Like I said in one of my Instagram captions. The whole world has a major crush on Philippine shores.
The first beach trip of the year was fine because Bohol remains pristine no matter what seems to happen. I say fine because we had two days of rain which took the middle chunk of our stay but I shot the only two days of sun we had, the day we arrived and the day we left LOL. What a tease of a trip weather-wise, my brother’s flight was cancelled, but the days with sun were gorgeous. I just want to take you guys to places with me through a handful of posts…in some way, not challenging Lonely Planet’s info powers to any degree, mind you, promise. As many of my Instagram followers already know, I was in Bohol for my Dad’s 70th. It isn’t our home province but my parents have a couple of friends who own a resort, and so do I but note please, no one asked me to write this. I just wanted to.
BEAUTY NOTE: The subtle-but-makes-a-diff highlight across my cheekbone is thanks to a tiny tube sample of LAURA MERCIER Radiance primer, a new fave. Swimwear provided by @roxyPH
To side-step for a moment, Boracay, another beach which is a well-known Philippine resort hub, is fun and scenic in strategic areas, with incomparable silky white sand shorelines and aquamarine water, but to be honest…and everyone can be honest about it, I get the feeling it hasn’t been maintained and preserved well enough. I hope somehow we can find a balance between commerce and eco-tourism for that well-loved place which brings so many people together. Bohol, on the other hand, while it may not be the spot-on place for young people thirsty for a bar-hopping or isle-clubbing rendezvous or endless aqua sports, it is still today home to quite clean shores (they get more debris and the odd piece of trash after storms) and crystal-clear sea water with lots of marine life…which is a sign.
BOHOL BEACH CLUB, Panglao
Foreigners and locals alike will always find respite here and breathtaking surroundings exist for divers as well, especially in Panglao. Despite the recent earthquake Bohol has pulled itself together quite well. By the way, I’ve included the toiletries I chose to pack and makeup as well but chose to lay off the in-depth description and just listed the products :).
THE SKINCARE, clockwise (sort of lol) : Yves Rocher Micellar Cleansing Water (Toning Makeup remover),Terramycin Triple antibiotic ointment, VICKS Vaporub (coz I was still raspy), Glamglow mask sachet (didn’t get to use it but saving it for the next trip), Daylong (by Cetaphil) After Sun Repair Lotion, Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF45, Bioderma Cicabio Creme (every morning before SPF), Daylong (by Cetaphil) Kids SPF50 Face and Body sunscreen lotion (fragrance-free, very water resistant), Hygienix alcohol hand spray, Le Labo Rose 31 Shower Gel and Shampoo (from Fairmont Hotel, the conditioner is gone because it was awesome the moment I tried it at the hotel), Kiehl’s Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment, Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser (according to Mom it’s sold out in many places but a kind saleslady gave her deluxe samples.)
THE MAKEUP, clockwise: Pixi Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched, Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pencil in “BronzeBeam”, K-Palette Real Lasting Eyebrow Mascara, Physician’s Formula Black Waterproof Eyeliner, REVLON Colorstay Automatic Lipliner in “Mauve” (best drugstore brand lipliner for me), Marionnaud #37 Eyes crease brush (currently my best Php78 eye brush for blending my Pixi pencils and Laura Mercier caviar sticks over my lids as eyeshadows, great for hooded eyes), NARS #3 blending brush travel size (came w/ NARS And God Created the Woman Eyeshadow kit), Soffia flat top angled kabuki, Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister Waterproof mascara (pink butterflies), Tarte Maracuja Oil deluxe sample (my only hair product and helps with stubborn mascara), Maybelline Instant Age Rewind the Eraser undereye concealer (from Duane Reade, NYC), Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20, MAC Face and Body foundation (C2 for NC30), MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow, Benefit BeneBalm, Laneige Waterdrop Tint, Kevyn Aucoin Lash Curler, Tweezers, Happy Skin PH Eye Love View EyeBrow Duo (Pen and Pencil), Laura Mercier Radiance Primer, Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Cocoa, Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Heftiest Hibiscus, Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Caramel, and HURRAW! Earl Grey Vegan Lip Balm
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
― C.S. Lewis