Category: Beauty

I have just moved to another retail company last week, and my new work location is much farther from home than the former. This means that my daily prep time in the morning should be cut into half, otherwise I would be late for work. This includes doing my makeup routine quicker with techniques that will yield the best possible result in so little time. 🙂 Luckily, SpeedyCourse.com invited me to attend the “Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop,” which promised to guide and offer us some simple pointers to make sure we’re using everything from foundation, bronzer, blush, to eyeliner, mascara and lipstick right.

Hosted by makeup artist Ms. Gail Sarion, the workshop was held at The Bunny Baker Cafe and Cake Studio in Hemady Square, Doña Hemady St, New Manila, Quezon City. I had been wanting to visit this café since the first time I saw their cute pastries and coffee art designs on Instagram. It was so timely that I finally had the perfect opportunity to kill two birds in one stone: hit The Bunny Baker and learn some pro tips from SpeedyCourse’s workshop. 🙂

In this post, I’m sharing 20 makeup tips that every woman should know. But first, food! 😛

Basic Day to Night Makeup Workshop by SpeedyCourse (Bunny Baker Cafe)

Me-Ann, the model for this workshop, was selected from a group of attendees. We watched how her makeup was transformed from “day” to “night” while Gail explained how to use these products and how to achieve a natural makeup look that lets every woman’s beauty shine through.

FACE

Foundation – Hiding discolorations and imperfections is key to look more polished. Your best bet for a fabulous makeup base is to use a damp beauty blender in applying foundation. There are many types of foundation but Gail regards the cream foundation as her holy grail. While more expensive, investing in the original beauty blender will be more worthwhile instead of buying the cheap version which will last only for a few months. Fingertips are okay as well but not a good choice if you’re concerned about hygiene. Sponge absorbs more product while brushes might show streaks on the face. To achieve just the right amount of coverage with the right color, mixing different tones or shades of foundation can be done.

Powder – It’s always best to apply loose powder as a finishing touch after foundation for makeup to stay put for longer hours. This also keeps the face look fresh and oil-free without having to touch up many times in a day. Focus on the greasier or shinier parts (usually the T-zone) and then move on to the rest with light dusting.

Bronzer – I’ve never realized before how bronzers can make or change a face as it can highlight and accentuate features that you want to be noticed the most. Contouring works by defining underneath your cheekbones and jaw line, reducing the double chin, minimizing the width of the nose or increasing the nose bridge, and lifting the eyes. If you are to choose only between the bronzer and the blush, the bronzer is most likely the better one to go for. This is especially important for photos, as the light of the camera renders shadows and highlights better than the naked eye. The color of the bronzer and the eye shadow must be the same for a natural or a no makeup look.

Blush – When applying blush, smiling is known as common practice so you can pinpoint where the apple of your cheek is. However, Gail emphasized that this is not actually the right thing to do. A steady face should be your basis to know where the best part to put on blush since there are more times in a day that you keep a steady face than a smiling one. It was the first time I heard this tip and I thought it made sense.

Eyes

Eyeshadow – A glittery eyeshadow or one that’s full of shimmer is just good if you’re attending events, parties, and social events. In normal occasions such as going to work or attending an interview, keeping it simple with a matte eyeshadow is advised. Use one that’s slightly darker than your skin tone and make sure that it’s applied only up to eye socket area and not all the way up to the lid below the eyebrows. For best results, use the same eyeshadow color as your bronzer. On the model, Gail used Espresso.

Eyeliner – Just like the eyeshadow, the eyeliner should be matte if you’re sporting a professional look. Get as close to the line of the eye as possible (where the lash starts to grow). Look down or look straight at the mirror when you apply the eyeliner to the gold on the outside of your eye.

Mascara – Gail said that all mascaras are the same and the difference is with the wand. A volumizing mascara wand is best to make sure that the lashes are properly coated, with zigzag or up-and-down motions. Most women apply two to three coats of mascara, but Gail said it would be best to apply as many as you want.

Eye Highlights – Just above the eyeshadow, eye highlights should not be ignored since these also help to define the eyes. Light colors such as white, creams, and pearls will look best for a natural eye makeup look.

Eyebrows – Eyebrows frame the face and the thickness and length of the brows can do wonders in making one look more beautiful. To determine the right eyebrow shape, following your natural growth of the hair is suggested. If you want to get a more expert advice, go to Browhaus and seek professional service in taming, trimming, and shaping (and even coloring) the brows to complement your facial features.

Lips

Lipstick – Bold lip colors are a no no in most workplaces. Gail advised to stick with your natural lip color when choosing lipsticks. Pink and not red looks more natural. Lining the lips is a must if you want a more defined look. Otherwise, you may look like a clown when you have mistakenly applied just outside your natural lip line. To create a matte effect that lasts much longer, hold a tissue over your lips and apply powder over the tissue.

Day

Night

Wrap Up

Made possible by SpeedyCourse.com, this basic day to night makeup workshop was great and not boring at all. Surely, reading from a blog or watching makeup tutorials on YouTube helps a lot, but it’s still different from seeing the tips applied live on the spot.

SpeedyCourse.com makes it easy to find training courses online. As an online course finder, it brings together training course providers who specialize in different fields and makes it easy for users to send inquiries directly to training providers with an online messaging feature on its site. It’s not only accessible in the Philippines but also in 15 other places such as Singapore, Australia, South Africa, US, UK, etc. Courses available can be filtered according to location (city or zip code), delivery method (classroom/person-led or online) or category. Soon, uses will be able to as well filter by date and price to know which training courses fit their schedule and budget.

The next makeup workshop will be held on November 14, 2015 at The CBTL Showroom in BGC. To know more about the upcoming event, visit their Facebook page here.

I’m no fashion blogger but I thought it would be really cool to share my fun shopping experience with Stylist in Pocket. 🙂 Two weeks ago, I got an email from The Row as I’m subscribed to their feeds and I’m registered as a VIP member of this fashion brand. It was an invitation for me to try out their latest personal shopping service for men and women which started only last April 2015.

I was led to take a survey about my personal style. Questions like the type of clothes I’m interested in, my size, color preferences, etc. were asked, and the latter portion took basic personal information and my availability to be visited by their stylist. On the same day, I received a phone call from The Row confirming my booked appointment.

Since I’m also working in the retail industry, this personal styling service offered by The Row sparked an interest. I was curious to know how it works—and more significantly, I was smitten by the email’s subject: “FREE P1000 GC for you, with our Exclusive Home Shopping Service!” (Note: You too can avail of the P1000 gift certificate. See the bottom of this post to know how.)

As scheduled, yesterday, two stylists arrived at our home, carrying a rack with 92 pieces of garments selected according to my style preferences. Here are five things I love about this personal shopping service called “Stylist in Pocket.” Maybe you’ll want to try it, too!

with stylists Glenda and Jaja

5 Things I Love About Stylish in Pocket (Freeway, Ensembles, and Solo)

1. Convenient, Hassle-free Shopping

Stylist in Pocket has the best of both worlds of online shopping and physical store shopping. You can browse through different designs and styles of clothes, and you can fit them quickly without the need to travel. The stylists go to your location address at your most convenient schedule. You can even have a special bonding time with family and friends as you try on the clothes simultaneously.

2. No Waiting Line in Fitting Room

Unlike online shopping, you can easily fit into the clothes and determine if the size is perfect right on the spot. (Stylist in Pocket also offer free alterations.) There are no long waiting lines you have to endure just to fit into them! This cuts down time tremendously. (Tip: Don an innerwear like a fitted sando and cycling shorts so you can change clothes without going to your room or the bathroom.)

Plus, you have the freedom to shop at your own pace and convenience. Stylists help in getting you dressed as well. Can’t reach the zipper in the back of the dress? Need to place a belt to create a more flattering line? No worries. They are at your service.

3. Access to New Styles Not Even Released in Physical Stores

Perhaps you’re in a rut, always buying the same thing and never feeling like you’re truly expressing yourself the way you’d like to. Stylist in Pocket gives clients access to new styles of clothes including those designs that are not even released yet in stores. The stylists’ job is to make the connection between the client and the wardrobe easier by identifying trends, gauging fit, and developing overall looks that work for you.

4. Styling Needs Addressed

Sometimes I get overwhelmed when walking into a store and seeing a ton of choices. I get some form of a mental paralysis, especially when I’m shopping for clothes I need to wear for an upcoming event and I’m clueless about how to put the pieces together. If you’re like me who needs a little guidance, Stylist in Pocket’s stylists can help.

The key is to just try on anything that’s asked of you to try. I have learned that this can be an eye-opening experience. It’s your chance to expand your options of colors, styles, and fabrics that look good on you!

5. Free P1000 GC 🙂

If you want to avail of the GC that you can use to purchase clothes and accessories at Freeway, Ensembles, and Solo branches nationwide, simply fill out the Personal Style Quiz from this link: for women or for men. Don’t forget to indicate AAC0058H15 as the referral code to get the free P1000 worth of gift certificate that will be given by the stylist who will visit you at your home or location.

Wrap Up

As the retail industry becomes increasingly crowded and competitive, this exclusive home shopping service by The Row PH is a great way to fight for its share of attention and conversion rates. With friendly personal stylists to assist clients, customer relationships are further fostered and the sense of client loyalty is increased.

After two hours fitting in clothes with my mom and sister, we ended up buying five dresses. I will get one more dress using the P1000 GC in the store. Stylist in Pocket provided us not only tangible materials but also intangible things such as confidence, optimism, and a bit of giddy joy. I loved seeing my mother so happy when she found out that the sizes of the dresses I picked (small to medium) also fit her! 😛

The service is for FREE and it’s now available in Metro Manila and some provinces in the Philippines by invitation or referral only. So if you’re interested, use my referral code, AAC0058H15, to book an appointment with them:

• for women
• for men

Everyone wants to feel and look their best, and this is where Stylist in Pocket can help. The good thing is that there’s no commitment to buy anything! Payment method can be cash, credit card, debit card, or check (dated on the current day).

Kimochi Aroma Pillows are my newest tools for easing stress and tension. “Kimochi” is a Japanese word which translates to “good mood,” and this is associated to such wonderful feeling with every use of the therapy pillows. Indeed, these sensory “heaty microwaveable pillows” keep me warm, relax my tight muscles, and relieve my chronic pain issues. I use them almost every day now to ultimately help me rest deeply after a tiring day at work. 🙂

A Review: 5 Things to Love About Kimochi Aroma Pillows

1. Lightweight

Instead of using electric heat pads, blankets, or hot water bottles for your aches and pains, these microwaveable pillow are just the ticket! Kimochi Aroma Pillows are lightweight and ultra-compact, which means you can carry them around and pack them everywhere. Weight is also a defining factor that makes it easy for the pillow to drape on your body.

If you have neck or shoulder spasms, for example, you wouldn’t want to be burdened of carrying heavy pillows like sacks of rice on your back and scrunching your shoulders every minute or so. The grains move around inside, hitting all the places where I want relief.

2. Relaxing Scent

Aromatherapy in the bedroom elevates the mood of people suffering from sleep disorders. Lavender essential oil infused as the default scent of Kimochi Aroma Pillows encourages a better night’s sleep. Jasmine, eucalyptus, lemon, sandalwood, and chamomile are other great scents that reduce nervous system activity and maximize sleep benefits.

After microwaving the pillow, the relaxing scent is not replaced with a burning smell. I find that it’s a faint floral/herbal scent that’s not too cloying or nauseating, a fragrance that most spa centers use. Per their website, the aroma eventually wears off with continued use but you can spray the pillow with an aromatic oil of your choice to refresh the scent or give it a new one.

3. Natural Home Health Remedy

Kimochi Aroma Pillows are natural home health remedy products that can be used to treat various types of aches and pains. They help to aid in many physical and mental issues such as headaches, sinuses, migraines, insomnia, stress, tension, cramps, joint pain, stiffness, muscle aches, and more. Depending on your needs, you can either use them safely as a hot or cold compress.

To cool, wrap the pillow in a plastic bag, seal, and place inside the refrigerator or freezer for at least three hours or overnight. To heat, just put it in the microwave for a minute or two. When you’re outside and don’t have a microwave, placing it near the windshield in the sun warms it up on a long drive.

4. Moldable

Kimochi Aroma Pillows come in different sizes and all of them are soft, plushy, and flexible. My favorite has to be the 3 Cut Wrap Around (15cmx39cm) since it can wrap around my entire neck and stiff shoulders. The pillow can conform to contours of the neck and the head resulting in even distribution, proper support, and comfort. Also, whenever menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) occur, this works as my ultimate relaxer and pain reducer. 🙂

5. Affordable

Considering that these pillows are reusable and are made with good quality materials, prices are decent and pretty reasonable. The print designs on the cotton fabric pillow covers can be customized and there are plenty to choose from. They’re even great as gifts, wedding souvenirs, and corporate giveaways. Available sizes are as follows:

Hand Warmer (8cmx11cm) – PhP 70

• reduces puffy eyes and soothes sore eyes
• relieves sinuses, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, hand and finger pain
• can be used as a comfy wrist pad

Wrist Type (7cmx19cm) – PhP 120

• relieves sinus, headaches, wrist pain, and stye
• can be used as a comfy wrist pad for computer keyboard and mouse

Square Type (16cmx19cm) – PhP 230

• relieves frozen shoulders, joint and knee pain, lower back pain, menstrual pain, and stomachache
• can be extra comforting for children at bed time

3 Cut Wrap Around (15cmx39cm) – PhP 430

• relieves swollen legs, joint pain, muscular sprain, lower back pain, menstrual cramps and stomachache, stiff neck, and frozen shoulders

Kimochi Aroma Pillows can be purchased online via their order form. To know more about their products, like their Facebook page and follow them on Instagram.

As you may already know, as much as I’m crazy about food, I’m also all about health and fitness. Working out and health eating are only the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to goal achievement. Fairly apparent, they are a way of life. 🙂

One of the finest ways to sustain healthy living is through intake of raw and fresh vegetable and fruit juices, as fruits and vegetables contain many of the readily available vitamins and minerals that are needlessly lost during cooking, boiling, frying, and other ruinous food preparation processes. The good news? This summer, SpeedyCourse Philippines has teamed up with Hurom Slow Juicer to kick off the season with a FREE health and wellness seminar: Juicing for Health, Beauty and Wellness.

The juicing trend continues to make waves, and the increasing number of recipes, ingredients, “diet” menus and contrasting opinions on juicing leave many people with the question: “How is juicing really beneficial to our health?”.

In this seminar, Maria Socorro ‘Cocoi’ M. Andal, Naturopathy Practitioner and Health & Wellness Advocate, will talk about what our bodies need as true nutrition, its sources and how fresh fruit and vegetable juicing can help meet these nutritional demands. She will also touch on detoxification, an essential process to losing weight the natural and healthy way, helping to recover from ailments, as well as keeping the immune system strong and fit to prevent diseases.

Using Hurom Slow Juicer, Ms. Cocoi will also discuss and demo various juicing recipes for multi-dimensional needs. This is your chance to get to know more about the power of juicing and ask questions during the seminar! 🙂

The free juicing seminar will be held on March 28, 2015 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Roofdeck, Prestige Tower, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Online registration starts on March 20, 2015! To register, go to www.speedycourse.com.ph!

About Hurom Slow Juicer

The Hurom Slow Juicer is a juice extractor that uses the world’s first patented technology LSTS, which allows juice to maintain its natural flavor, original color, vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients. For more information about the product, you may call Zinven International Corp. through 926-7782 or 926-7786, the exclusive distributor of Hurom Slow Juicer.

About SpeedyCourse.com.ph

SpeedyCourse is an Online Course Finder where you can search for short courses, workshops, trainings, seminars and other learning events.

Before Valentine’s Day, I just wanted my nails to look pretty neat and painted. Where to have a manicure done without the need to splurge and go far? I walked into Beauty and Butter in SM Mall of Asia during lunch break without an appointment and inquired about their services and prices.

I was most intrigued to try the Ruby Wing nail polish which they say is a solution to the ultimate polish conundrum. It’s a color changing nail polish! 🙂 There are plenty of colors to choose from. Beauty and Butter also sells Ruby Wing for PhP 500/bottle.

Review of Beauty and Butter (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Usually, Beauty and Butter is packed with customers. But since it was a weekday and probably everyone else was having lunch at the peak of lunch hour, there were only two active customers besides myself. The nail salon’s walls are wrapped with colorful graffiti-like artwork.

Seats are comfortable and have a good amount of leg room. The lady to my right actually fell a sleep while she was having a pedicure. A wall-mounted TV is available for entertainment. The private waxing room is clean and sanitary with a relaxing atmosphere.

Awesome nail polish colors from different brands such as Orly, Zoya, and Ruby Wing are displayed on shelves by the counter. These polishes can make a variety of cool nail art designs as well that will suit one’s mood and personality.

Service: ★★★★★

The welcoming staff was friendly and explained about their products and services being offered in good detail. Time estimated to complete a manicure was said to be around 40 minutes. I appreciated the excellent approximation, especially when I had to return back to work in proper timing.

The nail technician was courteous, respectful, and sweet. She took time to clean my nails first, cut my cuticles, and made sure that all my previous polish was removed. She used the mini file to smooth the tips down a bit, massaged my hands, and then applied Rodeo from the Wicked West collection.

The Buttercup/nail technician did two coats and the color turned opaque quickly. The drying process though, even with the help of the nail dryer and the quick-dry nail lacquer, took a long time.

The Ruby Wing nail polish I chose:  Perfect for summer, Rodeo is a bright mint green polish with a cream finish that’s supposed to shift to light orange or nude peach in the sun. The fact that it appeared almost pastel indoors made me look at my nails more often. 😛 I found the formula to be a bit on the thick side yet manageable and very pigmented.

To check the color-changing effect without having the sun’s UV rays hit my nails, the nail technician asked me to place my fingernails in the UV lamp machine. In seconds, we saw how the color changed to orange. It was absolutely incredible! Sadly, it stayed put for less than five minutes and went back to mint green.

The real test: When I stepped out in the sun and walked back to the office, the resulting orange did not become very well distributed in the nail. Rather, it left a gradient effect with some green spots still visible. I guess that the Ruby Wing nail polish works best only when exposed to the sun longer or when there is more direct and constant sunlight.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

I availed of Beauty and Butter’s Love Thy Hands Manicure (PhP 230) and the add-on, Color Changing Polish (PhP 40). Prices may be a little bit steeper than those of an average nail spa or beauty salon, but for the great ambiance and experience, Beauty and Butter in MOA is not to be missed.

Upon checkout, I received the “Awesome Threesome” card which is like a loyalty card stating: “Collect two (2) stamps on your AWESOME THREESOME Card when the same service is availed and get the same service for FREE on your next visit! Card and services are non-transferable and not convertible to cash. Card is only valid at the branch it was purchased from. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Using Complimentary Gift Certificates is not valid. Promo valid for 2 months only.” I look forward to my return visits. 🙂

If you want to be pamper in a beautiful, clean, and calming environment, do yourself a favor and come visit Beauty and Butter in any of their branches:

• 5F Megamall Bridgeway – 02 470 4239 or 0917 592 5230
• LGF SM San Lazaro – 02 353 7576 or 0917 592 5228
• 2F SM Cebu – 032 236 9113 or 0917 592 5331
• Basement Level, Bldg. B, SM Taytay – 02 650 2041 or 0917 880 4832
• Ground Floor, SM Jazz Mall – 02 556 7059 or 0917 717 8516
• 3F, Ayala Fairview Terraces Mall – 02 361 1093 or 0917 823 9681
• 3F, SM Bacolod – 034 431 1531 or 0916 648 9840
• 2F, Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall – 02 650 6122 or 0906 306 9673

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Color my hair at home or trust a hair professional to do it at the salon? For the past weeks, this nagging question had resounded in my head. To give you a short background, I had applied the Etude House Bubble Hair Dye in Natural Brown by myself for the first time back in April 20, 2014, and I must say I loved the color as well as the lasting power of the permanent dye.

In November, I considered performing a touch-up when the natural regrowth appeared too obvious and no, it didn’t look nice. Purchasing the same Etude House box came as first option, but this changed when I saw Metrodeal’s promotion two weeks ago: Go Glamorous with a Hair Color Coco at JY Bangs Prime Salon by Tony & Jackey SM MOA for P999 instead of P2500.

I’m deathly afraid of ruining my long locks. If I go DIY again, I wasn’t sure if I could follow the right application method advised to cover hair regrowth that will result to an even hair color (virgin, un-dyed hair vs dyed hair) and not miss any section of hair. The deal was posted in good timing as it’s an affordable and exclusive treat from Bangs by Tony and Jackey. In case you don’t know yet, Tony and Jackey is known for their reputation of delivering astounding results to customers that all come out with fabulously gorgeous hair from their salons.

T&J offers deals like this infrequently, so the salon’s opening P.R. in SM Mall of Asia can be deemed as an excellent incentive for “hair coloring bliss.” Ultimately, it’s their expertise and the luxurious hair coloring experience that I’d be paying for. I knew I won’t regret choosing the hair stylist’s work over my own. And it turned out I was right. 🙂

"Before Photo" (Front)

"Before Photo" (Back)

Review of Bangs Prime Salon by Tony and Jackey (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

Bangs by Tony & Jackey in SM MOA is divided in these areas: the nail and care center, the hair services section, the washing station and the reception/waiting area. With great welcoming energy, the ambiance held a relaxing vibe that was upbeat at the same time.

Modern chairs are comfortable and adjustable according to the customer’s frame and height. Walls are all white except for one with a Mall of Asia iconic globe backdrop, making the place look really clean and orderly and helping whoever goes through the door be relieved from tension of a stressful day.

This salon is equipped with bright lighting, big mirrors side by side that somehow create an illusion that one suddenly exchanges legs or body with whoever is seated across (you’ll see an example in the picture below with me and my sister) and Korean songs playing on low. Haha, tricky eh? 😛

Service: ★★★★★

Bangs by Tony and Jackey doesn’t take reservations, so I came at the peak of lunch hour thinking that other people will be out eating. Two people were on queue for a haircut, so waiting time was still acceptable. To ease boredom, there were enough stacks of magazine provided.

When it was my turn, the staff handed me a hard-bound menu of hair colors with samples of dyed artificial hair strands to choose from. My sister selected “Light Mocha Brown” for me and I said okay. Seeing the color, I expected that the change would not be drastic because this color is close if not the same as my previously dyed hair.

When asked what brand and line of products they use, the hair stylist said that for hair coloring, T&J uses Color Coco, a Korean formula that results in a total hair makeover leaving tresses shiny and vibrant and the scalp becoming healthier and vibrant. It’s what they recommend best for Asian hair.

The stylist prepared the mixture and parted my hair in equal sections before applying the color formula using a brush. The application started on the mid-shaft and dragged all the way to the ends. Only after allowing the hair color to develop for about 15-20 minutes when the stylist applied the same formula on the roots and hairline. The process took another 10 minutes before rinsing.

I felt a cooling sensation on my scalp that I can describe as similar to putting an astringent on the face. The sting wasn’t too painful and the staff informed me with assurance that it’s just normal to feel that way.

At the shampoo bowl, my hair was washed with lukewarm water, lathered and rinsed thoroughly until water ran clear. I didn’t opt in for keratin treatment in the salon because I’ve read somewhere that it washes out eventually. To tame my hair, my current hair conditioner will do for now.

The next step was blow-drying and detangling my hair into sections, which took another 10 minutes. The color had fully taken effect and we could see it vividly at this point.

The hair specialist used a flat iron to straighten my hair, trimmed the ends, and curled it a little to create volume.

When she was done, my hair was looked neat and perfect, and I totally loved it! 🙂

"After Photo" (Front)

"After Photo" (Back)

Price for Value: ★★★★★

Overall, I was quite satisfied with the customer service here and how the color touch-up resulted. In the hands of experienced expert hair specialists, I felt secured and safe throughout the entire procedure.

I’ve washed my hair once a day and for an entire week, and the color did not fade a bit. I hope that it would stay this way for six months or longer. The awesome promo price of PhP 999 was definitely worth the value of the hair color treatment I received.

This was my first time to get my hair treated in Bangs Prime Salon by Tony and Jackey, and I’m certain that it won’t be the last. Korean hair stylist Monica (who already knows how to speak in Filipino after staying in the Philippines for some time) worked her magic, and she did a fabulous job at it. Thank you very much! 감사합니다! 🙂

Bang’s Tony and Jackey Service Price List:

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My mother had been complaining about consciously seeing a flesh-colored gradation because of her sagging crease on the eyelids. Whenever she applies eyeliner on, it would turn out as if there was no application done. Her worry was that as she would get older, the build-up of skin on that eye area will prompt her to open her eyes more or probably raise her eyebrows just to see. Clearly, this wasn’t plainly about an aesthetic issue.

Looking at the mirror every day, she seemed to focus her gaze on the aging folds on her lids and became genuinely curious on the eyelid surgery called blepharosplasty. This procedure can lift sagging skin around the eyes, decrease bags around the eyes, and diminish eyelid puffiness. See wikipedia page for more information: What is blepharosplasty?

So upon seeing a deal online (PhP 31,000 PhP 8,999), she decided to go for the eyelid surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center without batting an eyelash. In full support, I accompanied her to visit Renouve Aesthetic and Wellness Center, a partner of MedAsia, in Timog Avenue, Quezon City on November 8, 2014, Saturday.

Eyelid Surgery at MedAsia Aesthetic Center (Timog Avenue, Quezon City)

Consultation to Examine Patient’s Eligibility

The first step was a consultation with the cosmetic surgeon named Dr. Anthony Joson. He said not everyone is eligible to go through this kind of surgery. The doctor has to see if there would be enough flesh left if ever the excess skin on the lids is removed. He determined that my mom’s case is positive for the treatment and so it was safe for her to proceed.

Dr. Joson also pointed out that the resulting effect of the eyelid surgery may not last for forever since it’s normal for people’s skin to age. As aging continues, there is no stopping the excess skin to reappear on the upper eyelid. But for most people, it lasts for long years. Removal of hooding and upper eyelid skin is a procedure that is performed only once.

Key Takeaways – When to Consider Eyelid Surgery

• If you have excess, hanging skin covering the natural fold of the upper eyelids
• If you have loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids over the eyelashes that impairs your vision
• If your eyelids appear puffy, making your eyes look tired and aged
• If you have deep grooves under your eyes

The "Before" Picture

Preparation – Drawing of Markings

For the second step, Dr. Joson made precise markings to indicate where excess tissues will be removed in the upper eyelids. Anesthesia was injected (no sedation) so my mom won’t feel anything throughout the procedure, otherwise it would be really painful.

I then excused myself from the operating room because I don’t like seeing blood and all kinds of surgery-type things that may cause me to pass out. Hihihi. 😛 I was only called back to the room after 40 minutes when the surgery was done.

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Typically in blepharosplasty, the surgeon removes tissue through incisions using surgical instruments, including scalpels, surgical scissors, radiofrequency cutting devices, and sometimes, cutting lasers.

Dr. Joson recounted that he made a small incision across the natural crease of my mom’s upper lids. Through the slits, fat deposits and excess tissue were removed. Incisions were stitched up with dissolvable sutures. Here’s how my mom looked like right after the eyelid surgery:

Aftercare and Recovery

Mom was prescribed medicines to relieve pain and also antibiotics to take for the next seven days. Swelling is expected to become minimal after a week. To reduce swelling, she had to apply cold compress on her eyes and follow the surgeon’s instructions for care. Doing strenuous activities must be avoided.

Also, to protect the eyes from irritation and probably to disguise oneself from going through the surgery (in case you don’t want others to know), wear dark sunglasses. Normal activities can be resumed a week after the eyelid surgery. Scars will be hidden in the natural eyelid creases, making them almost indiscernible.

The stitches were removed on the fourth day. Here’s how my mom looked after:

Wrap Up

I don’t personally know anyone who has gone through the eyelid surgery except for my mom. I thought that sharing her experience will help others who are interested in blepharoplasty know more about it and not feel scared. If you have been wanting to have the excess skin obscuring the natural fold of your eyelids removed, you can consult with a cosmetic surgeon and check if you’re a good candidate.

Mom felt satisfied with the resulting appearance after the eyelid surgery at MedAsia. The hooded skin on her upper lids is now gone, making her appear younger. She’s also happy that she doesn’t anymore experience vision problems related to overhanging eyelids. 🙂

I’ll be posting her picture after a month when recovery is full. She’s applying Contractubex, an effective treatment that promotes the healing process of the skin and reduces scarring from within.

About MedAsia

MedAsia Aesthetic Center is an organization consisting of well-known cosmetic surgeons in the country and the first to offer a formal training program in cosmetic surgery. The center has the aim of contributing to the onset of the medical tourism trend that’s estimated to be a substantial income-generating business.

MedAsia is backed by seven well-respected cosmetic surgeons in the country who have studied and trained locally and abroad. They are also members of international organizations such as the International College of Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Society of Aesthetic Surgery and the Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Enhance and Boost Your Natural Beauty with any of these 15 treatments: Diamond Peel for the face, Diamond Peel for the underarm, Whitening Treatment for the underarm, Whitening Treatment for the inguinal, Whitening Treatment for the underarm, Warts removal for the face, Warts removal for the neck, Facial cleaning, IPL for the upperlip, IPL for the lower lip, IPL for the underarm, IPL for the bikini line, RF for abdominal area, Eyelash Extension, Eyelash Perm and Waxing for small body area.

[schema type=”review” name=”MedAsia Aesthetic Center – Renouve Aesthetic and Wellness Center” description=”TIMOG: Room 402 Transorient Maritime Building, 66 Timog Avenue, Quezon City” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 399-4484, 0917-3032735″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2014-11-24″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

Other branches:

ANTIPOLO: Unit 303 Rikland Centre, Marcos Hi-way, Antipolo, Rizal
Tel. (02) 400-5819, 0917-3032733

CAINTA: CVS Homes 1, Felix Ave., Cainta, Rizal
Tel. (02) 240-6066, 0919-9962419

LIBIS: Vignet Centre Building Rm 206 E Rodriguez Jr Avenue Bagong Bayan Libis Quezon City
Tel. (02) 654-0516, 0917-8732012

MANDALUYONG: 3rd flr. Starmall EDSA, Shaw cor EDSA Bvld., Mandaluyong City
Tel. 0928-7967514

MARIKINA I: 26A Tuazon Ave Brgy. San Roque Marikina
Tel. (02) 531-4710, 0917-5759217

ORTIGAS: 2nd flr. St. Francis Square, Julio vargas Ave., Ortigas, Pasig City
Tel. 0919-9945948, (02) 570-5411

PASIG: 2nd Floor, Ever Gotesco Mall Riverside Drive, Pasig City
Tel. (02) 531-8189, 0927-8061517

STRATA 100: RM 411 Strata 100 Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Pasig City
Tel. (02) 542-4455, 0910-54035398

Nails in Style in SM San Lazaro has opened last October 8, 2014 and word about it is now spreading fast. This nail salon offers services such as hand care and foot care and specializes in gel color art. Prior to coming, I visited their Facebook page and found many style inspirations done on customers. Thrilled, I decided to get my first manicure using gel polish with Nails in Style’s Glamorous design last Sunday with my mom. ♥

Gel nail polish is believed to be delightfully long-lasting, making the nails completely chip-free for up to three weeks. On how different the effect will be as compared to regular nail polish? I’ll see about that later.

Aside from manicure, I also got the Regular Polish Care package for the feet. Mommy, on the other hand, was convinced to have her nails done as well. In this post, let me share with you what I think about this nail center.

Review of Nails in Style Salon (SM San Lazaro, Manila)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Interior design is very minimal but tasteful with a good splash of colors on the background. The salon appeared very clean and neat. Upon entrance, you’ll see a collection of imported and quality nail polishes organized behind the counter. There’s a lot of spa chairs and nail stations across the room.

What’s missing here are rooms supposedly for waxing services. Since the space is relatively small to cater that, I wonder how the management intends to expand the area to build those rooms. That said, in the mean time, I think waxing services written on their flyer should be ignored.

Service: ★★★★★

For nail care services, Nails in Style sets a differentiation between Signature Gel Nail Art and Nail Care Packages. To avoid confusion, here’s a rundown for your reference:

Signature Nail Art:

• Fashionista (PhP 600) – manicure/pedicure, gel nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and nail art with LIMITED rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.
• Glamorous (PhP 900) – manicure/pedicure, gel nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and nail art with MORE rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.

Nail Care Packages:

• Classic Polish Care – manicure (PhP 230)/pedicure (PhP 250), regular nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and optional nail art with LIMITED rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.
• Regular Polish Care – manicure (PhP 320)/pedicure (PhP 450), spa, regular nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and optional nail art with LIMITED rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.
• Special Polish Care – manicure (PhP 400)/pedicure (PhP 600), spa masque, regular nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and optional nail art with LIMITED rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.
• Superior Polish Care – manicure (PhP 600)/pedicure (PhP 800), spa, paraffin, regular nail polish with color of customer’s choice, and optional nail art with LIMITED rhinestones, gems, pearls, stickers, etc.

Note: The nail polishes available here are the best brands: Zoya, OPI, Misa and Orly, at no additional cost.

With all these offerings, I wasn’t sure which one to get. Uh, can I call a friend? 😛 Thanks to my mom and the staff’s recommendation, I ended up choosing Glamorous (hand) and Regular Polish Care (feet), as mentioned in the intro.

I browsed through an album of designs available for Glamorous and again had a hard time. Wahaha! Upfront, there were too many good ones vying for attention.

Applying the elimination method, I finally was able to select a decent and not too bold nail art with rhinestones but still girly and creative. This was in consideration of the fact that I face many vendors and clients for work every day and I didn’t want my nails to look incredibly inappropriate in a corporate setting.

After the selection, the nail technician started to achieve the Glamorous nail art. In two words, service was friendly and professional.

I appreciated the staff taking her time to clean my nails and apply nail prep, gel bonder, base coat, and “EzFlow TruGel 100% Gel Polish Pretty Pink” nail polish (three coats) gently and carefully. She made me feel comfortable throughout the entire time. I felt genuine hospitality from my manicurist. She answered my questions regarding gel nail polish but also wasn’t overbearing with small talk while she worked.

To speed up the drying process, my hands were put into a UV nail lamp after each application. The built-in timer on the UV lamp was really cool. The device automatically turns off after 90 seconds of curing.

The next step was to stick the studs/rhinestones on each nail following my chosen design. Jopay picked up the studs and placed them on the nail with the use of a dotting tool dipped in nail glue. She was very thorough, precise, and detail-oriented. Some studs didn’t land perfectly on the right position the first time they were applied, so she had to work in lightning speed to adjust them before the glue dries up. Once done, my nails were secured with a top coat to keep the studs/rhinestones from falling off.

TA-DAH! 😆

Simultaneously, the foot spa and pedicure were being done. First, my feet were soaked in warm water for about 5-10 minutes. It was time for me to just sit back and relax. 🙂 Then, she exfoliated my skin with a foot file scrubbing down the entire feet. The foot scrub blasted away dead skin easily. She also did a short, nice massage before applying lotion to moisturize my legs, ankles and feet.

For my toe nails, I chose Zoya Professional Lacquer in the shade of matte pink (see item on the left) and I absolutely loved how the color turned out. It’s not basic pink but a deep, striking magenta/fuchsia pink that’s sassy with a subtle frost. 100% girly, it quite resembled a luxurious velvet fabric.

Aside from the wonderful color, the reason why I chose Zoya was that this brand of nail polish has natural formulation and is free from toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor. It has a non-yellowing formula that’s good for those who have sensitive skin. Zoya is a company committed to bringing pretty and fun vegan nail polish to the world. I thought it’s a perfect blend of pretty and ethical beauty.

On the other side of the nail salon, I saw how Mom enjoyed her experience as well. 😛

Here’s how her nails turned out:

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

It has been five days ever since the gel nail polish was applied on my nails, and my nails are still glorious and chip-free. Over 10 people had asked me where I had them done, and of course Nails in Style in SM San Lazaro has to take credit for the job well done.

I also had been getting compliments on them from a lot of other people. Thank you very much! 😀 For all that, price for value considering the quality of work and counting my good experience at this nail salon is rated as 4/5 stars.

The only thing I would advise is to call ahead of time and make an appointment. Operating hours start from 10AM and end at 9PM. The Glamorous design was done in two hours, and you can have that as point of estimation. Plan your visit accordingly, if you want to have the same experience as I did.

Nails in Style has more services than I’ve mentioned in this post. Don’t be shy to contact them via phone/email to inquire. 😉

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