Christmas Haul

Helloooo everyone!

I'm really excited to share with you this huge haul that I bought for myself for Christmas! I was really stressed out from uni work (thesis year!) as well as some personal problems, so I thought I deserved to get some of the products I've been lusting over for a long time. I also picked up some items I needed in my collection as accompaniments to other products. Some of these items might be familiar as I've included them in my Christmas Wish List!

BYS Synthetic Blending Brush

I remember I was with Alex when she suggested this brush. I saw it on her September Favourites and got interested in it as I wanted to start expanding my eyeshadow brush collection, especially after seeing this post from Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup. This brush is soft yet really inexpensive at P299, so it'd be really great for beginners!

Etude House Play 101 Pencil (#23)

I knew I needed a lip liner for my NARS Audacious Lipstick in Audrey, and this was the closest from all of the lip liners in the Play 101 line to that shade. I tried it out at home and it turns out that it was a perfect shade match! It was really easy to apply and looked pretty good on its own. I can't wait to purchase more pencils from this line!

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I have read hundreds of reviews on this miracle serum, and I wanted to splurge on something that would help with anti-aging as well as brighten my skin. I've been using it since I got it and I love how lightweight it is! It also made my skin smoother than it already was (thanks to the new additions to my routine) and made my pores a little less visible. I can't wait to see the change it'll make after a month of use!

Kiehls Mango Lip Balm

I was running low on lip balms and decided to try this out. It's pretty lightweight and doesn't leave a gloopy film on my lips like other lip balms do. I rotate this with my EOS Lip Balm and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, depending on my mood. 

I got a pretty good amount of samples, and I was surprised by how much each packet contained! I'm excited to try the Skin Rescuer as it addresses redness, and the Microblur Skin Perfector as I'm looking for a new primer.

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

It's embarrassing to say that I've swatched this foundation every time I enter Beauty Bar (which is quite often). I'm paranoid about my Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream running low, and I wanted a foundation that I already tried, so I decided on this. It's definitely a splurge, but so far so good! I heard this was a more lightweight version of the NARS Sheer Glow which I also considered purchasing, and it's true! Even with two layers of this on, I didn't feel like it was on my skin. I also love the glow it gives my skin. I'm sensing a new foundation favourite!

NARS Satin Lip Pencil (Mandore)

It's labelled 'Limited' on the NARS website, so I assumed it meant 'Limited Edition' and would therefore not be at my local NARS counter, so I was surprised to see it among the other lip pencils! Unlike other reds, this does not have that hint of berry and is described as more of a cranberry colour. I got to try it in store and I loved it, and did not hesitate in buying.

NARS Sharpener

I knew that I would be purchasing more lip pencils because they seem so easy in terms of application and maintenance versus lipsticks (and I'm a sucker for NARS products, lets be real), so I knew I needed a sharpener. I gave in when the SA said that this was the last one, and it usually takes a long time for NARS to restock on their products. At least I'm sure that it will fit the NARS Lip Pencils, and it saves me the trouble of trying and testing other cheaper sharpeners.

And that's it! It's going to be a while before I do another haul so I hope you all enjoyed this! If you guys did your own hauls this Christmas, or have some things on your wish list that you're planning to purchase soon, feel free to leave me a comment below! Also, tell me if you've tried any of these!

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Friday, January 02, 2015

Christmas Haul

By Pauline Read More

REVIEW: Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment SPF 15

Hey, everyone!

Today I wanted to talk about something that you should have in your bag, even if you're not into make-up (if you're reading this, I'm assuming you are though!). If there was anything that got me interested in trying make-up, it was lip balms. I used ones from Chapstick, Burts Bees, The Body Shop, and Nivea but I never found one that I really wanted to stick with. They were either in pots (very unhygienic), made my lips dry in 2 hours, or got lost. Summer (who has recommended me so many things bless you woman) suggested this when I told her about my 'lip troubles' so to speak, haha!  

Here is the Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment with SPF 15! It was definitely a splurge in comparison to most lip balms, but I'm more than happy to purchase this (and other colours, as it comes in many different shades) again.

First off, the packaging is gorgeous and quite clever. It's not made of plastic like most lip balms I've tried, and the cap needs to be screwed shut instead of just capped. I've had the cap of my lip balms lost at one point or another from moving around in my bag, so I thought this was a nice touch.

The balm itself is colourless and smells quite lemony, which I love. Not in the freshly squeezed lemons kind of way, but not in a very artificial way either. The smell does linger which wouldn't be that great if you're sensitive to that. 

