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: NARS, Smashbox, Urban Decay and Dior

The christmas season is round the corner and with that, comes the flood of Christmas sales! Last week was pure retail extravagence for me.. To the point that I'm feeling a little guilty now for spending so much. But oh well, it's not as if I don't need the items.

In addition, I've been a real good girl this year. So, it doesn't hurt if I materialize a little of my lemmings, I rationalize.. Yes yes, my feeble attempt to justify my purchases. Anyway, the next few posts would be entries on the things I bought and received last week.

This post is a closer look at the items that I bought from Beauty.com and Sephora@Amazon. There was a lot of other things that came with the parcels but those don't belong to me. So, I'll just cover the stuff that belongs to me.

First up is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville (~SGD47; inclusive shipping). I'm a foundation junkie and I'm always on the look out to try new foundations. After reading through all the online reviews, I was really intrigued by this foundation. However, since it's not available in Singapore, I could only stash away my lemmings.

The opportunity came when Beauty.com was offering a 20% FF sale. I took the plunge and purchased. I did an extensive research online by using Diorskin Nude 020 as reference and finally decided on Deauville. I was really apprehensive but to my relief, the tone matched, although it was still a little yellow for me but it was no major concern.

I received the NARS Cleansing Oil sample for the foundation purhase.

Next up is the NARS Powder Blush in Deep Throat (~SGD30; inclusive shipping). I was deciding between NARS or Cargo blush. But decided to get the NARS blush because of it's cult status. I had originally wanted to get Orgasm but decided that Deep Throat may be more suitable for me after looking the swatches and reviews online. It was a little peachy for my liking but I love it still the same!!

Next one is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer on the Go (~SGD18.00; inclusive shipping). This is actually the smaller sized 15ml. I've heard raves about this product and so, when I saw that they have the smaller trial version, I decided to purchase it to try it out.

Next, is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Yeyo. This is actually a white eye liner glittery eyeliner and I'm thinking of using it to line my inner eye corners for the pop effect.

Lastly, is the Dior Mascara Duo Set (~SGD28.00). I usually don't like to spend on mascaras, as I don't see the need to spend a bomb on something that covers only a small portion of the face. But ever since I've read raves about Dior's mascaras and their performance, I've been wanting to try it. So, when I saw this set on Sephora@Amazon, I didn't hesitate since this was the perfect chance to try out the mascara without commiting too much money on it.

My thoughts: This purchase was really a rushed and unprepared one, and was kind of haphazard. But I was really glad that my first attempt in an online spree turned out well.Next time, I would defnitely be more prepared.

Spree Conquests!!!

Recently, I decided to open sprees for beauty.com and sephora.com due to the weakening USD and as sort of a christmas present to myself for working so hard this year...

And guess what I saw when I got home from work today???!!!! The parcels from the forwarder (Borderlinx), sitting nicely in the living room!!!

Hurray for my first ever successful spree from Sephora and beauty.com. Not to mentioned that we really did save a lot from the beauty.com 20% Family and Friends sale. My NARS blush costs less than SGD30.00 (inclusive of shipping)!!!

Anyway, some pictures first. I'll cover more in my next posts. Now, gotta sort out the loot for distribution to my BFsF, whom I tempted into joining me for the spree.

On the side note, I have to say this, I LOVE BORDERLINX TO BITS!!!! Vpost just pales in comparison given that the charges are almost the same after the 15% discount that's valid until 31 Jan 2011.

My whole experience with Borderlinx is so FUSS-FREE and they use DHL Express; meaning I can track my packages via DHL's tracking site and I got my parcels really FAST! I put in the request to ship the parcels last Thursday and ta-dah, I got it TODAY!

Lovelies from Sephora-@-Amazon

Lovelies from Beauty.com. Mostly NARS and UD products.