Shiseido Warehouse Sale Haul May 2014

Hi everyone! Yes, I'm alive.  I have been too pre-occupied with work that I haven't had time to write in my blog.  If my blog had feelings, I'm sure it'd be in oceans of tears.  Anyways, just for those who are interested.  Shiseido Warehouse Sale is on this weekend (Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25), in case anyone wants to make it for the sale tomorrow.  And if you decide to bring a child into the sale with you, don't, because you will have no choice but to leave them outside the building.  No children 12 years old and under allowed into the building.

In the past few years, this sale was held in early May but this year, they changed it up.  I didn't get to the sale early in the morning this time, I had to work and I just needed to grab a few things.  The few things being products I knew would probably still be at the sale by the time I got there.  Here it is:

It doesn't seem like I bought a lot of products but surprisingly my bill came to $161. 59 CAD after tax.  *Yikes*  Things are getting more expensive!

1.  Orlane First Time Fight Care Eye Contour - $25

Not that I'm showing any signs of aging near my eyes, but I feel prevention is my first precaution step.  Since I hear Orlane is an excellent product line, I might as well it give a try.  Pretty pricey but I'm crossing my fingers it'll be worth it.

  

2.  Nars Cosmetics Eyebrow Pencil in Panama - $8

3.  Joico Body Butters in Pomegranate and Pink Vanilla - $4 each
I stocked up on these body butters.  Remembering they were first out for $3 each.  They're still a great price for a great product.  The pomegranate one is new to me but the pink vanilla has always gotten me compliments whenever I hit the gym.  I usually butter up after I shower at the gym and it's a great scent that lingers through the day on your body and it's not an overpowering scent.  So how many did I buy? 10!

4.  Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion W - $34
Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener W - $30
Summer is coming and it's time to do some prep work and maintain that skin sunspot-less.  The Protective Emulsion has SPF 15 but I always apply sunscreen after my moisturizer in the morning before applying makeup.

5.  Evolve Root Whip Protective Volumizing Foam - $2
Evolve Detox Wash Purifying Shampoo - $4

It's my first time purchasing a volumizing foam and I just thought it'd be a great purchase for $2 since I've been applying heat to straighten my hair but I don't want my hair to be flat against my scalp.
Now the purifying shampoo is a repurchase.  I've been using it about once a week just to thoroughly clean out product build up.  Honestly, I like it, hence the act of repurchasing it. ;)

Shiseido & Nars Warehouse Sale - May 2013 Haul

After visiting the Shiseido and NARS warehouse sale more than 3 times, I've come to realize there isn't much I need anymore from this sale.  I've stopped going to this sale on Saturday.  I'd rather come on Sundays when the waiting line is much shorter.

By the time I got to the sale this morning - before 9AM, the warehouse was already letting people in.  I probably waited in line for about 10 - 15 minutes.  I didn't need much so I just pick up some body butters, a NARS multiple, an Orlane anti-fatigue masque, and, Shiseido Benefiance day and night cream for my mom.  I was out of there before 10AM.  It was less than an hour shopping where I spent $163.85 CAD.

Joico Skin Luxe Body Butter in Pink Vanilla - $4 each

I think these are steal deal.  Body butters are The Body Shop are usually at least $10 per jar.  So for $4 per jar, I'd think it's a good deal.  However, if you're looking for super hydrating body butters for dry skin, these are probably not what you're looking for.  I believe these body butters are for normal skin.

  NARS Multiple in Beverly Hills - $15

I love this rosy red colour.  Can't wait to try it out.

Orlane Absolute Skin Recovery Masque - $30

They had an anti-fatigue serum that my mom wanted me to get but they didn't have any at this sale so I resorted to the masque.

