Belo Baby: Safe. Natural. Gentle.

I am a fan of natural and safe products for our family.  So when a local company invites me to witness the launch of their new natural baby line, I go. Especially when it's the Philippine's skincare expert, Belo!

 

Last April 6, a group of bloggers witnessed the launching of Belo's new baby line.  Contrary to popular belief, Belo is not just all about beauty and reversing the signs of aging. The heart of the Belo brand is truly skincare. Belo has an extensive product line for women and has also launched a special line for men a few years back. This year, Belo takes it a step further and introduces a line for the most precious members of our family, our children.

(L-R) Fleur, Pam, Chessy, Me, Tina, Jackie, Cai



The Belo Baby line includes a face and body lotion, hair and body wash, bar soap, and three colognes.  

Dra. Vicki Belo's daughter, Cristalle Belo, talked about Belo Baby and her passion to produce a product that will be safe for her future children. I love that she's so charismatic and engaging all throughout the event.

Cristalle explained how a baby's skin is very permeable. This means that more particles can pass through a baby's skin compared to an adult's. So imagine how much toxic substance enters through our baby's skin when we're not careful with the products that we use. This is why it pays to read the labels and make sure there are no harmful ingredients in the products that our kids use.

 

Belo Baby's product line only has 100% natural ingredients. The products contain Cocoa Butter which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to protect our baby’s skin from the harsh environment. They also contain Shea Butter which is known as a superfood for the skin. Shea Butter naturally heals common skin conditions like eczema and rash. Finally, they also have Sweet Almond Oil which is a natural emollient to lock moisture into the skin.

 

Belo Baby were not only cautious about the ingredients that go into their products, they were also very meticulous in reviewing which ingredients to leave out. They made sure that the products do not contain Parabens.  While Parabens are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of food and cosmetics by preventing mold and bacteria growth, they have also been linked to cancer and other skin disorders. They also left out Sulfates which strip the skin of its natural oils. Phthalates, which is a common ingredient in lotions was also taken out. This is because Phthalates is a chemical ingredient that is intended to soften plastics. Finally, they also made sure there will be no Tetrasodium EDTA. This ingredient is a preservative made from formaldehyde which breaks down the skin's protective barrier.

During the event, they also introduced Belo Baby's Mombassadors: Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Nicole Hernandez-de los Angeles, and Patty Laurel-Filart.


I am currently road testing the products and will share my review in about two weeks. But if you cannot wait any longer, you may do your own review and purchase Belo Baby products at your favorite supermarkets, groceries and department stores. They are also available online through Lazada, Cudsly, and Zalora.

Belo Baby is indeed crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms.

Learn more about the new Belo Baby Line through their website www.belobaby.ph and Facebook page . Follow them on Twitter and Instagram with handle @belobabylove.



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The First Time I Met My Children

Do you still remember the first time you  met your children? I do. It was very different for all three of them. I'd like to share my story with you.

I still vividly remember the first time I was about to meet Tyler. I was filled with anxieties since i was already told that he had paralysis on the left side of his face. Fears of not being able to accept his deficiencies troubled me as i slowly entered the NICU. The moment i laid my eyes on him, i thought to myself "He's perfect". I felt that he was the most beautiful baby i have ever seen. After that initial impression, thoughts of his condition started to sink in. And i broke down in that NICU. It was the day we were checking out of the hospital. I cried all the way home wondering how many days his crib will remain empty.  I knew nothing then of what lied ahead of us in the coming months.

My pregnancy with Troy was the most joyful one. I had very little morning sickness and i was happy most of the time. We prayed for a little boy.  More than the blue-decorated nursery in our house, I knew that since we lost Tyler, there is that longing in my heart to be a mother to a healthy baby boy. God saw my heart and answered our prayers. I felt very connected with Troy during my pregnancy. I would talk to him and read stories to him. I already 'knew' him even before he was born. Then March 7 came and i gave birth to Troy. Dens wheeled me to the nursery, 24 hours post surgery, to breastfeed Troy.  I was about to meet him for the first time (save for those few glimpses that i had in the operating room).  I excitedly waited in the breastfeeding room for him. It felt like meeting Dens again for the first time after over a month of talking daily over the phone (but that's another story). I wondered how he looked like and how he would react to me. Then the nurse came in with Troy.  He was bundled in a light blue blanket and was handed over to me. I carried him and looked at him. My first thought was 'Oh wow, he's so beautiful.' I also remember thinking how he amazingly looks so much like Tyler.  I kept looking at him and cannot seem to fathom that this perfect little baby that i am carrying is my own.  Then i started to struggle with the concept of motherhood. What was i supposed to say to him now?  What do i do with him?  It was a concept i cannot seem to  immediately grasp. I felt disconnected somehow. It did truly feel like the first time i met Dens in person. There was a brief moment of awkwardness even though we were already so close over the phone. But just like that, the awkward feeling immediately went away. Tears started to form as i  continued to look at this baby who also stared back at me. He is so healthy. He is my child.  I held him tighter and i felt my heart swell with so much love and pride. I was filled with gratitude for this gift of life. I was officially a mom again.

Dawn came three years later.  During my pregnancy, I often felt tired and i hardly had the chance to read stories to Dawn. I was also busy doing my online shopping for girls' clothes and conducting surveys for girls' names more than anything. I was just excited to have a girl added to our small family.  The day after I gave birth to Dawn was the first time I was to meet her in person. I found myself waiting excitedly in that same breastfeeding room once again. I looked around the room and saw the familiar breastfeeding pumps and storage bags. They did not feel foreign anymore. I felt more at ease. Then the nurse came in with this tiny baby wrapped in a baby pink blanket.  And it felt different the this time. Even though i did not feel any connection during pregnancy, i somehow immediately felt drawn to her the moment i laid my eyes on her.  One look at her and i knew she was my child. My first thought was "She's so pretty!" I couldn't believe a baby can already look gender-specific. She truly looked like a girl.  I looked at her and i felt complete. She was another answer to my prayers. Another prophecy fulfilled. I was just amazed.

Meeting our children for the first time can come in different forms. Some of you may feel that instant connection like i did with Dawn, while others may also struggle with the idea of mothering a child like i did with Troy. Regardless of how your first meeting will become, one thing is certain.  It will all lead to this feeling of pure and unconditional love.  A love so fierce that overwhelms you.  And from that moment on,  you will stay in love forever. 



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Protect Your Stem Cells with Mustela

Just when you think Mustela is already the holy grail for all baby products, it just got even better! They now have a new formulation that protects the stem cells of the skin. Yes, stem cells!

Stem cells are really popular these days.  I'm sure most of us have heard of the wonderful benefits of stem cells these days. But what exactly is a stem cell? I did a little bit of research and found that stem cells are actually a reserve cell with the capacity to grow and multiply to replace dead or damaged adult cells. Some, but not all, organs and tissues in the body have a supply of stem cells. Skin is one organ that contains stem cells. Skin wounds are repaired by skin stem cells so it is very vital to retain them in our skin.

Two weeks ago i attended Mustela's launch for the reformulation of the Mustela Bebe line.  During the event, i learned that a newborn's skin contains a rich cellular reserve of stem cells at its highest potential. The problem is that this remains extremely vulnerable during the first few years of life while our skin's barriers are still being formed (usually until the age of 2).

The good news is that Mustela's new active ingredient, Avocado Perseose, supports the development of the barrier function and more importantly, protects the stem cells in the baby's skin. Once safely preserved, the original stem cells can continue to play its role of restoring and maintatining the skin throughout life.  

Mustela event held at the 2nd floor of Stacy's at BGC



Van Santos of Seek the Uniq hosted the event



Sharlene of Mustela Philippines talked about the new ingredient in Mustela Bebe



Cute table setting with Mustela borchures and the signature Stacy's colored mallows and popcorns

Cai of applesanddumplings, Tita K of LiveLoveLolz, Jen of Attachedatthehip, Eli of ThePaintersWife, me, Jen of MyMommyology



 

Yes, Mustela is from France, Tita K!

This new ingredient is available across all products in the Mustela Bebe line. Since my previous blogs on the Mustela products that our family has been using (Read about it here, here, and here), i have found more products that our family is now using.

1. Baby Shampoo

With my 2-year old's growing hair, i found it important to use shampoo now instead of just using soap all over. The shampoo makes her hair soft and more tangle-free.

2.   2 in 1  Hair and Body

This was actualy recommended to me by the Mustela sales assistant in their Glorietta 4 branch. The smell lasts longer than the other Mustela washes so this is just perfect for my very active 5-year old. I like that his hair still smells nice after the end of a very busy day.

3.  Facial cleansing cloths

I found this to be particularly useful for my daughter who loves to thumbsuck. i use this to regularly clean her hands while we're out of the house. I like that i can trust Mustela's ingredients and not worry that the wipes i am using contains harmful ingredients that my daughter may ingest.

4.   Agua De Colognia

Try it and you'll understand why our family loves it!

