Haul: Korea 2012

Warning: It's a long post. But oh so many beauty products you would wanna not care about the warning and go ahead anyway.

  

 

 

When you go Korea, be sure to make a trip down to Myeongdong. That place has almost all the Korea beauty brands, like Etude House, Nature Republic, Tony Moly, Skinfood, The Face Shop, Laneige, Banila co., Clio and many others.

 

I got these Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar. These came in packs of 7. They don't have shade names to them, so I've numbers 01,02,03,04,05,07,09. I think I'm missing 3 colours? But I'm very happy with these cute sticks for my lips.

 

 

 

I got myself a Laneige Water Bank Essence from Lotte World, two The Odbo Aqua Soothing Silky Essences (I tried this before buying and it feels like moisturising water and absorbs quickly into my skin), a The Odbo Peeling Gel.

I also got a Nature Republic Vitamin C Triple Peeling Kit with Italy Orange Water. I was looking around for Vitamin C products as I wanted to brighten up my face. This has a 3-steps procedures to it. First, use its bottle of Vit C Scrub Balm. Then, use its bottle of Lemon Liquid Peeling followed by its After Peeling Booster Sheet (5 Masks). I was so excited when I saw this kit.

 

 

 

From Banila co., I got its Tea Party Masks in Nourishing Orange Pekoe and Brightening Milktea (this is a free gift once I entered the shop). Also, its well-known Prime Primer in Classic Matt.

 

Masks are must-gets when you are in Korea, there's a huge variety to choose from. From here, I will show you the types of masks I got. Some were free gifts while some were bought and I have several of each. First, I got a Etude House I Miss You Lipbalm and it just smells like sweet apple! Then on the left I've a Skinfood mask which is pretty cool; it has a 1st step - Royal Honey Ampoule (Anti-Wrinkle Effect) and a 2nd step - Royal Honey Essence Mask Sheet. I also have a Sunwoo Essence Mask in Pomegranate.  

 

 

This is totally a picture of a mask galore. Top left (left to right) consists of The Face Shop Sseal Secret Seal of Nature Escargot Mask Sheet, Skinfood Avocado Rich Essence Mask Sheet, Etude House Pearl Extract Mask.

 

Top right consists of The Face Shop Collagen Essential Mask Sheet, Odbo Collagen Hydra-mask and Nature Republic Collagen Dream Mask Sheet.

 

Bottom left consists of Baroness Vitamin C Mask Sheet, Odbo Vitamin C Essential Brightening Mask and The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Pomegranate

 

Bottom right is the favourite part as it has Korea's stars. Anyway, I have The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Lemon, Clio Aloe Moisture Mask and Nature Republic Snaytox Mask Sheet.

  

 

Nail polishes are cheaper there so of course I had to get some! Above are all magnetic nail polishes; I have Skinfood Mag Way Nail in 3 colours with 1 magnet design and The Face Shop Face it ones in 3 colours as well with 2 magnet designs.

 

Below are Skinfood Glipop Pedicure and a The Face Shop Face it nail polish set with 3 colours for a red gradation nails.

 

 

BB creams are also a must! I got myself the Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream in SPF 20 PA+. As I cant test, do not know the shade that suits me and it was way cheap there, I decided to get in the 2 shades available.

 

Below are Petit BB creams from Holika Holika! I think I got these from Lotte World as well. They were so cute and came in a set consisting of different types, so I got it. Simple.

Pink - Shimmering in SPF 45 PA++

Light Green - Watery in SPF 25 PA++

Green - Clearing in SPF 30 PA++

Purple - Moisture in SPF 30 PA++

Orange - Essential in SPF 30 PA++ 

 

 

Missing U I Can Fly Hand Creams from Etude House! So cuteeeee! I got this whole set of 4, of course you can choose to get just one as well.

Pink - #01 Eagle Owl (Very Berry Cherry Scent)

Green - #02 Kakapo (Sunny Sunny Apple Scent)

Blue (unboxed) - #03 Cerulean Warbler (Sweet Cotton Candy Scent)

Yellow - #04 Eastern Glass Owl (Peach Peach Peach Scent)

 

 

Clio Professional! I have always wanted to try this brand ever since I saw Lee Hyori as its ambassador as I love her and her eyeliner makeup is so awesome. So I had to get their eyeliners to try as I trust her taste. Haha! I got 2 hand creams as well but I have given them away before I did this post. As I was a very supportive consumer, I was given the cosmetic pouch for free.

From top to bottom:

- O'Tank Volume Mascara in No. 1 Black

- Twisturn Waterproof Turnliner in No. 7 Club Black

- Kill Slim Smudgeproof Brush Liner in 1 Black

- Kill Black Waterproof Brush Liner in 1 Black

- Kill Black Waterproof Pen Liner in 1 Black

- Waterproof Eyeliner in No. 1 Black 

 

 

Lastly, samples samples samples! Did you know I love samples very much? I can use these samples when I go on trips and I can also try different products out. I even have CC creams to try!

 

xoxo,

April

(YAY) Review: L.A. Colors Eyeliner/Brow Liner (Black)

 

Well, since I got this Eyeliner and Brow Liner from a makeup set I bought from L.A. Colors, I shall review it because I have tried it out for quite some time.

 

It is not as creamy as the ELF Brightening Eyeliner, but is still easy to apply to my lids. I think this is better than the ELF one as this does not smudge as much. Furthermore, I like how I can double this up as a brow liner. Again, if I double the ELF liner as brow liner, it gets smudged easily. This lasts longer on my brows.

 

That being said, I still think this smudges on my lids anyway. Hence, I like to use this to tightline or on my brows. Pretty decent product that can be used for two purposes, and pretty cheap too.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lipgloss in Maple

 

I love the pigmentation of this Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lipgloss. I love how sticky it is so it lasts longer on my lips.

 

Sadly, it has a very strong unpleasant smell, somewhere between the smell of plastic and chemicals. Also, I find this shade in Maple unsuitable for me. It's like a brown neutral coloured gloss, which just makes me look old and dull. Not flattering at all.

 

Overall, I was thoroughly disappointed. I was expecting so much more for this high-end brand than what it showed me.

 

xoxo,

April

Products I'm using currently (July 2013)

Do note that these are products I alternate. I don't use so many products at the same time of course! As I do not have enough time to review all of the products listed, if you are interested, do drop me a request for a review or simply email me your enquiries (:

 

Skincare

 

- The Body Shop Vitamin C Sunscreen in SPF 30

- Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser in SPF 15

- Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

- Garnier Whiten and Protect Moisturising Cream in SPF 15

- Mario Badescu Ceramide Eye Gel

- Daiso Nail & Hand Cream in Mango and Peach

- Bio-Essence Deep Nourishing Toner

- Daiso Black Peel-off Mask

- Simple Pure Soap for Sensitive Skin

- Clean and Clear Deep Action Daily Pore Cleanser

- St Ives Apricot Scrub

- Bio Oil

- Nivea Extra Whitening Deodorant

- Intimate Secret Purifying Body Scrub in Enchanted Kiss

- Eversoft Organic Pure Lemongrass Oil

- Vagisil Feminie Powder

- Kodomo Baby Powder

- Mopiko Cream

- Dove Go Fresh Beauty Cream Wash

Face

- Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel

- Sasa Perfect HD Foundation in Warm Ivory

- Skin79 Shiny Pearl Water Drop BB Cream

- Daiso Powder Cheek Blush

- Clean and Clear Clear Fairness Compact Powder in Blooming

- Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Sculpting Powder in SPF 10

- Daiso Cream Blushes

- Essence Coverstick in Matt Sand

- ZA 2-way Powder Foundation

- Guardian Nourishing Face Mist

- ELF All Over Colour Stick in Lilac Petal and Persimmon

- Daiso Blotting Paper

Eyes

- P2 Comfort Drops Lens Lubricant

- VS Pro Last Fx Eyeshadow Primer

- K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24hr WP 1 Day Tattoo (Black)

- ELF Cream Eyeshadow Duos

- O2 Skin Eyeliner Stick in Purple

- O2 Skin Cream Eyeshadow (Brown)

- Star Lash Lash Glue

- Daiso Falsies 10mm

- Constance Carroll Double Volume Mascara (Black)

- Loreal Telescopic Exploosion Mascara in Blackest Black

- Revlon Grow Luscious Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

- ELG Brightening Eyeliner in Black

- Opia Eyelash Curler

Lips

- Tony Moly Lip Tint in 2

- Maybelline Lipstick in Scarlet Simmer

- Loreal Paris Lipstick in Rose Cream

- NYX Lips in Love Angel

- Mango Tango Lip Balm

- Very Cherry Lip Balm

- NYX Lipbalm in Watermelon

- Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss in 08 Groove

- Urban Decay Lip Gunk in SWF

Makeup Remover

- Pure Beauty Perfect Cleansing Water

- Clarus Cucumber Makeup Remover Tissues

- Swisspers Cleansing Eye Makeup Remover Pads

- Biore Cleansing Oil in Cotton Wipes

Hair

- Batiste Dry Shampoo in Floral and Flirty Blush

- Sunsilk Damaged Hair Reconstruction Protecting Leave On

- Watsons Repairing Treatment Wax Honey for dry or permed hair

Teeth

- Theramed White Booster

- Guardian Dental Floss in Mint

- Lion Japan Fresh and White Toothpaste

(NAH) Double Review: Very Cherry Lipbalm + Mango Tango Lipbalm

 

Ever come across Shout Magazine or even bought it? Well, if you have, you would know that they love to give 'free' beauty 'gifts'. But, of course we know the costs are already included in the magazine price.

 

Anyway, I got these lipbalms from one of the Shout magazine I got from Kinokuniya. These have no brands to them, although they are called Very Cherry Lipbalm and Mango Tango Lipbalm. I like how these are sticky and stay so well on my lips.

 

If you don't mind a sheer/colourless lipbalms, you're probably gonna like them more than me. However, they smell really unpleasant, somewhere near burnt plastic. Furthermore, they are not moisturizing AT ALL. They just coats my lips and makes them look glossy. I think I should not expect much from these brandless 'free' lipbalms.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Urban Decay Lip Gunk in SWF

 

I couldn't be more excited when I got my hands on this Urban Decay Lip Gunk in SWF, such a pretty pink. Well, I couldn't be more wrong.

 

It is indeed a pretty warm pink, and it is a very opaque lipgloss. It's sticky so I like how it last on my lips.

 

What I failed to take into account is the glitters that comes along with it. It has large chunky silver glitters. Oh how I hate silver glitters the most, and large chunky ones at that. It just overwhelms the pink shade and makes my lips looks frosty.

 

Loved how it looked in the packaging and the pretty tube itself, but the product just does not work for me.

 

xoxo,

April

Double Review: (YAY) SilkyGirl Juicy Fruit Brush-On Lipgloss in 03 Peach Nectar + (NAH) Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss in 08 Groove

 

The top swatch is of SilkyGirl Brush-on Lipgloss in 03 Peach Nectar while the bottom one is of Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss in 08 Grove. I would think both colours are great for creating nude lips.

 

The SilkyGirl lipgloss is going to a peachy shade, a tone warmer than the Neutrogena one. I prefer this on my lips. It goes on pretty sheer so you might wanna put a lip colour on before topping this on top.

 

The Neutrogena lipgloss on the other hand is a pale pink. I only top this off on top of a lip colour. I would never ever wear this on my lips alone. This is the only lipgloss so far that sits in the creases of my lips, making them look so obvious. It is so awful.