For application, about two or three swipes will do. The balm itself is not sticky, and definitely does not dry up within an hour. What makes this lip balm different is that my lips still feel soft and smooth hours after it has worn off, which I have never experienced with any other lip balm. Also, I found that when my lips are quite chapped, the lip balm somehow works to remove or somehow exfoliate the dead skin cells on my lips a few minutes after application, leaving soft and smooth lips. Think of it as moulting? Very strange thought, but it's amazing to me how a lip balm can function that way!

One thing I don't like about the product itself is that it is quite soft, so be careful not to leave it under direct sunlight or where it is hot because it will melt! I tend to stick it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes prior to use (or in the air-conditioning, whatever works for you!) to make it easier to use. If you live in a colder climate though, I don't think you'll experience this problem.

Now as amazing as this is, it was expensive, as I mentioned above. I purchased this in Singapore for $36 (but got a 10% discount because of Summer's Sephora Card!) which is equivalent to about P1263 (about P913 discounted). On the Sephora website it retails for $25 which is around P1089, and even for me, that's a lot to pay for a lip balm. 

Compared to other lip balms, it contains 4.3 grams of product. A stick of Carmex lip balm has 4.25 grams, most Nivea lip balms (such as the Milk and Honey Balm) have 4.8 grams, and The Body Shop Born Lippy Sticks have 5 grams. Considering that there are other balms that have more product for less, it's definitely a minus. This lasted me a little more than 3 months, but that's probably because I kept applying it because it smelled so good (don't follow my example, guys). I'll definitely make my next one last longer. 

This is available in Sephora (both offline and online) so it's not exactly easy access for me. I'd recommend it if you have the extra money to spare and would like to try a lip balm (rather, lip treatment) that really works!

Summary:

(+) Softening
(+) Smoothening
(+) Effect lasts for hours
(+) Non-drying
(+) Screw-type cap
(-) Expensive
(-) Amount per stick
(-) Hard to find other than in Sephora
(-) Soft; needs refrigeration for easy use

Rating: 8/10

Repurchase? Yes! But I'll find a way to make it last longer than 3 months.

Have you guys tried this lip balm yet? Or have a better alternative? Feel free to share what you've tried below! Also don't forget to follow me on my Twitter!

*Changed my rating system to 1 over 10 rather than 5, since I haven't rated anything below 4 which I don't find quite accurate. 

Friday, September 12, 2014

REVIEW: Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment SPF 15

By Pauline Read More

BEAUTY: 5 Products, Minimal Make-up

Years before I used to watch makeup gurus on YouTube and think that "The more product on your face, the better" and after two or more unpleasant experiences with a caked face, I decided that I was going to 1.) Do my own make-up and 2.) Make it look as natural as possible. If you can't have something done right, you better do it yourself, yes?

Because of the climate of where I live, minimal make-up is a must. I admit I'm also very lazy in the morning (I know only a handful of people that aren't) so I want a routine that's fast but still allows me to look a little more put together while looking natural. I used to just go to school with primer and a BB cream earlier this year but after two hauls, I've added a few more products.

Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence

I've already made a review for this product here, but I do like using primer for everyday just so I wouldn't have to worry about my BB Cream fading or looking too dewy throughout the day. It also helps to even out my pores so my BB cream doesn't settle there.

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

For everyday minimal makeup, a BB cream is a must in my opinion. It gives me quite a bit of coverage, while still having benefits for the skin. I switch this up with my Fairydrops BB Cream when I want more coverage, but otherwise this does just fine. It does have a slight cooling effect when applied, which I really like.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in 'Birthday Suit'

This was included in my 'World Famous Neutrals - Most Glamorous Nudes Ever' boxed set from Benefit. I've already used it a few times and there is barely any dent on the product. I use it for a hint of color on my lids and even without primer, it lasts for hours without creasing or fading.

Clio Kill Brown Brush Liner in 02 Brown

This is easily the best brush liner I've tried. It gives off a vibrant brown color and because of its thin shape, its easy to make a thin line even if its been years since I used a brush liner. Picked brown over the famous Kill Black because it appears more natural.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Treatment SPF 15

Admittedly the most expensive lip balm I have purchased to date, but it is easily the best one I own. It keeps my lips moisturised for a good three to four hours and even after it has worn off, I find my lips to be very soft and smooth, rather than dry and chapped.

There you have it! I admit I do add one or two products more but this is mostly what I do whenever I go out shopping or with friends for lunch. What about you? What are your 5 products for minimal make-up?

Friday, June 20, 2014

BEAUTY: 5 Products, Minimal Make-up

By Pauline Read More