Althea Sun-Kissed Box Review | Sponsored
Welcome to another Althea Korea beauty review! For the newcomers, let me give you a quick run-through on what is Althea Korea. Althea Korea is a leading KBeauty site which offers authentic Korean beauty products online. Ranging from cosmetics to skincare, Althea has over 150 Korean beauty brands on their site. You name it, they’ve got it! A one-stop shop for Korean products.
Althea has Beauty Boxes?!
Unlike my other Althea posts where I review the products from my hauls, in this post, I’m going to do an in-depth review on Althea’s very own beauty box. Yes, aside from producing their own line of cosmetics, they also put together their very own beauty boxes. The limited edition Korean beauty box comes with a set of heavily discounted branded beauty products curated by the Althea fairy team in Seoul - No, the products are not expiring or anything like that. They are brand new and awesome to use. Yes, Althea is amazing just the way they are. 2 - 3 themed boxes will be created every month on Althea. The boxes will be separated into 2 categories:
Althea Boxes - Based on a specific theme
Trend Boxes - Based on Korea’s biggest trend
Each box holds between 6 to 12 full-size products depending on the theme and value. What differentiates Althea Beauty boxes from other Beauty boxes is the fact that you do not need to subscribe monthly. No strings attached yo! No more complains about “This month’s beauty box contained so many products which I don’t want.” for you can view what’s in the boxes before you purchase it. On top of that, although all of the products are listed, the exact shades for some of the products will still be randomly chosen so you get to have a mini surprise upon its arrival. You can read more information on Althea boxes on their blog.
Althea Sun-Kissed Box
Finally, I’m getting into the beauty box. Today, I’ve got the Althea Sun-kissed box. The Althea Sun-kissed box is an Althea themed boxed which contains summer themed beauty products. Living in sunny Singapore, summer occurs 365 days for me. Thus, this is a golden must-have box for summer livers* like myself - Is summer livers even a word?
As seen from the arranged flat lay above, the Althea Sun-Kissed Box contains 6 full-sized beauty products and a sample. These products allow you to not only look like you had a healthy tan but they can actually protect you from the harmful sun rays too. A win-win situation! Suitable for those who love the beach. Plus, this box contains amazing branded items such as Laneige blush set, Rire lipstick and more - so exciting!
Enough chitter chattering! Time to present to you the products that I will touch on in the post:
Calmia UV protection Sun stick moist
Bareblanc Super fit cushion #23 Natural Beige
Etude House Look at my eyes #BR407
Laneige Ideal Blush duo #03, Juicy Rose
Rire mattee lipstick #01 Nudity Beige
Secriss Pure Nature Mask – White Pearl
ABIB hydration cream water tube sample
Calmia UV Protection Sun Stick Moist
The first product that I will touch on would be the Calmia UV Protection Sun Stick Moist. As mentioned in its name, the Calmia UV Protection Sun Stick Moist is a translucent sun stick that protects your skin from strong UV rays. Containing SPF50+ / PA+++, is a convenient product that offers powerful UV protection for any situation - shading both UVB and UVA rays away from your skin. Besides that, it’s patented with Carex Humilis extracted as its defending ingredient.
Aside from being travel-friendly and great protection from the sun rays, the sun stick aims to be moisturizing too. With 10 flower complex and sea grape extract, the sun stick is not only just moisturizing but soothing too. That means one could expect radiant and dewy skin after using this product!
Verdict: Compact and Easy-to-Use
From the photos above, one could tell that the sun stick is a very compact and hygienic design. I like the fact that it functions and looks kind of like a mini deodorant. All I have to do is twist the green part and the sun stick will rise for me to use. No contact between my fingers and the product is needed. This design not only makes it hygienic but also easy to use for those who are on the go.
Verdict: Moisturising, Dewy and Radiant
Swatched on my hand, the sun stick is transparent and shiny - although not as obvious in the photo. It did feel like there’s a significant layer of product on my skin. It gives me the sense that my skin is well protected from any problem the sun rays have got to haul at me. Alongside, the sun stick did make my skin felt moisturized especially at my U-zone - the area of dryness.
A point that I would like to raise would be the fact that, it did ponder between the area of looking dewy and shiny. I find that it could be solved if we massaged it into the skin. Although by massaging into the skin with your fingers do defeat the purpose of having a hands-free product, I find that it did help increase the sun stick’s rate of absorption.
All in all, I would give the Calmia UV Protection Sun Stick Moist 3 IreviewUread smiles for I love how it is very travel-friendly and easy to use. Yet, I did find the formula too thick and shiny for my liking.
