Christmas Shopping : Makeup & Beauty Tools

This write up/blog is dedicated to makeup & beauty tools (and products) that we might not use or use everyday. It is a head to toe ritual for some on daily basis ; once weekly ; bi weekly or once a month. Whatever is your usual routine, I want to share mine. Also, you can take it as some Christmas shopping tips for your chums who adores beauty too! Here goes!

1) Nail Care - File, buff and shine!
I love this file, shine and buffer with ZEBRA patterns from MANICARE. Exceptionaly lightweight and a cover comes along.

Let's file! This design in zany, funky zebra lines - greyish white.

Then buff for shine! Turn over to the other side and buff it all out for shine!

Many of us, like me do a weekly face mask routine. After the usual cleansing and scrub, I would put  on a face mask that contain clay / kaolin that helps me to deep cleanse my oily prone skin. But not many of us know that our nails need such care too!  Introducing - ECRINAL ! This was bought from Jean Yip Singapore's Nail Care. Well, I cannot remember how much I bought it as it was bought in a 10 times package for manicure and pedicure.Hope is not lost, though. You can visit this website http://aseptausa.com/ecrinal-nail-care-products for some guidelines on the prices/products.

If you look close enough, underneath these babies are numbers. They are steps for application and yes, it is quite tedious but beauty worth the patience.

This helps to strengtened my weak nails. Mine chips alot as when it grows so this helps-a-lot!

Okay-this is my favourite all time nail care product.

Why a mask for your nails? You bet!

Nothing beat some extra tender loving care with vitamins!

This is the top coat that I usually used - OUT THE DOOR Fast Drying Top Coat by INM

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Nail-Top-Coat/INM2,default,pd.html

2) Eyes, eyes, eyes baby...!
The following product reviews are way too random!
I am coming to the eyes now. Sometimes, it is quite difficult to draw on the my inner lash lines; on the upper and lower lids for the water lines while one of my hand juggling to hold the mirror and the other hand holding the liner/kohl pencil UNLESS you have a standing mirror that sits on the table. I prefer hand held mirror (not that I am short sighted) Well, this product is raving good review from myself simply because I can juggle both the mirror and draw those lines!

Bought this from MUSTAFA SHOPPING CENTRE 145, Syed Alwi Road, Singapore. It's priced at SGD 5.85 and it's really what I called it a PRODUCTIVE product ; it is time saving and of course, mistakes saving too! However I cannot explain more on what was written / printed in the packaging as I got mixed up / lost in translation. This fantastic tool is from KAI-Kai Beauty Care & it is Made in Japan. Amazing patented item and the diagram on the packaging helps me to figure things out - phew!

The next product comes in handy when you really want to draw a perfect cat eyes using your liner without the mess!

Not forgeting the lower lashes or the inner water lines too.

Also from KAI - Kai Beauty Care and yes, I've checked through the web, it's parent company KAI INDUSTRIES with a century plus history based in Japan, manufacturing home and commercial use razors, blades and all  things that are sharp...OUCH! No online website to get it's beauty goodies though. However, there this website http://www.kai-china.com/ that list most of its' beauty care products / tools & its prices in RMB however it is in CHINESE...

I can't read CHINESE - sigh -

Then this tweezer also from KAI - Kai Beauty Care for just

SGD 3.80. The old tweezer's point went blunt so here comes the newbie!

 

We take bath / shower every day. That's what I want to ask you all... How can we neglect our eyes?! The eyes are the mirror of the soul , so don't neglect it.

Pamper it with love and some bath, of course! I am sucker for this because I don't like eye drops and it's amazingly soothing for tired eyes after hours over the computer screen or when I am going outdoors with the dust, erhmm..and pollution..!



