Shu Uemura Portable Brush Set

Being a big fan of Shu Uemura brushes, I almost squealed in delight when I saw this set again at Temptation Hong Kong Duty Free (I skipped it the first time and regretted it). Boy did they name that store right! *winks* Now I have it and that makes me a very happy camper!

The 5 piece set contains 4 brushes + the zip-up leather case.

this is a lightweight set, which makes it perfect for traveling. It fits perfectly inside my cosmetic case.

The zip-up case has 1 spacious slot (left) for the face brush which can fit 2 more small/thin brushes (like my spooly) plus 3 smaller slots for the slender brushes.

top to bottom: eye / lip liner brush (sable), eyeshadow brush (sable), cheek brush (pony/squirrel) & face brush (goat)

All the brushes are soft to touch and have good quality unlike those flimsy ones which come with limited edition sets where the packaging lures you into buying it but end up realizing you were better off saving your money. *looks at Aya Takano* 

Everything in this set is functional, it has all the brushes I NEED when traveling. Well, add a spooly / screw type brush for my taming my brows and its perfect for me! I especially like the eyeshadow brush which is the best for applying Armani Eyes To Kill shadows. My only complaint would be the cheek/blush brush is too soft and small, but its alright, it still works. 

This set can only be purchased at Duty Free stores. I bought mine for HKD380 (approx. USD48 / Php2,080) which is a great deal for Shu Uemura quality. Be on the lookout when you're flying! :)

♡,

G

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

Etude House Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips #3 Swatch + FOTD

Almost forgot that I had this, good thing I looked through my archived photos and saw some "un-blogged" products. So today I'm sharing with you another item from Etude House's Miss Tangerine collection, Sweet Shower Lips in #3 Miss Sunny Tangerine.

What I like:

♥ VERY cute packaging

♥ sheer-medium pigmentation, creamy, easy to wear

♥ pretty shade of orangey-red, compliments my NC30 skin tone

♥ sweet, citrus scent (can be a CON if you don't like scented lip products)

♥ not too pricey (Php398 if I remember correctly)

♥ not drying! (for an EH lippie, this is unexpected!)

What I don't like:

◆ The twist mechanism is NOT RETRACTABLE

◆ it emphasizes lip lines

◆ it can only last for 2 hours max.

swatch:

quick FOTD:

Products used:

⋄ Lunasol Make-up Base 01

⋄ Lunasol Water Cream Foundation OC03

⋄ Lunasol Micro-Finish Powder N 01

⋄ Shu Uemura Glow-On blusher in Matte Pink 33E

⋄ Shu Uemura Eyebrow Pencil hard 6 seal brown

⋄ Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon

⋄Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara

⋄ EH Miss Tangerine Sweet Shower Lips #3 Miss Sunny Tangerine

Thanks for looking!

♡,

G

Love Bombed.

When I started blogging, my thoughts were fueled by my growing interest in beauty, cosmetics and the passion to share my experience with others who breathed the same air. I never really thought about developing friendships across the seas. Now, I can honestly say I have met some of the sweetest ladies in the beauty blogging world! OK before I get any more emo, this post is about the 2 packages I received this week courtesy of lovely tweetheart Lynn and Blogger beauty Kat! 

I asked Lynn to help me purchase some Silk Whitia Moisturizing + Whitening Masks (my favorite ones) and she sent me more gifts than the actual items asked her to CP!

Sheet masks galore! Do you spot the Coldstone Ice cream mask? been wanting to try that forever! *squeals* I wish you can hear my squeal in Singapore Lynn! hahaha! <3

Lynn also sent me an advanced birthday gift!

A Shu Uemura UV under base mousse in BB beige 

from the Sakura collection by Mika Ninagawa! *review coming soon*

fresh from Hawaii, another love pack from Kat!

Kat is so accommodating, she helped me purchase the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary 24/7 set from the UD site. Plus she sent me gifts as well! MBD masks, a Sonia Kashuk brush, Wet 'n Wild palette, a really cute and lightweight mirror and the cutest lip pots from NYX! I cant wait to play around with them, will take some nicer photos this weekend. :)

THANK YOU Lynn and Kat! I am truly in awe with all the love you make me feel.

♡,

G

Spring 2011: Shu Uemura Morphorium Blue Palette

For their spring collection, Shu Uemura turned to the rain forests for inspiration. Aptly named Morphorium, they took the bright colors of the tropical butterfly and successfully made a bold looking palette which will make any beauty junkie weak in the knees.

morpho |ˈmôrfō| noun ( pl. -phos)

a large tropical butterfly, the male of which has bright blue iridescent wings. Native to the Central and South American rain forests.

here's what I got from the workshop last weekend. I took advantage of the exclusive discount as I've been wanting this palette since I saw the ads online! :D

A standard in their palettes, the Morphorium Blue pans are housed in a sturdy plastic case. It's a bit heavy, but I like it better that way. It makes it feel luxurious to touch and carry. The big mirror makes it more travel-friendly.

palette includes 2 dual ended applicators. I like the long and slim sponge applicators, it makes the powder shadows glide on smoothly to my skin. The brush ended one is useless for me. Sorry to say.

the shimmery butterfly overspray will be washed out with wear.

swatches on bare skin:

L-R: (powder eyeshadows) Matte deep purple, pearlescent bright blue, shimmery green which turns golden on the skin and shimmery bronze (cream shadow/liner).

with primer:

blusher:

a cool toned pale pink 

its a great idea to put a faint colored blush in this palette because the eye shadows are already bright and vibrant. The cheeks and lips should be toned down a bit. Its all about the EYES. ^_^

random box photo lol!

As for quality, its standard Shu Uemura, which only means greatness. The shadows are smooth and silky especially the bright blue and the bronze cream shadow/liner. They last the whole day, no fallout even without primer. The blush is also really nice minus the silver shimmer overspray. I just want to brush it off to get to the pale pink blush! xD

If you're a Shu Uemura fan, you like palettes and you're in the mood to sport bright colored eyes this season (which I think is the perfect time to try wearing colorful makeup), this palette is worth checking out in my opinion. I'll do my best to post an EOTD or a FOTD soon. Must look for more ideas on how to wear it! Suggestions are very much welcome. ;)

Thank you for reading!

♡,

G

Weekend Update: Shu Uemura Beauty Workshop

Being one of my favorite cosmetic brands, a Shu Uemura event is always a go for me! This time, I remembered to bring my camera and made sure I snapped some pics. :)

This is how the workshop flow went:
March 27: Rustan’s Shangri-La
4-5pm Beauty Workshop by Shu Uemura internationally accredited make-up artist John Pagaduan

5-6pm Beauty Tips and Make-up Demo with Celebrity Mom and Beauty Junkie Nancy Castiglione

All workshop attendees will be treated to a 10% discount and shu uemura skincare travel set goodies! <- this is what I looked forward to the whole day! I love discount! xD

Shu Uemura MUA John demonstrating a simple summer look:

teaching the gals blush application techniques.

Canadian actress/model turned Makeup Artist Nancy Castiglione:

She taught us how to put on a flawless face within 15 minutes using the simplest tools, shared her favorite Shu Uemura products (Face Architect foundation, Cleansing oils and brushes) and accommodated questions from the attendees. 

After the makeup demo's and Q&A's came shopping time! All the workshop attendees were treated to an exclusive 10% discount on all Shu Uemura products.

The Shu Uemura counter turned into a playground for beauty junkies! :)

we all received a special treat for attending the event

a photo op with MUA Nancy is definitely a must! I love meeting fellow beauty junkies!

She shared a great lipstick trick which I will share in a separate post. :)

Want to know what I hauled in? Here's a clue, the bold colors will make your hearts flutter! will blog about it soon! :)

How was your weekend?

♡,

G

2010 Highlights: Life and Makeup

2010 was a happy year for me, even if it was the year I got sick a lot... I hope 2011 spares me of frequent sickness. *positive thinking while chugging down vitamins* Its also the year I got to develop real friendships with my fellow bloggers. I'm looking forward to getting closer to more lovely ladies this year! ^_^

Let me share with you some really good moments LAST year:

✦ January,  we got BOWIE, our little boy Chihuahua. One year later, he's turned out to be quite the fashionista. J'adore!

✦ March, my first batch of blog sale items went up for grabs on shopcoffretgorge.blogspot.com

✦ July, Singapore trip with the whole family! gotta lurve family bonding trips! Have you seen the MUMMY PIC? click on the link, if you need some cheering up! XD

✦ November, went on a girl's trip to Hong Kong and queued for the Lanvin x H&M collaboration. Nothing like a crazy hoarding experience to add to my shopping history. ;)

✦ Also in November, Blogger meet-up with Jennifer. It was so fun shopping for cosmetics with her.

and now, my favorite products that helped me look presentable althroughout 2010...

SKINCARE:

Fancl! especially the Washing Powder and foaming ball(first and second from left)

The lather cleans my face thoroughly but doesn't strip off natural moisture, leaving my skin soft and smooth. Fancl products are preservative free.

Korres Hot Spiced Chocolate Shower Gel

This has a love it or leave it scent, obviously I love it! It smells oh so yummy! Hot choco scent with a grown up twist. Shout-out to M for getting these for me in Singapore where he bought all the remaining bottles upon learning it will be discontinued. Aw.

HAIR:

La Sana Hair Essence 

I have tried other hair essences/leave-on treatments this year but nothing compares to this seaweed essence. 

Prettia/Liese Bubble hair dye 

Fun, fast and easy to do! Plus the colors are very pretty, very flattering for asian skin tones.

BASE MAKEUP:

Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Stick

medium to full coverage, ideal for special occasions especially in our humid weather!

Canmake 5-effects Foundation

 easy to blend foundation with a cream to powder finish, saves me a lot of prep time in the morning.

Clé de peau concealer in Ochre

Now I know what the raves are all about. Full review coming soon. :)

POINT MAKEUP:

CHANEL Tweed Fuschia

I love this to bits. ;)

Dollywink Liquid liner in black

Want to achieve that winged liner look? If you're a liquid liner newbie (like me) get this one, its easy to apply plus it doesn't smudge and lasts all day.

LUNASOL Aurorized Eyes palette 05

very versatile palette. I wore it almost everyday since I got it. Definitely my fall favorite!

Jill Stuart Eye Jellies in 09 Midnight shine and 10 Vintage Decor

very rich colors packed with shine. I'm glad I got these to try.

Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

looks natural and very lightweight. I already have a back-up! :)

Lunasol Full Glamour Lips S 49

Aside from the gorgeous overspray, I love it for the beautiful deep berry tint it gives my lips.

NAILS:

MAC Studded from the Riveting Collection

gorgeous matte polish especially on the toes! So sad I didn't get a backup. :(

RBL No More War

the BEST military green shade evarrr.

CHANEL Pulsion

vibrant and creamy fuschia for Barbie-esque nails.

Deborah Lippmann

Happy Birthday, Bad Romance, Across the Universe - I love glitters, the chunkier the better! Evidently, I got lots of nail polish this year, my collection grew mad like gremlins. XD

That's it! I hope I didn't bore you with the long product post. I hope I can keep up with my reviews this year. *i really wish that!* I already have a lot on queue! XD

Lets all help each other stay sane with all the beautiful spring collections coming up! Shall we? Thank you for reading!

♡,

G