Clinique's Lash Power™ Curling Mascara

Pre-post note : This has got to be the fastest review I've ever done! LOL.

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Tagline : Lash curler no longer required

Description : New Lash Power™ Curling Mascara holds a curl for up to 24 long hours. Celebrate dramatic curl achieved through a formula that stretches lashes to their limits and a wand that scoops up, lifts up every last lash. Won't smudge, flake or smear. Lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears, yet removes easily with warm water. Ophthalmologist tested. Appropriate for contact lens wearers. Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free. Formulated for Asian eyes.

Colours : Black Onyx, Dark Chocolate

Packaging : 6ml

Recommended retail price : RM 75

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My review :

I got my hands on a free travel-sized sample of the Lash Power™ Curling Mascara in Black Onyx and immediately put it to the test.

The packaging for the travel-sized sample is a plain gray plastic tube, which does not resemble the real thing, which is a matte silver slim tube.

The brush head is small and slightly curved, which I suppose is meant to help you "catch" every last lash for the curling effect. I like that the brush is teeny enough to reach the fine lashes at the corners of my eyes, unlike previous mascaras which I'd used that had big chunky brushes. But of course, brush size is a matter of personal preference and also depends on what you want your mascara to do. If you're going for volume, then a bigger brush would work wonders. But if you prefer length (like me), then a smaller brush allows for better control. (Note: Since I received a travel-sized sample, I'm not sure if the original packaging brush size is the same - the Clinique counter I visited did not have an opened sample.)

The first few swipes of the brush resulted in lengthening of my lashes, but defining the curve took a little bit more work. A colleague who analyzed the end effect for me said that the curl was not as visible as she expected it to be, but I think it's because the major effect of this mascara on me is that of length rather than volume and curl. There is some noticable difference when I look closely in that my lashes are curling upwards but only towards the end. However, it did do a nice job of "opening up" my eyes without seeming overly mascara-d, which is a look I try to avoid at all costs, and looks very natural (I like!). I did find the first application to be a little clumpy right out of the tube and it required multiple swipes of the brush to even out the distribution on each lash. (Not sure if the reason is because it's a sample?)

This mascara dried nicely and instantly, so I did not end up smudging my lower lashes when I blinked. The staying power is commendable as even after 12 hours, my lashes still looked as they did when I first applied the mascara. Nice!

And for those who like me have found removing mascara (especially the waterproof type) a huge hassle even with make-up remover, I think I've found my perfect product. Like the claims say, it removes easily and simply with warm water. I used warm water from my shower, splash splash and voila, the mascara began to remove itself just like that. Of course you will have to rinse a few times to make sure that the last vestiges of mascara are fully removed, but this is the easiest time I've ever had in removing mascara (and oh yes, it removes cleanly - no stray lumps clinging onto my lashes at the end). Needless to say, I love this aspect of the product.

Yes factors : Nice length achieved, small brush head for reaching corners, excellent no-smudge staying power, easy to clean
No factors : Minimal curl achieved contrary to product claims, seems a bit clumpy when first out of the tube, careful application required (steady hand)

If you go to Clinique Malaysia's official website (it calls itself an official website but is strangely not listed if you go to Clinique.com) you can register yourself with them for a free sample of their famed 3 Step System here.

End-post note : The opinions expressed in this blogpost are purely that of the reviewer's own and she has received no monetary compensation to do this review.

Clinique's Lash Power Curling Mascara sample - free

I just received an email notification from Clinique Malaysia promoting their latest product - the Lash Power Curling Mascara.

It promises dramatic curl that will last for up to 24 hours without smudging, flaking or smearing but yet is easily removable with warm water.

I must say, I'm intrigued enough to want to check it out!

Oh, by the by, if you go to this site and leave your details, you could possibly redeem a free travel-size sample of Lash Power Curling Mascara while stocks last. I just got the email like half an hour ago, so it should still be available. :o)

Go, ladies go!

Edit @ 18:33hrs - I just got my e-coupon in my email. I shall be off to get my free sample tomorrow afternoon!

Addendum on 13 May 2008 @ 13:00hrs - I have my sample mascara! Review to come soon here.

Clinique's Attracted to Colour makeup workshop

Since I had registered with Clinique's website in January in order to receive a free deluxe sample kit of their famed 3 Step system, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from them earlier this month promoting their new Attracted to Colour workshop.

The Attracted to Colour workshop runs from 14 to 27 April 2008 at selected Clinique counters in the Klang Valley. What you get from it is a basic makeup session with their consultants who will teach you how to apply makeup, especially in those areas that you face difficulty in. And while stocks last, they will also give you a sample of their newest blush and a travel size makeup remover.

