Thursday, June 30, 2011

New Items on Blogshop: The Sparkling Seaside Series!

Hi all ~! Advertisement time again ^^;

I have just put up some new items on my blogshop, Clover Beauty Inn Online Shop. It's a small collection of earrings designed and handmade my me. 

I am trying to put in more things before I start working proper again (just switched jobs). If you hear me talking a lot about blogshop for the next week or so, please bear with me!


I am currently also working on more clay accessories, like handphone straps, rings and more earrings. Hope you will like them =)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Jill Stuart Foundation



Casing: for Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Powder Foundation N, NT450
Powder: Jill Stuart Moist Silk Powder Foundation (refill), NT1050, 9g


When I got this in Taiwan, the beauty advisor actually gave me the casing for the Smooth Silk Powder Foundation N while she recommended me the Moist Silk Powder Foundation for refill, as I said that I wanted something which provided coverage, but also suitable for touch ups. I wanted to get a compact for touch ups only as I still prefer liquid foundation to powder foundation after trying so many different types of foundations.

I admit that I chose Jill Stuart as I just wanted to own a pretty compact -_- I am glad I took photographs in the hotel right after getting this as I dropped the compact and the powder just shattered last week *sigh!*

Anyway, so I tested it out before it shattered, and I think this is a decent enough (though not impressive) foundation. I got it in Ivory, which matched my M.A.C NC-20 very well. Texture wise, I think it is more powdery than silky. The powder doesn't seem that finely milled as it is not very silky and smooth to the touch. There is definitely some illuminating particles added to the powder as when applied, I can see some subtle reddish/pinkish shimmer that makes my skin more radiant. I like it for touch ups, as it does a decent job in making my face matte for an hour or so before I need to blot again. I tried using it as foundation, and applied it with the sponge provided, patting the powder onto my face. I did not finish it with loose powder. I felt that the foundation was not really that lasting and my skin felt a little oily after a short while. To be fair, I always get the same result when I use powder foundation as foundation!

The powder foundation comes with SPF15 PA++, and has Jill Stuart's signature floral scent, which I simply love =)

In Summary,

Texture: Not silky enough, would prefer it to be smoother
Coverage: Medium
Sun Protection: SPF15 PA++
Oil Control: Average
Lasting power: Average, not impressed!
Color: Ivory
Scent: Floral

Overall: 2.5/5
A foundation I would buy for the packaging.



Jill Stuart Smooth Silk Liquid Foundation, NT1250, 30ml


Comparatively, I like this liquid foundation much more!! This is Jill Stuart's latest liquid foundation from their 2011 summer collection.

The texture of the foundation is more on the runny side than creamy, as you can see from the last photo. When tested at the back of the hand, the foundation might appear quite sheer, but it actually covers pretty well. I can't really say I know what is full coverage, but this is a foundation I would reach for on bad days as I think the coverage is good. What I like about this is that it gives a real semi-matte finish, and to some people who like the dewy look, the finish might look matte enough not to set with loose powder. For me, I always set with loose powder for a more flawless look. It feels refreshing on face, not oily at all! I also like the oil control, as my face seems to have less shine than usual, compared to when I use BB cream. What I find disappointing about most new foundations is that, a lot of times when I start using it, the oil control is excellent; but when I use it for a few more days, the oiliness just comes back. So far, this hasn't happened to this foundation yet, and I have been using it for 2 weeks already. Like the powder foundation, Jill Stuart has included some illuminating ingredient for more radiant looking skin.

The liquid foundation comes with SPF20 PA++, and has the same mild floral scent. If I apply with fingers, I use 2 pumps. When I apply with sponge, I need 3.

           
Before - ekks! Look at the blotchy skin!

After - without loose powder



After - with loose powder

From the above photo, you can really see the difference, isn't it??

Texture: Quite runny like lotion, not creamy
Coverage: Medium to full…?
Sun Protection: SPF20 PA++
Oil Control: Good
Lasting power: Very good
Color: Ivory
Scent: Floral

Overall: 5/5
I really like this! I might not re-purchase, not because it's not good enough, but there are just too many new foundations to try! However, I will definitely try other Jill Stuart liquid foundations!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

RE-OPEN! Clover Beauty Inn Online Store

I have good news today! I have re-vamped my online blogshop and new items are finally on sale!


My blogshop has been renamed "Clover Beauty Inn Online Shop" and it's url is http://cloverbeautyinnshop.blogspot.com


So what is new? Everything!


I have put in effort in creating pages to make a better shopping experience for all my readers =) Ordering information is much clearer now (I hope).


As I have blogged about 2 days ago, I made some clay charms. Some of you have expressed interest, and I am glad to say that they are up for sale =) Below are some pictures of what I have made.


To view, CLICK HERE


Chains for keys, bags


Mobile phone straps


Bracelets



Necklaces

Currently, I have earrings and charms for sale on the online shop. I will try my best to make more accessories and upload more items soon!

