Haul from the Land of a Thousand Smiles......

Unreported haul done late last year......hope to talk about them soon.

Boots Body Scrubs, Oriental Princess Eyeshadows and Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub.

Oriental Princess (Thailand's very own makeup line) - I was pleasantly surprised.

Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub - Interesting find due to desperation.

Coming soon.

Haul and Review: Le Metier De Beaute Kaleidoscope Eye Kit Bauhaus

Something sinful this way comes......

 All that to protect it.....

                                                       The fuss-free minimalist packaging

                                                                THE KALEIDOSCOPE!

List of Ingredients

 Somewhat cylinder-like. I would have wished that it comes in metal, it would be a perfect 10 in my opinion but that would probably be very heavy (like a lump of lead).

 

 The top tier house the mirror of the Eye Kit which pretty much makes sense if you are touching up on the go but if one is travelling with this kit, this baby is going to stay on the vanity table (that's for sure).

 I think it's beautiful no matter how I look at it. Love the way it looked architectual, sleek and structural.

 Do you agree?

Axiom- a warm coppery brown that has very fine shimmer in it, I can see myself getting quite a fair bit of use out of this. Intensely pigmented with the slightest touch.

 Graphic- a cool soft stone-steel grey that can be used in 1 intense swipe or blended sheer. the least pigmented of all (but having said that, it is still pigmented)

 Crucible- this is a unique colour in my stash as I don't think there is anything quite similar. It is a deep reddish brown or brownish red which is incredibly pigmented (proceed with caution). Praying hard that it will work for me.

 Genre- my favourite after Axiom, this is a dark metal black grey that is great for smoky eyes. Without exception, pigmentation is intense.

 Swatches L-R: Genre, Crucible, Graphic and Axiom

In terms of packaging, I like the concept of it but at this price point one would expect LMDB go one level up. I guess that's the only flaw if I really have to name one but it is also because LMDB is a luxury brand every detail should be taken into consideration in the design and production of it.

Colour pigmentation is intense, I just need to touch the side of my brush (MAC 217) on Axiom and there..... my brush picked up enough pigment for application. I like the way Axiom wore- natural (in fact it looked better than just natural). Looking forward to be able to achieve more when I use the colours together especially the Couches de Couleurs (layering) Method that LMDB is known for.

Value-wise, it's almost like paying a King's ransom to many (including me). This Eye Kit amounts to S$126 after all that conversion and shipping etc, easily the most expensive Eye palette I have ever purchased surpassing them all. However, we are getting 16g of product here which is about 10 MAC single eyeshadows if one were to measure it (which will come up to more than S$200).

In short, one is getting quality and value at the same time though I can't imagine anybody possibly finishing this up considering how pigmented they are. My 2 cents- this is worth getting because I can see it working for me. Considering the quality and price of LMDB's Eye Kit, I urge tempted souls to think how much use they can get out of it, otherwise maybe it's not meant to be. I think Bauhaus is a limited edition, and so are quite a number of the Eye Kits.

Priced at USD95.00 for 16g, available at Nordstrom, Zuneta.com and other major retailers.

Fragrance Hauling 2013 Part II

Part II of the fragrance hauling......

This time round, I have gotten myself, 2 Angels, 1 Royalty and 1 Icon.... haha...

More review coming up.

Angel No.1 Thierry Mugler Angel EDT 40ml - unintentional purchase.

 The comet...... absolutely irresistible falcon, reminded me of "I wish upon a star......".

 The star within reach which rest on my palm.

 Angel No.2 Thierry Mugle Angel Aqua Chic 50ml - Another unintentional purchase, which would just mean that I need to stop doing "unintentional" purchases.

Look at the silver sparkles on the glass, they are firmly "stucked" to the bottle. 

Hoho...... I captured another star. More to come perhaps?

 The Royalty Amouage Jubilation XXV EDP 100ml - my biggest splurge yet.

 Look at the dignified pose.

 A card that lies on the bottom of the box.

 A Thank you note and the signature of the person who handpacked your bottle of fragrance. I wish the signature is in arabic (the regal feel would be stronger, but then of course I wouldn't be able to understand what's written on the card then).

 The Icon Miller Harris L'Air de Rien EDP 100ml - created for she who started the lemming for THAT bag around the world and had that bag named after her.

 Created by Lyn Harris for Jane Birkin, heard she was intensely involved in the creating of it.

Very intriguing scent indeed.

Total Damage: Burying my head under my pillow, denying committing crimes of "unintentional purchaes".

Fragrance Hauling 2013 Part I

Hi hi...... yes, it is a little late for 2013 greetings. Despite not blogging for quite a long time (yes, procrastination is my greatest enemy) , I have not forgotten to haul.

This time round, I hauled not just a few bottles of lovlies rather, a whole bunch of them which I think some might very well end up joining my "League of Extra-ordinary Fragrances".

I bring thee....... the new members of my fragrance family..... the Chanels.

L-R: Cristalle EDP, No.5 EDT, No.5 Eau Premiere EDP and Coco Noir. 

