Singapore Haul: Beauty Products

Last month I spent my birthday in Singapore and was super excited to pick up a few things while I was there.  Especially since there's a Sephora in Singapore (the Malaysian branch is yet to officially open).

Anyways, I've actually already recorded a haul video but my computer can't seem to be able to detect the footage for me to transfer, edit and upload so since this is so long overdue, I've decided to have the blog post up first.  Not too sure if I'll eventually upload the video once I get it done up but we'll see.  If I do, I'll be sure to have either another post up for the video and link to this post or I'll just update this post with the video.

Enough blabber, here are the wonderful finds that I've managed to stash:

Smashbox Eye Wish Eyeshadow Palette

Quick Review: elf Nail Polish in Innocent

Some time back I'd purchased a whole bunch or elf products during their 60% off sale.  Here's a look at one of the nail polishes that I purchased, Innocent (which costs US$0.40 after discount!):

elf Essential Nail Polish (Innocent)

Net Weight: 0.35 fl oz

Price: US$1.00 each

Availability: eyeslipsface.com

I like the color, a nude polish with hints of pink undertones.  It's a nice classic color and one that would take sometime before I get bored of.  Personally I think this is a very demure feminine shade that works well with those with light and medium skintones if you want that nude nails effect.  As you can see from the photo above, it's the perfect nude shade for me.

I had to layer 3 coats of this formula to achieve a decent degree of opacity.  As far as consistencies go, I would describe it to be midway between being too runny and too thick.  It applies pretty streaky for me though but it wasn't something I would complain too much about considering how inexpensive the product was.

The painted color isn't quite true to the shade you see in the bottle or the swatch on the elf website (however, the actual color in the bottle and the online swatch looks fairly close.

Swatch from the elf website.

The formula is said to be free of the following ingredients/components:

• Toluene
• Formaldehyde
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Product claims:

• Chip resistant and long lasting with high shine
•  Aerodynamic bristles that glide on flawlessly
• Quick dry

At the moment I can't vouch for their first claim but I'll update on my findings at a later date.  As for the bristles, I didn't find it difficult to apply the polish and I would say it was quite easy to use despite being a bit streaky.  I wouldn't say that the formula is entirely as quick drying as they'd like us to believe but it didn't take long to wait to apply the 2nd and 3rd coat in my case.  The formula is also infused with Vitamin E which is a great moisturizing ingredient so hopefully I won't be experiencing any dry nails after taking this off.

NOTE: This polish was applied with a coat of Rimmel Stronger Try Harder Base Coat and a coat of Sally Hansen Dries Instantly 30 Second Top Coat.

Value Bits: NARS Follow The Boys Lip Gloss Set on Sephora.com

Since I can't always be reviewing products, I thought it would be fun to post products and/or deals available online that gives you a little more value for your money.  Some of the items featured may not necessarily be products that I've tried personally but are things that I feel are a good buy for it's product value, ratings, nice travel options as well as products currently on offer.

For the first Value Bits post, let's have a look at NARS Follow The Boys Lip Gloss Set:

THOUGHTS


If you're already a fan of NARS Lip Glosses, this would be a nice addition to your collection especially for stashing in your purse/handbag for on the go gloss action.  It's also a nice introduction to the brand's glosses or to be given as a gift.  I've not tried these yet so I can really talk about it's texture, wear and scents or anything like that.

WHAT'S IN THE SET

You'll get 4 0.14 oz (half the full size versions) tubes of the following lip gloss shades:

• Moon Fleet (clear with silver and gold flecks)
• Easy Lover (sheer hot pink)
• Turkish Delight (pink sorbet)
• Sweet Revenge (sheer pink grapefruit)

All glosses are packaged in a lip gloss tube with a doe foot applicator.

PRODUCT VALUE

Full size : 0.28 oz for US$24 (0.01167 oz per US$1)

This set : 0.14 oz for US$10 (0.014 oz per US$1)

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The set is a Sephora exclusive and it's Limited Edition.  As shown in the screenshot above, the product is available online from Sephora.com or via Amazon.com for US$40.

SIMILAR OFFER:

I've also stumbled upon this NARS Lip Gloss set on Beauty.com (or via Amazon.com) for US$50 and includes the following 5 gloss shades:

• Easy Lover (sheer hot pink)
• Babe (sheer orange red)
• Orgasm (peachy pink shimmer)
• Turkish Delight (pink sorbet)
• Misbehave (sheer shimmering red)

At time of post, Beauty.com is offering free shipping for this set and a free mini NARS nail polish in Orgasm (a US$7.50 value).

Wishlist: MAC Peacocky Collection (Spring 2011)

The latest MAC Spring collection, Peacocky, offers 2 new products that I'm excited about.  Each product line up boasts an amazing selection of colors and shades to cater to just about everyone out there.

The collection was recently launched in the US (January 6, 2011) and has yet to reach our shores here in Malaysia (I can't attest to other countries/regions as I unfortunately have no information on this).  I anticipate the collection to be available here some time in the next week if not over this upcoming weekend.  As you can see from the screenshot above, the products are already available online on the MAC website priced at US$19.50 (~RM60.45) for the Mega Metal Shadow and US$18.00 (~RM55.80) for the Kissable Lipcolors respectively.  Since these aren't sold here yet, I'm not too sure how much this will cost until they launch.

MAC website blurb:

Mega Metal Shadows (3.4g, 0.11 US oz) A color-rich, light-reflecting gleam combined with a creamy application that invites blending, layering, shaping, while remaining crease-resistant. A brilliant choice for all those seeking the ultimate metallic finish. Kissable Lip Colors (5g, 0.17 US oz) Luscious in pay-off and application, Kissable Lipcolor applies with the smooth glide of a lip gloss, then finishes with the creamy pigment-rich look of a Lipstick. New Slimline vial complete with doe-foot applicator.

If it were up to me, I'd love to have all the eye shadows in the collection for it's amazing pigmentation and texture (or so I've read/heard).  However, since I can't splurge as much, here are the shades that I've decided to put on my wishlist:

• Mega Metal Shadows in Noir Plum, Odalisque, Tweet Me
• Kissable Lipcolors in Flaunt It, Scandalicious, So Vain

Click below for photos, swatches and recommendations on Temptalia.com:

• Mega Metal Shadows (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Dupes 1, Dupes 2)
• Kissable Lipcolors (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Dupes 1, Dupes 2)
• Overall Recommendations & Video Review and Swatch

Are you excited? Feel free to share what's on your wishlist or if you've already gotten your hands on some, which ones did you get and how are you liking them?

Sigma Make Me Up Collection

Sigma has come up with yet another great product to usher in the new year.  If you haven't gotten their Complete Kit yet and you love a lil bit of color, then this new addition to the Sigma family might just be up your alley:

Image from Sigma Makeup website.