Primped look book 2011 and the goodie bag

GAAAAAASPPPP! *holds breath* GAAAAAAAAASSSSPP! My words exactly --- speechless. I finally got my early Christmas present, and what's inside really left me dumbfounded, shocked and in awe rolled into one. "Congratulations Primpette! You've nabbed a seat at the Primped look book!" Wait... what... me of all the people?? I looked at the email again ten times just to confirm that it's not a hallucination. Reality finally sunk in, and my initial reaction, other than to scream ecstatically, was to call my bestie to bring forth the good news and force her to tag along.

On the day itself, we were both nervous but equally excited for the look book event. It's our first time!  Before heading out, we had to stop by a toilet to do a quick touch up. My gosh!! The newly renovated toilets in David Jones are sooooooOOO awesome*you have to check it out*! They have an area where you can sit down comfortably and do your makeup. It actually reminded me of toilets in a 5 Star hotel lobby, only heaps better.

Me and my bestie Mei at David Jones toilet for a quick touch up

Right, we can't just stop taking photos. ^^

We couldn't stop taking photos while waiting for the first batch to finish.

Location : David Jones Elizabeth St. Lower Ground floor beauty section

I finally got to meet in person Eliza Ashe the acting editor of Primped.com.au .  She is soooo gorgeous! Her skin looks so healthy from my seat 4 rows away, and almost divine up close.

Opening remarks by Eliza Ashe the acting editor of primped.com.au

The key speakers of the night:

Paula from Comvita

Amy from Invisible Zinc

Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector

Invisible Zinc Foundation stick

Laura from Rimmel

Michael the Animation expert for Lancome

Lancome doll eyes

Louise from Burt's Bees

Burt's Bees sugar scrub and body butter

Justin from Prive

Prive products

Gina from OPI

Sample swatches from the latest collection of OPI

I really dig how they flawlessly organised and introduced their products to us. They meticulously demonstrated everything on their model's face and hair. Though it may seem to be a bit of info-overload for newbies, I found it very easy to follow. Along with giving industry-grade secrets, they also gave away valuable insights and tricks that I found really helpful for us consumers.

Here's a picture of me and Eliza. I know, I know... I look like a midget beside her hehehe. Oh well! I should've worn heels. Hehehe.=))

Me and the gorgeous Eliza

And of course, would I forget to show you what's inside our goodie bag? Tada!! *eye candy for me but might be an eye sore for you* lol!

Thank you Primped for such an awe-inspiring evening! My bestie and I surely had a blast!  Hope I'd get picked again for next year's look book event. *fingers crossed* :)

Have you been to a Primped look book event? How was your experience? Or perhaps, you've hauled-in some awesome freebies you'd like to talk about. Please feel free to share with everyone. 

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PS. I hope I've got all the names accurately.  If I made an error, please forgive me as I was just jotting them down as to how I heard them.  Feel free to correct me.

Disclaimer: I was randomly chosen to attend this event, hence they didn't know that I blog.

Think premium samples: Lust have it! is finally here

Hola!

Have you heard of your favourite beauty gurus rave about Birchbox from the US or Glossybox from the UK? Well don't wait any longer 'cause Australia has Lust Have It! They handpick 5 to 6 hair, beauty, and skin premium samples and deliver it right at your doorstep for $14.95.

My first Lust Have It

A welcome card

All of the products for the month of August

The first box contains :
1. Dermatologica Daily Microfoliant
2. Bioeffect EGF Serum
3. Burt's Bees Lemon butter cuticle cream
4. Naked Tan Goddess Bronze
5. Mirenesse Velvet lip plumper
6. Giorgio Armani fragrance Sport Code for your man

I was a bit skeptical at first since they are just about to launch their company.  "What if this is a scam?", were some of the thoughts at the back of my head. And to clear that, I emailed them while on a bus to Townhall on a Sunday afternoon.  Less than an hour later, to my surprise, I got a reply from Nicci Herra. Wait? A reply on a Sunday? That's cool man! She happily answered all my silly questions. And that sold me - a simple act of customer service.

I personally don't go to makeup or skincare counters in big department stores and ask if they can give me a sample.  In my numerous previous attempt, often times I get a stare of disbelief - then asks if I have a voucher. Well I don't.  The reason I ask for one is because I'm very much interested in the product but afraid to burn my pocket with a product that doesn't suit my skin.

My two cents:
Pros:
- delivered right at your doorstep anywhere in Australia
- price is right $14.95
- sample sizes are huge
- EXCELLENT customer service!

Cons:
- products may not be for you eg. like tanning lotions (an Asian like me would never use it)

Recommend for those:
- who live far from a city to get their hand on samples from the stores
- shy people who hates asking samples from dept store ladies for the fear of being pushed too hard in buying something they wanted to try first (I find that shops in Australia is not generous on samples compared to the US and Korea where they happily give it out to you)
- if you're the adventurous type who would love to discover the holiest of the holy grail

I'm impressed with the first box and have used all of them except of the tanning lotion. Try before buying the full size before finding out it's not what you want or not suitable for you.

Have you heard of Lust Have It?  Would you be interested in paying for premium samples?

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The nail bug finally caught me: How to do newspaper print nails!

Don't you love painting your nails, making them glittery, crackly and colourful?  I love doing my nails on a weekly basis and my toes every two weeks.  But here's the deal, my right hand does a wonderful job in painting my left hand nails but the left hand - pretty much stuffs up the other hand most of the time.  Here's one nail design that's fool proof for those with feebly hands like me. Newspaper Print Nails!  I thought it was so cool to recreate when I first learnt about this easy trick from Yaz Turker of Primped. So here's what you'll need:

1. Any type of alcohol (isoprophyl or the regular one). Here I used regular rubbing alcohol. You can even use vodka if you like. ^^ 

Regular rubbing alcohol

2. Nail polish remover

Bobbie Nail polish remover

3. Newspaper cut or torn into small pieces

Torn newspaper - small pieces

4. Some Qtips or cotton buds

Qtips or cotton buds

5. Your favorite nail polish

Your favorite nail polish

So let's start. Make sure you apply  your favorite base coat to your clean dry nails to protect your nails from turning yellow and to make your lacquers last longer.  Then apply your polish as you'd normally do.  Let it dry well.  I can't decide that day which polish to use so I tried 5 different ones to see which one will stand out.

Apply 2 coats of nail polish after your base coat

After 5 to 10 mins, dip your finger in the alcohol for 2 seconds (I tried spritzing them with an atomiser and it worked out just as well).

Dip into the alcohol

After dipping your finger into the alcohol, wrap the newspaper clippings onto the nail. Press it firmly for 10 to 15 seconds.

Press firmly for 10 - 15 seconds

The ink from the newspaper will be transferred to your nails and fingers.  At this point, you can now use the cotton buds and nail polish remover to clean the sides of your fingers or put a topcoat first to each nail then clean it afterwards.  I chose to do the latter so I could hit 2 birds in 1 stone by removing the newspaper ink from the sides of my finger and the excess nail polish marks on the side of my nails.

Tada! Finish with top coat then clean the sides

Hihihi.. I decided to play with my toe nails too! ^^

Hahaha! My foot with newspaper print!^^

This easy trick was on Mx (free newspaper) the day that I had fun with my nails. How cool is that?

Mx Newspaper

Isn't this very fun and easy to do?  C'mon, try it and tell me what you think.

Have a great week ahead! =))

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Get your freak on TAG!

I know I probably shouldn't be doing this now but I still am - currently at work *butt hit*.  This will be quick and fun.  The lovely Jyz did a tag post and I decided to give it a go so we can get a chance to know more about each other.  Shall we? 

Questions: 

#1. What's a nickname only your family calls you? 

Yaking. There's a cute story to it. My lola (granny) wanted to call me Inday - my Dad's family 
is originally from Cebu - but my mum refused for me to be called that name since she already
gave my lola the liberty to name my brother Dodong.  And since I cry a lot when I was a baby,
 they called me Yaking = Iyakin = Cry Baby.  Trivia: My older brother and I are only 363 days
 apart so there are 2 days in a year that we have the same age.

#2. What's a weird habit of yours?

I  make sure all the lights and power plugs are off before I leave the house. I'm trying to 
save a bit on electricity you know.

#3. Do you have any weird phobias? 

Flying cockroaches!  Yikes!

#4. What's a song you secretly love to blast and belt out when you're alone? 

Ring Ding Dong by Shinee.  I'm not Korean so I just sing the lyrics the way I hear it and the 
dance move is 'daebak'.

#5. What's one of your biggest pet peeves? 

When I hear someone saying, 'tsk tsk tsk'.

#6. What's one of your nervous habits?

I shake my legs or crack my fingers.

#7. What side of the bed do you sleep on? 

It depends if I have my period but most of the time on the left.

#8. What was your first stuffed animal and it's name? 

Oh this is a toughie. I seriously can't remember.

#9. What's the drink you always order at starbucks? 

Mocha Frapuccino please.^^

#10. What's a beauty rule you preach, but never actually practice?

I always wash my face at night to remove makeup but there are times that you are so tired, 
you literally just have to crash and sleep.

#11. Which way do you face in the shower? 

I face the shower where the water is coming from??

#12. Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'? 

I can make my ears move! =D

#13. What's your favorite comfort food that's 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways? 

Cadbury Caramello and Chips with gravy from Zac's chicken at Edgecliff.

#14. What phrase or exclamation do you say alot? 

I say 'Ay kokoy kang bata ka!' when I drop things or get shocked. If you ask me what it 
means, I honestly can't answer that - it's plain rubbish.  Ask a Filo friend, I'm sure they'll
give you weird looks.

#15. Time to sleep, what are you actually wearing? 

Pj's are the best!

I am tagging all of you, yes you!  Please feel free to do this and don't forget to let me 
know about it.

*excited to read yours soonies!*