The night before my get together with friends, I almost panicked because my gifts were still unwrapped. To make matters worse, I had nothing to wrap the gifts with. Good thing my creative juices were flowing like crazy so I made do with what I have at home.

These are cute nail clippers I got from Gift Gate SM North Edsa. I thought of giving away Hello Kitty lip gloss but I instantly changed my mind when I saw these. Aside from being cute it's also functional and is guaranteed to be a good kikay kit stuffer.

So this post is obviously a do-it-yourself (DIY) entry and my own version of Art Attack. I made use of bond paper, scissors, transparent tape, double sided tape and a stapler. 

First thing you need to think of is the theme or the occasion. Since I got Hello Kitty stuff, I decided on making Hello Kitty wrappers. I just googled the images, copied and pasted them using Microsoft Word and here's how they turned out.

To make small gift bags, start by folding both sides of the paper making them overlap by half an inch. Stick the edges together using a double sided tape or glue.

Fold the bottom by an inch then spread the edges to make 2 triangular folds on either sides of the paper. Fold the bottom sheet by at least more than half an inch then fold both sides of the paper such that the edges fit perfectly.

Fold the upper sheet and appose with the lower sheet using a transparent tape.

Put in the gift item and seal the top with a stapler and overlap with a sticker or greeting card.

Here they are, all wrapped and ready to be given away. By the time this is posted, I've already given them to my beloved friends. I hope they like it as much as I do and give it a space in their kikay kits. 

So if you ever want to make things personalized and have time to spare, 

try wrapping your gifts with these easy steps and make your loved ones feel extra special on every occasion. 

♥ ♥ ♥



SHU UEMURA: Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil from Sample Room

Hello readers, due to awful traffic in the past days I've decided to stay home last Friday night. Good thing my most awaited treat from Sample Room arrived the same day so I had something to keep me busy.




If you haven't heard of Sample Room, it's a local site that gives away free product samples to their members. It aims to educate consumers about products before buying them. This way you have the luxury of testing products before purchasing them in full size so you won't be wasting money on those that don't work for you. Not a member yet? No worries, it only takes a few minutes to register, just click here to get started.

First time I read about Sample Room was weeks ago from one of their partner bloggers, Miss Shen through Shen's Addiction and I got too excited I registered right away. When Sample Room officially opened its doors to members last December 3, 2012, I was one of the lucky few who got to avail a sample pack for free (exclusive of PhP 100 shipment fee).

There were five awesome samples to choose from and I picked the Shu Uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil without any hesitations. I've been wanting to try them for so long but the hefty tag has kept me from purchasing. Thank heavens they're included in the first batch of samples. 

The samples were in this cute paper bag showing the Sample Room logo. Nice to see the combination of colors pink, white and brown.

The sachets were securely packed and sealed with bubble wrap which brought out the playful side in me. Admit it, you're also guilty of popping these protective bubbles at least once in your lifetime.

Sample Room sent me 7 sachets of Shu Uemura Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil. Each sachet contains approximately 4 ml of the cleansing oil so your getting a total of 28 ml intended to provide you a week's supply.

I have to admit I got a little worried that one sachet won't be enough for a single use especially after watching the official youtube video of Shu Uemura on how to use the cleanser. The video suggests to use 4 pumps of the cleansing oil and judging by the small size of the sample, I feared it wasn't enough.

Good thing I was wrong because after trying it for the first time last night I can confidently say that one sachet is more than enough for a single use. I actually consumed only half of it so you can use one sachet twice. I prefer using this at night after a long day of wearing makeup and exposure to harsh pollutants but you can also use this in the morning as suggested by Shu Uemura.

PROS:

It has a light weight formula that doesn't feel sticky on your skin

It feels smooth and silky when massaged all over your face

It has a very pleasant scent

Easily rinses off with water without any trace of oiliness

Your face feels soft and supple immediately after each use

A little goes a long way so a full size will definitely last long

No need to double cleanse after using

CONS:

Though the full size is in a generous 450 ml bottle, it also comes with a hefty tag of PhP 5,295. If only Shu Uemura can have this available in smaller bottles that won't cost as much, then more people can benefit from this amazing product.

VERDICT:

I am so happy I picked the right sample. Now I'm loving the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil so much it has become my go-to night cleanser. I am still contemplating on whether to avail of this product in full size. I haven't bought a single beauty product that costs this much in my 30 something years of existence. Yes, I have splurged on high end cosmetics and skin care lines but not for just a single item. 

This brings me to an undecided verdict but it's only my 2nd day of using the cleansing oil so things might be different in the days to come. I do recommend it to those of you who are looking for a cleansing oil that works well and delivers great results. Of course you have to be willing to shell out a whopping amount to avail it.

As for my views on Sample Room.. It's great that we now have free samples especially of high end products that are quite expensive to buy in full size. Although it's not totally free to avail of the samples because you're required to pay for shipping fee, still the amount is less than the value of the samples you're getting. In my case, 28 ml of the Shue Uemura cleansing oil costs around Php 329 which is more than three times the amount I paid for shipping (PhP 100) so I really got more than what I paid for. 

But here's the thing, samples are limited and you need certain points in order to get them. Though you earn a total of 100 points upon registration, each sample has corresponding points. During the first wave, I wanted 2 samples but I couldn't get more than one because of limited points. That time, I was predicting I won't be getting more than one sample each transaction unless products with less points become available. Just like an answered prayer, Sample Room did include samples valued at 35 points on their second batch! 

Overall, I love Sample room's "try before you buy" concept. This brings much freedom and flexibility to us consumers at a reasonable cost. I will definitely check out their samples as often as possible and do my share of imparting my experience through writing my honest reviews. So if you're like me who wants true value for money and who doesn't mind shelling out a little for shipping fee, then I encourage you to be a member of Sample Room because you will definitely enjoy being one.

♥ ♥ ♥

CLINIQUE: Giveaway at SM Mall of Asia

What better way to jumpstart the season of giving than a free gift from Clinique? In celebration of Clinique's first free-standing store openning in SM Mall of Asia, they're giving away this gift set for a single receipt purchase of at least PhP 1,995 of Clinique products.

(L-R) Moisture Surge Intense, All About Eyes Serum, Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser Mousse,
Long Last Glosswear SPF 15, High Impact Lip Color SPF 15.
Courtesy of Clinique Philippines Official Facebook Page

This promo is only valid on December 8, 2012 at SM Mall of Asia and will be available for a minimum purchase of PhP3,000 starting December 9, 2012. So better mark your calendar ladies, stock up on your favorite Clinique products and get to try other best sellers from the free gift set. Who knows, you just might chance upon a new favorite that will add up to your list of Clinique must haves.



YUKA: Nail Polish Remover

I love having clean and freshly polished nails. I usually prefer natural or nude colors on my finger nails and darker shades of red or old rose on my toe nails. Since I don't have much talent and patience in applying nail color, I visit the nail spa as often as possible. But sometimes a busy schedule or a tight budget gets in the way so I'm left with no choice but to do my own nails. Though I do enjoy it, I still dread removing chipped nail polish from a previous mani-pedi because it can get messy and result to dry cuticles. Good thing I was introduced to Yuka nail polish remover wipes.

I wasn't too excited about this when I got it from the November BDJ box simply because I seldom do my own mani-pedi. I just tried it because I've been sporting unsightly chipped finger nail polish for more than a week now. 

For reference, I used the following on my finger nails: 

CK nail primer, Sally Hansen Advanced hard as nails in natural shade and strengthening top coat. That's a total of 3 coats so you could just imagine how tough it can get to remove them.

 

The Yuka nail polish remover wipes were stacked neatly in a small plastic container. First time I opened the cover, it reeked of alcohol with a hint of fruity grape scent. It might be due to being sealed for a long time since it didn't smell as strong in the following instances. The pads were quite thin but well soaked and it only took a few gentle rubs for the polish to come off. It wasn't at all messy, I think the pads absorbed the polish efficiently without leaving any residue. A single sheet was enough to remove the polish on all my finger nails. Awesome! This simple yet effective product just inspired me to do my own mani-pedi more often.

Without batting an eyelash, I recommend this to everyone especially those who love redoing their nail polish often. This will save you time, effort and money since you don't need to have your nails done professionally, you can easily do it yourself! I will definitely restock once this is consumed which I think won't be too soon because one pack has 35 sheets. This is enough to last anyone a lot of time before repurchasing.

Christmas in November

Hello dear readers! I've been sick in the past days with colds and fever but something from the mail made me so happy I felt like experiencing Christmas on the last day of November.

The arrival of my November BDJ box undoubtedly made my day. Though it came a lot later than I expected, seeing the contents made me realize that this box is worth the wait.

This forget-me-not notepad is a complimentary gift from BDJ for answering the survey they sent me via email plus availing a 3-month subscription of the BDJ box.

Don't you just love sharing these inspiring words? "I make things beautiful"

I am so impressed at how the contents were arranged neatly to fit the box. I really had to contain myself from rummaging through it so I could take pictures. Finally after doing several shots I got to unveil the wonderful products included in the November BDJ box.

First thing I looked for was the list of products included in the box but there was none. I was thinking maybe BDJ forgot to put it so I just made my own list. 

Products included are as follows: Physiogel intensive cream (50ml), Garnier overnight whitening peeling cream (20ml), Nippon facial cleansing sponge, L'Occitane pure vegetable soap (25g x2 bars), Shiseido extra gentle cleansing foam (7ml x2 tubes), Shiseido benefiance wrinkle resist day cream spf15 (5ml).

Yuka nail polish remover wipes  (35 sheets), Calvin Klein Beauty (1.2ml), Dentiste plus white toothpaste (5ml), Garnier multi-action whitening cream (8ml x3 sachets), L'oreal hydra energetic moisturizing gel (5ml).

Vouchers included: Azta Urban Salon gift card (Php 3,000), Shiseido WrinkleResist24 10% discount card, Strip free upper lip waxing, Shiseido 15% discount card, free quick facial and free product sample, L'Occitane 10% discount card.

Have you ever seen such a generous product subscription? Seeing the Physiogel intensive cream in full size alone literally made my jaw drop. It's retailed at PhP 517.35 which obviously costs more than what I paid for each box. The November BDJ box alone is worth more than the amount I paid for my 3-month subscription! What's even better is that they always pitch in extra treats like discount vouchers. I also love that they include high end products I haven't tried and affordable ones that I can repurchase once the samples run out. 

I feel like the box keeps getting better and gets more stuffed each time. Now I'm at the edge of my seat in anticipation for the December BDJ box. So if you haven't subscribed yet, this is the best time to do it. Just click here to get started. If you're still not sure, then subscribe for 1 month and I'll bet you will extend it to a few more. 

♥ ♥ ♥

APPLE: Ipad Smart Case

Just when I thought Apple products NEVER go on sale, I got an email 2 weeks ago announcing Apple's one-day shopping event on November 23. Since it actually fell on Black Friday, I thought it was just for US residents so I didn't get too excited.

When Black Friday came, I checked out Apple's website to see how much discount they were giving away. I was shocked to see that the prices were in Philippine currency. I refreshed my connection to make sure, went back to Apple's official website and chose my country but the same site with prices in Philippine peso appeared. It was then that I got convinced Apple was in fact on worldwide sale.

Though the prices still hurt, the 30% discount on their Ipad Smart Case was too tempting to ignore. I really can't remember how much the other items were discounted but most apple products were included in the sale. I was still hesitant buying online since I'm pretty much sure Customs will still charge an additional fee which will defeat the purpose of saving. Good thing my curiosity prevailed and I purchased the Ipad smart case with 30% off its original value.

Though I LOVE everything pink, I got the polyurethane Ipad smart case in dark grey. I figured I already have the pink smart cover so getting the grey smart case is okay. The item was securely packaged in a brown carton. Inside is the original box with a transparent front cover and on the back was an illustration of how the smart cover looks when used with the Ipad.

The front is pretty much the same as the smart cover with its foldable top that can assume several functions such as the wake on open and sleep on close feature, landscape full stand and keyboard stand.

What sets the Ipad smart case apart from the smart cover is that it protects both the screen and aluminum back so the Ipad is fully covered on all sides.

Another thing I love about the smart case is you're able to have anything engraved on the back for a more personal touch.

My fiance engraved his favorite excerpt from Steve Job's speech during Stanford University's Commencement Exercises in 2005.

I'm impressed at how the smart case fits my Ipad like a glove. The docks for charger and ear phones, small openings for the mic, camera and side switch and the covered slots for the on/off and volume switches were accurately customized to fit the Ipad perfectly. The best part for me is the perforated portion on the bottom intended for the speakers preventing the sounds from being muffled. You still get a clear and crisp audio as if the Ipad had no case. 

