Piaya Diary: Opinion

Vice Phenomenal Matte Liquid Lipstick Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

3:26 AM

Café Mina: Great Coffee, Great Food, Unforgettably Good Dining Experience

1:31 AM

Elegant, romantic and tranquil...

That was my first impression of Café Mina the moment I stepped inside.

This dainty restaurant is a gem situated in an unlikely spot along Bacolod's Circumferential Road. More surprisingly, it is next to Star Oil gasoline station that is several meters away from The New Government Center.

That said, Café Mina is a bit far from the rest of the bistros and shops that people often go to in the east side of the city. In this case, being away from where most of the action takes place is not bad. If you are looking for a more quiet but very pleasant place to enjoy a cup of coffee by yourself or with some company, this place is the perfect choice.

The café is decorated with eye-catching novelty items. I am sure that these items are not so rare, but they are something you do not usually see in other places. I could not stop looking around. I secretly did an ocular inspection of every decor that is in there while waiting for our food and drinks.

Take a look at some of my snaps:

Seeing the sweets inside the refrigerated pastry display makes me think about having dessert already when our food order has not yet arrived on our table.

The walls are ornamented with interesting novelty pieces that are refreshing to look at.

Sorry for the bad shot but in reality the restaurant has good ambient lighting.

You will certainly appreciate the dark ceiling if you have sensitive eyes like me. The lighting is modern and ambient.

I wished I was able to take more pictures but I could not leave unattended my 3-year-old hyperactive son who could not stop looking at the die-cast metal cars that were on the wooden shelf on the wall.

The café served meals as well and Café Mina has an interesting selection of dishes. Looking at their menu, I could tell that the owners took a really good time in carefully selecting the menu items. The choices are unique and classy. I am positive that the dishes carefully picked and meant to tickle the palate of people who know how to appreciate good cuisine.

Prepare to spend more or less Php 250 per head for a meal and around a hundred more depending on the drink you choose to pair your food with.

Don't worry about the prices sounding a bit expensive. Wait until you actually see the food portions. And you will see that it is super worth it. The serving sizes are generous and on top of that they are very flavorful. Good Job, Café Mina!

Here is a peek at what we had for lunch.

I am a big fan of sausages so I ordered this dish that consisted of three types of sausage. I should have taken note of the name and the price but I did not. I was expecting that the sausages will arrive as logs with either mustard or ketchup but I was delighted to see that they had sliced them. The sauce was sweet and spicy and it went well with the taste of the sesame seeds.

Look at the meat! I love the little flags that were on top of the burger. This meal can satisfy any gastrophile. Here is a closer view.

And the food indulgence would not have been complete without chips.

I love how artistic they are when it comes to food presentation. I have never thought of thing that you use to deep fry food as a pretty serving vessel for fries or chips.

I wanted to have a cheesecake for the grand finale but, we were so stuffed that we decided to settle with coffee.

What can I say about this cup?

Aromatic, and flavorful with the just the right amount of bitterness that I want from a strong coffee. It was exactly what my cup of coffee should be.

To end this post, I say that you should come to Café Mina. A blissful and classy dining experience is guaranteed.

One last thing...

Its worth mentioning that I super love the tasteful silverware.

Have you been to Café Mina? Share your thoughts below. If you haven't gone there yet, below is information on how you can find that place:

Cafe Mina is located at the Star Oil Gas station, a few meters away from Bacolod's New Government Center. You may call the café at (034) 713 8833. They open daily from 8AM to 12 Midnight.

Beauty

Glutaredox Review: The Best Alternative to Glutathione Injection?

11:31 PM

Here I am again with another glutathione product. This time, it is about Glutaredox, a glutathione supplement that is taken sublingually. I just finished a box and did I see results? Read on to find out.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that cost you none but I will earn a small commission if you click and purchase through.

First and foremost, I am very thankful that Oxina Nutricosmetics and Skitty.com.ph sent me 2 boxes of Glutaredox. But even if I got to try Glutaredox sublingual glutathione for free, my dear readers, rest assured that this review was written with full honesty. (Drama music, please.)

What is Glutaredox?

Glutaredox is a glutathione supplement in the form of sublingual tablets. It promises 100 percent absorption as each tablet is used by placing it under the tongue and held there until completely dissolved. Absorption is through the mucosal tissue found inside the mouth, thus barriers to glutathione absorption, as in the case of tablets and capsules, are decreased if not eliminated.

As stated on their website:

"Glutaredox Oro-FS-Release ensures maximum bioavailability of reduced glutathione in all areas. Scientific studies give evidence of the high bioavailability and effectiveness."

This sublingual glutathione supplement promises the following benefits:

Improved bodily functions
Improved immune system
Anti-oxidant and anti-aging
Healthier skin and hair
and a lot more

Glutaredox comes in a box of 30 individually sealed tablets. Unlike capsules and tablets that are being swallowed, this one does not have that "rotten egg" or sulfur-like smell. The tablets are also very flavorful, I find it hard to resist chewing them because they feel like candy. But then again, sublingual tablets are supposed to be placed under the tongue and you wait until it's dissolved. Do not swallow because you will be defeating the purpose.

Each tablet contains:

-Reduced Glutathione 250mg

-L-Cysteine 50mg

-Vitamin C 40mg

-Selenium 55mcg

My Expectations

And this is the part where I must admit, that the benefit I am honestly rooting for is skin whitening. Having whiter and clearer skin is the main reason I got hooked into using glutathione.

I have read a number of write ups about this product and what is interesting is that it claims to have effects similar to glutathione injection. I have had glutathione drip treatments and I found them to be very powerful and fast-acting but the dreadful thing about those treatments are the needles.

So when I started using Glutaredox sublingual glutathione tablets, I told myself if this indeed works like glutathione injection, then it is a gift from heaven.

On the other hand, I was skeptic because each tablet only contains 250mg of reduced glutathione whereas capsules usually have 500mg or even higher. Then again, I realized you usually have to take capsules twice per day and that is maybe because the absorption rate for capsules is not 100%.

Furthermore, it's Facebook page says that with this product, you will be whiter in seven days. I was totally intrigued. How could one 250mg glutathione tablet do that? There was only one way to find out.

So, I told myself --okay--I will take ONLY one GLUTAREDOX tablet per day as it promises full absorption since it does not have to go through your entire digestive system before circulating the rest of your body. You get what I mean.

30 Days Later...

In a nutshell, I can say that it is EFFECTIVE. It does work like glutathione injection but I think it can only be comparable to getting weekly shots of 600mg TAD or TATIONIL. I cannot compare it to getting gluta drip sessions that use megadoses of glutathione and other things. One should note, though, that getting higher doses of glutathione comes with higher risks. Therefore, if you are leaning towards the safer side, a low dose of glutathione that can be fully absorbed by the body is better in the long run. For that, Glutaredox deserves all the praises.

In terms of whitening, I did not see that in seven days. That is probably because I was receiving 5000 mg of glutathione weekly through drip sessions, with my last a week prior, before I started my first box of Glutaredox. I am positive that if I had not received IV glutathione prior to taking the sublingual tablets, my expectation would not have been so high. The good news, however, is that seven days after I started taking Glutaredox I noticed that my skin appeared healthy and glowing, the pores and fine lines on my face are less noticeable and my face was less oily.

I must also say, I expected to become at least another shade whiter with the use of this product, however I got a little disappointed, the whitening was very minimal. Glutaredox does however help maintain the shade that my skin is currently in (after months of taking other gluta products).

But that is not all...I noticed many other benefits after 30 days. Here are the pros of using this product:

My scalp was healthier and I now have ZERO dandruff
And, healthy scalp equals healthy -hair, right?
My nails do not easily break
My skin feels more youthful and glowing
My face look refreshed
I did not experience weight gain
No allergies and upset stomach, heartburns or headaches
I totally forgot I used to have arthritis
More regular bowel movements
I feel more energetic
I can concentrate better
Convenient to use
No need to take separate vitamin C
FDA APPROVED

With this I can say that the skin and health benefits can make me shout "Hallelujah!" But I just wish it made me a lot whiter, but that is just me.

On the other hand, this will not be a complete review if I do not come clean with the cons (at least those that I experienced)

It's whitening effects are subtle and minimal
Sometimes I feel a slight sting under my tongue
And it is a bit pricey. One box sells for P2,380
Occasional breakouts

FINAL VERDICT

For those who are happy with the anti-aging and the health benefits, then this is a good investment. P2,380 is reasonably lower compared to getting 600mg glutathione injections.

However if you dream of becoming as white as Snow White, then you will likely need more than 3 boxes and lots of patience in addition to having a strict skin care regimen. Or, find another brand of glutathione if you want to see greater and faster results.

I am going to end this post by saying that given the fact that it is indeed effective, I would purchase it again. I am already on my second box and I am planning to finish up to three boxes. After all, morenas need to take glutathione for at least 2-3 months to see dramatic whitening results.

If you want to try this product and check out these links:
website: oxina.info/product/glutaredox/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glutaredoxph/
Online Store: http://www.skitty.com.ph/shop/glutaredox/

Have you tried Glutaredox? What are your thoughts?

Here is a YouTube video for my visitors who understand TAGLISH:

bacolod city

Lord Byron's Backribs: Still the best in the City

4:26 AM

This post is super late but I really have to tell you, dear readers, about this restaurant that serves the best backribs in the city.

I am talking about none other than Lord Byron's Backribs. The first time I tried their amazing, mouthwatering, cooked-to-perfection Baby Back Ribs was at the branch across the famous Riverside hospital.

I have tried other versions in other restaurants but nothing can compare to the soft and juicy with a "sarap-to-the-bone, melts-in-your-mouth" backribs experience that only Lord Byron's Backribs offers. The best part is that they are consistent with their recipe so it is the same good back ribs whether you go to the first branch or the one behind Luxur Bacolod. What can I say?--Nothing is as good as Lord Byron's Backribs.

Okay, I know what you are thinking, so let me stop you there. THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED post and I am not a FOOD BLOGGER. :) I am a lifestyle blogger--*wink, wink*--who has a very adventurous palate. Now where did that come from?

Anyway, I am not exaggerating, but there are only two ways I enjoy baby back ribs. One is when I cook back ribs myself but it takes a lot of hard work for me so that rarely happens. Two, and the best way, is that I simply go to one of Lord Byron's branches and enjoy a plate of that scrumptious dish.

Let me show you the one and only picture I took the last time I ate there.

For Php 159, Byron's Backribs is served with Garlic Rice topped with Fried Garlic and Atchara. Mouthwatering, isn't it?

There are two branches of Lord Byron's Backribs in the city. I have visited the one near the hospital a couple of times, while I was only went to the other branch just once. They also serve other Bacoleño favorites like cansi and sisig, but it's their back ribs that you should never miss.

And there is something important that I need to tell all of you...

Or should I say a heads up to all of you. There are two places--the store at HOMEGROWN (across Bob's Lacson) and the one that newly opened at SM--that spell something like "Byron's Backribs" on their shop signs. Those places may also, at the time of writing, bear the same logo. But please be aware that those places are not related to the Lord Byron's Backribs that I am talking about in this post. Also, the one at Homesite, belongs to a different management.

So to avoid any more confusion here are the official branches in Bacolod City:

Magsaysay Avenue
(behind the Luxur Place Hotel)
Contact # – 034 4312411/ 09334885366

San Agustin St. – Bs Aquino Drive
(beside the Riverside Hospital)
Contact # – 034 2138499

Other places:

courtesy of Lord Byron's Backribs

You can also check out their Facebook page for more information:

https://www.facebook.com/lbsbackribstheoriginal/

I hope to see you there on my next visit. In the mean time feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Love,

Red

Please don't forget to check out my other articles:

SlipTalk Bistro: A New And Cozy Place For Chillin'

Brewery Gastropub: Where Beers From All Over the World Can Be Found

Toast Box: Magical Food, Amazing Homelike Ambience

bacolod city

SlipTalk Bistro: A New And Cozy Place For Chillin'

7:36 AM

If you are looking for a nice place to relax, dine or have a bucket of beer--or two--with your significant other (or friends) then this might be a great place for you.

Every now and then, my husband and I would have a "chill" night either just the two of us or with a friend or friends...I need not explain. Typically, the long night would start in a restaurant where we can eat and have the first round of drinks. So, for this post, I will be talking about our recent experience in this new bistro in the city of Bacolod.

Located on the second floor of Hi-Strip 5, that is in front of Panasiatic Building, SlipTalk Bistro has a nice and cozy, contemporary semi-industrial atmosphere.

If you prefer a good view of the rest of the Hi-Strip building (and the long line of big trucks carrying tons of sugar cane that drive by from time to time) then you can choose one of the tables at the balcony. On a more serious note, the outside area is great at night time when the air is cooler.

