Bugs in the Brain

Craves: Coffee Shop Planner

2015-11-10T00:39:00.001-08:00

The main culprit for my weight gain are coffee shop planners last year. I had this plan on getting all the planners from all the 3 coffee shops and did not notice until too late that the venti caramel macchiato wasn't doing me any favors.

Nevertheless, looking back on 2015 and the one planner I did end up using, it was a really good idea to get one. I was able to plan my leaves and write down some of the important things that I always keep on forgetting.

So then I will get another one this year. One thing I've learned is to keep the Christmas drinks at tall and lite and the others to full-leaf teas only. It's both cheaper and less likely to keep me from extra large sizes.

Share: Toshi Phone Case

2015-07-25T13:34:00.001-07:00

I don't like cellphone cases because I don't buy the most popular units so the cases available aren't the cutest and with accesories, looks over funtion win for me so why bother, right?

Unfortunately, with a three-year old who picks up the phone every chance he gets, I ended up giving up on the no-case thing and started a hunt a weekend ago. Thankfully, Toshi is available.with their universal cases and they have a lot of cute designs so I picked one that makes me yearn for Disneyland.

It fits anything in the range it's meant for but with my slim phone (Xperia C3), the case feels like it was meant for a bulkier phone. My one peeve is that I can't take pictures from the back like I used to be able to. On a last note, it's pretty so I got what I wanted, and that's what matters to me.

Crave: Shu Uemura Calligraph: Ink Liquid Eyeliner

2014-03-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

I want this a lot and should have snatched it when I swatched it at the store a few months ago. It stayed on for two whole days at the back of my hand. I washed my hands on those days. That's just impressive.

Picture from the product website.

Share: Late Night Snack

2014-03-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

I tend to eat snacks late at night at home on weekends. Sometimes, I raid my son's snacks and other times, I make my own from leftovers like this.

I wasn't sure what to cut the nori sheets with so I folded it and ripped it by the folds, scooped a spoonful of rice and topped it with some leftover breaded shrimps. I prefer it with plain shrimps or even canned tuna because I like tasting the fishy flavor enhanced by the seaweeds but we use what we have. A little Japanese mayonnaise makes it creamy and perfect.

I fold the sheets over everything and they end up in bite-size pieces that I gobble up way too soon. Yum.

Love: Stila Color Me Pretty Lip and Cheek Palette

2014-03-24T09:45:00.001-07:00

I've always been pale. So much so that an ex mentioned I looked like death on the stage screen at our graduation rites in college. Blush and lipstick have always been my friends. This Stila Palette is my current bosom buddy.

Cheek blush are normally not found in palette versions and this particular set was a dream. Not only could it be used on the cheeks, it was also for the lips. Even better than that, it sold for less than the price of a single Stila Convertible in the Philippines.

Cream blushes may be touchy but these are just perfect for me. I actually can use any of the colors on the cheeks depending on the mood. The lightest one, Kitten, works well as a highlighter, instead of cheek flush on me. All the others range from intense to a natural flush. Blending is easy too. I use my hands or a stiff brush and just blend out from a dab at the center of my cheeks.

I didn't use these for the lips at first but I now reach for them often for that purpose. They may be easy to blend out on the cheeks but they end out pigmented for the lips. I just dab with my fingers and I've got a mono cheek and lip look that works. It could be drying sometimes but I don't mind a whole lot.

These wear well on the cheeks, staying put for an 8-hour workday. On the lips, not as long, as I tend to bite. For the price, so well worth it.

I don't think I'll every get a chance to buy these again but if they offer another one, I am so going to hoard.

Review: Laura Mercier Eye Canvas

2013-10-06T20:04:00.001-07:00

This particular eye primer from Laura Mercier has become a daily essential in my make-up routine. It neutralizes my lid area, makes eye liner and eye shadow last longer and makes their colors pop. All these are important for me as I'm the type to get panda eyes at the end of the day from fall-out out of any type of eye make-up.

I use only a little of the product every time as too much ends up in the creases.It's got a mousse-like consistency and is easy to spread without any type of tugging. Once set, it doesn't budge and helps in making the application of eyeliner and eyeshadow smoother. Eyeshadow is easier to blend in too.

I've been using it for more than a month almost everyday but there hasn't been a lot of dent so it's an economical buy for me. I got it at 40 off but I'm not going to hesitate in a repurchase at full price as it's totally worth it.

Review: Nars Blush Desire/Amour

2013-09-22T07:26:00.001-07:00

I've gotten a chance to get my grubby paws on some Nars products and I'm lucky to get one blush compact with two shades each. One is Desire, a hot pink shade and the other Amour, a matte coral (they call it peachy pink).

Of the two shades, I prefer using the Amour as coral looks the most natural on me when it comes to blush. Also, I was a little afraid of Desire. It was just so pink on the pan. I wondered if it'd look too Dresden doll on me. Trying both of them out, however, made me realize that one is as pigmented as the other.

If you don't get enough warning on the pigmentation, it's not hard at all to go overboard in applying these blush shades. There's a lot of pigments, even with just a light stroke of the brush on the pan. You don't layer with this. You just apply once and it's good. Lasting power is great as well. If you're careful, one compact can last quite a long time so the price is worth it.

This is not a full-sized product but there's a possibility this thing will last even longer than most of my other compacts. I'm happy with it. My complaint, the dreaded Nars packaging. It's matte black and it picks up everything.

Review: VMV Hypoallergenics Skin the Bluff N2

2013-09-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to take a picture when I bought it so the inked label on the cover has somewhat faded when I finally got to doing so. This is my choice for concealer from VMV whenever I have breakouts, which is most days for the past month.

I got the N2 from the SA's advise. I always consult them on first-time purchases like this. It is a peachy-colored concealer with a very creamy texture and smells slightly of raw potatoes. It's got organic VCO and monolaurin so I'm happy with what it can do for my skin.

I use a finger when using it over the undereye area. It's perfect for concealing dark circles as it's very creamy so it's very easy to blend in. It can crease on lines if too much of the product is used, though, so a light hand is key. For dark spots, I try to use a concealer brush so I can be exact on the spot I'm using it on as the color is pinker than my skintone and would become obvious if messed up. After spreading and dabbing, I blend it in using a bluffing brush and set it with a bit of powder.

As a concealer, it gives decent coverage. I've used better ones that lasts so much longer and conceal more but I can't get better skin-benefits from any other ones. I've been using it with some other VMV products and my skin has been improving so much faster than I usually expect it to so I'm thankful for this.

Love: Anthology Shoes Bondi Orange

2013-09-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

This is the Bondi from Anthology Shoes. The color is supposedly orange but it looks more like yellow to me.

The specs from the site are below:

Sheep skin leather upper
4-inch EVA cork wedge sandals
Cushioned leather insoles
Anthology rubber sole

These are my most comfortable pair of shoes. I ❤ it so much. It's so easy to match with most outfits and brings a pop of color when I need it. I'm a crybaby when it comes to shoes as a slight pinch gives me bloody blisters at the end of the day but this pair was so comfy even the first time I tried them on that I have no complaints the whole day. I've even tried it on a shopping trip and I have no blisters to report.

One downside I noticed is that the rubber sole is slightly peeling off about half an inch at the back after a few months of use. It's not that overused yet so that's bad. But then, I bought this at an insanely low price at their sale portion so I'll try to get it to a cobbler to lengthen the life of these lovelies so no regrets.

Review: The Body Shop Cheek Color

2013-07-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

As usual with my usual purchases from the Body Shop, this particular item was on sale. I got the shade 10, a peachy darkish pink shade with no hint of shimmer. I love the packaging as I can see the product without flipping the top open and I'm always into silver edges.

Using it for a while, I find it to be a great everyday shade. It's sheer but buildable, making it ideal for me as I tend to overdo on blush sometimes. It looks natural, if put on right with a blush brush and lasts long enough, if properly set with finishing powder.

It's not a current favorite but it's used fairly often. I like that I picked it up but I doubt I'll miss if I didn't as I have lots of similar shades. Nevertheless, given the same discount, I might pick it up again or another one with a different shade.

Crave: Kenzo Flower Tag

2013-06-29T13:26:00.001-07:00

I have always wanted to buy the Kenzo Flower because of the beautiful bottle but I just didn't feel that the scent actually suits me. They have released quite e a few versions over the years but they have not stirred me until now.

When I tried the scent of the Kenzo Flower Tag earlier, I wasn't expecting much but I actually quite liked it. They sprayed it over a piece of paper and I put it inside my pocket. As I tend to put my hands inside my pocket every now and then, the scent has transferred a bit and I'm pleasantly surprised to say that I'm liking it even more. It has grown on me and I'm also liking that the there is still a faint scent left even after more than a few hours already.

The scent is a bit floral with a hint of tea. It's a lot more Oriental than the original and I want it.

Picture from the product website.

