New lenses from OLENS, the Ending!

New lenses from OLENS, the Ending!

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

OLENS is the No.1 premium color contact lens from South Korea. Their goal is to promote “Beauty and Healthy eyestyling” values all over the world. They also just introduced their new muse, New Jeans. OLENS will not be “Ending” their continuous release for new lenses. As for this month, they release their new lens, the Ending colored lenses.

Ending has a natural color change with a calm and soft design. It has a natural enlarging effect on your eyes. It also has a subtle yet mesmerizing look due to its color pattern. It has a graphic diameter of 13.2mm and is made out of Puscon. For those who don’t know, Puscon is the safest material for lenses. It has a strong hydration shell, prevents protein deposition and strong UV block function which makes it comfortable to wear daily. 

Ending is available in 3 colors: Brown, Gray and Olive. But in this review, we will feature only the Brown and Gray color. Both colors are great even for dark colored eyes like mine. It has a light color but not that very light that is so noticeable to look at. It is also so comfortable to wear, perfect for those who want to use it everyday. It is perfect for everyday look and for parties as well. 

You can purchase this in dailies with 10pcs per box (5 pairs). Every box costs around $21 (Php 1200). New Jeans’ Hani uses Ending Brown while Minji uses Ending Gray, so if you are a fan of New Jeans, this is a must buy! 

You can go to this link to purchase these lenses: https://www.olensglobal.com. Use my code “MARICAAARRV10” for a discount when you purchase this lens. 

Also now, OLENS made it easier to supply your lenses. OLENS is available now in Shopee. Check this link: https://shopee.ph/olens_official.ph. Happy shopping!

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Let's review! Mood Night and Mood Night Toric

Let's review! Mood Night and Mood Night Toric

Saturday, May 20, 2023

OLENS is not stopping this year in releasing new lenses! For this review we will be reviewing the Mood Night collection with their new Mood Night Toric. 

For those who don’t know, OLENS is the No.1 premium color contact lens from South Korea. Their goal is to promote “Beauty and Healthy eyestyling” values all over the world. They also just introduced their new muse, New Jeans. We will be featuring in this review the Mood Night Toric. 

Mood Night is a soft gradated edge line lens. It has a simple and modern design pattern which makes it a good everyday lens. It is available in 2 colors: Brown and Gray. Mood Night has a graphic diameter of 13.3mm and is made out of Puscon (for daily) and HEMA (for monthly). 

The design of this lens can make your eyes bigger but not that exaggerated. I like that it is very natural looking which is good for people who do like lenses that are not that light colored. 

In line with Mood Night, they released a new type of lens, which is the Mood Night Toric. Toric lenses are catered for those people who have astigmatism. It has the same design and size with the normal Mood Night lens. 

The only difference is that it has a “j” mark on the surface. When wearing this lens, the “j” mark should be placed at the bottom when you look at it from the front so that it can correct astigmatism perfectly. It is a good thing that OLENS are now releasing lenses for people with astigmatism as well because it is always hard to look for this type of lens. 

Mood Night is available in daily and monthly. For daily, it costs $34 (Php 1900) with 10pcs per box and for monthly, it costs around $29 (Php 1600). On the other hand, Mood Night Toric is available in monthly only. It costs $32 (Php 1800). 

You can go to this link to purchase these lenses: https://www.olensglobal.com/shop/goods_view.php?id=0000001305. Use my code “MARICAAARRV10” for a discount when you purchase this lens. 

Also now, OLENS made it easier to supply your lenses. OLENS is available now in Shopee. Check this link: https://shopee.ph/olens_official.ph. Happy shopping!

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LUMOS DAWN Projector Review: Reasons Why It's Better Than a Smart TV

LUMOS DAWN Projector Review: Reasons Why It's Better Than a Smart TV

Saturday, March 25, 2023

I have two smart televisions at home. The bigger tv is in the primary bedroom while the other one is in the living room. I've been contemplating on purchasing a really big smart tv but I must admit it is very expensive. Since it will be mainly used to binge-watch on Netflix and HBO Go, the best option for me is the LUMOS DAWN Smart Projector.

LUMOS DAWN is the most affordable smart projector that comes with a built-in Netflix and Youtube apps. It also has a memory and storage of 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM so you can still download other apps you might need to fully enjoy using the projector.

Reasons why LUMOS DAWN is better than a smart TV

Impressive projection

The smart tv below is 43-inch. The projected screen size in the bedroom's wall is at 60-inch. You can also notice that the room is not completely dark. It was sunny and bright at 1pm and I do not have a blackout curtain but the image is still pretty decent. 

This was projected in my home office wall at 80-inch. Again, the room was not completely dark but the projection was sharp and clear.

This photo was during the initial set-up in my living room. It's an impressive 125-inch projection. I had to rearrange my couch to face the blank wall and move the table on the side to convert my living room into a home cinema. 

Visual sharpness and clarity

A good projector is not just about having a massive screen. The sharpness and clarity of the image are also very important. LUMOS DAWN has 2,500 lumens. For a home cinema setup, the range of 2,000-3,500 lumens is ideal.  A completely dark room will give you an excellent viewing experience. 

LUMOS DAWN also have a 1080p support resolution with 600p native clear resolution. It means you can enjoy watching in full HD.

Pre-installed apps and mirror casting

My most accessed apps are Netflix and Youtube. These apps are already pre-installed in LUMOS DAWN and I can also download other entertainment apps. Mainly the same apps you can find installed in a smart tv without spending too much. And the sound! It can definitely match your smart tv. It has an inbuilt Dolby audio speakers for a truly cinematic sound effect. 

LUMOS DAWN is installed with Miracast and AirScreen. Miracast allows you to wirelessly display content from your android  smartphone, tablet, or laptop. AirsScreen is for Apple devices.  If you are into mobile gaming, you can mirror your game for a bigger view. 

It's portable

I can move the LUMOS DAWN around the house compared to having a big smart tv. I can even bring this with me because I travel a lot and love staycations. I have a tripod for my mirrorless camera that I  also use to hold the projector. I sometimes use the projector in my home office whenever I attend online events on Zoom or Facebook LIVE.

How much do you have to spend to purchase a 100-inch smart television? Depending on the brand, it ranges from 190k to 450k. The LUMOS DAWN Smart Projector retails at PhP9,999 only with FREE delivery and HDMI cable. Warranty is one year. 

LUMOS is a trusted brand. I am one of the many Filipinos who are satisfied with the LUMOS projector I have been using for a year already. 

You can purchase the LUMOS DAWN at its official website www.lumosprojector.ph/dawn. They ship anywhere in the Philippines.

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Samsung Galaxy A13: Is it the best choice for a budget phone?

Samsung Galaxy A13: Is it the best choice for a budget phone?

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

The newest entry-level phone in the Galaxy A series is now available in the market. But is it worth your money?

If you are on a tight budget, Samsung has released the Galaxy A13 which is actually a decent phone for its price point. To manage your expectations, you must first determine what you want from a smartphone. 

I have used three Samsung phones in the past and my husband is currently using Samsung Galaxy Note 10. It's a given that we trust the quality of this brand. If this will be the first time for you to purchase a Samsung phone, here's what you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy A13.

The glossy and smooth  finish of Samsung Galaxy A13 makes it look expensive even if the case is made mostly of plastic. And since it's glossy, you have to deal with fingerprint marks all the time which can be remedied by a phone case. It comes in three colors: black, blue, and peach. You can choose between 4 + 128GB or 6 + 128GB for storage. 

The screen is 6.6” FHD+ TFT Infinity-V Display. I find the size comfortable to hold. There is a USB-C port at the bottom and  a 3.5mm headphone jack. This phone is not capable of wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy A13 has a 5,000mAh battery capacity. You can get a full day use if you are a normal user. I've been using this phone for a month. I'm a heavy social media user and the battery lasts for 12 hours at most. 

The Galaxy A13 uses Samsung's own Exynos 850 processor. It's fine for undemanding needs but it's a bit slow and not advisable if you are into gaming. 

The camera is very important to me. Most of my blog's photos are taken using a smartphone. Although I  have a mirrorless camera, I find it efficient if I could upload the photos to my social media account direct from the phone. The first thing that I scrutinize is the camera's output.

The Galaxy A13 is equipped with a quad lens rear camera: 50MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera and depth camera. There is also an 8MP front camera. I love that the camera doesn't stick out.

This photo was taken using the 50MP main camera. You will notice the vibrant color and sharp image output. It is not advisable to use in low light though. The image is grainy and the quality is poor. 

As I've mentioned, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack if you still love to use wired headphones. I was such a late bloomer when it comes to bluetooth earphones. 

The Samsung Health app has helped me manage my physical activities, diet, and even sleep through the years. This is one feature that I appreciate is already available. There are also other preinstalled apps which you can remove if you don't intend to use them.

So, is the Samsung Galaxy A13 the best choice for a budget phone?

It is the best choice for those people who need a good quality phone but want to spend less. The camera can take decent shots. It's also a good starting point if you want to explore mobile photography. 

Samsung Galaxy A13: Specs

Processor: Octa-core Samsung Exynos 850
Memory: 4GB or 6GB RAM
Storage: 128GB + microSD expandable up to 1TB
Display: 6.6in 20:9 1080x2400 IPS LCD
Cameras: Rear 50MP (F1.8) + 5MP (F2.2, Ultra Wide) + 2MP (F2.4 Macro) + 2MP (F2.4 Depth)
Headphone Jack: Yes
Battery: 5000mAh
OS: Android 12 with OneUI 4.1
FM Radio: No
Dimensions: 165 x 76.5 x 9mm (6.5 x 3.0 x 0.4")
Weight: 195g
NFC
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5
USB 2.0 (USB-C)
Colours: Black, Blue, and Peach

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LUMOS RAY Projector Review: How this smart projector fulfilled my home cinema dream

LUMOS RAY Projector Review: How this smart projector fulfilled my home cinema dream

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

I've been tossing my furniture around ever since we moved into our townhouse 8 years ago. This was some sort of downsizing from our previous house and I have to always find the perfect home edit. I'm trying to maximize the limited floor area by having a zone for everything. The pandemic has forced me to  have a dedicated room for the home office.  Thus, my dream of having a home cinema room was almost written off from my "must-haves".  I love watching movies but I don't enjoy much being in the cinema with other people. Watching movie for me is like reading a book. Intimate. Best shared with the people I want to be with. So I was really hopeful of fulfilling the home cinema dream. 

I'm not fond of decors so my walls are mostly bare. In an attempt to still have a cinema feel at home, I have bought a couple of projectors but I was never satisfied with the experience. I must admit that my previous projectors were the inexpensive, unbranded you'd find online. Quoting my dad, "You get what you pay for!"

When the LUMOS RAY Home Cinema Projector Smart version was delivered last week, I was amazed at how small it is. The cube measures a little over 6 inches. Considering that my home cinema will be anywhere around the house, the portability is important. Compared with the regular projectors, LUMOS RAY is easy to carry around. It only weighs 2.2 lbs. Here's my review.

The minimalist look makes it undemanding to incorporate in my home design.  The projector can be mounted on the tripod and for me it's the best way to set this up instead of just placing it on the table. 

With a dimension of 6.45" x 6.3" x 6.77" and unit net weight of 1.2 kilogram, this cube is revolutionary. Perfect for homes with limited space, LUMOS RAY is a short throw projector. It can be used in small spaces and still produce a good image quality. It has 3000 lumens and 720p native resolution. A projection distance of 3.8 ft. - 18 ft. will give you a projection screen of 37" to 170". 

I appreciate the focus/keystone ring that I can use to manually adjust the image output. I am awed by the picture quality even if the room is not pitch-black. 

When it comes to device connectivity, The LUMOS RAY has ports for HDMI, AV, HD, USB, MicroSD card slot, and headphone jack. The unit comes with AV cable and HDMI cable so you need not spend on these. 

The built-in Dolby Audio speakers delivers clear, crisp sound making the viewing experience more enjoyable.  You can also use this as a bluetooth speaker. You can use it with music app like Spotify.

The LUMOS RAY smart version is WiFi-enabled and has an Android operating system. Netflix and YouTube are already pre-loaded. You can download additional apps via the Google Playstore. 

I'm sharing with you a video from YouTube so you could experience the performance. Notice the crisp sound and the vibrant image. BTW, you can also connect this to external speakers if you want an extraordinary audio. 

If you love to binge-watch on Netflix like me, you'd be delighted to watch your favorite series on bigger screen. Instead of buying an expensive 55" smart tv, you'll spend a fraction of that amount with LUMOS RAY.  And if you love the outdoors and glamping, you can pre-download the movie you like.  Please note that you need a power source to use this.  

I'm not a techie person and I'm glad that LUMOS RAY is very easy to operate. The remote control is simple and just like the TV remote control, I find it a bit challenging to type when searching. You could use an Android keyboard remote instead. 

