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.  =)

Review: Shiseido The Skincare Night Moisture Recharge

This product comes in three versions: light, regular and enriched.  When I bought this at the Shiseido and Nars warehouse sale, I assumed the regular Night Moisture Recharge was just right for me.  I had the thought that super hydration at night was perfect but thinking about it now, I should have gotten the light version.

The scent: It has a floral scent but doesn't smell like synthetic.  It smells more like actual flowers.

Consistency: It is a lotion that is more runny than thick.

Application:  After cleansing and toner / softener, I take two pumps of hydrating B5 serum, then apply this lotion by giving less than one pump on my palm and rubbing my palms together before patting and pressing the lotion on.

Packaging:  It has a pump dispenser.  Comes with 75 mL or 2.5 fl oz of product.

What it claims:  "A multi-action nighttime revitalizer that counteracts signs of daytime damage and delivers intensive hydrating benefits to skin while you sleep. Restores softness, smoothness, and a healthy-looking glow."

Thoughts / Results:
This product line - The Skincare - is designed for normal and combination skin which is suppose to be the right version for my skin type but I dislike the immediate greasy or sticky after-feeling.  But the sticky feeling does go away after 2 to 3 hours.  It's definitely not a lightweight lotion.  In terms of its claims, I don't feel much change in the texture of my skin.  It didn't give me a softer or smoother skin.  However after one week of using this lotion, I started noticing a slight - like very tiny - radiance in my skin the next morning.  I can't tell how it counteracts signs of daytime damage because I don't see any changes to the little sun damages on my skin.  Perhaps the change is too miniscule for me to notice.  Or maybe the daytime damage it means is your skin loses moisture during the day and this lotion is suppose to recover the dehydration damage at night. 

At first I couldn't recognize the scent of this lotion, it wasn't deterring but I just wasn't fond of it.  After maybe 3 weeks of using it, I realize it's the smell of actual flowers.  And yes, I don't like the authentic scent of flowers.

It's really easy to use up too much of this lotion, but a small amount - like half a pump - is good enough because this lotion is an intensive hydrating overnight treatment.  Too much of it will only make you feel greasy or oily and not necessary help your skin get more hydrated.

I'd say this lotion is best for normal/combination skin individuals during the winter when our skin loses the most moisture.  Well most people don't have lacking moisture problems during the summer or even you do, make sure you drink enough water to replenish your internal body moisture. 

Cost:  $55 CAD / $42.50 USD MSRP @Sephora (I bought my bottle from Shiseido and NARS warehouse sale for $30 CAD)

Product:  Shiseido The Skincare Night Moisture Recharge
Rating: 3.5 / 5

Pros:
- Maintains the moisture in your skin not necessary improves it
- One pump or even less is enough for the entire face
- Gives very little radiance in my skin the next morning
- No problems with milia or breakouts
- Have no problems with applying foundation; no cakiness

Cons:
- Price
- Sticky / greasy after-feel
- Hydrating effects are not observable the next morning
- Not fond of the scent

Review: Shiseido The Skincare Hydro-balancing softener

Does your skin need hydration? Even with a good moisturizer, it is just not hydrating enough without a hydrating softener / toner / lotion.  This is something I learned recently.  The technique to apply your toner / softener / lotion and moisturizer is just as important.  My first impression of this Shiseido Hydro-balancing softener was not good.  The scent was not the best and I didn't see a change in my skin after using it.  But after some time of using it with a different approach, my thoughts have changed.

The scent: A floral scent but not a refreshing one

Consistency: Clear watery solution

Application: Soaking the cotton pad with around 4 - 5 pumps of softener, I lightly and swiftly tap / pat it upwards on my skin.  You know your cotton pad is soaked enough if you hear a sound when you tap / pat it on your skin.  The sound that you hear when you tap the water surface of a pool or bucket of water.  However, the nose area requires a slower pat and lightly press motion

Packaging:  It comes in a pump dispenser which I prefer over a twisting-cap bottle.  You get 150 mL or 5 fl oz of product.

What it claims: "A gentle, alcohol-free lotion that instantly softens and rehydrates the skin for enhanced suppleness."

Thoughts / Results:
Like I said before, my first impressions of this product was not the best.  I thought it did nothing for me but I learned that patting the solution on your skin does make a difference.  I used to simply rub it all over my skin with a cotton pad then thinking this product did nothing for me.  Now that I've used a different approach to apply this softener, I saw a difference.  My skin does feel and look more hydrated as claimed on Shiseido's website.  Although I agree this softener helped my skin, I don't agree with their claim of 'instantly' softening the skin.  My skin is most noticeably soft overnight but definitely not instantly.  My nose skin doesn't flake and my foundation applies on better than before. Therefore, I can really see the difference of how this softener helped my moisturizer get absorbed into my skin.  I've been breaking out lately and I get these huge pimples where once they pop, it shrivels up and that area of my skin dries out and flakes.  But after pressing and patting the softener on, allowing my skin receive more hydration, my skin has gotten a lot better.  Even without makeup, my skin has a dewy, radiant glow.

Another good thing about this product is alcohol-free.  Well for the product to be hydrating, it must not have alcohol; otherwise your skin will dry out.

So, this softener is a great product but not with proper technique. 

Cost: $44 CAD / $36 USD MSRP @Sephora (I bought it for $25 CAD at Shiseido & NARS warehouse sale)

Product: Shiseido The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener Alcohol-free
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Hydrating
- Softens your skin overnight
- Allows better moisturizer absorption

Cons:
- Price -- in order to saturate your cotton pad like what the directions say, you use up a lot of product

Review: Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer Oil-free

The Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer Oil-free was the very first non-drug store moisturizer I have ever used back in grade 9.  Last year, I bought my 2nd bottle of Matifying Moisturizer at the Shiseido & NARS warehouse sale and finished it recently.  Age really does change your skin.  I can feel the moisturizer wasn't as effective on my skin compared to 10 years ago.

The scent:  A light floral scent that smells and feels refreshing.

Consistency:  Texture of a lotion.  Not too thick, not really runny.

Application:  Cleanse the skin, use a toner and finally moisturize. 

Packaging:  Moisturizer dispenses via a pump.

What it claims:  "A lightweight moisturizer, with oil-absorbing powder, that helps reduce surface shine as it provides exceptional hydration to skin. Feels refreshing and ultra-sheer.
Protects the skin's natural moisture balance with Shiseido-exclusive ingredient Hydro-Balancing Complex*, containing botanical extract Palo Azul."

Thoughts / Results:
This lotion is for combination or normal skin individuals.  This means it's best to help people with oily T-zone.  This product claims to provide great hydration to the skin while matifying it on oily areas, but it is not hydrating enough for me.  It does have oil-absorbing ingredient(s) that effectively matifies my skin.  However, on other areas - i.e. the cheek - it's not hydrating enough.  This is prominent when my skin looks cakey with foundation and setting powder on.  Yet I find that even without a hydrating moisturizer, a toner / softener can do help hydrate the skin.  Therefore without a good toner, Shiseido's Matifying Moisturizer is not hydrating enough for makeup to glide on without caking up.  Although it applies on feeling sheer, my foundation doesn't glide on flawlessly even with foundation primer on.  And because of these qualities, I'd recommend using this moisturizer during the day rather than at night and apply it under your foundation.  At night, I'd find a more hydrating moisturizer.

Cost:  $22 CAD @Shiseido and NARS Warehouse Sale (MSRP $40 CAD / $33 USD)

Product:  Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer Oil-free
Rating: 3 / 5

Pros:
- Matifies skin
- Feels refreshing and sheer

Cons:
- Not hydrating enough

Adambeauty.com Haul

It's been 9 months since I shopped online for beauty items.  I've read lots of good haul purchased from Adambeauty.com so I thought I should give it a shot.  I bought a few necessities and things I need to restock.

1.  Cogit Washing Epi Towel - $15 USD
As you rub this towel diagonally on your back, it can catch on to your back hair thus making it feel softer.  I guess it works like a loofah so it'll be interesting to try this out.

2.  Freshel White C Cleansing Oil A - $15 USD
After finishing the Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil, I had to resort to other makeup removal products but seems like I haven't found a cheaper alternative to it.  So I thought I should give this a try and see how much I like it.  I've read some decent reviews on it, so I'll have to see how effective and true this oil works.

3. Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (Moist and Light) - $16.50 USD each
According to the Hada Labo website, in Japan, this lotion sells 1 in every 4 seconds.  So I'm very eager to try them out and see what results they give.

4.  Dariya Hair Magic Sheet in Pink - $4.50 USD
Remember how I bought a pair of these knock offs from eBay? Well I've finally bought an authentic pack! So I might do a review on them and talk about their differences.

