BareNaturals Soaps & Emu Oil Plus

Last July, having heard a lot of raves about soaps from Filipino brand - BareNaturals, I purchased 2 bars: No Break-out to Makeup (P159/100g) and Amonche African Black Soap (P268/150g).  Both are made from natural ingredients, so, you'll need a good soap dish to prevent melting. 

BareNaturals  NO  BREAK-OUT  TO  MAKEUP:

Anti-pimple, Acne mark remover, Emu Oil Skin Perfecting Soap, recommended for Oily Skin

An anti-break-out soap, it has tea tree oil and real tea tree leaves with anti-bacterial action; best for pimples and other skin diseases. Fortified with the finest grade of emu oil to nourish and make the skin glow with health! With omega 3, 6, 8 and anti-bacterial properties. Mildly infused with calamansi and papain for gentle skin lightening, with sweet envigorating scent of  pink grapefruit.

I love love this soap.  Feels so good on my face after every wash and this bar smells so fresh and wonderful (I never knew that grapefruit smells this good).  This bar doesn't melt under normal temperature.  I'd be purchasing this bar again.

"Amonche African Black Soap by Bare Naturals restores damaged skin and is helpful in healing chronic eczema, acne, freckles, and dark spots. It has a built-in makeup cleanser and toner and you are guaranteed every time that it thoroughly cleanses the skin for impurities. This amazing soap is made to soften skin, heal signs of aging or scarring, and revitalize your skin" 

I'm not crazy about this one as I can't stand the strong smell (irritating my nose and eyes) plus my face felt dry and stiff after every wash.  I also got a few bumps.  I was able to finish the whole bar waiting for good results, but, sadly, it's really not a good fit for my face.  I'd be sticking to the No Break-out to Makeup Bar.

I also got their famous Emu Oil Plus (P428/30ml).  Personally, I feel that the sunflower oil I've been using is even better and cheaper than this emu oil.  This product does not deliver for me.

EMU Oil Plus by Bare Naturals has fruit acid that causes the skin to shed off more quickly, opening clogged pores, and neutralizing bacteria within, preventing pores from clogging up again by decreasing pore size, and allowing room for new cell growth.  It contains natural anti-inflammatory, healing properties with a wide range of omega oils that are known to facilitate good health. It contains a complete source of essential fatty acids. 

* I was quite squeamish to try Emu Oil because I am scared to know how they extract it.  It comes from the fat of the Emu Bird, which they also breed for their meat (like chicken).  " Emu oil is an oil made from refined fat of the Emu, a bird native to Australia. It has been used for over thousands of years by the Australian aborigines in the treatment of burns, cut wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever for bone muscle and joints disorder."

You can purchase from: 

http://barenaturals.multiply.com/
http://www.zalora.com.ph/women/beauty/barenaturals/

Human Heart Nature Products

Found this brand - Human Heart Nature at Landmark and I got intrigued with the sunflower oil which at P129.75 is really cheap.  Somehow, I was drawn to this brand that I've never heard about before, and I'm soooo glad I discovered it.  It's a Filipino brand that is super worth patronizing.  I just started using the sunflower oil and it's surprisingly amazing!  I am careful with moisturizers (especially creams), because they break me out.  This sunflower oil actually made my sensitive oily-combination skin better.  It even cleared the little bumps on my forehead that I got because of a new cream I tried last week.  It's perfect for all skin types.

From their website:

Our premium and best-selling Sunflower Beauty Oil is 100% Natural and packed with vitamins A, D & E that help moisturize and nourish your skin to give it that healthy glow -- without any harmful chemicals. It’s so effective and so versatile, the uses are endless! What kind of miracles, you ask? Well for starters it:
Softens and gives you lighter-looking underarms
Helps lighten dark under eye circles
Helps lighten darks spots and pimple marks
Moisturizes under eye area

Softens feet soles, knees and elbows
Can be used as overall body moisturizer
Moisturizes dry hair ends
Softens cuticles
De-frizzes hair
Adds shine to dull hair
Helps relieve itching and inflammation caused by insect bites
Nourishes and conditions eyelashes
Lightens dark lips
Soothes skin after shaving
Relieves itchy scalp
Helps soothe sunburn
Smoothens skin from shaving
Helps soothe rashes

Sunflower Oil,  P129.75/50 ml

I also got their night cream for my mom, and, she loved it!  I'm using it as well,  alternating with the sunflower oil.  The sunflower oil can be used day and night.  I only use moisturizer at night, so, I alternate them.  If you want to use both oil and cream at night, apply the cream before the oil.

Natural Moisturizing Night Cream with Collagen,  P264.75/100ml

HUMAN HEART NATURE product description: 

Skincare magic… while you sleep! Your skin absorbs the most nutrients at night, so let our 100% Natural Moisturizing Night Cream with plant collagen renew your skin while you’re enjoying sweet dreams. With a host of other skin-essential vitamins and minerals, erase all signs of fatigue and tired eyes as you wake up to smoother, suppler skin and a refreshed healthy glow!

My mom also loves the Sunflower Cleansing Oil (P275/200ml) as her makeup remover, she gave up her ponds cold cream for this one.  I did, too.  I apply it using a cotton ball, then, I rinse with my facial wash. 

And, to get rid of mosquitoes and other bugs, try their wonderful citronella products: Citronella Bug Spray, P159.75/100ml and Bug Shield Lotion, P94.75/50ml - they are the best I've used so far and 100% natural.  Safe for babies and adults.  You can also spray it on cabinets and corners to keep bugs away.

Human  Nature  products  are  available  at  Landmark  and  online  at   

http://humanheartnature.com/buy

                         Online shipping fee is about  P50-75,  at your doorstep within 1-2 days.

* I love their replies to feedback from their website.  They don't push their products (they don't recommend their collagen product to teens because they don't need it yet), they are a bit scientific, and if their product did not do wonders for you they acknowledge that it may not be a perfect fit for you (unlike others who get too defensive). They'll also offer you a refund if you had a bad experience from their product.

I  encourage  everyone  to  try  HUMAN  HEART NATURE  products! 
They are amazing, world-class, affordable, and Pinoy brand.  
They also support the poor/Filipino charities and are pro-environment.

Make-up Brushes

Recently, I've discovered Pinoy Brand Make-up Brushes:  Charm and Ellana.  I just visited their side by side stalls at The Ramp - Crossings in Trinoma, I purchased 3 brushes (pics below).  Both are not made from animal hairs, and, at par with international brands like The Body Shop and Suesh.  In fact, for their cheaper price, they are worth buying than imported brands.

CHARM 
Mini Kabuki (pink) and Retractable Brush. 

Priced  at  P336  and  P500

ELLANA 
Mini Buki, P300

Both brands are good quality super soft brushes perfect for applying make-up.  They have a wide range of brushes to suit your make-up needs. 

No bleeding and shedding.  I love them both.  I prefer Charm mini kabuki and retractable brushes over those of Ellana.  For flat top and angled brushes, I prefer Ellana.

L'Oro della Vita Argan Soap

Weeks ago, I purchased Argan Soap (P220) from Filipino brand L'Oro della Vita (in English means 'the gold of life').  I've been using Ponds facial wash for as long as I can remember, but, this year, I'm on a quest for new products that my skin would love.

The Gold Bar is a face and body soap with Argan Oil and AHA fruit acids. 

Been using it for 2 weeks now, and, so far, I feel it's not great for my face, I have sensitive combination skin.  I've used St.Yves before with AHA or something that cleanses pores from the inside and caused minor bumps, then, my skin cleared by the 2nd week.  In this case, I didn't like the overall effect and feel of my 2-week use.  I still prefer my old product over it.  I used the leftover bar on my body and it's quite nice.

Perhaps, I should try their Pure Moroccan Argan Oil (P1,500/70ml) to moisturize after I wash my face with a different soap.  Argan Oil is a hot item in the beauty circuit at the moment, if you want to try it, then, buy from Pinoy brand L'Oro della Vita (it's cheaper than international brands).
 

Argan Oil is gaining popularity as a new skin care must have.  The Cosmetic Argan Oil is a purely natural organic oil, meticulously extracted from the nut of the ancient Argan tree, which is found exclusively in Morocco. The oil is the pride of the region’s Berbers and is highly celebrated as nature’s anti-aging serum and skin moisturizer.  The oil has been shown to improve problematic skin conditions such as scarring, acne, wrinkles, and psoriasis.

Only time will tell if the Argan Oil craze around the world is really a golden beauty secret . . .

You can purchase from 
zalora.com.ph  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/LOro-della-Vita/338853746157394?sk=info

Le Posh Blvd. Fragrances

I love yummy dessert scents like vanilla and chocolate.  But, I'm wary, since, these scents usually work better as bath or cream products.  Good thing, I've come across Le Posh Blvd. Vanilla Ice Body Mist  (P245/200 ml).  Le Posh Blvd. is a Filipino brand of fragrances worth buying.

Vanilla Ice didn't give me a headache.  It's a mild yummy vanilla scent!  I smell candy, ice cream, cookies, etc. in every whiff.  Perfect for kids and foodies.  The scent lingers, a few spritz and you're good to go.  I also love their fruity scent Apple Pear Body Mist which smells a lot like Victoria Secret's Pear Glace, but, comes with a bargain price of  P245 for 200 ml.

Le Posh Blvd. also comes with Eau de Toilette for Men and Women.  Below is Enchanted, a nice floral perfume for women at P299/50 ml.

Le Posh Blvd. is available at Rustan's Essences

A Nice Pair of Foldable Flats - Yosi Samra

Just though of buying myself an early Christmas gift to avoid the xmas rush, ha ha!  I already have gifts for family and friends hiding in my closet (unwrapped).  And, as if by Santa's help, my quest for a nice pair of flats has come to an end.  Yosi Samra, (yosisamra.com) I've finally found you!

Shoes and sandals are stuff I'll never buy online as I really need to try them on before I make a purchase.  I'm actually looking for Corso Como Ballasox (not yet here), but, found Yosi Samra instead.  It's a good 2nd choice.  These cute flats can be purchased in the Philippines at Greenbelt 3 (GAS), Trinoma (Yosi Samra kiosk), Powerplant Mall, and Alabang Town Center (Yosi Samra Store).  Sadly, not all designs are available in the Philippines, like spring floral below that I'm in love with.

Priced in the range of  P2,495 - P3,500 up, but, they're worth it as you'll have gleeful feet.  These flats are comfy, cute/pretty, and, with good quality workmanship.  For me, they're a better buy than those high-end (overpriced) ballet flats.  They could also fold like a maxi pad - shove them in your bag and bring anywhere.

They come in a variety of designs and colors to fit your fashionista wardrobe or as a spare to take a break from your unforgiving killer heels at the end of the day.

Yosi Samra, the creator of these same name flats come from a family of professional shoe makers and he is passionate about creating high quality shoes for the modern fashionable woman.  Your feet will thank you for Yosi Samra.

Now, now, now, Corso Como Ballasox, it's time for you to follow Yosi Samra and have a store in the Philippines!

* Pics are from shoe label sites

Vanilla & Co. Bath/Body Products

I've heard good reviews about Filipino brand Vanilla & Co. (myvanillagirl.com), a self-proclaimed Beauty Bakery, so, I just had to get my hands (and nose) on their delicious smelling products.  When I've learned that their products are mostly organic without harmful chemicals, I'm officially  sold.  Their products are also affordable.

For my first purchase, I got Vanilla & Co. Pure Shea & Cocoa Whipped Buttercream Scrub in Chocolate and Hazelnut scent (P199),  Witch Hazel Beauty Tonic (P199), Chocolate Oil (P199), Strawberry & Green Tea Hair and Body Mist (P199), and Watermelon Hair and Body Mist (P199).

The classic pin-up pics are so cute . . .

The body scrub has a nutty choco scent -as a chocolate lover, this is quite a treat.  It's gentle enough for all skin types.  It's a mild scrub, makes your skin a little softer.  I like it, but, for a more thorough scrub, I still prefer St. Yves Apricot Scrub as it makes my skin super soft and smooth after every use.  St. Yves has an unpleasant smell, so, if you just need a mild, fun, and yummy scrub, use Vanilla & Co.  Pure Shea & Cocoa Whipped Buttercream Scrub.  They come in so many delightful flavor scents that you'd have a tough time choosing just one: Vanilla Paradise, Mango Cream Pie, Strawberry & Green Tea, Frappuccino, Milk Almond with Honey, Olives and Vanilla, Fresh Vanilla Milk, Glazed Donut, etc. Your bathroom will definitely smell like a bakery.  They also have these scents in their Vanilla & Co.  Extra Moisturizing Body Wash and in their Pure Shea and Cocoa Whipped Buttercream.

The Moisturizing Hair and Body Mist smells a bit off for me as a body mist/cologne (maybe, it's the alcohol and aloe vera combination).  I tried this on a dry bad hair day, it made my hair soft and manageable.  I like it for my hair and the smell is fine as a hair product.

I really like the Witch Hazel Beauty Tonic.  Spray it on your face and it's an instant refresher with a nice clean scent (also enhances your mood).  It's also good for your skin as the principle ingredients are witch hazel water, lemon, and tea tree extract.

The Chocolate Oil (also known as cocoa butter) could replace your body lotion.  Has a lingering choco nutty scent, you're gonna smell like a walking chocolate bar!  Yum! You'll have to stay away from your dogs if they wanna lick you (like mine does) as cocoa/chocolate is poison to dogs.  Vanilla & Co.  Chocolate Oil  is  very moisturizing, emollient, and can also be used for body massages.  Cocoa butter has so many wonderful effects on skin (it heals a lot of skin problems), but, is comedogenic (pore-clogging), therefore, use sparingly and don't use it on your face.

                              

Ellana Mineral Make-up

UPDATE (Nov 2012):  After 3 weeks of using Ellana Mineral Foundation Powder, my skin broke out.  I stopped using moisturizer/creams thinking they could be causing it, but, my skin has not cleared up.  Finally, I stopped using Ellana, and, my skin started to clear up.  Sadly, I can't use Ellana anymore.  I don't know what to do with my 1 year supply of mineral powder I bought at crossings, hu hu.  I loved it, but, not good for my skin.  Weird, because, it's supposed to have no harmful stuff as compared to most make-up, yet, I'm back to using Max Factor liquid foundation which I have used for a long long time and never irritated my sensitive skin.  Anyway, I guess, it's the risk of using smaller-scale make-up lines without extensive research/tests on hundreds of human faces as compared to make-up giants.  Those who continue to use this make-up are lucky because it really looks good on your face, with a wonderful finish.  I envy you guys!

CAUTION:  Mineral Make-up in Powder form is not advisable for people with asthma and silica allergies.  Always use Mineral Make-up Powder with caution.  Avoid powder inhalation and contact with eyes.

I tried Mineral Make-up before.  I purchased Maybelline and CoverGirl brands, but, didn't become a fan.  CoverGirl Trublend Minerals have a certain odor that will keep you away.  It also didn't look better on my face than my usual face powder and foundation.  Plus, the hassle of using mineral make-up for a beginner (messy and wasteful application) didn't make it worth my time.

The upside of Mineral Make-up (as they say, if a good brand) is that it's sooo soft, light, smooth, and feels good on your skin plus it's easy to remove.  A good facial wash is enough.  Mineral Make-up is best applied using a good brush (like kabuki brushes) and you really need to blend well or your face will look uneven and you'll have excessive amount on your face.  For 1st time users this is the drag part as you might give up before you learn the proper technique.  Always start dipping your brush with a very small amount, tap excess, dust the brush on your face, then, work it in circular motion (buff your skin).  Practice, until, you get the hang of it.  Some also use the wet application technique.

Recently, I gave mineral make-up another try.  This time seeking local brands that already have a following.  I chose Ellana (ellanaminerals.com) for my first test.  I took a leap of faith and got their Mineral Foundation in Cafe Breve (P300/4g), Mineral Foundation in Chai Tea Latte (P100/1g), Mineral Foundation in Hazelnut (P100/1g), Primer/HD finishing powder (P100/1g),  Pink Flamingo Shimmer Finishing Powder (P100/1g), Blush Mineral Powder in Crush (P100/1g), and Baby Buki Brush (P300) at Crossings Trinoma.  Ellana Mineral Make-up doesn't have a strong smell/odor (yey!). 

You can purchase online or at Crossings Trinoma.

Ellana Mineral Foundation Powder:
1g of powder        P100
4g of powder        P300
6g of powder        P420

Ellana Mineral Foundation in Chai Tea Latte, Ellana primer/HD Finishing Powder in 
White Chocolate, Pink Flamingo Shimmer Finishing Powder, and Ellana Baby Buki Brush

I love their primer/HD finishing powder (P100/1g).  A cheap alternative to Make-up For Ever HD loose powder.  For those who never tried HD powder, it's the unbelievably softest, silkiest powder you'll ever touch.  It's pure white in color, but, when properly applied (tiny amount) disappears in your skin.  It helps make your skin feel softer and look more even.  It's a great primer or finishing powder.   Just be careful using it as a finishing powder as too much can make you look ghostly white in pictures taken by a flash camera (check out celeb victims of HD powder, hehe).  To be safe, I only use it as a primer.  I use a tiny brush, small powder puff, or my fingers to apply it  (1g pot of primer could last more than a month of daily use).

4g Ellana Mineral Foundation in Cafe Breve, P300.

4g lasts a long time, as you only need a small amount per application

The Mineral Foundation is very pigmented, a small amount gives good coverage.  It feels light on your face, lovely smooth.  When I sweat, glow a little, wipe . . .  face still looks okay.  For light to moderate sweating, it could last about 4 hours before needing touch-ups.  Or top it off with finishing powder for longer staying power.  Cafe Breve matches my fair skin well, but, I mix it with Chai Tea Latte, since, I don't like putting make-up on my neck (will try French Vanilla next time).  My trick is to use a shade that doesn't make my face tone too fair for my neck color.  Don't you just find it weird to see ladies with light color faces atop different shade necks?  So, I, usually pick light to natural shades than fair.  I've noticed though that the mineral foundation looks very nice on my neck as well.   The blush blends well with the foundation.  The Finishing Powder in Pumpkin Pie Latte is a favorite.  You can also use it on its own like a face powder.  For daily wear, the finishing powder is perfect for those not really into foundations and full-face make-up. 

I tried mixing the cafe breve and chai tea latte mineral foundation with pumpkin pie and pink flamingo finishing powder in my store-bought powder container  - I'm kind of experimenting with colors and coverage plus I like to do 2-step applications only (primer plus a little mineral foundation or face powder).   I like the end product   :P 

Ellana Mineral Make-up is really good,  they also chart their colors making it easy to find shades that suit customers   :)

Online Shopping Sites

I've never been a fan of online shopping (note, past tense), since, I'm a very meticulous buyer, a bit OC, haha.  But, as I keep seeing this ZALORA.COM.PH popping up everywhere, I finally clicked tab.  This 2012, I am officially an online shopper! Yey!

Some Verified Online Shopping Sites for Filipino buyers:

1)  zalora.com.ph
For Men/Women/Kids/Babies/Pets: apparel, accessories, beauty, health, household items, etc.
*Free Delivery/Shipping for P1,000 and above.  30-Day Return/Exchange.

I was recently disappointed with Zalora, free shipping is now for orders worth P1,000 and above.  It took too long for my 2 orders to arrive and I wasn't even informed beforehand that some were out of stock. 

2)  Human Nature at humanheartnature.com/buy/
Bath/Body/Beauty products.  Filipino-made/brand.
Standard delivery/shipping fee. 


3)  Vanilla & Co.  at  myvanillagirl.com
Bath/Body/Beauty/Scent products.  Filipino-made/brand.
Standard delivery/shipping fee. 

4)  Ellana  at  ellanaminerals.com 
Filipino brand Mineral Make-up.
They give away free samples to match your skin tone.
Standard delivery/shipping fee.

5)  V&M Naturals/Pureglow  at  http://venusandmars08.multiply.com
Filipino brand Mineral Make-up.
Standard delivery/shipping fee.


6)  martina-martina.com
Accessories for Women. Filipino brand.
*Free Delivery/Shipping.

7)  Le Kersen  at  lekersen.multiply.com
Accessories for Women. Filipino brand.
Standard Delivery/Shipping.

8)  chickflickcollection.multiply.com
Apparel/Shoes/Accessories. Filipino brand.
Standard Delivery/Shipping.

* Online Shopping Tip: Always use Paypal or Bank Deposit for payments to give you more protection from scam/bogus sellers.  Register your Credit Cards to Paypal (for safe transactions, you don't have to keep giving your credit card details online).  Avoid using Western Union and Gcash payments.

Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea and Orange Sapphire

 Found these 2 at my mom's dresser and I only like one of them.  Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Body Lotion and Orange Sapphire Triple Moisture Cream are nice moisturizing body lotions. 

Sweet Pea smells so nice and sweet (it's a fan favorite), Orange Sapphire smells fine, but, not one that you'd like to keep buying.  I love orange/citrus scents, but, this one wasn't able to bring out the freshness and zest of orange.  It's kind of blah, orange

Sweet Pea is the one that you'd like to buy again!

Victoria's Secret Love Spell and Beauty Rush Cupquake

Recently, I was gifted with Victoria's Secret Love Spell and Beauty Rush Cupquake Body Drink Lotion (both US made).

VS mists/perfumes (as with all others) are quite irritating to the nose when you spritz them, but, once they settle, they smell wonderful.  Love Spell (cherry blossom & peach) is nice enough, but, I won't be raving about this scent. 

On the other hand, VS Beauty Rush Cupquake is so delectable.  It really does smell like a cupcake treat, so yummy and the scent lingers on your skin.  Smell won't give you a headache.  Though, I've heard this cupcake flavor lotion goes bad after 8 months or so (use it within that period).  Nice moisturizing lotion.  You'll want to rub it on your skin again and again.  Love it!

Cupquake - purple color tube

Pop Culture Books/Novels

I've been a book lover since the day my sibling started bringing home DC & Marvel comics, books, and novels when we were kids. 

In college, I fell in love with classic books and suspense novels, but, I won't be talking about that.  It's all about pop culture books tonight, no matter how weird I think and feel they are becoming.  Gone are the days when Sweet Valley, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew ruled most high schoolers . . .

The Harry Potter series came out in the late 90s.  My cousin who's in high school at the time excitedly told me about this young wizard and his magical world full of  stuff  beyond  kids' dreams are made of.  I had no intentions of reading, but, one record boring evening, I dived my nose into the 1st book.  After the 1st chapter, harry got me hook, line and sinker.  I wasn't able to stop (and sleep) until, I've read every word conjuring this fantasy realm.  Delighted to say, I've read all 7 books, watched all the movies, and I've enjoyed them stupendously.  I'll never forget the day (back in college) we watched the first movie installment, everyone in the movie theater sat in breathless anticipation as we prepare ourselves for a magical journey.  And, no, I've never thought of these books as written by a devil incarnate as many controversies parched the woman behind the books.  

J.K. Rowling has introduced some new words like fondly calling us humans  'muggle'.  Harry Potter's world can make older people feel young again, brimming to the core with unrestrained fantasies that were essential parts of a childhood memory.  Thank you Harry for a marvelous enchantment.

So, where can I buy those every flavor jelly beans and butter beer?  I suddenly crave a goblet of pumpkin juice, does it even taste good?

Then, came the Twilight series which I really can't get myself to like.  Stephanie Meyer can't hold a candle to J.K Rowling's imagination and writing skills that she can't charm young and older generation readers as swiftly as Rowling.  Even The Last Vampire series by Christopher Pike that I was able to read back in high school is way more exciting than Twilight.  It also scares me to death how a book about a teenage girl in love with a vampire (who is the center of her whole universe as if this wonderful world of ours got nothing to offer a teenage girl)  has become such a hit with the young generation.  Bella Swan is hands down the worst heroine a girl could ever emulate.

If you're really into weird unhealthy relationship fetish between vampires-humans-werewolves, then, read the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris wherein HBO's True Blood is loosely based on.  Incontestably better than Twilight with more interesting characters and diverse plot, but, has more mature content (really, anything with vampire-human sex coupling is for the more mature crowd and not for teenagers, Ms. Meyer).  Sookie is at least of legal age with a strong personality compared to the feeble Bella Swan.  And, Sookie (who's got some fairy genes) got no half vamp baby.  The HBO series even feature good actors as opposed to deadpan twilight movie stars.  The first Sookie Stackhouse book came out years before Twilight.

For this kind of genre (I admit, I've read them on my downtime and to keep up with trends), I recommend Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter Series.  A world dominated by archangels/angels with vampires and humans as their subjects.  Archangels and angels running the world, with the stunningly dangerous Archangel named Raphael living in New York City.  Humans who are Guild members are portrayed to be stronger, as the main protagonist Elena Devereaux is a vampire hunter who never bows down to anyone -human, vampire, or angel.  Nalini Singh is an amazing writer and poet.  Her novels are written so elegantly and lusciously that your senses would be captivated as they've never been held before.  The first book  Angel's Blood  caught me by surprise of this author's talent.  The series could be too violent and gruesome for the uninitiated with the supernatural/paranormal world.  I do wonder how they could turn this one into a movie, just the details of how ethereally beautiful (also seductively decadent) the angels and vampires are would be quite impossible to bring to life.

An adult theme book series is so popular this year that it even broke records.  Originally written as a fan-based literature to Twilight. Yep, I'm talking about Fifty Shades of Grey by the saucy E.L. James.  I read it out of curiosity, definitely interesting, but, onerous to read.  Exploring the BDSM lifestyle, giving the inexperience a small peek into the taboo practice.  Besides, how many times have you heard about people needing to sign a contract before engaging into a relationship.  Brow raising right?

I had to skip a couple of pages as the sex is too much for my taste (I think even those Harlequin erotic novels don't have this much).  This is sooo not for teens and tweens!  And, I hate the number of times Anastasia Steele mentioned her 'inner goddess' (so annoying).  This could be perfect for the male audience - there's like sex in every 5 pages and it stars an emotionally blistered uber dominating man.  This book needs more plot and character development.  Though, the plot is quite interesting, it's poorly written.  EL James knows how to concoct a forbidden story and create intriguing characters (who wouldn't be curious about a dashing generous billionaire with a secret life?), but, her writing skills don't deliver.  So much potential, but, promptly wasted.  I've been disappointed many times over the storyline revelation.  I wanted it to be so much more!  It could have been amazing  (despite the touchy subject),  really could have been, if it were written by a skilled  author.  Well, I'm just glad that the series have a sweet ending and Christian Grey (Mr. Fifty Shades himself) turned out to be a kind troubled soul searching for redemption.  The series finale makes up for the loathsome ride (justifying Anastasia's ultimate decision not to run away from fifty),  making it less creepy than any vampire-human relationship.

Hmm . . . the above are all female authors into the supernatural and paranormal romance series . . .

I'm currently reading the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (another female author) after I've enjoyed watching the movie (just like how the movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings book series by J.R.R. Tolkien compelled me to read the books).  Well, I know that children killing other children is repugnant, but, hey, this is an apocalyptic genre novel.