Sleek i-Divine Palettes with Oh So Special and Curacao

The first time I came across Sleek Makeup was on Lipglossiping's fabulous blog more than a year ago. It's no secret (I think) that I have a huge crush on eyeshadows and absolutely adore colours. I do tend to get neutrals and slightly conservative shades because of work as I do not want to be known as Clown Lady at the office.

Anyway, I've been hemming and hawing about getting Sleek eyeshadow palettes for a while now and when they released the Oh So Special palette, I finally caved in because it looked like the perfect neutral palette that I needed in my collection.

The Oh So Special palette houses twelve different combinations of matte and shimmers and the colours range from beiges to peaches, browns and greys. The shades are relatively neutral and should flatter most skin tones.

The palette is slim and lightweight, which makes the perfect travel companion as it does not require much space. Although the colours are fairly neutral, I still find it to be a versatile collection of colours as you can create a variety of looks ranging from natural to dramatic.

On the other end of the spectrum, Sleek seemed to have thrown all conventional colours out the window and in turn created a fun and extremely colourful palette with Curacao.

With shade names such as Green Iguana and Bloody Mary, you'd know that this is not a palette for those who stick to plain, simple eyeshadows. Again, this has a mix of mattes and shimmers and the colours generally provide good pay-off but I have read that most folks have problems with getting one or two shades to show up properly.

I have just received the palettes on Saturday and haven't had the chance to dip into them much. I have been using Oh So Special for work the past couple of days and am very pleased with it so far. I will start experimenting with more looks over the weekend when I get some time to play, especially with Curacao :-)

Sleek Makeup can be purchased from Superdrugs UK. For international folks, you can order from their website at http://www.sleekmakeup.com/ directly. Both Oh So Special and Curacao may be limited edition palettes so if you're interested, best to get hold of them soon.

Inglot Eyeshadow Freedom System Palette ~ AMC45S, 414P, 419P and 451P

Since my first visit to Inglot a month ago, I have fallen completely in love with the texture, pigment and variety of eyeshadows offered that I had already decided to go back for more. Just last week, I was given the opportunity to attend the official media launch of the brand and thought it was probably good to pick out a few eyeshadows at the same time.

Inglot eyeshadows come in six different finishes, which are Matte, Pearl, Double Sparkle, AMC (Advanced Makeup Component), AMC Shine and AMC Pigment Powder. The texture of their eyeshadows are generally smooth, soft and buttery with minimal fallout. Their colours are also very pigmented and are visually stunning.

I had intended to get greys and blues since I had gotten browns, taupes and purples the last time. But I ended up coming home with this rather clever combination thanks to the three evil enablers I met up with that day. They had already spent an hour doing most of the legwork and all I had to do was "hitch" on their idea and add one more shade to complete the quad. You may start seeing similar colours popping up around the beauty blogosphere soon :-)

I am especially happy with AMC45S because it's not a shade I would have picked on my own. Xin was playing around with it at first and when I swatched it, I knew it was coming home with me. I have finally found a yellow I can wear because it remains more cool than warm. Another shade I like is 414P. This is one seriously gorgeous green and multi-dimensional too.

* sorry about the grotty photo, was in rush that evening *

I had a dinner to attend on Saturday and wore 419P as a base colour and shaded 414P on the outer corner of the eye. I then added AMC45S as a shimmery golden highlighter below the eyebrow. This is a really lovely combination and the colours blend and compliment each other very well.

Many eyeshadows tend to disappear when my eyes are opened but you can tell that these Inglot eyeshadows remain pigmented and visible. They lasted well through the evening. I had applied them around 5PM and the colours remained true past 2AM. I was wearing an eye primer so that helps the colours last longer.

This experience of self-selecting colours has also helped me be smarter and it's what the Freedom System is about, as it allows you to compose your own palette. The previous two palettes were chosen based on specific colour families.

* re-used my old photo but added the numbering schemes this time *

There is no right or wrong way of creating your own palette. Go with what you like and whatever colours that make you happy!

Availability:

Inglot products and eyeshadows are available at Ingot in Sunway Pyramid. Each square eyeshadow retails at RM28 for 2.5g worth of product (which is quite a lot!). The Freedom System palettes range from RM16 onwards.

Recent Haul ~ Getting Naked and Much Eye Love

When domncroxd from Belle Demoiselle called to let me know that Urban Decay's Naked Palette was back in stock at Sephora KLCC last week, I immediately told her to snap one up for me (thanks, babe!). I have been waiting for what feels like forever to get my hands on this elusive, always-out-of-stock palette.

My preciousssssss... * strokes lovingly *

My preciousssssss... * softly caress its brown velvety casing and gaze fondly at the twelve gorgeous eyeshadow shades *

I won't be reviewing this today because I have not the heart to molest the palette yet. There are loads of reviews and tutorials in the beauty blogosphere, so I'd recommend you check them out if you intend to purchase this palette (if you can find it, that is).

