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 2nd Gmarket Haul = LOVE!

Hooray for GMarket!

Addicted might be an understatement, but shopping at Gmarket has been pretty much fun.  If you have read my first haul, you'd be aware that while I was writing that, my second order had just arrived!  As always, I was pretty ecstatic jumping up and down!  The postman asked me what it was and I answered him with a full smirk.  He said "Oh no! Not for your face again my dear."  Errr.. well not everything.  It's just that girls can't have enough of these little babies.

Huge box from EMS Korea

Looks can be very deceiving.  I can carry this humongous box with one finger.  Ok maybe two..  

Multiple small boxes inside the huge box

Boxes from different sellers sent to Gmarket warehouse for international shipping.  I wonder if they have used a smaller box, would the shipping cost be lower?

Morning glory refill 

Aren't these adorable? It's only 500W each and fits perfectly in my stunning red multi planner.  Now I can change the pages of my planner according to my mood!
Seller: mnf24
Delivery: 2,300W is charged if the total amount is less than 50,000W.
Bonus: 5 miles each 

Etude House square cotton pads

I have no idea why I got these but boy did I give in because of the cute packaging and its price.  Indeed I was surprised when I opened one and realised it was of good quality.  I'm a happy buyer! :)
Seller:  Koseuji
Price:  4,900W for 6 boxes of 100s
Delivery:  Free for any amount

Cute bag organiser 

Now this is a winner!  It may be smaller than what I expected it to be but I got this for only 1,600w ($1.41US) plus 2,500w delivery!  I don't know how they managed to do it and still earn from it.  With the quality this good, I'd definitely grab all the other colours.
Seller:  Instead
Delivery: 2,500w
Current Price: 1,300w

Hera Mineral Powder  refill #1 Beige skin

Basing on pictures and my ever-reliable assistant, google translate, I got to choose which items I want.  It also helps if you know how to read a bit of Hangul, which I do.  However,  on my first Gmarket order, I made a mistake.  I chose the precious powder instead of the mineral powder.   Still, I am happy with both.  This one is a refill that has shimmer to it. :)  Very different from the matt precious powder.  I am bit disappointed that the seller didn't throw in any samples at all.  Perhaps I was expecting a bit too much?
Seller: Beauty Love
Delivery: Free
Price: 20,700w
Bonus: 1 Gstamp

Cosline Flower Cheek Blush Shimmer Coral #5 7,100 free del

Since I cannot fully understand Korean,  I trusted my bestfriend google translate again.  It didn't say that I'll be getting a free lipgloss but the picture imposes lippie + blush.  Haven't tried the blush but what caught my attention was the soft brush included.
Seller:  Deocheonsa
Delivery:  Free
Price: 7,100w
Bonus: 71 miles

Danahan Essence samples

Eager to try out samples before buying the full size expensive bottle?  You must visit this store!  The seller offers a wide range of items from skincare to makeup.  What made my day was the free mask they included. :)
Seller: Small to ATS atsmall
Delivery: free
Price: 4,900w 
Current Price:  5,900w
Offers: 30 miles, Free gift, 1 Gstamp, 1% discount if buying at least 5 items

Laneige Multicleanser

I've had this on my wish list for months.  I was honestly happy with The Face Shop cleansing foam in peach but I just knew deep down inside that I have to try this one.  You can say that I am a fan of cleansing foam that removes makeup.  It just saves me time from all the oil and makeup remover.  What kept me from buying was the hefty shipping cost until I found this on Gmarket.  It took me hours to find the seller who sells it the cheapest.  I also had a 3,000w discount coupon to use on makeup or skincare items worth more than 30,000w.  Fox Weapons threw in a face mask, which I really appreciated. 
Seller: Fox Weapons
Delivery:  Free
Price: 17,900w each
Offers:  Stamp, Free gift


Speedy speedy delivery as always!  Arrived within 6 days from the date of purchase.


Stay Happy and till my next haul! :)

Favourite products for the month of January!

Happy 2011, the start of the new decade!  Yay!  I'm planning to start fresh by watching what I eat and exercising more.  Seems a bit cliche but it's true and I hope it lasts.  Do you have a New Year's resolution of your own?


I've used tons of products over these past few months and these babies earned 5 stars from me! =)

Shiseido Crystallizing Aquafix

"Product description:  Shiseido Crystallizing Aquafix is a smoothing and retexturizing system. Shiseido Crystallizing Aquafix 's water-based gel formulation enables hair to straighten out with silky smooth and finish with a long lasting 'moist slippery look'. 


After having my hair straightened early last month using Shiseido Crystallizing Straight for the 3rd time in 2 years, my hair became too dry.  I started buying hair care products, serums, balms, softening hair masks, etc. but most of them didn't satisfy what I really wanted for my hair so I ended up searching for blogs regarding hair care for straightened hair.  Alas!  I felt like I've found what I've been looking for.  It really lived up to its promise making my hair silky smooth and easy to manage without making my hair greasy at all.  I got this item from this shop."

Toni & Guy Straight & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner

I tried looking everywhere (online shops and salons) for the Shiseido Crystallizing shampoo and conditioner but can't find it.  In my desperation to find an alternative, I saw these two on sale at Priceline and told myself to give it a try.  The shampoo cleansed my hair without drying it too much.  The conditioner makes it soft and didn't weigh my hair down like other conditioners do.  The pack includes a heat protection spray that smells great too!

The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam in Peach 170ml

"Product Description:  The Face Shop Peach Cleansing Foam can develop into rich fine lather with a sweet peachy scent. 100% natural botanical extract, it penetrate deep into pores to remove all make up, dirt and impurities, using circular motion massage to enhance blood circulation. 

Enriched with peach extract and 8 different herbal nourishing extract, keeping your skin nourished, feeling relief, soft and supple."


Another product I absolutely adore as you can see, it's finished!  I have a combination skin and this doesn't make me flake.  It effectively removes makeup, cheap, and doesn't break me out.  Need I say more?  Got it from here.

Hera HD Foundation SPF15 in #23 True beige

L:  Swatch on my hand
R: When blended

I'm a MAC 30-35 and #23 is almost perfect for my skin tone.  It's a bit lighter for my liking and so I finish it with powder that's a tone darker than my skin.  It feels very light on my face feeling like I've got nothing on but don't be fooled by it cause for me it has a medium coverage.  It has a nice flowery scent that lingers for a few minutes so to those who are allergic to fragrance, get a sample first before buying the full size.  Got this from momo at Gmarket.

Paul and Joe Pressed powder duo in medium

The pan is showing itself from being used almost everyday.  The left moon shape is the shimmer and the bigger part is the fine milled powder.  I just got this out of curiosity since it was on sale at Asos and at that time, they are offering free shipping all the way to Australia.  I must say I am impressed!  Not too shimmery and not too matte at all.  It gives you that healthy glow look without the greasy and heavy feel.


So what's your favourite for the month?


Stay happy and well! =D

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.