VERDICT: HIT

I would like to share with you one of my greatest finds: Dr. Labella Intensive Whitening Waterfull Toner. Watch the full vlog on my youtube channel here.

I have been using this wonderful toner for about a month now. So far so good! Just clear and moisturized face. It has helped me get rid of the dark spots on my face. Thanks to its main ingredient Glutathione. Also, it has Hyaluronic Acid or Sodium Hyaluronate, probably one of the best moisturizing ingredients that I know. Each molecule holds up to 10 times its weight in water. This Korean-made toner comes in a premium looking 150 ml bottle.

It is in liquid form, translucent and smells good. After washing, I apply it on my face using a cotton ball, gently smoothing it from the center out. I do not use a moisturizer anymore after using the toner. I just put on a sunblock before going out and about.

Below is the complete list of ingredients of this wonderful toner. Just all the good stuff!

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Oryza Sative (Rice) Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Arbutin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Glucose, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Andansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

For inquiries on how to get this product, please visit www.facebook.com/DrLabellaPhilippines or www.drlabella.com.ph

Have you tried this product? Let me know in the comments section below. You may also suggest products that you would want me to review.

Like me on www.facebook.com/jaws.andrada or www.facebook.com/theskincareaddictofficial

Signing out for now. Peace!

The post HIT OR MISS? | DR. LABELLA INTENSIVE WHITENING WATERFULL TONER appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

Since my brother, Jemdahunk, loves the Glacial Marine Mud so much, we decided to make a demo video. Contrary to the almost abrasive “charcoal-slash-glue” blackheads remover circulating online, this facial mud pack is light and gentle. Probably one of the best facial mud packs I have come across recently!

Glacial Marine Mud is rich in minerals, sourced from a remote glacial estuary in the Pacific Northwest. It is great for all-over body use, too. It is safety-allergy-dermatologist tested and effectively removes impurities and dead skin cells without affecting normal cells. There is less flaking when dried due to the presence of sea botanicals. There is minimal water separation, too.

This forms part of my almost weekly skin care routine which I coined as Mud Pack Saturday. It is also one great way to spend quality time with friends and family while catching up on things that transpired during the week or while watching a game on TV or during a Game of Thrones marathon on a Saturday.

This amazing product is a must-try. Great testimonials abound online, too. Go and visit the shop now! Free shipping within the Philippines.

Hope you guys enjoy the weekend and have a blast! Signing out for now. Peace!

The post MUD PACK SATURDAY WITH BRO appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

The 2nd instalment features my brother’s top three skin care tips.

He ensures that he:
1. cleanses his face properly;
2. keeps himself hydrated by drinking enough water daily and moisturising his face and body, and;
3. gets enough sleep

As a stress reliever, he finds time to play his favourite online role-playing game, DOTA. Add him up, look for the player Totoro (I hope I got the name right).

Since my brother just kept going and going during the shoot and he just could not control himself to talk about his latest skin care find, there will be a third part featuring the Glacial Marine Mud. It was Mud Pack Saturday anyway. So, the heck, why not?

Do give us feedback in the comments section below.

Thanks.

Signing out for now. Peace!

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Growing up, I remember my Mom would always tell me to give a full smile whenever there is a photo-opportunity.  But I never took it to heart.

A full smile would mean to show more teeth. As a teenager, I thought it was not cool. I thought it was lame (pa-cute). Instead, I opted for that pa-cool no teeth smile until it has already become a norm. Case in point would be my Instagram timeline. After realizing this, I willed myself one day to practice smiling with the aid of a mobile phone.

Me practicing the different ways (and levels) of smiling. What a geek!

In retrospect, I guess the reason for this pa-cool smile over the years boils down to a personal insecurity. Or, so I thought. Aptly put, it was more of a mind conditioning. Thanks to the gazillion Hollywood movies I saw as a child growing up. I thought that my teeth were not sparkling white enough to dawn that big smile.  I wanted to have a celebrity-white set of teeth!

Ang arte! I can’t believe I am sharing this!

Well, my teeth have always been more yellowish than average. My dentist told me that teeth are naturally off-white in color. I read, too, that genetics and environment play a big role; Teeth turn more yellow with age; They can get stained by drinking coffee, tea or red wine and eating certain fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes; Smoking or chewing tobacco is also a big no-no; Several diseases, medications, and trauma can likewise cause discoloration.  Despite learning all of these, I still wanted my teeth whiter.

Me in the background getting a professional whitening procedure done by Dr. Guendolyn Wee. That is my brother in the foreground doing his silly duck face.

As a sweet tooth, needless to say, regular proper brushing and flossing are mainstays of my personal hygiene. Likewise, it is a must that I visit my dentist on a regular basis for my oral health. Every now and then, I would consult my dentist if I could undergo a whitening procedure.

Other treatment options to whiten teeth may be seen here.

Me in a happy place feasting on two of my favorite things in the world, Mango Bravo and red wine (in a water glass, lol). Weird combination, right? Walang basagan ng trip! I must say that I am salivating right now as I type this. That luscious slice of Mango Bravo of Contis is to die for! 

Over the years,  this obsession with whiter teeth has turned me into a hoarder of various brands of over-the-counter whitening toothpaste. Searching far and wide, to my surprise, I have the following in my cabinet. Some I even bought abroad.

