REVIEW: LORAC Cosmetics x Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipsticks – Belle-ieve, True Beauty, Savoir Faire, Red Rose & Tres Chic

September 7, 2017September 8, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 2 Comments

Hello everyone!

These days, it is imperative to set aside some money for rainy days. And by rainy days, I mean days when makeup companies drop new products unannounced.

So.. LORAC Cosmetics recently sprang a surprise on unknowing beauty community with the launch of their Beauty and the Beast capsule line which included a limited-edition eye shadow palette, cheek palette, lip gloss collection, and lipstick collection. Since this collection didn’t serve primarily as a build-up to the premiere of the movie (or directly capitalise on its popularity since this was release in June, more than 2 months after it completed its run in major theatres), I supposed no one had expected this collaboration to happen.

Fortunately, I was lurking around the internet when the news got out so I managed to snag some stuff before the rest of the world did. No prize for guessing what I bought😂

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection (US$36)

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection

This Beauty and The Beast lipstick collection features 5 brand new moderate-coverage MOD Cream shades that are inspired by the Disney classic, right down to their names. Vanilla-scented and decked out in clear plastic with gold-foiled rose detailing and a metallic gold body where the movie title is imprinted on, these lipsticks are cleverly and luxuriously packaged to fondly remind one of the iconic yellow gown Belle wore in the film while taking away the “cheap” look.

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection swatches

The lipsticks are neatly arranged in a vacuum-formed plastic tray and then packed into a paper box. Each set is priced at US$36 (domestic shipping is free), which breaks down to a cost of less than S$10 per lipstick. WOW! I am sure no one expected it to be this affordable especially with the Disney logo plastered on every lipstick (which gives most sellers the excuse to jack up their prices). But I can’t help feeling sceptical about the quality 🤔

#1 Belle-ieve

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Belle-ieve

Belle-ieve is a warm mauve with a hint of pink undertones and a satin finish. It has the right amount of slip to allow for a smooth and even application across the lips without skipping or tugging. Highly pigmented, it delivers a one-swipe intense colour and an opaque payoff with an added sheen of moisture. It has such thick mousse-like consistency that it actually sits atop the lips nicely and conceals most of its flaws rather perfectly at the same time.

The lipstick also lends a slightly tacky sensation but that can easily be eliminated (while still maintaining the intensity) by dabbing the excess oil onto a facial tissue. Doing that would also extend its wear time. On days I don’t stuff my face with food, it could last about 5 hours on me so its longevity is not an issue. What really bothers me, however, is malleability of the bullet. It seems really prone to melting and has already slanted quite a bit after a few uses even though I usually keep my lipsticks away from the sunlight. I’m not sure if this is an isolated problem but do be careful not to exert too much pressure on the first use just in case.

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Belle-ieve – swatch comparison

#2 True Beauty

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – True Beauty

True Beauty is a cool pale pink with fine gold shimmers infused into it which imparts a subtle frosty sheen. This smooth lipstick glides on like butter and eventually lends a glossy finish which offers some plumping effect. It applies sheer at first, but is buildable to a medium coverage. That said, it settles noticeably into the lines and ends up streakier with each coat. It, too, leaves a tacky sensation on the lips which likewise can be removed. Due to its exceptionally soft and creamy consistency, it tends to ball up upon application and roughen the look as shown in the above lip swatch. Hence, I would suggest using a lip brush to apply this lipstick for better control of the texture.

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – True Beauty – swatch comparison

#3 Savoir Faire

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Savoir Faire

Savoir Faire is a peachy coral with a satin finish that applies effortlessly to deliver full coverage and colour intensity. This universally-flattering shade casts a radiantly youthful glow and instantly brightens up even the dullest of faces. It has a creamy and nourishing texture topped with a lustrous sheen to soften the lines and lend a glossy appearance to the lips. If wet lips aren’t your thing, simply blot the excess moisture away gently for a matter look and a longer-lasting wear. I have nothing much to rant about this shade. Needless to say, this is definitely one of my favourites from this collection!

