Haul and Review: Spoilts from Guerlain and Paul and Joe

This can be considered my first makeup haul of the year and i am proud of myself for being able to resist the temptations for that long, plus i am very happy with my purchases as well.

My most recent haul- Mainly Paul and Joe items and 1 Guerlain.

Paul and Joe makeup items- 3 eyeshadows and 1 blusher. 

 Paul and Joe- Toner and Cleansing Milk.

As we all know, Paul and Joe has pulled out of Singapore since end March, it's a shame that beauty brands are moving out due to the lack of critical mass (demand) to support their presence (we saw IPSA moving out previously and now Paul and Joe, one can't help but ponder who's next?)

So, i took this chance to try out more of their skincare products that i am new to (reviews coming but not so soon), i will be quite sad if i were to like them enough to want to repurchase them afterwards.

 Paul and Joe Nail care oil.

 List of Ingredients.

 The bottle of Nail care oil- in signature Paul and Joe nail polish bottle.

The Nail care oil is packaged in the signature P&J nail polish bottle with the orange flower motiff, it has a pleasant scent and the texture of the oil is actually thicker than what i am used to using (OPI's Avoplex nail and cuticle replenishing oil), furthermore it felt a little sticky to me.

I will go back to it and see if it will grow on me as time passes by, though i doubt so.

 Paul and Joe Face Color- Blusher.

 List of ingredients.

 The pretty packaging that caught my eyes.

 2 tone blusher in 18.

 Left to right: More berry rose pink and light pink.

 Paul and Joe Face Color #18.

This would be my 2nd P&J face color, i would say the coloring of this blusher is actually a little out of my safe zone, it leans more in the favour of fair and cool toned beauties (see the swatches below) but i am giving it a shot as it seems to be quite usable if i use it with care (i am thinking of using it with MAC's 187 Duo fibre brush which seems to work when i am using more pigmented blushers). The texure of the blusher is soft and pigmentation is not a problem, it does not contain any shimmer. I like a variety and this is a nice addition to my collection if i may say so.

 Paul and Joe Eyeshadow singles.

I have walked pass P&J's counter countless times, yet i never felt drawn to their eye colors (i wonder why myself too.... perhaps its too sweet and cute, i felt out of place?). This could very well be one of the those last chances that i can lay my hands on them and i am so glad i did this time round. I was pleasantly surprised by their buttery soft formula and that it glides on the skin beautifully.

Pigmentation is very decent, not the most intense i have encountered but nice overall, though #03 gold is a little less pigmented compared to the other 2. I think this is the revamped range of eyeshadows, if i recall correctly the previous eyeshadows are larger in the pan.

I have picked "safe" colors (those that are tried and tested to work on me) and i am glad i did as i can am already reaching out for them everyday for almost a week).

Each eye color contains 1.1g/ 0.03 oz of product which is slightly lesser than MAC's (1.3g). In terms of pricing, P&J's is S$25.00 while MAC's is S$28.00 ( ? ). P&J's is a wee more expensive that MAC's probably by only a few cents.

In this instance, i am really sad to see P&J pulling out of Singapore.

 Light pink beige with subtle pearlescent shine.

 Paul and Joe Eyeshadow single in #11.

 Pearlescent gold without the glitter chunks.

 Paul and Joe Eyeshadow single in #03.

 Warm toned medium brown with a hint of shimmer.

 Paul and Joe Eyeshadow single in #17.

 Swatches L-R: Paul and Joe face color in #18, self select eye color in #03, #11 and #17.

 A closer look at the Eyeshadow singles or eye colors.

 Guerlain Ecrin 4 couleurs Eyeshadow palette.

Guerlain..... Guerlain...... I can't help but to be drawn to you everytime.

This time, i behaved myself and only gotten myself 1 eyeshadow palette from Guerlain, yes! Its from the Holiday Collection last year.

Sleek and luxurious packaging, gorgeous colors.... nothing less is to be expected from this high-end makeup brand.

It is no surprise that i am very much captivated by this palette, first of all the packaging...... it is a improved packaging if you asked me. The large pan surface meant that one can sweep her brush over each color more easily.

While the colors are not terribly unique (except perhaps the aqua turquoise above the navy blue), there are dupes available for the other colors elsewhere. But what sealed the deal for me is the PIGMENTATION!

They are INTENSE!!! Totally love the color payoff.

 #10, Les Ombres De Nuit (Limited Edition from Guerlain's 2011 Holiday Collection).

 The sleek packaging.

 Contains a total of 7.2g/0.25 oz of product.

 A closer look at the palette.

 Swatches L-R: A Shimmery Grayish Silver, a Light Aqua Turquoise, a Rich Blue (reminds me of OPI's You yoga-ta get this blue but less intense), a matte black (the only matte color in the palette).

All in all, a great haul for this year!



Haul and Review: Benefit Some Beauty to Love Limited Edition Set

Nothing can hold a beauty addict back especially when you know that you are going to get more bangs for your bucks and since it is that time of the year again.... yeah Christmas season...

Cosmetic brands and companies will launch all the makeup and skincare goodies that proves to be too good too resist.

I am a easy prey when it comes to value for money sets (which include items that i am using and things that i really want to try for the longest time) as well as exclusive Limited Edition releases (regretfully......sigh......).

In this case, it didn't take me too long to decide on taking the plunge to order the Benefit Some Beauty to Love makeup set (My most gracious BFF compiled the orders and send it as soon as all things are in ).

This makeup set comprise of some of Benefit's bestselling items, the That Gal Brightening Face Primer, Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener, Bad Gal Lash mascara and lastly....... the star of the deal for me..... Coralista Blusher.

Without further delay, i present Some Beauty to Love......

Benefit's Some Beauty to Love (exclusive to Sephora Online)

The set is presented in a cardboard box that resembles a handbag completed with 2 black ropes on top as handles. The sturdy box housed the goodies nicely and safely : ) Kudos for the design, but if the postman or delivery company is not careful in the handling of the item (imagine droping hard on the floor (+ _+), items such as the blusher might break in the box....

Perhaps they should consider those sponge cut-out moulded according to the shape and size of the items or even just 2 pieces of foam (they don't weight much) to keep the items snug and safe.

Nevertheless, it's a cute box that i can use to house some of my knick knacks. : )

The cute bag-like box that holds the loot nicely.

Items from L-R, T-B: Eye Bright (full size), That Gal (deluxe sample size), Bad Gal Lash (deluxe sample size) and Coralista (full size).


Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener.


Pencil with soft pink "lead".


Swatches: Left- Eye Bright unblended, Right- Eye Bright blended.

The Eye Bright is like a pink coloured crayon pencil and according to Benefit, simply apply it in the inner and outer corner of the eye and it will instantly brighten them.

In terms of texture, it resembles those very soft eyeliner that glides without too much effort. I didn't use it the way that was recommended by Benefit, what i did was to draw a small circle at the brow bone (the area just below the arch), blend it in properly.

Yes, it did brighten my eyes, but not a must-die in my book given the price tag and what it solely does.

If only the price is not marked up that ridiculously high in Singapore, i would say it is a good to have as i have nothing really bad to say about it, except that one have to be careful to make sure that proper blending is done to avoid the "what's that patch of pink on your eyes?" situation (it did happened to me the first time round and yes, i was in a morning rush).

Not much scent detected, although its a mere 1.4g or 0.06oz, i figure it will take me quite some time to finish it with everyday usage.

That Gal Brightening Face Primer.

Swatches: Left- That Gal blended, Right-That Gal unblend.

The That Gal brightening Face Primer is something that i really wanted to try ever since it was launched but i can't simply find the chance (the fact that i have not finished my tube of RMK Face polish tells me that i shan't attempt to buy it).

The face primer is a light pink thin paste that spreads easily and evenly across the skin, it gives my face a very nice and very very subtle brightening effort, i figure it would work better on someone with lighter skin tone (perhaps a shade or two). Nice scent too, a little fruitly though.

My only gripe for this product - 11.00ml or 0.37oz for S$58.00 ?

Nah, its way too much... considering that a tube can last like what.. 2 months worth of daily usage?

Bad Gal Lash Mascara.

A closer look at the applicator.

Swatch of the mascara.

The Bad Gal lash is one of Benefit's award-winning bestseller, honestly i am not a mascara kind of gal, so it holds no magic on me. The applicator is a those of traditional mascara bristles which is cone-shaped with wide gaps in between the bristles which is supposed to volumise eyelashes.

As my eyelashes are quite thick, the volumising effect is not that apparent on me, on my sister on the otherhand, the effect is quite obvious but it doesn't lengthen the eyelashes as well. Pity.

Coralista Blusher with brush.

A closer at the pan.

Swatch of the blush.

The concluding factor that seals the deal for me would be the much-raved about Coralista Blusher. It is a warm peachy pink tone blusher with a hint of sheen that is versatile enough to be used on almost all skintones.

It is also considered by many to be the dupe for Nars' Orgasm. Although i do not own Nars' Orgasm, personally i felt that Orgasm leans towards warm whereas Coralista leans a little towards cool.

In the pan itself, Coralista might even look very pigmented and very bright, in actual application the colour is a little sheer and easily buildable to your desired intensity plus it didn't accenturate my pores at all, just a nice pop of colour.

The box packaging is neat too, considering that you don't get loose blush powder all over the place and you save quite a fair bit too as all the powder are nicely contained within the box.

Scentwise, i do detect a whiff of subtle sweet scent here and there, kind of like it. : )

Is it worth a peek?

Nah.... just buy it!

Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener (full size): Priced at S$41.00 for 1.4g or 0.06oz.

That Gal Brightening Face Primer (deluxe sample size), estimated at S$36.90 for 7.5ml or 0.25oz. Priced at S$58.00 for 11.00ml or 0.37oz (full size).

Bad Gal Lash (deluxe sample size), estimated at S$19.00 for 4.0g or 0.14oz. Priced at S$41.00 for 8.50g or 0.30oz.

Coralista Blusher (full size): Priced at S$58.00 for 12.00g or 0.42oz.

