A Time for Indulgence - Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter and Blusher

A Time for Indulgence?


Yes, indeed.


In fact that's a perfect excuse i have found for hauling this WANT home...

My well deserved haul sitting comfortably inside the paper bag.

The iconic packaging that sends my heart fluttering at lot of time.

A closer look at the present.

Admiring it again... : ) I sure am obsessive.

The mystery unravelled.

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blusher.

The brush that accompanies it and of course, the jewel.

The star of the Chanel SoHo collection.

3 strips of colours- medium reddish brown, pale light pink and soft ivory white (All matte).

A Highlighter & Blusher-Duo usage is a yay in my book anytime. : )

Considering that Chanel is nowhere found in my list of beauty arsenals, it is for a good reason - $.

Despite saying that, Peter Philips (Creative Director of Chanel Beauty) as well as Karl Lagerfeld (couture) never fail to churn out serious lemmings season after season and i have been behaving myself... avoiding all Chanel counters.

Until this one came along.... Totally stole my heart at just one glance...

Beautiful practical colours, its not a print on (meaning the colours won't just rub away as most highlighters and blushers with motiffs does), its non shimmery (wholesome matte) and i have just the most legitimate reason to get it this month.. Its my Birthday, and so there after contemplating for almost a week (can't really wait too long, its LE!)... Here it is!

Still admiring it in its pristine condition, so give me a little time to do the swatches..

Priced at S$100.00 for 13g 0r 0.43oz, available at all Chanel Counters.

Note: Its pricer than all the previous Chanel's collection for Highlighters and Blushers.. the USD price remains the same (USD65), so perhaps its a price increment of some sort. : (

The Body Shop Celebrate Nature's Way to Beautiful- Love Your Body Anniversary Specials

I received this in my mailbox today... its from The Body Shop....

They will be celebrating their 34th Anniversary in September and in conjunction with the celebration, from 20th till 26th September 2010, Star Loyalty members will get to enjoy a 30% off all regular priced items (except for gift sets) and with purchase of S$120.00 nett, Star Loyalty members will get a gift worth S$84.50!

Apart from rewarding The Body Shop Star Loyalty members, there is contest of some sort to create more awareness for their ongoing campaign on Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People. A petition was launched in July this year and supporters of the campaign can lend their support by signing on line at http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/ or at any The Body Shop outlet in Singapore.

Page 1 of the booklet.

An introduction of The Body Shop's range of products and their values incorporated.

Special Promotions exclusively for Star Loyalty members.

The gift with purchase of S$120.00 nett includes a Spa Wisdom Japan Adzuki Bean & Rice Washing Grains (full size), Spa Wisdom Japan Apricot & Rice Finishing Mist (full size), Spa Wisdom Japan Adzuki Bean & Rice Shower Gel (travel size), Vitamin E Cream Cleanser (travel size) and Vitamin E Hydrating Toner (travel size).

The Body Shop"s campaign on Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People.

Sketch your hand and create a tagline for the campaign.

From 20th September 2010 onwards, The Body Shop Love Your Body members can submit their sketches and tagline at any outlets, plus the first 800 members to submit in store will be able to receive a pair of campaign pencils (1 gift per member).

Personally, i think it is great to have a cosmetic or beauty brand to contribute to doing good for the society, The Body Shop has been consistent with upholding campaigns such as Stop abuse for women (last year's campaign if i am not wrong). Ecco-friendly products, great value offers for my bucks plus i can do my part to contribute to a good cause, so you can count on my support!

Review: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I am constantly suffering from the lack of sleep for quite a few reasons and thus dark eye circles became my good friends and sometimes even the eye bags come out to play... So, i am on this forever on-going quest for the potion or cream that can help to salvage this condition.

When Origins GinZing refreshing Eye Cream was launched in Singapore early this year, i was tempted to give it a try (i have been using Origins Eye Doctor for quite a while, which is moisturising enough for me, but helpless when it comes to my dark eye circles).

According to the product description, GinZing eye cream contains caffeine from coffee bean (which stimulates the enzymes to restore protective layer of the facial skin and the blood circulation around the eye area), Panax Ginseng (Red Ginseng), Magnolia extract and natural optic brighteners which refreshes tired eyes. It is also said that dark eye cirlces are instantly reduced and eye bags as well as puffiness around the eyes disappear with usage.

