The Reluctant Stylista | A Beauty, Lifestyle, and Fashion Blog

A Guide to Shopping for Investment Pieces

alexandra — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:49:59 -0700

You’ve heard it countless of times for the past year that I’m hesitant to even say it out right. Here goes—recession, recession, recession! We’re all quite forced to shop more smartly and be thriftier simply because of the recession—which is good, actually. Even if that weren’t around, we should all be shopping smartly with our clothes . That’s why we have things we call investment pieces in our wardrobe—items that are classic, timeless and will last us a good decade or more with a little creativity and care.

So the next time you go and shop for new clothes, hold on to your purse strings. Ask yourself these questions before you dole out the moolah:

Can I imagine myself using this for at least 3 different looks and occasions?

Simply put, is this piece of clothing or accessory versatile? Are there existing pieces in your closet that you can already envision yourself matching it with? Will you able to use it for day and dress it up in the evening?

There’s this cool concept of Cost Per Wear going on last year that you can apply to your wardrobe shopping. The more times you wear a particular item in your closet, the better returns on your initial purchase. This means that if you bought something for $200 and you’ve used it at least 50 times since then, that’s $4 for every day that you did. This is better than buying anything that’s cheap but not as beautiful nor high-quality that you hardly take it out of your closet for fear of looking exactly where you bought it—on a cheap sale bin.

On the other hand, if you bought a really expensive item and you rarely use it because it costed so much, then you’re not getting much out of it, either.

Will this outlast the season?

I’m not saying disregard trends altogether. Any fashionista worth her salt has an eye on these things, whether they follow them or not. But some trends are so unique and distinct that when they go out of style, it’s so abrupt! Everyone, even non-fashionistas can tell that you’re wearing something that’s so five minutes ago.

If you do choose to follow a trend, however, keep in mind that they are cool only for a limited period. This means two things for the trendy ones—you can either follow the trend in the least predictable way or trust in your styling skills to transform it to something else/make a new piece out of it when the trend dies. Can you do that for your slashed leggings, bold-shouldered jackets and plaid/checked blouses?

Is there something else in my closet that looks like this?

If the answer is yes, then drop it. Some women are creatures of habit, and have trouble coming out of their comfort zones when it comes to their fashion. You don’t need to buy heels or bags in every color! And do you really need another white blouse when you’ve already got so many? Do you get to use all your ten thousand bikinis at the beach, and for that matter, how often do you go out to swim anyway? Jeans can last forever, yes, but that doesn’t mean you need more than five at a time, especially if you keep changing sizes.

Is this something that will improve my wardrobe?

This is a question that’s you should always ask yourself before buying anything, especially when it comes to accessories and shoes. If you have to add something in your already full closet, make it something worthwhile. It should be a break from monotony and it should always be flattering on you. A statement necklace or sky-high heels in a fabulous bright color with an all-black ensemble can up your style points.

Will this survive the wash and wear?

We’re all about quality for investment pieces. This is probably the reason why, even though I always like the look of Topshop clothes, I never go out the store with anything from it. Most of the clothes that I really like from there won’t likely survive several rounds of washing, and it would probably cost me more if I have to get it specially cleaned all the time.

Freeway National Artists Special Edition: Ang Kiukok

alexandra — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:03:30 -0700

I don't normally shop for clothes at the mall nowadays, but if I did, I will certainly head straight to Freeway. I am so in love with their National Artists collection! The first National Artist whose works they featured on their clothes was Nick Joaquin, and I remember balking at buying this really pretty shirtdress with his words printed on it. Not because I didn't want it, but I was arguing with myself about its timelessness, being unique and whether I really needed another shirtdress. I regretted not buying it, which is rare for me. Below are some of those from the Nick Joaquin collection :

Now that Freeway released the second wave of art-inspired fashion, I'm really finding it hard to resist. And how very untimely, since I'm so low budget nowadays it's not even funny. Actually, it's practically non-existent . But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying this second collection featuring Ang Kiukok. Just look at these lovely little things! And what better way to promote Philippine art, right?

And just look at those posters! The billboards really caught my eye because I loved the styling and art direction of these photos. They're really classic and lovely, even if they're actually just wearing casual clothes.

