My Beauty Routine: Dy Castell

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My first guest feature for the Beauty Routine series is none other than my super kumare Dy, a domestic goddess/events connoisseur/memory keeper/photographer/budding show host/make-up artist-in-the-making based in Belgium.  She speaks Filipino, English, French and Dutch.  Gosh! Is there anything this woman can't do?  There's nothing this super mom can't and won't do!  More than the super bongga roles that I mentioned, the one that she is most proud of is being super mommy to my cute inaanak, Audrae...

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Dy + Audrae

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...and, of course, as the lovely wife of Gerald.

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The Castells

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Looking fab even when running errands!

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She's even brave enough to share a photo sans make-up.  Ganda pa rin.  Bravo, mare!

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Now, let's get on to the juicy stuff shall we?

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Shampoo: Schwarzkopf Schauma Nutri & Glanz Shampoo (for dull, unshiny hair), Schauma Frucht & Vitamin Shampoo (for all hair types).  

Conditioner: Loreal Elvital Nutri-Gloss Conditioner.  

Hair Masks: Schwarzkopf Schauma  Repair & Pflege Intensive Repair Mask, Loreal Elvital Color-Vive.  

After-bath Hair Protein Spray: Loreal Elvital Nutri-Gloss Hair Spray (for added gloss..smells nice too!)

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Water here in Belgium has Calc, I'm not sure what it is in English..maybe Talc? Not sure. Anyway, whatever it is... it makes our skin, especially the scalp, really dry. Using different kinds of hair products lessen the possibility of scalp damage and dandruff. Sometimes when my scalp gets really dry, I use Ducray Selegel.  

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Shower: Ricette Naturali PERLIER Body Honey Miel (I love this because it's 100% Italian organic honey), 

Yves Rocher Apricot Body Botanical Scrub, 

Dove Go Fresh Douche Soin De Beaute Energise, 

Palmolive Tahiti Douche Vitalisante Pulpe de Grenade
Yves Rocher Jardins de Monde Duschcreme (I love this coz it smells really, really nice).

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Body Creams: Dove Beauty Body Lotion, 

Nivea Q10 Plus Hydrating Lotion (this helps moisturize dry skin especially during winter), 

Yves Rocher Orange 

Chocolat  Perfumed Body Lotion

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Our must-haves: Johnson's Baby Jelly or any petroleum jelly brand

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream
 Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion

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American brands are hard to find here in Belgium. No wonder, even McDonald's is pretty scarce in this side of the world. Seems to me, they don't like anything American around here. So unfortunately for us, we have to ask relatives in the States to buy the products and send them to us via Post-Pac.  Thank God we can always count on our families abroad. Aud and Gerald's skin are ultra sensitive to dust, pollen, perspiration, stress among other things....I think it's really a good thing that we moved here in Belgium because the cold weather helped a lot to lessen their skin allergy breakouts. There is a thing called "seasonal affective disorder or SAD which is like a form of mental depression that is most common here in Europe during winter. I have my own version of that for Aud & G...I call it "Seasonal Allergic Disorder". Simply because Aud gets allergy attacks whenever there is a change of season. :(

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My Nail Polish Color Top Picks: 

O.P.I Nail Lacquer NL A34 

Maybelline Tenue & Strong PRO 285, 

Maybelline Express Finish 760,

Revlon 721 Raven Red,

 Loreal Resist & Shine Titanium 734,

 Park Avenue 0I43,

 Classics 73

Yves Rocher (YR) Arnica Essentiel Hydrating Hand Cream
Vaseline Hand & Nail Cream
Freeman Barefoot Creamy Pumice Foot Scrub, 

Caronia Hand & Foot Care Renewing Scrub (Green Tea Scent)
Nivea Body Milk

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I learned to use Nivea Body Milk to moisturize my feet through a former colleague at Coke. I saw her everyday applying this product on her feet. I used to wonder why would she do that in the office? Siguro walang magawa. Bored. She bugged me a lot, aba sya pa-lotion lotion lang! One time, she caught me staring at her and asked me if I was disgusted or something. Even if I was, I just asked her what's her secret for keeping her feet lovely. I swear her feet looked soooo soft! She said Nivea daw! That same day, during lunchbreak, I hurried to Megamall to buy a bottle for my dry and ugly feet. I have been using Nivea BodyMilk for my feet ever since!

