Colour Collection Vitamin E Lipstick in Red Wine: A Review

My first purchase from Sample Room PH! Yay! :)

I'm not into bold colors, especially red, but I figured every girl's gotta have her red lippie right? I've been meaning to buy MAC's Ruby Woo or RiRi Woo but MAC lipsticks are not within my budget (PHP 1,000.00 each, I know right?!). I've canvassed red lippies from Maybelline, Revlon and L'Oreal but everything seems expensive to me and I don't think I'll be able to use it frequently since I'm not into loud colors. I just need a red lipstick as a back up on lull days.

Anyway, I've come across the Colour Collection lipstick in Red Wine from Sample Room, as seen from my previous post. Here's what the package looked like:

The lipstick has great color pay-off. It is pigmented enough to last me for 4 hours straight except when I ate and drank water for it transferred on my mug. 

It is very moisturizing as well, and not at all drying. I didn't have what looked like chapped lips at the end of the day, though the color faded so I had to touch up after eating lunch. It has a glossy finish, and at first swipe you get enough color to cover your lips so the first application is enough for me.

I've been hearing about Colour Collection for the longest time but this is my first in trying one of their products. I'm very much satisfied from the color pigmentation and the moisture that it gives. Looking forward to trying more products from their makeup line.

Leaving you with the selfies I took while wearing the Red Wine lippie:

Red lips and biker jacket I got from Ukay-ukay. Happy Fridayyy~ :)

Sample Room PH: Try Before You Buy

I came across Sample Room through a recommendation of a friend, Jhessica. She has been using this for quite some time to acquire and rate different products.

Sample Room is Philippines' 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 (description taken from the website).

Upon registration you will be given a hundred points. You can then select any product you want. I opted for Colour Collection Vitamin E Lipstick in Red Wine (will be reviewed on the next post), which retails for PHP 330.00 but since I have earned 100 points from registering, I only paid for the PHP 100.00 shipping fee. This being said, I now only have 15 points. 85 points were consumed when I got the lipstick.

I've used the product for almost a week and then wrote a review on the site, though my review is still pending approval since I only wrote it this morning. I earned one (1) point for writing the review and will earn additional points once my review has been approved.

Here's a step-by-step on how Sample Room works (again, taken from the site itself):

1) Register - Register and be a Sample Room member! Being a member makes you qualified to get free samples from our website.

2) Get free points upon registration - Upon registration, you get 100 points to start your Sample Room adventure! These points can get you samples based on the sample roster that we have

3) Choose your sample - Each corresponding sample has a given number of points for it to be availed. Use your points to get the available samples.

4) Check out - Go to check out and pay for the shipping and handling fee.

5) Receive your samples - Samples arrive on your doorstep! Yay! Time to road-test your samples!

6) Post a review at SampleRoom.ph - Please rate and review on each of the products you have chosen to try.

7) Get points by reviewing, get a new sample to try - You earn more points as you rate and review a product. The points you earned will give you the opportunity to get more samples! The more samples you review, the more points you get, and that means more samples to try!

8) Buying of points - Should your points are not enough to get the samples that you want, Sample Room gives you an option to buy points and avail these samples! 

Sample Room products ranges from skin care to lifestyle:

Paying is hassle free as well - you can pay through bank deposit, Smart Money or Globe GCash. Once payment has been confirmed you will receive an email stating that your order is being processed. I ordered and paid on Thursday and the product was delivered on Saturday. Indeed a fast service!

Sample Room is an excellent online community where consumers can not only purchase free items but also get to see other people's views and opinions on certain products. I personally read reviews first before buying anything to see on how it worked for most of those who've tried it. Not only that, this site works locally. I could easily relate to the reviews especially for skin care - on what effect a certain product may have on a hot and humid, tropical weather that we have. It is also a great way to introduce new products in the market and a channel to meet bloggers throughout the country.

For more information about their products and services, visit Sample Room PH.

Flashback Friday: Last Summer Hurrah @ Bicol

The past week has been rough weather-wise. A typhoon has flooded most of Manila leaving thousands homeless. Schools throughout the metro have been suspended as well. It was a gloomy week alright. It stopped raining but it's still as cloudy - and there has been talk of yet another typhoon. :(

Blue sky, when will we see you again? It's been a long time. Taken during our trip back to Manila last May.

Murky days make me reminisce of the summer I had. Here's a look on my last trip with friends this summer.

