Ramblings: Cozycot Kanebo Markdown sale sightings and gripe

Okie, i am on a self imposed makeup ban... yet i made my way down to the Cozycot Kanebo markdown sale this afternoon.

The sale was held in a small room which is approximately the size of a small 3 room flat and it was crowded with ladies and gentlemen who came with their girlfriends and wives.

Sightings:

1.Kate- the eyeshadow and eyebrown powder palette at S$8.00

- eyeliners (didn't managed to squeeze to the front to have a closer look)

2.Cofret D'ór - several eye palettes at S$17.00 each.

- eyeliners at S$17.00 each (i think as i was trying to maintain my balance)

- lipsticks (quite a nice selection of colours)

- single eyeshadow

- blushers

3.Lunasol - limited edition eye palettes (i saw one which is blue and black, it looks like one of the Christmas limited edition a few years back) at S$35.00

- the permanent line eye palette (i saw #5 , which is a brown palette) at S$35. 00

- limited edition eyeshadow singles (the pastel colour range which comes in light green, light pink and light yellow)

4.Impress skincare range (but only the whitening one and there is another range that is in red)

5.Blanchir haircare range (if i am not mistaken)

All in all, it was quite a decent selection if you are solely into eyeshadows and if you do not own any Lunasol or Cofret Dór eye palettes plus you are really into neutrals and colours with a shiny sheen to them. The low price point is an attraction as the palettes are at 50% off.

My damage?

Nah... None at all.

Surprise? Not really.

Just a few gripes here.....
I have been to a few Shiseido sales, Prestige warehouse sales and Luxasia sales. I am no stranger to sales.

So, the first thing that i am fully mentally prepared was the crowd... let's face it, if there is no crowd, the sale ain't got any good stuffs...

Besides that, never expect the participants of the sale (yes, mostly ladies) to know something about manners and yes, "civlised" is something that is beyond their comprehension that day. Well, jungle rules rule here "Survival of the fittest", if you are weak, you are another's meat.

Having said all that, there are some sales whereby i am happy to go despite the crowd and everything.

I was rather impress with how Luxasia organised its sale site from the point of entry to items according to brand and categories as well as down to the queuing system, everything was done in order despite the mad crowd and snaking paying queue.

Shiseido sales are notorious for having snaking queues outside the Shiseido office half an hour before the Shiseido staffs open the glass doors, yet order was maintained and the good Shiseido people even provide bag deposit service to safe keep our bags (maybe also for security reasons) for us bargain hunters to shop to our heart contents. The cashiers are efficient too, good good.

Prestige warehouse sales are notorious too... partly due to the long queue to pay and the waiting time for the staffs to retrieve the items for each paying lady. Kudos for using the plastic strip to tie plastic bag that holds your bag before you enter the sale site (security reason here, no way to put anything in your bag when its tied up in a plastic bag, so no messy conflicts here).

How i feel about this markdown sale?

First of all, there isn't anything personnel maintaining the queue of ladies going into the small room (they were all inside the room by the door).

Secondly, the system of queuing is messy in the small room (whereby the paying queue was mixing with the crowd choosing stuffs). Plus the cashiers were painfully slow as the queue was not moving at all.

Thirdly, yes, manners. The behaviours of some ladies that i have seen today are horrendous.... hostile and yes... no amount of makeup or skincare will make you beautiful if you are ugly inside, especially since you are using a foundation that doesn't not make you nicely..... heh...

Things that left me confounded today, I simply do not understand why they don't adopt some method that is friendlier like using a simple plastic strip to tied up the plastic bag that holds your belonging (i mean it totally save time and effort, isn't it?).

Is it too much of a hassle to do that? Not really. But apparently, Cozycot prefers to get their staffs to peep into each and every bag very carefully and shove their hands inside the bags to feel for anything that remotely resembles their makeup items.

I mean, really! This is so uncalled for, whatever gave them the rights to shove their hands into our bags and feel for things ....... bargain hunters or sales enthusiats are not thieves and it doesn't mean you possess the rights to see us as one. Tsk.. tsk.....

The sale is still on till 29th July (10.30 am to 7.00pm) at Shaw Centre 26th floor. Go to the sale if you have always been the survivor among the fittest and if you can bear the thought of some stranger's hand shoving into your bag during your way out, or if you simply can't resist it.

Haul: Laneige Beauty Bazaar 2010

As i was going through my stash this afternoon, i realised that i have yet to do a post on the Laneige Beauty Bazaar haul which happened late last year.

Looking at what i hauled last year during the Beauty Bazaar (i went on the first day) and what i managed to lay my hands on this year (i went on the second day), i say... go on the first day if you are keen on getting popular skincare stuffs as well as limited edition items.

2 Water sleeping pack, 2 lipglosses, 2 lipsticks and 1 limited edition eyeshadow palette.

Top to bottom: lipgloss-YR327 Tangerine Sour and LR109 Hot Pink, limited edtion eyeshadow palette, lipsticks-P44 Fresh Berry and LR03 Pink Beige.

