At the start of the year - like, literally January 1, 2017- I shopped with Shopee for the very first time. Yikes!  I know there's that uncomfortable feeling when shopping in a particular site for the first time.  So I'm breaking it down and sharing my first Shopee shopping experience, just to take away that cloud of doubt  from your mind. 

*Disclaimer: I paid for my own shopping spree at Shopee and I am not in any way being compensated by Shopee for making this review. I'm just purely sharing my experience.*


Let me start off by sharing with you some photos of my cart's content. All beauty stuff, huh?! Well, I am a beauty junkee so I started the year right by picking up some things that will be useful throughout the year.

3W CLINIC PROFESSIONAL NATURAL MAKE-UP POWDER AKA PALGANTONG POWDER
I'm glad that I was able to find my favorite Korean powder at Shopee. It only cost me Php  250.00 for a tub with 30 grams of product and I know it's going to take me a long time to consume all of it. It came quiet cheap huh! Well, I am glad that it looks like, it smells like and it feels as smooth as the last Palgantong Powder I bought so it's authentic.

 10 PCS KABUKI BRUSH SET


This 10 piece Kabuki Brush Set came at only Php 265.00. I will be making a separate review about it in the future but let me note that the bristles are really soft and dense and they are not shedding.

SLEEK MAKEUP I-DIVINE EYESHADOW PALETTE IN OH SO SPECIAL
This is a lovely palette, and I think the "Oh So Special" name is appropriate because it really is special. It has a combination of browns, pinks and grays; mattes and shimmers. This will be very useful for all the day looks that I would like to create.

Now, on to the shopping experience itself. To make things easier, I made a list of Pros and Cons about shopping with Shopee, based on my own experience.

Pros
1. The Shopee Website is easy to navigate. You can easily search for products using the search bar. Making an account is easy too.
2. There are so many products to choose from, at any price point. 
3. Free Shipping available for purchases amounting to Php 250.00 and above.
4. Different payment methods available. Refer to the photo below. You are also given ample time to settle your payment. About 5 days, I think.
Shopee Payment Methods
Choices for Remittance/Payment Center
Bank Over-the-Counter Options
Online Banking Options
Payments are made to Shopee and not directly to the seller which gives you the assurance that you will get your order or get your money back.

5. Easy monitoring and tracking of orders. Refer to the photo below.

6. You can easily contact the sellers through the Chat platform.
7. You can install the Shopee App on your mobile device so you can easily receive updates about your orders and other offers.

Cons
1. Some seller could be selling fake items and claim it as authentic so be vigilant about reading reviews of items and comments.
2. There are sellers that are actually selling fake items, especially cosmetics, at really low prices, making it more attractive to buyers, but there are so many perils about buying fakes.
3. The Free Shipping is through LBC Integrated Shipping. They only ship after the payment has been confirmed; no rush shipping! Otherwise, you can contact the seller personally if you are in a hurry but of course shipping will be at your own expense.

As of today, those are the only Cons I can think of. In my own experience, I paid on the deadline itself haha! In less than 24 hours, my payment has been confirmed. I think Shopee also about five days to ship the items. The items arrived about 2 days after being shipped out. I live in the province so two days is reasonable; quiet early even.

So far, so good. I enjoyed my shopping experience at Shopee. I found myself coming back to the website more and more!

XO,

Carissa
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Hiyah! I'm sharing some of my latest orders from Sample Room. Sample Room is of course, the Philippine's first ever beauty and lifestyle sampling website. "It is an interactive community that offers FREE samples, localized product reviews, and where all beauty lovers are valued." To know more about Sample Room, you can always visit their website, www.sampleroom.ph.

This year marks my 4th year of being a member. How time flies! I discovered Sample Room in 2013. Then of course, Super Typhoon Yolanda happened and I went into a blog hiatus. There are times that I become busy that I forget to visit their website for months but you know, I will always come back because I love discovering new products. I have even tried their VIP Membership last summer and I really had a blast ordering, sampling and reviewing loads and loads of products. Anyway, I got carried away with that intro, huh! 

Now, back to where I started, I am here to share my latest haul from Sample Room. Actually, I got this last November 2016. See, my latest is very very late. Yes, I am such a slacker sometimes. But, hewego!

The products that I picked are both proudly Filipino because I am a sucker for  helping local brands to flourish to help my countrymen and the local economy. (^_^) The brands are Zenutrients and Silka, respectively. 
***
I know most people are not so familiar with Zenutrients so if you want to know more about the company, you can visit their website. These are what I got from them: the Gugo Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner.

ZENUTIENTS GUGO STRENGTHENING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
The main hair strengthening component found in this pair is of course Entada Phaseoloides, locally known as Gugo.

It takes two, baby!
Gugo 
This plant is very large tree found throughout the Philippines. Gugo is used extensively in the Philippines for washing hair and for hair tonics. When the bark is soaked in water and rubbed, it produces a lather which cleanses the scalp very effectively. The active principle of the bark is saponin. (source)

Ingredients of Gugo Strengthening Shampoo
CLAIM TO FAME: A 100% organic shampoo that beefs up thin or limp locks

FAST FACTS: Made with all-natural ingredients; strengthens hair and promotes hair growth with gugo; leaves your locks thicker, fuller, and more beautiful with regular use

PERFECT FOR: Adding oomph to tired-looking tresses
-www.beautymnl.com

Gugo Strengthening Shampoo strengthens and promotes hair growth for thicker, fuller hair.
How to use:
1. Wet hair, apply and massage all over hair and scalp.
2. Rinse well. Use daily or as often as needed.
*Works best with the conditioner as a system.

Gugo Shampoo: 250 mL / 500 mL / 1L
Gugo Shampoo: PHP 234.00 / PHP 456.00 / PHP 717.00
-www.sampleroom.ph

Ingredients of Gugo Strengthening Conditioner
CLAIM TO FAME: A 100% organic conditioner especially formulated for thin or limp locks

FAST FACTS: Made with all-natural ingredients; strengthens hair and promotes hair growth with gugo; softens and moisturizes hair the natural way; leaves your locks thicker, fuller, and more beautiful with regular use

PERFECT FOR: Adding shine and softness to tired-looking tresses
-www.beautymnl.com

How to use:
1. After shampooing, apply generously from mid to end of hair.
2. Leave for three minutes or longer, rinse.
Recommended for: thinning and fine hair

Gugo Conditioner: 200 mL / 500 mL / 1L
Gugo Conditioner: PHP 260.00 / PHP 652.00 / PHP 913.00
-www.sampleroom.ph

Check out the photo of the Zenutrients Gugo Shampoo above. That's a Gugo bark inside the bottle so we're definitely in for the real thing and just upped our hair thickening props here. Both of the shampoo and conditioner smell minty and you only need to check out the other ingredients to find out where the scent is coming from. The Shampoo also contains Tea Tree Leaf Oil (Meleleuca Alternifolia) and Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil. Meanwhile, the Conditioner has Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita). These minty scents are soothing and very unique, as opposed to the floral scents of other shampoo and conditioner combos in the market. They also have a nice cooling effect on the hair and scalp.

And because I am featuring Zenutrients products, I have also included the Gugo Strengthening Hair Serum in this post. I also got this from Sample Room last year and I find that this serum compliments the shampoo and conditioner. It is perfect for keeping the hair moisturized and frizz-free

ZENUTRIENTS GUGO STRENGTHENING HAIR SERUM

Zenutrients Strengthening Hair Serum Ingredients
Zenutrients has combined five of nature's most well-known ingredients that fight hair thinning and hair fall - Gugo, Jeju Aloe Vera, Green Tea extract, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus essential oils. -www.sampleroom.ph

Size: 40 mL//Price Php 499.00

***
Like I said, part of the haul that I got from Sample Room are products from Silka. Isn't it great that I got some really useful hair and body/skin care products from Sample Room?

I reviewed these Silka products on a previous blog post and you can read it here.

SILKA SKIN WHITENING LOTION AND SOAP WITH SHEA BUTTER

XO,

Carissa
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There's a new attraction at the newly opened Robinsons Place Tacloban Extension; it's called Kevin's Toys and Library, a playhouse and before 2016 ended, Tin and I was able to visit it!

 I could still remember how much fun Celestine had when we went into Dave's Fun House, also located at RPT, for the first time. She must have been about three back then. This time she just turned 5 and I must note that this one is age appropriate for her because she's bigger now and able to tackle a more challenging playhouse. More photos after the jump.


