BPI Express Start Program Experience

Credit cards, credit cards, what can we do without you?  Having a credit card is something that I wanted to have ever since I have a job. With all the online shopping that I am doing, it is really a must and less hassle because I borrow credit card from my siblings.

Having started a job, and no tax documents, how can I apply for one?  When most credit cards needed the following:

A.	Proof of Identification
	•		Passport including those issued by foreign governments
	•		Driver's License
	•		PRC ID
	•		NBI Clearance
	•		Police Clearance
	•		Postal ID
	•		Voter's ID
	•		Tax Identification Number
	•		Barangay certification
	•		GSIS e-Card
	•		SSS card
	•		Senior Citizen Card
	•		OWWA ID
	•		OFW ID
	•		Seaman's book
	•		Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration
	•		Government office and GOCC ID (e.g., AFP, HDMF IDs)
	•		Certification from the NCWDP
	•		DSWD certification
	•		IBP ID; and
	•		Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by BSP, SEC or IC B.  Proof of Income For employed: Certificate of employment or Contract of Employment (for overseas Filipino workers) Latest pay slips Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with BIR or tax stamps For self-employed: Latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS) with BIR or bank stamp AND latest Income Tax Return (ITR) with BIR or bank stamp Source:  BPI  Oh my, proof of identification is easy peazy but Proof of Income no way, blame it on my impatience. I find ways in searching for having a credit card without presenting income documents. Which led me to a solution, SECURED CREDIT CARDS. What is Secured Credit Cards: Secured Credit Card is a credit card that you need to fund with your own money upon application.  The bank would hold the money for a year (in case of BPI, not sure with other banks) in case that you fail to pay your bill.  After a year, if you have proven yourself as a good payer you can ask to get the collateral money. Plus, it will be a sort of a testing ground for first time credit card users if they can manage to have a credit card. My Experience: Lucky me, that BPI has the secured credit card program called Express Start.  I only presented the following documents: 1 valid ID Minimum P 10,000 (the amount you hold as collateral is the basis for your credit limit which is 40-60% and you can add in more) One 1x1 photo (for non- BPI account holders) After that I filled up forms and waited.  After a week, I have received my delivered credit card which is the Blue Mastercard and the BPI Credit Card account is added at my BPI online account. So far, using it is a lot like using regular credit cards and I set a budget for spending my credit card. After a year: My BPI Secured Credit Card is upgraded to a regular credit card. Yaay!  But I need to settle my outstanding balance before I can ask to get my collateral money :) Will update you soon regarding to getting my collateral :)

Haul 1: RoseRose Shop + Mortifying experience at Customs

Hello everyone!  For a very long time, I had been contemplating of buying my cosmetics at an online shop called Rose Rose Shop.  It is an South Korean based company that started at Ebay as rubyruby76 that sells cosmetics from many brands like Etude House, Clio, 3CE and many more. They also sell fashion and electronic items, food and stationery.

Payment is by Paypal or credit Card and Shipping is depending on the order weight, geographic location, and shipping method (EMS or Registered Mail). They ship 3 days after payment is made.

For more delivery information you can check out this.

Upon reading many positive reviews, I immediately register as a member, which is a must since it is easier and faster to order and more importantly is where you receive your tracking number. And browse from their cosmetics section which is very tempting to buy a lot because they sell at 20%- 80% off, wholesale, free delivery items and also samples.

Then I finally decided with these:

REFERENCE	PRODUCT	QUANTITY	UNIT PRICE	TOTAL PRICE
Total products : 42.29 $
Total shipping : 9.79 $
Total: 52.08 $
--	[Secret Key] Rose Floral Softening Toner - 248ml	1	3.67 $	3.67 $
--	[THE FACE SHOP_ONE DAY LIMITED] Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme Moisture Organic Cotton Mask Sheet - 10pcs	1	5.10 $	5.10 $
--	[Mizon_LIMITED] Water Volume Aqua Gel Cream - 125ml	1	8.68 $	8.68 $
--	[ETUDE HOUSE] Princess Happy Ending Rose Lips - 3.5g No.Purple Rose	1	7.34 $	7.34 $
--	[CLIO] Art Shadow (3Color) No.401	1	12.24 $	12.24 $
--	[Mizon] Snail Repair Eye Cream - 15ml (Multi Function Formula)	1	5.26 $	5.26 $

