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.

Swimming in Samples

Bubbles has amassed Far Too Many samples. If samples were spices and Bubbles a turkey, Bubbles would make an excellent roast. Bubbles has resolved that she will not buy anymore makeup/skincare products until she finishes these samples. "Subject to exceptions", of course - the Laneige Xmas sets are TOO CUTE TO RESIST... they even have little reindeers printed on the covers!!!!

Bubbles is most determined to finish them. However, samples are to Bubbles what doubloons are to pirates. There's something so satisfying about laying them out and counting them. And repeating the process. And thinking about how to get more.

Slowly, slowly. 

That's not including the stuff Cuddles has commandeered. 

Bubbles will update on her progress on 31 December. Ideally, the pile should be halved....

Alpaca out-and-about at Etude House

Bubbles has been busy with work. Bubbles has also been busy shoppin'.

Bubbles has purchased:

(1) Etude House CC cream in Silky - because it is a tube of awesomeness

(2) 3 Etude House nail art pens - because Bubbles thinks polka-dotted nails are all the rage now. $5.90 each, available in pink, white and black.

(3) Drawing Show black liquid eyeliner - because Bubbles is not content with crayon and wishes to experiment

(4) Lip brush - to add to the growing collection of brushes (and also to see if Bubbles' Shu Uemura lipstick can be saved, because it runs all over her lips when applied directly from the tube, kind of like a hyperactive puppy, but at least puppies are cute)

The hairbrush and 3 masks were freebies! Huzzah! The hairbrush has a nice massaging effect because the bristles are stuck on this rubber-like thing which compresses when you apply pressure on it. Like squeezing a rubber duck.

Bubbles hardly ever wears eyeliner and always commands Cuddles to assist her, should she decide to line those peepers. One shakes the eyeliner to get more liquid at the tip to draw a darker line. Unfortunately, liquid liners are not forgiving of the trembly-handed, and Bubbles has yet to wear this liner out of the house.

Bubbles is adding "mastering liquid eyeliner techniques" to her list of new year resolutions.