Beauty Bit: Product Empties, June 2014

1) Clear Nourishing Shampoo, $6

This is a great shampoo to help keep your locks AND scalp healthy. It was part of my very first monthly favorites post, so check that out.

Will I Repurchase? Yes

Current Replacement: Clear Strong Lengths Shampoo

2) Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion, $12

If I had to choose one body lotion to last me through my lifetime, I would choose this one. I have been using it for years and to this day, it still smells intoxicating, and always reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha when I put it on.

Will I Repurchase? Yes

Current Replacement: Vaseline Intensive Care Total Moisture Lotion

3) Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Serum, $61

This was a firm favorite for awhile and I've wrote about this product here and here. However, now that I am have been working myself firmly into the Korean skincare world, I have found so many serums that I want to try that promises a boatload of benefits and which have had raving reviews. All at a fraction of the price of this.

Will I Repurchase? No

Current Replacement: OST Original Pure Vitamin C20 Serum

4) GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment, $69

This is essentially a clay mask to help draw out impurities in the skin. I use this once/twice a week and I find that it does help reduce/eliminate breakouts after 1 use, and skin is brighter the next day. I much prefer this over the Youthmud, which doesn't really give me much results. It is quite, quite pricey though...I did repurchased it relatively soon after buying the first one to take advantage of the Sephora Friends & Family sale, because at the time, it was helping me manage my breakouts and I would buy anything that would remotely help me in that cause.

Will I Repurchase? Undecided. I like the product and am currently using the second bottle, but there are some Korean options that I would like to explore.

5) Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream, $25

This was my first foray into Korean skincare, and I actually really liked it, specifically for the texture. It has a light, gel-ish type of texture to it that was absorbed into the skin easily. However, reviews on this product on beauty blogs have been mediocre. With the plethora of snail mucin products out there, this one is merely so-so. I am not quite sure if it did a lot to help with the fading of my hyperpigmentations, but at the very least, it did not aggravate my skin any further.

Will I Repurchase? Undecided. I am currently using another snail cream that has fantastic reviews, so I am just trying other products out there until I find one that is truly a WOW item for me.

Current Replacement:  Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

6) BareMinerals Mineral Veil in Feather Light, $21

I have had this product for years and have only finished it up now. I was a big fan of their mineral foundations years ago, and have bought their starter kit. The mineral veil that they included in the kit was the bee's knees so I went and bought the full size when I ran out. Except I chose the wrong one....this one has little shimmer particles in it and I was sooo not into looking like a disco ball. It does help with giving a flawless finish to the skin, like the original version. Last year, I finally vowed to finish it up and so here we are....My daughter will sometimes say that my face is "sparkly like a diamond" though...which is the most fantastic thing to a five year old, but not so much for me. 

Will I Repurchase? Yes, but the regular matte version

Current Replacement: Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder

7) Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, $27

I really liked their Microdelivery Peel, and thought this would be a great (cheaper) alternative to try as well. This is another product that took me an AGE for me to finish this. It is categorized as a facial cleanser, not a scrub. So when I first got the product, I used it as a regular face wash. Which resulted in me breaking out. So I chucked it aside, and moved on to something else. I revisited it again a year or so later, but this time, using it as a scrub instead. And my skin was fine. I don't think this product works well as a primary face wash because it doesn't clean the skin well enough when you are trying to take off a day's worth of makeup and grime (hence the breaking out). But it works in helping smooth the surface of your skin on a daily basis.

Will I Repurchase? No

Current Replacement: None

 

Beauty Bit: Ipsy Bag for June 2014

 

I was exceptionally pleased with my Ipsy bag this month...primarily due to the Laneige BB Cushion Compact sample

There's no denying that I am a firm believer in Korean skincare products, and I am similarly starting to get into their cosmetics as well. I was thrilled when I found out that Target is now carrying Laneige products and I am hopeful that their foundation shades will be adapted to the US market
(I am considered dark by Korean standards, so even their darkest shades are too light for me)

The Laneige sample in my Ipsy bag came in all three shades, so I will be able to play around with it.

