Contest Winner

the free massage from Terra Spa goes to...

Roch of http://www.rochellesychua.com/

From the 12 entries, we picked a winner through random.org, which gave us the 5 as the winning number. She will enjoy a 75-minute luxurious spa treatment courtesy of our sponsor, Terra Wellness Spa. The experience is priceless, it can be likened to being rewarded with loose diamonds.

Congratulations, Roch! Please check your email regarding the details for claiming your prize.  We hope that you enjoy our early Christmas treat!

Thanks to everyone who joined and responded to my invitation! I wish I could give the prize to everyone who participated because I know how much effort the contest required. Thumbs up to the husbands and boyfriends who joined to give the treat to the princesses in their lives. I hope more establishments would sponsor this blog's contests so I could give out more freebies for you.

Do check back often for future contests, which may be your turn to win. Merry Christmas! :)

Beauty Ebooks

When I was still on residency training, ebooks were a big help to carry around tons of information in one gadget, the palm top or cell phone. We were training for specialty areas and not growing muscles to be the next Arnold Schwarzeneger, so Instead of carrying the full volumes of the actual books, the ebooks were our security blankets.

The ebooks, however, are not limited to academic resources.  Makeup books and style guides can also be downloaded and carried around. The following are just some of the best-selling beauty books you might want to indulge on:

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. It's a must-have for beauty addicts containing the tips and techniques for proper makeup application plus thorough step by step directions .

Each chapter has thorough step-by-step basic directions for makeup application and easy-to-follow photographs and line drawings, along with Bobbi's expert, yet assuring, advice. Plus, there's a groundbreaking section of the book that will be of special interest to women who've wanted to know how makeup stylists do what they do: the top beauty secrets only these artists know, essential equipment to keep on hand, how to break into the business, and how to work with photographers and celebrities.

Clueless about which makeups to buy? "The Beauty Buyble" ebook by Paula Conway is a handy guide to shopping smart in the cosmetics counter.

The Beauty Buyble is a one-stop reference to the year's best beauty buys and products. It takes out the guesswork, making it easier for you to find the best hair care, makeup, skin care, and beauty tools available on the market. This helpful, accessible book lists products in the low-,middle-, and high-end product range so you can find the product that's right for you and that will truly enhance your beauty. The clean, concise format helps you find just what you need-and the authors offer advice from celebrity hair stylists, makeup artists, and real women to help you get the best out of your beauty purchases!

Even Eve Pearl's makeup corrective tips on "Plastic Surgery without the Surgery" is now available on ebook format.

With easy-to-follow, professional secrets and four-color photos throughout, Eve Pearl, the Emmy Award-winning makeup artist from ABC's The View, teaches readers to lift their eyes, enlarge their breasts, plump their lips, reduce their nose size, and much more. From eyelift to facelift, readers will be amazed at the results-without the pain, the risk, or the cost of surgery!

If you'd rather save the trees and have the ebook version, these are all readily sold online. Plus, if you don't want to brave the traffic, they could be a perfect Christmas present as well!

3 Days Left Before Contest Deadline!

If you still don't know about the contest we're having, we're giving out a free massage at Terra Wellness Spa, Discovery Suites worth P1700! Please check this link for the complete mechanics.

No need to squeeze your creative juices for the 60-word blog post because the winner will be chosen by raffle.  I know during these times, you could use a relaxing massage to rid yourself from stress. I don't want stress taking its toll on your good looks, so consider this as our early Christmas treat for all of you!

In case you'd rather pamper a loved one, you could always give the free massage to your precious one. Your ticket is a simple post that automatically wins you a back link from this blog. *wink*

For those in the provinces, you are welcome to join as long as you have a scheduled trip to Manila within the next 4 months or if you have someone in Manila who could claim the prize for you.

Male or female contestants are encouraged to participate. Remember, you could always give it to your partners who will even love you more for this treat!

So what are you waiting for? Stop thinking too hard and just type. The next thing you know, you are already lying on that relaxing massage bed, enjoying royalty treatment for free.

Meeting the Big Bro

Someday, I hope to make a Marian pilgrimage in Europe to visit the Holy places for complete healing and thanksgiving. While I save up for my future plans,  I can take advantage of visiting the Holy places around town, such as the Divine Mercy shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. Although it is technically outside Cagayan de Oro, it is just a few minutes away from the city proper. It is where we get to meet the (50 ft) gigantic statue of Jesus Christ, or "Bro" as He is fondly called by viewers of the inspirational hit Filipino TV Series, "May Bukas Pa."

The location is uphill but the cemented road makes it accessible to all types of vehicles. If commuting, they have motorcycles or "habal-habal" along the highway that will bring you to the site. The construction of the holy place came to life after the the local intercessory prayer group of the Divine Mercy Foundation received a message from the Lord: to build His church of Mercy with the vision of the Lord, standing on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. It was officially turned over to the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro on the Blessed Virgin's birthday last year, September 8, 2008.

The privately-funded project is a sight to behold, so don't forget to bring your digital cameras! At the center is the 50 ft statue of Christ, which is said to be the tallest Divine Mercy  statue in the world-  a work of sculptor and UP Fine Arts graduate, Nick Reyes. Within the heart of Christ is a chamber of adoration where devotees can climb up to, much higher than the stairs at the MRT stations. Those with health issues can stay on the ground, where regular masses are held.  There is an area where you can get healing water for free, just bring your own containers.

Since it is a sacred pilgrimage site, visitors are required to observe proper decorum. Dress code dictates that no sleeveless or shorts are allowed. Men wearing shorts will be handed out a skirt when entering the premises. Women are allowed to wear long pants but skirts will also be lent when attending the mass or when going up the chamber of adoration.

If visiting Cagayan de Oro, be sure to include a date with the Big Guy.  The long stretch of walking will be all worth it.

Home Made Lip Scrub

Exfoliating your lips should be done at least once a week to give way to smoother, smooch-worthy puckers. Manufactured lip exfoliators can come at a price. The good news is, scavenging through your kitchen supplies could provide simple yet effective solution to the pressing issues of dry lips. Below is one of the secret solutions of Hollywood beauty experts.

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp. Honey

1 tsp. Brown Sugar

Honey has moisturizing properties while brown sugar acts as a gentle mechanical exfoliant .

How to do it:

• Mix both ingredients


• Apply lavishly to the lips in circular motion


• Wash off and dab your favorite lip balm or moisturizer

Leyende Loot

After posting about organic products a week ago, I was prompted to order from Leyende, a leading local manufacturer of organic skin care products. Positive things have been said about their goods that I decided to try it out as part of my plan to take the organic route to beauty.

My orders arrived today and I made sure I took pictures for future reviews. I chose the  Apt Pupil Face Kit With Lip Balm Set containing the 50 ml Clean Slate, 10g mini Face Canvas and 15g Kiss Kiss Balm Balm, wrapped in a recyclable box with a cute silver ribbon bearing the name Leyende.  I also picked  the Place in the Sun Face Sunblock SPF 30.  I must say they make good Christmas presents.

After enough time for testing, I will make a review on my purchase. So far, I'm liking the effects of the lip balm. Will it be good enough to be my next favorite beauty buy? Find out my verdict  in the coming weeks!

Makeup For Protruding Eyes

After giving out tips on applying makeups for  both small and prominent eye shapes, we proceed with the tricks on receding those of the protruding kind. We are skipping the part on almond eyes for the meantime because any makeup design would work on that eye shape, anyway.

We had Cherry Pie Picache as an example to illustrate this classification in our post on the Different Eye Shapes, and this time, we have Sharon Cuneta's picture with the eye makeup that shows how it is done.

Protruding eyes have an exaggerated bulge from the sockets, or the opposite of deep-set eyes.  These can be downplayed by applying these makeup techniques:

• Use a medium to dark matte eyeshadow from the upper lash line towards the crease. Avoid shimmery shadows on this part because it will pop out the eyes further.


• On the crease line, use a darker matte shade to create the illusion of pushing the socket deeper. I  Blend downwards to shrink the size of the mobile lids.


• Beneath the brow bone, apply a lighter shade to highlight. Shimmery colors may be applied sparingly on this area because it is already above the socket line.


• Apply a thick line the upper lash line and smudge it. Line the lower lash line as well. No smudging necessary on the lower part if your eyes are prominent in addition to protruding.


• Curl your Lashes and apply a thick coat of mascara to partially hide the bulging lids.


• Shape your eyebrows.

Contest: Win A Spa Treatment Worth P1700

"The Doctor is vaIN" gives back!

Vanityclinic.com has teamed-up with Discovery Suites' Terra Wellness Spa in giving you- the readers, a chance for a luxurious spa treatment. This is our way of celebrating the blessings that this blog has received. The lucky reader will be treated to a 75-minute Terra's Touch Massage worth P1,700!

The Terra Wellness spa is located at the 4th Floor, Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It provides a tranquil escape from the toxicities of urban living. Through the specialized services, treatments, and facilities beyond the normal facial and body massage that they offer, balance of the mind and body can be restored.

Let us take a peek into Terra Spa:

Under the skillful hands of trained therapists, guests can regain their balance and invigorate their senses at the 480 sq. meter facility that houses seven (7) treatment rooms, each with its own shower and bath, three (3) of which are suites for couples, and a foot therapy room.

Each guest is accorded the opportunity to de-stress and recompose by way of massage therapies, body treatments, facials, and services that are crafted to relieve the pressure of everyday life and restore the body’s natural equilibrium.

To further enhance one’s spa experience, Terra has recently established a partnership with internationally renowned spa brand- Pevonia Botanica. Terra is pleased to introduce one of Pevonia's finest therapeutic body products-Aromatic Moor Mud as part of Terra’s “Healing Earth” Moor Spa Therapy.  Moor is a nutrient-rich mud harvested from below the earth’s surface.  Known for its healing properties since ancient times, it draws toxins out of the body, helps balance hormones, reduces inflammation in muscle tissue, and infuses the body with necessary nutrients.

Terra Wellness Spa offers a variety of spa cuisine, healthy food and drinks catering to those who want to eat and drink their way to optimal health.  Aside from being a haven for relaxation, Terra also opens its doors for spa parties and enjoyable events such as bridal showers, corporate launches, and those special & private occasions that cater to a minimum of five (5) to twenty (20) persons.

Up for grabs is a  Terra Signature Massage which is described to be a deeply relaxing massage combining slow and graceful gliding strokes that are applied to the different key pressure points of the body to relieve tension and aid blood circulation. The experience is enhanced with the use of specially blended therapeutic oil. So, are you ready for some pampering?

To join, here are the mechanics:

1.  This contest is open to both male and female readers of "The Doctor is vaIN" currently residing in Manila or NCR.
2. You must have an existing blog that is open to the public. Multiply, Blogger, Typepad, LiveJournal,         Wordpress or any blogging platform/niche will do, as long as it is not on  private mode.
3.  In at least 60 words, blog about this contest, mentioning "Terra Spa" and "The Doctor is vaIN" in the content.
4.  In the comment box below, give us a link to your blog post, which will serve as your official entry to this contest. For example,
Name: Dionesia P.
Comment: Here is the link to my blog entry: http://www.queendionesia.com/win-a-spa-treatment
5.  Based on the order on the comments section below,  entries will be assigned a number. The winner will be raffled through random.org.
6.  Contest will run from November 18, 2009 to November 28, 2009, 11:59 PM, Philippine Time (GMT +8). The winner will be announced on November 30, 2009.
7. The winner will be contacted through email. The prize will be subjected to Terra Spa's Terms and Conditions.

Readers from the provinces and other countries, don't fret! You will get you chance for freebies in our future contests. I wish I could afford flying you to Manila but this is all I could offer for now. This is just the beginning. Be on the lookout for cool prizes soon!

Don't just stare at those Terra Spa pictures. Experience the royalty treatment for a day by writing your entries now!  Good luck!

Mommy Dionesia: A Knock-out Fave Among Mommies

Last Wednesday, my mom invited us to watch "Ang Tanging Pamilya," the debut movie of Dionesia Pacquiao, the famous mother of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. For the past couple of years, my mom thought of excuses whenever we dragged her into going to the cinemas. Not even Vilma Santos' flick convinced her into joining us. It had to take the Pacmom for her to initiate a movie date, on the opening day at that!

Since the trailer looked fun, I looked forward to seeing how Mommy Dionesia, as the Pacmom is fondly called, would fare in the silver screen. After watching Ai-ai delas Alas hit comedy flicks in the past and the tandem of Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby on "My Big Love," I mistakenly set high expectations on this movie.

The story was nearing the middle when I was still awaiting the moment that would get me laughing off my seat. Sadly, things were slow and the punchlines were weak.  It was only until Mommy Dionesia came into the picture that the theater started roaring in laughter.

[caption id="attachment_1576" align="alignright" width="263" caption="Presscon Pic of Dionesia Pacquiao From StarCinema.com.ph.. Why is her left hand holding on to that? Naughty Mommy Dionesia! Naughty!"][/caption]

It was difficult to assess the thespic prowess of Mommy D because there was not much acting involved. She just had to be herself to get the viewers laughing with her wacky antics. While the Comedy Queen Ai-ai delas Alas was being her usual funny self, it was Mommy Dionesia who stole the show. Her dance showdown and exchange of sarcasm  with Ai-ai were among the highlights.

Former President Erap Estrada showed no traces of the Best Actor awardee in him and lacked the comedic mettle which made me wish it was Dolphy or Vic Sotto who essayed his role. Sam Milby played the eye candy while Toni Gonzaga reminded me of her wacko days as a "Wazzup Wazzup" news anchor.

Throughout the movie, I was observing how the eye makeups of Toni Gonzaga were done. Her small eyes were made rounder and bigger using a dark liner applied to the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line. If you can't appreciate the story, at least her makeups are worth analyzing.

As to Mommy Dionesia, although she was made to look funny in the movie, her makeup here was better than the one she wore during the Presscon, where her foundation was a lot lighter than her skin tone and her eyes were packed with shimmery white stuff as though butterflies were trapped in her eyes and started fluttering their way out when she blinked.

[caption id="attachment_1596" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Credits to StarCinema.com.ph"][/caption]

This was a typical  Director Wenn Deramas movie, but I think better than the alienating black comedy "Apat Dapat." Still, "Ang Tanging Pamilya" was obviously produced to make a killing at the tills and not to raise the standards of Philippine Movies, so not much can be expected.

While I went out of the cinema unsure of how I felt towards the movie, I overheard someone in the CR saying that her jaws ached from laughing, which I could hardly relate to. I guess it wasn't my type of humor. Since my Mom came for Mommy D, she couldn't care less how the story went, so long as she got a good laugh from watching the Pacmom. She and her friends who watched the movie separately are apparently closet fans of Dionesia Pacquiao. They wouldn't admit it but the magazines featuring Aling Dionesia lying around their houses or manufactured homes speak otherwise.

My overall rating for the movie?  Let's put it this way,  I'm just glad that we got in for free using Citibank's free movie passes at SM Cinemas. And with the smile it painted on my Mom's face, that should scrape my ranting to a minimum.  One thing's for sure, fan favorite Mommy Dionesia will have more movies to come. I heard the next one would be a remake of the Hollywood flick JUMANJI. It will be topbilled by (JU)nesia, (MAN)ny and (JI)nkee Pacquiao. Alright, kidding on that one.

Malunggay As Spa Treatment

Moringa Oleifera, otherwise known as the green leafy "Malunggay" in the country, has been touted as a veggie with exceptional medicinal properties. Here in the Philippines, Malunggay is an ubiquitous plant whose leaves make an inexpensive but nutritious ingredient to soup dishes and a saving grace when the budget is dwindling. It grows abundantly that you can harvest it from your own garden, the neighbor's backyard, or just about anywhere where there's soil.

While some people would spend most of their earnings on monthly bills, auto insurance, and maintenance medicines, little do they realize that God has whipped up a natural pharmacy for free. Malunggay is one of the natural remedies whose beneficial properties range from increased lactation for mothers, to the control of blood pressure. If that doesn't impress you, note that it also has skin-revitalizing properties. Yes my dearies, that green thingy can make you pretty.

If you have noticed, several companies have capitalized on the healing powers of Malunggay that it is now available in capsule, powdered and tea forms. The rich anti-oxidant properties of the plant has qualified it to be a detoxifying spa treatment as well.

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image From Terra Spa"][/caption]

Famous for rendering this kind of treatment is the Terra Wellness Spa, at the 4th floor of Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center in Pasig. They pay homage to the Filipino heritage by making use of the Malunggay leaves, teamed up with another popular Filipino product, the Virgin Coconut Oil, to reverse the stressful effects of work and daily urban living.  The powerful combination of anti-aging, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of the two key ingredients provide an ideal solution for healing, nourishing and protecting skin the organic way.

[caption id="attachment_1563" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Image Source: www.terra-spa.com"][/caption]

The special formulation of Terra's Coco- Moringa has been made for sensitive skin, making it a suitable facial treatment called the "Terra's Signature facial" to rejuvenate the skin back to its healthy radiance. Another Malunggay treatment, the "Salt of The Earth," utilizes dead sea salt infused with Malunggay oil,  Virgin Coconut Oil and Olive Oil to allow exfoliation. These ingredients polish the skin, preparing it for richer hydration. A soothing massage follows, adding aromatherapy oil to replenish lost moisture and renew the senses.

If you feel you need some pampering, you may inquire at Terra Wellness Spa at 638-9145 to 46 or 683-8222 loc.3804 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight daily, or send them an e-mail at terrawellness.spa@gmail.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.terra-spa.com.

