Response From Mary Grace Cafe

In response to the review I previously made about Mary Grace Cafe, they emailed me  their side of the story.

The first email came from the Mary Grace  Head Manager of Dining Operations. It was followed by a message from the owner's daughter who is  also the company's Kiosk  Development Manager. Both of them apologized for the bad experience I reported in my previous post.

The first email read as follows:

"I am deeply sorry about your unpleasant experience in Mary Grace Trinoma. At around 7:00 this morning, Mary Grace
Dimacali, the owner herself called to inform me about your October 1 blog. I checked the net at once and saw your review about Mary Grace. We are so distressed to know that we disappointed you and made you feel unimportant. 

We are currently investigating about the concerns you raised: delayed
service of Amatriciana, missing cheese roll and our inability to respond to your
e-mail. This is definitely not the “Mary Grace way” of taking care of our
guests. Emailed feedbacks for the month of September, positive and negative,
were forwarded to us and were discussed with the branch managers and the café
staffs during our last month's meeting. We also make sure that we get back to
the senders to thank them. I will investigate why we failed to see your emailed
feedback.

I will get back to you as soon as I have all the details and I am
assuring you that this is being taken seriously and constructively.
Maraming salamat po for calling our attention. This will surely help us
improve. We owe our success to people like you who never failed to remind us of
our shortcomings. I pray that you will give us another chance to serve you in
the future.

Please always feel free to email us at
marygracefoods@yahoo.com.ph and we hope we will not disappoint you this time.
You may also contact me through my contact details below. God bless you
amazingly as you continue to bless others with your valuable insights!"

Later in the afternoon, she added:

"I would like to inform you about the result of our investigation regarding the delayed service of Amatriciana and the missing cheese roll. Trinoma cafe's record shows that they had problems with their computer ordering system from September 7 to 12, 2011. Printers and ordering monitors weren't working well and were pulled out for repair on Sept.10, 2011. Coordinating with kitchen of what food to serve was done manually. This caused the confusion between the order taker, the dispatcher and the cook.

I talked to the people involved including the manager who was in charge that time. Necessary actions on how to avoid the same incident when ordering system is down were reviewed and polished.We really hope to be of service to you again."

Ms. Marian, Ms. Mary Grace's daughter has this to say:

"We came upon your blog just recently. We are very sad to hear of this,
and we deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused! Rest assured that
we are reviewing SOPs to avoid causing disappointment to other customers!

We are very grateful for your feedback! Thank you for this! My mom always says
that it is has been customer concern that has helped Mary Grace grow through the years.
Mary Grace would like to give you a call. May we get your contact information? You may email me
back. Have a good day Vanity Specialist! God bless you!"

To Mary Grace Cafe:

Apology accepted. I appreciate that you are taking measures to improve the quality of your service and that you listen to feedback from customers. I did not blog about it to demand special treatment as a customer nor ask for a truckload of cheese rolls to make up for your shortcomings. I just wanted to call your attention to an area of your enterprise which needed improvement after failing to get your response from the email I sent you. This is  because I want Mary Grace Cafe to stay long in the business, and hopefully, be successful enough to put up provincial branches (including one here in Cagayan de Oro) soon. Thank you for keeping an open mind about customers' comments, whether good or bad.

I will definitely visit one of your branches when I visit Manila again and will report to you my feedback then. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will be a good one.

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Mary Grace Cafe Review

It took me almost a month to post this review on Cafe Mary Grace. I had to give it time for a more objective recount of my sad experience in one of their branches, in Trinoma Mall. Had I written about it minutes after it happened, I might have blurted out words that will only compromise the integrity of this blog.

I was in Manila for an intensive 4-day seminar. The schedule was so hectic that I didn't even have the time to check out the latest cosmetics in the nearby malls.

On September 9, 2011 (Friday),  my friend and I decided to pass by Cafe Mary Grace on our way back to where we were staying.  I've heard a lot of great things about it, especially its cheese rolls.



Since it was already 8:00 PM, I opted for a take-out of pasta Amatriciana and a cheese roll.  I was considering on bringing a box of cheese rolls home to CDO so I had to try it out first. The cashier told me it would take around 10-15 mins to prepare the pasta. We were already tired but I thought the wait should be worth it.

We got ourselves seated while waiting for my order. Fifteen minutes have passed and my friend was already getting impatient. I followed up the order with one of the waitresses who told me it wasn't ready yet.  After a few more minutes, I noticed some pasta being served to people who came much later than us. My friend noticed the waitresses glancing at our table. Finally, someone came to us and checked my receipt. She hurriedly went to the kitchen and came back with my order packed for take-out. More than 30 minutes of waiting for a pasta and cheese roll is a little too much, don't you think?  I could have ordered for a pizza delivery at the dorm and it would have been much quicker. Although it was a Friday, it wasn't that busy for Mary Grace Cafe as a lot of their employees had their hands free.

I asked the waitress why it took them so long, she was apologetic about it but did not offer further explanation. When we got to the the place where we were staying, the bread that I believed to be the cheese roll seemed flatter that I thought.  It turns out it was the garlic bread that came free with the Pasta Amatriciana. The cheese roll, although only Php35, was something that I so long wanted to try wasn't in the bag!

Partly, it was my fault because I didn't check the bag before leaving. The receipt was not even there. Perhaps with the rave reviews about Cafe Mary Grace, I trusted that there staff is trained to be efficient in what they do, such as delivering the order on time,  putting them with the receipt in the bag and checking if they are complete. Apparently, I was wrong. After all, the good reviews have much to do with the taste of the food than the quality of service they offer.

I think they're pretty good with the dine-in clients.  As I have  mentioned, people who came later than us were being served on time, and it looked like they were enjoying their meals. For some reason, they lacked the training in handling to-go orders. Yes, the staff is generally friendly, but  it doesn't necessarily translate to efficiency.

