Hey everyone! Washing my face at the end of the day has always been a ritual since I started using face products during my teens. In the past years, as my schedule became more hectic especially during residency training, I tend to skip this important step hence leaving my skin prone to pimple break outs. Good thing there are now better ways to cleanse your face without taking much time and effort. One of them is the use of makeup removers like the one I'm loving so far from Bifesta.

Bifesta is a water based makeup remover manufactured in Japan which comes in four variants; Moist for dry and sensitive skin, Sebum for combination-oily skin, Brightup for dull and flaky type, and Agecare for mature skin. 

Since there were no other variants available, I bought the Sebum Cleansing Lotion in trial size at Watsons in Singapore just so I could try it before splurging on the full size. Good thing this baby worked excellently on my skin.

  

I've been using it together with my favorite cosmetic cotton from Sembem and I haven't skipped since then. Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion has the same color and consistency as water. It's virtually scent free and doesn't sting or cause any untoward skin reactions. I love using it with the cosmetic cotton because you only need to dampen the middle and you're good to go. It instantly and effectively removes your makeup without leaving a greasy finish. You may use it before washing your face but its cleansing power is so good that you can proceed right away to applying your serum and moisturizer. 

I think longevity of the product is based on quantity and frequency of use. I've been using Bifesta at night for a week and consumed only a quarter of the 50 ml bottle. So a full 300 ml bottle which costs 400+ Php can last me 6 months! This may not be the same with others since I don't wear full makeup everyday, just BB Cream and a little eye color so my experience can't be conclusive for everyone. 

Overall, I love this Bifesta Sebum Cleansing Lotion that I've decided to buy the full size once the trial bottle runs out. I also recommend it to those who are still looking for an effective water based makeup remover. If you're still unsure, why not buy a trial size from BeautyRx, my budding online shop.  This way, you get to try it without spending too much before deciding whether to get the full size. So have you tried any of the Bifesta Cleansing Lotion variants? Please share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a stress-free weekend!

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POWER BANK (20000 mAh)

Hey everyone! Living in an era of fast growing technology, it's not a surprise to find at least a single gadget in every household. Everywhere you turn, you will see someone hooked to a tablet or cellular phone. I for one am guilty of doing so every chance I get especially when there's nothing else to do but surf the net or play PVZ2. Unfortunately, frequent use may drain your battery life leaving you with no choice but to plug in to a power source. Are you guessing where I'm going? Since surfing the net seem inevitable in my case, I tend to go low on power with my tablet, phone and pocket wifi hence the need to get, what we are now fond of calling, a power bank.




Of course before purchasing, I did a little research on what to look for in an external battery. Power banks are rated in mAh (milliamp hours) which corresponds to the battery in our cell phones and tablets. Since I use an Iphone 4 which has 1432 mAh battery and the new Ipad with 11666 mAh battery, I need a power bank with at least 14000 mAh to fully charge both gadgets. Luckily, my cousin found me an affordable power bank with 20000 mAh in Cash Converters, a thrift shop in Singapore.

There was only one piece left and out of all the five colors, a PINK power bank remained. It was really meant for me! Originally priced at SGD 59 which is around 2,000 Php and bought on sale for only SGD 29, roughly 1,000 Php.

This device is quite big (15x8x2 cm) and fairly heavy.

The power button is found next to a small screen that indicates the battery life. The window lights up to four dots when fully charged.

On the bottom you will see the mAh label.

Over the edge near the power window are three ports: one small port intended for charging the power bank directly to an outlet or laptop and two USB ports to connect your gadget. It also has a small bulb which functions as a flash light. 

The set includes a connecting cable and four interchangeable connectors to enable charging every gizmo you have like digital camera, MP3 player, Ipod, Ipad or any mobile phone. 

Now for the true test of power, I charged the power bank for nearly 12 hours making the battery indicator light up all four dots. I drained my Ipad's battery life to 3% and connected it to the power bank.

The following day, my Ipad was charged up to 73%! I was actually expecting it to be fully charged but I later found out that external batteries can lose their energy through heat. On a separate day, I also used the fully charged power bank to charge my pocket wifi and Iphone 4. Both gadgets were fully charged and used up approximately 25% of my power bank's stored energy.


Overall, I really got an excellent deal by purchasing this power bank. It has everything I want from an external power source, feminine looking yet a tough device that can extend the power of my gadgets for an affordable price. Are you into gadgets as well? What external power source do you use? Do share your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!

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GLAMWORKS: Charcoal Nose Pore Strips

Hey everyone! Don't you just love it when others share their skin care routine? I definitely do because that's when I get a lot of ideas on which products to try and review next. I usually hear new stuff from fellow bloggers I avidly follow, friends and even relatives.

Last week, my cousin Raquel urged me to try her Neutrogena Wave Duo (which I'll be reviewing soon) and reintroduced me to the use of pore strips hence this review. Just to give you an idea, she is blessed with blemish free skin and very few pimple break outs. She's based in Singapore and has been using Biore products for several years now. Actually she's fond of using Biore's charcoal pore strip but since it ran out, we were left to try the classic version.


My first attempt wasn't as successful as my two other cousins who saw how it effectively removed stubborn dirt in their pores. I wanted to retry the next day but didn't get around to doing it. So imagine my delight when I saw a local version of the charcoal pore strips in Watsons.

Glamworks Charcoal Nose Pore Strips are individually packed in sachets of 12 in a slim box.

Here's how the pore strip looks like once you tear it open. The top is cottony white while the bottom sticky part is black, smooth and filmlike in texture.

To use properly, you need to wet your nose thoroughly with water to make the pore strip sticky and adhere to your skin. With dry hands, peel off the strip from its transparent cover and apply the black portion on your nasal area. After ten to fifteen minutes, remove the strip by lifting one edge then slowly peel off.

As much as I want you guys to see my used pore strip, I opted not to disgust you and describe it instead. It was surprisingly half filled with dirt, mostly from the sides of my nose even after cleansing my face. There were a few charcoal residues left but was easily washed off with tap water. I love how it's easy to use, didn't hurt when peeled off, didn't irritate my skin and effectively removed remaining dirt in my pores. 

Overall, this is a good addition to your skin care routine and is best used at night when most of the dirt accumulate from a day's worth of exposure to pollution. I guess the downside is the additional 245 Php on your monthly expenses for skin care if you plan to use it everyday. Although it's a good product, I don't recommend it to everyone, just to those who don't mind shelling out a few extra for skin care. So are you into pore strips? Let me know what you think on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a great week!

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HADA LABO: SHA Hydrating Face Wash and SHA Hydrating Milk

Hello everyone! I recently got back from Singapore and bought a few stuff that I can't wait to share with all of you. As expected, I browsed through every skin care counter I could find during my trip and among the array of brands on display, Hada Labo solely piqued my interest. It's a Japanese brand I've seen several times online and I've always wondered why they seem to run out of stocks easily. 

Hada Labo has a wide range of skin care products like facial wash, moisturizer, serum and makeup remover but among these, I only got a couple of items, the SHA Hydrating Face Wash and SHA Hydrating Milk. In case you're wondering, SHA stands for Super Hyaluronic Acid, Hada Labo's patented moisturizing range of products. 

This Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Face Wash retails for SGD 13.50 in Fair Price but I got mine from Duty Free in Changi Airport for only SGD 12.60 (roughly 430 Php) which turns out to be a really great buy since it's being sold online in Manila for almost twice its price (850 Php).

It comes in this 100 gm tube with a flip type cover to easily dispense the product.

I love that it has a security seal and that the date of expiration is indicated on the label. 

This facial wash is opaque white in color, virtually unscented and has a very thick creamy texture. Up to now I'm still amazed that a pea size builds up into a generous lather that can cover your entire face and neck. It feels silky on application, doesn't sting and rinses off easily leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean after every use. It doesn't strip your skin with its natural moisture and instead gives it a smooth and supple finish. This face wash is tough on dirt and makeup residue yet mild enough to use twice a day without causing skin irritation or pimple break outs.

I bought this SHA Hydrating Milk from Fair Price for SGD 22.90 which is around 780 Php, still cheaper than buying online (900 Php).

It comes in this 140 ml bottle with a convenient flip top cover. 

Again, I commend Hada Labo for including a safety seal and indicating the date of expiration on the bottle.

This SHA Hydrating milk is also opaque white and unscented. As you can see on the image above, it has a runny consistency and mimics the texture of a thin lotion making it easy to apply on your skin. A pea size is all you need to cover your entire face with a thin film. It Initially makes your skin appear drenched and a bit greasy but it eventually transforms into a moisturized look. It takes a while for the product to get absorbed but a few minutes of waiting is all it takes to achieve a freshly hydrated finish. I love how it clings on to your skin even when layered with BB Cream unlike other moisturizers that tend to rub off. It's really an excellent moisturizer that does its purpose without causing any untoward skin reactions. 

Overall, I am truly amazed with these Hada Labo products that I intend to repurchase them even if they retail for a couple of hundreds more. I do recommend them to those who expect visible results in just a few days of use. Although these aren't available in local stores, you may purchase them in reputable online shops or have your relatives/friends from abroad  buy them for you. So have you tried any Hada Labo products? Let me know your thoughts on the comments section below. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

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A Private Tasting Event at YABU The House of Katsu

Hey everyone! A month ago, we celebrated a friend's birthday in one of the most raved about restaurants in the metro, YABU The House of Katsu in Robinson's Magnolia. We only knew of two other branches, SM Aura and Mall of Asia so after that tasteful celebration, I literally wished for a nearer branch to open soon. 

That wish came to reality when YABU emerged in SM The Block. On their first opening week, Yabu catered only to invited guests. Fortunately, we were invited by a good friend to attend their private tasting event.

An array of condiments are on the table including their Goma dressing which reminds me so much of thousand island dressing and is best drizzled over shredded cabbage; Shoyu dressing used to season your chosen katsu or shredded cabbage for added flavor; Wasabi sauce which gives you just the right bite without being overly spicy. If you love spicy food, then you may enjoy your dish with other condiments like Japanese pepper, chili pepper and chili oil.

While waiting for your food, a mini mortar and pestle is served for grinding black and white sesame seeds which by the way smells so appetizing. Add in 2 to 3 scoops of the katsu sauce and voila! You now have a personally prepared sauce for your katsu.

Appetizers are also served and since I already ordered chicken for main course, I opted for prawn as a starter. It tasted really good and I love that you get more meat than breading. 

I ordered a complete meal consisting of chicken katsu which comes with unlimited brown rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruits. 

The chicken katsu was deliciously cooked to perfection with tender chicken meat covered in crispy breading. I am not a veggie eater but their shredded cabbage was also a hit especially when drizzled with Goma and Shoyu dressing. If you're not fond of eating spicy food then keep away from the yellow sauce served with your katsu. 

You have a choice between brown and white Japanese rice but for a healthier choice, I suggest you get the former. 

They also serve unlimited fruits like Watermelon and Pineapple.

One of my friends ordered the Kurobuta Premium set consisting of imported flavorful pork in a crisp golden crust.

This is their Chicken and Seafood Katsu set consisting of Chicken, Black Tiger Prawn, Squid, Oyster and Eggplant. 

They also serve Katsu Curry Set of your choice whether, pork, chicken or minced meat with cheese.

To cap off the night, we ordered Chocolate and Strawberry Lava Cakes for dessert both of which tasted heavenly.

Yabu SM The Block Private Tasting Event
(L-R) me, Kristen, Leo, Honey, Rochelle, Roygien

Birthday celebration at Yabu Robinsons Magnolia
(L-R) Twinkle, me, Rochelle, Honey, Aileen, Manel (celebrant), May and Jef

Yabu SM The Block
(L-R) Honey, Rochelle, Aileen, me, May, Kristen and Twinkle

Overall, I really enjoyed our Katsu experience at Yabu and I have to say that they serve the best Katsu I've ever tasted in Manila. Aside from the nice ambiance, I'm also impressed with their competent crew of servers who attend to your every need, constantly refilling your plates and glasses. 

 

I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants a taste of reasonably priced authentic Japanese Katsu. To date, they have six branches around the Metro including SM Megamall, Robinsons Magnolia, SM Mall of Asia, SM South Mall, SM Aura Premier and SM The Block. So if you want authentic Japanese food, head now to Yabu and let them solve that craving for you. 

Special thanks to Ms. Erika Lim of Yabu, Mr. Roygien Co and Dr. Rochelle Abuan for the generous invitation.

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