Castledew Over Setting Gloss

I went minor spring-cleaning my "lips compartment" of my cosmetic collection recently and unearthed my long-neglected Castledew Over Setting Gloss. I still love them very much but is currently in a lipstick and stain phase, thus my lip glosses are left untouched for quite a while. Once again, I did not realise I've collected six of them (all from Beauty Language) over time, thus I decided to a review & swatch of all I own at this point.



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Description of the "technology" of the gloss. Look at the doe foot applicator,
 it has a hole in the centre (to transport more gloss out each time) and it's bent
at a slight angle (make it easier to coat the gloss on my lips evenly)

 

My VOV Castledew Over Setting Glosses (from left to right):
#7, #12, #16, #26, #42 and #45



#7:Orchid Violet color with fine silver glitter 
#12: Peach Pink color with fine multi-color (golden coral) iridescence
#16: Pearly Nude color with extremely fine beige shimmer



#26: Pale Pink color with Lilac-pink iridescence
#42: Rose Pink color
#45: Mauve Beige color

Swatched (in the same order) in sunlight, see how glossy they are.
All swiped once or twice.

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#7 and #26 are quite sheer, giving your lips a wash of color/iridescent. There a limit of how much color you can built up no matter how much you layer on. For the rest of the colors, they are pigmented, can be sheered out (but that will lessen the "high-shine" effect) with their doe-foot applicator that works very well. They are not sticky yet decently thick, feels luxurious to apply and are quite lasting. They do have a scent that I can't really pin down, they smell like cherry/plummy/candy. It's a pleasant scent generally, but there's definite a scent. There's a little likeness of their packaging to Jill Stuart's but I don't own any Jill Stuart's products, thus I'm not able to make a comparison.

Overall, these glosses (3.6g each) cost around $14 to $18 SGD and perform quite well to my liking. This is a product that I will repurchase in the future (after I make good progress in my "Project Hit Pan"). Something worth trying I will rate. Until I do a next review, stay radiant! 

Watsons (Takashimaya) & G2000 Haul

There is one more reason why I can spend almost half a day in Takashimaya: the super big Watsons. I love Watsons, I used to be crazy about it and is proud to announce that I've grown much more disciplined nowadays with my hauling there.

As mentioned in the previous blog that we were lugging bags of stuff, mine were mainly from Kinokuniya, Watsons and G2000. So let me start off with my Watsons purchases.

Liese Designing Jelly 03 Nuance Make and Kracie Naive Rosehip Makeup Removal Oil



Nice pump bottle with a butterfly embossed on the cap



I bought this as a back up as my hair styling jelly may be hitting bottom soon. However I'm not able to review the jelly as I'm currently using Lucido-L Design Jelly in Airy Keep which is working quite well defining my soft curls, non-sticky and does it's job even in our humid weather. I just wish it can have a little more holding/ defining strength, hence I purchased the Liese bottle to try. Hope it will be my dream styling jelly! 

Rose! (and I love the blue of the bottle...)

Naive Rosehip Makeup Remover Oil (Click to enlarge)

I've been using this for about a month and did not like it at the beginning due to my own error, I did not read the instruction and assumed it works like all the other cleansing oils I've used. I massaged the oil on my face to dissolve all my makeup, then I wet my hands and started trying to emulsify the cleanser. The oil did emulsify but if my hands were not wet enough the emulsified film will turn out thick and thus slightly difficult to remove thereafter.

I got fed up and use really wet hands to emulsify the oil and virtually stood under my shower to rinse off the remains. After that shower, I took the bottle and read the instruction. There is no emulsifying step, it is just "Rinse thoroughly". Oh, I see. Ever since, it has been working well removing my "long-wear" makeup for me (but not strong enough to remove all of my waterproof mascara) but I still prefer my UNT's PERFECT DERMAQ10 which I bought from a Singapore blogshop, it rinses off to a "cleaner" feeling.

The rest of my Watsons haul

Canmake Jewel Glitter Nail Polish in Gold

Oh I love this to bits, really. This so versatile since I can wear it on it's own but I always layer it over another colored polish. I love the fact that the glitter bits are of different sizes, giving a textured, gold flake-like effect. I love it so much that I am seriously thinking of buying the silver version and backups of my "golden love in a bottle". Below is a swatch of it layered over Magic Shop's nail polish #63 (neutral brown with purplish-pink iridescence).

I paired this two for a more subtle effect, so that it's not too garish for my work place 

Close-up, please disregard my cuticle...

I bought this to try after watching Xteeener on YouTube

and this as well since I've read so many raves about it versus Sech Vite Top Coat

As for the Sally Hansen Insta-Grip Fast Dry Base Coat & Mega Shine Top Coat, I decided to give them a try as I'm every bothered by the "shrinkage" issue I encounter with my Sech Vite Top Coat (click on link to know all about the Pros & Cons). I have tried the Sally Hansen's duo once and ended up with mixed feelings. I'll use them for a few more manicures beforegiving accurate reviews.

For powder foundation, I'll will always shuttle between these :IPSA Pure Protect Powder Foundation SPF 25 #103, UNT Ideal Glow H20 and ZA True White SPF 20 #22. I like their weightless finish, medium-high coverage and oil control qualities. I will normally buy the refill pack as I don't need to have them cased up at home, neither do I want to add bulk to by makeup pouch that I bring out. It's simply a waste for me to purchase any casing because it'll just end up collecting dust in corner.

Now that ZA came out with an improved version, I had to get one for myself. I confess I will not be able to use it until I hit pan on the current on that I'm using, in fact I still have back ups of the UNT and ZA. Lesson learnt, do not overhaul and regret as better products are launch every single day. I only can peer with temptation at my new ZA True White Plus SPF 20 two-way foundation every time I pass by my vanity counter.

ZA Plumper Lip Gloss in Glossy Cherry #01



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I don't own any lip gloss of this color, must have one in my collection

This gloss is smooth-textured, not sticky and not syrupy-thick (which sadly means it will not last long as well). It may look quite red in the tube but it can be sheered out using the doe-foot applicator to a light tint of natural-looking color on the lips. Layer on 2 to 3 layers and you'll get the high-gloss, just-eaten-ice-popsicle looking lips. Overall, it's a comfortable gloss to wear.

Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On (BK999)

All written in Japanese... 

My previous Majolica Majorca mascaras had the one-sided comb applicator, I guess this is the first new version one I've got. You can choose which side of the applicator you want to use to achieve the preferred volume build up and it also states that it is newly formulated with thick jet-black fibre, volume up powder, gloss oil for lustre (I love!) and waterproof polymer (very important must-have property of all my mascaras). I can't wait to break the seal for this as well.

Majolica Majorca Creme Pencil Liner
(BK 999)

All in Japanese again...

I grabbed this during this visit to Watsons because I tested it during my previous visit. I was impressed that the line that i drew was still there after I reached home, still there after i bathed and still there after I woke up from a nap. I wonder if it is as water and smudge proof on the eyelid. I shall put it to the test soon, maybe tonight. I don't want to take the risk of getting caught out there with "raccoon eyes".

Majolica Majorca Honey Plump Gloss Neo
in PK246

I give up...

I have a couple of these tube babies, but sad to say, I seldom use them. They are really thick (therefore sticky and stay put for quite a while) and really super glossy. The gloss factor is so patent-like it comparable to some of the high-end lip glosses out there. Sigh, I should curb myself from buying another tube since I've got more than I need. However, I'll always end up purchasing it for "I don't have this color" or "I don;t have one in this finish" or etc...

Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel

I used to exfoliate using the original Marvel gel during my hostel days but moved on to other exfoliators as time went by. As I aged, my skin matured and I wanted a gentle exfoliator for days my skin's more sensitive or when I want to exfoliate areas with delicate skin... this may sound weird but some times, I will very gently massage gel exfoliator on my eyelids. I emphasize, very very gently. I just feel that with all the eye primers, shadows and concealers I slap on, it's only right to "clean up" the area once in a while. Thus I decided that this Ginvera Green Tea Whitening Marvel Gel (it's stated "safe for eye area") should do the job and yes, it did. It feels so soothing to have some kind of lubricant (no dragging of skin around our eyes please) while I give my eye area a good massage, until it starts to become a slightly "grainy", I'll stop and rinse off.

That's all of this round of Watsons haul and I bought 4 cardigans from G2000 to add to my collection (I'm cladded in cardigans most of the time). This trip made me a happy lady. I hope my dear readers are happy for all their own reason. Until my next entry, take great care!

My NYX Lip Gloss Collection!

I own a total of ten of them out of NYX's huge collection of Megashine Lip Gloss and they are (until this point of time) the best drugstore lip gloss that I've came across. I did not realise I've got so many until I took them out to do this swatch entry, but I'm still glad I've got them all. There are times that I may venture out with minimal eye make up (just concealer set with loose powder and generously applied mascara), to add some flush of color to my "empty canvas", these lip glosses come in just in place.

They are extremely high-shine and affordable (15ml). Those that are suppose to be pigmented are nicely pigmented, and they are not sticky compared to other more costly lip glosses in my collection. Therefore I don't see why I should not get more when the time comes.

Nope, I did not purchase them in Singapore as the range of products available at the shelves in Guardian's pathetic and prices are marked up exorbitantly. I did not purchase them all at one go, but through multiple online hauls I've done through a personal contact who is setting up her web-shop, at a lovely price. I'll make her shop opening blog entry here when it's up and running, so keep a look out!

My Collection of NYX Megashine Lip Glosses

All swatches are done with the doe-foot applicator that comes with the tube (nothing too special) and swapped only once on the back of my (NC25 to NC30 MAC color scheme) hand.

First five of the NYX Megashine Lip Glosses (all photos in my blog can be enlarged for details, just click on them)

1: Sweet Heart (Nude-beige pink with extremely fine silver glitter, pigmented)

2: Lollipop (Nude-beige tangerine with fine shimmer, pigmented)

3: French Kiss (Soft warm pink with fine shimmer, pigmented)

4: Natural (Warm beige-nude)

5: Miami Babe (Mauve-rosy nude)

Swatch taken indoor without flash

Another swatch taken for your reference

Swatch taken against sunlight to show the glossiness

Last five of the NYX Megashine Lip Glosses

6: Copper Penny (Rose burgundy with shimmer, quite pigmented but do note this color feathers so do line your lips)

7: Baby Rose (Clear with lots of fine shimmer, can be layered over other lip products for shine and dimension)

8: Chandelier (Clear cool pink with lots of shimmer and extremely fine glitter, can be layered over other lip products too)

9: Smokey Look (Light beige-nude with a little extremely fine silver glitter)

10: Tea Rose (Healthy cool tone rose pink)

Swatch taken indoor without flash

Another swatch taken for your reference

The pigmented ones can be sheered out to give wash of color or applied as per normal to give a lovely pop of color and glossiness. However as you can see from my collection, I personally prefer muted tones. They do come with a strong sweet cherry scent which some complained of, I fine with it as the scent wears off after application (or is it that my nose grew "immune" to that particular scent...) Oh well! They are comfortable to wear, not drying to my lips, last for a good four to five hours (with only light eating and drinking) for my lippy. Overall, I love them all!

NYX Megashine Lip gloss in Chandelier

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss Launched

This is not a review and no swatches are done due to the absence of tester.

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