Five Things Saving Me This Summer 2021

 This is not a sponsored post by any means. I just got thinking about what items have made this summer bearable for me this year, despite a limited budget.

And it's not prickly heat powder or air-conditioning XD

Romand Glasting Water Tint in Brick River

 One thing I received last Christmas was Romand Glasting Water Tint in Brick River and I'm very thankful for it. I did see a lot of youtubers talking about it, but I didn't plan on getting it for mask and wallet reasons.

Eco Friendly Alternatives (The Toilet Paper Edition): Fresh Eco-Pulp Premium Bathroom Tissue vs BabebiBambu Premium Bamboo Tissue.

A little under a decade ago, I decided to switch to a more eco-friendly toilet paper because I was feeling guilty about how much toilet paper I used. It was one of those bathroom thoughts that was easy enough to implement, unlike the hand bidet (a currently unrealized wish because of possible water pressure issues). I thought I did a post on it years ago, but it was never published. Oops.

Anyway, as I'm spending more time at home, I've thought about things a bit more. Recently, I've been trying out two different "premium" eco-friendly bathroom tissues: Fresh Eco-Pulp Premium Bathroom Tissue  and BabebiBambu Premium Bamboo Tissue to figure out if I liked recycled versus bamboo tissue as my eco-friendly alternative to virgin pulp toilet paper.

After all, I prefer keeping bamboo wipes in my bag.

Which will I be going forward with?

BCL x Althea Sunrise Moonrise Palette

 Honestly, when you first see the official pictures of Althea's first eye palette, you'd think it wasn't anything remarkable. Still, I was able to get this on promo as a GWP during last year's 11.11 sale. Why, you ask? Well, it's expiring on 11. 2021. So while this has been out for a long time, I first cracked it open last lunar new year since I was thinking of using the red shade in this palette. I was then pleasantly surprised when I first swatched it out.

This is now my official 2021 palette.

Step Up Properly: Clear Anti Dandruff Scalp Care Shampoo

 Finished up my latest bottle of anti-dandruff shampoo: Clear's Anti-Danruff Scalp Care Shampoo.

Which, to be honest, I bought because of the bottle. If you look it up online, it's different because it has this weird slide to open mechanism.. It's gimmicky, but it honestly stays on well and doesn't leak. The formula is runny so it's very easy to get all of it out even if you can't keep the bottle upside down.

Which is great. I don't need to chip my nail polish in the shower. And I think this could be useful too for people with low grip strength...I wonder if this top type might catch on.

But as an anti-dandruff shampoo, it works as well as the old formula. And that meant okay-ish, even with daily use. Not remarkable enough that I'd repurchase.

So it doesn't really stand out enough and I really don't see myself buying it again since the scent or quality aren't stellar. I don't see this an effective way to really grab market share. Step up, Clear. Product perfection before packaging.

In Her Element Petal Skin Rose Toning Essence

 Really short review because this thing has been out of stock. But really, if you can, try In Her Element's Petal Skin Rose Toning Essence.

I really loved the mist, and I've actually purchased and gifted that to family and friends. But this thing is like the mist's more responsible, more concentrated older sister.

Packaging is crap. But this slighlty viscous liquid packs quite a punch.

Get it before it's gone!

Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferrulic Acid Serum

 At long last I've finally decided to try Timeless' 20% Vitamin C + E Ferrulic Acid Serum. Why? Because I found a trusted reseller on shopee. Because while I've heard a lot of good things about it and it technically ships to the Philippines. But let's be honest, international shipping is a gamble, and so are most re-sellers.

After two months of testing and finishing this serum, here are my thoughts.

Thank You Maquillage Dramatic Styling Eyes

 I never really used to wear eye shadow, but with the pandemic, eye make-up rapidly became one of the things I've been using to express myself and feel better. For the entirety of 2020, I depended on one palette to see me through, and that was Maquillage's Dramatic Styling Eyes in OR 321.

Now I'm not sure if you can buy the exact product right now off Ebay, but I've looked at the website and boy, do I want to buy their other eye shadow palettes.

Honey Teas

 I love drinking: alcoholic and non-alcoholic, coffee or tea, hot or cold. When I feel like I need a sweet drink, instead of going for a milk tea, or adding sugar to my coffee, I've been going for flavored teas. 

Sometimes, I go for fruity teas, but it's honestly not enough to satisfy my sweet tooth so I've been going for these korean honey teas.

I've just been adding hot water instead of proper tea so it's a sweet and mild caffeine-free merienda/afternoon snack drink.

I've only tried two variants: citron/yuzu based and citron with ginger. I prefer the former but I tend to use the latter when I need a heatier kick. Each jar will cost somewhere between Php 300-Php 700 and I tend to go through one or two a month when it's cold (Dec-Feb) so it's started to become a significant expense. 

It's still significantly cheaper than my previous coffee shop habit, and my parents love it too, so I don't think this will be changing for a while.

Discard: Previous Hada Labo Lotion Reviews

Hada Labo recently reformulated their lotions in 2020, continuing to 2021. For example, the Melano CC lotion has just changed. I'm kinda sad that my previous reviews on the premium and light versions are now obsolete since they've reformulated. Especially as I still had one pending review of the old formulation of the Gokujyun Alpha but since it's now discontinued, I guess that won't be happening. I do like the Alpha Lotion too though.

But I'm very happy that Hada Labo continues to upgrade and improve their products. It seems that unlike some reformulations, the changes are generally for the better. It makes me want to go back to them, but as I am on a low buy, that might take quite a while...

Illiyoon Probiotics Skin Barrier Essence Drop

Illiyoon is a brand I'd never heard of despite existing for quite a while under Amore Pacific, but blew up sometime last year. However, as part of a low buy policy last year (and this year), I didn't end up buying anything from the line until February's 2.2 celebration in which I bought a bunch of masks and this little beauty:

This is just a deluxe size of Illiyoon's Probiotics Skin Barrier Essence Drop. I bought it on shopee and while it's supposed to cost Php 200, I got it for around Php 75 (though I saw that its price sometimes drops to around Php 50 sometimes too).

At first I was hesitant, despite the price, because my skin doesn't like galactomyces ferments and this may have perfume, but I decided to take the risk because the hype got to me.

Time for Tea: Hitejinro Black Bori Roasted Dark Barley Tea

 I love me my Chai Li Won Green Tea, but I've recently been into Barley Tea. I've bought a bunch of tea bags for heated versions, but I've been enjoying this Roasted Dark Barley Tea.

It isn't sweetened, but it's sweet and nutty. It's much richer in taste and darker in color than the normal yellow to green barley drinks. It also feels richer than most hot mugi cha I've had recently (although I haven't had much lately. However, it is very expensive, running at Php 60-70 for a 520 ml bottle and is found only at certain Korean groceries.

I'd also recommend this for everyone for at least a try.

Aveeno: Daily Moisturizing Lotion versus Baby Daily Moisture Lotion

 Aveeno, while not that expensive, is not something that I'd ever thought I'd use. Luckily, I was somehow able to get a sample each of the Daily Moisturizing Lotion and the Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. And ended up recommending the latter for C's baby's use!

Why? It's not just because the second product was meant for babies.