Missy Em - That Klutzy Fashion Girl

Ultrasonic Contact Lens Cleaner-The Best Invention Ever

2012-01-29T03:16:00.003+11:00

...For those who wear contact lenses!

I have rigid gas permeable lenses which I don't wear that often. They're are a pain to clean and uncomfortable to wear. I get cloudy protein deposits so my optometrist says I need to give them a really hard clean.

So I bought this from Amazon for £17 including shipping and now I have a quick and easy cleaning regime.

Here's what I do:

1) Fill the chamber with saline solution.
2) Remove lens and secure them in the lens basket.
3) Plug in machine (in my hallway because there's no powerpoint in the bathroom) and turn it on. It has two settings, one for daily cleaning which runs for two minutes. And "super clean" which runs for 6 minutes for a weekly clean. When it's on, you can hear a faint hissing/fizzing sound.
4) Back in the bathroom, I rinse my lens case with saline and fill it with conditioning solution (or multi purpose solution).
5) Unplug the machine when the cleaning cycle is over. Pop the lenses in the case and chuck out the saline solution.

So there you go, no mindless rubbing and the whole process takes less than 3 mins. All I need is saline and conditioning solution. You could even skip protein removal because the machine really blasts them clean. I don't have to handle the lenses as much so I'm less likely to lose them. (Or break them which I've done once.)

You can use this machine for all types of contact lenses. I love it so much, I'm wearing my lenses more often now. They feel comfortable and super clean. Much cleaner than I could ever get them myself!

Revlon Iced Mauve 151 Nail Polish

2012-01-25T12:13:00.002+11:00

Years ago I was infatuated with a Japanese girlfriend's nail polish. It was different to most pinks, elegant rather than girly. The HG. I loved it so much, she gave me the bottle and I used it until it could no longer be revived by thinner.

Sadly I still can't find a dupe to this day but this is close. The original is dustier and paler.

Revlon Iced Mauve is an old classic. I bought this from a discount beauty store for 4 AUD.

The formula is good but it could dry faster. No streaks. One coat is enough for opacity. It takes a few days to start chipping and that's without a top coat. This will be my new staple.

Biotin For Hair & Nail Growth

2012-01-22T11:54:00.001+11:00

Pardon the silly outfit. I just wanted to show you the longest my hair has ever been and I think it's because of biotin. I was trying to regrow it after it thinned out due to stress.

However for few years now my hair's been the same length as below. The ends are dry and brittle. I had highlights and those areas are the first to split so regular trims are a must. I miss having longer hair so I'm taking biotin again.

I take a minimum 1000µg or 1mg a day after food. There are super doses of the stuff like 5mg but I think that's excessive. Some people have reported breakouts when they take too much.

I can already notice my nails growing faster and it's only been a week. So in case you're wondering, I think biotin works!

Will post again in a few months time to show results.

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

2012-01-21T12:18:00.000+11:00

I was mesmerised with a girlfriend's eyelashes. They looked so long and full, especially for an Asian girl. She had dolly-lashes! The secret was apparently L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara so I could'nt wait to try it for myself.

This mascara does a great job of separating lashes but only after a month of use. This is because it's dried up a little or the excess product has been used up. The first times I used it, the wand carried too much product and made my lashes clump like crazy.

But as you can see, it certainly volumises and makes lashes noticeably fuller. My lashes looked bushier but not much longer. I'm guessing my girlfriend's just blessed with really long lashes. The downside is that it flakes after a few hours and because the ball is so small, it takes alot longer to apply. More hassle when you're in a rush, but the payoff is that you can easily get to the ends of your lashline for a fanned effect.

I've found the best way to apply it is up and down. (ie, holding the wand vertically.)

The brush is very similar to Givenchy Phenonmen’Eyes Mascara if you're looking for a dupe.

Korea-Skincare and Makeup Central

2012-01-16T05:28:00.001+11:00

Hello from Korea! I got to spend one night in Seoul and the shopping here is amazing.

If the prolific cosmetic stores are any kind of measure, Korean women love their skincare and makeup. How cute are the shop fronts of Etude House and Holika Holika?

In the shopping district where I stayed, there was lots of Missha, Skin Food, The Face Shop, and similar shops. Almost one each on every street!

Most products have super cute packaging. My favorite shop was Etude House because their products were most unique. Got a haul of stuff, erring on the side of practicality. I bought pore treatments and an eyelash serum which I hope can perform miracles. They were kind enough to throw in a few freebies too. Spent less than £20 in there but got suckered at the airport when I wanted to try a snail product.

Yup, you heard me right. The latest skincare trend in Korea is the use of snail slime. I'm not sure of the benefits but just about every brand is pitching this ingredient in their skincare. Despite the mark up at the airport, I bought Missha's Night Mask Treatment with added snail. Will post a review soon!

Lanolips Ointment 101 and Rose Balm Intense Handcream

2012-01-06T23:48:00.001+11:00

When Lanolips came out with their first batch products, I thought who the heck would want to pay that much for lanolin. Did it really make a difference if the main ingredient was "medical grade"?

I resisted Lanolips but with its marketing (winning awards and plentiful positive reviews), I caved and bought these from Priceline. They came gift packaged with a patent pink cosmetic purse for $19.95

The ointment is just pure lanolin. What makes it different to cheaper lanolin is that it's highly refined so there is no smell or colour. It looks like Vaseline really. Just as thick and greasy but feels silkier in texture. It's all natural, very moisturising, and plumping. It can also be used on very dry skin so it's uses are versatile.

The handcream is heavy duty. Its thick and smells clean, like you've just had a rose bath. It does a terrific job keeping hands soft and supple. It sinks right in and a little goes a long way.

These are perfect for bedtime so you wake up to super soft skin. It feels luxe using them so they are worth the premium price. Handcreams come and go but I'll defo buy more ointment when it runs out.

Fresh Aloe Vera - Nature's Skin Saver

2012-01-06T10:47:00.002+11:00

Hello from the land of Oz!

Mum and I did some gardening yesterday and she got rid of our aloe vera plant. However being the resourceful person I am, I kept a few of the leaves and stored them in the fridge.

Aloe vera is great for skin, as long as you're not allergic. It relieves just about any skin ailment but it's commonly used for sunburn.

I peeled a leaf to reveal gooey flesh and rubbed it on after a shower. It's cooling, watery and dries quick. It felt a bit sticky and itchy as it dried but afterwards, my skin was mega-soft.

And because I had a stomache ache, I chopped up the gel (making sure there was no skin remaining) and mixed with water and a squeeze of lemon juice. Tastes better chilled, but surely enough my stomach calmed down shortly after I drank it. Marvelous!

Coconut Oil - Eye Makeup Remover

2011-12-10T10:28:00.002+11:00

I'm backpacking in Switzerland this weekend and I've made an amazing discovery!

Coconut oil makes a kick ass eye make up remover.

I realised when my normal remover refused to budge waterproof liquid liner. To preserve my eyelashes, I gently rubbed a dab of coconut oil on my lids and the liner melted off! I wiped the black gunk off with a tissue and cleansed my face as normal.

I will never buy eye make up remover again!

Talika Lipocils Expert Eyelash Conditioning Gel

2011-12-05T11:34:00.002+11:00

I had lunch with a girlfriend in Paris and I admit, the whole time I was obsessed with her ultra long eyelashes. They were like fans sweeping whenever she blinked!

She's asian so I could'nt resist asking which mascara she uses. She told me which one but I won't reveal until I've tried it myself. (I'm surprised because the reviews on makeupalley are awful.)

So I thought I'd encourage some natural growth with Talika Lipocils. As far as lash enchancers go, I've tried Mavala and Ardell (which is my preference). I bought mine from Sephora although I've now decided not to make a token purchase at the Champs Elysees anymore.

Firstly it's cheaper to buy online elsewhere. But worse, they've stopped giving away samples. The sales assistants used to throw in a handful of samples in my shopping bag but not this time. Maybe you have to spend alot to get them?

Anyway according to the Lipocils box, this is a "mythical eyelash conditioning gel", promising length, natural pigmentation and curve. The applicator is unique with a foam tip and a mascara style brush in one. Needless to say, application is fairly easy. I've just tried it and so far I've noticed a little sting if you get it too close to your eye.

I'll post my results in a few months so you can see if it actually works!

Rabbit Fur Hat

2011-12-03T13:01:00.000+11:00

Winter's here and I'm freezing! I'm packing for Paris tomorrow and look what I found - a fur hat from a flea market in Vienna.

I remember when I bought it. It was the end of the day and amongst the piles of clothing, shoes and general rubbish was this furry hat. I was told it was 5 euros but after the obligatory haggling, I got it for 3 euros.

Went back to the hostel and when I put the hat on my head, I realised it was too small. Should have tried it on first but oh well. Also I could feel plastic mesh inside so I assumed it was a faux fur hat. Still I could'nt throw it away.

Months later, I took it out of my closet, hand washed the lining and put it on my heater to dry. Sharp bits of mesh protruded from the lining when I put it back to shape and that's when I realised I melted the plastic!

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Since I thought I destroyed hat, I unstitched the lining to reveal the shabby mesh and threw it away. It turns out the hat's made from real rabbit fur and there was a stamp inside. (In German, but I could read that it was made in Vienna.)

I put the it on my head and what do you know, it now fits perfectly. What do you think?

Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner

2011-12-02T12:55:00.000+11:00

I bought this eyeliner two years ago and it's my first liquid eyeliner. Back then, I was unpracticed and gave up after too many mistakes. I found this eyeliner again and now I love it!

It has a fine felt tip which I found easy to use. One slight problem is that it coats my outer lashes which I find annoying when applying mascara afterwards. I only wear this when I'm wearing glasses so I skip mascara.

As long as I line thinly, it will not to smear when I blink. This liner has amazing staying power. Want proof? See the picture-its actually taken AFTER I've washed my face. (The proof is that my eye looks tired and no doubt concealer-less.) It's extremely waterproof and hard to budge.

It only melts off with an oil cleanser. So unless you have very oily eyelids, you probably won't get smudges. The black liner is very black, darker than MAC Blacktrack Fluidline.

I'm so impressed with this dirt cheap product. I think I paid only £3 for it. I can't remember where I bought it from but you can get it online. Will be buying this again when it runs dry!

My First UN-Leather Jacket

2011-11-16T11:59:00.002+11:00

I must edit this post because it was'nt until recently I realised this jacket is NOT leather. The realisation came with the lack of leathery smell and a plastic-y feel but dang, it fooled me good!

-------------------------------

Whoop whoop! I bought this biker style jacket from a charity shop for £15 and I love it. The leather is lush-ious. It's worn in, buttery soft and and the fit is perfect.

Just looking at the current trends and leather jackets seems to go with every sleek outfit. From classy mini dresses to skinny jeans.

Just hope the weather does'nt get too cold so I get lots of wear out of it.

Early Sleek Eyeshadow Palette & Blue Heaven Kajal Eyeliner Review

2011-11-15T12:05:00.001+11:00

I was in Hackney this weekend and look what I found at an ethnic hair supply shop.

On the left, is a rare Sleek mini eyeshadow palette. I thought it was cute and a steal compared to the latest drugstore versions. It was only £1.99. It has 18 colours and a sponge applicator.

There were heaps of kajal eyeliners on offer and after my poor review of the Sleek version, I thought I'd give kajal another chance. I choose the Blue Heaven brand because of there was English on the packaging. It says it's lead free which is a go-ahead for me. There were a few other far fetched qualities of the product, like it soothes and cool eyes. I'm not convinced of the effectiveness since it's only eyeliner but I like the idea how it's mega-compact and only 99p!

So a preliminary review on the Sleek eyeshadows. I've only used two neutral colours so far and the colour payoff is very good. It has a smooth and creamy consistency but lasting power is not a good as the latest versions. I still like it and the best part is the price so I could'nt ask for more!

As for the Blue Heaven kajal, I like the minimalist packaging and how there's less chance of me accidently blunting the point by closing the lid on it. The pigmentation is excellent, much like the Sleek version. It applies easily and it's very soft. The downside is that it smudges like crazy, despite what it says on the packaging.

Smudging is a good thing but after few blinks, I have raccon eyes. I'll try waterlining (which I think is weird and unnatural) and see if it travels less.

When a product is that soft and creamy, it will smudge easily. There seems to be no exception around this law of physics.

Bullet shaped packaging with holographic sticker for authenticity.

The kajal is "self sharpening". Therefore it must be applied it on a slant.

The traditional Indian way of applying kajal is to hold it on your waterline, close your eye gently and swipe it outwards. That way, both your top and bottom lids are lined and you keep the tip sharp. This explains the conical shape of kajal.

I want to love this product as it ticks all the other boxes. I will persevere!

Hitting The Charity Shops Again

2011-11-08T11:28:00.000+11:00

Presenting my gold deer figurine. A wee bit kitschy but lots cute!

ELF Matte Refinisher and Mod Mauve Nail Polish

2011-11-02T10:47:00.001+11:00

My friend recommended the Matte Refinisher and now I can see why. It has a funky frosted effect which extends your nail polish collection by two-fold.

This is one coat of the Matte over two coats of Mod Mauve. In real life the colour is brown so to call it mauve is inaccurate. It's looks nothing like the swatch on the ELF website but still, I like this neutral colour.

The consistency is fine for a cheapie but as for the last power, it's pretty awful. I got tiny chips on the first day and it came off in chunks by the third. Can't complain too much considering it only cost 90p!

ELF Mini Haul

2011-10-20T09:33:00.004+11:00

E.L.F recently had a 40% off sale so I bought a few items I've been curious about. I'm pretty happy with these products, however I did spent hours looking for swatches and reviews before culling my shopping list!

Mechanical Eyelash Curler- I like it's design for gripping and it does'nt pinch. The width of the curler is just right but I can't get close to the base of my lashes. It leaves a crimp rather than a curl. Most reviews for this have been positive.
Studio Cream Eyeshadow Candlelight - good for highlighting. This is my first cream eyeshadow and I'm pleased with it's non-creaseability and staying power. It's packaging is excessive though.
Nail Polish - Cranberry. Love this dark shimmery red.
Nail Polish - Mod Mauve. Not at all like the colour on the website. Its looks more brown than mauve.
Nail Polish - Pearl Pink. An metallic semi-neon pale pink with a blue sheen. Colour does'nt suit me and it's poorly pigmented. Needs four coats to get it opaque.
Clarifying Pressed Powder Honey (tone 2) - Love this! Perfect little case for touchups. Don't need to use lot as it would look cakey. Blots away the oilies. I also bought Spice but it was too orangey to be useful so will be chucking it out.
Matte Finisher Clear Nail Polish - a friend recommended this and I love it too! It extends your nail polish collection and the matte effect is funky.
Studio High Definition Powder - ridiculously huge packaging. Only need a tiny bit as I found it to be drying. Feels like it was sucking the moisture out of my skin. It's promised to reduce the look of wrinkles and pores but I can't really notice an effect. Best used with a brush rather than the puff supplied.

Mela Loves London - Ruffled Owl Dress

2011-10-09T11:27:00.002+11:00

I have a dress with owls all over it! It was from New Look on sale for £7. Its actually a Large. I'm surprised how it looked nicer than a Small.

I love owls :)

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream

2011-10-05T09:07:00.006+11:00

BB creams are set to explode into the European market, thanks to Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector. I've tried it and admit it's pretty good. Fair coverage, pleasing glowy finish and it does'nt feel like you're wearing anything.

If you're on the discovery of BB creams, why not try an original from Korea, home of an original?

If you're patient with mail orders, I recommend buying the Perfect Cover BB cream from a reputable seller on Ebay. My 20ml tube was £6 including shipping from Korea. It's marginally pricer than Garnier but I prefer the Missha version because of the packaging and the coverage is better.

Firstly I must say that I don't think BB creams are anything more than thick pigmented moisturisers with minerals. They make your skin look luminous but it's a cosmetic effect. However I can use it daily as opposed to slapping on foundation. This BB cream feels light and non-sticky.

The packaging is sleek and hygienic to dispense. A narrow nozzle for the 20ml tube and a pump for the 50ml.

You don't need to use alot. The colour #34 Natural Beige looks a little ashy out of the tube but provided I don't use more than half a pea size, it blends in well with my skintone. (I think the next darker shade #27 Honey Beige will match my skin better so I'll order that next time.)

This BB cream provides fair coverage for acne scars and dark eye circles. It has a slightly matt finish and sinks right in. Impressive how it turns my drab skin to more even toned and glowing. Blemishes and pores are less noticeable too.

A brilliant product!

Lazy Manicure Post - Love & Beauty Unique

2011-09-15T09:23:00.001+10:00

Just installed the Blogger iPhone app and taking it for a test drive.

More Crackle Nail Polish

2011-09-04T03:20:00.001+10:00

Models Own Wah Nails Smash Up Crackle Polish

2011-09-01T08:46:00.010+10:00

I'm not big on the crackle trend but I got this free with purchase of two Models Own polishes. They also have crackles in silver, purple and hot pink. I chose black too keep things simple.

The consistency is thinner than a normal nail polish. Instructions say a thin coat gives the best result. If too it's thick, there is little or no crackle effect. However if it's too thin, it looks scratchy and inconsistent.

The crackle pulls away from the base within seconds. If you paint over it again, it drags off the effect so an even application is required with each stroke.

The crackle dries matt so it looks more "polished" (ha ha, sorry) after a top coat. In this picture I used ELF Light Red as a base. Despite what the instructions say, you don't need to use it over a Model's Own nail polish.

The combination is a little too dark for my skin tone. Still, it's fun and attention grabbing. Lazy nail art I reakon. Will post more combos soon!

Miu Miu Matalasse Malva Handbag

2011-08-29T07:52:00.015+10:00

I went into Selfridges for a cup of tea but there was a long queue at the cafe.

So I stopped by Miu Miu on my way out and fell in love with this bag. The leather is gorgeous and the Matalasse quilting stands out from the other bags. Malva is a well pigmented raspberry pink colour. It smells luscious!!!

Although it's a small shoulder bag, it holds alot for it's size. I managed to fit my purse, lipgloss, eyedrops, iPhone, earphones, hand cream and cardigan.

I convinced myself to get it for two reasons:

1) "Value" for money: The small Mulberry Alexa was £545, which holds just as much. This bag is £295.

2) I carry alot so I'm going to distribute the weight over a tote bag and this bag. I'm sick of getting my hair snagged under a heavy handbag strap.

It's my only luxury buy of the year, I've decided. I only went into Selfridges for a cup of tea!

Vintage Silver Bracelets

2011-08-28T20:16:00.013+10:00

After having a coffee at my favorite cafe, I wondered around the Hampstead Indoor Market and spotted these in a £2 basket. They were from a vintage jewellery stall where I usually oogle at their timeless pieces.

The chunkier bracelet is intricately engraved and hinged. The thinner one is delicate and goes with any outfit. Both so pretty and best of all, they fit my bony wrists. I love vintage jewellery and these were a bargain. Best Sunday morning ever.

ASH for Kurt Geiger Wedge Sandals

2011-07-17T06:07:00.004+10:00

A quick post to show off my new shoes for summer!

L'Oreal Double Extend/Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara

2011-07-11T04:45:00.005+10:00

I've been on a mascara spree and thought I'd test out two step mascara. Could they be better than the ordinary kind?

One end is the white primer and the other is...black stuff. I say that because the primer provides the extension of lashes but the black stuff does'nt seem to do anything but coat them. A bit pointless considering you might as well turn the primer black and that's your typical one step mascara.

This mascara definitely lengthens but does nothing for volume. If I applied too much primer, my lashes clump together. Anything more than two coats causes them to go spidery. Also if you don't wait for the primer to dry first which some suggest that you don't, your lashes look ashy. That is unless you pile on the black stuff and again, they will look clumpy.