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For the face, daily:

Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser (Rinse-off formula)

Loreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Triple Active Comfort (for thorough cleansing)

Nivea Visage Tonique Fraicheur (tones and invigorates skin for a fresher look)

La Roche-Posay Nutritic Transforming Care Ultra-Fine Cream (I have been using this moisturizer for a year now. It's a good alternative to Biotherm's Nutrisource Dry Skin. I love this moisturizer especially during winter when skin gets sooo dry. Another good product is Avene Hydrance Optimale avec SPF 20.  Its rich, protective hydrating cream is good for sensitive skin.)

La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Fluid 

YR Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Day Creme (this is more of an eye cream actually) 

YR Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Night Creme (for the face)

 Eskinol White Facial Cleanser 

Nu Derm Fade Toner Cream (to lighten pimple scars).

Weekly:
Yves Rocher Apricot Facial Scrub (I exfoliate once a week, as advised by my dermatologist to get rid of dead skin cells )
Nivea Visage Young Peel Soft Mild Scrub 
(I also like Avene's Gentle Purifying Scrub, which I have been using before, it's kinda expensive though and these 2 products are just as good so I changed)
Monthly:
Yves Rocher Tradition de Hamman Moroccan Face & Hair Masque (I try to do this at least once a month).

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Eyes: 

Yves Rocher Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Day Creme (this works well for dark under eye circles)

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Eye Roller (I dont know the exact name coz Aud peeled out na the stick-on info. Anyway, its rollerball applicator is metal so you can expect an instant cooling effect which is good for your tired and puffy eyes. However I noticed that the cooling effect can only last for about twenty seconds. Once it dried up, you would also lose the cooling and tightening feel. So I'm just relying on this product's Glycerin and Pro-Vitamin B5 that helps get rid of these terrible dark half moons under my eyes.  I still think though that this eye roller is overpriced for what it offers and what it can actually do.)

Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch

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Make-up: MAC Prep+Prime Face Protect Visage SPF 50

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 NC41

MAC Moisture Cover NW30

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC 40 

Studio Fix Powder  NC 40 

Studio Fix Powder NC 35 

Yves Rocher Luminelle Loose Powder -Beige Naturel

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MAC has only two stores here in Belgium, one in Antwerp which is more than an hour's drive from our place and the other one in Avenue Louise in downtown Brussels. Both are quite a long drive from our house but I always think going there is always worth it. The MAC Beauty experts here are just really friendly and they really know what they are doing.  Funny how the MAC people from Rustan's used to recommend a different shade of Studio Fix for me. I have been using MAC Studio Fix since 2007 and I cannot believe how I have been reeled into buying a wrong shade for my skin tone! No wonder I looked like a ghost in some of my pictures before. It was so white that I had to blend it pa with a different brand.  When I used up my Studio Fix baon here, we went to Antwerp for a new one. There they tried several shades on me and the best one that fits my skin tone is NC40.  I have been using NC40 ever since. I sometimes blend it with NC35 during evenings for a more made-up-look. I apply my make up base at home before I wake up Aud in the morning so it can settle down nicely before I put on the other stuff in the car (like eye make up, mascara, blush etc).

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Eye make-up:  Loreal Color Appeal Trio P

Prestige Beauty Bar Eye Shadow Palette

YR eyeshadow palette

MAC Eye Shadows (my favorite shades: woodwinked A60, twinks AA7 and A40) 

Loreal Blush Caresse -106 Ambre 

Une Natural Beauty Breezy Cheeks Blush -B03 (This Italian brand is organic, 100% of their total ingredients from natural origin and I love how I have to slide it to open, reminds me of my old NOKIA phone.) 

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I apply make up in the car on my way to school so my top picks are those that I can quickly apply when the traffic light turns red. I do not, by any chance, attempt to do make up while Aud is still in the car. If I have enough time to spare before heading to my 8.45 class, I stay a bit in the parking lot to do my make up...especially during nung winter, uso smokey eyes kahit morning look.. as in super dark black eyes kaya kailangan concentration :)

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CoverGirl Professional Mascara All-in-one mascara (I like light mascaras and this one is really good)

MAC Liquidlast Eyeliner - Coco Bar (super waterproof)

Maybelline 2-in-1 Impact Shadow Liner by EYESTUDIO (this is very easy to use) 

Yves Rocher Colours Nature Eyebrow Pencil

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Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Spanish Rose
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
Nivea Beaute Volume Shine in Volum Rose
Lobello Glamorous Gloss Red Ruby
Avene Cold Cream Stick Levres Lip Balm (I use this and La Roche-Posay's Ceralip interchangeably. Pag ubos na ung isa, ung other brand naman para hindi ma immune ung lips ko sa healing effect nya).

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I have sensitive lips that's why I can't just use any lipstick brand. Clinique is allergy tested so it's the best choice. Before applying any lipwear I use Avene Lip Balm first.

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My fave scents: Lacoste Touch of Pink (gusto ko talaga to, paubos na nga ...waaah)

RL Polo Sport  Woman

Benetton Sport

Davidoff Cool Water Woman (I got influenced by G kasi fave nya Coolwater)

Ralph Lauren Romance

Paris Hilton

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Exotic

Bath & Body Works White Citrus Cooling Mist

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3 secrets to make my hair straight: Braun Satin Hair Colour Hair Iron, Denman Boar Bristle Brush and lots of patience (as in lots of it! :)
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Make Up Brushes for everyday use (Brushes by ELF,Yves Rocher,Prestige and Di.)

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Tweezers.  We were actually looking for the scissor type handle na tweezers like my red one. I misplaced it kasi before ang hirap gamitin nung ibang tweezers kaya no choice ako I had to buy this.  If we get a chance to go Germany kasi, we try to buy there na their best products like scissors, knives etc. Anyway, weird ichura nito pero it's so easy to use so sulit naman.

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Dy also shared Audrae's stuff in case someone out there has a daughter/son with the same allergies.  She's hoping that this will help.

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Travel must-haves: Baby Wipes, Hand Cream, Holy Seat Toilet Spray, Hand Sanitizer, Alcohol.

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Audrae's Body Creams: Cold Cream from her Derma, Aveeno Cream, Eucerin Lotion, Eucerin SPF 50, Avene Tixera, Dermalex Cold Cream.

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Aud's Shower Companions:
Ordinary Days: Galenco Body Wash Classic,
     (hair)  Ducray Elution,

Ducray Extra-Doux
If her skin is a bit dry - Eucerin Bath Oil,  Ducray Selegel (hair).

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Aud's fave scents:  DKNY Be Delicious apple, Yves Rocher Pomme de Reinette, Pucca Eau de Toilette.

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So there you have it, another domestic goddess beauty all the way from the other side of the globe!  Thank you, mareng Dy for sharing your beauty routine -- and Audrae's too! -- with us.  Follow her fab mommydom adventures here.

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Have a happy weekend!

My Beauty Routine

My kumareng Dy from Belgium and I have been exchanging a lot of emails about beauty and make-up tips lately and we had so much fun in the process that it inspired me to come up with the idea of sharing beauty routines of real women here on my blog.  We'll start, of course, with yours truly.  Here's a peek at my dresser.  Hope you enjoy it!
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Before we begin, a little side kwento: I'm ashamed to admit that it takes me a lot of time to get ready in the morning: shower, seremonyas after shower, dress up, put on make-up...30 minutes is not enough!  An hour is ok.  Evening rituals are relatively shorter but not entirely faster.  Removing my make-up alone takes around 10-15 minutes and I like to spend more time with my skin care routine to sort of "pamper" my face so it can rest properly after a day in make-up.  It's not a scientific fact or anything, it's just my thing.  Heehee!
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In the shower, I like to alternate between two shampoos #1 Rejoice anti-frizz - I love the scent, my all-time favorite!; #2 Pantene nature care - I just saw this at the supermarket and thought I'd give it a try since it's new.  I'm addicted to shower gels and I like to keep a couple of them in stock.  Right now I'm using #3 Soap & Glory's Wash Almighty, which is so bango!  It's a blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, chocolate, mint and thyme. And the detox spa claim is true because it really relaxes me when I use it at night after a long, tiring day.  I exfoliate at least once a week and I love Soap & Glory's The Scrub of Your Life because it smells like candy.  Soap & Glory products are found at Boots.  I love the how they name their products and their packaging is nice.  I wait for their annual buy 1 get 1 sale so I can hoard their stuff.  Heehee!
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My skin care routine.  I use the "famous" Clinique 3-step skin care which is customized for my skin type (combination to oily): #1 Liquid Facial soap - mild and tingly.  #2 Clarifying Lotion - which is supposed to remove excess oil and dead skin.  #3 Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - I first tried this when my sister Angel gave me a sample.  I love how it's non greasy and my skin really drinks it up as their ads claim.  #4 Burt's Bees Acne Solutions Spot Treatment Serum - for my zits.  This came with a cleanser + moisturizer but this is all that's left.  It's pretty much ok, but I'm looking for a better alternative.  I want something that will zap away my zits faster.  #5 Clinique Derma White Micro-Motion C Serum - it's supposed to remove my freckles.  It comes with a roller and you're supposed to massage the serum on your face.  I find it cumbersome so once this small vial is finished, I will replace it with another formula.  #6 Pore Minimizer - I'm hoping that this will work wonders on my pimple scars.  #7 Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream - this is just a freebie from the stuff that I purchased.  I tried All About Eyes before (another sample from my sister) and I loved it.  I'm trying to see if this will do a better job at "repairing" my dark undereye circles.  For daytime, I finish off my skincare routine with #8 Super City Block in SPF 40.  It's tinted so it's great as a make-up base, but I think SPF 40 is too much for me, considering I don't really get a lot of sun exposure so I might replace this with a lighter formula when it's finished.  At night time, my last step is #9 Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer - I absolutely love this!  It makes my skin really soft and when I wake up in the morning, my face feels great.  It's a great buy!  It has a daytime alternative too with SPF 25.  
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Two products that I consider a classic are #1 Jergens Original Scent lotion - mom and dad have been using this forever!  Just a whiff of the cherry almond scent immediately transports me back to my childhood.  That's why this is the only scent that I buy.  Richard uses this lotion too!  #2 Pond's Cold Cream - I use this to remove my make-up and it reminds me of my lola Nene.  My mom uses this too.  I remember when I was a kid, she'd smell like Pond's in the evening.  So I keep a jar because it's like keeping a beauty legacy of my lola.  I'm down to the last drops of my #3 Maybelline make-up remover.  Great value for a cheap make-up remover.  After Pond's, my face feels a bit oily and there are small traces of make-up left so I use #4 Boots Cleansing Wipes.  Got this on sale (buy 1 get 1) so it's great and cheap enough for everyday use.
