Quick background—I’m Bianca, a newly-minted entrepreneur coming from the depths of the fashion and beauty industry. I’m a big beauty girl who just got BOTOX for the first time. I was 23 when my dermatologist first brought Botox up. “You’ll never get wrinkles,” she said. I was a baby with not a single line in sight.
I remember considering it, even posting on a beauty Facebook group if I should take the plunge. It’s a pretty polarizing thing, with some people telling me they wish they had started sooner, and others shocked to find me thinking about it way too early.
Botulinum Toxin, more commonly known as Botox after one of the more popular brands, is a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes muscles. In the world of cosmetic procedures, this temporary paralysis allows experienced injectors to manipulate face and body shapes, create looks, and prevent wrinkles.
At 27, I still don’t have any prominent wrinkles, but I did start to get bothered when one of my nose lines—a horizontal line right between my eyes—started to linger on my face longer than it used to whenever I’d *involuntarily* scrunch my nose.
I ran to my dermatologist. It was time.
Botox, when used in the context of wrinkle prevention, paralyzes the muscles that pull on the skin. Less pulling equates to a lesser likelihood of developing wrinkles. Of course, I could just stay stoic for the rest of my life and never develop any lines—but that’s a lot easier said than done!
My dermatologist, Dr. Windie Villarica-Hayano, is a master injector who was able to use botox to improve my face as a whole. You can watch my video and she’ll explain each and every detail so much better than I could!
I got injections on my forehead, around my eyes, and on my nose. I didn’t even know I was causing all these wrinkles, but THE DIFFERENCE it made. Wow. I was in awe.
It was super subtle, and my face isn’t frozen at all, but I do feel like I look so much younger when I talk because my face no longer creates lines whenever I make expressions. It is definitely what I was expecting it to be…and so much more than that too.
It only really lasts for about 4 months, and then you’ll have to do it again if you want to keep the effect going. If you ask me, I’ll definitely be back. BOTOX IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
BUSTING BOTOX MYTHS
When I told my family I was getting Botox, I had a bunch of violent reactions. All ranging from you don’t need it to it’s bad. Botox has such a bad rap—everything from botched and overly done housewives of (insert city here).
I can assure you, if you go to a good injector, that wouldn’t happen!
Myth #1: You’ll look frozen
White Chicks is to blame for this—don’t worry! You absolutely won’t. You’ll still be able to move your face like you used to, but less involuntarily. This means you could still intentionally raise your eyebrows, but they won’t keep moving as you talk. Less movement = less wrinkles.
Myth #2: You’ll have to do it forever
No pressure! You can do this once, and never again if you don’t want to. Temporarily paralyzing your muscles just saves you a bit of time… but you know what they say: a stitch in time, saves nine.
Myth #3: You’re too young
There’s actually no right or wrong age to start getting botox. There’s also no right or wrong time. You could start very early and prevent everything from happening, or you could also wait for the first line to form.
Myth #4: It’s too expensive
It’s actually pretty affordable compared to other anti-aging treatments in the market. One unit of Botox will set you back PHP400–PHP700 depending on the clinic. I got 24 units done because I wanted to cover a lot of areas, but you could start as low as 10 units!
I hope you enjoyed reading about my Botox journey 🌻 If you have any other questions about it or anything beauty related—hit me up on my Instagram @biancaalecxis 💖 I hope you also enjoyed the video—if you want to see more of that, subscribe to my YouTubechannel.
🌻 bianca
A big beauty girl, Bianca Mascenon is a newly-minted entrepreneur coming from the depths of the fashion and beauty industry. When she’s not napping or being a beauty *influencer* you can find her on TikTok or watching reality tv shows.
After life had thrown us into a whirlpool of “WTF is happening”, we’re glad to be out of hiatus (for now) with a new rampa article!
Armed with our ring lights, Julia’s attic, some cellophane, a random chair, and lots of caffeine, we’ve brewed yet another excuse to dress up.
This time, we’re showcasing revamped, repurposed, and reborn pieces that we’ve been able to swipe from the wardrobes of our families. As retro is back with a vengeance in a sweater vest, we think it’s definitely safe to say that old is the new new (Benito, 2021).
Diving through other people’s closets is one type of retail therapy that can’t hurt our pockets. We’re gonna come out and say it right from the get go: clothes are just our type of heirlooms. Plus, when you live in a house full of your family members, it’s inevitable that their clothes mysteriously happen to appear in your wardrobes—sometimes by accident, many times by design (sorry, not sorry).
Buckle up, because your fave gagitas have prepped for a wild ride!
from the closet of Jazz’s paternal grandmother
DRESS TO IMPRESS
Fun Fact: this is part of a dress ensemble, it was originally a cover up with the stiffest shoulder pads I’ve ever seen. I have the dress hidden away in my closet (altered to have a shorter, more fun hem of course 😉).
I grew up fascinated with this brown crepe fabric. I would see my grandmother, who I fondly call mommy, wear this at least every other weekend. I’m quite surprised it has withstood use long enough for me to “inherit” the piece.
Of course, when it finally changed hands, it needed a new lease on life, aka my own hubadera spin on things.
from the closet of Julia’s paternal grandmother (may she rest in peace)
SUNDAY BEST
I’m usually not one for dresses, but as you may have seen in our thrifted-clothes article, I have a penchant for old-timey looking pieces. This modest dress may need to be taken in (and hiked up, as the Leo in me knows not of dresses that go below my knees), but I’m just so in love with the Peter Pan collar and tropophobia-inducing pattern that I know I’m going to be keeping this for a long, long time.
from the closet of Jazz’s mother
70’s GLAM
Cue: will.i.am’s I Got It From My Momma! If we’re pointing fingers at the main influence of my quirky—dare I even say, eccentric—style, hands down I’ll be shoving you into my mother’s direction. She has always had a distinct sense of style and affinity for making statements but in a put-together, classy way.
While this may be just one of the dresses that survived her great purge (aka Spring Cleaning), it is by far my definite favorite. It’s no mystery why when you have a piece that just screams CLASSIC: an A-line silhouette, the pockets, the versatility of use, and the fabric.
Mixed together with flared sleeves, white boots, a scarf-turned-headband, and some cool ala-Audrey Hepburn sunnies, girl I’m ready for disco fever whenever you are!
from the closet of Julia’s paternal grandmother (may she rest in peace)
SUBTLE SKIN
Mesh is something I’ve been obsessed with since 2019, so color me surprised when I saw this chic mesh cover-up in lola’s old stuff! Never thought you were one to be a hubadera, La, but I love it –– is she where that trait came from? While it’s too late to ask her, I love this piece so much more because it shows me a side to my grandmother that I don’t usually see.
In my memories, she’s always been the epitome of high class. Gorgeous dresses, jewelry 24/7, hair colored and groomed to perfection—that’s my lola! With this piece, I get to see a little bit of a daring side that I may have not known she had.
You’d better believe I’m wearing this with a bralette every chance I can get!
from the closet of Jazz’s paternal grandmother
WONG KAR WAI
I am a sucker for coats, jackets, and outerwear. Unfortunately, the impyerno-level heat of our beautiful Philippines can’t seem to comprehend that. No matter. As my mother would say “Tiis ganda, hija,” (Bare it for beauty.) It’s why this beaut ended up in my hands.
I don’t know the rhyme, reason, or story of where this beautiful brocade outerwear came from or how it got into my mommy’s hands, but I’m living for it 🔥. The lightweight silk, the standard Mandarin buttons, the length, the Chinese collar—every inch screams like a set costume for a Cantonese film and I’m here for it!
A little Jazz magic (couldn’t be helped) for higher slits plus an adieu to the shoulder pads goodbye, and I was born ready to strut this amazing steal from my mommy’s closet—come hell or high water (or baked-potato heat).
from the closet of Julia’s paternal grandmother (may she rest in peace)
JUST VIBES
Truth be told, when my sister told me that we were going to go through lola’s old clothes, I was fully prepared for a mountain of typical Marks and Spencer floral blouses. While I was partially correct, I was also so surprised to find a plethora of pieces that were 100% my style (no offense, Lolas of Marks and Spencer).
The cellophane (did we mention we shot this using cellophane on PHONE?) did wash the color out, but this piece is an adorable multi-color striped button-down with vintage-style shoulder pads: perfect for wearing both closed and open!
Jazz and I tried to fully embody the vintage vibe with a headscarf courtesy of one of her shopping trips on Shopee to top it all off.
from the closet of Jazz’s paternal grandmother
ASIAN NOVELA
My grandmother’s not short on her stories of traveling with my grandfather, jet setting here and there, and meeting dignitaries and diplomats. So it comes to be of little surprise to find this tucked away in the attic (by extension, her closet)—a modern Hanbok set gifted to my grandmother during one of her many trips to South Korea.
The moment I saw the jegori (top) and chima (skirt) hanging at the back of her closet, I immediately knew how it would fit into my own overflowing wardrobe (an understatement). I set a trip to my trusty mananahi and we were sorted out. All the original embroidery was kept for the sanctity of its meanings. I kept most of the original elements of the Hanbok as intended by original design but had been transfigured for a more updated look and better fit to my petite frame.
I love using the jegori as a cropped jacket for windier days or even as its own top (paired with denim jeans or a skirt, ugh cute)!
from the closet of Julia’s sister
TWEEDLE DEE
Alas, another piece I’ve been trying to siphon into my own closet for years! This Chanel-esque tweed blazer gives me all the opulence I want to feel, sans the wild excavation into my savings. My sister and I aren’t the same size, so this is definitely a little looser than a blazer should be, but I think it’s part of the charm.
Scrunch up the sleeves and put it on top of a—say it with me, now—bralette and you’re golden! It’s one of the items I pull out when I’m scheduled for a Zoom meeting and I want to look a little less like I’m secretly just wearing pambahay bottoms and a little more mamahalin than usual.
from the closet of Jazz’s father
WERQ ‘FIT
My dad has *the* most clothes I have ever seen. All I’m going to say is that he can wear a new outfit for the whole year without repeating. Let that sink in, friendships.
If there’s one thing I love, though, about my dad’s fashion madness, it’s his meticulous penchant and eye for quality. It’s why I’ve hoarded (and arbored) so many of his work pants. I love how soft the fabrics are while the fall and structure still stand XX years later—a true testament to his care for his clothes plus the money he invests in them.
These cool linen pants are my go-to comfy trousers for slouchy but sophisticated fashion-insider chic because they can go from 9-to-5 or Saturday morning brunch with just the right top.
I’m a proud owner of a couple more of my dad’s office/work trousers (all retro-fitted for me of course). Although, now that he’s seen the new life I’ve breathed into them, I think he wants most of them back 🤔.
from the closet of Julia’s sister (may she—CHAROT LANG HAHAHAHA)
LAYER UP
I’ve been stealing things from my sister since the dawn of time, from clothes to makeup to skincare. However, this one was always one of my favorites to yoink (yes, I’ve taken this multiple times. Sorry, ‘te).
This sleeveless knitted piece was at its heyday when my sister was still working an office job. In hindsight, that seems so long ago now that she’s a fully-fledged business woman of multiple ventures AND a diving instructor at the same time, but that’s besides the point. However long it may have lived in these closets, I loved and still love to put it on top of casual ‘fits just to add some extra flair.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you’d know we love layers, but layers in the Philippines do not love us. This piece, however, cuts out the sadness of being unable to don coats in the tropics by being sleeveless!
from the closet of Jazz’s mother
HIGH MAINTENANCE
If that subheading doesn’t say something about me, I don’t know what does. ½ charot (only because my mother says that about me most days 😜). Another one from my mother’s closet that survived her great purge, this skirt is one that highlights my best asset: my waist.
Fishing this out from the back of my mother’s closet reminded me that every girl needs a maxi pencil skirt to pair with her fave bikini top or bralette for hot-girl-summer chic or just the usual classy, hubadera elegance. It strikes just the perfect balance with a skin-baring top. But also, who would ever pass on the chance to have a skirt that could be the highest waist you’ve ever owned? This quirky little one isn’t about to say no to that!
from the closet of Julia’s father or brother-in-law (TBH she has no idea but she found it and here we are)
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I’m a really lazy dresser. Anything that can be put on top of just a bra and shorts is immediately my go-to. So, when I chanced upon this ginormous blazer I found in the recesses of the extra closet in my room (my family kind of just stores old stuff in there), I immediately thought of turning it into a dress.
So, I did.
From a blazer to an off-shoulder mini dress belted off for shape, this piece is my favorite in terms of transformation. Pairing it off with some fun sunnies (shoutout to @queerkyph on Insta), nude shorts—not flashing anyone today!—and some knee-high socks really brought together that “I don’t care whose it is; I’m still wearing it” vibe that I am completely enamored with.
from the closet of Jazz’s maternal aunt
GUCCI BALLSACKS
These came to my hands after a fashion ayuda from one of my maternal aunts. It’s intended for bigger sizes, but the oversized sweater-dress look just speaks to me.
The fabric is deceptively heavy, but for the weight of it (and the brand logo emblazoned on it in crystals), it is surprisingly very breathable. The voluminous amount of fabric does dwarf the more petite gagitas that wear it, concealing any curves or assets that we could’ve flaunted. Although somewhat shapeless, it is not without its charms, especially when we’re channeling our inner tweedle-dum, tweedle-dee—with matching leather platforms to boot!
Make way darlings, because Gucci’s ballsacks will definitely be back with more kalat (soon!)—so keep on slaying safe.
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
Sleigh bells are ringing, these bitches are slaying it too~~ 🎶 We’re celebrating the holidays the best way we know how: our stockings stuffed and our faces dolled (up)
There are few things that make our hearts flutter more than freshly delivered packages and a fun, full-face of makeup. With the irresistible 12.12 deals and an non-existent amount of self-control (we really did try, but failed miserably), your resident Talkers (lmao) brought together our love for online shopping and beauty to drop some looks we’ve been itching to try for the holidays! 🎄 We pooled together our beauty knowledge, research, and sharing-is-caring logic to weather out all the amazing deals from the recent sale!
Hoe-hoe-hoe-lidays!
Merry Trashmas!
Santa’s Beauty Helpers Reporting for Duty
See how we prepped for the hoe-lidays with the sulit self-love selection we procured during the sale below!
Jazz’s “If the Grinch was a Pretty Hoe and Didn’t Hate People”
Christmas has been the holiday I have rocked since I was a kid! I really think that it is the most wonderful time of the year: castanas being roasted, Simbang Gabi mass traditions, and all the family reunions rolled into two weeks of holiday cheer! Many of my nearest and dearest are well aware that my top love language is gifting, it’s why I’m the designated Christmas Elf in the family (lol)! 🧝🏼♀️ Disclaimer: I’m not materialistic, I just really love the thought and efforts that go into each present.
I decided to take a little spin on my gifting elf persona by taking on Dr. Who’s Grinch for a little holiday look inspiration.
This 12.12 did not see me hold back from a little vanity update but they were all amazing deals, I promise! I will spare you most of the deets, but this sale season saw me finally able to update my usual warm, pink toned palettes with more colors and hues of the rainbow. With my usual routine for base, I’m proud to happily announce that this is such an easy look to cop because I only used, quite literally, a handful of products.
I was initially aiming for the Morphe x James Charles Artistry Palette (that Julia has), but that was a bit outside of my budget this season! So when I chanced upon the sale of the UCANBE Splashy Candies palette over on Shopee, then it’s an understatement to say that I was giddy beyond belief. This is a 54-pan palette filled with a variety of color stories that you would ever need to fulfill a variety of looks. It was literally all the colors of the rainbow and then some! Each pan is about the size of a P1 coin with high pigmentation. The mattes were creamy and easily blendable; on the other hand, the shimmers do adhere quite well but take some time to build up. Reviews online (thank you, Youtube and bloggers) likened it to having all the color stories of Colourpop in one big ass palette! But wait, there’s more! This sweet (and new fave) addition to my kit only cut me back around P450+ shipping fee! WHAT A FREAKING STEAL!
As some of you may already know, we love glitters and shimmers and anything high wattage that would scream: shining, shimmering, splendid! So my next purchase just makes absolute sense: UCANBE Kaleidoscope Highlighter Palette, retailing at a discounted price of just P225! Yes, you read that right! This is acclaimed to be the drugstore dupe of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighter Palettes. This palette contains nine (9) cute varieties of color, each one a creamy formula of high wattage shimmer.
I began by putting washi tape (hehe) on the outer corner of my eyelids to avoid any untoward fallout (which, to be honest the UCANBE palettes said: fallout who? We don’t know her). Please note that the UCANBE palettes have no names and so I have taken to naming them myself, for your sake and mine! 😛
I used a C brush to then swipe and blend a forestry, Christmas Tree green (very Grinch) onto my creases. To make the cut crease sharp and the color more blinding, I patted on some Urban DecayConcealer. While the concealer was still a bit tacky, I then took a fluffy eyeshadow brush to mix silver and white highlighter across my whole lid and finished my eyes off by tapping some green glitter (flecked with gold) across my eyes. I played around with my eyeliner and did a little fox eye on my inner lids. Tip: go in with the eyeliner little by little, and don’t over do it!
I took the chance to take the Grinch concept to another level by using an angled brush to fill in my tamed eyebrows (via TDT Brow Soap) with more of the Christmas Tree green. Again, I added some holiday cheer via green glitter! I also used the same Christmas Tree green and green glitter as my “drunk” blush.
I had buffed on some concealer on my lips during my base routine to amplify the colors. When that had settled, I took a clear Floss My New Favorite Lip Gloss in Yulas a kind of grip for the eyeshadow powder. This is what I love to call: going the full Sheego effect with a tinsel twist. This time I used a lip brush to take the same Christmas Tree green on my upper lips and the white highlighter on my lower lips. I was very very careful not to smack and rub so that they don’t combine!
The metaphorical ribbon on my little makeup lewk was the pretty pressed glitter from Andy Mack. I rubbed in the opal, holographic glitter to my hair for some glitter dandruff. In real life, you don’t have to go as hard as I did, alas circumstances called for more as the glitter was not as visually present on camera as it initially was.
Julia’s “If Mrs. Claus was a Flirty 24-Year-Old”
When I think of Christmas, I always think of trees dripping in red and gold baubles–mostly because my family has had the same holiday color scheme for as long as I can remember. New decor or–god forbid–a different set of ornaments? We don’t know her.
With this look, I wanted to take all of what I just said and essentially just slap my face with it. While I really only bought 2 things during the 12.12 sale (be proud of me), these goodies that I found did an excellent job–especially when you check the price tag! To get an eyeshadow palette with an impressive variety of colors as well as a shimmer quad for under P600 (in total!), it’s needless to say that I am very, very pleased with myself.
Bought from Lazada. Look how pretty!
This beautiful 36-pan eyeshadow Chalice palette from IMagic is such a steal. Aside from its aesthetic mythology-inspired double-door cover, it contains a mixture of impressive matte and shimmer shades, both of which deliver solid pigmentation without unsightly fallout. For this simple look, I only used three shades: Energy, Encourage, and Affection–literally everything we all need after the sh*tshow that was this year, am I right?
I started by laying down Energy, a copper shade, all over the lid then blending it out. I then packed Affection (sana all) over it to deepen the color and add definition to the outer edges of my eyes. Then, I got an eyeliner brush and lined out my crease with Encourage. With my pinky, I dotted my inner corners with the golden shimmer for the brightening pop that I cannot for the life of me stop doing in all of my makeup looks.
For my lips, I actually used two things. I started with the Maybelline SuperStay liquid lippie in Pathfinder, but found that it was way too impressive of a shade of ruby that I needed to tone it down to make it match my eyes. To give it a more brown tone, I dabbed a tiny bit of the Maybelline Chocoholic bullet lippie on top of my upper lip and blended it out. The bottom lip is actually just Pathfinder with a generous amount of Encourage (the golden shimmer from a while ago) layered on top while the lipstick was still wet.
My second purchase, theBeen Anna Moon Maiden quad (isn’t the holographic packaging the cutest?) helped me achieve the glittery dandruff effect, like when you step outside from Santa’s workshop into a light snowfall for a yosi break. Was that too specific? Lmao. All I had to do was rub my (clean) fingers into the first pan, which is a chunky holo glitter, and pressed it into my hair while praying to the heavens that my curls didn’t swallow them whole. And they didn’t! Hurrah!
As a final step, I pressed a light layer of the Been Anna Moon Maiden’s gold-ish shade under my brows, on top of my cheek highlight, and a little bit over the cupid’s bow. To be honest, I expected it to have a more noticeable hue and an eyeshadow-esque finish as it appeared like a packed brown in the pan (hence the -ish), but it turned out to spread like a neutral golden sprinkle, making it great for putting on top of things to add shimmer without mixing other colors in.
Got anything you love during the 12.12 sale too? Let us know in the comments! Hope you liked our festive looks and, as usual, slay safe, babes!
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
We’ve got our shopping goggles trained on Greta’s Junkshop for all the cutest and well-curated finds we could ask for!
With the holidays looming in and our wallets at the ready to be emptied out in the spirit of Christmas, we’ve been on the lookout for the cutest new local brands and businesses to get our holiday shopping done quick and easy from the comforts of our little bed nests. While the economy is still weaning off of its quarantine crutches (albeit in a excruciatingly haggard and clutch manner) and COVID cases still prevalent left and right, we’ve foregone the annual rat race to the malls and turned our shopping goggles towards online stores for safer (and infinitely more convenient) gift-getting. Plus, supporting small, local businesses always puts a smile on our gastadora faces–especially when the wares are oh-so cute!
That’s why we’ve decided to let y’all know about this new store we’ve fallen in love with: Greta’s Junkshop! Now, those that may know Julia would probably have heard of the lovely woman who runs this shop before; Gretchen Gatan (known to her cousin as Greta, hence the name) was her boss turned dear friend, mentor, meme supplier, and chismis dealer all in one. To say Julia owed a great deal of her self-growth to Gretchen is a grave understatement, as those who have read our article on the ex-bosses that have changed our lives for the better may have already known.
Aside from showing our ceaseless support for our friends and local business (two birds in one stone, yay!), we wanted to be able to also shed a little spotlight all the people behind the products and why our hearts–and wallets–adore them so much. In today’s spotlight, we’ve asked the beauty blogger, editorial writer, influencer, entrepreneur, and girl boss herself to let us into how her shop came to be. Maybe you’ll be just as inspired as we are to start your own biz!
So we’re letting Gretchen take the screen to give you an insider access to who’s been supplying the cutest junk in our trunk!
Who is Gretchen Gatan?
I’m a writer and editor based in Metro Manila, and the blogger behind Greta’s Junkyard. Greta’s Junkyard actually started as a Tumblr back in 2009. At that time, it was mostly a dump of fandom-related or emo posts. Haha! Greta isn’t actually my real name, but more of a nickname that my cousins and friends used to tease me. And then Junkyard—because it was literally a dumpsite of my thoughts and feelings! The logo, which shows a little kid inside a trash can, was randomly drawn by my best friend when we were in high school. And it just felt so perfect to use for my brand—because it captures who I am as a quirky introvert who loves to write about her favorite things.
In 2013, right after I graduated from college where I majored in Creative Writing, I ended up working for a digital marketing agency as my first job. I wasn’t able to write as much as I used to, and so my boyfriend (now husband) built what is now GretasJunkyard.com, so I could still write about my favorite things on the side—just on a bigger and better platform. And that’s basically how Greta’s Junkyard started!
What is Greta’s Junk Shop?
Greta’s Junk Shop was something I already had in the pipeline as early as 2016. In fact, the e-commerce section was ready (thanks to my boyfriend-turned-husband who also built it). But at that time, I didn’t have enough capital nor did I have a clear direction for the shop. I thought about starting my own beauty brand—but didn’t think I could pull it off. Then I considered self-publishing my own short stories and novels, and selling them on the shop—but I wasn’t emotionally ready to put my work out there. And so plans for the shop just stayed under the “Parked Projects” list of my personal Trello board.
When the pandemic forced the country to go on lockdown, and I was furloughed from my latest full-time job, it put things into perspective for me. I knew it was a huge risk letting go of a fixed income, but I decided to resign anyway and focus on the passion projects I had parked instead—which included Greta’s Junk Shop!
The ideas just kept coming as I was putting the plan together. Similar to how I started Greta’s Junkyard, which was writing about topics close to my heart, I wanted to sell items that I know I would love and use. I stuck to three categories: Fashion and Accessories, Home and Lifestyle, and Pet Fashion and Care. If you visit every product page, you’ll find a quick backstory on how the item is an extension of who I am. And because the blog was celebrating its 7th anniversary last September 2020, I thought it was the perfect time to launch Greta’s Junk Shop: a curation of my favorite things!
Inside the Junk Shop
How do you curate the items for sale?
I would research on different local suppliers and get in touch with the ones that fit my brand. Every time I see something, I think to myself, “Is this something that I myself would want to have?” And that’s how I make the decisions when it comes to curating and selling items in the shop!
Why did you want to start selling these things?
I’ve always been an avid fan of online shopping ever since I got into the e-commerce industry in 2014. I know and understand the giddy feeling of finding something unique and affordable with good quality—and I wanted to replicate this experience for my readers and customers. I used to always joke that shopping online is just your past self buying a gift for your future self, which explains why every package from Greta’s Junk Shop is prepared like a gift using sustainable materials.
Do you have inspiration when it comes to the things you sell?
I find my inspiration in the things and people I love. For example—all items under Pet Fashion and Care are inspired by my fur babies, Booboo and Bellatrix. The floral house clothes were inspired by the dresses that my grandmother started making for me during the quarantine to keep herself productive. The sports bras—because I saw how the lockdown encouraged my sister and cousins to keep themselves physically fit and healthy by working out everyday. And the pajamas? Because I love wearing pajamas all day, everyday! So yeah—all items really do have a backstory behind them.
When your dogs are more stylish than you are
Literally nothing makes us more enticed to exercise than cute equipment
Duster but make it tres chic
What else can we expect in the future?
I plan to continue looking for and supporting local suppliers. I intend to keep growing my portfolio of products under the three categories—especially as I’m entering different chapters of my life. Maybe someday, I can have a category for Baby Fashion and Care! And hopefully, when I’m ready, I can finally self-publish my short stories and novels, and make them available on Greta’s Junk Shop.
Our Cute Junk
If you’ve ventured inside her store already, you’d already see just how adorably curated these finds are. From workout wear to pajamas to fluffy slippers to cute polos for your own little fur baby, this shop definitely lets you get some useful and aesthetically pleasing items all while having a peek into Gretchen’s personality. Just take a look at the “Never Too Cold for Iced Coffee Shirt”–big mood. Getting our hands on some of the cutest junk from her shop brings us such happiness that these thoughtfully curated finds already have a special place in our closets! 😍
Penelope Pajama Sets
Whether you’re doing socially distanced slumber parties, working from home, or simply contemplating your nth existential crisis of the day, loungewear is undoubtedly the unforeseen trend of 2020. With that, we’re hopping on the bandwagon of living in our very own sets of loungewear!
The Penelope Pajama Sets definitely has us switching out our usual oversized ratty tees for something much cuter! Our match-y sets are the definition of ultimate comfort, so we’re sorry (not sorry) that you’ll have to pry out our cold dead bodies from these PJs. 🌼 They’re literally so comfortable we’ve now declared them as our new second skin.
With cute orange hues are very relaxing for the eyes, coupled with the floral line art that are just 100% aesthetically pretty, it makes for super cute gifts for all the girls in your life–your sister, your best friend, your mom, your S/O, or even for yourself (because we all know you deserve some TLC)!
Pauline Yoga Sports Bra
Even before the pandemic hit us early this year, our number one motivation to get us moving has always been the excuse of being able to purchase and wear cute sports ‘fits. Our go to workout ‘fits are usually yoga pants and sports bra! So color us extremely kilig when we were able to add these super comfy, stretchy, and versatile sports bras to each of our growing collections of sportswear. These are obviously the best of excuses to get off our asses to work out and look cute!
Peep these baby “trainees” in action featuring our new workout staple! (Hello, we’re open to being scouted, char!)
Pineapple Jewelry Tray
We all have our go-to jewelries and precious trinkets that really are just our ride-or-die. These could be gifts from loved ones, heirloom pieces, or even cute self-care gifts from your favorite IG shop! So it just makes the most logical sense that they are kept in an easily accessible trinket tray so you don’t have to go fishing for them in your baul of treasures. Also, what an added bonus it is if you’re a bit clumsy like us and are always loosing a couple small things here and there! Keeping track of your tiny trinkets and treasures is made easy with this lovely tray!
This locally-made wooden tray deserves the fanfare as it serves both form and function with this adorable pineapple shape!
Clawed by Ming Press-On Nails
While we didn’t get this from the store as we ordered our set from the very, very talented Ming herself (follow @clawed_byming and you’ll be dying for 10 sets yourself, we swear), we were pleasantly surprised that Greta’s Junkshop housed these on her site as well!
I live for nails that poke my eye out but with dainty clouds and sparkles
Whimsical and dreamy is my default, only fitting that the nails match the b*tch
We’ve posted them on our page before, but in the event that showing them to you again would be the budol sign you need to add to cart, then here you go sis! You won’t be disappointed. These sturdy, beautifully hand-painted gems are EVERYTHING, especially if you need a little reminder on what kind of irreplaceable bad b*tch you really are.
Now, it is only fitting that, as your friendly neighborhood enablers, we cheer you on as you browse and shop for the cutest junk at Greta’s Junkshop. BUT WAIT! There’s more! As a super cute and merry little gift to you, our lovely readers, Gretchen has graciously provided a discount code exclusive for Talk Tayo readers and followers. Hop on over to Greta’s Junkshop and addu-to-carteu 🛒 to get P150 off on your first purchase (for a minimum spend of P1,000). Use code TALKTAYO when you check out your goodies 🛍!
Happy shopping and merry hols babes 🥰 Remember to slay safe always!
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
All glossed up and nowhere to go–but we lookin’ damn fine 💁🏻♀️
We’ve got drawers and pouches and organizers (each) worth of makeup, but there’s one staple in both our collections that has long been missing: a lip gloss. You’d think that since so many brands carry glosses that it would be an easy thing to find, but we’ve scoured high and low but have yet to find one that we can truly call HG. And we’ve gone through a lot; trust us on this.
Last week, we’ve been graced with the presence of the Gloss Boss (@racheldotph) as she sat down to talk about her brain baby, To Dew Today (@todewtoday), and her SHE-EO experiences (check it out here). As we love supporting our friends and believe in girls building up other girls, we’ve bought a couple products from her brand that we took for a test run for a couple weeks now.
While we cannot hide our bias for this brand, it’s with our utmost honesty that we continuously rave about these products and have collectively tried to convince everyone who would listen that this is something they need–whether they’re looking to replenish their beauty stash or just to look and feel good!
Without further ado, let’s get glossy and share with you all the reasons why you should #SupportLocal and slide your order forms into To Dew Today’s DMs.
A GLOSS:ARY OF THOUGHTS
With minimalist yet refreshing packaging and an innate sense of bright positivity that emanates throughout the brand’s core, it’s next to impossible not to be drawn into what it has to offer. To Dew Today’s overall branding ethos is grounded on giving beauty support for people who love to do their own thing. Each product that’s currently available is unequivocal in the fact that they are easy-to-use and effortlessly acclimatizes to the user’s lifestyle and beauty style
Above all else, we’re so in love with the fact that To Dew Today is the brainchild by a former HMUA who definitely knows and understands what many look for in a beauty product–having tested and used many herself.
ON THE GLOSS
Lip gloss is a staple in the arsenal of many a beauty lover. Whether you’re a kid with her first Barbie doll, a teenager walking into the halls of high school, or even as a school graduate a couple years down the road trying their damndest to be an adult, you need to have a trusty lip gloss on hand at all times.
Therefore, when we set our sights on the Lip Dew, we knew we had to try it. The goods arrived in a cute holo pouch, housed in a frosted tube with a pink cap. It comes with a doe foot applicator for easy use. Jazz’s favorite part is the cute little silver butterflies mixed into the gloss
So the real question is, what makes the gloss from To Dew Today special and set apart from existing ones on the market? GUHRL. It does the one thing that many lip balms and lip glosses can’t do: it’s multi-beneficial. Besides the obvious high-octane buildable shine, it actually does something more than sit pretty on our lips. In one of our earlier articles, we advised to ease up on the lipstick and lip gloss because no one was going to see it anyway thanks to the quarantine season protocols. Boy, do we take that back now that we’ve got To Dew Today in our corner! The Lip Dewis so light and wearable that you can gloss under a full PPE-clad ensemble (tried and tested, by the way).
Aside from having the incredible ability not to stick to masks, it also feels so lightweight on the lips that you can hardly even feel that it’s there at all. As girls who have tried countless glosses only to end up scowling at the sticky feeling and–worse yet–the annoyance of having a mouthful of hair stick to your lips with the slightest bit of wind, we appreciated how amiable this gloss was.
Plus, it’s so hydrating that you’ll definitely bid those cracked lips adieu with continuous use! Julia’s perpetually chapped lips have finally met a worthy adversary! It’s also knocked a lot of cult fave balms off of Jazz’s dresser–we’re not kidding!
ON THE TDT BROW AND GROOM
The To Dew TodayBrow and Groomis literally a fresh launch (say maybe a week new?), so it was a good thing that Jazz was in the market for a new brow soap and brow gel. She got so kilig when the SHE-EO herself personally delivered the goods. The sweetest!
The brow duo, like the glosses, arrived in a holo zip reusable pouch. The Brow Dew is housed in an unfrosted version of the tube similar to the Lip Dew but comes with a black, brow spoolie. Meanwhile, the TDT Brow Soapcomes in a metallic case like your usual brow soap containers. It also comes with two pink reusable angled spoolies–very on brand and very cute!
While having nice brows has more pros than cons (thanks to their beautiful moments in the sun), keeping them tamed and in line–whether for a beat or just on a daily basis–can get quite a bit troublesome. Jazz personally loves using the Brow Soap for when she’s going full out for a face so she could get some extra help in getting her brows to stay in line and fluffed up. It’s so easy to use; just a little spritz of water and you’re ready to swipe and style! For the record, Jazz really loves how her brows don’t harden from the soap, compared to other brow setting products out there, and is very light to wear–a feat!
As seen in the photo series above, Jazz filled in her brows with just a little bit of The Browgal once the TDT Brow Soap had had a chance to dry down and set. She did go in with a spoolie once more to keep her brows fluffy after the fill in.
On the daily, Jazz has taken a liking to using the Brow Dew for a little extra added oomph to her day. It gets her brows appearing well groomed without the hold and won’t necessarily set the hairs in any direction like a brow soap. It’s so simple and easy to use, even a newbie can ace it. Overall, this brow duo is definitely something people should cop and have in their arsenal. Even if you aren’t a brow gal, you’d love having this in your kit!
ALL GLOSSED UP
The way we styled our outfits and the beauty look for this article really reflects our personalities and preferences really well. We’re a well balanced out duo that way: Julia’s smokey edginess (a baddie in training) to Jazz’s airy and light freshness.
JAZZ. As someone who prefers a fresh look when it comes to makeup, I went through a lot of inspos that really reflected warmth and glitter. The lewk I settled on to project was a peachy red look that really highlighted the multi-purpose use of To Dew TodayLip Dew. And when I mean highlight, I mean really put her in the spotlight.
For that dewy skin we were chasing, I primed my skin with the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum–which I love for how hydrating and smoothing it is, without a sticky finish–before putting on a layer of my holy grail base: theEstee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup. To get the maximum glow and shine, I changed up my usual setting powder for theLaura Mercier Translucent Glow Setting Powder.
Obviously, I brought out all things that screamed glitter and shining, shimmering, splendid from my kit: highlighters in varying texture, loose shimmer powder, pressed glitters, metallic liquid lippies, and my trusty To Dew Today Lip Dew! Overall, this is one look that’s very simple and easy to nail down.
For my eyes–the focal point of my lewk–I swiped on some Pony Effect Metallic Matte Lip Colorin Gold Digger (hehe) using the doe applicator that it comes with–layering it twice as much to build intensity and opacity. You want to apply as you would using a normal C brush as if you’re using eyeshadow. On my outer lids, near my brow bone and crease, I had pat on my favorite Kaja Beauty Bento Bouncy Shimmer Trio in Orange Blossom with a fluffy brush. Going towards my inner corners, I blended in a tiny amount of Sundays Moderne BeautyHighlighter in Phoebe with my ring finger.I was looking to go blind from shine, so don’t be afraid to blend and build intensity!
I created a very thin, tightlined wing with my trusty L’Oreal Flash Cat Eye by Infallible, I usually start from the middle of my lids then follow the contour of my eyelid until the corner. I find that going in more than once will thicken the eyeliner (as is the curse), so I tried my very best to get this in just one go (I am very proud of myself and this skill).
Just before I finished off my eyes, I swiped on some mascara so that the gloss doesn’t stick to the wand or my lashes. I polished off the highlight of my look by adding layers of quite a lot of To Dew Today Lip Dew on my lids to really give it that intense and glossy shine. To keep my doe foot applicator pristine and my Lip Dew free from pigments and contaminants, I used a very thin cotton bud from MINISO to apply my layers upon layers of gloss. Safe to say, I really went ham with the gloss. A warning to many, be very careful when applying gloss on your eye makeup: don’t open too early and make sure everything else is set and dry before you go in with a gloss.
I swiped on a really great MLBB, Nudestixin Belle, before tying it all off with a top coating of more lip dew gloss. Et voila!
There’s always something about having highlighter dusted over every inch of my face that makes me so genuinely happy. I love drama; I love shine–this look really tells you all you need to know about me!
When conceptualizing this look, we both knew we wanted something that really, really glistened on camera; so naturally, I reached for my Too Faced Love Light Prismatic Highlighter (aka my most prized possession) and clutched it close to me, whispering, “This is it. It’s your moment.”
Dramatics aside, this look was all about capturing the essence of wetness, so while my hair could not hold the wet look (our spray bottle of water was no match for my uncooperative twists), I needed to make sure that my skin shimmered in absolutely every angle. To achieve this, I needed the help of a couple items before laying on the highlighter thick. First up, I needed my Smashbox Smooth and Blur Primer (shoutout to my Ate who just left this with me one day, LOL) to make sure the surface of my skin was all smoothed out. Then, I needed the L’Oreal Fresh Wear Foundationfor a nice demi-matte finish; my favorite thing about this foundation is how much nicer it looks the more you wear it, giving you a gorgeous natural glow all on its own after a couple hours of wear.
Because Jazz was going for a fresh peachy red look with a glossy lid, I thought it would make a good contrast to go in the opposite direction: a dramatic smokey eye and a nude lip. For this, my trusted James Charles x Morphe Palettecame to save the day, as per usual. I built a brown base to start with, then slowly packed on the blacks on the outer corners to give the look more dimension. I topped the center, brow bone, and the inner corner with a golden shimmer, then finished it off with a generous helping of eye liner–the thicker and more dramatic, the better!
For the lips, I wanted to keep it simple, focusing mainly on the To Dew Today Lip Dew. I popped on a tiny bit of the Sunnies Lip DipinFemmebotjust to give a little life to my ghastly lips before layering on the Lip Dew to achieve a glorious gleaming glow!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on your fave glossy looks (here or of all time)! Drop them in the comments below or share them with us on our socials! 😘
Glow all out but slay safe, loves 🤘🏻
💋 julia
A 24-year-old writer and content associate with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp–from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
✨ jazz
A 23-year-old writer and producer who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine .
Meet the new gloss boss on the block: Rachel Torres. 😘
Finding (and creating) the perfect lip gloss isn’t easy. Creating a brand from scratch isn’t easy. Yet, over the past couple of months, we found one of our friends doing both and nailing it at the same time. Though we were first introduced to To Dew Today as our new go-to brand for lip-loving glosses, it has become much more than that in such a small amount of time, making both of us always so excited to see what’s coming next!
But enough chatter from us! We’re both beyond lucky and grateful that this brand’s very own gloss boss has come over to tell us her story, and so although we’d love to babble our mouths off about how much we love this brand (we’ve already purchased glosses for ourselves and will review them very, very soon), we’d love for you to read all about it from the She-EO herself! 💋
INTRODUCING: GLOSS BOSS RACHEL TORRES
I’m Rachel Torres and I used to be (as of now, I think that I will be using past-tense for this) a hair and makeup artist. I was a HMUA for 5 years, and with my job I found that a common problem I always had was what my client would touch up with after having applied the lipstick from my kit.
I usually would ask what the client would have on hand and I would pattern the shade from that, and sometimes they wouldn’t have lipstick at all (who’s to blame them; they pay for my service and products for a reason, right?). With that, I always knew I wanted to have my own simple lipstick line so that I would have something to give my client to touch up with during their event after we work together.
Let me expound on what I said: “former hair and makeup artist”. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, many events are cancelled and even if I have been invited to work for some shoots, I don’t feel safe going to a shoot in an alien environment alongside working with several people. Especially with my role in productions, I would have to get up close and personal with a model. Hence, I thought that this may be my sign to pack up this chapter of my career because it may be a while until I would feel comfortable to go back to work and shoots knowing that I come home to senior citizens and an infant.
It’s not all bad, only because I’m lucky enough that my parents are still willing to provide for me knowing my source of income took a halt. A few months into the pandemic, people started to have small Instagram businesses on the side: selling cookies, old clothes, stickers, bracelets, and hand-crafted products. I took this as a sign that maybe I could use this down time to finally start what I’ve been dreaming of—my own brand for beauty. Although it’s not as easy as finding the ingredients and popping them into the oven or something I could YouTube overnight. It took a few months and almost my whole bank account just to start and experiment on a few products.
THE LAUNCH OF TO DEW TODAY
In spite of the level of difficulty, I present my brain-child, my brand baby, To Dew Today. It is currently a small cosmetic and skin care brand, locally and Filipina made. I launched To Dew Today with the birth of the perfect gloss duo. Lip Dewis a subtle, shiny, clear gloss that is very moisturizing on the lips. The OG, on the other hand, is made with thicker consistency for those who want to pack in more gloss and shine. Both feel very nourishing on the lips because they’re pumped with Vitamin E and natural oils like sunflower oil and Moroccan argan oil. I made sure when making these two that they were vegan, paraben-free, and, of course, cruelty-free. (We don’t test on bunnies, we test on hunnies 🍯)
Just a few days ago, I officially unveiled my second set called the Brow and Groom (a cute play on the phrase Bride and Groom). They consist of an easy and clear brow gel called Brow Dew and the TDT Brow Soap, which I think is self explanatory. Brow soaps are very trendy now, with people going for the bushy brushed-up brow look. Although I never forget those who just want simple-to-use products, that is why I am first coming out with sets to make sure I tap both markets: those who are beginning and first playing with makeup while they have the time, and those who are makeup savvy and are adding to their collection.
A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAINS
Starting a beauty brand isn’t easy because people are so picky with what they put on their face. It’s even harder starting with lip products in the middle of a pandemic when everybody’s wearing a mask. This didn’t hinder me because my target market is younger people who are staying home, in online calls and meetings, and taking selfies. (I should emphasize that everybody should be staying home, not just my target market!)
With that, To Dew Today values confidence, individuality, and outspokenness—a few of the values underscored when taking a selfie. The first set of girls that I chose to represent the brand are girls who do their own thing, unapologetically who they are, and speak up for their own values and interests. Hopefully this radiates throughout my brand and that other people see these values from the way To Dew Today is presented.
WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING A SHE-EO?
The thought of Miranda Priestly of Devil Wears Prada comes to mind—the heels, the fabulous office. Or! The young Sophia Marlowe of the Netflix series Girlboss—easy, and lots of fun. Ugh, how I wish! I have to be brutally honest and say: it’s un-glamorously hard!
I don’t think about it–the label CEO–as I’m so busy focusing on the brand and working on its growth. Actually, I don’t even feel it. It doesn’t feel so strong-independent-woman and girl-boss-like when my bank account is depleting from the capital’s needs and I’m still trying to break even, which is still a looong way to go!
When you’re starting, especially starting a brand alone, there’s nothing easy and fabulous about being your own research and development team, social media manager, marketing director, and more. Everything’s on me, fortunately and unfortunately.
But you know what? I’m in my mid-20’s and alone I own my own cosmetic brand. That’s crazy! I could only dream of being a CEO of anything, really. I didn’t plan this, but life comes at us unexpectedly. I am so grateful for the growth of my brand, it’s slow but steady. I’m not in a rush to be at the top, I know I’m still in the process of building myself and my brand up, that’s why I accept my current state as well as my brand, and my bank account is in.
It may be un-glamorously hard, as I said, but I’m honestly having a lot of fun. I get to talk to so many people and I get to receive many positive feedback from customers which truly fills my heart. I appreciate all the help and support I’m getting from friends and strangers who buy from my brand and I can only hope to continue to produce good products to reach a larger audience to enjoy.
If any of her products caught your eye (as they should; because they’re GORGEOUS), do feel free to hop on over to To Dew Today’s Instagram (@todewtoday) to order for yourselves! Before we go, we wanted to give as many virtual hugs as our combined Internet bandwidths can allow to Rachel for letting us have an up-close look at her brainchild. Congratulations on the launch; we’re both so proud of you!
As usual, slay safe and stay cute, loves! 😘
💄 rachel
A 20-something year old Cancer-Leo cusp, hobbyist, artist, and life-explorer who collects stickers and never sticks them anywhere.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 26 years since one of the most beloved (albeit controversial) sitcom shows first aired. It’s been such an enthralling experience to watch all ten iconic seasons, rewatch it, and then rewatch it yet again as we grow through our various phases of life–all while loving it the same way we did the first time. Kung may forever man, we’re sure it’s with Friends. Charot!
We’ve honestly been keeping it on loop since we first sat down to watch it all those years ago, most times as a pleasant background noise to fill the room with its unique sense of comfort and familiarity. Its had quite the impact on many aspects of our lives–from it’s witty humor to its snappy one-liners to its relatable showcase of life experiences and character troupes. While we do admit that many jokes in Friends definitely did not age well, we simply cannot deny how it basically created its own era in the 90s, solidifying itself as a classic amongst our peers.
Obviously, being the kikay gals that we are, one of the biggest influences the show has had on us were the classic styles and trends. They 👏 served 👏 and 👏 slayed in every episode, every season, every time! Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just passing by, you can’t deny that Friends had lent a hand in shaping many of our wardrobes, influencing our style decisions on more than one occasion.
Being in our twenties, the distinctive theme song now seems to be our own life’s soundtrack (how apt 🙃). So even if our job’s a joke, we’re broke, and it feels like we’re stuck in second gear, we’ve come out to celebrate this year’s anniversary of Friends by rounding up a few of our favorite ‘fits from the show and recreating them.
Check them out below! 🛋
Chandler Bing has been such a loveable bean since the pilot episode, resonating within us the sarcasm that complements his misunderstood personality. Something we all relate heavily with. This outfit from Season 2 (The One With Five Steaks and An Eggplant) is such peak casual 90s style that anyone can wear it–regardless of gender and era! Hello? It’s been more than two decades and we’re still sporting this on our days off.
And why not? It’s so versatile and easy to wear, whether you’re popping into your fave local version of Central Perk or running grocery errands, throwing on some cuffed straight cut jeans and a comfy oversized shirt is easy as 1-2-3!
This recreated outfit is Jazz’s go-to when she’s off doing menial things–but in style. This is also honestly reminiscent of her dad’s and titos’ style during their university heydays–with the white sneakers, cuffed up jeans, and rolled up tees, as they strolled into campus feeling like the hottest boys on the street. 😎
Bow down to the resident kween of 90s fashion: Rachel Karen Green. Undoubtedly, she obviously wore the sartorial crown for our favorite sitcom barkada with her never ending trendy and au courant wardrobe. It’s definitely no surprise that Rachel’s outfits are still relevant and easy to draw fashionable inspiration from, even 26 years down the road.
Whether you’re chasing down a monkey through New York or heading to SM Mall of Asia, there’s no way in hell that this look wouldn’t turn heads. While Rachel’s wardrobe is an endless well of incredible looks that we could only dream of owning, we love this outfit in particular for its vintage yet classic appeal that would give schoolgirls a run for their money. With styles reminiscent of Cher from Clueless (another one of our all-time favorite style icons), how could we possibly ignore the call of a gorgeous plaid skirt paired with knee high socks?
Rachel may be getting coffee while the love of her life is off with someone else (eh, same naman tbh), but at least she knew she was doing it très chic! Rachel is definitely the 90s OG queen of style, and the crop-tied button down is but one of her many blessings that we have been living for since seeing the show and upon accepting that button downs as a versatile wardrobe staple.
This particular outfit of Rachel reminds us how important a button down is in anyone’s style rotation. Whether we’re going on a coffee run or turning up to work for the day or running errands, a short sleeved button down can be easily dressed up or dressed down. Throw on some chunky oxford shoes and you’ve got yourself giving off the vibe that we raided a vintage baùl (aka our parents’) with this take on a retro knotted top.
Julia is, without a doubt, the biggest sucker for leather that we know of. When asked to do this shoot, she raised two pairs of leather pants in utter excitement, overjoyed with the thought of finally being able to wear such heat-inducing bottoms regardless of the fact that the Philippine heat would (and had) enveloped her legs in a layer of sweat akin to Ross‘ iconic yet pitiful leather situation. Who could forget his feeble cries for help in his date’s bathroom as he smacks his own head with a fistful of powder? We would never forget. As one of the most memorable comedic moments of the series, we just couldn’t let this article pass without paying tribute (condolences to your pants, Ross)!
Rachel’s the go-to style icon for working out how to make overalls stylish and relevant all the dang time. Her character evolution from spoiled little rich girl to an independent woman of the city had seeped in and evolved her style as well. This was perfectly showcased when she finally resolved herself to return the engagement ring from Barry, finally closing that chapter of her life. While her offbeat coats and dripping-in-dollars ensembles from her previous life have us swooning, we’re two girls who know how to dial down the fashion and lounge back in something more casual and practical.
Overalls are such a practical ‘fit that it’s basically one whole ensemble on its own. The challenge of a dungaree or an overall is styling it so that we’re looking less corn field farmer chic and more relaxed and casual feel. TBH, Rachel’s also partly why at least 30% of Jazz’s wardrobe is made up of overalls. Could you blame a girl?
How YOU doin’? Ever since the pilot episode of this series, Joey Tribbiani has been rocking it out in gorgeous leather jackets and slicked back hair, reminiscent of a 90s James Dean (not the porn star) that had all of us swooning all the way down to the floor. While he has been seen donning a leather jacket on multiple occasions, this look in particular stuck to us for the ridiculousness that the episode it was in presented: Joey hiring a twin to be able to pass for a scientific study for cash yet failing miserably, delivering instead the iconic line in the most hilariously distraught yell, “Pizza! We. Like. PIZZA!”
Although we did make minor tweaks by trading pants in for a mini skirt to add more dimension (aka legs) to an outfit drowned in black, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to layer up a turtleneck under a sleek leather jacket to live our Danny Zuko-esque fantasies. We even added a purse–just a little call-back to Joey’s perfectly stylish man-purse (don’t listen to Chandler; boys can have bags, too!).
This casual but cool ensemble of ripped mom jeans and red tank top is an iconic outfit donned by Monica Geller has us obsessed. This outfit made its appearance during The One With The Flashback where Monica meets Chandler’s future roommate Joey. During the early seasons of the show, Monica’s go-to ensemble usually consists of mom jeans to showcase her cool but put-together style while obviously countering her usual intense personality.
We’re constantly taking cues and drawing inspiration from this hit 90s sitcom show in terms of style and fashion that this iconic outfit was so easy to put together and pull from Jazz’s closet (because she had it handy).
Who could ever let this iconic Friends moment go down the drain? Epic humor and petty fights is what we all live for, so it was such a no-brainer that we would be recreating Joey’s overly layered ensemble–donning all of Chandler’s clothes to piss him off for stealing his chair. Would we do it to each other in the name of spite? Damn right, we would.
We honestly could not stop laughing as we wiggled into the layers that we borrowed from our brothers, fighting the giggles very hard to take these photos and then some. This is just another prime example of what kalokohan we get up to when left alone together for more than five seconds.
If you loved the looks, we’d love to hear back from you! Or, if ever you’d like to recreate a Friends look with us, hit us up on the comments section or slide into our DMs over on Instagram.
As usual: slay safe, stay cute, loves! 😘
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
Tipsy, thrifty, and thriving. We’re breathing new life to these amazing IG finds 🥂
This quarantine has brought a rise to many things, online shops being the most prevalent. But aside from the sudden influx of “hm?” and “dm-ed you” that now exists, this pandemic has brought about another big and notable change by paving the way clear for the rise of sustainable fashion. With clothing stores dropping left and right, the fashion industry has been shaken to its very core; now promoting quality and longevity in the place of fast fashion–something the both of us are incredibly excited about! Because of this, thrift pages and lovely Internet-dwellers that are looking to de-clutter while making a quick buck have been thriving. Needless to say, we’re LIVING for it.
As lovers of beauty and style, it’s always great to see the industry make turns for the better. To do what we can on that end, we’ve turned our shopping-goggles towards pre-loved fashion. There is no shame in giving new futures to clothes born in the past, and so we’ve recently been cultivating clean fashion habits.
There are so many out there in the world just waiting for us to find, but here are some pieces that we’ve collected over time and wouldn’t trade in for the world:
I’ve always loved typically “plain” things with a tiny bit of off-center detail–a.k.a this exact jacket. Its striking pink detailing, golden arrows down the sleeves, and high collar against what could’ve been just a typical sports jacket makes it easily one of my favorite things to throw on when I couldn’t be bothered with thinking of something to wear, simply because of how effortlessly charming it looks. To say I was the sporty type would be to lie straight to your faces (unless walking down a flight of stairs to the water dispenser is counted as a sport?), but I can appreciate the athleisure appeal this jacket brings to the table. While donning it may make you feel ready and qualified enough to start your own Rocky-esque training sequence to “Eye of the Tiger”, don’t think you can’t wear this kind of jacket with anything else. It looks great with denim, with skirts, with shorts–wear it with anything and you’re golden.
To say I’m a veteran at spotting thrifted deals is a grave overstatement, as my world into secondhand shopping was actually opened up by this very piece! Not a bad item to pop my pre-loved-clothes-hoarding cherry, don’t you think? Being such, I hold it near and dear to my heart–in part because of its overall style and sentimental value, but more so because of the fact that I am, on most occasions, too incredibly lazy to think of elaborate outfits on a regular day and inevitably reach for this one without question. It’s just that easy to wear, breathable in the Philippine heat, and comfortable, too. Why wouldn’t I love it?
I have one word for your loves: Jacquemus. If you don’t know who or what that is, you are missing out exponentially and you should get on Google to find out. If you know what I’m talking about, then, doesn’t this give you the vibes that patter along the lines of iconic Pre-Fall 2020 Jacquemus collection set in beautiful wheat field production design of the SS 2021 collection?
