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Friday, January 16, 2015

The Brow Studio - A Brow Design Ensogo voucher Review

Ensogo [Source]

I've been a regular customer of Ensogo Philippines and other group buying sites. So far, my experiences have been positive. I've received authentic products in good condition, and have been able to claim service vouchers/coupons without hidden charges.

Last year, I bought The Brow Studio
Package from Ensogo at 50% for only 349 PHP. I've been putting it off for a few months now, but the voucher expires at the end of this month so I decided to bite the bullet!

The Brow Studio [Source]
Vouchers usually require customers to make reservations and set appointments. This is the same for The Brow Studio voucher from Ensogo. I called the Shopwise Araneta branch last Jan 11th to schedule an appointment for Jan 14th. All The Brow Studio contact info can be found on their About section of their Facebook Page. Unfortunately, no one was answering their phone. So I sent them an email, and posted on their Fb wall.

They replied to my comment within the day, and helped me set an appointment. The email was answered after 2 days. I would suggest contacting them via Facebook if you can't contact them via phone.
I arrived at the Shopwise Araneta branch after 12 noon. I gave them a printed copy of my Ensogo voucher, and filled out a log sheet. While waiting I took 2 pics:

The Brow Studio Flyer

The Brow Studio couches
The service I purchased is for Brow Design which the Ensogo page describes as:
  • Brow Design is the process of assessing, reshaping and discovering the perfect arch for your facial features.

I make it a point to do a bit of research before I purchase products and services. Needless to say, I've read a few The Brow Studio reviews. Three of the blogs I've read mentioned the Brow Rx [1][2][3]. It's a mock up of a doctor's prescription sheet, only it's for eyebrows! It's used by The Brow Studio designer as a guide to show the client the eyebrow shape that best compliments their facial features. It also has info about brow prescription and reminders.

I am unsure if the other blog reviews just excluded the Brow Rx or if they weren't given one at all. In my case, after the brow designer was finished setting up, she asked me to sit on the couch without giving me a Brow Rx. I must admit I expected her to at least ask me if I'm familiar with the procedure, and then explain what shape she's going for.

BEFORE

Before she started though, I asked her to help me take Before photos:

Before

Before

Before
Look at those caterpillars! I let them grow out for a few weeks for a more dramatic result. 

Threading

While it was my first threading experience, I have tried plucking my eyebrows before. How does it feel? Threading feels like plucking a few strands at a time! Whenever I pluck my eyebrows, I can't help but cry. It's not that the pain is intolerable, it's just how I my body reacts. I apologized to the brow designer, and her response was to crack jokes that made me a lot more comfortable ("Tiis ganda ma'am!).

I also thought when you get your eyebrows threaded you'll just sit there and enjoy endure the procedure. Turns out, sometimes client participation is needed! I was asked to lift my eyebrows and pull down the corner of my eye a little bit. Heh. Things you learn! 

My brow designer provided feedback during the threading. She told me that my eyebrows look thick because I had long and thick strands. The strands are spaced apart that she can't trim it much or it would end up looking patchy.


AFTER

After

After
Don't be alarmed by the redness and the swelling. It's normal. Other reviewers experienced it too (in varying degrees). Mine's probably the "worst" I've seen, but that's because I have sensitive skin. The redness went away after 3 hours.

Before I left, I asked them about the my sessions of Brow Clean-up. My brow designer said I can come in every 2 weeks. I now have a record with them so I don't need to provide another copy of the voucher.

Ensogo has been selling The Brow Studio vouchers since 2013. If you're looking for an excuse to try The Brow Studio, follow Ensogo and watch out for another voucher sale. Then again, the Brow Design's regular price is 328 PHP. You can always come in and have that done, then just maintain your brows yourself. It's worth the money!

I'm already looking forward to  my next visit. I'm hoping the next sessions wouldn't make me cry as much! Have you tried The Brow Studio's services? Where do you get your eyebrows done? Tell me about it below!

The Brow Studio
2nd Flr. Bridgeway
Shopwise Araneta Cubao Q.C.
Mobile: (+63) 932 866 3224
Facebook
Email

Friday, January 09, 2015

How to Root Asus Zenfone 5 running Android Jellybean 4.3 without a computer

Keep Calm and Root Your Android!
Hi! I'm back and here's the tutorial I promised since November of last year! This is actually my second rooting tutorial. I talked about rooting, why you should root your phone, and my Android rooting history in my first tutorial. I also suggested root apps in that blog entry. If you're new to rooting, please read those sections first! Click HERE.

!! Important !!
Please be informed that rooting voids your warranty. If you did not install custom ROMs or custom Kernels, and did not uninstall stock apps, unrooting your device can possibly unvoid your warranty. Also, Catnippy will not be responsible if your device gets bricked. To avoid this, please read and follow the instructions carefully.





Please continue at your own risk! Catnippy will not be responsible for any damage caused directly or indirectly by rooting your device.

STEPS:

1) Download the lastest RootZenFone app from the Asus Zenfone Blog.

2) Locate the file on your phone and extract the correct RootZenFone5 apk file according to the firmware version your ZF5 is running.


Extract the correct apk file 

How to check the firmware version of your Asus Zenfone 5 
  1. Go to Settings > About > Software information
  2. Under Build number, you will see which firmware version your ZF5 is running. It will be either CHT, TW, or WW.
Go to Settings > About > Software information

3) Install apk file.


Install Root ZenFone

Disclaimer

Before we continue, what happens if you don't TURN OFF Wi-Fi and data network? Since I was feeling a little bold. I did it so you, my dear readers, don't have to!

!! CAUTION !!

Do not try this at home!

If you press "OK" without turning off your internet connection, the phone opens a page that provides you with information about the Asus Zenfone 5. While this is far from harmful, it does hinder the app from rooting your phone. So remember to turn off your internet connection to proceed with the root! 

Since we're already here, Asus Zenfone 5 Features and Specs:

Zenfone 5

Features

Processor

Camera

Design

GloveTouch

Asus Cloud

Videos

Specs

Specs continued

Specs continued some more!

Accessories

To continue with rooting your ZF5, turn off your internet connection and click "OK".

Reboot phone after rooting

Choose "Grant"
After rebooting, when you launch the Root ZenFone app again, it will confirm if the root was successful:

Already rooted!

If for some reason you want to double check if your ZF5 is Rooted. Install Root Check:

Choose "Grant"

Root Info

Device Info

Root Status

Root Check suggested Root apps

Root Apps will show all root apps currently installed on your device
Congratulations~! You now have a rooted Asus Zenfone 5! Look at you! Rooting an Android device without using a computer! (If you had to, we can keep it our little secret...) 

!! Important !!

The Asus Zenfone 5 I bought was still running Android Jellybean. But the KitKat 4.4 OTA update was already available. If you followed this guide to root your ZF5 JB and you apply the OTA update after, it will download all available updates and upgrade your ZF5 to KK and you will lose root access!

Want to know how to update your Asus Zenfone 5 Jellybean to Kitkat and preserve your root access? Watch out for the tutorial!

Is it too late for me to do an Asus Zenfone 5 review? Comment below!