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

Love Pack from Lulu!

I'm so awesomely blessed with the sweetest blogger friends! Gifts or no gifts, you gals (and guys) definitely make my life so much pleasant and pleasurable right now, I check my blog email first thing (almost always) every morning because your sweet messages and comments really make me smile (or giggle or even laugh sometimes), I think everyone should start their day with a genuine smile. It makes you appreciate life better even if you know your day is going to be crazy. :)

ANYWAY, thank you for reading through my rambling there. This post is dedicated to my sweet friend Lulu of Luluchinadoll! If you have been following my blog, Lulu won my very first giveaway titled "Coffretgorge's Birthday Giveaway" back in July. After sending her prize, I didn't know I was up for a surprise! (wow, that rhymed. LOL)

Lulu's love pack aka birthday presentS...

all the way from sunny California!

iWant: Cream Shadows

Lately, I've been constantly thinking about cream shadows, I don't own a lot of them, just one pot from Coffret D'or which I adore (I usually use it as a shimmery base for powder shadows) and I actually have some duos from ELF too, which are quite nice BUT (and thats a big one) I have one major concern, they crease like crazy and its not a pretty sight when they do. Living in a humid climate, what's the point of getting cream shadows that crease when they're supposed to give you long lasting pigments which should last until you take it off? Imagine having a really nice date out in the park and your date's like, what happened to your eyelids? Uhuh.

Hence, my cream shadow lemming list! :)

Note: The colors in the pots/photos are not necessarily the ones on my list, I just got lazy to look for the exact color photos for some of the products. hahaha! Photos from Sephora.com ;)

Shu Uemura Pearl Light Pink, MUFE Aqua Cream #21 Turquoise, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in RSVP and Skinny Jeans

YSL FARD LUMIÈRE AQUARÉSISTANT Water-Resistant Eye Shadow in #3 Golden Fern and #19 Riviera Blue, Dior in Undressed Beige, Shiseido Hydro Power Eyeshadow in H7 Green Exotique

Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Camargue and Madagascar, NARS The Multiple in Orgasm

What cream shadow product brands have you tried and would really recommend? I would appreciate the suggestions! :)

Coffretgorge likes: California Kissin'

Christmas may be technically over but my bestie Laru* is oh so sweet she gave me a little present to add to my cosmetic collection!

california kissin' by beneFit

the intriguing blue gel which supposedly works to brighten teeth(?)

according to the description from Sephora, the blue tinge helps make the teeth appear whiter thus making the smile brighter. I don't know about the teeth brightening part (i think thats more of a psychological effect and marketing strategy) but this lip gloss will definitely make your smile shinier, brighter. The only con i see is that it enhances lip lines if your lips are prone to dryness and chapping, i wouldn't recommend this. It also has minty fresh flavor. (a no go for you Lisa! ^_~ )

California kissin' can be used alone, as a lip base or on top of your favorite lip stick to add bling bling shine to your smile!

Coffretgorge rates it:

Texture: 4/5 light, not sticky at all

Shine: 4/5 just a pretty shine, not over the top

Pigmentation: 1/5 very sheer (undetectable blue tinge)

Applicator: 4/5 easy nozzle tip (no need for a mirror!)

Packaging: 2/5 standard lip gloss/balm packaging

*Laru is my term of endearment to my best friend Lara. I'll let you meet her one day ^_^

Battle of the Blush

I'm so happy with my blog post title. hahaha! As the title suggests, this post is dedicated to the super pretty blushers in the world of makeup. Let me share with you the TOP blushers i have found and seen, some i have bought, some i am coveting. hahaha!

First up, BeneFit's CORALISTA

My Photo

photo from BeneFit

I have this and i must say, its so pretty!  Coralista is a slightly sheer, coral-pink blush (duh) that makes you want to go on a vacation. LOL. but seriously, i think it will suit any skin tone and any hair color from blonde to redhead to brunette. It perks up your skin tone and it smells good too! The packaging is a box with a cute safari theme and inside you will find an ok brush which is not that soft, but it does the job. ;) Made in the USA (if that matters to you)

Next up is CHANEL Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 99 Rose Pétale

This blush is a shimmery pink color which i think is perfect for creating that look which glows. it is very build-able and a little bit shimmery. i think this blush is perfect to wear when you go out on a date. Very pretty.

Swatch (Chanel Rose Petale)

    

MAC by Fafi in Fashion Frenzy

I've had this for a while now and it's one of my favorites, a cool pink blush which can give you that natural glow if you go light but can also give you intense color if you build it up because it is pigmented. A perfect pink blush + cutie patootie packaging = LOVE! hahaha

YSL Touche Blush in 01

photo from Sephora.com

What they say,

What it is:

A lightweight, loose powder blush that enhances the face with a sheer veil of color.

What it does:
Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE BLUSH is a true beauty accessory, a makeup concept that transforms blush application into a moment of pure pleasure. The first of its kind to use this packaging, the "radiant touch" applicator allows for the use of ultra-fine powders to create a truly luminous, natural glow to the cheeks.

What else you need to know:The blush is formulated with long-lasting, stay-true pigments that provide a luminous and natural-looking flush to the cheeks, and work for all skin types.

Has anyone tried this YSL blush? Can you give me some details? Is it really long wearing? Is the sponge applicator easy to clean? haha :)

And lastly, the Shiseido Luminizer

I tried this at the store and i must say its so creamy and easy to blend, it doesnt dry out fast unlike some others. I'm still thinking about it. Any thoughts on this?

That's all, i hope I didn't bore you to death with this long post. :)