Friday, April 29, 2016

Belo Baby Cologne Review + Price

Here's a review on Belo Baby Cologne.

PRICE: P79.75/each
FROM: Free (Press sample)
OTHER LOCATION: Available in all leading drugstores, department stores, and supermarkets

THE VERDICT:

I've stopped using colognes years ago because I am of the belief that grown women should wear perfume (and it's my preference too); but with this kind of heat, a light- smelling, watery cologne is just called for!

Speaking of colognes, have you seen the newest ones by Belo Baby? Belo Baby cologne is a trio of colognes that will make you feel light and fresh, and will bring back your summer childhood memories!
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Thursday, April 28, 2016

FAN MAIL FRIDAYS: Five things I do when I wake up in the morning


Happy Friday, guys! Election day is near and I am fervently wishing for the next best president to lead this country. Let us all pray that we will all be divinely guided when casting our votes on the big day!

This refreshing question is from Leila:

Hi Martha,
Big fan of yours! I just want to ask what are the things you do in the morning to start your day? Would love to pick up something from a successful woman like you!
Leila

Hey Leila!

Thank you! What a nice question! My morning routine is pretty simple and it consists of short preparations to help me start my day on the right foot. Here they are:
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Origins GinZing Eye Cream Review + Price

Here's a review on Origins GinZing Eye Cream.

PRICE: P1,000.00+
FROM: Free (Press sample)
OTHER LOCATIONS: Available in SM Makati

THE VERDICT:

With the kind of sleeping pattern I have, I should be ripe with puffy eyes now! But thanks to targeted skin care that works, it has never been a huge problem of mine (unless I cry myself to sleep after a misunderstanding with the BF or watching sappy movies!) because GinZing eye cream has been helping me combat puffiness overtime, plus it brightens skin immediately too to combat that tired look.

ORIGINS GINZING EYE CREAM IN DETAIL

A clinically- proven eye cream that de-puffs and helps lighten dark circles. It features a proprietary combination of Panax Ginseng, Caffeine, Magnolia extracts, and optic brighteners to wake up the eyes. Paraben, Sulfate, and Phthalate- free.
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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

TBJ TRAVELS: Ilocos 3- Vigan Heritage Village, Paoay and Laoag Sights


Our third Ilocos travel guide is now up! After a day around nature and a day of adventure, we spent our final day wandering around Paoay and Vigan, and immersed ourselves in culture.

PAOAY CHURCH

Our first stop on our last day in Ilocos is Paoay, specifically Paoay Church. A UNESCO heritage site, Paoay Church mightily withstood typhoons, earthquakes, and wars for over 400 years, and remains as a symbol of Catholic faith for Ilocos Norte.

The inside of the church is now supported by metal sheets and beams, but most remnants of the original materials still remained.

Paoay Church was built to withstand earthquakes, which explains its unique external architecture; this is considered as one of the best examples of baroque churches in the world. 

PAOAY LAKE

Paoay Lake is a horseshoe- shaped lake that provides livelihood for local fishermen and leisure activities for tourists; this is where Malaca�ang of the North stands. 

As with all natural sites, Paoay Lake is also steeped in legend. According to folklore, there used to be a flourishing village at the site of the lake; the villagers were so prosperous that everyone wore jewelry; however, they've become so materialistic and selfish that they have forgotten about God, but there is one couple who lived simply and continued putting God first despite the temptation. 

One night, God appeared in the dream of the woman and warned her that the village will be flooded because it has gotten so sinful, and they should leave, but should never look back. The woman relayed the dream to her husband and they wasted no time by packing whatever they could bring and left. As the traveled away from the village, heavy rains engulfed the village, drowning each and every person, house, and scream; curiosity bit the woman and she turned back to check on the village, and got swooned; the man tried to saver her, but they both drowned. Rains have turned what used to be a village into Paoay Lake. According to some fishermen, they have reportedly caught fish adorned with jewels, which is perhaps a testament of either the existence of the sunken village or the rich storytelling culture of Paoay.

BALUARTE ZOO

Touchdown, Vigan! Gov. Chavit Singson is known for his love for animals that he even has a Tiger for a pet. Baluarte Zoo offers a glimpse of the many wonderful creatures to walk the earth. Here's a mama Boa and her eggs!

This kind spotted doe greeted every person who would reach out to her in her pen. Such a sweetie!