Total Value: Priced at S$ 65.00 for a value of S$154.00 (Almost 60% off retail price).

Priced at S$65.00 for the set, available at Takashimaya and Sephora Online (Limited Edition).

Review: Cle de Peau Beaute Holiday Palette Vintage Face Powder and Extra Silky Lipsticks

Cle de Peau Beaute belongs to the higher end strata of the many cosmetic and skincare brands that Shideido owns.

Thanks to the bi-annual Shiseido sale, otherwise I would never have willingly parted a chunk of my beauty budget to acquire items from this high-end range.

If you are only planning to go for only 1 cosmetic and skincare sale a year or you are tight in budget, then i would say that the Shiseido sale is THE one to go to.

Why?

1. Comprehensive range of products from various price range, ZA, Majolica Majorca, Ettusais, Shiseido, Cle de Peau Beaute and Shiseido Professional (which i gather is for haircare). You might even chance upon Limited Edition items from previous collections, if you are lucky.

2. The products are fresh, in the sense that you have 2 to 3 more years to go before you have to toss them into the rubbish bin.

3. The kind hearted people are willing to give you advice (eg. the colour tone for foundation, procedures in usage of skincare range and etc) all and all, if you ask properly.

Okie, i shan't be long winded and here's part of my loot from the recent sale:

The Limited Edition Holiday Palette Vintage 2009 and 2 Touche de Rouge extra silky lipsticks.

A group shot of my Cle De Peau Beaute Haul.

The Holiday Vintage Palette from 2009.


Made in Italy (they excel in this stuff).



Behold the Jewel.


From innermost to the outer layer: a pinkish beige, light brown, light peachy beige, lastly a very light brown beige.

Swatch of the powder.

A Closer look.

From what i know, Cle de Peau Beaute will release a Holiday Palette Vintage this year too and as it is the same as Holiday Palette Vintage 2009, the palettes are inspired by the charm of vintage jewellery and thus the jewel-like compact.

The colours for the 2009 Palette are rather interesting as it comprised of 4 colours (all in the range of neutral and warm tones), each colour is built around another and there is a layer of fine gold shimmer powder strategically place at certain places so that the palette resembles a piece of jewel.

When i was swatching the palette, my nose caught a whiff of fragrance from the powder (a scent that i find familiar but can't place my finger to it), its subtle so i am not disturbed by it. Upon swatching, although i find that the texture is soft (almost silky) but it is a little flaky which would mean that i need to blend the powder into the skin with a little effort.

It gives off a subtle but sophiscated light glow upon application (from what i have read, it can be used with and without makeup). It's not frostly, not metallic, not too pigmented, just a soft warm glow which i do like very much.

However, to warrant such a hefty price tag for a face powder highlighter, no matter how coveted the item is or how pretty it looks on your vanity table...... It MUST do much more.

My personal view on it?

Not a must-buy.

Unless you buy it during a sale (like me), even at a sale its price is almost the equivalent of a Chanel or Christian Dior Highlighter powder.

Or you have no beauty budget constraint and an avid collector at that.

Otherwise, much as it is very pretty, i would let it go if there is no sale.

Next, the Touche de Rouge Extra Silky Lipsticks.....

The 2 Extra Silky Lipsticks.

L-R: 122 and 120.

Luxurious packaging. Love.

Swatches of the lipsticks from T-B: 122 and 120.

A closer look at the 2 colours.

These 2 lipsticks are what i have risked an arm and a leg for (from all the battling with the strong ladies at the Cle de Peau Beaute table during the sale).

I have heard nothing but raves about the lipsticks and so here i go, i snagged 2.

120 is a neutral brown nude that is quite sheer upon application, it reminded me of Guerlain Kiss Kiss Baby in 240 Honey Nude. http://zealousbeautyfanatic.blogspot.com/2010/07/guerlain-lipsticks-haul.html.

I would say its a breeze to apply it on my lips, glides like a dream- buttery soft. This is a colour that i would wear everyday.

122 on the otherhand is bright and peachy orange with a hint of gold shimmer in it, which brightens up my face when i applied it. It is a unique colour and since i do not own anything like that in my collection, i figure it is a good time to pick it up.

Scentwise, the 2 lipsticks do possess a subtle hint of fragrance which i do not mind at all.

My only gripe is that you have to be careful to dispense only the amount you need for 1 application each time as it is unretractable and as the texture of the lipstick is buttery soft, it would mean that storing them near warm places or high temperature locations would be a bad idea.

I like the lipsticks, the texture, colours and everything except its princely price, especially since lipsticks are easily used up. Imagine having to replace them once every 4 months or so... Ouch! $$$

Palette Vintage Face Powder (Highlighter) 2009: Priced at S$180.00 for 12.5g or 0.44oz, available at Cle De Peau Beaute counter at Isetan Scotts and Takashimaya. (I got mine at a steal of S$80.00)

Touche de Rouge Extra Silky Lipsticks: Priced at S$105.00 for 2g or 0.07oz, available at Cle De Peau Beaute counter at Isetan Scotts and Takashimaya. (Mine was snagged at S$35.00 each).