Just 10 minutes is all I need to buy myself some OPI polishes even when I don’t really need them. I came away this weekend with a brand new set of OPI’s Disney Oz The Great and Powerful and a bottle of The World is Not Enough from the Skyfall Collection. Here are some close-ups of the polishes and a swatch of What Wizardry is This? and The World is Not Enough:

The World is Not Enough, from the OPI Skyfall Collection.

What Wizardry is This? from the OPI Disney Oz The Great and Powerful set.

Swatch of the two shades in the same manicure! Clutch from ASOS; Get a similar one here.

I love the effect of the two shades worn together! The World is Not Enough is the lighter shade as seen above. It is extremely shimmery and has a wet, glossy, metallic finish, which I can’t seem to get enough of. The colour is champagne with a purple glint and 2 coats are all you need to get the effect in the picture. What Wizardry is This? is something different. It’s one of the shades from OPI’s Liquid Sand range, and no wonder the name. When dried, the polish is a gold shimmer on matte black and it feels almost like sand! I also used 2 coats of this shade. The manicure was done with Sally Hansen‘s Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat.

What do you think of this manicure?

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* This entry contains affiliate links. When you click on such a link and make a puchase, Laced Ivory earns a commission. In this way, you can help support the blog while you shop.

Haul & Swatch: OPI’s Skyfall and Disney Oz

A couple of weekends ago, I got the chance for another staycation. This time, I headed to Marina Bay Sands Singapore because of all the good things I’d heard about the infinity pool at the top of the building (I got burnt but my face was saved by my foundation). We booked a deluxe room with a view of the city and were not disappointed. Upon check-in, the receptionist gave us a room on the 42nd floor!

At first sight.

Super comfy bed. I wish I had the same at home!

Alternative view of the main area.

TV that we didn’t really use.

The work area at the other end of the room.

The work desk, which didn’t have quite as many exciting writing tools as Conrad did.

Couches for guests, I presume.

J. Lo welcomes you to Marina Bay Sands.

The view from our room!

To the right of the scene above.

Bathroom counter.

Simplicity and elegance. The little brown box contained little things, including a mini sewing kit. How thoughtful!

Rain shower!

The view from the infinity pool at night. Singapore really is lovely when seen from high up.

Just me above everyone else.

I had a great time at Marina Bay Sands. Apart from the nice pool and room, I especially liked the shopping, which was just steps away from the hotel. Although I didn’t buy anything, The Shoppes gave me a vacationing feel because of the many tourists around.  I got sunburnt on the second day when we went to the pool. Miraculously, my face was the only part of my body that didn’t even tan! It’s all thanks to my Diorskin Forever Compact Foundation SPF 25 PA++. This is proof that BB creams and what nots are absolutely unnecessary money wasters. All I had on my face was a day moisturiser – with no sunscreen – and a layer of my foundation, applied with my Becca Retractable Kabuki Make-up Brush!

To be honest, the rooms here are a little overpriced. If I hadn’t got a corporate rate, I would have chosen to stay somewhere else. That said, the hotel is worth a visit if only just for the infinity pool experience. I might return!

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Staycation: Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Jiyeon in “Sexy Love” and Taylor Momsen being her normal self.

Yes! I finally had some time to create an FOTD entry! Actually, this look had been in my mind since December last year but I had been too busy to do it. It’s inspired from Jiyeon’s makeup in T-ara’s Sexy Love music video and Taylor Momsen’s smokey eye-that’s-never-coming-off. I’d specially bought Make Up For Ever’s Glitter and Mist & Fix for this but silly me had misplaced the Mist & Fix so I had to find an alternative – water – for the glitter adhesive. Here are a few more shots of the look, including a close-up of the eye makeup, and the list of products I used:

Black and gold smokey eye with nude lips.

Black and gold smokey eyes with nude lips.

Black and gold smokey eyes using products from NYX, Wet n Wild and NARS, to name a few.

For Face: Dior‘s Diorskin Forever Compact SPF 25 PA++ in Shade 020, Illamasqua‘s Powder Blusher in Ambition, Laneige‘s Love in Bloom Sculpting Blusher (for highlighting) and Bobbi Brown‘s Eyeshadow in Shade 61 Saddle (for contouring of the nose).

