Diamond Lash to be launched in Singapore ★

Good news for fellow Diamond Lash lovers in Singapore, Diamond Lash is finally going to be available here,  launching at selected JCosmeland corners in Watsons next week~♪  ♫ ♬ One of the best news I've heard all year, now I can chuck my pathetic last pair of Celeb Eye and stock up! I've been trying to "save" and "reuse" this pair very sparingly for the past 3 months! For the initial launch, only the dark pink, light pink (Pure series), light blue (Volume series) and light green (Little Wink series) will be available. Each box of 5 pairs will retail at S$23.90.

Can't remember how many times I've raved about how awesome these lashes are, but they really are! A favorite of gyarus and eyelash users all over Japan and the world, Diamond Lash offers a large variety of styles (30 types/5 series) at an affordable price. Plus the quality is great, they last really long (personally, I can go 2-3weeks per pair with daily use) and the lashes themselves look great.

Top: There was a time when Beauty Eye was my favorite...

Bottom: But then Celeb Eye took over^^

Looking forward to seeing Diamond Lash in stores, it's great that I can now get my favorite lashes locally instead of hoping to go to Japan and hoarding^^ Because I ran out of Celeb Eye, I bought 811 Strawberry Tea from the Eyemazing x AMOYAMO Collection a few weeks ago, intending to switch to 811 Strawberry Tea as my daily lashes...

Compared it with 801 from the Eyemazing x Zipper Collection and don't they look similar? 811 is just slightly longer. I bought these before finding out that Diamond Lash was coming to Singapore, but now that Diamond Lash is coming, I can go back to using my beloved Celeb Eye! ♥ ♥

My boxes of Diamond Lash, half of them are empty...

(I've used up 4 boxes of Celeb Eye since 2011) 

But I can't bear to throw away the boxes because I love this brand, and it's not often I get to restock. I even keep boxes of my old YSL, Jill Stuart and Paul & Joe items from over 5 years ago^^ In my defence the boxes are pretty!

Diamond Beauty/ Diamond Lash has a Facebook Page here. (In Japanese)

And there's also a Page for Diamond Lash Singapore here. (In English)

2013 cosme.net Ranking (First Half Year)

Revealed last week, the 2013 cosme.net Ranking for the first half of the year is finally out! The rankings are based on reviews and ratings by real consumers who share their experiences on cosme.net, Japan's largest cosmetics community/portal. It's not like an award doled out by magazines/editors, but a ranking based on sentiments of regular consumers of the products, so Japanese companies happily place their cosme.net ranking on their products if they manage to get one. If you go to drugstores in Japan, you'll often see cosme.net stickers on various cosmetic products! Plus they have a good mix of Western and Japanese brands, drugstore and department store brands.

Here are the rankings for the Point Makeup, Base Makeup and Skincare sections. I translated the product names from the Japanese names, so don't blame me if their actual English names are something else, I wouldn't know!^^ Also translated the description of some of the 1st place items, complete with the stars and musical notes they used, so don't think it's just me inserting random comments^^

POINT MAKEUP

CHEEKS

[1] Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact N

Cute and girly case, colors can be used as 4 individual colors or mixed together.

[2] Jill Stuart Layer Blush Compact

[3] Paul & Joe Cheek Color

EYESHADOW

[1] Jill Stuart Velvet Crystal Eyes

A well-received, easy to use 4-color set with pigmented and elegant pearly colors.

[2] Lunasol Vivid Clear Eyes

[3] Visee Glam Nature Eyes

EYELINER

[1] K Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h WP

An eyeliner that stays put. The ease of use of the brush is also highly raved about.

[2] Dejavu Lasting Eyeline RN Brush Liquid

[3] KATE Slim Gel Liner Pencil

MASCARA

[1] DiorShow Iconic Overcurl

Gives a beautiful curl even without the use of an eyelash curler ☆ 

The pigmented color gives beautifull separated lashes.

[2] Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Meister

[3] Guerlain Cils D'Enfer

LIPSTICK

[1] Coffret D'Or Rouge Essence 

Shiny and moisturizing and stays on! Another good point is the lipcare functions.

[2] Aube Essence Premium Rouge

[3] Canmake Stay On Bar Rouge

LIPGLOSS

[1] Dior Addict Gloss

Highly transparent and overwhelming glossiness and volume make it well-recommended.

[2] Lavshuca Flower Nectar Gloss

[3] Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited

BASE MAKEUP

BB CREAM

[1] L'Oreal Revitalift UV Block BB

[2] Kose Sekkisei White BB Cream

[3] DiorSnow Whitening UV Protection 50 BB

PRESSED POWDER

[1] Lunasol Skin Modelling Powder Fountation

Fits perfectly like a second skin, for glossy, poreless skin~♪

[2] Maquillage True Powdery UV

[3] Sofina Prima Vista Powder Foundation UV

LIQUID/CREAM FOUNDATION

[1] Lancome Mat Miracle 24H

Gives a fluffy, matte finish ☆ Gives a natural look, like the appearance of bare skin.

[2] Lissage White Liquid Foundation

[3] Addiction Tinted Skin Protector

LOOSE POWDER

[1]Cosme Decorte AQ MW Secret Glow

[2] Est Long Lasting Loose Powder Lucent

[3] Chacott Professionals Beauty Veil Powder

MAKEUP BASE

[1] Coffret D'Or Full Keep Base UV EX

Gives a silky feeling, and is holds up well against sweat and sebum for a long time ♪ 

A matte base that covers pores.

[2] Chanel CC Cream

[3] Guerlain Blanc de Perles Makeup Base SS

SKINCARE

SUNSCREEN

[1] L'Oreal Revitalift UV Block

[2] suisai Perfect UV Day Emulsion II

[3] Shiseido Anessa Pergect Essence Sunscreen

MAKEUP REMOVER

[1] Parado Skincare Cleansing

[2] Cosme Decorte AQ Meliority Repair Cleasing Cream

[3] White Label Placenta Whitening Cleansing Gel

FACIAL WASH

[1] Lush 毎日が晩餐

(I don't know what the English name for this is, plus Lush products in Japan are made and packaged differently and have a different product texture/consistency from the rest of the world)

[2] Meishoku DETclear Bright&Peel Fruit Enzyme Powder Wash

[3] RMK Sherbet Moisturizing Soap

SHEET MASK

[1] Shiseido White Lucent Powder Brightening Mask

*They only announce 1st place for the sheet mask category

ESSENCE/SERUM

[1] Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targering Serum+

[2] YSL Forever Light Creator Serum

[3] Shiseido HAKU Melanofocus CR

LOTION

[1] Aquamoist Hoshitsu Lotion

[2] Hadalado Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

[3] Meishoku Moisture Carbonate Mist

EMULSION

[1] Clarins White Plus Moisture Emulsion

[2] Albion Exage White White Crystal Milk III

*They only announce till 2nd place for this category

These are the rankings for the first half of 2013. Each year there are 3 rankings, the first half, later half and overall whole year. The overall whole year one has more categories, including eyelashes, nails, eyebrows, concealers, etc. And of course as the years pass you'll see more new items, but there are some items that repeatedly make the list over a few years, even after revamped formulas. A good example would be Jill Stuart's Mix Blush Compact, the old version topped the blush category in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 rankings. Another example is Majolica Majorca's mascaras. Though they're different formulas, Majolica Majorca's mascaras have been #2 in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

Majolica Majorca Fantastic Fantasy ♪ ♬ Chapter 38, Autumn 2013

Majolica Majorca's Autumn 2013 release, Chapter 38 "Fantastic Fantasy". The collection's theme takes inspiration from Alice's Tea Party (Alice in Wonderland), delivering various surprises in the cute but mildly poisonous world. A girl charmed by a world of dazzling surprises, who gets her wish of transformation fulfilled.

Except for the mascara, everything in the collection is limited edition, and features muted/vintage colors. I love the theme of this, because I love tea, patisseries and tea parties ♪(*´ω｀*) ♬ The collection is slated for release on 21st July 2013 in Japan.

As with all releases this year, the jewel of the chapter is The Little Humming Book III. 

Like the previous two books, it features one cream base, two powder shadows and a lip gloss. The cream base is a pastel pink called Table Napkin. The two powder shadows are a berry pink called Antique Berry and a golden beige called Brick Wall. The gloss is a deep scarlet called Tomato Jam. This retails for 1,575yen with tax.

A new product, Nail Costume. These are nail stickers that can easily be pasted onto your nails. Each comes with a nail file. The three varieties are #1 Teacup, #2 Tablecloth and #3 秘密の住人 (Himitsu no Shujin), which will be sold in all stores that carry Majolica Majorca. These retail for 787yen with tax each.

There's also another 4th design, #0 Omamori, which will be sold exclusively on WatashiPlus, Shiseido's online web store, to be released 21st August.

Majolica Majorca is well-known for their mascaras, and their latest addition is the Lash Expander Edge Meister F, a film type mascara easily removed with just warm water. Majolica Majorca mascaras are well-known for being waterproof, smudgeproof and tough to remove. This version will be removable with just warm water (hope that doesn't include tears!) The mascara features a Duet Comb - a brush with two combs. The main comb is for length and separation, and the little one is for "point catch", especially for lower lashes. This retails for 1,260yen with tax.

Rounding up the collection are two limited edition Artistic Nails (Speedy & Glossy) nail polishes. They are supposed to dry quickly and give a glossy shine, so that you can do nail art soon after. The two limited edition colors are GY971 骨董品 (Kotsutouhin) and RS272 食べ頃 (Tabegoro). These retail for 399yen with tax.

Out of the three 10th anniversary collections this year, this has the quaintest names (to me). Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories, and I love tea and patisseries! Tiramisu, Fraisier and Montblanc are my favorite patisseries ♥ (That's why I really liked AMO's eyelashes for the latest AMOYAMO x Eyemazing collection, because the names are derived from Alice in Wonderland and teatime items too (*´ω`*)♪) Can't wait for this collection to hit Singapore!

Anessa Face Sunscreen BB SPF50+ PA+++

Because my Too Cool For School Blending Cream BB was almost finished, I started trying the Anessa Face Sunscreen BB which I bought in Yokohama last September. I can't believe I took so long to start on it, just one use and it became my current favorite BB cream! ♥♥ 

Anessa is made by Shiseido, and is famous for their sunscreens, which have ranked high on cosme.net for many years. I initially wanted to only try the sunscreen, but while I was in Donki I saw the BB cream next to it and thought, why not try it out, since I haven't tried many Japanese BB creams other than Hadalabo's.

I love Donki, because I can spend hours browsing the cosmetics section^^ Lots of items are discounted too, for example the sunscreen was about 1790yen, while the BB cream was 2000yen. The retail price is around 3150yen for the sunscreen and 2520yen for the BB cream. Anyway, I had to try both ♥ 

There was a promotion for the sunscreens, whereby there was an extra mini 12ml bottle of a different sunscreen. I got the Perfect Essence Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++, and it came with a mini bottle of the Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++. (I just checked their website, in February 2013 a new formula has been rolled out for all the sunscreens, they now offer PA++++! Even more sun protection, hurray~)

The Too Cool For School BB cream had no SPF, so I'd always use the Perfect Essence Sunscreen under. It's my favorite sunscreen, because it's very fluid like essence/serum, non-sticky and is easily absorbed. I haven't tried the Perfect UV one, though it's recommended for activities like sports, going up the mountains/going to the sea, and it's waterproof too.

Onto the BB cream! I like how the underside of the cap is solid instead of being empty like most screw-cap cosmetics. There's 30g of product and its main function is actually to act as a suncreen. There are two colors - Light and Natural - but at Donki I only saw Natural, so that's what I got. The Anessa Face Sunscreen BB is actually more like a tinted moisturizer than a BB cream, with high sun protection.

Ingredients and benefits.

Main benefits:

★ High UV protection - protects delicate skin against sunburn and sun damage

★ Moisturizing - contains hyaluronic acid and collagen

★ Covers pores

★ Corrects skin tone

★ Can be used as a make up base or as a foundation

★ Resistant to sweat and sebum

Oiliness test.

It's very non-oily, which works great in Singapore's humidity.
It's also very light, so my face doesn't feel like it's smothered by cream :D

I don't know what to call this test, but just wanted to show that it doesn't "melt" or fall off after contact with the environment, or that the more liquid components won't sink to the bottom and cause the blob to fall off the paper?

Consistency test.

It's lightweight and very creamy, but spreads easily and blends into skin without difficulty.

I have a preference for creamier BB creams, because for me thinner BB creams tend to streak...

Color/blending.

The Anessa Face Sunscreen BB is actually a lot darker than most BB creams I've seen, but over time it blends into my skin. The main function is to act as a sunscreen, and it's made to have a "natural" color. Despite claiming to be more for sun protection than makeup, the BB cream's coverage is medium and is buildable, and it's pretty decent at covering redness and evening skintone ♥

The BB cream dries semi-matte, which is my preferred type of finish 　ε(๑^ᴗ^๑)з

When I use this I do not top it off with loose powder, because it sets pretty well. And after 10hours of wear it still stays in place, and doesn't melt or streak. For me, this is a great BB cream, perfect for Singapore's humid weather. It's also lightweight, blends very well and looks natural, and the finish is semi-matte and non-oily ♥ 

I have combination skin and live in extremely humid and warm weather, and I really like the texture of this BB cream. However, for people living in temperate climates of have dry skin, I think you might find this a bit drying?

June's Little Black Beauty Box: The Asia Style Collection Box ★

One of the newer beauty subscription boxes around, I think The Little Black Beauty Box has the most gorgeous box, the box really looks like a book! It even opens like a book. After taking out the items I'm using it as decoration hehehe. The June box is the 4th box, and the theme is Asia Style Collection.

The Little Black Beauty Box is a project by Sharon Au; a collaboration between Mediacorp's StyleXStyle and the department store Robinsons. For S$19.90, it's a steal! However the boxes are made in very limited quantities each month, and they're always sold out! (*´д`*) Been wanting to get it but April's was sold out, May's was sold out...thank goodness I was able to get this! 

The bottom of the super gorgeous box, it really looks like a book! 

Even the side/spine has words that  make it like a book.

The items are neatly packed inside with crepe paper.

Info card introducing the theme of the box, and behind it is a checklist of offers from participating brands.

Sadly the box does not come with a card listing the items in the box...

All the items in the box.
Quite a generous variety and quantity, don't you think so?

Plus many of the items are newly launched ♡

Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion SPF50+ PA+++
Been wanting to try the BB cushion, because the texture seems so unusual! (*´ω`*)♪

FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil

Kose Sekkisei Sun Protect Gel SPF50 PA+++ 

Forgot to take a close up photo for Kose!

Holika Holika Luminous Silk BB in 01 Light Beige SPF42 PA+++

Holika Holika Black Caviar Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish

Holika Holika 3D Aura Bright Patch

Holika Holika 36.5° Fermentation Cordyceps Sinensis Mask Sheet

Holika Holika $10 Gift Voucher

Tonly Moly Intensive Firming Care C Zone Patch

Tony Moly Intensive Firming Care Lip Smile Patch
So many masks!

Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF50+ PA+++

Sebamed Feminine Intimate Wash

Sebamed Olive Face & Body Wash

Anna Sui Secret Wish perfume sample 

Kinohimitsu Collagen Drink

It actually tastes kinda nice chilled! It has a fruity flavor to mask the taste of the collagen. I've previously bought collagen powder from Japan, but stopped taking it after a few cups because the taste of the collagen was to strong for me... (*´д`*)

Redoxon Anti-oxidant tablets 

If you're interested, the themes of the boxes so far:

★ March: The Whitening Box, featuring whitening products, in light of Robinson's Whitening Fair which was held around when the box was released.

★ April: The Star Power Box, featuring "A-list coveted beauty treats", in view of the Star Awards which on around the month box was released.

★ May: The Spring Awakening Box, featuring items inspired by "all things fresh and beautiful".

★ June: The Asia Style Collection Box, featuring Japanese and Korean brands, in view of the Asia Style Collection show which will be held next week on 22 June (Tokyo Girls Collection! Rola and Tsubasa!!! Girls Generation! 2NE1! AI! Thelma Aoyama! Looking forward to the event ♡)

★ July: The Men's Grooming Box, guess it will be featuring men's products?
★ July: Stardust Edition, a special limited edition box featuring Japanese and Korean brands, in view of the Asia Style Collection show, a collaboration with John Little's Stardust corner?  

klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream SPF 40 PA++

I love trying different BB creams and foundations, and something I recently added to my stash is the klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream SPF 40, PA++. I've read many positive reviews of older klairs items by Korean bloggers in the past, but I've never tried the brand because it's difficult to get outside of Korea...It wasn't even available on Gmarket Korea (´Д`)

Packaging.

First impression: I love the minimalist packaging, it looks very chic. The long tube shape also feels nice to hold it in my hands ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

This product can be used by both women and men,

check out the video of Tay applying the BB cream and other makeup on her boss, Eddie!

The opening of the tube is long and narrow,
which allows for good control of the amount of product you want to get.

This BB cream's main functions are:

✿ SPF40 PA++

✿ Whitening

✿ Wrinkle care

✿ Sebum control

All functions are certified by the KFDA (Korean Food and Drug Administration). 

Details/information on the packaging.

The BB cream is made in Korea, and expires 12 months after opening.

Great news for non-Korean speakers/readers, they have English instructions and ingredients list on their packaging, and it's proper English not Engrish^^ They even leave an email address for you to report adverse reactions, very thoughtful. 

For people with sensitive skin who might be worried about the suitability of the product, here's some information about klairs products in general (not just the BB cream):

☆ Low-irritation cosmetics specialized for sensitive/troubled skin.

☆ Collaboration with professional dermatologic cosmetics

☆ No alcohol

☆ No animal testing

☆ No paraben

☆ No artificial coloring

☆ Eco-friendly

☆ Minimal fragrance

The tube.

The first time I've seen BB cream come in a tube like this, it really reminds me of a toothpaste tube! But I love the long design, personally it's more convenient and aesthetically pleasing to me^^ Plus there's the line "You look so wonderful just the way you are", which is always nice to see when I pick up the tube to use it.

klairs' recommended instructions on how to apply, I'm sorry if my translation are a bit off!

For me I do step 1, apply dots on my cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, then use the Sigma F80 flat top kabuki brush to blend everything on.

Oiliness test:

It's not as oily as the ElishaCoy CC Cream, so this would be suitable for daily use in tropical weather countries like Singapore. It's not very dry , and would be great for ladies working in an air-conditioned environment. If you don't work indoors, I would set this with loose powder because it does tend to melt after a few hours of wear outdoors...

Consistency test:  It's quite thick and creamy, but is non-sticky and blends into skin easily.

Personally, I prefer creamier BB creams because they blend easier on my skin and end up less streaky. Streakiness is a problem I encounter with products having thinner consistencies...anyone else face the same problem? Although the klairs BB cream has a thick consistency, it doesn't cake and it blends well into my skin.

Coverage comparison.
The BB cream has buildable light-medium coverage and leaves a dewy glow.

It can cover some freckles and redness, but not totally, so you might need extra concealer if you have a lot of redness. The product has a smooth, dewy finish, and if you work in an air-conditioned environment you can probably forgo loose powder when using this.

Right now WISHtrend.com has the klairs BB cream on offer at a 20% discount, going for USD18.50.

http://www.wishtrend.com/beauty-steal/587--klairs-illuminating-supple-blemish-cream.html

I don't know how long the offer will last, but the regular price is USD22.99.

Some of klairs' other bestsellers are the Rich Moist Soothing Cream and Rich Moist Soothing Serum.
I've read lots of Korean reviews on these^^

But the item that totally caught my eye was the CHERRY BLOSSOM AND ROSE FACIAL MIST
http://www.wishtrend.com/toner-mist/262--klairs-essential-facial-mist-cherry-blossom-rose.html

Almost all my Korean friends carry around some sort of facial mist to refresh their faces throughout the day.  Feels really good to spray ♡ I used to use Avene's Thermal Water, but now I'm currently using Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist (smells great!) and Hanskin Hyaluron Facial Mist.

Anyway, you can use the code "RFXLSCOZ" at checkout for a USD3 voucher. 

- Minimum USD20 order

- Expires end of 2013

- Can combine with other vouchers

If you live in Singapore, WISHTrend also has a Qoo10/Gmarket shop to cater to Singaporeans. They've narrowed the selection to their more popular items, so not everything on the WISHTrend website will be there. But they often have promotions and special deals, so the prices come up less than the main site prices.