Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz collection and brush sets
I’d been following the on-going discussion between S-Kay and Jessie below with great interest, regarding the new Bobbi Brown collection. Coincidentally, yesterday, I happened to chance upon a reference to a Pink Quartz Shimmerbrick. I did a review of the Bobbi Brown shimmerbricks once on my old site, and I thought I’d imported it here but apparently I did not! So, look out for a revamped review of the Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks soon.
Anyway, what with Jessie and S-Kay’s comments and reading about a new shimmerbrick, I knew I had to do some research on this. And here is the information I’ve obtained (All Malaysian Ringgit prices courtesy of Jessie). Picture heavy so pictures and info are after the jump (click on the “Read the rest” link)
Kanebo Kate Glam Trick eyeshadow palette
I was enamoured with this eyeshadow palette from Kate by Kanebo when I first saw it online and read the rave reviews on it.
The reviewers basically gave it a thumbs up for colour and texture, and the one most raved about was the dark blue palette (BU-1) for what they say would make a lovely smokey eye. So, understandably I was all hyped up about it.
Over the weekend I finally found some time to check out Kate cosmetics again, and saw that this palette is finally here in Malaysia and retailing for about RM42.90 or so at Watsons.
Eagerly, I tested the tester sets for all the colours and unfortunately, I came away disappointed.
Firstly, I found that the colour was too sheer. It would have been much better had it been more pigmented because there is a lot of shimmer. So, when an eyeshadow is sheer with a lot of shimmer, you tend to just end up with lots of shimmer on your lid and not much colour.
Secondly, the texture. It felt soft but hard in the sense that there wasn’t much colour pay-off. Also, the surface of the colours loooked off after a spell. It looked messy and dirty and colour was hard to pick up. It got me thinking. If this is what happens after 100 fingers have touched it, how about if I have touched it 100 times myself? So, that did not impress me much.
Thirdly, there is very little product. The colours are arranged into these geometrical shapes in the case and the little square of dark liner shade for example, is really very little. So, it does work out rather expensive for something from the pharmacy.
All that said, I think BU-1 is the prettiest of the lot, with the best colour payoff. With dark colours you can get away with sheering the texture out because dark colours will still remain dark. And the shimmer looks pretty on them too. But for the lighter palettes like PU-1 and GD-1, all I got on my hands were pure shimmer and nothing much else.
So, my verdict of the Kate Glam Trick eyeshadow palette is that it might be worth buying BU-1 if it dropped to about RM30 but otherwise, I personally would not buy it at retail prices.
Review: Makeup: Anna Sui Super Mascara DX Full
Fireangel and FashionAsia (both FA!) asked below about my thoughts on the Anna Sui Super Mascara DX Full which was gifted to me by a friend.
The mascara comes in a usual tube with the signature Anna Sui rose on the top of the cover. The formula is supposed to make your lashes look fuller and to this end, I reckon it does.
The brush is rather fat though which makes it hard for me as I have rather short and sparse lashes. However, with a bit of patience with the swiping and wriggling of the brush over the lashes, I do see a thickening effect. My lashes when using this mascara do look fuller and thicker and all round more lush.
There is even a lengthening effect but then most mascaras of any value will help lengthen my lashes because I have such short ones. It also helps keep the curl on the lashes, so again, that’s great.
The formula is thick and sticks to the lashes well, but I will warn whoever does not like fragrances in their mascara or eye makeup products, to please stay away, because the signature Anna Sui rose smell is present. I must say its quite strong too. So, when you first apply it, and throughout the morning, I catch hints of the rose fragrance. Does it bother me? No. But if it does bother you, do avoid it.
I do like that its waterproof/water resistent. It does not smudge at all and it lasts the whole day long, keeping my lashes looking as full and as lush as when I first applied it in the morning. It can be quite stubborn to remove but I use cleansing oils to remove my mascara and so far, its been no problem.
This mascara retails for RM93.00 at all Anna Sui counters. Expensive. However, as I received it as a gift, its awesome. Would I purchase? Maybe but honestly, I still like the Lancome Flextencils (RM90) which I’m told is being discontinued. If I can’t get the Lancome Flextencils anymore, then yes, Anna Sui will replace it.
Pros: Makes lashes look fuller and more lush, holds a curl, waterproof
Cons: Expensive, has a fragrance which some people might dislike
Rating: 
DIY Body Wraps Home Kit
I think the people who discovered the “orange peel†effect and introduced the world to the concept of cellulite are just pure evil. They have by themselves, spawned a whole beauty industry dealing in the removal of cellulite. In fact, there are so many products on the market these days, ranging from gels to wraps to pills you can ingest. All of which promise to tone your body and remove cellulite.
One product which promises to help with a cellulite problem is an Anti-Cellulite Body Wrap kit. If you have visited a treatment salon or beauty salon, you would be familiar with the concept of a wrap. Basically, they apply a paste consisting of mixture of various items on your body and then wrap you up so the paste can work its magic in toning and firming up your skin and in removing and reducing cellulite. However, such treatments are pricey and usually you need to sign up for a course in order to see any effect.
Another option therefore would be to do it yourself at home. You apply it on your body or selected parts of your body and it promises to visibly tone and smoothen your skin and remove the appearance of cellulite. And one tub can last you 2-3 wraps, which in my view works out less pricey than visiting the salon. It retails for $44.95. There are 4 types of home kit body wraps available in this line, for different needs. According to the website, each body wrap Kit includes everything that you need: Specialized Seaweed and Herbal Clay Mixture, Bandages, After Cream Treatment and Directions. So, take a look into this if you are into DIY or have no time to go to the beauty salon.
