Taiwan trip 2 photos heavy

this blog is probably just on photos . i basically spent my first day in the National Museum and ran away from the tourist into the food market in Shilin, finally ended in 101. The second day we went on the tour guide which I mentioned in my first post. And last day, to Xinzhu.

this is the highest toilet :) the toilet on the 89th floor at Taiwan 101

the big big chicken piece that is sold in Shilin Market

this is called Meat Rice Ball. bascially it is made of rice flour and with meat in it. This is a special version in Jiufeng, which is marinated from red vinegar. You are served hot, and you thought it is cooked in soup. Wrong! it is actually cooked in warm oil (not hot) slowly

A famous taiwan dish. Fried oyster with eggs. The oyster are tiny and small (fresh!!) and it is served with a orange-ish sweet sauce. One of the best stall is based in Xinzhu where we went on our last day

the finished product

and finally...

My kevin beautymaker haul (part of it)

Beautymaker powder foundation

Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Powder foundation N review

I'm back to London. EVEN this is a short stop (just under 1 week) I'm so happy to see my lovely cats, they're giving me cold shoulder at the moment, but it is ok.

This is one of my HG foundation at the moment, which is the Smoth silk Powder foundation. I always wanted to create a silky smooth look on my face, unfortunately, my liquid foundation never able to do so. In HK, I have also been using powder foundation rather than liquid as they give me that 'smooth' look on my face. This JS foundation works even better, it gives a glow as well.

The product:

it is a powder foundation. no need for liquid foundation as base, just apply on its own is ok.

Ingredients:

Wild rose extract and almond oil. jeez, I tell you, i never have a foundation that smells this good.

price:

a very hefty $390 including compact case and foundation. that's $50 USD if you are asking

My shade:

103 (I'm not the darkest now.. finally) but it is a bit pale. I think that's how HK girls want to be, just on the little pale side. she said I can go for 104, but it is actually pink tone.
(I am getting good foundation match when I do it with a SA, so all foundation I get with SA is a very good match so far)

 You see! that's where $50 usd went into. packaging. When you open the box, it deliberately shows you the little flower that hangs on your case on the top.

My verdict:
If you excuse me, please blind fold my wallet and my bleeding bank, this foundation would be perfect.
It is smooth yet light on skin. It gives a beautiful aroma, and with the enhanced design (this is only launched last month) it separately the sponge and the foundation into different level now.

where the sponge is now in the new design case

I keep thinking if there's any alternative to this foundation. I don't think I know of. The kevin beautymaker compact also gives a similar coverage, but without the aroma and the silkiness. I love how after a few hours, your skin glows (seriously! my bf commented on how it glows)
I like powder foundation more than liquid, as you can re-apply during the day to the necessary area. I can't really find fault on this. In fact, My bleeding wallet will take me back and get the foundation refill so that it'll last me until October.

Oh js, oh js, how can you be sooo pretty. There's a plastic sleeve that goes between the foundaiton and the mirror. This is on the 2nd level of the case.

my next and perhaps last review for the moment will be js mix blush in colour 11, Rose fairy. Again new colour that is launched in March and an LE item. stay tuned!

Jill stuart: jewel eyes review

Dear girls...

are we ready for some JS?

Granting the wish for nic nic, decided to do a review for the eyeshadows first.

Jewel Crystal Eyes (eyeshadow palette)

So this is the famous eyeshadows. i have tried the eyeshadows once and find it too shiny and pigmented. I want something more natural but decided to try this out nevertheless.

The colour i pick up is 04, which is on the pink side and very natural. I like the way how you can push the colour around to create a more natural feel but yet. very pigmented.

This particular palette is the new edition that came out. according to the SA, it was sold out until they restock it now.

the swatch. I have only applied once and that's what I get. Very natural colour, but perhaps for many girls, it is some colour that you already got in your makeup bag. I just absolutely panned my IPSA eye palette and hence totally justified myself have one. Just note the darker pink colour is a bit orange in real life, and the dark purple one is a really gd liner colour.

I have tried it today, and it works on me very well. shame cant do FOTD...

I need some advice taking FOTD on iphone or DSLR camera (no tripod pls) anyone can help?

Also, what's next should be on? another jill stuart or?

an introduction to a local HONG KONG skincare brand?

teaser: Jill stuart Haul (super haul)

To celebrate a few things, I decided to haul some jill stuart last night.

And i basically got all the signautre products, ie. eyeshadow, blush, etc

but!!!

this is something I haven't heard of and decide to get.

Jill stuart Eau de toilette

I'll blog of the haul very soon

I have also a few surprise up my sleeves during this trip. Stay tune!

Happy birthday to me :)

Just had my birthday last week. Thanks for all the twitter and fb messages !!

this year is my last birthday as a singleton. Well legally (I have a S with me) so my family spoiled me rotten with an evening out at my favourite teppanyaki place in Causeway Bay (Wasan-mi/aji) above Sogo. And a seafood feast at home, and a cake from Zoe the cake shop in Causeway Bay

My birthday present. All girls know what it is :)

Food Porn!

 

The cherry blossom tree at home that is still blossoming, even it is a month after Chinese new year.

I took many many photos during this trip but i'll do some scheduled post when I can type them in flight.

An annoucment: i'm flying to Sydney on 7th April to 13 April, anyone want to meet up. let me know.

Taiwan travel diary/台灣遊記 (1)

可能這個部落格的讀者不知道，但是這是我第一次用中文寫的文章。這是因為寫的對象是中文人，所以以一中一英的方法去寫。希望大家不要介意

Perhaps the readers of this blog, don't really know, but this is the first time I write in Chinese for this blog. Mainly coz the people I wrote about are Chinese, I think it is better to write in English/Chinese. Hope people don't mind.

這個長週末去了一趟台灣，原本我的好朋友M 說因為我回到亞洲，想見見我。然後說不如他來香港或是去一個地方去玩玩，給了他幾個選擇，最後選了台灣。S也沒去過，（後來發現他小時候去過，也不告訴我，男朋友的度量哦）

went to Taiwan last long weekend. Originally my best friend m said I'm asia and want to meet up. Then he suggested maybe he should pop over to HK or choose a place to go, I gave him a few choice and he picked Taiwan. S never been so kind of decided this way (then found out he actually been there when we was young, and didn't tell me!!! Is this love as a boyfriend?)

這次的旅程很急，一來是想在3天內逛完所有的地點，還有是其實我們想學生一樣，沒錢喇。但是還是座計程車飛來飛去。

This trip is a bit rush, firstly we want to do everything in 3 days, plus we want to save a bit of money like students, in the end, we never took a bus and used taxi every way.

先要謝謝的是陳太 (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/up0109tw)，我們親切的日租，我大概2月初的時候訂房，用電郵聯絡，天啊，她親自打長途電話過來問我台北的行程，講了差不多1個半小時的電話。台灣到英國的，還收我們這樣便宜的房租，太對不起你呢。陳太日租很好的，如果你是海外過來，可以把自己的機票副本作為訂票用的預定，下飛機後聯絡她，她會在機場巴士的車站接你過去。非常方便。

Firstly I want to say thanks to Mrs Chen (http://www.wretch.cc/blog/up0109tw). Our utmost friendly hostess. I probably booked the room around early February and contacted her via email. Jeez, she actually called me on my UK mobile and spoke on the phone over 1 hours. It is Taiwan to UK, and charged us soooo cheaply. I actually feel a bit embarrassed. MRs Chen's hostel is really good, if you are coming from abroad, you can send her a copy of your flight ticket as a booking reservation/confirmation. Call her when you landed in the airport and she will pick you up at the airport express station. Really easy.

到達後，由於我的朋友到火車已經早了到達，我們出門咯（我把這個出門後做的事容後再說）

When we arrived in the hostel, because my friend's train arrived in Taiepi early so we went for sight-seeing (what we did afterwards I'll write about it later)

第二天，是我最期待的，就是九分包車導遊。林先生　（林：是子平朋友才對）一早就在車站等我們　（我們一下車，下樓梯就見到他，黃色的帽子很易認）先帶我們去看煤礦，當然現在沒有了，但是有時候自己不懂事，不清楚日本在台灣的影響，看到了十三層遺址，　有些感觸。　（其他的日程請看林導遊的網頁：http://jinguas.pixnet.net/blog/post/27576256

I was really looking forward to second day. Which is a driver guide to Jiufeng. Mr Lin (Lin probably will say: is ZhiPing only) was waiting for us first thing at the train station (once we got out of the train, down the stairs then we saw him. You can't really miss a guide wearing a yellow hat) First we went to see the mines, which is abandoned nowadays. Sometimes I feel I am a bit ignorant and naïve, not knowing the influence of the Japanese in Taiwan. When I saw the ruins of the Thirteen Floors, I felt something brewing in my heart. (other sight-seeing on offered are available from Mr Lin's website:

http://jinguas.pixnet.net/blog/post/27576256_)

九分的感覺是：吃得好，還有什麼呢？

I can't really comment on Jiufeng, other than there's good food. But other than that, what's more?

最後原本訂好去十分，但是下太大的雨，實在去不行。S　不舒服所以林建議去野柳。S在途中睡，留下M　張開雙眼和林聊天。

Originally we planned to go to Shifeng, unfortunately it was really heavy rain so there's no way we can go. S was really feeling uncomfortable so Mr Lin suggested us to go to YeLiu. S fell asleep in the car on the way there, leaving M with his eyes wild open to keep Mr Lin company.

我們到了野柳之後，其實沒想那麼多，女皇頭呀，冰淇淋呀，通通不知道，還是要聽林的解說。但是我們實在是城市長大的小孩，原本還有一個景點的，我們還是放棄，去基隆。5點才完的導向我們4點已經筋疲力盡，我要會台北！！去了不夠30分鐘已經踏的　（ride a taxi)。去了基隆只是買了化妝品，我們呀！！

When we arrived in Yeliu, we didn't really think much. Those Queen's Head, ice-cream cone, we actually don't really know what's that. We gave up and asked to go to JiNong. The tour should finish at 5pm but we asked to finish at 4pm coz we're far too tired. WE WANT TO GO BACK TO TAIPEI. Not setting foot for 30 minutes we are already on our way back to the station by taxi. Afterall, we bought cosmetics in Taiwan even in Keenung.

Photos coming soon J

 

 

Kevin beautymaker and Skincology Order for girls in EU / HK

shoutout and urgent shoutout

I'm making 1 final order for Kevin beautymaker and skincology order for girls in Hong Kong or EU. Basically, i'm ordering and since they have around a 5 days turnaround time, I'll need to make the order by 16th march

 If you want to order please have a look at this site

http://www.payeasy.com.tw/ecoversea/oversea2.html

HOW TO:

Please use the above site for link and quote. I'll then divide the Taiwan to Hong Kong shipping cost among all orders (at the moment I have 5) and ask for payment towards that part in full, then once I arrive in UK on the 28th march, i'll then weight them and send you the shipping cost.

Cost:

Please use this calculator for paypal payment:
http://www.rolbe.com/ppcalc.htm
NT 31 = 1 USD

Other payment method (i.e. cash or UK bank transfer)
Currency rate:
NT 31 = 1 USD
or
48 NT = £1

Delivery cost:
At cost by royal mail:
www.royalmail.com

Example:

1 x Kevin Beauty maker aqua eye concealer: $255 NT
5 girls sharing delivery cost to HK: 750 NT / 5 = 150 NT
local UK delivery:  £1 (first class delivery) or 1.63USD (using paypal currency rate)
(this £1 is just a fiction amount, the real cost could be a lot less depending what type of delivery cost you want to choose)

if you pay by UK Bank transfer
= (255+150) / 48 + 1 = £9.43

for Paypal it is:
= (255+150) / 31 + 1.63 =  14.69
using the paypal converter you'll need to send:
$15.44 USD
or
£9.43 with paypal converter:
$16.72 USD



Why so complicated this formula?
unfortunately PAYPAL charges me for receiving money, so either you need to pay in advance so that I can receive the exact amount in GBP or I'll need to absorb the cost.

Don't worry if you dunno how to calculate. I'll do the calculation and quote you based on the above.

I am really doing it at cost price. The more girls we have for this haul, the cheaper the cost of delivery. I have around 5 girls interested and hopefully we can all share the cost. Remember no VAT!!

email should go to:

Success haul - Shiseido, Sasa and Mannings

So, it seems I generated some negativity in my previous posts. To the girls who bought the bihada masks via Sasa and big-ish wholesalers, don't worry they're absolutely genuine. But since this experience I will stay away from small-ish buyers especially those from China. If you're buying Bihada, buy straight from Japan or from big companies such as Sasa. They're safe.

 My haul from Shiseido Counter in Seibu, Pacific Place

I decided to pick up some lemmings, yes lemmings, I think I had the lemming over Maquillage since last year and I have succesfully panned the Face creator No.22 (thz Fuz for recommendation) so I went to pick up no. 55 and since they're doing promotion, i picked up more lemmings together.

So i picked up:

Face creator No. 55 (great for girsl with darker skintone, like mine. Very natural and contour face well)

Lippies BE 201

Lip Gloss BE 307 (again on the natural tone and they are matching lip sticks and lip gloss)

eyes creator BE 763 (which is limited edition)

and the rest are freebies. apparently I am now a O20 in Maquillage foundation because they have darkened their colour since their last release. So if you have darker skintone like mine, you can now purchase Maquillage with ease. Also with some whitening products and a new make up bag.

 Shiseido Goodies no.2. If you become their member, they give you 3 coupons. One for free brow and makeup service. One for free products if you make your 2nd purchase. And 1/2 coupon for a treatment in Shiseido beauty Centre.

I also had some SASA purchase in my first day in Hong Kong

MM mascara base (new edition) and Lash Enamel glamour volume mascara

So far so far, nothing very special but still one of my favourite. The Kiss Me mascar has already tried up so I need something new.

I think everyone knows i'm an Angelfit crazy fan. I bought this Pore zero base with SPF25 in Mannings. I love the Ettusais pore zero foundation and determined that's how I want to look. This pore zero base helped to archieve a near flawless look (no enlarge pores, no flaky skin) I am only use Angelfit liquid foundation in W07 (can't find any in this trip, very weird) and their two-way foundation in O20.

The my beauty diary Platinum White tea Whitening mask. I always love my beauty diary especially their platinum masks. It is a very close paper texture to Bihada Ichizoku. I always doubt how effective is the serum but I am preparing to buy tonnes of these to stock up (probably in taiwan)

And finally DHC rose lip balm x2 in Mannings. they're doing a special promotion, two of these cost

$12 USD. Still a bit expensive but I love anything with rose.


I bought 2 and prepare to giveaway one of these. Stay tune!!

FAKE Bihada Ichizoku mask on sale.. and I got some...

 

The very special fake Bihada  Ichizoku mask

So, Hong Kong is a beauty shopping paradise. As well as beauty shopping hell. I went to Mong Kok today to check out some of the Custom purchase shops that operate there (these are shops that sell anything from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other places) for some business research for my own business. I went to this shopping centre behind Sino Centre, and found a shop selling these masks.

My alarm bell should rang because these masks are selling for $9, which is $1.15 USD. hey, the official price is $4USD so I should really know. but I was super happy to see them because I ran out of them and I desperately need something before my Taiwan trip.

 

My fake bihada masks purchase

So the conversation between myself and the sales lady as follows:
Me: these are the bihada mask! what a bargain
Sales: yes, we source them from Taiwan. I have relatives in taiwan and buy them in
Me: hmm.. there's Chinese translations as well
Sales: yes. that's how they sell in Taiwan

So immediately I grab 4 mask and started to dash. But was stopped to see some My Beauty Diaries Eye Gel/serum on sale. Hmm... never saw them before so I played around. The texture is very smooth after applying but make the testing area slightly tanned. I thought rather than buying it there I better go home to do the research.

Went home and do research on the My Beauty diary eye gel. and found out My Beauty diary never ever release these eye gel, and apparently these are all fakes!! There's even fake my Beauty Dairy cleansing powder as well. So I decided to do more research on these Bihada masks

My clue that they are fake comes in these pictures:

 

First clue, the Chinese words and translation.

I know some countries require official chinese translation for imported beauty products, but these only limited to those selling through an official agent, i.e. in Watsons and Mannings. If you buy products in Sasa, don't expect there'll be Chinese translation on the product, but a label of what it does will be on display at the shelf.

The Chinese words looks real but it is not. The first 3 lines are in fact written in traditional Chinese, then the rest of the translation is written in Simplified Chinese.

WTF!! no chinese region in the world mix up simplified and traditional chinese

Secondly, the printing quality.

Ok they use the exac packagin material. exactly the same colour

But the printing of japanese words is very slightly blurred (see below)

 

You see the words below the flower? it is blurred!!!

So fake items even Bihada Ichizoku exist!

Beware ladies (and I'll sure be careful in the future)

how to shop in payeasy (for Kevin beautymaker)

after a sudden realisation that I'm going to taiwan next friday, I spent 2 evenings looking on payeasy site on goodies to buy. my must buy list includes their foundations and concealer. Was going to buy skincare but decided to try something japanese instead (eyes on JuJu and some whitening serum)

Originally my must-buy list in Kevinbeauty was as long as my A4 pages can hold, unfortunately, their stupid system doesnt allow to put items in shopping cart. Yes there's no shopping cart in their system, and you need to buy items one by one. therefore to buy 3 items, you'll need to put in 3 request and pay 3 times and pick the location of pickup 3 times!!! therefore, I only buy 2 items as I can't be bothered to press the same buttonsssss 3 times.