So this I take my eye bath with OPTREX EYE LOTION. It contains witch hazel & water to keep your eyes healthy. For more product info : http://www.optrex.co.uk/optrex_range/optrex_multi_action_eye_wash.php

Whoopeyy! This is the eye bath cap. Please read the inleaf instructions and fully understand it prior usage. And of course, this is just my rave on my basic eyecare & it is not a medical recommendation hence when in doubt - refer / seek treatment to your family doctor / nearest GP . This is definately a disclaimer!
3) Hair oil
Martin Luther once said, " The hair is the richest ornament of women " I cannot agree more with his saying. The hair is our crown of glory. And it is gory to me to see dry flakes falling over my shoulder!  It made me sad when in recent weeks as I was outdoor most of the time, my strands of hair seems to dry out and it look grizzly frizzy! One of my friend, who adores Ayurveda (ancient Indian tradiotional medicine)
She recommends me to try out the following products - Almond Enriched Hair Oil from Dabur Vatika.

Though it says ALMOND, in the ingredient listing it contains coconut and sesame oil that moisturise dry hair from every strand to its ends. 

I am going to give it a try. I hope this will help to improve my current hair condition.

Next, is the NYLE Herbal Hair Oil.

These herbs are encapsulated in the porous tube in the centre, which attached to the bottle's cap. The smell is invigorating and fresh mainly because there are lemon grass and curry leaves in the tube.

Plus mixture of amla - Indian gooseberries , hibiscus , henna and fenugreek - it's just pure natural goodness in a bottle. I did some wiki-ing on amla and it said to have anti microbial properties and for hibiscus, it helps in hair loss.  

This is the tube that contain all the natural goodness ! Let's see how things goes. (will keep you all updated)

Happy Reading & Happy Christmas Shopping!

I have never highlight more than enough that I've bought these products using my own $MONEY$ & this is not a paid write up 

 

Christmas Shopping - Sweets!

Next item in tow - SWEETS!

Yes, you've got it right...Sweet candies!

Here are the goodies from Joseph Dobson & Sons Ltd
" The home of the famous Yorkshire Mixture, Joseph Dobson's is a fascinating story of a family owned business which, from humble Victorian origins, has prospered to become one of the largest privately owned confectionery manufacturers in Yorkshire." They got an interesting heritage where it all started with VOICE TABLETS and then followed with Conversation Lozenge and the rest is history!

Found these at MUSTAFA COMPLEX,a 24heures shopping centre in the heart of Little India. I was supposedly to shop an ayurvedic product of an anti dandruff hair oil & got way side tracked into the supermarket on the ground floor! It's packaging is really classic, labelled with old heritage colonial English way. It say on it's label - established since 1850! That's one hundred and sixty one years of sweetie goodness ! It says -Quality & Purity.. I can't wait to try that Black Cherries candy

It's great for Christmas presents because it looks heavy (well it is heavy indeed! and I always assume heavy present equal to expensive items...); simply presentable and there some out of the norm flavors like Rhubarb & Custard (?) , Black Cherries and Yorkshire Butter Mintoes& with the usual and safe flavors like Pineapple Cubes!They do have Cola Cubes too but that's way too the usual stuff. Ohhh.. YUMMY! Good thing is that there is promotion going on like 1 bottle sells at SGD 1.90 and if you get 2 bottles, on average it's SGD 1.45 each *or SGD 2.90 for 2 bottles * Well again, I can't highlight more enough that I bought this using my own $MONEY$


I am going to end this sweet notes with some sweet quotes

"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity"

"Patience is bitter, but it bears sweet fruit"

"The truth is that life is delicious, horrible, charming, frightful, sweet, bitter, and that is everything"


HAPPY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!


Want to know more on Joseph Dobson & Sons ? Here is the link:
http://dobsons.co.uk/index.html">http://dobsons.co.uk/index.html

Christmas Shopping - Sweet Yuletide

I went sweet shopping today!

Found some goodies in store!Here are some pictures to show and tell...
Kalanchoe Roseflowers by HANS KUILBOER - sold by pot in IKEA Singapore.

Just SGD 6.80 for this sweet babies

Lovely rose flowers in bloom. It's efreshing to see this in my room.
Aren't they tiny and sweet?

