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!



Something Random... Paul and Joe Ring

Yap... just like the title of the post says... something random.... my first piece of Paul and Joe Jewellery (non-cosmetic and skincare item : ) ).

That's all. Have a good day ahead. : D

Haul and review: Paul and Joe Body Masks, Blusher and Pearl Powder

Pardon the overdue posts and everything, all thanks to my company doctor's mis-diagnosis who mistaken my Bronchitics for merely a common cough that everybody seems to be getting nowadays... I have been suffering from intensive coughing and shortness of breathe for 2 weeks...and i am still trying to recover from it after seeking a second opinion from my family doctor. Sigh.....

This year isn't going to be a good year for me.....

Well, until i chanced upon a on-going sale which is held at Takashimaya Square B2, did some hauling and thus some therapy done to make me feel better.....

I am not too sure why, it seems to me that Paul and Joe is having sale more frequently than ever, i am not complaining here just a little curious (perhaps to clear discontinued and seasonal items).

Here we go......


I managed to haul some body care products and 2 makeup items at approximately 50% off the retail price.

My Paul and Joe mini Haul.

As i have quite a fair bit of body care mask to use up, i will do the review of the body mask at a later date. According to the description of the body mask, it is supposed do deep cleansing of the skin, thereby evening the skin tone and to keep the skin nicely moisturised. I have yet to try it out personally, so i shall save my opinions for later, what i do not deny is that i am deeply attracted by the subtle orange flower smell that the body mask has, so much so that i bought 2. : )

The 2 makeup items that i snagged.

My first Paul and Joe Blusher.

The pretty packaging that i can never resist.

Blusher colour 10: A sweet pink with highlighter.

Ingredients of the Blusher.

I would say i am rather lucky to snag this last piece of blusher, i wasn't drawn to it initially as i figure the sweet pink might look a like 2 awkward OTT clown like patches on my face (and the tester look rather muddy to me), however when the friendly SA manning the counter showed me the correct way of application (after cleaning the top layer of the tester to reveal the true colour of the blusher), i was sold immediately.

The blusher when the sweet pink side was applied gave a natural pinkish look and when swirl together with the lighter side, the finished look is a subtle sweet glow.. I think this might lead to the starting of a Paul and Joe blusher collection for me. : )

Paul and Joe Pearl Powder 01.

The pretty flower motifs on the plastic jar.

A subtle light champagne gold.

A close look at the gold sheen.

Ingredients of the Pearl Powder.

The Pearl powder is something that is not what i have planned on purchasing as i am not a pigment or pearl powder person and i am terribly terrified of tipping over the entire jar when i am in a rush (i am klutz at times) as well as using too much. The SA who attended to me demonstrated how versatile this colour is which can be used both as a eyeshadow highlight, blusher highlight as well as the decolletage.

The amount of pearl powder is rather generous a 5g which i gather will last me for a long time to come, which is a good deal considering that MAC's pigment is 4.5g which cost US$19.50 approximately S$30+. I would love to try MAC's pigment when i am skillful enough,until then i will continue to practice.

All in all, its a good deal. The prices are slightly more expensive by a few dollars than the sales that Prestige held at their warehouse (if you are willing to brave the battle with other ladies, otherwise i would find the Takashimaya Square environment more relaxing).

If you are interested in checking out the items and according to the SA they will be topping up new stuffs, the sale ends on 2oth February.

Sightings of other Paul and Joe stuffs: several single eyeshadows, 2 or 3 eyeshadow palettes, some lip colours from Spring Collection 2010, cream foundation compact refills, body cream, bath gels, 1 nail colour and some accessories like nail boards and sponges.

Review: Paul and Joe Treatment Oil

I got this treatment oil some time ago late last year and never got around to do a review of it, as there are so many things that i would like to share but things always crop up every now and then, i guess that's how life it, so just learn to deal with it.

Now, this bottle of Paul and Joe Treatment oil was purchased during the last Isetan Anniversary sale, whereby selected skincare items were at a discount of S$38.oo dollars off the original retail price of the product. http://zealousbeautyfanatic.blogspot.com/2010/07/paul-joe-haul.html

Due to my oily combination skin type, i am always hesitant whenever i encounter products that contains oil i shun away from them like plague. I was browsing at the counter when i stumbled upon the promotion, the BA introduced the treatment oil to me (which i am totally skeptical initially), when the oil was absorbed on the skin at the back of my hand, a faint soothing orange scent captured me that instant plus there is a subtle sheen left which doesn't feel greasy at all.

The treatment oil can be used after daily cleansing was done, just skip the serum and moisturizer, warm a small amount of oil in my palms and then gently massage it into the skin, blot off excess.

I was totally sold when i got to know that i am able to use it on my hair as well as elbows and knees, wherever the skin is in need of a treat. : ) I love products that can multi-task.

Yup, this is my first bottle of "oil" from Paul and Joe....

The sweet delicate packaging with rims of flowers at the top and bottom.

The pretty bottle of treatment oil.

The sweet flower motifs that was seen on the paper packaging.

The treatment oil.

After application, what's left is a subtle sheen.

Packaging-wise, there isn't nothing to pick on really, if there is something that can be done better, it would be sturdier carton packaging for the glass bottle of treatment oil. The dispenser of the product has a kind of stopper whereby it restricts excess oil being poured out, so you can actually get the treatment oil out drop by drop. No worries about toppling over the bottle, but please don't drop it.

Scent-wise, i am totally captured by it the first time it hits my nose.. gentle, smoothing and uplifting, its a happy smell all in all... so, its love.

In terms of application, it is oil so there is no problem in getting the product evenly on my face, all one needs to be careful is to massage the oil gently into the skin until absorbed, then blot off the excess with tissue (never rub the skin) and then go to sleep (the oil doesn't leave any trace on my pillow or anywhere at all).

When i woke up the next morning, i don't feel that my face or my T-zone being extra oily due to the treatment oil used. Its just like my skin has been nicely moisturised. I have been using this treatment oil once every week or every 2 weeks depending on the condition of my skin as well as on my hair (for about 2 months) and i have only used like 1/10th of it. By the looks of it, this bottle can last me for well over a year plus perhaps.

Another bottle after this one is done?

You bet!

Looking at the ingredients list, i love the fact that its largely plant based. It is manufactured by Albion cosmetics which is also the manufacturer of quite a few well known Japanese beauty brands, such as Anna Sui. Albion has its own line of skincare products but unfortunately they are not available on our tiny shore. : ( I know i would love to try them out for sure. Let's hope the good people who brought Paul and Joe in bring Albion in too.

Priced at S$70.00 for 40ml or 1.3fl.oz. available at Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Isetan Scotts and Orchard.

Main Ingredients: Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, Olea Europaea (olive) fruit oil, Triethyexanoin, Polyglyceryl-2 Trisostearate, Oleyl Oleate, Isotridecyl Isononoate, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange) oil, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) oil, Rosa Canina fruit oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Vitis Vinifera (grape) seed oil, BHT, Squalene, fragrance (parfum) and Limonene.