Haul & mini-review: MAC, Maybelline, Eye Love It, Heavy Rotation ISEHAN

Hellowwwwww beautybugs!

I am back with A LOTTTTTTT of goodies from Singapore and some shopping in Bangkok. For the past few days (yeah more than a few days I know it), I have been on a holiday. I went to Singapore for a family trip with my family. We have not been travelling together recently, therefore, we decided to go somewhere near Thailand but a relaxing place. During my stay in Singapore, I went over to Sephora and some drugstores. So, there will be a Singapore haul coming soon. At the moment, I will be showing I have got from trip to Siam Paragon today.  

First of all, I went to the drugstore makeup area inside the supermarket (it is right beside the pharmacy shop). I got a few products from there, which are the Maybelline New York Clean Express Miracle Oil-Gel 2 in 1 Oil-Gel Remover & Cleanser (249 Baht), Maybelline Bold Matte by Colorsensational Mat1, Mat 3, Mat 4 and Mat6 (219 Baht), Heavy Rotation Milky Color Lips 02 (390 Baht), and Heavy Rotation Pure Color Gloss 04 (450 Baht). Then, I went to the cosmetics area on the first floor to buy MAC Brush Cleanser for 650 baht and Eye Love It Magic Series (Grey) contact lens for 600 baht. 

Maybelline New York Clean Express Miracle Oil-Gel 2 in 1 Oil-Gel Remover & Cleanser is a new product that caught my attention when I was browsing around. It claims on the packaging that it is the first time they created a product that is and oil in a gel form (yes, I was confused too). Furthermore, I also claims to clean the makeup for sensitive skin too. It will break down the makeup and deeply cleanse the face, even the waterproof cosmetics, thus giving a cleaned face without harming your skin. This is also a 2-in-1 product, thus, you do not need to use any foam cleanser afterwards. I saw many gurus in the Youtube using the MAC Brush Cleanser, that is why I got really curious if the product is worth the hype. So, yes, in the end I had to buy it. Also, I have heard many good reviews about the Eye Love It contact lens, so I chose a color I rarely use, which is grey to try it out. 

The follow picture shows the swatches for the lipsticks and lip gloss I purchased today. The top left nude swatch is for the Heavy Rotation Milky Color Lips 02. I feel like the color payoff is very good, and the color is very pretty nude for a beige/fair skin tone people. But, I would have to say it is not as not smooth (when applying) as the Maybelline Bold Matte by Colorsensational  lipstick. The top right is the  Heavy Rotation Pure Color Gloss 04  swatch. I would have to say that this is product has a very interesting application. It is thick but not too thick, moisturizing but not to overwhelming. In addition, it is ideal for people who want a plumped and glossy/glittery lip. The glitter in the lip gloss is a mixture of pink, purple and silver. I would have to say the Heavy Rotation Pure Color Gloss 04 and Heavy Rotation Milky Color Lips 02 would give a very "Japanese-ish" combo. Last but not least, the bottom row is the Maybelline Bold Matte by Colorsensational, Mat1 Mat 3 Mat 4 Mat 6 from left to right. As you may also know, Mat 3, is a must have color for Pearypie. I wanted to also buy the Mat 7, but I could not find it anywhere at all! I guess it is a must have for Momay Paplern that's why. 

I have not tried the other product, therefore, I can not give a mini-review yet. If there is any products that floats my boat, I will be sure to be updating on another post. 

Toodles!

MUD Cream Foundation VS. Extreme weather

The next one is also amazing, but it is a challenge to find a local store that would sell this product. It is the MUD Make-up designory Cream Foundation.  This is a U.S. Professional brand that is similar to Kryolan make up brand. Upon purchase, you will receive a box for the product and the compact itself. Inside the compact there will be a mirror and the creme foundation, which I find it convenient to use during travels or rush hours. In addition, the compact is so thin that it takes up very little space on you vanity, or even you make up bag, thus it is handy to put this foundation into your travel or daily make up bag.

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The box and packaging upon purchase.

Close up of the packaging.

The color that I have purchased is YG1. Usually I buy NC 25 for MAC foundation (hopefully this will give you a rough guide if purchasing this produce online). In total, there are around 12 shades sold (according to their website). If you are in UK, there a few websites that provide MUD products available for UK delivery (I will try to find those websites and post them at the end of the blog post).