I am attractred to its vibrant color though there were many assortment, I think I bought Dark Jodie home.

Dark Jodie on display avec chez moi

It said in its website that it is a low maintenance plant and thanked goodness for the caring tips found online. Well, these sweeties were on displayed in the pots and indoor plant section of IKEA and you can't miss it as it's on your way out to the cashier. Bought this using my own $money$

This is a not so matching tin foil pot for Dark Jodie

- Tips for the care of your Kalanchoe -
Courtesy from http://www.queen.nl/kalanchoes_eng_verzorging.html

You will see that the Kalanchoe gives a lot of pleasure and demands very little in return. It is a strong and low maintenance plant and if you take care of it as follows, it will show you how content it is:

1 Water: in summer water once a week, in winter water every fourteen days. In winter this depends somewhat on where the plant is situated, if it is near a radiator then it needs watering more often.

2 Plant food: Give the plant a few drops of plant food in water every 2 to 3 weeks;

3 Temperature: Room temperature is ideal, but the Kalanchoe will do well in temperatures between 12°C and 30°C.

4 Dead flowers: For a good continuous flowering period do not deadhead, this also avoid damage to new buds.

5 Position: It prefers a sunny spot. The Kalanchoe also does well in full sun.

6 Consumption: The Kalanchoe is a decorative plant and is not edible.

7 Frost: as soon as the danger of night frost is over the Kalanchoe can be placed outside on the terrace, balcony or planted in the garden.

Well, care tip #7 doesn't really apply here in Singapore - hehe!

Another link for some frequently asked questions, just in case you're thinking to get this as Christmas presents.
http://www.kalanchoe.nl/consument/english.php?page=faq

Happy Christmas Shopping! Christmas is just a week's time away!

Christmas Shopping : A Miracle Cream?

A miracle cream called Bio Essence Face Lifting Cream with ATP?

There were raves on this product that claimed immediate results on firmer looking skin, reduces double chin, lift facial contours, pores looking smaller, fine lines and wrinkles reduce, shapes my face (and yours too) into a V shape and look younger..
Well, who needs BOTOX then?!

This is it!
I gave it a try couple months back. The results were amazing

It lasted me for 2 months and I love it! I am getting my 2nd box/jar SOON!

In the box, it came with a paper ruler to measure on the spot before and after effects.

All the miracle are sealed up in this jar and you see yours truly, Ms Vivian Hsu (famous Taiwanese artiste) on the packaging.

She was the spokeperson for this miracle cream.V for Vivian and V shape face!


If anyone need some tender loving care for this Christmas and showing some FACE by the new year's eve - no harm trying this facelift in a jar. Affordable as when you shop across the border, you can get it at MYR 65.00 compared on getting it back home at SGD 45.00.

Important highlights: Prices subject to change without prior notice, please check in store for details & one more thing, I bought this facelift in a jar with my own money and this is not a paid review.



More details in the following link:

http://www.bioessence.com.sg/atp/

http://www.facebook.com/bioessence.sg?v=info

http://sg.shoppinglifestyle.com/beauty/exclusive.asp?id=1004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivian_Hsu

All I Want For Christmas Is..

It is now December and don't you feel happy and high when the Christmas carols are playing over the airwaves while you walk into the shopping malls?

I do!


I just love all those Christmas carols and songs. I will sing it a long - not out loud but rather humming a long or sing quietly in my heart while rummaging through the best buy or on sale bins!!

Songs that I've heard so far were...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light,
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight

Rudolf the red nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it glows.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell swing and jingle bell rings

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Well, these songs bring much yultide cheer for everyone though in Singapore, we couldn't see were the cold winter, falling snowflakes and real reindeers tied to the sleigh. It's either rain or shine. During the last couple months till end the year, we exprience the monsoon. The rainy weather abounds whether in early mornings, late afternoons or evenings.

But we make it best of everything, really.



Let's celebrate Christmas in the Tropics!


I have not got the time to walk the almost 3km long strech of Orchard Road from the beginning to the end.Others might have done it so to see the best dressed malls decked along the left and right of Orchard Road in various Christmas decor and lights. Tourists or local alike, come to see all the bright and not forgetting to shop with all their might.

I love Christmas!



This the season to be jolly...
Fa la la la la la la la...



This month I will be uploading my Christmas haul and more haul.

If you did not notice, Chinese Lunar New Year is less than a month away after Christmas Day. ( The Chinese will celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year on 23rd January 2012) The festivities don't just stop after Christmas because in between, we will be celebrating new year - weehee!


Last week, in a Christmas bazaar I bought these - " Gingerettes " (gingerbread cookies)

Gingerette 1

Gingerette 2

Gingerette 3

Well, I am comtemplating to break these Gingerettes into pieces and start to chew on them...

Anyway, happy shopping and let's soak in the yultide cheer!

Shopping - My Make Up, My Skin, My Nails with Essence

Hello people!

It's been a while that I didn't blog about anything as I was occupied with my exams hence the silence.

Anyway, I have been up to a shopping spree especially on a new cosmetic line found over the causeway called Essence. I find it relatively reasonably priced with prices starting from SGD 2.00 for a bottle of good top coat with glitter to polish your nails and to the most expensive compact powder block with multi shades at SGD 6.00.

I've tried and tested some of its product - and before we get started, I would like to exclaim to all that I used my own money to purchase all the shown items in order to write this review.

So let's get it started!


1) Healthy Nails
You all know how important it is for having healthy pinky glowing nails.

I find this Essence Glitter Top Coat amazing because it keep my weak nails not so wobbly when I am doing the housework like washing the dishes by protecting it as top coat, strengthening every one of it and at the same time, it gives my nails some styling too - with a touch of gloss , glitter and shine!

2) Powder it up!
Oh well, it should be called Essence Mosaic Compact Powder and not multi colored as mentioned earlier. I bought Essence Mosaic Compact Powder - 01 Sunkissed Beauty and double it up as a somewhat bronzer.

I loved the different shades that they have because unlike the typical bronzer with highlights, when applied on my oily skin this compact powder is relatively matte. I lightly tipped my powder brush on it to define my cheeks, jawline for a slimmer look and over the nose bridge to create that higher nose which normally Asians are lacking (like me!).

2a)Blush,blush,blush baby? This is Essence Multi Color Blush in 10 How Cute is That? This is something that I've been looking for. The multi tone blusher just complete the all natural look with warm tones and peachy color without overdoing it.

3)Mascara On My Eyes
Of late I was disappointed with some mascaras which claimed to be non clumping and non smudging but failed to deliver. So I guess most of the time, we've got to buy, tried and tested before finding and clinging to the right one for the rest of your life!?

For this make up range, I bought 2 of it as it was priced in a notch lower than well known over the counter brands. So why not?

3a) Essence No Limits Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black
It is very moist in first application and you need to reapply it like 2 to 3 minutes later for the first coat to dry up. Well, I have been using it for a week now and yes, I must agree that it is waterproof sufficient but not when you're teary eyed watching rom-com movie because last Sunday, I watched Daniel Henney's Seducing Mr. Perfect and it did smeared just a tiny bit. It's volumizing properties was so-so.

3b) Essence All Eyes on Me - Multi Effect Mascara in Black
Oh baby, it's lovely. It says multi effect - well you name it , they have it! Be it volumizing,longer lashes, non clumping - should I call it multi purpose all in one mascara!? Alternating between the Essence No Limits Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black and this one, I do find it amazing in it's lengthening and volumizing properties but it was tad too bad without the waterproof element because it tend to smudge easily.

