5 Things You Should Know Before Getting Gel Polish ft. Nailaholics Nail Salon & Spa

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Ever heard of the expression: we always want what’s bad for us?  (or was it what we can’t have?) Well, this is sort like one of those occasions but with an upside. A pretty one, at that!

I’ve been getting gel polishes every so often for the past year. I do so with caution for reasons that will be explained in the points below. It’s honestly a love- hate relationship but during my recent trip to Nailaholics, Ayala Center Cebu, I simply could not resist. I settled for a gel polish in all its damaging glory but honestly, I don’t regret it.

If you’ve heard of gel polishes before, I’m sure you’ve heard of their long lasting powers which is this products claim to fame but before you go ahead running to your closest salon, here are a few things you should know about getting gel polish:

  1. Gel manicure can last up to 1- 3 weeks.

It’s longevity is really the main reason why I get them done in the first place. Regular manicures usually only last me up to 3 days because I’m always using my hands whether if it’s typing, washing dishes, fixing fabrics or what have you so I only really get them during special occasions like a photo shoot, wedding or a fancy event. Yes, you can still get your cuticles cleaned and the gel polish will stay on.

2. Gel Manicures are difficult to remove on your own (it is also not advised)

In Issa world, this only means that I have to pay someone to remove them for me which sometimes sounds ridiculous but it’s a small price to pay to make sure you don’t damage your nails too much, if you actually care about damaging them.

I have honestly never made it to the parlor to have them removed. Maybe it’s my impatience or maybe it’s my complete unwillingness to spend (I believe it’s the latter) but I have always picked at them to get them off. The reality is, I don’t care too much about damaged nails anyways because for one, they grow out. Another, do people get nail cancel? I must Google this. So irresponsible, I know.

3. Too much is bad for you.

My frequent picking, I believe, is forgivable considering I only get them very so often but generally, you’re not advised to get more than two gel manicures back-to-back. I’ve also read that the UV light which is used to dry the manicure can have long term effects if exposed to it too much but requesting for an LED light is a safer option.

Really, can someone please explain HOW damaged your nails can get? Don’t they just grow out? (ignorant me refusing to google and asking for a lecture. I’m gonna get it bad!)

   

4. Nail rehab is best post gel manicure removal.

Moisturizing and deep penetrating oils and balms are the best way to help your nails recuperate after a drying session of gel manicure. This post manicure procedure is best for repairing damaged and weak nails and it will also allow your nails to breathe. I would also suggest opting for a lighter manicure (meaning: not gel polish) right after having your gel polish removed.

5. I would still get one anyways.

I know the interwebs say that gel manicures are dangerous for you but if you read the fine print, it’s really only damaging if you do it too much. If you’re someone like me that doesn’t like chipped nails and doesn’t have the necessity of going to the parlor every week, I would totally do it. I’ve had my polish for almost a week already and even with all my cleaning and typing, my manicure is still in place which means I’m ready to shake hands with anyone I meet and I like it that way and maybe suffocating my nails for 3 weeks seems like a price I’m willing to pay (for me. You’re allowed to feel differently!).

There are definitely pros and cons to this nail technology but if you’re find out about it anywhere, I would rather you heard from me. Whatever decision you have, more importantly, it’s essential that you go to a facility that understands your needs, takes care of you and practices complete professionalism and sterility.

Nailaholics Nail Salon & Spa, located at the 3rd floor of Ayala Center Cebu and SM Seaside City, is a relaxing Hamptons inspired getaway in the city. Their top of the line services and friendly prices will have you extending your stay and relaxing the day away.

Check out their services offered and prices here.

For updates, follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

xx,

Issa P.

YUPAKesh

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It’s been such an amazing start of the year- I am revisiting old dreams and making them happen for myself and for our future.

I’ve been cleaning, scrubbing and loving our little nest. It is so beautiful, I don’t care what anyone says, it is ours and it has our PlayStation4 here which makes it bombbbb.

Work has been amazing. I am beaten up, down, side to side but goddd, I LOVE THIS EXHAUSTION. I could use more… and more money, def. lol.

Lord, I’m so tired but I am soo soo grateful always, beyond belief. Thank you for our new coffee table. I still need my fridge and heater! 😀

Something EVERYONE Should Learn

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Dear Issa,

A is not albino,

B is not bitch,

C is not cat,

D is not dog,

E is not eagle,

F is not foxy but you’re pretty close so good job,

G is not GANDI,

H is not hello,

I is not Idiot,

J is not for jutz,

K is not kangaroo,

L is not lick,

M is not madagascar,

N is not… well, we can’t use that word here,

O is not olympics,

P is not pizza. But pizza is always a good idea,

Q is not queen,

R is not Ramos,

S is not sexy (but you are. Always remember that!),

T.. well, we know what is,

U is not university,

V is not Virginia (but we miss her dearly),

W is not Wisconsin,

X is Xray,

Y is not yoy

And Z is not Zoo.
Please remember this the next time you give directions or try to spell sonething out. You’re 26 dammit, you should know this shit. 😂

P.s. Was i supposed to learn this in school?

Being Cooked Alive in Samboan, Cebu- Cebu’s ONLY Kawa Hot Bath

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Am I getting better at naming my blog entries or what? Heck, if click bait works…

I haven’t really gotten around to posting ANY of my travel blogs/ vlogs until last night when I decided to just get it over with. Note to self, do NOT try to edit a vlog while drinking with friends… you will f*ck up. In this case, forget which file you edited with the right background music and end up uploading the WRONG file. haaay. But anyways…

Paolo & I made a trip down South a couple months ago to visit Cebu’s only Kawa Hot Bath. It’s about 5 hours away from the city which you would think would be excruciatingly and painstakingly long but is surprisingly fun, given that you’re with people who don’t drive you insane.

It was one of those weneedtogetoutofthecityandspendsomeQT surprise trips so if you’re hoping for prices & useful information unfortunately, I don’t have any of that. But I have pretty semi decent photos! #thatssomething

Fantasy Lodge houses Cebu’s first and only kawa hot bath which otherwise can be found in Tibiao, Antique. Just by the looks of it, the kawa is literally an over-sized pot which is used to help one relax and unwind by having one sit in it while it is filled with water, essential oils and flowers. All throughout the process, the heat is monitored and kept at a certain heat so you need not worry about being overcooked while you’re in there (haha).

For more valuable information, check out their Facebook page.

That is all my brain can handle for today,

Issa P.

[VLOG] My Daily Make Up Routine + Feminine Eye Shadow Look

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Hey everyone!

Been playing around with make up, videos, Sony Vegas & just everything that I can get my little eager hands on.

I’m quite proud of this video, quality wise, despite the fact that I got too lazy towards the end to make a decent voice over. But when it all comes down to it, I feel like it kind of worked! I mean, how else am I supposed to show you guys my polar opposites?

Anyways, today is the day we bury my grandpa and we pick up & install our new A.C. unit. I hope you all have a great weekend!

xx,

Issa P.

Trying Out The Philippines’ Most Expensive Local Ice Cream: Carmen’s Best Ice Cream

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There’s a lot I didn’t know about ice cream until about 24 hours ago when my mind and palette were completely blown away. You see, it’s one thing to say that you looooove ice cream but it’s a completely other thing to be able to say that you actually know what makes good ice cream… I can actually say both.

It was through cups of ice cream, sandwiches and lots of water that I learned not only about ice cream but also about the food industry, how photographers actually manage to take commercial ice cream shots (mashed potatoes + food coloring) and why ice cream is everyone’s guilty pleasure when we’re feeling a little down in the dirt. But before I get ahead of myself, allow me to talk about the reason for the season (the ice cream season, that is…) Carmen’s Best Ice Cream.

I don’t know who said this but sometimes the best ideas are right in front of you or stem from not wanting to waste some good natural resources- in this case is milk, which is how Carmen’s Best came to be. With Mr. Magsaysay’s father having an excess of fresh milk from their dairy farm in Laguna, he had to come up with an idea and fast. Experimenting with different milk based products, it was when he chanced upon the idea of making ice cream that he struck gold.

This idea that eventually turned into a hobby and eventually a business was picking up fast! In 2013, the Magsaysay family established the only fresh milk processing plant in the country and it was also in the same year that Paco took Penn State’s Ice Cream Short Course and even came home with the top prize: The Keeney Award. When asked what the award was exactly, Mr. Magsaysay replied by saying, “a hat” gleaming with pride and a huge grin on his face.

As of the moment, Carmen’s Best carries 6 flavors: Salted Caramel, Malted Milk, Brazillian Coffee, Butter Pecan, Dark Chocolate and He’s Not Worth It, which is basically a Mississippi mud pie that wins at life. Each flavor has a distinct reason for its being such as the Malted Milk being reminiscent of ones childhood favorite snack Horlicks Malties, the Butter Pecan being Paco’s favorite ice cream flavor as a child and He’s Not Worth It for the ladies (and men) who need an little extra push to check out that ice cream. While there are other back stories to each flavor, the important question here is… what makes Carmen’s the best ice cream?

Well for one, Carmen’s Best is produced locally in the Philippines and uses 100% cow’s milk and cream. A not so known fact is that many commercial ice cream manufacturers do not actually use fresh milk or milk at all in their recipes which by default, doesn’t really make them ice cream to begin with. But Carmen’s Best makes homemade artisenal ice cream the old-fashioned way which means that there is no water, no additives, no mass-production and just pure craftsmanship and only the finest ingredients available to them from all over the globe. Now that sounds like ice cream.

Another key feature about this ice cream is the absence of air in their recipe. Yes, you read right, air. Many commercial ice creams are packed or should I say fluffed, in order to cut costs on cream which makes the more affordable to the general public. Notice how after opening a cup or a tub that the ice cream will begin to melt and the water and cream will eventually begin to separate? That is not the case with Carmen’s. In fact, we left the ice cream sitting for the duration of our gathering and even when being fully melted, there were still no signs of separation mainly because, it was never going to happen!

Carmen’s Best Ice Cream after 20- 30 minutes of being left open

Having said all of this, this also another question: is this ice cream actually worth it? Carmen’s Best doesn’t come cheap. In fact, it is the Philippines’ most expensive local ice cream and is even more expensive that Haagen Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and other international competitors. Priced at P140++ for a small cup and P400++ for a pint, I have to admit, it’s not going to be everyone’s go to ice cream especially on a daily basis. But if you can afford it, if you appreciate good ice cream and like to indulge a little bit more than you actually should then this ice cream is definitely for you!

So yes, I would say it’s worth it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have spent all afternoon making this entry if it wasn’t. :p What can I say, I’m a sucker for ice cream. (I used to call myself the ice cream monster. lol) My favorites are: Salted Caramel (everyone’s favorite, as well!), Butter Pecan, Malted Milk & Brazilian Coffee.

Paco Magsaysay, owner of Carmen’s Best

So what’s next for this ice cream that was sampled by the Pope himself during his recent trip to the Philippines? More flavors and reaching out to a larger Asian audience!

Print & Digital Media together with Carmen’s Best Ice Cream Team

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and… lots of temptation!

Bring home your own cup/ pint! Carmen’s Best Ice Cream is available at: PAL, Duty Free Philippines, Island Souvenirs outlets, Robinsons Supermarket, Rustan’s, Shopwise, Landers Superstore, Bo’s Coffee, Casa Verde & others!

Indulge,

Issa P.