 

xoxo,

April

Haul: Bangkok Trip 2012

 

 

 

I went Bangkok 3 times so far in my life and last year 2012 was my first time stepping into Boots. It's a UK drugstore brand and pharmacy store. How lucky of Bangkok to have both Boots and Watsons. Anyway, I saw these I Love...Cosmetics products and I knew I had to bring some home. The ones I bought are not exactly cosmetics but more of bodywashes. I think there are about 8 different scents to choose from and these 3 were my most favourite. The top picture are all the Exfoliating Shower Smoothies while the bottom ones are Bubble Bath and Shower Cremes. I think I can sit and admire them all day..ok not really.

 

Next, these Boots Botanics Purifying Face Scrub for Normal/Oily Skin caught my attention. They look like they are gentle on my face and made of natural ingredients. Haha, well they looked like, but of course there are chemicals in them but less, and they are made in UK. Into my cart these go!

 

Soap and Glory. Cheaper than those found at Sephora. Plus, they were having further sale at Boots. Need I say more? I got the Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff scented with their Mist You Madly's and Flake Away Shea Butter, Sugar and Peach Seed Powder Spa Body Polish, with skin smoothing sea salt, grapeseed and almond oil.  I was mind boggled with all the tempting ingredients. The next time you go to Bangkok, please be sure to make a trip down to Boots and get these babies. You won't regret it.

 

Then, it was the 2nd time I went to their MBK mall. Inside the mall, a wide variety of fragrances and cosmetics are offered on a particular level. You need to check out that level if you are into beauty (which you are because you are reading this now). I found a store selling Bath and BodyWorks frangrance mists!!! I almost wanna laughed out in victory as these cannot be found in Singapore. But no, that would have looked crazy. Anyway, I got the 2 smaller bottles in their Signature Collection in Cherry Blossom and Midnight Pomegranate. The 2 bigger bottles are their Signature Citrus Collection in Peach Citrus and Pomegranate Citrus.

 

 

 

Do remember to walk the streets of Bangkok as well. There are small push carts along the roads selling a huge variety of goods. It's ok if you do not want to eat their food, but there are also beauty related stuff offered! Upon looking closely, there was this vendor selling all types of mirror, which I thought was so Anna Sui inspired. In the end, I got this pretty heart-shaped mirror. The top mirror and the base can be separated, and they will help you wrapped nicely and thickly with newspaper. I just pack it into my luggage and was still in fine condition all the way back home. 

 

 

 

Here are some X&D Nail Foils, a sticker that acts as a nail polish for your fingernails. Cheaper there too, bought them at Platinum Mall. Some accessories for you all as well! Watches and rings from Chatuchak Weekend Market. Necklaces can be found at different malls, go to those fashion malls and you can find pretty necklaces at low prices.  

 

 

I had wanted to get myself a Kenzo Perfume after I smelled it at our local Sephora but thought that it would be a wiser choice to buy when I came back from Bangkok so that I can get it at their duty-free store at the arrival hall for a slightly cheaper price, while waiting for my luggage to be ready for collection. This has got to be my most expensive fragrance yet as I'm into VS and BBW which are not so highly priced as others.

The next time you go to Bangkok, have a blast there with their food, clothes, accessories and of course, beauty products. However, do be careful with where you buy from. I do notice counterfeit products that are being sold on their streets and even in malls, like those open stores/push carts. Thus, it is advisable to go well-known stores like Boots, Watsons or just big official stores that have store name displayed for us to see clearly. Enjoy!

xoxo,
April

(YAY) Review: Maybelline Baby Lips SPF 20 in Cherry Velvet and Energizing Orange

 

I need to say something out loud before we proceed on to the serious review of these lipbalms. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT SINGAPORE DOESN'T SELL BABY LIPS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE US AND NOW THEY HAVE THE ELECTRO COLLECTION WHICH WE CAN'T GET HERE EITHER!!

 

Ok, all better. Let's continue.

 

These Maybelline Baby Lips lipbalms are colourless, one thing that I was quite sad about. I bought Energizing Orange as I thought it would be an orange-tinted lipbalm. Cherry Velvet is a sample given to me. But, they are not to be blamed. Anyway, these goes on smooth on my lips and is moisturizing. Both have nice scents! A sun protection of SPF 20 is a plus point.

 

xoxo,

April

(YAY) Review: La-Bonita Lipstick in 011

 

I had a very bad first impression of this La-Bonita Lipstick. When I bought it and discovered that it was kinda frosty on my lips, I condemned it so much that I stopped using it altogether. I was thinking I couldn't have high expectations for something cheap like this lipstick. It was probably my no-wastage personality that drove me to take it out again and attempt to see a good side of it before it turns bad.

 

This time round, I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks to my newly found method of applying this lipstick. I would put lipbalm on my lips first, then apply this over the balm. As the lipstick glides smoothly over the balm, only a thin layer of lipstick coats over. This way, my lips does not look frosty and yet the warm pink pigment from the lipstick can be shown on my lips. Now it looks and feels like I put on a tinted lipbalm which I absolutely love.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: ELF All Over Color Stick in Persimmon and Lilac Petal

 

These are my two least favourite ELF All Over Color Sticks. Persimmon (swatch on top) is a pretty light shade while Lilac Petal (bottom swatch) is more pigmented. They are pretty creamy when I swirled and picked the product up with my fingers.

 

What I like to do with these is just dabbing the products on my fingers onto the areas on my face where I want to highlight; nose bridge, chin, cheek bone and forehead.

 

They are super shimmery and frosty, which I do not like. I prefer golden or skintone highlighter that looks more natural on me. These just feels too much for everyday makeup.

 

I tried them as lip colours which was worse. They are extremely drying on the lips, making the creases on my lips more apparent. They are too frosty on the lips as well.  Better use this as highlighter, but not as if I recommend this product in the first place.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Ed Pinaud Luminous Eyeshadow in No 2

 

Hello Earthlings! Here's Ed Pinaud Luminous Eyeshadow in No 2, a dark blue eyeshadow with silver glitters specks in it.

 

Let's touch on the nice stuff first. It's very pigmented in colour and silky to the touch. I like how it is packaged; in this golden pot with the shadow on top and its applicators on the bottom.

 

Then on to the bad stuff. I felt that it was hard to blend and it looks blotchy on my lids if not blended properly. It took me much more effort to blend nicely compared to my other eyeshadows. After blending, it looks like a dull dirty blue on my lids, so different from what it looks like in the packaging. Of course, the silver glitters did not help one bit. I was so disappointed.

 

xoxo,

April

(YAY) Review: Lip Smacker Fanta Pineapple Lipbalm

 

As I mentioned before in my Lip Smacker You Glow Girl in Cool Raspberry Ice review, I feel Lip Smacker lipbalms are pretty moisturising. This Fanta Pineapple lipbalm is no exception.

 

It's easy to apply and goes on smooth. It moisturises my lips and allows my drier lipsticks to glide on top of it and give my lips that moistened look. It has a pleasant pineapple scent. Do not be turned off with the yellow stick in the picture as it goes on sheer on my lips, almost colourless.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: ELF Brightening Eyeliner in Black

 

I like how this ELF Brightening Eyeliner goes on smooth, rich and very black. But, it stops just there.

 

I did not like the fact that it smudges with water and sweat. I tried it as eyeliner on lids, did not work. I used it to only tightline my eyes, did not work for me either. Also, it smudges less than an hour on my lids! I don't think I'm gonna continue using this as such short lasting power is just awful.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Daiso Long Lasting Eyeshadow (Pink and Purple)

   

 

 

It was kinda hard for me to decide if these eyeshadows were YAY or NAH but I gotta do what I gotta do. These palettes are awesome to help you create a pink or purple eye look. The pink palette looks suitable for an everyday wear.

 

Well, I was quite conflicted because when I touched the Daiso Long Lasting Eyeshadows in pink, it felt smooth and silky while the eyeshadows in the purple one was not smooth and silky like the pinks. That leads me to think that the quality are not standardised throughout all the eyeshadow palettes.

