Don't you girlies love dolling up your nails? I'm sure most of you do right? I love nail art but they cost so much if you were to get it done at a nail salon.

When I was still schooling, I couldn't afford to visit a nail salon every now and then to get my nails done so that kind of spurred me to DIY my nails. You might be thinking where do I learn nail tricks from? The answer is - through Youtube videos!

Winmax Light Color Nail Enamel in #3

Doesn't it look lovely? I merely applied 2 coats. Its look like my natural nail color yet it has a subtle hint of color. I couldn't help but to keep looking at how reflective it looks. FYI, I haven't applied top coat when I took this picture so you can probably imagine how reflective it would be if I were to apply my Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat.

I haven't tried nail polishes from Daiso before prior to this, but I must say that I am rather pleased with it because its so affordable and the results did not disappoint me. Somehow, this reminds me of the customer satisfaction process. When expectation is lower than perceived performance, it brings about satisfaction which relates to this case. Haha.

I wanted something different. Hence, I did gradient nails again. This time round, I used Missha Nail Polish in BL03 to create the gradient using a make up wedge. I love Missha a lot but ever since they closed down all the stores in Singapore with the exception of one store situated at Orchard Central, I rarely get stuffs from them anymore until a few weeks ago. I will post my Missha haul soon.

Here is my NOTD.

And of course, what's a manicure without some bling? Hence, I added my favourite glitter nail polish, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Disco Ball before I applied Like Gel Top Coat.

I really like Like Gel Top Coat because it makes your nails look so thick that it really kinda resembles gel-nails. However, the downside is that it takes a long time to dry. Hence, you must be really careful while drying for it to dry.

Here are all the products used in case you are wondering.

Products used in order:

1) The Face Shop Nail Base Coat
2) Winmax Light Color Nail Enamel in #3
3) Missha Nail Polish in BL03
4) Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Disco Ball
5) Like Gel Top Coat

I know you probably got sick of my haul entries. I have been haul-ing too much lately, yes I know. Let me know what kind of posts (Tutorials/FOTD/OOTD) you would want to see over here at SweetestSins yea?

And yes, I totally cannot wait for Season 2 of Glee to be released!

Manicare Foundation Wedges, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

These foundation wedges from Manicure are like my favourite! I have been buying and using them for at least 3 years, ever since I got my Lancome liquid foundation. I don't know about others, but I love using these foundation sponges for liquid foundation. I feel that it blends out evenly compared to a foundation brush. The only downside that most beauty gurus would say about foundation sponges are that they absorb or rather 'eat' up your foundation rather quickly. But that doesn't really matter that much to me for I have never ever hit pan on any makeup items until recently when my Majolica Majorca Powder Blush in RD255 hitted pan! Its a really lovely peachy pink shade and in my opinion, a natural flush of color to the cheeks.

What do you do when your makeup sponges is covered with makeup? DON'T CHUCK THEM AWAY! You could wash them like I do in the video below. Each makeup sponge has a lifespan of probably 2-3 washes before they are worn out and cannot be used anymore.

And so, I finally gotten my Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm as well. I have been comtemplating whether a not to get it since I didn't really like any of the previous lip balms which I owned and I ended up switching to Palmers Lip Butter Dark Chocolate & Peppermint instead. Palmers Lip Butter Dark Chocolate & Peppermint is really tasty, so much that you cannot resist licking your lips. It provides more of a glossy look. The Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is rather minty too. For a lip balm, I would say that it does its job rather well as it does moisturize my lips. Not too bad for the price tag of $6.

I was watching a recent Korean Marine look by Tuniez83 on Youtube and I really liked her lip color. Its a very sweet hot fuschia pink, but yet subtle because of the glossy look.

Hence, I went out shopping for a dupe of it. I was browsing randomly in The Face Shop and I tested out several colors which might like look it. And I ended up walking away happily with Face&It All About Lipstick Glossy in PK102.

Face&It All About Lipstick Glossy in PK102

I like the fact that its super glossy and it doesnt exaggerate lip lines or dry lips. I think this would be my to-go lipstick from now on!

Stay tuned for upcoming posts!

- OPI Over The Taupe swatch
- Laneige Mystic Veil Collection swatches or probably an FOTD along with it
- Daiso Haul

XOXO,
Patricia

Eucerin Gentle Cleansing Milk

And I was torn between sticking with Eucerin which I have been using for about 2 years (ever since my skin took a turn for the worse during my senior year) or to get another brand. As you all know, I love trying out new brands and products. So I walked into Watsons and checked out the options I have. It was definitely not Eucerin because it was out of stock. Nivea Cleansing Milk was one of the most affordable at only $9+ for 200ml! To me, Nivea has always been known for their body lotions and I was definitely surprised when I realised that they do have cleansing milk. Checked out DHC Deep Cleansing Oil again, but was skeptical because I prefer cleansing milk to oil. Following which, I checked out Aqualabel too but they only had cleansing oil as well.

Feeling disappointed, I headed over to The Face Shop and went straight to the section where they placed their cleansing products. And something caught my eye.

The Face Shop Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Emulsion,
available at all TFS branches at $22.90

You might be wondering why did it captured my attention. Well, because it says rice water. And we all know that rice water is beneficial for youthful looking skin. Try and recall SK-II commercials where the grandma's hands look as though as it belonged to a young lady because her hands were soaked in rice water all day long.

Furthermore, the sales associate told me that this is their best selling cleansing milk. Even though most of the time I don't really believe them, I only trust my own judgement. Why do I say so? Well, because I came from a retail background and I know how pushy sales associates will get just to make you buy so as to fulfil their sales targets and therefore it spells commission for them. So girls, we must not just be shoppers, but smart shoppers!

After using The Face Shop Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Emulsion thrice, I find that its comparable with my Eucerin Gentle Cleansing Milk. I really like the smell of it, its very light. I also like the fact that it felt very gentle on my skin and at the same time, its able to remove all the impurities of my makeup. In fact, I think it made my skin looked better. I don't know if that arises due to the switch of cleansing milk, or the fact that I switched my cleanser.

Previously, I was using my Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel which worked very well for my skin which was prone to breakouts then. But recently, I felt that its a little too drying for my skin even though I still experience oiliness in my T-zone. I did not have time to shop for a new cleanser, hence I just grabbed whatever I have in my bathroom. FYI, I have a lot of cleanser in my bathroom ranging from Nivea Deep Pore Control Cleansing Foam, Sebamed Liquid Face and Body Wash and Bio-essence Deep Cleanser (just to name a few).

Bio-essence Deep Cleanser

I was surprised that Bio-essence Deep Cleanser does the trick by not stripping off the natural oil in my face by making it feel tight which most cleanser does. And it did keep my face moisturized after I washed it. I was surprised because I did not think highly of Bio-essence previously. I always thought that it caters more to mature women but boy, I was wrong, so wrong. In fact, I am impressed with another two Bio-essence products which I tried recently as I had samples of it.

The first one is

Bio-essence Bio Multi-Effect BB Cream

This BB cream is a little thicker compared to the rest of which I have tried before. In fact, the shade was a little too light for me when I first put it on. But after a while, it looks more natural.

As this BB cream has pink undertones in it, it makes one look more radiant. I remember a friend commented on how radiant I looked when I used this BB cream when I met her early in the morning.

This is like the first product which I want to get from Bio-essence badly and totally changed my perspective of the brand.

The second item is..

Bio-essence Hydra Water Soluble Olive Cleansing Oil

Wow, this is really something I have never come across before in my entire life. Yes, I have tried cleansing oil and cleansing milk. But the both of them together? No, never.

This cleansing oil turns milky after you massage your face with wet palms. Isn't it amazing? I did not like cleansing oil because I prefer the texture of cleansing milk. But now, this is an evolution by combining both of them together. And I can remove my mascara with this without having to use a separate eye makeup remover.

Lastly, do check out Yiruma playing love me. He's really good at it.

Products used:

1) The Face Shop Nail Base Coat
2) The Face Shop Nail Color PP402 (Whole Nail)
3) Skin Food Pedicure Sparkle 09 (French Angled Tip)
4) Taisu Nail Art Striping Brush in Bottle (V-arch)
5) Canmake Colorful Nails 17 (Whole Nail)
6) The Face Shop Nail Top Coat

Lastly, I shall end with a picture of my new manicure. I am lovin' this nail design, what say you? (: If you love this nail design and want to learn how to achieve it, leave a comment and who knows? I might do a tutorial video on it! (:

Mommy's 3-tone champagne, gold and coral orange nails with hand-drawn nail art flower by yours truly!

My 3 tone gradient nails consisting of pink shimmer, purple and black.

I was running some errands over at Causeway Point the other day when I dropped by The Face Shop and I saw two lovely nail polishes which I knew I had to get them. It was dirt cheap say $2.90. I love their nail polishes and I have several of them. I even have their so-called premium collection ones which are retailing at $7.90. Still cheap I would say compared to my Sally Hansen's. If you are on a budget, I would say go for The Face Shop nail polishes. Just put on two coats instead of one and the results would be the same as high-end nail polishes. Here's a swatch of The Face Shop nail color in OR201. Its like a pearlized beige. Very natural-looking and pretty!

From L to R: Sally Hansen, Missha, TheFaceShop, Skin Food etc.

Next, its everything for the eyes. The picture explains all.

Eyeshadow from I Nuovi, MAC, Missha, TheFaceShop, Etude House, SkinFood and Maybelline, Loreal Eyeliner, Revlon Eyebrow pencil, eyeliner sharperner, false eyelash from everywhere and double eyelid tape

Liquid foundation, loose powder, concealer, blusher and lip gloss from Lancome, Lipstick from Paul and Joe and Revlon, Eyeliner from MAC, Maybelline and O2 skin and mascara from Maybelline.

Make up base, Suncreen, BB Cream, face mask, facial soap etc.

And to be really neat. I kept all of these in a box. The box that I previously used to store all my make up.

Face mask, lotions, moisturizer, make up remover etc

Victoria Secrets Berry Kiss lotion, Victoria Secrets Love Spell series, Burberry Brit Sheer Lotion, Versace Crystal Perfume, Burberry Touch Perfume, L'occitance Vanilla, Lancome Miracle Miniature and Burberry Brit Sheer Miniature.

Hello Kitty pouch from Daiso and H&M, Burberry Pouch, Houndstooth Pouch from Naraya and Victoria Secret Pouch

I think its fun making beauty related posts like this. What say you? (: