer, or a negligent manufacturing company. If you are suffering from mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the people or companies responsible for your illness. Fighting mesothelioma can be very expensive. Medical care does not come cheap, and there is no price tag on your pain and suffering. For these reasons and more, it may be in your best interests to consider taking legal action against those at fault. (www.mesolawsuit.com)

Take care of your health, and be aware of the products that you are using. We are not just concerned with asbestos. We are concerned of all other chemicals out there that is used by some selfish companies, without even thinking that they can kill lives. More lives will be taken, more children will be abandoned. Sad.

This Place called Divi

At times like these, it is very necessary to practice being thrifty. Especially now that we are experiencing global crisis, it won't hurt if we try to be a wise consumer as much as possible.

As a girl, it is not my fault that I love shopping to death. But, every girl should know that shopping shouldn't be expensive. A wise shopper knows his/her boundaries and of course knows where he/she can get the cheapest bargains without compromising the quality.

And speaking of being a wise shopper, there is this place which is a haven for bargain-hunters out there. This place is called Divisoria, Divi for short.


Divisoria is just one of the popular shopping destination for those wise shoppers in Manila, Philippines. Why? Because you can practically find anything here! Kitchen stuffs, decorations, car accessories, latest fashion, shoes, gadgets, school/office supplies, corporate give-aways, giift items, baptismal/wedding/debut souvenirs... they are all here! Name it, Divi got it. You just have to be patient though. Since this is a place for bargain-hunters, this place can be quite crowded, especially during Christmas season. Prices are generally wholesale, and you can haggle to the last peso. Yes, if you want to have a good deal, you must use your charm and smile.

Tutuban, 168 Mall and Divisoria Mall are just some of the malls you can go to when you are in Divisoria. I like Tutuban better because it is more bigger, thus more stalls to choose from. It is airconditioned, and since it is bigger, it is less crowded than 168 and Divisoria Mall. However, if you are new to Manila, I advise you to have at least someone you know who can guide you because aside from the possibility of getting lost or finding the place too confounding, you would not be able to strike as good a deal with stall owners, because as they say "Divi experts" are experts when it comes to haggling and searching for the best yet affordable buys. *winks!* And oh, bring cash and small bills. Stalls in Divisoria don't accept credit cards. (Thanks to virtualtourist.com for the Tutuban and 168 Malls photos!)

Just last week, I went to Tutuban (cause the place is just two rides from my house) to eat at Icebergs (inside Tutuban Main Mall, 2nd floor) because I was craving for halo-halo and banana split. While I was on my way to Icebergs, I saw some stalls selling some racerback sandos, with lots of different colors to choose from. And do you have any idea how much they are selling those? Each racerback costs P50 or USD 1 only. Don't be shocked, you read that right. So, I bought four pieces for P200. And had my halo-halo at Icebergs. I went home, and the first thing I did was to try the racerbacks on. They fit me perfectly! I love it!

Here is the casual dress I wore the other day, which I also bought at Tutuban for only P350 or USD7.5. Quite a catch right? (I'm sorry the picture quality isn't good. I only used my mobile phone.)


Here is a typical scene inside Tutuban Mall (thanks allbestofphilippines.blogspot.com for the picture):



Here's the map:


So, who says a fashionista have to have only branded clothes and shoes? A fashionista, no matter what she wears, can pull it off. So, have a visit at Divisoria, and shop till you drop! :)

Vitamin C: The Reliable Beauty Solution

If there is one vitamin that I am so addicted into, that is Vitamin C. Why? Because aside from giving our body a boost during stress, it is also known as an anti-oxidant and an anti-aging vitamin.

Personally, I love everything about Vitamin C, but what I love about it most is it helps in wound healing... so, goodbye nasty scars! :)

What is Vitamin C?

According to Wikipedia, L-ascorbic acid, popularly known as Vitamin C, is essential to a healthy diet as well as being a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress; a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase; and an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals.

Vitamin C is soluble in water and heat labile. It can be easily oxidized in presence of oxygen at 100 degrees Celsius. Since it is heat labile, canning and cooking foods rich in Vitamin C is somewhat useless, since the heat, alkali and copper salts detroy it. Ascorbic acid is readily absorbed in the intestine, and released through the urine.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Although rare, the classic vitamin C deficiency disease is scurvy. This is commonly comorbid with other diseases of malnutrition. In scurvy, there is increased fragility of the capillaries thus producing the early signs of the disease such as bleeding gums and bleeding under the skin, causing tiny pinpoint bruises (medical term: petechiae). There is also malfomation of bones and teeth. There is increased brittleness of bones that may lead to fracture. Lack of vitamin C may cause poor wound healing and increased susceptibility to infections. Patient may experience easy fatigability and stressed.

Vitamin C and its benefits

Vitamin C may act as a natural anti-histamine, that's why it is commonly given to patients with colds in order to reduce the severity of its symptoms.
Some studies also say that Vitamin C may have a role in cancer prevention. It has antioxidant properties that protect cells and their DNA from damage and mutation. It can be used as a first line of defense against cancer since it supports the body's immune system by preventing certain cancer-causing compounds from forming in the body.

