HANNA

Filipina beauty will once again shine like no other as Ever Bilena, the country’s number one local cosmetics brand, supports the 2019 Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant as its official makeup sponsor.

From pre-pageant activities, events, and charity visits to the most-awaited coronation night, all 40 candidates from different provinces and backgrounds are set to look their best throughout the entire pageant season with the help of Ever Bilena.

And as a part of their journey, the beautiful candidates were warmly welcomed by Ever Bilena staff and executives during their visit to Ever Bilena’s headquarters at Caloocan.

To help them prepare for the big night, the lovely ladies were given an exclusive, easy-to-follow makeup tutorial led by celebrity makeup artist Muriel Vega Perez. Apart from makeup techniques, the cosmetics guru also discussed skincare tips to further help each candidate show off her sophisticated style.

During the visit, Ever Bilena also hosted a casual fashion show wherein the candidates displayed their confidence, wit, and personality. As a result, the brand executives and judges selected four corporate awardees to be namely Vickie Rushton as Ms. Ever Bilena, Emma Tiglao as Ms. EB Advance, Jessica Marasigan as Ms. Careline, and Samantha Bernardo as Ms. Blackwater.

For 36 years, Ever Bilena has catered to the Filipina beauty to help enhance their individual beauty with quality and affordable cosmetics. As a pioneer in the local beauty industry, Ever Bilena has stood by its motto that "Every Filipina deserves beauty that lasts a lifetime."

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We’ve all predicted that Althea’s going to come up with a new collection sooner or later, but I just can’t believe it’s going to be this early. This blog is even weeks late because hey, the launch was last month (latter part)! I remember reviewing the Milk Peel a month prior and while the experience is still fresh, here’s me about try out something new from the brand. I can’t help but scream in silence because of my excitement!

Anyway, the new collection is called A-Bloom wherein I assume that A is derived from the product’s manufacturer—Althea Korea. The collection consists of four mask sheet variants, a blackhead blaster, and a giant and baby puffs which I am hoping to expand soon. At first, it doesn’t make sense to me how the collection was curated…I mean mask sheet, blackhead blaster, sponges…how are they related apart from the fact that they are makeup and skincare? But with time, I realized that the indifference has its purpose. You’ll know more if you continue reading after the short break! Let’s discuss them one by one.

A-BLOOM MASK SHEETS (P20/PC)

These are probably the cutest and funkiest designed mask sheets I’ve ever seen in my life. I was proud when I bought tons of these during the launch that I gifted them all to my friends and bosses in time for Mother’s Day. I did not even bother wrapping them up as they look too cute as is. I also appreciate the fact that they have English translations—finally, Althea heard my plea!

The names of the masks are well thought of and I like that they reflect their uses and key ingredients. The names remind me of the bottled juices being advertised in LRT stations where the names have meanings. Simple but catchy!

Anti-Blemish Peach Mask Sheet. This anti-blemish mask purifies and soothes irritated and sensitive sin. Infused with Peach Extracts and Tea Tree Oil to regulate oil, balance moisture and purify for soft, smooth skin. This is great for oily skin!

Nourishing Avocado Mask Sheet. This mask is rich in antioxidants to nourish and protect skin from harmful environmental factors and prevent wrinkles. Infused with Avocado extracts and Hibiscus for soft supple skin that glows. It is great for dry skin

Brightening Lemon Lime Mask Sheet. This brightening mask clarifies and brighten dull skin to unveil the natural glow from within. The double does of Vitamin C from lemon and lime extracts banishes dark spots and Green Tea boosts brightening while calming skin. It is great for combination skin.

Moisturizing Watermelon Mask Sheet. This mask that packs a punch of hydration and moisturization for waterful skin that lasts. A delicious drink for the skin with watermelon extract and added lavender to calm the senses.

I’m sure we all know the drill so let’s not delve more into it. Once you tear the packet open, you’ll get the mask sheet and it’s literally dripping of essences. I like that there’s a good amount of essence that you can probably reuse for another session (you’re compressed mask sheets will have their use!) or apply at any drier parts of your body such as elbows, neck, knees and feet. The cloth is thin and breathable but strong enough not to tear even if you accidentally put a little pressure while unfolding it.

The only thing I don’ like (but not much of an issue) is the fact that the sheet mask fits awkwardly all over my face. Though it fits the eyes, nose and mouth area, it doesn’t on the rest of my face. I’m the one to blame because I have chubby face and I guess the shape of the mask will fit to more contoured faces like they always do. Other than that, it adheres to the face until dried.

The masks smell almost the same and even the consistency of the essences is similarly formulated in my opinion. I couldn’t tell which one is better because they are all refreshing on the skin and they also feel lightweight. I don’t find myself dying to rinse the mask afterwards as the moisture is quite tolerable compared to other brands. I’ve used total of eight (8) mask sheets by the time I write this so basically that’s a week and a day-long of trial period. On the first two days of use, I broke out. There were about 3-4 (really) tiny pus-filled bumps on my forehead and sides of the nose. I thought my skin was clogged and irritated, so I thought of discontinuing it and resume after a day or two. Gladly, they disappeared on the fourth day and that’s when everything went right.

My skin feels hydrated and despite the greasy, oily skin upon waking up, my skin seems to light up from within. There’s this glow I couldn’t explain where it came from but overall t’was a nice sight. If you are looking for an affordable everyday mask sheets, go for these. You can’t go wrong with a P20 worth of sheet mask. This is a great hydrator after scrubbing with the Blackhead Blaster.

A-BLOOM BHA BLACKHEAD BLASTER (P200/8G)

This is probably the first time I will be using a product on a stick, well, apart from foundation and lip products. I couldn’t really categorize where this product belongs to, but I’d say it’s a scrub, mask and treatment in one.

According to Althea Korea, this is the 1^st Natural BHA Stick that removes blackheads painlessly. It deeply cleanses and purifies the pores with natural ingredients like White Willow a.k.a. Natural BHA (removes dead skin cells), Charcoal (purifies skin and prevents oil), Apricot Seed (scrubs away impurities and keeps pores clean and tight), and Tea Tree Leaf Oil (that calms and removes trouble skin). Also, its melting texture exfoliates comfortably to reveal soft, clean skin and prevent future formation of blackheads.

I honestly like the matte black plastic packaging because it’s very lightweight and is very convenient to bring during travels. It’s a great pick-me-upper whenever you see new blackheads forming on your pores.

I couldn’t really tell whether I like the balmy texture or if I still prefer the conventional masks that you apply and spread. But convenient stuff has their perks. Products on stick are very easy to clean and store and are mess-free. You just have to swipe it on your skin after cleansing and massage for about a minute before you rinse the product. All it takes is just a minute and you’re good to go! Althea’s really an expert in quick skincare. I think that’s the best thing about this product.

What I notice though is that I must really swipe the balm several times all over my face to get a decent amount of product. This is to say that the product does not go a long way which isn’t a major issue as it’s very budget-friendly that you can just repurchase whenever you run out. I also notice that it would be best if your skin is a little damp before application to avoid tugging. It is indeed a fast way to clean the skin and is gentle enough for an exfoliator.

I would say this product is effective in clearing the pores. About 85% of my blackheads are removed every use. I just don’t think it prevents future formation of blackheads but still worth buying because it’s an affordable, quick and easy fix especially when you have sudden trips or events to attend to. It’s even a better choice than painful peel-off masks, especially if you have low pain tolerance just like me.

Be careful not to let it sit for more than the suggested time because it can be a bit drying. If ever you do, fret not, because the A-Bloom Mask Sheets will come to the rescue! Also, if you are sensitive to BHA products, I would suggest you doing a patch test first to avoid any adverse reactions.

A-BLOOM GIANT MERINGUE PUFF (P100)

I’m excited to try all products under the A-Bloom Collection but I can’t help but be bias when talking about makeup sponges and tools. If you’re a reader of this blog, you know how obsessed I am with makeup tools that I’m starting to build a collection of both low and high-end ones. I’m also currently keeping with me a jar of sponges and puff and these are super nice addition—shaped very uniquely and are tinted pink. They are also fun to work with and until now, I just couldn’t believe why it’s only P100.

When I took the sponges out of their boxes, I noticed some slight damage/dents on the sponge and when I washed them, only then I figured out that I worried for nothing. They retained their shape despite all the squeezing and washing! The sponges double in size when wet and becomes even softer. These are latex-free sponges and true enough, not a trace of rubbery texture.

The shape is indeed unique. They are shorter and has a wider bottom that becomes even wider when wet. That makes it very easy to apply foundation as it covers a large area of the face. My only struggle is holding onto the sponge. I find it awkward to hold the entire sponge, instead of just the half of it, to ensure a precise application. I’d say the shape is not very ergonomic but still does a very good job in blending and is still overall a quality product in terms of the texture and softness. I still think Althea always does a great job in making sure that their product will do what they claim to do despite a few hiccups.

Just to give you an idea how huge this is of a sponge.

A-BLOOM BABY MERINGUE PUFFS (P140)

Here’s a product I think I like a little more! These are the miniature version of the giant puff! It comes in a pack of 3 for only P140. These sponges are great for detail work. Use it on the curves of your faces and harder to reach areas when applying concealer or foundation.

These sponges are not just latex-free but are also free of 5 heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Chrome VI, Cadmium and Antimony.

Just like other sponges, you have the option to use it in two ways. For a dewy effect, you can soak the puff in running water or use it dry for a matte coverage. I prefer wet sponges for an airbrush finish. These are worth investing for especially if you are a beginner in the makeup world and you’re still testing the waters and aren’t ready to commit to expensive tools just yet. I’m grateful to Althea for creating such awesome puffs. If ever you’re reading this, I’d like to suggest coming up with a makeup brush/sponge cleanser too as cleaning light-colored sponges’ sometimes a pain. These can stain very easily so what I suggest is to clean it right away as soon as you’re done with your makeup.

So there you have it! Overall, I am still impressed with how Althea Korea keep their products of top quality but still with reasonable price tags. I am so grateful to have gotten the first dibs and if you’re going to ask me whether I’d repurchase or not, I’d definitely will! Phew, that was quite a long post. But thank you so very much for staying until the end! If you would like me to do more one-brand reviews, just let me know! Happy blogging!

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Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Powder

Bought for: P477.46/5g

Bought from: Innisfree

With the summer heat, I couldn't help but skip too many steps in my skincare and makeup routine. My oily skin just can't handle all the formula and humidity so I (most of the time) resort to just the basic steps. After skincare, as much as I'd love to do my base and color correct, I just top everything off with a mattifying powder so at least I'd look ever-so-slightly fresh. In this kind of weather, a blurring/tinted powder comes very, very useful as it both enhances the skin's texture and prevents shine. It's when I start using Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Powder which is where our spotlight would be for today.

CLAIMS

Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Powder has pore blur effect that covers skin bumps . It makes the skin texture smooth and bright as if giving a blur effect, covering skin bumps caused by pores and fine wrinkles. Offers durability of long-lasting softness. Natural minerals and mint ingredients from Jeju work to control the oil and moisture balance of the skin and make it more healthy. It has a natural beige color that fits the skin. It allows for the skin texture to appear healthy and feeling smooth by providing a look for natural makeup with natural beige color pigments that are suited for any type of skin.

HOW TO USE

I am pretty sure you all know the drill. Tap lightly on the face as the last step of makeup. Feel free to use whenever the skin becomes greasy.

PACKAGING

The product comes in a tiny jar with a twist cap. The packaging looks very simple but has an impact as the plastic is thick and durable and is perfect for travelling. It's very similar to the popular No-Sebum Mineral Powder with only slight differences in color and texture. I loved the mineral variant that I forgot how many times I did repurchase so it must be the reason why there's not much persuasion in my part in buying the Blur one. Both of them has this seal that is a bit of a pain to remove. They also come with a white-colored puff that is very plush and won't irritate the skin at all.

The only issue I probably have with this type of packaging is the fact that it's very hard to dispense the product with the size of the filter. No matter how hard I tap, the powder won't come off in decent amount. It must be the powder's texture as they are quite clumpy. It's very inconvenient to use because imagine me having to remove the plastic filter over and over so I can just tap my brush straight to the powder. I always end up picking a little too much pigment and is very wasteful because the powders just has the tendency to go all over the place. If you have an empty, bigger cosmetic sifter, you might want to transfer if you are using it mainly to set your makeup.

SCENT, TEXTURE AND EASE OF APPLICATION

The product has a subtle mint scent so I don't think you'll find it off-putting. It's tinted and is beige in color so I think it will serve most skin complexions. The powders are velvety soft and they seem to melt on your skin once applied. They may look clumpy from where they are but once you press on them, you'll know they are finely-milled.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

I like the fact that the powder's blurring effect is really significant upon application though not very long lasting. The mattifying power goes away after 1-2 hours and I feel like I needed to apply some more. To be fair though, I have super oily skin and retouch is something I always needed to keep shine at bay. The good thing is that it's able to keep me looking fresh after every application. Because it's tinted, it gives less white cast too compared to the mineral variant and other translucent powders. It's also able to give skin a brightened and more even appearance without the powdery look. I'm very particular with powders and I make sure to only use the ones that will not clog my pores. This is one of those powders that didn't cause me to breakout even if it takes me lots of retouch the whole day.

Honestly speaking, P477 is quite too expensive for a powder with only 5g of amount and it's usually more than what I would normally spend on a basic setting powder. I'd still give it a shot though because a little goes a long way and it's a nice setting powder to apply as is or on top of your makeup to make sure everything stays in place. Nothing very special but still useful.

If you are looking for a more reliable blur powders, better spend a little more for Coty Airspun, Laura Mercier or Ben Nye.

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So I did splurge a bit more than what I normally would last month when I made this haul. You know that skincare and makeups are one of my guilty pleasures and I literally felt too much guilt for buying all these stuff when I obviously has one face to take care of. Still, I decided to give it a go because I still have credits that are to expire, VIP coupon code that entitled me to P3000 off (with minimum purchase) and I clearly don't want to waste them. I'll just make sure to cut my budget this May (ooohhh pleaseee). Anyway, the purpose of this haul is to let you know what will be up in my upcoming reviews and to showcase what else you can buy from my favorite K-beauty destination–Althea Korea.

Laneige White Dew Emulsion - P1,480

Laneige White Dew Milky Cleanser - P1,094

Laneige White Dew Skin Refiner - P1,210

Because I feel like my dull skin needed some extra boost of radiance, I decided to get a few products from the Laneige White Dew line. I think I got most except for the ampule/serum which is about 2k. Uhm, I needed to pass on that.

Laneige Moist Cream Cleanser - P820

Laneige Water Bank Hydro Mist - P910

Laneige Mini Pore Blurring Tightener - P1,140

Laniege Clear C Peeling Mask - P960

Here's more Laneige products! You can tell how much I'm in loved with this brand because of this haul! I have this unspoken goal of having to try most, if not all, Laneige products because most of them are TSF skin-friendly. One of my recent discovery is the Clear C Advance Effector Ex and that's just awesome.

Althea Bare Essentials Contour Cleanser, Primer Water and Fixer Cream - P1,341

I remember I received an e-mail from Althea Korea before about trying out the Bare Essentials Set when it was still their launching period. I didn't know what happened but nothing came in my doorstep even though I waited. So from then, I'm itching to get my hands on these bestselling set and well I guess...dream come true?

A-Bloom Mask Sheets - P180/10pcs

Buying this was sort of a mistake in my part. I did this haul the same day these mask sheets were launched and Althea Korea has this Buy 10 + Get 10 promotion going on. I didn't know that it requires a coupon code so I just received 10 pieces instead of 20 per variant. Anyway, I'm giving these away to friends at work so yeah. My Althea family send me these too for my own review which I am so excited to do and share with everyone! Stay tuned!

Innisfree Super Volcanic Peel-Off Mask 2X - P480

I'm liking the entire Super Volcanic line of Innisfree and so I got this peel-off mask to remove blackheads and whiteheads all over my face ~~the painful way (lol)~~.

And there you have it! I'm so excited to try these all and will definitely share with you my feedback. Let me know if you have recommendations and which products you'd like me to try first. Happy blogging!

***All products that are featured in this haul are products that I bought with my own money with additional vouchers and reward credits.***

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