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The Bear Necessities: My First Visit to Wink Laser & Wax Studio*

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I visited Wink Laser & Wax Studio in Taguig for my first wax treatment. It’s a fairly new establishment that I’ve been hearing about a lot, and it really caught my eye because it looks so clean, even down to the branding and design.

I went to get my legs done because, as you can probably tell from my swatches, I am a fairly hairy person. Someone I dated before even exclaimed, “Oh my God, you’re a bear!” after I pointed out my arm hairs. But anyway. My biggest problem area = my legs. I went shave-crazy when I was a young’un and now I am paying for it because I honestly look like a troll when I grow out my leg hair.

From the moment I laid my eyes on their reception desk with these cheeky cards, I knew I would love it there:

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The area is deceptively small, but the waxing rooms are pretty spacious. Everything is clean and sanitary. The white floors are pretty spotless.

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Check out the trolley with the wax and all the unused spatulas! I went for a soft wax, and they use plastic spatulas that they regularly sterilize. They also use disposable, non-woven strips. Their website, which is also very cutely and cleanly designed, actually details their Hygiene Policy well, which I super appreciate. (You can find it under FAQ.)

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The counter against the wall has different oils and ointments to help with the stress of hair removal. My therapist, Mylene, applied some hydro cortisone to help calm down the irritated skin.

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This is the view from lying down on the leather-lined waxing bed that’s also covered with paper that gets thrown out after each use (obviously). Kurt Vonnegut has ruined asterisks for me, forever.

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I actually really appreciate the bareness of the room, because there isn’t a lot going on and you can tell that it’s freaking clean, which I suppose is a major concern when you are pulling hairs from your body. I think that this is the ideal place to get a Brazilian, though I don’t know if I am ready for that yet, lol.

The entire procedure was pretty painless and I love how my legs did not feel sticky or waxy after the treatment.

Wink Aftercare

After the treatment, they give you an after-care pamphlet to ensure a no-bumps experience. 🙂

I was going to show you my ‘before’ photo, but I thought to spare you. There are still a few hairs on my legs, but my therapist actually told me before the treatment that the wax was going to grip hairs that were about 1/4-inch long. I wasn’t really all that surprised—like I said, my leg hairs are atrocious. The after-care pamphlet also recommended regular waxing every 4-6 weeks for a smoother appearance.

As for my after shot, I also decided against it because I am a peklat kween. I have bruises and scars. I do have the photos, so if I do a months-long review, you can look forward to photographic proof.

Wink Laser & Wax Studio was definitely a pleasure to visit! I think that for major waxing projects or those that are delicate ones, it’s worth checking out. Their prices are posted here, and their services are pretty extensive and specific. Compared to most waxing salons, I think the prices are higher, but this place is seriously spotless.

I really appreciate how easy it was to book an appointment, too. I picked a service for myself and my sister, picked a time, and confirmed via SMS message when they sent me a confirmation notification.

Wink Laser & Wax Studio can be found on the 3rd floor of the C2 Building, which you can access through a lobby beside Nolita.

Wink Laser & Wax Studio
3/F, C2 Building
7th Ave cor. 28th Street
Bonifacio High Street Central
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday : 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Contact Numbers:
+632.808.7258 | +63917.303.WINK

* This service was provided to me for free. All opinions are honest, unbiased, and my own. 🙂

Nosy Beauty Vol. 15: Tellie

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For this week’s Nosy Beauty—the creeptastic series in which I peek into other people’s makeup bags, and take you, dear reader, along with me—we have Tellie, from Beauty By Tellie. You might know her as the blogger who has tried all the subscription boxes known to man (in Manila), but I’m pretty sure you love her for her honest reviews and funny funniness.

I found her blog through Bea of The Dalaga Project, and though I am not really a subscription box person, it’s still one of my favorites to read.

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Hello, I’m Tellie! I work as a Compliance Officer in our family’s chemical trade business. I’m a huge Chemistry geek (though I didn’t take the course) and often can be found reading ingredient lists instead of Reader’s Digest, Archie comics or my smart phone when I’m on the throne. Sadly, the work doesn’t do a lot of CSI lab stuff and is really full of your ordinary corporate blah blah blahs.

Minus makeup and the boring corporate blah blahs of everyday work, arts and crafts take up a small portion of my time. I like learning new things and creating stuff. I’ve already told Eula that I do polymer clay miniatures, and I’m not really up for being called a one-trick pony. So let me show you instead my favorite project for my Painting and Drawing elective.

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This is my in-progress David sketch. You can see the neck and nape hairs are still undone. When I was attending university, I poured all my free electives into Fine Arts classes. I find it therapeutic and highly spiritual, though I’m not really creative in terms of visual arts. I’m more of a sketcher, calmly copying what I see, exactly how I see it.

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For my purse, I like to carry a Spartan kikay kit. I believe this is a Clinique pouch though I’m not quite sure. It’s pretty hard to replace as I find the shape quite perfect to house all my essentials without bulking up my purse too much.

All I need for my daily look can be found in this handy little bag.

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— The most importantestiest makeup for me is the eyebag concealer. Missha Perfect Concealer has heavy coverage and is silky smooth. It’s my dark circles’ best friend.

— For the MFBB look, I just use pressed powder foundation. Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Pore Cover in BO10 is my “retouch” compact. I like carrying one compact around and leaving one at home, so I leave my more precious Chanel compact for home use.

— I only recently got into brows, so I’m just using this old, cheap-o eyebrow pencil refill. I like that it’s just a refill because I hate sliding pencils into my makeup bag.

— I also carry a sample tube of mascara, (Benefit They’re Real!) just in case I need to be a little bit prettier for the day.

— I don’t like having a lot of options to muck up my quick retouch routine, so I just carry one shade of blush, Benefit Dandelion.

— The same goes for lipstick. I try to rotate colors once every few days since I have quite a few. I’m using Avon Ultra Color in Hibiscus right now. It’s not really everyday-friendly though, so I find myself retreating to my current tinted balm on hand, which is the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey.

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Aaaand that’s my Spartan makeup kit that conjures my Spartan daily makeup look! I have a couple of emergency products I tend to keep in my bag, ‘cause I’m like a girl scout and I always like being prepared.

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— I carry a sample highlighter (Benefit High Beam) in case I need to be prettier-er than how I am with just mascara. It’s not really an everyday thing, I really like to keep it as minimal as possible.

— I also chuck a few sample perfume bottles in, if in case I get a nasty case of BO and need to be glamorossssa.

— Lastly, a vial of Bioderma. ‘Cause that shit be MAGICAL!

But basically, that’s everything 🙂

Of course, I said there’s a time and place for everything. And I’m not a boring fuddy-duddy every single day of my life. I have some colorful, playful and shiny makeup that I take for a spin on formals and makeup experiments- I just don’t like using them everyday. I guess I’m just the kind of girl who wants to look normal on an everyday basis, so I have room to take peoples’ breaths away when I’m actually made up 🙂

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My beauty philosophy is pretty simple. I think there’s a time and place to change your look, but for the most part, don’t masquerade around with a different face. I don’t want to be the kind of girl who can’t ever go swimming in fear of going from Furby to Gremlin.

That said, my daily look is obviously a non-descript My Face But Better look. No contouring, no eye shadow, no eyeliner; just the basics. I don’t even fully cover my eyebags and my acne scars.

I don’t like to meddle with what other people like doing to their faces- heck I’d go ballistic if anyone told me how to wear my makeup! I don’t have any preconceived notions on people who wear full makeup daily and I hate people who do have these notions. People should just leave the topic of other peoples’ makeup alone.

Personally, I don’t want people getting used to a face that’s not mine. I know I have a fat nose and no jaw, but I’m okay with that and I don’t really try to alter it on the daily. So whenever people tell me my paleness makes me look terminally ill or my eyes are too dead, I’m like: take it to God. This is the face He gave me, what can we do?

Bitch.

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So there you have it! I hope you guys enjoyed this week’s Nosy Beauty. Thanks to Tellie for saying ‘yes’ to this. 🙂

Usually, I post a sneak peek of next week’s bag here, but I’m not sure if I’ll have one ready by then. I hope you understand. See you in a week (or so) for Vol. 16! For more Nosy Beauty, click here.

Graymelin CC Base Cream*

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Graymelin - CC Cream

I’ve been using the Graymelin CC Base Cream (for whitening, anti-wrinkle, hydration) for the past week now, and so far I am impressed. This came in my beautybox, which I am reviewing as part of the bntgirls network (more of that here). I’ve been loving Korean packaging lately—all the information about the products are on the box!

I’ve never heard of this brand before, but the product description of this is as follows: “Formulated to refine uneven skin tone and enhance skin’s natural beauty color and for intensive skin care, this unique formula provides plenty of moisture and nourishment to leave skin hydrated for smoother and clear-looking skin as well as help full skin bright and radiant that will bring out your natural beauty.”

Graymelin - CC Cream - Swatches

The CC Base Cream has a similar look to the shu uemura Stage Performer Instant-Glow Immediate Radiance Skin Perfecting Cream, which also has particles of pigment suspended in a white base cream. The Graymelin CC Base Cream features the following:

  1. CC means “color correction” that brings out natural balance of skin tone for a more youthful and glowing complexion.
  2. It is kind of BB cream that is designed to help make-up appear natural which will bring out a more natural beauty.
  3. Contain micro color capsule to reveal a clear and healthy complexion, and it is free of paraben, talc, and mineral oil that [can] be used for all skin type wihout any skin trouble.

I used this and tested it out without reading the description, and the first thing I noticed were its color-correcting properties. There is barely any coverage, but once you put it on, your skin looks even and, strangely, more fair. I expected the unpleasant thickness of BB creams, but this was quite light and easy to blend out.

Graymelin - CC Cream - Comparison

This is my first CC Cream, but I noticed a rather pink tint—again, not unlike the BB Creams I’m used to. The pink tint does not look unnatural or grayish, however, and sinks into the skin fairly well.

On the box, it says that this can be used in a variety of ways. You can use it alone, like I have done here:

Graymelin CC Cream - Face

But, you can also use it under “air cushion,” a Korean base product that I regrettably don’t currently own any of, for more radiance. You can also mix it in with a foundation “to bring out your natural beauty.” It has the same effects as using it alone, though with better coverage. I mixed a small amount with my most matte foundation (Ahava Light Foundation), and this amount on my hand is too much for the face:

CC Cream + Foundation

As you can see, even with a matte foundation, the finish is still dewy. It corrected most of my discoloration, including blemishes, which wasn’t the case when I used it by itself. The feeling of this, mixed with the foundation, is understandably heavier on the face, so even if I get more coverage with this combination, I still prefer using it alone.

I was incredibly surprised at how impressive this product was. I honestly was expecting something too heavy, but I don’t mind using this everyday. The scent is a little strong, but goes away eventually. My face didn’t oil up more than usual and I didn’t have to powder my face down when I use it alone. One downside of this product is the lack of SPF. If you have a facial sunscreen, however, you can use it under the CC Base Cream, or top it with an SPF-laden powder.

All in all, I quite like this product! It is available on Graymelin.com, but the site is entirely in Korean.

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* This product was provided to me, free of charge, for review. All opinions are honest, unbiased, and my own. 🙂

I have no information regarding Graymelin’s animal testing policy.

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Drugstore Finds: NYX Butter Gloss

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NYX Butter Gloss - Apple Strudel, Maple Blondie

Okay, so these were a ‘trick buy’ during my makeup ban (as detailed here) but I’m almost not sorry because these are fantastic. The NYX Butter Glosses have been celebrated pretty much everywhere. I wasn’t a big fan of many of NYX lip products, including the round lipsticks (hit or miss for me) and the soft matte lip creams, so I don’t know why I was so drawn to these.

Anyway, I got two: Apple Strudel and Maple Blondie. They look pretty similar, but Apple Strudel is peachier while Maple Blondie is a touch pinker. These were the colors that attracted me the most. I’m not a HUGE fan of super saturated glosses, so these were kind of perfect.

NYX Butter Gloss - Apple Strudel, Maple Blondie - Swatches

Swatched, you can see that they are sort of milky, but that doesn’t translate on the lips as opaquely as the swatches. They are a cinch to put on and spread out and the sweet vanilla-esque scent isn’t as overwhelming as the SMLC’s.

Wearing Maple Blondie:

These are freaking amazing; they aren’t tacky or heavy or uncomfortable to wear. They wear off evenly, too, again unlike the Soft Matte Lip Creams, which are pretty good except for their tendency to leave a ring of color around your lips as the day goes on. They are not long-wearing, however, but I’m happy to reapply.

All in all, I’m pretty pleased. I’d love to get more colors of these butter glosses. This formula is definitely up there for me.

NYX Cosmetics is cruelty-free. These are available online, as well as in some SM Department Stores and SM Malls.

Quickie: y.e.t. Cosmetics Eyeshadow Sticks in Nude Pink & Bronze

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y.e.t. - Eyeshadow Sticks - Nude Pink, Bronze

Here’s a quick review on some cute finds I had from a bazaar a few weeks ago. Meet a new Korean brand, y.e.t. Cosmetics! I think the company formed in 2012. I have a review on their face primer over here, if you are so inclined.

So, these are stick eyeshadows in two colors: Nude Pink and Bronze. I erroneously stated that the Bronze was a purchase of mine but it’s my sister’s. 🙂 Anyway, these are creamy eyeshadow sticks that you can use (ideally) as a base for eyeshadow. However, I find that they don’t last too well without a primer underneath. Alternately, you can also use a powder eyeshadow over top of these to minimize creasing.

y.e.t. - Eyeshadow Sticks - Nude Pink, Bronze - Swatches

Both colors are quite shimmery and pretty warm-toned. I find them quite easy to use as they are creamy, and retractable. My only issue really is fading, but that’s not even that big of a deal. Here are both colors in use over a LUSH Cream Shadow in Sophisticated:

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You can purchase these online as of now, through their official reseller in Manila. I think they also have one counter currently, though I’m not entirely sure.

I have no information on y.e.t. Cosmetics’ animal testing policy.

Flawless Face Complexion (Sort of.)

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Hey everyone! Today, I have a video on how I make my version of a flawless face complexion. This was requested by reader, Amy, and you know me. I oblige too much. Just kidding. 🙂

Anyway, I say that this is my version because I very rarely wear full-coverage makeup and I don’t personally like the look of it on me. This seems long-winded and unnecessary, but I promise that it’s not! I use pretty standard products—which I will get into in a bit—and the look is pretty natural and not too “done.” There is an attractiveness to “undone-ness,” let us remember that!

The video is helpful because I do it in order, and I show, a little of how to apply each step. 🙂 If you want to learn more about the products, then read on. Read More

On samples and GWPs

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I’ve been thinking about samples and GWPs (Gifts With Purchase) and it made me wonder if you were more likely to buy something if you knew you would be getting something you might want along with it, for free. I wasn’t really ever a sample-hungry person. Often, I found the sachets a nuisance I wouldn’t even bother opening. Fast forward to today, when I carefully tear open a small hole in sachets so I can use them sparingly if it turned out to be a good product, or scramble to find a small empty pot I could decant some product into so I could savor it.

I wasn’t really one for that kind of thing, until I wanted to try anything and everything.

Personally, I just get extra frilly feelings if I know I’m going home with a buttload of samples to try out after dropping a lot of dough. I don’t usually let it drive me to make a purchase, though recently, my Sephora birthday purchase was inspired by the birthday GWP. I’ve always wanted to try Benefit’s They’re Real mascara, but I wasn’t about to buy it after I pledged to try and be cruelty-free when it came to cosmetics. So there. That is the process of my logic.

Between you and me, my favorite counters for samples and GWPs are NARS and shu uemura. Provided you spend a ton of $. After a rather inspired trip to NARS, I received two small tubes of the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (neither of which I used up), a pump or two of the NARS Illuminator in Orgasm, and a moisturizer.

When the shu uemura x Karl Lagerfeld collection was released, I lost all sense of logic and bought a shit-ton of items. (I liked all of them, mind.) I got a shit-ton of items back, most specifically skin care (♥!) in tiny bottles which I use on vacations, and a super-cute Mon Shu makeup bag that I have since retired. I am currently using a NARS pouch—also a GWP. On another visit to shu uemura with my mom recently, we got a skin care travel set, and two full-sized eyeshadows. UM. Yes, please.

MAC never gives me anything. I even had the gall to ask once, lol. To be totally honest, NARS and shu uemura are the only notable sample-givers here, in this country. I don’t really blame them, because some people here are kind of abusive jerks about that kind of stuff. But, even if I didn’t get any free thing, why would it make me feel bad? I wondered. I got everything I paid for, anyway.

I suppose it just feels nice, like a reward or a prize or something. I think that it really builds a relationship between the consumer and the SA or MUA just because there’s an odd feeling that you’re being taken care of by this person who is actually just selling you more things.

On the other hand, I have a lot of samples here that I will never use. I have seen many, many videos of Americans who are practically swimming in them, since they are more generous on that side of the world. Samples—a nuisance? You tell me!

Thoughts? Love/hate samples? Ever had a sample work so well, you bought the full-sized thing?