Small talk first.

Online shopping is something I really enjoy, OBVSLY. I've done it as far back as 2008, I guess. Even before the existence of formal online selling platforms such as Zalora or Lazada, I've had shopping experiences through online sellers at Multiply. So far, I have never experienced being scammed. 😆 But I've learned to adjust my expectations: if I bought something at a really cheap price, I don't expect too much about the quality. There are times that I get lucky tho. I do my own research about products. As someone who blogs about product reviews, I am very diligent about reading reviews myself. I compare prices from different shops and I always try to make the most out of the shipping fee that I pay. Ahhh...I feel nostalgic about the time when Lazada still offered free shipping for a minimum amount spent of Php 995.00. Sigh...those were the days. 😆 Nowadays, I frequent Shopee, and it's not a bad choice either. I can find almost anything there, shipping fee is subsidized, and there are official shops (products with "Mall" label) for different brands so I am assured that I am able to get authentic products. I was delighted that some shops remained open during the community quarantine. I also commend J&T Express for keeping things moving even during the lockdown. Take a look at some some of the stuff that I grabbed.

Where I Bought: Shopee, Morui Official Shop (https://shopee.ph/moruiph)

Price: approximately Php 900.00

Where I Bought It: Shopee, Strontium Official Shop (https://shopee.ph/strontiumphilippines)

Prices:  64 GB USB Ammo Flash Drive - Php 398.00 (discounted from 599.00)

             32 GB USB Pollex Flash Drive - Php 215.00 (discounted from 899)

             32 GB Ammo USB 3.1 - Php 279.00 (discounted from 799)

             16 GB Nitro Micro Memory Card - Php 145 (discounted from 499)

Another sweet deal. USB drives are literally a dime-a-dozen in Shopee so I made sure to purchase branded ones. I bought these to save backup files of work-related and personal stuff. They are all working great. That's another one off my to-buy list.

Where I Bought: Shopee Seller @ezfindz (https://shopee.ph/ezfindz)

I've been a Human Nature fan for a long time and I plan to repurchase more of their products in the coming days. My most favorite in this bunch is the body wash. The toner has always been a favorite too. I will be reviewing these products soon.

Where I Bought: Shopee Seller @sophiaandkalel (https://shopee.ph/sophiaandkalel)

I was literally shocked at how fast these products arrived considering the community quarantine. I ordered on a Saturday and by Monday I received a call that the package was ready for pickup at my local J&T. Just more skin care and a bit of makeup products here.

CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch - Php 129.00 (from 250.00)

Purederm Collagen Eye Zone Mask - Php 58.00 (from 60.00)

 Farmstay Snail Repair Eye Cream - Php 145.00 (from 350)

Pyunkang Yul Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam - Php Php 85.00 (from 150.00)

The Face Shop Air Cotton Makeup Base in 02 Lavender - Php 175.00 (from 350.00)

Varpsys My Real Touch Puff - Php 99.00 (from 190.00)

I have not yet used some of the products here so I won't be able to make a full review yet. But so far, I love that makeup base from The Face Shop and the Varpsys sponge is a real steal at Php 99.00! 

***

During the community quarantine, so many Filipinos lost their jobs. I am fortunate to be working in the government sector so I did not suffer the same fate. With this simple gesture of shopping from Filipino sellers, I believe I am able to help keep people's livelihood afloat, even just on a micro level. Let us keep supporting online sellers, and  local sellers in our communities. Ika nga, para sa ekonomiya! 😉

Xo,

caRissa 🍀

Another thing that puts me off when I try to shop online is when they have limited payment types accepted. I don't have a credit card. My debit card no longer works for online shopping because I think my bank has been more cautious to avoid fraudsters. That usually leaves me with the bank deposit option but there aren't many banks this side of the universe. #probinsyanaproblems.

I was so surprised when I learned that Sephora PH accepts Dragonpay! I've had previous experience with Dragonpay when I shopped with Shopee so I know that it is a gateway for over-the-counter payments such as LBC, Cebuana Lhuillier and M. Lhuilier, etc. See photo above! Yes! You can shop with Sephora PH and pay through those very pang-mass (for the masses) payment options!

Here's my quick review about the BYS Matte Lipstick in Latte To Go shade. I got this from the collaboration box between BYS and Glamourbox called the Matte Maven Limited Edition box.

"BYS Matte lipstick has a creamy velvety texture that glides on effortlessly with a matte finish, leaving your lips looking moisturised and totally smouldering all day long. Feel confident and beautiful wearing BYS Matte Lipstick."

I've been meaning to get a matte lippie in a nude peach shade; something that I can wear often to the office. I got so excited when I received this one through the BYS Box and thought how lucky that I EXACTLY got something that I wanted.

Based on the photo above you can see that it's really a nude peach shade. Although it says that it is matte, it is definitely on the creamy matte side. When applied, it doesn't look flat but rather, it has some sheen. For someone like me who has a tendency to have dryness on my lips, I'm definitely fine with it. My problem is not with the formula but with the color itself. Since it came from a curated beauty box, I didn't have any say with the color selection. I had a little difficulty when I applied it on my lips because it doesn't seem to get even. It doesn't blend with the lips, it just sits on top of it. And the color, it's tad too light to cover up the natural color of my lips, which is darker. As a result, it's like I'm wearing a white stuff on my lips. 

See these photos here, they were shot on different lighting. On the photo on the left, I had the flash on and on the other one the flashes were off. 

If you look closely on the photo on the left, you can actually see the patchiness of it. You may notice that it has settled on the lines on my lips. I did my best using a lip brush, but like I said, I had a hard time trying to make it look even and nice on my lips. The photo on the right is rather blurred and you may say that my lips looks lovely and pinkish, but trust me in person, it looks rather white on my lips. Needless to say, I don't think I can ever wear this in public; I won't be able to pull it off. Ha ha!

I cannot make a comment on the longevity of this product since I only wore it for pictorial purposes but based on the 'feel' of it on my lips, since it is creamy matte and not full-on matte, and that it doesn't adhere well with the lips, I don't think it will stay on as long as other matte lippies would.

I tried 'saving' the product by using it as a corrector on my under eyes. I figured that since it is peach, it can counteract the darkness, and heck, why not? Ha ha. Well, here's how it went. It really was able to correct the darkness at first but since the formula is really intended for the lips and, it was rather too creamy and heavy for my baggies. And again, as I tend to sweat a lot on that area, the product just slipped off; so never mind.

So there, lesson learned for me. If I must get  a peachy nude shade, I should go for one that leans towards the brown side because the natural color of my puckers are rather dark. I've checked out the other colors of the said matte lipsticks at www.bys.com.au and I've found two lovely shades that I would love to wear!

BYS Matte Lipstick in Rumba

Size/Price: 3.5g for Php 199.00 (according to the curation card)

Where I Got It: www.glamourbox.ph

Also Available At: Malls, Watsons and beauty counters where BYS is sold

XO,

Carissa

It's a great feeling, to be able to receive something from the mail. FINALLY! My order from the Bench Online Shop has arrived, after more than two weeks of waiting. But I have no qualms about it though; I know that some areas in the Metro have experienced flooding this past week.

Well, what do we expect? It's rainy season again. 

Bench is one of the most popular homegrown brands in the Philippines. It is endorsed by some of the well-known celebs, local and international. For me, I've known the brand since I was in high school. I've purchased stuff from their popular lines of fragrances. In 2004 I convinced my mother to buy me one of those shirts that Jerry Yan (from the Meteor Garden fame) endorsed. Oh! It made me so happy. 

I'm thrilled that I no longer have to go to a physical shop just to get stuff from Bench. You can go to http://shop.bench.com.ph/  and check it out for yourself. Meanwhile, here are the goodies that I got from the said shop.

1. Bench/Cinco Limited Edition Push Up Bra. I decided to grab this because I thought I should start owning grownup looking bras: by that, I mean lacey, black and no prints. Ha ha. Just a teensy bit of flub though: the tag said that its straps are removable but then I double checked and they are absolutely not removable. Maybe that's why they went on sale.

4. Nail Polishes. The bottles are bigger than I expected. The colors are just pretty and the formula just applies smoothly on my nails. The shades are Baked Apple (Red), Paradise Green, and Blueberry Cheesecake.

..And that's about it. They ship free for purchases over Php 1,000.00 and mine just totaled Php 1094.00 (approx USD 21.00). Yes, for all of it! Amazing deal, right? All of the stuff that I got were on sale. Daddy was especially happy about the shirts. The polishes would soon be featured for an NOTD and  the push up bra is doing its job quiet well. Ha ha ha.

I'm soooo looking forward to shopping with Bench again in the future.

XO,

Carissa

For those who don't already know, Sample Room 'is the Philippines' first ever beauty and lifestyle sampling website'. Upon membership you get 100 points which you can use to order some samples in the site. You review the products in turn and the points spent will be awarded back to you. To know more about Sample Room, you can read here and to know  more on how to become a member, you can read it here.

In the middle January 2016, I decided to avail of the VIP Membership so that I can have more points and avail of more products. I've been a regular member since 2013 and I thought it was about time to level up. :) I spent 799 for 1000 points and a soon as I received the points in my account, it was time for order galore!

For starters, here's what I got as a VIP Gift: Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in Summer Twilight.

Order #1 

1 pc 20 g Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing CC Cream (Medium) - Php 499.00

1 pc 40 ml Zenutrients Gugo Strengthening Hair Serum - Php 499.00

1 pc 5.67g Burt's Bees Lip Gloss (Rosy Dawn) - Php 700.00

Order #2

2 pcs 40 ml Cream Silk Standout Straight Leave-On Cream - Php 98.00

1 pc 5.67g Burt's Bees Lip Gloss (Sunny Day) - Php 700.00

1 pc 20g Blushing Beauty Lick My Lips Color-Changing Lip Balm - Php 200.00

Order#3

1 pc 150 ml Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream SPF 30 - Php 199.77

1 pc 65g Belo Intensive Whitening Bar with Exfoliating Body Scrubs - Php 64.75

1 pc 50 ml Belo Intensive Whitening BB Cream SPF 50 & PA ++++ - Php 349.75

Order #4

1 pc 150 ml Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing Toner - Php 849.00

1 pc 10g Pond’s Flawless White Dewy Rose Whitening Soft Cream SPF 30 PA+++ - Php 179.00

1 pc 40 ml Dove Deo Original Roll-On - Php 89.00

Order #5

1 pc 140 ml Belo SunExpert Ultragentle Sheer Spray SPF50 and PA+++ - Php 539.75

All of them are winners! Especially the Sunbrella!!! Not your ordinary umbrella.

The Tinted Sunscreen is my favorite in this lot.

A Costume Party

If I must go all out for a costume party, I’d love to dress up as the famously ill-fated Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. Big hair and big skirt. Pale skin and pink cheeks. She’s everything I’ll never be on an ordinary day. I’ve always known her as an icon but when Kirsten Dunst played her in Sofia Coppola’s 2006 biopic of the same title, she really came to life for me. The movie’s pastel palette was just so delectable, we only have the award winning costume designer Milena Canonero to blame for the ballgown overload. Not that we're complaining.

The Streets of NYC

My Wedding

 

Hello and welcome back to my blog! 

I'd like to give you a virtual hug and cheek to cheek air kisses 'coz it's so sweet of you to drop by. :) Maybe just to give some warmth because it's cold cold cold. December's finally here but sad to say there's another juggernaut of a typhoon that's threatening our country. I wish all typhoons would just melt upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Sorry to start on such a grim note but let's accept the fact that stronger typhoons are a reality in this day and age. And as stewards of the Earth we have to endure and weather it with a lot of preparation and prayers. Moreover, there's still a lot to be thankful for. And that's where I divert from the topic at hand :)

But I have experienced none of that with Keringkeri Store.

Those two Maybelline products: the BB White and the Baby Skin Pore Eraser, I got them at lower prices than in malls. For added measure I checked the expiry dates when they arrived and they were certainly freshly manufactured and definitely authentic. The Palgantong Powder and the Naturactor Concealer are now my makeup kit staples. And the MUA Eye Primer, Eunice the owner was nice to inform me that it's like a dupe for Benefit Lemonaid.

That's how nice she is. She always replies promptly even on Sundays. With just one text I can settle my ordered goodies and in like 3 days I get the package. Very hassle-free.

The store has a website which is so much better than those who only have Facebook Accounts. It is easier to search for the products that you want. 

Keringkeri Store

Eunice even sends some freebies sometimes.:)

So, I hope that with this simple blog post I was able to show my appreciation. I have found some other online stores but I keep coming back even if I've gone astray. In the end, hassle-free and good service matters in the face of thousands of sellers who compete for the buyer's attention.

How about you, have you shopped with Keringkeri Store before? Share your experience.

Cheesy title, yes?! I know you might be all pros in shopping with Zalora already. I've been buying stuff myself online for quiet some time now. However,as we all know, there is always a first time in everything. And this being my first with Zalora then I'd like to blog about it. :)

First of all, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would get to the point where I would shop online for my father. We have been looking at online shopping sites looking for the perfect running shoes for him. He had a brand in mind: Asics. He's been eyeing different models but none of us was quiet taking him seriously. I mean, six thousand grands for a pair of running shoes? Really? Even my mother was constantly quizzing him if he was serious about it. Each time, we would just get to the point of adding the item to the cart and not closing the transaction. Well, apparently he was serious about it otherwise this baby wouldn't be at my doorstep today and I wouldn't be sharing any Zalora shopping experience. :)

And so, here she is! Or he (?!). The brand new Asics GT 2000 we got from Zalora. Lovely piece of beast isn't it? Well, at Php 6700, it should be. It boasts of the GEL Cushioning System which to me is complete gibberish since I won't be the one using it. Just kidding though! According to the little product tag that came in with the pair, the ASICS GEL Cushioning system has the ability to absorb shock by dissipating vertical impact and dispersing it into a horizontal plane so runners can run in greater comfort. Moreover, judging from the huge smile on my father's face after trying the shoes, I guess they were excellent.

Now this whole thing here wouldn't be possible if not for Zalora. My father has long been wanting to buy this brand but there was none available in the stores in our region, even in the high-end ones. So he told me that he opted to buy online but had repercussions because like  what most of us would say when we haven't tried online shopping before, the basic questions would be:"Is that legit?!" or "Would that stuff really arrive?" or "They're not fakes, are they?". I assured him though that big online shopping sites that have names already like Zalora are legitimate operating businesses. 

So, a few weeks ago I signed up with purpose of studying how the whole ordering process works. Outright I was awarded a Php 250 voucher which I could use for purchases above Php 1000 just for signing up with their Newsletter. Sadly, I wasn't able to use that voucher because it was only valid for 1 week. However, I do not regret signing up for the Newsletter early on because it has also allowed me to be in the know about the latest Promos. Through the Newsletter, I learned that there would be discounts on all shoe items and that's how we immediately decided to place our order. From the original price of Php 6,700, around a thousand was deducted, shipping fee included!!!

The whole transaction was very smooth indeed, with Zalora never failing to let us know about the status of our order. I placed my order on Monday, I settled the amount on Tuesday and by Friday, I was texting my father that the shoes are at home already. His reply of "That was fast!" pretty much encapsulated our satisfaction with the service.

So what are you waiting for guys?! Sign up for Zalora now and receive their updates on your email. They send discount codes too from time to time so keep your eyes peeled. Literally! They have a very supportive team that are there to guide you every step of the way. Their payment methods are also very much convenient. You can do bank deposits, GCash, Cebuana Lhuillier, Credit Card or Paypal. These too, came with the package: some discount codes that can be applied on our next Zalora shopping. Mother are you thrilled? We could be shopping for wedges next time. :)

Kudos Team Zalora and happy shopping, shoppers! :)

Meanwhile, I took some time out to take photo of the GT 2000 from different angles, for all the shoe enthusiasts out there who want some glimpse. Enjoy!