Shine Moist Henna Wax

I have always wanted to add a hint of color to my jet-black hair but I'm not that brave enough to change it to bold colors. I was considering buying those bubble coloring thingies from Palty or Etude House or go with Revlon or Loreal hair coloring boxes. However, those can damage the hair and I don't want it to destroy mine. I remembered a classmate back in college that always had her hair in a vibrant color but I would always see it as shiny, not damaged. So I asked her what she was using and the told me it was Shine Moist Henna Wax.

I looked for this in every Watsons store that I visited but I just can't seem to find it. I read from other blogs that you can buy this from Hbc. So Hbc in Gaisano Mall I went and finally found it. It costs Php 199. 00 :)

Shine Moist Henna Wax is a hair cellophane- type of coloring. It conditions your hair, giving it a hint of color without having it endure harmful and smelly chemicals.

I chose Dark Brown (they only had black and the violet one) because I was still a bit scared of going for light colors.

My hair story:

If there was such a thing as a Virgin Mary hair then that would be the perfect description for mine. I rarely have salon treatments (even hot oil or cellophane). I haven't tried rebonding or perming it. No harmful chemical have touched it. I sometimes have a love- hate relationship with my hair. Black and straight can get really boring, and for times when I'm feeling this I capriciously decide to do something (cut or color it). Anyway, having it colored is really a challenge for me because it seems that my hair doesn't absorb any type of coloring.

When I arrived home I immediately tried the product. Upon opening the box, I got the vial, gloves, and a showercap. After following the instructions (shampoo hair and dry it to 75% (?). I applied it like I was applying conditioner. 

For coloring my hair, this was the wrong product for me. However, this is a great cellophane treatment that can really make your hair soft and smooth, so kudos on that. I felt like I just stepped out of salon :)

Maybe if I chose a lighter color it would show on my hair. I noticed that when I washed my hair streams of brown would flow with the wash.

In summary:

Pro:

• It will make your hair smooth, I guarantee it.
• It does give your hair a hint of color, I just chose the wrong one this time around.
• It doesn't damage or make your hair dry.

Con:

• It can get messy when applying it, especially if you have long hair.
• The color that this product gives is short-lived. I'd give it 2-3 weeks tops.

Will I repurchase?

Maybe. I'll choose a lighter shade of brown next time.

This Christmas give the gift of hope

I always believe that Christmas is about selflessness and sharing the love- a commemoration of the epitome of those values which is Jesus. I just cannot fathom the idea that while we are busy with decorations and preparing for parties, that we lose the very essence of why we are celebrating Christmas in the first place.

If your conscience is nagging you to do something worthwhile and really want to grasp the essence of Christmas, you can share the love by becoming a ninong  or ninang to a cancer survivor from The Kids of Hope. Kids of Hope is a non- government organization that responds to the needs of young cancer victims in Davao City and the rest of the Mindanao Island. On December 8, they will be celebrating 'Survivor's Day'.

The kids have their wish list and all you have to do is make it come true!

I'll be shopping for my inaanak ;)

For more information on how you can give your gift, you can contact Kids of Hope through their Facebook page: Kids of Hope or you can visit their website http://www.kidsofhope.org/.

Bet you haven't heard of Blitz Torte

Or maybe you have, if you're an avid foodie. At cafes or pastry shops people usually order chocolate moist cake, blueberry cheesecake, sans rival etc. But seeing a Blitz Torte in their menu, for me, is actually quite rare (cafes should really start serving this amazing treat).  Blitz Torte is a German dessert made of soft cake and meringue. 

I remember the first time I savored this delicious dessert. My officemate invited us to have lunch at her house because it was fiesta time. After we devoured our lunch I noticed my officemate was missing. When she came back, she had in her hands a box of Blitz Torte. We were all oooohhing and aaahhhing as our eyes feasted on the pastry and our hands itching to take a piece. And since that time I was in love with Blitz Torte.

I only know of one place that sells that box of Blitz Torte, and it is in Aracels in Calinan (it's crazy far from the downtown area). So if ever you're in Calinan (perhaps a stopover before going to the Philippine Eagle Center? ;) , go to Aracels and grab a box of Blitz Torte. The price is awesome- Php 230. 00/ box! I know I'll be ordering a box or two for Christmas.

P.S. if you know bake shops that sell Blitz Torte, please let me know! :)

Review: Euro Cafe

For us Davaoenyos, the most common place to be is Gaisano Mall. It's where we pass our time walking aimlessly around its floors. If you're tired from walking and just want to have a break, or you find yourself in an unfortunate situation of waiting for somebody for an hour, try hanging out at Euro Cafe.

We all know that bakeshop right beside the stairs as you go down near National Bookstore. For pan lovers, this is the place in Gaisano Mall to get your fix of bread and other baked goods.

Honestly, me and my boyfriend were so tired from walking that I resolved to order anything just to sit in Euro Cafe. Lo and behold, they have affordable cakes! This Chocolate Ganache is Php 40. 00. For the price, it looks appetizing.

My boyfriend ordered the blueberry cake. This one is Php 45. 00. I like the taste and the blueberry-ness (we all know that taste when we eat blueberry cheesecake) I think they pretty much got it with this one.

However, when I tried slicing the Chocolate Ganache, the icing came off :( 

There are TVs placed near the tables if you sit inside. It's always playing 'Just for Laughs'- a good thing if you want something to distract yourself. Wi-fi was still under repair

My rating:

Ambience: 3.9 out of 5- if you want to hang out somewhere comfortable and affordable without having to choose to go to fastfood joints, this is the place

Food: 3.5 out of 5: The cakes were good and presentable, but the Chocolate Ganache icing was just sad.