Again, I'm not a knitted sweater or hoodie person, nor do I like clowns, but when I saw this, I lusted IMMEDIATELY. I'd say "Please buy it for my birthday!" but it's too far off. Phooey.

Ang Kiukok "Clowns" Knit Jacket

Knit Jacket featuring "Clowns" by Ang Kiukok. Long Sleeves and zip up closure. Made of cotton knit material and sits at the hip. Limited Numbered Edition. Available in purple and black. Price: Php 1,795.00

Ang Kiukok Sublimation Ladies Tee- Fighting Figures

Ladies sublimation tee featuring "Fighting Figures" by Ang Kiukok with variation backprint. Slim fit and made of cotton material. Falls at the hip. Limited Number Edition. Available in orange, black and white. Also available in XXS Price: Php 995.00

Ang Kiukok "Angry Figure" Men's and Ladies' Tee

Men's graphic tee featuring "Angry Figure" by Ang Kiukok. Embroidered date detail on graphic and made of cotton material. Fall to the hip. Numbered Limited Edition Series. Price: Php 995.00

Ang Kiukok "Clown" Ladies Sleeveless Tent Shirt

Freeway Ang Kiukok "Clown" Ladies Sleeveless Tent Shirt. Made of woven cotton material and falls to the top of the thigh. Numbered Limited Edition Series. Available in black and white. Price: Php 1,695.00

I really really really want this watch, too. And it's only for Php1395.

Ang Kiukok Limited Edition Watch

Limited Edition watch featuring the popular Clown theme by Ang Kiukok. Extra Large Face and rubber adjustable strap.

Ang Kiukok Limited Edition Chokers

Choker necklace featuring the work of Ang Kiukok. Chain made of black metallic material and oval shaped pendant made of lacquer. Price: Php 545.00

It makes me really excited to see what they will come up next. You can visit Freeway's website to view the rest of their collection.

Clothes styling for films?

alexandra — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:03:37 -0700

This past month has been really funny. I went from doing nothing to juggling several projects. Maybe that's why despite 2010 being a non-leap year, February seems pretty darn long to me.

One of the things I'm currently busy with is styling for a film. This is a first for me, since I'm used to doing photoshoots, and I've been involved in fashion shows. But film is hard! You can't always be high fashion unless the character calls for it, of course. It's really 20% styling and 80% wardrobe managing. You have to worry about continuity. What I learned from school and previous styling experiences isn't much help because firstly, you're not dealing with models. Actors and actresses who are about to shoot a movie are different . I find that you have so much more detail to worry about here, and they don't always have to do with fashion and aesthetic. While this is also true for other styling gigs, this is much more demanding. And hey, aside from continuity, you have to deal with moving people! In varying shapes and sizes. I was used to models with set cards and predictable measurements--you can usually guess what would fit them and what wouldn't, with just one look.

But I've been having fun, too. The learning process is fun. And I get really OC about details so don't get me wrong, I suspect I'm actually enjoying all that technical details.

I was at the acting workshop yesterday, basically just to get their measurements and see what costumes one of them, Jamilla, had. She lives too far, so she looked over the pegs we provided and bought some clothes with her that might do. For the other actors, I'm raiding their closets tomorrow.

Test shots for the tank tops

Also, I have a confession to make. While I know about models and fashion writers in the industry, I know sadly little about TV. I had to google about Jamilla. Her last name's Obispo. Apparently, she's an FHM cover girl and had been in Pinoy Big Brother.

Free pair of VNC shoes? I'm there!

alexandra — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:08:50 -0700

Let's face it, working as a freelance fashion stylist is a fierce undertaking and definitely not for the faint-hearted and as some would claim--not for the short of money . The funny thing is, I left a stable, high-paying job to pursue this career. But this is what I love to do, so I'm going to make it work with creativity and loads of imagination. Everything in my wardrobe does double duty ever since I started working as a stylist, because I use them for photoshoots. So imagine my excitement when I learned that Ro of Animetric's World is giving her readers a chance to win a free pair from VNC! I'm grabbing it! Take note, it's any pair of your choice regardless of price. I'm there, baby.

.

Why do I want/need/deserve it?
1) VNC is arguably the best shoe store for me with their kind of style, quality and pricing. Ro hit it right on--they're not cheap, but they're not too expensive. They're fabulously chic and the quality is good so you know you're paying your money's worth.
2) I need new shoes to use for shoots, not just for myself but for the models to use. Like I said, double duty!
3) I want new shoes for myself. I need my fix to look good, okay? I'm due--I haven't shopped inside a mall for MONTHS since I had to be all creative and thrifty with my styling pieces.
4) I don't have to feel guilty for spending money on shoes instead of going on an eat-all-you-can buffet. Okay, okay, kidding! Sort of.

Here are some VNC shoes , so you know why they're a big deal to me.

I'd probably wear these with some vintage garb.

This beige wedge is adorable. Wedges, clogs and other chunky heels are gonna be big soon, if the current runway collections are any indication.

Channel Chanel. Be inspired with Chanel's Spring RTW 2010 and wear the beige wedge with these.

See other shoes from VNC, also from their most recent collection:

Now do you get why I really really want that gc from VNC? That store always manages to get my attention with their shoe displays.

I should probably dissuade everyone else from entering Animetric's World contest for the shoes, haha! But here are the other prizes Ro's giving away. You ought to check them out:

A Heroic Attempt to Unravel the Woman Behind the Brand

alexandra — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:52:21 -0700

The 1920s remains one of my most favorite eras in fashion. It was the roaring twenties, a liberation and revolutionary movement. Women broke away from the prison of their corsets; they kicked up their heels with their legs now free of restricting hemlines. Simple, elegant silhouettes were the order of the day and the little black dress was born. Modernity thundered its way through the war-worn times, and what better way to exclaim a rebellious spirit than fashion at the hands of a style maverick named Coco Chanel?

Coco Avant Chanel is a film that seems to be an attempt at explaining how this woman, this force of nature, came about. It opens, not surprisingly, at the moment when she and her sister are dropped off by her father at the nunnery. Her humble origins are given light in the eyes of a young Gabrielle, who waited for a fatherly visit that never came. She grew up ashamed of her past, but proud, easily fabricating a less severe portrait of her childhood whenever anyone cared to ask.

Audrey Tautou plays Gabrielle Chanel, giving her Coco a spin for the stubborn yet vulnerable. However, despite Miss Tautou’s talent , her character burns slow. I can’t say for sure if this is due to the screenplay , but Tautou acts with the air of a veteran squeezing all the juice she could find in the material she had to work with. Yes, Coco is interesting in her ingenuity and somewhat mannish aesthetics, but more focus is given to her relationships with Etienne Balsan and Anthony “Boy” Capel, signifying that these ties had nurtured her well-known talent and drive. The moment that her sister is out of the scene and she is deeply embroiled in the presence of Balsan , the movie takes a turn for romantic turbulence. Balsan is an aristocrat, and while easy going, he is unwilling to make a public acquaintance out of Coco. Poelvoorde plays his role well, possibly the most dynamic character in the film. He acts according to his stature, but eventually displays a depth of emotion that surprises everyone. Meanwhile, Boy Capel as played by Alessandro Nivola is suave, confident and takes an immediate, if predictable, interest on the lonely Miss Chanel. He is too much the seducer, his role as eventual love interest too obvious from his looks and voice, even at the first moment he appears, his back turned while playing the piano. Whatever tension there is in the air, it is mostly from Chanel, and you almost wish there was more to their dalliance with Capel being the reputed love of her life.

Coco wears a self-styled riding habit and pops in unannounced at her host's picnic.

Capel and Chanel goes dancing, while everyone stares at the classic black dress

Historically, the aforementioned men were undeniably important in the life of the fashion icon, having provided the initial means to launch the brand. However, one could hardly be blamed for wanting to see more of Chanel’s cleverness and resourcefulness. These were displayed at moments when she had loosened the strings of her sister’s dance costume and when she fashioned a riding habit out of menswear, but they were almost forgettable scenes. Yet isn’t this supposed to be what the movie is about? It doesn’t differ much from a regular romantic fare, and should it be judged thusly, it lacks climactic chemistry with misplaced glimpses of Chanel’s talent for fashion that seems almost accidental. There were several times when I was just waiting for something groundbreaking to happen.

Making a movie that captured Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s entire life might have been too much of an undertaking. The legendary fashion icon was indomitable, having made a constant habit of breaking down barriers and surviving on top of her game in a man’s world. This could have been one of the reasons why Warner Bros. opted to depict Chanel’s life before she became famous. Surely they accomplished a nice little tribute. But was this a wise move? Several critics claim that the movie leaves one to wonder if the real story of worth is to be found after Chanel. I can’t say I disagree, but it certainly made me wonder what else was there in the early life of Coco; had I watched this for the intention of learning just that, then my curiosity would have remained unabated.

Other items of interest:
Audrey Tautou is also the face of Chanel No. 5, touted as "The World's Most Legendary Fragrance".

Cool Classics and Stella McCartney

alexandra — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:17:57 -0700

I don't religiously check the most celebrated designers' collections like most hardcore fashion junkies would. I'm more the let's-see-what-we-have-in-our-old-closets-and-thrift-stores kind of girl. I do like to keep my eye on them, however, to get a pretty good idea on how fashion trends will be evolving. Some of the Pre-Fall 2010 designer collections' really made an impression on this casual viewer, especially Stella McCartney's collection.

Stella said of her collection "It's to provide a whole wardrobe, pieces that will stay with you for years because of the quality, and because, hopefully, they have a kind of timelessness." And I do think she got the timelessness down pat. Her collection exuded a certain coolness about it, and when I saw the pantsuits, I immediately thought Katharine Hepburn. It's definitely classic, emphasizing on simple sophistication and careful tailoring. Maybe what fascinates me about this is that I've been so used to piling on the layers be it on clothes and jewelry and distressing fabrics for that edgy vibe. So far, I can only dream of styling something so simple and cool as this.

I also love the palette she mostly worked with. Tan, camel and nudes were among my favorites in her collection.

Photos from Style.com, Stella McCartney.

You may also want to read:

MESA Designer Wear by Mae Aguinaldo
Styling for Escada Sport at Shangri-La's Razzle Dazzle

New Beginnings for The Reluctant Stylista

alexandra — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:39:55 -0700

This is the first time I'm writing something non-fashion/beauty related here, but there's no better exception than now. There's been a major revamp at The Reluctant Stylista lately, if you've noticed. That's a new layout you're looking at, a new masthead and this time with an original artwork! We'll be having more of that in the future. My boyfriend Paolo drew that for me, to look like me--I'm not that cute, but that's love for you.

Meanwhile, do you miss the colors of the old layout? Do let me know. I kind of do, but I was aiming for a different angle with this new layout. I'm hoping I can figure out how to bring back some of the color to it. I used to get compliments on the old one even though in actuality, that was kind of a rush job. My friend Alvin used to pressure me about getting this site up since he already had everything laid out, it just needed the design . So one night, I was determined to finish it and launch the next day. I was hungry, and I was thinking of cupcakes--which was why the old layout looked like that. Like an old-fashioned bakery. It had pink accents so that it'd still look like a beauty and fashion blog, but I was more partial to the warmer shades of brown. Many beauty blogs were already pink, but what color could I use that'd still look girly and yet not pink? Yep, that's why the old layout had lots of orange in it. I'm still more partial to orange, but I'm giving the hot pink you're seeing in this new layout a test drive. If you notice, all links are colored the same, so it's easier to change into another shade if I get sick of the hot pink.

This was the first layout I came up with, which never came to light. I have a thing for vintage art and pin-up girls.

I tend to get carried away with vintage design, so I changed the masthead to look more modern, thus more open to a wider audience. It had rotating banners, two of which you're seeing below.

The actual implementation looked like this.

While we're at it, we might as well plug about what we do for a living . Everyone behind The Reluctant Stylista is knowledgeable in web design and development. The boyfriend and I are actually going to start concentrating on blog design and illustration services soon, so if you're interested, you can drop by our combined portfolio at The Six Thirty.

