Kiehl's Metrotown Opening

I was very kindly invited by Rebecca of NKPR to attend a sneak preview of Kiehl's new store at Metrotown a day before it was open to the general public. Whilst there, I was given an in-depth history of the brand, a tour of the store, and treated to an amazing one-on-one skin consultation by the knowledgeable Donna Paty.
Did you know that Kiehl's started out as a small family owned apothecary (old talk for pharmacy/chemist's) in New York's East Village back in 1851? Today, their New York flagship store resides on the very same spot.
They meld together their age-old pharmaceutical knowledge with the very best ingredients from nature to bring you naturally derived products which deliver effects. Many of their products are also alcohol and paraben free which is good news to those who are sensitive to these ingredients.
What was most impressive to me was their level of service. Each store has a dedicated consultation area where their highly trained staff can recommend products based on the customers' skincare concerns and needs. I am also most impressed with their very generous samples! This way you can try everything before you buy. On top of that, they offer a 100% money back guarantee!! If you're not happy with the product, you can bring it back for a full refund!
Enough babble and onwards to the photos!!

I love their store's eclectic decor and that vintage chandelier is simple gorgeous!

A vintage motorcycle is on display inside every Kiehl's store as a monument of former owner Aaron Morse's intense love of motorcycles.

The original Kiehl's team:

A scrapbook of interesting tidbits on the original store. The pear stands for Pear Tree Corner where the original Kiehl's Pharmacy was located and where the Kiehl's flagship currently stands.

Unlike many skincare brands, Kiehl's doesn't leave the menfolk stranded! In fact, 30-40% of their customers are men. They have a dedicated line of products for men and best of all, no girly packaging! Maybe one day I can get Mr. Nunu to try something other than soap eh?

3 of Kiehl's collection of Dermatologists Solutions

Limited Edition New York Heritage Collection. Customer's favourites in special 160th anniversary packaging.

 Skin consultation area:

Donna Paty, National Education Manager:

Getting educated on what is healthy skin. Damaged skin barrier = loss of natural oils and moisture resulting in oily skin and no protection again irritants! The key to healthy skin is adequate moisture!!

I was extremely fascinated by their healthy skin test! They press one of these tabs on your forehead and one on your cheek and depending on how much oil transfers onto the tab they can determine the condition of your skin!

I've got a normal to oily forehead and normal to dry cheeks!

 My personalised Kiehls skincare regime!

 Vanessa and Christine (who has an awesome name and also rides a Harley in stiletto boots.)

I really really really want that chest of drawers in my house. I can squirrel all sorts of stuff in there xD

What I came home with at the end of the day.....I feel guilty...I really do.

Thank you so much Kiehl's and NKPR!! I had an absolutely fantastic time! I learnt so much from Donna and I really look forward to trying out the various products and writing about them. All the best on your latest opening!

Sana Hadanomy Collagen cream and lotion review

The packaging is so terrifyingly cute and pink that Mr. Nunu whimpers a lil every time he sees it in the bathroom. Onwards to the review!

Cream:

Promises to:
"Sana HADANOMY Collagen Cream, icy cold to the touch, gives skin a refreshing feeling. It contains 1000 mg of micro collagen, hyaluronic acid, acerola extract and honey. By applying it before sleep, you will be given moisturization overnight. The cream with mild, natural floral scent will leave your skin moister and more supple next morning."

Lotion:

Promises to:
"Sana HADANOMY Collagen Lotion, a gel-type toner, contains 2 kinds of collagen, making it sink deeply into skin in an easier way. The moisturizing effect is greater. It delivers a light floral scent. Applied before sleep, it hydrates skin all night long. It preps skin for a make-up of closer fit on the following day."
Damage: 
$12.99 -$16.99 at Artiestyle (use promocode "Macnunu10" for 10% off your order of $20!)
Ingredients:
Micro collagen, hyaluronic acid Na, honey, acerola extract
Review:
Collagen, other than being the main component of Pamela Anderson's lips, is a protein that essentially glues the body together. As we get older (like I am) the collagen in our bodies degrade and all sorts of fun things head south. Jowls? I has em.
Unfortunately collagen also cannot be absorbed through skin or our digestive system. Yes, all those bowls of chicken feet/pigs feet/fish swim bladder soup that our Asian mums forced down our throats with promises of "it'll make you prettier!"actually did diddly squat and we could've eaten a steak instead.
So disregarding the 1000mg of collagen contained within these products, we come down to the core question, are these products any good at moisturising?
The answer is yes.
These products plumped out the lines under my eyes caused by dehydration (yes dehydration, they're not crow's feet damnit!). However, like all topical treatments, the effect doesn't last ad infinitum. If you're looking for something to boost your hydration level then these products definitely do the job.
If you're looking for a rich moisturising cream then this cream definitely won't do as it's more gel-like in texture. It's very cool and soothing and spreads very easily, however, it does leaves a sticky residue. And that brings me to my biggest qualm with the products, both the lotion and the cream leave a sticky residue on the skin that NEVER goes away! My face remains sticky to the touch even 1/2hr after application!! This bothers me because I use this cream in the morning and my face just remains weirdly sticky until I put something on top of it like foundation or loose powder. The lotion on its own isn't as sticky as the cream but it definitely does not absorb completely like my Hadalabo lotions do. Texture wise, the lotion is the thickest I've ever encountered but still spreads easily.
People who are bothered by germs will hate that the cream comes in a jar. Me? I'm more a "big germ eats small germ" person so it doesn't bother me.
Although they describe the products as having a floral scent, I don't really detect any.
I've been told that these products absorb better on drier skin so I am personally retiring these to my winter regime. Overall these products give a good boost of moisture, do not break me out and are very reasonably priced. However, the stickiness stops them short of LOVE for me.

Before:

After:

Maybelline Color Sensation High Shine lipstick review

I am quite late on the train again but I recently discovered these Maybelline Color Sensation High Shine lipsticks.

Damage: 
$3.99 - $8.99
Promises:
Mirror-like color from micro-mirror pigments. Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar.

Swatches from left: Glisten Up Pink and Coral Lustre

Glisten Up Pink:

Coral Lustre:

Review:
I must say I'm very impressed! I think these might be the "drugstore" (looks shamefully at Vicky) answer to Dior Addicts. The formula is pretty moisturising, the colour pay-off is good and the finish is very true to name.
These lipsticks cling well but my lips don't feel dry even if I don't wear any balm underneath which is always a good thing for parched pirate lips.
Wear time is a around 2-3 hours, depending on how much you eat or drink.
These have a fruity scent, think lip balm? but with the faint chemical smell that is prevalent in drugstore cosmetics.
The only dislike for me is that the formula contains glitter (the "micro-mirror pigments"?) and once the colour wears off you are left with a bunch of stray glitter on your lip. Not a very attractive look.
There are currently 8 colours in this line and for around $5, it's a worthy buy.

Harry Potter Challenge: Beauxbaton version

Yes I was one of those who disturbed your movie by bawling her eyes out. I couldn't help it, the tears started when the Hogwarts teachers began putting up spells to defend the castle and didn't stop until the credits rolled.
I grew up with Harry, I have laughed with him, I have cried with him. I was at every single midnight book release, and have probably read each one in the excess of ten times. After every new film release, it was mandatory tradition that I go and re-watch all the previous films and re-read each book.
I clung desperately onto the films after the book releases ended and now that even the films have ended, I feel like my childhood is well and truly over T.T

"Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend."
— Stephen King

Yumeko over at Bittenbefore started a Harry Potter makeup challenge to celebrate the release of the last film and a couple of my favourite Twitter ladies along with myself decided to jump to the challenge!

Yumeko's Griffindor

Vicky's Hufflepuff:

Justine's Ravenclaw:

Yasumi's Slytherin:

And finally, my off the beaten path Beauxbaton:

"Bah! Bill don't look at me, I'm 'ideous."

Do you like my wand? It's Sirius' xD 

Products used:

L'Oreal Colour Infallible eyeshadow swatches part 2 and EOTD

London Drugs is currently having a buy 2 get 1 free on all L'Oreal products promotion so I picked up 3 more of the Colour Infallibles xD. This is purely a swatches and EOTD post, for my full review of the Colour Infallibles range see here.
I ended up picking Burning Black, Hourglass Beige and Flashback Silver.

Swatches from left: Burning Black, Hourglass Beige and Flashback Silver

Burning Black is a blackened aubergine and is possibly a dupe or similar in colour to the Armani Eyes to Kill in No. 2 Lust Red. Texture is buttery smooth and pigmentation as you can see is amazing.
Hourglass Beige is a light golden beige. It is very similar to Time Resist White but with much better texture, application and pigmentation.
Flashback Silver is a silver lavender that reminds me a lot of Armani Eyes to Kill in No. 4 Pulp Fiction, although Flashback Silver is much lighter. Texture, application and pigmentation were all great.

I decided to play around with the Infallibles to create this slightly bonkers bold look. Yes this is how I walk around the house on Friday nights.

Colours used from inner to outer corner of eye: Flashback Silver, Purple Obsession and Burning Black.

Cheeks: Rock & Republic Contrived blush in Tease. Lips: Make Up For Ever Lab Shine in S26.

Maniacal stare: model's own.