Being the compulsive bargain hunter that I am, I made an appointment for the first day of the workshop itself. I went to the Clinique counter in Isetan, KLCC during my lunch hour. The makeup session was alright, but I did feel that the consultant I got was a bit junior. And she was more interested in giving me her style of makeup, even though I did specify that I preferred to learn a natural look, especially for my eyes. Uh, I don't think the amount of eyeliner and mascara used would be a natural look, but I do have to say that I liked the way it made my eyes look very big (perfect for an evening look but not for work). Unfortunately it was rather startling, so definitely not a natural look like what I had in mind, but perhaps that was natural to her.

This is the freebies that I got - the sample blush and travel sized makeup remover. I haven't tried the blush yet, but I've been using the makeup remover and I like it very much (product review will be in another post).

If you are thinking of trying out this workshop, please ensure that you make an appointment in advance as the consultants are quite high-handed (on the verge of being rude) to walk-in customers.

SKII is giving out free samples of their Aqua Physics range

Thanks to my ex-colleague for giving me the heads up on this...

Apparently, SKII is giving away samples (while stocks last) of their Aqua Physics range. Go to http://aquaphysics.com.my and register your details - you'll then receive an SMS that is valid for 10 days to redeem a sample of Aqua Physics from any SKII counter.

I've never tried SKII before due to it being out of my price reach, so you bet I'll jump at this opportunity! Updates on the product to follow...

Get a free Clinique sample

I cannot resist free stuff, and when the free stuff happens to be branded, there's just no excuse for not picking it up, is there? *grin*

Clinique Malaysia is giving out free deluxe samples (15ml) of their famed 3-Step system to those who are willing to leave some details with them - Name, NRIC number, mobile phone number and email address. Click here to register yourself for the free sample, which is available at only selected Clinique counters in the Klang Valley and is valid for redemption until 23 January 2008.

I've never tried Clinique before but have heard good reports about it, so I shall be off to pick up my samples real soon!

Everyday Minerals Multi-Tasking Concealer

Yes, after so long, I finally got down to checking out my mineral makeup purchase from Everyday Minerals. I was somewhat thwarted from initial plans to review it straightaway by a minor breakout on my cheeks, so I decided to err on the side of caution and wait until it had subsided before I tried out something new on my skin.

So far I've only test run one product - the Multi-Tasking Concealer - and am glad to say that my experience is quite alright. As mineral makeup comes in loose powder form, I first had to get myself a proper tool. It so happened that I was at an Elianto cosmetics stall so I picked up their Foundation Brush (which I hope to review later on) as it seemed to be the right size for the teeny tiny Everyday Minerals pot. Getting the mineral powder onto the brush in the right amounts proved to be a little tricky at first as there is a secondary tray under the lid of the pot. I got around this by shaking it upside-down with the lid screwed on tight then sweeping the brush around the tray to pick up the mineral powder. Perhaps a little powderpuff would have worked better for me, but that's just my opinion.

The mineral powder is pretty fine and the foundation brush worked like a charm to pick it up and dust it onto my face. I'm not much of a makeup fan, preferring to go natural where possible and also keep the appearance of having applied any makeup at all to a bare minimum, so my routine was pretty simple. Dust on the Multi-Tasking Concealer where needed, apply a slight touch of blush to the cheeks, draw in my brows (a must for Asians, unfortunately) and a light touch of lipgloss and I'm good to go. The mineral powder went on quite well, and didn't show up as glaringly as my Maybelline loose powder used to do in the facial lines besides the nose and under the eyes. In fact, you could hardly tell that it was there. I still had a bit of redness and spots from the breakout and perhaps because it's a concealer (I've yet to try it in conjunction with the foundation powder), it did work quite well in minimizing the redness and covering up the spotty areas. But I do qualify my statement by saying that it wasn't a really bad breakout, just bad enough to be visible without any concealment.

The color of the concealer seems to suit my skin tone well - I could hardly tell that I was wearing any make-up on. However it should be considered that I didn't really layer it on, just a light dusting all over and a little more on the red spot area on my cheek. So far so good and I'm going to try the other foundation colors next!

How to shop smarter

When one is a fervent shopper like I am, you will most probably look for ways and means to get the best deal for your money. My favorite tricks are to shop only during sales times, compare prices a lot and use discount cards or coupons if I have them. Some of the best coupon discounts can be found whilst online shopping; compared to the few coupons you can find in the newspapers or leaflets circulated to houses.

Some of the online discount codes that I'm just hankering to use are from Classic Closeouts. With top name designer fashions going at 85% off plus less $10 and free shipping, what's not to love? It doesn't matter to me that the fashions may be at the season's tailend or perhaps one season later. I go for classic stuff that doesn't follow the seasons (it's not very practical to do so in tropical Malaysia).

Plus I like this coupon code from Benefit Cosmetics that promises 2 free gifts with every purchase. I love free stuff even more than discounts. *grin* I suppose I'll eventually get around to getting their Georgia or Dandelion powders after reading good reviews about them.

It's here! It finally arrived...

Yes, my free sample kit from Everyday Minerals has finally arrived, after one false alarm (the first shipment never arrived) and 1 1/2 months later. Better late than never, in my opinion!

At first I was worried that the makeup might have spilt because the idiot postman hurled the envelope into my garden, but thankfully it was all intact. This is how it looks like when it arrives.


Note that it comes with a color chart of their product so that if you're going to order another round, you can follow the chart instead of peering at the colors online.


The sample kit consists of three shades of foundation, one concealer and one blush. Since I'm quite fair, I followed Paris Beaverbanks' suggestion of picking the lighter colors when selecting foundation online. I ended up with the following colors:

~ Cool - Fair Medium foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Cool - Sandy Fair foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Cool - Multi-Tasking Neutral foundation in Semi-Matte formula
~ Multi-Tasking Concealer
~ Apple blush or face color


I love how cute it looks in the mini jars. Cute is always a plus point in my book, but I have to wonder how easy it's going to be dipping a brush in there to get the powder out.


I'll be reviewing the product itself next, but do bear in mind that I'm no expert on makeup nor mineral makeup, so I'd suggest you take my review with a pinch of salt, k?

Where's my purchase? - Part Two

Remember my earlier post that wondered where my mineral make-up had disappeared to? Well, the good folks at Everyday Minerals came back to me last week, saying that my shipment had probably gotten lost in the mail, and very kindly offering to refund me. *grin* I like how they promptly offered the refund without my asking for it, and that's customer service to me. (Or maybe they just didn't think it was worth it to re-process my order? LOL!)

Anyway, I asked if they could re-process my order again, since I really, really, really want to try out mineral makeup. That was last week, so hopefully in two weeks' time I'll be able to update that the package is with me, safe and sound!

Lancome Miracle perfume

My first post on what I want, and not what I already have! LOL!

Anyway, I was browsing the Lancome counter in The Gardens when I smelled the loveliest fragrance. Where did it come from? The counter salesgirl, naturally. I didn't ask her right there and then what fragrance was she wearing, but as I was walking away, I thought, why not ask? So I trotted back and asked her. Her reply?

Lancome Miracle perfume

She was also kind enough to spritz my wrist with it so I could go figure out if I like the scent. I like it better once it has settled down, and yes, this perfume is going on my wish list of things to get! However, since I rarely (if ever!) use perfume, I think I shall get one of those perfume miniatures instead of a whole big bottle.

Where's my purchase? - Part One

On 31 August 2007, I wrote about my latest purchase of a free sample kit from Everyday Minerals. I've been patiently waiting and waiting since then, but to-date it has yet to arrive at my doorstep.

The website of Everyday Minerals says that I should allow for 2 days for the processing of my order and between 8 - 15 days for the International Shipping. Now these are business / working days, which means that weekends are excluded. By my calculations, my sample kit should have arrived on 25 September 2007.

On 25 September 2007 I sent an enquiry email to Everyday Minerals using the email address provided in the PayPal receipt (everydayminerals [at] austin [dot] rr [dot] com). I waited, and today, 2 days later, I still haven't received any reply. So I have sent another email to the shipping email address of Everyday Minerals (shipping [at] everdayminerals [dot] com).

Let's see if I get any response this time. I really, really want to have a good experience with purchasing online with them!

Want to try mineral makeup for (almost) free?

As a female, I simply cannot resist shopping. For anything. And even though I don't wear makeup on a daily basis (due to highly sensitive skin), I still devour beauty magazines and blogs for the latest tips and reviews on that next product that will make me, well, more beautiful! And when you throw in the words FREE SAMPLE... well, I'm your customer. Heh.

Some random blog-hopping from Paris Beaverbanks' All About Shopping! site led me to Viva Woman and to this entry titled: Free samples from Everyday Minerals. Yup, that got me hook, line and sinker.

Now Everyday Minerals really wants to get you to try out their product and since not everyone is interested in buying a full size product before they're really, really sure they like it, the folks there have come up with a free sample kit for you to try out a range of their stuff. Called their Free Sample Makeup Kit, you get small sample sizes (good for 3 - 6 applications) of 3 foundations, 1 blush & face color and 1 concealer. It's completely free, only you have to pay the international shipping cost of USD5.05. (Which for me is like writing one sponsored post. This is definitely NOT a sponsored post, okay?) In Malaysian Ringgit that works out to about MYR17.17 based on an exchange rate of 3.4.

I'm pretty keen to test run mineral makeup since it's supposed to be all natural and won't clog pores so I selected my colors, paid for the shipping cost and am now waiting for my samples to arrive!

p.s. You may also find Paris Beaverbanks' review on mineral makeup to be rather enlightening. *grin*