The wonderfully charming Elephant Parade popped up along Orchard Road some weeks back. These photos were actually snapped more than three weeks ago but my 3-month old MacBook fizzled and died on me. Dedicated to raising funds and public awareness to help protect the gentle giant, the exhibition of over 100 elephants made its way through several European cities before arriving on 11 November in Singapore, its first stop in Asia where it will stay for two months.
The first one that I caught sight of was the Paul Frank elephant outside Ion. A kaleidoscopic beauty outside Tangs Orchard. Tangs also had a pop-up store selling a veritable rainbow of elephant models by artists from all over the world. One of my favourite models was the delicate Lacey by Singapore fashion brand Raoul outside Wheelock Place. The Muji elephant at Paragon. See more of the Elephant Parade on Shine, Shimmer & Sparkle!
Essence is a superbly affordable European beauty brand that I recently chanced across. For this winter, they've released a Vampire's Love collection, well-timed to coincide with the Breaking Dawn movie. The Shimmer Powder 01 Lil' Vampire is a pale beige highlighting powder with tiny, ultra-fine gold sparkles. The beige shade pretty much disappears into my skin without adding any colour, but the gold sparkles dance ever so prettily in the sunlight. This costs just 4.75 Swiss francs (about S$7). Of the five nailpolishes in the collection, I picked up #1 Gold Old Buffy and #5 Catch Me If You Can (black with silver flakes). Made in France, these were CHF2.95 each for 10ml. #1 Gold Old Buffy is a wonderfully murky black with tarnished gold flakes. It seems to be the most popular shade in the collection amongst European bloggers like Witoxicity, Parokeets and Love, Varnish, Chocolate & more. This is two coats over Essence Allround Talent Nail Perfector and topped off with Essence Quick Dry topcoat. After four days of wear, there is only very minor tipwear. The formula was smooth and easy to work with, although it definitely requires more than one coat. The Blush Gelee was the piece that drew me into the collection. The jelly blush gives a lovely pinkish-red flush to the cheeks. Made in Poland, it is a breeze to apply and blend. The effect is subtle, much like Becca's popular Beach Tints, but for a fraction of the price of the latter. The cooling, non-oily texture reminded me of a MAC cheek tint that came in a clear squeeze tube some years ago. The Vampire's Love Collection is quite nicely done and I would have picked up more items, like the two lip stains but unfortunately, the products were unsealed and looked like they had been tested at the shop where I found the collection. I don't know where it can be purchased online but if you happen to be travelling in Europe, it's well worth checking out.
For the second year running, the wonderful Karlasugar has brought together over 70 beauty brands and bloggers for a charity auction. All proceeds from the auction will go to Doctors Without Borders. Do check out the marvellous bonanza of beauty products, many of which are limited edition, ultra-exclusive or hard to find. The auction ends on Monday 12 December so hurry!
Here's a preview of the upcoming freebies for Japanese magazines. The release dates listed below are for Japan so please check directly with Kinokuniya if you wish to know when they will arrive in Singapore. Kino's air shipments are usually on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Sweet (12 Dec): January issue comes with a Marc by Marc Jacobs calendar and two utility cases. See the video here. Cutie (12 Dec): January issue comes with Liz Lisa vanity case (10x16.5x8cm). See the video here. Baila (12 Dec): January issue comes with beautiful people felt bag (18x27x9cm) Liniere (19 Dec): February issue comes with Nest Robe card case Mina (19 Dec): February issue comes with Gelato Pique drawstring pouches Nonno (19 Dec): February issue comes with One After Another Nice Club reversible bag (23x38x10cm) Biteki (21 Dec): February issue comes with OPI hand & body scrub (mini tube)
Spring (21 Dec): February issue comes with flower bag (23.5x19x9cm) and calendar. Glow (26 Dec): February issue comes with Aquacustum tote bag (32x25x10cm) More (26 Dec): February issue comes with Free's Mart tote bag (33x44x20cm) 25ans (26 Dec): February issue comes with Missoni diary Elle Japan (26 Dec): February issue comes with vanessa bruno T-shirt With (26 Dec): February issue comes with Samantha Sweets pouches Seventeen (28 Dec): February issue comes with Liz Lisa tote bag (34x43x13cm) InRed (7 Jan): February issue comes with Tsumori Chisato makeup pouch with three star charms (21x12x6cm) Steady (7 Jan): February issue comes with Coach handkerchief (40x40cm) and mirror (16x11.5cm)
Here's the first ad visual for the upcoming Cosme Decorte AQ MW makeup range which will be launched in February. Pretty daring choice of red eyeshadow on the model! Details of the product range are in this earlier post.
Maquillage will release a new Perfect Multi Compact SPF20 PA++ (9g) on 21 February in Japan. This acts as a foundation and highlighter in one and it will be available in three shades: #11 Peach Beige, #22 Bright Beige, #33 Sunny Beige. The Perfect Multi Compact is made up of a highlight color (for use on the T-zone and under eye area), a "skin color" and a "shape color" for shading along the jawline and hairline. It comes with a dual-sided sponge, which has a velvety side for the highlighting effect and a normal sponge side for applying as a foundation. The new spokesmodel for Maquillage in 2012 is actress Goto Kumiko.
The Esprique website has been updated with the winter collection, which includes four "Love Colors" of its Mellow Forming Rouge, plus two Blend Dimensional Eyes palettes. There is also a new iPhone/iPad app for trying out the Esprique makeup shades on one's photos.
Inspired by London Dry Gin, Juniper Sling is this year's new potion from venerated British fragrance house, Penhaligon's. Created by Olivier Cresp (of Thierry Mugler Angel fame), Juniper Sling is a playful, chilled homage to the Bright Young Things of London’s heady roaring twenties. "For enigmatic boys and girls, Juniper Sling is a crisp cocktail shot of gin with the freshness of juniper, cool measures of angelica and brandy and a beating libertine heart of black pepper, cardamom, soft leather and orris. A gourmand base of brown sugar, black cherry and amber add sensuality to the scent." The first whiff of it conjures up a brilliantly smooth, icy gin. It's refreshing but more laconically cool rather than sharp, thanks to the elegant leathery note. The gourmand base turned out to be understated without being too treacly. On my skin, the fragrance peters out after about two to three hours, as happens with most fragrances, but it is an eau de toilette after all. With its smart bow tie and metal shield-like plating, I found Juniper Sling to be intriguing, refined and yet full of character. It makes for a unique addition to one's fragrance wardrobe and well worth a sniff.
The Coffret D'Or website has been updated with the spring 2012 collection, which includes the new Bright Up Rouge, Wide Gradation Eyes and Smile Up Cheeks.
Coffret D'Or now also has an English website but it has yet to be updated with the spring collection.
Just received this e-mailer for the launch of the Wong Kar Wai collection at the Shu Uemura boutique in Ion Orchard, which is apparently also offering a 10% storewide discount from 8-11 December.
Starting tomorrow (Friday 2 Dec), Ettusais will be offering this adorable 18-inch suitcase with purchase of $180. Available in two colours, this is THE gift that many Ettusais devotees have been waiting for all year long!
The third Jill Stuart beauty mook "憧れの“JILL顔”レシピA to Z" (Jill Face Recipe A to Z) will be released on 8 December in Japan. Retailing at 1470yen, it comes with a floral print vanity case and flat pouch. The first two Jill Stuart beauty mooks were released back in 2009 and 2010. Products not included.
Kate will release its spring collection on 1 February in Japan. It includes:
1. Real Create Eyes (1680yen): Five palettes each containing 5 shades. In the diagram below, A is a "Glow Jelly" base to help enhance the color payoff and wear time. B is a "Clear Real Color" formulated with "3D Create Pearl" for a translucent, pearl finish. The Clear Real Color can be layered over the other shades. C, D and E are "Grade Monotone Colors" for creating a gradational effect. 2. W Wide Liner (1470yen): Liquid eyeliner and powder eyeliner duo. 3. Super Sharp Liner S (1050yen): Waterproof liquid eyeliner with ultra-fine brush. This replaces Kate's Super Sharp Liner N which has sold over 10 million units. Available in 3 shades, including a more intense black (BK1). 4. Cream Cheek (1260yen): Long-lasting cream blushes in 4 shades
5. Wide Edge Eyes (1680yen): 1 new variation
6. Real Touch Pencil (1260yen): 1 new shade
7. Mineral Cover BB Gel Cream SPF30 PA++ (1575yen): This provides enhanced coverage in a lightweight gel base. Available in 3 shades.
