Beauty Hacks by Alex Gonzaga

As an actress, comedienne and TV host, it is part of Alex Gonzaga’s job to take good care of herself, especially her skin. Being on the limelight, her face has to be camera-ready at all times.

Maintaining a clear and radiant skin is a lot of work and the 27-year old knows she needs to keep an eye on her overall lifestyle to do this. From what she eats to what she does off-cam, Alex walks us through her hacks to acne-free skin:

1. A good night’s sleep is key

“Sleep helps the skin recover after a long tiring day so I make sure I get enough rest every night,” she explains.

Stress causes sebaceous glands produce more oil and make skin extra oily leading to formation of acne. Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night has been proven reduce one’s stress level.

2. I chug lots of water

Increasing the amount of water you drink is a great way to flush out internal toxins and hydrate your skin from the inside out.

Alex shares she always keeps a bottle of water on standby to keep her hydrated during long hours of shoot.

3. Exercise is good for blood circulation

Physical activity cuts stress which may contribute to acne. Improved blood circulation helps the skin by sending more oxygen to your skin cells and carrying the cell wastes away.

“I do pilates regularly. It is fun and a great way to relieve stress,” Alex adds.

4. Sleeping with makeup on is a big no-no

No matter how tired she is after a long day at the set, Alex religiously takes time to remove all traces of makeup from her face to make sure her pores are not clogged with sweat, dust, and dirt.

5. Invest in over-the-counter product

 “Proactiv has always been part of my beauty regimen for six years. Its specially-formulated ingredients help treat and prevent acne so I won’t have to deal with it,” Alex shares.

Alex swears by Proactiv, the leading anti-acne treatment product which is safe and effective for almost everyone.

Composed of the complete 3-Step System to knock out acne, Proactiv is very easy to use. Step 1 is the Renewing Cleanser, an oil-free, soap-free medicated exfoliating cleanser that kills acne-causing bacteria with U.S. prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide. Step 2 is the Revitalizing Toner, a refreshing alcohol-free toner that refines and purifies pores. Step 3 is the Repairing Treatment, a feather-light, invisible medicated treatment that kills acne-causing bacteria.

Every Proactiv kit comes with a free Proactiv Refining Mask, a rich, deep-cleansing mask formulated with sulfur, a proven acne- fighting ingredient that reaches deep into the pores where blemishes begin. “Proactiv requires less than five minutes a day. It’s convenient and it works,” shares Alex. Take it from the celebrity. These beauty hacks are your sure way to a smooth and acne-free skin just like Alex’s.

My skin care tips? I try to follow by these rules but it is sometimes hard to stick to it consistently.

1. Do not touch your face with your dirty hands Phones are dirty as well and can cause pimples.
2. Do not pop your zits, whiteheads and blackheads. Argghhhh!!!
3. Moisturize.
4. Sunblock.
5. Limit exposure to sunlight so you will not get premature signs of aging.

How about you? What's your secret to beautiful skin?

Latagaw Diaries: Tips for Siem Reap Temple Run

Siem Reap is synonymous to the Angkor Wat. However, Angkor Wat is just one of the many beautiful temples you can see in this town.

Peak season for tourists in this area is from September to December because the temperature drops off. However, when I was here last week, the temperature was 30 degrees celsius with high humidity. I was sweating.

If you are planning to see the temples, here are some tips for you:

1. Rent a Tuk-tuk.

If you are coming from downtown Siem Reap and you want to see the temples, rent a tuk tuk a day ahead. Rates are the following:

• Hotel to Angkor Wat (the tuktuk driver will take you to the ticket booth first then to Angkor Wat): 15USD
• Angkor Wat to Small Circuit: 15 USD

I recommend Mr. Tong (see post tip #2.) He is nice, honest and speak good English.

2. Take a pic of your Tuk-tuk.

Each tuk-tuk has a distinguishing mark (name of the driver and phone number) and the driver surely looks different from the others but I can't tell. It looks like a sea of green tuk-tuks to me. 

So I would usually take a pic of the tuk-tuk plus the driver just so I know what to look for. If you are lost, don't worry. The drivers would usually recognize you first.

If you like the driver and would like him to drive you again some other time, take a pic of his phone number which is printed on his tuk-tuk. Mr. Tong's is 010 65 65 11. You can ask the hotel receptionist to contact him for you.

3. Angkor Pass.

Passes sold are the following:

1. 20USD one day pass

2. 40USD three day pass

3. 60USD seven day pass

The temple officially opens from 5am to 6pm. We were there at 4:45 am. And there were people queuing already. Don't worry. The line moves fast and counters open early. Ours opened at 4:50 am.

At the counter they will take your picture. This is how your Angkor Pass will look like:

And you would need to present this at every temple you go to.

4. Angkor Sunrise and Sunsets.

Our tuk tuk took us to Angkor Wat, where almost everyone flocks to. My fault because I forgot the name of the temple I wanted to go to. Imagine hundreds of people with their hands, selfie sticks and tripod in the air waiting for the majestic sunrise. Not to mention trying to ward off the ladies selling you pants and scarves.

There are many places to see the sunrise while avoiding the crowds like Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Thom, Phnom Bok, Phnom Krom... They say all these temples face the sunrise anyways. Just pray that there is no rain that day or it would really be awful.

You might want to bring a flashlight as well.

Oh and sunsets are just as dramatic.

5. Food and water.

Although there are stalls offering food, it is much cheaper and safer to bring your own. And more convenient if you feel thirsty in the middle of a temple.

You can ask your hotel to pack you a meal.

6. Sun protection.

• Umbrella (come rain or shine.) 
• Scarf to cover your body while walking.
• Good walking shoes.
• Sunblock.

7. Small Circuit vs. Grand Circuit.

If you have one day, the Small Circuit is good tour to take. It took us half a day only to go around the three temples: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom and some smaller temples we just passed along. 

Ask your tuk tuk what the temples are included in the tour as ideally the Small Circuit should include: Angkor Thom, Ta Phrohm, and Banteay Kdei, and some of the minor but interesting temples such as the Baphoun, The Terrace of the Leper King, The Terrace of the Elephants, the Twelve Prasats, Spean Thma and Sras Srang before returning to Angkor Wat.

If you have a lot of time to spare and you are staying for a day or two, you should take the Grand Circuit. It includes: is an extension on the little circuit but taking in Preah Khan, Preah Neak Pean to the Eastern Mebon and the various monuments like Ta Som, Preah Rup, before returnin to Angkor Wat and is highly recommended for anyone spending three or more days in the complex.

8. Taboos.

9. Guide is at 15USD.

Find one who speaks english that you understand or else that's money down the drain.

10. Getting around.

There are other modes of transportation to tour the Angkor Wat Complex such as walking (gaaaaaaa), biking, elephant or a hot air balloon ride.

Alex Gonzaga for Proactiv

Alex Gonzaga for Proactiv 

The first Filipina face of Proactiv 

Proactiv, the skin care product choice among Hollywood’s elite finally found the perfect Filipina who embodies the brand. Young, charming and most importantly, a loyal user of Proactiv, actress and comedienne Alex Gonzaga is the first Proactiv Filipino endorser. 

“The Proactiv 3-Step System has been an important part of my daily skin care routine for years! It is effective and easy to use. I am so thrilled to be the first Filipina face of Proactiv and tell everyone all about my experience using it,” the 27-year old TV host shares. “Its mild formulation gently exfoliates my skin, removes excess oil and delivers powerful acne-fighting medicine.” 

Being an in-demand celebrity causes stress and fatigue which may take a toll on the skin. The long hours of tapings and shoots, the neverending mall shows and pounds of make-up cause damages on the skin such as zits and breakouts. She knows, however, that with Proactiv’s dermatologically tested ingredients, her skin stays clear, radiant and acne-free. 

Even with her frenetic schedule, Alex finds time to adhere to Proactiv’s simple and easy 3-Step System. “As my beauty regimen before going to sleep, I apply Proactiv’s Step 1 which is the Renewing Cleanser. You can feel it gently removing impurities in your skin with its exfoliating beads,” Alex explains. 

The Renewing Cleanser is an oil-free, soap-free medicated exfoliating cleanser that kills acne-causing bacteria with U.S. prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide. The ultra-fine micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide penetrates pores fast while being gentle on the skin. 

“I follow it up with Step 2 which is the Revitalizing Toner,” Alex continues. Proactiv’s Revitalizing Toner is refreshing alcohol-free toner that refines and purifies pores. Its Glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells to help keep pores unplugged while its botanical-rich formula soothes and hydrates acne-prone skin.

 “Step 3 is the Repairing Treatment. I just squeeze a pea-sized amount on my palm and spread it on my face,” she adds. 

The Repairing Treatment is a feather-light, invisible medicated treatment that kills acne-causing bacteria preventing zits and acne. 

Each Proactiv kit comes with a free Refining Mask. This Refining Mask makes a great leave-on spot treatment at night for better complexion in the morning.

 “We are proud to have Alex Gonzaga as the first Filipina face of Proactiv. She is beautiful, spontaneous and hip, making her a perfect fit for the brand,” says Proactiv Philippines General Manager, Mari del Rosario. “With Alex heading our local campaign, we hope to reach out to more Filipinos and Filipinas and encourage them to take a step and fight acne today.” 

Proactiv is available in 30-day kit (P 2,495.00) and 60-day kit (P 3,995.00) and is exclusively distributed at all Watsons nationwide. ###