Luxasia haul *Day 1*

As my previous day 2 Luxasia sales haul, today's post is stuff purchased during the first day of sales.

I was there at about 11am on the first day of the sales..alot of product were still available but i didn't know wat to buy coz everything seem to be super chaotic. But i manage to get some stuff.

First, Fragrances...

Prada EDT Pour Homme 100 ml for $45
*mi like mi man to smell nice!!*


L'eau D'Issey EDT 25ml for $25

Next, Cosmetics!

Guerlain Parure Pearly White Brightening Compact Foundation
in Ocre Satin White 42 for $15

This foundation is seriously!! a wrong buy cause the color was at least 2 shades lighter than my skin tone but i'm using it as a highlight now so... no waste!

Apart from my day 1 buys, Michelle also got 2 more gurlain eyeshadows for mi!!!

Left, Ombre Eclat | eyeshadow in L'instant Nuit 182 for $10
Right, Ombre Eclat | eyeshadow in L'instant D'un Baiser 162 for $10

I knw that having too much of single eyeshadow colors can be pretty space consuming and when i was thinking if i should depot my gurlain eyeshadows, Michelle depotted hers!

If u are interested to know "how to depot your gurlain eyeshadow" head over to Michelle's blog.

And, as promised from my last post, Swatches...* i seriously need to work on my swatch phototaking skills*

IPSA lipstick in L7

I've tried the this lipstick and seriously, i'm loving the texture, color and how it does NOT cause chappy lips! NO need for lipgloss that cause hair to get struck to my lips and NO need for lipbalm! =)

Gurlain eyeshadows colors from left:
L'instant Nuit 182, L'instant D'un Baiser 162, Sable Blanc 100, Sable Blond 101

Luxasia sales haul *2nd day*

Yay! it's 2nd day of the Luxasia sales and because my office is a less than 5 mins drive to the warehouse sales, I WENT AGAIN! *bleeding pocket*

Although it's the second day, i bought MORE STUFF than the first * will do 1st day haul later coz products are at home*

ok.. fragrance first

Like i say in my Issey Miyake post, i love perfumes by Ferragamo. So how can i miss out my fav incanto series.

Incanto Bliss *Left*, Incanto Charms *Right*

The perfumes came in a 30ml twin pack and it cost me only $50.

Next, Guerlain products

I was lucky to be there at the right time, cause they were restocking their make up products. *grin*

In Clockwise direction:

Rouge de guerlain in 12 gems - $15.00 (Mum's buy)
Meteorites Voyage Imperial Pressed Powder - $45.00 (Mum's buy)
Ombre Eclat | highlighter in Sable Blanc (100) - $ 10.00
Ombre Eclat | eyeshadow in Sable Blond (101) - $ 10.00
Le 2 De Guerlain, Two brush mascara - $15.00

And, last IPSA products,

From Left,
IPSA lipstick in L7 - $10.00 (Mum's buy)
IPSA lipstick in L8 - $10.00
IPSA Eyebrow pencil - $ 16.00

Anyway, i'm letting go this 30ml Incanto Charm EDT at $25. So email me if u want this perfume.

*its still sealed*

PS. Swatches will in my 1st day haul post =p

Discover your scent with Issey Miyake and Danny Ventura

21st Aug 2010, a day where all events and happenings happened together..seriously!! WHY?! fengshui related issit?

But watever..

I was at the celebration of Issey Miyake's signature fragrances, L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme and L’Eau d’Issey.

L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme (Left) and L’Eau d’Issey (Right)

A little background of Issey Miyake and his fragrance.

Issey Miyake, a Japanese Fashion Designer and founder of the Miyake Design studio. In 1971, Issey Miyake launched his first "Issey Miyake" brand collection in New york and also established Issey Miyake International Inc.

In the late 80s, Issey Miyake came up with a new technology in the fashion industry call the garment pleating. However, to concentrate in his research and experiment, Issey Miyake turned over the designing of men's and women's to his associate which was then again replaced by Dai Fujiwara.

Model in Issey Miyake collection

Issey Miyake launched their first fragrance for women, L’Eau d’Issey, in 1992. As the description on isseymiyakeparfums.com:

"A fresh fragrance composed with delicate, light flower combined with Rose and Lotus.

When flower meets water.
A fresh floral aquatic with a woody trail"

A very floral but refreshing perfume made up with a wide range of floral scent including lotus, cyclamen, freesia, carnations and white lilies with hints of amber seed and musk.
The minimalistic perfume bottle was designed by Issey Miyake himself, based on the view of the moon behind the Eiffel tower from his apartment in paris.

Followed by the launch of L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme in 1994.

The session started with a questionnaire that helps to quickly categorize one's personality and a little wait for my personal "find your personal scent session with Danny Ventura.

Some pictures before my session.

I did abit of search on google and realize that Danny Ventura is the International Training Manager for Beauté Prestige Internationale which handle the Gaultier, Miyake, and Rodriguez lines of fragrances and body products.

The session was awesome, everything seems so beautiful. The little bottle of scent, the simple set and even Danny Ventura's sense of humor. Introducing his little bottles of scent as little ideas and the whole session is about looking for the idea that suits me the most.

His little ideas.

So Step 1:

Compute the questionnaire

Danny Ventura looked and computed my questionnaire to understand "wat kind of a person" am i. I can't possibly be sitting there and telling him my grandmother story rite.. so questionnaire provides sufficient information and understand for him to find mi the right "idea".

Danny Ventura, told me that i wear perfumes like an accessories. So he presume that i've got alot of perfumes at home... YES!i've got so much and they dun seem to finish..* of cos i dun wan them to finish.. they are all so precious to mi*

Step 2:

Finding the right scent

Danny Ventura, asked me which perfume i'm using recently and what kind of perfume do i like. My answer was *OF COURSE* a scent from Ferragamo (half of my perfume collection comes from Ferragamo!) and i told him i love love love floral scent. Floral NOT FRUITY!, NOT FRUITY FLORAL but juz floral!

After knowing what i prefer, his reached out to his many little "ideas" and picked three bottles out. Applied the first scent on my arm which was totally floral, applied a second scent again which was total strong and applied a third scent that blended all the three scent together to make my prefect "idea".

and it smell so super beautiful!

After the session, he even gave tips on the right way to wear perfume. Danny Ventura mentioned that as there are alcohol content in perfumes, it is not advisable for ladies to apply perfume on and around the neck area. As the skin around the neck are as delicate as our eyelids, applying alcohol on it causes pre mature aging.

The right areas to apply perfumes on are, Lower inner arm, ankle area, upper inner thigh, upper area behind knee.

As i do research over the internet, i've found an article with regards to his advise.

In that article, it states that Danny Ventura emphasized that the logic is the fact that human lose around 80% of body heat through our head and the top portion of the body. So one should actually wear a perfume on a lower part of one's body.

The session with Danny Ventura may be short, however, it was an honorable and rare experience to be able to chat with a person that has contributed his life to his passion in beauty and make up.

Pictures not taken by me are found and credited to yahoo image.

Unravel the blogging power contest post 2: Aqualabel workshop

Dear readers, this is a super duper long post so go to the toilet and on the way grab yourself a drink. SO U CAN CONCENTRATE!!! Also i'll be ditching my usual cover the workshop style of writing *coz i knw u have read too much of that in my blog already* so this post contains of insights with regards to the aqualabel products mentioned.

ok here goes......

Remember not very long away, i was invited to the last pre launch tryout session for the then "new in singapore" skincare brand Aqualabel.

In that post, i gave a rather brief introduction to the Whitening skincare line from Aqualabel.

Whitening Skincare line by Aqualabel called the WT Range
*Blue Packaging*

Today however, I'll be telling you guys more in depth information about Aqualabel and it's technology PLUS introducing to all my readers another skincare line by Aqualabel, the MO Range.

A little background for those that never heard of Aqualabel..

Being one of the many sub- brand of the skincare umbrella, Shiseido, Aqualabel focus its direction in helping asian woman to overcome common skincare issues such as dry skin, whitening and anti aging.

