An Addiction to Remember...

Being pregnant brings out the best in a woman. It also causes a lot of changes within a woman's body, and one thing that's dreaded during the second and third trimester is the development of stretchmarks. What are stretch marks? Read on to find out.


From Wikipedia:

Stretch marks, or striae, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. They are caused by tearing of the dermis, and over time can diminish but not disappear completely.

They first appear as reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter range. The affected areas appear empty and are soft to the touch.^[2]

Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the resilient middle layer that helps the skin retain its shape. No stretch marks will form as long as there is support within the dermis. Stretching plays more of a role in where the marks occur and in what direction they run. Stretching alone is not the cause.^[3]

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored. Most common places are the abdomen (especially near the belly-button), breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. They pose no health risk in and of themselves, and do not compromise the body's ability to function normally and repair itself.^[4]

Unfortunately,for some women, developing stretch marks during pregnancy is unavoidable. This makes a woman feel insecure about herself. I am also a part of the unfortunate ones who developed stretch marks at an early stage. Lucky for me, I have internet access which allows me to surf and look for possible solutions to this dreaded skin condition. And here is what I found out so far:

From iloveindia.com:

• One of the simplest, yet effective home remedies for stretch marks would be to apply lavender oil on the marks, three times a day.
• Another home remedy would be to apply Aloe Vera gel on the marks. They would initially, lighten and finally, remove the marks from the body.
• Prepare a mixture by adding seven drops of lavender oil and a few drops of chamomile oil to an ounce of carrier oil (avocado, sweet almond or jojoba oil). Use it to massage the affected area.
• Includes lots of green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, liver and dairy products in your diet.
• Consume seeds and nuts that contain zinc. They will prove effective in removing stretch marks.
• In a blender, mix ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup Aloe vera gel, liquid from 6 Vitamin E capsules and liquid from 4 Vitamin A capsules. Store it in a container and place it in the refrigerator. Apply this mixture wherever stretch marks appear.
• Aroma oil is beneficial in treating stretch marks problem. Apply some of this oil on the stretch marks and massage well.
• Rub the affected area with apricot scrub. This is likely to remove the stretch marks gradually.
• Cocoa butter is beneficial in treating stretch marks. Apply it two times a day, in the morning as well as in the evening, over the affected area. This would help remove the marks.

I also browsed thru an online store called Storeeland, and found out that they sell pure rosehip and emu oils which may also help in lightening/fading stretchmarks.

Rosehip oil is relatively unknown in the UK but already word is spreading as people discover its impressive skincare benefits.

Pure Rosehip oil contains natural tretinoin, a derivative of Vitamin A, and is proven to delay the effects of skin aging. It aids cell regeneration and boosts levels of collagen and elastin to create smoother, firmer skin.
Rosehip oil can also be used to strengthen weak fingernails and thin or damaged hair. It has proved useful in reducing and elimating the effects of:

• Scarring
• Stretch marks
• Effects of psoriasis
• Effects of eczema
• Lumps from scarring
• Hyper-pigmentation
• Dermatitis
• Over-exposure to the sun
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Skin burns

* from http://www.mariposa-alternative-bodycare.co.uk/index1.html


So there. I hope I was able to provide you with helpful info. And btw, sorry for missing out on blogging lately, I became very busy at work due to year end issues. =)

Hi! Im looking for 5 or 6 more people who would want to pool orders with me at Lumiere's Prebuy. Just in case that you're not yet aware of it, Lumiere is coming up with these fabulous brushes at super affordable prices. The only flaw with this very tempting offer is the hefty shipping price tag, which is at $25.00 (around Php 1,250.00), which is the reason why I'm looking for interested "poolers". Shipping will be divided among the poolers, based on the number of brushes that was ordered (just to be fair to those who will get 1 or 2 brushes only).


If you haven't seen the brushes yet, or you just can't decide on which brush to get, you may check out Aileen's review or you may visit Lumiere's Prebuy Section.


Deadline is set for December 1st, and if you're interested to join this pool, kindly shoot me an email with your orders at september.cruz@live.com


Happy weekend ladies! ^_^

Here is another chance to own Lumiere brushes without the hefty price tags!

Please click on this link for more info:

Hi! Im having a mini blog sale. These are excess items that I got from my most recent ELF haul.

The title says it all... I missed blogging, but then, work is just getting crazy nowadays, so there.

