Urban Decay Cape Town Opening & My UD Lipstick Collection

Hi all,
This past weekend, I attended the long-awaited opening of the newest Urban Decay store in South Africa at the V&A Waterfront. So, I dragged my BFF to the waterfront and we stood in line for an hour before getting into the store; Can I just say, the wait was worth it. Portia Luma (Deep & Afro House DJ) livened the atmosphere and there were giveaways for those waiting in the queue. 

I had a couple things in mind that have been on my wish list for quite sometime, but I like to swatch and try things before committing. lipsticks were on the agenda, since swatching a couple of them in Singapore a couple of weeks ago. I didn't buy them then, because they're cheaper here 😊.

Let the swatchfest begin...

Me and my BFF swatching like we've never swatched before

 I took advantage of the opening specials and made use of the 4 for 3 special: I picked 3 lipsticks
(R 240.00) to add to my collection as well as a tube of the primer potion eyeshadow primer in caffeine (R 320).

I've done lip swatches of the all the UD lip products in my collection:

Lipstick is My Vice 💋 Conspiracy (Metallized), Psycho and Heroine (both Comfort Matte)

I'm absolutely in love with the Vice lipsticks, especially the comfort matte formula since, it doesn't dry my lips out at all. conspiracy is the perfect metallic nude for those deeper skin tones. Psycho is the perfect pink on everyone (it's also got iridescent blue sparkle 😍). And then there's Heroine..it's a blue lipstick, if you're daring enough go ahead and wear it. I dare you ...😉

Liquid lipsticks: My favourite shade is purple lipstick Pandemonium (Matte) and a metallic blue Time

All that Glitters 😎 Special Effects Lipcoats in Reverb "Purple with shifty pink-gold sparkle" (on top of Pandemonium) and Ritual "Smoky blue-gray glitter with iridescent 3D Sparkle" (on top of Heroine)

I picked the liquid lipsticks (R 290) and Special Effects lip coats (R 295)  in Singapore (along with De-slick and All-nighter setting sprays); I got Pandemonium ( a comfort matte bright purple) and Time ( a blue metallized lippy). Both are super comfortable and long-wearing; although a greasy lunch means you need to reapply).
I got the lipcoats in Rital and Reverb; they can be applied over any matte lipstick to add some sparkle. I love them! It takes some skill to apply an even coat, but the end-result is worth it. You also feel a bit of a tingle when they're first applied to the lip but that goes away within minutes. The lipcoats are budge-proof and you'll need an oil-based product  to remove them.

Things I still want to get...
1. De-slick Complexion Primer
2. Naked Skin Foundation
3. Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliners

That's it my pretties; I really enjoyed the store opening (my first ever). I want to thank the BFF coming with me. Makeup is so much more fun when it's a shared experience.
If you're a junkie like me, head over to the UD store; they've got makeup tutorial/lesson/demo services as well (for a price). For those that live far from Cape Town, Joburg and Pretoria; Foschini Beauty Online does stock UD products, with delivery for orders of R 500 or more.

What are items are you dying to try out from the Urban Decay range? Let me know in the comments section below.

'Till my next post, xoxo

My Singapore Trip

Hey lovelies,
I finally sat down write about my recent trip to Singapore. It was a work-related trip; I attended the International Union of Microbiological Societies Congress (IUMS) hosted at the Sands Convention centre in Marina Bay. Yes friends, I'm a labrat between 8am and 4pm on weekdays 😁

About Singapore...
Singapore is a city-state on the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia, it's also known as the Lion City.
Singapore it is known as a global financial centre, multicultural city and tropical climate.

My Hotel...
I'm pedantic when it comes to planning a trip; for months prior to my trip I scour the Internet for the best deals and consult the oracle of travellers...Trip Advisor for hotel reviews. I settled for Hotel Clover The Arts based on price, decor and location (so proximity to attractions, restaurants and public transport). The Arts is small boutique type budget hotel in Clark Quay on South Bridge Rd not too far from Chinatown and Riverside.

Source: http://www.geraldpng.com/2015/07/weekending-hotel-clover-arts.html

 I booked into a Studio Single, the singles do not have windows; I'm not ready to sleep in a box just yet 😏 It's a tiny room but sufficient for one person, and the shower and toilet are separate (which is not always the case in Singapore) with enough moving room.  Each of the rooms at The Arts has a different decor, which I find really quaint.

My Beauty Haul...

The Singapore Sale was on while I was in Singapore (it ends this weekend), so as you can imagine...there I didn't hold back. I had a wish list of Korean and Taiwanese skincare products I was hoping to pick up.
Missha

Time Revolution Night Repair Serum came with a free gift 130ml First Treatment Essence

Sheet Masks errywhere...I picked these up at Sasa cosmetics and Watsons

More sheet masks: Missha, The Face Shop & Repiel

I also picked up the Naruko Job's tears night jelly, the Hada Labo AHA+BHA face wash and a second bottle of the Mild peeling lotion. Sasa cosmetics had a Buy 1 Get 1 on some of their fragrances, so I definitely picked up something 😉

I also picked up some Urban Decay goodies because I had too?!

Me at the Urban Decay Store in Vivo City

The Cape Town store is opening this weekend! YAY!!!😀 19th August at the V & A Waterfront.

Sightseeing Highlights...

Sunset view from the Sentosa walkway

View of the skyscapers from the roof patio at the hotel

Sentosa Merlion

Supertree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay

Supertree Grove

Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Orchid Garden

If you're ever in Singapore...
1. For shopping ...don't rule out the malls frequented by the locals; you can get really good deals on beauty and skincare at Watsons and Guardian stores. There's plenty of Buy 1 Get 1 specials, as well as price reductions regularly. Also, you can find stores that aren't found in tourist places like Orchard Road. Head to ION Orchard if you're like me and a trip to Sephora has to happen whenever you travel abroad.

2. Travel by public transport; it's super affordable. I got an EZ-link card (available at MRT stations) that comes preloaded with SGD 7.00. I loaded an extra SGD 10.00 and this lasted a week. A single trip in the CBD only costs SGD 0.77. You can use the card for the metro and bus trips.

3. Must see attactions ...

• Gardens by the Bay (especially at night).
• Singapore Botanic Gardens 
• Sentosa Island
• Chinatown
• and so many others. There's never enough time to see everything

 Let me know, if you want an in-depth review of the products I purchased.

See you in my next post, xoxo

Make-Up Wishlist #1

Hi all, 
I've thinking of doing a wishlist post for a while now. There are so many products out there I want to try, but they're either really pricey or not available in South Africa. 
So here I go:

 

1. M.A.C powder blush in "Film noir": MAC describes this as a rich warm chocolate  colour. It's a matte finish. It will really work well as a contouring colour for the all "chocolate girls" out there. Costs ZAR 275

2. Urban Decay  Eyeshadow primer potion: They come in 3 shades and I've heard nothing but good things. Can't wait for UD to open in Cape Town. Costs ZAR 350 at the UD store in Sandton.

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #14: So many Youtubers have sang its praises (This is the best one I've seen to date). It's one of the view luxury foundations that has a wide range of shades. It's not available in South Africa, but you can get it from nordstrom for ZAR 950...Yikes!

4. NARS blush in "Taj Mahal" (another audacious shade from NARS is exhibit A) I cam across this blush while searching google for blushes that complement dark skin. Anything that isn't a bright fuschia or red doesn't really show on my skin, unless it has got gold undertones. also not available in South Africa. It goes for ZAR 461 on nordstrom.

5. Morphe Brushes 35B Color Glam Palette: I love eye shadow! That's all. I'm kidding...finding affordable highly pigmented bright shadows is surprisingly difficult in South Africa. So putting this one on the list because this palette gives me life. It's available at varrious online stores in South Africa. Muse Beauty is the cheapest at ZAR 550. 

6. Christian Dior Rouge Dior in 786 Mystique Mauve This is such a beautiful colour. I tried it once at the Dior counter in Edgars (Why do I do these things to myself?)  So gorgeous...but so is the price ZAR (not sure ...last I checked it was ZAR 460).

7. Givenchy Noir Couture in "Black satin": I bought my first high end mascara on my first trip to Paris for about ZAR 300. Way back in the days when the ZAR was stronger. This is hands down my favourite mascara...dramatic lashes anyone? It's available at Edgars in South Africa now for ZAR 580.

8. BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector: being a combination/oily girl has its dowside...oily T-zone by midday if you don't take things in hand. I'm not really into powder, so for me the solution is a good primer that can keep the shine at bay and keep my makeup from melting off my face (especially in the summer). This primer goes for ZAR 580 at becca cosmetics online.

9. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in "Topaz": comes as a liquid and poured compact. I'm not sure on how to apply liquid highlighter, so I'll stick with the compact. This shade is a bronzy gold that looks amazing on dark skin (See this review by the Style & Beauty Doctor). Also available at becca cosmetics for ZAR 470.

What make-up products are you dying to try out?

Love xoxo, 

N