L to R: LR03 Pink Beige and P44 Fresh Berry.

Swatches L to R: Fresh Berry and Pink Beige.

The Eyeshadow palatte. Swatches L to R clockwise.

2 lipglosses for S$15.00

2 lipsticks for S$15.00

1 eyeshadow palatte for S$15.00

2 Water sleeping pack mask at S$30.00 each.

Total Damage: S$105.00

Laneige Beauty Bazaar

It's here again.

Laneige Beauty Bazaar at Robinson Raffles City Level 3 from 7th to 9th April, 10.30am to 8.30pm.

Savings up to 80% on Skincare and Cosmetics.

Sightings from previous Laneige Beauty Bazaar:

1. Lipstick and lipglosses, 2 for S$15.00

2. Foundations for S$20.00 to S25.00 each, refills at S$10.00 to S$15.oo each.

3. Single eyeshadows and Limited Edition eye palette at S$15.oo each.

4. Water Sleeping Pack mask at S$30.00 each.

5. Tons of sample sized skincare products and cleansers at S$1.00 each or so....

6. Clear C-effector at S$25.oo and some other skincare products.

I am not too sure how different the range would be like this time round, do check it out if you are interested.

Update of sightings on 8th April 2011:

I couldn't make it on the first day of the sale, however i managed to pull myself to join the long queue on the 2nd day...

1. No lipglosses in sight (there were lots last year), there are only 2 colours for the lipsticks, both are dark berries @ S$15.00 for 2.

2. Limited eyeshadows single selections, 5 colours (2 pinks, 2 browns and 1 lilac purple) @ S$5.00 for 2 (great deal if the colour suits you. : ) ).

The eyeshadow single usually retails for S$25.00 each at the counter. No limited edition eye palette in sight by the time i reached : ( , they were sold for S$15.00 each (the Mystic Veil 2010 collection).

3. Eyebrow palette at S$15.00 each (sold out already early in the afternoon).

4. As for blusher, only the limited edition Mystic Veil Cream blusher is available (pink) @ S$15.00 each (there were a small mountain of it when i left at about 8pm).

5. Eyeliners were S$15.00 for 2 (only 2 colours).

6. Foundation, i have only seen the liquid foundation #31 (for darker skintone) and the Mystic Veil cream foundation (jar), for S$15.00 each.

7. For the skincare range, practically non-existent as they were quickly snapped up on the first day, only samples of toner and emulsion left @ S$5.00 for 10.

8. Some bags and towels were for sale too... That's all.

Judging by the amount of products that are available when i left the room, i very much doubt if there is going to be anything left for tomorrow, however i am not too sure if they will replenish stocks on the last day (9th April) but do drop by to try your luck if you are interested.

Haul: Givenchy Haul @ Prestige Warehouse sale !

I shall not say much in this post...... for a picture says a 1000 words and i do believe the following pics say alots.....

Just a mini haul here.. : )

Enjoy......

Givenchy Mini haul.

L-R, T-B: Prisme Again! Blush in 05 Smiling Brown, Eyeshadow in 18 Island Sand (Limited Edition), Sari Glow Blush in 44 Maharani Orange (Limited Edition), Prisme Again! Compact in 05 Happy Sun and lastly Vernis Please! in 167 Elegant Pearl (Limited Edition).


The lovelies out of their box.

Sari Glow Blush in 44 Maharani Orange-Limited Edition (S$25.00). Love the intricate indie design on the compact.

The pretty light silver overspray over the blush.

A lovely orange that is unique, elegant and with intensity that is easily buildable.

A compact refill in 05 Happy Sun (S$15.00)

It is a nice neutral.

Pretty even in the pan.

Prisme Again! Blush in 05 Smiling Brown (S$25.00).

Already started on the blush even before i can sit down to post this.

The useful brush in the drawer below the blush.

Le Prisme Eyeshadow in 18 Island Sand-Limited Edition (S$15.00).

A lovely splash of browns. Love.

Contains 3.4g of eyeshadow which is almost twice of MAC's. : ) A steal !

Vernis Please! Nail Color in 167 Elegant Pearl- Limited Edition (S$10.00).

A cool hue of slivery gray. Me like : )

Total Damage: S$90.00 for these 5 Givenchy Babies. : )

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).

Luxasia Warehouse Sale Haul @ Tai Seng (Makeup, SKincare and Fragrances)

It's that time of the year again.... nope, not the Great Singapore Sale (which in my humble opinion isn't that Great afterall... ; ) ). It's the much anticipated Luxasia Warehouse sale, which is held almost on a yearly basis for 3 or 4 days. This year, its from the 26th of August to 28th of August. Luxasia is the distributor for quite a list of makeup, fragrance and skincare brands in Singapore, thus this is THE SALE that "saleaholics" look out for.

As the sale is held at their warehouse, the location is a little out of the way for people who doesn't live near the east side of Singapore. Nevertheless, if one googled the location, it shouldn't take too much of an effort to find the place.

I had quite a haul that day, and would have hauled even more if my 2 best girlfriends hadn't restrain me with a leash.... good, 'coz when i cooled down i realised those are not really what i wanted. : ) Thank you, gals.

Okie, here's what i hauled that day......

My Haul.

The Guerlain Haul.


4 Single Eyeshadows.


L-R: 182 L'instant Nuit, 181 L'instant Emeraude, 180 L'instant Fume and 160 L'instant Coquin.


A closer look at 182 L'instant Nuit- A rich black with gold shimmer.

A closer look at 181 L'instant Emeraude- A nice olive green with a subtle golden sheen.

A closer look at 180 L'instant Fume- A light taupe brown with a hint of golden sheen.

A closer look at 160 L'instant Coquin- A subtle matte fresh pink. The only matte colour among the 4 eyeshadows.

Guerlain's Parue Extreme Luminous Extreme Wear Foundation with SPF25 PA++ in 13 Rose Naturel.

L-R: RMK's Creamy Makeup Base in 00 and Creamy Makeup Base Mat in 02.

Tangs Orchard's exclusive- REN's Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask.

Guerlain's L'instant de Guerlain fragrance Coffert set- 50ml EDP and 75ml body lotion.

Guerlain's Insolence Fragrance coffert set.

Guerlain's Insolence Fragrance Coffert set- 50ml EDT and 75ml body lotion.

Thierry Mugler's Innocent Angel.

A peep of the unique packaging.

A closer look.

L-R: 100ml body lotion, 5oml EDP and 25ml shower gel.

My damages (original price in departmental stores, estimated):

1. 4 Guerlain Single Eyeshadows at S$10 each, usual price S$5o each = S$40 (S$200)

2. 1 Guerlain Paure Extreme Wear Luminous foundation, usual price S$87 = S$19 (S$87)

3. 2 RMK Makeup base at S$20 each, usual price S$60 each = S$40 (S$120)

4. 2 Guerlain's fragrance coffert sets at S$29 each, not too sure of the usual price but the fragrance alone is in the S$90 range = S$58 (S$180)

5. 1 Thierry Mugler Innocent Angel fragrance coffert set, about S$90 in departmental store = S$39 (S$90)

6. 1 REN Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask, usual price about S$50 in Tangs Orchard(not too sure) = S$25 (S$50)

Total damages : S$ 221 (not too bad, as i went with a budget much higher).

Total damages if haul is from departmental stores : S$ 727 (not the exact figure but more or less there)

Amount saved : S$ 506 (Approximately a 70% off retail prices!!!)

A very worthy haul indeed, its worth all the hassles of finding the place and the beads of perspiration from fighting with the crowd and bad ventilation.

Note: Do check the expiry date for the products, majority of mine have expiry dates in 2012 and 2013, with the exception of 2 eye shadows that will expire in August 2011 (which i am using almost everyday now).

Sightings of brands:

Makeup
1. Stila- Mainly the Smudge pots, lip glosses and some eyeshadows (i heard there are some eyeshadows palatte, but there were gone by the time i reached the table and i reached the warehouse at 10.45am!)

2. IPSA- Only the compact cream foundation.

3. RMK- Single eyeshadows refills, LE Eye duos, the makeup bases 00 to 02, 1 liquid foundation shade, 1 blusher stick (a near dark berry shade) and some nail polishes.

4. Guerlain- 7 Single eyeshadow colours, 1 eye palatte (lavender pink combination), some lipsticks, lip glosses, bronzing compact, some liquid foundations and some compact cream foundations.

5. By Terry- 1 eyeliner (it was lying on the table pitiful by itself, so i gather the rest of the stuff must have been taken)

6. Lancaster- Duo Blush and bronzing compacts in 2 shades.

A very worthy haul indeed not to mention worth all the hassles of finding the place.

Skincare

1. REN- Mainly the masks, facial wash, hand wash and some lotions.

2. Jurlique- Some essential oils, face lotion with SPFs (not much if i recall correctly).

3. Bvlgari- Some Facial lotions, creams and serums containing precious gemstones.

4. Guerlain- None sighted (Saw people posting the skincare they hauled, so i guess i was too late when i reached the table)

5. Other sighted brands but did not approached the tables-Carita, Lancaster and La Prairie.

Fragrances

1. Guerlain- Quite a few fragrance coffert sets, as well as single bottle fragrances and 1 Insolence Parfum.

2. Thierry Mugler- Lots of Eau de star, Innocent Angels, Cologne and Alien but no Angel : (

3. Salvatore Ferragamo- The Incanto series are almost all there as well as some men fragrances.

4. Bvlgari- some of the range are there but no bundle set seen.

5. Issey Miyake- bottles of 25ml of Eau de Issey and the latest scent at much lower price than departmental stores.

6. Hermes- Kelly Caleche sets, Eau des Merveilles, Amazone, Terre d'Hermes, Eau d'Orange Verte and Un Jardin sur le Nil.

6. Others- JPG, Stella McCartney, Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely and Covet, Van Cleef & Arpels's First and the CK's.