If you want to score a free spa treatment worth P1700 from Terra Spa, hang on for a blog contest that we're cooking up for you. It's time that this blog gives back something to its loyal readers who deserve some pampering. Until Then!

Organic Body Products

Health-conscious beauty advocates would tell you to think twice about splurging on a product which may not be good for you in the long run. Potentially toxic preservatives could be a threat, especially for those who have delicate health issues. As a cancer survivor myself, I've been told the same thing by my alternative medicine doctor. Since she knew that beauty is one of the things that motivates me to keep living, I was advised to examine the body products I use for primping up.

Organic products are the healthier alternatives because  they do not contain the red flag ingredients that can possibly reprogram one's body circuits. Although mainstream merchandises are the cheaper and more accessible options, organic goods are understandably priced  a little higher because of the extra time and effort needed to come up with a safe and quality product.  In addition, the ingredients of the organic variety are doubly difficult to cultivate without the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, hence requiring additional investments.

Instead of the ordinary lotion sold in supermarkets, you can always slather on a botanical body butter which is the safer way to moisturize your skin. An example is the HotHouse Botanicals Bergamot/Ylang-Ylang Body butter which is on sale at 20% off until November 20. Its special organic ingredients of Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, and Rose Hip Oil aid in reviving severely dry or cracked skin. The less than 1% preservative used contains no formaldehyde or parabens, a notorious ingredient that has been associated with breast cancer.

If bathing in the relaxing scent of Vanilla is your thing, you might as well enjoy the benefits of Dead Sea bath salts which are rich in minerals to relieve muscle pains and dry skin, combined with soothing aroma to make bath time a blissful experience. Just dissolve a handful into warm bathwater and soak yourself in it for 20 to 30 minutes.

Whatever organic product you decide to splurge on, be sure to check the ingredients and see if they came from licensed suppliers. With the rising popularity of healthy alternatives, it would be wise to protect yourself from manufacturers that cash in on products that are falsely claimed to be organic.

Breaking The Dry Spell

Identifying the causes was our first step in beating the perennial problem of dry lips. Please check on this previous post, in case you haven’t read it. If you have isolated the possible culprits, avoid them and observe for any signs of improvement.

If you are suffering from allergic reactions or medical conditions that give rise to the smoocher issue, be sure to consult your doctor about it. Otherwise, these tips should work for uncomplicated cases of dry lips:



1. Brush it off. When brushing your teeth, include your lips in the routine at least once a week to facilitate exfoliation.

2. Lip exfoliators. Philosophy, Benefit and Smashbox are among the brands that offer these products which are to be used on a weekly basis. These usually contain scrubbing beads and emollients.

3. Drink up. The lips will talk if you are not getting enough hydration, as though it were a live chat software. Water is a cheap yet effective means to a healthier and well-hydrated body.

4. Use Protection. When going out on a sunny day, apply a lip balm with sunblock of at least SPF 15. During the cold season, seal the lips with a protective lip wax or conditioner containing lanolin.

5.Watch Your Mouth. If you sleep with an open mouth, dab a lip emollient before hitting the sack. Besides preparing your lips for a possible smooching episode on dreamland, this will prevent drying up your puckers during the whole snorefest.

6. Soak it up. Add one teaspoon of salt to a pint of water. Get a washcloth and soak it in the solution before leaving it on your lips for 30 minutes. Pat the lips dry and apply your favourite moisturizer or vitamin E oil. This should be done daily for a week as a symptomatic solution to flaky lips.

7. Choose Your Tools. Save the long-wearing lipsticks for special occasions. Lip pencils and matte lipsticks may last longer but they suck the moisture off your lips. For daily use, stick to the moisture-rich variety or lip gloss even if needs to be re-applied more often. When the dryness is severe, it would be wise to go on a lipstick vacation until your puckers recover.

8. Makeup technique. If you must apply lipstick, minimize the appearance of the lip lines by going in one direction. Strokes that go everywhere will only emphasize the dryness.

Curves In All The Wrong Places

Don’t you ever wish those flabs in your tummy or thighs would migrate to a more appropriate body part like somewhere up in the chest? In this day and age, no idea remains improbable for a long time. Reuters Health recently reported that fat collected from liposuction could now be used to augment a woman’s breasts.

The research was presented at the 2009 Plastic Surgery Conference in Seattle. Although earlier procedures have been done to use suctioned fats for the reconstruction of breasts following mastectomy, this has been largely controversial due to safety issues. Doctors are concerned about the estrogen present in fat cells which may potentially trigger the recurrence of breast cancer.

The new surgical approach claims not to find any increased risk. They used a bra-like device called the Brava, which includes a small battery-operated pump, creating suction on the breast. The device is to be worn for 4 weeks prior to the operation and a few weeks more post-surgery, to increase blood flow to the area by generating new blood vessels. Women enrolled in the study were monitored after 3 to 12 months through radiographs to check for dead tissues and cancer following the operation. However, the report did not mention whether these women were healthy or post-mastectomy. The study observed a moderate increase in breast size of the subjects, at an average of 210 ml.

Only 18% of the transferred fats in each patient failed to progress. Prior studies without Brava yielded as high as 30% to 70% of fats that did not convert to bigger breast size. Results from similar studies are still being awaited before the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reconsiders their position on the procedure.

While your hopes are still in a limbo, you might consider diet, exercise and natural ways to diss the unsightly bulges. Research on the best fat burners before taking the surgical route to a slimmer figure. If all else fails, then go to your nearest Belo or Calayan Clinic. If the Brava-utilizing procedure gets the nod of medical pundits, it will be easier to place those curves in the right places. Just be prepared for the risks that come with any surgery.

Smacking Dry Lips Goodbye

 

Flawless skin- check. Well blended eye makeup- check. Contouring of cheeks- check. Lips- Eeek!

When the dryness of your lips prevents you from perfecting your beauty routine, it’s time that you address your pucker issues. Why be bullied into suffering the consequences when you can do something about it? Let us get to know the causes, find remedies, and minimize its appearance through some makeup tricks.

The Culprits:

1. Dehydration- are you getting at least 8 glasses of water a day? Would you rather ingest 8 bottles of soda or 8 cups of  coffee instead of the good old water? While they are undoubtedly the more yummy alternatives, they do not replenish your needs for adequate hydration. Caffeine is a diuretic that can further increase fluid loss. Your lip condition could be a reflection of your hydration status.

2. Environmental factors-Extreme weather conditions can cause the lips to lose its capacity to retain moisture. While exposure to the cold weather can leave the lips prone to dryness, the hot season can be dehydrating, pointing us back to number 1.

3. Expired lip products- lipsticks and lip glosses are the earliest to go from your beauty kits. Monitor the dates they were bought and examine the consistency, odor and taste of the lip product. If it has turned rancid, toss it to the trash bin. No matter how pricey that lipstick was, risking untoward reactions on your lips won’t be worth it.

4. Allergies- When you're prone to hypersensitivity and certain ingredients come in contact with your lips, expect reactions to come in various forms, and flaking happens to be one of them. Common lip allergens are dyes, phenyl salicylate, and  propyl gallate in lipsticks, sodium lauryl sulfate in toothpastes and metallic items that you unconsciously place near the mouth.

5. Medications- The drugs that you take could have  dryness of the lips as a side effect. Among these are Vit. B12 supplement, which contains cobalt, which in turn, may trigger allergic reactions to the lips.  Too much intake of Vitamin A could also lead to crusting while some Beta blockers and Chemotheraputic agents yield the same effects as well.

6. Lip Smacking- While saliva is a fluid, it doesn't help alleviate the condition when you habitually lick your lips. Unlike water, saliva contains enzymes that are meant for digestion, thus leading to the appearance of those partially-digested lips.

7. Sleeping Habits- If you'r the type who slumbers with an open mouth, chances are, you dry up your mouth easily and wake up with dehydrated lips.

8. Citrus fruits- the acidic content can be irritating to the lips, inducing a phototoxic reaction giving rise to dryness and fissures.

9. Smoking- Need I say more?

10.  Concomitant diseases- The presence of medical conditions like Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune diseases such as Psoriasis, Lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome, Pre-cancerous lesions and Fungal infections could leave your lips dry, scaly or fissured.

Which among these culprits above do you suspect to have caused your dry lips? Once you have pinned them down, the first step would be avoiding or treating these lip criminals. If prevention doesn't do the trick, hang on for our tips how to relieve chapped lips on the next post.

photo credits

Tis The Season For Chapped Lips

After the witching hour this halloween, the cool breeze of the season signals that our favorite time of the year is coming. Shopping malls put on grand decors and artificial Christmas trees to let the shoppers feel the vibe and to make them more generous for gift-giving, I presume. Along with the season comes chapped lips. The causes for dry lips are plenty but it can be accentuated during  cold weathers. How do you prevent this from ruining the perfect pout you've practiced all year? Tips and makeup tricks on minimizing the effects of dry lips will be spilled on the next post.