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!