This charming Ostrich charmed us with its big, droopy eyes.

Baluarte Zoo, in my opinion, seems well taken cared of so I didn't feel bad going around; still needs a couple of improvements though. Baluarte Zoo is a nice place to visit if you're traveling with kids.

HERITAGE VILLAGE (CALLE CRISOLOGO)

Calle Crisologo is the biggest come on of Ilocos because aside from being the most photographed part, it also represents the province in books, posters, postcards, and other informational materials. Its charm? The hundred- year old houses that line the cobbled streets. A majority of the houses on Calle Crisologo are either souvenir shops now or restaurants; I was expecting more museums, but if this is a means to preserve the houses and this bastion of history, then I'd be fine with that.


Looking for more unique souvenirs? Check out these mini furniture that would make for an interesting house display. There are also salvaged turn-of-the-century doors and windows that you can purchase for decor.

Clubbing in the 20th century. Haha!

Calle Crisologo is quite a long stretch so don't forget to hydrate. Try this local beverage, Sugarcane Juice, for a change!

Calle Crisologo at night. You can eat by the sidewalk at night!

CALLE CRISOLOGO IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. Best time to visit this place: 4 P.M.

In my last post about my Ilocos adventure, I'll muse about food and where to find the best delicacies and restaurants!

Check out my Ilocos itinerary and budget breakdown:


 *Please note that we got the van and driver at a very cheap price because one of our friends owns a car rental service. Regular 4-day rate of a van + driver is around P15,000.00 so standard total per person will be somewhere between P7,675-P8,000.

My other travel guides in the beautiful province of Ilocos:


Weight Loss Tips

Six Super Easy Weight Loss Tips


Weight Loss Image

If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then these six weight loss tips may be just what you need to kick start your weight loss program. You may have heard some of them before, but if you make them a part of your core goal, you will not have as much difficulty achieving your weight loss goals.


Include exercise in your lifestyle


Exercise Image
Exercise Image

If you want to achieve long term weight loss, you must not only be careful of what and how you're eating, you must get off your butt and exercise. It has been reported that 80 percent of those who lose for the long haul make changes to their diets and make exercise a part of their lifestyle.

How much are you really eating?


Eating Image
Eating Image

Americans are really guilty of this - supersizing our meal portions. It's not what you eat but how much you eat. By eating smaller portion sizes you can eat whatever you like, because you are not overeating.

Sneak in this super easy exercise


Exercise Image
Exercise Image

Walking is one of the easiest ways to sneak exercise into your daily life. It is easy to do and requires no equipment except your own body. To make walking even more effective, park your car further away from your destination, walk up hills, use the stairs, and alternate walking with brief periods of running. Get in as many steps as possible each day to rev up your internal calorie burning machine.

The best no calorie drink in the world


Calorie Drink Image
Calorie Drink Image

Substituting water for those artificially sweetened diet drinks and sugary has many advantages. First of all, it has no calories. Plus it's great for your skin and hair. And drinking water before and during meals helps to stave off hunger and fill you up more quickly. Be careful of those liquid calories in other drinks - they can really add up.

Eat more frequent smaller meals


Frequent Smaller Image
Frequent Smaller Image

When you eat more frequently (4 to 6 small meals a day), it helps to keep hunger at bay and stabilize your blood sugar levels to keep from zapping your energy. And when you eat, you will be less inclined to stuff yourself like a pig.

Your weight loss goal is not achieved overnight


Weight Lose Image
Weight Lose Image

Nor is it achieved in two weeks or one month. In order to really drop weight, you must realize that there is no quick fix. You must dedicate yourself to making lifestyle changes that will help you reach your goal. Believe me Business Management Articles, your body will thank you and you will be happier in the long run.

LA Splash Studio Shine Lip Lustre Review + Swatch + Price

Here's a review on LA Splash Studio Shine Lip Lustre.

