New Make Up

Was browsing on Luxola website while before finals in Australia and I chanced upon this palette by Sephora. I had wanted a better quality eyeshadow palette with more nudes that were suitable for everyday use. At first I had my eyes on Zoeva's, but it was out of stock. I bought this off the Singapore website and got it mailed to my Singapore address since I was heading back in a couple of weeks.

Got it in Delicate Nude in case anyone is wondering which Sephora palette this is. Packaging is of soft man-made leather skin similar to a snake, lightly cushioned.

Only bad thing about this palette is that I do not know any of the names of the shades, because there was no names stated on the packaging nor on the plastic film that was covering it. A lot of gold, brown tones in there which works well on a dark skin tone person like me. I bet a lot of girls would love to have this palette.

It came with a 2-end brush (eyeshadow and eyeliner/angled) and also a dark brown eye pencil.

Currently loving and using Be A Bombshell's Eyeshadow Quad in Madrid. Colours for everyday! It's very small so it fits into all make-up pouches without taking up much space. Colours in clockwise from dark brown: Starlet, Risky Business, Birthday Suit, Tempted. Tempted and Risky Business have got to be my favourite shades! Starlet is good for definition and Birthday Suit as the base.

For my everyday go-to base products, I am currently using Natio's Tinted Moisturiser in Medium. It has SPF50 good for all sunny countries. I apply it using an air cushion puff, I think it works best that way without dirtying my fingers/hands. It is very subtle, and it works great with a skin base product which I will share later in this post!

Bought FLOWER blush in A-coral-ble, it's a powder to creme finish blush. Was just experimenting with a new product with new texture. Colour is nice, but it is troublesome to use, having to pour some powder on the cap and swirl my brush in.

I have also been sticking to IOPE's air cushion blush (rose pink), which in my preference, one of the best and most handy blush. I like it that it's very subtle but build-able. Just placed an order for another rose pink and orange sherbet (New Shade). Not quite sure if they sell the refill pack like their EX cushion, will have to check that out. Anyone know of a matte powder blush that comes with a brush? I have been wanting to get one with a brush so I can reapply when I'm out.

Bought this a few days before my flight back to Singapore. I got it from Priceline in Australia. This is a korea made product. It is supposed to work like a base and primer. It does make my pore less visible. Bad part of it is that it takes efforts to pop the pink capsules and also the pearl powder (in ball shape).

Also got myself a proper brush set from Nude by Nature. This is their Brushed Up Pro 10 Piece Set. I think it is travel friendly. I had actually wanted to get the 8-piece brush set because the I was leaning towards the latter's case. But this set was more worth the money. 10 brushes for $40, that makes each brush $4 which is pretty cheap. The brushes work fine, they get the job done.

Thanks for reading! It's black friday sales soon! Imma go check out good deals! Hope you people get great deals too!

Sample Store: Ka Bloom!

A big congratulations to the Sample Store team that the brand is getting a face lift and the site relaunching really soon! 

To celebrate their relaunch, SampleStore held a relaunch party last weekend (20 Sep, Sat) at the Full house Signature Cafe over at Clarke Quay! So, this post will be mainly on my experience there and the goodies that SampleStore generously gave out!

Making my way there! Actually I took this shot super hurriedly to Kakao Gillian so she knows the way there. Turns out not bad.

My Invitation card that was sent to me a few days before the event. It is so pretty and even had my name on it. I like it that companies go an extra mile to give a more personal touch to it. 

Upon arriving, I received my goodie bag which comes with a 'Beauty Panelist' Sticker! Very glad and fortunate to be part of the SampleStore's Beauty Panelist family! Thank you for the opportunity!

My First Stop, MIA CARE. One of the most amazing thing that day! You know how 3M Nexcare has been highly raved, now I will welcome you a NEW CHALLENGER! Acne Patch from MIA CARE! 

Love how it was so thin! It was on my right hand, can't really see in this photo, and in real life, it's so much more invisible compared to Nexcare & SO MUCH thinner than Nexcare's. Guess I'm switching brands! It will be stocked exclusively at Guardian!