I also got the Too Faced Eye Love or Eye Love Too Faced (depending on how you want to read it) palette, which is a collection of two shades from four of its popular "Eye" kits. I think this was offered as a 500-point gift redemption in Sephora US and I really hope our local Sephora will offer some sort loyalty card or membership as well.

Like the Naked palette, Too Faced included a mini version of their bestselling eye primer. This is a really nice palette to travel with, it has enough shades to create different looks and is relatively slim and light.

I think you can tell by now that I am a huge fan of eyeshadow palettes. They are so much more practical and versatile. Probably the only eyeshadow singles I'd purchase these days are from Inglot but that's only because I can pop them into a palette.

The eyeshadow ban has been a big, fat fail.

Availability:
The Naked palette retails for RM175 and Eye Love for RM125 at Sephora Starhill or KLCC. Naked is of course, hard to come by so if you do see it, grab it quick.

INGLOT at Sunway Pyramid and A Little Blurb on Freedom System

*** warning : this post is pic heavy ***

* Inglot store entrance *

A few weeks ago, ParisB informed me that Inglot was opening soon at Sunway Pyramid. Unlike her, I live close to Sunway so it's not much of an issue for me to get there. Inglot Cosmetics is a Polish makeup brand I have only read about in the beauty blogosphere. They are known for their huge selection of colours and the Freedom System, that allows you to combine different colours into palettes. I believe the store opened its doors on 27th May but I was away at that time and couldn't check it out until this evening.

When I say colours, I really mean colours!

* eyeshadows for square palette *

* lip colours for round palette *

* lipsticks, glosses, balms and tints *

* huge variety of foundation shades *

* blushes and highlighters *

* pigment powders *

* eye brushes *

* nail polish colours *

I apologise for the poor picture quality as these were taken with my phone because I forgot to bring my camera along. But do you see the sheer quantity of colours? In varying finishes to boot. I was so impressed with the quality of the eyeshadows and they had the sort of colours I've been looking for, so I came home with a few different shades.

What surprised me most was the pricing. A single square eyeshadow costs RM28 for 2.5g of product. I actually had to ask the SA to repeat herself when she told me the price because I couldn't quite believe it. The Freedom System consists of magnetic palettes in various sizes for different colour combinations. The palette themselves range from RM16 to RM43. Considering that I have paid loads more for eyeshadow palettes with lesser product, Inglot Cosmetics have definitely won a place in my heart for their reasonable pricing and high quality products.

I played around with quite a number of colours before deciding what to take home with me. I had been looking for some cool browns and taupe shades. Inglot offers so many choices that I had a really hard time deciding. Sadly, I couldn't stay long because le hubby was waiting outside the store and I had to hurry the SA along too.

The Freedom System is a really cool concept and appeals to my inner geek. There are different palette sizes ranging from 2 to 60 (!) pans but I think the biggest available at the store is up to 10 pans. You pick the colours you want and pop them into the magnetic palette. The magnet is quite strong and your products should not fall out. I turned the palette upside down and shook it quite vigorously but the eyeshadows didn't budge.

The eyeshadow single comes in a plastic sleeve and it is easily taken out. And all you do next is to pop it into your palette.

One of the best parts about the Freedom System is its stackability. I love having a well organised stash and really appreciate the uniformity of these palettes. I chose the 4-pan palette (RM27 each) because it is more travel-friendly.

* two palettes stacked *

If you are a fan of colours or have been hunting for a particular shade of lipstick or eyeshadow, I'd recommend paying Inglot Cosmetics a visit. You will likely find something you want. Also, the prices won't break the bank. You can start with a palette and pick one or two colours first, and then go back for more and slowly build your own Freedom System.

I will write a more in-depth review of the eyeshadows in the future. But so far, I am extremely impressed with the texture, colour pay-off and quality. I already plan to go back for more colours, maybe grays and blues, but I honestly need to be on an eyeshadow ban (!) for the next three months. I have at least 10 unused palettes in my stash, which are mostly limited edition collections from various brands. Maybe I should start gifting a couple away so I won't feel so bad :-)

Hong Kong Haul

We just got back yesterday and I already miss the hustle and bustle of the busy city and the shops that are opened until late. We ate and shopped 'til our hearts content... or at least I did. The last time I visited Hong Kong was back in 1997. Things have changed quite a bit since. Most people spoke to me in Mandarin or English although I did try to communicate the best I could with my very hesitant Cantonese.

* Hong Kong's city lights across the harbour *

I purchased a few things here and there. Shops such as Sasa, Bonjour, Watson's and Mannings (similar to Guardian locally) operate until 11PM daily. I love the choices they offer, especially on Japanese products. They are cheaper in Hong Kong and the variety is simply better.

* skin and hair care haul *

* cosmetics haul *

There were several other items that were not photographed because I was too lazy to dig them out. My last purchase on the day I left was a Guerlain Meteorites Miniature Duo, just because I've heard and read so much about it. I also bought a few beauty products and gifts for the family.

If you're planning to go Hong Kong and are a beauty product junkie, here are a few recommendations that I hope can help;

• Research the prices of products locally and make up a list.

