Canmake and Sylvie nail polish haul

When I was younger, in that not so distant past, I got caught up in the manicure and pedicure craze which led to me signing up for nail packages with a rather reputable (read: expensive but ok) nail salon in town. After a while, the pain of sitting on my butt for 1 1/2 hours each time plus having to keep my nails long got to me and I decided enough, nice nails or not, I'm not doing this thing anymore.

Ever since then, I've been happily keeping my nails short and my nails on hand and feet have been merrily naked in their natural state. It helped that I've a doctor friend who's now into alternative medicine, warning me abt all the toxins we take in thru the food we eat, the environment and the things we use ... ...

Anyway, I was inspired once again to do something with my nails after coming across the Canmake standee on one of my lunch sprees. Here's what I did with the Canmake and Sylvie nail polishes I bought recently.


For someone who doesn't 'do' her nails, the amount of nail stuff I have is quite astonishing.


I started off with clean nails. For me, cotton pads work well to separate my toes plus I use them to wipe off my mistakes.


Sally Hansen is one brand which I adore for their nail stuff such as nail strengtheners, base coats and top coats. It's relatively cheap and fuss-free for products that work. I'm using this as a base coat. I like to think of it like BB cream for my nails ;P


This is what I use for the top coat.


Finished product - Right foot


Left foot


My painted toes in all their finery :)

I have shaky hands, so nail polish tend to go on unevenly for me. Any tips on how to minimise that?


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Listening to: Lisa Ono 小野リサ - Hello Dolly
via FoxyTunes

Longchamp Ceci Est Un It Bag

In some other news, this came in the mail today.

Front of card

Back of card

The invite

A drawing of Ceci est un It Bag clutch

This range has been launched a while overseas and is finally making it to our shores this Friday :) There's an excellent review on this by BagaholicBoy, so do check it out.

I'm not too excited abt this range tho I do love the cheekiness of it. So much for It Bags eh? However, I do think the clutch is rather interesting. Check out the entire range on Longchamp's website.


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Now playing: SS501 - Snow Prince
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Nails, colourful nails

I think I went a bit overboard in my shopping spree today. Haven't been shopping since I came back from Taiwan, so it's been abt, say, 2 weeks? Lol.

Decided I wanted some colourful nails when I chanced upon the Canmake standee in Watson's today. They've a new series called Colourful Nails - my, they're SWEET! All in pastel colours with a black, white, silver glitter and gold glitter. Best of all, each bottle of nail polish comes with its very own set of nail art bling.

I bought up every single colour in the range except for pink, which was out of stock :~( and the silver glitter as I liked gold better. Shall try out another Watson's outlet to see if I can find the pink.

While at Watson's, found a brand of nail polish going really cheap (cheap, cheap) at $3.90 for 2 bottles, so I couldn't resist and got them as well. Since I'm on a roll, I thot I'd buy a nail polish remover while I'm at it.

Since I wanted colourful nails, I thot I'd try out green as well. Now, this is one colour which I've absolutely never tried in my entire life. Chanced upon this colour at the Ettusais counter as the Canmake range did not include green. Here's how the tester looked. Should I get this or should I comparison shop some more?

Sorry the colours of the nail polishes didn't come out well. I was too lazy to bring out my DSLR and used my point & shoot instead. Oops. Will try to post pictures of my nails once they're done ... maybe this weekend?

Happy shopping everyone!

PS: There were some questions abt the Hello Kitty thingy. Another confession - As I'm bordering on being nit-picky abt the things I used on my face, I sorta used them as bath mittens instead. They lathered the soap-in-a-jar really well and felt heavenly against my skin. These things are really cottony soft, so I guess they would work on the face as well. I just haven't the courage to try it out on mine.


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Listening to: Lisa Ono 小野リサ - Baubles Bangles And Beads
via FoxyTunes

Hello Kitty cuteness from Shanghai

This was a pressie from my amazing sister beanie who'd just returned from trip to Shanghai :)

It's a pair of cotton mittens esp for removing dead skin cells off your nose. Washable and reuseable. How eco-friendly is that?

Each mitten has a Hello Kitty face embroidered on it. Too cute! Can't bear to use it.


