Estee Lauder Haul!

So, yesterday was the first day of the Estee Lauder model search, and although I have no aspirations or interest in modeling, I signed up for it as part of the I.H.A.S. (which will be discussed some other time) process. The deal was too good to pass up. For RM 280 as an entry cost, you get hair and make-up done, a photo shoot where they print out a PhotoShop-ped copy of one of the pictures of your choice, a RM 230 Estee Lauder voucher, a free makeover at Estee Lauder which is redeemable at any time, and a voucher for 30% off hair at the hair studio which did everything on the day. In short, an offer I couldn't refuse.

So, I shall not put up the pics because they are emo as hell, and the PhotoShop-ped picture is revolting because it's so fake. However, I did get some pretty fantastic items of make-up that I am quite happy with.



First off, because I recommended someone who went for it, I got an eyeshadow quad:



I initially thought it was the same quad I had purchased from Best Buy, but I was wrong. This has pinks instead of browns. So, yay! New eyeshadow.

Now, the thing with the RM 230 voucher is that you have to spend it on the day, and you can't spend less than RM 230, so you inevitably end up spending more. Smart tactic.

So, in a bid of vanity, I got the Advanced Night Repair (RM 190) which is an anti-aging serum:



Even though it's a night serum, it can be used in the day too to achieve better results. I shan't be using this right now though. I'll wait for my Clarins thingy to finish off. A little patience never killed anyone, and I desperately hope I do not start aging in the near future.

So, for the remainder, I got the Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme in Ivory Lace (06) (RM 65):



With it's colour and purpose, I'm pretty sure it's a dupe for MAC's Bare Study Paint Pot.



What it does is to provide a base and prevent creasing of your eyeshadows. Now, a lot of people have complained that even with Paint Pots, they still need a primer to stop it from creasing. I'm not sure how much better this is, but I shall test it out.

The colour on this is light enough not to show up, which is always a good thing:



You can see the slight shimmer, but nothing else.

The final thing was the Pleasures Delight Perfume sample:



This perfume is not as revolting as it looks. It's actually rather nice. It has a sweet smell, but not saturatingly so, and extremely light and wearable. I don't really buy perfume anymore, but I would seriously consider this if I intended to get one.

And that is that for the shoot. One of the most awesome things about yesterday though, was the make-up artist who sorted my eyebrows out. She did an amazing job. I had been annoyed for 2 days because the woman who did my eyebrows made them uneven and terrible. Cow. I should beat her. But now they're sorted and there is equilibrium again.

Orange Lipgloss & Experimentation...

2 words that should not go together.

A few months ago, when MAC's "Hello Kitty" collection was released, and I had multiple hours between classes, I went to visit their roadshow where I was lured in by the sample sized eye make-up remover, and new collection of eyeshadows, which upon realizing were hideously adorned with "the cat that has no mouth", I refused to buy. On a side note, is it not ironic that Hello Kitty is Japanese, and both cats and the Japanese consume fish as a primary item of their diet, that the cat HAS NO MOUTH with which to carry out this very activity? It is a disturbing creature at best.

Anyway, while I was at the roadshow trying on make-up, the make-up artist tried to FORCE me to buy ORANGE LIPGLOSS. Not only did she insist on it, but when I refused, she insisted/scolded that sometimes I should "listen to the make-up artist". What a pretentious cow. Now, I strongly believe this is assault on many accounts: 1) on the senses, 2) on my sensibilities, 3) on decency, 4) on common sense, 5) on my fashion sense in general. Now, let me establish this very firmly. I am dead against orange make-up in any form! Eyeshadows, blushers, bronzers, lipstick, lipgloss, highlighters, tans, etc. Anything that resembles a carrot or orange should be eaten, not slathered on your skin to look like you are dying or carotene poisoning or whatnot. In sum, if you try to sell me orange cosmetics, I will stab you with a carrot and paint your severed head orange for all and sundry to see.

Now, the point of this is to establish my trepidation about going to MAC tomorrow, where they have released a brand new line of make-up full of pinks which they may inadvertently attempt to sell me which will bring out another bout of annoyance.

Well, this concludes the rant and rave segment of our programme. Let us proceed to the next event: EXPERIMENTATION!

Yes, I am in a pseudo-scientific mood. Therefore, over the next few weeks I am going to be experimenting with different types of products. At present, I use a number of different products, and my skin is not exactly working out for me, so I am going to go step-by-step, through trial and errror to figure out the best items for me to use. At present I use the following:

Morning:
St. Ives Pore Cleanser
Botanicals Complexion Refining Toning Lotion
Estee Lauder Pore Minimizer
Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Moisturizer
Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Multi Level Moisturizer Gel Eye Cream
Clinique Sunblock

Night:
Nivea Oxygen Gel Cleanser
Botanicals Complexion Refining Toning Lotion
Clarins Multi-Active Night Cream
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream

Now, this is a vast list to start the elimination/substitution process from, and with this list of crap, my skin should be flawless! However, since it's not, I have decided that over the course of the next few weeks, I shall be exploring each area one by one. First, skincare, i.e. facial wash, toner, pore minimizer, moisturizer, then night cream. Followed by make-up and whatnot.

So, for the purpose of effective experimentation, I will be using the same product day and night for a week when I am testing them. So, while keeping everything else constant, I will begin the laborious pursuit of flawless skin tomorrow morning! You shall be kept posted!

Best Buy Haul!

Well, Friday was interesting. At 7 a.m. a friend sends me a link to Best Buy Cosmetics and I got so excited that there are no words. Basically, they have sample sizes of all cosmetics, and they give you enough to make up the original amount that the company gives you, but at the fraction of the cost. Smart idea, and I love it!

So, naturally, being me, I had to buy stuff. Naturally. The interesting thing is that I ordered it around 7 a.m., and at 4 p.m. this dude called me looking for my building to deliver it! That is by far the quickest delivery I have ever had:



Remember, this stuff is mostly sample sized, so everything is smaller than it appears. So, first up, we have the Clinique Green Flower Pouch (RM 9):



Not much to say about that. It's quite spacious and it's nice. So I'm happy.

Next, we have the Clinique Clarifying Moisture Lotion (RM 52):



Effectively, this is the toner from their 3-step programme which is supposed to be miraculous. I have yet to try it because I have millions of varying items already lying at home.

Anyway, this comes in a pack of 3, with each one being 60 ml. The original bottle of this is 200 ml (RM 78). I'd say it's pretty worth it. If only they had the others! The facial wash was sold out, and they didn't have the oil-free moisturizer, so boooooo!!!

Next we have La Mer's Oil Absorbing Lotion (RM 32):



Let me be clear about this: It is TINY! 5 ml kind of tiny. But apparently you are only supposed to use a little. But tiny nonetheless. Tiny. The instructions on the box read, "Warm a small amount between fingertips to release key ingredients". You have to love things which are heat activated.

Now then, in case you haven't realized, I love eyeshadow. Love. So, when I saw the Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad in 03 Smoky Pink (RM 32), I had to buy it:



As you can see, it too is relatively small, which means that it can be carried around in your bag. It stretches open to reveal the quad and a pretty decent mirror. And of course, a sponge tip applicator that people have to stop producing:



The colours here are pretty neutral and can be worn daily:



The pinks:



On the right you have the lighter pink, and on the left the deeper shade, which is relatively sheer.

The silver-brown:



It's a really nice colour. A little shimmery, but nice and neutral nevertheless.

And, the brown:



It's a deep brown which would be perfect for the crease.

Now, the individual colours are much smaller than they appear. They're about the size of Chicklets. If you don't remember/know what a Chicklet is, you're probably too young to be wearing make-up anyway.

Lastly, mascara! Yes, mascara! Estee Lauder's Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara (RM 30):



The original is RM 85 for 5.6 ml of product. I don't use that much mascara, so odds are that it'll dry up before I use it all, so I'm quite happy with the situation of having two mini ones. Yes, they're quite small, which is a fantastic thing where mascara is concerned:



I have yet to check the wand on this because I already have two open mascaras lying about (of which I will do a review in due time). Basically, you should throw the stuff away after 3 months of opening it because it is just disgusting if you don't. Don't be defective!

In any event, I'm pretty happy with my purchases. They're value for money (except the Oil Absorbing Lotion, but that opinion might change after using it). If you want to try something out, this is where to get it if the counters are being stingy with samples. Don't you find it ludicrous that they give you one of those little pouch thingys that don't hold very much product? That's not really a sample because you're not getting enough time to establish whether you like the product. Annoying.

In other exciting news, Stila has been saved by a buyout, so they will probably be back in action sometime soon! :D

Until next time. Be good, and cure your problems through shopping!