I Like Innisfree, Says Cuddles

Innisfree opened in Singapore. The alpacas went to Innisfree.

Left to right: Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit (gift with $50 purchase), Welcome kit for members with some samples inside, No Sebum Mineral Powder ($10), Wine Jelly Peeling Softener ($17), Cotton wool (gift with $50 purchase), assorted capsule masks ($3-4 each), Gel liner in 09 Black ($11).

A closer look if you like

The green tea set has green tea seed serum x6, green tea pure skin x1, green tea pure lotion x1, green tea pure sleeping pack x1 and green tea pure cream x1. So far, Cuddles has tried the eyeliner, which glides on easily (good) but a little heavy on the glitter. Cuddles has also been using the wine jelly peeling softener daily and it smells so heavenly. It is gentle enough to be used daily, said the Innisfree lady. Use a cotton pad to apply it on a clean alpaca face and then rinse off with water or proceed on to toner. Makes your skin nice and smooth. There isn't much in the store that Cuddles doesn't like. Next on Cuddles' to-try list is the soybean finish cream which smells nice and beany and fresh. 

Bubbles will discuss the capsule masks when she has tried them all. Look out for her massive mask collection post!

Shiseido Warehouse Sale

What an amazing adventure the alpacas had yesterday! Bubbles and Cuddles went to the Shiseido sale at Orchard Building. We went nice and early at 9am and waited patiently in line for the sale to start at 10. Well, it was an experience, seeing Ettusais, Shiseido, NARS, Cle de Peau, and others at half-price. The range was quite limited but the sales staff were all helpful and knowledgeable. And now for the exciting bit- the haul.

Bubbles got herself Cle de Peau Beaute's luminising face enhancer in 11 and 12. These are refills but they come in little plastic containers that keep well. Bubbles got both because she couldn't decide which she liked better. Each was $45, down from the counter price of $95 ($140 with the case). Bubbles' best buy!

Bubbles also got some ettusais goodies cheap: the lip essence (little twin stars limited edition no less) and the juicy berry shower cologne. The lip essence was $15, down from $31 and the cologne $10, down from $22. The items all expire in 2016-2017, not much different from those sold at counters. Whoopee!

Cuddles spent more time at the ettusais counter. She also got a lip essence and shower cologne (sometimes alpacas don't like to share), and an aqua splash OB (oil block). As she was paying she spotted new stock arriving and caught a glimpse of blue. What could that be? Shiseido's Pureness line! 3 step skincare in a box, $25! The usual price is $50. The alpaca made a quick decision.

In summary, here are the savings the alpacas had today. Original price in brackets.
Cle de Peau enhancer $45 ($95)
Ettusais lip essence $15 ($31)
Ettusais shower cologne $10 ($22)
Ettusais aqua splash OB $15 ($29)
Shiseido Pureness 1-2-3 Set $25 ($50)
Total savings: $195

The alpacas will make this a must-go sale from now.

October and November empties

Some of the empties from left to right: Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser, Shiseido Ibuki Softening Concentrate, Marks and Spencer Lavender Hand and Body Lotion, Tsubaki Conditioner, The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter, Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture, Shu Uemura Skin Purifier, Etude House Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara, Ma Cherie Airfeel Shampoo, Ma Cherie Perfect Shower
The others got recycled before the photo-taking session...Alpacas like recycling.

Bubbles' empties:
1. Laneige Multi-cleanser
2. Shiseido Ibuki trial set (cleanser, softening lotion, moisturiser)
3. Avene thermal spring water
4. Ma Cherie Perfect Shower
5. Laneige Water Bank gel cream
6. The Body Shop Rainforest Hair Mask
7. Ma Cherie Airfeel Shampoo
8. Shu Uemura Skin Purifier
9. Etude House Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara

Cuddles' empties:
1. Simple Soothing Skin Toner
2. Etude House Wonder Pore corrector (sample)
3. Laneige Water Bank Gel Essence (sample)
4. Biore sunblock watery essence SPF50
5. Tsubaki Conditioner
6. Tsubaki Shampoo
7. Marks and Spencer Lavender Hand and Body Lotion
8. Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture (sample)
9. Sulwhasoo Charity Kit Gentle Foaming Cleanser
10. Avene Cleanance Gel Soapless Cleanser

Burberry Haul - Foundation, Blush, Lipstick

Bubbles is back on the blog! Owing to the nature of Bubbles' work, Bubbles can only devote weekends to lengthy posts. Posts on weekdays by Bubbles, if any, will be short ones, perhaps about her hauls (or about a specific product).

Anyway, Bubbles just can't get enough of BURBERRY makeup! Bubbles went a-haulin' this Monday, and got the Burberry items she'd always been eyeing. Burberry is having an even more fantastic promotion now, where $160 of items gets you a FREE POWDER FOUNDATION (which normally retails at $80). Previously, it was a free mini-lipstick with a $150 purchase. Bubbles could not believe her good fortune - she held off buying her Burberry items the previous time because they didn't have the power foundation in her shade... they still don't, but Bubbles figures that Trench 03 works just as well after swatching it on her face... and the fact that it's FREE certainly plays a part in Bubbles' adaptability. Heh heh heh.

Boxed Burberry goodness

 

From left to right, we have (1) Burberry Sheer Compact Foundation in Trench 03 (FREE!), (2) Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in No. 9 Coral Pink, ($61) (3) Burberry Sheer Foundation (Luminous Fluid Foundation) in Trench 04 ($77), (4) Burberry Lip Mist in No. 210 Pink Heather ($43) and (5) a free mini Burberry Lip Cover in No. 4 Rosewood. 

 

 

Unboxed Burberry goodness

 

Bubbles' Burberry Oxblood nail polish (far left) has come out to join the rest of the clan. Retailing at $30, it is a lovely deep blood red (quite vampy!). For alpacas on a budget, The Balm's "Firehouse Red" nail polish retailing at $11.90 at SaSa is the perfect match for Oxblood. This alpaca can't tell the difference... you won't be able to tell the difference too!! In fact, Bubbles advises all alpacas out there to take a good look at Sa Sa promotions this Christmas - Bubbles got her The Balm polish FREE because The Balm blushers were 20% off with a free nail polish thrown in with every blusher purchase. Huzzah! Alpacas love "free". 

  

 

Bailey posing with the FREE Burberry compact foundation. The casing is magnetized, and it opens to reveal the foundation with a sponge underneath. The shiny casing is a magnet for fingerprints though. It comes with a velvet Burberry pouch to keep the fingerprints at bay.

Bubbles' blusher in No. 9 Coral Pink - the Tangs counter is currently out of the lighter pink shades. Bubbles was disappointed, but the SA recommended that Bubbles try this shade instead. According to the SA, Coral Pink is longer-lasting than Blossom (a lighter coral pink), and when she used this shade, it could last the day without reapplication. Bubbles, who had her heart set on Blossom, decided to give Coral Pink a try. It's currently the brightest blusher she owns, but it looks so beautiful in the pan. Bubbles will have to apply this with a lighter hand, or Bubbles will look like she has just been slapped.

 

Ah, the Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation in Trench 04, which is a work of art in itself. See the pretty packaging... how can an alpaca resist?! Bubbles' love for Burberry cosmetics blossomed after the SA gave her a sample of the fluid foundation when she purchased the Oxblood nail polish. The foundation has a wonderful, glowy finish, with excellent coverage, yet Bubbles does not look like she has any foundation on. Initially, Bubbles was hesitant to purchase the full-size because this foundation (on its own) has zero oil-controlling properties, so she'd look greasy just an hour after wearing the foundation. However, the finish was very nice, and it could last a 10-hour day, so Bubbles was wiling to give it a chance (no, many chances). Once Bubbles started wearing her Cle de Peau primer underneath this foundation, she could not reach for her credit card fast enough.

 

Even-numbered shades are yellow-toned, and odd-numbered shades are pink-toned. Bubbles recommends that alpacas pick the lighter shade if they fall in-between shades. Alpacas can then warm up the lighter shade using a loose powder that is darker, or by using a loose powder that has many colours (e.g. the Givenchy Prisme Libre one that has 1/4 pink, 1/4 purple and 2/4 beige powders), preferably with some pink in it to add warmth to the face. Bubbles doesn't know enough about bronzers to say if they'll be effective, but why not give them a try as well?

 

 

 

On to MORE FREEBIES! Bubbles missed the Burberry event on 6 December because it was full when she called to reserve herself a seat (alpacas here are so quick!). However, the SA gave Bubbles' the event's door gift anyway. Yay, favourite SA (she introduced Bubbles to the wonderful world of Burberry nail polishes with names PETA would not approve of, and Bubbles has always been coming back to her because she gives honest opinions about how products look on Bubbles, lets Bubbles try stuff to her heart's content, and is full of helpful tips on how to use the products. Never once has Bubbles felt she was pushy).

 

The Burberry goodie bag contains a (1) Burberry pouch (nylon? and patent leather), (2) a Burberry sample scent vial for Burberry Body, (3) a mini-lipstick in No. 4 Rosewood and (4) 4 Lip Cover samples with a small brush, and 2 foundation samples (Trench No. 5).



 

Bubbles now has a sizeable collection of lipstick samples. 3 from Burberry, 1 from Chanel, and 1 from Shiseido. However, she can't bear to use them! Are samples meant to be used, or merely looked at? This has puzzled generations of alpacas.

 

The current stash should last Bubbles a while, until the Burberry bee buzzes in Bubbles' bonnet again. 

 

Sulwhasoo Skincare Regime

Greetings, alpacas! Bubbles will be sharing her Sulwhasoo stash and skincare regime today.

Bubbles is the proud owner of 8 full-sized Sulwhasoo products and she certainly hopes to acquire more. Introducing her babies, from left to right:

(1) Sulwhasoo Snowise EX White Ginseng Exfoliating Gel - 80 ml/$68

Bubbles bought this about 2 weeks ago. This is an exfoliating gel that contains little ginseng bits. It is gentle enough to be used daily (as the ginseng bits are extremely soft), and Bubbles uses it nightly after her makeup remover and cleanser. Bubbles squeezes out a generous dollop and massages it all over her mien for about 2 minutes. She then rinses it off to reveal brighter skin with minimized pores. For alpacas looking for a scrub with hard scrubby bits in it (e.g. apricot kernels, walnut shell) to have that feeling, this isn't the scrub for you. However, it does a good job with brightening up the complexion, and the smell is oh-so-luxurious. Cuddles also uses it, and her preliminary thoughts are that it seems to lighten scars.

(2) First Care Activating Serum - 60 ml/$106

Bubbles has been using this for about 2 months, and about 3/8 of her bottle is left. Bubbles now uses two pumps every morning and night for her mien (previously she would only use this at night). The serum is light and not sticky, with a refreshing herb-y smell. It looks like runny honey. This alpaca does not know how good the serum is on its own, as she layers lots of product over it. However, the serum promises to enhance the absorption of subsequent skincare products, and Bubbles has nothing to complain about this!

(3) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Toner - 150ml/$68

Bubbles has been using this for about a month, and has about half a bottle left. Bubbles uses it morning and night, after cleansing and before applying the First Care Activating Serum. Bubbles is quite liberal with this, putting 4 drops on a cotton pad and wiping her face. This toner is supposed to lift off any remaining gunk on Bubbles' face after cleansing, and so far it lives up to its claims.

(4) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Serum - 60 ml/$148

Bubbles has been using this for about 1.5 months in the mornings, before she started using the Herblinic ampoules in the mornings (they are not to be layered). Bubbles likes the Hydro-aid line because it's lighter than the Essential line (Bubbles finds that the Essential line has a heavier texture, so she saves it for night use - the other Sulwhasoo lines like Timetreasure are meant for more mature skin). The serum is white and creamy (it is an opaque white, not clear), and it is absorbed quickly once applied. Together with the lifting cream, it really hydrates the skin.

(5) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting Cream - 50 ml/$132

Bubbles has also been using this for about 1.5 months, in the mornings. For the past two weeks, she has replaced the hydro-aid products in the morning with the Herblinic ampoule (more on this later). Sometimes, Bubbles skips this step (i.e. toner + serum + sunblock + makeup), but makeup always applies better when Bubbles uses the cream as well (no flaky bits).

(6) Hydro-aid Moisturizing Lifting UV Protection Cream SPF 50+ PA+++ - 50 ml/$68

Bubbles has been using this for about 2 months, in the mornings. She applies it after her skincare, and before makeup. The sunblock gives Bubbles' face a slightly oily look (but it is not oily), although it isn't anything some powder can't fix. This sunblock smells great (herbsy) and provides a smooth canvas for makeup to go over. Primers and/or makeup applied over the sunblock do not slip/slide off the face after a long day.

(7) Herblinic Restorative Ampoules (7 ml x 5) - $248

These ampoules are highly concentrated skincare meant to refine the skin after about 2 months of continued usage (each ampoule is supposed to last for 12 days and has little markings for each day to show how much product is left). Bloggers out there say that they are good for acne prone skin, as well as for refining pores. Bubbles was sold onto this concept and thus bought some to try. Bubbles has used it for about a month, and is on to her 2nd bottle (the first bottle lasted for about 2.5 weeks, mainly because Bubbles only used it at night).

Bubbles now uses it day and night, one pump at a time (but two if she's feeling indulgent). Bubbles hasn't yet seen the effects of the ampoules, but that could be because she's only 1/5 her way through them. However, Bubbles loves it when her skin is looking angry after she's removed all the gunk from her pores... after application, skin looks calmer after 5 minutes.

 

A note to alpacas out there: the ampoule essence is thick, and takes longer to sink into the face, so it leaves a stickier feeling compared to the hydro-aid serum and cream (which was why Bubbles didn't want to use it in the mornings). However, this can be resolved if (1) alpacas press their paws to their face after applying the ampoule essence, so that it is absorbed into the face faster, and (2) alpacas wait about 10-20 minutes after applying the ampoule essence before putting on makeup (which means waking up earlier). The latter suggestion is less attractive to Bubbles, simply because sleep is worth its weight in gold!

(8) Sulwhasoo Skin Clarifying Mask - 150 ml/$60

Bubbles can't say enough nice things about this mask. After receiving 2 samples, Bubbles went and bought the full-sized version. This is a peel off mask that is extremely sticky when wet (long-haired alpacas should be mindful to keep their hair out of their faces because it is a bitch to remove from hair), but dries to a thin film which you peel off from forehead to chin. This alpaca loves to peel it, and her mien is bright and glowing and SO SOFT to the touch after the mask is removed. Her pores are also minimized (what pores?).

 

(9) 3 assorted samples

 



The other 3 items are the Essential Balacing Water (sample - 15 ml), Essential Balancing Emulsion (sample - 15 ml) and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (sample - 5 ml). Bubbles hasn't bought the full sized products yet, mainly because she can live off the samples that come with every purchase (she has another 3 sets of the essential water and emulsion, and 2 more pots of the ginseng cream).

Essential Balancing Water - 125 ml / $68: This is the toner in the Essential Line - it is quite viscous, compared to the Hydro-aid toner, which is like water. A most unromantic way to describe its texture would be that of 'runny mucus'', but hey, whatever works! This sinks in to the skin almost immediately after application. If Bubbles is feeling lazy she sometimes skips the next step. Bubbles also puts on the Balancing Water before putting on the clarifying mask (#8).

Essential Balancing Emulsion - 125 ml / $78: Bubbles puts this on after the water. She prefers the scent of the Hydro-aid line, as it has more of a refreshing zing (like a citrus fruit).

Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream - 60 ml / $276: Bubbles has been told by the Sulwhasoo Beauty Advisors that this cream and the Ginseng Oil may be too rich for her twenty-something skin. so she does not slather it all over her face. Instead, Bubbles uses the Ginseng Cream to treat spots. If one has picked at a spot, it looks less angry after a night of ginseng cream. Any dark scars seem to fade away faster too (in about 2 days' time). Bubbles will probably live off Ginseng Cream samples because the full-size is incredibly spendy for a spot treatment, and Bubbles will never be able to use it up before the expiry date.

 

(1) Bubbles' current day & night routine

 

From left to right, in order of usage: (1) Hydro-aid toner (this goes on first), (2) First Care Activating Serum, followed by (3) Herblinic Ampoule (1 pump), and then (4) Hydro-aid sunblock. Skip the sunblock at night. Makeup goes on after the sunblock.

 

(2) Bubbles' previous day routine

 

This was before Bubbles switched to using the Herblinic ampoules in the morning as well. From left to right, in order of usage: (1) Hydro-aid toner, (2) First Care Activating Serum, (3) Hydro-aid serum, (4) Hydro-aid cream, (5) Hydro-aid sunblock. The smells are delicious! 

 

(3) Exciting extras

 

From left to right, in order of usage: Bubbles uses the (1) Ginseng exfoliating gel in the shower, followed by (2) the First Care Activating Serum and (3) the Essential Balancing Water. She then applies a thick gloopy layer of the (4) Skin Clarifying Mask, waits for 20 minutes, then peels it off and applies (5) the Herblinic Restorative Ampoule. Alpacas who do not use this intensive treatment can use (6) the Essential Balancing Lotion after removing the mask. Then go to sleep, waking up to glowing skin. The skin clarifying mask should only be used twice a week.

 

Toodles, alpacas! For those of you who only saw the first line of this post published earlier - Bubbles sends her apologies your way, and much love for your patience, as she was doing a test post because Blogger kept telling her that there were problems publishing/saving her draft. Bubbles will not let a lengthy post go unsaved! Have a funday Sunday!

Paul & Joe - Jolly Good Grabs

To all Paul and Joe fans out there... Isetan at Wisma Atria is having a fantastic Paul & Joe promotion with nothing costing over $30 (including full sized foundations)!! Eyeshadows are about $14 and so are lip pencils with 2 colours (these alpacas grabbed 3)! The variety is quite limited, and supplies have dwindled since the alpacas went shopping last month, but what's not to love about half-price makeup with gorgeous packaging?

So anyway, Bubbles went and spent $10 on a fabric box. The nice chap selling them says Paul & Joe is coming to Singapore in January 2014! Excite!!!!

But it's not just any old fabric box, the print is gorgeous and its a sturdy little thing. Plus it's filled with skincare and makeup samples - 3 bottles of cleansing milk, 3 bottles of brightening lotion, 6 packets of brightening lotion, and 6 sachets of primer (2 of each shade). However, Bubbles is attracted to P&J's packaging, more so than the actual product (but she would like to say that their eye primer is very good indeed). 

In any event, all is not lost if you alpacas do not plan to use the samples, because you can give them to friends, or use their containers to store soap and shampoo when traveling (the containers have pretty pastel caps with a floral pattern - what's not to like?). Bubbles will use the cleansing milk, and maybe the shades of primer that suit her mien, but she's not too sure about the brightening lotion due to the lack of reviews out there. Perhaps the brightening lotion could be used on her limbs...

The Paul & Joe box has found some new tenants! A third of Bubbles' Sulwhasoo sample stash has moved in. Bubbles only wishes she had a vanity table to display the box (and all her other loot). Alas, it is stowed away in the third shelf of her wardrobe. 

Till then, alpacas! Head over to Wisma Isetan to pick up some cheap Paul and Joe goodies today! There are still lots of eyeshadow colours and sample bag sets. 

Cuddles wants to check out the Anna Sui x Disney nail polishes, and the Body Shop Ginger Sparkle set. This young alpaca is currently having exams, but is already planning her post-exam activities. Bubbles is delighted, and in line with her role as Bossy Elder Sibling, has delegated to Cuddles the task of doing the post on October/November empties. 

Chronicling Cle de Peau

Bubbles went a-shoppin and she discovered Cle de Peau by accident. Bubbles had only read a review of their cleanser on thebeautylookbook, and thought it might be worth checking out since she had some time before her dinner appointment. However, she saw a primer specifically targeted for pores in their display. The beauty advisor let Bubbles try the primer, liquid foundation, concealer and loose transparent powder. Bubbles left for her dinner with a glowing face and could not stop checking out her reflection in every mirror she passed by.

The staying power of the 4 products is not bad... 2 hours after application, Bubbles only had to blot once, and a sheet of blotting paper was all she needed (normal amount is 3). 6 hours after application, the makeup was still going strong. This alpaca doesn't know what exactly goes into the makeup, but if she discovered fox urine was a key ingredient she'd still use it! It's the sort of foundation that looks better and better as this alpaca wears it, even though those oils on her mien come out to par-tayy.

So Bubbles caved in and bought the lot a few days later. Cle de Peau in Singapore does not give samples of their foundation or primers to try at home for a few days (not even making one on the spot with a jar). Given the cost of the liquid foundation ($200) and primer ($105), it would be important for all alpacas out there to have the chance to test it out for a few days to ensure there are no allergies or massive pore-clogging before sinking in that moolah. Alas.

Bubbles deliberated for a while at the counter and eventually decided that between ALL OR NOTHING, she would TAKE ALL THE PRODUCTS (note to alpacas out there: don't try this unless you are confident your face doesn't react to anything, or that you just love the product so much you'll take your chances). The same beauty advisor was very helpful, as Bubbles requested for a tutorial on how to apply those 4 products herself. Bubbles is full of tips now, which she will share in her next post (or in a few posts' time).

Moving on to the best part - THE HAUL

Bubbles bought a total of 5 products. (1) Base de teint (fraiche) - primer for pore concerns ($105), (2) Refining fluid foundation ($200), (3) Concealer ($116), (4) Translucent Loose powder ($180) and (5)  Wintry flower kit (3 eyeshadows, 1 mascara, 1 lipstick and 2 blushers) ($260). The rest are freebies!!!

Products (1) - (4) for the face

Bubbles is excited. The loose powder makes a great hat. 

The beautiful wintry flowry set. Oh, the opulence!

Bailey lookin' into the mirror. I am a handsome alpaca, yes I am. The purple colors look wonderful on the eyes.

We love free stuff, yes we do! 

Cle de Peau concealer review

Bubbles has acquired a new Cle de Peau concealer for her furry mien! For SGD $116, the 5g of product had better whiten her teeth as well.

Bubbles applies it with a paw (a finger for humans), swiping some product from the top of the concealer stick and then patting it onto her face. To pick up the concealer, place a clean paw on top of the concealer (no need to vigorously rub to pick up product... just leave a paw there as body heat melts the concealer causing it to adhere to the paw). Thereafter, pat/tap the concealer on the face for it to blend (and oh-so-gently does Bubbles pat it in - the Cle de Peau beauty advisor says we should not be rough with our skin because it does not owe us money). Bubbles would not swipe the stick across her face like a lip balm because it might deposit too much product. 

The color is extremely natural on Bubbles' skin, and it does not leave a grey cast over the bits covered, especially if they are brown scabs from a pimple. Neither does it oxidize and turn orangey at the end of the day... it just remains a bright beige, looking white and peach-toned. Finally, it covers redness really well, in that Bubbles didn't even know her face had any red bits until she started using this concealer. However, it doesn't hide big pores, unless you cake it on, like filling a hole in the wall with cement.

The twist tube is also quite hygienic, as Bubbles only has to twist up what she needs. Bubbles is happy that brushes are not needed because she's lazy about washing them. The packaging is elegant and slim, so it's easy to carry on the go.

All in all, while it's still early days, Bubbles is enjoying this concealer.

By the way, Cuddles says that the Thayer's Rose Petal Toner is awesome.

Sulwhasoo & Shu Uemura Collide

Bubbles went on a frolic of her own on Wednesday, stopping by the Tangs Beauty Hall to pick up the beauty products she'd been eyeing. Bubbles only intended to shop at Sulwhasoo, but unfortunately for her, the cashier was located IN the Shu Uemura counter. Whoever engineered this layout should be congratulating himself/herself, because Bubbles casually asked to see the Shu Uemura 6 Heart Princess palettes she had been reading about. The rest, they say, is history.

Planned purchases from Sulwhasoo

Bubbles bought the Herblinic Restorative Ampoules and the Hydro-Aid toner. Bubbles had tried 3 sample satchets of the Herblinic ampoules (each sample is good for 2 applications, or one if you're feeling indulgent and want to coat your neck too) and decided that she would give the full set a try. The gift with purchase included a ginseng oil this time - Cuddles is most excited by its little bottle. 

My precioussss..... Bubbles posing with her 6 Heart Princess palettes. She couldn't decide which one she liked better so she bought both.