The Pasta Amatriciana was a flavorful blend of thick tomato sauce with bacon and chili, plus the Italian meatballs. But with the disappointment I was feeling at that time, I couldn't really appreciate the taste. It was pretty decent for its price of Php 210 , but not something I would crave for.  The imaginary cheese rolls must have been good,  if only they came with my order.

As to the Cafe Mary Grace customer support online,  they don't fare well either. I tried sending a complaint about the incident, which was written as courteously as possible, to no avail. Probably the person assigned to check the emails isn't doing the job, or they have read my message but they don't welcome negative feedback.  Well, they can bask in the positive comments from customers that they proudly display on their tables, but I hope they are aware of the other side of their business that they should do something about. As Jack Canfield puts it, " you cannot improve your life, your relationships, your game or your performance without feedback." I hope Mary Grace Cafe will take this review constructively.

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Suesh Portable Make-Up Studio

Make-up gigs are usually done in Hotels where the lights are yellow or warm, which is a nightmare for make up artists. Yellow lights can be flattering and the client may love what she's seeing on the mirror but we need to see the actual colors we are putting on her, as seen on broad daylight. She needs to look beautiful even when she goes out of the hotel room, when the camera flashes, or when she's exposed to strong lights.  Yellow light will yield the following effect on the colors we are applying: turns red into white, fades away yellow, darkens green, turns blue into purple, and violet into pink.

Here is where the makeup trolley with lights come in, to solve the problem of yellow illumination on our work space.  Ironically, they are sold with free yellow lights which defeats the purpose, but you can always replace them with white bulbs.  Like how a surgeon needs bright lights at the operating table, a make-up artist needs all the light she can get to achieve polished, precise, and perfect look for her client.

I purchased the Make Up Station/Portable Studio from Suesh about a year ago but wasn't able to write a review on it. I was debating with myself whether it was a good buy or one of those products I bought on a whim just because other makeup artists were using it. After giving it much thought, here is my take on the Makeup Trolley with lights:

Rule In:

• I need bright, white lights on gigs. The makeup station provides it.


• It's a standard tool for most professional make up artists


• I have my own working area even if the hotel doesn't have a vanity table (or if their available table is swamped with bags and things of the whole bridal entourage)


• It has an additional socket that can be used for hair dryer, curling iron, etc.


• It has its own legs. I can either put it on top of a table or spread its legs so it can stand on its own.


• The wheels make it easy to bring along


• It's convenient to use at home for trial makeups because I can fold it up afterwards a la Transformers, which means no need for space-occupying dressers

Rule Out:

• Heavy! (how does 15 kgs sound to you?)


• The process of making it stand on its own legs needs superpowers (you will need a strong assistant, preferably Superman or Darna)


• Making it stand on its legs will take up huge floor space- not suitable for small hotel rooms


• I find it difficult to tug along on uneven grounds and stairs


• Not practical to bring on flights since this is already 15 kgs, the maximum limit for baggages, without any makeup inside yet


• I always need an extra makeup bag since not all makeup products fit inside the case


• My makeup rates are too low for this expensive tool (hah!)

Cost: Php15000 plus Php1300 for shipping from Manila to CDO
Dimensions: 570x440x210 mm
Where to Buy: Suesh- http://suesh.multiply.com (they now offer payment through paypal!)

There were times when I thought of selling it because of its weight discouraging me from bringing it to gigs, but lately, I appreciated its use especially during events where I had to put up with yellow lights because there was no sun even if we open the windows. This is also a winner when doing trial makeups at home. I  just wish I bought a smaller variety with wheels, like the one used by John Lapus on "Here Comes the Bride" but I couldn't find an online vendor who sells that kind. I've decided on not letting this go because I still think this is a good investment for professional makeup artists.

For those who are just starting out, bring a study lamp with white lights to get a better view of what you're working on. That's what I do when I don't have an assistant to bring the trolley around, or I take pictures with flash to check if the makeup is even. If you really want a portable studio, choose the smaller cases or the ones with fluorescent lights, they are cheaper but serve the same purpose. Upgrade to this bigger kind once you can afford to hire Captain Barbell to bring it for you.

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Botox in a Tube

Botox remains one of the most popular aesthetic procedures performed at the doctor's clinic to lessen the signs of aging. But with its cost and risks,  people tend to look for safer and cheaper alternatives to hide wrinkles. Don't you wish there existed a miracle cream to banish the ugly signs of aging in an instant without the pain and steep prices?

If you like instant gratifications that come with long-term benefits, here's something I tried that could be beneficial for you- the Tri-aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler. Although wrinkles are not  my top personal beauty issue as of now, I tried the sample given to me by Good Skin Labs on areas that are starting to show lines, and I must say it yielded encouraging results.

The Claims

Good Skin Labs, the makers of the Tri-aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler describes the product as a potent deep-wrinkle formulation that instantly fills fine lines and wrinkles while helping to firm the skin over time.

Scientists from good skin labs conducted a series of studies to test its effectiveness. The findings are:

• It immediately provides a visible reduction of facial lines
• Clinically proven to help fill and relax the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles
• Visibly reduces wrinkle depth and length

Ingredients

The 3 active ingredients (hence the name) of Tri-aktiline are:

Gatuline® Expression-  extracted from the South American Acmella Oleraca plant, it helps relax the look of facial tension and expression lines, like crow’s feet.

Kombuchka™ PH Extract- derived from sweet black tea, works to plump wrinkles to appear smoother on the surface.

Argireline®, or acetyl hexapeptide-3- helps prompt skin into its re-build mode, boosting natural collagen production for long-term visible wrinkle reduction.

My Observations

Honestly, when I read the information on Tri-aktiline, I was more excited to test in on my pimple scars rather than my fine lines because of the immediate filling effect of the product. Indeed, there were  instant results that I noticed, as though it was some sort of  photoshop for the face.  Because of this, I sometimes use it as a skin primer to cover blemishes before putting on makeup. The blurring out of the deep scars is amazing. But if there are no improvements on my skin since I first used this in June, I could attribute it to the following :

• The product is made for wrinkles, not pimple scars as I have been using it for


• I haven't been applying it religiously. Recommended usage is twice daily.


• I am in denial that I am starting to grow fine lines, applying Tri-aktiline to those spots would be like acknowledging that I'm old

Ok, if were a spokesperson for Tri-aktiline, I would have been fired for my lousy excuses. Thank goodness I'm just a blogger with the liberty to say things as honestly as I could. To prove my point of the instant improvement, let me show you a macro shot before and after applying  Tri-aktiline.

Note that photoshop was not used to blur or enhance the "after" pic. What you are seeing is the actual appearance of the skin around 5 minutes after the application of Tri-aktiline. Not only did it blur the lines, but had a mattifying effect on the oily skin as well. After washing the face, the appearance reverts back to its usual  look.

I have yet to see the effects of the cream after long-term use. Based on the Good Skin Labs study, 83% of subjects showed improvement in the lines after 4 weeks. Maybe I should use it more often for its recommended use and follow instructions for once. I'll get back to you on this after a few months to report the results.

Do not expect full disappearance of  wrinkle with the product. It will minimize the lines but will not totally eradicate it, as no cosmetic or surgical procedure could do that.  To use,  right after cleansing your skin, lightly tap the cream directly into wrinkles, and let it set before applying other treatment products or makeup. For best results, use twice a day

Tri-Aktiline is available in 30ml (SRP: Php 2,600) at selected Watson’s Department Stores in the Philippines.

A Day at Vanity Works Salon

Since its opening in 2007, Vanity Works Salon has captured a loyal following from residents of Cagayan de Oro who go for posh yet reasonable pampering sessions. It is owned by CAS and Makeup Forever Academy graduate (and soon-to-be bride) Roselle Paras, who also runs Coffee Works, both in Cagayan de Oro and Manila.

I documented my recent visit to the place. My hubby and I supposedly came for a haircut but unfortunately, they did not have services on haircut for men. I went on to have my hair done. For Php 150, the cut is inclusive of shampoo and blow dry, plus a glass of iced tea...no, make that two, because my hubby who was waiting was also served a glass of iced tea. The courteous approach of the staff is definitely a selling point for Vanity Works, along with their services. Unlike in other salons where clients can be seen from the outside, like fishes inside an aquarium, the design of the place affords some degree of privacy for its clients. I don't have to worry about someone passing by and seeing me having my hair done.

rugs

It was Miss Morj who attended to me. I chatted her up on my plans of getting highlights, which is one of the services they are known for. Instead of pushing me into getting one, she advised that I put my hair on a "rehab" instead. The damages that my hair has incurred from rebonding and environmental factors might be compounded with the damaging effects of 12% hydrogen peroxide, which is a component of the highlights treatment. She suggested the hair spa to revive my (lackluster) locks.

Nikki, a schoolmate in high school who was there for a hot oil session and was seated next to me, admitted to being a regular in the salon. She pointed out that the helpful advice from the staff is what keeps her coming back often. Their professional expertise guides her on which services would work better for her, even if it's a cheaper treatment. I learned that a couple of fellow doctors are also regular customers of Vanity Works salon.



The Happy Hours promo is something worth looking forward to. Everyday, from 10AM to 2PM and 7PM to 10PM, you can avail of hot oil for only Php299, back massage at Php169 and express foot spa  at Php 199. For spa treatments, they use Babor, an imported brand from Germany used at high end salons.

Normally, they have a free wifi within the salon but during my visit, they were fixing it. It would have been a great treat for hubbies and companions waiting near the reception area.

Will I come back to Vanity Works for my next salon trip? Yes, of course. The reasonable prices for a high end salon with well-trained staff are reasons enough to come back. There is nothing much to say about my hair cut because I just went for a trim, but I was satisfied with the outcome and I'm looking forward to my hair spa session one of these days.

Vanity Works is located at Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. For further information on their services and rates, contact them at 8562352 .

Review: Leyende Organic Products

Several months ago, I bought some products from Leyende and promised to write a review after I tried them. Although I wanted to make sure that I used them long enough before giving a non-biased opinion, this is quite a long-overdue post. Some readers have been asking for my verdict on their products, so here goes:

Being an organics junkie, Leyende was among the first local organics manufacturers that I ordered from. Their atttractive website layout and cute packaging lured me into buying. The humorous names of their product arrays likewise grabbed my attention.  The idea of paying through paypal made deciding to buy online a lot easier, although I ended up paying through gcash because at that time, they were having problems with their paypal account. I got 4 products that were neatly packed using environmentally-friendly materials.

1. Place In The Sun Face Sunblock SPF 30

Ingredients:

deionized aqua, infusion of rosemary and calendula (marigold), organic shea butter, organic sweet almond oil, virgin coconut oil, tinosorb, vit. E, vit. C, vit. B3, organic calendula & aloe extract, grapeseed extract

Strong Points:

This has got to be one of the best sunblocks I used. They say regular application of sunblock is one big favor you can do for your skin, but I say that using an organic variety is one of the healthiest investments you can ever make. There are no harmful preservatives to worry about  and  its lightweight creamy consistency makes it easy to apply to the skin.  It is quickly absorbed, with no sticky or greasy feel afterwards, and it doesn't cause breakouts, either. This odorless sunblock is a winner for  for people with sensitive skin and those who dislike annoying scents in cosmetics. The SPF 30 affords enough protection when you're going out.

Weak Points:

The price- it sells for Php400 or US $15 (for international customers) per 50ml tube. Not bad for its quality, organic nature, and the fact that it will last you for a long time, but somehow its cost makes me wish that Human Heart Nature (a local organic brand  known for its affordable prices) will have its own line of sunblock.

