September 2009

arm_and_hammer

Isn’t it annoying when your hair won’t behave at all? It’s limp, it’s oily; it’s rough, and dull. You get the picture, right? I don’t regularly use hair styling products, but I what i often do is wash my hair, like almost every single day, often. So you can imagine the toll it’s taken on my hair what with hard water and all the chemicals in the various shampoos and conditioners (hey, I like variety!) that I frequently lather up my hair with.

Imagine all the leftover hair styling products, conditioners, etc., that are still wrapped tightly around your hair (which is exactly what they are meant to do) weighing each strand down. What needs to be done is strip your hair of these with clarifying shampoo. Now, you can buy clarifying shampoo just about anywhere, from salons to drugstores, but I prefer to use good ol’ Arm and Hammer.

YES, you read right! Baking soda can help eliminate excess chemical and mineral buildup in your hair. I just add less than half a teaspoon to my shampoo and lather up per usual. However, I’d like to stress the importance of not following it with conditioner which will only re-coat your hair with glycerin and other various surfactants. Rinse off and feel the difference!

Oh, and please excuse my apparent neglect. I’m not doing it on purpose. PROMISE! I’m just sick… like uncontrollable dry coughs that I had to walk out on a lecture lest I embarrass myself kinda sick.   You know that cough? Hate it. What’s worse is when you’re trapped, like say in a subway car in between stations, and you start to get coughing fits.  Easily one of my most embarrassing moments in LIFE.  Haha I’ll spare you the details.

-Mary

Praying. Hoping.

September 27, 2009 · 2 comments

in Mary's Notes

inq1

My heart goes out to all affected by the havoc wreaked by tropical storm ”Ondoy” in the Philippines. There are, currently, 70 reported fatalities and a whopping 300,000 displaced by Ondoy. So so so sad :( .

RP is no stranger to floods, but this is just plain catastrophe.  One news site reports that Ondoy, in a span of only twenty four hours, dumped nearly twice the amount of rainfall than did Katrina in New Orleans.  Many houses are submerged in flood waters with its residents stuck on either the second floor of their house if they were “lucky” enough or on their rooftops.

pic-09280118310887Things are definitely looking dire, at best.  Flood waters bring a handful of health concerns and once it recedes, I doubt there will be much left deemed okay to salvage.   They say that this storm did discriminate; that it affected the rich just as badly as it did the poor.  But I’m sure those who are better off have more than enough to pick p and start anew once this is over.  The unfortunate, however, cannot.  They live in poorly built shacks using whatever they can find and once it’s gone, they have absolutely nothing but the shirts on their backs. 

I pray that my aunts are okay, along with the dogs (Poll, Brutus, and the rest of the gang) and cats.  My brother was stranded somewhere, but is now okay.  I hope it does not take long for the water to recede, but those who are familiar with Manila know that the sewage system is not the greatest.

For those who would like to send donations, please follow this link: http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

image: inquirer.net

Orange You Beautiful?

September 26, 2009 · 3 comments

in Makeup

ahpic

Heee Heee I’m got this thing for kitschy names? Anyway, I’m sure a lot of you will agree *ahem*Renee*ahem* when I say that Lancome spokesperson, Anne Hathaway, is just o-em-gee-drop-dead-gorgeous! Here’s Anne at a Power of Women lunch and, clearly, she does not need a ton of makeup to make a lasting impression. Those lips. Those cheekbones… Those eyes. That skin! Super gorgeous. Wait. Does she even need any makeup at all?

I haven’t seen brick-red on anyone since my aunt bought a tube at MAC way back in the 90′s. It was the hottest thing back then. I should know — I used to put it on my lips like I was doing one of those color by the number cartoon books.  Love how it complements her gown, no?

To achieve the same look, lightly sweep a warm rose or peach blush on your cheek bones (I like Clinique’s Sunset Glow).  For the eyes, stick to warm neutrals like All That Glitters Veluxe Pearl eyeshadow by MAC (this one’s got some gold “reflects” — definitely not glittery). Line your eyes with some brown eyeliner, finish off with your fave mascara and you’re good to go!

- Mary

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