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 | 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. :)

Seoul Searching | Cartoon Street + Seoul Animation Center.

I had a 'eureka' moment while watching 'Hwayugi' (A Korean Odyssey), Lee Seung Gi's comeback drama after serving in the military. In episode 2, you'll see Son Oh Gong (Lee Seung Gi) sitting on a building rooftop, watching over Jin Seon Mi (Oh Yeon Seo) as she tries to find her lost umbrella.

Son Oh Gong watching over Jin Seon Mi. It was THIS scene where I had my eureka moment. :)

Jin Seon Mi passes by a row of buildings before heading towards the back alley, and I was like, "Oh my! I know this place! We were there last spring!" I immediately posted my discovery on my Instagram and my Facebook page, where I was later on bombarded by inquiries about the location, how to get there, and the like.

And so, for the benefit of my fellowmen (more like fellow Kdrama addicts, lol), here's a little background about the Cartoon Street, one of the filming locations in Hwayugi.

The intersection in front of Pacific Hotel.

Virtual tour of Cartoon Street after the jump!

Foodie Goodie | Sulbing Cafe.

Nothing can be as refreshing as a shaved ice dessert amidst the summer heat. And when it comes to shaved ice desserts, you'll find a variety of them in Asia. There's halo halo in the Philippines, cendol in Singapore, kakigori in Japan (though I have yet to try the authentic Japanese version myself), and bingsu in South Korea.

Patbingsu (팥빙수) is a popular Korean dessert which literally means 'red beans shaved ice'. That being said, this dessert is made with shaved ice, red beans, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and other sweet toppings such as chopped fruit. While the original version of this dessert was extremely simple - just broken bits of ice with sweetened red bean porridge - many varieties are now available, most of which have been popularized by the Korean dessert cafe chain Sulbing.

The boys at Sulbing!

The brainchild of Jeon Song Hee, an enthusiastic Korean woman who majored in food and nutrition in college, Sulbing originated in Busan, with its first store opening in 2013. Within a year, Sulbing has expanded enormously and now has 490 franchise outlets all over South Korea. With its extreme popularity, you're bound to come across an outlet or two when you go out and about in downtown Seoul.

Sulbing in Myeongdong.

Best sellers!

The boys and I visited the Sulbing Cafe in Myeongdong. I reckon there are three Sulbing Cafes in the area, but the branch that we visited is the one right above the Nature Republic store.

Yue busy with Pokemon Go, lol.

The store was spacious and well-lighted, with a cozy ambiance to boot. The boys and I did not have a hard time getting seats as the place was not too crowded when we arrived.

Sulbing menu.

The poster boy of Sulbing, Lim Siwan. :)

Sulbing's menu offers a plethora of bingsu flavors - from the classic Sweet Red Bean to the more decadent Tiramisu Sulbing. Aside from bingsu, Sulbing also has toast, pastries, coffee, and lemonade on their menu. Some branches also serve traditional Korean tea and traditional Korean snacks such as tteokbokki, red bean bun, and grilled sweet potatoes.

Injeolmi Sulbing + Churros.

The husband was a bit overwhelmed with the bingsu choices, so he let me decide which flavor to get. I ordered the best seller Injeolmi Sulbing (7000 won), which was big enough for all three of us to share. Yue saw Churros on the menu, so I got him a Churros set (6500 won) which includes a glass of what they call 'Real Fresh Lemonade'. 

That's the lemonade at the far right hand corner. 

The Injeolmi Sulbing, as you can see, is topped with crunchy sliced almonds, soybean powder, and injeolmi, a variety of Korean rice cake. The injeolmi has a soft and chewy texture like mochi, which I absolutely love. The boys enjoyed this bingsu as much as I did - it's not cloyingly sweet, and the shaved ice with condensed milk complemented the soybean powder quite well.

Injeolmi is love! :)

The Churros were okay, though they're really nothing out of the ordinary. The Lemonade, on the other hand, was quite good. You'll know from the taste that they used nothing but freshly-squeezed lemons.

Bingsu date, success! :)

I have tried a few bingsu brands here in the Philippines, and I thought they were all quite good. Until I visited Sulbing, that is. They all now pale in comparison to the bingsu that Sulbing serves, at least in my opinion.


Sulbing Cafe - Myeongdong
20 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
+82 2 3401 7900

Seoul Searching | Sending Mail from Seoul.

If there's one thing I never imagined I would be doing while in South Korea, it's to go to the post office and actually send mail. But I eventually did, all thanks my niece Sam's school project.

My cousin Mary, who's based in Southern California, asked me a favor to send a postcard from Korea and address it to her daughter's school. Sam is currently in first grade, and one of the lessons in her Social Studies class is to locate places on the map through the use of postcards. I thought this was a fun way to teach kids about geography, and a nice way for relatives and friends to reconnect outside of social media.

And so I went hunting for postcards and easily found them at one of the souvenir shops in Myeongdong. A set costs 5000 won (around Php 200 or $4), and contains 12 postcards depicting some of the famous tourist spots in South Korea. It's a good thing there's a post office in our neighborhood, just a stone's throw away from where we live.

Hello, Korea Post!

Yue and I dropped off Sam's postcard before heading to Insadong, and I was completely blown away by Korea's postal service. There are no long lines, the staff are very helpful and friendly, and the rates are extremely competitive.

Inside the Korea Post.

As soon as we entered the post office, we were greeted by an English-speaking employee who ushered us towards the queue number machine. She asked me what type of mail will I be sending, and I showed her the postcard that Yue was holding. She smiled, and asked us to sit down while waiting for our turn.

Our number from the queue number machine.

There's a table near the waiting area where you will find various types of mailing forms - Air, Surface, EMS, just to name a few. They also have pens, in case you forgot to bring one; a calendar for date reference; a calculator if you want to compute the postal rates for yourself; reading glasses, in case you can't see clearly what you're filling out, and tissue, just because. 

Mailing forms, and other things that you will need to send mail.

Located on the other side of the room is the packing section, where people pack their boxes and tape them up for mailing. Here, you will find scissors, markers, glue, and packaging tape which you can use free of charge. They also provide bubble wraps, too. Just let the postal clerks know and they will give you rolls of bubble wraps - again, free of charge. Talk about awesome customer service!

Markers, packaging tape, glue...

The boxes, however, are not for free. Each box has a corresponding rate with the smallest box priced at 400 won (around Php 20 or $0.35).

Box sizes and their corresponding rates.

It didn't take long before our number was called. Well, more like flashed on the LCD screen right above the counter. Yue kept on looking at the screen, patiently waiting for our number to be flashed on it. And when it did, he stood up right away and excitedly marched with me towards the counter.

Waiting for our number to be 'called'.

The postal clerk checked my postcard, weighed it (though it's almost weightless), and billed me at 370 won (around Php 17 or $33). Upon checking the Korea Post website and US Shipping Statistics, this is the standard rate for post cards sent to international destinations. I was amazed at how cheap the rate was. I'd probably pay double or even more if I were sending mail from the Philippines!

Hassle-free service, brought to you by the Korea Post.

I fished for change from my coin purse, and placed it on the plate in front of the counter. The postal clerk then took my payment and printed my receipt. It was a painless, hassle-free transaction, and I was very much impressed! All the more after I got word from my cousin that my postcard arrived in a few days' time! She also told me about LSO, their services, and how they have shipping options nationwide.

My postcard for Ceana, my goddaughter and daughter of Icar aka My Charmed Mom.

A few days later, we went back to send another postcard - this time, for my goddaughter Ceana, who's currently based in San Francisco. Her mom - my good friend, Icar - asked if I could send Ceana a postcard, too. And I did! Because Korea's postal service simply rocks! I really should be making the most of online shopping while we're here! :)

Korea Post office in Myeongdong. 

Marker for Young Sik Hong, father of the Korean postal system.

To know more about the rates and fees and the zones covered, visit the Korea Post website. 

Pucker Up! | Moomin x Code Glökolor M.Tint Lip Balm.

I became acquainted with The Moomins a few years back, when Uniqlo first launched a clothing range featuring the cartoon family created by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson. I've been smitten by these adorable characters since then, and I now have a small collection of Moomin items, most of which were bought in South Korea.

Some items from my 'relatively small' Moomin collection.

The Moomins are quite popular in the Land of the Morning Calm; no, make that extremely popular that there's actually a Moomin Cafe smack dab in the heart of Apgujeong Rodeo. Korean cosmetics brand Code Glökolor even has a makeup line featuring The Moomins, and the collection includes cushions, blushers, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and lip products.

I chanced upon a 1+1 sale on the Moomin x Code Glökolor collection last spring so I bought hoarded a few items - including this M. Tint Lip Balm.

Moomin x Code Glokolor M. Tint Lip Balm.

It's uncertain what the 'M' means, but my wild guess is that it stands for Moomin? Haha. :)

Product description in English, ingredients in Hangul.

The Moomin x Code Glökolor M. Tint Lip Balm comes in three different shades, and this one is Medium Cherry Red, the darkest shade in the collection.

Shade indicator on the top flap.

Licensed product.

All three shades for your reference. :)

The lip balm comes in a transparent plastic jar. Sturdy yet lightweight, this jar easily fits into your makeup pouch and even in your pocket.

Moominpappa loves Moominmamma!

I'm a sucker for cute packaging, and this product is a perfect example of it. Moominpappa and Moominmamma are so lovey dovey adorable!

Moomin x Code Glokolor M. Tint Lip Balm in Medium Cherry Red.

Here's what the 'Medium Cherry Red' looks like. Very bright and neon-like, right? Thankfully, I had the chance to swatch this product while at the Code store in Myeongdong and from there I knew that this won't look Cyndi Lauper on me. LOL!

Cute and handy!

And here's how the product looks like when swatched. The color payoff isn't as pigmented as it seems, but the sheer, barely-there formula works nicely on the lips. The lip balm also has a subtle raspberry scent; too subtle you can only smell it when you sniff the product right under your nose. 

Swiped thrice.

I love how this product gives my lips a nice pop of color while moisturizing it at the same time. The color is buildable, and stays on the lips for a decent period of time. It does fade after a bit of drinking and eating, but it leaves a nice, natural-looking, pinkish stain on the lips.

Medium Cherry Red on my lips.

Not bad for Php 150 pesos, right?

This lip balm was originally priced at 7000 won (around Php 300 or $6), but since I purchased this during the 1+1 event, I got two products for the price of one. (I gave the other lip balm to my Mum, who also likes The Moomins.) That makes each lip balm worth just 3500 won or a little over $3!

Products Used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Missha x Line Friends Magic Cushion in #23.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Missha x Line Friends 4D Mascara.
CHEEKS: Ever Bilena Cheek Blush in Raisin.
LIPS: Moomin x Code Glokolor M. Tint  Lip Balm in Medium Cherry Red.

Excuse my moon face. I'm currently on doctor-prescribed steroids for my asthma. Boo hoo.