On the whole, the LUMOS RAY Projector smart version is the best home cinema product to invest in. Perfect for condo-dwellers and home with small rooms, this projector will not require a big space and is easy to store when not in use. You too can fulfill your home cinema dream just as I did. 

The LUMOS RAY Home Cinema Projector Smart version is the most popular and is priced at P11.999. It's the best and cheaper smart tv alternative. The LUMOS RAY regular is priced at P8.999. It does not support WiFi and bluetooth and requires external inputs like laptop or USB.

The Filipinos in Singapore and Malaysia love LUMOS RAY.  It's now available for purchase in the Philippines. Visit https://www.lumosprojector.ph/ to know more about the product. 

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First impressions of the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo

First impressions of the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo

Monday, July 12, 2021

realme recently launched a new earphone -- the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo made for fitness enthusiasts and gamers. I must admit that I still use wired earphones until now whenever I work out. I have a pair of earbuds but I'm just not comfortable. Instead of focusing on the workout, I'm always worried one of the earbuds might fall off. Luckily, I was among the first to try the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo.

I love that the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo has a lightweight flexible neckband. It addresses my main concern of losing one of the earbuds when working out. It is also lightweight you won't even notice you have the earphones hanging on your neck. This is IPX4 water resistant too so you can sweat as much as you can. 

The box comes with extra ear tips so you could choose which pair gives the most comfortable fit. There is also a type-C charging cable and a user manual. The buds also have a magnetic instant connection which means you can instantly connect to your smartphone when you separate the buds. Clipping them together will then turn it off. 

When it comes to sound quality, the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo has a 11.2mm Dynamic Bass Boost Driver along with an advanced Bass Boost + (BB+) composite bass enhancement algorithm.  This gives a more enjoyable music experience especially when working out. 

Aside from working out, I have also used the realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo during zoom meetings. The Environment Noise Cancellation technology allows me to heard clearly even when there's noise in the background.

The realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo is priced for only P1,490. 

Product highlights:

• 11.2mm Dynamic Bass Boost Driver 
• 17hrs Total Playback 
• Magnetic Instant Connection 
• 88ms Super Low Latency 
• 10mins Charge for 120mins Playback 
• IPX4 Water Resistant 
• ENC Environment Noise Cancellation 
• realme Link App with 3 EQ Presets 
• 23.1g Flexible Neckband 
• Quick Switch Between Devices

The realme Buds Wireless 2 Neo is available on realme official store. 

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Realfit GoPods E3: Perfect entry-level TWS earbuds for first-timers

Realfit GoPods E3: Perfect entry-level TWS earbuds for first-timers

Friday, March 26, 2021

 

I love listening to music but when the wireless earbuds became a thing, it never appealed to me. My real concern why I never bothered buying a pair was the fear I might just drop it without knowing and that would be a total waste of money. When my new phone arrived, it didn't come with earphones. My husband told me that if I should buy one, it's about time I catch up with the technology and buy a TWS earbuds.  

Never in my lifetime have I imagined that I will say this. The RealFit GoPods E3 is the coolest audio accessory I have owned. 

What I like

First, it works instantly. I just have to pair it with my phone and it's ready to use. I'm not a techie person and I'm not into reading lengthy product manual so this saves me from a first-timer's gadget nightmare. Second, these tiny wireless earbuds fit perfectly. No discomfort whatsoever and no fear I might lose a piece while jogging or enjoying zumba at home. Third, it's so convenient. When I'm done using it, all I have to do is pop inside the white case that also serves as charger. Fourth, the sound is crisp and clear. I've always been a fan of high-end headphones and I was kinda wary that the RealFit GoPods E3 will disappoint me. But it didn't. And last, it is affordable without compromising the quality.

Reafit GoPods E3 used PC+ABS material making it weigh lighter than an A4 paper. Each earbud is only 4.5 grams. When it comes to battery life, it lasts for 2 hours when fully charged and 17 hours on standby. You can enjoy listening to music with its DBB (deep base boost) system. 

Other noteworthy specifications:

• 13MM Super Large Drive Unit 
• 119ms Ultra-low latency 
• "RF PLUS+" Smart Chip 
• "IPX4" Sweat Proof 
• AAC Music Quality

Purchase a pair now of Realfit GoPods E3!

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Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro: A content creator's review

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro: A content creator's review

Friday, November 13, 2020

When I started blogging, I only relied on a 5 MP smartphone camera in shooting photos and videos.  Having a 20 MP main camera a few years later was a major upgrade for me and the quality of output was evident. It was also during that period that I got more interested in mobile photography. While some people insist that skill is more important than the gadget, I beg to differ. As a content creator, you must be equipped with a tool that can help you hone your skills. 

I attended the FB live launch of the  Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro and the Mi 10T last October. When I learned about the massive 108 MP ultra-high resolution rear camera of the flagship Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, I just can't wait to try it.  It also has an ultra-wide angle 13 MP camera and a 5 MP macro camera. 

In terms of design, I'm a bit concerned with the protruding camera. It doesn't lay flat when I place it on the table. Although it is made of Gorilla Glass 5 which makes this phone scratch-proof, I'm still uncomfortable with the bump at the rear. 

When I first held the Mi 10T Pro, I find it to be a slippery phone. It fits my hand perfectly but I worry it might slip off my grip (which never happened!). Also, the OC me finds the back glass prone to fingerprints which I'm glad can be solved by the anti-bacterial case included in the box. 

The Camera

I utilize the selfie camera when I have no one to take my pictures.  The 20 MP selfie camera allows me to take good quality photos that I can use for my blog and instagram. 

I also love taking photos at a close distance. The macro camera makes me capture more details of the subject.

The images captured using the rear camera are almost excellent. It vibrant, crisp, and clear.  I'm not impressed though when taking photos on lowlight. The noise is very noticeable. Adjusting the Pro settings or using the Night mode didn't seem to improve the quality of the shot.

The video has a vlog feature that got me interested in creating video content soon. I actually tried a few but my lack of skill (which thankfully can be improved) produced unimpressive videos.  

Battery life

I am very active on social media and the battery life is not bad at all. I only need to charge the phone once a day but I noticed it takes more than an hour to fully charge the 5,000 mAh battery.  The Mi 10T Pro also does not support wireless charging.

Is it worth buying?

I find the  Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro affordable for a flagship phone that is 5G-ready.  For content creators like me, it is a good investment if you want a handy tool to power your creativity. While dslr cameras (I own a Sony Alpha 6000) capture stunning images with cutting-edge speed and almost perfect quality, the Mi 10T Pro is very impressive. Also, it allows you to create, upload and share right away.

Purchase this at Xiaomi Official Store.

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ShopSM: Online shopping made more convenient

ShopSM: Online shopping made more convenient

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Whenever I don't feel like leaving the house, I always wished for The SM Store to have its very own online shopping platform. It can save me a lot of time and I can do shopping even when I'm stuck in traffic. The shopping fairy godmother must have heard my fervent prayer. The largest department store chain in the Philippines has launched a new way to make everyday shopping feel super with ShopSM.

As Filipinos become busier and more mobile, they’re always looking for better ways to shop. Namely, ways to shop in different locations, at different times of the day, with many options provided to them. These three ideals were The SM Store’s top considerations while they spent years to develop ShopSM into an online store where Filipinos around the world can truly shop at their favorite SM, anytime, anywhere, and any way they like. 

My ShopSM Experience

The ShopSM online shopping platform is not yet app-based. I tried accessing it on my laptop via Firefox and on my iPad using Chrome. The page loaded quickly and the site is easy to navigate. It carries my favorite items from every department – home basics, kids and baby essentials, beauty products, shoes, bags, and a variety of clothing for men, women, and children.

Delivery options are Pick Up at The SM Store (only selected branches are available for pick up) and Ship to Address. I wanted to try the Pick Up option but the nearest SM branch available is SM Marikina which is a bit far from me and the ongoing Marcos Highway bridge rehabilitation makes it inconvenient for me. Currently, ShopSM offers FREE shipping for a minimum spend of P500 so I chose the Ship to Address.

The platform also lets you use your SM Advantage, SM Prestige card, or BDO rewards card to earn points, apart from regular discounts. A range of payment options are also available, including cash on delivery, credit payments, and debit payments.

The products I bought are from the department store, ACE Hardware, and Watsons. I had peace of mind that the products I'll be receiving are authentic. Also, the online receipt serves as my document for warranty claim.  

I love that I receive notifications for order tracking. The package was indeed shipped within 24 hours and my order arrived on day 3. It was well-packaged and even the box and packaging of the items were in good condition (I'm kinda OC with packaging!)

ShopSM makes sure to turn every shopping experience into a super experience. Shop anytime, shop anywhere, shop any way you like!

Sign up now and start your online shopping at ShopSM.com

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