Shiseido - The Makeup Gloss and Shimmering Stick

Awhile ago I mentioned that I scored some good deals at the Shiseido annual warehouse sale. I've finally found the time to swatch it for you guys! At the sale I purchased the The Makeup Glosses in G1 - Champagne Sparkle and G4- Petal Pink; the Shimmering Stick in SL1 and the Perfecting lipstick in P8 (Shy Pink). I believe the glosses retail for $20 and the lipsticks for $30 but I purchased all for $10 a pop because I think these are from the 2008 line (don't think they are discontinued yet though). 

The glosses are very glossy (evident in the swatches below) and make a very good combination with the lipsticks or can be worn alone. The shimmer stick in SL1 is very moist and has a very glossy finish, but I think it works better with Champagne Sparkle on top. If you wear it alone, think of having frosty nude lips because of the glitter.... The Perfecting stick in Shy Pink is a matte coral pink (don't know why it's that red in the photo - refer below for a more representative shade). I love this lipstick because it's hydrating and glides on like butter - with no friction at all!

I'm off to prep for Canada Day! No work = lounging at the beach. Don't be too jealous =P

P.S. Just wanted to say hi to my new readers (:

Vasanti Tinted Lipbalm is LOVE!

My fellow blogger Macnunu has tweeted that Rexall is having a 50% discount on all their lip products. Too bad I already picked up my Revlon Colorburst Soft Nude for $10 several days ago! But, I couldn't help buying some more Colorbursts. I mean who can resist a sale! If there is a nearby Rexall to you, I recommend dropping in and browsing through the selections of drugstore lipsticks!

What I wanted to talk about today is Vasanti's tinted lipbalm. Because of the Rexall sale I picked up one of their lipbalms to try out. Vasanti Cosmetics is owned by three Canadian women and became an organization in 1998. Apparently, this cosmetics line was originally created to cater to women with more "exotic" looks. I don't want to define"exotic" so interpret as you please =P Vasanti also claims their products are not tested on animals (yay!).

There are reviews out there on Vasanti's Liquid Cover Up which is already a really popular product. However I decided to test the waters with their tinted lip balm. I picked up Bahamas, which is a brownish plum shade and according to Vasanti's site is one of their top sellers. Vasanti's tinted lipbalm uses ingredients like vegetable oil, seed oil, beeswax, shea butter (which is why it's very moisturizing), mango seed butter (sounds exotic and yummy), BUT it does contain paraben.

♥ PROS:
-very moisturizing!
-moderate selection of colors
-almost no taste at all
-glides on really smoothly like butter
-made in Canada... =D

♥ CONS:
-pricey at $15 when tinted balm from burt bees is 1/3 of its price (but get it 50% on sale now at Rexalls!)
-not widely available -- it's available at Rexalls/SDM for CDNs and at Ultas for Americans.
-contains paraben, so if you're allergic.... avoid :(

This is how it looked on my lips (with nothing else on my lips). Top is no flash and bottom with flash. I don't know why the color looks so vastly different but (reuploaded!!) it's definitely more pink than coral and more purple than pink ha! The color on your screen may not be a true representation of what it will look on your lips since my lips are fairly dark in nature but all I can say is that it makes my lips so soft! 

Has anyone else tried Vasanti before? Also who has picked up Revlon's Colorburst lipsticks!? I have Soft Nude, Soft Rose and Carnation. But Blush is sold out! *cries*

A Mini Haul

Collectively, my sister and I are slowly updating our makeup collection by adding and deleting piece by piece. I think it's more of a concern for me since I still have mascara and concealer from university. But then again, my sister uses expired sunscreen.

I ordered the Shiseido Integrate lipstick in shade #399 last week and the box arrived a tad dented, but still in good condition!

(Photo credits: I transferred my entries from my previous blog)



The color looks like it could be a deep hot pink but it's actually quite sheer and not as pigmented as I'd imagined. It's a nice color but I was looking for a lighter more baby pink for a spring/summer look. I guess that's my cue to do more hauls! ^__^

This is Lancôme's blush in Miel Glace and was $34CDN! The packaging was nothing exciting but at least had GWP (some of Lancome's best products face/hand creme is included). Unfortunately the makeup case is pretty fugly and undermines the concept of beauty....

I bought MUFE's HD primer in Mauve from Sephora to test out since I've heard great reviews on it. I was debating between this and the one in green that reduces redness but I think I tend to emit sallow yellowness more often (you know, being Asian and all). I also purchased Maybelline's eyebrow pencil to experiment with. I know I have eyebrows but sometimes I think they deserve to be pampered and given more attention. Side note, when I was a Sephora, I noticed that the beauty consultants are rather low in standards. The one who tried to offer me her services had three very noticable flaming pimples that looked ready to be popped. Yes, that offers quite a lot of encouragement for customers to purchase their products. Not to mention, she also had a very heavy chinese accent so it made it really difficult to ask her about specific products I was looking for. Okay, can't really flame her for her lack of English skills because I'm sure Kevin Beautymaker from 女人我最大 can't speak a lick of English either, but he can sure create amazing makeup looks.

I truely believe these pumps from Forever21 were a steal at $15. Mr.W doesn't like them because they aren't "bling bling" enough, but really, what does men know about shoes, unless they're gay, shoe sales men, or both.