Review: Marks & Spencer China Blue

I rarely repurchase products based mainly on scent. There's just so much out there to try and it's hard to stay loyal. On my 18th birthday, however (man that was so long ago), I received two bottles of those exquisitely scented Marks & Spencer body lotions--typical gifts, right? One I gave to my mom, and the other... well, let's just say that bottle has long since been emptied and its twins and sisters are now residing in my stash.

From L-R: Hand and body lotion, talcum powder, hand and nail cream

From the Owldrobe: Ylla Shoes

Yes, another shoe review! I may love shoes, but almost all of my shoe purchases are done in-store. Sizing is a big issue for me when looking at shoes online, because if it doesn't fit, it'll be a huge hassle to have it replaced. Unless I love it enough... like the love I felt for the Laura ballerina flats in aqua, from Ylla Shoes.

Review: Pure Beauty Cleansing Liquid

One of my favorite brands to check out at Watsons stores is Pure Beauty, which is exclusively available there. I was able to try their Super Brightening toner awhile back, and I'm actually wondering now why I didn't repurchase! Every now and then Watsons holds promos for the brand, and I jumped at the chance to try out the Pure Beauty Cleansing Liquid when it was its turn to have a price break. Originally available for Php289, I was able to purchase it for Php239.

From the Owldrobe: Anthology Shoes

I think this blog might have started out as a shoe blog if I didn't like makeup so much, because I have a bigger love affair with shoes than I care to admit! Today's entry on Anthology shoes is a bit of a backlog, since I already mentioned them before in my best of 2011 post but never really got around to writing sole-ly about them. ;)

The Antho website, recently revamped,
but still with that minimalist style to maintain the focus on the shoes

Review: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Tomorrow would mark a month since my last entry! Goodness. The sales conference I've been working on for the past few months finally sprung into being in the first few days of March, and now that's over, I'm refocusing on my daily work tasks and on getting my social life back, haha. Beauty-wise, I had the opportunity to road-test a few products I've had for awhile (e.g. UD Naked!), so expect reviews on those hopefully soon.

One of the products I've taken to using lately are the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams. Prior to these, I have never tried any matte shade, so I was pretty excited when I ordered the Milan shade from Digital Traincase along with my NYX Round Lipsticks. Moving forward, I wanted to try giving red a go, starting with a subtler finish. I was able to purchase Amsterdam from Pure Beauty in Serendra.

Review: Celeteque Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 and its twin

In my last contest I noticed that many readers, more often than not, use drugstore products. I can't fault you girls and guys on that one, since they're locally and widely available, plus there's more than enough variety to choose from. Today's review is of a product that is not only easy to find, but is an awesome find as well: Celeteque facial moisturizer with SPF 15.

From Plain to Plush: Mary Kay NouriShine Plus™ Lip Gloss

Happy February! It's the month of love! Whether you're spending it with a special someone or a few girlfriends, the important thing is to have fun, and look good while doing it, of course! Here's something new to wear on those nights (or days) out from Mary Kay: the NouriShine Plus™Lip Gloss.

Moonleaf Planner Giveaway Winner!

The Moonleaf Planner giveaway officially ended last Saturday, and now it's time to give it to one lucky winner! Thank you everyone who joined! Your favorite products have given me ideas and perspectives on what to write for this blog. Hopefully I can go back to my two-posts-a-week routine soon to give you something new to read every now and then. :)

To determine the winner, I compiled all the entries and verified each one. Had to take out one or two links that weren't public, sadly. :( Here's who made it:

On a notepad, yeah.

Then I logged on to random.org for an impartial selection...

Congratulations, Inezzy! Expect an email from me soon so we can work out how you can claim your prize.

Again, thank you to everyone who joined and promoted my little giveaway. 'Til next time!

Start the new year with a SALE!

Cough up that Christmas money, you guys. It's sale time!

Catch some great finds while Penshoppe Megamall undergoes a transformation...

... Oxygen has selected styles up to 50% off this weekend too...

