Archives for August 2016

The Rings: Getting a Second Wedding Band

August 26, 2016 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Ever thought of getting a second wedding band?:D While I have the wedding set of my dreams, an extra band can’t hurt!

I had a lot of fun working with the fiance for our bespoke wedding rings and e-ring. But I realized that together, my set looks a little matchy-matchy for every day, plus, there are times when I don’t feel like wearing anything sparkly. So, I thought of adding a simple band to my set.

Of course, I know it is strange to want a second wedding ring but I did a little research and found out it’s fairly common.

Incidentally, our jeweler emailed us about the rings (cuz they just hit production) just as I was telling my husband-to-be about my plan. He was amused at the idea because he knew I was just looking for an excuse to get more rings, hahaha! Well, he’s not wrong.

So! To cut the story short, I got our jeweler to create an extra simple band. I just love options (and frivolous things). Both rings will be presented during the ceremony so there won’t be a main ring, both will be considered as the wedding band. As we say here in the PH, the more, the many-er!

Just like always, I knew exactly what I wanted: a simple and delicate white gold ring. I would’ve gone with gold but for the sake of my fragile mental health, I went with the same metal as the rest of the set (the mismatched metal will bother me forever). All the rings will be engraved with “J+T 111216”.

My plan is to wear the simple band alone on most days. Since the second band is plain, it goes well with my rather unique engagement ring. I love that I can mix and match my set. I can wear the band alone, stacked with the sapphire and diamond wedding band, paired with my e-ring or all three together! Since my rings are slim, they still look dainty when stacked 😀

For reference, I wear a size 5 but I opted for 5.5 (in case my fingers get bloated). My e-ring and sapphire/diamond wedding band are about 2.5 mm in width while the plain one is 2 mm.

Do I recommend a second wedding ring? Well, that depends. If you’re like me who loves options or if you’re a sucker for stacked rings then by all means, get one. If you’re happy with a traditional set, then good for you!

I will say that not a lot of guys would be understanding of this decision, especially if the budget is stretched to its limit. My advice is, if you really want an additional ring, don’t include the extra expense to the total budget of the wedding unless your beau offered to pay for said ring. That’s not tacky, that’s being considerate.

If you want a cheaper ring, get one in silver, rhodium, or titanium. I actually considered picking something from Pandora (their rings are perfect for stacking) but decided against it because I read somewhere that mixing metals can cause damage to the jewelry. Most of Pandora’s rings are in silver (not sure if they sell gold, white gold, or platinum rings). Since the rings tend to rub against each other when worn, the material will wear away eventually. If one of the metal is softer, it will sustain more damage from friction. Not sure if this is true, but just to be on the safe side, I went for the same material.

Do I think getting 2 bands is a little excessive? Somewhat, yes. A second wedding ring isn’t really a necessity but I’m not gonna tell you how to spend your monies.

My only problem now is waiting for my set to finish! We were supposed to pick up the rings on the last week of August but because I added another ring, the schedule was moved to the second week of September, le ugh. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever, my ghad! I can’t wait to get my grubby paws all over the rings and stare at them for hours (which may also entail posting gratuitous ringfies here, hahaa!) So yes, please pray for me while I wait for my rings, huddled in a corner, dying on the inside.

Review: Maybelline ColorSensational Mattes in Nude Nuance & Clay Crush

August 21, 2016 by Tina Lee 3 Comments

I hate browns with a passion, I really do. But for fear of missing out, I picked a couple of brown lipsticks from Maybelline’s newest line of nude lippies!

Even as a teen, I stayed away from brown lipsticks. This was way back in the late 90s when a brown lip was everything. The closest that I got to wear brown was when I sported a peachy-brown Wet n’ Wild lip gloss in college. I got teased for it because the gloss was so shiny, it’s as if “I ate lechon” or something oily.

Even then, I only bought that shade because my friend, Cess, said I should get one. I gravitate towards popsicle pinks, peaches, and warm reds because these hues brighten my complexion. Browns, not so much.

But since brown lip is trending, I picked up a couple of lippies from Maybelline’s the ColorSensational Creamy Mattes. I got Nude Nuance (which I heard is always sold out) and Clay Crush.

I tried Nude Nuance (retails for PhP 299) first because it was the shade that stood out in the collection, at least in my eyes. I came across this shade when Christine of Temptalia reviewed several of the lippies in this range. On Christine’s lips, Nude Nuance yielded a light, orange-y brown tint, which looked good against her skin tone.

Swatch party!

On me, the shade looked extremely dark, like really brown. I was sort of mystified by this because Christine’s skin tone is similar to mine (warm-toned NC30-35) so imagine my surprise when Nude Nuance looked so stark against my skin. I do love a nice statement lipstick but I was looking for something subtle in a brown lipstick.

Nude Nuance made every fine line on my lips stand out! The staying power is not great too but that’s expected at this price point.

The second shade I picked up, Clay Crush, is a pretty, peachy-brown that applied lighter on my lip compared to the bullet but not J-Lo pale kinda nude at all!

I like this better than Nude Nuance because it’s exactly the kind of brown I’d go for. It doesn’t wash me out. This is a nice, everyday brown that pairs well with a smoky eye.

The line’s formula is creamy and opaque with a nice demi-matte finish. The scent is plasticky, which could be a deal breaker for some but I don’t mind it. Although creamy, the formula isn’t hydrating. When it fades (which it does patchily), it has a tendency to feel crusty on the lips.

My only gripe is, it tends to emphasize the lines on my lips. This is part of the reason why I rarely wear mattes, the formula makes my lips look extra pruney. And when I smile, the pigment tend to migrate away from my stretched lip lines, hahaha!

Staying power leaves a lot to be desired. It only lasted about 2 to 3 hours on me and it didn’t survive a drink. But again, at this price point, you can’t expect the formula to last for more than 3 hours, really.

Overall, the lippies from this collection are nice. They are velvety smooth and the colors are trendy. But despite being trendy, I still don’t see myself wearing dark browns. I plan to explore the lighter shades just to see if I can find the perfect peachy nude for me!

Remembering My Friend, Doy

August 12, 2016 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

I was checking out my “year in review” series just to see if I’ve missed a post (which I did, the 2010 review does not exist because it’s a black hole in my life that I’d rather not revisit).

I decided to click the first one I wrote in 2007 (yes, I’ve been blogging for almost 10 years now) just to see what kind of shit I was into back in the day but I didn’t expect to feel sad.

This particular post struck me deep because I made side notes about taking pictures with a friend:

That friend turned out to be Doy, who died 2 years ago. I met him back when I was starting out as a writer, scraping the bottom of the barrel and struggling with homesickness (being a probinsyana or from the province).

In the office, he was an imposing figure often seen lurking on the sidelines, trying his best not to stick out like a sore thumb. But blending in was hard for the poor fellow because of that sharp wit, and dry sense of humor. The guy could totally hand you your ass on a plate, physically and in writing, so most people were intimidated by him.

Doy was a brilliant writer, the first and only to earn the “master writer” title in the office. I looked up to the guy, what can I say?

I remember always waiting in anticipation for his next blog post, marveling at his adeptness in articulating his thoughts into words, complete with his sick, sick humor. He was fantastic.

When he found out that a couple of girls tried to pick a fight with me, he wasted no time insulting the shit out of these ladies and giving them the side eye of death.

He was the most random person I know. One time, he handed me a used shirt, it looked like it came straight from the ukay-ukay. It was a black, himul-mol-ridden Mario Bros. shirt. I might’ve mentioned how much I loved the game and he searched for that shirt just to give it to me. It was at least ten times bigger than my size. I’m kicking myself for losing that stupid shirt, ugh.

Well what do you know, I actually had a pic of the day I got the shirt!

I remember when I was jobless and Doy helped me out. He took me under his wing, gave me side jobs so I could earn a few thousand pesos that I’d later squander on cheap shoes and bags, hahaha! I came a long way, obviously. Doy, you’d be proud, I write coherent things nao, lol jk.

I remember him best for his passion for food. The dude totally created a Facebook group called Pinoy Frugal Chow Hound. The page is where local foodies come together to post food pics and other finds, as well as set up visits to undiscovered restos all over the metro, particularly in the Ongpin area. He would invite me over and over again to join one of the group’s many gastronomic adventures but I was always too shy to go (I didn’t know anyone).

When news of his death reached me, I couldn’t believe it. It feels like, at any given moment, he’d ping me on Facebook, telling me, “Ineng, meron ka bang close up photo mo at ni Dimitri? I want to use that photo in my art plate,” or “Ineng, available ka ba next week for a food trip?”

And the dead guy still gives me fits of giggles even now! One of his last messages to me was about my ex, when he found out that we broke up: “Thank God! I am sorry for you, that former guy (I forgot his name, but he used to be my writer) is a bit of a drama queen. And he scares me. Hahahaha.

Right in the jugular.

Doy, you jerk, how could you die?!

Review: Origins Make a Difference Plus + Rejuvenating Treatment

August 12, 2016 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Aging suck so in an attempt to delay the inevitable, I use Origin’s Make a Difference Plus+ rejuvenating treatment! Before this, I was a fan of Clinique’s classic Dramatically Different+ face cream, the one with the new gel formula. I loved that moisturizer, to be honest (and at some point, I will start re-using it again) but on my drier skin, it’s simply not hydrating enough.

A little backstory: The Origins rejuvenating treatment was something I stumbled upon when the brand made its re-entry in the local beauty scene. All the fuss about Origin’s return got me curious so I went to Mega Mall to visit its kiosk.

Since I was on a hunt for a good day and night cream then, I consulted with one of Origin’s SA, told him what my skin issues were (Sahara-dry skin, mild oiliness on the forehead, slightly sensitive, prone to clogged pores) and he recommended the Make a Difference Plus+ line. This line is comprised of light but hydrating skin creams, lotions, and serum, perfect for beauties with dry/combination, sensitive skin.

The Make a Difference Plus+ line is pretty comprehensive but I only got the essentials, the night cream, and the rejuvenating treatment. I did not get the day cream because I felt that the texture is too heavy for this climate and this turned out to be true. It seems the rest of PH agreed that’s why this product is always out of stock! After finishing a pot of the treatment, I just can’t go back to Clinique, this stuff is too good!

The Origins Rejuvenating treatment comes in a light green pot and yields about 50 ML of the product. It has a light, citrusy scent that’s never overpowering. The product has a gel-like consistency that glides effortlessly on the skin. It absorbs lightning fast, leaving the skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. The formula is gorgeous because it’s nourishing but it does not leave any heaviness on the skin. It is so lightweight that it is an excellent face primer too!

I use this at night (the SA said it can be used as a day or night cream), layering it over my skin serum. In the morning, I always wake up to super soft, translucent skin. Using this regularly, the Rejuvenating treatment shrunk my pores as well, giving the appearance of smooth skin. The rejuvenating treatment did not break me out, which is another plus!

I’ve been using this product continuously for more than six months and I tell ya, you need this! In fact, I always smooth out what little product is left on my hands (and chest) every night and I swear, my sister and boyfriend commented how soft my hands have become (all my life, my hands were notoriously rough, even my dad is puzzled).

At PhP2500+, this is pricier than most moisturizers but its hydrating, comforting formula really brightens my skin and evens out my complexion. It also kept my skin supple and plump so I guess it’s definitely worth the price 🙂

How Curcumin and Turmeric Protect from Cancer

August 6, 2016 by Tina Lee-Almazar | Tinaciouslee Leave a Comment

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in the world. In 2016, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the US alone. This disease does not discriminate; it can affect healthy children, teens, and seniors alike. Though incurable, there are many natural remedies you can utilize to protect yourself from cancer. Certain types of foods are naturally high in antioxidants, nutrients that address the root cause of this deadly disease: free radical damage.

Free radical damage is caused by reactive ions that target healthy cells, damaging each cell from the inside and triggering mutation. Once the mutation has started, it is only a matter of time before malignant cells start attacking major organs. Consuming foods high in antioxidants protect healthy cells from environmental stress and free radical damage, reducing the risk of cancer development!

Studies show that turmeric is an excellent remedy for many types of cancer. Apart from neutralizing free radicals, its active ingredient – curcumin – recalibrates the DNA to kill cancer cells.

According to clinical research, curcumin minimizes the effects of damaged or mutated DNA that allows cancer to spread to various organs by regulating the genes. In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation and stops healthy cells from transforming into tumors. It also inhibits the synthesis of a protein that is instrumental in the development of malignant tumors.

That said, it takes a concentrated amount of curcumin to protect yourself and your loved ones from cancer. Apart from adding more curcumin-rich foods to your daily diet, we recommend taking supplements that are enriched with antioxidants.

New (Blog) Look!

August 2, 2016 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

If you are a regular reader, then you’ll notice fresh changes on my site! Since Tinabytes was launched in 2012, it sported the same pastel color scheme, same header, theme, etc. and so I thought about giving my blog a new look (though the content will remain the same, I’m afraid)! 😛

This was not the first time I refreshed my blog’s look and every time I do it, I lose a lot of traffic so I revert back to the same old. This time around, I’m just “meh, let’s do it.”

I loved my old theme because it featured my Instagram pictures along with the site pictures on the left side of the screen but when I think about it, these images took the eyes away from the stuff that matters, which is the content.

I chose the Triton Lite theme because I love how it highlights the pictures along with short summaries. I thought this theme looks “cleaner” and more organized especially when used in conjunction with a subtle background 🙂 The search bar, categories, and the archives are now located at the bottom of the page as footer.

Hopefully, the new background is easier on the eyes. If you like clean (and free!) backgrounds, I highly recommend Subtle Patterns! As for the header, I just randomly Googled a nice cat header.

My social media channels are now placed on every post instead of being plastered on the homepage. This means when you click a post, my Instagram pics together with my Facebook and Twitter click-on buttons will be displayed on your right screen. Also, the header now serves as the “Home” button so when you click my cat Dimitri, you will be led back to the homepage.

I also removed the “Link Love” page and added a clickable text that leads to my portfolio site.

Finally, I changed my tagline from “Your Friendly, Neighborhood Cat Lady” into “A Beauty and Lifestyle Blog” because I thought the latter describes the content much better. And there you go!