Shipping Method: Registered Mail

TIMELINE

Payment and order confirmed:  September 24, 2014

Shipped: September 26, 2014

Received at local post office: October 10, 2014

Unwrapped goodies

Sample Galore

THE MORTIFYING EXPERIENCE

The mortifying customs tax  :(

<sigh> I knew it, that buying at $52.08 is such a gamble but I take the risk of buying it since I am confident from my previous orders with the same price that I paid with only a postage fee of Php 50.

But Lo and behold, I got taxed a lot!  My relative (the one I assigned as my delivery address since it is faster at Manila) picked up my package at our local post office but the employee at the post office asked for the invoice before they release the package.  My relative immediately presented the invoice, and the good old Philippine Customs people billed the postage fee of P 100 and Customs tax of Php 1, 141.  My relative disputed the customs tax since it is declared as gift and at $20 value, and the total order is only $ 42.29. But the Customs people declared that shipping is included as well and imports that is above $ 50 is subjected to customs tax.  And so, he just paid them and not argue.

<sigh> This is such a bummer and a burn, LESSON LEARNED: Please do not repeat the same mistake as I did and buy below $50, please take note that shipping is included as well. And I think that packages declared as gift and at lower value trick does not work because the Customs people knows about it and look for an invoice or proof that it is truly a gift.

This may be my last order from abroad and/or I am right now in my online shopping abroad break :( It is such a waste when I finally discovered Rose Rose Shop as another favorite shop , because they ship fast and goods are properly packaged, gives out a lot a lot samples and sells at affordable prices.  Oh well,  maybe or maybe not next time :(

Haul 9: TesterKorea

Hello everyone!  Here I am again with another haul from TesterKorea :)  Today's haul is more on skincare goodies and I cannot resist a little bit of makeup hehe.

I loved shopping at TesterKorea because of these various reasons:

1.  Prices are at par with Korean prices
2.  Fast shipping and offers various shipping methods, prices depending on weight and how fast you can receive your order (Registered Mail, EMS, K-Packet and Air Parcel)
* I had availed Air Parcel and Registered Mail but I much prefer to use Registered Mail because it is the cheapest and I am willing to wait :)
* You can read more about the information in here.
3. They package my orders well and complete.
4.  Broad range of products from Korean, Japanese and Thai Brands.
5.  Ability of a registered member to request any product from Korea.
6.  Offers full size and sample products.
7.  The best but not the least:  Membership Service, in which a registered member can avail a discount based from the total purchases he/she brought from the beginning but must be shipped by TesterKorea. And the best part the discount, it does not expire :)  yaay, but this will be painful for my wallet hehe.
The chart below will explain what I mean:

What I dislike about TesterKorea is that the shipping prices is more expensive than before.  But it is okay since you can choose a shipping method depending on your budget and patience.

And I notice that I receive fewer samples even though I purchase a lot, 5 at most.  But I kinda think that maybe most of their samples are sold so they gave out few samples.

And now for the haul:

Timeline

Order accepted and payment confirmed: September 11, 2014

Shipped to the Philippines: September 16, 2014

Received at Customs: September 25, 2014 total of 9 days delivery, not bad :)

I received my package from my relative at Manila on October 17, 2014.

Contents are fully safe 

My orders on their prospective packets

Fully unwrapped goodness ^^

Samples ^^

Orders:

Tony Moly Face Mix Eye Primer W 4,320
The Saem Peeling so Good in Cotton and Honey W 5,530
Nature Republic Skin Smoothing Blackhead Removing Nose Patch  W 3,360
Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer for Perfect Lash W 5,760
Skinfood Rice Concealer Tip in Light Beige W 4,128
Etude House Color Lips Fit in WH901 W 960
Holika holika Aqua Petit Jelly Makeup Fixer W 3,950
Holika Holika Daily Garden Cleansing Foam in Green Tea W 3,360
Innisfree Mineral Moisture Foundation SPF 17 in W1 Light Beige W 17,280
The Face Shop Clean Face Oil-free BB Cream W 7,040

Total Orders:  W 55, 688                               Php 2,279
Shipping:  Registered Mail W 7,800                       319
Sub- total: W 63,488; $ 64.78                        Php 2,598

Postage Fee                                                                  50

Total Paid:  Php 2, 648

Not bad, right?

Samples:

Nature Republic Advanced Cell Boosting Night Cream
Holika Holika Skin and Good Cera Super Cream
Missha for Men The First Treatment Essence
Nature Republic Daily Moisture California Aloe Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++
Tony Moly Timeless EGF Power Eye Cream


All in all, I totally love shopping from TesterKorea. Be sure to try it and tell me about it in the comments below ^^

Review: Tony Moly Im Real Rice Smooth Toner

Hello everyone!  Recently I am having a problem of having a dull skin because of stress and walking under the sun without an umbrella, yeah Im such a stubborn person hehe.

While browsing online,  I saw this product from Tony Moly: Im Real Rice Smooth Toner. I immediately brought it because of the reasons indicated below:

Product Description:

- Contains rice bran with full of ceramide and vitamin to create bright and transparent skin.- Exfoliates gently to remain moisturizing feeling for hours.  - Offers enriched moisturizing and resilient feeling to create healthy and energetic skin.  - Free of Parabens, talc, benzephenone, mineral oil, sulfate- based surfactants, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, triethanolamine, talc.

Volume: 250ml

I have used this for a couple of months and  now here is my review:

Packaging

Housed in a typical bottle with a silver screw type cap and the stopper to prevent accidental spillage of the product, in which I appreciate because I'm such a klutz.  

Effect and Usage

I used this during my morning and evening skin care routine after double cleansing (makeup removal and face wash).
It mildly cleanses the remaining dirt and makeup on my face without the tight feeling after using this as some toners do instead it makes my skin feels supple and smooth.  It is a pleasure to use as well because it is very refreshing and non- drying.
As I used this, there are no break-outs instead I noticed my skin become more radiant :)

Summary:

Pros

- no breakouts
- non drying and moisturizes face well
- cleans good and is very refreshing.
- skin becomes more radiant
- great packaging

Cons

- none

Where to purchase?  Testerkorea.com $6.78
                                  Koreadepart $ 9.14


Would I repurchase?

Yes :) Would try out the other products of Im Real Product Line.

Review: Tony Moly Floria Whitening Caspsule Essence

Hello everyone! Having a dull skin and dark spots is such a bummer.  And so, I searched online for a product in solving my face concerns. And when I came to this product, I immediately purchased it after reading various positive reviews and tried it out.

Volume: 50ml

Benefits

For White & Shiny Skin tone, Floria Whitening Capsule Essence promises excellent whitening and moisturizing effects by building up moisturizing protective-coated film to revitalize your skin. Intensive moisturizing & Whitening steps of 4D Whitening System guarantees your skin white.

Packaging

Housed in an opaque pump container for easy application with a silver cap.

Swatch and Usage
It has clear and watery consistency like a toner with capsules that burst upon application.
I only use this during night time after cleansing, toner and emulsion. I notice though it is sticky upon application, but is quickly absorbed by the skin. 

Effects
Been using this for a couple of months, I did notice that my skin tone brightens and I experience no break outs.It moisturizes my normal skin  but when my skin is dry I apply cream right after because I find it is not moisturizing enough. For the whitening purposes, dark spots does not disappear but it lightens a bit after continuous use :(

Summary
Pros
- light weight
- does not break me out
- moisturizing for normal skin
- brightens up skin tone

Cons
- does not whiten dark spots but lightens after long use

Would I repurchase?  Maybe, because I am looking for a product that removes my dark spots.

Hauls 7 and 8: TesterKorea

Hello everyone! Today I would be sharing with you my super late haul post from TesterKorea.  I super love shopping from this site as you can see from my many hauls.

As always, shipping is quick but they had increased their shipping prices as of July 2014.  But it is okay since they are very reliable :)

I also noticed a few new things on their new website:
1. They they have improved their website layout, it is kinda confusing at first but eventually you get the hang of it.
2. They are more up to date with the latest products from the various cometic brands but only shown during weekdays.
3. There is no shopping glitch, which is the problem on their old website upon which shipping costs is not added to the total payment upon checkout. Great improvement, it is a hassle to manual order by email :)

Now with the hauls,

HAUL 7

Timeline

Payment confirmed: April 11, 2014
Shipped: April 16, 2014
Received at Customs: April 22, 2014

Orders:

It's Skin Collagen Firming Eye Cream ₩ 10,800 --- P 461
Sample: Etude House Precious Mineral Magic Any Cushion SPF34 ₩ 6,000 -- P 256
Etude House AC Clinic Pink Powder Spot Set  ₩ 11,000 -- P 470
Etude House Dr Mascara Fixer for Perfect Lash ₩ 6,000 -- P 256
Makeup Cotton Case ₩ 4,500 -- P 192
Face Shop Lovely: Me Ex Eyes #23 Toast ₩ 3,900 -- P 166.64
The Saem Mojito Cooling Water Mist ₩ 5,900 -- P 252

Shipping (Registered Air Mail)  ₩ 7,700 -- P 329

Total Paid ₩ 55,800 -- P 2,384 + taxes P 50 = P 2,434

Samples received:

Holika Holika Skin and Good Cera Super Cream

Skin79 Super BB Cream Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule Missha Time Revolution Immortal Youth Cream Nature Republic Super Origin CC Cream Nature Republic Snail Solution Skin Booster Nature Republic Snail Solution Foam Cleanser

HAUL 8

Payment confirmed: July 11, 2014

Shipped: July 14, 2014

Received at customs: July 30, 2014 (received late due to the holidays)

Received:  August 8, 2014

Orders:

Etude House Hot Style Bubble Hair Coloring (New Package) in Cherry Red ₩ 7,500 -- P 320

Apieu Nature Eye Makeup Remover Stick ₩ 5,300 -- P 226

Tony Moly Delight Tony Tint in Red ₩ 2,560 -- P 109

Etude House Proof 10 Auto Pencil in Brown ₩ 6,000 -- P 256

Tony Moly Clean Dew Foam Cleanser in Acerola ₩ 2,100 -- P 90

Tony Moly Cool Beach Body Set ₩ 9,900 -- P 423
Innisfree The Minimum Ampoule Essence ₩ 12,000 -- P 513
Tony Moly Lovely Eyebrow Pencil in Brown ₩ 2,500 -- P 107

Shipping (Registered Air Mail) ₩ 10,880 -- P 465

Total Payment: ₩ 58, 740 -- P 2, 510.27 + taxes P 50= P 2, 560.27

Samples Received:

Tony Moly Im Real Seaweed Aqua Moisture Lotion

Tony Moly Berrianne Essence

Shara Shara Gold Label Repescargo Cream

Tony Moly Timeless EGF Power Essence

Tony Moly Im Real Aloe Soothing Lotion

As always, I am one satisfied buyer. Would surely buy from them again :)  And I am also excited to use the products that I have bought.  Stay tuned for reviews of some products :)

Review: Heavy Rotation Creamy Cheeks in Pink

Hello everyone! I always wanted to try Japanese cosmetics but unfortunately I don't see any sellers of the brands that I like to try like Hada Labo, Dolly Wink, Kiss Me and many more at affordable prices. So if anyone knows where I can I get hold of these, be it here in the Philippines or shops that ships here. I give my thanks in advance hehe :)

And so, when I see this beautiful blush from our Singapore Trip I immediately bought it at Guardian and don't let go.  Oh how I wish that Watsons would carry more Japanese brands or Sasa to set up store here.

And I don't regret buying it. The color pay-off is so beautiful and natural on my cheeks. And It lasts long.  Definitely recommend it :)