 

The purple eyeshadows are harder to blend and are more drying, especially the darker purples. If not blended properly, the darkest purple easily looks botchy on  my lids. Furthermore, the lighter shades in both palettes are very frosty looking and can hardly be seen on my lids, so think of what will be of it after blending.  

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Lip Smacker You Glow Girl in Cool Raspberry Ice

I got this quite a while back and finally decide to get it out to do a review. This Lip Smacker You Glow Girl in Cool Raspberry Ice lipbalm has a slight pink tint. I have to say Lip Smackers lipbalms are pretty moisturising and applies easily on my lips. I like the sweet nice scent of raspberry.

 

However, when applied on, it looks frosty on my lip which I was not fond of. There are big chunky silver glitters (I hate silver glitters the most) that don't feel comfortable on the lips as well.

 

xoxo,

April

Updates (July 2013)

Hi Everyone,

I just did a long list of makeup I'm currently using. Hopefully, I can shorten it into a few products for each categories in the future so that I can be more focused in using it faster. In this way, I can go on to try new things faster instead of getting stuck with the same few products. Having many current products frustrates me sometimes you know.

 

Anyway, I will be bringing you past beauty hauls I got from Taiwan, Bangkok and Korea. Products from Taiwan and Bangkok have been with me for quite awhile but I just thought I should share with you guys so if you are going to these places, you can get the products you're interested in. I have actually shared my Taiwan beauty haul here.

 

Watch out for my beauty hauls from Bangkok and Korea which are bigger and better! If you love to see what people haul, do check out all my hauls on the navigations on the right, under Topics.

 

If you haven't already realise, I'm coming up with reviews that I feel should be long due at a speed of light! I will continue to do even more reviews on all the products I have tried enough to write my final thoughts on them.

 

Stay tuned, stay pretty!

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: EOS Honeysuckle Honeydew Organic Lipbalm

 

Honeysuckle honeydew! Organic! Highly raved! Never seen this type of lipbalm before!

 

Nah. I didn't like the smell of the scent. The organic part makes no difference to this product. Also, this EOS lipbalm does not moisturise my lips well.

 

I think it does prevent further damage to the lips though. It also create a nice base for the application of my drier lipsticks.

 

With this costing about $10, I think I will do better with my drugstore lipbalms like Nivea, Mentholatum, Silkygirl, Vaseline and even Maybelline baby lips.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: Avene Thermal Spring Water

 

As I have finished my Avene Thermal Spring Water up, I decide I will do a review for you all.

 

My friends told me this is good but I beg to differ. It just feels like water to me. After using the whole bottle, I don't feel that my skin has improved or seen any visible results from using it.

 

Also, it does not moisturise my face. I think for a $10 spray bottle, I would expect something from it but it did not give it to me.

 

I still prefer my Guardian Nourishing Face Mist.When I'm done with it, I will move on to try other face mists.

 

xoxo,

April

(NAH) Review: ELF Complexion Perfection Powder

 

He looked so pretty in the pan! He also has nice and sleek packaging with a big mirror. Too bad our relationship did not work out. He was quite useless to me.

 

1) I applied this all over my face first, it makes the application of my liquid foundation hard

2) So, I tried applying this over my foundation so that the sticky base can hold this powder, it leaves a white cast

3) I tried using these individually like applying the green powder on the red areas on the face. It does nothing to them

4) I feel they just leave a cast. They don't correct my skintone well and zero coverage

 

As I'm a good girl who try not to waste products, I ended up shattering this ELF Complexion Perfection Powder loose. Taking my ZA foundation powder that is a tad dark for my skintone, I shatter it too. Upon mixing the lighter complexion powder with the darker ZA loose powder, I came up with a loose powder that is near my skintone! Talk about being creative. Hehe

 

I'm enjoying my loose powder now. It correct my skintone (in the least possible way) and gives me coverage too! Sometimes, I use it as a finishing powder.

 

But that does not mean I like this product because using it alone just does not work for me.

 

xoxo,

April