Spotlight | Holika Holika x Peko Collection.

After months of sitting in my dresser drawer, I've finally opened these two items from the Holika Holika x Peko Collection - the Hard Cover Glow Cushion and the Water Drop Tint Bomb. Bought these at one of the Holika Holika stores in Myeongdong during my last trip to Seoul, but it took me awhile to open them because I wanted to use up all of my 'previously opened' cushions before moving on to another one.

My mini haul from Holika Holika. :)
Hard Cover Glow Cushion, 20000 won,
Water Drop Tint Bomb, 8500 won.

And now that I've pretty hit the pan with most of my cushions, it's time to unbox and finally use my Holika Holika x Peko Hard Cover Glow Cushion - yay! The cushion is housed in a super cute milk carton. It's a shame that I have to 'desecrate' it just so I can get the products inside.

English text on one side of the carton. The other side has text written in Hangul.

Contents include the red cushion case with a picture of Peko, a cushion puff also designed with Peko's picture, and the cushion itself. The last two items are sealed inside the red plastic packaging, as seen on the photo below.

Unboxing my Holika Holika x Peko Hard Cover Glow Cushion.
(Tint balm bought separately.)

Here's a closer look at the cushion puff.

Peko Air Cushion Puff.

This one is the 'beige type', which soaks up a good amount of product and gives the cushion a nice satin finish.

Peko Air Cushion Puff.

Now here's the cushion itself. It's embossed with tiny floral prints, which I find pretty cute, and has a subtle, soapy scent which I find quite nice.

The cushion, still sealed.

Holika Holika describes this product as 'a cushion with brightening benefits and a dewy moisturizing finish'. Made with aloe leaf water and enriched with double moist serum, 'this cushion leaves the skin moisturized and glowing'. And with the help of Holika Holika's Full Barrier™ technology, the skin 'gets SPF50 protection from fine dust and free radical damage, and ensures that the skin's barrier stays intact.'

The cushion, with tiny flower prints.

The Holika Holika x Peko Hard Cover Glow Cushion comes in four different shades. I got number 03 Honey, which was the shade nearest to my skin tone. (I usually go for shade number 23 with other cushion brands.)

Shade #03 Honey.

I like how the cushion is super soaked from the get-go. You get a good amount of product with just a light tap on the cushion. I also like its light and sheer formula, though I find it a bit sticky if worn without a primer. It's a good thing that I decided to use this cushion now that the temperature has gradually become cooler and less humid.

Bare face.

With the Holika Holika x Peko Hard Cover Glow Cushion.

This cushion also has good, buildable coverage - a solid medium at the most - enough to even out my skin tone and cover the fine lines on my face. It gives my skin a nice, dewy finish, which is what I usually look for in a cushion. Wear time is quite good, too. It stays on for five to six hours before it starts to crease on the corners of my eyes and the sides of my nose.

Moving on to the Water Drop Tint Bomb, Holika Holika describes this product as 'a lip tint which adheres to lips lightly to create moisturizing luster without stickiness. Creates juicy lips with vivid color.'

Holika Holika x Peko Water Drop Tint Bomb.

It comes in an adorable tube packaging, also with a photo of Peko-chan.

And here's the other side of the tube.

There are five different shades in the Holika Holika x Peko Water Drop Tint Bomb line, and I chose number 04, a muted shade of cherry red. Later on, I discovered that its shade name is actually 'Cherry Coke'.

04 Cherry Coke.

This Water Drop Tint Bomb is one of, if not the quirkiest lip products I have ever tried. Aside from the product's teardrop shape (which is actually great since it helps in applying the product more precisely on the lips), this tint bomb has a tingling, cooling sensation and feels wet upon application. It glides on smoothly on the lips, feels soft and light at first swipe, then dries down to a velvety, matte finish.

Teardrop shaped Tint Bomb.

Surprisingly, this product is highly-pigmented and has a transfer-proof formula. Color stays on the lips for at least five hours with a bit of eating, and no, it doesn't leave stains on your coffee cup or eating utensils.

Swatched, indoor lighting.

However, this Tint Bomb is not as moisturizing as I expected them to be, and it tends to emphasize the lines on my lips the longer I wear it. I still love this product nonetheless; I just make sure that my lips have been exfoliated prior to application.

Swatched, under natural light.

Overall, I'm glad I was lured by the adorable packaging of this collaboration collection (because you know I'm a sucker for such things), and was able to discover some really good products from Holika Holika in the process. Prior to this, the only Holika Holika product I owned was the Aloe Soothing Gel, which my Mum and my siblings absolutely love. Now, I'm keeping tabs on the brand's new product releases and I'm actually looking forward to their next collaboration collection. I hope they'll be just as eye-catching as the Peko collection!

Products used:
FACE: Innisfree Cushion Primer,
Nature Republic Botanical Stick Concealer,
Holika Holika x Peko Hard Cover Glow Cushion.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Nature Republic Pure Shine Mascara.
CHEEKS: Sleek Makeup Blush in Mirrored Pink.
LIPS: Holika Holika Water Drop Tint Bomb in 04 Cherry Coke.

Spotlight | Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel.

We're now officially on summer break, and here in the Philippines, summer also spells fun and is synonymous to beach trips, vacations, and barbecue parties. On the downside, summer also means extreme heat and humidity which can cause sunburns, rashes, all sorts of skin infections, and even damage to your hair. It is this time of the year when I find the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel most helpful.

Aloe vera, the thick, short-stemmed plant that stores water in its leaves, has been used for centuries for its medicinal and healing properties. It's also widely-used in many beauty products, as its inner leaf juice contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that work wonders for the skin. And this product from Holika Holika contains 99% of it.

Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel.

Made from aloe veras grown in Jeju Island, the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel is a "fast-absorbing gel that provides lasting moisture and calms reddened skin". Aside from aloe vera, it also contains a variety of plant extracts such as cucumber, watermelon, centella, bamboo, and corn. This product also boasts of the 7-Free system, meaning it's free from harmful additives such as parabens, benzophenone, propylene glycol, BHT, mineral oil, animal ingredients, and artificial coloring.

Aloe vera packaging.

One thing I love about this product - aside from the fact that it's made with natural ingredients - is its packaging. Very on-point, if I were to describe it. It's an aloe vera product contained in an aloe vera-shaped bottle. How can you get wrong with that? :)

No-spill cap, still sealed.

I also love that it comes in a squeeze tube, which is more hygienic than having to dip my fingers in a tub. However, the tube tends to dispense a bit too much of the product even with just a tiny squeeze.

Squeeze tube.

Now as for the product itself, the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel has a watery, gel-like consistency. The texture is a bit slimy which is quite similar to raw aloe vera. It's easy to apply, fast-absorbing, without the sticky or greasy feel. It moisturizes and nourishes the skin and makes it look healthy and hydrated. It's pretty effective on rashes and sunburns as it soothes the skin and reduces redness and inflammation.

A 'not-so-small' squeeze of the product.

I also love this product's mild and refreshing scent which lingers on the skin long after you have applied it. The scent is more of cucumber than aloe vera, which I absolutely do not mind. This product can be stored at room temperature, but I keep mine inside the fridge for that extra cooling effect.

Watery but not runny.

There are plenty of ways to use the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel, but I prefer using it as a sleeping pack (applying a generous amount on my face and neck before I hit the sack) and as a soothing lotion (because I have a sun allergy and my skin gets red and itchy at the slightest exposure to the sun). My Mum, on the other hand, likes using this as a hair treatment - applying it on areas of her scalp where hairs are thin and seemingly sparse.

How to use the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel.
(Click to enlarge)

Price-wise, the Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel is affordable at 5900 won (around Php 290 or $6) for this 250 mL bottle. Comparing it with similar products on the market, it is a tad more expensive than the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel, priced at 4400 won (around Php 215 or $4) for a 300 mL tub and the Foodaholic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel, priced at 2900 won (around Php 140 or $2) for a 300 mL tub.

Seal of authenticity.

However, the Nature Republic soothing gel is made with only 92% aloe vera and contains alcohol, while the Foodaholic soothing gel is strongly-scented and comes in a tub.

Hangul text at the back of the bottle.

Manufacturing + expiration date.
Use within 18 months after opening.

Luckily, I got my Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel during a sale event at one of the Holika Holika stores in Myeongdong. For every purchase of the 250 mL bottle, you get a free 100 mL bottle - not bad for 5900 won, right? I actually bought several bottles for my Mum, my sister, and I, and gave the smaller bottles as gifts to friends.

Will I recommend and repurchase? Definitely, yes!

Expect me to buy a few more bottles of these when I fly back to Seoul next month. :)

Sneak Peek | Holika Holika x Peko Collection.

It seems like collaborations with food brands will be this year's trend in the K-beauty industry as another exciting collection is about to come our way!

Korean cosmetics brand Holika Holika, known for its 'fun and practical' makeup and skincare products, has recently joined hands with Japanese confectionery brand Fujiya Co. for this super cute, absolutely adorable makeup collection. Kawaii! 

Holika Holika x Peko Collection!

View the complete Holika Holika x Peko Collection after the jump!

Beauty Essentials for Valentine's Day

So you've got a date on Valentine's Day. Great!
I hope by now you've visualized your beauty look for the occasion. After all, V-Day is just four days away.

But if you're still in the process of deciding what to wear, how you want to look like, or what you want to do with your hair, allow me to share this list of beauty essentials that'll definitely come in handy come date night. In fact, these products go beyond Valentines Day. They're must-haves for any day, any time of the year!

1) Moisturizer.
The cornerstone of perfect, flawless makeup is great skin. And this is why moisturizers should be part and parcel of your everyday beauty regimen. Moisturizers make the skin healthy, can plump up wrinkles, help combat aging, and soothe stressed skin.

Missha Near Skin Nutritive Cream, Php 1650.

Moisturizing, however, can be a bit tricky so it is important to know what moisturizer to use for which type of skin. For dry skin, go for creams or serums as they are thicker, heavier, and are highly concentrated. For those with oily skin, emulsions and oil-free lotions are recommended as they have a lighter texture and are usually water-based.

2) Primer.
And so they say it's a crime not to prime.
Primers not only prep your face for makeup application, it also makes your makeup last longer. Most important of all, it keeps all sorts of makeup blunders at bay. Think melting foundation, obvious pores, and redness around the nose. All these can be avoided by simply adding one extra step to your usual makeup routine - priming.

Holika Holika Oil Queen Cotton Primer SPF15, Php 485. 

3) Eyebrow Filler.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what makes the eyes look even more beautiful are the eyebrows. Properly groomed and neatly-filled brows make the first step to a clean, well-constructed makeup look.

Sephora Arch It Brow Kit, Php 1758.

4) Eyeliner.
Whether it's the liquid, gel, or pencil-type, eyeliners are the sure-fire way to give your peepers a stunning and sexy look.

Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner, Php 248.

Here's a quick tip for makeup newbies who might want to try the 'winged' look.
While looking in the mirror, place your elbow on the table to steady your arm. Rest the palm of whatever hand is holding the liner to the bottom part of your face and, with the opposite hand, pull the skin taut on the eye you're about to apply makeup to. Draw a simple line from the inner corner halfway, then finish the line from the outside going inward. To complete the winged look, make a small, upwards "U" at the outer corner of your eyelid and fill it in.

5) Blush.
I know there are women out there who are not too fond of (wearing) makeup. But you have to admit, if there's one makeup item that can give color and life to an otherwise pale face, it's blush.

Holika Holika Love Fantasy Blusher, Php 645.

Blushes come in different colors, so make sure to choose one which complements your skin tone. For fair skin, go for pinks. For medium skin, go for tawny or rosy shades. If your skin has yellow undertones, peaches and corals would suit you nicely; if you have olive undertones, wine and burgundy shades would be your best bet.

6) Lip Balm.
Just like our skin, our lips need its own moisturizer, too. Lip balms instantly hydrate the lips, make them softer and smoother, and make sure that your lipstick (the matte ones, especially) don't settle on the crevices of your lips.

Bare Naturals Vitamin Stix Butter, Php 198.

7) Red lipstick.

Ah yes, the universal classic that never goes out of style. It's the boldest lip color that screams of confidence, and is guaranteed to catch any man's attention. 

Ultraflesh Perfect Reds Mini Lipstick, Php 1568.

Some women, however, assume that they can't pull off this quintessential sexy look, afraid that a bright red pucker would make them look old or gaudy. That is so not true. The key to wearing red lipstick is to find the right shade, and to not go overboard with the rest of your face. Meaning, if you're wearing red on your lips, stay light on the eyes and go soft on the blush.

Now that you know the beauty essentials, I hope you can put them to good use as you doll yourself up for your big day. As for me, I really don't have plans for Valentines Day since the husband is not around. It's gonna be a plain old Friday for me, stuck at home with my little man, tons of blog work, and my favorite Kdramas. And nope, I'm not complaining. :)

Makeup items featured in this post can all be found at Lazada Philippines. 
Get up to 71% off on selected Health and Beauty items, plus a chance to win a Boracay getaway for a minimum purchase of Php 3000.