REVIEW: Clinique's Pop Lip Colour + Primer

Clinique's Pop Lip Colour + Primer is, just as its name suggests, a lipstick and primer combined into one. It is formulated with Shea and Murumuru butters to smooth and provide maximum hydration to your lips. Flexible polymers are also added to help keep the wearable colours vivid and vibrant throughout the day. There are 13 shades available in Singapore and they are neatly categorized into Nudes, Tawnies, Pinks and Violets.

Made in Belgium, the lipsticks come in simple yet classy-looking rectangular tubes. The caps are reflective so you can check on your lips any time you want discreetly. A tad heavy, but really useful and handy!

12 Fab Pop

04 Beige Pop

12 Fab Pop is a lavender pink with a demi-matte finish. When layered on, it's really pale which will look good with heavy eye makeup. But if I am just wearing very light foundation *points above*, then I prefer dabbing this on so that the natural redness of my lips peeks through, and I don't look so washed out.

04 Beige Pop is a pinkish beige and can be a good MLBB lipstick. For me, again, I think that this would look better with heavier makeup. Maybe because I'm so used to darker lip colours. Really should have gone all out with my eye shadows and liners here. Mmhmm.

But shades aside, these lipsticks are really moisturizing and they apply smoothly even when I don't have any lip balm on. They sit comfortably and the colours last for quite a while. (: Do check out the other colours like 01 Nude Pop, 06 Poppy Pop and 13 Love Pop!

Clinique's Pop Lip Colour + Primer retails for $33 and is available at all Clinique counters and on Luxola.

SPOTTED: 5 Stylish Ways to Wear Your Kimono Top

If you break up the characters for 'kimono (着物)', it literally means a thing to wear. Traditionally, it comes in a long T-shaped robe with wide sleeves. The Japanese wear it for special occasions like weddings and tea ceremonies and they look very elegant and proper in it.

As a child, I have always wanted one ever since I saw Hello Kitty in a pink floral piece. Unfortunately, the real McCoy is really expensive and not quite practical in warm and sunny Singapore. Also, I really want to get mine in Japan but that's not happening anytime soon. I made a resolution to visit the Land of the Rising Sun only when I can converse in their language decently... Which is going to take a very long time. Heh. (Btw, I passed my N5 exam, yay! ٩(^ᴗ^)۶ )

Anyway, thank goodness for the creative designers who did a modern take on it and came up with the pretty and more wearable kimono tops. And they come in every possible colour and variation; floral, boho-chic, lace, fringe, chambray, chiffon etc. There's basically a perfect one for every outfit. But how does one actually wear it? Given that it's usually over-sized, one can end up looking a tad sloppy. Eeps!

Here are 5 stylish ways to wear your kimono top:

1. Glam up your tank top and jeans combo with a patterned kimono. A chiffon one will flaunt your silhouette.
2. Throw on a flower headband and wear a fringe kimono for the boho-chic look. Perfect outfit for a sunny Sunday afternoon.
3. Seek warmth stylishly with a long kimono over your dress. Don't be afraid to go print-on-print!
4. Add some shape to your kimono by belting it up. Go for a simple plain one that doesn't draw attention away from your pretty kimono prints.
5. Jazz up your little black dress by draping on a floral or lace kimono à la Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City.

EMPTIES: July's goodbyes

Honeycé's Moisture Repair Shampoo
What it is: Made in Japan, this shampoo contains 8 different types of honey sourced from all over the world (Manuka Honey, Raspberry Honey, Clover Honey, Rosemary Honey, Orange Honey, Lemon Honey, Acacia Honey and Blueberry Honey), organic oils (Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil) and Keratin to repair hair damage.

What I think: My hair has returned to its original state - big, poofy and frizzy. This shampoo kept my hair cleaned, smelled pretty nice and was decently moisturizing. There wasn't really a need to follow up with a conditioner.

Now Foods Solutions' Avocado Oil
What I think: I was trying to save my Innisfree makeup remover when I decided to break into this. And it did such a splendid job of removing every hint of makeup. Even my stubborn-for-very-good-reasons Japanese mascara conceded. *victory sign* Also, it left my skin looking really clear after each wash. Favourite makeup remover from here on.

Phyto's Phyto 9 Ultra-Dry Hair Nourishing Day Cream With 9 Plants
What it is: This lightweight leave-in conditioner is formulated with 9 plant extracts to hydrate, smooth and protect medium-to-coarse, dry hair from environmental stressors and split ends. It is free from sulfates and phthalates.

What I think: I bought this because Fel said that this made her hair super smooth and she couldn't stop touching it when we were out. Umm... I thought it was only okay for me. Hahaha. It was just like any other leave-in conditioner and didn't leave any significant impression. I like that it was pretty light though.

Salcura's DermaSpray (Intensive)
What it is: This everyday moisturizing spray is made for those who are prone to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and dry skin. It is 98% natural, contains no steroids or harsh chemicals and nourishes the skin, while effectively breaking the itch-scratch cycle. It is formulated with Sea Buckthorn for nourishment and cell regeneration, Lavender to calm and balance and Rosemary for its for its ability to support collagen development and eliminate free radicals.

What I think: I apply this whenever I get really stressed and the eczema on my back flares up. It really helps to reduce the itch and I am so in love with the minty, Eucalyptus scent. Heh. But I don't think this is very moisturizing so I do still apply moisturizer. Also, the spray nozzle on my bottle is faulty. :\ But yes, I will buy this again and again. Until my eczema goes away. And we all know that it won't. Ever. Big sigh. So thank you, for this. :D

Phyto's Phytolisse Ultra-Glossing Finishing Serum
What it is: A finishing serum that instantly calms flyway and tames frizz so that hair looks sleek, smooth and healthy, with a sublime shine. It is free from sulfates and parabens.

What I think: Again, this was only okay for me. Hahaha. I really like Phyto's shampoos and conditioners, but somehow their leave-ins don't really work for me. This is lightweight though, but it didn't really tame my frizz. #toounrulyforya

Innisfree's Apple Juicy Emulsion Lip & Eye Remover
What I think: I LOVE(d) this so much when I first used a sample of it. It removed my eye makeup so cleanly that I promptly ordered the full-sized bottle online. Only to find out that our local stores sell them cheaper (Whut whut. Ikr. Do your research.). I still love this but I love my Avocado Oil more *points above*, just because that's natural and this, well, isn't. But yes, Innisfree has some really awesome products.

Bioderma Sensibio Mask
What it is: This soft and creamy mask moisturizes and soothes intensely, provides lasting comfort, restores skin's radiance and guarantees optimum tolerance.

What I think: This mask actually stung a little whenever I had it on, so I won't repurchase it. But it did moisturize my skin very nicely and left it feeling smooth like tofu.

A'Pieu Essential Source Snail Cream
What I think: I bought this because it's a favourite of Alice from W2Beauty. I really like the gel texture but it didn't work for me. My skin still felt dry when I had this on. :\ And it was quite expensive...

Escada's Especially Escada and Especially Escada Elixir
What I think: These scents are my absolute favourites. I really like the light rose notes in them and they smell feminine without being overpowering. Will totally make this MY scent when I finish my current stash.