5.  Cold Cream

Tammy Tancinco of Mustela Philippines gave this to me as a gift after our trip to Korea during the winter. My husband's elbows were peeling and very dry so he decided to test this. We're very happy with the results and Dens' elbows have significantly improved. This is also very good to bring during your winter holidays where lips and skin become extremely dry. Great for the whole family.

So what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest Mustela branch and start protecting your baby's stem cells!

Mustela is avaiable at the following locations:

Ayala Trinoma, 1st level (beside Mary Grace Cafe)
Robinsons Manila, 1st level Midtown wing (beside Topshop)
Glorietta 4, 3rd level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)
Shangri-la Mall, 4th level (in front of Mothercare)
Megamall A, 2nd level (in front of Esprit)
Greenhills Shopping Center, The Shops, 1st level (in front of Watson's and Mary Grace)
Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in front of K & C Company)
SM Mall of Asia, 2nd level, Main Mall (near Osh Kosh and Periwinkle)

All Rustans Department Stores
All Landmarke Department Stores
Mothercare, Nationwide
PureBeauty, 2nd Floor Serendra, BGC and Harbor Point, Subic
Medela House, New Manila, QC
Chimes Specialty Store, Davao City

www.mustela.ph
Mutela Hotline 0917 895 9988
mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Facebook: Mustela Philippines

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Caudalie Divine Oil and Hand & Nail Cream (Part 3 of 3) + Giveaway

For part 3 of my Caudalie saga, i'd like to share with you a video of founders Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas who talks about the different patented ingredients of Caudalie.

Side note: i love they way they look at each other in the video each time the other person talks. It has the look of love and respect. Maybe the French are really always in love, eh? Watch and see what i mean.

After giving my reviews of the cleansers, serums and moisturizers, i'd like to share with you the Caudalie body treatments that i have been using.

1. Divine Oil

I have a friend back in high school who was so diligent in putting body lotion everyday. I must admit her skin was exceptionally soft and i desired the same. The thing is, the feel of a heavy lotion is not so enticing in our tropical climate.  I don't like the heavy/sticky feeling of most lotions so i am not as excited to use them as regularly as i should.

Then i found Divine Oil.  I've tried a couple of dry oil moisturizers in the past and my long-time favorite was the Neutrogena Body Oil. I decided to swtich to Caudalie because i like that it has the healing properties of grape and argan oils. It also contains the patented anti-oxidant Polyphenols which is a great addition to its moisturizing properties.

I use it on damp skin after i take a bath. They are sold in a spray bottle so it's very easy to apply and re-apply without getting your hands oily. It's also good to use on hair (as you would some argan oil serums) after a bath.


Photo from Caudalie's website

 2. Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream

My current addiction is the Hand & Nail cream. Its main ingredients are Shea Butter and Grape Seed Oil. It absorbs really and it smels so nice. I have a tube in my bag and i like that i can use it anytime without the fear of getting my hands all sticky and oily.

This is the 3rd and (so far) last installment on my Caudalie series. Do join the ongoing giveaway and get a chance to win their bestselling Caudalie Foaming Facial Wash here.



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Kiddie Essentials for Your Winter Holiday

We just came back from the fun and freezing Korean weather!  It was a wonderful vacation amidst the negative 16 celcius temperature.

A lot of people have been concerned for our family since we brought our two kids (4 years old and 1 year old) with us. If you know me well, you will understand that there is no way I am leaving my kids behind on a vacation. The only time I get to travel without them is during my business trips. Not exactly the most ideal scenario, i know. But until i learn to be better at parental detachment, they will just need to come along whether i am flying to a dessert or blizzard.

So anyway, here are a few travelling essentials for your kiddos when you plan to go on your own winter wonderland vacation.

1. Layering

TOP

1st Layer - Thermals
2nd Layer - Long-sleeves shirt
3rd Layer - Fleece Jacket
4th Layer - Bubble/Winter Jacket

BOTTOM

My 2 kids have varying tolerance for cold. My son takes after his father who loooves the cold weather while my daughter is just like me who easily gets cold. So for her, i added another layer of tights before her pants to ensure her legs don't get too cold. On colder days, i even added leg warmers.

1st Layer - Thermals

2nd Layer - Jeans

2. Windburn

First, you have to try your best to avoid windburn by moisturizing and covering your face as much as you can. This is especially difficult if youre kids are like mine who refuse to wear face masks. I moisturize their faces daily but after 2 days of cold weather, their cheeks were all dry and painful.

Skin that thas been [wind] burned sting when you put sunblock or moisturizers! One that worked truly well for us was Mustela's Stelatria. Unlike the other moisturizers that i've tried, my kids did not cry or complain from the pain whenever i applied Stelatria on their cheeks. I tried them on myself and can confirm that it's pain-free! This proves that Mustela is truly very ideal for sensitive skin and is free of harsh chemicals.

3. Dry Lips

For the kids' lips, i only used VMV's Boo Boo Balm. It proved effective and they didn't have chapped lips all throughout the trip!

vmvhypoallergenics.com

4. Gloves

For days when you know you will encounter snow, you need to use water-proof gloves. Those knitted gloves will only be good when your kids do not wish to touch snow. My kids cannot avoid playing with snow so these are true essentials!

http://shop.hellyhansen.com

5. Bonnet

Choose one that covers the ears. Makes all the difference, believe me.

Hope the above suggestions will help you in planning your own winter vacation. Preparation is key. If you go prepared then you can still enjoy amidst the freezing weather. Have fun!

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Contest: Win Mustela Products!

The contest winners have arleady been announced. Thank you for everyone who joined!

Isn't this exciting? You can win your own Mustela stash! I have my own favorite stash as I’ve shared in my blog posts here, here, and here. Now you can have your own set too!

Mustela has partnered with New Beginnings to bring two happy winners their own Mustela stash!

A lot of your have probably heard about New Beginnings and have been wondering what it’s all about. New Beginnings is a community of progressive mums – these are mums who are open to the non-traditional ways of raising their children and are always on the lookout for progressive brands and products.

Mustela is one of these progressive products because it provides natural skin care options for the whole family. Mustela and my family have a ‘love-at-first-use’ relationship. Mustela has helped clear my daughter’s skin rashes and helped us through sleepless nights of ‘kabag’. Read my previous blog posts if you haven’t yet. What’s even more wonderful is that Mustela products has no Parabens, Phthalate, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, and essential oils. It is Hypoallergenique which is perfect for your little one’s sensitive skin.

Now for the super good news. You can now win your own Mustela stash!

Two (2) winners will each receive P2,500 worth of products from Mustela, which can be claimed as a one-time purchase only.  The winner can claim the prize from Mustela, Shangri-la Mall Plaza (no delivery).

Just log in to your facebook account through rafflecopter below and follow the steps. Its really super easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest will run from October 11 to October 25. Winners will be contacted and announced on this blog.

As a bonus to expectant mums. Mustela is a partner of New Beginnings in the Belly Buddies program.  Buyers of Frisomum get a P1,000 gift voucher from Mustela when they buy Frisomum and refer 3 other friends to buy Frisomum. http://newbeginnings.com.ph/belly-buddies

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I Heart Mustela

Do you ever wonder why we have more and more cases of infertility, cancer, and all sorts of new diseases these days? 

I do.

After we lost Tyler in 2006, i started hearing about Natural and Organic products. I knew it was almost impossible to go 100% natural but i was determined to keep our family's exposure to toxic chemicals to the barest minimum.  We never truly found out what caused Tyler's problem but hearing the older generation repeatedly say 'Wala naman mga ganung problema dati' [We didn't have that kind of problem before] makes me believe that it has something to do with all the chemicals that we are now frequently exposed to.  So i went on a quest to find the best natural products in the market - from soaps and shampoos to make-up.

When i gave birth to Dawn in 2011, my good friend Tammy Chua-Tancinco of Mustela Philippines gave me a bottle of Mustela baby wash. I wasn't familiar with the product at that time so i went online and did some research. As i learned more about the product, i also got more and more interested. I learned that Mustela is manufactured by Laboratoires Expanscience, which is the 6^th largest independent laboratory in France, and ensures its high quality products that are free from paraben, phthalate, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, chlorphenesin and essential oils. Priority is given to ingredients of natural origins ranging form 80% to 98%. Mustela continues to create a legacy of unparalled skin care.

So when Tammy called me up one weekend and invited me to lunch and hear about Mustela Philippines, i said yes in a heartbeat. The talk was held at the Premio Restaurant of the Best Western Premier F1 Hotel at the Bonifacio Global City.

Tammy and Martin Tancinco of Mustela Philippines

Liz Almoro 

The very pregnant but still chic Amanda Griffin-Jacob 

Lexi Schultz hosted the event

Sharleen CuUnjieng, who is co-owner of Mustela Philippines, talked about how the product has helped clear her baby's rashes after trying several creams and ointments in the market to no avail.  I have my own Mustela story with Dawn and you can read about that here.

