Spotlight | Althea A'bloom.

I love sheet masks. And I love them a lot.
Aside from being my favorite step in my Sunday skincare routine (sometimes I add them to my mid-week skincare routine whenever I feel like it), sheet masks are probably THE skincare product that I will never run out of and can never live without. I buy them in bulk whenever I'm in Korea, hoard them whenever they go on sale here in the Philippines, and they have a lingering presence in my Althea shopping cart - almost all of my previous orders from Althea had a sheet mask or two included.

So imagine my excitement when Althea announced that they'll be a launching a new in-house brand, with sheet masks as one of its introductory products. That excitement turned to amazement when Althea's freshest product drops finally arrived in the mail.

Fresh drops from Althea! :)

I call this the 'Althea A'bloom Box' - an assortment of products from the A'bloom brand, the new beauty brainchild from Althea. 'Fun and funky' is the signature of A'bloom, and I can see that from the get-go. I mean, just look at the packaging - the cute prints and vibrant colors are guaranteed to grab your attention.

This box screams of cuteness.

Now let's take a closer look at these A'bloom products, starting with the ones that piqued my curiosity the most - the sheet masks. There are four fruit-based variants in A'bloom's sheet mask line:

A'bloom Sheet Masks, Php 20 each.

Ac-Me-Peach - An anti-blemish sheet mask that purifies and soothes irritated and sensitive skin. It's infused with peach extracts and tea tree oil to combat acne, regulate oil, and clarify skin.

Water-Me-Long - A moisturizing sheet mask made with watermelon extracts and lavender that help retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Sparkle-Me-Bright - A brightening sheet mask that brings dull skin back to life. Enriched with green tea extracts plus a double dose of vitamin C from lemon and lime, this sheet mask banishes dark spots and brings out the natural radiance of your skin.

Avo-Cuddle-Me - A nourishing sheet mask that helps keep wrinkles at bay while protecting the skin from free radicals and other harmful elements from the environment. Made with avocado extracts and hibiscus, this sheet mask is rich in antioxidants and helps improve the skin's elasticity.

My favorite variant among the four A'bloom Sheet Masks.

First off, I love the quirky names of these sheet masks. They're puns of the ingredients that they're made of, and that sounds fun and witty to me. Second, I love how budget-friendly the A'bloom Sheet Masks are. Priced at Php 20 each (that's less than half a dollar), they're probably the most affordable sheet mask in the market today. And finally, I love how juicy these sheet masks are. They're soaked in essence, which allows you to wear the sheet masks for at least half an hour. 

Sunday is sheet mask day!

Among the four variants, the Avo-Cuddle-Me would have to be my favorite. Mildly scented, non-irritating, and very moisturizing, the avocado sheet mask made my skin soft and supple without the sticky feel. My only gripe is that the sheet mask seems a tad too big for my face. That, or maybe I have stretched it out too much in the process of unfolding the sheet mask and sticking it to my face.

Next up, we have the BHA Blackhead Blaster. It's a slick stick that helps remove whiteheads and blackheads easily and pain-free. 

BHA Blackhead Blaster, Php 200.

Formulated with natural BHA (beta hydroxy acid) from extracts of white willow bark, this product cleanses deep into your pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. The BHA Blackhead Blaster also contains a mixture of apricot seed powder, charcoal, and tea tree oil which tightens pores, clears the skin, and inhibits the growth of blackheads and whiteheads. 

Bye, blackheads!

I don't have blackheads and my whiteheads are nearly invisible, so I asked my sister to try this product instead. She loved it right away! Aside from the ease of use (you simply glide the stick onto targeted areas, massage it for about a minute or two, the rinse it off with lukewarm water), you also get instant results. My sister easily rubbed all the blackheads off her nose, leaving her with nothing but soft and clear skin afterwards. I saw her blackheads 'coming out' and I was grossly impressed, lol.

Finally, we have the A'bloom Meringue Puffs. These beauty sponges are the first-ever beauty tools made by Althea, and they come in two different sizes - Giant and Baby. The Giant Meringue Puff is sold individually, while the Baby Meringue Puffs come in a set of three.

Giant Meringue Puff, Php 100 each.
Baby Meringue Puff, Php 140 per set of three.

Soft and bouncy, these Meringue Puffs are made with non-toxic, latex-free materials. These puffs are free from harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chrome, and antimony, and are safe to use on sensitive skin. Both puffs can be used wet or dry. When used wet, the puff expands to almost twice its size and gives your (base) makeup a glossy finish. If you want a regular, matte finish, you can simply use the puff as is. 

Giant Meringue Puff vs. Baby Meringue Puff.

Personally, I like the Baby Meringue Puff more than its big (bigger) sister. I feel like they're softer, fluffier, and they're easier to clean. I use the baby puff to apply cheek tint on my face, and to blend concealer under my eyes and around my eyebrows. I would have preferred a pointier tip for these meringue puffs, but I love them nonetheless. 

As of this writing, the A'bloom Sheet Masks are still out of stock at the Althea website. The response to these sheet masks was so overwhelming that the website almost crashed when offered a 10+10 introductory sale. Well, who wouldn't go crazy when you can get 20 sheet masks for Php 180 (that's less than $4 when converted)?! I know I would!

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 | Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub.

I love lip care products as much as I love lip tints and lipsticks. As such, when I chanced upon the Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub back in stock on the Althea website, I purchased it (together with the rest of my Lunar New Year haul) without a moment's hesitation. I've been eyeing this product since December, but it was always out of stock whenever I checked on Althea.

Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub.

So anyways, the Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub is a lip care product that softly exfoliates and smoothens rough lips. This lip scrub is part of Missha's new Superfood line, which features lip care products made with nutrient-rich food/ingredients. Apricot is considered a superfood because of its powerful antioxidants that protect the skin against free radicals, and its laetrile content, a substance known for its ability to fight cancer. In terms of lip/skin care, apricot seeds make great exfoliants.

Hangul text at the back of the box.

This product is also blended with shea butter and three kinds of naturally-derived oil extracted from jojoba seed, argan, and camellia. All these ingredients condition and moisturize the lips and make them soft and supple.

I'm liking the new logo of Missha. Are you? :)

The Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub comes in a handy squeeze tube, small enough to fit in your purse and even in your pocket. To use, simply squeeze out a moderate amount of the product on your lips, gently massage in circular motions, then rinse in lukewarm water.

Supreme vibes in the packaging. :)

I like how this lip scrub buffs away the dry patches on my lips without being abrasive, and how my lips look plump and healthy after every use. Yue tried this product too, and he says he likes this more because it does not have that bitter taste that the Bubi Bubi Lip Scrub has. It tastes sweet, actually, and has a lovely, fruity scent. 

A small amount of the lip scrub, with tiny bits of exfoliant in it.

Yue and I both love the results of the Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub, and this will be our go-to lip scrub - at least for now. Not only does it bring dry lips back to life, it's quite reasonably-priced too - just Php 240 for a 9.8 gram tube.

Yue's lips BEFORE using the Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub.

Yue's lips AFTER using the Missha Superfood Apricot Seed Lip Scrub.

Now I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the products in the Missha Superfood line. I hope they'll be available on Althea soon!

Missha Superfood Black Soy Lip Sleeping Pack, Missha Superfood Avocado Lip Balm,
Missha Superfood Barley Lip Oil, Missha Superfood Honey Lip Oil.

Spotlight | Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream + Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

I have a love-hate relationship with summer, particularly this kind of summer that we're experiencing right now in the Philippines. I love that my kid is on a school break which gives us a chance to travel; I hate how the hot and humid weather takes a toll on my body, particularly on my lungs (asthma) and on my skin (allergies, red and blotchy skin).

These are the reasons why I am only too happy with the newest additions to Althea's very own skincare line. They came in the mail a few days ago, and they couldn't have come at a better time. My skin needs all the help it can get to keep it hydrated and moisturized in this sweltering heat, and to prevent those red, blotchy spots from appearing on my face.

The latest from Althea - the Skin Relief Calming Cream and the Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

Like a gift from the gods, the Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream is a lush facial cream that hydrates, soothes, and repairs skin from damage caused by irritants and harmful external pollutants.

Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream, Php 560.

It's formulated with panthenol, a substance derived from vitamin B that soothes the skin and helps strengthen its protective barrier. It's also infused with seawater and chamomile water which help the skin retain its moisture, plus a mix of shea butter and hydrogenated lecithin that nourishes the skin and protects it against harmful external factors such as dust, smoke, and pollution. Another note-worthy ingredient is the Centella asiatica extract which 'calms' the skin and repairs it from damage.

It comes in an 80 mL squeeze tube.

This product has a light, watery consistency despite the initial creamy appearance, and has a soft, citrus-y scent which reminds me of tangerines. It's non-sticky, non-greasy, and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Lush, creamy appearance.

I love how my skin feels soft and refreshed after every application, but what I love more about this product was how it got rid of the red, blotchy patches on my face overnight. I literally woke up to soft, clear skin with the Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream, and to say that I was impressed with this product would be a complete understatement.

Light, watery texture when applied.

Now if it's extra boost of hydration that you want, look no further as the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads got you covered. 

Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads, Php 700.

These woven, gauze-like pads are infused with Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) extract that's rich in minerals and amino acids. This product also contains extracts from Salix nigra (willow), known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and Centella asiatica, which soothes, treats, and repairs damaged skin.

Comes with a small plastic tweezer. Each tub contains 80 pads.

You can use these moisture pads two ways - as a toner or as a sheet mask. When used as a toner, you simply wipe the pad all over your face. These pads are pretty soaked, so you'll only need one for toning.

Soft, woven-like texture.

Used as a sheet mask, the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads provide a more concentrated dose of hydration. Simply put the pads onto targeted areas of the skin and allow them to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. I prefer using them this way, and I love how my skin feels softer, smoother, and firmer afterwards.

Pampering at home with the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

The Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream and the Althea Waterful Green Bambood Pads are both available at the Althea website. Shipping fee is waived for orders worth more than Php 1000, cash-on-delivery option is also available for orders worth more than Php 2000.

New to the Althea community? Get a 20% discount on your first order using my referral code.

Spotlight | Missha Cotton Blush.

I've been extremely busy lately with freelance projects, writing gigs, and my son's school activities, and with his final exams coming up, expect me to be swamped with even more work in the next few days. I know my plate is already full and I kinda have a deadline to beat today, but I wanted to squeeze in this quick review of the blusher that I've been using (and loving) as of late.

Missha Cotton Blush.

This is the Missha Cotton Blush, which I purchased from Althea and was one of the many items included in my birthday/year-end haul. I was initially attracted to its shade range (the complete Missha Cotton Blush line consists of ten shades which will suit a variety of skin tones and undertones) and its affordable price (dirt cheap, considering that it's from Missha).

Hangul text at the bottom of the pan.

A powder blush with soft, velvety texture, the Missha Cotton Blush gives your cheeks a lovely, natural flush of color. It's formulated with 'silky elastic powder' that controls sebum and allows for easy, non-cakey application.

Missha Cotton Blush in Vintage Robe.

Its packaging is sleek and simple, and the clear compact is small enough to fit your jeans pocket. Although the size of the Missha Cotton Blush is relatively smaller compared to other blushers, you have to take into consideration that each pan costs only Php 230. Also, for its price point, you're getting your money's worth - maybe even more - in terms of color payoff and quality.

Missha Cotton Blush Vintage Robe - swatched once on the right, twice on the left.

Missha Cotton Blush in Vintage Robe - swatched once on the right, twice on the left.

Missha Cotton Blush in Vintage Robe - swatched once on the right, twice on the left.

The shade that I got is Vintage Robe, a dusty rose with a hint of reddish brown. I love how nicely pigmented this shade is, and how I get a healthy-looking flush with just a swipe or two on my cheeks. It glides on smoothly with the right brush, has buildable coverage, and leaves the cheeks with a soft matte finish. This shade is quite long-wearing, too. Despite the sweltering heat, the color stayed put on my cheeks throughout the day with no touch-ups at all.

Missha Cotton Blush in Vintage Robe on my cheeks.

Needless to say, I am impressed by the over-all quality of the Missha Cotton Blush, and I'm planning to buy a few more shades the next time I go on a shopping spree in Korea or at the Althea website, whichever comes first (lol). 

New to Althea? Here's a discount voucher that you can use to get 20% off on your first order. :)

My Althea Lunar New Year Haul!

"I konmari-d my vanity dresser over the weekend," I told my sister, who came over yesterday to visit the kids.

"Oh, you watched the show?" she asked.

With a head shake and a finger wag, I replied, "No, but konmari is all over my Facebook news feed and I just did what everyone else seems to be doing. I needed space for all these beauty products that I'm getting."

"I stopped watching after the first episode."

"You didn't like the series?"

"I liked it. So much, that I ended up throwing half of my husband's stuff after episode one," she answered, before bursting into a fit of laughter.

My sister and I live apart so we don't see each other very often. But when we do, we talk about everything under the sun - from our married lives to our travel plans, to serious 'adulting' issues like life insurance and property investments, and of course, kikay stuff like upcoming makeup launches and the skincare products that I'm buying from Althea. Case in point, my latest beauty haul.

Ringing in the Lunar New Year with this haul from Althea!

Halfway through January, my Althea family sent me another surprise gift - $50 worth of Rewards Points credited to my Althea account. And with that, I was able to purchase all these without having to spend a dime. Awesomesauce, right? :)

Now here's a quick run-through of what's inside my Althea Lunar New Year box:

Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner Moisture, Php 1100.

Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner Moisture (Php 1100).

I received a complimentary travel-sized bottle of this toner when we visited the Laneige Flagship Store in Ewha last spring. Unlike most toners, the Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner has a thicker, more viscous formula that deeply moisturizes the skin from the get-go.

The cold months usually wreak havoc on my skin, and this toner was quite the wonder worker. It kept my skin from looking dull and feeling dry, and you get soft and smooth skin in an instant. I just couldn't get enough of that 'chok chok' (dewy, bouncy, hydrated) effect from this toner so I decided to go full-size! 

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, Php 1090.

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum  (Php 1090).

To complement the Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Lotion that I've previously bought, I got the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum which now comes in a new packaging. Not sure if they also changed the formulation, but I hope they did not because the OG formula is already hydrating and nourishing as is.

Mise en Scene Perfect Repair Serum, Php 400.

Mise en Scene Perfect Repair Serum (Php 400).

I've been using the same brand of hair serum for more than five years now, and giving the Mise en Scene Perfect Repair Serum a try is like breaking out of my comfort zone. I've read tons of positive feedback about this product, and I just had to satisfy my curiosity as to why they love this hair serum. I just hope the curious cat in me won't have regrets later on. 

Missha Superfood Apricot Lip Scrub, Php 240.

Missha Superfood Apricot Lip Scrub (Php 240).

Because we can't get enough of lip treatment products! Also, I was very much drawn to the packaging. Supreme vibes, yes?

Tony Moly New Pureness 100 Mask Sheet, Php 40.

Tony Moly Pureness 100 Mask Sheet (Php 40).

One thing I love about Tony Moly sheet masks is how they fit nicely on my face. I've tried the Snail variant of this sheet mask before and it was so damn good. Very moisturizing, and your skin looks glowing the morning after. Unfortunately, the Snail sheet mask wasn't in stock when I placed my order so I settled for the Hyaluronic one instead. I hope this variant will be just as impressive.

I have another beauty haul arriving in a few weeks. Should I take my sister's lead and konmari my husband's stuff as well? :)

Pucker Up! | Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

If you're an avid fan of Korean dramas, then you probably know what 'PPL' or 'product placement' is. It's a marketing technique which strategically features brand logos in a particular scene, or shows the characters in the drama using the product. Sometimes subtle, but oftentimes not, PPL has become a norm in Korean dramas; the more popular the drama is, the more PPLs are inserted in it.

I fell for these PPLs several times in the past, and thanks to these Korean dramas, I've bought all sort of stuff - lipsticks, cushions, sheet masks, perfume, plush dolls... Heck, I would even have pizza or fried chicken delivered to our flat (in Seoul) because my favorite Hallyu stars were endorsing them, lol!

The latest PPLs that I fell prey to were the ones shown in Memories of the Alhambra. You see, I've come across these Creamy Tint Color Balms countless of times in Myeongdong and Sinsadong, but never really paid much attention to them. I did swatch a few shades, but purchase them I did not. Then came Memories of the Alhambra with scenes of Park Shin Hye gliding them color balms on her lips, and I was like, "Freeeaaaak! Why did I not buy those while I was in Seoul???" 

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense, Php 390 each on Althea.

Thankfully, these lippies are sold in Althea, and I bought two out of the seven shades that were listed on their site. That's just a fraction of the entire Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense line, which has a whopping selection of 27 shades!

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

A crayon-type lip product, the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense has the vivid color of lipstick and the creamy texture of a lip balm. It's formulated with jojoba extract to moisturize and smoothen the lips, and green tea seed oil to protect the lips from external pollutants and free radical damage. It also contains a special powder ingredient which provides this product with a soft, smooth, glide-on texture.

Twist-up lip crayon.

The shades that I got were #21 Red Soul and #22 Dandy Coral. The former is a muted brown-red shade, while the latter is a coral-based peach.

Shade reference on the top flap of the box.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #21 Red Soul.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #22 Dandy Coral.

Both shades are nicely pigmented, have a smooth, velvety texture, and a true matte finish. Although these Creamy Tint Color Balms do not have that slick, buttery feel when you glide them on the lips, they're very easy to apply, and you only need to swipe them once or twice for the color to pop.

Crayon-type lip product.

Twist the bottom part to expose the tip of the product.

They're non-drying, and your lips won't feel parched even after hours of wear. They don't accentuate fine lines either, despite settling down to a flat matte finish. Do note, however, that I have a regimen which keeps my lips from looking or feeling dry. If you have dry, flaky lips, I suggest you exfoliate and moisturize properly before and after using matte lip products.

#22 Dandy Coral on top, #21 Red Soul on the bottom.

Swatched: #21 Red Soul on the left, #22 Dandy Coral on the right.

For a 'lip balm', these products are surprisingly long-wearing. The colors stay put for hours (especially if you wear them full lip), and can survive a light, non-greasy meal.

Wearing shade #22 Dandy Coral.

Wearing shade #21 Red Soul.

Most of my PPL buys have never failed me, and I'm so glad that the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense exceeded my expectations. I have a feeling I'll be buying more of these in the (very) near future because why not? They give value for money, plus I have a few more Althea Rewards Points to spare, anyways. :)

Have you been influenced by Korean dramas (or any other TV show, for that matter) in buying something? Share your PPL story in the comments! :)