What: Skinfood Avocado & Sugar Lip Scrub 14g
Price: 5,900 KRW

Today, I'm gonna review this adorable lip scrub from Skinfood. This is included in my Althea Superfood Box.

About Skinfood

I am not familiar with the Skinfood brand but apparently, they believe that nutritious food yields healthy, beautiful skin. That's true but Skinfood takes it further by making all their products food-based (think ingredients like black sugar, berries, honey and salmon, etc). They use sustainably grown ingredients too so that's another plus in my book. Skinfood has several branches in the Philippines (list) but they currently don't have any stores near me. *sigh*

Packaging

The avocado scrub came in this simple pink plastic wrapper. The manufacture date (제조) is written on the front and as you can see, the scrub I got is made on October 19, 2016. I assume 2019 is the expiry date. Of course, keep in mind that the expiry will change once the product is opened. I usually keep lip treatment products up to a year.

the back of the plastic wrapper in case you're wondering

The Avocado Scrub Itself

look at this cute avocado

It is the shape and size of a small egg but the base is flat

at the base, the brand & product name is written in hangul
the manufacturing date and expiry are also printed (sorry for the cat hairs lol)

The lip scrub is inside the 'seed' of the avocado. So cute!

I can't read the ingredients on the plastic wrapper this came with, but judging from the product name (and shape) alone, this scrub is made of avocado and sugar. I mean, obviously!

It is kinda like a paste.

Most sugar scrubs are very gritty but this avocado scrub has a very fine texture.

My Experience

screencap grabbed from Althea Skinfood box page

I followed the instructions detailed above as much as I can.

I applied as evenly as I can but the sugar bunches up when you put too much. I let it sit for a few minutes to soften dead skin cells and then I massage it all around to exfoliate. You can rinse it off with water but I prefer to just wipe off the residue with a tissue. Voila! Very soft lips achieved! Note that lips can also be over exfoliated so do this no more than 1-3 times a week!

Worth it?

Sugar scrubs can be easily DIY'ed but if you don't want to do the mix & match, this is an already-made product that really works!

This item is kinda hard to find though. I got this from Althea's Superfood box but it is currently not listed in their Althea PH website. I am not sure if Skinfood's physical stores carry this item since I don't have any near me. If you really, truly, badly want to try this, I guess it's best to check out their stores first or try online websites that sell Korean products like Jolse/Testerkorea.

That's it for this review. Hope this helped!

Check out SkinFood: Facebook, Website

Check out my own social media: Twitter, Instagram

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Skin Genie Black Mallows Fluffy Scrub 100g (150PHP)

Skin Genie is a local brand offering whitening and anti-aging products. They claim all their products are safe, gentle, all-natural and suitable even for sensitive skin. I haven't heard of this brand before but I am all for discovering new stuff, even more so if they're locally made. #supportlocal, amirite ;-)

You can get the scrub in two sizes: 450 Php for the 250g jar or 850 Php for 500g. The scrub is also available in a 100g bag for 150 PHP but I think this is a limited size. The Skin Genie Black Mallows Fluffy Scrub I have is included in my October 2016's Saladbox (read my unboxing here). Props to Saladbox for introducing this to me because #spoiler, never have I loved a body scrub as much as I love this!

About Black Mallows Fluffy Scrub

every scrub is cutely shaped and looks like a delectable choco crinkle <3

Product description: Chosen carefully, these power-packed scrub has the ability to nourish, rejuvenate the skin and gives plenty exfoliation.

Ingredients:

• Forbidden Rice - Rich in antioxidants, forbidden rice is a potent source of skin-loving antioxidants and Vitamin E. It contains antioxidants and protein that help maintain skin firmness and restore elasticity. 
• Activated Charcoal - It acts like a magnet to attract and absorb dirt and oil. When dirt and oil in your pores come in contact with Activated Charcoal, they stick to it and then get washed away when you rinse.
• Niacinamide - is a powerhouse ingredient. It can help firm, reduce signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation, and prevent moisture loss.
• Rolled Oats - Oatmeal can help remove dead skin cells and soak up oil, acting as a natural remedy to acne It can provide soothing relief from sunburn, poison ivy, and other irritations, and can heal skin and open pores.
• Cranberry and Apricot Beads - Smoothly removes the cells of dead skin and the blackheads, unblock the pores, and clean the skin gently. It triggers the growth of fresh cells.
• Grapeseed - Can provide protection against sun damage. It has astringent properties and therefore, can tighten the skin. The linoleic acid found in grapeseed oil can be very beneficial in skin conditions like, acne, dermatitis and eczema. Linoleic acid can soothe and nourish the skin, and help it to repair. 
• Sodium Bicarbonate - Can be used to correct the skin’s pH balance, it is a natural antibiotic that cures the underlying fungal infections. Sodium Bicarbonate can also slowly erase acne scars and speed the healing of acne damage.