I have just changed jobs and am going through an adjustment period. I hope all will be fine. Wish me luck =)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Clay Sweets Handphone Charms & Accessories (Ice-Cream & Cakes)

Today, I suddenly felt like doing some handicraft. So, I ended up with lots of these cute little lovely clay handphone charms!



What I did:

Kneaded the clay to make it soft

Cleared away the extra clay

Done! A cone!

Add rhinestones…

… complete!

The clay will dry completely in 2 days. They are extremely light weight, just like styrofoam.

I made lots! Here are some of them =)

Cakes

Ice-cream


Can be mixed & matched to create different charms~

These are my favorites of the lot!

Earrings!

I had lots of fun making these. Although it was not really that difficult to make them, I think it was something that required patience and steady fingers. I am proud of myself =)

I will be putting these up on my blogshop soon (yup yup I know I have been neglecting it… sigh). When they are up, please give me your support!! ^^

Friday, June 17, 2011

Majolica Majorca Aurora Tear Liner (Pink & Blue)

This is the latest limited edition glitter eyeliner from Majolica Majorca.

I haven't seen these in stores in Singapore yet (haven't visited the Watson's at Wisma though), but I got them in Taiwan at NT350 each (SGD15).


It comes in 2 colors - pink & blue.

The glitters in the liners aren't really the 'solid' kind of glitters you see in the more common glitter liners like those in gold or silver. They are the type that look kind of 'translucent', but sparkle like crazy and change colors when seen at different angles under lights.

They can be used as normal liner or applied to the eyelashes for that additional sparkle. Personally, I don't like putting glitter on my eyelashes as it looks like glue, or worse, looks like I put on mascara base and has forgotten to wear black mascara (as glitter kind of look whitish on lashes).

I find that these liners look best when drawn at the lower lash line, to create that lovely 'tearing' effect. Okok, I know what you are thinking! Nope I don't want to look like I am crying, what I mean is that the glitter makes the eyes look more watery (in the nice sort of way) and sparkly, the effect you get when you wear contact lenses. Like in Chinese '水旺旺的眼睛' =p

As the base color is clear, I swatch them over black eyeliner so that the colors come out better. The colors don't look really that different just by looking at the tube, but luckily, they are quite different once I try using them.


In my opinion, blue looks cooler, so is more suitable for smokey eyes. Probably will look great with grey and dark green eyeshadow etc. Pink is much sweeter and will be great for romantic looks. I can imagine wearing it with pink and brown eyeshadow.

I think the glitter is quite lasting for me, still can see the glitter after 3-4 hours, though I think will probably need to touch up if you want to wear it for the whole day. I need to draw a few layers to bring out that really glittery effect. The drying time seems faster than normal glitter liners - like I still dare to blink my eyes right after application.

Jill Stuart Kitten Eyes & 2011 Summer Collection

~Kitten Eyes and 2011 Summer Collection from Jill Stuart~

I intended to buy the gel liner and brush only, after reading about them on the website… but as you can see, I ended up with these:

False Eyelashes, NT500 each (approx SGD22)

I got tempted to buy the lashes after I saw how pretty they looked on both the SAs at the counter. One matched light color eyeshadow with 02, and the other matched pink & plum eyeshadow with 01.

01 Dolly Type

The lashes are thicker for 01. The gold lashes should be worn near to the outer corner of lash line. At first, I thought that these are only suitable for parties, but they actually looked quite wearable on the SA! I think I will dare to wear them to town.

02 Feminine Type

The lashes are less thick, but longer at the outer corners. The purple lashes are less outstanding as compared to the gold, but just as beautiful! Probably suitable for those who want something different, but do not want to overdo it.

Haven't tried these yet. Cant wait!

Jelly Eye Color N, NT720 each (approx SGD31)

14 Dazzling Tears

16 Romantic Cat

Left: 16 Romantic Cat. Right: 14 Dazzling Tear

16 Romantic Cat is a vibrant pink, almost fuchsia. The pink is close to the strawberry pink in the Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes PK330 Strawberry Pink palette, but with much more shimmer. Some who are not used to pinks might not find this shade so wearable, unless used moderately at the outer corner of eyes.

14 Dazzling Tear has a champagne base with pink shimmer. Matches very well with 16 Romantic Cat. Creates contrast between the 2 shades.

Gel Eyeliner, 01 Black Cat


I used the eyeliner brush to draw lines of different thickness. For the thickest line in the photos above, I drew a normal line and smudged it with the brush. I think the texture of the gel liner is quite soft and creamy and very easy to spread/smudge. I haven't worn it out yet, so am not very sure how lasting it is. However, I tried lining my eyes with these, and it was very easy to do so.

Eyeliner brush comes with the usual JS style charm, one side with crystal, the other side engraved with a 'J', NT680 (approx SGD29)

Brush is of good quality. It is easy to control the thickness of lines with it. The bristles are soft yet 'Q'. According to the packaging, it says that the brush can be used for up to 5 years.

To be fair, I have not really used the products yet, so I cannot say how satisfied I am with them yet. However, color and quality wise (brush), I am happy with what I got!