So this is Part 3 of the Vegas haul, and prolly the last one which is MU related.  These are mainly MAC items, which I don't see at our local counters.

You might prolly zoom in on the giveaway prize shown below.  I shan't reveal the name of the lipglass yet.  I am thinking of a simple quiz question, whoever gets the answer right will win that lipgloss.  Any ideas or suggestions for the quiz question will be much appreciated.

The rest of the stuff I bought (and I am a little lazy to swatch and take pictures) are:

The new Viva Glam lipsticks which you have already see HERE, and CLICK HERE if you want to win the Viva Glam Gaga lipstick!!

I wanted Canteloupe blush, but it was OOS, so Devil blush is next choice.  It is an orangey matte shade. You might think it is similar to my Illasmasqua red blusher, but this is brighter and orange.  Maybe it is a little like NARS Exhibit A (Sara, what do you think?).

Then the eyeshadows, which are rather tame.... I got Mylar (this is my 3rd one), Brule, Indian Ink (pro color) a matte bluish purple, and Haux (matte brown)

Didn't go too crazy with the MAC hauling. And several items were OOS, so I didn't get any 'replacements'.

I should have included the following in my Sephora haul entry... but somehow forgot to take these polishes out of the bag.  There were several bottles of Metro Chic, Dark Room, and a couple of bottles which I can't recall the name, Under The Trenchcoat or smth, and Ocean Potion or smth...and the last little bottle of teal shade she bought it at Walgreen.  I didn't check the name of the color.  I had already given a bottle of Dark Room & Metro Chic to my gf by the time this picture was taken.  One lucky winner will also win Metro Chic in the near future.  Still deciding.   Just saying.  :)

Yea.. I think that's about it... I hope this isn't boring anyone yet.... I love hauling!!

HI!!

Before I start talking about today's products, I just want to mention that these products have been sent to me for review purposes, by za-cosmetics (through Pearline)   I am always excited to try out new products, and share my thoughts on them... and you know the drill... I am not affliated to za-cosmetics or any company, and all my thoughts will be based on my own personal experience using the featured products.

Now that we get that out of the way... let's see what came in the bag today...

There are some literature on makeup trends, and product factual information, and survey information etc etc.. very informative, and not too wordy, very straight to the point which I like.

According to the information provided, and based on market survey in Tokyo.. their target consumers prefer "Big, Sparkled, Clear and Well Defined" eye looks... Well personally, I agree, except for the Sparkle bit. But that's one thing I noticed that the Japanese and Korean markets are big fans of glitter and sparkles... I am all for glitter.. but in a more edgy way, as opposed to the cutesy girly way.. yup.  :)

Also, in another survey question, ZA's target consumers use mascara and eyeshadows with 3 or more shades most often.  This is easy to figure out... I suppose most consumers would like everything in a neat palette, and you can do a whole eyelook with the same palette.

So it is with these results in mind that the new eyeshadows are formulated.

The new eyeshadows are called Dramatic Eye Color, which is a 4 shade eyeshadow palette, and it promises to create bigger, brighter and defined eyes effortlessly!  Hmmmmm I think you need to know how to apply the colors too, to make your eyes look bigger. The information also contains some tips and ways to apply eyeshadow to enhance your eyes.

I will only go into the product description and what it claims to do in my detailed review/ LOTDS.

This eyeshadow will launch today actually, 28 Jan, at S$19.90 in 5 different shades, and available at all Watsons Personal Care Stores.  I am curious to see what other shades there are.

The next items I received are 2 mascaras, I actually already own one of them, in the violet shade... it is the WIDE EYES mascara.  I got one in Black and one in Violet.  It has a fine tooth comb applicator...which makes me think immediately it would be good for the lower lashes.  I like the violet one which I own.. and I am excited to try out the black one too... since I need to change my mascara soon.. The mascara retails for .... hmm I am not sure.... got to check with my sis at John Little.. hehe.

Now, let's get on to the pictures!  I don't like to swatch products, unless I am going to use them at the same time....  so apologies for that..

Will get down to doing a couple of LOTDs over the weekend, and during the course of next week, I will be using them, and watch out for my thoughts on these ZA eyeshadows and mascara!

I actually really like the colors on this violet palette!  Can see it being very neutral, or dramatic, depending on the color placement.  :)

That's all, and thanks for reading!!

Hi!

This entry will be about my fave products/ most used from MAC.  I have them in a few categories, namely, brushes, blushes, lipsticks and eyeshadows.  Hope this is helpful if you are buying presents this season, or if you are starting out in buying makeup, or you just want to lem after MAC products.  Also, I try to include only permanent products, and if you happen to go to the Pro stores, you must check out the range of blushes (the infamous ones include Frankly Scarlet, Azalea, Dirty Plum), eyeshadows and cream color sticks.

Let's start with brushes, starting from left to right.

1. 187 brush - This brush needs no explanation, you can use it for cream and powder products.  Though I have not used this brush recently,  the 187 remains one of my staples.

2. 109 brush - This is another versatile brush, you can use it for cream and powder products.  I like to use this more for powder, especially when I want a precise application over a specific area on my face.

3. 168 brush - My fave brush for blushes.  I also have the SE version, and also several other similar ones from Essence of Beauty, Shu Uemura etc... the angle brush means you can turn it around, etc for various parts of your face.

4. 225 brush - This is a large fluffy eyeshadow brush.  I use this for all over the lids color, such as Vanilla eyeshadow, for highlighting the cheeks, general cleaning up etc.

5. 217 brush - All in one blending and application of color for eyeshadows.  I own 3 of this brush so I can rotate and use clean ones.

Lipsticks from L to R first row (Russian Red, Viva Glam 5, Blanketty)  L to R second row (Hue, Relaxed, Fleshpot-pro only)

Russian Red, Viva Glam 5, Blanketty, Hue, Relaxed, Fleshpot

Blushers from L clockwise- Azalea (pro only), Dollymix, Pink Swoon, Peachykeen, Plum Foolery

From L to R: Azalea, Dollymix, Pink Swoon, Peachykeen, Plum Foolery

Top Row L to R: All that Glitters, Mylar (this is my 2nd to hit pan!), Tempting

Second Row L to R: Club, Vanilla, Woodwinked

I am not featuring concealers, foundations, and liners because I am sure you have your own faves, and those are pretty basic in terms of color range anyway.

And if you are interested in older MAC-centric entries:

Updated MAC Collection (with links to all collection entries)

MAC Starter Kit

Blush Overview

MAC eyeshadow palettes

Hi hi,

Last week, a gf of mine went to Hong Kong for a shopping spree, and I tagged along with a little request of my own - NARS.  I had given a list consisting of blushers (Outlaw, Mata Hari), and eyeshadows.... But she said that the blushers were sold out everywhere --- same as when my sister went more than a month ago.  :(  So she was only able to help me get the eyeshadows.  I have not actually bought the eyeshadows in person at the counter before (because I was carried away with the colorful blushers) so I decided to be very safe and stick to neutral/ brown shades.

So, don't be surprised, if you see that the following colors all fall into the same category of neutral browns.  I figure they will be great for everyday use, and most versatile.  And I wanted 2 eyeshadows, but she bought me a third one which was also on my list as a present, so that's really lovely of her. :)

In the following picture, we have from left, Ondine, Nepal, and Ashes to Ashes.

And in the next few pictures, I think it is very hard to tell the difference.  :(

Swatches from L to R Nepal, Ashes to Ashes, Ondine

For those who are thinking of getting NARS eyeshadows, actually, if you think about it, they cost about the same as Shu Uemura eyeshadows (about $35-39) but NARS eyeshadows contain a lot more product at 2.2g.   I think their popular eyeshadow choices are Ondine, Ashes to Ashes, and Galapagos, and even Mekong. The packaging is lovely, the quality is divine, and you just can't go wrong with NARS eyeshadows and blushers.  Just make sure you steer away from some of their eyeshadows which can be a little too glittery/ chunky.  Refer to the NARS website for product description.

For other major NARS related entries:

Rave about NARS

Battle of the Rich Brown eyeshadows

Amazing NARS haul

Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for reading!

Hi hi!

Rather than a long and picture heavy entry, I have decided to put the Superdrugs haul into 2 or 3 parts, I will include the 'brand' of the featured products in the title, so you can click on whichever you like to read about!  The next thing I must learn in Photoshop is how to 'combine' pictures together.  Now that Sis is back, she can show me how!

And I am so happy to get my trusty digital camera back, so I am really trigger happy with the pictures.

If you want to see the other Superdrugs stuff she bought for me, click here for part 2 and part 3.

I wrote in her list, to grab all the different Sleek Palettes she can find, and these are the 2 she found.  I know there is a new one, Graphite, with very cool silvery purple blue smokey colors but she can't find those.. but I think I have a couple coming my way.... so we shall see.  :)

The Original palette, I like the combination of colors here, neutrals, smokeys, cool and warm tones.

This is the Acid palette.  The matte flourescent colors are super interesting!  I can't wait to play with them.

That's all, and I will do many looks with them, and update.

Thanks for reading!

I thought of naming this entry FOUND!! (insert whatever is found), but that wouldn't be very original, would it?  Haha....

But I was at SASA (Wisma Atria) just now, and I came across this US brand The Balm, and it is abit like Urban Decay/ Two Faced -- you know, cute products, names, packagin etc... And if I am not wrong, Linn has their Shadow Lady eyeshadow palette?  MakeupbytiffanyD also made a couple of tutorials using that palette. I didn't check out prices though---too focused on taking sneaky pics with my phone.  The whole set up looks very new, and well stocked so I think it is a recent addition.  Have you checked it out yet??

The little 'palettes' are mainly blushers, or eyeshadow/blusher combo.

Yup.  So that's a quick update! Hope you this helpful.

Hi!!    (Credits to my youngest sister for helping me to crop and edit all the pictures in this entry.)

This entry shall be about NARS products which I own.  Well, I must say the products I own are pretty limited to mainly the powder products, such as eyeshadows and blushers.  I don't have any NARS lip products, nor pencil products.  I store all my NARS stuff in this little container together with my YSL lipsticks and MAC quads (which I have obviously taken out when the picture was taken).

I think the most 'attractive' part about NARS is their range of blushers.  If possible.. I want to collect all the NARS blushers. And I think some of their eyeshadow palettes are also super pretty and wearable.  I also like their packaging.. Every of these little power pan contains a mirror, even the tiny eyeshadow container.  Although they are expensive, I feel like NARS is a guilty pleasure that I like to indulge in.  So whenever I go to places that sell NARS I spend a long time swatching and planning what to buy.. and when my friends or family travel, I always have a 1 or 2 item NARS wishlist for them to get.

First we have the "orgasm" products, namely the powder blusher, and the multi-purpose cream stick.   This is like the IT color from NARS.  Many people have said it is a universal color which suits everyone.  It is a pretty pinkish peach color, with gold shimmer.  Of late, I find that the gold shimmer is a little too much for my liking.  The Orgasm blusher is my very first NARS product.  I bought the cream stick last year in HK.  If you see the swatches, the cream stick is pinker than the powder counterpart.  I like the texture of the cream stick, it is not too creamy, and feels powdery after application.

Honestly, I prefer Deep Throat blusher (which my sister has, but not pictured here cos she brought it out with her today), Deep Throat is pinker and brighter.

Next, we have a couple of other blushers and THE bronzer:

I like how Laguna bronzer is not too crazy pigmented like the blushers which means I can dust it all over my NC15 complexion without looking muddy or orangey.  Mounia is crazy pigmented and I use it on days when I have the time to blend out my blusher... but Sin is my fave, and Diana has reviewed this blusher too, she is another fan of Sin.  :)

Next, we have the eyeshadows.  I find that NARS eyeshadows are a hit or miss.  Some of them are creamy and pigmented, while some colors can be chunky glittery.  I am trying to build up a NARS neutrals palette/ stash..more on that later. Haha.

As you can see, Night Star is very glittery and chunky.  The 'base' color doesn't have good pay off.  If you see NARS colors on the website and their color description, you can pretty much tell which are the glittery chunky ones, and you might want to stay away from them.  The rest of the brown colors, however, are impressive in terms of color payoff.  And you get a lot of product in one pan, twice that of MAC, I think.  (You get 3.5 g of eyeshadow)

I also have a eyeshadow duo call Aprils' Fools (don't ask me why).  It contains a pale gold color and jade green color.

And lastly, NARS 2-way foundation.  I hit pan on this....I use this sometimes to set my liquid foundation using a fluffy brush. The powder is very finely milled, and reminds me of Dior powder foundation.  If I ever get to a NARS counter in person I would like to try out their liquid foundations!!

My gf is going HK next week, and this is my NARS wishlist for her:

1. (THREE) Eyeshadows in Ondine, Ashes to Ashes, (and one surprise which might be part of the giveaway), Cyprus, Fez *** All are neutral shades***
2. (ONE) Blushers in Mata Hari, Angelika or Desire. 
   

So....I will update this NARS rave entry if I get the above items when she comes back.  :)  If you have any questions about the products mentioned, leave your comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Hi!

So I went out for a bit this afternoon, to check out the i nuovi anniversary sale.  What I didn't know is that you need to purchase 3 identical items to enjoy the $9.90 price.  So you can't choose a combination of 2 e/s, and 1 blusher etc... thankfully my sisters were with me, and among us, we choose the colors which we would all enjoy using, (3 eyeshadows, and 3 blushers) which is a fab deal, considering the total cost can only get you 2 MAC eyeshadows or lipsticks.

Speaking of MAC, I went to check out the holiday sets, but I think not all the stuff are on display, and I think the only thing which I want would be the mineralised blushers (esp Conjure Up -- check out swatches and images at Temptalia).  But when I asked the MA there, she didn't even know what I am talking about----- WHICH ISN'T EVEN SURPRISING TO ME ANYMORE. Well, regardless, I don't forsee myself stalking the MAC counters for the holiday stuff.

Because I was at Vivocity TANGS, I thought I could check out YSL and use my vouchers to buy a couple of lipsticks, but I realised there isn't a YSL counter there.  Which means I have to make another trip downtown another day before its demise/ disappearance from the stores.

Ok, back to the title of this entry: My i nuovi haul.  When I was swatching the eyeshadows at the counter, I noticed some eyeshadows are  more chunky glittery than others.  Dynamite would certainly fall into that category.  But most of them are very velvety in texture.  So creamy and super pigmented.  One color which jumped out at me (I think it's called ROCK?) was sadly OOS.  But I did get 3 wearable/ neutral/ metallic shades.  Their names are Techno Spotlight, and Dewdrops.

And for my blushers, I choose the colors which are , I bought Spice (plum color), Dusk (bright orange red), Astro (deep pink).  I also stayed away from the shimmery/ glittery ones.

Blushers from L to R: Dusk, Astro and Spice

Eyeshadows from L to R: Dewdrop, Spotlight, Techno

Blush Swatches

Eyeshadow Swatches

The colors are more pigmented in real life than pictures show.

And to be honest, I am not crazy about the packaging, while I like the see through casing, but the dome shaped cover is kind of bulky, and I can't stack them up or anything.  So DEPOTTING is the way to go.  I have no more space in my MAC palettes, but I have seen people using DVD cases as palettes, and this my attempt to organise my new stuff.

Things you need: DVD case, mounting tape

At the bottom of each container, there is a little hole, you just use a needle to 'poke' and the pan will come out.

Before the mounting tape, I positioned the colors and see if they fit, and match.  :)

Then I stuck the tape underneath each pan.

And ta DA DA, look ma, they are stuck firmly.

Update: I pimped the palette, put a 'cover' page to it.

Hope this gives you some idea of how to store your i nuovi stuff, Diana -- I am talking to you! :)

If you have any questions about the products I mentioned, please leave a comment.  Thanks for reading!

Hi!

Read adorebeauty and facesbysarah "breaking" news on the new MAC customised palettes...which I felt is a marketing gimmick to get people to spend a lot of money at one time. If you go to the local MAC store at Taka, there is no stopping you from picking a palette (S$25?) and picking out 15 eyeshadow in pan forms (S$21 each), and that way you are also customising your own palette, right?  So... it is just a 'fresh' way of telling people to spend a bomb.  :p

Regardless, and just for fun, I am doing this, and I invite/ tag everyone to partake in this lemming exercise!! Haha.

The rules? Pick any palette you wish to customise, or do all three like I have done. But you can't choose colors which you already own in your collection (*But I cheated and picked Carbon e/s) Personally, I would rather take my time to choose the colors rather than get them all at one time. But IF I am a professional MUA, then it makes sense to get everything...

First, we have:

and if I could only choose FOUR:

And why not get SIX new blushers?

Yup!  So, share what your customised palettes would look like!!

Hi hi!!

Saw this fun tag on Hell Candy blog, and though I would start this tag here at onsugar.  So, if you are reading this, and you use MAC products, you are tagged! :)

1. Mineralised Skinfinish Light Medium

This is my to go powder.  I like how you can build up the coverage, and you can use ANYTHING to apply this versatile powder. 

2. Studio Sculpt Foundation NC15

This is in place of my Studio Fix Fluid.  I still like SFF, but I am rotating so many foundations now, I did not re-purchase it yet.  But I will eventually.

3. Studio Sculpt Concealer NC20

This is in place of my Studio Finish Concealer because it decides to go MIA while I take this picture.  I have not reviewed this concealer yet, but each time I use it, I want to go out and buy MORE because I don't want this to be discontinued or it turns out to be some LE product.  It is sooooo creamy and I find the coverage comparable to Studio Finish. 

4. Tempting eyeshadow

Great all over lids color.

5. Mylar eyeshadow

You can see I hit pan on this, and this is my 2nd one.

6. Dazzlelights eyeshadow

Great highlight color no matter what color you are using.

7. 217 Brush

Blending must have.  And also useful to pack color with cos it is dense enough.

8. 275 Brush

Great to blend out harsh lines.  And for highlighting.  And even contouring around the nose.

9. 224 Brush.

I hijacked this from my sister's stash, she used it for concealer, but she doesn't use it anymore, so now this baby is my perfect blending (when I want to blend smaller areas).  I don't usually put any product on this brush for blending.

10. 168 Brush

You can tell how dirty this brush is -- that I use it so often, especially recently.  Great for bronzing/ contouring, blushing.  Super soft, and dense.

NOTE: Why no cheeks and lips products is because I have simply too much of those, and I rotate them so often, I can't pick ONE or TWO which is most used.  But I love them ALL.