Pages

20 September, 2015

Singapore beauty haul 2015 part 1: The drugstore edition



If you follow me on Instagram you'd probably know that a Singapore beauty haul post was in the works - I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long! I initially decided to split the haul into two posts starting with the drugstore items first, but to be honest I'm now strongly considering doing this in three posts because I did quite a bit of hauling from Korean green beauty brand Innisfree and I don't want to overwhelm anyone - including myself.  

Okay, so I'll start off small(ish) with the drugstore haul. For the sake of splitting the load I've also included one brand, Missha, that isn't strictly drugstore but I don't consider it a high end department store brand either so the drugstore category was the best fit.  Right, so without further ado I've sorted most of this post out by brand...


Catrice

Catrice is one drugstore brand I've been curious about for a few years now.  While Catrice's more youth-oriented "sister" brand Essence has been available in Australia for the last 5 years or so, we've yet to see the more sophisticated Catrice line widely available - if available at all -  down here.  For the most part I've been a fan of Essence as providing great quality at a very low price point so I jumped at the chance to grab some Catrice items when I spotted the stand at a Guardian drugstore.  My one regret is that I didn't buy any of their lipsticks.  Having done my research after returning I've read that Catrice Ultimate Colour Lipsticks are well pigmented and very long lasting compared to their Essence counterparts.

Being new to the brand I made some very safe and neutral choices. Starting from the top:
  • Absolute Eye Colour Monos - I chose two matte shades to be worn either together or alone, going for taupe (350 Starlight Espresso), and beige (870 On The Taupe Of The Matt Everest).  Initial swatches on the back of the hand are promising as these don't feel as chalky as Essence mattes have been in my experience so I'm looking forward to wearing them.
  • Illuminating Blush (010 I Am Nuts About You) - This line of blushes looked so pretty and I went for what might have seemed the most 'boring' choice but, fear not, this produces the most luminous peachy glow with just a little bit of sparkle - I'm swatching as I write and getting pretty excited about this blush!
  • Defining Blush (020 Rose Royce) - I am now kicking myself just a little for not choosing at least one pink blush from this line because Rose Royce is effectively another peach, although this is a more subdued and natural matte version for everyday.
  • Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer (005 Light Nude) - I can't resist my highlighting pens! I'll throw this into my makeup bag as soon as I'm done with my current Maybelline highlighting concealer.



  • Ultimate Nail Lacquer (66 Blue And A Half Men) - This polish caught my eye as it looks like the kind of blue that's popping up everywhere this season.


Silkygirl

I made one repurchase and a few extras from this brand:
  • Moisture Rich Lipstick Lipstick (Limited Edition 01) - I rationally know I don't need another red lipstick but I was a little seduced by the shiny silver bullet and the lightweight and glossy lippy formula when I tried it in the store.
  • Moisture Smooth Lipstick (06 Juicy Pink) - Juicy Pink is another lightweight, buildable lip colour in a warm, medium toned - you guessed it - pink.  Spring influenced my decision here! 
  • Magic BB Powder Foundation (01 Ivory) - Of course I bought another pan of my favourite BB powder because this covers and mattifies like no other I've tried so far.  It's ready and waiting in the wings for summer.


Missha

I found a Missha store near my closest train station and there were some items 70% off so I indulged just a little buying these few items:
  • Signature Glam Art Triple Lips SPF 10 (TVL01) - This liquid lip colour can apparently be layered and built up from a tint to a full glossy lipstick in three coats.  What can I say? I was intrigued and I'm wondering if it's going to be a Korean version of YSL's Glossy Stains. TVL01 is a very nondescript label for the vibrant raspberry pink you can see peeking through the side of the tube.
  • The Style Lucid Nail Polish (VL01) - A violet-pink cream nail colour that will be gracing my fingers and toes as the weather warms up. Say no more.


A few Sasa picks

In times gone by I may not have shown such restraint in a Sasa store but I kept it very contained this time around.  Normally I'd buy loads of sheet masks etc but I'd already bought some from Innisfree so I just got a couple of colour cosmetics:

  • Wet n Wild Coloricon Eye Shadow Palette (The Naked Truth) - Neutrals again! I remember overlooking this very palette in Hawaii last year so I snapped it up without hesitation this time. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with having 50 variations of beige and brown...
  • Gosh Cosmetics Natural Blush (43 Flower Power) - This is such a pretty peachy-pink blush that blends like silk.  I've heard great things about Gosh blushes so now I'll find out for myself if the hype is justified.

***************************

Part 1 of my Singapore beauty haul for 2015 done and dusted - 
Let me know if you're interested in any in-depth reviews or swatches and I'll be happy to oblige!

Until next time...

18 comments:

  1. You did very well with Catrice :D Too bad it's not available in Australia, they really have great products <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still have the Catrice polishes you sent me Ina!

      I have my fingers crossed the brand does make it to Australia because Essence is so popular down here :)

      Delete
  2. Nice! I wish Catrice was available here in Canada. Maybe some day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah maybe someday down here too! I don't get overly excited much these days when it comes to makeup but these little items did whet my appetite to try more at some point!

      Delete
  3. I haven't seen a good old fashioned haul post in so long, lol - everything is nice and shiny and new! Nice picks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thanks Liz! It's nice to see you still enjoy shiny new things in the midst of your downsizing. I think the two can coexist nicely when you've got the collection down to exactly where you want it - then you can admire the odd new item or two occasionally on an as needs basis of course!

      Delete
  4. Awesome haul, really wanna try Catrice, have heard so much about it !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think Catrice has been available in Singapore all that long so maybe there's hope it will travel further down south!

      Delete
  5. Ohhh you picked up some beautiful products. Love the Catrice blush!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oooo! Glad to see you got some beauty goodies when (visiting?) singapore! I'm from singapore and I've been sooo happy that we have Catrice and get lots of their products whereas although we have Essence, we don't get as many of the products from their full line and LE collections (ie. gradient blushes) I personally love the single shimmery shadows from Catrice, their single blushes and liquid foundations. I've seen that illuminating blush and totally have been tempted...I might just go back and get it now! Hope everything works well for you! Silky girl tends to be over looked but they really do have decent lip products, their duo shadows are also really good and their base products if you can find a match are good too! Looking forward to part 2!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sharlynn! I visit Singapore as often as I can to the point that it feels like a second home and very familiar to me - and I am growing my small circle of Singaporean friends too :) I'm very pleased with the Catrice products and I agree that Silkygirl deserves a little more love! Part 2 will be on the way soon - got to get a few product and brand reviews out of the way first but all the pictures have been edited and are ready to go!

      Delete
  7. I hope Catrice comes to Canada soon. I've read 350 Starlight Espresso is similar to MAC Copperplate, one of my favourite shadows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read that about Starlight Espresso too! I don't have MAC Copperplate to compare but Starlight Espresso is a gorgeous cool matte taupe that will definitely see a lot of wear!

      Delete
  8. I have two single Catrice shadows that S picked up for me in Germany once. They're nice, although I guess I don't need more - but they are nice for drugstore equivalents!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't help myself when it comes to new brands - I've read wonderful things about Catrice so I needed to find out for myself!

      Delete
  9. What a lovely haul, so happy that you are sharing your purchases with us! Those Catrice blushes look lovely, and such wearable colours was a smart move, you can definitely have lots of fun with those classics (I love the funny names of them, though!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The names are suitably fun aren't they! I need to get the next instalment out soon - it's a matter of slotting these posts in between the reviews :)

      Delete