#AltheaTurns1 birthday celebration promos

8:17 PM Joanna C. 0 Comments

One of my favorite sites to shop for beauty has just turned a year old! Althea Korea has a bunch of birthday promos starting today. If you haven't tried shopping on Althea yet, read here about why I'm a die-hard customer of the site.

Start the party with this limited edition birthday box complete with a party hat and party balloon inside - all the better to greet Althea a Happy Birthday with! For orders placed from July 20 onwards, while stocks last.

Be one of the first 1,500 shoppers from today onwards and get free beauty products - and they're not talking tiny samples either, but full size goodies! While stocks last, so better check it out soon before they're all gone.

Pick three best-selling products and get a 100% rebate. Do check the fine print for this one, as terms and conditions apply.

Once you do get your limited edition birthday kit, join the #AltheaTurns1 contest on Instagram. They're giving away 10 million Korean Won worth of prizes, including a Macbook Air, iPad Air 2, Galaxy S6 Edge, store credit, beauty hampers and more. Contest runs from today until August 15, so go go go.

Happy K-beauty shopping on Althea Korea, everyone!

Updated night-time skincare routine

1:26 PM Joanna C. 0 Comments

I've been getting a lot of questions about my current skincare routine before bed, so I'm finally getting around to answering you in detail. Here we go!

1. I use micellar water to remove makeup. I've only realized in the past few months the importance of doing this so that your cleanser can really clean your skin, not work to remove makeup. I use Bioderma, but I have a couple of more affordable micellar waters on backup.

2. My cleanser varies from time to time because I'm always trying new ones. I'm about to use up Nature Republic Jeju Sparkling Mud facial cleanser, which comes in a big tube that lasts for months.

3. Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner is a good toner that doesn't feel harsh on skin. Don't you hate toners full of alcohol that sting? This one doesn't.

4. Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect First serum is a game changer that I started using a few months ago. It's great for removing the very last traces of dirt and makeup on your face and improves skin texture. This is a really good one that I will repurchase when I finish this bottle.

5. The Black Sugar serum is wiped on then patted off. I follow it with a leave-on serum like Sooper Beaute Pore Minimizing Serum on areas where pores are most visible (nose and skin right beside it) or 3W Red Ginseng Gold.

6. Dior Diorsnow Anti-Spot Repairing Creme on freckles and dark spots. It hasn't been that effective on me though.

7. I'm about to use up Etude House Collagen Moistfull firming eye cream. I didn't see visible results, but this is an okay eye cream for night that isn't greasy or heavy.

8. Lip balm. I never go to bed without it!

9. About once a week, I will use a mask - a sheet mask, blackhead remover or black sugar mask to exfoliate, depending how my skin feels.

If you're a stickler for skincare like me, never underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep and staying well hydrated! No amount of skincare will be very effective if you don't have those two bases covered.

First published in The Beauty Enthusiast in Sun.Star Cebu on July 15, 2016.

Review and swatches: Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Script, Recit

12:16 PM Joanna C. 0 Comments

Just this year, Chanel released a new line of lip products called Rouge Coco Stylo. Let's first admire that sophisticated black and gold packaging.

Rouge Coco Stylo is formulated to have the pigmentation of a lipstick, the shine of a lip gloss, and the comfort of a lip balm. I have the shades 218 Script and 212 Recit.

You might be able to tell from this photo how shiny these are. The packaging is obviously different from traditional Chanel lipsticks. It's a slim pen type with a twist-up end, and a cap (with that classic Chanel logo on top) that clicks firmly into place.

Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Recit and Script

Recit is described as "a deep purple," while Script is described as "a discreet and natural nude."

On my lips, Recit is a lovely violet-berry but nowhere near a deep purple, with mostly full color payoff. I find this shade wearable and flattering. I think this would look good on most skin tones.

Script is a medium brown nude on me with some pinky tones, and gives a semi-opaque finish. I often have trouble with nudes; this is slightly too warm on me, but I can make the color work a bit better by adjusting my cheek makeup or layering a red lip stain underneath.

Both shades have the same high gloss finish and feel very slick upon application. Both lasted a good five hours on me. The shine lasted over an hour, which is a lot longer than most lip glosses. The products leave a slight stain and a sheen behind and make the lips feel pillowy soft. It is indeed a very luxurious product for those days you want to be a little more indulgent.

In Cebu, you can purchase Rouge Coco Stylo at the Chanel counter in Rustan's. Don't forget to try out the special mirror at the counter with adjustable lighting that shows you just how your makeup will look in different lighting conditions, whether in bright sunlight, natural light, fluorescent light or candlelight.