The Battle Scars

Let's take a moment to discuss the inevitable: wounds and burns. On a regular day, we are already susceptible to the run-of-the-mill scratch (and then some), but working with knives and heat tends to turn the odds against one's favor. In fact, getting injured was an integral part of my "Cons" list while I was deciding whether to go for a life of cookery or not. (Obviously, cookery won.)

Besides, the fear of getting hurt causes way more panic than when you actually do end up getting injured. Whenever I accidentally cut myself with my knife, the sharp blade does a quick enough job that the wound doesn't even sting immediately. You basically see the bleeding first before you even feel the smarting. The same goes for burns: When it does start to hurt, the first impulse has always been to press the affected area to the nearest chunk of ice rather than to exclaim about my agony. --Or is it because I just happen to be a woman with a high tolerance for pain?

However you decide to react to an injury, the most pressing concern is still the treatment that must be administered. A tetanus shot is such a big deal that it's good to keep it up-to-date for the sake of convenience. Anyone will tell you that it's a pain in the ass to be bleeding already, and then be told that you have to rush to the hospital to get that shot.

Now once the bleeding part is over, the next mode of action would be to apply some medicine to the problem area:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Clockwise from Top-Left: Band-Aid Antiseptic Wash, Betadine, Rhea Hydrogen Peroxide, 3M Nexcare Steri-Strip, Polysporin Ointment[/caption]

The doctor from a hotel clinic I went to instructed me to keep the wound as dry as humanly possible. That meant covering the area with plastic or donning gloves when in the shower, to prevent unnecessary moisture. This is followed by Hydrogen Peroxide that helps dissolve crusted/clotted blood (i.e. the scab), thus preventing it from accumulating and getting infected. Admittedly, this is the part that sucks the most as getting the crusted blood out may require the repeated swipes of a hydrogen peroxide-soaked cotton ball, which proves to cause a stinging sensation.

Personally, I like to use Johnson&Johnson's Band-Aid Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash that can be splashed on a cotton ball and essentially disinfects as well. The difference is that this does not dissolve crusted blood like peroxide does, so perhaps this is best for smaller injuries. Oh well, you may just have to white-knuckle it with the peroxide.

Betadine comes next, followed by a healthy amount of antibiotic ointment. My brand of choice is Polysporin, which has proven its worth time and time again. It works fast on anything from an infected pimple to an inflamed ingrown nail. I have the tube with the maroon label meaning it contains a formulation of 3 types of antibiotics. Too bad that it is not available here in Manila, so this is definitely a request I have to make from relatives who travel.

Lastly, big or deep cuts may be "taped" with 3M Nexcare Steri-Strips, the last resort before stitches may be required.

This process should be repeated 3x a day until the wound heals completely. It's definitely a time-consuming hassle, so you're sure to be more careful the next time.

Post-healing, a tube of Contractubex becomes your new best friend. Pricey but effective, scars do lighten a bit and become flatter with religious application.  Though I have yet to see a scar from a cut eradicated 100% completely from my usage. If you are on a budget, Sebo de Macho is the next best thing. My mom swears by it for lightening scars.

Sometimes, the unsightly and painful occupational hazards almost make one want to re-think some choices. Well, almost.

 

*Images from the ff. official websites: MIMS, Band-Aid, Drugstore.com, Philusa Corp., and Polysporin.

Best Makeup Remover by Maybelline

For me, the quest for the best makeup remover is a story of evolution. That is, my habits have morphed over the years into a skincare regimen that I can now be proud of -- or at least, be satisfied with. I've tried tons of products from cheap to costly, but oftentimes, the best ones don't have to be expensive. Really, that's an advocacy of mine. Repeat after me: The best products don't have to be expensive all the time.

As a teenager, my earliest "makeup remover" was simply soap and water. To this day, I find that any non-exfoliating face wash by Pond's has similar effects to bareta (laundry detergent bar) on clothes. Hey, I'm not knocking Pond's! I'm currently using their Pure White face wash because it gets the job done. All I'm saying is that their washes are so sudsy/soapy that light makeup immediately comes off. (But there is some residue left that has to be eliminated with toner and a cotton ball).

When I learned to use waterproof mascara and foundation, the story inevitably changed. Improper eye makeup removal would cause leftover mascara to smudge and feel sticky round the eye area, while the foundation would clog the pores and cause breakouts. I opted for the classical Pond's Cold Cream or baby oil. While makeup was removed successfully, it did take a lot of effort to ensure a makeup-free face. Especially for waterproof mascara, I had to dab the cold cream on TWICE and wipe off with a few sheets of facial tissue. The main issue at hand was all the rubbing, followed by the icky greasy feeling! Wrinkly, raw, and oily skin made me worry. Even when I got to try out Shu Uemura's famous cleansing oil, the same rubbing and massaging motions required made me anxious. Was there no product that let makeup easily come off with minimal rubbing and scraping?!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="461"] Holy Grail of Makeup Removers[/caption]

Finally, I bought a bottle of Maybelline's Makeup Remover (PHP99.00/40mL and PHP199.00/70mL; no idea why it's more expensive per mL to buy the bigger bottle than to just buy 2 smaller bottles) and it worked like a charm. Shake the bottle to mix the white and blue liquids inside, soak a cotton ball, and press gently onto the eye area for a couple of seconds. I was sold on the fact that it didn't hurt my eyes AT ALL and the makeup dissolved well onto the cotton ball. You can use it for regular to heavy makeup. What's more, it required the least amount of rubbing. And while the bottle states that it's good for Eye & Lip makeup removal, I use it on the eye area as well as all over the rest of my face, though I've never tried it on my lips as I don't want to accidentally get any in my mouth--just my own personal OCD thing.

