My first BDJ Box

Belle de Jour box -- beauty bounty!

I am a beauty blogger wannabe. I really envy those girls that have the time and energy to try all those kikay stuff (and actually know how to use them and look good at the same time!) and give riveting and honest reviews. It's fun to browse these blog sites whenever I need a little pick me up :o)

I would call myself a low maintenance gal that has a kikay heart. I would also call myself lazy and impatient. This is why I can't keep up a beauty regimen aside from cleanse, tone (sometimes), moisturize (when I remember). My daily make up consists of mineral foundation/ powder and tinted lip balm. I put blush and eye liner when I feel a little bit special. I can't stand long facials or long hours at the salon (so my hair is super short).

BUT, I love looking at beauty stuff and always wonder how it is for those other kikay girls. I have been a fan of the Belle de Jour diaries since their first planner in 2009 (was it 2009? of course I hardly use the beauty coupons, I guess am really a beauty lurker , lol) . So when I heard about the BDJ Box , a monthly subscription to a sampler of the latest beauty (skincare, haircare, etc) products, I just had to try it out. 

My December-January box came in the middle of an office day , immediately brightening my so-so day. It was surprisingly small, but I loved the colour of the box! Salmon pink and gray. I am also a reuse and recycle junkie so the durability of the box had plus points ;-)

The contents of the box did not disappoint me. Lots of interesting stuff that came in small samplers: Here's a list and my first impressions.

1. Pevonia Botanica Phyto Gel Cleanser

2. Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water (a full size bottle) - I use David's Serum and am almost out. I can use this.

3. Etude House Moistfull Collagen Trial Kit (Emulsion and Freshener) -- am intrigued with the hype over Korean stuff, will try this.

4. Britney Spears Radiance Fragrance -- too musky and strong for me. I guess Britney and I don't have the same taste. Lol.

5. Snoe Beauty Beso Balm - I am a fan of Snoe Emu Facial Wash and their Hair Heroes line. I am now also trying out their powder foundation (taking a break from my tried and tested Ellana powder)  I still have my favourite Venus and Mars lip balm so maybe I ask someone else to check this out.

6. Flormar Supershine Nail Enamel (i guess this is full size nail polish -- in shocking red!) - I hope they named the colours. This is nail polish made in Turkey , and the shocking red intrigued me so I am wearing it now as I type, he he. I am not used to having nail polish so this would probably come off soon -- but I will post photos.

Discount vouchers !

7. Flormar Long Wearing Lipstick (standard size lipstick-- again in shocking red!) -- I don't think really red looks good on me. I am more of the earth tone , natural kind of lipstick wearer. My mom likes it so let's see ...

8. Tony Moly Broccoli Sprout Cleansing Cream -- broccoli? hmmm...

9. Tony Moly Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack (2 sachets) -- not a fan of whitening products , though none of them really work so maybe I can try this without risking looking artificially pale.




There are also discount vouchers from Browhaus , Etude House, Azta Salon, and Tony Moly.



So there we go. Stand by for my amateur reviews of these products. BTW , if there are any beauty bloggers or experts reading this -- I volunteer to be your makeover mission ;-) Feel free to comment and tell me how all this is done!

Curves Gym @ Serendra: Found my match

Curves at 2F Serendra, Bonifacio Global City

After over a month of being an active Curves member, I believe it's time to talk about it. I am very happy with my Curves experience, and amazed how I have kept at it for more than a month already. I am notorious for not keeping up with working out!



I've always promised to become healthier, more active, and to be disciplined about trying to lose weight. I will download exercise programs and will start with much enthusiasm, only to find myself unmotivated after 2-3 weeks. One slip-up again leads me to a 3 month hibernation until I see very bad, very big photos of myself, which prompts me too download yet another exercise program or buy a new health book… and then the whole cycle starts again.

What's worse is that this roller coaster ride is always punctuated with times where I try to make excuses and convince myself that, "I am beautiful the way I am." Allow me to become brutally honest with myself then. What's beauty without health? I live a sedentary, lazy lifestyle with bad eating habits. I knew I had to exercise not only to lose weight , but just to enjoy overall wellness !

I decided I had to get "outside" help, and to really pick something that will motivate me. I knew that relying on a gym buddy wouldn't work for me. I had gym buddies before who quit going to gym before I did, so eventually, I quit too. Then I also had an experience with one possible gym buddy who was too pushy for my taste :oP . I know, I know, I am too picky. But the solution was really to be motivated by myself first so I can stick to my own commitment.

I have always been intrigued by a gym called Curves. When I was in a study program in the US, one of my host moms was a member and had a lot of purple Curves stuff. Then, I saw that we had it here in the Philippines. The only Curves in the Philippines is located in Serendra, Bonifacio Global City. I was initially worried about what it might cost me, but when I inquired they offered me a free workout first. Well, why not!

Curves is an all-women gym that offers a 30-minute circuit workout, where you  exercise on different machines that works different muscle groups for about 30 seconds each. One 30 minute session involves 2rounds around the circuit .  After the workout, they also have a stretching circuit, a set of bars and platforms that will guide you to stretch every part of your body.

I might have found my gym match ! I find the circuit training challenging and efficient, plus, I appreciate the variety. If there is one thing that keeps me from doing cardio, it is the monotony of constant running or swimming back and forth. I get bored and just want to stop. With Curves, I am always on my toes as I get pumped up by the music, and hear the prompt, "Move to the next station now." The recommendation is to do the 30 minute workout at least 3 times a week. I feel that it has given me enough kickstarter energy to become motivated to do more stuff, maybe do on-my-own Pilates or yoga or running during my non-Curves days.

I like the overall ambiance of the gym. It is small, and doesn't seem chaotic and intimidating as in other gyms. You get to try all equipment, and get really challenged by the routine. There is always a coach present to guide people in the circuit, monitoring heart rates and motivating the girls. And, being an all-girl gym, no need to worry or to become self conscious with other men in the room!

I also feel like the cost is really fair. Their membership package is also flexible and does not lock you in for an unreasonable amount of time.

Goodies for completing 12 workouts during my 1st month :)

I am so far loving my Curves experience! It gives me something to look forward to each morning and I really look forward to my allotted "Curves day". I got a prize for completing 12 workouts in my first month, and have now signed up for a new challenge this month. I am pleasantly surprised that I like working out this much. Ha ha!

Curves is especially designed for busy women and open daily (M-F) from 7 am - 1:30pm and resumes operations at 4pm - 8:30pm. Not too sure about weekend schedules!  They also offer "Zumba in the Circuit sessions" , where they incorporated Zumba as cardio-breaks in between stations. I haven't tried that one yet, tho!


Interested to know more about Curves? Call (02) 828-0208 and book a trial workout and consultation. I particularly like Coach Cha and make sure you tell her that you heard it from Hanna :-)

https://www.facebook.com/curvesphilippines
 Global website: http://english.curves.com/