Just Some Favorite Skincare and Fashion Things I Got On Shopee!

Who doesn't love online shopping? No one! Especially when you get an item at a REALLY REALLY GOOD PRICE!

I love shopping on Shopee because of the vouchers and most of the time it comes out way cheaper than buying them at the mall! Right?! That is pure joy haha!

Here's a few things I got this past few months!

For skincare, I'm all about well-aging and anti-aging. I turned 41 and I've been consistent with skincare since in my early 30s but I only started using retinol maybe 3 years ago. Then the latest craze on Kbeauty, PDRN came out! It's salmon sp*rm but different Korean beauty brands have came out with plant-based or fruit-based PDRN and that's what I tried recently.

Rejuran Turnover Active Cream c-PDRN 0.2% is a really nice moisturizer! It's lightweight but nourishing at the same time. I use it every night and it works great with my current skincare products. I use this along with VT Reedle Cica/Collagen, Isntree Booster Shot and no reactions! I think you're not supposed to use them together but it's been working great for me. I have resilient skin so if you have sensitive skin, better to patch test first!

Rejuran Turnover Active Cream c-PDRN 0.2% (Price range from Php835) is a premium skin-repairing cream formulated with 0.2% c-PDRN (Cosmetic Polydeoxyribonucleotide) to support skin regeneration, improve elasticity, and deeply hydrate. This advanced formula strengthens the skin barrier, reduces fine lines, and enhances skin resilience, making it ideal for anti-aging and sensitive skin concerns.

Get it here:

Shopee: https://s.shopee.ph/8UyCQAuwhG

Lazada: https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.trTR4?cc

I am also a person who loves using eye cream - it's a controversial topic whether eye cream work or is just moisturizer labeled as an eye cream? Well, I still use one! And this is the current one I'm using - the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream. I love the texture/consistency of this eye cream. It's lightweight - perfect for a day eye cream!

HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream (Price range from: Php420) is a dual-functional eye cream that helps to get rid of dark circles and brightens the dark eye area.

Key Ingredients:

Bakuchiol - A high-purity natural active, a safe alternative ingredient with similar efficacy to antioxidant retinol (Vitamin A) without side effects, extracted from the seeds of Psoralea Corylifolia of the legume family, a traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

Fermented Black Rice - Black Rice is naturally rich in antioxidants, but fermentation significantly amplifies its antioxidant power for even greater skin benefits.

Shopee: https://s.shopee.ph/9KXJSnKYYK

Lazada: https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.trSFx?cc

And for fashion - I discovered this Vietnam-based Shopee seller called SOMS! They're known for their linen tops, dresses, skirts and more! And for a medium-sized girl like me, they have a few clothes that fit me! I wear L-XL depending on the brand. Shipping takes a little bit longer than products that come from China so be patient and it will be all worth it!

This is my current purchase - Babydoll Shirt with Loose Puffed Sleeves (Php807) in the color Chicken haha! Yes, it says Chicken in their listing LOL!

This shirt is made with cotton. It's free size and it fits me! It also comes in white, black and blue.

Length 68 - Width 102

My first purchase from this store was last year. I got this Pleated Babydoll Shirt (Php709) in White. This is made with linen.  I took a chance with this top because it's free size also and I wasn't sure if it would fit my bust area but it did! Now I want to get all colors!

This is called the Luna Top - available in dark jeans, white and black!

If you wear size S-M, there are a lot of styles for you! Check out SOMS on Shopee!

This next stop has got to be one of my favorite and best purchase on Adidas Shopee because I only got it for Php800 instead of Php2,500!!! I've been eyeing this top for my daughter and couldn't bring myself to pay for it full price, the kuripot in me just can't! So when I saw this was available on Shopee and ON SALE, I immediately checked out! SUPER SULIT BUY!

Adidas Adicolor 3-Stripe Pinstripe Tee in Blue

It's currently Php1,225! Add to cart and wait for double digit sales!

Shopee: https://s.shopee.ph/4ApDLgouC9

Lazada: https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.trjAq?cc

What's your best Shopee and Lazada budol? Please do share!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Althea Korea + My Skincare Routine!

Ok, let's talk about skincare. If you ask me to pick between make-up and skincare, I would always go for skincare. While I do put on make-up, I am lazy when it comes to removing it especially eye make-up so it's really skincare for me. When I hit puberty, my skin became oily and I had cystic acne. It was really bad. I went to the derma religiously but I eventually stopped then I started using skincare when I was in college. I've tried brands like Murad and Lancome but what really cleared my acne was ProActiv then I stopped using any skincare. I only started again when I was working and my mom gave me a pot of moisturizer. My routine was just cleanser + moisturizer, that's it. Then I eventually started applying anti-aging eye cream because I noticed I had fine lines around the eyes and I wasn't even 30 at that time! Then motherhood happened, I was tired all the time and me just thinking about putting all those creams on my face was making me lazier and I'd rather sleep! Who can relate?! But ever since discovering Althea Korea, I've a newfound love for Korean skincare!

Althea turns 2 this July!

I have to thank Althea Korea for making K-Beauty so accessible! I'm slowly shifting from Japanese brands to Korean brands because they're more affordable, they use natural/holistic ingredient and they're also very effective. My skin has never been this good! What made me became more addicted to K-Beauty: Goblin, Weightlifting Fairy, and Joan Kim, a famous Korean beauty vlogger. How are Koreans poreless?! The more I watch them the more I got curious about Korean skincare, the more I wanted to learn more about 10-step Korean skincare and the more I was excited to shop at Althea Korea.

Almost everything in this photo I got it from Althea! Some of the products here at not opened yet and not everything I have are in the photo. Haha! I also use local brands like VMV and Zenutrients mostly for my sweat acne problem.

This July, Althea Korea is celebrating its 2nd Birthday and they are celebrating it with daily giveaways plus you get a chance to win a trip for two to Korea! I want to WIN!!! Joining is really easy, all you have to do is to shop at Althea from July 3 - 30, 2017 and that earns you a chance to win their awesome prizes!

You can read the details here: http://ph.althea.kr/althea-shop-and-win-terms-conditions

I've been trying (operating word: TRYING) to follow the 10-step skincare as much as I can everyday, There are lazy days, I skip a step or two. If you want to know more about the 10-step skincare, you check this link: https://sokoglam.com/pages/the-korean-skin-care-routine. When I shopped two weeks ago at Althea, I only bought what I don't have to complete the 10-steps. After watching maybe 10 episodes of Joan's vlog, I had a long list of NEEDS. But I narrowed it down to these products: 

Missha Time Revolution Essence, Klairs Toner, Klairs Vitamin C Serum and Klairs Sheet Mask. I've heard good reviews about these so I'm so excited to use them na! Winner talaga because they're not expensive and my skin is great. My friends have been complimenting my skin lately so that means my skincare is really working!

I just want to share this photo. I went to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago with my mom and sisters. The only shop I was looking forward to shop in was Innisfree and they shopped more than I did! So happy they're Innisfree and Korean skincare converts too! It was what we've been talking about in our Whatsapp group.

The little bottle in the middle is Sulwhasoo which is a cult favorite. My mom bought the anti-aging line and got samples and she gave them to me because she knows I've been wanting to try it too but they're more expensive. So let's see if it's really the best.

GOAL: TO BE PORELESS! Haha!

Happy Birthday again Althea! Thank you for making my shopping life easier, I wish you many more years of success and may you continue to bring joy to K-Beauty fanatics like me out there!

Shop at Althea Korea today! I got so many freebies and samples from this year's birthday box! Get Php200 off on your first purchase, just click this link https://www.talkable.com/x/I0K5dk! Happy Shopping!

Shopped for BOS's Anniversary Gift in the US and Shipped it Through USA Direct PHL! Cheapest Rate I Found!

BOS and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary last month. We had our first date night in a really looooong time! Thank you to my MIL who watched our kids while we went on our date. We don't usually exchange gifts anymore because alam mo yun when we see things we like in the mall and we buy it, sasabihin na lang namin "ito na gift ko/mo ah!". Mahirap kasi mag-isip minsan and since choosy ang asawa ko, I like to gift him with something he really wants. Sometimes we just eat to celebrate! Oink! Hihi!

My husband is very low maintenance and a minimalist. We have a very small cabinet for clothes, 4/5 of it are my clothes, 1/5 are his and that consists of only plain black, white, gray and blue shirts. He owns a couple of long sleeves polos pero he RARELY wears them and some he never wore kaya ang hirap kaya I always ask him what he wants para isusuot talaga niya. He owns a few pair of shoes and he has been wearing this Tiger Onitsuka sneakers everyday for 3 years. For so long, he wanted to buy this Adidas Samba on Amazon, he has been looking for a pair but it's hard to find one here. Nasa wishlist lang siya (may forever! Haha)! Then about 1.5 months ago, bumigay na si Onitsuka but he still wears it, anak ng patatas! Na-guilty naman ako, he spoils us when he can, so I decided to buy the Samba in secret and surprise him on our anniversary.

