Wednesday, March 20, 2019

My favorite pink prettifying products

As I was washing my face last weekend, I noticed my bathroom counter and shelves had a dominant color scheme. Black. It was all black.

Hehe! With pink. There was a lot of pink, too. Kaya na-inspire ako to share with you a few (yes, just 10 out of many haha) of my pink prettifiers. Look at them!


Okay, I need to improve my flat lay skills.

From left, clockwise:
1. Simple Mama Pure Beauté Facial Wash in Rose
2. Girlstuff nail polish in Pretty in Pink
3. Solique by Girlstuff gel nail polish in Just a Fantasy
4. NYX Angel Veil primer
5. L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise mascara
6. L'Oréal Paris Infallible Lip Liner in Rose
7. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in Lover
8. L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Metal Addiction in Rose Champagne
9. Maybelline lipstick in Almond
10. In Her Element Petal Skin Toning Essence.

Let's start with the skin lovers...


Pure Beauté Facial Wash in Rose is a limited edition product so it's not available on the Simple Mama website. But I think if you send them a message, you can ask for them to make you one. I did and my request was granted. I was soooo happy, I cried! Why??? Okay, the start of summer 2018, I ran out of my usual trusted products so I started using the stuff in my blogger giveaway box. Big name products, too. My skin wasn't happy. I started breaking out again.

For Mother's Day, Simple Mama sent me their limited edition Rose Geranium line. By this time, I had stopped using anything on my face. But I still needed to wash my face, right, so I used this facial wash and only this facial wash for my skin care regimen. Plus sunscreen, of course. In 2 weeks, my skin cleared up and was rosy and glowy and just damn gorgeous! I was stunned! I can't live without this facial wash!!! It's the only facial wash I've been using since May last year. I'll do a more in-depth review next month. You deserve to know this amazing product! Meanwhile, you can browse the other Pure Beauté products in the Simple Mama shop.

In Her Element Petal Skin Toning Essence, P875, literally makes your skin feel like rose petals. I bought the rose products of In Her Element because of Pure Beauté. I figured if the rose facial wash is amazing then I'm hoarding every product that has roses in it!!! This has rose water and aloe vera as its major ingredients. Mamas, my skin after using this feels soooo nice. I keep touching my face because it's so soft and velvety! I use it twice a day, every day. Buy this!!!

NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer is what I apply when I'm going to be out all day or if I'm going to an event or meeting and I'll be commuting. I don't use primer every day, just on those aforementioned days. Primer helps keep my makeup from sliding off my face, and since I'm very oily, this is necessary! I like Angel Veil because it's super light, feels like nothing, fills in pores and acne scars so I have a smooth surface, and leaves me matte. Oh, big plus: It doesn't make me break out!

Now let's check out my pink prettifiers for my puckers...


I have a LOT of lipsticks in all colors—from essentials like nude and red to wild ones like green and blue!— but these are the ones I wear nearly every day. They're all a wearable pink!


Well, I don't really wear this metallic lipstick every day. But I do love it because nearly all my lipsticks are matte and this adds a sheer metallic sheen on my lips that isn't wet like a gloss. I don't like moist mouths.


Here's a sample of what it looks like. The left is a swipe of my Maybelline Almond lipstick. The right is the sheer champagne lipstick. The middle is what it looks like together.


Lash Paradise is probably the best volumizing mascara I've ever tried. My oily skin loves it because it doesn't budge at all. It stays on your lashes all day long without smudging, smearing or flaking. Lashes stay thick and gorgeous! That said, it's extremely difficult to remove.

There's your sneak peek! I can do more thorough reviews if you like! But for now, just know that these are my reliables and my face is so happy I found these pink prettifiers!


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Friday, March 15, 2019

Freelancers, professionals, small business owners: Let Taxumo manage your taxes!


I saw my photo on the Taxumo website. I didn't know it was there, dun sa may reviews section. And yes, it's a real review and a really positive one pa. Sobrang happy ako as a small business owner (writing services so freelance writer and editor, editorial consultant, PR consultant, and professional blogger). In the two years or so I've been using Taxumo, wala talaga akong problema sa kanila. And I'm even happier now because dumami na their scope of services. Kung before monthly percentage taxes lang and a bit of accounting, ngayon they are offering to file more tax forms and even take care of your business registration and renewal. And more!

For example, it's only March but I'm already done filing my 2018 income taxes. I AM DONE! No hassle, no lines, no stress. I practically didn't do anything except click, click, clicked and yet I feel so accomplished. Thanks, Taxumo!


If you're a business owner like me, a freelancer, a professional, a doctor, a blogger, please do check out Taxumo. And sign up (use my code: FRANCES)! You will love it! This is not a sponsored post but—full disclosure—I do get a little commission for every sign up (so use my code: FRANCES!). I'm just really happy with how Taxumo has helped me and I want you all to experience what I've experienced, too.

By the way, if you also want Taxumo to file your annual income taxes, today is the last day to reserve a slot. You also get a discount in filing your BIR Form 1701 but you have to reserve a slot TODAY. Good luck and enjoy!

Click here to pay your taxes easily: TAXUMO

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

10 tips on how to care for colored hair

It's been a month since I visited the salon for a much needed hair color. Before that, I've been dyeing my hair with boxed DIY color. I'm so busy now as a mommy of three, a business owner, a blogger, and now also an employee that it's difficult to find the time for a professional color job.

But I decided I needed to take care of myself more this year and one of the first things I did was book an appointment at Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee. It's really different when your hair color is done at a salon!

Sorry for looking like a ghost! I don't wear makeup when I go to the salon!

Since I'm acutely aware that time is the one thing that I have so little of, I decided not to do my usual vivid reds or blonde highlights. When you're a busy woman (mommy or not), choose colors that aren't so far from your real hair color. So I chose a rich brown which Louis then threaded with subtle red highlights.

Now, considering that I go to the salon just once a year for color, people always wonder how I keep my hair color looking good. And last loooooong, too. Here are my tips from more than 20 years of coloring my hair:

Good-bye, dull hair!

1. After coloring, wait 24 hours or longer before you wash hair. 
Let your mane absorb the new color fully. Water is color’s worst enemy so each shower means color down the drain. So try to wash your hair three times a week or every other day if you can’t resist. 

2. Use a shampoo designed specially for colored hair. 
Your hair has just been chemically processed so it needs extra pampering. Shampoo for color-treated hair has ingredients that are gentler on hair, that seal the cuticle (locking in color), add shine and protect hair from UV rays.

I've been using Beach Born Classy Not Brassy Purple Shampoo for a long time now. IT REALLY WORKS! I can't recommend it enough especially if you're blonde or a bright red. It keeps your color from fading. 

A good trim gets rid of dry ends.

3. Avoid clarifying and dandruff shampoos. 
These products are great for cleaning hair of oils, dirt, and build-up (hair spray, gels, mousse). However, they also strip away color. 

4. Wash hair with cold water. 
Hot water dries out hair and your newly colored strands are already parched. Plus, hot water opens up the hair cuticle and color leaches out faster.

 5. Nourish with a conditioner. 
Colored hair becomes dry hair because of the chemicals. Bring back moisture and your mane’s health with a repairing conditioner. I use Beach Born Classy Not Brassy Purple Conditioner. Another hair product I can't live without!

Just a dark brown with red highlights throughout

6. Treat your hair to an intense treatment. 
Louis says, “Studies have proven hair color does damage your hair but not to an extreme extent unless you use it monthly for years upon years. Almost all dyes have chemicals in varying levels.” To repair damaged hair, use a hair mask every week or twice a month. I try different products but right now I'm using Human Nature Natural Hair Revival Coco Mask. My hair doesn't look or feel damaged as a result.

 7. Avoid the sun. 
Sun is a natural bleach so prolonged exposure will change your new color. It will also dry out your locks further. If you must be outside, wear a hat or wrap your hair in a scarf. 

8. No pool water and salt water. 
Chlorine can actually change your color, especially if you’ve gone blonde. Salt water dries out hair. So before dipping, wear a bathing cap. If that cramps your style, soak hair in non-chlorinated water first. Wet hair is saturated which means it won’t soak up the pool/seawater so much. 

Subtle but pretty!

9. Refresh color. 
Louis advises to drop by the salon for a quick touch up. “Every 4 to 5 weeks would be ideal as by then there will be evidently hair regrowth and time for retouch and refreshing the color.” On a budget like me? Use temporary at-home coloring spray for your roots. I use L'Oréal Paris Magic Retouch. It's super easy to use, stays on hair even through brushing, and even when I get sweaty. You just wash it off after.

10. Pamper professionally.
If you have the time and the money to get a root touch up at the salon, you might as well get a pampering treatment “Cellophane or Brazilian Keratin blowouts give vibrancy,” Louis adds.

There you go! My top 10 tips to care for colored hair! It's not that hard really. Just the right products and a little pamper time on weekends should be enough for us busy mamas.


*Photos courtesy of Louis Kee. Book a coloring appointment at Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee. It's at the ground floor of Forbeswood Heights at BGC, Taguig. Almost across Mind Museum. Call 856-4848 or 856-3388.

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Thursday, February 28, 2019

Going strong


Guys, can I make sorta yabang? LOL

I'm emailing influencers and editors now, right, introducing myself and all. And some of them reply, "Aren't you TOPAZ HORIZON???" And when I giddily say, "YES!", they go sumtin' like dis:

1. "My MOM is such a fan!"

2. "You're one of the pioneer bloggers! And you're STILL AROUND! So galing!"

3. "Aren't you still blogging? It's been YEARS! Amazing your LONGEVITY in the business!"

4. "Wow, you're doing PR now. But you're still blogging? That's great! So many of your peers have RETIRED."

This is good. This is good. Riiiiight???

Wow. Thirteen years this May, folks. 13 YEARS. Thanks for sticking around, my dearest Loyal Readers. I so love you all!

P.S. That's a throwback photo of me blogging on my first ever netbook, an HP Mini. Best investment evaaaar!

P.P.S. Who are the bloggers who have retired??? Kaloka naman these kids!

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Monday, February 18, 2019

Top mommy bloggers in the Philippines ranked according to Facebook followers

As a newly minted PR Manager, I now have to keep an eye on bloggers, vloggers and KOLs (that's key opinion leaders) a.k.a. influencers. I guess a lot of people roll their eyes at the job title "influencer" because that is an invented word as well as an invented career so the world had to invent the term KOL.

Anyway, I wanted to blog about the top mommy bloggers in the Philippines today because...

(a) Marketing and PR people research this topic all the time so I want this post to be on page 1 of Google search hehe. And also to help out my colleagues in the industry. Of course! (UPDATE: It's the top entry on the search list yey!)

(b) I want to tell you, my dear Loyal Readers, that I'm not even on the Top 10 list! What! Please help me out by sharing my blog, FB page and IG with your friends and family!!! Thank you. Love you!

(c) I need to remind myself to prioritize blogging because it is more lucrative than ever and I'm being lazy lazy lazy.

There are hundreds of mom KOLs in the Philippines but most of them are celebrities who charge hundreds of thousands of pesos per mention. Most are only on Instagram, which means they can't explain a brand campaign or do a thorough product or service review. Also, branded posts on IG are not searchable on Google. Many mom KOLs don't have a Facebook page so they can't share a partner brand's FB links and therefore have a harder time making posts go viral. And lastly but most important of all, many mom KOLs don't have blogs!

So for this report, I picked mom bloggers who:

- regularly update their blogs (at least once a month)
- have an Instagram account set to public, and
- have Facebook pages for their blogs with minimum 5K followers.

Aaaaand now, without further ado, the Top 30 Mommy Bloggers in the Philippines!!!

(CURRENTLY UPDATING NEW STATS SO LIST IS NOT FINAL YET - JUNE 2020)

Facebook.com/TopazHorizonBlog ranks 29.  

FACEBOOK
For brands, these are the bloggers you want to recruit. Their blogs are not just well written, they're also regularly updated (once a month at least) so you can be assured they have loyal readers. When they blog about your product or campaign, their readers are a captive audience (vs those who blog erratically). They also have a lot of Facebook followers to share your links and Facebook posts with. Facebook is the home for viral content because everything is so easy to share on this platform.

Ranked according to Facebook page followers:

1. Ciara Magallanes of Mommy Diaries PH - 540,224
2. Pehpot Pineda of Mommy Pehpot - 251,823 (last year: 154,781)
3. Denise Rayala of Royal Domesticity - 143,962 (last year: 126,163)
4. Gracie Maulion of Tipid Mommy - 102,277
5. Levy Martinez of Mommy Levy - 36,415 (last year: 13,112)

6. Nessly Hamoy of Mom Nessly/Tribobot - 26,731
7. Kaycee Enerva of Kikay Sikat/The Macho Mom - 25,347
8. Sheena Sy Gonzales of Sheena Loves Sunsets - 23,153
9. Peachy Adarne of Mommy Peach - 21,624 (last year: 19,691)
10. Louise Fandiño Santos of Mommy Practicality - 20,231 (last year: 14,914)

11. Ginger Arboleda of Mommy Ginger - 17,430 (last year: 16,982)
12. Kaye Figuracion of K Figuracion/I Love Keisha - 16,571
13. Sigrid Dugeno-Lo of Lovingly Mama - 16,014
14. Nish Dyosa of Dyosa the Momma - 15,613 (last year: 3,007)
15. Mhaan Arambulo Santos of Mommy Rockin' In Style - 15,205

16. Rochelle Rivera of Rochelle Rivera - 14,906 (last year: 10,508)
17. Michelle Ressa Aventajado of Momma ‘n Manila - 13,200 (last year: 12,852)
18. Rowena Wendy Lei of Animetric's World - 12,107 (last year: 11,661)
19. Berlin Domingo of Momi Berlin - 12,103
20. Jackie Go of Go, Jackie Go! - 11, 715 (last year: 11,761)

21. Kath Rivera of Dear Kittie Kittie Kath - 11,011 (last year: 7,046)
22. Mauie Flores of The 24 Hour Mommy - 10,881 (last year: 7,754)
23. Istin Dizon Paigna of Rants & Raves of a Bum - 9,174 (last year: 9,413)
24. Kathy Kenny Ngo of Life is Kulayful - 8,905
25. Michelle Estranero of RockstarMomma - 8,903 (last year: 4,501)

26. Jen Maslang of Shop Girl Jen - 8,832 (last year: 3,935)
27. Earth Rullan of Earthlingorgeous - 8,582
28. Frances Sales of Topaz Horizon - 6,838 (last year: 5,087)
29. Fleur Sombrero of Mommy Fleur - 6,488 (last year: 5,951)
30. Dorry Lyn of Mom's Shout Out  - 6,293

31. Richelle Molon of Morena Mom - 6,215 (last year: 2,838)
32. Madz de Leon of Mommy n' More - 6,187
33. Shen Cala-or of Shen's Addiction - 5,410 (last year: 5,354)
34. Kimberley Reyes of Mom On Duty - 5,255 (last year: 2,996)
35. 

TO THE MOMS ON THIS LIST: I know you're happy to be on the Top 30 list. Congrats! BUT please don't share what your rank is yet haha I'm updating it this week so baka tumaas o bumaba ka pa (or in my case, baka mawala pa ako huhu).

Anyway, if you know a mommy blogger who needs exposure, kindly tell me about her so I can include her on this list. Remember: She has to regularly update her blog, have an Instagram account set to public, and have a Facebook page for her blog.

By the way, many of you may be wondering why some popular mom bloggers aren't on the list. That's because I checked many mom blogs and some don't do sponsored posts or they have reached mega celebrity status that they are just way too expensive. But if you think they should be on a top mommy bloggers in the Philippines list anyway—regardless whether they accept brand sponsorships or not, or simply because they have a huge following and therefore is a top blogger—tell me and I'll make another list!

As for me, my goal this 2019 is to increase my Facebook followers to 6K and my IG followers to 8K (UPDATE JUNE 2020: Goal achieved!). Very humble goal. I believe in organic growth but I think I've reached critical mass. It's time to advertise. Hopefully, the next time I make a top mommy bloggers in the Philippines list like this, tumaas na po ang ranking ko haha

Help meeeeeee!!! Love you all!

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