My Laneige x Lazada Super Brand Day Haul!

Laneige turned 25 this year! Yes, the world-renowned Korean cosmetics brand has been in the market for that long! To celebrate this momentous occasion, Laneige had a Super Brand Day in their Lazada flagship store.

This special event happened last June 25 (the brand's anniversary), with more than a dozen Laneige products on sale, some even marked down to 70% of their original price. They also offered special bundles at discounted prices, and even gave away free gifts to purchases worth Php 2000 and up. Of course, I am not one to miss this sale event, even if it meant staying up until past midnight and losing sleep, haha!

Here's what I got from the Laneige x Lazada Super Brand Day:

My Lazada x Laneige Super Brand Day haul, including all the freebies I got!

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask

I've been wanting to try this sleeping mask ever since cica skincare products became all the rage, but I had to resist the urge of buying one since I still have a tub of the Lavender Sleeping Mask. Now that I've almost emptied that tub, I had the perfect excuse to finally try the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask!

Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask, Php 1330.

A 'barrier-strengthening mask', the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask helps reinforce the skin's natural resilience and calms the skin as you sleep. It's infused with the 'Forest Yeast cica', an ingredient patented by Amore Pacific that strengthens and regenerates the skin overnight. This sleeping mask also contains panthenol which soothes skin irritations, and shea butter which deeply moisturizes the skin and and creates a protective moisture barrier.

Laneige Essential Mini Bundle
A brand day exclusive, the Laneige Essential Mini Bundle consists of my favorites from Laneige's Basic Care line - five 25 mL bottles of the Essential Power Skin Refiner (Moisture) and five 25 mL bottles of the Essential Balancing Emulsion (Moisture). It also includes a 30 mL tube of the Moist Cream Cleanser and a pack of the Clear-C Water Pocket Sheet Mask.

Laneige Essential Mini Bundle, Php 550.

The Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner (Moisture) is a moisturizing toner that provides deep hydration. This toner is perfect for those with combination skin and dry skin with flaky patches. Complementing it is the Laneige Essential Balancing Emulsion (Moisture), a lightweight emulsion that provides deep hydration to dry/combination skin.

The Laneige Moist Cream Cleanser, on the other hand, is a mild, cream-textured foam cleanser that cleanses the skin without making it feeling tight and dry. Hydrating and non-irritating, this cleanser brightens the skin and gives it a moist finish.

Finally, there's the Water Pocket Sheet Mask which provides customized skin care for each skin problem as the water pockets containing concentrated nourishment closely adhere to the skin. Available in several variants, the one that I got is the Clear C which contains superberry extract that has great anti-oxidant effects.

Laneige Two Tone Sheet Mask
Truth be told, I bought these sheet masks on a whim. I was supposed to purchase the brand day exclusive Water Pocket Sheet Mask Bundle (5 sheet masks for less than Php 200), but alas, they were sold out as soon as the sale started! I ended up buying the Two Tone Sheet Masks which were a tad pricier, but at least I reached the Php 2000 purchase requirement for the freebies (lol).

Laneige Two Tone Sheet Masks, Php 154 each.

The Laneige Two Tone Sheet Mask, as the name implies, is a sheet mask that comes in two colors and two parts - one sheet for the upper part of the face and another sheet for the lower part. This sheet mask comes in eight variants, each addressing different skin concerns. 

I got two sheet masks - the Moisturizing and Lifting Sheet Mask which moisturizes the dry T-zone and skin around the eyes and cheeks as it firms up the cheeks and the skin around the chin; and the Pore Care and Relaxing Sheet Mask which moisturizes, softens, and soothes the skin and its problem areas.

As for the freebies, here's the entire loot:

Freebies from the Laneige x Lazada Super Brand Day!

Laneige Basic & New Water Bank Refreshing Kit + sachet samples

This kit includes a 25 mL bottle of the Essential Power Skin Refiner (Light), a 25 mL bottle of the Balancing Emulsion (Light), a 10 mL tub of the Water Bank Gel Cream, a 10 mL bottle of the Water Bank Hydro Essence, and a 3 mL tube of the Water Bank Eye Gel.

The sachet samples include the following: Eye Sleeping Mask, Water Bank Moisture Cream, White Dew Tone-up Cream, White Dew Original Ampoule Essence, and Watery Sun Cream.

This set was given as a freebie to purchases made between 12am to 2am with a minimum spend of Php 1500. 

Laneige Thermos by TUMS.

I got another set of freebies because my final bill amounted to more than Php 2000. This set includes two more Water Pocket Sheet Masks (White Plus Renew and another Clear C sheet mask) and the limited edition Laneige Stainless Steel Thermos by TUMS. Among these freebies, I am most thrilled with the thermos, haha! 

Laneige Thermos by TUMS.

What have you bought online during the quarantine? Has the pandemic made you more reliant on online shopping sites or do you still go to the mall to buy stuff?

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!

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 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? :)

My Althea Birthday / Year-End Haul!

I have come to that point in my life when I treat my birthday just like any ordinary day. I no longer make a big deal out of it the way I did when I was in my early 20's (a party was imperative back then), and I couldn't care less if friends (or relatives) don't remember or send me birthday greetings.

However, Althea Korea made me look forward to my birthday last December because of the Birthday Treat. One of the perks of being an Althea Angel is receiving shopping credits as a birthday gift. And when it comes to the tune of $100, how can you not be excited about that?! Althea Angels who join in special activities also get extra credits, and because I did my part in Althea's Christmas activity, I got another $50 as a reward.

By the third week of December, I had a whopping 8080 Reward Points to splurge on, and that's exactly what I did. My birthday/year-end haul was so massive that Althea had to ship it in two boxes, haha.

Althea's 2018 Christmas Box.

And they sent me two, haha!

Here's a sneak peek of what I got:

My Althea birthday/year-end haul!

And a brief rundown of what these are:

What an awesome way to celebrate my birthday and the holidays!

Laneige White Dew Emulsion (Php 1480).

While shopping for skincare products in Korea last spring (summer), I did not realize that I only have one bottle of emulsion left at home. I bought toners and creams and essences, but not one bottle of emulsion. Good thing Althea now has the Laneige White Dew line on their website. This lightweight moisturizer brightens the skin and evens out your skin tone, and lightens dark spots to boot.

Laneige White Dew Emulsion, Php 1480.

Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set (Php 1430).

A limited edition release, the Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set includes two Lip Glowy Balms and two Lip Sleeping Masks. We just can't enough of lip balms and lip masks, especially during this time of the year when Yue's lips get chapped if not properly exfoliated and moisturized.

Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set.

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Lotion (Php 640).

I bought this lotion in anticipation of the hot summer months when I have to tweak my skincare routine and shift from heavy creams to lightweight moisturizers. You all know I'm fond of Innisfree's line of green tea products, not only for the scent but also because my skin reacts positively to it. 

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Lotion, Php 640.

Missha The First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist (Php 1520).

A reformulated version of the cult-classic and my all-time favorite Missha First Treatment Essence, the Intensive Moist version now contains more fermented yeast. To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about buying this because most of the FTE fans were not too keen about the reformulation. But I bought it anyway for old times' sake, with hopes that this Intensive Moist version will not disappoint - or at least, not too much.

Missha The First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist, Php 1520.

Missha Glow Skin Balm (Php 800).
When I said (in one of my previous posts) that I wanted to get my hands on this product, I really meant it. And now here we are, the Missha Glow Skin Balm finally in my possession. Thirty hours of moisture maintenance? Bring it on!

Missha Glow Skin Balm, Php 800.

Missha x Line Friends Glow Tension (Php 900).
I promised myself I will not buy another cushion until I have used up all - or at least half - of the cushions that I currently own. Unfortunately, I have really low EQ when it comes to collaboration collections and adorable packaging, lol. Just look - how can you resist this cuteness?

Missha x Line Friends Glow Tension, Php 900.

Missha Cotton Blush in Vintage Robe (Php 230).
So I bought another blush as if my life depended on cheek color. Lol. The blush was a bit small than what I had in mind, but I guess that explains the Php 230 tag price.

Missha Cotton Blush, Php 230.

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer (Php 200).
Bought this concealer for two reasons - its positive reviews and high rating on Althea (4.8 out of 5) and its budget-friendly price. Also, I hate my current concealer. It sucks.

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer, Php 200.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense (Php 390).
It's ironic how I've seen, swatched, and tried this lip crayon on while I was shopping in Myeongdong but did not pay much attention to it. I checked it out of curiosity, and that's about it. All that indifference changed when I saw Park Shin Hye wearing these lippies on Memories of Alhambra. The next thing I know, I had not one, but two Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balms on my Althea shopping cart!

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense, as seen on Memories of the Alhambra.

CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch (Php 190).

With 100+ reward points left in my account, I decided to throw in a pack of the CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patch because I couldn't think of anything else to add to my cart. Haha.

CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.

What beauty products have you bought lately? Let me know in the comments!

Shop at Althea using my referral code and get a 20% discount on your first order!