A Shady Love Affair: Ray-Ban Cockpit Flash

I have this sick habit of buying sunnies even with no beach trip in tow - but then again, I do (land) travel almost every month so it's high time for a worthy eye-wear investment. I've wanted a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses for the longest time, but it's kinda pricey in the mall. Being practical, I had to get mine at a good deal AKA online, and I've found a totally legit online store for that.

www.glassesonline.com.ph was launched just last November 2013. It has a Philippine domain, but all shipments will be coming from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They do have a customer service hotline and office in Makati though.

They have the largest selection of sunglasses, glasses, and contact lenses at the lowest prices guaranteed. Their products range from the leading brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Gucci, and Acuvue, to a selection of unique independent brands such as SUPER, IC Berlin, Italia Independent, Palo Wood, and Blincon.

While scanning through the site, I immediately got wow-ed by this pink pair of Ray-Ban shades. PINK! :D

Isn't she lovely?

But then the safe (and a bit boring) side of me started talking me into getting a neutral-colored pair like this brown and gold one, also from Ray-Ban.

So classy!

Now I was torn between to loves. Hence, I had to do more research!

It turns out, the pink pair I've been eyeing looks totally different in real life! It has cyclamen mirror lenses, similar to those trendy flash lenses. LOVELY! ♥_♥

The brown one I've been eyeing is indeed versatile and will last for years because of its classic style, but I know I can get brown sunglasses for cheap anyway...

...so pink it is! Good thing I did my homework. ;)

Estimated delivery time is 7-9 working days, but I got mine in 2 weeks. I placed my order on July 23, the item was shipped on August 5, and it reached my doorstep on August 6. Not bad actually, since shipping is free, and they now accept cash on delivery as payment method. Also, there are no additional or hidden charges, since the duty charges are shouldered by them. The price you see online is the actual price you'll pay for.

 

My order was shipped via DHL. It was housed inside a very sturdy cardboard box (that resembled a shoebox), and the Ray-Ban box was bubble-wrapped for added protection.

I chose Ray-Ban Cockpit (instead of Aviator) since this style suits my face shape better. Inspired from the classic teardrop shape that made the Aviator famous, the Ray-Ban Cockpit sports a revised design with smoother lines and more balanced lenses.

Ray-Ban RB3362 Cockpit 112/4T

Its gold, pilot, full-rim frame is perfect for oval, heart, and square-like faces. The material, metal, provides accrued resistance and durability.

It comes with a free cleaning cloth and protective case.

What's amazing is that it's way cheaper to get Ray-Ban sunglasses from abroad than from the mall next door. The average mall price of the usual Aviators is at P8,990. This one from glassesonline.com.ph is on sale at just P6,895. I talked to one Ray-Ban SA in the mall when I had the nose pads adjusted, and he told me that I got a really good deal, since cockpit flash lenses are limited, and the retail price for this pair may go as high as P11,000! This pair is a new style released 2014; it's already on sale online, but it's not yet available in stores here in the Philippines.

He also have me a tip on how to care for my sunglasses. His tip was that I may put a bit of clear nail polish on the part where the metal and plastic meet (as focused on the photo above). This is because with prolonged wear, sweat may get into the plastic and give it a greenish tint.

I'm so happy with my lovely pink pair of Ray-Ban Cockpit Flash! ♥ It's as pink as my camera. Love how it looks in photos, very flashy indeed!

Visit http://www.glassesonline.com.ph/ and Like GlassesOnline.com.ph on Facebook! Don't say I didn't warn you and your wallet. :D

I'm curious, are you also a fan of Ray-Ban sunglasses? What style do you like most?

Love,

Helen

Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Wine Not

Meet the darkest, most vampy lipstick in my makeup stash! It's something I reach for when I feel like rebelling against my usual nude or red lipstick. Or something I like wearing whenever I feel that my outfit is too girly or pastel just to add contrast to my look. It's actually my first time to sport a shade this dark, and I'm having a love-hate relationship with this particular lipstick. You'll know why in a bit!

Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Wine Not

Swatches:

The shade varies from burgundy to wine depeding on application and skintone. One swipe, and you get a muted berry color with hints of brown and red. 
 

For me, I prefer to layer on the color for maximum impact. Wine Not is just so freakin' gorgeous. This one's a vampy yet really wearable shade, day or night. I love that it instantly makes me look made up with very little effort.

When worn:

Pros:

• It comes in a sleek, matte tube with a see-through cap.
• It's perfectly matte and pigmented.
• It's a gorgeous wine shade.
• It's wearable day and night.
• It has no scent/fragrance.
• For a matte lipstick, it's not drying. It doesn't cause my lips to chap.
• It doesn't transfer to my front teeth.
• It doesn't bleed or feather.
• This shade makes my teeth look whiter.

Cons:

• It goes on evenly only on smooth lips. If your lips are even just a teensy bit dry, forget about this lipstick. (My sister actually gave up on this lipstick, hence it's now mine! But on my "bad lip days" I don't use this as well.)
• It settles into the lip lines (for example, when it fades after you eat something).
• It has the tendency to cake when applied to much.

Price: P475.00

Available at all Revlon counters (in department stores) nationwide
 

I call this my "girl-hot" lipstick. My kikay friends compliment me whenever I have this on. Girls love it, guys hate it! What can I do? I'm a girl! :D

As for the hate part, I hate that it glides on smoothly, but not evenly - even if my lips aren't really chapped, or whenever I retouch in the afternoon. Otherwise, this would have been perfect.

Do you also sport dark vampy lipsticks?

Love,

Helen

Maxi-Peel: Bagong Ganda, Bagong Pag-asa

As if acne breakouts aren't bad enough - some of them even leave marks behind! This can really dampen anyone's confidence. Take Germain's story as an example:

Germain's ex-boyfriend broke up with her because she had pimples on her face. Because of her post-acne marks, she got the nickname "Dalmatian". I find it shallow that people would pick on others just because they have pimples. I can see through breakouts and still find them beautiful. However, in the real world, people do get judged by their appearance. The good thing here is that now, anyone can break free from bad skin with Maxi-Peel.

Maxi-Peel is the Philippine’s leading skin care brand in the exfoliant category. The proven effective combination of Tretinoin and Hydroquinone helps in treating and preventing mild, moderate to severe cases of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. It also delivers significant whitening and prevents formation of dark spots.

Exfoliation is natural process, but as we age, our skin's ability to renew itself slows down. Ever wondered why the skin looks dull sometimes? It's caused by dead skin cells that linger on our face - clogging our pores and causing skin problems.

Maxi-Peel fights pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads by penetrating pores to reduce breakouts, and eliminating acne-causing bacteria. It helps renew the skin through 3 stages: Remove (stinging), Renew (redness), and Reveal (peeling).

If you're wondering why the bottles are marked as 1, 2, and 3, let me help you pick one that's right for your skin type.

• 1 is for the treatment and prevention of mild cases
• 2 is for the treatment and prevention of moderate cases 
• 3 is for the treatment and prevention of severe cases 

Use Maxi-Peel day and night. Tiis ganda for 2 weeks until your new skin is revealed, as skincare products don't really work overnight. Not everyone can afford chemical peels done by dermatologists, so I see Maxi-Peel's clinically proven effective formulation as a more affordable counterpart, when done right.

Here are some important reminders on the Maxi-Peel skincare regimen:

• Don't forget to layer on the SPF - lots of it, as skin is at its most sensitive during exfoliation. 
• To maintain the moisture of your skin while exfoliating, use moisturizing cream after application.
• Whenever you feel that your old skin cells have shed off or after 2 months of exfoliating (whichever comes first), it's important to have a 1 month resting period.
• To maintain your renewed skin, use Maxi-Peel products to complement your skincare routine, such as facial cleanser.

With Maxi-Peel, Germain achieved renewed skin. She definitely got the last laugh when she bumped into her ex. You too can have the confidence to face the world! You'll never know if it will work for you, unless you take the first step and give it a try.

Like Maxi-Peel on Facebook for more information and skincare tips!

Love,

Helen

Sangobion Go Love Life! Makeover Event

This year, I've had a significant change in my schedule. My work shift is now (informally) Monday to Saturdays due to overtime (woe is me!), and on weeknights I have Bible study and choir practice (both of which I truly enjoy). On Sundays, I wake up early for church and have lunch with my friends afterwards. So that leaves me with only 3 free nights to blog/attend events, if and only if I don't have to work overtime. I like being productive, at the end of the day, I would feel so drained and exhausted. There are days at work when I feel so lethargic so early in the morning. Sometimes, I feel that I don't have time for myself anymore.

And my prayers for some much needed "me time" were answered when I received an invite for Sangobion's Go Love Life! Makeover Event! :D

Sangobion’s Go Love Life! campaign was launched last May to remind women to make their health and well-being a priority, so we can go on leading the life we love. On social media, Sangobion challenged women to make a pledge to change for the better. Through an online promo, many women submitted their own pledges, while also promising to take Sangobion everyday.

The theme of the event was all red - just like Valentine's Day on August. Look at these cute candies on the centerpiece I hoarded! Haha :D

Aside from taking Sangobion daily, the brand ambassadors all agreed that it was important to have some me-time every now and then.

The 40 winners were treated to a beauty day courtesy of Shu Uemura and Blo Blow Dry Bar last August 16 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Ladies had their make-up done and also got to take home gifts from Shu Uemura.

I didn't get a makeover done since I was already wearing makeup, but everyone got these goodies from Shu Uemura! ♥

Blo Blow Dry Bar was there to expertly style our hair. On their menu were curls in different styles imaginable, but since I already have wavy hair, I decided to give the tired stylist an easy job by going straight instead!

Executive Sweet Blo Out by Blo Blow Dry Bar

we're talking skyscraper straight

While Sangobion helped them stay healthy on the inside, Shu Uemura and Blo helped the lovely ladies look as good as they feel.

Unlike other iron supplements, Sangobion has Ferrous Gluconate, an organic iron, which is absorbed better by the body to help fight the signs of iron deficiency such as paleness, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of focus and concentration. Each capsule is chocolate-scented that leaves no iron after-taste. Sangobion also contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Copper, and Manganese to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also contains sorbitol which acts as an anti-constipation agent that generally occurs in iron supplementation. Taking Sangobion everyday can help you boost your iron, so that you can look and be at your best.

Since I get easily tired lately, I'll be taking Sangobion to see if it can give me an overall health boost. It's no miracle pill, but consistency is the key to see its effect on the body.

If you missed this latest event, join Sangobion’s next Go Love Life promo and get a chance to win a shopping spree! For more information, Like Sangobion Go Love Life on Facebook.

Love,

Helen

Etude House & Tony Moly: New Products for August 2014!

What excites me the most are new releases from my favorite Korean beauty brands! Let me share with you what's new with Etude House and Tony Moly when you visit their stores this month.

These packages came just in time since it's also my birth month! :D

From Etude House Philippines

Etude House Every Month Cleansing Foam Avocado & Butter (P198.00)

I've used facial cleansers from Etude House for years. Now, they've came up with a super cute concept of Every Month Cleansing Foam. Well, you don't necessarily have to switch your facial cleanser every month, but they do have 12 variants to tackle almost all skin concerns!

1 - Avocado & Butter (Deep Moisturizing)

2 - Pomegranate & Berry (Firming)

3 - Apple & Tomato (Tone Clarifying)

4 - Lemon & Garlic (Purifying)

5 - Green Tea (Fresh & Clean)

6 - Tea Tree (Trouble Care)

7 - Aloe Vera (Soothing Relief)

8 - Blue Berry (Revitalizing)

9 - Rice (Rich Moisture)

10 - Green Vegetables (Refreshing)

11 - Walnut (Smooth & Nourishing)

12 - Red Wine (Revitalizing)

Which variant do you want to try? :)

Etude House Skin Note! Calming Face Hydrogel Mask (P148.00)

I'm currently short on rest and breaking out, so I was thrilled to see this Calming & Relaxing mask. I'm so curious on what exactly is the difference between the usual sheet masks I buy from Etude House and this hydrogel mask. It's quite pricey for a face mask, so it better be good.

Skin Note Hydrogel Mask comes in 5 variants: Brightening Up! (White Pearl Vitamin C), Pore Tightening! (Clay Apple), Lifting Up! (Collagen Royal Jelly), Calming & Relaxing (Aloe Glacial Water), and Deep Moisturizing! (Hyaluronic Acid Seaweed).

Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Blooming Fit SPF 30/PA++

in Natural Beige W13 (P898.00)

The packaging of this BB cream is totally adorable and so princessy. "Blooming Fit" means glowy, radiant skin. Who wouldn't want to look blooming on a daily basis? I'm currently testing this BB cream, and my first impression of this is that it's like a BB cream + volumer in one tube.

From Tony Moly Philippines

Tony Moly Tony Lab AC Control Whitening Toner (P898.00)

I'm looking for a new toner that could possibly replace my HG toner from Snoe (wherein I'm on my 11th tiny bottle - but then it's getting pricey!). Tony Moly's Tony Lab AC Control Whitening Toner looks very promising. The packaging itself is already a winner! This product is marked as "6 No Added" (No Animality, Alcohol, Benzophenone, GMO, Paraben, and Tar) so you can trust that it's safe to use.

Tony Moly Delight Petite Cotton BB Cream SPF 36 PA++ in Dark Beige (P398.00)

I've found a BB cream that my lovely morena readers will like! Tony Moly Delight Petite Cotton BB Cream comes in 2 shade, Light Beige and Dark Beige.

I have a trivia for you. Did you know that for most makeup brands, it takes 9-12 months before a tester gets replaced? That's bad news, and honestly I'm scared of using testers in any makeup store. I found out just recently that I don't have to be scared anymore, since Etude House and Tony Moly stores now have UV sterilizers for their makeup testers! :D 

What happens inside the UV box is beyond magic!

Science explains that the light wavelength the bulb emits contains enough power to destroy organisms such as bacteria, parasitic protozoa, and algae cells. In the process, their DNA is altered, ultimately killing the organisms that may be harmful to human health. The sterilization process is fast, convenient, and is free from toxic chemicals which can be harmful to the user and the environment.

Now, you can try out their products without fear of of getting skin infections or other more serious health hazards. I like how these brands care about our beauty and safety. ♥

 

Like Etude House Philippines and Tony Moly Philippines on Facebook, and visit your nearest stores to check out their newest products. :D

Love,

Helen