Makeup Of The Post
In this next section, I’m going to introduce the makeups of Althea Sun-kissed box. Makeup products covered under this section are:
Bareblanc Super fit cushion #23 Natural Beige
Etude House Look at my eyes #BR407
Laneige Ideal Blush duo #03 Juicy Rose
Rire mattee lipstick #01 Nudity Beige
With that, let’s start!
Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion #23 Natural Beige
Next, I’m going to introduce this beautifully designed cushion. With a cute black dog at the front of the box, how could I resist such product? Before I go into the details of how the product works, let’s take a moment and admire the packaging. I like how the tapes on the cushion gave me a hazard feel, allowing me to live on the edge - being a rebel and trying something I’m ‘not’ supposed to. Whereas, the dog in at the front gives me the feeling that I should pat it and play with it. Live on the edge with the friendly guard dog.
Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion’s Characteristics
With that, we move on to the characteristics of the cushion. The Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion aims to:
Long-lasting
Whitening
Sebum control
Anti-wrinkle
UV protection SPF 50 PA++
High moisture
Flawless coverage
High adherence - Stays put on your skin even when exposed to heat and sweat
Unique Black Puff
What’s unique about this cushion is that instead of the usual white puff that comes with the cushion, the
Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion comes with a black puff. This is not only unique but it also fits the cushion’s black and yellow design.
Right below the puff seat, there’s the cushion. Covered and sealed for total freshness. Time to peel off the seal and check out the formula!
The Cushion Verdict
Mentioned in the title, this is shade #23 Natural Beige. Despite looking like it’s a shade darker on my hand, it actually fits my face tone perfectly - my face is one shade darker than my body. Ironic.
Upon application, I did find the cushion’s formula very light-weighted and moisturizing. It also looks very natural and evens out my skin tone consistently without adding age to it. What I like about it would be how the cushion does not make my skin looks cakey no matter how many layers I try to lather on. It will still look like I’ve only applied a layer of product.
Despite that, I find the coverage of the cushion rather light for I could still see my eye bags, red pigmentation and unsightly scars on my face after a few application. Thus, a concealer is needed in this case. On top of that, I wore it under Singapore’s hot sun and found my T-zone to be oily again after 5 hours - Photo could be seen at the bottom of all these makeup reviews.
Despite the sebum production, the cushion’s formula is true to its words and stayed on my face despite being exposed to sweat and heat for an extended period of time.
All in all, I would give Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion 4 IreviewUread smiles. I love how natural and dewy it looks on my skin. On top of that, it made my skin feel very moisturised while protecting my skin from the hazardous sun ray at the same time. The sebum control lasted for a reasonable amount of time and even stayed on my skin throughout the sweat and heat. However, I did find that its coverage is too light to cover my various flaws.
Etude House Look at my eyes #BR407
Moving on to the eye makeup. In the Althea Sun-Kissed Beauty Box, Etude House’s Look at my eyes in the shade #BR407 is the chosen one. As mentioned in the introduction of Althea Beauty boxes, although the products in these boxes were determined beforehand, the shades of these products were given out at random. This is one of those random shades I’ve gotten and it still looks fabulous.
Look at my eyeshadow
As seen in the picture, this is an orange-brown shade with subtle warm shimmers. The shimmery gold colour of the shadow aims to make your eyes sparkle and shine in the sunshine. Personally, I love how brown shades gives one a very natural look regardless of one’s skin tone. However, being Asian, my skin tone is already kind of orangish-brownish so in order for such eyeshadow shade to work it have to be very pigmented to be seen on my lids.
Look at my swatch
Swatched on my white hand, it does look more brownish than orange which is a good sign. It is also very shimmery and sheer. After applying on my eyelids, I did find the eyeshadow to be not as pigmented as I would like it to be. It took about 3 layers to get it to the pigmentation I want it to be. In a way, this is both positive and negative. For those who want very natural colour and just a dazzle of shimmer around their eyes, I can see this eyeshadow be a great addition to bring out their beautiful eyes. However, for those who prefer a more vibrant tone and dramatic eye makeup, you would require multiple layers. After a few hours in the hot sun, the eyeshadow could still be seen resting in its position without any interference.
All in all, I would give Etude House Look at my eyes in shade #BR407 3 IreviewUread. I love how it has a sheer and shiny effect on my eyelids - very natural. However, the eyeshadow was not as pigmented as I hope for it to be - without the layering.
