Ichi Pestano: May 2018

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Happy Mothers' Day!

How's your celebration yesterday? Did you get the perfect gift for your mom? In case you haven't or maybe she hasn't picked one yet, here's what I could recommend and it's more than a wrapped present. You could make her feel extra special by spending some QT with her and catch up on your adulting stories while doing a pamper-me-day session with her.

Who wouldn't want a 5-minute facial in a jar? It's like instantly having renewed skin at the comfort of your home and with that, I really find the idea amazing.

Sephora PH recently launched the latest product of Fresh Cosmetics, a brand known for innovative beauty products focusing on a fusion of natural ingredients. From sugar, soy and tea, they have come up with a new multi-benefit skincare line derived from one of Asia's traditional, native beauty and medicinal plant - lotus.

As our skin is exposed to a myriad of daily stressors, signs of damage like dullness, roughness, uneven tone, dryness and congestion could easily manifest. And for sure, most of us have difficulties finding time to go to skin clinics to somehow destress our skin. That's why it's very convenient to have products like these in our stash, so that whenever our skin needs to kind of reset, we can respond to its "SOS" call.

Both mask and cream have radiance-boosting formula powered by lotus flower and seed extract, the key player in Fresh's proprietary Super 7 Complex that is designed to minimize and prevent visible signs of aging. It's a special blend of 7 ingredients, all working together to combat skin damage.

Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask

Apart from that mix, this mask also has kombu seaweed flakes, red algae and sea fennel extract to refine the skin and enhance suppleness.

When I tried it the first time, it felt like I just gave myself a fancy facial treatment. The texture is quite creamy and I could really tell that the mask is packed with the listed ingredients. There's a tingling sensation that would last for about a minute then it would feel really cool on the skin.

And since I'm a big fan of facial scrubs or anything that feels exfoliating, my favorite part is whenever I massage it on. The buffing effect feels soooo good. The abrasiveness is just enough to get rid of dead skin cells and smoothen rough areas.

“By cocooning and gently buffing the skin, this mask restores your youthful radiance. And the experience of using it feels like you’ve been whisked off on an exotic escape.” Says Fresh Co-Founder Lev Glazman.

After 5 minutes, I would then rinse it off. As it comes in contact with water, it would slightly heat up. And that I guess, makes the whole mask thing not just a skincare step. It's more of an experience. 😊

My skin would feel instantly softer and brighter. I also haven't noticed any irritation so far, which I'm so happy about because that means the product is compatible with my skin and I can continually use it.

Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream

Fomulated with the same mix of super-charged ingredients, this face cream promises more than just hydrating the skin.

What I love about it is that, it's lightweight yet it gives intense moisture. Actually, that's the thing I look for when choosing a moisturizer. I don't want to stick to a heavy, greasy cream just to get the level of hydration I need.

Another great thing about this moisturizer is the fact that you could use it day and night. It is fast-absorbing so need not worry about that icky feel or about messing up your makeup application.

Both products have the same "earthy" scent.

I do plan to use the mask 2-3 times a week and the cream twice a day to check their long-term effects. So yea, expect to see me finish these 2 tubs this year. 😗

As I was suggesting, give yourself, your mom, your sister or friend a treat by letting them experience a 5-minute mask.

So whenever your skin needs to recuperate from a long flight, tiring day at work, less than 8 hours of sleep or very late girl's night out, just allot 5 minutes and give your skin the "reset" it deserves.

You can get both products from Sephora by clicking this link. I also recommend checking out Fresh's whole collection of masks and other skincare products. You might discover other ones that would help you out with your skin issues. 😙

What do you think?

Like Fresh and Sephora PH on Facebook.

your sweetest drug,

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I am an avid fan of Korean skincare and it is not because of the hype going around the 10-step process that's claimed to be the key to porcelain skin. It's just that, most of the products I've tried are from Korean brands and a lot actually worked well for me.

If you have read my post about my updated skincare routine, you'd notice that at least 5 products are in rotation, but it's still simple compared to others involving more than 5 layers in one go. If you still find that complicated, then let me recommend this trio.

Last month, Althea launched another set of of products after the Petal Velvet powder, which now, in case you haven't heard yet, comes in beige color. That one would definitely get into my cart the next time I shop.

Going back, they released their first ever skincare line called Bare Essentials. From the name itself, there's nothing too extra, nothing perplexing, just the fundamentals - cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Extra steps like applying serum, essence and the likes are dropped to focus on what the skin basically needs. Just the 3 very important products that would cover the benefit of other extra steps.

