Back to school + Nailfinity Review

August 28,2015

 Hello, guys! It's been a while since I wrote on this blog. But today, I'm gonna give you guys a review of a nail salon located at Taft Ave., Malate, Manila. NAILFINITY. I always go to this nail salon, and I'll tell you some reasons why you should go to this salon too! Particularly, if you're near Taft!


  NAILFINITY:

Nailfinity is a Nail Salon and Spa offering various pampering services that will make you beautiful from the tips of your nails to your toes. Located at Taft Avenue, this spa is open for men and women who seek for a Sparadise within the busy streets of the Metro. Its tranquil place is perfect to spend hours of just spoiling yourself without worrying about the stress outside. And for those who want to pamper at the comforts of their homes, Nailfinity has Spa at Your Home (home service) which offers the same services in the lounge Spa at Your Home is open from 1:00PM to 1:00AM primarily catering to individuals who needs extra relaxing care after work. We do home service in Makati and Taft. Having service-driven technicians and therapists well trained in their own field of expertise, Nailfinity assures new and existing clients that they get the perfect pampering session worth the value they pay for. Mission Our Mission is to ensure that the highest quality of spa service is given to our clients and to create job opportunity for those who has skills and are service- driven. Vision Our Vision is to set standards in providing a healthy and hygienic spa service catering a wide range of clients from different cities of every walk of life.

Courtesy to the owner of the photo.

Location: 4/5
This salon is located in front of De La Salle University and beside De La Salle-Saint Benilde. It is located at third floor of a E.A Fernandez Building - where Elorde Boxing Gym is also located. I gave them a 4/5 because at first, you may not see it immediately but they are located in the third floor of a building.

  Service & Staff: 3.5/5
When you go to this salon, you'll see a counter where you'll say which service/s you'll avail. Well, the staffs there are very accommodating. After that, they will ask you to pick your polish. You will love their nail polishes because they use Orly, O.P.I, Essie, and China Glaze lang naman without price barriers. Unlike sa ibang nail salons, meron regular and imported pang nalalaman. You'll see many polishes that are displayed sa three posts nila. I gave them 3.5/5 because yung ibang staffs nila hindi pa ganun kagaling maglinis ng toenails. Pero yung iba lang naman. Marami talaga silang staffs. Isang beses pa lang ako naging "waiting" sa kanila. Pero I went there mga 15 times na kasi very convenient nga for me. Also nga pala, meron din silang waxing services and yung bago nila upgrade is, a hair salon. Haven't tried pa yung waxing and hair services nila because loyal ako sa Lay Bare for waxing. And for my hair naman, twice a year lang ako pumupunta sa hair salon. Pero I'll give you a review if I tried na rin yung ibang services nila. Meron nga din pala silang home-service pero for nearby places lang and Makati. They also have massage services too!



  Price: 5/5
I consider this nail salon na high-end pero yung price is very affordable. You'll have an imported nail polish on your nails for P150. Pero they have packages thin naman, if you'll try mani-pedi, it's P250 lang plus may free threading/ underarm waxing ka. Pero lately ko lang nalaman na may free threading/underarm waxing if nag-avail ka ng regular mani-pedi. Nagpapagel-polish ako ng time na yun, kaya hindi ko na experience yung free threading. Bakit nga ba hindi ko alam yun? Plus, hindi ko rin alam na may 5% discount kapag student, nagamit ko lang yung 5% discount ko nung nagpagel polish ako. Pero ngayon alam ko na.

 Link for the price and their website: Nailfinity

  Ambiance: 5/5
I like the ambiance of this salon. It's very cozy and relaxing. Kaso minsan, maingay kasi madaming nagchichickan na customers, pero that's okay. So thumbs up for this favorite salon.

Review: Purple Strawberries

Yesterday, I visited this new salon & spa in San Pablo City - Purple Strawberries.

Opens at: 1pm - 10pm

Location: 5/5
Buena-Ventures Trading Post (Across Community Hospital) Purok I, Brgy. San Roque, San Pablo City, Laguna
Contact No.: (049)521-2511 and 0929-2515-284

I would give 5 out of 5 for their easy to find location and a long the road place.

When you enter this salon, you'll see a purple environment (literally).

Services & Staffs: 3.5/5

So, you all know that I always have painful toenails and that's why I need to have a pedicure regularly. Unfortunately, the ingrown nail on my left toe was not removed while the ingrown nail on the right toe was removed. The staffs are pretty cold to me. What I mean is, they don't possess the warmness when you enter their salon/spa. It feels like I'm not welcome to this shop. However, I like that they use healthy/organic nail polishes. Thumbs up for that!

Prices: 4/5

But they also have packages:

*Regular Manicure & Pedicure - P270
*Gel Manicure & Pedicure - P970
*Hand Paraffin Wax & Regular Manicure - P450
*Gel Manicure & Hand Paraffin Wax - P770
*Hand Paraffin Wax & Hand Spa - P570
*Foot Spa & Regular Pedicure - P440
*Gel Pedicure & Foot Spa - P820
*Regular Pedicure & Foot Paraffin Wax - P590
*Foot Paraffin Wax & Foot Spa - P720
*Hand & Foot Spa and Regular Mani and Pedi - P800
*Hand & Foot Spa and Gel Mani & Pedi - P1500
*Hand & Foot Spa and Hand & Foot Paraffin Wax- P1300

Note: Prices are as of now.

Based on their rates, I think they target middle to upper class. And that's why I think they can't lure enough customers. I suggest that they should lower down their service rates during their introductory stage of the business until they gain loyal customers that would still go to their salon/spa. Or, match their prices to the quality of their services. But, I also consider that they use high-end healthy polishes and so, it might be one of the factors that they considered in terms of their rates. I also think that in terms of gel polishing, its rates is relatively average, and that's good.

Ambiance:5/5

It's really a cozy and nice place to visit. I suggest that you should try their services too. And comment down below your experience!


Average: 4.375/5  two thumbs up!

Review: Dermaholic Advanced Skin Clinic

July 9, 2015


It is so rainy day today and that's why I think it's the best day to pamper my skin. And also, yesterday, I had an acne breakout. So in order to give you wide range of reviews of salons, skin clinics, and spas,  I decided to try Dermaholic.

Location: 5/5
Address: Rizal Ave., San Pablo City (near Central School and beside Jenny Bernardo Belen Shop (designer shop)

I will give this shop 5 out 5 for having an easy to find clinic. It is also near the San Pablo City Plaza.


According to the clinic's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dermaholicinc?fref=ts&ref=br_tf), it is open from 8AM to 8PM.  So, I went there around 11am.


Service/ Staff: 4/5

The staffs welcome you when you enter the clinic. At first, I asked one of them their price list although I already did a prior research about their rates.  I chose the acnecure facial which costed me P299. The staff asked me to wash my hands first before my face. She asked me to wash my face with the milk soap which is very mild to my face. After that, I entered a room. Unlike other facial centers, this clinic has separate room for each client (which I like the most).After that, the staff put some soap (I think) to my face, and used a machine's brush, I think it's their way of exfoliating and cleaning my face. Because of my chosen type of facial, the staff put me a mask. And leave me for about thirty minutes. When she went back, she removed my mask. And oriented me that she will put something on my face which will cause my skin to be itchy and prickly. She said that I need to stand up fast and wash it on the faucet immediately. After that, she started to prick my pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. I gave them 4/5 because the pricking part is very painful compare to other facial center. But I thought it was worth it, because my problematic nose (which has plenty of whiteheads) was almost whiteheads-free. Thumbs up for that!

Price: 4/5

The rates of this clinic is relatively lower than average to average. Because their basic facial is P195.
* Basic facial - 195
* Antibac Seaweed Facial - 250
*Acnecure Facial -299 (the one I tried)
* Diamond Peel - 500
* Intenstive Diamond Peel -1500
Note: These are the few services that the clinic offers. I can't remember the others.

I gave them 4 out of 5 because they don't give their clients at least a check-up to see what's happening next. But overall, the price range is affordable.


Ambiance: 2/5

I like the place however, it is quite unorganized. And you can't relax white having your facial cleaning because it is very noisy even though they have separate rooms. You can heard the staffs talking loud, the patient's consulting with the dermatologist and it was really noisy.

Overall experience (average): 3.75/5

Review: NEW Maybelline White Superfresh No touchup powder foundation

July 8, 2015

Maybelline White Superfresh No TouchUp Powder Foundation promises to give:

• Fresh, radiant look
• flawless, even finish
• long-lasting matte finish
• doesn't clog pores

Shades:

• Nude beige (02)
• Natural (03)
• Honey (04)
• Sand Beige (05)

Price: P299.00

SPF: 34 PA+++

Ingredients: Talc, Perlite, Titanium dioxide, Zea mays starch, Kaolin, Trisostearin, Ethylexyl, Methoxycinnamate, Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone,Magnesium stearate, Vinyl dimethicone, Aluminum hydroxide, Stearic acid, Caprylyk glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Parfum, Linacool

-Used clean touch technology enriched with mineral perlite for maximum oil absorption

Perlite- 

1. a form of obsidian characterized by spherlulites formed by cracking of the volcanic glass during cooling, used as insulation or in plant growth media.

(from a dictionary)

How did I discover this product?

I got interested in this product when I saw it on a TV commercial. And also, I watched a video on Youtube. So, I grabbed one on Mall of Asia at P299 on the shade of Sand Beige (the darkest available shade).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzhlcI41Ec

When you open the box, you'll see this...

And this...

I tested the product and apply one layer on my face except for my dark circles which have 2 layers of it. My skin type is combination which is very oily on the T-zone and normal on the cheeks.

After putting it on my face.
Note: I did not moisturize nor put sunblock to test if the product really works. I just use a lipstick and my eyebrow kit.

After 45 mins.

After 4 hours.

After 7 hours.

Observations:

1. I observed after the application of the product, it's really a matte-finish look. 

2. It makes your skin one-two shades lighter.

3. After 45 mins, my nose becomes very oily.

4. After 4 hours of no touchup, it starts to wear-off on my dark circles and on my T-zone.

5. After 7 hours of no touchup, my T-zone (which is the oily part of my skin) has already wear-off.

Conclusions and Recommendations:

I like this product because it provides a matte finish and an intensive protection against the UVB radiation emitted by the sun. It has also a fresh scent. However, I was disappointed because I thought I would not really touch-up and will absorb the oiliness of my skin. It also has a few range of shades. So for the users of this product and to those who would like to try this product, you need to touch-up so that you'll get to have a matte-finish, fresh and radiant look. 

Let's talk about ingrown nails + Casa de Kuko Spa San Pablo City Laguna

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CasadeKuko?fref=ts

It was really hard to have an ingrown nail on your toe. And because I dont want to endure the pain anymore, I went to Casa de Kuko Spa near Laguna College in San Pablo City. I have tried their pedicure before, when I also had ingrown nails. So, due to reason that The Nail Salon (where I always have my mani and padi near HBC San Pablo City) avoids to cut ingrown nails, I went to Casa de Kuko Spa. I was satisfied on my first visit when ate J-anne did the service. Today, I availed pedicure and regular foot spa. Regular foot spa was done by Ate Carla and it was good. The pedicure was done by a different staff, the one with blue scrub suit (I guess she's the head of the staff, because everyone except for her, wear a read polka dots scrub suit). I was not satisfied by what she did on my poor ingrown nail. I guess only few nail technicians could understand how my nails grow. Huhuhu

When I went back home, I can't stand on my painful nail. So, what I do, is to get the dry skin on that toe. Let me show you.

At last, I already removed the dry skin. 

But of course guys, I am still searching good nail salon shops around San Pablo City and Manila. Stay tune.

P.S: And I would never go back to that nail salon :(

Review: The Nail Salon

June 27, 2015

The Nail Salon. 

(I'll update this with pictures of the store. I will also put their facebook/instagram link. )

I always visit this nail salon located at Bonifacio St., San Pablo City, Laguna beside HBC San Pablo City near the San Pablo Shopping Mall. On my first visit, I tried their manicure, pedicure, and foot spa. It costed P250 if it's the normal polish. But if you choose the Orly/O.P.I brand, it costs more - around P400. 

They had three nail technician but I always ask to do my manicure/pedicure to Ate Jhed. It is because I tried the other nail technician, but I don't like how she applied the Orly on my nails. It already chipped off after three hours because normally, Orly/O.P.I lasts for a week. 

I like their nail polishes. They have the local and imported polishes.Basically, your mani/pedi price will be higher if you choose an imported polish. 

However, their service is very slow. It always took 70-90 minutes to do a manicure and pedicure. But one thing I like the most in this nail salon is that they make sure that your nails will not bleed. They always have many customers. So, I suggest that they should add another nail technician. Their space is also very limited. I can't imagine on how will they do their other services like waxing.

(Update: This nail salon is already closed.)

Review: The Executive Facial Care (San Pablo City Laguna 4000)

June 7, 2015

(Photo from their facebook page)

Location: (9/10)

Last night, my mom and I went to this newly opened facial care center. It is located at Lynderson Building Lopez Jaena St., San Pablo City near Mcdo Plaza. The location is easy to find.  It was around 8pm when we went there but there were still many customers. I tried their facial cleaning. 

Service/staff: ( 7.5/10)

The staff gave me a face towel and asked me to wash my face for three times with their collagen soap. After washing my face, I lie on their bed. The staff put moisturiser on my face and massaged it. After that, the staff turned on the steamer for ten minutes and started to clean my face. Compared to other facial centers I tried, I was not hurt that much when she pricked my pimples. It took around an hour to remove my whiteheads and blackheads. While the face technician is removing the dirt on my face, she keeps on encouraging me to buy their soap, toner, and sunblock because I have freckles. I was trying to relax and enjoy the moment and got irritated because she kept saying the same things over again. So, that made me rate them relatively average. After removing the dirt on my face, she asked me to give her the face towel the I used. She poured luke water on the face towel and put it on my face to close my pores. After that, she put antibiotic on the spots that she pricked and put a mask on my face. After the mask dried on my face, she removed it and gave me an index card to remind me about the date of next free two check-ups.

Price: 9/10

(Photo from their facebook page)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Executive-Facial-CARE-San-Pablo-Branch/1609088559377352?fref=ts

The price of their facial cleaning is relatively low compare to other facial center in San Pablo City, which is good. Plus, it includes two free check-ups. So, I think it’s really worth it. However, when you get there, the staff will offer you some of their products and she will not stop until you buy their product. I will do a separate review for their products, so watch out for that. So, I recommend you to bring extra money.

Ambiance (6/10)

The atmosphere was nice because of the relaxing music. However, the staffs are very noisy. And also, I think it lacks space.

In total, 7.875 out of 10 for this facial center.