Shu Uemura Murukami Collection

So the other day when I saw this collection on Instagram I knew I have to get it. Its the Shu Uemura Murukami and seldom this brand excites me with this much intensity.

Here's my loot.

Trying hard to be artsy fartsy with the gem biscuits.

So I got their Rouge Bloom lipstick which is a bright red in the tube but when swatched, it is this sheer true red with a sheen. Really love that the intensity of the colour is not in-your-face and it is buildable to your liking. 

A little close up on the art work. Looking at it makes me happy somehow ^_^.

Next in my basket is this Protective Moisture Primer in Beige to counteract my reddish skin tone. The texture of the product is really emollient and spread easily on my skin.

Best thing of all is that my skin love this stuff and immediately laps up the product. Another feature of this product that tickles my fancy is how lightweight this feels on my skin. Its literally like I'm wearing nothing. Plus, this primer has SPF 50 PA+++ thus if you are in a hurry, you can totally skip your sunscreen and apply this straight. Anything that saves time is in good books with me. 

Last item I got from the collection is their Clarifying Cleansing Oil. I have always been a fan of their oil as they don't sting my eyes and rid my face thoroughly of makeup. However along the way in my beauty adventure I side tracked and tried other brands to see if there are other alternatives out there. Hence you can imagine how excited I was to come back to this signature product. Definitely looking forward to give it a go. And can we just take a moment to admire the beautiful flowery bottle!?

I really love the collection as a whole (although I didn't get much but these 3 items are enough to impress me). Its a fun and unique collection that caters towards the younger generation. Do check them out at their counters.

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection Haul & Swatches

When you think of Christmas, you think about (well at least I think):

1. The songs "Silent Night" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"

2. Christmas Presents

3. Spices like Cinammon in literally everything (your drinks, your candles)

4. Public Holiday

5. Ballad or Christmas classics like "Ghost of Christmas Past", "Nightmare Before Christmas", "Polar Express" and "Nutcracker

I was extremely light headed when I saw images of the MAC Nutcracker Sweet Collection on Instagram and determined to get at least 2 items. Which two? Read on and I'll show you.

Was extremely lucky to attend the preview for the range whereby I manage to get my hands on one of the Face Compact before they sold out island wide. 

Items that I manage to score are a lipstick, a face compact and a blush (Magic Dust Powder they call it but I think its pigmented enough to be called a blush).

The lipstick that I picked is Amplified Creme Lipstick in Saucy Little Darling. There are a couple of other pink, red and purply shades but this particular shade speaks to me. 

Upon swatched, the colour on my skin tone shows this bright pink with a nice subtle sheen to it. I guess this is due to the Amplified Creme finish and I prefer it that way. There is a slight slip during application which makes it easy to apply across the lips without any tugging. On me, this lasted for approximately 4 hours before showing signs of fading. 

Next purchase here is Sweet Vision Magic Dust Powder or a blush with highlighting properties in my opinion. Here's why...

Well, can you just take a look at that swatch. Sweet Vision comes off as a light coral with tiny gold flecks in it. Its very pigmented and I only need to dip my brush lightly into the pan for a nice flush of colour on the cheeks. Compared to the other powder, Yum Yum Yum (a nice baby pink), this one performs much much better as YYY does not give as much colour payoff as I'd like to. 

Another thing that catches my eyes is the star embossment in the pan. Its too pretty and the good news is, it continued to stay on even after a couple of swatches and dipping of the brush. Thumbs up there...

Now here comes the highlight, is the Nutcracker Sweet Peach Face Compact (notice how the names all starts with the word "Sweet"? So cute right?).

Can we just take a minute to enjoy the packaging? 

Its covered in pink stripes and gold thread detailing. Its absolutely stunning.

And then, when you open the packaging, lo and behold, 2 breathtaking prints welcome you. I need to take another minute here. **hyperventilating**

Actually I was pretty sad that I did not acquire the Copper Face Compact as the highlighter in there is gorgeous (also known as the infamous Whisper of Gilt). Nevertheless, I am still in love with this one.

As you can see, the highlighter if applied heavy handedly, you'll get a layer of "white coloured" shimmer. But I do like how it gives a gorgeous sheen when apply lightly and blended out. The blush is a pretty soft pink with a subtle sheen. The texture of the powders are not really on the soft finely milled side but I do appreciate that they did not emphasise my pores or just "sits" on my skin. Do note that prolong used of the powders will result in the vanishing of the patterns so... Yeah, this is going into my "Untouchables".

Overall, I looooooooovvveeeee this collection a lot, from the packagings to the product themselves are all on point and I would definitely recommended everyone to get their hands on these before they sold out quickly. 

Beauty Haul | MAC, Maybelline etc.

OH, finally, back... Home sweet home. Well, come to think of it, I'd rather be in Europe having fun and relax then coming back facing reality. A coward act, I know... But I don't care. Europe is heaven and I had been having the best time of my life :)

So, I've been consolidating my photos from Europe thus they won't be up on this blog too soon until I finish sorting them out. Looking at those happy smiley photos is a torture. Its like travelling back through time but with a dagger in the heart, if you know what I mean. But anyway, I shall not rant and I'll make sure those good memories stay with me for the rest of my life (well, unless I'm hit with Dementia or something).

Alrighty, let's get on with the haul. This is a long overdue haul and the photos has been sitting in my laptop for ages. I didn't acquire much but still, a haul doesn't come by very often, so enjoy ^_^

Maybelline Hyper Curl Volume Express Waterproof Mascara (I solemnly swear that this is one of the best mascara in the whole world and I do mean way up there with Urban Decay Canonball mascara, my all time favourite)
MAC Cleansing Oil
MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow (heard so many good reviews on this product, will try and let you know)
Cathy Doll Mademoiselle Sweet Blusher in Paprika Baguette.

Instagram Round Up (Part 2)

So here comes the 2nd part... Instagram here

Just a side note, there won't be any posts up next week as I would like to take a break from blogging while I recover from my jetlag (yes, I have anticipated that). 

Oh, and if you're curious, the countries that I'm travelling to is London -> Amsterdam -> Germany -> Austria -> Switzerland -> Italy -> France. The boy and I are joining this international group tour call Contiki (seems to be exclusive for youngsters as they impose this age restriction of under 35). Thus, there will be some days when we are guided and some days we are free to roam around which is good as we kind of have the best of both world. 

Alright, enough of me babbling about my trip (you can sense how excited I am)... Enjoy...

Instagram Round Up (Part 1)

As I'm on holiday for these few weeks (yup, few weeks, lucky me ^_^) to Europe **cue happy music and dancing around**, so here's just a quick round up of what I usually put on my Instagram account. If you haven't follow me already, please do by clicking here. 

As you may have noticed, I mostly post pictures of makeup, beauty, trips, food and things that are going on in my life. What can I say!? I'm as random as that... Hope you like it...