I thought you were just another pile of text-

someone's random thoughts or

a series of lifeless narrative

But turns out - 

you would be my favorite book. 

I thought I could easily reveal your themes

As I bury myself within your pages. 

Cover to cover, 

You left me hanging with your twisted plot. 

On reading you

I lose chapters of me 

I could never read out loud. 

I know you'd love to be a part of her collection

But remember that you'll always have a place

On the shelf within my empty chest.

words & painting by Cristine A. D

Kiehl’s retail stores are inspired by the company’s 165-year heritage and a desire to offer an experiential customer journey. Enveloped in a seamless shopping experience, each store around the world transports the customer to the original pharmacy while simultaneously offering the opportunity for customer discovery and learning.

“What makes Kiehl’s unique is that every visit to one of our stores is different yet the same” stated Kaila Nicdao, Business Unit Director of Kiehl’s Philippines. “Different in that we always aspire to provide a highly personalized experience for each customer with the help of our Kiehl’s Customer Representatives. But behind each conversation, it’s always the same apothecary heritage and the same spirit of giving and generosity that is shared.”

A Modern Apothecary with a Rich History

To bring the Kiehl’s apothecary to the Philippines, each material, design element and artifact has been meticulously chosen. Traditional textures like warm wood, marble accents, and vintage brass meet modern lab elements including glass and stainless steel.

Beakers, test tubes, and mortar & pestles celebrate Kiehl’s pharmacy traditions and original hand-made formulations. And true to its East Village roots, a New York attitude permeates every store, through eclectic design elements like neon lighting, wall murals, graffiti, and exposed brick walls.

“From the moment a customer glances through our store as they pass by, we want to be able to spark their curiosity. Whether it’s through the eye-catching neon signs or eclectic wall art, we want to take them on a journey to the NYC quirky world of Kiehl’s,” stated by Joan Hwang, Sr. Product Manager for Kiehl’s Philippines. “The Store of the Future concept elevates this experience for our customers with our enhanced store design. With this, we create a space inviting enough for skincare newbies to be able to explore, but reassuring enough for junkies to have a deep dive on their skin type, concerns, and the ingredients that best answer their needs. This is what makes Kiehl’s unique.”

According to Noelle Tiongson, Visual Merchandising Manager for Kiehl’s Philippines, “We designed around our products to tell their stories – about their ingredients, their origins, and their history. This allows our customers to learn and discover what is best for them. Once a customer has immersed himself in the store, we bring them back to the heart of a Kiehl’s visit – a healthy skin check at our consultation table which serves as the highlight of every Kiehl’s store. This reminds our customers that ultimately, what is most important is that we are able to address their specific needs and concerns.”

A Hub of Expertise

Personalized skincare consultations, delivered by highly trained Kiehl’s Customer Service Representatives (KCRs) are the hallmark of Kiehl’s commitment to service. Since the 1970s, KCRs wear a white lab coat – a continued celebration of the Kiehl’s authentic pharmacy heritage and skincare expertise.

To maximize this expert-customer interaction, Kiehl’s designed a Consultation Table – a comfortable space for customers to learn about formulas while experiencing them on their own skin. From above, this “information hub” is illuminated by the brilliant, custom light fixture to evoke an inviting feeling of warmth and approachability.

A Nature-Powered Experience

Visuals of efficacious ingredients from nature are layered throughout the store. Vintage botanical illustrations can be seen on signage and wall murals. Photographs of real ingredients pop within poster artwork and table props often include actual natural ingredients.

Powerful, Yet Safe Dermatologist Solutions

The brand’s most advanced, targeted line of skincare, launched in partnership between Kiehl’s chemists and a panel of world-class Dermatologists, and scientific experts, is presented in a simple fixture, organized by concern, allowing the customer to quickly find the solution right for his or her unique skincare needs.

Meet Mr. Bones

Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Bones,” this skeleton is featured in each store around the world as a nod to Kiehl’s traditions in medicinal sciences and apothecary arts. Originally featured in the NYC flagship, founding family members, Aaron Morse used Mr. Bones to educate customers about their own physiology.

Curated for Customers, by Customers

To highlight Kiehl’s most beloved formulas, the “Customer Favorites” section showcases best-sellers from the local community. Kie hl’s Customer Representatives share their personal experiences with the products, creating an authentic, informative and relevant customer experience.

About Kiehl’s Since 1851

We are dedicated to providing the most efficacious and personalized skincare solutions to everyone, everywhere’ it’s part of our “Healthy Skin Guarantee.” Come visit our stores to get a complimentary personalized Skincare Consultation care of our experts Kiehl’s Customer Representatives. True to our spirit of service, we are proud to offer you samples of our finest formulas so you can “Try Before You Buy.”

     The HUNAT SUGBU (Dagan Para ni Maning) Series is a commemorative run organized by Cebu Parklane International Hotel for its past president Mr. Manuel G. Ting. First organized on May 15, 2011, the run does not only serve as a tribute to the hotel’s late president but is also one of the company’s major CSR projects, wherein proceeds will be donated to a Medical Mission in partnership with Jesu Christi.

From Left to Right: Cebu Parklane International Hotel’s General Manager Miss Cenelyn Manguilimotan, Hunat Sugbu 9 Race Director Mr. Joel Baring, and Hunat Sugbu 9 Chairman Mr. Nicanor Nacorda

    This year, Hunat Sugbu 9 will be held on June 23, 2019, Sunday at the Ayala Terraces. There will be Four Race Categories: 3k, 6k, 12k, and 21k with Mr. Joel Baring as the Race Director. Registration Fee per race category are as follows: Php 400.00 for 3k, Php 500.00 for 6k, Php 750.00 for 12k, and Php 900.00 for 21k. A scrumptious meal awaits all the runners at the finish line, including various giveaways and raffle items. 

Water stations will be manned by the different departments of Cebu Parklane International Hotel to assure adequate hydration for all runners. Runners are also encouraged by the hotel to secure their own water bottles in order to minimize the use of plastic. That is part of the hotel's effort in reducing plastic waste.

For a more effective and fast-paced result for the runners, the Parklane organizing team will be endorsing the “Time-in Chip” race bib for race categories 12K and 21K. This “Time-in Chip” race bib will be distributed upon the runner’s registration. In the ninth

year of hosting this commemorative run, Parklane is aiming to reach the 2,200 mark.

Registration opens on April 25, 2019 at the Parklane Lobby. Soon, the hotel will open registration booths at SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu from May to June 21, 2019.

For more details you may visit Cebu Parklane's official Facebook account.

       Hello! as you probably know by now, Mother's Day is fast approaching. It's that wonderful day where we can freely (and truly) express our love and gratitude to our moms. I feel like this celebration is very important as birthdays. Making our moms feel extra special on this day doesn't have to be expensive and crazy. A few good things showered with love is what I believe our mommies need.

For this coming Mother's Day, I've been thinking hard what to do/give for my mom. Here are some of the ideas I come up with and hopefully this will help if you are still looking for the best way on how to make your mom happy this Mother's day.

1. Be the Mommy of the Day

You don't have to be a mother to know how hard it is to be a mother. Moms have so many things to do and think about. Why not do some of your mom's work for a day? You can start by doing the laundry or by cleaning the house. If you have a younger sibling, take your time to be their baby sitter. It wouldn't only help lessen your mom's work, but it can also give you a good chance to be the best brother/sister that you can be.

2. Grant Her a Beauty Treat

Every girl loves to beautiful, our moms are no exemptions. Find out what beauty product appeals to your mom the most and surprise her with it. For instance, if your mommy is a makeup junkie, get her a subscription box full of cosmetics goodies that she could play with. Such kind of boxes is a little bit pricey so you may devise your own cosmetics box! Beauty doesn't end in makeup, it goes beyond fashion. You may buy her a chic purse, or if you can, treat her into a shopping free! This time, you don't have to worry that much because a number of sales and discounts are available during the Mother's day season.

3. Free Her Day from Stress

Moms are prone to stress even if they are not at work. That is because being a mommy is a full-time job that doesn't end from day to night. Mother's Day is the best day for you to help her de-stress. You may start by treating her a great body massage or take her to a beauty salon. You may also make her a breakfast in bed or prepare a dinner for the whole family where you could celebrate Mother's day together. It will lessen her work and make her de-stress because of happiness. Always remember: a happy mom is a stress-free mom. haha charot!

4. Thank Her

Let's admit it, thanking someone could be hard as apologizing to someone. We all have our reasons, but on Mother's day, let's make an extra effort to thank our mothers. I think it is one of the most important things that we often neglect to say. The Mother's day is a great chance for us to do it so thank your mom in any way that you can. Give her a thank you card or write her a letter. Those will never go out of style. Tell her what you really feel and how important she is to you. If you are not living together with your mom, call her and don't forget to tell her you love her. They said spending your time to someone is the best way to show them how much you love them. So no matter how busy you are, try your best to spend time with your mom and thank her.

5. Make Your Mama Proud

I believe that love is the most powerful tool that can help us become the best version of ourselves. Let your mom's love inspire you to be the best man/woman you can be. Whatever you are or whatever status in life you are in, strive to become somebody your mom can be proud of. Don't let your mom down and always try to be better.

These are just a few of the ideas I have that you may consider this Mother's day. Thank you very much for reading and I hope my humble list will help. If you have some ideas this Mother's day, share to us by leaving a comment below. 

Bonus! I made a greeting card for my mom this Mother's day. I painted some flowers and made use of calligraphy skill. Feel free to print this one if you wish to. Download the card here . You may alter the size of the image according to your preference once you download the file. Good luck!

love lots,

Tin

26  April  2019,  Marco  Polo  Plaza  Cebu.     The  Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will officially launch its annual flagship project, Cebu Business Month. Now on its 23rd  year, CBM 2019 carries the theme: “INNOVATION IN ACTION.”

CBM 2019 Chairperson  Ms.  Lilu Aliño

The   Chamber, through its current   Cebu   Business Month team spearheaded by Overall  Chairperson  Ms.  Lilu Aliño emphasizes the importance of innovation in all aspects of  business  especially  in  this digital  age.   Further,  she  stresses  that  CBM  2019  aims  to  empower MSME’s  through  innovations  that  bring  real  benefits,  drive  growth  & improve business productivity and competitiveness.   She would like to invite entrepreneurs in ICT-BPM, Tourism & different Entrepreneurship sectors to join “Innovation in Action”.

“Take  advantage  of  CBM  2019  curated  events  and  activities,  exciting exhibitions, pitching sessions, and conferences with power speakers this coming May 31 to June 30, 2019 at strategic venues,” says Aliño.

CCCI President, Mr. Virgilio G. Espeleta believes that each business firm has  to  be  AGILE  and  INNOVATIVE  in  addressing  or  adopting  to disruptions and the only way to do this is to leverage on technology and other   game-changing   innovations   especially   in   building   internal capabilities, keeping pace with changing market behaviors, using faster and cost-effective marketing and financial instruments.

Espeleta says, “Let’s experience and get into action as we provide every participant opportunities to adopt innovative ways of doing business.”  In addition, he says “As we launch our 2019 CBM, let this be an opportunity to  synergize,  converge  and  collaborate  in  “Connecting  Opportunities. Growing Businesses.   Creating Value.   For inclusive growth, collective prosperity and global competitiveness.”

Cebu Business Month highlights the following events: Grand Launching and  Press  Conference at  Marco  Polo  Plaza Cebu  on  April  26;  Grand Opening  Salvo  at  Ayala  Center  Cebu  on  May  31;  One  Town,  One Product Exhibit from May 31 – June 2 at Ayala Center Cebu; Cebu.IFF Curtain Raiser on June 5 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu; MSME Industry Ed Tour on June 5; Entrepreneurship Summit & Innovation Expo from

 June 12 – 14 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel; CEO Networking Night on June 13 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel; Tourism Innovation Forum on  June  18  at  Marco  Polo  Plaza  Cebu;  Business-In-Golf  (B-I-G) Tournament on June 20 at Alta Vista Golf & Country Club; Lumba’g Laag sa  Sugbo  from  June  21-23  (Consolacion-Northern  part  of  Cebu); Lumba’g  Laag  Sugbo  Awards  on  June  25  at  SM  Cebu  City;  How  to Franchise  Your  Business  Seminary  by  Philippine  Franchise  Assn.  on June  26  at  Golden  Prince  Hotel  &  Suites; Grand  Chamber  Awards  & Fellowship Night on June 28 at Marco Polo Plaza; Franchise Negosyo Para Sa Cebu Exhibit on June 28-29 at the Ayala Center Cebu; Sugbo Entertainment Expo (SEE) Cebu from June 29-30 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

Cebu  Business  Month  2019  aims  to  inspire,  promote  and  grow  Cebu business. It will gather business individuals and entrepreneurs to share best practices and technologies, and showcase products and services where possible affiliations can be consummated.  This is supplemented by  the  team’s  desire  of  enhancing  business  and  effecting  wide-scale economic development especially among the small and medium scale enterprises.

Be ready to connect opportunities, grow business, and create value for your enterprise!

     I'm not a fan of the crazy summer heat, but that's not enough not to adore the season. There are pristine beaches, summer festivals, and summer outfits to revel upon. While the other side of the globe, probably including your country, enjoys spring, April is considered as the beginning of the summer season here in the Philippines. 

     What I love about dressing up for the season is that it doesn't have to be really expensive and it is easy to avail and style. The most important thing that I think about is comfort. It's quite a challenge to work or have some fun when you're drenched in sweat, so a comfortable outfit is a must. However, what's comfortable doesn't mean that it can't be chic. I've scoured the brand FashionMia for some of the best summer staples to wear. In this post though, I focused on dresses and cheap tops for women that are easy to put together in order to achieve that breezy summer fashion statement.

    I love this white open shoulder blouse. It's simple but it has structure. This top goes with the saying which goes, "simplicity is beauty". What I love the most about this top is that it can be styled easily. Honestly, this can be styled in endless ways. This can be paired with simple shorts, pants, or skirts, and you're ready to go. Another thing is that you'll never run out of ways to accessorize if you go by this top. Plus, this can be worn anytime on any summer day.

    It's important to find means to protect your skin against the scorching summer sun. While it is imperative to wear your sunblock of choice, you could always opt for a summer top with sleeves. This printed top is made out of lightweight material so it's breathable and comfortable. Accessorize this with a straw bucket bag and fashion sunglasses and you're to enjoy the sun. 

    I am drawn to the white color lately. I know, some might say that it isn't a color, but I find it really pleasing. Similar to the black color, white tops can be mixed and matched with any bottoms and accessories. However, it isn't really advisable to wear dark clothes when the weather is too hot. Light colored outfits are best since it doesn't absorb heat. This embroidered blouse is good, not only because it's colored in white, but also because it is see-through. I love see-through outfits. They are great in looking sexy without really showing so much skin. The see-through fabric, though light, can also serve as a skin protectant against the summer heat. And yes, I love clothes with flowers so this is a no-fail top for me.

       Aside from those easy to pull off summer tops, I've also found a couple of cheap bodycon dresses that one might style which are perfect for that soiree or brunch with friends. Wait, what? bodycon dresses? You've heard it right. You can always wear one during the summer. Just make sure it isn't too tight or that it is made out of a breathable fabric. 

     I have so many floral-printed clothes and I don't mind adding this bodycon dress on my closet. First of all, I love the floral print. It almost looks like a painting! It's upper detail also looks gorgeous and yes sexy, but not too much. This is like one of those summer dresses that you can just wear and go. Because of its bold print, this could save you some time accessorizing. If you're not very comfortable with the dress because it's sleeveless, you can pair it with a kimono or a chiffon cardigan.

    Sometimes less is more, and that is especially when it comes to fashion. I know you can't be overdressed, but you can't be underdressed either. This plain sweetheart dress is perfect when you want to have a chill summer stroll on the beach or in the park. Its icing is on its hemline which was wonderfully cut and shaped.   

Which one would you like to wear on a summer day? Let me know on the comment section below. If I may add, they are all under $50 so purchasing any of them wouldn't hurt your bank account. I hope you love the tops and dresses in this post.

love lots,

Tin

💋💄👄 Nude Lipstick from Lilac by Lily Maymac in shade "Yasmin" 💋💄👄

First of all, let's take some time to appreciate how gorgeous the packaging is. It is so pretty and I love how compact it is. The shade Yasmin is a flattering light nude. It's perfect for an everyday makeup look or when paired with fierce smokey eyes. This lippie is super matte and it dries pretty quick once applied, so you have to work fast in achieving your desired pigmentation. I feel that the shade could be a little too light for me, but it doesn't look bad at all making it still worth wearing. Shayne did a review with the other shades and you can read it right here.

💋💄👄Powerstick Lipstick from Sigma Beauty in shade "In Spades"💋💄👄

I honestly didn't know that Sigma Beauty has some makeup products until I received this from Shayne. We all know how superior their brushes are, but how about their so called Powersticks? I love all the lippies my dear Shayne sent me, but this one has to be my favorite. This lipstick comes in a matte black magnetic bullet, very good packaging I must say. It kind of reminds me of the classic MAC lipsticks. The shade In Spades is a light pink color. I'm not very much into light pink colors, but this is so good that it's now one of my favorite lipsticks. It's light in color but it has good color payoff. This one's also satin but it does stay on my lips for a decent amount of time. The best thing about this lipstick is that it feels so good on the lips. It's moisturising without having that sticky feeling.

Which one among the four lipsticks suits me best? Which lip color would you like to put on? Let me know on the comment section below.

love lots,

Tin

        Another fact that I should add on the list of "Facts About Me" is that I am a certified lipstick junkie. I just love trying out new lipsticks regardless of its brand and of course, sharing my thoughts about them here on my blog. While I haven't really blog all of my lipsticks which is now more or less twenty despite having to throw some, here I'll be sharing my thoughts about two of my favorite go-to lipsticks.

        These two are from a local Filipino cosmetics brand called Ever Bilena. It may not be known worldwide yet, but I'm pretty sure a lot of Filipinas including me love their products. The brand is well-loved for its affordable prices and I must say that through the years, they have stepped up the game of their brand not just with their campaign, but also formula wise. One of the highly-anticipated line from Ever Bilena is their makeup collection with the Philippines' Queen of All Media - Ms. Kris Aquino. The queen of talk is known for her wise words and honest remarks about something, which is not a surprise considering that she is one of the highest-paid and trusted endorsers in our country. Knowing all about that from Kris also made me look forward about her line with EB. Together with EB, she has released a number of products now. They have blush-ons, face powders, eyebrow pencils, glosses, and of course, these matte lipsticks which I have in two of its more popular shades. I believe they do have four or five shades of lipsticks these days.

    I got the matte lipsticks from the Kris line called Love and Life. First of all, who would hate the names of these beauties? I love the idea that I am swiping both love and life on my lips. Honestly, it made me feel so special! lol

    The shade Love, well you could tell by its name, comes in a bright shade of red. I love the color payoff of this shade. I should say that it's a perfect shade for any skin tone. Because of its good pigmentation, you may have to slow down on using this one if you're really not used into wearing bold lip colors. What I mean is that it could get too bright especially when you're going to wear it in the daytime. However, that's fine and the shade could really work well this summer season. There's no reason to be ashamed of wearing bold lip colors anyway so go ahead and swipe love on your lips!

    The only thing that I don't like about this shade is that it gets so drying on the lips. You know those lippies that like they suck out the moisture of your lips? This could be that product so I highly recommend using a lip moisturizer before using this one. 

     The shade Life is in the pink hue. It's definitely not a bold pink shade. I would say that this has a cooler tone of pink, almost like nude pink. I'm not mad with the shade and even though it doesn't look bad on me, I would say that it's a bit too light for me. My skin is in a yellow undertone so I imagine this would be too light for you if you have a deeper skin tone. Unlike the shade Love, Life is more moisturizing. It probably has something to do with its formula because this doesn't feel drying at all. However, this removes much faster than the shade Love even when you're just drinking water. The next thing you knew, you're not wearing any lipstick at all.

       What I love most about the two colors though is that both can be blended easily and it looks so good. You could go deeper and cooler with it however you want to and depending of course, on your skin color.

🤑💸Price💸🤑

Ever Bilena Kris Matte Matic Lipstick costs 245php that more or less 5USD. A real score right?

📦Packaging📦

When you purchase the product, it comes in a compact box which fits the lipstick well with the name of the brand and of course, Kris'name. Nothing so grand about it but it does have all the necessary information that you have to know about the product. The lipstick itself can be used by opening its cap and twisting it for the lipstick to surface.

💖😍💄What I Love About the Products 💄💖😍

- Affordable

- Have creative names

-Good pigmentation

- Colors can be mixed easily with other colors

- The red shade by itself or when mixed with the pink shade looks really good for everyone who has a morena skin tone

 💋😞What I Like Least About the Products 😞💋

- The color doesn't really last long 2-3 hours max with no retouch and when you don't eat anything (If you're going to eat something wet, expect all of the color to come off)

- The red shade in Love could feel really dry on the lips

All Ever Bilena products including Kris' line is available in all leading drugstores and cosmetics department nationwide. They can also be purchased at EB's very own website and other certified online shops.

love lots,

Tin

     Now more than ever, environmental concerns have been one of the main focuses of the media. It is no secret that we are quickly losing the beauty nature has to offer as we accelerate towards the path of overconsumption. For that, doing something about the various environmental issues is no longer a choice, but a responsibility. That is why more and more businesses lean towards working on green initiatives. In the metropolis of Cebu, one business establishment stands out for its broad vision with care for a more sustainable tomorrow.

    Cebu Parklane International Hotel launched #ParklaneCares and #ParklaneEcoWatch campaigns last, March 29, 2019, on its March Media Soiree. Both aims to turning Parklane into a distinctly local hotel with a heart as well as to lead activities inclined to help both the environment and the society in general through the hotel's corporate social responsibility campaigns. 

    #PARKLANECARES is CPIH’s banner campaign which encompasses the implementation of both corporate social responsibility projects and environmental initiatives. Under the wing of CSR projects are social responsibility and community programs such as Parklane’s Partnerships with Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc., Medical Missions etc. Environmental initiatives such as Clean-Up Drives and River Clean-Ups are headed by a project campaign entitled #ParklaneEcoWatch.

#ParklaneEcoWatch is the campaign title of CPIH’s environmental sustainability projects. The campaign aims to emulate the hotel’s vision to be distinctly local with a heart for the environment. Parklane has already begun executing several of their activities under this campaign:

• Monthly Clean Up Drive – Last Feb 23, 2019, and March 9, 2019, the CPIH Kasaligan Team has accomplished its monthly clean-up drive along the street of Kamagong, Lahug to adhere to the global campaign of having a livable, healthy and trash-free community.

• Luyang River Clean Up - Last March 22, 2019, the CPIH Kasaligan Team initiated a river clean-up at Luyang River in Carmen, gathering a total accumulated river garbage weight of 168 kgs.

• Parklane Eco-Friendly Merchandise – Soon to be sold at Maning’s Convenience Store and other outlets

ceramic Mugs, one of the merchandise items sold at Parklane's convenience store

Cebu Parklane International Hotel with performers, Ms. Lourdes Maglinte and Ms. Jerika Teodorico

      The event was formed into completion with performances by two Cebuano Artists who have greatly influenced the current Cebuano music scene, Ms. Lourdes Maglinte, and Ms. Jerika Teodorico. As their music has resonated the hearts of the listeners, Parklane aspires to resonate their actions to the hearts of Cebu. Cebu Parklane International Hotel extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported their endeavors to becoming a distinctly local hotel that cares. 

Ms. Cenelyn Manguilimotan, General Manager of Cebu Parklane
Parklane's campaign logo is inspired by the Eye of an Eagle or that of a Hawk. It seeks to inspire anyone to have the Eagle's eye - to be more vigilant and aware of what is happening in the environment. The colors used in the logo represent the color of the earth.

        Now is indeed the best time for us to ponder upon the future of our civilization and prevent the looming consequences of climate change. Companies with great environmental initiatives such as Parklane serves as an inspiration for us to be more conscious of what we can do for our planet.

       Cebu Parklane International Hotel is located at the corner of Archbishop Reyes Avenue and Escario Street, an area renowned for its vibrancy and cosmopolitan charm. Just a few miles away from Mactan International Airport this luxurious property is ideal for business travelers, who need a hotel with easy access to the business and financial center of Cebu City and main tourist attractions. A Hotel in Cebu that stands for Cebu: Parklane.

      I have always been hesitant to subjecting my hair into any process that involves any chemical treatment, because of that, I have never dyed my hair. I also haven’t tried the process of hair re-bonding and hair relaxing. I only go to a salon twice a year to have my hair cut. Nothing else. The foremost reason why is because I do not want to damage my hair. I know some people whose hair have been so damaged or if not, their hair has been so dry and brittle. I never want to have a dry and brittle hair so I try to be adamant with not doing something extra with my hair. Another reason I may add is that I have read and heard from other people who had a terrible experience with a salon particularly during the process or getting their hair done.

         A week ago, I visited Top Beauty Salon which one of the most-coveted beauty salons in Cebu. The generous owners of the salon allowed me and a few of my Cebuano blogger friends to try their some of their services and that’s basically how my hair makeover started.

          Knowing that Top Beauty sourced all of their hair products from South Korea and that they do have well-trained staff, I decided to go for their hair color service. It’s one of their most-availed services that gathered good feedbacks from their customers. Most of their guests are Koreans, and we all know how they are when it comes to pampering and beautifying themselves – they go only for the best. While we’ve seen some of their Korean guests getting pampered, we got to meet one of their most loyal customers Ms. Steffi Enriquez who’s known for her work as a photographer. She shared that what really made her a patron of Top Beauty are the satisfying results of their services.  

Ms. Steffi Enriquez – Cebuano photographer, Ms. Q & A candidate, having her hair care with Top Beauty Salon staff and owner Ms.Jenny Sison-Kim

Me donning my jet black crowning glory

As you can see, my hair is really black. Some of the salon staff called it “virgin hair” because I haven't been treated chemically. They even asked me for than once if I dyed my hair black, but I didn’t. I love how they call it virgin hair. Lol Kidding aside, the color that I would like to achieve is a faded hue from a combination of blue and black dye. The result would be much similar to ash gray after several days. 

A day after the color treatment, my hair was visibly in a blue shade when the light hits it. Otherwise, it looks darker and no could actually tell I had my hair dyed. 

       From my experience with Top Beauty, I never felt any burning sensation and my scalp was all fine. However, it did feel a bit itchy, but it was tolerable and I didn’t find it bothersome. I actually find the whole process relaxing. 

My friend Nashy of nhagzventures.com

      My hair’s color did change. It’s neither blue/black nor ash gray. I would say that it’s light brown although some people would still tell me that it’s black. Note that I only washed my hair five days after the treatment that was on Saturday and I used a color-protectant shampoo and hair conditioner. It doesn't look like ash gray yet which is why I’m guessing it would take a few more days for me to achieve the color. I'll update this blog post with more photos once my hair's color changes.

     It wasn't only my hair that went to a first-time experience at Top Beauty. I also got to try their infamous gel manicure which is a real work of art considering how much time was spent in order to achieve it. 

       I must say that gel manicure is really pretty and worth trying for. It's a bit difficult working on some household chores when you have the nails of royalty, but I just can't let it pass to try it. The women who did my nails are very friendly and accommodating. There are various designs available to choose from them, but you can also go over the net and search for your desired design and they'll do it for you. I chose the design with light shades of pink together with marble art and gems and it was so worth it. I can't stress enough how much I am loving my nail art.

So many beautiful stones to choose from!

     Just like their hair products, their nail products also came from South Korea. If you love having your nails beautified like a royalty, head over to Top Beauty Salon. They do have a promo for their gel manicure right now where you can save a lot. Normally, it costs 2,000php (38.11US), but for their promo, you can have the nails of a princess for only 1,400php (26.67USD).

    While waiting for your hair to get washed or your SO to have her appointment done at Top Beauty,  you may chill at the spacious Comma Bakery Café which is in the same complex as the salon.

       What other perks do they have? Aside from their hair and nail services, Top Beauty Salon also offers foot and facial care services. For those who love that Korean Superstar glow, they also have whitening products straight from Seoul. Another stellar service that they are offering is eyebrow microblading. It could be daunting to have your brows microbladed, but it's really safe at Top Beauty since they do have a licensed technician who studied from South Korea. By the way, if you're considering to have your brows microbladed, always ask if the technician is licensed. Otherwise, don't do it. You wouldn't want to say goodbye to your gorgeous brows.