5.  Shiseido Powder Puff #123 - $8.50 USD
Lately, I've been using MAC's Select Sheer / Loose powder and I needed an extra one.  I purposely chose a big puff because I find it's easier to manipulate.

Now this is my first time experience ordering from Adambeauty.com.  Here is my thought on it:
1.  Shipping is cheap, $2.  The store mails via registered lettermail, meaning they give you a tracking number.  I personally like to see the shipping progress of my parcel.
2.  I didn't get charged customs tax - a good thing.  Though I think customs is a little looser with makeup and skincare packages.
3.  Shipping is considered pretty fast since I ordered on the night of April 24 and receive it today, May 3.
4.  Adambeauty does offer lower prices on many items compared to other Asian beauty online shops.  Yet the cheapest I've seen is Sasa.com.
5.  The website needs to be regularly updated.  Seems like this online store doesn't have many staff working on there as a lot of their items are out of stock and not frequently replenished.
6.  Package came in a large envelope as opposed to a box, which probably saves the company on shipping supplies but still probably not the best idea.  The company did wrap my items in bubble wrap.
7.  Product descriptions are written in Chinese.  A big disadvantage for those who can't read Chinese.  Then again, there's always Google Translate. =)

Review: Shiseido Pureness Pore Purifying Warming Scrub

This is my first facial exfoliant I've ever bought, so it is a few years old.  I haven't been consistently using it, partly because of the price for the amount of product I get.  =\ 

The scent:
Fresh, light floral scent.  Not an irritating smell.

Consistency:
It is a clear oily-sticky-feel gel with orange microbeads.

Application:
To prep my skin, I cleanse my face with whatever cleanser I'm using at that time.  Then if I feel like it, I'd use a facial sauna to steam and soften my skin to melt away the impurities in my pores.  Sometimes I skip this facial sauna step.  I dry my hands and face, dab the scrub on my forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.  Slowly, I massage and spread it all over my face until I feel the microbeads and granules have dissolved.  Then rinse.

Swatch of scrub

Packaging:
Comes in a 50 mL (1.7 oz) tube.

What it claims:
"Give your skin power over shine, imperfections and dryness.  A self-warming gel scrub that unclogs pores and removes excess oil for a feeling of fresh, deeply-cleansed skin.  Pores look less obvious.
-  Warms comfortably on contact to help draw out pore-clogging impurities and excess oil.
-  Contains microbeads and purifying granules for deep cleansing action.
-  Minimizes the visibility of pores while leaving skin feeling fresh and silky." 

Thoughts / Results:

White clumps = dead skin cells

I was first introduced to this product when I received a small sample of it as a gift with purchase.   Sometimes I can feel the the blackhead lumps caused by the excess oil.  So I like the microbeads and granules in this scrub as I feel it really rubs away the excess oil / dirt / impurities that clog my pores - especially on my nose.  Personally, I don't feel this scrub is causing too abrasive on my skin.  Though others may feel otherwise.  Shiseido's Pureness line is supposedly for combination and normal-to-oily skin.  Its products are suppose to bring balance to skin.  IMO, if you use too much of this product, you are possibly removing too much oil from your skin.  Thus, I'd recommend adding little bit as you're massaging and spreading it over your skin.  Using too much of this product also prevents you from feeling the "warming" effect.  The warming effect comes from the friction of micro beads and granules as you're rubbing it in circular motion over your skin.  This is also the problem for many people who claim they don't feel the warming effect.

I can definitely feel the results of this scrub.  My skin feels smoother, not lumpy due to the blackheads.  For me, the smoothness can last around 3 - 4 days.  These results are more clearly seen and felt on my nose.

In terms of giving shine to the skin, I do feel and see the shine.  Before using the scrub, my skin does look duller.  But I'm not sure about imperfections, at least it's not visibly noticeable to me.  I still see the dark areas due to developing/developed/no longer there pimples.  As for dryness, I do feel this scrub is more hydrating than the other brands of exfoliants - i.e. the B. Kamins Bamboo & Rice Facial Polisher.  Yet, I still see some dry peeled skin on my nose.  However, my pores do feel and look unclogged.  Thus my skin is left feeling smooth, fresh and silky.  But don't expect the blackheads to disappear, they may look smaller and/or less prominent.

Cost:
$29 CAD

Before; skin more yellow and dull

After using facial sauna

After using scrub; skin more clear

Product: Shiseido Pureness Pore Purifying Warming Scrub
Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:
- Leaves skin smoother
- Noticeably unclogs pores
- Restores shine to your skin
- Warming effect helps draw out the impurities in your pores
- Pores become less visible

Cons:
- Doesn't completely clear the dry peeled skin
- Warming effect is hard to grasp
- $29 CAD for a 50mL tube is a bit expensive

Review: Tsubaki Damage Care Treatment with Tsubaki Amino by Shiseido

After using this Shiseido hair treatment for one month, I decided it's time to do a review on it.  I can conclude it's a great product.  I didn't purchase the other products from the Shiseido line, but I'm sure the results would be better if I did.
 
The scent:
It has a floral scent that's stronger when smelt straight from the tube than when in my hands or in my hair.  Overall, the scent is not irritating or pungent.  The floral scent doesn't smell like old lady either.  I don't love the scent but it's ok.  Like it won't give me a headache from smelling it too much.

Application:
According to the directions on the bottle - or rather the instructions on the Cosme-de.com website, I shampoo my hair, towel dry it and put on this treatment, leaving it on for 20 mins.  I concentrate most of the product on the ends of my hair.  I've tried leaving my hair straight down and wrapping in a bun, and I don't find a difference in the results.  Then I wash it off and apply conditioner.  Then rinse that off.  Followed up by the Macadamia oil or Morrocanoil. 
*Sept 15 update: So I tried applying 3 min heat to my hair after applying the treatment, then waited another 17 mins before rinsing it off and applying conditioner.

The consistency:
It's thick but not as thick as regular hair conditioner.

Packaging:
Very clean and sleek packaging.  I like how it's in a tube form and not a pump.  The size of the product is 200g, which is not that bad.


What it claims:
"Shiseido Tsubaki Damage Care Treatment with Tsubaki Amino enhances elasticity, repairs hair with shines and smoothness. The floral scent refreshes your senses and feels like in the forest. Shiseido Tsubaki Damage Care Treatment smooths your hair with rich formula."

Thoughts / Results:
I agree with what it claims to do.  This hair treatment does give my hair shine and smoothness.  I can't tell whether the treatment has enhanced the elasticity of my hair because I haven't experienced very brittle hair that breaks off with a tug.  And the floral scent does remind me of the outdoors.  I think it does a great job on putting a coat of product on my hair to tame the frizzes and flyaways.  But after not using this product for more than a week, my hair starts to return to its original state.  Flyaways return and fluff up my hair after I wash and dry it.  So really, I think this treatment will be best for freshly cut hair and to maintain that state of hair with no split ends.  And I'd recommended being consistent on your hair routine.  Like apply this hair treatment at least once a week, if you consistently fry your hair with hair appliances.
The night before my trip to Vegas, I treated my hair with this product and I find it works great throughout my stay over in Vegas.  I washed my hair every night when I was in Vegas and the results of my hair stayed the same - smooth with shine.  The weather over there is hot and drier - even my lips were calling me to apply some lip balm.  So logically, my hair would have been dry and fluffed up if I washed it everyday without the hair treatment.  I conclude that this product has proved its worthiness.
*Sept 15 update: Putting my hair in a bun with the treatment in my hair, I put on a shower cap and used a hair dryer to put heat on my hair.  Results seem to be no different from not applying heat. 

Cost:
$14 USD

Product: Shiseido TSUBAKI Damage Care Treatment with TSUBAKI Amino
Rating: 5 / 5

Pros:
- Gives my hair shine and smoothness
- Scent is good, not irritating
- Tames frizzes and flyaways
- Price is reasonable and better than Macadamia Oil Hair Mask or Morrocanoil hair treatments

Cons:
- Requires weekly application or however often you use hair appliances - well that's a given, you damage it, you've got to repair it

Review: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 Set

My first review of this year is on this Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 set.  This set is very much like Clinique 3 Step skincare.  Well, I've been using this set for over 3 months and I still have about 1/4 left in each bottle/tube. 

First step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam.  I find that it cleanses my face pretty well.  It forms quite a bit of foam and after rinsing my face, it leaves my face feeling clean.  Now Shiseido claims that this foam "removes dirt, pollution and impurities without drying out skin".  I've tried using this foam with the other 2 products and I've also tried using it alone, followed by Vitamin A cream and sometimes Vitamin E cream.  Either way, it dries out my skin.  It's most noticeable on my nose, which is odd since Vitamin E or A cream are really hydrating.  Ultimately, I'd recommend using a moisturizing cream that really hydrates your skin more than Vitamin A and/or E cream.

Second step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Refining Softener Enriched N.  The purpose of this product is to soften your skin.  It claims to "instantly infuse moisture and perfectly prepares skin for next skincare step".  Using a cotton pad to apply this, I find it does soften my skin a little bit, but not very noticeable.

Third step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Moisturizer N SPF 16.  This product claims that it "locks in moisture and nutrients while protecting skin from external aggressors".  Initially after I apply this moisturizer, I notice my skin brightens.  This is a day cream but I find the formula dries out my skin.  The skin on my nose dries out so much that it gets flaky and I can peel off my dead skin cells.  =\  It's winter and the weather is dry; this 3 step skincare set doesn't work well in these conditions.  However, I believe it would be a great summer moisturizer as the consistency is runny, not sticky, and feels light-weight.

Overall, after using the 3 products, Shiseido claims that this skincare set softens your skin within 1 month.  And I do agree with this statement to a certain extent.  There are areas of my face that do feel soft but my nose feels and looks dried out so definitely not soft.

Product: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 set

Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:

- Brightens my skin

- Cleansing foam cleans my face really well

- Softener does soften my skin

- Day moisturizer has a light consistency

Cons:

- Dries out my nose, requires a hydrating moisturizer to compensate

Review: Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadows

The first Shiseido Hydro-Powder eye shadow I bought was in H8 Bare Pink.  I bought it @The Bay for $28 CAD.  My friend was wearing it and I liked how it looked.  It has a creamy consistency in the jar, just like the MAC paint pots.  It claims it is crease-resistant and I have worn the shadow alone for at least 12 hours straight and it is true that it doesn't crease.  However, I have tried using UDPP with this eye shadow and it does work better than using it alone.

I didn't encounter any problems with the quality of the eye shadows until I recently purchased the shadow in H6 Violet Visions.  This violet colour is buildable but can easily fade away.  I never encountered this problem with the H1 Goldlights and H8 Bare Pink.
Also, I find these shadows are a little too shimmery for my liking.  I wish the shimmery formula was toned down a bit. 

Here are the swatches:

Product: Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadows
Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:
- Long-lasting effects
- Great colour payoff on some
- Crease-resistant

Cons:
- Too shimmery
- Violet Visions didn't have the best colour payoff
- Expensive

Update: Shiseido Warehouse Sale

I'm home, settled and can upload these pictures.  I didn't take pictures inside as I was a little distracted and busy.  Plus, it's kind of crowded in there.  I took this picture (above) when I was leaving, which was well past 11AM.  This may not have captured the idea of "a lot of people" but trust me, it's a long line.  I'd say the last person standing in that line probably had to wait ~2.5 hrs to get in.

Haul:

At the last sale, I bought the "Stay Soft" shampoo and conditioner.  For its price, I'd say they were worth it.  I mean they were $5 per bottle - which are each 1 L.  Except for that one in the middle, it's 500mL and cost $3.  Like a set of bottles can lasting me around 6 months each.

Here are the real goodies.  Yes, I know, not alot.  The most expensive thing I bought at this sale was the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream for $35 CAD.  I really had no choice but to make this purchase.  It's winter and I need a moisturizing cream.  I was considering the Dior Hydralife, but that would cost me ~$65 CAD @Sephora.  =S

I bought the eyeshadow quad for my friend and that cost me $8 CAD.  It's called Silky Eye Shadow Quad in Q12 Wood Tones and retails @The Bay and @Sephora for $45 CAD.  So look at that! I saved $37! =)  My friend doesn't know how to apply eye shadow, so I decided to choose something neutral for her.  The only downside is that it didn't come with a box, just came with the applicators.

I got the Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in H6 Violet Visions for $6 CAD.  And it normally retails for $28 CAD.  =D  No box.  They also had H7 Green Exotique and I swear I stood at the table for a good 10 minutes debating whether I should spend $6 on it but reality woke me up and told me I will most likely not going to wear a green like that.

I got a Shiseido cream eyeliner for $11 CAD.  It came with a mini angled brush.  Retails for $28 CAD.

Now the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville.  It cost $14 CAD but retails for $55 CAD.  And yes, I scored another amazing deal! =D The downside of this was Deauville was the ONLY Sheer Glow/Matte Foundation and it is two shades lighter than my skintone.  Though it was the last one, so I really didn't care and just picked it up anyways.  I can mix this with other foundations I have or use a darker setting powder.  The colours they had in the Sheer Glow/Matte lines were Mont Blanc, Santa Fe, Gobi and Punjab. 

NARS Eyebrow Pencil.  I got this for $6 CAD.  It retails for $25 CAD.  I wasn't too sure whether I should buy it.  I've never used an eyebrow pencil as my eyebrows aren't thinned out, nor are they bushy.  I give them a trim and touch-up once in awhile.  And once a year, I get them done @Colour Visage.

Next up is the Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam that cost me $23 CAD.  It retails for ~$49 CAD.  It's a discontinued product.  Now they carry an enhanced version called Shiseido Brightening Cleansing Foam W.

Finally, I bought a discontinued NARS Bronzer in Heat.  It cost $14 CAD but retailed for $38 CAD.  I liked it because it doesn't have any shimmer.  They had Irresistiblement there as well.  But I didn't like it, it was way to light and a little too shimmery for my liking.  They also had NARS Duo Blush/Bronzer, but I'm not a big fan of the blush in Orgasm nor do I like Deep Throat.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading and if I go next time, I hope I've given you enough temptation to go to the next Shiseido trip! =) *smirk* LOL

Shiseido Warehouse Sale

OK, so I'm back from the Shiseido Warehouse sale and now I can tell you how awesome my trip there was.  I took a picture of the line up before I left the premises.  But because I'm not @home right now, here's my quick update.  They were carrying NARS Sheer Glow and Matte Foundation but in limited quantity and colour.  HOWEVER, I was lucky enough to pick up a Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville - last one by the way! =)  And that just cost me $14 excluding tax.  And guess what? This trip didn't cost me an arm and a leg afterall! I spent $145 CAD before tax, totaling up to $163.85 CAD after tax - crazy 13% tax.  =)

I started lining up before 8 in the morning and learning from my past experience, I picked up McDonald's on my way to the sale.  The sale doesn't start until 9 so I sat down on the cement while cracking open the McDonald's breakfast.  While waiting the 1.5 hrs, I brought some entertainment and re-watched Shrek. =D  ... When I finally got in, I took 1.5 hrs to do my shopping and spent a lot less than my first trip there.  Pretty good eh? =)

Coming Up: Shiseido Warehouse Sale

Since I don't have access to the invitations, I'll be lining up early on the Saturday morning.

A little about their deals:
They have quite a few things there.  Last time they had NARS duo blush and bronzer, eyeshadows and palette sets.  They had quite a bit of Shiseido skincare, but no sunscreen products left.  The downside about their skincare deals.  It's not really much of a deal when they're ~10-15% off.  I was kind of looking forward to at least 50% like the MAC warehouse sales.  They carried Orlane products, some random perfume, shampoo and conditioner (really cheap like Joico for $5 per bottle when they retail for ~$10 per bottle).

Overall, if it's your first time going, you've got to be careful of overspending.  It's super easy to overspend!

Review: Shiseido the Makeup Sheer Gloss Lipstick in S2 clear orange

So I bought this lipstick at the Shiseido Warehouse sale back in May.  The reason I bought this was because two ladies standing next to me were talking about it, saying something like it's so moisturizing and whatnot.  So I decided to give it a try.  And wow, it was moisturizing.  Why I think so? Well lately, I guess I've been too dehydrated from not drinking enough water so my lips had a few dry, dead skin cells hanging off my lips (I know sounds disgusting).  Anyways, I tried using Vaseline, but it wasn't doing much good.  I mean it helped a little but not a great improvement.  So I started using this lipstick and wow, I started seeing a change.  My lips were not only free of dry dead skin cells, they were more plump and glossy after each application.  And in terms of cons, I don't really like the colour I chose =( . It's a bit too bright and corally orange for me.  I find it enhances the appearance of my dark under eye circles.  It's kind of a waste that I use like a lip balm at home.  =\

Swatches:

Left = 1 swipe

Right = 2 swipes

Product: Shiseido the Makeup Sheer Gloss Lipstick in S2 Clear Orange

Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:

- moisturizing

- not a strong lipstick scent

- long-lasting

- glides on well

Cons:

- too bright for my skintone