My Althea Birthday Shopping Spree!

Althea Korea gifted me with USD 100 worth of shopping credits last month for being an August baby/Althea Angel. 💖

Now I don't usually post photos of my pambahay look, but I couldn't resist taking a selfie with my HUGE Althea mail! 😍

Hello, K-beauty babies!!! 💖

Since I'm practical, I decided to just buy products that I could actually use every day. I think I have too many makeups in my stash anyway so these are more on skincare, hair care, and body care items. 😀

Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Shampoo (P440)

Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack (P300)

These ones are way cheaper in Althea than mall price (P625 each). Time to pamper my hair because it's getting unruly and I don't know what to do with it anymore. 😂 Hopefully, this will help!

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original (790)

Again, it's cheaper to just buy from Althea than in the mall (P945). I've been using micellar water for years now, so I'm excited to switch things up a bit by using this cleansing balm. Plus, I don't have to buy cotton pads for this.

COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion (P1,035)

COSRX Salicylic Acid Gentle Cleanser (P375)

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (P190)

Most COSRX products are cheaper in Althea vs Watsons, while surprisingly there are a few of their products that are cheaper in Watsons vs Althea. You really have to canvass well. Of course I did my research and decided to get the best deals I could find in Althea. 😊

Etude House Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner (P390)

I've been super curious about Etude House's Soon Jung line. This toner seems so mild and harmless. Let's give it a try!

Natural 100 UV Mineral Sunkill RX (P540)

A sunscreen in loose powder form! So interesting. 😍 This comes in only 1 shade though, so I hope it's a match.

The Face Shop Designing Eyebrow Pencil (P150 each)

It's cheaper to buy this in Althea than the mall (at P225 each), unless there's a buy 1 take 1 promo in store. Finally, an eyebrow pencil that matches my microbladed brows! My hair is black so my makeup artist sister matched 06 Dark Gray on my brows and it looked perfectly natural. I never, ever would have thought that I needed a gray brow pencil, but here we are. I still don't feel the need to pencil in my brows every single day at work since I can still rock the #WokeUpLikeThis kilay because of my tattoo, but when I do full makeup, this is a must to look more polished.

Nine Point Perfume Hand & Nail Cream (P80 each)

These babies have already been repurchased since my last Althea haul. I bought more as backup and gifts. My favorite hand cream brand is still L'Occitane, but this one's a close second. It's huge at 60g, and as of now I'm halfway through with my first tube Marry Me, which is inspired by Lanvin's Marry Me.

Boom De Ah Dah Rose Body Lotion (P230)

Just because I needed a body lotion. Not too stoked with this one though. It's huge at 500ml but it has a very strong rose smell that may not be pleasing to everyone. I still have a year to use it up since it expires November 2019. I can decant and put in a small jar to use as hand cream, too! #TipidTips

 

Glamfox Fleurissant Lip Glow in Rose Flower (P510)

16 Brand Eye Magazine (P540)

And lastly, a little something for the BFF! 😍 These two are also repurchases from my last haul. Not happy with the Glamfox Fleurissant Lip Glow this time around - the stem inside the flower is broken so it's not aesthetically pleasing. It doesn't affect the product's performance though, but I still get OC about it because it's not perfect. 16 Brand Eye Magazine is super nice though, and I will review that soon! 💛

DISCOUNT ALERT! I'm sharing with you a 20% discount on your first order at Althea. (You're welcome!) 😉 Free shipping from Korea straight to your doorstep (not post office YAY!) on all orders P999+!

Tip: Pay online to get your orders faster. I didn't pick COD this time around, and my order got to me in just 4 days. I ordered August 20 afternoon, and got the package at August 24. Awesome job, Doora Logistics! 👍

I checked out my COD transaction July 25, and my package arrived August 6 with lots of followup on my part. That was 12 days. NinjaVan is in charge of COD transactions in the Philippines, and they also mishandled my parcel. I think my package was opened because some of the items were not properly bubble wrapped. Althea would never ship out items like that. 👎 So no more COD for me.

