kimpossiblygorgeous
Kimpossibly Gorgeous
Kimpossibly Gorgeous is a beauty and lifestyle blog from the Philippines since 2012; it is a mixture of everything I love and a resource of what’s hot and buzzin' in the metro.
One of my favorite beauty products is a lipstick with such vivid, unconventional shade that really makes me go weak at the knees. WANT MORE? Of course you do!
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Purple Hair: My Dream Hair Color by Katch Beauty Lounge & Lakme Philippines
Things to know / life update-ish: 1.) I have purple hair now. 2.) This is not photoshopped, I really dyed it, okay? 3.) I know a salon and a hair color brand who do kick-ass hair makeovers. 4.) I love my hair, I actually freaked out at how amazing it turned out! 5.) Yes, you can touch it when you see me.
It’s pretty hard to miss the vibrant purple hair I’ve got going on so this is it, let’s start… It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing as my phone was filled with screenshots of purple hair inspiration for a while. I actually couldn’t shake the burning desire within to finally achieve it sooner and that’s when an invite from Katch Beauty Lounge and Lakme Philippines came at the most perfect time (thank you, Universe!).
The former is making its name as the place to achieve your dream hair color and hair in general. The owner, Katch Mejias, even joked that it’s the “bleach salon” in the metro as they have clients who come for crazy-colored hair almost every day. While the latter, Lakme, is a hair color brand made in Barcelona and is used by salons worldwide including top salons in the Philippines. With these, I knew that they could really achieve the kind of purple I had in mind.
Before you see the actual coloring process, let me stress the fact that no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to achieve bright or pastel hair you see on Pinterest without undergoing bleach. The hair must be, at the very least, pale yellow before you can play with it with colors. That’s the painful truth for us dark-haired girls, tiis-ganda talaga! But science is amazing because Lakme’s Bleaching Kit is not only ammonia-free and without any foul smell, it also works fast and can reach the maximum “lift” with just one round.
I only felt uncomfortable when the weight of the foil started to build up. I have very thick hair and they had to use a lot, and I meant A LOT, of foils to cover everything. Girl, those were heavy and I couldn’t move my neck! But alas, in just over 20 minutes, the perfect blonde was achieved. Galing ha!
Next is the most exciting part: adding the elusive, glorious, vivid purple color! Is anyone else too excited at this point? No? Just me? Ok. Layer by layer, they applied and massaged Lakme Violet Gloss on my hair and let it process for another 30 minutes.
TIP: This part is when you feel the most pain during a bleach and color session so I actually requested to not bleach my roots… to lessen the discomfort and because I actually like the look of dark roots. You can do this too, as in no pain at all!
TADAA! I cannot forget the feeling when I caught myself in the mirror for the first time. “Cannot believe I did this!” “Asdfghjkl sobrang ganda!” “Ang ganda ganda ko naman!”
I’m super thankful to the Katch and Lakme Philippines Team for making me feel comfortable during the at least 6-hour process (those foils took the most time!) and of course for giving me my dream purple hair I’ve always wanted to have, but never found the right time. And I’m happy to report that even after 3 weeks and multiple washes using Lakme’s Sulfate-Free Shampoo, my hair color still remains vibrant as ever. I still get stares and strangers coming up to touch my hair. Those are for another blog post though. Haha!
Here’s the very hands-on Katch Mejias and my blogger friends, Princess, Joyce and Raf.
Have you ever dyed your hair a vibrant color? If you could dye it any color, what would it be? Whatever your answer is, you now know where to have it done. I PURPLE YOU!
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Calling All Bloggers: Cathy Doll Asian Beauty Blogger Contest 2018 + New Products
I’m very grateful that this blog gave me opportunities I never thought of, made me dream bigger ones and that it continues to amaze me every single day… thus, I’m always happy to give all the love back to the community. And if there is one thing I'm super compassionate of that would be supporting the endeavors of my fellow content creators. It’s also especially heartening whenever one of us is given the chance to represent Philippines internationally. Sobrang nakaka-proud, no? I remembered watching Raiza Contawi’s winning moment at the Asian Beauty Blogger Contest on IG Stories last year, I was beaming with joy I tell you.
For this, I am pleased to announce that the Asian Beauty Blogger Contest (ABBC) 2018 is now on its 3rd year to find the best and new talent beauty bloggers; create brand loyalty; brand engagement; and brand and product awareness. And I’m encouraging YOU to join!
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Eligibility
- Participants must be at least 18- years of age.
- Participants must be willing to represent the Philippines in Bangkok, Thailand during the regional level of ABBC 2018.
- The contest is open to Metro Manila participants only.
- Participants must be able to shoulder their travel expense for the national round.
Contest Entry Submission
- Create a video blog of Cathy Doll products (Combination of short product review and make up demo --- can include other brands but majority is Cathy Doll products). The video must run for a maximum of 8 minutes only with 1080 resolution and should not include a watermark.
- Upload the video on YouTube with the title: “ABBC 2018 PH: (Entry Title)”. Email the link to [email protected] with the subject title: Asian Beauty Blogger Contest 2018- Philippines. Attach the ABBC 2018 Application Form.
- Deadline of entry submission is until Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11:59PM. Video status must be “Published” on Youtube on the same day by 11:59PM. Only one video entry per contestant will be accepted.
- Announcement of winners will be on July 17, 2018 thru Cathy Doll Philippines official Facebook page. We will select the Top 5 Video Blogs and winners will receive a Cathy Doll Gift Set.
Schedules & Contest Levels
National Level – It will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 where all Top 5 national finalists will be invited. The Top 5 finalists will undergo two challenges to gauge their skills in the following:
Beauty + Fashion + Oral Skills - Contestants will undergo a fashion and makeup challenge. Contestants will rummage thru a set of clothes to choose an outfit to wear. They will then do their makeup. After these steps, they will proceed to ramp and showcase their ensemble and explain their look in front of the judges.
Makeup Skills - ability to create a makeup look using selected Cathy Doll products.
The winners will take home Cathy Doll products and the following cash prizes:
Grand Winner - P50, 000;
1st Runner-up - P35, 000;
2nd Runner-up - P20, 000;
Consolation Prizes - P10, 000
Regional Level– The grand winner will represent Philippines in the Regional ABBC 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand on last week of August 2018. Exact date to be announced. He/ She will be one among eleven (11) other Asian countries participating in the ABBC 2018. Round-trip ticket to and from Bangkok, Thailand and accommodation will be provided.
The Top 3 Over-all winners will be selected by Karmart- Cathy Doll’s distributor and will take home the following:
Grand Winner - 100, 000 Baht/ 160,000 Pesos
1st Runner-up - 50, 000 Baht/ 80,000 Pesos
2ndRunner-up - 30,000 Baht/ 48,000 Pesos
Visit http://lifestrong.com.ph/asian-beauty-blogger-contest-abbc-2018/ for more details. Remember, I’m rooting for you!
Now if you don’t have enough Cathy Doll products to feature, the smart way is to get the mini versions of their popular items. For powders they have: CC Powder Pact, Oil Control Film Pact, and Magic Gluta Pact. They also have the Nude Me Liquid Lip Matte in cute size, which is indeed really cute! And finally, the masks that let you express your feelings in a cheeky yet thoughtful way.
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Summer Romance: Pastel Negative Space Nail Art feat. Girlstuff
I know, I knowww… It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything about nails, no? One day I was looking at my plain, cut-really-short nails and actually said: “I can’t wait to play ON you again!” So it was great timing, albeit a bit late for the season, when the Girlstuff Summer Romance Collection arrived at my doorstep. It has 5 shades that range from bright to pastel to neutral, and I must say they are all beach-y, fun to wear and yet romantic. Did that make sense? Cue in Summer Nights song from Grease…
Let’s dive into the shades!
Rendezvous – A pristine pop of peachy-pink cream nail polish. The color is such a classic that it could be easily worn year-round.
Sun-Kissed – At first, it looked like an outlier from the pastel mood the rest of the collection has, but I connected the beige with golden shift shade to summer eventually – the sand on the beach! Silly me.
Sea La Vie – A dreamy lilac shade with a subtle pink iridescent. It’s one of those shades that look different in various lighting. If you want to give your nails a mermaid makeover, use this!
Beach Babe – I feel like it’s not a summer nail polish collection without a shade in turquoise color family. Girlstuff’s take is a bright, almost pastel green in cream finish.
BAEWatch – For the girly girls! It’s a baby pink shade with soft nude tones.
Girlstuff nail polishes are the easiest to apply. Two thin coats would most likely get you to full coverage already, except ones with slight shimmers like Sea La Vie that look better with three. But the best part for me is how they look against my skin tone. I used all colors at once and really, Mr. Sun should consider showing up more often these days because my nails and I are still on summer mood.
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Pastel Negative Space Nail Art featuring Girlstuff. More 1-minute videos on my Instagram: @kimlmendoza.
Overall, the collection is pretty sweet! I’m in love with Girlstuff’s choice of summer color palette. My personal picks are Beach Babe and Sea La Vie due to their unique factor that would add something new to your collection. You can pick them up for PHP150 each or Php750 for the set at Girlstuff branches and online.
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New Benefit Box O’ Powder: Benefit Gold Rush Blush Review
Oh, I’m super excited to write this review as I’ve always been a huge Benefit fan, most especially of the Box O’ Powders. Personal favorites and firm staples in my everyday makeup are Coralista, Dandelion and Rockateur. These are pretty impressive to say the least, however Benefit just released a new one called Benefit Gold Rush. And its golden-nectar color is full of potential to claim the top spot… so will it triumph to become my new favorite Benefit blush? Find out below!
The packaging is distinctively Benefit; you only need to look at the gold and pink box once and you’d know it could only be from Benefit. There’s also a mirror and an actually useful brush (I still prefer my fluffier brush but Benefit’s brushes are good at picking up pigments) within the magnetized box. It’s beautifully presented as expected, exactly the sort of quality that I rely on from Benefit, and I was quickly smitten!
Yup, the inside is even more eye-catching! Those stunning gold flecks you see at the corner are “golden nugget overspray” that will gradually fade with usage. The blush color is peach with subtle sheen throughout the powder. It swatches a little sheerer than it looks in the pan, at least on my skin tone, so I need to build it up for a deeper pop of peach.
The soft and blendable formula looks seamless on the skin. It gives a natural flush (due to the peach color) and adds some radiance (thanks to the golden sheen) for fantastic looking cheekbones. It also has a scent, which I’m not sure what exactly, so I looked at their website and it says: “notes of citrus, vanilla & sandalwood.” I don’t love it, I don’t hate it either. It doesn’t bother my application so I’m okay with it.
Overall, Gold Rush is a pretty peach blush. While it requires a couple of layers to show up nicely on me, the result is a flattering color with a glow, which is what I look for in a good blush. I couldn't be happier to add this to my Box O’ Powder collection, but my Top 3 as stated above remained the same. Nevertheless, you should try this if peach blushes are your absolute favorites!
PRICE: Php1,800
WHERE TO FIND: Benefit Stores, Sephora Philippines, Lazada, BeautyMNL
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Liza Soberano’s New Business: HOPE Hand and Foot Wellness Review
Once in a while I allow myself a little indulgence of extreme daydreaming. I said extreme because my thoughts can go as far as: “If only I look like Liza Soberano, life would be so much easier!” The ultimate celebrity crush of everyone, endorsements here and there, jowa ni Enrique Gil, the next Darna…and now a businesswoman, too. What’s not to admire with this young lady?
Liza, whose real name is Hope Elizabeth Soberano, believes that wellness goes beyond what meets the eye. “It is all about making us feel better holistically, from head to toe, body to soul.” This advocacy inspired her to open HOPE Hand and Foot Wellness, which is located at U4, Creekside Square, 74 Tomas Morato, Quezon City.
Hence, can you imagine my immense joy when I got invited to try the services of HOPE? More so, I wouldn’t say no to the pleasure of a pamper day! HOPE Hand and Foot Wellness looked warm and inviting as I stepped in, and their courteous staff quickly attended me as I snuggled into their comfortable couch. Contrasting with the hectic chaos that is Tomas Morato, the place has pink, white and gray color palette that’s both sweet and calm. The little details of flowers, candles and pretty chandelier also complement in creating the perfect relaxation ambience.
HOPE Signature Wellness Package– HOPE’s very own de-stressing treatment. Healing Epsom salt and relaxing lavender oil is infused in a warm water foot soak. Chamomile tea bags, Himalayan salt, and olive oil make a trio of a calming and softening foot scrub. More premium lavender oil is used to indulge stressed feet before the ultimate therapeutic 70-minute reflexology massage begins. A manicure and pedicure seals in the deal and gets you ready to face the day with newfound wellness and hope.
A post shared by Kim Mendoza (@kimlmendoza) on May 25, 2018 at 7:19am PDT
Watch the #TryMeKimme video of the HOPE Signature Wellness Package here.
Best scrub, massage and mani-pedi I’ve had in a very long time! Those 70 minutes worth of massage put me into a state of pure bliss. I’m absolutely in love with how HOPE executed everything. And that they don’t skimp on the ingredients they use, oils kung oils talaga. Every package is “100% effective and 100% natural”. Even the nail polishes are only the premium brands like Zoya, Orly and Morgan Taylor, with no added fees, BTW.
Overall, I left HOPE happy and glad that I came. They only have one branch at the moment and though it’s only about 10-minute travel from where I live, it’s worth the drive from wherever. HOPE really does what it does very well. I can’t wait to go back!
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P.S. Daydream is a fantasy. I know very well that Liza worked hard to be where she is today, and not just because of her pretty face. So big congratulations, to you girl (naks, feeling close!) and the whole HOPE Team!
Photos from Hope Hand and Foot Wellness and Sohu Designs.
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BLK Goes Korean: BLK Cosmetics K-Beauty Collection Review
BLK Cosmetics released a new collection recently, and if you’ve been following its Creative Director, Anne Curtis, on social media and television, it wouldn’t come off as a surprise that the theme is all about K-Beauty. Being a huge Korean drama fan – really who didn’t know about her fascination with Gong Yoo? – Anne decided to introduce limited edition makeup must-haves that will totally make you nail that Korean look!
Now you know I love me some oppas, and luckily I got a few pieces from their launch (see event photos on my Instagram). I’ve given myself enough time to play with everything; we have some hits and misses and I’m spilling it all out now. Get excited!
Say annyeong to the range: there’s a BB + CC Cream Stick, Intense Color Liquid Eyeshadow, All-Day Lip & Cheek Water Tint, Creamy Cheek Paint and new shades of the All-Day Intense Matte Lipstick. If you’re looking for look-at-me, pak na pak makeup, sorry, Anne isn’t about that for this collection. Instead, it’s celebrating subtlety and minimal look that we often see (and covet!) on our Korean idols. It’s screaming dewy and more dewy. And okay, tint is still king!
BB + CC Cream Stick (Php449) – My one issue with BLK Cosmetics’ first drop? No liquid or cream base. It was a bummer especially for someone who needs coverage like me. So during the K-Beauty launch, that’s what I searched for and saw that this time, there were 3 shades to choose from. This BB and CC Cream hybrid is easy to use, blend and build up. It has light to medium coverage, which is decent considering they are after the “Korean skin”.
It also has a brush on the other end but I find it too small to be actually useful. I think I’ll only use it if I’m on a trip and I forgot all my tools. Sorry! One more thing, I got the lightest shade – Ivory Beige – and it has a pink undertone and too light for me. Maybe I’d like this better if I got the correct shade.
Intense Color Liquid Eyeshadow (Php299) – This is my favorite from the collection! It absolutely took me by surprise since I’m not big on eyeshadows anymore but they are correct: it’s the easiest eye color ever! I have 2 of the 4 colors: Gorgeous (matte brown) as the base and I Love You (shimmer bronze) to layer on top. The formula glides seamlessly on the lids and is very pigmented. I Love You is glittery so I did extra glides to make it really pop. The result? SUPER! I think this would be my go-to look for when the day calls for an eye makeup.
I bought the other shade after taking product pictures hence why it’s MIA. That established that this is a favorite, right?
All-Day Lip & Cheek Water Tint (Php249) – Because what’s a Korean makeup collection without a water tint, right? While I like that this tint feels amazing on the lips and smells delicious, the name “all-day” doesn’t sit quite right. It is a lot of things, good things really: lightweight, non-drying, natural-looking to vivid finish but nope it is not long-wearing. It fades into a pretty flush though if that’s any consolation.
I have the Pink shade, which is a Fuchsia kind of pink, and I love using it on the inner part of the lips for that ombre, very Korean look.
Free Starter Kit Box and Sticker Set when you get all 3 products above!
Creamy Cheek Paint (Php349) – This comes in 2 beautiful colors that it wouldn’t have mattered whichever I got: Strawberry and Peach. I got the former and it packs a punch on the cheeks and is true to the color in the tube. I love this; it’s light, seamless and has an ever so slightly sheen, which truly gives a gandang-fresh-lang vibe. It’s now a staple in my everyday makeup kit!
It has a cool applicator too! They made it extra fat and squishy that mimics a human finger for easy application.
(L-R): My Love, Beautiful and Honey
All-Day Intense Matte Lipstick (Php299) – Read my review of this lipstick here. Same formula, same packaging except the word BLK is printed in orange. Cute! What I really like about these 3 new shades is that they are very true to Korean lip trend. When I look at these colors, I 100% believe that a true K-Drama or K-Pop fan curated these.
Did you or will you be buying anything from the BLK Cosmetics K-Beauty Collection Collection?
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Crazy Skin to Baby Skin: Crazy Skin Lifting Mask Review + Giveaway
As I sit here writing this review, I have the Crazy Skin Lifting Mask on my face. Waiting for it to look gross and cracked. Wait, what? You see facial mask is one of my favorite skin treats. You name it, I’ve tried it! So it’s always exciting how brands will come up with new ways to present it, formula-wise and usage. A little spoiler: I had the most fun using this K-Beauty mask! Did I like the results though? Let’s get started!
A post shared by Kim Mendoza (@kimlmendoza) on May 1, 2018 at 9:48pm PDT
Crazy Skin Lifting Mask is a wash-off mask that, as per its claims, reduces the pores, lifts sagging skin and brightens the tone immediately after a single use. Watch the video to see the process! To put it in words: After cleansing your face, you simply put on the sheet mask like normal, avoiding the hairline and mouth area. Leave it on for 5-8 minutes and then remove.
This is where the fun part starts! Watch as the essence dries up and hardens until it visibly “cracks”. This would take around 15 minutes and you would kinda looked like an adorable grandma while at it. I felt like I was transported to 2058 when I first used this. Haha! At this point, the mask is really tight that you cannot even smile. It was a bit uncomfortable, but again it’s fun, so you would barely notice it. Skintertainment at its finest!
You will see the results as soon as you wash the mask off. As for me, my face already looked firmer right after and has a lovely glow too. It left me a little red on the side of my nose but it subsided quickly with no further irritation. Not sure how it works on dry skin, but my oily to combination skin felt rebooted upon removal. Don’t forget to apply the eye cream after, which is a lot for just the eyes so feel free to use it all over your face.
Overall, I love how my skin feels after the Crazy Skin Lifting Mask. I like the concept and its uniqueness from application to waiting to washing – basically the whole process! If your skin needs a quick fix the K-Beauty way, try this for only Php150. I heard it’s crazily trending in Korea and now I know why. I would totally use this the night before a big day!
Thanks to CNA Philippines, the team behind Crazy Skin Lifting Mask, I have 2 box sets to giveaway to my readers. Here are the mechanics:
1.) Follow @kimlmendoza and @cnaphils on Instagram.
2.) (On Instagram) Like the video.
3.) (On Instagram) Comment why do you need the Crazy Skin Lifting Mask and tag one friend.
4.) BONUS: Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
*Special points for my active readers (those who are always commenting and interacting with me). You may join up to 5 times, just tag a different friend each time.
Giveaway is open to my readers residing in the Philippines and starts tonight until May 8, 2018. Good luck and thank you, loves!
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Hair Straight-over: The Bloc by Junie Sierra & Co. Argila Amazonia Treatment
By March, my hair was getting way too long. It was feeling heavy due to overgrown layers and my ends were dry and split ends-laden beyond repair, which are the solid signs that my much-needed haircut and salon visit must happen sooner than later. Then an invite from The BLOC by Junie Sierra & Co., a newly opened salon at the heart of BGC, came in the most perfect time. It really felt like they read my mind and knew exactly about my hair dilemma…
��The BLOC Signature Haircut with Argila Amazonia Hair Smoothening Treatment,” sounds exciting, right? Follow along for a peek of the beautiful salon that opened only last February. Plus I’ll show you the process too, of course.
The BLOC is such a gorgeous place! It is spaciously chic and beautifully furnished, with automatic rinse chairs and a coffee station to boot. Because of the ambience and great vibe, it made me at ease straightaway, even before the actual hair service started.
After the hair assessment, my hair was washed with Argila Detoxifier Treatment Shampoo to thoroughly clean it and prepare each strand for the smoothening process. I next sat down with Mr. Ariel for the haircut and told him just this: “Not too short please.” He cheerfully complied, and then added more layers for more movement. I like it!
Next, Ms. Jenny joined in the fun for the application of Argila Activator Smoothening Cream Solution. This infused the hair with keratin to “iron out” coarseness and frizz and was left for about 40 minutes (because my hair was thick) for full absorption.
After it was done processing and after my series of selfies with the heater (LOL), it was rinse time again. Blow-drying immediately followed and they sprayed the Argila Murumuru Sealer Protection and Shine Spray in between doing it. Murumuru Oil is an exotic nourishing oil from the Amazon region for an added smoothing benefit and to extend the life of the Argila treatment.
At this point, I was looking at the best blow-dry of my life. But nope, they were not done yet. They each got a flat iron and passed it onto small sections for more or less 8 times! Whoa! The steam was a bit alarming but they assured me that it’s totally normal due to the oil, and this step was to seal all the products in.
Due to the length and thickness of my hair, I spent more than 2 hours sitting. Good thing The BLOC has really comfortable salon chairs and yummy iced teas! Argila promises straight and smooth hair for 3 months, so I would never complain to sit that long, more even, if that’s the case. Haha
I left the salon feeling super good – my hair felt incredibly soft, I like cut and my hair color looks refreshed as the treatment somehow lightened it. Still not complaining! The BLOC Team was polite from start to finish, and was helpful teaching me the after-care.
Ending the post with my self portrait, featuring my hair 1 month post-treatment. Still looking good, right? The BLOC Signature Haircut starts at PhP1,200 and the Argila Amazonia Treatment starts at PhP5,500. Follow them at @theblocbyjuniesierraandco to see full services.
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Korean Hair Care Routine: Rapunzel Hair Day & Night Review
I have here products that have been changing my hair care game lately. And with that sentence, I know you’re dye-ing to know (lol, get it?) but before we start, I’d like to point out my hair type. My hair is extremely thick and the strands are course, it’s on the dry side due to being color-treated and is perpetually frizzy. Yikes! So when it comes to hair products, I’m looking for either something to make it more manageable, tame the frizz, hydration or all of the above.
The Hey! Deux Yeoza Leave In Treatment Moist Day & Enriching Night, or what Charis calls Rapunzel Hair Day & Night, is a duo of leave-in hair treatment. One is to be used before you start your day and the other as you sleep, both with no rinsing required. Let’s discuss, shall we?
Like I just mentioned above, my hair is at the perfect state to try new products, especially treatments that continuously repair and protect from further damage. And cutting right to the chase – I like these, but one more than the other.
Moist Day – It comes pink tube and inside you’ll find a sweet-smelling pink cream. It’s your “day care” applied before doing any sort of styling. When I wet my hair that morning (I wash my hair everyday but sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night), I put this on my 50% dry hair and I like that it makes it so much easier to comb through. I then go on with my usual blowdry or straightening or I simply let it air dry depending on that day’s agenda. It coats each strand and seals in the moisture, giving me assurance that my hair is protected from heat, from tools and from the sun.
Enriching Night – In blue, but equally cute, tube, this one comes in the form of butter-colored cream and has somewhat thinner and runnier consistency than the Moist Day. Yes, it’s an added step to your night routine. Now it’s 10-step Korean skincare + 1. But it really delivers the “restores hair while you sleep”. You’ll wake up with a hair feeling fresh, non-greasy but better.
So, which one I like better if I really have to choose? It’s the Enriching Night. I just find waking up with much more polished and less frizzy hair more convenient than to do all the styling in the morning. Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t an extra 10-minutes of sleep a bliss? Overall, for only $48.75 for both, the products really deliver and I can already tell that I’m going to get a lot of use out of them. If you have dry hair and you want to get that expensive hair treatment thinking it’s your only hope, try these first and see the results!
PRICE: $25.99 each / $48.75 for both (these prices are exclusive for my readers!)
WHERE TO FIND: Charis
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Lighter Underarms in 10 Minutes: Strip Manila Strip White Review
Since getting into the wonderful world of blogging, I’ve become more interested and open in trying out new things – beauty products, treatments and the likes. And whenever I get invited to experience an innovative procedure, I’m almost always there. Because it’s more than just a time to feel pampered, I also feel so good knowing that I’m taking care of my body. The latest I’ve tried is the Strip White Laser Therapy from Strip: Ministry of Waxing. Curious? Interested? Continue reading for the complete scoop…
Strip White provides a non-invasive rejuvenation while delivering textural improvement, pore size reduction, brightening of skin pigmentation, reduction of fine lines and facial hair and fine hair removal in other parts of the body. I’ve already done whitening laser treatments previously and I love what they do to the skin, so I knew Strip White would continue the good results.
It can treat areas such as, but not limited to: face, neck, underarms, elbows, kneecaps, brazilian, and buttocks. I feel like my face, which unfortunately overwhelmed with acne scars, need Strip White the most. But since I had a meeting immediately following my appointment, I saved it for another time and chose the underarm treatment instead.
My underarms are now hair-free (again, thanks to lasers!) but I want to address the texture, reduce the natural folds and lighten the shadows and slight pigmentation. Underarm issues are still considered “sensitive” topics, but I’m still going to talk about them with you. Sensitive or not. Seriously, aren't you happy you found this review? Haha!
The treatment itself takes place in only one room and only at their SM Megamall branch at the moment, so I suggest calling beforehand, just in case. Like most Strip visits, the room was in pristine condition when I entered and my aesthetician made sure I was comfortable.
First, she cleansed my underarms to make sure all traces of dirt, sweat and deodorant were gone to prep for the laser. The selective energy of the laser targets only collagen, fibers or pigment; it didn’t burn or sting at all, it just felt like quick warm passes. I was done in 10 minutes tops, that was both underarms already and with no downtime at all.
Although somewhat red and the treated areas were quite shiny after the procedure, the lightening effect was evident. I didn’t put on deodorant for the next 3 days to give my skin time to heal. A week later, my underarms are really smooth, shadows are reduced, and I can tell they are a shade lighter at least. I’m so happy!
Ang saya saya ko naman!
The cost of Strip White Laser Therapy varies per body part and is available upon request. Call their SM Megamall branch (Phone: (02) 531 4083). Pricey? Yes, I can say that. Worth it? Absolutely! I consider it as long-term investment. Haha! Overall, I can’t wait to be back. I promised myself it’s my face’s turn next time.
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Eyebrow Pencil for Every Hair Color: L’Oreal Brow Artist Xpert Review
“What do you mean you don’t do your eyebrows everyday? It’s 2018!” I don’t know about you but eyebrows tend to be the most time-consuming step of my makeup routine. Those little, just-sitting-casually “on fleeks” above my eyes require precision, patience and lots and lots of practice. Oh, that’s 3 P’s!
Over the years, I’ve become confident in doing my eyebrows, with few proud moments whenever somebody complimented them. Teehee! But that doesn’t mean my routine is now mistake-proof, I just found out what eyebrow products work for me and what I’m comfortable using… and stick with them.
Sure, I’ve tried eyebrow products in every forms and finishes being a beauty blogger, but I always come back to pencil – slanted/angular pencil to be more specific. It’s just the easiest for me. Hence, when L’Oreal introduced its first ever triangular brow pencil, I knew I’m getting one for myself. Or okay, universe, 7 it is! Thank you.
L’Oreal Brow Artist Xpert allows you to shape, shade and fill your eyebrows with just one tool. Yes, it has a spoolie on one end and the lead is retractable with a triangle shape. And do you know what feature gets a cool five stars off the bat? It has a wide variety of shades (total of 7!) for everyone under the sun, ranging from blonde to ebony. Filipinas with bleached hair, rejoice!
L’Oreal Brow Artist Xpert slay! I used the combination of Brunette and Warm Brunette.
(Bottom to Top): Cool Blonde, Warm Blonde, Brunette, Ash Brunette, Cool Brunette, Warm Brunette and Ebony
In terms of the formulation, the L’Oreal Brow Artist Xpert is good but not perfect. It is soft and pigmented, which is nice, but a little on the waxy side than what I’m used to. It’s a good thing longevity-wise but more wax means more product clinging to the brow hairs. It still glides on very easily but it takes more time to brush the hair to remove the tiny clumps if you’re not careful.
The shape definitely made outlining and filling much more easily. You know the tricky part connecting the arch and the tail? The slanted side does all the work, believe me! Other than that, it claims to be 24hr long-lasting and 24hr waterproof, I don’t know about the latter yet but it is indeed “strong” against the heat. Walang hulas!
As always leave a comment with your thoughts, about eyebrows or otherwise. Also connect with me on social media, I’m the most active on Instagram – @kimlmendoza.
PRICE: PhP350 (on sale at only PhP280 until May 2, 2018)
WHERE TO FIND: L’Oreal Paris counters nationwide
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Summer Favorites: Products I Can’t Stop Loving for Summer 2018
With summer at its prime here in Manila, we all have to make small adjustments to keep up with the sun’s blazing rays and to make sure everything still looks a-ok even in the heat. What I’m listing today are beauty products that I can’t stop loving for Summer 2018, majority are new or a new variant especially launched for the season. So if you are running into heat-induced troubles, maybe these can help (in no particular order):
Assorted Sunblock– Let’s dive right into it… sunblock of course! We go through bottles of it in the summer so you guys know it’s obviously going to be on my list! Here’s a good line-up for the face and body, from SPF 50 to SPF 100 and in variety of textures like cream, lotion and spray. Beach Hut, Pond’s, Celeteque and Solstice are available at Watsons.
More sun care from Belo SunExpert available at Sample Room.
Kojie San Sleeveless Ready Lightening Deodorant– Not only are you getting the added bonus of underarm lightening with this deodorant, anti-perspirant, and anti-bacterial in one, it is also lightweight and super reliable for the warm weather. Retails for PhP99.50 only!
Jergens Moisturizer– While the coconut scent of the Hydrating Coconut puts me in tropical mood in an instant, Soothing Aloe is perfect to moisturize the skin after a fun day at the beach. It does what any body moisturizers should do except that it really calms sensitive, freshly-tanned skin.
Loreal Micellar Water in Deep Cleansing– I’ve used the micellar waters from L’Oreal before, but this new variant is my pick for summer. Why? After layers of sunblock, salted air, the sea and/or chlorine, and okay some light makeup just because, our face needs to be properly cleaned. And Deep Cleansing is the way to go!
Megan Peel-Off Gel Mask– If you want a deeper cleanse, this golden mask is the answer. It helps remove blackheads and rejuvenate skin, which is just what you needed after a long vacation. Imagine this: your bags remain unpacked for days (guilty!) but your face is unclogged the moment you got back! Haha!
Pantene UV Rescue– The sun is killing our hair, even more when it is treated like mine, so I like using the 3-Minute Miracle Conditioner year round, but it has helped me 10 times more this summer. Let’s give some love to our hair by protecting it from the sun with this duo: the shampoo removes the oilsand makes hair look and smell fresh and the conditioner nourishes it like no other.
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Have you seen this photo on Instagram? My first summer adventure is GLAMPING with my favorite people from college. I’m a city girl through and through yet I really enjoyed being surrounded by friends and the stars. SO. MANY. STARS. Travel vlog soon! How is your Summer 2018 so far?
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Anti-Gravity Mascara: Benefit BADgal Bang! Mascara Review
Lashes are my thing, y’all. It’s the part of my face that makes me feel most beautiful! Second are my eyebrows, and I’m still uncertain which took up the third spot. So it follows that I’ve tried more mascaras than I can count, and my mascara collection is forever growing (with my favorites having a tube or two back-ups). Just recently, a bigger, badder volumizing mascara was launched and it went straight, in full blast at that, to my top mascara picks – the Benefit BADgal BANG!
I’ve got the full lowdown of the important details worth knowing, and before and after shots wearing the mascara of course. Continue to read on after the jump…
In true Benefit style, the packaging is interestingly cheeky. From the box, which #BloggerProblems I lost before taking a picture (thank goodness for transparent photos online), to the actual matte, rubber tube with cute cap detail, you can tell it’s really well thought off. Comfortable to hold too and application is a breeze thanks to the wand called: Slimpact! brush.
Slim what?! The custom big Slimpact! brush is streamlined to reach root-to-tip, corner-to-corner, upper and lower lashes. I like that it’s very flexible and does the claim of reaching E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. It’s bigger than what I’m used to, but the transition was easy.
Lashes out of this world! BADgal BANG! promises volume, and lots of it, without weighing down the lashes. It has the lightest aero-particle materials derived from space technology no less hence the “gravity-defying” formula. Pretty daring claim, eh? But after using it for the first time, it's tough to deny its efficiency. My long, pin straight lashes were indeed lifted and look fuller without being clumpy.
Look at my before and after, these super black, big, bad lashes were achieved after just one coat of BADgal BANG!
Although I’m able to get more length out of my other mascara favorites like Heroine Make Long & Curl and Etude House Curl Fix, I appreciate BADgal BANG!’s smoothness when I build on volume – no flakiness at all! I’m impressed with its ability to hold a curl, too, despite it being only water-resistant (not waterproof). And like I said I have stubbornly straight lashes, and the curl looks exactly the same after more than 5 hours with this. No more bringing a spare lash curler for me!
Its only downfall is that, maybe because it’s too hot in Manila at the moment, it has little smudging coming from my bottom lashes. Nothing too serious but once I see symptoms of panda eyes, I get really conscious for the rest of the day. I always find myself checking the mirror and it’s annoying. Haha Nevertheless, this also means a no-struggle removal, it’s literally gone with just a micellar water.
At Php1,500, not everyone would be willing to pay this price for a mascara. But seeing how it transformed my lashes, and my look as a whole, it was everything my “bad gal” heart could want.
Thank you for reading! Catch you in the next beauty review. Any requests?
PRICE: Php1,500
WHERE TO FIND: Benefit Stores, Sephora Philippines, Lazada, BeautyMNL
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Keto Diet: What I Ate in a Week (feat. Paleo Manila Keto Meal Plan)
I *was* that girl. The eat-what-you-want-when-you-want-to-because-life-is-freaking-short believer, or to simply put it, I didn’t watch or care about what I put in my mouth as long as I was happy (with the taste) and my tummy’s full. Yikes! But it’s hard not to adjust my eating pace when the scale slapped me (‘coz it felt like it) one morning with the heaviest weight I’ve been ALL. MY. LIFE. That, plus the slew of #BodyGoals posts in dreamy vacation places that came with the summer season, were all the wake up calls I needed to refresh my diet, manage my weight and to ultimately improve my lifestyle.
I’m super happy to share that I tried Keto Diet for a month – and I lost weight! Ketogenic Diet is the most popular diet in the Philippines right now, perhaps because it includes eating fat, think of bacon for breakfast everyday, and hear this out: lots of it. Wha… WHAT?! Yes!
I didn’t have the time to research for recipes, source the ingredients, let alone cook, so I tried the services of Paleo Manila. I really like that they offer the best of both worlds with meals that contain very high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate AKA the Keto way while incorporating the Paleo principle of only using natural and Paleo-certified ingredients.
Through this, your body will rely on fat for energy, resulting to weight loss with less cravings and “hangry” occurrences. Take a peek at what I ate for 5 days, below!
MONDAY: (Breakfast) – Baked Egg and Garlic Shrimp with Vegetable Hash, (Lunch) – Bacon Dusted Fried Chicken with Pechay, (Dinner) – Keto Beef and Broccoli Stirfry, (Snacks) – Tomato Egg Roll and Keto Squash Chicken Fritters
TUESDAY: (B) – Chicken Salad, (L) – Beef Kofta and Eggplant Pomodoro, (D) – Pork Sisig, (S) – Vegetable Tempura and Keto Lumpiang Sariwa
WEDNESDAY: (B) – Keto Gluten Free French Toast, (L) – Citrus Ginger Blue Marlin Steak, (D) – Keto Pork Nori Rolls, (S) – Bacon Wrapped Mushrooms and Keto Fish Balls
THURSDAY: (B) – Persian Baked Omelette, (L) – Beef Cochifrito, (D) – Chicken Tikka Masala, (S) – Caesar Salad and Keto Macaroons
FRIDAY: (B) – Chocolate Cinnamon Chia Pudding, (L) – Oregano Chicken with Kale, (D) – Pinoy Style Barbeque with Eggplants, (S) – Avocado with Olive and Lime Dressing and Spicy Lime Baked Chicken Wings
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The entire meals above cost PhP4,950, which is about PhP990 per day. (Tip: I got my plan on a discount at BeautyMNL / Deal Grocer) Kind of pricey compared to the food you, or anyone at your home, are making but justifiable when you account the convenience of someone cooking for you plus the delivery. It’s also such a relief that it was so easy, the meals don’t require any work – just heat and eat.
Life gets extra exciting when you know fresh and actually healthy meals are about to be dropped off your doorstep every day, particularly since the variations are not the things I would have made on my own. No cooking skills talaga! I don't feel starved at all, too. And while it was tough to not have sweets even from fruits, everything was pretty tasty. Except maybe because I opted to commit to a 1-month plan, but the veggies started to taste the same after a while.
I did weigh myself before and after. And I’m ready to be in a bikini now… lol just kidding! I did lost a whopping 6lbs. in my first week, and a total of 8lbs. after finishing the month with weekend cheat days and no exercise. There’s definitely an extra room when I wear my skinny jeans now, but very few friends actually noticed a difference. Kawawa, hindi pumayat ang mukha!
I think Keto Diet is a lazy girl route but it works! Stick to it for a week and you’ll like what the scale will tell you. What you decide to do after is up to you. It’s now natural for me to eat bigger portions of veggies and watch my carbs intake, so I like that the result of Keto Diet goes beyond the numbers for me.
The only thing that would make Paleo Manila’s service better is if they start to accept delivery time requests. They deliver the day before the supposed consumption from 4pm-10pm, with no guarantees as to the exact time. I usually get my meals at 8pm-9pm, and the one time they delivered at 4pm (with a different rider), the salads got spoiled because no one’s home to refrigerate them immediately. This is just something to keep in mind, especially if you’re living alone and always out.
Have you tried this trending diet yet? Did it work for you? I would love to hear your stories!
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Beauty Drip For Glowing Skin: Skin House Platinum Beauty Drip
How far would you go in pursuit of whiter, glowing skin? Would you take a moment off your busy day and set yourself an appointment for a beauty drip? Knowing very well that it’s out of your comfort zone as there is a needle involved? If you answered YES, then good news since these beauty drips are now no longer reserved for celebrities and social elites. All thanks to clinics around the metro that offer them at relatively reasonable prices, like Skin House – one of my favorite beauty and laser clinics!
Skin House Beauty Drips:
Silver Beauty Drip – a combination of Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin C for a whiter skin.
Gold Beauty Drip – a combination of Glutathione, Vitamin C, anti-aging and anti-oxidants making your skin glow, look whiter, healthier, and younger.
Metabolic Drip – a blend of L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid that will help you lose weight and boost your metabolism.
Platinum Beauty Drip – the ultimate drip that has anti-aging, whitening, and energizing factors. Best-seller!
I’m a good girl you see, I drink more than eight glasses of water a day, I take vitamins (some specifically for good skin) on the daily, I *try* to eat healthier, and I’m a beauty blogger, meaning I have a wide array of skincare and whitening products available within reach. But I’m curious: could beauty drips really do a much superior job at making my skin healthy and even whitening it than all the stuff I already do combined?
Well, since the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are supplied directly into the bloodstream, it follows that the absorption is at maximum and the effects will be immediate. I tried the Platinum Beauty Drip and the glow is almost immediate and at its strongest, everyone-is-complimenting-me on the second and third days.
Here’s how the process goes:
The nurse could tell I was uneasy and did well to ensure my utmost comfort. I don’t really have any fear of needles (edi ako na! lol) and I have a high tolerance for pain, but I know I have tiny little veins and this fact makes any intravenous treatments difficult. It took 2 tries before I saw a backflow of blood but after that, the whole 45 minutes of infusion didn’t bother me at all.
The duration of the Beauty Drip can be as fast as 10mins, but I opted the pink liquid to slowly work its way into my veins because again, my veins are tiny. I was not in a rush anyhow and decided to have a facial too while waiting.
I felt so refreshed after! I finished at around 7pm and I had a very good night sleep, too. The next morning, the instant boost on my skin’s glow is undeniable. I wish I can wake up that glowing everyday! According to Skin House, the effects of one Beauty Drip can last for about a week, and scheduling regular sessions can further optimize the results.
I’d say go for it, girlfriends! Skin House has regular promos (e.g. Discounted rate for 10-session package) so LIKE and FOLLOW their pages: Facebook and Instagram to get updates. I definitely can’t wait for my next Skin House visit!
PRICE: Available upon request. Call, message or visit Skin House. They have 2 branches: Mayon St. Quezon City and Pioneer St. Mandaluyong City
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KPop Unboxing: Mediheal x BTS Mask Set Unboxing
Oh, Mediheal. You had me at Korea’s #1 Mask Pack, over 1 billion pieces sold, and now, this limited edition collaboration with BTS. Backing up, if you haven't heard of Mediheal, it’s a very popular skincare brand in Korea for its mask packs that promote the idea of home-use concept, where you can have beautiful skin (like your Kpop idols teehee) without the need of professional treatments.
So if your skincare routine is feeling a little lackluster lately and you are in need of new products, or if you are a certified BTS fan (BTS ARMY as they officially call it), then definitely keep on reading!
Now, we unbox! Opening the Mediheal x BTS collaboration was such a joy. There’s something about receiving a blogger mail and being greeted by handsome men, albeit on a cardboard box. LOL It has 4 variants: Hydrating Care, Moisturizing Care (what I have), Brightening Care and Soothing Care (Php1,250/box).
Each box contains 10 masks, 5 of which are set specific and the other 5 are the constant Teatree formula that comes in all sets. The masks are in a special BTS packaging, too.
But of course, the best part is the photocards – 14 postcard-sized photos of your biases! Every variant has different set of photos so collect them all if you like. For the Moisturizing Care, BTS is wearing an all white outfit (super aesthetically pleasing!) and each member got 2 photocards each, no group shots save for the outside box packaging.
For a week or so, I strictly used D:NA Proatin Hydrating Mask Aquaring and Teatree Care Anti Acne Solution Essential Mask alternately every night to gauge how Mediheal mask packs work on my skin. I like that every pack is chock full of serums and essences, I can literally save half of it for next day’s use if I wanted to. Furthermore, I feel like this set is made for me, Teatree to calm my acne-prone cheeks and D:NA keeps my skin moisturized all night long that the makeup I applied the next morning never looked dried out.
There’s also this information leaflet that reveals the BTS members’ favorite Mediheal masks.
Alone in your bedroom after a long day, face mask on and listening (okay, dancing too!) to your favorite BTS song… it doesn’t get any better than that! You need this, BTS Army. Now if you’re not a fan, I did the Math for you and the 10pc. mask in normal packaging is priced at Php1,240. Only Php10 cheaper than the BTS Set, hence it’s up to you to design if the photocards are worth that much.
BONUS: This is how I fangirl! Over K-Pop or other things. LOL
Thank you for reading this post! Let me know what Mediheal products you are already using.
PRICE: Php1,250/box
WHERE TO FIND: Watsons Philippines
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Anti-Pollution Makeup: OU Sun BB Cream Review
“Why hello there, anti-pollution BB Cream! It’s super nice to meet you, and just in time for Manila’s summer season at that, I’m sure I’d get a lot of use out of you.” This, friends, is the OU Sun BB Cream that Charis sent me for review. I’ve been using it non-stop as base for the past weeks, and now I’m ready to share my findings (and feelings too) about it. Read on!
Packaging is simple and neat, but there is just something about sleek and practical squeeze-y tube with minimalist design that appealed to me. Maybe it’s the millennial trend, I’m not sure, but I like it. On the tube are the claims of product as well. We all know that makeup bases always promise us the world: 24-hr staying power, best coverage, flawless skin in a bottle etc. and I must say OU is up there among those coming up with pretty interesting claims.
OU Sun BB Cream is a combination of UV protection and BB Cream with anti-pollution, whitening and anti-wrinkle properties. Told you it’s interesting, I was most drawn to the anti-pollution claim though, if you live in Manila and if you use public transportation at least several times a week here, you’d get me. This is made possible by a Sorbitol-based ingredient that creates a second skin barrier against fine dust. What’s that sound, you ask? Those are my clean pores cheering! LOL
It’s easy to blend and is fragranced slightly, which mostly just makes me think of fresh. Coverage is light, it does feel a lighter than my other BB creams, yet buildable. My skin is being quite stubborn right now and one layer didn’t cover some of the severe dark marks, but I was able to go over them again and it blended really well without looking cakey.
I used and tested it out doing the things I normally do, and this is without any powder to see how it will look like as the time goes by, and I was surprised at how long I was able to go without setting it. After 4 hours, my nose makes itself the center of attention again so I dusted a thin layer of powder and I was okay for the rest of the day. It looks well too under liquid foundation as a makeup base because to be honest, I need the full coverage for my imperfect skin and for my sanity.
Here’s my complete look with concealer to cover the dark spots but without powder
Overall, while I haven’t used it long enough to have feedback regarding whitening and anti-wrinkle, it definitely delivers in the makeup base and sun protection respect. It provides SPF50+ and PA+++, which is safe in the knowledge that you are pretty much protected from the sun. The only shade matched me, it’s a little white at first but adjusts once blended out, so don’t fret my morena girls! Still, I’m hoping for more shades in the future. So far so good with the OU Sun BB Cream, it’s going with me on my next summer getaway!
PRICE: $19 for my readers ($22 regular price)
WHERE TO FIND: Charis
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