[Review] V&M Naturals ExfoBomb and CPC+G Oil for Underarm Whitening

The underarm whitening journey never ends! After having undergone 2 sessions of underarm diode laser hair removal, I now have better hopes of whitening my underarms. So to resume the journey, I took advice from a friend to try to V&M Naturals ExfoBomb, an all-organic exfoliating and skin-lightening salve. According to BeautyMNL reviews, it's effective in lightening the skin as long as you use it religiously. I bought one from their Glorietta branch, and also got sales-talked into getting the CPC+G Oil too. They're a good combo according to the sales lady. And me being in my overly-open-to-suggestions state spent a hefty ₱745 for 50g of a whitening salve, and 30ml of a miracle oil. Definitely not affordable for topical whitening agents, but is it worth it?

Hell, yeah.

Not gonna recommend them fully yet, but I can say that it's truly effective. Consistency is key in maximizing the effects of these products. I've only used it for 21 days straight (started on July 20) and I can already see results. Not drastic, mind you, but there's peace in knowing that slowly but surely it does the job.

I apply the products before going to bed, exfobomb first then 5 drops of CPC+G oil next. I make sure to clean my underarms before application, and also make it a point to wear sleeveless or sando shirts to avoid getting oily residue on my shirt sleeves.

ExfoBomb -  (₱395, 50g)

It's waxy, seemingly oily, but not the annoying type of oily. The main exfoliant is dead sea salt, which is great because it gets dissolved eventually as you massage it on your skin, hence you don't need to rinse it. Also, it smells nice!

It's day 21 and I'm almost through my first tub so I already bought myself a spare. I'm thinking a tub would last 1 month of regular use if applied on both underarms.

UPDATE: My 2nd tub was so different. It has less exfoliant. Maybe they lessened the amount of sea salt? Parang hindi masyado nakaka-scrub itong 2nd tub ko huhu. I'm kinda disappointed. Will give it another chance on my 3rd tub!

CPC+G Oil (₱350, 30ml)

Recommended use is 5-6 drops per underarm. I do 5, and so far I've only consumed 1/4 of the bottle for the last 21 days. The oil feels warm for some reason, but it doesn't burn okay. It comes in a dropper bottle for easier application and I put it after the exfobomb. I'm not sure if it's the right order but the sales lady said you can layer the products, so I didn't care so much for the order. BUT, tonight I'm gonna try putting the oil first then the exfobomb 'cos I feel like my skin should get the oil first hahaha.

After application of these products, your UAs will feel oily but it's not disgusting. The feeling is tolerable. Or maybe I tolerate it because my whitening needs is more pressing than my underarms' comfort haha. Anyway, just do it before going to bed to avoid the potentially icky feeling.

I didn't see any harmful reactions on my skin. It didn't itch or burn, and I didn't notice any peeling. I believe it's all happening slowly in a micro level because for sure it does work, just not that fast. My underarms did look a bit lighter, and I know I still have a long way to go before achieving the shade I want haha. I have progress photos too but I'm too hesitant to show them because, uhm, TMI and I'm shy hehe.

So yeah, will continue using the products because the effects are rather promising! I've had it with instant whitening products whose effects also instantly fade off so maybe an all-natural and organic product is what I've been waiting for. :)

You can order online from their official website or at BeautyMNL.
You can also visit their stores listed here.

9 Camping Activities You Should Try on Your Next Trip

Photo from Pixabay

About 82.3 percent of Australians with ages over 15 years participated at least once in exercise, recreation, or sport in 2010, according to a survey by the Australian Sports Commission and State and Territory Departments of Sports and Recreation.

Another study shows that walking for exercise is more popular than going to the gym in Australia. Results of these surveys represent Australians' love for outdoor physical activities and adventure. If you are among those who yearn for more physical activities to counter the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, try these nine camping activities on your next trip. Make sure you bring complete camping gear to protect yourself from the elements.

Camping activity #1: Hike around Ayers Rock or Uluru

Ayers Rock lies deep within the North Territory and southwest of Alice Springs, which is the nearest town at 463 kilometres. Ayers is a part of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

The sandstone formation features an elevation of 863 meters, a width of 1.9 km, a length of 3.6 km, and a base circumference of 8.4 km. You can walk around the formation in 3.5 hours. For activities, you can take camel tours with a trained cameleer, have a bird's eye view of Uluru via a scenic flight, learn about aboriginal culture and history, and watch the magnificent sunset. You can also meet an aboriginal artist and partake in a workshop by visiting a cultural centre. If you choose to camp outdoors, make sure that you bring complete gear such as a tent, sleeping pad, portable stove, GPS, air pumps, Swiss knife, a portable drinking and dining set, foldable chair, and portable solar panels for phone, light, and laptop charging. 

Camping activity #2: Go hiking around Booderee National Park

This coastal park is located north of Jervis Bay Airport, west of Bay Village, south of Sydney, and east of Canberra. If you go hiking, make sure that you bring water, a GPS or smartphone, and solar panels. Avoid wandering too far and always bring a colleague with you. While camping, you can engage in plenty of outdoor activities such as birdwatching, boating, fishing, walking on the beach, watching whales, joining cruises and tours, diving, and snorkelling. You can book via a government-owned park site at Booderee Camping.

Camping activity #3: Explore Kakadu National Park

Situated 171 km southeast of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park is in the Alligator Rivers Region. It features wildlife diversity, landforms, and rivers. A camping or pass fee that ranges from $20 to $100 applies, and you can book at Kakadu Pass. Because of the national park's high level of biodiversity, you can do more than just camp here. You can partake in ranger-guided tours, boating and fishing, spotting crocodiles, and visiting rock arts. You can swim in Jabiru public pools, Jimjim Falls, Bark Marlam, Twin Falls, Maguk, Gunlom, Boulder Creek, and Motor Car Falls.

Camping activity #4: Play scavenger hunt in North Stradbroke Island

A 38-km long island that lies 30 km southeast of Brisbane, North Stradbroke Island is the second largest sand island in the world at 275.2 square km. It contains lakes, springs, swamps, and wetlands. Scavenger hunt with your kids while enjoying the view of the island's biodiverse flora and fauna. While camping, you can enjoy nature by partaking in beach yoga, bush-walking, bird watching, cycling, dolphin watching, fishing, and visiting a dune. For the official site, visit Stradbrokeisland.com.

Camping activity #5: Wander in El Questro Wilderness Park

The El Questro Wilderness Park lies 100 km west of Kununurra. It offers you cascading waterfalls, thermal springs, rainforests, breathtaking mountain views, and salt-flats. You can camp while sipping a cup of tea, preparing BBQ, cooking, and fishing in the riverside. Other attractions near the park include Lake Argyle and Emma Gorge.

Camping activity #6: Stay in Croajingolong National Park

Another unspoiled paradise, Croajingolong National Park is located in Gale Hill Track, Wingan River, Victoria. It is located 516 km east of Melbourne and 339 km south of Canberra. Here, you can visit the Pebbly Beach with its jagged brown rocks and golden sand; and the Top Lake with its large campground, hotels, and shops. Watch hopping kangaroos, climbing koalas, and flying birds in Gipsy Point Lakeside and Double Creek Nature Walk.
Camping activity #7: Camp around Lake Burbury

Located east of Tasmania, the Lake Burbury Camping Ground is located in Queenstown, 250 km southwest of Launceston and east of Strahan. The place offers caravans, camper vans, motorhomes, BBQs, kayaks, and canoes. Here, you can engage in boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, birdwatching, camping, and fishing activities.

Camping activity #8: Build campfires in Adelaide parks

In the outskirts of Adelaide City, you can visit and build campfires except in the Chalks Campground at Mt. Crawford, which is covered by a campfire ban from November 1 to April 30. You can instead explore and build campfires in the Newland Head Conservation Park, which is 91 km from Adelaide; Morgan Conservation Park, which is 150 km away; and Deep Creek Conversation Park and Saunders Gorge, which are one hour from Adelaide. For more information, visit environment.sa.gov.au.

Camping activity #9: Set camp in D’Aguilar National Park

This park, about 31 km northwest of Brisbane, features subtropical rainforests and diverse plant species. Enjoy the wildlife view while spending time with friends, making BBQ, cycling, and bushwalking.

Have a fun and safe camping trip by ensuring that you have all the camping essentials you need. Visit Outbaxcamping today!

A week in July that's been sitting in my drafts for too long

July 12 - Thursday

❉ I brought the car to work for the second time. I was lucky enough (or not) that our building parking isn't full yet. But now that I think of it, it's actually too bad because the parking fee in this building is exorbitantly high. I'm nearing 9 hours already and that's freaking running me 200++ now. Fck this city. Makes me want to really work hard and get promoted, so I can earn the privilege of free reserved parking. Or even gas reimbursement. Or not. How about I just stop bringing the car to work?

The first time I brought the car was on Tuesday two days ago and I almost didn't survive because all the parking buildings nearby were full. Street parking was my only chance, but it required parallel parking skills... which I don't have much of. But with the help of the guards there I was able to squeeze myself between a Hillux and a Fortuner. Whew. I'm just really fascinated by all these driving and parking shenanigans. It took me only 13 mins to go home the other day. And 15 mins to drive to the office (excluding the time I wasted looking for a parking spot). That's freaking amazing. But still, parking remains a bigass problem for me. If only I were some big shot in this building with free parking things haha.

By the way... we actually got a parking spot in the condo already. If you remember we were just contemplating about it on my last post, but actually that same day I sealed the deal with a lessor lol.

❉ I ordered a Fitbit Alta HR on Shopee and I'm excited to get it. Here's to hoping it's not defective.

❉ I also opened a checking account, my first, because our parking owner required PDCs as payment. I was supposed to get the checkbook today, but I arrived late. So, let's hope for tomorrow. Oh, adult points. A checkbook! Oh God.

❉ My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on Monday and I wanted to treat them to something special. I was planning on booking a room at Novotel Cubao or Seda Vertis North for them but when I heard their jampacked Sunday plans, we resorted to just having dinner together. Which, hopefully, will push through. You know my parents. Nothing is ever sure.

While on the phone with my mom, she opened something up about the car lol. Turns out they need the car back because they have too many errands and they needed 2 cars at bay haha. That's actually too sad for me because I was just starting to enjoy having a car again. But since Jeckie and I are actually planning on getting another car, like a family car lol, my mom offered to just buy the car from us. Err. I don't know, we can't afford a new car right now that's for sure haha.

July 13 - Friday

❉ I brought the car to work... again. Every time I contemplate on bringing the car to the office, I always end up doing it anyway, then regretting it later. If yesterday's stress came from the parking rates, now I had to deal with the heavy downpour that had me late to our meeting. The rain was so bad. But thankfully, parking isn't full yet. After a series of meetings at work I drove the car out of the parking building (₱60) and back again to get a flat rate until midnight (another ₱60). My God. I had to go around the entire block just to enter the building again -- right in the middle of rush hour and a heavy rain. Such a hassle. Then again, parking fees are a bitch. Before midnight I need to get the car out again and park on the streets (where it's free) so I won't incur overnight charges (additional ₱60). But that really depends on the weather... and the availability of parking slots outside. CAN YOU IMAGINE MY PROBLEM?! LOL I'm so stressed HAHAHAHA. But every time I'm faced with the choice or driving or not, I always choose to drive. What's wrong with me.

On a different note, I was able to parallel park unattended, for the first time! Yehey!

Anyway, enough about my driving hulabaloo hehe.

July 14 - Saturday
Spent most of the day with my in-laws at SM Megamall. Watched Ant Man, ate dinner at Chili's (forever favoriteee), played Lazer Tag for the first time (high score, yeah!) and walked all the way to Emerald Ave. where dad parked the van. Can you imagine how bad the parking situation is at SM Megamall that we had to park three blocks away from the mall? My goodness.

July 15 - Sunday
I treated my parents to dinner at Yang Chow. I'm kindof sad we didn't prepare anything more special for their 30th anniversary. I'm so bad at planning, and their schedules are the worst. It's always been hard to squeeze some family time during the weekends. I think this was the reason I consider riding in the car with them as "family time" because it's the only chance we get to be in a small confined space together where we can talk hahahaha. Kanya kanyang buhay kami sa bahay I don't know whyyy.

4 Impressive Locations to Watch out for When Taking a Helicopter Tour in Miami

Photo from Pixabay

Miami is probably one of the most picturesque American cities with its golden sun-kissed beaches and art deco architecture. It’s a city that never rests with an endless selection of posh clubs and 24-hour restaurants. Right from its stunning skyline to its amazingly diverse population, Miami represents the best of the American way of life.

While the streets of Miami have plenty to offer, the skies present a unique point of view of this amazingly well-designed city. Tourists and locals often take helicopter tours to take to the Miami skies to witness the popular landmarks from a refreshing perspective.

Booking Miami helicopter rides can be done online or by visiting a reservation center for the touring company. Unlike the popular belief, these tours are not exorbitantly priced. Yes, helicopter rides in Miami are not cheap, but for the price, they do offer an experience that remains embedded in your memory for a lifetime. That’s a pretty sweet deal. Depending on the type of tour you select, cost per person can be as low as $95 to as high as $200. Tours in the city usually start from the Opa Locka airport. The chopper navigates above the beautiful cityscape and heads towards the sea. The pilot then navigates above the beach and heads south to give you the best views of the islands. Following are 4 amazing locations you get to see when you take a helicopter tour in Miami.

Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isle beach is best described as a location where stunning skyscraper properties hug the golden sandy beaches. The aerial view of the tall towers coupled with the pristine beach and the clear blue water is a sight to be seen. The series of towering buildings kind of complement each other as there is a great degree of uniformity in how they are arranged. These sky-hugging structures almost form a straight line standing as close to the sandy shore as possible.

Bal Harbor

Bal harbor is another popular beachfront destination that’s lined with impressive beachfront properties. While the buildings on Bal Harbor beach are not as tall as the ones in Sunny Isle, they do offer an impressive view.

Miami Beach

After flying over North Beach, you head over to one of the most famous beach destinations in America, Miami beach. The beach is riddled with some of the most iconic buildings in Florida. The tallest buildings in the state, the Blue and Green Diamond twin towers is amongst the many properties that embellish Miami beach. Other buildings to lookout for are the beautiful Portofino Tower and the iconic Fontainebleau hotel. You also get to see the one of the most expensive residential complexes in the state as you hover past Millionaire’s Row.

Fisher Island

After going past South Beach you reach one of the most expensive residential zones in America. Fisher Island is a tiny man-made island that’s peppered with luxury condos and hotels. The island only has a resident population of 467 and is a region that has America’s highest per capita income.

Wedding photographer review: Dave Sarabia Photography

Another super late review, but better late than later right?

I don't remember how I found Dave, but I think it was during the time I was pooling content for this post: 10 Wedding photographers for that bright and natural look.

We booked Dave two months before the wedding. Odiba, hindi kami nagmamadali haha. Swerte namin because both our prenup and wedding date are still free on his calendar. We really didn't think we could get a photographer of his level to cover for us in such a short notice, so thank you Lord! Our prenup fell on a Monday, and on a Holiday pa so I wasn't expecting his availability. But thank God he's vacant! Yehey! Dave and his team were perfect. They were right when they said you have to really invest on your photo and video team. He's the reason our wedding looked more expensive. Like 50% more expensive wahahaha. Seriously.

I have no complaints about Dave. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a very skilled and professional wedding photographer. Unlike other couples who like to meet beforehand and get to know their suppliers first before signing the deal, we skipped that formality and just made sure to get a credible one who wouldn't bail on us hahaha.

Related: Wedding Blahs - Preps, reviews, musings, and more

Our prenup location was supposed to be at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, but Dave (or Darlene, I don't know who's answering their facebook eh hahaha) suggested against it and offered to give alternative locations within Manila that we may want to consider. Gasgas ka kasi masyado si Wildlife, uninspiring na daw, and they want to give us fresh photos. Naks. That kind of input talaga I really appreciate. That's professional advice goys! So in the end, hindi kami natuloy sa Wildlife. Nag FEU Diliman kami, kasi libre hahaha.

Anyway. The first time we met him was during our prenup na. He came with this wife, Darlene, who's also a photographer, and we did the shoot at our college campus. In fair, they were the first ones to arrive on the location, and partida bumabagyo pa non guys.

It was so nice working with them. Hindi awkward, and they would direct us with the poses which I appreciate very much because we suck as models and we're professional tuods. It's worth noting too that Dave was always smiling and super nice and friendly with us. He didn't mind the heat, pawis, putik, and lagkit all around. We were so tired after the shoot but it was worth it because I knew he really worked hard to look for the best spots for us. Kahit umuulan pa.

With that I believe we were able to get the most out of our prenup and wedding locations. No important detail was missed and it's always a delight looking at his edited photos. They're all very warm, natural, and elegant. :)

The package we got was You Complete Me, it was ₱47k that time. It includes:

• Prenup session + Wedding coverage
• Prenup AVP
• Onsite Photo AVP
• SDE film by God's Grace Productions
• Raw and edited photos and videos (we provided the hard disk)
• Custom USB (which I never followed up, nakalimutan ko na haha)

Well, they completed our wedding talaga. We were able to get all our raw and edited photos and videos after around 4 weeks. We sent him a hard disk (via GrabExpress) and he sent it back within a few days. No hassle whatsoever, just make sure to have more than 100GB of free space on your hard disk.

I full on recommend them for your wedding.

Contact

Dave Sarabia Photography
davesarabia@hotmail.com
0917-903-6185
fb.com/davesarabiaphotography

My updated ₱10M wishlist

I was wandering around my blog and came across this post I made 2 years ago, where I listed down what I would do with ₱10M (without saving it for later). Thinking about it right now, as a married woman, my priorities have definitely changed. That fictional ₱10M would not be mine alone but me and my husband's. So here's a 2018 version of the ₱10M wishlist (assuming my husband agrees bwahaha): 1M still goes to my parents so they can buy a new car. With the excise tax and all obviously this wouldn't be enough to get an Isuzu MUX, but they can manage for sure hehe.

1M goes to my in-laws so they could also get a new car van.

1M goes to my parents for the expansion of our apartment building in Novaliches. I consider this an investment.

I previously mentioned I'd allot 5M to buy the vacant lot beside our family home but unfortunately it's already been sold. HUHU

Now my husband and I has 7M to spend! Now assuming we have to spend it all immediately, then here goes:

600K goes to paying off our remaining amortization with the car

and

6M goes to buying a 2BR unit at the building we currently live in

and finally,

400k goes to furnishing our new home!

Haaay, isn't it nice to dream! What's your 10M wishlist? :D

The Art of Passion: An Inside Look into Shaira Luna’s Dream-Driven Career

MANILA, Philippines – There is no denying the talents of Shaira Luna. From an early age, she graced our TV screens as a “gifted child”. Her passion for learning set her apart and would eventually lead her to forge her own career as one of the most prominent photographers in the country. This July, the thirty-one year old takes her place as Melissa’s Style Maven. #MeInMelissa is the latest campaign in the Philippines from the Brazilian footwear icon, Melissa Shoes. This fresh and empowering digital campaign will showcase pieces from the brand’s 2018 collection, Open Vibes. Luna shares her talent as the campaign’s official photographer.

“I really love that Melissa shoes are comfortable and squishy”, shares Shaira Luna, chuckling. “Sometimes I take for granted how important footwear is, especially for someone like me who’s on my feet for most of the day. Eventually, I found my way to shoes that fit the bill of being both stylish and comfortable.”

At the age of thirteen, Luna found herself at De La Salle University, undergoing a Bachelor of Science degree in human biology. After switching courses for some time, Luna purchased her first professional camera, a Canon EOS 350D. The camera enabled her to flex her creative muscles and would eventually inspire her to pursue a professional career in photography.

In the decade since, Shaira Luna gradually developed herself to become one of the most prolific young photographers in the country. Luna regularly works with high-profile brands and influential names from the world of art and entertainment.

“Behind the camera, especially when shooting for someone else, I make sure I understand their vision and I understand the output that they need from me”, Luna begins. “I just try to make it work for everyone and keep communication open.”

This level of professionalism extends itself to moments that require Luna to stand in front of the camera.

“When I’m in front of the camera, I try to take the place of the photographer,” Luna adds. “I try to imagine what they need from the shoot and I try to move as quickly as possible. I find it is over much faster if I get what they need, so I tend to move a lot in front of the camera even if it’s awkward for me.”

As a fashion photographer, Luna is well-regarded for her personal sense of style. Self-described as an “ever-evolving” aesthetic, she draws her inspiration from rock ’n roll icons of yesterday and today.

“I love Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine) so much! I really love her style and her music,” Luna shares. “I also like Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. I’m very much inspired by icons of the ‘70’s. I’m not sure why. Maybe someday I’ll find out.”

Even then, Luna is quick to admit that a lot of her style inspiration comes from the research she does prior to a shoot.

“In general, I’m very much into the history of fashion and that translates into my style and the people I admire as well,” Luna adds. “I think the reason I got into studying eras of fashion was because of my shoots. So, whenever I have a shoot that’s inspired by a particular period, I find myself going even deeper into what happened during that time, especially the things they wore and why they wore the things they did.”

If there is anything Shaira Luna can share, it’s her love for rediscovering the past through pieces of clothing. “If you just use your imagination, you can try to rework the stuff you already have. Perhaps you can use stuff from your parents and grandparents. You end up with something more unique, something not cookie-cutter. Just something more fun that will put a smile on your face.”

Shaira Luna is an old soul who has built her name by turning her dreams into a successful career. This is reflected in both her personal style and her approach to her work. This bubbly, determined, and highly focused individual has all the qualities that make her the perfect fit as Melissa’s first Style Maven.

About Melissa

Melissa is an iconic global footwear brand from Brazil. Established in 1979, Melissa is highly regarded for its long-lasting and avant-garde designs, and collaborations with a number of high-profile names from the world of art and fashion.

From sexy stilettos to fabulous flats, Melissa shoes have brought fashion and comfort to new heights. Melissa brings the future of fashion to the world.

Instagram: @melissaphilippines
Facebook: MelissaPhilippines
Website: www.melissaphilippines.com