Crushing on Cushions

So Bubbles found herself at the Laneige Beauty Road event on Saturday when she was "just popping over to Kino". Eeks, dangerous detour, that one. Especially when there's a hot pink universal travel adaptor gift-with-$150-spend. 

Now Bubbles just came back from an overseas trip without once reaching for Father Alpaca's plain grey adaptor with snazzy buttons to slide out different electrical prongs. But Bubbles needed a hot pink adaptor in her life. 

My precioussss......

The lengths Bubbles goes to, to get the hot pink adaptor...

Loot laid out. Bubbles grabbed the new releases too! Amazing what the words "limited edition summer collection" can do...

Notably, the Laneige Body Cushion (slightly over $50 per cushion, it's $53 if memory serves), the Anti Pollution Masks (5 pieces) and the Anti Pollution Defensor (essentially a sunblock) are THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. The Anti Pollution masks and sunblock came as a set with free Clear-C and white plus renew original essence samples, retailing at $78.

The 7 collagen drinks were the inducement to spend at least $230, and the Lip Sleeping Mask and mini lipstick palette are rewards for spending at least $300. A $150 spend gets you the cluster of 5 small bottles, but hey, a trial Anti Pollution Defensor was thrown in (and the hot pink adaptor).

So Bubbles decided to give the Laneige Body Cushion a go...it's really called the "Laneige Sparkling Body Cushion" but that's a bit much to say over and over again.

Enlisting the services of a smaller alpaca to model the case

The usual rubbery puff, just bigger

And the cushion. It has a light fruity scent, reminding Bubbles of cocktails by the beach. Very different from the face-BB-cushion scent.

Best Cap'n America impression. This stuff is sparkly!

See the difference between NO and GLOW? The pearly sheen is obvious when you catch the light at certain angles. So alpacas, remember to blend (i.e. take the sponge and pat outwards without dipping into the cushion again) and you won't have patches of pearl on your arms. 

Once blended out (experiment repeated while typing this post), this alpaca is coated in a very fine shimmer. Oh Bubbles Cullen, why do you sparkle so?  Viewed at arm's length (literally), the effect on Bubble's hand is subtle, but when brought closer to the face, the sparkles are noticeable (it's like what's left after swatching a glittery eyeshadow on your hand and rubbing it off with a finger). Not something Bubbles would wear to work, but definitely for a date or high tea. 

Bubbles also tried the Anti Pollution mask (while watching TV). It's a fabric mask, not a gel one. Overall very hydrating and calming. Thumbs up for a repurchase. 

Fa-la-la-la-laneige

So this was the loot - all alpacas love a Christmas treat

With all them sprays.

And the Sleeping Balls

Bubbles finds the sprays a great way to perk up the alpaca mien in the mornings. And afternoons. And evenings. Bubbles is considering becoming a big-bag-lady so that she can carry one around with her at all times. Hohoho.

Read more about the collection here - what's in store in-store!

New loot from Laneige

So Bubbles had a little jaunt at ion orchard after work today and got herself a piece of the Laneige Sleeping Ball and Laneige Water Science Mist action. Huzzah! These items have just hit our sunny shores and are available exclusively at the Laneige ion branch. They are permanent items.

[Update 1.19 a.m.: Blogger ate my earlier post after publication. This is a rewrite. Bad blogger.]

7 different water science mists

Be still, my heart. For $28 you can take home a slice of a rainbow. 

Bubbles sampled 5/7 of the mists and settled on Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 7. If induction is a reliable means of acquiring knowledge, it can be said that each mist will smell like the products in its corresponding product line (since Bubbles is clueless about Nos. 2 & 6). Still best to test before buying, although the smell does not linger.

• No. 1 - Skin Relief - Soothing: smells medicinal. Bubbles will pass.
• No. 2 - White Plus Renew - Whitening: Bubbles did not test this. Ran out of face space. Also, Bubbles has not tried any products from the whitening line (yet).
• No. 3 - Sparkling Water - Brightening: smells like the water bank line. Deliciously fragranced and uplifting [edit 6.00 a.m.: after using it again in the morning, Bubbles detects a citrus scent in this one, which is not pronounced in No. 4]
• No. 4 - Water Bank - Moisturizing: ditto [edit 6.00 a.m.: smells like the water bank line, mmmm. Bubbles couldn't resist and used Nos. 3 & 4 to start her day]
• No. 5 - Water Sleeping Mask - Mist Pack: smells like the water sleeping pack. Calming.
• No. 6 - Time Freeze - Face fit: Bubbles did not test this. No space on face (although more like this alpaca doesn't want to be reminded of her age)
• No. 7 - Clear C - Anti-Oxidant: delicious berry scent, just like the Clear C effector. 

Bubbles then moved on to...

Sleeping balls

Which are essentially single-use masks in a handy packet for your face, fingers and feet.

More mask mania? Ball bonanza? Running out of alliterative terms...

There are 6 different sleeping balls and their prices range from $2 - $5. They are sold in sets of 6 (not individually, alas), and you can mix and match the masks in your set. Choose from:

• Whitening sleeping ball
• Firming sleeping ball
• Water sleeping ball (slightly cheaper, huzzah)
• Homme sleeping ball
• Foot sleeping ball (cheaper)
• Hand sleeping ball (cheaper)

** alas, Bubbles cannot remember the exact prices. It would not have been good manners to write them down as the staff member spoke. 

Do not help yourself to the masks on display. Instead, let the staff know which masks you want and they will pick them out and pack them into a slim rectangular box.

Lots of loot makes one happy alpaca. Bubbles bought 4 mists and 6 Water Sleeping Balls. Reviews to follow!

kitty bonanza!!

*bounces around* Bubbles just found the cutest mirror with CATS!

Yours, with purchase of the December 2015 issue of the Japanese magazine SWEET (SGD$16.20).

Bubbles, being unable to read Japanese, did not actually know what the magazine gift would be until she opened it at home. The picture of the kitty item on the cover sealed the deal. Bubbles thought the kitty print item was another pouch, but a mirror's just as fine. Miaow!!

The pouch is a sturdy little thing in a gorgeous baby pink. It looks and feels like saffiano leather although it's PVC (again, everything is in Japanese so this is Bubbles' best guess). The inside is lined with felt. "Paul & Joe sister" is embossed in gold on the front. 

Mmmm, Paul & Joe. This alpaca sure will be stocking up on her trip to Hong Kong next month!

Loading up on Laneige (Part II)

Clearly Bubbles was not at her journalistic best yesterday...
... but Bubbles is BACK and REFRESHED!

In fact, Bubbles was so refreshed that she made a quick trip to Tangs after work today! But Bubbles left empty-handed because the Laneige gifts-with-purchase weren't fantastic (lots of cleansing oils when Bubbles prefers skincare products, and no pretty bracelet). Bubbles notes (sadly) that the wonderful gifts-with-purchase she got for her hauls were probably a Raffles City Pop-Up Store exclusive.

So back to re-living them purchases!

This time, Bubbles was very tempted by the two-tone lip bar lipsticks and the Clear C Advanced Effector. Good things, like alpacas, must come in pairs. 

Bubbles LOVES the Clear C Advanced Effector ($56 for a 30 day supply) and has massively stocked up! 3 pumps of this "toner" every morning and night work just as well as SK-II's facial treatment essence, leaving this alpaca's furry mien bright and even-toned (for a fraction of the price). The smell is a plus (mmmm, berries) so guess who always takes a great big sniff from the cotton pad before she wipes her face. Bubbles also repurchased the Lumi Block Primer ($42) because it was that good, and Bubbles is going through the existing tube very quickly. 

With all the freebies thrown in! A >$240 spend gets one a mini lip palette (4 colours), sleeping kit (containing a water sleeping mask (15ml), multiberry yoghurt repair mask (20ml) and perfect renew night treatment (5ml)) and scent diffuser (in addition to the other goodies like slippers, skincare and bracelet). Bubbles abandoned the scent diffuser because these things give Bubbles a thumping headache. 

A closer look at the goodies. This K-Beauty set retails at $67 with a $95 value! Choose any Two Tone Lip Bar (10 colours) and a Water Drop Tinted Lipbalm (3 colours) and get the rest of the items FREE, including a mini BB cushion (5g).

From left to right: Two tone lip bar, Lipbalm, mini Blurring Tightener, mini Water Supreme Primer Base, mini Lip & Eye Remover and mini BB cushion (you can choose your shade too).