• Most goods in Hong Kong Sasa, Bonjour and drugstores are cheaper but just do a quick currency conversion if uncertain. I would whip out my phone calculator at nearly every store and the sales assistants are generally quite patient with me.

• If you have something specific to purchase, try to find out the address and location of the shop beforehand. Google Maps is pretty handy. I wanted a Billingham camera bag that wasn't available widely but found the shop easily thanks to Google Maps because I knew which road, MTR stop and exit to take.

• If you happen to be in Macau, try to visit the DFS Galleria at The Four Seasons, which is connected to The Venetian Hotel. There are loads of mid-end to high-end international brands available and the prices are quite good too.

• If you're in Kowloon, do pop by Langham Place Mall in Mongkok. Lots of cosmetic brands available from NARS to Jill Stuart, under one roof. There is a Muji store on the 7th floor too.

• The beauty halls in Sogo can get very busy, especially when there's a sale going on but it's not necessarily cheaper than finding the same product at Sasa or Bonjour, unless that brand or product is not available at either shops.

• Most people in Hong Kong can speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English, so communication was not a problem. Sometimes I had to spell out the name for them but for the most part, it wasn't an issue.

So there you have it. I'll be posting about the products individually in the near future and will try to include a few more tips and bits about my trip. I hope you have had a good week so far because I most certainly have enjoyed mine :-)

News Alert: theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 2 & 3

I popped by Subang Parade today as I had to grab some last minute things before my trip to Hong Kong tomorrow. I only intended to get a bag of Shiseido's facial cotton pads but saw that they had theBalm Shady Lady in Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 available at Sasa. I have hunted for Vol. 2 for a long time but they were usually out of stock. So imagine my delight when I spotted both today :-) What's more, Sasa is offering either palette for RM79 (usual retail RM120) with the purchase of any theBalm product.

Even at it's regular retail price, RM120 is not too expensive for nine beautiful eyeshadow shades in a palette. The size of each shadow is the same as MAC's, so considering how much MAC sells their eyeshadow singles, the palette is pretty good value for money.

The texture of these shadows are so buttery and soft. Pigmentation is fabulous and each shade has a varying degree of shimmer but the texture is never gritty. They apply very easily and seem to be quite long-lasting (based on many reviews). I have read they can be used either wet or dry, which is great because several of the shadow liner shades will look wonderful with wet application.

* Shady Lady Vol. 2 *

* Shady Lady Vol. 3 *

When I was at Sasa's, there were three or four of these palettes left. I forgot to ask when their promotion expires but it may be in two days' time. So if you're interested, hurry and go grab one!

note :

Temptalia posted about these palettes (with swatches and description) - Vol. 2 and Vol. 3

Sephora KL and A Mini Haul

Today was a pretty good day. I met and made a couple of new friends and checked out Sephora after a lovely dim sum lunch at Xin Cuisine in Concorde Hotel. I have not stepped into Sephora since opening day and have been reading a few mixed reviews about the branch at Starhill.

Can you believe I did not realise it was right across Pavilion all this while?

The store is not as big as I'd thought. You can take in the whole room at one glance but they do carry quite a lot of brands and have a huge range of Sephora's in-house products too.

Dr. Hauschka

Korres (limited items though)

Clarisonic (regular set only, they do not have Mia)

Sephora cosmetics

Too Faced

Soap & Glory

Urban Decay (primer "bar")

I was quite disciplined this time and only returned home with two items :-)

Shu Uemura Sakura Collection 2011

I have never heard of Mika Ninagawa until the release of Shu Uemura's sakura collection this year. She is a Japanese photographer / film director and has collaborated with Shu to bring us a really pretty springtime release.

There are three UV Under Base Mousse in this collection, all in a special edition canister designed by Mika. I picked up BB Beige as it's a limited edition shade and I already have Pink in a regular can. These mousse bases are quite light and airy but the BB Beige does feel a little heavier than the regular ones and offers more coverage too.

The shade may look a wee bit darker than my natural skintone but it does blend in quite well. As much as I love the texture of the BB Beige mousse, it is sadly a little too drying on me. However, the one in Pink seems to work better.

You can also purchase a limited edition Face Architect powder foundation case in this collection. The case is so pretty! I've always liked this powder foundation and am nearly hitting pan on my existing compact, so I did not mind picking up another.

There are six Rouge Unlimited lipsticks that were inspired by the different tones of the beautiful sakura. I chose pk332, which is described as a modern pink with warm undertones. It is quite a wearable pink but if your lips are very pigmented, it may not show up well.

Then there's the special edition makeup pouch, which I really like because it has a number of useful slots within. I had a lot of fun taking photos of this collection because everything was so bright and cheerful.

You can purchase the Mika Ninagawa set for RM313 (original price RM393) and 10% of the sales from this collection will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross, in support of their disaster relief efforts.

Personally, I have always loved spring blossoms and the sakura flower is indeed special in full bloom. This reminds me of a trip I made to China two years ago in spring. There were peach, apple, pear and plum blossoms everywhere and it was such a joyful experience.