The Gilgamesh Shrine As Of June 10, 2013

The latest Gilgamesh figure that I got is the Megahouse Chess Piece. It's a rather small figure that looks kinda derpy unlike what you can see on the box and the prototypes. I got the Megahouse Chess Piece Gilgamesh along with the chess piece Saber out of a group buy I did with two other avid Fate/Zero figure collectors.

MegaHouse Fate/Zero Chess Pieces Saber and Gilgamesh

Yep, they're the Queen and the King

Right now I'm anticipating the arrival of a new Gilgamesh figure: Bandai Chogokin Fate/Zero Archer (Gilgamesh). He'll be the latest addition to the Gilgamesh shrine next time. :)

Product Review: Cure Natural Aqua Gel

I'm probably on a never-ending quest to prevent acne, because even when my age is almost out of the calendar, I still get cystic pimples and white heads at least every month. Last week, I came across Cure when someone posted about it on Facebook. I did my research and came across reviews and the official Facebook page of the product so I can learn more about it. Eventually, I was enticed to buy the product and try it. 

Cure Natural Aqua Gel is a skincare product with activated hydrogen water that can remove dead skin cells. Marketing and promotional materials about this product claim it as the number 1 skin exfoliator in Japan. Most reviews and articles that I've read about Cure said that it's good to use if you have acne, which made me more curious about its effectiveness. 

Cure is sold in the Philippines at The Beauty Bar, in a 250g bottle with a surprisingly hefty price tag of Php1,500. However, don't worry because I think you'll really be getting your money's worth.

I bought Cure Natural Aqua Gel at The Beauty Bar in Gateway, Cubao last Friday and that night, I included it in my skincare regimen. The instructions on the bottle are in Japanese. 

But before you panic, the plastic wrapping around the bottle from the time of purchase has everything you need to know about Cure in English:

As you can see, Cure is said to be gentle and suitable for all skin types. You can use it after cleansing your face by pumping a small amount on your palm and then spreading it on your face in a circular or massaging motion for 30 seconds to a minute. When I tried it, it actually worked. It's like rubbing water on your face, except it exfoliates. I have exfoliated two nights prior to trying Cure Natural Aqua Gel for the first time, so I think that's the reason why there were only few dead skin cells that were removed from my face. At that time, I had five ginormous zits, including two cystic pimples on my face. Now here's what really amazed me: the next day, the zits shrank, and by Sunday, they were gone.

My skin appeared clearer, too, like Cure Natural Aqua Gel gave it a more attractive glow, possibly because of its effective exfoliating action. I like that it doesn't feel abrasive when you're rubbing Cure on your face, unlike other exfoliants that I've used.

Before I used Cure, it had a clip-like thing on the pump:

It's easy to remove and re-attach, making it convenient to bring Cure with you while you're on-the-go or if you'll be traveling without risking spillage or accidental pumping of the gel during transport.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel exceeded my expectations and I think it's really worth the money. The fairly large bottle looks like it can last for many months if you follow the recommended frequency of usage, which is twice a week. You can also use Cure to exfoliate your arms and your back. I already tried it on my back, and I can say that it is more effective than other exfoliants that I've used (i.e. Lulur). I'd say give it a try if you want to have better or clearer skin.

My Most Anticipated Nendoroids From The 2013 Summer WonFes

Yesterday (July 28, 2013) was the summer WonFes (Wonder Festival) in Japan, and I'm sure that many avid figure collectors like myself have anticipated that event to see new and upcoming figure releases. I would constantly go online to check out the updates about WonFes and ogle the pictures of the figures, whether they're just prototypes, fully-painted, or just in pictures. Articulated figures like figmas and Nendoroids have always been more attractive for me because I can easily pose them and I find them to be easily exploitable for photoshoots, and during WonFes, quite a lot of new Nendoroids were shown and/or revealed. Here are some of the Nendoroids that I'm planning to get:

Nendoroid Shingeki no Kyojin Colossal Titan (Source: MyFigureCollection)

This is not the first time that Nendoroid Colossal Titan was announced, but it has been my most-anticipated and must-buy figures. However, those two titans (including the "moe"-looking titan) made this Nendoroid more attractive for me, so I really can't wait for pre-orders to begin.

Nendoroid Fate/Extra Saber Extra (click here for the source)

I've been hoping for a Nendoroid Saber Nero to be released, and lo and behold, she was announced last Friday! When pre-orders opened, I immediately signed-up for a slot. This is definitely a must-buy if you're an avid Saber figure collector, a Saber Nero fan, or you simply want to complete the line of Saber Nendoroids. 

Later that day, this next figure was announced and then its prototype was eventually shown off during this year's WonFes:

Nendoroid Saber Alter (click here for the source)

Saber Alter already had a Nendoroid, but it's the Hetare version, so it's really good news that Good Smile Company finally decided to make a good Nendoroid of this dark version of Arturia. Although I'm not a huge fan of Saber Alter, I'll still get this so I can complete the line of Saber Nendoroids.

And then here comes another Saber!

Nendoroid Fate/Extra CCC Saber Bride (click here for the source)

Most of my funds for figures this year will probably go to Good Smile Company because of the sudden influx of Saber Nendoroids. Fate/Extra CCC was released only this March and the game was bundled with a figma Saber Bride, so a Nendoroid Saber Bride is really good news. This is definitely going to be a cutie patootie lil' version of Nero in her bridal get-up.

And I've saved the best for last. Here's my most-anticipated Nendoroid and I really hope they push through in making this and that pre-orders will open this year, too:

Nendoroid Gilgamesh (click here for the source)

Tadaa! It's my most favorite guy and ultimate crush from the Fate series: The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh! FINALLY! He gets a Nendoroid! Thank you, Good Smile Company for making every Gilgamesh fangirl's wish come true. Please don't delay him, okay? :')

MegaHouse MMS Collection 1/8 Fate/Zero Lancer

I've had figure hauls from the past months but before I talk about them, I'd like to share my latest:  MegaHouse MMS Collection 1/8 Fate/Zero Lancer. I pre-ordered him a few months ago, and he got released last month. He arrived recently and I picked him up today. The pose might be a bit ordinary and blah (because honestly, it would be more interesting if he had a more dynamic pose), but for the avid Lancer (Diarmuid) fan, it's a yummy figure and worth displaying in your collection, especially if you want to complete the entire MegaHouse MMS Fate/Zero line, or you simply have a Lancer Shrine. :p 

Box of the Megahouse MMS Fate/Zero 1/8 Lancer

Lancer comes with another head and another left arm. The other head has a winking face and that dashing debonair smile of his, and the other arm is flexed. You can easily switch the head and the arms because they come off seamlessly from the body. Just be careful when pulling his head, because his hair is somewhat sharp at the back and you might feel a pricking sensation.

What's inside: There are three blister packs. the top one covers the second, which contains the figure, parts, and the spears. The third blister pack holds the base.

A command seal for Lancer is etched on the base.  

You can detach the pointy parts of the spears so you can insert them properly into his hands. I had to carefully twist the spears to make them go further down his hands and make him grip them properly, because simply pushing didn't accomplish what I wanted to happen.

The second head, left arm, and the spears, which I already took apart so I can  already make Lancer hold them.

Here's MegaHouse MMS Collection Fate/Zero Lancer. I really like his posture and I think it's really fitting for a chivalrous knight like him. 

I think fans would also love MegaHouse MMS Collection Fate/Zero 1/8 Lancer some more because of the details. As for the fangirls, you'll have some yummy things to ogle on this figure, such as the abs, the crotch, and the butt. Oh, and don't forget the muscles.

Here are more pictures of MegaHouse MMS Collection Fate/Zero Lancer with his winking face and flexed left arm.