Pink Urinal » Beauty

I Brave a Pixie Cut

Cai — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:19:07 +0000

I have been obsessing to get a pixie cut since I saw Emma Watson sport one. Since then, I would drool over pretty pictures of celebrities who carry a pixie cut like Katie Holmes, Elisha Cuthbert, Natalie Portman and Halle Berry. I wanted something like that but I chicken out every time I’m about to have the cut.

I first tried to get a pixie cut last November when I cut my hair super short. It wasn’t successful, I think. T’was just a short haircut. And then just three months later, I had another attempt for a pixie but I ended up having a nice bob that slants from back to front instead.

But yesterday, I went to the salon and made sure I will walk out of there happy with the haircut that I have been wanting so long. Usually I would go to Basement Salon in Shangri La for any of my hair needs (cut, color, treatment), but this time I went to Menage Salon in Gateway because (1) It’s nearer to my place and (2) Hair services cost less. My stylist in Basement would cost me Php1000 while the stylist I got in Menage was only Php400.

I asked K to take pictures for me. This is before the haircut. My hair grows faster than the usual hair growth, I don’t know why. In just four months, my hair grew about 5 to 5.5 inches. Usual hair growth is about 3/4 to an inch per month.

I had some pictures I got from the internet with me when I went to the salon. I showed it to the stylist and asked if I can pull off any of the styles. My ultimate inspiration really was Keri Hilson’s cut. I actually love everything about Keri, she’s like the hottest for me.

So after an hour, here’s what my hair looked like:

Totally hot. Pixie cut with longer sideburns so it would still look feminine. I was really scared I’d look like a boy so I asked to stylist to be really careful not to make it too short. I am really happy that it ended up looking like this.

I was hoping to look like a rockstar =))

With Joel Sandoy, Creative Director at Menage Salon in Gateway.

This is my stylist Joel Sandoy, I think he’s a Senior Stylist in Menage. With the gorgeous haircut that he gave me, I would highly recommend him if you want to get a fashionable cut. He’s really warm and he listens to me and really worked with me so I’d be satisfied with my cut.

To contact him, you may want to call the salon at (632) 911-1901.

With K. Dinner in Burgoo at SM The Block with his friends later that night. He said my cut's really hot. :')

If you are also thinking of getting a pixie cut, I suggest that you do proper research and long preparation. Make sure also that you’re really decided. I know. Hair grows back but if you’re that type who’s been used to wearing long hair for ages, it would take you some time to grow it back if ever you find your new cut uncomfortable.

Menage Salon Telephone 911 1901 Fax 912 7294 2Level Gateway Mall Araneta Center, Cubao

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Review: Garnier Skin Naturals Light Moisturizing Cream SPF 15

Cai — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:26:19 +0000

And this I must admit, I am very conservative when it comes to facial products i.e. moisturizers, exfoliant, skin whitening products etc. I don’t like experimenting with my face because of the obvious reason, I don’t want to screw it up Hahaha. So I would be content in using natural ingredients to take care of my face like brown sugar for facial scrub, egg whites and yogurt for facial masks etc, until recently I bought this pot of powdered clay and a jar of moisturizer.

During my Sagada trip last year with random couch surfers, I met three pretty young ladies. I promise I never had a clue they’re already in their 30′s. And I asked one of them, “So what’s the secret?” She said, “moisturizer my dear.”

Garnier Skin Natural Light SPF 15

Really. And so I grabbed a jar of moisturizer myself. LOL It took me a while to figure out which one to use. I used Pond’s cream before but I don’t think I like it that much. After deep contemplation haha I decided to try Garnier moisturizer.

And. I know I made the right choice. It’s perfect for my skin, I didn’t get any irritation on my first use (my face a little sensitive). I can go out with just this moisturizer on and a little stain on the cheeks and lips. It’s not greasy or shiny, and it smells nice.

A jar of Garnier moisturizer for three months. Sulit.

It only cost me Php199 to moisturize my face for three months, I already emptied my first jar. Also, I can attest that it can really minimize blemishes and skin pigmentation (pekas). I have irritating blemishes caused by the pimples I popped and a moderate skin pigmentation (I probably got it from my mestiza mom and/or from prolonged exposure to computers).

