FRAGRANCE: Especially Escada Elixir

Especially Escada Elixir is the latest child of the House of Escada. Joining the Especially Escada collection, the Elixir is a powerful interpretation of the original rose-based fragrance. It is built on the classic Eau de Parfum and the playful light-heartedness of the delicate notes from the Eau de Toilette.

The 'intensely happy' fragrance is inspired by the Escada woman who is boldly elegant, radiates confident femininity and joie de vivre, lighting up any room with her smile and energy.

The fragrance, much like the other members of the Especially Escada family, is built around a rose heart but differs in its wondrous intensity of floral freshness.

Top Notes
Light scents that are detected immediately upon application. Forms your first impression.
Notes from the Eastern Rose of Turkey first hits you, draping you with a cloak of mystery. The rose extract is caressed with oriental facets to add depth, colour and density, subtly transforming the light freshness of the pink rose of Especially Escada and the delicate notes of the Eau de Toilette into a scent that is thick with intensity and sensuality.

Middle Notes
Scents that emerge just before the top notes departs. Masks initial unpleasant impression of base notes, which improves with time.
Precious Ecuadorian Ambrette seeds provide a natural chic note to give freshness and depth, pushing the rose accord. A note of musk provides a sense of added luxury, making the fragrance ideal for a romantic rendevous.

Base Notes
Rich and deep scents that emerge before the middle notes departs. Brings depth and solidity to the fragrance.
Natural vanilla extract from Madagascar, amberry notes and a concentrated extract of Patchouli Heart lie at bottom of the fragrance to provide depth. Subtle fruity facets of plum and prune add a touch of richness.

photos from here

Especially Escada Elixir is a little muskier and slightly more seductive than Especially Escada, making it a perfect fragrance for dinner dates and perhaps, a romantic night out? (: When I first received the fragrance, I immediately thought of the above Sisley-inspired number from Love, Bonito. The frills, the deep fuschia, the femininity it exudes... It brings out every aspect of the fragrance. If I had longer hair, I would probably do Michelle Phan's signature romantic curls. Heh.

What would you wear Especially Escada Elixir with? (:

EVENT: ION Orchard's Blogger Beauty Brunch

Last Tuesday, I attended ION Orchard's Blogger Beauty Brunch at the newly opened Jones the Grocer. When I first read the invitation from Matt, I actually let a (tiny) squeal in class. Heh (Yes, I'm so not cool.). I mean, if Starbucks is your third home, ION Orchard is mine!

Anyway, before I go on, today's actually the last day of the mall's Fall Beauty Mobile Campaign. All you need to do it to access http://beauty.ionorchard.com/ on your mobile and you get to redeem free sample-sized products from 15 participating brands. :D These include Apivita, Beauty by Nature, Biotherm Homme, Dr Ci:Labo, Dr. Hauschka, FANCL, Kiehl's, L'Occitane, Lab Series, Laneíge, Shu Uemera, Skin Inc, VMV Hypoallergenics, Watsons and YSL Beauté.

Once you're at the page, just register by liking their Facebook page, select a brand, obtain the voucher and present it at the store to claim your sample! :D

As aforementioned, the day started out with a hearty brunch at Jones the Grocer. I have walked past another outlet countless of time and have heard JH talked so much about it but this was actually my first time eating there. Just like the other 2 outlets, this sported the same matte black, cozy interior. A perfect place to hang out with friends on a Sunday morning, yes?

I had French Toast with berries, accompanied with an invigorating cup of mint tea. Ahhh... How lovely it would be to start out everyday like this! *dreamy look*

And at the end of the brunch, we were each presented with a membership for the ION+ Rewards! Here's a list of what you are entitled to:

• Complimentary 2-hour parking.
• Dining privileges.
• Special promotions.
• Exclusive discounts.
• Updates on fashion, arts, dining and lifestyle trends.

Click here to learn more about it!

Thereafter we embarked on a little beauty tour, starting out with...*drum rolls* Yves Saint Laurent! A makeup demonstration, using the latest fall collection, was held and then, we were each presented with a little bag of our very own YSL goodies. Heh. I can't wait to do a look with them and show you! :D

Apivita was next. The birth of this Greek brand was inspired by the bee's society which is marked by its harmony, balance and solid structure. The brand borrows ingredients from the Honey Bee and these include nature's miracle antiseptic (Propolis), the purest natural energy source (Honey), nature's secret elixir (Royal Jelly), and the richest source of amino acids in the natural world (Bee Pollen).

I'll be using their sunscreen soon so stay tuned for a review!

The last stop was at Dr. Hauschka. This brand prides itself in providing skin care that works with your skin, and not against. It doesn't suppress symptoms but instead, harness the healing properties of nature and actually activate the skin's own impulse to heal and balance itself, naturally.

The brand's philosophy really speaks to me so I'm really excited to see how their products will work for me!

And of course, the compulsory shot in the ladies with pretty Juliana!

Alrighty, I'm off to tackle my million and one assignments but I'll be back soon with reviews! :D Till then, laugh more, love more and live more. Have a good week ahead! xx

EVENT: K-Palette's Sweet as Chocolate Campaign‏

On the first Saturday of August, Fel and I made a trip down to Bliss House at The Central to attend K-Palette's Sweet as Chocolate Campaign. The brand is well-known for its super black 1 Day Tattoo eyeliner (Loyal fan here, since 2010.).

BUT this fall, K-Palette is taking a peek into the world of brown eyeliners. They aren't as intense and striking as their black counterparts, but they are just as, if not more mesmerizing. The look they give is gentler, sweeter and perhaps more innocent. (:

Here's the full collection!

From left to right,

• 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner, WP in Deep Brown ($19.90)
• 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner in Natural Brown ($19.90)
• 24H Real Lasting Eyepencil, WP in Deep Brown ($19.90)
• Real Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liner in 01 Chocolate Brown ($23.90)
• Real Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow Liner in 02 Honey Brown ($23.90)
• 24H Real Lasting Eyebrow Liner in 01 Natural Brown ($19.90)
• 24H Real Lasting Eyebrow Liner in 02 Grayish Brown ($19.90)

(Thanks Chantana, for your hand! :D )

A makeup competition among 3 upcoming makeup artists was held, followed by a demonstration. The latter was pretty similar to the previous workshop and I wrote about it in details here.

Basically, for a more mature look, you would want to draw cat eyes to elongate your windows to your soul and to lift them up. For a younger and cuter look, you would want to draw the eyeliner downwards. :D

Ending off with a shot of dear Fel and me! :DDD

REVIEW: FreshKon's Alluring Eyes (1-Day)

FreshKon's Alluring Eyes is no stranger to me. I tried the monthly version two years back and even though I love how it made my eyes look like stars were thrown into them, it was a pretty uncomfortable experience (Read the review here.). Think: Constant blinking throughout the day and an aching head.

BUT fast forward 2 years, FreshKon came up with a daily version and I got a chance to try it out (Courtesy of the ladies at CozyCot! Thank you (: ). The daily ones come in just 3 shades; Winsome Brown, Mystical Black and Magnetic Grey and seem to have more features to make the whole experience a lot more comfy.

Natural Look

• Natural shades.
• Defined outline for alluring bigger, brighter eyes effect.

Superior Comfort

• Hydrophilic (water loving) surface for comfortable wear.
• 58% water content for optional comfort.
• Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for optimum ocular lubrication and hydration, thus enhanced comfort and clarity.
• Easy to fit, no curling lens problem.

Excellent Vision

• Large optical zone for clear vision.
• Wide power range from -0.00D to -10.00D.

Health Benefits

• Daily disposable - A fresh new pair every day.
• UV inhibitor - Blocks 80% of UVA and 96% of UVB.

The lenses have a water content of 58%, a diameter of 14.2mm and a base curve of 8.5mm. The above's Mystical Black.

My first trial with the lenses lasted for more than 8 hours. I did a photoshoot and attended 2 gym classes and to my surprise, I experienced none of the discomfort I felt before! I mean, I kept waiting for something to happen but it didn't and eventually, I even forgot I had them on! They were THAT comfortable and my eyes didn't feel the least bit dry.

The second time I tried them, I had them on for close to 11 hours. My eyes were a tad tired towards the end but again, I encountered no dryness, there was no constant blinking and my head certainly did not ache. Wearing and taking them off (Use your ring finger and push the lenses downwards!) were also really easy-peasy!

Appearance-wise, I love how Mystical Black made my eyes a real solid black, like a doll's. It really enhances your eyes in photos, especially polaroids. Is it just me or does everyone else's eyes just disappear in them?!? Haha. Outside of photos, it can make your eyes a little soulless and if this isn't your cup of tea, you can opt for the gentler Winsome Brown. For me, I would really love to try Magnetic Grey next. Just because Dad said it would be nice (When a guy, especially your DAD, comments about something beauty-related, listen up!).

I hope this entry has been helpful! Off to get some work done now but please do leave a comment if you have any queries and I'll get back to you ASAP! :D

REVIEW: Emma Stone's Beauty Secret - The Grapeseed Oil

When I develop a girl crush on an actress, the first thing I do is to google her skincare and makeup routine. And then, all her other information. (Just like a professional stalker. No, I actually just get all that from Wiki. I'm the lousiest fan ever.). The order is probably the reverse of yours but it certifies me as a true blue beauty junkie, yes?

Strangeness aside, Emma Stone is and forever will be top on my very short 'Favourite Actresses' list (It's very exclusive.). And if you had watched her as Gwen in 'The Amazing Spider-Man' (And you are every bit as beauty-obsessed as I am.), you might have noticed that her skin is velvety gorgeous. VELVETY gorgeous, can I please stress on that first word. I know, she had fabulous foundation on, which was fabulously applied by a fabulous makeup artist... But I do subscribe to the fact that good skin equals good makeup and vice versa.

So obviously, I went hunting for her beauty secret and came across this! The humble, nondescript and inexpensive grapeseed oil, really?!? Of course, the next thing I HAD to do was to hunt for the oil in decent quality! And it led me to a little store on the 4th floor of ION Orchard called Vom Fass (Okay, so my oil wasn't THAT cheap. :\).

Vom Fass hails from the UK and offers a wide selection of vinegars, oils and spirits of the highest quality. It is a little on the expensive side. You need to first purchase one of their bottles to hold the oil because they charge by the bottle's volume. You can reuse the bottle after that though. I'm not very certain but I think this bottle, with the oil, cost me a twenty?

Grapeseed oil is pressed from the seeds of grapes and is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and antioxidants. Apparently, its molecules are smaller than that of olive oil's and so it sinks into the skin faster. It works great as a moisturizer for all skin types and also, helps to maintain the skin's elasticity.

It was my weapon of choice against Sydney's winter last July but unfortunately, it barely helped. I had to turn to K's Laneíge moisturizer before my skin started dissolving into cracks. BUT the good news is that the grapeseed oil works great as a simple moisturizer in our humid weather. I piled on the oil before I slept and woke up to skin that's deliciously hydrated the next morn. My skin did still go thirsty throughout the day though, which is probably why Emma applies it so frequently.

I have since finished my bottle and probably won't be repurchasing it because I'm experimenting with other oils. Heh. I think it's really important to apply healthy stuff on our skin because they don't just sit on it. They do actually go into it. But with that said, I still love my Lancôme's serums. Haha!

Anyway, if you're interested in getting oils that are inexpensive and of decent quality, do check out Now Foods here on iHerb! :D

SPOTTED: Carrie K.

At a recent Dove event, I got to customize my very own Nut and Bolt Silver Bracelet by local upcoming artisan jeweller, Carrie K.. This leather bracelet 'is inspired by the strength and support provided by the humble nut and bolt'.

It is so simple, yet it is still able to hold a presence of its own and I really like that. I have been wearing this a lot lately, to give me 'some strength' because you know, leather is tough... Haha. And I thought I share it here. (:

P.S.: Apologies for the trickling of posts. Have been plenty busy lately so thanks so much for sticking around! :D

LOOKBOOK: Love, Bonito's little vintage

Love, Bonito dress
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For an upcoming fragrance feature, I dug out a very old Sisley-inspired gem from Love, Bonito. I remembered loving it to bits and when it eventually came, I was jumping up and down so hard, mentally, that I was convinced I was doing actual exercises. But the 18-year old me never found the guts or occasion to wear it and it was left forgotten, until now.

Anyway, it's a teeny weeny bit cool that the 24-year old me still loves the dress. My sense of fashion probably has changed but I don't think it deviated a lot. I mean, I experiment more with colours now. I used to wear a lot of black, brown, grey, navy blue... All the really dark colours. *shudders* I can't quite live without white now. But back to the topic, yeah, I still like my pieces girly. Sometimes, I 'toughen' it up a little but there will also be some little details, spilling with femininity. Or so I like to think. Heh.

EVENT: SK-II's Pitera House at Tangs Orchard.

The beginning of August was celebrated with a trip down to SK-II's Pitera House. Held at Tangs Orchard, this was SK-II's first ever and it was a way for the brand to pay homage to its heritage of crystal clear skin steeped in its miracle ingredient, Pitera.

The history of SK-II goes back to more than 40 years ago, where the discovery of Pitera happened from a chance observation of the soft, youthful hands of elderly sake brewers. The brand was officially launched in 1980 and even until today, Pitera remains as the core of this prestige skincare brand.

What Fel and I were holding on to was Koji rice. During the fermentation process of its yeast, Pitera is derived naturally. It takes the form of a metabolic fluid that contains an amalgam of vitamins, minerals, amino and organic acids. Here are some facts of Pitera, by the numbers:

• 1 of 350 Pitera is derived naturally from a rare yeast strain, out of over 350 different kinds.
• 1980 The year in which the first bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence made its debut.
• 50 Pitera contains over 50 micro-nutrients essential for skin.
• 6 There are 6 steps to crafting Pitera, starting from the selection of the rare yeast strain to the bottling of the Facial Treatment Essence.
• 35 SK-II, along with external research partners, has studied Pitera's functions and benefits for over 35 years to uncover its secrets.
• 5 Pitera is able to transform all 5 dimensions of texture, radiance, firmness, spot control, wrinkle resilience that control skin's overall clarity.
• 90 Over 80 women on a Pitera regimen showed visible improvements of up to 90% across the 5 dimensions of skin within a year.

MediaCorp artistes, Rebecca Lim and Qi Yuwu, were also there to grace the event.

Rebecca joined established Sake Sommelier, Hiroomi Nagamatsu, in rediscovering the SK-II story. They traced the story of this gift of nature, starting from the moment where it all began.

(Rebecca's probably the only local artiste that I like. She was all poised and elegant, and very beautiful!)

Yuwu then joined SK-II's Beauty Trainer, Cindy Cheong, for the Magic Ring Counselling and shared his skincare tips.

(Yuwu's fanclub went all the way down to support him! And he made it a point to wave and smile at them, which was very nice.)

Ending off with Fel, my lovely company for the night (And most events! :D), and me! <3

P.S.: Thank you, SK-II and DeVries for the invitation! :D