I'll do a quick English explaination if you are going to buy any Taiwanese makeup on payeasy (just if you stop by in taiwan)

please note:

1. Payeasy/kevin beautymaker didn't pay me or give me goodies to do this. I do this coz I know there are ladies out there who can't read chinese but want to buy
2. All taiwan collection item that are available on payeasy is free delivery (except to overseas buyer) the cost you see is the cost you pay at the end. No need to pay extra
3. apparently it is like a rakuten system. Sellers advertised on payeasy, but they can't group items together to send over to you because they just can't. So if you buy 2 items from skincology and 2 items from Kevinbeauty, you need to make 4 transactions together, but can be all pick up at the same store
4. if you are from overseas and want to make use of the free delivery option, i recommend you collecting your item from a convinient store such as 7-11, OK near your hotel. Because I had bad experience where the item was stuck at the reception over 5 days before i was told it was there!! Also, if you don't want to give out credit card details, you can pay at the convenient store rather than in advance. (good if you thought you want to ditch your order and runaway last minute)

How to:
1. Go to www.payeasy.com.tw and choose which item. Kevin beauty items are listed on the left, where it says 'Kevin'

 

2. Once you're in the Kevin beautymaker website. All the  hot seller items and promotion items are on the left, and in the middle grey panel, they are separate into categories, such as base makeup, concealer, eye makeup, cheek makeup, lips etc

3. I have picked the eye concealer and you need to scroll down the page until it shows you the colour option. Click the red box to buy.

 

4. It'll then take you to the special promotion page where you can combine specific items assigned by kevin beauty in the order. That's the only time you can buy more than 1 item in each order. Bargain such as 1NT (£0.02) makeup base is on offer

5.  once you press the button red button, it'll take you to the login page.
first time buyer need to register as member, click the box on the right.

6. They'll ask your Taiwan ID number as login. For overseas buyer, use your date of birth plus the first 2 initial of your name (i.e. 01011900EV) as your login. the rest is just basic question such as email, taiwan address and taiwan telephone number

 

7. once you have registered, you will go back to where you login and complete the order. You will need to choose where it will be deliver (home or convinient store) and if you ask for home delivery, what kind of card payment (they have something called online ATM, credit card or bank transfer)

8. once you have chosen the delivery method and payment. It'll confirm your order like this.

9. you'll receive an email confirming an order is placed. Generally, goods are delivered in 3 working days. If there are no stock, they aim to delivery in 5 working days. A separate email will be sent to your mobile and email once they make the delivery and notify you to collect in the convenient store.

10. You can now collecting quoting your name and what order (I'll let you know in detail) at your chosen convinient store


Hope this is useful to girls out there!

Cath Kidston Bag review

 

I was chatting with the girls Sheila and Yinnie on twitter and Sheila wanted this bag. It is on Cath Kidston sale site and there's another red one available. So I offered to give a review on this particular bag and why I think it's great.

i have been a great lover to Cath kidston, if you like retro stuff and into girly things, cath kidston is absolutely great because of their design and they offer goods in great designs and yes, it is useful. Their mostly famous for their bags and kitchenware. I personally have this bag some baking equipment, a mug and a cat bed for my beloved cats is on its way.

If you're buying cath Kidston, it is a bit like buying Harrods bag, you go for the prettiest shopper bag and run away with it. (and that's what people buy Cath kidston bag for) but i opted this instead.

Where i bought this?

www.asos.com with 20% discount code and free delivery

Price: 

usual price is £55

Design:

On the front you have an extra pocket, with a magnetic clip. It is made of oilcloth, meaning: Staines? wipe it off. Rainy days: protected. and very sturdy as well

the handle is bounded with leather on the topm it gives a good grip

inside there's two more pockets for keys and mobile

 

my 13 inch laptop fits in perfect and with plenty of rooms

 

at the bottom, there're metal bits to keep the bag away from the ground. It keeps it clean

My verdict:

Love the design, and most of all. a great bag to use when travelling.

it has zippers and most of the cath kidston bag don't. And it is lightweight becasue of the oilcloth, and it is waterproof. You don't need to worry it gets dirty or you dropped it and you need to send it to the dry cleaner. 

Stylish of course, and it is a product that is unique and very English, I must say.

Is there something I want to complain? probably if it has more comparments (but i resolve this problem by having a handbag organiser)

The price is a bit expensive but if it is in a sale, I'll probably buy it. I bought this saying this is my Christmas present so I managed to convince myself with the high price.

If you are in UK or have a chance to buy it. I totally recommend this.