I am also into Facebook. Yep, Im addicted to Restaurant City and Cafe World. :p

Anyway, for the biggest news of the year: I am close to 2 months pregnant. But lucky me because I dont have those weird morning sickness moments and late night cravings. Well, it's too early to tell. I'm gonna have another check up with my OB gyne on Saturday. I hope there's nothing wrong and that my baby is fine. :)

The idea of being a mother excites and scares me at the same time. Honestly, I had my mind set that I wont have a kid until the age of 30 (boo!) but then, this blessing came along, and although I may not have been prepared for it, I will make sure that this kid gets all the love that I could offer to him/her.

Marriage? We decided not to get married.... yet. I have to focus on being a mother first, before I can be a wife to him. The parents respected our decision, which is a very good thing, because we need all the moral support that we could get at this point.

So there. I'll do my haul posts in a while, but for now, let us welcome the latest addition to my addiction... my baby. =)

Sometime last week, I got a package from the US. Guess what, the package is full of makeup goodies! These items were sent to me by a very good friend. Thanks Nina! I loved everything,especially the letter that was included in the package. ^_^

Hello, sorry for being on MIA mode for the past couple of weeks.. I just came back from a Palawan getaway with my boyfie for my 25th birthday, and I enjoyed it very much! Came home with a not so great tan, but overall, the experience was a good one.

Anyway, on with my haul post. This will be a quick one.

Hi! Im selling some of my pre-loved make up brushes. All of them are in very good condition, and have been tucked in a covered container. All of them were used less than 10x. I'm selling these because I think they're not receiving enough love from me anymore (huhuhu).

Payment options: Gcash and BPI deposit only, please add P68 for shipping within MM.

For inquiries, text me at 917-519-0904. Thanks!

I am very,very disappointed with ELF. Just when I was about to place my orders with them, the coupon for the 75% discount stopped working. I started adding items in my cart,and the max discount that it gives me is $10.00 (WTF?!). And when I emailed them, this is what they told me:

Howdy! I just wanna shed some light on some gray areas and make some revisions on the pool instructions as well. I want each and every participant of this pool to be happy about their purchases by maximing every discount possible. But lemme stress out a very important guideline before I even state the changes that will be made.

Only 1 discount coupon maybe used per cart. Therefore, if I receive orders from all 3 lines, then I have to create 3 separate carts and pay for 3 amounts for shipping. This only means that if you're purchasing different items from all 3 lines of ELF, then the ELF shipping fee that will be paid will be computed based on the number of participants for each line.

Please see the example listed below. Just a reminder, these numbers, specifically the number of participants listed,are fictional at this point and are placed in this illustration for discussion purposes only. The final numbers are to be determined once I have the final lists.

Studio line - 10 participants
Mineral Lipstick - 3 participants
Regular and MMU line - 5 participants

Standard shipping amount is @ $6.95 for USPS deliveries.

Therefore,

Studio line - $6.95/10 participants = $0.70, or P35/pax
Mineral lipstick - $6.95/3 participants = $2.32, or P116/pax
Regular and MMU line - $6.95/5 participants = $1.39, or P69.50/pax


Please check the scenarios listed below:

• Girl A purchased items from the studio,mineral lipstick and regular line. Therefore, she pays the ELF shipping fee in the amount of $4.41, or P220.50 (all 3 amounts were added up).
• Girl B purchased items from the studio line only. Therefore, she only pays $0.70, or P35.00. for shipping.
• Girl C purchased items from the studio line and the mineral lipstick lines. Therefore, she pays $3.02, or P151.00 ($0.70 + $2.32) for shipping.

Revisions on deadlines and payment details:

STUDIO ITEMS @ 75% OFF! - this offer is only good until August 19, 2009. To be able to use this coupon, I will be requiring everyone to submit their studio line orders until 11PM of August 17, 2009 ONLY. After the said cutoff, no pahabols or revisions of orders will be made, for the reason that I have to finalize and send out the invoices of the participants of the said pool on the following day. Payment options will be laid out, since this order will be placed way before the original August 31st cutoff. Shipping will be divided among participants.

MINERAL LIPSTICKS @ 75% OFF! - this offer is good until September 1, 2009. This will follow the original deadline, which is August 25 for the orders, and August 31 for the payment.

