Sephora PH x Too Faced Haul

My heart fluttered when I heard (read) the buzz that a Sephora store will finally open in Manila (if my memory serves me right, Megamall).  I could finally get my hands on brands raved by many youtubers and beauty gurus but at the same time, I'm fearing that my wallet will always be slim and gasping for money (yikes!).

But the buzz is just a buzz and never became an official news.  Imagine the hearts of many Filipino beauty enthusiasts slowly being crushed while waiting for a physical store to materialized.

Luckily Sephora Ph Online store went up and a new hope was born (yipee!).

3 Common Online Shopping Questions
I always get these questions whenever I show my online haul.

• How do I pay - Credit Card, Paypal, Dragonpay.  Dragonpay consists of over the counter payment via bank or remittance payment center and online/app bank payment.  Weird though, BPI is not available maybe because of the recent incident?  I'm not sure.
• How many days before the goodies arrived - 5 to 7 days according to the website but I got mine within 5 days- I ordered Monday, got my stuff Friday.
• Tax? - Nope.  Aramex (courier) delivered my order to my friend's doorstep and voila!  As long as someone can sign and receive the package there will be no problem.

Addiction with Eyeglasses

Ever since my eyes got blurry, eyeglasses has been my number one accessory.  My first that doesn't look so nerdy is a Ray Ban looking glasses that I got from the department store (because my nerdy looking ones got broke and the shop where I got it said it will take them time to repair it) and have it prescripted.  I got a lot of queer looks from it but knowing that most frames in optical shops (back then) are too small for my liking, I always scour the net for some trendy glasses.  My latest by the way is from Divisoria and I got lots of compliment when I'm wearing it (even from an immigration officer from another country) but I always like to have options.

Fievre just keep on popping on my Facebook feed so I gave it a shot and got 3 frames.

Shiseido, Canmake, Etude and Laneige Haul

There are many types of reasons.  There are those reasonable that no matter what argument you throw, the reason is fair and sensible.  And there are those unreasonable which might be a result of an impulse, like my reason for these haul which starts with "Just because".

"Just because" someone from Japan is coming to Manila (thank you my friend), I got the Shiseido Perfect Whip Cleanser and the Canmake Shading Powder.  I don't basically need them but heck these two are waaaaaay cheaper in Japan than in here, so why not.

Aside from the usual sachets of samples (thankfully, I only got two BB creams which is a miracle.  I usually give away sample bb creams because they are too light for my skintone although I'm fair and pale) and face mask, I got some nice deluxe sample products.  I'm actually expecting some Laneige samples but heck these are awesome and will be perfect for travel.  Got these because of the below purchases.

Skincare Centered Haul for You All

Cosmetics sale is everywhere and I participated in some like the annual nivea sale where everything is half the price and I also got some other stuff like a weird looking brush and foot soak.  I also took advantage of some korean skincare products because some of them are on a great deal.

Here are some of the things I accumulated that I bought online.  Let's start with what I got from Bhappywithme Ebay.  By the way photos are by Louis of Louis Delos Angeles Photography, I edited them though :)

I've been eyeing the OST Vitamin C Serum but I couldn't find a Philippine based online seller who can "procure" it for me and so when I saw the C20 (which is the new name of OST) Vitamin Sleep 9 to 5 crema (Php799, around $18), I immediately put it in my ebay cart.  Dull skin is one of my problem so I hope the vitamin c in this cream can solve my mini dilemma.

Still from Bhappywithme, I also got the Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist (Php200, around $4.5) which has been a favorite to many skincare addicts enthusiast.  I initially plan to used this just as a final step to my base  makeup but it's so refreshing that I just spray this on my face whenever I feel like it.

I love my Biore Water Essence with SPF 50 but I couldn't just wear it alone, I need to apply another product to fully entertain the need of my skin for moisture so I got the A'pieu Pure Block Natural Sun Cream (Php300, around $6.70) hoping that it can perform like the IOPE that I have before (which I cannot have to afford the full size).

Something Thrifted, From Online and Drugstore Haul

I have to pat myself at the back for doing a job well done with regards to shopping and making a haul.  I've been to different online shops browsing at some things that I really like to get but I always ask myself if I really need or even like them and I usually close my browser and my shopping instinct will disappear.  Still got some though that I've been wanting for many months that no matter what I reason to myself, the urge to get them keeps coming back.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer is something that stuck in my head for a year or more now eversince I watch Tanya Burr's video followed by Shayne of Queen of All You See's post (plus a ton more mention from the likes of Essie and Amelia).  I never had a concealer but I don't want to gamble so might as well get something that is recommended by this awesome people.  I got the only shade that is available in the counter~Light, I pray that this will work.

I also wanted to get taupe eyeshadow for an everyday makeup use but I can't find any that fits my liking and budget.  I check Fanny Serrano but it's out of the stock in the department store I went and I search online and found the Lorac Pocket PRO Pallette but it consists of three eyeshadows...I only need one, so I stop and will just have to deal with what I currently have in my stash (goodluck to me).

Thank goodness for sisters who share their makeup!  I got all these three for free.  I keep on using on the red Ever Bilena Matte Lipsticks and on occasions that I feel the need to get girly, I use the pink one.  I'm still experimenting with the Maybelline Brow Mascara which is surprisingly blending well with the color of my brows, I just need more "getting use to" feel for me to comfortably wear it on a daily basis.

And lastly, THESE...

The gold and white combination is the one to blame for this craziness!  I mean, I even don't know how to use those eye brushes (are they eye brushes?).  I wish to have the Zoeva Classic Face Set but by the time I decided to get it, it's already out of stock in Luxola (why Luxola, why?) so I got this BeautyCosmetics Gold Diana Set instead.  The face brushes are less denser than I expected but man, they are so soft!

I also got the Brushegg hoping that it would stop the torture my brushes experience when I clean them with my bare hands.

I've been good with my shopping, right?

Accumulated Stuff. Guilty, this is a Haul Post

For the past few months I've been good in keeping myself away from ordering and shopping cosmetics (though I keep on buying clothes to replace my old ones and succulents).  From now on, I'll tell myself that it's not yet my schedule to haul or shop instead of shopping ban which is less harsher to the ears which makes me think that I'm not restricting myself but more like I have more time to think and research the things that I like to have/buy.

Weather is gloomy which I like but not my photos because it makes them blurry.  Whatever, here's my recent accumulated things.

Ecotools Fresh and Flawless Complexion Brush Set
Lucky me, I guess immediately who my secret santa is and immediately told her that I don't want things that I can't use.  I initially wanted a book but saw this set from Bon Marche and commanded (I'm horrible, I know) her to order this instead because I need some brushes.

Sunkissed Duo Eyeshadows
I'm not familiar with the brand and I'm not sure where my sister got these but heck they are free.  I have one before; which I dropped and tried to put them together using the techniques I found in youtube but didn't work (oh youtube, your a mess), and it has a good quality and color and hopefully these two are good two.

Ellana Mineral Blush
My sister got this for free when she ordered a lot of Ellana stuff online and gave it to me because it's more suitable for the color of my skin.  Hooray for sister and freebies!

IOPE Air Cushion XP C21
I'm familiar with this brand since it keeps on appearing whenever I search for best skincare product in Korea back in the middle of the year and have been recently popular because of the the bb cushion which Michelle Phan mentioned in one of her videos.  Air cushion have been all over the net and seeing Pony using it so effortlessly, I decided to get the refill.  I didn't bother to get the container to save some money, thanks to behappywith me for the hassle free transaction.  Oh I also got a spare sponge for 50 pesos.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter
I got this for free when I bought a Revlon hair color.  I have no choice, it's free so I have to keep it hehehe.

Burt's Bees Lip Crayon  Hawaiian Smolder
My sister gave me one of her balm stain (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable to be specific) and I like it so I ordered something similar...but different lip crayon.  This one is more on the mauve side.

Human Heart Nature Night Cream and Overnight Elixir
Human Heart Nature had a great promo on the Overnight Elixir (reduced price and I got a 50ml sunflower oil) and because I'm not contented with just one I figured why not buy some other cheap stuff like the night cream and the massage oil (which is in the next photo).

IOPE Essential Tone and Wrinkle Care Eye Cream
This is the only cheap eye cream that i can find in the net that seems to work well.  Thanks again to behappywithme, I'm guessing she some memebox full of IOPE stuff and selling the items in her shop separately which is perfect for me!  I'm trying to resist to order the ampoule.

Biore Aqua Sunscreen Essence???
Forgot the exact name but this is one of the products that appeared when I search for a sunblock/sun cream that is popular in Japan and ask my sister to ask one of her officemate to buy it for me in Japan.  Banzai to travelers!

Konjac Cleansing Sponge
I keep on purchasing konjac sponge from The Landmark because they work and they are cheap, I just hope that the makers won't raise the price now that there are many youtubers raving about these sponges.

Human Heart Nature Rejuvenating Massage Oil
I'm now an oil convert because it moisturizes my skin without being to heavy and sweaty unlike lotions.  But I just don't use whatever kinds of oil...I go for something that is light like dry oil or those with coconut oil as a base.  This one though has sunflower oil and though sunflower oil is great for the skin I find the smell annoying not just on my skin but on my clothes as well because it linger even after wash which leads me to buy the next item.

Zenutrients Anti Cellulite Oil
Didn't buy this because of the Anti Cellulite part (it sound gimmicky to me) but because of the relaxing smell and feel it gave me when I used it last year so I got another bottle.  The other massage oil from Zenutrients are good to, so far my favorite is the eucalyptus and green tea.

Human Nature Hydrating Creamy Wash
Gooey but definitely hydrating and cheaper than most of of the facial wash I used.  I'm not a fan of it's scent but it works like Physiogel and Cetaphil.

I also bought this Winter Wonderland Spray from ZenZest as recommended by my sister.  Abusing the broque shoes that I got from Payless and surprisingly, I bought a necklace from H&M which surprisingly again, I'm wearing on a weekly basis.  I'm not an accessory person but probably because I'm revolving around plain looking shirt, now look into the the accessory section of shops.

I wanted to add some of the tops that I got that looks really nice, but I don't know how to present them here (the last time I did it was a disaster).

Shop wisely.  Enjoy!

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August 2014: HAUL

Stressed?  Yes, but most importantly it's my birthday month so I allowed myself to spend on some things (not all, I have to be practical).  First stop is Forever21.  I almost got a leather jacket and another boots (which is the one that I've been eyeing in F21 US site) but I have to think thrice and weigh every pros and cons and cons won (I don't know how to rock leather in a warm humid weather).

So I pick some tops, just simple and basic ones that can be dress down or up.  I just love how the white shirt camouflages itself as formal with those texture (I remember that my mom has one of these just sitting in her closet only better when I was a kid and now I wish I kept and restore it.
I am always attracted to shirts with stripes...they just look nautical and refreshing and put together so I can't pass on the navy blue stripes shirt.  And when I got home I just realized that the two tops that I got from F21 are way pricier than my pants and was kinda a happy that I got another top (the flowery one) for just 250 pesos (that's less than $5) from a tiangge (hooray for tiannges!).

Still from Forever21, I got two black pants (although in the photo it's like dark blue) because they are on a reduced price and they almost perfectly fit me well (I can't find the perfect pants for my body type...I have weird body structure if you are wondering why).  They also already come with slim belts and I can roll the hem up (for a chic look) or down and they still look good.  They set great on my hips (not too high nor low), they have nice fabric and they are comfortable to wear!

I also bought a pair of Chucks because I miss them (I have 4 pairs before, I think) although I will only wear them on Friday's and maybe Sunday's too.  And another cheap shoes that I can use when walking going to work.

Other stuff that I bought are the plastic storage for my skincare products and makeup and them some other stuff recommended by my sister.  The A Bonne Spa Milk Salt is a cult favorite.  The Black Beauty Hot Oil with Vitamin E is my sister's happiness.  And the The Body Shop's hand cream are so light I got three (gave one to my sister) when I redeemed all my points and voucher from being ever so loyal with The Body Shop Philippines, I only paid 30 pesos, that's happiness for me!

Well, in just a day or two it's already September~"BER" months ,I can already smell christmas (why so fast!!!!).

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June 2014 Haul: I'm Still Alive

Like the plant above which everyone think is already dead, I'm still alive!  Just got busy with paper works which is just a big pain in the neck, but it's okay since I like the reason behind why I'm doing paperworks.  Anway, haul time and I'm happy to report that I accumulated only a few items (but I'm going to buy lots of clothes...I already bought 3 items and planning to grab more basics).

Another body butter from The Body Shop and I'm so happy because I got it for free that I gave my mini shea body whip lotion to my sister and I'm planning to also give the olive body butter to someone who have dry/sensitive skin like me.  The generic konjac sponge (around $1.25) is my alternative to Olay Regenerist Cleansing System which I can't use on a daily basis.  And since someone went to Korea and don't mind buying stuff for me, I ask for the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Black Heat Out Balm which is luckily on sale (I think it's only aroun $3.50).

