Etude House flagship store opens in Singapore & Play 101 pencil swatches

So Etude House opened its largest-ever flagship store today (17 October 2014) and Bubbles was invited to attend the private VIP event the day before! Sneak preview! Meet Pony (a Korean makeup artist who is a-w-e-s-o-m-e)! How could this Alpaca say no? This alpaca got an autograph AND a selfie with Pony. Huzzah!

So Bubbles headed down to Etude House on 16 October, to watch Pony's makeup demonstration from 6 - 7 pm. Pony is as perky in real life as in her youtube videos, and sooooo pretty. She spoke in Korean, which was then translated into Mandarin and English.

What Bubbles first saw when she stepped into Etude House

Pretty Pony giving a demonstration

However, Bubbles got distracted by the Play 101 pencils Pony was using because she was standing in front of... the Play 101 pencil stand.

Here are the 50 available shades swatched for your viewing pleasure (the handwritten number corresponds to the shade number). Bubbles took the (rare) opportunity to do this because it was a private event and everyone was either watching Pony or doing their own shopping. She was also hidden behind the display shelf. Bubbles doubts she would have been able to do it on an ordinary day without people having doubts about her sanity. But hey, a useful colour reference chart's now stored on her phone!

Play 101 pencil swatches #1 - #20

Play 101 pencil swatches #21 - #40

Play 101 pencil swatches #41 - #50

Bubbles' favourite is No. 27 (a soft sparkly coral-pink). As of today, Bubbles owns 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 33. Bliss! She bought 3 yesterday (25 - 27) and then went back for 28, 29 and 33 today to get a free storage tin.

Bubbles also enjoyed the Etude coin capsule machine... she got a bracelet and 2 tokens in her goodie bag, and promptly exchanged the two tokens for two sets of charms. Tokens can also be used in the Etude House photobooth, which works just like a neoprint machine. Currently, the going rate for 1 token is $20 spent ($20 gets you 1 token, $50 gets you 2 tokens, $100 gets you 5 tokens).

The downside of the capsule machine is that it depends on LUCK - Bubbles should have quit when she was ahead (with an Eiffel tower charm and a lock and key charm - the two prettiest charms), but she spent her additional 5 tokens (after dropping $100 into Etude's 2014 annual sales report) and was sorely disappointed. 3 pink "E" charms, a repeat Eiffel tower charm, and a handbag charm (which is sweet and sparkly but looks tacky compared to the lock and key & Eiffel tower). So alpacas, spend your coins wisely. Photos won't disappoint you (and you can use the makeup testers around the shop to spruce up your look anyway).

Pretty charms

Bracelet (it will cost you 1 coin) and 2 free coins from the goodie bag

Bubbles was delighted to see this princessy carriage. It is a cross between a sweet shop and her dream vanity table. Etude House had also conscripted 6 male models to pose with guests outside the carriage during the event. However, Bubbles was more attracted to the carriage. If she could win this after spending a certain amount (instead of autographed Xu Bin memorabilia) Bubbles would have maxed out her credit card. 

Limited edition Princess Happy Ending products found ONLY in Etude House at Wisma! However, this alpaca got her paws on them while in Korea. Nevertheless, she bought more (the Cinderella eye shadows, which have a very spongy texture) because a girl can never have too many pretty things.

The packaging is gorgeous

And the insides are equally beautiful. This is the Belle blush (coral). Toodles, alpacas! Bubbles is off to enjoy her purchases!

Foxy Hauls (masks, Etude, Innisfree)

Its been a busy period for the alpacas, but its the weekend now, so things are going to get NOISY!

(1) Foxy Fashions 

Bubbles has amassed a sizeable collection of paperbags, so Foxy is fashionably decked out in Chanel - the ribbons look rather fetching, don't they?

(2) Etude House haul

Bubbles LOVES Etude House and the Play Colour Eyes eyeshadow palettes got her tail in a twist. Etude House rarely releases such large and varied eyeshadow palettes (the only other one being the Rose Flowering Eyes palette for autumn 2013) so this was a must-buy. Bubbles picked the So Chic palette ($39.90 but there was a 10% discount and it came with a free cleansing oil) because the shimmer shades were amazing, with tasteful pinks and blues and golds. The So Hot palette was passed over because it had a fire engine red, which Bubbles has NO IDEA how to use without looking like she's got a nasty eye infection. 

Bubbles also picked up a Help My Finger cuticle moisturizer because it was going at half price ($4.90), a mascara (called Shockcara) - which promises to give amazing volume for $22.90 with a free mascara guard and lash comb, and her usual cotton wool (not pictured). As one can see, "half-price" and "free stuff" are this alpaca's kryptonite.

(3) Innisfree haul

Cuddles has a part to play in this too - in fact, Cuddles is LARGELY TO BLAME for this haul. Cuddles could not resist the cute innirang (Innisfree's horsey mascot) pouch... but she could take it home if she spent $50. 

The alpacas thus bought 2 bija masks ($2 each), 2 green tea mineral mists ($8.90 each), 1 fruit scented hand cream (smells divine), 1 sugar berry hand cream, 1 fig hand cream, and 4 assorted mask packs. The free samples came fast and furious, and Cuddles turned down the offer of a "free Lee Min Ho poster with purchase" for more samples. The samples are all from the green tea seed range, with creams, serums and oils.

(4) My Beauty Diary masks 2013 limited edition 

Finally, Bubbles got her mitts on the 2013 MBD limited edition mask set. It costs $15.90 and contains 12 masks (6 varieties), making it fantastically value-for-money. The packaging with the cat illustration was a nice surprise! Bubbles loves MBD masks because they are cheap and effective. The collagen one is especially good, and Bubbles will be sure to stock up whenever they are on offer. Right now, SASA is running a "buy 2 boxes for $26" promotion (a box of 10 normally retails for $16.90).

Alpacas out and about (Innisfree, Etude, SK-II hauls)

Bubbles is back with the beauty blogging!

It has been a busy December/January for this alpaca, but Bubbles managed to squeeze in some hauling with Cuddles. Bubbles will do the mask post (on pain of death, and Cuddles will ensure it will be a very painful death too) after this post.

Masks from Innisfree at $2 a piece.... Bubbles is excited about all the flavors. Cuddles says the Bija one is very good, but Bubbles has her eye on uncommon things like BROCOLI and GOLDEN KIWI. 

Haul from Etude House last Sunday The alpacas picked up loads of masks for face and hair.

From left to right at the front row, we have the Sunshine Spoon yoghurt (raspberry) pack ($2.90), the I Need You mask packs (honey and yoghurt) at $6.90 for 4 pieces, and the Moonlight in Spoon sleeping mask pack in blueberry ($2.90). At the back row, from left to right, we have a free lamp (lucky dip), a free moistful set (GWP if you spend $40) and 2 silk scarf hair masks. They keep Bubbles' fur shiny. Finally, a juicy cocktail gradation nail (3 polishes) in Peach Crush, at 50% off (normally retails for around $12.90, if Bubbles' memory serves).

An SK-II bee somehow found its way into Bubbles' bonnet last Sunday. Bubbles got the $99 facial treatment essence set, which has 75ml of the famed Facial Treatment Essence, enough Facial Clear Lotion (a toner) to last for 2 weeks and an SK-II facial treatment mask. Bubbles also got samples of a spot lightening gel, intensive pitera concentrate, and sunblock. Some of the samples were for Cuddles but she has turned them over to the elder alpaca. The elder alpaca is supremely concerned that her skin age is THIRTY-ONE (as analysed by SK-II's magic ring), given that she's only twenty-four!

So anyway, exactly a wek later, the bee buzzed again and Bubbles bought the SK-II Stempower Cream set ($149) which has 50ml of creamy goodness, a small bottle of Facial Treatment Essencce, n anti-ageing mask and 10 pieces of cotton wool. The Facial Treatment Essence and its friends are working well!

Luxuriating in the SK-II goodness. A post on Bubbles' SK-II experience shall follow in about a month.

Toodles! Now to do that mask post!

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!

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.