PRICE: P600.00
FROM: Free
OTHER LOCATION: Available at DTC Makeup

THE VERDICT:

We're now down to the last batch of LA Splash lippies that I have: Studio Splash Lip Lustre; it is the not-so-known LA Splash lipstick, but I'm glad I tried it because its formula immediately became my favorite, second to Lip Couture. And if you're looking for a lipstick range that sparkles, but stays the entire day (fo' real!), you'll love this!
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Beauty Secrets

Beauty Secrets Are All Around You


Beauty Secrets Image

Are you seeking beauty secrets? Maybe you should realize that the most important beauty secret is that there is no single secret that will help every woman. Every woman is unique, and therefore, so are her beauty needs. In your search for beauty secrets, you may not notice the obvious. Stress is a major cause of aging, thus relief from it will help maintain your youthful beauty. The spa is an excellent place to visit if you want to get rid of stress. Massages, mud, and other beauty wraps are also popular and effective methods of relaxing.


Your mother or grandmother can probably give you some good beauty secrets. People have different skin, and your family is more likely to have gone through the same problems that you may be experiencing. Someone in your family may have already found a treatment that helps eliminate early wrinkles or ward off pimples for your skin type.

Pimples Image
Pimples Image

You can also look for more beauty secrets on the World-Wide-Web. Hop online for more beauty tips, but keep in mind that some of the information you find may not work for you. Womens magazines are also a good source of beauty tips and treatments. They offer a huge variety of tips that may or may not work. You might say that half of the fun is experimenting with your friends, or spending a night alone to pamper yourself with new treatments.

Beauty Treatments Image
Beauty Treatments Image

Try to keep track of your own beauty secrets for future reference. There will come a time when you discover an amazing facial in the local beauty store, but a few weeks down the road, you cant remember the brand name. You can also come up with an effective homemade treatment for acne, but then forget the basic ingredients that you put in it.

Amazing Facial Image
Amazing Facial Image

Every generation thinks that they are facing a unique problem that old methods cannot handle. This idea is both true and false. Old fashioned methods can treat your beauty problems. In some cases, the environment has changed so much that your beauty or skin care needs may require new treatments.

Beauty Treatments Image
Beauty Treatments Image

Keep in mind that you should be careful about what you apply to your skin or what you put into your body. While drinking a lot of water is one of the effective and reliable beauty secrets that you can safely try Free Web Content, putting a potentially harmful substance in or on your body is a risk that you should not take.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

TBJ TRAVELS: Ilocos Guide Part 2- La Paz Sand Dunes, Patapat Viaduct, Bangui Windmills, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse


Welcome to Ilocos guide part 2; in this post, I'll muse about our dry, rough adventure in Pagudpud and Laoag!

PATAPAT VIADUCT

Patapat Viaduct, one of the longest bridges in the Philippines, was built in the 80's and connects the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos to Cagayan Valley; it is a bridge lying on the picturesque mountain side of Pasaleng Bay. This is one of the highly photographed places in Ilocos Norte; in fact, there's a parking area where you can stop by to take your photos and the nicest part of the bridge; don't forget to drop by when you visit!
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The Participants of TBJ TURNS 7: A Mega Anniversary Party + Check Out The Goodies!


Hola! Announcing the 26 lucky participants of TBJ TURNS 7: a MEGA thanksgiving party today; I chose the participants last night and upon reading the answers, how I wish I could extend the guest list to 50! LOL! Thank you so much to all those who expressed interest on my party; your answers mean so much to me; thank you for inspiring me to continue this blog. :)

For the list of winners, I will announce them at the end of this post. In the meantime, here are the goodies that the participants will take home on Saturday:

Olay Total Effects Day Cream + Regenerist set

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Monday, April 25, 2016

TBJ TRAVELS: Ilocos Guide Part 1- Pagudpud, Blue Lagoon, Kabigan Falls, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation


For this year's Summer vacay, my friends and I decided to go somewhere with a healthy mix of sea, greenery, and history; Ilocos proved to be the perfect destination; after a hectic humpday last week filled with work deadlines, we rewarded ourselves by driving up north, to the beautiful province of Ilocos, where humble, kind people abound and the land boasts of amazing natural scenery.

In our four- day trip, we chartered the amazing natural landmarks of Ilocos Norte, and engaged in adventure and immersed ourselves in history in Ilocos Sur. Welcome to this four- part blog guide/series about the amazing province of Ilocos!
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BEAUTY BULLETIN: Fresh and Dry


Heya! Did you miss me and my blog posts? Had to shut down myself from modernity and the internet last week for that much- needed relaxation and break; I went to Ilocos for a vacation and I'll be musing about my adventure this week. In the meantime, check out these Summer skin care goodies that kept me fresh and dry (and protected too!) the entire trip.