Just recently, I came across one product that would knock all these out to oblivion. The product claims to whiten teeth while fighting plaque:

• Removes stains while whitening, brightening and polishing teeth for a radiant smile;
• Provides a long-lasting fresh, clean mouth while aiding in prevention of dental cavities;

I tried the product. I must admit that I was completely blown away after seeing the effect of using it for the first time. Check out the before and after first use photos below.

Now, more than ever, I have every reason to smile… a big smile. Okay, I know I need more practice in flashing those pearly whites for a selfie. LOL.

Here is me brushing my teeth using this awesome product for the first time while singing Happy Birthday in my head four times in a row.

Sharing is caring and caring is sharing. Please share this post with friends and family.

Follow me, too, as I feature the remaining skin care and other essentials in my man-bag in my upcoming posts. Signing out for now. Peace.

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These are the items in my man-bag:

• Whitening toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Travel toothbrush
• Foldable brush and comb in one
• Hair wax
• Antiperspirant
• Nose hair trimmer
• Oud perfume
• Gentle facial cleanser
• Non-stinging facial toner
• Light facial moisturizer with SPF
• Anti-aging evening moisturizer
• Over-the-counter Tretinoin
• Eye cream for dark circles
• Eye drops for red eyes
• Lip balms with and without SPF

Follow me as I share the features and benefits of the various skin care essentials and everything else in my man-bag in my upcoming posts.

Have a blessed Sunday!

The post WHAT’S IN MY BILLABONG MAN-BAG? appeared first on JOEL JAWS ANDRADA.

I love traveling.

Rushing to the boarding gate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to catch a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

My previous post as a Regional Brand Manager brought me around Asia Pacific. There were times when I would hop from one country to another four times a month. The business trips were short and sweet, say, I would:

• depart Manila on a Monday morning;
• report to the office abroad upon arrival in the afternoon;
• check in the hotel after work;
• report to the office the next day at 8 AM for meetings or fieldwork;
• attend a dinner meeting with the team;
• head to the airport for a flight back to the Philippines or to the next country the next day.

Hectic ba? Mejo. 

Whether traveling for business or leisure, it is vital that I arrive fresh and in tip-top shape.

At the Internet City Metro Station on my way to visit my sister in Dubai.

Visit http://www.billabong.com/asia/ 

 At the Nagoya International Airport, Nagoya, Japan

On top of the multivitamins in my checked luggage and the skin care essentials in my Billabong man-bag (contents of which I can share in my next posts), below are my top five travel buddies:

Headphones

Do not get me wrong, okay? I love kids! However, most of the time, kids especially toddlers on the plane are not accustomed to the stress of flying. Hence, they easily get irritated (perhaps bored?) and resort to endless rants and crying.

This situation calls for creativity and resourcefulness on the part of the parents and the surrounding passengers. For me, I just put on my Sony headphones, up the volume and shut out the sounds of the aircraft and everything that comes with it and in it. Note that all gadgets may only be turned on after take-off and before landing.

Visit http://www.sony.com.ph/

Waiting to board a flight departing Manila.

Sunglasses

Aside from making one maporma (translation: stylish), wearing sunglasses during flight may help protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It may also help fix jet lag by minimizing exposure to the bright ultraviolet light during travel and help adjust the biological clock.

Sources:

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/uv-protection/sunglasses-shopping-guide?sso=y

http://blog.aclens.com/2012/04/16/benefits-of-wearing-sunglasses-the-benefits-you-dont-know-about/

By the way, wearing sunglasses at immigration counters or while queuing for immigration or customs is simply not allowed.

Further, sunglasses need to be taken off while boarding. I asked one of the ground staff why. She simply said, “for proper identification and to make sure all boarding passengers do not have sore and red eyes”.

I think this is the famous  The World Islands located in the waters of the Persian Gulf, 4.0 kilometers (2.5 mi) off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Eye mask

Sleeping is one of my favorite hobbies. LOL. That is why I do not find any difficulty sleeping while flying with the help of an eye mask. Catching a few z’s can help regenerate the body and give that much-needed reoxygenation of the skin.

Eye mask provided by Etihad Airways http://www.etihad.com/en-ph/

On board the Dubai Metro.

Face mask

Wearing a face mask reduces the risk of contracting influenza. In this day and age when a new strain of virus can just emerge, it pays to be extra cautious especially when abroad. In my case, I wear it on and off the plane. Thanks for having a flight attendant for a brother, he keeps a box of face masks in his room!

Wearing a face mask may also prevent sniffing unfamiliar odors making one’s commute more pleasurable.

On board the cramped Dubai Metro.

Water

Frequent traveling can take its toll on the body. To combat this, I keep myself hydrated before, during and after the flight. I also drink room temperature water. I read somewhere that there are benefits in drinking room temp. Although some say cold water may be a better option to cool down the body’s temperature after work out or when having a fever, I have yet to do my own research to validate this. Perhaps, this can be a good topic next time.

This I know by heart that hydration is key to healthy skin.

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The skin is the largest organ of the body. It also reflects how one takes care of his body. Follow me as I share the many things I do and not do to keep a healthy looking skin.

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