My First 'Official' BeautyMNL Haul!

Just recently, I had the honor of being named as one of BeautyMNL's brand ambassadors. (Yay!) I was super psyched upon hearing the news, not only because BeautyMNL happens to be one of the leading homegrown e-commerce platforms in the Philippines, but also because I've been a silent reader of Bloom, BeautyMNL's online magazine, for the longest time.

To celebrate this 'milestone', BeautyMNL awarded me with shopping credits, which I then used to  pay for my latest purchase at the the BeautyMNL app. Although this was not my first time to shop at BeautyMNL, I consider this my first 'official' haul since becoming an ambassador for the brand. And with that, here's a sneak peek of my first 'official' BeautyMNL haul. :)

My first 'official' BeautyMNL haul.

W. Dressroom Dress & Living Clear Perfume No. 97 (April Cotton).
A fragrance brand from South Korea, W. Dressroom was created by designer Choi Bum Suk who believes that your scent 'is the most powerful way to symbolize who you are'. The brand was made popular by Korean celebrities and idol stars who personally use and endorse W. Dressroom products. Case in point, BTS' Jungkook who wears this particular scent.

W. Dressroom Dress & Living Clear Perfume No. 97 (April Cotton), Php 595.

W. Dressroom describes April Cotton as a 'gender-neutral, clean, and crisp scent reminiscent of fresh, silky-soft linens'. True enough, April Cotton did remind me of our cozy little neighborhood in Seongsu-dong, and how the entire block reeks of that soft, powdery scent on weekends when most of the ahjummas do their laundry. I nearly cried out of homesickness when I first took a whiff of this perfume.

Biore Cleansing Oil.
A favorite among beauty/skincare enthusiasts, Biore Cleansing Oil effectively dissolves and removes stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, while lifting away dirt and impurities.
Unlike other cleansing oils, this one doesn't leave a greasy film on the face and maintains the skin's natural moisture balance. The Biore Cleansing Oil is great for everyday use, especially if you use makeup on a daily basis, and the perfect first step in your double-cleansing routine.

Biore Cleansing Oil, Php 349.

COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.
Speaking of double cleansing, you all know I swear by the COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This has been my morning cleanser for more than two years now, and I've emptied more or less half a dozen tubes of this product since then. It's still my HG cleanser to date. :)

COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Php 540.

You can read my full review of the COSRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser here.

Innisfree My Real Squeeze Sheet Mask (Fig & Lime).
Skincare shopping ain't complete without adding a sheet mask or two to my cart! These Innisfree My Real Squeeze sheet masks were on sale at Php 55 each and I got the Fig and the Lime variants. The former is a moisturizing essence-type mask that leaves your complexion smooth and radiant, while the latter is a refreshing water-type mask that brightens the skin and makes your complexion glow.

Innisfree My Real Squeeze Sheet Masks, Php 55 each.

Puritan's Pride L- Carnitine 500 mg (60 caplets).
I bought this bottle of L-Carnitine caplets mostly out of curiosity (Does this work? Will I sweat buckets? Will I lose weight?), aside from the fact that this was on sale at almost half the original price (Php 729). This product claims to be one of the best weight loss supplements as it enhances the body's fat-burning functions and supports heart health and cardiovascular wellness. This bottle will definitely come in handy with all that feasting and partying that we'll be doing during the holidays. Will keep you posted if this product works. ;)

Puritan's Pride L-Carnitine 500 mg (60 caplets), Php 377.

What beauty/skincare products have you bought lately? Did you hoard stuff during the 11.11 sale?
Don't forget to use my discount code when you shop at BeautyMNL! First-time buyers get Php 100 off on purchases worth Php 1000 and up!

Use my discount code 'CZJAI' when you shop at BeautyMNL!

Spotlight | Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser + Althea Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist.

2018 was a year of rapid growth for Althea's in-house brand, having launched new products almost on a monthly basis. I'd say it was a successful year too, as these products have all been met with rave reviews from skincare junkies, beauty bloggers, even K-pop idols. And before 2018 came to an end, we saw another 'expansion' of the Althea line with the addition of these two products - the Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser and the Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist.

New Althea exclusives - Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist and
Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser.

The latter is actually another milestone for the brand, as it's their first-ever celebrity collaboration product. Althea worked closely with top Indonesian singer and actress Titi Kamal to create this lightweight body fragrance with a mix of floral and fruity notes.

Althea's first fragrance and firs celebrity collaboration product!

Very girly packaging. :)

The Althea Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist is a zesty combination of orange, peach, and rose - Titi Kamal's favorite scents. The fragrance is mild yet long-lasting, flirty and feminine without being too overwhelming. It has a non-sticky formula that feels light and does not irritate the skin. This has been my go-to perfume for the past few weeks, and I love how its scent reminds me of Burberry Weekend, one of my favorite fragrances of all time. 

Titi Kamal x Althea.

The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser, on the other hand, is a hydrating cleanser that purifies pores, moisturizes the skin, and maintains its pH level for a healthier complexion.

Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser.

Formulated with the Dual Moisture Cell System, the Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser is a combination of water and oil in overlapping layers to gently yet effectively remove makeup, dirt, and residue. It has the same texture and non-greasy feel as the Clio Microfessional Lip and Eye Remover, but with a slightly thicker consistency.

Formulated with the Dual Cell Moisture System.

This serum cleanser also contains tea tree leaf extract to purify the skin, mint leaf extract to soothe irritations, and jojoba seed oil that deeply moisturizes any dryness without feeling heavy on the skin.

Typical flip- top cap.

Currently, I'm using the Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser as the first step of my double cleansing routine. I pour an ample amount of product on the palm of my hand (about 3 or 4 drops will do), massage it on my face until all the makeup I'm wearing is dissolved, then rinse it off with water.

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink and Clio Kill Black Waterproof Liner on the back of my hand.

I love how this product easily melts makeup - even the long-wearing, waterproof ones like the Clio Kill Black Waterproof Liner and the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick.

A few drops of the Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser...

I also love how it cools the skin as it cleanses, and how my skin feels soft and silky after every use. Plus points for its mild scent, hypoallergenic formulation, and cruelty-free production!

All clean!

The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser retails for Php 430, while the Althea Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist retails for Php 450. Both products are exclusively available on the Althea website.

I have a strong feeling that it's gonna be another exciting year for Althea. They'll be launching their own makeup line very soon, and right now they're having a pre-launch event where you can get a 50% discount on the new products! Check out the Althea Color Makeup pre-launch event here! 

Spotlight | Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer.

If you've been following me on social media, or have been following this blog, then you probably know that I'm a fan of all things Korean - pop music, dramas, variety shows, food, and most of all cosmetics. I reckon it's this great fondness for Korean beauty products that landed me a stint in Althea's Beauty Ambassador Community. I was over the moon with excitement when I learned that I've officially become an Althea Angel, and even more so when I received my Welcome Gift from Althea with these lovely surprises inside.

Yay! Welcome Gift from Althea! :)

One of the (many) things that I love about being an Althea Angel is getting first dibs on new products and Althea exclusives, such as the Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer.

Real Fresh Skin Detoxer set.

A collaboration between Althea and Get It Beauty, Korea's number one beauty show, the Real Fresh Skin Detoxer is a 2-in-1 cleanser pack that deep cleanses the skin while boosting it with an array of nutrients. It comes in two variants - Rose and Green Tea.

Green Tea and Rose.

The Rose Variant contains natural extracts from the May Rose which bloom once a year in Grasse, Southern France. These roses are then handpicked to create this special formula that soothes, smoothens, and deeply hydrates the skin. This product also contains real rose petals which gently exfoliate the skin and gives it a sweet and subtle fragrance.

English text on the side of the box. Everything else is written in Hangul.

Contains real rose petals. :)

The Green Tea Variant, on the other hand, is made with Green Tea goodness from Jeju Island. This product is formulated with green tea extracts and finely grounded green tea powder that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to help purify and brighten the skin. Each tube also contains real green tea leaves which exfoliates and leaves the skin with a nice, refreshing scent.

English text on the side of the box.

A closer look at this green tea goodness.

To use these products, simply apply a generous layer onto your face and leave it for ten seconds. Then add a little water and massage in circular motions before rinsing off. The Rose variant is recommended for morning use, while the Green Tea is recommended to be used at night.

Green Tea (left) and Rose (right).

I've been using both products for a little over a week now, and I love how my skin feels squeaky clean and super smooth after every wash. Both variants are gentle enough for daily use, but I prefer using the Rose on a daily basis (the scent is definitely a pick-me-upper in the morning) while the Green Tea as a twice (or thrice) a week deep cleanser. I also prefer applying a thin layer on my face, as the texture of both products are already thick to begin with. If you have sensitive skin, you'll be glad to know that these cleanser packs are hypoallergenic, and they're cruelty-free, too.

Bare-faced, after-shower selfie. :)

Even greater news - the Real Fresh Skin Detoxer is now available on the Althea website! They're currently sold as a set for Php 1100 - eligible for free shipping to the Philippines! :)

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Pollution Defense Face Cleanser.

Summer is now in full swing and we're just a few more weeks away from the much-awaited school break. It's the perfect time to travel, go on an outing, or hit the beach. On the downside, the warm and sunny season (which is more like hot and arid here in the Philippines) brings a myriad of skin problems such as breakouts, sunburn, and excessive sweating. While the latter may not seem that much of an issue because sweat rids your body of toxins, profuse sweating combined with daily exposure to pollutants such as smoke, dust, and fumes can clog your pores and lead to the formation of acne.

Human Heart Nature to the rescue!

Thankfully, there is a way to 'shield' your skin and protect it from pore-clogging, moisture-zapping daily pollutants - with the Pollution Defense Face Cleanser from Human Heart Nature.

Human Heart Nature Pollution Defense Face Cleanser.

If you're a fan of Human Heart Nature's Pollution Defense Face Mask, then you'll love this cleanser just as much; maybe even more, because this product is ideal for daily use. That means you get to wash away those nasty, skin-damaging pollutants day in and day out.

Product description and usage instructions.

It's infused with NaturProtect Actives such as moringa seed extract which has the ability to filter out impurities that are deeply rooted within the skin and counteract skin aging. 

List of ingredients.

It also contains passion fruit seed oil, an ingredient rich in antioxidants that rejuvenates and nourishes the skin and protects it from DNA-damaging free radicals.

Cruelty-free, and 97.8% natural.

Also found in this face cleanser is bamboo charcoal, an amazing natural ingredient known for its ability to draw out filth from pores, control facial oil, and make the skin tighter and firmer. It also contains lemon peel oil which brightens the skin and helps improve the complexion.

Love that it comes in a convenient and hygienic pump bottle.

The Human Heart Nature Pollution Defense Face Cleanser comes in a 100 mL pump bottle. Like any other cleanser, you simply pump the product out, work into a lather, massage onto your wet face in gentle, circular motions, and then rinse it off. 

You get this much product with one pump.

With its light, watery consistency, this product makes a great 'second cleanser' subsequent to my current favorite cleansing balm - because you know, I swear by double cleansing. And while the Pollution Defense Face Cleanser doesn't really foam much, it does a good job of removing dirt and oil on your face without drying your skin. Like the Pollution Defense Face Mask, this cleanser also has an earthy, herbal scent but now I have sort-of gotten used to that smell and no longer find it overwhelming. 

Working into a lather...

I've been using this as my night cleanser for about a month now and I love how my skin feels soft and squeaky clean after every wash. The cooling sensation that I get whenever this product comes in contact with my skin is also a refreshing treat in this warm (very warm, actually) weather.

The Human Heart Nature Pollution Defense Face Cleanser retails for Php 245 per bottle and can be purchased at Human Heart Nature branches across the country and at the Human Heart Nature online store. For a limited time only, this cleanser can also be bought as a set with the Pollution Defense Face Mask for only Php 625.  That's Php 70 off their combined regular prices, a special offer available until March 17. 

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm.

Cleansing is the most basic step of any skincare routine.
For me, it's cleansing twice in the evening - after an entire day of wearing makeup and spending the most part outdoors, exposed to dust, dirt, and pollution.

Double cleansing starts off with a cleansing oil or micellar water to break down the makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil on the surface of the skin, followed by a water-based cleanser for a deeper, thorough cleansing. This has been part of my bedtime routine for years now, and I must say, double cleansing plays a huge part in keeping my skin smooth and 'pore-less' (save for the days before and during my monthly period).

Now if you're the type who finds it too much a bother to cleanse your face twice, or have ultra-sensitive skin and fear that double cleansing might 'over-wash' your skin, then this product is right up your alley.

Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm.

Human Heart Nature recently launched an array of new skincare products, which includes the Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm. It's a solid balm that liquefies upon contact with the skin and melts away dirt, residue, and even long-wearing, waterproof makeup.

Product details at the bottom of the tub.

If you're familiar with Banila Co's Clean it Zero (aka the holy grail of cleansing balms and the first step of my double cleansing routine), you'll be glad to know that this product does pretty much the same thing - at half the price AND sans the mineral oil.

Comes with a small spatula.

The Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm is made with pure virgin coconut oil which easily breaks down waterproof eye makeup and even long-wearing matte lipsticks. It doesn't strip the skin of its natural moisture. Instead, it nourishes and hydrates the skin as you cleanse, making it a softer and smoother canvas for the rest of your skincare routine.

Here's what it looks like.

This cleansing balm also contains castor seed oil, known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects; sunflower seed wax, which is rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants; and mimosa flower wax which soothes the skin, makes the complexion glow, and gives this product a sweet, warm, and powdery scent.

A little goes a long way. :)

To use, simply scoop a small amount of the balm using the tiny spatula that comes with the tub. Apply it on the skin and gently massage it on your face to remove your makeup.

Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm vs. Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner
and Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in TooLips.

As the product melts away your makeup, it also breaks down into a silky oil which you can wipe off with a cotton pad and rinse with just water. 

A small scoop on the back of my hand.

The balm emulsifies as you rinse and leaves the skin with a soft, milky feeling like a cleansing oil would. However, it does not add any excess oil nor does it make your skin look like a greased pan. 

Massage it to melt away your makeup...

I love how this balm removes makeup in a jiffy. Even Clio's Salon de Cara - one of the most resilient mascaras that I have used to date - melted away in seconds with this cleansing balm, making this whole makeup removing/cleansing process a lot easier for me. 

Tadaaa! Look, clean skin!

Sure, I still rinse my face with a water-based cleanser afterwards, but there was this one time that I was too dead-tired to go through the entire ten-step skincare routine that I hit the sack as soon as I removed all that gunk off my face. Thankfully, my face did not suffer from breakouts or irritation, nor did it feel dry or flaky the morning after.

Another thing that I love about this product - aside from the fact that it's made with all-natural ingredients - is its travel-friendly, no-spill solid formula. I can easily slip this into my carry-on without having to worry about the size (each tub weighs 40 grams), or liquid spills in my luggage.

This cleansing balm has definitely earned a spot in my skincare routine! Definitely buying another tub once I finish this one, though I don't think it will be anytime soon. :)

The Human Heart Nature Bare Necessity Cleansing Balm retails at Php 345 per tub and is available at the Human Heart Nature online store and Human Heart Nature branches nationwide.

Spotlight | COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.

I have recently been introduced to Korean beauty brand COSRX, thanks to a friend who's an avid user of the brand and vouches for the efficacy of its products.

At first, I had no idea where to buy this in Korea - until another friend told me that they're sold in ALand, a multi-brand clothing and accessories store with branches in Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Apgujeong among many others. I made my COSRX purchase at the ALand building in Myeongdong (located near the Onitsuka Tiger store), and my loot included the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.

COSRX, whose name is derived from the word 'cosmetics' and the symbol 'Rx' denoting prescription, takes pride in their standard of 'good cosmetics' - more natural (minimized refinement of products found in nature) and more science (addressing skin concerns with a scientific approach). The brand is also known for its minimalist packaging, as evidenced in this tube of the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. The packaging is simple, straightforward, and speaks for itself.

Minimalist packaging.

You'll find pertinent information at the back of this 150 mL tube - product description, usage directions, note of caution, and list of ingredients in both English and Hangul.

150 mL tube.

One of the many things I love about this cleanser is that it contains Saccharomyces Ferment - the same fermented yeast found in the Missha First Treatment Essence. Dubbed as 'the mother of all K-beauty ingredients', Saccharomyces Ferment increases the rate of metabolism which leads to healthy, hydrated, and youthful skin.

English and Hangul text.

It also contains Betaine Salicylate, a natural skin conditioner derived from sugar beets. It's a kind of Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) which works by deep cleaning the pores and removing all the gunk (oil, dirt, all that icky stuff) built up inside. This ingredient is highly-preferred by those with oily and acne-prone skin, though you have to use it caution if you're allergic to aspirin.

Contains Betaine Salicylate. 

Now the key feature of this cleanser is its low pH level. By nature, our skin's pH level is a little acidic (around 4.5). Cleansers, on the other hand, tend to be more alkaline (pH level ranging from 6-12) because alkalinity is what helps remove grime and dirt. However, this alkalinity could cause dryness and irritation in the skin which can eventually lead to acne, breakouts, and other skin issues.

Screw cap + sealed opening.

COSRX addressed this issue by developing the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. Its pH level ranges somewhere between 5.0 and 6.0, an ideal pH level for a cleansing product.

Clear gel.

Clear and colorless with a gel consistency, this cleanser lathers quite well even with just a small amount. It cleans the skin thoroughly without the drying feel. It has an herbal, somewhat medicinal scent, which I attribute mainly to its tea tree component. I'm not too fond of the scent, and thankfully it doesn't linger on the skin.

Building up a nice lather.

I've been using this product as my morning cleanser for the past two months (relegating the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam as my night cleanser), and I must say, using a low pH cleanser really does make a difference. I feel like my skin has become a cleaner, clearer, and softer canvas for the rest of my skincare routine. I have not had any allergic reactions either, so I would recommend this product to those with sensitive and troubled skin.

The best part? This cleanser is very affordable at just 8500 won (around Php 380 or $7) per tube! And although COSRX doesn't have a physical store yet in the Philippines, I've seen this product being sold at competitive prices at Beauty MNL, Althea, and WishTrend. Definitely buying another tube before my current one runs out, though I reckon that won't be any time soon. :)