From Manila with Love

I'm obsessed with these. And not the typical online beauty influencer obsesssed. I actually really like these and reach for them regularly.

Local love Ever Bilena, released these Pillow Pop liquid blushes last year and I'm late, but y'all I'm so impressed.👏

These liquid blushes tout hyaluronic acid and vitamin e as their main 'sell' that gives a 'dewy' glow. But I find that the finish is quite skin-like, if not matte. I don't see anything particularly 'dewy' about the finish but that's not what I came for anyway. Most dewy liquid blushes I've tried lately are on the verge of sticky and in this pantropiko heat, that's a no-no. 🙅‍♂️Who wants their hair to stick to their face and leave streaks of blush in their wake? Not I.

Pigmented, buildable and non-sticky, the Pillow Pop [I love saying that] blushes come in minimalist frosted screw-top component that have a whopping 15 grams in them. And for P275, it's giving she's pretty and wa-is.

The bang for the buck definitely won me over. That and the chonky-ass applicator.

The consitency is similar to gel-lip tints and which is why I apply these on my lipst too for a more cohesive look. Or if I'm lazy and pressed for time. It glides and blends out nicely on my dry skin. Be careful though and apply in dots, it can get out-of-hand fast.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CJ Sū (@manilawithlove)

My favourite way to apply is using damp sponges but fingers and brushes work fine as well.

When I tell you this lasts the whole day. From 8AM to 6PM it's still as vibrant as when I first applied it. This has got to be my most recet favourite thing from Ever Bilena since...forever I think.

Fresno is a warm sienna. Rouge is a vibrant hot pink.

Have you tried this? Will you? What are your thoughts on 'dewy' liquid blushes that are really sticky? I personally loathe them. Because why???

xx,

Interested in writing for us?

The annual RAWR Awards is here upon us before 2023 ends. LionhearTV, the famous entertainment-lifestyle platform, is gearing up for its #9thRAWRAwards where persons in the showbiz industry are recognized and commended for their efforts in entertainment.

Bloggers, PR groups and fans flock to the site to vote for their favourite nominated personalities in different forms of media , namely social media, radio and tv.

Year after year, the RAWR Awards are presented through the LionhearTV.net platform. These accolades are dedicated to individuals who have left an indelible mark on the industry. Divided into 4 principal categories Lion, Cub, Pride, and SILOG Awards, many vote for their top choices for each category and sub category.

(Favorite Kontrabida Nominees :John Arcilla (Dirty Linen), McCoy de Leon (FPJ’s Batang Quiapo) Jake Cuenca (The Iron Heart,) Martin del Rosario, (Voltes V Legacy), Pinky Amador (Abot Kamay Na Pangarap) ,Klea Pineda (AraBella), Janella Salvador (Darna) & Daniela Stranner (Senior High)

The Lion Awards feature nine subcategories

Actor of the Year, Actress of the Year, Pak na Pak na Comedian, Male News Personality of the Year, Female News Personality of the Year, Love Team of the Year, Favorite Performer of the Year, Favorite TV Host, and Favorite DJ.

Click on each category to vote.

(Female News Personality Nominees : Karen Davila,Kara David,BernadetteSembrano,Vicky Morales ,Mel Tiangco,Korina Sanchez,Pinky Webb & Jessica Soho)

The Cub Awards have nine subcategories

Beshie ng Taon, Favorite Bida, Favorite Kontrabida, Breakthrough Artist, Favorite Newbie, Bet na Bet na Teleserye, Song of the Year, Movie of the Year, and Digital Series.

The Pride Awards, on the other hand, encapsulate four subcategories

Radio Station of the Year, TV Station of the Year, Favorite Group, and Fan Club of the Year.

Click on each category to vote.

(Fashion & Beauty Nominees : Geraldine Rivera, Angel Dei Peralta, Crisha Uy,Marj Maroket,Ida Anduyan,Pau Pelaez,Ken Dayandayan,Maria Joycenyl)

Lastly, the SILOG Awards boast an impressive array of 17 subcategories, celebrating digital influencers and content creators, spanning domains like

Art, Content Creation, Cosplay, Couples, Digital Influence, Drag, Fashion/Beauty, Food/Travel, Gaming, Health/Fitness, Influencer Families, LGBTQIA, Parenting, Podcasts, Streaming, Short-Form Vlogging, and Long-Form Vlogging.

Click on each category to vote.

(Favorite LGBTQIA influencer nominees : Vice Ganda, Angelina Mead King, Deanna Wong and Ivy Lacsina, Mela Habijan, Turing Quinto, Sarah Garcia, Roanne and Tina & Wear Sunscreen)

Fans play a pivotal role in determining the victors, holding 66.66% of the voting authority. This authority is parceled into two equitable segments: 33.33% from online votes via the official website and KTX and another 33.33% from online searches conducted within LionhearTV, Dailypedia, and PH Entertainment. The remaining 33.33% is contributed by the blogging community, PR entities, and brand partners.

Show your support by voting for your favourite/s from each category ! Voting ends on December 4, 11:59PM.

(Drag Influencer of the Year Nominees : Precious Paula Nicole, Miss Jade So, Pura Luka Vega, Eva Le Queen, Marina Summers, Captivating Katkat, Taylor Sheesh & Bernie Diday)

These awards aren't merely about celebrating creators, achievers and personalities and their fans but also serve as thanks to the backers and allies of LionhearTV since the awards' inception in 2015.

Congratulations to all the nominees and let's get to voting!

xx,

Interested in writing for From Manila with Love Blog?

Follow From Manila with Love here!
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bloglovin

I love a ready-to-go, multi-purpose, sleek, and convenient catch-all for anything and everything—be it a skincare or household item.

And as it turns out, with the re-branding of Issy and Co. to just Issy, they released this 'purse-friendly' mini palette to cater to both casuals and make-up experts alike. So I snapped some shades up during a sale, along with the case, to try it out.

This (roughly) 4x2.5 inch palette can be specifically curated for the eyes or face with the multitude of pan combinations available. You can make a blush + shadow palette. An all-matte eyeshadow palette. Highlighter and contours only. Blush and bronzer. All glitter...etc. The list goes on.

The empty case retails for ₱299

The different pans you can combine :

Eyeshadows (₱149/single colour insert)

22 Mattes (shimmer-free)
4 Satins (pearlescent)
5 Foils (metallic)
3 Mirrors (glitter)

Blushers (₱249/single colour insert)

9 shades

Bronzers (₱249/single colour insert)

3 shades

Contours (₱199/single colour insert)

3 shades

Highlighters (₱199/single colour)

3 shades

If you don't want the fuss of making your own combinations, there are pre-curated palettes available for both eyes and cheeks!

I got a bronzer in Torch, blush in Rave, contour in Storm, and a highlighter in Blonde. As always the packaging is top-notch. With clear labels, text layout, and security measures all around. This designer is pleased.

While magnetic pans and DIY custom palettes with different inserts aren't new and groundbreaking, they're re-introduced to a newer generation of beauty lovers. These are distinctly branded to be marketed towards the on-the-go, tiny-bag toters, Y2K-esque, and androgynous base.

Makeup swatches

The powders differ slightly in texture but all remain soft to the touch - not creamy nor crumbly.

The payoff is pretty good. Not at all sheer nor overly pigmented. As Goldilocks said, just right.

Makeup swatches

Torch, the bronzer looks a little warm or red but that's to be expected. It was labeled as a neutral bronzer though but I think it needs a smidge more coolness to it.

Rave is a fun cool lilac on the cheeks. I'm happy it doesn't look off on my light-medium olive skin. I've been trying to experiment more with purple and lilac blushers for the past few months. The other one I've been trying is a cheek stick from Vice, their One & Done stick in Purpleism.

Storm is the perfect medium neutral contour on me. Period.

While Blonde is your typical frosty champagne, it blends well enough on me so the 'yellow' tint isn't obvious. It has fine glitters that you can't feel to the touch giving you a 'wet-look' glow.

All powders don't have any scent to them. And overall I'm enjoying everything. I can easily chuck this in my bag if I need to get ready in the car. Or as my travel palette for vacation.

Happy to report that it's a great addition to my dresser. Have you tried any of these? Which ones are you most likely to try?

xx,
CJ

Issy links

Instagram : www.instagram.com/issyandcompany/?hl=en
Shopee : shope.ee/1fqFubbCfH
Lazada : https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/issy-company/?path=index.htm

Interested in writing for From Manila with Love Blog?

Follow From Manila with Love here!
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bloglovin

mabeob restaurant review blog image of inside the restaurant

I'm not the biggest fan of Korean barbeque or Samgyeopsal, but I wouldn't say no to a P299 KBBQ.

If you're a local of Cainta or Rizal, there's a plethora of hole-in-the-walls, mom & pop restaurants, and cafes. K-bbq places are also much more accessible than before when they first came to the scene. Unlimited pork, chicken, and sides (banchan) for less than P399? It's a bit questionable, but I'll try anything once.

a photo of a menu of mabeob and inside the restaurant

Pork flavors

Honey garlic
Spicy pork
Pork curry
Pork soybean

Chicken flavors

Chicken Teriyaki
Chicken bulgogi

a photo of silver serving trays containing meat

This small unassuming kbbq place is located inside a subdivision, directly in front of SM East Ortigas. As this is a small place, there's no parking, unfortunately. The nearest would be at SM already. Unless you know someone who lives near where you can park. Now, we did get the promo price of P299 instead of the standard price of P399, but still, not bad. Especially since the quality, marinade, and thinness of the meats were pretty good.

Tip: Try the kimchi and cucumber side salad (oi muchim)

Unlimited pork and chicken - P299 (regular price P399)

Drinks
Side dishes
Soup
Lettuce
Sauces

Unlimited beef, pork and chicken is P399 (regularly priced at P499)

a photo of the meats at mabeob and the side dishes

The place was clean. The offerings were neatly arranged, and the tables and chairs were adequately spaced. The veggies looked and tasted fresh, and most importantly the meats were not super fatty, nor did they smell off.

No flies anywhere and the place was air-conditioned. Great right?

BUT...

There weren't any exhaust fans for the smoke and if there were, they didn't turn it on. So you will be completely and I mean it, be completely soaked with the smell of smoked meat. From your hair to your clothes. Eau de pork anyone?

a close up of a table grill with pork slices on it cooking

For P299, I have no other complaints other than the lack of exhaust. If you're willing to smell like smoke and meat for the rest of the day, I recommend you check this out if you're in the area.

xx,

Mabeob

2 Street Saint Joseph Subdivision, Baranggay Sto. Domingo, Cainta Rizal

Notes: No parking

Landmark: In front of SM East Ortigas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mabeob.samgyupsal

Interested in writing for us?

A fraghead is someone who collects, reads about and discusses fragrances. Simply said, a person who loves to inquire, read, and discuss perfumes in more detail other than 'this smells good/this smells bad'.

I believe I tick those boxes, although this is just a self-diagnosis. Buying perfume is an expensive vice or hobby (depending on where you are in your fragrance obsession) so some brands are not enticing enough for me to try, especially niche and high-end designers like Tom Ford and Diptyque. So what I do is go to clone houses.

Clone house - Perfume brands that specialize in creating clones or duplicates of scents of more 'expensive' brands/houses.

Here are 3 local clone houses that you should keep on your radar

Eternal Scents and Fragrances

Safe to say this might be my favourite local clone brand as of the moment. The glass bottle is simple and easy to stack -albeit being pretty basic and devoid of imagination. That said, this is the longest wearing perfume and 'closest to the real thing' that I own.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CJ Sū (@manilawithlove)

I've tried US clone brands that are close to their inspiration as well and while I like those immensely, this brand is pound for pound or drop for drop(?) better. Mostly because it's easier to acquire. The presentation is (box, ribbons, and hand-written note from the owner) *chef's kisses* as well.

The roster of scents is quite large in my opinion, they have Tom Ford, Diptyque, MFK, and Le Labo for the niche and Chanel, Dior, etc for the higher-end lines. Some celebrity brands and designers are there as well, but personally if you're going for clones, go for the clones of high-end or niche.

Talking about the fragrance itself, there might be some sharpness in the scent or a note or two differences. Despite that, to a casual fraghead (or non-fraghead), their mixes are pretty good copies. Longevity is approximately 6+ hours

I recommend Eternal Scents for people who want a cheaper backup or every-day version of their pricey fragrances. Shhhh! They won't know the difference!

Price range : ₱450 - 550

Store link : eternalscentsmnl.com

Symmetry Lab

I don't have much experience with Symmetry Lab compared to Eternal (where I have had more than 4 scents in total), I only have this one clone of Carolina Herrera Good Girl.

Let's start with packaging. First of -the bottle design is gorgeous. The all black square bottle is visually different from most local clones. Topping it off is a nice wooden cap, very reminiscent of Nasomatto. The box itself lends a bit more credibility and adds to the over-all brand presentation.

As for the scent, at first it was more alcohol-heavy than I expected. It also didn't last long and didn't project. So I kept it in my closet for a few weeks. Tried it again in cooler weather and it fared much better- stronger and more projection. Definitely less alcohol in the first spray and lasted longer over-all (approximately 4-5 hours). Please note that I spray quite heavily, a minimum of 5 sprays in total for all my fragrances.

I read this particular scent is very close to the original, which prompted me to get it. Bottomline? It's a pretty solid introduction to the scent without shelling out a lot of money. Symmetry also produces popular niche as well as designer fragrances, similar to Eternal Scents, though the latter has a wider range of offerings.

I recommend Symmetry Lab for people who are looking for an over-all good scent in display-worthy packaging. Great for gifting because of the box!

Price range : ₱499 - 1,250

Store link : shopee.ph/symmetrylabph

Le Fofo

Like Symmetry, I only have one scent from this brand but that's enough for me to sing its praises.

Housed in a plastic tub, inside a velvet pouch is this cylindrical bottle and "Sauvage" cap. To be honest they really got me with this unique bottle design. I've only ever seen this type of bottle in designer brands. The label is quite simple, maybe a bit 'cheap-feeling' but the over-all look is good for gifting.

What I do like about this particular scent is the oil content and the fragrance itself. It's a clone of a discontinued fragrance of By Killian. That day I was looking for a coconutty scent that I could layer with my other fragrances, to get the 'beach sun tan/sunscreen lotion' vibe and I heard that By Killian Love The Way You Feel was a great scent for that particular profile.

While this doesn't say much in the projection department, it makes up for it in the longevity office. (*sorry*)Lasts for about 4-5 hours on my skin, but layered with another fragrance lasts up to 6+.

This brand is lovingly hand-made with the perfume oil flown from Dubai!

I recommend Le Fofo to people who are looking for discontinued and luxury/niche fragrances.

Price range : ₱699-900

Store link : https://shopee.ph/fofosboutique?categoryId=100630&itemId=13421852202

I know there are a lot more brands out there I have yet to try. What clone brands do you love or would you like featured? Let me know in my socials or email!

xx,

PS. The sprayers and atomizers for all of these brands are pretty good except the Eternal one- it's a hit or miss tbh. Some Eternal bottles tend to leak as there's a high oil content in the liquid and it loosens the cap.

Interested in writing for From Manila with Love Blog?

At the start of 2020, people tried their hands at viral recipes and trying popular as seen on 'social media' products, delving into untapped interests or re-discovering them as well as acquiring new hobbies. Hobbies that some have turned into viable businesses as the months (and years) dragged on.

I don't know about everyone else, but I think coffee started slowly becoming a thing after that first viral wave of 'dalgona' coffee. Then came 'viral posts' and reviews of international chain coffee shops, then pop-ups and kiosks then finally the local 'mom-and-pop' start-ups which seem to always have picturesque furniture, walls, art, drinks and foodstuffs.

NOTE : I know coffee has always been here, and it's always a thing (I see you fellow coffee addicts) but I believe, the coffee craze really picked up at the start of 2020 and it never really died down.

These local coffee places/cafés don't always looks the same or have the same 'aesthetic' but most if not all, look great in pictures.

Kaulayaw Coffee

This initial visit didn't impress. The monte cristo while good was laughably minuscule. The coffee was watered down (stayed at the pass too long probably). The small bowl of tuna pasta was expensive for what it was. The service from the staff was poor (we waited too long to get a menu, for each dish as well as the bill). We eventually came back but to a different branch, and had a much better experience.

First of all, I'm ecstatic and proud that we have local businesses thriving under normally difficult circumstances. It's also quite refreshing to know that most of these are run by people around my age- younger even. It speaks to the mindset of people that having one's own business is the same as or even better than going the corporate route.

Now, I've tried a number of these local shops to date, and more and more keep popping up on my feed to try (don't worry I'll visit you all!) I noticed something interesting.

Kaulayaw Coffee - The food and coffees were good. The view was stunning. A bit pricey though. Definitely worth a visit.

The more photo-op friendly the place is or the more 'ig-worthy', the more 'meh' the menu will be. These cafés all have good to great coffee. The coffees are also priced appropriately, some could knock off the price to like 10 to 15 pesos less, but I digress. But the food accompanying these coffees is, let's just say, not worth the price I pay.

So I'm no expert in the food and beverage industry nor am I a restaurateur or coffee/café connoisseur but I think I know when some prices just don't jive well with the end-product I receive.

My family has always had businesses involving food so yeah I have a deeper understanding of it than maybe a regular-shmegular consumer.