When I saw the packaging, I instantly got hooked. The clean, minimalist design speaks of how straightforward the concept is. It's a fuss-free routine for the low-maintenance ladies out there. Hands up if you're one of us. Haha! 🙋

I love everything about the packaging. The look-and-feel of the products are simple yet still has that above-drugstore vibe.

I've been using the set for about 3 weeks now and so far, I'm impressed! Even after this review, I'll continue using these and maybe on my next updated skincare routine post, I'll tell you more about the result.

Contour Cleanser (150g for 300 php)

Ice Plant - hydrates and calms redness | Lemon Leaf - rich in vitamin C and antioxidant

It's a cleanser and exfoliator in one. There are micro capsules that promote blood circulation and reduce puffiness, hence the name.

I like the citrus scent! It kinda adds up to the refreshing feel every time I use it. And even though it doubles up as a facial scrub, I don't mind using it daily because it's not too abrasive. It also gives a rich lather even with a pea-sized amount.

There's no botox-tight feeling after, but I love how it gives that pore-tightening and deep-cleansing effect. It makes my skin brighter after each wash too. Ahhh, the best part! 😍

Primer Water (200 ml for 550 php)

Snow Lotus - smoothens and brightens | Dew Drop - revitalizes

Unlike common toners with watery and alcohol-ish formula, this one has a smooth and silky texture. It is not harsh on the skin and it also acts as a primer because of the patented dewdrop macro fluidic technology that's supposed to fill the gaps between pores and penetrate deep into the skin.

Rather than leaving the skin dry, it hydrates it and preps it for the next step or even straight for makeup.

It has a fresh scent and it could also pick up any residue from cleansing - which is almost none because the Contour Cleanser is really effective. I just gently go around the eye with a cotton pad to remove mascara or eyeshadow in my lashes. Sometimes, I would pat it on for better absorption.

Fixer Cream (50g for 640 php)

Trehalose - retains moisture | Green Tea - packed with antioxidants | Baobab Tree - moisturizing agent

This one gives intense hydration without the greasy and the heavy-cream feel. It doesn't sit on top of skin because as you massage it, it's quickly absorbed and it just leaves the skin supple.

Aside from the moisturizing effect, it also gives the skin antioxidants and it promotes collagen regeneration because of the key ingredients.

The only thing I'm not digging about the product is the floral scent. I wish they made it as green tea fragrance instead. Not a biggie though. 😊

My Althea fairy godmothers let me try these. Plus, they included a cute mirror and samples! Thank youuuuu! 😚

So there, 3 products but with more than one use and benefit. Talk about double whammy!

These are hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types. I have oily skin and it works just fine. I don't see any problems if people with dry skin would use these as well because the formula won't likely to dehydrate further.

You can get the products individually, but I do recommend getting the set instead because of the discounted price - 1323 php only and that's already your day and nighttime skincare routine. You'd get a lot of bang for your buck there.

Click this link to jump to Althea site.

On top of this trio, you can still do additional steps like applying masks and what not. However, if you're only into what's important and the basic needs of your skin, Bare Essentials got you covered. Althea made it easier and fool-proof and it pretty much answers the question - "where do I start with skincare?".

So who's ready to go basic? 😊

your sweetest drug,

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Another great drugstore find from yet another great local brand.

I already have two of their liquid lippies, which you've probably seen in my BeautyMNL Haul and actually, the brow pencil here is a repurchase. You'll find out why in a sec. 😉

Detail Makeover's products are very affordable and the selection is quite nice as well. It's one of those kiosks that I often visit whenever I'm in the drugstore.

I thought of getting both of my brow necessities from the same brand. So far, I'm loving the combo! And they work well on their own too.

Eyebrow Pencil

I got this for only 119 php. It comes with a good brush - perfect size and not-so hard bristles.

Unlike other brow crayons or pencils, this one has a waxy formula so it kinda tames unruly hair in place.

You can do natural-looking brows with this one, but if you're into detailed outline, you might need an angled brush and brow powder.

The pencil comes in 3 or 4 other shades. I just opted for Blonde - the lightest color.

Brow Mascara

For only 199 php, you'd get a brow mascara that could last for months. Well, that's unless it doesn't dry down.

I got the shade Light Brown. The color options are the same with the pencil.

This brow mascara comes off very tinted. I could actually use it on its own to fill in my brows when I'm in a hurry.

The box doesn't say that it's waterproof but it could last all day, so that's good. The pencil doesn't smudge easily as well.

When applying, you have to be very light-handed to avoid having too much product on or else, it could be difficult to blend out.

It creates tinted, soft-looking brows - just exactly how I want mine to be. Yay! 😚

If you have thick brows, the mascara could work just fine. On the other hand, the pencil would suffice for those with very thin and sparse brows. It won't be able to fake strands though.