Horoscope Makeup Series: Aries (March 21st - April 20th)

Aries Stats

(source)

The Ram

Element: Fire

Ruled by: Mars

Lucky Colour: Red

Lucky Stone: Diamond, Ruby

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Lucky Number: 9

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(These pictures are really old, Sorry for the horrible quality!)

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Thanks for stopping by,

Becky

Bellabox Singapore: April 2013 ~ Beauty Goodness Box

Hey guys! Today I'm going to share with you what I got in my April Bellabox. I'm sorry for how late this post is but I've been really busy this week , me and my mum went on a big shopping spree for my birthday this coming Tuesday :)

The theme of this months box is Beauty Goodness -  Products inspired by the benefits that our skin draws from food and yummy scents which will leave you smelling delicious.

As a special extra this month if you have received 12 or more boxes , you received a bar of Laurent Bernard Chocolate (this was my 12th box so I just missed out!) and a recipe for a chocolate souffle.

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel

Product: Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel

Information: 

"Atoderm Shower Gel has a special formulation that makes it ideal for dry & sensitive skin. It cleanses effectively for all skin types from kiddies to adults. By respecting the skin's natural pH balance and introducing moisture, Atoderm Shower Gel will never dry skin out. Forget about itching, dryness, redness or irritation, look forward to hydrated, supple and increase protection against allergens.:

First Impression:

I'm a huge fan of Bioderma so I was interested to try this new product from them. It smells really nice and fresh, haven't tried it yet but I have really dry elbows so I'll definitely give it a try.

Price:

200mL for S$13.90

(SS: 15mL for S$1.04)

500mL for S$22.90

(SS: 15mL for S$0.69

You can check out their Facebook page here: Bioderma Singapore

Twistband Headbands

Product: Twistband Headbands

Information: 

"Too long women have suffered elastic and plastic headbands that pinch, dig and pull out our hair! Not to mention leave unsightly bumps and kinks where we don't want them. Twistband Headbands are made of soft elastic that keeps your hair out of your eyes, in the most comfortable, chic way you've ever had. Available in a wide variety of colours and styles. Twistband Headbands are so cute, they can easily double as bracelets. Only you have to know they serve a second, all-important purpose."

First Impression:

I've gotten a Twistband Hair Tie in a previous box last year and I really liked it until I lost it :/ I really like how these don't leave dents in my hair but I honestly think they are waaay over-hyped because I've worn this headband already and the end has already started to unravel!

Price:

3 pcs for S$12.95

(SS: 1 pc for S$4.32)

You can check out their Facebook page here: Twistband

Elishacoy Vivid Party Lipstick in Grape Fruit

Grape Fruit

Product: Elishacoy Vivid Party Lipstick

Information: 

"Who doesn't like the idea of a vivid colour party for their lips? Each of these lipsticks by ElishCoy pack healthy ingredients with gorgeous colour that transforms from a rainbow-hue to a naturally beautiful pink once mingled with your body heat. Natural oils provide protection and moisture, as well as the ability to ward off UV rays. Never sticky, always comfortable and beautiful. Be vivid!

First Impression:

This is such a cool concept! Imagine pulling out a purple or green lipstick at a club and applying it! Smells really nice and fruity, applies like a lip balm, I haven't tried any products from this brand before but I like this one, and the packaging is really nice quality.

Price:

S$12

You can check out their Facebook page here: Elishacoy SG

Silkygirl Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

 Product: Silkygirl Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

Information: 

"SILKYGIRL removes every trace of makeup, from light applications to dramatic night-out looks! Made especially for sensitive skin, you can trust the only thing you're left with is non-irritated, non-dried-out, beautifully clean skin. Worried about waterproof? Don't be. SILKYGIRL totally takes care of even the most stubborn mascaras and eyeliners."

First Impression:

It's always nice to have makeup remover, this would be great for travelling but I usually prefer my makeup removers to be oil-free because I don't like the film it can create on my eyes.

Price:

25mL for S$10.90

(SS: 25mL for S$2.48)

You can check out their Facebook page here: SILKYGIRL Singapore

The Skin Pharmacy Collagen Building Serum

 Product: The Skin Pharmacy Collagen Building Serum

Information: 

"The Skin Pharmacy knows serums. With over 20 to pick from for a wide range of skin concerns, they've done their research. Their Collagen Building Serum includes key, natural ingredients that increase one of your skin's most vital components to keep it looking young, fresh and beautiful. Welcome back elasticity and firmness; it's like you never left!

First Impression:

I'm probably not going to use this since I don't need to use a serum for elasticity yet! However I might be interested in trying a different serum from them in the future.

Price:

15mL for S$59.90

(SS: 8mL for S$31.95)

You can check out their Facebook page here: The Skin Pharmacy

Last thing was a bonus item, the Cellilux Glacial Mineral Gel Facial Mask. I've actually got a sample of this before and I used it for the first time the other day and I loved it! I've heard great things about this product so I'm happy to have gotten another sample of it.

Price:

60mL for S$78

(SS: 7mL for S$9.10)

You can check out their Facebook page here: Cellilux

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Overall Box Price: S$60.89

Price Paid: S$19.95

If you want to find out more about the Bellabox company and how you can receive these boxes, then head on over to their website - Bellabox.sg

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That's all that I got in the April box, I have really enjoyed the products from both this month and last month alot so hopefully the months to come bring great boxes too!

Let me know in the comments below if you have tried any of these products before!

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Thanks for stopping by,

Becky

essence cosmetics Home Sweet Home Collection Review and Swatches Part 2: Gel Shine Polishes

This is the second part of the Home Sweet Home Collection by essence cosmetics. You can check out part 1 where I reviewed and swatched the lipsticks and blushes here.

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The polishes are described as "nail polish with high coverage gives your nails a trendy gel-like look and adds a touch of colour to the dismal months of the year".

L-R: 01 Caramel Cheese Cake, 02 Red-Y To Relax, 03 Hot Fruit Punch and 04 Berry Me Home

01 Caramel Cheese Cake (S$4.50 for 8mL) is a orange creamsicle colour. 

This is 3 coats.

02 Red-Y To Relax (S$4.50 for 8mL) is a neon coral red shade.

This was 2 coats.

03 Hot Fruit Punch (S$4.50 for 8mL) is rich blackcurrant shade.

This was 3 coats.

04 Berry Me Home (S$4.50 for 8mL) is a rich brick red shade.

This is 2 coats.


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As opposed to the core range of polishes that essence sell, these are marketed as being 'gel shine' formulas. The main things I expect from a nail polish when I hear the formula is a gel consistency are a certain level of sheer-ness, a thin consistency and really glossy when dried.


Caramel Cheese Cake had a very thick consistency. I tried to correct it with a second coat hoping it wouldn't streak and then a third but in the end it was still quite streaky. I think it is a very unusual shade of polish one that I have never seen nor owned. (It also makes me want to eat a Caramac!) The colour is very rich and the formulation to me seems more like a creme than a gel. I really like the colour, just wish the formulation on it worked better.

Red-Y To Relax applied fantastically. The formula is thin, but workable. I applied two coats for the swatch, but you could easily get away with one and have full opacity. Very shiny.

Hot Fruit Punch. Oh Hot Fruit Punch how I love you. I don't know what it is but the name and the shade just makes me think of sitting around a fire, drinking some delicious warm punch/cider and it makes me smile! It has a good consistency, very shiny.

Lastly, Berry Me Home a classic red colour. It isn't the most original colour and after I swatched it it reminded me of a darker version of the Snow White  from the Snow White Collection a while back. So if you missed out on that you might want to pick up this colour or Red-Y To Relax. Also very shiny when dried.

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Red-Y To Relax and Berry Me Home definitely have the stand-out formulation and application, but Caramel Cheese Cake and Hot Fruit Punch are the more 'unique' shades in the collection.

I personally love autumnal colours, I think that they suit my skin tone well. That's one thing that I dislike about living in Singapore is that the leaves never change colour and sometimes I just want to see the seasons change.

Overall I think this is one of the best collections that essence has released in a while, every single product (that I purchased and tried) was an A+ in quality.

You can find out which Watsons closest to you sells essence cosmetics here (there might be one closer than you think :P)



Thanks for stopping by,
Becky

Etude House Sweet Recipe Collection ~ Ice Cream Nails Nail Polishes, Review and Swatches

Hello! So today is the last post of the products that I brought from the Sweet Recipe Collection by Etude House. If you are interested in my reviews of the other products, I'll link them at the end of this post for you to check out.

Today I am going to be reviewing the nail polishes from the collection, there are 4 in the collection to choose from.

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The polishes are described as "glitter & stone infused pastel nail colours in yummy ice-cream cone designs".

 #1 Mint Chocolate (S$6.90 for 10mL) has a milky green base with pink square glitters, green, pink and red hexagonal glitters and small red hexagonal glitter.

This is two coats.

#2 Lemon Sherbet (S$6.90 for 10mL) has a milky lemon yellow base with green, red, pink and white hexagonal glitters, white squares, pink glitter, white glitter, white and yellow strands.

This  is two coats.

 #3 Apricot Candy (S$4.57 for 10mL) has a sheer apricot coloured base with pink, purple, red, orange and green hexagonal shiny glitters.

This is two coats.

#4 Strawberry (S$4.57 for 10mL) has a milky cotton candy base with silver and pink star glitters, blue, purple and grey hexagonal glitter, pink square glitters, small hexagonal pink glitters and silver micro glitters.

This is three coats.

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The formula on each individual polish differs since they each have different amounts and textures of glitter particles. Lemon Sherbet is very rough to the touch and lumpy due to the long strands of glitter, but Apricot Candy is smooth to the touch due to just the one size of glitter.

When applied, Mint Chocolate, Lemon Sherbet and Strawberry act almost like a jelly sandwich (well a milky one) because when you apply the next coat, it covers up the intensity of the glitter from the first coat.

Apricot Candy  almost seems odd in this collection since it is the only sheer polish, the only polish with one kind of glitter and the only polish with shiny glitter. It did however have the best formula.

The other three polishes are very coarse to the touch so I would recommend a thick layer of top coat to counteract that, otherwise you might find the glitter particles catching on things.

The packaging is so adorable don't you think? I don't think I have ever seen a polish bottle so darn cute!

I think these polishes would be perfect for spring and summer, everybody loves pastel shades right? I know I do.

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I purchased Mint Chocolate and Lemon Sherbet from an Etude House Store here in Singapore where they retail for S$6.90

I brought Strawberry and Apricot Candy from an on line store called KollectionK (international shipping), where they retail for S$4.57

Let me know if you guys have tried anything from the Etude House Sweet Recipe Collection below!

To see my reviews on 2 lipsticks from the range click here: JPK003, JOR203 or the Lip, Cheek and Eye Tints here

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Thanks for stopping by,

Becky

essence cosmetics Home Sweet Home Collection Review and Swatches Part 1: Blush Duos and Lipsticks

The Home Sweet Home Collection by essence, available in stores now (see which Watson's stores sell essence here) consists of 2 blush duos, 2 long lasting lipsticks, 3 eye shadows, 4 nail polishes, a volume & gloss lip maximiser, nail fashion stickers and a cute drawstring purse.

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The long-lasting lipsticks are described as  "a long-lasting lipstick that provides intensive colour for your lips and leaves behind a soft, shiny finish."

In the shade

Natural Daylight

01 Red-Y To Relax (S$5.50 for 4g / 0.14 oz) is a neon brick red with warm undertones.

 

02 Berry Me Home (S$5.50 for 4g / 0.14 oz) is a deep wine shade with warm undertones.

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I have quite a few essence lipsticks from the core range and I already know that I love everything about them, these are no exception. In fact, I would say I like them more!

Just like with every essence lipstick, the tube is the same colour as the lipstick for easy identification.

Both of these shades are extremely pigmented and lasted a good 3-4 hours on the lips. The finish is somewhere between a satin and a matte I would say. I have Ruby Woo from MAC and I love how it is such a true red shade, but it is sooo dry that I find it so uncomfortable to wear in this hot weather. Red-y To Relax would be a great alternative. If you are looking to venture into dark lips, these are excellent products to do it with, and for S$11 for both (as opposed to the S$27 for one MAC lipstick), you really can't go wrong!

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The blushes are described as "they each contain one base colour and one contrasting colour embossed in a trendy Nordic knit design. The powdery finish creates an irresistibly fresh and natural looking complexion."

 

Top-Bottom: Shade 1, Shade 2, Shade 3 (colours combined)

01 Knits For Chicks (S$6.00 for 8g / 0.28 oz) has a shimmery light baby pink and a matte burgundy shade. Together the colours create a rosy shimmery pink shade. Both with cool undertones.

Top- Bottom: Shade 1, Shade 2, Shade 3 (colours combined)

02 Wool-D You Cuddle Me? (S$6.00 for 8g / 0.28 oz) has a shimmery orange creamsicle shade and a matte crimson red shade. Together the colours create a shimmery coral shade. 

Both with warm undertones. 

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Aren't these the cutest blushes ever?! I love the sweater knit design embossed into the product,  it makes it a little more fun since the packaging is plain. I have never tried a powder blush from essence before but these are fab! As you can see from the above swatches you're basically getting 3 shades in one. In Knits For Chicks the first shade can easily double as a cheek highlighter.

The pigmentation of these products is great, they feel very silky to the touch. Also they don't leave your cheeks looking chalky, which is always a plus.

The one negative this I do have to say about them, is that they smell really strongly of ink (I don't know if this is just me but when I was at school in England we had to use Biro's, which are like ball bearing pens. and they have this distinct metal ink scent, that is what these smell like). I'm used to most of essence products smelling like fruit so it caught me off guard.

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That's the end of Part 1 of my reviews of the Home Sweet Home collection by essence. Part 2 will consist of the nail polishes, so look out for that Thursday/Friday.

Let me know if you've tried any of these products below!

Thanks for stopping by,

Becky