Dec 25, 2014

French Pharmacy | London | Singapore Haul!



The long awaited post is finally here! I got an exciting loot of products I'm dying to share with all of you. For those who remembered my post: Favourite French Product, you would know that a kind friend of mine offered to get some things for me in the great land of France (and later on in London). At the same time, I have also been doing my own shopping back here in the tiny country of Singapore. Now, I do not normally buy this many products in such a short period of time, but with such great price reductions on these products, this was too great of an opportunity to miss. 

So lets get started!



From London: 


1. Tanya Burr Lip Gloss - Afternoon Tea

Retail price: £6.99 i.e. S$ 14.40
I bought for: £4.99 i.e. S$ 10.30

This was probably the most exciting buy out of the lot. I don't exactly know how to say 'I'm a fan of Tanya Burr and I love her bubbly personality' without sounding like a avid fan girl, so I won't try. Although I have to admit that having a piece of her collection makes me a tiny bit proud. Putting that aside, after having seen swatches and a handful of YouTubers wearing this, I think it's safe to say that the product itself is pretty darn good!

2. Sleek Face Contour Kit - Light
Retail price: S$ 19.00 (via Luxola)
I bought for: £6.49 i.e. S$ 13.35

Not that Sleek is unavailable in Singapore, but it always costs less to buy from the country of origin of the brand. I think that I got a pretty good bargain on this one. I have been looking for a good contour powder recently since Chanel decided to discontinue my favourite Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Base here in Singapore. I'm really hoping that this would live up to it's hype and replace my current bronzer. Fingers crossed!


From France: 




1. Caudalie Micellar Make-up Remover Water - 400ml

Retail price: S$ 35.00 for 200ml (Sephora)
                   i.e. $ 70.00 for 400ml

I bought for: € 16.99 i.e. S$ 27.46

This is my favourite micellar water of all time. I'm currently using the ever famous Bioderma Sensibio H20 (Crealine H2O Solution Micellaire) and I think that the Caudalie one is even better. This always leaves my face feeling incredibly soft and smooth and it smells so amazing and fresh. It's a shame that it is so expensive here and that they stopped selling the 400ml version in Singapore.


2. La Roche-posay Effaclar Duo [+]

Retail price: S$ 38.90 (Watsons/Guardian/NTUC Unity)
I bought for: € 11.99 i.e. S$ 19.37


3. Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfections Hydrating Care (50ml)

Retail price: S$ 39.00 (Watsons/Guardian/NTUC Unity)
I bought for: € 13.99 i.e. S$ 22.60

For those who have read my post: Clear Skin : Exfoliation Is Key ( Salicylic acid) , you will know my great love for these two products. I think that they are such effective chemical exfoliators with really great ingredients for the skin. I can't express how happy it makes me to stock up on these at such great prices.


4. Coup d'Eclat Eye Contour Serum 15ml

Retail price: - (not sold in Singapore)
I bought for: € 12.99 i.e. S$ 20.99

I have been looking for an eye cream to lift those puffy eye bags of mine recently. So far this sounded the most promising of the lot at the price range, with it's claims to moisturise, brighten and lift the under eye area. I also liked that it has plant extracts like Ginko, Grape, wild Flax, Soybean and that there is my favourite moisturising ingredient: Hyaluronic acid - which you can read all about in my post:  Why You Need To Have Hyaluronic Acid.

From Singapore: 

1. K-Palette Real Lasting Waterproof Micro Eyeliner 

Retail price: S$21.90
I bought for: S$15.30


Oh, I just love promo codes. I had a 30% Luxola code, END30, which was too good of a discount to pass up.

For those unfamiliar with this brand, it is a popular Japanese eyeliner brand. It's famed for having a patented brush to give ultra precision and ease when lining the eye. Their 1 Day Tattoo line is also famed for having the best waterproof, oil-proof and smudge proof formula. The eyeliner I bought was also the thinnest eyeliner I have ever come across at 0.05 mm too, great for tight-lining. 

The formula is amazing for people with oily eyelids like me. Yet, I almost feel bad for saying this with all the hype surrounding the brand, but I don't like this eyeliner very much. The brush dries really quickly so you really have to alternate drawing lines on your hands to get the ink up and running while drawing your eyes. This always leaves me with black patches on my hands at the end. Not cool.


2. Duo Eyelash Adhesive

Retail price: S$ 15.00
I bought for: S$ 5.00

This was a great value purchase thanks to a $10 dollar coupon that Luxola gave out before Christmas. I have been trying to get into false eyelashes recently, and there was no way I would dive into it without trying the ever famous Duo Eyelash Adhesive. 

Verdict: It lives up to its name! It stays on all day and dries clear - when used sparingly at least.

3. MAC Eyeshadow - Black Tied


Retail Price : S$ 30.00
I bought for: A gift!

Well, this technically is not part of my haul, but I just had to put this in. This shadow is incredibly beautiful just on the pan itself. It's more than just MAC Carbon with loads of silver glitter honestly. I think that with some practise, this will be perfect for adding a touch of glam into the inner corner V's on the eye. 

That being said. this will also probably be my first and last MAC shadow. The S$30 / US $15/ £13 price tag is too steep for a single eyeshadow pot. I think a great alternative is the Makeup Geek shadows at US $5.99 ( S$7.92) . They have really affordable international shipping and what I also like is that many of their shadows are modelled after MAC shadows for more than half the retail price! You can see the swatches of MAC vs MUG shadows here.

A close dupe for Black Tied would be Galaxy by Makeup Geek (swatch)


4. Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Tattoo 24 hr Eyeshadow - Bold Gold

Retail Price: S$16.90
I bought for: A gift!

I love receiving make-up gifts. It never fails to make me feel like a kid with a new toy to play with. I'm sure many of you know exactly what I'm talking about This was a really exciting item for me since I've been meaning to try this line for so long! I don't know why but I just never went ahead to buy it in the stores. 

Verdict: I love the consistency - not too creamy and not too stiff. I love that you can wear this sheer or build it up for a solid gold look. I'm definitely eager to pick up Tough as Taupe and Bad to the Bronze from the line now that I know I like the formula. It's such a pity that Tough as Taupe isn't available here in Singapore though.


5. LAQA & CO Sheer Lip Lube Pencil - Stranger Danger (Mini version)

Retail price: S$ 32.00 (Full size)
I bought for: FREE

I thought that this was a great steal since the full sized version only carries 0.1 oz. while the 'mini' carries 0.07 oz. The colour is a bit on the bright side, but the formula is so nice. It has a satin finish that mimics the texture of the lips so well. It also sits comfortably on the lips. My only complaint is the horrible smell. A nice free gift to receive nonetheless! (Once again, thank you Luxola)



That's a wrap! I originally had a few more items on the list based on recommendations (Thank you Karin!) and good reviews. Sadly, my friend could not get a hold of it for various reasons. If all is well, I hope that I myself can head to France and London to truly explore the make-up and skincare scene first hand. 

Oh and let's not forget, Merry Christmas to all!


-C

3 comments :

  1. This is such an amazing haul :) I've been meaning to try that contour kit too :) x

    The Belle Narrative

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Aimee,

    Thank you for the nice comment! The countour kit just looks so lovely in the pan doesn't it? :)

    -C

    ReplyDelete
  3. I used to love that contour kit! mine broke after a month though :( Im trying the Seventeen one now but it's no way near as good!

    I've tagged you in the versatile blogger award You can find the post and read the rules on my last post! I can’t wait to know more about you :)

    R x

    www.adventuresofashopaholic23.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete