A fraghead is someone who collects, reads about and discusses fragrances. Simply said, a person who loves to inquire, read, and discuss perfumes in more detail other than 'this smells good/this smells bad'.

I believe I tick those boxes, although this is just a self-diagnosis. Buying perfume is an expensive vice or hobby (depending on where you are in your fragrance obsession) so some brands are not enticing enough for me to try, especially niche and high-end designers like Tom Ford and Diptyque. So what I do is go to clone houses.

Here are 3 local clone houses that you should keep on your radar

Safe to say this might be my favourite local clone brand as of the moment. The glass bottle is simple and easy to stack -albeit being pretty basic and devoid of imagination. That said, this is the longest wearing perfume and 'closest to the real thing' that I own.

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I've tried US clone brands that are close to their inspiration as well and while I like those immensely, this brand is pound for pound or drop for drop(?) better. Mostly because it's easier to acquire. The presentation is (box, ribbons, and hand-written note from the owner) *chef's kisses* as well.

Talking about the fragrance itself, there might be some sharpness in the scent or a note or two differences. Despite that, to a casual fraghead (or non-fraghead), their mixes are pretty good copies. Longevity is approximately 6+ hours

Price range : ₱450 - 550

I don't have much experience with Symmetry Lab compared to Eternal (where I have had more than 4 scents in total), I only have this one clone of Carolina Herrera Good Girl. 

Let's start with packaging. First of -the bottle design is gorgeous. The all black square bottle is visually different from most local clones. Topping it off is a nice wooden cap, very reminiscent of Nasomatto. The box itself lends a bit more credibility and adds to the over-all brand presentation.

As for the scent, at first it was more alcohol-heavy than I expected. It also didn't last long and didn't project. So I kept it in my closet for a few weeks. Tried it again in cooler weather and it fared much better- stronger and more projection. Definitely less alcohol in the first spray and lasted longer over-all (approximately 4-5 hours). Please note that I spray quite heavily, a minimum of 5 sprays in total for all my fragrances.

Price range : ₱499 - 1,250

Like Symmetry, I only have one scent from this brand but that's enough for me to sing its praises.

Housed in a plastic tub, inside a velvet pouch is this cylindrical bottle and "Sauvage" cap. To be honest they really got me with this unique bottle design. I've only ever seen this type of bottle in designer brands. The label is quite simple, maybe a bit 'cheap-feeling' but the over-all look is good for gifting. 

What I do like about this particular scent is the oil content and the fragrance itself. It's a clone of a discontinued fragrance of By Killian. That day I was looking for a coconutty scent that I could layer with my other fragrances, to get the 'beach sun tan/sunscreen lotion' vibe and I heard that By Killian Love The Way You Feel was a great scent for that particular profile.

While this doesn't say much in the projection department, it makes up for it in the longevity office. (*sorry*)Lasts for about 4-5 hours on my skin, but layered with another fragrance lasts up to 6+. 

This brand is lovingly hand-made with the perfume oil flown from Dubai!

Price range : ₱699-900

I know there are a lot more brands out there I have yet to try. What clone brands do you love or would you like featured? Let me know in my socials or email!

PS. The sprayers and atomizers for all of these brands are pretty good except the Eternal one- it's a hit or miss tbh. Some Eternal bottles tend to leak as there's a high oil content in the liquid and it loosens the cap.

Touting inclusivity in its makeup with its genderless approach and with a wide range of shades suiting almost all skin tones in the Philippines (unheard of as most locally available brands only release 2-4 shades in base products) at really friendly prices- this brand has cemented itself as the standard in catering to shades darker than 'light, vanilla, beige and/or cream'.

So why don't I like it?

Ask any beauty aficionado, what their favorite sunscreen is and more often than not the Biore UV watery essence will pop up. It's no secret that most Japanese skincare brands have my heart (along with Korean beauty products) - they just work really well for me. I'm an avid fan of the Biore UV watery sunscreen in the blue tube/bottle and can completely understand why it has cult status.

Why's to love about Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essense?

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It has a water-gel texture that's easily absorbed by the skin giving a natural, skin-like non-greasy finish (no noticeable white cast). It's also super lightweight, making it great under makeup or by itself.

Sometimes  though you want something different, you can't get a hold of the Biore sunscreen or for some reason it's not working for you anymore. Enter Village 11 Factory's Hydra Sun Fluid.


 
Biorè vs Village 11 Factory

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1. Bottle - Village 11 has a pump but there's a tendency to lose the cap as it can be easily opened whereas the Biore one comes in a squeezable tube and a harder bottle with a screw-top.
2. Scent - The Biore has this alcohol-scent to it while this one has no noticeable scent.
3. Texture - While similar, Village 11 is more water-gel-like than Biore. But both are runny.
4. Color - Biore is has more of a milky color that blends on the skin while the Village 11 is clear.
5. Availability - Biore is more easily accesible at most Watsons' stores while Village 11 you can only find online. I got mine at Mei Satsuki on Shoppee (they also have a Facebook!)
6. Price - Biore's 50g tube costs around P500 at Watsons while Village 11's 50ml tube is around P650. Not much difference really.

Get the Biorè if you like Japanese brands or if Biorè in general has worked for you (if certain brands already work for you my advice is to stick to it) but if you're sensitive to scents or don't like alcohol-smelling products get the Village 11 Factory instead or Face Republic's Super Screen Sun Gel! (Very similar to Village 11's. All in all, they work great on their own and under makeup :)

Which one have you tried? Are you a kbeauty hoe or a japanjapan one? I'm both if you couldn't tell already.


xx,
CJ

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Filipinos now have stronger and louder voices regarding their bodies and how they express themselves. However, there's still stigma regarding cosmetic surgery or enhancement procedures being done. Bashers are still rampant and in order to break this stigma, I think it's important to talk about these topics in an open-minded and honest way.

One particular procedure that people still get people chatting is breast augmentation. What many people may not be aware of is that there are many other reasons for having breast augmentation apart from a boost in appearance. There are breast cancer patients who undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy and transgender women who wish to further their transition.

Whatever the reason, your body is your body, and you decide what to do with it. That being said, it’s still important to make sure that whatever body choices you make, always prioritize your health and safety so research is key.

For those of you who are looking into or are interested in undergoing breast augmentation, you have many options when it comes to accredited plastic surgeons and medical clinics. It is also important to think about what brand of implants to use. Here in the Philippines, there are three main breast implants that are available : Motiva Implants, Mentor and Sebbin. I will break down the features and characteristics of each brand of implant to help you make the right choice.


MOTIVA BREAST IMPLANT

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Motiva breast implants, a product of Establishment Labs, are considered to be the 6th generation of breast implants, with features that are known for their safety and innovation. Motiva implants have two main variants, Motiva Round and Ergonomix.



Motiva Round implants are designed to give fullness to the upper part of the breast creating a fuller-looking and tauter cleavage. Motiva Round contain ProgressiveGel Plus, which is their own patented silicone gel designed to maintain the round shape of the implant, while still possessing the soft feel of natural breasts.
Motiva Ergonomix are specifically designed to look, feel and move the same way as natural breasts do, whether you are lying down or standing up. Other types of implants tend to make the breasts look deformed when for example you lie down and the implants might have a tendency to rotate.


Safety Features

Safety is of utmost priority of course so, here are Motiva's have several safety features.To note, the silicone gel inside both types of implants are designed not to leak in the case of implant rupture.



SmoothSilk®/SilkSurface® - Motiva implants have a scientifically proven smooth shell surface, they call the SmoothSilk®/SilkSurface®. Developed through 3D nanotechnology imprinting creating a smooth surface design that lessens the chance of the implant attracting any formation of bacteria. This feature also makes it possible to insert the implant with a smaller incision, and lessens the risk of double capsule and late seroma.



BlueSeal Indicator - This feature was made especially for the assurance of surgeons. The BlueSeal has a bluish color as an indicator that it is in good condition with no tampering or damage before proceeding with the operation.


TrueMonobloc - Although the implant has many layers, all components of the implant are made in a way to make it one durable structure. This means that Motiva implants are more durable and can withstand more stress and pressure, and allows for easier insertion during surgery.

Q Inside Safety Technology - In order to make it easier for patients and surgeons to verify all the necessary data regarding the patient and the implants, Motiva breast implants has the Q Inside Safety Technology(the world's first FDA cleared RFID micro-transponder for use in humans and the only one with a CE-Mark when used in breast implants.) which helps patients and surgeons see necessary breast implant information without making unnecessary incisions.

Product Warranty

In spite of its low complication rate (less than 1%), Motiva still ensures the safety and satisfaction of patients, by providing a warranty program in the case of any complication. All Motiva implants are covered for replacement in case of rupture under the Always Confident Warranty for the lifetime of the implant, and a Product Replacement Policy in the case of capsular contracture, Baker grades III and IV for a period of 10 years.

For more information about their warranties please check their website : https://motiva.health/motiva-implants/product-warranty/


Note : This warranty program is applied in the Philippines only.


MENTOR BREAST IMPLANT

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Mentor, under the Johnson&Johnson Family of Companies, provides a wide range of clinical-based solutions that help women in maintaining, enhancing, and restoring their self-esteem and quality of life.

Another one of the well-known brands of breast implants in the Philippines, Mentor has been one of the leading brands of breast implants for over 30 years. They pride themselves on their commitment to producing high-quality implants for their patients incorporating innovations in order to maintain their high standards of design, testing, and safety.


Products

Mentor offers three types of breast implants: MENTOR® MemoryGel® Implants, MENTOR® MemoryShape® Breast Implants, and MENTOR® Saline Breast Implants.

MENTOR® MemoryGel® Implants gives a soft, more natural feel of breasts through its formulate cohesive gel. It provides increased projection and fullness to the breast.

MENTOR® MemoryShape® Breast Implants on the other hand creates the desired breast shape with youthful firmness. The implants’ shape creates maximum projection to the breast. It uses what they call the SILTEX™ Texture to reduce key complications in primary breast augmentation.

Lastly, MENTOR® Saline Breast Implants provides the firmest feel out of the Mentor implants. It is filled with a saltwater solution. Unlike the gel-filled implants, surgeons can gradually add fluid to Mentor Saline Implants to reach the desired breast size, making it flexible in volume.


Safety

MENTOR® Breast Implants secures its patients of the implant’s safety. The implants’ outer shells, which has been tested for strength, resilience, and elasticity, is made from medical-grade silicone elastomer. These shells are filled with either Mentor’s silicone gel or saline.

Materials used in manufacturing MENTOR® Breast Implants are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective.


Warranty

MENTOR® Breast Implants are automatically a part of their MENTOR®Promise™ Protection Plan.

If a confirmed rupture or deflation of implants occur, the patient will receive up to two replacement breast implants of the same type, without paying for any charge.

If the rupture of the MENTOR® Breast Implants occurs within 10 years after the surgery, the patient will also be granted up to $3500 as financial assistance for surgical costs. Complications, other than implant rupture, are also covered by the product replacement.


SEBBIN BREAST IMPLANT

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Last but certainly not the least is SEBBIN breast implants. SEBBIN is a French company that has been creating, developing, manufacturing, and marketing implants and medical devices for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries for more than 30 years.

Products

SEBBIN offers a variety of breast implant options from Smooth Round Breast Implant, Round Micro Textured Breast Implant, Textured Round Breast Implant, and Anatomical Textured Breast Implant. These implants are manufactured in the company’s factory in France. It uses a semi-traditional crafting of silicone, where the products are made by hand to ensure quality control of the implants.

Each Implant is marked by a laser with an identification code, which allows tracing of necessary implant information. This number is placed on labels accompanying the implant. and will also be present on the patient card after surgery.


Safety

All raw materials used in SEBBIN breast implants are registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The brand also adheres to the ISO 9001 and ISO 13458, which are standards for consistent, quality product manufacturing. It also has certified CE marking, which means it follows health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products.


Warranty

There are less than 1% reported cases of rupture and capsular contractions, in patients that used SEBBIN breast implants, 9 years after the surgery. In order to assure its customers the quality service of their products, the brand has its own warranty program, which is only disclosed to surgeons that use the brand.
I hope this helped you in making the right decision in choosing the best implants for your breast  surgery. I urge you to coordinate with your trusted and credible plastic surgeon when it comes to choosing the breast implants, so they can choose the right fit for your goals and your lifestyle.

It is a absolutely empowering to pursue the body you always wanted, but still keep in mind to make smart choices along the way.

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