Review : Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser

Hey dolls!

Almost every month, Althea has been introducing various skincare products for us to try. As a one-stop online shop for all thing K-beauty, it's just natural that they'll work on skincare products to achieve the flawless "Koreana skin" that we oh so envy! 

What I've liked so far from the different product exclusives they've released is the part where the products usually serve multiple purposes. There are cleansers that are also masks, toners that can also be a primer, and so on. So far, I have only but positive reviews for the ones I've tried and what's awesome is that Althea hasn't stopped from creating these innovative goods! 

Introducing a new Althea Exclusive that is both a cleanser, serum, AND makeup remover—

Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser

Review : UNIK Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum

Hello loves!

Just a few days ago, I made a review about a product from UNIK, particularly their Lime Moisture Mild Peeling Gel. I mentioned in that post that there's another product from UNIK that I will be reviewing as well and that is the...

UNIK Rose Galactomyces Synergy Serum
You can buy this at unique4u.net for only $14.99.

If you're not familiar with this brand, I posted on my previous review that it is:

"It's a fairly new Korean cosmetic skincare brand that uses natural ingredients to improve the skin's condition. They have different variants that addresses different issues and skin types."

Nivea Brings the First Deo Serum in the Philippines For the Next Level You!

Hello lovelies!

I'm excited to try this new product from Nivea!!! I just saw this press release today and I can't wait to share it with all of you. Check this out!

 The 1st Deo Serum in the Philippines for the Next Level You 

NIVEA understands that today’s Filipina is more empowered than ever—never settling, achieving more and always aspiring to be better. 

That’s why NIVEA has created the 1st Deo Serum in the Philippines, to help women be ready to take it to the next level. Introducing the NIVEA Extra White Deo Serum! The newest product innovation from NIVEA features a concentrated, translucent serum formula that can penetrate deeper into the skin for deo care protection and whitening like never before.  

 NIVEA Extra White Deo Serum contains 10x more Vitamin C and EvenWhite Technology to effectively and evenly whiten underarm skin in as quickly as 5 days.  

 NIVEA White & Firm Q10 Deo Serum has a quick absorbing formula with a special Q10 ingredient that reduces wrinkles and firms up loose skin on top on its whitening benefits. Now you can achieve whiter, smoother and firm underarm skin. 

 For more information, visit NIVEA.ph, like us at NIVEA Philippines and follow us @NIVEAphils on Twitter and Instagram. 

__________________________________

Okay, so a deo that promises to level up its moisturizing properties (it avoids chicken skin!) and also helps whiten your underarms (I super need this). I have been using Nivea deos for a long time and it works well in controlling sweat and odor. 

I can't wait to go buy one and try this for myself... I think I'll grab the Q10 first. ;)

Cheers,
DAWN

My One Month with Relumins Acne Clear Range (Review)

Hey everyone!

I have so many skin concerns that I am currently trying to fix. One of those (and probably the one I've been struggling with the longest) is my acne problem. This runs in the family—both my parents, my brother, and my sister shared the same problem. I've been dealing with this half my life and so I quickly agreed to use this skincare when I was offered to review this by flawlessbeautyandskincareph.com.

I received this kit more than a month ago and it is comprised of four skincare products:

Relumins Advance White Acne Clear Foam

Relumins Advance White Acne Clear Soap

Relumins Advance White Acne Clear Solution

Relumins Advance White Acne Clear Serum

The whole set is worth Php 1,900.00.

Here are some info about the products and how to use them from the website:

This brand new set of Relumins Acne Clear products are formulated with multi-active ingredients that work synergistically to fight against acne. The result is naturally clear, healthy-looking skin.

• Reduce enlargement of sebaceous gland

• Helps reduce acne and prevent future breakouts with Salicylic Acid, naturally derived from Willow Bark

• Promotes Collagen biosynthesis

• Peels off clogged pores

• Prevent aggravation of acne due to environmental and mental stress

Relumins is dedicated to bringing you safe and effective products to help you achieve your personal best beauty results with advanced solutions from nature.

INGREDIENTS:

Water, EDTA, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe, Salicylic Acid, 

Rehmannia Chinensis Root , Soybean Seed , Pear Ferment, Willow Bark Extract , Neem leaf , Phelledendron Amurense Bark Extract ,Scutellaria baicalensis root, Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Directions for use:

1. Wet skin and gently lather face and body with Relumins Acne Clear Soap. Rinse thoroughly.

2. Pump cleanser (Relumins Acne Clear Foam Facial Wash) into your hands and work into lather. Massage lather onto skin with a gentle, circular motion, avoiding contact with the delicate eye area. Rinse and pat dry with a soft towel.

3. Apply Relumins Acne Clear Solution (Toner) directly on face, moving outward up and under chin and neck. 

4. Apply Relumins Acne Clear Serum on active blemishes.

     *** Use foam facial wash, toner and serum AM and PM.

SAFETY: Before use, perform a SPOT TEST to test for sensitivity as follows: Apply to the intended area of use for up to one 30 seconds.  If rash, burning or inflammation occur, immediately remove the product from skin and discontinue all further use.

I use the facial foam and the soap interchangeably on my face but I also use the soap on my body that has some acne as well.

I use the products everyday in the morning and in the evening. The set lasted around a month and a week (but I still have a few of the soap left). During the month that I used this, I never encountered any irritations.

I documented my face every two weeks to see the effects on my face. See the pictures below:

The third pic was taken in a slightly dimmer room. I didn't get two-three tones darker. :P 

Anyway, as you can see on the photos, there wasn't really a change on my skin condition. I still get a few breakouts here and there and the time it took to heal my acne and dark scars is pretty much the same as when I use my other skincare products. It's not bad but I just want a faster acting treatment for my skin.

But it still did some good bits like lessen the redness of my skin and also, it's really good at cleaning your face, especially after a long day at work and wearing makeup. 

I'm not fully convinced with the products to be honest so I don't think I'll continue using them. I guess they are just not that compatible with my skin. So for now, I'm still on the search for the best skincare for me. Good news is, I just received other skincare goodies to try. :D

Cheers,

DAWN

March 2014 Beauty Recipes (Skin Food) Saladbox

Hey loves!

My Saladbox for the month of March arrived this afternoon. I had mixed emotions while I was opening the package. Last month's box was a disappointment for me so I tried to lower my expectations and yet when I saw that the box was labeled with Skin Food's logo, I can't help but be excited.

The box was their usual box but with this cute Skin Food–Saladbox design. I like the Saladbox logo here with the lips on the letter O. It looks more chic and feminine and I think it is more suitable for a subscription box that delivers makeup, haircare, and skincare.

So let's open the box!

When you open it, you'll see the items covered with yellow crepe paper and sealed with a Saladbox sticker. There's also the usual monthly letter. Let's see what it says...

And here are the items included in the box plus the corresponding price of the regular size.

Everything inside is food for the skin! I'm currently obsessing with skincare so I'd like to try new products... who knows, I might discover a potential HG product!

Look at the pretty packages. There are boxes inside the box (lol). 

The first thing you'll notice among the items inside is this Black Pomegranate Premium Kit. It's the biggest and it also has this super pretty design.

And when opened, you get a complete set of Black Pomegranate skincare!

Black Pomegranate Toner

Black Pomegranate Emulsion

Black Pomegranate Serum

Black Pomegranate Cream

Watery Berry Gift Set—Toner and Emulsion

And finally, the Black Sugar Perfect First Serum.

Excited to try this because it promises to exfoliate, brighten, smoothen wrinkles, and hydrate the skin! Probably why it has the words "perfect" and "No.1."

Cotton pads are also included for the serum!

