Sunday, November 29, 2009

Shu Uemura Nobara foundation review

I bought home the Shu Uemura foundation which makes me a super happy girl.

The NOBARA Foundation is a cream foundation in a horrible plastic container







I also bought the sponge because usually the company make the sponge just to go well on its own product

So here you go:

NOBARA Crema foundation:




The pros:




high coverage, natural look
no need for powder on top
wedding artist favourite (oh yes! oh yes!, it was the bride-zilla shopping mode)

The Cons:



horrible plastic container that you have no option to put in a normal compact case (shu uemura don’t even do the compact case for this)
this horrible version is going to be discontinued, and replace by the stick version

Stick version is good right?
Not for your money. The plastic container version holds 13g, but the stick version holds only 10g. THey charge you the same.

Price:



I got 10% off so I’m a happy bunny

the NOBARA foundation: 22.90 GBP
the sponge: 3.51 GBP

To the photos review (which says a truth better than me)








the best example of how never trust SA to fit your shade under a big big light..

even though I have Jamilla next to me when I test this.. see how different it is to my normal skin tone.

this is at least 5 shades lighter.. anyway you can see how it compares to my original naked skin





Shu Uemura VS Maybelline Mineral Liquid foundation (754 shade to 03 Sand)




unfortunately the skin tone mishap continues. But it still match my face colour in general. Look at my hand, it matches the tone on my face

I find that the Maybelline Mineral Liquid foundation matches with a bit of yellow tone.

But look at the eyes area, Shu Uemura obviously have better concealing powder than Maybelline, it hides the eye bags without using concealer




Shu Uemura VS Angelfit Liquid foundation (743 vs W7)




If you look at the area where the word ‘Angelfit printed’ you can see the red tone is not very well covered by Angelfit.

Both does not contain SPF so you need to apply sunscreen, and Primer to hide the red tone

Shu Uemura wins on coverage, again compare the eye area and you’ll see Shu covers better




Shu Uemura VS Revlon color stay (754 vs 310)




Now moving to European brand of foundation and even you can’t see it clearly from photos, it does give you pink tone
So for me it needs some kind of whiter powder to mix in and match my skintone.
Coverage wise is nearly the same as Shu, just Shu wins on providing yellow tone foundation





Shu Uemura vs Lancome Color Ideal (754 VS 03)




Finally, the very expensive lancome foundation, again with a bit of red tone once you compare it with Shu

i seriously hated this foundation coz it is just not quite right. Does it cover my spot? no
does it cover my eye bag? no
does it match my tone? no
and why it is so expensive?

So Shu won because of my hate towards Lancome color Ideal

I am going to try their liquid foundation next, perhaps after x’mas to see how well it fits. Stay tuned!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Another giveaway Eki Love 1400th giveaway special

PastedGraphic.AKtgWnNdtePz.jpg


sorry about all these but giveaways in Blogger world must be talked about

Eki is giving away Jill Stuart plus other goodies.

this is her link

http://ekimura.blogspot.com/2009/11/belated-1400th-follower-jill-stuart.html

Shu Uemura Nobara foundation review


I bought home the Shu Uemura foundation which makes me a super happy girl.

The NOBARA Foundation is a cream foundation in a horrible plastic container



DSC05601_2.09yxIUKg3ujP.jpg



I also bought the sponge because usually the company make the sponge just to go well on its own product

So here you go:

NOBARA Crema foundation:



The pros:



high coverage, natural look
no need for powder on top
wedding artist favourite (oh yes! oh yes!, it was the bride-zilla shopping mode)

The Cons:


horrible plastic container that you have no option to put in a normal compact case (shu uemura don’t even do the compact case for this)
this horrible version is going to be discontinued, and replace by the stick version

Stick version is good right?
Not for your money. The plastic container version holds 13g, but the stick version holds only 10g. THey charge you the same.