Removal is easy. Just with warm water and a little bit of friction. The tubes slide right off.

It's a fun change from ordinary mascaras but it does'nt live up to the hype. Cheaper than Fiberwig but I think Fiberwig looks more natural and does'nt make your lashes feel stiff.

Edited to add: Made a fantastic discovery. Ditch the black side and use Fibrewig on top of the primer. It really holds the curl and makes you look like you're wearing falsies!

Clarisonic Mia - 2 Week Results

2011-07-06T06:56:00.006+10:00

Just a quick post to report how my Clarisonic Mia is going. I'm usually too lazy to exfoliate so this machine is a godsend.

Its easy to use. Just wet the brush and your face, pour on a little non-abrasive cleanser and very lightly massage in small circles. The Mia runs for 1 minute on a single speed. In the mornings I use it with Cetaphil for a minute and in the evenings with a foaming cleanser for a minute and a half.

The result is that my face looks radiant and super clean. My skin feels softer and looks smoother. Pores are noticeably smaller although its a temporary effect. They're back to their normal size by the end of the day but its still an amazing outcome.

My only complaint is recharge time. It runs about 20 minutes on a single recharge but takes 18 hours to charge. Especially inconvenient as it means I have to go without in the morning or night while it's charging.

Will post a follow up after a month's time so stay tuned!

Clarisonic Mia vs The Body Shop Facial Brush

2011-06-29T09:15:00.005+10:00

My skin is looking horrid these days. Congested, dull, oily and my pores are huge-mungous.

I stumbled across a forum discussing the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing system. It's been around for years and many swear by it. Pricey though. Is'nt it just a glorified electric version of the brush you see here?

The smallest model is the Mia and it comes in white, purple, pink and blue. Priced at £120, I got mine from Space NK. It comes with a magnetically connecting charger cable and a small tube of cleanser. The next model up cost considerably more but the brush is the same size. The device is chunkier and comes with a charging stand, more functions (beeping, timing and speeds), extra sample products and a body brush attachment.

It has a 30 day money back guarantee so I can get a refund if I'm not happy with it. Better than wasting money on imitation products I reakon.

Because the Mia needs to be initially charged for 24 hours, I bought the "manual version" from The Body Shop for £3 to test in the meantime.

The Body Shop brush is compact so I find it easier to control the pressure. It comes with a lid to protect the soft bristles. The purpose of the brush is to lightly exfoliate, stimulate circulation, improve skin tone and texture.

I wet the brush and my face, apply a little cleanser gel and away I scrub for two minutes before rinsing. And the result? I still feel bumps but my skin looks smoother and radiant. My pores shrunk but they reverted back to normal not long after. Still, a great result for the price.

Posting a review on the Mia shortly so stay tuned!

Denim Cut Offs - DIY Boyfriend Shorts

2011-06-15T07:43:00.004+10:00

I've been looking for boyfriend shorts and found these for FREE.

Actually they're denim cut offs. I bought the jeans from a thrift store in Calgary so they had sentimental value but I hardly wear them. I cut them off and hemmed them with my sewing machine. Now they'll get worn alot in summer!

I'm thrilled that not only have I converted an old pair of jeans into shorts, I did'nt have to outlay a cent. And they are exactly length I was after.

So if you have old jeans, try to get good use out of them again by turning them into shorts. Even if you don't have a sewing machine, you can wear them frayed. It's really easy!

ELF Nail Polish - Light Red

2011-06-12T11:07:00.003+10:00

Not an imaginative colour name, eh? It's self explanatory looking at the bottle but with two coats on, it's hot chilli red.

I got this nail polish as a free gift with my first ELF order and even at the normal price of £1.50, I'm impressed. I've seen alot of bad reviews on ELF nail polishes but this one is a winner. The pigmentation is excellent and the formula is creamy. I have two coats on in the picture.

For mail order, I thought the window boxed packaging is excessive. According to the box, the polish has a "revolutionary bristle design (which) glides color on flawlessly." I did'nt think so although it wasn't a terrible brush. Probably a wee thicker than normal but that's it. One thing which did live up to the promise was the "quick dry formula for no mess application". A must for reds. I'll be wearing red more often than usual now!

ELF Pouty Petal and Voodoo Lipsticks

2011-06-06T08:13:00.004+10:00

I finally made an ELF order and got two lipsticks, a nail polish, cuticle oil pen and brush cleaner spray.

Here are the two lipsticks, Pouty Petal and Voodoo, one from each lipstick range.

The Voodoo as you can see above is the cheaper version (£1.50). The packaging is not great but atleast there is a centre window to identify the colour. The colour is beigey berry. I like it because it's a muted red and I find it easy to wear for any occasion. Quality wise, it's very good. Smooth and creamy and lasts for quite a few hours. Bargain for the price.

The Pouty Petal is a good dupe for Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Boy. This lipstick is from the Mineral line (£3.50). It's pink, nude and sheer. The texture is fine. I could'nt tell how long this lipstick lasts since it camouflages to my natural lip colour. Those with pale lips will notice a lovely pink tint.

Is it worth more than double the price of the basic lipstick? Yes but for the packaging only. The lipstick quality is just the same. In fact I noticed with both that the first swipes had little colour payoff because they had the same firm texture.

Beaded Necklace and Vintage Floral Saucer

2011-05-23T03:19:00.003+10:00

I have the tendency to buy matching things for my outfit and wear it out the store. It's instant gratification. And thanks to a black dress, I got this necklace for £10 at Designs in Hampstead.

Not sure what the lime beads are made out of but the center cluster is made from real pearls and Swarovski crystals.

And what else does it go with? This vintage floral saucer from the Hampstead Indoor Market for a quid. I'm collecting them to hold pillar candles and display dress jewelry. A nifty use for pretty saucers!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick - Fétiche

2011-05-02T08:25:00.003+10:00

I got suckered into the pretty advertisement for the the Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks. The colours are amazing but don't let the lipsticks fool you, they are actually sheer and shiny. Like Clinique's Black Honey, you get a smidgen of the tube colour as in the below pic.

It was a toss up between the lipstick modelled in the ad, Boy or Fetiche. Both similar except Fetiche is more mauve with no shimmer. I have naturally dark pigmented lips so Boy was a useless colour. It looked like I was wearing nothing but Vaseline.

It feels creamy and moisturing but it lasts four hours, tops. The Chanel consultant reakons that the colours change after application and if anything, it does look pinker but it's a subtle effect.

This is my type of lipstick because it just glides on and I hate bold lipstick because it's too high maintenance.

Fetiche is a gorgeous colour. For pale lips, Boy would be perfect as a pretty nude. I would recommend this range if you like wearing lipstick but don't want the hassle of smudges and precise application.

Vintage Floral Skirt and Cable Knit Sweater

2011-04-24T08:04:00.005+10:00

Felt very much like a school teacher in the 80s when I put a belt over a cable knit jumper. I got the jumper from an charity shop for £5 and it's the softest and warmest I own. (American Apparel are currently selling similar sweaters for £57!)

The vintage floral skirt was from Oz. It was $4 and the elastic gathering needed to be replaced. The print was too pretty to ignore so I bought it anyway and fixed it myself.

The skirt was well worn in the 80s and now it survives two more decades and counting!

Nails Inc French - 3 Week Gel Manicure

2011-04-24T07:03:00.006+10:00

My last 3 week manicure on my Nails Inc loyalty card.

To make it really count, I choose french because the regrowth is less noticeable. I have long nail beds so I asked the manicurist to fake the whites. (My nails are actually short here.) So pleased to have normal looking nail beds for now!

17 Vintage Love Eyeshadow Palette - Perfect Pastels

2011-04-15T08:58:00.009+10:00

I had a personal promise that I won't buy another eyeshadow again but how freaking cute is this palette?

There are a few reviews and swatches online and that's how I got hooked. You can still buy it from boots.com but be quick. The other palette, Metallic Nude is already sold out and you can't find them in stores anymore. They're limited edition and are priced at only £5.49 with free delivery to any Boots store.

Not only is the compact pretty, the quality of the eyeshadows are outstanding. They're well pigmented and silky. Even better than Sleek with almost no fallout. The staying power is excellent. Still looking good at the end of the day with minimal creasing.

The colours are girly and soft. I think frosty pastels make eyes look more open and youthful. This is a definitely a keeper!

Lanvin Ballet Flats

2011-04-13T08:00:00.006+10:00

You're probably thinking these don't belong in a frugalicious blog but they were a bargain. Got them at my favorite shop in Hampstead, a designer store selling nearly new stock for a fraction of retail.

Guessing a wealthy lady with small feet had unloaded her shoes because there were a heap of size 35 and 36 shoes in stock. I tried on a pair of Louboutins but they were too small (but they were hawt). And made a difficult choice out of four pairs of Lanvin ballet flats.

Bought the bordeaux plain leather because they were the comfiest. They have leather soles and wedge insoles for hidden support. I'm getting them Topied once I break them in a bit more.

I must sing out my praises for the leather. Lanvin flats have the thickest and supplest leather I've seen in shoes. They are beautifully made and will last a long time.

A tip on sizing for the plain leather flats. I suggest going up half a size.

NYX Sweetie Nail Polish

2011-04-12T08:43:00.002+10:00

Just a quick post to show off my satin pink nails. Love the colour and the name is about right but it says "professional salon formula" and I disagree.

It's the streakiest frost I tried and even after three coats and a top coat, it chips within three days. Tut tut, NYX!

Cropped Orange Swing Coat

2011-04-06T06:33:00.009+10:00

Spring is here and look what I found at the charity shop. Beaming from a huddle of winter coats is this orange swing coat. The colour really popped and that's why I love it. Aren't I looking ever so smug in my new coat?

It's a shame there was no label except to say that it was made of wool and cotton. I'm curious to know what brand it was but I suppose that's part of the mystery (or fun) with thrifting.

The coat was missing two buttons so the shop keeper let me have it for £10 instead of £14. There were identical decorative buttons on each pocket so I used those to replace the missing ones. An easy fix!

This outfit also comprises of:

Portmans scarf

Cream cable knit sweater

Triple 5 Soul Wool Pleated Miniskirt

Roots Village Satchel in Tribe Leather

Pied A Tere Ankle Boots

What's On Your Dresser?

2011-04-04T09:39:00.009+10:00

Just having a little fun with Instagram. This is my dresser while I'm housesitting for a friend. It's actually a vintage vanity table with a light above the mirror.

I feel so girly rolling my hair up in bendy rollers in front of it. Remember them? I bought a pack of 6 from an op shop for $1 AUD but you can still get them in Boots.

For wavy curls, I use two at a time trapping the ends of my hair in between and I roll upwards. They stay secure while I'm sleeping and by morning, I have curls! No heat required and they last until I wash my hair. How's that for old fashioned hair tricks?

I bought the hair pick from a vintage fair in Hampstead. The pearl necklace and gold bracelet you might have seen from my previous posts. The elegant bottles of perfume are Penhaligon's. I've sampled them all and their scents are exquisite!

Lulu Guinness Olivia - Vintage Style Sunglasses

2011-03-28T09:29:00.006+11:00

Remember my Moschino sunnies? I accidently scratched them in the line of sight so that's another pair of sunnies wasted. Doh!

I found these Lulu Guinness sunnies at a designer consignment store for £50. I could'nt resist because they look vintage and I love white sunglasses. The case is mega cute too.

Can't wait to wear them when the sun stays with us in the UK for longer.

Olive Oil As Make Up Remover

2011-03-25T22:26:00.006+11:00

I just discovered that olive oil makes an amazing emergency makeup remover.

If you're stuck somewhere without cotton wipes and remover, simply pour one to two teaspoons of olive oil onto your fingertips and gently massage your face. To remove the last traces of eye make up, run your finger lightly over your lower lashline. Keep your eyes open and look up if you're squeamish.

When the makeup is dissolved, wipe off excess oil with tissue. Wash your face with foaming cleanser or handwash and rinse with warm water.

Makeup is completely gone and skin is soft and smooth. There's no need for tugging or scrubbing. This method is so cheap and effective, I'm refilling my MAC Cleanse Off bottle with olive oil when it's empty.

Any olive oil will do, but the lightest will be easier to wash off. You won't believe how well it works until you try it!

Nars Orgasm On Asian Skin

2011-03-25T02:49:00.007+11:00

Needed a new foundation to match my tan so I popped off to Selfridges. If you have'nt tried Bare Minerals foundation, you are missing out. I'm now "Golden Medium" and I bought the matte version for £25.

The finish is natural and it does'nt feel like I have "stuff" caked on my face. I wear it over Eyeko's 3 in 1 cream in the evening for a luminous look.

While on a spending high, I tried the hyped Nars Orgasm blush. It looks different in the palette than it does on me. Orgasm is frosty peach pink, but on me it's a natural flush. It would probably look peach if I put alot on.

I hesitated to purchase but after walking a full circle around the make up hall, I returned and said: "I'm back for the orgasm."

"The blush?" I guess the salesgirl wanted to make sure.

NYX Root Beer Eyeshadow

2011-03-03T23:23:00.005+11:00

Found: NYX products in Charcoal (DFO Homebush) at 50% off!

The nail polishes were $10, reduced to $7 and now they're $3.50. Other items were priced accordingly, close to online from the US.

Cake powder, lip glosses, eyeshadow trios, eye and lip liners, lipsticks, nail polishes and blushes were available. There's a limited colour range but it's worth a look if you want a NYX haul.

A few eyeshadows were broken and amongst some lurid colours, I found one I liked for $4. I got Root Beer, a slightly shimmery dark brown. Perfect as an everyday eyeshadow. Root Beer is easy to blend and the pigmentation is buildable. When applied it's not shimmery as it appears in the pan. It has a matt finish.

I also bought a nail polish called Sweetie. An appropriate name for the colour. Will post swatches on it soon!

All About Eyelash Perming

2011-02-27T20:00:00.010+11:00

Hello from Sydney! So happy to be home after more than a year.

One of the first things I did was get my lashes permed at Nail Salon Koko in Wynyard. I used to get it done every few months there. The staff are Japanese and they really take care of you.

An ex-colleague recommended this place when I couldn't stop staring at her naturally long lashes. She had dolly-eyes and this was without mascara!

Eyelash perming is a godsend for those with straight lashes. Mine point downward and no matter how much I try to curl them, they quickly revert back to their stick form.

Perming enhances the look of short lashes because they are noticeable upturned. Best of all, you can kiss your curler goodbye until the permed lashes fall out in their normal lifecycle. For me the curled effect lasts six weeks.

You have a choice of perming rod sizes. I choose medium for a natural look but it depends on the length of your lashes.

They glue the foam rods close to your upper lash line and lashes over the rod with latex glue. This step takes the longest because it's an intricate job. I'm used to prodding around my eyes but for those who are sensitive, you must stay relaxed so they can get this right. It's very tricky! I let my eyes slightly open at this stage to make sure the lower lashes are not glued to the rod. Otherwise they will be wonky for the life of the perm.

A perming solution is applied and the lashes are covered with cling wrap and a flannel for 10 minutes. The process is repeated with a neutralising solution. It's a bit smelly with the chemicals but it does'nt bother me. In fact I'm so relaxed I tend to fall asleep on their comfy recliner.

The lashes are wiped clean and the rod is removed with cotton wool soaked with hot water. Voilà! Permanently curled lashes. I preserve mine by not rubbing my eyes and gently applying Vaseline (olive, jojoba or castor oil also works) before I sleep. Apparently they don't fall out as quick and they grow longer but I'll let you be the judge of that theory!

Cherry Red Bio Gel - 3 Week Manicure

2011-02-16T08:06:00.003+11:00

A visit to Nails Inc just before my 2.5 week holiday in Oz. Can't wait to go back to Sydney. Yay!!!

I chose Cherry Red out of a very limited range of colours at Nails Inc. Dark red is never a practical colour and I get to cheat the smudges and staining. No chipping for three weeks and it looks so glossy, it could drip.

Ooh and the colour's nice too.

Three Cheers For Gosh Peony!

2011-02-11T10:08:00.005+11:00

The photo from my previous post on Peony was so crappy, I had to retake it to give it justice.

Peony is the creamiest frost. You might think that sounds odd but if you try it, you'll be amazed how pigmented and streak-free it is. If you can suggest any frosts like that, please let me know as I'll be enamored!

BaByliss Ceramic Clampless Curling Wand

2011-02-07T08:14:00.007+11:00

Now that my hair is straightened, I want curly hair.

My hair is fine and needs oomph. I want the freakishly giant locks of Cheryl Cole. But since I can't afford hair extensions, I'll just curl my hair for volume.

Initially I was looking for bendy rollers but for the same price, Argos sells their curling tongs for only £3.82!!! On second thought I bought the BaByliss curling wand from John Lewis for £19.95. Much kinder than the cheap version with the clamp that snags my hair.

The BaByliss curling wand has 5 temperature settings. It's ceramic coated and gets up to 200 degrees. I use it on it's lowest setting of 155 and that's enough to keep my hair curled or wavy for two days. It's clamp-free like the new trendy curling gizmos and the wand is the right length for my long hair.

I need to learn to wrap my hair around it properly but the first attempt is pretty good. I sprayed hair protectant on first and held the hair on long enough to feel it warm up. I finished off with plenty of hairspray. The waves came out shiny and with practice, I'll be mastering curls soon!

The low temperature helped preserve my hair and the ends did'nt touch the wand. Using it is a bit tricker but my hair is too long for the conventional curling tongs. I highly recommend this curler and if you get it, make sure to wear the heat protection glove provided so you don't burn yourself!

Models Own Nail Polish - Champagne

2011-02-01T10:12:00.004+11:00

Got this from Asos for £3 and it includes a six way buffer and shipping. Whoopee!

This is my first Models Own nail polish and it looks exactly the same as Ulta3 Envy. A shimmery silver with beige undertones. I was hoping that it would be a bit more golden but this is still very pretty. The polish is highly pigmented and dries quick. Very metallic looking, almost reflective with three smooth coats.

Creme De La Mer - Is It Worth It?

2011-01-30T08:31:00.005+11:00

I've finally finished my jar of Creme De La Mer. It took me 2 years (alternating with other moisturisers) but the last dab is as good as the first. What an accomplishment using up hundreds of dollars of face cream! *Places empty jar on mantelpiece.*

I'm sure you're wondering if the stuff is worth it. A bit about the product first. It's a white thick creme which is lightly scented. Looks like Nivea creme except La Mer is thicker. The packaging is luxe. A heavy glass jar with a little spatula. You're supposed to use a pea sized blob, warm it in your hands and pat it on. Apparently it releases some magical powers but I think it's because the creme is rich and you don't want a greasy face.

The creme goes a long way and while it makes my skin feel soft and "nice" (as in I don't have problems using it), it does'nt perform miracles. I would have the same effect with Nivea creme. The so-called Miracle Broth is simply not miraculous for me.

Over the past two years I've collected some fine lines and my T-zone is still congested. My skin has'nt incredibly changed for the better. The creme is functional but very expensive. Would I buy it again? I'd rather shell out for a £5 moisturiser and go on a holiday instead.

If you can afford it, then there's no reason not to give it a try. But if you're scrimping to pay for even just a small jar, rest assured it's not a cure for wrinkles. Don't go beyond your means to buy it because a good drugstore brand can do just as well.

Nubar 2010 Holographic Nail Polish Combo

2011-01-29T10:33:00.003+11:00

A quick post to show the versatility of Nubar 2010. It's the holographic polish which doubles up as a top coat, atleast for lazy people like moi!

Bourjois Paris Blusher - 95 Rose De Jaspe

2011-01-25T07:51:00.005+11:00

I have more blush than I can use up in a lifetime but I bought more! I love Bourjois and this blush is labelled "Paris", one of my favorite cities.

Rose De Jaspe gives a natural pink flush with a hint of shimmer. The effect is soft and it's easy to control the pigmentation. Like with most Bourjois products the packaging is cute and compact. It's faintly scented and comes with a mini curved brush.

In the below pic I'm also showing off my ring. The diamond was caked with soap, lotion and other yucky stuff underneath the claws. I decided to clean it myself after being quoted £45 for a professional job in Hatton Garden. I bought supermarket jewellery cleaner and after a soak and scrub, it came out spiffingly sparkly. Win!

Forever 21 Love & Beauty - Unique Nail Polish

2011-01-14T11:43:00.004+11:00

I could'nt resist this nail polish at Forever 21. I got it in in Calgary and there were heaps of colours at the counter. For 3.80 CAD, it's a cheerful splash of colour and frugal friendly.

How does it fare of for a cheapie? Thick and streaky if you apply it too thin. It smudges easily so best not to multitask while it dries. A good top coat is needed to give the bold colour justice. And the brush was a fail-it had a stray one sticking out from the rest. Also the staying power is terrible. It chipped the next day.

On the plus side, I adore the colour. Unique is a creamy mauve pink. The bottle's cute. It makes me want to collect them all from Forever 21!

NYX Eyeshadow Trio 01 - White Grey Black

2010-12-26T12:19:00.004+11:00

Got to use the matt eyeshadow trio from my first NYX haul and I love it!

I needed a compact black eyeshadow since the Sleek Storm Palette is'nt handbag friendly. Sleek has the blackest of all the black eyeshadows I've tried and NYX is just as pigmented.

The grey and the white is poorly pigmented but it's forgivable because I use them sparingly for highlighting and contouring. All shadows have good staying power and there's a mirror in the compact for convenience.

In the photo I've used the black to line the outer corners of my eyes and blended with grey on the lids. White was applied to the brow bone and inner corners.

This compact trio is a high quality product for the price. Make sure to add this to your shopping list when buying NYX online!

Lip Fusion Dupe-Lip Filler Express Gloss & Elegant Touch Nail Fortifying Spa

2010-12-25T07:17:00.009+11:00

I had a Savers haul to stock up for my trip to Egypt.

Among the necessities were two impulse items. The first was Lip Filler Express Gloss, a Lip Fusion dupe. I have too many glosses but who cares for £1?

The packaging is similar to Lip Fusion and it's manufactured by Deborah Milano cosmetics. The gloss contains "hyaluronic filling spheres" which dilate by pushing towards the lip surface, hydrating and smoothes out the lips. It promises voluminous lips in 15 minutes.

The texture is similar Lip Fusion, thick and slightly sticky with a faint candy scent. As you can see in the pic, there is not much difference to size although my lips are shiner with less wrinkles. The gloss is shimmery which adds to the effect of plumper lips. There is a cooling tingle but it goes away after 15 mins. While it's ingredients differ to Lip Fusion, in my experience the results are exactly the same with a bargain price.

The second impulse buy is the Elegant Touch Fortifying Nail Spa for £2. My nails were ravaged when I had my gels removed. It was a shocking job. The manicurist did'nt leave the acetone on long enough and harshly scraped my nails. She wasn't even watching when she scratched my finger with the stick. Traces of gel remained but I was too scared to complain. Not going back to that Nails Inc (Debenhams Oxford St)!

The nail polish is a water based treatment with bamboo extract, avocado oil and sunflower seed oil. It's to regenerate weak and damaged nails with improved results in 3 days, so the packaging says. Leaves a translucent shiny finish and my nails feels stronger after two coats. I love it!

Calgary Thrift - Value Village/Savers

2010-12-24T05:07:00.006+11:00

Hello from snowy Calgary! I'm here skiing and relaxing for a week and a bit.

I'm staying with my friend's lovely family. His Mom has an interest in thrifting and when she offered to take me to a thrift shop, I jumped at the opportunity.

She took me to Value Village, or "Value Vill-arge" (how the French might say!) It's known as Savers in the US. It is the biggest thrift shop I've ever seen, unlike those run by lil' old ladies back at home.

There were clothes as far as the eye can see. Off to the sides were shoes, bric-a-brac, books and kitchenware.

My friend's Mom took a wheeled shopping basket to drag her purchases around. They looked too big but I took one too and I'm glad because it filled up quickly.

The prices were not as cheap as I hoped but this was a commercially run thrift store. Tops and jeans start from 6 CAD and coats from 15 CAD. When I got to the books, I was in nostalgia heaven. Look what I found!

After an hour, I finally narrowed down my purchases. I bought a pair of Bluenotes boyfriend jeans (8 CAD), black furry coat (15 CAD), 5 Sweet Valley High books (4 CAD), and a Kitchen Aid frypan (4 CAD).

Nails Inc 3 Week Manicure - Bio Sculpture Gel - Lilac

2010-12-02T10:14:00.004+11:00

Just a quick post to show off my new lilac nails!

Nubar 2010 Halographic Nail Lacquer

2010-11-21T10:23:00.004+11:00

My first Nubar! Got it from Feel Unique for £6.80 with free shipping.

I lemminged this after seeing it in Affordable Treats. I missed out on halographic flakies with Gosh Rainbow and was glad it find a dupe.

Nubar 2010 is a lazy way of snazzing up any nail polish. Does'nt matter which colour but I think it looks best with dark cremes. It's formaldehyde, phthalate and toulene free. The handle is easy to control and the bottle looks like a professional product.

The flakies reflect red, green and gold highlights in a clear base. In this picture I'm wearing Rimmel Exotica with two layers of 2010 and a top coat. A Christmas-y combination for the season.

More combos to come so stay tuned!

Barry M Nail Paint Bright Purple

2010-11-15T10:17:00.002+11:00

Got this when Superdrug had a 2 for £5 sale. I'm crazy for these deep fuschia purples because they suit any skin colour.

It took three coats to get it opaque and it dries super shiny. I'm not using top coat here. The colour is intense and it looks like vinyl. The photo does'nt do it justice!

Global Keratin Hair Taming Treatment - 2 Months On

2010-11-11T08:21:00.004+11:00

It's officially two months and the treatment's still going strong.

My hair is a little kinkier than before but still low-frizz and shiny. As in my previous post, my hair did'nt take the GHD heat well so the ends are quite split now. (Half-because I have'nt had a trim yet.)

I'm using the Global Keratin shampoo with Juvexin religiously and a normal sodium sulfate free conditioner. I wash 2-3 times a week so I assume it helps to prolong the treatment.

At this rate I might not need a re-treatment for another 2 months!

Autumn Outfit Of The Day

2010-11-08T06:43:00.003+11:00

Winter's around the corner and I want to capture autumn in all it's glory. How lovely is this season?

After brunch and a cuppa in front of a fireplace, my friend and I walked to Hampstead Heath. The heath is beautiful with the ground blanketed by floaty orange leaves.

This autumny outfit is made up of frugal finds (except the handbag of course).

Amanda Wakeley Tank Top

Banana Republic Waterfall Cardigan

Longchamp Tan Belt

Jigsaw Skirt

Evie Knit Cardigan

Pied A Terre Ankle Boots

Urban Decay Nail Polish - Trip

2010-11-06T10:53:00.011+11:00

While having my prescription filled at Superdrug, I scavenged the bargain bin and found this reduced to 99p.

I fell in love with the color straight away. *Palpitates* Hot fuschia satin with lots of shine. The formula dries quickly. The brush stem is long and slender for precise application.

While the bottle is cute, the top is not easy to grip on to because it's short and tapered. That's my only complaint but everything else is a love!

ETA: I did the house work the next day and the polish chipped off in CHUNKS. OK not chunks but the tips have flaked right off. Won't be buying anymore of these nail polishes. Eek!

Carvela Brogue Lace Up Booties and Vintage Silk Scarf

2010-10-21T09:52:00.005+11:00

Brrrrrr...London is FREEEEEEEZING and it's only mid October.

For autumn, these charity shop finds came at the right time. Could not believe my luck when I found these spiffy stiletto booties. Brand new Carvela (from Kurt Geiger). The soles are pristine and the leather is showroom supple.

Wanting lace up booties since they were featured in The Devil Wears Prada. Finally I have them for £9.

The spotted scarf is sheer enough to float through air. It was retrieved from a pile of scarves as I ran my fingers over all of them to detect for silk. It was an easy acquisition for £2. You can never have too many silk scarves!

And how to tell the difference between a silk or convincing polyester scarf? Silk feels light for it's weight and thickness. If the edges have a rolled hem, it's silk. If it's folded, it's polyester.

I'll be trawling for more silk scarves to add to the collection.

Nails Inc 3 Week Manicure - Bio Sculpture Gel

2010-10-17T06:17:00.008+11:00

After noticing that my colleague's perfectly lacquered nails stayed glossy and chip free for weeks, she told me her secret. She had a 3 week manicure.

Hers was from Nails Inc. Also known as bio sculpture gel nails. You might have noticed the little UV boxes in nail salons-that's what sets the gel to make them hard and strong.

Gel nails are still fake but not as damaging as acrylics. The gel is porous so nails can breathe. A little buffing is needed to prime the nail but that's the extent of the damage.

They're are thinner than acrylics so it looks natural. And the colour won't chip because the gel itself is the colour. (The choices may be limited.)

I wanted to give them a try so I got a loyalty card from Nails Inc for £150. It includes 4 x 3 week manicures including removal. A great deal since the manicure on it's own is £50 and it's £20 to take them taken off.

The manicurist buffed my nails and applied a coat of clear, 2 coats of white for the tips and a final coat of clear. I had to stick my hand under the UV lamp between each layer. It was like my hands were in a solarium. Perhaps I should have worn sunscreen first?

Clear nail polish was applied to seal the gel. The white will eventually discolour so it was recommended to apply a fresh top coat every week.

I did'nt bother with this and by the third week, it was definitely time to take them off. There were tiny cracks on the whites and regrowth was noticeable.

The manicurist wrapped my nails with acetone soaked cotton wool using foil strips. After five minutes she scraped the nail beds clean. After a little buffing and a top coat, my nails were back to normal.

I'm taking a break for a few weeks but the next time I'll go for a proper colour. Stay tuned!

MAC Jade Dragon Nail Lacquer - Limited Edition

2010-10-12T03:12:00.007+11:00

I still can't get over how cheap MAC cosmetics are in the UK compared to Oz. With a pro-discount, it works out cheaper than some drugstore nail polishes.

Jade Dragon is from the MAC's Nail Trend F/W 2010 Collection. It's the classiest green I've seen. It's the green from Scarlett O'Hara's velvet curtain dress, faintly speckled with teal shimmer. Elegant enough to be worn at work I reakon. The creme colour is true to a dark green jade.

Colourwise and outer packaging (especially the rubberised top), MAC aces mainstream nail polishes.

The main downside is that it's a bit streaky. The less strokes applied per coat, the better. The shimmer drags the colour when you go over it repeatedly when wet.

The brush is not brilliant or maybe I was unlucky. There was a stray bristle which sticks out from the rest so I had to trim it.

The polish dries matte, like China White Flying Dragon. But once you apply a generous topcoat-WOW!

Selfridges The Shoe Galleries & Repetto Ballet Flats

2010-10-03T10:31:00.010+11:00

On a rainy Saturday I visited Selfridges to check out it's newest installment of The Shoe Galleries. It was packed with frenzied shoe fans and I did'nt have the patience to wonder about. As soon as I spotted the Repetto concession, I zeroed in.

Since trying on a pair of Repetto flats in Paris, I never forgot the suppleness of the leather and the comfort. Weeks later, I was still oogling these shoes on the internet.

Fortunately I found the colour I wanted, Rose Amour (fuschia) in the lushest pebbled leather. The shoes were £165, pricier than France (same price but in Euros.) They are come in an elegant and collapsable box.

Like with London/French Sole, you need to go up a size. I'm normally a size UK 3 or 36 Eur and Repetto size 37 fits. Repetto's are lined with cotton and are of finer quality than London/French Sole. The joy of Repetto flats is the fit because the leather is lush and moldable to your feet.

There is a complimentary photo booth in the Galleries where you can take photos with your new purchases. It's an embarrassingly cheesy concept but I'm keeping my photo as a momento of my first Repettos!

London Fashion Weekend 2010

2010-09-29T06:45:00.010+10:00

Here I am at London Fashion Weekend!

I was excited, hoping to get a true flavour the industry-only event of London Fashion Week. I thought hard about what to wear and if I was inadvertently channelling Betty Suarez.

But there was nothing to be worried about. If you come to London Fashion Weekend, nothing is exclusive and there's no real dress code. You pay for entry, the catwalk show and showbag. It's really a place for designers to showcase/flog their wares.

And the catwalk show? Brought to you by Special K. I'm not joking. They played sponsor's ads between each show and the hostess kept flogging brands like an infomercial. Why-oh-why do we have to pay to watch ads???

If you want to feel like Anna Wintour, you must have a front row seat. Otherwise when the first model swans out, everybody's Blackberry, iPhone and compact camera springs out, blocking your view.

Blatant advertising aside, the catwalk show was enjoyable and inspiring. Looks like 70s and 80s fashion is a trending theme for this autumn/winter season.

Designer sales were plentiful but not worth the hype. The prices are similar to sale prices in department stores. Advertised Sass & Bide clothing barely filled a rack. There was a oversupply of Juicy Couture tracksuits and a minute range of London Sole flats.

Some girls brought suitcases to carry their shopping but I only felt obliged to buy after an hour of browsing and walking up and down stairs.

Nothing caught my eye until I saw these mega-cute Les Nereides earrings!

Anthropologie Sleeping On Snow Cardigan Jacket

2010-09-27T03:07:00.013+10:00

I nearly missed this cardigan as I walked out of the charity shop. It was haplessly lying in the window and one could have mistaken it for a throw rug.

It was raining so I waited undercover from the rain before a dash across the road. After a last minute glance, I realised it was'nt rug but an intriguing woolly cardigan!

So I returned inside for closer inspection. It's cropped, asymmetric and had a lot going on. Chunky wooden buttons, vintage tapestry patterns and rib knit finishings. Should I be repelled instead of fascinated?

It felt comfy and if I did'nt look like an old couch, it was casual chic. And since the gloominess of winter was approaching, I needed this cardigan jacket.

£9 was a good deal for an Anthropologie item so I threw caution to the autumn wind and bought it. I may eat my words later but bring on winter!

In the above gratuitous poser shot, I look like my sister who introduced me to Anthropologie. She loves this brand but she would think I'm wearing remnants of an old couch here. Too retro for her, but I love it!

As you can see, I'm still clutching onto the vintage leather bag bought from a few weeks ago. (And the LV Neverfull bought a few weeks before is gathering dust.)

Converting to Gold Jewelry - Vintage Bracelets

2010-09-26T05:06:00.005+10:00

Since I was teenager, I had an aversion to gold jewelry. I thought it looked dated and sallow against Asian skin. With the many variations of gold, I even thought it looked cheap.

Recently I bought the amethyst Caroline Najman bracelet from Lafayette Galleries in Paris. My friend and I stopped in our tracks when we saw the delicate gold chains with faceted semi-precious stones. Her designs are stunning and ever so pretty.

Her bracelets actually fits my bony wrists. A rare treat so I couldn't resist. And who said gold jewelry looks cheap? Pfffttt!!!

The vintage enamel and diamante snake cuff is from a charity shop. Even with a few missing stones, I think it still makes a statement.

And my most recent purchase is an engraved hinged bangle from the 60s. I bought it from a little old lady at Hampstead markets. Her vintage jewelry was divine and I had to buy something beautiful that no one else would be wearing.

Once I decided on a bangle, there was a small dilemma on silver or gold. The gold bug bite from Paris took effect and now I'm converting. More gold to come!

Just need some advice since I can't bear to take off my silver rings - is it OK to mix gold with silver?

Global Keratin Hair Taming Treatment Review - Real "After" Photos

2010-09-16T08:57:00.019+10:00

The "after" photos of Brazilian treatments are most likely taken after GHD-ing the hair for ages. It's done in the final stage of treatment to set the keratin. Beware that those pictures won't necessarily depict the true results so don't be fooled!

The above pics were taken after I washed for the first time (4 days after the treatment). I used Global Keratin Balancing Shampoo with Juvexin and air dried my hair. This is to judge the treatment unaided by heat styling.

As you can see, there is a little frizz and my hair is slightly wavy. But take my word for it when I proclaim that it's far better than before I had the treatment. So you know, my natural hair is brittle, fine, frizzy and very wavy.

My hair is now the shiniest I've ever seen and oh-the-softness! I'm addictively touching my hair and telling friends to touch the back of my head. (Strange, I know.)

I shed more than usual after the first wash and noticed a little heat damage. Nothing too alarming though. When the hairdresser said there would be NO damage, I think it applies to people with thick hair only.

She said the treatment provides full heat protection but I wonder how can any product do that? A chicken basted with heat protectant is still going to cook at the temperature of a GHD.

Anyway I'll get off my soapbox now and contine stroking my new hair.

Global Keratin Straightening & Taming System with Juvexin

2010-09-13T07:14:00.003+10:00

Just posted a new Youtube video!

Hope this treatment is the answer to unruly frizzy hair and worth the money. I paid £130 for the treatment including the Global Keratin shampoo. My hair is stick straight now but I can't wait see it after I've washed it for the first time.

Will post the results in 4 days...

MAC Cleanse Off Oil - Huille Demaquillante

2010-09-09T05:56:00.003+10:00

I bought this when I ran out of DHC oil cleanser in New York. Actually it was trial satchet and I loved it so much, I looked everywhere for a substitute.

My search was initially hopeless because I couldn't even find Shu Umeura High Performance Oil in the stores. Not even in Sephora. Was horrified to hear it's been discontinued. (The stuff was so popular, how could they?) Let's hope it reincarnates soon.

It was midnight and I was STILL looking for an oil cleanser. Finally I bought this in the Times Square MAC store. Phew!

MAC's Cleanse Off Oil is a strong contender in the oil cleanser market. It's gentle on your skin and makes it feel soft. It even removes waterproof mascara without tugging or harsh rubbing.

This product is a little runnier than DHC and Shu. Once dispensed I have a quickly spread it around or it drips through my fingers. Has a light fruity scent. It won't sud like the other cleansing oils. Cleanse Off turns milky and rinses clean with warm water.

Contains olive, primrose and jojoba oils so it's mineral oil free.

I still need a foaming cleanser to feel squeaky clean. But this is better than using make up removing wipes/pads because there's little friction to cause lash loss.

My verdict? DHC oil is still my first preference because it's richer and foams. MAC is a close second because it's widely available and better value for money.

Barry M Nail Paint Mushroom

2010-09-06T07:14:00.011+10:00

Also known as a close dupe for Chanel Particuliere. Barry M's Mushroom is a touch browner but just as gorgeous.

Mushroom is a classy neutral grey brown. It's a wonderfully creamy and pigmented formula. No streaks at all. Dries to a shiny finish with good lasting power.

Notice how my pointy fingernail is wonky shaped? I broke it while cycling. Cursing because I had a 3 week manicure booked at Nails Inc! Now I have to wait another week to even out the length of my nails.

Barry M products are currently on sale at Superdrug. I got two nail paints for £5 so indulge ladies!

Rimmel Pro Maxi Brush Royal Rose

2010-08-31T07:53:00.005+10:00

I wanted to try the Rimmel Pro line since I heard raves on their Maxi Brush. As you can see below, the brush is wider and flatter than normal. It's about 75mm at it's widest. I found that I only needed one slow stroke for each coat, except for my thumbnails where two is required.

Dark colours would benefit most from this feature as the Maxi Brush promises "mistake free application." Not impossible but certainly easier to apply an even coat.

Royal Rose is a delicately shimmery salmon pink. A fresh summer colour. It's sheer as even after three coats as pictured, I can still see nail whites. Took a while to dry but the shiny finish is worth it.

It says on the bottle "Professional Finish up to 10 days". Will edit this post later to report if that's true!

Peekaboo Vintage Quilted Chain Handbag

2010-08-30T03:49:00.005+10:00

Lovingly worn, patinaed and slouchy-the holy grail of a vintage leather bag. Caramelized tan so lusciously thick. Quilted and embellished with tiny studs. This bag is like poetry.

I almost fainted when I found it but the price tag said £65. It's most I've spent on a vintage bag. (The equivalent of 10 op shop bags!)

This bag was rebranded by Peekaboo Vintage, available at Topshop Oxford Circus. It had a minor repair in the lining but that's the only fault. Tried to find any excuse not to buy it but to no avail. The bag is vintage so I'd never see the same anywhere else.

So seriously now, no more window shopping because it will only lead to trouble!

Singer Featherweight 100 Sewing Machine - My New Toy

2010-08-29T10:01:00.003+10:00

Pulling a random thread on my skirt resulted in me completely unravelling the hem. So rather than taking it to the tailors, I bought this itty bitty sewing machine.

It's extraordinarily compact, well constructed and the name "Featherweight" is fitting. I paid £45 for mine but if you're patient, you can get one cheaper from Ebay.

Professional repairs are not cheap in London and I only need to repair 5 garments to break even.

I had missed my sewing machine from home. When I was kid, I hand sewed a pair of ballet slippers from a pink gingham teatowel. I expected Mum to be cross when she found out but she recognised my hobby and bought a sewing machine.

We did'nt have much money to buy clothes so I made what I could'nt afford. I used it to make my school skirt, formal dress and hundreds of customised singlet tops for sale on Ebay. Not to mention all the countless repair jobs and trouser hemmings.

This sewing machine operates beautifully. Looking forward to continuing my love of sewing!

Mango MNG Nautical Jacket & Amanda Wakeley Top

2010-08-25T08:24:00.010+10:00

A quick post to share this Mango cropped jacket I bought for £10. It's lightweight and made from comfy cotton. Love the stripes and buttons featuring anchors.

The silver tank top is from Amanda Wakeley, a British designer. Made from slinky silk and only £4.90. Despite what it says on the label, I machine washed it and it turned matt. I don't mind since I can wear it during the day and it still feels luxe.

A Parisian Summer Weekend

2010-08-23T08:58:00.003+10:00

Linking in a recent post from my livejournal blog, emmakins888. Hope you enjoy.

A Parisian Summer Weekend

Sephora La French Manicure Nail Polish

2010-08-22T21:31:00.006+10:00

If I'm in a hurry, I use Sephora's La French Manicure which is a natural nail polish and whitening base in one. I suspect this is discontinued now but I've seen similar products in the market.

This has been labeled to give an "immediate french manicure effect" which means you don't need to apply white tips. It subtlety whitens your nails. The clear base has a slight blue tinge to offset yellowness and the natural nail polish adds creaminess to your nails.

The results are a very natural looking manicure but it does'nt replace a french mani from the beautician's. The brilliant thing about this product is the convenience as it's compact for traveling and it's two products in one.

Definitely a staple for the lazy like me!

MAC Gaga Viva Glam Lipstick

2010-08-18T08:50:00.008+10:00

I finally bought the coveted Lady Gaga lipstick which was sold out for ages. This colour is bang on trend from the Viva Glam range. Every cent of it's selling price is donated in support of people living with HIV and AIDS.

The pale pink is gorgeous and it doesn't look lavender on me. When I first put it on though, it looked ridiculous. Pastey pink lipsticks look strange on pigmented lips. (Try saying that as a tongue twister!)

However if you apply with a light hand, you can wear it as an everyday lipstick. It also balances out heavy eye makeup. The colour intensity is buildable because the lipstick is sheer.

The texture is creamy and softly vanilla scented. But as with most pale colours, it's unforgiving on chapped lips. Make sure t0 exfoliate and apply lipbalm first.

I wear Gaga as a staple now. Go get it girls before it goes out of stock again!

Herman Brown Vintage Silk Scarf & Lucite Hairclip

2010-08-16T09:03:00.009+10:00

I'm back from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with two souvenirs, a hand painted silk scarf and a lucite hair clip. They're from the vintage clothing store Herman Brown.

The owner Anna Nicholson gave me some tips on how to wear large square scarves like this one:

1) folded over the diagonal and knotted at the back, cowl necked style.

2) folded over at 1.5 inches intervals from a side and knotted around the neck.

3) loosely rolled over the diagonal and knotted at the center of the decolletage.

4) crumpled over the diagonal and tied over a handbag handle.

5) Worn as a head scarf, belt or sarong.

I'm told that the lucite mother of pearl hair clip is from the 50s.

If you're after a unique accessory, do have a look in vintage shops. You will not see the same item anywhere else and it will be a classic.

More LV Neverfull Monogram PM Pics

2010-08-12T05:42:00.004+10:00

To give the LV lovers out there a closer look at the Neverfull PM. And Pink Monkey says: "Oh hai!"

Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull PM Review

2010-08-09T06:41:00.006+10:00

You're probably thinking "what the..." when you're reading about LV on this blog but I confess that I splurged.

I went to Paris for the weekend to meet a dear girlfriend and an innocent day of shopping ended with as an uncontrollable spree. We visited the Champs Elysees LV store and when I saw this bag, there was nothing stopping my appetite to acquire pretty things.

The Neverfull models are relatively cheaper compared to other LV bags. I chose the PM because it sits well on my frame and does'nt engulf me. The larger bags (MM and GM) did'nt cost that much more.

Although the PM is the smallest size, it's roomy and the side straps can be loosened to expand the bag further. One initial complaint is that the shoulder straps are thin so they're a bit painful if you're carrying a full bag. I'm sure they'll eventually soften over time.

I keep bits and bobs in a clear plastic zip case so I don't need to scoop out the entire contents of the bag to find something.

Some people say that the bag is reversible but personally I would'nt do it. Seems counterintuitive when coated canvas is a lot more durable and stain resistant.

The cloth interior print is quaint. I like how it features the address of the store where I bought it from. The bag is the perfect souvenir!

Needless to say, no more handbags for a long long time.

French Sole Ballet Flats

2010-08-06T03:21:00.006+10:00

My faithful flats are worn to death so I ordered two pairs from French Sole. I'm a hater of heels now.

French Sole (and their US counterpart, London Sole) are feet friendly because they're soft and light. I can imagine them moulding to my feet.

These are in the Simple style although the black ones are cut lower at the toe. The soles are thin so after I wear them once or twice (for extra grip), I'll get rubber ones put on.

For those who are reluctant to buy online without trying on first, the size guide is quite accurate. I'm normally 6 Aus, 3 UK and 36 Euro, and their 37 fits me fine.

The shoe boxes are so freaking cute. The ballet flats were on sale for £40 each and shipping was next-day.

Now I get to wear them in Paris this weekend. Love 'em!

Cute Ceramic Butterfly Trinket Holder

2010-08-01T06:33:00.005+10:00

A quick post to show you this trinket holder bought from the op shop for £3.90.

It's small so only my rose quartz and pearl necklaces are inside. I love the colours and the butterflies simply adorable. C'est mignon!

Beer - How To Give Body And Shine To Your Hair

2010-07-30T07:19:00.011+10:00

There was half a bottle of Peroni in the fridge so instead of pouring it down the drain, I tipped it over my head.

I wanted to try the old trick of using beer to restore hair's shine and bounce. Just to let you know for comparison, my hair is fine with damaged ends. It's wavy and frizzy.

It's believed that vitamin B in beer nourishes and the sugars tighten the cuticle of the hair shaft and gives it shine.

Peroni does not have a strong smell so there was no harm in giving it a try. Once my hair was dry, there was no residual beer smell.

Half a bottle or can of beer is more than enough. Make sure it's at room temperature so you don't get the chills. It does'nt matter if the beer has gone flat.

I shampooed my hair as normal and after rinsing, squeezed out the excess water. Then poured the beer throughout my hair from the scalp. Wrapped the beer sodden hair around my head and left it to "brew" for atleast three minutes.

Rinsed the hair with lukewarm water with a final burst of cold water to seal the hair cuticle. You could use conditioner but I skipped it to gauge the effectiveness of the beer.

I let my hair dry naturally and although it's still frizzy, there is definitely more body and volume. Unlike cream treatments, my hair was not weighed down or greasy sooner than usual. It feels thicker, bouncier and indeed, there was more shine.

The end-result beats chucking out beer. I recommend having a beer rinse every few weeks. It's a fast, effective treatment and natural to boot!

Freebie Alert: Travel Sized Essie Flower Girl

2010-07-14T08:53:00.006+10:00

Just a quick note as Tatler magazine (August with Elle Macpherson on the cover) has a freebie from Essie. You get a travel sized nail polish with a choice of six colours:

Yes We Can Pink

Flower Girl (pictured)

Mint Candy Apple

Rock The Croc

Lollipop

Rock Candy

The magazine is £3.99 so this is great value. Was close to choosing Mint Candy Apple to match the aquamarine and quartz bracelet I'm wearing. (From the charity shop for £1.40!)

Finally I chose Flower Girl which is a pale frosted nude with green shimmery highlights.

Vintage Gold Hoop Non Pierced Earrings

2010-07-12T05:51:00.006+10:00

I relish the idea of someone cherishing a piece of jewelry before I did. Age gives it character. The thrill of finding a rare item is joyously satisfying.

In Britain, old means beautiful. With trends turning over faster than you can blink, one appreciates something that's forever beautiful.

When someone asks where I bought my trinket, their faces fall when I tell them "from a charity shop". (And hopefully not because it's been worn before!)

When I saw these earrings in the vintage jewelry section at Topshop, I was surprised to see they had screwback findings. The screwback is common before the 1970s and I'd love to believe that they are that old.

The earrings do a pretty good impression of 18kt gold. Maybe they're gold plated. They passed my rule of no-pierced second hand earrings and they were half price. Could not ask for more.

(Note: I wiped the contact points with alcohol to ensure they're clean before wearing.)

Brown Vintage Leather Cross Body Bag

2010-07-04T07:13:00.004+10:00

No bag would be vintage without signs of wear and old fashioned craftmanship. The lush leather has aged like a steak. Pre-loved and worn in from the first contact. If the bag survives years of use, it will last a lifetime.

With use the leather is moulded and bashed into buttery softness. There are natural inconsistencies in colour and texture. The brass hardware has oxidised and the twist locks creek when I turn them. Yep, there is truly no bag exactly like this one.

I love cross body bags because they're easy to carry and keep hands free. No need to balance my bag on one knee and sift through the contents!

Naturally I found this at the charity shop. It was £8. I'm grateful to have found my signature casual bag. So thank you, previous owner. The loving for this bag shall continue on.

MAC Hello Kitty - Stray'in Lipstick

2010-07-03T08:28:00.004+10:00

I bought this ages ago when the MAC Hello Kitty range came out. How adorable is the packaging? Can you see the imprint of HK?

This lipstick quickly dropped out of my makeup rotation because Stray'in is a neon glittery pink. Don't let the swatches from the internet confuse you, it's BARBIE PINK. Oh and did I mention it has glitter too?

I bought it online so I only saw it in real life when it arrived. The only way I could redeem this lipstick is to wear a light layer and top it with a pale lip gloss. Otherwise on it's own, it's too bright pink and mismatches against my yellow skintone.

Consistency wise, it's not as creamy as MAC's lustre lipsticks. The glitter's so tiny that its not grainy but somehow it manages to stick onto my hands or face.

I'll keep it for my daughter one day and she can use it as play-makeup. I'm sure she'll love HK just as much as I do!

A Surprise From Jocasi London

2010-06-29T08:50:00.004+10:00

Remember when I bought a Jocasi cross-body bag for £5? A rivet on top of the buckle fell off and my attempts to fix it resulted in all of the top rivets removed. I thought I could buy replacements rivets but could not find them anywhere.

Finally I emailed Jocasi and they asked me to sent the bag to them for repair. The bag was gone for months. I had even forgotten about it because I was buying other bags from the op shop.

It finally came back with an apology for the time it took to fix (due to an office relocation) and they included a magenta leather purse as a gift.

I was stoked as I needed a proper purse. How lovely of Jocasi!

Fekkai Sensuelle EDT & Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid

2010-06-26T07:30:00.004+10:00

I fell prey to Space NK's mid year sale as I popped in to take a look. Despite spending more money than I should have in NY, I bought two items which justified breaking the bank just a little bit further.

This Frederic Fekkai fragrance instantly reminded me of Lush's Gorgeous. It's Lush's most expensive face cream, made with orange blossoms and neroli oil. Sensuelle smells blissful and although it's mildly fruity, the scent is womanly and alluring. I really like that it's clean smelling as strong scents bother my sensitive nose.

Buying the Shu Uemura foundation was a fluke. I don't wear normally foundation due to the hassle of cleaning brushes. Also I subconsciously wipe it off during the day when they feel greasy and itchy. Since this was less than half off, I gave it a try and it amazingly transformed my skin.

It's easy to blend and very pigmented for the watery consistency. What sold me was that my pores disappeared and the finish was weightless. Like I don't have any foundation on. No wonder they call it a "smoothing" foundation. Brilliant complexion trickey, I reakon. Since it was so easy to apply with my fingers, I realised I NEEDED this product!

Moschino Heart Sunglasses

2010-06-23T07:03:00.004+10:00

My big fat Moschino sunnies arrived today. I bought them online from Brand Alley and they took a few weeks to dispatch.

I was a sucker for the pink arms with hearts. Brand Alley had them on sale for £38. Can't remember their original price but I remember thinking that I scored a bargain!

Back from NY - Stretching Jessica Simpson Patent Shoes

2010-06-22T08:25:00.007+10:00

I'm still buzzing from the joys of my New York trip. I heart this city, exactly as in the iconic shirts which even the locals wear. The atmosphere is electric and the pizza is incredible. Of course, so is the shopping!

Century 21 is where I bought these patent shoes from Jessica Simpson (did'nt know she had a shoe range until I saw these). They are clearly Louboutin rip offs but for $32 USD, they hardly compare anyway.

I tried wearing these at work and they were too tight. Within 5 minutes, my feet were numb. Had to take them to the cobbler to break them in.

It was worth it even for patent leather which is harder to stretch. They're a little more comfortable but they have'nt stretched a size. No blistering numbness at least. I'm still working on these babies because there's hope now that the leather's softened. Within in two weeks with two hours wear everyday, I'm sure they'll fit!

Today's Deal - Or How To Get Beauty Treatments For Cheap

2010-06-09T08:07:00.002+10:00

Check out this Frugalicious deal which hit my inbox today.

I'll let you in on a secret. This is how I can afford to have a monthly pampering session. I never spend more than £30 and the treatments are from beautiful inner London spas.

I joined My City Deal after booking a facial, massage and threading at a spa in Chelsea for only £25. The service was amazing and there were no quibbles for using the deal voucher. From my experiences, the staff treat you like a full paying customer and don't give you a hard sell.

Now I'm hooked on this site. It not only sends daily deals on spa treatments and hairdressing, they also do entertainment and dining too.

I've booked this deal and can't wait to get my head massaged (mmmmm!) and my hair highlighted. Have not justified the cost of doing it until now.

You can even purchase multiple deals from My City Deal so you can treat a friend or family member as a gift. They'll think you've truly spoiled them!

Gosh Peony Nail Polish

2010-06-08T06:51:00.005+10:00

GOSH is the Danish cosmetics brand available from Superdrug. Their products are marketed as professional and judging by the chic packaging, it looks like they're modelling MAC without the price tag.

GOSH nail polish colours are uber trendy, retailing for £5 each. They're dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, camphor and phthalic acid-free. That's an impressive long list of nasties!

I got Peony from Ebay for £2 including shipping. Was on the hunt for their discontinued Rainbow polish, much loved for it's holographic flakies. (Turn any colour into something incredible with Rainbow. I want it so terribly bad!)

Found this one in my search and fell in love with the frosty jewel pink. Peony is well pigmented with the consistency of a creme. Sometimes it's pale red but most times it's the swirly pink you see in boiled sweets.

A droolworthy colour. I was in a rush to go out and only had time to apply one coat. It dried fast and was enough to pull off a shiny manicured look. I like!!!

Dior Sandals & Rose Quartz Necklace

2010-06-07T00:23:00.005+10:00

Can't think how a day could get better. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. Summer in London is glorious.

As I was walking home from Hampstead, I spotted a beautiful pink necklace with a £10 price tag in a window. I figured for a store in this area, the necklace would have to be plastic but not so.

The necklace is made with rose quartz beads knotted along the string and the clasp is sterling silver. I wear it looped around twice and it's the perfect length.

Turns out I had stumbled across a designer clothing store where everything was nearly new.

After half an hour browsing the store, I also bought a pair of Dior patent wedge sandals for £28 and a textured linen scarf for £5.

A bit more than what I'd pay at the thrift shop but designer has never been so cheap.

Dolce & Gabbana and Zara Stiletto Heels

2010-05-30T01:07:00.005+10:00

It must be my lucky day. Found these Dolce & Gabbana and Zaras for a steal! £9 for the D&G and £5 for the Zara. Both in good nick.

Before anyone reels back in horror, please bear in mind that I'm super picky when buying used shoes. I won't touch them if they look worn. They must be practically new with little wear on the soles. (It's pricey replacing heel tips, especially when cobblestone footpaths are everywhere.)

I disinfect shoes by wiping the insides throughly with alcohol and letting dry them in the sun. Have'nt had caught any nasties using this method. So if you find new looking shoes in an op shop, don't be afraid to buy them!

NB-Wanted to make a point that I buy new shoes too. Just waiting to go to NY where designer shoes are plentiful and on sale!

American Apparel Berry

2010-05-25T08:19:00.003+10:00

This is the last of the nail polish set from American Apparel, Berry. The colour is how I'd imagine plum juice to look like. The point where mauve turns to red. In natural light, you can see the purple undertone.

While the colours are unique, I would'nt buy AA nail polishes again unless I can find them cheaper. They are glossy, creamy and well pigmented, but they don't last long and the brush is the biggest let down. It's way too long. Globs of nail polish dribbles down as you apply. If I'm too slow, I end up with a layer that floods the cuticles.

If AA improves their brushes, I'd think they are worth their UK RRP. I would never fault them on their colours though. They are amazing!

American Apparel Poppy

2010-05-20T08:38:00.004+10:00

This is the second nail polish I ordered from American Apparel. Hoping to buy more in NY since they're cheap and the colours are amazing. I also like the shape of their bottles since they take less space.

Poppy is neon orange red. Corals are on trend at the moment but does'nt suit my skin tone. It pops (pardon the pun!) on paler skin but it makes my hands look sallow.

The consistency of this polish is not as smooth as Mount Royal. I found it streaky and the brush does'nt splay as easily as I would like. I had to use numerous strokes to distribute the polish as it runs down the stem of the brush quickly.

Poppy did'nt last as long on my nails. I had to remove it by the fourth day. Please let these problems be isolated because I love everything else about AA polishes!

Quirky Freshwater Pearl Necklace

2010-05-15T09:09:00.005+10:00

Went window shopping in St Johns Wood, my old neighbourhood. There is a beautiful dress-jewellery store on the high street called Hana Lee.

They have gorgeous pieces and I almost bought a necklace for £49. It was so stunning I did'nt even wince at the price. Fortunately I shook out of it and remembered that I'm going to New York next month.

Oxfarm was a few doors down and what did I find? This quirky pearl necklace for £4. A bargain substitute for my near purchase. Not a bad price for freshwater pearls and the faceted glass jewels are just lovely.

I wore it to work and my colleague pointed out that the evil eye charm was hallmarked. It was stamped on the back "925" which meant it was sterling silver. Nice!