IMATS Toronto 2013 Haul - November 9

If you're a makeup junkie, then you must've known the IMATS Toronto happened this past weekend on November 9th and 10th.  This year was my first time going and I went with a co-worker/friend.  I

got there early in the morning to meet up with her but it wasn't as busy as I've expected.  There are way more exhibitors at the New York and Los Angeles IMATS.

Competition

And here is my haul:

 Make Up For Ever was the first booth I shopped at.  I've been waiting to come to IMATS for MUFE HD Foundation.  I ran out a few months ago and have been using my CoverFx Cream Foundation in place of it.  I ended up getting: Pro-Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation refill in 120 and 125 ($20 each), HD Microfinish Powder ($24), HD Microperfecting Primer in 2 ($26), Mat Velvet Matifying Foundation in 50 ($28) and HD Foundation in N120 ($33).

My friend stopped by the Naked booth and was introduced to the cream.  It's supposedly made of natural ingredients that helps skin conditions and doesn't clog pores.  The big 9oz jar costs $60 but if you purchase two 9oz jars, you get two additional 9oz jars and four 0.75 oz jars.  My friend and I found two other girls who were also interested in the cream so we just ended up splitting the deal and paid $30.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics was one of the booths I was looking forward to.  I've never tried the OCC lip tars but they seem amazing.  I got three for myself and the other three are for Christmas gifts.  These lip tars were $12 USD which came to about $12.50 CAD.

Brushes weren't a high priority on my to-get list but inside the show, every other booth were selling makeup brushes and I got sucked in to getting these.  From the Bdellium tools booth, I bought 958 Duet Fiber Powder Blending brush ($10) and 965 Duet Fiber Blusher ($8).  And from the Royal & Langnickel booth, I bought the C498 Sharp Line ($3) as an eyeliner brush and BC510 Brow/Lash brush ($4).

At last, I bought the Beauty Blender kit ($39).  To me, it made more sense to purchase the kit.  I'm a little excited to try the beauty blender.  

Uhhh. Hi. Remember me?

It's been quite some time since I lasted post on here.  My working schedule has really been tiring me out to the point I can't even enjoy blogging on here.  =(  I just don't have much time to take photos, do makeup reviews and just experiment with makeup.  And I've been recently reminded - that I used to blog frequently - by my best friend, who lives across the globe and found my blog (and she will probably read this).  I keep my blogging life separate from my real life.  Blogging is a hobby for me.  Something I enjoy doing on my leisure time.  Somewhere where I can rant all I want and express all my opinion on anything.

Anyways, I'll keep posting as much as possible.  Especially when it's the warehouse sale season.  ;)

2013 Trip to Florida

I've been working crazy since November of last year and hence I've been abandoning my blog.  I thought I deserve a week's break from Toronto, so my friends and I flew down to Florida for a 6-day vacation in Orlando and Miami two weeks ago.  We spent majority of the time on the beach and just 2 days of shopping.  I didn't do much shopping.  I expected great deals but I couldn't find much.  We went to the two Orlando Premium Outlets and a store called Ross Dress for Less.  If you haven't heard of Ross Dress for Less, it's just like Marshalls and Winners but with way better and affordable prices.  You'd be able to find brands like Nine West, Michael Kors (bags), Coach, Ralph Lauren, etc.  Any Torontonians planning to shop in the states, I'd recommend this store - look up for a closeby one.

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.  =)

The Bay Friends and Family Sale

Anyone Torontonians know of the Bay sale? It's 20% off any regular priced item if you use their HBC credit card or 15% off if you use other method of payments.  Now even though The Bay always have these random sales when you use their HBC credit card, it was never an attractive sale to me since I never find the brands I like in the Bay.  BUT they've definitely took it to my next level when I saw brands like Sam Edelman, Sperrys and Uggs.  I actually picked up a pair of Sperrys Originals.  Its original price was $110 and with 20% off as well as tax, it came to $99.44 CAD.  Great deal I guess.

Sasa.com Haul

I've really become a frequent shopper on Sasa.com.  Every 3 - 4 months, I'd make a virtual trip to Sasa.com and stock up on some skincare items.  Well, I placed my order in mid-March and only received it yesterday.  In my experience, Sasa has taken much longer to ship out orders and they no longer offer the 'purchase $29 or more and receive free shipping' promo.  In the past, it took my order to come in 7 - 14 business days but this time, they've changed their postal service to 14 - 21 business days.  The delayed period was definitely not what I had in mind.  My order this place was clearly a small one but it was split into two shipments, probably due to weight.  Anyways, on to my haul.

 1.  Haruhada Collagen Moisture Skin Lotion - $13.20 USD
This is a 500 mL bottle of lotion.  For $13.20, I think it's definitely worth it.  I've read some reviews, seems like it's a great quality and price product so I just could not miss out on this.

2.  Kose Softymo White Cleansing Oil - $10.40 USD
It's summer and it's relatively hard to keep your skin free of sunspots so I'm clearly trying to stock up my skincare on items that could help prevent them.  How can I miss out a cleansing oil that whitens your skin?

3.  Hiruscar - $16.90 USD
This is the most expensive item I bought from this order.  This little tube of product cost more than my 500 mL bottle of lotion! I hope it'll live up to what it claims to do, which is to eliminate or minimize the appearance of scars.

 4.  Juju Cosmetics Aquamoist Vitamin C Toner - $13.50 USD
Looks familiar? Yup! I'm repurchasing this.  I'm nearly finished using up the bottle of Marcelle toner that I bought from Lisa's Cosmetics.  Since I loved this results of this product so much, I've decided to restock on it.  =)

 5.  Kose Moisture Mild White Milky Lotion L - $14.10 USD

Yes, another whitening product.  A lotion I can use as day moisturizer.  Another product with 4 out of 5 stars review from Sasa customers.  So I'm going to put this to the test.

Review: Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil

After my discovery of cleansing oils, I've grown to love using them.  As a matter of fact, I've began researching and testing out different ones to find the best one.  Until now, I still have a great love for Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil.  I haven't found one that could beat it.  But as I'm still on an adventure to find one that can beat its quality effectiveness and price, I have another review to write on this deep cleansing oil.

The scent: Scent-free.

Consistency:  Feels oily but not its consistency.  Its consistency is not thick at all.

Application: I usually take 3 to 5 pumps with dry hands to massage into my skin and remove all the makeup.

Packaging:  It's got a pump.  Packaging came with a pump stopper.

What it claims:
- Dissolves makeup and remove impurities in pores
- Cuticle-clear ingredient helps remove dead cuticles, leaving skin purified and refreshed

Thoughts / Results:
Well, this cleansing oil isn't one of the best I've used.  Actually the last bottle of PDC Celdie Makeup Removal Oil was a better cleansing oil than this one.  I find it takes more product and longer massaging and rubbing into my skin to remove the makeup, especially eye makeup.  The product doesn't break me out but its efficiency score is pretty low.  It claims to remove impurities in pores, leaving skin purified but I'm sad to feel it doesn't.  I've experimented with removing eyeliners with this product and it managed to fade away the liners but not remove them completely.  Well, I won't be finding myself repurchasing this product.

Cost: $ 11.00 USD ($ 12.90 USD before the 15% off promotion on Sasa.com)

Product: Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil
Rating: 2 / 5

Pros:
- Removes makeup with significant use of product and massaging into skin

Cons:
- Not an efficient product

Eyeliner with the cleansing oil

Cleansing oil massaged into skin to remove the liner

Rinsed with water, the liner is slightly still visible.

Review and Comparison: Koji Spring Heart Liquid Eyeliner (Black) and Sana Super Quick Eyeliner EX (Black)

Sana Super Quick Eyeliner EX

Koji Spring Heart Eyeliner

I'm currently in the midst of trying different liquid eyeliner and test out which is the best.  What do I look for in an eyeliner? Easy application (glides on), minimal smudging, highly pigmented, and long-lasting.  Well here are the two that I've bought from Sasa.com and tried.

Application:  "Slowly draw a line along the base of the upper lashes, start form tip to tail.  Finish by drawing an upward line at outer corner of eye." - Koji

"Draw a line with the liquid eyeliner at the roots of eyelashes from the corner of the eye to the end of the eye." - Sana

Packaging:  Both liners are felt-tip pens.  The Sana liner seems to have a shaker inside that helps break up the product while Koji one doesn't have one.

What it claims:
Koji:
- A super fine tip to help you line your eyes.

Sana:
- Draws an extremely thin, waterpoof and vivid eye lines.
- Fills in gap between eyelashes
- Waterproof formula is strongly sweat-resistant, tear-resistant and sebum-resistant

Thoughts / Results:
The Koji liquid eyeliner is relatively hard to apply.  Its tip doesn't easily get soaked with the ink.  It's relatively hard to draw a winged eye with this liner.  The good thing about this product was the long-lasting effect it's formula has and pigmentation.  After a full day's worth of wearing this product, it doesn't smudge.  It takes quite some time rubbing to remove with cleansing oil.  When using plain simple water to remove this liner, it is noticeable that it's wearing off but not fading.  It has a great colour payoff.  But honestly, I wouldn't repurchase this product as it doesn't glide on properly.

Now onto the Sana liner.  It applies really well.  Glides on easily, and I can create a clear, clean winged eye.  Now the downside of this liner is its long-lasting effect.  It smudges.  The colour fades away.  So really, its waterproof formula doesn't hold up to what it claims.  By the end of day, I'd have panda eyes.  Now I can semi-prevent that the panda eyes if I lightly dust some translucent powder over top the liner after application in the morning.  It is easily removable using cleansing oil.

Cost: Koji Spring Heart Liquid Eyeliner ($ 8.40 USD); Sana Super Quick Eyeliner EX ($ 11.20 USD)

Product: Koji Spring Heart Liquid Eyeliner and Sana Super Quick Eyeliner EX
Rating: 2 / 5 (Koji) and 4 / 5 (Sana)

Pros:
Koji:
- long lasting

Sana:
- Glides on easily
- Fine felt tip
- Easy to manipulate

Cons:
Koji:
- Product does not get to the tip
- Hard to draw fine lines
- Hard to manipulate

Sana:
- Not resistant to sweat and water
- Smudges throughout the day

Thin line drawn with each liner using the felt tips: Sana (Top) and Koji (Bottom)

3 strokes of each liner: Sana Super Quick Eyeliner EX (top) and Koji Spring Heart Liquid liner (bottom)

Soaked with water

Rubbed off with water

Rubbed with cleansing oil

After the use of water, rubbing and cleansing oil. Sana liner has faded but Koji liner is still intact with sign of wearing off.

Review: OMI Solanoveil SPF 50+ PA+++ White UV Cut Lotion Suncare

Comparatively speaking, I much prefer this OMI Solanoveil suncare product than the Shiseido sunscreen.  It's not only the price I'm comparing but the after-feel texture, it has a non-greasy formula which makes me choose this over the Shiseido sun protection lotion.  In addition, this OMI Solanoveil suncare has a prominent whitening effect.  For its price and effects, this product is worth trying.

The scent: None

Consistency: Very watery.

Application:  Apply after your daily morning skincare routine.  Rub approximately quarter-sized of the product on your palms and then apply over your facial skin.  Let it settle on your skin for a few minutes before applying on your makeup base or primer.

Packaging:  A 40mL bottle.  It's got a piping nozzle which makes it a bit easier to control how much product you want.

What it claims:
- Has a moisturizing relief effect that helps protect skin from UV rays and nourishes skin at the same time
- Non-greasy texture and easy to glide-on
- Waterproof and sweatproof
- Improves large pores and dull skin tone, giving you a natural sheen
- Weak acidity, no colorant
- For sensitive skin
- Can be used as make-up base

Thoughts / Results:
This really is a great product.  It's scent-free, meaning there's no sunscreen scent which I love.  Its whitening effects are visible after 5 minutes of application.  It's got a non-greasy formula, unlike the Shiseido sunscreen that bothers me.  The product does glide right on to my skin and blends in so well.  I haven't tried using it as a make-up base alone, I usually apply my regular foundation primer over the sunscreen and it works well.  As for the quantity you get from this product, it only has 40 mL but it's lasted me at least 6 months.  I guess they give so little product because it has to be kept fresh.  Honestly, for the price and quality of this product, it's definitely worth a try.  Plus, it's got a high SPF.

Cost: $7.10 USD

Product: OMI Solanoveil SPF 50+ PA+++ White UV Cut Lotion
Rating: 5 / 5

Pros:
- Unlike the Shiseido sunscreen, this product is actually fragrance-free, not even that typical sunscreen scent.
- Great price
- Great moisturizing and whitening effects
- High SPF
- Product is not wasted at the nozzle tip like the Shiseido sunscreen packaging.

Cons:
- None that I can think of.

Review: Koji Spring Heart Long and Curl Mascara

This Koji Spring Heart Long and Curl Mascara is the first Japanese mascara I've used and I must say, its quality is very impressive.  Why? Because this waterproof mascara keeps my eyelashes curled for at least 8 hours without smudging.  I must say, if you've never tried this mascara before, definitely give it a try!

Application:  Use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes, if your lashes are short and/or doesn't curl well.  Then apply one to two coats of this mascara, starting at the roots of the lashes and you're set.

Packaging:  The mascara has a curled spooly for easy use and better curls.

What it claims:
- Long-lasting, waterproof mascara that won't irritate sensitive eyes
- Adds volume and curl to lashes, highlighting and beautifying eyes with every swipe
- Ingredients in the mascara won't dry out your eyelashes

Thoughts / Results:
As I've said before, this is a really impressive mascara that gives great results.  After 8 hours of wearing this mascara, I come home without any trace of smudged or flaky mascara.  Therefore it holds up to its claim for a long-lasting and non-drying formula.  And in terms of its volumizing and curling effects, I find that even after 8 hours of wearing this mascara, the lashes stay separated and curled.

However, this mascara does not extend the look of your lashes.  So if you're looking to get a mascara to make your lashes look longer, this might not be your choice.

Cost: $7.60 USD on Sasa.com

Product: Koji Spring Heart Long and Curl Mascara
Rating: 5 / 5

Pros:
- Keeps lashes curled with volume all day and night
- Has a non-drying and long-lasting formula
- Separates the lashes really well, defining the eyes

Cons:


- Nothing I can think of