Anna Sui 2014 Spring II Collection - Base Makeup & Lip Colors!

Cute and girly yet with such sophistication and glamour! It brings out the little "princess" in every girl - or at least most girls!

This time, I am featuring the

Anna Sui 2014 Spring II Collection!

*All are Limited Edition!*

Top left to right:
Protective Loose Powder #001
Loose Compact Powder #300
Loose Compact Powder #301

Bottom left to right:
Limited Edition Lipstick in #01, 02, 03 respectively
Limited Edition Pore Smoothing Primer

Ain't the packaging of this collection vintage, with a touch of old-world glamour? This is definitely one of the selling points for Anns Sui's make-up!

Let's talk about the Pore Smoothing Primer 1st!

 

 

Look at the effect this pore-smoothing primer has!

And this is without any photo editing or change in lighting color whatever!

It has so effectively concealed my humongous pores and I am super impressed with it!

I know, at this point, I found the word "dimethicone" and whatever "xyz"-cone ingredient really annoying! Like applying such stuff on my face is gonna make my skin go into a coma!

And so, I went to research a little more on this dimethicone thing and here is what I found:

Fact #1
Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer are flexible silicon polymers consisting of dimethicone copolymers that are linked together.

Fact #2
Used in cosmetics & personal care products i.e. deodorants, makeup, skin & haircare.
Because they function as a viscosity increasing agent, dispersing agent, an emulsion stabilizer.

Fact #3
The scientific truth is - they are large molecules that are not soluable in water and its safety has been established by the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Expert Panel.

If you are still in doubt - please visit this source for the detailed report & links.

And if you are still, still in doubt about this "dimethicone" thing (like I was too!), please visit this other source, which I found alot of reliable information from!

Now, let's move on to the Loose Powder

& Compact Loose Powder!

 

I must first highlight how much I like the packaging of this Compact Loose Powder.

When translucent base makeup first came into the picture some years ago - I always wished I could just bring my loose powder out with me for touch ups instead of using a compact powder (as a compact powder almost-always! has pretty matt and heavy coverage, which was the opposite of what I wanted), yet the loose powder(s) are always so loose that they spill all.over.the.place and are often too messy, too bulky and too inconvenient to bring along when I go out!

But lo & behold - THIS - is a Loose Powder in a COMPACT form - it is a genius design because it has this rubbery mesh that holds all the loose powder in its place. Even when you tilt the casing upside-down, it will NOT spill out.

All you need to do is to simply press your puff into the mesh and the right amount of powder will disperse unto the puff ready for quick touchups!

Just enough touchup powder to blot the shine, keep the translucency and prevent the makeup from getting too cakey ot matt.

What's cool is - they have SPF protection as well, so you can be assured of touching-up your SPF whilst you touchup your makeup!

Loose Compact Powder #300 has this baby pink tone to it. No glittering or shimmery or pearly powder particles in there - just a matt, finely dusted powder that is more translucent in color, enhancing the skin tone to look brighter and healthier. 

 

Loose Compact Powder #301 has this apricot pink, tone to it; like pastel coral? Contains s bit or coral peach shimmer and pearl powder particles in there - so it comes out really radiant and natural. Also enhances the skin tone to look brighter and healthier. 

 

Between the 2 - I thought I would have preferred the #300, the baby pink one since I have an oily T-zone and dont' need more "radiance". But having tried both - I really liked the effect of #301, the apricot pink one instead!

It seems to enhance my skin tone much better than the baby pink one and hence I have concluded 2 key points:

1. Always test the product on your face to see the effect because what you see in the casing ain't what you're getting on your face!
2. Always be open to options - don't simply assume that "pearl powder" is going to enhance oiliness. It may very well NOT be true!

I would suggest #300 for prople who tend to be fairer since it has this baby pink touch and can appear too ashy and pale for anyone darker.

Protective Loose Powder #001



 

Now, this Protective Loose Powder is very much like what its name suggests - it has SPF of 25 PA++, is light-weight, like a thin veil and has a silky application.

 

In summary, here is a close up of the 3 powders:

 

From left, Protective Loose Powder, Compact Loose Powder #300, Compact Loose Powder #301.

 

See the color difference now?

 

And lastly, let's look at the lips!

From the left - Limited Edition Lipstick in #01, 02, 03

All 3 colors are impressive & natural - seems like the coral-pinks are really "IN" this season.

#01 is more of a pinkish glossy finish; #02 is a mix of pink-coral with a glossy finish as well; #03 is more of a vivid coral tone

The lipsticks has high moisturising factors with the use of hydrating ingredients like the Rose Canina Fruit Extract, Grape Seed Oil & Olive Oil. Sounds yummy!

 

 

I can't put a finger to my most preferred one here cos they all seem to match different moods!

 

Enough said! For a real experience, head done to any of the Anna Sui counters located at Takashimaya or Isetan and try ti our personally!

 

Cheers & signing out!

 

 

 

Experiencing GLAM GLOW - supermud & youthmud!

When people around me first talked about "Glam Glow" - I went like "Ok. The name already sounds like a marketing project - Product must be expensive and... so-so". -_-

And although they raved about it, and kept going on-and-on-and-on about it, I was unconvinced.

But. (There's a "but")

A kind colleague of mine decided to pass me some samples (just 1-time use) to test it out. And dang!

I was sold. *sigh* 

I am on a budget. Seriously!

There are 2 products here:
1. Supermud (white tub): In summary, it deals with pores, problem skin, blemishes, pimples, breakouts, zits, black & white heads, razor bumps, in-grown-hair!

2. Youthmud (black tub): In summary, this will give you an instant camera-ready, glowing skin - so it exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal radiant & younger-looking skin.

Well, my summaries are truly short & precise, but I have taken pictures of the products to give you a full-monty of the product, the ingredients, benefits ETC. (if you want to read!)

This is what happens when a dermatologist & chemist creates a product = theories, words, lab tests & recordings.

It's too precious to not indicate them in the product description, right? Or is it all about marketing? -_-
 

Let's talk about Glam Glow, Supermud!

 Read-it-yourself :P

It is alot of read isn't it? 

But, there is more!

 

TESTING BEGINS! 

 On cleansed face, take enough of the mud and apply it to the entire face. 

Although I read that you could do a spot-treatment on one-targeted treatment with this, I still went ahead for a full face treatment since I had combination skin with pores, black & white heads what-nots to deal with.

The texture was easily spreadable and there was this slight minty scent to it. (Must have been the Eucalyptus Leaf, Herbs and Peppermints there!)

The below images speaks for itself.

There was a slight tingly, stinging sensation upon application (must be the acid!), but it's definitely bearable & not overly painful, just very slightly.

It starts hardening in less than 5 mins, and you start seeing parts of your face looking like "volcano-man" with uneven grey tones all over.

Then the sensation becomes tight and the mask hardens showing random spots that looks as if the mud "dissolved" the black heads.

After 15 mins, wash it off. Contrary to how it looks, the mud was easily rinsed out by water and there was a nice soft touch to the skin. Unlike some other masks, which either leaves the skin feeling overly-cleansed with a tight sensation, or under-cleansed with a greasy sensation, this left a smooth, watery sensation over the entire face.

Unfortunately, I did not take an after-mask picture here, but the effect was "WO-WAH"! I could clearly see my skin glow!

At first, I was wondering how do/why would people comment about a glow after washing their skin? Isn't it a given?

Whenever the make-up and oil is all washed away at the end of the day, your skin is gonna look fresh and non-oily, isn't it?

BUT. This glow I am talking about is MORE THAN just that fresh, non-oily feeling. It was an overall radiance and balance that I have not seen in a while.

Best part was, when I woke up the next morning and still see that glow, without excess sebum spotted! #2 "WO-WAH!"

The make-up application was smooth and adhered so well! And the #3 "WO-WAH" was when I noticed how balanced my skin was (not shiny, not overly matt). I didn't have to blot my face till well-after lunch (usually I need blotting every 2 hours).

"WO-WAH!""WO-WAH!""WO-WAH!""WO-WAH!" was when random colleagues approach me as said, "Hey, did you do something? Your skin looks more radiant today."

No kidding.

And no exaggeration - remember? I am on a budget and I was suppose to be UNCONVINCED.

But, ironically, I was SO CONVINCED that I made a mental note to BUY IT. Mental note #2, take pictures!

Now, about Glam Glow Youthmud!

 Read somemore :P

 

TESTING BEGINS!

Similarly, on cleansed face, take enough of the mud and apply it to the entire face.

Youthmud is slightly less grey and has a more liquid & grainy consistency than Supermud. But it was also easily spreadable.

The scent was definitely stronger - minty too, but more intense (perhaps Lavender?)

Look that that amulet smack in the middle of my forehead?!

Upon application, there was a much stronger tingly, stinging sensation as compared to Supermud. And I thought acid was already the limit. It stings and kinda feels like tiny needles poking into your face - then slowly, the sensation turns into a minty-feeling (almost similar to when you pop a super "hot" mint into your mouth).

Again, it starts hardening in less than 5 mins, and in 10 mins, you are officially "ash-man".

As the mask hardens it tightens your skin.

After 15 mins, wash it off.

This time, I rinsed the mask out but applying just a little water in circular motion. It slowly dissolves to form sort of a grainy exfoliating wash. Though grainy, it was gentle on the skin and easily rinsed out.

Again, there was a nice soft touch to the skin. No over-cleansed feeling, NO under-cleansed feeling. Just right!

And there I have it.

This glow I was referring to!


This effect was similar to that of the Supermud on me. And I liked that it lasted well through till the next morning!

I just applied a thin layer of sleeping mask after each of this "test" and went to bed.


The not so best part for Youthmud (for me) was that, although make-up application was smooth and adhered well, the skin balance didn't last.

By the 3rd hour, I spotted rays of sunshine perform it's shiny magic on my "highly-favored" T-zone and I needed to BLOT. dang.

MY VERDICT!

With such a big mouthful of promise in its advertising message, I was pretty skeptical about this whole "Glam Glow" thing.

But, I am really glad to have tried it and learn how it DID work wonders for me - referring to the Supermud.

Though it WAS COSTLY ($92 SDG for 50ml, Supermud), I think it was well-worth the price (of course the plus point IS that it's proven clinically & scientifically.)

I heard Supermud was a miracle spot-treatment for zits, you just need to dot it on zits and leave it overnight and the zit diminishes by the next day. But I have yet to try it.

Next time, I will just apply it on targeted areas like the T-zone & U-zone instead as these ARE the key-shine areas).

Also, I heard colleagues of mine swearing by Youthmud instead (but they have more normal to dry skin).

Well, I guess different skin types require different attention, so buy, but buy wisely!

Cheers!

What you have doesn't make you who you are.
And what you don't, doesn't make you any less!
#cheokletquoted

#cheokletquoted #5 What you have doesn't make you who you are.

 

What you have doesn't make you who you are. 

And what you don't doesn't make you any less.

I can't be sure of others, but for me, I sometimes ask myself if I was lacking because I don't own a branded bag, I don't make a lot of money, I don't hold a big position at work and so - many I don'ts.

But then.

I came to discover that people who have all that are regular people too. 

Like me. 

We all eat. 

We shit. 

We cry. 

We hurt.

We puke.

We. Are. Human.

There is no-end to comparisons and when we die, we take nothing with us. 

The question is, as a person, stripped of your possessions including your job, your status, your reputation, your social circle - WHO ARE YOU? 

That's what we should always be asking ourselves, isn't it? Because that will the the real "you".

So.

Stay true & love yourself, then, love some more.

3-Step Facial Treatment Mask by watsons Review

I have been a fan of Watson's for some time now - I ALWAYS have something to buy in there. Somehow. Even if I don't need something. *sigh*

So today I am going to review a particular mask which I recently bought from there. It's called 3-Step Facial Treatment by watsons. (made in Korea)

I didn't buy it because it was made in Korea. Promise.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

There are a total of 3of  types, Moisturizing, Anti-Spot & Sebum Control & Whitening. And because I have a problem with oil-control, I bought both the Moisturizing & Sebum Control ones (It was having a buy-1-get-1- offer, and they cost $20.90, if I calculate, it means about $2+ per per mask, which is not too bad)

The packaging looks pretty neat, and each box came with a total of 5 sets of masks.

I call them "sets" because there are 3 items in each set (which is also why I found it interesting!).

Step 1: Boosting Serum
Step 2: Melting Sheet - to stick on specific problem spots
Step 3: Mask Sheet

 Here is the purpose of each step!

Ingredients used:

Actual mask sheets:

MY EXPERIENCE

 

The serum was of a rather thick consistency - like that of a moisturizer actually - and it was plentiful.

The application was smooth and there was more than enough, so I rubbed the rest onto my neck and arms - Though it belongs to a "rich" serum category, the serum on its own felt pretty weightless when applied to the face. It was not greasy of anything like that.

Scent-wise was a pleasant light scent, nothing over-whelming.

The melting sheets were annoying! They look like thin sheets of "plastic" stickers and one would have thought it was easy to just peel it off the plastic backing. BUT dang! They aren't easy to peel off AT ALL.

These melting sheets are SOOOOO thin, you can hardly peel them off! I just gave up eventually and skipped that step for the first few applications.

And one fateful day, I managed to peel them off! So they it goes, stuck to my face! (They are meant to melt into your face - that's why the name!)

The sheet mask was of a good quality - thick, doesn't tear easily and has high adherence ability when applied on the face. It was completely soaked in that 25ml of mask serum so it felt really "powerful" if you get what I mean. (But. They aren't the best sheet masks I have seen cause there are those which are thinner, yet saturated in the mask essence and they glue on like jelly! I am referring to Leader's.)

When I removed the sheets, I felt there was a protective layer over my face and I pat what remnants of the serum into my face. It didn't feel light, nor oily. It was in between. After that, I applied a sleeping mask and went to bed.

Over all experience was good despite the annoying "melting sheets".

MY VERDICT

I like the fact that it is Paraben-free, Alcohol-free & Colorant-free and the fact it has a step 1 serum. Also the sheet mask being 25ml was also a plus to me. 

 

MOISTURIZING MASK
This IS indeed moisturizing - to the extent I felt it was too rich/nourishing for my combination skin.

I liked the effect when I took it off, but I didn't like the effect the morning after cause I felt my face was a little greasy with that ever-rich effect.  Make up application was smooth (well, cause the skin was well-hydrated), but within 2-3 hrs (as per usual), my T-zone friends came out to play and I looked shiny already.

I would still use it for after-laser treatment, or if my skin was abnormally dry.

It would be a good one for people with dry skin though!

SEBUM-CONTOL MASK
I am IMPRESSED with this! Everything felt the same from the serum's texture to the application of the mask sheets etc.

I liked the effect when I took it off, and I ALSO liked the effect the morning after cause I felt my face was less oily than usual! Surprise! Surprise!

Make up application was smooth (as per the effect of good masks) AND the fantastic part was - even after 3 hours - I didn't need to blot my face. It wasn't matt (how I wish!), but the "radiance" was fair enough for me and I felt my face being more balance in terms of sebum-secretion.

So yes! A good sebum-control mask that was worth the buy.

That's my verdict for tonight.

*Sweet*

Healthy and fun way to lunching-in!

Getting creative in office by creating our own lunch menu to love ourselves more!

A bunch of butterhead, a handful of grapes and cherry tomatoes, 1/2 a japanese cucumber, a slice of picnic ham, 1/2 a german sausage, a spoonful of tuna, 2 spoonfuls of egg mayo and a stash of salad dressing.

A few chrysanthemums, wolf berries & rose buds!  

 

Enjoy being creative!

#cheokletquoted #4 It's ok if someone says shit about you

 It's ok if someone says shit about you. 

Because they don't know shit about you...

The truth is - even if they KNOW you, and STILL say shit about you - it's ok. 

Then you will know not to keep this person near you, without having to pay a bigger price to find out.

Shit-stirring is a popular mind game among the many mind games, 

and it works because people get affected when they are being talked about.

A reaction to an action always drives further actions and reactions.

And it never ends.

 The solution?

Don't react.

 Be responsible only for yourself and to yourself. 

Do not feel responsible for what someone else says because they are unimportant. 

Thairapy 365 Restore RX Conditioning Tool

It's been more than a year since I owned this Hair Treatment tool (in late 2012) and I have repeatedly said that I WILL WRITE A REVIEW on it.

BUT.

And it's been a year, but I have yet to write about it. Since one of my goals is to stop procrastinating in 2014, here I am  - even though it took me 1 year.

This tool is called the Thairapy 365 Restore RX Conditioning Tool.

I bought it from a push-cart store located at the basement of Wisma.

I know right? How reliable can it be when there is no proper store selling this - I was doubtful at first too, but this is actually the 4th item I have purchased from this stall over the past 4 years and it's still going strong! I own 2 hair straighteners & 1 curling tong prior to this buy and they are ALL STILL GOING STRONG - I absolutely love using them (and I am suppose to also write about them - haha - this is called "procrastination".)

What is it?

This is a hair treatment tool that's imported from the States, probably California (according to the country code indicated on the contact page.) It IS NOT A hair straightener even though it looks like one. 

What does it do?

It treats your hair and is catered to replenish moisture to it.

  It opens the hair cuticles and breaks down moisture/leave-in hair conditioners, hence encouraging better absorption.(Ultra-sonic technology)

 Who needs this?

People with dry, damaged, dyed hair including those who uses hair heating tools on a daily basis (that's me!), will need this. Basically, anyone who wants healthier hair can use this tool cause it is a form of hair maintenance/protection against the constant damage our hair receives from the chemicals, friction or heat induced by the environment or by us.

How to use it?

After shampoo, conditioning towel-dry you can either:

1. Apply leave-in conditioner/your preferred hair oil and run the tool through section-by-section of your damp hair (as you would with a flat iron hair straightener) till all is covered or

2. Just run the tool through section-by-section of your damp hair till all is covered

Both ways will replenish moisture to your hair and you can use it in the day or night, depending on your preference.

NOTE: This tool is meant as a treatment, hence do not expect it to dry your hair or straighten it. 

(Though I do find it helps tame my sometimes-frizzy hair - possibly cause its healthier and more nourished - it flows better)

 You may also blow-dry, fix your hair for the day with whatever gadget there after.

For more information, read: http://thairapy365.com/restore-rx.html

So as seen here, 1 side is a red plastic light which will light up (infrared) when you turn it on, and the other side is a regular-looking reflective plastic plate.

When switch on, the red lights are intense, so I found it slightly blinding, just turn the tool away so the red-lights doesn't face you and you should be fine.

According to the person (who is the shop manager) who sold me this, when you bring the plates close together, violet rays are suppose to light up. And that's also 1 way to tell it is working well and not damaged.

The moment I ran it through my hair, I felt it became smoother and there was less stray hairs.

This shop manager also demonstrated how it works by spraying some water on the non-lit reflective plate, then bringing the plates close to each other without having their surface touch each other. And the water droplets started to react and "jump". At the same time, it gave off some steam, but there was no heat as he could place his finger there. The plates were not hot or burning.  

 

My verdict?

I have been using this for over a year now, and though I do feel guilty for not using it enough (recommended about twice per week, or as often as you like), I like the effects it has on my hair. An instant hair "smoother-ner". It was a "comfort-gadget" that I relied on whenever I feel my hair is super dry, after a hair dye or just mistreated (you know, sometimes you straighten your hair and then curl it and then straighten it again just to play? or is it just me?) 

It's light, easy to operate, practical and has a lifetime warranty.

Best is you use it after a deep-conditioning hair mask treatment in the bath, and with argan oil leave-in. 

Overall a great experience! 

Opps. Price-wise would be the only "con" here cause it is skewed to the pricier side. I cannot recall how much I paid for it, but it was definitely more than SDG200. And that was after discount because I bought a few other gadgets at the same time. Seriously, take it as an investment cause going for regular hair treatments in salons will also add up to that much - and this - can be achieved at the comfort of your own home, anytime. 

Do feel free to drop your comments/feedback if you have any below. :)

Cheers!