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Savoir Faire – swatch comparison

#4 Red Rose

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Red Rose

Red Rose is a cool-toned red with a satin finish. It applies like a dream and offers insanely-pigmented colour in full opacity in a single stroke. Ultra moisturising, this lipstick is formulated to provide uniform colour coverage and high-shine to add luster and volume to the lips without settling into the lines so they (even for the thin ones) look absolutely juicy and fuller. It has the same tackiness as the other lipsticks in this collection and is certainly not transfer-proof. But it is comfortable enough for you to keep wanting to reapply the product.

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Red Rose – swatch comparison

#5 Très Chic

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Très Chic

Très Chic is a cool brown with the shine and softness of a satin but the tug and pull of a matte during application. It goes on thick and balmy to deliver a light wash of colour and mostly-sheer colour payoff which needs to be layered to achieve reasonable opacity. It applies patchy and the uneven consistency accentuates any imperfections on the lips so exfoliation is a must beforehand. Although this shade feels the driest among the lipsticks in this bundle, it has the best staying power as it clings onto the lips all day without weighing them down.

LORAC Cosmetics × Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipstick Collection – Très Chic – swatch comparison

All in all, these lipsticks (my first from LORAC!), save for a few shortfalls, have earned a spot in my regular makeup roster. The creamy and soft bullets are highly susceptible to melting so you have to ensure that the lipsticks are kept in cool environment (especially in humid countries like Singapore) or they will break or dislodge easily. But of course, if that happens you can always employ the melt-and-freeze trick to repair it. Every application renders a thick and rich consistency because more product is dispensed each time although this also translates to lesser uses. Nonetheless, this lipstick bundle is a very worthy purchase because the quality is really up there for the price you pay. I would definitely recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat!

What are your thoughts about these LORAC MOD lipsticks? Let me know in the comments below or take a quick poll!

Thanks for reading!

LORAC × Disney Beauty and the Beast was available on LORACCosmetics.com.

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REVIEW: M.A.C x Steve J & Yoni P Lipsticks in Spotlight Me & A Killing Smile

September 4, 2017September 4, 2017 / Fiona Seah / 5 Comments

Hello everyone!

Husband-and-wife design duo Steve Jung and Yoni Pai are not only a household name for their contemporary casual pieces in South Korea, but are also widely known among western fashion cognoscenti since having their creations stocked at major retailers such as Selfridges, Nordstrom and NET-A-PORTER. Following their inception in 2007 with their label Steve J & Yoni P (or SJYP), the London-based designers have dominated runways of late and had even collaborated with Topshop on a capsule collection in 2011. They were further catapulted into prominence when Lee Hyo-ri and Jang Keun-suk (among many of their high-profile clients) as well as Hollywood celebrities Rita Ora and Olivia Palermo were spotted wearing the brand on a few occasions.

With such an influence, it came as no surprise that M·A·C (a longtime sponsor of the makeup for Steve J and Yoni P’s shows during Seoul Fashion week) would sought to tap into their creativity and fashion prowess to release a collection “as cheeky and progressive” as their style for summer!

Steve J & Yoni P for M·A·C 2017

Launched in June 2017, the M.A.C × Steve J & Yoni P collection comprises 4 lipsticks (Spotlight Me / Candy Yum Yum / A Killing Smile / Yoni Crush), Lip & Cheek X 6 (Yoni Attraction), Eye Shadow X 2 (Touch Me Baby), Dazzleshadow X 2 (Midnight Fever), Powder Blush (Peony Petal), brushes (159SH Duo Fibre & 217SH Blending), a makeup bag and Studio Eye Gloss (Pearl Varnish). The packaging design drew inspiration from Yoni P’s signature look of blonde hair and thick, black eyeliner while other graphics of the components “speak articulately to the existing street style in Seoul”. This campaign was supposed to be a joint effort with a two-person team but I don’t know, it appears to be more centered around one 🤔

Cheeky and quirky packaging

I’m personally not really a fan of the packaging (oops!) because I find the artistic direction to be too.. haphazard? The exaggerated facial features created with simple lines seem thoughtless and just don’t appeal to me. Furthermore, the packaging reminds me of that of Yazbukey for shu uemura, but quirkier. What do you think?

#1 Spotlight Me

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in Spotlight Me (US$17.50 / S$36)

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in Spotlight Me

Spotlight Me is a warm peach and described by M·A·C as a light peachy nude with Amplified finish. It has a balmy consistency which gives it plenty of slip and a soft, creamy texture. Furthermore, it offers a buildable-to-opaque coverage with a hydrating shine. However, it leaves a tacky and waxy sensation and has the tendency to settle into the lines of the lips. This lipstick is lightweight and not transfer-proof so frequent reapplication is expected throughout the wear.

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in Spotlight Me – swatch comparison

#2 A Killing Smile

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in A Killing Smile (US$17.50 / S$36)

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in A Killing Smile

A Killing Smile is described as a bright pinkish red with Matte finish. This formula applies smoothly with no tug to lend a lip-hugging and opaque coat of cool raspberry pink, complete with a semi-matte appearance and a soft shine. It has a thick texture and an even and mostly opaque consistency, which can still be built upon for greater intensity. Like most M·A·C mattes, this shade is slightly drying but not to the extent of absorbing all the moisture from the lips and leaving them looking uncomfortably parched and cracked. It may not have the extreme longevity of M·A·C’s older mattes, but this still lasted on me for at least 4 hours.

M·A·C × Steve J & Yoni P Lipstick in A Killing Smile – swatch comparison

Admittedly, despite the Asian-friendly colours and this collection being borne out of a partnership with Asian designers, I am just not feeling all of this. I had even hesitated on getting these lipsticks (hence the delay in this review) due to the limited range of shades that look vastly similar to many of my M·A·C lipsticks.

The unexciting and repetitive choice of colours meant that they are not intended to be statement pieces but collector’s items. M·A·C knows very well that die-hard fans of the brand and K-pop would try to snag a piece regardless of the products (and price) so long as they are adorned in limited-edition packaging – and I am a living example of how their effective marketing can convince customers into buying things they don’t need 😖

Having said that, this collection does offer a narrowed-down selection of lipstick shades that will certainly go well with most fair and medium skin-toned Asians if you don’t already own any of them. Furthermore, these are priced the same as regular-packaged lipsticks (yes, gone are the days of US$16-17 M·A·C lipsticks – prices are creeping up without us realising!)

So, what are your favourite products from this collection? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below or take a poll!

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C × Steve J & Yoni P collection is now available on MACCosmetics.com and M.A.C Bugis Junction, ION, NEX, Ngee Ann City and TANGS at Tang Plaza.

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

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

GIVEAWAY CLOSED
SCROLL DOWN FOR WINNERS

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.

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REVIEW: LORAC Cosmetics x Disney Beauty and the Beast Lipsticks – Belle-ieve, True Beauty, Savoir Faire, Red Rose & Tres Chic

#1 Belle-ieve

#2 True Beauty

#3 Savoir Faire

#4 Red Rose

#5 Très Chic

LORAC × Disney Beauty and the Beast was available on LORACCosmetics.com.

REVIEW: M.A.C x Steve J & Yoni P Lipsticks in Spotlight Me & A Killing Smile

#1 Spotlight Me

#2 A Killing Smile

M.A.C × Steve J & Yoni P collection is now available on MACCosmetics.com and M.A.C Bugis Junction, ION, NEX, Ngee Ann City and TANGS at Tang Plaza.

[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.

#1 Belle-ieve

#2 True Beauty

#3 Savoir Faire

#4 Red Rose

#5 Très Chic

LORAC × Disney Beauty and the Beast was available on LORACCosmetics.com.

Share this:

#1 Spotlight Me

#2 A Killing Smile

M.A.C × Steve J & Yoni P collection is now available on MACCosmetics.com and M.A.C Bugis Junction, ION, NEX, Ngee Ann City and TANGS at Tang Plaza.

Share this:

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:

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