LeSportSac Japan Exclusive Prints

I had a notion that there are exclusive prints for the Japanese Market but I didn’t really bother with them at that time.

It was until I saw the Beauty Girl Medium Tribeca that MakeupMag was using.

I had previously read that we can buy the limited printed mook that LSS had come up with for the 35th Anniversary along with a Beauty Girl pouch but I was not so keen on it.

It is a really cute print and after an arduous task of trying to set up an account, I am finally able to order from Japan.

Now the question is, do I really want it or is it the thrill of the chase that is getting to me…….

What shall I do on a Shopping Ban?

Since they say:  Idle hands makes mischief, what shall I do since I have activated a self-impose shopping ban (I obviously can’t shop anymore)

Was fiddling with cleaning up my room and gathering all those stuff I can no longer fit into and then sell them for dirt on ebay?  There is no guarantee that they would sell but then at least that will keep me occupied clear up space and make up some moolah at the same time??

Skincare 1: Toner

I was introduced to this toner by a friend of my sister.  She is working in this MLM company and I decided to try out the skincare since it is a) affordable and b) I have never tried this brand before.

I actually bought almost the full set of skincare but have been slowly incorporating them one at a time into my regime (since I still have lotsa skincare left from all my shopping addiction).

A short mention of the company:  The company is the biggest grower of aloe vera in the world and all their skincare all contains a minimum of 30% stabilized aloe vera in them

I am not endorsing the company that is selling this brand (even though I had joined as a member to get the skincare at distributor price) so I will not be posting their price and where to get them from, in public.

So the first to be used is the toner since I ran out of my old one.

My first impression of the toner is that well, it is pretty liquid, not like those viscious ones that feels sticky on the face.  Nothing much to ra ra about since the packaging is not that spectacular looking.  But I do like the light natural fragrance of the aloe vera coupled with a wee bit of floral notes incorporated in the formula.

I noticed that after the first bottle, my skin looks more calm (I am prone to having redness on my skin since I use AHA and Vit A on my skin) and my face color is more even.

I am onto my second bottle of this toner.  Now I am a brand whore and I am into new and upcoming stuff all the time.  To say that I am using a repeat of something goes to show that besides doing its job it is also very affordable! – something very important in this economy.

So will I repurchase a 3rd bottle?  Like what Mr Big says:  Abso-fucking-lutely!

What I am using now

OK I need an assignment to fill up my time since I am on a shopping ban till end of Dec 2009.

So I decided to write some reviews and afterthoughts of using my current stash of skincare and (crosses my fingers) some makeup that I am using.

I will be doing this intermittently since I am not the regular blogger.  So pls have some patience with me, if you are reading this:)

So, cheeries o.

Whitz World of Makeup Giveaway!

Watch her for an array and inspiration of makeup ideas.  And now what is really wonderful is that she is having her first blog giveaway, courtesy of Koreacreed26 (from ebay) for sponsoring this.

So what are you all waiting for?  Hop on to Whitz World of Makeup First Giveaway!

MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Paige Denim

Can this be considered my first cult jeans??

Got this off a friend.  BNWT and just bought off Shopbop.com.

It is the Women's Roxbury Crop - Dark Resin Rinse.  Well on me, it is no longer a crop but a full length jeans LOL

Description
Leave it to a former denim fit model to make a super-flattering skinny. Ankle-length denim pant with 5-pocket styling and single-button closure. 12"" opening at skinny leg. 7"" rise. 28"" inseam. 98% cotton/2% spandex. Wash cold. Made in the U.S.A.

This is the exact one that I got (can I have the shoes to match too?):

More pics from the main webpage:

On the webby, it said that it is recommend to size one size up cos the cutting runs small.  Thank goodness I can still fit into it, Whew!

Uncheck me pls!

I’ve decided to upload the nail art design that I am currently wearing.

Pardon the hairy mess (heehee)

Hmmm, shall I try and ask my manicurist for a Red Bull Racing Logo next time round??;P

Afterfeel of watching the musical “CATS”

Went with a couple of friends to the musical today.  We got the tickets a while ago via piority booking.

Lazy me didn’t bother to do my homework before going into the show.  So for the 1st half of the musical, I totally didn’t know what was going on.

Why the cats are gathered together, who is who, why are all of them singing an individual song per cat.

It is only during intermission when I read my friend’s programme that I managed to snatch a bit of the plot.

Well, all I can say is if you are going to watch something, you had better be diligent and read up on your show.  Cos even after reading the plot, I still can’t hear/understand what they actors/actresses were singing. 

My friend says that is to be expected cos they are only singing out the vowels and not enunciating the words. 

I much prefer the old Kallang Theatre where they have a electronic billboard on top of the stage whereby you can see subtitles (both English and Chinese being flashed throughout the show)  I wonder why the state-of-the-art Esplanade doesn’t have this facility.

The show does try to invoke alot of audience participation, the Cats will come down the stage and make/poke fun at the audiences, steal a bag or two away etc. 

Up close, you can see how skin tight their leotards really are (heehee)

Since I am not a connoisseur, for this musical, I can only appreciate the choreography of the dances, the pirouettes done, the acrobatics of the dances;)  Not even the song “Memory” can make me change my mind.

I would watch Miss Saigon, Le Miserables and Phantom again but prolly not Cats.  Sorry.

P.Ss My friend mentioned that alot of the audiences came out of the hall commenting that they’d much preferred Phantom of the Opera over Cats.

Follow up on the Etude House Volumising Mascara

The actual name of the mascara is “66 Big Eye Vitcara No. 1 Volumising & Lift” Mascara

The SA told me that it is supposed to be waterproof and volumising.  Costing RM 36.90, the applicator of the mascara is bi-combed such that you can use the small one on the other side of the comb to get into hard to reach area such as the corners of the eye.

Today, combined with the use of the Mascara Topcoat, I can say that it last me throughout the half a day that I was out.

JB haul

Today is one of my short getaway trip to JB for a short shopping trip.  I had plan to get some items from Marjolica at Watsons and Etude house.  Also I am intent to spend my Padini vouchers before I totally forget about it.

Well, all I can say is that I had overspent (not really but if I include in my pharmacy buys than I had OS!)

IT WAS MAYHAM!!  In City Square at least.  It looks like Causeway Point, Jurong Point etc (you get my drift) and Singaporeans are all abound!  Well, Malaysians too.  The Etude SA told me that’s cos there is a IT fair being held nearby. There are alot of people strolling but very little people in the shops buying anything.

I first got a small cup of Baskin Robbins to up my sugar level (its sooo crowded at all the food joints that I had to make do with ice cream first) and then went off to SASA to find my elusive fringe clip (can I find it??)

I was led into SASA by the sale sign hanging outside for Kate Dual Karat eyeshadow at RM 29.90.  Of course, you all know that normally that is the least that you are going to buy from the shop.  I ended up with a LE brown eye palette from Kate and a graduating blush from Kate (discounted) as well as 2 fringe clips!

View Full Album

I was inspired by this makeup tutorial for Taylor Swift’s Love Story Look and so I went to Etude House to get an eyeshadow that I saw the other time. 

Eye Secret in Dazzling Beige

Since Singapore does not have any Etude House, it would seem sinful if I just walk out with one eyeshadow.  I got a newly released

volumising mascara,

mascara remover and

a mascara topcoat.

By this time, I had almost run out of my shopping budget.  But how could I leave out Watsons??

JB Watsons stock MM and Rimmel.  They are having a promotion right now till 26th(?) April.  Majolook palettes cost RM 49.90 and the new mascara cost RM 39.90.  And you get a free honey lip gloss if you spend RM 50.

I was really struggling!  To buy or not to buy!  In the end I resisted!  Cos I fell for a Youngblood Pressed MMU just before I went back to Watsons again LOL!  The shop is called Shins and they only stock 4 colors for pressed MMU.  I can’t even confirm that the color that I got is 100% my shade.  But for RM129, I just cannot resist!

View Full Album

And just before leaving, I HAD to stop by FOS.  I couldn’t find anything that I really like and the place was pretty messy. But as my eyes was scanning through the last time, I spied a promising piece, jutting out of the many hangers like a sore thumb.

And lo and behold!  What did I find?  But a tunic by Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line!  How can I pass up such a good buy at RM 27!  After paying for the last item, I started on my way home much poorer than I started ;P

View Full Album

Oh and I didn’t spend my Padini vouchers cos I don’t really find anything that I desperately like;)

The best travel/retractable blusher brush goes to:

The Kesalan Patharan Colorful Brush.  It is shaped like a lippie and so so easy to bring around for touchups!

The dyed hairs means that those who are iffy about getting color on their white bristles can use it for a longer time before they finally get it to wash;)

Too bad they pulled out of Singapore some time ago.  I really love their brushes!

Boy!

And in more words than one.

Conversation between sup and me:

Sup:  When will Uniqlo open in Singapore?

Me:  This Thurs.  In fact, the whole mall will open with 100% occupancy rate this thurs.

Sup:  So what is good from there?

Me:  I’m looking at the Skinnies, maybe thinking of getting one.

Sup:  Why do they call Skinny Jeans skinny jeans.

Me:  Oh, cos the jeans is so tight that when you wear it you cannot eat so you become skinny lor?!

Sup:  Is it??

Me:  “Doi”

Race Day Melby GP 2009

Waiting impatiently for 1pm for the race to start. 

It’s weird hearing commentary in Mandarin but then it’s better than nothing and I will get to learn the technical jargon in Mandarin?;P

It’s getting a little boring in F1……

with Ferraris and the McLarens dominating the top 3 positions.  Erm occasionally a Renault or a Red Bull will come in but not often.

Well, that was true until Honda announced their immediate withdrawal from the sport in late quarter last year, very much due to the economic downturn.

There was a mad scramble to obtain news of the withdrawal by all the sporting world (ok, I’m exaggerating)  Then afterwards, a mad scramble to find buyer/buyers for the team.

Such a waste really, if the team goes down before 2009 cos the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) cars were already developed when the First Night Race was happening in Singapore.

Team Boss was left going around and sourcing for buyers. (do note that even though Honda is relinquishing all rights to the team by selling it, they do have a decision making vote as to who they want to sell the team to)

Rumours of the prospect buyer being a Mexican millionaire, Virgin Group Owner etc has been circulating around for weeks but none of them were true.

It looks as if the fate of the Honda team is sealed when just weeks before the 1st 2009 GP were to start, it was announced that Team Boss, Ross Brawn is the new owner! 

The team was renamed from Honda to Brawn and given an overhauled look.  The white and green liveries changed to a simple white and black one.

And just a week before F1 starts, they confirmed Virgin Group as their sponsor for 2009 (yeah!) and it seems like the budget has already been set for the whole year so whew!  What a sigh of relief and boost for the team:)

Today marks the first qualifying for F1 and it was no surprise that both Brawn drivers makes the first 2 qualifying since favourable reports have been made once Brawn started testing on the strips.  Its Buttons for pole and Barichello for 2nd. 

Discussions with a friend showed that we were both eager to see drivers pitting their skills with each other rather then the constructors pitting their big budgets against each other.

So, its ON WITH THE SHOW tomorrow for the Melbourne GP!

Oh, incidentily Ferrari starts on 7th (Massa) and 9th (Raikkonen) tomorrow while McLaren starts 14th (Kovalainen) and 15th (Hamilton) .

Now that’s why I say the sport is interesting hehehe.  Stay tuned!

Shopping Updates

There are soooo many sales happening right now!  Wonder if it’s cos we all got a little bit of ‘shopping money’.

So all over town, John Little sales (20% on top of normal discounts), Tangs 12% rebates, The Body Shop Warehouse sale, I Inouvi 40% discount and the list goes on…..

Here is my little haul this week:

1. Covermark Soft Pact Foundation and Case (34% off retail cos the counter is closing at all the JL outlets)
2. Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-on (you can’t imagine how difficult it is to find one of these around!  So I just had to grab one when I saw it for sale in JL)
3. A set of baby clothes for my newborn niece.
4. Micro-fibre glove to clean my lappie (yes lotsa dust)
5. Schoolies Scrunchies (you pay a little more for quality but it is worth every penny!)
6. A two-sided mirror (one normal view and one x2 magnified view to replace the one that was broken while spring cleaning)

And that’s all for now!:)

More Comparison of Peach Blushes

After replying to Ann’s comment, I realise that I have one more peach blush to compare HK F&G with.  That is MAC’s Dainty Mineralize Blush. 

So I took some photos again and lo and behold, it looks to be that HK is not similar to any of the 3 other peach blushes I own.

L-R clockwise:  HK Fun & Games, MAC Dainty, MAC Fafi Hipness and NARS Orgasm

L-R clockwise:  HK Fun & Games, MAC Dainty and NARS Orgasm

Upon closer inspection, you can see that Dainty is even closer to NARS Orgasm than Hipness (Hipness is ‘rouge-ier’)

L-R clockwise:  Fafi Hipness, MAC Dainty and NARS Orgasm

Now, these 3 definitely belong to a group.  NARS Orgasm will have the highest level of iridescence, followed by MAC Dainty then Fafi’s Hipness will be the most matte blush of the 3.

Comparison of Fafi and HK Peach Blushes

There were some talk going around that the HK Fun & Games Blush is similar to Fafi Hipness Blush.  So I did a comparison since I have the two.  And my conclusion is that:  they do not have an ounce of similarity where I am concern.

Here is a pix of the MAC Fafi Hipness Blush

This is a comparison of the two, side by side:

You can see that the Fafi is much ‘redder’ than Fun & Games.  Fun & Games is definitely peachier than Hipness.  However, Hipness has more iridescence than F&G which is something very much in character with NARS Orgasm.  So I did a three-way picture comparison below also:

Hmmm, the picture does not show up the iridescence of Hipness IRL but you can clearly see that where colour is concern, Hipness is more like NARS Orgasm rather than F&G.  I hope this help someone:)

MAC Hello Kitty

My hauls came! Many thanks to dear Whiterz for having the patience to answer my 101 logistical questions and making this haul possible.

I didn’t dare to go overboard for this collection and so being a newly reformed recessionista (yes that’s the term my friends are all using). I shared the haul with another friend. It definately helps that I ordered from one MAC counter rather than over the net cos then my stuff will definately be shipped in one box rather than a few boxes (then I can save on shipping since the redirection service is based on volumetric weight)

Here are the spoils of my little haul:

View Full Album

(Sorry there are no swatch pictures yet cos I just can’t bear to use it!)

Made to Measure

I chanced upon Alice Koh’s shop by chance one of the days when I was recceing People’s Park.

I was intrigued by the tube tops that she made using Kimono material.  However, as I didn’t want to jump into the whole thing, I took some time out to think it over as well as to research her blog.

Today was my monthly outing with the girls and we stopped off at Alice’s shop after everything and I customised this tube top with the material that I chose (she has got a range of japanese motif cloth for you to choose from)

And now I am waiting for next month to try it on.  Will update further:)

This tube top would go very well with all my skinnies!

More DIYing

You guys can see that I am really digging DIYing ;)  Well, you are absolutely RIGHT!  LOL!  I am enjoying making my own skincare and having 100% control over what I am putting into it. 

Not to say that I will NEVER buy commercial brands again, I mean how can you say no to the MAC Hello Kitty Range Awwwww so cute!  Anyway, I digress.

I made an appointment with Susan and Elaine of Jayeon Miyin again and this time for the DIY Soap and Skincare Workshop.

Here are the products of my labour today:

Bag FULL of goodies! and how sweet smelling all of them are!

First off are the soaps.

Susan told me that there are 4 different kinds of processes to make soaps:

1. Melt and Pour (MP)
2. Cold Process (CP)
3. Hot Process (HP)
4. Rebatching

Jayeon is mainly teaching the MP method, whereby you deploy ready made plain soaps and then add certain additives into it to customise the properties according to what you want it to be, be it Essential Oils, Natural Coloring etc.

They are in the process of trying to procure a raw material to be used to teach CP but that’s another story:)

I googled and found a programme that calculates all the ingredients for you when making soaps.  How cool is that?!

I made 2 types of soaps today using the MP process.  Susan let me divide the batch of raw materials into 2 so that I can have different types of soaps to bring home (THANKIE!)

First off are soaps made with Spinach powder

View Full Album

The Spinach Powder is supposed to be good for oily complexion and I added Hempseed Oil for extra measure:) 

I used some new soap molds today (HURRAY!!) The one in the 3rd picture is a new mold and my soap is the virgin soap made using it LOL.  And doesn’t the soap in the middle remind you of some ancient Chinese Jade disc?  So quaint!

The other type is soap made with Chestnut Shell Powder.

These are good for open pores and green tea oil was added to it.

Don’t the chestnut ones look like yam biscuits?!  LOL.  You can see a clearer picture of the mold used for the disc cos we used it for the chestnut ones too.  Just look at the detailing.  So pretty!  Just imagine, if it is black in color then it will be Anna Suiish Soaps ;)

Susan and I made the soaps first then moved on to the skincare items while the soaps are cooling off.

Here, I have a Hydrating Moisturiser, Aloe vera Toner and Brown Sugar Face Scrub.

As you can see from the pictures below, the texture of the moisturiser is really fluffy and light but then don’t be tricked into thinking that it doesn’t do its job. 

You have to apply the moisturiser sparingly in the morning and then a heavier hand at night.  The addition of Hyaluronic Acid will ‘grab’ moisture from your surroundings to your face while the moisturiser does its part to lock up all that moisture and prevent losses to the environment.

