Pucker Up! | Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

If you're an avid fan of Korean dramas, then you probably know what 'PPL' or 'product placement' is. It's a marketing technique which strategically features brand logos in a particular scene, or shows the characters in the drama using the product. Sometimes subtle, but oftentimes not, PPL has become a norm in Korean dramas; the more popular the drama is, the more PPLs are inserted in it.

I fell for these PPLs several times in the past, and thanks to these Korean dramas, I've bought all sort of stuff - lipsticks, cushions, sheet masks, perfume, plush dolls... Heck, I would even have pizza or fried chicken delivered to our flat (in Seoul) because my favorite Hallyu stars were endorsing them, lol!

The latest PPLs that I fell prey to were the ones shown in Memories of the Alhambra. You see, I've come across these Creamy Tint Color Balms countless of times in Myeongdong and Sinsadong, but never really paid much attention to them. I did swatch a few shades, but purchase them I did not. Then came Memories of the Alhambra with scenes of Park Shin Hye gliding them color balms on her lips, and I was like, "Freeeaaaak! Why did I not buy those while I was in Seoul???" 

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense, Php 390 each on Althea.

Thankfully, these lippies are sold in Althea, and I bought two out of the seven shades that were listed on their site. That's just a fraction of the entire Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense line, which has a whopping selection of 27 shades!

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

A crayon-type lip product, the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense has the vivid color of lipstick and the creamy texture of a lip balm. It's formulated with jojoba extract to moisturize and smoothen the lips, and green tea seed oil to protect the lips from external pollutants and free radical damage. It also contains a special powder ingredient which provides this product with a soft, smooth, glide-on texture.

Twist-up lip crayon.

The shades that I got were #21 Red Soul and #22 Dandy Coral. The former is a muted brown-red shade, while the latter is a coral-based peach.

Shade reference on the top flap of the box.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #21 Red Soul.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #22 Dandy Coral.

Both shades are nicely pigmented, have a smooth, velvety texture, and a true matte finish. Although these Creamy Tint Color Balms do not have that slick, buttery feel when you glide them on the lips, they're very easy to apply, and you only need to swipe them once or twice for the color to pop.

Crayon-type lip product.

Twist the bottom part to expose the tip of the product.

They're non-drying, and your lips won't feel parched even after hours of wear. They don't accentuate fine lines either, despite settling down to a flat matte finish. Do note, however, that I have a regimen which keeps my lips from looking or feeling dry. If you have dry, flaky lips, I suggest you exfoliate and moisturize properly before and after using matte lip products.

#22 Dandy Coral on top, #21 Red Soul on the bottom.

Swatched: #21 Red Soul on the left, #22 Dandy Coral on the right.

For a 'lip balm', these products are surprisingly long-wearing. The colors stay put for hours (especially if you wear them full lip), and can survive a light, non-greasy meal.

Wearing shade #22 Dandy Coral.

Wearing shade #21 Red Soul.

Most of my PPL buys have never failed me, and I'm so glad that the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense exceeded my expectations. I have a feeling I'll be buying more of these in the (very) near future because why not? They give value for money, plus I have a few more Althea Rewards Points to spare, anyways. :)

Have you been influenced by Korean dramas (or any other TV show, for that matter) in buying something? Share your PPL story in the comments! :)

Spotlight | Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set.

Lip care products are staples in our household, and it's not just because of me. My boys also pay particular attention to caring for their lips, even more so now in this chilly, blustery, skin-drying weather. And so with our obsession with lip hydration and my penchant for limited edition/holiday collections, getting the Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set while it was still available on Althea was the right thing for me to do.

Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set, Php 1430.

A 2018 holiday release, the Laneige Dream and Glow Lip Care Set includes two full-sized tubes (10 grams each) of the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm and two travel-sized tubs (8 grams each) of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. Both the lip balms and the lip masks come in two variants - Berry and Grapefruit for the former, Berry and Mint Choco for the latter. I love that they included the Mint Choco lip mask - it's a rare variant available only in Korea.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Masks in Berry and Mint Choco,
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Berry and Grapefruit.

The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is an overnight lip treatment that gently melts dead skin cells and makes the lips smooth and supple while you sleep. It's formulated with the 'Berry Mix Complex', a special mix of berries that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to heal and hydrate dry, chapped lips. It also has a 'Moisture Wrap' formulation infused with hyaluronic acid, which locks moisture deep into your kisser.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Masks in Berry and Mint Choco.

These lip masks have a smooth, balm-like texture which makes them easy to apply. Consistency is thick and heavy, but gets absorbed by the skin overnight so you can wake up to healthy, hydrated lips the morning after. Both lip masks are mildly-scented, and they smell just as their name suggests.

Can you see it? Swatches of the lip sleeping mask - Berry on the left, Mint Choco on the right.

Since the Dream and Glow Lip Care Set does not come with an applicator for the lip masks, I use the applicator that came with my full-sized Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which I made myself at the Laneige flagship store in Ewha. 

Sleep buddies - KAWS x Sesame Street Ernie plushie and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (on his lips).

I love how the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask does exactly what it's supposed to do. It hydrates and nourishes, and makes my lips soft, smooth, and plump. It also enhances the overall countenance of my lips by making it look naturally pink and curtailing the appearance of tiny lip lines. Even Yue's lips have improved with this lip mask - no more chapping and flaking in less than 12 hours.

Similarly, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm also works wonders for our lips. It hydrates instantly and makes the lips soft, smooth, and healthy-looking. I love its subtle, fruity scent and how it gives the lips a soft shine and a sheer wash of colour. The Berry variant smells like fresh berries and leaves the lips with a subtle pink tint, while the Grapefruit has a sweet and tangy scent and a light, peachy tint.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Berry and Grapefruit.

These lip balms are made with a duo of butters - Murumuru, which contains hydrating linoleic acids, and Shea, which nourishes and smoothens dry lips. The formula works by blanketing the lips with a breathable layer of moisture. And despite its thick consistency, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm glides on smoothly and does not feel tacky at all. My lips look plump and juicy and feel super soft after application.

Squeezable tube + slanted applicator.

The Laneige Lip Glowy Balm comes in a squeezable tube, small enough to fit in the breast pocket of my son's school uniform. Yue prefers keeping the lip balm inside his bag though, as he finds the packaging a bit too girly (lol) to carry around. I'm considering buying the green-colored Pear lip balm, so he won't feel awkward whenever he whips the tube out of his bag.

Swatches of the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm - Grapefruit on the left, Berry on the right.

But that's just my excuse to keep these two lip balms with me; because I'm the kind of person who has lip balms all over the place - in my makeup kit, in another makeup kit, in my room, in the car, and one dangling in a key holder together with my house keys. I'm not addicted to lip balms, oh no I'm not. Lol!

On Yue: Laneige Glowy Lip Balm in Berry.

The Laneige Glowy Lip Balm retails for 10000 won (around Php 460 or $9) each, while a full-sized tub of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask retails for 13500 won (around Php 625 or $12). Over the holidays, Althea listed this set at Php 1430, a pretty reasonable price considering that two travel-size tubs are almost equivalent to one full-size tub. And like what I said earlier, you won't be able to find the Mint Choco variant unless you buy the lip masks from Laneige stores in Korea.

Are you addicted to lip balms, too? What's your favorite brand?

Sneak Peek | Thank You, Laneige Collection.

Happy New Year, everyone!
How's 2018 treating you so far? I hope the first two days of the year have been good to all of you!

As we usher in the Year of the Dog, Korean cosmetics brand Laneige recently launched a special collection of lip products to welcome the New Year.

Thank You, Laneige collection.

This limited edition line is a collaboration with Thank You Studios, a studio in South Korea that specializes in pet photography, and is aptly named as 'Thank You, Laneige'. Featured in this collection are the Lip Glowy Balm and the cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask in a new and adorable packaging.

Thank You Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, 10000 won each.

Thank You Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, 18000 won each.

Photos of Thank You Studios' models, Tank (Pomeranian), Kanu (Poodle), Chulsoo (Terrier), and Song-E (Bichon Frise) are printed on the boxes of each Thank You, Laneige product.  Their cute faces can also be seen on the caps of each Lip Sleeping Mask, and on each tube of the Lip Glowy Balm.

Thank You, Laneige Lip Glowy Balm box.

Thank You, Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask box.

The Thank You, Laneige line is now available at Laneige stores in Korea, and at the Amore Pacific online store.

BRB, hoarding! :)

Spotlight | Nature Republic Pure Shine Melting Tint.

Happy Holidays, everyone and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Ours was relatively quiet and uneventful, save for the traditional Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) with my siblings at Mum's (our) house. Christmas Day was spent at home, since Yue's circumcision wound is still healing and he refuses to dress up properly and leave the house. Yes, I had him circumcised a few days before Christmas, earlier than we had originally planned, because of his recurrent UTI.

That being said, here's another product review, which I had promised to do more of in my previous post. These are the Pure Shine Melting Tints from Nature Republic, which I bought simultaneously with the Pure Shine Mascara. These tints were also on sale, and you know there's no chance in hell that I would pass up on 1+1 sale events, all the more if they're lip products. 

Nature Republic Pure Shine Melting Tint.

The Pure Shine Melting Tints come in a cute, pen-type packaging. One thing I found really quirky about this product is the clicker at the bottom, which you need to press to get the product out. It took me awhile to figure this out while swatching the tints at home because the sales lady that assisted me during my purchase did not inform me about this 'clicker pen' concept, lol.

Works like a clicker pen.

There are five shades in the Pure Shine Melting Tint line, as seen on the photo below. 

Shade options for the Nature Republic Pure Shine Melting Tint.

However, only shades #01, #03, and #05 were in stock at the Nature Republic store that I went to. I'm not a huge fan of orange lip colors, so I didn't even consider buying shade #01.

Shade number indicated on the seal. 

Shade number also indicated on the tube, along with product information written in Hangul.

Shade #03 is a bright, vibrant shade of pink, while Shade #05 is a vivid reddish shade that straddles between pink and purple.

