Sesou carries almost all of the local organic brands: Botany Works (oils), Human Heart Nature (bath, hair and skin products, cosmetics), Giga (aromatherapy, balms, oils, pets, home, and baby care products), Ilog Maria (honeybee-derived products for hair, body and wellbeing), Indigo Baby (specialty baby products), Leyende (bath, hair and skin care), Messy Bessy (household, baby products), Plantex (detergents) and Vanilla & Company (bath, hair and skin care).  I had to exercise utter self control to keep myself from buying everything I lay my eyes on.

I got a 250ml bottle of Sweet Almond Oil by Botany Works.  I only paid 370 php, if I were to get Home Health’s Almond Glow, I have to pay almost 700 php.  I also got Human Heart Nature’s Moringa Balancing Facial Wash, Avocado and Seand Sunflower Beauty Oil.  Although you can get these products directly from the manufacturers, they usually take their time in shipping the merchandise.  The price markup of Sesou is 10 – 20 php per item, some have none at all.  Pretty reasonable considering the convenience of having it all in one shelf for you to take your pick.  They also accept credit cards.

Sesou is located at the ground floor of Glorietta 3 across Naturalizer going to Landmark, ground floor of Market! Market! at the Fort Bonifacio Global City and at the ground floor of Trinoma in North Edsa.  Get in touch with them online through http://sesou.multiply.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/sesounaturesource.

It was not until recently that vegans and vegetarians only had Healthy Options as their most accessible shop.  The place carried most brands from all over the world, mainly US.  Not only does it leave a lot of carbon footprints since the goods travel a long way to get here, it also costs more.  A 200ml bottle of almond body oil that usually costs 5 usd or 200 php would cost three times more at the shop.  When you are just starting to get into it, it seems fine but when you realise how much you consume and how often you need to replenish your personal stocks, you feel that it is a bit heavy on the budget.

I have never believed in skimping on skin products.  I always think that it is an absolute necessity to invest on lotions and potions that you slather on your skin because any potential damage can be irreversible and permanent.  That is why I never go shopping for skin stuff online.  That changed when I felt my pocket getting more shallow by the payday.

In one of the bazaar days at Eastwood Central Plaza, I came across this kiosk called Urban Nature.  They sell Z.E.N. (Zestful, Organic, Natural) organic bath and body products that are handmade locally with natural ingredients.  Less carbon footprint, cost-efficient and proudly Pinoy, as guaranteed by co-owner Rara herself, who usually sits with the people at the bazaar.  I have tried their Lavender Hair Conditioner and Barako Coffee Body Scrub.  The hair conditioner is superb at its job and it smells good too.  It is also made in different scents, drop by urbannature.multiply.com for the complete line and availability.  The body scrub can be used both on the face and the body but it is a bit drying although that is to be expected from a soap-based scrub so its enticing smell makes up for that.  There are a couple of other varieties with their own use, like coffee is for detoxification and polishing.

I also use their Tea Tree Roll On Antiperspirant and it keeps me dry for over twenty four hours.  I do not stink so I would not know how it does with odour.  They also have the best insect repellent.  All of the other local organic repellents that I have tried are citronella-based and reek of it.  Z.E.N.’s Citronella Lemon Insect Repellent smells so good, you would not believe it works.  Another specialty product line is their body oils and massage oils.  The Radiant Body Oil is made of natural coconut, olive, and sunflower oil with vitamin e, top actress-model Angel Aquino loves this.  Silica Oil helps in collagen production and is light enough to use on your hair.  They also have aromatherapy massage oils for each of your mood swings.

In my quest for a better scrub, I went around the metro for organic shops.  There are some organic tubs in a couple of beauty shops but they were too expensive.  If it is 350 php for 300 grams of Z.E.N. coffee scrub, it is only ideal to keep the comparison within the range.

Back in uni, I used to party day in and out, drink anything in a bottle and smoke at least two packs of cigs a day. It came to a point where I simply felt exhausted that I cannot party anymore. I did a complete three sixty turn on how I spent my days. I started going to the gym for at least two hours in a day, whether in the morning or in the evening, before I start drinking. I am not an alchy, I just enjoy drinking! I quit the cancer sticks cold turkey and started taking supplements such as vitamin c for my immune system and vitamin e for my skin. Most people faint at the mere mention of supplements thinking it will burn big holes in their pockets but in this modern age, cheap supplements are widely available to the average consumer. They complete the perfect balance between living healthy during the day and partying the night away.

For some, bigger does not always mean better.  The size of your room also plays a big role in mattress size selection.  If you are budget-conscious, the price and the brand will also be a big factor in your selection.  The most important of all is the material with which the mattress is made.  Your chair has already done a good job in trying to ruin your back for life, you need the next eight hours to compensate.  For maximum sleeping comfort, the memory foam mattress is the perfect choice.  The material was developed in the United Kingdom and comes with a five-year guarantee.  You can also choose the thickness of the mattress that you are most comfortable in.  For the ultimate rejuvenating sleep experience, add the memory foam mattress topper to your bed ensemble.  Like the mattress, you have a wide variety of thickness options.  If you were the prince or the princess in the fairy tale, the memory mattress will send you off to blissful dreamland even if you have an entire pack of peas underneath.

As I got older I realise how important sunscreen is.  I just do not like how most sunscreens do not act as moisturisers as well.  You end up having to slather on two different products to get two different things done.  When I saw Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50, I thought my dream of having just one product on my face finally came into being.  I was wrong.  I should have figured from the term Waterlight that it is as light as it can get.  You apply it on your damp face and let the air dry it as you get the rest of yourself ready.  Later during the day, I feel my face getting a bit dry and tight.

For 7gbp, I cannot really complain but I did not even use half of the bottle before I decided to forget about it.  Sun damage and skin dehydration is something you do not take lightly.  Spending a few extra quid on a good product is well worth it.

When I was younger, I never liked moisturising.  I hate the greasy feeling it leaves on my skin but as I got older I realised how important it is to nourish the skin especially during the cold season.  I tried every lotion in the market that promises ultimate moisture but I never got through more than one bottle of the same kind.  I started using Neutrogena Body Oil a couple of months back.  It is very light and suitable for use both in and out of the shower.  Spread it on areas that are prone to moisture loss like your arms, elbows, legs and knees.  At some point, I had to use more of the oil to keep my skin hydrated.  After looking around, I found Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil.  It is definitely heavier than Neutrogena but it seems to do its job.  I chose Mama Bee Nourishing specifically because of all the oils by Burt’s Bees, it is the only one that is labeled 100% natural.  It is made with almond oil and contains vitamin e, all you need for good skin.  at 10gbp for this bottle, it is not bad if it does its job properly.  No need to worry about lugging around a bottle of moisturiser and trying to reapply every five seconds when you are stuck in an air conditioned office.