Instructions:

Begin with wet skin in the shower—warm-to-hot water is ideal to soften the skin. Apply the Black Mallows Fluffy Scrub in a circular motion. For around 10 to 15 minutes, leave the scrub and give enough time to open up the pores. This will also allow the ingredients to penetrate your skin. Rinse and pat dry.

My Experience

I mentioned in my unboxing article that I'm impressed with this because this is such an innovative idea. It looks like marshmallows but it melts when soaked with water. Normal scrubs are potentially unsanitary because you have to scoop them out of a jar. In contrast, the Black Mallows are all separate, just take one and break off what you need.

pic taken immediately after dissolving the scrub on my arm

Speaking of quantity, the 100g pack I got contained only 4 marshmallow scrubs. Don't worry because a piece can seriously go a long way.  I'm generous in application, so I usually use about half. Even a quarter is enough to cover the whole body.

This mallow scrub smells very pleasant. I am reminded of lakatan mixed with tutti-frutti flavor whenever I use this. The scent is not annoying at all.

Close-up of the cranberry and apricot beads. I left it for about 10 minutes like the instruction said

After dissolving the scrub on my face and body, I let it sit for a while. The greyish suds got clear after a few minutes leaving the cranberry and apricot beads behind. There are also some rice grains in the mix. When I thought enough time has passed, I rubbed the beads again to remove any remaining dead skin cells.

Be gentle on the face though, the beads can be rough if you use force. Don't go gaga over exfoliating and remember, once or twice a week is enough. After scrubbing, I added a little bit of water to get suds. This can be used as a soap too. Amazing, right? Lastly, I finally rinsed off everything.

Voila! So soft and smooth!

I expected my skin to become red from all the rubbing I did, but no, it did not. My skin feels new - very soft and nice to touch, even the elbows!. The scrub is moisturizing too. I didn't feel the need to apply lotion after. To sum everything up, here's a list of Black Mallows' pros and cons:

Pros
-Sanitary, just break off a piece you want to use
-Easy to use
-Has lots of beads for that exfoliating power
-Lathers up and can be used as soap
-A jar of this scrub will last forever
-Pleasant smell, the scent is not annoying at all

Cons

-A bit messy in the bathroom, there are lots of beads!

-The exfoliating beads can be rough on face

-Time consuming

-You need to keep these away from children, it looks so good to eat!

Will I buy this again?

Isn't it obvious yet? Haha. Yes, I'll repurchase this again. I think this product is worth it and I sincerely recommend everyone to try this. Hope this review helped.

Check out Skin Genie: Facebook, Instagram

Check out my own social media: Twitter, Instagram

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Any judgment given is entirely my own honest and unbiased opinion.

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Update: 

Skin Genie has an ongoing Holiday Sale where most of the items are 50% off til January 15! I got the 250g jar for only 225 PHP! *heart eyes*

Black Mallows Fluffy Scrub, 250g jar 

The jar is not heavy since it's only 250g but it has a handle for easy carrying

The Black Mallow scrubs inside are all rectangular and thinner than the ones in the pouch.
Same functionality though!

Anyway, that's it for my update! See you in the next blog!

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Althea's signature pink box <3

Althea Korea is a wildly-popular one-stop online shopping destination for authentic Korean products. I am aware of Althea for a while now. Ever since their launch, Althea has been getting lots of good reviews. They offer free shipping for orders above Php 999 straight from Korea, plus they have lots of freebies and run promos every month.

I visit Althea's website occasionaly to window-shop (LOL) but except for a few items, nothing has really caught my fancy. That changed when they recently launched their curated beauty boxes. You'll get a themed beauty box for a very discounted price compared to buying them individually. Unlike surprise beauty boxes, all the items inside are disclosed so you can really choose which set you'd like to get. Their beauty sets sell out pretty quickly, so if you spy something you want, make up your mind quick!

When I saw the Superfood Box banner at Althea's website, I instantly thought I have to get it. Sure enough, the box sold out after a few days. Phew! Not surprised because the Superfood collection consists of eight full-sized products that will "hydrate, rejuvenate and detoxify the skin". This box have a little something for every part of the body - the lips, face, the body, even something for the hair & scalp!

my Althea box all wrapped up

Here is how I received my Althea box - bubble wrapped inside a pink Althea plastic pouch (not pictured). All the products inside are bubble wrapped too. There are a few dents on the box but nothing drastic. All the items inside were secured and nothing was spilled or broken.

