Review: Nivea Luminous 630♥

Are you also having problems with dark spots on your face?  Whether it's Sun spots, Pimple marks or Freckles?  Don't fret! Because it's finally here!  A new breakthrough innovation was discovered by scientists known as W630 which is said to be effective in treating dark spots in the span of 2 to 4 weeks.  It was exclusively patented to Nivea - the product is known as Nivea Luminous 630.  

In my mid-40s I started to notice sun spots on my face.  I do have a daily face regimen but I felt it was too slow in treating the dark spots.  So when I learned about this from Nivea I immediately went to Watsons to check if it is available there.

Luckily, there is a value set available : The Luminous 630 Intensive Treatment Serum and Spot clear sun protect - priced at P1,419.00.  If you purchase them separately it's at P999.00 and P799.00 respectively.

I found these products very effective.  You can see visible results after two weeks of use.  I used the Serum and Sun protect twice a day as stated on the directions (morning and evening).  I apply them before my daily skin care :  1. Nivea Intensive treatment Serum, 2. Nivea Spot Clear Sun Protect, 3. Innisfree Eye cream, 4. Ponds Age Miracle Day cream / Night cream.

don't know if it was captured properly but in actual you can see the difference

I am so happy with the results.  By the way I still use my daily skin care with this and I did not get any allergic reaction.  And lastly what I like most about this so light on the skin, nicely scented and the sun protect is SPF50 (does not make your face white like other sun screens available in the market).

Verdict: ♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 

There is also a Night repair cream available I might try it also soon... (*wink!)

Til next time!

xo, 

Chiq♥

***This is not a sponsored post.

Things i think I am too old doing♥

A lot of people say that age is just a number, but let's face it we will all get old and there are things that we are no longer comfortable doing.  At 50 here are some of the things I feel I'm too old doing.

1. Wearing too short clothes - Though I don't wear micro mini skirts but I wore short-shorts during my younger years.  But now I am not really comfortable wearing that kind of shorts anymore  and same with micro mini dresses.  

source: Google

I said goodbye to short-shorts and now I go for medium length or Bermuda shorts.  The same with dress I am more comfortable to wear medium length dress with a few inches above the knee.

2. Wearing too much accessories - I believe as you age - "less is more".  

source: Google

Before I used to wear a lot of accessories: like stacking a lot of bracelets or bangles, necklaces.. but now I am more on the minimalist side - I'm good with just 2 or 3 bracelets.  I am okay with stud earrings and a bracelet or bangles.  

source: Google

I ditched wearing cocktail rings at the moment I am now into wearing two rings in one hand and a ring on the other.

3. Wearing uncomfortable shoes :  For the past 10 years I have already stopped wearing sky high heels shoes, because I started having back and foot pain.  

source: vecteezy

I still do wear heels - two or three inches is fine but it's a no-no for the 6 inches heels I used to wear before.  At work I use ballet flats and sneakers for malling or meet up days with family and friends.

4. Working out for more than 1 hour : I can no longer do this anymore.  I am afraid of hurting myself  (again): one time I sprained my ankle by exerting too much effort on working out.  I got my vertigo for over speeding on the tread mill.. so lesson learned. 

source: iStock

I do 30 to 45 minutes Zumba every weekend (or if I don't have work), but I make it a point to walk more.  I don't use the escalator and elevator at work I take the stairs.  I do stretching more to tone my muscles because lately I do feel my muscles are too stiff and it truly helps in managing my joint pains.

5.  Keeping quiet and not expressing myself :  I no longer keep my mouth shut whenever I think I need to say or express something.  When I turned 40 I realized that I should learn to speak my mind.  Yes, there are moments I still control it to prevent arguments.  Because arguments normally gives us stress and we don't want that.  (*wink!)  Most of the time I do say what I feel and I choose my battles.  

source: iconscout

Few years ago I was bullied by someone she thought I was still the same shy and quiet person..it happened twice.  She kept on telling me that I should have not done this or that.  Excuse me, I am not her puppet. Please...ahaha.  I finished my responsibilities and left the group afterwards.     

6.  Spending time with people I don't really like :  I started this a couple of years ago: getting rid of toxic people in my life.  Gone are the dramas, gossips that add stress to my life. 

source: Google

Life is too short, might as well spend it with family and friends that you truly love and care about.  Believe me, removing unpleasant people in your life is such a relief.

7.  Complaining too much :  I try to see the good in everything.  Maybe I reached the point in my life that I value - gratefulness more than everything.  

If I am disappointed (we're only human it's normal) I just think that I am still blessed. 

How about you? Do you have other things that you think you are too old doing that is not on my list? You can share it with me on the comments below.

Plains & Prints x Mark Nicdao: Manila Collection♥

source: Plains & Prints

This is not the first time that Mark Nicdao collaborated with Plains & Prints.  Back in 2015, for the 20th Anniversary Plains & Prints he made the Palace of Kings Collection which showcases Mark's travel in India (it's architecture and culture).  Seeing his amazing photographs printed on clothes is truly amazing and Plains & Prints is really good in giving life to them.

The Manila Collection embodies the historic and iconic landmarks in the City of Manila that aims to uphold it's culture, heritage and or of course preserving it's legacy.

It's really amazing to see the places you grew up with be featured in an one of a kind collection.  Perfect time for an outfit update inspired by the City of Manila.  

According to Plains & Prints Facebook - The Manila collection was supported by various government agencies and institutions : Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts Manila, National Parks Development Committee, National Commission for Culture and Arts, Intramuros Administration and National Museum.

source: Plains & Prints

They unveiled the whole collection in an exclusive preview (fashion show) last September 4th at the National Museum.  

Here are my personal favorites:

I love co-ords so this tops my list!

Manila Adriatico Top P1,598.00 and Shorts P1,498.00

Manila Ermita top P1,598.00

I am also into skirts... I hope these skirts will be available too soon...

Review: Boston Cream Chocolate Cake by The Cakery by Yca♥

I love supporting local and small businesses because I myself is a small business owner.  Last weekend, I received a cake from a friend made by The Cakery by Yca.  As I have said on my previous blog entries,  I do cook and bake that is why I am not really easy to please when it comes to food or desserts.  

For this blog entry, I want to make an honest review on the Boston Cream Chocolate Cake of The Cakery of Yca.  To those who are not familiar with Boston Cream (actually it's currently popular in  TikTok but it's the no-bake version)  it tastes similar to custard or cream filling in your donuts.

The Cake :  The Chocolate cake is super moist, it's not dry even if I tried it without pre-heating the cake.  (Thumbs up for this!)

The Chocolate Ganache :  The rich chocolate ganache is oozing with goodness and garnished with chocolate bits  - it's really chocolatey!

The Boston Cream :  This is really the star of the cake.  Normally a Chocolate Cake is topped with a ganache but adding Boston Cream in it gives a different flavor to the cake.  The amount of Boston Cream is just right it does not overpower the cake and the chocolate ganache.

It is a triple layer goodness!♥

Another thing, when you order their cake it includes an instruction on how to care for the cake.

Price : It's very affordable!  You can click on this link to check their prices The Cakery by Yca - Order Form & Price list .  They also accept bulk orders but you have to order in advance.

The best time to try is now!  It's also a great gift especially now that Christmas is just around the corner. 

You can find them on The Cakery by Yca - Facebook and The Cakery by Yca - Instagram  

Til my next review!

xo, 

Chiq♥