Confessions of a Kpop Fangirl :)

Now Playing: No Other - Super Junior

 It was the night of September 27, 2010 when my friend showed me the video of No Other. At first i was hesistant to watch because back then i was only a fan of Korean Drama but not Korean Pop. Good thing my friend insisted because she was a die hard that time. The first 3 seconds of the video was enough to convert me into a Super Junior and a Kpop fan in general. The music video was beautifully made. It looked so fresh and the artists in it are undeniably gorgeous in every way. I can still remember my first reaction after watching the video. It was the words, “ang gwapo naman nyan”. Believe it or not, even after 3 years, I still tend to say those exact same words in recent Super Junior videos. 

The past 3 years of my fangirl life had its ups and downs, joy and tears, excitement and fulfillment. One thing's for sure, i do not regret every single moment of it.

Some would say i kind of wasted 3 years of my life for Kpop. One who does not experience it would surely never understand. The journey helped me learn more, gain more, and enhance my skills more. So as a confession, i would like to thank Kpop because...

*I was able to meet the most resourceful version of me

Being a fangirl is not a waiting game and expect things to happen. You make it happen. If you want albums and merchandise, you save for it and find ways to buy it. If you want to watch videos and listen to songs, you search for it. If you want to see your favorite groups, watch them in concerts, fanmeets, and other showcases.

All those i mentioned are easier said than done. That's why a fangirl must work hard smart for it.

*It taught how to spend money wisely

At 23, i think i am very convinced that the best things in life aren't free. Especially in a fangirl's life. For the past 3 years i have been budgeting like crazy just to fulfill my priorities. That's the key, having your priorities. There are things you really want and there are things you can't live without. Try to identify those you can't live without and prioritize them. When i said earlier that i had no regrets with the experience, it was because i only do what is worth it for me.

*I was able to enhance my skills in PR, Sales, and Marketing

As an example of being resourceful, i created an online Kpop store in 2011 called Fangirls Dreamshop and started selling Kpop-related items so i can get some merchandise at a cheaper cost. I have a supplier in Korea who provides me the items that i need. Setting up a store may be one of the best decisions i made because all my job interviews have asked me about it and even at work, my officemates are curious about how i was able to do it. I am proud to say that the business is still on going for more than 2 years already.

*I met a lot of great people who i also cherish as friends

It is nice to find people who share the same passion as yours. In the world of Kpop, you can meet a lot of people online, fan events, gatherings, concerts, and more. The simple conversation about your bias group can lead to a very fruitful friendship. I was lucky enough to know some people along the way and eventually became my friends.

*It taught me to see the world with an open mind

The Kpop fandom is like an independent community from the real world where people have different insights and opinions. Communicating with other fangirls has enlightened me with other people's culture, practices, and beliefs. Kpop is globally acknowledged and each person is different. I was fortunate to get to know a lot of different people because of my love for Kpop.

As you can tell, if not for Kpop, i wouldn't have experienced those things i mentioned. It was one hell of a ride and i am very much willing to continue this journey. It's not really how Kpop changed me but how Kpop helped me acquire and learn all those things that i know will be helpful in the future. But for now,

Thank you Kpop! For everything!
Given a chance, i would definitely do it all over again.

Tony Moly Haul

It's sembreak! My last one! I haven't posted in ages because school has been crazy and what a better way to have a comeback than a haul post, right? (eeeecckk). Anyway, SM Fairview is on sale for this weekend and i was very happy to know Tony Moly Boutique also had their own 50% off sale for selected items!

I didn't even think twice right after school, i went straight to their boutique! It was nice to see some old and new faces in their store. I think i went there so many times that almost all Tony Moly SM Fairview branch store assistants are like my friends already. They know what are my favorites and which products i do not want! They also update me with their new collections and stuff. I believe they're also the reason why Tony Moly has been my favorite Korean cosmetic brand so far.

Moving on with the haul, almost all the items that i got are on sale! If not, i badly needed the item or it was part of the new collection.

I got 2 lip glosses from their latest collection, the Cat's Wink Collection. I've been meaning to do a review on this one because i have to say, i have been using this as a lipstick instead of a gloss and it works great.

(Price: 348php each) 

I am kind of addicted to luminous products recently and Tony Moly has been releasing products to satisfy my luminous needs in my make up collection. First i was able to try their Goddess Aura BB Cream and i love it. This time, i am trying out this Luminous Sheer Base and let's see what it can do.

(Price: 349php at 50% off)

Another colored gel liner! I have the turquoise one which i used in my Funky Town Make Up Tutorial (click HERE) I can't wait to try out this one!

(Price: 179php at 50% off)

I also got the Mineral Skin-fit Snow Blusher! It's more of a gel to liquid type of blush and i have yet to try this type. I am more of a powder-cream blush person and this will be a nice product to experiment with.

(Price: 189php at 50% off)

This one's an essential! I need make-up remover/cleansing tissues especially when i go out. It's easier to bring and doesn't take up a lot of space in my make up bag.

(Price: 64php at 50% off)

Party Lover Crystal Eye Decoration - it's an eyeliner and eyeshadow in one product and it comes with a lot a fun colors. It's the only color left and luckily i don't have this shade yet.

(Price: 124 php at 50% off)

My first ever colored mascara. I was supposed to use this for my graduation pictorial but there were change of plans! One of my professors use this color on her lashes as well and i think i would love to try this as well.

Lastly, the Cat's Wink Mascara! You can choose either curling and voluming that comes with lengthening. Of course, i purchased the voluming one. I always experiment on my mascara and i hope this product will always be available since so far, it has been a promising one.

Price (348php)

I can do a review on specific product if you guys want to. Just tell me which product i should do first :) Anyone of you who have used these products as well? :)

YOKE Necklaces

I know i've been quiet for a while now because there are so many things happening in school! A lot of you may know that we almost had a "sembreak" during August because of all the typhoon suspensions and holidays that occured during that month. Sadly, all of our professors are rushing right now with all the academic requirements especially with Feasib and Thesis this September because we do not have much time left for this semester.

While i was busy doing some school work, a package arrived and i think i know what's inside! :) Those were the YOKE necklaces that i ordered! 

Now what is a YOKE necklace?

YOKE stands for Your One-stop shop by Kzar Eusebio. It is all about cotton made neck pieces and accessories which is a better and more fashionable alternative for scarves. It is 100% handmade and every time you order, there will be i think a week of waiting time before you can have your necklace. Since the neck pieces are made-to-order, you can definitely customize the design with your own color of choice. 

I bought my first YOKE shirtcessory months ago and i am addicted to it. YOKE releases different collections and designs almost every season. A month ago, The Holiday and Cotton Candy Collections were released. I added the link of both collections so you can check it out.

What i love about YOKE necklaces is that i can wear them for both hot and cold weather. I use the thicker ones instead of wearing a jacket or scarf when it's slightly raining or it's cold. YOKE also released thinner and lighter designs for the hot weather. It's not irritating to wear compared to metal or steel necklaces because it's made from very soft cotton. I have a tendency to sweat that much and the color of some of my necklaces fades whenever i wear them on a very hot day. I'm very thankful that won't happen to my YOKE shirtcessories.

I also like the fact that it's very eye catching. There wasn't a time that i wore a YOKE necklace and people didn't notice it. A lot of my friends have asked me where i got this fancy accessory. I wear this to school over a plain shirt or tank and i prefer that but you can also go wild by wearing this over a printed dress or top. Print on print styles are very trendy these days.

Here are the individual photos of the necklaces,

My first YOKE ever! This has been overused already!

Perfect for the cold weather! I use this instead of a scarf.

New YOKE! Excited to wear this! :)

I had this customized! The original design was in a different color :)

So far that's my collection! I know this will get bigger soon especially the holiday season is coming i am planning to buy more! :) if you want to have your own YOKE necklace, visit their Facebook page HERE!

Enjoy!

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream Giveaway Winner

Sorry for the super late announcement! It's been crazy at school that's why this will be a very fast and short post.

A month ago, i had my Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream Review and Giveaway (Read about it HERE) Thanks to Got It Shop for sponsoring this giveaway and also to those who joined! It was a pleasure hosting this one.

Here it is! The winner of the giveaway :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations JAMAICA ISABEL BUGUIS.

You may send a message to Got It Shop on Twitter or Facebook on how to claim your prize.

For those who didn't win, don't fret! I am already planning my next giveaway! :)

Review: EOS Lip Balms

Evolution of Smooth or EOS lip balms are said to be 95% organic and 100% natural. It contains ingredients like Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E which provides enough moisture and smoothness to the lips. I got these 3 lip balms for 625php at Chic Cosmetics Manila because the they were on sale that time. The original price is at 685php. 

L-R Sweet Mint, Passion Fruit, Strawberry Sorbet

There were a lot of raves about this product found on Youtube and this product had me with its very cute packaging. I use lip balms all the time and i think EOS has the most adorable packaging. Whenever i bring this to school people always ask me what is this egg-shaped thing that i put onto my lips.At first glance, no one would have guessed that this is actually a lip balm. 

L-R Sweet Mint, Passion Fruit, Strawberry Sorbet

The inside looks something like this! Another thing that caught me about EOS lip balms is the smell. It's very addicting! There are times when i open my lip balm just to smell them (weird). I am not a fan of minty scents in make up but this one has a hint of sweetness that comes with the mint and i love it very much. The bestselling scent i think is Strawberry Sorbet and i can tell you why because the moment you smell it, you just wanted to eat it. Passion Fruit also smells good but i think that would be my least favorite of the 3 flavors but it still smells nice.

The moisture it gives is just enough for me. I may have other lip balms that is more moisturizing but this is not bad. EOS lip balms are not too greasy that's why i use this one before i apply my lipstick. The color pay-off of my lipsticks are great whenever i apply EOS underneath them.

Now it's time for my pros and cons:

Pros:

Super adorable packaging

Has a wide range of heavenly scents

Gives enough moisture (for me)

Not too greasy on the lips

One of the best lip balms underneath a lipstick

You get a lot of product in one lip balm

Cons:

Product can be bulky to some and it takes a larger space in your make up kits (i actually do not mind).

Not enough moisture (to some of you)

Not available at your local retail store here in the Philippines (but it's available at Chic Cosmetics Manila)

Overall, it's one of the best lip balms for me. I would definitely repurchase but i know it won't be anytime soon because i have three as of now.

Do you use EOS lip balms too? Leave a comment below :)

What's on your Nachos?

A typical nachos from a Mexican restaurant contains a lot of toppings. The more toppings, the more expensive it is. Have you ever wondered what would be on your nachos if those restaurants just let you choose the toppings that you would personally like?

I've tried different kinds of nachos and there hasn't been one restaurant the sells my so called "dream nachos". It doesn't contains a lot of ingredients nor the toppings i want are very pricey. I do not know why i haven't found one yet the ingredients i used are found in a regular supermarket.

Just like any other dish, if you want it your way, you have to make it yourself. My "dream nachos" contain only four toppings!

Ingredients:

Ground Beef

Honey-cured Bacon

Button Mushroom

Melted Cheese

Tortilla Chips

I won't give the exact quantity of each ingredient i used because everything is up to you! Also, there won't be a step by step tutorial on how to make this because all you need to do is cooked everything that needs to be cooked and put it all on top of your tortilla chips. Although you have to be careful, combining all the ingredients i stated above may have a tendency to get VERY salty. As in crazy salty. So here are some tips on how you should cook all of those to make the saltiness just right.

Tips:

1. Do not use any oil while cooking the honey-cured bacon. It's called rendering, where you allow the oil from the bacon to come out while heating.

2. Use the oil from the bacon to cook the ground beef. No need for seasoning like salt and pepper. Believe me, it's tasty enough. After the cooking's done, drain the excess liquid from the beef.

3. Heat the mushroom in the microwave. You don't want to add unnecessary flavors by sauteing it.

4. While melting your cheese, try to add water until you get the desired consistency and taste.

It's as simple as that. In the end, my "dream nachos" came out perfectly. How about you? What's on your nachos?

Sexy, Free, and Single Giveaway Winners

Hello! This will be a quick post because i've been editing a video right now to show you guys! But i think i should post the winners for my Sexy, Free, and Single Ver. A Giveaway since all of you have been waiting for this!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who joined! It was overwhelming and it was nice to meet ELFs from all over the world through this giveaway! I am also very grateful to Super Junior Philippine ELFs who collaborated with me for this giveaway!

How did i choose the winner? I entered every entry in a notepad and copy-pasted to a randomizing software to help me choose.
So here are the winners!
Congratulations to the following,

Blogger Winner

Twitter Winner

You Tube Winner

If you see your entry above, please send me your Name, Address, and Contact Details to dana.galang@yahoo.com within 2 days so we can talk how am i going to give you the prizes!

Don't worry if you didn't win! I'll be having my next kpop giveaway soon! So stay tuned! I will announce another giveaway on my Youtube, Twitter, or here!

Congrats again to the winners! :)