That same friend also brought home the above tea which I thought are in teabags and was so surprised to find them in granules meaning it's an instant tea.  And lastly, something for my toe nails to avoid blister and further damage to their abnormalities (I have a weird feet, but that's okay).

That's it, I'm amazed at my self control this month!

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May 2014 Haul: Basics

Whenever Watsons go on sale, I go a little cray because I can get the chance to get basic stuff at a discount even if the discount is just 10% to 20% off.  I also took advantage of The Body Shop's buy 1 get 1 promo and got body butters and bb cream.  Then got a pair of shoes from divi and a sunglasses from a mall back in my province.

I'm going back to baby friendly body cleansers because my skin gone really sensitive lately.  Got lured with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser's buy 1 get 1 free promo but I have to use it before September 2014.  I guess I can't go wrong with Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash because Dove was always recommended by my doctor when I was still a kid and Johnson & Johnson's Baby Bath.

For hair, I just got some conditioners and a hair treatment.  Herbal Essences Hello Hydration seems nice and since I love the hair treatment, I also got the Naturals by Watsons Olive Conditioner as a backup.  I'm making my own hair treatment now but when lazy days strikes, I'll just use HairFix Hair Treatment Deep Repair which has Argan Oil and Aloe Vera (seems like every drugstore stuff now claims to have argan oil).

Thanks to The Body Shop's anniversary sale I finally got the Chocomania body butter which I got at 40% off plus I also use my points from my card so I almost got it for free.  My sister and I take advantage of the buy 1 get 1 promo on the Olive body butter and the All-In-One BB cream (almost or all their make-up we're on sale and got tempted to get some eyeshadows).  The red box is a freebie, all thanks to the nice SA for reminding me.

Lastly a pair of shoes from the infamous Divisoria which is only $7 hehehe and a sunglasses which I like very much (surprisingly! I am not a fan of sunglasses before) and the price my goodness is $1.50 and I saw the same one in the mall here in Manila for $7 (I guess the case cost $5.50?).

Very basic and I hope I buy much much less next month.

Till then, Arya

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April 2014 Haul: Hooray for Free Stuff

This April I ate lots of chocolates courtesy of my brother (who also gave me some other free stuff) and I'm so happy and fluffy at the same time (I think I gain like a kilo from eating chocolates for a week).

My friends also gave me other stuff:  a former colleague gave me a Deep Cleansing Hand Soap from Bath & Body Works (plus candies too) as pasalubong and our friend KB also gave me a Collagen Food Supplement, sachets of Rotenyu Meguri which I thought was a scrub (it's not) and Egyptian Magic Cream which I love and so happy to receive.

I also got a cute manicure set from the local department store; SM, which surprised me when I'm already paying because it's at 50% off, passport holder to protect my unused passport (I really should book a flight soon) and a pair of slippers that is not so comfortable at first but is now a massage on my feet after a long day of walking.

And I cannot believe that I fell in love with the shirt because fruit on my tees are not my cup of tea but the mint color and the orange just go so well and I also got pants that are so comfortable and both are cheap!

And last batch of this haul consist of mochi, teas and a brow gel.  I got the Royal Family Mochi in Red Bean and Green Tea and I said to myself "these mochis will be perfect for my tea time) but it turns out that they go well with Coke too =) The teas are for me to sleep well at night but they seem to not helping me at the moment.  And lastly a brow gel from Essence to...I really don't know why I bought it :P

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

March 2014 Haul: Make-up is Starting to Invade Me

There's probably a time in every girl's life that suddenly she wake's up and remembered that she's a girl and make-up must be present in her cabinet.

A little late but due to youtube, blogs, pressure and a little pondering, I decided that make-up must enter my life.  Don't worry, this haul is not purely make-up items but a blush, eyeshadows, and brushes are already overwhelming for me that I decided to make a little intro about make-up.

The Saem On The Blackhead Volcanic Steam Gel Cleaner P260/around $6
Missha The Style Mono Touch CBE01 P150/around  $3.50
Missha The Style Triple Perfection Shadow P160/around $3.70

My sister said the eyeshadows that I got are too small (they are just about thumb size) but for a beginner and a not-so-into-make-up like me, these are just perfect and I guess I can hit pan them before they expire.  Also got a gel cleaner from The Saem because my blackheads are just so stubborn.  The sachets are freebies, I actually got some cookies and fudge bar too as a freebie but immediately ate them.  I ordered these plus the socks below from Bae Lu.

Assorted Socks at P60/around $1.50

Cute! I decided to get these quirky socks because my normal black and gray socks are always missing.  Look how cool the bunny with mustache is!

Next are stuff from Trinoma.  I got the Ellana Lip & Cheek Cream Color in Strawberry Red in Crossings and so far loving it because the color looks natural plus it stays for almost the whole day.  The brushes are from Landmark:  the brow liner brush is okay but I'm impressed with the kabuki brush because it's dense and soft and didn't bleed when I washed it.

Artist Studio Angled Brow Liner Brush P49.75/around $1.20
Noconi Kabuki Brush P144.75/around $3.30
Ellana Lip & Cheek Cream Color P250/around $5.80

Some random stuff that I got from Landmark are these powder container where I put the mineral foundation that I got from Ellana and a set of cord holder with owl design.  I also can't resist not to get some tea from the grocery (my new obsession I guess?).

Powder Container P39.75/around $95
Cord Holder P49.75/around $1.15

Celestial Sleeptime P70
The Coffee Bean English Breakfast P179.30
Stash Decaf Tea Chai Spice P151.20

A strainer for baking purposes only and a tea pot for the green tea that I got from China Town.  They look good and seems durable.  And lastly a glass jar that I got from SM, again for the green tea leaves.

Round Strainer around P30/around $.70
Stainless Steel Pot P209.75/$4.90

Hosh Elvaston Glass Jar P79.75/around $1.90

That's all!  I hope I'll buy less stuff next month.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

February 2014 Haul: Et cetera

A mixture of everything (nonsense included), that is the theme for this haul post.

I've been worried about my hair eversince I chopped it and just bought this Loreal Total Night Essence for extra nourishment, so far just okay.

Loreal Total Repair Night Essence - less than P350

From the lovely people of KB, I got two awesome products:  KB Vitamin C Peeling Gel Skin Whitening and  Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream, that my legs are currently loving.

website

Ordered some samples from Ellana because they are free and I'm curious with mineral foundation...used one of the sachets the other day and so far I don't think powder foundation are for me, it just won't properly stick to my dry face...but I love their blushes!

website

Online shopping without Bae Lu?  I'm trying not to order from her but then there's sale here and there.  My friend and I gave a bit of a long list of orders of Missha products but because of the sale almost everything that we liked are out of stock so we only got 2 (Bae Lu, yung eye shadows ko wag mo kalimutan next time ha? hehehe).

Missha Bordeaux Absolute Body Butter - P220
Missha Super Aqua Water Supply Cream - P320

And lookey, I have 5 free masks (the other masks are my order that we're left out before).  Also trying everything to suppressed my mask addiction since I don't use them much now.

more sheet masks

This time around I also ordered these "pies" which are on a buy 1 take 1 promo.  Like that the strawberry filling; sweet with mild sourness, complimented the chocolate covering the "pie".

P220 for two boxes

And because I love to bake, I ordered some baking cups and dragees from Love2Bake.  Transaction was fast and hassle free, will definitely order again...I'm planning to get some almond meal so I can finally make some macarons.

Baking Cups P40 to P65
Dragees P45 to P50

I already tried a variety of flavor from Chef Tony's but I always go back to Creamy Parmesan.  It's a bit sweet, it's creamy and it's cheesy - what more can I ask for?

Chef Tony's Popcorn in Creamy Parmesan - P184

Aside from my fill of buchi, hopia and sweet siopao, I also got some tea from China Town.  I wanted to buy more but I can't understand the text in the boxes of different teas in one of the grocery stores on the street of the town plus I'm also running out of funds.

Green Tea - P180
Korean Ginseng Tea - P200

Notebooks and pens?  Anyone interested?  I used the kraft notebooks in my Recipe Notebooks post and I'm obsessed with cute colored pens and I'm feeling like I'm already "tumatanda ng pabaliktad" (literal translation: growing old bacwards).

Acacia Notebooks from SM - P21.75
Monami pens - Paround P20

Oh, and I also already bought a laptop.  Hooray for that!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!