Goodie Bag: Shu Uemura

Remember when I said the Shu will be leaving U.S soon? and they were having a 50% off sale? Yes, it got the best of me, so I went back to grab myself some "souvenirs" before they said xoxo to United States

It's not a lot really just basic items. But the lady was so kind she gave me a lot of freebie samples with my purchase.

 FREEBIES!!! What I like here is assistants are so open about giving samples without pushing you to buy anything. I was primarily looking for an eye cream but they said they only had samples left and if I liked it, I can order it off the net. Plus the lady gave me a sample of the DepSea Rose, Pink Lipgloss, Premium oil cleanser 15ml and a fresh oil cleanser 50ml

I bought this for $10.99 M Peach 44. I love it, I'm NC 40 and this looks a natural flush for me!! LOVE!

 Fall in sucking the water out of me and i have oily skin!!  So i bought this for $ 9.99 for an easy go to hydration. I use it for my face, hands & hair. 

Finally I scored myself some cleansing oil!!! for only $12.99!!! This is what I originally wanted and I'm glad it was still available. I kind of wish I bought 2 though..

sigh. It's nearing the holiday season. I'm seriously missing home. It's this time of the year where Greenbelt has those awesome lights in the garden and malls are decked out with Christmas decos.

Travelling Skin Woes

Have you ever traveled before and then breakout while using the same products you were using since who knows when?

I flew out of Pinas last May 5th for studies and I thought my skin love the weather since it's not too humid and the pollution is less. After a week of staying here my skin broke out really nasty cystic acne that i have never had in my life before. Sure my skin was not perfect when i was there back home, but it was not THIS bad either.

The products I was using then was The Body Shop's tea tree line which was awesome in keeping my skin behaved. it's so frustrating that it wasn't working anymore.

so I tried various products ranging from neutrogena's acne kit, the stress control line, the tea tree line and then decided to completely slash off Neutrogena in my life. It was so harsh it dried my skin out (on a summer season) and it always gave that tight feeling after you wipe your face from cleaning. The only thing i liked from them was the oil-free sunscreen.

I also tried ProActiv and I'm swearing it off it made my skin dry as hell without doing anything to my spots. Going to a derma isn't even in my option list right now because it costs sooooo much here. Imagine a tube of Duac that costs 850php there costs $80 here, that's just insane. So the search for the skin care regime still continues.

Goodie Bag: Vichy

Mr FedEx man came in today with a small box. I was expecting it from Vichy because i ordered a couple of things from them. namely their Dermablend stuff as it was not available in my local CVS. Quite disappointed that their shipping took about 2 weeks. But here's what i got anyway.

No they're not marshmallows. The package came in and when i opened it i was surprised that a bunch of styro marshmallows greeted me. I only ordered 2 products. You can imagine the time i spent digging in through this marshmallows to find what I'm looking for.

First off, I ordered Vichy concealer, it claims to be long-wearing and full coverage for those who suffer skin imperfections (me! me! meeeeee!!!) I was ecstatic when I saw Lisa Eldrige's Acne Covering Make up demo that I wanted to try it for myself. Yes, they do have a return policy if you don't like the product.

*1st impression: The coverage reminds me of MAC Pro longwear concealer. Although Vichy was "softer" texture and is easier to blend, almost like a mousse feel concealer born with full coverage super powers.

The next thing I ordered was the setting powder. I'm originally using the Chanel loose powder for setting because I'm trying to finish it, but a year has passed and it still HAS A LOT. Now the Chanel loose powder finishes my make up great, a soft focus finish and very natural, light reflecting and I look very refreshed. All that good stuff happens on me.... for the first 3 hours. After that i have to blot mu face and re-apply. The container, yes it has Chanel written all over it, but it's BIG! 

So I wanted to look for something that would lengthen my foundation wear. and this boasts sweat-proof and waterproof (kinda scary) capability. Plus it's hypoallergenic. I wanted to get the Make Up Forever HD powder originally but we both know that it's expensive and I don't like the slimy bally feel when I tested it out.

*I haven't tested it out yet as I'm still trying to look for a good cleanser. the waterproof part scares me a bit.

 

And finally these are the samples they sent with the product. pretty generous, I was expecting a sample sachet a-la Sephora. They're both 3 ml samples. I'm guessing 5 days worth of use.

shoulda woulda coulda..

It's always handy to have extra brushes. Right? and the Kirkland sets were always pretty decent enough to use. hey for $20 you get an alternate set when you was your HG brushes. This was suppose to be this year's set

Pink ferrule, dark brown handle, a rhinestone encrusted mirror (1 side magnified, the other normal) and of course the brush bag.

....But they got RECALLED by Costco. For what? Quality issues.  When asked is they would still be releasing a holiday brush set, no concrete answer was given, I was just told that they'd send me an e-mail if stocks are in.

Errand shopping: Bath & Body works

You know it's nearing the holiday season when stores throw out sales here and there. Nordstrom has their Women & kids sale, and I'm eying this ToyWatch piece. ToysRus are having there sale too, yes I know because i have a niece and she wants a Christmas gift. What's up with kids and Dora anyway? haha. Going back, Outlets stores are starting their sale too and I'm going back to the Lancome Cosmetic Company Outlet  in the weekend, they sent me an e-mail telling me that beauty boxes just arrived.

Bath & Body works has their 3 for 3 sale which i was waiting for because it's such a good deal. I have this clients too that has a thing for their pocketbac hand sanitizers. The glittery cupcakes one was running low already and since it's limited ed, I don't think they'll be re-stocking. I checked their website and it wasn't listed anymore.

 

all of the pabili. =} they're so cute. I personally love love love the reindeer ones because I'm a fan of mint. Next is the twisted peppermint, they only have some left on my store so I'm going back tomorrow and grab whatever I can. haha. But all of them smells wonderful!! No wonder people collects them. Maybe I'm going to start mine too!! =D

Glow in the Holder. It's cute! Thought I might surprise her with a little gift and i saw this. She likes the sanitizers anyway so might as well give her something to hang it on with.  I'm going back for the glittery forest green one, the purple, and pink for my friends in Pinas. and buy them pocketbacs too.

They Sparkle!!! the cupcake ones do!!!

The Kids will love this. Oh I bet they will. Think Pixie Dust haha.

Body Lotions &

Shower Gels.

And.. the triple moisture body cream. =}

I'm going back to buy myself holiday sets which was awesome because you get 3 travel sized items for $10 (fragrance mist, body lotion, shower gel) and the other set was $15 for a travel size body lotion and perfume (the glass one). I was so busy with the shopping list I forgot to grab one for myself.

...and of course pick up more pocketbacs and holders from client's pre order and family back there and friends. =}

Lancome's Cosmetic Company outlet

While roaming around the outlets I saw Lancome's cosmetic outlet and they were fixing trays and boxes of cosmetics and skincare to the front of the house. Lo and Behold. Shu Uemura at 50% off! 50% off ladies. I asked why and the assistant told me it was because they're pulling all the Shu Uemura stocks in the U.S., she didn't care to elaborate. On November 5th Shu Uemura in the states will be extinct. It's kind of sad because there isn't a lot of brands here that targets Asian skin. The last items they're liquidating includes the Cleansing Oils, DepSea Mists, Blushes, Brush Sets, Palettes, Eyeshadows, Lip Glosses, Skin Care, Foundation & their infamous false eyelashes. The Store also carries brands like Lancome, Giorgio Armani, Kiehl's, Shu Uemura, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, Diesel, La Roche Posay.

bye bye Shu, you will be missed.

SEPHORA Friends & Family Goodies!

...and then it began. One of the most awaited event for make up and beauty fans. The Sephora Friends and Family Sale.

I didn't get too much make up. Currently on the skin care side for now. My skin's a bit complicated since moving to California. I don't know why but it's sooooo frustrating. Things that kept my skin clear back then aren't working now. My tita said it was because it's not humid here so the pores are always closed trapping impurities. haaaaaay.

anyway. the UPS man dropped this box today. and YEY!

FRAGILE!!!!








The Beauty Authority... indeed

 SAMPLES include: 

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

Dr. Brandt Mattifying Lotion

Jurlique balancing day cream

Beauty Insider Birthday gift. awwwhhh sweet 

 

it's always fun to receive birthday gifts!!

the mascara brush that came with the set

Silver Green eyeliner. A bit sheer and it doesn't glide like the Urban Decay 24/7

White eyeshadow, great for the inner tear duct and highlighting

here's the stuff:

Make Up Forever HD foundation 153

Make Up Forever HD Primer Mauve

Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Delicate

and that's it. I was expecting the Ole Henriksen truth is in they eyes eye cream but the invoice sent said it ran out of stock, so they didn't charge credit for it. bummer.

any Christmas wishlist?