Review: Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Choco Express (No. 19)

In my approximately 4 years as a beauty geek, I have never tried Sephora eyeshadows before. I have to honestly say that I was afraid to try them because house brands usually don't manufacture good quality products. Of course the previous statement is highly biased and it's all due to my narrow-mindedness. I was glad that Sephora included their Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in their Summer Set. Finally, I am able to try out a Sephora eyeshadow! 

According to Sephora, their Colorful Mono Eyeshadows are:

• highly pigmented
• long-lasting
• easy-blending

No fancy claims, just the necessary ones. I like! 

The Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadows retail for US$12 for a 2g/0.07oz worth of product. Currently, they are having a sale and each eyeshadow now costs US$5 only! Go get them here: http://www.sephora.com/colorful-mono-eyeshadow-P241801 

The shade that was included in the Sephora Summer Set was No. 19 Choco Express. It is described as a "dark chocolate with silver glitter". 

Packaging: Very sleek and I like how the front design is transparent. Somehow the "SEPHORA" logo blends in with the eyeshadow design. Love it!

Colour: They are definitely not kidding about the silver glitters. Those are not shimmers, they are chunky glitters! A rather foolproof combination, I must say. Dark chocolate + silver glitters = major contrast + obvious blingbling. However, I was rather skeptical about the use of glitters at the beginning because many of the glitter eyeshadows I own have the tendency to fallout very badly. I would have a river of glitters on my lower lid areas after I was done blending. Sometimes, some glitter particles would even make their way into my eyes! Ouch!

To my surprise, this was not so bad! (More on this below)

Swatch with camera flash

Swatch with camera flash - LOOK AT THOSE PRETTY GLITTERS :D 

Swatch with normal sunlight 

Pigmentation: This eyeshadow does not go on as smooth as it should be. Hence, for the colour to come out similar to the pan, you will have to build up the colour through numerous applications. Not a hassle for me but if you are in a hurry and you want some major colour on your eyelids, then maybe this can prove to be quite troublesome.

Application: As I stated above, I really detest glittery eyeshadows because of the mess they make, and because of the risk they put on my poor eyeballs. Hence, I usually try to avoid glittery eyeshadows altogether. For this Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow, I was surprised that none of my worries occured. I think the main reason why I had no glitter mishaps was because the glitter didn't come out well. When you swatch it with your finger, the glitters do come out (like the photos above), but when you use your eyeshadow brushes, they don't really pick up the glitters and so the amount of glitter on your lids is almost non-existent. Is that a good or bad thing? Good for me because I don't really like glitters, and I like the colour. So it's a win for me!

Maybe this is not a good eyeshadow for glitter junkies.

Longevity: This product is long-lasting. That I am very sure. I applied it in the morning before I met Yinghui for Lacepipe Warehouse Sale (which was a complete disaster) and it lasted me till 11pm at night!!! Crazy long-lasting! No creasing as well! I used my NYX eyelid primer and the combo worked their magic!

Blending: I'm quite agreeable with the claim that Sephora made on how this is easily blend-able. It was just as it claimed and I had no ugly straight line of eyeshadow on my eyelids. Another yay!

Will I buy it again? Yes! Why not? I'm looking at the other shades right now and kinda into Marie (rosey brown shimmer) and Retro Powderpuff (peach shimmer). Time to make a trip down to Sephora! :D

Thanks for reading and hope this has been helpful! :)

For Sale: Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser from Philosophy

Hi guys, I'm letting go a BRAND NEW and UNOPENED Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser from Philosophy. It's retailing at Sephora Singapore for S$34 for 240ml and I'm selling it at S$20. This bottle expires on July 2014 (Just bought in May 2012!). 

If you are interested, please do leave a comment with your email, or email me at fitrinalim@gmail.com. 

This is only open to Singapore residents! Thank you so much! :) 

Review: Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Natural Waterproof Mascara

The Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Natural Waterproof Mascara has such a catchy name! I was so silly when I got it in the Sephora Summer Set, and I went all "Lights...Camera...SPLASHES!" in my bedroom. My sister very timely came into the room and we both burst out laughing. So silly. HAHA. 

A nice addition to the Sephora Summer Set - I was planning to try non-Japanese and non-Korean mascaras for a change because those mascaras are so difficult to remove! I always end up using one of trustable Maybelline mascaras. 

What I have here is a mini trial version of the mascara. The actual mascara is SO GORGEOUS. Please visit Sephora.com or Tarte Cosmetics Website to see the photo of the actual product - SIMPLY GORGEOUS. 

