Manila Shopaholic

“Sometimes one finds and old bottle which remembers from where all sprouts out lives a heart which returns.” – Baudelaire

I remember my mom telling me when I was younger, you’re soo maarte talaga compared to your sister. You love colognes and perfumes soo much. And that’s one of the reasons why one of our dogs almost bit me (hehe). Cause I was too mabango.

Honestly, I can’t remember buying colognes and perfumes. I think I always had a regular supply cause people would always give me – my lolas, my aunts, my friends. Hmm. Looking back did it actually say something about me? That I was actually mabaho? I truly hope not!

My love for perfumes came back last year when I was influenced by a friend (Ahem… Ahem… calling Au) who I know has a lot of perfumes in stock and even has suki who would agree to be paid on an installment basis.

Anyway, for the past few weeks, I was looking for a certain scent for a friend of mine who is currently in the states. She was looking for Anna Sui’s Flight of Fancy. You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find it.

I checked out online and the mall and most of the stores were out of stock. I bought one for my friend that costs PHP 300 from this multiply site. I was shocked that it was soo cheap because when I asked the store Fresh in Eastwood Mall, they said that it would cost around PHP 4,200.

I asked the seller why it soo cheap and she said that it’s Singapore. She said that it’s almost the same with the scent except that the original would last longer than the Singapore version. The Singapore version is said to last around 6 hours and more than 24 hours on fabric.

Actually, I’m not that surprised at all. When I was in a Singapore a few years back, I remember distinctly that I bought some really cheap perfumes. They told me that they were testers that they didn’t use and did not sell it with the boxes.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if it’s original or not (well for me) for as long as you smell good! (Right?)

So now, I’m presenting to you the top 5 Perfumes that I’m Curious About. Any comments and suggestions will be much appreciated!

1.) Coach Poppy Flower

According to Sephora, a bright and charming fragrance with a romantic side, Poppy Flower Eau de Parfum mixes light, fruity notes with soft florals and a flirty trail.

Why I am curious: I know of Coach but they have not been very popular with their fragrances. They have been more popular as a bag brand.

Price in Sephora: USD 85 (approximately PHP 3,825)

In Multiply: Cannot be found…

2.) Calvin Klein Euphoria

According to Sephora, Euphoria is about sexiness, fantasy and being captivating. Sexy and sensual, euphoria speaks to the woman who has the urge to break free from everyday life – to provocatively be part of an exciting world filled with pleasure, surprise, and temptation. Her fragrance is a contrast between exotic fruits and seductive florals, for a rich, creamy, seductive signature.

Price in Sephora: USD 80 (approximately PHP 3,600)

In Multiply: PHP 2,100 (Check out this site)

3.) Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

According to Sephora, this floral explosion releases a profusion of flowers that has the power to make everything seem more positive. Magically evocative notes immediately awaken your deepest senses, giving you the impression of living life in your own secret garden, away from reality.

Price in Sephora: USD 150 (approximately PHP 6750) *way too expensive

In Multiply: No price but available here.

4.) Clean Warm Cotton

According to Sephora, cozy up to CLEAN Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum, a fragrance that captures the comforting scent of just-out-of-the-dryer freshness. Blending the crispness of freshly laundered linens into an understated fragrance that is soft and subtly sexy, CLEAN Warm Cotton is perfect for the modern woman who is confident enough to let herself – not her fragrance – command attention.

Price in Sephora: USD 69 (approximately PHP 3, 105)

In Multiply: PHP 2,350 (Check out this site)

5.) Dior Addict to Life

According to Sephora, for the confident woman who knows what sh wants, she lives life fully and intensely. Dior Addict to Life is an addictive floral that opens with a bouquet of precious flowers. The bouquet has a natural freshness with sparkling rose, vibrant jasmine, lilac, and white musk.

Price in Sephora: USD 90 (approximately PHP 4050)

In Multiply: Cannot be found…

What about you? What’s your 2012 Perfume List?

Credits of Images: Flight of Fancy, Coach Poppy Flower, Calvin Euphoria, Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb, Clean Warm Cotton, Dior Addict to Life

It’s the 5th day of 2012 and so far, everything is doing okay. Had a lot of blessings this week such as meeting up with my friend and hew new boy (will not mention who ;)), catch up dinner with a friend to just rant about our “grown-up” problems, got a free dinner and free stay at the Manila Hotel for the Chinese New Year celebration (YEBA!), my new earrings (citrine and aquamarine) arrived yesterday! So many blessings so far. Thank you God!

But of course, there are also some news that I came across which are not particularly good and I’m not sure as well if they’re particularly bad. But one thing’s for sure, I never expected those things to happen. Not now. Especially not this month.

With all of these ups and downs, life must go on and blogging must go on. ;) Thanks to my friend, Aleya, who has been so generous with her articles, I’m still able to keep this blog alive. ;) So here goes her tips on how to care for some common skin problems… Something that I should really be paying more attention to… ;)

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We all dream of having beautiful, clear, healthy looking skin. Unfortunately there are many of us who have to deal with having not so perfect skin and the sight of it can make us feel self-conscience and maybe even abashed.

Rosacea

If you have rosacea chances are that you have very red patches on your skin that may or may not be covered with pimples. To add insult to injury your skin may also appear to be swollen. Although there is no known cause for it there are some things that you can do to can do at home to improve the condition, including:

Increase your intake of vitamin B by taking a B Complex daily and eating foods such as fish, bell peppers, nuts and green tea.
Apply grape seed extract to your skin to help with the inflammation.
Apply an oatmeal honey mask to soothe the skin and give it a heavy dose of moisture.
Put cucumber peels on your skin to cool it down and nourish it.

Severely Dry Skin

Having dry skin is one thing, but dry skin that is flaking and peeling is an entirely different story. Not only is it unattractive but it can also cause an itch, burning sensation that can be painful. Causes include taking very hot showers, raising the heat in the home too much, wearing clothes made from synthetic fibers and using perfumed detergents. You can nourish and improve the state of your skin simply by:

Taking a multi-vitamin that includes vitamin A, B, C, D, E and zinc.
Don’t use soaps or detergents that are perfumed.
Wear clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton.
Moisturize several times a day.
Take lukewarm showers- especially when you step right out of the shower.

Cold Sores

A girl can feel pretty down about herself when she’s talking to someone and they’re just staring at the cold sore on her face. The worst part is that this painful sore will stay with you for a few days and will most certainly come back in a short period of time. Some ways to get rid of it faster are:

Spray some apple cider vinegar to the infected area and eat or drink some of the vinegar as well. If you’re planning on drinking it, try putting 2 teaspoons in a glass of water to take off the edge.
Put a slice of lemon on the area and leave it on for as long as possible.
Sprinkle salt on the area and hold it in place with your finger for a minute or two. It will hurt but it will work.
Dab on some coconut oil.
Get some real aloe and put the juice on the area. Aloe is one of the greatest natural healers in the world and can improve the sore effectively.

Age Spots

Many people get age spots (otherwise known as liver spots) as they get older. That doesn’t mean that we’re ok with it though. Before trying any treatment to reduce the signs of age spots we just want to point out that you’re going to have to be patient because it’s a slow process. Now here a few helpful hints to help you get started:

Use aloe. As mentioned before aloe is a great healer so apply it to your skin and head to the health food store and purchase some aloe juice to drink.
Apply a yogurt honey mask to your face.
Take vitamin D daily and eat foods such as fish and eggs.
Eating and rub red onion to the area.
Squeezing some lemon juice to the affected area will make the spots fade and soften your skin at the same time.
Use sunscreen every single day- even when it’s cloudy.

Adult Acne

You thought it would be over after your teens, didn’t you? Sadly millions of people have adult acne and it’s more annoying than ever before. A few ways to clear up acne prone skin are:

Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face daily and be sure to exfoliate weekly. This will help to rejuvenate your skin.
Make a baking soda and water mask to dry out the acne without drying out your entire face.
Eat more fish, raw fruits and veggies and lean meats and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water.
Use oil free makeup and moisturizers. There’s no point in adding more oil to the area.

These are basic solutions to some problematic skin conditions. If you find that you’re getting worse be sure to head over the dermatologist.

This post was written by Aleya who works in collaboration with Allu Skincare

How many beauty products do you use on a daily basis? You may not realize it but chances are there are more than five different beauty products that you use all of the time. For those of you who happen to be beauty junkies between skin care products and cosmetics, there may even be something like twenty. Is it all really necessary though? Here are a few must have beauty essentials that every woman should use to look her best.

Cleanser- Your pillow is full of bacteria, the air around you is polluted and you may have some leftover makeup on your face from the night before that needs to be washed away. The best way to get clean skin is to use a gentle cleanser that is made for your skin type so that you balance out your complexion. If you have dry skin don’t use a cleanser made for oily skin or you’ll end up being drier. If you have an oily complexion don’t use products made for a dry one or you’ll only look worse. And so on.

Cleanser
Image from this site: http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P226706

Toner- A lot of women don’t understand the importance of using toner. In a nutshell what it does is remove any excess makeup that washing may have missed, it closes your pores, gives you extra protection from free radicals and it gives your skin a kick so that you appear to be more vibrant. Be sure to let it dry for a few minutes before applying spf and moisturizer.

Toner
Image from here: http://www.lancome-usa.com/Cleansers-Toners/skincare-cleansers-toners,default,sc.html

Moisturizer- No matter how humid it is, whether you’re staying in or going out or how warm it is, it’s vital that you apply moisturizer every day. This will help to protect you from getting dry, will nourish your skin and will protect you from the free radicals in the air that will cause you to age faster. You can change up the weight of the creams so that you use a lighter one during the spring and summer and a heavier one during the fall and winter so that you’ll be more comfortable. Again, make sure that you use one that is made for your skin type so that you get the best possible results.

Moisturizer
Image from here: http://www.kiehls.com/Moisturizers/face-moisturizers,default,sc.html

SPF- The sun’s rays can be highly damaging to your skin and cause sun spots, wrinkles and fine lines. In other words you’re going to look a lot older than you are before you know it. Regardless of how cloudy it is outside, it’s vital to use it every single day to ensure that you are getting proper protection against dangerous UV rays. Be sure to apply it before you apply your moisturizer.

SPF
Image from here: http://www.laroche-posay.us/_us/_en/consumer/catalog/bytype/dry/anthelios-60-ultra-light-sunscreen-fluid-for-face.htm

Mirror- There’s nothing like using a lighted makeup mirror to apply makeup or tweeze your brows. Using one of these tools will allow you to get a better view of what you’re doing for a more perfect look so that you really will look your best when you leave your home. Of course you can use a regular mirror, but it won’t be as good because you won’t see the difference in detailing.

Mirror
Image from here: http://www.tweezerman.com/store/catalog/face/

Body Wash- Yes, body was is considered to be a beauty essential and it’s one that you use daily so that makes it important. Look for a soap or body wash that aren’t heavily perfumed because they are more likely to dry out your skin. Instead, purchase products that are perfume-free such as Dove that are gently nourish your skin while cleaning it.

Body Wash
Image from here: http://shop.katburki.com/category-s/121.htm

Baby Oil- When applied to the skin directly after a shower, baby oil leaves your skin feeling silky soft. Many people stay away from it because they feel that it’s made just for babies or because they think that it’s going to be greasy. However, the reality is that it absorbs into the skin quickly and won’t create a mess. In addition to this, you’ll need to use less cream later on.

Baby Oil
Image from here: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/johnson’s-baby-oil/ID=prod904-product

Argan Oil- Or another type of hair oil that is natural and works to make your hair shiny and frizz free. Although hair oils are not good for styling purposes they can make your life much easier when it’s humid out.

Argan Oil
Image from here: https://kahina-givingbeauty.com/shop/kahina-argan-oil/

Now you may be wondering about why I haven’t listed makeup such as concealer, foundation, lipstick, eye shadow and other cosmetics that many women wear daily. The answer is simple- not every woman wears everything. We tend to use what we feel is beneficial to our looks and different people have different needs. This list is simply one that outlines items that will make your daily beauty routine more beneficial. Good luck and stay beautiful.

This post was written by Aleya who works in collaboration with Tweezerman which is a company known for their beauty tweezers as well as nail kits, scissors and mirrors.

A friend of mine opened this Nail Spa in the north called Nardene Nail Avenue. It is a beach-inspired nail salon which posts as the perfect getaway for anyone who needs to relax, get-away and be pampered. The woven rattan chairs to the ocean wave sound effects would bring you back to beach world complete with reggae songs while nail specialists pamper your tips and your toes.

Nardene – actually came from the name of my friend. Isn’t it such a lovely name? She’s actually a nail and spa enthusiast who created a business out of passion. Since she saw the growing demand of the industry, she took the opportunity to pursue her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the area that she loves the most.

I guess being a nail and spa-addict, you would definitely expect her to know her stuff. She understands that every nail salon has to have the same type of equipment and supplies and the only thing that will make your experience different would be the services that they would be offering. Because of this, she saw to it that transforming the spa to make it seem like you are in a beach setting will make this spa stand our from the rest of those in the business right now.

Just like any other spa, they offer the normal manicure, pedicure, basic cleaning, etc. For a list of the services, check it out here:

Nardene Nail Avenue Brochure Back

Contact Information:

Nardene Nail Avenue

Location: 2/F Unit 2B and 2C, AJF Building, Lot 1-C Regalado Avenue, West Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines

Operating hours: Monday – Wednesday 10:00 – 10:00 PM; Friday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM; CLOSED on Thursday

Email: NardeneNail.Avenue@yahoo.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/NardeneNail.Avenue

Around June/July, I suffered from having a lot of white heads and black heads. I did some research and found out that whiteheads are form of acne. It’s actually a build-up of oils, serum and dead skin that plugs up your pores. I was actually a bit surprised that I was undergoing this problem because I was never really the pimply kind. Actually, I only had breakouts recently – probably because of stress. BUT, it’s all good – stress is a part of life and if you don’t have stress, you’re not alive. ;)

So anyway, I went to Watsons (my favorite store) and saw this – Watsons Green Tea Nose Pore Pack. It contains essence extracted from Japanese Green Tea which is supposedly a powerful antioxidant which helps protect skin from environmental damage and the signs of aging. It is cut to fin the nose contour and is used to remove impurities and blackheads as well as excess sebum on the nose.

How to use this product?

Make sure that your nose is clean and dry. So I suggest, you wash your face first before doing this. Dry your hands before applying the nose pore tape. Remove the strip from the clear backing and apply to the nose with the smooth side down against the skin. Smooth and press down firmly over the nose and leave the strip for 10-15 minutes. Peel of the strip, starting at the edges and pulling towards the middle of your nose. Wash your face again and make sure that you wash off the entire residue.

Some things to remember:

This should be used only on the nose. Do not use on acne, blemishes, swollen, sunburned or excessively dry skin.

If all else fails, go the derma.

Cleaning at Skin (Dermatology and Laser Center)

This product actually helped me. It was a quick and easy fix-for-the-moment for me especially when I was totally irritated with how my nose felt. But, admittedly, it didn’t really take all of the white heads and those irritating things I saw on my nose. I still had to resort to going to the derma. Which derma I went to? Well, I went and tried out Skin at the Fort (in the building of The Spa). It was pretty expensive, I think around PHP2,200 for the cleaning but it really did help a lot. Dr. Esther Leynes was able to remove all of those unwanted white heads out of my nose. It was actually my first time ever to have a cleaning and I was soo scared because I have friends who had black spots all over their face, after they went to their own dermas. Luckily, I didn’t have any!

After the whole cleaning, you will then be asked to consult the doctor and you will have to buy stuff. As for me, they recommended toner, tretinion cream and sun block. So that already became my daily routine. So far, I think it has worked. If ever there were lapses, it would probably be because of the hormones but so far, so good.

P.S.If you’re wondering how much Watsons Green Tea Nose Pore Pack is, I’m sorry but I can’t remember anymore. SORRY. But it’s not that expensive. Probably around PHP100-PHP200.

Yesterday, I shared with you the product that Anne Curtis is endorsing – San San’s Mouse Collection from HBC Philippines.

First of all, what is Mouse Foundation all about?

Mousse Foundation is just like any foundation (liquid, cream, etc.) but has that perfecting coverage for 100% matte finish. Since it’s matte finish, it is ideal for normal to oily skin. Since it’s easy to control, you can apply it easily by smoothing it over your face and blending it evenly using your fingertips.

What’s so good about San San’s Mousse Foundation?

Since it’s not very liquidy and messy, you can easily control the amount that you get. You will never say that you have gotten too much foundation and have wasted the product that you have.
Also, as I have mentioned earlier, since it’s smooth, you won’t have a hard time blending it over your face. It has a very light consistency.
The good thing about San San’s Mousse Foundation is that it has 3 different shades. This makes it easier for you to pick which shade suits you perfectly and you will always be sure that there is a shade that perfectly matches you and your skin tone.
I believe that this kind of product would be perfect for any kind of skin type because it blends well and makes your skin appear very smooth and silky and matte!
Coverage is medium, meaning you won’t have that heavy feeling on a day-to-day basis but you’re still sure that you look blemish-free.
A big PLUS factor for this product is that it is enriched with Vitamins A, C, and E which allows your skin to be healthy even with make up on.
At PHP 150.00, it’s very affordable especially for young girls who are still not earning money and entering the world of woman-hood.

For more information on San San Cosmetics, visit www.hbc.com.ph or contact HBC Customer Care at (+632) 984-5555 loc 228/ (0918) 921-5520. Lahat tayo, tatak exclusibo!