It has been available in the Asian market for more than 4 years as it was first launched in Japan in February 2006. And now it's the no 1 whitening and Anti- ageing brands in the self select category in japan. Apart from Japan, Aqualabel is also currently available in china, taiwan, hong kong and of course, it was finally launched in singapore on July 2010.

Aqualabel believes that the root to all skincare problem is the lack of moisture.

Therefore, its exclusive technology called the Super Skincare Charing System and using 2 exclusive ingredient called the Aqua Synergy and Moist Aqua Keeping Base, this technology helps to deeply infuse and lock in high amount of moisture.

This technology could be simplified with 3 letters: S S S

SSS equals to
Sink x Saturate x Seal

Aqualabel uses Aqua Synergy which is an ingredient that is able to blend easily with both water and oil to help force other ingredients to Sink into deeper level of the skin. This enable skincare ingredients to penetrate deeper into skin layers and maximize absorption.

Then, the moist Aqua Keeping base helps to Saturate and Seal moisture in the skin using 3 different ingredient.

Double Hyaluronic Acid and Biocompatible Hyrating Liquid to Saturate

AND

Moisture Membrane to Seal.

These ingredients can be found in all Aqualabel products.

The MO range

During the Aqualabel workshop, i was gaven a chance to try out the full range of either the blue whitening line or the red moisturizing line. Since, i've tried the whitening line during the pre launch preview, this time round, i was excited to try the Full Moisturizing line.

Aqualaabel Moisturizing line
The MO Range
*Red packaging*

Different from the WT whitening range, The MO moisturizing line consist of ingredients such as

Collagn Glycerin
This ingredient allows the shin to experience benefits of both collagen which keep the skin looking young and supple and glycerin which helps to maintain the balance of water level in skin.

Apricot Extract
As dry skin does not have much Natural Moisturizing Factors, Apricot Extract is able to help boost the production of NMF to keep skin moisturized.

And of course, as mentioned above ALL Aqualabel products contains Aqua Synergy and Moist Aqua Keeping Base.

Like all skincare regimes, Cleansing of the skin is the start of the Aqualabel Moisturizing line.

Aqualabel Creamy Oil Cleansing

The Aqualabel creamy oil cleansing is a gentle makeup remover. This oil cleansing takes up a gel like form when squeezed from tube, however, once it is spread and massage on to the skin, the gel like formula transforms into fluid oil. This is prefect for buzy buzzing ladies that are always on the going AND cannot afford anytime waste from messy Cleansing fluids.

It also care for the skin while removing its impurities with collagen Glycerin and Moisturizes skin with Moist Aqua Keep Base.

Although, personally i really do not like using cleansing oil as i really do not like the feeling of having oil dripping all over my face. However, i'm like the Aqualabel creamy oil cleansing, the gel formula might turn into oil form after massaging it on your face BUT it does not feel like fluid oil cleanser. NO oil dripping and extra oily feeling. PLUS the rose scent to this product smells like rose essential oil, putting your mind in the most relaxed state as u clean your face.

Wet Cotton pad and Warm towel is sufficient to remove the Aqualabel Creamy oil Cleansing.

Besides the Aqualabel Creamy Oil Cleansing, the MO range also has a Milky Mousse Foam.

Aqualabel Milky Mousse Foam

This milky mousse foam by Aqualabel, gentlly removes imurities from deep within the pores with rich, fine lather infused with high amounts of Collagen Glycerin.

We skipped the Milky mousse foam step at the workshop as water is needed.

Next, the Aqualabel Moisture Lotion,

Aqualabel Moisture Lotion R/S

Different from skincare brands made in the western countries, the Japanese has replaced the toning and moisturizing by cream moisturizers steps with softening by Lotions and moisturizing by Emulsions.

The japanese believe that our skin is hydrophobic and it does not absorb water. So, it is important to soften the skin to enable the skin to adsorb ingredients from the skincare regime. They also believe that a specific pore minimizer is the way to reduce our pore size and the alcohol content in a lotion is much lesser than in toners.

Anyway, there are 2 types of lotion for the Aqualabel Moisture Lotion, the S and the R.
S is suitable for people with normal to oily/ combination skin and R for people with normal to dry/ dehydrated size.

