Ciate Paint Pots ( Sugared Almonds )

Hi Everyone,

Today I would like to do a review about Ciate Paint Pots in Sugared Almonds. Last week, I was browsing to buy a new nail polish in Sephora and I found Ciate. Their pretty bottle designs catch my attention and I got it. I just got one color ( Sugared Almonds ) to try since it is a bit pricey ( $20 ).  I love painting my nails since I was young ( about 13 ) and I have so many nail colors ( needless to say ) at my collection. I also love painting other people nails and I used to do it for my friends. hehe I have been wanting to try more high end nail polishes since I always buy korean brands mostly and they don't last long on my nails more than 3 days. So when I was buying Ciate, I really hoped they last long on my nails. 

Let's see what I think. 

How cute is the bottle <3

the color shade in PP044- sugared almonds

In Ciate website, it says sugared almonds is "peach orange nude color that will lighten and uplift any skin tone. A fruity mixture that is very summery. "

As they claim, the color is gorgeous peachy nude color that is good for every day wear to office. The color is very natural and brighten up your skin. I believe it will suit for every skin tone too.

I just put my middle finger with shimmer color and think this is cute

I have been wearing it for a week now and here is what I conclude.

Color pay off

-great. even one coat is enough if you don't like it thick 

Texture and application

- thick and creamy but very easy to apply and the brush is nice. It won't leave your application with some bubbles or streaks

Lasting effect

-I wore this for a week now but the color is still there and it barely chips. I use top coat on top to get shiny results though. Super impressed by this. Definitely better than OPI nail polishes that I tried.

Design

-Needless to say, their bottle is very cute and the flat bottle makes your hold firmer without worrying to drop the bottle.

So to conclude, this Ciate nail paint pot is the best that I have tried before and I think it is worth the price. I will definitely buy new colors from Ciate more in future. :)

Hint- My next post will be my birthday post. So exciting :)

<3

Violet

#GIRLBOSS A book to read!! :)

 Hello everyone,

 You may still not know that I love reading and I love books as much as I love make up and stuff. I used to read a lot when I was younger and I was a bookworm. I don't read a lot when I get older as much as I used to but I still do. Just that I am occupied with job, school and social stuff, I don't have much time to read now ( excuse!! ). But, I always look out for the books that have good reviews ( of my interest ) and collect. I signed up for goodreads last year which is the social platform where the book readers can update which books they are reading, have read or want to read and share among followers. You can write the reviews on the books also. I think it is really cool and you can check it out if you love reading. Well, I came across #GIRLBOSS , which I will review today from the best books of 2014 under business management category on goodreads. So, I thought I will get the book after I read the description and reviews. I also get it because I am studying management degree and this book is about a girl who set up vintage clothing shop online ( ebay ) and becomes a CEO of fastest growing retailer in U.S ( Nasty Gal). Sounds interesting?? Well, lets see what I think about the book.

The cover of the book is the photo of the author, Sophia Amoruso who is also a founder and CEO of Nasty Gal vintage clothing. 

A little view of the book back cover. I got the book at Kinokuniya and it sells $37.40.

Well, I have not finished the book yet but almost there. I am really enjoying the reading and I love love the book. As I said before, the book is about a girl who set up vintage clothing shop called Nasty Gal on ebay and becomes a CEO of successful business of her own brand. She not only writes about the journey of her online shop , difficulties , success and her life experiences, but also gives you lessons in hunting jobs, writing cover letters and setting up a business. What I really love about the book is that she put some of her favorite quotes in every chapter of her book and relates her thoughts and experiences to it. She also put the portraits of girl bosses from successful businesses in her book.

As the title #GIRLBOSS goes, she focuses on girls who want to be her own #girlboss. She says she is a feminist but a modern feminist. I really think even the dudes can read the book and enjoy. Well, if you are a girl, I am sure you will like the book especially if you want to be your own girl boss like me or if you dream to do a fashion business. I learnt a lot from the book and enjoyed my reading so far. 

love this quote 

Love all these cartoons <3

So to wrap up, I really  recommend #GIRLBOSS to those who wants to check out a cool book in your free time or who loves to read inspiring stuff like me. Tumbs up for Sophia!! 

Hope you all enjoyed my review. I will write about books if I find some more cool books in future. Stay tune!! :)

<3
Violet

My affordable but good buys ($30 and less)

Hello,

It is Saturday again. I am surprised how much each week had gone by so fast. pheww 

Today, I am sharing my affordable but good buys  ( $30 and less ). Well, the foundation is retailed at S$30.90 but I got it under 20% promotion. So, I include in the list. :P I like to find and buy good affordable make up time to time. Who does not like it? So, I will be sharing the products that I got under budget but good in my future posts.

What I got in this year, January is L'oreal true match foundation in shade G3, Etude house V-line slim maker in No 2, Innisfree no sebum mineral powder and Maybelline blush studio blush em in no. 2.

 I will talk about Loreal True Match Foundation first. I got it in shade G3- Golden Beige. They got quite a number of shades to match your skin. It says super blendable liquid foundation and contains hyaluronic acid that makes your skin hydrated all day. I really like this foundation. It matches my skin quite well and like it says, it is easily blendable. The finish is like more matte finish than my other L'oreal lucent magique  foundation which gives me a lot of shine. It has light to medium coverage and most important thing is it lasts long on your skin. Worth the price. I am currently using this foundation 

almost every day. 

shade G3- Golden beige

Next is Innisfree no-sebum mineral powder. The packaging is really small and that's why you can carry with you everywhere unlike other powders. It is translucent powder which absorbs all the sebum from your face. You can apply all over your face or just the areas that you want to control shine. I prefer to use on my T-zone as setting powder. It gives you natural yet matte finish and I really am impressed by this. It really absorbs sebum and I don't even need to use blotting paper to control my T-zone oil throughout the day. Love this too.

Next is Etude house V-line slim maker which includes bronzer and highlighter. They have 2 shades and I got in No.2 Sun pink/Cherry brown. The bronzer is really subtle and it gives you natural contour. I really love this highlighter - gorgeous pinky white color that really looks good on my skin. It gives natural glow look and lasts long on my face. I really like this product and  that makes me wanna get their other shade 01 which has gold color highlighter.

Swatches of Etude house V-line slim maker in shade 2

Final product of my budget buy is Maybelline studio blush blush em blusher in shade 2- I am so energetic. I am blush lover and love to get all blushes although I got tons of colors. :P They have 4 or 5 different shades and this shade is orange/peach color combination. The packaging is so small and it is travel friendly. It is smooth, pigmented and gives you natural color on the face. Good quality for its really affordable price.

See the swatches :)

That is about it for now, guys. Bye. See you again next week.

<3
Violet

My YSL products review ( Volume Effect Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara and Rouge Pur Couture 52 lipstick )

 Hello Everyone,

Today I would like to share about my YSL products  ( Volume Effect Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara and Rouge Pur Couture 52 lipstick ). I got them at Changi airport shop when I went to bali last month. Since I bought from airport, it is cheaper than outside. I was so excited to own them both because YSL mascara is the one that my close friend raved so much. I have always noticed that her eye lashes look so good like wearing false lashes. That's why, I am pretty excited to try this mascara.  YSL rouge pur couture lipstick in shade 52 ( rosy coral is the name if I am not wrong ) was on my Christmas wish list since there are rumors on the web that this color was worn by my favorite korean actress Jun Ji hyun in "You who came from the star" korean drama. I really like her lips in that drama and I can't wait to wear this lipstick. :D

Let's see below for my review details.

I really love YSL packaging and feel so luxurious to hold  them. I can't get enough of this gold color products. 

how pretty are these!! :)

Volume Effect Faux Cils Waterproof mascara

 YSL got different kind of mascaras and I bought the one that my friend recommend. It is waterproof version. They got blue color on the tube in case you mistaken with non waterproof version.

The wand is really slim and it is my favorite type because the slim one is able to reach all your small lashes and easier to apply bottom lashes also. 

Ok. You wanna see my original lashes before using mascara? Here you are!! 

my sad little down lashes 

Side view of my lashes after YSL mascara.See how pretty my lashes became :)

More close up photos of my lashes after using mascara 

Pretty rosy coral color

For YSL lipstick, I really love it too. It is coral based pink color and really nice to wear in summer. It does not dry my lips and it lasts quite long too. 

Rouge Pur Couture in shade 52

I wore this color on bali trip almost everyday. I think it really goes well with every make up look .

me wearing YSL lipstick

A little fun photo of Jun Ji Hyun wearing this lipstick that I found from internet.  hehe I think she really wear this lipstick shade in the drama. :P

Bye guys! See you again next week. Hope you enjoy my review.

<3  

Violet

Happy New Year 2015!

Happy New Year folks!!

2014 had passed by so quickly and I am glad that 2015 is here. Last year December was a busy month for me with celebrations and trip. I did not post last week because I was in Bali. I will post my Bali photos in another post. :)
Anyway, let's welcome 2015 with good deeds, good mind and body together! My 2015 resolutions would be to follow my dreams with good faith, to finish my last year of University with good credits, to pay back love to the ones who support me and stand by me through thick and thin as much as I can. I realized that I am not a perfect girl by myself but I have the most awesome family, boyfriend and friends beside me. 2014 was not the best year for me yet I still appreciate every good moments that offered. It is never too late to follow your dreams and to start to appreciate your loved ones. Appreciate your loved ones and never take anyone or anything for granted. Live life to the fullest with no regrets :)

Wish everyone a blessed, healthy and peaceful year ahead ! xoxo

<3 Violet

New Skincare Gift Set- Biotherm Aquasource Series

Hello Everyone!

Christmas is around the corner Yayyy and that means gifts and a lot of shopping!! :D Last week, I followed my bf for his Christmas gift shopping for his mom. We went to Sephora and I helped him choose some skin care sets for his mom. Wow, a lot of nice and affordable gift sets @ Sephora. I love Christmas. :D 

Btw, my skin had been really dry lately and was showing up badly. I asked the BA from Sephora for recommendation and she showed me this Biotherm Aquasource moisturizer. It says 48 hours continuous hydration. They have the Christmas gift set right now ( include cleanser and toner )with the price about the same as moisturizer alone. I have been using the toner from this series ,which I also got as a gift from my bestie last time and I  love it. So, I  decided to try this moisturizer since it is a great deal. My bf got me this set  as a gift. <3 Thank you bae.  I got a gift for my mom too since 22 December is her birthday and SKII stempower got the kit set which include essence and mask. Quite worth it to buy now. :)

present for me and Mom :)

Inside the box is the lovely pouch :)

I open the box and this is what I got. The cleanser and toner is good for travel size and moisturizer is full size. I have been using this toner as you can see from my previous skin care post. So,I won't write long about it. The cleanser is okay. Gentle foam formula which cleanse your skin but not make it dry after wash. I prefer my body shop seaweed cleanser though. 

50ml cleanser, 50 ml moisturizer, 100 ml toning lotion

I am pretty excited for the moisturizer since this is their best selling product and has a lot of good reviews. It is gel formula and I like the feel of it when I try to apply on my face. The smell is lovely ( may not be for those who does not like to have smell in their products ) and  the color of the cream is my favorite color, mint green. When I apply it, it absorbs really well and fast  instead of sitting on my face and  not sticky or greasy like others. It hydrates my face really well too. I find that it is really great to use in the morning before I apply make up. Hydrates my skin and  makes my face less oily throughout the day either. I prefer to use more thick cream type on my face at night though. So far, I am pretty satisfied with this moisturizer and I believe Biotherm makes good products. I would like to try out  other products like essence and serum from Biotherm too in the future. Have you tried any Biotherm products and which one is your favourite?

gel formula cream with mint green color

Bye guys. Just a quick review for my new skin care product. :)

 <3 

Violet 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation Review

Hello, 

Today I would like to share my reviews for Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation. Honestly, this is my first high-end foundation. I have been using drugstore foundations like Loreal and Revlon. But now I want the foundation that gives me the coverage longer without needing to touch up often. My previous l'oreal lumi magique foundation gives a nice coverage and glow when I put on but after a few hours later, my T zones start to be oily. At the end of the day, it oxidizes. My face becomes separate from my make up if you know what I mean :P So, I search online for good high end foundations and find Estee Lauder has quite good reviews. They have two types, double wear and double wear light foundation but I decide to give a try to light one . Okay. Lets get started.

This foundation is only SPF 10 . So make sure you put on sun screen before that also 

I bought it at Isetan and this 30ml tube costs sgd $58. ( holy sh**t!!)

My shade is intensity 2.5 . They got quite a number of shades to try on.  

My face before foundation. I put on moisturizer and primer

I will show you the color of foundation. I pour so much. Oops!!

I just use my make up blender ( sponge ) to apply on my face. I find it easier to apply evenly using sponge than my flat foundation brush. You wanna see the results after foundation? Here you go!!

with foundation

I find that the foundation matches into my skin beautifully without looking like I put on too much make up. It gives a semi matte finish for your face. I love the natural finishing look of this foundation. You need to put  a bit more to give you more coverage and still need to apply concealer for your dark circle eyes and blemishes if have any. 

My full face make up before go out :)

Update: I wear it to go out for a long day. I left home at 11 am and comes back home about 10 pm and sees that my make up is still there. As the name goes, it stays on your face very long time ( about 11 hours ) without oxidization. I check my face time to time during the day and amazingly, my T zones never gets oily. I don't need to touch up!!! Wow

BUT, my dry and combination skin reacts to this make up. ( Note: My skin type is dry seriously around mouth area and beside my eye brows but  oily on Tzone )

 My face got dry patches around my mouth and is peeling off so bad :S Only that area is reacting to this make up though. I wore this foundation for two days and it happened on both days. Not sure it is because the weather is quite cold these days. I need to apply more moisture on that area next time and see how it goes. So for dry skin types, this foundation may not be so suitable.  For oily skin types, this foundation will work best for you without giving too much shine. :)

Update: I mixed my Clinique dramatically different lotion ( 1 pump ) ,about the same amount with the foundation together and tried to apply on my face. The dry patches around my mouth are less and not so visible. So, I guess I need to mix my moisturizer lotion with foundation when I want for long wearing result yet not drying on my skin.

Hope you enjoy my review. See you soon :)

<3 Violet