Read more �

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Eye Of Horus Goddess Pencils in Sahara Nude, Selenite White, and Serpentine Sultry Review + Swatch + Price

Here's a review on Eye Of Horus Goddess Pencils.

PRICE: Around P900.00
FROM: Free (Press sample)
OTHER LOCATIONS" Available in via Glamourbox.ph and Glamourbox SM MOA, Landmark Trinoma, and SM Makati.

THE VERDICT:

Eye of Horus goes minimalist with their new eyeliner shades; these shades reminds me of the beach; glistening waters that fade to green, the nude sand, and rays of white sunshine; this trio brings summer to your eyes!

EYE OF HORUS GODDESS PENCILS IN SAHARA NUDE, SELENITE WHITE, AND SERPENTINE SULTRY IN DETAIL

Goddess Pencils are Eye of Horus' best- seller; these pencils are waterproof and have a soft texture that prevents tugging.

From left to right, Sahara Nude, Serpentine Sultry. and Selenite White.

You can check out my review on these pencils; just type EYE OF HORUS GODDESS PENCILS on the search bar. Sorry, can't provide the link right now; internet sucks big time where I am at right now.

Read more �

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Yummy Diet: Dieting Is Actually Tasty + Have your own box of wellness


Every fitness buff or trying-to-be healthy chap knows that the hardest part in this journey is trying to eat wholesomely.

(I actually want to say wholesome instead of healthy because I'm coming to the point of realization that everything is healthy (literally and figuratively) if taken in moderation, plus 'healthy' can be misused by most as well by eliminating some foods that are equally important to overall nutrition just for the sake of losing weight (deficiency ain't sexy, guys!). Wholesome pins down my point on the right way of eating and that is touching all points of the food pyramid in moderation and in one day so wholesome it is!)
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MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick Review + Swatch + Price

Here's a review on MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick.

PRICE: P1,000.00
FROM: Free (Press sample)
OTHER LOCATIONS: Available in all MAC stores nationwide

THE VERDICT:

I think Ariana Grande is one of the most talented singers of the contemporary generation; I don't need to emphasize why; just do a quick search of her raw recording videos and you'll see (and hear) why! She's not just all about dressing up and being catchy; she has the voice to prove why should listen to her and buy her album. I like her as an artist and when I like someone, I support them, thus her Viva Glam lipstick is the next VV I've long waited for next to Viva Glam I BY RuPaul; it did not disappoint!

MAC VIVA GLAM ARIANA GRANDE IN DETAIL

Viva Glam Ariana Grande is described as a deep plum lipstick; I say it's like a shade straight from the underworld, specifically from their runway shows because it's so fashionable. #Slay

For more dibs on the texture of MAC's matte lipsticks, click HERE.

MAC VIVA GLAM ARIANA GRANDE LIPSTICK IN ACTION

You know, I noticed that MAC's made their matte lippies a wee bit moisturizing now to combat the dryness issue that has always been associated with it; I've been wearing AG for a week now and the usual MAC dryness has been minimized significantly, but the matte look is still there; I've never worn a matte MAC lippie comfortably like this ever (unless it's a Lustre, Satin, or Cremesheen).

I also noticed that this lipstick tends to be have a skippy coverage so this is what I do to solve that and to make it look more vibrant:

1. Fill your lips with a lip liner in the similar color to provide a base for the lipstick. MAC Lip Liner in Blackcurrant is a great candidate; if that is not available to you at the moment, just powder your lips lightly; the powder will help the pigments adhere better on the lips.

2. Apply lipstick as usual.

Tadah! Focus on me! :p It's fashionable, cool, sexy, and classy; it's every bit of Ariana in a gorgeous plum shade! Another thing I noticed with this lipstick is it looks stunning against fair skin so if you're fair and you want a dark lipstick that will flatter your skin tone instead of just sit on it, it's this. :) Good job on this one, Ariana and MAC!

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Paco Rabanne Olympea: For Modern Goddesses


As a hardcore Mythology fan (particularly Greek and Roman), I simply cannot pass on the unveiling of the new Paco Rabanne fragrance, Olympea. Olympea is might, magic, and beauty; it evokes a sense of femininity that's strong yet sensual and brave yet tender much like the mythological heroines that I love reading about from then until now.

