Something New: Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free Foundation TO GO

Just yesterday, I spotted a new product at Maybelline's counter in Landmark Trinoma. It's Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free Foundation To Go! It's cute - now even makeup has "to go" versions! This one's perfect if you want something that would fit even the smallest purse, and still manages to keep you looking fresh all day.

Maybelline Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free Foundation SPF 25 PA++ To Go (P99.00)

I believe that this one is just a smaller version of the previously available Clear Smooth All In One Shine-Free Foundation compacts. It's so tiny and adorable, and it's pink!

This product provides 8 benefits:

• Shine control
• High UV protection
• Instant fairness
• Dark spots blend away
• Long lasting
• Visibly smooth complexion
• Conceal blemishes and pores
• Tone perfecting

Even with its small size (only 3.5g!), I love that this mini compact comes with a puff and mirror. Plus, it has SPF 25 PA++. I've seen only 2 shades on display: Nude Beige and Natural. Each compact is reasonably priced at P99.00, so if you're looking for a new and affordable face powder, this might be worth a try.

Love,

Helen

Haul: The Body Shop Members Only Sale

The Body Shop is just had their mind-blowing Members Only Sale from April 25-29 (last day tomorrow!), and I made sure to drop by. I went to their store in SM City North EDSA after work to reward myself with some feel-good products for doing overtime work the entire week. All the stuff I got were at 40% off.

The Body Shop Haul

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter (P895.00 -> P537.00)

I got this tub of Shea Body Butter for Mom. Just like me, she used to have Mango as her favorite, too, until she tried Shea. This one was also for very dry skin, but was less greasy than Mango. She noticed that this tub was slightly taller (at 300ml), since she was used to the regular sized tubs (at 200ml). I'm glad she liked my little present!

The Body Shop Apple Blossom Shower Gel (P450.00 -> P270.00)

The Body Shop Apple Blossom Eau de Toilette (P795.00 -> P477.00)

Like what I shared with you in my sale announcement post, I got so excited when I saw the Apple Blossom range on the sale racks! I've used up a bottle of the Apple Blossom Body Mist way back in high school and I haven't really gotten over the scent. The Apple Blossom range only pops out during sale season, but how I wished that these products were part of their permanent product lineup. The scent is really fresh and perfect for summer. Plus, it reminds me of D&G Light Blue! Since I still had many unused bottles of lotions at home, I just got the shower gel and EDT from this range.

If you're not yet a The Body Shop Love Your Body Member, don't fret as they're going to have their mind-blowing sale open to everyone starting from April 30, 2013 to celebrate their 17th anniversary.

I'm so happy with my purchases! Have you been to The Body Shop lately? What products are you planning to get from the sale? :D

Love,

Helen

Forever 21 Haul

It's time for another haul post! I went to Forever 21 today with my sisters, and this is our haul for when we updated our closet with more Spring/Summer 2013 finds. (Yes, the 5 of us share the same set of clothes since we have a similar body type!)

Tropical Print Dress (P555.00)

I love dresses and when I spotted these on the racks, I immediately took both colors to the fitting room. I'm so happy that they fit me perfectly. I also love that I can wear these to work. Since I had too many black dresses, I went for the colorful one and my sister bought the black and white one!

Floral Muscle Tee with Studded Cross Detail (P765.00)

Ombre Denim Cropped Top (P815.00)

My sister is currently into muscle tees and cropped tops, which are so perfect for summer! I'm so wearing these on my dress-down days when I'm out of the office.

Aztec Print Skirt (P605.00)

My sister was shopping for clothes since she's an incoming college freshman. I told her to go for practical jeans but she got herself this skirt. Since she's petite, she can get away with this one without getting in trouble! Haha. Plus, you just gotta love how this one spruces up plain-colored tops.

Vaseline Lotion Set (GWP)

For a single-receipt purchase of P1,500.00, you can get this Vaseline lotion set for free!

Hope you liked our haul. Do feel free to share with me your recent finds. :D

Love,

Helen

The Body Shop Members Only Sale [April 25-29, 2013]

Time to spoil yourself gorgeous as The Body Shop is having an exclusive members only sale from April 25-29, 2013. Get up to 70% off on a wide range of products! If you're curious on what particular items are on sale, then you're in luck! I dropped by The Body Shop in SM City North EDSA on the first day of the sale, and now I'll be sharing with you some kind of a "list" (with lots of pictures!) of what items are on sale. Get your wallets ready!

The Body Shop Love Your Body Members Only Sale

Eau de Toilette (EDT): White Gardenia, Strawberry, Apple Blossom, and Brazil Nut

Body Mist: Brazil Nut

Brazil Nut Beautifying Oil, Body Scrub, and Soap

Body Scrub: Mango and Sweet Lemon

Body Butter: Blueberry, Raspberry, Almond, Brazil Nut

Makeup: Eyeshadows and Lipsticks

Neroli Jasmin Shower Gel and Body Lotion (Mini)

Apple Blossom Shower Gel and Body Lotion

Passion Fruit Shower Gel

Pomegranate Shower Gel and Body Polish

Shower Gel/Cream: Raspberry, Passion Fruit, Peach, and Brazil Nut

Body Butter: Shea and Mango

Eco-bag at 70% off

Something New: Absinthe Hand Care Range at 30% off

A pure sensation for hands. Our sensational new hand care range with absinthe extract leaves hands feeling soft, fresh, and totally pure.

They also have another shelf where members could get White Musk Libertine, Love Etc..., Chocomania, and other items at buy 1 get 1 free (equal or lesser value).

Aside from earning points while you shop (5 points for every P100.00 spent, which equals to P5.00), you can also enjoy discounts and freebies by spending P2,000 in a single receipt.

By the way, I joined the "What's Your Favorite Ingredient?" contest on The Body Shop, Philippines' Facebook page. Voting is open from April 26-29, 2013.

I hope you could support me by liking my photo entry HERE. 
It would mean a lot to me!

I hope you liked this sale post! I'll be back to The Body Shop today to get my Mom a tub of body butter and some other stuff for myself. I'm so happy to see the Apple Blossom range this time! It brings back memories of high school since it was the very same scent I used back then.

This sale is happening in all The Body Shop stores nationwide. Visit your nearest The Body Shop store and enjoy shopping! Don't forget to share with me your haul! ;)

Love,

Helen

Kerastase Elixir Ultime 24K Gold

Elixir Ultime, the legendary oil by Kérastase, is a must-have product for hairdressers and is an icon of beauty and sensuality for many celebrities and women around the world. This year, Elixir Ultime is proud to introduce its unique Sublime Cleansing Oil Shampoo and Beautifying Oil Masque. This new range of treatments offers shine, nutrition, protection, and resistance to the hair, meeting the needs of all hair types. A complete, luxury submersion for the hair, which is left nourished and dazzling.

As with 24-carat gold, the ingredients in Elixir Ultime are of the utmost purity. Inspired by the principles that define the precious nature of gold, Kérastase turns hair into a unique and delicate material.

SUBLIME CLEANSING OIL SHAMPOO (P1,483.00)

This daily cleansing formula, with its high concentration of precious oils, removes impurities and offers deep, gentle care, without weighing down the hair. Its delicate texture lathers instantly into a generous foam which leaves an enchanting perfume throughout the hair. The hair is deeply nourished. It is left incomparably light and radiant.

BEAUTIFYING OIL MASQUE (P2,708.00)

Applied weekly, this formula, a deep infusion of precious oils, offers normal hair an outstanding nourishing treatment. Its creamy texture and sensual fragrance leave the hair soft and subtly perfumed. Fully replenished, the hair is left deeply nourished.

An exclusive core formula of four highly concentrated precious oils:

• Pracaxi oil: originating from Amazonian regions, it is known for its anti-oxidant benefits. It enhances hair shine and nourishment.
• Argan oil: one of the rarest oils in the world, it is prized for its reparative and regenerative properties. It helps to keep the hair light and supple.
• Maize oil: rich in vitamins A, E and Omega 6, it is extracted from Central American maize-germ. It nourishes the hair, offering shine, softness and protection.
• Camellia oil: Native to Central and Eastern Asia, it is the most fragrant and luxurious of the oils. It gives magnificent shine and suppleness to the hair and helps to smooth the hair fibre.

New Elixir Ultime Shampoo and Masque is available beginning March 2013.

For more information, like Kerastase Philippines on Facebook, visit the official Kérastase Paris website at www.societedekerastase.com, or call the Kérastase Paris hotline at (02) 672-7200.

Love,

Helen

Ensembles Wear My Design Contest Year 2

Ever dreamed of having your own designs being sold in Ensembles stores nationwide? If yes, then this one is for you! Following the success of the first WEAR MY DESIGN Competition last year, where 5 winning dresses comprised Ensembles' Spring 2013 Collection, Ensembles is excited to announce that the next installation of this much anticipated contest will start on May 1 to June 30, 2013!

If you have an eye for fashion and a creative mind, then don't miss this chance to join! All you have to do is submit a dress prototype of your design together with an application form. All submitted entries will be uploaded to Ensembles’ Facebook page for voting. Winning entries will be featured in the Spring Dresses 2014 Collection. Five lucky ladies have already gotten their dreams come true with the last year’s contest. The dresses sold very well with customers having their own faves. Who knows, maybe it’s your time to shine!

This time around, there will be 8 grand winners! Each winner will receive cash and gift certificates from Ensembles, plus special gift packs from VMV Hypoallergenics and Piandre Salon. Each winner shall also be given one produced dress of his/her design (in his/her choice of color and size). The winning pieces will be reproduced by Ensembles for the Wear My Design 2014 Spring Dresses Collection, and the name of the grand winners will be featured on the Ensembles Wear My Design hangtag.

Learn more about ‘Wear My Design’ Competition mechanics and rules at www.ensembles.com.ph. Like Ensembles on Facebook page and  follow Ensembles on Twitter and Instagram (@EnsemblesOnline) for more information.

Love,

Helen

Bite Club Grilled Burgers & Sandwiches

Are you ready for the bite of your life?

My colleagues and I share the same passion -  a love for GOOD burgers! As for the patties, we like them thick, juicy, and meaty! I remember going to ArmyNavy for 3 Fridays straight for our lunch out, having their burgers every week until we got sick of it. Then, during our Boracay trip, we saw a Bite Club burger joint that was always packed, we didn't get to try it. Almost a week after, my colleague then discovered that Bite Club had another branch located in San Juan, so off we went after work for some burger appreciation!

Everything a burger must be.

Their restuarant in San Juan was quite small. Good thing we arrived very early, around 6PM, so the place wasn't crowded yet.

The Burgers:

CLUB BURGER - 1/3 lb ground all beef patty (P175.00)

BURGERELLA - 1/3 lb mozzarella stuffed burger (P195.00)

THE BOMB - Half-Pounder (P260.00)

BOMBARELLA - 1/2 lb mozzarella stuffed burger (P280.00)

TRIPLE X -  Bite Club's Gigantic 1 lb beef burger (P420.00)

*Add your one (1) FREE sauce topping

They do have a more complete menu in-store. What's so unique about their burgers is that you may opt to have it regular or mozarella-stuffed! Mozzarella-stuffed burgers? Crazy good!

Upon ordering, we were each handed a card.

The side dishes were the first to arrive. We had potatoes and onion rings, as suggested by the "How To Order" instructions.

 

Crispy Club Fries (P75.00)

Classic french fries that stay crisp and crunchy

Nothing really special about this - just the regular french fries. Next time, I'd skip ordering this.

 

Potato Wedges (P75.00)

Seasoned thick potato wedges, golden fried to perfection

This one is thicker and more flavorful than the Crispy Club Fries.

 

Bite Club's Battered Onion Rings (P75.00)

Crispy battered fresh onion rings served with Bite Club's special dressings

This is their most popular side dish for a good reason. It hardly tasted like veggies at all. I love the batter they used to coat the onion rings, it's just light and crisp! This goes so well with their burgers.

Here are the burgers we got:

Bombarella + Creamy Danish Blue Cheese Sauce

Bombarella + Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Add some tomato slices and onion rings - my friend likes to have his burger like this!

Burgerella + Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Because I'm a girl, I ordered just the Burgerella, and not Bombarella (though I think I might just try that next time)! You know how the mozzarella cheese stretches to infinity when you pull a warm pizza slice? That's how the insides of this thick and juicy burger patty is. Plus, mozzarella-stuffed burger with cheddar cheese sauce is like cheese on cheese - a true cheese-lover's dream burger come true. It's AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS that I finished this in just a few minutes. Big bites included, poise be gone. I plan to add Potato Wedges and Bite Club's Battered Onion Rings in my burger next time around! 

Bite Club Grilled Burgers - definitely a must try! 

Bite Club Grilled Burgers & Sandwiches

G&L Building, J.Abad Santos Street & V.Cruz Street, 1500 San Juan, Philippines

Tel: (02)2393786 (Globe); (02)4011943 (PLDT)

Mon-Thu: 11:00-23:00
Fri-Sat: 11:00-00:00
Sun: 11:00-23:00 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BiteClubBurgers

Love,

Helen

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak

I remember reading a Save vs. Spend article way back, and it said that hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner should be part of the SPEND list on your beauty budget, mainly because it's like vitamins for the hair. I used to be skeptical since I didn't really want to shell out hundreds of pesos for basic hair care necessities so I just get them from the supermarket. There's nothing really wrong with getting the brands made for the mass market, because how a product reacts to each individual is different. You can use affordable hair care products and still have naturally beautiful hair (lucky you!). But, it's not the case for me. I hated my hair way back when I was in my tweens/teens. I wanted it to be straight and shiny, and the harder I tried, the more frizzy and worse it looked. It was when I shifted to more premium and less chemical-laden (sulfate-free and silicone-free) hair care formulas that I finally became friends with my wavy hair!

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak

I was given bunch of samples when I last visited the newly opened branch of Kiehl's in the East Wing of Shangri-La Mall, and this one is part of the mini-loot. I am quite vain when it comes to my hair so I was very excited to try this one out!

About the Product:

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak is made of Fairly-Traded Argan Oil, plus Safflower Seed Oil and Cocoa Butter. This one is as natural as can be since it's free from silicones and parabens.

Ingredients:

A sachet is good for one-time use since I have long hair. The instruction says to leave this on for 3 minutes (after shampooing), but I like to leave it on for more than 10 minutes to maximize the hair nourishing effects of this hair treatment.

I felt my hair becoming soft as I rinsed it off, so I had very high hopes that this would indeed make my hair sleek. This product did deliver its promise of smoother, frizz-free hair! I noticed that my hair was more manageable for up to 3 days even after washing with shampoo the following day. Imagine if I used this every so often; my waves would be gorgeously soft and tame all the time. The only thing I'm not fond of is the scent. It smells like medicinal herbs but you'll get over it once you feel how soft your hair is.

I think we should treat our hair to deep conditioning masks often. I only get to do this during the weekend because I don't have the luxury of time to relax in the shower during weekdays. I'd love to know, do you go for Save or Spend when it comes to hair care? :)

Love,

Helen 

Dairy Queen Cheesequake Blizzard Treats

Ice cream and cheesecake are just some of the desserts that never fail to put a smile on my face, and I think Dairy Queen is a genius to combine them both in one simple yet absolutely delicious summer treat so we could beat the heat! Meet the Cheesequake Blizzard Treats!

Cheesequake Blizzard Treats

(P79.00/9oz, P99.00/12oz, P119.00/16oz)

My family loves eating out during weekends. I took this time to treat them to these yummy Dairy Queen treats! We like the Dairy Queen kiosk in Robinsons Magnolia - it's conveniently located in the mall's clean and spacious food court so finding a seat is not a problem even if you come in big groups!

The Cheesequake Blizzard Treats come in 3 flavors:

Mango Cheesecake

Strawberry Cheesecake

Cheesecake made with Oreo

Dairy Queen Blizzards are served upside down or else it's free! If you're into fruity ice cream flavors, then you'll love the Mango Cheesecake and Strawberry Cheesecake variant. My personal favorite would still be the classic Cheesecake made with Oreo. Just look at the crushed cookies and big chunks of cheesecake!

Banana Split

The Dairy Queen Banana Split is made with their signature vanilla soft-serve ice cream and bananas on the side, topped with strawberry, pineapple, and chocolate syrup plus whipped cream. Yummy!

For special occasions where cake is always present, why not try Dairy Queen's ice cream cakes? For my parents' anniversary, I got them this Chocolate Xtreme Blizzard Cake!

Chocolate Xtreme Blizzard Cake

 

If I remember it correctly, this cake has a travel time of 1 hour before it starts melting. What I hope they improve on is the box where this cake is placed - it's just the regular carton box used for normal birthday cakes so the ice cream really has that tendency to melt. Other than that, the cake is delicious! The Chocolate Xtreme Blizzard cake has brownie pieces, choco chunks, cocoa fudge, fudge and crunch center, and chocolate soft serve in it! After trying it, I realized that it's a nice family treat that I would buy even if there's no special occasion.

Like Dairy Queen Philippines on Facebook to learn more about their products. I hear they're now giving away GCs and tickets to Enchanted Kingdom! What Dairy Queen treat is your ultimate favorite? :D

Love,

Helen