Guess who's turning two.

Althea Korea is!

There are a lot of online shops distributing Korean beauty and skincare products locally but I find myself browsing Althea Korea more often because it's more updated and the expansive range and variety plus huge discounts can't be beat! Since they ship from Korea straight to your delivery address, it's like bringing home a piece of Korea each time, heh. These, as well as the cool deals they regularly offer, are why I've remained a loyal and happy customer since I first ordered two years ago.

Now to celebrate their birthday this month, they're shipping awesome limited edition birthday boxes with every order, until supplies last!

Here's a closer look at how I decorated my Althea Korea cake box with the birthday DIY kit!

How do you like it? I am positively giddy because teal-pink is my favorite color combination! ♥

Now let's take a peek at what's inside!


Would you believe that I only ordered three items here and THE REST ARE FREEBIES??


Yes! I only ordered the Pullack Rose Blossom Serum, It's My Skin Mask in Charcoal, and the new Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control! The Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control is so sulit because it contains a free refill! It's getting two BB Cushions for the price of one! Forgive the number of exclamation points but I'm just really so excited!

More reason to be excited: gifts with purchase!


Here are the birthday samples I got: Skinature Goat Milk Second Skin Mask Brightening (perfect because I'm into facial masks lately), Belle Journée Tattoo Lip Tint in Attitude Red, Pure Smile Neco Punch Point Pads in Jasmine, Half Moon Eyes Mask Pack in Pink Fruity, Girl's Skin Moisture Cleanser, and a set of samples from Whamisa! I also got a 10% off voucher for my next purchase. ♥

If you haven't tried to shop at Althea Korea yet, now is the best time to start. Here are other great ways they're celebrating with:

♥ Shop & Win. One lucky winner to be announced weekly can get Php 10,000 worth of Althea Korea shopping credits!
♥ Birthday Giveaway Festival. They have a "Today's Favorite Gift" that you can get for free with every purchase, but you have to hurry because it's first come, first served.
♥ B-Day Makeup Box. Althea Korea regularly releases curated boxes, much like the subscription boxes we have here, where you can enjoy a bunch of pre-selected products at less than three-quarters the original price! If you buy the contents of the B-Day Makeup Box separately, it would set you back at Php 5,670, but you can get this box for only Php 1,430!
♥ Fly Me to Korea contest. Lastly, every shopper who gets and decorates their Althea Korea birthday box and showcases their creations on social media gets a chance to win an all-expenses trip to Korea! There are also a LOT of other cool prizes to be won and I'm so hyped about this I would also join myself!

Whew. That was tiring. Make sure to visit Althea Korea for the rest of their birthday surprises!

Ever since its inception three years ago (can you believe it has been that long?), Althea Korea has been my go-to website for all things K-beauty. They ship directly from Korea straight to your doorstep so you are assured the products are authentic, they carry a LOT of brands, the prices are cheaper compared to other resellers, and they always hold the best sales and promos! 

And now, they are turning three!

Happy birthday, Althea Korea! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ I am happy and proud to be part of your journey since Day One!

And I am even more privileged to be an Althea Angel!


I was handpicked to be part of Althea's Beauty Ambassador Community, and that means I get first dibs on their newest releases so I can share my thoughts with you. This is so exciting for me because I love trying new products AND I love blabbing about and recommending products that work to my friends and to anyone who would listen! I received my Welcome Gift (including the Althea Angels hand mirror in the photo above) a couple of weeks ago...


... and I love everything! I love the Althea Angels box, the Althea Angels hand mirror, the Althea Angels pouch, the special Althea Turns 3 tote bag, the Birthday Books (that Tiffany and Chloe were using in the first photo on this post), and the new Real Fresh Skin Detoxers in Rose (Refining) and Green Tea (Purifying) in collaboration with Get It Beauty!


I have tried these already and I will share my review on my next post. Spoiler alert! I LOVED the Rose variant!

