Friday, March 26, 2010

Reviews: Etude House, Givenchy

Edited on 6.7.2010.

Reviews!! A few of you asked about the Etude House scrub, so I'm going to start this entry with it:


Name: Etude House Magic Rice Pack Peeling
Price: ₩ 11,000 for 100 g

This is a light exfoliator. It has a cream like texture with tiny exfoliants (feels like fine sand mixed with cream) and an unusual but tolerable scent. It didn’t leave my skin feeling soft, smooth or moisturized afterwards.

In fact, I highly suspect that it doesn’t do a thing for me. Not recommended at all!




Name: Etude House Dual Fibre Cheek Brush (Glow)
Price: RM 39.90

It did shed a bit when I washed it but every brush does that so I’m not too bothered by it. The bristles are made of out of a mix of goat hair and synthetic fibres. It’s soft and it works wonderfully with liquid foundation.

It’s really good and I’d totally recommend getting this brush =)


It is awfully prickly when I use it to stipple my liquid foundation and the worse part is it STILL bleeds dye when I wash it even after 3+ months. This is the most horrible brush ever! Thank goodness I got it for 40% off -.-


Name: Etude House O2 White Mask
Price: RM 43.90 for 100 ml

This super thick white creamy whitening and revitalizing wash off mask has a pleasant floral scent.

It starts to bubble at the one minute mark. I usually leave it on for 5 minutes instead of the recommended 2 -3 minutes ;D Using a brush to apply this mask would be your best option because you want an even layer.

I like the temporary whitening effect that it leaves me, but that is all to the mask. There isn't any long term improvements.


Name: Etude House Mascara Remover
Price: RM 18.90 for 80 ml

It works really nicely, even on my long wearing, waterproof gel liners :) I do follow up with my cleansing oil though.

It doesn’t leave my eye area oily, it has a pleasant scent and even its pink appearance is adorable. Idk if I would repurchase… I want to try removers from other cheapie Korean brands :)


Name: Etude House VIP Girl Dear Darling Lips PK007
Price: RM 31.90 for 4.3 g

PK007 is a creamy and opaque pale milky pink, with no shimmer. It smells delicious, just like peach candy!, and most importantly it feels comfortable to wear.

I’m getting OR205 when this range goes on another 50% sale puahaha~





I’m also reviewing a Givenchy lipstick that I bought a while ago ^^


Name: Givenchy ジバンシイ Rouge Interdit Shine ルージュ・アンテルディ・シャイン 09 Beige Shine
Price: US$ 27 for 3.5 g
@cosme rating: 4.7

The packaging is really fun and luxurious~


This lipstick is buttery soft and moisturizing with a gloss like shimmery finish.



Without flash
Shimmery goodness~



With flash
Isn’t it glossy and juicy? And look at the light reflecting shine!

It has a sheer and natural beige tone. Unless your lips aren’t pigmented, I would use a lip concealer as it only gives your lips a hint of colour.

Do try out this range if you like using lipglosses but abhor the stickiness aspect =D

Monday, March 22, 2010

Cellnique Paramedical Intensive Hydrating Complex

This week for me has been nothing but hot, hot and hot. I hate this weather, it makes me hide at home with my air conditioning at full blast. I also drink more fluids at this time which is good as it helps to keep my skin in a good condition (well, better than usual lol).

I always thought that I have combination oily skin, but actually I’m suffering from acute dehydration, where my face is producing more sebum than usual to compensate from the dryness. Using all those whitening and oil controlling products don’t help either ;D

This entry is dedicated to a hydrating serum that I have been trying out!

(Source: cellnique.com/)

Description: A lightweight, smooth texture formulation with high concentration of hyaluronic acid and essential amino acids to bind moisture in the dermal connective tissue and to restore elasticity of the skin. It thereby minimises the appearance of wrinkles and helps deliver an instant supple and smooth skin.

Packaging: White opaque plastic bottle with a dropper. Very practical and sanitary!


Name: Cellnique Paramedical Intensive Hydrating Complex
Price: RM 189 for 30 ml

Scent: Light chemical scent. It doesn’t bother me at all.

Texture: This clear serum has a smooth silky texture plus it’s not too thick or too thin. It absorbs very quickly. Moreover, it can be used on the eye area.


Here’s a before and after picture of the fine lines on my forehead since you guys really enjoyed the ones of my cheeks in a previous post haha XD


What do you think? My lines aren't as obvious in the after picture right? =D

I’ve been using this hydrating serum once a day for five weeks now, and I definitely feel an improvement in my hydration level. My face feels bouncier and firmer too ^^ 2-3 droplets are sufficient to cover my entire face instead of the recommended 6.

Ingredients: It has a chock-full of good ingredients like sodium hyaluronate (salt of hyaluronic acid, able to absorb and hold water up to 1000 times its own weight) and amino acids (Proline, Serine, Alanine, Arginine, Threonine, Glutamic Acid and Lysine to protect your skin from the effects of ageing).

Purified Water (Aqua purificata), Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Proline, Hydrolyzed Algin, Serine, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Alanine, Rosehips (Rosa aff. rubiginosa) Seed Oil, Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Oil, Arginine, Threonine, Glycolipids, Glutamic Acid, Panthenol, Lysine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

My only caveat is that it is quite pricey. Other than that, I adore this serum to bits!!!

~*~*~

Nothing is better than a cold dessert on a hot day :D


Mango, sago & pomelo

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Sweet × cher

Japanese magazines come with the nicest supplements (furoku)!

