1300 dollars worth of haul, Kanebo Sensai Foundation & FOTD

 First of all: an advise to those who happen to put their hands on a bigger chunk of money: Stay away from the internet!!! And most of all: online stores!

In the timespan of 3 months I spent over 2.000 dollars (I haven't counted every single stuff I bought, and to tell the truth, I'm afraid of to do so). That's incredibly much money, and for many-many people too, so I promise to review everything. Sooner or later, that is. *cough*looks away*

It's more than enough to know that all those things you see in the below photo costed a bit more than  1.300 USD! Holy shit! I tried to gather only stuffs I bought in December-January, but some February things got in the picture too.

(sorry quality is not the clearest in full size either, lighting sucks in my bedroom at night. to have a bit of idea of what's in the picture take a look at the tags)

Many of it came in that huge box, with the My American Shipper parcel forwarding service, so sorry for the mess :) 

BTW, My American Shipper is my first experience of mail forwarding services. You know when online stores don't ship outside the US became terribly annoying? Or they set such high fees for international shipping that a trip to the Moon is cheaper.

Few words of My American Shipper:

-shipping fees are not so high like with other services

-first time you ship, the final rate you'll get is decreased by 35%

-they provide pictures of your incoming mails for free

-they send notifying emails when your orders arrive to their storage (however, after my 4th or 5th incoming box they gave up on me and I had to check to see if my stuffs arrived to them)

-customer service is good

-I didn't have to fill in the 1583 form since My American Shipper does not provide mail forwarding service and I'm sooo grateful for it, coz 1583 form is such a pain in the butt ( I don wanna go to the US consulate just for this!) 

-they consolidate your packages (but before they are done with it you won't know how much you'll pay, coz they register only the incoming weight and that's a looooot more than what they'll actually ship out)

-they store your things for 45 days

-they are located in the state California, so you'll have to pay sales tax when paying for your orders

-no sign up fee

So, the above makeup and skin care stuffs were bought from either official brand stores, sasa, cherry culture, Gilt, Adambeauty, etc. Some were picked up at duty-free and some I bought on ebay.

You saw it right, Sasa.com! I had another "who's-the-scam-here" round with them, and this time I succeded to get them to change the payment from credit card to Paypal before they cancelled my order altogether....only for the sake of the Lancome Visionnaire cream. God, I'm so happy I didn't give up! *.* I tell you, Visionnaire is the Holy Grail! I can't live without it!

Finally! I own Making faces by Kevin Aucoin! bwahahahahhaha So cool! Thank you Gilt! I love you! *.* 

And to review something, that became my HG foundation and picked up in Istambul, in the duty-free: Kanebo Sensai Fluid Finish

Color is FF202 Soft Beige

Description: "Deeply moisturising foundation with 55% water content. Sheathes the skin in a delicate veil of moisture to provide daylong hydration while imparting a silky, healthy-looking sheen to the surface. Apply sparingly over make-up base after double moisturising.

Foundation shades may differ depending on region." 

Has SPF15 and holds 30ml of product, which seems less than other 30ml foundations....I'm already at the bottom, after 2,5 months! With other foundations a half year isn't enough to finish them!
If I remember correctly than it was 35 EUR, so not the cheapest foundation ever, but damn, this is on a whole different leven than the average foundations! Totally worth the money!

I love the bottle, so smooooooth! *.* The pump head works fine, you can control the amount of foundation to come out....if you push it carefully. If you're in a hurry, push it fast and hard, and the cap thinks otherwise, you might get foundation on your dress in stead of your brush! HAHA

The coverage is medium to full. The sparing application aids you with a medium coverage that looks super natural, and if you add a bit more, you'll get a natural looking almost/or total full coverage. Some seriously red acnes will break through in color eventually screaming for extra concealer, but this foundation in itself covers 85-90% of discoloration.

Click for the full size if you'd like to see the ingredients.

I love how it does not oxidize over time, or fade. It does hydrate my skin, but not causes my oily T-zone to work on overload making me an oil factory. The oily parts won't become dry deserts, but stay on the moderately oily side.

Did I mention that it has a super natural finish? No mask-like feature and I can't feel it on my skin either 

For color sampling, the above pic is without flash. On the left side the foundation is blended a bit, but not entirely, so you can see the edges.

The below pic is with flash.

And now, something I've never done before, and I don't think it'll make a usual spot for this blog in the future: 

..........

*drumroll*

..........

bare face

..........

holy shit!!!!

Comparison photo: 

left side is with Sensai Fluid Finish and concealer

right side is totally bare face, nothing used but skincare

horror movie! XD Let me tell you, that darkness around the eyes is quite lightened now!^^ Add to this 365167356253682138615 shades more of black and double it, that is the original horrible darkness I sport around my eyes! HAHA

BTW, sorry for the hair, it was half-dried at the time of the shot!

And this is the finished FOTD

Without flash on the left and with flash on the right.

Okay, this isn't the same angle, but I made the collage from this set of photos coz I wanted to show the blush too. >.< 

And here are the things I used (click for better quality):

Face:

Sensai Fluid Finish foundation

Pixi concealer palette

L'Oreal Studio Secrets primer

Scott Barnes Loose Powder (translucent) (review here)

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki brush

Clé de Peau contour brush

Cheeks:

MAC  blush (Vintage grape) (beats me which LE it was, but I missed it at the time)

BH Cosmetics Contour & Blush 6 color palette

e.l.f. Blush brush

Sigma P84 Precision Angled brush (review here, not shown on the photo)

Eyes:

NYX HD Eyeshadow Base 

NYX Nude on Nude palette (used shades are marked with X) (Hello UD Nude-mania~)

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyerow Corrector (color is 0, not shown on the photo)

Shiseido small angled brush (for eyebrown, not shown on the photo)

Etude House C brush

e.l.f. C brush

e.l.f. contour brush

e.l.f. small precision brush

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush (review here)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash mascara

Lips:

MAC Lipglass (Rich & Witty)

Giveaway prizes! :3

I was the super lucky winner of Birkie's giveaway not long ago. 

Check out the original prizes here...

And take a look at what I got:

Whaaa...kind of double, right? :) She put in a ton of extras!^^ 

I started to play with them and I'm going to feature them in the future.

[there were so many of them that I couldn't fit them on my 2nd fave towel as a background XD] 

Again, thank you so much Birkie! <3 

Lancome Génifique Youth Activating Serum and Eye Contentrate

Just a really short review today, as I don't have much time.

I happened to accumulate enough test sachets of the high coveted Génifique serum from Lancome to use for more than a month.

Okay, maybe 2 months of trial would have been better, but the SAs here prefer to keep the testers for themself, so it takes quite bit of @ss-licking to get them to share with the customer....

I tested the renowned serum and a new part of the line: eye serum.

First, let's see the Génifique Youth Activating Serum:

Description: "First skincare that boosts the activity of genes and stimulates the production of youth proteins. A true skincare innovation with 7 worldwide patents pending, Génifique is the foundation of every woman’s skincare at any age or for any skin concern.
Result: Visibly younger skin in just 7 days. Skin looks as if lit from within – breathtaking radiant. Its youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even, its texture dramatically refined."

"See visibly younger skin in just 7 days.

• Drop by drop, skin is infused with life.
• Vibrant with youth, skin looks as if lit from within - breathtakingly radiant.
• Skin's youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch.
• Skin's tone is astonishingly even; its texture dramatically refined."

Available in Concentrate 1.0 Fl. Oz. and 1.7 Fl. Oz.

Smaller 1.0oz costs $78 while the bigger 1.7oz retails for $98.

Not the cheapest thing ever, but it's worth its price!^^ After the first application my skin felt tighter (not in the dry way) and more moisturized. I used it every night before my night cream, and it did a big difference in 3-4 weeks (I used it for 5 weeks)!

Smooth skin, more even skintone which looks younger! I dare not to say it looked radiant, it might have been my imagination....Anyway, I loved the results!

(Lately youngsters - yes, I'm an old hag - address me the way used to address middle-aged or old people! #_# I gotta do something to look younger!!!!!)

A little goes a long way, 1-2 drops into your palms and pat it in. You have to be fast as it absorbs quickly^^

Lancome Génifique Eye:

Description: "The first Lancôme eye care that boosts the activity of genes and stimulates the production of youth proteins. Especially formulated for the delicate eye area, this unique gel-cream texture leaves the eye area feeling velvety.

Results: See visibly younger, brighter eyes in just 7 days. Dark circles and signs of fatigue seem to diminish, and the eye area looks fresh and luminous."  

0.5oz retails for $59 

Best eye cream, of sorry, serum ever!!! Actually, it is like a cream, texture and all. Love it to bits! Too bad I run out of it! >.< I'm sure I'll buy the full size product, but not this month HAHA

My eye area never felt this good before! Indeed velvety to the touch, while moisturized and strong feeling! Strong! That's very important for the delicate eye area.

It did helped to remove the smaller lines, however the deeper ones remained.

And the dark circles became a bit lighter too. They didn't disappear, and I think they never will, since the cause is too thin skin and not lack of sleep. And sadly, this is something there's no 'cure' or good enough concealer for.

Do I recommend these? YES =)

Smudging eyeliner? Here are some tips!

Reading the Lancome blog I realized I should share the knowledge in case you hate smudging eyeliners as much as I do. And I know you do!

I love how Lancome promotes itself among bloggers. What other brands are here? Illamasqua and Benefit. Do you know about others?

But they don't do giveaways, and since I'm such a shallow soul, that's a big minus for them!

But back to the reason I'm typing this.

We all know how annoying it is when eyeliners keep running and travelling down south, and we keep buying ones that promise extreme staying power. Let's say, Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes for example. Some swear for it, even buy the whole color collection and some curse it being deceptive.

I belong to the later.

Here is my review of MUFE. See the comments!

Well, I still use it and it still runs on me, but I still prefer it over other liners (okay, not gel liners =D)!

But!

I happened to realise if you set the foundation and/or concealer with a little powder before lining your eyes, it won't smudge! (I'm obsessed over Scott Barnes Loose Powder ATM) If you're ready with lining and all, you can add a bit more powder. I love the forementioned one because it's transparent so it doesn't alter any colors and is totally invisible.....aaaaand.....doesn't set into my fine lines nor does it make my skin look older.

I mentioned Lancome above, right? Well, Aaron de Mey, their MUA shared some tips how to avoid running eyeliners. It's way more complicated than my routine, but he's an expert! Knows his stuff! HEHE

I urge you to go and read the whole article, if you haven't! And then stick with them!

We are like a big family! LOL Good for the brand image! ^.^

Anyhow, I'm copying part of the advice:

"Apply a fine layer of concealer and a light dusting of powder to the under eye area and in dark corners closest to the bridge of the nose. Then apply the pencil in and around the lash line and blend with a soft, small, fluffy brush or the fingertips. Set the edges of the pencil with a lighter/neutral powder shade such as taupe or gray for a graduated/sophisticated look and this will prevent the edges from bleeding/smudging. Alternately, use a powder shadow in a similar or slightly lighter shade of your gloss pencil and apply it around the edges and/or lightly dusted over the pencil to give extra hold and intensity. Or use the Khol Gloss only on lids and use powder shadow under the eyes to shape and design them. This gives a glossy lidded effect whilst looking sophisticated and holding perfectly under the eye."

Hope I could help someone with this post!

Let me know what you think! Have other tips?

Lancome Color Fever Lipstick

Oh yes, another Lancome lipstick, but this time not a Color Fever Shine like last time, but a "mere" Color Fever.

Not much difference in the packaging. Only the pink is more like fuscia.

I got the color: Rose Defile

And LOVE it! so-so-so-so pretty!

COLOR FEVER delivers incredibly luminous, vibrant color. Color smoothly glides along your lips with sensuous comfort leaving lips feeling smooth and supple. LIGHT-MAXIMIZING PIGMENTS™ use light as a prism to bring you the most intense, lasting shine.

No need to compromise long wear for color, this lipcolor has it all – a long wear, hydrating texture that wraps your lips in cushioned comfort. Color stays true with no feathering or fading.

Not a nude pink/rose, but not overwhelming.

Creamy, glides on easily and not drying!

And lasts surprisingly long!

Since this has no glitter in it, I love it over the Fever Shine!

Lists for US$25 and I'd say well worth it! ^.^

In the end I'm gonna like Lancome's rose scent! LOL

Hit by a car!

Today I was hit by a car! Yes! But as you can see, I'm still alive!

I took this week as a fall holiday, ditch school and came home. By now you must have realized I'm a "mommy's girl" She's my only family and I depend on her words. I don't buy clothes without asking her opinion for example. Yes, it's that bad!......

Anyway, we went grocery shopping this afternoon. It gets dark soon, and the lighting on most of the streets in my hometown are crappy.

So this guy put his car in reverse and wanted to come out of a corner. We walked on the other side of the street and since he stopped the car we thought he had seen us, so we continued walking. It turned out he didn't see us, but payed attention to another car. And he fucking hit us in back!

Now, I have to say my English sucks enough not to be able to explain properly what happened.

The point is. we walked hand in hand and BUMM! Something bumped me in the back of my waist and calf. In a half moment I was with my face on the ground, my Mom also lying and moaning next to me. And everything I could think about was this bastard did it on purpose and he might even run over us. Since I felt no broken bones, I jumped up and marched to pull the man out of the car before he could run off. He was out in a blink and I shouted at him from my core, is he blind, couldn't see us?

He was sorry and wanted to call the police and ambulance, but Mom didn't want it. Thankfully she had no serious injury. (although now her whole right arm is swollen, hurts and all)

In the end we still went to shopping, but the man came and drove us home. He and his family tried everything to make us pleased.

Thanks God the shock was bigger than the injury!!!

Even an hour later I was still shaking. I have some scratches on my palms and a huge, throbbing purple spot on the back of my calf where the bumper hit my leg.

Most of all, I'm amazed of the human body...the muscles around the spine did a great job, it doesn't hurt at all, altough it got the bigger impact.

On more beauty related terms......I hunted down some stuffs this weekend since i had a 20% coupon and swatched away Sunday. I'm sorry to say I can't provide swatch photos, since my cam was not with me and my phone camera is not good enough for such purposes. Plus, even after rubbing my hands with Lancome's Bi-Facil to get off the eyeshadows and blushes, my skin turned out a weird mixture of colors and it was like a glitterball.....=/

Is Bi-Facil really supposed to be the best makeup remover????? If it is, then it does a really terrible job!!!!

The two most amusing stuffs I met was:

1. Chanel's Bird of Paradise eyeshadow quad. This is part of the 2009 holiday collection, I think.

The colors are nice, although too warm for me. There are good swatches here. I couldn't build up such strong colors, but they were great neverthless.

Anyway, I can't imagine myself wearing these colors @_@ Maybe with a different pairing...

The blush was quite for my liking. Made me feeling all Christmas-y......mmmm nice!

2. Guerlain's 2010 Spring collection: Paradis Exotique

Only the eyeshadow palette and the orangey gloss was thrown up to the top of the counter's shelf...next to the tissue box. I didn't want to believe my eyes! Is that the new style? HAH!

Anyhow, it was love at first swipe! The feeling of the shadows and the color they showed on my hand! aaaah

Here are Jen's swatches. I found the shadows a bit more vivid and not that faded.

The only gloss of the three that was "displayed" was Orange Interdite. I think. I'm not sure. The one that's such a pretty orange on the pic above. It's the same in RL too!

A nice orange-ish water layer with tons of friggin' green glitters! It's like "OMG close your eyes!"  Really interesting, however, I dunno how and what to wear it with. >_<

This is my promblem with the e/s palette too. You can't mix these colors for an everyday look. At least I can't. Maybe I'm boring, or whatever....two or (max) three of the colors might work with the perfect clothes and occasion, but it's definitely not something I'd go for on those hated early mornings.

I'd definitely take it out every other day and stare at it, swipe it across, but for the price it'd be a shame!

Lancome Color Fever Shine Lipstick

Before I start the actual review I have to share my adventures in Douglas Parfumery where I bought this lipstick.

I mentioned before that I have to travel between DV and GY. That means I have to go to the capital where the bigger brands have stores. They usually have only one flag store, and some parfumeries carry their counters. Like Douglas, Marionnaud and some Müller. The closest such shop is in Arena Mall: Douglas. They have YSL, Dior, Chanel, Lancome,Shiseido, Clarins and Estee Lauder counters. Also has Bourjois, Art Deco and BeYu counters, but those are irrelevant now. I can buy them cheaper elsewhere.

So there I go, 2 months of allowance on my account, ready to spend it all, then have my head shout off by Mom. Go into Douglas, pass my heavy bags to the cashier to take care of, grab a cart and boom, I'm spotted by a SA immediately. Great, I'll have myself pampered by this woman I thought to myself.

I tell her that I want a lipstick that's brownish, but not true brown or anything dark, since they look horrible on me. I want something "fallish". I make it obvious that I do NOT need lipglosses! I have enough and for winter I want something that will not stick into my scarf leaving nothing on my lips.

I say show me everything from the luxury brands, so we go around, this unsympathetic SA swatching everything on HER hand! Not mine....her! I tell her to check some eyeshadow palettes too. Even though I know they are overpriced and am not gonna buy any....

So she grabs a brush (some pretty ugly and crap-looking quality one) and swatches the shadows on her hand (again!), but she doesn't bother removing them when there's no more place. Even though we pass by many tissue boxes. She keeps swatching them on each other!!!!!! So the colors merge and I still oooh and aaaah every time!

Then comes her worst move! She never removed the excess from the brush, so after several purple, black, brown shades she just swirls it into a sparkly white pan and draws a line on her hand!!!!

Are you kidding me??? The color comes out as...as....something I can't describe!!!!

At this moment I have high doubts about her mental qualities. Anyway, we continue to look for THE lipstick I would fall in love. We restricted it to two contestants: Lancome and a Dior which looked amazing in the tube and on HER hand. I angled for this one. But once I tried it on, I was assured it wasn't what I wanted. So I told her that I wanted to try on the Lancome one. And you know what?????

SHE FUCKING MADE A FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turned and brought the lipstick. She made a face!!! You fucking ugly bitch! (she WAS ugly!) How dare you make faces at a customer?????? Be glad I'm willing to buy a shitty lipstick for $38!!!!!!

I wasn't helding her up! It's her work to serve me, the customer! And while it's true I'm indecisive, I was narrowing down my hits in record time. We only went around the counters once and I immediately picked the two lippies I liked the most! Most of the customers go in, put on makeup/parfume and leave. Without buying anything!

Am I overreacting? Tell me!

My Mom was so angry at me buying anything after such behaviour >.< I didn't dare to tell her I made a small haul in MAC too T_T

Aaaaaanywaaaaay, onto the "shitty lipstick" I bought for $38...You see it right. Not 25 bucks but 38! +/- 2USD depending on exchange rates.

Lancome Color Fever Shine - 204 Blazing Amber

Actually it looked better on me in the store. With natural light it's completely different. More of a warm color, which I try to avoid >.<"

Here are the swatches:

In non-existent autumn daylight:

With flash:

On lips:

It has plenty of gold sparkles, but I couldn't capture it on the photos. Anway, I happen to like the color.

And, oh, it has a bit of rose-oil scent. But not much, so it doesn't disturbes my senses. [I hate rose-oil scent BTW]

I think this color, Blazing Amber was discontinued or an LE, dunno, because I can't find it on Lancome's website.

Did you read the prelude or skipped it?

Just wait until my MAC adventures! HAH That's something of a mixture of funny-sad-blood-boiling.....

And this happened on the same day....