[REVIEW] Sleek MakeUP i-divine i-Candy, Oh So Special & Ultra Matte V2 Darks

Hello readers! I apologize for the long hiatus again. I had just arrived back in Singapore after being away on a 3-week-long post-graduation trip to United Kingdom. 

It was my first time travelling in UK and I have to admit, Scotland had stolen my heart away.

And when in UK, I couldn't resist picking up some of their cosmetics to try. They costs soooo much cheaper than in Singapore. Here's a photo of the cosmetics I had bought there: 

[TOP, from left to right]: Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes in Ultra Mattes V2 Darks, Oh So Special!, and i-Candy
[MIDDLE, from left to right] Elizabeth Arden - Deluxe Compact, Flawless Finish Perfectly Nude Foundation SPF 15, Ceramide Ultra Lipstick, Beautiful Color Lipgloss, Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF 15, Green Tea Energising Bath & Shower Gel
[BOTTOM, from left to right] Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer, Collection 2000 Mardi Gras Lip Balm, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, Bourjois Happy Light Foundation, Sleek MakeUP Face Form

I'll be posting reviews on most of these products progressively so do come back often!
(alternatively, you can register your email address at the right column to receive an email whenever there is a new post on this site.) 

Should you wish to have a review on any of these items soon, do drop me a comment on this blogpost! Then based on majority (if there is more than one item being requested), I would prioritise the requested ones first. :)

Okay, let's get started. I'll be doing a review on 3 eyeshadow palettes from a UK drugstore cosmetic brand - Sleek MakeUP. Now, don't be fooled by the "drugstore" label. This stuff is AMAZING. I'm glad that it's "drugstore" because it keeps prices more affordable, but at the same time, I can't help but boast of the quality of these eyeshadows. 

I had picked up two palettes from their local drugstore - Boots (a must-must visit) - Oh So Special and Ultra Mattes V2 Darks. The lady at the cashier had remarked that that the Oh So Special palette was very popular among customers and that she, herself, was also a huge fan of it. ^_^

Sleek Oh So Special!

Sleek Ultra Mattes V2 Darks

I went back with these purchases and the first thing that crossed my mind was - now what do I do with them??? I have never included eyeshadows as part of my make-up regime, other than the occasional swipe of Innisfree Eyeshadow Pencil. That's because I usually end up with "you-got-put-eyeshadow-meh??" kind of eyeshadow, or "you-kena-boxed-ah?" kind of eye make. 

Luckily, one of my travelling pals was pretty talented with make-up (she was also the one who introduced me to Sleek!). She showed me one of those youtube tutorials which she had picked up her skills from and also guided me along while I was trying it out. I loved how pigmented and how easy it was to apply the shadows. I experienced no fall-out so I didn't get darken shades in areas which I did not want around my eye. :D In fact, the colours applied pigmented but the overall look still remained subtle enough that I didn't feel like I was going around with "WERKIN-IT!!!" eyeshadow. In case you don't get it, no, I like subtle yet classic looks, not the "VIVA-LA-VIDA" kind of look. 

So I was pretty impressed at the ease and versatility of mixing the shades to create a look that I liked. :) Not to mention, there are a plethora of tutorials for each palette on youtube, so do check them out. 

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

I've separated the reviews into the three respective palettes below!

i-Candy: The creamy sorbet shades accompanied with sweet names like Bubble Gum, Mint Cream, Strawberry Sherbet and Apple Sour makes this palette an absolute delight! It contains an array of matte, shimmer and pearl shades. The pastel colours makes this an ideal palette for those looking for a bit of colour to their eyeshadows, without worrying about the colours being too bright. This can be used daily too to sweeten up your makeup. :)

[TOP, from left to right] Strawberry Sherbet, Bon Bon, Parma Violet, Apple Sour, Pear Drop, Flump
[BOTTOM, from left to right] Liquorice, Blue Fizzle, Aniseed, Bubble Gum, Mint Cream, Cream Soda

Oh So Special!: Definitely my favourite out of the three. This palette has 12 trendy shades that would flatter skin tones of all shades and suit all occasions, both day and night. Definitely a must-have for everyone from beginners to professionals. This versatile palette is something I would definitely recommend to anyone who may just want to get one Sleek palette.

[TOP, from left to right] Bow, Organza, Ribbon, Gift Basket, Glitz, Celebrate
[BOTTOM, from left to right] Pamper, Gateau, The Mail, Boxed, Wrapped Up, Noir

Ultra Matte V2 Darks: Matte eyeshadows are often notorious for being chalky and having a lack of pigment. However, Sleek's Ultra Mattes appeared creamy and was highly pigmented to boot. A little goes a long way when applying this eyeshadow. 

[TOP, from left to right] Orbit, Ink, Highness, Noir, Dune, Pillow Talk
[BOTTOM, from left to right] Thunder, Maple, Flesh, Paper Bag, Villain, Fern

Instructions for use:

Being a newbie at eyeshadow application myself, I don't think I'm in the best position to offer any type of advice at all with regards to how to apply eyeshadow. So I've selected and posted three videos below which I found gave great tutorials for the respective palettes! 

[Note: I'm Asian of Chinese ethnicity and I chose these videos because I felt that these eye-makeup tutorials can be followed with relative ease and also shows up pretty well despite not having the heavy creases like our counterparts with those deep-set-eyes.]

i-Candy:

Oh So Special!: 

Ultra Mattes V2 Darks :

Would I buy it again:
Yes! And I did! Shortly after coming back from the UK, I was viewing tutorials through YouTube and realised the two eyeshadow palettes I have were a little on the dark/neutral side. I wanted to experiment with more colourful (but not omg-bright) colours and after looking through several reviews online, decided to purchase the i-Candy palette. It was just in the nick of time that Luxola was having 37% discount all products time sale the next day. :D Please do check out this amazing website as with its regular discounts and sales, it is one of the best places (probably the only best place) I know where you can get your Sleek MakeUP products at affordable prices while still in Singapore. :) 

Price: 

GBP7.99 in Boots (Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price) so I paid GBP 11.98 in total (approximately SGD 24 for 2)

SGD22 at Luxola.com (Look out for their time sales! - I got one at 37% off - i.e. SGD 13.86)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!
♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Innisfree NEW Green Tea Line (Some products from the Balancing + Fresh line!)

Hello readers! Double posts today because I had recently went on a hugggggeee Innisfree shopping spree in a span of two days. HAHAHHAS. 

First day: 

[TOP] Innisfree Cotton Pads x3
[BOTTOM LEFT]: Creamy Tint Lip Mousse, Green Tea Seed Serum, Lip Base
[BOTTOM RIGHT, clockwise from top left]: Makeup Sponges, Lip Brush, Diagonal Brush for Blusher, Green Tea Balancing Skin, Lotion, & Cream

Day Two: 

[TOP LEFT]: Green Tea Seed Serum Trial Kit, Green Tea Fresh Cream
[BOTTOM CENTRE]: Shadow Pencil in #1 Snow Crystal & #6 Sour Tangerine,Brush, Daily Brush Cleaner

As you can see, it was a huge haul on their green tea line products, lip-cosmetics, as well as beauty tools. :D For those who are unaware of it yet, Innisfree had recently re-launched their Green Tea Pure Line into THREE different types: 

1. Fresh (for oily skin type): Skin (i.e. toner/refiner), Essence, Cream
2. Balancing (for combination skin type): Skin, Lotion, Cream
3. Moisture (for dry skin type): Skin, Essence, Cream (Moisture Skin was previously Pure Skin)

(Note that only the Balancing Line has Lotion, whereas only Fresh & Moisture has Essence)

So many creams~~!
Fresh - Oily, Balancing - Combination, Moisture - Dry, Seed - Deeply Moisturizing

Product Benefits: 

[Balancing Line - For Combination Skin Type]
Skin (toner/refiner), Lotion (moisturizer/emulsion), Cream (moisturizer)

[Fresh Line - For Oily Skin Type]
Cream, Skin, Essence

I bought the Green Tea Seed Serum, which I raved over in a past review here, and there was a special promotion ongoing where if you buy a Green Tea Seed Serum (SGD$36), you'll receive a Green Tea Special Kit containing 3 products from the Balancing Line: Skin, Lotion, & Cream. 

This was perfect as I was also looking for a moisturizer to replace the one I was currently using (that one was getting a little too oily for my face, in this humid humid huuuuuuumid weather). 

The Green Tea Special Kit aren't exactly the full sized products, but they're definitely generous enough to make it this large too! :D

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts:

Green Tea Special Kit: I love the Skin & Lotion! The Skin is sort of like a watery gel, and leaves my skin feeling cool and clean. The Lotion is absolutely perfect, not oily and makes my skin feeling soft afterwards! The Cream was a tad too rich though, it left my skin feeling like I've put too much stuff on my face to absorb (this may very well be true seeing that this was the last thing I applied). Although this slightly gunky feeling disappears after half an hour or so, with mad rushes in the morning, I doubt I'll have the time or the patience to wait for my skin to absorb the Cream before applying my make-up for the day. 

Here's where the Green Tea Fresh Cream comes in to save the day! 

I absolutely loveeee the clear gel! It spreads across my face like cooling water and is very very easily absorbed even after applying the Skin & Lotion. :) 

I replaced the Balancing Cream with this Fresh Cream. :) Perhaps my skin hovers in-between the Oily and Combination skin types. hahhahas. 

[Reviews on the Creamy Lip Tint Mousse & Creamy Tint Lipstick Here!]

[I'll be posting reviews on the eye shadow pencils at a later date!]

Would I buy it again:
Yes! I most definitely think so! And I'd recommend the Green Tea Lines as gift ideas for your girlfriends, wives, friends, etc.! 

Price: 

• Green Tea Fresh Cream: SGD$25
• Green Tea Seed Serum: SGD$36 for the serum + free Green Tea Special Kit

Verdict: 10/10!

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about these product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 & Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20

 Hello Readers!

Second post for my hugggggeeee Innisfree shopping spree. In this post, I'll be sharing my review on the latest cosmetic product that's been popping up in my local Innisfree store - Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse, as well as their old favourite - Innisfree Creamy Tint Lipstick. :) 

Spokesperson for Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse. :) 

 This lip tint mousse comes in 7 rich colours to complement the Spring seasonal look. :) I also heard from elsewhere that there may be 5 new additional colours coming in during Summer. :D

After trying out the colours for nearly an hour in the store, I was deciding between #1 - a softer pink, #3 - a soft red, and #4 a bright red-pink! I was contemplating between trying something new and daring by getting a red lip colour or sticking to the safe-but-confirm-will-use-everyday pink. hahahs I chickened out and chose the pink (#1 - Small Orchid Flower Pink) in the end. But...I like this product so much so far that I am considering going back to get either the #3 or #4! Any suggestions? :D I went back the next day to get #3 but unfortunately it was SOLD OUT. omg, and it was only less than 24 hours since I was there! But....the saleslady also recommended the Creamy Tint Lipstick and suggested #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral which gave the same shade as #3, just that the lipstick has a slight gloss to it whereas the lip mousse dries completely matte. So, I decided to try that instead of having two of the same products. :D Yay, now I have something vibrant and red to spice up my make-up collection. hahahas. 

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink

Creamy Tint Lipstick

Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral

Instructions for use:

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse:

Taken from ibuybeauti.com, these photo instructions shows two ways of applying the mousse like a pro. :) I usually would do the vivid gradiation - sans the lip concealer though, I use the Innisfree Moisture Lip Base instead - which would be shown later in this post!! :D

You can even use it as a blusher! But uh, I prefer to keep my products single-functional. hahahs 

Creamy Tint Lipstick:
I used a lip brush to apply the lipstick! I didn't really try to play around with the gradation, but the intensity of the colour can be built upon layer by layer! :)

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts:

While browsing through the lip colours, I was griping to my mother about the lines on my lips and how all the lip colours I've been testing looks so pretty but the lines kinda messes up the application and the overall look - being on Isotretinoin makes my lips really dry and hence, lip lines appeared. :(

My mom found this little tube of amazing hidden at the corner of the display and suggested that I try applying this before testing the lip colours - Innisfree Moisture Lip Base. 

MY COSMETIC LIFE CHANGED FROM THEN ON.

Amazing product for those with dry lips or lined lips (like mine :'( )

After application, I pursed and rubbed my lips together and...it felt so so smooth. Try rubbing your lips together right now, and assuming you've got nothing on, you may feel some friction while rubbing right? Well, this product made it so so velvety smooth, no friction at all. It's like my lips are encased in a layer of soft soft velvet.