The good thing is they are not too pricey but I still have to carefully evaluate which to get haha :D

April Maquia comes with a pouch and two sachets of est’s Liquid Makeup Active Aura White,


HbG tote (H17×W28×D11cm) from April Steady,


April Sweet has a Jill Stuart Cafe felt case (H18×W24×D7cm),


April Cutie with a Cecil McBee lunch tote (H20×W33×D10cm) and mini pouch (H10×W14cm) and,


Lunasol base and point makeup DVD in April Biteki.


Which magazine did I get?

February Sweet - yes an old issue :D


The supplement sucked me in: cher big tote bag and a cher pass case!


The cotton tote measures H26×W37.5×D14.5cm. It’s large enough to carry my shopping items comfortably.

Closeup of the cheery yellow and pink heart print:


The pass case has a cuter red and pink heart print!



Are supplements a big factor when you purchase magazines?

Monday, March 15, 2010

Lunasol Beige Beige Dupe

I found a dupe for Lunasol’s famed Beige Beige from the Skin Modeling Eyes series!

(Source: kanebo-cosmetics.jp/)

I wish I found this earlier, Beige Beige gave me a lot of headache because it was out of stock everywhere plus some of the e-tailers totally jacked up the price! In addition, the girls manning the Kanebo counters Malaysia were no help at all -.-

The colours are reaaaaally similar when swatched and the price is super fantastic - NT$ 380 - compared to Lunasol at NT$ 1,550.

(Source: payeasy.com.tw/BeautyMaker/)

Name: Kevin Beautymaker Perfect Eyeshadow Palette
Price: NT$ 380 for 6 g

Perfect Eyeshadow Palette has five colours compared to Beige Beige with four. I’m going to buy it just for traveling purposes. This way my heart won’t break if it crumbles =D

An example on how to use this palette from Kevin:

(Source: payeasy.com.tw/BeautyMaker/; Translation provided by Google Translator)

Hope this helped all of you who expressed an interest in Beige Beige. You can view a swatch of Beige Beige in this post.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cellnique Paramedical Derma Brightening Complex

I found a superb replacement for my Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum! I didn’t notice anything special about the Caudalie serum (except for the price ;D) especially when it left me with a sticky afterfeel.


The Cellnique Paramedical Derma Brightening Complex definitely succeeded where the Caudalie one failed and at a more affordable price too =D It is also excellent for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Description: Formulated with exclusive Triple Action Melano-Targeting technology, this strongly effective yet gentle formulation works excellent on skin discoloration, dull and uneven skin tone, restores skin’s luminous glow without provoking any skin irritation or peeling. Unprecedented clarity radiates from within.

Packaging: White opaque plastic bottle with a dropper. I love the dropper lid, it’s very convenient and hygienic!


Name: Cellnique Paramedical Derma Brightening Complex
Price: RM 139 for 30 ml

Scent: A sweet yet acidic scent.

Texture: This pale yellow liquid has a light silky texture.


2 droplets are adequate for my entire face. I apply it on my U-zone (where my hyperpigmentation is concentrated), and smooth the leftover essence over the rest of my face. 5 minutes is more than enough for my skin to absorb it completely.

I noticed that my face looks more radiant now! This brightening effect became noticeable on my third week and I’m hoping that it’d become more pronounced puahaha ← *greedy laugh*

I’m not too fussed about the ‘works excellent on skin discoloration’ claim… my hyperpigmentation (mostly caused by acne and they're not age/sun spots) usually take around 2 years to fade :( But here are some before and after pictures for comparisons sake:


Right cheek


Left cheek

Not bad for four weeks of consistent usage yes? ^_~

The Derma Brightening Complex is a booster, so I use this after serum and before moisturiser.

Ingredients: I’m assuming Vitamin C, Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid to be the components in the Triple Action Melano-Targeting technology. Vitamin C inhibits melanogenesis (process where skin cells produce melanin/pigment), Lactic Acid exfoliates dead skin cells whilst Kojic Acid works as a whitening agent.

Purified Water (Aqua), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethoxydiglycol, Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Repurchase? YESSS!!!!!

What do you use for a radiant, scar-free skin?

Disclosure: Press samples.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

First Look: Lunasol Skin Modeling Eyes 01 Beige Beige

By far, Lunasol’s top selling eyeshadow palette is undoubtedly 01 Beige Beige from their Skin Modeling Eyes range. Skin Modeling Eyes has consistently been ranked top 10 in @cosme even though it’s a spring 2007 release. Doesn’t this show how well-liked it is?

(Source: kanebo-cosmetics.jp/)

As the name suggests, it is very beige indeed haha~


Name: Lunasol ルナソル Skin Modeling Eyes スキンモデリングアイズ 01 Beige Beige
Price: ¥ 5,250 for 6.7 g
@cosme rating: 5.3
Release date: 19.1.2007

Clockwise from bottom left: beige, pearly beige, nude beige and brown beige


Swatches~


Thanks to Zoe who went through so much trouble to CP this quad for me. I really appreciate it!!! ^^

Zoe surprised me with some lovely extras! :D First up is Beauty Buffet Bakery Blusher Anne & Florio No.4:


It's so girly!! I heart pink blushes ^^

She also included this super cute flower hair clip:


I love the design! I’m going to pair it with an odango haha =D

Lastly, she got me the Nature Republic MD Water Collection Moisture Coral Powder along with the 101 MD Water Collection for Moisture:


I can’t wait to try this combination out – it’s a moisturizing, purifying facial mask made from mineral-rich coral reefs. I’ve gotten very interested in this brand lately, they have a wide range of very reasonably priced goodies!

For those you who haven’t heard of Nature Republic, it’s a relatively new cosmetics/skincare brand from Korea, featuring JYJ as their spokesperson. According to the Nature Republic website, they use natural substances of the utmost quality combined with a state-of-the-art technology. Haha pretty impressive words right?

I’ll leave you guys with the newest Nature Republic advertisement: