AMW Reports: JnJ's Soft Look Launch with Bayo

BREAKING NEWS: DollFace will no longer be participating at the Eastwood Vanity Fair due to a sudden change of schedule. Instead they will be holding a private event on April 30-May2, 10am-9pm at Unit 6c Burgundy Plaza Katipunan Ave. in lieu of the canceled bazaar. Please submit your names to  dollfacecosmetix@gmail.com to be included in their guest list.

Back to regular program....

Around August last year, I was invited to Johnson & Johnson's Body Care Launch, I was able to take a peek and report back to you all how beautiful skin can go hand in hand with fashion!  The line was presented through a fashion show with Manila's top fashion and beauty icons.  This year, JnJ did it again!  Yours truly got another invite for an exclusive multimedia fashion show event with this in mind....

Get Softest Summer Skin with Johnson's Body Care

Flaunt it with Bayo's Soft Look Collection

The event will showcase limited edition collection of specially-designed summer ensembles that will help women showcase their beautiful, soft skin!  The launch of "Soft Look" Collection by the leading female fashion brand, Bayo.  This event was hosted by Ms. Sarah Meier. 

According to Johnson's Body Care Senior Brand Manager, Ms. Via Abano

"Johnson's Body Care is delighted and excited to launch the Soft Look Collection that will enable women to choose outfits that highlight their best asset this summer --- their beautiful soft skin."  She also added: "Summer is indeed one of the most appropriate times to flaunt beautiful skin.  The benefits provided by Johnson's Body Care are definitely best paired with pieces from the Soft Look Collection."

Seventeen pieces of the collection was featured, and here are some of them!

as quoted from Ms. Mary Grace Magcamit, Bayo's Merchandiser

"Off-white eyelets and lace are the base fabrics of the collection with a little blush as an accent color.  The silhouettes are meticulously definied with a gorgeous variety of tops, dresses and bottoms in styles ideal for the summer season.  Halters, tunics and strapless pieces with a soft, flowing feel, show off more skin to soak up the summer sun."

Ms. Abano also added that Bayo was chosen as partner for the Soft Look Collection because Bayo appleas to the modern and confident Filipina, with fashion styles and clothing pieces that naturally accentuate a woman's soft skin.

Via Abano and Mary Grace Magcamit from Bayo

Good news to Philippine readers.  Special freebies and discounts await women up to June 15, 2010.  By purchasing any item from the Johnson's Body Care Soft Look Collection in participating Bayo outlets, women will get a free 100ml Johnson's Body Care lotion and a 20% discount coupon for a succeeding purchase of a 200ml or 400ml lotion or wash at Watsons.  Alternately, when women buy 200ml or 400ml Johnson's Body Care Lotion or Wash at Watsons, they will get 10% off any item from the Soft Look Collection!  Great deal!

For more information abut Johnson's Body Care and the Soft Look Collection, simply log on to Facebook and become a fan of Johnson's Body Care at http://www.facebook.com/bodycareph.

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And you think I'm done with this report?  How could I end this without sharing to you the wonderful people I've met during the event?

Saw my high school mate Ms. Jane Kingsu-Cheng of Style Kit

Gorgeous Bloggers and a Hunk *winks*

L-R Me, Earth, Jennifer, Wendy and Azrael

L-R Tara, Dang (nice to FINALLY meet you), 

Me, Frances, Shen, Jamie and Jheng

First time meeting Maui in person, great to meet you Mau!
(leftmost side)

A group shot with Strategic Edge's Annie (leftmost side)!

I had a wonderful time!!!
Thanks to the people from JnJ, Bayo, Watson's, staffs from Encore (former Embassy) and the gorgeous ladies from Strategic Edge!  Thanks to Bobbi Brown too for the makeover!  I'll tell you more about it soon!  

Ooohh, that felt like an Oscar Speech.
Should I start thanking my family too?  *laughs*
Oh!  Thanks to hubby Keith for the shots!  (that's family!)
And that completes my Oscars' winning speech!

*flying kisses*
Sorry! Can't help it! :P
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "A Splash of Color" Nails

Happy Wednesday people!  I am not in an energetic mood today, nothing serious, just that the weather down here is so darn hot!  Better slather that sunscreen of yours, yeah? 

