N's Random Reviews

From food spots to travelling hot spots, make-up to Kpop. I will be just sharing my opinion & experience. I know how it feels to be frustrated not to get enough info on certain products, restaurants, etc. so I hope this helps ♥ Nadine Hit the ASK button if you have any questions,want to collaborate or if you want me to review something or a place ♥

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Excuse my awkwardness...it's actually my first time to film with a friend + do a beauty related video. 

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Expectation vs. Reality: Myeongdong + BTS + Monsta X suggestions?

A bit of story time...do you really get a lot of freebies in Myeongdong? Let me know if you've had the same experience or what your expectations vs. realty ideas are.

Also...i think I’m starting to get into Monsta X, so would appreciate recommendations/suggestions about them!

Fangirl with me: @nisrandom http://www.twitter.com/nisrandom http://www.instagram.com/nisrandom hallyuandthephilippines.tumblr.com

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Korean Drama Recommendation: Missing Nine '미씽나인'

I don’t see a lot of people talking about this drama...why? 

It’s so intense and funny, basically it’s just so goooood! I’m hooked. Only 2 more episodes left.

Have you watched Missing Nine?

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DOING MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!

Open to Philippine residents only. 

Check out the video to know how to win :)  

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I took photos with EXO, Super Junior, Psy & Big Bang? 

Know how and where by checking out my Korea vlogs! ;) Trust me, you’ll definitely see a KPOP fan’s amusement park / playground. 

Places you can add to your itinerary

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Just had to let it out. I’m not against any of the fandoms, just those making it controversial.

From one fangirl to another, post as if your idol will be able to see them. Do you think they’ll be proud and happy with how they are being ‘defended’ 

Also, put my shorrrrt review on BTS Wings album. Can’t for them to perform it live

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KOREANMAKEUPPH REVIEW

I highly recommend Koreanmakeupph if you're looking for a credible and nice seller that carry reasonably/low-priced Korean makeup/skincare products. I purchased Mise En Scene bubble hair in Ash Khaki Brown and an air cushion puff. Read my review below as to why I’m giving Koreanmakeupph two thumbs up.

If you read my old blog posts, you'd know how much I looove my bubble hair products. I practically choose coloring my hair using bubble hair over than having it professionally done at salons. Unfortunately, the Korean marts near me do not have the shades that I'd like, although they do have Mise En scene hair products. A friend of mine, make-up artist Raymond Isais, recommended koeranmakeupph so I looked at their Instagram page. When I checked their product posts it seemed like they didn’t have what I wanted, nor did they mention about taking pre-orders. However, I wanted to take my chance as so I messaged them and inquired. Sadly the color that I really wanted, Mliky ash, could not be found (phase out perhaps?). But Kate (owner), gave me the other colors available and was patient when I told her that I’d think about it. She seemed bubbly and genuinely nice whenever I asked her something...trust me, I had a loooot of questions. She also replies quickly. In the end, she went out of her way to accommodate my order and it didn’t cost me much. I also didn’t have to wait long before I received my purchase. Been wanting/curious to try out the acne pink powder mask from Etude House so I was pleasantly surprised that it was my freebie! I have it all over my face as I write this.  정말 감사합니다! Truly one of the most accommodating, patient & nicest sellers online. Prices are low too!

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Bought a selfie ring light on Lazada. Check my video forthe demo & review of the product. So far so good. 

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MINUTE MINEAT: FULL STOP (BF Homes)

Earlier this week my friend Raymond and I tried the newly opened Full Stop restaurant here in BF Homes. From my experience, this is a ‘hole in the wall’ restaurant that you should not simply drive by. Is it value for money? Will I go back and recommend it to friends? Find out what my verdict is with my review below. I recommend you check out the video above to get a visual of the place and see the menu and their food.

Let’s first talk about the price, since that can be a 'make or break' deal for curious customers. Besides the 12 pieces Chicken Wings, nothing on the menu is over 200 Pesos! Definitely good news for students and budget-conscious people. They also offer ‘Busog Budget Meals’ from 11am-2pm which only costs 85 Pesos. I met the owners-chefs, Marco & Shalla, who told me that they are still on their soft opening. They were really friendly and they nicely (and patiently) explained to us the differences between the food that my friend & I were thinking of ordering.    

Now moving on to the food. We may have gotten a table for 2 but the amount of food we ordered...well you be the judge. Let me just say that at the end of the day, we had a party in our tummies.LOL We weren’t able to finish everything on-site so we brought home some, and it was still satisfying.

We had the onion rings for appetizer. I was surprised at how big the pieces were. The onion rings has a slight kick of spiciness and the dip / sauce went well with it. Serving size is great for sharing. 

Their home-blend iced tea was not too sweet, it was just right for me.

It was my first time to try a poke bowl and peri-peri chicken and I’ve got to say, Full Stop’s version gave me a yummy first impression...or rather a yummy first taste of both dishes. The spiciness of spicy poke bowl was not overpowering while the peri-peri chicken was flavorful.

My friend tried the ‘Slippery When Wet’ Burger, which is a big juicy burger with sweet candied bacon beer syrup. Now isn’t that description mouth watering? It’s also a big plus that they make their own brioche bun! Other restaurants also order brioche buns from them to serve. I think they intentionally serve the burgers medium (can’t remember if it’s medium or medium-well), so if you prefer it to be well-done I suggest you specify that when you order.

The Bagnet Chips is something that you can just keep on munching on without even realizing how much you already ate...and then feel guilty afterwards.haha I thought this would be salty but surprisingly it isn’t, which is great. We tried 2 flavors of their chicken wings, the honey garlic & garlic parmesan. They did not scrimp on the flavoring of these chicken wings, again they were soooo tasty! I fell in love with the honey garlic one, I already miss it. Their take on the Korean Beef Stew was different from what I was used to, nevertheless it was a welcomed change by my taste buds.

Food presentation is spot on, it tastes as good as it looks!

As for the place, it may be a bit small but it is still cozy and comfortable. In Filipino/Tagalog, I would describe it as ‘maaliwalas’. Natural sunlight comes through their big wall-to-wall glass doors, which means that it’s great for food photos and selfie’s or group photos with friends. Their wallpaper can also serve as a nice backdrop to your pictures.

Over all, Full Stop is a place that I would go back to and recommend. Is it value for money? Yes! All of the dishes we tried were so flavorful. The food we tried were reasonable priced given its taste / food quality and serving portion. Next time we’ll probably try the owner’s personal favorites / recommendations which were the Beef Salpicao & Chicken Fried Steak (if my memory serves me right)

Check out Full Stop Restaurant’s Facebook page to see their operation hours and other  details Full Stop: Unit 101-209 Aguirre Ave (Phase 3) BF Homes Paranaque. It’s across Dolor’s Kakanin & Mr’s Parks Korean bakery.

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Boom of Bingsu in the Philippines

In 2015 there was a boom of bingsu (빙수) restaurants/cafes in the Philippines, and until now the popularity of the Korean dessert is still very much evident. Here in our country where it’s almost summer throughout the year, this refreshing dessert was really welcomed to cool us down, not to mention that they are really delicious too. From what I’ve seen injeolmi (인절미) and patbingsoo (팥빙수) are the staple flavors. While flavors featuring green tea, mangoes and other healthy fruits makes the shaved ice make you feel like your taste buds are having a party. The brownies with chocolate ice cream variant will make any sweet tooth happy. But even if there are no toppings, the yummy shaved milk ice is already enough too quench anyone’s thirst.  

I remember immediately bringing my friends to try out Cafe Seolhwa, a dessert cafe which specializes in a variety of bingsu, when they opened a branch near my house. I just fell in love with the taste of bingsu and how the flavor just melted pleasantly in my mouth. You don’t have to mix the bingsu in order to distribute the ingredients since it is not only on top, but there’s also another layer of it within/in the middle. The ice isn’t flaky as well. It doesn’t fall off when you scoop the spoon, rather it ‘molds’, stays put and melts in your mouth. Wow, I feel like I just wrote a very passionate description to show my love for snow ice, but it’s that impressive They also serve tteokboki, which tasted great too. It’s a great partner for the bingsu since the milk counters the spiciness when it gets a bit too much.

Fortunately, Cafe Seolhwa agreed to my request when I asked to interview them since I really wanted to get to know more about the people behind the business and why they opened here in the Philippines.

The Marketing Manager of Cafe Seolhwa’s main branch, Daniel Choi, said that it was not that difficult establishing the dessert cafe here in Manila. “We opened after we had a lot of experiments about developing a menu which is based on a Korean concept but fit for Filipinos. Fortunately, they liked it and gave us good feedback.” Which I personally think was immediately liked by the locals. “In my own opinion, I think Filipinos pursue happiness and like to enjoy life. I guess the reason why our customers like Café SeolHwa’s bingsu is because it makes your eyes light up because you’ll see many different toppings. You’ll be happy because of the fresh ingredients and the ambiance of the place is comfortable and enjoyable.”

When asked what they initially wished to achieve when Cafe Seolhwa started, they responded that their dream was to make a place where a harmonious relationship can be established, from the owners to the employees and of course the customers. “I focused to let people know about Korean desserts positively. I have been doing my best in making Cafe Seolhwa become a place that offers lovely desserts that will be liked by any generation.

The popular drama “Descendants of The Sun” (태양의 후예) is currently airing in a local TV network here in the Philippines. Meanwhile popular artists like BTS, Dean and Seventeen recently visited Manila to perform for their Filipino fans. So naturally, I had to ask whether the ‘Hallyu wave’ helps Cafe Seolhwa. “Yes, of course. Most of our customers are Korean lovers. They like Korean movies, drama, k-pop music, and Korean food. That’s why it naturally gives a positive synergy to my business. We, Café SeolHwa, want to expand our brand in a positive way that will also promote Korean culture and the Korean Wave.”

Interview is non-verbatim

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"Bubbly" trendy hair color

Originally posted on The Korea Blog

Have you been interested in trying a hair color similar to that of your favorite Korean celebrity, but found that getting your hair done often by professionals is expensive or time consuming? Well, the popular DIY brand Bubble Hair Coloring just might be the solution for you. Believe it or not, I have yet to go back to the salon to get my hair colored after I discovered the hassle-free hair coloring product that is Bubble Hair Coloring back in 2014. 

Bubble Hair Coloring is basically a type of foam hair dye. Korean brands like Etude House, Tony Moly, Holika Holika and many more carry their own versions of bubble hair dyes. I even saw the brand Mise En Scene at my local Korean market. All of them have similar prices, which are all very affordable. I’ve never attempted to color my hair on my own with the traditional cream hair dye and I've always let my stylist do it for me at the salon. It’s harder to make sure that you've applied the cream evenly to your hair, especially if you’re doing it by yourself. However, with bubble hair dye, it’s as simple as shampooing your hair. Some, if not most, of these dyes are ammonia-free, so it's better for people who are sensitive to that. Even the scent isn’t too harsh. The consistency is also thick enough so that it doesn't drip down your face.

Bubble hair dye kits usually come with all your coloring needs, including gloves, a cape and a softening conditioner/treatment. Mixing the two components won’t even take you two minutes. The whole process is honestly easy and convenient because you can do it comfortably at home and you don’t need someone else to assist you. The after color treatment will leave your hair shiny and soft, plus it has a fragrant smell to it, too. There are many more pros than cons with bubble hair dyes, as they're inexpensive, easy to use and contain fewer harmful chemicals, which means it’s less damaging. On that note, having less of those chemicals can result in the color not being quite as long-lasting as professional hair dyes, but that’s understandable. This can also be a positive thing if you’re just looking into trying out a certain color. I’ve only tried bubble hair dyes from Etude House since I've had good experiences with them. I’m satisfied with the color pay off and it lasts long enough in my hair. In my case, I dye my hair about three times a year. I usually watch a Korean drama or variety show while waiting for the color to set. As with any other hair dye, the color appears closer to what is stated or pictured on the box if your hair is a much lighter shade, or if it's bleached. It also depends on your hair’s current color, history and condition. I posted a comparison of my very faded, bleached hair that used to be red. I used Etude House's bubble hair dye in "Wine Red" and it magically brought back "glory" to my hair. On the right is another before-and-after comparison of my natural roots that were starting to bother me. Can you see the difference after I applied "Lavender Brown"? Many of my friends complimented me on this hair color.

I love how I can change my hair color in an instant and it still remains healthy. You, too, can easily achieve a new look for a fraction of the price with the use of Bubble Hair Coloring.

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Battle of local sea salt sprays

Beach Born Sea Salt Spray vs. Snoe Hair Heroes Super Fresh Texturizing Beach Waves

Scent: Beach Born is unscented, while the Snoe spray has a minty/melon-y smell. The scent is nice BUT it can be a bit strong, so those who are sensitive to fragrant scents may find it a bit too much as it lingers for some time.

Effect on bun-tied hair: I love tying my hair in a bun for the wavy hairstyle as it is easy and convenient, especially for our humid weather. I noticed that SNOE holds curls/waves while the Beach Born spray ‘texturizes’ the hair and makes it a bit bigger. Although both of them add volume to your hair, I think my hair cooperates more with Snoe as the effect lasts longer. One downside to Beach Born is that I couldn’t run my fingers through my hair smoothly, and I understand that that’s probably the effect from the natural sea salt spray.  

Price: PHP180 vs PHP299

I have been using the Snoe beach waves spray for years...yes this same bottle ever since 2013? It may look small but you only need a few spritz, so it goes a long way. Meanwhile Beachborn is bigger and cheaper, and great if you don’t want another scent mixing in with your perfume. Nevertheless, both works wonders.

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Guess who just stocked up on her face masks! Yasss to relaxation!

The Face Shop is doing a ‘buy 5 get 5′ promo just for P325! Hurry, it’s only til June 30

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“Korea to your doorstep”

I live in the south of the Metro where it’s like an unofficial mini-Korea town, which I have no complaints about. I am grateful to have quick and easy access to Korean marts, restaurants and cosmetic brands. I know there are some Korean aficionados in various parts of the globe (and even around the Philippines) who do not have Korean stores located near them. Well fret no more because there’s a company that will bring a part of Korea to your home. I stumbled upon Korea Curated and thought this would be a great thing to share to my fellow Korea lovers, this may be the special box to fulfill your need for (all) things Korea.

“We curate our products to represent many different aspects of Korea.”

‘Korea Curated’ is a unique subscription box service designed to share Korea with people around the world every month. Most of the subscription box services or online shops that I see are usually related to Korean cosmetics and clothes, but with ‘Korea Curated’ they give their subscribers a variety of products, from food to DIY quirky items, from familiar brand names to small ‘indie’ enterprises. As their slogan on the box says, “Korea to your doorstep.”

Fortunately, I was able to interview Marie Frenette and Cory May, the people behind Korea Curated to give a more in-depth look on how their adventures in Korea developed their love for the country

Keep reading

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Give Korea Curated a try to have something to look forward to every month, K-related that is ;) 

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Friends who love Korean makeup & skincare products! This one is for you.

I recently discovered and personally tried Althea Philippines - ph.althea.kr, a legit website that sells various brands that may or may not be available locally. Compared some of the prices to other online shops and stores here and saw that a lot of their products are priced lower than them. What a steal, right?! 

Items are shipped from Korea, I got mine delivered a week after I ordered. Sharing my coupon code for additional shopping discount: Nisrandomdiscount

Enjoy your shopping K-lovers!

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Tim Ho Wan

I understand the pork bun hype but was very confused with the radish cake.

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Why do you live your life losing out to others? Don’t worry about others, take care of yourself first because nobody is gonna acknowledge you for your troubles.

Yoo Jung (Cheese In The Trap)