PRODUCT REVIEW: NIVEA BABY

Hi there! It's been a long time since I last blogged and posted some reviews here. I became busy with baking and of course, by being a full time mom which can be very tiring but very rewarding. I know that most first time moms can be so exaggerated and OC when it comes to their baby's skincare products. I can relate because I am an OC mom. So since I am now a full pledged mom, I believe that it is my responsibility to provide you a review of some of my tried and tested products from Nivea Baby. I hope that this post will be able to help not just the first time moms but also the mommies out there who are really trying their best to provide their children with only the best products for their skin.

These are currently the Nivea Baby products that I have. I bought these when I was on my 6th month of pregnancy. Yes I know that there are more brands available in the market, but I strongly believe that Nivea is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to skincare. They are famous and well known for their amazing lotions which I totally love! 

The first product is the Gentle Head-to-Toe Wash. Ever since my daughter Cara was born, this is what she used. I used this on her for 12 months. And it didn't fail me. 

As you can see, you are provided with information when you look at the back of the product. The informations were very useful and helpful.

What I first look for on a baby product is if it is safe to use on my baby's delicate skin. As you can see, it says that it "mildly cleanses baby's hair and skin" and from that, one can tell that it is really safe to use and it does not provide harm on baby's skin.

I like the packaging because the product doesn't spill out. 

Things to Love: 

1.Cara's skin became smooth and it became less irritable, which means that her scratching was lessened. 

2. A little product goes a long way. 1 bottle usually lasts a month. But it also depends on how many times your child takes a bath per day. 

3. Reasonably priced at 119-129PHP. Prices may vary depending on the store. I always buy from The Landmark Supermarket in Trinoma. It is much cheaper there.

4. Mild and has no tears formula.

5. Can be used as shampoo and soap which means that you can save time and energy. 

Things to be Improved:

1. When I first used this product on Cara, I was a bit turned off by the smell. But I got used to the smell anway. I think that it should have a little bit of fragrance so that it will be more enticing to use.

2. Although I love the design, I think that it is too big, I hope they can provide a smaller or slimmer packaging for the product. 

The Second Product is the Gentle Nourishing Lotion. 

After every bath, I make sure that I put on lotion on Cara's body to make it smoother. I believe that we should always moisturize and spoil our skin so that it will not become dry. And since our baby's skin is delicate, they also need a mild lotion. Put on lotion on your baby's hands, feet, legs, and shoulders and gently massage it. Make sure that the product is evenly distributed. Let it dry for a few minutes so that it can be absorbed by the skin. 

Things to Love:

1. Not only does it moisturize the skin, it also nourishes your baby's delicate skin. It's a good thing because it will make the skin look healthy and glowing.

2. It provides protection against irritation.

3. Gentle and mild on the skin.

4. Has a nice smell that babies and mommies will love!

Things to Improve:

1. It doesn't dry off easily. 

2. A bit heavy on the skin which means that it can be too "sticky". So best if you let it settle or dry off in a few minutes.

Now let's move on to our third product, the Extra Mild Shampoo. I know that they offer 2 kinds of shampoo, but I chose the milder one. I don't want to cause irritation on Cara's eyes if I accidentally put some  product near it. This product should only be used on the hair. As it clearly states "shampoo". I used this on my daughter when she turned 1 last April.

Things to Love:

1. A little product goes a long way. Just one drop, add a little bit of water, and gently massage it on your baby's hair and scalp. 

2. Safe to use because it doesn't cause irritation on my baby's eyes.

3. Mild.

4. Inexpensive for a good shampoo.

5. Makes baby's hair tangle free.

Things to Improve:

1. I think the smell of the product can be improved but I think that it depends on the person that's using it for their children. I like good smelling products because it makes me more excited to use it on my baby. 

Now we move on to the Lovingly Caring Oil. Does your baby have tummy ache? Well I'm confident to say that this product can be used for tummy aches if it is not severe and if your baby does not like to drink medicine. Whenever Cara has tummy ache due to constipation, I put on a little oil on her tummy and I gently massage it on a circular motion. It provides warmth on her tummy and after a few minutes, she'll be able to doze off to sleep because somehow, it soothed her and it helped her relax. Sometimes, I also put on a little oil if she has to take bath at a very early hour, like 6-7am if she has school. It will warm her body and it can also protect her from getting cough or flu due to cold water. Specially if your child likes swimming. Before you let her swim on the pool, make sure to put on oil to protect her from the cold air and water.