Vitamin C is also found to help prevent cataracts-- the clouding of the lens of the eye that can lead to blindness in older adults. It counteracts all the free radicals that form as a result of excessive exposure to sunlight and other harmful rays to the eye.

It also lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. HDL is the good cholesterol.

It prevents atherosclerosis and lowers blood pressure.

Higher vitamin C intake reduces serum uric acid levels, and is associated with lower incidence of gout-- a recurrent, painful form of arthritis.

Vitamin C: A Beauty Vitamin?

Ascorbic acid is well known for its antioxidant activity. When there are more free radicals (they are the bad ones!) in the body versus antioxidant, human is under the condition called Oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may cause diseases like cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, chronic inflammatory diseases and diabetes. These oxidative stress may cause every cell in your body to age faster than a normal, healthy cell!

If your diet consists of plenty of foods rich with vitamin C, your skin will improve. Vitamin C is a natural nutrient vital to skin care because it is essential for collagen production. It is the main component for structural protein in the skin. Vitamin C improves skin elasticity, appearance, evenness and skin tone.

Vitamin C can prevent scarring and aid in speedy recovery of skin injuries. If your body lacks it, you may find that wounds take a long time to heal and leave a scar when they do. Rose Hip Oil is great for healing scars as it is a rich source of vitamin C.

Since vitamin C is a natural antioxidant, it reduces skin damage and minimizes those dreaded wrinkles. Skin texture could even improve with regular use of natural or organic products utilizing vitamin C as one of the main ingredients.

It can reduce the appearance of sun damage on the skin as well as reduce brown pigmentation from the sun as well as melasma. It may have an anti acne effect especially when combined with glycolic acid.

And as far as I am concerned, taking Vitamin C everyday, and using topical creams with Vitamin C in it, make my skin glowing. Vitamin C brightens and evens out my skin tone. I love it!

Daily Requirement

Our body can not make our own supply of vitamin C that is why we must obtain this through our diet and supplements.

A daily intake of about 100 mg is enough to maintain the normal plasma level. For children, the recommended dosage is 30 mg to 80 mg for the adolescents. However, if you have scurvy or other signs of Vitamin C deficiency, dose may be increased. You must consult your physician about this.

Who needs more Vitamin C?

Smokers, alcoholics and people who are always stressed and live in polluted areas require vitamin C more than those who are not smokers, alcoholics and who are not stressed most of the time.

Also those who are taking analgesics, anticoagulants, anti-depressants and oral contraceptives since these lower the Vitamin C circulating in the body.

Where can we find Vitamin C?

Aside from the supplements readily available, Vitamin C can also be found through the foods we eat! The richest natural sources are fruits (especially citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, tomatoes, pineapples and papayas! Yum!) and vegetables (like cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, green peppers and beans). It is also present in some cuts of meat, especially liver. Cow's milk, meat and fish contain a little.

And yes, Vitamin C topical creams, lotions, toners and a lot more are available. They should be added on your beauty regimen. I love Vitamin C!

Korean Cosmetics Suspected of Asbestos Contamination

From:
(http://www.maacenter.org/news/korean-cosme...tamination.html)

Korean news sources are reporting that many Korean manufacturers of cosmetics and baby powder may have been contaminated with deadly asbestos.

The Korean Food and Drug Administration will ban the sale of cosmetics suspected of containing talc that has been contaminated by asbestos.

Over 300 cosmetics companies, drug manufacturers, and baby powder companies purchased the tainted talc from Duksan Reagents, which imports more than 20 percent of Korea’s talc.

The director of the Korean Food and Drug Administration has stated that a sales ban will be put in place on all products suspected of contamination as soon as a full list of these companies is compiled and confirmed.A sales ban on drugs suspected of asbestos contamination will be implemented after additional reviews have been conducted.

Talc is used in baby powder, powdered cosmetics such as foundation, and in the manufacturing of medicine to prevent the pills from sticking to each other.

Talc accounts for 70-90 percent of baby powder and 40-50 percent in face powder. The amount of talc found in drugs is under one percent of the weight of a single pill.

Talc is also used in food, such as to prevent chewing gum or candies from sticking to a wrapper. So far, Korean officials have not found any evidence to link the tainted talc to the talc used in the food industry.

While some companies are conducting voluntary recalls of their products, other Korean companies are refusing to accept responsibility. Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma, a cancer that can affect the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart.

The Korea Federation for Environmental Movement plans to conduct a consumer damage survey, mobilize plaintiffs, and sue for mental damage against various manufacturers.

===

I found this news article while searching for reviews about different Blemish Balm creams, or more popularly known as BB Cream. BB cream is a very popular cosmetic in Asia and as far as I know, it started in Korea. Girls are raving about it and I am dying to try it out one of these days. However, when I saw this article, I think we, as consumers, should be careful in choosing which brands to buy. Also, it is very important that the quality of the product shouldn't be compromised regardless of its price.

I'll be posting about BB creams soon. :)

How to Exchange Links With Me. :)

You are free to leave your links here on my site so that I could visit your site more often. Plus, I could help you promote your site. I would really appreciate it if you put my link (http://letsprettify.blogspot.com) on your blogs, too. Let's help each other.

Smile everyday. :)

White Casts on Pictures!

Okay.

Imagine this.

You and your friends were on a beach, enjoying the heat of the sun. Of course, as usual, you put on your favorite Sunblock. Then you and your friends started taking pictures of each other. To your surprise, you can't recognize yourself. Was it a geisha? Or a ghost? Yes. It was you. Your face was so white that you look like sacks of flour were just thrown at you.

How about this.

You went into a ball with your date. You look so dazzling. But when you saw your pictures, your face is much much much whiter than your neck. So disappointing, right?

Sounds familiar?

Of course.

As much as possible, do not wear make-ups that contain SPF when you are going to have your pictures taken. Cosmetics like make-ups with SPF, Sunblocks, and the like contain titanium oxide making your skin too light reflective, thus producing the white casts in your photos.

So, keep this tip in mind and have your pictures taken with your natural look. Memories are better shared with great pictures, right? :)

Summer fun!

Yes, here in the Philippines, everybody is enjoying the heat of summer. Summer spells beaches and beaches mean swim wears!

I love swim wears. If only I have lots of time for beach hoping, I'd probably have lots of reasons to buy swim suits. But since I'm in Med School, I just can't stop but be jealous of those who can go to the beach whenever they want. And since I love swim suits and I'm into online shopping lately, I stumbled upon this website which made my heart jump for joy.

Soak Swimwear (http://soakswimwear.multiply.com) has been the best swim wear shop I've ever seen in terms of style. They've got loads of it and the best part is, you can never bump into someone in a beach with the same style as the one you are wearing. Their styles are unique and comes in limited stocks only. Plus, they have nice collections of cover-ups and robes, too!

Here are the sample pictures of their gorgeous swim wear collections. Visit their site, I swear they have nice designs. A lot of girls are raving about it. As much as I want to post my own picture wearing one of their designs, I think I'll pass. I'm the shy-type. :)

Mineral Make-up:The Next Big Thing

The first time I heard or read about Mineral Make-up (yes, there is such a thing), was on women's forums on the internet way back 2006, I guess. I actually had no idea what Mineral Make-up was. And I didn't know when it was first introduced in the market. But, girls can't stop raving about it on the internet, on television... everywhere! I wasn't tempted to try it that time because I barely know anything about that kind of make-up plus I am on a tight budget. So... nada.

I was never a Mineral Make-up enthusiast till last week, I went to this mall somewhere in Manila, I window-shopped around the health and wellness section, went to Maybelline's booth and my eyes landed on their mineral make-up line. The saleslady tried the foundation on me, and oh boy, I was so amazed. It gave me that "natural luminous finish" and the "healthy refined coverage" that I needed in a foundation. It isn't that expensive, too! It was my first time to try a mineral make-up on, and yes, I was convinced to buy one. But, unfortunately, my shade was out-of-stock.

Since then, I have been amazed on how these mineral make-ups can do wonders on someone's skin. Yes, based on my experience, it really does give me the kind of coverage that covers the imperfections. However, I am quite curious if these new type of make-up is really good especially for those with sensitive skin. Do mineral make-ups, considering that they are organic, really are better alternatives with the traditional make-up?

So what really is a Mineral Make-up? Mineral make-ups are made of all natural, finely ground minerals from the earth, without any of the chemicals, dyes, and preservatives found in traditional makeup. A lot of consumers are raving about it because according to them, it give their skin a youthful "glow", and a natural, not a heavy "made up" look. Mineral Make-up companies claim that it covers imperfections perfectly, yet it allows the skin to "breathe".They claim that Mineral Make-up can smoothen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and conceals blotchiness. It can also improve the overall appearance of skin with acne or rosacea. And their claim to popularity: their being ideal for sensitive skin. Quite convincing isn't it?

However, I stumbled upon this site (http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/features/the-lowdown-on-mineral-makeup) wherein the author Colette Bouchez discussed that some experts say that Mineral Make-up is just "a genius marketing plan" and that it can also cause problems on the skin the same way as the traditional make-up. But of course, dermatologists said that as compared to make-ups with talc and other comedogenic chemicals, Mineral Make-up is much safer to use.

If you look at it closely, a make-up is a make-up, whether organic or loaded with preservatives, you should always let your skin rest and breathe. A clear, healthy skin is always much better than a Mineral Make-up. Right? :)

For your convenience (because I love you my dear avid readers), here is a list of Mineral Make-up sites that contain tutorials, reviews on different brands and other Mineral Make-up FAQs. Enjoy and stay gorgeous! :) You are also free to share on what Mineral Make-up brand that suits you best. :)

• http://frmheadtotoe.blogspot.com/2008/04/mineral-makeup-basic-foundation.html
• http://www.mineral-makeup-reviews.com/