Wild Berry

Human Nature welcomes the newest member of its lip balm family: WILD BERRY!

Wild Berry, unknown to many, may be locally sourced here in the Philippines. It is locally known as Sapinit (Rubus rosaefolius L) or Philippine Wild Raspberry and is abundantly grown in Quezon. These wild berries may also be found in Laguna, Palawan, and some parts of Mindanao.

source

There have been recent reports that the Sapinit has been found to help cure cancer. Other reports say that it could also help in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.


Sapinit has a delectable taste that both children and adults love. It's shelf life is short, lasting to only three or four days. Locally, those who grow sapinit would normally process the fruit to juice, wines, and jams, and let's not forget the latest addition to that: Sapinit is now made into lip balms!

I haven't personally tried this lip balm but I'm very excited to buy this on the 14th of June when this becomes available in Davao City. Human Nature's lip balms are usually in Peppermint, I wonder how this lip balm would taste? I'm predicting that this would be the first sweet-flavoured lip balm to be produced by Human Nature, I hope I'm right.


Wild Berry is now available at Trendsetters Fashion Boutique.

Babe: Velvet Matte

I bought Babe (not the pig) during my visit at VMV Skin Research Center in Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. I'm fortunate to have been able to visit VSRC last November 2011, such opportunity might not happen again.

Here is how the packaging looks like:

White, simple, and packaged in a glue-free box, printed with soy-based ink. I think this is one of VMV's efforts in going green. =)

I kept my lipstick's box so that I have a reference as to its expiration date.

When I first saw Babe, I was drawn to its pink shade. It's matte and it's pink with some teenie tiny bit orange touch to it. This is the first VMV lipstick that I've ever bought. Although I criticized VMV's lipstick tube for being too boring because it's just plain silver with VMV HYPOALLERGENICS printed on the tube's lid, I have already appreciated it now. It's been 8 months since I've purchased my lipstick but the tube has not chipped or faded, and even if the lipstick might have been 70% used, the tube looks as good as new! The tube is generic for all of their lipsticks so you need to read the label at the bottom of the tube to get your right shade.

I just hope that VMV can add more shades to their collection. One shade that I would certainly want is a peachy (but not frosty) one. To date, I already have 3 VMV lipsticks and I'm still waiting for that perfect peach shade that I hope VMV will be formulating in the near future.

Thanks to VMV, my lips did not have any violent reactions with this product. As much as I would like to explore other brands, even some of the expensive brands that I've tried have irritated my lips. I'm glad that I can always go back to VMV when my lips are having some trouble.

TIP: if you're using VMV's Velvet Matte Lipsticks, apply lip balm first because the matte lipsticks tend to be dry. Lip balms are best used a few minutes before applying your lipstick. 

Here are 2 shots taken last year. Please don't find the wrong foundation shade and my messy hair. Lol!

Va-Va-Voom Velvet Matte Lipstick

According to urbandictionary.com, va va voom is the feeling that you get when you're filled with inspiration or full of excitement or energy. Personally, I use the word va va voom to describe a sexy woman.

Meet VMV Hypoallergenics' perfect red lipstick: Va-Va-Voom.

This is perfect for those days when you're not in the mood to wear too much or any make up at all. Va-Va-Voom is deep red and the color just perks you up! I'd say this lippie is a mood enhancer on its own. Remember how a pair of red stiletto heels just transforms a woman? Well, this red lipstick can do that transformation for you, too, without hurting your feet. Just one swipe and you're good to go!

This lippie is categorized by VMV under their Velvet Matte line of lipsticks. Va-Va-Voom claims to have full coverage, full body, and I can vouch for that. Aside from that, this lipstick is also long-wearing and you don't need to re-apply often. Although this lipstick is matte, I noticed that it's not as drying as the other matte shades when used on its own. But for better results, you can swipe some lip moisturizer or lip balm a few minutes before applying lipstick to make sure that your lips won't go dry.

Below are the photos I took while wearing Va-Va-Voom. I applied lipstick on its own (without any lipbalm or lip gloss). I didn't wear any make up in these photos except Va-Va-Voom.

More Information from VMV Website:

Ingredients:
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Ozokerite, Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax, Paraffin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl/Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate/Behenate Esters, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Caprate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate. 

May Contain:
Glycerin, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Silica, Alumina.

100% Dye-Free. 100% Free of Irritating Waxes (including Beeswax and its cross-reactors), Phthalates, Parabens + Preservatives. 100% Free of All-Types-Of-Fragrance.

With titanium dioxide + iron oxide pigments for additional sun protection. With green tea for antioxidant benefits plus virgin coconut oil for intensive moisturization. Besides preventing chapping + other irritations, all this safety prevents darkening of the lips and acne/rashes around the mouth and chin.

Nars Dolce Vita

I fell in love with this lipstick at first swipe. I think that this shade is the perfect shade for me.

But there are things that I just can't have. Although I would have wanted to use this everyday, I just cant. My hyper-reactive skin  lips are allergic to this lipstick. Imagine how excited my sisters got when I announced that I'm allergic to this, they (3 of them) were all happy to hear it because it would mean that one of them would definitely be the new owner of this lipstick.

So Nars would be among the long list of brands that I can't use on my lips, along with Victoria's Secret, Maybelline, and even the organic Ilog Maria lip balm. I guess I will just stick with Avon, Nichido, and VMV.

Nars Dolce Vita costs P1,350 at Rustan's Robinson's Place Manila.