I frequently drop by HBC stores and I love that their sale periods include bestsellers. This week, HBC is offering great discounts on Beauty Exclusive products like San San, Hortaleza Professional, Allue My First, Body Recipe and Hortaleza,M.D!

Aside from the mark down, a customer can get a chance to take home a FREE HBC Beach Bag for every P500 worth of purchase. The promo is available in all HBC mall-based stores only, from March 15, 2012 to April 15, 2012.

Visit HBC this pay-day and get your fave products on bargain! 

Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to HBC nor am I being paid for this post. Sale updates are sent to me via email for promotion's dissemination purposes only.

I finally got my hands on the Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Skin Whitening Set some two weeks ago. The Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream, while it did a fantastic job, will have to take the backseat while I check this kit out (I've been on the whitening line for a week already).

The most wonderful thing about it is that it's a complete skin regimen without breaking the bank. It's P355 ($9)! The very inexpensive tag makes it easier for skincare junkies to try out the best beauty & whitening products in the market.

This is the individual cost of each product included in the set:

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Whitening Facial Wash 75 (60)

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Lightening Facial Toner 85 (60)

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Whitening Cream 105 

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Face and Body Sunblock 180 (100)

The numbers in (red) are the prices when HBC holds their bargain sale. I'm pretty sure the box of Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Skin Whitening Set is also marked down, but I have to confirm that from the store.

I finally got my hair colored with Hortaleza professional hair coloring cream in Light Havana 8.5. While I think the outcome was an outrageous shade of orangey red...period, people around me thought that it was a stunning shade that complemented my fair skin.

Price/Volume: 105php (~$2.50) per 60mL tube

Variants: regular (red), low-ammonia+essential oils (gold) and hair crystal color

Availability: HBC shops

Used with: Hortaleza professional oxidizing lotion 9% (30php)

Amount of products used: for my near-shoulder-length thick hair, colorist used all of the coloring cream and oxidizing lotion

Product Description:

• Permanent hair coloring formula imparts vibrant and lasting tones on hair that would complement every personality 
• Non-drip, easy-to-apply cream formula allows superb coverage to enhance natural beauty of hair while covering grey hair 
• Cream base with added conditioners make hair soft and shiny from roots to tips. 

I cannot find anything to contest Hortaleza Professional Hair Coloring Cream's claim of a permanent, vibrant hair color. It does keep the hair shiny, too. However, I find that this coloring cream was too drying for my hair (versus the Revlon Colorsilk). My hair was tangled and heavy when I rinsed off the hair color, and the succeeding days after, I realized that I needed more pumps of conditioner to keep my hair smooth and soft.

Pros:

• affordable
• easy-to-use especially for DIY-ing beginners
• coloring cream's scent is floral rather than ammonia-ish
• vibrant and lively color
• light havana is a color that makes people give you the second look (which can be a con for those who'd rather go low-profile, haha)
• you can be very sure you're using quality products because expiry dates are printed (I can't remember if Revlon Colorsilk has this)

 

Cons:

• drying
• there are types of lighting wherein my hair color made my skin look brown
• the scent it leaves after rinsing the hair (semi-sensitive nose here)
• instructions are found inside the box; potential buyers will be less aware how this product is suited for DIY.

You can check out my haircoloring history. Before getting onto the light havana dye, my Revlon Colorsilk#50 Light Ash Brown-colored hair was already fading and 4 months old.

The horror story of my Hortaleza Coloring Cream experience is that the salon's colorist added more oxidizing lotion during the last few parts of dyeing (she worked my hair bottom-up). This explains why the upper part of my hair is way too blonde:

Sigh, I was so disappointed I thought twice about tipping!

Anyway, the color became darker after a week (during the Goody event I attended) and the upper part of my hair darkened a few more days after. So, yay!

Click photo to enlarge to a more readable view :)

Overall, this is a product I'll be recommending to those who are willing to splurge on conditioners, hair masks and anything hairsturizing (you know what I mean you English nazis, you!). Who needs beautifully colored hair when you're bound to experience dryness and breakage because of poor post-coloring maintenance?

I might try out the two other HBC Professional Hair coloring cream variants to see if their formulation are a bit less drying on my hair. And definitely, no more light havana for me as it does not really suit my personality. I'll be getting colors that are more ash brown. Please stay tuned after a couple of months for a culminating review on how this dye fares in terms of color longevity.

Here's another product I got from the HBC 88 sale, the San San Age-Defying lipstick in 03:

Price: 106php ($2.50), may even be lower during sales!
Color: mauvey pink
Shade Range: 5 shades to choose from
Ingredients: Castor oil, candellila wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, lanolin, mineral oil, vit. a, vit. c, vit. e, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), colorant and fragrance

Pros:

• perfect MLBB shade for most Pinay skintones
• finishes to a flattering creamy gloss
• no strong scent
• photographs fairly nice
• cute blue packaging for those who love blue (raises hand!)

Cons:

• emphasizes the lines and dryness of my lips
• weak pigmentation, you have to apply more
• not longwearing

The packaging isn't something you'll be raving about but it's wonderful to note that the San San Age-Defying lipstick's cheap tag does not reflect much on its elegant blue casing!

This lippie goes sheer on me even after two swipes. You will definitely need a lot of product to get a pop of that pretty MLBB color.

When swatching, you might notice that this color yields a corally shade:

But it's really more pinkish mauve when on the lips. And here I am sporting the poorly applied lipstick. This is perhaps to point out how the lippie emphasizes the lines on my duhrrryyy lips:

Kumiko Mae wears this San San Age-Defying lipstick color better than I do! Check out her pretty look! But hey, I didn't do so bad here, did I? Goes to show how perfect the color is for us Filipinas!

Recommendation. This is perfect for photoshoots but may be too grueling to wear during events because of its need to be frequently reapplied. This is a nice choice though for everyday wear to complete a barely there makeup look.

When using this lipstick, I highly recommend it against a great skin. Those with acne scars and pits must layer on a good foundation to create the illusion of a better skin. Those with naturally clear skin can do without makeup and just put this lipstick on!

Topping the San Age-Defying lipstick in 03 with a nice similar shade of gloss might just address the longevity of wear issue. However, since the lippie is already hi-shine, there might be a risk of creating over-the-top glossy lips.

HBC has proven to be one of the beauty stores that frequently treat their consumers rather frequently. I got word that they'll be on sale starting tomorrow!

Items on sale will include soaps, hair coloring and styling products, galenicals, facial cleansers, makeup and scents. Any 3 items from these SALE treats will cost you 250php, plus, you get a FREE environment-friendly Christmas tote!

Also, if you'd love to get your hands on Hortaleza Professional products, you can join these bloggers' giveaways: Thiamere's, Aya's, Dawn and Tracy's, and Kumiko Mae's!

To get updates on HBC's latest sales and promos, visit their facebook and website.

I'm so sorry for the lack of updates and for missing my beloved followed blogs' posts. Here's what's eating me:

This is the last decent shot I have of my hair, still basking in the dye's glory, taken 2.5 months after my July 15 hair coloring. You already know I love Revlon Colorsilk Light Ash Brown.

I still remember the first time I got my hair dyed. I was soooo scared. And now that I'm about to try a new hair coloring product, I am reliving the hell I felt that day my virgin hair got colored.

After 4 years with Revlon Colorsilk, I'm about to try this:

This is what's eating me for the past few weeks. To use a new dye or to not to. I have never been constantly freaked out about anything in my life! Now, I'm pretty convinced about the hair being one's crowning glory. It's funny that when Louise posted about Light Havana, I was the first commenter and told her i'd love to try the color. This freaks me out all the more.

My hair color is gradually turning into a state of blaaah. I will sit still for a few more hours and think about when to lighthavanasize my hair.

Has anything beauty-related confused you for such a long time, too? Do share! It might make me a bit more gutsy *wink*

I got the this from HBC during their Great at 88 Sale last August. I love the fact that it provides medium coverage and is affordable. Unfortunately, the San San Age-Defying 2-Way Powder Foundation isn't something I'd be repurchasing.

San San Age-Defying 2-Way Powder Foundation in 03
twas able to decently cover up my chin acne

Swatching against the back of my hand, I felt like it was an okay shade match.

Here are also swatches of the powder foundation against the sponge.

Uncovering the Cons. It seemed like a good shade match but I noticed that this foundation oxidized big time on my skin. I looked ugly bronze-y by the fourth hour I was wearing it. And so I purchased a refill in 01 to replace 03 (02 had pink undertones). It still made my face look unpleasantly darker after a few hours.

Another letdown is its poor oil-control. Ironically, it seemed to hold up the oilies upon application, even a bit too matte a finish for my taste. However, after 5 short minutes, my T-zone began to oil up. The photos below are a bit blurry but I was oiling up like crazy. You will definitely want to put up blotting papers on your computer screen against my pictures.

Third problem is the powder's texture. Makeup gurus might find it too chalky. 

Also, I find it weird that the texture of the San San Age-Defying powder on the pan gets ruined when a wet sponge is used. The photo below is in shade 01.

It was easy to let go of the product taking the pile of cons it had for my skin type into consideration. However, this foundation had such great finish and coverage for my zits and pits, it breaks my heart a little to not use the compact.

Recommendation. This powder foundation will be more appreciated by acne-free, normal skin types. It's sheer irony that this has good coverage that glides smoothly on the skin, only to be better used by those with already good skin. I'm afraid I won't be getting another San San Age-Defying powder foundation until I see that "improved formulation" stamp on it.

I got the Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream primarily because of the words, "Pimple Control". I knew it had to be some spot treatment for my adult, hormonal imbalance-induced zits. It never occurred to me that I was actually getting a 44-Peso (~$1) product that works better as a day moisturizer!

Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream, 1.1oz/30g, 102php (44php on sale)

Effective Moisturizer

I have been using this consistently for a week now. Previously, I've been on Human Heart Nature's sunflower beauty oil OR Cetaphil moisturizing lotion. I top em with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel to lessen the sticky afterfeel. But because the Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream is absorbed quicker by my skin and is non-greasy, I'm now able to cut down on my prep time by skipping the water gel. 

No Pimple-Fighting Effect

My skin notoriously reacts horribly to Pond's products. I put Acnesol's name to the test by buying a 5-peso sachet of Pond's facial wash and  bravely slathered the archenemy on my skin. Morning after the stupid yet noble experiment, the side of my nose hurt like there was a huge pimple waiting to explode (which progressed as a HUMONGOUS pus-filled whitehead... yeah, you get the picture). 

I used Acnesol Pimple Control Face Cream for a week but it wasn't able to address the induced zit. Perhaps, since this product is devoid of the more potent pimple-fighting ingredients (i.e., salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide), it was unable to control a throbbing pimple. But it may be able to prevent future zits. I have to roadtest for a longer time.

Acnesol Pimple Control Collection, approx 230+php

Ingredients Detective: 

Ingredients: deionized H2O, shea butter, squalene, potassium azeloyl diglycinate and fragrance, caprylic capric triglyceride, MDBGN/PE, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate

• shea butter - popular, highly effective moisturizer; contains beneficial vegetable fats that promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin (quoted)

• squalene - (and squalane) act as lubricants on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft, smooth appearance

• potassium azeloyl diglycinate (PAD) - helps control the secretion of oil to prevent the formation of blackheads and whiteheads; inhibits the activity of Tyrosinase, in order to help lighten the skin and facilitate the fading of spots; increases skin’s moisture to improve skin elasticity.

• caprylic capric triglyceride - (quoted) some benefits of caprylic/capric triglyceride include the fact that it is not greasy at all, and has a very light texture. It is also rapidly absorbing, and is highly skin-compatible, due to the fact that it will not aggravate sensitive skin types. It also does not leave behind visible oil remnants on the skin; ALSO, slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. It is also used to alter the thickness of liquid products

• MDBGN/PE - a cosmetic preservative that may cause allergic reactions. do a patch test!

• Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate - provides a sensation of freshness followed by a melting effect on contact with the skin; it leaves a feeling of velvety softness

Because of this new discovery, I can't help but take a peek at their other affordable skincare combos: Anti-Aging, Whitening, and Sensitive Skin lines.

Dermatox Age Reducer Collection

Illuminous Skin Whitening Collection

Puressence Mild Skincare Collection

These kits cost 200-300php. Separates are also available if you're plainly interested in one of the products in the collection. My eyes are on the Illuminous Collection!

I will continue using the Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream. No breakouts, no allergies, only better skin 'neath makeup as of now.

You'll definitely love the HBC Great at 88 Sale this August because:

• the items on sale are certified must-try's
• the selection is huge and ranges from makeup and skincare to hair care and household products
• they don't sell stuff that are expired or are nearly expiring 
• some are even below 88 pesos
• most bestsellers are on the sale list

Here are the products, marked down at 88 pesos, that I highly recommend you check out:

1. Hair Coloring Cream (regular) - originally at 105php; many have raved about this dye over popular fora and most claim that even if you have virgin black hair, this product shows up quite impressively.