CASTLE X PIRATE SHIP
Of course, this playhouse's main attraction, I must say, would be the huge (pirate) ship and the imposing castle. So my little girl, who sometimes says that she is a pirate, got to turn the "wheel" of the ship and say "Aye, aye Captain!". But I think she was overdressed for the pirate role, wearing that pink gown and hat. But anyway, what's better than a ship that sails on swim balls? 
A Princess and a Pirate Ship
Castle


That's  a teepee, my dear!
OBSTACLES :)
Like I said, this play house is more suited for kids that are four to five above because they can explore the whole place on their own. And look at the photos; instead of the typical plastic slide we have here one made of rope. And Tin was climbing it, instead of sliding so I was wondering if it was really a slide. :)
No slip and slidin' this time, fellas! Imma climb this net like a pro!
Wall climb like you mean it. Otherwise it's a big drop to the swim balls. But is that a bad thing?
CLASSIC FAVORITE
Tindahanay is a BIG highlight inside the play house because she loves playing the role of tindera. Well, I played the tindera far too many times when I was a kid so I can totes understand where she's coming from.
Tindahan ni Aling Maliit. How much for the red apples? 
She's far too absorbed with her role that she wasn't paying attention to me. I just wanted one good photo of her!
DRESS ME UP
The damsel in distress, or the dragon slayer? Well I think she can rock both outfits!
Couldn't decide about what to wear?

She was inside Kevin's Toys and Library for only 30 minutes. The best thing about Celestine is that she hasn't changed: when you say 30 minutes is up she won't be doing any drama about extending the time. See, she's not a brat! :) Anyway, we paid Php 120.00 for 30 minutes; I paid an additional Php 20.00 for staying inside to take photos. And you know the drill about socks, so bring your own socks if you want to come in here, otherwise you'll have to purchase a pair too!

Kevin's Toys and Library is located at the 2nd Level, Robinsons Place Tacloban Extension, next to Toys R Us.

XO,
Mummy Cassie
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I'll never tire of trying out products from Sample Room, especially if it will allow me to discover or try for the first time some wonderful and proudly Filipino products. Today, our spotlight is on Silka. Of course, Silka products have been around for like, forever. But the ones I have tried are the older variants; their Papaya Soap (Orange colored) is a recurrent favorite in our household. This time though, I got to try a new variant of their lotion and soap, this one has Shea Butter.


Shea butter is an off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Shea butter is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa. Source: Wikipedia


SILKA SKIN WHITENING LOTION WITH SHEA BUTTER

Silka Whitening Lotion with Shea Butter is your best choice for everyday essentials because it provides everything your skin needs.

- Scientific whitening lotion variant of Silka
- Active ingredient: Shea Butter
- Claims: Whitens in 7 days
- Plus factor: with SPF23
- Scent: Cocobutter, almost edible scent
- Works on all skin types

Full Size: 50ml / 100ml / 200ml
Price: PHP41.00 / PHP70.25 / PHP124.75
-Source: www.sampleroom.ph

Silka Skin Whitening Lotion With Shea Butter Ingredients
Let me just say how much I love the scent of this lotion. Indeed it smells like a combination of coconut and butter; a very delectable and sweet scent. I also love the thickness and the richness of this lotion, and  skin feels truly moisturized and soft with continued use. It also doesn't feel greasy and icky, despite it's rich and thick consistency. Having an SPF 23 content is also a big plus given this country's sunny weather. It also has another big promise though: the whitening factor, which the brand says comes in just seven days. I cannot vouch for that since whitening isn't really something that I look for in products. I'm happy with just moisturization and sun protection. 

Moisture-rich lotion.

SILKA SKIN WHITENING SOAP WITH SHEA BUTTER


Silka Whitening soap with Shea Butter is the brand’s scientific soap variant. It is blended with active whitening ingredients plus Shea Butter for a more nourished skin. Priced lower than competitors, thus sticking to what we’ve always known for - offering more for less.

-New Whitening Soap variant of Silka
-Replaces existing Silka Whitening Soap
-Active ingredients: Shea Butter
-Claims: Whitens in 14 days
-Scent: Mild butter
-Works on all skin types
-source: www.sampleroom.ph

FULL SIZE: 65g / 90g / 135g
PRICES: PHP 21.75 / PHP 32.00 / PHP 42.50

Silka Skin Whitening Soap With Shea Butter Ingredients
Silka soaps really smell great, especially the Green Papaya one. This Skin Whitening Soap with Shea Butter smells just like its lotion variant. This one goes well with the lotion because if you use the soap alone, it could be drying. My partner (a guy that he is) swears by Silka Papaya soaps for its whitening and smoothing capabilities. That's very Piola Pascual of him, huh? LOL. I think he would also like this soap just the same because my skin feels smoother, and yes fairer, after using this soap.


These Silka products are available in the mass market; they are quiet hard to miss. Here's another Filipino product that we can all be proud of; continuously providing top-quality cosmetic products to all its consumers at an affordable price, as stated in Cosmetique Asia's site. Silka is produced by Cosmetique Asia, also makers of Juicy Cologne and Biogenic Alcohol, among others. Check out www.cosmetiqueasia.com.

XO,

Carissa
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I walked past this gift package at a local Mercury Drug and I couldn't resist getting myself one. At Php 153.00, don't miss a chance to self gift.  Ha ha! It's also the perfect chance to try these products and see which ones are worth buying in full size. Let's take a peek!



NIVEA WHITE FIRMING SERUM SPF 33
Its light, non sticky formula helps whiten and repair 10 signs of dull, damaged skin.
Price: About Php 123.00
You know I'm a sucker for the light weight + non greasy/sticky + with SPF kind of lotion so this one fits the bill just right. It's also loaded with other benefits to fight the signs of skin damage. What's not to love? This lightly scented body serum is definitely packed with a punch! Check out the other details of this product on the following photos.

The deets and check out the 10 benefits of using this Body Serum
Nivea White Firming Serum Ingredients
EXTRA WHITENING DEO SPRAY 35 ML
For intensely white and smoother underarms.  With the perfect combination of reliable 48H anti-perspirant protection and Nivea's mild care.
Price: 
I think I've only used this for a couple of times so I cannot vouch about the whitening capabilities of this Nivea Extra Whitening Deo Spray. However I love the cold feeling upon spraying this on your underarm; it's like getting a jumpstart! It also smells really good so I prefer not to put other perfumes or colognes when I am using this and you won't be experiencing any wet, uncomfortable feeling throughout the day.

Nivea Extra Whitening Deo Spray Ingredients
STRAWBERRY & MILK CARE SOAP
Milk proteins gently cleanse and pamper your skin, while the mild scent of strawberries leaves it delicately scented.
Of course, no essentials set would be complete without the most basic stuff. Case in point: a soap. And it's a no-frills one! No whitening stuff. If you love strawberry and milk scents, you'll love this one.

NIVEA CREME 10 ML
An all-over body moisturizer for every skin type, NIVEA Creme is perfect when the skin is dry or needs extra care.
Price: Php 69.00 30 mL Tin
Annnnd... I saved the best for last. This is undoubtedly Nivea's most iconic product and I don't think I need to sing praises about this one. The Nivea Creme's long standing existence and popularity can speak for itself. I'm just extra glad that I have this in it's handiest size and it can fit in any purse.

Nivea Creme Ingredients
Like I said, Nivea's most iconic product is definitely the Creme in a blue tin. The word Nivea itself conjures images of the Creme in my mind. But over the years, Nivea has innovated with its product line. You can check out www.nivea.ph for a complete lineup. I'm definitely getting myself a bigger version of that Creme when I run out, which won't be long since I've been moisturizing my hands with it, basically anywhere 'coz I've always got it in my pocket. I'm also currently using the Extra Whitening Roll-on and I'm loving it's scent. 

Got any favorite Nivea product? 

XO,

Carissa
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Ladies, I've amped up my nude lipstick game. I got me not one, not two, but three nude lipsticks. But hey, I didn't break my bank while doing so. Spendthrift lady still got her penny pinching ways going on. But how? How? Let's just say I was at the right online shop at the right time. Yep, BeautyMNL, my favorite go-to beauty destination, sold these three Maybelline Creamy Matte Color Sensational Brown Nudes in a set called "Will You MLBB Me? 💓". If you're not familiar with this acronym, MLBB stands for "My Lips But Better", a common term used for lippies that enhance the beauty of your lips while staying as close to the real lip color.

These lippies cost Php 299.00 each, but for MLBB set they all just came for Php 699.00. I actually had second thoughts about getting the set despite the slashed price. What would I do with those extra lippies anyway. But I thought that if one of the shades doesn't suit me I'll just give it away. So, how did my experience go? Deets after the jump!


There are six shades of the Maybelline Creamy Matte Color Sensational Brown Nudes available at BeautyMNL: Nude Embrace, Daringly Nude, Clay Crush, Nude Nuance, Touch of Spice and Burgundy Blush. The shades included in the "Will You MLBB Me? 💓" set are Clay Crush, Touch of Spice and Nude Nuance. It came in this cute brown box.
I won't even think twice and just say "YES!"
Three is a charm! 
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Maybelline Creamy Matte Brown Nudes comes in the standard Maybelline lip bullet: squarish at the base with a semi-transparent brown cap. It's a brown cap in this case because it's for the "Brown Nudes"; the cap color is different for the other Maybelline Creamy Matte Color Sensational Lipsticks. They look identical when the cover is on so you can only tell which color is which either by opening the cap itself or by looking at the label and color at the bottom.

According to the label these lippies are made in the USA and here is the list of ingredients:

Isononyl Isononanoate, Octyldodecanol, Oleyl Erucate, Silica, Cera Alba / Beeswax / Cire Dabeille, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cera Microcristallina / Microcrystalline Wax / Cire Microcristalline, Synthetic Wax, Sesamum Indicum Oil/Sesame Seed Oil, PEG-45 / Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer, Kaolin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Alumina, Benzyl Alcohol, Mel / Honey / Miel, Parfum / Fragrance, (May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 15850 / Red 7, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 45380 / Red 22 Lake, CI 15985 / Yellow 6 Lake, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake)

These lippies smell awesome: like CHOCOLATE or other chocolate-y dessert.



MAYBELLINE CREAMY MATTE BROWN NUDES SWATCHES
Swatches are here!
Here are the shade description posted at Beauty MNL:
Maybelline Creamy Matte in Touch of Spice: A universally-flattering mauve.
Maybelline Creamy Matte in Nude Nuance: A beautiful rosy brown.
Maybelline Creamy Matte in Clay Crush: A pretty peach-brown with golden undertones.
Hello loves, I'm not lookin' good. LOLs.
MAYBELLINE CREAMY MATTE BROWN NUDES IN ACTION

When I bought this set, my intention was to find a perfect nude lipstick for me. After trying each of them on, I realized that I found the perfect nude lipstick for me, for every occasion. 

Clay Crush is simple yet understated. I think this the most used of the three. I wear it to the office most of the time. The bronzy undertone just gives life to my face! It Also looks absolutely awesome when topped with my favorite peachy-bronze lip gloss.

Touch of Spice is perfect for the office and looks really great when worn with my blue Monday uniform. When the color is layered and intensified, it also looks good for a night out!

Nude Nuance is the color that I deemed too dark for my liking but when I'd gotten used to it, it has also become my favorite. This is certainly something that I would not wear everyday; I'd wear this when I need some "Ooomph" on my look. Would also be perfect for a night out.

True to their name, these lippies are creamy and matte. There's no dry feeling when wearing it; the formula hugs the lips and it doesn't feel likes there's anything sitting on top of your lips. It really blends well on the lips. The color is very vivid. Staying power differs: Nude Nuance and Touch of Spice stays longer on the lips, about 6 hours and can survive lunch. Clay Clush on the other hand, being sheerer in color, lasts about 4 to 5 hours on me.

Here's a photo of me wearing the bespoken lipsticks. I think they are all my favorites.



Overall, I just totally heart these lipsticks. Right now, bout ninety percent of the time that I'm wearing a lipstick, I'm wearing this. Matte lipstick isn't meant to be comfortable because it's supposed to be drying but this one breaks the norm. It's comfortable to wear and my lips don't look like they are about to break.

Affordability? Check
Great Color Payoff? Check
Comfortable to Wear? Check
And somewhere in there I can squeeze in the fact that this lipsticks smell like chocolates!

XO,
Carissa
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