Next, headed over the booth beside, TSUBAKI. A very nice and pretty lady (or it felt more like Jie Jie) who helped tried the products on my hair. My favourite product was the Sparkling Head Spa Serum which has popping sounds during application.

Went to have a look at MyBeautyDiary booth, have used their masks before. I think they have a new range of masks, Aroma Series, it should be launching soon so do check them out in stores as well!

Visited the Goodal booth where there were lesser people then. Got introduced to the Oil Plus Mist which smelled really invigorating & relaxing, to me it smelled really similar to the MegRhythm Eye Mask in Chamomile scent. It didn't have an oily after-feel which was great! Goodal is actually a new korean brand by the people behind CLIO. A little regret not getting it that day (it was on offer), am now thinking maybe this mist will help with my skin's oil balance.

Went to the NOV booth to get my skin analysis done! Had to wait for like 10-15 mintutes, so I took the opportunity to take photos of the surroundings while waiting in line.

As SampleStore's beauty panelist, I was granted early access, which hence explains the little crowd. From 12 onwards, MASSIVE crowd came swarming in. 

Very spacious from 11am - 12 noon, before all the other people with a normal invite came. 

Here's my skin analysis results:

Moisture: Ideal Range

Oil: Too Low

Elasticity: Low (due to low oil level)

So glad I finally get to know my TRUE skin type from this analysis! Thank you NOV, and also thank you SampleStore for having them! I now know that I have Normal-Dry Skin! With that, I can attempt to use slightly 'heavier' products to bring up my natural oil level.

NOV is currently Japan's leading brand for sensitive skin, and that their Dermatologists highly recommend using these products! NOV carries products for IN SHOWER, Skincare and Cosmetics.

After the analysis, ladies (who did the analysis for me) from NOV recommended the NOV III (3) series for me. The booth helpers claimed that those who were recommended NOV III has one of the best skins, with little complexes. *YAY* They will send me a 1 week trial set of NOV III products for me to try and see the difference. The booth helper that attended to me was really friendly and answered all my questions. She said she will include an additional bar soap sample because of my skin condition - episodic eczema. Will blog about it when I receive my trial pack.

Gillian and Celine came at noon! Else I wouldn't survive through the event, because I can be very introverted in a really unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar and overpowering people.

Took a shot together! Celine actually thought I was their age which is like 17/18. This is the result of having baby face, being small frame and attempts to be hardworking with my skincare regime. There's this leading beauty professional in korea that said "Be addicted to skincare". I think I am 75% addicted already.

There were other booths such as Belif (which I went there briefly), and Enavose, the queue for a makeover was such a madness, even nearing the end of event, there were still LOTS of people queuing for it. I did not manage to queue for the hairstyling by Ma Cherie and also the makeover by Enavose.

and of course, a solo shot of myself after Gillian and Celine left, while I waited for Lucky Draw and to waste time before I head for F1 Grand Prix that night. That's why I decided to be decked in Monochrome instead of Floral so I fit in the F1 atmosphere.

Outfit

Textured Peplum Top in White (can't remember which blogshop gaveaway) 

High-low Skirt in Black from TheDesignClosets

Chanel Inspired Flats from Qoo10SG

Mint Bag from Charles & Keith

Carried these for like so many hours! It was so heavy! $250 worth of goodies: my $200 beauty panelist goodie bag and another $50 goodie bag from getting chops while visiting booths. Even carried this to F1 Grand Prix that night, arms were so sore the next few days. But it's all WORTH IT! #Girls

Ready for the products in these bags? It's like skincare/cosmetics around the world in ONE BAG! Products from different countries!

01.  NOV

NOV III Trial Sachets

NOV AC Active Trial Sachets

NOV III Face Lotion (Rich)

NOV UV Shield

NOV AC 1-week Trial Set

The NOV UV Shield is highly raved and I am amazed by it's efficacy! It's a ultraviolet reflector sunscreen, which means it can be easily removed using your facial foam/soap, not needing make up remover! Great skincare start for girls (18 onwards) and on days you don't have make up on! SPF 50+ and PA rating of 4 plus (++++) which is currently better than a newly loved sunscreen that I am using.

02. Belif

Varied range of sample products. 

I'm sure this brand is very familiar to all. Highly raved korean brand with Scotland origins.

03. Enavose

Swiss Glacial Loose Powder (SPF15)

Enavose, a Swiss Cosmetic brand. Highly raved by some SampleStore editors that day. I have yet to try this yet, because I want to clear and finish using my current loose powders. Shape of product is so cute! Love the how clean the packaging looks: Silver X Pearl White.

04. Pond's

Face & Neck Lifting Day Cream (SPF 30 PA +++)

Pond's is a Thai Skincare brand. Shall see if this works well on me!

05. Sense of Care

Shea Butter Hand Cream in Rose Scent by a korean brand.

06. Goodal

Goodal, a upcoming korean brand by the same people behind CLIO. 

Functions as a toner, serum and essential oil. Smells really really good! 

You have to try it if you are into Mists / Aromatherapy.

07. My Beauty Diary

Imperial Bird's Nest Mask

Aroma Series Vanilla Moisturising Aroma Mask

Dark Circles Intensive Care Eye Mask

08. Tsubaki & Ma Cherie

Tsubaki Damage Care Shampoo & Conditioner Trial Sachets/Bottles

Ma Cherie Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

Japanese haircare stuff always smell so good! I'm currently in love with the Japan Series for Herbal Essence! Shall see if these will make me change my love.

09. MiaCare

Mia Care Acne Patch (Day) Trial Pack - 3 Patches

Was so amazed by it and had to buy 2 retail size packs that were on discount that day.

10. InnerShine

Mini Meal Dietary Fiber Mix in Apple Flavour

Berry Essence

Tried Berry Essence probably a year ago, it's really good and quite SOUR.
(I love sour stuff by nature, please don't say I'm pregnant or what not)
But as you know, such essence don't come cheap, so I did not invest in it, glad to have 2 bottles of it now.

& before you go, here's a sneak preview of the NEW SampleStore Website that will launch on 30 September 2014 (note it down!). It's LAUNCHED NOW. So head over now!

Very pretty isn't it? Love how it is so NEAT now, I really think I have OCD that I like things in similar shapes, all my apps on my phone has to be of the same shape.

Honoured to be on an exciting journey with SampleStore as their beauty panelist, but I only have 5 more months in Singapore before I leave for Overseas further studies. Will be quite sad if there's a particular product that I really want to try but I'm not here in Singapore.

Hopefully I will be able to continue trying products whenever I come back to Singapore, which I plan to do so, probably a few days before I arrive back in Singapore, I will accept to any product review available then or if it interest me so by the time I return, product should be at home. Will try the products while in Singapore and in Australia. Let's all hope this works out. *Hope with me alright?*

I have lots of things in mind that I want to do in Australia as well, such as photo blogging and vlogging if time allows and that is if I don't get drowned in assignments too. So look out for these in 2015!

The Usual Stuff

Have been wanting to blog, but I was delaying my posts as I thought it would be better to wait for SampleStore to approve my previous review post on Bioessence, it has been too long and I cannot wait till the approval, so I decided to post this up to save this dying space of mine.

Just skincare and makeup stuff  that I use. 

While writing up this post, I forgot one of my obsessions: LIPBALMS & LIP COLORS. Just so you know. & I do my conceal and base opposite of what other girls do. Because, like I said, I think I have lesser visible skin complexions compared to them. I use my concealer to tone down redness and probably over a few zits that might have popped out.
Have drafted another post about some recent make up and stuff, will have it scheduled sometime next week or so. Received my invitation card to SampleStore's KA BLOOM event happening this Saturday! & Gillian is also attending it cause she managed to win herself tickets to the event. So, yay we won't be lonely awkward souls, though I would be for like 1 hour+ because I got the privilege for early access as a panelist.
Things that will happen come end-September:
01. Me completing my Korean Basic Course (if I pass the last freaking test *prays*, finally after 8 months)
02. Starting work at MOHH, just so I will stop wasting time before I leave next Feb, I am kind of bored of having too much time.
03. Switching to full range Bioessence skincare routine, because I LOVE their products
Things that I hope will happen:
Update my blog with a #Routine section, where you get to read the usual stuff I do from the moment I wake up till I go to sleep. So you can see how BORING my life actually is.