Colors So Sinful They Beat A Rainbow!

PS: For the sake of wordplay, "colors" in the title is Americanized since the brand Sinful Colors is from America.

To a discerning eye or to avid nail polish collectors, there is a difference between this nail polish and that nail polish. It could be the difference in finish, shimmer, glitter, size of glitter, shape of glitter, warm/cool tones, undertones etc.  To others, they probably think that we have a problem and do not need all the nail polish we buy.  To a certain extent, I agree that I probably have a nail polish problem and I definitely do not need all the nail polish I buy.  Has that stopped me? Well.................... Let's change the topic.

Today's review is on Sinful Colors; the nail polish brand from America.  My interest in the brand was sparked after a trip to America for an overseas program many years ago.  By fate, I picked up a neon purple shade from the brand despite the fact that it was not the type of colour I usually went for.  I also did not have a clue about the brand except that the nail polishes were rather cheap!  That particular nail polish was very creamy and opaque; you can get full opacity with one coat.  The most amazing part of it was that it dried to a matte finish.  At that time, matte nails were not vogue and shiny nails were the trend. 

Fast forward a few years, nail trends have evolved to various finishes and textures with matte nails being one of them.  Sinful Colors also made its way to the Australian shores and boy was I glad to see them!  I remembered my very first Sinful Color nail polish and proceeded to buy a few more.

The first shade I chose was Cinderella.  I picked it because it reminded me of Illamasqua's famed Raindrops.  Cinderella is a baby blue shade with fine micro silver glitters. Cinderella is an apt name for the nail polish as I am reminded of the shade of Disney's Cinderella's baby blue ball gown.  THe colours in Cinderella are more cool-toned.  For the princess factor, there is a fine silver micro shimmer that is subtle yet stunning up close.

The wear I get with Cinderella lasted about 2 weeks with top coat and base coat. At the 2 week mark, I had tip wear and a slight chip that was not very obvious.

And in the particular order from thereon, I picked up Mint Apple, Savage and Social Ladder.

 

 

Mint Apple is an interesting shade of jade green that has a slight mint green overtone. It also comes with fine micro gold glitters that is subtle yet stunning up close. The colours in Mint Apple are warm based and suit my skin tone very well.  I have worn this shade twice with differing results- perhaps it was due to the difference in activities during the different periods.  Worn with a top coat and base coat, I also had about 2 weeks' of wear.  At the second week mark, I had tip wear and slight chips that were not obvious.  My second time wearing Mint Apple had different results.  Worn with the same top coat and base coat, I experienced slight chipping after a few days. 

Savage is one of my favourites here.  The finish is creamy yet completely matte.  I was rather shocked at the intensity of the polish and the colour is very unique.  It is a teal blue-green that borders on the verge of being a shocking blue.  Being a matte polish, the formula of this polish is thicker than the rest.  Some might find it hard to work with but this shade is a one coat wonder. The opacity is incredible and it dried faster than the other polishes.  The only complaints I have are that I need to buy a matte top coat for this polish and it stains like crazy!  Anyway, since I did not have a matte top coat, I did not use top coat and the longevity suffered slight as it lasted for about a week without major chipping.

My least favourite is Social Ladder.  Don't get me wrong here.  I like Social Ladder but compared to the rest, Social Ladder was the hardest to work with.  The formula is not very opaque and I had to keep layering the polish to get full opacity.  The colour effects you can get with Social Ladder differs under the different lightings.  In sunlight, it is a blush pink with a pearlescent white finish.  Under artificial lighting, it appears to be a nude pink with a pearlescent white finish.  Once again, Social Ladder is subtle and a stunner up close.

Sinful Colors (RRP $4.95) is available at Priceline and Target as at posting date.

Have you tried any Sinful Colors? What do you think of the shades?

Cheers
annsleyw :)

Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash and Mask (Giveaway at the End!)

Clearasil has released a brand new range of Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts products. The star product is the Daily Clear Wash and Mask which is designed for women who work hard and play hard. One may ask, how so? Well, women who work hard and play hard have no time to waste so here comes the multi-tasking product which does two jobs. It can be used as a daily facial wash and a mask!