Other products that came in my bag:

- Be A Bombshell mascara in Lash Out

- NYX butter gloss in Apple Strudel

- Marc Anthony Dream Waves beach spray

- Jesse's Girl eyeliner in Black

 

Beauty Bit: Korean Skincare Haul, Part Deux: The Face Shop and Tony Moly

First up are items from The Face Shop, which was purchased when I ventured into NYC's Koreatown back in April. It was a small little shop that occupied half of the ground floor of a shop lot. Annoyingly enough, the prices are actually more expensive (by a few dollars) than the Face Shop online offerings of Soko Glam. But it was nice to see, touch and test the whole range of the brand rather than only the select few offered online.

Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil, $15

Part 1 of the Korean skincare step is to dissolve your faceful of makeup with a cleansing oil. This has the texture of a runny liquid that is like...well...oil (duh). I usually take 2 pumps onto my dry hands, massage the product into my face for about 30 seconds (should really be about 1-2 minutes, but I am lazy), then wash off. It leaves a slightly oily film over the face that I then wash off using my regular Target cleanser.

So far, I like it -- it smells lovely, it doesn't break me out, and it is therapeutic to have a mini face massage at the end of the day. 

I bought the Rich version which is meant for cleansing heavier makeup. The light version can be found here.

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Toner, $9

The primary reason I wanted to pay a visit to an actual brick & mortar Korean beauty store was because I needed a toner and didn't want to spend $50 on one at the moment. I wanted something that would have a focus on brightening and help even out the skin tone. This particular toner did not have a description in English (it was the only one that didn't....don't know what is up with that!) but I knew that rice extracts can help in that regard, so I popped it into my shopping cart. 

However, looking up on The Face Shop's official page for this product, it is meant to provide hydration to the skin.

Foiled! But not a bad thing as my skin has been dehydrated lately.

The texture of it is quite, quite different from Western toners (i.e. Clinique's Clarifying Lotion) - it is a lot thicker in texture and upon application, doesn't feel like you are stripping your skin (which honestly, is sometimes exactly what I look forward to in the past when using the Clinique toner...ha)

It is scented (and I love the smell)

Lovely Meex Mini Pet Perfume Hand Cream in White Floral, $8

Lets just be honest, I bought this because of the packaging. And my daughter claimed it the moment she saw it. Beyond the obvious cuteness of the exterior, the lotion was a pleasant surprise...Even though I think it smells nicer in the pot than on the hands after application, it really helped keep my digits moisturized and it STAYED moisturized and supple for quite a number of hours.
However, for only 1oz of product, it is quite expensive. I am going to reuse the casing when the product is gone, by refilling it with other lotions, but am tempted to buy the other shapes/animals.

Samples received: Calming Seed Skin-Resting Cream and Arsainte Eco-therapy Extreme Moisture Serum

 

From Tony Moly (which I purchase from BB Cosmetic via Amazon.com) These were impulse purchases (The packaging! Seriously...an apple and a tomato...doesn't get any cuter than that!) as a result of aimless surfing on Amazon (on which I've already warned on the dangers of that here).
The reviews seemed promising though. 

Appletox Smooth Massage Peeling Cream, $12

This didn't come with an exterior box or packaging, so not much information on the product's purpose or application. So I turned to trusty ol' Google and found that Skin & Tonics did a review on the product along with information on how to use. Sasa.com also has a thorough product description and application process.

This is essentially meant to remove dead skin, much like a scrub, but less harshly than a physical scrub, I would imagine.

Tomatox Magic Massage Pack, $11
On the packaging, it says that it will "bring instant magic vitalizing effects into the skin". I am not sure what that means, really...some of the English translation on Korean products are body-cringingly bad, sometimes.

Again, it is Google to the rescue. According to Sasa.com, this is whitening massage cream that can be used as a mask when left on the skin for 5-10 minutes. The reviews have been very positive for this product, with raving reviews on a making a major difference in trying to fade hyperpigmentation marks.

When I used it, I did feel that my skin in general was brighter the next morning, but I haven't used it enough to see if there is really a credible difference in my post-acne marks.

Beauty Bit: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream Review

Over the past few weeks, I've started breaking out and it was like a revival of my cystic acne episode that has plagued me over the past 2 years. 

Originally, I thought it was triggered by the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule (and it very well may have been) but it ceased to get better even when I stopped using the product. I had to go back on my prescription topical creams from my dermatologist and those cause some killer dry and peeling skin (even with exfoliation night and day) 

And with makeup on, my skin was a peeling mess by the middle of the day. 

Lovely. 

However, this time around, I have a game-changer within my reach. 

Nature Republic's Super Aqua Max Cream is a "high-performance hydrating cream which infuses extra moisture and refreshment back to skin with an energizing complex of deep sea minerals from maritime plants while extracts of chlorella, seaweed, plankton and water-soluble collagen and hyaluronic acid help to strengthen skin's ability to defend itself against external aggressors and dehydration"

It is said to mimic Biotherm's Aquasource and blind tests have shown that users prefer Nature Republic's version.
And the huge difference in price will also be a substantial consideration when trying to decide between the two, I would imagine. 

Now, all this official mumbo-jumbo aside, I really really like the cream.
I have the one meant for combination/oily skin and it has a light gel texture. 

First impression was that it has a REALLY strong scent...it smells like men's cologne. 

It is cool upon application, it is easily absorbed and leaves a slightly sticky feeling to the skin. 

Performance wise, it definitely helps keep my skin hydrated and made a significant difference in helping reduce the peeling from harsh prescription acne creams. I can even reapply over makeup throughout the day (I had a cold during my breakout and the constant nose-blowing meant that my nose and upper lip was even more of a peeling, flaky mess) and because it is a gel, it doesn't cause my base to rub off, or separate like it will with other rich moisturizing creams.

Another benefit is that it greatly helps reduce my oiliness throughout the day. Because it is so hydrating, it really helped in rebalancing my oily skin so that it is not constantly producing oils to make up for the dehydrated state of my treated skin. 

I'm almost at the end of my first jar, and my replacement order has already been placed through Soko Glam.

This is on the definitely recommend list!

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream, $18

Beauty Bit: Current Everyday Makeup

 

To be completely honest, I think I was extremely surprised when I saw how many products I use on a daily basis when I was gathering them up for a group picture...

And to think this is the "pared down" version of my everyday makeup routine too!

It doesn't take particularly long for me to get my makeup on in the mornings -- it just depends on whether I am working efficiently with no distractions, or if I am taking my time, whilst boogie-ing to my Itunes' playlist. 

In general, it takes about 10-15 minutes for my whole face

Base:

• Skin79 VIP Gold Super Beblesh Balm mixed with Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream to provide the perfect shade for my skintone
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealor is used for the areas where hyperpigmentation is still showing
• All applied using the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
• Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder provides a mattifying effect, and blurs imperfections and pores

Eyes:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion to help prevent eyeproducts from sliding around on oily lids
• Using the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Palette 02 (love this palette because they are all MATTE shades), sweep the neutral shade all over lid with the Sephora Professionals eyeshadow brush
• Line eyes using the dark brown shade from the palette using a flat liner brush from SOHO
• Sweep Benefit's They're Real mascara on lashes

Brows: 

• Brush through brows using the spoolie end of the brush
• Mix the two shades on the right from a random Clinique palette together and apply on brows to darken/define them

Cheeks: 

• Apply MAC Fashion Frenzy on cheeks using a Sephora Professional Blusher brush     

Finishing:

And finally, to prevent face from looking too flat/lifeless, I spray a few spritzs of Missha's First Treatment Essence Spray. 

For lips, I will pick and choose whichever shade I am in the mood for, depending on my outfit. 

And voila -- all done!

(Some days, I do throw in an additional product here and there, but for the most part, this is it)

Beauty Bit: Pink Lipsticks

My Muji drawers that house all my lip products are chock to the brim and require quite a bit of effort to close. Whilst majority of my stash belong to the red family, as mentioned here, I have acquired quite an arsenal of pink lip products in a relatively short span of time.

Here are some of my pink lip products that have been reached for quite often these days:

Etude House Sweet Recipe Dear My Jelly Lips-Talk in Strawberry Syrup, $10

My favorite pick for a moisturizing sheer wash of "I just bit into a strawberry and my lips are covered in juice" look.  

Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Watermelon Twist

Initially not my favorite when I bought it (I favored colors that are more in the red family at that time), it is a brighter neon-ish pink that sometimes is a bit jarring. This is one where the outfit and makeup has to be spot on for it to work on me.

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Nova

The color is a more neutral pink that can be easily worked into daily use, and it is fantastic for layering with other bolder pink lip products, like Apocaliptic (Rimmel) and Risk It All (bareMinerals).

Product is highly pigmented, but will cling to flakes, so be sure to exfoliate first. Full review here

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Apocaliptic

A gorgeous bolder pink, it is good on its own, but I prefer to layer with Nova (Rimmel) or Strawberry Kissed (Sephora)

Same as the above, be sure to exfoliate lips prior to use. Full review here

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Exuberence, $32

Easy to swipe on and go, it gives a buildable wash of color. Product does have a chemical-ly smell towards it, which makes it a bit off-putting

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Risk It All, $18

Easy to apply, highly pigmented (one swipe is all it takes), moisturizing, and long-wearing. This is the perfect lipstick and the color is gorgeous.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Strawberry Kissed, $13

This formula was highly recommended by one of my favorite YouTubers who definitely knows her bold lip products. And she was absolutely right -- it is moisturizing (does not cling to dry bits at all!), highly pigmented, and does not budge. Strawberry Kiss is a matte bright pinky red shade that is absolutely beautiful, but I like to layer it along with Apocaliptic (Rimmel) so that it is a touch more pink.

Beauty Bit: Korean Skincare & Makeup Haul from Soko Glam and MISSHA

I go through phases when it comes to shopping...a bit like Becky Bloomwood's (from the Shopaholic series) shopping cycle. These past few months have been a skincare feast --

Dull, lifeless and dehydrated skin that is trying to recover from hyperpigmentation caused by quite severe cystic acne...it's like an ice-cream sundae with extra cherries on the top.
Except that I am on a diet, and I don't even like cherries.

After being enamored with Korean dramas, and seeing their perfect skin, I was suckered into trying out Korean skincare products as well as following their skincare regime with the thousand and one steps

 

From Soko Glam:

Customer service was friendly, and the shipping was speedy. The site is comprised of curated items from various Korean brands 

Etude House Dear My Jelly Lips Talk, $10 in Strawberry Syrup Coated Candy and Sweet Plum Candy

These products provide a sheer wash of color in a formula that feels ridiculously hydrating. It smells of fruit punch/cherry Kool-Aid, which is not my personal favorite, but better that than a plasticky smell. My favorite is Strawberry Syrup which gives a pink tint to the lips...like strawberry juice

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder, $7

A finishing powder to help minimize shine and keep those oil glands in control, it is free of parabens, artificial pigments, animal ingredients, mineral oil, artificial fragrances and talc.

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream for oily skin, $18

This is a cream geared towards providing hydration and is meant to be used as the last step of the skincare regime. It has won quite a number of awards and it is said to rival Biotherm's Aquasource moisturizers. At $18, it is an unbelievable bargain and I really like the product too.

Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Compact, $24

The color I ordered is a little too light for me, but I like it in general. Full review here

Samples received: 2 Manefit sheet masks

From Missha:

They were having a Friends & Family sale on the day that I randomly clicked onto the site, so I made use of it. But in general, I think they offer a lot of sales, so definitely check on their current deals.

Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Mist, $35

This is the mist version of their popular First Treatment Essence, which was out of stock at the time I was placing my order.  

Time Revolution Night Repair Activator Ampoule, $49

This is suppose to energize, repair, and restore elasticity of the skin, provide wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits. 

NOTE: I started getting breakouts on my cheeks when I used the above two products, so after a few days, I stopped using them. Now that my skin is calming down again, I am trying them out one by one to see which product is causing the issue.

Miracle Steam Hand Cream, $12

Formulated with shea butter and mango seed butter for extreme hydration;  syn-ake for wrinkle protection; camellia and lavender to create a phyto-steam complex mimicking the effects of steam treatment to leave silky smooth skin and a delicate scent,.

I actually really like the cream - I feel like it really does help hydrate my really dry fingers and it feels like a little luxury break when I use it. But the amount you get at the price makes it quite expensive, unfortunately.

Samples received: Time Revolution Face Mask, M Perfect Cover BB cream, Complexion Coordinating BB Cream, Misa Geumsul Vitalizing Eye Cream

 

Beauty Bit: Product Empties

1) up & up Oil Free Acne Wash cleanser

An affordable, good basic cleanser that is the store brand version of Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Wash. I have purchased and repurchased this and am currently on my 3rd consecutive bottle.
Will I Repurchase? Yes, I am already a third of the way through the new bottle. However, I have always had a wandering eye in terms of skincare, so I am currently itching to try something new.

2) Cane and Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads, $60

These pads are treated with glycolic acid to help with resurfacing the skin, thereby providing results related to wrinkle reduction, fading of hyperpigmentation and the brightening of skin tone.
There is a definite tingle when using this product - sometimes to the point where it actually kinda hurts. But when I have an active breakout, there's really nothing like feeling as if your face is being pricked by a thousand needles to console yourself that you're really doing something to kill the bacteria (yes, I have issues)
Do I notice a difference? I believe that it helped calm my breakouts (I was going through a bad bout of cystic acne) and I think that it helped reduce/prevent hyperpigmentation from recent acne.
Will I Repurchase? No. The product is rather pricey (even though I've made it last by using it only once a day) and I am trying to ease out of using ultra-tingling treatments 

Current Replacement: None.

3) Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara, $7
Extend lashes by 4mm! Does it really?
The mascara did lengthen my lashes, but I would like some additional volume as well. It does the job of helping define my lashes, just nothing ground-breaking

Will I Repurchase? No.
Current Replacement: Benefit They're Real! Mascara

4) Dove Purely Pampering Coconut Milk with Jasmine Petals Body Wash
My daughter has sensitive skin, so I don't bother straying from Dove when I need a new body wash. It is creamy and hydrating, and smells lovely 

Will I Repurchase? Yes 

Current Replacement: Dove Go Fresh Revive Body Wash in Pomegranate & Lemon Verbena

5) Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Serum, $61 

I talked about this here and I still think that this is a pretty good product. It leaves a slightly tacky feeling upon application that I think really helps my base make-up layer adhere. It also makes me feel like I am really pampering my skin

Will I Repurchase? Yes, already did =) And I still enjoy using it.

6) Michael Todd Organic Lemon Toner, $18

I bought this as part of a regime after getting good results from a Michael Todd mask from my Ipsy bag. I'm not sure that I found any of the items I bought to be that fantastic, unfortunately. It smells of lemons (duh!) and it is pleasant enough to use, but I don't know if I saw that much of a difference in my skin. At the very least, it didn't aggravate the situation any more.
Will I Repurchase?  No

Current Replacement: I haven't found one yet -- I am considering the SU:M37 Water-full Toner and the O Hui Age Recovery Essential Skin Softener

7) Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Cream, $56

This cream was part of the Racinne travel set I got in my Blush! Mystery box, but unlike the serum, I don't particularly care for it. The consistency is thick, since it is a cream, and I don't know...I didn't see any difference in my skin, and I didn't enjoy using it
Will I Repurchase?  No

Current Replacement: Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream

8) Lancome Genefique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye-Illuminating Youth Activating Concentrate, $68

I actually got a deluxe sample of this product as one of my 100 point perk from Sephora last year. When I started using this, I saw a marked improvement in my eye area -- there seemed to be less fine lines, and the area appeared brighter. And so I ended up buying a full-sized version.
However, now that I have finished the full-sized version, I have a sneaky feeling that the results I was seeing was actually due to a sample of an eye cream (now long used up) that I was using simultaneously with this. Durn.
The applicator of this is rather fun though.

Will I Repurchase? No

Current Replacement: Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Eye Serum

9) Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Rose

This was perfect as an everyday, moisturizing natural lip color that helped me look alive (my lips tend to look lifeless - blue, even...especially in the winter -- all the blood is churning around somewhere else to help keep me warm)
It smelled a tad funny though.

Will I Repurchase? No. I have entirely too many lip products as it is, and really need to use up what I have

Current Replacement: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready

10) Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Body Butter, $15

As mentioned here, this smells glorious. It transport me into a blissed-out state of mind whenever I use it.

Will I Repurchase? Yes, but not yet. I am still trying to use up products that I have been hoarding in the linen closet

Current Replacement: Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion

11) Korres Wild Rose 24-Hr Moisturizing & Brightening Cream, $35

This smells wonderful, helps brighten up the complexion and is one of my skin staples. However, I did notice that it did not help with the dehydration in my skin (especially apparent in the winter months) despite the 24 hour moisture claim.

Will I Repurchase? Yes, but not yet. I still have one more bottle from my stock-up haul during last year's Sephora Friends & Family sale. I am saving that for now until I decide on the efficacy of my current Korean skincare regime

Current Replacement: Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream, Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream

Beauty Bit: ETUDE HOUSE Precious Mineral Any Cushion Compact Review

ETUDE HOUSE is a South Korean makeup brand. I've seen their stores during my visits back to Malaysia, but was never tremendously interested in trying it out.

Until my dive off the deep end into everything Korean, that is.

This product is claimed to be similar to the IOPE Air Cushion that was shown being used in My Love from Another Star. And since they have ridiculously perfect skin, I got suckered into trying.

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect...I assumed that it would have a somewhat powdery texture (WRONG!), that it would be cased in slim packaging so that it would be easy to tote around (WRONG!) and that it would be easy to reapply (RIGHT!)

The consistency of the product is like a cream. It is a little thinner in consistency than my Skin79 BB cream, and the coverage can be adjusted with the application of multiple layers.

It takes some practice to get the perfect amount of product onto the sponge -- if I press too lightly, there is too little product. But if I press too hard, too much gets on the sponge and I have to blend, blend, blend.

The product gives off a cooling sensation when I first apply it on my skin, which was a slightly odd feeling (I kinda like it now though). The formula is easy to blend, gives of a brightening glow  and provides some coverage. 

Now that my skin's hyperpigmentation is improving, I can get away without packing on the concealer, or foregoing it completely, but I would still need a second layer of my base product on the areas with the dark spots.

Because I have oily skin, I start to "glow" excessively in a few hours, but reapplication of the product was easy and it didn't make my skin look cakey at all, which is an issue I have when I try and touch up throughout the day

I ordered the cushion compact in Natural Beige (W13) and it is a tad light for my skin tone -- It would probably be best if I went up the next shade or so.

As with most Korean products, it claims to serve multiple functions: brightening, wrinkle reduction, and sebum control. It also has an SPF of 50+ (which protects from UVB  rays that causes sunburn) and PA+++ (which protects from UVA rays that may cause long-term skin damage)

I bought my compact from Soko Glam, which is an online store based in NYC that curates Korean beauty and skincare items. Their prices are a little higher than online shops that ship directly from South Korea, but at least it gives you the reassurance that you will be getting authentic products.
 (yes, there are actually counterfeit beauty products in the market. Crazy Asians.)

ETUDE HOUSE Precious Mineral Any Cushion in W13, $24

EDIT: check out this video for a tutorial on how to use air cushion compacts

Beauty Bit: Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquers Review

 

I have been wanting to try these Rimmel lip laquers out since seeing UK YouTubers talking about them.

I veered off from my normal gravitation course towards reds and went for pinks instead
(due to a Korean drama that I have been OBSESSED with these past few weeks)

 

L to R: Nova and Apocaliptic

These are bold lip colors that deliver intense color upon the first swipe. But they absolutely CLING on to any dry bits and bobs that you may have (which I certainly do...blast this cold weather) so exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate prior to use!

The colors are gorgeous, and bright 

Above, I have Nova as the base and Apocaliptic applied in the inner portions of the lips for a just-bitten/ombre look....at least...that's what I tell myself!

As for longevity and wear, it is not budge-proof and will pretty much transfer to any and every surface your lips touch. It did ok, lasting through a meal -- the color faded, but was still visible. However, it did fade evenly, so you are not left with a ring of color lining your mouth.

At around $5, it is an affordable lip option that delivers mega-watt color, but I won't be buying any more due to the color transfer and how it really emphasizes dryness. Being realistic, regardless of how many cups of water I drink, or how often I apply balm and exfoliate my lips, there are times when my lips are just, well...dry. So I would need lip products that can help moisturize, or at the very least, not magnify the problem.

Beauty Bit: French Pharmacy Haul

Or as much of a French Pharmacy type haul as I can get from the comfort of my home across the pond that is the Atlantic Ocean.

Oh, the glory that is the internet...

 

1) Bioderma Sebium H2O Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution, $31 - This is the combination/oily skin version of the infamous Bioderma micelle solution. I've used it for about a week now -- during the first few uses, it did cause some little whiteheads to pop up here and there (one close to my tear duct, which was interesting), but they were gone within a few days. It is brilliant at removing all traces of dirt and makeup left (even after washing with a cleanser), it makes life easier with the ease of use (especially for mornings when I pressed the snooze button one too many times. Or on cold days when the thought of splashing water on your face makes you want to crawl back into bed -- just swipe and you are ready for your moisturizer, serums and what nots.) However, it is pricey (and scented). And you have to use it numerous times to fully get all the makeup off. I can't say I've noticed a reduction in shine from using it (but I never really expected that because I have a very productive oil factory within my face...lucky me). So this is one that I use in the mornings, and AFTER cleansing my face with my regular cleanser in the evenings.

