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.

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. 

 

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. 

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!

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!