In love with L'Herboflore

Did you think all Cuddles bought in Taiwan was My Beauty Diary masks for Bubbles? No! Cuddles went to Taiwan with the aim of hunting down some L'Herboflore goodies for herself. L'Herboflore has branches at Taipei 101 (B1) and also at Eslite Underground Mall in Taipei Main Station.
 

This is Cuddles' first overseas haul without Bubbles (under the watchful eye of Mother Alpaca, who approved every purchase with a nod). She hasn't done too badly, has she?

L'Herboflore had some new products and promotions for summer...

Moisturising exfoliating gel (NT1600), which removes dead skin cells so that your skin absorbs moisture from masks better. A new product made from cactus. It has a pleasant, fresh smell and isn't cloying or overly fragranced.

Use this 2-3 times a week, before you use a mask. Apply a layer of gel on your face, wait 30 seconds, then slowly massage the gunk out of your pores. Cuddles likes this because unlike other exfoliating gels she has tried, this one does not dry out the skin, and glides smoothly so you don't end up tugging on your face to exfoliate.

 Moisturising toner (NT1500), also new, also from cactus. Use this daily after cleansing your face.

The ongoing promotion: Buy 2 tubes of exfoliating gel for NT2500 (reduced from NT3200) AND get a FREE moisturising toner (NT1500) and 10 FREE sheet masks (NT50 each)! And the lavender/palmarosa masks were also having their own promotion: Get 10 masks for NT600 (usual price is NT80 each). So, Cuddles got all the stuff in the first photo for NT3100, and even managed to get back NT148 because tax refund is possible when you spend more than NT3000.  

Here are the 10 free sheet masks that Cuddles got! L'Herboflore lets you try out the masks -- they make them in mini sizes (but complete with eye and mouth holes) that fit on your hand. And they give them out even if you just happen to walk by the counter.

 The lavender and palmarosa masks (NT80 each). The lavender scent is heavenly.

 
Cuddles likes L'Herboflore masks because they are among the few masks that fit nicely over her rather high forehead, and sit nicely on the alpaca face instead of bunching up. They also don't sting like some masks do. And the packaging is so pretty... L'Herboflore is available in Taiwan and China only, but the girl at the Taipei Main Station counter gives out her Whatsapp and Line number, so you can order more stuff from her and she will send it over.

Here is the complete photo of What Cuddles Bought In Taipei. Most of the shopping was done at Watsons (Ximending), Cosmed (Taipei Main Station) and Mirada (near Ximending). Cosmed and Mirada had amazing promotions for masks, think buy 1 box and get another free. Bring your own bag to store your beauty buys; they charge for plastic bags. Now Bubbles wants to go to Taiwan too. The alpacas will be back. BTW, Cuddles visited the alpacas in the Taipei City Zoo.

My Beauty Diary Bounty

Hello alpacas! Cuddles went on a Taiwan trip with Mother Alpaca in June and brought back some beauty goodies for Bubbles. Bubbles, on the other hand, remained in Singapore and purchased a fine bone china teaset.

What could these be?

Cuddles brought back 4 boxes of the Taiwan series of My Beauty Diary masks AND a new candy-coated addition to the alpaca family - Flossy!!!!

Each box of these masks contains 7 masks and a postcard, and weighs about as much as a small paperback. Cuddles bought them at Cosmed where there was a promotion of 2 boxes for NT 419 (SGD$18-$20). Because Cuddles bought 4 boxes, she got a free box of My Beauty Diary natto masks as well. Talk about a good deal!

And aren't the cover designs so pretty? My Beauty Diary's collaboration with Aiko Fukawa has this alpaca's tail in a twist! Bubbles LOVES the cat illustrations. And if you think the box illustrations are beautiful, wait till you see those on the mask foil packs - the colours are richer and sharper and Bubbles might just save one mask per box to ogle twenty years from now...

The 4 boxes in the Taiwan series are: Sun Moon Lake (green) {top left}, Huadung (yellow) {top right}, Taipei (pink) {bottom left} and Kenting (blue) {bottom right}. Now on to the details and review!

Taipei (pink)

Each box is crafted like a mini-drawer. Slit the 2 security seals and pull on the ribbon to reveal the masks and postcard! The boxes aren't shrink-wrapped in plastic unlike the normal My Beauty Diary masks so be sure to choose a nice box! 

The Taipei series is a "Spring Water Moisturizing Mask" which promises "refining" and "moisturizing". It features a cat in a hot spring.

Sun Moon Lake (green)

The Sun Moon Lake series is a "Black Tea Soothing Moisturizing Mask" and it promises these alpacas "soothing" and "moisturizing" properties. 

And so Bubbles decided to try the mask.

Ooooh. It smells fruity, but not in a dishwashing liquid kind of way, more like a mild breakfast yoghurt minus the milky scent. The mask is DRIPPING with essence (Bubbles poured a whole palmful from the packet after removing the mask) but the eyeholes are much smaller compared to regular MBD masks. 

The alpacas conscripted their pal Gelatoni for a photoshoot. Doesn't he look like the cat on the cover? The mask feels thinner and has a more fibrous texture when dried compared to other MBD masks. Bubbles felt that her mien was brighter and more even-toned after using the Sun Moon Lake mask. It was also very moisturizing, to the point that her face felt sticky, but that resolved itself after a nap. 

Kenting (blue)

Ken you see the Kenting goodness (harharhar)

The Kenting mask is an "Algae Elastin Moisturizing Mask" which promises "intensity" and "hydration". It features a cat chillin' on the beach.

Huadung (yellow)

The Huadung mask is a "Mountain Hydrating Firming Mask" which promises "hydration" and "firming". This one the alpacas like because it came with TWO postcards.

And this concludes the My Beauty Diary Taiwan series mask haul. The alpacas aren't sure whether it will be available in Singapore, or whether it is limited edition, so SG alpacas, keep your eyes peeled and paws crossed!

Update: Hauls

The alpacas haven't been very active online, but they certainly have been active offline. Let the fun begin!

1. Mask haul from Sasa Singapore. Bubbles wanted to try out more masks so she could plan her buys in Hong Kong. There was an offer for My Scheming masks at 6 for $10. Cuddles really likes the MBD red tea mask for oil control.

 2. Ciate dolls house collection. Cuddles got suckered by the packaging.

3. Chanel nail polish number 27253849, in Paparazzi. And two sunblock samples courtesy of the nice salesman.

4. Sometime last month Bubbles went on a shopping holiday to Hong Kong.

All ready to go!

Bubbles travels light with her numerous samples. 

5. Bubbles and Sasa are a very good combination. MASK HAUL OF THE MILLENNIUM.

6. Bubbles bought Kose stuff for Cuddles because it is cheaper in Hong Kong.

7. Bubbles bought Jill Stuart stuff for Cuddles because it is available in Hong Kong.

8. Bubbles packed her masks away into two shoeboxes.

9. Here's what Bubbles bullied Father Alpaca into buying at the Duty Free. 

10. Sulwhasoo restock, thanks to Father Alpaca at the Duty Free in Korea. The Ginseng cream is a present for Mother Alpaca who is now also a Sulwhasoo convert *beams*

Oh, the opulence!

Rightfully on a pedestal

As though it needs a higher pedestal...

Samples for Bailey

11. Bubbles walked into MISSHA and came out with more stuff. What's new?

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).

Mask Madness #01 (Dec/Jan)

Bubbles loves sheet masks and has amassed a sizeable collection. The picture below is Bubbles' current stash, which has (amongst others) My Beauty Diary masks, Innisfree masks and The Face Shop masks. What could be better than putting on a refreshing face mask after a long day at school/work?

PICK ME PICK ME!

Bubbles is slowly working her way though the pile. 10 masks have made a noble sacrifice in Bubbles' quest for beauty, and they are listed below, with numbers, claims (on the packet), and reviews:

(1) The Face Shop - Mung Bean ($10 for 4 sheets)

+ Supposed to be: "A skin tone purifying mask sheet containing mung bean extract, effective in purifying pores for a clean and smooth skin texture"

+ Thoughts: A staple... Bubbles has been using this for many years. Bubbles recommends this mask whenever one's skin feels gross and pimply. It ensures that any pimply bits are minimized, leaving no redness, and prevents them from worsening.

(2) Innisfree - Broccoli ($2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: "add vitality and energy to your skin"

+ Thoughts: Apart from the interesting ingredient (i.e. broccoli), Bubbles doesn't have anything to say about this mask. Perhaps the rest of the Innisfree haul will be more memorable.

(3) The Face Shop - Green Tea ($10 for 4 sheets)

+ Supposed to: "fill dry skin with refreshing and hydrating moisture"

+ Thoughts: A hydrating mask which would be nice to have around and rotated with other masks.

(4) My Beauty Diary - Collagen Firming Mask (<$2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: Be "firming, rejuvenating, renewing and brightening"

+ Thoughts: Bubbles loved the effects of this mask, as her skin looked more radiant and plumped up the next morning.

(5) Innisfree - Wine Jelly Mask (5 sheets for $17)

+ Supposed to: "create a clear and smooth jelly-like skin by gently lifting away dead skin cells and providing hydrating moisture"

+ Thoughts: The mask has a yummy grape scent like the rest of Innisfree's wine jelly line. It definitely hydrates the skin, but this alpaca will look for cheaper alternatives. 

(6) My Beauty Diary - Luffa Mask (<$2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: Be "soothing, repairing, mositurising and clarifying"

+ Thoughts: The mask smells of melon candies, which is very relaxing. Like all masks do, it hydrates. There are better MBD masks out there, but Bubbles may repurchase this just for the way it smells!

(7) My Beauty Diary - Imperial Bird's Nest mask (<$2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: be "ultra nourishing" and give "hydration"

+ Thoughts: Smells like nothing in nature, but Bubbles is charmed by the notion of having bird's nest on her face. A small packet of faux luxury heh heh. A pleasant hydrating mask that brightens.

(8) The Face Shop - Honey Mask ($10 for 4 sheets)

+ Supposed to: be "a moisturizing & radiating mask sheet containing honey extracts, providing extra glow; helps regain skin radiance and moisture"

+ Thoughts: Bubbles finds honey masks extra hydrating, but does not like the honey scent in masks and other beauty products. Oh, the dilemma!

(9) My Beauty Diary - Bird's Nest mask (<$2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: be "nourishing, brightening, firming and moisturizing"

+ Thoughts: Exactly like No. 7, the Imperial Bird's Nest Mask, except that Bubbles hasn't seen No. 7 on the shelves in Singapore yet. And "Imperial" makes everything sound more luxe.

(10) My Beauty Diary - Apple Polyphenol Mask (<$2 per sheet)

+ Supposed to: be "tightening pores, brightening and clarifying"

+ Thoughts: This mask is apple-scented. Bubbles found her pores minimized, but sadly this effect did not last for more than an hour or so. Perhaps it would be a good mask to use just before applying makeup to provide a smoother base.

... and after writing about the 10 masks, Bubbles realizes that mask-reviewing is NOT EASY. 

If Bubbles were to summarize her post, it would be: all masks provide some form of hydration. Alpacas out there should experiment with many masks (since they are cheap and there's so much variety), and throw away those they develop allergic reactions to. After that, it should be a matter of repurchasing the masks YOU liked, and it can be for reasons as simple as the smell.

Mmmmm, masks.