Shade #03 Hot Pink on the left, #05 Cherry Orchid on the right. 

Shade #05 Cherry Orchid on the left, #03 Hot Pink on the right.

Both shades are nicely pigmented, especially Cherry Orchid, which has a very solid color despite its semi-glossy finish. With one swipe, you get a sheer, rosy tint, and as you layer them on, you get a more vibrant and intense color that's somewhat comparable to a lipstick. The color stays put for about four hours or so before it starts to fade into a soft, rosy stain on your lips.

Swatched, indoor lighting - Hot Pink on the left, Cherry Orchid on the right.

Swatched, natural light - Hot Pink on the left, Cherry Orchid on the right.

I especially love how these Pure Shine Melting Tints glide on smoothly without the sticky, oily feel, and how they make your lips feel soft and moisturized. They also have a soft, fruity scent akin to a grapefruit, which I find quite nice.

Hot Pink when worn.

Cherry Orchid when worn.

The best part about this purchase? These Melting Tints are very affordable, even at its regular price of 5900 won (around Php 300 or $6).  I got both tints for the price of one (remember, I'm a sucker for 1+1 promos), and yes, that's quite a steal for such a lovely lip product. 

Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base
Nature Republic Botanical Stick Concealer,
The Cellin Essence Cushion.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Mascara,
Nature Republic Pure Shine Mascara - Volume.
CHEEKS: SkinFood Sugar Cookie Blush in Bebe Pink.
LIPS: Nature Republic Pure Shine Melting Tint in 03 Hot Pink.

Pucker Up! | Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar.

In Korea, one sure-fire way to promote and sell products is by incorporating them in Kdramas. Also known as product placement or PPL, this indirect form of advertising is usually done by merely displaying relevant products or brand logos in the drama, or more often than not, characters using the products in the drama.

Case in point, the Laneige products featured in the hit Kdrama 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo'. Lee Sung Kyung, who played the role of adorkable Kim Bok Joo, is a Laneige endorser so it was not a surprise to see the Water Bank Moisture Cream and the Two Tone Lip Bar in shade number 4 make an appearance in the drama. The latter became extremely popular especially among female fans of the Kdrama, and was almost always sold out at Laneige stores.

And this is why I ended up buying the Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar instead.

Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar.

I saw this product's TV advertisement (which also starred Lee Sung Kyung) quite a number of times while I was in Seoul and I figured, okay, let's just buy this one since Kim Bok Joo endorses it, too.

The back of the box, text mostly in Hangul.

Same goes for the holographic side panel.

Touted as the 'more moisturizing' version of the Two Tone Lip Bar, the Two Tone Tint Lip Bar is formulated with the 'Moisture Wrap' technology which is also used in the Lip Sleeping Mask. It's a combination of a lip tint and a lip balm, which gives your lips lovely pop of color while keeping your kisser soft and moisturized at the same time.

The lip bar itself. 

The back panel, still sealed.

The lever.

The product comes in a pink rectangular tube with a lever system, which raises the lip tint bullet up when you press the lever down. It comes in eight different shades, with the name, number, and shade reference indicated on the box flap and on the bottom of the lip bar.

Shade reference + shade number.

Shade name and number + shade reference.

I chose shade number 8 Cherry Milk, the darkest and the prettiest IMHO among all of the eight shades. It's also one of the two shades used by Lee Sung Kyung in the TV advert, with the other shade being shade number 3 Tint Mint.

For that no-fuss gradient look! :)

Unlike the Two Tone Lip Bar which has a diagonal cut, the Two Tone Tint Lip Bar has a precise 'V' cut which enables you to achieve the rosy coverage on the center of the lips, while keeping the outer areas of the lips moisturized. It's a very convenient product since it eliminates the need of carrying a separate lip balm and a lipstick. Also, this product is perfect for the no-fuss, gradient look!

Indoor lighting: Swatched twice on the left, once on the right.

Natural light: Swatched twice on the left, once on the right.

Cherry Milk is the most pigmented among all eight shades, and the one with the most obvious gradient and strongest color contrast. If you're not digging the gradient look, you can just blend the product on your lips to get a stronger color.

Cherry Milk when worn.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of gradient lips, so yes, I am totally over the moon with the Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar! I love how it glides on effortlessly on the lips and how it leaves the lips silky soft without the sticky feel. It also has a nice and subtle fruity scent, which doesn't linger around after application. Wear time is around 3 or 4 hours before it wears off into a very sheer, natural-looking tint.

Products used:
FACE: Beyond Alice in Blooming Skin Tone Sun Base,
Ever Bilena Liquid Concealer in Light,
Laneige Milkyway Fantasy BB Cushion Whitening.
EYES: Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Brown,
Clio Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner,
Clio Salon de Cara Backcomb Cara.
CHEEKS: Tony Moly Cristal Blusher in Pleasure Peach.
LIPS: Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar in 08 Cherry Milk.

Overall, it's such a fun product to use and definitely worth the money. I got mine for 23000 won (around Php 1000 or $20) at the Laneige store in Myeongdong. :)