My Althea Easter Haul!

For the first time ever, we skipped this year's Easter activities because my son - now in his 'tweens' - insisted that he's too old for bunny ears and painting eggs and stuff like that. So instead of hunting eggs on Easter Sunday, I found myself hunting for (more) K-beauty products at my favorite K-beauty shopping website, Althea. I had a few more Rewards Points in my account anyway, so might as well spend them all before they expire.

My Althea Easter haul (officially my fourth beauty haul from Althea) arrived over the weekend, and here's a glimpse of what I got:

I went hunting last Easter and this is what I got. :)

Petitfee Gold & Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch (Php 420).
Watching K-dramas has never been better ever since I got a Smart TV. And because we're on a school break, I now have more time to binge-watch currently airing and recently concluded K-dramas... and less time for sleep. Lol. Thank goodness for sheet masks and eye patches to help me not look like a sleep-deprived zombie.

Petitfee Gold & Snail Hydrogel Patch.

The Petitfee Gold & Snail Hydrogel Eye Patch is a daily pack for sensitive eyes and wrinkles, which contains gold powder to help with blood circulation for brighter eyes, and snail secretion filtrate to hydrate the skin and reduce puffiness under the eyes. It provides moisture, increases elasticity, and reduces wrinkles around the eye area.

Missha Layer Blurring Primer Pore Cover (Php 290).
Although I really don't have issues when it comes to enlarged, visible pores on my face, I ended up buying the Pore Cover variant of Missha's Layer Blurring Primer line because the other variant (Long Lasting) is taking forever to be restocked on the Althea website.

Missha Layer Blurring Primer Pore Cover.

The Missha Layer Blurring Primer Pore Cover is formulated to even out skin tone and smoothen rough pores, fine lines, and rugged areas on the face. It's infused with sebum-controlling ingredients to keep facial oils at bay and make the skin soft and seamless. It preps the face for makeup by refining the rough texture of the skin and 'blurring out' skin imperfections.

A'pieu Oil Remobong (Php 230).

Even though I've been using makeup and applying them on my face on an almost daily basis for years, I still make mistakes every now and then. When that happens, I usually rely on the Etude House Eraser Show Line Remover Stick to help fix my makeup blunder. 

A'pieu Oil Remobong.

The A'pieu Oil Remobong works the same way. These plush cotton swabs are filled with olive oil to easily and quickly remove any stray makeup while keeping the skin moisturized. They’re gentle on sensitive areas like the eyes and lips, and are easily disposable for convenient, hygienic use.

Innisfree Jelly Cheek in 02 Fresh Peach (Php 470).
Curious about the formulation and still very much obsessed with blushers, I got the Innisfree Jelly Cheek in shade 02 Fresh Peach. A relatively new product (I reckon these blushers were launched early this year), the Innisfree Jelly Cheek is a long-wearing blush with a soft, jelly-like texture. It comes with a mochi-like applicator which helps create that natural flush on your cheeks.

Innisfree Jelly Cheek in 02 Fresh Peach.

Tony Moly Pureness 100 Mask Sheet (Php 40).
My favorite Tony Moly Pureness 100 Mask Sheet is back in stock, yay! I bought the Hyaluronic variant back in February and loved the moisturizing effect on my skin, but nothing compares to the hydration and glowing effect that the Snail variant gives.

Tony Moly Pureness 100 Mask Sheet in Snail.

Did any of these products catch your eye?
You can purchase these at Althea and get a 20% discount on your first order using my referral code. Shipping is free for orders worth Php 999 and above.

Spotlight | Clio Kill Protection Sun Base.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Summer is now in full swing here in the Philippines It's currently 33 degrees outside, the air is still, and the weather overall is just so uncomfortably humid. Now if you think that's hot (and annoying), brace yourself as the weather bureau has announced that it could be sweltering by the end of the month. Goodness!

At times like these, I would rather stay in the comforts of my home lest my asthma acts up. If I need to leave the house, I'd be slathered in organic sunscreen and armed with an umbrella, wearing very little makeup or sometimes, none at all.

Now speaking of makeup, I've been using a different primer since summer officially started. For the past two weeks, I've been using the Clio Kill Protection Sun Base and so far, so good. I bought these at one of the Clio stores in Myeongdong during my last Seoul Searching trip; they were having a 1+1 sale at that time so I got both variants of the sun base for the price of one (16000 Korean won - around Php 740 or $14).

Clio Kill Protection Sun Base in Matte and Glow.

Clio Kill Protection Sun Base in Matte and Glow.

The Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base is a multi-function makeup base that controls oil, blocks harmful UV rays, and leaves the skin with a light, matte finish. It's enriched with silica powder to keep your face from turning into a greasy, shiny mess, and an anti-sebum complex composed of evening primrose, arrowroot, pine leaf, and elm extracts, to keep the oils at bay.

Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base, SPF 50+ PA++++.

