Review: SHISEIDO INTEGRATE Cat Wink Black Eyeliner Limited Kit

If you are a regular reader, you will know my obsession with eyeliners (and mascaras...and concealers...and neutral eye palettes...and I have a problem I know). I was very excited about my Japan trip because Japanese cosmetic brands are supposedly really good at producing high-quality eyeliners at affordable prices! 

I saw this SHISEIDO INTEGRATE Cat Wink Black Eyeliner Limited Kit at a random drugstore and I knew I had to get it because wah two for the price of one! Moreover, it's not two of the same eyeliner but two different types of eyeliners! I remembered that it was the first thing that I saw in the store and also the first thing that I put in my basket. Heh. 

I can't recall how much these were, but it's not very expensive, maybe at most 1200Yen (~S$15)? 

So did the SHISEIDO INTEGRATE Cat Wink Black Eyeliner Limited Kit live up to expectation?

My final verdict is one did better than the other. Much better. Maybe that's why they were packed together - nobody wanted the not-so-good one. :( 

The SHISEIDO INTEGRATE Cat Wink Black Eyeliner Limited Kit contains two eyeliners:

1. Cat Look Liquid Liner in BK999
2. Wink Gel Liner in BK999

When we talk about gel liners, the first thing that comes to mind usually is the circular pot of product. However, the Shiseido Integrate Wink Gel Liner comes in a pencil form. Dissonance is happening in my head, but I will try to open my horizon haha.

The slogan for this is "Rich and smooth!", which I agree wholeheartedly.

The Shiseido Integrate Cat Look Liquid Liner comes in the normal pen-like packaging, which I adore. The felt-tip brush really makes it much easier to apply and you get so much control out of it.

I'm guessing this is specially made for the sharp cat-eye look. Score for me because there's nothing I love more than a cat-eye eyeliner look. :D

So how did the SHISEIDO INTEGRATE Cat Wink Black Eyeliner Limited Kit fare?

Pigmentation: Both eyeliners are really intense in their pigmentation. No joking around here. You want the blackest of black, I will give you the blackest of black. Full marks for both eyeliners!

Application: The Cat Look Liquid Liner triumphs slightly in this department because it's hassle-free and very smooth. The Wink Gel Liner is okay but sometimes when you go back for a second application, the gel liner stick scrapes the first application away and you get ugly fallouts and an uneven application.

Swatches taken with camera flash

Swatches taken under normal lighting

Swatches after one normal swipe

Swatches after one normal swipe under running tap water

Smudgeproof? The Cat Look Liquid Liner definitely did better here than the Wink Gel Liner. I think part of the reason why the latter did worse is because it takes a longer time to dry and settle. The Cat Look Liquid Liner dried within seconds and a normal swipe didn't budge it at all. The Wink Gel Liner, on the other hand, failed after the first swiping attempt.

Waterproof? Both are not waterproof. If you want to really pinpoint a winner, then the Wink Gel Liner performed better. I'm a little bit saddened by the fact that they are not waterproof but ohwell this means I can only wear them for long days in an air-conditioned room.

Longevity: I have yet to try this on my eyelids, but I noticed that after around 5-6 hours, the Cat Look Liquid Liner that was swatched on my hand was still doing well, but the Wink Gel Liner started to look a little funky. Funky like I'm-going-to-disappear funky. I don't think that's due to housework/errands because I swatched them on a Saturday and I only lazed around on my bed (yikes), so why does the Wink Gel Liner fade? I guess it will be better to judge if I tried these on my eyelids. Time to whip these out for tomorrow!

Will I buy them again? As much as I love most of Japanese cosmetic products, these were a sad disappointment. The Cat Look Liquid Liner is decent but it's not waterproof! I think we have evolved into beauty users who demand waterproof eyeliners! Try living in Singapore (or other humid + hot countries) and wearing non-waterproof eyeliners - it is a NIGHTMARE.

I shall continue my journey in finding the most amazing liquid liners!

Hope this post has been insightful! Have a great week ahead guys! :D

Review: Shiseido Maquillage Lasting Powdery UV EX

A recent acquisition of mine from last week's Shiseido sale. It's definitely not something that I will buy off the counter simply because of the hefty price tag attached to it. 

The Shiseido Maquillage Lasting Powdery UV EX Compact costs S$65 and the case costs S$23, so it's certainly not for those looking for affordable foundation. 

I bought mine for S$30 from the Shiseido sale and I'm already quite heartbroken by the amount I spend because I usually swear by my ZA foundation which is less than S$25. However, I have to grow up sooner or later right, it is time to invest in a good foundation (albeit it being bought off a sale :P). I sound so cheapo, but aiyah, I look for bargains mar! 

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

Especially enticed by how it claims to "combat sebum-shine"! That is certainly amazing news for people with oily skin!

Also, I appreciate the fact that they indicate whether it's suitable for all seasons/or just cold weather etc. Some foundation seems so perfect on the advertisements, but they become a hot melting mess after a few hours under our scorching sun, coupled with the unforgiving humidity.

So this foundation is claimed to suit our crazy wonky weather! YAY!

You can also use the foundation dry or wet. Personally, I prefer to use it dry because I don't like to wet the compact and the sponge (hygiene issues), however, if you want extra coverage, using it wet can help!

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

These are the array of foundation colours available on sale. As always with Japanese products, colours are catered more to the fairer women, simply because the majority of Japanese women are either really fair, or obsessed with being fair (maybe all Asian ladies? haha I'm rather obsessed with getting fairer myself too).

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

I bought mine in OC10, a tad lighter than my normal colour, but it's okay since I'M GOING TO BE FAIRER (YES I WILL, I AM DETERMINED TO BE!!).

Such a pretty case! :) I think this is one of their Christmas sets back in 2010 or something.

The compact itself is made in Japan, while the case is made in Taiwan.

One thing I love about this is the HUGE mirror! Also, after I assembled the foundation compact together with the case, I realised one of the reasons why this foundation costs so much more.

Usually for cheaper powder foundations, when you buy the refills, you either get a sticker that you can take out to stick onto the case, or there's a hole at the bottom of the case to suck the air out and hopefully suck enough air out to temporarily keep the compact in place.

However, things don't always go so dandy. When the sticker touches powder from the previous compact (you forgot to clean the case or something), it loses its adhesiveness, and so you are left with a refill that doesn't stick to the case! IRRITATING because I once merely shook my makeup bag, and the compact fell out and made a nightmare of a mess in my makeup bag. =__=

For this Shiseido Maquillage Lasting Powdery UV EX, the compact actually CLICKS to the case! I actually tried to wriggle the foundation around, and oohlala~ the compact stayed where it should stay and didn't budge!! CONVENIENCE X 2 MILLION.

Sorry for the bad lighting - I REALLY NEED TO CHANGE MY CAMERA! or my lightbulbs.

Finally a decent photo!

Photo under camera flash

The website also illustrated how you should use the foundation! Very useful indeed because usually I start with my forehead. Now I finally know how to optimise the function of a sebum-combating foundation! (Step 2 is especially useful).

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

Picture from: http://www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/allitems/base/foundation/item072.html

Pros:

1. This foundation provides just enough coverage (medium-heavy coverage), which is especially great for people with oily skin, but living in a humid location like Singapore. A too-heavy-coverage will only "move around" after a few hours and will immediately make the wearer look cakey and theatre-like. 
2. It has SPF 22 PA++. If you read the recent CLEO (June 2012), there was an article on the disparity between your real age and your skin's age. The most important thing to do is to apply products with SPF because YOU NEED TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN! Even when you are young!! Hence, this foundation provides just enough for women who are not constantly exposed to the sun. 
3. It evens out the skintone. For women who wear eye makeup a lot, their eye area will usually be darker than the other parts of the face because of the constant makeup application and makeup removal. This foundation actually helps to even out such unevenness! Rather impressed with this factor. I tried using it without concealer under my eyes and it made a difference!

Cons:

1. It doesn't really live up to its sebum-combating claim. Perhaps my skin was too oily? I applied it this morning at 8am, and my skin was already oily by 1130am. When I blotted my skin, it was as oily as when I used my ZA foundation. 
2. It's not for those on a budget. The hefty pricetag is certainly not for everyone. 
3. If you are someone who has relatively normal to dry skin, please don't use the sponge to apply the foundation. It will be too cakey for you! Alternatively, you can use your kabuki or a simple powder brush

Will I buy it again?

• Erm, maybe when I'm richer? For now, I will use this up and then go back to my ZA foundation!

Shiseido Sale Haul!

SALE SALE SALE. Just nice pay just in. :D

It's at the building that houses H&M. You walk past the H&M window display, and you will see a glass door. Just take the lift to the 12th floor and you will see the Shiseido office!

I went with Chay Teng and we reached the location at around 1220pm. There was already a queue to go in, which is rather good as this meant some sort of crowd-controlling was present. Bags were not allowed in, and so the staff there helped to distribute number tags for bag storage.

Both of us went in after 15 minutes of waiting, and madness ensued.

There is NO politeness and courtesy at places and events like this one. I think people start to throw aside their values once they step into the arena.

Anyway, let's not talk about rude bitches.

HAUL TIME.

It wasn't a very good sale, to be honest. I expected more colours to be available. For example, my trusted ZA foundation was on sale at 3 for S$12 (!!!) but they only had it in #20, which is like the palest colour. =_=

More colours were available for the more expensive brands, but overall, it wasn't a die-die-must-go-and-disseminate-wealth kind of sale. Go if you really want to stock up on your usual stuff.

I got myself some ZA skincare stuff. I love the fragrance of ZA skincare products, so why not? They were going at 1for S$5, 3 for S$12!

I also needed some foundation as I'm running out of my ZA (HOLYGRAIL) foundation. Got myself the Maquillage pressed foundation set for S$30. This retails for S$88 in stores (S$63 for the foundation, S$25 for the casing. SERIOUSLY?!).

I also got myself the Shiseido AQUALABEL Liquid Foundation for S$8. It retails for S$25.50.

I'm quite scared to try the cosmetics out because I don't want them to be to white on me! ARGH. PLEASE LET IT BE A GOOD MATCH!

Anyway, the sale is still on tomorrow! GO GO GO (only if really needed, I don't really think it's worth it if you don't lack anything).

:D