It applies on like a regular lip-balm, but much smoother!

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Pink: 
Back to the creamy lip tint mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink, it's like a creamy lip gloss? I'm not sure why they call it a mousse, it's not exactly like airy-light, fluffy. hahahs. The lip applicator is a very simple wand. :)

Lip Wand

Do be careful not to apply too much at one shot! I'd recommend dabbing first in the middle of your lips before gently spreading it out sideways. That way, you can slowly build up on the intensity!

Swatch - note how creamy and vivid the colour is!

I loved how the colour turned out! It starts off with a soft pink upon light application, and you can slowly build up on the product to result in a full-on pink as vibrant as the tube! :) The lip colour lasted for really long, and only disappears when I'm eating. I reapplied the lip mousse after lunch and approximately 4 to 5 hours later, during dinner, I was wiping my lips after taking a bite and I noticed that the napkin carried some traces of my lip colour! So it gains brownie points for its lasting power. Upon application, it looks a teeny tiny bit glossy but that dries to leave a soft matte texture, the colour is still very vibrant though!

After swiping it a few times - the colour stays vibrant and rich!

And now to the Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Coral:
The redness of the lipstick was not too vibrant to make me feel uncomfortable sporting those red lips outside. It also appeared to add a touch of healthiness and fun to my overall appearance! In fact, your entire make-up can be nude/pale because the lipstick would brighten up your entire face. :) Yay for easy make-up mornings! In addition, a little goes a long way too! and, using a lip brush, or even your fingertips, you can also control the intensity of the colour by slowly building it up layer by layer. :D

The lipstick tube :)

Note the matte texture of the lip swatch

BEFORE: 

Just bare lips

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink

Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral
(It turned out very sheer as I applied only one layer,
this can be intensified quickly by layers if I don't use the lip brush!)

Would I buy it again: Perhaps, the colours in #3 and #4 are still enticing me. :P I bought, hahahs, but #3 was OOS, but I bought the alternative - Creamy Tint Lipstick - equally good and just slightly different because of the sheer gloss. :)

Price: 

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse: SGD$17 at my local Innisfree store (Takashimaya)
Creamy Tint Lipstick: SGD$20

For a limited time - get a mini Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover with every purchase of the Creamy Lip Tint Mousse! (I use this to remove my point make-up, and it's pretty good!) 

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about these products!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Etude House Silk Scarf Damage 2X Hair Pack & Serum (Jojoba Seed & Avocado Seed)

Hello readers!

I do apologize for the long over-due post. I have been absolutely overwhelmed with my thesis deadline, which is only 17 days away! It's been crazy for the past few weeks, juggling between my thesis, my sociology elective (why I even took an elective during the last semester of honours still befuddles me to this day), and other events outside of school. 

Okay, here's my review for the start of April! I'll be sharing my views on one of Etude House's new (okay, by now, not really new anymore) product - Silk Scarf Damage 2x Hair Pack & Serum Series. 

Due to its affordability, I picked up these two types out of the 4 they had on offer: Level 2 Jojoba, and Level 4 Avocado (the rest are: Level 1 Camellia, and Level 3 Argan). 

My hair has been a little unkempt lately, mostly due to utter neglect. >< So I hoped that I could give my hair a nice treat and hopefully (and miraculously) become thick and shiny tresses. (hahahs, just kidding, no really)

Product Benefits:

[Floral Fruity] 

Top: Floral Freesia Orange Jasmine
Middle: Rose Magnolia White Peach

Bottom White Musk Amber Cedar Wood 

Jojoba Seed extract intensely nourishes hair by treating the scalp and revitalising hair for intense nourishment. The extract softens hair and prevents dehydration by forming a moisturising barrier.

[Citrus Floral Musky]

Top: Bergamot Apple

Middle: Jasmine White Rose

Bottom: Musk Cedarwood Amber

Avocado Seed extract intensely nourishes hair with its lecithin ingredient that has excellent revitalising and natural growth stimulating properties for damaged hair. Avocado Seed extract softens hair by forming a powerful barrier and providing protein to protect hair. 