What's Inside The Box

Althea Skinfood Box items + a few of my Althea picks

Anyway, a quick disclaimer: I haven't tried all the items yet so I can't really give my own feedback but I'll post full reviews once I have tried and tested each item. This is also not a sponsored post. I bought everything with my money. Now that's out of the way, let's proceed, shall we?

1. Skinfood Avocado Lip Scrub (14g) 

Product description:
Avocado, rich in vitamins and minerals, firms and gives skin a healthy glow.
This special ingredient full of antioxidant properties also moisturizes dry skin and lips.

This lip scrub is so cute! It looks just like an avocado! The base is flat though so you don't need to worry if it will roll away when you put it on a flat surface.

It's fairly simple how to use this. Just take some and rub it onto the lips to exfoliate. Afterwards, just rinse off or wipe with tissue. I have already tried this and I like it enough. Stay tuned for the upcoming full review! It's original price is 4,900 Korean Won or approximately 240+ PHP.

2. Missha Juicy Farm Body Shower (300ml)

Product description:

Blueberries are one of the most well-known fruits that have plentiful

antioxidants and vitamins. Anthocyanins helps relax and firm your body skin.

Apply to a loofah, work to a lather, massage to skin and rinse thoroughly.

I usually use two soaps when showering. First, I use an anti-bacterial soap to wash away dirt and grime and then I follow it up with a beauty soap (usually a lightening soap). I replaced the anti-bacterial soap with this body shower and have been using this every day. My first impression is that this is a very mild body wash. The blueberry scent is very delicate, it doesn't lather up much (sign of less sulfates) and it's not stripping. This product is okay for me but I don't see myself repurchasing this. It's original price is 5,500 Korean won or approximately 225+ PHP.

3. B&Soap Fun Shampoo Bar (100g)

Product Description:
 Coconut protects hair from outside pollution and boosts immunity. It is one of the
best moisturizer that your skin will drink up like water and deep cleanse your hair.

Shampoo bars are an interesting alternative to traditional shampoos. This B&Soap Shampoo bar in particular claims it is made only with natural ingredients and is free from harmful chemicals. This is available at Althea for 320 PHP. I can't find the original Korean price but I saw this priced 20 pesos lower on shopee and instagram local sellers.

The first time I tried this shampoo bar, my hair really felt rough and stripped off. According to reviews I read online, this is normal if your hair is badly damaged. I get my hair rebonded regularly because I have very fine, very thin, frizzy hair. I also have my hair colored from time to time so I think that explains the damage? The shampoo has a very strong lemon scent. It is quite overpowering but thankfully, the scent quickly fades in the hair. I split the bar into two and have already used half of it. I think my transition period is almost over. When I rinse off the shampoo, my hair still feels rough but when it dries, my hair is less frizzy, feels smooth and stays put. My hair is still not shiny though - they said the shine will show in about two months. I think it will help if I brush my hair to distribute the oils from my scalp. Will report back about my experience when I finish using this shampoo.

4. Calmia Oatmeal Cleansing Foam (150ml)

Product description:
Oatmeal is nominated in Times' 10 Super Healthy Foods, known for its rich nutrition value including fibre and
amino acids. Calmia Oatmeal Cleansing Foam does mild exfoliation for daily use and also gives deep hydration.

Yaasss, a facial cleanser! I just finished my Daiso Charcoal Foam Cleanser (read my review here) and this came at the right time!  This Calmia Oatmeal cleansing foam is made from oatmeal, moringa and other vegetable and herb extracts to deeply cleanse the face.This is suitable for all skin types. I haven't used this much yet but my first impression is it removed dirt and excess oil from my face but it didn't strip my skin dry. Original Korean price is 4,900 won or approximately 200 PHP.

5. Half Moon Eyes Milky Jelly Toning Essence (180ml)

Product Description:
Did you know that Cleopatra loved figs for her ever-lasting beauty? Rich in fiber, minerals and
polyphenols, fig's antioxidant properties not only clarifies your skin but also prevents skin aging.

This Milky Jelly Toning Essence from Half Moon Eyes is quite intriguing! It has clear liquid layer on top and a white jelly-like layer at the bottom. Shake it and the two layers will mix to form a cloudy milky solution. Aside from its 3-in-1 (toner + booster + essence) benefits, I find this very interesting because you can use this in other ways too. Use it as a toner or you can also use this as a facial mist or as a facial mask. Just pour some into a spray bottle to use as a facial mist or soak a dry sheet mask in some essence. This toner is available at Althea for 750 PHP (with cotton pad). I can't locate the original price but its price ranges from 16-22 USD online.

6. Innisfree Moisture Green Tea Essence (50ml)

Product description:
Green tea is well-known for having 20 times more antioxidants than that of vitamin C.
Catechins help refine pores and brighten skin, which make green tea beloved by Miranda Kerr!

The green tea line from Innisfree is quite popular but I haven't tried any of their items yet. This product is a moisture essence made with green tea and green tea seeds for deep hydration and nourishment. Tried this a couple of times as an essence but I think this works more like a moisturizer. I also think this is more suited for people with dry skin. True enough because when I checked, this particular product is from Innisfree's Green Tea Moisture line made for people with dry skin. Innisfree also has a "Fresh" version suitable for people with oily skin. Again, I'll review once I tried this fully. This essence is priced 964.04 PHP at Innisfree's website.

7. Monstory Cool Cool Mon Slow-Aging Sleeping Mask (100ml)

Product description:
Caulerpa racemosa is so-called green caviar. It is concentrated with deep sea nutrients such as hyaluronic acid
and fucoidan which heal and relieve skin. While you are asleep, green caviar sleeping mask will renew your skin.

This is one of my favorites in this box! Such a large tub of sleeping mask! <3 According to Monstory, Cool Cool Mon Mask brings down the temperature of skin which has been suffering from heat all day long. By doing that, it brings back elasticity of skin, supplies moisture to the skin, and makes skin soft and supple.

It has grains inside which easily dissolves when applied on skin

This has 2-years shelf life but must be used 3 months after opening. Like I said, this is such a large tub, I've been using this every other day. I refrigerate it to get more cooling effect. My face feels so soft and smooth the next day!

This retails for about 25 USD or approximately 1,200 PHP. Althea sells this at 1,500 PHP but it is currently on sale for only 1,000 PHP (purchase 2 to avail of their buy 1 take 1 promo) at the Althea website.

8. Nine Point Blackberry and Bay Body Mist (100ml)

Product description:
Blackberry is a natural multi-nutritional supplement. It purifies any toxins from active oxygen which causes fine lines and aging. Anti-aging treatment for your body, not only face

Note: image grabbed from Beauty Enthusiast from Cebu

Not really sure if this is functions like a hydrating facial mist but the blurb in front of the bottle says "It gives elasticity and animation on skin, leaves delicate scent." I tried this as a regular body mist and the scent is too delicate and herb-ish for my liking. Gave it away before I realized I haven't taken solo pics of it yet. Fail, I know lol. This is 390 PHP at Althea.

These are not part of the Superfood box but I got a few additional items from Althea:

I've been curious about the tattoo phenomenon lately so I decided to buy Secret Key's Tattoo Eye Brow Tint Pack in Shade #3 Choco Frappuccino and try it myself. It was Secret Key's grand opening in Althea that time so they also sent me this Gold Wrapping Foil Mask as a gift. I also availed myself of the free A'Pieu Base Maker worth 270 PHP. What a steal!

Delivery

I ordered this box on November 18 and immediately got an email from Althea confirming my purchase. I received another email on November 21 saying my order has been shipped. I finally got my box on December 3, Saturday (13 days after I got the "Already Shipped" email.)

Rincos Center is Althea's courier for this order.
They gave me a tracking number to track my shipment progress

I waited 2 weeks plus to get my order. I think that's not terrible at all considering the box is shipped by sea from Korea to Manila and then Manila to Cagayan de Oro, which is where I'm from. Whenever I buy items abroad from Lazada, the waiting time is also the same.

Was this box worth it?

Hell yeah! From my own calculations, this box is worth 4,049 PHP - so worth it! It is lower than the 5,790 PHP value given by Althea because I used the current sale prices of the individual items. I got the Superfood box for only 1,610 PHP, about 2.5 times more than my own calculated price! With free shipping to boot! I am extremely happy with my purchase and will definitely purchase from Althea again!

Anyway, that's it for this blog. Hope you like it. Til next time!

Check out Althea PH: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Check out my own social media: Twitter, Instagram

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Any judgment given is entirely my own honest and unbiased opinion.

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Happy new year, everyone! A new year has just started and I think it's just right to set my goals firmly in the beginning. I look at 2016 fondly but I think there is so much more I could have done. I have a list of things I wanted to do in 2016 but ultimately did not. I regret that but I did accomplish some of my goals so I am giving myself a consolation pat.

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