I do not have a picture of the toner but I doubt if I will take a picture of it cos it looks just like water;)  But the toner also has Hyaluronic acid added it it:)  So double the moisture? =)

The last item is a Brown Sugar Scrub

This scrub is made using a finer sized brown sugar hence it would not be so ‘scratchy’ to use on the face.  Doesn’t it look good enough to eat?  Now I can use it up to two times a week but can I keep my paws out of the sugar jar;P

I have learnt soooo much from my classes and yet I can’t say that I know even one hundredth of what Susan and Elaine knows.  Throughout the lesson, Susan was educating me on so many different possibilities to DIYing but my brain can only absorb that much at one time.  So I’ll definately make more trips down to pick their brain;)

Till my next DIY, Adieu!

Clear Shoe Boxes

Inspired by (or rather pissed off when doing spring cleaning) Me and a few friends pooled orders and we got this:

 

This unfolds up to become:

View Full Album

Grouses of Chinese New Year

Sometimes I really don’t understand why we must spent so much time tidying up for CNY.  The thought of doing all these background work to welcome our lesser seen relatives yearly is just ridiculous.  I mean, why bother?!  Eventually, it becomes just a competition to see whose house is better, neater, well-stocked etc 

That’s besides the usual:  When are you getting married etc load of bull!

If I have a house of my own next time, I would barr all relatives from coming.  I mean, its just a matter of ‘face’.  GRRRRR!!!

The onslaught of the DIY mania

First, you can DIY your own house decor, then you can DIY your clothes, what's next you may ask?

DIY your own skincare and cosmetics of course!

I think I first became interested in DIYing my own skincare etc after watching the Taiwanese entertainment programme hosted by Pauline Lan (藍心湄). The show, called <<女人我最大>>, invited a skincare guru, 牛爾, as a guest speaker, in her older episodes. Now this guy, worked in R & D in a few well-known cosmetics company before he left to freelance and, I suppose to start up his own brand.

In some of the episodes, he actually introduced to the viewers how to DIY certain skincare and cosmetic items ie moisturisers and cleansing oil etc all simple stuff. Soon after, he wrote a book on the different products available in the market, it's ingredients and a few simple DIY items that can act as a substitute for the expensive branded items.

However, as alot of the raw materials are not readily sold in Singapore, I had to drop the idea of DIYing. So, imagine my surprise when I saw a DIY workshop being advertised in my community. Of course I had to attend!

My achievements from the class is a bottle of Shampoo, moisturiser and face wash with the addition of my fav essential oils.

Then again, the instructor had to personally import/ship in certain raw materials from USA. Being lazy to buy off the instructor (she is free lancing), my DIY enthusiasm soon weaned off.

Imagine my surprise when I read from Vivawoman that she attended a DIY class to make her own BB cream and skincare!

I didn't waste time hesitating and immediately booked a place for myself at Jayeon Miyin.

On the scheduled day, I went to their cute little shop in China Square Central and propped myself at their countertop with all the pots, spatulas, weighing balance and boilers in the front of me. The scene before me looks exactly like attending a cooking class LOL!

At JM, the founders advocate the 4Rs: Using the Right ingredients for your skin, giving you the Right product experience, to make the Right environmental impact and having the Right attitude to carry out the abovmention 3Rs :)

The GM of Jayeon Miyin, Susan Noh, is the instructor for the class. She is a native Korean but she speaks very, very good English! So good until I cannot catch up with her explanations of some of the ingredients used Keke:)

Susan and Elaine (Sales and Marketing Manager) are both certified beauticians with Cidesco certs and Susan even went to Korea to study how to DIY all the products!

I will not double posts on the making of and steps of making the products as Sesame of Vivawoman has done such a good job of it (Pls see her writeup for detailed descriptions). That plus the fact the I didn't have time to take any photos! Even with one participant, the class was very intensive!

I can't wait to go back to buy the ingredients as well as to attend more lessons!

I have used the cleansing oil as well as the bb cream already and I must give them a big thumbsup!

The cleansing oil doubles up as a massage oil so you can use it to massage your face and let all the good properties of all the jojoba, sweet almond etc oils soak into your skin.

The bb cream is easy to use and does not leave your hands sticky and oily after using it. I find the texture best suited for our climate:) The addition of essential oils also make the bb cream a joy to wear early in the morning. Definately a perky wake me up:)

Here are some of the little photos that I took at home:

My BB cream and Cleansing Oil


With Jayeon Miyin's founders' namecards

Closeups of JM's namecards

Services offered by JM

Closeups of my work:)