So many things to unpack here, but the main point of this blog post is that I am happy that Althea Korea is staying strong as our number one K-Beauty resource and that I am happy to be an Althea Angel. ♡

Are you in the mood to do some K-Beauty shopping now? No other day but today because Althea is doing another Fly Me to Korea contest when you shop anytime between today and August 31! You can read the full details and mechanics here.

And because Althea Korea is feeling a lot more generous on their birthday month, you can use the code ALTHEATURNS3 and get 10% off your orders! The coupon is valid until the end of September of this year so shop away! I already did and my purchases are scheduled to arrive this week! I can't wait!

See you on my next post for the review of the Real Fresh Skin Detoxers! ;)

Without completely meaning it to, my shopping preferences have changed. It could be the hellish traffic. the insane crowds in malls, or a sign of aging, but if I could choose between buying something online or in malls then I would rather go with the former. Yes, I could get lost in bookstore and beauty section aisles all day, but the prospect of braving through Metro Manila traffic is almost enough to put me off shopping.

And that is why I cheer a little extra enthusiastically whenever I get wind of new websites being made available to us. Sooo I'm very pleased to share with you that Althea Korea now ships to the Philippines straight from Korea!

The site will officially open on February 15 but I was chosen to be one of the beta testers. I placed my order on January 23, received the confirmation email that my orders have been shipped on January 25, and my pink box was delivered to my home address on January 30!


Yes, from Korea straight to my house in five working days! No need to worry about taxes or customs fees!

So what is Althea Korea? Borrowing their name from Korea's national flower, Althea Korea is a popular beauty shopping site that ships internationally from Korea to Malaysia and Singapore and now, to the Philippines! They offer comprehensive authentic Korean makeup and skincare selections at the guaranteed best price and unconditional returns. What's more, for a minimum order of P1,500 you can already enjoy free shipping! I know I sound like an infomercial here but seriously these are all great reasons to shop here!


I had a difficult time choosing which items to put in my cart because I want everything. Would you like to see what I bought? Of course you do!


My orders came in a sturdy bubble-wrapped pink box that I can reuse. As you can see, each item is individually wrapped in addition to the pink tissue paper, ensuring your orders are protected during shipping and handling.

Here is a closer look on the items I got!



I haven't used this yet because I'm still waiting for a weekend when I'm free to do my much-needed pampering time. Truth be told I put this in my cart because I was intrigued by the egg shape, hee.



My friend Alex swears by Innisfree so I'm excited to use this.



I lost my Laura Mercier highlighter (huhuhu) and I haven't bought a new one yet so this is a welcome addition to my traincase. This quickly became one of my favorites because I love the subtle shimmer that easily brightens up my face.



All those nights staying up late have unfortunately taken a toll on my undereyes. I don't use it that much, though. I only use it on days I apply eye makeup.



I love everything I got and I seriously can't wait to shop more when the website officially opens!

Now here comes awesome news: GRAND OPENING PROMOTIONS!


Have I convinced you enough yet? Bookmark Althea Korea now and get ready for February 15! ♥

Disclosure: I was given shopping credits as one of the website's beta testers but I was not compensated nor required to write this post. All opinions are my own. Read my complete Disclosure Policy here.

Koreans really don't dick around when it comes to skin care. I've been very emotional and stressed lately but my skin has NEVER looked this great. I recently overhauled my skin care routine with the new goodies I got from Althea Korea so I believe all credit goes to them.

I am going to write about my new (and simplified!) skin care routine on my next post but right now I would like to feature Althea Korea's collaboration with Korea's number 1 beauty TV show, Get It Beauty: the new Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxers in Rose and Green Tea that I got as a welcome gift for being an Althea Angel.

Created to suit the hectic schedules of modern urbanites, these products harness the goodness of nature and translate that into freshness and vitality for the skin. Made with premium ingredients sourced from various parts of the world, these 10-second masks are filled with energy and freshness from nature to ensure your skin stays healthy and clean every day.

You read that right, 10-second masks! No more waiting too long and falling asleep with your sheet masks on! I mean, I would like to bask in the goodness of a sheet mask every day but who has the time?

