December 31, 2009
Auld Lang Syne ~
Hello dearies. It's really here.
2009 is all but gone, and 2010 is, but a breath away. For the first time in a while now, I shall actually be observing the passing of the year with mixed feelings. While I am definitely looking forward towards 2010 with great expectations of things to come, 2009 is a year will I definitely miss.
It's been a year of many ups, along with a few downs. Among the wonderful ups include getting hitched to the hubs, and a glorious Greek honeymoon. *winks*
And of course, 2009 is the year that fellow makeup junkies got upped to friends. You girls have been a wonderful blessing. =P
This year has also taught me a lot of patience, compromise and perseverance. It hasn't been easy, but it's a lesson I'm grateful for learning.
And to kickstart 2010, here are three simple resolutions I hope I can stick to. Simple's always good.
1. Take better care of myself. And I don't mean losing weight. Just eating healthier.
2. Capture and treasure beautiful moments. And I plan to do that with the lovely present the hubs got me for my birthday (+ Christmas) which I promised to share with you ladies. I've been wanting one for two years. Definitely an up.
(My new toy - the Canon 500D. Awesomeness! =D )
3. Cherish my loved ones. Whatever their age or haircolour.
Or number of legs too.
(Isn't she gorgeous? My uncle's girl, not mine. Unfortunately.)
So, what's your aim for 2010? Happy New Year ya'll!
*hugs*
December 30, 2009
Primp & Prattle: What do your Boys think of Makeup?
Lordy, I am still recovering from the Christmas festivities and New Year's Eve is right around the corner. Has anyone made any New Year resolutions for 2010 yet?
Two girl friends and I were at the Bobbi Brown counter on Boxing Day when one of them asked, "Eli, what does Mr A. think of your makeup habits?"
I grinned. "Not much."
My boy can only be described as a Spartan in his habits. He has only one bottle of body wash on his bathroom shelf which serves as facial cleanser and shampoo, has no styling products and only shaves every couple of days without any shaving cream or what not. His stock response is "It works. Why bother?"
So while he thinks that I am lovely and rational person in every way, my makeup habits make him think that I am a vain bimbo. Whenever I murmur about a lovely blush, I get shot down with, "I think you look better without blush." (But to be fair though, he'll try to find me a better deal online afterwards)
My friend laughed when I told her that and agreed. Her boyfriend refers to her makeup as "colouring pencils".
We have resorted to using the bare minimum and go for the bare fresh-faced look instead. Which gets a response of, "You look great. So much better without those layers of colour."
*cough* Thanks, honey. I am an au naturale chick.
My father teases me madly whenever I get dolled up. My guy pals swing between not caring or feeling pleased that I make an effort to look nice whenever we meet up.
Instead of a review this week, I decided to give you girls a topic to chew on. What do your boys (husbands, boyfriends or guy pals) think of your beauty junkie ways? I know that Jenn's husband got her a fridge for her cosmetics (if my boy ever does that, I'll have to check him into the psych ward) and Syen mentioned getting a lovely Christmas pressie from her husband but not all of us have such supportive men.
So spill your guts! Everything stays here at So Loverly. ;)
December 29, 2009
Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel Vs B'Liv Off With Those Heads by Cellnique
Some time back, Tine quelled the fears of many when she solved the mystery of the disappearing Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel - it was being rebranded to B'Liv Off With Those Heads. So I was a little curious to find out that the Cellnique line was still around - but available only in salons - and that it had renamed its Pro Sebum gel once again to Skin Action Sebum gel. I was already on my second bottle of B'Liv and relatively happy when I was contacted by Cellnique and sent a bottle of this to try. So is there any difference between the two?
Similarities
- Both the clear gels promise to eliminate white and blackheads without squeezing.
- Both are by Cellnique
- Both have Peppermint Oil that results in a tingly cooling sensation when applied
(while I enjoy the sensation I'm not a fan of it as I believe it's unnecessarily irritating my skin).
- Both have the ingredients Witch Hazel, Aloe and Tea Tree Oil.
Differences
- Cellnique's Skin Action Sebum Gel has Hyaluronic Acid and Dryopteris filix-mas extract (say what? It looks like a fern on their site and promises to "soothe skin irritation, helps to improve skin texture, and control and prevent future breakouts").
- Price point - Cellnique is about RM159 for 30ml while B'Liv is RM139 for 30ml. B'Liv also has more discounts as it's sold in Watsons and Guardian and comes in a 50ml jar for RM189.
Comparison
It is insanely hard to be accurate and precise about the differences but in my opinion, and based on my use of both products B'Liv first and then Cellnique I'd have to say that Cellnique's offering is more effective than the B'Liv range.
First, when I switched to Cellnique within days blackheads and whiteheads started surfacing to be swept away revealing much clearer skin.
Then I suffered a bad breakout due to Eucerine's wretched product. I've gone through something similar while using B'Liv and I'm pretty sure my skin cleared and healed slightly faster with Cellnique. I'm also amazed at the lack of scarring and my skin is looking more even toned already.
The presence of Hyaluronic Acid in Cellnique's formulation also implies it's better for more mature skins as the acid is reported to have great hydrating properties.
I haven't noticed a decrease in oiliness since switching though. More's the pity.
Conclusion
Personally I may switch to Cellnique permanently once I've used up the rest of my B'liv serum as the slightly more expensive gel seems to work better for me. But if you have sensitive skin, B'Liv may just be a gentler offering that works just as well. The main drawback is how hard Cellnique is to find. I do know of a salon in Amcorp that sells it as does its website (USD55 is pricey though compared to local prices). If Cellnique doesn't get more expensive I'll very likely stick to it.
Note
I received a 30ml bottle of Cellnique's Skin Action Sebum Gel free to test. I tested it for just over a month only trying out a new product two weeks into the test. When I broke out, I stopped using the new product and went back to my regular routine with Cellnique as my only addition. I waited till my skin was clear and happy again to write this review.
December 28, 2009
Monday's Beauty Confessions
Hello ladies! How was your Christmas? With New Year's just up ahead, I really can't quite wait for the Spring collections to hit. So to kick things off, I'll just name a few collections that you might see me running home with once I see them on the counters. Spring 2010 is really pushing a few right buttons for me, what with everyone going big on blushers. Can't wait!
Christian Dior - With their Boudoir Look collection, the star product for me must surely be the blush. Isn't it just gorgeous? Reminds me of lacy lingerie, which was probably the whole idea? I've been eyeing Dior blushers for a long while now. And this is just too exquisite to pass up. Their eyeshadow palettes are looking good too.
Benefit - This is hardly Spring, as it's already available online (and since I've already made an order for one), but seeing as I'll only be getting my paws on it next year... guess I'll lump Sugarbomb in with the other Spring goodies. It's said to have 4 flattering shades of peach, soft plum, shimmering pink and rose powders. Sounds pretty!
Bobbi Brown - Yes, I know I've been naughty with Bobbi this Christmas (what with getting Maui and Pewter, but I really can't ignore a collection called Cabana Corals. More so when they've got a shimmerbrick called Nectar. I must check it out!
Guerlain - The Cherry Blossom blush must surely be on the hit list of (almost) every makeup junkie out there. While I'm not actually sure whether I'll be able to afford yet another gorgeous blush item, I think you can count on me to be there at the counter to drooling over it.
Shu Uemura - One collection, finally, that I'm going ga-ga over something besides their blushers. It's already out on their site, but I'm hoping it'll make its way to Malaysian counters in time for their Spring release. I'm talking about the Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine. I've seen it online, read reviews and now I am wanting it very badly. Can anyone please tell me if and when they'll be here?
So, what are you eyeing for Spring?
(Photo courtesy of Temptalia.)
December 23, 2009
We Wish You...
A Merry & Blessed Christmas, everyone!
Our dearest loverly readers, as 2009 draws slowly to an end, we would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting us throughout this year. It's been a long and wonderful journey, and we just wouldn't have been able to do it without you.
As we celebrate Christmas, here's wishing each and everyone of you love, peace and joy.
Blessed Christmas one and all!
Love,
Kahani, Syen & Eli.
PS: We're also taking a short break to spend time with our loved ones, but we'll be back next week!
December 22, 2009
All I Want for Christmas is...
Me being me, I usually ask for something wildly practical or bookish for Christmas. My Christmas (or was it birthday?) wish list once included a good steam iron and "The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945" by Saul Friedlander.
Gee, and I wonder why no one took me seriously.
This year, I have decided to come up with a frivolous wish list for once. The items aren't unattainable but they are out of my budget for now and I really do need to stop accumulating stuff.
Want to know what is on on my list?
1. First on my list is the Clarisonic skin care system. I have heard so much about this and have been hankering after one for ages. It costs about the same as the Braun epilator I recently purchased (a great investment, btw) but I can't justify getting a Clarisonic when I already have two God-given hands to wash my face.
2. I have been eyeing this beauty ever since I spotted it in David Jones a few weeks ago. Shimmer bricks are a dime a dozen but not in this beautiful plum shade by Bobbi Brown. I have swatched this a gazillion times in Myers over the past week and I am in love.
What is preventing me from getting it? The mad AUD 130 price tag. Eeeeks. The mark up is over 100% compared to Malaysian prices and I simply do not have that kind of moolah. My conscience won't allow me to wheedle the boy into getting it for me either. If only they would make this a permanent shimmer brick like Nectar...
3. My best friend once said, "I like my perfume to smell 'woman', not 'girl'." I am not big on perfume (my staple is Kenzo's Flower) but I do like my perfume to smell like 'woman'. Estee Lauder's Pure White Linen falls into this category for me and after my first whiff of it a year ago, it has been on my mind ever since.
Oddly enough, I dislike the classic White Linen fragrance. Pure White Linen Pink Coral, on the other hand, didn't leave any impression on me.
4. Does it count when the item you are lusting after hasn't been released yet? If you don't recognise this blush, it is from Guerlain's Spring Collection for 2010 and will only be released in February next year. The theme of the collection are cherry blossoms.
After studying in Canberra, the sister city of Nara, for 4 years, my sentimental heart yearns after this blush. My university grounds are covered with flowering plum and cherry blossom trees in spring and the lovely pattern on the blush palette reminds me of the beautiful sight.
There should be a number 5 but I can't think of anything I am coveting badly for Christmas.
What is on your wish list?
December 21, 2009
Monday's Beauty Bits
Heads up! Maybelline has a whole new range of lip balms and tinted lipbalms. Here's the kicker, in terms of packaging they resemble Lip Smackers and the cranberry flavoured one I tried out is a dead ringer in colour and scent for Bonne Bell's Lip Smacker in Raspberry. RM9.90 spotted in Watsons.
Speaking of lip balms (which are evidently a bit of an obsession for me), Silk Naturals has a WHOLE new range of lipbalms in seven flavours! The Clear Black Label lippie in Peppermint is wonderful, so I've nabbed myself two tubes of the new balms in Candy Cane and Souther Praline (which I understand smells of pralines and brown sugar, yum!) Other flavours that caught my eye (but I didn't give in and buy) were Bad Girl (Green Apple) and Chocolate Orange.
So you know by now that Watsons is having a BOGOF on Revlon nailpolishes and one of their lipsticks. If you don't want to grab two, Tesco's is selling the exact same goods at half price.
House of Etude is on a storewide sale, bless their socks. I scored two lovely lip stains (which I can't wait to review) at 20% off. They even have a few items here and there at 50% off.
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