I do make it my business to know what the Pantone color of the year is, I would be unwise if I didn’t, but I personally find it too contrived to go out and find pieces in the declared color just so I get to wear what a certain authority says is the color to wear. I take every trend with a grain of salt and only jump at it if it really draws me in at that moment, if it’s absolutely my type, and if it really flatters me. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t, even though Pantone says so and I don’t know if it’s self-righteousness or just plain apathy, I don’t mean to but I cringe inwardly if someone were to blurt out to me that something is good because it’s the color of the year with a kind of like “I know so, did you…” vibe. Which is why I don’t think I can be a proper fashion blogger, I’m a bit of a trend snob and if ever I personally forecast what I think will be looking good in the months to come, I’d rather not share with the world what I think, when it comes to clothes. I do know I wear my clothes well and have even gotten compliments on occasion. I’m an art snob when it comes to people telling me what color to wear, but I won’t ever snub someone’s professional opinion, I am flattered to say that celebrity stylist Michael Salientes really loved what I was wearing the last time I saw him, it included my Stella McCartney for Adidas shrug/baby cardigan. In that sense I bask in the joy of style from time to time and I do appreciate quite a bit of beautiful apparel but I don’t care enough about the whole universe of fashion. I have a closet that I only like to fill with a certain amount, I probably go shopping for clothes 4-5x in a year now, and in my book if the average single clothing piece lasts 3-4 years if you use it often that’s still A LOT of clothes shopping in my book. FYI, I didn’t draw this, I found this on this blog wereonlyyoung-once.tumblr.com.
I like how sketches like these though tend to rock my boat and make me think more fondly of the possibilities with Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s declared color for 2012. Don’t worry, I don’t stare at people wearing tangerine tango and inwardly point “HAHA Color of the year ha…”, I note it but don’t MIND it, it’s a lovely color, just don’t rub it in my face that Pantone said so and we can be friends. I’d rather stare at this pretty sketch I found on a random blog because anyway red orange is rubbish on me (except as a nail color) and I don’t have jet black or blonde hair to suit it.
I’d never walked into A’postrophe before, that store on the 3rd level of Glorietta 4, until two days ago when I met up with Kira of kira-ramirez.com and Alex of Reluctant Stylista. It’s not a new store, it’s been around for about a little over two years I estimate. It’s a wonderland of knick-knacks and artsy-fartsy items that are not “corny” and neither are they the usual useless types of trinkets and/or “abubot”. Essentially, it strikes me as a far more interesting gift shop than Tickles. I saw these lovely ladies standing side by side in one row and thought they were too cute not to pick up, uh…I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, pun super not intended. They come with many different stylish ladies, probably bout 4 or more for each tool, which I think are possibly mass mechanically “airbrushed” onto an enameled base over the steel and there are also nail files in the lot but I chose not to get one since my nail file at home works perfectly fine still. These remind me of items by the European brand Pylones which I first saw years ago when I worked part time as a cashier in my Tita’s former Home Accessories shop in Hamburg, Germany.
There’s nothing like sparking the mediocre tasks you do with some charm and cuteness. Clip your nails and tweeze your brows using these and psychologically ignite some girl power in you. I thought that these lovely lady nail clippers and tweezers were an absolute “SDeal” at Php75 and Php59 and guess what, I already know what you’re thinking, that they probably don’t tweeze and cut well at all. You know what…that’s where you’re wrong, both are heavy in make and tightly assembled and the ones I got function fabulously. Read more to see the full post with my thoughts on these cutesy patootsies.
One day late, wah, sorry, sorry. Had a TVC shoot yesterday. Here’s my 3rd Neutrogena Pop Guess Giveaway for you! Simply look at the photo and tell me which side I’m wearing Neutrogena BB Cream on . Note: Giveaway open only to residents of Metro Manila.
HOW TO JOIN
Tell me according to the LEFT or RIGHT indicators on the photo which side I’m wearing Neutrogena BB Cream on by leaving a comment below this post saying “LEFT” or “RIGHT”. Please make sure you identify yourself with an email address when entering your answer in a comment. I will choose two winners at random after 11pm tonight from the batch of correct answers.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Entry open to Metro Manila residents only.
Two winners will be picked randomly from correct answers
Blessmybag.com and Neutrogena are the sole promoters of this competition
Competition closes tonight at 23:00/11pm
Winner will be notified within the week before the next Pop Guess giveaway
Prizes are to be claimed from the Neutrogena Headquarters, location will be disclosed to the winners.
Last Wednesday I finally went for the recommendation of my cousin’s girlfriend and dyed my hair dark ash blonde, which is a cooler brown with a lesser tendency to go brassy or orange, there still is a bit of warmth because of my natural hair but I’m glad my hair is no longer reddish brown.
People kept asking me since about August last year why I wasn’t recoloring my hair promptly, which I had first colored in April. The regrowth at the roots had begun to show, although subtle coz my natural hair is super dark brown it was obvious coz I had golden highlights. This was my hair BEFORE I ever had it colored.
Ay, sorry…sumobra yung drag ko sa BEFORE timeline LOL. Well, the answer to why I delayed recoloring is I was still suffering from drastic hairfall, an overspill reaction after resigning from my hectic job last, last year. I had it before I colored it and it still wouldnt let up. After using a revitalizing serum for bout a month which has lessened my hairfall (yes, review soon) I started saving photos of Asian girls with ash blonde hair to show the hairstylist what I wanted to achieve.
Right now I’m also deciding whether I should return in a week to add tonal highlights (not streaks…or strips). I found this lovely random photo of an Asian girl who had lighter ash blonde tones added to her dark ash blonde hair.
Uber lovely however, I dont think I’ll ever go this light with my highlights, coz my skin is not as fair. What do you think, should I go for tonal highlights or leave it as is? By the way, sorry I can’t disclose who did my hair, it was a friend’s tip and she made me promise not to announce it to everyone since his talent was her “find” hehe, all I’ll say is the stylist is new, young, and very good at what he does and it isn’t a super high end salon. I’m a promise keeper so this is all I can share, I’m very happy with the results.
Putting up photos of my cat, Cloud, always seems to put people in a good mood. I have a new one today. A few weeks back she was chewing on my hand. I thought I’d get creative with it.
If you want to see Cloud in action, here’s a short video of her. If you film her for too long she gets prickly, as most celebrities tend to when running from the paparazzi.
All of you got it correct this time, GASP. The correct answer to the question which side I was wearing BB Cream on in this giveaway was:
LEFT
I wish I could make you all win but sorry, I still had to pick out two (2) random winners from all the correct answers. So without further adieu congratulations to:
1. Nicayh
2. Mel
CONGRATULATIONS! Please be sure to email or message me right away and I’ll give you instructions on how to claim your prizes Everyone keep your eyes peeled and keep reading for more delightful beauty features and fun-filled giveaways to brighten your day. Love you!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS of the Giveaway were:
Entry open to Metro Manila residents only.
Two winners will be picked randomly from correct answers
Blessmybag.com and Neutrogena are the sole promoters of this giveaway
Competition closes tonight at 23:00/11pm
Winner will be notified within the week before the next Pop Guess giveaway
Prizes are for claiming from the Neutrogena Headquarters, location will be disclosed to the winners.
Apparently, I missed out on the hype 8 months prior. This was a Metro-wide phenomenon as far as I know. Several beauty bloggers went a bit crazy over the discovery, after the Watson’s Beauty Lab event last year, that this Php199.00 Watsons Pure Beauty Treatment Conditioner was a great department store dupe for Shiseido’s Tsubaki Damage Care Conditioner, I’m presuming they meant that one based on research. Then to the dismay of the Conditioner’s hugely excited fanbase due to the spread of the hype the Pure Beauty hair care range sold out and it disappeared from shelves completely for several months. Watsons did not replenish its stock of the line, until suddenly 3 days ago, my friend Kira of kira-ramirez.com made a discovery at Mall of Asia, Pure Beauty Hair Care had silently returned. She was so happy she bought 3 bottles on the spot (ooh, a happy camper!), and ahem, a day later I did, too. I got one bottle for mom and two for me .
The funny story behind Kira’s announcement is when we were together with other bloggers at an event a few days ago they all began talking about the awesome Conditioner that was. The conditioner is known for containing Camellia Seed Oil from Japan. However, to make it clear the conditioner is NOT from Watsons Japan, it is made in Korea.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH IT: The Pure Beauty Treatment conditioner is great also because although it isn’t an organic product it is Paraben-Free and SLS free (although the Pure Beauty shampoo in the silver bottle does contain SLS). This is a white, smooth fluffy cream, which is your typical conditioner texture, and it smooths over the hair really quickly. It’s got quite a silky kind of slip as you work it through your strands, if you call that “working” at all. It’s not quite as hydrating and curl defining as the Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner which is still at the top of my Conditioner list (although I can’t purchase), but this Pure Beauty one definitely gives your hair that silky smooth shine and some definition. The smell is a powdery, warm, slightly musky type. I actually prefer brighter fresher scents when it comes to bath and body but I still consider it a pleasant scent. It doesn’t give tons lot of volume and bounce but it doesn’t make my hair limp at all. Overall I think this would be an EXCELLENT shampoo for girls with straight hair and wavy hair, for girls with extremely curly hair you may want to use a more hydrating shampoo before using this.
It was a consensus of yearning and in my case a protest of the hype that I missed out on. I kept repeating myself “Isn’t there any chance they’ll bring it back?” and Kira shrugged her shoulders but said “Sana, I really wish they would. When you go to Singapore, Julia, kukulitin kita, baka you can get for me…”. Happy for my blogger friends and for myself that our conversation about it was heard out in the universe and we were blessed as a result with the return of this well-loved product. Who says God doesn’t listen in on girl talk? I told Kira “Hey, maybe we should gather again and start talking about phased out products,” LOL.
Hold it, I’m here to announce the winner for the Nationwide Twitter Giveaway! Stating the obvious, I just need this image in for a proper thumbnail and shout out…
…and the Nationwide Twitter giveaway winner is…
Meggide de Ocampo aka @eiigem3
Congratulations! Please email me your shipping info ASAP at probinsiyana@gmail.com, I’ll be tweeting you as well. To all those who joined, I’ll still be having lots of giveaways coming up soon, keep reading and thanks for joining!
On March 11, 2012 it will have been one year since Japan wept as one because of the destructive tsunami that followed the 9.0 Tohoko Earthquake. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded to hit Japan. Miyagi, Sendai was the only place in Japan I went to as a student ambassador, I lived with them, I had a Miyagi shirt with me and we caught fish in nets along the same coast if I’m not mistaken that nearly swallowed the entire city. It gripped my heart to see these people suffer while knowing also that I am part of them since I have a Japanese great grandmother.
“Even when a flower falls, we love it. That is the heart of a Japanese person.”
UK Film Director, Lucy Walker put out a tender short film in the few months that followed the disaster, she instead chose to craft a film that focused on highlighting Japan’s resilient beauty amidst tragedy. Mom was trying to share this with me via email and I kept receiving it while on the go in my phone inbox but overlooking it. I know now why she kept urging me to watch it. Pull your tissue box near you and watch this short but relevant and hopeful film which I embedded below, The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms. The film is now a 2012 Academy Award nominee for Documentary (short subject).
No, this is NOT for your minibar *yanks it back, strokes bottle*. My mother brought two bottles of this crystal clear, French liquid home from Hong Kong. She and I have never heard of it until someone insisted Mom find some and bring it home. That someone is Gary Valenciano’s wife, my Ninang because she claims it’s really the best all around remedy (probably second to squalene in her book). The wonderful thing about traditional vintage remedies is more often than not they’re brewed from the most effective natural ingredients and are therefore deemed to be more “harmonious” with the ailing body. It’s no doubt that the Chinese herald their own Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Sore Throat Syrup, which today rakes in heaping annual sales totaling about US$45 Million dollars. From the West, the French have their own, this, a curious but potent, clear liquid by Ricqles prepared from peppermint leaves with a hard-to-remember full French title, Alcool de Menthe de Ricqles, more commonly known as Ricqles Peppermint Cure. It’s such a novelty thing that I hold and behold it the way Alice does the Drink Me bottle.
“The manufacturer is so dedicated to peppermint that they control the entire process, from growing to processing to packaging. Several drops into a teaspoon with sugar calms almost any stomach ache. It is an excellent flavoring agent in cooking. I also carry it while traveling; a few drops into a glass of tap water makes a nice ‘eau de nuit’. This has been a staple in our home for over twenty years.” - David R. Good, reviewer on Amazon.com
Ricqles is a brand established in 1838. Peppermint Cure is said to relieve a number of common bodily afflictions from topical to intestinal, and it’s even mentioned as a FLAVORING AGENT in cooking by some reviewer on Amazon, Peppermint Cure is bound to rock my boat (summons imaginary yacht), what with its cute vintage label and all. We associate the French with wine and liquor so much that by the bottle you think it’s bound to belong in the minibar. Disclaimer detour, this isn’t a full review. I’m not sick and don’t have any burns or bites plus this is mom’s unopened bottle, for now let it be a visual “TA-DA!”.
“Use as an essential antiseptic for preventing risk of infection in minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites. Also recommended as an all season remedy for everything from indigestion, bad breath, the blues, headache to cold/flu. With a natural peppermint scent that vanishes instead of turning musty, this French made product epitomizes a clean and gentle preparation.” – etamhoa.com
What to do with it ? Oh, what to do! Reviews and descriptions of this online call it nearly everything short of water poured from the Holy Grail. It’s even recommended for burns, cuts, bites and for annoying but well-meaning people with bad breath (shocked face)…how big can a little product like this get? I wonder if it’ll shrink a zit. The box, by the way, certainly screams Doraemon don’t you think? By the soundz of it I’m waiting for the box to morph into him.
If it removes my makeup, Heavens be praised I’m sold. On Amazon this costs about US$10.00, from online Asian retailers I’ve seen this priced for as low as US$8.00. I’m guessing it would be easy to find this in traditional medicine pharmacies throughout Asia that import European products, but most probably not here in the Philippines, best bets would be Hong Kong or Singapore. This officially qualifies as a lovely addition to my upcoming Ultimate Girls’ Apocalypse Kit simply because it does so much so you can’t be without it.
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. Note: Giveaway open only to residents of Metro Manila.
Everyone keep your eyes peeled and keep reading for more delightful beauty features and fun-filled giveaways to brighten your day. Love you!
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