30 January 2012

Saturday/Sunday Steals #16

Weekend Steals Chapter 16... My oh my.

The weekend's weather has been awesome. Not gloomy and wet like the past few weeks which encourages sellers to gather and open up stalls. I'm such a market-addict now. I go even if there's only one line of stalls on a wet day!

From Saturday markets, I gathered four samples of Laneige Water Sleeping Pack and two My Beauty Diary masks. I'm not exactly sure how much these were as it was purchased in a lot with my mum's clothing and shoe picks.


Also, a toner by Clinique from their set for dry combination skin which I thought I'd try. I've found their Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion before.. slowly building up the kit here!


On to my favourite Sunday market! Yippee!

Three more B Collection (by Bloom) nail polishes to add to the two I bought (also from the markets) last time! They were $1.50 each which is ridiculously cheap!

Mumbai, Bahamas, Corfu

...And skincare products that are NIB for SO cheap today are the Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturer and Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen Lotion. I have already tried both of these products: the moisturiser which was recommended by my dermatologist back in 2010 when I was on Roaccutane and the sunscreen lotion which I've finished and said will repurchase! So glad these two products totalled to only $6! You jelly?


Last but not least, this pretty necklace! As you can see, there's no clasp, but I'll work around that! It's so cute! I got this for $1, because there's no clasp. There were other eQUIP necklaces for dirt cheap, $2~$3.


Ah, Sunday markets never fail to impress me. Always lookin' forward to Sundays!


Thank you for reading! Any flea markets addict around here? Or thrifters?

22 January 2012

Lunar New Year Tết Inspired Make-Up

Hey everyone!! As we all know, tomorrow (23rd Jan) is the first day of Lunar New Year, which is also called 'Tet' in Vietnamese.

Depending on each family, the celebration lasts for 7 to 15 days which means everyone should avoid cussing, being unhappy, arguing and all the negative stuff on those days. It is said that you will have bad luck throughout the year if you don't follow these taboos.

Also, remember not to sweep your house tomorrow! Sweeping out on Lunar New Years will bring negativity to your fortune for the rest of the year since it's believed to be 'sweeping out your fortune'.

Anyways, ceremony's ways and offerings varies from people to people depending on which part of Vietnam an they are from.

My family is from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) of South Vietnam, so for florals, we prefer to decorate our homes with Hoa Mai (Ochna Intergerrima) which today's make-up look will be inspired of!

Ochna Intergerrima (Hoa Mai)
Image credits: Google

For your info, North Vietnam celebrates with peach flowers that are just as pretty!

Peach Flower (Hoa Dao)
Image Credits: Google


My inspired look!



Products used:
  • Australis Eyeshadow Primer
  • Urban Decay NAKED (Half Baked, Naked)
  • Le'Lan Vital Eyeshadow Palette (matte dark brown)
  • 88 Eyeshadow Palette (Red mixed with water to create a pigmented red liner)
  • Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
  • NYX Doll Eye Mascara
  • Australis Paparazzi Perfect HD Blush in Shoot to Thrill
  • Australis Paparazzi Perfect HD Blush in Flash It
  • Face Of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminating Pearls
  • Sportsgirl Pout About It Lipstick in Juicy Watermelon (review here)
  • Missha White Pencil Eyeliner
  • Nail Art Rhinestones
  • LashGrip Lash Glue

Yay!! I hope you like it!

Because of my tiny double eyelids, I've always loved thick eyeliner looks, so I really enjoyed executing the idea and glad it turned out well!


X

21 January 2012

Sportsgirl Pout About It Lipsticks Review & Swatches

Are you one of those gals who are much of a prejudice when it comes to fashion retailers selling beauty products.................... like me? To be honest, I just straight away doubt the quality of their products as they're more of a fashion store than beauty.

Anyways, I'll own up to it.. I'm wrong wrong wrong! And thank goodness that if it wasn't for winning Amanda's giveaway a while ago, I wouldn't have been introduced to Sportsgirl's Pout About It lipsticks!

These Pout About It lipsticks are described as a 'vibrant, long lasting lip colour which moisturises and protects' and adding to that, the range consist of 7 lovely shades which oddly consist of 6 matte shades and 1 lustre finish. Too odd..


Now.. to be honest, these lipsticks looks quite cheap with its cheap-looking packaging which reminds me much of the NYX Round Lipsticks, but neater. The lid is not sturdy at all (so expect a crack when these drop), but on the brighter side, has a shade preview attached on the bottom, making it easier for you to search through your lipstick stash.

No ingredient list to be found on the packaging.


Juicy Watermelon (matte) is a lovely bright pink-red. Extremely pigmented, glides on very smoothly (like Fashionista and Fuchsia Splash), but could also feel a tad drying after 2 hours of wear. Lasts on my lips for as long as 4-5 hours and will stain your lips!


Fashionista (I believe is renamed to 'Bombshell', matte) is a very true deep red which doesn't make my teeth look so yellow when worn. Extremely pigmented and glides on really well! Feels a tad drying after a while of wear, but doesn't flake. Wears up to approximately 4-5 hours and expect this to leave a tint on your lips.


Fuchsia Splash (matte) is a straight up fuchsia/magenta leaning to be more pinky than blue. It is a pretty unique colour, a colour you won't be able to find amongst other lower-end brands. Has a great colour payoff, glides on well and wears up to approx. 4-5 hours and stains.


All About It (matte) is a nice nude colour, but not for me. Makes me look like a dead fish! Similar to Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude, but not as drying, however, looks just as bad on me. Similar to Fruity Tingle, this shade doesn't glide on very smoothly when compared to other shades and is a tad drying.


Fruity Tingle (matte) is my one of my favourite shade! It is absolutely gorgeous and not just your average coral colour. There's definitely a special spice to it which I'm not sure of what it exactly is. Unfortunately, the shade doesn't glide on the lips as smooth as others and will put emphasis on dry flaky lips, even on days I think my lips are perfectly conditioned. Rarely does it apply fine, so I'm loving the shade, but hatin' the formula!

Beauty Queen (lustre), is a cool-toned nude-pink and is the only one with a glossy finish which applies sheer out of the Pout About It range. It is also the least long-lasting with a staying power of a little over an hour before it needs to be re-applied.


Overall thoughts:
Although I don't find them to be moisturising as claimed, they are affordable and amazingly pigmented! My picks are: the unique Fruity Tingle, although I feel like I might look like a bit drag-queen'ish sometimes when I wear the shade; Juicy Watermelon which I love to use as a lip tint which also looks beautiful as a full lip colour; and Beauty Queen which I would wear only when I have a full face of make-up as it could clash with my complexion and wash me out. Also, lip liners are must-haves for bolder shades as they'll easily bleed.

These lipsticks retails for $9.95 and can be purchased @ Sportsgirl.


Have you tried any Sportsgirl's cosmetics?



Disclaimer: Products were bought by me, but most were gifts/prizes from Amanda.

14 January 2012

Favourites of 2011

I know I know.. It's already thirteen days into 2012 and here I am.. with a post of my 2011 favourites! I'm so late! I apologise!

To make up for it, let me throw a cliche sayin' at ya.... Better late than never. HAH!
Since there's so many products to mention, I'll make sure to keep the post as short as possible, but still informative! ^_^


Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder is the one I reach out for quite often throughout 2011 when I prefer a matte finish. Makes me skin feel very soft, does its job and the powder itself is extremely fine.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural is what I've been using for the past 3 months because I was suddenly obsessed with the 'luminous' look.. Offers sheer to light coverage though.



As for blushers, I've been loving these three!

The Australis Paparazzi Perfect HD Blush* in Shoot To Thrill is very pigmented and is much like a blush trio, allowing you to mix and match for your desired [pink] shade. Love it!