Ang mahiwagang Adidas Samba! The price has lowered since I first bought it. $48 ko nabili yung kay BOS.

My friend Conci was in the US that time so I asked if she can bring it home for me. She was coming home 3 or 4 days before our anniversary which was perfect.... sana. Ordering the shoes was easy, I've never encountered any problems with Amazon until this time. Bigla ata ako nagka-balat sa pwet! My gulay, the shoes didn't arrive the day it was supposed to be delivered at Conci's Aunt place. I went online to chat with an Amazon CS, telling them my package hasn't arrive and I needed it to be delivered on a specific date! 

Yun pala, the first package was lost, hence it didn't arrive at all!

To ease my worries, they sent a replacement BUUTTT it arrived when Conci have already left for the airport. I emailed them again asking if they can pick up the shoes, ibabalik ko na lang. STRESS SILA. 

I asked the package to be rerouted but I guess di na umabot sa courier. The package was left on the front door kasi nga walang tao. Kung pwede lang ako mag teleport, ginawa ko na!

I was at a event when all of this is happening! My mind was flying off to the US, palpak na surprise! Wahhhh! But I really have to say na ang galing talaga ng customer service nila, they said I can just keep the replacement (thank you to Conci's Aunt for including the shoes in their balikbayan box) and place a new order and choose the fastest shipping and they will waive the shipping fee. Na-feel siguro nila ang pagka-desperada ko! I was pleading them to reroute my package to another address, pick up my package mga ganung chenelyn. I was really desperate and basa-kili-kili stressed out! I had to vent it out to friends kasi hindi naman pwede kay BOS, mabubuking ako! Haha!

Third time's a charm! I had to think of a Plan B! I know a lot of my friends buy online and have it shipped here by air via couriers like Johnny Air, Forex, Kango Express, etc but the kuripot in me is saying NO kasi mahal. Almost half the price na ng shoes ang shipping noh! Haha! I've only tried Johnny Air and USA Direct PHL once before. BUT sabi ko din, if I didn't push through with it, wala nanaman akong gift! E madami ng binigay sakin si BOS! So I compared prices, nakakalaglag-sa-upuan naman yung iba e!

I just discovered Johnny Air has Johnny Air Plus na pala. The last time I used them was 2011 pa. Kung hindi lang malayo pick-up offices nila, I would have chosen Johnny Air.

 Shipping cost for pick-up at their Makati or Megamall branches.

Shipping cost if you choose to have it delivered to your house.

This is the rate naman for Forex. $38.27! Plus $10 na lang, price na ng shoes!

For Kango Express, it's almost the same rate as Forex.

Cheapest estimate cost I got was from USA Direct PHL and their office is in Quezon Ave lang, nearer to me than Makati and Megamall. You can also opt to have your package shipped to your house pero baka hindi din madeliver agad kaya pick up na lang (kung atat kayo like me! Haha! Ayaw ko na ng suspense!) and that is why I picked USA Direct PHL.

One thing I wish they'll do is improve their website and make it more user-friendly like the other shopping websites. Their website is medyo nakakalito to use. I just email them directly to get updates. Their website says it takes 5-7 days (please read their FAQs) for the package to reach Manila but with customs and all, mga 10+ days before you can pick it up at their office. 

And because I was hoping that it will arrive for our anniversary (kahit na may ETA nakalagay sa website), I called them the day before, wala pa daw! Kaya ako palusot nalang kay BOS, sorry wala akong gift. Eto naman si BOS, panay sabi wala akong shoes, pano na sa Cru baka di daw siya papasukin haha (where we had our anniversary dinner)? May idea ka ba BOS? Nabuking ba ako? Hahaha! The shoes arrived the week after, nakulitan na ata yung sa USA Direct PHL, everyday ko ata tinawagan! And when they said it was already there, hindi ko na din napigilan at sinabi ko na din kay BOS. HAHAHA! 

Right after R's first day of school, we went to USA Direct PHL to pick up the shoes. 

Their office is just along Quezon Ave., the same side as Halili Cruz School of Ballet. 

Kaya naman pala they had a hard time looking my package in their manifest whenever I called them to follow up was because it was my second name ang nasa list! Haha! But they found it naman.

For real na talaga! Haha! I paid Php1058 for the shipping of a 3lbs shoes. Naging belated Anniversary and Father's Day gift na siya, sorry! 

Siyempre he opened it right away in the car!

But worth the wait naman diba?

Ganda!!!! BOS wore it right away, yasss excited! I told him about the hullabaloo I went through dahil sa shoes na yan and because of that hullabaloo, he now has 3 pairs of Adidas Samba (2 replacements were sent!) but I only paid for 1 pair. Ang swerte mo naman 3 pairs of shoes agad, may pampalit ka na lolzzzz! I hope you liked your gift! After 5 years na ulit yung next gift mo ah. Char!

USA Direct PHL

http://www.usadirectphl.com/

Facebook: USA Direct PHL Online

Instagram: @usadirectphl

Email: cs@usadirectphl.com

1211 Quezon Avenue

Cecileville Bldg. Quezon City

Contact No. (02) 411-7495 or +63-917-885-8086

PS. If you are looking for this particular pair, I recently found out that Adidas Samba is now available na in Manila through Sole Academy but I couldn't find it in their website or IG. I just saw it from another person's IG account.

Shop All Things K-Beauty and More at Althea Korea

Althea Korea has officially launched in the Philippines last February 15! Wuhooo! I'm so happy to share this news to you! 

I was so giddy to receive my pink Althea Korea box! Here's a trivia for you: Althea (or Mugunghwa 무궁화 in Korean) is Korea's National Flower! Just the perfect name to represent K-beauty shopping site, right?

One of my resolutions this year is to take better care of my skin and Althea Korea's arrival just came in time because I'm about to finish my tub of face cream. Any kind of shopping makes me excited but this was my first time to buy beauty products online and it was such a great experience and now I'm sharing it with you and my haul!

Althea Korea is a one-stop shop for all your K-Beauty needs! It has a wide range of products from skincare, makeup, hair and body products and more and houses about 50 brands. It's easy navigating thru the website and I like that they have Korean's Trendy, Best Sellers and Most Viewed categories, it makes easier for browsing! I like to know what others buy because I like to make gaya what others buy heehee then I put them everything in my wishlist.

Anyeong! Welcome to Althea!

And now on to shopping and my haul!

What I like the most about Althea Korea is its super detailed description of each product! It makes decision making on to buying or not a little easier. For example, I was looking into this Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Pact, everything you need to know is there.

And now I'm sharing with you what I bought. I got everything Innisfree because I love the brand ever since I got one as a pasalubong from Korea! I love their Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask! One of their promises is they have the best price and true enough, they have the best price because I checked the prices from other beauty online shops and they are priced competitively! 

Checking out is fast and easy. You pay via your credit card or Paypal. I like that they put a notice that my order may be delivered later than their usual 5-8 days. 

After getting this confirmation, I got an email that my package was shipped along with the tracking number...

 and I was able to track my package when it left Korea until it reached the our shores! I received my package 2/15/2016. That's 4 days only! I hope they keep up this service!

My package was delivered via CJ Express. I was only able to open my package one week after I received it. Waaaah! Too busy at home with house chores that I forgot to open it right away.

Here's what's inside my pink Althea Beauty Box! Althea Korea guarantees all their products' authenticity plus if you didn't like what you bought, they have a 30-day unconditional returns policy! How awesome is that!

I also liked that they're packed neatly and nicely. Nothing was broken or damaged, most were wrapped with bubble wrap. Nice touch on the Japanese paper.

Unwrapped! I'm so happy with what I got!

From Left to Right: Jeju Volcanic Pore Scrub Foam, Green Tea Seed Cream, Aloe Revital Sleeping Pack, Eco Safety Perfect Sunblock and No-Sebum Mineral Pact.

I can't wait to use everything I got especially the sleeping pack! I can't wait to buy a new eye cream and more face mask! They're in my wishlist already! To know more about how to shop at Althea Korea, just go to this link: http://blog.althea.kr/2016/02/faq-how-to-shop-on-althea.html! 

Sign up now and get Php300 shopping credits...

...plus get a free product while it's still on its opening month!

http://ph.althea.kr/

Facebook: Althea Philippines

Instagram: @altheakorea

#altheakorea #altheaph