True to its words, Apple did deliver my order within 3 days of shipment. It took approximately 5 days for my Ipad case to arrive from the time I made my purchase. It would've been faster if my order was made on a week day. Just the same, I'm pretty much impressed with how fast Apple processed, shipped and delivered the item. Hands down to their reliable and very efficient customer service. I wasn't charged with any additional fees and DHL delivered it directly to my doorstep.


This by far is the fastest and most efficient international transaction I've ever made. Makes me want to order all my Apple accessories online from now on. I do recommend the Apple online store to everyone who wants lightning fast and reliable delivery of apple products. How about you? Have you ever tried purchasing from Apple's online store? Do share your thoughts below on the comments section. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

L'OREAL: Lucent Magique Skin Illuminating BB Cream

In the past months, I've accumulated quite a number of skin and hair care products from different sources such as Saladbox, BDJ box and most especially from generous giveaways. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from complaining, I'm just so ecstatic to have a line up of products to try and review. Though I want to try all of them, I also like to share certain stuff with my girl friends to find out what they think of them. So I asked my friends who share my passion for beauty to pick out products from my stash that they want to try. 

Rochelle chose L'oreal lucent magique skin illuminating BB cream from my October BDJ box. After a week of use, here's what she had to say: 

Actually, it only took a single application of the L'oreal lucent magique skin illuminating BB cream for Rochelle to decide that she loves it! Before I tell you what she thinks, I want to emphasize that Rochelle has fair skin, combination oily type and she's pimple free most of the time.

PROS:

• So far, this is the only BB cream she tried that's the easiest to apply. Ease of application might be because of its runny consistency. 
• It leaves your skin looking a shade or two fairer than your natural complexion but it gradually blends well with your skin tone after a few minutes without leaving a white or gray cast. 
• It offers decent coverage over minor skin imperfections like pimple scars. 
• This BB cream leaves your skin moisturized without looking greasy. 
• You may use this alone or top it with powder. 
• It offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays hence preventing sun burn and skin aging.

CONS:

• It only comes in one shade but it promises to even out any skin tone. If this doesn't match your skin color, you may top it with a powder foundation that matches your skin tone. 
• This BB cream offers sheer coverage over minor blemishes. Darker spots or imperfections might still be visible but you can use this with concealer or powder foundation to achieve fuller coverage. 
• It only offers SPF 20 which is a little short of the minimum recommended SPF of 30 so you might need to use a primer or finishing powder with higher SPF.

VERDICT:

Needless to say that Rochelle is impressed with the L'oreal lucent magique skin illuminating BB cream and will buy the full size soon after consuming her current BB cream. She highly recommends it to anyone in need of light coverage especially those who are still new to BB creams and are not yet used to applying one. The L'oreal lucent magique skin illuminating BB cream is now available nationwide and retails for PhP 695.00 but is currently sold at 25% off until December at all L'oreal counters. 

Now that's a great value for your money!

THE BODY SHOP: All-in-one Face Base

Hello there dear readers! Have you ever put off buying something and finally after getting it, you shake your head in disbelief and ask yourself what were you thinking the whole time? That's what happened to me the moment I tried The Body Shop all-in-one face base. I've been wanting to buy one for the longest time but the price kept me thinking and postponing. Honestly, I don't totally regret postponing because I finally got one and the best part is I got it for FREE from Shen's 4th Anniversary giveaway!

The Body Shop all-in-one face base looks modern and chic with its polished silver compact. 

The compact reveals two layers, the top being the sponge applicator's compartment while the bottom houses approximately 9 grams of compact powder. 

I love that the sponge applicator is of good quality that you can wash it often. 

It also has a nice mirror big enough to see your entire face.  

This product is unscented and has a very fine texture that it doesn't flake when picked up by the sponge or face brush. It also feels light and comfortable on your skin. A few gentle strokes using the sponge applicator can give light to medium coverage. This product is also buildable so you may use this to achieve full coverage. It has a matte finish that looks natural without caking. It doesn't dry your face or cause any type of skin irritation and break outs. 

Overall, I love this product so much that I recommend it to those who want a finishing powder that can give you varied coverage depending on what you need. I will definitely repurchase this product once it's consumed.