September 2011 Hits & Misses

I wanted to post up an August Hits & Misses entry but before I knew it, September is already ending! Time flies by so fast...

Rosette Hello Kitty Apple Gommage

Name: Rosette ロゼット Hello Kitty Apple Gommage ハローキティアップルゴマージュ
Price: HK$ 48 for 120 g
@cosme rating: 4.1 ★
Release date: 16.3.2009

Ick, the 4.1 ★ rating on @cosme is totally undeserved! The peeling effect is terrible compared to the other peeling gels that I have used and the scent is so chemical-like.

The amount of comedones on my nose remains the same, so I guess the amount of AHA in it is very minute? It just doesn't rub me the right way (pun intended
(^ ω ~)).

Rohto Arctic Eye Drops

Name: Rohto Arctic Eye Drops
Price: RM 48 for 13 ml

To me, the main selling point in these minty eyedrops is its cooling intensity. The stronger the better haha! I have tried my fair share of Arctic's Japanese counterparts and Artic is in between levels 5 and 6. I have stopped purchasing Rohto eyedrops below level 5, sadly they have no effect on me anymore.

The intense icy cool sensation is fantastic at waking me up. I can't live without it in the mornings. My eyes are red rimmed no matter how refreshed I'm feeling, so I am not the best judge to decide whether it relives redness. It also lubricate my eyes very well, which is an added bonus.

The packaging is very cute - an oval shaped bottle. I love it, it’s so much nicer looking than the eyedrops sold at drugstores over here.

Hadabisei Lotion Mask (Moist)

Name: Hadabisei 肌美精 Lotion Mask (Moist)
Price: RM 49.90 for 200 ml (28 pieces)
@cosme rating: 2.4 ★
Release date: 25.8.2008

This mask is designed to be used daily for a month. It contains hyaluronic acid and GABA, and it's meant as a quick fix for dry, flaky skin.

The masks aren't heavily saturated - they are soaked with enough essence that they stay moist yet they don't drip all over. The fabric is not the highest quality, but the essence more than makes up for it. My face feels really moisturized the morning after.

I have even bought a second box after using it for a week - that's how much I like it.

Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick 070 Soft Nude

Name: Revlon レブロン ColorBurst Lipstick カラーバースト リップ スティック 070 Soft Nude
Price: RM 39 for 3.7 g
@cosme rating: 4.9 ★
Release date: 16.4.2010

Soft Nude is an orangey tan shade, and it’ll transform into a nude once on your lips. This formula is pigmented although it lacks moisture as it feels very drying on. It also draws attention to every groove, line, crack that I didn’t even realize existed on my lips. It is the saddest RM 32.90 (sale price) that I ever spent.

Yanqina Natural Black Stiletto Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Name: Yanqina Natural Black Stiletto Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Price: US$ 9.25

The stiff tip makes this liner easy to use, the colour is a nice black and it washes off very easily with warm water. I usually go for a liner with a fine, slim tip, and upon seeing the chunkiness of the pen nib I instantly foresaw thick, inaccurate application. Regrettably this is the case with this liner and many western liners.

At the end of the day, the eyeliner is still present but it is very much duller and requires a touch up. Sometimes it even smudges, I'm still unsure why this happens but I shall experiment more to determine the cause.

If your interest is piqued by my review, you can get
Rosette Hello Kitty Apple Gommage on sasa.com
Rohto Arctic Eye Drops on supermodels-secrets.com
Hadabisei Lotion Mask (Moist) on sasa.com
Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick 070 Soft Nude on drugstore.com
Yanqina Natural Black Stiletto Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner on kkcenterhk.com

I'm ending this post with a recent EOTD.

It is supposed to be a romantic look with ruby shades but my camera couldn't capture the colours, my eye makeup looks neutral *grrr*

Disclosure: Entry contains press sample(s).

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Curlformers

Curlformers are somewhat like modern hair rollers. They are available in a variety of lengths and widths. The kit that loveshoppingholics.com offers comes with 20 curling tubes and 1 styling hook.

Name: Curlformers
Price: US$ 29.90 for a pack

It gives you pretty S shaped curls. I prefer these curls compared than the standard spriral curls from my curling iron, and most importantly it is very simple to do. In case you're wondering, there's absolutely no way I would ever sleep in them - they are stiff and hard, and I think that having them hanging about would be simply unbearable.

For my first trial, I took around 20 minutes to finish my whole head, which is quite long when you compare it to tonging, where I take 5 minutes or so. The whole process (which includes drawing my hair through the tubes, removing them, arranging my curls etc) only took 30 minutes.

The curls loosen pretty quickly (or they don't even form if you have stubborn hair like me) unless you spritz a healthy dose of hairspray beforehand.

The video below is very informative and it shows you the easiest and fastest method to achieve perfect curls with Curlformers:

I doubt that Curlformers will replace my styling iron. I care more about getting out of my door quickly rather than damage to my hair haha~ However, it's a good alternative for those who desire a kinder, heat-free hair curling option.

Disclosure: Press samples.

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LUVIEW Review: Whitening Capsule BB Cream, One-Touch Brush Sun Powder, Real Shiny Eyes

LUVIEW is an up and coming Korean brand. It was established in 2010 and its core target are ladies in their 20s and 30s. All LUVIEW products are manufactured using a unique combination of carefully selected natural ingredients (minerals and botanical tea extract) and the most advanced dermatology - the perfect formula for a skin friendly makeup brand.

(Source: LUVIEW's press release)

The Sales & Marketing Director gave me the opportunity to preview some items a few weeks back. Let's go through them piece by piece...

Whitening Capsule BB Cream

Name: LUVIEW Whitening Capsule BB Cream 화이트닝 캡슐 비비크림
Price: ₩ 19,000 for 34 g

Formulated for oilier skin types, this BB cream diffuses light and enhances the skin's natural luminosity for a radiant, hydrated complexion and contains non-irritating natural ingredients.

There was hyperventilating when I squirted the BB cream on my hand, it is white and not flesh toned like a million other BB creams!! Upon application, it transforms into a shade that matches my skintone very well and gives it a glowy, bright, yet natural, semi-matte finish.

The texture is a light cream, similar to a tinted moisturizer. One thing that threw me off is the existence of soft shimmer particles. These sparkles instantly brighten the skin but there's a big chance that it will intensify facial shine and magnify pores.

The coverage is pretty sheer - it does help my skin to look more even-toned, fill in my pores but it can't conceal hyperpigmentation. Wearing this alone won't give you sufficient coverage (unless you have flawless skin to begin with) so I would suggest dusting a powder foundation over it.

I found the oil control to be pretty mediocre with my T-zone showing some shine after three hours. It does everything it claims to do, however, I do think it would be a better fit to those with dry to normal skin.

The full ingredient list for Whitening Capsule BB Cream:
Water, Cyclomethicone, Cyclomethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Arbutin, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Mica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Iron Oxides (CI77492), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Chloride Hexyl Laurate, PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Ceresin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyester-1, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Bentonite, Silica Demethyl Siliylate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Iron Oxides (CI77491), Iron Oxides (CI77499), PEG-200, Boron Nitride, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Allantoin, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Triethyl Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Magnolia Biondii Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Fragrance.

One-Touch Brush Sun Powder

Name: LUVIEW One-Touch Brush Sun Powder 원-터치 브러쉬 선파우더 SPF50 PA+++
Price: ₩ 20,500 for 9 g

The sun powder comes in a chunky plastic contraption, with the powder sitting in a sifter jar. The top screws off to reveal a built in brush. I was really surprised that it isn't messy at all - the powder goes directly to the brush and doesn't fly all over the place or pool around the space on top of the sifter.

The brush feels very soft and dense. It did shed a bit, but fortunately it stopped after a couple of uses.

The pale peach powder is finely milled and smooth to the touch. It's so light that it doesn’t feel like I'm wearing anything. I'm rather impressed that it even provides some coverage. To my consternation, sometimes it can look a tad powdery, but that is caused by the dense brush applicator. You can either dust a light layer (I'm very heavy handed when it comes to sunscreen) or use your own fluffy brush to deposit and buff the powder.

It has a faint almost undetectable flowery scent. It's so different and pleasing compared to the average liquid sunscreens. After adding this sunscreen to my routine, I noticed that my face stays shine free and I can go without blotting for longer periods.

It's a great item to tote around. I would recommend it to everyone, especially sun conscious makeup wearers. It won't mess your makeup plus you can use it as a setting powder!

The full ingredient list for One-Touch Brush Sun Powder:
Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Nylon-12, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, EthylhexylMethoxycinnamate, Acrylates/Tridecyl Acrylate/Triethoxysilylpropyl Methacrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Stearate, Triethoxycaprylysilane, Hexyl Laurate, Diisostearyl Malate, Talc, Squalane, Methicone, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Methylparaben, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Amethyst Powder, Iron Oxides (CI77492), Iron Oxides (CI77491), Iron Oxides (CI77499), Fragrance.

Real Shiny Eyes

Name: LUVIEW Real Shiny Eyes 리얼 샤이니 아이즈
Price: ₩ 21,000 for 6.8 g

These eyeshadows are housed in a sleek, clean and hard to miss red compact. It is really slim, perfect for chucking into your makeup bag and comes with a good sized mirror and a functional double ended sponge tip applicator.

Initially I was a little unsure due to the pinks - they can be difficult to pull off, but my perception changed after the first usage. It bearing some resemblance to Lunasol's Pink Gradation quad makes me even fonder of it haha~

The shades included are a carnation pink, pale pink, tan and coffee brown (from the left). They all have a certain level of sheen, and only the pale pink shade has a tiny bit of shimmer particles. These colours are safe but very wearable and they work well with each other.

The texture is soft and easy to blend. They have medium colour payoff and they last very well with very minimal creasing at the inner corners when applied over a lid primer.

The full ingredient list for Real Shiny Eyes:
Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides (CI77491), Phenyl Trimethicone, Mineral Oil, Magnesium Myristate, Silica, Talc, Magnesium Stearate, Iron Oxides (CI77492), Iron Oxides (CI77499), Diisostearyl Malate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Microcrystalline Wax, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Acrylates/Tridecyl Acrylate/Triethoxysilylpropyl Methacrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Tin Oxide, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Amethyst Powder.

LUVIEW is planning to expand their line with new releases. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but from what I've seen in their e-mail to me, it's going to be pretty exciting~

LUVIEW is sold on their official site, Samsung Card and BC Card. International customers are also spoilt for choices where you can purchase their products from their shopping mall or on Gmarket.

Disclosure: Press samples.

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[LoveShoppingholics] Geo Medical Mimi Cafe Waffle Grey

Geo Medical Mimi Cafe Waffle Grey review! Lenses provided my ever generous sponsor, loveshoppingholics.com.

Name: Geo Medical Mimi Cafe Waffle Grey
Price: US$ 21.90 for 1 pair
Base curve: 8.6 mm
Diameter: 15 mm
Water content: 38%
Prescription: 0.00
Life span: 1 year disposal

The burst of yellow in the center makes this design really interesting. I didn't expect it to resemble a flower more than waffles that you eat at a cafe haha. They do look nice on, however, my dark irides don't showcase their full potential - it's not as bright or as eye catching as some other designs. I found them to be as comfortable as Princess Mimi Apple Green, so props to Geo Medical for maintaining their high standards!

Overall rating:
Design and colour ★★★★☆☆☆
Enlargement ★★★★★★☆
Comfort ★★★★★★☆

PRODUCTS USED

FACE
♥ Castledew Watershot Base #3
♥ Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream

EYES
♥ Canmake Shimmer Jelly Eyes 02 Sugar Milk Tea
♥ Visee Glam Hunt Eyes G-7 Mauve
♥ Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner (Deep Black)
♥ Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Zero
♥ Princess Lee cross 6 black lashes (公主李假睫毛交叉6黑)
♥ Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara

Disclosure: Press samples.

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Black Tea

Hello everyone, I've been trying really hard to not shop as much but I crumbled when I chanced upon a blog sale. Here the goods that I managed to score:

Lunasol Scent Form Eyes 03 Black Tea

Name: Lunasol ルナソル Scent Form Eyes セントフォルムアイズ 03 Black Tea ブラックティー
Price: ¥ 5250 for 6.3 g
@cosme rating: 5.3 ★
Release date: 18.8.2006

I'm a fan of the Scent Form Eyes series plus you know I can never say no to Lunasol (- ω -) There are five quads altogether in the Scent Form Eyes range - Casablanca, Leak, Black Tea, Marigold and Chocolate Cosmos.

I think I need to make it a complete collection now that I own three out of the five haha!

Visee Glam Hunt Eyes G-7 Mauve

Name: Visee ヴィセ Glam Hunt Eyes グラムハント アイズ G-7 Mauve モーヴ系
Price: ¥ 1890 for 3.8 g
@cosme rating: 4.7 ★
Release date: 16.10.2009

Visee teamed up with fashion label Duras Ambient to release this limited edition quint. I wasn't too keen on Brilliance Forming Eyes also released in 2009, so I was really happy that Glam Hunt Eyes didn't disappoint.

I came out relatively unscarred (does an emptier Paypal account count?) from the blog sale, but oh boy... I might not brave it a second time hahaha~ It was overwhelming to say the least.

Ever made a purchase from a blog sale? How did it go?

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Lunasol Review: Lighting For Eyes 04 Neutral, Scent Form Eyes 05a Chocolate Cosmos, Skin Modeling Eyes 01 Beige Beige

Lunasol’s palettes are very popular, but the three reviewed in this entry are a head above the rest. They are the must-haves for any Lunasol fan or if you plan to start off a Lunasol collecting frenzy.

Lighting For Eyes 04 Neutral

Neutral has a deep blackish brown shadow color, a pale gold highlight color, a taupe brown medium color and a silvery jewelry powder (clockwise from bottom left).

Name: Lunasol ルナソル Lighting For Eyes ライティングフォーアイズ 04 Neutral
Price: ¥ 5,250 for 6.2 g
@cosme rating: 5.1 ★
Release date: 19.8.2005

The shades in 04 Neutral are universally flattering, it is one of the most wearable quads that Lunasol has ever released.

Natural light

Muted flash

Swatches.

Natural light

Muted flash

Pigmentation: ★★★★★★☆ superb colour payoff
Shimmer: ★★★★★☆☆ subtle (not including the glittery jewelry powder)
Texture: ★★★★★☆☆ soft, creamy and velvety. You may experience some fall out when using the blackish brown shade.
Recommend: Yes. For those of you who are interested in this particular quad but balk at the price, you might want to take a look at Integrate Accent Eyes BR730 or Lavshuca Light Mix Eyes BR-2.

Scent Form Eyes 05a Chocolate Cosmos

Chocolate Cosmos has a pale yellow creamy highlight, a taupe nuance color, a warm orangish brown medium color and a rich chocolate brown shadow color (clockwise from bottom left).

Name: Lunasol ルナソル Scent Form Eyes セントフォルムアイズ 05a Chocolate Cosmos
Price: ¥ 5,250 for 6.3 g
@cosme rating: 5.3 ★
Release date: 18.8.2006

Scent Form Eyes is the only series with a scent - a faint flowery fragrance. I do not mind fragrance in makeup items at all especially when they are as pleasing as this!

Natural light

Muted flash

Swatches.

Natural light

Muted flash

Pigmentation: ★★★★★★☆ excellent pigmentation with just one swipe
Shimmer: ★★★★★★☆ dazzling
Texture: ★★★★★☆☆ very finely milled although it feels a tad hard to the touch
Recommend: Yes. It is the perfect coffee brown palette for people who aren’t afraid of warmer shades.

Skin Modeling Eyes 01 Beige Beige

Beige Beige has a beige nuance color, a pearly beige modeling highlight, a nude beige medium color and a brown beige shade color (clockwise from bottom left).

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

Beige Beige is Lunasol’s top selling eyeshadow palette and it can be hard to obtain unless you are willing to pay a premium price for it.

Natural light

Muted flash

Swatches.

Natural light

Muted flash

Pigmentation: ★★★★★★☆ the shades are very light but they pack a punch
Shimmer: ★★★★★★☆ fine micro shimmers, very elegant
Texture: ★★★★★★☆ best texture amongst the three palettes in this review
Recommend: No. It might be too nude or won’t even show up on some complexions.

I hope my review helped Lunasol lovers out there!

Tried these quads or any other palettes from Lunasol? Which is your favourite?

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