Why come up with this product, you ask? Well, without a proper cleanse, the skin isn’t able to fully absorb nourishment, no matter the ingredient in your skincare. Althea Korea worked hand in hand with the experts from Get It Beauty because they wanted to showcase real, fresh ingredients and incorporate them into a system that allowed a deep, clarifying cleanse while boosting the skin with nutrients and goodness. The Real Fresh Skin Detoxers draw out sebum, dirt, and residue from the pores while dispensing an array of nutrients to the skin, leaving it fresh, supple, and smooth.

In the morning after you woke up, this product helps to protect and balance the pH levels of the skin, evening out the skin’s texture for perfect makeup application. It contains 100% May Rose Petals, which is hand-picked once a year during May from Grasse, Southern France. It deeply hydrates the skin and minimizes pores while soothing redness.


The main ingredient of this mask are young Green Tea Leaves from pristine Jeju island plantations. Jeju green tea powder relieves the stressed skin real fast by controlling the sebum and freeing the skin from dust and dirt.

Let me show you how I use it! I used my favorite, Rose. Both of them smell great but I'm specifically hooked on Rose!


With clean hands, apply a generous layer on your face.


Leave on for 10 seconds.

After 10 seconds, add a little water and massage in circular motions.


Rinse thoroughly.


Admire your reflection.


Pat, pat, pat, gently until dry.


Admire yourself some more, pleased with your revitalized and brighter skin.


Voila!


Now you can continue with the rest of your morning routine.

I follow the same routine at night with my Green Tea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer, except I only use it every other day.

Whether you've just recently discovered K-Beauty products and are feeling a little overwhelmed with all the choices in Althea Korea or whether you're a seasoned K-Beauty pro, I think you will like the new Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxers like I did!

And because Althea is feeling generous, you can get both in a bundle for a discounted price by clicking here! If you order now, there's a huge chance you'll get it by next week. Try it and let me know what you think! 

Guess who's turning one.


Althea Korea is!

For those who don't know about it yet, Althea Korea is a popular beauty shopping site that ships internationally from Korea to Malaysia and Singapore and now, to the Philippines! They offer comprehensive authentic Korean makeup and skincare selections at the guaranteed best price and unconditional returns. What's more, for a minimum order of P1,500 you can already enjoy free shipping direct to your doorstep! No need to worry about additional taxes nor customs fees! I got to try shopping from them when they first launched here and it was nothing short of wonderful.

Now that they're celebrating their first birthday, it is us shoppers who are gifted with awesome surprises!


From today until the 31st of July 2016, shoppers will receive the Althea Korea Limited Edition Birthday Box and DIY Party Kit. This is available while stocks last. I hope you get one because their boxes are very sturdy and perfect for recycling, reusing, and upcycling, and this birthday box is just too pretty!

Free goodies will also be given to the first 1,500 shoppers. We're talking about full-sized beauty products here, people!

There's also a special birthday giveaway where you can pick 3 Top Sellers for 100% rebate that will be credited into your account!


Now, when you're done shopping and you have received your package, make sure to join the #AltheaTurns1 Instagram Contest. All you have to do is snap a photo with your Althea kit and wish them a happy birthday with #altheaturns1. Amazing prizes such as Macbook Air, Ipad Air 2, iPhone 6S, Galaxy S6 Edge, Canon EOS M10 Selfie Camera, Althea credits, and beauty hampers from Althea will be given away!

For the complete lineup of promos and more information about each, please refer to their official website and Facebook Page. Happy birthday, Althea! Happy shopping, you guys! ♥

Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? Four more sleeps before Christmas and I am going crazy with holiday preparations! Thanks to online shopping, I'm done with more than half of my list without the need for long queues and squeezing in with the holidaze crowd all eager to cram!

One website I bought gifts from is Althea Korea. I've shopped from this website several times before already and I can vouch for their reliability. What do you know, they scored even more major brownie points from me because their app is now available at the Play Store and App Store, making sure I can accomplish some shopping even while on-the-go! Case in point: I checked my Althea Christmas haul out while on my two-hour commute going home from work.

My Christmas haul arrived in six days (that's even faster than the promised 10-15 working days!), and it came in a special holiday-themed box! How adorable!

Ladies and gents, here are what I got on my most recent Althea Korea shopping "trip":


Some of them will be given away as gifts, okay? (^～^;)ゞ

Here are the items I got, in no specific order:

1. Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer - P450 
2. Tony Moly Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base - P290
   
3. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream - P560
4. Nella Aura BB Foundation - P270
   
5. APIEU Air Fit Cushion Blusher (Rilakkuma Edition) in VL01 - P520
   
6. Etude House Bling Bling Eyestick in  Full of Stars - P190
   
7. Missing You Hand Cream in Pink Dolphin - P250
   
8. It's My Cushion Case Set in Mint and White - P235 each
9. It's My Cushion Case Sponge - P40 for two

Of all these, I'm most excited about the It's My Cushion Case sets because I wanted to make my own CC Cushion Compacts!


I found several tutorials online and now I just need to figure out the most winning combination of my favorite products for this project. :)

If you haven't yet, I suggest that you download the Althea Korea app stat and start shopping away! The holiday-themed boxes are perfect to give and receive even after Christmas and will definitely be appreciated.


It even includes a special holiday card with a discount code you can use on your next purchase!

More than anything else, I love the app because of its minimalist and user-friendly interface.


Besides, you can never go wrong with authentic KBeauty products that are much cheaper to source than if you buy them here! Exhibit A:


This Tony Moly Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base costs P580 here!

If you're quick enough, you can even use the code MOBFIRST300 and get P300 off a minimum purchase of P1,000 OR you can click my link and get discounts also!

​Happy KBeauty shopping!

Disclosure: Althea Korea gave me a shopping voucher to try the new app and I added cash to get everything on my shopping cart. I was not required nor compensated for this writeup. All opinions are my own. You may read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.

I started this year with a promise that I will be more mindful in all my actions, including my purchases, but honestly it gets difficult sometimes. I appreciate shopping websites that help me to easily search for things I like and whose reviews help me determine which products to add to cart.

For all things KBeauty, I rely on Althea Korea.

I am happy to show you everything I have shopped for from the site, but right now I am more excited to tell you about Althea's new exclusive products under their homegrown brand.

First, their collaboration with Indonesian actress and singer Titi Kamal, the Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist. This is also Althea's first body mist!

Envelope yourself in a feminine mix of fruity and floral scents with Althea’s latest collaboration with Titi Kamal! The Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist is a sparkling mix of sweet orange and peach, followed by an ever-graceful echo of rosy floral notes. Not overbearingly strong, this gentle perfume lingers on the body for a long-lasting scent. It also has a non-sticky formula that feels comfortable on the skin, and it embodies the elegance and beauty of Titi in a bottle, perfect for the urban femme.

I am not sure if it comes with age, but I find myself more drawn to floral scents lately. I liked the Stay Fresh Sparkling Body Mist because it hit all the right notes for me: floral scent, stays long so I don't have to spray the whole day, and convenient to bring anywhere. I just need to be careful not to spray too much to prevent it from being heady.

Another exclusive Althea product they released recently is the Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser.

This beauty superhero whisks away makeup, dirt, and oil with mint extracts while ensuring the skin stays cool and hydrated throughout thanks to a dual moisture cell system that envelopes the skin in a serum-like formula. It prevents the skin from drying out and effectively minimizes enlarged pores, keeping it smooth to the touch. This product also helps to balance the pH levels of the skin to keep it working in tip-top shape! Best of all, it's gentle on the face and suitable even for those of us with sensitive skin.

I love this! I have been using this to remove my makeup and double cleanse ever since I got it and my skin feels so clean yet not tight and dry each time! Truly a cleanser and serum in one!

How to use the Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser?

To remove makeup:

Step 1: Pour an adequate amount of the product onto the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Massage the product all over your skin in circular motions to remove dirt and makeup.

Step 3: Rinse off the residue with water. You may also use a second cleanser to completely remove any residue.

To cleanse the skin:

Step 1: Dampen the skin and apply an adequate amount of the product onto the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Gently massage the product all over your skin in circular motions for 5-10 seconds before rinsing it off with water.

Visit Althea Korea now and grab these products at amazing deals!

I love being an Althea Angel because I get to try all their amazing products, and I love the little (and growing!) community of KBeauty sisters we have built online. ♡ 

I can go out of the house without a smidgen of makeup save for lip balm, but I can never go out without applying sunscreen. Every morning I walk two kilometers from the place I'm renting to my office in Makati, and it's very important to me that my skin is protected from the harmful rays of the sun. I actually prefer walking to the office barefaced and just do my makeup when I get to the office to prevent it from "melting"; I have gone to work sans filled eyebrows, lipstick, nor powder, even, but sunscreen is my non-negotiable.

When I received news about the Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway, I was intrigued but also a bit skeptic. You see I already have a grail sunscreen but since it's inherent in me as a beauty blogger to be excited about new products to road-test, of course I was also excited.


Aside from the new Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway, my Althea Angels package contained a super cool transparent holographic pouch I can use as a pencil case and three variants of the Althea Petal Velvet Powder, all from Althea's homegrown brand, exclusive only to Althea Korea.

Shield your skin from the sun's rays and give it some petal protection with Althea's Petal Velvet Sunaway! Ultra lightweight, this invisible sunscreen is formulated with Damask rose extracts, ensuring that your skin stays fresh and hydrated throughout the day without any streakiness or a white cast. It has an SPF of 50+ and PA++++, so your skin'll be kept protected all day. As part of the Petal Velvet line, it also contains micro-powder particles that give you a smooth, petal-like complexion.

They're not lying about the "smooth, petal-like complexion" because that was the first thing I noticed when I tried this product. It feels so light on the skin, even lighter than the suncreen I was used to. It have also noticed that my skin feels smoother after applying this on my face, and I feel it can also prep my skin for makeup. I also find my skin gets less oily with this sunscreen on.

I guess the key ingredients also help the Petal Velvet Sunaway's skincare properties:

• Damask rose extract - Deeply hydrating; soothes irritations, leaving the skin feeling healthy
• Geranium oil - Gives the skin a radiant boost and heals acne

Here is the complete list of ingredients:


The powdery floral scent is also a plus for me, but might be an issue for those who are sensitive to fragrance. The scent dissipates after a couple of minutes, though.


I have been using the Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway as my sunscreen every day since I got it, and I will gladly repurchase once this runs out. I should order soon because as I said, I use sunscreen every day and I need to have backups.


You can purchase the new Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway from Althea Korea for only Php 480 OR pair it with your choice of Petal Velvet Powder to get 10% off.

Always wanted to try but never got to buy? For a limited time you can also get FREE SHIPPING on all ALTHEA Exclusives with CODE: PBSHIP.

Happy shopping! Happy protecting your skin from the sun!

I have been feeling pretty down lately because of an amalgamation of several factors, but as sure as Godney's undisputed status as Kween, a little bit more color on my face never fails to lift up my spirits.

These days, my Althea Makeup Box gives me more than enough reason to smile.

YES! Althea Korea, our favorite KBeauty shopping site, recently added their very own makeup products to their line of Exclusives, and makeup-loving heart is so giddy over it! 

SUNRISE & MOONRISE BCL X ALTHEA EYE PALETTE Php 1,780

Add some celestial magic into your beauty routine with Althea's very first eye shadow palette: Sunrise & Moonrise! Made in collaboration with Bunga Citra Lestari, these eight shades will take you from gorgeous daytime to sultry night time, giving you the effortlessly glamorous feminine style Bunga is known for. In shimmers, mattes and glitters, these pigmented shadows glide easily onto the skin and blend out like a dream, allowing you to create an array of looks suitable for any occasion.

Bunga Citra Lestari is an Indonesian singer and actress that has graced the screens of many across South East Asia. Affectionately known to her fans as BCL, she’s also a beauty and fashion icon that exudes style, beauty and femininity.

Easily my favorite among all these new releases, this Eye Palette is just WOW. The mattes are a little chalky but there's nothing a little eye primer can't fix, but other than that this is a clear winner! The colors are crazy pigmented, and they all work together!

WATERCOLOR CREAM TINT Php 260 per 4.5 ML tube

Get deliciously juicy lips with Althea's Watercolor Cream Tints! These pretty tubes give you the best of all worlds with the pigmentation of a lipstick, the long-wearing power of a stain and the moisturizing formula of a gloss. Bold, pigmented and equipped with a pretty sheen, these lippies contain hyaluronic acid and squalene to prevent chapped lips from flaking, perfect for stashing in your purse for easy touch-ups and comfortable wear. Pick from 4 different shades to suit your mood!

From left to right: Marron Cream, Peach Cream, Plum Cream, Strawberry Cream

These help replicate those gradient lips we see on KDramas! I like these because one swipe goes a looong way, they smell like peaches, and once they set, they stay put. I like wearing Marron Cream to the office, Peach Cream for errand days, Plum Cream when I want to be a bit dramatic, and Strawberry Cream when I want lush red lips.

SPOTLIGHT EYE GLITTER Php 300 per 4.5ml tube

Have all eyes on you with Althea's Spotlight Eye Glitter! This sparkly number doubles up as both an eyeshadow and a liner to light up the eyes for some perky, glamorous peepers. Whether you like a subtle glow or a full-on glitter look, these have a hydrating formula that glides on like butter over the lids, allowing for an easy blend. Don't wait too long though, as they do set down, making them virtually budge-proof after. Pick from two pretty shades to suit your look!

Gold Light and Pink Light

These are fun to wear! I like using these to "finish" my eye look, or to lend extra sparkle to my eyes on days I don't feel like going the whole eye makeup route.

FLAWLESS CREAMY CONCEALER Php 200 per 6g tube From left to right: Mocha, Honey, Ginger, Vanilla

Spots, panda eyes and other blemishes raining on your parade? Smooth over and cover them up with Althea's Flawless Creamy Concealer, a pigmented, blendable concealer that'll whisk them all away! This buildable formula is made with Aquaxyl to moisturize and improve the overall health of the skin, while its long-wearing properties ensure it stays on your face all day. You'll be looking and feeling great in no time!

Okay okay, I have a confession to make. Before Althea's Flawless Creamy Concealer I had NO idea how to use a concealer. I always had one or two in my makeup kit, but I never got around to using them because, well, I didn't feel the need to AND I didn't really know how. When I got my Althea Makeup Box, I figured might as well try and VOILA! My [makeup] life was forever changed. I can't believe I waited so long to worship the divine powers of the magical concealer. I use the shade Honey.

Dot, dot, dot, blend, blend, blend

SKIN RELIEF SPOT FILM GEL Php 240 for 15 mL tube

Technically this is not makeup but this also came in my box. This nifty and handy tube is perfect for when you find yourself in a bind (read: zits). Banish them like magic with Althea's Skin Relief Spot Film Gel! This zit-zapping treatment is a revolutionary formula that applies thinly onto the skin before drying down to a smooth canvas, protecting the area and allowing for makeup to be applied on without a trace! It contains tea tree oil to quickly and effectively treat acne, while a mix of Centella and pine leaf extracts calm redness, treating acne while you’re out and about.

Now here are some Krissyfied lewks using my Althea makeup!

Flawless Creamy Concealer in Honey, the pink and gold shades from the Eye Palette, and Watercolor Cream Tint in Peach Cream + sunshine for added drama

Flawless Creamy Concealer in Honey, the metallic and red glitter shades from the Eye Palette, Spotlight Eye Glitter in Gold Light, and Watercolor Cream Tint in Plum Cream

Makeup twinning with my friend Michelle using the metallic and red glitter shades from the Eye Palette and Spotlight Eye Glitter in Pink Light

Keeping things simple with the Flawless Creamy Concealer in Honey and Watercolor Cream Tint in Strawberry Cream

Have you tried any of Althea's Makeup? You should! They regularly hold really cool promos and deals so visit Althea Korea and subscribe to their newsletter so you're always updated! Enjoy KBeauty shopping!