Last month, Althea contacted me if I would like to join in their exclusive gossip group. Having worked with them in their release on their first product, which was the Althea Petal Velvet Powder, I immediately obliged. I thought it would be awesome to be one of their gossip girls trying out their newest skincare line.
I received the PR package sometime in the last week of March and I was so excited to try each of the products!
In the box, I got the 3 products in full size - the Contour Cleanser, Primer Toner, and Fixer Cream, together with 5 samplers, a cute limited edition Bare Essentials mirror, and a granite marble tile for flatlay purposes. I immediately shared an unboxing of these on my Instagram stories (@renalexis01) which are now saved in my Skincare Highlights.
Althea has introduced a simplified skincare routine by just using the most basic step which is cleanse-tone-moisturize. And with their newly launched brand - Bare Essentials - these steps are all you need to have that smooth, plump face. "You skin completes makeup" and all that jazz.
Great makeup starts from great skin - minimize your base make-up with Althea Bare Essentials! With nourishing ingredients and easy execution, this 3-product regime breaks down and simplifies the K-beauty routine for the urban woman. Step 1 is the Contour Cleanser, a rich and foaming cleanser that removes impurities while improving blood circulation for that V-shaped look. It contains micro-capsules to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and leaves the skin feeling cool and refreshed too! Use together with the Primer Water and Fixer Cream for best results! Don't just cover up - complete your makeup with your skin. (Althea)
I have incorporated each product gradually, one by one, in my skincare routine. And after having been using them for roughly over a month now, I think I can confidently give an honest to goodness review of each product. Let me start with the Bare Essentials Contour Cleanser.
Bare Essentials Contour Cleanser
This cleanser lathers up into a rich foam, have micro-capsules for gentle exfoliation, and claims to reduce swelling to have a defined face shape (that's why it's named as a contour cleanser). It will work well for all skin types. And its key ingredients are Ice plant that hydrates and calms redness, and Lemon Myrtle which is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to strengthen the skin.
Price: PHP300
How to use this product: Dampen the skin, then squeeze out a small amount and lather onto the face, massaging in circular motions. Rinse off with water after.
Complete ingredients list: Glycerin,Water,Myristic Acid,Stearic Acid,Potassium Hydroxide,Palmitic Acid,Lauric Acid,PEG-32,Glyceryl Stearate,PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine,Glyceryl Stearate SE,Microcrystalline Cellulose,Zea Mays (Corn) Starch,Lactose,Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Polyquaternium-67,Sodium Chloride,Disodium EDTA,Menthol,Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-7,Fructooligosaccharides,Saccharide Hydrolysate,Pullulan,1,2-Hexanediol,Tocopheryl Acetate, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract,Sodium Benzoate,Sodium Acetate,Butylene Glycol, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract,Ethylhexylglycerin,Fragrance (source)
Personal Thoughts: What I like about this cleanser is that you only need a pea-size amount to cleanse your whole face, literally a pea-size. It lathers up so nicely so this product will go a long, long way. Its 300-peso price tag is so worth it. It has a subtle scent that isn't overpowering which I like, and after I wash it off, it doesn't dry out my skin. I don't feel a tightening sensation and I can feel how smooth and soft my skin becomes. It doesn't strip off my skin's moisture and I really appreciate this effect. As for its effectivity on keeping my acne at bay, I don't think this does much. Yes it definitely hydrates, but I need a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to tame my acne and I've found a great cleanser for this. So yep, this is one factor that will make me think twice about repurchasing this product.
Product Rating: 4/5
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Bare Essentials Primer Toner
This toner hydrates and preps the layers of the skin, has "Dewdrops” that soften and improve suppleness, and acts as a primer that smooths out unevenness in the skin. It's okay for all skin types. And its key ingredients are Snow lotus which smoothens and brightens the skin while evening out its texture, and the Patented "dewdrop" formulation that revitalizes the skin and provides immediate, effective moisture.
Price: PHP550
How to use this product: Pour out a small amount and apply evenly onto the face, gently patting in for better absorption.
Complete ingredients list: Water,Propanediol,Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone,Alcohol,1,2-Hexanediol,Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract,Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract,Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer,Tromethamine,Betaine,Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate,Xanthan Gum,Ethylhexylglycerin,Pullulan,Butylene Glycol,Dipropylene Glycol,Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract,Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract,Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Extract,Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract,Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sclerotium Gum,Agar,Polysorbate 20,PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,Fragrance (source)
Personal Thoughts: This toner has a thick consistency that resembles that of an essence. It's not your common water-like toner and this is what I love about this product. It is an essence and a toner all in one. It has a viscous texture and it absorbs quickly which is what I look for in a toner. I love how it instantly makes my skin feels hydrated and plump. I usually layer this product 2-3 times in my evening routine. I also like its flowery subtle scent. Overall, this is one of my faves in this skincare line. Repurchase? Oh yes, I will!
Product Rating: 5/5
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Bare Essentials Fixer Cream
This moisturizer claims to penetrates deep into the layers of the skin to plump them, gives 24-hour hydration, and has a non-sticky finish once absorbed. This product is also good for all skin types. Its key ingredients are Trehalose, which is a powerful humectant that retains moisture on the skin, Wild Green Tea which is hydrating, skin soothing and packed with antioxidants, and Baobab Tree Extract which is a non-greasy moisturizing agent that helps promote collagen production.
Price: PHP640
How to use this product: Apply evenly onto the face and gently pat in till absorbed
Complete ingredients list: Water,Glycerin,Methylpropanediol,Dimethicone,Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin),Cyclopentasiloxane,Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol,Cetearyl Alcohol,Polysorbate 60,PEG-100 Stearate,Cyclohexasiloxane,Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract,Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract,Carbomer,Tromethamine,Polyacrylate-13,Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate,Polyisobutene,Propanediol,Ethylhexylglycerin,Pullulan,Disodium EDTA,Polysorbate 20,Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate,Trehalose,Sodium Hyaluronate,Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract,Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract,Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract,Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract,Fragrance (source)
Personal Thoughts: I love this cream. If you don't know yet, moisturizing is my favorite skincare step. And with this product, it gives my skin the moisture it needs and I just love how my skin drinks this product up. It plumps up my skin and gives me that healthy glow. I love its scent, and I love its texture which is simply just a fluffy, white cream. It's not too thick, it's not too runny or watery, it's just the perfect creamy texture that gives my skin the nutrition it needs. For its 640-peso price point, I think this 1.76 oz of product is worth the money. And you'll only need a little product to cover your face so a jar will probably last you for 3 or 4 months. The only downside of it though is it doesn't come with a spatula. So having this product in a jar becomes unhygienic after a time because you'll be dipping your finger to get the product every time. Good thing is that I have an extra spatula from my previous product empties which is what I am using now for this one, hehe. Overall verdict, I love this product. I definitely see myself going back to this one even if I will be testing out other moisturizers. Repurchase? Yes, I definitely will.
Product Rating: 4.8/5 (just cause it doesn't come with a spatula)
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And that completes my review of the Bare Essentials products. This skincare line emphasizes that "Less is More". And I definitely think that if you are someone who is new to the skincare journey, definitely try this skincare line. But of course, proceed with caution and I'm going to say this disclaimer here. That what works for me will not guarantee that it will work on you too. Of course, skincare is a very personal journey and the effectivity of a product depends on what your skin type is.
After 2 years of riding on this skincare journey, I can honestly say that discovering the perfect skincare products for you will take a lot of trial and error, patience, and of course, money.
But I hope that this blog post review will help shed some light on you to have some sort of an idea of how this product worked for me.
Thanks for dropping my blog! I wish you a good day!