Why Olympea, Paco Rabanne?
Read more �

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 16 Hr Powder in 200 Natural Beige and Infallible Makeup Setting Spray Review + Price + Swatch

Here's a review on L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 16-Hr. Powder in 200 Natural Beige and Infallible Makeup Setting Spray.

PRICE: Powder- P600.00; Spray- P500.00
FROM: Free (Press Sample)
OTHER LOCATIONS: Available in all leading department stores, drugstores, and supermarkets

THE VERDICT:

Really, if brands want to test their waterproof formulas before releasing them to the market, they should do so in the Philippines during summer! Yesterday, it was 35 degrees; the weather was muggy, the sun shone brightly, and air was thin; Yesterday, I walked the whole day around BGC, running business and personal errands and I was sweating non-stop and felt like melting, but when I got the chance to check myself in the mirror, lo and behold, my makeup was intact; there was a bit of oil on my nose and beads of sweat on my forehead, but my makeup looked totally fine, all thanks to this new L'Oreal line called Infallible; it's makeup that's formulated for summer!

L'OREAL INFALLIBLE PRO-MATTE 16 HR. POWDER AND INFALLIBLE MAKEUP SPRAY

Infallible is a new makeup series that promises long- lasting makeup wear. The spray has a mild, oil- free formula that helps makeup resist fading, creasing and caking, and the powder promises to stay matte and for longer for up to 16 hours.

Read more �

Light Skin Face

Sweating And Oily Skin


Oily Skin Image
Oily Skin Image

In most cases of oily skin, you will only find that your face is only while the rest of the skin on your body stays fairly normal. It is the sebaceous glands that produce more oil than necessary, and this usually occurs on your face, much to the chagrin of everyone.


Your face is slick and shiny and you want to do everything you can to keep it from getting out of hand, especially if you find that you are prone to acne, as many people with oily skin tend to be.

Slick Face Image
Slick Face Image

Because too much oil traps dirt and dead skin cells and clogs up pores, making them the perfect place for bacteria to multiply, you may already assume that sweating will only make things worse. If you sweat too much, you could only aggravate your condition, your skin will be even shinier, and your pores will clog up with even more stuff.     Not so. In fact, sweating will give you the opposite effect. When you sweat, you are actually helping to clear out your pores and ridding yourself of toxins, and in general, giving your body and skin a boost. Sweating will help push the clogged materials out of your pores, like natural exfoliation. This can be a great thing considering most exfoliation products only scrub away at the surface.

Natural Exfoliation Image
Natural Exfoliation Image

Other treatments such as microelectronics and chemical peels can dig deeper and get at the deeper areas of your pores, but the majority of people out there do not have the time or extra money to get a professionally done microelectronics treatment or chemical peel.

Chemical Peel Image
Chemical Peel Image

Instead, you can give yourself a good sweat and let your body do the rest. Though it is true that sweating is not the one way to exfoliate and also may not always get every pore clear, it does help out in the long run. The best way to get a good, effective sweat going on is to utilize exercise.

Body Rest Image
Body Rest Image

You can exercise any way you like as long as it makes you sweat. Exercise is also good for your skin and your body. As oily skin is most commonly caused by hormones, daily exercise might help in keeping your hormones more stable and thus leaving you with less oily skin.

Exercise Oily Skin Image
Exercise Oily Skin Image

It is recommended that you rinse off your face after sweating (or just hop in the shower after a nice round of exercise) because after getting those icky materials out of your pores, they are still going to have traces on your face.

Traces Face Image
Traces Face Image

It is possible that the materials already in your skin may linger and simply catch in other pores. While the sweat itself is not a threat to your skin, the remaining pore plugging substances need to be removed before they go back to their usual method of sneaking into your pores and causing outbreaks of acne.

Acne Face Image
Acne Face Image

Because the best way to work up a good sweat is by exercising, you should look into starting an exercise program for yourself. There are many, many benefits to exercise than just sweating away your stopped up pores and oily skin.

Oily Skin Image
Oily Skin Image

Exercising will make your body much healthier and will improve your condition overall. That includes getting rid of stress, as the workout helps you get out all that pent up stress energy and ease you back into a better mood, which will also help reduce your oily skin and acne outbreaks.     Once you are finished working out, working up a sweat, and rinsing your face clean Science Articles, you can go ahead and continue with your daily facial routine. Keeping things consistent will help your skin get back into shape and become less oily over time.