SNOE Here Comes the Sunblock!

Climate change pretty much changed the game for us residents of the planet Earth. The sun is much, much stronger than it used to be. And since it's summer, we have to be extra careful of our skin. Toofor much radiation from the sun can not only result to sunburn, but to skin cancer, in the worst of conditions, under prolonged exposure over the years.

I admit I was never really into using sunblock. I thought putting on sunblock is only for going to the beach or for going swimming at the pool. I was wrong. Even if we're indoors, using sunscreen is very important. Radiation not only comes from the sun but from other things around the home as well.

It's tricky to look for a sunblock that not only fits any budget (they can be pretty expensive) and also is not too heavy for everyday use. However, thanks to our ingenious young entrepreneurs, more and more sunblocks are making waves in the market and are becoming more readily available for a very reasonable price. I'm also very particular with what I use on my body. I try to veer away from cosmetics that practice animal-testing and use "chemicals." Besides, it's always a good thing to encourage local businesses that offer products that are up-to-par with international brands.

If you are an avid reader of my random ramblings here, I was crazy over Human Nature  and I still am. But now, I discovered another proudly Pinay enterprise, Snoe! I first found out about them when I was doing my early research on fashion and beauty (?) blogging. Lots of Pinay bloggers were head-over-heels, especially for their famous beauty bars. Finally, after a loooong while of resisting the temptation, my curiosity got the best of me and I gave in. I got the Here Comes the Sunblock! for my first purchase and their Maximum Whitening Moringa Beauty Bar in a separate visit. They have a lot of stores all over the metro and they also sell online (and ship it to you, of course!)

Anyway, check out their cutesy store in Robinson's Galleria.

Thanks to the two nice salesladies who were kind enough to answer all
my questions and suggest the best products. :D

One of their bestsellers!

Their kiosk was sooo cute and loaded with lots of goodies! I can't wait to come back for more! Anyway, moving on to the review of Here Comes the Sunblock:

What it says on the label.

Instructions on how to use +  a faint vision of the ingredients

I love the packaging! Very summer-y!

Pardon the mess. I had already consumed a considerable amount
of the product while I was in Zambales. :p

It's got that creamy, milky consistency.

Initial blending.

Spread, spread, spread.

Blended right in.

Snoe has this to say about Here Comes the Sunblock:

Instant white SPF 45 Sun Lotion with Bengkoang ( Singkamas)

Moisurizes, whitens, damage protection, anti-oxidants, non-greasy, paraben-free

Bengkoang contains vitamin C, Flovanoids and Saponins which is a natural sunscreen to prevent skin damage brought about by free redicals. It effectively inhibits the formulation of melanin and pigmentation due to hormones and the sun, as it prevents and reduces acne scars. This lotion will immediately transform your skin with a with a whiter complection that comes with anti-aging effects.

What I like about it:

• Very affordable. I got it for Php 199 (~$5)
• Available in many locations (check out their website for local store listings) and online.
• Made of singkamas and other natural or naturally-derived ingredients
• SPF 45 - great for everyday use
• Has a very nice scent
• Comes in a handy bottle
• Just the right consistency, not too heavy and not too thick like most sunblocks
• Can be used on the face
• A little drop goes a long way. Very tipid to use.

What I dislike about it:

• Maybe it's the intense Zambales sun, but the SPF 45 wasn't quite enough for my skin. I got a little sunburned despite applying the product twice in a span of about 8 hours.
• Casts a slight whitish/grayish cast; it requires a lot of work to blend in so you won't end up with a wash of white streak on your skin
• It's a little hard to get the product out of the bottle. Perhaps if it came with a pump, that would be really helpful. :)

Other thoughts:

• If you intend to hit the beach or would go through a prolonged exposure to the sun, try their Suntervention SPF 80 for maximum coverage against the sun's harmful rays.
• It's better to use a separate sunscreen for your face. I just happened not to have one during the trip.
• Sunblock is not just for going to the beach! It's ideal to use everyday for more extensive protection against the sun and radiation.

Overall, Here Comes the Sunblock is a fun, little product that delivers. Maybe it really was the harsh sun up in Zambales that made me sunburn a little, but for daily use, this one really works fine. For its price, it's amazing how your skin not only gets protected but nourished (and whitened) as well. I'd definitely go for another bottle when I run out and maybe pick up SPF 80 too, for those sudden trips to the beach. Go ahead, visit the nearest Snoe store now! Their staff are very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable - they can take on your concerns and questions about their products. I have been informed by SNOE that Here Comes the Sunblock is really just for everyday use, while Suntervention is ideal for beach trips and prolonged sun exposure. ;)

Make your skin sing this summer... Here comes the sun, too-doo-doo-doo! And I say, it's alright! ;)

What is your favorite sunblock/sunscreen? :)

Love,

SGT <3

Hot Fuss: Lay Bare

It's summer time once more and it calls for a carefree vibe! That includes being hair-free down there (just in case you intend to let that bikini see the sun this summer.) I have been holding off going to the waxing salon for many reasons. One, it might hurt like crazy. Two, it's really embarrassing to let someone else see my well, vajay. Oh, and three, I never really had the guts to wear a bikini before. I was never really new to waxing (I wax my underarms all the time) but this one's different, of course.

After an extensive amount of research on the matter, I decided to go through with it. I went to Lay Bare Waxing Salon in Robinson's Galleria. There are a few tips that can help you if you're having a bikini wax done for the first time.

• Set an appointment. They prioritize appointments over walk-in clients, especially during peak days like in the summer.
• Wear loose or comfortable clothing. I wore a skirt to my appointment.
• Take an Advil (or other pain relievers) at least 20 minutes before the session. This will lessen the pain somehow.
• Don't take anything with caffeine (i.e. coffee, tea) beforehand. It will heighten your sensitivity to pain.
• Bring spare underwear.
• Put on your big girl pants and just do it!

When I got to Lay Bare, I was just a few minutes behind my supposed appointment (the mall opened way too late), but thankfully I set one. The day was already full and they did not accommodate any walk-in clients. My technician's name was Liz. You might want to ask for her when you happen to swing by their Galleria branch. She's very friendly and reassuring, oh, and very professional too. I told her it's my first  time and that I'm really nervous. She told me to relax and that it won't hurt as much as I think it would. I got into the cubicle. It was really small, only a tiny bed, a few inches of walking space, a full-length mirror, and a couple of supplies in a tray were in it. I examined the place and it was pretty clean. Ate Liz had me take off my skivvies and lay down while she prepared the wax. They use cold wax - which is made up of sugar, honey, and calamansi. You won't have to worry about scalding your skin and irritation.

I told Ate Liz I wanted a bikini wax. What it means is that she'll only be taking off hair from the bikini line but still save some in the inner portion of the vajay. Unlike the brazilian wax, where everything is taken off (even the hair in the buttocks and anus area!), a bikini wax doesn't hurt that much. It is suggested for waxing virgins that they go for the bikini wax on their first session and if they're ready after a couple more appointments, they can go on to getting a brazilian.

The technician made me sit on a sheet of gray paper (to catch the debris). She trimmed a the entire area first and went on the waxing portion.The first few pulls weren't so bad; however, when she got to the inner cheeks, it stung a little and I shrieked a bit. She yanked it off quickly so as not to prolong the agony and applied pressure on the area by lightly tapping afterwards to calm down the blood vessels and what not. Before I knew it, the bikini wax was done! She had me check if I was happy with it and if it was enough to fit into the bikini I was going to wear. I nodded and I was off to checkout. Lay Bare has an on-going promo. It's April and since it's my birthday month, I get a 15% discount and a free (not sure) eyebrow threading session. I was told that my eyebrows are still okay and that I can come back anytime to avail of it or go to any Lay Bare branch to claim my birthday "gift." I got myself an after-wax soothing cream as well and I had to apply it about 2 to 3 days from when I got the wax.

A few reminders post-wax:

• Don't wet the area for 4 hours. Should you feel the need to pee, dab the area dry with tissue paper. Gently, please.
• Avoid exposing the area to the sun in the next 24 hours.
• Exfoliate 2 to 3 days after the wax to get rid of old, dry skin and to prevent in-grown hair.
• Apply the soothing cream 2 to 3 days after the wax.

The day after the wax, I felt a little sting and a little itch, but it was nothing that I was really worried about. It will go away eventually. Maybe in a few more sessions, my skin will get used to the "trauma". Overall, the experience was worth it and it's definitely worth doing again. I don't think a brazilian is and ever will be for me, but then again, to each her own, right? 

How about you? Do you think you're ready for summer and is summer ready for you?

"When you see hair, it's time to lay bare." ~Lay Bare

Love,

SGT <3