To Scrub or Not To Scrub

There's something so gratifying when you scrub your skin. But be careful when you scrub (especially your face) cos if you scrub too enthusiastically, it can do more harm than good. Sometimes your cleanser and a wet washcloth is enough to get rid of dull and flaky skin. But if you're like me and you can't simply get away with the obligatory scrubbing, be cautious and always observe how your skin behaves after a scrub.

Most of the time, I use a wet nappy cloth to get rid of accumulated dull skin. If my skin is behaving well, I use St. Ives Olive Scrub or St. Ives Apricot Invigorating Scrub (just around the nose and chin). I like how St. Ives has always been against animal testing and how the company supports recycling. Plus their skincare products are now paraben and phthalate-free. Both are fruit based kernel scrubs so I’m getting the AHA that I need which promotes cell renewal (a small amount of AHA is not so bad for sensitive skin as long as you use it sparingly). And cheap, you get a big tube for the amount of Php200+.

Read on for efficient and safe scrubbing tips:

A pea-size amount is enough to scrub your whole face. Make sure your face is completely wet before proceeding with the scrub. Massage with circular and gentle motion. Rinse your face thoroughly; pat your face with a clean freshly washed towel. Don't forget to tone and put on moisturizer to avoid skin dryness.

Look for facial scrubs with granules that will dissolve in water as they’re more skin-friendly (or you can concoct your own! My favorite is oatmeal + honey).            

Steer clear of rough face puffs however natural they may be.

Be careful when you scrub around the cheeks. Sometimes it's enough to just scrub the nose, skin surrounding the nose, forehead and chin.

Scrub not more than once a week regardless if you have sensitive, normal, oily or combination skin. Resist the urge to scrub often however satisfying it may feel like.

Prevention is always better than cure. So always be safe. Happy scrubbing... or not!  

My Brow Story

I have this thing for brows. I admire pretty and well-shaped brows. Maybe because mine are sparse and thin, so I want my brows to be full and thicker. I bought my first brow pencil right after I graduated from high school. Aahhh freedom from the prying nuns' eyes! I need it that early as my brows are really thin and light colored. I've tried everything to make it thicker and darker; from coconut oil to aloe vera! But they're still thin and well, shapeless. 

Neat and perfectly arched eyebrows frame the face. You can get away with well-groomed eyebrows without any makeup on. You'd still look decent enough to face the world. It's true! 

When I gave birth three months ago (it was a c-sec); the second thing that I did when I regained consciousness was to color my brows (still lying and still couldn't stand up). Yes, it's that important! I look terrible without brow product! I won't say that I have perfectly groomed eyebrows but I think they're pretty okay for a diy. So how do I groom my brows, you might ask. Well, I pluck and trim them. I haven't been into a brow salon to have them threaded and shaped. Because being the OC-do-it-yourself-stingy girl that I am, I just can't! 

My eyebrows look okay but it could be better!

For a diy brow grooming, you need a good pair of tweezers and small scissors. I can't elaborate on how to's because I don't have perfectly-groomed eyebrows (and you have google for that) but the rule of thumb is not to overpluck them. It can be pretty overwhelming when you do it yourself, especially if you're not careful. So I suggest that you do it gradually or better yet, go to a brow salon to have them threaded and shaped. Now for brow product, choose a color that's slightly lighter than your hair color cos it's more natural-looking. If you have thick eyebrows, use a brow gel to tame them. And last but not the least, after defining (wax) and filling (color) your brows, brush them with a spoolie for a more polished look.

That's about it! But I've been planning to visit a brow salon soon. It's about time, no? My eyebrows look okay but it could be better. So wish me luck!