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 | Avon K-Beauty Collection.

Annyeong yeorobun! (Hello everyone!)
It's been awhile since I last did a product review on this blog, let alone publish a beauty-related post. Mianhe! (Sorry!) The past few weeks had been extremely toxic for me, and I had no time to shoot product photos and take swatches of all these items in my 'to-blog' list.

Thankfully, our unexpected long weekend gave me the opportunity to take photos and swatches, and finally write about the Avon K-Beauty Collection. Yes, you read it right - K-Beauty!

Avon, the iconic beauty/household brand that most women (especially Filipinas) know and love, recently partnered with a top South Korean H&H (household & health care) company as part of its continued transformation and reinvention. The result? This new and offbeat range of beauty products straight from South Korea - the home of 'chok chok' skin, dewy makeup, and skincare innovation.

The Avon K-Beauty Collection.

I received this package several weeks ago, and I was very much impressed with the brand/PR's attention to detail. This package actually came in a lovely bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth) for even more K-culture (more like K-drama) feels. I love it! The PR package resembled those gifts that Koreans receive during special occasions, like Chuseok or Seollal.

The Avon K-Beauty collection wrapped inside this bojagi.

Now here's a closer look at the Avon K-Beauty Collection. First up, the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion. Avon totally nailed it with the long product name, haha! Korean beauty products are notorious for their ridiculously long, tongue-twister-like names, and this new CC cushion from Avon is no exception.

Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion. 

The Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion (Php 799) is a cushion compact infused with color-correcting pigments that target common complexion concerns (dullness, redness, uneven skin tone) for instantly improved, radiant skin.

A closer look at the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion.

It comes in a chunkier-than-usual black compact complete with a mirror and a standard puff applicator. What's interesting about this cushion is that you don't have to use the puff to 'pick up' the product. Instead, you press the pan for the product to come out of those tiny holes. 

The puff applicator + the cushion pan.

The Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion comes in three shades - Light, Nude, and Shell. I find Nude to be the shade most suitable for my skin tone. It's light beige in color and has a cooler undertone compared to Shell. 

From L-R: CC01 Light, CC02 Nude, CC02 Shell.

This product has a sheer and lightweight formula and offers light to medium coverage. Keep it mind that CC's do not usually provide full coverage; rather they are meant to address skin issues like redness or sallowness, and for me, the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion does exactly that. 

Bare face.

Wearing the Avon True Color Power Essence Color Correcting Cushion
in CC02 Nude.

All dolled up, with the Avon True Color Power Essence Color
Correcting Cushion as my makeup base + Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick
in Mauve Maven on my lips.

I've been using this as my makeup base for the past few weeks, and I love its instant glowing effect on my skin! It does a good job of covering my skin imperfections, but still looks very natural on the skin. This cushion also offers sun protection (SPF 30 PA +++), which is a plus for me.

Also included in the package is the True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick, Avon's response to the ever-so-popular beauty trend.  If you're a fan of Korean beauty products or perhaps a K-drama addict, then you know that gradient/ombre lips hit the Korean beauty scene many, many years ago and has since gained popularity across the world.

The Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick (Php 299) comes in five different shades, and I had the chance to try these three - Hollywood Red, Romantic Rose, and Mauve Maven.

Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick.

Top shade - Hollywood Red, Bottom left - Romantic Rose, Bottom right - Mauve Maven.

L-R: Hollywood Red, Romantic Rose, Mauve Maven.

They're packaged in a black rectangular tube, and each lipstick is designed with a diagonal cut to help you achieve the gradient look with ease. The shades look promising from the get-go and you can definitely see the color contrast in the tube, but alas, that contrast is nowhere to be found once you swatch the shades or apply the product on your lips. 

Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipstick in Hollywood Red.

Avon True Color Gradient Lipstick in Mauve Maven.

Avon True Color Gradient Lipstick in Romantic Rose.

If anything, the Avon True Color Dual Gradient Lipsticks are nicely pigmented, easy to apply, and are very hydrating. These lipsticks are infused with vitamin E, silk protein, and aloe extract to make your lips literally 'glisten with moisture'. I wouldn't recommend this product if you're a fan of matte lipsticks (with the exception of Hollywood Red, since this shade has a semi-matte finish), but if you're all for that creamy, satin finish, you might find this lipstick to your liking.

Finally, we have the sheet masks, all made with cutting-edge, top quality Korean ingredients. It's no secret that I'm a sheet mask addict, and I was very much excited to pamper my skin with these babies.

Avon sheet masks (clockwise from L-R): Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask, Jelly Kiss Lip Mask,
Cica Soothing Sheet Mask, Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask.

The Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask (Php 149) is a thin, gel-like mask that promises plump and glowing glass-like skin. It's infused with Sugar Maple that enhances skin hydration and gives it a healthy glow in just ten minutes. I like the sweet and mild scent of this product, but putting it on my face was quite a challenge - the mask came in two halves, they don't fit quite well, and they felt clammy on the skin. 

Wearing the Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask.

The Cica Soothing Sheet Mask (Php 129), on the other hand, is a winner. Formulated with the legendary Centella asiatica (aka Cica plant), this product soothes, refreshes, and deeply nourishes the skin. It also contains lavender extract which has anti-inflammatory properties; peppermint extract which cools the skin and helps facilitate oil secretion; and rosemary extract, an anti-oxidant known for its anti-aging properties. It comes in a traditional fiber sheet mask form, and fits just right on my face. 

Wearing the Cica Soothing Sheet Mask.

Next we have the Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask (Pho 149), perfectly-shaped eye patches in a hydrogel formula. This product contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin and gives your undereyes an instant brightening effect. If you pulled an all-nighter, these patches will make your eyes look less tired and significantly better if you apply them first thing in the morning.

Finally, there's the Jelly Kiss Lip Mask (Php 119), which also comes in a hydrogel formula. Packed with manuka honey, and peach and nectarine extracts, this lip mask not only smooths and hydrates, but also makes your lips plump and fuller. It feels squishy and looks funny when worn, but hey, this mask works. :)

Avon sheet masks (clockwise from L-R): Golden Shimmer Hydrogel Eye Mask, Cica Soothing Sheet Mask,
Jelly Kiss Lip Mask, Glass Effect Hydrogel Face Mask.

The Avon K-Beauty Collection is available at all Avon outlets, the Avon online shop, and through your Avon lady. 

Which of these products are you excited to try? :)

Aritaum Tips on Taking Care of 20s Skin.

Most skin care experts say that the best time to start a consistent beauty routine is in your 20s, which is probably because the skin’s renewal process start to decline as early as age 25, and may even happen sooner if you have poor lifestyle habits that aggravate free radical damage. Your 20s is the best time to start using skin care products like Aritaum.

Aritaum Flagship Store in Gangnam.

Here’s a comprehensive guide about taking care of your 20s skin that you can easily incorporate into your daily routines:

1. Start exfoliating regularly.
Exfoliation speeds up skin renewal by facilitating the removal of dead skin cell layers more efficiently to reveal new skin layers underneath. Sluggish skin renewal is the main cause for dull looking skin and pigmentation (e.g. dark spots), and our skin’s natural cellular regeneration process begins to decline gradually starting at age 25. Furthermore, premature skin aging may be aggravated by factors like stress, environmental pollution, and bad lifestyle habits that can make your skin look older than it's supposed to.

Exfoliation also helps unclog pores, smoothen skin, and prevent future breakouts. Choose mild exfoliators like acid-based ones containing alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic, and/or glycolic acid. Acid-based exfoliators are not abrasive yet effectively remove dead skin cells from within.

Laneige Clear-C Peeling Mask.

2. Prioritize sun protection.
The sun’s UVA and UVB rays cause a lot of skin damage. In fact, people who are regularly exposed to the sun develop premature signs of skin aging like wrinkles and dark spots than those who don’t. However, most people aren’t concerned about using sun protection products.

Your 20s is a great time to begin using sunscreen in your regimen daily. You can prevent a lot of skin care issues in the future just by prioritizing sun protection. Choose a sunscreen that has at least 35 SPF (sun protection factor) and protects against both UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum protection), as most sunscreen products may not protect against both UV ray types. Wear sunscreen daily all over your face and body, and leave on skin for at least 30 minutes before going out.

Mamonde Everyday Aqua Sun Cream.

3. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise.
Diet and exercise are non-negotiables are you want to maintain good health and vibrant skin. Sticking to a healthy diet and having regular exercise in your 20s gives you an edge amongst the average population and will surely give you huge incredible benefits you can reap in the future. A sound diet and exercise regimen in your early 20s is the best investment you can get for your health, beauty and even money down the line.

4. Find the right cleanser.
Many teenagers who’ve experienced oily and acne-prone skin may have been used to using strong cleansers, astringents, and skin care practices that can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture. Once you reach your 20s, however, your hormones are beginning to be more stabilized. Thus, it's also important to begin switching to milder cleansers right for your skin type and begin concentrating on skin hydration and nourishment.

An array of cleansers at an Aritaum store.

5. Adapt your skin care routine to the season.
Just as your hormones begin stabilizing in your 20s, it’s also advisable to begin adapting your skin care routines according to the season. Use lightweight, water-based, or oil-free formulas during warmer seasons to prevent excess oil production and breakouts, and use creamier formulations during the colder months to prevent skin dehydration and dryness. Adjusting your skin care products according to the season puts less stress on your skin and help you adjust to environmental stressors better.

Aritaum Baby Face Mist.

6. Try adding retinol into your regimen.
Retinol is a popular skin care ingredient because it functions both as an anti-ager and for controlling acne. Your 20s is a good time for incorporating retinol into your regimen, as you may still be coming off your acne-riddled young adult days and transitioning into an older adult facing risks of skin aging.

7. Consider anti-aging products.
It is actually never too early to control skin aging by using anti-aging beauty products. Your 20s is an excellent time to begin introducing anti-aging products in your regimen, as your 20s skin is still good at absorbing nutrients and renewing skin cells. When buying anti-aging products, opt for ones loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants, since these actives deal best with fighting free radical damage, oxidative stress, and UV damage.

More skincare products from Aritaum.

Your 20s is an excellent time for starting health and skin care regimens that will pay off greatly in the future. Take care of your 20s skin by adopting these habits, using products like Aritaum and being confident in maintaining that youthful-looking glow well into your 20s and beyond.

Spotlight | Althea A'bloom.

I love sheet masks. And I love them a lot.
Aside from being my favorite step in my Sunday skincare routine (sometimes I add them to my mid-week skincare routine whenever I feel like it), sheet masks are probably THE skincare product that I will never run out of and can never live without. I buy them in bulk whenever I'm in Korea, hoard them whenever they go on sale here in the Philippines, and they have a lingering presence in my Althea shopping cart - almost all of my previous orders from Althea had a sheet mask or two included.

So imagine my excitement when Althea announced that they'll be a launching a new in-house brand, with sheet masks as one of its introductory products. That excitement turned to amazement when Althea's freshest product drops finally arrived in the mail.

Fresh drops from Althea! :)

I call this the 'Althea A'bloom Box' - an assortment of products from the A'bloom brand, the new beauty brainchild from Althea. 'Fun and funky' is the signature of A'bloom, and I can see that from the get-go. I mean, just look at the packaging - the cute prints and vibrant colors are guaranteed to grab your attention.

This box screams of cuteness.

Now let's take a closer look at these A'bloom products, starting with the ones that piqued my curiosity the most - the sheet masks. There are four fruit-based variants in A'bloom's sheet mask line:

A'bloom Sheet Masks, Php 20 each.

Ac-Me-Peach - An anti-blemish sheet mask that purifies and soothes irritated and sensitive skin. It's infused with peach extracts and tea tree oil to combat acne, regulate oil, and clarify skin.

Water-Me-Long - A moisturizing sheet mask made with watermelon extracts and lavender that help retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Sparkle-Me-Bright - A brightening sheet mask that brings dull skin back to life. Enriched with green tea extracts plus a double dose of vitamin C from lemon and lime, this sheet mask banishes dark spots and brings out the natural radiance of your skin.

Avo-Cuddle-Me - A nourishing sheet mask that helps keep wrinkles at bay while protecting the skin from free radicals and other harmful elements from the environment. Made with avocado extracts and hibiscus, this sheet mask is rich in antioxidants and helps improve the skin's elasticity.

My favorite variant among the four A'bloom Sheet Masks.

First off, I love the quirky names of these sheet masks. They're puns of the ingredients that they're made of, and that sounds fun and witty to me. Second, I love how budget-friendly the A'bloom Sheet Masks are. Priced at Php 20 each (that's less than half a dollar), they're probably the most affordable sheet mask in the market today. And finally, I love how juicy these sheet masks are. They're soaked in essence, which allows you to wear the sheet masks for at least half an hour. 

Sunday is sheet mask day!

Among the four variants, the Avo-Cuddle-Me would have to be my favorite. Mildly scented, non-irritating, and very moisturizing, the avocado sheet mask made my skin soft and supple without the sticky feel. My only gripe is that the sheet mask seems a tad too big for my face. That, or maybe I have stretched it out too much in the process of unfolding the sheet mask and sticking it to my face.

Next up, we have the BHA Blackhead Blaster. It's a slick stick that helps remove whiteheads and blackheads easily and pain-free. 

BHA Blackhead Blaster, Php 200.

Formulated with natural BHA (beta hydroxy acid) from extracts of white willow bark, this product cleanses deep into your pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. The BHA Blackhead Blaster also contains a mixture of apricot seed powder, charcoal, and tea tree oil which tightens pores, clears the skin, and inhibits the growth of blackheads and whiteheads. 

Bye, blackheads!

I don't have blackheads and my whiteheads are nearly invisible, so I asked my sister to try this product instead. She loved it right away! Aside from the ease of use (you simply glide the stick onto targeted areas, massage it for about a minute or two, the rinse it off with lukewarm water), you also get instant results. My sister easily rubbed all the blackheads off her nose, leaving her with nothing but soft and clear skin afterwards. I saw her blackheads 'coming out' and I was grossly impressed, lol.

Finally, we have the A'bloom Meringue Puffs. These beauty sponges are the first-ever beauty tools made by Althea, and they come in two different sizes - Giant and Baby. The Giant Meringue Puff is sold individually, while the Baby Meringue Puffs come in a set of three.

Giant Meringue Puff, Php 100 each.
Baby Meringue Puff, Php 140 per set of three.

Soft and bouncy, these Meringue Puffs are made with non-toxic, latex-free materials. These puffs are free from harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chrome, and antimony, and are safe to use on sensitive skin. Both puffs can be used wet or dry. When used wet, the puff expands to almost twice its size and gives your (base) makeup a glossy finish. If you want a regular, matte finish, you can simply use the puff as is. 

Giant Meringue Puff vs. Baby Meringue Puff.

Personally, I like the Baby Meringue Puff more than its big (bigger) sister. I feel like they're softer, fluffier, and they're easier to clean. I use the baby puff to apply cheek tint on my face, and to blend concealer under my eyes and around my eyebrows. I would have preferred a pointier tip for these meringue puffs, but I love them nonetheless. 

As of this writing, the A'bloom Sheet Masks are still out of stock at the Althea website. The response to these sheet masks was so overwhelming that the website almost crashed when offered a 10+10 introductory sale. Well, who wouldn't go crazy when you can get 20 sheet masks for Php 180 (that's less than $4 when converted)?! I know I would!

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.