What is Sample Room and How Does It Work?

Sample Room is a sampling site that banks on the power of free product sampling. True to their motto, "Try before you buy", Sample Room is an online community where you get to try certain products for free. You'll just have to pay a minimal shipping fee to get the products delivered to your doorstep. They encourage all their members to post a review about the products that they received. This way, other people get to read the reviews before they order and try the same product.

{My second loot from Sample Room is from Armada Sports and Celeteque}

Signing up is free. By creating a Sample Room account, you automatically gets 100 points which you can use to get free sample products. A maximum of three (3) products are allowed per transaction. After choosing the items you'd like to try and checking out, pay for a minimal shipping fee through their convenient payment methods and wait for your items to arrive at your doorstep. You'll get the points back when you rate and review the products on their website. You can also earn extra points by inviting friends to sign up. It's basically recycling your points so you get to try another batch of items. There are nine (9) product categories: skincare, hair care, body care, fragrance, cosmetics, tools, health, slimming, and lifestyle.

Some of their brand partners offer premium sample products but cost a thousand or more points. This is the reason why they have VIP members. To become a Sample Room VIP member, you need to pay Php599.00, which is equivalent to 1000 points that you can use for 2 months. More points mean you get more product samples from their premium brand partners. You will also receive earlier notification of product uploads as well as join VIP exclusive contests, promotions and events.

If you like what you just read, head to the Sample Room website, sign up and choose your first batch of items to try. :)

Review: Sutla Face and Body Bleaching Cream

I first heard about Sutla Face and Body Bleaching Cream (SFBBC) from a friend who was using the product a month ago. It is one of the most inexpensive bleaching creams available in the market but the big question is how effective is it? Is it harmful or not?

{The original jars of Sutla Face and Body Bleaching Cream; image source: https://www.facebook.com/oozedyardsale}

FDA Bans 26 Slimming Products

{Image source: literalgemini.onsugar.com}

SOURCE: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/

MANILA, Philippines -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the recall, seizure, and ban of 26 slimming products found to contain amphetamine, sibutramine, and steroids.

In a circular, FDA acting Director Suzette Lazo said these ''slimming products are not registered and not approved or authorized by this office to be sold in the market.''

The slimming products are sold in the form of capsules and slimming coffee.

The banned products are:
1. Ballet Dancer Fat Reducing
2. Bio-Lissom Fat Reducing
3. Brazilian Slimming Coffee
4. Cell Life Slimming Coffee
5. Elegant Shape Fat Reducing
6. Goodliness Fat Reducing
7. Happyslim
8. Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee
9. Lightness Fat Reducing
10. Maggie Fitness Essence
11. Mei Shen Ting Anti-Obesity
12. Modeling Fat-Reducing
13. New Original Lightness Fat-Reducing
14. Pearl White Slimming
15. Perfect Figure Slimming
16. Perfect Slim Fat Reduction Cosmetic
17. Perfect Slim Purely Natural Fat Reduction Cosmetic
18. Pill for Weight Reduction
19. Pretty Model
20. Qiaomei Fat Binder
21. Qi Xian Nu
22. Seven Days Miracle
23. Shaping Body Fat Loss
24. Slim and Beauty Slimming
25. Slim Up Extra Whitening and Reducing
26. Xianzimei Fat Reduction

FDA said it tested these products and found that they contained amphetamine, which the agency said is a dangerous drug; sibutramine, which was already withdrawn from the market; and steroid, a prescription drug.

''FDA's findings through laboratory tests showed the presence of amphetamine, sibutramine, or steroids, either singly or in combination with each other, in the above products,'' Lazo said.

She warned that these slimming products ''pose imminent danger or injury to the consuming public and the importation, selling or offering for sale of such is in direct violation of Republic Act No. 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.''

Lazo ordered FDA officers all over the country to ''seize immediately the above identified products from all outlets or establishments where they may be found for custody and proper disposition.''

In addition, she warned establishments against selling these products as they will be administratively and criminally penalized.

Lazo urged local government units to report outlets and establishments that sell the slimming products and enforcement agencies to arrest and file criminal case against establishments found to be selling the banned products.

The FDA list shows that most of these products came from China.

Review & First Impression: VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport 70

Another product from SampleRoom.ph, the VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Sport 70 claims to be one of the best selling products around the world because of its inducing lightweight comfort and efficacy even under extreme outdoor condition.

{Image courtesy of http://www.sampleroom.ph}

How To Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

Not too long ago, I posted on this blog how I encountered an eBay scam artist who sells fake Longchamp (LC) Le Pliage bags passing it all as authentic. Be vigilant when purchasing luxury bags as some of these people are heartlessly victimizing unsuspecting buyers. Here are some points to spot an authentic Louis Vuitton (LV) from counterfeit copycats.

Unboxing My October 2013 BDJ Box: I'm a Wild Thing!

My happy weekend was sealed with this BDJ box full of Maybelline make up that will help me express the wild child in me. I received this box just when we got home from the BDJ Fair.

Before we go through my BDJ Box, let me just mention that there are six different boxes released this month. Each box contains different set of Maybelline PH products that will help each of the girls express their inner self, for some are yet to be discovered.

{BDJ October Theme: Which type of girl are you?}

BDJ Fair 2013: It's Sunday, Funday!

I had the privilege to be one of the girls who received exclusive invites to the BDJ Fair 2013 which happened on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.

It was indeed a day full of fun activities from some of BDJ's lifestyle and beauty partner brands. I for one conquered my fear of heights by trying out the Bungee Jumping station and had my future determined through the Tarot Card Reading station.

My time and the throng of other bellas did not permit me to visit every booth at the fair but I am happy to share with you my personal experience at this year's BDJ Fair:

{The participants of scavenger hunt commencing their activities.}

{VIP Charity Pass and BDJ fair map and guide: Got the VIP Charity Pass for Php 100.00, which allowed us to attend 2 talks, get a loot bag with goodies from some of the fair's sponsors, passport for Bungee Jumping, Tarot Card Reading, Wall Climbing and Free Coffee of choice from CBTL.}

AirAsia Flies from Manila

I will never forget the first time I fly with AirAsia, the world’s 5-time best low cost airline according to Skytrax, because it was my first out-of-the-country adventure trip right after getting married to the man I can’t live without.

{The enormous AirAsia aircraft: Taken from the viewing deck of the airport}

Recipe: Homemade Buttered Shrimp with Garlic

I believe that fashionistas can still cook hearty food, especially those that are easy to prepare and requires few ingredients. Sometimes, cooking at the comfort of your kitchen can be rewarding. You can even invite your boyfriend or girlfriends and earn 10 beauty points instantly!

Presenting, my very own homemade Buttered Shrimp with Garlic - prepared with love :)

{Homemade Buttered Shrimp with Garlic}

Review: OraCare Merrymint Mouthrinse

A week ago, I received my first package from Sampleroom.ph, a sampling site that banks on the power of free product sampling. It is an online community where you get to try a certain product for free (you'll just have to pay a minimal shipping fee to get the products delivered to your doorstep) and post a review about the products you received. This way, other people get to read your review before they order and try the same product. Really cool, right?

As for me, I tried 2 items (as most items are already sold out!) - an 80mL bottle of OraCare Merrymint Mouthrinse and 2 boxes of Carbtrim Iced Tea Mix. I get to try these products and I must say, they're both worth it! This post is about OraCare Merrymint Mouthrinse. I will post my personal review about Carbtrim Iced Tea on a different post.

{OraCare Merrymint Mouthrinse 80mL (Php57.20); 250mL (156.20)}

Before we go through the nix and everything, let me tell you a story. The same day that this package arrived, I  went to a mall to meet a client. While waiting for my client, I was tempted to buy a mango and bagoong (shrimp paste). Needless to say, I gave in. I was halfway into finishing my serving when my client finally sent a text message informing me that she is inside the mall and asked where can she find me. Panic stricken, I reach inside my bag and luckily, I found the OraCare Mouthrinse that I received from Sampleroom.ph. I sprint to the loo, pour me some of this OraCare mouthrinse and prepared myself not to feel my mouth as I gargle (my mouth usually turned numb every time I use a mouthwash). To my surprise, it does not sting at all! I got the fresh breath that I desperately need at the time without the sting. :)

So, what's this OraCare Merrymint Mouthrinse? It is a mouthwash that contains Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide. Its no-alcohol formulation keeps the mouth's natural moisture and provides a clean, fresh feeling without the painful burning sensation and sting. It is gentle enough for the mouth's sensitive and delicate tissues so it can be used as often as needed.

It does not have alcohol (which is the main reason why it does not sting) and strong flavours present in other mouthwashes. Unlike most mouthwashes, it is colorless but it does have a fresh sweet minty smell. Its main ingredients are Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, purified water and spearmint flavor.

Will I buy another bottle? Yes, definitely. After it saved me from a possible client loss, I will surely stick with it for a long time. :)

Note:

I am in no way connected to Pascual Laboratories, Inc., the makers of this product. They did not ask me to review their product for them. I created this post in good faith to give feedback and share the effect of this product to me. Please know that you may have a different view or experience with this product.

SM Advantage Members' Exclusive: 1-Day Shoes and Bags Sale

If you're an SM Advantage member, be fashionably ready for this year's festivities without overspending. Just make sure to make this one day shoes and bags sale by SM Store.

Product Review: Flawless Papaya Soap

I was browsing my Facebook notification some months ago when I first read about Flawless Papaya Soap. It claims to whiten skin in as early as two weeks. Flawless papaya soap has a micro peeling effect that helps remove a light layer of skin to reveal smoother, younger looking skin. It has whitening and bleaching ingredients, can remove fine lines and wrinkles, lightens dark spots and freckles, blemishes and other minor skin pigmentation. It promises to lighten minor scars and stretch marks as well. The advertisement shows a body of a woman displaying the difference of her skin color before and after she use the soap.

Because more and more people buy this soap and express changes on their skin complexion, I gave in and ordered my first batch of Flawless Papaya soap from a trusted seller just to try if it’s going to be effective to me, too. I got it for a very low price of Php20.00 per bar.