Award, package in the mail and what my nails look like right now

Wow, that was a long title, haha. But anyway, I have to pack my posts right now since I want to post about so much stuff and I don't really want to spam people with 1 post each for every thing I want to post about.

First off, I want to thank Toma from The Makeup Mix Shop, because as always, my package arrived quick (for international postage it was quick) and perfect. I ordered several items from her shop and everything arrived in perfect condition, and I really am very happy about it. (Check out her store by clicking the image on my sidebar -------->)

The package:

I mostly ordered brushes because I really wanted to try EcoTools. An item was omitted from the picture because it's going to be part of a present for a friend. :') The above picture is all my brushes after I washed them...lol man am I glad I got the EcoTools brushes.

So again, thanks Toma!

And because I've really really really missed doing my nails, here's how my nails look like right now:

I'm really glad I got the chance to do my nails because lately I couldn't even bother with applying a simple coat of nail polish. It was a good way to relax from all the stress of school. I still wish I had a nail dotting tool, but I settled with one of those wood sticks you use for manicures (one side is pointy and the other is like flat and angled), it worked like a charm.

Lastly, I got this award from Pammy. Thank you sis, that was really sweet of you to give me one, even though I haven't really blogged in a while.

The rules of this award are that you have to pass this award on to 12 blogs that you love to read. I can't pick just twelve, my gosh. I love reading so many blogs. So I'm going to cheat and just give this to everyone! Haha. Don't kill me! >>

Another nail post and NP brand review [Plus something scary]

I have another nail post for all of you! But first I have a frustrated rant about the government here. DX We went to the Comelec (commission for election I think?) to get me registered to vote because my political science professor requires it. We got there...there was NO parking available...and we went to get registered and whaddaya know, they WEREN'T THERE! They were out somewhere for a satellite registration. Now I'm all for that, bringing the register process to localities, but they should have people left in the office!! Wow...crap. That just really sucks. :/ Grr!! Anyhow, moving on to less annoying things (aka nail polish WOOHOO).

I did my nails today, after I got home and while mom and I were hanging out. I was doing it to relax! Lookie lookie...My cleanest application in..ever!! This is Caress regular nail polish in Tender Touch. Isn't it just gorgeous? And it applied so very nicely! One coat and it's perfect. See below:

(It's such a lovely color, too!) My lovely clean application. I followed the tip I've read somewhere (can't remember where) to not apply all over the nail to the cuticle and sides...and wow. I agree, it looks so much cleaner!! Of course this wasn't my NOTD...I had to add something else!

I added tips in Caress regular nail polish in Sea Pink. It's quite gorgeous but quite sheer as well, though it applied smoothly. And then I added a little bit more to make it preeeeettier!

White double tip, pink square rhinestones! It's not perfect, but I love me my NOTDays! :) LOL at NOTDays, but I don't know what else to call it! I would wear it for a few days but not a week, thereby it's not a NOTW..nor is it  NOTD. So...any suggestions for what else I can call it? Haha. I'm odd.

I decided I'd do a mini-review of this nail polish brand for those who are interested. Caress is locally made here in the Philippines, according to the sticker on the back of the bottle it is manufactured in Caloocan.

The lighting got all purdy by chance! LOL.

They have 10mL bottles, retailing around 22.75PHP (roughly $0.50) although prices may differ depending on which department store you purchase yours at. Here is my small albeit colorful collection of nail polish from this brand.

From left to right: passion, sea pink, tender touch, neon pink, neon yellow, neon orange, neon apple green, neon blue, frosted orange (no shade name), bluestocking frost

I like that these polishes are quite cheap, and are relatively good, but here is the bad news. The consistency of the polishes vary greatly. Some shades can apply nicely in one coat, others need up to five, or MORE! Some are good and apply perfectly, some intensely streaky. What's worse is that these get globby fast. Other shades, i.e. the neons, apply insanely sheer and need several coats. Apart from that, because you applied them so thickly, they crack on your nails, even with a top coat. They chip really fast as well. Also, I have noticed that if you do not use the Caress polishes (mostly the neons...must be the formulation) for some time, they dry inside the bottle and get even globbier. It gets really hard to use them so I just toss them and buy new ones (thankfully, it's cheap!).

Here is a picture of the consistency:

As you can see the neon yellow is very...sheer. And my new favorite from the brand on the right--opaque!

I got some news about cheap nail polishes, too. I don't know if ALL the polishes do this...but all the polishes in my collection do (aka every nail polish I own is cheap roflz). I guess this is why we need good base coats!!

The nailpolish vs styrofoam test.

L-R: Maybelline, Chic, LA Colors, Caronia, Mwah!, Wet 'n Wild, Caress

Additional: Careline (superblack)

Click on the image to enlarge. But I posted a zoom pic:

See? The styrofoam is all MELTED.

Bubbly.

Check this out!! That yellow one was half an inch deep.

Just thought I would share this with you gals. :) Hope you find it helpful!

Finally "Free!!"

I had my last final exam for the summer term yesterday, so I'm finally free from having exams...but I have 2 more things to finish for this week. 

Aside from the schoolwork, I also have to sew the brush roll that will be part of the contest prizes I'm giving out--by the way, thank you to the girls who joined my and Gia's contest, we loved all of your entries and it was hard to pick who won!! Nevertheless, we have chosen our winner..but you're going to have to wait to find out who. ;) Prize post to come when I finish sewing!!

On Sunday, we had a small family gathering where my mom's older sister and brother came for lunch and dinner at our place. I was studying, but after a while my mom started telling her sister and her brother's wife about my blog, and eventually they got interested in nail art...

So I got to work my (sloppy!!!) magic that day...instead of actually studying. LOL.

It was fun, they were quite curious as to how everything worked, and it was kinda funny how they both chose almost identical designs. These are all pre-cleanup...but still sloppy. I need to practice putting polish on other people!!

This first picture is of my Tita (aunt) Baby's nails...as you can see she chose the same colour as my Tita (aunt) Ellen below.

These two pictures are my Tita Ellen's choices in design. She got rhinestones put in, too. :)

It was really fun hanging out and bonding with family, even though I had to cram for my exam right after. x.x

You know you're a Filipino When...

So, the sweet sweet Cheysser of http://mszcheysser.blogspot.com/ is having a contest for her Filipino readers. I think this is super awesome (of course since I live in the Philippines--LOL!), and she is just so thoughtful because she is holding her contest for us since she understands it's hard to get some cosmetic products here.

Her rules are:

So what are the requirements? 01. You must be a follower of my blog, of course! 02. You must be in the country of the Philippines. 03. You must be able to get a package from USPS. So what's the contest? 01. In your blog, list down 5 things that you enjoy about being a Filipina/Filipino 5 things that about being a Filipino 5 values that you keep as a Filipino 5 stereotypes that represent you (Pointing with your lips, when you give directions) Talk about one filipino celebrity that you admire Pick any one of them! I'M NOT SAYING TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING. That's too much. =P 02. Be creative, add pictures/videos e.t.c 03. Link me in your blog! :) How do you win? 01. I will be judging - and I will ask 1-2 other fellow bloggers from Guam to help me! What are the prizes? 01. In my package, I will include products from NYX (Mainly, because this is the most common thing that I get comments about) and "Insert SECOND common Drug Store Brand in here". ** Please comment me, telling me which drug store brand that you are having a hard time finding in the Philippines, as well. If you are the winner, I will shop for your prize. :) And also, that you're entering in my contest! LOL. IF YOU'RE CREATIVE... And create a look with the Philippines' flag color, I will include a GRAND PRIZE. That is if you win. WHEN DOES THIS END? I would like to end this on June 7, 2009, so that I can send the package with my parents when they go to the Philippines but date might change to June 30, 2009 if I decide to just send it with USPS. I will let you know. =) PS: Sorry that I will not be able to provide High-end prizes - I'm being realistic! I need some more of those myself, lol. xD PSS: Just to let the public know, I don't mind how many people join. It could be 1 or it could be 100, I just want to help someone without having to swap - I just did a different approach. & It's a great way to learn know more about the ladies. [Edited 8:51pm of 05/22]

So, for today...I've got for you some stereotypes that represent Filipinos. I don't mean to offend any Filipinos, at all, of course! This is just for fun. And these are just some of my observations.

All images are by me! Drawn mediocre-ly in Photoshop. LOL.

1) 

To some people, one word could mean many things. For example, take the word "pail". Pail could mean "bucket". It could also mean...well--if you were sending a message on your phone and there was no signal--message sending pailed. It could also be, "Oh no, you pail!" (Fell). Or...it could be, "baby you know how I pail about you..." And many other things. The many dialects and languages in the Philippines gives people many different accents...thus the many meanings of one thing.

2) Funny Signs! I'm not making fun of anyone...it's just amusing sometimes to see such ironic signs. These signs are scattered all over the city--either on storefronts or painted on walls... But yes. I don't have actual pictures, but I think you might find the following rather amusing:

 

3) Referring to stuff using brand names. When some Filipinos refer to things, most often than not, we refer to them in brand names. For example, when buying at sari-sari stores (convenience stores), instead of asking for toothpaste, we say, Can I buy some Colgate? Or, instead of saying "felt tip pen", we refer to all of them in general as "Pentel pen". When we take pictures, instead of saying "let's pose for a few pictures", we say "mag-Kodakan tayo" (Note the use of Kodak).

4). Using landmarks instead of street signs to get around. Knowing how things are in the Philippines, you'd be very lucky to find an intact street sign. Usually, street signs' paint are peeling, or...well, practically unreadable due to small size. My mom once told me that at her job there was this messenger...and just randomly at some point in time he got lost. Why?

Instead of reading street signs, he had an empty lot as a landmark to know what street he was on. So when something got built on that lot...well--he got lost.

5) Filipinos most probably have a cross-stitched work of The Last Supper in their house.

6) Filipinos nod with their eyebrows. It's complicated to explain.. but a quick raise of both eyebrows could mean 'yes', or it could be an acknowledgement if you see someone you know in the hall.

7) They bathe with a pail and a dipper (tabo). Well...that's how they do it old school. :P Now everyone's starting to get into the trend of electric shower heaters and all...but bathing with a pail and a dipper is so much more convenient and faster! Not to mention it conserves water more.

8) Don't want to buy too much of one thing? That's okay...everything here can be found in 'tingi'. Want just a tiny bit of detergent? Buy a sachet! Want some shampoo and conditioner for your trip? Buy sachets! Want facial wash? Don't want to commit? Buy a sachet!

9) The use of "HOY" and "PSST" to get someone's attention.

10) The Filipino "give me the bill" gesture. One calls for a waiter/waitress, holds up one or both hands, and makes a rectangle with forefinger/s and thumb/s.

11) Most Filipinos probably have an uncle named "Boy" and an aunt named "Baby" or "Girlie".

Whew!! That's all I could think of at the moment. Sorry, haha. I know it said 5 things but I couldn't resist! So. I also created a look for this using the colors of the Philippine flag. I didn't stop there, of course, I also created a 'nail-do' using the Philippine flag colors. :) Here is the 'nail-do' first.

Those are yellow stars on my nails (on top of the red part). I'm a nail-art noobie. :(

And the look (used mostly my usual face products, PAC palette and VOV yellow e/s. Ellana mineral blush in Lust and just ELF super glossy lip shine for lips)

Swatching and practice-blending on my hand. It was so hard deciding what to do!! Settled on using a white pencil eyeliner from PAC as a base...bad idea. :/ But things turned out okay! (Even though it's not very wearable...)

Camwhore time. >.>

LOL

Thanks for reading, lovelies! :)

NIVEA Hand Moisture Boost Gel Creme Review + Nails

Today I am just lying around waiting for 2:30PM to roll by so I can go with my mom to get registered for voting (my PolSci prof. said that whoever isn't a registered voter will fail the class--wth right?). So while I'm waiting, I decided that I would finally get around to doing a review on this product, since I have told myself since I bought it that I would. 

Here I am now, finally getting around to it! You can even see from the pics below that I was planning on posting this earlier (the mani I had on was from ages ago XD). 

I bought this product in early April, because we were leaving for Ilocos and I didn't have any lotion or anything to bring. I knew we'd be spending some time on the beach and I gotta recover that moisture somehow, right? So I was hunting around in Watson's for small bottles of lotion and I came across the Nivea Hand Moisture Boost Gel Creme (whew that is a mouthful!!). I bought it along with some other stuff, then tried it the next day while we were driving to Ilocos (8-12hr drive depending on conditions) because I usually use alcohol to sanitize my hands before/after eating (when I am not at home) so my hands are always DRY.

Front

Back

Product claim: 

(front) Hydrates & refreshes hands; Quickly absorbed | with sea minerals and vitamin E

(back) NIVEA Hand Moisture Boost is a quickly absorbed gel cream with an innovative formula which provides a long-lasting moisture boost for your hands, leaving your skin feeling fresh and looking beautiful.

I like:

The product does what it says it will!!

• Really moisturizing/hydrating/smoothing
• Affordable 67PHP/30ml tube
• Small packaging is convenient, you can just throw it into your purse (fyi, this also comes in a bigger tube. Didn't get to check price though)
• Really light-weight, doesn't give you the sweaty/oily palms feeling
• A little goes a long way and the effect stays for a long time. I put some on yesterday and my hands are still soft (I am really rough on my hands) even after washing my hands countless times
• Absorbed really quickly
• Consistency was a bit runny thus making it easier to apply

I don't like:

• Slight baby-oil scent

Will I repurchase?

Definitely. In fact I am almost out. Next time I'm getting the bigger tube so I can have some in my purse at all times (transferring it to the empty container I have now) and some at home at all times. When I finish this product, it'll be my first product done for my 10 pan project! :)

Before I go, here's a quick shot of my nails today.

How are you today, girls? Have you found any good products lately?

Also, don't forget to join our contest! Remember it's not necessary to paint you whole face white like in the inspiration pictures, and you can use pictures other than those on the contest post!!

Late post! Mother's Day...row row row your boattt!

Sorry I haven't been around lately girls, I'm sorry if I've missed commenting and/or reading a post or two. I'll make it up to you. My midterms today were fine, I didn't really have to worry so much but since I'm me,  I did anyway. Lolz. Moving on.

So! I spent Sunday with my family and friends. It was mother's day and although I gave my mom a mother's day present in advance she asked that as a present to her she wanted that the whole family would get together to visit the La Mesa Ecopark. So I took a day off from studying for my midterm so I could give her the present she wanted. I'm not sorry I did, we had a GREAT time!

When we got there, it was uber nice. The entrance was kinda...well, it reminded us of Jurassic Park. Once we got out of the car, the first thing we noticed was the cooler, fresher air. The entire place was full of trees! Fitting, because, it's an ecopark! Hehe. We went and looked around and the first thing we did was go boating.

We took two boats--mom and my two brothers in one, and me and 2 family friends (well, household help), in the other. I was the one rowing our boat so up until today my arms are sore! Hehe. It was not as easy as I thought.

Taking a break from rowing to camwhore. Hahah!

Still taking a break--Ate Gigi rowing for me. Ate Hazel behind me. It was so nice and peaceful there, but we definitely had a hell of a lot of OH SHIT moments! We thought we would topple over like a zillion times. Hehe.

JB, Mom and EJ

 

JB rowing | EJ rowing--he looks so weird. Lol! He could barely make the boat moveee~

The view from one side.

After we went boating, we posed for a few pictures... I'm so tempted to post the picture of EJ yawning, it's HILARIOUS, but I'm a nice big sister and wont embarrass him like that. Hehehe. So I'll post the proper pic.

LOL @ the guy behind us looking at the camera.

After having fun boating, we went to go to the horses. Only EJ and I wanted to take the horseride so...yeah. The pics were not at all flattering so I'm not including them here. After the horsie rides (I nearly got kicked off twice! Hehehe) we went and climbed up to go see the water in the reserve. There were 170 steps, and once we got up there we were wheezing. Mom and I were at least...everyone else was fine and dandy.

Downstairs...

Upstairs! Lol I was so sweaty and breathless. Hehehe.

After this we went home because we were so tired, and we just couldn't go around anymore. We passed by Ever Gotesco Commonwealth because that was where we usually get our glasses. It was near my prep school/grade school/high school so I practically grew up at the Ideal Optical Shop there..we get 50-70% off discounts on frames and services. Yay for discounts, right? My brothers needed new glasses (trivia: all of us in the family wear eyeglasses) so there we were. While they were getting their glasses I was walking around...and I got stuff! Hehe. I couldn't resist. I didn't technically break my 10-pan thing because my mom gave me the money to buy this stuff. Yay!

I got three nail polishes...not pictured. And I got falsies for CHEAP! 34PHP each pair, roughly $.70. Isn't that just cheap? The brand is Kinepin and it's apparently from Japan, and made from animal hair.

In the cute packaging. You can see the price! :D

Good quality and packaging for $.70!! I'm thinking about going back and geting more pairs.

And of course, I have to finish this off with a picture of my nails from Sunday:

They remind me of Star Trek. O.o;; Look, Brooke, diagonals! :D I tried it. :P

Also, I need your advice, girls. For some reason my face has gotten OILIER since I started using moisturizer. I realized that the dryness was from my skin asthma and I dealt with it, but now my face is just so OILY and it won't go back to normal. Normally it's tolerable but now within 5 minutes of washing my face, there is shine. I haven't changed my routine at all--same products, same order and routine, same diet...so tell me what is going on!! The spots on my face are going away but they are still there... I'll deal with that another time I just want the oiliness to go away. :(