Price:


I got 10% off so I’m a happy bunny

the NOBARA foundation: 22.90 GBP
the sponge: 3.51 GBP

To the photos review (which says a truth better than me)






shunaked.R6xscLdTGtuc.jpg

the best example of how never trust SA to fit your shade under a big big light..

even though I have Jamilla next to me when I test this.. see how different it is to my normal skin tone.

this is at least 5 shades lighter.. anyway you can see how it compares to my original naked skin



shumaybeline.rwa7Hh29LgSm.jpg

Shu Uemura VS Maybelline Mineral Liquid foundation (754 shade to 03 Sand)



unfortunately the skin tone mishap continues. But it still match my face colour in general. Look at my hand, it matches the tone on my face

I find that the Maybelline Mineral Liquid foundation matches with a bit of yellow tone.

But look at the eyes area, Shu Uemura obviously have better concealing powder than Maybelline, it hides the eye bags without using concealer


shuangelfit.RpNP8QiVA5Tn.jpg

Shu Uemura VS Angelfit Liquid foundation (743 vs W7)



If you look at the area where the word ‘Angelfit printed’ you can see the red tone is not very well covered by Angelfit.

Both does not contain SPF so you need to apply sunscreen, and Primer to hide the red tone

Shu Uemura wins on coverage, again compare the eye area and you’ll see Shu covers better


shurevlon.xnH4STgfNq9P.jpg

Shu Uemura VS Revlon color stay (754 vs 310)



Now moving to European brand of foundation and even you can’t see it clearly from photos, it does give you pink tone
So for me it needs some kind of whiter powder to mix in and match my skintone.
Coverage wise is nearly the same as Shu, just Shu wins on providing yellow tone foundation



shulancome.fSv6UmP8ULXb.jpg

Shu Uemura vs Lancome Color Ideal (754 VS 03)



Finally, the very expensive lancome foundation, again with a bit of red tone once you compare it with Shu

i seriously hated this foundation coz it is just not quite right. Does it cover my spot? no
does it cover my eye bag? no
does it match my tone? no
and why it is so expensive?

So Shu won because of my hate towards Lancome color Ideal

I am going to try their liquid foundation next, perhaps after x’mas to see how well it fits. Stay tuned!


Friday, November 27, 2009

Blogger meetup and haul!


met up with jamilla, Yinnie and kelly last night at Westfields London. It was a long planned blogger meetup and great to see everyone.
i managed to get out from a concert organised by my boyfriend due to a very heavy slowly cooked pork served somewhere in North London. Super Yummy, but me and boyfriend is now on a vegetarian diet until this pork is totally digested.

We first went to have some food at the food court, Westfields always have great choice with food, and food court meant that there’s plenty of space to sit down and chat

so the haul. A combination for CP’s and self- indulgence because I had a no-buy for nearly 2 months (before i bought some NYX). CP is not shown here as a surprise factor.

here you go




DSC05609.8fiofOFWiFth.jpg



Tsumori Chisato x Shu Uemura LE Planet cat palette


the last one in westfields shu uemura counter


and..



10% off






DSC05608.Ze9PvhVzjbXc.jpg



just some filer to prep my nail.. I’m into weird colour nail polish at the moment




DSC05607.9XYFXjfFFf8D.jpg



my haul from cosmetic candy from her sale blog and Superdrugs buy (3 for 2 darling!)



Nail INC - China Town


Barry M - Jade Green, Dark Grey, Red







DSC05601.JMsxEZzHerZj.jpg



the Highlight of my day



Laura Mercier foundation Primer


Shu Uemura Nobara Foundation and sponge


(if you’re thinking of buying Nobara, please buy the old version. Their stick foundation version is 3g less than this old version)




DSC05613.NSkBxVMVjnGK.jpg



and finally to Yumeko



your handbag organiser has arrived in good form. I ate all candies and used the pressie. thanks so much




next post will be all about the Shu Uemura foundation





SHOP N' CHOMP Giveaway

how can someone resisit the LE of tsumori chisato x Shu Uemura? (will do a post coz i managed to get one for myself)

PastedGraphic.BdbcI0gNcXMd.jpg

http://shopnchomp.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-time.html

Sunday, November 22, 2009

bargain buy! NYC pressed mineral powder




So after nearly 2 months of no-buy, I broke my no-buy (but hey.. 2 months is impressive) and bought something to make me happy. I had a very depress day when I was told I was not good enough... sigh.. well i’ll keep going..

What’s NYC?

I am not sure. I think it is an imitation of the famous NYX brand (which I heard is coming to London)

All i know it is known for their mineral powder, My Beauty SPot did a good review on this.

Where can you find them?

Superdrugs. Which is just your local shop really

How much?
big smile please

The mineral powder cost only 3.99
and the face powder is 4.99

total damage is 9GBp for 2 items (15 USD)

Pressed Mineral Powder





They offer the loose powder and pressed powder. But i choose pressed because it is easier to carry when travelling

packaging wise : is really drugstore. No fancy and it makes you don’t want to buy it

However, if you look pass the packaging it is pretty ok


my thought:

I have not tried other mineral powder but feel this is really good. No caking and gives a smooth complexion.
My skin has cleared up a lot (until I used that l’egere again..) and applying the mineral powder gives me a natural healthy look.
I use the body shop kabuki brush because it is a lot softer and good in applying
Is there any con I can pick on? nearly nil

absolutely love the fact it is only 7 USD...

my first experience with mineral powder is great so far. but won’t be replacing my liquid foundation

the shade in Natural Beige is a perfect match as well (to NC 30)

(I’ll do the face powder in a separate post)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Beautyblender review



the product from ASOS



Beauty Blender review

I bought this back in October when i complained I should throw out my old old old iPSA Sponge .. i thought i just quickly review this HG items that should be sitting in a beauty fanatic bag

Beauty Blender, what’s this?

A foundation sponge with a round bottom and a sharp top to help you to blend in that foundation to look like a second skin.
Apparently use be celebrities such as Beyonce

the empty packaging that holds that beauty blender


Ok, tell me your damage then?


14.99 for a little sponge so that you feel so guilty you want to kill your boyfriend who did not stop you from buying this. Best place to buy. ASOS when they offer free delivery

How to use it?


try youtube. there’s tonnes of people who made a beauty blender guide on how to use
basically you dip you fat part of the sponge in your foundation and bounce it against your face
the tip is for concealer for those hard to bounce.. no no.. it’s reach area



the sponge in itself. very used.

What do you think? (except really believing that Beyonce use it)



Absolutely brilliant product. I can see why people can’t live without it. It really makes any foundation to glide flawlessly on your face. My concealer don’t cake anymore with this as well.

What I don’t like is that they tried to sell you that you need to clean it with their very special cleanser. It is rather expensive and I skip it and use my Pantene shampoo instead. it is not super clean but it still cleans it.

Also, the amount of foundation it needs, enormous. I use 3 times as much as I use with the IPSA Foundation sponge. unfortunately, IPSA foundation sponge that i used (for 4 years) is not available anymore. So I am not sure if the sponge technology is being created to make us use up the foundation.

will i buy it again? yes. definitely can’t live without it.
Will i recommend it to people? yes coz I’m evil and want you to a meal worth of money in make up haha



Monday, November 16, 2009

london blogger meetup

Hi girls.

Quickie post.

London Blogger meetup!



Who’s there:


Jamilla, Yinnie, Myself, and a few other beauty bloggers+ readers



Where:


Westfield, London



Time:


6pm



What are we doing?


X’mas shopping



I wanna come...


leave a comment I’ll contact you :)



______________
Eve, that’s a super short blog post!

err.. yes coz I lost 2 posts over the past week when I stupidly looked my blog and hence the pending posts were all gone. Back to the drawing board


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Living in UK, surviving away from the goodness of Asia

These 2 weeks has been a relaxing week, i don’t have many cupcakes work to do so I stayed at home most of the time. I did some PhD work and just a reflect on everything I have done. Suddenly I realise I have been in UK for 11 years (Arghhhhh) and thought, if someone told me in 1998 that I will stay here for more than 10 years, I probably give you a bunch of money and ask him to go away.

To anyone who are coming/planning/staying now in UK but from Asia originally, we all have the same complain. No good food, no entertainment, no wandering down the street at night, no dessert shop to eat after dinner. Sunday is absolutely boring and never ever trust your local Chines takeaway to deliver your mommy’s level of Chinese food. the list goes on.

I thought i’ll just share a few tips on how to survive in this rather grey country. This is purely based on own experience and no offence.




My home made sushi meal. With homemade sushi (sashimi from a local japanese shop/Atari-ya and homemade miso soup, no instant soup powder)




1) Buy many cookbook and cook at home
When i was in Hong Kong, i never ever cook my own food. Cafe de Coral saves my life and i pay less than 3GBP/5USD for a good meal with tea, soup and main course serve with rice. However a decent hot lunch in UK set you from 5GBP/8USD per meal so cooking your own at home becomes absolutely crucial.


2) Get a driving licence
it is difficult to go around without a car. And if you live in London, then it is ok, but in UK,you’re dodge with strike actions, engineering work, not enough drivers to drive the trains etc, and car is a good way to get around. Also, many places in UK cannot be reach easily with public transport (i.e. the famous bicester village) so car is a necessity
There’s car club nowadays so you don’t really need to own a car. Join a car club

3) Join a cultural society in Uni and they will know
If you love say Vietnamese food and not sure where to go, join a society and mingle with them. There’ll some food expert in all cultural society and can point to you where to go. I gather my knowledge via society events about where to eat in London, and survive

4) Invest on a computer and internet
the kid which I’m guardian of stayed with me for the past 2 weeks, and all he did was watching anime. now, 10 years ago, we have no laptop (they cost over £1000) and no internet. i know of a friend can’t survive in a foreign country coz there’s no internet. Nowadays mobile broadband is cheap and if you can’t have landline at where you live. Get a broadband USB stick. Invest on a good laptop so that you can do everything on it. I think I’ll die without my macbook and my broadband.




the afternoon tea I had in Buxted Park




5) Be a tourist
Every now and then, I travel. Maybe i travel too much, but travelling helps me to enjoy the country more. Imagine you are stuck in London, you will never know about the magical view in Bath, the academic atmosphere of Oxford, the clotted cream and scone in Cornwall. Also, the cheap airlines offer to take you out of the country to enjoy Europe. (that’s the reason why S came.. he wanted to travel in Europe). There are cheap day tour offered by coach company to take you out and see. And.. the best thing of UK? sitting in a beautiful cafe surrounded by cakes and scones, with a pot of tea...


Friday, November 6, 2009

Ettusais Dark Circle fighter Dual, concealer and essence review

Since there’s tonnes of ppl interested in Ettusais, I decide to do yet another review on some other products I have.

This is something I purchase in HK when I was there in summer 09.

Ettusais is a Shiseodo brand specialising in Adult acne problem. If you have problem with oil control in humid and hot climate, or just in general, Ettusais is definitely for you. A friend who went to Fukuoka with me went all crazy with Ettusais. I was rather surprise how popular Ettusais is among girls between 20-30.

In Japan, Ettusais is a drug store brand, but in HK it is a counter brand. So if you love samples. Ettusais in HK is absolutely brilliant. I think I walked away with at least 20 samples with my purchase. (and yet to use them, haha)

Eye zone massaing essence

To use:
as a eye serum at night.

Purpose:
to fight dark cirlce (it says nth about lines ok?)

What it claims to do:
help blood circulation around eye area
also kick dark circle away with dry fine lines

Weight:
15g (rather standard...)

Price:
nearly 40 USD







the essence comes with a pump. I always think how company can produce an illusion that 15g is actually a lot








How it looks like in real life. It has some shimmering properties in the clear gel




Verdict:

Ok I’m 28. I know i’m old. I know according to the majority of cosmetic company, I shall be crazy over anti aging products. Hey, I do look 18 ok? so getting a dark circle fighter product totally ok.

but... this is rather disappointing. My dark circle is definitely there. It didn’t work the miracle
It is rather drying as well (for UK autumn climate) and I need something more moisturising.

When the SA tried it on me, I like the quickly absorb texture. But... I can’t really use this as a base for the makeup because it is not helping to moisturising at all.
My boots No.7 perfect and protect is doing the job.

So finaly verdict? don’t waste your money on this.
If you want something to fight back dark circle. the Shiseido White Lucent Eye treatment works much much better



Eye Zone tinted color essence

Now now.. this is a really interesting product

Official introduction and product use:

No alcohol, no fragrance, no Oil elements and skin sensitivity taste

Have skin tone adjustment, can adjust dark circle and blemish to natural skin tone

What it is?

According to my SA, it is like a eye cream but tinted. So it is a skin care routine rather than makeup, which is good for your eyes

Volume:
4g (very standard.. but I think Boi-ing is around 7g)




The actual product. Very convinient to put in handbag



It is like other pen-concealer, it has a brush head to apply on the eye area



Trying on my hand, do you see I have the cross scar? Courtesy to Mui Chu.
Going to use this eye essence to cover it up



Applied on the scar area, it has lightened up the scar, but yet to cover

Verdict:

this is the first ever eye concealer that is not really a makeup product. We have BB cream, tinted moisturiser which is suppose to be a skincare routine rather than makeup.
now we have Ettusais eye essence that is like a tinted moisturiser, not too harmful to the skin.

I like the idea of it. I don’t need to think too much if I didn’t take this off at night. Hey, it is eye essence, moisturising yet cover up my blemish. The texture is quite smooth, but as it is primarily to lighten up the area of your dark circle, I don’t think it helps with acne scar or blemish. It is purely for eye area and that’s it.

I probably will buy a 2nd tube of it as I like the idea. I like how it applies using the brush.

So, if you are interested, you can safely buy this.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

With Love from East Asia

So after nearly a week without blogging. I give you 2 post at a time.

Mainly is to say thank you to 2 people. Kay and Jennifer who’s package arrived amid the 3 weeks postal strike. (yes for the past 3 weeks, the postal strike in UK every weds thurs fri.. it took 1 package from HK 3 weeks to arrive.. and it has cash in it..)

First Kay’s package ended up roughly the week before.. all I did was munch through her chocolate biscuits thingy..
I swapped some BB cream to her, and she help to buy the JuJu Aqua Moist hydraulic acid serum which I was desperate to try. I have a pharmacist friend who swear hydraulic acid is really good for your skin and it is a must ingredients for good skin routine. Since JuJu says it is 100% hydraulic acid.. lets see if it will transform my skin



the chocolate cookies thingy which i ate almost immediately (yes it is empty) the JuJu acid serum on the top right and some sample from Kay.
i was quite anxious coz my package took 3 weeks to reach Japan..

The second package came from Jennifer. I saw she was offering to swap away her dior Blush and since we both have similar skintone I thought It’ll good to try (and when i met her in summer, she said it is her HG.. ) I also got a swap for a Shu Uemura Primer as I’m a primer and foundation addict at the moment..

I totally recommend jennifer as a swapper. I met her in MUA and since then she even took me to makeup shopping 1st day when I arrived in HK. The swap I got from her all come with original box.. and tonnes of samples



see all the goodies? thank you muah! and the maquillage lippies sample..

seriously for people with darker skintone, we need to sample the colour before buying. We simply can’t fit any colour they launch.. that’s how i buy my other lippes

I am currently super uber busy even I don’t need to go to work in cupcakes. I am setting up a second company, working through my self assessment and struggling with phd.

I wonder if anyone here can read Korean? I’m struggling with some korean content and need some help... it is about Leon Lai, who sung a tv theme song in Korea...

I noticed there’s lots of interest in Ettusais so I have taken all my Ettusais products photo and will do a review on them. They are mostly products with nearly no review so keep an eye on this blog..

that’s all from me.

Please vote for my friend

Remember my work at Big Bang Music?

One of our writers, Kevin Tsang, composed a piece of music and selected as the finalist in the CASH Music competition.

CASH Music competition is the one and only music composition for composer and lyricist in Hong Kong, and many such as Ivana Wong won the competition and further their career.

well.. Kevin already wrote a few music for people such as Joey Yung etc, but seeing him as the finalist in the competition is such a big joy

so to support him here’s what to do:

go to the website:

http://www.rthk.org.hk/special/cash2009/?509

Click No. 1 親疏之別

at this 姓名 please put your name

at this 電郵 please put your email

at 電話 please put a telephone number (random is ok: such as 26784390, HK number starts the first digit with 2, 3 or 9)

at 驗証碼 that’s the verification code you saw on your right

then press submit

This is a facebook book to submit Kevin

http://www.facebook.com/evieleung?ref=name#/event.php?eid=167358769535&ref=mf

Now.. if Kevin you’re reading this.. I deserve some nice dinner when I’m back next year. Or a super gift for my wedding (maybe a song you compose?)

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