I have emphasized time and again that eyebrows may be our most important facial features. These little buggers can make of break our face, so it pays to keep them well-groomed and well-shaped at all times! That said, I have DIYd my eyebrows since college and I'm pretty pleased with the job I've done so far. However, when Browhaus invited me to visit them last week, I thought I'd come over to see if they can do a better job. :D

The staff recommended that I try Browgraphy (P1,290), which is a package that includes threading, shaping, and dyeing the brows. Since they noticed that I have light, thin, brows, they asked me if I'm okay with having them dyed darker. I'm like, hell yeah! I always shade my brows, so I'm grateful for any time I can take off from the task.

"You've never had a face mask unless you've had one at the Facial Care Centre." That's what kept going through my head as the attendant carefully moulded a thick layer of gel-like seaweed mask on my face, followed by a a paste-like mineral mask that hardened after a few minutes.

But I am getting way ahead of myself! A couple of weeks ago, Facial Care Centre invited me to try one of their famous facials. I was way overdue for one so I just had to go. The location was their new clinic in Eastwood so even though it was out of the way for me, I still made the trip.

Hotel-like rooms

Of course, you do not just go in FCC and ask for a treatment. You have to see one of their in-house dermatologists first to find out which of the facials will suit you best.

I'm sure that many of you guys have plans to hit the beach this summer, but if you don't - don't despair! There's a lot of amazing ways to spend your summer right here in the city. You can do a sort of staycation by visiting great spas, for instance. There's a lot to explore and experience if you know where to look!

I recently discovered a place called Neo Day Spa. "Discover" is hardly the perfect word as I have seen the spa countless of times before. I pass by it everytime I go to Burgos Circle in The Fort. It looked small and uninteresting so I never visited on my own, but things are not always as they seem. I'm glad to find out upon the spa's invitation. :)

Tea bar

Inside, Neo Day Spa's ground floor looks spacious and airy. The architect made use of geometric ceilings and concrete floors to give a sort of industrial, raw look to the place.

There's really nothing like a gaggle of girls just chillin' like villains in a fabulous salon. It's all laughter and crazy one-liners as everyone does their favorite thing, which is to primp and prettify just because!

That's what happened at the opening of the newest FAB Salon branch in Valero Street, Makati. Beauty bloggers got together to try the salon's services such as hot oil, foot spa, mani and pedi, hair cut, and even a makeup makeover. They are pretty good considering the fact that FAB Salon is a relatively inexpensive salon. I already reviewed some of their services here!

I got a hot oil and a looooong overdue haircut.

A couple of weeks ago, French skincare brand Yves Rocher invited me to their official launch at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. I didn't know quite what to expect because the invite requested me to proceed to a suite instead of a function room or restaurant where events are usually held. Well, I'm always up for something new!

The Luzon Suite was transformed into a foot spa and makeup paradise surrounded by Yves Rocher's products. There was a makeup artist who was only eager to give everyone a makeover, and an attendant who did an excellent job at giving a foot scrub, massage, and pedicure. I like that the atmosphere was very relaxed and intimate. The whole afternoon was also very educational as I got to learn more about the 50-year old French household name.

Getting a foot spa!

Yves Rocher was one of the first, if not the first, to produce beauty products consistently sourced from botanical ingredients. They did it waaay before it was trendy to be green, organic, natural, and animal cruelty-free! Each product is created with as little harmful chemicals and preservatives as possible, and are inspired by a particular plant in mind.

Face products

YR's best-selling product, Elixir 7.9 (P990)

All the ingredients are planted, harvested, and manufactured in Yves Rocher's farm in the village of La Gacilly, in France. Yves Rocher, the founder, was a small-time businessman in rural La Gacilly.

It's been over two weeks since I got the Obagi Blue Peel. It's a memorable experience because it was my first ever TCA peel, but it's also a little life-changing in the sense that I've re-evaluated how I view skincare and beauty in general.

Anyway, the results were very good - the peel took away the lighter blemishes and left only faint marks where the darkest and biggest blemishes used to be. I broke out afterwards, but I hear that it's part of the purging process as the newly resurfaced skin adjusts. Also, I had my period at that time, so the pimples were really on a roll. I'm continuing with my acne medication (I'll write a separate post about it) and I'll let you know how that goes in a week or so.

Let's track back, shall we?

Day 6: So close 

By day 6, most of the old skin has already fallen away, leaving only two big chunks on the sides of my cheeks. The skin is still fresh but drying very quickly.

I've been breaking out heavily this past month - underscore on "heavily". I use a lot of stuff on my face for this blog then couple that with stress and you've got a dangerous playground for acne! I've lost track of what makes me break out at this point. I was running out of options so I turned to the House of Obagi, a clinic famous for their skincare products and medical procedures.

HOO has been asking me if I could review their Blue Peel since July, I think, but I kept saying no because while my skin was far from ideal, it was alright. Nothing makeup and my regular skincare couldn't solve then! But after the Skin Hell Month that was August, I was ready to try anything to get rid of the acne and the numerous dark scars it left behind.

I want to emphasize that I wouldn't do this if I didn't need it. But my acne and scars were out of control; this was the best solution.

Observe:

Free services at a fab salon + cupcakes + beauty bloggers is always a recipe for WIN. When FAB Salon invited us to a beauty boot camp, we were so ready. 

Obvious ba? Lol.

FAB Salon is a relatively new salon in Newport Mall, Resorts World. It's owned by the same guy who is behind Bruno’s Barbers - but not to worry, FAB Salon is specifically for women and the staff are trained by none other than celebrity hairstylist Lourd Ramos. The staff also underwent a workshop on professionalism and ettiquette by Patty Betita. 

Even with the suave interiors and the mid-range to high-end products used on the clients, FAB Salon has attractive prices. A basic cut starts at P300, color at P1,300, and hair treatments from P800.

I was thinking of putting this off since I have a few looong overdue beauty posts, but I figured, if I don't write this down now, I'll never get around to it. It will probably suffer the same fate as my Boracay trip last year - I have dozens of photos, even a video of us helmet diving, but I never blogged about it. And now I just have a hazy memory of a vacation to show for it since I left all the photos in my old Macbook.

So! Last weekend, Marco, Luis, Vanessa, and I went to Marinduque to visit Elefante Island. The solitary island houses a beautiful, Satorini-inspired resort called Bellarocca. To say that I enjoyed my stay there is an understatement! The place was breathtaking, private, warm (in terms of service), and just perfect. I am obviously running out of adjectives so it's time for a photo dump.

The only airline service that flies to Marinduque is Zest Air. It's a 40-50 minute flight from Manila.

We're here!

Bellarocca provides a 40-minute van transfer to their jetty

Everyone is rushing for Christmas by now, what with all the shopping, cooking, gift wrapping and parties. I know I'm stressed! So, I thought to have this little giveaway for all Project Vanity readers out there. I want you guys to relax and take a breather. I'm giving away three GCs from Qiwellness Spa that entitles the bearer to a 90-minute signature massage of his/her choice: Qitranquility, Qivitality, or Qireflexology.

You're getting not one, but THREE Qiwellness GCs. Since Christmas is a season for giving, I want you to give two other friends/family members a relaxing afternoon at the spa.

Here are the mechanics:

1. Like the Project Vanity Facebook page.

2. On your personal profile, paste this and tag the names of two friends: "I want to take @____ and @____ to Qiwellness spa for a free 90-minute massage. Visit this link for more details: http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2010/12/13/contest-alert-win-three-qiwellness-spa-gcs.html" 

This is what your Facebook entry should look like:

More than a month ago I visited a spa in Makati called Qiwellness. The spa distinguishes itself from others all over the metro because of its focus on centuries-old acupressure combined with modern massage techniques. The spa's clean, elegant minimalist interiors are very relaxing, a quiet retreat in the middle of a bustling city. Of course, it helps that the spa is located in the more "genteel" part of Makati, just besides Picasso Suites in Salcedo.

The waiting lounge. They serve tea once you're settled in.

I decided to try out their latest treatment called Mother of Pearl (P1,680 for 90 minutes). It is supposed to smoothen and brighten the skin with the help of exfoliating sea salt and a body polish/wrap made entirely of powdered pearls. Yep, you heard that right! Powdered pearls! I wouldn't know if the pearls are real or pure, but the very idea tickles my mind. Just the thought of being wrapped in pearls is priceless.

Ingredients

I paid a visit to Makati Wellness Studio after I went to the Paul & Joe private sale. Thanks to Google Maps, I was able to find the place and was delighted to know that the spa is just a short walk from The Prestige building. Once I stood on JP Rizal corner Antipolo St, I got a bit lost as I didn't see anything that looked remotely like a spa. Fortunately I saw a big sign that points to where MWS is - apparently it's upstairs atop Chowking, unmarked except for the sign.

The spa is clean, cozy, and welcoming. The services are very affordable (starting from P119 with the most expensive treatment at only P800), perfect for women on a budget. Of course, don't expect high-class, chic interiors - the floors are made of wood and is quite thin (you will hear every single footstep reverberating) and the treatment room looks a bit crowded.

Feet/leg treatment area

Super comfy chairs

I had the Coffee Facial Treatment (P499), Diamond Peel (P799), and Foot Spa (P299).