THE first place I would probably visit when I travel again is Hong Kong. There’s something about the city’s energy that’s really very different but still very Asian. You know how it is when you shop in, say, New York, and you have fun but it’s different when it’s in Hong Kong.
Yes, shopping is more fun in Hong Kong because they have everything from bargains to luxury stuff and don’t get me started on stores like Sasa, which sells a wide variety of beauty products. Sasa is usually a stop whenever I travel to Hong Kong for work or pleasure. Whatever happens and no matter how busy I am, I will always find the time to visit a Sasa. Also, the hotel I choose on vacation has to have a Sasa branch within walking distance. I love the discounted products and the special brand promos they usually have. Also, before fragrance minis became a big deal, you could find them at Sasa. That was how I could try many different fragrance brands without spending so much.
Thanks to Shopee Philippines, specifically Shopee Mall, we can still shop at Sasa for our skincare, hair care and makeup needs even without going to Hong Kong. I get to shop for some of my favorite beauty brands with substantial discounts (true story: sometimes the discount is up to 90-percent off). I also get to enjoy new launches and other special deals. Right now, Sasa on Shopee Mall is offering free shipping for a minimum spend of P499. They have weekly deals on specific brands so I always check just in case some of my favorites are on sale.
Anyway, here are my picks for the season. I do change my skincare products, depending on the season.
When it comes to sunscreens, I mostly trust Japanese and Korean products. Bioré Watery Essence Water Base SPF50+ Pa++++ is one of my favorites because it sinks into the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast. This sunscreen (bit.ly/3LMCaD8) protects against UV damage and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
This water-based sunscreen is very easy to apply and contains hyaluronic acid and citrus essence to hydrate and protect the skin. Here are a couple of reminders with regard to sunscreen use. You need an SPF of not lower than 50 in the summer, especially if you are going outdoors. Also, you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. In 2020, I went to Europe during the winter and applied sunscreen only in the morning. I thought that since there was no sun anyway, I’d be okay. Well, I was wrong. No thanks to that mistake, I still have hyperpigmentation on parts of my face two years later. The 50g Bioré Watery Essence Water Base SPF50+ Pa++++ is currently at 49-percent off.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution (currently at 37-percent off at Sasa on Shopee Mall) has an activated C formula, which promises to address deep-set dark spots and even the skin tone. Activated C is a stabilized form of vitamin C, which can be unstable. This serum has white birch extract and peony extract. The two ingredients help lessen the damage cause by free radicals on the skin and promise a youthful appearance minus the dark spots. I’m not into whitening and I’m all about embracing my flaws but I use Kiehl’s Dark Spot Solution on my hyperpigmentation and also apply a bit on my elbows. It can also be used to brighten the appearance of dull skin.
According to the Kiehl’s trials, after one bottle of Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution (bit.ly/3xfhJe5), 97 percent of users saw significant reduction in hyperpigmentation, 97 percent saw significant reduction in dark spots and 87 saw reduction in post-acne scars.
If there is one skincare product that I’ve repurchased so many times in my lifetime, it’s the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, a serum that was reformulated last year. I am always asked what it does and I always say this watery serum takes care of my skin like no other. It hydrates, softens, protects and does so many good things to my skin. Sometimes, I try to save money by not using it every night but my skin suffers when I do that. When I use this, I wake up with better skin. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex is at 40-percent off right now (bit.ly/3DVjfDv). What I also love about this serum is that it doesn’t clog my pores.
I plan to buy at least three bottles of the Bioré Watery Essence Water Base SPF50+ Pa++++ because the savings are quite substantial and because it’s the summer, we go through sunscreen really quickly.