Santa visited me twice: ABBW Part 1 - IMATS haul

I know it's only early October, but hey it certainly feels like Christmas has arrived a tad too early for me! We all feel giddy inside whenever we unwrap "Santa's" gifts on Christmas day, but I wonder how ecstatic you'd feel if there were two gifts waiting for you to open?! Pure bliss I tell you! Puuuure blisss! :) I got to experience this sensation just recently when I went to not one... but two make-up and beauty event over the past few weeks.

Those who have followed my recent post got know how I madly squealed when I finally got the tickets to attend the PRIMPED look book event. And three days later, I got an email from Kimmi Nissen of Plastic Diaries that I will take part in the inaugural Australian Beauty Bloggers Weekend. Two amazing events to attend, in a span of a week... Santa really knows I have been a good girl this year!  *wink*

We were given 5 hours to attend IMATS as the first part of the ABBW itenerary. So what is IMATS really? Think of it this way... it's like a make-up mecca where all girls go ga-ga over cosmetics! OK, this might give light to those of you who have no clue.

"The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show is the make-up world’s biggest event. Thousands of make-up artists, manufacturers and enthusiasts discuss, display and collect the best products the industry has to offer. Make-up professionals from fashion and film (including Oscar, BAFTA and Saturn award winners) provide education and demonstrations at IMATS, and new products often debut there. IMATS also features a make-up museum and an Afterglow party, where trade-show guests can socialize." - description from their website


I have seen some crazy videos of IMATS Los Angeles showing a jam-packed venue full of rabid women trying to haul as much products as they can before their favourite brands sell out. So in that spirit, I came to terms that I must do the same or something even crazier in IMATS Sydney. Like a soldier going into the frontline battle, I devised a "battleplan" in mind and listed them all down on paper in order to not forget. As the venue doors opened, all chaos broke loose! Everybody rushed in frantically and started looking for their brand's stalls and be the first in line. So what did I end up getting?

MAC haul

This is probably one of the hauls I'm very pleased of since I've been coveting most of these for several months now.

Fix + 

Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle 

Eye Kohl in Fascinating

Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved

Chromagraphic Pencil in NC42/NW35

Opulash Mascara Volume in Bad Bad Black

Eye Shadow pan in Arena

Travel Bottle 1oz/2

Stackable Travel Jars

Illamasqua haul

Most of the items in the Illamasqua store were the ones from their past collections.  I've seen most of them during their massive online sale not long ago.

Powdered Metal in Ether

Powder Blusher in Disobey and Tweak

Cream Blusher in Libido

Medium Pencil in Bait

Nail Varnishes in Victory and Propaganda

Makeup Forever haul

Makeup Forever in Australia is like digging for gold in a gold mine, it is very hard to source!  

HD powder

HD Primer in 0

UV Prime SPF 50++

Aqua Eyes 23L

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot

I have been wanting to buy this Auto Pilot Primer for months now and when it was offered with 20% discount, I just bought it. I didn't mind having 2 primers in my haul at all.

Inglot blush

I got 2 Inglot Face Blush in #21 for myself and a lucky reader.

Royal Langnickel brushes

Yeah I can hear you say, "Whadda?! 4 identical brushes! What was she thinking?" Well I got one for myself, my gorgeous sister, a good friend and a lucky reader. To celebrate my 1st year blogging-versary next month, I will be holding an awesome giveaway for a lovely reader very soon. Yay!

4 Silk Pro Foundation flat top brush C141

Silk Pro Taklon Blush C165

Silk Pro Synthetic Powder Brush C101-S

Silk Pro LG Smudger C445

Silk Pro Complexion C185

Master Pro Metal Lash Comb BPRO-147

Crown Brushes haul

Contour Blush C405

2 Flat Sponge Blender C161

Deluxe Crease SS012

Precision Detail C431

Deluxe Synthetic Retractable Kabuki Brush KB9

Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist

"Effectively cleans, rejuvenates and removes bacteria from pressed powders, eye shadows, cream foundations, etc."

Unii Palette

This is perfect to simplify your life in storing your eye shadows and blush refills.  I love the large mirror inside and how compact the size is.

Empty round containers

Sometimes when I travel, I try to avoid lugging a whole bottle of foundation or my favorite 1 litre lotion with me. Solution? Little air tight jars. Clever.

After this haul, I guess I'll be on a haul ban for quite some time. ^^

Have you ever been to IMATS? We're you like me who hauled until your heart got satisfied?

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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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Will you use an eyeshadow as a blush?

Illamasqua currently has a massive online sale for as low as 5 pennies that nearly made me go wack.  They're known for highly pigmented make up that's gorgeous and insanely high quality.  Instantly, my shopping cart was quickly filled with goodies until my "budget conscience" hit me on the head. Upon realising I couldn't afford those gazillion items in my cart, I slowly and painstakingly removed some items that I wouldn't likely use on my normal self. Here's what made the cut:

1. Powder Eye Shadow in Lick £5 , Hot coral pink - matt finish
2. Powder Eye Shadow in Trollop £5 , Warm peach - matt finish
3. Cream Eye Shadow in Exalt £5 , Warm apricot - satin finish


As you noticed, all these are warm colored shadows as I intend to use them as blush. Aha! A blush. Genius. Will you please raise your hand if any of you have finished a blush? Nope. Not me.  Lipstick, yes. But blush, I haven't. Now you see, they are perfectly sized for dipping your blush brush. Will it work? Why not.  If we can use lipsticks as blush, why can't  shadows be used on cheeks given they're matte or dewy?  Oh well.  I'll let you know if I succeeded in blending it nicely on my cheeks.

Have you tried it yourself? Let me know if you have.

Have a gorgeous day!

*I'll show you the other 2 items I got along with these 3. ^^

Review: Laneige White Plus Renew care for white and crystal clear skin

In a bid to have a clearer and fairer skin before heading back home for a vacay, I got this sometime in November last year.  However, I didn't use it until the first week of January since I was on a strict "finish what you've started" policy so products won't go into waste. 

Beautiful Special Gift Set 2

Laneige White Plus Renew set plus essence nd 

The Skin refiner and Emulsion bottles are made of sturdy thick glass.  It feels sophisticated in design when you hold it.



Usage Step of Laneige White Plus Renew Line

Beautiful Exchange

The Amnesty comes to Australia. 

Illamasqua Australia is calling a new year amnesty on make-up.

An amnesty that says...

No more average.

No more dull.

No more ordinary.

Illamasqua is giving 25% off on their entire range and all you have to do is bring your old, unwanted, or empty makeup container to any Illamasqua Myer counter.  Such a beautiful exchange don't you think? 

Revlon PhotoReady

I have been trying to finish my Revlon PhotoReady powder for ages and decided to give this up.  Curious on what I had exchanged?

Illamasqua's Cream Foundation

Tadaaah!  Illamasqua's Cream Foundation CF240 was my choice.  The lovely makeup artist did a colour match on me since my forehead is slightly darker than the rest of my face and gave me 2 options -CF233 or CF240.  I believe the latter is close to NC40 (my summer colour).  It's very pigmented.  A little swipe on the pan and it gives you enough colour.  Here's the product description:

Create a base that brings out the bold in you. Illamasqua Cream Foundation provides medium-full coverage and works with your skin to cover and enhance. It blends easily, allowing you to vary coverage as much or as little as you need, effortlessly balancing uneven skin tone and giving you the control to create a flawless finish. Comes in a mirror compact for touch-ups on the go.

Their Cream Foundation retails for $55 which I find expensive.  But with the 25% discount applied, I guess it's worth it since you'd only need a little everyday and should last me around 4 months.


Now you have to hurry as it ends on January 30!  Thanks to the lovely Beautyholics Anonymous for the tip!


Thank you for reading.  Stay happy! :)

My first Gmarket order! *warning: image heavy*

Half asleep in the morning while making my usual coffee, I heard someone banging on my door.  And Yes! Here comes my beloved Mr. Postman!  I was so happy and excited I cannot stop jumping right in front of him. Why? cause I wasn't expecting my order to arrive that fast.   As soon as he left, I started taking pictures so I could share it with you.  Let me now show you my haul!

See how big the box is!

there's another box inside and a bubble wrap

Etude House Oh m'Eye Lash 4,000 ₩

Dr. Mascara Fixer.  6,000 ₩

Proof 10 Auto Pencil in Black 6,000 ₩

Their proof 10 line means it's waterproof.

Proof 10 Eye Primer 5,500 ₩

Some people considers this as a good UDPP dupe.

The seller was so nice to throw in really cute post its and pads.

Everything from Etude House

Next are my items from Hera by Amore Pacific makers of Laneige , Etude House, Innisfree, Sulwhasoo, Mamonde, etc.

From L-R: Hera Precious Powder 33,600 ₩
Hera HD Foundation #23 35,600 ₩
Makeup tissue remover freebie

Top Part of the powder

This is how it looks when you open it.

Hera Precious powder includes a small powder pact perfect for those always on the go.

Has a neat sifter inside .

Remember her from IRIS, Love story in Harvard and Stairway to Heaven?
Kim Tae-hee is the current beauty ambassador of HERA.  She's uber gorgeous!

   

I bought my Etude house items from this shop: http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_seller_collection/seller_collection_main.asp?cust_no=DE1NR38zMDMxMMx3MTUwNDI2MDZ/Rw==&l_top_gd_no=171195682

And my Amore Pacific Hera items from this shop:
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_seller_collection/seller_collection_main.asp?cust_no=TExOR38TNzYxNg11NDYxOTgwNzl/Rw==&l_top_gd_no=183227176




Date of order from different sellers: 11th of November 2010 Thursday night
Arrival in Sydney: 18th of November 2010 at 9ish Thursday morning.  


Imagine buying items from different sellers, wherein they have to post them to the Gmarket warehouse then combine all my items so I receive it in 1 box.  That's some serious business, extremely efficient and quick.  Combined shipping for all the items were 31,800₩ however they refunded 9,000₩ to my GCash balance after checking the real weight.   How I wish they could put it back to my Paypal account.  (I hope Gmarket reads this.)  But that won't stop me from buying in Gmarket. Teehee.. ^^


Talk to you soonies!


PS.
I have received my 2nd Gmarket today and I am so happy.  I will show you my haul next time. =)


Disclaimer:  Every items you see here were my personal purchases and in no way represent any company.