Althea Korea, The K-Beauty Mecca

I am sure I don't need to walk you all through the mechanics of shopping online because most sites are the same: you sign up for an account, you add things to your cart and you check out. As simple as that.

So why am I doing this today? Because this new kid on the block, Althea Korea, is the whole package!

① Free shipping
Now how rare is this: free international shipping! Yes, for purchases over RM 150 but that is easy enough to reach right?

② Authenticity guarantee
As a promise that their merchandises are only sourced from reputable suppliers, Althea Korea will refund 200% of the purchase price if you do receive a knockoff.

③ Price-match
Should you purchase an item at a better price than what is offered on Althea Korea, please email them at help@althea.kr and their team will do their best to match it for you.

④ Return policy
Althea Korea allows its customers to return merchandise for any reason up to 30 days after the arrival date and receive a credit to their accounts.

Not too shabby right? And to make their Grand Opening bigger and better, they are offering 대박 (jackpot) deals: Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Gel for RM 1, Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask at RM 0 (not a typing error), and also a 1+1 Laneige Water Sleeping Mask promotion!

I was given RM 150 to fund my shopping experience but I immediately topped up with my own money when I saw the listing for IOPE's Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning. This baby has a RSP of ￦ 60,000 (≈ RM 201) and it only costs RM 161 on the site! The other products are going for unbelievable prices too - the whole place is practically temptation incarnate.

My order took 3 business days to arrive from the shipping date, and even the local mail carrier, Skynet, added to my joy by delivering it to my doorstep in a timely manner. The box arrived without a single dent (which is a testament to its sturdy build) and within it were my products burrowed in wrapping tissue and thick bubble wrap.

Like? I bet you do! Click here to start shopping!

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May Coop Cleansing Mousse

Name: May Coop 메이쿱 Cleansing Mousse 클렌징 무스
Price: ₩ 24,000 for 150 ml
Made in: Korea

Suitable for all skin types, May Coop's Cleansing Mousse eliminates the need for washing nets. Why? The pump mechanism is able to create lots of fine bubbles! This follows the Japanese way of cleansing where they believe that only the lather should come in contact with your skin (and not your fingers/palms) to minimise the need for excessive friction.

The floral scent is excellent for inducing relaxation after a long day. It is gentle, soothing and not too strong. The cleanser contains Maple Sap, renowned for its moisturising properties due to its high glycerin content. As a result, the brand reckons that you can skip the toner and essence steps.

Dry patches emerged soon after I incorporated it into my regimen (a first for me!). It took two days to appear, then two days to worsen (my right cheek and subsequently the area above my brows) before I finally caught on and stopped all contact. It is such a shame because I was actually quite fond of it prior to my discovery; my skin felt really soft (as if I slabbed on an inch of really nourishing products all over my skin). Baffling right?

Well, on the bright side, I suppose my eczema lotion will finally come in handy *coughs* Anyways, it could be my dehydrated skin acting up or there could be something in this cleanser that does not agree with my skin. Considering how well behaved my mug has been lately, I am leaning towards the latter to be the culprit.

I may give it another trial once my skin heals and has the time to recuperate from this ordeal. Wish me luck! Ladies, check out the ingredient list before you decide whether you should give this cleanser a go - only you know what is best for your skin!

The full ingredient list for Cleansing Mousse:

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

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Philips KeraShine Session With Chezz Technique Salon

I ended hump day on a high note thanks to Philips's invitation to break the fast with them; if only all Wednesdays could be like this! Anyways, I managed to capture some photographs after I heaved myself up from the dining table...

The session officially started with Puey Yoon's (the Personal Care Marketing Manager) brief. She mentioned that a whopping 51% of Malaysian women don't possess hairdryers or styling devices because they fear hair damage. She also revealed that 70% visit hair salons to achieve the latest styles and trends from international markets as well as to treat their hair.

(Source: Jacqueline)

These concerns brought the KeraShine range to life. Infused with keratin and negative ions, the KeraShine tools will enable you to style your hair without damaging them!

Clockwise from top right:
◆ Philips KeraShine Heated Styling Brush HP8632 RM 199
◆ Philips KeraShine Dryer HP8216 RM 169
◆ Philips KeraShine Straightener HP8316 RM 169

The loveliest fellow from Chezz Technique Salon then gave us a demonstration of what these stylers can do before we were sent off to do our own things (well, to put it simply) in a group challenge.

Every hand was a blur for the next 20 minutes! I am hopeless with tools, and probably did more abusing than styling *sheepish grin* Fortunately for me, my model's hair turned shinier with each stroke of the heated brush plus I had the rest of my teammates (Jacqueline, the braids whizz, and Kelly, the mastermind) there to save the day.

My model, Elana. Thank you for putting up with my less than gentle ministrations!

The prize - a hair treatment voucher from Chezz Technique Salon. Thank you!!

I got to bring all three stylers home so I will revert back with the full details the soonest possible. In the interim, do check out the Philips KeraShine range at the Philips Brand Store at Publika Shopping Gallery or at major electrical and departmental stores.

Part ②

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Veet Mega Model Search 2015

Veet kick-started the inaugural Veet Mega Model Search in March 2015 to provide a platform that will help a lucky girl to get her foot in the door of the modelling industry.

Close to 800 submissions poured in, and after months of grueling work, photo shoots and endless amounts of pressure, the winner of the Veet Mega Model Search 2015 was crowned in front of an enthusiastic audience on Wednesday, July 1st in a bash held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.

Rowena Lau will receive an opportunity to be featured in a magazine with actress Izara Aishah and supermodel Amber Chia; RM 8,500 worth of modelling courses at the Amber Chia Academy; RM 1,000 worth of Reckitt Benckiser products and to top it off, a cash prize of RM 10,000.

Completing the top 5 from the 10 finalists were Nurul Faizura (1st runner-up), Andrea Tan (2nd runner-up), Crystal Tung (Most Photogenic Model) and Emy Farrah Elena (Most Confident Model).

Congratulations ladies! Now go conquer the world!

The event also saw the launch of the new Brightening Hair Removal Cream for 'normal to dry skin' and 'sensitive skin'. They remove short, stubborn hairs and gently lift dead skin cells to reveal smoother, visibly brighter skin with every depilation.

Priced at RM 14.70, these creams are readily available at all leading major pharmacies nationwide.

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Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask

Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask has got to be one of the most awesome clay masque I EVER had the pleasure of using and it is not because of the awesome ingredient list (6,020 mg of Jeju Volcanic Clay and plant extracts such as Satsuma, Orchid and Green Tea) even though it plays a major part.

Name: Innisfree 이니스프리 Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask 수퍼 화산송이 클레이 무스 마스크
Price: ₩ 19,000 for 100 ml
Made in: Korea

Not only does it unclog pores (deep cleansing), it spot treats (calms blemishes), brightens (revitalises dull skin) and softens (baby smooth skin). It is also mild enough for regular usage (the brand recommends 1-2× weekly) and does not dry out or irritate my skin.

This mask is a thick and creamy mousse that glides on very easily. As with all clay masks, it is recommended that you apply a thick layer and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Remember not slather the mask everywhere unless it is absolutely necessary and restrict it to the regions of the T-zone and chin.

Unlike a lot of clay masks out there, Innisfree's version is pretty bearable on the nose - earthy yet metallic - and is pretty much negligible (for me at least). It is like they figured that they would desist from torturing our olfactory senses while they whack all the impurities out of our skins.

To top it all, this mask comes in a handy aerosol can. No more digging around with fingers and worrying about hygiene issues! Getting this mask from an Innisfree outlet for RM 70 was one of the best decisions I ever made in my journey for beautiful skin!

The full ingredient list for Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask:
Water, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Volcanic Ash, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearic Acid, Cellulose, Palmitic Acid, Bentonite, Cyclohexasiloxane, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Lactic Acid, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Xanthan Gum, Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Nitrogen.

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Clinelle CaviarGold Firming Lotion

Name: Clinelle CaviarGold Firming Lotion
Price: RM 59.30 for 180 ml
Made in: Korea

Like the eye serum, this sparkle infused lotion is also formulated with Triple-Gold Lifting & Firming Complex to minimise pores, refine skin texture and allow better penetration of subsequent skincare products.

I thought that the large opening meant that I would have to squeeze shake the product out, thus a thick, viscous liquid came to mind but I was greeted by a thin, runny liquid. It threw me for a loop, haha! This consistency meant that it absorbs quickly without leaving a tacky film behind.

It forms a moisturising barrier over my skin - a tangible veil if I am being precise! I can't stop touching my face when I have this lotion on. My skin is markedly smoother with it than without it.

I have been using this product for four weeks now (closing in onto five) and I have noticed no difference aside from that initial boost in softness. As to why this is, it could be that my ageing mug needs more concentrated dosages (since I fared very well with the eye serum). If you have used this product, please feel free to chime in with your thoughts. Everyone reacts differently!

If you plan to buy something from clinelle.com, be it this lotion or another product, use the code FANWHTEKUVO20 to get RM 20 off your total (only valid for orders above RM 100)!

The full ingredient list for CaviarGold Firming Lotion:
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Forstyhia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Caviar Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-9, Colloidal Gold, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI77491.

Disclosure: Gift certificate.

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