Wednesday, December 29, 2010

See me unleashed.



See me emancipate from the shackles of my chain.

This is the post of those who want to embark their dominion. 

Unchain the untamed on 

February 9, 2011.

Monday, December 20, 2010

UST Paskuhan 2010


December 17
UST PASKUHAN 2010
The most awaited event in my university! And the entire place's gorgeous!

Add to that - my best friend Rica is back for a month long vacation. She's going to start working as a nurse in the States, and her mom sent her over here so she can spend more time with us before she gets too busy. Liz and I always miss her! =(



Our Magnum Pose! (from Zoolander)




FIREWORKS!! 
Who doesn't love 'em?

Cheers,
Dawn

Monday, December 13, 2010

Portraits

Self-Portrait in Brown Charcoal

 Vireza's Portrait in Watercolor

Some of the works I've done for class. I hope you like them =) 

Hmmm... I find that working on my skills on paper helps in developing my makeup strategies as well. Haha!
Cheers,
Dawn

Thursday, December 09, 2010

BW Photoshoot: Vireza and Kaila









Sharing with everyone our amateur project of imitating fashion ads in our photography course. I'm really happy that I got the chance to play around with makeup, clothes, poses and shots. A wonderful experiment with willing friends!

Sorry for the absence, everyone! Tough season.

Cheers,
Dawn

Saturday, November 20, 2010

PPS GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

CONGRATULATIONS!


Name: Jenneca
GFC name: enchi
Email: jenneca_thectest@yahoo.com
Link to post: http://yaru-chan.blogspot.com/2010/10/peachypink-sisters-sembreak-blogger.html



The Body Shop Cosmetic Bag
The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Night Cream with Organic Pomegranate 50ml
The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Conditioner 60ml
The Body Shop Oui Oui Oui! Tantalising Lip Butter 8.5g
Watsons Bird’s Nest Essence Facial Mask 30ml (2 pieces)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Souffle (35ml)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Wash (110ml)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Bar (75g)

Name: Dioana
GFC name: snow0016
Email: snow0016 at yahoo dot com


The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel 60ml
The Body Shop Strawberry Body Lotion 60ml
Watsons Bird’s Nest Essence Facial Mask 30ml (3 pieces)
Jordana Kohl Kajal Lipliner in Terra Cotta 1.3g
Ystilo Salon Healthy Hair Conditioner
Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in 20 Bashful Plum 1.8g
Clinique GWP Blush Brush
Personi Vitamin E and Aloe Vera Lipstick in 156 Coppercino
Skin Food Patiron Au Lait Cream Sample
Skin Food Gold Caviar Cream Sample

Will email you girls! =)

Cheers,
Trace and Dawn

Friday, November 12, 2010

Dawn's Drawings #5: Harry Potter




Quite excited for the new movie! =) I grew up with the Harry Potter franchise (I am of the same age as Daniel Radcliffe) so I decided to try to draw him this time.

I hope you like!

Cheers,
Dawn

PS. Sorry for the lack of posts - my sister Trace has been incredibly busy lately with her thesis!

Monday, November 08, 2010

Don't Forget to Join our Two Giveaways!





If you have a blog, you can Win All These Fabulous Prizes!
The Body Shop Cosmetic Bag
The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Night Cream with Organic Pomegranate 50ml
The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Conditioner 60ml
The Body Shop Oui Oui Oui! Tantalising Lip Butter 8.5g
Watsons Bird’s Nest Essence Facial Mask 30ml (2 pieces)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Souffle (35ml)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Wash (110ml)
Body Nature Honey Almond and Shea Body Bar (75g)



Win These Prizes for Following and Answering a Question!
The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel 60ml
The Body Shop Strawberry Body Lotion 60ml
Watsons Bird’s Nest Essence Facial Mask 30ml (3 pieces)
Jordana Kohl Kajal Lipliner in Terra Cotta 1.3g
Ystilo Salon Healthy Hair Conditioner
Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in 20 Bashful Plum 1.8g
Clinique GWP Blush Brush
Personi Vitamin E and Aloe Vera Lipstick in 156 Coppercino
Skin Food Patiron Au Lait Cream Sample
Skin Food Gold Caviar Cream Sample

MORE PICTURES? See the prizes here
Winners will be drawn and announced on NOVEMBER 19, 2010!

Cheers,
Trace and Dawn

Sunday, November 07, 2010

DIY Accessories!

Hello girls!

I just bought me a DIY accessory kit at Divisioria, mostly for making earrings. I got inspired with my friend's mom's work which were given to me as gifts. Whenever I am stressed, I play with my beads and strings and come up with pretty things! You just have to be patient in crafting these designs.

I've only done a few, and I gave some them to my friends as birthday gifts! :P

 


The ones below are made by Vireza's mom.

 





Like them? Let me know. Thinking of venturing into a business opportunity care of my friend's mom... Hmm. =D

Cheers,
Dawn

Monday, November 01, 2010

Guest Blogger: Kath Tries the QiVitality Massage!




Kath/Kaye is a close friend from college. Thank you! - Trace

For so long I've been battling with stress in my everyday work and school load and unfortunately relaxation is one of the luxuries in life I can't enjoy due to time constraint. The month end reports and final exams drive me nuts and my stress level finally reached its limits that I have to find a way on how to relieve myself from it without burning my pocket. There came Tracy's invitation to try on Qiwellness' Qivitality. Who would say no to such an enticing invitation? Anyway, it's bad to say no to birthday gifts. =) Tracy has been one of my closest friends in college and knowing her for such a long time convinced me that this massage that she's offering me is really worth my time.


We met at KFC in Makati Avenue one Sunday to try this relatively new spa in Salcedo Village which by the way is just near my school. I told her that I know the place though I haven't been in that spa before. We braved the heat of the sun and walked for what seemed like forever and finally reached our destination -- Qiwellness. It's just a small place not typical for a spa. I got used to spas that are cozy and with dim lights as if inviting you to sleep but this particular spa is very much different. It's well lighted and the walls, pavements and floor are all white. It's clean and very relaxing.


The interior was simple, not clogged with ornaments. At the back of my mind, I'm guessing that that must be the philosophy of the owner -- simplicity. We were accommodated by a pretty and cheerful receptionist who happens to be our fellow Thomasian in the lounge and from there the fragrance of lemon grass filled my sense of smell. It was very much pleasing not only to my eyes but also to my nose. Instrumental music was played all over the place -- soothing my ears and calming my mood as if preparing me for the massage I'm about to experience.


The owner of the spa came to us and explained each of the signature massages that they offer. He presented them and I must say, he's a genius. He practically knows what to offer to each of his clients depending on their needs. The idea of the services that they offer was simple - a personalized experience catering not only to the sense of touch but also to the other senses. That cleared my thoughts and verified my guess. This guy in front of us thought of the whole package as if he knows each and everyone of his clients by heart, giving them an excellent experience not dictated by the menu of the spa but a customized service.
I tried the Qivitality which is designed to relieve stress in the body by applying pressure in the affected areas. The experience was heavenly. I was warned that I won't be able to sleep during the process as it also included different stretching of the arms and legs but believe me, I was half awake during the massage because it's very relaxing. I love the variations of the strokes -- long and hard to short, smooth strokes. The pressure in each of my body parts was different too and that definitely made the difference. The massage was made for me, catered to my needs and relieved my stress by applying just the right pressure.


After the massage, I was offered to take a sip of lemon grass tea while waiting for Tracy. I just said to myself, this is the right spa for me. I am very thankful that Tracy invited me to experience the Qivitality massage at Qiwellness. I told her that I'll definitely refer the place to my manager and my colleagues. I wanted them to feel pampered as well. =)

Thanks Tracy for the wonderful gift you've given me - relaxation and good health.=) I hope this will be repeated in the near future! *wink wink*



Qiwellness  |  massages + reflexology 


Picasso Suites, 119 L.P. Leviste Street 
Salcedo Village, Makati City 1200 
Tel. 556 1818 
Tel. 836 3688 
Cel. (0916) 793 6666 

Yours,
Kath/Kaye

Saturday, October 30, 2010

And Then There Was... Black? Review: Revlon Colorsilk 50 Light Ash Brown

Hello everyone!

After reading the review of Revlon Colorsilk of herroyalbleakness (with the gorgeously colored hair I've always wanted), I went to Watsons on the exact same day to buy a bottle of the exact same product. 


See, I've never had the opportunity to sport colored hair (and I've been dying to!). I've used 3-4 boxes years ago of Garnier / Revlon / L'Oreal hair dyes (always with a medium tinge) but they would never work on me. See, stylists have always commented that my hair is just too black. So... the genius in me figured that if I use Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color in 50 Light Ash Brown, I'd end up with a medium or a dark brown tint. Good enough for me.



My hair condition? Since I chopped off 2/3 of my original length, my hair is totally unprocessed, color-wise. I just have around 4-5 inches of regrowth since my rebonding session last June at Affascinante Salon

I followed all the instructions, except that I left the product on for an hour until I felt my scalp get itchy, because I know just how stubborn my natural hair color is!


Post-color result? Still Black. With a slight sheen of brown!

Oh no! And I'm wearing a nanay housedress too!


Girls, what should I do next? Should I wait for December (when I get my regrowth rebonded again) to get a boost of color from Affascinante Salon? Do I go to a very good (ack expensive!) salon to solve this problem? 

Any tips? 
Please, I just want color but without bleaching my hair dead. 
But I also want it... Now (Brat mode)!!!

Cheers,
Tracy

Friday, October 29, 2010

XYWhite Teeth Whitening Pen - Works in 7 Days?


When we were strolling around Watsons at MOA last Tuesday, I saw a booth promoting XYwhite - a whitening pen that proclaims to work in 7 days! I took the brochure, left the store after buying a couple of bath essentials, and conveniently forgot about XYwhite.


When I came home, I read that the product is made locally and is perfectly safe. Check out the XYwhite Website - it doesn't say that the  whitening pen is out now, but shows that there are two products currently available in the market - toothpaste both for adults and kids. I have not tried the toothpaste yet.

Xywhite Toothpaste pioneered in the Philippines the use and importance of xylitol as a staple ingredient in a toothpaste. This classic peppermint flavored white toothpaste shows that fluoride works best with xylitol as it gives out a naturally cool and refreshing taste that lasts longer than other regular brands of toothpaste. The many benefits of xylitol, the natural food sweetener, make Xywhite toothpaste also ideal for use by people who often experience dry mouth or those suffering from diabetes. Xywhite toothpaste also contains baking soda that helps in teeth whitening. 
Xywhite Tweens Toothpaste is ideal for children six to twelve years old. It is flavored with strawberry crème or blueberry vanilla that will surely invite more brushing and packed with the power combination of xylitol and fluoride.  For optimum protection of the new permanent teeth against cavities, a changeover is recommended from the regular children’s toothpaste (like SansFluo Toothgel Cleanser) to Xywhite Tweens.



Back to the Whitening Pen - it states on the brochure that it costs less than 500 pesos! I've been on the lookout for something that will safely brighten my teeth and this sounds promising! It just might work. I immediately regretted not getting one at MOA.



But yesterday, I finally found it at SM San Lazaro (2nd floor Watsons) in one of the shelves accessible only to the cashier. I guess the promotion for this product is not in full bloom yet.

But boy, am I glad I found it... and that it costs only PhP 410!



I've been using it for two days, no results yet. 

The pen looks like your lipgloss dispenser, only that it contains a small amount of clear liquid (that's really sour) which you apply on your teeth twice a day after brushing. You're not supposed to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after application. 

After 7 days, your teeth are supposed to be 3-4 shades lighter. We'll see. I'll post before and after pictures, so wait for that people (ack!).

I hope it works!

Cheers,
Tracy

* This is not a sponsored post! I am really intrigued with this product and I bought it using my own money. I hate my teeth (I drink coffee and tea regularly, but I don't smoke. I inherited my dark gums and yellow teeth from my Dad, who's a smoker).

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

MY FIRST 'BRIGHTENING' BODY TREATMENT


Hello readers!

I’ve never been the adventurous type when it comes to pampering myself – I always stick with the basics that I can do at home; hence, the posts on my favorite soaps and scrubs. My requirement is simple: I want smooth, soft, even-toned and bright skin. 

Though DIY products are great and readily available, the curiosity to know the difference between them and spa procedures is overwhelming! And I blame that on Kinny Salas’s column (specifically the articles Truly white—not just lighter—skin and Where to go for skin lightening, though I can't afford most of her promising recommendations anyway! But I still read her because I am consumeristic like that) and the blog entries of Shen and Pink Urinal on the Forever Flawless Body Scrub with Bleach

So finally, last Sunday I dragged my friend Kath so that she can get a massage and I can try out a body treatment. We went to Qiwellness at Makati, a relatively new spa that opened last January 2010 and specializes on massages and reflexology. 


First impression? Qi Wellness is very different from the usual dark and woody oriental spas. The entire place is light, clear and airy. The scent is citrusy and tangy (not like the minty / eucalyptus smell that assaults you when you get a massage at Ton Ton's or some other Thai massage places).

The interior was designed to maximize the space!
I became very curious about trying out a body treatment when I read from their online brochure that the:
... Body treatments perk up skin color and clarity, unclog the follicles and pores, allow the skin to breathe better, improve and smoothen the skin’s texture, and stimulate the skin’s overall function and increase our circulation.
Sounds good! Again, because my mantra is "smooth, soft, even-toned and bright skin," I chose to go for: 

MOTHER OF PEARL TREATMENT
P1,680 90m 
Mother of pearl powder, for centuries 
considered the symbol of wealth and beauty 
of the far east,  bestows smoothness and 
luminosity in this flowing and exfoliating ritual. 

Me: Pre-Treatment
These are the steps that I went through, which were comprehensively explained to me by the owner and by my therapist (who was very considerate and helpful) as well:
1. A 30-minute exfoliation of the body using Dead Sea Salt and Phyto Cream. You have to strip nekkid and use disposable underwear (don't worry, you can do this privately). Afterwards you'll be asked to lie face down, and then the therapist will apply the salt-cream combo starting on your legs, back, arms, and then you'll be asked to flip. The same process is followed face-up.
The body treatment ingredients
2. A quick shower (no soap). Yes, there's a shower in your private room! You'll be given a new pair of underwear too.
3. The application of the "mother of pearl" - nacre - which composes the inner shell layer of a pearl. This provides the "iridescence" in the treatment, and is applied the way the salt/phyto cream combo was done. Because this isn't your usual bleaching powder, I did not experience any itchiness or stinging.
Pretty on the shell, but powderized for you, of course.
4. A 20-minute wrap to make sure the mother-of-pearl goodness penetrates the skin! This is accompanied by a very good head massage that can lull you to sleep (yes, I fell asleep haha). Add to that, the music was very relaxing and the room scent's clean and sweet. 
5. A quick shower (with soap). New pair of disposable undies again =)
6. Application of a non-sticky, lovely-smelling, light moisturizer.
The result?

Yes, the In2it Powder Foundation in Warm Beige looks awesome on natural light.
Wearing my favorite lipstick,
Shu Uemura Lolishine Rouge in 359 Deep Raspberry Twinkling in Silver.

Overall, my first brightening body treatment has been excellent. That explains the happy face, folks! Though nothing was applied on my face, you can see my arms and my decolletage look smooth and luminous. Kath even remarked that my skin looked rosy white and soft (not sticky-soft as if you've just applied body oil, but baby-smooth if you catch my drift).

Another plus? After being chatty as usual, I learned that their lovely receptionist, Bea, came from the same school where Kath and I graduated and that we had common friends. This little realization really took out any intimidation left in a novice like me from trying out a spa service in a chic spot in Makati! 

Anyway, I've also asked Kath to write about her massage and she'll oblige. Wait for that, folks! (I am actually envious because I want a massage too, I have so much on my plate right now. Grr all the stress!)

If you're curious and you want to check out Qiwellness, here are the deets:

Qiwellness  |  massages + reflexology 



Picasso Suites, 119 L.P. Leviste Street 
Salcedo Village, Makati City 1200 
Tel. 556 1818 
Tel. 836 3688 
Cel. (0916) 793 6666 

Cheers,
Trace

P.S. After two days... my skin still feels soft. The brightening pearly-effect was temporary, but nonetheless I think the exfoliation allowed for my skin to become more even-toned. I just had my arms waxed and I am happy to say that they look flawless! Honestly, I don't think I will get that addicted to getting weekly body treatments, because I'll probably need massages more since I can't do that by myself LOL.