New 3D Lash link - 1 week only!

Finally posting something after a long hiatus... 

I wanted to put up a lash link for y'all since this has eliminated the need for falsies in my life! Didn't bother editing the colours for this #makeup post so the shades are true to life. This product is amazing that's why I thought it was worth sharing...

Face- Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte natural finish pressed powder + Kat Von D tattoo concealer + Chanel powder blush in Evocation
Eyes- Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes, Bobbi Brown long-wear gel eyeliner
Brows- MAC eyeshadow in Brun + MAC clear brow gel
Lips- MAC lip liner in Whirl

Lashes without mascara: 

After one coat of my MAC mascara (daily look): 

After one coat of the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes:

That's just one coat of the Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibers... You can even put on 3 coats for a super dramatic look! 

Younique ships to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK... If you're from the Philippines do e-mail me (raleenecabrera@gmal.com), I'm sending home a box of these goodies next month! All you have to do is order and have it shipped to my New York address (e-mail me for details).

The LINK will be up til February 12 (Thursday) so get a set now! There are a ton of before and afters online (Google or Youtube) so be sure to check those out! I promise you'll be amazed.

❤

Review: PIONEER VSX-1223-k

Last January, Pioneer Philippines was kind enough to send me their SC-1223-k AV Receiver just in time for my birthday! With a bit of help from my uncle I had a chance to set it up and try it out to put up a semi-decent review for you guys. A bit technical but I wanted to cover everything in case any of you will be getting a new AV receiver soon.

Review: AIAIAI Tracks headphones w/ mic (BLOG GIVEAWAY!)

I was recently given a pair of AIAIAI Tracks headphones (w/ mic) by Digits Trading. I own a pair of AIAIAI TMA-1 DJ Headphones w/ mic and til now I just can't travel without them. Apart from delivering great sound, AIAIAI headphones are really sleek and stylish so I was excited about getting a chance to give one lucky reader a pair. 

I won’t get into the technical/geeky stuff too much, but basically here's what I think of the Tracks headphones:

• It's really cool how the ear cups are detachable and the "buttons" can be interchanged
• Even without padding, they're really comfortable
• Not having specific clasps the headband can latch onto allows the user to adjust the headphones more.
• Buttons feel a bit too hard at first, but you get used to them eventually.
• Sound-wise, the headphones are pretty nice. I was afraid it would deliver too much of the highs or bring the bass up, but after using them to listen to songs from different genres, everything seems pretty fair and "true".

Final notes:

• If you're particular about wanting unbiased sound, you might like this!
• Be careful not to wear the ball and joints out if you don't want to keep the ear pads falling from time to time. It's not really a big problem but this may be an issue for some people. 
• It's the perfect pair to have on the go! 

Aiaiai Tracks HP w/ Mic Blush Plum color

http://www.aiaiai.dk/store/headphones/tracks

Visit AIAIAI's website

http://www.aiaiai.dk/

Distributor Philippines: Digits Trading

https://www.facebook.com/digitstrading

https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebox.ph

https://www.facebook.com/digitalwalkerstore

https://www.facebook.com/digitalhub.ph

https://twitter.com/digitstrading

https://twitter.com/beyondtheboxph

https://twitter.com/digitalwalkerph

https://twitter.com/DigitalHub_RP

Price:

AIAIAI Tracks - P2450

You can also get a pair from their resellers:

Astroplus

Astrovision

Beyond the Box

Digital Hub

Digital Walker

Egghead

iShop

Buzz

Music Colony

Quicksound 

❧

HOW TO WIN THIS PAIR : 

1. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter 

2. Tweet or Instagram my photo of the headphones above (2nd photo) and state why you'd like to win a pair of AIAIAI Tracks headphones from @raleene @digitstrading
3. You should be from the Philippines  

THAT'S IT! 

This contest ends on FEB. 28. 

I'm looking forward to reading your answers- the most creative one will win! You can even state why you appreciate good sound quality or why good headphones really affect the way you experience music. 

Good luck! :) 

❤

holiday specials from 2nd's

I was invited to sample some of the Christmas specials from 2nd's last night and asked Lissa & Camille to try them with me... 2nd's is known for really great comfort food & an upscale dining experience so I was excited to see what they were adding to the menu. Really interesting flavors going on and sure enough, each dish really reminded me of Christmas!  

CHICKEN RELLENO ROULADE 

Chicken leg stuffed with sausage and roasted chestnuts. Served with potato & pumpkin dauphinoise, french beans, and peppercorn whiskey jus.

-Loved the potato & pumpkin dauphinoise! Cams said this was her favorite, too. 

CHRISTMAS HAM & QUEZO DE BOLA CROQUETAS

Served with truffled aioli

-Even if I had to take out the ham, this was still really tasty. 

CINNAMON & PINEAPPLE GLAZED PORK BELLY “HAM” 

Served with warm red sauerkraut and rosemary browned butter potatoes

GINGERBREAD COOKIE & EGGNOG ICE CREAM SANDWICH

-LOVED IT

PUTO BUMBONG GNOCCHI

Served with desiccated coconut pinipig, gata butterscotch, and coco sugar.

-I really liked that they made a Filipino favorite more interesting. 

❧

These holiday specials will be available starting November 19 (Monday) til the end of December. 

2nd's is on the 2nd floor of Quadrant 3, Bonifacio High Street, 9th Avenue Bonifacio Global City Taguig 

Tel. no. +6328465293 

(be sure to make reservations)

Open from Sunday to Thursday 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM (last call) 

Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM (last call)

❤

YABU + a gig

Posh Nails

❧

Posh Nails recently opened a new branch at Venice Mall, McKinley Hill Piazza (Taguig) and I was one of the bloggers they invited to try out their services. I wasn't able to join the rest of the bloggers for a huge nail spa party because of my schedule so I went there alone last November 2.

I chose not to take photos inside because it was packed that day-- that's enough proof that they're doing really well-- so I guess y'all just have to pay the branch a visit! 

I chose the "Posh Spoiling" package which involved a manicure and pedicure, plus foot and hand spa... It was the best way to start my month since I haven't had the chance to get my nails done & I've been doing them on my own during the course of our exhibit (October).


What I loved about their service was that the place remained really quiet even if it was full of people, the nail technicians took their time and the scrub they used on me smelled like candy and butter combined. I seriously wanted to eat it! It was super relaxing and I was pleased with the result. I'm very OC about my nails. I'm glad there were no bubbles, streaks and they were shaped just the way I liked them. 

They have tons of colors available and they carry the best brands of polish so you don't have to worry about that...

The interiors are colored in quirky pinks and purples, plus they have really comfortable sofas for every guest. They also have 2 private rooms. Expect the staff to be super friendly and accommodating. :) 

You can check THIS out for their services and price list. 

❤

salon review: STUDIO ZEN SALON (Katipunan)

*Disclosure- all services provided for free.

Last Saturday I got a chance to try out the services at Studio Zen Salon. I went to their newly-opened branch at Katipunan and was lucky enough to check it out before the grand opening (April 11). The place was busy when I arrived but I was entertained right away and didn't have to wait at all.

I decided to get a haircut that day since I went by a whole month without getting my hair trimmed (I get a cut every two weeks!). I'll save you from my usual school sched rants, but I'll say that I was SO thankful my horrible month ended with a nice trip to the salon. My hair was so uneven and thick already so I told them that I wanted it short and thinned out. My stylist that day was Pat and I told him to color it however he wanted to. I know it's a big risk to trust a stylist you've never worked with before but I was THAT BORED with my hairstyle.

Gigi was my photographer that day and not a single photo was out-of-focus. SO amazing.

Most salons don't cover my face when I get a trim. I always end up with so much snippets of hair on my face so I was thankful that they had that clear cover to help!

Pat was taking his time and I just kept looking at the way my hair was getting shaped- it was SO cool. He even mentioned that my hair was suited for "competitions" (LOL) since you could shape it in any way and the style would always come out nicely because of its thickness and texture. 'Twas so nice of him to say that cos I hate how my hair is so thick. It always looks messed up if I don't apply any product or have it trimmed when I'm growing it out...

Getting it colored...

Gigi said I looked like I had an illness of some sort. :))

Purple bangs! They also lightened the rest of my hair a bit.

I took photos around the place since I loved the clean, white interiors!

Private makeup station beside the nail lounge

Nail lounge

Ateneo is right across, and this building is also beside Xanland.

Super friendly people of Studio Zen!

They were very courteous. One of my pet peeves when going to spas or salons would have to be noisy staff. Here, they were focused on their jobs and they didn't chat too much when there were customers.

I KNOW... My eyes look super scary but this shows the true color of my hair now.

♥♥♥

They have this new "All You Want" promo and the 8 different services are surprisingly affordable. That means you just have to pay once and you can go back anytime to avail of the same service for a whole month!

Haircut- P390/month

(unlimited haircut sessions)

Hairset- P990/month

(blow-dry, iron and curl anytime)

Manicure & Pedicure- P590/month

(clean, cut and color as you please)

Foot Spa- P960/month

(an everyday treat to your feet)

Hand Spa- P590/month

(a healthy habit for haggard hands)

Body massage- P1390/month

(get a relaxing rub regularly, from 11AM to 6PM)

Hot oil- P1490-P2960/month

(shine and revitalize every week)

Bonacure- P2960-P3890/month

A month-long rescue and repair for your hair.

♥♥♥

I am lovin' my cut and color! So glad that I don't have to put as much product on my hair anymore. And I didn't even have to give any instructions as to how I wanted it to look like. Usually I'd bring a photo or give the stylist detailed/specific instructions. Definitely going back to maintain this cut or to get another style if I get sick of it.

Thank you so much to Studio Zen for inviting me and for the lovely salon experience! :)

STUDIO ZEN

Katipunan Branch:

2nd Floor #325 Katipunan Avenue

Loyola Heights, Quezon City

tel. no. (02) 442-8004

Cubao Branch:

870 Philam Life Bldg. Gen. Malvar

Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City

tel. no. (02) 912-2427

(call them to book an appointment)

Visit their site

♥

the Social Network

Watch the trailer here.

Heard about this movie a year ago and I really couldn't wait to see it after watching the trailer...

It's about how Mark Zuckerberg was able to start his own social networking site from his college dorm in Harvard. Being an antisocial computer programming genius that he was, the site quickly earned thousands of hits during its first few days. As of today, it's as if almost everyone can't live without a Facebook account. Mark became the youngest billionaire and earned 500 million friends. But with success, it's impossible not to lose a few friends along the way...

Saw him appear on Oprah last weekend and I was so surprised that he was able to maintain a simple lifestyle. He didn't live inside a mansion, and he's married to a girl who he met before he built Facebook. I really wanna know his entire story now!

I'm looking for people to watch this movie with me this coming Saturday (October 2) at 1PM... It'll be at the Columbia Pictures private theater on the 5th floor of Shangri-la Plaza mall. It's free and all you have to do is blog about getting to watch it early so more people will be willing to see it when it premieres on October 27 here in the Philippines!

@reply me on twitter or send me an e-mail at raleenecabrera@gmail.com with your full name and blog URL...