Funny thing is that Maybelline Philippines hasn't really highlighted its makeup remover so much. They keep focusing on lipsticks and BB creams, but I honestly think that this product is such a gem to their lineup. Seriously. Try it  and find out for yourself.

Fruit & Lettuce Smoothie

While I highly doubt that going vegan is on the cards for me, I still try to make a conscious effort to eat (and drink!) healthy. Coincidentally, I had some organic lettuce lying around the house last week and was inspired by this recipe for Green Goddess Smoothie to make my own green smoothie. --The similarities end there, by the way: My ingredients are completely different.

Blend together the following:

• some ice


• A handful or two of lettuce (the sweeter varieties are advisable, though I personally used a bag of assorted greens)


• 2-3 slices of cantaloupe


• 5-8 grapes


• some tofu (optional)

If you're looking for a great fiber fix, this one's for you. The lettuce does wonders, so add more if you want to up your fiber intake.

In terms of taste, using assorted greens will give a bitter tinge because of the lollo rosso. But as I didn't mind that mild "kick", I went ahead with it. The resulting drink has the color of pesto and a "green" taste reminiscent of wheatgrass.

The grapes act as the main sweetener and highlighting flavor for this drink, so you can add more or less, depending on your sweetness preference.

I can't promise you that this is going to taste like something from Jamba Juice, but I am so impressed by the fiber from the lettuce that I'm making it my new smoothie key ingredient alongside tofu.

 

Happy Drinking! :)

Vaniderm White Lotion

Visiting a Vaniderm-sponsored event ages ago, I was able to take home some swag. The "gift pack" contained moringga pills, lavender oil, and VCO body lotion. I only got to test the products recently, since I have so many other lotions stockpiled in my drawer.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Smooth Vaniderm lotion[/caption]

For the record, I'm well-aware that Vaniderm's main line of products are health supplements, but I'm just not enthusiastic about the stuff. No glutathione, thankyouverymuch. But I'm more than willing to try out a lotion that boasts olive, avocado, and grapeseed oils among its ingredients.

Vaniderm White VCO Body Lotion comes in a clear 200mL container with a simple twist-to-dispense pump. The thick, calamansi-scented (Philippine lime) liquid inside is a slightly translucent white that feels cool and pleasant to the skin. That is to say it's neither too creamy nor too runny and gets absorbed well. I find the smell to be invigorating and light, so maybe others would think it better-suited for daytime use. Another factor to consider is the sun block component the lotion bottle is boasting, though it's not indicated what SPF level it has.

I can't vouch for its whitening abilities, since it's not something I consciously watch out for. Moisturization-wise, though, this is a good lotion to keep skin feeling fresh and hydrated in an air-conditioned room. The scent is clean and fresh, so it's a great after-shower product. If you're looking for a non-sticky lotion formula, this is a good bet.

KFC's Baked Dishes -- Try Them Now!

I've long since lost my faith in "quality" fast food. Besides Burger King (dee-effing-licious), there's hardly ever a restaurant that really draws my attention. KFC was no different, especially because of the huge disappointment that was the Cheesetop Burger. --And then they came up with their BAKED menu offerings.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Baked Pasta: (L) Marinara, (R) Creamy Chicken[/caption]

This particular variety features baked versions of pasta (around PHP 125) , supreme rice bowls (around PHP 135), and egg tarts. Both pasta and rice bowl can come with your choice of either marinara or creamy sauce.

Okay, so even if the plating is so-so, the ooey-gooey melted cheese on top looks inviting to cheese-lovers of all ages. And what's more, the taste is actually pretty darn good. The firmness of the pasta is fast-food quality, but the sauces are well-seasoned. I'm talking about the herbs and spices bit here, and I think it matches KFC's 11 herbs and spices distinction. And speaking of chicken, I got some tender, moist morsels in my order and I loved it!

The marinara sauce is zesty, while the creamy sauce is rich (as it should be). --A far cry from their runny, starchy Alfredo sauce. And the "homemade gourmet" taste is not lost on me.

Here the kicker: These products aren't available (yet) in other KFC branches. I was told that they're still in the market research stage. If you want to drop by for a taste, it's available in their Shopwise, Araneta Center branch and in Market Market, Fort Bonifacio. The items are on the menu for a limited trial period only. If the market test flops, kiss these tasty treats goodbye.

It's a carbfest for certain, but does the word "baked" lessen any of the guilt?... I guess that part's up to you.

 

 

Quick Fix: Buko-Lychee Galore

For those who crave a diet-friendly kitchen, it's a must to have some healthy pantry (and fridge) staples to avoid reaching for the junk food. I'm a self-confessed smoothie junkie, so my stash includes fruits, low-fat milk, tofu (the ones that are packed tightly in plastic to form cylindrical tubes), and honey. I always crave an ice-cold glass right after a workout, because it seems like the quickest cool-down I can think of.

