Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAC. Show all posts

Monday, January 13, 2014

Hong Kong Days 4 & 5: Shopping in Hong Kong

The last two days of our stay in Hong Kong were a blur. SRSLY. “Exploring Hong Kong” meant shopping for us. Hihi. For Day 4, we headed to the other island and explored Causeway Bay and Central.

 

Since our agenda for the day is mainly shopping, I wanted to wear something I could easily change in and out to. I chose the blouse+skirt combo. The weather was still a bit chilly since rain showers were  here and there, so I opted to add a cozy sweater.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox

Sleeveless blouse and skater skirt (similar here) from Pixie Dust, Sweater from Forever 21, Bag from Longchamp, and Flats from Charles & Keith

 

From our hostel in Tsim Sha Tsui, we rode the MTR (Tsuen Wan Line) towards Central and dropped off at Admiralty station, where we boarded the Island Line towards Chai Wan. We dropped off at Causeway Bay station. The whole trip took us about 10-15 minutes in total.

 

First stop is, of course, Forever 21 at Jardine’s Bazaar. It’s the first thing you’ll see once you get out of the subway station. It has 5 floors, I think. Forever 21 at Causeway Bay is the flagship store in Hong Kong. Prices are relatively cheaper compared to here (duh!), so it’s worthwhile to shop here. Scored some dresses and makeup items since they have tons of makeup here. Didn’t get to “hoard” items since I was overwhelmed with the items in the store. Haha. Parang ang dami masyado, eh. My sisters and I spent about an hour or two here.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

Photo from Katz

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

Photo from Tourism Hong Kong

 

We then headed to Times Square to visit SOGO, which is the last standing Japanese department store in the area. Times Square was really crowded, even if the weather wasn’t really nice.

 

SOGO is the biggest department store I’ve ever been to! It houses tons of brands, but mostly luxury brands, like Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, etc. I love their makeup “floor”! Kaso, ang daming tao so ‘di ako nakapag try masyado. They have Chanel, Shiseido, MAC, and many more! I wanted to try out the Japanese brands coz of its high quality, but I got too lazy to do so.

 

I also suggest you visit SOGO if you’re a brand-aholic (is there such a word???). Plus, as I’ve mentioned earlier, prices in Hong Kong are cheaper compared to Manila. Was able to buy a Longchamp Planetes Tote bag and LM Metal Tote bag, both large and long-handled, at only HK$1250 each (around Php6700). If bought at Rustan’s, I think the bags retail at around Php10000 to Php12000. Pretty good *steal*, huh?

 

We went to other malls as well, since Causeway is another shopping mecca. My sisters and I went cray cray at Etude House coz of the cheaper price. Since we really didn’t have enough time already to visit The Peak, we headed to Central instead. Guess what we did there? Yep! We shopped again. Haha!

 

Going to Central, we rode the tram, which cost us less than HK$4.  The tram ride was relatively slower than the MTR, but we couldn’t pass up this experience! Haha! Ang cute cute kaya!

 

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fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

 

When we got to Central, the first thing we did was to visit H&M. To be honest, I wasn’t aware that there’s an H&M store near the hotel (at Silvercord City, Tsim Sha Tsui) kaya dinayo pa namin ‘tong sa Central. This is the flagship store kasi kaya ito yung pinuntahan din namin. It has four floors, and houses tons of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

Photo from Hong Kong Digital PhotoVision

 

The items at H&M are a tad bit pricier compared to Forever 21, but the quality’s ok din naman. I particularly like their selection of dresses. My favorite is their jersey dresses (bodycon dresses) at only HK$79 each. The fabric’s really comfortable, plus it’s really flattering on my petite frame. Too bad I only got one jersey dress.

 

After 2 hours in the store, my family and I were hungry already and were craving for rice. Good thing my tita brought us to Jollibee, which is near the Central station.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

 

Jollibee in Central has two floors. The staff were all Filipinos, and most of the customers are also Filipinos. Nakakatuwa kasi ang babait nila. Hi-hello forever ang peg. Don’t convert HK$ to Php when eating! Hahahaha. Kasi, lalabas talagang mahal. When it comes to food, don’t be stingy! LOL

 

For me, the taste was quite different compared to the Jollibee in the Philippines; but heck, IT IS STILL JOLLIBEE AND CRISPY-LICIOUS CHICKEN JOY!!! Haha! Their menu is a tad bit different though; some of the items they were offering are exclusive in Hong Kong, so it’s worthwhile to visit Jollibee, too.

 

So for our last day in Hong Kong, we were supposed to visit Lantau Island to see Ngong Ping. But we had too much stuff, so it’s a hassle for us to carry all our things all the way to Ngong Ping. So, we decided to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui instead and stroll one last time. Good thing the hostel allowed us to check out later than usual at a fee (HK$20 per hour).

 

We visited the malls around the hostel. They were pretty much empty since most stores open at 11AM or 12NN.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

 

Since it’s our last day, and we’d be heading straight to the airport afterwards, I wanted to wear something that would keep me warm if the airport (and airplane) would be chilly. I chose to wear this blouse my friend got for me in Bangkok, skirt, pink socks, and flats. I know I won’t be able to sport the socks+flats combo in Manila, so pagbigyan niyo na. Haha!

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

Studded blouse from Bangkok, Skirt and Flats from Forever 21, Bag from Longchamp, and Socks from Hong Kong

 

Picture below is my makeup loot from Hong Kong. I went gaga over the clothes, so I was able to buy few makeup items lang.

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

Left to right: Lash Perm Eye-long Mascara and Oh m’ Eyes Liner from Etude House, Liquid lipstick from LUSH, and Sheen Supreme Lipstick (in Insanely It) and Pro Longwear Lipglass (in Full Speed Ahead) from MAC

We had a late lunch at Paisano’s. We’ll surely miss this one-of-a-kind New York-style pizza! My parents and sister (Erika) are so funny in this picture!

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

 

Sadly, we had to leave to Hong Kong and end our vacation *cry*. The good thing about leaving Hong Kong is how easy and convenient to go to the airport. From our hostel in Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui, we crossed the street towards Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard. There’s a bus stop there, where Bus A21 (same bus from airport to TST) will pickup passengers going to the airport. Ain’t that easy???

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travel

 

We arrived at the airport at around 5PM, and our flight’s scheduled at 9:55 PM. I super love their airport! It’s really spacious, and there are tons of things to do there while waiting for your flight. This is such a convenience especially if your flight is delayed (ehem, delayed flight namin when my boyfriend and I visited Hong Kong last October. More on this later).

 

Goodbye, Hong Kong, and Hello, Manila!

 

fashion, travel, beauty, hong kong, ootd, outfit, selfie, forever 21, charles and keith, h&m, longchamp, otterbox, family, abroad, travelIMG_2698

 

I hope you guys enjoyed my first travel entry, which is my first trip abroad! I had so much blogging about this trip. You can check out my previous posts on day 1, day 2, and day 3!

 

Would love to hear from you!

Dianne

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

December Makeup Haul

My sister, Bianca, is a makeup junkie. We both love makeup, but she’s more into learning the craft. Pang-arte lang sa’kin ang makeup. Haha! She influenced me in watching vlogs (video blogs) of different YouTube bloggers, such as Say Artillero, Bethany Mota, and Meghan Rosette. I used to laugh at them ‘coz it sounds silly to share the random things you buy at the mall. It’s like saying, “These are the things I bought at SM Department Store: Ever Bilena lipstick, Nichido eyeliner, etc.” I have nothing against these local brands; it just seemed funny for me.

 

However, sharing their “makeup haul” also opened doors for me: I now know which drugstore brands are the best, which products I can save money with, the different dupes of higher-end products, etc. Nakakaaliw lang panoorin sila. Plus, I gained more background on putting on makeup.

 

So, when a friend from the US was coming home to the Philippines, my sister and I became wide-eyed and started online shopping! I enjoyed scouring through different drugstore sites, such as WalMart, Ulta, and Target. To be honest, the variety of makeup brands was really overwhelming! But a big thanks to these Beauty Vloggers, I now have an idea which items to purchase.

 

Online shopping, especially for makeup, is really tricky. If items are available here in the Philippines, I suggest you visit the makeup counter to swatch on the products. You’d know if the product would suit you or not. If the makeup brand is not available, then seek help from the different Beauty bloggers and vloggers online.

 

Here’s my makeup haul from Target and Nordstrom, which I got last December!

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

First row: Real Techniques Stippling Brush, Real Techniques Core Collection Set [one brush is missing, can’t find it haha], Revlon PhotoReady Powder

Second row: Maybelline Great Lash LOL Mascara, Maybelline Great Lash Big, Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One Mascara, Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks

 

I won’t be doing a makeup review because I may not know what I am talking about. Haha. I either love or hate the product, that’s it ;)

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

My sister and I own a handful of affordable brushes from Shawill, Forever21, ELF, and Nichido. Since we’re just starting out with makeup, we wanted good brushes at good prices. But then came these Real Techniques brushes posted all over the Internet. We wanted to get a set, but we don’t want to spend Php950 to Php1050 for a set of brushes! Good thing, there’s Target! Haha. The brushes were on SALE.We got the Stippling Brush (pink handle) at only US$7.49 (around Php320; original price is US$9.99). This retails at around Php550 to Php650 online. The Core Collection Set (gold handles) was also on sale at US$13.49 per set (around Php600; original price is US$17.99). This retails at around Php950 to Php1050 online.

 

I love these brushes. They’re soft on the face, which is the first thing I look for in a brush. I use the Stippling Brush (first brush) for my BB cream and liquid foundation, the Buffing Brush (fourth brush) for powder, the Pointed Foundation Brush (third brush) for my concealer, and the Contour Brush (second brush) for contouring. I haven’t much figured out how to use the Detailer Brush (not in picture) though.

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

One of my makeup obsessions is mascaras. As of posting time, I have 11 mascaras, including these 3 unopened ones. I’m super in love with Maybelline mascaras. They’re my absolute go-to mascaras because they lengthen and add volume to my lashes. I actually have 6 Maybelline mascaras now. Haha! Talk about hoarding ;)

 

I bought mascaras that aren’t available here in the Philippines, namely (L to R) Maybelline Great Lash Big in Blackest Black (US$3.99; around Php180), Maybelline Great Lash LOL in Very Black (US$3.99; around Php180), and Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One in Very Black (US$5.99; around Php270). Super excited to use all these mascaras!!! (Note: Read a mascara wars blog post here against Benefit They’re Real, and guess who won? Now I’m more excited to open this tube!)

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

I also bought the Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Mascara. I bought it at Target since it’s expensive here in the Philippines! Haha. The tube retails at around Php700, I think. I got this at only US$4.99 (around Php230)! Pretty cheap, huh? This is my current favorite, alongside Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Rocket, which I got at only Php319 at Watson’s during a sale.

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

Another makeup obsession is lipsticks! I just can’t get enough of them! As of writing, I own 25 lipsticks (plus another 5 more are in the mail. Can’t wait to share this with you!!!). Yes, I am a hoarder!

 

I bought these at Nordstrom.com, and not Target (Target doesn’t carry MAC). Left is MAC Retro Matte in Steady Going (Limited edition; US$15 or Php670), middle is NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp (US$5.99 or Php270), and right is MAC Retro Matte in All Fired Up.

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

My least favorite of the bunch is MAC in Steady Going. I was debating whether to get Flat Out Fabulous or Steady Going, and I went for the latter because it’s limited edition only. It’s quite easy to apply, but it tends to settle on the cracks of my lips. So ang pangit niya tignan sa lips. The MAC MUA says I should use a lip primer, which is on my next shopping list (currently looking for cheap lip primers since MAC's so expensiiive).

 

My favorites are both NYX Lip Cream in Antwerp and MAC All Fired Up. They’re just soooo pretty on the lips! Antwerp is coral on the lips. I just had a sudden love of coral lipsticks through Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Coral Crush, which came in my BDJ Box last year. Lakas maka-girl next door peg ng coral! Haha. I also love MAC All Fired Up, which is pink red under good lighting conditions. Such a pretty way to make a statement.

 

Maybelline, Real Techniques, Revlon, NYX, MAC, mascara, brushes, powder, lip cream, lipstick

 

Next on the list is Revlon PhotoReady Powder in Light/Medium. It costs US$10.99 (around Php500). I love this powder because it’s light on the face. It also has a matte finish to keep the oil at bay. It has sparkly shizznick on the powder, too. I really have no idea what it does, but it’s so pretty to look at! Haha. It also comes with a flat brush (not in the picture, but it’s somewhere on my dresser, I swear). I don’t like to use that, but I use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush instead.

 

So yeah, that’s my makeup haul from Target & Nordstrom. Total cost is US$86.92 + sales tax, which is around Php4000. But, if I bought everything here in the Philippines, this would cost me around Php6700. Saved roughly Php2700!! Great deal, I must say! How about you? Do you have a makeup haul? Love to hear from you!

 

XX

Dianne

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