Urbanista Manila Living in Style

Archive for the ‘Fashion and Beauty’ Category

My niece who’s now based in Canada came to town to have her and his husband’s (who is based in the US) church wedding.
It is a formal event. Strictly formal that is.
Being traditional and all, they need to tie the knot (again) this time in the church. My niece is not traditional at all, she just wants to make her dream wedding happen. And being one of the few chose guests to witness this momentous day in her life, I felt obliged to show my presence.
I bought this LBD a couple of years ago and I have not worn it since then. I even let our household help wear it to our barangay’s Halloween party thinking that I will not have the opportunity to rock it.
With the recent cut back in my paycheck due to my career change, I need to maximize the resources that are available (in my closet)
She is not traditional nor her husband although her husband’s main concern is telling the guests not to give them any gifts anymore. I admired my nieces, means of saying that monetary gifts are preferred as they cannot bring blender, oven toaster and all to Canada.
The invite reads: To save you looking, shopping or buying, here is an idea we hope you like trying.
Come to our wedding to wish us both well and bring an envelope to throw in our wishing well. Fill it with paper all colors will do.
Now that we have saved you all of that fuss, we hope you will come and celebrate with us
Although the groom does not agree to the idea of still requesting for monetary presents. I find the manner of informing the guests, cordial.
I asked the bride if it is okay to wear black to her wedding and she immediately replied it’s fine. The groom even agreed to the idea.
I already have my LBD, my only consideration for now (read: for now) is how I am gonna rock it. I mean the makeup and the bling.
The entourage will be having Barbie Chan as the makeup artist. And my ever reliable makeup artist is part of the entourage, so I am on my own. Since, I am still learning the tricks of painting my face, I guess I would have to jump on the bandwagon and shell out some serious cash.
In attending a formal wedding, here are some useful tips I have googled and gotten from Fashion.about.com
Do’s and Don’ts for Her

* Don’t wear white because it competes with the bride. There are plenty of other colors available.
* Don’t wear black or sequins during the daytime.
* Don’t worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can’t possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.
* Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn’t belong at a wedding. If you have to ask if it’s appropriate, it probably isn’t.
* Don’t wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns.
* Do take off gloves to eat or drink.
* Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn’t specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.
I am keeping my finger crossed that my shift would allow me to attend the wedding. I cannot go on leave yet because I am on probation.

I had facial waxing and eyebrow threading services at Lay Bare waxing salon yesterday. This time, I tried their Banawe branch which I find more spacious and cozy. The treatment cubicles are separated by walls and not curtains (the Ybardolaza branch looks like an ER set up) although you can still hear the other patients and attendants in the next cubicle.
The owner was there who was very accommodating.
Both the procedures were not as painful as before although I was asked again to pull down my lid when I had my eyebrow pruned. The attendant was very friendly too friendly that she’s talked a lot. She meticulously waxed my face and threaded all the missed out hair on my upper and lower lips and around the nose area.
I am really pleased with the service so I guess I found my waxing haven which is very near to my home and work.
I just have to keep in mind to tip the attendant next time because it really slipped my mind.

Well not literally.
I have been on steroids since October 2008 and while it has been gradually reduced from 50 mg to 10 mg, its side affect of hirsutism or unwanted hair growth and alopecia (hair loss of the head) still kicks in.
I have been thinking of getting a facial wax. I have been doing the hair threading of my eyebrows and of the hair on my upper and lower lips through Nisce in Megamalll but since that place is a bit far from my place, I decided to go somewhere nearer to my officer or home.
I learned about Lay Bare on the Internet so headed for their branch on Scout Ybardolaza. The place is not isolated and is accessible by public transpo. You may take a jeepney ride from Philcoa to Cubao Arayat or from Cubao Arayat or Kamuning, take Fairview or Philcoa. The problem though is, the business sign is hardly noticeable because of its dull color so it took me while to see it. I was actually standing in front of the building already and I was just texting my officemate to dial !87 for telephone directory to check on the branch’s phone number.

After staring a a pile of signs on the building, I was able see that Lay Bare is actually situated there. Goodness!

So I went in and requested for eyebrow threading, facial and half leg wax.

Eyebrow threading is damn right smack in the middle painful as it is! I literally cried. I have tried eyebrow waxing and it less painful but still painful.

Lay Bare’s claim for fame is the use of cold sugar wax and my hands are down to it. It is indeed pain less but I was horrified to see my face after the session, I was all red, swollen and burning hot!
I was so scared that I am allergic to the sugar wax but I was told that it was normal.
It’s a relief to see now that there’s no more redness, swelling and burning sensation
What I do not like in the entire process is that the attendant would instruct you to use both of your hands in stretching your lids while threading your brows. This really startled me. Imagine, you’re in total pain and you have to bother stretching your lids so that the attendant could get the tiniest hair.

While waxing my upper lip and cheeks, the attendant told me to push them out with my tongue. It’s a bit weir. Seriously, why can’t just let another personnel assist the attendant in performing the procedure to make it look professional and to make the customer experience a pleasant one.

Although the experience was surely unforgettable and unpleasant, I must say that I got the value for my money at a certain extent. I even tipped that attendant because she’s pregnant and she’s generally nice.
There are still some tiny hair left around the nose and on the areas.
The entire procedure cost me P550. To break it down, eyebrow threading: P100, face wax: P150, half leg: P300.
I would definitely go for their services again but I think I will try their branch on Banawe.
Oh btw, I had my mani and pedi at a salon on Espana cor. Vicent Cruz. I want to rock some rocker nails (read: black).
I though the salon has nothing pleasureable interiors but I was surprised that it is actually well designed and furnished. It even has a flat screen TV although it was switched off then. I endured Karylle’s voice all through out the session as it is being contasantly played on the radio.
I will check out the name of the salon tomorrow.
The manicure costs P60 while the pedicure costs P70.
There were two people who attended to me. One for the pedi and the other for the mani. I was pleased by their obedience as they followed my instructions not to cut my ingrown nails and my cuticles.
I had horrible experiences of mani/pedicurist who despite being repeatedly instructed insistently had it their way.
They also offer foot spa service with pedicure for P300 but I skipped it since I am not allowed to wet by legs four hour after they have been waxed.
This is just an Urbanista Manila day for less!

Maybe it’s weird and you could smack me on my head, but I feel relaxed when I smell a just opened balik bayan box.
Once in a while, I go to a sweat shop in a public market near our place. Before I skim for some loot, I would stand in front of the yard, close my eyes then breathe deeply.
It just mesmerizes me.