Where I got it: I was lucky enough to be invited to be an Althea Angel and be in the exclusive Althea Angels community. In case you have no idea what an Althea Angel is, it is basically a community of beauty influencer or content creators that are hand-selected by the Althea team to be their ambassadors.
Althea is an online company that sells Korean cosmetics and skincare worldwide. They are (I think) based in Korea but you can purchase from their website or app anywhere in the world. About a year ago, the brand has already contacted me to do an unboxing/review of their products – I’ll link it here. Back then I was already impressed with the product selection, you can filter by brands, check out Korea’s latest trends and their top picks. You can bookmark the brands that you like and save them for quick access later. They don’t stock everything from each brand, but if you want to try something out from a particular brand for a really good price, you should definitely check out Althea first.
Their products are 100% legit and are not old or due to expire. They are able to get really competitive prices, but not necessarily cheapest for all products. Well for me, it is really cheap because we are well away from Korea and any Asian countries therefore getting K-beauty products in New Zealand can be quite expensive. For a reference, Hikoco (store in NZ that stocks Korean beauty products) stocks the Huxley Secret of Sahara Oil Essence for NZD$55, but Althea stocks if for USD$30 (NZD$45), but Althea has great discounts all the time. You also get free shipping when you spend over USD$50 (otherwise shipping is USD$11).
I have a new order from Althea coming from Korea at the moment. I will share more with you over there in regards to shipping costs, time frames, etc. Now let’s get to the two new products in the welcome box!
Althea x Get It Beauty Real Fresh Skin Detoxer
What I got: So, let’s get down to business. the welcome pack comes with a cute little pink uPVC makeup bag and a handheld mirror. There are also cute cardboard cut-outs you fold to make these little boxes (to celebrate Althea turning 3! #altheaturns3). Then there are 2 new Althea x Get It Beauty products. They have just launched on 1st August exclusively on the Althea website. These two products are created in collaboration with Get It Beauty which is Korea’s top TV program.
The Real Fresh Skin Detoxer in Rose and Green Tea are 10-second masks. Yes, you read correctly, 10 seconds, not 10 minutes.
How I find it: You simply apply the mask to dry skin, give your skin a gentle massage, 10 second is up and you add a bit of water to work it into a foamy lather and then rinse. The formula claims to be so strong and effective, it will do its magic within 10 seconds. I like to use the Green Tea in the morning and Rose at night in the shower (I apply it over damp skin in the shower).
Althea x Get It Beauty Real Fresh Skin Detoxer
Green tea is for purifying and Rose is brightening. The Green Tea one has a deep green colour with bits of, I suppose, ground up green tea leaves suspended in the gel-like texture. Rose has real, broken up rose petals suspended in a pale yellow gel. The gel-like consistency is a bit runny but not sticky when you put it on the face. The small green tea and rose bits do not scrub the skin as they are really soft and almost melts down when in friction with your skin. They both smell great and is not overwhelming.
Althea x Get It Beauty Real Fresh Skin Detoxer – Green Tea
Althea x Get It Beauty Real Fresh Skin Detoxer – Rose
After massaging into the skin for 10 seconds, I wet my fingers and massage a little bit more to create a watery foam then wash off. After drying my skin, but skin feels smooth and supple with no irritation or redness. I actually tried a few times and left it on for longer than 10 seconds and my skin was still fine. No stinging or burning.
Althea x Get It Beauty Real Fresh Skin Detoxer
Overall: Honestly, I think the “10-second mask” is a little gimmicky, but nonetheless I like how the mask makes my skin feel during the massage and after washing off. The entire package of the product is very appealing to me – packaging, claims, scent, texture, effect and price. I have been using this continuously for 2 weeks now and I really like them. They are an extra step in my skincare but it’s only for 10 seconds. If I don’t do any other masks that week, my skin still feels great – purified and hydrated at the same time. I would still use the masks I currently love, because to spend time on a hydrating mask is also a time for relax and pampering.
So if you don’t have time on your hands for a 10-20 minute mask, give this a go and use it every day or night. I literally felt my skin is smoother once I wash off the mask, but the full benefits would be seen if you use this continuously for at least 2 weeks.