And that's all. This box was a big step up from last month's box. I was left wanting more though. I know that Skin Food products are a bit expensive but I just wanna try more! Haha! I would also appreciate it if there was a full-sized product included like those from previous boxes... but I'm satisfied nonetheless! Thanks, Saladbox! :D

Cheers,

DAWN

NIVEA launches first Whitening Body Serum in the Philippines

Nivea brings us another innovative product that I'm sure many of my fellow Filipinas will be  interested in. One small tube can give us 5 benefits that will result in a fairer, healthier skin! Read the press release below for more info about this product:

NIVEA launches first Whitening Body Serum in the Philippines

The promise of skin repair and protection in one potent formula

Over the years, the deep-rooted perception of having a fair skin tone has defined the norms of the Filipina beauty. But as lifestyle and behavior evolve, women with fair-looking skin came to realize that no whitening product could effectively work, if the skin is not healthy. Their desires and needs have therefore shifted to achieve not just fair skin, but skin that is healthy and radiant-looking.

It is with a game-changing route that the world’s number 1 skincare brand, NIVEA, comes out with its newest innovation that will set the benchmark of going beyond fair skin. The first concentrated and potent body serum that addresses the top 3 skin concerns of Filipinas - skin whitening, skin protection, and most importantly, skin repair – while at the same time, effectively moisturizes the skin.

Now available in the market, the new NIVEA UV Whitening Body Serum is the first body serum that can repair sun-damaged skin, intensively whiten, and protect the skin from darkening, all in just 14 days. It is specifically developed for Asian skin, offering 95% pure Vitamin C that repairs deeply accumulated dull, and sun-damaged skin.

Our body serum is a revolutionary product for the skin; it is concentrated so it’s intensively absorbed and affects the deep layers of the skin to target specific problems,” shares Alex Schwieger, Country Manager, NIVEA Philippines. “It not only moisturizes, it rejuvenates, repairs, and restores your skin to its mint condition – and we promise to show results in 14 days.”

Unlike in regular whitening lotions, which are only developed to inhibit melanin production, the new NIVEA UV Whitening Body Serum has the ability to repair sun-damaged skin. Your skin maybe fair but the damage manifests in leathery skin texture, spot discoloration, fine lines due to premature aging, red and itchy blotches, and scaly and unsightly peeling skin. And the body serum targets these problems, and repairs them.

Intensive whitening is another property that the serum sets to fulfill. With its all-natural Vitamin C ingredient from Camu Camu fruit, which gives 50x more whitening power than lemon extract, regular use of this product can result to a fairer and an even skin tone all over, in just 14 days.

While it whitens and repairs your skin, this new body serum has SPF25, which is perfect for daily use to effectively protect the skin from further sun damage, premature skin aging, and prevents it from darkening even with frequent sun exposure.

Responding to a lot of Filipina skin woes in one powerful bottle, the NIVEA UV Whitening Body Serum aims to even out dark spots and remove blemishes, all while it whitens and protects your skin. More so, NIVEA’s proprietary Hydra IQ technology is also infused in the serum to ensure optimum moisture supply and distribution from within and for over 24 hours – leaving the skin soft, smooth and supple all over.

UV WHITENING BODY SERUM 

THE 1ST BODY SERUM FOR INTENSIVE WHITENING, PROTECTION and REPAIR 

Who is it for? 

For modern and active women of today who are aware that whitening is not enough to give them the healthy, fair-looking skin they desire. For beauty seekers who are looking for a body product that is more potent and powerful like the serum they use for their face to repair their dull, sun-damaged skin. For demanding women who are practically want everything in their body lotion - they want it all and they want it now! 

What does it do? 

NIVEA launched the innovative UV Whitening Body Serum, a body serum that can intensively whiten and repair dull, sun-damaged skin in just 14 days. It is specially developed for the needs of Asian skin and offers 95% Pure Vitamin C that repairs deeply accumulated sun-damaged skin cells. It also has SPF25 that protects skin from the harmful effects of the sun and prevents it from darkening even with frequent sun exposure. 

1st ever in the Philippine market, NIVEA UV Whitening Body Serum effectively offers the following skin benefits: 

1. It whitens: 

- the formula is enriched with Licorice that reduces melanin production. 

- enriched with natural Vitamin C from Camu Camu that gives 50x more whitening power vs. lemon extract that is commonly used as whitening agent. 

Camu Camu (Myrciaria Dubia) is a native fruit from the Amazonian rainforest that has the highest recorded amount of natural ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) than any known fruit on the planet. Compared to Lemon, it has 50x more Vitamin C power. It also has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that help the absorption of Vitamin C. 

2. It protects: 

- the formula has sun protection factor (SPF) 25 to effectively protect skin from darkening. 

- advanced UVA & UVB cell protection with PA++ to shield the skin against pre-mature skin ageing and further sun-damage. 

3. It repairs: 

- enriched with 95% anti-oxidant Pure Vitamin C responsible for nourishing sun-damaged skin. 

- enhances and supports the skin renewal process to give a radiant and fairer skin tone all over the body 

4. It moisturizes: 

- infused with Beiersdorf-exclusive Hydra IQ technology which promotes optimum moisture supply and distribution from within – for over 24 hours 

- also infused with Red Seaweed that enhances fast and easy absorption to produce soft, smooth, and supple skin all over the body. 

5. Skin compatibility dermatologically approved. 

Result: Your skin becomes noticeably healthy, more radiant and fairer within 14 days! 

Size: 75ml and 200ml in tube format 

Relaunch Date: September 3, 2013 

Suggested Retail Price: P110.00 for 75ml | Php 230.00 for 200ml 

Availability: All leading department stores and supermarkets nationwide 

Review : Tony Moly Aqua Aura Serum

Hello everyone!

Moisturizing our skin is a MUST!

I keep telling myself that since I tend to forget to use my moisturizer daily (I try my best not to). Even if I have oily skin, it's still important for me to moisturize, I just have to find the product that works best for my skin.

Now, whenever I do my sideline of doing someone's makeup, I also tell my client to use moisturizer especially if his/her skin is really dry.

So anyway, right now, I use this product which I shall be posting a review about. I apply this every night and I'm really happy that this was given to me last month during the Tony Moly ATC Opening Event.

Tony Moly Aqua Aura Serum

A bottle is 50ml and is worth Php 798.00.

It is a water based moisturizer.

For more product details, here's a description from the website:

Long-lasting serum giving skin radiance as ions drink water

Fill up your skin moisture with powerful serum Prevent the formation to not be lost moisture in the skin Help absorb and circulate serum as a function of Ionized water oxygen and moisture in the skin Gives a natural glow to the skin moisture 5Free -- Paraben, Mineral oil, Fragrances (Natural Flavors added) , Benzophenon, TEA

USAGE:

By pumping 1-2 times, following skin texture and pat evenly to get absorbed.

Errr... I think the website needs more improvement with the labels... Haha!

It is housed in a cute sky blue box that contains labels with product descriptions, precautionary advices, Directions of use, and list of ingredients.

At least the box has better grammar. :P

The bottle is really pretty too!

It's quite heavy though so it's not something that I would bring in my bag. But I wouldn't bring a 50ml bottle anyway. :P

At the back of the bottle has more Korean characters which I can't read. 

But it says the weight, and the lifespan of the product which is for a year.

It is in a pump bottle which I like because it's easy to get the product out.

What worries me is when I use up most of the product and there would be no way of getting the product left in the sides of the bottle. :P

Here's what the product looks like when pumped out.

It's milky white and somewhat thick in consistency. Smells nice - I can't pinpoint what scent exactly but it's not strong enough to be annoying. :P

When you apply it on the face, it's so light and spreads easily. It feels like you're just spreading water all over your face. No sticky feeling! The product gets absorbed by the skin quickly too.

It leaves my skin feeling soft even 'til I wake up.

It doesn't irritate my skin nor give me breakouts too.

But I don't use it in the morning. Since it is a serum, it is more concentrated compared with emulsions. It can still get my face oily even if it is water based, especially when I have my makeup on.

LIKES:

Really moisturizing

Feels light on skin. No stickiness.

Gets absorbed quickly by the skin

No irritation nor breakouts

lovely packaging

Locally available

Kind of affordable

DISLIKES:

None so far

Would I buy again?

Probably, but like most of the products I review, I'm still willing to try out other products so it may take a while for me to buy the same product.

So, have you tried the Tony Moly Aqua Aura Serum yet?

How about the other items in the Aqua Aura line?

Cheers!

DAWN