I’m not sure though if this has made my skin two tones lighter after a month of use because I’ve been going to beaches and I never stopped getting a tan. And I’m not trying to get lighter anyway haha

So yeah, I recommend this product to my dear girl friends because it’s very light and it gets the job done.

My rating: 5/5

*This is not a sponsored post.

Health & Beauty: Aztec Secret – Facial Clay

Cai — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:18:39 +0000

Here’s the thing, looking after your skin doesn’t have to be expensive.

When we were younger and we were just starting to grow the first pimples in our lives, we were taught that calamansi extracts (whitens the skin), brown sugar (exfoliates dead skin cells) and egg white mask (tightens pore) can do the tricks to take care of our ever sensitive skin.

Aztec Secret facial clay is available at Healthy Options.

Now that we can at least burn a few hundreds once in a while, here’s what I suggest you can try – Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. I saw a review of the product few months ago and I thought I might try it. So I went to Healthy Options where it is available and bought a tub. It only cost me around Php400. Going to facial salon for monthly facials or nano peel could really hurt your pretty purse – a facial would cost Php500-Php1000 and a nano peel is around Php2000 – so I thought a Php400-facial-clay that is good for several uses is a great deal.

What’s great about this tub of clay?

A tub of powdered healing clay.

It is pure natural Calcium Bentonite Clay, the most effective type of healing clay. It is a very effective adsorbent agent – it draws the fats, oil, and dirt out of your facial pores.
You can use it not only as a facial mask but also as remedy to acne and insect bites, and use it for bodywraps, clay baths, foot soak and knee packs.
You can actually feel and see the result! You will feel your face pulsate for real! (that’s my favorite part of the routine) After you take the clay mask out of your face, it’d feel like you just had a nano peel.

My mixture! This is a little sticky though.

It’s cheap and easy to prepare:
- You just need to mix the powdered clay with equal parts of water (or apple cider vinegar) and stir until you get a smooth mixture.
- Then you layer the mask in your face, about half an inch thick and let it dry for 15-20mins.
- Rinse with warm water.
Read how clay works to heal your skin.

I have been using this new facial regimen for several months now. And yes, I said goodbye to facial salon visits.

My recommendation: 5/5 Get a tub now, lady.

*this is NOT a sponsored post

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Teh Materialistic Wishlist on my 3rd birthday, Aha!

Cai — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:48:55 +0000

Yay 3rd birthday?

Last year I made the same list and I am not repeating that list because [1] I got some of the items already like the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer, NARS blush in Torrid and a camera (yeay Lumix LX3!!) and [2] for sure I got a new set of “wants” for this year hahaha (and I know this post will only interest my boyfriend (or my mom, Hello mother dear I know you’re reading this ) haha)

So please, my dearest friends, indulge me

Nike iTouch armband – or any iTouch armband that I can use everytime I run. I found one at the Nike store in Boni High Street last night and it costs Php1990+ or something. But a cheap alternative is very welcome Mehehe

Camera case/bag – something that my LX3 can fit into. :’) Again, doesn’t have to be expensive.

A Tarte Limited Edition Collector’s palette – this one is very difficult for me to get because it’s being sold exclusively in Sephora. But these 10 flattering colors are to die for! They are so perfect for my skin tone.
image from Sephora.com

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Almond – this you can find in Rustan’s. It’s around Php1800. I think this is best on my lazy days when I don’t want to wear any makeup at all but would still like to look a little pretty.

A Hannah Montana birthday party! Wooooot.

Now this is what I want to get for myself:

A new laptop and a new job, hopefully a high paying one.

And of course, world peace.

Going Flawless with Flawless Full Body Scrub with Bleach

Cai — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:21:29 +0000

Yesterday I went to Flawless Megamall to get a body scrub. Am big fan of body scrubs but it was actually my first time to visit a beauty clinic to have it done. Most of the time I would just scrub my own self using body salt I would buy in drugstores.

So because I have a very busy day ahead of me, I decided to visit Flawless very early. I got there just few minutes after ten. And I waited for about an hour before I got my body scrub. And while waiting, I took pictures around the clinic.

Here’s a very cozy circular sofa in the waiting area and a cutesy chandelier in the product bar.

Here’s Flawless’ different beauty products – moisturizer, soaps, lotion, whitening products and many others. You may want to visit a Flawless branch if you are interested . You might find a good product that would work for you. :’)

Going back to the scrub. I don’t have pictures while my whole body is being scrubbed because for me that would be just awkward haha. The scrub took more or less 30minutes. I like it much because you can really feel the salt scrubbing away your dead skin. And it has a nice fragrance to it – something floral-like and aromatic, very relaxing indeed. And when I took the shower after the scrub, my skin feels so soft and smooth, almost baby-ish. And then the bleaching followed.

I am not really into whitening because I love being morena, but I think what the bleaching did to my skin after the session is it gave my skin a healthy glow. Really. It lightens the skin to the effect of a younger and healthy glow. :’)

While the whole thing was a very relaxing experience, I wasn’t able to get any sleep though because Ms Edlyn (the aesthetician who did my scrub) and I were just chatting all throughout the session. And I really enjoyed it, she was talking to me about stuff and that kept me from being bored.

From left to Right: Ms Morine who did my power peel, Ms Mara from the reception who's very nice to help me in identifying the right facial for my skin type, Ms Edlyn who did my scrub, Erica (me), and Richard LOL :')

Review: Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush

Cai — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:31:05 +0000

Yeay! Finally, I have my own Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush! This item, along with my other makeup finds, arrived sometime last month. I ordered this one from the Coastal Scent site along with the Coastal Scents Pink Duo Fiber Powder Stippler brush (I will make a separate post for this one)

Yay! My Pink Kabuki Brush! (on top of my pink Suesh vanity case)

I first saw this Pink Kabuki Brush sometime in May last year. I so wanted one because, for the obvious reason, it’s pink – the handle is metallic pink, and the bristles are hot pink. Idk why other reviews say the bristles are made from synthetic hair. It’s not. I can tell that it’s not; there is this usual awkward smell from new brushes made from natural hair. The Coastal Scents site confirms that the bristles are made from combined goat and sable hairs. So if you are allergic to natural hair, the Coastal Scent Pink Kabuki Brush is NOT made of synthetic hair.

Ok, so what I love about this brush are the following:

It’s cheap. It’s only $4.99 or just around Php250. If you’re planning to buy this from the Coastal Scent site, you might also consider getting another product or two so you can save on shipping cost.
The bristles are very soft and very compact. But like what I’ve told you, natural hair brushes have awkward smell K It will fade eventually but it will take a while and a few washes.
It’s perfect for applying mineral makeup or just powder makeup. I alternately use this with my Ellana full face brush when applying my finishing powder, which is also from Ellana Minerals.
The very short handle gives you more control when blending powder makeup.
I just love that it’s pink. I feel so kikay whenever I use it.

What I don’t like about it are:

It smells awkward. It doesn’t have a bad smell though, just awkward.
Hairs would fall once in a while. But I think it’s normal for natural-hair brushes.
Everytime I wash it, the bristles on the outer part of the brush gets wavy. (you might have noticed that in the picture above)

So there. If you’re looking for a kabuki brush or if you’re thinking to get this pink kabuki brush too, I hope this review helps. :’)

Going Flawless with Flawless Power Peel

Cai — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:51:02 +0000

Last week I had a relaxing Monday afternoon at Flawless. It’s not my first time in Flawless but it was my first time in SM Megamall branch. It’s located at 5F Bldg B, and is actually just in front of Beauty & Butter.

Flawless - SM Megamall Branch - 5F Bldg B

My BB can only capture this much light LOL. It's actually cozy and relaxing inside the Flawless clinic in SM Megamall.

So I got a Flawless Power Peel. It’s a skin resurfacing procedure that restores the skin to its natural glow. It uses corundum crystals to peel dead skin, leaving your skin rejuvenated and glowing (I swear, I got a compliment from a colleague last week, she said I’m glowing). It would also make your pimple/acne scars and dark spots less visible. The result of Flawless Power Peel is like that of a laser resurfacing treatment but less cheaper and according to what I’ve read, it’s less painful.

Flawless also have Diamond Peel that uses diamond which is four times harder than corundum crystals. The procedure both for the Power Peel and the Diamond Peel is the same, they just use different crystals.

Click here to learn more about Flawless Diamond/Power Peel.

Flawless Power Peel includes the classic facial before your dead skin gets vacuumed out of your face. You even get warm compress and hand massage. Sweet. And I also requested for a seaweed mask, because I learned from the technician who did my peel that it is effective for oil control.

Yes, that's the Flawless Power Peel® Microdermabrasion System right there. It propels corundum crystals and at the same time vacuums the used crystal and the dead skin exfoliated from your face

The peel was not really painful but it pricks a little. My face feels really light afterwards. You’re not supposed to wash your face for a good eight hours after the peel.

Seaweed mask on! For oil-control. :')

Before I left the Flawless clinic, I browsed through the different Flawless products on display and went home to try two of their soaps, which after a week of use so far has proven to be effective. I have tried the SAS soap also and it is very effective in helping to dry out pimples faster. It also helps the face to prevent more pimples from showing up.

Oatmeal Soap: I love its milky scent. Tea Tree Soap: Has proven itself very effective in controlling oilyness of the face. Both priced Php160.

And those of you who know me, you would know that I don’t kiss *** so you can bet on me that when I say a product/service works for me, it does work for me. :’)

Hand and Foot Treat from Beauty & Butter Nail, Face & Art

Cai — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:31:07 +0000

If there’s one thing that I am most vain about, it would be my nails. I love them always neat and colorful. Next would be my hands and feet. I would never fail to get foot spa and home-style hand spa every two weeks. Yea, I am more religious with my nails, hands and feet than with my face. Ikr.

Beauty & Butter at SM Megamall 5F

So imagine how excited I was when I went to Beauty & Butter two weeks ago to get a Hand & Foot Paraffin Wax with Manicure and Pedicure. Beauty & Butter specializes in services like foot/hand spas, facials, and of course nail art! So I got myself a nail art too! How can I miss that, eh? (But will tell you about it on my next post )

Sitting comfortably while waiting for my turn. I was actually watching Step Up 2 during that time. Beauty & Butter has two big LCD screens mounted on the wall. Sweet.

It wasn’t my first time in Beauty&Butter but it was my first time to ever get a paraffin wax treat. After getting mani and peds, my hands and feet were dipped in hot paraffin wax (and when I say hot, it’s tolerably hot). Then it’ll be wrapped in plastic and in cotton gloves to preserve the heat. It’ll be on for like 15minutes or so. You can really feel your hands and feet relaxed. Hand & Foot Paraffin Wax with Manicure and Pedicure is one of Beauty & Butter’s services that you can give your hands and feet for ultimate relaxation treat. And for just Php999. Sweet, eh? Your hands and feet will thank you for that. :’)

And also I love Beauty & Butter’s own nail polish line. The consistency of the polish is superb, and it won’t chip easily. It comes in tons of beautiful colors – my own favorites are the pretty shades of pink and browns. Some may say that applying dark colors (especially dark red and dark brown) on your toenails would make you look old. I don’t think so because personally I love browns on my toenails! :’)

So now let me do this in bullet form again – Here’s what I really really love about Beauty & Butter:

The salon’s design is posh and princess-y. It’s very cool and colorful and funky and young.
You get to use an iPad while waiting.
The Buttercups (that’s what they call the staff) are cute in their yellow uniforms and they are all sweet and accommodating.
And ultimately, Beauty & Butter understands our vain need to pamper ourselves. :’)

Miss Jing. She patiently attended to my needs that time. Very nice lady.

Beauty & Butter: Ultimate Vanity Treat from Manila’s New Nail Art Salon

First Flawless Facial Experience

Cai — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:26:33 +0000

Hai there. Last week I got invited to a blogger party night sponsored by Flawless and Beauty&Butter. I got to meet Lorna Tolentino and some beauty bloggers.

And so here’s the thing, they got a whole blogging contest going on from today until July 30 and I’m gonna be totally, TOTALLY, honest with my entries – no *sskissing or whatever.

Ok, last week I went to Flawless Trinoma to get my first ever Flawless facial. I wasn’t able to bring a camera because it was an impromptu visit. Yesterday I visited Flawless Megamall just to take some pictures to accompany this post but unfortunately I don’t have the camera connector with me here at my place so there I still don’t have any photos for this post amf (but I’m gonna post it as soon as I get back from my Caramoan trip, that would be on Tuesday, I promise*).

So about that facial experience in Flawless Trinoma, yea I had an Oil Control Facial. It took only around 30 to 40 minutes to get the facial done. They put seaweed mask on my face after pricking all of my blackheads, which are not much really. Oh, there was laser first before the mask. There’s this laser light or something that they’re hovering all over my face before they put that seaweed mask on. And then after that, it’s done!

After the facial, my face did feel great! It’s like it finally was able to breathe. It feels supple – very tight but very soft. It’s a very nice feel, I tell you. But. Yes, there is a but. After just a day, I got disappointed because it’s supposed to help in getting control of the oilyness of my face or something, but yea I got disappointed. You know what I mean.

Anyway, now let me tell you something other than the facial experience:

First, the clinic in Flawless Trinoma feels really crowded, not because there were plenty of people or something (but indeed there were plenty of people lined up that day), but because the place is so small it can’t hold up all the beds in it. I might not know what I’m talking about haha
Second, the people in Flawless Trinoma are not helpful or something. They made me feel like they’re unaccommodating or I don’t know.
Third, the people in Flawless Megamall seems to not know their services when I went there yesterday. This lady in the reception, I asked her to brief me about the Oil Control Facial because I need to blog about it. She just said, “Ah, the oil control facial? It’s seaweed mask.” And I was like pulling off this “Is that it?” kind of facial expression, but really, that’s all the answer I got from her. But at least she’s nice to assist me to find the facial that will suit me, but I have to say no to her offer because I just got my facial last week and I’m running late.

So there. Maybe I can tell you more about Flawless and its services for the coming weeks when I get back to one of their clinics for the next four posts.

See you around.

P.S. I’m late for my flight haha, I haven’t packed yet. =P I swear to put pictures when I get back.

*EDIT: the pictures got accidentally erased from the camera so yeah, no pictures for this post

Are yoo wearing the right SPF?

Cai — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:03:00 +0000

So here’s the thing, I didn’t use to love being tan. Really. But then I realized going tan looks great on me and so every chance I get to bum on beaches, I’d make sure I get the tan that I so love.

Hayden Panettiere in her very pretty tan

Now see, getting tanned is very different from getting your skin burned. That’s why almost every single product you put on your face has SPF: your moisturizer, your powder, your foundation, and yes even your lip balm. Let me tell you something about SPF (or Sun Protection Factor) that maybe most people aren’t aware of: the SPF number on your sunscreen or moisturizer or whatever product is that is like a multiplier on how long your skin is gonna burn under the sun.

So like for example, this pretty fair-skinned lady will burn her skin after like 10 or 15minutes of sun exposure, but she had on her an SPF30, now it would take 300 or 450minutes before she gets sunburn.

Now for me, Halle Berry is the most beautiful bronze princess ever.

I don’t know with you but I’m amazed with this fact. I just found out about this few minutes ago from this beauty newsletter I’m subscribed to. I didn’t know what SPF really is, all I know is the higher the SPF, the better.

Personally, I use SPF60 when going to the beach. After two to three hours of beach bumming, I’m beautifully tanned. During normal days, I’d wear SPF15 provided by my liquid foundation, and another SPF15 from my moisturizer. But there is this one product I so want to buy (but it cost around Php1700-2000). It’s a moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation for light coverage in one product. Isn’t that awesome? I’ll blog about it when I get the mooolah to buy it haha =p So that would be it. I hope you learned something =p

Now tell me, what’s your SPF? =)

Pink Urinal » Beauty

I Brave a Pixie Cut

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Review: Garnier Skin Naturals Light Moisturizing Cream SPF 15

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Health & Beauty: Aztec Secret – Facial Clay

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Going Flawless with Flawless Full Body Scrub with Bleach

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Review: Coastal Scents Pink Kabuki Brush

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Going Flawless with Flawless Power Peel

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