Moreover, it contains avocado extracts (which smells heavenly in my opinion) and nourishing Vitamin E, glycerine for hydration and pomegranate fruit extract which is an anti-oxidant to keep skin looking and feeling healthy. As a result, this product smells fruity and refreshing.

I don't know about you but I have always felt like Clearasil was intended for teenagers with teenage acne or for those with acne issues. At my age, I do experience the occasional acne but products with high concentrations of salicylic acid tend to be too harsh for my skin. I prefer products with little amounts of salicylic acid to prevent breakouts though I have been known to like certain products that contain no salicylic acid as well. It seems to me that Clearasil has decided to reach out to a wider range of consumers since the Daily Clear range has skin conditioning properties that are intended to be delicate enough to be used as part of a daily skin care routine, and it contains less salicylic acid than other Clearasil products.

For use as a facial wash, squeeze a small amount into hands and apply to wet face avoiding the eye area. You can use it daily and it is recommended to use twice daily. I have been using this product everyday for almost two weeks now and I find this product to really work for me. It does a great job at deep-cleansing and it makes my skin feel clean without feeling over-dried or over-stretched. I can almost feel it clean the impurities on my skin.

For use as a mask, squeeze enough product to apply an even layer onto wet face. I will say that you will need more product than when using it as a facial wash. Leave it on for up to 3 minutes and rinse off. It is recommended to use it as a mask up to 3 times per week. However, I am less impressed by this product as a mask because it does the same thing as when it is used as a facial wash and using this product as a mask makes my face sting painfully between the 1st-2nd minute after application. For the sake of reviewing the product, I tried this product as a mask 4 times and had to rinse my face between the 1st-2nd minute when my face started reacting to the product. Perhaps it is because I have sensitive skin, it made my skin feel very raw. When I sprayed a mist of rosewater on my face after rinsing off, I had the same sensation that I had when I cut my finger and brought it into contact with water. On the bright side, it means that it has exfoliating properties as it removed my epidermis (the outer most layer of the skin).

My conclusion is: this product is great as a facial wash for the majority skin types out there. However, I do not think this product is great as a mask for those with sensitive or very sensitive skin. Having said the above, I definitely do think that this is a great product for those experience the occasional acne and/or those who want to help prevent breakouts. Ladies who have acne problems will have better luck with the other Clearasil ranges that contain higher concentrations of salicylic acid. On a parting note, do remember to protect your skin with sunscreen since salicylic acid makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage!

The Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extract Wash and Mask (RRP $10.99) is available at leading supermarkets, pharmacies and stores (e.g. Kmart and Target).

This review is done in relation to Product Talk by Nuffnang. The product was sent to me for reviewing purposes and I have not received any monetary or other forms of compensation for this review. All opinions are my own honest opinions. Click on Product Talk by Nuffnang to see what it is about.

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

Nuffnang Australia is giving 5 of my readers the chance to win a Clearasil Daily Clear Vitamins & Extracts Wash and Mask each! Here are the summarized rules:

 

1. You must be a follower of my blog via bloglovin'. (Use the bloglovin' icon on the right to help you get started).

 

2. Comment at the end of this blog post on what skin concern(s) you think Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts can help you with, and your email address.

 

3. Entry is open to all Australian residents aged 14 years and over.

 

4. The competition will run until 5pm AEDST or 3pm AWST on 22 July 2013.

 

5. I will pick the top 5 comments once the competition is over and notify the 5 winners via email. The winners have 24 hours to reply with their mailing address. If there is no reply within 24 hours, I will pick another winner.

 

6. Nuffnang Australia will post the prizes to my chosen 5 winners.

 

For more details on the terms and conditions, visit : http://blog.nuffnang.com.au/clearasil-product-talk/

Good luck!



Cheers
annsleyw :)

BlogLovin'

This is a short note for any of my followers because Google Reader is due to end. I have chosen BlogLovin' as my new alternative so do follow my blog on BlogLovin' to keep updated!

As a sidenote, I am working on a new project that I will announce here once everything is sorted out. I will be hosting a giveaway on this blog soon so do keep your eyes peeled!

Here is the link to follow me on BlogLovin':

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Cheers
annsleyw :)

Japan Exclusive Review: Rimmel London Crayon Pen Lip & Cheek



Rimmel London is on a roll with its release of lip products. While the Apocalips were launched in the UK late last year, these Crayon Pens were newly launched in Japan sometime this year. I picked up mine when I was on holiday in Japan in April.

With Georgia May Jagger as the spokesmodel, it is different from the usual Kate Moss advertisements that I have come to expect from Rimmel London. Nevertheless, Georgia May Jagger is gorgeous and who can resist her gap toothed pearlies? ;)



The Rimmel London Crayon Pen Lip & Cheek Collection comes in 6 shades: 001-006. The shades are very wearable. The shades range from your nudes, pink, raspberry red and an orange to suit the Asian market. In case you were unaware, orange is trending in Asia especially Japan and Korea. However, there are no exciting shades that will excite or shock but that's okay. There is something to suit everyone.

I picked 003 which is an orange shade. I like this shade of orange because it is very wearable. It is not too bright or neon-y. On me, it appears like an orange-based nude which is an interesting shade that I don't have in my collection.



The Crayon Pens have the same concept as the other brands' crayon lip products except that these are featured to be used as cheek products as well. These Crayon Pens are also much smaller in diameter that they resemble actual crayons rather than the Chubby Sticks or Lip Balm Stain that we are accustomed from Clinique, Revlon etc.



Since the Crayon Pens are much smaller, they make it easier to draw around your lips but harder to fill in with the colour. It takes more effort and time to actually colour in my lips. The formula of the product is not as creamy or moisturising as the Revlon Lip Balm Stains but the Crayon Pens don't claim to be a lip balm or be moisturising. Being accustomed to the Revlon Lip Balm Stains, I find the formula of the Crayon Pens to be slightly drying. I suggest using a lip balm or moisturiser prior to using the Crayon Pen on your lips and cheeks. Staying power is average-good. It does not stain so do expect to touch up after you eat a meal or drink during a meal. Otherwise, it will last a fairly long time if you do not eat or drink.



Packaging-wise, it looks like a legit crayon! You will need to twist the end for more product to come up. At the beginning, it is not necessary as the top will look like what you see in the picture. However, the packaging fails because the product came loose that the twist end will not work anymore! :(((((

I think these may be Japan-exclusive but let me know if I'm wrong.

Are you impressed by Rimmel’s lip offerings so far? What sort of lip products do you want to see next?

Cheers
annsleyw :)

 

Swatches & First Impressions: Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer

Photo from http://uk.rimmellondon.com

The beauty industry evolves every single day that you always see something new. While it may be completely unthinkable that lip balms can have superior pigmentation ten years ago, it is completely the norm these days.

Now hail the liquid lipstick. The concept of a liquid lipstick has been out in the market for a few years now. However, Rimmel London pushes the boundary of the concept of a liquid lipstick to include one more feature: lipgloss. The Rimmel Apocalips Lip Laquer is dubbed as something bigger than a lipstick and lipgloss.

The collection was released in the UK sometime at the end of last year but recently made its way to the Australian shores this month. Note: It has already been released in the US market too.

This collection comes in 8 colours.

Judging from the swatches, the pigmentation of these lip lacquers resemble a liquid lipstick but they come with the sheen and shine of a lipgloss. I like how creamy and opaque they are and how easy they apply. There is a certain smell to the product that isn't particularly pleasing so do take note of that. It may be a make or break factor for some. The applicator is a doe foot applicator with a well in the centre so that there is more product trapped there. It allows you to get sufficient product for each use without having to go back and forth to get more product.

The colour range is decent. Under different lighting, the colours appear to be slightly different. It comes with a brown based nude, beige nude, pink nude, purple-brown toned mauve, a berry mauve, a bright fuchsia, a raspberry red and a coral red. While there is no colour that particularly excites me, there are shades that will suit everyone. No weird crazy colours here.

I swatched these at the drugstore on my hand and after a good half an hour or so, I used a tissue to wipe them off. What surprised me was how easy they came off- with a tissue.

After removing the Apocalips swatches with a tissue.

It shows that these lip lacquers do not set (as they are still creamy) and most of them do not stain either. It also means that these lip lacquers are not long-wearing as you can expect them to come off when you eat or drink. You will definitely need to reapply your lip product if you use these.

As a no-fuss-I-don't-like-to-reapply-my-lip-product kind of girl, I'm hemming and hawing over them. I prefer the L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Lacquer for its light weight aqua feel and the long staying power as the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer is definitely creamier and not as long lasting. The Apocalips are more for those who do not like stains.

The shade Big Bang has been receiving a lot of attention in the social media but alas, Australia does not have Big Bang! It is also particularly interesting how the shade selection varies in Australia, UK and USA. Australia and UK both have 8 shades. The difference between Australia and UK is: Stargazer, Phenomenon and Solstice (Australia) vs. Luna, Big Bang and Galaxy (UK). On the other hand, US gets 14 shades but they are called the Show Off Lip Lacquers instead. The difference for between Australia and US is: Comet, Aurora, Luna, Galaxy, Out of This World and Light Year (US) vs. Phenomenon (Australia). Essentially, US has the same shade selection as the UK but with extra shades: Comet, Aurora, Out of This World and Light Year. The only shade unique to the Australian Rimmel Collection is Phenomenon.

If left to my own devices, I will probably get Celestial, Nova, Apocaliptic, Stellar and Big Bang (if I can get my hands on it). It is hard to resist lip products especially if they are lip lacquers (my favourite type of lip product). The packaging is nice and it will make a great addition to my ever-growing lip collection.

The Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers are available at Priceline for $15.95. They are currently on special at Priceline for $12.76. Alternatively, you can try ASOS.com where they are available in the UK shades for $7.87.

Have you tried the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer yet? Which shade(s) will you pick?

Cheers
annsleyw :)

Puretopia Glowingly Smooth Exfoliating & Renewing Body Polish= Cup of Coffee?

Puretopia Glowingly Smooth Exfoliating & Renewing Body Polish

Every time I go to the shower, I always tell myself to blog about this awesome product that has me hooked- bait, line and sinker. The distractions of my everyday life usually take away my attention after my shower and I usually forget about it until the next time I hit the shower. As a result, I am down to the last quarter of my second tube as I write this review.

Besides this product, I have also been rather obsessed with body care since it is the winter and my skin usually needs more tender loving care (TLC). What most of us will do during winter is to pile on the moisturizers, body butters, creams etc. However, what most people neglect to do is to exfoliate. There is little meaning to piling on the moisturizers, body butters, creams etc. if you do not exfoliate The dead skin cells will sit on top and you are merely moisturizing the dead skin cells which is meaningless (in my opinion).

I exfoliate on a regular basis so I definitely have my favourites. I prefer body scrubs that utilize salt or sugar crystals to those that utilize nut shells because they do not leave residues in my shower area. However, this body polish is so good that I don't mind cleaning my shower area more often!

My all-time favourite body scrub is Soap and Glory's Scrub Actually (which uses sugar crystals) but Puretopia Glowingly Smooth Exfoliating & Renewing Body Polish is my current favourite. Phew. What a mouthful of a name. Touted as being 100 per cent sulphate, paraben and soap-free, it is suitable for all skin types. The body polish contains Amazonian acai berry and guarana for skin stimulation and detoxification while walnut shell gently polishes, and aloe vera soothes, clams and moisturises. It says that the body polish has a lime, lemongrass and ginger fragrance. The body polish is used to exfoliate dead skin cells, excess oils, traces of daily pollution, grime and makeup.

I use it "neat" all over my body and mix a little with my facial cleanser when I use it on my face. The exfoliating bits of walnut shell do a good job of exfoliating my skin as I feel that my skin is reborn to become smoother and more vibrant. However, it stops short of being too harsh and abrasive.  I have sensitive skin so it is a major concern for me if the body scrub is too harsh and abrasive but I also dislike those that are too gentle as you do not feel like you have exfoliated anything at all. I give Puretopia's body polish a thumbs up as it does not have any negative effects on me.

While there are many good body scrubs/polishes in the market, what stands out in this product is its smell. I disliked the smell when I first used it as I likened it to be "herby". However, the smell grew on me and I grew to like the smell. Also, there is something about the smell that seems to invigorate and rejuvenate my soul as I use it.  I am familiar with the smell of lime, lemongrass and ginger so I doubt that it is the smell of these ingredients. I suspect it is due to the use of guarana (an ingredient found in energy drinks). Though I am not a fan of energy drinks, the use of guarana is possibly why I love using this body polish during my morning showers. Using Puretopia's Body Polish in the morning is the equivalent of having a power pick-me-up cup of coffee (smell-wise) that I feel more awake and ready to face the morning. Having a smooth, vibrant, clean and refreshed mind and body is always a bonus!

What sort of body scrubs do you prefer? Let me know in the comments section below!

Cheers
annsleyw :)

Winter Skincare Essential: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream)

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream)

As Perth enters its winter months, the weather becomes drier and the heaters are cranked up to its optimum. Perhaps it is just me, but I feel that this year's winter is colder than before. It is the same for the summer that just passed a season ago, except that it was a lot hotter. Anyway, I stray from my purpose. I intended to illustrate that as the season and environment become drier, our skin requires more hydration and moisturization.

I heard of Embryolisse from Sam (Samantha Chapman) of Pixiwoo on YouTube as she featured this product in a few of her videos featuring what is in her makeup bag, her skincare routine etc. She has praised this product to no end and it piqued my curiosity and interest since I am very obsessed with skincare. Though she has dry skin and I have combination-oily skin, I was mainly interested in the product because she said this cream is good for sensitive skin.

Having sensitive skin is no joke and when something is marketed for sensitive skin, I get pretty excited. As such, I did some research of the brand and on the product. It was a fascinating read. Skip through the next few paragraphs if you just want to read the product review.

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From Embryolisse.com.au:

The History of Embryolisse

Embryolisse® was formulated in the 1950’s by a physician who desired to create his own pharmaceutical skin care brand that met the expectations and acceptance of his profession.

With the use of progressive technology and the most up-to-date research regarding skin surface physiology and bacteriology, Embryolisse® Laboratories has improved the specific formulas for healthy and natural skin. This process led to the development of the Embryolisse product line, an innovative dermo-cosmetic that respects the natural balance and composition of the skin.

Embryolisse® was created with the understanding of the “natural barrier” properties of the skin. The formulas preserve the biological balance and assure anti-aging prevention. The simplicity of these formulations minimizes the risk of allergy and respects the natural balance of your skin.

Embryolisse® products help restore skin tone and elasticity while protecting your skin; leaving it smooth, gentle, and supple. All Embryolisse® products are based on active agents, which restore skin deficiencies and at the same time promote the “natural barrier” function that protects against free radicals.

The plant extracts and active ingredients used in Embryolisse® are recognized for their gentleness and tolerance. All products are tested under dermatological control for their effectiveness and safety.

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If you bothered to read the history of the brand, it is impressive. That you bothered to read it, and the history is impressive. There is a lot of technicalities involved but I can sense their dedication and sincerity in providing the best skincare possible.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream)

If Embryolisse decided to create a miracle product, they did! (PS: I think this is why they decided to name it the 24-Hour Miracle Cream. I just realized how apt the name is.) The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that provides the skin all the nutrients and hydration, repairs our skin by reconstituting the barrier that protects our skin from aggression (i.e. pollution, sun rays etc.) and accelerates cell renewal. It is a nourishing moisturiser for all skin types. This product is also a multi-tasker as you can use it for numerous purposes: to cleanse the skin or remove make-up, as a repairing mask, an after-shave cream, or as a baby-care product. YES, BABY CARE PRODUCT because it is paraben-free as well. It checks all my boxes.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream)

I purchased and received the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) sometime last year when it was spring going to summer. I used it as a moisturizer for day and night. While I thought it was a fantastic product, it was too moisturizing for my purposes intended (I have combination-oily skin). However, now that it is winter and my skin is feeling tight and dry, I have been using this product at night. My skin really laps up all the nutrients and hydration that the cream provides that I find my skin feeling like a million bucks the next day. My skin feels nourished, supple, revitalised, and incredibly smooth and soft that my makeup simply glides on. It is with no doubt that I declare this product my winter skincare essential!

Do you have any special products that you use exclusively during winter? Do share!

Cheers
annsleyw :D