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

For more beauty snippets and food reviews, do me on IG! 😗

@LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram

(I microblog here when I'm too tired to even open my laptop. LOL)

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Althea Haul

I always love reading and writing about Althea Korea haul posts. When I became an Althea Angel, I was gifted with a welcome gift plus some shopping credits to buy more pretty stuff for review. 💝

🌺 ALTHEA HAUL 🌺

One note though is that I promise to give unbiased reviews, so I'll start here. I checked out my order July 25. My order arrived in the Philippines on August 1, but it only got to me on August 6 since the local courier (Ninja Van) that handles COD transactions for Althea here in the Philippines caused the delay. My parcel was mishandled too: pink Althea plastic with holes that seemed like rat bites, flattened box, and my eyeshadow was not bubble-wrapped (?!). Althea would never ship out an item unprotected, so I have a feeling that my package was opened. Thank goodness nothing was broken or missing, but it gave me a mini heart attack. Next time, I'll just pay online via Paypal. I won't be doing COD anymore, unless another more trusted courier takes over COD transactions.

Now let's move on to happier things AKA makeup! 💄

16 BRAND EYE MAGAZINE (P540)

I've always been curious about this eyeshadow! 16 Brand Eye Magazine went viral, and I see a lot of FAKES over at Shopee and Carousell. NO TO FAKES! If the price is too good to be true, it's fake. This authentic one is quite pricey considering it only has 2 shades in it, and I could already get a decent drugstore eye palette at the same price, but I'm a sucker for cutesy packaging so I had to have this. 😂

GLAMFOX FLEURISSANT LIP GLOW (P510)

I had another case of "I know I don't need another lipstick but how can I resist" the moment I knew Althea was selling this type of lipstick. Kailijumei from China has the original concept of the flower jelly lipstick, but I got this one from Glamfox because it's more convenient for me to just buy from Althea. Isn't it just so pretty? 😍 It reminds me of Belle's magical rose in Beauty and the Beast. 🌹

INNISFREE NO SEBUM DAILY UV PROTECTION CREAM (P490)

I'm going back to being a good girl and wear my SPF everyday. I just turned 29 (!!!) and would love to not prematurely age because of the sun. My skin is oily, so among all the sunscreen selections available in Althea, this particular one from Innisfree called me because NO SEBUM. 👍

NATURE REPUBLIC ALOE VERA SOOTHING GEL (P180)

A bestseller in Althea! 💚 I reviewed this before! You can backread here. 😁 It's priced at P245 in the mall, but only P180 in Althea. Don't worry, Althea guarantees authenticity or 200% refund when proven fake. I got this one for M since it's his go-to moisturizer.

 

NINE POINT HAND & NAIL CREAM (P80 each)

Althea only had around 4 hand cream brands in their website during the time I ordered, and Nine Point seemed like the best deal. It had a lot of good reviews, and for it's size (60g), it's such a steal. I chose Marry Me (insipired by Lanvin's Marry Me) and Lavender Floral (because I need relaxation in my life). I was excited and half scared to try them because what if they ended up crappy... but the quality was actually great! 😲 I tried a cheap hand cream from Mumuso (a China brand) once and it dried up my hands (!). This one's not sticky at all and it hydrates well. Good job, Althea and Nine Point. I shall hoard these as backups and gifts. 🎁
 

ALTHEA PETAL VELVET POWDER in PINK LAVENDER (P230)

but I got it for free as GWP during Althea's 3rd birthday 🎂

During Althea's birth month last July, they had amazing promos every week. The final week was also the grand finale when they launched the newest shade of the Althea Petal Velvet Powder in a limited edition Pink Lavender shade. SOOO PRETTY! I made my purchases reach the minimum amount of P1,800 just to get it as a gift with purchase. The pinkish purple tones counteract sallow skin, just as how a lilac blush makes one look more youthful. Super happy to have this powder in my stash.

Althea Petal Velvet Powders originally came in a translucent shade,then #23 Warm Beige. This one's the third shade! I'm thinking maybe they'd come up with a green one too in the future to counter redness. Sounds good? 😉
 

DISCOUNT ALERT! I'm sharing with you a 20% discount on your first order at Althea. (You're welcome!) 😉 Free Shipping from Korea straight to your doorstep (not post office YAY!) on all orders P999+!

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

For more beauty snippets and food trips, do me on IG! 😗

Lucky Citrine on Facebook

@LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram

Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser

Nature Republic is pretty famous for their Aloe Vera skincare range. I've reviewed two of them, and here's my third!

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel Cream

This foam cleanser removes impurities from your skin with its creamy foam, which contains aloe vera extract.

Pros:

• This facial wash has a very subtle green scent that's refreshing and pleasant.
• It comes in a soft cream that lathers nicely.
• It's very mild and gentle!
• It cleanses without leaving the skin dry and tight.
• No breakouts!

Cons: 

• For oily skin, it takes a bit more product and lather to completely remove the oily residue on the skin.

Recommendation:

• This is a very basic, affordable, and gentle cleanser that's good for normal to dry skin. However, I will not repurchase this particular variant, because it's not the best match for my oily skin. It's an okay product, but I'm sure there's something better. Nature Republic Foam Cleanser in Mango is my next facial wash after I use this one up.

Price: P245
Available in all Nature Republic stores and kiosks nationwide

Facebook: Nature Republic Philippines

What's your current facial wash? :D

Love,
Helen

Let's keep in touch!

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Nature Republic SM MOA Haul

I shared about Nature Republic's store opening at SM Mall of Asia (MOA) before, and as promised, here's my haul post!

Care to know what's inside the magical ecobag? :3 
 

ALL THESE! :O

Nature Republic was already generous enough to provide me a P1,000 GC to shop with during their store opening, but before I left, their marketing team handed me a heavy ecobag, and I am so not complaining. Haha :D (Thank you so much!)

 

I bought three things during the event, but the other one is the Herb Styling Wax which is already with my Panda, hence it didn't make it to this photo shoot. I got the 5-piece Travel Kit as a gift with purchase (GWP) for a minimum purchase of P1,000. I think this is the most amazing GWP I've received. It's complete! You get 5 30ml bottles of Argan Essential Deep Care Shampoo, Argan Essential Deep Care Conditioner, Bath & Nature Peach Body Wash, Bath & Nature Peach Body Lotion, and Ultra Hydrate Jeju Carbonic Hot Spring Water Foam Cleanser.♥♥♥

 

Real Nature Foam Cleanser in Mango 150ml (P345)
 

Bee Venom Toner 150ml (P695)
 

Here are the awesome GWPs you can get when you visit Nature Republic SM MOA until Sunday or while supplies last!
 

GWP for >P300 purchase

Notebook or Shea Butter Steam Cream Ultra coin bank 
 

My pick: Shea Butter Steam Cream Ultra coin bank! It looks like an actual tub of moisturizer. So cute!

 

or

GWP for >P500 purchase

My Nature Bottle + sample set or Snail Solution Trial Kit + sample set
 

My pick: The one with the skincare kit of course! Also, the first 100 customers who wear green and purchase any item gets the sample set (on the left) as well. :>

GWP for >P1,000

Ecobag or Travel Kit
 

My pick: Although the quality of the ecobag is nice (and it comes with a magnetic button closure... This one's a no brainer. Travel Kit, of course! Other brands would give this kind of GWP if you buy P3000-P4000 worth of products. (For me, that's too much.) :P

Don't miss out on the huge 20% discount during their opening week. Now's the best time to shop. :)

Like Nature Republic Philippines on Facebook for more information.

Love,

Helen
 

Let's keep in touch!

Lucky Citrine on Facebook
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Nature Republic SM MOA Store Opening

Nature Republic opened their newest store in SM Mall of Asia (MOA) yesterday, so I headed there straight after class. Their store setup was light and bright as usual, and my favorite thing from newly opened beauty stores would probably be their super fresh and sometimes even still sealed testers. You get to be the first to try them, so swatch all you can!

Nature Republic's store is located in 2/F Entertainment Mall. I'm seldom at MOA so I'm not really familiar with the mall's layout, but I was able to find it quickly. You won't miss it! You have to rush now, since they're having promos until Sunday (April 3) - 20% off on ALL regular-priced items and super awesome GWPs that make me want to cry (tears of joy)!

Someone get me a cake like this for my birthday, please! It's so me! ♥ Cupcakes were also served to the guests and customers. Sweet!

When I go to a store, I like it when they have a shelf highlighting their best sellers - like this! This gives people who are new to the brand an idea of what to buy.

Real Nature Mask Sheets are on a buy 10 take 10 promo again! This only happens when they open a new store. So that's P550 for 20 face masks. Each mask sheet's cost go down to just P27.50! :O Go hoard! Huhu. You can even split this with your friends if you feel like you don't need a lot of face masks. :D

Here's your cheat sheet to which variant will address your skin's concern:

Their Provence Calendula Sun Blocks are a must, especially this summer. I spy a variant on buy 1 take 1! ;)

Nature Republic is famous for their Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel, which I believe everyone already has. Let's take a peek at some of their other Aloe products!

Big packs of California Aloe Vera Cleansing Tissue (P475) are on a buy 1 take 1 promo as well!

This one's interesting and could well be my next eye serum when I finish my current one. California Aloe Vera 74 Cooling Eye Serum has 3 small round metal balls as applicator, and they feel oh so relaxing on the skin.

I spotted my Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel Cream on the shelf. Now, I'm using the Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser. Review soon! :)

 

Something interesting: I wasn't able to get the whole name of this product, but it's a huge bottle of cleansing water. For its size, I'd consider it very affordable.

I was torn (for a short while) between the Hawaiian Fresh Clear Toner and the Bee Venom Toner. The Hawaiian one has more product and costs less, but I decided to go for my skin's need (which is a product for acne-prone skin). I like the Bee Venom range's makeover. Their old packaging used to be a matte, off-white one, and now its shiny happy shade of green.

More skincare products! Argan oil is wildly popular, so I bet Real Nature Argan Oil sells pretty fast too.

Pretty jars of Super Aqua Max moisturizers. It contains deep sea water and has a watery cream texture. I'm still choosing between the green (for combination skin) or blue (for oily skin) variants. The pink one is for dry skin.

I've tried a sample of the Argan Essential Deep Care Shampoo and it worked wonders. My hair felt soft and tame for the first time without using a conditioner. I'm fancying the Argan shampoo and conditioner and I'll purchase when I run out my favorite Kiehl's hair care products. Argan Essential Curling Essence is something new and interesting for me, since I've always used salt sprays to make my hair extra wavy. I tried it in store, and it's not sticky. Yay!

This time around, my Panda wasn't with me since he's at work so I got him a little something. He mentioned that he'll be buying hair wax this weekend, so I got him a tub of Herb Styling Wax in Matt Hard. I like the scent because it's mild and fresh.

Show your kili-kili some love with the Cotton Armpit Kit! It contains a cotton armpit wash + whitening cream. I also spotted the Cotton Hair Removal Cream, which could be a Veet alternative.

Face bases! Though I'm not searching for a particular BB or foundation as of the moment since I'm still happy with the tinted sunblock I got a few weeks ago. Hihi :>

 

THESE ONES! I like! I want the highlighter and the lighter shade of contour powder.♥

More bases! Green Tea Pore BB is one I'd consider getting when I feel the itch to buy a new BB cream.

As usual, loads of nail polish to choose from. Strangely enough, my favorite nail care product from Nature Republic is not nail polish, but their super awesome Flower Waltz Color Waltz Nail Remover. I swear, it melts off even the darkest midnight blue polish you have in just seconds.

EXO fans, rejoice! I would like to admit being a Tita and not really knowing who they are, but these are really cute! These are hand creams, but they also have EXO lip balms! :D

Beauty tools. Can you see the basket of GWPs below? O_O ♥ 
 

MY HAUL! I'm so boring, right? Haha! I chose to restock on necessities and not makeup, because I firmly believe having good skin means you will need less makeup. :D

• Real Nature Foam Cleanser in Mango (P345)
• Bee Venom Toner (P695)
• Herb Styling Wax in Matt Hard (P345)

My bill was discounted 20% off and because I went beyond P1,000, I got a 5-piece Travel Kit for FREE! If you are wearing green, you get a little packet of samples, too! ♥

I'll write more about my haul because it deserves a separate post. Do let me know if you were able to grab awesome deals from Nature Republic SM MOA, okay? I'd love to read about them! :D

Like Nature Republic Philippines on Facebook for more information, such as new products, promos, and awesome store openings! :>

Love,

Helen

Let's keep in touch! 

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