They have 3 coloring creams: the regular one (the one on sale), low ammonia (105php) and crystal color (125). Crystal color is priced a bit higher since it claims to give out a cellophane-shine effect (pretty much like Revlon Luminista I think).

2. Body Recipe Skin Lightening Powder, 120g - originally at 135php. If you are familiar with Ettas, this is pretty much like it --- a DIY bleaching kit that lightens skin like magic. They have 3 variants: Milk, Calamansi and Papaya. Milk is recommended for those with dry skin, Calamansi and Papaya for oily and normal skin respectively.

3. More Body Recipe Stuff: Skin Lightening Lotion (originally 120php), Scrub (originally 178php) and Body Butter. These are full-sizes, mind you, and they come in different "flavors".

4. Body Recipe Anti-Aging Facial Foam (goodbye fine lines!) and Lightening Facial Wash Papaya. 

You think I forgot to mention that little tube in the middle? That's number five...

5. Hortaleza, M.D. Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream, 30g - originally 102php. I need this for my stubborn zits especially during pre-menstrual days. 

6. Hair Color Touch-Ups - this product is great for mom and dad! It's a quick way to cover up gray/white hair when our folks suddenly wake up in the morning with their hair roots publicly announcing the degenerative truth. It's a hair emergency quick fix since the color washes away when shampooed (if you want something that'll retouch your roots, go buy #1). Colors available are black, dark brown and medium brown.

7. Inigo Body Cologne Spray, 100mL - originally at 100php. Perfect for kuya or as pangsuhol for the little brother during those days you scold him for not taking a bath. A nice kamusta-ka-namiss-kita gift for the special guy... nonchalantly quip that you suddenly thought about him and decided to spend for a body spray since he's so special to you.

8. Hortaleza Professional Shampoo - perfect for ate or the little sis! Yummy apple or refreshing lemon--- take your pick!

9. Clean Xone Fabric Conditioner and Liquid Detergent - perfect for Manang and Inday! Put an end to their frequent catfights over who does the laundry next by giving them divinely fragrant home products that won't dry out their precious hands! 

10. Sansan Makeups! - Two-Way Cake Age Defense Foundation (154php), Pressed Powder, Mousse Foundation, Mousse Concealer, Mousse Blush, Lipsticks and Thick Lash Mascara

This picture below has a saling ketket, can you spot it? - Body Recipe Eye Cream in Cucumber! Make sure you fork out 88 bucks for that undereye treat!

If you think 88php is already a steal, wait till you see the 44php list:

1. Body Recipe Skin Protecting Hand Sanitizer

2. Body Recipe Green Leaf Shampoo w/ Horsetail Extract - move over, Mane and Tail shampoo!

3. Inigo Deodorizing Foot Powder - no need to pay for expensive Scholl stuff since this works pretty good!

4. Body Recipe Moisturizing Foot Balm (and all their foot care products, I just wasn't able to photograph all of them)

5. Body Recipe Skin Lightening Facial Wash with Milk (don't you find it weird that the Papaya variant above is tagged at 88? I'll ask them tomorrow if they made a mistake here...)

6. Body Recipe Bath Soaps

At home, I took pictures of the products' expiry dates and I'm impressed that HBC is holding genuine markdowns. Most shops put products on sale because they are about to expire (BLIND ITEM: Sino itech na store na super thick face to sell beauty products na expired na pala... with matching unfriendly at annoyingly sunod ng sunod na SA's? Haha.)

Who says you need expired products before putting up that 'SALE' banner?

Here are the friendly beauty assistants who helped out:

Marife, the friendliest of them all. She was able to cater to the long roster of HBC queries I jotted down. She was pregnant and all but she managed to walk around with me while I scouted for stuff to get in the store.

With so much products on sale, it wasn't hard to fill up two bags. I grinned at the fact that I was schnorring on products that offer so much value for their price (thanks to HBC's CC Manager, Lorie Bundoc):

 I visited an HBC branch today that had limited stocks. It was a small branch but it still offered so much. Can you just imagine the longer list of to-buy's when visiting bigger HBC outlets (this branch didn't have the famous Body Recipe Hair Remover (goodbye expensive Veet/Sally Hansen)... if you're visiting mall outlets, please have that on your list!)??? 

The Great at 88 Sale will run till August 21, 2011. That's three more days from now so better get your lists ready and troop to the nearest major HBC outlet before the other girls hoard all the great stuff in store for you!