Sasa is currently offering a special deal on theBalm eyeshadows (buy 2 for S$35) and Two-timer Mascara (S$25).
I love the pop retro artwork on the theBalm display at Sasa! You can check out MusingsofaMuse for reviews of theBalm products. Karen over at MakeupandBeautyBlog also wrote a great review of the Time Balm Concealer.
Sasa is currently having a 5% storewide discount until 3 January. There is also 10-20% discount on select brands, such as Clarins which is on 20% discount. If you are a UOB cardmember, you can also get a 3% rebate.
Since it is quite rare for Sasa to give storewide discounts, I took the opportunity to haul some theBalm items that I had been lemming ever since Sasa started stocking theBalm a few months ago. I got the BalmShelter tinted moisturiser in Light (S$39.90), Cabana Boy blush (S$30.90) and Shady Lady eyeshadow in Jealous Jordana (S$24.90).
Jealous Jordana is a gorgeous, incredibly pigmented shimmery dark emerald shade that is similar to MAC Humid. The product weight is 3.4g, which is twice that of MAC (1.5g).
Cabana Boy is a medium rosy pink blush with a lovely pearl sheen. Again, you get a very generous 8.5g/0.3oz of product, compared to 0.16oz for NARS blush and for 6g/0.21oz for MAC Powder Blush. The cardboard packaging and artwork reminds me a bit of Benefit but while the Cabana Boy does not come with its own brush, it does have a mirror under the lid.
Sasa also has a loyalty programme whereby if you accumulate 10 chops (each $60 purchase gets you one chop) within 6 months, you can become a VIP member and enjoy 5% discount.
theBalm is a niche US makeup brand that arrived in Sasa stores in Singapore awhile ago but I only chanced across it today at the Wisma Atria store. My buddy, The Muse adores this brand deeply and I trust her taste, so I knew it'd be good. Do check out her truckload of reviews on theBalm products.
The display is right at the entrance.
The price range is quite affordable with products ranging from S$13+ for a small brush to S$42+ for the timeBalm foundation. The difference in prices between Singapore and the US is also just a few dollars. Once you add in the US sales tax, it makes more sense just to purchase it at Sasa where you can test out the products before buying. Here's a brief comparison:
Overshadow S$26.90 vs US$15 (S$20.72)
Stainiac (cheek and lip stain) S$25.90 vs US$15 (S$20.72)
Hot Mama shadow/blush S$29.90 vs US19 (S$26.24)
Shady Lady S$24.90 vs US$16 (S$22.10)
I was quite impressed by the texture of the ShadyLady eyeshadows although some shades felt silkier and more pigmented than others. My favourite was the shimmery blackened emerald Jealous Jordana, which felt very similar to the best of Stila's shimmery eyeshadows.
The round pots are the OverShadow loose mineral shimmer powder. The Pick Up Liners come in sets of three mini eyeliner pencils but I felt that the pencils were a bit too hard, definitely not as soft as, say, MAC Pearlglide liners. The extremely short length also means that it's a bit tricky to hold and apply, especially after it's been worn down after some use.
The Muse was on the hunt for the Cabana Boy and it turned out to be every bit as gorgeous as she said it was. It's a gorgeous rosy pink shimmery blush, with a texture that is very similar to NARS blushes. But Sexy Mama and Bahama Mama did not impress me. Sexy Mama is a bit chalky when swatched while Bahama Mama looked quite dull.
I didn't buy anything today as I wanted to compare the prices with the US retail prices to make sure they were not a rip-off. Overall, the brand reminded me of Benefit and Too Faced because of the whimsical cardboard packaging. I'll probably go back for the Cabana Boy blush soon!
There was also a big shelf display devoted to Shills but to be honest, I don't know much about the brand. Plus I'm not into the whole BB creams thing. There was also a Palgantong powder display. This is supposed to be very popular but I didn't find it that special when I tried it.
