BDJ Beauty Box - March 2014 Benefit Box

My Belle De Jour Beauty Box March 2014 box finally arrived! I always expect my BDJ box every first week of the month. One Thursday morning, the mail man came and handed me this very lame and light package. I knew it was BDJ because I know the size of their parcels. When I held it, it was light as a feather and from that moment, I expected I was going to get disappointed this month. So I lifelessly opened the package...

Much to my surprise, I saw this heavenly box with a very, very familiar design!

When I finally remembered which brand owns the design, I screamed in surprise : "SHOCKS, BENEFIT!!" My emotions suddenly shifted from being unhappy to extremely excited! It's an exclusive Benefit & BDJ box, so whatever  it is inside, I was sure I was going to like it!

So what's inside the March 2014 Belle De Jour Beauty Box? Let's find out!

Tada! A lot of Benefit products! When I saw all the items inside, I was sold! I fell in love!

1. Porefessional PRO Balm Face Primer

It quickly minimizes the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Its translucent oil-free formula complements all skin tones and helps your makeup stay put. It also contains Vitamin E derivative to protect skin from free radicals. (Full size price : Php 1,600)

2. Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer

This dual-action power primer works 360 degrees around the eyes to make concealers and eye shadows stay put. Concealers don't crease, eye shadows stay vibrant and true. Just apply 3 tiny dots on your eyelids and under your eyes, blend, then set before putting the rest of your eye makeup. (Full size price : Php 1,400)

3. Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

This new oil-free brightening liquid foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural, luminous & healthy-looking complexion. Fret not if you got a shade that's too light - apply it on the high planes of your face to serve as a natural highlighter, while using your regular shade on the rest of your face. (Full size price : Php 1,900)

4. Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer

This instant PRO-long primer acts like a magnet to lock on your foundation for 15 fresh & flawless hours. This invisible stick primer glides directly onto skin for optimal wear and a natural-looking finish. With this product, you'll need to use less foundation to get the coverage you want. (Full size price : Php 1,900)

5. Under My Spell Noelle Fragrance

This new fragrance has an exotic and glamorous woody floral scent that will surely make you enticing and intiguing to everyone around you. Be ready to receive compliments with this unexpected fragrance. Spritz on moisturized skin to help it linger linger. (Full size price : Php 2,000)

6. Agent Zero Shine Powder

Instantly minimizes shine and helps smooth the look of pores. Pores and shine don't stand a chance with this shine-vanishing PRO powder. Just twist, tap and sweep to look fresh-faced, without a trace! (Full size price : Php 1,600)

None of the items came in full-size but I'm not really complaining. Benefit is Benefit and we can't expect them to give out their products just like that. If we try to calculate the prices of all the items, it may come to more or less Php 1,000! Not a bad deal since you only paid Php 580 for the whole box! 

The January 2014 box was a little "meh" but this March 2014 has got to be one of my favorites, if not my favorite! I've been wanting to try all these Benefit products but I kept releasing the thought each time I would remember how much each bottle costs! It's just bad that they didn't have the Benetint in it... but still a very nice box! BDJ deserves 2 thumbs up and a warm hug for this March 2014 box!

BDJ always surprises their subscribers with amazing boxes each month! It's like getting a box of chocolate from a suitor each month! lol. If you want to get your own Belle De Jour Box, be sure to visit their website HERE.

♥

Kristine

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Mr. Parks Bread and Cake

My friend and I were craving for Patbingsu (팥빙수 / Red beans on shaved ice). Then I remembered I have been wanting to go to Mr. Parks for the longest time! So we decided to check out the place one Wednesday morning. 

Location : Ground Flr, Eton Emerald Loft (at F Ortigas Jr Rd & Garnet Rd), 1605 Pasig City, Pasig

If you found that address a bit confusing, here is a map! Just remember that it's a few blocks away from Robinson's Galleria. If you know Subspace Coffee, go and stand in front of that cafe, look to your left and you'll definitely see Mr. Parks!

If you are hungry as a bear then I don't suggest going to Mr. Parks. Go here after you've had your full meal. This cafe is perfect for desserts or if you're just craving for some sweets, like we were! Here's the menu.

I really love Korean-inspired cafes and restaurants because they have the coziest and unique concepts! My friend even asked me how Koreans come up with their ideas. Lol. To be honest, I don't know either! But Mr. Parks is definitely not your typical bread shop. It's a bread heaven!

And what's more, their breads aren't very pricey! 

And, and! I love their staff! They are super friendly and warm! Restaurants with kind staff always leave a good impression on me and they are one of the factors that make me want to go back to a place. Seriously, like how difficult is it to be kind to your customers? Mr. Park's staff definitely know it's easy!

And have I mentioned about their cakes yet? Ahhhhh...

Will someone please buy me one of these cakes for my birthday? hehe ^___^

I forgot the exact price but each cakes costs around Php500 each. Decent price for such a delectable cake!

The place is also nice to sit back, relax and enjoy your bread! They also play Korean songs. But no K-pop! lol. They play some mellow and ballad songs. I wanted to request for some Infinite and Exo, but I got afraid they might kick me out. Hah! (Subspace, though, accepts Kpop requests! It's just across Mr. Parks so go there if you want some Kpop!)

Here's what we ordered!

Took us about 15 minutes to go around, taste each bread, ask the lady what the bread is called and what's it made of... then we ended up getting just these few ones! 잘 먹겠습니다~

Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned that they have free-taste for some of their breads. I tasted 6 variants and they were all freaking good! I wanted to buy them all! 

What we came here for! Pat to the Bing to the Su! I bet Koreans in Korea now can't eat this as it's still Winter there. But here in Manila, we get to enjoy this all year round! Hah! Perks of living in a tropical country!

The taste was heavenly! My friend and I stopped at each bite, looked at each other and uttered words of satisfaction. Haha! It was that delicious! And for Php160, you get a big bowl that's good enough for 2 people to share!

Though, the red beans gave us an "umay" factor because it was too much. (Now we are complaining that they put too much. Irony.) But it was really good! I don't suggest ordering this alone, though. As that will not only make you look lonely in the eyes of other customers but you won't be able to finish the entire bowl! Eat with a friend, your mom or your boyfriend! :)

We also bought one of their best-sellers to take home to our families.  
The Mammoth!

Last photo!

Have a taste of their yummy breads when you have the time! Super yummy!

♥

Kristine

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How to Style Leggings

I noticed that girls, especially here in the Philippines, like to wear leggings a lot! And no one can blame them. Leggings are very comfortable to wear! They cover the legs, especially if you are not confident enough to show them. But have you ever noticed that some girls looks really sexy in leggings while others just make you cringe? 

It must be how they styled them! So today, I'm giving you some tips and do's and don'ts when wearing leggings!

I also made a short video-lookbook showing how I styled 3 different leggings. Please watch here :

1.) Choose the right material.

Leggings were designed to hug your body. Thus, they will definitely show all those curves and bumps. 

Choosing the right material will definitely make your look more presentable. Avoid excessively thin material like those really thin cotton ones. Thin cotton leggings look unflattering because they will make you legs, thigh and hips look saggy. Instead, choose thicker ones. In this photo, I'm wearing this leatherette leggings. The material is thick yet elastic, thus it made my legs look firmer and slimmer. Black leggings is also a must because you could pair it with almost any top color, material or print.

Leatherette Leggings from Banggood.com - link here

2.) Wear top that would cover your front and back.

Nothing is more cringe-worthy than to see someone in leggings paired with a really short top. Not only does it look awkward, it also makes you look tacky. I think it's just a very simple rule, girls! If you want to wear leggings, cover those parts! Trust me, my mom doesn't even let me go out of the house when she sees that I wear a top not long enough to cover those areas each time I wear leggings. Save yourself from those unwanted stares, wear something long. :)

Vertical Stripes Leggings from Banggood.com - link here

3. ) Plain on Printed

Printed leggings is the newest trend. Fashion stylists went all-out by printing just about anything on leggings these days. Flowers, Animal prints, Foods, Places and even the Galaxy! But just because they went all-out in designing doesn't mean you could go all-out in wearing as well. I've seen a lot of people wear printed leggings, and it's totally cool! But, remember not to wear too much at the same time, Remember, less is still more. When your leggings are already printed, choose a top that would compliment just one design or color of your leggings. A plain top is always perfect for printed leggings!

Floral Leggings from Banggood.com - link here

Now that you know the basic rules in wearing leggings, you are now ready to go out and shine! Although, at the end of the day, it's always your style, taste and preference that you should always consider when wearing something. Just always remember to smile and be confident. You are beautiful whatever you wear!
 

Have a nice day!

♥

Kristine

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Hashtag

Sometimes, I tend to use words and phrases that make me cringe later on. Like my blog username, for one. And also the word on this hat. I use them, not necessarily because I'm claiming that I'm the epitome of that word. I use a word because I like what it means... and then later, I would realize that people might think I'm actually referring to myself! Ah, so embarrassing!

Anyway, here's another ootd post. 

Do I look fat in the photos? I noticed that because the leggings I used was high-waist, it created an illusion of bigger and bulkier tummy. So that's one fashion tip! Never use anything high-waist under a shirt that has soft material. It will definitely create the illusion of having wider hips and unflattering stomach!

Leggings : Banggood.com

Top : Banggood.com

Hat : Forever 21

Panther ring : Soufeel.com

Watch : Veloci watches

Shoes : Primadonna

For new readers, let me just tell you that my blog name Real Asian Beauty doesn't describe me... it describes my readers. It describes YOU! Since we are talking about adjectives and describing one's self, I would like to know which word best describes you? Write your 1-word hashtag below! :)

♥

Kristine

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How to organize your nail polishes using POPSICLE STICKS

I change my nail polish/manicure twice a week. One of the most difficult thing is to pick the right shade. Sometimes, I also tend to forget what polishes/shades I have especially when the bottles are hiding all the way at the back of the cabinet. I know it's not only me that experiences that same dilemma. #firstworldnailartproblems So I came up with a very simple and inexpensive way to organize your nail polishes.

I have quite a lot of nail polishes that I've lost count how many bottles I have. I've also forgotten certain shades or if I have duplicate colors already. Sometimes it gets frustrating when I look at my shopping bag and realize that I have bought a nail polish that I already own.

If you want to see my 2013 nail polish collection, please click HERE.

What you need are your favorite nail polishes

White Popsicle sticks

  

Color pens

And anything that could be used as stand for the sticks. I'm using this acrylic lipstick holder I got from TriNoma mall for about Php150 ~ $4.

Here is the tutorial :

This way, it would be so much easier to know which bottle to pick when you need a specific color. It also prevents you from buying the same nail polish shade. And don't you also love how it looks so professional? I feel like I have my own nail salon in my room because of this nail polish swatch stand! hehe

This is just 1/4 of all my nail polishes, though. I need more popsicle sticks! 

What do you think?

♥

Kristine

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Entangled

Every woman needs a Little Black Dress, it's true! A black dress could either be styled up or styled down, depending on your mood, style and occasion. Here's a very pretty LBD I got from a website called Romwe.com.

The shape and the texture of the dress is basic and simple. But the entangled strings are what make the dress unique and sophisticated.

A black dress goes well with any color or accessories. But for this specific outfit, I decided to match the dress with Gold details. Black and Gold is a really nice combination. It brings out the sexiness and sophistication in you! Black and Gold is also perfect if you want a more mature, formal look.

Dress : Romwe.com

Watch : Timex

Sunnies : Glassesshop.com

LOVE bracelet : Romwe.com

Infinity Ring : LightInTheBox.com

Shoes : Korean brand

Such a pretty dress! I already see myself using this dress over and over and over. This is a perfect example of clothing item that will definitely last in your closet for a long time.

What do you think?

♥

Kristine

_________

Thanks to my friend, Karen, for the photos! :)

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