Instructions for use:

1. After shampooing, squeeze out excess water and apply treatment. Try to avoid the roots as these would often become clogged from high density creams. I usually bring a rubber scrunchie or hair clip to hold my hair up for about 5 minutes to allow the treatment to penetrate thoroughly into the hair strands. :) 
2. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. (I like to add a dash of cold water at the end - makes hair less frizzy) 
3. Apply essence to wet or dry hair. :) (I like to put it on towel-dried hair before blow drying it for a short while - don't want to further damage the hair!) 

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts:

I really like the Jojoba Seed Mask Pack and Serum. The scent of the product smelled light and fresh. :) Unfortunately, the effects of the mask and hair serum only lasted for on the day of usage. By the next morning, my hair was back to its pre-mask&serum form. Perhaps it would be good to try using the mask pack on a regular basis (say 2 to 3 times a week) for better results. :)

The Avocado Seed Mask Pack and Serum left my hair feeling a little more weighty compared to the Jojoba Seed. This can be attributed to the higher level of intensity that is recommended on this (Avocado = Lvl 4, Jojoba = Lvl 2). In fact, the mask pack left my hair so smooth and soft that I skipped on the serum and saved it for another day.

I have thin and frizzy hair, so perhaps the Avocado Seed had been a tad too heavy for me. Perhaps I should try the Argan Seed pack to see if it would be better for my hair too. :) 

Would I buy it again: Yes! I just bought another Jojoba Seed pack when I walked past an Etude House outlet yesterday! 

Price: $1.90 for 1 hair pack + 1 hair serum

Verdict: 8/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Etude House Oh My God! Dry Shampoo (Updated!)

I'm pretty sure most of us have came across articles which advise us against shampooing our hair every day, this is because it may strip our scalp of the necessary oils required to smoothen and condition the hair strands. This causes our hair to dry out and it's a also a cause of fading hair colour. There have been recommendations on the frequency of wet hair washing, ranging from every alternate day to 2 to 3 times a week. However, they don't always provide alternatives to the days when we don't shampoo. 

In hot and humid Singapore, this can be a problem as our scalp would tend to get oily or at least have a slightly funny smell (I suppose it's from walking through or eating in places where there's a lot of smoke from the grease?) at the end of the day. Especially for those with oilier scalps, our hair may look soft and nice when we first wake up in the morning, but lo-and-behold, after a few hours out of bed, the soft-looking hair starts to look more like deflated and...lifeless. 

So...I've recently came across a product that serves as an alternative to wet shampoos...dry shampoos! 

Dry shampoos have been available since the 1970s and the starch, silica or talcum-based products were sold as either powder to sprinkle into the hair or in the form of aerosol cans. Unlike wet shampoos, rather than washing away, the function of dry shampoo is to absorb the residue in the hair. 

So today, I will be doing a review on a dry shampoo I had picked up recently - the Etude House Oh My God! Dry Shampoo.

quirky name and quirky comic

Product Benefits:

It is a quick and convenient solution to mornings when you wake up late with no time to wash your hair. Formulated with Anti-sebum complex, your scalp will be left fresh and clean. It is also a great quick fix for oily hair when you're on the go. 

Instructions for use:

• Shake well before use 
• Aim the nozzle about 15-20 cm away from head (to ensure even distribution and prevent buildup) and spray over scalp and hair 
• Massage into scalp with fingers for about a minute to allow the product to absorb
• Brush your hair to restyle

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: It definitely provided a boost to my hair and scalp after application. The effectiveness of the product lasted about 4 to 6 hours before my hair started to feel a little limp again. I have to admit though, for the price I paid for this product, I have my doubts as to how many times I can spray before it runs out of product (I'm guessing maybe only 6 to 8 times? update: unfortunately, the product was emptied after 3-4 times ...)

The flowerly smell was pretty strong, so for those who don't really like those sort of flowerly toilet deodorant sprays, you may want to shy away from this. 

Would I buy it again: Maybe, I'd like to try other dry shampoos, mainly because of the cost of the product. 

Price: SGD$13 at qoo10.sg, SGD$16.90 at local Etude House stores. 

Verdict: 6/10 update: I think I'd give this about 4/10 - mainly because of how fast the product was emptied despite being pretty careful with spraying it

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple