December 2013 Haul

I recently went back to Singapore and Malaysia for yet another holiday. Now, if you remember my previous haul, you'd know that I bought some goodies from Singapore. YSL to be more exact. This time round, I did not buy anything from Singapore because duty-free prices seem to have gone up. On the other hand, I had the opportunity to shop to my heart's desire at Sephora while I was in Malaysia.

Here's a list of what I bought.
1. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful
2. Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara
3. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Turn On
4. Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara Remover
5. Benefit Hydra-Smooth Lip Color in Dare Me
6. MAC Brush #109
7. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Ozone
8. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar
9. Urban Decay Naked Skin in 4.0
10. Shu Uemura Heart and Flower by Murakami S Curler
11. Benefit Brow Zings

Individual reviews and swatches to come! I can't wait to share with you my opinion of these products. I've tested quite a few of them out and I look forward to announcing my favourites.

Have you tried any of these products? Which are your favourites? 

What Came in the Mail + Accessories Haul

I was really excited when I cracked open my parcel last Monday and found these goodies. If you've stuck around my blog long enough, you'd know that I'm a huge fan of Katy Perry. Really keen to try these babies out. Keep an eye out for my review. I've never tried self-adhesive lashes before so things are going to get interesting!

Here's another photo at a different angle and closer up. I love the cookies on sticks. They are so cute! Haven't got the heart to eat them.

Okay, so there's been quite a hype around Michael Todd skincare products, especially in the Youtube community. I really wanted to try them out but at the same time, I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket. Ordering all the full-sized products would cost me at least $100. I caved and bought this travel set instead. And yes, a review is on the horizon.

So for the last couple of weeks, Lovisa had a 3 for 2 sale. I was looking for a pair of earrings to go with my dress, for a ball that I will be attending. I spotted all these other items and I couldn't resist. My earrings hunt turned into a massive accessories haul As you can see, I purchased a set of gold bangles, a couple of necklaces, a pair of crystal earrings (for my dress) and a set of studs (see below).

What really sold me on the studs were the two birds at the bottom. Below is a clearer photo of them.

I think they are absolutely beautiful and I only wished that I have blonde (instead of black) hair, so that the black feather tails would show up more when I wear them.

January/Malaysia Haul

Just wanted to share with you ladies a couple of items that I've bought during my trip back to Malaysia.

I bought myself a MAC blush in Dame because my makeup collection was lacking a neutral pink blush. As a local, such as item is considered a luxury. I am lucky to have the AUD on my side. This product is at least AUD$15 cheaper after conversion. I just couldn't resist!

During my trip, I've also discovered that a new skincare line, called Nano White, has been launched in Malaysia. The formulas were created by the Japanese but the products are manufactured in Malaysia. I thought it'd be a good idea to show some support to the locals. Also, I was very curious to see how well they measure up to my other skincare products. So expect a review or two in the near future.

On my way back to Australia, I stopped by Changi airport for a connecting flight. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the prices of their YSL cosmetics in the duty free section. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. I had not planned on buying anything from duty free but after having lusted for these products for so long, I ignored my conscience and bought myself a Glossy Stain and Touche Eclat foundation. I still haven't unboxed these products yet because they are too precious to me. Once, I've tested them, I will be writing reviews on them. So stay tune!

Have you ever been to Singapore or Malaysia? What beauty products did you purchase while you were there?

Triple S: USA Beauty Haul

You may have noticed that I have not been replying to comments for the past three weeks. That's because I've been away on a big holiday. Where did I go? USA! And of course, for every beauty blogger, it's a standard procedure to follow up with a Haul post. 

Sadly, I did not purchase as many beauty items as I had hoped/expected but I'm sure you're still keen to see what handful of products did I manage to grab.

In terms of makeup, this is what I bought: Duo eyelash adhesive, Stila Convertible in Lilium, UD eyeshadow in Bordello, UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion, MAC eyeshadow palette that I built myself (Brown Down, Naked Lunch, Sable and Satin Taupe) and a MAC 219 brush (it's brown at the tip because I've already started using it). I am in love with my Stila Convertible. I will be doing a swatch and review soon so keep an eye out!

As for skincare, I only got myself one product: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. I can tell you now that this is the best acne treatment I have tried so far. Review to come! I was going to buy myself a La Mer Moisturising Cream while I was there. Then, my mum revealed that she has an unopened jar that I can have so I didn't.

As for nail polish, I had initially intended to buy quite a lot of OPI from the US. However, we never managed to find a store that stocked a big selection. I know Sephora has their own version/collection of OPI but I wanted the originals. No big loss because I already have 20 over nail polishes that I hardly use. So all I got were these two: Essie Good As Gold and Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat in 09 Wave Break.

Lastly, I also picked up a copy of Allure Magazine. It was for only $4! I couldn't resist. Plus, Keira Knightley looks smoking hot in this issue. 

Before I finish up this post, here are some of my favourite photos from the trip.

New York

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Have you been to USA before? Which city is your favourite? I can't decide between New York and San Francisco.

Wicked Wednesday: July Haul

Yes, I know what you're going to say, "Ty, you are waaaaay behind on your July Haul post!" I'm really sorry but I felt that it was more important that I published my previous posts first. Anyway, let's jump straight into it. Remember from my May Haul post, I said that I would not buy anything beauty-related in June because I spent too much in May? Well, if you look through this blog, you will find that the June Haul post is missing. So yes, I lasted through that month without purchasing any beauty products. Hooray! So came July, I treated myself to three. I know, it sounds stupid that I saved in June and I ended up spending in July. But who cares? These products are relatively affordable anyway.

After watching so many American Youtubers and hearing (reading) so many Australian bloggers rave about it, I finally jumped on the Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter bandwagon. I have to say that I'm not disapponinted, in fact I am impressed! The best bit is, I bought it when Target had a buy one get one free Sale. So I got one for myself and one for you (my lovely readers). Expect a review from me soon!

The second product that I purchased is Australis 10hr Waterproof Eye Pencil. I bought it because I've been keeping an eye out for a blue coloured eye pencil to do a duo-coloured eyeliner look. And after hearing from Emily how wonderful this product is, I decided to buy it. I plan on doing a review and a tutorial with it in the near future.

Lastly, I got myself another pair of MAC lashes because 1) My #33 are wonky and out of shape from repeated use and abuse. 2) I was in a bad mood that day and need a pick-me-up and 3) I really like the look of this pair! At first, I went up to the MAC counter asking for #7, they said they've been out of stock for quite a while now. My eyes caught this pair #32 and I knew I couldn't go wrong with them. I'll post up a photo when I get around to wearing them (and when actually remember to take a photo). 

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of it/them?

Wicked Wednesday: May Haul

Okay, I think I've overdone it this time. I can't believe how much I've spent in May! In April, I had told myself I'd cut down on spending. I want to bring my bank figure up by a lot. The shiny plastic card in my purse seems to keep finding it's way into machines, draining my account!

At the start of May, I bought myself a translucent setting powder. At first I was tossing up between a Laura Mercier one and a Smashbox one. But since Smashbox is a tad bit cheaper and the lady at Mecca Maxima said that I could return it within two weeks if I didn't like it, I thought I could not go wrong with it. I've been using it for a month now and am happy with it. It is the Smashbox Photo Set Finishing Powder. Review to come! So that was $40 spent.

I was watch a lot of Youtube. One of the Youtube beauty gurus that I subscribe to is pixi2woo. Tanya Burr was wearing a beautiful pink polish that I've been searching for for a very long time. I tried asking her what nail polish brand and name it is on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter for a few weeks. No reply. Finally, just when I have given up, on her next video she put it in her description box. Essie Fiji. I immediately jumped on eBay and bought one for $9. This is only because the stockists where I live lack variety and I could not be bothered going store to, asking for it.

Source: polishmehappy.blogspot.com

Then, came one of those gloomy Saturdays when my fingers itch to buy something online but I was trying my best to not. I bought myself some brush guards (I'm pretty sure there aren't any stores locally that stock them) online. It was pretty cheap: $14. But that's still money of course. It all adds up, right? In between, I was buying a lot of junk food at uni and believe me, uni food is expensive.

The end of May approached I was so busy that I had to do my Bobbi Brown makeup lesson a couple of days before the win-$500-worth-of-products competition ended. I booked for a Secret to Perfect Skin Lesson. The MUA was so nice that she ended up doing a full lesson for me for free! I was so tempted to buy a product from her because she was so nice. I told my boyfriend about it later that day and he went "so why didn't you?". The next day, I went back and bought a creamy concealer from her.

I was surprised when she took a fresh new stock from the drawer. It was tiny! Just as well Myer had a 10% off sale on cosmetics that day so I had to pay $41. Is it worth it? I'll let you know in a months time. My boyfriend's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw it. He couldn't stop commenting on how tiny it is. It is Bobbi Brown though. You get what you pay for with her products and I plan on making this product last for as long as possible. 

You're probably thinking. No, you haven't spent that much, girlie. Well, the next expenditure will probably shock a lot of my fellow Asian friends. I went to Oscar Oscar and got a $71 haircut. I have never spent so much on a haircut alone in my life. Never ever. I don't plan on doing it ever again. To be fair, the senior stylist was very professional and nice. Plus I joined their VIP mailing list and got a free $30 Aveda treatment. I also had a 25% student discount. I can't imagine how much I would have had to fork out if not for those savings. Then again, it was the savings that lured me in there. If not for them, I would never have set foot in Oscar Oscar. I tried to get my moneys worth by asking the stylist to cut off more hair. I ended up getting more than what I bargained for. Now my hair is barely past my shoulders. I'll just have to regrow it and go back to $25 haircuts. It's just me.

So that was a lot of money spent in May. I don't plan on buying anything at all this month (June). Let's see if I can live up to the challenge.

Summary

• I spent too much money this month!!! 

Have you ever spent a lot of money on a product/service and regretted it? Do share!

Birthday Online Haul

I went on a frenzy shopping online for my birthday last year. The items finally arrived two weeks ago but I didn't get around to taking photos and posting them up until now. I won't go through all of them because you can already see them in the photo. The box between the false lashes and brushes is a lip liner from Benefit. The big black box contains a Good Karma crease brush from Urban Decay. All Benefit items were bought from their website and all Urban Decay items were purchased from BeautyBay.com

I was really excited about the UD lipstick. I loved how pretty and purple it looked, especially in it's box! I bought the colour "Naked" because, apparently, it's one of the best nude colours around.


Now it saddens me to report this but uncapping the lipstick the first time was agony! I spent half an hour trying to open it. The little dagger thing doesn't give you a lot of room or grip. It was capped on so tight that my fingers turned red from pulling at the dagger. I even tried running some warm water over the cap to get it to expand. I had to Google it to see if anyone could shed some light on how I can pry the thing open! I was really really frustrated. I twisted and pulled at the thing for a long time. Finally, after LOTS and LOTS of twisting and turning, I pulled and it gave. I managed to open it! Hoorah! But wait, as though I wasn't already put off by the whole experience, the lipstick itself was very short, compared to MAC and Rimmel. They did not give me a lot of product!


It was such an anticlimatic and exhuasting experience that I put the lipstick away afterwards, without swatching it or trying it on. I've been really busy so I still haven't had the time to try any of the products that I bought. I'm not joking. That's why there are no reviews for this post. I'll definitely be reviewing this lipstick (in terms of its quality) when I have the time.