Shiseido Benefiance Daytime Protective Cream SPF15 and Revitalizing Cream - $38 each

Shiseido's day and night cream for super dry skin.  Bought it for my mom.  I guess this is her mother day's gift.  =)

Shiseido & Nars Warehouse Sale - May 2012 Haul

Today's the last day of the sale and I decided I should go.  I'm pretty proud of myself =).  From my first haul of the sale back in May of 2010 to the present day May 2012, I have severely minimized my spending.
Compared to my past visits to these sales on Saturdays and Sundays, this sale has introduced three new brands that were not there before - Bare Minerals, Buxom and Cle De Peau.  They're also selling more Orlane products, NARS lip products, less makeup bags and Shiseido lip products.  There are Shiseido Sunscreen SPF 33 and 50 for sale, which is the first time I've seen them sold on Saturday and Sunday sales.  I would've bought the SPF 50 but I'm still using the bottle I bought last year.
Prices have gone up again - which for some makeup products - is probably not a good idea since not many people are buying them.

1.  Joico Skin Luxe Whipped Body Butter in Pink Vanilla - $3 CAD
I love body butters and for $3, I definitely had to grab one.  I tested it before purchasing and it's not bad.  No greasy after feeling but I was a little worried about how moisturizing it is, so I just picked up one.
2.  NARS concealer in Vanilla / Honey - $10 CAD (MSRP $38 CAD / $30 USD)
3.  NARS concealer in Custard / Ginger - $10 CAD (MSRP $38 CAD / $30 USD)

Review: NARS The Mulitple in Turks & Caicos

Cream blush on a stick? I didn't have a good experience with my last cream blush, Stila Convertible Cream Blush.  So honestly, I was skeptical purchasing this, not just because it's a cream blush but also it's a bright orange colour.  From my experiences, orange doesn't look good on me as it makes me look yellow.  But this multiple didn't.  I would have never bothered to pick up this product to even swatch it if it weren't for the girl that worked there.  She wasn't trying to push me to buy it but she casually told me she was wearing this same product on her cheeks and the colour isn't as orange as it looks when applied on.  Believe it or not, when this cream blush oxidizes - meaning it comes into contact with air - on your skin, it will appear more pink.  And yes, it is a pretty colour.  I believe this product was a special edition NARS Multiple in Summer of 2010, but I purchased this at the Shiseido and Nars warehouse sale last year. 

The scent: No scent

Consistency: Cream

Application:  I warm up the product with my ring finger by directly rubbing it.  I lightly dab the product on my finger onto my cheeks.

Maximum extension - all the product

Packaging:  It's in the form of a stick.  Twist it to lift the product out of the packaging.

Thoughts / Results:
Because I bought this at the warehouse sale, it doesn't come in a paper boxed packaging.  Personally, I prefer this cream stick packaging over the typical sleek compact case.  The packaging or the product itself doesn't get messy over time.

Because this is a cream product and for individuals like myself who uses foundation to achieve a uniform complexion, the blush doesn't dry completely on top of liquid or cream foundation.  It's the foundation that causes the sticky, non-drying feel.  Applying pressed powder to set my foundation will only make my cheeks appear cakey.

I've experimented with the multiple to test its lasting power:
1.  Primer + liquid foundation + The Multiple = Blush didn't last 6 hours
2.  Primer + liquid foundation + The Multiple + Powder Blush = Lasted at least 8 hours and was wearing off

I suspect if this cream blush were to apply directly on skin with no foundation, it would last a long time as well.

Overall, the colour itself is very nice.  The quality of the product is good.  It applies sheer, very easy to blend and has a relatively lasting power.

Cost:  $15 CAD @Shiseido and NARS warehouse sale (MSRP: $46 CAD / $39 USD)

Swatched twice

Product: NARS The Multiple in Turks & Caicos
Rating: 4. 5 / 5

Pros:
- Great staying power
- Colour is nice
- Easily blendable
- Applies sheer and slightly buildable
- Multi-uses - eyes, lips and cheeks
- Nourishing

Cons:
- Have to avoid pressed powder so that cheeks won't cake

Review: NARS Eyebrow Pencil in Jodhpur

I hardly use eyebrow pencil but have always wanted to include it in my makeup routine.  This eyebrow pencil is the first eyebrow pencil I have bought and tried.  For me, I need an eyebrow pencil to fill in spaces between hairs.  I don't have over plucked eyebrows so I don't need to draw them on.  However, I have areas where filling is needed as I got them done before and the lady messed them up permanently - I haven't been able to grow them back in some areas.  For darker hair individuals, I've heard the closest shade to your eyebrow hair is to find a colour that is 2 to 3 shades lighter than your hair colour.  For lighter hair individuals, it's 2 to 3 shades darker.  But to me, this rule of thumb is so abstract.  It doesn't tell me exactly how to find the right colour for me, since beauty brands don't carry multiple shades of one colour.  Therefore, I've had to hunt around and look for the right one.