REGULAR AND MINERAL LINE @ 25% 0FF! - this coupon does not expire, but I'll be making this purchase along with the mineral lipsticks, only in a separate cart, so that we can still get the 25% discount. This will follow the original deadline, which is August 25 for the orders, and August 31 for the payment.


Also, I would like to apologize for not being able to answer PMs and text messages instantly. I work on a graveyard shift, so I sleep during the day. If some of the guidelines are still blurry at this point, please get in touch with me at 0917.519.0904, and I'll be happy to discuss things with you.

THE BASICS:

Deadline for orders: August 25, 2009
Deadline for payments: August 31, 2009

GUIDELINES:
$1.00 = P50.00
Regular, Mineral (except for mineral lipsticks) and Studio lines will have a 25% discount
Mineral lipsticks will be priced at $1.25 instead of $5.00

The ELF FedEx fee will be divided amongst all participants, and there will also be a P50/item shipping charge that is to be paid upon the arrival of the items here in Manila. Shipping of the items will commence via artegirl's co-loading services. She's also a member of GT.

Estimated date of arrival is within the 3rd week of October.

TERMS OF PAYMENT:

As much as I want to, I can't allow a 50% downpayment scheme since everything will be charged to my CC right away. With that being said, the amount that you have to pay by the 31st of August will be the total amount of the items that you got plus the ELF shipping. Again, the P50/item scheme will be collected upon the arrival of the items here in Manila.


FAQs:

Why ELF? Because of its good quality and dirt cheap prices. For reviews, go to
ELF's US website.

How can I place the order without getting redirected to the ELF PH website? We have US based servers in the office, that's why I dont get redirected.

How can I place my orders? Via this blog,or you can send me a PM via GT. My GT nick is WhizDy.

How will you accept payments? Strictly via Gcash or BPI bank deposit only.

How will I claim the items once they arrive here? I can ship it via Air21, or we can arrange a grand ELF EB. Yey!

More questions? Post them here.

I got an email from ELF while I was at work. When I opened it, it was about a new product that they're launching in the market. Check this out. I find this product interesting because aside from it being dirt cheap, I think it'll solve the problems of those who takes a huge amount of time prepping their eyes for work or for school.

Read on..

Liquid Eyeshadow

The pigment rich Liquid Eyeshadow dries to a water tight finish to give endless staying power so you can take your look from day to night without looking faded. The colors won't crease or smear, and they won't budge until you take them off. An alternative to traditional eye shadows, these lightweight colors are exceptionally gentle for a silky smooth finish. The quick dry formula allows for fast and easy application.

Direction: Apply color to eyelid and blend in while still wet, allow to dry for a smudge proof seal.

Available in the following shades: Sultry Satin, Cream Dream, Coco Loco, Berrylicious, Green Machine, Misty Mauve, Sexy Silver, and Mocha Madness

To see the colors available, check out ELF's website.

Revlon Eyeshadow Cream Palette in Precious Metals, MAC Lipglass in Song and Dance, and MAC Lustreglass, all are gifts from my bestfriend (I forgot to swatch them...sheesh)

ELF Pencil Sharpeners - I just find it cute that they include two sharpeners in one package, and there's a little lever so the pencils could fit right into the sharpener.. Very innovative.


ELF Studio Line Make Up Removing Cloths - I think this would work better than baby wipes. But the question is, could it also remove stubborn mascara? Hmmm.


ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer - I have read in various blogs that this is ALMOST comparable to Urban Decay's Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I'll have to see if the reviews are accurate.


ELF All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach - I think this would work as a sticky base for bronzey or gold e/s, to make the colors even more vibrant.


ELF Duo Eye Shadow Cream in Sugar Cookie - I hope that the website is showing these colors right. I would love to have this replace or be a backup for my Butter Pecan e/s cream.


ELF Studio Line Corrective concealer - this mini palette with 4 concealers is every MMU wannabe's dream. It practically has everything to conceal red marks,scars, uneven skin tone, etc.


ELF Studio Line Kabuki Brush - I'm excited about this. A kabuki brush for $5 is a steal, and since this was made from the same synthetic takklon that was used on all studio line brushes, this definitely goes into my list.




ELF Studio Blush Brush - If I'm gonna compare this with a MAC brush, it'll be the MAC 116 Blush Brush. I think this brush will be a great brush too. This tops my list.