Alvin, the genius that made this site possible, is also available for interactive web design and development . You can check out his portfolio at Chogi Interactive.

Reluctant Exerciser takes on Barre3

alexandra — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:07:44 -0700

Watching a barre3 class from outside the glass windows suddenly made me a bit nervous--surely a far cry from the completely gung-ho way I accepted the trial invite from Rowena just a week before. What have I gotten myself into this time? I saw how people inside the class were comfortably stretching their muscles and limbering up their bodies as I mentally squared myself off with them. Now why was I here again?

In actuality, I am mostly too lazy for exercise, somewhat gym-allergic and I even hate walking. Though I enjoy sports, I can't even remember the last time I engaged in something more strenuous than fighting my brother for the last bag of Doritos. In short, I have been pretty much out of shape for the past few years, with little tolerance for anything that requires stamina . And lately, I've been sleeping pretty badly, too, what with my irregular schedule and all. It was only a matter of time before I dragged myself out of my sedentary lifestyle to do something about it --hence, committing myself to a Barre3 session, hoping to jumpstart my transition to a healthy-friendly 2010 I've been spouting so much about.

So what is barre3? It's this 60-minute workout combination of the ballet barre, yoga and pilates. It works on building longer and leaner muscles and strengthening the core. From what I gathered during that workout, it improves not only muscle balance and flexibility, but also helps to correct posture and breathing. I swear you'll feel it the first ten minutes into the studio. I suppose that's the yoga part--I've always been curious about yoga since it seems glamorous to me . If I had known the ballet part sooner, I probably would have balked, seeing as memories of my skinny and awkward prepubescent self in a tutu still haunts me everytime I think about it. Thankfully though, I think the barre helped a whole LOT in making the whole experience more manageable. I've never done Pilates and I only know that my Hollywood girl-crush Rachel Weisz does it .

I was pretty relieved when I met the others at the trial session that night, hearing how many of them weren't regular gym rats, either. So far, so good. I didn't have to pretend that I knew what I was doing there, hah! I was with my sister, and as soon as we entered the studio, we were told to pick up a pair of weights, a ball and a strap. I immediately picked up the smallest weights there, even though my sister wanted to get something heavier . Not long after we started our warm-up with master trainer Darcy Harding, I realized we were here for some serious stretching. And boy, do I mean serious stretching--I quickly saw how this was going to make anyone leaner and more flexible. I was suddenly grateful I picked up the lightest of weights because we were stretching our limbs slowly, balancing, building up the pressure so that you can practically feel those muscles you weren't acquainted with before suddenly say hello. They were supposedly simple instructions--lift your leg, stretch your arms to the center--but what made it difficult was the pacing. It didn't look far from the tai-chi I'd often see in kung fu movies, I thought. I wanted to be like those monks, looking so graceful and zen-like, but I was only met with my own trembling knees. Gah!

T'was no walk in the park for the guys, either! Are those grimaces in place of smiles? Haha!

Darcy told us that if were finding the weights to be too much of a strain, we were welcome to let go and continue the stretching without them. I almost did, pride be damned! But I wanted to push myself as I rarely ever do, so I concentrated on my breathing to take my mind off the weights instead. It was a wise move--combining the breathing and the correct posture that Darcy repeatedly instructed us, I found that it was so much easier to bear the weights. I was actually pretty surprised when the stretching had ended and I forgot I still had them in my hands.

The barre exercises were harder, with a lot of leg stretching and even more balancing acts. It helped to concentrate on posture, because every time we were doing a stretch that seemed to strain my neck, I'd check the mirrors to see if my spine and hips were straight, even my shoulders, then I'd adjust my weight accordingly. The key seemed to be pressing my weight onto my feet to lessen the strain on my neck. We were doing push-ups on the barre, and I just knew that tomorrow morning, I'd definitely be feeling all this again. I was right--the next day, I was sore all over: my chest, biceps, triceps, buttocks and thighs totally felt the exercise, after years of inactivity! However, Darcy did say that if we woke up with aching bodies the next morning, it only meant we were doing it right.

When we hit the mats, there were exercises for the glutes and abs. Darcy had us "squeezing the lemon", getting the ball between our knees and squeezing it tightly until my legs were shaking like mad again! My favorite part was "scooping up the belly" because it didn't seem such a bad thing to lie down, catch my breath, and let my tummy tuck itself in and out. It's definitely more comfortable than regular crunches.

Anytime I'd feel the strain too much, I'd take pictures instead. It's less embarrassing that way. Here, master trainer Darcy Harding shows us how to do it properly. And it's not as easy as it looks.

When we were done, I couldn't believe that only an hour had passed! I thought at first that 60-minutes for a workout wouldn't be much, but I was wrong. I felt utterly stretched, and I still remember my shaking legs, but surprisingly, I felt relaxed and--dare I say it?--graceful. Like I was taller and stronger. And able to fly through tall bamboo shoots ala Crouching Tiger. And maybe look like Zhang Ziyi too, while we're at it.

All in all, it was a fantastic workout--not that I have much comparison, but anything that makes me feel more flexible, leaner, and stronger is good in my book. I was tired afterwards, but it was the calming, good kind. I think maybe it was all that breathing and holding those positions. After all, barre3 is recommended even for people with injuries. Children can also participate, as well as pregnant women, although for the latter, a doctor's approval and alternate positions are a must.

Barre3 is still new here in the Philippines, exclusively available at The Spa. They have morning, afternoon and night classes to cater to everyone.

For your free trial, call:

Alabang 8363184
The Fort 4035884
Rockwell 0918-8-8THESPA
Eastwood 0918-8-8THESPA

Rates:

Classes
Single Class Php 700
10 class Php 5,500
30 class Php 15,000

Membership
Monthly Unlimited membership
Php 5,500

Annual Unlimted membership Php 50,000

Special Rates
Private session Php 2,000
Exclusive session Php 1,500/person

For more information, visit the following websites:
http://barre3.files.wordpress.com
http://www.barre3.com/

Photos:

Unwatermarked photos were taken from the above sites. I'll be updating this post later this week for more pictures, as my computer suddenly died on me and I was left with the photos that my sister managed to salvage.

Styling for Escada Sport at Shangri-La's Razzle Dazzle

alexandra — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:41:30 -0700

This post has been severely delayed, but I'm sharing it nonetheless! I only got the pictures recently. It was my first time to actually style for a fashion show last November, and it was for Shangri-La's annual holiday collection called Razzle Dazzle. I was still under Luis Espiritu's supervision, so he also edited some of the stuff that I prepared for him. I was actually pretty nervous when the whole styling class drew lots and I got Escada Sport.

Escada Sport was under the theme Brights for 2009's Razzle Dazzle. It was a real challenge because personally, I thought they had so few items in their holiday collection. Lots of them were preppy t-shirts and jeans. And the colors were mostly aqua and bright pink! Suffice it to say, it wasn't my personal style, but isn't the whole point of being a stylist just that? To be able to deviate from your personal style and still create fashionable looks?

The sales representatives helped me calm down somewhat, though. They got me a clothes rack immediately, and began laying down the items from the collection on a table. I tried hard not to think about the mannequins on display, since it had a pre-arranged style already. At the same time, I was worried that maybe that kind of styling was the only way to deal with the limited pieces. After a while though, I got to work. Luis instructed us to style 6 looks, but only 4 were going to make it on the runway.

I had fun layering the clothes! I was adamant that none of my looks would replicate the store's display . I ended up the first among my classmates to finish all 6 looks, and then called Luis to have him edit it. He helped me pull off some belts and gloves from the old collections and add it to the bunch.

When I checked out my other classmates working with the other stores, it was then that I realized how lucky I was to get a pretty limited holiday collection. With too many choices, you get really confused and you wouldn't know where to start!

Anyway, here are the 4 looks I styled that made it to that runway:

Possibly my favorite of the lot. It had a chic, Parisian feel, as Luis said. He loved it, too!

I liked this one, too, but I don't see this happening on Manila streets anytime. Haha!

Just had to have a skirt in there, after all the bright aqua and pink pants!

Casual and chic

All together now!

Read more about the Razzle Dazzle Shangri-La Fashion show Philippine Star.

You may also want to read:
MESA Designer Wear by Mae Aguinaldo
Cool Classics and Stella McCartney

Human Heart Nature: Organic products with a heart

alexandra — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:31:31 -0700

So it’s a new year, and we can all do with some improvements in our routine—like being more environmentally conscious, for one. True, I won’t be claiming any hardcore status in the tree-hugging club, but I find myself reusing plastic bags, keeping paper bags for storage, and using cloth bags for shopping. I try to make a habit of being more eco-friendly in the recent years, but what got me really started in this whole thing was a bit of vanity, if you can believe that.

It was around 2007 when I first dabbled into mineral make-up and organic products. All well and good, but they didn’t exactly come cheap. Supply didn’t come in droves, either. I’d buy imported organic shampoo from Rustan’s, and they were about triple the price of ordinary or local shampoos. Yet I persisted in buying it because I realized one thing about real organic shampoo: they lessened dandruff considerably, if not gotten rid of completely. And I never quite figured out the deal with dandruff in this hot and humid clime of ours in Manila, since I did just about everything trying to find a solution for it. No anti-dandruff shampoo worked for long . I didn’t have an oily scalp and I normally took showers and shampooed my hair twice a day. I lessened the shampooing or I doubled it. It got worse whenever I was stressed or my hair was already too long. The times I can remember being totally free from it were the times that I were out of the country for at least 2 weeks—a considerable amount of time , and not even an inexpensive solution, either. What I didn’t know that it was all these strong chemicals and residue from shampoo and other hair products that were irritating my scalp. Using an all-natural shampoo by accident got me cleared, so to speak, but as I said, organic products weren’t very cheap.

So I was really glad when I stumbled across Human Heart Nature products. It’s really a stroke of genius that we have an organic line manufactured right here in the Philippines, when we’ve got all the goods to make it. I love their philosophy—this whole thing is a brainchild of Gandang Kalikasan Inc., providing jobs to residents of Gawad Kalinga , sourcing every little bit of material locally and creating products that are non-toxic. And selling them REALLY cheap! You’d be shocked at how affordable it is. It’s a win-win situation no matter what angle you look at it.

Below are some of my favorites from their line:

Peppermint, Pearl Powder and Aloe Vera Shampoo and Body Wash

I like this because it’s in 2-in-1, and I like that convenience. Kind of reminds me of VMV’s shampoo and body wash. I actually use it to clean my make up brushes, too. It leaves a cool, minty feeling and scent, and I noticed that I have less hair fall. It’s P109.75 for 200ml—cheaper than most local shampoos on our grocery stores. I also pack it in a small container and I take it with me when I travel. The fact that it’s body wash and shampoo combined makes my travel pack lighter.

Mango, Cocoa Butter & Goat’s Milk body butter

This body butter is fantastic—easily absorbent, non-greasy and smells absolutely delicious! Normally, I’d balk at mango-scented body lotion, but this just reminded me of mango ala mode pie. I think it’s the goat’s milk that makes it smell so divinely creamy, I couldn’t stop sniffing it. My boyfriend claims it smells like Yakult—which we both love. For those not a fan of mango, there’s strawberry-scented and unscented available. There’s 50g for P79.75, but I’d advise to buy the largest one at 200g for P199.75.

Lemongrass and Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner

Not really a fan of lemongrass scent, but I love how it cleans. Also, there are other scents to choose from like the ppermint and mandarin one. This conditioner’s consistency is definitely different from the usual, and may take some time getting used to. But it does the job! It leaves your hair softer and much more manageable afterwards. I mostly just use it on the tips of my hair since that’s the driest part.

Body scrub with Lemongrass

Don’t you just love a weekly body scrub? I alternate this one with another favorite brand of mine, but its affordable price and organic ingredients makes me feel like a do-gooder. Lemongrass is also a natural anti-bacterial and will give you an added squeaky clean finish. It’s P159.75 for 100ml.

Check out their other products at their website! Human Heart Nature also ships to anywhere in the US.

The bottles are apparently recyclable—I was just about to drop them a line suggesting that regular buyers of theirs who finish up their bottles can return said bottles for reuse. I think it’d be a great idea so there’s less waste and production.