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Now playing: JP Nataf - Mon Ami d'en Haut
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Hanskin Magic BB Cream

Got this as part of my Taiwan haul. There's been many reviews on this, so I won't say too much. Sufficient to say, I LOVE this. It's creamy (creamier than Lotree or Skin Food); it spreads well; doesn't irritate my skin, in fact it feels comforting my skin when I spread it; covers well ... and the list goes on.

I wanna try the Caviar Gold BB Cream! :) Did you know they also have a night BB cream as well? I thought that's really cool ;) Check out the site here.


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Now playing: SS501 - 하얀사람
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Anderson Soap Company: Lemon Meringue Soap in a Jar

Thanks to Bittenbefore who introduced me to the Anderson Soap Company on Etsy and Aichaku who helped me haul this together :), I'm now the proud owner of 4 Soap-in-a-Jars: namely Oatmeal Cookie, Pomegranate, Lemon Meringue and Pear.

I had a hard time trying to decide which 'flavour' soap to use first, so I took a while even tho Aichaku had passed me the stuff some time ago.

Finally decided on the Lemon Meringue as it's almost summer yeah ;P and I'm looking for something fresh smelling to perk me up esp after a day in the office.

To be truthful, I was a little put off when I smelt this in the beginning. The lemony yellow colour was lovely and I liked the swirling patterns which looked like fluffy whip. BUT. There was a very strong smell of almond oil (?) when I first opened the jar. I'm quite sensitive to smells, so this was an issue for me. However, I'm pleased to report that the oil smell fades after a couple of days. Wat I smell now is just pure lemon meringue. Yup, not lemon, mind you. Lemon meringue as in the dessert. No wonder I've been craving sweet stuff these few days. Lol :D

I've not used soaps for ages (years in fact), so it took some getting used to in the beginning. The jar made it rather tough to lather up the soap, so I've taken to scooping bits of soap out first before lathering. Is there a better way to do this?

These aside, I do like the lemony smell (tho I do wish it were a little stronger n linger longer after the shower), the soap lathers well :) n get this: it doesn't dry out my skin. Moisture is something I look for in bath products or almost all my skin/body care, so I was pleasantly surprised at how un-drying (is there such a word) this soap is :)

In a nutshell: Well, I loved the novelty of the soap in a jar n they do have interesting 'flavours'. Extra points for the product when I learnt they're vegan and paraben free. I loved the suds too but I guess I'm still more of a shower gel/cream type of girl at the end of the day. This should work for people who love soaps tho :) Still, I can't wait to try out the other 'flavours' I bought. Was at the site just now and realised they're out of all except Pomegranate.


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Now playing: 郭靜 - 大玩笑
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Coach - Bonnie Cashin Collection

Ok, so I've a soft spot for handbags. But you ladies already know that ;)

Was at Coach over the weekend. Oh my, oh my. So much for saying that I'll switch to Kate Spade from now on; I'm over with Coach ... yada-yada. I'm in love again.

There's a new collection in stores now and it's lovely! (In my opinion ;P). The colours are right up my alley. I esp adore the tongue-in-cheek, fun doodles and the bag shapes look classic. I'm already secretly plotting to lay my hands on the Cashin canvas tote.

Take a look here and let me know what you think ;)


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Listening to: 苏打绿 - 相信
via FoxyTunes

Reviews and stuff from Taiwan

What with work and being sent on courses by my company and family (yes, my mum said I don't talk as much to her as before ... go figure) and stuff ... whew, I feel like a juggler with many balls in the air. The past week got me thinking on this blog and my myriad posts. Plus my hauls from Taiwan and some presents and the arrival of some other hauls, I think I've a lot of material to blog on til like, June? July? ;)

Anyway, was thinking that, henceforth, I'll share more reviews on stuff that I really like and leave out the so-so stuff. Unless it's stuff that's really BAD, which I think I've to put the word out in my little corner of cyberspace too ;)

Here's some photos I took on my recent Taiwan trip. Believe me, I thot I was in heaven ;) Enjoy and have a great week!

This was the DFS counter at the airport before I boarded the plane to Taiwan. Had my first struggle here: should I start buying stuff now, or should I wait for Taiwan in a few hours' time? *kekeke*

A Victoria's Secrets section I came across at DFS. Arrrggghhh, lookit, pretty packaging n PINK!

My Beauty Diary Strawberry special pack for Valentine's Day, consisting of Strawberry Yoghurt mask, Whitening Pearl mask and Eye mask. I saw this at Cosmed, one of my fave shops in Taiwan. At that point in time, I did not have any luggage space left, so don't ask me why I didn't buy this. I'm still sorta kicking myself!

Have you ever regretted not buying something?


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Listening to: 8eight - 참지마
via FoxyTunes

Ahava Dermud for sensitive skin

Ahava is a brand I discovered while travelling in Israel last year. This is a range of skin and body care products which gets all its good stuff from the Dead Sea minerals. Below is an excerpt from the company's website:

Created at the Source

The only cosmetics enterprise indigenous to the Dead Sea region, AHAVA is driven by a deep passion to unearth the secrets of the revitalizing effects of minerals on the skin. Our dedicated scientific approach has helped us to acquire an unrivaled expertise on the subject, which has culminated in the development of an international network for ongoing academic research. Moreover, we have translated this deep knowledge base into a series of superior skincare product lines, based exclusively on the rich resources of this magical region. AHAVA’s second vocation is to learn and decipher the rich language of the human skin. As a living organ, the skin receives information and stimuli from the outer world and communicates it through specific reactions, helping to protect, nurture and clean its cells, retain moisture and fight the aging process. Minerals have an extraordinary capacity to act as “intercellular messengers” that transmit information to skin cells and positively impact their health and vital functions. At AHAVA, we are committed to unraveling the syntax of these crucial biological phenomena in our ongoing quest to produce the finest Dead Sea mineral-based products available worldwide.

Anyway.

Received this promo offer in my Inbox today and thought it too good not to share. Currently, I'm using their Body Sorbet Caress Syringa - Green Apple, which I really love as it works like a body butter but lighter (perfect for our humid weather) and is lightly fragranced. Think it's very reasonably priced too, for the huge tub and how long each tub lasts.

Check out the Dermud sensitive skin range promo offer below:



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Listening to: Carrie Underwood - That's Where It Is
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Taiwan makeup haul

I've been really busy at work and getting home late. Don't get to see the sun much these couple of days! Thot I'd better post a quick pic of some of my makeup hauls from Taiwan while I can.

Sorry the lighting's so bad.

This is a tiny fraction of what I bought. Guess you can tell I bought a lot of lippies and BB creams. Had read so much abt Nanoce and Hanskin, couldn't pass up the opportunity when I saw them ;P Almost wanted to cart the entire Lavshuca standee back wif me but common sense prevailed plus I've never ever tried this brand b4, so thot I'd better err on the side of caution. Tho now that I'm back, I wonder, why didn't I buy more?! Lol.


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Listening to: T-MAX - 나쁜 마음을 먹게해 (Ballad ver.)
via FoxyTunes

Too Faced Vintage Sale

In some other news, Too Faced is having a mega sale online until Apr 6 for their vintage vault items. Should I or should I not? Ah... decisions.

Check it out here.


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Now playing: 范逸臣 - Love Story
via FoxyTunes

ただいま

Woot! Taiwan was lovely but I was longing for my own bed and pillows after 8 days ;) The food was interesting, the people were mostly charming, the scenery was breathtaking n the SHOPPING ... the shopping is incredible.

Bought tons of stuff. Will update as and when I can. As it is, I've yet to unpack! o_0 n here I am starting another week in the office.

Talk to ya later!


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Now playing: 盛曉玫 - 擁抱新的每一天
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Big eyes are in

Read this online and thought it too good not to share. The before and after photos were really convincing too ;) The main photo shows the model after makeup whilst the inset shows her as she is BEFORE the 'big eye' makeup. This was done using the new Maquillage range of makeup by Shiseido.

Some tips from the article:

• Be daring in use of colour. Pat colour on, specifically each end of eye, then blend it in.


• For lasting eye shadow, cream base is highly recommended


• Eye liner is still in, albeit drawn in a more natural manner and blended together with eye shadow.

Read the entire article here.


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Listening to: 서진영 (Suh Ji Young) - 조금은 (A Little) (꽃보다 남자 OST 삽입곡)
via FoxyTunes

Discover the Boétie bag...The new wave Monogram...

Received this in my mailbox today. LV has a new bag out in the Monogram range.

Is it just me, or is LV trying out stranger and stranger shapes? I'm still rather undecided on this new style. Well, whether this bag is named after Étienne de La Boétie or not, only time will tell if it's going to be a classic in the likes of the Speedy.

Read more here.


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Listening to: 김유경 (Kim Yoo Kyung) - 별빛눈물 (Starlight Tears)
via FoxyTunes

Lotree, an organic cosme brand from Korea

Came across this Lotree store while out shopping during lunch one day ;) Have heard so much about this brand previously, couldn't pass up the chance to browse around the store and immediately made a beeline for the BB cream display ;P They've only 1 BB cream product on display with SPF, so I decided to get that. Have been plagued recently with chapped lips due to the strange weather we've been getting, so I was rather interested in the lip balm too.

I can be quite a scaredy cat when it comes to new products, so I asked the very nice SA if they've any travel sized items available. They did! The products weren't cheap compared to Skin Food or The Face Shop, so I thought it was good they had travel sized products (with correspondingly lower prices tags ;P). My wallet (n my heart) wouldn't hurt so badly if things don't work out with the products and I've to abandon them after the first try.

The SA was also very generous with samples. As I was very hesitant to try out their other base products, she gave me some samples of the triple balance makeup base, saying it was their best-selling item as well as the Kelly water night pack which is supposed to regenerate my skin as I sleep.

I've yet to try either of these samples. Maybe I'll do a review after I come back from Taiwan ;)

What I did use and have been using are the lip balm and the BB cream. Both have a faint flower fragrance - not over-powering, but I'm quite sensitive to smells, so it did register. However, it is a habit of mine to smell any new products before I use them, so you may not really register it. The smell was not an issue for me, esp for the BB cream. I did like that there was no oxidisation smell after several hours of wear - you know, that faint 'metallic' sort of smell after some time? Maybe I've been using too many drugstore brands in my youth ;P

The lip balm was interesting. It came in the form of a clear jelly, almost konnyaku-like. I applied it using my fingers (ok, ok, not very hygenic but that's just me). It felt light on my lips - no gooey sticky feeling, so that was good. After a couple of mins, I noticed my lips were redder as if I'd applied lipstick or gloss. Was told by the SA that the lip balm would improve circulation and hence the reddish hue but it was interesting to see it in action. Maybe that's how all these Korean actresses get their natural looking lips?

As for the BB cream, the texture was very light. I used almost the same amount as I usually do for my Skin Food BB cream. It was easy to apply, nice even coverage, no bumps on skin and maybe this is just psychological but did I notice my skin looking more Korean-porcelain-like??? Lol.

Check out their website and brick-&-mortar store here.



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Listening to: 더블에스 SS501 - My Girl
via FoxyTunes

Let's go to Taipei

Found this travel guide online. Woot! Lots of travel tips and ideas, places to go, things to see and buy. Check out the site at http://www.taipeieasygo.com.tw

Boy, I'm looking forward to my trip :D



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Listening to: 원더걸스 (WonderGirls) - Nobody
via FoxyTunes

Makeup removers

Tho I don't wear makeup for work, I do like to try out new stuff over the weekends. Among all the makeup items, my fave has got to be the eye makeup items: eye shadow, liner, mascara ... love them all :)

Given my stick-straight lashes, I've been using waterproof mascara all this while. It works great for me, I don't have to worry if I should tear or happen to touch my eyes or watever. However, I always get a headache when it's makeup removal time.

Yeeks. That actually is the main inhibitor to my using makeup - wat goes on, must come off. I sometimes think I actually take abt as much time taking eye makeup off as I do putting it on.

At this moment in time, I'm using Kao Biore's Cleansing Oil for my face and Maybelline's eye & lips makeup remover for eye makeup. Thinking of trying something new hehe... it's the inner shop-a-holic in me coming out.

Wat abt you? Any particular recommendations of makeup removers that you really really like?


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Listening to: 꽃보다 남자 OST - Dance with me (Inst.)
via FoxyTunes

Bag rental

Rented my first bag ever from www.thatbagiwant.com - a dark blue Fendi Spy :)



I've to say, I'm quite pleased with the customer service and the whole rental process. An sms from www.thatbagiwant.com was sent to me abt one week after I placed a reservation for this bag, stating that it will be available in a few days and would I want to rent it?

I replied in the affirmative and was then directed to the website to pay. Payment was via credit card and it was very easy. Got my electronic receipt and then all I had to do was wait for the courier to turn up at the appointed time.

Was also able to choose which day I wanted the bag delivered as well as the time slot. Time slots start all the way from 10am in the morning til 10pm at night. I thot that was very convenient esp for people who come home late :)

Had some engagements that nite the bag was supposed to arrive but the parents were home and signed receipt for the bag. It was a very nice surprise to come home to a parcel waiting for me :)

The bag came in a huge paper bag. I like the logo of the company - looks classy and the paper bag definitely looked crisp n new. I'm a bit finicky like that, oops ;P Clipped to the paper bag was an envelope with a note enclosed to me. That felt so personal and customised, tho the letter was of a standard template on bag care n return instructions.

The Fendi came in its own dust bag. No biggie. The detail which caught my eye was the satin pillow inside the Fendi, a customised 'filler' so-to-speak, helping to hold the whole bag in shape. Wow, I like that :)

Anyway, after using the bag, I found it too heavy for me tho it's really roomy and the size/proportions were perfect. Returning is a breeze too (my rental period is one week, with option to extend). I'd just went online just now and clicked "Return" :) Again, chose a date n time suitable for me. Now just waiting for the courier to come n get the bag.

Next up, the Balenciaga Giant City! Woot. Just received an sms that it will be available for rent in a few days' time. *In anticipation*


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Listening to: Planetshakers - All I Want Is You
via FoxyTunes

Me and my handbags

Oh dear, oh dear. I've a confession to make.

I bought ANOTHER bag. Yes, after all the noble intentions to make full/good use of my orange Rabeanco, alas, my wandering eye was caught by another.

I bought a Kate Spade tote. My very first Kate Spade ever. Have been eyeing this for some time... Hee... Ok, so I'm not very monogamous when it comes to handbags. Or shoes. Or makeup. Or ... oh, tons of other non-animate stuff.

Anyway, I finally made up my mind today. If I could find the tote, I'm going to buy it. Went to the Kate Spade store at Raffles City and was attended to by 2 very nice sales persons. After showing me the bag, I asked for some time to think abt it. I was ushered to one of the seats around the shop while I dug out my phone to give my sis a call... It was a last ditch effort but anyway, couldn't get her.

So, went ahead and got it :) The bag's really roomy but still light as it's canvas with leather trim. The thing I really liked was the bow in front. Anyway, back to the 2nd sales lady. I asked abt their store returns policy and if they could remove the price tags. She was very patient with my questions and took some effort to wrap in the tissue. I thought the ribbon was very nicely tied too :) A little different from the usual ribbon in the middle.

Here's the unwrapping of my new bag.








To be very honest, I didn't go through the whole prudent process of what I'm going to use the bag for, how long it can last me and yadah, yadah ... I just got it on gut feel.

Using it as my everyday bag now. Am however wondering if I should take it back to exchange it for something else ... like a wallet and a smaller bag? Or something? I rather like this bag BUT just wondering abt the value of it and all... Not sure if I'm making sense. Maybe it's the classic buyer's remorse striking me now.

In another piece of news, I finally rented my 1st bag! *beam* With my love of handbags, have been staking out several sites which rent out handbags for a fee. There're different options: some sites allow you to rent bags on a weekly basis while for others, there's a monthly subscription involved.

This being my first time, I thot I'd dip my toes in a little and try out the weekly basis rental first. No fixed costs every month, I spend only when I really want to rent something :)

Will be getting my Fendi Spy tomorrow. Yippee! Looking forward to it *anticipation*


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Listening to: Constance Amiot - Clash Dans Le Tempo
via FoxyTunes

Bits & pieces & the flu bug

Sorry I've been a bit slow in my comments and responses to emails, smses etc. Have been down with the flu and knocked out by the cold medication. Wat is it abt cold medication anyway? Seems like they're a bunch of stuff which just makes me sleep n sleep n sleep....

Will get up to speed with some of my masks review soon :)

On the Korean drama front, was watching the KBS drama "Boys over Flowers/Boys before Flowers" on n off while drifting in n out of dreamland the past few days. Tho some parts are a bit too melodramatic for me, I agree wif aichaku, it's quite funny (as in entertaining n lol fun). That helped my flu a bit :) That show also opened up another world to me aka the Korean entertainment universe. Shall try to look up more forums, fan blogs, variety shows when I've the energy to.

In the meantime, have a good AND HEALTHY week ahead everyone! :) Talk to you soon :)


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Listening to: SS501 - 02 SS501 - U R Man
via FoxyTunes