Sign of life: August

Just a random Friday morning and I felt like blogging. I am so into work nowadays (and who is not?!) Well it is pretty chilly and it is kinda relaxing.

I realized I bought a lot of things from yesterday's Lazada sale. It is such a waste not to review anything at all. I noticed how inauthentic reviews are in the shopping platforms and so does in Tiktok. It is so confusing yet it can't be helped. If it works for the brand and them. But sometimes it gets so tiring to sort those real from the fake reviews. I mean seriously. Of course the results of a product varies from one to another but there is no need to hype anything up because sooner or later someone will figure out what's up.

Is there a need for me to post honest reviews in Tiktok too? That is what I am wondering about. Will I have the time to be consistent? Well that is another question.

  *I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc.please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated
 

June 2024: Half of the year is almost over!

The month of May has been really fruitful for me in terms of freelancing because I kept on getting offers. I feel like it was my luckiest month!

I am so excited to know what June has in store for me. I also wanna share that a new SM has opened near our place so it is so much easier to get a breather in case we want to eat good food on a weekend!

Also, I have started this month with a pilates routine from Madeleine Abeid.

I am trying to build a routine for my well being. My waist is at 28 right now and I hope to improve it with pilates!

Today, I've ordered another set of S&R Pizzas, my current favorite! They have a promo for Father's Day but I still remember their Mother's Day special which includes Pesto Shrimp pizza which became our instant favorite.

I have changed up my skincare routine to include more probiotics with The Face Shop Rice Toner. It works in brightening up my face and it doesn't sting! 

I am looking forward to posting blogs and a few reviews here and there the whole month! Crossing fingers that I'd be able to, but I am hoping that I can at least create something I will be consistent with.

Anyway, have a great start of June everyone!

  *I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc.please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated
 

240121 NCT Neo City The Unity Tour in Bulacan

With their NCT Neo City The Unity Tour in Bulacan concert, NCT finally returned to Manila. I was so happy and excited for this. I have only seen NCT Dojaejung last year with their Perfume Fancon and I seriously can't get enough of them.

From choosing the right OOTD down to the section we'll choose for the concert, everything was carefully planned. 

Bus going to Bulacan with JungP Bus!
We rode a special Jungwoo bus going to the Philippine Arena. We were picked up at around 9:20AM. We had really sweet busmates and there were games, snacks, and drinks along the way.

Arrival in Philippine Arena
We chose between LET or Fan Hub to start the day. There are 4 special buses in total. Doyoung, Jaehyun, Haechan, and Jungwoo. I had the opportunity to take a few selcas amid a hot and humid morning.

We were lost at first and we can't find the Fan Hub. Philippine Arena is huge and we walked a lot to get there. We saw the Food Hub first then the Fan Hub. There are a lot of comfort rooms in the area but there are long lines too. We have decided to get our strap and fan benefits first. The N line is too long compared to the other standing lines of the C and T sections. We kinda spent time lining up for this.

We were already starving when we were done. Good thing there is a free Jollibee lunch provided by the JungPs PH fan club. We saw the Doyoung plane flying in the Bulacan sky and Doyoung himself saw it too so it was a success!

When we went back to the Fan hub to try and grab freebies, Jaehyun and Doyoung fan clubs were already out of everything. 

Queuing
We went back to our bus to drop our things. We were glad there was a Free shuttle going back to the Arena area. My sister decided not to line up too early because we have a good queuing number of 0001 and 0002. When we got to the arena, the marshall we'd asked for directions said we were being looked for earlier. 

We've run like our lives depended on it. We got to the start of the N4 line just in time. The management had an organized system and everyone got in the arena in the expected time.

N4 Peeps!
I didn't realize how near we were to the stage. Young NCTZENs were so fun and bubbly. They won the Globe promo and got standing tickets. NCT Neo City The Unity Tour in Bulacan. Our section is not as jam-packed as the other sections. Media people got in last minute.

Concert Time
NCT's grand entrance to the stage is so cool! The opening song is Super Human, I didn't expect that! It is a strong song choice for the intro. We love it! 

They sang their new songs from the Fact Check album. They also included some of their 

Encore and End of Concert
We didn't want this to end, but everything has to go home. It was around 8:30PM. It was an awesome 2 hours of my life.

Overall~ 
NCT Neo City The Unity Tour in Bulacan is a blast! They left no crumbs. We didn't win the album signing but we were able to get really good standing places in the concert. I still can't believe the concert is over. But one thing is for sure, this won't be the last time I will be attending NCT's concert!



  *I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. Please email me at sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated
 

Review: Bactazil Clarifying Soap

In the hopes of clear skin, I tried a new soap. Yet again I don't know why I am so adventurous when it comes to soaps. My mom often tells me I am such a daredevil for trying products I am unsure of. But my mindset was always if I don't try it, how will I know if it's for me? The new soap I have tried this time is Bactazil Clarifying Soap.

What is it? 

Bactazil Clarifying Soap contains tea tree and biosulfur. 

Highly recommended by dermatologists to treat acne and other skin infections.

Tea Tree oil contains terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. 

Tea tree oil is an excellent treatment for acne, athlete's foot, ringworm, and unwanted body odor.

Bio Sulfur is a natural form of organic sulfur found in all living organisms. 

It has antifungal, anti-bacterial, and keratolytic properties and is widely used to cure dermatological disorders such as acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis vesicolor and scabbies.

Packaging
In a minimalist white box which makes it really clean looking. It has a nice branding.

Experience
Bactazil Clarifying Soap out of the box is dark brown and kinda see through. It smells like herbal. When I first used it my face looked brighter but it also feels a bit dry and tight.

I am acne prone but my skin was in a good condition when I used it. A week after, I was breaking out. I continued using it but it didn't help with the redness nor inflammation. I was using it for a month until I decided to switch brands because I can't pile on makeup just to hide my breakouts.

How much and where to buy?
P220 for 100g 

What I love

• The nice branding
• Didn't sting
• Cleanses well

What I don't

• Too drying for my skin
• Makes my skin feel tight
• Didn't prevent future pimples
• Didn't help in treating them too
• One of the culprits of my breakouts

Will I repurchase? 
I don't see myself buying one again.

Overall~ 
Well, should I have listened to my mama? Probably. Bactazil Clarifying Soap didn't work for me finally because I didn't see any changes to my skin. I even had more breakouts which it wasn't able to prevent nor it wasn't able to help in treating it either. 

Right now I am back to my old and trustworthy Bodyshop Tea Tree toner and soap. I really should think about my life choices better.

Welcome 2024! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday vacation.


  *I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc.please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated
 

Review: DermAid Back Spray

Ever since I have moved houses I have experienced back acne again. I don't know what is the reason, because it could be anything right now. Stress, over fatigue, dirt? What even annoys me is the fact that back is hard to reach. Is anyone who struggles with this too? Whenever I needed to treat my back I needed to ask someone to help me. So when my sister and I went to the mall, I saw this DermAid Back Spray and I just knew I needed to try it.

What is it? 

DermAid Back Spray 

with Salicylic Acid and Aloe Vera Extracts

Help reduce acne-causing bacteria with DermAid Back Spray. Formulated with Skin-Clearing Complex that helps unclog pores to lessen further acne formation and even out acne marks by gently exfoliating dead skin cells. Infused with Skin-Hydra Formula that keeps your skin hydrated and well moisturized. It is dermatologist tested, perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. 

Reduce acne-causing bacteria
Improve the appearance of acne marks
Moisturize and smoothen skin
Exfoliate and purify skin

50ml

Made in Thailand

Directions: Cleanse the skin thoroughly. Spray the entire back with a thin layer twice daily.

Ingredients list below is from the Watsons page where their website has lead me to when I checked their product page:

Water, Calcium Carbonate, Talc, Kaolin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Rosa Centifolia (Cabbage Rose) Flower Water, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Borneol , Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Powder, Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) Peel Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Ci 77492, Ci 73360, Fragrance

Packaging
It's in a spray-type form with a plastic bottle which reminded me of repackaged local skincare products. It applies a thin layer every time, which is great. I haven't encountered a defective spray from them so far.

Experience
I don't have high hopes initially because I've only purchased this so I can use something for my bacne. 

The spray smells similar to a bleaching solution I have used before. I recommend that you use it inside a well-ventilated room so you don't get suffocated like I did when I first used it. DermAid Back Spray's chemical smell is strong when you use it a lot. 

My bacne did not heal quickly after using it, which I expected. I continuously used it for a month until I noticed the acne on my back had all dried up. I won't speak about the marks as it is still there but it helped so much with the redness and healing them. I also noticed that when I am using the spray, my back micro exfoliates. I use a soft cloth to get rid of the dead skin cells, like once or twice every week.

With daily usage, one bottle only lasted me 2 weeks. 

How much and where to buy?
P289 per 50ml bottle. It is honestly more affordable to get it online.

What I love

• It dried up my bacne
• Helped so much with the redness
• Exfoliates
• Not irritating to my skin
• No sting
• Affordable

What I don't

• One month of use to fully see the effect
• Chemical smell when I use it
• One 50ml only lasts 2 weeks if used daily

Will I repurchase? 
Yes, I did! I have consumed 3 bottles now.

Overall~ 
DermAid Back Spray works as an Anti-acne spray but you need to use it religiously. I use it daily as of now because I am still getting new ones but I hope to only use this more of a maintenance instead in the future. DermAid Back Spray has helped me control my issues with this skin condition so if you have the same problem, you can try it!

  *I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. Please email me at sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated