Book Review : Love in the Time of Cholera

The Plot :

In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fell passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor - Juvenal Urbino. Florentino is devastated, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career, he spent his years indulging in 622 (?!) affairs - yet he reserves his hear for Fermina. Her husband dies at last and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty-one years, nine months and four days after he declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again.....And yes he succeeded in having her again.

My Verdict :

I love GG Marquez's descriptive narrative in this book. Though a Nobel Prize writer, for me he's somewhat of a masochist in a romantic way - he's excessively romantic by the way he sees life, enduring its physical and emotional pain. So is with Florentino - 622 affairs?! An exaggeration - I presumed, he never lost count. He had affairs with women from old, young, rich, poor, married, widowed, single - yet he still pinned for his first love Fermina. He simply wasted his time with these affairs. What really cringed me is that he even had a sexual affair with a 14-year-old America. In the end he left her heart-broken which led to her depression and suicide, because he ended their affair to pursue Fermina.

Quite a good read. But I'm not in love with it.

Splurge vs. Steal - Pressed Powder

Another of my top faves in keeping my face from being shiny.


SPLURGE : CLINIQUE'S Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed PowderShine (Stay Beige)

The Promise :

It has an absorbing, oil-free formula. Non-comedogenic. Ultra-sheer texture gives skin a perfected matte appearance. Great for oily skin and oily spots. Maintains a fresh look and feel, even after frequent touch-ups.

My Verdict :

I use this powder alone, after putting some moisturizer, even without any foundation. It covers my skin evenly. It feels very light. A great powder for oily skin. Though, I have to reapply about twice in my whole office hours. This shade keeps my face even, not too light. A good investment, I'd say.

STEAL : GODIVA'S LicoWhite Pressed Powder Compact (Natural)

The Promise :

Non-comedogenic. Fragrance-free. SPF 15 UVA++. Whitens. With glabridin from licorice extract, the fastest known whitening ingredient with results starting in as early as 7 days. Protects from harmful UV rays with zinc oxide and OMC. Absorbs excess oil to keep you looking fresh all day.

My Verdict

Good, light coverage sans the foundation. It doesn't irritate my skin. It'a good thing it has an SPF. Though after a month of using this, doesn't really whitens my face. However, it's good enough in keeping my oily skin shine-free. Yes, it's a steal!

Splurge vs. Steal - Anti-Blemish Gel/Cream

When stress, poor diet and lack of sleep wreaks havoc in our skin, break-outs inevitably appears. I use anti-blemish gel, when my regular cleansing-toning-and-moisturizing regime fails. These two products are guaranteed to be effective - which you can splurge on or simpl steal.

SPLURGE : SHISEIDO'S Pureness Blemish Targeting Gel


The Promise :

A medicated gel that effectively clears up acne as it purifies and refreshes skin. Contains a purifying agent that keeps skin clean and salicylic acid helps prevent the appearance of new acne. Aromachology-based fragrance calms flare-ups and redness associated with blemishes.

My Verdict :

I felt my skin stung when I first used this product. Blemishes begin to lighten on the 3rd day of use. Even pimples dried up a little. It has a clean soapy scent that doesn't irritate skin. With its steep price, this product is really effective.

STEAL : GARNIER'S Pure SOS Anti-Blemish Spot Pen


The Promise :

It contains zinc for its controlling properties, an anti-bacterial agent for its cleansing power, and 100% natural cucumber extract for its energizing and skin-hydrating qualities. This combination of natural active ingredients replies completely and efficiently to all problems associated with oily skin.

My Verdict :

I put this on before I sleep. Blemishes started to lighten without drying the skin. It has a non-irritating fresh grassy scent. Of course, it's very reasonably priced. Applying it thinly, directly on the skin, its small tube could last for about a little more than a month

Splurge Vs. Steal - All-Time Favorite Moisturizing Lotion

I admit, that I'm kinda lazy in my younger years to follow any skin care ritual in taking care of my skin. Well, I'm good at washing my face and putting some astringent. But as my mother (and a lot of beauty experts) said it's not enough. I need to moisturize. Since I am prone to break-outs, I have tried different moisturizers that promised better skin texture, tone and moisture. Heck! Only these two products passed the test....

SPLURGE : CLINIQUE'S Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion



The Promise :

This moisture "drink" developed by Clinique's dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance. Softens, smooths, improves. Convenient tube. balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone.

My Verdict :

I noticed the difference after almost an hour applying the product. No strong scent, which is really good. After less than a week, I noticed my skin softens without the oiliness. Blemishes somewhat lightened. Very suitable for humid weather. Definitely a keeper! With its price...you may consider it as an investment.




STEAL : GARNIER'S Active Daily Treatment Moisturizer Lotion

The Promise :

It is specially formulated for skin that is prone to imperfections, visible pores and blotches. It has salicylic acid and zinc that heps purify imperfections. Anti-bacterial treatment for oily/blemish-prone skin.

My Verdict :

It certainly softens my skin. Removed its oiliness, my blemishes lightened in less than a week. It has a plant-like grassy scent. Also very suitable for humid weather. With its price, definitely a steal!