And so, i took the plunge and bought it at a sale....

Plastic jar screw cap packaging of the eye cream.

The slightly light pinkish orange cream.

Texture on the skin.

Like any other Origins product, the GinZing eye cream comes in a plastic jar with fuss free packaging. Much as i do not really like my skincare products to come in a jar whereby one has to dip her fingers in, it seems that majority of the eye creams in the market are packaged in that way. It would be nice if it comes in a tube form...... less chance for bacteria and germs to invade into your eye cream.

The slightly pinkish orange eye cream doesn't really have much of a scent, not anything that i can detect, which is good for those who prefer their skincare products fragrance- free(Eye Doctor on the other hand has a subtle minty sweet scent that i adore). Texture-wise the eye cream is a little creamy but it isn't oily at all when the eye cream is fully absorbed into the skin.

After test driving GinZing for approximately a month, i find that the eye cream doesn't really do much to eradicate my dark eye circles and eye bags (when they appeared). I would say upon application, the appearance of my dark eye circles does lighten visibly but that could be attributed to the natural optic brighteners the eye cream contains so, it more of like a eye brightener (in cosmetic sense). In terms of moisturising capabilities, GinZing is a little behind Eye Doctor.

I am a 1/4 through the jar, so i am planning to follow through and finish the entire jar, perhaps it would eliminate my dark eye circles as i wish it would (in the one month that i have tried).

Perhaps then, i will review my verdict on the final results.

Meanwhile, i am still sitting on the fence for this one, speaking of which i do miss my Eye Doctor (maybe it's time to get it at the next sale).

Priced at S$60.00 for 15ml, available at Selected Departmental Stores.

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.

Review: OPI Tickle My France-y, Barefoot in Barcelona, Over the Taupe and You Don't Know Jacques

Never say never.

This is what i have learnt from my recent OPI Nail Polish haul from a shopping spree with my girlfriends. I was never a nail polish kind of gal and even if i were to choose a colour to wear, BROWN would never be one of the top choices. I have naturally olive tan skin tone, so the idea of wearing brown on my light to medium dark skin tone isn't one of the most flattering idea around.

Of course, this is untill this recent OPI spree, and i realised Browns are indeed my kind of colour, especially those that tends towards the neutral spectrum. They work for my skin tone, even made my stubby fingers seem more slender.

Okie, i will cut it short this time.... Introducing my OPI Browns......

From L-R: Tickle My France-y, Barefoot in Barcelona, Over the Taupe and You Don't Know Jacques.

Tickle My France-y.

Barefoot in Barcelona.

Over the Taupe.

You Don't Know Jacques.



Over the Taupe for attending my Brother's Convocation.


Colours from Left to Right: Tickle My France-y, Barefoot in Barcelona, Over the Taupe, You Don't Know Jacques and Tickle My France-y.

My Favourite Combination.

I didn't realise that i have picked 4 browns out of the 10 that i have chosen for the shopping spree and they looked like they are in harmony when the 4 bottles are placed side by side together.

Tickle My France-y is the lightest shade of brown among the 4 and it is actually very neutral which i believe would suit all skin tones. If i remember correctly, it is one of the colours released in the OPI La Collection de France Collection. This colour is quite sheer with 1 application (looks very natural), it would take about 2 applications for the colour to appear opaque.

Barefoot in Barcelona from the OPI Spain Collection is a light brown that has quite a fair bit of red in it, so i would say this would look more flattering for fairer skin tone. 1 application is sufficient to achieve a nice coat of colour.

Over the Taupe from the OPI Bright Pair collection is part of the OPI permanent collection, it has a close resemblance to Chanel's Particuliere (I was told). However, i do not have Chanel's Particuliere to do a swatch comparison here. Nevertheless, it is a unique colour that is a little mousy (for lack of a better description) but with a touch of elegance. This is my favourite out of all 4.

You Don't Know Jacques is also from the OPI La Collection de France Collection just like Tickle My France-y. It is a nice mushroom brown, a little like chocolate with a slight touch of gray. This is a unique colour too, it is my 2nd favourite among the 4.

Application-wise, OPI nail polishes generally performs well, smooth application with no streaks at all. 2 coats to achieve the opaque look.

I would say, i love all of them, especially if worn together (see the last picture).

Priced at S$23.50 for 15ml at Sephora Singapore and S$23.55 at Metro Paragon. Otherwise, start a spree with your girlfriends, its well worth the hassle.

Review: The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Shampoo and Conditioner

I just received an email from The Bodyshop regarding the upcoming Eco-conscious Rainforest Hair Care range a few days ago, and i was quite keen on sampling the product after having read descriptions of the range on the email.

"Highly Biodegradable. No Silicones. No Sulphates. No Parabens. No Colourants."

This Eco-conscious range is a first for Bodyshop and that sounds really good and natural, hair care that sounds right up my alley, thus i went to the nearest Bodyshop store the very next day to obtain a sample of it.

The Eco-conscious Rainforest Hair Care Range.

Moisture Range of Hair Care for Dry Hair-Shampoo, conditioner and i think Hair treatment.

Radiance Range of Hair Care for Coloured Hair-Shampoo and Conditioner.


Shine Range of Hair Care for Normal to Dry Hair- Shampoo and conditioner.


Balance Range of Hair Care for Oily Hair- Shampoo and Conditioner.

The Satchet that i received.

Rainforest Shine Shampoo- 8ml.

Rainforest Shine Conditioner- 8ml.

There are a total of 4 lines catering for all hair types, i guess there is something for everybody.

As for me, i received a satchet (8ml each for both Shampoo and conditioner) from the Rainforest Shine range which is meant for normal to dry hair type. I don't really know if different people will get to receive different samples from different range, maybe only the Rainforest shine satchet samples will be given out (perhaps most of us have hair types that falls under that category and so the standardised sample given).

Texture of the Shampoo-a clear transparent liquid.

Texture of the Conditioner-a milky white cream-like gel.

Packaging-wise, as i do not have the final commercial product in my hands, based on the picture in the promotion poster, it seems to resemble the long-ish bottle from the Well-Being range.

Personally, i prefer shampoo that comes with pump- easier to handle, no more slip of the hand.

Now, scent-wise the Rainforest Shine Shampoo is one of my favourite, it is subtle, perhaps event a hint of sweetness and grass. It smells absolutely divine! The conditioner's scent is a toned down version of the shampoo. Very natural spa-like. It doesn't linger around much, so its both good and bad, depends on how you see it.

The texture of the shampoo is a little more watery that the others that i have used, perhaps its due to the formula and i do notice that it doesn't lather as easily as others, the reason could be due to the "No Sulphates" rule. That didn't bother me abit, just that i will be finishing a bottle of shampoo at a faster rate. The consistency of the conditoner on the other hand is like those of others in the market, its a milky white.

After 1 usage (i figure 1 satchet is just sufficient for 1 usage- that's why its called sampling), personally i felt that the shampoo is one of the gentler version among the existing shampoo range, such as the Nettle Oil Balancing Shampoo, Olive Glossing Shampoo and the Ice Blue Shampoo that i have used in the past. It's quite mild.

The conditioner on the other hand, doesn't felt like the others that i have used in the past, my hair is not so "slippery" and "silky" (maybe due to the absence of silicones), having said that doesn't mean the quality of the conditioner is not there. I like the way that my hair smoothens in a more natural way that i know isn't due to the excessive chemicals contained in the conditioner.

All in all, i would say this is a product range that i will definitely be eagerly waiting for its launch.

I need to test drive it for a longer period of time, to give a truer and fairer review of it, but as of now, personally i like it as a whole.

So, i will be waiting for its lauch on 30th of August 2010 in Singapore!

Priced at S$16.90 for 250ml (both Shampoo and Conditioner, not too sure about the hair treatment item from the Rainforest Moisture range for dry hair)

However, it will be available at a introductory price of S$12.90 on the launch date- 30th August.

List of Ingredients:

List of ingredients of Rainforest Shine Shampoo.

List of Ingredients of Rainforest Shine Conditioner.

Upcoming Promotion for the Launch of the Eco-conscious Rainforest Hair Care Range.