... while Regatta's super comfy items are also on sale! Grab 'em 'til the 16th.

If you don't have the time to spare this weekend, don't fret because these stores will wait for you all month long:

Happy shopping! ;)

P.S. My Moonleaf planner giveaway ends tomorrow! Join join join!

Hoot-worthy finds of 2011!

Given that my small giveaway (click here!) asks your top makeup or skincare product, it's only proper that I show mine! 2011 was quite a year, and personally, it was a year where things finally started to pick up. I'm ending this on a happier note than I have the past two years. I'm excited for and not dreading 2012!

I'm ready for you, 2012!

So before the year ends, here are my best beauty and fashion-related finds for 2011 in no particular order. Consider these as mini-reviews as well!

The Moonleaf 2012 Planner Giveaway

Hi, I'm alive. Just really busy, but I had to put this one up! :)

Are you a planner person? Planners and organizers have been in my life since highschool, when a friend (hi Makee!) gifted me with one. It was one of those planners with cute images and designs on the pages, much like the Korean or Chinese planners we see around stores today. I've never gone without one since.

My planners since college, most recent at the top.

Shopping with Catalogue 63

When my package from Catalogue 63 arrived, I remembered a certain song from The Sound of Music at Resorts World (which is quite nice, by the way!). The lyrics went like this:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with string...

...these are a few of my favorite things!

The TIGI Bedhead Ipad Giveaway!

Hey ladies (and gents)! Here's another quick giveaway you can join, courtesy of TIGI Philippines! I know I wouldn't mind seeing a row of awesome haircare products on my dresser. ;)

Who doesn't love great hair? TIGI Philippines, the leading company of fashionable and funky hair care is now on Facebook and Twitter! 

To kick off the TIGI experience, we're awarding one lucky fan with their very own iPad plus oodles of cool TIGI products! The rules? As easy as pie -- just follow the simple mechanics below to qualify!

Mechanics:

1. Like TIGI-Bedhead Philippines Fanpage on Facebook.

2. Post this on your wall publicly: "Follow '@TIGI - Bed Head, Catwalk, S Factor' on Facebook and get a chance to win an iPad plus rockin' TIGI goodies." Share the love and tag two of your friends in your post. Example:

Follow @TIGI - Bed Head, Catwalk, S Factor on Facebook and get a chance to win an iPad plus rockin' TIGI goodies. @________ @________

3. Follow TIGI-Bedhead's Twitter at @BedheadPH and tweet this to your followers: 

“Say hello to fab hair! Follow @BedheadPH and get a chance to win an iPad plus rockin' TIGI goodies http://ow.ly/6RQEP.” 

4. That's it! 

Terms and conditions:

- Giveaway will run until DECEMBER 15, 2011. This is open to Philippine residents only. 
- The winner will be picked by TIGI and notified via email.
- Preferably, the winner should be able to travel to Manila to claim his/her prize. 


See, it's super easy! I just did it myself ;) Good luck, everyone!

Review: Johnson's Baby Creamy Oil Cocoa & Shea Butter

It is now that time of year where I want nothing more than to bundle up in cozy knits and shawls. While the cool weather is awesome, it does not bode well for our skin as the low temperature tends to strip moisture from the surface. Dryness also aggravates psoriasis, so moisturizing becomes even more of a priority for me. My weapon of choice is Johnson's baby creamy oil, which I first featured in my skincare routine (which I need to update now, haha).

From the Owldrobe: Work and Play

It's been quite a week! Had a special project for work, which I might do a ninja shots post on if the pictures are good enough for that. Before I show you my work and play outfits, though, let me share a little something that also happened this week. Early on my work took me to the far reaches of Makati for a workshop, where I decided to take advantage of the opportunity presented to me:

Goodbye hair!

What's your everyday look?

I seldom do FOTDs, mainly because I don't wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to eyeshadows and blushes, and I would rather spend more time and money on skincare--except perhaps for lipsticks! However, most of my days don't call for a bare face, so over time I've managed to get a routine down pat. This is how I look like most days:

From the Owldrobe: Walking Tall

I've no voice for a couple of days now; the Internet, my phones, and a notepad are my sole channels of expression. My family and friends are having a field day about "asserting my right to silence" and saying things like, "ask Ursula for your voice back". I really hope it happens soon, because I can't wait to sing again!

My current predicament. I need to kiss my true love before tomorrow at sundown, quick!

At work, we have masses on Wednesdays and Fridays where I join the choir. On one of those days I looked to my left and right and realized I was shorter than everyone in my row. This happens all the time, of course, but I felt to small because everyone was wearing heels! I immediately worked out a shoe schedule for myself where mass days are heels days, while I can rest in between. My skintone Ferretti heels are my staple, but I've picked up a few pairs to rotate it with in the last few months.

Mini-Review: NYX Round Lipsticks in Fig and Georgia

Adding another review to the plethora of NYX round lipstick reviews! This product is so well-documented online and I am not surprised. It's impossible to find a shade you won't like since they have a dizzying number of colors and finishes, it's creamy, and it's cheap. It does have a distinct scent but you can't smell it on your lips anyway, so other than that there is really no reason to pass on a tube. Or two. Or five.

This will be a mini-review as I've already gone over the formula and packaging in a previous entry, click here to read! I'll be focusing on the shades for this one.

From the Owldrobe: The School of Satchel

Today is the day: my birthday! Yay! Another year older, and another number to defend when people claim I'm still in highschool. :P I do plan to be productive by showing up at work, but I also anticipate pizza in the afternoon and Chili's for dinner. Hmm, my tummy might be more productive than I will be today, I hope not! Haha.

One thing's for sure though: this bag will bear witness to any and all of today's events! 

What do you GET UP for?

Oh September. It's the month of many birthdays, including my own, and I keep finding excuses to go shopping. I also got my first paycheck as a full-time member of the workforce this month, so you can imagine what happened that same day. I did get shoes for my sister, though, who is also a September baby. :)

For self-confessed shopping addicts (okay, like me), a program like GET UP is just the kind of thing we need to feel better about our beloved hobby. I found out about this straight from work, though it's been ongoing for some time now.

Taking their cue from the word “getup”, GET UP is not just about what people wear, but it is also the call to action to do something valuable for others and the country. While CSRs like these are usually limited to just the employees of any one company, Golden ABC (GABC) is now offering its customers, clients, family and friends a chance to GET UP for something too. You can also take your pick as to which advocacy you’d like to support!

Our current partner advocacies

The first thing you’ll want to do is to drop by your nearest Penshoppe, Oxygen, MEMO, ForMe, or Regatta store. For every Php1,000 minimum single receipt purchase from any of these brands, you can donate Php25 to a partner advocacy. They'll give you a GET UP tag at the counter, which will contain your unique code number, password pin (which has to be written by the staff), instructions and the GET UP logo.

Next, head to a computer that preferably has a connected webcam. Log on to www.getup.ph and click on the “DONATE” button.

Fill 'er up!

You’ll be asked to pick whether you’ll GET UP for Education, Community Building, Environment, or Arts & Culture. I picked Arts & Culture because I adore the partner institution, Museo Pambata. Hee.

And you’re done! The GET UP site tracks the donations in real-time, so you’ll be able to see how much has been donated to each advocacy. There’s no limit to how much you can donate, so shop all you want (yay!). I hope more people contribute to the Arts & Culture and Community Building sectors, 'cause I'd like to see what those peeking icons look like.

As a little thank you, the lovely people behind GET UP prepared a little somethin' somethin'. After donating, click on the "See Something Cool" button. Take the printed pattern on your GET UP tag and show it to your webcam—make sure your face is included! Keep that hand steady too. Something’ll pop up that’s sure to amuse you. I won't spoil it, though. Hehe.

Hi, I look stoned. Sorry :))

For more information, do visit GET UP at www.getup.ph, and Golden ABC at www.goldenabc.com.