Top 10 SMC Picks for Baby Skin Care {Short-Product Review}

My mommy friends and co-bloggers, Mommy G of Moomy Musings and Mommy Cj of Planevillemom and a lot of other mommy bloggers so to speak, have already shared the different baby brands they patronize and have tested when it comes to taking care of their baby's skin. So here is my share as well.

1. Tiny Buds In a Rash

This is a soothing light cream that can be used after every diaper change (ideally). On the other hand, we deviated from its normal usage. Instead of using this every diaper change, I did find out that it is even more effective in averting insect bites marks. 

This has been part of our basic load since E started visiting his tatay's camp and my office (considering the fact that army camps are commonly forested areas). It is gentle on baby's tender skin and is 100 percent made from natural ingredients in an easy-to-use dispensing bottle. More importantly, it is free from paraben, petroleum and artificial color.

More so, even my husband and I uses the product and it's really effective that the insect bites really fades fast. This only cost Php 159.00.

2. Tiny Buds Rice Powder

This rice powder is far different from those being offered and retailed in the market. It does not contain paraben and is also made from 100% real rice grains. It is made from all natural ingredients and is completely from harmful talc. If you have an active baby like mine, this rice powder is a must have.

I started letting E use the powder when he was about 8 months old since during that time, he was already getting more sweaty with all the practice walking and mini baby stunts he had been doing. Tiny Buds rice powder has an ingredient that locks up sweat first and keeps E’s skin fresh and dry from perspiration. This costs Php 99.00.

3. Physiogel Intensive Cream

This contains high level of natural lipids to hydrate moderately dry to very dry, irritated and sensitive skin. This does not contain colourants, perfume and preservatives. The very first Physiogel Intensive Cream product that I had was just a gift that I did not bother to open until I attended the Belly Blessed Fest 2013. During the said event, a booth was allocated for Physiogel. The attendees were given sample.

Mommy G convinced me that the product is really good so the next day, I opened my sample and tried it. I often have flaky elbow skin, but with Physiogel Intensive Cream, I kiss flaky elbow skin goodbye! I am also prone with foot callus because of using shoes 9-12 hours in a day. I also tried it and made my foot sole softer! Physiogel Intensive Cream costs about Php 530.00 for 50ml size. 

4. Vandol Vitamin A

Vitamin A Vandol Ointment is a pure Vitamin A ointment that is used to prevent diaper rash, chafing, sunburn, dry skin, minor abrasions, minor burns and superficial wounds. This was the very first anti-diaper rash ointment that I used for E and eventually with A. This costs Php 160.00.

5. Indigo Moonshine Baby Bottom Spray

This has lavender scent which soothes, heals and protects your baby's delicate skin. All you have to do is to spritz directly onto baby's bottom and wipe to dry or wash with water. This is used at every nappy change to avoid nappy rash. I vouched that this product is a MUST when traveling (this spares the child or even us as parents to bring anti diaper rash cream which has to have cotton buds in order to be applied). 

Likewise, since it has a lavender scent, the poopy smell is eliminated aside from it protects the baby from rash. Less the hassle indeed!

BTW, this costs about Php 280.00. How long does it last? Hmmm...about three months perhaps. It is not everyday that you're on the road right? 

6. Aveeno Baby Fragrance Free Daily Lotion

This contains natural colloidal oatmeal blended with rich moisturizers that soothe and help protect baby's delicate skin. The naturally nourishing, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, moisturizes for a full 24 hours, contains no drying alcohols and won't clog pores. It’s formulated to be hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and gentle enough for daily use on baby's sensitive skin.

After every bath, I make it assure that E and A's skin are well protected. Aveeno Daily Lotion makes E and A's skin free from dryness without that sticky feeling. This can even be used during summer season.

This costs about Php 500.00 depending on the size. This is even cheaper when bought online.

7. Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion

Just like Aveeno Daily Lotion, Mustela is very effective in keeping baby's skin soft and well hydrated. It softens skin with the presence of shea butter. This has been one of my mommy friends (The Mommy Avenue) favourite as well. 

It is also non-greasy and penetrates baby's skin immediately making skin radiant smooth. It is easy to apply and is dermatologically tested. Likewise, its formulation is based on the combination of sweet almond oil and jojoba oil. 

The price of this product depends on the size. It is a bit pricey but its effectiveness is non-questionable.

Chef Laudico's GUEVARRA'S Launching {Press Release}

The Owner

Photo Courtesy of
http://www.hipertrofiamuscular.com/31/chef-laudico

The owner of the newly launched Chef Laudico's GUEVARRA'S is the renowned Chef Roland Laudico and Chef Jacqueline Laudico y Juarez. As a brief background, Chef Roland Laudico graduated from Culinary Institute of America, where he finished as a Dean's Lister. Prior achieving his accolades and fame, he was able to gain his experience as a chef in various restaurants in New York, France and Sydney, where he delighted clients with his ability to prepare world-class cuisine in the comfort of their homes. Now, Chef Laudico together with his wife continues with their legacy through establishing their own restaurants and sharing what they have learned to us, their kababayans.

The couple's company: Chef Laudico Group was then established in November 2000. From then on, through positive word of mouth the company has grown into a professionally run catering operation, capable of handling weddings and major corporate and social events. 

GUEVARRA'S - A PLACE FULL OF HISTORY, A PLACE CAPTURED IN TIME

If you're looking for a place that captures that feeling of affluence and old-world charm – look no further than GUEVARRA'S in San Juan. Located on P. Guevarra street, the converted 1940's home used to house a spa in the basement but the whole space is now taken up by Chef Laudico's newest venture into haute Filipino cuisine – buffet style. 

GUEVARRA'S is a typical 1940's Filipino home – we can see evidence of both Chinese and Spanish influence in its architecture and interior design. The current owners decided to whitewash the walls to bring out the beauty of the details that were left bare – from the symmetrical wood paneling to the prominent wooden arch decorated with sinuous, riotous vines. The huge and literally “picture” windows feature images of former senator, Pedro Guevarra, the restaurant's namesake. I hear that it's kind of creepy at night with the light shining from within, but it was fun to spot little details in the images that hold true up to this day. 

The newly launched Chef Laudico's GUEVARRA'S is located at 387 P. Guevarra St. cor. Argonne St., Addition Hills1500 San Juan, Philippines.

As I have mentioned above, Chef Laudico has been known with his ability to prepare world-class cuisine in the comfort of our own homes. The newly launched Chef Laudico's GUEVARRA'S is a reflection and extension of this. Chef Laudico's GUEVARRA'S was newly renovated to become a house restaurant and events place where guests can celebrate their milestones and hold important meetings at the quaint function rooms. It also offers an outdoor setting suitable for having a nice cocktail in a serene ambiance. And to compliment the perfect setting, GUEVARRA'S offers no other than the creative masterpieces of the chef couple: Chef Roland and Chef Jacqueline Laudico.

GUEVARRA'S Love Affair with Filipino Artistry: An Exhibit Featuring the work of Vincent Padilla 

From food, to architecture, to fine art – GUEVARRA'S does its part in preserving and promoting Filipino culture and history by paying homage to Filipino genius through culinary artistry and visual arts.

If you're looking for a place to indulge your love of all things Filipino – from food to architecture to fine art – look no further than the upcoming month-long exhibit of artist Vincent Padilla's work at Guevarra's restaurant in San Juan. The exhibit's launch coincides with the grand opening of GEUVARRA'S last 16th of July 2013. 

The Artist

Photo Courtesy of datalent.tumblr.com

Vincent Padilla has his roots in San Juan – he was born there on September 27, 1976. However, his talent and artistic voice was truly honed during his family's time in Antipolo where he met and spent time with artists from the acclaimed Grupong Saling Pusa such as Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani and Manny Garibay. During his elementary years, he also chose to involve himself in summer art classes instead of taking the summer off like the rest of his peers. His dedication to creating art and fostering his creativity paid off when he was accepted into the BFA program at the University of the Philippines Diliman – a time he enjoyed so much that he's also currently pursuing his Masters in Fine Arts there, too. 

He has joined numerous art competitions and won acclaim as the Juror's Choice Awardee in 2003 during the Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards, which led him to represent our country in the 2004 Art Awards which were held in Bangkok, Thailand that year. If you're wondering where you would have seen the artist's work before – he has also been featured in exhibits in places such as New York, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong as well as numerous other places. 

KLM Malaysia in Hot Water {Service Review}

BUMP.

Yesterday, I came across an article and an open letter directed to KLM Malaysia about an 18 year old  Filipina travel scholar, Arjean Marie Belco who was denied to take her flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (via Amsterdam). Accordingly, Arjean is supposed to attend the World Youth Day. For full details of the reasons behind the said denial, please refer to Goodxorg's Open Letter.

QUESTIONS.

Referring to Goodoxrg's open letter, I now post these questions to KLM Malaysia:

- How do you choose your staffs? How come a MR SHAWA attitude exist among your ranks?

- How do you handle complaints like that with Arjean's concern? Can you explain the following past and present complaints as well?

KLM Staff Assaults Pax in Cape Town in 2001.

Consumer Complaints and Reviews 

In as much as we do not like KLM be put in bad light, it is a costumer's right to be treated well, regardless of skin color and social status. How many Arjeans will there be if you continue to employ a bunch of MR SHAWA? How many tourist will not be treated well if all they want is a relaxing flight and stress free vacation? 

Kiddie Tunes Part 2: Getting to Know the Product {Press Release}

"Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. It is thought that brain development continues for many years after birth. Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain's circuits in specific ways. Linking familiar songs to new information can also help imprint information on young minds." ~ Kiddie Tunes

Review.

In my post about the product review of Kiddie Tunes CDs and DVDs, I clearly stated how I was very quenched with their musical CDs and video DVDs. As I remember it right, I was with my dear friend and confidante Attorney Mary Pauline Danga-Obias (Mommy Pau), salon empress of the Mary Pauline Salon Group when I bought E's CD. Mommy Pau was also able to buy 2 or 3 CDs for her little princess "R". 

Product Brief History

The owner of Kiddie Tunes Philippines is Miss Cheryl Yap, a mother of two beautiful kids and who is fond of finding children's music with only the best quality. Of course as a mother, we all want the best for our children right?

Kiddie Tunes' story started when Miss Cheryl was able to buy a CD for her firstborn who was about nine months old at that time. According to Miss Cheryl, when her daughter heard it, she saw her little princess' look of surprise that she was amazed that her name was included in the song. Her firstborn couldn't even talk at that time but it was funny and really amazing. Miss Cheryl and her husband also loved the music because the tunes are really catchy. Even now that her firstborn is already 4 years old, she still loves the songs and dances with the tunes. 

To sum it up, Miss Cheryl made an intensive research about the CD she was able to purchase and luckily, she met and had a dialogue with the maker in USA and eventually became a dealer here in the Philippines.

Kiddie Tunes Mission

Kiddie Tunes offer personalized audio CDs and video DVDs for babies, toddlers and kids from 0-12 years old. The company offer music and narrative CDs and video DVDs, personalized with the name of your choice! Its mission is to bless children through a fun way in music and video, while letting them know of God's love for them.

You may play it at home or in the car, during playtime or as your baby sleeps. It can also be a unique gift for birthdays, holidays, baptismal, baby showers and to welcome in new babies to the world!

Kiddie Tunes has over 25 albums to choose from. This include the Classic Lullabies and Christian Songs I bought for E and A, birthday songs, nursery rhymes, playtime songs, etc.

For orders, inquiries and future purchases, you may contact Miss Cheryl Yap at mobile number 09175286528 or visit her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kiddietunes.

Kiddie Tunes Personalized CDs and DVDs Part 1 {Product Review}

When I got pregnant, the very first maternity gift I received was a cd package containing a variety of classical music to include that of Beethoven and Mozart. My then boss and godfather sir "Pretty Boy" shared that pregnant women who are listening to classical songs, will help their baby's brain development and serve as a soothing method both for the mother and her growing fetus. With this, I obeyed his advice and also began reading related topics on baby music.

Likewise, as I have mentioned in my previous posts, I began attending several Mommy Mundo events when my E was born. It served as my mommy haven where I can attend several parenting talks, meet my mommy friends, have my kids bond with other children and buy stuffs at lower price through their bazaar. One of the things that I first bought was the Kiddie Tunes personalized CD for E, which contains a collection of classical and original lullabies.

The very first CD I bought from Kiddie Tunes worth Php 850.00. Check
Events That Should Not Be Missed.

If I remember it right, I bought it last November 2011, four months after I gave birth to my firstborn. It was like a test drive if E would like to listen to new music aside from his Beethoven and Mozart collection. What I did was to play the "You're an Angel" CD (classic lullaby collection of Kiddie Tunes) while E had his morning nap. I did it over and over again until I found myself letting him listen with the same music even during his regular sleeping time at night. Auspiciously, E did love his new lullaby! It even became part of his system that when we had our vacation in La Union and Ilocos Norte last December 2011, his song list was included our car's audio. It also aided me to let him sleep during the travel without any hassle.

And because of the positive effects of baby music with E, I made it appoint that my youngest A should also have her own personalized CD. So during the Expo Mom 2013, I formally met mommy Cheryl Yap, the owner of Kiddie Tunes and was able to buy a CD for my little girl. This time, I chose baby Christian songs, "Jesus Loves You".

Just the same with his older brother, A did fall asleep with no sweat when her CD is being played. How about E? Oh, he loves it too! He dances and goes around me and his Tatay, Lolo and Lola when his little sister's song list is being played.  My little rascals are certified Kiddie Tunes babies. So mommies and daddies, get your kids their own set of personalized Kiddie Tunes CD and share your own experience with it! Have fun!

Disclaimer: This product review is free of charge.