2) Klorane Conditioner with Magnolia, $16 - This is marketed as a "brilliant shine" conditioner. My first impression was that it smells gorgeous. It is a heady, seductive scent that lingers in hair (after washing. It was unfortunately gone by the next morning). The texture was pretty liquidy and it will probably run out really quickly if used on a daily basis. I didn't notice anything particularly ground-breaking in terms of shine -- I didn't have to shield my eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off my hair, nor were people squinting when they looked at my crowing glory...but then I've only used it a couple of times (and to be honest, with the price and the quantity it buys, this will be more of a special occasion/pamper evening type product).

Tip - However, if you want your hair to be super shiny and smooth using a cheap homemade method, mash up bananas with honey and apply that as a hair mask. Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag for about 20 minutes and then rinse off. Wash and condition as usual....and expect compliments after.

 

3) Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony Extract, $19.50 - Peony is said to help soothe irritated scalps (like mine was after the whole no-washing everyday type experiment I did last month). It smells lovely (more like roses rather than peony, to my pedestrian nose), the bottle is quite substantial and the packaging just looks chic. Again, I've only used it a few times so not much of an opportunity to provide a full review, but it smells lovely...wait...I've said that. Will update once I've used it a few more times and if I love it. But for now, it is just a regular shampoo with an expensive price tag (which was pretty much what I was expecting, but perfect for above mentioned special occasion/pamper evening type use)

4) Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion, $40 - This is said to provide a long-lasting matte effect by absorbing excessive sebum. I am looking forward to trying this out, especially with summer coming up. Whilst I love my Korres Wild-Rose moisturizer, it is best suited for nighttime (when I don't run the risk of scaring anyone off with my greasy face) or during dry skin days in the cold season.

Beauty Bit: Spring Nailpolish

Don't You Lilac This?

No, wait...that came out wrong....

Don't you like this?

Can't wait till flowers start poking their heads up from the earth. 
I am that mad woman who stares intently at the ground, trying to see if there are any specks of green amidst the dirt. 

It gets a bit awkward when my neighbors catches me crouching by the flower patch for the past 20 minutes.

Mad as a March hare

O.P.I Don't You Lilac This?

Beauty Bit: Battle of the Hand Creams

 

This winter has been harsh. And the worst is when you are outside when it is biting cold. Your face stings, and your hands hurt even when they are gloved and tucked into your pockets.

With that, comes dry, flaky, peeling skin on my paws, especially around the nails and fingertips. When I was clearing out my linen closet, I came across a number of different hand creams and salves that I have (some which I've forgotten about) and I figured I'll test them to see which will provide the most relieve to my unsightly digits.

Soap & Glory Hand Food, $5 - This smells lovely. It's sweet and light, and the product sinks in easily. It does make hands feel a little slippy for awhile. Unfortunately, it's probably best suited for hands that are not as dry as mine were, because they started looking like they needed another application after a few minutes

L'occitane Shea Butter Dry Skin Hand Cream, $28 - This is definitely a pricey brand. The one I was using is part of those gift sets that they have. The texture of the cream is quite thick, and that makes the cream a bit harder to sink in. I don't particularly care for the scent -- it smells like baby powder, which isn't terrible, but not something that I would pick over others. However, it doesn't have a slippy finish like the Soap & Glory, and it does relieve my hands a bit better as well. Reapplication is still needed on a frequent basis though.

MOR Emporium Black Collection Hand Cream in Snow Gardenia, $20 - This product wins the luxury award, hands down. Just looking at it makes me feel pampered. The scent is gorgeously seductive -- it's not the most subtle, so you'll either love it or hate it. The texture of the cream is similar to the L'occitane - it is thick and one has to work it into the hands. It is not slippy, but unfortunately, it doesn't do much for my horribly chapped hands. Probably best for a night-time application right before bed to pamper oneself. It will probably fine during the warmer months as well

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy, $8 - The only reason why I have it is because I got it as a gift from a friend. I would not have picked it for myself since this scent is NOT pleasant at all to me. The cream is a bit liquidy and one wouldn't expect much out of it. This is where I'm wrong...unpleasant scent or not, this does work. It sinks in to the skin fast, and it literally made my hands look and feel like normal again. Reapplication happens less frequently as the product seems to keep my skin hydrated and moisturized longer. 

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, $2 - When all else fails, and nothing is keeping the moisture in, there's nothing like good ol' (and cheap!) VPJ to the rescue. Wash your hands, and put it on. Or you can even put on your hand cream first, then use this to seal in the moisture.

Beauty Bit: Skin Staples

 

I am not loyal by any means when it comes to beauty products. A sucker for packaging and anything new, it takes quite a bit for me to repurchase items...much less again and again.

These items can probably be considered as Holy Grail (HG) products for my greaseball oily, blemish prone and hyperpigmented skin (well...that sounds really attractive doesn't it....it's a wonder that I don't go out with a paper bag over my head sometimes)...

1) Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturizing and Brightening Cream - $35 A mouthful of a name, but smells A-MA-ZING (straight-up pungent rose smell), is hydrating (perfect for winter months), doesn't aggravate or break my skin out and helps with the hyperpigmetation and clarity of skin

2) Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial $48 Another mouthful --- what is with the long names here? This is essentially a more potent version of the moisturizer. It does sting slightly when applied, but one gets to wake up with glowy and hydrated skin. Worth the slight discomfort

3) Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin - $12  I've tried many foundations from both drugstore and high-end brands. And I always come back to this. There's nothing else out there that can beat this in terms of price point, how long it keeps the oils at bay and staying power. Plus, one can always find it on sale.

4) St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub $6 Whether you have an active breakout, or one that is surfacing, one use of this is all it takes to reduce the swelling, and sometimes, get rid of it completely.

5) Beauty Blender $20 The perfect makeup tool to use with the Revlon Colorstay, mine is looking a little worse for wear after almost 5 months of daily use. Using it damp, it gives a more natural looking finish compared to brushes. It is very pricy, especially considering it is essentially just a sponge...Real Techniques have recently released a similar product that is less than a third of the price of the Beauty Blender, so I am looking forward to trying it.

Beauty Bit: Bath Oil vs Bath Bomb

 

Ahhh...baths....

It conjures up an image of glamour, luxury, sensuality...

When I think bath, I think of a lovely, big clawfoot tub, with mountains of bubbles frothing over the surface of the water, soft candlelight and romantic ballads playing quietly in the background. There would be a glass of champagne of course, and in the best of scenarios, a handsome hunky man to wash your back...

And then...back to reality.

Recreating it in my dinky bathroom with a builder basic bathtub definitely falls short from the yardstick of my daydreams.

That's where bath products come in.

Question becomes, bath oil or bath bomb? More specifically, "splurge" out for the expensive oils or make do with the not-going-to-condemn-you-to-a-month-of-instant-noodles bath bombs?

Here are my thoughts:

Jo Malone Bath Oil - Red Roses $65

 

There's no doubt about it, this item is luxury packed up in a pretty box. I am a complete sucker for packaging. And they made sure that I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

At $65, this is NOT cheap. However, when one really thinks about it, one can reasonably get 12-15 baths out of the bottle, and at a price per bath of <$5, it is actually not eyebrow raising at all.

Yes, this is the data analyst in me that reared its mathematical head.

The product itself is....okay. The scent was lovely and it didn't really require much for a bath (I guess a cap-ful was sufficient. But I am known to be an extremist. So three cap-fuls it is)

There were no angels breaking into chorus, no light showing me the right path, no hunky man appearing to wash my bag...but to be fair, those were not promised in the product description.

The bath oil is a solid, steady, meet-all-normal-expectations kinda product.

Lush Bath Bombs $4 - $10

Lush products are whimsical, creative, different...gimmicky, for a lack of a better word.

How else can they explain product names like Sex Bomb or Fox in the Flowers or Lord of Misrule? Or product descriptions like "kick tub time into warp speed" or "an enchanted forest full of possibility"?

It is cute. I dig it.

Perhaps it is because I amuse myself with out-there scenarios sometimes I am easily amused, and enjoy creativeness.

 Their products definitely try.

With flower petals, gold dust, and sound effects being the normal stuff to expect when one pops a bath bomb into the tub, it provides a level of entertainment. "I wonder what this bath bomb will do?" 

Priced at $4 - $10 per bomb, they are an affordable treat in a pick-me-up-after-a-bad-week kinda way...IF you have a store around your area. And even more affordable if you split the bombs in half to last for two separate baths.

But if you don't have a local store, and you have to stock up because you're buying it online or from the nearest store 2 hours away, it can quickly add up.

These are fantastic for people with short attention spans who like to try different things in short periods of time and like to mix it up according to their mood and fancy.