For Eyes: Highlighter shade from the Wet n Wild Coloricon Palette in 248 Lust as a base, NYX‘s Jumbo Eye Pencil in 626 Knight, NARS Cosmetics’ eyeshadow in Night Clubbing, Make Up For Ever‘s Glitter in Multicoloured White 3 (in the middle of the upper lids), L’Oreal‘s HIP Color Chrome Eyeliner in 915 Silver Lightning (for the inner eyes), Urban Decay‘s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar (for lining the lower lids) and Majolica Majorca‘s Lash King Mascara.

For brows: Bobbi Brown‘s Eyeshadow in Shade 61 Saddle.

For lips: Nivea‘s lip balm, YSL‘s Rouge Volupté in 01 Nude Beige and GOSH Cosmetics’ Light’N Shine Lip Glaze in 01 White.

Using a wet brush for the glitter (swatch and close-up here) was a great idea. The glitter stayed on for hours, even when I napped with the makeup on. Now that I’ve found this works, I’m not sure spending my money on the Mist & Fix was a clever thing to do. The NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 626 Knight (swatch here) was used as a base for the dark eyeshadow later on and it was a lucky coincidence that both the Eye Pencil and Night Clubbing were very similar in terms of their colour palette – gold glitter/shimmer on black powder.

Is there any particular look you’ll like to see up on Laced Ivory? Do send in your comments, or drop me an email and I’ll try to work on them!

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FOTD: Sexy Taylor

As Lady Gaga has skillfully put it, baby you are born this way! KMS California celebrates the birth of individuality with these KMS iPhone covers up for grabs. Simply like KMS California Singapore’s Facebook page and tell us what makes you uniquely you. Tag KMS California Singapore in a post, a photo or even a video of yourself. Then, send me an email (giveaways@lacedivory.com) with the link of the Facebook post and the iPhone cover model (iPhone 4/iPhone 5) that you’ll like to win, with the subject header “Multi-colored Jewel Encrusted KMS California iPhone Cover Giveaway!” The first 100 will receive details on how to collect your iPhone covers via email directly from KMS California Singapore. What are you waiting for? Start expressing yourself now!

Just me and some iPhone 4/4s covers.

My favourite’s the pink one, of course!

A total of 100 iPhone covers are to be won (one for each winner), so your chances of getting one is pretty high! The covers feel really smooth and solid, and they also come in colours like lime green and orange. I hope this giveaway will partly make up for my lack of posts in recent months. I’ve been way too busy for my own good, and I’m so happy for the break I have now. In a few months, I’ll be a full-fledged, certified teacher! This giveaway is only for Singaporean residents. The giveaway will end either on 9th June 2013, or when the 100 iPhone covers have all been won, whichever comes first. Read the rest of the terms and conditions in the giveaway widget above.

Do you like my makeup in the pictures above? If so, do check back on the blog for my FOTD post coming soon, which will feature the beauty products used for the look!

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Sure-Win Giveaway: 100 KMS California iPhone Covers

Hope everyone’s enjoying your weekend. It’s Sunday today, so it’s time to unwind before frenzy breaks out in the coming week. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee), a slice of lemon meringue and read. Here is a list of the top 100 beauty blogs you should feast your eyes on, courtesy of the people over at Coupon Audit.

Let the writing – and reading – begin!

Image credits: Girl Inspired and Lydia Anne Thomson.

Top 100 Beauty Blogs

The May 2013 Vanity Trove focuses on skincare, just like it normally does. The star product this month is the Lunamer Brightener from Astalift. However, as I haven’t been able to find the full list of ingredients in that product, I’d say that the product that’s safest for me to use (on the face) from this trove is the GO60 Go Hydrate Treatment Masque. And the most exciting part about the trove? My write-up is featured in the Vanity Mag!

A preview of June’s trove.

A lot on florals in the magazine this time.

Emotions that we can see.

I shan’t reveal everything. Get the May 2013 Vanity Trove to read it!

Everything in the May 2013 Vanity Trove, minus the Bach Rescue Pastilles.

Kosé’s Infinity Deep Protection UV SPF 50+ PA++++ and Astalift’s Lunamer Brightener.

Nuxe Paris’s Fondant Cleansing Gel with Rose Petals.

Aqua Rine’s Japanese Aroma Bath Sea Salt in Rose and Peach.

The entire list of contents:

1) Kosé‘s Infinity Deep Protection UV SPF 50+ PA++++ (10g)

2) Astalift‘s Lunamer Brightener (20ml)

3) Nuxe Paris’s Fondant Cleansing Gel with Rose Petals (15ml)

4) Packets of Aqua Rine‘s Japanese Aroma Bath Sea Salt in Rose and Peach

5) GO60‘s Go Hydrate Treatment Masque

6) Sebamed‘s Feminine Intimate Wash (20ml)

7) A pack of Bach‘s Rescue Pastilles

The products in this trove are generally OK but seeing that successive troves in recent months hadn’t been able to surprise me much, I’m not sure how I feel about upcoming ones. I want makeup in my monthly subscription boxes but I’m not getting them. The Bach Rescue Pastilles aren’t featured in this entry because I ate them even before I could take pictures. I kinda needed them for my throat. I’m not sure I’ll try most of the products in here because I can’t find any ingredient lists. As my skin is sensitive to alcohol – and also sensitive in general – I’ll stick to the safe side and not touch them just in case.

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* This product has been sent to me for my review. Like all my other reviews, everything stated here is objective and honest.

The May 2013 Vanity Trove – Floral Notes

As a beauty blogger and a self-professed beauty addict, a lot of my money is spent on makeup alone. Though I probably don’t have a stash as impressive as some of the other professional beauty bloggers do, I still have quite a bit that don’t ever get used up – or even at all, once they’ve been swatched. Here are just some tips that I find useful in helping me to curb that urge to drop a bomb on makeup.

1) Don’t head into the danger zones.

Danger zones are found everywhere and they seem to pop up more significantly when you’re trying to avoid them. Murphy’s Law is valid, I can attest to that. Shopping malls, department stores, makeup counters, online stores and even eBay are just some examples of places you should keep out of your sight. Sephora is the most dangerous, I’d say. I almost always never get out of there without having bought something. And when I do, it sure takes a whole lot of courage to walk away.

2) Save first, then spend what is left over.

An advice by mogul Donald Trump can’t be wrong, especially when it comes to money matters. Following this rule helps you to manage your finances in a responsible way.

3) Think through thoroughly before making a purchase.

The makeup will still be there even after you’re gone. Do you really NEED it? Do you need it NOW? Consider the opportunity cost of buying that one more product. Is there a better way to invest that money or to save it? Maybe for a holiday or a nice meal? Clothes? Tuition fees or credit card debts? You need to be very disciplined.

Do you really need all that glitter and falsies?

4) Don’t be swayed by sales assistants.

Sales assistants were hired for a reason. They have a job to do and it’s your job to be able to tell when you need to stand your ground and say no when you really shouldn’t be spending any more money on makeup.

5) Substitute with cheaper dupes.

Dupes are all around you if you’ll just look. Search for blog entries that compare them and note down the more affordable alternatives for what you want.

6) Don’t use makeup.

This point was contributed by my sister, who doesn’t use makeup. And while it can be harsh to stay away from makeup, it is a valid – and funny – point! Instead, she suggests investing in good skincare so you can cut down on unnecessary products like concealor.

7) Invest in versatile shades.

This is because you wear them more often and they won’t go to waste. Compare spending $40 on a black lipstick to $40 on a nude one for everyday wear. The nude one gives you better satisfaction because you actually get to use it, whereas the black one just lets you feel like you own something of value.

A simple makeup counter is all you need.

8) Go on a no-buy period and tell everyone you know.

You’ll need support if you’re going to seriously not buy any makeup, no matter how pretty they promise to make you look.

9) Be a card member to earn discounts and rebates.

Many makeup stores do offer card memberships. These offer discounts or savings when you spend a certain amount on makeup. For example, the Sephora White Card earns you 1 point for every dollar spent. When you accumulate 250 points, you’ll get 10% off your next purchase (for Singaporean residents). In the United States, you get free samples once you’ve accumulated 100 and 500 points. For other brands, they provide free samples every time you make a purchase, so you do not need to spend money on products just to test them out.

10) Share makeup with your sister and/or mother.

Now this point may put some people off. Sharing of makeup isn’t generally advised for hygiene purposes. However, things like powdered bronzer, powdered blush, eyeshadow primer, brow powder and pencil can be shared. Products you should definitely not share are eye products (e.g. mascara and liquid liner) and lip products, so as to prevent the spread of contagious infections.

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Image credits: Pinterest & Violettfrost

How to Save Money on Makeup

Royal Dragon Vodka is one of the latest introduction to the partying scene. Combining several of the best ingredients in the world, namely Russian Vodka, Swiss gold and Belgian diamonds, Royal Dragon Vodka epitomises luxury in a bottle. At the launch a couple of weeks back, I not only got to see the vodka in its three different sizes, I also got to taste it and met lots of really cool people. Gosh, I do miss the partying scene. I had to leave early because of work the next day but I didn’t leave without taking some pictures first. Here are some that I took with my BFF’s iPhone (her food blog here). Enjoy!

Royal Dragon luxury vodka in “Elite.” Lots and lots of them!

Loving it!

With Nadia, Alexis and a bottle of Royal Dragon Vodka in Imperial. Those are 23-carat edible gold flakes!

Trying it out for myself. Tastes good!

Having girl time with Carmen and Alexis.

Hors d’oeuvre to keep our tummies happy.

DJ spinning the night away.

And finally, a shot with the car parked just at the entrance of the party venue.

I apologise for the quality of some of the images. I think it may be time to invest in one of those new generation cameras. Or hire a photographer of my own (one can dream). So, are you out partying this weekend?

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The Royal Dragon Luxury Vodka Launch Party

The Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner isn’t extremely new on the market. I just had it in my stash and remembered I had yet to review it. This liner boasts an ultra fine brush tip – 0.05mm to be exact – and is extremely easy to use. Personally, I prefer eyeliners like this one as compared to say, gel and liquid liners because the felt tip ones are more convenient and less time-consuming to use.

The liner itself dries up quickly when applied and is smudge proof once dried. I’ve had it on for entire days and it looks 90% intact at the end of the evening. It doesn’t wash off easily with water unless you scrub your eyelids hard – something that I don’t recommend. It comes off with eye makeup remover though. If you’re looking for something to create dramatic cat eyes, this wouldn’t be the product you’re looking for. However, the Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner is perfect for tightlining!

The Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner.

The Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner.

The Maybelline Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner.

The liner does draw on more intensely than it looks in the picture above (drawn on my hand by my very elementary artistic skills), and it looks weak here possibly because I hadn’t used it in a few weeks. If you ever get the same problem, simply draw over the original line or shake the pen a little before drawing again. If you can’t tell, it’s supposed to be a house with a chimney and a happy family just outside it – something I used to draw a lot when I was a kid. The ten-cent coin beside is for comparison purposes.

A couple of gripes:

1) I’m not digging the gold cap.

2) There needs to be more colours than just black! I’d totally get purple and blue if Maybelline decides to come up with variations.

Overall, I would recommend this liner to you if you’re looking for something affordable, easily found (can be found at normal drugstores in Singapore like Watsons, NTUC Fairprice outlets and on Luxola.com) and simple to use. Also, if you just want something for day-to-day tightlining, this would work as well.

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* This entry contains affiliate links. When you click on such a link and make a puchase, Laced Ivory earns a commission. In this way, you can help support the blog while you shop.

Review & Swatch: Maybelline’s Eye Studio Hyper Sharp Liner

Crabtree & Evelyn has just launched the new Somerset Meadow Collection to add to their list of already-inticing floral scents. Reminiscent of the green hills in Somerset, England, the range features 5 products:

1) Perfume Gel

2) Bath and Shower Gel

3) Hand Therapy

4) Eau de Toilette

5) Scented Body Lotion

The Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel (12ml), S$25.

The Somerset Meadow Bath & Shower Gel (200ml), S$35.

The Somerset Meadow Hand Therapy (100g), S$33.

The Somerset Meadow Eau de Toilette (60ml), S$58.

The Somerset Meadow Scented Body Lotion (200ml), S$40.

Nothing over the top, the fragrance features bergamot, morning dew, English ivy and blackberry bud in the top notes. The middle notes contain water lily, fern, geranium and white blossom. And finally, white musk, silver birch, willow and moss make up the base notes.

As part of the promotion that runs from now till 19 May, you’ll get to receive a limited edition Somerset Meadow umbrella with every S$120 nett spent in a single receipt. If you spend more – S$150 – you’ll receive a 1-for-1 lunch buffet offer at Marriott Café at the Singapore Marriott Hotel too. This offer is limited to one per customer, while stocks last. The 1-for-1 lunch buffet voucher is valid for Mondays through Saturdays. Do check with any of the sales assistants at any of the Crabtree & Evelyn outlets for more terms and conditions of the promotion.

The limited edition Somerset Meadow Umbrella.

I say this cute little collection is just in time for Mother’s Day, don’t you think?

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The Somerset Meadow Collection by Crabtree & Evelyn