The MUD cream foundation could be applied as a sheer natural look, but you could also build it up to a flawless full-coverage look. Furthermore, the product itself could be easily blended and has excellent staying power that could be used in extreme conditions. Since it is a cream foundation, when I first touched the foundation, I was sticky and hard (obviously it is not a liquid foundation). Although I was not fond of the sticky texture, but soon I understood that this property allows the foundation stay put on your face. For everyday use, I would just apply one layer so my skin could breath and for natural light feel. For those days that you need to look extra flawless, I would as an extra layer for that extra coverage.

All in all, the highlight of this product would have to be the flawless and staying power, but it does not look cake-y on the face. When you buff in the creme foundation, it covers the skin smoothly. Then, you could set the foundation with a light touch of translucent powder and it will not slip and slide around your face. I usually use this when I come back to Thailand because of the humid weather normal liquid foundation occasionally slip and slide around my face, but with this cream foundation, the base makeup looks flawless from dusk to dawn, working time to "par-tay" time.

   Quick tip: Personally, I will use my "CLEAN" fingers to warm up the cream foundation and apply it                    on my face. Then, I will dampen a make up sponge and dab it all over my face to blend the                  foundation.

The product inside the compact. 

The coverage it gives over a brown pencil eyeliner. 

I bought this from IMATS in London, but if any of you are in UK, you could purchase this from "http://www.nuusuite.com/cream-foundation-compact.html". I am not sure if it is available in Thailand. 

Emma Hardie And Eve Lom Combo*** K.O.!!!

As a makeup/beauty freak, I LOVE to put make-up on my face and just get 'creative' (I feel like my , but you can not forget to remove it at the end of the day. One of the worse thing you could do to your skin would be applying a ton of beauty products and leave them overnight. For me, I prefer to remove my make up by using Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. I have been using this cleansing balm for a few months already, and I have to say in my opinion it is better than any cleansers I have ever used. Upon purchase, you will get a box with a cylinder container inside. Inside the packaging is a yellow-y oily cleansing balm. You may see a layer of oil on top of the balm.

Inside the container consist of a yellow-y oily balm to lather on your face.

 One of the things I did not like about the product would be the packaging itself. It is pretty bulk-y and not as durable as I thought (as you can see from the cracks in the pictures below), thus is tricky/challenging for me to take allow during travels.  

The packaging

This product has wont the "Stylist Skincare Awards" and "Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2010".  It is perfect for daily usage with multiple benefits such as: 

"- Thoroughly cleanses and moisturises the skin.
- Helps to purify and minimises the appearance of open pores.
- Calming for sensitive skin.
- Revitalising for dull and mature skins.
- Can be used as a rescue balm, i.e. on dry elbows or knees, or as a lip balm.
- Doubles as a soothing mask if left on the skin for ten minutes."

According to their website, http://www.emmahardie.com/product.php?xProd=6&jssCart=a29a7c38a4ae49a86f0b2aa1fa1ab783, the various ingredients provides numerous advantages for the skin, which involves the following. 

"Key ingredients and what they do:

- Moringa seed extract, Wild Sea Fennel and Vitamin E: Balance, purify and help to minimise the appearance of open pores.
- Orange, Neroli and Mandarin extracts: Rejuvenates and revitalises the skin. 
- Jasmine, cedarwood and Rose: Helps to recondition dull, dry, dehydrated and mature skins.

Mix a few drops of warm water with a little Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm in the palm of your hand to create a milk. Apply to the face, neck and eye area using circular motions and massage thoroughly to melt away make-up, excess oils and grime."
So, how do you use it? Basically, you lather on a generous amount of cleansing balm on your face (that is still full with makeup) and massage it into you skin to break down the makeup that you applied. Yes, it does also break up the mascara from your eyelashes (its that amazing). Once you finish that, you will get a muslin cleaning cloth and soak them in warm water, squeeze out the excess water and wipe off the whole face and neck area. But, be extra careful with you delicate eye area. With the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Dual Action Professional Cleansing Cloth (available separately), it has two sides, which are the exfoliating side (muslin side) and the smoother micro fibre side for more delicate and sensitive areas. Personally, I use the Eve Lom Muslin Cleansing Cloth because it exfoliates better but if you have a very sensitive skin I suggest the Emma Hardie cloth. This step will make the skin feeling "clean, smooth and supple; never tight". 

My recommended Muslin cleansing cloth to use with the cleansing balm. 

I bought this products from Space NK on Bond Street, London, UK, but I believe you could get them online for 34 pounds at "http://uk.spacenk.com/EMMA-HARDIE/Emma%20Hard,en_GB,sc.html", and 14 pounds for the Eve Lom Muslin cleansing cloth at "http://www.evelom.com/Muslin-Cloths-x-3/MEV0028_4910,en_GB,pd.html". Sorry for those who are in Thailand, you might have to ask someone you know in UK to buy it for you. If any of you know any good website, you can share through the comments below. For those outside of Thailand and UK, I will try to find a website that does international shipping and post it as soon as I found one. 

SUMMER BB Cream

Hello my little beauty bugs! I have recently found a BB cream that gives a healthy look to your skin and will be suitable for this hot and humid weather. It is the Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion SPF 50+ PA +++, and it costs around 1,500 baht. In the box, you will get the product itself (with 15g.), a puff to apply and an extra refill, which I find it to be convenient because you would not have to go through the hassle of finding or buying a whole knew compact once you run out. Plus, it is a very environment friendly product since the only thing you are actually replacing is the blue part within the compact.

A picture of all the products you should be getting when you purchase. 

The color that I am using is No.13 True Beige. This shade will match people that have a shade NC 25 in MAC foundation. According to the sales in Emporium, this is the latest shade that is available in Thailand. There are around five to six shades displayed at the counter, but at Emporium, the sales said there was only a few shades left. BUT, before you run off going to the store, read this review in case there are any valuable information and please try the testers at the counters (that is what they are for). 

The color I am using at the moment.

This is a new concept of whitening the skin, providing sunscreen of SPF 50+ PA+++, having sweat-proof properties and soothing from Laneige where the BB cream is soaked into the sponge inside the compact. The BB cream has a brightening and clear whitening effect on the skin and with the SPF 50+ PA +++ the UV rays will be blocked which prevents the skin from direct damage from the sunlight. It is suitable for all skin types. The rubbery/elastic cushion will hold up the makeup barrier that could usually be easily break down by the sweat and sebum, thus giving a long-lasting makeup effect with just one layer of application. 

The BB cream sponge inside the blue compact. 

APPLICATION:

Before 

After 

AFTER- After buffing and blending the BB cream onto my skin, I feel it did brighten my skin color a little bit and covers some of my redness around my cheek area, but since it is not a full coverage foundation, it does not cover up all my redness and the under eye dark circles. I would recommend to put concealers to those specific areas.Due to the lightness of the cream, it is wearable daily. Also, the sponge puff allows me to blend the cream easy. I could see why many of my Asian peers would rave about this because of the whitening and brightening effect it gives off on your face. Although there were some complaints from some of my peers who have oily skin, but since I have dry to combination skin, thus this BB creams does not make my face shinny, instead, it makes my face look dewy and glow-y. I could suggest those with oily skin to apply an oil free primer with a thin layer of the BB cream and set with a powder. I am definitely loving the BB cream!!!

This is available in most department stores in Thailand. I am not sure if they are available in every country, or if there is an online website that you could purchase world-wide. It is definitely cheaper to buy in Korea. If any of you know a website that you could purchase this world-wide, please leave a comment on this post for other readers. 

BACK ON TRACK!

Hello! I am sorry I have been away for awhile. I was busy studying and organizing my life, but now I am back for more cosmetic hauls and reviews !!! Currently, I am in Bangkok, so there will be more of cosmetics in the Thailand market, but I went to IMATS in London and did some shopping there before I returned back. So, there will be several reviews coming soon for you to read! There will also be some purchases that I will post from previous months in Southampton. Furthermore, feel free to ask for reviews of certain products. I will try my best to do as soon as possible. THANK YOU! :D

PS. If there are any recommendations on skincare products, please leave a comment on this post.

xoxo