Haul-Review / Makeup Tool: Drugstore - Beauty Blender & Smashbox

Drugstore was offering a 2-day 20% discount off my purchase and I went ahead with the Beauty Blender that I've been lemming for since I first laid eyes on it.

The set I bought comes with 2 egg-shaped sponges and 1 bottle of cleanser. The online price is USD39.95 before discount. The Smashbox eyeshadow (USD28.00) was just an impulse buy to sort of defray the shipping cost.

Shipping to borderlinx is free and shipping from Boderlinx to SG came up to approximately SGD20.00.


Item Name: Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge
Size: NA
Price: USD39.95
Available At: Drugstore.com
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com

Product Description from Manufacturer:

Now you can look like a movie star without the pricey services of a major make up artist. Introducing Beautyblender, the ultimate make up sponge applicator. Invented by top Hollywood make up artist Rea Ann Silva, Beautyblender has been created to leave you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. Silva knows that the key to a perfect face is simple: a perfect blend. So forget your fingers or sharp-edged triangular sponges, these application methods waste make up and can leave visible streaks.

Beautyblender’s patent-pending elliptical shape makes application foolproof by allowing you to access hard-to-reach areas with stunning ease. Its suede texture is sensual to the touch and its unique curves fit the contours of your face, leaving your make up dazzling and undetectable. Beautyblender is latex free, non-allergenic and odor free.

Why I bought it:
I read about this product when I was doing research on makeup sponges some time back. Many celebrities and famous bloggers raved about this little miracle worker. And being someone who is always after a flawless skin finish, I finally decided to take the plunge and try out this product.

Packaging:
Elliptical shaped makeup sponge in bright shocking pink. Product is housed in a clear box. It comes with a plastic canister stand, this is to allow the sponge to dry when not in use.

Texture:
Similar texture to that of a normal sponge except that there are no sharp edges.

Price:
For a makeup sponge, it is EXPENSIVE! Which was why I took so long to finally decide on this purchase. The instruction says it can last for 3 months , given daily usage. I hope it does.

Road Test:
On the first day, I decided to try it dry with foundation dabbed straight from the back of my hand and onto my face. It didn't really wow me at all. In fact, it absorbed too much foundation, resulting in wastage and the finish was patchy and thick, probably from too much foundation.

On the second day, I decided to try it wet as per the recommendations from the website. The product swells to double it's size when wet.

This time round, instead of dabbing foundation from the back of my palm, I decided to spread the foundation on my face first, like what I would usually do. I then even out the foundation by stippling.

This time round, there was less wastage and the finish had a air-brushed feel to it. However, I spent a good amount of time to ensure that the stippling did not create any uneven patches. The finish was nice but it took too much of my time. Plus, I ended up with an uneven finish due to my less than stellar proficiency with stippling.

The third day, I decided to try it dry again. But this time round, I used it the same way as my normal sponge. The result, a smooth finish without the usual streaks. Top it with loose powder and the result is a velvety smooth and polished finish!!! I'm totally in love with it!!!!!

I also find that this sponge works better with foundations that has a thicker consistency. However, be cautioned of patchiness though.

Verdict:

This is one of those products that works very well, given that you found that one method that works for you.

This product is good but given the price and function, I find that it's a little over-priced. There are other alternatives out there that may do the same job at a fraction of the price. Example would be Sephora's Precision Sponge and Sonia Kashuk's Blending Sponge. In addition, it's currently not available in Singapore and have to be ordered in from USA.

Haul: Tangs - IPSA Pure Protect Foundation + Pore Clear Base

Tangs was having their closed door Christmas Preview Sale on 16 Nov 2010 and I decided to get the Ipsa foundation that I've been lemming for so long now.

The crowd wasn't as bad as I thought when I got there in the evening and I went straight to the counter. I was contemplating between the liquid and cream foundation but I went for the liquid in the end as I liked the texture better.

IPSA Pure Protect Liquid Foundation in 100

SGD63.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

The BA matched me to 100, the lightest available shade and I was kind of taken aback since I usually sit on the second lightest shade instead of the lightest. However, the BA explained to me that since I'm more inclined towards neutral, 100 suits me the best. She tested on my jawline and I have to agree with her.

I've already opened the bottle to try as I write this post.  And the foundation matched my skintone perfectly! It almost became my dupable HG until it started to melt on me by afternoon. But it does have a lot of potential.Will do a review entry on it when I find time.

IPSA Pore Clear Base

SGD48.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

I also bought their Pore Clear Base. This is supposed to help fill my pores and cover light freckles. As usual, it's the pores that I'm more concerned about.

IPSA Foundation Sponge

SGD13.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

Lastly, I got the foundation sponge to top up to SGD150.00 to enjoy a direct 10% off on top of the Tangs 12% rebate.

As usual, the BA stuffed me with lots of their latest Metalbolizer sample to try out.

For those interested in Ipsa products, please note that the one and only one Ipsa counter in the whole of Singapore is located at Tangs Orchard.

Haul: Random buys in June

Been away.. Was kind of depressed over the week as I lost my brand new laptop! Well, technically, I didn't lose it but rather, a cab driver took off with it in the boot. I was so shocked by what happened that I didn't get the license plate. It was a brand new laptop just out from the shop.

I was more angry with myself than with the cab driver. First, I shouldn't have put it in the car boot. There was enough space in the back seat for it. And I should have asked for the receipt. But the cab driver was so nice that I was caught off-guard. I shouldn't have been so trusting, remember, low crime doesn't mean NO crime.

Anyway, I lodge reports with the police, LTA and the cab company. Although chances of getting it back is slim, but I still want to put it in record that there is an errant cab driver on the prowl.

This entry is for the random buys that I did for the month of June. June is not only my birthday month but also the month of the Great Singapore Sale (GSS).

Not a lot of stuff as I'm trying to curb my spending. Oh well, living in Singapore meant that there are sales going almost all year round. There's always next time.

First up is MAC 217 brush. It's a my second MAC brush. This is a much raved eye makeup brush and I was totally won over. It's so soft and blends my eyeshadows very well. The best part is that I paid for it with my Isetan vouchers that I redeemed with my Isetan points. So, this brush came almost as free!

Next is the Lunasol 2010 Summer Collection, Nature Summer Blue EX01 Eyeshadow Quad (S$77.00). I've been lemming this quad ever since Rouge Deluxe and Fuzkittie featured it. So I decided to get it when it launched in Singapore on 18th June 2010.

Friends of mine know that I'm a blue eyeshadow lover. A lot of people are scared of blue eyeshadows but they are one of the colors that actually works for me. And Japanese seems do well in this arena.

I'm totally in love with the deep blue!!

Ok, what else???..... Oh yes, I purchased a Fancl sunscreen. Due to my sun-phobic nature, I'm very into sunscreens. I currently own.. hmmm.. about 6 bottles of sunscreens. All of different brands.

My ma thinks I'm totally insane. She's an advocate of sunscreens since I was young but I think I've outshone her. Wonder how many sunscreens my daughter will own next time. Anyway, picked this up because I had quite a good experience with it previously. The only thing I don't like about Fancl products is that they expire way much faster than I can use it up. 75days after I've opened the bottle, I'll have to toss it.

I also stocked up on some essentials during the GSS period.

MAC makeup sponges and brush cleaner. Truth to be told, I'm not exactly a connoisseur when it comes to makeup sponges. So far, MAC makeup sponges have worked well for me and so, I've been hooked on it ever since.

The MAC brush cleaner was a purchase I decided after reading somewhere that normal shampoo do not do a good job when it comes to disinfecting. And so, I bought this so that I can give my brushes a good clean. I'm a germ & dust-phobic when it comes to the things that I put on my face. To the point that I rather buy the wrong foundation shade home, then to have the BA test it on my face. I once saw this lady who took the tester lipstick and applied straight on her lips. Yew, I was totally turned off and horrified by what I saw.

Next up is the Clinique's Liquid Facil Soap (Mild) - S$35.00. Another staple of mine that I've grown to love. This product does a good job of cleaning without stripping moisture off my face.

Lastly, is the Laneige Perfect Renew Skin Refiner (S$53.00). Another staple of mine. I had a bad reaction when I first used it but now, it's one of my holy grail. I'm already in my Nth bottle!!