As 1/2 of the self-proclaimed sartorially frustrated beans behind this blog, I’ve long been an advocate of reworking existing clothes. I love the possibility of making something yours way past its trend life and original design. I’ve countless of them from my family baùl already stored in my wardrobe. This beautiful find was breathed a whole new life into this reworked two-piece set. Upon spotting it on my feed, I had to add it to my ‘drobe.
The hubadera in me was immediately enamored with the tie-back bralette. The cropped long sleeved button down is perfectly multifunctional as a cover up or on its own as a top. I profess my love for many a high waisted bottoms, so pairing this with my sky-high-waisted linen pants is a dream ensemble. It’s perfect for the beach or a stroll through the weekend market even.
Ooh-la-la! Whoever said you couldn’t wear lingerie outside of the bedroom? I rarely every buy something as daring as this, but 2020 has really turned me into the confident, skin-showing Leo that I am now–not even mad at it, TBH. This sexy lacy bodysuit is so gorgeous I’d wear it all day if it were socially acceptable (walking your dog in lingerie, anyone?), but alas this is not that kind of world. Boo.
What’s so appealing to me about it, aside from its obviously well-made and aesthetically pleasing peek-a-boo lace and thigh-high cut, is how well it looks when tucking it into jeans as a sexy top. Just, ya know, maybe not to the office or you WILL be called in by HR. Alternatively, I could always just show off my newfound confidence sans the pants just to take selfies in my bedroom. Don’t lie to me; we all do it!
It’s material is pretty thin (duh; it’s supposed to be) but it doesn’t feel flimsy one bit. It’s not uncomfortable anywhere, even if the thong cut really does leave so very little to the imagination that one wonders why fabric is even there in the first place. Am I in love with it? Damn right, I am. Fair warning though: its high thigh cut makes it extra risque, especially for those a little shy around the lady-bits–but we all crave a little danger once in a while don’t we?
Also, to be fair, this isn’t thrifted, but it was too darn cute not to include!
Disclaimer: this is the only item on my list that isn’t actually thrifted. But nonetheless, this item deserves a spot on this list of our favorite sartorial buys from Instagram.
Photos of this line art print on the classic button down first went viral sometime between late 2018 to early 2019. As one who is full of quirks and equally quirky choices, I was immediately smitten. Unfortunately, it hadn’t made its way around yet and no one had it on stock—that is until Instagram got wind of my searches and hit me with an ad for a shop that had it.
Line art is one of the fundamental basics of standard illustrations, making it a beautiful addition to the classic white button down. I love wearing this button down anywhere and everywhere—whether I’m heading off to work, paired with work apropos trousers or a cute A-line skirt, or I’m heading out for simple brunch with the girls, completing the ensemble with cute denim cutoffs or linen shorts.
My only problem with this gem is that I have to physically stop myself from using it over and over again like a uniform. LOL!
When I saw this dress online, I instantly fell in love. The color, the cut, the print, the hem–just look how adorable it is! Those that frequent Instagram shops would understand the anxiety of crossing your fingers so tight while hoping no one else out-bids you by the end of the night; luckily for me (and unluckily for everyone that missed out–ha, suckers) I was kindly bestowed this extraordinary beaut. Its vibrancy is something my wardrobe is so sorely missing; I just knew I couldn’t let anyone get their grubby hands on it!
Its short length is perfect for lowkey hoes like me that love to show off some legs–you gotta be proud of what you got, am I right? Plus, its adorable rounded hem adds just the right about of peeking playfulness that allows the mind to wander just enough without bordering on raunchy. Alexa, cue “Legs” by Hagibis, please. Thanks.
I love styling this so much with knee high socks and school girl shoes–perfect for nailing that youthful yet not-too-adolescent-that-you’d-get-arrested-for-flirting-with-her chic! The white collar and cuffs are gorgeous accents, a lovely contrast against the playful print that brings the marriage of classic eccentricity into one piece with ease.
I always joke to Jazz and call this my “lola” dress because of how old-timey it looks, but don’t be fooled! It’s so easy to pull off no matter what decade it is.
the second star to the right
@closetsteal_
Growing up in an all-girls Catholic school, I was victim to ruffles and pleats and the “conservative” dress code of the olden days. So imagine my bewildered surprise when I spotted this on my feed, up for sale, c/o Kenn, the beautiful soul behind the @closetsteal_! I was immediately sold on it’s pretty bishop sleeves with a smocked detailing on the cuff and the floral embroidery. The peter pan collar honest-to-goodness ties the whole piece together, lending it a very soft and classic vintage 1940s vibe.
Honestly, I was half horrified and half besotted with the piece right away; horrified because of all the war flashbacks of sitting through Mass in the sweltering heat in my starchy gala uniform—complete with stockings and the required layers (iykyk). The besotted half of my sartorial soul obviously won—I mean, LOOK HOW DAINTY AND PRETTY I PAINT!
I love how it fits perfectly and ends just on my mid-thigh, perfect for tucking in or leaving out. I am partial to styling this tucked into high-waisted shorts or trousers, depending if I’ll be dressing up for work or simply going for the casual cute look for some errands, polishing it off with cute sandals—whether chunky or strappy.
This piece definitely goes down in my wardrobe as gala uniform chic.
As a self-proclaimed weirdo (I’m weird; I don’t fit in–brownie points for whoever gets who I’m making fun of) I’m a sucker for asymmetry. When I saw this on my feed, I knew I just needed to have it. The cuffs–the glorious, unexpectedly over-sized cuffs–sold me immediately. It was the pièce de résistance to my impulsive shopping habits, so here we are. I always try to regret it, and yet the call of affordable (and très chic while we’re at it) fashion overrules all self-control. Should I laugh? Should I cry? I have no idea, but I can do both and look incredible in this shirt while we’re at it–everyone wins! I think.
The sleeves, over-stitching, minimal text print, and everything else that was sewn into this magnificent article of clothing just ooze such a nonchalant cool that brings me the bite of bizarre that I’ve been desperately trying to fill my band tee-filled wardrobe with. Its black over-stitching is the sartorial cherry on top of this unorthodox blouse; the sheer amount of character in this piece alone makes it a standout no matter what you pair with it, but offers a subtle class that never comes off as overwhelming when paired with louder pieces.
Though, I will admit that I’m partial to donning it with something a tiny bit bawdy (surprise, surprise) just to balance out how refined its sleek white fabric is–fishnets, you think? That was a trick question. It’s always a yes to fishnets.
If you’ve read my style intro, it’s safe for me to claim that 30% of my ‘drobe consists solely of rompers and overalls. This is because they satisfy my perpetual need for effortless comfort. So honestly, what better way to achieve that than rolling through the day in a bomb-ass overall.
Story time regarding this piece: I’ve had my eye on this piece the moment Florice released the teaser for the collection this was a part of. I was unfortunately too slow in bidding for it and it went home to another fellow bidder. BUT, a couple days after grieving its slip from my grasp (because we grieve for missed opportunities in this house), the original buyer DM-ed to offer me the item at the same price she bought it as it was not a perfect fit for her. Kismet? I’d like to think so. The universe heard me grieving and decided to take pity on me.
I’m such a huge sucker for drop crotch details, and the contrast print of the line art was just my The8 dreams coming to life. True to my laid back sartorial soul, I usually style this with a bralette (thanks to the sweltering heat of the PH), if I can get away with it, and rotating through cool sneakers or my white Birks. I love accessorizing this with a handy but classy scrunchie on the wrist and maybe topping it off with my leatherette bucket hat.
If fellow Carats could see this, I hope you’d be proud with my sartorial ode to Xiu Minghao of Seventeen.
Complete the sentence: “The best time to wear a striped sweater is _?” If you said “all the time”, then congratulations! Not that you win anything, but hey, at least I know we can be friends! Spongebob and memes brings people together, after all. But, in all seriousness, this green and pink pastel-y sweater is mad cute–something I’d seriously wear on a constant basis if the sweltering oven that is the Philippines wasn’t the biggest inconvenience to the sweater-loving-layer-longing people of the world–myself included, obviously.
Still, on days where my armpits can graciously bask in some air-conditioning, this would be on the top of my “what should I wear today?” list. I adore this tucked into linen pants, but it looks just as cute in a flowing mini skirt or high waist jeans too. It can get a bit warm if you stay outside–what doesn’t in this country really?–for too long, but it’s wearable Islander-wise for the most part. It’s a yes for me!
Cue Justin Timberlake’s iconic track as you read this.
I grew up with the notion that special occasions, even as simple as a reunion or Sunday family dinner, always calls for something special to wear. Feeling special and fancy, I realized later on, didn’t have to be as expensive as the bubbly I’d love to be sipping on. So when I was scouring the depths of Instagram shops for a dress that I could wear both on the daily and for special occasions, imagine hearts for eyes when I spotted this!
It is perfectly dainty with its flowy mini dress structure and the sweet bow that rests delightfully on the curve of the lower back. It’s the epitome of business in the front, party in the back with its sweet conservative neckline but stunning low back. I dress this piece up usually with dangling silver earrings, a bold lip, and cute strappy sandals.
As I said, I’m a lazy human being. Anything that can be topped over a bralette and shorts is literally already a win for me. So, when Jazz and I stumbled across this store selling kimonos, you better believe how fast I typed “mine”. What drew me to this, aside from the fact that kimonos are just generally in-style at any point of the year, was the tiny subtle details. It’s mostly black, yes, but the stripes are actually a subtle emerald that gleams just a tad when you really look at it. It has a unique detached-looking arm-stitch that I found incredibly intriguing–kind of like a Frankenstein of kimonos, but make it fashion.
The fit is also to die for. It’s loose, breezy, and literally my favorite thing to wear when I know I have errands to run and don’t want to run the risk of sweating up a storm. The length is also quite flattering, as it ends with around the derriere. Unlike longer, calf-length kimonos (which I still adore and would stab myself in the foot to acquire), this one may be easier to pair around and travel with. While I do love the effect of capes billowing in the wind, I do like that this doesn’t frump up much when sitting or gets snagged on unsuspecting bushes.
If it hasn’t been obvious already, I’m big on simplicity, so I appreciate how easy this is to wear with just a tank top and jeans while still looking like you’ve put thought into your look. I do have to say though that if you plan on buying a kimono (well, this is technically a haori), you need to be pretty careful with it or the sleeves deflate, losing its uniquely kimono-esque flare.
There’s no pain in a little champagne, darling. Trust us on that. This little nugget of advice spills over to fashion, obviously.
I hate having to turn up to last minute events frustrated at the lack of versatility of my wardrobe colors. A neutral palette is the color wheel of my life as it’s easy to wear and easy to bring to most occasions. This little champagne crepe organza number is a prime example. This elegant piece curated by Danielle from @viel.mnl is equal parts simple, with it’s no-fuss structure, and equal parts fancy with that beautiful off shoulder detailing. It’s a breeze to wear and easily adjustable with the self-tie straps on the shoulders.
While the pandemic’s got me all cooped up at home for now, I can’t wait to wear this out and about for dinners and nights out once all the chaos is over and done with and the dust has settled once more.
Tight high-waisted skirts? Sign me up for sure! I love this skirt so much, partially because it was actually a freebie given to me by the very, very kind owner of this shop (along with my regular purchases, of course), but also because I rarely every find long skirts that I actually like. Because of the high waistline, I find it to be incredibly flattering, giving my body a little help in shaping up the booty area–a blessing to the curvaceously challenged individuals like myself.
Because I’m obviously not the bustiest or bootylicious woman, garments like these really do wonders in giving me more self-confidence in my look. Aside from the cut and fit, I’m also helplessly in love with the army green color that matches most of my wardrobe (it consisting primarily of black, white, or denim). You can dress it up or down as you please because it’s versatile enough to handle whatever you want to throw on top–bralette, t-shirt, blouse, leather jacket; the list goes on and on.
I also love the zippers on either side of the front of the skirt; while they are incredibly useless, as female pockets apparently only exist for the sake of existing, I do think they add a nice edgy feel to an otherwise plain skirt.
I have a handful of things maxi. A very select handful. I’m a tiny human, the butt of most short jokes from my group of friends, and so I try to steer away from maxi skirts and dresses as they tend to drown and dwarf me. Be that as it may, I make certain exceptions when the maxi item is drop dead gorge and a must have addition to my wardrobe.
My hubadera soul will usually opt for a cool bralette to offset the amount of fabric making up the bottom. Alternately, I also love pairing this beautiful skirt with a short sleeve/sleeveless white button down tied at the waist for a very casual look. If it were colder, a long sleeved turtleneck is also something I would reach for. This is such a versatile piece that I could step out in a range of footwear—from chic boots to casual sandals.
Watch me living it up in full fashown on my next grocery run. Peep it under my required PPE at the next doctor’s appointment. It really is a la vie en rose with such a gorgeous sartorial piece.
How we’re constantly whining and wishing this country’s climate and weather was amenable to coats and sweaters and layers. Because honestly? We’d rock them all the damn time. We’d also have a never-ending rotation of coats to die for. Hands down. No contest, bub.
Hunting for a good winter coat is tiresome and annoying in a country that’s only got two seasons going: hot and wet. This snappy winter overcoat was going to be my first line of defense against South Korean winter—had Miss ‘Rona not decided to be a b*tch and dragged on to ruin my plans for later this year. (Yes, I’m pouting behind the screen). So this little gem of a pièce de rèsistence is unfortunately taking a back seat in my closet until the dust settles and we’re free to literally and metaphorically fly once again.
There is so much to love about this navy double breasted coat: from the single vent on the back to the gorgeous contrast embroidery that sports the phrase “goddess of new clothes in winter”. Ugh. I have one word: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!
While this isn’t clothes per se, we wanted to include this shop because it was one of the many, many shops that the both us started sending to each other over Instagram and saying, “Bilhin mo na. Bili din ako, tapos share tayo shipping fee.” Though these pieces in specific are not the latest that this store offers, as we bought them well over a year ago, their style still withstands the test of time. With Bohemian vintage themes for both pairs, they’re no-brainers when looking for something to add to an outfit to give it a little spice.
Loved our looks? Wanna share with us a store you think we’d inevitably wait with bated breath at each new collection? Let us know in the comments or drop us a DM over on our Instagram! We’d LOVE to find new (well, old but new) things to add to our collection (and maybe share with you again another time)!
Slay safe; stay cute, loves. 😘
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
Drip, drop. We unlocked a secret: we’ve discovered the nectar of the gods were brewed into a skin potion 🌞
As we grow in our skincare journeys, we’ve come to listen to what our bodies want. We learn from them and, in doing so, become keenly aware of signs of issues or concern. This is so that they can live their best life and thrive beautifully.
We’ve come to an understanding that many products in our regimen contain the otherworldly powers of natural ingredients that the OG woman, Mother Nature, created. This world’s flora is one of the most mysterious and powerful elements of this planet. They have been a great way to supply food, an astounding source of medicine, and a fascinating fountain of skincare ingredients.
The ultimate goal for skincare? Effortlessly and consistently pull a Beyoncè and claim “I woke up like this” on the flawless side of the spectrum. While we’re still struggling to climb up the mountain and attaining that goal, we’ve happily come across a little skin potion that can help us cheat our way to rolling out of bed and just oozing with radiance.
And to stay true to our brand, we are so happy to announce that we are opening up conversations and dialogues with different people, kicking it off by inviting Yso to take the floor (or screen, lol) away! She’s the potioneer behind the magical elixir, NECTAR, and a lover of all things beautiful. We are so grateful to have been able to catch up with one of Jazz’s old friends from her high school days (in a socially distanced manner, people!) as she shares with us (and now the world) her new beauty baby. ✨
In the history of cosmetics, plant-based oils were most popularly used by the ancient Egyptians to boost circulation and deliver antioxidants to their skin in defense against sun and sand damage. Ahem, it’s time we gave Cleopatra a run for her money. Cue the drumroll!
The beauty elixir that I’ve concocted contains the luxurious oils of jojoba and argan, which are more elegant to use (and far more expensive to source, boo) than her favorite beauty oils: olive and sesame oil.
Nectar Hangover Cure was so christened after I woke up one morning after cooking it up one day and using it on myself, having only had four hours of sleep, a midnight snack of chocolate mug cake, and- I’m ashamed to admit- only four glasses of water the day prior. And yet looking in the mirror, I was honest-to-goodness surprised to find myself radiant when I should have looked like a wreck. Though the bags under my eyes were present, they more closely resembled the coveted aegyo-sal (cute eye fat) than they did hollow and tired panda-esque eyes. I was able to cheat my way to looking like I had a complete 8 hours of sleep and the prescribed 8 glasses of water a day ✨
Used in the daytime, my glow was such that I found I was able to go about my day without the need to use a highlighter- or any makeup for that matter- for that “lit-from-within: effect. Side note: one must always try to achieve the optimal level of glow through skincare rather than makeup, to achieve the most natural je ne sais quoi.
I woke up like this 😉
Self-care and beauty in my book is all about the experience. Beyond the old-world, floral, herbaceous scent and rich oil feel of Nectar, the creation process is particularly special. Handcrafting this from garden to shelf in small batches, knowing that I’ve stuffed this with only the highest quality ingredients, skipped the fillers, and formulated this to suit skin in the Philippine climate, I’m excited to share this potent, luxurious skin food with everyone!
NectarHangover Cure Face Oilis a potent, organic, cruelty-free beauty serum of natural antioxidants, vitamins, and essential amino acids—loaded with all sorts of skin boosting nutrients. This plant-based hydrating serum works to soothe skin and promote overnight rejuvenation—whether you were up till the crack of dawn for midterms, vodka, or Netflix. Waking up with tighter, radiant, and balanced skin
INGREDIENTS: golden jojoba oil. argan oil. apricot seed oil. AFRICAN MARIGOLD extract. mulberry fruit extract. lavender extract. jasmine flower extract. rosa damascena essential oil. English lavender essential oil. immortelle essential oil. vitamin E oil.
African marigolds help to repair skin damage and irritation, and reduce itchiness, sensitivity, and dryness. This works wonders on eczema and dermatitis. It encourages skin healing by strengthening the moisture barrier, thereby protecting skin from photo-aging, free radical irritation, and other environmental stressors.
A flower child
Each bottle of clean skinfood is carefully formulated to be organic plant-based that are handcrafted in small batches and never tested on animals (just me and my sister), making it cruelty-free.
This infusion also has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. (Don’t worry acne-prone loves, this is non-comedogenic and works to soothe breakouts, not exacerbate them!) It even balances sebum production, making this suitable for all skin types. I took care to use the lightest base oils (golden jojoba, argan oil, apricot seed oil) possible to suit the humid and tropical climate that our country is known for. Oily skin types can use Nectar alone or mixed into gel moisturizers; I love it with Celeteque Hydration—it’s my holy grail recommendation from Watsons.
Dry skin types can add a few drops to their thicker moisturizers for the antioxidant boost. A lot of love, research, and patience went into this bottle. From sourcing ingredients, growing and harvesting the plants, drying the marigolds and lavender, studying the chemistry, sterilizing tools and containers, experimenting with formulation, testing for adverse reactions on myself and on my family, I put a lot of love, research, and patience into each bottle. Now, at last, Nectar is ready! ♡ I’m finally an albularyo..
For any fellow witch doctors out there, this process is simultaneously easier and more difficult than you’d expect. I’ve gone through a couple fretful challenges like growing your plants for the best and most bountiful yields. I’ve also had to fight off hordes of pests—those damned slugs and snails won’t give me a moment’s rest in this monsoon season, they chewed through half of my marigolds a few weeks back. Drying herbs and fighting mold with this humidity can be a nightmare—I’ve wracked my brain and tried it all: oven drying, sun drying, silica gel, and dehydrators. I’ve also come to the realization that sterilization is so much more than washing with soap and water, going through an extensive process to make sure all the tools are clean and ready to use. My measuring apparatus has grown in quantity as my brewing process requires beakers, graduated cylinders, pipettes, and a weighing scale.
It’s a ride, let me tell you, but the results have proven to be well worth it.
Stay magic, witches.
PS. I only produce this in small quantities to ensure high quality infusion and to keep my plants healthy and happy
If you’re in the PH and want to give Nectar Hangover Cure a go, follow and hit up Ysobel on her Instagram (@ysoluna) so you can watch out for her next batch of skinfood potions!
🧚🏻♀️ yso
A 22 year old hedonist in search of all things beautiful, an apostle to the church of skincare, an archenemy of the common garden snail, and “alipin” to cats everywhere.
Your resident maarte babes look back on how we figured out we were soul sisters meant for lifelong friendship 👯♀️
While some people come into our lives for a hot second to be temporary, there are friends that come along that imprint themselves into our souls forever—such is the case of your friendly neighborhood duo, bound together by their maarte tendencies and mutual understanding of each other’s trashy personas!
What started as a simple freshman year acquaintanceship based off of a mutual love of canned goods and instant noodles eventually grew into the laughter-induced-stomach-cramping, beauty enabling, K-Pop obsessing, adventure-seeking companionship it is today! Through shared classes and internships and slumber parties and drunken fiascos that encompassed the eight (or so) years we’ve known each other, we—as the collective JaJu you’ve come to know and love—couldn’t help but look back at our stupidity this International Friendship Day and reminisce the best moments of our friendship where we knew we were meant to be soul sisters.
Hopefully, our stories crack a smile on your face and inspire you to give your besties some extra love today, too!
When we could enter each other’s homes without knocking or announcing ourselves because our families are so used to us being a packaged deal. Our families have gotten so used to having each other around that they have foregone all decorum around the both of us. Jazz’s mom, for example, was once walking around in just loungewear and Jazz had asked her to wear something proper because they had a guest: Julia. Upon seeing who the guest was, Jazz’s mom remained unflinching and pointed out to her child, “That’s not a guest; that’s Julia,” and continued about on her way, flipping through Netflix in her loungewear with her feet up on a chair—thanks, Tita 😂
We also realized we spent too much time together when Julia’s dog, Batman, honest-to-goodness mistook Jazz for the former. Batman’s usually very bark-y at strangers—no matter how familiar they could be—so it came as a shock to us when he stopped being his usual bark-at-strangers self when Jazz came over one evening for dinner. He was wagging his tail excitedly and even lay down in front of her for rubs and pats! That was…until Batman realized Jazz was not his human! When Julia crouched down next to Jazz and actually got so confused between the two of us; It didn’t help that both of us liked pairing boots with our outfits and happened to be wearing similar pairs. He looked back and forth with the obvious shookt confusion of a dog, no doubt thinking to himself, “Why are there two of you?”
Jazz, who currently has her own pan de sal, cheesecake, and longganisa business running (PH readers please support her or you’re panget), also happens to swing by the house to make deliveries whenever Julia orders—so much so that Ate Lyn (Julia’s very lovely kasambahay) regularly notices Jazz’s weight loss (Ate Lyn is such a big support 🥰).
When we’re comfortable lending each other our clothes knowing full-well that we’re not going to see those garments for a good 2 months (at the least) until they remember to give it back. This happens so often, when something goes amiss in our closet and we’re in desperate need to find a certain piece, we usually call each other up just to check it’s not at their house (sorry, Jazz ✌🏻).
When we’re comfortable hitting each other up for a crying stress sesh or a drunken adventure and we know the other would be down either way because no matter what life throws at us, we can only take so much and we need a shoulder to hold us up. At the end of a stressful day, when all the sh*t hits the fan, and we’re in need of a little venting, all it takes is a simple text to hit up a drive or a call so that we could let all the feelings out. Alexa, play Charlie Puth’s “One Call Away” because it rings so true.
We’re trying to make the most of our youth given the fact that we would never know what happens tomorrow (hello pandemic, we see you), which is why we’re usually down and ready to go for any random adventure we cook up in the moment—a pre-COVID bar hop? Yes! Maybe pizza and wine? Always! A little Grey’s Anatomy binge session? Sis, we’re already at each other’s doorstep with wine bottles in hand—sometimes already half empty. Because being within residential proximity of each other definitely has so many perks, we borderline abuse it.
These b*tches graduated together 😎
Paying our respects to entertainment agency, Pledis
This down-for-anything mentality started even way before we graduated, when we’d exit class with our stomachs gurgling only to randomly look at each other with knowing expressions that could only mean one thing: Chowking. Regardless of the fact the nearest establishment was a good 1.5km aways (and that we were too stingy to use our baon money for a pedicab), we’d use our lunch breaks to walk all the way there, no complaints in the slightest, and only happy to have someone to make damay.
Our readiness for random extended trips (i.e hastily planned day-trips to the beach from a dire need to disconnect from reality) even went so far as to plan a week-long vacation to Korea for just the two of us, with itineraries based solely on the slightest possibility of seeing one of our favorite idols. Sure, we squeezed in some sightseeing for a day or two, but the rest of the trip? You better believe we concocted entire routes primarily just to hit up entertainment agencies and stare at their buildings, slightly bowing to them in respect. We’re dorks, we know. But as we’ve mentioned before: Stans Together Strong!
When we could not speak for weeks but still pick up where we left off like nothing happened. While we love each other to death, we also need some space and time apart to deal with all the things that life throws our way individually. After a while, we’ve gotten a hang of picking up on each other’s quirks and moods—bonus points because the lemons life throws at us are usually simultaneous. We’re also way past the age of getting offended when the other doesn’t reply or talk to us every day—we’ve got our own lives to live after all! We’ll just update each other when the lemons have been squeezed dry and we’re not pulling our hair out from all the crazy.
When we could be sitting together in silence doing completely different things, and still be happy with the hang out. Not everything is meant to be loud and put out into the world. Sometimes, the comfortable quiet and beautiful silence that only tried and tested friendships can endure are a god-send. We don’t always have to be doing the exact same thing or some big thing together; we’re happy just sitting in the same vicinity and stuffing ourselves silly while we scroll through our phones. Rest assured, we’d still be sending each other memes via chat even if we’re right in front of each other—when we’re not lazy to show our phone screens.
When we could have 5 different chats running simultaneously on different platforms and in different tones but could still keep up with each other with ease. Besides the obvious “finishing each other’s sentences” best friend trope, our wavelengths are so in sync we’ve literally got a handful of chats which are labeled categorized in different tones and topics so that we’re able to talk about a million things at once without missing a beat: Kakao is for work related matters, Instagram is meant for scrolling and sharing the pretty ~aesthetic~ things, Telegram is for quick file sends, and Facebook is for our general life talks (i.e. memes and daily trashiness). While it’s such a foreign concept to many (mostly our parents), we’ve got it down with such practiced hands.
Yung saktong pa-cute lang at an inuman
One of the many girls’ night’s out
When we don’t have to think twice about the dumb shit we want to kwento because we know they’re just as stupid and won’t judge. Aside from the fact that we’re usually bursting with dumb b*tch energy (because thinking up all the ways we can contribute to the world and be sustainable in this economy takes a lot), we’ve stopped acting surprised at what stupid things we get up to on our own. The first one to know, besides the obvious eyewitnesses, is definitely each other. Random marriage proposals? Funny Bumble convo? Really weird experience with random older men at a bar? Unsolicited advances from cute Tinder boys? Receipts, or it didn’t happen.
When we could thirst over pretty boys and cry over personal matters and not feel ashamed about either of them. Believe us: this has bit us in the butt IRL a couple of times via all the weird looks people throw our way, but we regret nothing! One of our favorite examples of thirsting over pretty boys is our encounter of spotting a cute guy in the SM Entertainment’s Sum Cafe. We didn’t have the balls to go and dine in so we just stood outside (like complete losers) and looked in through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Jazz had offhandedly pointed out to Julia that there was a cute boy sitting by the window having coffee with someone—in such a very K-Drama scene style with his casual way of sitting and his legs crossed, soft filtered morning light shining on his hair. Julia had doubled back and emitted a squeal so unconsciously loud that the old grandpa who was walking past us had shot us a surprised dirty look. We had to scurry away because we were a tiny bit scared that he would report us and we’d have to be deported for disturbance of public peace (lol).
Our parents’ number one fear when they sent us abroad together for the first time was that we’d be vulnerable to all the pretty boys we’d find 😅; it was the one thing they kept emphasizing during the lead up to our Seoul graduation trip. Lo and behold, not even a couple days into our little jaunt, we found ourselves trying to navigate an underground maze of a subway station when a cute oppa could obviously tell we were out-of-our-wits lost and took pity on us. He looked to be on his way to work with his preppy casual suit but had the kind heart to offer us help and find our way out by following him out of an exit he was bound for (stranger danger guys, don’t follow anyone unknowingly)—thank you muddled brain and slow loading Google Maps for gracing us with that encounter. In the end, he was kind enough to point out the correct exit for us when we declined the following him out option.
Exhibit A of the dumb things we spend time on together: hijacking BP’s comeback looks!
Exhibit B: The curly-haired Rosé to Jazz’ Jennie
When being in each other’s presence automatically increases our innate stupidity so much that we both gain confidence to do dumber and dumber shit. If you’ve read our article on concerts, all the antics we get up to on con day is really just a beautiful prime example of our integrated stupidity being enhanced more than threefold. From nearly falling down railing just to get a glass of beer or sweet-talking some guards for pabebe photoshoots in off-limits areas or practically foaming at the mouth when our fave idols get within ten feet of us, our capacities for idiocy knows no bounds when it has the both of us to bounce off of.
How cute were we?
Honestly, what do you do you’re decked out in traditional Korean hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace and fellow tourists ask to take a photo with them for “authenticity” feels? The answer: shrug, smile, and pose for a photo! (They said we were cute and adorable, so we rolled with it 😅).
We’re also not sure how but we were able to convince a fellow intern to do a relay message run during an editorial shoot for a VIP. Long story short, the dressing room and the area for the shoot was a bit of a ways off so we were tasked with giving the editorial team a heads up that the VIP was on her—very reminiscent of “the eagle is landing” scene from The Princess Diaries 2. This occurred simultaneously when the VIP had passed Julia and she had curtsied at the former, not knowing what to do with herself. Consequently, once the VIP had passed Jazz, the latter had collapsed to the floor in laughter after seeing Julia curtsy (“I’m awkward with famous people, okay?!”).
When we could spend 7 days straight in a foreign country and not want to strangle each other by the time we got back home, despite the many reassurances that our RBFs did not mean we were pissed at each other, but just that the walking around activity was tiring for our stamina-deficient selves. If anything, our first trip abroad reaffirmed our friendship by proving to us that despite the initial five (5) years we’ve known each other, we were meant to be friends for longer.
When they are the first person you ask an opinion from for almost anything and everything, because they’re basically half of the braincell you share and your best hype-person. Shopping trips have never been the same since. If we’re not trying to talk ourselves out of impulsively buying pretty things (ehem, Jazz), we’re turning to our bestie to help us out to do just that. Unfortunately for us, 9/10 times that barely works out and it ends up with somehow finding ourselves enabling each other leading up to us both purchasing items in our signature JaJu colors (rose quartz and serenity blue; hello fellow Carats). Either way, we walk out of stores with some percentage of buyer’s remorse.
Sometimes, when we despair to each other about it (without revealing that we had purchased something) it’s so instinctive to ask: what did you buy now?
This show of solidarity has even gone so far as Jazz asking Julia to accompany her for moral support to a photoshoot she would take part in, only for Julia to dance around and scream “YAS, HOE!” behind the cameraman to help make sure Jazz loosened up and projected. If your friends don’t make absolute fools of themselves to help ease your nerves, are they even really your friends?
When you know enough dirt on each other to possibly ruin each other but won’t because you love them. There have been countless rants and experiences and secrets that we’ve shared in the seven-ish years we’ve spent together as friends, it’s inevitable to have learned and uncovered some skeletons in our closet. It’s a gamble to even let ANYONE crack open a peek at said metaphorical closet, but we’ve proven to each other (and our respective trust issues) that we’ve got nothing to worry about and we’ve got each other’s backs always. All secrets will die with us, especially since we firmly believe that someone else’s dirty laundry isn’t ours to air out.
When all it takes is one look or a quirk of a brow, and you know automatically what they’re thinking of. Whether one of us has noticed a cute boy had pass by or overheard a tidbit of someone’s conversation that had caused the signature JaJu silent-yet-judgmental sass to manifest, a simple side-eye or an eye roll to one another (even from opposite corners of the room) have us exchanging full-blown conversations without a single word.
When, despite not seeing each other for months thanks to quarantine protocols, your uterus (uteri?) still syncs and you still get your periods at the same time. Myth or legend, based on evidence blood sisters do exist. Although we’re not quite sure what science (or mystical forces of nature) causes this, it’s happened to us too many times for it to be just a mere coincidence.
These are just some of the stories and kalokohan we’ve gotten up to during the course of less-than-a-decade old friendship! We’re telling you, there’s so much more we’ve yet to tell (maybe soon!)
If we’ve put a smile on your face this International Friendship Day (or if you can somehow explain how the innate female reproductive system’s apparent bluetooth connectivity works), please like or comment on this post! And don’t forget to follow us on our Instagram!
Let us know some of your favorite stories with your own besties; we’d love to read all about them!
Wishing you and your besties all our love 💖
✨ jazz
A 24-year-old writer, producer, and stylist who’s got the starry-eyes of a shopaholic with an irrefutable love-hate relationship with carbs and wine.
💋 julia
A 25-year-old writer with an obsession for beauty and an ineffable love for all things sharp—from cacti to hedgehogs to intense winged liner.
talk t á• y o! 