Share: Cookies and Cream Pudding

2013-06-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was surfing food blogs when I saw a version of ref cake with Oreos instead of fruits. It was quite easy to follow so I tried it at home and my little baby loved it a lot.

It was quite easy to make, lining the Oreos under a mixture of cream and condensed milk and putting as many layers as you prefer but my one fail regarding the recipe was that the Oreos stayed hard, no matter how long I left it at the fridge. It wasn't too hard but it sure failed as a cake. Also, the top Oreo layer floated up, no matter how deep I buried it under the cream.

So to improve over that version, I made it into a pudding instead. To do so, I used a box of cream, half a box of condensed milk and a pack of Oreos and some thin chocolate to decorate the top layer.

It's so easy to make. I whipped the cream and milk together and crushed the cookies. I then swirled it together and flattened the top. I refrigerated it overnight and it's set. For extra effort, you can add chocolate shavings on top. Yum.

Review: Marionnaud Retractable Brush

2013-06-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted an all-around brush for the make-up kit I tote around because I didn’t want to bring my whole brush set nor did I want to plunk in a single brush in the bag with no protection whatsoever. A retractable brush seems like the best idea so far. I went with Marionnaud as a starter.

So far, there have been ups and downs. It turned out to be a stiffer brush than I thought it would be. The hairs are just so darned thick. I didn’t like swirling it over my face because of the rough feeling nor did I like how it picked up powder as it pokes way too much product out.

On another side, it’s a great blending brush. If I let it out a half-inch, it’s great for blending liquid foundation in. I put the foundation on the back of my hand, dab the brush and apply it over my face in very light feathery strokes. A quarter-inch and it’s great for concealer blending.

This brush has made it so much easier to fake the semi-perfect complexion, being so flexible in its uses. If only it didn’t feel so rough, then I’d be a happy monkey. Maybe I should plunk money for their premium line instead.

Sorry over the white cast as the brush was used before I took pictures.

Love: The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Blusher Brush

2013-06-27T01:04:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those people who look way too pale without blush so a good blush brush is ideal.

I was really happy to find this particular brush on sale. It's a kabuki version of a blush brush. It's very soft, round and made of synthetic materials. It's smaller than most blush brushes but good for small hands.

This brush is meant to be used with loose mineral blush but I like using it for small blush compacts. It picks up pigment well and applies them without streaks. It's my ideal blush brush.

I like to use an oil cleanser in washing this. There wasn't a lot of fall-out after.

I store this in my make-up bag inside the packet. The packet itself picks up a lot of dirt and lint, though but it protects the brush well enough. All-in-all, it's a great buy.

Review: Human Nature 100% Natural Smoothing Hair Serum

2013-06-14T10:57:00.003-07:00

When it comes to hair serum, most of the stuff around is made up of silicones and even more silicones. Though I’m not necessarily against silicones for hair care, it’s one of the proven ingredients that break me out so bad. When Human Nature went and developed their all-natural serum with no silicones and mostly plant oils, I honestly did a giddy little dance.

Another thing that made me happy was that it was available at our local grocery store so there’s no need to order online or anything. As soon as I saw it, I swooped it up with no second thoughts.

It’s a very economical buy, though you wouldn’t think so at first use because if you’re used to other hair serum, there might be a tendency to overapply. When the instruction says one pump or less, it really means it. They could possibly sell this in a smaller bottle and I wouldn’t complain because it’s going to last a long time.

There’s a tendency to get greasy if you use too much. It actually feels dry on my hands but greasy hair is weighed down hair. The type that looks wet even when it’s already dried down. When you get the right amount in, it’s good. I can’t say my hair is fluffier, softer and all around manageable with just this but I’m good with it and I’ll repurchase once I run out as there's a long-term benefit with continued use.

Plant oils rule.

Looked Up: Za Cosmetics

2013-05-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

I checked out the new counter in Landmark for ZA and pleasantly surprised at the prices. The fact that this is a Japanese brand that is under the Shiseido group makes the the price a total steal. Some of the stuff I'd like to get are the following.

BB cream is an essential and UV is sweet sweet icing.

A good mist sets make-up and refreshes.

Though I have a perfectly good brow liner pot at home, it doesn't hurt to get a pen-type one to tote around for emergencies.

A good mascara with promises of volume and length cannot be beat. I'm pinning a lot of hope on this thing.

I'm definitely into liquid liner these days and happy with the pot at home, in spite of my very shaky hands. As with the brow liner, a pen type one doesn't hurt to add to the kikay kit I lug around all the time.

I'm in search of the perfect finishing powder to include in my kikay kit. The fact that it's a total beaut isn't a bad thing.

