Oishi Snacktacular 2017 (SO FUN!!!)

Today, I took a field trip to Festival Mall to attend Oishi Snacktacular 2017. (Field trip talaga because I live in the North! Haha) I've seen them host this kind of event in Trinoma and SM MOA before, and now it's my first time to experience it! SO EXCITED! 😁

Selfie with my mega Oishi loot! Will let you know how I got them! 😉

The venue is at 2L Carousel Court, Festival Mall. 🎠 You can drop by from July 28 to 30, 2017. Oishi has prepared 5 FUN booths you can enjoy. Entrance is free, but there is a minimal fee if you want to participate in the activities. Guys, let me just say, it's worth it!

Snack Shack is on the left side of the venue

Snack Catcher and O-Twirl are in the middle

Make Your Own Snack and Cuckoo Blaster are on the right side of the venue

My first stop was Snack Shack (P295), where you get to fill your Oishi 2 ft. giant pack in 60 seconds. Here, I get to pick exactly what I want, so majority of what I hoarded were cereals (Choco Flakes and Corn Flakes), Wafu, and Sponge Crunch - my favorites! (Hala! Puro sweets. Haha) Zero regrets, because the chips I weren't able to get within 60 seconds, I still got via the magical Snack Catcher. YAY! Actually, my bag was already full before the 60 seconds was up. Just make sure your pack can be (velcro) sealed, or else you'd have to deduct until everything fits.

Snack Catcher (P200) is the main attraction of the event. Imagine diving into a pool of Oishi snacks! I'm always happy when I'm being surrounded by food (takaw, I know), hence my love for grocery trips, but it was taken to a whole new level via the Snack Catcher. It's an experience you have to try. Promise! Actually, I was initially scared. When the harness lifted me up and started moving, I forgot all the tips I read. (Naks, nagresearch talaga ako kagabi!) I just went for it and hugged my snacks tightly. I was able to grab 47 packs! The record by the time I left the venue was 82. Woah! 🎇

Also, do not miss out on the Cuckoo Blaster (P120 per person). I paired up with my NFF Karen and tried to catch as many ball as possible to win Oishi drinks. We got a total of 15 balls and got 3 drinks each. I still can't get over the costume though. So cute! Haha 😂 

There are 2 snack booths in the venue. Saan aabot ang 20 pesos mo?

I went to the Make Your Own Snack (P20) booth where you can combine different Oishi chips plus dips to create your own special snack.

Ridges Onion & Garlic + Panchos Nacho Cheese + Cheese Dip 😍

And the perfect way to cap off your fun day is to enjoy Oishi Choco Chug and Tea Matchi as soft serve ice cream with 2 toppings for only P20 at the O-Twirl booth! Ang mura! 😮

Tea Matchi Matcha Ice Cream + Wafu + Sponge Crunch

YUMMY! 🍦

If you were able to visit all 5 booths and post about the event in social media (with the hashtag #OishiSnacktacular), you get a cute shirt for free as souvenir. (Check the design at the background. Cute diba!) 💖

Thank you very much for the FUN day, Oishi! This experience is unforgettable, and I can't wait to do it again next year! 😍 (Sa North naman ulit, please! Hihi)

Facebook: Oishi

Instagram: @oishiph

Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just shoot me a message on IG! 💗

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I found Happiness at Hanamaruken 🍜

I miss having lunch dates with my Dad! 💙 I used to go out with him during weekday lunch during my funemployed student days last year, but now I rarely get to see him because of my work schedule. 💔 One rainy weekend, we went to Hanamaruken Ramen in Trinoma. Nothing beats hot ramen during cozy days. (It's like a warm hug for the tummy!)

Here in Manila, trends in the food scene quickly come and go - just a few examples are froyo, milk tea, and ramen. Today, ramen restaurants are a dime a dozen, and it's always a challenge for the remaining competitors to set themselves apart. How? By meeting three criteria - quality, authenticity, and (for the bolder chefs), innovation - and that's exactly what Hanamaruken seems to be so good at! 🍜
 

Spare Rib Ramen (P390)

tonkotsu, shoyu, slow-cooked spare ribs
 

Champon (P350)

stir-fried pork, shrimp, and fresh vegetables doused in our shoyu tonkotsu soup and special seasoning
 

Gyoza (P240)

My Dad ordered Spare Rib Ramen because he loves meat, while I ordered Champon because I was looking for something healthier with a lighter flavor. The Spare Rib Ramen had soft cuts of spare ribs which was delicious but the soup bit on the oily side, so I split both our orders to share. Champon is a Chinese-inspired ramen dish popular in Nagasaki, and the taste was very close to the noodle dishes served in Chinese restaurants - veggies and all. The shoyu tonkotsu soup in Champon had a fresher taste because of the greens in it, while the Spare Rib Ramen was on the saltier side. Both variants are flavorful and have distinct differences, and we liked them. Gyoza was just like my favorite kutchay dumpling - it's enjoyable but it's quite pricey at P240 for 8 pieces.

Hanamaruken Ramen was founded by Takaku Arakawa in Osaka, Japan. Arakawa's family was in the piggery business, and he found a way to integrate his favorite cut of pork into ramen, the Japanese national food. He discovered "Tonkotsu" which is stewed pork cartilage - a cut that was not only delicious and flavorful, but one that could easily broken by chopsticks. This is what set his ramen apart from the numerous ramen restaurants in Osaka, and is what birthed to his masterpiece ramen: The Signature Happiness Ramen.

Signature Happiness Ramen: This joyful bowl includes a shoyu tonkotsu broth ramen topped with a tender, slow-braised custom cut soft bone rib.

The Signature Happiness Ramen is one among 7 options to choose from, on a menu that is simple and straightforward, but nonetheless appetizing. The Spare Rib Ramen and the Potbelly Ramen are certainly menu stars, but the other selections - the Curry Tan Tan Mien, the Spicy Tobanjan Ramen, the Salary Man Ramen, and the Chasyu Ramen can certainly hold their own as well. And for a small fee of P50, you can add an Aji Tamago, a traditional marinated soft boiled egg.

At Hanamaruken, meat is taken quite seriously, so we can enjoy it and find happiness in different forms and ways. The Hanamaruken Rice bowls capture the Filipino palate's fascination with rice. The Happiness Rice Bowl, which includes the famous pork rib over steamed rice, has gotten a lot of rave reviews. And there's nothing like  a bowl of carbs and protein for nursing a hangover - try the Drunk Man Rice Bowl, which includes kukuni with two fried eggs on rice. Other must-tries include the classic Gyoza and the Ebi Tempura. 🍤

For more information on Hanamaruken:
LIKE Hanamaruken Ramen Philippines on Facebook
FOLLOW @hanamaruken_ph on Instagram

Love,
Helen
 

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just shoot me a message on IG!

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Freezer Burn's Ketchup Mayo Fries is back!

This July, an old favorite is making its way back to Freezer Burn! 🍨

The Ketchup Mayo Fries a la Mode - the oddball flavor Freezer Burn debuted last year - is officially back.

It's as weird as it's enjoyable, with salt and pepper fries accompanying your Ketchup Mayo ice cream, which then turns into a milky dip as it melts. 😍

You can also have it now with twister fries! 😋

Drop by Freezer Burn until July 31 and treat yourself to a solo serving of Ketchup Mayo Fries for just P95, or invite your family and friends and get a bigger carton (for sharing) at only P195!

Get the Ketchup Mayo Fries at Freezer Burn, Q3 (Ground Floor), Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

Facebook: Freezer Burn PH

Instagram: @freezerburnph

Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just shoot me a message on IG! 😊

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Althea Turns 2 + My Birthday Haul 🎂

Althea Korea turns 2 this month, and they have a LOT of surprises in store for us! 😍 If you love Korean beauty products and all things cute, then read on!
 

My Althea Birthday Cake 💝

(You can make your own, too!)
 

There are many exciting things happening on Althea's birthday month. From June 3 to 31, the first 5,000 qualifying orders will get the limited edition Althea Birthday Box that looks like a cake! 🎂 OMG! I already love the classic, sturdy pink boxes my previous orders came in, so this one I think I will keep until I'm old. Haha. It's sooo cute! 😁

Let's unbox my Althea Birthday Haul! 💖
 

I know I only bought 4 items, but look at everything that's inside! Weee!
 

My box came with a DIY Birthday Kit, and this one is only included in the limited edition birthday box (large) while stocks last. Hurry! 💙 (You will want this because decorating your own Althea Birthday Cake could win you a trip to Korea and other cool prizes!) 😮

And now, my haul!

Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control SPF 50+ PA+++ in 13C Ivory (P1,320)

I've always wanted to try this BB cushion because everyone is raving about it as their HG face base. I'm currently using it now, and so far so good, I'm loving how it keeps my skin even and glowing even after a long day. Will use it more often so I can give a more detailed review soonest!

Trivia: Did you know that this one sells for P1,950 in Laneige stores here in the Philippines? If you get it from Althea, it's just P1,320 + FREE SHIPPING straight from Korea. Love it!

 

Mamonde Pang Pang Hair Shadow in 06 Baby Face Hair (P600)

This one is something I NEED. No kidding! I never knew such a product existed before I saw it at Althea. My hairline is uneven, so this one makes me look more polished and even younger (!) whenever I tie my hair back in a ponytail. I can't wait to show you how it works! 😜 Basta super effective, and I will repurchase should I start hitting the pan. Worth it! If you have thin hair problems, this will help.

For your reference, my hair is black, and the shade 06 Baby Face Hair goes well with dark hair. (Do not get a black one! It would look too harsh.)

 

Skinfood Gummy Bear Jelly Hand Butter in Cherry Chocolate (P317)

Now I don't need another hand cream since I already have two, but how can you resist the pink gummy bear packaging? Please tell me how. It's too cute, and it smells like chocolate!

 

Innisfree No Sebum X Emoji Mineral Powder (P227)

This one's a limited edition version of Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (P260). The emoji you'd get is random, and I'm so happy this came in the box! 😍 (This one's now sold out though! 😢)

 

My box also came with a  birthday sample pack for lucky early bird shoppers! SO MANY SKINCARE SAMPLES TO TRY!!! 😍😍😍 I also spy a full-sized Calmia Belle Journee Tattoo Lip Tint (P250). (So generous of Althea! Thank you!)

For the entire month, there will be birthday sales and promos for customers. I'm excited about the Althea Birthday Giveaway Festival, where there will be free products every other day in July to add into cart - so you have to act fast! Also, they've launched the Althea Birthday Makeup Box to add to the festive theme. Every week, a lucky shopper stands a chance to win P10,000 Althea credits. 🎉

The most exciting part about celebrating with Althea is that you stand a chance to win a trip to Korea for 2 just by showing off your decorated birthday box on Instagram with the hashtag #AltheaTurns2!

Fly Me To Korea Contest: The Althea birthday box creation show off on Instagram.

• The grand prize is a flight to Korea for two!
• First prize is a year's free shopping on Althea.
• Second prize is 3 months free shopping on Althea.
• Consolation prizes are USD$100 Althea credits x 10 winners.

Do participate as well in their online promos, too! 👍

FOLLOW @AltheaKorea on Instagram and join the 20 Days of Beauty giveaway.

(Every working day, they'll be giving away a prize on Instagram.)

LIKE Althea on Facebook and join the Althea FB Giveaway.
(Every Monday, a contest will be up for FB Fans.)

Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit www.althea.kr. 😗

I'm really happy with my Althea Birthday Box - from the cute box, to the DIY Birthday Kit (so creative!), to cutting the cardboard decors, and to my sister for helping me decorate my cake. My haul is filled with everything that I like, need, and want. Plus, tons of samples! I'm still not over them yet. 😍 I'm joining my Althea Birthday Cake on the Instagram promo, too! But I already feel like a winner with these. Grateful to have celebrated Althea's 2nd birthday! 💖 Wishing you guys more birthdays to come! 🙏

Happy 2nd birthday, Althea! You amazingly make k-beauty accessible to everyone, and I appreciate that a lot. 💋

 
Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just shoot me a message on IG! 😉

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Cathy Doll Nude Me Liquid Lip Matte (Review + Swatches)

When I attended Cathy Doll's first anniversary event, they launched their new Nude Me line with 3 eyeshadow palettes and matte liquid lipsticks - my favorite kind of makeup! 😍

There are a total of 9 shades in the Nude Me Liquid Lip Matte range, and we were each given 6 shades to try. I shared arm swatches of these shades before, and now it's time for the complete lip swatches and review! 💋

From the box, you can already see how quirky the brand is. It has nudes on it but it's really cute!

Cathy Doll Liquid Lip Matte

• Kiss-proof
• Conceals lip lines
• Smudge-proof
• The soft texture offers smooth lip lines

 

Each shade comes with a metallic box with complete product information (such as ingredients, manufacturing and expiry dates).

The packaging makes it look like a conventional bullet lipstick, but when you twist the base you'll get a doe-foot applicator with flat sides. The shape of the applicator works well with the formula in terms of application and blending.

01 True Brown

True Brown is the darkest lipstick I have in my kit. With one coat, the it would look a bit uneven, and I achieved the lip swatch above with 2 coats. Surprisingly, it has a really smooth formula that's easy to blend. Most dark liquid lipsticks I've used were patchy during application, but this one just glides on. However, I wish it had more red in it, as it has a grayish base that looks costume-y and not really for everyday wear.

02 Nude Brown

I found the arm swatch of this really promising, and I wished for Cathy Doll to come up with nude shades when I tried and loved the Geisha Hanazakari Lip Matte range before. Nude Brown has a warm tone, but my pale skin tone does not really go well with nude lipsticks, so I'm not blown away with this one. I bet this will look spectacular on deeper skin tones though!

03 Rose Embroidery

Rose Embroidery is similar to Nude Brown, but this one has more pink tones in it. I tried to make it work, but my teammate said I looked like I had smoker's lips with this one on, since it oxidizes to a darker shade during wear. It's not flattering on my pale skin.

04 Rose Bloom

Rose Bloom is a bright peachy shade that looks pretty and youthful. It looks brighter in person than in photos.

07 Moss Rose

Moss Rose is the prettiest shade in the Nude Me Lip Matte line. It's a pink shade that would look good on everyone, and it's the shade I love wearing everyday at work. I don't usually go for pinks, but this one's a super gorgeous shade. (The when worn face shot is more accurate than my lip swatch.) In short, nakaka-ganda siya. Must try! 💖

09 Burgundy Red

Burgundy Red is a beautiful warm red shade that screams power. I like wearing it when I want to look polished instantly. It's my second favorite shade from this line next to Moss Rose.

Pros:

• The packaging looks unique - just like a bullet lipstick!
• The flat applicator works well with the formula.
• It doesn't have a strong scent/flavor.
• It goes on smoothly and is easy to even out.
• It dries to a completely matte finish in seconds.
• It's transfer-proof once it sets, and it sets fast. (I like using it at work since it doesn't transfer to my tumbler.)
• My lips won't look patchy even after retouch.
• At the end of the day, it comes off easily with an oil-based makeup remover.
• It comes with a good variety of shades - brown, nude, peach, pink, red! (There's something for everyone!)
• It's very affordable given its good quality.

Cons:

• It's said to conceal lip lines, but I find it to emphasize my lip lines. (See lip swatches vs the when worn photo, where my lips do look smooth when they're "stretched" whenever I smile.)
• While it's generally long-wearing, eating oily food will make it come off on the inner parts of your lips, making it look uneven after a meal. This is more evident with their darker shades.
• It's not for dry, chapped lips. (Best to avoid matte liquid lippies in general if you have flaky lips. The outcome won't look nice.)

  
Price: P399

If you were to pick just one or two from this range, get Moss Rose and/or Burgundy Red. I adore these shades to bits! I think I'll be able to use these up. Hihi 😊 I'll try the Cathy Doll Sculpting Highlight & Shading Cushion for review next together with my new BB cushion. Can't wait! Reviews soon. 😉

Facebook: Cathy Doll Philippines
Instagram: @cathydollphils

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!
For quick updates or any questions, just shoot me a message on IG! 😘

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