ARchicTECT

UPDATE 31/03/2014: I've tried the Intensive Shine Treatment together with the Shampoo and Conditioner and the results are amazing! No need for styling but just beautiful, shiny and healthy hair after each shower! Image Courtesy of  Google 13/03/2014 When I first moved here in Dubai 7 years ago, I had a problem finding the right product for my hair. I had bad dandruff adjusting to the water with very high saline content which makes the hair dry and also the weather.  I remember using one product after another - of which I used only for a single time then jump to another til I found one that does not cause terrible dandruff for me.  I've never had a case of dandruff back to my home country so I panicked when this happened to me. I tried Herbal Essences, Loreal, etc..etc.. What stopped the dandruff was Pantene. So from then, I have been using Pantene for my shampoo and conditioner. The only thing is it does not resolve my problem with dryness.  I have this ...

Hey Everyone!  I got bored last weekend so I decided to do my nails.. I bought these two polishes from Rimmel.. I used nail strengthener and protective base when I put polish because my nails are so sensitive. They easily turn yellowish in color when I leave on nail polished for a long time. My favorite base that so far has helped protect my nails an not let them discolor is the Deborah Milano.. not being biased because it's an Italian product but it is really the only base polish that has been kind to my nails..  I am trying out this Rimmel Nail Nurse to see if it is the same.. and since it's already Spring.. why not try some color right?? Rimmel Salon PRO in 500 Peppermint.. let me show you my bare nails without polish to see the difference when I have the product on.. here are my bare nails.. let's try the Rimmel base coat.. looks promising so far..it has a clear pinkish color.. I am used to my Deborah Milano.,, which is my fa...

Many people, men and women, out there are obsessed to getting whiter skin.. Okay, I'm speaking for mostly Asians.. they have this misconception that white / lighter skin is beautiful no matter what.. Of course it is the opposite for western people.. they just love the golden skin and tan..  I am one of the Asians that love my skin color.. I'm olive. I admit, it was not easy growing up to have darker skin. I was always teased by friends and at school for being the so called "dark".. This is why my Uni friends and classmates gave me the title "darkbeauty" which is I am very proud of by the way.. I've used this as my nickname on websites.  I've used a whitening soap in the last two days.. and I was so impressed I just have to blog about it. Okay, i don't want to get whiter skin.. the reason I was trying this soap was to lighten the marks that I have on my back because of pimples. I've had this soap in my vanity closet since last year b...

Comfort food anyone?? I baked Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies today. I've been baking these babies since I don't remember. But the last time I did .... I couldn't either! Anyway, here's the recipe: 2 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour (sifted) 1Tsp. Salt 1 Tsp. Baking Soda 1 Cup Butter (2 Sticks) 2 Large  Eggs 3/4 Brown Sugar 3/4 White Sugar 1 Tsp. Vanila Extract 2 Cups Chocolate Chip Morsels (Nestle Semi- Sweet / Hershey's Milk Chocolate Morsels) 1. Mix Flour, Salt and Baking Soda (sifted) in one bowl 2. On a separate bowl mash melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar 3. Add eggs one at a time on butter mix til all ingredients are all mixed well 4. Mix the dry ingredients with the creamy mixture gradually 5. Add 2 Cups of Chocolate Morsels 6. Refrigerate for an hour or two 7. Heat up the oven to 375 deg. Fahrenheit / 190 deg. Celsius 8. Place drop of rounded tablespoon of cookie mix on a flat pan with 2 inches space apart 9. Bake cookies in 10-12 Minu...

*UPDATE 29/03/2014 I've been using this palette for a week and with a good primer and makeup base, this baby works well. Some colors maybe disappointing but its okay. I recommend this palette if you have extra moolah to spend when you want something new. Cheers! 23/03/2014 I have to share my unpleasant experience at Sephora Mirdif City Center. For frequent visitors of Sephora, you know how their staff are very welcoming and helpful the instant you enter their store. This is normal in any Sephora based on my visits in several stores here in Dubai-UAE, New York, New Jersery, and Philadelphia in the US.  On this particular shop at Mirdif City Center (my second visit a this shop)  as I entered he store, no one approached to assist me even when I started checking out the products. At that point I thought.. wait a minute this is not normal...am I really at Sephora??   I waited and continued checking the products .. and waited more..but nothing! I started questionin...

I discovered these gorgeous lipsticks from Rimmel. I chose two different shades to try.. one is a fresh coral nude which is  #32 and a beautiful nude color # 26 Here are their swatches: Photo without flash.. and with flash.. The colors are so fresh and perfect for the summer. It can be worn with a full makeup do and on simple no makeup days.  The lipstick is moisturizing considering that it has a semi-matte effect. It glides smoothly on the lips when you apply. The price is reasonable and cheap with a good quality.  I will be going back to try the other shades they have. I hope this review is helpful to those who are curious about this line of lipstick from Rimmel. CIAO! CARMI Disclaimer: Please know that my product reviews are not influenced by any type of payment nor sponsoring. My opinion is based on my personal experience with the products that I've used and tried myself. Effects of the products may vary fro...

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him, but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So the monarch offered him freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer; if, after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question: What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and, to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everybody: the princess, the prostitutes, the priests, the wise men, and the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch--only she would know the answer. The price would be high; the witch w...

I've been asked by friends several times on how I make my simple cat eye liner so neat. Of course the secret is the product that I use. I love the ELF Waterproof eyeliner pens of which I posted a review back 2009 that can be read here .  Sometime last year ELF stopped purchases using international credit cards and that's when I started panicking to look for a replacement for my HG eyeliner. Back then makeup companies only had pencils or the liners in a bottle that comes with a brush which needs precision to use perfectly. I hated it.  On my search for a similar product, I came across with Just Gold Felt Tip Liner Pen which is very similar to that of ELF. I just think it better because of more product content so it lasts longer than that of ELF. I did  write a review last year which can be read here .  I just love on how easy it is to use these liner pens.  My discovery of the  Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner has changed my view on gel liners....

One of the memories I have in High school was answering questions on a Slum book. It was fun! I remember my classmates would buy one just to know who is the crush of their crushes. During University days we had the same thing but on a high tech mode through emails!  Do you remember during the late 90s and early 2000s when email forwarding was so popular and one of the things were slum book questions that you have to answer and forward to people? That was fun right?? I was going through old emails when I stumbled upon these. To share friend's views about me back university days, here's what my friends/classmates have to say: Classmate and friend Paolo back 2002: 1. My name:    CARMELA OSORIO 2. Where did we meet?:       UST...    3RD YR ATA. 3. Take a stab at my middle name:  PENA??? (WITH AN ENYE UN N)   hula lng nman eh   ( just a wild guess!) 4. How long have you known me?:    ALMOST TWO...