Application:

Left: 2 light strokes; Middle: 2 regular strokes; Right: 4 regular strokes

Sometimes I find the product needs to be warmed up on the back of my hand before I apply it because I think it's a little dried up and no colour is coming off.  When it works perfectly fine and the colour is paying off, I start at the arch of my eyebrow and lightly stroke outwards to the end of my brow.  Then I take a spooly (or a disposable mascara wand) and spread / brush the colour towards the beginning of my brow.  I like my eyebrows starting light and gradually gets darker at the end of my brows.  I guess you can consider it the natural look of eyebrows.

Packaging:
I bought this NARS eyebrow pencil at the Shiseido and NARS warehouse sale so it didn't come with a box, though I'm not sure whether it usually does come with a box - probably not.  The product comes in a form of a pencil with a lid and no sharpener, nor a eyebrow brush on the lid.

What it claims:
"Sculpts and defines the eyebrow with rich, natural looking pigment to softly frame the eyes.  The firm texture allows for maximum control and provides long-lasting definition.  Ideal shades for matching to most brow colors.  Longwearing and blendable.  Firm texture for smooth strokes of color."

Thoughts / Results:
NARS came out with 3 different shades of its eyebrow pencil - Ipanema (darkest), Jodhpur, and Panama (lightest).  I chose the colour that best matched my hair - Jodhpur - and after using this pencil for over 6 months, I find it fills and blends in my sparse areas quite well.  It does give the natural looking effect.  As for the lasting effect, I have worn my full face makeup - including the brow pencil - for around 7 hours and it is agreeable that it is longwearing.  It doesn't budge and I don't have a problem with removing it with cleansing oil.  For me, with light strokes, this colour works for me.  The product quality is great as well - in comparison with the popular Lancome eyebrow pencil in Taupe.  I've tried the Lancome one in Sephora and warming it on the back of my hand to get some colour payoff took quite a bit of effort.  Plus the colour didn't look natural for me.  =\  The only thing that I don't like about this eyebrow pencil is no sharpener or an eyebrow brush on the lid.  It would have been more convenient if the packaging included either one.

Overall, I'm happy I got this at a great price and it's a great product.

Before

After

*My camera flash refused to light in my 'After' photo =(

Cost:
$6 CAD @ Shiseido / NARS warehouse sale (Retail price: $25 USD MSRP)

Product: NARS eyebrow pencil in Jodhpur
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Blendable or spreadable with a spooly or disposable mascara wand
- For me, works well with my hair colour

Cons:
- Wish it had a eyebrow brush or sharpener on the lid
- Pricey

Review: NARS Wild at Heart Palette

This was a NARS palette that I bought from the Shiseido/Nars warehouse sale last year.  I've been using it on and off lately.  I've finally decided to pick this up and do a review on it.  I took it on my trip to Vegas and I realized it's a great palette.  Here's my opinion/review on it:

The colours:
Eyeshadows - (top; left to right) Abyssinia, Alhambra
                       (bottom; left to right) Ashes to Ashes; Pandora

Blush - Orgasm
The Multiple - South Beach
Lip products - (top; left to right) Baby Doll lip lacquer, Red Lizard lipstick
                       (bottom; left to right) Manhunt lipstick, Fire Down Below lipstick

Packaging:
Great that it has all the products that are necessary for the face (excluding foundation and concealer).  Very sleek and thin packaging.  It's sturdy.  Not easy to break.  The shadows and products haven't fallen out on me.  It's got a wide mirror.  Even though there aren't any applicators in the palette, I don't think it's necessary to have them in there as I wouldn't be using them.

Thoughts / Results:
I really love this palette.  Why? Because it contains all the necessary neutral colours I need.  I don't need a variation of browns and neutrals to create a smoky or daytime eye look.  The lip colours are great as well because I can mix them to create the lip colour I like.  I love the Baby Doll lip lacquer.  I find the name really suits the colour.  The Fire Down Below lipstick did seem too dark of a red for me, but like I said, mixing it with other colours will fix that problem.  As for eyeshadows, the colour Pandora is a very intense black colour, with no sparkles or glitter in it - another thing I love.  I think it's comparable to MAC's Carbon shadow (if not better).  The one thing I'm kind of 'effy' about is the the two eyeshadows Abyssinia and Alhambra appear very similar once applied.  Orgasm is a blush colour that's very neutral and works for many people.  Meanwhile, I use South Beach the multiple as a bronzer for contouring my face and cheekbones.  I do wish they didn't use a multiple, and instead, replace it with a pressed powder bronzer.  But either way, it's a good palette.

Cost:
$25 CAD (@Shiseido / Nars warehouse sale; MRSP $75 USD @Narscosmetics.com)

Product: NARS Wild at Heart Palette
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Great neutral and smoky eyeshadows
- Very neutral/typical cheeks colours
- Nice lip colours that are mixable to create lip colours that works for me
- Nice wide mirror

Cons:
- Better if the bronzer wasn't a multiple
- Two eyeshadows - Abyssinia and Alhambra are too similar shadows; I wish Abyssinia was a colour with no sheen in it, just matte
- Price may be a turn-off for most people, but if you can find it at the warehouse sale or somewhere online, it's def worth it

Orgasm, South Beach, Baby Doll, Red Lizard, Manhunt, Fire Down Below

Using flash: Abyssinia, Alhambra, Ashes to Ashes, Pandora

Under daylight: Abyssinia, Alhambra, Ashes to Ashes, Pandora

Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

Yes, finally a review on the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.  I could only justify myself to purchase this foundation because I got it at a discount price at the Shiseido warehouse sale.  This cost me $14 CAD as opposed to $55 CAD @Sephora.

I've been using this foundation for over a month.  In terms of application, I've tried stippling it on with MAC 187 and padded it on using MAC 190se.  Both application methods give a flawless glow finish.  It has a liquid consistency, not very runny.  When stippled on, it is easily blendable, unlike some of the foundations I have had.  As for coverage, it covers the tiny red blood veins I have on my cheeks quite well.  However, don't expect it to completely conceal your dark circles as it doesn't work like a concealer.  Now in terms of long-lasting, it does last for a good 12 hours - with the use of a primer and I don't always take off my makeup right way I get home.  But by the end of the night, my nose crease starts to show that the foundation is wearing off. 

According to Sephora's description page for this foundation, most ladies feel that this foundation makes their skin feel soft and smooth, even out their skintone and make their skin look brighter and radiant.  Undeniably, to me at least, it does do all those features to my skin.  Even though these features are great, it has unfortunately dried out parts of my face - i.e. around my mouth and a little area under my cheekbones.  Basically, it dried out a bit of my non-oily areas of my face.  I started to see flakiness.  My solution to this problem was either applying more moisturizer around those areas or mix in a little bit of moisturizer into the foundation prior to application.

In terms of colour, Deauville is way too light on me so I can't really criticize on how well it matches me.  I can manage to slightly pull it off, but I look way too pale with Deauville on.

Overall, this is a great foundation but I need it to be a little more hydrating.  And with it being at such a high cost, it's definitely a drawback.  It's a good foundation for the summer, not so much the winter.

Product: Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville
Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:
- Brightens and gives radiant skin
- Makes skin feel smooth and soft
- Easily blendable
- Moderate good coverage
- Lasting effect for the first 6 hours
- Evens out skintone

Cons:
- Drying for certain areas of my face
- Doesn't cover dark circles
- Fairly expensive

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville

This isn't a review, but just a blurb.  I am absolutely lovin' this foundation.  I used my MAC 187 and stippled it on and I'm lovin' the way it settles and blends into my skin.  Problem is, it's a little light.  I had to blend it down my neck.  I could pull this off during the winter, but probably not so much during the summer.  =|  I'll post a picture of me with the foundation on, tomorrow, using the sun light as my lighting.
I'll review this in a week or so.  I need to test its lasting power.