Clinique Juiced Up Colour – Spring 2010...

It’s almost the end of the spring season, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the weather outside – it seems like the spring showers are only hitting Singapore and Malaysia now, swinging between torrential showers and blistering heat.

Yesterday after going out for a meeting, I got caught in a torrential downpour that err, was extremely windy and ‘spattery’. That aside though, I still arrived at the office feeling pretty good since my light hand with makeup hadn’t faded!

The products I used were actually from Clinique’s Spring 2010 Juiced Up Colour collection – the All Over Colour in Mixed Berries and Fresh Picked Eyeshadow in Fresh Picked Pear.

Allover Colour in Mixed Berries was one of the items that I could barely bear to ‘defile’ simply because it looks so awesome. I found out though, a good way to force myself to use it was to make it one of the only two blushes in my bag when I came to Singapore – voila! No choice but to start using it... :D

All the three individual colours are pretty on their own – I’ve also found that the lightest shade can be used as a pretty brow highlighter too! Once swirled together they create a nice soft glow (pic below)

I used it together with the Fresh Picked Eyeshadow in Fresh Picked Pear, which is a pale gold and green with a satiny sheen in a super-cute pear pattern. The eyeshadow itself is quite easy to pick up with either fingers or brush, although personally I prefer using my fingers.

However, I found that the colour of the eyeshadow is quite sheer when I use my fingers – using an eyeshadow brush works better if you like more intense colour, but I happen to like just a ‘wash’ of colour instead of eye-catching shades...particularly at work!

As you can see from the swatches above, they’re slightly on the sheer side but still quite pretty. Love this for the days I just want a hint of colour without having to fuss too much! :D

This is what I ended up with both Allover Colour and Fresh Picked Eyeshadow applied – apologies if it’s not really clear in the picture, but the lighting in my office doesn’t make for very good photos. :s Mind you, this was after surviving through a downpour, so I reckon it’s not too bad. Your thoughts?


Clinique Fresh Picked Allover Colour (RM115) and Fresh Picked Eye Shadow (RM75) are both limited edition items and part of the Clinique Juiced Up Colour – Spring 2010 collection, now available at all Clinique counters.

Nivea Fruity Shine Lipbalm in Pomegranate...

Hi hi..how was your weekend ladies? I went back home for the weekend, and oh, my stomach – mum outdid herself by making roast pork and prawn mee for dinner. Maybe I should move out of the house more often if this is the treatment I get...hmm...just kidding! :D

Anyway, while I was looking around Guardian yesterday, I spotted a new variant of Nivea Lipbalm – Fruity Shine! It looked pretty interesting, plus I happen to love pomegranate, so I ended up picking one to try.

Description:
Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate with Fruit Extracts and Shimmering Pigments combines long lasting moisturisation and an exciting fruity pomegranate scent to replenish moisture, leaving a touch of delicate colour on soft and smooth lips. This new formula combines rich almond oil, jojoba oil and shea butter to keep your lips as soft and fresh as they can be. Contains SPF10 protection against UVA and UVB rays.

The Verdict:
OMG...the pomegranate scent reminds me of The Body Shop’s pomegranate shower gel (although tastes much yummier of course!). I’m also loving the hint of colour – it’s somewhat similar to the colour of Nivea’s Star Fruits Pink Grapefruit balm (which I adore) but just a tiny bit more intense.

The Fruity Shine claims to have a moisture store formula which is supposed to leave your lips nicely moisturised for much longer. I found I had to reapply it frequently, but I’d attribute that partly to the fact I couldn’t stop sniffing at it. :D

From experience, Nivea’s lipbalms are generally pretty decent – I’ve yet to find a real dud (although I hate the Star Fruits Cherry one simply because I think it smells like cough syrup...it’s a personal thing though) so this was technically a ‘safe’ purchase.

There’s also Strawberry, Cherry and...Dragonfruit flavours in the ‘Fruity Shine’ range, although I’ve yet to spot the rest of the flavours on the shelves – guess we’ll just have to wait and see eh? I must say I’m rather curious at what the Dragonfruit one is like!

Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate is available at major care pharmacies in Singapore (haven’t seen this back in Malaysia yet) and retails for approximately SGD4.00.


Rating: 4 / 5
Value: $$$

Singapore: Charles & Keith Warehouse Sales...

I finally attended my first Singapore warehouse sale! LOL...

Yup, I actually went to check out the Charles & Keith warehouse sale in Paya Lebar yesterday after work to see if I could pick up a few bargains. No pictures though, since there were a lot of signs prohibiting pictures, plus it was just too crowded to fiddle with my camera.

I must say, they were quite well organised – people were let into the sale area in groups, given a shopping bag to use and although massively crowded, moved along pretty fast. Nothing can be done about the pushing and shoving amongst the people there though, but at least the experience was quite pleasant overall.

As for the stock on sale, prices start from SGD$5 upwards with a selection of shoes, belts, sunglasses, boots and belts from Charles & Keith, as well as a selection of men’s shoes from Pedro.

HOWEVER...sizes are a big thing to note. The majority of stocks are in single sizes, and I noticed a LOT of size 41 and size 36 so if your feet are that size you’ll be able to buy a lot!

As for me, my feet can range anywhere from 38 to 40 depending on the cut, so I didn’t have that many choices. I did pick up a pair of off-white crocskin mules with a 2” heel for just SGD$9...*grins*

The sale ends this Sunday and the map above is pretty accurate, so if you’re in the area or looking for something to do this weekend, do check it out yeah? :)

PS: I’ll be flying back to KL for the weekend tonight...can’t wait!

inuovi ivoluxe lippie love...

I was first introduced to inuovi early last year, which finally got me sorted on wearing false eyelashes, and during one of their previous sales I picked up a ivoluxe lipstick which funnily enough, I only started using a month back. :D

Description:
inuovi ivoluxe lipstick is moisturising intense colour for lips that plumps up your lips for a seductively full and luscious look. Intense and wet shine colours with 3D lip plumping complex glide onto lips like silk for a full and glossy effect. Contains Evening Primrose Oil, Squalane and Sweet Almond oil.

The Verdict:
The shade I picked up was Flirt, which is a light pink shade with a hint of glitter. Now that no longer have the luxury of toting huge bags to work (no more car!) I had to seriously streamline the contents of my makeup kit – which means that this baby has the job of moisturising my lips as well as working as a lipstick.

I have to say, I actually quite like this – the colour’s rather sheer, but as I don’t really wear strong colours for work it serves my purpose. What’s more, it contains Evening Primrose oil so my lips look and feel smooth even after it’s worn off. I haven’t tried any of the other colours, but you can also check out Connie’s take on it as well.

inuovi ivoluxe lipsticks come in 40 shades and retail at RM55 each at all inuovi counters and standalone stores.

Incidentally, inuovi Malaysia is currently having their warehouse sales which were supposed to end tomorrow, but I was just told that the sale is being extended to Saturday per the above flyer. Discounts are up to 90%, plus a free lipgloss palette if you spend above RM50. I’ll be doing my inuovi shopping by proxy through a friend this time, so no impulse buying for me!

Has anyone gone for the sale already, or planning to go? If so, do share what you got or are planning to get yeah! :D

Off to a right interesting start in Singapore...

Sorry for the sporadic posts people...the adjustment to getting stable internet connection to blog has been rather intermittent, plus I was such a ditz – I could have sworn I packed my camera transfer cable before I left, but it’s nowhere to be seen amongst the stuff I brought so had to borrow a friend’s card reader for the time being to get my photos out.

That aside, the first week’s down...I can SO see all the predictions I made in this post coming true already – shopping wise, it’s been ermm...rather dangerous. Will have to exercise a lot more restraint when it comes to shopping, that’s for sure!

The first magazine I bought in Singapore was L’Officiel – not for anything else, but because Paris told me about the free Ed Pinaud eyeshadow quad that came as a free gift with the magazine! (Paris can apparently now influence me to buy stuff even ACROSS the border! *gulp*)

The shade I got was #5 – Blue Black. Haven’t tried it out, but not bad for a SGD$5.90 magazine, no? The magazine contents are not bad as well, so I’m not too fussed. There are 6 choices available, but before you ask, no I’m not going to be going mad collecting all of them, considering the magazine is fast running out, plus there’s no way to tell the shade of the quad until you open the magazine’s packaging.

I got this on the tail-end of the usual CNY promotions at a 7-11 in Chinatown while out with the girls after dinner. It came with every purchase of 2 bags of Lays or Ruffles chips, and was available in red or gold – no doubt the general agreement was that the gold was much prettier!

The pouch is meant to organise angpows (hence the three long compartments), but the girls reckon I could use it as a brush roll instead – what do you all think? :D

Last but definitely not least was the close to the weekend with the group of girls taking our first international trip (well, we’re all originally Malaysian, so that counts, right?)...and what a way to make a splash with Chippendales! Nekkid men oh how hawt...I’ve got such a thing for Bryan Chan now (the only Asian in the troupe) Girls if you’re reading this, we SO have to go for the US version yeah...must must must!! :D (by the way, I love how our ticket number was #69...*wink wink*)

Incidentally, Singapore is smack in the middle of a warehouse spree – Charles & Keith, Pedro and Kate Spade are just a few of the ones I want to hit! And if not, I’ve also gone to quite a few outlet branches of brands like G2000, Cotton On and Levi’s that have some rather lovely finds... :D

Something tells me I’m gonna like the shopping here in Singapore (but my wallet isn’t!)

Lancome O My Rose! Spring 2010 Collection by Aaron de Mey…

In recent years, has anyone noticed Lancome’s makeup collections getting more eye-catching? This year’s Spring collection is no different – we didn’t get the entire collection in-country, but what we did get was certainly rather pretty. :)

The ONE product that stood out to me among all the products was the Pop n Cheeks (RM115) in Coral Flirt with its gorgeous assymetrical rose. Even though the shimmer on the surface of the blush fades, the underlying colour is still pretty nice. I’ve heard that for some the colour doesn’t show up much, but after trying out at the counter I like the lightly flushed effect.

Now, on to the other products in the Spring 2010 O My Rose collection...

The Pop n Palette (RM140) eyeshadow quads are another gorgeous item in this collection – Paris has done a great review on the Pop n Petrol here, so I shan’t go too much into it, but definitely very wearable with not too much shimmer. The other shade shown on the right is the Pop n Copper.

La Touche Pro (RM125) comes in both light and medium shades to provide light coverage and even out complexion. The texture of this is actually quite smooth and blends quite well, so it might be something to keep an eye on. I’m thankful my skin hasn’t acted up badly enough to require concealer in the past couple of months, but you never know…

The rest of the collection isn’t half bad, although I do wish we’d gotten the Baby Kiss as well, just because it’s so cute with its glossy mini-box.

Le Crayon Khol in Pop Petrol (this is part of the in-country collection at RM68), Hypnose Drama and Flash Retouche

La French Tropez Manicure in B.B. Sand and Pop Petrol – Personally I like the colour of the B.B. Sand which would work probably look quite sweet layered over a red or deep blue polish. :)

Le Khol Gloss in Pop Petrol, Swinging Copper and B.B. Sand – Lancome recommends using this as a block of colour before sculpting the look with powder shadow to play on the matte-shine contrast…I admit I’ve not tried this before, but it could turn out quite nice, given that copper and aqua green are strong but flattering colours for most.

Ink Artliner in Pop Petrol


Colour Fever Gloss in Coral Delight, Shivering Pink, Orange Scopitone and B.B. Sand.


La Laque Fever in Swinging Copper and Coral Bliss – can be used alone, or works well with Baby Kiss

Is there anything in this collection that you really love / hate, or wish they had / hadn’t brought in? :D

Cut and Colour @ Sense Studio...

How is everyone’s Friday going so far? I’m just counting down the minutes to the end of work as a bunch of the girls are coming down to Singapore to watch Chippendales tomorrow night! :D

It just struck me that I’ve been in Singapore a week today – gosh time flies, doesn’t it? So far so good, I’ve probably gotten a teeny bit darker since arriving here since I’m in the sun a lot more (even though I’ve been slapping on the sunscreen!) and hey, I think I’m losing a bit of weight too with all the walking (super missing my car though...*pouts*)

Anyway, I actually got a cut and colour from my usual stylist Joanne at Sense Studio the weekend before I left for Singapore – she’s finally back from maternity leave and it’s been a while since I’d been back, so I figured I had better get it done rather than leave for Singapore with an unruly mop on my head (!!)

There was so much foil in my head during the process that I reckon I could have given my satellite dish a run for its money – Astro eat your heart out! I spent a good 35 minutes looking like this, so you can imagine my boredom at snapping pics...

The entire process took just under three hours, and I had a pretty good deal of cut + colour + highlights + treatment + 2 full-sized L’oreal haircare products for RM568 (mind you I have pretty long hair) so it wasn’t too bad. Plus, it’ll last me quite a while so for things like this I don’t mind spending a bit more if the results are good and easy to maintain.

This is what it looked like after a couple of days – the red highlights have gotten even brighter since this pic was taken, plus the purplish-red undertone base colour also lightened a bit so my hair’s really quite red under sunlight which is quite different from the previous shades I’ve tried. No issues though, the colleague sitting next to me in my new office has purple streaks in her hair so I fit in quite nicely here in Singapore...heehee...

Have a good weekend ladies! :D (and yes, I'm back in the game!)