Things to Love:

1. Effective on tummy aches.

2. Warms the body and soothes it.

3. Can be used as protection from cold air and water because it provides warmth.

4. A little product goes a long way.

5. Smells good and does not cause irritation.

Things to Improve:

1. None

Now let's talk about the Soothing Avena Soap.

I like this soap a lot because it is not only soothing and mild, but it nourishes my baby's skin.

Simple packaging but very cute design.

I love the carving on the soap.

Things to Love:

1. Soothes the skin and cleans it throughout.

2. Safe and mild to use.

Things to Improve:

1. The smell.

2. I just noticed that it makes the skin a little bit dry? I'm not sure but when Cara used this soap, she went back to scratching. I guess her skin is sensitive. 

Now for the final product, nivea's Calming Powder.

Powders are used on baby's skin so that they will be protected and so that they can still feel fresh even if they played all day. After bathing and before going to sleep, I dab on a little bit of powder on Cara's skin so that she'll feel fresh. 

At the back of the product, you can see that Nivea has provided information on how to use it and how does it work. It does not only inform the consumers but it also serves as a guideline.

I love the packaging because it's neat and it is slim. Not too bulky and it doesn't eat up that much space when place in a diaper bag.

Things to Love:

1. Lightweight, doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

2. Safe to use because it is mild and gentle.

3. No irritable. Actually it is effective to use against diaper rashes.

4. It calms and soothes the skin leaving baby's skin feeling relaxed and fresh.

5. Has great smell.

Things to Improve:

1. None.

So that's it for my nivea products review. I look forward in trying other Nivea Baby products in the future. I have yet to try their wipes, other lotions and shampoos. Aside from being affordable, you get what you pay for with their products. You can definitely trust them with your baby's skin needs. Till next post!

-Maricar

REVIEW: THE FACE SHOP HERB DAY CLEANSING WIPES

PRODUCT: THE FACE SHOP HERB DAY CLEANSING WIPES

WHERE TO BUY: FACE SHOP OUTLETS IN MALLS

PRICE: 90.00+

Often times, we are too tired or sleepy to remove our make up before going to bed. That is true based on my experience. I know it's not good for the skin but sometimes, all I want to do is to go to bed after a long and tiring day. I think that the best remedy for this is to use cleansing wipes. After all, it will not take so much of your time.

The packaging is really pretty and nice. 

These facial wipes are gentle so worry not! I've been using these wipes for quite some time now and it doesn't break my skin out. 

It has 20 sheets. 

I removed my lipstick, and eyebrow wax using it. And all I can say is that it really did cleanse my face without having to use water and cleansing oil. It smells nice too and it's soft. 

After using it, my face felt dry afterwards. I think that after you use this, you should use a moisturizer. My skin felt tight and dry. I couldn't bare it so I ended up washing my face in the bathroom with Cetaphil and water. It also feels itchy. So i suggest that you use this and then share your thoughts about it. I have sensitive skin so certain products just don't work out for me. 

WHERE TO EAT IN OBANDO: PART 3

Lugaw, Congee, or Rice Porridge is a very famous dish in Asia. Not only does it taste good , but it is also affordable and easy to make. It is made of sticky rice, simmered in chicken or beef stock, accompanied by sauteed garlic,onions, and ginger. For garnishing touched, you can add chopped onion leaves and a little more fried garlic. Lugaw with pieces of chicken is called "Arroz Caldo", while lugaw with internal organs such as intestines is called "Goto". It is best eaten during rainy days, to warm up one's stomach. But here in the Philippines, it can be eaten during any time of the day. What's the best time/part of the day to eat lugaw? I say,eat it in the morning for breakfast, or for merienda. 

P.S: Sorry for the poor quality of some photos, I always use my Itouch when taking pictures here in Obando.

1. Lugawan sa Palengke ( Rice Porridge Stand in our town's Market):

Where do you go to buy your daily needs? Of course, majority will answer that they buy their daily food at the market or palengke. But some go to the market to get a taste of this certain man's rice porridge. 

Obando's Market

Go here at around 4-5pm, you will immediately see hungry customers ordering lugaw or mami from this particular stand. There are 3 stands but this one has many loyal customers. 

Plastic tables and chairs for the customers. You can always dine here but you can opt to have your lugaw eaten at your house. Just say "balot" or take-out.

I know, many people will raise their eyebrows and say, isn't that dirty? not handled/cooked properly? Fret not, their Lugaw is freshly made and cooked upon serving.  For the utensils, well you just have to clean it with tissue to be sure. Because sometimes, the dishwasher will not be able to clean it properly because as I noticed, they are always in a hurry.

One man is frying "Okoy" or Filipino shrimp cakes. Best eaten while hot. It can look a bit soggy when it starts to cool down.

Busy servers/cooks.

As for me, I like take outs when it comes to Lugaw. It's not that I don't want to be seen eating outside on a lugaw stand, but the main and only reason is that I want to fry and reheat the foods that I bought. Especially the tokwa (fried tofu) to make it crispier.

Lugaw/Rice Porridge. 

The rice I think, is cooked with simmering beef stock. The beef taste is very dominant and I like it. I also like the fried garlic on top.  Tastes simple and light.

Left to Right: Tokneneng ( Boiled egg fried with  orange colored batter), Okoy( Filipino Shrimp cakes), Turon ( Sauteed vegetables wrapped using Lumpia/Shanghai wrapper).

What I like most is the okoy and turon, it goes well with flavored vinegar. All in all, it is a HIT. Never mind the stand's location and the utensils, what matters is the food's taste. Right?

2. Luto ni Ka Lydia 

This eatery opened in the late 2011. But, it just changed it's location.

It is now located in front of Bugay's Dental Clinic. Now in Burgos St. Paliwas, Obando, Bulacan.

They also serve lunch but it's the lugaw that they became famous for. I once ate at their eatery when they are still on their soft opening and I must say that the eatery is very clean. And the tokwa and baboy, also clean! The baboy (pork) is cut into bite sized pieces are all clean and all meat indeed. 

I really like their lugaw. Also cooked using beef stock. I love the slightly salty taste. And then the garlicky flavor is not too overpowering and just right.

However, what's missing is the onion leaves or leeks, I think.

Again, a take out lugaw for me!

The main reason for my take outs. This is my version of crispy fried tokwa (tofu). I don't like it soft and soggy, instead, i like it to be crunchy. I certain lugaw eatery is famous for their crispy tokwa. Sorry if I am not featuring them, because I don't like the taste of their lugaw, it became bland.

I know, frying is the most unhealthiest method of cooking. But I always use canola oil for frying and I don't eat fried foods on a daily basis.

My most favorite condiment. Patis (fish sauce) with squeezed Calamansi juice and red chili. I put it on my lugaw for an added spicy/sour/salty kick.

Flavored vinegar. The best condiment for your side dishes such is tokwa, turon, okoy, and tokneneng.

I believe that we don't have the right to complain with the food that we eat. Many people are dying because of starvation, and they will be willing to eat anything just to survive. We are lucky enough because we are still able to eat three times or more in a day. Good food doesn't always come in fancy restaurants, doesn't always come with fancy packaging and whooping price tags. What's important is that it can feed a hungry stomach.

Stay tuned for the other parts of this post!

WHERE TO EAT IN OBANDO: PART 2

Hi! So this post will be the 2nd part of my "where to eat in obando" adventures,haha. Remember your highschool or elementary days? Don't you just love eating right after class with your friends? I always look forward for our class dismissal to be able to eat outside our school. That's why saving money was hard for me, because all the money that's left from my allowance will be spent for food. 

CSPB is a private school in Obando and this school took care of me and educated me from Kinder 1 up to 4th year High School. It has two campuses, Fr. Dilag and Fr.Punzal. The Fr.Dilag campus houses students from Nursery,Kindergarten, Elementary and College, while the Fr.Punzal campus is the home of the high school students. I have so many memories from this school, some good and some bad. This school taught me how to be a leader, and to be a good student. And this is also the school where I got bullied. HAHAHA. Yes, I maybe tall but I am prone to bullies. 

Fr. Dilag Campus

Upon exiting the school, you will see many food kiosks and small eateries. The ones that I'll be featuring has become so dear to me because not only they offer good food, but they also give reasonable prices.

1. Itlog Pugo/Fishball/Kikiam Food Kiosk

This food kiosk has been there since I can remember. Ate even remembered me after years of not buying kwek-kwek. She even said "may anak ka na pala", haha. 

Her product offerings are itlog pugo, kikiam, and fishball. If you're the type of person that loves street foods, you will never go wrong with these. Very cheap, affordable, and tasty of course. It is well cooked and clean.

You can choose a sauce to go with it. vinegar, a sweet or spicy version of the brown sauce. Whatever you pick, it will certainly go well with the products you choose. You'll surely feel full after eating a few pieces.

2. Romero's Burger Stand

This burger stand is owned by the Romero family. One of the owners is my batch mate and the others I have known through common friends. The members of their family is very kind and generous, that's why I love buying from them. The prices of their products are also reasonable and affordable. You can eat your burgers on the food stand. They have a long table and several chairs. The burgers are cooked upon ordering.

A variety of burgers and sandwiches to choose from. Trust me, you'll get your money's worth from the burgers.

Our favorite, Ham and Egg with Cheese. The size of the burger is big. Aside from the ham, cheese, and egg, it also has mayonnaise, ketchup, and shredded cabbage.

To accompany your burgers, do try their refreshing sago gulaman for only 5.00php! You can opt for only gulaman, or sago. Like me, I only like gulaman. No added price, still the same. 

The flavor is just right and it's not too sweet and bland. Rest assured that it's clean because they use purified water to make this.

3. Fruit Shake

I think this fruit shake stall only opened a few years ago because this was not yet available back then when I was still studying in CSPB. I only tasted their shakes recently, and I must say that I am instantly smitten by it!

Fruits and CHEESE! Yes you got that right, CHEESE!

Their cheese shake created a buzz that's why we decided to try it for Php 20.00. They use local cheese for the shake.

I really like this cheese shake. You can really taste the cheese. Very creamy and not too sweet. There's a hint of saltiness from the cheese. Prepare for quivering knees.

Pureed to perfection. For 20.00, you'll get a medium sized cheese shake!

However, I don't like it when they added cookies. It tasted bland and I can't taste the cheese anymore.

It tasted bland. I was never a fan of cookies and cream, that's why I'll always go for the simple and plain cheese shake.

4. Mozzarita's Pizza

Want a slice of pizza? Then you should go to Mozzaritas. 

This is one of the food stalls that I worship because of their spaghetti! However, the pizza that they are offering is just the local pizza. Not the ones that can level up to Greenwich,pizza hut, nor shakey's.

Mozzaritas is a small stall with 3 tables and a few chairs. I do hope that they'll expand their store someday in order to cater more customers.

Plastic tables and chairs. 

Their shake menu. The shakes are simply amazing and delicious especially their iced tea!

In my opinion, the spaghetti is definitely their best seller.

Choose your pizza flavor.

A large iced tea, spaghetti, and large fries for my hungry stomach!

Their iced tea is amazing. However, they use calamansi instead of lemon and I must say that using calamansi in iced teas tastes better. Really refreshing!

Large fries, cheese flavor with mayonnaise. Nothing special, just the typical commercialized fries.

The best seller, spaghetti.For 38.00PHP, you will get a spaghetti on a styrofoam container. Filled with sauce, and local grated cheese.

The sauce is very delicious! The sauce has pork, hotdogs, and liver. Yes, liver. It makes the spaghetti taste even better. Very creamy, and sweet. The cheap sweet taste of overly commercialized spaghetti. This can surely level up to Jollibee or Mcdo's spaghetti!

The serving? Good enough for sharing. Yes, you'll get your money's worth from the taste and serving. Mozzaritas is one of my favorite food stall in Obando. I can definitely eat spaghetti every day if it's from them.

Moving on, this is the Fr.Punzal campus. This is where I spent my 1st,3rd, and 4th year in Highschool. There are not so much food stall and kiosks upon exiting this campus. But, if you don't want to cross the street to buy food from the food stalls that's near on the other campus, I have a suggestion. Why not buy barbecue?

1. Aling Marissa's Barbecue

Who doesn't eat barbecue? I am a fan of beef, but not pork. But barbecue? I can eat this everyday. It is a small barbecue stand beside the school, facing the church. That's why after hearing mass on the evening, many people buy barbecue from this stall.

They have the usual pork barbecue, tenga, isaw, betamax, and bulaklak.

All freshly grilled and ready to be eaten by hungry customers. Upon picking, you can put back your order on the grill if you want to reheat it.

They also have jumbo hotdogs and beside that is the vinegars. You can opt for the plain or choose the spicy version. In order to prevent the uncooked meats from dirt and pollution, it is covered by newspapers.

You can choose to eat it on the spot or have it put in a plastic bag if you want to take it home and eat it there, with rice! haha.

Manong grilling some pork barbecues. I am currently reheating my orders when I took this photo.

My favorite! Pork barbecue and bulaklak. Properly prepared and cooked. Cheap thrills indeed right? You don't really have to spend a lot in order to get a decent food. 

*If you're wondering why Anak ng Tapa is not included in this post, it's because I will make a separate post for it.

Again, stay tuned for the 3rd part of my where to eat in Obando post. I'm sure you're already thinking of planning your trip to Obando.