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At night, before I go to bed, I slather on lotion on my feet #1 Boots Fashion Survival Softening Foot Butter - this was on sale as well (buy 1, get 1 -- isn't Boots the greatest?) so yay!.  I also put cuticle oil on my fingernails to keep them soft #2 Sephora stimulating lavender cuticle oil - I bought this from Hongkong and I love the convenient, click-type pen packaging.  I keep both on my bedside table.
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My favorite scents right now are #1 Ferragamo Incanto Charms - a Christmas gift from Richard.  I'm just finishing up the bottle so I can use #2 Acca Kappa - I discovered this through my BFF Pat.  I was in her house, waiting for her to get ready before heading off to dinner and when she came out of her room she was so bango!  It was the perfect after-shower scent!  Apparently she was wearing this and she got me a bottle which is great because they don't have it here :)  Thanks, Pat!  #3 Gap Dream body spray - I usually spray this on in the morning when I bring Aly to school.  #4 Bath & Body Works body spray in Night-blooming Jasmine - I spray this on at night before going to bed.  I love how it leaves a faint scent on my pillow and shirt.
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My favorite make-up. #1 MAC Studio Fix powder foundation in NC30. My go-to shade for almost-nude lips is #2 Bobbi Brown Brown 4, but on days when I want to look stariray, I put on #3 MAC Russian Red. #4 NARS Orgasm blush - my all-time favorite blush!  I don't think I will look at anything else!  This blush rocks!  
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Pencils: #1 MAC lip pencil in Whirl - this shade is close to my natural lip color and when I'm wearing my Bobbi Brown lipstick, I like to line the lips (after putting on the lipstick) to define my lips.  #2 Bobbi Brown eyebrow pencil in Mahogany - I never leave home without filling in my brows because I don't want to scare my neighbors when they see me with unmade brows.  I look like a ghost!  Haha!  #3 Maybelline Eyestudio eyeliner in black - another cheap find but it works really well.  It glides smoothly.  Great value for money.
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More make-up -- yes, I use these everyday!  Kaya ako natatagalan.  Hehe!  #1 NYX eyeshadow base in skintone - my best ebay purchase yet!  I love how this intensifies my eyeshadow and it really makes them last longer!  I like to keep my eye make-up as natural as possible, so I stick to neutral shades #2 Clinique eyeshadow trio in Totally Neutral - a pasalubong from Richard.  #3 Maybelline XXL Pro-curl mascara - my lashes are stick straight and even if I curl them, they'd straighten back after a while.  This mascara may not work 100% on me, but it helps keep them curled longer.  I bought this from the airport here in Bangkok.  Another mascara that I love is #4 Bobbi Brown Extreme Party mascara in black - I love how this makes my lashes look lush and I like the brush because it doesn't clump my lashes together.  #5 Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper gel in clear - after filling in my brows with pencil, I put this on to keep them in shape.  They say it also makes the color last longer too.  This, together with the mascara, pencil and cleansing oil are all included in the kit that I got.  The only concealer that I have is #6 Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Healthy Natural Concealer in medium sand - it does an ok job for a cheap concealer, but I'm looking for a better one.
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Gosh, I didn't know this post was going to be this long!  Let me wrap this up with my make-up tools:
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I got a #1 set of brushes from Platinum Mall.  It's a set of 10 brushes, but I only use the blush, eyeshadow and eyeliner brush more often.  #2  Tweezerman tweezers for removing strays.  They say this is the best tweezers for the job.  #3 Shu Uemura eyelash curler - another beauty awardee.  #4 Sephora I Will Survive! Radiance Face Spray - spray it on my face after putting on make-up and it makes my skin glow.  It's similar to MAC Fix+ which I'm getting soon kasi malapit na tong maubos.
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So there you have it: my beauty routine.  It's a lot of work, but as the saying goes, "no pain, no gain".  Let's face it, we're not getting any younger.  That's why I was motivated to start taking better care of my skin.  I don't have great skin to begin with kaya doble talaga ang effort!  Haha!
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I had fun doing this and I'm hoping that my friends and family will have as much fun when I feature their beauty routines here.  So friends and family back home, get ready because I will be raiding your boudoirs soon!