Laneige Ideal Blush Duo #03 Juicy Rose
Next, we move down to the apples of the face. Yes, I mean the cheeks! Highlighting this area is the Laneige Ideal Blush Duo in #03 Juicy Rose. I’m sure many of you have heard of this prestige Korean brand due to its high-quality makeup and skincare. In this beauty box, I’ve received the Laneige Ideal Blush Duo in the shade #03 Juicy Rose.
Oh So Juicy! | The Blush Duo’s Characteristics
The Blush Duo in the shade of Juicy Rose comes with 2 palettes - a dusty rose blush on the top and a warm coral beige blush at the bottom. This optimal colour plate combination mix and matched these two colors to create a three-dimensional look with a single palette. Special graining technology was also integrated, allowing clear natural colours to be picked up and transferred onto your skin.
On top of that, this high-speed blush has a crosslinking binder system. This system has a high adhesion formula which helps the blush not only stay on your skin for a long period of time but blends in naturally with your skin too. Plus, the shades of these blushes aims to help with enhancing one’s look to be livelier and healthier.
How to use the Laneige Ideal Blush Duo?
Find the apple of your cheeks.
Brush the upper part of your apples with the Dusty rose colour
Brush the lower part of your apples with the Coral shade
You can choose to blend or not, depending on your taste. Layering is also optional. Personally, I find layering not needed for it is pigmented enough.
A Healthy Mix, a Healthy look
After just one swipe on the palettes, strong pigmentation could be spotted on my fingers. I felt that the colours of the Laneige Ideal Blush Duo are quite true to the photos and palettes. Initially, I was sceptical because, with a circular and short face like mine, pink blushes always make my face wide. However, after just one swipe of both the blushes on my cheeks, I could see the instant change. My skin looks so healthy such that it looked like it was glowing from the inside. I was very impressed with the blushes’ effect. Additionally, I was a sucker for minimalist packaging like this - love the rose gold!
In conclusion, I would give Laneige Ideal Blush Duo in #03 Juicy Rose 5 Ireviewread smiles. Not only it’s packaging is on point but the formula of the Blush duo did too. I love how pigmented the blush comes off and made my face looks so healthy and bright with just one swipe. Plus, even the brush is included in the set. Absolutely perfect!
RiRe Mattee Lipstick #01 Nudity Beige
Finally, we’ve travelled down to the lips. The kissable lips. For the lips, we’re using RiRe Mattee Lipstick in #01 Nudity Beige. Upon hearing the name of the shade, I expected the lipstick’s shade to be more similar to one’s skin tone, more brownish. I was pleasantly surprised to find out the shade is closer to coral than my anticipated colour - coral tone lipsticks are so in now!
Minimalist Shick Design
I like it’s mattee exterior and minimalist design, making it looks so slick and classy. Plus, the shine on the lipstick part is incredible considering that this is supposed to be a mattee lipstick.
The Neutral Pout and more
It aims to:
Give a neutral pout - “my lips but better” shade
The exact colour could be seen on your lips with just one application
Zero dryness - With jojoba seed and olive oil, the lipstick aims to be light, hydrating and gives a moisturizing texture
Slick and Soft application - silky texture with smooth application
Magnetic lasting power – the natural texture that feels like your own lips
More like Shade: Coral
As mentioned at the top, the shade leans more towards a coral rather than a
beige. This is perfect for me for I always wanted a more pigmented coral/ orangish lipstick ever since I tried Crazy Rumour’s tinted lip balm -_ it’s been years, I know. Therefore, after 3 years I finally got my dream shade! Looks like dreams do come true!
Moisturising Mattee with High Pigmentation?
I know you must be questioning by now how can a mattee lipstick be moisturizing and mattee at the same time? Well, I got to say this has got to do with the formula of the lipstick and this formula works. Although the lines of the lips still could be spotted, I do feel that this lipstick is more moisturizing than other matte lipsticks. However, I do find the lipstick unable to glide along my lips smoothly. In fact, the colour does cling to my old shedding skin or soon-to-be shedding skin on my lips. A solution for this would be to exfoliate your lips first before using this lipstick. The differences are very distinct for not only your lips will not be as patchy but the lipstick will glide better. It also has a medium pigmentation where you could still see your natural lip colour peeking through after it has dried and wore down. Thus, I would recommend at least 2 layers before going out and face the world.
Is it Kissable?
After the lipstick is fully dried, it is not transfer proof at all. However, if contacted with water, oily food or just food in general, transfers and smudged could be seen. Due to its natural colour, it does blends in with your lip colour such that when it is smudged or mysteriously disappears, it would not be that obvious.
All in all, I would give the RiRe Mattee Lipstick in #01 Nudity Beige 2 and a half IreviewUread smile. I totally fell in love with the colour for it not only blends in with my lip shade but it is suitable for everyday usage. It is also moisturizing to a certain extent. However, it showing off being non-waterproof, oil-proof and food-proof means I have to consistently touch up my lipstick for I am always either talking, eating or drinking.
Makeup, Makedown
Now that the verdict for the makeup section is out, I can calculate the average to be...
3 and a half IreviewUread smiles! As seen from this longevity and heat test, RiRe Mattee Lipstick was wiped out at the first sight of water and food. My eye bags were starting to show but that is the fault of my concealer. My face also started to shine in my T-zone. However, when removing my makeup, the Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion could still be seen staining my makeup wipes. At the corner of my eyes, Etude House Look at my eyes could still be seen peeking out. Right on my cheeks, the Laneige Ideal Blush Duo also stayed in its position. Overall, only the RiRe Mattee Lipstick did not pass the longevity and heat test. Although the sebum control wore down after a few hours, the Bareblanc Super Fit Cushion still stayed on my skin. Whereas
Etude House Look at my eyes eyeshadow and Laneige Ideal Blush Duo did not seem to budge at all.
The After Care Part
Next, we’re moving to the aftercare. This aftercare can be used as before care but personally, I prefer to use masks at the end of the days for it’s a great time for me to wind down and just block out all of the worries from the day.
Secriss Pure Nature Mask White Pearl
Packed with 7 ingredients to make one’s skin healthy and shiny, Secriss Pure Nature Mask in White Pearl aims to keep your skin healthy under the UV rays. It has skin-friendly and gentle ingredients that build a water layer and protects sensitive skin. With such brightening and moisturizing properties, the pearl extract help makes one’s skin tone clean and bright. On top of that, the highly concentrated undiluted ampoule helps in delivering the moisturized feeling deep into the skin. The skin will maintain moist for a long period of time due to the high-quality ampoule.
So this is what pearls smell like
Upon taking the mask out of the packaging, not only was it dripping with essence but it also smells like a pearl. I’m not sure how to describe the scent of pearl but it’s just the kind of thing where you smell it and you be like “This is lavender!” but in this case, it’s pearl so “This is Pearl!”
With that, I placed it on my face and adjust it to fit my face. I find the general fit of the mask suitable for my face shape but the nose area was a little too short while the mouth area slightly too wide. However, the other areas of the mask fit like a glove. An unusual sensation I would like to note would be how my left cheek did felt tingly for a while after putting. I’m not quite sure what is the reason but it did not cause any redness.
After 30 minutes, I removed the mask and my skin did look more hydrated and smoother. I did find my skin looks brighter than before.
To sum up, I would give Secriss Pure Nature Mask White Pearl 4 IreviewUread smiles. I like the distinct pearl smell and the fit the mask had. I was also fond of the smooth, hydrating and bright after effect. However, I was unsure of how suitable this might be for people with sensitive skin and the small nose fit on the mask.
ABIB Hydration Cream Water Tube Sample
Finally, we’ve reached the last product the ABIB hydration cream water tube sample packet. The ABIB Hydration cream water tube aims to penetrate into one’s skin to hydrate and improve the elasticity of the skin. In addition to that, it aims to give your skin a hydrating boost.
The Final Verdict
The final step is to put on this moisturizer. Aside from being scentless and moisturizing, I felt that this moisturizer absorbed quickly into my skin. It also felt thick and more suitable for those with dry to normal skin type. I was unable to tell if my skin became more elastic but it was definitely moisturized.
All in all, I would give the ABIB Hydration Cream Water Tube Sample packet 4 IreviewUread smiles for it does its job in hydrating and moisturizing one’s skin. However, because of it’s thick texture, it is more suitable for those with normal-dry skin type.
We have finally reached the end of this review. Oh boy, that was long!
In conclusion, Althea Sun-kissed beauty Box has an average of 4 IreviewUread smiles out of 5. Although it does have some OK products, I felt that most of the products provided in the box are of premium quality. Plus it’s a beautifully themed box for one to get beach ready and summer ready. If you love this box as much as I do, do get your box soon for as I said, these boxes get sold out quick. Head over to Althea here for a direct link of the box.
Alright, that’s it for this review. I’ll see you in the next!
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