February 2013 Hit Listers

Hi. Another weekend coming to an end. =( I might just be suffering from Monday sickness. Anyway, before I completely forget, again, to do a round-up of my fave things this February, I might as well try to do it now.

February was different for me, probably mainly because of my new job, which tweaked everything in my schedule and all. But I had all these things that kept me happy.

 1. Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel
- I'm now on my third tub of this awesome multipurpose aloe gel. I mainly use this for my face before I put on make-up and at night, before I sleep. Read my review here.

 2. The Body Shop Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Dome in Crazy for Coral
- It might not be a completely great product because it's a little to sheer, but I have found myself constantly reaching for it to give my cheeks a subtle peach-y glow. Read my review here.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+
- This is actually my mom's. But when I ran out of my Snoe sun cream, I decided to give this a whirl. I like this because it's a bit more water-y than most sunblocks so blending it is a breeze. Plus, it has a high SPF.

4. Kicks Rubber Shoes/Wedges/Booties
-Sorry I have no idea what to call this pair. Although I fall over every time I wear heels, I made an exception with this one. It's chic, it's cute and pretty much easy to pair up with the stuff I have in the closet. I bought it on sale for about 1000 bucks. A lot more than what I usually spend for shoes but I think it was worth it.

5. Oversized Ribbons
-These were given to me by my sister. I have a couple more that didn't make it to the shot. I love ribbons like these because they give that extra "oomph" to an outfit.

6. BYS Lipstick in Everything's Peachy

-This was given to me by my sister because she knows how I love everything orange in lippies. This color's a little hard to pull off on its own, but with a little tint, it looks great.

7. Flower Boy Next Door

-Cute, witty, funny, and plain genius. Flower Boy Next Door tells the story of Go Dok Mi, played by He's Beautiful's Park Shin Hye, a shy editor who refuses the leave the four walls of her tiny apartment and spends time writing and peeking at her neighbors. Then she meets Enrique Geum, a video game genius from Spain who tries to get Dok Mi to explore the world outside her box. One of the best series with a flower boy or "pretty boy" concept, aside from Boys over Flowers, Shut Up Flower Boy Band, and Flower Boy Ramyun Shop. I wish local channels will take series like this one.

8. Queen Inhyun's Man

- This one I think will be shown in GMA 7 as Queen and I. This one reminds me of The Rooftop Prince, in terms of the time-traveling concept. But what actually got me to like this series is that the play of things was quite different. Maybe because I think the characters in the story played along the time-traveling thing in a less shell-shocked manner. And it was quite nice to see Secret Garden's Yoo In-na get the spotlight as the lead.

 9. The Closer

-If you're into police procedurals that are funny and just jaw-dropping, I suggest you give The Closer a try. I've been watching this for years and have recently watched the seven seasons again. This series is about the cases of Brenda Leigh Johnson (played by Kyra Sedgwick), the LAPD's best case closer. How she gets suspects to confess to their crimes is just plain awesome. She just gets to you, too.

10. Refinery29.com

- From time to time, I check out new make-up concepts from fashion shows. That's how I came across Refinery 29 a few months ago. Refinery 29 also has fashion tips, beauty tips and news, and tutorials that are easy to follow. 

Hope you had a great weekend guys! Cheerio!

December 2012 Hit Listers

Hi guys. This is way overdue, but better late than never. =) I've been so busy prepping up new requirements for my new job, and it's taking quite too much of my time. Anyways, before the new year started, here are some of the stuff that made me happy.

1. Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Cooling Toner
- Out of all the toners I've tried, this is probably the coolest because it actually feels cool when put on, and it stays that way for quite a while.It also helps my pimples dry up. Review of this to follow

2. 4u2 dreamGirl Touch Loose Powder
-When I ran out of my second BB powder from 4u2, my shade was not yet available so I decided to try this loose powder type. It's actually pretty good, not much coverage but good still.

3. Ellana Mineral Blush in Tryst
-I've had this for a while but I it's only last month when I really started using it all the time. Read my review here

4. Lip Smacker's M&M Lip Shake Gloss in Raspberry & Milk Chocolate
- This one's given to me by my sister for Christmas, and it rocks. It tastes just like chocolate and it smells so good.

5. Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Hand Soap

-This hand soap smells so Christmas-y that it was so perfect to use. Plus, it has particles that felt good to use for scrubbing.

6. Neon Necklaces

- These necklaces brings a cool statement to any outfit. I only have two for now but I'm definitely buying more. Hello DIvisoria! =)

7. Sungkyunkwan Scandal/Secret Love
-Most of the K-dramas I see or will see on TV nowadays are either melodramas or sageuk inspired. Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a gender bender historical drama that I actually enjoyed watching. Park Min Young and Park Yoochun rocked their roles, and Song Joong ki was just adorable.

www.fanpop.com

8. NCIS
-Of all the police procedural shows I've watched, NCIS would have to be my most favorite. It's funny, witty, and spot-on. It also has a set of characters that I enjoy watching. The Dinozzo and Mcgee tandem is just plain hilarious.

www.superbwallpapers.com

9. Nail Polishes
-I'm "reviving" my love for nail polishes, and I've purchased quite a few last December. Hopefully, I'd be able to use them all before they dry up.

getpretty.com.au

10. The Beauty Department (thebeautydepartment.com)
-From hairstyles, make-up tips to nail art designs, The Beauty Department has always been my go-to website. I've been an avid reader for so long that it's actually the first site I visit when I go online. Here's their latest post.

thebeautydepartment.com

I'll make sure to follow this up with my January list. Have a great day! Cheerio!

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector SPF 25 in Buff

Hi guys! Another weekend coming to an end. Anyways. December last year, my family and I checked out the Noel Bazaar at World Trade Center, like we always do around the holidays.

My sister and I found this booth filled with Western makeup brands that are mostly unavailable here. I can't remember the name of their shop (sorry) but I hope I'd get to see them in more bazaars because I felt like I spent more than half an hour there, just checking out their goods.

Anyway, around that time, I was running low on my concealer. Concealers are one of the products I only keep one or two of, and probably one of the very few products I actually empty out.

Then I found this Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in Buff. I got this for 300 bucks. 

Pros:
1. Has SPF, which I find unusual yet great since I don't think I've seen a concealer with SPF
2. Conceals fairly well
3. A bit water-y so it's easy to blend
4. Has a yellow undertone so it fits my skin perfectly
5. Has a semi-dewy finish so it actually brightens the eye area. A little extra makes it look like you've put on a highlighter
6. Applicator works well, to help in blending the product

Cons:
1. Not locally available. I don't think Neutrogena has any beauty products here except online
2. Has quite a sheer finish. You need around three applications to cover dark undereye circles
3. Pretty pricey.
4. Not advisable to be lugged around since it's quite a big stick

I actually use an extra swipe of this on my browbone, down the nose bridge, and around the inner corners of the eyes. It actually works as a highlighter. Not as shimmery as a highlighter but it works.

What's your fave concealer? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Winter Child

Hi. This is waaayy overdue, but before the year ends, I figured that I should share this already. =) 

I like being born in December. Something about it feels really cool. Anyways, I'll keep the paragraphs short since this is probably going to be a picture heavy post. 

For my birthday, (which was a couple of weeks ago) we decided to drop by the Noel Bazaar in World Trade Center that we do every Christmas season. 

Starting with the gifts I received (and bought for myself). =)

=)

Neutrogena Eye Brightening Concealer that I bought from the bazaar 

Shorts that I also bought there (and the spiked bracelet from my sister)

A soft-leatherette satchel bag from my mom and dad

I actually opened this beforehand but I had my cousin wrap it again because her wrapping skills are great!

Forever 21 Lipgloss, E.L.F. Smokey Eyes set, and Etude House falsies from my sister

A satchel bag that I bought at the MRT Ayala Station

New Frames from the bazaar

Traincase from mom and dad

Since I wanted to try a new place, I decided to treat my family to lunch at Banapple, Greenhills. I've read quite a few good reviews, and I just had to try out the place for myself. The pictures that follow were taken by my sister.

The cozy interior

Their famous cakes and pies

Those are my sister's fancy nails

This was my sister's order. Chicken fillets with bacon. Can't remember how much though

My tapa order =)

My goal was to try their banoffee pie and S'mores pie

Banapple was definitely a good choice. I loved their tapa. A little too savory but with the rice, it all worked out. My sister also loved her chicken dish. My mom ordered the salpicao and loved it. My dad ordered their tocino and liked it as well. Their servings are quite huge though so scarfing down the pies was a little troublesome. =) But worth it of course. 

The rice meals were over 150 but less than 200. 

The banoffee pie was so heavenly, and at 95 pesos, it was definitely worth it. It had CHUNKS of bananas, which I loved to bits. The S'mores pie, which was 110 per slice, was great too. My parents loved it more than the banoffee, but my sister and I liked the banoffee more.

This is from elizabethannsrecipes but my birthday cupcakes looked exactly like these.

Since I really love S'mores, I mean really love love them, I opted for S'mores cupcakes as my birthday cakes that my parents bought for me at the bazaar. We bought them at The Chocolate Bar. Our dinner was some take-out from Pizza Hut-- buffalo wings and pizza, just the way I like 'em.

Well, that's enough sharing for a day. =) Can't believe the year's almost ending. Have a great day. Cheerio!

November 2012 Hit Listers

Hi. It’s December now, and before you know it, the year’s officially over. I don’t know what it is about December, but I’m always too busy around this time of year. It’s probably the all those sales and shopping.

Anyways, before I bore you of my wandering thoughts, here are the ten things that have made me happy in the month of November in no particular order. =)

1. Nature Republic Baby Tok Lip and Cheek Tint in Plum

-I’ve had this for about a year. I just suddenly remembered to use it again, and it still is my favorite blush. Although I’m a loyal peach-shade user of anything from lippies to blush, I love this purple blush to bits. Plus, it’s so easy to blend.

2. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser

-I’m all for Neutrogena now and this Salicylic armed baby. =) This cleanser rocks, despite not being as foam-y as I would like it to be. I’ve now emptied this bottle and am off to buy another. Review will soon follow. Promise.

 3. Pure Beauty Treatment Hair Care Oil

- I ran out of the Etude Hair Serum I nabbed from my sister, and had to find a more affordable yet still works as well. I think I’ve found my bad curly hair days’ savior. Review, coming soon. All I can say is I love that it works and doesn’t stay sticky on my hands.

4. Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

-My first legit foundation, and so far I’m loving it. It’s so light on the skin that it doesn’t feel like I have anything on. Plus, it’s oil free.

5. Snoe S Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30

- Suddenly, I’m thankful that I ran out of sun cream samples. Too thick for my liking, but does its work without the hefty price tag.

And now for the non-beauty related stuff but still cool for me... =)

6. Monk

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/blog.seattlepi.com

-Tagged as the “Obsessive Compulsive Detective,” you just gotta love Adrian Monk.

I can’t remember how many times we’ve watched each season. Or how we willingly allowed ourselves to be hungry because the series finale was on TV. It’s that good. If you’re a police procedural shows addict like me, you’d appreciate the humor, exemplary story arc, great characters, and totally cool-some plot that this series has. Monk is about a former detective Adrian Monk, who suffers from an extreme case of obsessive behavior. He can’t live without his wipes, all the umbrella handles should be facing one direction, and..the tomatoes in his sandwiches should be cut into squares. But hey, he’s the best and brightest consultant in the police department. And he’s so cool. =)

7. Nice Guy/Innocent Man

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/http://www.squidoo.com/nice-guy-korean-drama-2012

- I’m starting to become a sucker for Korean melodramas. Watching I Miss You now sends me clutching my heart, but this one’s a little toned down. Nice Guy stars Song Joong Ki (the quirky funny one from Sungkyunkwan Scandal/Secret Love) as Kang Maru, a guy who gets left by his love that sends him living for revenge, and maybe, possibly all while finding love along his twisted journey to payback.

8. Christina Grimmie

- I’ve been know to stalk YouTube singers. Not in a creepy obsessive way, just in a “he/she’s so good, so why isn’t she/he that famous yet?” way. Although Christina’s voice has that rasp reminiscent of Christina Aguilera’s, her cover renditions are so awesome, she made me a fan. Check her out on YouTube here.

9. Get It Beauty Self

-Most Korean women I’ve seen on TV have that “barely-there” makeup that I’m addicted to. I love studying how they do it and all. With our cable subscription before, I watched a show similar to this all the time. But now that we don’t have that channel, well hello YouTube. My favorite one is the one of Korean model Jang Yoon-ju here.

10. Cupcakes

-Okay, this may totally be just a little off but I don’t think I’ve eaten more cupcakes than I have this November. It was a crazy cupcake month. Just look at this and try not to drool. I haven't had one like this, but it's just too cute.

GOOGLEIMAGES/mychocolate.co.uk

What are your favorites for November? Lemme know! Cheerio!