My concealer is almost out. This one is a good candidate for a replacement.

Foundation compacts sure are so much wider than they used to be but they sure are getting prettier.

Gloss is pretty and from my experience of the sister lines, this one has promise.

Sometimes, I wonder if I choose my lipstick because of the packaging. Surely it's no coincidence that they're all silver bullets.

Review: Audio Technica Dip Earphones

2013-04-07T12:17:00.001-07:00

My last pair died once again because of the darned rats. I checked out the mall and saw these chocolate-colored ones on sale. There are other candy colors but I figured brown is a good choice in case I give it over to hubby.

This pair is definitely worth the money I paid for it. The sound balance is great as ever, I can hear a good rhythm even with the sounds played quite low. I also like that my ears don't hurt a whole lot even if I play songs too long. I really love Audio Technica quality.

The package includes the instruction manual, a winder and 3 other sizes of the rubber thingies. I really like the winder as I can wind the wires and pin it on top of my shirt. It really helps whenever I pull out the phones from my ears and it doesn't wind down on the floor.

I also like the extra rubber thing. It's good to have a winder range of choices for a comfortable fit.

No regrets over the purchase. A great buy.

Review: Stila Smudge Crayon Set

2013-04-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

I passed by the Stila Counter in Rustan's one day looking for a dark and a light liner as they have one of the better liners around, according to a lot of reviews. I came across their Smudge Crayon Set, which promises to be an eye primer, shadow and liner in one product.

Trying to be a smart buyer, I swatched it on the back of my hand before anything else. I liked how it swatched with nary a tug and with great pigmentation. The colors were delightfully neutral and complements one another. I didn't erase the swatch and went on my way right after.

I checked it later that day and noticed very little fading in spite of my having washed my hands right after. The pigmentation stayed true for all of the colors. Considering the price, which wasn't overly inflated compared to US prices, this was a really great buy.

This is really good make-up for newbies or people like me who has gotten a little lazy and forgotten how to apply make-up. You line it over the eyes, smudge the edge if desired, and it sets for quite some time. Once set, though, it's a good idea not to overly fret and line some more, because then the product gets a bit too thick and I got some fallout after a while. Doesn't it just suck when dark shadow fall down to the undereye area?

I haven't been able to try it as a primer as I'm a bit too lazy for that. As shadow, the umber shade, the reddish brown one pops and the smoke shade, the shiny grey one is a great highlighter. Great stuff, this set. Another good thing is that it's retractable. They're minis of the full size product but I personally love the size as it's like lipstick that I can slide into my pocket if I need a quick line or shadow.

As mentioned, they've got a full-size available and the full size includes a sharpener but I prefer the soft edges so I'm fine with this set for the colors I already have. It's a great starter kit and I've got no regrets over the purchase at all.

Review: Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover

2013-03-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

I'm on the fence regarding Majolica Majorca's Pressed Pore Cover. On one side, it's a very pretty compact to tote around. On another, I can't seem to make it work for me. Major confusion and a disaster.

As with most products I purchase, I got this on sale at about half-off. Or thereabouts. The SA was trying to convince me to get the skin remaker foundation instead of this one but I hung tough as I don't feel like using powder foundation nowadays, preferring BB creams, mousse and liquid foundation. I insisted on a translucent powder. This one fits the bill.

I've tried applying it using the included sponge but I've found it applies too thickly that way. I tried it with a brush but there's too many powder residue on the pan if I do that. It seems like I'm wasting too much of the product. Also, I'm trying to go for translucency but I seem to be getting even more coverage with this thing. It so confuses me.

So the best application for it is to use the sponge to pat it over my face and sweep a brush through the powdered areas to even out the application. I know I'm lazy but I'd rather go with either simply puff or brush and not have to do both, especially when it's the last step in my make-up process. I gotta hand it to the brand, though, if applied right, my skin looks smooth and perfectly made-up.

Sadly, my little one has taken a liking to pitching the compact around and the powder has crashed after the third time. I have to really admire the packaging as it took three different crashes before the product cracked. The compact did not suffer any hinge, lock or mirror injury in the said crashes. Also, putting back the pan into the compact made me appreciate how it's surrounded by a thick plastic lining that clicks into place.

I'm no longer able to tote this anymore and I have to think of where to put the cracked powder after. This gives me an opportunity, however, to try some other products to put into the perfectly serviceable compact. I could try the foundation from Majolica Majorca or even a Shiseido one. It's not truly a disaster. It's just an opportunity for change.