The full sized product retails for US$19 on the Sephora website! 

Packaging: Just based on this sampler alone, I'm satisfied. It's in that pleasant dark eggplant shade which is oh-so-pretty when you combine it with tiny tiny silver shimmers. You can't really see it in photos, but under sunlight, the packaging rocks my socks. :)

Brush: Nothing special about the brush. It's the typical mascara brush, with a tapered design. This brush is a stiff one and not those filmsy plasticky type which can bend around. I like stiff brushes, I find them more sturdy than the latter types of brushes. The thing about this brush is it's not easy to apply, especially if you have shorter lashes. It just doesn't get much product on your inner lashes! Kind of messy when I tried to do so.

Formula: This has a rather watery formula. But it's rather unique because despite it being watery, it dries quite fast and that means building up the layers is quite easy! Rather surprised that I like the formula of this mascara because usually I detest mascaras that have an almost liquid consistency.

Does it do its job?
Tarte calls this the "4-in-1" mascara and claims that it will "lengthen, curl, volumize and condition" your lashes.

• Lengthening: it definitely adds some length to my lashes. Not extremely lengthening but it's alright. 
• Curling: this mascara holds curls like a dream. I curled my lashes before I used it (one of those rare times haha) and it held the curls for the entire day! Even when I was about to remove my makeup, I noticed that the curls were still existent! Amazing!
• Volumizing: I don't think so because it clumps really bad. I would not recommend more than 2 coats for this mascara because after that you will need a good lash separator to get them lashes back into good shape. 
• Conditioning: I can't really comment on this because I don't use the mascara that often. However, it's always good knowing a mascara is good for your lashes, eh?

Will I buy it again? I'm a mascara collector (or more like a hoarder), so I don't think I will get it when I run out of it. But it's a good mascara if you have the extra moolahs to spend! :) 

Thanks for reading and hope this has been EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!! :D 

Review: Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment

At first when I saw this product, I thought the brand was SUGAR. How silly. I guess bigger fonts captured my attention more. But nope, this is actually from Fresh! I have never heard of this brand before and that is why I love the Sephora Summer Set! It introduced me to so many new amazing brands! :) 

The Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment is certainly a product with a stellar performance! It's available at Sephora.com for US$22.50 (0.15oz) and there are many colours available, like Sugar Coral and Sugar Plum. The one included in the Sephora Summer Set was Sugar Rose and it's described as "sheer berry rose in pink case". 

You can get it on the Fresh's website too! (http://www.fresh.com/skincare/agedelay/sugar-rose-tinted-lip-treatment-spf-15) 

This is the description to what it does from the Sephora website:

Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends reparative oils and waxes with real sugar, a natural humectant, for delectable and dependable moisture. Sweet and tart black currant oil, rich in plumping essential fatty acids, cushions the lips while antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. It also provides essential, year-round protection from damaging UV rays. 

So how does it fare?

Packaging: This is one pretty product. I looked at all the other packagings (different colours have different packaging) and I still like this Sugar Rose one the best. So simple and delicate, yet it oozes a certain profesional vibe. Lovely!

Smell: The smell of vanilla mixed with licorice is very faint but definitely present. I have no problem with such a concoction.

Pigmentation: You can't really expect a majorly pigmented product since this is supposed to be a tinted lip balm, and I enjoy the slight berry tint from it! Adds a little health to my otherwise deadly bare complexion. :)

Longevity: This lasts a good 4 hours on me. Without food and just some water. Pretty good but definitely did not live up to the 6 hours that they promised on the Fresh website.

Moisurising? Definitely moisturising and the moisture factor lasts! Some lip balms dry your lips out. Irritating products. But this! This was moisturising through and through, until you need another application! Yay to this! :)

Swatch with camera flash - I like this berry tint! :) 

Will I buy it again? Perhaps not. This costs US$22.50 for 0.15oz, which is quite pricey. I will stick to my more mediocre lip balms for now and maybe will splurge when I have the means.

Thanks for reading! Hope this has been helpful! Woots! :D

Review: Guerlain L'OR Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold

Another product that was included the in the Sephora Summer Set - Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base. 

I received the tiny sample set - 5ml/0.18 fl oz worth of product. The full-sized product (1.1oz) retails for US$71 on the Sephora site (http://www.sephora.com/l-or-radiance-concentrate-with-pure-gold-make-up-base-P197413). That means, this sampler that was included cost an approximate of US$10? 

Of course, to part with US$71 for a full-sized makeup base is quite agonising for my rather thin wallet, so having a sampler to try is excellent. Good on you, Sephora! 

The highlight of this product is obviously THE GOLD FLECKS. Give me a product with gold flecks, and I'm highly and definitely intrigued. 

Benefits of gold on your skin:

• stimulates collagen & elastin production
• increases radiance
• reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
• reduces discoloration of age spots

(Source: http://www.busy-moms-online.com/4879/four-benefits-of-gold-skin-care-products/ and http://www.beautyfacemasks.co.uk/blog/benefits-of-gold-for-your-skin/)

What Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base promises:

• retains moisture
• smoothes fine lines
• tightens facial features
• even finish under makeup

(Source: http://www.sephora.com/l-or-radiance-concentrate-with-pure-gold-make-up-base-P197413)

So is the product as fantastic as it seems? I'm not quite sure if I don't like it because I don't have fine lines and wrinkles or because this product is too oily on my already really oily skin. It's not horrendous but I'm quite thankful I see no need for me to splurge a hefty US$71 for the full-sized product. 

Packaging: Beautiful, simple and classy packaging for the sampler bottle. I love it when brands give as much attention to sampler products as their full-sized products! Also, this is random but I have always liked Guerlain's font. HEHE. 

Product consistency: It is definitely not runny, but it's also not cream-thick. It's a pleasant consistency, much like a hand sanitiser? That's the best way I can describe it. 

Application: Shockingly pleasant. I only used the tiniest bit of product and it applies evenly on my face!  Also, I felt this really amazing cooling sensation. I was a happy girl that day because application was so great! 

How does it fare as a makeup base? I don't really use liquid foundations now because of my current skin condition, but it really helped my concealer go on smoother and easier. Maybe it's placebo effect going on (gold flecks and all haha) but I was quite sure my pores were reduced in size. 

Longevity: This is the category that disappoints me the most. This product actually made my skin MORE oily than before, which is always not welcome in my books. After a short 1.5 hours, I felt like my concealer+loose powder combi was melting, and as I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was in shock! My T-Zone area was SO OILY. I was rather disgusted and I had to blot several times that day. WHY YOU DO THIS TO ME! :( 

Will I buy it in the future? No. Why should I buy a product that makes my oily skin more oily? 

This is how the full-sized product looks like. Kind of classy and beautiful eh? Pity I will never buy it. :(

Review: Lioele Nail Colour

Recently, I made a purchase for some nailpolishes on Qoo10 just to try them out. In all, these Lioele Nail Colours have been nothing less than impressive and I have newfound trust for Korean brands now! 

Here's the link to those who want to try them out as well! http://list.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/Goods/Goods.aspx?goodscode=406276895 

I bought them at S$1.90 each due to a timed sale. Currently, they are retailing for S$3.90 each. 4 bucks for a great nailpolish is still too good to miss! I actually like them better than China Glaze nailpolishes! :) Nothing beats Deborah Lippmann nailpolishes though. I had the fortune to try one out last year during exchange and OMG I NEED THEM IN MY LIFE. But of course with a price tag like that, I can't get Deborah Lippmann nailpolishes without feeling sorry for my wallet. :'(

Back to the stars of this post! 

Here are the colour selection for Lioele Nail Colours. I bought #18, #28 and #37! 

Thanks mysune.com for the photo! 

#37 left, #28 middle and #18 right

I realised they have English names haha. So it's lavender (left), modern mint (centre) and blue purple (right)

Swatches under camera flash

I don't normally do nailpolish reviews because I'm not as professional as the real-deal nailpolish reviewers on the blogosphere, but for these babies, I'M GOING TO BREAK MY OWN RULE.

Pigmentation was amazing, two coats did the trick for me and they were not streaky coats. Smooth and no sights of those disgusting tiny bubbles. The brush was also very pleasant to use, much more pleasant than China Glaze's irritatingly rough brush that make application a nightmare.

I know this is a really slipshod and amature nailpolish review, but please do get them if you want to try on Korean brand nailpolishes. Simply amazing!

I hope this has been helpful! :) Thanks for reading! HAPPY NATIONAL DAY SINGAPORE!

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm

The Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balms have been highly reviewed and highly raved by beauty bloggers worldwide, and I could not pass on them! I think Maybelline did a fantastic job with the packaging of these babies. It's so bright and cheery, you need to get them ALL! 

I noticed that Asian markets are getting different packagings of the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm? The American and European markets introduced the lip balms as the usual sticks with transparent plastic covers, like the picture below... (update on 9th Aug 2012: apparently there's no European version! Sorry for the wrong info here!)

However, the Asian markets have these instead? No transparent plastic covers. The designs are emblazoned on the product itself. I know I'm being highly picky but I prefer the transparent covers more? 

By Asian markets, I meant Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. No idea how the rest of Asia sells this product. 

Also, I think Asian markets only promote the usual lip balms? Usual meaning the translucent lip balms with no tint at all. I read a lot of blog reviews and the American market has them in all sorts of pretty tints. :( BRING THEM HERE MAYBELLINE, I WILL BUY THEM ALL! (Please do correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks!)

Yes, I have a lot of complaints. However, I cannot resist these lip balms!! They are currently retailing for S$5.90 at Watsons (Cold Storage had a promotion a couple of months ago, and I got the mint one for S$3.90!) and I'm planning to GET THEM ALL. 

I recently purchase these two during my Johor Bahru trip - Energizing Orange and Mango Pie. I think Mango Pie is a recently added flavour and GOOD MOVE THERE, because I will purchase anything that's mango scented! 

These lip balms promise:

• Supple, smooth and cushioned lips all day long
• Instant 8 hours moisture
• After 1 week, AMAZING LIPS. 

Ingredient List

I now have three of the Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm line, and am I happy with them? To be honest, I'm kind of on the fence here.

Packaging: Amazingly attractive. I still prefer the American edition, but these are really lookers. HOW CAN YOU NOT BUY THEM WHEN THEY LOOK LIKE THIS?

Smell: One of the huge motivatoris as to why I buy these lip balms. Mango smells EXACTLY like mango, and orange smells EXACTLY like orange. I hate it when certain products label their products as to be of a certain smell, and they will smell dubious in real life.

Product texture: Extremely likeable. It's not sticky at all, and upon application, I can feel the product working instantly. I don't necessarily have dry, chapped lips, so they are good enough!

Do they provide moisture for up to 8 hours? This is the part where I was quite taken aback. In a negative way. After 3 hours or so, the lip balm dried and actually made my lips dryer than before. I had to quickly reapply the product and if I did not, I would have drier lips than before! It's not very pleasant, but I guess you have to keep reapplying before the first application dries out and makes your lips worse than before. Yikes. My tip will be to just have this with you all the time. I made the mistake of not bringing it out after I applied, and my lips were SO DRY.

Will I still buy them? Yes actually. I have no idea why since they don't really provide 8 hours of moisture. But I guess the attractive packaging is a huge win for me and reapplying every now and then doesn't seem so taxing after all.

Review: Urban Decay All Nighter (Makeup Setting Spray)

I'm always excited to review Urban Decay products. They are kind of like a brand that has the can't-be-bothered vibe but once you use their products, they are all AWESOME. Especially with how fantastic their 24/7 eye pencils are, I'm eternally biased towards Urban Decay. URBAN DECAY CAN DO NO WRONG - in my eyes that is. 

I recently purchase the Sephora Set for Summer on Sephora for US$39, and it included a 0.34oz Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (which retails for US$12). 

Sephora no longer sells the set, so perhaps you can go to this link if you want to purchase the 0.34oz mini one or the full sized 4oz one - http://www.sephora.com/all-nighter-long-lasting-makeup-setting-spray-P263504  

I had no expectations whatsoever for this product, and even thought that the packaging was a bit cheesy. Who knows, it's going to be a staple for my makeup routine and I'm using it very selfishly now because I don't want the product to run out! :'( 

What the product promises (compiled from UD's website and Sephora's website):

• Hypoallergenic (this means that the product "has less chances of provoking allergic reactions in most of the consumers")
• Suited for all skin types
• Keeps your makeup in place for 16 hours
• "Makeup looks picture-perfect all day long through wind, heat and cold"

Apparently, Urban Decay All Nighter uses a "Temperature Control Technology" (patent-pending!) to lower the temperature of your makeup, which results in your makeup lasting longer. I am highly confused on how that actually works, but I'm no scientist, so let's just focus on whether or not the product works.

Packaging: Rather tiny and a good fit for any makeup bag. I was rather turned off by the flaking paper around the bottle though. It's like as if they can't be bothered and just pasted the paper for the sake of pasting. Then it hit me, maybe the weather change caused the adhesive to dry off? I don't know, perhaps?

Product texture: It is an ultra-fine mist alright. I love how it's ultra-fine because it doesn't feel like I'm spraying water onto my face. More like walking into mist. I quite enjoy the process of pressing, and walking into the product. I think, in the past week, I have excessively used the product just because I enjoy the misty touch on my face. Uh oh.