Lightly-tinted with a hint of powdery fragrance, the Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base evens out the skin tone and preps your skin for makeup. It feels soft and silky on the skin, the way setting powder does, and keeps your makeup intact for pretty much an entire day. It does, however, leave a slight white cast on the skin, which can easily be corrected with a translucent setting powder.

Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base, SPF 50+ PA++++.

On the other hand, the Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base has a gel-type formula that feels light and refreshing on the skin. It brightens the complexion as it covers minor skin imperfections, and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and moisturized, the way a facial essence does. Like the Matte variant, this product has a subtle, fresh fragrance that becomes more noticeable as you blend it out on your skin.

Comes in 50 mL squeeze tubes.

Aside from its sun protection benefits, the Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base also gives your face a lovely, glowing sheen. It may not be as highly effective as a makeup base compared to its 'Matte' counterpart (I have to retouch a few times a day whenever I'm wearing the Glow Sun Base), but the luminous, healthy finish and the 'glass skin' effect makes up for it.

The swatches below will show you the difference between the two variants.

Left: Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base.
Right: Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base.

The Matte variant is lightly-tinted and has a creamier consistency, while the Glow variant is colorless and has a gel-like consistency.

Left: Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base.
Right: Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base.

The Matte Sun Base has a thicker formula, while the Glow Sun Base goes on smoothly and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Left: Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base.
Right: Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base.

The Matte Sun Base has better coverage but leaves a slight white cast, the Glow Sun Base has a sheer finish but makes the skin look dewy.

Personally, I am more partial to the Glow Sun Base because I'm a fan of the dewy makeup look. If you have dry skin, the Glow Sun Base will suit you better; but if you have oily skin, you might find the Matte Sun Base more to your liking. Both products have the ideal sun protection factor of SPF 50+ PA++++, and thankfully, neither of the two gave me allergies or broke me out. 

Wearing the Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base as my sunscreen/primer.

At my son's Recognition Day, wearing the Clio Kill Protection Glow Sun Base
as my sunscreen/primer.

Will I repurchase? That would be a resounding yes! Much better if they'll be on sale again when I fly back to Seoul! :)

Spotlight | Innisfree Cushion Primer.

I sure am lucky when it comes to sale events here in Korea. I almost always chance upon good deals whenever I'm here, and last winter was no exception.

When we visited Insadong last December, the Innisfree store in that area had a huge sale - with some of the items being sold at half the price! I went on a shopping spree, of course, and one of the items that I bought was the Innisfree Cushion Primer. This product normally retails for 10000 won (around Php 440 or $9), but I was able to buy this for only 5000 won.

Innisfree Cushion Primer.

From the name itself, this product is to be used as a primer for your cushion to increase its adherence to your skin, thus making your makeup last longer.

Product description at the back of the box.

This hydrating primer also makes the skin texture smooth and flawless as it covers pores and fine lines.

Contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea.

Similarly, it allows for easy application of your cushion/foundation, as if it 'glides' on to your flawless canvas of a skin.

Benefits of the Innisfree Cushion Primer.

It contains mineral powder and Jeju green tea to control excessive sebum, while moisturizing the skin at the same time.

Squeeze tube.

Dispenser tip.

Much like the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer, the Innisfree Cushion Primer comes in a slim and handy 25 mL squeeze tube. The plastic tube is easy to squeeze, and the tip allows you to dispense just the right amount of product.

How the primer looks like.

This colorless primer has a soft and silky texture. It does not feel greasy or sticky, and is easily absorbed by the skin. When applied, it gives the skin some sort of cooling effect, which I find quite refreshing. It also has a light, floral scent which isn't exactly subtle; you might want to take this into consideration if you're olfactory nerves are quite sensitive.

Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

I love this primer's lightweight formula, the silky texture, and how it preps my skin nicely for cushion application. In terms of concealing pores and fine lines, this primer does a fair job of keeping these skin issues at bay. And although the Innisfree Cushion Primer does not have a mattefying effect, it helps control the oil on your face and keeps makeup intact for hours.

Covered the back of my hand with cushion.
Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

Will I repurchase? Yes! Hopefully I chance upon another crazy markdown sale while I'm here this spring! :)

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree Cushion Primer,
Benefit Erase Paste in Medium,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: NYC Cheek Glow Powder in West Side Wine.
LIPS: Kiko Milano Luminous Chrome Lipstick in 707 Peony Red.

Spotlight | Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base.

When you live in a tropical country such as the Philippines, it feels like summer all year round. Today's weather, for instance, was unbelievably hot and humid (31 degrees, but it felt more like a scorching 39 outside) - to think it's already the rainy season.

Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base.

And this is exactly the reason why I bought this Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base when I visited Korea last spring. This sun base, which sells for 17000 won (around Php 700 or $14), is part of Beyond Cosmetics' and Disney's Alice in Wonderland collaboration collection.

Lovely illustration on the side panel.

Now I'm all for primers with SPF for three good reasons. Primers, for one, keep your makeup intact and last for an entire day at the most. With the added sun protection factor, you don't have to apply another sunblock to your face. And since I can skip wearing sunblock, I don't have to worry about break-outs or allergies (hello, sensitive skin) or that heavy, greasy feel on my face all throughout the day.

And pretty prints on the other side.

Aside from the sun protection factor - a whopping SPF 50 PA+++ - the packaging is another reason why I purchased this product. Just look at the pretty details! Even the tube itself is pretty, with its frosted pink cap and gold details that give this sun base a very elegant vibe.

The 50 mL tube.

It comes with a screw cap for easy use, and a small nozzle which allows sufficient control on the amount of product being dispensed.

Screw-off cap.

However, both the box and the tube hardly have English text written on it. Save for the name of the product, everything else is written in Hangul.

Back of the box.

Back of the tube.

Now let's take a look at the product itself. 

Just the right amount of the sun base...

The Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base is a lightly-tinted primer that evens out the skin tone as it moisturizes and preps your skin for makeup. It also functions as a sunblock to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.  

... and how it looks like when applied.

This sun base contains red algae extracts known for its antioxidant properties and its ability to neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to the skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains True Eco Complex, which hydrates and brightens the skin.

Left without sun base, right with sun base.

This product has a slightly thicker consistency, similar to that of regular sunblock but without the sticky, greasy feel. I love its lightweight, easy-to-blend formula and its subtle floral scent.

Bare face.

Once applied, it makes the skin look a bit shiny which eventually turns into a nice, glowing finish as it blends into the skin.

With the Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base.

I love how this sun base preps my skin for makeup application. You know those soft focus filters work on photo editing apps?  This product sort of does the same thing, only in real life. And with sun protection, at that!

And all dolled-up! :)
Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Missha Wrinkle Filler BB Cream,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Peripera Snow White Pride Up Pact.
EYES: Etude House Tint My Eyebrows,
Clio Kill Black Pen Liner,
Tony Moly Simply Style Slim Curling Mascara.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Beyond Rich Color Tint Balm in Tok Wine.

Spotlight | Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer.

I'm a huge fan of the Korean cosmetics brand Innisfree - from their BB creams to their clay mask, to their ever-popular face mist. My only gripe, however, is that this brand is not available in the Philippines. And the only way for me to get my hands on their products is through online stores, or ask the husband to buy them in Korea.

And so when I finally had the chance to visit South Korea and set foot in Myeongdong, I made it a point to shop at Innisfree to my heart's content. One of the (many) items that I bought is the No-Sebum Blur Primer.

Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer, 10000 won.

Simply put, it's a primer that makes the skin texture smooth and bright, as if giving a blur effect, covering skin bumps caused by pores and fine wrinkles.

Product description in English and Hangul at the back of the box. 

It contains 'natural mint' and 'Jeju mineral powder' to manage the oil and moisture balance of the skin, thus making the skin soft and smooth for hours. 

Natural mint and Jeju mineral powder.

It also contains other ingredients from Jeju, such as Green Persimmon extracts which makes the skin supple and clear as it tightens the pores, and the Jeju Green Complex which makes the skin healthy and glowing. 

Comfortable skin made possible by natural ingredients from Jeju.

The Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer comes in a very handy, 25 mL squeeze tube. The plastic tube is pretty easy to squeeze, and the dispenser tip allows you to control the amount of product you want to use.

Squeeze tube.

Product description on the tube, written mostly in Hangul.

The product is beige in color and has a soft, velvety texture similar to that of The Face Shop's Velvet Skin Primer. But unlike that primer, which has a rather watery consistency, this one tends to lean more on the creamy side.

Squeezed a bit of it on my skin.

It has a very faint minty scent, barely noticeable, really. You'll only catch a hint of it when you smell the product from the tube since the scent dissipates as soon as you spread the primer on your skin.

A few seconds after application.
Left, without primer. Right, with primer.

I love its lightweight formula, its soft, velvety feel, and how it keeps my makeup intact for hours. It does a good job of minimizing the appearance of fine lines and neutralizing the red patches on the skin. Plus its mattefying effect is perfect for this time of the year (ergo, the scorching hot summer months in the tropics). And while this product may be silicon-based, it had no adverse effects on my skin - no itchiness, no rashes, no breakouts whatsoever. 

After priming.
Left, without primer, Right, with primer.

What I love:

- Handy packaging.

- Lightweight formula.

- Velvety texture.

- Conceals fine lines, smoothens skin.

- Keeps makeup intact.

- Contains natural ingredients.

- Eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

- Affordable price.

What you might not like:

- It is silica-based, so take caution if you're allergic to silicon.

Wearing the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer underneath my makeup.
Also, I'm so loving my Wine Red hair. :)

Since Innisfree is not readily available in the Philippines, I plan to shop for more Innisfree items (and other Korean cosmetic brands) the next time I fly to Seoul and sell them in my online store. What do you think? I need extra cash for all the traveling that I'll be doing in the next three years, haha! :)