Review: Ellana Make-up Primer

2013-03-23T00:38:00.001-07:00

When I got myself the Ellana Liquid Primer, I had high hopes for the product but wary on another side. It was all due to the silicone, the main ingredient.

This will do to you what you want it to. It will make foundation, either liquid or powder easier to apply and stay on longer. You might even look as close to flawless as you can possibly want. You’ll only need one pump to use on the whole face.

However, silicones scare the crap out of my skin because they absolutely break me out and this thing did. Beware, if silicones have done you harm before, it will haunt you if you try this product. If it’s proven to be friendly to your skin, please try it. Also, the price can’t be beat and the small bottle will last a while.

Review: Semk Mumals

2013-03-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

I like sleeping with this Mumal from Semk. It may look like a typical stuffed toy but it’s a perfectly serviceable speaker. I connect this to my iPod and hug it close at night and I can sleep with some tunes on without disturbing my sleepmate. No additional power needed for this.

They’ve included an amplifier powered by double-A batteries but I’m happy enough with the cute golden alien bunny speakers so I haven’t had a chance to try it.

Love: Majolica Majorca Honey Plump Gloss Neo

2013-03-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

I like the Honey Pump Gloss Neo from Majolica Majorca. It’s my go-to gloss these days when I feel my lips getting a tad too dry. It’s not so much a cosmetic thing for me. It’s more of a balm for the dryness, because it babies my dry lips and leaves it very moisturized.

Part of the charm is the packaging that makes me want to swipe it on more as it’s quite easy to stuff into my pockets. It’s very pretty, like all Majolica Majorca products, while being a very convenient size.

It’s got a very glossy feel on the lips when applied. It settles in and feels lightweight after a bit. I initially thought it was thick-feeling but when I press my lips together with it on, I noticed it didn’t feel sticky at all. It also has a sweet mild scent that somewhat reminds me that this is made from honey. No detectable taste on it. It doesn’t give me any discernible colour on my lips but it gives a very subtle wet shine.

You could consider it a love affair. I may or may not repurchase once done with the tube but if there’s another sale, I’ll take the opportunity to stock up.

Review: Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara

2013-03-22T22:48:00.002-07:00

Majolica Majorca is the little sister line of Shiseido. It’s like buying a high-end product except it’s cheaper with the same quality.

I have absolutely no complaints over the Lash King mascara. Like most Japanese and Korean mascaras, they’re waterproof and produce thicker, longer lashes. They’re also quite long-lasting, staying on all day from morning till night. The brush head for this one isn't too funky but there are tons of fiber to make the lashes longer.

As for removal, I generally use an oil cleanser on a made-up face at the end of the day and have had no issues. I slap it on a dry face and wash it off with water. It rinses right off. If you don’t try removing it though, it might start bugging you as it coats your lashes so thickly it feels weird when you touch it. Also, if you’re like me, you might wake up while rubbing your eye area and that just sounds disgusting.

Generally, a great mascara all around and the packaging is tops. Lash King indeed.

Review: Semk B-bear speakers

2013-03-20T12:22:00.003-07:00

I needed some portable speakers and these cute ones from Semk, the B.Bears were top on my list. It wasn’t the base quality or noise-cancellation that enticed me to get these. Nothing but cuteness overload made me want them.

These bears need a two-hour charge before use but once charged, they last for some time, about half a day or more. As for audio, I only wanted these to be audible enough for my kid to play on our 1st-gen iPod and we’re happy enough that they deliver, compared to some of the cheaper ones.

Picspam follows...

Love: VMV Monolaurin Hand Sanitizer

2013-03-20T12:07:00.001-07:00

As is usual with a sale at SM, VMV have most of their products at a quarter off. I took advantage of the sale and got myself a bottle of Grandma Minnie’s Instant Moisturizing Antibacterial Disinfectant Kid Gloves Monolaurin Sanitizer. A mouthful, right?

Now I like the Boo boo balm but I’d rather have a big bottle of this handy as my little one has been scratching himself something serious. It’s got a bit of a sting compared to the boo boo balm but it's so much better than a bottle of alcohol and moisturizing to boot.

I love the included pump, though I can never get these things to close right without squirting all over myself but I’m happy with the handyness whenever I need to pump some out to rub over my little one’s legs. Also, when I can’t find my tea tree oil, I use this over my face before I sleep. I have a lot of faith on the monolaurin thing, being antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal.

The best thing about this purchase is the freebie. Who wouldn’t be happy with a tube of the best ever lipgloss? Not me.