Category Archives: beauty & wellness

The Problem with Cheap Salons…

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Filed under beauty & wellness

Unlike some of my friends who splurge too much in salons, I wouldn’t spend 900 pesos just for a haircut. My hair is down straight layered with asymmetric bangs so it’s low maintenance. That’s why before, I take the risk of having my hair done in cheap salons for a 50 pesos haircut. Honestly, I never had any good experience with cheap parlors. Kaso, sino ba naman ang hindi matutuksong magpaparlor kung nakabalandra sa mga glass walls ang abot-kayang presyo ng mga panandaliang pagpapaganda? Haircut – 50. Manicure – 35. Hot Oil – 100.

But is it all worth it?

Dati, pumasok ako sa isang orange na parlor, Index Salon. Malinis naman. Maganda ang lighting. Hindi mukhang pang-kanto. I was there to have my bangs trimmed. Unluckily, a loud gay was assigned to me. All throughout the cutting session, he was persisting that I should have a hair rebond. So I pretended that I’m a single mom of 2 kids and working in a call center to give a hint that I have no time and on a budget. But instead of zipping his mouth, he told me na “hindi ka ba naiinggit sa mga ka opisina mo, diba lahat sila naka rebond? etc etc”

Napaisip naman ako. Oo nga, andaming nakarebond na call center agent.

But before I get hypnotized, I reasonably explained that there’s no need for any rebonding treatment because I have naturally straight hair and it’s obviously dyed. I’m used with parlor people who keep on insisting about availing their services but I got pissed off that time. Some of these salon employees don’t even care if their customer’s hair gets burned or blood is dripping from pedicured toes as long as they get a commission. (In a way of intentionally insulting anybody that comes into their place.)

I think the management should train their employees about values. Just because customers are paying less than a hundred, it doesn’t give them the ticket to murder nails or make fun of other people’s hair strands. A salon is not a comedy bar and should be a place of relaxation and beauty. I’m not generalizing but I already heard a lot of bad comments about the same parlor.

So for email senders who were asking about midrange salons, I recommend Bench Fix and Mary Pauline if you need services that won’t hurt your pocket. Look for a salon that’s not particular with quotas and time-per-customer. Also, take note of the stylists/hair cutters who satisfy you. Searching for the right hair cutter is like searching for Mr. Right. It’s a matter of trial and error. Wenk.

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Kutis Artista

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Filed under beauty & wellness, pinoy jologs culture

‘Wag mong sabihing gumagamit ka ng whitening lotion matapos mong makita sa commercial na pumuti ang model dahil sa isang produkto? Yung tipong ipapakita pa ang before and after pictures na halata namang camera trick lang. Una, ang mga modelo o artista ay likas nang maputi at makinis ang balat. O kaya naman, pinakinis nalang sila ng siyensya dahil nag modelo o artista sila.

Kaya isang malaking kalokohan na nakaprint sa kahon ng Maxi-Peel ang mukha ni Marian Rivera. Maaaring ni hindi dumampi sa balat nya ang exfoliating cream na ineendorso nya dahil paniguradong masisira ang sensitibo nyang pores. Kung gumagamit ka man nito, uto-uto ka kung si Marian ang naging inspirasyon mo.

Mahilig din naman akong mag-lotion, pero hindi ko idedepende ang pag-asa kong mag kutis artista sa mga pangakong sinasabi ng mga advertisements. Ika nga, for marketing strategy lang ‘yan. Misleading.

Dahil kung totoo man ang be whiter in 7 days, para saan pa ang skin peeling at gluta injection kung ang epekto ng mga mamahaling pagpapagandang ito ay makakamit mo rin sa isang bote ng lotion.

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Evolution of Beauty

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Filed under beauty & wellness

Media has already obscured people’s perception on true beauty with photoshopped billboards and science-enhanced models; which at times makes the target audiences feel lesser about themselves. I think every girl should watch this ad:


There’s nothing wrong if we groom ourselves, enhance our skin and apply make-up but to the extent that we feel insecure or not love ourselves is the off beam part of this issue. I’ve already worked with photographers and models and it’s not that advertising world is “faking” it. Nowadays, artists also want to have a perfect outcome of their work through technology. So we should just accept that half of what’s shown by media isn’t accurate. Therefore, true beauty still depends in the eye of the beholder.

And here’s a satirized version of the ad…

Hahaha. Lol! O diba, mas effort maging panget.

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Spa Not Terrific: Wensha Spa Experience

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Filed under beauty & wellness

I noticed on my blog tracker that a lot of people have been searching about Wensha Spa. Many of us really need to pamper ourselves after a stressful week of workloads and urban stress. I’ve been suggesting this wensha place with my previous letters since I heard it’s an affordable place of relaxation but I’ve never gone there until this weekend.

I tried the Foot Spa Terrific service for only 600php (including unlimited food and pool access). The word “Terrific” itself was kind of catchy kaya ayun, nabola ako. Lol. When I was already at seat for the service, I told the attendant “Foot Spa Terrific po” and she answered back, “meron ba kami nun?”

Haha! Minus 10 points. Well to be honest, I was not satisfied with their Foot Scrub service, I should have tried the massage instead. Nakakatulog pa yung naka-assign mag scrub sakin. Geez. Maganda lang is that you get to watch tv while they do the service and 1 tv is to 1 customer.

May pagka-konserbatibo ako at ayaw ko i-expose ang aking skeleton in public so I really can’t get naked in spas. Kaya na culture shock ako that everyone in the pool was naked and staring at me kasi ako lang yung naka bath robe. Wahaha! I didn’t stay long because I also can’t stand seeing lesbo couples kissing and all. Ack! Help me Lord!

The only thing worth staying is the food-slash-tambay session with friends. The food is unlimited buffet though rice meals are out by 12midnight. The food is not so sarap but tastes fine. We just consumed the time left eating shabu-shabu in the dining area.

Taking pictures is not allowed inside so I can’t show a tour. So for some people who are planning to go there, I just recommend 1) Midnight time para hindi crowded since they run 24 hours. 2) Go here with friends and 3) Foot Spa Terrific isn’t terrific after all.

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Spa in the City

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Filed under beauty & wellness, dear sosyalera

Hi leyn musta musta?

nakikita kita sa YM na online pero madaling araw. ndi na kita minemessage dahil parang nananaginip pa rin ako nun tuwing ioopen ko ang YM sa cellphone ko. ANW, natawa ako dun sa new entry mo tungkol sa mga masahista. parang nakakatakot naman yung mga picture. naalala ko nang mabasa ko to sayo na magtatanong pala ako ng mga magaganda at affordable na SPA na pedeng puntahan.

Hindi para sa akin, para sa parents ko. Naisip ko since malapi tna ang 24th year anniversary nila this December, bakit hindi na lang yun ang iregalo ko sa kanila sa anniv at sa pasko na rin. hahaha (kuripot mode).

San ba yung mga affordable pero hindi naman tulad ng nifeature mo sa blog mo ha na mga spa. kahit simpleng massage lang siguro.

Maraming Salamats,
Popoy I.

Dear Popoy I.,

Aloha! Maraming salamat sa pagiging isa sa mga suki ng Inbox ko. Na-appreciate ko at kay Sosyalera ka nagtanong knowing na napaka-undetailed ko sumagot. Haha. Anyway, hindi ako magmamagaling dahil hindi ko naman alam ang lahat ng spa sa buong Pilipinas.

For the benefit of all, I’ll be mentioning 3 Spas to represent low-priced, reasonable and luxurious way of pampering. If you are on a tight budget, why not try the Big Apple Express Spa. You get to have a whole body massage for only 299 pesos.

Pros: Inexpensive and easily located. The franchises are usually inside the malls. I know one branch operating in Gateway Cubao near the LRT 2 station. You won’t get intimidated coming in since the place is just like a commercial facial center.

Cons: Since it’s called, the “Express” spa, don’t expect royalty treatment. Everyone pays the same price as yours. Once you get the short therapy then your hour is over. Also, the room is not that private because you’ll have the massage together with other customers.

For weekend people who really intend for a wellness experience, they can visit the Wensha Spa in Manila CCP area. Their foot and body spa package rates 800 pesos only – including food, drinks and access to their pools, sauna and shower room.

Pros: Aside from the consumable spa package, customers will be given assigned lockers during the time of their stay. The ambiance is relaxing and fair enough for the few bucks paid.

Cons: I’m not sure if couples are allowed to be at the same room while the treatment is on-going. Rooms are separate for males and females. Also, if you live somewhere in the east side, then you’ll have a long way to travel just to get there. I heard Wensha also have a branch in Timog QC but not as good as what they have in Manila.

Privileged and spa addicts of course prefer to spoil their bodies in sumptuous places. If you’re one of them, prepare at least 6,500 pesos for a Chinese inspired therapy at the Chi Spa in EDSA Shangrila Ortigas.

Pros: The types of scrubs and oils that will be used are examined first depending on the customer’s preferences. They cater quality and imported products plus spacious and calm exclusive room for privacy. You will not just experience simple massage but cleansing, bathing and detoxifying procedures. Given that you paid for a high-priced spa, you won’t feel rushed at all.

Cons: Expensive.

Enough of that, I’m not even paid. In case you’re planning to treat your parents elsewhere, siguraduhin mo lang na wholesome ang spa na ‘yon. Nakakahiya naman kung mga mala-Maskuladong Masahista ang sasalubong sa inyo. But you know what, you have a brilliant idea in treating your parents para naman something new ang iyong gift. You still have time to research though. Advanced Happy 24th Anniversary kina Tito at Tita! ;P

Love Lots,

Leyn

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