realme Note 50 Review: Unveiling the Value-Packed Entry-Level Smartphone

realme Note 50 Review: Unveiling the Value-Packed Entry-Level Smartphone

Monday, January 22

realme has built a reputation for delivering budget-friendly smartphones with impressive performance, and the realme Note 50 is no exception. I was given the chance to review the realme Note 50 before its launch in the market and in this article I'll delve into the design, display, camera capabilities, software, performance, and battery life of this entry-level device to help you make an informed decision.

The realme Note 50 sports a modest yet appealing design. The glass-like glossy finish on the top and matte-like finish at the bottom give it a distinctive look. Available in Sky Blue and Midnight Black, the device measures just 7.99mm in thickness and weighs a mere 187 grams, making it slim and lightweight. While it tends to be slippery, the inclusion of a free case resolves this issue, ensuring a secure grip.

The frame houses a dual SIM slot with a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage of up to 2TB. On the right side, you'll find the volume rockers and a power button with an integrated fingerprint sensor, providing convenient and secure access. The bottom features a speaker grille, 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, and a USB-C port.

The realme Note 50 boasts a 6.74" HD+ LCD panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate. Although occasional lags may occur during heavy multitasking, the display delivers vibrant visuals for an enjoyable viewing experience. With 560 nits of brightness, outdoor use might be challenging, but the device's IP54 certification ensures resistance to dust and water, adding durability to its list of features.

Equipped with a dual-camera setup featuring a 13MP main lens and a B&W lens, the realme Note 50's camera performance is commendable for its price range. 

Vibrant colors and decent detail characterize the main camera, while the 5MP selfie shooter offers true-to-life skin tones and effective beautification options. Video recording capabilities include 1080P @30FPS for the rear camera and 720 @30FPS for the selfie camera.

Under the hood, the realme Note 50 is powered by the Unisoc T612 chipset, accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. While the RAM might seem modest, it can be expanded. The device handles day-to-day tasks and social media apps and I did not encounter any issues. 

A 5000mAh battery backs the realme Note 50, paired with 10W Type-C charging. The combination of the display and chipset proves efficient, providing around 10 hours of usage in standard conditions. Charging the 5000mAh battery from 0 to 100% takes approximately 2 hours with the provided 10W charger.

Priced at Php 3,599 for the 4GB+ 64GB storage, the realme Note 50 caters to the entry-level market without compromising essential features. Despite not being the top contender in its category, the device stands out with a 90Hz display, 2TB expandable storage, and decent camera performance. If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers good value, the realme Note 50 is definitely worth considering.

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OLENS Double Tint + Scandi Review

OLENS Double Tint + Scandi Review

Tuesday, January 10

Happy 2023! New year, new lenses from Olens Contact lens! They launched just last week their new natural looking lens, the Double Tint. Beside their new lenses, we will include other options for those who want bold colored eyes. 

For our new readers, OLENS is the No.1 premium color contact lens from South Korea. Their goal is to promote “Beauty and Healthy eyestyling” value all over the world. 

One of their new launches for this new year is the Double Tint. It is available in 2 colors: Gray and Brown. It is available for dailies in 10pcs (5 pairs) and has a graphic diameter of 12.9mm. 

This lens has a two way highlighter effect, it makes your eyes like it is shining and makes your eyes more alive. I like how it makes my eyes look like it is shining, especially when there is natural light. 

It is very comfortable, which is a good thing since I have very sensitive eyes. It is good for everyday use because of its design and colors available. If you don’t like more bold designs, this is a good choice. 

For those of you that want natural iris color change in your eyes, you can choose Scandi Olive. It has a light gold shade and natural pattern which makes it look like your natural eye color. Since it has a chic vibe, it is perfect for your night outs and dress ups. It is available in other 2 colors: Gray and Hazel, and with a graphic diameter of 11.9mm (smaller than Double Tint). Like Double Tint is very comfortable to wear and good for everyday use. It doesn’t dry out easily and will not irritate your eyes. 

Both Double Tint and Scandi are made in Puscon, the safest material for lenses. Puscon has a strong hydration shell that can reduce the dryness and keep your eyes moisture. It also prevents protein and foreign substance disposition and blocks harmful UV from our eyes. 

If you want to try Double Tint and Scandi, you can buy it at www.olensglobal.com. The price per box is $21 (Php 1165) but currently it has 15% off until January 18. They offer shipping worldwide so even if you are here in the Philippines or in any other country, you can still order lenses from them. For a discount, you may use my code “MARICAAARRV10” for a 10% discount. 

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Korean shampoo brand AMOS now available at PH

Korean shampoo brand AMOS now available at PH

Sunday, February 20

When we hear Korea, we first always think of K-pop and K-dramas. If it is in the world of beauty, they are mostly known for their K-beauty. For K-beauty, it mostly consists of makeup and skincares. But lately, they are also getting known for their hair care and hair styles like the underhair color or sometimes called the Peek a boo color. 

One hair care brand from Korea already set their feet here in the Philippines, known as AMOS. AMOS Professionals is a salon hair care and styling Korean brand which was created by joint efforts of Korean hairdressers and researchers. For this review, we tried out their Pure Smart Shampoo in variant Moist. This shampoo claims to moisturize dehydrated dead skin on dry scalp. It says that it also has a dandruff care formula which creates a clean scalp condition. The Pure Smart Shampoo was recommended for men and women who worry about oily scalp and oiliness-induced dandruff. 

Besides me, 2 other persons in different age brackets also tried using this shampoo. All of us suffer itchiness and dandruff from our previous shampoo which is available locally and also has an oily scalp. For me, I used this shampoo twice a week because that’s how I normally clean my hair. The other 2 people used it everyday for almost a month. We all felt a difference the first week we used it. The itchiness and the dandruff lessen. We also love the eucalyptus smell after every wash. My hair also doesn’t feel dry at all after shampooing. Would I recommend you to try it? Yes, absolutely! Would I repurchase it again? Yes, definitely!

AMOS Ph is already available at Shopee. It cost 630 php for a 500g bottle with a pump. We have the shampoo for almost a month but it is still half full. You can buy the Pure Smart Shampoo HERE Add it to your cart now!

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2019 Belle de Jour Power Planner Review

2019 Belle de Jour Power Planner Review

Wednesday, October 24

Consider me old fashioned but I really prefer the traditional way of organizing my life. I tried this year using the calendar of my iPad to plot my events schedule and yet I always find myself checking my planner. I remember what I write with a pen rather than what I type. 

I've been using the Belle de Jour Power Planner since 2014. It was my sister who gave me my first BDJ planner as a Christmas gift in 2013. At first, I was just excited with the discount coupons.  When I started getting serious with blogging in 2014 and attended events, I appreciated the planner more than the coupons.

If you haven't tried using the planner yet, here's a peek of the 2019 Belle de Jour Power Planner.

For 2019, I'll be using the Belle de Jour Limited Edition cover. My first planner had the classic cover while I had the succeeding planners personalized. I find this year's limited edition design elegant. But what I fell in love with is the butterfly. For me it symbolizes change and hope.

This year's theme is "Make Today Magical".

BDJ planner reinforces the concept of paradigm shift-- the magic in changing the way you think, how you perceive things, and how it can powerfully change the way you live. 

I'm positive that 2019 is a better year for me. Well, 2018 so far is good. But I know there's so much in store for me.

One of my favorite features of the Belle de Jour Planner is the Checklist. It got me through the tough times before when I felt like my life was dull. It challenged me, motivated me, made me get off the couch!

The 3 highlighted items on the 2019 checklist gave me goosebumps. During the weekend launch (this deserves a separate article) I attended the Vision Board Workshop with Trixie Esguerra and these three items are pasted on my board. Looks like the universe know what I really want to do!

Hey, I won't wait for 2019 to tick off the list. I have already started the moment I received the planner. 

Notice something new on the monthly divider? Hmm, get your phone and download the Zappar app. See the logo on the lower right? Your planner will magically become interactive (coming soon!). There's a zapper logo also on the back cover. High-tech, huh!

I want to be more productive in 2019 (raket pa more!) and I look forward to filling up the blank spaces. 

Getting busy means more moolah so the cash flow tracker comes handy.  It also means I'll be forgetful (I did forget to pay a few bills on due date this year)... bills tracker to the rescue!

Girls, is it just me or you also tend to forget when you had your period? This is important whether you are trying to get (or not) pregnant, planning a vacation or simply monitoring for health reasons.

And here's the #PerksOfABella booklet....

P40,000 worth of treats and discounts are included in the Perks of a Bella coupon booklet. I've used up the CBTL, Parisian, Ace Water Spa and Celeteque from previous years. Make sure you always bring the booklet anywhere you go.

Yey! You made it to this part of the article.

Win the BDJ 10th edition Navi Journal

Navi Journal showcases contents and illustrations of 12 widely celebrated festivals from different parts of the world on its monthly dividers. With special pages such as 101 Checklist, Bucket List, Must-see Destinations, Pre-trip Checklist and Packing List, Navi journal helps you visualize your travel goals and carefully map out your next adventure with ease.

Bound by an intricately-designed matte leather cover, the journal contains 176 full colored pages and horizontal weekly layout with notes page where you can list down your week’s highlights and wonders. What’s more, Navi also has an expandable back pocket that lets you store your travel essentials like tickets, cards, cash and postcards, among others. (source: https://shop.ilovebdj.com/collections/2019-collection-1/products/2019-navi-journal)

The TravelCurious booklet gives you access to P25,000 worth of discount coupons from partner brands.


To join, fill out the form below. You need to log-in to your gmail account. Also, your personal FB profile link is required so I can check if you are a real person :)

Winner will be announced on my facebook page Snapped and Scribbled on November 10, 2018.

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How To Choose The Right Sanitary Pad

How To Choose The Right Sanitary Pad

Wednesday, June 27

Not all sanitary pads are the same because not all women are the same. Do you use only one kind of pad during your period? 

The "one size fits all" doesn't work at all. How do you choose the right sanitary pad?

Light flow is usually during the first and last day of the period. Day 2 for me is the heavy flow. I use Softex Comfort Slim on the first day of my period. If I'm just staying at home reading a good book, a regular pad works perfect for me. 

My period doesn't stop me when I'm in the mood for Zumba. The Softex Comfort Slim with Wing makes me enjoy dancing without worrying because I'm sure that the pad will stay in place and there will be no side leaks. This pad is also perfect for medium flow.

I leave nothing to chance when I play tennis and during bedtime. The Softex Comfort Slim Long has a wide back guard perfect when sleeping. It is 36 cm in length and also has wing to keep it in place no matter how much you move.

My dear women friends, nothing should stop you from enjoying life. Not your period. And definitely not your sanitary pad. You know your body more than anyone else. If you choose the right sanitary pad to use based on what you need, you will never have to worry about discomfort, leaks, or coverage.

It took me a while before I was able to write an article about Softex because I had to experience using it first. I love the Comfort Slim with wing the most even on an ordinary menstrual day because I got so used to wearing a pad with wing. But the long pad is non-negotiable during night time whether it's my first day or last. It will be a nightmare to have blood stains on my white bed sheet. 

Learn more about Softex at https://www.facebook.com/SoftexHelloKittyPH/

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3 Reasons Why I Like Softex Hello Kitty Pantyliner

3 Reasons Why I Like Softex Hello Kitty Pantyliner

Monday, June 11

Do you wear a pantyliner everyday? 

There was a time when there was an argument whether it is advisable to wear a pantyliner everyday. Some said it can cause UTI or rashes. I never had UTI or suffered from itchy skin. The reason is because I don't wear the same pantyliner all day. I change at least every 3-4 hours or whenever I feel necessary.

Whenever I go out, wearing a pantyliner is a must. I also bring an extra liner in my vanity pouch. I want to feel clean and fresh throughout the day especially when it's a long day and there's no chance for me to shower and freshen up. 

I first saw Softex Hello Kitty pantyliner when I attended an event held in a department store. I arrived too early and decided to look around the beauty and wellness section. I love Hello Kitty since I was introduced to this adorably cute character and the Softex Hello Kitty feminine care products caught my attention.

I love cute stuff. I am guilty of buying things just because they are cute. But when it comes to feminine hygiene, I don't leave anything to chance. They must be good, quality products.

3 Reasons Why I Like Softex Hello Kitty Pantyliner

Soft, breathable and unscented (and cute)

The surface is soft it doesn't feel like there's something in there when it touches your skin. It is also made of breathable material so you won't feel hot and uncomfortable. I'm not fond of using scented pads because the perfume just mess up with your body's natural odor and somehow I believe that the perfume can also cause irritation. 

For the cute factor, the Hello Kitty Bow design was placed there with a purpose. While the 15.5 cm has a perfect contour fit, the bow design is meant to absorb and keep the liquid in the center.

Looks like I have four reasons :)

The Softex Hello Kitty Pantyliner is perfect for everyday use or during the last days of menstruation when the flow is really very light to even use a sanitary pad. 

I'll be reviewing next is the Softex Hello Kitty sanitary pads and I'll let you know if this brand will make me say goodbye to the brand I've been using for years.

To know more about Softex, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @SoftexHelloKittyPH and on Twitter @softexHK_PH

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Novelina Coenzyme Face Mask

Novelina Coenzyme Face Mask

Saturday, May 5

I've been trying to avoid going out of the house during summer. But there are events I must attend no matter what the weather is like. Yesterday, I left the house around 10 am and was finally home by 11 pm. I was exposed to the heat of the sun and dust. Don't you just hate the feeling like your face is dirty, greasy and tired?

Inasmuch as I want to just take a quick shower and go to sleep, I know I'll feel guilty if I don't pamper my skin. I'm such a lazy girl when it comes to beauty regimen. I want it simple.  At 41, I'm torn between taking care of my skin more and taking more rest. 

The pampering prevailed.

Ooops! The face mask doesn't fit my face well. So here I am waiting for 20 minutes before I peel the mask off. 

Benefits of using the Novelina face mask

• penetrates quickly thus providing your skin with an immediate surge of active moisture to eliminate dryness without the greasy feel
• helps the skin replenish its own essential fluids for a softer, smoother and more supple feel to the touch
• restores hydration for a more radiant tone
• calms the tiredness of your skin

Novelina is dermatologist tested and is non-comedogenic.

I woke up feeling great this morning. It means I had a restful sleep last night. I'm really excited to try the other products of Novelina in their skincare line to experience the good benefits it will do for my skin.

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Skin Whitening Soap Review: Bellissima Egg White

Skin Whitening Soap Review: Bellissima Egg White

Sunday, April 1

For someone like me who is already 41 years old, taking care of my skin requires extra effort. I am very careful in choosing the products I put on my skin especially on my face. My skin breaks out right away whenever I use a product that doesn't suit my sensitive skin. 

I don't have a flawless skin. I suffered from acne when I was in my 20s and acne scars are still noticeable on my face. My acne scars used to be reddish but I discovered before the use of egg whites as facial mask helps fade the redness. It also helps tighten the skin. 

Going "natural" is the best thing to do. But sometimes my busy schedule gets in the way. Then I discovered Bellissima Egg White Skin Whitening Beauty Soap. Believe it or not, it is made from real egg whites.

Bellissima Egg White Skin Whitening Beauty Soap provides the same benefits of using a DIY egg white facial mask. It lightens your pimple marks, tightens the skin, and reduces oiliness. The advantages of using Bellissima over the homemade egg white mask are: you need not waste those precious minutes preparing the mask and this soap smells so good. I don't just use it for the face. It's also my bath soap. 

It has a rich, creamy lather making it a bath pampering experience when I use it with my bath puff. After rinsing, my skin feels soft and smooth. You definitely got to try it.

Bellissima Egg White is available in Puregold for only P55. I was at Puregold near where I live recently and saw the promo pack, 2 boxes for only P85. If you are like me who use different a different soap for the face and for the body, then the special promo is perfect!

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Mas Soup Sarap Instant Soup: Easy as 1-2-3

Mas Soup Sarap Instant Soup: Easy as 1-2-3

Tuesday, October 17

I grew up in a household where soup is a staple part of the meal whenever we are having fried meat or fish. My mom would either cook soup from scratch or resort to instant soup if there's not enough time to prepare. Last month, Mighty and Strong (MAS) Food Corporation sent me their different variants of MasKape 3-in-1 Coffee made from Robusta coffee bean. My husband who is a coffee drinker loved it at first sip. I only drink coffee occasionally so he was the happiest. And then, these arrived...

Three of my favorite flavors: Chicken & Corn, Mushroom, and Seafood. I love anything with corn so I was almost certain I'll declare the Chicken & Corn as my most favorite. After all, I've already eaten 4 bowls of these since they arrived.

A friend of mine told me that she's been buying Mas Soup Sarap in 7-Eleven to have something hot to go with her baon and she likes the Mushroom Soup. So this rainy morning in Antipolo, I chose Mushroom over Chicken & Corn.

Mas Soup Sarap offers the convenience of an instant "just add hot water" compared to other soups that needs to be cooked making this product perfect for those who are on the go or those who need a quick meal.

It is easy to mix. I love that there is no clumping. With the right amount of water, you'd get a creamy soup with a very flavorful taste. 

I always have my soup with Cheese and Onion toasted bread topping to make it more filling especially if I'm having it for breakfast. 

Did you know that you can make a simple fried pork chop gravy using the Mas Soup Sarap Mushroom Instant Soup? Just use half of the required water and then a few drops of seasoning.

Mas Soup Sarap Instant Soup is available in 7-Eleven stores, Ultra Mega, San Roque Supermarket, AFPCES, Waltermart and Robinsons Supermarket nationwide at an affordable SRP of P8.00

Have you tried Mas Soup Sarap Instant Soup? What's your favorite?

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How Do You Like Your Coffee?

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

Sunday, September 24

My husband starts his day with a hot cup of coffee. I like my coffee cold. With ice. And I don't drink coffee to start my day. Well, I'm not a morning person to begin with. I usually wake up as late as 10 am. Unless I have a morning event, I work around lunch time. 

When it comes to coffee, I must say my husband is the expert. He knows what tastes good. For me, they're all the same. He would buy different brands every time. It seems as if he is still looking for a particular flavor and aroma. We have two coffee makers at home but rarely use them. We prefer the convenience of 3 in 1 coffee. 

I told my husband that I want him to try a new brand of coffee: the Maskape 3in1 Coffee. I was able to taste this coffee brand ahead of him and the variant of choice is the Brown & Creamy. I really love its caramelly taste  and the strong roasted coffee aroma. It has a natural coffee taste similar to the blended iced beverages I purchase from coffee shops. I want to try this variant with a bit of chocolate syrup next time.

After hubby finished his cup of Strong and Rich coffee this morning, he said to me, "mas masarap ang Maskape." He also suggested that I try the Iced White & Creamy next time.

Pag pasado kay hubby, syempre ako ay happy wifey.

Maskape 3in1 Coffee

Maskape 3in1 coffee is made from Robusta coffee bean. It is a coffee bean with low acidity (which is perfect for me!) and high in bitterness (perfect for hubby!). Robusta is more bitter than Arabica. It also has more amount of caffeine and antioxidants. 

Maskape 3in1 Coffee is locally made by Mighty and Strong (MAS) Food Corporation but the Robusta Coffee Bean they use is imported.

Variants available

Barako Gold. Brewed with very strong coffee aroma and intense bitterness

Strong & Rich. Roasted and brewed with very strong coffee aroma and taste

Brown & Creamy. Roasted with strong roasted coffee aroma and light caramelly taste

White & Creamy. Roasted with light roasted coffee aroma and milky creamy taste

Original. Roasted with strong roasted coffee aroma. Not too creamy and not too strong

Maskape 3in1 Coffee is available in supermarkets nationwide and in all 7-Eleven Stores. SRP is P5 and P10 for TwinPack at 7-Eleven.

Kung gusto mo ng 3in1 coffee na hindi bitin sa sarap at lasa, sa Maskape ka na!

Visit www.masfoods.com.ph to know more about Maskape 3in1 and their other products. Also, follow the official facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Maskape3in1

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Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint Review

Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint Review

Friday, August 18

When I saw the Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint on the Facebook page of Maybelline Philippines two days ago, I told myself I should get hold of this the soonest. This morning, I went to Watson's in SM Masinag to buy. 

I got the Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint in Dark Brown. The other two shades available are Light Brown and Medium Brown. The 5 ml bottle sells at PhP599.

The Promise: Perfect tattoo brows that stay up to 3 days without smudging and smearing.

This is how my bare brows look like. I exert as much effort as I can to fix them but most of the time I'm lazy and find it time consuming. I'm always ready to go with just foundation and lipstick.

This is how it looks like immediately after applying. Honestly, I felt a little scared. It's my first time to try this kind of product.

According to Maybelline's website, the Tattoo Brow Gel Tint has an error-proof brush for easy application of the gel on the brows and provides a painless application with no hair loss. 

Verdict: I always have a hard time fixing my left brow. With the brush provided, it made me feel like a pro. Not messy. 

I waited for 20 minutes to let the gel dry before peeling off. There's no difficulty in peeling off. No pain. No hair loss.

Am I satisfied with the result? YES.  My eyebrows look natural. Something I never achieved when using brow pencil or brow kit.

BUT I found out from the brand's website that the 20 minute wait will make my tattoo brow tint last for only one day. If I want it to last for maximum of 3 days, I'll have to wait for 2 hours before I peel it off. Hmm... I dunno if I have the patience to wait for 2 hours unless I'll be doing something else. 

Will I buy again? YES.

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Update: (21 August 2017)

Pardon because I don't have a good selfie camera. This is my 2nd time to use the Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint and I let it stay for an hour before peeling off.  My eyebrows are well-defined also compared to how they looked like the first time I used the product. 

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