Simply pour or drip a 50 cents size amount of lotion on an cotton pad and wipe it on the face in a upwards and outwards.

After softening your skin, next will be the Essence.

The MO range consist of 5 different special care product that targets on problems in different areas. They are the Aqualabel Moist Net Essence, Aqualabel Moist Essence CL, Aqualabel Moist Essence GG and the Moist Essence HA.

Left pic, i'm using the Moist Essence CL
Right pic, from top Moist Essence CL, Moist Essence GG, Moist Essence HA

Moist Essence CL, It contain a high concentration of Collagen and it can be used to plump up your cheek.

Moist Essence GG, It contains Glycyl Glycin and is used to target pores, allowing the reduction of pore appearance.

Moist Essence HA, It contains 5 times the amount of Hyaluronic Acid and is use to target fine lines (lines under the eye area, laugh line and frown lines).

Aqualabel Moist Net Essence

The Aqualabel Moist Net Essence is the one essence that consist of all the ingredient from the 3 different essence but at a lower concentration. This essence can be applied all over the face. * it's especially good for use in the morning when u are in a rush to work!!*

The last special care product in the MO range is the Aqualabel Moist Charge Mask. *MY Fave Aqualabel product!*

Aquaalabel Moist Charge Mask

The Aqualabel Moist Charge Mark contains intensive ingredients (Double Hyaluronic Acid/ Double Collagen Glycerin/ Moist Aqua Keeping Base) that help deeper penetration of ingredients and maximum absorption. The unique S- shaped cuts in the mask has lifting effect to keep skin firm.


As mention in my first contest post, the mask do not cause "dripping formula" mess .

After special care, its moisturizing with Emulsion!

Left Pic, I'm using Aqualabel Moisture Emulsion S
Right Pic, Aqualabel Moisture Emulsion in S/R

As stated, the japanese has replaced moisturizing creams with Emulsions. And also similar to the Lotion, Aqualabel has got 2 types of Emulsion. S is suitable for people with normal to oily/ combination skin and R for people with normal to dry/ dehydrated size.

Although, the Moisture Emulsion contain all the ingredients that infuse skin with moisture, keeping skin plump and youthful and promote production of NMF, it is extremely lightweight!

No oily and sticky feeling after application.

NEXT, an extra step from any other skin care regimes, Aqualabel Moist Aqua Enhancer MO.

The Moist Aqua Enhancer MO contains very high concentration (98%) of Aqua Synergy which forces ingredients from the previous steps to sink deeper into the skin layers so that "goodness" are maximally absorbed.

It can be used with different skincare regimes even if the product from previous steps are not from Aqualabel.

When appling it on the skin, shaking of the bottle is essential to make sure all the ingredients are well mixed. Then, using a cotton pad (do not use hands as ingredient may not be as effective when in contect with body temperature) and with a 50 cents size amount of Enhancer, gently pat the enhancer onto the face. * Do not swipe cause it will wipe away products from the previous steps.*

After all the skincare regime, its sun protection time *of course, if its during the day*

Aqualabel Moist protect Milk UV
Left Pic, Swatch of product
Right Pic, After spreading the products

The Moist Protect Milk UV is SPF 28 PA++ that protects skin from the sun. Its light weight, and very easy to blend.

PLUS

MOST IMPORTANT! NO white residue *see right pic*

The last step in the MO Range during the day is the Aqualabel Moist Coat Essence and during the night, Aqualabel Moisture Cream.

Left pic, Aqualabel Moist Coat Essence
Right Pic, Aqualabel Moisture Cream

The Aqualabel Moist Coat Essence keeps skin moisturized and also helps to conceal pores.

The Aqualabel Moisture Cream is a night cream that contains capsulated collagen which releases moisture into sin and keeps it moisturized for hours. Leaving skin well-hydrated, from and translucent in the morning.

BUT!!!

If you want to move on to putting makeup after your skincare steps, the Aqualable WT Range has got products to help keep your makeup more long lasting and also the WT range offers 5 different shades of liquid foundation and powder foundation.

My next aqualabel contest entry will be a video entry and a blog entry of my contest preparation. *if i'm able to make it to the next round!!!!*

Your comments are important for me to progress, so readers do not hesitate to ask or tell me your opinion on the products mentioned. =)

Mojitate Kajitsu & Deep Moist lipbalms

Moisturizing our face is to alot of gals/guys a very important step in their daily skincare routine.
However, many of us do not realize the importance of keeping our lips moisturized! Especially in this crazy weather and crazily air conditioned society, moisturizing of our lips is more than juz important.

AND why it is more than important??

Imagine seeing this very pretty or handsome sales person standing behind this very nice counter, you walk up to him/her still admiring his/her charming eyes and asked about the stuff he/she is trying to promote AND THEN U NOTICE HIS/ HER lips!

=s horrible choppy and dried lips.. AND worse he/she has obviously been peeling it!

Image SPOIL!!! Geeezz!!

So now u understand why lipbalms are important!

Anyway, i'll be reviewing 2 different series of lipbalms on this post.

Mentholatum had recent launched two series of best selling lipbalms(Japan) in Singapore on July 2010.

The Mentholatum Deep Moist Lip Balm and The Mentholatum Mogitate Kajitsu.

Mentholatum Deep Moist Lip Balm

The Deep Moist Lipbalm series is claimed to be one of japan's top selling lip balm due to 2 factor:
It's premium hydrating ingredients and it's unique design.

Deep Moist lipbalm in Menthol(Gold) & Non Menthal (Silver)

The Key Moisturizing ingredients in the Deep Moist lip balms are, Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter and jojoba oil. This ingredients are commonly found in skincare products as they are able to lock moisture, heal skin and pro-long hydration.

The Oval shape design of the lipbalms also enable easy reach to the corner of the mouth without "disturbing" make up on the face.

This series of lipbalms does not have that "oily" feel. It feels more "creamy" than "oily" and It gives my lips that matt finish, no shine!

I'm using this lipbalm on top of my lip tint if i want a matt finish. *lipgloss can sometimes be very irritating especially if u have long hair!*

Elegant emerald green lipbalm!

Mentholatum Mogitate Kajitsu

Made with fresh fruit juice and honey, the Mogitate Kajitsu contains essential minerals and vitamins that is beneficial to the lips and body and also honey helps to heal and renew lips.

Not only that it also contains moisturizing boosters such as squalane, grape seed oil, Vit A and E. This ingredients helps to reduce the wrinkles caused by aging and sun damage, repair skin on lips and reduce lip aging.

I, personally prefer the Mogitate lipbalms more than the Deep Moist series coz it has got a very sweet scent*i've got issues with scented product but this lipbalm passed it* and it glides on to my lips much easier.

I usually use it with my lipstick coz some of my lipstick are seriously giving mi nice colored choppy lips -.-!

BUT this series is a wee bit more "oily" so i do not put on my lipstick immediately and directly on them. What i do is, i'll put on my lipbalm after my foundation then move on to my eye makeup and blusher. After that, it's blot of abit of the lipbalm, then apply my lipstick.

OF coz reapply it when u touch up ur lipstick!

These lipbalm is also good to be used alone *of coz* as it is able to give your lips that health shine *NOT lipgloss shine*. It's color free so no worries abt weird ass over pinkish lips.

This series of fresh fruit juice lip balms are available in 5 different fruity flavors: Strawberry, Orange & Mango, Lemon & Lime, Grape & Berry and White peach.

Orange - Mogitate Orange & Mango

Green - Mogitate Lemon & Lime
Pink - Mogitate Stawberry

So nice i became cam-whorish lol!

All lipbalms are available at all watsons store @ $5.90 ( Mogitate Kajitsu) and $7.90 (Deep Moist ).

Readers are also able to win attractive prize for urselves!! in the "Try the Mojitate Kiajitsu & Deep Moist lipbalms & share your experience story Contest"

All you have to do is to purchase lipbalm from either series, try it and post your experience on the thesamplestore facebook fanpage. 3 winners will be selected!

Contest period is from 16 Aug to 17 Oct 2010.

PS. also "like" my cam whorish pic on thesamplestore facebook fanpage ok!!!