Favorite products of 2017

Happy New Year to us all! Here are the top three products that I discovered and loved in 2017.
This “active charcoal mask to clear pores” is the second product I’ve tried from Origins. I was just as impressed by this as I am by the GinZing eye cream that I swear by.  From first use, this mask makes my skin look and feel really clean and refreshed without drying it out. For those who apply makeup frequently and live in a polluted city like I do, a daily cleansing routine is just not enough to lift off excess dirt and oil. I honestly only use this maybe thrice a month, though you can use it up to twice a week, but I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skin condition since I started using this mask. I am just not sure this is compatible with sensitive skin because there is a bit of a tingling sensation for me, but I would recommend this for those with normal, combination, or oily skin types. I purchased mine in Bangkok Duty Free. Origins is available in several SM malls in Manila.

Of the many hair products I've tried over the years, this is the best so far for keeping my wavy, colored hair silky and much less frizzy than normal, without weighing it down or making it sticky. I purchased mine in Landers (where it's frequently half off for only P175), but it might also be available in other stores where L’Oreal’s sulfate-free lines are carried.
You’ve probably seen these in many a YouTube beauty tutorial. While not sold in stores in Cebu, some online sellers carry Morphe, or you can always ask your cousin in the US to buy you one for the next time she comes home. It’s kind of unbelievable how much eyeshadow of really good quality you can get for only about $30. I have the 35T and 35O palettes, and while some shadows are less pigmented than others, they still perform just as well or even better than other more expensive palettes.

A version of this post first appeared in Sun.Star Cebu on December 29, 2017.