Althea : Bare Essentials (First Look)

Hey guys! I'm back again with a review of Althea's Skincare line. I just received my parcel about a week ago. I thought of writing a "first look" and the full review a month later. I've actually had been reading and watching alot of reviews on Althea products. When I recently found out that my Mary Kay moisturiser wasn't doing what it was supposed to do.. I decided to change my skincare products, since almost everything is about to finish. Anyways, after all the positive feedback I've heard about Althea's new skincare line, I decided to give it a shot. My skin is currently really dry that it's become sensitive. :( So I was looking for the simplest products and also really mild ones, those where it's really light and moisturising. I've tried the skincare range for a week now, and I'm loving it.

Let's get into the products now. The Bare Essentials set has three products the Contour Cleanser, Primer Water and Fixer Cream. I was really excited to receive my parcel. oh! let me sidetrack for a little bit, I got another two products with this order and it was the "Spotlight Eye Glitter" and the "Petal Velvet Powder". I haven't really tried either of those products, I'll write my take on them soon. Okay, back to the skincare products.

Contour Cleanser

As the name describes, this is a cleanser. It is white, cream-like in texture and it also contains micro capsules which help exfoliate dead skin cells. It is a foaming cleanser that lathers up really easily. Hence, I only need a small amount to clean my whole face. I was rather skeptical of foam cleansers as they usually make my skin feel really stretched after a wash. Surprisingly this one didn't! It was a pleasant surprise, since it contained micro beads as well I expected it to be a little harsher than the usual ones I'm used to but this made my skin feel and look fresh. There was also a minty after feel to it.

The key ingredients in this are the ice plant (hydrates and calms redness) and the lemon verbena leaf (rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to strengthen the skin).

Rate: 4.5/5
Price: MYR23

Primer Water

Now this is an interesting product, this caught my eye. Its unique name was what caught my eye, and the more I read up on it the more I was intrigued and interested to try it out. Although the name is 'Primer Water', the texture was a little thicker than water and has a really faint scent. With its "dewdrop" formulation, it says that it will help soften and improve suppleness. I actually expected it to take effect in the long run, but even after one use my skin felt really soft and supple. Another plus point for me is it absorbs really quick by patting it gently into the skin and it doesn't leave a sticky feeling after I've used it unlike some of my toners. I absolutely love it!

Snow lotus - Smoothens and brightens the skin while evening out its texture 

Patented "dewdrop" formulation - Revitalizes the skin and provides immediate, effective moisture

Rate: 4.5/5
Price: MYR43


Fixer Cream

After the first two products, I had pretty high expectations regarding this fixer cream. The only problems I've had with some moisturisers is the feel of it after application. I really absolutely cannot stand the sticky feeling. After application, my skin feels refreshed and hydrated. There isn't the dreaded sticky feeling so that's another plus point for me. There is a stronger scent in this fixer cream compared to the Primer Water, however after application the scent is very subtle and soothing so it doesn't really bother me. After using it a couple more times over the week, I realised it gave my skin a dewy look without making my skin oily.

Trehalose - Powerful humectant that retains moisture on the skin 

Wild Green Tea - Hydrating, skin soothing and pack with antioxidants 

Baobab Tree Extract - Non-greasy moisturizing agent that helps promote collagen production

Rate: 4.5/5
Price: MYR50


Overall, I really like this skincare range. This works well as a day routine, as it moisturises without being to rich or oily. Just 3 simple basic steps. Cleanse. Tone. Moisturise.

You could purchase their skincare range at https://my.althea.kr/

That's all for my first look, I will be back with full reviews on each product in a month's time.

2018

It's been another rollercoaster ride in 2018. There were many unexpected moments, both joyous and heartbreaking.

I know I've neglected to write here, I shall endeavour to write more in 2019. That will be my New Year's Resolution for 2019. :D

Life... is very unexpected. Even the most well thought out plans can go awry. I guess at the end of the day it is God that plans and we just adapt and make the best of it.

To live is to expect the unexpected

Baby Steps

Why I say that is because I have always tried to make plans but as the years go by, I have sort of given up on detailed plans because a simple decision or mistake can cause those well-made plans to change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. So now the only plans I make are those that are more like general guidelines. More like goals that I wish to achieve and the plan to get there is through 'Improvisation' along the way. To me it is more of the journey than the destination. I like to stop and enjoy the scenery. In my opinion, life is made up of the little little moments that may seem insignificant at the time. The moments that brings us happiness, the hardships we face, the disappointments, those are all little moments that made us who we are today. Those are the memories that I would carry with me till the day I leave this world, that will be what I would reminisce and laugh about when I'm old and grey. I want to make the most of the time so that one day I can look back and smile fondly at the adventures that the younger me went through. I want to have stories to tell one day, I want to be able to say that I have lived. I want to be content with the life I have lived, of course there will be mistakes and regrets along the way but I want to write my own story.



It may seem as if I'm living in the clouds and dreaming, but this is the one thing I've been sure of since I was a child. I've never been one to be ambitious or a workaholic (I detest the idea of work) but I crave the balance. I am one person that needs both work and play. I cannot have one without the other...

help?

2018 has been another great year, filled with ups and downs (and mostly loads of stupid mistakes and silly moments), of second chances that in hindsight I shouldn't have given and of trying to find myself. Self discovery and a little self destruction as well, but then again I enjoyed most of it! (even the mistakes) hahaha I've received my fair share of gifts and troubles. I discovered that work is not easy, working with a difficult boss is even more challenging! I got through it and it was an eye opener... However, I've learnt that no matter how difficult the hardship, it will end and God never puts a wall that I couldn't climb over in front of me. It may take some time (some longer and some shorter) but He always leaves me with a solution, or a lesson that I need to learn. I've strayed from Him for a long time now and I think it's finally time for me to reconnect with Him. I'm still struggling to accept Him again but it gets easier along the way.

It's Official! 

IKEA date

He placed a really wonderful person in my life when I least expected it. I will be eternally grateful because this special person has helped me believe once again in love (if you didn't know I am a hopeless romantic) and he has taught me that to love a person it doesn't mean sacrificing everything. You are still you and it's okay. Loving someone doesn't mean losing yourself. I finally know and understand the phrase "Loving another is to accept him, flaws and all", that love is unconditional. It happened really fast for the both of us. I've never fallen for another so completely and quickly that it still feels surreal to me. I still feel like I'm living a dream and I may wake at any moment to realise it was all a dream. Only to wake up the next day and have him reaffirm his feelings for me through words and actions. I honestly feel like the luckiest person to have him by my side. I thank God everyday for putting this person in my life. I am still learning everyday, and I believe that He has guided me to this person. I still get really surprised by all the little things that he does for me. He's a blessing that God has given me and I will cherish and treasure him always.

Have Faith

On a different note, I have made the decision to give CLP another shot. I have failed the first time I took it and I was really down. That was the first time I had failed at something huge. My first stumble and me being me.. I crouched there and refused to stand up. I basically ran from it. I considered everything, From a career without my license to a complete change in career. I actually thought of being a copywriter for an insane moment. I knew that CLP would be tough but then I didn't expect it to be this difficult. I... still want to continue writing in my free time, it is still something that I really enjoy and love. Writing helps me put my thoughts in order and sort out the knots that may have formed along the way. It is a way where I can put my thoughts into words and rearrange them till I'm satisfied. It's time to get up and try once more. I've wallowed in self pity long enough. It's time to get up and welcome 2019 with open arms and face the challenges that it brings.

Almost(s)

There will be many more 'almosts' yet to come in the future. But why does this one hurt more than the rest. I guess I let him in when I shouldn't have. I should've remained indifferent, distant and just stayed friends.

It's difficult to get it right, love is an elusive thing yet it is present in our everyday lives and in every little moment that passes us by. Maybe he seemed like the right fit for me but we met at the wrong time. I'll admit I was adrift for so long that it was really nice to have an anchor. He may have been the right person but I guess I'll never know. I call this an 'almost' because of the possibility that I saw and still see. However, he isn't ready and there's nothing I could do to help him get to where I want him to be. No one can make someone ready when they're not. It was naive of me to think that I would be enough to change a person. It was hopeful thinking that got me this far. Wishes and hopes all dashed because I am too weary and tired from fighting a battle I don't seem to be able to win. The odds aren't in my favour. I gave him everything I could give and as it still doesn't seem to work out, I guess it's time to let go.

This actually feels like a breakup although the relationship never even began. The healing process is the same. I will most definitely be fine given some time. Then I'll be able to genuinely smile at you again.  For now everytime I look at you, I hear my heart shattering into a million pieces, and my eyes tear up. However, one day I will be able to look back to this day and fondly remember all the sweet memories you have given me without wanting to curl up into a ball and cry my heart out till I'm too exhausted to do anything but sleep. That day will come, when I'll be able to thank you for the lessons and memories. It is when that day arrives, I'll be able to be your friend again but give me some time and believe in who I am that I'll eventually be fine.

I've chased after you all this time hoping to catch up someday or that you'd wait for me to catch up. By letting go, I believe it'll allow us to be friends once more and if we're meant to be then fate will bring us together again some day.