NARS Haul!!

Now I know I went quite overboard with this one. This was a VERY BIG splurge, but they're all powders and will last me a long time. But really, did I need this much? NO Did I want this much? YES! I haven't used these yet, and I'm restricting myself from doing so until I finish my project 10 pan. I know myself, if I don't I'll only end up using the new stuff and forgetting about the old.

From left to right, top to bottom: NARS duo e/s Kalahari; Hula Hula; Paris and Laguna Bronzer Middle row: Taiga; Alahambra; Eurydice; Day and Night Palette (from Sephora)
Bottom row: NARS Blusher in Desire; Angelika and Deep Throat.

I must say that Angelika is the most gorgeous shade in the world!! I will let you know how they are once I start using them.

Any NARS products out there that are excellent?

Review: Maybelline EyeShadow Quads

I love my MAC Eyeshadows, please don't get me wrong. But, I sometimes wonder if they're really worth it. I've grown into quite a fan of the Maybelline quads. While I love MAC's packaging as it's sleeker, nicer and more durable, the product inside seems of extremely close quality to Maybellines. I tried to swatch two of my quads, but they appear much more pigmented on the eye for some reason. The photo does not do them justice.

As for price, you get 4 nicely matched colours for less than the price of one MAC. The size is also larger than MAC's. The texture is somewhat creamy for lighter shades. The darker ones, such as the expresso looking one are extremely pigmented. I usually use it as a liner for a muted-polished look.

Overall, I say you should give them a try and see how you like them. They are worth it. Packaging, I will admit, is poor. The lids have broken off one of mine. But, I've had both of those for about 2 years...

What are some of the bargains you've found lately?

Project 10 Pan Update

While I must admit that project 10 pan has not been easy, it has been a discovery of things I owned yet had brushed aside for something new. Some of the products proved themselves useful and would warrant a repurchase; others I'm just struggling through to finish so that I may begin with something new. For those of you who are not familiar with project 10 pan, it's when you chose 10 of your products and completely finish them.

For me, I spend so much money on most of my things that I believe I must finish it. There is a reason, afterall, why I ditched out so much cash on the item. It's good not to be wasteful and use it up. Right, enough with the rambling and let's get down to business. Here are the ten products I am on my way of finishing:

Bobbi Brown Cream Foundation in 2.5: This I must admit is not a cheap item. If I recall I spent about 50$ on it at a duty free shop a while back. However, it is liquid-based and liquids need to be used up ASAP as they have very low shelf lives. I didn't think that I would get much use out of this product as the size is quite small. But with compact creams, they are more concentrated and you need to use less than liquid ones. Overall, I'm pleased with this product and love the colour-but I won't be running to the counter to repurchase as it's too expensive for what you get.

L'Oreal Eyeshadow Quad: This is taking longer than planned to finish. They are not of excellent quality or pigmentation. Would not repurchase.

L'Oreal Single Eyeshadow in Gold: I really enjoy the colour and pigmentation of this. I wouldn't repurchase as it's not in a palette and I've realized that I don't seem to reach for singles e/s and they get left behind. I do like MAC's singles as you can put them in the palette though...

PUR Mineral Powder Foundation: I have repurchased this product quite a few times in the past, but I have moved on to MAC MSF's. I prefer MAC's and if I recall they are of similar pricing.

YSL Perfect Touch Foundation: It's ok. It's quite expensive and doesn't do much for me. I don't get how people use brushes to slap on foundations...it streaks sooo much on me. I prefer my fingers. Always have and always will. It smells nice, colour isn't that great (a bit orange) and doesn't blend all that well. Save your money.

Dior Blush: I really enjoy this colour as it's a little bit coral-ish or red-ish with bronze. Not something I seem to reach for all that often, so would not repurchase. It's good, but if I don't reach for it, there's no point in buying.

MAC Select Concealer: I really enjoy this and would rebuy. It's got a generous portion of 10ml and blends quite well. Make sure if you buy MAC to save your empty containers as they will accept 6 empty containers under the "Back 2 MAC" program which gives you a free lipstick, gloss or eyeshadow.

NARS Blusher in Orgasm: I used to hate this, and yes I've had this one for over 5 years (I know, gross, but it's still fine! haha) When I have tanned skin this doesn't work well with my complexion. However, when I'm pasty white as I am now, the shade is gorgeous and adds a nice sheen and colour to my cheeks.

MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe: I have a new one of this, but I'm just finishing this old one. I use this shade to fill in my brows and it works really well. It's a great buy.

MAC Loose Illuminating Powder in Bronze: It works really well, but I wouldn't repurchase as I don't really enjoy loose products. I'm too clumsy and it ends up being too messy. Not travel friendly either. This one will take ages to finish!!

Has anyone else been on a mission to complete some old products??

Shiseido Bio Performance and Boscia Eye Cream

I've read many posts recently on people searching for the perfect moisturizers. I'm happy to say that I have two excellent products to recommend: Shiseido Bio Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer and Boscia Amino AG Eye Treatment.

(Sorry for not posting so much recently as I'm currently on vacation in Malaysia and I didn't bring my photo cord to upload photos. Upon return I will complete many posts!)

First off, Shiseido's skin care products are amazing! I can't speak much for makeup, but as for skin care, I have used quite a few and have been pleased with all of them. Their toners pick up dirt that others don't; their cleansing creams clean so well that even their super potent toner picks up nothing; their creams moisturize like no other. I know this cream is probably aimed at an older age range, but it works perfectly for me. I wake up with dewy, silky, near-perfect skin. I can't say that for any other moisturizer. The downfall: its price. I'm pretty sure it sells from 90-120$ but if you get it as a "gift with purchase" it makes it a better deal.

As for the eye cream, it is yet another Japanese label! Gotta give it to them for their state-of-the-art skincare brands! To be honest, I never knew about this brand and probably wouldn't have ever unless Sephora would have sent me samples to try with my purchase. These eye samples were in there...but I'm sometimes too skeptical too try new brands. Seeing as I'm on vacation and my eye cream jar was running low, I dedided: what the heck! Give it a go! I'm glad I did - it's the most moisturizing, refreshing eye cream I've tried. I enjoy putting it on. It's not greasy or heavy or too light. Perfect texture and excellent results. If you have the chance to try a sample from Sephora, I recommend that you do. It's worked well for me and would hopefully for you as well.

Now for some products I would not recommend:

Origins Perfect World cream: the smell doesn't work well for me. I don't seem to get results and it greases right off my skin. Not worth the money. The smell is great..but it doesn't really deliver.

Clinique Total Turnaround: Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't do much. For the price I expected more. I'm not saying it's a bad product. It doesn't irritate my skin, but doesn't seem to do much either.

Creme de la Mer: I used this a while back and literally expected miracles because of the steep price. Let's just say my expectations were not granted but somehow my bank account took a slight dive!

Has anyone tried out other Boscia products that work well? I'm curious!

Frederic Fekkai Protein RX Line

With a recent Sephora purchase, I decided to finally try the Fekkai Protein RX Line. I got the shampoo, conditioner and leave-in spray. Both the shampoo and conditioner I got in the larger 400ml size. The leave-in was smaller than expected, but I must say worth it. I would love to say otherwise as it would justify me NOT spending that much money on hair care...but it's excellent.

The smell is quite pleasant and milky-ish if that makes in any sense. Somewhat baby powder and milk mixed together. It's light but long lasting. I can smell a pleasant aroma in my hair the following day. It hydrates very well without leaving hair heavy and greasy. The shampoo is very thick, not runny-so a little goes a long way. The spray is quite light, but somehow untangles my hair well!

As I wash my hair everyday (I work out, so I can't go without washing my hair for a day unfortunately), it is quite dry...and usually after a night of sleeping my hair is kinda frizzy and looks somewhat Amy Winehouse-ish in the morning! However, after using this product line, the next day my hair is smooth as silk and frizz-free! I'm not quite sure why but this is extremely unusual for me. This being said, I love the products! I will however alternate with a few different others I have as it's too expensive to use daily...but when it does run out, I'm afraid I'll be repurchasing!

Are there any good hair products any of you have tried recently?

Happy New Year!!

I've been MIA for a few weeks as I'm currently in Malaysia. I must say this is a wonderful country--beautiful beaches, amazing rainforests, multiculturality, but most of all: SHOPPING! Shopping here is rediculously cheap. Food here is extremely cheap as well (for a chicken veg. curry you're looking at about 1$USD!!). They have pretty all the brands from America, Australia, UK and Europe here, which is quite nice. But most importantly, those brands are generally cheaper here than back home.

Having said that, I've made a few trips to MAC and drugstores. I recently purchased the Holiday lip gloss gift set, loved it so much I returned to secure another set. Pathetic, I know, but I really love them! I also purchased the 116 blush brush, which is quite nice, as well as the select cover spf 35 concealer. I was a little bit worried of this concealer as it is quite dry and concentrated. To my amazement, it doesn't crease much and it covers wonderfully under my eyes. It's also got a generous 7g, so it should last a while. As for drug store purchases, I got the L'Oreal telescopic clean mascara and a few Revlon varnishes as they are quite cheap here at about 3$ a piece.

KLCC Shopping Mall at Bottom of Petronas (I will add my own photos shortly :) )

White browsing through their amazing malls (the most beautiful I've seen: Pavillion and KLCC, which is at the bottom of the Petronas Towers), I saw about 100 hangbags I loved! haha Salvatore Ferragamo has quite a few nice ones, Chanel...oh Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Armani, LV, and remarkably Tod's has a nice model and I'm not a fan of Tod's. Oh one day I'm buying one of these high-end suckers! Maybe that should be my resolution: for every 3$ I save, one goes in a spending fund. That's not too bad is it? And, when I have enough I can buy the bag of my choice :)

I prefer the usual Telescopic Mascara to this "clean" version as this brush is quite rough and doesn't thicken my lashes much. But for now, this will do. I still love my Lancome Hypnose mascara the most...but wish it was cheaper :)

I had a lovely Christmas here in Malaysia with my boyfriend and his family. His family lives here so it was nice to experience the country through the eyes of locals. I wish I would live here with them! You can live quite well in Malaysia for not too much money. As soon as I'm back home, I will post photos so you can see how beautiful it is here!

I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and wish you nothing but the best in all that matters: health, love, happiness, family. I don't think wealth means all that much unless you've got all these bases covered...but then again, some wealth allows me to purchase makeup...so I guess I'm somewhat wrong! haha