Spotlight | Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask.

It hasn't been long since Althea launched their own brand of sunscreen, and now they're back in the spotlight once again with another new product. Althea is on a roll these days when it comes to developing and launching new products, and it's such a delight to be able to try, test, and share my experience with each new item that they bring forth.

That being said, here's what I think about the Milk Peel Cream Mask, the latest addition to Althea's growing family.

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask.

The Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is a gentle peeling mask that promises to give your skin a 'big gulp of hydration' and 'refreshed complexion'. It combines the power of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) with the gentle formulation of milk to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and moisturize the skin. It also contains kaolin, a naturally occurring clay mineral that has long been heralded for its ability to detoxify, cleanse, and soothe even the most sensitive skin.

Nothing much to read here so I had to look up all the pertinent information on the internet, lol.

As with the other Althea products, the Milk Peel Cream Mask has a simple, minimalist packaging. It comes in a 50 mL pump bottle housed in a white box with hardly any English text on it. I had to look up all the pertinent information on the internet because hey, that's what Google is for (lol). At least I knew beforehand that this is a wash-off mask (not a peel-off mask as I originally thought it was) and it's tested by dermatologists, as indicated on the box.

Got milk? :)

Pump bottle.

To use, simply apply an even layer onto damp skin and leave it on for 30-60 seconds before rinsing it off with warm water. You get a creamy clay texture as you pump the product out of the bottle, but as you slather it on your skin, it transforms into a bubbly foam. That tingling, ticklish sensation that I felt as the product turns into a foamy lather reminded me of the Bubi Bubi Lip Bubble Lip Scrub, which I use to exfoliate my lips. Its mild, powdery scent, on the other hand, reminded me of the baby cologne that my son currently uses.

Creamy clay texture.

My skin feels really smooth and clean - bouncy, even - after every use. I don't apply this on a daily basis, though, as my skin tends to be dry during this time of the year and the last thing I should be doing is over-exfoliating my skin. I use the Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask twice a week at the most, but if your pores need a bit more unclogging, you can use this product thrice a week. This product is ideal for all skin types, even for those with sensitive skin.

Bubbly! 

The Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask retails for Php 490 and is exclusively available at the Althea website. For a limited time, you can get free shipping on all Althea exclusives using the code PBSHIP at checkout. In addition, you can get a 20% discount on your first order using my referral code.

Say hello to my new hair! :)

And yes, I finally had the chance to change my hairstyle, just in time for my birthday. Speaking of which, thank you Althea for my birthday gift! You guys are so generous that I have more than enough Reward Points on my account to splurge on skincare with! :)

Hair Story | Palty Bubble Hair Color in Raspberry Jam.

For the past twelve months, I've been using Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring to dye my hair. In my first attempt at DIY hair coloring, I used the Sweet Orange shade. A few months later, I switched to Gold Blonde,which was the shade I stuck to for the rest of the year.

I've been wanting to try Mocha Pink for the longest time, but this shade is just so elusive that three of the Etude House branches I've been to don't have them in stock. I tried purchasing online and still no luck. I took this futile search as a sign to finally switch brands - and with that, I'm turning Japanese.

Palty Bubble Hair Color in Raspberry Jam.

This my friends is Palty - a brand of hair color products manufactured by the popular Japanese corporation, Dariya. From what I know, Palty has several collections of hair color products available in the Japanese market (e.g. Hair Bleach Collection, Hair Turn Color Collection, the classic Hair Color Collection).

The Bubble Hair Color Collection is the only line I've seen so far in Watson's and at SM Department Stores, and they sell for Php 499 (around $12) per box. They have 15 shades in this collection, and the one I chose is Raspberry Jam.

Inside the box are the following items - a mixing cup, a stirrer, the base water oxide, the Raspberry Jam color cream, a sachet of hair treatment cream, a pair of latex gloves, and the instruction manual written in both English and Japanese.

Inside the Palty box.

Now here's a quick rundown of how to use this product.

Shake and pour. :)

1) Shake the base water thoroughly in an up and down motion at least 20 times, then pour the contents into the cup.

Squeeze!

2) Next, add the entire cream mixture.
3) With the tip of the mixer, pat the cream lightly around 5 to 6 times so that it blends with the base water.
4) Then, mix in a circular motion for at least 20 times.

Bubbles!

5) Foam will appear once you start mixing. Be warned, there is a tendency for the foam to overflow.
6) Once the foam subsides and the pinkish color appears, you can now apply the hair color to your hair.

Palty on my hair.

7) Leave it on your hair for 20-40 minutes.
8) Rinse thoroughly.
9) Apply the hair treatment cream, leave it on for five to ten minutes then rinse.

What I love:

- Product is easy to use.

- Affordable price (though it costs a bit more than Etude House or Tony Moly).

- Locally available.

- Product smells fruity, chemical scent not overpowering.

- Does not damage the hair.

- Treatment cream leaves the hair soft and smooth.

- It colors! :)

What you might not like:

- It's a bit messy to use, with the overflowing bubbles and all.

The result?

From dark brown - almost black, actually...

To a soft brown, with a hint of red to it.

These photos were taken 24 hours after I dyed my hair.
The color becomes more distinct as the days pass. :)

Have you tried Palty before? How was your experience? :)

Get Your Wig On!

Losing one's hair - whether it's due to old age, genetics, autoimmune diseases, or even chemotherapy - can be very heartbreaking. Good thing there are lots of hair loss remedies available in the market today - from simple hair regrowth shampoos to the more complicated hair transplant. And of course, there's the conventional wig.

Wig technology has become so advanced these days that they're now being worn not just as a solution for bald or thinning hair, but for aesthetic purposes as well (think cosplayers). Men's wigs have become quite popular, too, as more and more males are now paying particular attention to their looks, their style, and their crowning glory.

GDragon's Fantastic Baby hair. :)

If you're thinking of wearing a wig, here are some tips and styling ideas that you may want to consider:

Confidence is the key. With the right attitude, you can easily pull of wearing not just a particular wig, but just about any hairstyle.

Customize your wig. Much like a designer suit, a wig needs to be tailored as well. Take your wig to your stylist and have it customized by having it the bangs cut or trimmed, or having it shaped or thinned.

Add a little spunk and flair. Be creative with your wig! Wear it with a scarf, a headband, a ribbon, or any other hair accessory.

Stay away from the oven. There is one tip that every wig wearer MUST know, and that is NEVER open the oven while wearing a synthetic wig. The heat emanating from the oven (or even the steam from a boiling pot of water) can cause irreparable damage to your wig. And so before you do cook, bake, or do anything in the kitchen, remember to remove your wig before anything else.

Hey, He's Mr. Simple!

After almost two months of sporting the Leeteuk hair, I've decided it was time for Yue to have his hair styled anew. So last Tuesday, we made a beeline to the barber shop before heading to the mall.

Snip snip snip!

Yue has always been this well-behaved whenever he gets his hair done - no wailing, no screaming, no temper tantrums. Which is why Manong Barbero (Mister Barber) is really fond of my little man.

I showed the barber this photo - the basis of Yue's next hairstyle.

Captain Choi!

It's Siwon, alright. From one Super Junior to another. LOL.

Mallrat with his new haircut.

I think Manong Barbero did a great job with Yue's hair.

Oh, that funny face!

Now we're both pogi (handsome) again - in a Kpop kinda way. Haha!
I wonder what Lee Jun Ki's hair will look like once he makes his comeback. And yes, you're sensing it right. That'll be Yue's next hairstyle. :)

Linking this up with Mommy Moments, PhotoStory Friday, and InstaFriday. :)

Hair Story | The Long and Short of It.

I'm very, very meticulous when it comes to my hair. But unlike most women whose crowning glories are their long, black, straight hair, I prefer mine short, sleek, and dyed. Which is why I visit the salon on a regular basis - once a month, at least. When my hair gets long enough to cover my nape, then it's time to have it trimmed. And when the color starts to fade and the partition between my natural black and the copper brown becomes too obvious, it's time to have it dyed all over again.

I started dyeing my hair when I was in high school. I have an aunt-in-law who used to run a salon, and she enjoyed experimenting with my hair. I enjoyed it all the more because the services are free. Haha!

But it wasn't until five years ago when I decided to have my hair cut really short. When Victoria Beckham made the angled bob famous in 2007, I became a Posh Spice clone myself.

Hairstyle, 2007. Highlights were 'in'.

And I totally love, love, love this hairstyle. Perhaps this fondness sprang from my love for David Beckham (he is my favorite footballer of all-time) or the fact that I'm a fan of the Spice Girls. I was never afraid to have my hair cut short. It will grow back after all.

Getting pregnant the year after made it difficult for my hair. Hair dyes were a no-no, and going to the salon became impossible because I couldn't stand the smell of chemicals. I had no choice but to grow my hair long. A year after I gave birth, I took on a totally different hairstyle. I had it curled.

Hairstyle, 2009. Deviating with curls.

But then the curls became a liability because Yue, who was a little over a year old, would tug and pull my hair. I had my hair hacked to solve this dilemma. I went back to the angled bob, but a tad longer than the one I had before.

Hairstyle 2010. Angled bob.

Not completely satisfied with this look, I had it cut some two months after. And because Victoria was rocking the same hairstyle, too.

Hairstyle, December 2010. Pixie cut.

I've been maintaining this ever since. It's the most appropriate and most comfortable 'do for a mom who practically does all household chores, and has an active toddler in tow.

Yesterday I took it one step further by getting an even shorter pixie cut.

Hairstyle, 2012. Pixiefied all over again.

I actually wanted it really short - something like Emma Watson's pixie - but my stylist was a bit apprehensive. (Not many people wear their hair short around here, lol.) So she added some spunk on the sides instead.

Cut short on the sides so my ears would show.

Some husbands are strict with their wives' hair. Some don't like it when their wives cut their hair short. I'm glad my husband does not impose on me like that. He lets me have it my way- because he knows this style suits me best. Thankfully, I've inherited my father's oval face, long neck, and prominent cheekbones. Otherwise, I would not be able to rock this 'do.

I know Posh is wearing her hair long now. This time I may not follow suit. I don't think I can ever go back to long locks. All the more now because summer is about to come. 

Our Kpop hair! :D

And besides, I love it when Yue calls me pogi. That's 'handsome' in Filipino slang. :)

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