The Row is now at EDSA Shangri-La Plaza

THE ROW now opens in Edsa Shangri-La Plaza! It houses your 3 favorite brands: Freeway, Ensembles and Solo. Where else can you enjoy an all-stop shopping for workwear, weekend wear, party wear, and even men's wear! You won't believe the comfortable fitting rooms and spacious shopping area. Check it out, you won't want to leave!

The Row is located at Level 5,
Edsa Shangri-la Plaza.
Tel.No. 470-2104 to 05

3 of my favorite clothing brand in one shop?
Now this is a genius idea!
Happy shopping!

Askmewhats Report: Lancome's Genifique Event

(thanks to the commenter for clarifying the price for me! The price of Lancome Genifique has been corrected! Even better now for us to give this product a try as it's lower than the "launching day" amount)

"Youth is in your genes and we can reactive it."

After 10 years of research with 7 international patents. Lancome Paris invents the first youth activator reviving genes activity that stimulates the production of youth proteins. I learned about the wonderful effects of Lancome's Genifique last July 24th at the Lancome Boutique Greenbelt 5.

Ms. Khristine Dy and Ms. Cary Co, both from the L'oreal group, expressed that Genifique is incredibly simple to incorporate into any skincare regimen as Genifique is the ideal layering product. It's lightweight texture absorbs beautifully into the skin leaving it very soft and velvety to touch. I like what I heard! I like it when a new product is launched and I don't need to purchase their full line!

Visibly younger skin can be seen in 7 days

• drop by drop, skin is infused with life
• vibrant with youth, skin looks as if lit from within - breatakingly radiant
• skin's youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch
• skin's tone is astonishingly even; its texture dramatically refined

To make the event more fun! We were given a Lancome version of Amazing Race! Each of us were divided into teams in threes or fours. I was lucky enough to be grouped with Shen, Ellaine and Hershey. Girls in heels? No worries! We're all up for the challenge!

We were given a letter with instructions and the first 3 to be able to reach the "pit stop" will be given a blue pebble, the more blue pebbles you get, you'll get a chance to win a door prize!

Though we came in second! I still call ourselves winners! We got into the top 3 for every pit stop! Hey ho!!!! 5 blue pebbles in the house!!! We've scored ourselves a lovely white purse and a full size Hypnose perfume!

Thanks to the Lancome people for coming up with crazy ideas and for making this event memorable! My body got the workout it deserves!

Thanks to Bambi for this photo
I can still manage to smile after all the running!
(L-R Me, Emily Koa of L'oreal Group and Shen)

Other beauty bloggers who graced the event
Thanks Shen for the photo :)

Coming from a wonderful source (aka Ms. Khristine Dy), after Lancome Genifique opened its doors to the public last Friday, all the bottles are sold out and they are accepting reservations!

Reserve by calling the Lancome boutique
tel no: 729.9394 or
visit: Lancome boutique Greenbelt 5
Price: Php5,300 (approx $110)

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: L'oreal Elseve Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Mask

Great day friends!
I had a busy weekend but I'm glad I was able to rest up a bit and have a bit of "me" time. You want to know how my typical Sunday works? If I don't have any makeup gigs, I, as much as possible, stay at home, sleep in, eat anything I want, clean my toenails and fingernails and do some nail art. I also take the chance to take care of my poor "stressed" hair from a week long of blow-drying and styling!

What do I use to take care of my hair? Recently, I have been using

L'oreal Elseve Smooth Intensive
Anti-frizz mask

L'oreal Elseve Smooth-Intense Anti Frizz mask says ---

For dry, frizzy, rebelloius, difficult to manage hair: the new Elseve Smooth-intense Anti-Frizz Mask nourishes and smoothes your hair for maximum manageability.

Directions for use

After shampoo, squeeze out excess moisture.
Apply generously and leave for 1-2 minutes.
Rinses out easily


Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• affordable
• smells really good
• works as anti-frizz, my hair feels and looks better after several usage
• nice mousse-y texture, not too heavy to feel

Cons

• won't do much difference to your hair if you used the product once and left it on display
• a bit messy for lazy people (not me LOL)

Overall

The first time I've used this product, I find there's nothing special with this, I guess I'm never consistent with my hair care regimen. When I had my hair cut from Mr. Jeave Gabiana from the Basement Salon, he told me if I wanted to make the hair care products work, I have to make it consistent and leave it longer than what the product has been instructing. And not to forget, NEVER be stingy with the product application, use as much as your hair needed!

I've made a pact with my hair, I'll take care of it every weekend and I've used the L'oreal Elseve Anti-Frizz mask more than 5 times wrapping it with a cling wrap. My friends are seeing a huge difference! The tiny hair that goes up are now staying at the right places. I don't expect a super shiny hair as those of the shampoo commercial models but the "touch test" really makes a huge difference. My hair is more manageable and I don't use much of my flat iron lately as my hair stays where they belong! :D

Lucky people are born with beautiful hair!
For those unlucky ones like me! Beautiful hair can be achieved..
with perseverance, hardwork and passion!!!
And yes, I'm still talking about hair! :)

Tips (thanks to Mr. Jeave Gabiana from the Basement Salon for the wonderful tips)

• use spatula so you don't have to dig in your fingers
• use this every weekend, apply generously over hair including roots down to the tips
• massage it onto your scalp, be gentle
• wrap with a shower cap or a cling wrap
• leave it for at least an hour or even the whole afternoon if you've got nothing to do for the hair to absorb the product well (please read note below)
• did I say do this regularly??? At least once a week! Make it a habit!

NOTE:

Not all hair masks can be left longer than what the instructions states. If you bought a "professional" formula, PLEASE read and FOLLOW instructions! Salon formulated products are stronger than those for home use. It can burn your scalp so be careful!

Will I repurchase?

I seriously finished 2 tubs and I have 3 on stock!

Where can you purchase and how much?

At leading supermarket, Mercury drugstores for Php375.00 (approx $7.80)

Please click photo to enlarge
on how I use the product

After a month of usage
Used once a week
wrapped in more than 30minutes

Super layered cut done by:
Mr. Jeave Gabiana
from the Basement Salon

Recession really doesn't have to be a cause for us to leave our hair lifeless. There's always alternative to take care of our hair! Everyone, including me, would rather have this done in a salon! But not everyone have the money to spend for hair alone!

So let's kick that lazy butt and start taking some action!
You want better looking hair? You have to work for it :)
Have a wonderful week ahead!

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant (Part Deux)

Happy Food Tripping day! :)

Chili's food tripping is mentioned Part Deux (Part 2) because for how long I've been blogging, this is the 2nd time we returned to the restaurant! Why? When we dine out with the family, we always try to steer away from unhealthy food especially my mom had to maintain her cholesterol level. Why in the world did we come back? Well better menu, better food choices! And it was my mom's birthday so just this once! lol

Classic Nachos
Php430.00 (approx $8.95)

Cheese, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, guacamole
and sourcream on nachos!
Perfect way to chat up while waiting for the main dishes

Kid Spaghetti & Crisper
Php195.00 (approx $4.00)

I seriously wouldn't mind eating this,
but this can only be served for kids 12yrs old and below!

Chicken Crispers
Php280.00 (approx $5.80)

Chicken breasts hand battered served
with Fries, corn and honey mustard dressing
My ultimate must order eventhough I'm allergic to Chicken!
one anti-histamine please!



Chili's CheeseSteak
Php340.00 (approx $7.00)

Philly's Cheese steak with grilled onion, bell peppers, swiss cheese
together with a huge serving of fries!



Grilled Pork Belly
Php375.00 (approx $7.80)

Grilled marinated Pork Belly served
with rice, vegetables and vinegar



Rosemary Chicken
Php350.00 (approx $7.30)

Grilled Chicken with rosemary spice
served with rice and vegetables!

My mom wasn't that in the mood for eating, it was understandable, but great staffs from Chili's sang a "Happy Birthday" song to my mom and I saw her eyes teared up! That was a moment I would treasure! :) Belated happy birthday mommy!

Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurant

2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center
Makati City, Metro Manila

tel no: (632) 729-2862

199 Tomas Morato Ave.
cor. Sct. Fernandez
Quezon City, Metro Manila
tel no: (632) 372-5007

Greenhills Shopping Center
Missouri St. cor. Nevada St.,
Northeast Greenhills
San Juan, Metro Manila
tel no: (632) 727-1143

What's on your weekend food tripping menu?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Be "FULL-y" happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Maybelline's Vivid & Smooth Liners

After wondering "What's the best eyeliner pencil for my readers", It's time for me to share my thoughts on pencil eyeliners I own. I seriously do not have a lot but I have a couple on my plate for reviews, those I have are the ones that were talked about...eyebrows raised at! They are hot in the news!

Vivid & Smooth Liner in Forest Green and Dark Purple

Vivid & Smooth Liner says ---

Introducing Maybelline's Eye Studio Vivid & Smooth Liner - it glides smoothly on the lids while its cream based formula gives instant color in just one stroke. Perfect for a long day at work or night out on the town, Vivid & Smooth liners are made to last - waterproof, smudgeproof and long-wearing. This easy to use liner can also double as an eyeshadow, providing instant stunning color

in 6 vivid shades:
Black
Brown
Dark Purple
Ocean Blue
Forest Green
Pearl White

Askmewhats says ---
Pros

• very smooth and creamy, does not tug the lids
• VERY pigmented, one stroke definitely is enough
• colors are wonderful!
  
• inexpensive compared to other brands that are comparable with quality
  
• upper lashline - smudgeproof, waterproof, long wearing
• the packaging looks expensive! love it
• the exact color of the eyeliner is seen on the pencil! Easier to grab when you're in a hurry

Cons

• doesn't stay on waterline for long, only approximately 2-3 hours (but what the heck? It's so inexpensive you wouldn't even care!)
• if you are like a dog (like me) "arf arf!" -- who loves to sniff on products, this has a "crayon" scent, if it bothers you, it's a con, but it doesn't bother me!
  

Overall

Remember AMW report on "Be Stunning for a Steal" event that took place last month? I had a great makeover from Maybelline's makeup artist Mr. Jim Ryan and when he pulled out the Vivid & Smooth liner, I thought he was pulling out a different brand! Seriously, it looks so professional and so "un-drugstore looking" pencil! He showed me swatches on the liner at the back of his hand and I totally forgot about the makeover but was focused on trying to steal his liners! *just joking*!!!

I chose a simple black color as I wanted to test the shade, black eyeliners that goes crazy on me, anyone could give a mental institution a call and tie me up with a straight jacket!

I took the risk! Had vivid & smooth black liner on both upper and lower lids and I took a cab home! (After almost an hour of stress, traffic, the sun shining straight on my face and being paranoid when people from the other cars took a look at me)

I got home, I took a good look at myself on the mirror...

Upper lashline: No smudge, no budge, PERFECT!
Waterline: the liner was gone
Lower lashline: has some smudging but the color was still there, this can easily be fixed by wiping it with a cotton bud.

I have tried other Maybelline eyeliners in the past. This is seriously the best they've got to offer! And the price is seriously affordable!
Tips

• if you are living in a hot and humid country like mine! And you are going for a full eyeliner (whatever brand) always carry along cotton buds on your makeup pouch to wipe the little smudges on the lower lash line! It helps rather than using your fingers as it's harsh on your eyes!
  
• if you want this to stay super long! Purchase an eye sealant
• for lower lashline: pat on the liner with a similar e/s color or setting powder to "set" the eyeliner and prevent it from furthe smudging
• if you plan to use this for e/s, smudge the liner right away after application with a smudger brush or pencil brush
  
• in a hurry for work or school? Line your eyes with colored Vivid & Smooth liners and you're ready to go!
  

Will I repurchase?

YES!
Where can you purchase and how much?

On Maybelline counters for Php359.00 (approx $7.50)

Here are visual aids for you to decide for yourself
if the new pencil liners from Maybelline are worth it or not! :)

Swatched on hand for
Dark Purple and Forest Green

Let's say I cried like a faucet! lol
I wet it with running water, no rubbing
The liner didn't run it didn't budge



Rubbing test
(left photo: rubbed more than 5 times going downwards, the first rub didn't budge the liner
right photo: rubbed my hands like there's no tomorrow! )

I love it that the color disappeared rather than smearing all over my hands! This is only for the purpose of experiment, no sane person would rub their eyes as hard as I did on my hand.

You want to know how it looks like on the naked eye? No eye primer, no eyeshadow! Applied them on both upper and lower lashline including waterline. You can click to enlarge and look closely that the liner doesn't like my waterline area, it must be my "anime watery eyes" lol

I hope this review is helpful for those who's planning to start up on makeup! You don't have to go for colors, you can always start with the usual blacks and browns! If you're used to eyelining your eyes, that's the best time to explore on other shades!

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to answer them in the best of my "superwoman" abilities! lol No superwoman costume ok?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!
Happy weekend!