On the other hand, if dining in a cooler environment is what you are after, then you can choose to be seated inside. If you are lucky, you have three choices: there is a high table with high bar chairs by the glass panels near the entrance, there are a couple of tables on one side where there is long built in bench by the wall and at the opposite side are tables with individual chairs. Regardless of where you choose to be, the tables and chairs are arranged neatly with enough spaces around them. If you want to know---for us, the bigger the table the better.

Pardon the mobile phone pics. For a better view, here is a picture from their Facebook page.

Moving on, the menu has a great selection of affordable meals. In fact, it took a while for me to make up my mind.

Between the time the owner took our order and when the food was finally on our table, I must say, the wait time was a quite long. It was a good thing that we were preoccupied with talks about this and that. But, I guess the wait time was forgivable considering that they had newly opened. The bistro was only 3-days old when we visited. I am sure that they had noted this already.

When food finally came, the wait was worth it. The serving was very generous, generally speaking, and very tasty. I like the way they arranged the food items over clean wooden chopping boards. Well I guess food on wooden boards is the trend these days because I see that style in a lot of place. I should say, though, that they had a unique way of arranging meat and rice and the condiments so you have to give SlipTalk Bistro KUDOS for that!

My husband and his friend ordered steak, or was it some ribs...oh well, here is the picture.

I went for the Bangus (milk fish) sisig and was happy that I did. I was really surprised with how it was presented. The chef had spooned the fish meat out of the its fried skin, tossed it around in a hot pan with spices and other ingredients before putting it back on. The sisig looked cute with the two calamansi on the fish head, where the eyes are. I must say, though, that my order took the longest time to arrive. Other than that, I can't complain. Boy, it was very delicious!

Of course, because this is not really a restaurant review I did not take a lot of pictures. So, I am just going to embed another picture from their Facebook page:

We concluded our visit with a round, or two, of beers. Along with the bucket, they gave us mugs and ice. It made my hubby a happy camper.

I am really counting on them to make their food prep time a bit shorter, but other than that their food was served in generous portions that are very delicious and affordable. I can't say much about the alcoholic drinks that they serve because it isn't really different from what other bistros offer, but the place was clean with a nice and classy ambience so it is a must-go.

Let me end this post by saying that SlipTalk Bistro is a good place to hang out with your partner or with friends. It is also a walking distance to other watering holes in the area if bar hopping is kind of your thing.

If you ask me, I definitely would go back to SlipTalk Bistro.

See you again on my next post.

In the mean time, here are other places in Bacolod City that you might want to know more about.

Brewery Gastropub: Where Beers From All Over the World Can Be Found

Toast Box: Magical Food, Amazing Homelike Ambience

Vikings Buffet: Everyday is a Feast

Sofia Bread & Pastries: Freshly Baked Godies Daily

featured

4 Most Amazing Products for Bleached Hair

4:58 AM

On a scale of 1 to 10 with ten being the highest, I would describe my hair damage as 8. Ten would be something like it is already falling off with the slightest touch so it is just an 8. So for months I have been looking for the most amazing products for bleached hair.

My hair is super porous. It breaks easily when it is wet. It feels like rubber when it is halfway dry. And when it is completely dry it feels like cotton candy. That is the high price you pay when you are a bleach blond.

However, I am no way near giving up on having platinum head--at least not yet--so I get help from a number of hair products besides the extra moisturizing purple shampoo and heavy duty conditioner that I always have in the shower.

Over the course of four months, I have tried over dozens of hair products in the hopes of fixing my bleached hair. But the truth is that bleached hair is equivalent to damaged hair no matter what you do. The only way to fix the damage is to cut it off. Whatever "fix" expensive salons or premium products promise it is just a temporary remedy. It is just like putting concealer over blemishes---you get that. Nothing can reverse the damage.

However, if you are like me--still enjoying the platinum/silver hair trend then you need to arm yourself with an arsenal of hair-saving products that can make your hair feel and look OK even if it really is not. Thank god for these four amazing products that work wonders for my brittle locks. I do not expect these products to fix my hair, though, but they do make it feel and look better.

Just a little disclaimer first: This is not a sponsored post. I did not get these products for free. Moreover what works for me may not work for everybody but I came up with this list hoping that you find it helpful. So take note, my super honest comments are based on my own personal experience

Without further ado, for me, these are the most amazing products for bleached hair.

4 Most Amazing Products for Bleached Hair

#4 Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle Summer Rescue

This is the most affordable conditioner that indeed does miracles on very dry and damaged hair. For less than Php 200 ($4+/-) it is widely available in all supermarkets in the country. It contains the right ingredients to make my hair less frizzy even on super humid days. It is also very thick so it does not fall off or get messy as you apply it on your damp hair. I would take a generous amount of this baby and massage it on the ends of my hair. then I work my way up to my scalp. I do not put so much of this on my roots since i have oily scalp. Instead i concentrate on the ends where it is the driest and the frizziest. I leave it on for 3 minutes and rinse it off. Try it and see the difference.

Pantene Pro V 3 Minute Miracle Treament Summer Rescue

#3 L'oreal Liss Unlimited Keratinoil Complex

This hair masque is super amazing. But it is also very pricey because it is an imported product that are sold only in selected salons. I try to use as little of this as possible because I try to make tipid (save). Thankfully, all I need for my short hair is a dollop no wider than a ten peso coin. It keeps my hair from looking like cotton candy when it is dry. It promises smoother hair for up to four days. Do not get your hopes high, though, if you have severely damage hair. Nevertheless, it does make my strands feel more hydrated and more tamable. I bought this small tub for about Php1000 (about $20) and I use it 1-2 times per week. For me, this masque can go up to 2-3 months.

L'oreal Liss Unlimited Keratinoil Complex Masque

#2 EVA NYC Speed It Up Blow Dry Spray

I bought this product at SM Department store for Php699. I mentioned in my previous posts that bleached hair takes an awfully long time to dry. I use this product on the rare occasions that I really need to blow dry. Also take note that when you have bleached hair you need to stay away from styling tools that use heat and if you really have to, you gotta put something that will protect your hair. Well, this one not only cuts drying time into half it also protects your hair from the heat. It has a nice mild scent, by the way.

I also spray this on my hair even if I only want to let it air dry. I makes my hair dry faster that way. So for me, this product is a must have.

#1 Two Step Protein Treatment and Balancing Moisturizer from Aphogee

This is heaven sent. This product is a hair saver. I know that this sounds exaggerated, but to give you a clear picture let us say that after each time I bleach my hair i see about 100 strands fall down the drain every time i shampoo not to mention that the ends of my hair are super fried. After using this pair, 100 is down to--say--10 or 20 strands. It makes my hair look and feel better, too. So even if it costs about Php 1000 it is a must have. You need to find it and buy it. I bought mine online from Rainbow Head because it is not available in local stores.

The only drawback is that it smells very bad so you need to be in a well ventilated room. It is also very runny, almost liquid and sticky so it is kind of messy to apply. Also, follow instructions really carefully because this products can do serious damage if used improperly. Also, one bottle is good for several uses depending on the length and thickness of your hair. And the protein that it binds to your hair lasts 4-6 weeks so in the long run this product is not really that expensive.

I think this is better than Brazilian Keratin Blowout because formaldehyde scares me. But that is just my opinion! I am not sure if this one is formaldehyd-free, or, it most likely has it because it hardens into your hair but I think it is the "lesser evil" and again make sure that you are in a well ventilated room when you use the protein treatment.

So that is my list of the most amazing products for bleached hair based on experience.

Have you tried them? What are your thoughts?

Vice Phenomenal Matte Liquid Lipstick Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

So is Vice Phenomenal Liquid Matte lipstick a YAY or NAY?

Moment of truth...

Café Mina: Great Coffee, Great Food, Unforgettably Good Dining Experience

Glutaredox Review: The Best Alternative to Glutathione Injection?

What is Glutaredox?

My Expectations

FINAL VERDICT

Lord Byron's Backribs: Still the best in the City

SlipTalk Bistro: A New And Cozy Place For Chillin'

4 Most Amazing Products for Bleached Hair

#4 Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle Summer Rescue

#3 L'oreal Liss Unlimited Keratinoil Complex

#2 EVA NYC Speed It Up Blow Dry Spray

#1 Two Step Protein Treatment and Balancing Moisturizer from Aphogee

Top Blogs

Hi There!!!

Affiliate

I am on Facebook

recent posts

Follow Me

Ads by Nuffnang

Bloglovin'

Popular Posts

Blog Archive

Feb 2017

I Am Part Of

Partner

Infolinks

Instagram

Need glasses?

Contact us

Visiting Minnesota?