Readers' Corner: More Korea Travel Tips

Hi everyone!  You were probably expecting for a weekend food tripping post but today, it'll be for the Korean Trip post readers out there!  I am quite surprised a lot of you have booked a flight to Korea either end of this year or next year and I found overwhelming Korean Trip questions on my mailbox!  So let's put food aside for the day and let me answer queries about my Korean Trip!  Thank goodness to Mr. AMW for taking a LOT of photos that's why some answers to be the queries can be made possible with a photo to match! 

I want to thank my pretty friend Xin of Prettybeautiful for sharing me tips prior to my flight which helps so much!  *Huge Cyber Hugs* going out to you dear!

Question #1

"Do we need to apply for Korean Visas?"

AMW answers:

If you're from the Philippines and you're holding a Philippine Passport, YES, you need to apply for Korean tourist visa.  You can apply for Korean Visa without any fee if you go to the Korean Embassy by yourself. 

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

122 Upper Mckinley Road 

McKinley Town Center

Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634

Tel. no: (632) 856-9210

If you prefer to have a travel agent help you out, you will have to pay travel agent fee which ranges from Php400-Php1,200.

Requirements for Philippine Passport holders:

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain + Balm Review

You've probably seen a couple of blog reviews on the new lip product hot off the press from Revlon!  I am really excited with this because according to Allure Magazine USA, this product is "The Best Long-Wearing Lip Stains That won't leave you high and dry at your next cocktail party.  Two hours strong!" 

After more than 2 weeks of constant usage, I've finally came up with a review base solely on my personal experiences as I cannot use this on anybody for hygiene purposes!

Happy Kainan Saturday with Mr. and Mrs. AMW Contest Winner!

Remember my long post about Mr. AMW's addiction to Coca-Cola?  (smile and click here to reminisce with me).  Coca-Cola together with AMW made sharing happiness possible by asking readers to share their "Everyday Kainan Happiness" and get a chance to win Php10,000 worth of hotel stay at Peninsula!

Thanks to the readers who shared their stories and I am sure it was a very difficult decision for the company as it took them this long to announce the winner!  So finally, this is the moment!

Congratulations to....

ALY LORICA

My sweetest moment with Coca-Cola happened just last week. My BF took me to a "carinderia", a very popular food house that sells cheap traditional Filipino foods. I never really liked the idea of eating there and it was my first time to eat in a carinderia. I felt really uncomfortable. We ordered Liempo and Sisig and BF bought a litter of coke just for the both of us! I then enjoyed eating there because of Coca-Cola. We 'll come there again next week, of course still with Coke!:)

Congratulations again Aly!  Thanks to Coca-Cola for making this contest possible and thanks everyone for joining!  Don't worry, there will be more contests coming up soon!  Let's stay positive and there will always be lucky days for each of us!

Aly,  I will email you for further details soon!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Pond's Cold Cream

The product review I will be doing today will bring back good 'ol memories to a lot of us!  From our grand mommies to mommies, aunties then to us and probably to our future daughters! 

Most of us probably have seen the glass jar on top of our mom's dresser and a chunk of us probably have opened this glass jar and took a sniff (several times).  I have to admit, I've done this so much!  Told you, I'm a curious cat! 

Funny how we easily forget the "Classic Cleanser" and veer into trendy cleansers nowadays and forget all about products that works for the longest time!  Today, I am taking you back old memory lane with a product review for a makeup cleanser that was made available way before we were born!

Pond's Perfect Care Cold Cream says ---

Rich cream cleanser with a time-tested formula cleans deep down without drying your skin, for beautiful results every time.

Gentle yet effective deep cleansing action removes hidden dirt and make-up, even stubborn waterproof mascara.  Its special blend of ingredients softens as it cleanses in one simple step so your skin feels smooth and radiantly clean and never tight or dry.

• moisturizes as it cleanses
• hypoallergenic
• won't clog pores

Special ingredients: Essential Oils, Emolients

AMW says ---

Pros

• Does not break me out
• Does not feel greasy after wiping it off with a cotton sheet or pad
• Consistency starts off a bit thick but after gentle massage, it goes off like "liquid", making it easily to blend in with makeup and dirt for easy removal.
• Works for most skin
• Works for most type of makeup, can remove some traces of mascara and liners.
• Multi-functional: I can even use this to remove my lip product, wash it off with water though.
• Skin feels soft afterwards, dryness lessened dramatically
• I personally try not to use this near my eye area but for the sake of review, I've used this to remove my eye makeup and it does not sting or burn my eyes.
• No disgusting or strong scent, just right.
• Very affordable

Cons

• Not really a con, but I do miss the glass jar!  
• A bit hassle to dip my fingers especially with long fingernails!
• May not work for people with super sensitive skin. (due to the oil and scent)

Overall

For dry skin individuals, this is NOT enough to moisturize your skin but it's enough to make you remove makeup without drying it!  For oily skin, it does not get that oily that can irritate you.  The Pond's Cold Cream feels light on skin and it's a product I call "Cleanses and Moisturizes" at the same time!

Tips

• Use a spatula (clean gelatin or yoghurt spoons) to grab on product for hygiene purposes.
• Some people prefer to cleanse face first before using this product as this serves as their moisturizer too.   I, on the other hand, prefer to use this first prior to cleansing my face because I like to use a separate moisturizer.
• Massage product gently with your fingers to soften up makeup for easy removal!
• Use a soft cotton cloth or pad, wipe gently!
• I suggest to use a wash cloth in wiping the product off rather than cotton (to save environment) and a damp one would work better!  No need to pull the skin.
• Want to use this as eye makeup remover? Dip a clean cotton bud in the jar and gently remove eye liner and mascara.  Never dip the dirty cotton tip again!
• 
  

Will I repurchase?
Yes

To whom do I recommend this to?

Anyone can give this a try as its inexpensive anyways.  In my opinion, this works best on normal and dry skin! 

Where to purchase and how much?
At leading groceries, drugstore and department stores for approximately Php100.00 ($4.50)

On regular working days, I don't wear a lot of makeup but it's nice to remove even the tiniest amount of makeup the right way.  Dotted areas of my face with Pond's Cold Cream as shown on photo below.  You can opt to do it with a small! :)

Gently massage your face for a good 3-5 minutes, adding more

if you applied more makeup or even on drier areas.

Wiped product off with

Nippon Esthetic Solutions Facial Cotton Cloth

I actually spritz the cotton cloth with water

Voila!  Eyebrow pencil, powder foundation,

mascara and eyeliner gently removed!
Want some? :P *eeeekk*

Have you found love from Pond's Cold Cream?
I feel ashamed for using it just now!

As the cliche go, "It's better late than never!"

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reports: I Caught the Beyoncé HEAT!

My nose is very sensitive, I can sniff the good (and the bad...lol) like a dog!  I am not surprised that I associate a lot of my memories with scent! 

I have a very good collection of fragrances!  I remember how I spent my first salary with my first Eau de Toilette --- True Love by Elizabeth Arden.  From then on, my collection grew up to this very moment and I have a special place for them in my room!  

When I got an invite from the people of Prestige to join them for a launch for Beyoncé 's first fragrance, I knew I had to make time!  And who could say "no" to the gorgeous Beyoncé ?  I may be a woman, but I do know how to appreciate "Women with Confidence"!

I expected the launch to be a small one, would you believe the surprise I got when I get to see the bird's eye view of the event?  It looks like a scene from a "hot" vampire movie!  Bright lights, black background and red flooring!  Definitely "hot and sexy"!

Beyoncé , as we all know, exudes empowerment!  She's got a style that blends sexy, chic and elegance!  Beyonce conquered not only on music, films and fashion, she has also been recognized for her measurable contributions to the global community with her humanitarian efforst.  Definitely a perfect role model!

A huge LCD screen shows the making of the television ad, the stunning Beyonce talks about her excitement for her first fragrance. 

The bubbly Andi Manzano (Andi 9 on Magic 89.9) hosted the event! 

The "Kitty Girls" sets the stage on fire by performing several hit songs from Beyoncé .  "Single Ladies", "Crazy in Love" and a lot more! 

Models roam around the area spritzing on the new HEAT by Beyoncé for us to take a sniff and enjoy the floral, fruity, woody perfume.  

The Star of the Night

"The fragrance opens with a radiant floral bouquet of magnolia, neroli and red vanilla orchid balanced with a kiss of luscious blush peach.  At its heart, almond macaroon, sweet honeysuckle nectar and creme de musk combine to create an exquisitely sensual experience.  Finally, warm and sexy notes of giant sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber linger to seduce the senses. "

The fragrance is presented in a very curvaceous bottle with a red gradient effect giving the impression of fire burning from within.  In my own interpretation, it's beauty, sexiness and passion from WITHIN!

At first sniff, its a bit too strong for my liking and I mentally took note that it does not even fit my personality!  I am more of the citrus and floral scent by the way!  But after several minutes, I found myself getting addicted sniffing on my wrist area!  It blends into my body chemistry quite well!  I have to add that the scent is long lasting!

The people from Prestige, Watson's and SM Mall of Asia together with Mr. Lito Atienza celebrates the launch with a toast!  Beyoncé Heat is officially available in all SM Department Stores nationwide!

Had photo op with Andi-9 and Kim after the event

Also with Maan Perez of Prestige Brands Philippines, Inc.

(Thank you Maan and Prestige for the invite!)

Beyoncé HEAT is available at SM Department Stores nationwide ---

 30ml EDT (Php2,250.00/$54.00)

 50ml EDT (Php2,850.00/$68.00)

100ml EDT (Php3,650.00/$87.00)

Since we're all talking about RED!  I was on my way home when I passed by a nice Christmas display at SM Mall of Asia!  *sings* "All I want for Christmas...is you...!" (Ooops, that's a Britney song!)  Ok, tuning in Beyoncé Christmas song..."Silent night....Holy night..."

Merry Christmas!
Oooppss..not yet!  Got carried away!

Have a wonderful Thursday!  Have you seen this fragrance anywhere near you?
Sniff Sniff? Or Sneeze Sneeze?

Keep smilin'
Stay Happy!