Recent Beauty Products

Too lazy to take pictures of swatches so here is a roundup of some beauty products I've tried recently and found either awesome or remarkably bad.  As you can see, my recent obsession is with skincare products, not so much with makeup because I think I've got more than enough for my everyday needs.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

Yes, that's right, 1 bottle sold every 4 seconds in Japan.  Rohto is one of the best pharmaceutical skincare brands, and their hyaluronic acid lotion is seriously one amazing and effective product.  "Lotion" in Japan refers actually to "toner," not the milky stuff that you normally find here.  This is a clear, viscous liquid made of sodium hyaluronate which comprises the extracellular matrix in connective tissues.  It's made my skin moist and elastic during these horrible winter months.  This is a multi-tasking product.  After showering, I put a few drops into my palms and rub it into my face to prep my skin for serum and moisturiser.  Also, I use it before applying base or BB cream to provide a moist, smooth surface for the makeup to glide onto.  The Hada Labo lotion is free of colorants and fragrances. One 170 mL bottle costs around $20 and will last you forever since you need to use only a few drops at a time.

Bioderma Crealine H2O Solution Micellaire

This highly raved beauty product really does live up to its hype!  It's recommended by beauty bloggers, makeup artists, models and pretty much every one who's tried it.  I'm sure you've already heard about this miracle product.  It removes foundation without causing any tightness or dry feeling.  And you don't need to rinse it off after!  Perfect for lazy bums like me.  You can get it at Shoppers for around $20 for a large 250 mL bottle.  I've used up around 50 mL in 2 months, so it should last quite a while.  

LashCard

I received this in my Ipsy Glambag for March, and it's basically a piece of specially shaped cardstock to help shield your eyelids when applying mascara. Using a business card to prevent ectopic mascara application is a nifty little idea that's been around for ages.  Whoever thought of turning it into a business venture must be either stupid or have lots of cash to throw around.  Can you believe that the pack costs $7?!  After I'm done with them I'll just save the last one as a template and cut my own from business cards I have lying around; and I'm sure everyone will do the same.  Also is it really necessary to wrap each card in plastic?

Ok more next time!

Ice Cream Around the World

This post was conceived out of procrastination at its finest.

So back in Singapore, I became notorious amongst my colleagues for liking 3 things: coconut, fruits and ice cream.  Luckily, there was one of them (who is now a very good friend) who shared the same sentiments. We became known as the 2 insane bimbo girls in the lab who giggled at everything and for the most stupid reasons.  I was working beside her one day when all of a sudden an ingenious idea popped into my mind. "Since I travel so often and eat such copious amounts of ice cream, why don't I start a blog about me eating ice cream around the world?" "YAH, great idea!" And so this became something I promised the friends I made in the lab (since the end of July 2012).  Despite being almost unforgivably late, this is the official start of my Ice Cream Around the World series!

(This was supposed to be our logo. So creative huh?)

My first post will be on this bizarre ice cream treat that you can find really nowhere else in the world other than Singapore.  It is the notorious ice cream sandwich. No, not the wax-paper clad block of vanilla pressed between two soggy chocolate biscuits. This is a real sandwich - a brick of cheap run-of-the-mill ice cream in your regular flavors like vanilla/choco as well as more exotic Asian varieties such as taro (yum), coconut (YUM) and durian (DOUBLE YUM), lovingly wrapped in a thick, pillowy slice of bread.

Now the bread is really what makes this sandwich so amazing. This psychadelic rainbow swirled bread is sweet and fragranced with pandan/coconut essence typical to many South East Asian desserts.  The texture is fluffy like Wonder bread.  The soft bread with the brick of rich, unctuous ice cream is a heavenly combination of contrasting textures and temperatures.

You can buy these from push carts on the street for like $1 to $2.

The brand of the ice cream is usually Wall's (aka Good Humor aka Breyers).  The guy retrieves the ice cream brick from his vault!

He swiftly slices the ice cream brick, wraps a slice of bread around it and hands it to you while waiting for his money.

Nom nom, closeup.  Children aka me would be very attracted to the different colors of the bread and ice cream.  This is taro flavor btw.

I had to have one the next day. Except I decided to be less of a carb pig this time and opted for thin wafers instead of the bread. This is COCONUT ice cream!!! Yummmers

Benefit Cosmetics Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow review + swatch

Since I am doing the usual student thing of procrastinating, I've decided to post a review! I know I always scavenge the internet for these make-up reviews so hopefully this helps someone :) Not sure how well this will go but I think I'll review products by brand.

The first product I am reviewing today is Benefit Cosmetic's Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in R.S.V.P. which is a 'sparkling champagne' colour'. I bought it for $12 CAD in Sephora on Boxing Day but the usual price is $24 so it was a pretty good deal :) It looks like they have changed their packaging of these eyeshadows, so that is probably why they sold this for so cheap.

"Benefit’s award-winning cream shadows are as crease-resistant and smudge-proof as ever! The 10 incredibly wearable shades (including original favorites RSVP, Birthday Suit, and Skinny Jeans) glide on easily and last all day. It’s fresh and fabulous color for all!"

The application is really easy and you can use either your finger or an eyeshadow brush. I usually use a brush then my finger to wipe away many mistakes. It is also a good eyeshadow base but I always use it alone since it is quite shimmery. The only bad thing is that sometimes when you put on two layers, it starts to have that "scaley" effect so I always just avoid that. It goes on very opaque though so I only ever need one layer. When I run out of this, I will definitely try to find it again, or get another colour close to it.

Another Benefit item that I have tried is the POREfessional. After reading reviews about primers for oily skin, a lot of people said this was good so I decided to go into Sephora and get a sample. I actually had one of those little card samples from ordering online but I will admit that I didn't actually know it was a primer until I put it on my face :P 

I got another sample from Sephora in L.A. and I'm not sure if the airplane somehow changed the texture but it was really chunky and weird feeling. It seemed like the primer dried up and it was so solid that when I was using it, sometimes I would drop chunks of it on the table and it would remain in that shape! Since it was not like a liquid, the application was really weird. It also didn't seem to help much with controlling oil, minimizing pores or keeping makeup on. However it did dry up quickly and seems to absorb into the skin at a good rate, but I don't think it is worth the splurge :/

Those seem to be the only two products I've tried from Benefit, so that is all for now. Hope this helps!

Make-up and Hair Products

Currently waiting in the 3rd floor of SAF for a PhD student's study thing that gives me money :) I hope I get the max of $25! This will help fund my $40 ticket to Marianas Trench! I know it's kind of expensive considering I've seen them for free twice, but I love Josh Ramsay.

So since this blog is pretty dead, I'm going to use it as sort of a 'whenever I'm bored' blog for myself.
Well since my Fall co-op I've been more into makeup and like accessories (actually just scarves). I started shopping at Sephora and even though there stuff is expensive, I think some of the stuff is actually ok for the price! After claiming 3 years worth of birthday gifts, I finally bought something LOL. Here are the high-end brands that I have tried since Fall (and the reason I cannot afford next term's tuition by myself hehe)

- Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo $21 (bought from U.S.)
- Sephora Collection 3-in-1 extractor $3
- Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer $44 (DO NOT LIKE)
- Sephora Collection Matte Blotting Film $3
- Boscia Soothing Cleaning Cream $12 (for my mom)
- Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner in Black $12
- NARS Super Orgasm Mini $12
- Hello Kitty Apple Cheeks in Blushing $9
- Hello Kitty Charmmy Eyeshadow Stick in Birthday Cake $7
- Benefit Creaseless Creme Eyeshadow in r.s.v.p. $12
- Buxom Lashliner Duo $12
- tokidoki Perfectto Eyeliner in Arlecchio $6
- MUFE Mist + Fix travel size $11
- Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter Max Moisture Cream $7
- Sephora Collection Long-Lasting 12HR Wear Eye Liner in Black Purple $11 (bought from U.S.)
- MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus in NC40 $32
- MAC Archie's Girls Face Powder in Flatter Me $30 (bought from U.S.)
- MAC Archie's Girls Betty's Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Black Swan $16.50 (bought from U.S.)
- MAC Archie's Girls Betty's Lipstick in Oh, Oh, Oh $17.50 (bought from U.S.)
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel $31
- Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Green Apple $30
- Nume Silhouette hair straightener in blue $65
- Macadamia Natural Oil Detangler spray $23
- Bubbi Brushes (Dual eye, dual cover, and angled eyeliner) $26 total

I think that is it! Maybe I'll do reviews of the things that I have strong opinions on eventually. Ta-ta for now.

Revival.

Hi! I have come to revive this dead blog :)

Just a quick post before sleeping (really should've slept 40 minutes ago but oh well)
So I was re-reading my old blog posts and WOW why was I so lame? I really hope I'm not that lame now. I have also come to the realization that I still type somewhat similar t_t not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

It appears that I have not posted about university since the initial ones about my residence :P Well since then, I have lived at UWP for two terms, the Roslin house with Rohinider, Nouha, Holly, Valancia (then Caitlin in Spring) and now this humble abode at Westcourt residences! I really like it here. My room is huge, roommates are quiet and clean, and I'm close to Rohini and Valancia without having to live with their mess hehe! Next term I will be living at one of the apartments on Lester (the new one) so that will be a new experience. I'll need to walk down 5 flights of stairs everyday but at least I will be getting some exercise? And hopefully it will teach me to speed up my getting ready routine because I think taking an hour to get ready is getting too tedious and time consuming. I mean I have added to my makeup routine, but it still shouldn't take that long! :P

Hm in terms of actual university...it is quite hard. Currently in danger of failing a course but, I'm still able to graduate without having to take an extra term! However if I do fail, next term I will have to move one of my courses to retake this one (or at least the closest thing to it since it's not offered anymore) and then take an online course during co-op. It is do-able but since my tuition is SUPER expensive, I would have to be paying around 2k just for my failure...good incentive to study I suppose. *sigh* well goodbye for now. Maybe I'll actually revive this blog and make weekly or bi-weekly posts!