Glamourbox PH: April Box

Hello, Philippines! 

A few months ago, the Philippines was finally introduced to sample boxes. Two different brands came out with their own samples box -- BDJ or Belle de Jour (more famously known for their planners) and Glamourbox. I've already posted a review on the first BDJ Box I got last year (click here to read about it) but it took some time before I could finally post my first ever review of Glamourbox. Since this is fairly new in the country, I was a bit hesitant to try it out since I don't really like spending too much money on something I wasn't sure of. But after two months of thinking, I finally gave in and subscribed to my first ever Glamourbox.

So what's the difference between the two? The price. Glamourbox is a little bit more expensive, but it's pretty much the same thing -- a monthly box of samples from various local and international brands. However, one thing I noticed was that Glamourbox's selections were a little more high-end. They had samples from Kerastase, Pevonia, YSL, etc. They even had samples from brands I haven't heard of, which are actually expensive. Yes, it may be a little bit more expensive, but you get so much more than what you pay for.

Since I didn't have time to blog about the first two boxes I got, I decided to write about the most recent box first. I'll post a separate entry on the first two Glamourboxes I received soon. :) 

The April box had more useable products for everyday. Since I haven't been able to put on make-up the past couple of weeks, I haven't tried the other products on my previous boxes yet since most of them were cosmetics. This month, Glamourbox focused on Mother Earth and selected products which were green. The products I received in my box were:

My Weekly Ritual: Simple Skincare Recipes

I haven't had time to really take care of myself the past few weeks. I guess I fell in love with work too much that I let go of myself. My skin was becoming too dry to the point that I actually felt rough patches on the side of my face/mouth. I freaked out! So a couple weeks ago, I told myself that I needed to get back to my skin care ritual and stick to it. Getting enough sleep at night is just as important as cleansing and moisturizing one's face.

To get rid of the rough patches on my face, I decided to try a homemade remedy. I've been reading a lot about do-it-yourself beauty remedies with ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen. These are all-natural products with no added chemicals since you'll be making them from scratch using natural ingredients like fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc. With no time to spare shopping for beauty products, I decided to make one using the articles I've read as a guide. My inspiration? An unopened cup of Nestle yogurt in the refrigerator. Here is my simple rough patch remedy:

1/2 tbsp plain yogurt (preferably cooled)
1 tbsp white sugar (salt will be too rough for facial skin)

Cleanse your face thoroughly using a mild facial wash. Mix the two ingredients well and lightly rub the mixture on your face. Don't rush! Enjoy scrubbing away those impurities, and leave the mixture on your face for another minute before washing off with cool water.

Why use yogurt? Yogurt contains lactic acid, which helps smooth and exfoliate the skin. It also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help heal acne.

What about sugar? Aside from the mildly rough texture of sugar, which can help exfoliate the skin, it also contains glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is essential in conditioning and moisturizing the skin. It encourages a quicker turnover of skin cells, revealing younger-looking skin.

The rough patches on my face became smoother after just one scrub. This is the reason why I decided to continue using this yogurt scrub every week. It really does help make your skin more youthful and supple. 

For my second homemade remedy (I actually learned this from my co-worker), I use fresh, cooled, lemon slices. Lemon is known to have antimicrobial properties that help dry acne. Its acidity is also believed to lighten skin. However, some people experience mild irritation from lemon juice so it is best to try it out on a small area of your skin before applying it on your face. This very easy skin care routine will help brighten and clear your skin.

1 slice of lemon (preferably cooled)

Gently rub the slice of lemon on your face, carefully avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for around 5-10 minutes and rinse with cool water. I do this on a weekly basis since I barely have time to do this every day, but I'm NOT advising you to do it ever day. Keep in mind that lemon juice can dry skin easily because of its acidic property, so it's better to use with an interval. Based on my experience, results can be achieved even if you do this on a weekly basis only. I've been using this for almost a month and a half, and I have to say that my skin definitely improved. I haven't seen the changes in my complexion, but my skin is smoother and it looks fresher than before.

DISCLAIMER: I am in NO WAY a dermatologist or doctor. This article is based on my own experience after reading about the many benefits of homemade remedies for the skin, and after researching on the different properties of the ingredients I used. Experiences with these products may vary since we all have different skin types and allergens. If you wish to try any of my suggestions, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THE PRODUCTS before trying these recipes.

If you do try any of my suggestions, please leave a comment in my comments box and tell me about your experience. :)


Some articles you might want to read/check out:
Yogurt and Skin
Health benefits of yogurt
Why sugar is good for you
Lemon Juice and Your Skin