Lexi interviewing Sharleen of Mustela Philippines

All of us were listening intently

They also invited a pediatrician, Dra Vienne Valentin Saulog, to discuss the benefits of Mustela

Rowena (http://animetric.blogspot.com), myself, Liz Almoro, Tammy Chua-Tancinco

With the Mustela Philippines ladies, Sharleen and Tammy

After Dawn was healed of eczema, i started using different Mustela products and have accumulated my own stash at home.  I will discuss how i use each of the product in a separate post.

Mustela has been an essential part of our family for over a year now. If you're new to the brand, this is the perfect time to check it out. They have just slashed their prices last June. Make the shift. Your family is worth it!

Mustela is available at the following outlets:

    Ayala Trinoma, 1^st Level (beside Cafe Mary Grace)

    Robinson's Manila, 1^st Level Midtown Wing (beside Topshop)

    Glorietta 4, 3^rd Level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)

    Shangri-la Mall, 4^th Level (in front of Mothercare)

    Megamall A, 2^nd Level (in front of Esprit) 

    The Shops, Greenhills Shopping Center 1^st Level (in front of

    Watson’s and Mary Grace)

    Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in          

    front of K & Company) 

Distributed at the following:

    PureBeauty, 2^nd Floor Serendra, BGC

    All Landmark Department Stores

    All Rustan's Department Stores

    Numa Echo Baby Store, QC

For more information:

    MUSTELA HOTLINE:

    0917-8959988

    Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com

    Website: www.mustela.com

    Facebook: Mustela Philippines

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Mustela: Rash, Rash Go Away!

When Dawn was about 4 to 5 months old, we noticed that her tummy had dry red patches below the navel area. We thought she was allergic to her disposable diapers so we switched to the conventional cloth diaper during the day.  It did not get better. After a few days, we noticed red patches on the creases of her elbows. It started with little red bumps/blisters then soon became flat and red.

After some research and consultation with our pedia, this is what we found:

Source: www.babycenter.com

Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), a skin rash that often appears in the first year of life. Eczema usually shows up on a baby's forehead, cheeks, and scalp, but it can spread to the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body.  Your baby's rash might look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or become infected if scratched. 
 

I've heard some stories of friends with babies who experienced severe eczema and it's really very concerning.  This is why it's best to begin treatment at the first sign of atopic tendencies.

Here are skin-care tips from Babycenter:

• Try to keep your baby's skin from becoming too dry. Talk with the doctor about how often to bathe her. Many experts now believe that daily bathing can be helpful for babies with eczema. Just don't make the water too warm, because very warm water dries out the skin faster than lukewarm water.
• Use a mild soap, and wash and shampoo your baby at the end of her bath so she isn't sitting in soapy water. As soon as you get your baby out of the tub, pat skin dry (don't rub). Then promptly apply a liberal amount of moisturizer or emollient — an ointment, cream, or lotion that "seals in" the body's own moisture.
• Allow skin to breathe (and not become overheated) by dressing your baby in smooth natural fabrics, like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials, which can irritate very sensitive skin.
• Switch to mild, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin. Use mild, fragrance-free detergent for washing clothes and bedding. Avoid fabric softeners.
• Rapid changes in temperature can make eczema worse, so try not to let your baby get too hot and then cool quickly, or vice versa.
• Help your baby avoid scratching. She may try to get relief by scratching with her hands or by rubbing her face against the sheet when she sleeps. But scratching and rubbing can further irritate or inflame her skin and make matters much worse.
• Use the softest sheets possible in her crib, and keep your baby's nails short. Put her to bed with cotton mittens or socks on her hands, if she'll tolerate them.
• During a flare-up, you can try applying cool compresses to the area several times a day, followed by a moisturizer.

With Dawn, we tried using Mustela Stelatopia Emolient Cream. After less than a week, i noticed that her rashes have all cleared up! I was amazed at how fast the product worked.  I specifically chose this product over other brands because it is free of artificial colourings, fragrances, parabens, and alcohol.  I used it on Dawn's whole body and not just on areas with red patches.  

Dawn does not have rashes anymore but i still use the cream everyday to make sure it doesn't come back. If i am feeling a little brave, i might try to switch to the regular Mustela lotion once the Stelatopia cream runs out. Mustela is now available in the Philippines so no need to order online and send through your friendly courier. Just visit their outlets in Trinoma (1st Level) and Robinson’s Manila (1st Level Midtown Wing). It's also available in all Rustans Department stores and Pure Beauty in Serendra.

For inquiries, you may contact:
0917-8959988
Email: mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Website: www.mustela.com

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