Another nail art tutorial for the week!  I got inspired with the bright yellow polish given to me by a dear friend Shanna, I believe she bought this for me from her Malaysia trip?  Thanks girl!

Playful colors are definitely "in".  My nail art tutorial looks a bit like a "splash" of colors!  Imagine painting class....imagine being a kid again....

Here's my nail art for the week! 

I hope this brings you joy!

Step 1:

Apply a coat of your preferred base coat to protect your nails from nail polish.  Apply 2 coats of Elianto polish in yellow.  Let dry.

Step 2:

Apply 3 random lines starting from the center.  The line from the center is longer than the lines between it.  Make sure your nail polish brush does not have flyaway!  I am using BNC polish in Aquamarine.

Step 3:

Using a nail art dotting tool or a toothpick, apply 3 dots on the "yellow" polish area just like photo below.

Step 4:

Apply yellow dots on the Aquamarine polish area randomly as well.  Reference can be seen on photo below.

Step 5:

I want to add more colors so I've placed 3 white dots on area with a huge space or gap.   You can skip this step!

Step 6:

Making sure all the dots are dry, apply your favorite top coat.  I am using my 3rd bottle of The Face Shop.

Enjoy your nails with splash of summer colors!

This tutorial can be altered base on your personal taste.  If you find the colors used above are a bit too bright for your taste, you can always tone down your nail polish color by choosing your own color combination with the same application technique!  Be adventurous!  A lot of my readers have shared their thoughts on nail polish application.  I know it is very difficult to apply polish let alone do nail art using the left hand!  Trust me, I've been there!  I went through zigzag-y French Tips!  I went through dirty finger nails because of bad polish application; I went through gazillions of ingrown and sported lots of ugly nail art design!  We have to go through all those to be able to confidently start with simple nail art!  You can do it!  Yes you can!  Repeat after me.... 

"I (state your name) CAN DO IT!"

I should just be named "Nike" instead of "Nikki"
Cause I love to "JUST DO IT"!
So corny!  But hey, I'm on a preachy mode again but it doesn't hurt to try to inspire others right?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: L'Oreal Elseve Shampoo and Conditioner

Aside from skincare and cosmetics, I am very keen to use the best hair care products for my chemically-treated and super damaged hair.  My hair has gone through so much stress lately!  Let's not even count the times I've discovered the happiness of curling my own hair with curling irons!

I've seen L'Oreal Elseve products widely available locally.  It took me some time to muster the courage to give this a try as I've had bad experience with the L'Oreal Elvive line.  After more than a month of usage, here's what I have to say...

L'Oreal Elseve Smooth Intense says ---

Expert care for dry,frizzy and rebellious hair.4x smoother, sleeker hair.

2 Precious Ingredients: Nutrileum + Silk Protein

For the first time, from the L'Oreal Laboratories, they have combined its patented ingredients Nutrileum, a combination of a nutritive micro-oil and a smoothing agent, with Silk Protein, known for its smoothness and thermo-resistance, to deliver a double action.

1. Intense nutrition: the creamy formula nourishes and calms your hair from root to tip for an easy and homogenous smoothness.

2. Anti-Frizz 48hours: like a shield, the formula helps protect your hair against the effect of humid or dry condition, such as frizz and puffiness.

AMW says ---

Pros

• smells wonderful
• shampoo does not strip off oil on my hair 
• combination does not give me the tangle
• easy to comb through hair
• inexpensive
• very moisturizing
• not much hair fall

Cons

• daily use: gave me dandruff
• can oil up roots due to hot and humid weather

Overall

I've tried the Elvive line and I can totally vouch the Elseve one works way better for our weather.  Maybe Elvive line is best used in some parts of the world.  This combination works really well for dry hair as it moisturizes hair quite well.  Since I deep condition my hair once a week, I only needed to use this combination 3x to 4x a week and use an anti-dandruff shampoo for the rest of the days!

Tips

• alternate the shampoo and conditioner combination if you find this a bit too rich
• I use Head & Shoulders Shampoo together with L'Oreal Elseve Cream Conditioner on random days
• get your hair completely soaked with water prior to shampoo application
• dilute shampoo if needed then massage it gently onto the scalp area, completely rinse off hair
• run through a dollop of conditioner or more (depending on hair length) from the middle portion of your hair down to the tips
• if hair itches and dandruff occurs?  Stop using shampoo and conditioner all together

Will I repurchase?

No, so many variants out there, I need to give others a try!!!

Where to purchase and how much?
Available locally at leading supermarket and department stores.
Elseve Smooth-Intense Care Shampoo for Php139.00 (approx $3.00)
Elseve Smooth-Intense Cream Conditioner for Php165.00 (approx $3.60)

Photo of hair finishing the L'Oreal Elseve Shampoo and Conditioner

Which lasts approximately 2 months 

(1st month everyday usage and 2nd month alternating with other shampoos)

**note: sorry my hair turns wavy here, I tied it in a bun half the day

Have you used this line?  Or other lines from the L'Oreal Elseve?  
Let me know what's your favorite!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

You can check out my review on the Elseve Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Mask

by smiling and clicking HERE

AMW Reports: Neutrogena Healthy Summer Skin Event at Anvaya Cove

With El Nino problems nowadays and our weather gets sizzling hot as the days go by, we are definitely more exposed to the sun which can lead us to unwanted skin damage.  With this in mind, Neutrogena, the skincare brand recommended by dermatologists, mounted a "Healthy Summer Skin" Seminar to raise awareness on what consumers can do to protect the skin from the harsh effects of the summer sun.

When I got an invite mailed to me personally from Strategic Edge, Inc.  I am very impressed with their creativity.  Definitely well thought of!  Plus the fact that I have used Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock way back and has repurchased so many times.  It isn't difficult to go to a day trip at Anvaya Cove, Bataan with the people behind this brand and the rest of the beauty bloggers!

We departed Manila around 7:30am and arrived at Anvaya Cove at around 10:30am for registration.  There were 12 of us Beauty Bloggers who were able to attend the event.  We were handed out with a nice bag included are towels, hat, cover-ups and of course - Neutrogena sunblock for the face and body to prepare and protect us from the harsh rays of the sun.

Mid-morning snacks are served and we enjoyed our Corned Beef  lasagna and Anvaya Iced Tea as we catch our breath from the 3-hour long trip.

An ice breaker game was introduced to us as we split ourselves into groups of 2.  We were asked to hold each others hands and transfer the hula hoop to each other without breaking the chain!  It was fun!  The other team won but who cares?

Mr. Taffy Ledesma, from Johnson and Johnson's, welcome us with an inspirational welcoming remarks

Guest speaker, Dra. Loverne Suratos, Chairman, Public Relations and External Affairs Committee, Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), talked about the PDS Skin Safety Campaign.  She stressed the importance of consulting with PDS-member dermatologists for skin care concerns and using the right products to keep skin healthy and protected from the sun. 

Though there are countless salons and clinics offering skin services that aim to improve skin quality, it does not mean it is a matter that shouldn't be taken seriously.  Only dermatologists are skin experts.  People should only look for the Skin Safety symbol as a seal of assurance that looks like the upper left hand portion of the photo below.

**click photo to enlarge

It was an eye-opening talk for me as it was a first for me to know that there are institutions out there we can trust for skin, hair and nails concern. For any questions or additional information regarding the Ski Safety Campaign Symbol, you may contact PDS Secretariat on telephone no. 727-7309 or send your queries via email top pds_org@yahoo.com.

After morning filled with information and Q&A portion, a golf cart was waiting for us as we drove off to a restaurant for our buffet lunch!

Fellow beauties are all ready to eat!

Check out the dishes available for us!

 

L-R Jheng, Shen and Nikki

L-R Me, Sophie and Jamie

After lunch, Mr. Gabriel Roxas, Neutrogena's Brand manager for Beauty Care Franchise J&J, was excited to talk about Basic Skin Care Regimen and continued the talk about the new Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++  for the body and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++ for the face.

Dra. Suratos continued the talk about Sun Protection 101 and together with Mr. Roxas answered several Q&As from fellow bloggers. 

Using the right sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to protect skin from sun damage such as sunburn and premature aging.  While high level Sun Protection Factor (SPF) offers protection from the sun's burning ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, most of us are unaware that there is a need to protect the skin from aging ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays as well.  UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, damaging it from within causing us women (and even men) fine lines, wrinkles and age spots *gasp*

Purchasing the right product does not mean total protection, the right amount and application is needed to maximize sun protection.  Dra. Suratos taught us the right amount of sunscreen for each body part before heading to the sun.  You will be surprised how little we put!

Note: This amount is applicable for active people who's exposed to the sun for prolonged period of time.

Face: half teaspoon

Arms: half teaspoon EACH arm

Chest area: 1 teaspoon

Legs: 1 teaspoon EACH leg

**re-apply after every 4 hours if needed

Armed with a Healthy Summer Skin information, we are all ready for some Rest & Relaxation (R&R)

L-R Me, Nikki, Jheng, Shen, Jamie, Sophie, Lace and Earth

P.S. Thanks to Azrael for taking this shot

Nikki's Romper from Brown Belly

Sandals from Ipanema

L-R Rowena and Jennifer

We put relaxation to a new level!
Chit-chatting while laying under the sun!

It was a fun-filled day and I learned so much from this event.  Not to forget, I ate so much too! Thanks to the staffs of Anvaya for such great service!

Time to leave Anvaya Cove!  Thanks to the people from Neutrogena and Strategic Edge for preparing such wonderful and memorable day trip! 

*sigh* Weekend flew by so quickly!  I'd love to go back to Anvaya Cove for another rest!
Thanks for reading!  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Yakimix

Are you in an "I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow" mood?  Buffet is the answer to your hungry problems!  I seldom dine in an "eat-all-you-can" restaurant because I like enjoying my food without stuffing my face with it.  There are days though that I just can't make up my mind on what dishes I am craving for.  That's when buffets are worth it!  Over the weekend, I was in the mood to try the famous buffet restaurant that has been buzzing around the food review blogs!  The restaurant is called Yakimix!

Stuffing yourself with food won't be fun if you're alone!  So armed with the family army, we marched to Yakimix Thomas Morato branch (previously Nippon restaurant)  and showed them what my family can do to their kitchen! *laughs*

The ambiance that greeted us is quite nice and spacious, I like it that there are couches on the sides were people can relax!  It's quite packed with family and friends and you can instantly see the buffet table right in the middle of the room.

The buffet table separates the raw and cooked dishes. The other side of the table are the Japanese Sushi and Sashimi.  There's an appetizer area which includes soup and some snacks!  My favorite is the "Miso soup", I gulped 2 bowls of it prior to my main dish!  There's also a pastry and ice cream area for dessert lovers out there!

Each table has a grilling pan set up for you to cook!  I have to remind you NOT to set up a date after dining in this restaurant.  You'll end up smelling like a grilled ham!  This can be good...if yourdate is into smoked ham! hahaha

I took shots of my family member's plates.  Make sure to separate the plate for raw and cooked dishes.

Let's start with my plate, don't worry, I plan to start with poise and go back for the dishes I like.  There's beef and broccoli, scrambled eggs, mushrooms with vegetables and some pork ribs.  I am taking my time! 

Some squid balls, shrimp tempura, tuna rolls and random seafood.

Korean dishes are also available.  Korean beef, Kimchi and Chinese dishes like garlic fish, dimsum and random dishes like pastas. 

For the raw dishes, there are some random beef, pork and seafood as well as sausages.

Meat were marinated with different types of sauces and spices. 

Some Yakitori and random meat and seafood.  I am overwhelmed with the food they offer!

I like the part of grilling and enjoyed eating them freshly cooked!  Be careful not to burn your tongue!

I ended the heavy meal with a  nice cup of mango ice cream and skipped the pastries.  My mom enjoyed their egg tarts as my nephew played his ice cream with chocolate kisses and sprinkles.  We were definitely full and satisfied.

I've read mixed reviews on the customer service of the restaurant.  Personally, I did not have any problem with the branch at Tomas Morato.  You just have to arrive early so you don't have to wait for your table.  

The buffet meal costs Php580.00 (approx $12.60) tax and service charge included and additional Php50.00 (approx $1.20) for bottomless drinks.  The restaurant accepts cash and credit card payments.

Yakimix Branches

Hoobies of Asia
Macapagal Boulevard Pasay
tel. no.: 632-387-8120

SM Mall of Asia
Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall
tel. no.: 632-836-1535

Thomas Morato
2nd floor, Forum Bldg. 
270 Tomas Morato Ave., QC
tel. no.: 632-385-7500

Do you like buffets?
Have you tried this restaurant?
Tell me your experiences with "all-you-can-eat" restaurants.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!