A'bloom Collection | #AltheaKorea #AltheaAngels

Hi all, hope you're doing well! I'm excited to share a new collection with you from Althea, called "A'bloom." This collection launched in mid-April, and I am thrilled to have received pieces to try for myself. The A'bloom Collection includes:

"Sparkle-Me-Bright" Brightening Lemon Lime Masks

"Avo-Cuddle-Me" Nourishing Avocado Masks

"Water-Me-Long" Moisturizing Watermelon Masks

"Ac-Me-Peach" Anti Blemish Peach Masks

BHA Blackhead Blaster

Giant Merengue Puffs

Baby Merengue Puffs

In this post I'd love to share with you some highlights about the items in this lineup.

These items are press samples, received in exchange for an honest review.

#AltheaKorea Makeup Tutorial | #AltheaAngels #AltheaMakeup

A few weeks ago I posted an unboxing of a glorious package I received from Althea Korea, as a part of their Angels Program. I've been playing around with the items they sent me, and am excited to share a super simple look with some of my favorite items from the box!

The items in this post are press samples, received in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts.

My Skincare Christmas Wish list | #AltheaKorea #AltheaAngels

The holidays are here, and I'd be lying if I said I was prepared. I've been struggling - bad - and my routine has been nearly non-existent most days. With that in mind, I wanted to share some items that I found to spark my interest in caring for my skin (and self) again.

Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF50+ PA ++++

I'm not going to sugarcoat this - I hate sunscreen.

I know it's necessary for skin health, in both preventing skin cancer and signs of aging, but I just hate it. While Asian formulations are by far better than anything I've found manufactured here in the United States, I still don't like how they feel on my skin. They're either too dry or too oily. And even if they feel comfortable (which I've only found a small handful that do) they generally break me out or are discontinued shortly after I find them. Before I decided I needed to test the Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence there was only one sunscreen I could wear that felt comfortable and didn't break me out. In the hopes of adding a backup to that list, I went into this venture with some real promise.

Innisfree Green Tea Mint Fresh Shampoo and Conditioner | #altheakorea #altheaangels

This review took a heck of a lot longer to get together than it should have, and I apologize. Life has been... basically one small step above horrible, and I've been functioning quite minimally just to make it through each day. In the spirit of getting myself enough together to shower, however, I pushed even further to finish these thoughts up to share!

I purchased both the Innisfree Green Tea Mint Fresh Shampoo and Conditioner from Althea Korea in mid-August, and received it on the last day of the month (about two weeks total for processing and shipping together). I did use promotional points towards my purchase, but I was in no way obligated to purchase any particular item, nor was I required to write a review.

Decanted Sample Restocks

Some restocks arrived today, and I thought I'd share a small update for anyone interested!

Neogence Phubber Mask

This Neogence Phubber Mask was sent to me as a gift from Miirushop.

This is not a sponsored review - this is part of a gift sent to help encourage self-care because my husband has cancer.

Nature Republic Bee Venom Bio Cellulose Mask Sheet | First Impressions Review

The Nature Republic Bee Venom Bio Cellulose Mask Sheet claims to be an anti-acne mask. It contains been venom to soothe irritated skin, as well as willow bark and tea tree extract to help treat active acne and control excess oil.

Build a Skincare Routine to Fit Your Needs | Learning What Products Are Beneficial To You, and Which Are Not

Something I've discovered as I hit my 30's and my skin started aging, is that my skin responds better to less product. I love Asian skincare products, and I enjoy a lengthy routine sometimes, but my skin does not need a 10 step routine on a daily basis. Even as my skin has changed from oily to combo, it all comes down to layering the right products together to get results, not the number of products in your lineup.

In this post I want to show my favorite products that work well with my combination acne-prone skin. I don't use these products or steps daily - I pick and choose what I want depending on my mood and what I feel that my skin needs. Sometimes that means three steps, sometimes that go all out and apply 10 or more steps. But no matter what, I only use what I want to use, and never allow myself to feel obligated to have a large routine, or like I need to use a vast assortment of products (no matter how much I enjoy them). Note: a few links in this post (marked with an asterisk) are affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using them.

Win a Holy Snails Gift Card!

It's been a long while since I've last held a blog giveaway. I've been wanting to hold one for a while but quite honestly I run out of ideas of what to pick that people might enjoy. Chel of Holy Snails makes a few of my favorite skincare items and quite conveniently offers gift cards, so I figured what better way to offer a little something back to my readers, than letting them choose their own prize!