 The lovlies out of the box (I choose a cloudy day to photograph them as I am hoping to not expose them to too much sunlight- their greatest enemy).

Note: Apologies for the photo, I can't seems to get it "Straighten" up. : (

Chanel Cristalle EDP 100ml - got it during a storewide sale.

If you know my misadventure with its counterpart, Cristalle EDT which you know my heart is still sliently weeping every now and then for the wasted juice (my clumsy self broke a bottle of it). I could have gotten the EDT this time round but decided to try out the EDP which was my first choice when I bought the EDT (It was sold out, so the EDT naturally becomes the next best alternative).

Personally, I feel Cristalle EDP is a different fragrance from EDT. I don't say, dislike the EDP just that the EDT "speaks" to me more. Review of this coming up......

 No.5 EDT 100ml - Splurge on it during a sale as well.

Since I have worn 2 fragrances by Chanel and they impressed me quite a fair bit, I think it is time and makes sense to me to try the legendary No.5. No.5 is significantly pricer than the others in the regular lineup, the reason from what I understand is the quality of the Jasmine used in the composition of No.5. Although it is a EDT, do not make the mistake thinking that it is lighter or weaker, No.5 EDT is none of those.

I think No.5 EDT tells a different story to me versus the No.5 EDP. No.5 EDT is different from No.5 EDP, perhaps like identical twins with very different temperament.

I am a little disappointed during my acquisition of the above 2 Chanel fragrances, not because of the quality of the fragrances but because the lack of knowledge of the sales advisor attending to me.

First thing first, I am no fragrance connoisseur neither am I a Nose nor I can detect "hints of Iris, Jasmine, Ambergis". Everything is based on preference and gut feel. However I am rather certain that No.5 EDT is not the lighter version of No.5 EDP, the former is not the diluted version of the latter. Maybe some fragrances are formulated in that way, but No.5 isn't.

To be fair, not everybody is a fragrance fanatic or addict but to insist on something you don't even know is another thing altogether. Not dissatisfied with the service rendered but a tad disappointed that nobody there "speaks" my language. So, I did my thing.....be a good customer, pay and go.

 Chanel No.5 Eau Premiere EDP 125ml - Snagged it Tax-Free at the Airport.

Ah....... this beauty, while I have gotten No.5 EDT at a sale, when I chanced upon this quiet beauty I knew I couldn't possibly pass it up, especially at a good price.

Eau Premiere surprises me in a good way. Love it. Glad that I bite the bullet and bought the bigger bottle.

 Coco Noir EDP 100ml - Last minute buy at the Airport.

This is totally unplanned and I exceeded my fragrance budget because of this dark beauty. A last minute decision to flash my card at the counter before I board the plane. Still sitting on the fence, undecided whether to like it or not.

I imagined it to be dark, mysterious, smoky, wicked, sinfully, whatever that one can associate with the seductive dark side BUT...... not really. Will test drive it a few more times before reaching my verdict.

Total Damage: I don't dare to think about it. Yes, I like to live dangerously...... on bread, water and wind. Haha.....

Note: Yes, the scare of the EU banning Oakmoss or Tree moss in perfumery is one of the contributing factor for the splurge but no regrets here at all. : ) What can I say, I one happy but broke camper.



Review: OPI Vintage Minnie Mouse Collection

Just when you thought what's next after their collaboration with the Muppets, the Pirates of the Carribeans.... what else can they come up with?

Yes, the most recent collaboration would be with our dearest gloved gal friend...... Minnie Mouse.

The entire collection is rather small compared to the ones that OPI churns out every now and then, there are only 4 colours in it, mainly the Pinks and the Reds.

There is a creme based pink polish "If You Moust You Moust", a pinkish semi translucent polish with heart shaped flake "Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It", a shimmery bluish cool tone red "The Colour of Minnie" and "I'm all Ears" which is a shimmery stronger tone of Pink (almost red).

Red is not my colour, although i like it very much but it just does not grow on me, be it on the body, on the face or on the nails.

I got myself just "Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It" as i am drawn to the cute hearts suspended in the translucent pinkish liquid. 

                                                                 Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It.

                                                 2 Coats but with strategically placed hearts......

The quality of this polish did not wow me, like i mentioned earlier its just a matter of impulse buy as i regretted it after eagerly apply it on my thumb the first thing i reached home with it.

The consistency of the polish is slightly thicker than the creme formula but not so thick that it makes spreading of the polish on the nails a chore. Although getting the hearts out of the bottle requires some practice, you would need patience as well as a tooth pick to help you get some hearts out, and placed them on the nails.

The end result is something that is rather cute (definitely not for corporate world), and i almost forgot that i regretted hauling it home with me. It takes 2 coats to get some decent colour on the nail, 1 coat is sufficient if you are layering it over another colour.

Not a must buy from the collection, a must if you grew up singing the Mickey Mouse song and that Minnie Mouse is the only mouse you will not jump on the chair when you see her.

Available at Scape Weekend market for S$10.00.

Fragrance Quest II: Hunting for the Hard to find......

Yes, the quest for the hard-to-find and discontinued fragrances continues......

This time, i am rather well rewarded with my first hunt. I managed to hunt down the long discontuinued Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Homme. Of course, initially i wasn't meant to have it as it was reserved by the shop owner for somebody else.

As fate would have it, when i was about to leave the store empty handed, she called me back telling me that she has 1 last bottle of the precious liquid that i am looking for. Yes, 1 last bottle in the shop and it will not be in stock ever again, so maybe that is the very last bottle of Yohji Homme in Singapore, and yes, i went home poorer but excited about this rare find.

I did not leave the store with just 1 bottle, since i managed to snag Yohji Homme i went on to get a bottle of Gucci Rush which i heard is also discontinued and the few departmental stores i went to do not stock it anymore.

Really excited to wear these 2 rare finds, however i am in a dilemma too. If the 2 fragrances do not grow on me, well that's fine but if they turned out to be something i find myself reaching too more than i would like to, i would be in trouble......

Where am i supposed to find another bottle of Yohji Homme at a reasonable price ? (trust me, ebay is evil bay for some things). As for Gucci Rush, i guess i should still be able to snag a few bottles should i find it to be something i can't keep my hands off.

Well, reviews coming soon too (i hope).

                                     Left: Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Homme, Right: Gucci Rush.

                                               The much sought after Yohji Homme- 30ml.

 I guess the stocks is really old as it is a 1999 fragrance, so some words on the bottle simply flaked away.

 

                     Yohji Homme used to be available in 50ml (it would be housed in a white box).

                                                                    Gucci Rush-75ml EDT .

Haul and Sightings at The BodyShop sale

I have not been to a Bodyshop sale for quite a while, mainly because i am more than often well stocked with my daily essentials (yes, i do get panic attack if i am down to my very last bottle of favourite bodywash.... haha. ) and partly due to my curiosity nature, i tend to stray sometimes to try out potential HG stuffs. And so, this can be considered as a once-in-a-blue-moon sort of hauling from the Bodyshop's warehouse sale.

Got to know about this sale through SMS, since the location of the sale is near my workplace.... i gather it deserved to be checkout by me. : ).

I did not get any makeup item this time, its all bodywash and the bath lily (which is a staple for me). Will come up with a review of the stuffs soon i hope.

Summary of items hauled:

1.Earth Lovers series bodywash in Fig & Rosemary X 2

2.Deep Sleep Comforting Milk Bath Float

3.Divine Calm Heavenly Shower Gel

4.Spa Wisdom Morocco series Argan & Orange Blossom Bath  and Shower Oil

5.4 mini Bath Lily

Total Damaged: S$57.60 

                                                                        Humble hauling.

                                                      Earth Lovers series in Fig & Rosemary.

                Deep Sleep Comforting Milk Bath Float and Divine Calm Heavenly Shower Gel.

Spa Wisdom Morocco series Argan & Orange Blossom Bath and Shower Oil.

Sightings of stuffs:

1.Accessories such as makeup pouches, clutches, nail buffers, nail separators, bath lilies and brushes for babies.

2.Skincare: Seaweed series, Vitamin C series, Tea Tree series, Vitamin E series, Moisture White Shiso series, Nutriganic series and a few items from the Natrulift series (mainly mini sized ones).

3.Home Fragrance: some home fragrance oil, 1 reed diffuser and 2 or 3 room sprays.

4.Hair care: selected Rainforest haircare series, Ice Blue shampoo, Banana conditioner and Grapeseed glossing serum.

5.Body care: tons of bodybutter, jumbo sized bodywash in 750ml, earth lovers series, Christmas series (the ginger, cranberry and vanilla range), scrubs and body lotions.

6.Makeup: 2 shimmer cubes (eyecolours), 1 shimmer wave (more bronzy kind of colour tone), Honey Bronze Bronzing powder, Brow definer, mascara, liquid eyeliner, single eye colours, lightening touch concealer, some liquid foundation (only 1 or 2 shades), flawless skin protecting foundation, moisture white shiso perfecting foundation (and case too separately) as well as the Moisture White Shiso BB cream, lip and cheek stain, some hi-shine lip treatment gloss (mini ones) and some lipbalms in selected colours.

7. Fragrances: 3 for men and a selected few for ladies.

8.Some gift sets and boxes.

9.Lots of travel sized toiletries available (from bodyscrub to bodybutter, showergels, bodyscrubs and facial wash plus creams).

Personally, i think its quite well stocked for trial sized products and if you do count bodybutters and scrubs as your essentials, it will be a fruitful trip for you. You will be disappointed if you are going there to stocked up on your makeup and fragrance essentials, as i do find their range of makeup for the sale is considerably little compared to the ones i have been to.

All in all, its quite worth the trip if you have time to spare, but do be careful about the expiry or manufacturing date of the products, some are maufactured in 2010 while there are quite a few manufactured just this year.

The sale is currently still on till 3rd of August 2012.

Address: Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Ballroom Level 3 (Enter from the entrance where there is a bus stop in front, turn to the right, take the escalator up one floor then turn right down the end turn left, you should be able to see people gathering around). From 10.30am to 8.30pm.