Favourite Lipstick/Lipgloss Swatches

Do you have a few favourite lipsticks/lipglosses that you always wear eventhough you have many other lipsticks in various colours ? Well, I'm guilty of that. I have loads of lipsticks and lipglosses but I tend to wear back the same ones and the same shades.

From L to R :

Anna Sui Rouge S373

Anna Sui Lip Gloss 601

Stila Lip Polish - Sheen

Laneige Snow Crystal Melting Glossy Lipstick - YR323 Nude Orange

Stila Lipstick - Serena

Stila Long Wear Lip Colour - Exquisite

My shades are either pinkish nudes or brownish nudes. I just can't seem to accept other colours like red (urgh!), mauve, orange, peach or corals.

Do you face the same problem?

I have swatches of other colours but these are rarely used.

Laneige Lipstick - LRC 3

Paul & Joe Lipstick CS044

Stila Lip Glaze Stick in Vanilla

Paul & Joe Lip Gloss 03

I have many more lipsticks still new in the box unused. Do I stop buying more ? No ! I continue buying. Why do we women do that ???

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Swatches

I did a few Sally Hansen nail polish swatches. I love Sally Hansen nail polishes as they are very easy to apply and they do not chip easily. They can last more than 3 weeks if you apply on your toes.

Sally Hansen's Delicate Orchid Frost (my fav.)

Sally Hansen's Magic

Sally Hansen's Glow

Give them a try. The only differences with OPI are the colour range (Sally Hansen has fewer colour codes as compared to OPI) but the prices more than made up for it (Sally Hansen retails at only RM19-90, whereas OPI is about RM50+).

Swatches : YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick SPF 15 and YSL Creme de Blush

After admiring my YSL makeup for a few days, I could not resist anymore and tried them finally. I did some swatches of my YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick No. 16. I could not take a good photo of it. Anyway, here is the best I could do. It is actually more pretty than as shown in the photo.

YSL Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick SPF 15 in No. 16

YSL Creme de Blush in No. 1

This peach coloured blusher gives a natural glow to my cheeks. I mentioned in my earlier post that even though it is a cream blusher but when applied onto the cheeks it became powdery. I know it doesn't make sense right. How can a cream blusher becomes powder blusher upon application. Well, you just have to trust my words or you can go to any YSL counters to do the swatch yourself. Let me know the outcome.

Kose Mini Haul

Just a quick post on what I bought yesterday. Seems like recently I have quite a number of mini hauls. All the mini hauls will add up to MAJOR HAULS : ( . I wasn't really planning to buy anything as I was just browsing around (that's the problem) at Isetan, KLCC. Then I saw this really pretty packaging (me and my packaging) at the Kose counter.

Beaute de Kose's Multi Reflection Colors - 001 Strawberry Ice

Beaute de Kose's Metallic Luster Eyes - 002 Sparklet Gold

Do you know how much each palette cost ? It's only RM68-00 for each palette. Good deal !! Oh well, another dent to my wallet.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Gel Cream

I have been looking for a good moisturiser (but not too expensive, ie. Lamer) for the longest time. I have scouted for samples from quite a lot of brands hoping to find one that will suit my dehydrated skin but do not feel too oily either. Imagine having a face plastered with oily and sticky moisturiser for the entire day in the office. Not good.

Then, I read a review by ParisB on this particular product - Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief gel cream. According to her, after just 1 application, she felt a "toing toing" feeling of smooth skin. And she also could not stop touching her face.

Luckily for me I have this gel cream sitting in my drawer untouched. I got this as a GWP when I purchased a facial scrub and turnaround concentrate serum a few months back. Imagine having this wonderful product but I did not use it. That's the problem of having so many samples ; )

Immediately, I started using it. First, I cleanse my face with my Paul & Joe creamy facial foam. Smells so good - orangey, citrusy smell.

Paul & Joe creamy facial foam

Then, I applied my Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer (to allow my moisturiser to absorb into my skin - according to the SA), before applying Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief gel cream.

RESULT : VERY, VERY SMOOTH AND HYDRATED SKIN. LOOOOVE IT !!!!!

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer and Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief Gel Cream.

My skin feels so smooth and like ParisB said, I felt like touching my face all the time to feel the softness and smoothness. Normally, my skin still flakes even after applying moisturiser but this did not happen with this gel cream. The texture of this gel cream is very light and not at all sticky. For day, I apply a thinner layer as compared to for night.

Light and Non-oily Texture

I will definitely purchase again after I have finished with this one.

Laneige Hydra Solution Trial Kit

A couple of days ago, I bought a Chinese magazine called "New Tide". Err, I can't exactly read and speak Chinese but I could not resist the freebies that came together with the magazine. The magazine only cost RM8 but we get to try the Laneige Hydra Solution Trial kit. The kit consists of :

(1) Hydra Solution Cream

(2) Hydra Solution Essence

(3) Hyrda Solution Eye Cream

For RM8, it is a really good deal. Get it while stocks last. I got mine from Kinokuniya and they have a lot more left at that time.

New Tide with the Laneige Hydra Solution Trial Kit

YSL Mini Haul

During lunch today, I was doing a bit of a window shopping at Parkson, Pavilion and suddenly noticed a small "SALE" sign at the YSL counter. All makeup at 40% off whereas the skincare products were going for 50% (or was it 55% ?) discount. According to the SA, all the skincare are already sold out and only a selection of the cosmetics were left. I got myself 3 items - lipstick, compact powder and blusher, which I think was quite a good deal.

Blusher, Compact Powder, Lipstick

Creme de Blush

This blusher that I chose is in no. 1 (peachy tone). The cream blusher is in a glass bottle and the packaging is so classy. It actually feels like a creamy blusher when you touch it in the bottle but when you blend it on your cheeks it became powder form (am I making sense here ?) Please visit any YSL outlets in all Parkson for a swatch. I'm still admiring my purchase and can't bear the thought of using it yet. After discount this costs RM85.20.

I also purchased YSL's Palette Y Compact Powder which is a limited edition. Packaging of a product to me fetch a lot of brownie points. I fell in love with the palette immediately. I just must have it even though I still have some unused compact powder. This cost me RM120.

Palette Y Compact Powder

Lastly, I bought YSL's Rouge Pure Shine lipstick with SPF 15 in shade no. 16. Again, I'm still admiring my new makeup and just do not have the heart to use them. This is RM53.40.

Rouge Pure Shine Sheer Lipstick SPF 15

These 3 items have caused a little dent in my pocket but I can't wait to use them (but after I have finished admiring them), as these are my first YSL products.

Samples, Samples and More Samples

Have you gotten to a stage where you have obtained so many samples that you do not know which to use ? I have. Also, I do not really fancy squeezing out from the little sachets given, can get kinda messy. But samples are a great way to find out whether you like the particular product before you invest a bomb in them.

This is my little collection with brands from L'occitane, Kiehl's, Anna Sui, Shu Uemura, Bioxil, Paul & Joe, Estee Lauder, Clinique and Biotherm.

Small Collection of Samples

I will start using them once I have finished my full size products and would like to try some other brands. My current night routine is :

Laneige Star White Eye Spot - for the eyes of course

Clinique Turnaround Concentrate  - a serum to be used before moisturiser

Laneige Water Bank Cream - night cream/moisturiser

L'oreal's Revitalift Face, Contours & Neck - for my wattle

I have just started using all the above products for a few days except for Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate. This is a really good serum as my face feels soft the next morning instead of feeling dehydrated and flaky (before using this serum) as I sleep in an air-conditioned room. I bought it at RM190. Hmmm, quite expensive, but if it works - it is worth the money.

Developing a Wattle

Wattle (anatomy), a fleshy growth hanging from the head or neck of certain animals, as defined by Wikipedia. So, I suppose I have a wattle. I have been agonizing about my wattle for months, asking my hubby whether it is ugly. You know what he said - instead of saying "No, lah ! You still have a beautiful and smooth neck", I got a response of "What to do, genetic, lah. Your father also like that" :(

Here is my wattle, beware ...........

See - Wattle

Actually, I have seen this product, the new L’Oreal Revitalift Face Contours and Neck cream in Watsons and Guardian, but did not really take notice of it until one day I read a review by ParisB and after using for 2 weeks, she felt that her neck is firmer and more elastic. This is what I have been looking for and want.

Luckily for me, I managed to get it at RM59.90 (NP : RM79.90) as Watsons and Guardian were having a nationwide promotion on this product. So very happy : D.

I have been using it for a few days but only at night as I don't really like the smell, kinda strong unexplainable smell. It is actually meant to be used on your face, contours and neck but I'm only using it for my neck.

I'll be coming back with a review and an after photo a couple of weeks later to see whether this product works. I really hope it does as it has received quite favourable reviews from a few bloggers. I will repurchase it if it really works and withstand the smell. No pain no gain : ).

Body Lotions

I have very, very dry skin and to have beautiful and smooth skin I should apply body lotion. But I'm just too lazy and don't really like having something creamy on my body, hands and legs (even though the body lotions used are not oily at all). However, I still love to buy body lotions thinking of having smooth skin IF i use them.

I have amassed a little collection of body lotions and hand creams recently but they all remain quite untouched at the moment : D. I'm not sure what I'm waiting for. My skin gets really dry until I have rashes and I will be scratching them until my skin breaks. Then only I will start using my body lotions. But by then I have scars all over my legs and body : (

Family Album of Body Lotions and Hand Creams

I have a variety of brands ranging from the pharmacy to the medium end, like Rosken, The Body Shop, Crabtree & Evelyn, L'occitane and Paul & Joe. Hmmm, maybe I should start using them before buying any more. But, don't you just love to buy. Sometimes I wonder whether I love using them or just love buying them.

Really, Really Dark Eye Circles

I have really, really dark eye circles as well as wrinkles at the side of my eyes. Have you ever gone for a skin analysis where they tell you how hydrated or dehydrated your skin is and also the condition of your skin. Well, generally the comments on my skin from the Lancome, Biotherm and Shiseido SAs are - dry and dehydrated but quite small pores and very dark eye circles. But the latest skin analysis done by a SKII SA was - the result : your skin condition and around your eye area is older than my actual age, which is 41. EEEEKKKK!!!!!

Beware of what you are going to view.......

Dark eye circles and wrinkles

You know how women are - very, very sensitive on how they look. Whenever people in general know of my age, 99.9% of the time, they are quite shocked as I do not look my age at all. They said I look like in my late 20s to early 30s : D. Maybe because we always have a pre-conceived idea how a 40 over year old should look like - "auntie" which I am definitely not.

So, when the SKII SA said my eye area condition look beyond my age, PANIC was my immediate reaction. I had to do something quick. I could not afford SKII which she was trying very hard to sell to me, so I started buying other eye cream products.

The first I started off was Bioxil's Advanced Wrinkle Lifting Eye Cream (15ml), which I bought at a promotional price of just RM99 (NP : RM199). It was supposed to reduce eye wrinkles and lighten my dark eye circles within 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of usage, I did not see any improvement so, I thought with my serious condition I would need a bit longer for it to take effect. After 1 month of usage - still nothing. 2 months - NOTHING. Finished the product - NOTHING AT ALL !!!!

OK, one day I saw my god auntie who is close to 50 but look more 30s. I immediately asked her what skincare she is using. Answer - LAMER's the eye concentrate and LAMER's moisturizing cream. My heart dropped when I heard LAMER. With just the small pot of eye cream costing RM600++, I knew my life was doomed. But being quite persistent, I went to LAMER in Metrojaya, Midvalley to enquire about the eye cream and got myself a free sample (came in a little pot of 3ml) which I used day and night for 1 month plus. Result : NOTHING either. What !!! How many bottles must I use to see the results.

Subsequently, I used Benefit's Eyecon (14g ?), Clinique's All About Eyes (5ml - sample size), Shu Uemura's Smoothing Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion (10ml - travel size). I have finished using all of them. Results the same for all - NOTHING, NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL !!!

I have yet to use Clinique's Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream (5ml - sample size) and Laneige's Star White Eye Spot (15ml) which I bought recently during the Laniege Beauty Fair at Parkson Pavillion for RM90.

My used and unused eye products

Oops, forgot about the Laniege eye cream

I'm at a loss and cannot decide - should I be patient and stick with one product until I see results (but what if I don't after multiple bottles) or continue my search for THE ONE or resigned to having dark eye circles because of genetic and late nights.

School Holidays Are Coming

My son will be having his year end holidays soon and we always try to plan a holiday destination to go to. At first, my hubby suggested Pulau Pangkor. So I surfed the web and came out with Pangkor Island Beach Resort. The rates are :

Garden wing - RM190 per night

Pacific wing - RM230 to RM280 per night

Ocean wing - RM280 to RM350 per night

All the prices quoted are without breakfast. Why is it that all the hotels and resorts in Malaysia are quite pricey (to me at least) ? One would have to fork out a couple of hundred RMs to get a decent hotel. I was almost on the verge of booking my accomodation when my friend asked "What are you going to do in Pangkor?" I said "Uhhh, the beach ?" My friend started laughing and said "There is no shopping to be done in Pulau Pangkor."  You see, I'm a city girl who loves everything a city can offer - shopping, sales, entertainment, good food, etc.

Hmmm, I then thought why not go to Singapore : D. I can go shopping and also follow the family to Sentosa Island. Heehee, kill 2 birds with 1 stone. As usual, I surfed the web to search for the best deals and promotions (a typical bargainhunter - goes with the territory of being a shopaholic). I found the official website for tourist information on Singapore. For being a Malaysian, you get some good deals, like you stay the 1st night at the normal rate and get the 2nd night at 50% off. The hotels offering these deals are Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, M Hotel, Orchard Hotel and Copthorne King's Hotel. I immediately opted for Orchard Hotel (wink wink... shopping). I emailed my enquiry and found out I have to pay $357 (RM800++) for 2 nights including breakfast. My friends say "cheap, cheap". I started calculating the total cost for the Singapore trip :

Accomodation            RM880

Sentosa Island           RM1,200 (according to a friend, she spent $200/person on the rides and entrance fees)

Aeroline bus fare        RM500++

Food                          RM500 ???

Shopping                    RM1,000 ?????

OMG !!!!! I have to spend like RM4,000++ just visiting my neighbouring country !!!  

Bye ! Bye ! Orchard Road (boo hoo hoo)

Sentosa Island Beach

Water Show on Sentosa Island

I don't think we want to spend so much money, considering the fact that I have not gotten a bonus for the past 2 years and already a direct hint from the boss that we are not getting any either this coming year end (so very sad : ( So, nothing to look forward to this year end.

My hubby then suggested, Penang. I said, "Huh, Penang again ! This will be the 3rd time in 2 years." My 8 year old son heard and said "Yes ! Yesssss! Penang !! I want to stay in Holiday Inn again." Ok, I then booked ourselves into Holiday Inn, Penang again for 2 nights costing me RM600++. It's quite ok I suppose, we get the beach, sun, shopping, food, some sight seeing (temples and whatelse ?) and support our local tourism.

Yum Yum

PENANG, HERE WE COME AGAIN !!!!!