#Klairs Mid-Day Blue Sun Lotion SPF 40/PA++

I very rarely review sunscreens. You know why? Because I hate sunscreen. I mean, I love it due to the fact that it protects me from skin cancer and all that jazz... but I hate most sunscreens on a more personal level. They're either too greasy, too drying, break me out, irritate my skin, or just plain don't offer good enough coverage. My solution? Wear a hat. And of course keep searching for something that I love.

I'm a fan of most Klairs products, but how did this one fare?

Please note that this post does contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This is what helps fund this blog and everything I do here - including purchase review items and host giveaways. This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.

#GentleMask T-Tox Cleanser

My favorite cleanser for a long time standing has been the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. It's great for my acne, but in the winter months I can find it drying. So the search for a hydrating cleanser that still helped combat my acne was underway, and this was my first stop.

#TonyMoly Banana Sleeping Pack

I honestly forget why I even bought this. I'm sure it wasn't a gift, maybe it was something Bug saw and wanted to try (because at the time I bought my first bottle he was doing a small routine with his mommy each night) or maybe I just thought the packaging was too cute to pass up for the price (I'll get there, don't worry). Either way - this is my third bottle and like most products in my stash at this point, I haven't reviewed it!

August Deals for #Wishtrend

The Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream contains 75% Vitamin E - and for the month of August it can be yours for the cost of shipping!

Before we get started, I want to note that this post does contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This is what helps fund this blog and everything I do here - including purchase review items and host giveaways.

Looking at the #Cosrx Hydrating Toners | A Comparison of the Centella and Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toners

It's been a while since I've gotten a Cosrx review up, and I finally feel like I'm settling into our home enough (6 months later) to sit down and start focusing on the blog again. I've talked about the Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner in the past, but today I'd like to discuss the two other toner options currently available from Cosrx.

Before we get started, I want to note that this post does contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This is what helps fund this blog and everything I do here - including purchase review items and host giveaways.

In this post, I'm going to introduce you to the Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner and the Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner. I'll discuss the similarities and differences between each product, why I think they may or may not be useful to you, and where you can find them if you wish to try them for yourself.

#Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser Review

I am a skincare junkie. There - I said it. For me, having just one type of product, say a cleanser for instance, isn't enough. Give me three or more to play around with, and as I rotate using them I'll find some content (until I find another one that piques my interest, that is). I guess you could say that it's hard for me to choose favorites. I may like the texture of x, but the scent of y, and the packaging of z - so they all stay in my routine because I couldn't possibly choose just one that works best for me. The Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser has become a favorite of mine over the past few months, but will it be one to finally cut down my addiction and completely fall in love with?

This post contains affiliate links. This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.

#ManyoFactory Skin Renew Vita-E Ampoule Review

Do you ever feel like you're constantly looking for something better? Each time I post photos of my skincare stash I get a lot of flack about how many products I have, but I can't help it! Nothing feels "perfect" to me, so the best results I find are from changing up products regularly. For the past six months, however, I've found one constant in my routine - the Manyo Factory Skin Renew Vita-E Ampoule.

My Favorite US-based Asian Beauty Shops

I've been asked this a lot lately. Memebox, once my only choice for buying Asian beauty products and favorite shop for the past three years, announced not too long ago that they're doing some major downsizing. They are completely clearing out their warehouse, aside from their house brands (which, if I'm completely honest, I don't care for compared to other products, with the exception of a few BonVivant masks). They're also eliminating their referral and rewards programs, and have asked affiliates to remove all links as they'll no longer have an affiliate program as well. This has been a sad day for all us Memebox lovers, but unfortunately one that most of us saw coming back when they announced that they were no longer shipping internationally.

So in light of this otherwise frustrating situation - I wanted to share some great alternative shops to buy from within the US, for those like me who are impatient and like being able to buy items that are already within the country.

 

This post contains referral links.

[JOLSE] VPROVE Rhodiola Power Cream Review

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to win a the Vprove Rhodiola Pwer Cream from Jolse in exchange for my honest review. You all know I love trying new skincare, so of course I was overjoyed!

This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.

#Leaders Labotica Cleansing Tissue Review

I think cleansing my face is my least favorite step of my routine. I hate splashing water on my face - getting water and soap in my eyes and nose, wondering if I got it all off, having to hold my breath.... It usually takes a lot of pumping myself up with "I bet you'll see lots of grits from using extra actives yesterday" or "you can use a peeling gel and see how much crap falls off your face" to get myself to start my routine. Other times, I take the easy way out and use a cleansing water or wipe.

A few weeks ago Leaders offered to send me a pack of their Green Tea Lip & Eye Point Remover Cleansing Tissue and I happily accepted. I was even more excited when they also sent me a pack of their Argan Oil Deep Cleansing Tissue as well! I've been using them for two weeks now, and feel like I'm ready to share my thoughts on both items.

This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.