Bubbles loves the critter on the dark princess palette, so when she saw the makeup bag with its face, she just HAD to get her paws on it. Unfortunately, she was $4 short of this $200 gift with purchase, so Bubbles decided to add an eyelash curler to the bag. Makeup sponges would have been cheaper, but try as she may, Bubbles cannot justify spending $13 on 4 sponges. 

Isn't the cat bag lovely? (Although Bubbles adds that the quality is quite disappointing as its really thin plastic) Bubbles is a happy, happy alpaca. 

Bubbles' mid-week haul

What a happy alpaca Bubbles is. 13 November's Etude House haul! 7 items and a whole lot of freebies! Bubbles has died and gone to sample heaven. Toodles!

Foundation Follow-Up & Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit Review

Winnie the Pooh should not have to walk through the Hundred-Acre-Wood. Bubbles has made some minor adjustments to his scenic route.

In other words, Bubbles has accumulated FarTooMany foundation/BB cream samples and she MUST use them up before buying her next full-sized product. Bubbles' chief grouse is that each individual packet takes SO LONG to finish (and more keep popping up with her many purchases - at this point, Bubbles would like to add that Cuddles has done her proud, because Cuddles has contributed two CC creams to the collection without buying anything... or even walking into the shop. Cuddles had extended her paw and grabbed an Etude House brochure with a CC Silky and a CC Glow taped onto it. In typical Bubbles fashion, Bubbles demanded to know why Cuddles did not take 10 more. Cuddles says that some alpacas have no sense of shame).

The Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream (Bright Fit) sample can last for 3 days, even if you pile on the BB cream each time. Two pea-sized amounts will cover this alpaca's entire mien.

Initial impressions
(1) Pore power: This BB cream doesn't settle into pores like badgers settling into a den for winter. It blurs large pores a little, but you can still see them if you look closely.
(2) Oiliness overview: It doesn't do much on the oil control front, so loose powder is necessary.
(3) Colour cautions: It has yellow-ish undertones, so it's perfect for this Asian alpaca.
(4) Staying strength: It may have the potential to last the day, but after 5 hours, Bubbles has to blot the oil on her face, and the paper towel takes off some of the cream as well, so Bubbles will never  know.
(5) Price petrification: Not petrifying at all. This alpaca will check and see if its $25.90 or $32.90 tomorrow. The CC cream was $25.90, but contained less product.
(6) Mirror Madness: It could have been the lighting of the Tangs beauty hall, but Bubbles caught a glimpse of herself at the Benefit counter mirror and would have bought a tube of this BB cream there and then. This BB cream worn under the Ettusais BB Mineral Powder gives the effect of soft, radiant and flawless skin.

 (1) is a glob of the Precious Mineral BB cream. (2) is just spreading it out (3) is properly blended. Bubbles has such a shy human. 

One pack of BB cream down, only 2 more Bright Fit samples to go! Bubbles is going to try the Sulwhasoo foundation sample tomorrow. Bubbles has high hopes for this one, given how she cakes her face in Sulwhasoo product day and night!

New in November

It's the weekend! That means shopping time for the Alluring Alpacas. Today was our maiden trip to the Burberry counter at Tangs. Look what Bubbles got! It's a deep red polish, Ox Blood ($30). This alpaca is feeling sultry today. This alpaca also can't believe its name... all her polishes have pretty names like "rose confidential" or "magical kiss". She had to ask the sales assistant to repeat its name, just to be sure she heard correctly.

The generous sales assistant gave Bubbles some foundation and lip colors to try. What pretty samples! Bubbles is happy to add them to her stash.

Moving on, we have 2 items from Nishino pharmacy at Isetan, Thayer's rose petal alcohol free witch hazel toner ($24.90) and a bottle of Oshima camellia hair oil ($22). The alpacas will test these out and then post a review.

Lastly, we have an unexpected good bargain to share today. It's the Paul and Joe duo lip pencils! $32 reduced to $14, nothing above $30 at Isetan Wisma Atria. We got the lip pencils in 01 Dual Melon, 03 Dual Sepia and 04 Dual Rose. The guy said Paul and Joe will be coming back to Singapore next year, whoop! Watch this space.

Laneige Winterland Magic Makeup Collection 2013

Out in stores now! All alpacas should get one for their year-end Christmas party! Bubbles got this for Cuddles in a rare show of generosity. Cuddles says, "I'll enjoy it while it lasts."

The surprise! 

Housed in a cardboard box with a magnetic closure, measuring 15 x 8 x 2 cm.

The contents of the box

Isn't it gorgeous? 3 lipsticks and 4 eyeshadow colors in a lovely box. Cuddles really loves the packaging, perfect for a gorgeous alpaca like her.

The set contains: Laneige Silk Intense Lipsticks in SYR36 Beige Chiffon, LR104 Pink Garden, SR105 Blonde Coral, and Laneige Pure Radiant Shadow in Pearl Light Pink, Pearl Pink, Pearl Coral and Pearl Khaki.

Get your paws on it fast! It's $54 and limited edition, the perfect present for alpacas this holiday season! Alpacas love shiny.

Dab on some eyeshadow, smear on some lipstick, and sing some alpacapella.

Bubbles lookin' gorgeous. 

Falalalala lalalala. Even the box is shiny. We love the way it catches the light. Now on to the swatches... Bubbles is getting a human to model these stunning shades of eyeshadow. Between the two humans, Bubbles will choose the human without arm hair.

From left to right, Pearl Khaki, Pearl Pink, Pearl Coral and Pearl Light Pink.

All the eyeshadows are creamy and SHIMMERY. Two coats are needed (without primer) for the colour to stand out. So adiós, alpacas! Head to your nearest Laneige counter today!

Cuddles' Sulwhasoo Faves

Hello alpacas! It's Cuddles here to wax lyrical about her favorite Sulwhasoo products today. Remember she got the Charity Kit last month? Well, these are her favorites...

From left to right: Gentle Cleansing Foam, First Care Activating Serum, Essential Balancing Water, Essential Balancing Emulsion, Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, Overnight Vitalising Mask

1. Gentle Cleansing Foam

I love the smell, says Cuddles. This young alpaca just can't get enough of the herby scent which makes bath time a joyous time. One pump is all you need because it foams up really well, but not too much. It makes your skin feel oh-so-soft without that tight feeling. Cuddles also thinks it has a whitening effect, which wouldn't be surprising given all the herbs it's stuffed with. At $50 for 200mL,  it's a small luxury this school going alpaca can afford. And it'll probably last a long time. Yes, Cuddles has repurchased this cleanser! Now Cuddles can use it twice a day instead of once a day!

2. Overnight Vitalising Mask

Cuddles thinks this is magic. Just apply a thin layer at bedtime and wake up to glowing, soft, fluffy fur! A little goes a long way with this sleeping pack. It's not oily but it really packs in the hydration. Cuddles has barely made a dent in the 30mL tube from the charity kit. This is perfect for alpacas who haven't the time to put on a sheet mask, and do not like the sticky feeling after a sheet mask. Just slap this on and let it work its magic overnight! Cuddles will buy the full size tube ($68 for 120mL) when this runs out. Probably half a year later. And probably after giving away all her sheet masks.

3. First Care Activating Serum

The star product. According to the Sulwhasoo mailer, the First Ladies at the G20 summit all received this, making it a serum fit for First Ladies. Okay, Cuddles can use it while waiting to become a First Alpaca. This serum absorbs really quickly and has a gentle, calming scent. Of course you can tell Cuddles likes herby scents. It's supposed to be used immediately after cleansing to help the subsequent skincare you put on get absorbed better. Awesome! Cuddles has both eyes on the Jumbo sized bottle available only for the year-end season. Save $0.20 per mL! Great for alpacas on a budget.  So Cuddles is biding her time, saving her allowance, and planting ideas in Bubbles' head about jumbo sized bottles.

Cuddles feels that her skin has never been better since using the Sulwhasoo Charity Kit. Less breakouts and blemishes. A fairer and more even skin tone. Smoother, softer skin. And the effect lasts! Sometimes Cuddles gets a little lazy with the 5 step routine and only uses the cleanser and sleeping pack. But it still works! (Ginseng cream was given to mother alpaca because it might be too rich for young alpacas).

Bubbles' Beauty Bag

Everyone likes a well-groomed alpaca. Thus, Bubbles would like to share with all alpacas out there the contents of her makeup bag.

From left to right:
(1) Shu Uemura Hard 9 eyebrow pencil (stone grey) - $34.00 (an estimate, can't remember)
(2) Sulwhasoo Hydro-Aid Moisturing Lifting UV Protection cream (SPF 50) - $68.00
(3) Ettusais BB Mineral Cream - $38.00
(4) Ettusais BB Mineral Powder (the round container) - $38.00
(5) Shiseido True Cheek blusher in RD 321 - $56.00 (but got 20% off,)
(6) Ettusais Jelly Gloss in PK 7 - $25.00
(7) Laneige Water Bank Essence (small blue tube) - gift with purchase
(8) Ettusais Pore Care Serum - $54.00
(9) Etude House Rosy Tint Lips in Baby Peony - $14.90
(10) Shiseido The Skincare Protective Lip Conditioner (silver tube) - $41.00
(11) Shiseido Perfect Rouge PK 301 (small black tube) - gift with purchase

(1) Shu Uemura Hard 9 eyebrow pencil (stone grey) 
Jolly good. It has received the Alpaca Seal of Awesomeness. It's supposed to only deposit color on the eyebrows (by reacting with the oils on the hairs). Well... if your face happens to be oily, or if you have just applied foundation, it will deposit colour too, and you will have big bushy brows (but nothing some tissue can't fix). But it's very easy to control, for clumsy alpaca paws. And so long lasting.

(2) Sulwhasoo Hydro-Aid Moisturing Lifting UV Protection cream (SPF 50) 
Another love. Smells great, so Bubbles bought it without testing. Keeps Bubbles' fur as white as snow. It has UVA and UVB protection. It doesn't give a white cast (not that Bubbles needs help in that area), and it's not oily on skin. It doubles as a great makeup base as it keeps Bubbles' foundation looking smooth all day.

(3) Ettusais BB Mineral Cream
Bubbles has learnt that when she tests Sample A and is wow-ed by it, she should only purchase Product A when she goes to the store, and not be tempted by Product B, even if it promises a free gingerbread house. The Ettusais BB Mineral White was Product A. The Ettusais BB Mineral Cream is Product B, as in B for Bad Buy. It seemed nice in the store, drying to a powdery finish when spread on Bubbles' face, but unfortunately it accentuates pores a few minutes later. It also made Bubbles' skin look flaky. It may suit alpacas with oily skin better.

(4) Ettusais BB Mineral Powder
A wonderful loose powder. Bubbles has ended her 6-month relationship with Givenchy's Prisme Libre Loose Powder Quartet in Fresh Rosé, and shacked up with Ettusais. There was also a brief fling with a Shiseido powder, but it was so brief that Bubbles forgot its name. This powder is skin-colored and finely-milled, with a very natural glow.

(5) Shiseido True Cheek blusher in RD 321
The most innovative blusher this alpaca has ever seen, coming in a tube with a spring and all that. A subtle enhancement to this alpaca's beauty.

Who's a rosy alpaca then? Yes, Bubbles is really wearing blusher. 

(6) Ettusais Jelly Gloss in PK 7

A decent lipgloss, which has a plastic applicator shaped like a paddle, which you can wipe clean after every use, before putting it back in the jar (i.e. not a bacteria holiday home). It gives a slight plumping effect to the lips, and Bubbles' fur does not get stuck to it on windy days. Bubbles says that one coat will do. Two coats looks like Alpaca-After-KFC.

(7) Laneige Water Bank Essence
Love it, love it, love it. Obviously we wouldn't put stuff we didn't love in our makeup bag. Cuddles uses it too. This light moisturizer smells clean and fresh and doesn't feel too heavy. Great for on-the-go hydration.

(8) Ettusais Pore Care Serum
Bubbles puts this on after serum and before moisturizer and sunblock. Two coats tightens pores and you can feel the skin contracting if you use it on bare skin. No results yet though, as Bubbles is usually too lazy to put it on after her serum.

(9) Etude House Rosy Tint Lips in Baby Peony 
Bubbles loves gradient lips. These are perfect for doing the job, but can be a tad drying and accentuate chapped lips and lines. Which brings Bubbles to product no. 10...

(10) Shiseido The Skincare Protective Lip Conditioner
This is exactly like a lipstick, but without color. Think of it as a classily packaged lip balm. Bubbles finds that when this lip conditioner is applied over her lips, it makes their color more even and radiant. It's not as hydrating as Shu Uemura's depsea lipmask, but it can be used anywhere and at any time because it's not overtly glossy or oily. The texture is a bit gritty if Bubbles rubs her lips together.

(11) Shiseido Perfect Rouge PK 301 
A free sample! "Free" makes everything better. Bubbles likes the color (pastel pink), but it spreads too much on her lips, becoming patchy. Perhaps a lip brush would be a handy tool...

Pew, the end!

Chanel Les Vernes

Bubbles can never resist a good deal. Especially if it involves Chanel nail polishes. She has recently developed a taste for sparkly, pink nail polishes.

Robinsons had a $10 off every $100 spent for members. Huzzah!

Bubbles' brand-new babies, born 27 October 2013

Rose Confidential (extreme left) has got to be Bubbles' favorite. It's a deep, dusky pink. Bubbles hasn't worn the rest yet, only having swatched them at the shop. Bubbles finds Ming (2nd from right) very promising too (peach polish with sparkles). Rose Exuberant (2nd from left) is too loud for work, but that's what toenails are for. Elixir (3rd from left) is a reddish coral which Cuddles covets, and May (3rd from right) is a hawt bubblegum pink (also for Cuddles). Frisson (extreme right) is pale (beige?) and sparkly. Bubbles loves sparkles. 

Meeting the family. 

And so Bubbles' new babies met Rose Insolent, Peche Nacree, Top Coat and Base Coat. Bubbles is clearly a parent who plays favorites because ROSE CONFIDENTIAL is awesomer than the rest and Bubbles wants the world to know it. Beautiful, beautiful shade.  

With the base and top coat, Bubbles' Rose Confidential polish lasted for 2 days without any chipping, and 3 days without any major chipping (Bubbles defines major chipping as > 1/4 of the nail losing its polish). The only nails which chipped were on the 2nd and 3rd digits of Bubbles' left and right paws (Bubbles blames it om the piles of files she flips through). 6 days after the application, Bubbles' other fingers were stil going strong (not a single chip!!) but alas she had to remove the polish because she had tested nail art pens on her nails without giving any thought to the design first...

However, at $38 per bottle of polish (more for the base and top coats), the Chanel family may only expand slowly, despite Bubbles' secret wish that they would breed like rabbits.