Bubbles' Summer Essentials and the Sulwhasoo Camellia Hair Oil review

Whoo, it's hot in here! Is it because Bubbles is back? Or is it because it's summer season?

Bubbles will be sharing what she uses to remain a well-groomed alpaca in the thirty-something degree heat. Bubbles will also unveil her latest baby - the Sulwhasoo Camellia Oil, for hair.

(1) Waterproof Mascara that does not smudge: First up, at the bottom, is the Etude House "Lash Perm All Shockcara". This is a black mascara that never smudges on Bubbles, even if she's been working up a sweat outside. Bubbles has not falsely impersonated a raccoon since switching over to this mascara. Its sister, the Etude House "Lash Perm 3 Step Volumecara", doesn't fare as well, since it  smudges by midday and is holy hard to remove from the under eye area.

(2) Coral blush: TheBalm's "Frat Boy" has been worn daily for the past two weeks. A warm and rosy pink, but apply with a light hand to avoid the dreaded baboon-bottom effect.

(3) Shu Uemura depsea hydrability moisturizing lip balm (blue tube): Because chapped lips are not cute, and because Bubbles bought this in end-2012... there's still a good half-tube to go. It smells of grape candy (still) so it's probably okay to use (but quickly). Texture is thick and sticky but clear, so best worn before sleeping at night for that kissable pucker the next day.

(4) Chanel UV Essentiel Complete Daily UV Protection Anti-Pollution SPF 50/PA+++ (white rectangle): Sunblock to prevent sunspots, and this one's awesome because it has a serious oil-controlling properties. It looks like correction fluid (milky white) but smells powdery. It makes an excellent makeup base as well - dust some translucent powder over it and you're good to go. Does not leave any noticeable white cast.

(5) Ettusais white body mist (white bottle): A spray to nix any pesky zits on the body.

(6) KOSE Medicated Sekkisei (lotion) (large blue bottle): Bubbles soaks mask pellets (above lotion bottle in photo) in this lotion before putting them on her mien. The alcohol smell is crazily strong at the start (you WILL gag), so Bubbles' tip is to hold the soaked mask in front of a fan for about 10 seconds. After which, the alcohol smell will disappear (does alcohol evaporate that fast???), leaving behind a divine floral/herbsy scent that is unique to all KOSE products. Skin is brighter after each use, and the mask is SO cooling.

(7) Macadamia Healing Oil treatment (green label bottle): a musky and fruity smelling hair oil that tames frizz in the hot summer months. Bubbles can't get enough of the scent!

(8) Cle de Peau translucent loose powder (circle thing with brush): Worn over sunscreen or foundation, loose powder sets makeup and removes any shiny bits from Bubbles' face. Ooh, deceptive!

Next up, we have the Sulwhasoo Camellia Oil. Bubbles and Cuddles tried it at the Tangs counter today and it was LOVE. The oil is clear and runny and has a light floral scent. When 3-5 drops are applied to dry hair, it smooths out any frizz, especially at the ends. When applied on damp hair, the dried hair has less frizz and feels smoother and softer. It can also be used as a hair mask but Bubbles forgot what the Sulwhasoo advisor said because she was SO excited about this oil, and distracted by all the freebies on offer. This product is promising, and it looks like the alpacas' impulse buy has turned out to be a savvy investment! Yours for SGD $42.

Toodles!

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?

February/ March Empties

The alpacas have been hard at work. Bubbles hard at work earning money, Cuddles hard at work spending Bubbles' money. Just kidding. Both alpacas have been hard at work emptying things, and the results are shown below...

Empties

Masks used

More posts coming up! 

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).

Can't stop the Chanel craze!

Bubbles-sized Chanel bag, Bailey-sized Chanel bag...

Unboxing the Chanel goodness....

 All wrapped up

To make one happy alpaca

Bubbles with bag

But Bubbles' human wears it better!

December/January empties

New year, new empties!

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.