H A N N A

POND'S FLAWLESS RADIANCE DERMA+ PERFECTING SERUM AND NIGHT CREAM

 

These are the items included in the loot bag I got from the Fortune Cookie Giveaway. SR has given us the chance to make a purchase for a time period and then fortune cookies were randomly slipped on selected hauls. I was so lucky I decided to make a purchase that day and there it was--a fortune cookie and a mantra I can so relate!

Items I got are Pond's Perfect Care Cold Cream Deep Cleanser (review HERE), Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic+Tranexamic Acid Extra Moisture Bar (review HERE), Pond's White Beauty Day Cream, Pond's Flawless Radiance Derma+ BB Cream (review HERE), Belo Intense Whitening BB Body Cream (review HERE), Dentiste Plus White Hygienic and Herbapeutic Nighttime Toothpaste and Toothbrush (review HERE),  and Sample Room Lavender Shampoo and Conditioner. I have tried the Green Tea variant which I reviewed HERE and it's nice to know they also have it in Lavender. I just don't think they are for sale. and a gorilla pod. I have the same one I got from Joby but it's still good to have a back up.

To be honest, I love everything I got including the eco bag but what I was so delighted about is getting a second product from Happy Skin! Remember the first one I've ever tried from the brand, the one in shade SUMMER CRUSH which I also reviewed before? I liked that so I'm so glad my loot came with this Shut Up and Kiss Me Lip and Cheek Mousse in a different shade.

Althea Korea Wonder Mystery Box

Bought for: P700 plus P250 SF

Bought from: Althea Korea

I couldn't keep track of how many boxes I got from Althea Korea since what, 2016? I guess the whole Althea Korea thing is just addictive--I mean from packaging to contents--they got fresh batches and trendy stuff to sell. Do you still remember their curated boxes before? Oh how I wish the fairies bring them back!

Moving forward, when Althea Korea advertised early September that they've got something we'll surely go crazy about, I hurriedly placed an order on their website with the fear that if I wait a little longer, all stocks may get sold out. The website even crashed because, well, you just can't control girls. I was so relieved after my order pushed through.

I placed an order September 25th and get an e-mail confirmation right away. It took about 5 days for them to process everything and get my parcel ready for transit. I, then, received the pink parcel October 6th which is way fast for an international shipping. Always kudos to Althea Korea for that!

Right before I got my pink parcel, I searched online and checked on what other girls got. The reviews were kind of mixed and there's like two or three girls I felt sorry for. Couldn't blame them when they had products shipped through bubble wraps alone or getting Vitamin C's from Dear, Klairs that'd just oxidized. Not very Althea Korea, I thought. I was disheartened with all the unboxing videos and reviews available but deep inside I still sure had hopes left.

And there Kuya Rider came, handing me my pink parcel. My heart was racing because mine's came with a pink box! It looked a little squashed from shipping though and again, it's something I didn't expect from Althea. Then again, what's inside's gotta matter most. I thought it was a little more special until I saw what's inside.

COSRX SALICYLIC ACID DAILY GENTLE CLEANSER (P375)

COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 92 ALL IN ONE CREAM (P1,035)

Sigma Creme De Couture Liquid Lipstick in New Mod

Bought for: $15/3.2g (Around P800)

Bought from: Sigma Beauty

PACKAGING

The product comes in typical gloss container with a doe foot applicator. It also includes the Sigma name in there with iridescent design. I'm not sure if you usually care with lipstick's ingredients but if you are, good thing they're displayed on the box.

CLAIMS

Having soft and smooth palms and heels, for me, are nothing for show-offs. They are not what catches people's attention when they first see you after all. For me, though, it does contribute to self confidence. Just think of a moment when someone touches your hand or when it's a special day and you are about to wear your shiny, shimmery high heels...having well-moisturized skin will definitely pay off.

The challenge is that I have dry palms and heels. Most of the time hand and body lotions aren't enough to moisturize them which is why I opt for products with generous amounts of possible emollients, those with richer textures and consistency. Others were a bit expensive and provide moisture that only lasts for a couple of hours, others became a holy grail. Which is why I summed up my three (3) affordable skin moisturizers that effectively get rid of  my dry and scaly pelts.

 

*upper swatch: Nivea Refreshingly Soft Moisturizing Cream

*lower swatch: Nivea Creme

NIVEA CREME (P229)

Comes in different sizes for household, vanity and travel uses, Nivea Creme has been around for ages. It probably won't make it had it failed to do its job. The cream is just so rich and thick that it instantly soothe dry skin and bring back the skin's natural sheen. I like applying it overnight using a generous amount and my palms and heels would be super soft and supple the following day. Since I spend office hours in an air-conditioned room (where moisture gets sucked by the cold), this is what I bring with me all the time and it keeps my skin well-moisturized the entire day.

 

NIVEA REFRESHINGLY SOFT MOISTURIZING CREAM (P239)

 

LHOB PSOZEMA ORGANIC CREME SALVE (P585; SALE AT P100)

This is my latest discovery from Leiania House of Beauty. It caught my attention when LHOB had a very recent flash sale where most of their items are only P100. I got one when I hoarded my favorite lotion from the brand. The texture doesn't look like salves I know which are more balmy and comes in tiny jars. It has a very runny formulation which surprisingly feels very moisturizing when applied. It leaves a bit of oiliness after first few minutes and my skin would just drink it up completely.

LHOB didn't mention specifically that this is for hand and body use but since it's quite thick and greasy for face use, I just apply it anywhere on my body instead. Good thing, it works!

Let me know what are your trusted body moisturizers down below! Would love to give them a try too! Happy blogging!

I have to hold back because I am hoping Sephora will still have the massive sale by the end of this month! Remember last year when a lot of items were on sale up to 60% off? It was October, my birth month! That means 2x the points! Gotta go because I'll have to put some stuff on my wishlist lol.

Maybelline Superstay 24H Full Coverage Foundation

Bought for: 399 | SRP: P499

Bought from: Lazada Philippines

I am a foundation junkie and if there's a new drugstore foundation, I'd love to try it provided that it's budget-friendly of course. I loved the Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation which is  a way way old foundation and correct me if I'm mistaken, has already been discontinued to pave way for this new foundation that bears the name Superstay. That saddens me but oh well, it gives us something to road test and criticize. I hate to spill the beans but I liked the Fit Me and Better Skin variants more.

CLAIMS

SHADE

TEXTURE, COVERAGE AND EASE OF APPLICATION

The foundation has a thin consistency yet isn't very runny. It blends well whether you use a damp sponge or brush though I find that using a brush gives it more coverage. I like that it sets very easily with just a few dabs or swipes without emphasizing dryness or being streaky or cakey at all. It just looks flawless and it seems to smoothen out my over-sized pores and hides redness and veins without the need of a concealer. Coverage wise, this foundation does great (about medium-full). It smells like typical foundations and which I have nothing against with.

LONGEVITY

The 24-hour wear was kind of exaggerating because who would wear foundation for 24 hours? Er, not me. But anyway, given that it claims to wear for a day meaning we should expect it to look good the entire day, right? That's not the case. It applies so beautifully, to be honest, but doesn't stay exactly the same the whole day, not even for 12 hours. Sure, it will still show I have foundation on but everything else has faded--blush, shadow, everything. Also, I noticed that the foundation has sunken on my entire nose area faster than the rest of my face--nothing new as that's where I'm the oiliest.

The foundation and coverage is still there after about 7-8 hours except it has oxidized. Not the worst in all the foundations that oxidize but still one of those. To improve longevity, you may want to set it with a matte powder and make sure you have a primer underneath.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

This foundation is still worth your money and the flawless coverage and finish are unbeatable. I like that it feels so lightweight on the skin, photographs nicely, does not move around and I appreciate that it's oil-free and has a matte finish. Just what my oily skin needs. But how ironic, I kept blotting away oils every now and then. There's just something about it that makes my skin so oily. Other than that, this foundation didn't cause me to breakout so that's something. I just think I'd rather reach for it during colder months when my skin is more balanced (so we can keep oxidation and oiliness more under control!)

 

Gluta-C Intense Whitening Body Lotion

Bought for: Free with points | SRP: P184.75/150ml, P329.75/300ml

Bought from: Sample Room 

CLAIMS

PACKAGING

The lotion comes in an opaque white plastic bottle with Gluta-C's orange and pink touches and has probably all the information you will ever need about the product such as claims and benefits, ingredients, manufacturing date, and direction for use. I just have some issue with this because it's hard to dispense the product inside. The plastic is quite hard and sturdy and the tight-shutting cap wasn't of help either. I have to store it upside down and still tap the bottle several times before I can dispense the lotion. I just hope it comes with  a pump though. Just to be fair, the lotion has a thick and rich formulation the reason why it won't drip off very easily.

SCENT, TEXTURE AND CONSISTENCY

The lotion has a Green Tea-ish scent which I absolutely adore. It's amazing how all Gluta-C products comes in only one scent.

As mentioned, the lotion is quite rich and creamy yet surprisingly, my skin seems to drink up the moisture real quick. For an SPF-based product, it does not leave any white cast on the skin. It is definitely non-greasy-no discomfort or itchiness at all. Despite being a lightweight lotion, it gives my skin enough moisture that lasts whole day, thanks to Shea Butter and natural oils and pretty much all humectants this product is infused with.

PERFORMANCE

I don't usually go out during the time when the sun's at its strongest so I am not really sure if this product's environmental-friendly sun protection is enough to keep skin undamaged from harmful UV rays. However, I would agree that this product does help in evening out the skin tone and somewhat lighten my chicken pox scars a tiny bit but not intensely as claimed. Using it everyday restores sheen on my skin, thus the healthier-looking and more radiant complexion. This makes this product a really good daily body moisturizer. The price point and availability is very attractive too!

That said, I would love to repurchase the bigger bottle but since I still have three pump bottles of another favorite lotion at home, I'd skip this one for now. That makes no difference though because Gluta-C Intense Whitening Body Lotion will still be on my to-buy list!

Congratulations to Ms. @yhel.grace of IG for winning my September Giveaway! Please send me your shipping details (name, complete address and contact number) so I can ship your gift right away!

To everyone who joined, a big thank you. The support and love youve given me this month is so overwhelming. To those who were not chosen, you'll have another chance. I will be having another giveaway this month cause...well, it's my birthday month! I hope you could join and celebrate with me again this time.

Until next! Will spend my day blogging perhaps. :)

Lameila PH Face Wipes Oil Blotting Sheets

Bought for: P29/each

Bought from: Lameila PH

Do you still remember my tipid haul from Shopee last time? I was planning to only buy cotton pads from Lameila but because there were tons of other beauty tools and products that interest me, I couldn't help but cave in. I kept carting products until I was quite short from availing the free shipping option. I saw these blotting papers for only P29 and I was like, oh right, it won't hurt a lot and I'm running out of blotting sheets after all. Oily skin necessities, you know!

I got two of these and I guess for a 29-peso product, you really can't expect a lot. I like the very cute packaging but inside is just a total mess. I mean, look at that. The papers were crumpled and they aren't neatly tucked together either. I couldn't help noticing how they were cut unevenly too.

The sheets are bluish in color and to be honest, it doesn't suck up too many oils. It also tears very easily. Now that I think about it, I feel like I've just wasted about 60 bucks when I could have bought a much better blotting paper like the ones from Pretty Secret's (P49).

Black Rouge Airfit Velvet in Shade A07 Well-Dried Fig

Bought for: Free | SRP: P810 (sale for only P490 if you buy from my shop)

From: Charis Celeb

I almost thought that after my Peripera addiction, there will never be another lip tint that's gonna find its way to my heart. Well, you know what, I was in every way so wrong. Charis is always just so considerate that they let us, beauty enthusiasts, discover something great from time to time. Probably one of the highlights in my beauty journey this year is the discovery of this so-called Black Rouge Airfit Velvet Tint.

PACKAGING

SCENT

You're probably aware (if you have read a lot of my blogs by now) that I am bad at describing scents. If I am not mistaken, the tint smells of bubblegum which is so yummy it makes me want to lick it.

SHADE

The shade I got is in A07 (well-dried fig) which is what they claimed as the MLBB shade. I beg to disagree. It looks very good in swatches I find online though in personal, it appears more like true red with a cool undertone. I expected it to be warmer so that kinda disappoint me but it's a very minor issue I could just let pass. Here's a chart I got from Charis if you are interested in getting other shades.

One thing I noticed is that you won't get so many options as the shades look almost similar. All of them has strong touches of red. I hope there's still some transitions to pinks or peaches, other than that, I'm all good.

Upper swatch: Black Rouge Airfit Velvet

Lower swatch: Peripera Airy Ink Velvet