2. Kiss Kiss Balm



Ingredients:

grade a beeswax from ethical apiaries, organic calendula extract, organic sunflower oil, natural plant coloring: alkanet root, spirulina, orris root

Strong Points:

Their highly-emolient formulation of lip balm is one of my best defenses against dry lips. I think the pink variant I got is Froyo, which has the scent of berry yoghurt .  I can't say it has solved my perennial problem of dry,cracking lips but it does help lessen the problem. If you have issues with petroleum-based lip products, this will be your ally, because this works just as well, minus the petroleum. It can also act as moisturizer for cuticles, as well as a skin-protecting balm for burns and cuts.  Despite that it has 7 been months after I opened it, and  considering that it doesn't contain preservatives found in non-organic lip products, it is still intact with no signs of deterioration- .  A Php200 15 g jar will sure go a long, long way.

Weak Points:

It has quite a perfumy -lip balm smell that I find weird- it's like dabbing berry perfume on my lips. The breakable jar will not be convenient to carry around your purse, so most likely it will stay home and be part of your morning rituals instead of being a handy beauty arsenal brought everywhere. It has a glossy finish which is ok with women, but men with chapped lips will not like this for a remedy, unless they want their shiny puckers to announce to the world that they're wearing lip balm .

3. Face Canvas

Ingredients:

organic sweet almond oil, ylang-ylang infusion, organic mango butter, grade a beeswax, deionized water, virgin coconut oil, soy lecithin, organic carrot extract, vit. e., organic vanilla oil

Among the 4 Leyende products I bought, this was the first to go, not only because it was just  a mini 10g jar preparation, but because I always looked forward to applying this primer on my face. The milky-cocoa  scent is addicting, it's like feeding your skin with a yummy champorado (chocolate porridge). It's supposed to have mango butter but I don't know why it smells more chocolatey than mango-floatey to me. It's an organic alternative to silicone-based makeup primers  that aims to provide a smooth base and to control the oiliness of the face. Being a walking oil mine,  it helped my makeup last longer, its oil control is ok,  but not on a rave-worthy level. I think I paid more attention to its scent than its oil-control properties. I liked topping it off with my favorite mineral makeup powder and I can go to work reveling in the lightness and smoothness of my skin, as if I had no makeup on. The hydrating property and creamy consistency of this primer needs no addition of a moisturizer to your regimen, as this acts as a moisturizer and primer in one. This usually comes in 60g jar that costs Php450 or $15, which is reasonable enough for me.

Weak Points:

This is obviously something I really loved, so I can't think of any of its downside, except maybe that its scent can make you hungry.

4. Clean Slate

Ingredients:

grade a royal jelly, honey, beeswax, goat or soy milk, organic pineapple extract, ylang-ylang infusion, oat extract, a-tocopherol (vitamin E), grapeseed extract, organic coconut extract

Like the Face Canvas, the Clean Slate has a delicious scent that has the tendency to get you hungry. This vanilla- scented skin treat  multi-tasks as a facial wash, makeup remover and toner.   The royal jelly base allows thorough cleansing without drying, the pineapple extract acts as a toner, while the wild Philippine Ylang-Ylang infusion contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.  The skin looks and feels clean after using this as a facial wash, although I'm not used to non-sudsy facial cleansers.  As a makeup remover, it can be likened be Pond's cold cream, but I still turn to my regular makeup removers for hard to erase eye makeups.

Weak Points:

It feels slippery on the skin even after rinsing, but is solved after patting the skin off gently with a towel. I used a product very similar to this one before which was given as a freebie by Luminare and was sold at a much cheaper price (less than Php 100 for a 50ml bottle). It got me wondering if the ingredients are the same coz the Php 350 /$12 price of a 100ml Clean Slate tube makes me want to ask Luminare for a truckload of that freebie. But then again, Leyende products are packaged differently. The brand has a classy appeal  and takes conscious efforts in ensuring the quality of their products. And did I mention that they had excellent customer service and quick shipping?

Leyende organic skin care products are available online at http://www.leyende.com/.

Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation

I got the Sheer Cover kit as a gift from my friend Malou when she came home from the US last December for a visit.  I’ve been a mineral makeup convert for more than 3 years now, you bet I tried quite a handful of brands from the US  as well as those from local manufacturers. From the pricey to the more affordable ones, some were awesome while others were so-so. I still have a couple of unopened jars to this day so when this was given to me, I intended to keep it unopened until I finish the ones in my stash. The Sheer Cover kit has other contents in a bag, including concealer, moisturizer, mascara, lip gloss, and brushes, but I’ll start with a review of its star product, the mineral foundation.

Judging from its name, I reckoned the coverage was thin and not enough for my oily and acne-ravaged skin type.  I was thinking it was similar to Bare Escentuals, its strongest competitor in the market. BE has nice texture and oil control properties, but has sparkly ingredients that settle in acne pits, accentuating the flaws as "twinkling scars," which could rival Edward Cullen’s sparkling appearance under the sun.  One day I decided to give the Sheer Cover foundation a try and boy, I was in for a surprise!

I was never this amazed when I applied any mineral foundation on my skin. Compared to Bare Escentuals, it’s got its smooth texture, with a little more coverage and minus the starry, starry face. I think it still has some iridescent elements but not enough to highlight my scars. The shade I got was nude under the light category, which suits me fine. With its patented True Shade technology.it’s supposed to allow minerals to work with your skin’s natural oils and blend with your color, so that’s probably why it matches me well, though I would have opted for a shade with yellow undertones.  Dissecting its performance, these are my observations:

Pros:

• Superb texture that makes skin look smooth


• Coverage is good: evens out skin tone and covers minor imperfections yet feels light. It is buildable, too


• Oil control is good (while it lasts)


• Does not shine on acne pits


• Minimal caking tendencies


• No break-outs


• Contains soothing, anti-aging botanicals called Green Rooibos tea


• Has sun protection:  SPF-15


• No preservatives,oils, perfumes, dyes, or talc

Cons:

• Relatively expensive: For $29.95, it has to come with a kit which you might not need and it contains only 4g of the powder. Afterwards, you’ll have to be “subscribed” to receive a kit every 90 days at the same price.


• No option to buy the powder alone


• I wish it lasts longer (though its longevity is better than traditional pressed powders)


• SPF can show a white cast on flash photography

This is currently my holy grail foundation. My other mineral powders are  taking a backseat ever since I discovered this. I’m just worried once I’d run out of it because I’d have to be a member to avail of the discounted price of $29.95 per kit. They do have a distributor in the Philippines (sheercover.ph) but the price is Php 4,995 (around $106) per kit for a 90 day supply and Php 2495 (around $53) for a 30 day supply. Sheesh.. with that price, I think  I’ll have to scout for a new holy grail that doesn’t cost as much. I love it but with the numerous mineral makeup brands sprouting everywhere, I'm sure there'll be a good alternative somewhere.

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Lights, Camera, Makeup!

After years of lusting for a make up artist chair, I finally have one! It was on my wishlist last Christmas and Santa decided to send it through snail mail, thus reaching my destination on Valentines day. Ok , it wasn’t Santa. It was my hubby who gave it to me as a Valentine’s present after listening to my constant rantings on how my back hurts after every makeup gig. Sweet.

I ordered my makeup artist chair from Suesh, my favorite supplier of makeup artist tools, known for their superior yet affordable brushes. I got it for Php 5000 (about $106) which isn’t bad because these kinds of chairs in Quiapo are sold for around Php 4000. The courier cost was Php 620 from Manila to CDO through AP Cargo. What I like best about Suesh is that they’re open to suggestions. I asked about the possible shipping cost from their usual courier and they said it might take a little over than Php 1000. I suggested AP Cargo and Suesh immediately called them up to inquire about the shipping rates, which as expected, was a lot cheaper. I received my order a day after. Quick, right? AP Cargo used air instead of ocean freight to deliver my package.

The framework is made up of wood while the seat and back canvas have to be inserted to it. At first I doubted the capacity of the chair to hold an average client sitting on it. But then I tested it on my hubby and my mom and it went fine. To be safe, don’t use it on obese clients. I have my chair and canvas in all black but I can change the color of the seat and back anytime through the canvas available at Amazon for only $9. I saw one in purple and another in red. I really think I need an alternate canvas because the texture is prone to collect powders and other make ups falling off.

My problem now is its portability. Although it can fit in the car trunk folded, attaching the piece near the foot can be cumbersome. From the time we assembled it, we didn’t fold it up again because the foot piece is difficult to remove and even harder to put back. It needs some screwing and unscrewing, which would take a lot of time if you’re on a gig. It’s kinda bulky bringing it fully assembled although it’s not that heavy. I don’t think I can bring it when I’m alone coz it would ruin my poise to carry this big thing around. I might be offered a job at the sea port when somebody sees me lifting it over my head.

I guess the chair is great for home studio, or if you have people who can lift if for you, or if you’re a male makeup artist. But I’m still glad I have the chair now. It doubles as a director’s chair so if I’m not doing makeup, writing, or attending to patients, I’d probably be out somewhere living out my fantasies as a movie director.. err.. for wholesome flicks, of course.

This post is brought to us by design furniture

No More Bad Hair Day

One of our readers, Bianca/Sunmom, named a few local manufacturers of organic beauty products in a previous blog post on organics. Human Heart Nature was one of them, thus I researched about it immediately. Surprisingly, upon browsing the goods on the Human Heart Nature website, I noticed  that the prices are very reasonable. Knowing organics, they usually come at a price, but their company proves it otherwise.

Unlike other local online stores that require going to the bank or Globe outlet to transfer payment, the Human Heart Nature online shop conveniently accepts credit cards. Being a supporter of organic products, I took advantage of the affordable prices and purchased some items including the Hair Mask- Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado (Php 84.75) and the Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter (Php 89.75).

Hair Mask-Intensive Gugo Bark and Avocado

After shampoo, the Hair Mask is to be left for 30 mins before rinsing. It is said to have strengthening, nourishing and moisturizing properties, boosted with Vitamin E and B complex. The Omega-3 in Avocado helps in restoring moisture and elasticity while the Gugo Bark, a time-tested natural hair enhancer that our grandmothers swear by, nourishes and minimizes hair loss. The addition of organic virgin coconut oil adds shine to worn-out locks.

The ingredients are as follows:

Water, cetrimonium chloride (from palm/vegetable oil), cetyl alcohol (from coconut), organic Entada Phaseoloides (Gugo Bark) extract, organic Persea Americana (Avocado) oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, natural honey extract,  Rosemary fragrance oil, gluconolactone (natural preservative), Rosemary essential oil, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Peppermint essential oil, citric acid, and sodium benzoate.

The peppermint oil makes it a cool and fragrant bath essential that you would want to use often. It is just as effective as hair spas or intensive damage control conditioners sold at department stores, minus the harsh chemicals.

Hair Styling Cream- Acapulco and Mango Butter

I say this is the bomb! This has light to medium hold that affords a great hairstyle without leaving nasty residues. After bath, I apply it on my hair that has been ravaged by regular rebond. As I mentioned before, my hair has frizzy strands that looks fried by the bathroom lights and it isn't easily solved by my usual leave-on conditioners or hair cuticle coats that come with a greasy feel. It had to take an organic hairstyling product to tame my damaged locks.

At first, I dampened my hair with the cream a little too much that throughout the day, I sported a wet-look as though I've been out playing in the rain. By wet, I mean water-wet and not the oil spill kind.  I learned that it only took a little amount to get it working. Noticeably, the frizz were gone and my hair was more manageable without being oily.  The effects are even more remarkable when I use it after the Hair Mask which I don't apply on a daily basis because I'm scrimping and I can't wait for 30 minutes before rinsing it every time.

It contains the following organic ingredients:

mango oil, vegetable-derived cetyl alcohol, mango butter, purified water, Philippine carrageenan, acapulco extract, natural vitamin E,  and peppermint fragrance oil.

On my next order, I'd like to try their organic shampoos and conditioners. For something that you apply daily, wouldn't it give you some peace of mind if you know that you're using products that are environmentally-friendly and healthy? Human Nature's price is not a prohibiting factor so I expect more people turning to organic products eventually. Hopefully, more Filipino companies would take after the example of Human heart nature and offer quality products from natural resources found locally.

Human Heart Nature has a satellite office in La Palma, California. Readers from the USA can order online from the Human Heart Nature US website.

Using Real Spongebobs For Makeup

One of the things I learned from Fanny Serrano during his lectures at the Cosmetologie event last February was the use of a natural sea sponge or seaweed sponge. Instead the the ubiquitous latex sponges, he prefers this natural alternative when applying makeup to his clients. Even my makeup teacher Sir Lourd Ramos demonstrated the techniques of TV makeup using this kind of sponge.

Fanny narrated that when he was having his vacation in Cebu (if I remember it right), he noted people by the shore collecting something which appeared to be of no importance. He asked them what they were for and he learned that these were being exported as a cosmetic accessory. He examined its appearance and realized that they were similar to the expensive natural sponges that he used to buy abroad and thing is, they actually originate from the Philippines.

I bought 3 sponges during the fair at P60 ($1.20) each. Fanny found a way to order from local sources so they come at a much cheaper price.

Here is my evaluation on the use of the Sea Sponge in Makeup Application:

PROS

• It is a natural product , eliminating dermatologic problems caused by latex materials. In addition, the production of synthetic sponges made of rubber or latex  uses a chemical called mercaptobenzothiozole which triggers dermatitis.


• When moistened, it feels soft on the skin


• Its texture improves skin renewal and blood circulation.


• It allows foundation to be spread evenly. When you are using cake or stick foundation, it lessens the tendency to create a mask-like effect.


• The foundation remains on your face instead of being soaked up in the sponge.


• It can be used to remove makeup.


• It is easy to wash. Have you ever tried washing those synthetic sponges with stubborn makeup stains? They are too difficult to clean that you'd rather throw them away.


• It is more environment friendly. The latex sponges that you keep throwing away are non-biodegradable. With sea sponge, it will take a long time before you will tire of it and they will not harm mother nature when disposed.

CONS

• It needs water. You have to keep a clean bottle of water handy during shoots. Otherwise, a dry sea sponge makes a good exfoliant.


• It requires the right amount of water. Too much of it will transform your makeup session into a bathing experience. The sea sponge absorbs a lot of water inside that you have to squeeze it out before application. It also tends to dry up on the surface fast because the water seeps its way to the core; hence it requires to be dipped often,  only to be squeezed again.


• You can't puff powders using it.


• It is difficult to find in local stores. When Fanny said that these sponges were available at his booth, we rushed before it could run out of stock. I hardly saw these sponges sold at cosmetics counter. Fanny mentioned that these can be bought at his salon after the fair.


• While its biodegradable nature is environment-friendly, too much harvesting of these sea sponges can be a threat to the ecosystem. However, this claim is countered with the fact that sea sponges have the ability to regenerate itself. The people harvesting them should be careful not to detach the base of the sponge to preserve its ability to regrow.

There are other types of sponges such as the polyurethranes which are less likely to cause skin irritations. New non-latex sponges are also coming out in the market. They are washable, biodegradable and affordable. Price starts at $2.50 each, I just don't know where to find them locally. Any tips?

I am glad that I secured my own sea sponges. I love the difference it makes in cosmetic application. I just wished I bought more so I wouldn't have to worry where to purchase them again without going to Manila.

120 Eyeshadow Palette

This eyeshadow palette is a hit among youtubers and bloggers. My guiding principle in purchasing cosmetics or any goods for that matter is that you get what you pay for. I don't usually fall for cheaper alternatives unless the feedbacks are really good, otherwise they'd end up gathering dust or locked up in the closet. By scrimping, I end up paying for more.

As a makeup artist, branded products are the easier way to go, but the ability to hunt for more affordable but good products is a skill to be learned. Otherwise, your fees will keep on surging to keep up with the pricey arsenals. If practicing, it's good to start with cheaper alternatives. Think of it this way: when practicing how to drive, using a cheaper, less advanced vehicle like a jeep, will make you a more adept driver who knows how to work it in difficult circumstances. If you start on an automatic transmission, power steering and all, you will enjoy the comfort of it that you will no longer be willing to drive a less powerful and cheaper car because it will put you in a very stressful situation. Same goes with makeups: if you know how to make an ebay 120 eyeshadow palette work, you will have no trouble shifting to a Mac or Make Up For Ever palette. If it's the other way around, you will complain a lot and might even ditch the 120 palette and stick to the branded stuffs and practice on really expensive products. For me, the 120 palette is a good buy for practicing creative makeup because of the striking colors but you will have to deal with its weaknesses.

When my 120 palette arrived, there were about 10 colors that cracked. It was enveloped in a very thick layer of bubble wrap yet it didn't prevent them from cracking. When I dipped my brush on some intact colors, they went phloof and disintegrated as well.

Here's my assessment of it:

PROS:

• Cheap- I spent less than P1000 or around $21 including shipping (which was pricier, by the way)


• Wide color selection.  You get a variety of dime- sized 120 colors. You won't need  pool-sized eyeshadows to practice, anyway.


• Highly Pigmented- no need for a primer on this one. Bold, striking colors in a single wipe. You will enjoy making rainbow patterns and let your creative mind go wild. You can go face painting using this palette.


• It came with a free gift- a travel size brush set

CONS:

• They crack big time-It was a good thing I still had my binder and pressed them back together.


• Some colors are not that great- when I tried fuschia pink on my model, it wasn't as good as it looked. It won't pack and kept falling off. I had to keep retouching only to fall off again. It was too powdery.


• They won't blend when used on top of UDPP. I didn't get the look that I wanted in my model because of the blending problem. Lesson learned: No primer should be used for this palette.


• It has a scent. A baby powder but not an overpowering kind of scent.

Verdict: 3.5/5.0. A little messy to use with the powdery consistency of some but the pay off of most colors is worth it. Good for practicing.

Do I regret purchasing it: At first, when I saw the cracked colors but when I started practicing on them, the colors were amazing.

Will I repurchase? Maybe not in a long time. By the time I consume all the colors, I will be skilled enough  to move on to Ben Nye, Kryolan or other professional theatrical makeup lines.

Camellia Rose Skin Primer

I finally got to own a bottle of one of the makeup world's best recommendations: the Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer.

Jen, the owner of Camellia Rose had to temporarily hold orders of the said primer because the demands were pouring in like mad. Since her products are handcrafted and prepared upon placement of order, she needed extra time to heed the clamor of makeup junkies.

It took me months to wait for them to restock while I continued to read positive reviews of the product with envy. What were all the raves about and why was it causing a virtual stampede on the Camellia Rose store?

I observed for a week before dishing out a fair review on the product and here's my take on it's success story:

A skin primer is something you apply to your skin before the makeup, to create a smooth base and hold the makeup longer. It prevents oiliness from coming out sooner and fills in large pores , craters and fine lines. This is an important step in creating a perfect canvass.

The ingredients are as follows: dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, silica, squalene, watermelon seed oil, red raspberry seed oil.

I'll lay down the other reasons why it gets my seal of approval:

• It works. When I head off to the clinic everyday, I hardly use a liquid foundation to avoid parabens and other harmful preservatives. Yet, with Camellia Rose primer, i get the same smooth effect which I benefit from using liquid foundation, minus the health worries. I hardly see a shiny area on my face by the time I come home. My skin craters are still covered, with no touch ups done. Being an oil spill, it should qualify as a miracle.
  

• Pleasant smell. Silicone based primers have this rubbery scent which is tolerable for me but Camellia rose primer reminds me of a yummy watermelon you'd love to feed your skin.

• Easy to apply. It has the same consistency as smashbox primer which is easy to glide on your skin. Let it dry for 2-3 minutes before topping it with your regular makeup. With pure luxe, although the smoothing effect was excellent, I had trouble spreading them out with brushes because of clumping.
  

• No skin irritation or break outs. For 1 straight week of using this, I had no adverse effects noted. In fact, the remnants from latest acne attack has tamed down. Some girls have reported allergic reactions towards squalene and red raspberry which are ingredients found in the original version of the primer but you can always opt for the Camellia Rose V 2.0 in which the said ingredients are replaced by camellia and rice bran oil. By the way, I ordered the 2 versions which I use alternately. I still can't decide which is better because both work fine with me.

• Affordable. A jumbo size is sold for only $18.95. Other primers cost around $30 per bottle. One tiny pump a day is all you need. Too much amount could lead to creasing.The bottle should last for a very long time.
  

• Excellent customer service. The shipping was fast, I'm from the Philippines but my order arrived in less than 2 weeks. That's really something. Jen is a very nice, sweet lady who adds personal touch to her transactions. When I told her about this beauty blog, she was beaming with praises for the projects I did as a makeup artist. Despite juggling motherhood and business, she spends time to get to know her clients and make them feel special. She emanates with positive vibes which probably rubs off on her handcrafted products.

UDPP

In makeup speak, that's Urban Decay Primer Potion. Raves for this magical product made me give in, eventually. It promised to prevent the eyeshadow colors from creasing and help to make it last longer, maintaining its vibrant look. Hands down, it won me over.

We had a photoshoot last Sunday with our very beautiful model, Nicole. They wanted a nature theme of the pictorial with bold, bordering on neon colors for makeup. Midway between natural and bold, I settled for yellow green eyeshadows. However, my Mac eye colors were mostly neutrals. I had to rely on my elianto palette which contained the color I had in mind. Although elianto colors are highly pigmented, I was worried on the longevity of
the makeup. I started the makeup at around 8:30 AM and the shoot went on til late afternoon.

Amazingly, the UDPP delivered its promise. The eyeshadows were still striking despite that I only retouched it in mid afternoon. No creases, either. This works well on oily lids which tends to let the colors slip off faster.

Here's how to apply the magic potion:

• Apply a very thin coat of this and spread evenly. Allow to dry. Apply eyeshadow as you normally would.
  

Some complained that it is harder to apply eyeshadow with UDPP as base. That's because it doesn't dry up to a powdery consistency, making it bumpier for the eyeshadows to glide. To counter this, you have to make sure you spread UDPP evenly and thinly. A little goes a long way. A good makeup brush should be handy.

In addition, if you plan on revising the original color, you may have difficulty removing it once it adheres to the UDPP.
You may have to use a makeup remover for this and repeat the
process.

This sells for $16. Other eye primers getting the rave but I have
yet to try are Art deco eye primer and Too faced eye insurance.
The former is sold in Manila but I heard, it's always out of stock.
Hmm.. It must be that hot.

Image Source of UDPP:amazon.com
Note: The official pictures of that photoshoot are still to be released. The photos that appear here were poor captures from my cell phone cam.



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Suesh Make Up Brushes

I got my Suesh 28- piece make up brush set last January, just in time for my 3rd wedding gig.

The first time I heard about Suesh was through the August edition of Preview magazine last year (the same issue where Makeup Artist in Scrubs was featured in the Nokia N76 promo winners). The price of P2,500 for a 16 piece set was reasonable enough. It looked very professional. It was tempting but I brushed it aside ( pun intended) because I wasn't sure about the quality based on the magazine feature alone. When I enrolled in a make up school, my classmate Sharon showed me her suesh 28 piece brushes and I made a mental note to buy one for myself soon.

It took a while to get my hands on my very own suesh brush set because the 28 piece set was always out of stock. It was selling like hotcakes.

These are 5 top reasons why I instantly fell in love with it:

1. They are luxuriously sooffft! I have encountered brushes that were very affordable yet double as face exfoliants. The abrasive nature of these cheap brushes irritates the skin and causes blemishes. Suesh brushes are soft enough to be therapeutic to the skin. When I first got it, I couldn't stop sweeping it on my palm.


2. Effective delivery of pigments. The difference of natural fibers like those of suesh's from soft synthetic brushes is the presence of scales. These hold the pigments and transfer it to your skin when applied.


3. No shedding. Even for some expensive brushes, they leave fibers on your face, sometimes ample enough to mistake you as garfield's girlfriend. Suesh does not give you this problem.


4. Sturdy. These brushes will last you for a long, long time due to the quality craftmanship.


5. Reasonable price. For good quality brushes, Suesh is the real deal! Branded brushes could cost as much as P3,000 per brush, yet with P4,500, you can already have Suesh full 28 piece professional set. It's a very wise investment.

Prior to purchasing these brushes, I bought their tool belt for P1,000.00. It affords me the convenience of having my brushes around all the time during photo shoots.

For make up junkies who want the basics, they also have 5 piece brush set for only P900. This would make a nice present for your kikay friends or your mom. I wish somebody gave me a gift like this but it never happened. By the way, watch out for the Cosmopolitan Philippines August 2008 Edition. The 5 piece suesh set landed on their cosmo beauty awards.
Other items that Suesh has are:

• Kabuki brush- P700


• Retractable blush brush- P600


• Foundation Brush- P700


• Stippling brush- P900

Their website is at: http://suesh.multiply.com or you could contact them at 09178942625 or 09226038087. Don't worry, the ladies behind Suesh are absolutely nice, they don't bite.

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Online Shopping

I love my city, CDO. This is where I grew up. However, a major drawback of living this far from the country's capital is the inaccessibility to the hottest makeup trends. No major brands like Mac, Shu Uemura, Stila, Smashbox, or Bobbi Brown in this city. So far, only Shisheido is the high end makeup available here. Drugstore brands like Maybelline, Revlon, and L'oreal are the usual cosmetics readily sold, and of course, some local brands such as Ever Bilena and Avon.

Being a makeup artist and junkie, I cannot limit my collection to whatever is available locally. I simply couldn't help myself from drooling over cult favorites which unfortunately aren't sold in the city. The latest makeup reviews from fellow beauty enthusiasts make me itch to try them myself. Traveling to Manila used to be my only hope for buying my tools.

Today, with my growing collection of make-ups, my clients and models often ask me where I get them. Well, I'll let you in on my secret: online shopping. Almost anything I browse online, I could find a site to shop for it. With just a few mouse clicks, I'm done..so is my credit card.
With the convenience of secure transactions like paypal, online shopping can be truly addicting. It is the prohibitive cost of shipping that can halt my favorite hobby. The shipping cost is sometimes more than the item ordered.

In searching for my favorite cosmetics, I came across a cool site that offers free shipping worldwide. At first, I was cynical about it. The prices were lower than usual. The famous YSL touche eclat is worth more than P2,000 at Rustan's in Manila but I bought it for P1,000 plus from Strawberrynet.com. But well, knowing the markup of cosmetics once it reaches the Philippines, that shouldn't be surprising. With free shipping, that was definitely a steal. I checked the feedbacks of people who brought from that website and most of them could attest that the products are genuine.
I tried shopping with Strawberrynet.com to see for myself. Their product lines were impressive. Aside from makeups, perfumes and skin care products are also being sold. I was able to avail of a free stila pivotal liquid foundation for first time customers. There were also items that were on 50% sale. Definitely the makeup junkies haven! I was pleased with the neat packaging and quick shipping, considering it was christmas season when I ordered. I have tried the products myself and I can vouch that they are authentic.

Strawberrynet.com offers additional perks like discounts for returning customers. I have signed up for their newsletter to be updated with the latest store promos, which are often hard to pass up. With the rising price of gasoline, driving to your favorite department store when the products you want are not even there, can be frustrating. Sometimes online shopping is our best option. Free shipping is a big bonus to be taken advantage of. Convenient but addicting.

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Rx: Maalox For Oily Skin

I read on discussion forums online, that this medication for hyperacidity can actually work wonders as a skin mattifier. The Tyra Banks show featured the use of milk of magnesia as the solution to the perennial problem of oily skin. Milk of magnesia consists of Magnesium hydroxide.Maalox is a local brand name for a medication containing Aluminum Magnesium hydroxide. Aluminum OH provides the added benefit of shriking pores These are in fact ingredients of some cosmetics including concealers.

A lot of makeup junkies swear by this DIY remedy. Maalox can be used as toner by applying it to the skin after washing with cleanser. It should remain on the skin for several minutes before it is rinsed off. Another use is enabling makeup to stay put for several hours, Maalox can be applied thinly to the skin as a primer. It is important that very thin layer is applied as it dry up to a chalky consistency afterwards. Others are even using it as an eyehadow primer to prevent creasing.

Being an oilspill myself, I roadtested it today, in lieu of my regular primer. The control of oiliness was good. I'm just not too sure if it's due to the Maalox or the Aubrey Nicole Rice finishing powder which arrived in the mail today. As a bonus, the zit on my nose dried up a bit. Since its an antacid, I wonder if will do additional good to my acidic skin, which darkens makeup after oxidation.However, there was a little whitish cast which may not be good for photography.

Promising, huh? An alternative to expensive primers that are not available here in cdo, anyway. I am a loyal mineral makeup user as these are my best options for oily skin. The addition of an effective primer should do the trick. On the downside, i'm not sure if it's wise to use this on a regular basis as it can be drying. Not good for dry or aging skin.The feedback mechanism of the body could also cause rebound oiliness. I don't want to look at the mirror a week after to see an aged/ dehydrated yet oilier face looking back at me. Moderation is the key, I guess.

Studies have not been reported as to its safety on the skin so try it at your own risk. It would be safe to do a patch test for allergies on the anterior surface of the forearm before putting it on your face.