Spotlight | Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway.

As we inch closer towards Christmas, the nights have become longer, the days a tad cooler, and the sunshine is not as scorching as it used to be in this tropical country of ours. But just because the weather has become nippy doesn't mean you can skip on the sunscreen.

It's a golden skincare rule to always, always wear sunscreen, regardless of the weather. So whether it's cloudy, or rainy, or maybe even snowy - for as long you're stepping outside, you need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

That being said, I could not be more excited to get first dibs on the Petal Velvet Sunaway - Althea's very own sunscreen. This new product came with my second Althea Angels box, which also contained a cute hologram pouch and all three of the Althea Petal Velvet Powders.

My second Althea Angels box, as seen on my Instagram. Thank you, Althea! :)

The Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway is an ultra lightweight, invisible sunscreen formulated with Damask rose extracts (yes, it's the same ingredient found in the Mamonde Rose Water Toner) to soothe and moisturize the skin and make it look plump and healthy-looking. It also contains Geranium oil which not only heals troubled skin, but also gives it a radiant boost.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway.

This product also contains titanium oxide and zinc oxide which offer sun protection. Both ingredients are compliant to cosmetics standards, non-carcinogenic, and safe to use even on sensitive skin.

Nothing much to read here, as the text is mostly written in Hangul.

The Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway comes in a handy 55 mL plastic bottle. The packaging is sleek and handy, and the size is compliant with carry-on restrictions. (The wanderlust in me is just dying to add that last part, lol.) The bottle has a pointy nozzle which allows you to control the amount of product that you wish to squeeze out. 

SPF 50+ PA++++.

Take note of the instructions - shake well before usage.
Otherwise, this sunscreen will be watery when you squeeze it out.

The pointy nozzle.

This sunscreen has a milky texture which easily blends into the skin and gives it a nice, velvety finish. It does not leave a white cast despite the high sun protection factor, and it dries down matte which makes it good enough to be used as a makeup base. (I still wear a primer on top of it, though, before applying my foundation/cushion.)

A swatch of the Petal Velvet Sunaway on the back of my hand.

One particular thing that I love about this sunscreen is its hypoallergenic formula. Sunscreens with high SPF usually make my skin itch, and I'm so relieved that this one did not break my skin out nor gave me allergies.

Left, without sunscreen. Right, with sunscreen.

I also like its lovely rose fragrance (it's made with roses, after all), though I found it a bit too overwhelming when I first used this product. I eventually got used to it after almost two weeks of constant wear, lol. On that note, if your nose is a bit too sensitive, then the scent might be a bit of a turn-off.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway on my face. :)

The Petal Velvet Sunaway is exclusively available at the Althea website, and is currently sold at a special introductory price of Php 480 - that's 10% off its regular price. You can also purchase it as a set with any of the Petal Velvet Powders to get 20% off the regular retail price.

I'll be doing a separate review of the Petal Velvet Powders so please look forward to it! :)

Seoul Searching | Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival.

Although Yue and I have not had the opportunity (at least not yet) to witness cherry blossoms in full bloom or experience Cherry Blossom Festivals in any of our previous trips to Korea, we've been lucky enough to chance upon the Rose Festival in Seoul for two years running.

The 2018 Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival.

Last year, we joined in the revelry of the Rose Festival held in Jungnang-gu. This year, we went all the way to Gwacheon to catch the last few days of the Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival.

The Botanical Garden is at the right side of the Seoul Grand Park. 

Roses in full bloom after the jump! :)

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 | The Eternity Rose.

Valentine's has long been over, and by now, the flowers that were given as gifts to celebrate the occasion have either wilted or have been thrown away. After all, fresh cut flowers look good for just three to four days - a week, at the most.

But not my rose.

The Eternity Rose.

Mine neither dries, fades, or wilts, and will last and look the same for many more Valentine's (and even wedding anniversaries) to come. It's called The Eternity Rose, a one-of-a-kind gift that's guaranteed to live up to its name. Created by a group of Australia-based artisans, The Eternity Rose has been in the market - Europe, in particular - for over nine years.

A rose for all eternity.

What makes this product extraordinary is that it's made with a real rose, grown to perfection by a team of trained horticulturalists who vigilantly watch over the blossoms and harvest them at their ideal stage of bloom. The roses then undergo a complex, 60-step process of preservation which includes 'freezing' the flower in its natural form, coating it with several layers of lacquer, dipping it in platinum, silver, and gold, or glazing and trimming the edges with pure, 24-karat gold. The entire process takes about 90 days, making this product a finely crafted work of art.

Even the leather case is a work of art. 

My very own Eternity Rose is an exquisite, light blue rose, glazed and trimmed in 24-karat gold. Sure, a gold or platinum-dipped rose would look even more majestic, but I personally chose blue since this color represents the 10th wedding anniversary. Husband and I are celebrating our tenth year of marriage this June, and the Blue Eternity Rose makes a perfect, lasting keepsake for this happy occasion.

Makes a lovely conversation piece, too. 

The glazed roses are also available in other colors, including red - the ultimate symbol of beauty and love. Each rose is presented in a stylish display case made from leather, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Certificate of Authenticity.

Aside from Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries, The Eternity Rose makes an exceptional gift for just about any occasion - birthdays, Mother's Day, and even graduations. They can be purchased directly from The Eternity Rose website, and can be bought with or without a display case, or as a set with a brass vase also dipped in precious metals.

A closer look at my Light Blue Eternity Rose.

If you prefer something wearable, you'd be glad to know that The Eternity Rose also has rose pendants and earrings available. You can buy them as a set to match your Eternity Rose, or purchase them separately. They offer free shipping for all orders, and can deliver to over 50 countries around the globe, including the Philippines.

Believe me, this rose is even lovelier in person. :)

Visit The Eternity Rose website to know more about their products and view the complete collection and/or follow their official Facebook page for promos and product updates.