E! Bloggers Ball

A NIGHT OF GLAMOUR, confidence and girl-power! I’m so privileged to be part of the first-ever E! Bloggers Ball! 

This event was made possible by E! Philippines, in partnership with Clozette, its official social network, C2 Cool and Clean, Sun Life Financial, Century Tuna and Cadbury Dairy Milk. The gathering aims to connect the country’s top social media fashion and beauty influencers, and celebrate the creativity, passion and influence of these wonderful bloggers who continues to be a source of inspiration for others. 

You may be wondering how I was able to get an invite for this grand event, given the fact that I’m just a newbie in the blogging world. Well I owe this great opportunity to Clozette! A huge THANK YOU to their team for picking my entry! **will elaborate this in another blog post** Actually, this post is a bit late, but I guess we saved the best for last! Here’s my awe-inspiring experience during the E! Bloggers Ball, keep on reading!

It was last September 29, 2016, as the clock hits seven-thirty in the evening, I found myself inside the lobby of City of Dreams Manila’s Grand Ballroom. I was one of the early-birds, so I took the opportunity to have my pictures taken on the red carpet and in front of fancy backdrops. I was so thrilled to meet some of the famous bloggers I follow on Instagram! 

Here's my look for the event! H&MU by yours truly :)

Standing beside the iconic logo of E! Philippines. The event was the first largest gathering
of fashion and beauty bloggers/influencers in Southeast Asia. 

CLICK! CLICK! Everyone is busy taking turns on the red carpet.

SPONSORS EVERYWHERE! The bloggers enjoyed free stuff from the sponsors.
I personally love the free flash drives from C2 Cool & Clean :) 

IT'S A BLOGGER THING. Snapping and posting on their social media accounts so followers will be updated!

CLOZETTE AMBASSADORS. Great products from Features & Shades! I already own three makeup brushes from them.

They all looked gorgeous that night! The next few hours were basically spent to take photos, enjoy freebies from sponsors and mingle with the other girls. It was already pass 9PM when they allowed us to go inside and take our seats. 

With the theme SPARKLE, everything definitely sparkled that night! (I just love the DIY flower vases) 

I was seated at the same table with the Clozette team. Well it’s just really nice to see Ms. Lystra in person *she’s pretty*. On the other hand, I realized that I’m so dead-hungry (because I deprived myself of food for the entire day, just to be able to look fit in my gown *cries*), good thing they served the food immediately. Here’s what everyone indulged at dinner:

As we munched every bits of each beautifully-plated dish, we were serenaded by Ms. Reese Lansangan. It was the first time that I saw her and also the first time I heard of her music, but she was able to hit my soul right on the first track. I totally recommend her songs: soothing tune and relatable lyrics. Check her on iTunes and include her tracks on your long-drive playlist. 

FRESH TUNE. Follow her on IG: @reesypeasy

After the sumptuous dinner, we were all welcomed by the beautiful host, Ms. Nicole Anderson. I personally enjoyed her hosting because she was bubbly and humorous. I totally paid attention when she interviewed Metro Magazine's editor-in-chief and super model Ms. Sarah Meier, because I strongly believed that I will learn a lot from this very successful woman, and I did! 

Ms. Sarah gave us great points during her talk. According to her, the fashion pieces that should be exhausted for this season are robes, trench coats and bare shoulder outfits. She also encourages everyone to experiment and explore with their personal style. But her best advice was to always ask yourself the "Who, Why and What" questions. As a blogger, you should be able to figure-out who you are, why you are blogging and what your real style is. In short, never be on trend, be a game-changer! :)

THE HOST, Ms. Nicole Anderson

Interview with Ms. Sarah Meier

Of course that night won’t be complete without the awarding of outstanding bloggers and social media influencers who managed to take their content to an entirely different level. Each were picked by the panel of judges, which includes Fashion Creative Director Mr. Vince Uy, Features and Shades General Manager Mr. Edmon Go, Sun Life representative Ms. Jamie Pizarro and Ms. Lystra Aranal of Clozette. 

Fashion Blogger and Digital Influencer, Ms. Dani Baretto

The PLUMP sisters! Danah and Stacy Gutierrez

Fashion + Beauty + Lifestyle Blogger, Ms Chin Chin Obcena

Striking in RED, Mr. Mikael Quizon

Style and Travel Blogger, Ms. Bea Marin

Fashion Blogger, Ms. Jennica Sanchez

Aside form the taste bud-challenging dinner, cool music and the rare chance to meet my fave bloggers/influencers, I'm so happy to finally have the opportunity to see my twitter friend in person, Ms. Blanche Carpio :) We are both privileged to receive an invite from Clozette! Cheers to more blogger events in the future my dearest!

Of course I won't forget my wonderful date that night, Mr. J :) Thanks for taking those amazing shots and for always supporting my passion, though I know these stuff doesn't really appeal to you...tehee!

Alright! that's it, generally it was a great night...an unforgettable event indeed. However, it was not the sparkle that further motivates me to pursue blogging, but the realization that I can really be an instrument for change. Back then, blogging was just an outlet for me to express my passion in writing, simply a way to let my thoughts flow freely. But now, I can somehow see clearly what my purpose is...I want to make everyone realize that they can always change for the better and be the BEST version of themselves. I want to prove to everyone that nothing will grow inside a box, take the courage to step outside and explore different possibilities. I may not be where I want to be right now, but I'm definitely happy for all the risks I've taken, nothing compares to the lessons I've learned from every fall and heartbreaks. 

Life is short (this is a cliche already), so please don't live your life as it is, make the most out of your wonderful existence! 

hugs and kisses,

MAYBELLINE Micellar Water [Review]

I WEAR MAKEUP more often than not and I can attest to the importance of proper makeup removal and cleansing to avoid zits ruining your beautiful face. Before, I just wash my face with a mild cleanser, then tone and moisturize. 

But just a year ago, I started using cleansing oils which really changed my skincare routine and helped my skin feel better. It is definitely recommended to remove all traces of makeup on your face before washing it, because the foam cleanser alone can’t do 100% of the job. Now, a new breakthrough in skincare made cleansing easier and more effective---the use of Micellar water.

Here’s my review on Maybelline's version of Micellar water:

Product Name: 

Maybelline Micellar Water

Product details: 

200 ml / 6.76 fl. oz

Description: 

Removes all makeup and UV products;

 Hydrates; Removes trapped dirt and dust; 

Refine pores; Freshens like toner; 

No need to rinse; Suitable for sensitive skin

Claims: 

Instantly and effectively removes light makeup
including BB while skin stays extremely fresh, 

soft and hydrated.

Price: 

199.00 php

From: 

Watson’s, SM store

I believe that Micellar water has been available long before, but was only utilized by makeup professionals. It has the ability to remove makeup and cleanse the face without using soap and water, which made it very handy for fast-paced events like fashion shows or photo shoots. The name was derived from the science behind this wonder product, “Micelles”. These tiny molecules are actually oils which are suspended in water. Micelles are attracted to dirt and grime; they can actually draw out impurities from the skin without leaving it dry and dull. 

Maybelline’s Micellar water comes in a clear bottle with a pink cap. It doesn’t have a smell, just like water. 

WHY YOU MUST HAVE ONE: I was wearing light makeup when I first tried the product and it instantly amazed me! It effortlessly removed the makeup on my face in less than a minute. All I did was soak a square cotton pad with micellar water and run it through my face gently without rubbing. I was pretty impressed with how hydrated my skin looked and felt after using it; it was never like that before, especially after washing. Plus, it doesn’t sting even a bit and is awesomely affordable (one of the most “sulit”, among its kind in the market). 

WHY THINK TWICE: If you are fond of using waterproof mascara like me, this product can’t do the all-in-one cleansing/makeup removal job you are expecting. When I tried it on my lashes, it failed me instantly. But if you’re patient enough, you’ll be able to remove your waterproof mascara after several minutes of gentle rubbing. But I would suggest that you buy a separate product for this purpose: a mascara remover (In my case, I just use HN’s sunflower oil). Moreover, if heavy makeup is your game on a daily basis, you’ll still need the support of your foam cleanser / mild soap. Washing your face with soap after using this product will ensure there will be no traces of makeup left on your face. 

On the pictures below, you'll see that I tried using Maybelline Micellar water on several makeup products (applied on the back of my arm). And without a doubt, it amazingly removed all the traces of makeup, except for the waterproof mascara. 

In the end, I will give this product a score of 9/10. It may not be very effective in removing super heavy /waterproof makeup, but it is still an excellent cleansing product. Also, this is so perfect for wanderlust beauties! No worries about not being able to clean your face during long-haul flights or extended road trips, because with just a few swipes, you’ve cleansed, toned and moisturized your face already!

UPDATE! I drafted this post a few days after I bought a bottle of this micellar water. However, it took me a while to publish it because I want to see if the usage of this product would improve my skincare routine. And yes, it did! I never had those painful zits again! Just a few whenever my period is about to start, but overall, my skin looked better---CLEARER! 

Try this product TODAY and let me know your insights! Tag me on your posts or just leave a comment below! 