4) All that sweet on lipstick and glosses
I was fuming mad when the shades and texture that I wanted was not available over the counter. Apparently, they are always out of stock as I went to several stores to get it over the causeway and into the capital as well. So in my current lipstick color collection, I never have such pale pink shade so I choose to get it & the second reason (you might have guess it) was that, it's the only wearable color left! But I am satisfied with my purchase as it is really moisturizing and I just love the sweet fruity smell.

And something for the glosses if you're just plain lazy over the weekends to put on anything but wanted something to glaze on your lip so it would not look dry and flaky. I find this watermelon lip gloss is sheer in its color and smooth in its texture. Perfect for lazy daisies days!

No make up, make up for lip gloss? Yes, just look at this XXXL Nudes Lipgloss!

Well this might be the one goodie for the no make up, make up look though I strongly recommend to put some color tint before applying this nude gloss so not to look too pale. It glides smoothly, just like a smooth operator!

5) Uno, deux, tres, quatre et QUATTRRO?
It's Essence Quattrro Eyeshadow called 05 To Die For

Lovely nudes and browns palette for autumn. I love the colors as it is wearable and long lasting. Easy to apply. The shades helps to contour other face areas such as your nose or even socket of your eyes.

6) Clean are your eyes
Who likes eyes make up leftover? Me,me,me! This is tough job for Essence Eye Make Up Remover that does heavy duty cleaning and removing of waterproof mascaras and densely pigmented eyes shadows!

Did you see that? The soothing liquid in combination of H2O like in this eye makeup remover makes it much easier to clean your eye makeup. When you soak the cotton pads in its content, just let its goodness sits on your eye lids while waiting it to do its magic.

I normally leave the soaked cotton pads on my eye lids for like 2 minutes or even more before gently removing the remaining residue using the cotton pads in soft wiping motion on one direction only. Do not even try or attempt the windscreen wiping motion! Do it only if you want to see more fine lines showing up on your eye lids!

7) Essence Forget it! 3 in 1 concealer
I find this range's product name calling are just super! Attention seeking as it may be - most of it worked especially this concealer.

I tried this concealer to conceal my sensitive red areas in the corner of my lips by using the green ones. It diffuses the redness. The pink and the beige comes in handy to create a somewhere in between shade for my skin tone to cover up my dark eye areas. Smooth coverage with no caking up or whatsoever.

8) Tone it up! My oily skin just love to soak onto this toner because it says anti spot and anti bacteria toner. It's called Essence Pure Skin Anti Spot Toner & Powder.

Such goodness in a bottle!If you look at the bottom of this bottle, you see some white powdery sediment which mattifies my skin throughout the day but of course, apart from the usual ritual of drinking up more H2O for your skin , we need to ritual moisturize our skin too.

9) Sharpener - I could not emphasize well enough on getting a good sharpener for my eye liners and eye brow pencils. It is because when used blunt, I am creating more fine lines over my eye lids which is really a no no! Investing in a good sharpener or in any make up tools is a fine thing to do.

This sharpener grips my eyeliner in a tight grip and see how it sharpens it?

Did I get one too many goodies from Essence? You tell me...! Check out their website for more info:

All about cosmetics? Visit http://www.essence.eu

All about skincare? Visit http://www.essence-myskin.eu/en/home.html

Crazy for better nails? Visit http://www.betterthangelnails.eu/en/products.html

Okay people, this comes to an end for my Essence product(s) review(s). I checked out all the above sites and they currently do not have any online shop and their store locator listed stores only in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Fret not people, if you happens to cross the causeway into our neighborly Malaysia be sure to find Essence make up range in Watsons Personal Store. Here's the link for Watsons Personal Store Locator: http://watsons.com.my


Otherwise, if you are heading up to Malaysia's capital - Kuala Lumpur for a weekend breakaway, be sure to drop by Midvalley Mega Mall where you can locate Essence's full make up range and its' skincare products in a store called COCI COCI. Ok, it sounds cliche but that's where you get all these goodies and more:)

Here's the link to it : http://www.facebook.com/ilovecocicoci

Hugs,
DVF