The Shelf: January 2016

Golly, time flies when you're having fun. And the holiday season just flew by!

Now, in the middle of the daily slog, I'd like to reflect on the products I've used (and am still using) this year.

So I'll start off the year with this month's Shower Shelf.



Because it's always nice to make lists.

Clear Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo

Okay, I bought this just coz it kept popping up in my feed for some reason, but I have no regrets! At P50 for 80 ml, I was able to see if Clear Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo is for me.

Clear Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo

Special selling point: Sakura fragrance claim! Not very Fall-Winter/Wet/Cold weather appropriate, so this may have affected my perception of it :P

Dove Whitening Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant in Original

Running out of my previous underarm helper, I decided to try Dove Whitening Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant in Original. This was bought BOGO so there's a piece of plastic that's been resistant to removal.

It wasn't until I bought it that I realized that it was startingly similar to something else.

Retinol Anti-Aging Cleansing Towelettes

In the box my Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum was a single sample of one of their towelettes.

I've had it with me for some time since I was reserving its use not as a pre-serum wipe, but as an emergency facial cleanser since it was already conveniently pre-packaged. As such, it's spent a while in my bag getting squished into this shape.

I like that it clearly states its size so you're not quite so surprised. It's supposed to prepare skin for Retinol, though I didn't use it for that purpose. I finally got the chance to use it and…

Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Eyebrow

My everyday makeup (I actually have one now) is composed of two products, and the Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Eyebrow in Medium Brown is one of them.

Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Eyebrow

It's not the prettiest looking pencil, but for P60 (~$1.50), it does its job wonderfully!

Subspace Coffee House, 2015

(This used to be a combined post, but I have separated this entry and a previous one to create an Ortigas cafe list.

Honestly, I came in to Subspace looking for a pumpkin spice latte - this has been unavailable forever. While there was no pumpkin to be had, there are some differences from years ago.

Subspace Coffee House serve a variety of products now. Aside from their pastries, coffee based drinks, and signature drinks before, they serve more drinks including milkshakes, milk teas and "stormies" and various other edibles including finger foods and entrees.

Subspace Menu

Some parts of the decor has changed from my last visit, though not as much as its first year. There is a chair installation on the ceiling which has been there for a while. The cafe is a bit cozier since more seating has been added from before, but since I came during a slow day, it did not feel cramped. They have a projector, possibly for events, and manga you can read at the bar area.

Subspace Coffee Maker Wall

I particularly liked this wall which had a coffee machine painted on.

Wifi available for a minimum purchase of P150 with limited outlet availability. Music a bit inappropriate for study  but good for a relaxed atmosphere with just the right temperature. While the drink I ordered was delicious, no latte art for me :(

Subspace Coffee Shop is Kpop themed. Instead of basic coffee, I'd recommend trying their purple potato and latte, peanut butter latte and anything in their sweet and unique section.

Nature Republic Real Nature Mask Sheet in Aloe

On An Aloe Vera Kick! Just a month ago, I went on about Aloe Derma's Aloe Gel. I liked it so much, I decided to give other aloe products a go.

During Nature's Republic's last sale, I picked up a tub of their Aloe Vera Gel and one of their sheet masks in Aloe. I got a small sample of their Green Derma mild cream as a gift with purchase.

Starbucks Sapphire

Starbucks Reserve at Sapphire St., Pasig City is like your normal Starbucks, but a bit more.

Budget Instant Coffees: Nescafe Original 3in1 and Great Taste Original 3-in-1 Coffee Mix

When I said that Kao Shong was expensive, I was comparing it to these:

Twin Pack: Nescafe Original 3in1 (left) Great Taste Original 3-in-1 Coffee Mix (right)

Both Nescafe and Great Taste offer twin packs that cost P9 for 2 packs, or P4.50 a cup ($0.10).

Now, that's a price that's hard to beat.

My Everyday Makeup

In reality, I'm just amazed that I do use some form of makeup regularly now.

From 0 to 1 to 2….

Nichido Tinted Brow Gel (Top) and Ever Bilena Advance Perfect Eyebrow (Bottom)

Yep. That's literally it. And the second's just 'coz my hair is too light to live on 1 alone.



Total cost = P310 ($7)

Shopping Reminder

Snapped a shot of this just to remind myself, and you guys should too.

Christmas is coming! And with that, a serious amount of cash flow.

Make sure to use your old bills by December 2015. Try not to accept the old ones unless you're fine with adding an extra trip to the bank.

Now what to do with those commemorative anniversary bills?

Kao Shong Smooth and Creamy Thai Coffee

Kao Shong Smooth and Creamy Thai Coffee at P44.50 for a pack of 5 sachets is a bit steep for a 3-in-1 coffee.

Looks good, but is it worth buying?

What I like? Each 20g packet is labeled with the percentage of ingredients, something most Philippine 3-in-1's lack. It also has explicit and easy to understand instructions. In other words, the packaging is quite good.

This variant contains 7% coffee, 51.42% non-dairy creamer, 40% sugar, 0.98% skimmed milk. I'm not sure what the 0.6 percent left is, but I would guess some sort of contaminant which is found in most foods.

Since this is mostly sugar and creamer, it is mostly sweet and creamy, but not enough to overwhelm - making it very easy to drink quickly unlike some other brands that I find are too sweet to drink quickly. What makes it special? It has an earthy, rich undertone different from other instant coffees (around the same price point) in the Philippines. Like most 3-in-1s, the caffeine dose is low but the sugar is high and it gives as much kick as its counterparts.

Will I buy it again? Yes! While it's a bit on the expensive side (more on 2 for P9 coffees - good for the wallet, bad for the body and the environment), it's worth having as an occasional instant coffee on rotation.



On a side note, I wish brands here in the Philippines would make more 3-in-1 variants in jars instead of sachets. While I understand their use here in the Philippines, I'd like a for home alternative that doesn't impact the environment as much.

Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum

Oh my, I've almost finished the bottle and I've yet to talk about it.

Lazy me, once again.

Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum

And that's not because it's bad, in fact, it's quite the opposite!