What is it:

An ultra-sheer lip colour that is undeniably flattering on all women.

Inspired by the success of Almost Lipstick in Black Honey's iconic status in the US, all shades are completely wearable and provide a sheer colour payoff.

Black Honey made its debut in the US in 1971 and this deep, blackened raisin hue became an instant success. In 1989, when Black Honey was later launched as an Almost Lipstick, no one realized how quickly it would become an iconic lip colour. A precise blend of red, blue, orange and yellow pigments in a sheer base allows Black Honey to look beautiful and different on virtually every skin tone, making it a cult favourite.

In August, Clinique introduced a range of Black Honey coloured items such as the Black Honey Gradient Blusher, Black Honey Eyeshadow Quad, and the best-selling Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss in Black Honey. This February, sees the introduction of the product that started it all - the all-time best-seller Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

Clinique Almost Lipstick is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free and dermatologist tested.

Have you girls felt like getting something, but after much consideration, you gave up the idea of doing so? I did and that is the way I felt about Coralista. I had wanted to get it when Benefit first came to Singapore but after much deliberation and considering the hiked up price in Singapore, I convinced myself not to. However, every time I pass by Sephora, I would swatch it on the back of my hand and look at how pretty it is. It was like a love-hate affair. I liked how coral-looking it is for it suits my tanned skin, however, I was skeptical of how shimmery it would look on my face as shimmers would translate to oily-looking face, not that my face isn't oily-looking enough now. However, I couldn't resist the temptation so I went ahead and got Coralista.

When I first got it, I couldn't help but to compare the packaging with the vintage Chinese brand loose powder as shown on the left in the picture below.

Don't you think that they strike some sort of resemblance to each other? The design of the latter was probably inspired by former.

I remember my Grandma would apply the vintage Chinese brand powder all over her face before she does face threading. FYI, she threads her own face! She's so talented right?

I don't know but I think the older generation (our moms, grandmas and great grandmas) have got better skin compared to us even though they didn't have easy access to various skincare or makeup products back then. The products that they used were merely Hazeline snow, Olay Moisturizer and loose powder back then. But one thing that they made sure that they had on was - lipstick contrary to the modern ladies whom now opt for lipgloss or even without putting any lip products.

I ran out of kelp at home and I couldn't make soup without them so I headed to Daiso to stock up. And then, I chanced upon....

MultiCheek Beige Blusher

This has got to be the prettiest blusher I have seen in Daiso. I don't know but this is the first time I came across this. I got it because it was in a pretty shade of coral. And partly because, it somehow reminded me of my Benefit Coralista and I wanted to be able to compare and know how similiar they are. And no, I didn't have any intention to apply it on my cheeks, wait till I muster enough courage to. Anyway, its just $2 so I don't have much to lose.

So here are the two blushes side by side.

And the most exciting part.

SWATCHES!!!

Top: Daiso MultiCheek Beige Blush swatch
Bottom: Benefit Coralista swatch

While the Daiso blush ain't exactly a dupe for Benefit Coralista, it is quite a value for money. The texture was less chalky than I expected and it looks more pink than coral. Nevertheless, it is still a pretty blusher. I think it would be great for beginners whom want to experience with blushers but yet don't want to spend a bomb.

However, if you're a makeup fanatic like me, go for Benefit Coralista. It provides a subtle glow which is very natural looking. In fact, I think Benefit Coralista reminds me so much of my Majolica Majorca RD255 blush which has been discontinued in Singapore.

What are your favourite blushers? Do share with me, I would like to know (;

Love,
Patricia

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

Its.........

Stila travel girl palettes in Pretty in Paris and Road to Radiance across the U.S.A!

The website says that they are limited edition and there are a total of 5 palettes in the collection. I can't wait to collect all!

It fits into my hand so well. Its so compact that it fits into any makeup pouch!

Stila Pretty in Paris

I liked the fact that each palette has got a quote in it and that it also has got a mirror which is great for touch ups outside!

consists of 4 Eyeshadows:

- Crepe (pale pink)
- Cherie (reddish brown)
- Jolie (brownish pink)
- Chocolat (brown)

Convertible Color:
- Rosebud

This palette consists of more neutral colors which are great for neutral looks be it day or night. I gave this to my cousin for she was looking for a eyeshadow palette. I might get this again because it has got Eiffel Tower on it which is my favourite! I love Eiffel Tower!

Stila Road to Radiance across the U.S.A

consists of 4 Eyeshadows:

- Snow Bunny (shimmery champagne)
- Southern Belle (mauve)
- Valley Girl (pink)
- City Chick (alloy)

Convertible Color:
- Hibiscus

This palette consists of more pinky, girly colors. Of all, my favourite is City Chick which is very much of a plum shade.

And now, the swatches for Stila Road to Radiance across the U.S.A eyeshadows!

From top to bottom:

- Snow Bunny (shimmery champagne)
- Valley Girl (pink)
- Southern Belle (mauve)
- City Chick (alloy)

I think I might just go ahead and place my order for Stila Pretty in Paris and Stila Make an impression in Moscow (say yes to neutral colors)!

I hope you girlies enjoyed this post. Thanks for reading! (:

Love,
Patricia

As you can see, the second picture (on the right) is rather reflective. This is because yours truly applied Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat on top of it. Just one coat and its so shiny! I can't imagine how it would be if I were to apply another coat.

Well, I got OPI Over The Taupe because I wanted Chanel Particulíere badly and all the Chanel counters in Singapore ran out of it at that point of time.

So I got OPI Over The Taupe. But guess what? As soon as I received my OPI Over The Taupe, Chanel restocked Chanel Particulíere. What rotten luck! ):

OPI Over The Taupe is a true dupe to Chanel Particulíere. I didn't believe it initially when I read it online. However, my doubts were cleared when I tested Chanel Particulíere on my girlfriend over at the Chanel counter and true enough, it looks the same as my OPI Over The Taupe. The beauty advisor even asked me if I am wearing Chanel Particulíere.

I am rather late in posting this as I have gotten it sometime in early April. I have used it twice till date and I really like the mushroom gray color. It looks very sophisticated. While I do love OPI for its salon-like finish, I really dislike the nail polish formula which is much drier (compared to other brands like Sally Hansen) as its makes it quite hard for applying an even layer. Other than that, I am still very much satifised with my first ever bottle of OPI nail polish! And I foresee more to come! (:

P.S: Why can't Singapore stock more exciting nail polish brands like Essie, China Glaze, Orly, Sinful Colors?

As you can see, yours truly has been back on a cooking frenzy which would probably last for just a while. You know I haven't been cooking a real meal for eons. And I seriously doubt I can do a good job on that.

Yea, as I have mentioned in my older post, I love making soup because they are as easy as abc. A friend once said to me that my SO would be very lucky because he would have nice soup to drink everyday. While I beg to differ because he would probably get tired of drinking soup every other day since I would be making it every other day! Laughs.

Anyway, I made vegetable soup the other day using just celery, carrot and tomatoes. Did I mention how much I love celery and tomatoes?

First, get all the ingredients ready.

Once again, throw them all into the cooking pot and you're almost done.

Okay, probably not because I decided to add in beech mushrooms at the very last minute to make it more chewy. Well, women are always fickled-minded, not? You need not add any salt/sugar or soya sauce. Just drink it like that. Its flavorful enough, trust me.

And you get to enjoy your very own homemade vegetable soup! I simply love the taste of it. What say you?

Okay, you are probably bored of my cooking related posts by now. So I shall reward you with some beauty related information now (because that is the reason why you came here for, no?)

So these are some stuffs which I picked up from Watsons a while ago. Notice that I don't post my purchases real-time, as in as soon as I get them? Well, because I have other commitments and taking pictures and resizing them do require a little bit of time. Oh, while we are at this topic, I must say that its a love-hate relationship with my digital camera. I hate how it fails me sometimes especially when I take pictures at night even with the flash on, but yet it produces beautiful quality during day time even without macro mode or flash and I don't even have to edit the lighting and contrast!

These are the stuffs which I got.

Dr. Wu Super Diamond BB Cream, Neutrogena Fine Fairness Brightening UV Waterlight Lotion and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Disco Ball

I bought the Dr. Wu Super Diamond BB Cream after seeing in it NRWZD and Kevin recommended it. I have used it twice but I felt that its quite drying on my skin compared to other BB Creams which I have used before. I also didn't really like the fact that it makes me look gray. It could be probably because of the way I used it. But on the first day I tried applying the BB Cream only, and the second time I applied a little pressed powder to set it. I would probably give it a few more tries before I come to a conclusion. Have anyone experienced the same problem like I did? On a side note, I saw Laneige's new BB Cream in Metro ytd. I want to try it so badly! But it costs like $49? At $39.90 for Dr. Wu's BB Cream, I already thought that it was expensive. But $49? I guess I probably won't fork out that much for a BB Cream because I would be able to use that amount of money to get a very decent foundation from mid-high end make up brands.

As for the Neutrogena sunblock, I'm totally loving it. I use it as a makeup base, or even after my 3-step skincare on days when I go without makeup. Its not greasy which I like! But, do be extremely careful when applying it because if it gets into your eyes, it stings badly, like big time!

Lastly, I'm totally loving the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear series. Disco Ball is my second bottle from the series. The first one which I got was Cherry Red which is a sexy red and it simply reminds me of SIA girls' nails. Disco Ball sparkles like literally disco ball. The sparkles are like AB crystals. So pretty!! And, it doesn't break your wallet at a mere $7.90 or $7.50. I can't remember. Do correct me if I am wrong. I don't know but I simply love Sally Hansen's nail polish. If you have been following my blog, you should know how much I adore Sally Hansen!

I am adoring nude lips at the moment. To achieve nude lips, apply a thin layer of concealer on your lips (you could use lip concealers or the normal concealer by dabbing it on or with a lip brush for a more refined look and apply your favourite nude gloss on it).

Products used:

1) Mac Select Moisture Cover
2) Canmake Nudy Glow in 03

Till then! ♥

1) Kiss From A Rose Natural Face Tint
in 02 Heartbreaker

2) Popping Cheek Blush Puff

in 02 Peachy Red

Without Flash.

With Flash.

The only downside is that I would require a stippling brush to use this cream blush effectively. Am so tempted to get Mac 187.

I am looking for a good gel liner. Am considering these

1) MAC fluidline
2) Bobbi Brown long-wear gel liner
3) Shu Uemura painting liner
4) Maybelline Lasting drama gel eyeliner
5) Loreal 24 hour super liner gel eyeliner

Has anyone tried any of the above? Or have any good gel liners to recommend? Do let me know by posting a comment.

Hope you enjoy my post! Till then.