Addicted to skincare, slightly on makeup :) 

MAYBELLINE Baby Skin Pore Eraser [Review]

ARE BIG PORES your problem as well? For me, I consider them my daily nightmare. I don’t have them before though, but due to intense scrubbing, which I did on my face years back, the pores located on my chin and in between my eyebrows became more visible (in short, bigger). Of course, heavy foundation plus concealer can do the trick, but I’m not fond of wearing heavy makeup now just to hide flaws. And so I opted to look for a product that is invisible yet can effectively do the job. 

In this post, you’ll see if this product from Maybelline is really the solution to my BIG problem. Here’s my review of Maybelline’s Baby Skin Pore Eraser:

Product Name: 

Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser

Product details: 

22 ml

Description: 
Pore eraser; Lightweight and breathable

Claims: 

Poreless, baby smooth skin

Price: 

299.00 php

From: 

Watson’s, SM store, Maybelline kiosk

The product is enclosed in a light blue-green tube container with a twistable cap at one end. The opening of the tube is somewhat pointed, which dispenses a translucent gel. The texture of the gel is smooth upon contact with the skin. However, the container, as well as the plastic packaging (not shown on the pictures), doesn't show any instruction on how to use the product, so I basically applied it directly on my skin.

WHY GIVE IT A TRY: Of course if you have big, visible pores on your face, this product can provide light “blurring” effects that can minimize the appearance of the pores. After one application, I also noticed that it can be a good makeup base (primer) because it made the skin smoother, thus making the application of foundation glide smoothly. 

WHY I WON’T BUY IT NEXT TIME: I certainly won’t purchase my second tube of this pore eraser. It simply doesn’t match my combination skin-type (oily and a bit dry). It appears to be a good product on my skin at first, but after several hours, it made my skin oilier. Another observation is that it failed to hide visible pores on my cheeks and forehead; they even looked bigger as the day progress! 

RAW SHOT. Just to show you that I really have visible pores on my cheeks :)

I'm giving this product a score of 5/10. I enjoyed the product and at the same time regret buying it (for the reasons mentioned above). I believe those with normal and dry skin types can give this product a shot. Although it is not an effective pore-minimizer gel, it can still give you that smooth skin texture. In the end, I would still cling to the tried and tested primers because they generally deliver excellent results :)

I hope you enjoyed this review :) Hit the MENUS above for other good stuff on this blog, Thank you!

Big pores and big dreams, 

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen

I WAS ASKED TO WAIT for three hours before I can receive my laboratory results, and since it's lunch time, I went out and took a stroll along Bonifacio High Street.  

I'm in a low budget mode that time (well, until now haha!), but I'm totally craving for noodles, or any cheap Japanese food! Then I found myself in front of this restaurant, one of the staff went out of the door and welcomed me. I was about to leave when she immediately uttered these very persuasive phrases: "Affordable lunch sets ma'am! Delicious ramen!". And yes, I went in and took a seat. 

Not really affordable (for kuripot souls, like me), but a worth-it-gastronomic-experience for adventurous foodies out there---promise! Oishi!

I seated on a table for two and found these stuff on my table. There were three types of menu and I immediately looked for the one with the "affordable" (according to the staff) lunch sets. The other two contains the details of their signature ramens and other authentic Japanese dishes.

So each lunch set costs 299 php (I'm dead *sniff*) which includes a ramen, rice or side dish, salad and cold tea. I picked the Chashu Don set (the first one, with rice of course!). 

While waiting for my food, I took a few minutes to marvel on the intricate design of the walls and ceilings. The theme of the restaurant is black and red. If you'll come here with your friends and family, you can enjoy your food while seating on those round couches. 

After 10 minutes, here they are! Three bowls of unknown flavors...I honestly don't know which one to taste first, so I took a gulp of the cold tea...

I can't put into words how I felt when I tasted the ramen...it was nice and creamy...flavors are all there, each on the right places. But before I got consumed by this bowl of delight, I dug my chopsticks into the bowl of rice (Chashu Don) with chicken toppings. Chashu Don made my heart melt...I love its savory and spicy flavor. Of course, the salad definitely balanced everything because of its crunchy texture and refreshing taste. 

ORIGINAL TONKOTSU RAMEN

CHASHU DON

CRUNCHY SALAD

I enjoyed my meal for an hour, emptying several glasses of tea in between. This won't be a regular thing for me (because it is definitely not affordable on a daily or weekly basis), but this can be a perfect payday treat for anyone who loves Japanese food :)

WIDE-EYED food monster here!

It is located along Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. They also have another branch at SM Aura Premier (2nd floor). Visit them today and let me know your thoughts! 

'til my next "unexpected" food trip!