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 | Liposome Collagen+C Serum.

There's no end to this addiction to collagen. Especially now that collagen has become part and parcel of my daily skincare routine. The latest addition to my routine is the Liposome Collagen+C Serum from NeoCell.

Liposome Collagen+C Serum.

I received this product a few months back, but I wasn't able to use it right away as I still had a few other skincare products lined up for testing. I finally had the chance to incorporate this product in my daily skincare routine some three weeks ago, after finishing my bottle of Hydra+ H.A. Serum.

Here's a bit of info about the product:

Liposome Collagen+C Serum is a skin defense serum that rejuvenates the skin with a potent topical antioxidant, guarding against sun and wind to minimize dry skin and wrinkles. It contains fat-soluble vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as phospholipids (naturally contain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids) - all in a time-release stable liposome form.

Comes in a 30mL pump bottle.

So what exactly is liposome, you might ask.
Liposomes are microscopic fluid-filled bodies, similar to biological cells. This resemblance to the different layers of the skin barrier allows them to combine well with the cell membranes, bi-layers and acid mantle, which in turn allows the active (skincare) ingredients to penetrate effectively. 

Product description at the back.

The liposome technology is quite evident in this product as the serum sinks into the skin right away without the sticky feel. I use this before going to bed at night, and each morning I'd wake up with silky, smooth skin. In the three weeks that I've used this product, I noticed my skin looks firmer, and the fine lines under my eyes are not as visible as they were.

Plastic pump. Turn to the left to open, right to close. 

The serum is unscented, and comes in a pump bottle. (The bottle is my only gripe about this product, as it is made of glass.) The product has just the right consistency - not too thick, not too runny, non-sticky, and feels light on the skin. One pump is enough to cover the face and neck, so just a little goes a long way.

One pump of the serum.

The Liposome Collagen+Serum sells for $15.47 (around Php 695) on iHerb, which I say is a reasonable price for a product that works. I'm considering repurchasing this product, though I wish their bottles weren't made of glass. It's too risky to have glass containers in my vanity table, especially when I have a curious six-year-old boy at home. And I'm sure most moms know exactly what I mean. :)

Have you tried this product before? What skincare products are you currently using? :)

Spotlight | NeoCell Skincare Products + Giveaway!

A few months ago, I had the privilege of trying out some of NeoCell's best-selling products - the Beauty Bursts and the Keratin Hair Volumizer. Using them for weeks led to amazing results, hence I grew really fond of the brand. And so when NeoCell sent me a second wave of their new products, I was more than thrilled, and ready to be impressed all over again.

Today I'll be doing a capsule review of these three products - the Alpha Cell Exfoliator, the Hydra+ H.A. Serum, and the Refreshing Herbal Mist. I've been using all three for more than a month now, and I must say, NeoCell does exactly what it says it can do for your skin.

L-R: Alpha Cell Exfoliator, Hydra+ H.A. Serum, Refreshing Herbal Mist.

Made with natural fruit extracts, the Alpha Cell Exfoliator removes dead skin cells on the surface to make the skin look fresh and radiant. It contains green tea, a product that is rich in anti-oxidants, and has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

Alpha Cell Exfoliator, $5.73.

To use, simply pour a moderate amount on a cotton ball, and apply it on clean, dry skin while avoiding the eye area. I use this every morning, before applying moisturizer on my face.

Clear liquid, comes in a clear plastic bottle.

Push-down cap.

I love how this product penetrates easily, and how it makes my skin bright and tight sans the redness and irritation. For those who detest heavily-scented skincare products, you'll like how this product has no scent at all, although I was kinda hoping for it to smell like green tea or something.

NeoCell details.

The Hydra+ H.A. Serum, on the other hand, is a 'penetrating time-release serum' that contains natural hyaluronic acid (H.A.). Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in skin health with its unique ability to hold in moisture.

Hydra+ H.A. Serum, $25.17

When applied topically, hyaluronic acid forms an air permeable layer and penetrates into the dermis, thus boosting the elasticity and hydration of the skin. The protective barrier on the skin locks in moisture, which gives the skin a youthful appearance.

Time release serum.

NeoCell's Hydra+ H.A. Serum does exactly that - it makes the skin glowing, plump, and youthful-looking. My skin felt tight right after the first application, and with continued use, the fine lines under my eyes started to fade away.

Paraben-free!

This product has a nice, citrus scent - subtle and not overpowering at all. It comes in a pump bottle, which dispenses the product easily and hygienically.

Pump bottle.

The serum has just the right consistency - not too thick, not too runny, and is easily absorbed by the skin. One pump is enough to cover the face and neck, so just a little goes a long way. I use this product twice a day, morning and evening, in lieu of my regular moisturizer. I love what this product does for my skin, so I don't think I'll be going back to my old moisturizer anytime soon. :)

One pump is all you need.

Finally, there's the Refreshing Herbal Mist, NeoCell's 'on-the-go moisture complex'.

Refreshing Herbal Mist, $7.17

This cooling mist contains collagen, skin balancing herbs, and soothing aloe vera that makes the skin hydrated and revitalized.

On-the-go Moisture Complex.

It comes in a handy 30 mL spray bottle that fits even in my smallest purse. I love that I can take this product wherever I go, and use it whenever my skin needs a little 'pick-me-up' - especially on days when I'm busy running errands while going to and fro my son's school.

Paraben-free!

Light, non-sticky, and lightly-scented, this product dries easily and can be spritzed even with makeup on. So yeah, I love that I can freshen up my face without worrying about my mascara running or my foundation caking. :)

Spritz!

These NeoCell products are available on iHerb, and at retail stores such as GNC, Whole Foods, and Better Health. Here in the Philippines, NeoCell products are distributed by Power and Beauty. You can make a purchase through their website, or at their physical store located at Trinoma Mall, Level 1.

One of my readers, however, will have the chance to try these products for free! And because I love my readers and followers so much, I'm even adding a bag of Beauty Bursts to the prize pack! And you know how much I love these collagen supplements because of the wonders that it did for my skin. :)

Beauty Bursts in Super Fruit Punch flavor.

Once again, I will be using Rafflecopter for this giveaway. The rules are simple - complete ALL of the mandatory tasks for your entries to be valid. You can earn more entries by doing the optional tasks. Giveaway will run until August 21st and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway