What's in my travel makeup bag?

I'm supposed to share pictures of my trip to Paris/London but I could only get them when my brother gets back from Phuket. To compensate that, let's see what's in my travel makeup bag.

This makeup bag I got as a gift with purchase. I love the bright print and it's so roomy, it can fit a gazillion things. I always carry this with me when I travel.

This was taken on the window sill of my hotel room in Paris. 

L-R

MAC lip and cheek tint

Korres lip balm

Yes to Cucumbers face moisturiser

Face Shop face primer

Chanel Vitalumiere foundation

Garnier bb cream

Benefit boing concealer

MUFE loose powder

NARS Orgasm blush

NARS Laguna bronzer

MAC eyeshadow in Espresso

Majorlica Majorca eyeshadows

Clinique mascaras

MAC lipgloss

MAC lipsticks in Angel and Chatterbox

Chanel lipstick

A bunch of eyeliners and brushes

All these fit so nicely in my bright happy makeup bag. Some of the products didn't work too well for me because of the change in the weather. My concealer went dry, my bb cream unexpectedly did not do a good job there. I could only rely on Vitalumiere even though my face got all oily after a few hours. Lipsticks looked horrible on my chapped lips. I didn't even bother with the lipgloss. 

Sidetrack a bit, instead I bought loads of chapsticks (and other beauty stuff which might be in my Paris/London haul post soon!). I threw out my Yes to Cucumbers moisturiser because it was too rich for my skin and my makeup just slide everytime I put it on. I thought since it was too rich for Singapore weather, it should work well in colder places like Paris and London. Boy, I was wrong. Now that I think of it, I should have kept it as a night cream instead. Gah. It's not a bad product. Really. Cucumbers in food form - arghh I hate. But I love how it smells in moisturiser form. Cucumberish, slightly perfumey.  Weird, isn't it?

Have you tried Yes to Cucumbers moisturiser? Do you like it? What do you have in your travel makeup bag?

Swap with Ra

HELLO RARA! Im sorry I did not post this earlier. I thought of using the products and do a mini review together thats why it's taking a bit long.

Rara is the best. We did a swap awhile ago and its funny because we live so near.

Remember this box from my previous post? 

I could just remember the time I received the parcel. I was crazy excited! 

It comes with a little note. The envelope and writing paper - too cute! 

Don't you think?

And finally, contents revealed! 

How crazy is this? I love every single item here!! 

NUXE Masque Frais Hydratant

I love how the masque by Nuxe moisturizes my skin. It's easy, just apply and leave on for ten minutes before massaging into skin or removing the remaining cream. I don't. I leave it on the whole night. By next morning, my skin feels so smooth and hydrated. I am interested to try other Nuxe products once I get the chance. 

BECCA Beach Tint

This stuff is a-ma-zing. I love how it smells and how easy it is to apply on cheeks and lips. A little goes a long way. Always shake well before use. 

Deborah Lippmann, Lara's Theme

I have yet to try this. I am planning to bring this fun bright orange polish with me to my next trip. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Edgy Emerald

This is great as an eyeliner. I love having bright popping colors on my waterline. Green is my favourite colors to wear. How did you know, Ra? 

Chanel Rouge Allure in 37

I am crazy in love with this one! So matte yet so smooth and super moist. Arghh. 

Daniel Sandler e/s in Rosy Tan

A good everyday eye color, nothing too shimmery or loud. I like. 

MOR Lip Macaron in Blood Orange

Fruity, citrusy, lovely. And the packaging. Need I say more?

Bourjois Healthy Mix in 53

I really enjoy this foundation. I switch between my bb cream and this. It is sooo much better than my MUFE. MUFE dries up too quickly. 

And lastly, she actually did this which I thought aww too cute. 

She really put in so much effort. She's such a doll. It's up on my desk at work by the way. 

Thank you so much for everything Ra. Its really a joy to know you and I hope you love the package I sent you. Muahh. 

Benefit Haul

My package arrived a few weeks ago.

I want to tell you all about it.

What's in my package?

3 concealers in 02 - Medium

3 cream eyeshadows in skinny jeans, birthday suit and tattle tale

2 of "take a picture...it lasts longer..." body balm

I love their boi-ing concealer, I have been using it for years. It is more costly to get here in Singapore. $40 each! I'd rather do a spree with friends and get them online since there is free international shipping for order above USD125. 

I've been meaning to try out their cream eyeshadows. I got r.s.v.p in a mini jar a long time ago. I thought it was quite nice. Slightly drying and clumpy now I realise after playing around with my new colors. The trick is not to pile it on and it will be fine. Cream eyeshadows work great for oily skin. It grasps the color better.  

My friend Anna and I have been wanting the body balm for the longest time. Finally I got us one each! It does not glisten like burt's bees' body lotion with royal jelly, but it gives just enough sheen. We are so gonna bring our tins to our little trip this April!

Skindinavia Haul

My box has arrived!! I ordered Skindinavia products on 10th January 2011. It took almost three weeks since it has to be shipped internationally. 

If you have not heard, www.skindinavia.com sells a range of makeup setting or finishing sprays for different skin types. They are available in different three different sizes so if you are interested you can purchase the smallest one, to try out. They have coupon codes which include free shipping on United States and international orders. I'm not sure if the coupon codes are fixed. Please check them out first before purchasing. The coupon codes can be used with a minimum purchase order. If you think it is too much but still want to try them out, you might want to pool your order with friends to enjoy this deal.  

I don't have anyone to pool my order with, since my friends are not as adventurous as me. Since I've heard and read good reviews on them online, I don't mind trying different types. 

I ended up getting the Professional Makeup Artist Kit which includes 1 8oz No More Shine Makeup Finish, 1 8oz Original Makeup Finishing Spray, 1 8oz 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish. I also bought 1 2oz Original Makeup Finishing Spray just to make up the minimum order. The smaller bottle is also good for me when I travel.  

I will do a review once I've tried them enough. Do come back and check it out. 

Review: Arezia Diamond Liquid Eyeliners

I discovered Arezia Diamond Liquid Eyeliners sometime last year. I got them from one of the Sasa stores here in Singapore. I'm not too sure if they have it online. You may want to check them out. They have a number of colors. This is my second time purchasing them. 

The first time I picked out black and green which are not in picture. They were by far the best colors out of the whole lot. These four colors are not too bad. They are non-messy too.

How I apply them: 

Just line on my lower lashline alone or right after rimming my lower lashline with a black kohl liner. It adds glamour instantly but not too overpowering. I usually wear them to work, since it is lesser work than putting colored eyeshadow in the mornings. 

*A liquid eyeliner has a shelf life of about 2-6 months so if your liquid eyeliner smells funny or if your eyes hurt after putting it on, its time to get a new one.

Good to the last swipe

I read somewhere where this girl, a makeup fanatic just like me talking about products that are good to the last swipe. It simply means products that's used till the very last bit. I thought it's good to share mine. These ten products are the ones that I use frequently and have repurchased a number of times. They are my all time favorite, the ones that I usually reach for. I could say they are ones that I could not live without.

OK. Enough explanation. Ready? Set. Go!

Product #1 NARS Orgasm blush

As you can see, I’ve already hit pan. I love it so so much. It is one of the best blushes out there. I love love love love love love it. 

Product #2 Silky Girl black eye liner

I am a heavy eyeliner user so I don’t splurge on high end eyeliners. Even UD and M.A.C liners are too pricey for me though I am dying to try their feline. 

Silky Girl mascaras are really bad quality BUT their eyeliners are the best I’ve ever tried. Even my friends agree with me on this one. I had probably purchased at least twenty of it. It’s retractable so sharpening is not needed, making morning makeup routine a lil easier. It is as black as you can get and blue is pretty too. The blue makes the eyes appear whiter. If blue is too bold a color, then mix it with black to make it more wearable. 

Product #3 M.A.C Angel lipstick

I'm on my fourth. I still use it when I’m donning a crazy dark eye look. It gives the lips the most nicest, slightly nudey, pinkish color. Some nudey-pinky lipsticks can look very drying but this gives a smooth finish. 

Product #4 M.A.C Chatterbox lipstick

This may be too loud for some of you but just dab it slightly on lips and you will get a hint of pink. Apply it generously and you will get a more amplified version. It’s great when you are rushing in the morning and do not have the time to do your eyes. Bare or natural eye look would make the lips the bigger statement. Trust me, it will look as if you had put in a lot of effort.

Product #5 Marjolica Marjoca eyeshadow

Very affordable and good basic colors. They brighten up the eyes instantly. Effortless. 

Product #6 Sephora Mattifying Foundation

I've been using Sephora mattifying foundation for the longest time. I prefer the pressed powder but my color is always out of stock. I can never switch powder brand. I've tried MAC, Dior, NARS, Clinique to name a few. Sephora is still my number one. 

Product #7 M.A.C Zoom lash

I am probably the only person who enjoy the wetness and thickness of the consistency. I like how it gives me the blackest lashes. The wetness does not bother me at all. No smudges underneath the eyes even. 

Product #8 M.A.C Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink

I put this on religiously before putting on lipstick or gloss. It helps my lip color stay on smoothly for the longest time. 

Product #9 M.A.C eyeshadow in Espresso

Sometimes I use this on my lids, line my bottom lashline with a blue or green eyeliner and a bit of mascara then I'm good to go. But Espresso is mainly used to fill in my sparse brows. 

Product #10 D&G Light Blue

This is rather “Good to the Last Drop” product. It’s my all time favorite perfume. The bottle is okay looking, nothing fancy but the scent is beautifully clean and sensual. Take a whiff. Get a mini bottle if you are keen to try. I'm pretty sure you will love it.

Review: Garnier Light B.B

BB creams are the fad now. BB cream or Blemish Balm cream is similar to a tinted moisturizer but with more features. It is very popular here in Asia. You can go here to read more about the history, reviews and tutorials.  

I used to not understand the hype. I just don't get it.  I've tried many but hate each and every one of them until I tried Garnier Light B.B. 

I've been using this as part of my makeup routine since the first week of January 2012. It's been three weeks, so far so good. It is the first and only BB cream that does not look grey on me. It has SPF26. Dermatologically and allergy tested. I have sensitive skin and this does not break me out like the other BB creams. It is oil and fragrance free. I hate how the Skin79 Super + BB Cream Pink Label smells. Almost chlorine-like.  It delivers whatever that's written on the back of the box.

 1.  More radiant

 2.  More even-toned

 3.  With less dark spots

 4.  With less visible imperfections

 5.  Reduces redness

 6.  Smoother

 7.  More hydrated

 8.  With less visible lines

 9.  With less visible pores

10. Reveal its healthy glow

Usually I would dot a small amount on forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and then blend outwards after applying face primer. Other times I would mix the two and do the same steps. 

Everytime I put it on, it gives me that instant glow and radiance. By lunchtime, I just need to blot a bit and touch up with powder once. At the end of the day, I would do the same. Sometimes I don't even bother. When I do blot and touch up, I look more matte but natural. It is smoother and not cakey like before. I'm not sure why but I tend to get slightly more oily when I am in the office the whole day. The temperature, maybe? 

On a non-working day, I don't even blot and touch up. I just love the glow. Just enough, not super glowy that it looks oily. 

I got this at S$13.90 at Watsons. I think the promotion is still on, if not retail price is at S$16.90. I urge you to try. Even the skincare products are recommendable.