Recent Beauty Haul

Well, I haven't been doing a lot of makeup shopping lately... *Doh! So not true!* I was just too lazy to post them all here.

Here's some of my new babies, recently purchased from local department stores and eBay. From left to right:

1. Etude House Dr. Oil Solution BB Lotion SPF 20/PA++
Somehow, I am always attracted to Korean makeup/skincare brands, especially Etude House and Skinfood. Even more than the Japanese ones. Or, perhaps my drooling years over Japanese brands have passed. I guess.
Etude House products have never completely failed me. Though some of them don't live up to my high expectations, they still perform quite okay. So, I decided to buy this primer a few weeks ago when I was browsing for a new primer. Monistat just feels a bit too silicone-y for me lately.

(pictures will be posted tomorrow)
This product has pink-greyish color, which I thought would be a total disaster on me. But no, topped with foundation, the color of this product is perfectly concealed. Thank God! The texture is similar to most bb creams, easy to blend, but turns matte pretty quickly. Oil control is also good. My nose needs a little touch up after 10AM, which is okay for me. Additional SPF 20 is not so bad either, though I'd still apply another sunblock prior to this.

2. Kanebo Lunasol Water Cream Foundation in YO03
I posted my review on this foundation a few months back. I begged my friend, Amalia, to give hers to me because she said it was too light for her (OC03), and fell in love with this thing. It was actually too light for me as well, but I just loved it so much! I finally bought my own jar, in YO03, because I thought this would be a better match for my yellow skin tone. Turns out this is also too light for me, like the OC03. Better in tone, but still too light. I had to mix it with my NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Tahoe to make this shade works better. Anyway, I don't regret buying this. Love, love! :)
(pictures will be posted tomorrow)

3. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in #153
Hmm... As much as I don't regret buying the Lunasol one, I still craved for a new foundation which matched perfectly to my skin tone. *Excuses, excuses... :p*
So, after lemming and reading more reviews, I went to buy this. I have been considering to buy this foundation since last year, so I am happy to finally did it! The shade is P-E-R-F-E-C-T for my NC40-42-ish skin. Blends verrry easily on top of Etude House Dr. Oil Solution primer, creating a smooth satin finish.

(pictures will be posted tomorrow)
I have read reviews saying this foundation screams "makeup" on them, whereas the brand claims this product gives the most natural look, even in a flashed photography. I think those people just chose the wrong shades. Because if you are lucky to find the perfect match, this is invisible. I'd say this gives me the "my skin but better" effect. I had to look closely to a mirror to check whether this foundation is still on, or has gone completely. Well, it's still on! I did touch up after 1PM with my Silky Girl Pure Fresh Oil-Control Pressed Powder, but I can still see the foundation on me.
I use my skunk brush to apply this and it gives me sheer result. I will try using another brush (blending brush or flat top) next time! I think I'm gonna wear this pretty often to the office. :)

4. Hada Labo BB Cream SPF 32/PA+++ in Natural Ochre
If you read my first post on this blog, you'll know how much I love this brand! So when I read good reviews on the bb cream, I just had to buy it! Some ladies in femaledaily forum have been raving this bb cream, especially the one in Natural Ochre shade. As most of you out there probably know, bb creams tend to have light and pinkish color. So, us, medium to dark Asian girls, have a hard time finding a bb cream that won't make us look like wearing a mask. Though every bb cream out there promises the color will blend and gradually adapt to our skin tone, most of them don't.
I haven't tried this on my face but I think the color IS a bit darker and yellowish than the bb creams I previously owned. Will post pictures of the product tomorrow!

My Current Makeup Routine

I change my makeup routine depending on my mood and skin condition.
This is what I wear on my face these days:

1. Biore UV Perfect Face Milk, SPF 50+ PA+++
High sun protection with matte result. I love the oil control from this product and it has very little white cast, almost none, which keeps my foundation true to color.

2. Monistat Chaffing Relief Gel-Powder
This is currently my favorite primer! I have Kanebo Media makeup base (with SPF 27) but compared to Monistat, Kanebo looses big time in controlling oil. But it does even out my skin tone nicely. So, in hot humid days, I prefer to use Monistat while my Kanebo Media works for cooler days or evening, when I dare to expect my makeup to last for 2-4 hours only.

3. Kanebo Lunasol Water Cream Foundation in OC 03
I have always loooved Kanebo makeup products! I think it's my favorite Japanese makeup brand. I don't actually own this foundation, I only swap my foundation temporarily with a friend. This shade is a tad too light for me, but still blends nicely on my skin. My tone suits better with YO, but I think YO 03 would be a tad too light as well.
I must say I SUPER LOVE this product! With combination of Biore UV Perfect Face Milk and Monistat, this foundation lasts all day. Whereas with Kanebo Media base, my makeup --this foundation-- only lasts 2 hours! This foundation blends like a dream, provides medium coverage, enough to cover imperfections on my face. The result is glowy, healthy and fresh. I blot once a day, with much less oil shows up on the blot paper. I intend to buy my own jar soon!

4. Everyday Minerals Flat Top Brush
This is my own personal heavenly brush for applying liquid/cream foundation! This brush does not shed at all, really easy to handle and gives perfectly even application and flawless result. Well, doesn't mean flawless skin tone though, as my skin is far from flawless. And even though this has flat top, this brush can still provide sheer to medium coverage, depending on the type of the foundation used. So, don't worry that you'll look like wearing a mask with this.

5. Kanebo Kate Stick Concealer in NB
Another Kanebo product, haha! Thanks to my friend, Amalia, who informed me about this concealer. This is a great product! I use this to cover my dark circles and flecks. It gives medium coverage, completely invisible after blending, not cakey whatsoever. Thank God the NB shade matches my skin tone quite nicely, since there's only 2 shades, and NB is the darkest one.

6. Silky Girl Oil-Control Pressed Powder
Ah! My current favorite! Could be my HG pressed powder. If you read my review on Revlon PhotoReady Pressed Powder, Silky Girl beats Revlon big time! Color match is way better, and oil control is also much more superior than PhotoReady.
I couldn't believe it cost only S$8.90! I really hope this powder will be available in Jakarta soon, following the loose powder which I know is already available in the market here.
Silky Girl also have BB pressed powder. I swatched it on my hand when I was in Singapore, but I thought I'd test the oil-control powder first before buying another Silky Girl product. Well, I can tell you that I'll probably buy this next time I have the chance!

7. Majolica Majorca My Lashes Extend Elegantly Mascara
I don't know about other people, but I prefer a mascara that gives longer lash effect rather than thicker lash effect. My eye area is already pretty dark because of my thick eyebrows, so having thicker lash effect would add darkness to my eye area which will not look good. Majolica has superior waterproof effect, which is great for me. Unlike Kiss Me Heroine Mascara, which also has superior waterproof effect, Majolica does not shed my lashes!

8. NYX Lipliner Pencil
I am so very happy to have found this lipliner pencil! It is cheap, easy to find (I buy from eBay) and good quality. I have several colors now: Natural, Peekaboo Natural (my favorite!), Soft Brown, Nude Pink, and one more which I forgot the color.
I have never tried the high-end lip liners, because I don't want to spend too much for such a small product. Among the middle to cheap lip liners I've tried, Bourjois, Revlon, Oriflame, this is the best! Covers my natural lip color (which is dark) and makes my lipstick looks perfect. I can wear light-colored lipsticks, even nude ones, thanks to this. Easy to sharpen, the wooden pencil is soft enough for a regular sharpener to handle, and does not break easily! I don't think I'll ever need to buy another brand as this is perfection for me already.

Singapore Haul, 06-09 May 2011

I had a chance to go to Singapore last weekend. I was so excited because it means Watsons' tour for me! Yep, since I had to go without my family, I thought I might as well spend my money (not too much, though) in Watsons than going to tourism places alone.
After writing, editing, re-writing again my wishlist, here's what I ended up buying:

From left to right:
1. My Beauty Diary Bird's Nest Mask (S$14.50)
I have been reading great reviews on this mask. The bird's nest is supposed to whiten your skin, but I can't really tell for sure as the package is written in Chinese. But I do see the kanji of "white" on it. So I guess I'm on the right track. There are 10 sheets in the box (threw away the box to save space in my luggage), and I gave two to my sis-in-law.

2. Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus (S$25.90)
I have been using Majolica mascara for several months now and I must say it is one of the best. What I love about Majolica's mascara is the super waterproof formula! This is the newest formula for lengthening the eyelashes, with 2 kinds of brush on the end. One is coil type and the other is comb. Dunno the effect yet as I have not opened this up. I still use my old mascara, which I think might last for another 2-3 months.

3. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Face Wash (S$12.90)
Got this a little cheaper, S$23.00 for 2 tubes, and shared the other tube to my dear friend, Arie. If you hadn't, please do read my previous post about Hada Labo. This is my favorite face wash ever! My all time favorite face wash in the world. Seriously!

4. Hada Labo AHA/BHA Face Wash (S$12.90)
This is my second favorite face wash after the SHA one. Ran out of it, so I'm really happy to get this.

5. Shiseido Aqualabel Deep Clear Oil Cleansing (S$18.50)
I was so excited to try the brand. Bought the Clay Face Foam Wash and the Lotion S before, only to find out they don't suit me. But I'm still curious to try the cleansing oil, as some of my friends say it's good.
Well, tried this. Like it. Not loving it. Why? The consistency is light, almost like water, which I like. Kind of similar to my favorite cleansing oil, UNT Huile Demaquillante. But... it is strongly fragranced! Which I hate. As for the cleaning part, it seems to be quite clean, but still doesn't beat UNT's.

6. Kanebo Kate Mineral Powder Foundation Refill (S$25.50)
I bought the refill in shade OC-D and put it in my Kanebo Fair Crea case. It has SPF in it but I forgot how much. And to lazy to google it now, haha! I was planning to pair this with my Kanebo Kate Lasting Liquid Foundation which was too dark for me (OC-G), but have never got to try them together yet.

7. Silky Girl Oil Control Pressed Powder (S$8.90)
The star of the haul! I read the review on Kimoko's blog and decided to try it in Natural shade. This is a great steal! Very cheap but performs unexpectedly. Keeps my face matte all day long and does not oxidize. And the color, though looks pretty light in the pan but suits my skin perfectly. Love!

8. Mentholatum Sunplay Water Kids Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 PA++ (S$12.90)
Bought this for my boy, for swimming and playground time. Not opened yet, so I dunno the consistency etc.

9. Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ (S$15.50)
This is another star of the whole purchase. I bought my first bottle a year ago in Singapore, but only tried it once. I found the consistency to be thicker than the blue bottle (Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF 50+ PA+++) so I figured the result would be more oily. But, boy was I wrong! This one creates nice and matte canvas for makeup, with very very little white cast and helps my makeup last long hours!
I ended up selling the one I just bought here to a friend who needs a sunblock, since I still got my last bottle almost full anyway. And I still have three other sunblocks (Aqualabel, Nivea Japan and Neutrogena) in my drawer. :) But, I will surely buy this again. And again!

There you go! Not too much, right?
Anything here inspire you for your next haul? :D

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Pressed Powder

I normally wear liquid foundation, and finish it with a loose powder.
And I use MAC's blot powder during the day for touch-ups.
But somehow, I never felt secure carrying only blot powder in my bag.
I have oily skin and my nose area always end up melted around lunch time
(yes, I use primer too, fyi). So, I always carry one of my loose powders or
my powder foundation along because the blot powder has no coverage whatsoever
to fix my makeup. Took me over four years to realize I need something with (better)
coverage to replace MAC blot powder.

I've read mixed reviews about Revlon PhotoReady Powder. Some say it's a HG item
and others say it's a complete waste of money.

I gave it a chance because it is easily accessible, not too expensive
and the medium/deep (030) shade matches my NC40 skin perfectly.
I tried it on my face for a good 2 hours before buying, to see the effect.
No itch, no oxidation, and the powder stayed put.

The packaging really sucked, it's huge and comes with a flimsy brush that looks
more suitable for blush application rather than powder. Honestly,
i even had a second thought about buying it simply because of the ugly packaging.
Don't even waste your energy trying out the brush, just put/throw it away.

 

The powder itself is quite finely-milled, though I've seen more finely-milled powders
out there (MUFE duo mat, Kanebo Lunasol powder foundation, NARS and
of course Cargo Blu-Ray). It has tiny particles of shimmer which can be quite noticeable
under direct sunlight. In the pan, I mean. Not on your face, thank God. :)

 

It provides light to medium coverage, depending on how you apply it. I prefer to use
my Everyday Mineral's kabuki brush or a sponge for this, which give medium coverage.
I did try using a skunk brush for lighter result, but the finish somehow accentuated
my huge pores. If you don't have pore issue then this application might just work for you.

The finish is satiny. Almost matte to my eyes, but not quite.
I guess the shimmer gives a bit of a dewy-look effect.

I use this powder to set my foundation, and my whole makeup would last
nicely for six to eight hours. I'd blot with a face paper before going out to lunch,
but only out of habit. My overall look is still quite oil-free.

But is it photo ready as the name claims? Don't think so. Or, at least not THAT photo ready.
You will notice the powder on the skin, but not in a bad or fake way. Just noticeable.
So, I'd say that this powder is a great choice for working days, but not for special occasions.

My verdict, I love this powder! I have been neglecting my loose powders ever since
I bought this, including NARS! It works as finishing powder as well as for touch-ups.
And my overall makeup lasts longer! In my lazy days, I'd even skip my foundation
routine and go straight with this powder after primer.

The only grudge I have is the super ugly packaging.
Also, some people might have a hard time finding a match since the color range
is so poor (only 3 shades available). I guess I'm just among the lucky ones. :D

Have you tried this powder? Did you like it?