Evolution of Smooth (EOS) Lip Balm

I’d like to believe that this is a very good time to review the latest lip product I purchased December last year. It's no other than the famous EOS lip balm. I got the Pomegranate Raspberry flavor, the red one.  I’ve been using the balm since December, and it’s very timely that I got to buy the product before the 'real' cold days crept in. By the way, I bought the lip balm just to try, test, and experience the hype and raves.

According to EOS site:

eos lip balm in Pomegranate Raspberry is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, EOS keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.

• Long-lasting moisture
• Shea butter & vitamin E
• Smoothes on clear
• Precisely glides on lips
• Twist-off top
• Gluten-free
• Paraben-free
• Petrolatum-free
• Phthalate-free
• 0.25 oz

And the ingredients are listed below:

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba (Cire D'abeille)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor (Aroma), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry*Organic. **Component of Natural Flavor. Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.) Leaf Extract*, Linalool** 

You’ll notice that most of the ingredients are nourishing oils - those that can be found in many beauty products because of their well beauty benefits.

Note: I won’t recommend this product to people who are allergic to propolis and beeswax.

Quick review:

Packaging: The container is a hard matte plastic material. You have to twist it to open the product. Inside, it looks like an egg. My problem with this is that I have to be careful not to drop it while applying since majority of the balm is exposed.

Size: .25 oz.

Scent: It’s fruity and smells yummy.

Taste: Slightly sweet

Color: Yellowish; it’s transparent once applied, so you can use this before/after a lipstick/lip stain. Note: I just noticed that my lipstick color lasted longer than usual with EOS applied before/after my lipstick.

Texture: Smooth, it glides easily on lips.

Bare lips with EOS lip balm

Moisturizing property: I usually apply the product before going to work and the need to re-apply would be after 5-6 hours. This helps me prevent the possible dryness and wind burn from the cold weather for weeks now. It comes in 6 other flavors: Strawberry Sorbet (Pink), Summer Fruit (Red orange), Sweet Mint (Mint Green), Honeysuckle Honeydew (Green), Medicated Tangerine (Orange), and Lemon Drop (Yellow).

Price: P250-P300 from IG sellers; not expensive for a good and quality lip balm that naturally nourishes and moisturizes your lips.

All in all, this is a great product especially for those who love using natural/organic products. 

Love Always,

Wandering Venus

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Mt. Manalmon Adventures

Photo Credit: Esa Andrada

I think my body was just getting warmed up when we hit the summit. Though I was told that it's a no sweat climb (probably for someone who has done major climbs in the past) and Paddex and Efren's sarcasm's just much of a giveaway, it was still a surprise how early we got to the peak.

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

L image: Con and Mie, R image: Shiela and AJ
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Con and Ram

This epic selfie shot
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Our Guide
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

1st Batch Group Shot
L-R: Paddex, Pren, Con, Ram, Me, Shiela and AJ
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

We had so much time for socials and siesta Kim, Paddex, Kashogs, Kace and the rest had to be shushed by Efren because the other mountaineers' already sound asleep and yes, one group has a baby for company. So there! Quite a night for bonding. 

deads!
Photo Credit: Kace Cabantac

Photo Credit: Kace Cabantac

Still Sober
L-R: Von, Zeus, Paddex, Kim, Kace
Photo grabbed from Kace Cabantac

Party Hard!
Photo grabbed from Kace Cabantac

I'm such a loser I missed all that fun. I slept early, as usual (with Maycon and Ram). Oh by the way! One thing I noticed right after I woke up and got out of the tent was the tents and leaves weren't all damp from morning mist. That's a first time! :)

It wasn't the climbing that hit me hard. It was the adventures that followed come Sunday morning. Probably to compensate the minor climb that is trekking Mt. Manalmon, they had a few more adventures prepared for us happy go's. Aside from the impressive view brought to us by Madlum River, they have this caving escapade and a few minutes to hang in what they call the "Monkey Bridge." And before i forget, you can, by the way, swim at Madlum River. Either you stop by after an approximately 15 minute trek down from summit or wait till you get to jump off.

Madlum River - This is accessible for swimming.We stayed
here for around 30 minutes after some 15min trek from summit.
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Paddex Chillin'
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Caption This!
Photo Credit: Kace Cabantac

Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Madlum Cave would require you a guide. Make sure you listen to their instruction; do not underestimate. Never wear slippers, sandals, flip flops and the like. Either you wear a trekking shoes/sandals or a running shoes at the least. The sharp edges of the stones are not forgiving. If you could, please wear leggings - this goes out to the boys and girls - to avoid getting cuts. Also make certain to bring a headlamp or rent for 30php a piece, just ask your guide for assistance. 

Here we go!
I was only pumped up when we hit the cave. I've always liked varieties because they don't get me tired... no, not really, but not as quick. In my more than 2 years climbing, I've always thought that I will be a much better rock climber than a mountaineer. hahah! Don't get me wrong though. Mountain Climbing is one of the best outdoor experiences I've had in my life. It makes me humble. It's just that I have that thing in mind for Rock Climbing, though I've never really done the legit rock climbing before. *wink* This activity was fun, I would say. Some kind of a test of endurance. It would really take advantage of your body so might as well have a good workout before this. I think this is actually the criminal why I got so sick after, haha. I don't blame the cave. I blame myself. :p 

Group Shot
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Con and Me
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Peekaboo!
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Ahmmm???
Photo Credit: (L Image) - JayJay Belen, (R Image) - Ram Baldoz

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Cess on the move!
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Kim, Yes?
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Kace
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Paddex, AJ and Kim
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Pren, Me and Con
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Kim and Con
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Yeah, I love the way this cave wall feels...
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Wandering Venus
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Monkey Bridge. This was more of frightening at first. I don't know how many feet high the vertical, parallel ropes (the one you hold on to and the one that you step on) are from the surface of the river, but it kind of warned you already. :) Looking at it from afar made it all seem as easy as eating a banana, but placing yourself at the start line while waiting for others to finish their combat, is quite an agony. Shiela, AJ's invite, on the other hand, was utterly brave to not show any tinge of fright on her face while crossing the bridge. 

Probably in her mind "these sh*ts.." haha. Kidding aside, she was admirable. :)
Photo Credit: Kace Cabantac

Me and Kim
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Ram And Kashogi
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Jami, Kace and Cess - all at once
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Love Birds AJ and Paddex
Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Zues and his feet
Photo Credit: (feet) - Jay Jay Belen, (Zeus) - Von Cypress

Efren
Photo Credit: Ram Baldoz

Renhart and Von
Photo Credit: (Renhart) - Von Cypress, (Von) - JayJay Belen

Ernie
Photo Credit: Von Cypress

On a placard in a boxing ring, we were all proud to have weathered such fear factor challenge. What a feat! 

I don't know if it's the government of Bulacan that runs the place or it's just the locals. What I'm trying to say is, we understand the need for maintenance for places like these but I find the charges, especially the guide fee, a little too expensive. If the place will keep a traffic of people that many for years, and they're able to collect a good sum of money  from backpackers using the facilities, I guess they would have to add washrooms, haha! But really, I'd rather keep the place as near to Mama Nature as possible. Let's not commercialize the place. I don't know. Maybe it's just me. Dami kong words, forgive me. But yeah. Yun. Nevertheless, I had fun. We all had.

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

A place to visit if you're looking for a city escape. Quick, cheap and accessible. :)

Thank you to the locals of Sitio Madlum and congrats to the newbees!


More Love,
Wandering Venus

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Mt. Manalmon Itinerary

TREK, PLUNGE, CRAWL, HANG at Mt. Manalmon!

We're a very few steps away from the summit here.

Photo Credit: Jay Jay Belen

Here's a smooth itinerary for an equally smooth climb. Wew! 

Day1
1021 Meet up Cubao, Baliwag Bus Station
1134 ETD from Baliwag Bus Station, Gapan bound bus
1330 ETA Brgy. Kamias
1340 ETD via tricycle from Brgy. Kamias to Buliran
        Eat lunch at local eatery
1415 ETD to Jumpoff
1445 ETA Jumpoff/Sitio Madlum
1455 Start Trek to Summit
1545 ETA Summit
        Pitch tents
        Photo ops
1800 Cook dinner
1900 Eat dinner
        Socials
        Lights off


Day2
0600 Wakeup call/Cook breakfast
0630 Eat Breakfast
0745 Break camp/Pack up
0845 Start trek to Madlum River
0900 Stay at Madlum River to swim/photo ops
0924 ETD to Jumpoff
0951 ETA Jumpoff
1000 Start of Caving and Monkey Bridge
1330 End of Caving and Monkey Bridge
1340 Cook Lunch
1430 Eat Lunch
        Drink Session
        Swim
        Take a bath
1720 ETD from Sitio Madlum/Jumpoff via tricycle to Brgy. Kamias
1813 ETA Brgy. Kamias
1851 ETD via bus to Cubao from Brgy. Kamias
2120 ETA Cubao



BUDGET ITINERARY

PHP	ALLOCATION
12	Bus Fare from EDSA Crossing to Cubao, Baliwag Bus Station
117	Bus Fare from Baliwag Bus Station to Brgy. Kamias in Bulacan
50	Lunch at a local eatery in Buliran
240/tricycle	Tricycle ride from Brgy. Kamias to Sitio Madlum/Jumpoff  **They usually just allow 3 heads per tricycle. 240php/3heads**
15/tricycle	Seems like an Entrance Fee or an Environmental Fee
5	Registration Fee
600/guide for Overnight	per Guide for overnight.  **we were assigned two guides since we're 16 that's gonna climb. 1200php/16heads**
60	Caving and Monkey Bridge Fee with Guide
5	per use of Balsa
50	Table
Use Of the Bathrom/Washroom
10	per container when taking a bath
10	if the natrure calls
5	If you will change clothes only
5	if you will urinate
240/tricycle	From Sitio Madlum to Brgy. Kamias via Tricycle **they usually just allow 3 people in a tricycle. 240php/3heads**
117	Bus fare from Brgy. Kamias to Cubao
130	Food Contribution (dinner, breakfast, lunch)

                  Approx Total per head: 

                      627.25php

:)

Love Always,

Wandering Venus

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Effective Mild Exfoliation using Cure Natural Aqua Gel!

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

Available at Beauty Bar

Price: P1500.00

pic grabbed from Google images

pic grabbed from Google images

Description from Beautylish

Cure Natural Aqua Gel is a gentle and natural exfoliating gel that removes dead skin effectively without causing undue stress to the skin. Cure is very gentle and removes only unwanted dead skin. It neither dries nor thins your skin, preventing irritation and vulnerability to sun damage.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel contains 90% revitalized hydrogen water and natural plant extracts from Aloe Vera, Gingko and rosemary. It does not use preservatives, fragrance, artificial coloring or alcohol that can irritate skin.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel gently and effectively removes old and dead skin cells to promote skin renewal and prevent skin problems. Cure complements any facial regimen to allow moisturizers, serum and other skincare formulas to penetrate deeper and better. With regular use, Cure keeps your skin healthy, smooth and glowing.

Easy to use: Simply apply a small amount on desired area after cleansing. Leave it for a few seconds to allow Cure Natural Aqua Gel to react to the skin cells. Avoiding the eye area, gently massage in a circular motion from 30 seconds to 1 minute. The gel will turn into a milky liquid and dead skin particles will be visible. Rinse well with water.

Photo taken at: MakeUpStash

Description by Miss Wandering Venus

Cure Natural Gel is a translucent gel with a very light alcohol scent. It looks like a white gel moisturizer that easily glides to the skin upon application.

While gently massaging the gel unto your skin, it will form into tiny beads which work as mild scrubs, cleaning your pores, and exfoliating your dead skin cells.

--- So yeah, I just followed the simple instructions provided above. I've been using this twice a week for 2 consecutive months now. What I noticed is the improvement in my skin’s texture. Obviously, you will not see the effect overnight, no product will and can. Old dark/acne marks were gone and my pores got smaller. It’s nondrying and didn't cause any irritation since day 1. I’m still waiting for more improvements by using this regularly. I’m contented and happy with the effects and I’m planning to re-purchase after my 1^st bottle. We're loving Japanese products already <3

Love Always,
Wandering Venus

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