Does it work? Very fortunately yes. It works and it works bloody well. All you Singaporean users out there, hurry up and stock up on this because despite the unforgiving weather, my makeup still stayed on after a long long long long day, and needed little touch-ups! I'M TRULY AMAZED.

Just so you know, usually I will touch up once around 3 hours after I applied my makeup, and then touch up again at the end of the day, when I'm ready to hit town and eat good food.

After I used this, I did not touch up at all for the entire day, and the entire night, and I still looked somewhat presentable in photos. AMAZEBALLSSSS! :D

I'M NOW HIGHLY PUMPED UP TO TRY URBAN DECAY DE-SLICK OIL CONTROL MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY!! It's similar to All Nighter, but specially formulated for those with oily skin, LIKE ME! Can't wait can't wait ho ho ho...

First Impressions: VanityTrove for August 2012

It took me quite a while to decide whether or not I wanted to jump onto the surprise beauty boxes' ship. I wasn't sure what to expect out of these boxes and finally last month I decided to purchase on for my birthday month! 

Here's the link for those who want to subscribe to it to VanityTrove! The subscription for September 2012 box ends in 14 days' time! http://www.vanitytrove.com/sg

I think I'm definitely buying the September 2012 box. The theme is Fall in Love: Beauty Made for the Season. SOUNDS SO AMAZING ALREADY! :D 

Let's now check out the August 2012 VanityTrove! 

Delivery was extremely efficient. The management even sent out a mass email when one of the items (that was to be packed in the box) was late and so the delivery might be delayed. Excellent service! 

The box itself is very sleek. I have kept the box to store my sample beauty and skincare products. Great for storage, especially for people like me who have too many things, but too little space. 

The August 2012 VanityTrove was dedicated to "Rocket Science" - products that use the latest technology to create wonders to the respective body parts.

I also received a Zalora.sg voucher coupon and an Eyebrow Design session for 50% at Erabelle! I just booked my eyebrow treatment session, so yay to pampering for the eyes! Ok, perhaps not pampering because it's going to be painful, but it makes my face look more tidy, so YAY!

Look at the myriad of products!

VanityTrove also included a brochure of what products you can expect to get in your VanityTrove box! For some categories, they had choices of what we may get, so another VanityTrove box may be different from yours!

For "Milk Treatment" - I was given the Scottish Fine Soaps Company Au Lai Shower Gel

For "Magic Mixers" - I was given the FULL-SIZE Majolica Majorca Eyes Reset Gel

For "Made to Fit" - I was given the Morillins Eyes Therapy Mask

Some VanityTreats from Watsons were also included, like Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover, Skin 79 BB Cream Series sample sachet and Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Foaming Scrub.

WOOOOOHOOOOO!

I love this surprise open-box concept. Even my sister was sitting next to me asking me to open everything. :D

Morillins Eyes Therapy Mask - firming and revitalizing! I have yet to try this, but am gonna do so tonight!

A mini sample of origins Plantscription Anti-aging Eye Cream. This is tiny, but you don't need a lot of product for a single application, hence, this will last me for quite some time. A free 20-min mini facial was also included! I gave that to my mom because she needed it more than me.

3 SAMPAR samples. SAMPAR is a French brand and I knew nothing about it until this box came! This is why I love the concept - you get introduced to indie brands and perhaps they have killer products! Can't wait to try these out!

I was given the SAMPAR Poreless Magic Peel, SAMPAR Equalizing Foam Peel and SAMPAR Glamour Shot.

I can also redeem some other SAMPAR products! :D

SAMPAR Poreless Magic Peel - like a moisturiser to attack huge pores.

SAMPAR Equalizing Foam Peel - this is more of an exfoliator.

 SAMPAR Glamour Shot - makeup base! I can't wait to try this!

Some BRANDS product! I'm quite surprised at how normal tasting there were. I drank both of them chilled and they tasted quite good! In my mind, BRANDS = Chicken Essence and I hate chicken essence.

The Scottish Fine Soaps Au Lait Bath & Shower Gel (50ml). This smells like heaven, and the smell lingers on your skin for quite some time. What a product. I can't believe I'm loving the bath product most. 

A full-sized Majolica Majorca Eyes Reset Gel! I love makeup removers and so I'll be reviewing how well this product removes eye makeup! 

Here are the VanityTreats from Watsons! And yes, I did receive two of the Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover!

Definitely will be purchasing the September 2012 one soon! Will you be subscribing to VanityTrove too? :)