Ingredient-wise, tofu is my current obsession. I've always been a fan of soy milk, and tofu gives my smoothies a velvety texture. Plus, I get full much faster from the burst of protein. Yay!

After recently trying out a bunch of smoothie flavors, I'd like to share my own twist on the delightful Buko-Lychee Shake. Coconut cream adds a pleasant "Virgin Piña Colada" touch.

Ingredients:

• 6 big cubes of ice


• 1/2 cup of milk


• 1/4 tube of tofu


• 5-6 pieces of lychee from the can (drained and washed)


• 2 Tbs coconut cream


• 1 Tbs of honey

Procedure:

Whirl everything in a blender. Enjoy. :)

Ellana Lip Gloss Review

I haven't fully gotten into the mineral makeup trend yet, but I am for natural-ingredient cosmetics. I've replaced my old lip balms with ones that contain natural oils, and I'm a big fan of argan oil. It helps put my mind at ease, knowing that I'm skipping all the nasty chemicals whenever there's a chance.

Last week, while I was in SM Megamall's grocery store (the old one), I stumbled upon the makeshift bazaar just beyond the cashier counters. There was a tiny area devoted to non-food items, and that's where I found Ellana Mineral Cosmetics.

Because of their reasonable prices and simple packaging, I decided to check their testers out. The lip palettes seem to have a good amount of coverage and are, obviously, convenient to lug around, but I didn't like the color combinations much. I'd love to try the loose powder next, since I get such a nice, natural look from using that vs. the pressed variety. But that day, I settled on their lip gloss (PHP 150) instead.

The tubes look simple yet classy with their clean packaging (no box) and their gold lids. I definitely prefer that to those over-the-top labeling schemes where you can barely see the actual product inside.

The color I chose is called Snuggle, a vibrant raspberry-magenta with some slight shimmer.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="553"] On the tube[/caption]

When I picked up a tube from the display, I noticed some oily residue leaking from the tube and onto my fingers. The salesperson assured me that the glosses tend to leak naturally, so I should keep the tube upright when possible. She also said that the leaking only happens in the beginning, so I shrugged it off and paid for my gloss.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="196"] Color Swatch on the Ellana website[/caption]

Smeared on my hand, the color looks bright but comes on quite sheer. Personally, I prefer a lip gloss with high pigmentation/thick coverage. I'm talking about the kind that can pass off as an ultra creamy lipstick. But for the "everygirl", sheer gloss is foolproof for a touch of color to the pout. It's a no-brainer option and a quick way to alter your look, even if you don't want to use a lot of makeup.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Almost perfect[/caption]

However, I do have Cons for this:

First, the leaking never stopped. The tube made a mess whenever it got tilted. Formulation-wise, I'm happy that the gloss isn't sticky on the mouth. Alas, that same runny factor has caused it to leak from the container and bleed when on the lips. You can't over apply, or you stand to make a mess. Second, I'm not sure if perhaps the product just isn't right for me (in Filipino: Hindi hiyang sa akin.), but I've been having a reaction to it. My lips get a bit itchy after a couple of minutes. Though I haven't suffered a bad irritation, the itching has made me wary of using this.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="323"] Leaking away[/caption]

After all the leaking though, what remained was a thickly pigmented paste that more resembled liquid lipstick. The newly concentrated color resulted in this:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491"] A darker magenta color[/caption]

Um, perhaps the leaking was a bid to improve it?

The Verdict: Personally, maybe the product just isn't compatible with my skin. I wouldn't swear off this brand just yet as I want to give mineral cosmetics a chance. Hopefully, my next purchase will yield better results.

Call It Spring Rolls!

Taking a page from my recent trip to Vietnam, I decided to try and adapt the Saigonese food philosophy. They seem to have the healthiest staples to their diets, what with all those greens and herbs. It's a health buff's fantasy.

I've purchased spring roll wrappers and some lettuce, and I've been wrapping most anything in them for some quick and healthy snacks. I guess it makes me feel less guilty than if I had settled on a bowl of rice. (Doesn't make much sense, I know, seeing as spring roll wrappers are made of rice... Humor me.)

Pork barbecue was prepared for today's lunch, so I decided to get a little creative. Ta-dah!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Dinner is served[/caption]

Easy-peasy! All it takes are some hydrated spring roll sheets, some well-seasoned pork barbecue, some fresh lettuce, and some special sauce. The secret is:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="461"] All hail the tasty sauce[/caption]

I tell you, Peri-peri sauce is a great find! I got mine for PHP 75 from Peri-Peri Grillhouse in SM Megamall. It adds so much flavor to anything because of all the spices they mix in. This is coming from a "spice girl" who doesn't use hot sauce for the heat alone. The explosion of flavor that comes from this bottle is not exaggerated. Plus, the Mild variety packs just the right punch.

Those on an I-Can'-Eat-Anything! diet may want to try this out. I read that chili is good for speeding up the metabolism. Here's to hoping that it's true...

 

A Tonic for the Arteries

My mom's big on herbal remedies. She'll read something on the internet or the papers and will insist on trying out said healthy solutions. She's done the apple cider gallstone cleanse, noni juice, and a variety of weird-tasting herbal teas. Frankly, I'm not on the bandwagon, but I don't mind sampling them if they don't taste particularly nasty.

After reading the newspaper, she approached me with a request to concoct this heart tonic for her and my grandmother. And since I've done the labor, why not share it for those who are up for an all-natural remedy.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Mise en place: Ginger, garlic, lemons, apple cider vinegar, and honey.[/caption]

Tools-wise, you will need a juicer, a saucepan that can accommodate 4 cups of liquid, a whisk, and a measuring cup.

For the ingredients, you will need lots of ginger and garlic, about 4-5 lemons, some apple cider vinegar (preferably Bragg because it's organic), and some honey.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Juicer magic[/caption]

1. Peel the ginger and cut into small slices. Juice until you have 1 cup.


2. Peel the garlic and remove the the stems. (If you have sensitive hands, wear gloves. I find that handling garlic for a prolonged period will cause your fingers to start to sting.) Again, juice until you get 1 cup.


3. Squeeze out the lemons to achieve 1 cup.


4. Mix all of those in your saucepan with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it reduce to three-quarters, whisking occasionally to avoid any burnt parts. Let it cool.


5. Mix in 3 cups of honey and store in a container.

The instruction was to drink 1 tbs daily before breakfast to unblock the heart.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Turns greenish while cooking[/caption]

Tips:

Don't know if it's perhaps because my juicer is inefficient, but I find that you can re-juice the garlic and ginger pulp to produce quite a bit more liquid. In fact, I got to re-juice the pulp about 3 times until the juices were sufficiently extracted.

I zested the lemons and boiled the peels in hot water for a tasty lemon tea. I'd hate for that to go to waste.

Instant Glow Morroco [sic] Argan Oil Review

Morrocan argan oil is now officially a "thing" in Manila. Three months ago, I couldn't find a bottle for sale in the malls. It was quite frustrating. Now, there's argan inserted into every other sentence.

My discovery of a product stemmed from my own research on beauty products. I saw Josie Maran's argan oil line in Sephora and thought to myself, "Wow, premium oil." Then I went home and read that it was Jenna Dewan's must-have product and, let's face it, the girl has insanely gorgeous skin.

Unfortunately, weeks passed and my quest for argan oil in Manila's big beauty stores were in vain. I eventually found small health/natural beauty boutiques peddling the miracle product for an arm and a leg. But to shell out almost PHP 1,000 for something that would possibly last me 2 weeks?... I don't think so.

Luckily, I was shopping in Watson's SM Megamall when a pleasant sales person approached me and got straight to the point. At the mention of PURE argan oil, I knew I wanted to hear the sales pitch.

The lady led me to the Instant display. --Yes, the brand name is "Instant". It was pretty much the first time I took interest in their products, since the ladies there are usually busy peddling slimming solutions, which I'm terribly skeptical about. She took out  a tester bottle of said oil and dispensed a few drops to the back of my hand.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="388"] 100mL of "Liquid Gold"[/caption]

My first reaction was that of apprehension. I've tested my fair share of beauty oils intended for either body or face. Most are just greasy, and I end up worrying that they'll only stain my clothes. This product seemed no different. The second thing I noticed was the pleasant scent. I read reviews  about how natural oils tend to smell nutty and raw, but that wasn't the case here. Third, and to my surprise, the oil ended up getting absorbed into the skin with minimal greasiness. After a couple of minutes, I was amazed to find that it simply looked and felt like I applied a thin layer of lotion.

For a girl on a budget, PHP1,199 for a 100 mL bottle of Instant Glow Morroco [sic] Argan Oil (or PHP599 for a 30 mL bottle) isn't an easy decision to make, especially considering that this is just oil we're talking about. I gave myself 2 weeks to mull it over and canvas for anything more affordable out there.

Well, after much research and comparison to brands like Josie Maran or The Souq, on a per mL basis, the best deal so far was Instant's 100 mL bottle. (It costs PHP 11.99 per mL, to be exact.) It's even cheaper than the same brand's 30 mL bottle, so I finally gave in and bought 100 mL.

I've been using it for about 2 months now, and my praise goes to its moisturizing properties. I've been hooked on moisturizers since I was 12 (no exaggeration!), and this was the first time I used a product that was not at all greasy! --To think that this is a non-greasy OIL. About 2 weeks in, my mother and aunt started making remarks about my face getting lighter. (Note: Initially, I never told them that I bought and used this product.) When I did happen to mention that I had this oil in my possession, they went to SM and checked out the display.

My beauty-conscious grandma got it as an impulse buy. She used it for a week or two and agreed that her skin did feel much softer after religiously applying it twice a day. My mom and aunt came next, buying 30mL bottles marked 10%-off when Watson's had a beauty blowout sale.

We're all on board about the wonders of its moisturizing effects. Jury's still out on its supposedly miraculous anti-aging properties, but we did notice that some fine lines softened. As for scar lightening, the oil does help fade pimple scars faster, but I'm also big on exfoliation, so that probably had a hand in it as well. If you're in it to get rid of freckles, then you may be disappointed. Finally, don't forget to layer sun block on top of this when you leave the house.

Another find would be Body & Face Thairapy (PHP 1,450 for 100 mL) at Rustan's Department Store, which has the same scent and thickness as Instant Glow.

Overall Rating: Instant Glow Morroco Argan Oil

Moisturization = 9/10

Anti-aging = 7/10

Lightening = 8/10

Eliminating Dark Spots and Freckles = 5/10

Value for Money = 9/10 = At the very least, it's a damn good moisturizer and a simple, straightforward product.

Update: I got to try the new Naturelle d'Argan Pure Argan Oil Elixir (at around PHP 1,400 for 50mL) at Beauty Bar. Their oil is much more liquid than that of Instant's and the scent is more raw and comparable to that of cooking olive oil. I'm guessing Instant's and Body & Face Thairapy's oils have gone through some sort of deodorization process, while Naturelle d'Argan may be more natural.

The Magic of Mascara

For years, I've read in magazines and newspapers about all the different kinds of mascara out in the market. By now, it's probably the worst-kept secret of any makeup maven out there. What populates the literature are reviews for high-end brands of this cosmetic that usually boast French-sounding names. And while I haven't tried them all, I'd like to offer my own point-of-view as to the evolution of mascara and my favorite kind.

FYI, it was Maybelline that started the whole thing. This guy was inspired to make the very first mascara upon seeing his sister use coal and Vaseline to plump up her lashes. So this brand is always the first thing that comes to my mind when the subject of mascara is mentioned. I've been a fan of their products since Full n' Soft, which is what I used to learn the proper application technique.

I just had to get myself a tube after seeing  the ads with Sarah Michelle Gellar's gorgeous eyes. True to its promise, the formula resulted in soft lashes. As for overall effect, I'd give it a 3 out of 5. It was good for its time.



After that, I tried and loved Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof. I ache for long, lush lashes and Volum' Express delivered. On a spectrum of achieving either fuller or longer lashes, I would opt for longer. This kind happens to offer a bit of both. I give it 4 out of 5.

My Technique: I swipe the wand along the lashes repeatedly without stopping or waiting for it to dry first. The formula builds up on itself and it becomes thicker. The same repeating motion also allows the fibers to stretch out and extend, so you get the length.



By the way, beginners should start out with a washable formula. I learned that the hard way. But once mastery is achieved, grab some waterproof formulas ASAP. It's incredible and stays on the whole day, so you worry less about the running and "raccoon eyes".  Also, if you're a person who tends to rub your eyes, you're about to learn some control when you see how icky and smooshed together they can get when you touch them.

The upside is the definition you get from a few swipes of mascara. It's become a staple of my makeup habits, so I feel incomplete if I leave the house without it. Need convincing? I have some photos to prove the difference it makes:

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="315"] Before[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="372"] After[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="432"] Before[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="432"] After[/caption]



For these shots, I used Maybelline's Volum' Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. I only did a light coat here to keep it natural-looking but to still demonstrate the difference. Usually, I opt for a thicker, more dramatic look.

Truth be told, I've been using this long before it became locally available. I used to ask people who went abroad to get it for me. It has all the same effects of  Turbo Boost, but better. It takes half the amount of swipes to achieve the same dramatic effect that I demand from Turbo Boost.

I'm not one to wear false lashes, even at parties, so this is the closest I can get.

At Php490+, I'm perfectly happy with this mascara. I give it a complete 5 out of 5 because it totally exceeded my expectations. The first time I tried it, I was amazed by how falsie-like it looked. (Truth in advertising!)

Maybelline has a rap in the States for being an inexpensive drugstore brand, but you can't go wrong with this mascara. I've read in countless magazines that some Hollywood celebrities still think of this as their go-to brand, even with all the high-end choices within reach.

It's worth every penny, plus, it's cheaper, less painful, and low maintenance compared to getting eyelash extensions. :)

Battle of the Oil Blotters

Having combination skin is manageable. I mean, I still hate that I tend to get a shiny T-Zone in about an hour after I've finished applying makeup, but the invention of oil blotting paper has helped a great deal. If you only needed to take the essentials in a small purse, make sure there's space for that. You'll be particularly thankful for them when you've been sitting in a plane for hours and have no time or space for a full-fledged retouch.

Some of you may think that these things are overrated. Why purchase another item that will take space in your bag when you can just dab on a thin layer of powder to get rid of the shine? It's a rookie mistake: Facial Oil + Powder = A Cakey look. I've seen it so many times. Please invest in blotters.

I've used several brands to date, and I still get apprehensive when it's time to pick up a new pack. If I wanted to try a new brand out, there's always trepidation when it comes to speculating how effective the product will turn out to be.

I stay away from the overly cheap ones, like this one I got from some random department store for Php25 or Php50: It's nothing but a glorified cookie sheet cut up into small rectangles that barely absorbs any oil.

The most commonly used brand would probably be Clean & Clear, which has been out in the market since I was in my early teens. It's immensely basic and is sold in every drugstore, grocery, or department store in the country. These thin blue sheets do the job, hands down. Let it be your go-t0, if the other products are unavailable. (Perhaps around Php120)



When you get used to oil blotters and consider yourself something of a connoisseur (funny as that sounds), then it's time to move up and explore the the more specific details that differentiate each brand.

The Face Shop offers their own oil blotters that look identical to Clean & Clear's. They cost around Php50 - Php60 when I was able to get some from Korea. It's probably twice the price in Manila. I found it had a softer feel to the face than Clean & Clear, which mean less of that scraping feeling and less of the makeup coming off onto the sheet.