The light-pink shade of the BYS Blusher in Candyfloss looks a tad unnatural on me, but I absolutely love the finish. Very luminous and glowy!

..And on days, I prefer something in between matte to luminising, I reach out for the Sportsgirl Get Cheeky Cheek & Eye Shimmer^ in Rose. It's decently pigmented, but I'm in love with the shimmers in the trio! A healthy and natural sheen is what it offers on the cheeks!



I was actually switching through these three foundations and tinted moisturiser last year...

For full coverage, I go with Maybelline's SuperStay 24HR Make-Up which is similar to the Revlon Colorstay. Except that it lasts for 8-10 hours (with a primer) and is much more transferable.

For medium to medium buildable coverage with hydrating properties, I love the Face Of Australia Lasting Looks Natural Foundation*. The shade is a tad darker for me, but it's forgiving! Love applying this foundation with the Sigma F80 brush! Results with extremely natural and flawless lookin' skin, I tell ya!

Of course, there are also those lazy days when I'd like to skip using brushes.. I immediately reach for my Australis Fresh & Flawless Make-Up. Offers medium coverage which can be quickly (and easily) applied by fingers. Lasts for only approx 2-3 hours though and is transferable. This is what you'd see me wear to go out for a quick brunch or droppin' down to a corner store.



Speakin' of brushes.. Four brushes I've been loving last year.. and still loving..

I love traditional foundation brushes and the GLOSS Professional Synthetic Foundation Brush is my favourite out of my tiny brush collection. A tad smaller and much shorter than your average foundation brush, so it delivers foundation on both sides of my nose very easily. The bristles are also soft and not too stiff and not too bendy!

Sigma F80 Buffer Brush* is a popular pick and is a favourite of many beauty bloggers and vloggers. I still don't understand why it's so raved about, but I thought I'd give it a mention because it does really well for applying my Face Of Australia Lasting Looks Natural Foundation. As for other foundations, this brush tend to make it look a tad thick and is time-consuming. Probably just works better with different application techniques though!

Nose contouring is what I love to do whenever there's a special occasion and I love to use the Royal & Langnickel Eye Fluff Brush* from their Green Line to contour. It just fits perfectly on the sides of my nose bridge!

Another Royal & Langnickel Green Line brush to mention is the Blush brush*. I've already mentioned this in my November Favourites. I love how soft the bristles are and the size of the brush is the best fit for my cheekbones, eventually promoting it (heh!) to be my everyday brush to apply highlighters and blush!



Hello my favourite highlighters!

The Face Of Australia Mineral Therapy Illuminating Pearls* is what I'd wear if I have already powdered my face and forgetfully skipped highlighting. It gives off a very natural sheen to the cheeks.

If I haven't powdered, I prefer the Smashbox Artificial Light Luminising Lotion in Diffuse that I've purchased from the previous market haul. This highlighter is lovely, but gives that 'in-your-face' glow when applied to the cheeks. I personally love the look and a little goes a long way!


To conclude base-make-up favourites, last year's top under-eye concealer is this Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector which also comes with a highlighter. I love the highlighter for my nose bridge and as for the concealer, it offers much of a medium-buildable coverage. However, I prefer it over creamy concealers for my under-eyes because it doesn't crease, is light-weight and blends very easily!

As for eyeliners, I thought Le'Lan Vital Perfect Wear Eyeliner deserved a mention. The formula is great.. fade-proof, water-resistant and pigmented. What I love most about it is the colour, surprisingly! It has a blue tinge to it which makes me brown eyes look extremely light! However, after finishing the first eyeliner, the second one just didn't seem to have the blue tinge.. oddly.

The Rimmel London Glam Eyes Lash Flirt and NYX Doll Eye Volume mascaras has been the two I've reached out for most. I love the mascara wand of Glam Eyes as it allows me to control the amount of length and volume when I coat my lashes, however it tends to smudge on my lower lashes after a few hours. The NYX Doll Eye is similar, but better though I dislike the shape of the wand. It lengthens very well, leaves me with very natural lookin' lashes and doesn't smudge of my lower lashes! Yay!


Now, to lip balms!

Blistex Lip Conditioner has been my all-time favourite though I hate how it's a jarred packaging. Boo! Very effective for dry/flaky lips though!

Lucas Paw Paw Ointment is what I've discovered a few months back. Very similar to the Blistex Lip Conditioner, but in a squeeze tube and much more creamier and thicker in consistency! Also does its job well!

Maybelline Baby Lips tend to just sit on my lips and slides to the corner of my lips when I talk, makin' it quite annoying. However, it's still a great balm and I can't deny that it's extremely moisturising.

I thank ABBW for introducing the Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm* to be. Smells delicious and to me, is very much of Blistex Lip Conditioner is a much more sanitary stick form!



My favourite beauty products.. lipsticks.

I bet these three Sportgirl's lippies^ surprised ya! Fruity Tingle (matte coral) is the most beautiful coral shade in the world with a very unique spice to it. Not sure what it is, but it's outstandingly different to the regular corals. A tad drying though.

Juicy Watermelon is extremely pigmented and not drying at all for a matte lipstick. Beautiful rosy pink! I'd only apply this sheerly as a lip stain/tint though.. I'll wear it properly someday though.. when I man up.

Onto this barbie pink shade called Beauty Queen... I'd only wear this if I was dolled up or else it'll make me look pale and sick! I loved this shade though.. A very different shade from my other pink lipsticks!

I bet you saw this coming.. two Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipsticks! One in Mambo which you all know.. is my all-time favourite lip colour last year. A nude pink with an outstanding moisturising formula! And also another in Honky Tonk which I was using towards the end of the year for its pretty pinky-coral shade! This will look amazing on fairer skin-tones!


Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Gloss (left) and the Australis Colour Inject Lip Gloss (right) are both lovely non-sticky lip glosses and are the lip glosses I've been jumping between all year around whenever I'm not wearing lipsticks. I love the formula of both glosses.

As for the mini Lancome sample size Creme De Brilliance Lip Gloss (middle), I prefer to use it on special occasions as it's very pigmented, although forgivably sticky. I just feel like I would look a tad over-glammed when I'm only dropping by Woolies!



Almost done, I promise! These are my top 5 picks from 2011! I love them all for their colour/shade, so there's nothing special about the formula.

Collection 2011 Nail Polish in 250 Bronzed is a beautiful frosty bronzed colour!! It's so frosty! I love it!

Another frosty I love is ORLY's Sweet Peacock*. I usually don't fall for blues, but this blue is just so beautiful and a bonus for its frosty finish! Love!

You probably think there's nothing special about B Collection's Nail Polish in Vancouver, but to me, it's a very cute and fun light pink!

Green usually makes me feel sick, but there's something so gorgeous and unique about Australis' Nail Enamel in Limited Edition 2 which is now discontinued. I've always wanted a green like this without forking out too much money on O.P.I.

Jordana's Nail Polish in Chiffon is what I've recently found in my mum's nail polish stash and I've been loving it! It's a very pretty light coffee colour!


Skin-care! I'm sorry this post has got so draggy!

Sukin Purely Ageless Botanical Hydration Booster* has a very similar feel to Bio-Oil, but not as oily. Very hydrating for the skin and I'd usually use it at night with the Nutrimetics Restore Intense Anti-Ageing Moisturiser (right).

The Nutrimetics Night Cream* is a very rich and creamy moisturiser which helps with my flaky t-zone very much! I love it!

As for Alpha H's Liquid Gold*, there's something about it which helps to improve the texture of my skin making it feel very smooth. It also helps with evening my skin tone out too! ^_^ Unfortunately, it doesn't help to moisturise so I find myself juggling between this and the Skuin + Nutrimetics combination at night.


A few last skin-care items!

The Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque* (sample size) makes me skin feels soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo smooth! It's of a gel consistency and sinks in straight away after being applied to the skin. Sometimes, I just want to leave it on as a moisturiser and never wanna take it off, to be honest.

One of my favourite two sunscreens is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen* Lotion. It's very creamy which is a bonus for dry skin, but also mattifying. Great to prime the skin with a dose of sun-protection before applying make-up! It could feel a tad heavy for oily skins though.


Last, but not least are these cheap double eyelid tapes I bought on eBay for $1.50! I only use this sometimes whenever my eyelids are uneven or I feel like lookin' a bit dolly and they work pretty well! ^_^


Thank you so much for following through this post! It's very lengthy, but I tried to be as short and informative as possible!



Disclaimer: Products marked with (*) were not purchased by me, however, I am not obligated to do a review/mention them in my posts. Products marked with (^) are gifts from friend(s). All opinions are of my own and are 100% honest. Please refer to this blog's disclaimer policy >

12 January 2012

Herbal Essence Body Envy Giveaway Winners

Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway! I've already drawn three winners for the giveaway! Unfortunately, there was one entry which had to be disqualified...

Excited to generate the winners!!!

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Sophie!! ^_^

Wennie! ^_^

...and Jaci!! ^_^

Thank you everyone for entering and a great thanks to Herbal Essence for sponsoring this giveaway!

It would be awesome if the winners could e-mail me at tram.phan@live.com! As for everyone who's missed out (especially my international followers), a giveaway will be heading your way soon!


Thank you!

05 January 2012

Saturday/Sunday Steals #15 & Recent Haul

Hello there lovelies!

I hope you all had a wonderful, wonderful New Years and I wish you all the best for 2012!
Hopefully we all have already jot down our New Years resolutions onto a notepad and will successfully complete those goals throughout 2012!

My goal this year is to haul less, so you might not be seeing haul posts from me in a while, but here are some items that I bought a few days after Christmas last year! Over here in Australia, we call it Boxing Day sales, similar to the Black Friday sales in America (I think).

At Iristar, a cutesy little shop in Parramatta Westfields, I purchased a mirror and 4 masks which may I say.. are rubbish.


My sister and I used up the two other masks (in the printed jar packaging) and they irritated our skin like hell. We couldn't even keep it on for three minutes! Thumbs down from me and definitely don't recommend it to you girls! You probably see a My Beauty Diary mask too.. but that's fake. Ahh.. silly!


Besides that, I've also passed some steals at the markets three weeks ago. Seriously. Steals I tell ya!


A Nabi pencil eyeliner and 2 lip liners from NYX in Pinky and Barbie Pink for $2 each!


Prestige Waterproof Eyeliner in Surf and Face Of Australia Eye Definer in Marine for also $2 each! Excited to try the Prestige Waterproof Eyeliner!! Heard quite a bit of good stuff about Prestige!


Then I passed a stall which seriously had quite a products from Bodyography and Smashbox for cheap! Not dirt cheap, but still cheap! These brands are quite new to me, so I only grabbed whichever products that I was familiar with...


Bodyography Foundation Veil Primer for $8 and Smashbox Artificial Lighting Illuminizing Lotion for $5! The man said that he bought these items in quantities from a store which closed down so I think the bottle packaging of the Smashbox luminizer might be an older packaging... Not very sure. Works well though! Been using it to highlight my cheekbones and my nose bridge quite often lately.


This unknown ten pan palette which I'm pretty sure is from a Bodyography kit! I paid $7 for this palette which is extremely extremely cheap because they're so decently pigmented!

Looking back now... I buy too much shit I don't use haha! Couldn't restrain myself though.. Way too cheap!


Hope you enjoyed the post! Review coming up soon!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...