HK "Gift To Self" Haul

Shoot. I've abandoned my blog again. Apologies my lovelies! You know how it is when real life gets in the way of blogging duties ya? ;) I got a lot of requests on Twitter to share photos of the stuff I got during my recent trip to Hong Kong. Its been a while since I did a haul post, so I figured I'd give it a go. 

OMGee. I couldn't just tell you how much fun and destructive it is (for the wallet) to shop with a fellow beauty blogger.  I have to SHOW you.

*waves hello to Jennifer*

here's a group pic:

close ups:

I'm running really low on my current Aqualabel skin care so I took advantage of the reasonably priced box set + enhancer at SaSa :)

also stocked up on my favorite bubble hair dye because selection is better and its so much cheaper in Hong Kong with all the promotions during the July SALE.

Sweet Apricot and Dark Chocolat

My Beauty Diary LE Masks and Sweet Teatime Set :)

I'm so excited to try these, the packaging is so darn cute!

Orbis UV Cut Sunscreen and Foam Esthe pack:

the sunscreen is the new version I've been told, hence the new packaging color.

loaded up on essential and portable brushes, the price difference between Hong Kong and Manila is huge especially for Shu Uemura brushes (my favorite brand).

I finally have S.U. 18R and the MAC 187  (my first MAC brush)! *happy dance*

base makeup, all powders were recommended by my dear friend/ evil enabler J. :P

The Nanoce BB moist cream was not on my "shoplist" but I was surprised when I saw it at CitySuper so I grabbed it. I've been wanting to try it for the longest time because of Nic Nic's good feedback and HG status. Go see her FOTD's to see what I mean. :)

Make Up For Ever:

I've been testing the black one, my review will be posted soon.

BeneFit:

liquid pearl luminizer, brightening makeup base and a foaming wash (sample)

Blushers:

JS Milky Strawberry and BeneFit Sugarbomb

Dior Addict Lippies in 322 and 333. 

Natural looking shades in the beige family. <3

Eye makeup:

you didn't think I was going back without some DollyWink cuteness did you? ^___^

also, I caved in and finally got a Helena Rubinstein mascara at HKIA Duty Free. xD

last but definitely not the least, Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows!

OMfrigginGee. I feel like doing a blog sale, sell all my e/s palettes and just collect all the ETK shades. Serious!

I hope you enjoyed the haul post as much as I had a blast shopping for them. *evil laughter* hey, its my birthday haul! lol. the lamest excuse. I know.

Have a great Monday!

♡,

G

Aqualabel Blue aka White Up (Whitening) Line

Got an email from a lovely reader today asking about the Aqualabel Blue/White Up Line so I thought of posting my review of the products here to make the information available to everyone who needs it since I understand reviews for this particular brand are quite scarce. 

Aqualabel is a Shiseido conglomerate focusing on skin care, the brand is geared towards women who need great quality skin care which is practical and affordable at the same time. I chose the Blue/White Up line because my main concern was to lighten my acne scars and achieve an even skin tone.

L-R Aqualabel White Up Lotion S (toner), White Up Emulsion S (moisturizer), Aqua Enhancer WT (effector), Perfect Protect Milk UV SPF 50+·PA+++, Reset White Mask

Purchased everything from Adambeauty except for the Aqua Enhancer WT which was CP'd by a friend. (Thanks M!)

White Up Lotion [S] 200ml (HKD115)

The White Up Lotion is available in R (for dry skin) and S (normal-oily) varieties. Its basically a toner and the first to be applied after washing the face. I believe this contains alcohol but its very mild I honestly don't detect it. When I sniff directly from the bottle, all I smell is a very faint floral scent which disappears when the product gets to my hand. 

I apply this using a thin cotton pad and pat lightly onto my face. It absorbs almost instantly, makes my skin feel supple. This prepares the skin for better moisture absorption. Best toner I've tried so far, it totally beats Kanebo Blanchir, Ettusais and DiorSnow in all aspects! Been using this for 4 weeks now and it didn't break me out. Only drawback is its not available locally. Fortunately, its easy to purchase online.

Repurchase? Yes!

Recommended? Yes!

White Up Emulsion [S] 130ml (HKD125)

Applied after the White Up Lotion (toner), the White Up Emulsion [S] is a light, smooth and creamy lotion which is absorbed by the skin almost immediately. It blocks the production of melanin which causes dark spots while giving my skin the moisture and whitening properties it needs. Gives off a refreshing feeling and makes my face look dewy and smooth. Amazingly, it made my skin look brighter and even toned! I can also say it helps in fading away my dark spots (FYI, I use Paul & Joe's Whitening Serum at night and exfoliate at least once a week) and helped get rid of those pesky bumps on my face caused by a random allergic reaction. My skin loves this.

Repurchase? Yes!

Recommeded? Yes!

Aqua Enhancer WT 130ml (HKD119)

The last product to be applied to the face (skin care wise), the Aqua Enhancer is "a beauty essence that promotes the absorption of the prior products, the effect of lotion and emulsion and to clarify skin". Like the White Up Lotion [S], consistency is liquid and runny, the only difference is the Enhancer looks glossy when in my hand. I initially thought I wouldn't need this, but when I started using it, I got hooked! It made everything work better and get absorbed faster! I apply this using my hands, I just pat it on my forehead, cheeks, chin and neck. I also dab it onto my eye area so my eye cream/gel gets absorbed faster by my skin. It locks in everything and makes all the products work better. Awesome product. Thank you Cynthia for telling me I needed this! :D

Repurchase? Yes!

Recommended? Yes!

Perfect Protect Milk UV SPF 50+·PA+++ 45ml (HKD119)

As some of my long time readers know, I love Japanese made sunscreens because of how light they are. The Aqualabel Protect Milk is no exception. Honestly, I haven't tried this on my face yet because I'm still trying to finish my gold Kanebo Allie, but I tried it on the back of my hand just to feel the texture and wow, its so smooth it glides on easily on my skin. Don't be afraid of the white color as it sheers out as you spread it. It has this soft focus effect when blended and it is also absorbed very quickly by the skin. If you're looking for a light and breathable sunscreen with high SPF, give this a try.

Repurchase? Maybe.

Recommended? Likely, will update this post once tested on the face.

Reset White Mask 23ml/pack, 4 packs/box (HKD110)

Description from Aqualabel: Intensive whitening care mask which also replenishes the skin with sufficient amounts of moisture, and locks in moisture with Moist Aqua Keeping Base. Contains M-tranexamic acid, saxifrage extract and peony extract. This mask softens, smoothes skin complexion, and the special S cut in masks provides a lifting effect for firmer skin.

I've tried 2 sheets of this mask already, and it fits my face nicely. It also does its job of giving a bit of brightening and lifting effect. However, I find the mask a bit dry. Maybe if they put more essence in it I would like it more. But for me there are better "whitening" masks out there. (I specifically like FaceQ and Silk Whitia's whitening masks)

I don't have problems with enlarged pores, but its very likely this regimen would work for those who have trouble with minimizing pore visibility.

Repurchase? No.

Recommended? Not really, maybe to those who are not fond of dripping wet masks.

OVERALL, Im very happy with my current skin care regimen, I didn't think much of Aqualabel before trying it, but now that I've been using it for 4 weeks, my skin feels really smooth, my skin tone even and my complexion is getting better and brighter as my acne scars/dark spots slowly fade. Oil control is pretty good too.

The best thing about this line is how fast it gets absorbed by my skin, ALL the products sink into the skin almost instantly after application. I used to wait for a few minutes in between skin care products but now applying skin care is faster because the waiting time has been omitted. Im sticking to Aqualabel for a long while. Up until my heart (and skin) longs for SK-II. ;)

Thanks for reading!

♡,

G

ps. I hope you find this helpful S! Let me know if you have any more questions. :)

TFS Clean Face White Post-Acne Nighttime Spot Eraser Review

A popular product from The Face Shop, oftentimes, its out of stock, so when I spotted it in a store during one of my TFS leisure sprees, I grabbed one right away as I have some "spots" to "erase". Some readers have been curious if it really works so I took a photo of my target spots before using it to show the difference.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Contains arbutin to fade post-acne marks and triclosan which inhibits the proliferation of acne bacteria. Its skin lipid complex strengthens skin’s natural protective function for faster repair of damaged tissue.

before (May):

after a month (June):

I apologize for the different quality and lighting of the pictures, the before photo was taken at night and the latter during daytime. I hope you can still see the difference. A little more exfoliation will help totally erase those stubborn spots. I can't wait to have a spot-less face! (well, except for my 6 beauty marks aka moles.) :)

HOW TO USE: Apply (only) to acne scars/ dark spots after skin care. Please note that I also use Paul & Joe's Whitening serum as part of my skin care regimen.

HOW IT FEELS: It's a thick cream, which may cause a stinging sensation if you have very dry or sensitive skin.

Pro's:

✪ hygienic tube packaging, which is also good if you travel.

✪ no heavy scent/fragrance

✪ if pimple/acne is still in its healing phase, using this will reduce redness in the area

✪ reasonably priced considering the amount of product you will get (Php795 or $17 for a 15ml. tube)

✪ you will notice minimal fading of spots in a week's use

Con's:

✪ it can be hard to find because its always sold out

✪ it did not completely erase the spots in one month, so it can take a long while to totally eradicate the spots.

REPURCHASE? No, because there are more products to try out there!

This review is dedicated to Ehlee, sorry it took a long while hon! I hope you still find it helpful. :)

♡,

G

PS. I have something brewing... Stay tuned for the next post!

HK Holiday Part 2: Cosmetic Haul

What better way to start a beauty-holic's week, than a collective haul to pump up the blood and make us want to work harder so we can afford this costly hobby we all share eh? Can I get a woot woot?! LOL ;)

To say that I went SASA crazy is an understatement. I think I've scoured all the Sasa's and Bonjour's my eyes have seen during my HK trip. Lurvey's and brother's eyes would roll everytime they see that BIG, pink signage with 4 letters in it. hahaha! [Please keep in mind that this is my own beauty blog and beauty bloggers make these kinds of posts to share the excitement we get from acquiring new "toys" to "play" with, if you do not appreciate such posts, please feel free to look for another blog you might fancy. Getting that out of the way.] Let's get started shall we?

Canmake:

I got 5 out of the 6 Cream cheek blushers (I think i'm now regretting not getting no. 6 >.<), Shading powder no. 1, Gloss fit nail no. 6, Lip essence and Nudy glow no. 01 rose macaron. GWP's: Make me happy fragrance hair essence and Canmake Top Coat

Dolly Wink:

Eyelash fix, Dolly Wink falsies in No. 1 Dolly Sweet and Liquid Eyeliner in deep black

Mascaras:

Heroine make Kiss me, Majolica Majorca Lash bone mascara base, Lash Gorgeous Wing to try, and my HG Lash expander frame plus (back up)

Skin care from Lioele:

The HK air is so dry and dirty (broke me out) thats why I purchased a moisturizing skin care to try.

Silk Whitia Masks:

finally! :)

Moisturizing BB Creams:

Skin79 Pink label BB - really really good! , Lioele Water drop BB - magical ;)

Rosebud Salve:

I just want to know what the rave is all about! :)

Palgantong Theatrical Powder:

this was recommended by the beautiful Ari :)

Sunscreens:

the more the merrier!

Sasa brushes...

have very good quality for their price. I recommend SASA brushes (the pink ones) to those who are not yet ready to invest in MAC or Shu Uemura brushes and have access to SASA.

Lavshuca:

Surprisingly, this is the only eye palette I bought. :)

Nail Lacquers:

Arezia from Sasa, i think these are HKD 8 a piece.

and some CHANEL from Harbour City

prices have increased in Hong Kong but as you can see, I finally managed to get Particuliére which is sold out in most cities! (Remember the Shangri la fire story?) happy happy :)

I hope you enjoyed my HK haul post! Reviews are on the way, please be patient. Im so behind on reviews and tags! But I promise I'll get to it. Happy Monday lovelies! 

Stay gorge!

♡,

G♡

Liberty of London x Kamiseta + TFS Haul

 I know a lot of you are familiar with textile and fabric giant Liberty of London especially now that they have their MAC collection and Target collaboration, but locally, they have also worked with women's clothing brand Kamiseta (which simply means 'undershirt' which is ironic because it is usually refers to men) to bring in a limited edition collection for summer which consists of multi colored dresses, button down shirts with bow details at the back and drawstring, short sleeved dresses using Liberty fabrics, I went there to check the LE collection and I didn't go home empty handed, I got a cute floral print dress which is super comfortable and totally suitable for the hot and humid weather we have here.

 

I'll show you the print, the LOTD will come later. ;)

isn't it fun and pretty? I'm planning on taking it to our family HK trip. Of course I'll share photos; If you share some good places to shop and eat! bwahaha >:)

Next, The Face Shop mini-haul, mainly essentials:

top left to bottom right: Raspberry Roots de-puffing eye gel sample, Clean Face White Post-Acne Nighttime Spot Eraser, Plus +1 Pomegranate Lip Care Stick, Nail file and TFS Color Nuance for Cheek in OR202 (shine) *phew!*

I'm seriously in love with this pomegranate lip care stick right now, here shown with my trusty strawberry chap stick for size comparison:

its longer but slimmer, contains lesser product too. I got it for Php265 (approx. $6)

product:

swatch:

texture is similar to chap stick and it moisturizes my lips adequately, difference is the Lip Care Stick gives a vibrant cherry red tint to lips, which makes you look like you just ate a popsicle, very natural and pretty. I usually reapply every 4 hours, not bad eh? I highly recommend it if you're looking for that red stained lips effect without drying the lips! I've been using it everyday since I got it, which is exactly a week now. :)

I also got the Clean Face White Post-Acne Nighttime Spot Eraser for my acne scars, I'm using it now after the Paul & Joe whitening serum, i have noticed a slight difference already, dark spots have lightened up a bit, I hope it eradicates the scars completely soon. Retail price: Php795 quite affordable! No wonder its always sold out.

it turns invisible when blended, sometimes I use it instead of my Diorsnow spot corrector for daytime. :D

I got curious about the blushers because they reminded me of Shu Uemura packaging. Hehe. TFS Color Nuance for Cheek in OR202 (shine)

here it is in the pan, its more vibrant and orangey in person, i dont know why it ended up looking pale here on blogger. :/

the swatch is more accurate:

Pretty orange shade right? 

Honestly, i liked the way it looked when i swatched it because i was so used to pinks and roses the color looked refreshing and summery, but when i tried it on my face it was too orangey for my liking, i have to try it again and blend it very well this time. Quality wise, its quite good for its price (Php395, approx. $8), it is highly pigmented and it has little specks of shimmer which gives off a faint glow to the cheeks. TFS Color Nuance for cheek has 8 shades available, I'm going to try OR201 next, a light peach shade.

Happy Monday everyone! Stay gorge! x.x

♡,

G

Adambeauty Haul: I'm Back to Blanchir!

Smiling ear to ear, I impatiently opened my package from Adambeauty containing my revamped HG skincare, Kanebo Blanchir Superior and a 60ml bottle of Allie sunscreen. Adam is a great seller (if you don't already know), low price for shipping but very fast! :)

I cannot tell you how happy I am to go back to Blanchir because ever since I tried other products, it has been hell for my skin, as in I had constant breakouts which left ugly acne scars on my face (which im treating with Paul & Joe's Whitening Serum at night and DiorSnow Spot Corrector during daytime). I think my skin loves botanical stuff!

Here's the Clear Conditioner (toner) & Milky Conditioner (moisturizer) in its packaging:

They kept the red color but the bottle shape has been changed from the simple oval to this:

Clear Conditioner has 180ml of product content, Milky Conditioner has 130ml.

here is the list of ingredients:

The "moisture" milky conditioner has a thicker consistency and stickier than the old formula I was used to, it can take a short while for it to be absorbed by the skin so I massage it on my face for faster absorption. I have been using it for the past 2 days and I can already notice improvement on my skin in terms of clarity. Thank goodness! Don't you just love it when products deliver results? I love Blanchir!

moving on, I also got Kanebo Allie Precious Barrier Protector SPF 50 PA+++,  I decided to try this because of its "whitening" properties, i suppose it can help with the dark spots from my acne scars.

It came in bundled with a 20g. SPF 31 UV lotion which is very handy for traveling.

The consistency of the whitening version is thinner and runny so I have to be careful and fast in applying it to my face otherwise its going to drip from my fingers, ending on the floor. hehe. I also have to shake it vigorously before using to mix the contents. I forgot to shake it once and all I got was clear fluid coming out. >.<  but its also nice, it doesn't smell like sunscreen, my only concern is it leaves a subtle white cast on my face, I don't mind it as long as I don't look ghastly. But in days when I know there's going to be lots of photographs taken, I'll use the Water Touch version, which is still my HG sunscreen, even my Papa uses it now. 

By the way its his birthday today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA! I love you! I'm still thinking of a gift, more sunscreen perhaps? hahaha! :D

back to business, curious about the consistency? heres a swatch:

left, ALLIE Precious Barrier Protector SPF 50 PA+++ right, ALLIE UV SPF 31

both are very easy to blend despite the difference in viscosity. Also, the UV cream has a light "sunscreen" scent and a cool and moisturizing feeling to the skin. A nice product to try, no need to shake before use. ;)

TGIF! The weekend is one sleep away, I hope you all have a great weekend! xoxo^^