The mini BB cushion is truly very small. Next to it is the Laneige Holiday BB cushion decked in red and gold with a glittery cover. Bubbles loves all things GOLD and GLITTER and is contemplating buying another one just in case she drops it while applying makeup in the morning, or in case she is burgled by magpies. Hmm. 

The mini-BB cushion has no mirror. 

There is no seal over the cushion layer, so don't open the foil packet until you're sure you want to use it.

5 items purchased

Family photo

Here's what's in the Laneige airplane travel kit. This kit is still given out for current purchases. The slippers and eye ask are made of a spongy, silky material, and the inflatable pillow has that furry suede feeling. 

Now Bubbles is going to take a nap. Stay tuned for more updates every Saturday!

Zzz. Bubbles is totally pooped after attending a party today. The promised post will have to wait till Monday night. Apologies, alpacas!

But here's one I did earlier!

1. Laneige Clear C Advanced Effector ($56) - a berry-scented toner and 60 cotton pads for day and night use;

2. Laneige Multi-Cleanser ($33) 

3. Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel ($42)

4. Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Repair Pack ($42).

The rest are free stuff/samples with purchase >$150.

Toodles!

Loading up on Laneige

Allo, Alpacas!

It has been some time since Bubbles' last post (Bubbles has been busy), but this alluring alpaca is back!

Now the 2015 Laneige holiday collection has been released and it's called the "Laneige Lucky Holiday Collection". Bubbles wasn't actually planning to get anything but she had $80 to spend after signing up for a Laneige K-Beauty workshop in October ($80 workshop fee but fully redeemable for products). Bubbles signed up only because the workshop was to be held on the 69th floor of Swissotel (the view, the view!). It certainly was an effective marketing strategy on Laneige's part because after playing with a huge array of Laneige skincare and makeup products from 10am to 1pm, Bubbles did THREE Laneige hauls over three days (yikes!). But who can blame this alpaca? Bubbles was sorely tempted by the gift-with-purchase items! Just look at this gift-with-$180-spend bracelet!

Laneige "sparkling" bracelet. Sparking a spending frenzy in this alpaca.

The Laneige workshop goodie bag. Must resist putting multiple exclamation marks. 

Behold! A puff for the BB cushion, a set of 6 mini Laneige brushes in a faux leather brush holder (these brush sets are not for sale and are only available as event gifts), mini water bank mist (30ml), mini lip sleeping mask (3g), mini water sleeping mask (15ml), 1 piece Clear C advanced effector mask, a notebook and a silver cross body bag. 

So Bubbles dropped some moolah after the workshop on these items:

1. The holiday BB cushion set ($59);

2. A blush (Blossom Coral; tested and loved during the workshop) ($38);

3. Lumi Block primer (also tested and loved during the workshop - excellent oil control properties and a very smooth canvas for Bubbles to start painting on her face - your drawn-on eyebrows will never leave your face at the end of a long day) ($42);

4. Laneige x Playnomore lip gel ($36);

5. Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel (it's like eating a delicious berry dessert without the calories) ($42).

Looking spiffy, this BB cushion packaging. Comes with 4 mini colour pencils and 7 Laneige skincare samples! 

And then they load you with free gifts! The gift with purchase for spending above $180 (but below $240) comprises:

1. Laneige travel kit: an inflatable neck pillow, slippers and an eye mask;

2. Laneige sparkling bracelet;

3. Selfie camera clip if you are a Robinsons member (has a fish-eye lens effect);

4. Pack of very generously sized skincare samples (samples on steroids, if you will). The refiner and emulsion here are TWICE the size of the same refiner and emulsion samples Bubbles received during the non-holiday promo for minimum $150 spend - (a) Power Essential Skin Refiner Light (50ml), (b) Balancing Emulsion Light (50ml), (c) Water Bank Essence (10ml), (d) Lip Sleeping Mask (3g) and (e) Water Sleeping Mask (15ml).

Everything unpacked. Holiday promotions are super worth it. The sample sachets are for playing a memory game at the pop up store. Bubbles, having no strategy apart from randomly jabbing at the screen to match the picture pairs, scored the consolation prize.

All laid out! Haul + gifts with purchase + workshop goodies = one happy alpaca!

So adios, alpacas! Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow!