[SHOUT-OUT & GIVEAWAY] I’M STARTICE, Korean Premium Shop @ Big Box

August 25, 2017September 10, 2017 / Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

GIVEAWAY CLOSED
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It was barely 11 a.m. on a Saturday, just four days shy of our nation’s birthday. Blaring music from the tower speakers configured next to a stage for a significant event at Big Box pierced the usually-quiet mall in Jurong East. Unbeknownst to many, a Korean premium shop initiated and appointed by the Korean government (Small & Medium Business Corporation or SBC for short) as an exclusive authorised agent to promote their locally-made products was about to open its doors officially.

I’M STARTICE main entrance

This 4270-square-foot unit marks the first Singapore outlet for I’M STARTICE (아임스타티스) which already has locations worldwide including the U.S., China, Vietnam and Indonesia. The relatively low-key occasion was graced by one-eighth of Running Man cast, Ji Suk-jin, as well as business partners and several South Korean government officials. I’M STARTICE commemorated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a free lucky draw where shoppers could stand a chance to win up to S$1000 worth of shopping vouchers. Missed it? Click here to watch the repeat of Big Box’s live stream or check out the pictures below!

Ji Suk-jin and the other VIPs present at the grand opening

Ribbon cutting ceremony

Announcing the winners of the lucky draw

And this lucky guy walked away with S$1000 worth of I’M STARTICE shopping vouchers! Dude, you can practically buy one of every item in the shop with those vouchers!

We scored a picture with Suk-jin oppa! I had a solo picture with him but I accidentally deleted it 😥😥😥

Conveniently located right before J-Walk connecting to Jem on level 2, I’M STARTICE boasts a wide variety of products from cosmetics to food to household wares (not sold anywhere else in Singapore) by small to medium enterprises with a limited selection of offerings from mainstream brands such as Innisfree (mainly their facial masks) and Lotte. Due to their low visibility, most of the brands carried at the shop may be unfamiliar even to the most dedicated Koreaboos but they are in no way inferior to more established brands. Apart from the stringent South Korean safety standards they have to comply with, it is also no secret that K-beauty products in general are made of high-quality (and sometimes exotic) ingredients which their Western counterparts fall behind on. And yet, they are inexpensive. For instance, a 125 ml tub of Mizon’s Water Max Aqua Gel Cream costs just S$19.90 when a similar product by a more reputable brand with less than half the volume would set you back at least S$50.

This area sells mostly household items

The cashier

Heading to an EXO concert any time soon? These official EXO light sticks may interest you..

The other side of the shop stocks up beauty products and food

Another Korean group that has been generating a lot of buzz lately for winning international awards… BTS! Why hand cream of all products, though..? I guess whatever sells with their autographs and faces on it.

Crazy for Aloe Vera!

A complete list of participating merchants and their specialty products can be found here (though I can’t guarantee that everything featured is available in-store here).

My favourite section in the shop!

There’s something for everyone – even the men get a beauty section dedicated just for them!

Some beauty products for the femme..

Skin care products are sold in a bundle at relatively affordable prices!

Of course, how can there NOT be face masks? South Korea is well-known for their face masks!

Makeup by J.ESTINA, which is more known for their jewelry

Authentic (licensed in Shanghai) Hello Kitty Face and Body brushes! You'll be surprised at how affordable they are!

Authentic (Sanrio license awarded in Shanghai) Hello Kitty Face and Body brushes! You’ll be surprised at how affordable they are!

Korean dietary supplements

Snacks and some instant beverages

Instant food on the other side

You can find foods like kimchi tteok-bokki in the refrigerator

Household products like adult diapers, containers and diapers are also sold at I’M STARTICE!

At I’M STARTICE, products are priced as low as S$1.30 for an instant ramen cup and can be as much as over S$200 for a bag pack. On the whole, everything – especially those at the food and beauty sections – is rather affordable so you should be able to stretch your dollar a lot farther than you would at other Korean marts. The following shows some interesting Korean products I could get under S$100:

Dr. Plus Banana Milk Mask Pack

And they smell EXACTLY like Banana Milk. The essence has the texture of milk too!

These Choco Cacao Nose Pore Strips made me craved for chocolates every time I use it. The chocolatey smell is really no joke!

What I bought from the Hello Kitty section. Two of these will cost less than US$100 altogether.

Hello Kitty 4D Face Brush

Black Hello Kitty 4D Body Brush

Black Hello Kitty 4D Face Brush

Great news for those who hate hustling through the crowd and meandering around the aisles!

You can soon place your orders online at the comfort of your couch and pick them up in-store on another day. This service is not available at the moment, but do check back for further updates!

Some Korean cup noodle which I’ve yet to try..

I’ve grown tired of Samyang noodles.. Time for a change!

More snacks!

Green Tea Dream Cacao

Korean fried chicken-flavoured chips? Take my money!

Other purchases we lugged home were a few vacuum-sealed airtight containers (which we bought mainly for storing durians in the refrigerator😲) and a set of kitchen cooking tools meant for our future use (when we’ve gotten our own flat – gotta think ahead, y’know?). Teehee!

And now, here comes the most exciting part of this post..

★ ★ ★ INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY ★ ★ ★
-CLOSED-

I understand Jurong East may be a little too far for some of you living in eastern Singapore, so I plan to bring some of I’M STARTICE’s bestsellers to your doorstep (or rather, mailbox) instead! It has been awhile since I held a giveaway, so I promise this is gonna be huuuge. To thank you for your continued support all these years, I will be gifting three lucky readers either a Hello Kitty 4D Facial Brush or Body Brush. More prizes are up for grabs this time around so as to increase your chances of winning something from this giveaway! If you are a Hello Kitty fanatic, this is definitely one giveaway not to be missed 😘

Prizes to be won

TOP PRIZE
1 × Hello Kitty 4D Facial Brush

CONSOLATION PRIZES
2 × Black Hello Kitty Body Brush

To participate in this giveaway, all you need to do is complete the following easy steps:

Follow me (@amelieseah) and I’M STARTICE (@imstartice.sg) on Instagram
Comment on this Instagram post why you should be picked as the winner (unfortunately, you won’t be able to choose the prize) and..
Tag 2 friends who may also want to lay their hands on these Hello Kitty brushes

And I will pick 3 lucky winners once the giveaway ends! 😉

T&C #1: ELIGIBILITY

This giveaway is open to everyone currently residing in Singapore only. To enter the giveaway, participants must follow @amelieseah and @imstartice.sg on Instagram, tag two (2) friends and comment why you want to win the Hello Kity brush on this particular Instagram post. Only entries on Instagram will be considered for this giveaway. Entries submitted after 8 September 2017, 2359 h will be disqualified.

T&C #2: SELECTION & DELIVERY

Winners will be electronically selected and will be notified via e-mail within 3 days of the closing date. All giveaway results are final; winners are not allowed to choose the prize. Prizes are also non-transferable. Winners will be announced on the aforementioned Instagram post as well as on this feature. Prizes will be delivered by post only and no meetups will be entertained. In the event of unclaimed or unsuccessful prize claims, another draw will be held to determine the next winner.

NOTE

FIONASEAH.COM reserves the right to edit, amend the giveaway Terms and Conditions (T&C #1 and #2) as it deems fit.

[UPDATED: 10 SEP 2017]

★ ★ ★

That’s about it!

Thanks for reading and good luck if you are intending to enter the giveaway! 😄

I’m Startice
big box (next to Jurong East MRT Station)
1 Venture Dr, level 2
Singapore 608521
Instagram: imstartice / imstartice.sg

THIS FEATURE WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH I’M STARTICE. PRODUCTS FEATURED WERE EDITORIALLY SELECTED. ALL OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE GENUINE AND UNINFLUENCED.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for bite-sized beauty updates!

REVIEW: M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour – To Matte With Love, Dance With Me & High Drama

August 19, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

From my observation as an ardent M·A·C user, the brand is often late to the party when it comes to following beauty trends. Or rather, they simply do not see the point in rushing into conformity and churning out low-quality products that would potentially tarnish their good reputation. But more often than not, you can be sure it’s worth the wait. Hence, when M·A·C finally announced that they were bringing out their own line of liquid lipsticks (literally years after every makeup brand had already done so), I had my hopes up and was eagerly awaiting their launch in January last year.

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour‘s debut saw the introduction of 15 robustly saturated colours in a liquid-suede finish (basically what you would expect from your Retro Matte lipsticks but in liquid form) packed in an all-black box and encased in a long clear plastic tube screw-capped with M·A·C’s trademark black dome-like lid. Each tube contains 5 ml / 0.17 fl oz of vanilla-scented product and comes with a fluffy yet flat applicator for better precision and control.

To date, there are already 31 shades in this range and most of them – including the three below – are permanent.

#1 To Matte With Love

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love

To Matte With Love is a cool fuchsia pink described by M·A·C as a bright raspberry. It glides across the lips without skipping or tugging and upon application, the lipstick dries down almost instantly, transforming an initially creamy texture into a budge-free velvety (as opposed to a powdery) and matte finish. The product is so intensely pigmented and opaque, it fills the lips entirely with just one swipe. It has an even consistency which makes it easier to define the lip shape. On top of that, it does not crack when I move my lips (at least for the first few hours of wear), even without any form of lip nourishment. It is extremely long-lasting but feels drying on the lips and will start flaking and peeling the moment it comes in contact with grease.

I vaguely remember this as an online-exclusive product (which was why I bought it because I wouldn’t have gotten a shade that’s so not me) but it doesn’t seem to be the case. No regrets, though. To Matte With Love is gorgeous even though I already have something quite similar 😭

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in To Matte With Love – swatch comparison

#2 Dance With Me

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me

Dance With Me is a cool darkened red described by M·A·C as a deep cranberry red. It has a more watered-down consistency even though on the whole it still applies somewhat thick, creamy and with some tugging. It needs just one swipe to fill the lips with a reasonably opaque wash of colour.

However, it doesn’t build well especially when it is still in the wet stage as the initial layer tends to shift around with the movement of the applicator and thereafter, leave an uneven and blotchy appearance. It dries down completely to a slightly velvety and matte finish (with a rubbery texture which made my lips feel synthetic 😭), albeit in a longer time (about 2 minutes). But my lips feel increasingly constricted as traces of moisture wear off from the lipstick every millisecond. The dried-down finish also highlights every crinkle and crevice and accentuates flaws to some extent. But no doubt, it is very long-lasting. This is relatively difficult to remove as it stains the lips.

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me – swatch comparison

#3 High Drama

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama (US$21 / S$39)

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama

High Drama is a deep burgundy purple described by M·A·C as a deep dark plum. It has a thin and streaky consistency and hence would require at least two passes to completely fill the lips. It lends a sheer smear of colour at the first swipe and has very limited buildability even though it is rather pigmented. It seems like the more layers I apply, the patchier (marked by very noticeable dark spots) it becomes. It feels like it has the tendency to bleed (which it sorta did around the edges).

This shade yields a satiny texture with subtle sheen which gives the impression of hydration when in fact, it is extremely drying. The heavy and hardening sensation on the lips while wearing High Drama makes the experience uncomfortable. Moreover, the product bunches and is distributed unevenly across the lips, causing them to look wrinkly and rough. It starts cracking and becoming flaky after three hours of wear without eating or drinking. Needless to say, its longevity would be a lot shorter when it comes into contact with anything (more particularly food and drink).

M·A·C Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in High Drama – swatch comparison

While there’s definitely much to work on for the darker shades, the lighter ones (more specifically To Matte With Love) seem to offer a more seamless application on top of a thicker and a more velvety consistency. But then again, these were purchased more than a year ago when they were first launched so, I don’t know, there could already be some improvements made to the formula. When in doubt, drop by any M·A·C outlet and swatch them to your heart’s content!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for bite-sized beauty updates!

PREVIEW + REVIEW: M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine & Rollerwheel Brown

August 2, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 1 Comment

Hello everyone!

Makeup trends come and go, but winged eyeliner remains as one of the most classic looks in history. In spite of this, not everyone can pull off or master the delicate art of eyeliner application, especially if you have not-so-steady hands coupled with a pair of hooded eyelids which magically makes any sign of eyeliner disappear (or worse, smear on the upper lids) the moment you open your peepers. The felt or brush tip that comes with most eyeliners gives the user full control of the placement and direction of the line so mistakes tend to be less forgiving. Even seasoned wing drawers, despite having gone through a couple cycles of trial and error, make ghastly goofs sometimes (on what I call “bad hand days”), much less amateurs!

Which brings me to the proverbial million-dollar question – what would be suitable for beginners and clumsy hands, then? M·A·C might have just found the answer with their upcoming Rollerwheel Liquid Liner.

Dubbed the “training wheels” for liquid lining, the limited-edition Rollerwheel Liquid Liner features a pizza-cutter-like spinning disk applicator that absorbs adequate amount of product from its little bottle to provide a continuous and smooth stroke of colour. The rolling tip is made with the right thickness to create precise and geometric flicks while hugging the lash line so even the shakiest of hands won’t stand a chance. Also, since the applicator is made entirely of plastic, it will not fray or become blunt after several uses unlike felt- or brush-tip nib, or mechanical and regular liners. So the perfect skinny-lined winged effect is guaranteed every time (no sharpening required!) until it runs out of product.

The Rollerwheel Liquid Liner is available in 4 shades: Rollin’ Black Shine [Shiny Black], Rollerwheel Brown [Warm Brown], Roller Royale [Royal Blue] & On A Roll Black [Matte Black]

The all-black packaging that we M᛫A᛫C addicts are so familiar with..

Encased in long colour-coded boxes and tubes which coordinate with the shade of the eyeliner for easy identification, only a third (or less) of the packaging contains the product. The rest of it is taken up by the incurvated screw cap which is designed for better grip and a more effective handling.

The stopper is shaped like a starburst so that the roller applicator can be inserted into the tube in any way

I don’t know about you, but I thought this was a groundbreaking invention that would actually solve most eyeliner woes and I’m pretty sure other cosmetics brands shared a “Why didn’t I think of that?” moment when Ashley Rudder posted a sneak peek of it. But does it live up to its hype or is it just another gimmick? I (gladly) took one for the team and purchased two of the shades from the preview to try it for myself.

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine (US$21 / S$36)

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine

When it comes to eyeliner, most of us tend to default to black because it is always a safe bet due to its versatility. Therefore, M·A·C has come up with two finishes of black for this collection – shiny and matte – to satisfy your inner goth. I had picked out the former because the matte one appeared too flat for my liking. The subdued glint pervading Rollin’ Black Shine, on the other hand, adds more dimension and brightness to the eyes.

Rollin’ Black Shine glides easily with no tugging or pulling on the lids and dries down almost instantly with an even and opaque consistency. It bleeds slightly when swatched but isn’t noticeable on the lids. The rolling tip restricts application to some extent which is good in a way because it helps prevent you from going off course. It hugs every curve of the lash line so it tends to smudge into the lashes in the application process. For this reason, I find the Rollerwheel Liquid Liner to be great for tightlining. Smudge-proof once the product dries down, it stays put even when the lids become visibly oilier after six hours.

#2 Rollerwheel Brown

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollerwheel Brown (US$21 / S$36)

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollerwheel Brown

Black may be a classic colour but it is far from the only option. In fact, brown and grey have become the go-to eyeliner shades ever since they have been proven by beauty experts to accentuate and bring features forward in a flattering way. If you are one of those who have already ditched black eyeliner for brown, Rollerwheel Brown would be right up your alley.

This warm brown has a matte finish for a more subtle look. Similarly, it applies smoothly with no tugging or pulling and has amazing staying power. It has more of a watery consistency at first but dries down to an opaque and completely matte finish after a few seconds. It is highly-pigmented as well. Although it bleeds when swatched, it is hardly ever noticeable on my lids.

M·A·C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner smudge test

Compare the finish and pigmentation with other eyeliners I have. In terms of longevity, and pigmentation, Benefit’s still wins hands-down. It takes 5 times more effort to remove the Benefit eyeliner

The applicator of these two featured shades picks up enough product from the bottle to line both upper eyelids every time. It feels a little sharp and, no doubt, will take some getting used to. Do not apply full pressure to it or you will tear. Exert light pressure to create a thin line, or press down for a more dramatic cat-eye look. The position of the applicator has to be such that the edge of the wheel is directly on the lid or it won’t give a defined line. For novice users (which basically means everyone of us since this is a new invention), application would perhaps be more manageable if short strokes are used instead. According to M·A·C, each bottle will last about three months if used on a daily basis.

[BEFORE] With only eye shadow on

[AFTER] M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner – left: Rollin’ Black Shine / right: Rollerwheel Brown

All in all, I would say that the Rollerwheel Liquid Liners is one of, if not the best eyeliner I have come across because they offer great precision and pigmentation and are also relatively easy to use. The price is (in my opinion) pretty affordable as well so you don’t have to break the bank to get it. It is a pity that these are limited edition because they definitely deserve a permanent spot in the M.A.C inventory. But since it’s such an innovative product, I’m sure it won’t be long until other brands start churning out something similar as well 😭 (Psst… please price them lower if you can!)

What are your thoughts about these new offerings by M.A.C? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

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Month: August 2017

[SHOUT-OUT & GIVEAWAY] I’M STARTICE, Korean Premium Shop @ Big Box

GIVEAWAY CLOSED
SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNERS

★ ★ ★ INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY ★ ★ ★
-CLOSED-

Prizes to be won

T&C #1: ELIGIBILITY

T&C #2: SELECTION & DELIVERY

NOTE

I’m Startice
big box (next to Jurong East MRT Station)
1 Venture Dr, level 2
Singapore 608521
Instagram: imstartice / imstartice.sg

THIS FEATURE WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH I’M STARTICE. PRODUCTS FEATURED WERE EDITORIALLY SELECTED. ALL OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE GENUINE AND UNINFLUENCED.

REVIEW: M.A.C Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour – To Matte With Love, Dance With Me & High Drama

#1 To Matte With Love

#2 Dance With Me

#3 High Drama

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

PREVIEW + REVIEW: M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner in Rollin’ Black Shine & Rollerwheel Brown

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNERS

★ ★ ★ INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY ★ ★ ★ -CLOSED-

Prizes to be won

T&C #1: ELIGIBILITY

T&C #2: SELECTION & DELIVERY

NOTE

I’m Startice big box (next to Jurong East MRT Station) 1 Venture Dr, level 2 Singapore 608521 Instagram: imstartice / imstartice.sg

THIS FEATURE WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH I’M STARTICE. PRODUCTS FEATURED WERE EDITORIALLY SELECTED. ALL OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE GENUINE AND UNINFLUENCED.

Share this:

#1 To Matte With Love

#2 Dance With Me

#3 High Drama

M·A·C retro matte liquid lipcolour is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at all local M.A.C outlets.

Share this:

#1 Rollin’ Black Shine

M·A·C Rollerwheel liquid liner is expected to drop this Thursday (3 August 2017) at all local M.A.C outlets as well as on MACCosmetics.com on 17 August 2017. this product is already available in the u.k. and Canada with limited access.

Share this:

GIVEAWAY CLOSED
SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNERS

★ ★ ★ INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY ★ ★ ★
-CLOSED-

I’m Startice
big box (next to Jurong East MRT Station)
1 Venture Dr, level 2
Singapore 608521
Instagram: imstartice / imstartice.sg