Our friend Kath invited us to her hometown Virac, Catanduanes. We stayed at Rakdell Hotel, their family business. You can check their Facebook here.

Since plane tickets were a bit expensive for our budget, we opt for a cheaper ride instead. We left at around 5:00pm on a Thursday afternoon aboard RSL Bus Line at Cubao. We arrived at Legaspi Port after 12 hours.

 

 Perfect cone of Mayon Volcano @ Tabaco Port.

From Legaspi Port, we rode a ferry going to Virac and it took about 4 hours for us to get to our destination. (as if a 12-hour bus ride isn't enough). Tired and hungry, but the trip was well worth it. We were greeted by Kath and her mom, the hospitable hotel staff and of course the welcome wouldn't be complete without a delicious meal on Rakdell's rooftop.

After lunch we toured downtown Virac, Bato Church, water falls and the nearby beach.

At the foot of Bato Church, Virac, Catanduanes. With my friends Chalet, Ice and Kath.

Bato Church

A nearby beach resort just minutes away from the hotel.

The next day was the highlight of our trip. We went to Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur, which is an hour boat ride from Virac. The islands were also featured in Survivor, a reality show. Check out Survivor Caramoan here.

With Mark, Ice's boyfriend and our photographer. Taken during our boat ride from Virac to Caramoan.

 

A breath-taking view.

Eating pancit on the beach. Yum!

I miss swimming!

Going back to Virac on a late afternoon.

This has been one of the memorable trips that I had. I surely miss the beach - sun, sand and sea salt in my hair. Even if it's raining puppies and kittens, my mind drifts off to places such as this. 

Okay, enough musings for now. I shall get back to work.

"After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul's indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer. - William R. Alger"

Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Pink Chocolate: A Review

I've "inherited" a lipstick a couple of days ago from my aunt. It's slightly used but it's still in good condition. I've tried Clinique lipsticks before but I haven't purchased any cause it's a tad too expensive for me. The shade I got was Pink Chocolate:

Lately I've been trying out new shades since I'm only used to nude / pale pinks. Shades with deeper undertones (blues) suit my skin more than the bright ones. This shade is just right for my skin tone - neither too light nor too dark.

Without any lipstick.

 

With Clinique's Pink Chocolate - matte finish.

The color's more pigmented in person. Apologies again for the crappy photo quality, I used my phone's camera though you could still see the difference. It's bordering between red and brown, but more of a deeper red when worn.

It's also moisturizing on my lips and not drying at all although it transferred on my mug when I drank water. Over all, it's a good quality lipstick! :)

Final look. Happy Thursday! :)

My First Ever Plane Spotting

Aside from being a make-up junkie that I am, I'm also a frustrated pilot. Ever since elementary school I'm fascinated by airplanes - on how it works and it's mechanics. I've applied at a flying school way back in college but I wasn't able to push through since I know it's hella expensive.

And so, for my love of airplanes, I joined Philippine Plane Spotters Group - a crowd of young men and women (mostly men) who have the same love for airplanes as I have. They spot planes from time to time and take photos of different types of aircrafts ranging from commercial airlines to Air Force planes, agricultural bi-planes and the like.

Most of the members are guys so at first I was a bit hesitant to join on one of their sessions since I haven't met them; though some of them messaged me through Facebook to arrange the planned spotting session. Finally I decided to join last Saturday in what would become one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

We met at Multinational Avenue in Paranaque, behind Runway 6 of the 1st Terminal in Ninoy Aquino International Airport. One by one the spotters came - 3 pilots (2 of them were flight instructors), an Air Traffic Controller / Flight Dispatcher, and 3 more guys who were just airplane enthusiasts.

Myself, Nikki, Jerome, Darl, Jojo joined with the three students from PATTS.

With Clarence (in blue shirt). We're situated on the roof of a house - just eye level of Runway 24, which is active at that time. They call this place "Narnia" since you have the most spectacular visibility of commercial planes landing and taking off.

Here are some of the photos I took:

Philippine Airlines - the flag carrier! :)

Aren't these gorgeous? I was awestruck the whole time. One minute I was happily snapping away and then I just caught myself staring at one Cathay Pacific that just landed - full of wonder from what I just saw. For years it has been a dream of mine to be a pilot and when I know that I won't ever get it, I just focused on other things. But to come here and take these lovely photos reminded me that I haven't completely let go of that dream. And even though I won't become a pilot in this lifetime, I could still surround myself with people who have the same passions that I have.

The guys even invited me again on their spotting session next Wednesday (Philippine holiday, Ninoy Aquino Day). I'll join them for sure so I could meet more people and this time I won't be the only girl in the group. We'll be joined by Ludee, who's also an Aviatrix and a PATTS student. 

Really looking forward to our next plane spotting! :)

It's a Food-Filled Holiday of Fun!

Last Friday we celebrated the end of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers and sisters and for that, it was declared a regular Philippine holiday. My previous work 2 years ago did not permit me to take days off during Philippine holidays so now I'm maximizing that privilege.

Holidays such as these are usually spent with family so we went to the local mall to have lunch and to window shop.

Lunch at Kimpura, a Japanese restaurant located at Trinoma. California Maki, sautéd chicken and shrimp with asparagus and beef and been sprouts with green bell pepper.

Teppanyaki - a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle in cooking.

 My aunt ordered a Bento Box with salmon and vegetables.

After lunch we decided to just walk around and window shop (as most women do) and after an hour or so we had our afternoon coffee. 

Since every coffee shop in Trinoma was full we decided to go to UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. (again Japanese, hooray for my go-to coffee!).

 

Ordered my pick-me-upper, UCC Blended Coffee.

Cinnamon French toast. Yum!

I even purchased something for my tired feet! LOL

This is my second pair. Okay enough spending for now :)

I guess I spent too much that I felt guilty afterwards HAHAHA. But then again we all enjoyed and that's what mattered the most. And oh, I think I won't be eating again for the next 2 days LOL! :D

Ms. Bing Castro of The Project Awesome's Meet and Greet :)

Yaaay survived the middle of the week! It's Wednesday already, one more working day and it's "Hello long weekend!". Friday's a regular holiday since it's Eidul-Fitar or end of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers and sisters.  There are 2 more upcoming holidays this August and I'm very much excited for I have things planned on those days! :)

Anyway, I have attended a meet and greet of a Pinay Youtube beauty guru and blogger, and it is none other than Ms. Bing Castro. You can check out her Facebook, YouTube Channel and Blog.

A screen capture of her YouTube Channel. My favorite video as of the moment is her tips and tricks on how to highlight and contour.

I've come to know about her meet and greet through her Facebook page. It was originally planned to be held at Tomas Morato at a small place but when a lot of people asked for more slots (myself included, I texted her at least twice), she moved the event in a bigger area. It was held at the penthouse of Bauhinia Tower in Tivoli Garden Residences at Mandaluyong.

Our table is on the right side. Photo credits to Dee.

Met these lovely girls. :) From left to right - Iya, Gina of Ginaholics, myself, Jhessica, Dee, Ryza and apologies to the last girl whom I forgot the name. :)

 

Me, Raych (you can check her out on YouTube and her blog) and Jhessica. Credits to Dee for our photo.

We even met Joyce Sola (on the right) of CandyLoveArt, you could also check her YouTube Channel.

We had a buffet meal after the first game. *burp*

Look at all the prizes and giveaways! :)

 After the meal, Ms. Bing gave a make-up demo for day time look.

The meet and greet started a bit late so unfortunately, Jhessica and I did not get to finish the whole event since we have plans later that night.

Participants did not came home empty handed - Ms. Bing was so generous that she gave each of us a cologne and a sample of Cara BB Cream, plus I won a blending brush from Beauty Cosmetics.

If I had known earlier I might've joined lots of events already! This was a first for me and definitely an unforgettable one as I got to meet other beauty enthusiasts. We exchanged blogs, mobile numbers and Facebook accounts so we could get updated on the latest products, sales and events. 

I truly admire these girls for they go after their passions and interests. I have been watching make-up tutorials since I was in early college and have experimented on different brands but what I saw last weekend was of pure passion and excitement for their craft. I am older than them but some of the girls have achieved so much. I was thinking on the ride home if I did the same earlier, I might've been where they are today.

As the day ended, I had this reverie of us (the girls I met) having a collaboration on a YouTube video. I even told them earlier that day that we should do one if time permits. I just hope that we continue to keep in touch and continue to attend these kinds of events to widen our knowledge and enthusiasm for make-up and beauty - you'll never know maybe someday my fantasy of having a collaboration with these girls might come true. :)