Yum Moments: Butter, anyone?

This isn't a good Yum Moments post. Seriously, it isn't. My friend and I decided to try SKOW in Marikina (as usual, what's new?) but it was closed on the day we went there. So we walked a little and saw a cozy looking place called Corazon's Cafe.

As my friend and I were checking what's on the menu, the waiter was telling us which the bestsellers are which is quite okay. We were advised that those with smileys are the ones that people like the most. As we were discussing which dishes to order, the waiter kept making suggestions and never stopped talking since then. The moment he flipped the pages for us, that's when we got really turned off. We just settled for the bestselling spaghetti and nachos. I ordered chocolate shake since it was freaking hot outside and I wanted something really cold. Too bad there are no other shakes available at that time. I figured I can just add a little water if it turns out too sweet for me. But oh, I didn't know that the chocolate shake and water would be the best out of everything we had at that cafe.

The nachos was served first. We thought it tasted fine but there was too much cabbage (yes, cabbage, and not lettuce) in it. Though the black olives were a breath of fresh air. The serving was quite generous for Php 165 or Php 170 (I forgot the exact price. Selective memory, I guess? :P)

As we were munching away, we thought that it was just plain cheesy until we started to taste too much butter. The cheese sauce was loaded with butter. I don't know why but I called the nachos "nachos salad" because of the cabbages, perhaps. And oh, we started getting dizzy.

I didn't know my friend ordered chicken skin. We thought that these would take away the super butter taste in our mouths but we were in for a surprise. The batter also had butter!!! 

And the main course, Spaghetti. By the time this was served to us, we were already full and had too much butter. We were already feeling dizzy, I swear. We didn't pig out on the chicken skin, I think I only had 2 at that time so it definitely wasn't the cause of the dizziness. Moving on, the moment we munched on it, we tasted something again. The dreaded butter! To our dismay, we ordered San Miguel Beer Light to somewhat wash away the buttery taste so we can better taste the spag. The beer did wonders, we were no longer as dizzy as we were with too much butter on our system. However, we still tasted the butter as it was too much.

After 2 hours, here's what's left of the pasta. We swore to never dine in there again. I wish I had Tropical Hut's spaghetti instead of this one. And for Php160? Not worth the tag. If I want to get knocked out and fall asleep because I feel dizzy, then I would go back and have their spaghetti again.

That being said, there is no way I am going back to Corazon's Cafe again. No way, Jose! If I were to change its name, I would call it Dizzy Butter Cafe.

Happy Friday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Product Review: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in 8 Pink Coral

Most of my blushes are sheer since I now prefer sheer ones and those that I can build up the intensity of the color. At least, I don't have to worry about ending up looking like a clown when I'm in a rush. I have let go of almost all my pigmented blushes like NARS and MAC and I'm now left with just two pigmented ones - MUFE HD Cream Blush in #6 Quickie and the one I'm reviewing today - Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in 8 Pink Coral.

I decided to get this with my Apothica sponsorship gift card together with CARGO Suede Blush in Montebello and Too Faced Caribbean in a Compact Bronzer in Sun Bunny. I love coral pinks that's why I chose this shade.

What I like:
- A very pretty coral pink shade that has stronger pink tones than coral. It gives a very healthy and natural looking flush on the cheeks.
- The shimmers may look intimidating on the pan but they eventually go away and blend once on the cheeks as if they melted on the skin.
- Staying power is awesome and lasts for at least 4 hours. A little goes a long way too. Just lightly tap the blush brush on the pan and the right amount of color is already picked up. Just apply with a light hand though as it is pigmented.
- Texture is not chalky nor powdery. It is rather finely milled, though not as silky as the other blushes I have.
- Does not break me out. I've been using this more often than I do CARGO Montebello.
- Very compact since it's small and it can easily fit in your purse.
- Locally available at Bobbi Brown counters here in the PH but I've never seen this shade though. (Does anyone happen to know if this is already discontinued?)

What I don't like:
- It only contains 4g of product. But then again, it is pigmented so I'm sure it'll take me a really long time before I hit pan.
- Might be a little pricey for more than Php1k and less than Php1500. Not sure but I'll check.
- It doesn't have a mirror. I'm used to having blushes with mirrors. I don't mind that an applicator isn't included though.


Overal rating: 4.5/5 I love the shade and staying power is great.

Will I buy again? I know I won't need to for the next couple of years but in case I have to, I definitely will.

Swatch (L - blended; R - swatched)

Have you tried this blush or other shades from Bobbi Brown?

Happy Tuesday, super awesome peeps! :P
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Product Review: NYC Lip Slider Tinted Lip Balms

I'm betting all my makeup that you know by now how much I love tinted lip balms. That's why my heart leapt when Chantzy sent me a package full of NYC Lip Slider Tinted Lip Balms and was even more ecstatic when I finally got the package after more than a month of waiting. I easily found two favorites among the shades - Sugar Baby and Sugar Angel - and I will be reviewing those two.

Sugar Baby (left) and Sugar Angel (right)

I love these lip balms because they are moisturizing, not as sticky as MAC lipglasses, glossy, and best of all, non-waxy. They smell and taste sweet, sort of artificial, but nothing my nose and taste buds cannot tolerate. I can rely on these lip balms alone when I want just sheer color on my lips or I can use them in tandem with a lipstick for a more glossy finish. They do not dry out my lips and when I apply them before sleeping, I wake up with smoother and more supple lips.

People who are kind of OC won't find the packaging hygienic as you'll need to dip your finger on the tin to get some gloss. But that's where the use of lip brushes come in, that is if you're not too lazy to use a lip brush. It is sometimes difficult to slide off the cover especially when you are in a hurry. Oh, the packaging reminds me of ELF lip glosses in tins.

Overall, these are nice tinted lip balms to own but I can live without these. If only these were a bit more pigmented. However, I saw some of these being sold on eBay.ph and I bought a back up of Sugar Angel. It also sucks that these aren't locally available so you'd have to purchase these online. But hey, for just a few bucks (less than Php 100), these are pretty good. I'd give these lippies a 3.5/5. :)

Sugar Angel - a sheer coral shade that turns to a very pretty sheer coral pink hue on my lips. :) I imagine this is MAC TLC in Gentle Coral though this isn't anywhere close to that.

Sugar Baby - a lovely red shade gives my lips a sheer cherry red color.

Swatches

Have you tried these lippies?

Happy Sunday, super awesome peeps! :P

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April Favorites + 10 Things I Love Tag

'Tis the last day of April and I'm sharing the products I've been reaching out for in the whole month of April. At the end of the post, I'll also be doing a tag that a few lovely bloggers tagged me to do.

1. Alba Botanica AcneDote Oil Control Lotion - helps keep the oilies at bay even under the sweltering heat of the sun. Though I still get oily, it's not as greasy as it might have been if I wasn't wearing this on my face.

2. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream - my arms, legs, hands, and feet are awfully dry and this product helps keep them moisturized. This doesn't smell as yummy as the regular variant but since this is concentrated, it's much more moisturizing and hydrating. Plus it's handy.

3. Kanebo Coffret D'Or Lasting Pact - I was reunited with this and I remembered how much I loved it. I didn't love it back then as much as I do not but Japanese foundies still rock the house way better than any US or European foundations! Will do a revisited and reviewed post for this one of these days. :P

4. Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - my touch up powder whenever my oil glands start to act up.

5. Cargo Suede Blush in Montebello - it's so pretty! Need I say more? :P

6. Shiseido Accentuating Stick in S2 Peach Flush - I use this on days when I am too lazy to get my blush brush and swirl and tap it on a powder blush. I love the pretty pink-peach glow it gives my cheeks.

7. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Pink Coral - it instantly brightens up my face and gives me a healthy flush on the cheeks.

8. Browlash Ex Water Strong W Eyebrows - A retractable eyebrow pencil with a liquid brow liner that helps create the perfect eyebrows. Too bad it's not locally available. Chel couldn't find it in HK or any Sasa stores though and even reached Macau in search for this. :( I'm left with just the liquid brow liner. Gah!

9. Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara - I am beginning to really love this mascara ever since my Maybelline The Magnum Volume Express Mascara dried in just a month. My mom even asked me once if I was wearing falsies (which I never do when I go out) and didn't believe me until she touched my lashes and tried to pull 'em out! Haha! :P

10. Guerlain Ombre Eclat 1 Couleur 140 L'Instant Precieux - I love using this to highlight my browbones and cheekbones, as well as the inner corner of my eyes. :P

11. NYC Lip Sliders Tinted Lip Balm in Sugar Angel - a very pretty sheer coral tinted lip balm that is moisturizing, smells and tastes yummy too!

12. Palladio Herbal Lip Slix in Rosewood - this shade is the perfect peachy-nude lippy that looks natural. Non-drying and glossy, I apply this on top of my NYC Tinted Lip Balms in Sugar Baby and Sugar Angel.

13. Mentholatum Lip Ice Lemon - my lip saver! Whenever my lips get dry, I apply this and wake up with soft and hydrated lips. Plus it hs SPF15 too!


14. Guerlain KissKiss Stick Gloss in 902 Corail Des Mers - I am digging coral lippies at the moment. It is glossy and moisturizing, far from being a sticky lip gloss and leaves a very nice coral pink tint on my lips. Plus it stays for hours. :)

So these are my April Favorites and on to the 10 Things I Love Tag. Anyone feel free to do this tag. :)

10 Things I Love:

1. I love seeing little girls and their dads being sweet towards each other. It never fails to bring a smile on my face whenever I see such a scene as it reminds me so much of my dad and I when I was a little girl. Yes, I'm a daddy's girl.

2. My mom. Since my dad is no longer with us, she has been there for me all the way. We may still have not settled our differences but in the end, she's still and will always be my mom. I may not be the expressive type but I love her. :)

3. Books. Yes, I can be such a nerd. I can read 3 books/novels in one day. I love how books can take me to different places and how I get to "experience" different things just by reading. I'm not a fan of chick lits as I prefer reading crime, murder, forensic, political conspiracies, suspense and thriller novels. My faves are Jack Higgins, Steve Berry, Mario Puzo, and Joseph Finder. But then as long as the summary at the back of the book intrigues me, then it no longer matters who the author is. I will read it. Oh, I still read and collect Archie comics.

4. Rain. I love the rain! I hate the sun, I hate summers. :)

5. I love cats though I'm now starting to love dogs, thanks to Hachiko, Mari, and Marley. :P

6. I love stars and stargazing. It somewhat gives me hope in everything. Childish as it may seem, I still make wishes on stars. And some of them came true. :p

7. Coke and Iced tea. I know I should cut back on them since I need to lose weight but I can't help it. It's freaking hot and those refresh me.

8. Makeup. This is self-explanatory, I think. :P

9. Friends. I'd rather have a few friends whom I know are real than know a lot of people and not know who my real friends are. :0

10. Myself. Not to sound self-centered and full of myself but if I don't love myself, how can other people love me? I'm not perfect, I can sometimes be shitty but that's me and I have to accept myself. Hehe. :P

Anyway, like what I mentioned above, feel free to do this tag.

Happy weekend, super awesome peeps! :P

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Product Review: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Shaping Crayon in Baby Lips Blush

So you think NARS is the only brand that has the guts to name their products in a scandalous way? Nope, there is another brand that does just the same and that is Soap & Glory. They have a moisturizer (if I am not mistaken) called Glow Job. If you have speech defect of some sort or easily get confused with words, you might say it the wrong way, and hopefully not with a man around. Anyway, I only have a lip product and that is the Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Shaping Crayon in Baby Lips Blush. I've only had it for a few days but I think that's enough time to review a lip product that isn't meant to do some sort of treatment on your lips.

What I like:
- A very pretty medium pink shade with a hint of mauve/rose that is glossy.
- Intensity of the color can be built up. You can dot the lippy on your lips and spread it using your pinkie for a more subtle shade of pink or apply it as is for a more intense pink lips.
- It feels mentholated as there is a "stinging" sensation, which I think is how the plumping effect works.
- Staying power is good and lasts for 3-4 hours even after eating or drinking. And leaves a nice pink tint on the lips too.
- Inexpensive at Php 275 on eBay.ph

What I don't like:
- The scent really bothers me. It smells like a newly sharpened pencil (or a wet piece of wood, if I may add) and old crayons. I had to sharpen it to lessen the scent and had to top it off with a better smelling lip balm so the scent will no longer trigger my allergic rhinitis and migraine. The first time I tried it, I had migraine, I swear.
- It tastes awful! Another reason why I have to apply another lippy on top of it.
- Dried out my lips even though I applied a lip balm underneath.
- Unfortunately, it did no plumping effect. Though I wasn't expecting it to perform a miracle.

Overall rating: 2.5/5 This isn't for those who have sensitive noses and those who have the tendency to lick their lips on a regular basis or eat their lipsticks.

Will I buy again? For the love of my nose, NO. In as much as I find the shade pretty, I'll spare myself from migraines and rhinitis attacks. I'm better off with Palladio Herbal Lip Slix.

Swatch

On my lips

Have you tried this lippy?

Happy Friday, super awesome peeps! :P

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Winner of my Apothica $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

It has been over a week now since the Apothica $25 Gift Card Giveaway has ended and I only got 8 entries. :( Anyway, I used random.org to draw the winner and here is the result.

The winner is twofiveone. I will send you an email and please respond within 48 hours upon receipt; otherwise, I will draw another winner. Apothica will contact you regarding the prize. Thanks to Bec, Hollie, and AubreyLaine for joining!

Happy Monday, super awesome peeps! :P Read more...

Product Review: Make Up For Ever (MUFE) High Definition Microfinish Cream Blush in #6 Quickie

A cream blush that stays for a very long time on my combination-oily skin? Sounds nearly impossible, right? But yes, I have found a blush that does that effortlessly and that is the MUFE HD Microfinish Cream Blush in #6 Quickie.

What I like:
- Creamy and blends well with the skin.
- Very pigmented so you only need a very little amount of product and it lasts for a very long time. A little goes such a long way.
- Intensity of the color can be built up, depending on how you want it.
- The shade #6 Quickie is a very pretty salmon pink shade, which, I think, will flatter almost any skin tone.
- One little tube can last for a very long time as you only need a miniscule amount for both the cheeks.
- Staying power is good even for my combination-oily skin. it does not slide off and almost permanent tattoo-like. Stays pretty much the whole day, it's insane!
- The scent is something I can tolerate. I can't describe it but as long as it doesn't trigger my allergic rhinitis, then I'm cool with it.
- Locally available at MUFE stores. However, they don't stock up on most products.


What I don't like:
- You have to be very careful in pumping out a product as you may get way more than what you need.
- It may seem expensive at first for it costs in between Php 1500 - Php2000 here but then again, you are paying for pigments in cream form (in my opinion) that will last you a very looooooong time.
- Since it is in cream form, it may dry easily.

Overall rating: 4/5

Will I buy again? I don't mind having to repurchase but I'm partial to powder blushes.

Tip: While some prefer using brushes when it comes to blending cream blushes, I prefer using my fingers since it helps warm up the blush making it easier to blend with the skin.

Swatches (L- Blended; R - swatched)

Have you tried this blush?

I hope you're having a blessed Holy Week, super awesome peeps! :) Read more...

Product Review: Guerlain Ombre Eclat 1 Couleur 140 L'Instant Precieux

I love multi-tasking products because it saves me money. Who doesn't, right? So when I saw this Guerlain single eyeshadow at the Lux Asia (The Big Outlet Sale) last week, I knew I had to have it and I was sure I can use it on other things aside from using it just as an eyeshadow.

As usual, this comes in a luxurious packaging that is simply divine - the heavy gold packaging that can possibly cause you to get mugged if you flash this in a very public place. (Of course, I'm kidding. I surely hope that does not happen to anyone. Oh good Lord, no!)

The shade is L'Instant Precieux 140 - a very pretty frosted pearly-white shade.

When I saw it, I thought I can use this as a highlighter not just for the browbone but for the cheekbones, cupid's bow, and the tip of the nose as well, and any other part that gets hit by the sun to give that gorgeous and healthy glow. I was right. I love using this as a highlighter on my cheekbones, brow bone, and the inner corner of my eyes. I also sometimes use this as an under eye brightener as recommended by the sales assistant (Oh, I think she's Ate Ey-Vee-Es-Cee-Vee-En or ABS-CBN that Jap mentioned on Girltalk). I also used this on top of a matte blush or a cheek tint and dang, it made the blush lovelier than it already is. This is indeed a multi-tasking product and I love it to bits. I'm also glad to report that even though it's meant for the eyes, I did not break out with it nor get any allergic reaction when I used it on my cheeks.

One thing that bothers me though is that the texture isn't as buttery and soft as the testers we swatched at EDSA Shang but meh! As long as it does the job then I'm cool with it. I'm sure it's not expired because the manufacture date on the box is 1/10 and it's just about 15 months old. And besides, it doesn't feel gritty anyway and I got it on sale for Php600.

Another thing that turned me off in a way is that the pricing on that sale is pretty inconsistent. Some single eyeshadows were priced at Php 500 so I was surprised that this one costs Php 600. I know, it's just a hundred bucks but hello? Be consistent with the price tags. To cite another example, I was lemming for the green single eyeshadow so when Bec sent me an SMS the following day (second day of the sale) asking if I still want the green e/s as she can get it for me, I was surprised when I learned that that shade costs Php 700 (without a pouch and the very last piece on stock). Talk about inconsistency, right? I know it's only 100 or 200 bucks but something like that turns me off. So in the end, I didn't get the green one though I love green eyeshadows. Anyway, I'm done ranting. :P Overall a really nice product to own especially if you like highlighting and multi-tasking products. I give this a 4.5/5 but I won't repurchase if it's not on sale. :)

Here's a closer look.

Swatch

Have you tried Guerlain eye products? :P

Blessed Holy Week to you all. :)
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