Next up is "Lehcaresor" Papier Poudre, a booklet of powdered paper that you literally have to tear off to use. I bought mine from Rustan's Department Store. As I mentioned above, layering powder on top of oil is a bad idea. (It sounds like a recipe for dough.) But do try this if  you don't have an oily face or if you have already blotted the oil away. It functions as a handy-sized alternative to taking your chunky powder compact with you. Perfect for your party clutch or if you already have another mirrored compact to retouch with. Plus, the powder is finely ground, so it goes on smoothly.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Rachel and Rose[/caption]

I suggest Rose for those with fairer skin and Rachel for those with morena skin.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Inside Rose[/caption]

Right now, I'm using Kleenex. It's super-absorbent like the packaging promises and is pretty soft. Upon a slight touch to the skin, the oil is immediately transferred to the paper. It's also cheaper than Clean & Clear, though contains less sheets inside.

I'd have to say that my top picks are Kleenex and The Face Shop for softer and gentler sheets that get the job done.

Hope this entry helps those who are looking for the best brand of blotters out there. :)

*Clean & Clear blotter photos are from the Clean & Clear official website.

Opening Day: Robinsons Magnolia

Social networks were abuzz on Monday with the grand opening of Robinsons Magnolia. My Twitter feed was filled with posts that were either local celebrities trying to spread awareness, or the people who have already set foot inside and wanted to share the experience. Personally, what got me interested was the location: The ground this new shopping mall stands on used to be the old Magnolia House (dairy/ice cream factory and restaurant), hence the name. (Those who are well-versed with the Quezon City area from the late 90's and earlier would probably have memories of having fun in that ice cream parlor.) --That and how it's situated near my alma mater. How I wish my high school friends and I had a much closer place to hang out in.

At the request of my Aunt, I tagged along with them to have a look around. They were in search of some Griffins Mint Treats that my mom discovered in Robinsons Department Store, Festival Mall.

Robinsons Magnolia is different from the other malls in the chain in that it spells high-end. A lot of stores are still under construction, but brands like Miss Sixty and Charriol will have their place in a couple of months. The interior has the potential of a chic Hong Kong mall.

Already in operation are the fast food, supermarket, department store, appliance center, movie theaters, and a couple of shops. You can take your pick from Gong Cha in the fast food, Cha Time in the supermarket, and Happy Lemon in the theater area. A little extreme, but it sounds like milk tea heaven.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Lobby party[/caption]

The fast food area isn't very big. From what I've seen, there are no Jollibees or McDonald's in sight. What they do have are Pepper Lunch Express, Adobo Connection, Kenny Roger's, Bacolod Chicken Inasal, and Savory Chicken. Also present are a Japanese and a Singaporean resto.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Fastfood area[/caption]

Reminiscent of Shangrila Mall in Edsa, Robinsons Magnolia boasts of a premium air without going all-out designer a la Greenbelt. Being the budget shopper that I am, I have to point out that this is not a pang-masa (for the masses) mall. But at least it's a new hang out spot in Quezon City.

P.S. The mint biscuits were unavailable because the department store's snack bar is virtually nonexistent, save for some chocolate bars near the cashier posts. They didn't have it in the grocery either. We eventually found them in SM's supermarket.

Robinsons Magnolia

Dona Hemady cor. Aurora Blvd, Q.C.

Healthy, Lazy Pasta

The worst time to wait for food to cook is when you suddenly realize you're already starving. The prep time stretches to twice as long and you consider settling for something blah. But blah sometimes generates waves of self-pity in me. --Don't get me wrong, I'm not a particularly picky eater. I'd have my Tapsilog (saucy please!) any day of the week. Still, some voice in the back of my mind insists that I should at least put some effort in what I make for myself. So after temporarily holding back the rumbling stomach, I often settle for the fulfilling option that is pasta.

It is something of a skill for a person to dig around the refrigerator and find random ingredients that could go together. It's a talent, if you don't have much of a say in the grocery list.

Noodles are a staple in the house. And my favorites are plain 'ol spaghetti and interesting ziti. It's easy to explain why those two are well-loved. Spaghetti is a throwback to my childhood snacks of McDo and Jollibee sweet and meaty spaghetti in styrofoam containers. It's practiacally a cultural thing in the Philippines, since lots of other people share the same experience. Ziti, on the other hand, reminds me of Sbarro's baked ziti that I tried and loved as a slightly older kid. It looks so fancy, and feels more gourmet than macaroni. (Me and my superficial reasons...)

I'm sharing my pasta recipe/review today because I know that pretty much each person on this planet who can cook has their own pasta recipe. It's a challenge to sort through the variations and find one that you like, but it's also fun when you add a personal touch and truly make it your own.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Quck and easy[/caption]

For this recipe, I made use of baked ziti. And since the ziti's already brought on the impression of gourmet, I went ahead and settled on some Clara Ole Pesto and Parmesan Sauce. (Who am I kidding, that was the only sauce on the cupboard that day: Challenge accepted.)

Frankly, when I make pasta sauce,  I want a base that is flavorful yet neutral. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but it's important that the sauce ends up with a flavor that complements the herbs and spices you may want to add. You don't want something that has already been seasoned to death that you will have a hard time bringing out  the aromas and tastes of your additional ingredients. Clara Ole sauces are an example of what I'm describing in this paragraph. As a friend once put it, "Nahirapan akong timplahin ang Clara Ole." ("I had a hard time getting just the right taste with Clara Ole.")

For the record, nothing beats fresh pesto sauce. What came out of my tetra pack was an oily paste (albeit made with olive oil) that had a brownish-green hue. Even after shaking the pack continuously, the oil would separate from the sauce. Yes, it doesn't sound appetizing.

I decided to use the oil to saute some onions. Then I added in the "pulp" of the pesto-parmesan. When the sauce was heated sufficiently, I added some dried parsley leaves and salt and pepper. Then I tossed the sauce with some ziti I had boiled earlier and topped the mix with sliced black olives from a jar, some feta cheese, and some garlic chips. Like I said, it's a lazy pasta, so don't expect a bulk of ingredients.

The overall flavor was meh because of the pesto sauce. You can't have high expectations, considering that it has been preserved inside a tetra pack. There is some lantang gulay (limp veggie) taste. Using FRESH pesto sauce would make a huge difference.

The garlic chips were the saving grace. Having them in stock is a must for any Filipino kitchen because of their versatility. Pinoys love their garlic, and those chips can be used on anything ranging from sinangag (garlic rice) to soup to pasta. Personally, I even add garlic chips to cream cheese on top of my bread. It ends up tasting like a creamy, tangy garlic bread.

Moral Lesson: Garlic Chips = good. Pre-packaged Pesto = Bad.

 

"i ❤ tea" is hearty

The Milk Tea craze hit Manila pretty hard. Chances are, each mall here has at least one tea shop in operation. Boy, it feels like a long time since I once wished for a Cha Time to open in the Cubao area. (FYI: There's already one in Gateway Mall and another one set to open its "doors" in the Ali Mall/SM Bridgeway.) When it rains, it pours!

My great discovery of the week is a newly opened, café-type tea shop called "i ❤ tea" in Farmer's Plaza. They just started operations sometime last week, and there are still balloon arrangements by the window.

Just my two cents: I'm aware that Farmer's Plaza does not generally bring to mind the image of people merrily sipping away on tea while chatting with friends. Yes, the mall is more of an MRT hub than a pasyal (leisure) site, especially when you have the surrounding Gateway, SM, Ali Mall that appear much more trendy. One might wonder how this establishment plans to attack the right market for their Php90+ drinks, when the location calls for budget prices. --But I'll expound on that later.

I was essentially drawn into the store by their launch promotion: All tea-based drinks are at 50%-off until August 15. Php50 for a large cup is a steal, since that's the standard price of the cheapest milk teas in town anyway.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432"] It's great to know that they have a professional system for customized drink orders[/caption]

Got Black Sugar Milk Tea with HanTian (Brown Sugar) Jelly, which I think was DELICIOUS. I'm one for sago (black pearls), but if there's HanTian Jelly around, then I'd rather have that. --The only other place I know that has this particular topping is Cobo Milk Tea at Tomas Morato. And the milk has no distinct aftertaste like in Cha Time.

For those who want to try Black Sugar, I suggest you get it at 50% sweetness or less. They use a black sugar syrup for this one, so reducing the sweetness means reducing the flavoring, but 50% is completely flavorful and veteran milk tea drinkers will still find it too sweet.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] The packaging is cute[/caption]

As for interiors, the place has a pop Taiwan kind of design: Glittery glass walls, colorful decor, and comfy chairs. We decided to stay and finish the drinks there because the chairs were relaxing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Nice place to chill[/caption]

Frankly, my only puzzlement has to do with the location. Those who haven't been to the Cubao area in a while will be surprised to know that it is undergoing a makeover: Araneta Coliseum is being revamped to have a sleek glass facade, though I honestly think they're better off just fashioning a new coliseum from scratch; SM Cubao is good as new; Ali Mall is almost there, save for some old wings that need attention; and Farmer's is following suit. The part of this mall that connects to the MRT looks fine. But there is still the matter of who this shop is trying to market their product to.

Farmer's looks its best now, but the stores that are open there (including the tiangge stalls at the top floor) are still geared towards budget shoppers. So once the tea prices go back to normal after Aug. 15, I wonder if Farmer's regulars will still be willing to patronize this.

The biggest upside, location-wise, is that the shop is the first thing you see when you take the escalator up from the back exit of the MRT. Foot traffic is great. So I guess only time will tell if the choice of venue pays off.

I will definitely be coming back to try their other flavors. The menu looks extensive, though they only offer drinks. And the service staff are very attentive and enthusiastic. The launch promo is the best way to generate buzz, and I daresay it worked. :)

i ❤ tea (actually read as "I love tea") is in Farmer's Plaza, Cubao,  Q.C.

 

Update 08/04/12: Came back yesterday and saw that they had Flavored Shaved Ice on the Menu. i ❤ tea most closely resembles Cobo, so Cubao-based fans don't have to trek to Tomas Morato for their Shaved Ice fix. Also, they have Taro Milk Tea available, but it's not written on the old version menu.

The KFC Cheese Top Burger

KFC Philippines' Streetwise Cheese Top Burger has been out in the market for a month or so. It's a controversial product for very silly reasons. And if you're not from around here or if you haven't seen the commercials, the name alone will strike you as unusual. Thus, even Jimmy Kimmel had something to say about it:

 



 

For the record, it's called "streetwise" because it's part of a set of menu items being marketed as KFC Phils.' on-a-budget range. Food items/meals are priced at around Php50.00  (roughly $1.25), so it typically attracts students and office workers.

It looks bad, admittedly, but I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Based on my experience, this particular fast food restaurant has a pretty stable menu. (I'd recommend the Kung Pao Chicken Rice Bowl and their Spaghetti.) And after all, half of the things I like now sounded outlandish, initially.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432"] The Actual[/caption]

My Cheese Top Burger came from the Trinoma branch. To be honest, Kimmel's video made it look more appetizing. At least his version had gooey cheese on top. My cheese slice looked limp and dry. In general, it didn't look appetizing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432"] The inside was no better[/caption]

Forgive me for posting a photo of my bitten burger, but that's what the chicken fillet looked like. If you ask me, it would've tasted much better had the cheese been on the inside. The chicken fillet had this greasy aftertaste that the mayo couldn't hide, and it tastes different from the fried chicken you get in the bucket. With the cheese being dry from being heated atop the bun, it couldn't even give off any creaminess.

I am sorry to say that this burger is definitely at the bottom of my KFC list. Food that looks funny can sometimes be saved by flavor, but that's not the case here.

 

The Bake Buddy Cookie S'mores Experiment

I haven't really done many kitchen experiments on this blog as of yet, since I always get excited to bake that I tend to forget to document the process. It feels like a hassle sometimes to have to set up the camera (even with me just using my mobile phone cam) with all the settings to toggle with, in addition to keeping the ingredients aligned while you fiddle to get the money shot. But I wanted to do something nice today, so I tried my hand at a simple cookie mix.

What I had lying around the house was a container of Bake Buddy Cookie S'mores mix. Bake Buddy is a company that's been making it's rounds at bazaars and selling cans of cookie mixes and ready-made cookies. Mine happened to be the Cookie S'mores.

Here' s a photo of the original container with all the ingredients inside:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="353"] Cookie S'mores![/caption]

The concept is attractive, wouldn't you say? It's a time-saver if you don't have to haul your butt to the grocery store to gather  ingredients. If you're not much of a regular baker, you drastically reduce the risk of having a stock of too many ingredients at home that'll end up stale and expired.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="346"] Layers of Ingredients[/caption]

All the dry ingredients are inside the nifty package, so you only need to have 2-3 wet ingredients at hand. I'm seeing/guessing the inside contains all-purpose flour, baking soda, brown sugar, salt, chocolate chips, and small marshmallows. The lid has instructions pasted on and calls for some butter, an egg, and some vanilla.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] "The Literature"[/caption]

The mise en place is simple and can be done in 2 bowls, since the instructions basically state that you dump everything in, once the wet ingredients have been mixed properly. But I decided to separate everything for the sake of showing the step-by-step. You'll also need a mixer, eggbeater, or whisk. --I'll explain why later.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Mise en place: Baking tray lined with silpat or parchment, butter, egg, vanilla, 2 bowls (1 big, 1 small), and your spatula[/caption]

The big bowl is for the dough, while the small container is for the marshmallows. You'll need to take them out first, or they'll get battered with all the mixing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Scoop out the mallows![/caption]

The lid says to mix all the wet ingredients, but I wouldn't advise anyone to use the butter as is. From experience, fresh-from-the-fridge butter is too hard and will not incorporate well (if at all) with the other wet ingredients. You have to melt the butter, so that you could whisk everything together smoothly.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Melt the butter over a low fire[/caption]

Since this is a kitchen experiment, I decided to soften the butter only slightly in order to show the effect of using it cold.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Butter still has solids[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Vanilla extract[/caption]

I attacked it with an electric beater, which resulted in a lumpy mixture that does not look appetizing. Then I added the rest of the container's contents in one go.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Chips and Lumps[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Pre-Dough[/caption]

This is the part where you get rid of the whisk or egg beater and start working the dough with a scraper or spatula. I would even suggest you get your hands "dirty" to produce a fine dough with no lumps of flour or sugar. Using your hands on the dough will also help soften up the butter if you initially had it in lumps.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Mixed using my spatula[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Refined "handy" work[/caption]

And while the recipe suggests making 2 trays of cookies, I preferred 1 tray of big, chewy cookies. Using an electronic scale, I measured out 40 grams each  (more or less) of dough before shaping them into balls with an ice cream scoop and a spoon. I got a dozen 40-gram dough balls out of it.

Finally, you top them off with the marshmallows and bake them in the oven at 190C (350F). I went with 13-14 minutes instead of the suggested 8-12, since my product was larger yet I wanted it to come out very chewy.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Before[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="479"] After[/caption]

The result was a little on the flat side. --Perhaps it lacks baking soda, or the leavener in the can wasn't so active anymore. But I got the soft, chewy cookies I so desired. Flavor-wise, they were good. I'm a sucker for the melted brown sugar in a chocolate chip cookie, though this one came off as a little too sweet what with the marshmallows and chocolate chips fighting for attention.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Mission Accomplished[/caption]

A can of mix in this flavor comes to around Php350. I love the novelty of it, though that same Php350 will get you more of the same ingredients in the grocery if you don't mind making the trip. That said, I find it more of a gift item than something to get for yourself to do at home.