Reviews

I have never been so excited to try out and do a review like Organic Island’s Shell Lip Balm – when the lovely ladies approached me to submit a sample for review, all I thought was, “Oh, I don’t know, is the sky blue?!” I love all things beach-related and as I shared last year, all I want to do is go to the Maldives, so it was a big yes from me! This Australian company, Organic Island and it’s Shell Lip Balm perfectly captures my love for the beach and of course, makeup.

And get this – the shells are 100% real and are not in any way man made (!!). The shells are filled with 100% natural, Australian made lip balm consisting of the finest ingredients including natural oils, Vitamin E, fruit and plant extracts and fruit butters. The lip balm boasts ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Mango Shea Butter and Macadamia Oil for ultra soft and smooth lips.

Maybe I’ve judged a book shell by its cover but I already knew I loved this product before I even tried it out. Seriously, they are stunning. I was instantly drawn to the innovative packaging and whenever I spot this around my house, I have to stop and admire it – looking at it is just so relaxing and I instantly daydream of  holidays in the sun, the ocean and relaxation. The lip balm is also an instant conversation starter and it’s an all round great product. The only thing I can think that may be a ‘con’ is that it’s so beautiful I’m scared of breaking it, so you have to be extra careful when handling it. I wouldn’t dream of tossing it around in my oversized handbag, for example! Other than that, I would highly, highly recommend this product for any beach buff, or if you are into fancy organic lip balms.

Has anyone tried out Shell Lip Balms? What do you think of them? And while we’re on the subject, what’s the ONE beauty product you can’t live without on the beach? (Sunscreen is a given). Mine would definitely be lip balm!

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This is a guest review from my best friend, Christine. I have heard so much about Lime Crime (not good stuff, I’m afraid – mostly about their controversy about them being a scam or fraud or something) that I wanted to see the products out for myself. Since the brand just launched in SpaceNK around England, I asked Christine from London to try them out and do a guest review, since I trust her opinion fully! Enjoy…

I went down to Westbourne Grove to SpaceNK to check out Lime Crime makeup at Renee’s request. We always talk about makeup and she always tells me the latest to check out so this wasn’t too much trouble for me, since there’s a SpaceNK near my university. Anyway, I didn’t have much time to look at the display because I was rushing in to get some swatches. My first thoughts is that it’s not really my style, but it does look like a fun, young brand.

But when I got into the store and checked out the lipsticks itself, my thoughts weren’t too great. My first impression is that the colors are not wearable at all, and as you can see from my swatch, there are a few nice ones, but they wouldn’t suit me. If you’re into bright colors though, this might work – although I have to ask, who wears bright blue, or black lipstick?!

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Let’s take a moment to breath in this bright piece of art, shall we; because once again, Maybelline has proven that they really know what they are doing when designing their mascara. First there was Great Lash and it’s iconic green/pink tube that can be recognized from miles away, and now The Colossal with it’s bright yellow and purple packaging… of course I fell for it!

But Maybelline mascaras will always have a special place in my heart. When I was just started out makeup, Maybelline was my go-to store. I believe my first favorite mascara was by Maybelline, think it was Lash Expansion (?), and I am still to this day mourning its death. Unfortunately, Colossal will not be one of those favorites.

First, I have to speak about The Colossal. The Colossal is available worldwide, but in Asia it has been renamed The Magnum. From what I gather, they renamed it to The Magnum and then made the brush slightly smaller, but the product formula is the exact same. Because I’m in Asia I will have to review The Magnum, and asked my best friend in London to review The Colossal.

So here’s her review in three words: “Don’t like it.”

Alright then. I’ll try and give a bit more details. The mascara promises to give up to 9 times the volume due to its ingredient collagen, but from the photo I posted above… yeah, I don’t see much volume; and that’s 2 coats! What’s more is that if you can see, underneath the first eye you can see mascara bits fallen, and other both eyes it smudged quite a bit.

Apart from the flaking, which I guess is normal after a few hours (this picture was taken about 5 hours later), it’s quite an alright mascara. I think this would work best for those whose already been blessed with nice lashes and want something simple and nice to define it. From the photo it almost looks like I don’t have anything on – either that, or most of it has fallen off by the time I took the photo! Still, the mascara is alright overall, but I find it weird how there is hardly any volume, because that’s what they are marketing it for.

Have you tried this mascara? What do you think of it; do you agree with my review?

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“Can great skin be created? Yes.”

That’s Clinique tagline for their insanely popular skincare line, Clinique 3 Step Skincare System. And with the very attract “Just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice a day” slogan, it’s no wonder this skincare line has become so popular – and it’s my time to join in the praise for this line!

I began using the Clinique 3 Step Skincare system when I was just turning 18 – I believe it was the summer before I turned 18 (I’m a September baby!).

To put it briefly, I had received a sample of their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (DDML) on holiday and was too paranoid that it would make me breakout (I still was dealing with zits at that age), so I used it on my hands instead.

(Side note: That’s what I recommend – if you feel a cream isn’t good enough or didn’t work for your face, use it as hand cream!)

Anyway. It was only then I saw how insanely soft my hands felt, that when I got home, I bought a full bottle immediately. While I was at the counter, I remembered that I had heard how famous and good their 3 Step Skin care system was, so I decided to try it out too. I had tried every possible brand to try to get my skin better in the past, trying another brand possibly couldn’t hurt, right?

Thank goodness I took that chance!

I was a little hesitant at first, though. This was the first “high end” skincare I was going to use, and I really hoped it worked; for that price, it had to! I took their skin type test (I was Type II) and bought the Facial Liquid Soap in Mild, Clarifying Lotion in 2, and their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.

I used it for 2 weeks before I noticed my skin had calmed down a bit, and before I knew it, I was smitten. After a full 6 weeks, I realized that my skin was free of blemishes. I was overjoyed!

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I thought today it would be nice to talk about our signature scents, or a few of our favorites fragrances. Perfume is such an interest of mine because fragrance is so beautiful – there are so many memories I instantly go back to after I smell certain scents. I also think perfumes are a great, romantic and personal gift. I also love to look at the bottles – they are like artwork to me. I have a few perfumes that I like to rotate around, but I most definitely have a signature scent! Here are some of my favorites …

1. Valentino V Absolu. This is my signature scent. I think I sampled it in a Vogue when I was 18 (which means it was meant to be – I don’t remember ever buying a Vogue; must’ve been borrowed) and it smelt so warm and sexy I had to have it. Unfortunately I have heard it has recently been discontinued, but no matter – luckily for me I am crazy and obsessive, so once I found out I loved this scent I bought 2 bottles as back up. So according to my calculations, I can use this for at least 5 more years. It is vanilla based and was named one of the most ‘naughty, exotic scents’ (or something like that) in Allure, and sure enough, it is! It is vanilla based, my favorite scent, and has woody and floral notes. It smells like vanilla but a bit more exotic, and it just feels very ‘me’. I believe the best compliment I have gotten from it was ‘you smell like a f—ing rose!’ which I think means it’s a success.

2. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. I mentioned in my review some time back that this was my very first fragrance. I believe I smelt it in Teen People magazine and was drawn to the super hot model in the ad campaign. My mom bought it for me right before I started high school – in my review I wrote I asked for it for Christmas, but I had gotten it earlier – so every time I smell it, it reminds me of school; being young, free and stupid. It is very citrus based and could smell like detergent to some, but it’s a very fresh scent. I like to spray it on when I’m going out in the afternoon or morning when the sun is shining; it’s such a happy, carefree scent. I also like to wear it when I am active and exercising – you know, those very rare moments.

3. Jean Paul Gaultier Classique. This was given to me on my 20th birthday by an ex. It’s a very classic (you don’t say?!) evening scent, so I only wear it at fancy occasions. I don’t know how to explain it but it just smells very oriental and expensive. A little black dress and diamonds would go perfectly with this fragrance. I think the bottle captures the scent perfectly – it’s sexy, classy, stylish and womanly – how freaking gorgeous is it?! It looks amazing sitting on my shelf.

4. Prada Amber Homme. I don’t have this scent but I have given it to a few of my male friends because it is just heavenly. Seriously, this is the best male fragrance there is, and sometimes when I’m at the department stores I just spray it on myself. Actually, I don’t know why I just shouldn’t buy it for myself – it’s that good. In fact, I love it so much that I am now claiming that my future husband will wear this and only this for the rest of his life … poor guy. But seriously, this is one sexy, weird – in a good way – scent.

5. The Body Shop Vanilla. Like I wrote above, I’ve always loved vanilla (especially ice cream) so a few years ago I wanted to hunt down a pure vanilla fragrance. The first shop I thought of was The Body Shop, since they have ranges for Lavender, Rose and all that jazz. The Body Shop here, however, sells every range of products except the Vanilla range, which I find very odd – who doesn’t love vanilla?! So when I was in Milan two years ago I bought it there, and it still is not even half way done! I love vanilla and this just smells so calm. I like to wear this on days I’m not ‘doing much’ like being very hip visiting the dentist or running errands. Sometimes I wear this to sleep because it’s so calming and warm.

6. Calvin Klein CK One. I only knew about this scent after an ex-boyfriend wore it religiously, and I love it. How he smelt was probably the only good thing about him, hehe. It’s a fresh scent, effortlessly sexy and so ‘clean’. I might like it more than Light Blue – they are both similar in the sense they are fresh and clean, but perhaps CK One smells a little more sexy? I can’t decide. I love them all!

Alors! That’s my list of some of my favorite scents. There are so many new scents in the market that keep coming up and I’m interested in, but I’m a loyal girl (hehe) – I’ll probably stick to these forever. What are some of your favorite scents? And do you have a signature scent that is ‘you’? I’d love to hear, I really love fragrances!

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And finally … the famous NARS Orgasm has gotten into my hands. We can’t get NARS in Singapore, so I’m lucky I bought it in London, where there is a different currency and my math is too hopeless to convert; because I’m sure this little thing cost a bomb. Ignorance is bliss, right? Here’s what they say:

NARS Orgasm makes cheeks blush a perfect pinky-peach flush and subtly highlights with accents of golden shimmer.

The universally flattering shade is again and again a makeup artist and beauty editor favorite.

Anyway, before I start, I would like to give major props to the girls that swatch on every product review. This is hard work! It’s my first time so I didn’t really know what I was doing – if you’re a pro and reading this, please give me tips on how to make my swatches better, I’d be extremely grateful! And for readers, I hope this satisfies your curiosity on the cult favorite blush. So, let’s begin…

1. Packaging

The packaging is fantastic. It looks classy, sleek and it feels like a very sturdy compact. I also heard that it shouldn’t get too ‘hot’ as it will melt! Point taken – keep it in your makeup bag far away from the sun, ladies.

When you open the compact, it comes with a little mirror – which, to be very honest, I never really use mirrors from compacts. I find them way too small, I like a giant mirror! However, I tried it out and you can definitely see your whole face in it, it’s not one of those crazy magnifying mirrors that you can’t see anything out of! I tried applying with the mirror and it was fine, though personally I like my larger one.

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