Coffee Rush

Not sure if this will be visited again in the future. The coffee was ok. The food was a big no and overpriced. The service could be better, but I can't fault that since they seem to be new, or at least they act like they're new. The place though is big, gorgeous, and can pack quite a number of people. Perfect place for events.

Cafés with 'overlooking areas/view' tend to have not the greatest food. There are outliers that I actually do recommend (some are mentioned in this post), but some are just made to be photographed and posted on your feed. Most times, the coffees are really the only thing keeping me as a patron.

Now I'm aware that maybe the cost of gas, the ingredients to make certain things compound etc, but I don't just say it just to be a cheap-ass. These café/restaurants with 'a view', in my opinion, really overprice their food, and paired with sub-par service (cold food, basic menu, inattentive staff) it really is the final nail on the coffin. You're left with the realization that it was the view that you actually paid for, not much else.

Okay, the view is great, to keep things positive here. And the pictures that you take there are bound to turn out quite pretty. But I don't know about you, the thing I came for was a good experience, and that tends to include the food and drinks, not just the pictures I can post on my feed.

Kape Natividad

The coffee was good. The food was delicious. The price was great. The view was lovely.
I recommend the pizza :) I only go for either black or lattes so regardless of the cafe, my coffee will be pretty standard. Highly recommend this place. Try not to go during peak times as this will be packed and service will be slow.

I think I've ranted long enough. Which cafés and restaurants don't you like because of the price or service? As for other cafes I love to go to, Little Flour/Wildflour has my heart and SOUL as well as Kape Natividad. Oild would be here but they closed their one and only store :( . For more well-known stores, Coffeebean & Tea Leaf is *chef's kisses* and I'm a slave for Mickey D's and Dunkin's coffees. I would put Starbucks here too but lately, I'm liking it less and less.

Read my experience with another local cafe here: KAULAYAW COFFEE RIZAL

xx,
CJ

PS. The photos I used are mixed with the good cafes that I like. So not everything here was 'bad'. Also, I made a post YAY! You have no idea how great this feels to post something again here.

Interested in writing for us?

The first time I tried Kaulayaw Coffee I was left feeling severely underwhelmed and a tiny bit perplexed. The café itself was gorgeous, the styling quaint, unassuming and minimalist, the staff, while not as warm and approachable, were not rude. So hopes... were still springing... eternal? Idk how the saying goes.

Bottomline I was expecting the food to be worth it. The coffee is amazing heck even standard fare and the service is swift and reliable. But what I got was, well, was just bad. As I mentioned, the people weren't necessarily rude, but they weren't forthcoming, approachable, and accessible- most of the time we couldn't find anyone that could take our order, follow up our order and get our bill so we can rush out of that place. The food was a touch expensive for what it was and how little you get. The serving size was smaller than average. And the coffee was quite meh.

Anyway, that was that business. I wrote out Kaulayaw from my cafés to revisit. But...but then they posted a pic on Facebook. And suffice to say I was intrigued. It looked quite nice. I basically gave Kaulayaw another chance because I like pretty things. The Tanay, Rizal branch, looked picturesque. Pretty enough for a second shot.

The garden alfresco dining setup was refreshing. Not many people were there and the tables were spaced well so there was no chance of someone breathing down my neck or me 'accidentally' overhearing a scandalous conversation.

They messed up our order and when it was pointed out, they rectified it asap (gave us another fresh serving of food) Amazing service!

So regarding the price, it was still a little bit overpriced for me. But I kinda get it, you're paying for the beans of the coffee to be ethically sourced and locally grown (which kudos, that's amazing!). Also, look at that view- absolutely stunning.

Finally, delicious coffee. The coffee I chose was admittedly one of the more affordable ones on the menu but it was pretty good. The whole drip coffee setup that I was given was quite nice. I drink a tonne of coffee but I'm no coffee connoisseur, that said, I thought the coffee was delicious.

There was an adjacent building under construction overlooking the area and it turned out to be a 'closed' area for Kaulayaw still. Maybe I'm due for another visit. I'll just stick to the coffee this time.

Would I recommend this place? Yes! The view. The aesthetics and the coffee are all good. The food is ok, just a teeny tiny bit overpriced for me. But maybe it's worth it for you.

Kaulayaw Coffee
Location : Tanay Branch: Kaulayaw At Cuyambay, Cuyambay Crossing, Tanay Rizal
Waze : It's on Waze!

xx,
CJ

Interested in writing for us?
Follow From Manila with Love here!
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bloglovin