Beauty Hacks: Baking Soda

I'm sure that by now practically everyone is aware of the many uses of baking soda apart from being just a part of every baking regimen. But for those who are not yet aware of the magical things you can do with it, here are some of them that you might actually find helpful:

1. It's an anti-dandruff shampoo.
- Baking soda can be used as a clarifying shampoo since it's a pretty great absorber of accumulated dirt. If you've used every product that strongly promised to remove all the (snow) flakes from your scalp and shoulders, why not give baking soda a try? Instead of using your favorite shampoo, massage an ample amount of baking soda on your scalp instead.

2. It can help heal bites and burns
- Baking soda can actually reduce inflammation and itching since it can balance the skin's pH level. So if you shaved pretty roughly this morning and nicked a skin, apply a solution of baking soda mixed with warm water on your razor burn, oh and yes, it works the same way with mosquito bites, too!

3. It's a good (and gentle!) exfoliator and more...
- Mixing baking soda with warm water and making it to a paste can do wonders to your beauty regimen. For one, you may use it to remove black heads from around your nose, use it as a face and body scrub, oh and use it on your nails right before you give yourself a mani!

4. Deo to the rescue
- As you all may (or may not know) baking soda is also good at removing pungent odors in your tupperwares and it's no different for your skin! So the next time you ran out of deodorant, simply dust baking soda under your arms and you're good to go!

So before heading to the drugstore for pricey creams and whatnots, check your cupboard first and see if there's any baking soda left from the last time you've made cookies. Not only will it save you time but will definitely save you some bucks!

When getting a Brazilian Wax...

In all honesty, I'm a huge fan of Brazilian waxes, well, sugaring to be exact. I've been doing it since I was a senior in high school; I was persuaded by my mom to go through it because (as she said) it will make me feel clean and fresh down there. She has never been more right about it. So after years of experience in having my nether areas waxed, I've learned a couple of things that I felt the need to share with you guys who are planning to get a brazilian wax for the first time or are new to this hair removal technique.

These 'rituals' didn't come to me in a day, it took me years before I finally religiously followed them to make it easier (and less painful) for me and my aesthetician. So I hope these things can help you out, too. Let's get started!

1. PREP UP
There are a few things that you might want to do (and bring) when getting a brazilian wax to make it less painful as possible.

a) Clean your nether areas with water and feminine wash. Usually, sugaring or waxing salons would have you do it in their restroom, sometimes they even provide you with feminine wash, too. But if you're not sure about this particular detail, then head on over to the bathroom right before you leave for your wax.

b) If the hair has bushed up down there, consider trimming them first, you'll thank me for that later and you're welcome!

c) Pack an extra cotton knicker and wet wipes in the arsenal that is your hand bag.

d) Some people usually pop in Aspirin or Ibuprofen before they get waxed. I've done this before and it did make the procedure less painful than before. So if it's your first time, consider popping in a pill 30 to 45 minutes before your waxing sesh.

e) It will be best if you wear a dress or skirt and cotton underwear when you head on over to get your brazilian wax. This will give your cooch some extra breathing room after having them waxed.

2. THE AFTERMATH
After cleaning your coochies of hair, your aesthetician will wipe the wax residue off your skin and will apply a toner to close your pores. Doing these will lessen your risk for getting an infection, but you'll have to be extra careful yourself. Here are some things that you must and must not do after having a Brazilian wax.

a) Do not wash the area for at least 6-8 hours. If it can't be helped and you really have to go, bring out those wet wipes that I asked you to bring. *wink wink* Oh and I hope you're wearing a clean pair of cotton knickers!

b) Resist the urge to touch the waxed area. I know how it feels to have them free of hair (probably for the first time) but avoid touching them to check how they are unless you're starting to get an allergic reaction to the wax. If you've gone through sugaring, there is very little chance for you to get the said allergic reaction, however, if you did get an allergic reaction, consult your doctor immediately.

c) In case it starts to get itchy down there (which is less likely to happen, but who knows) try your best not to scratch it. Again, as if I've not reiterated it enough, bloody infecsh!

3. MAINTENANCE
Now that you've gone through this whole experience you'll definitely realize how easy it is to clean your nether area especially when you have your period.

A few more things to remember now is that it's best to have your Brazilian wax a week before and after you've had your period; having it a day or two closer will make it more painful because your skin will most likely be on a very sensitive state at this point.

Lastly, do avoid working out right away, as it kind of defies the 'don't wash it' part of the 'Aftermath'.

That's it! I hope this article will be of help. =D

Night Time Skin Routine Every Woman Should Have

As women, we all know we have to do certain 'rituals' before hitting the sack, but seriously? How many of us actually do it? Most of us skip this particular part of the day either due to sheer exhaustion or simply, laziness. And as a boyish lady, I used to ignore this routine until I was 20 where I started to get a really bad acne breakout. Since then, I've decided to heed my mother's warnings and I have actually developed my own night time skin routine that I will now share with everyone.

1. Get those makeup off your face.
I understand if you want to wake up looking like a doll, been there, done that for several years. But the 'I woke up like this' look will most likely just be smudged liner, mascara and lipstick, and mind you if your goal is to look like a circus clown in the morning you wouldn't like this look at all. Invest in a really good makeup remover (or some baby oil, for budget conscious ladies) and make it a habit to remove your makeup as soon as you get home. Get all those colors off from your lips and eyes as much as you can, especially in the eyes where you're most likely using waterproof products. It is important to remove (gently) as much as you can to avoid irritation why you sleep.

2. Washie Wash Wash Wash
To remove the excess product off your face and prevent your skin from having a breakout, don't forget to wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser. This will also clean up the dirt and oil from your pores; going for a gentle facial cleanser that is right for your skin type will do you wonders. Oh and don't forget to gently pat (don't rub) your face with a towel, preferably a face towel which you would only use on your face alone. Heard it's best to use a separate towel than your body towel to make sure it's all clean and clear up there.

3. Bring on the protectors
Now that your face is clean from all the grime and grit (exaggerating to make a point) it is now time to pamper it with serums, toners and moisturizers to help protect your skin from long term damages brought by pollution, UV rays and even aging (gasps!) If you're not sure what products to use, you may consider your skin type and needs and purchase products that would be right for your skin. Consulting with a dermatologist will also be really good as they can recommend the precise products that your skin needs.

I know that these things are simply common knowledge, but it must be said and reiterated. *wink*


What about you? What do you do for your skin before hopping in between the sheets?

Pinkies: Smooth Silk Long Lip and Eye Pencil

Not a lot of people know but I am a bit into red lipsticks. Well, okay, maybe a bit too into it that I sometimes have the tendency to splurge on lipsticks alone.

My mom, knowing about my budding obsession to cosmetics, recommended this very cheap but handy lip and eye pencil from Pinkies last weekend.

I decided to give it a try since it was really inexpensive (under 100php!!!) and the color was really good. My mom actually got a deep purple shade of this lip and eye pencil which she pulled off effortlessly over lunch.

The shade I got was PCLP03-ALOHA which is actually a slightly bright red.

This lippie liner is actually pretty good and delivers more than its price, tbh. It glides on easily and has a creamy matte finish, exactly what I wanted.

Its lasting effect is also pretty good. Mine lasted for nearly eight hours. I first put it on shortly after lunch time and had been drinking and eating constantly that entire afternoon,

Here is a shameless selfie that I took on my way home from the mall, about 5-6 hours after I have first applied the product. And no, I did not retouch it. It stayed on well until after dinner where it finally began to fade.

I honestly really like this lip liner as it not only last long, has a rich color with a creamy matte finish but also for 89php, it has over-delivered. No exaggeration. Try it for yourself. Got mine in the cosmetics aisle in SM Masinag Department store.

I'll definitely restock on this product.

Mimi L'Amour Launch

Hello, my name is Mimi L'Amour and welcome to my latest blog.

I have been around the blogosphere since 2006 and have since hopped from site to site. This is my new haven now, and in here, I will write about my adventures in travel, food, beauty and lifestyle in general in this blog as often as I could.

Hope you'll support this new project of mine. Cheers!

xx Mimi