NARS Haul (and a little surprise at the back!)

Last Thursday, I made a little trip down to a makeup event that was held in the Orchard Building. To describe the place as chaotic would definitely be an understatement. There was so much pushing and shoving that I actually got scared and backed out a little. On the bright side though, I did manage to bag a few Nars items that I've been wanting to try for quite a while.

(Oh and by the way, these items were on promotion and most of them were sold in sets which made them a lot cheaper.)

My obsession with Nars begin when I bought the Rikugien Satin Lip Pencil and the highly raved Nars Orgasm blush from a lovely lady on Carousell. Since then, they have been my go-to items every time I'm too lazy to experiment with my makeup. Hence naturally, I gravitated towards the NARS counter right after I was given my shopping bag.

1. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Satin Lip Pencil. It is easy to apply, does not bleed and very moisturising. Sadly though, there were none available at the stand. But I did manage to find the Velvet Matte Lip Pencils which I have been meaning to try after seeing Viviannadoesmakeup raving about them on her blog.(http://www.viviannadoesmakeup.com/an-ode-to-the-nars-velvet-matte-lip-pencils-again/) Anyhoo, I went a little crazy and got three of them.

From left to right: Train Bleu, Bettina, Damned

From top to bottom: train Bleu, Bettina, Damned

The three shades that I got were Train Bleu, Bettina and Damned. These lip crayons give a nice velvet matte finish. And even though they are matte, they aren't drying like the other matte lipsticks that I have got. Bettina and Damned are the typical shades that I will throw on but Train Bleu is a little out of my comfort zone.

2. NARS Lipsticks

The three lipsticks that I got were Damage, Jungle Red and Dressed to Kill.

From top to bottom: Damage, Jungle Red, Dressed to Kill

Both Damage and Dressed to Kill have subtle shimmers in them, like tiny flecks of gold. Really pretty and not gaudy in the least. Damage has a very sheer formula, perfect for everyday wear for the ladies who like a bit of colour but tend to shy away from heavily pigmented lippies. Jungle red is your classic and timeless bright red lipstick with a semi-matte finish. And last but not least, Dressed to Kill. It is in a fuchsia shade that has a light creamy texture and feels easy to glide on. This was from their satin range and so like the lip pencils, it doesn't feel dry in the least.

3. NARS Lip Gloss

From left to right: Stolen Kisses, Jungle Red, Como

Other than that one L'Oreal Lip Gloss that I have used for quite a while now, I have yet to try the lip glosses from other brands. So in true shopoholic style, why not exploit the sale and get 3 lol. Okay not funny (brain still quite fried from attempting to play dota yesterday which obviously ended badly) Anyway the three shades that I got were Stolen Kisses, Jungle Red and Como.

From top to bottom: Stolen Kisses, Jungle Red, Como

Stolen Kisses is my fav out of the three. The NARS website describe the shade as a 'sparkling caramel pink". To be honest, I have never heard or seen caramel pink before but I would say that the shade to me seems like a dark muted pink. It does have subtle shimmers in it but it is still light enough to use it everyday. The second would be Jungle Red which can be used with the semi-matte lipstick that I mentioned above to give a more glossy finish. The last would be Como, a lighter berry shade that also has tiny flecks of glitter in it. The shimmers in this are so subtle as compared to the others such that they are only obvious close up.

So once again, definitely bought a little too much. Enough lippies to last me for a while(I hope) Anyway as you can see, I'm definitely not a professional makeup artist. Just sharing the things I have bought that I think y'all can try:) but I have a friend who is very very dedicated to makeup and wants to share her work with you guys. Marie is a professional makeup artist who is incredible in the work she does. Personally I have met and spoken to her a few times and have not only received tips about makeup, she has also inspired and motivated me to go for the things I want. She will be holding a professional image class this Friday from 2-4pm. If you are interested or want more details, don't hesitate to visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1543180635965097/?pnref=story or to email me at animals-in-blue@hotmail.com

As usual, thank you for taking the time to read and hope y'all have a good week ahead!

With much much love,
Lan

Favourites-Obsessed with Nudes (and more)

The title of this post might seem a little off, but I'm actually referring to the colour nude. Nude in fashion refers to a shade that is a tad darker than champagne, a little lighter than sand, and sometimes with a hint of peach or blush. I have always been a huge fan of the shade. It is versatile and gives me the "effortlessly chic" feel that I  go for.

On my recent trip to Bali, there were two nude items that I have been incredibly obsessed with. The first would be my nail polish -Essie's Curtain Call which have found a permanent place on my nails. I might say that the colour of the polish is nude, but then again I'm not a pro. The colour has been officially described on Essie's website as a "light frosted pink beige". Nonetheless, the shade has made it really easy for me to pair with any casual or fancy outfits that  is suitable for the occasion. I'm not sure if it can be found in the drugstores in Singapore but I got mine from Beauty Bay ( http://www.beautybay.com/nailcare/essie/curtaincall/curtain_call/). On a sidenote, I finally caved in to the hype and got my first ever beauty blender from that site at the same time and I swear it has made it so so much easier to apply my foundation! If you have never tried it before, you should really give it a go. It has both a large end to apply the foundation and a smaller baby end to apply your concealer.

The second item is the bag that I've been carrying, which have earned quite a few "Where did you get it from? " and "Is it branded?". It is the Saffiano Mini City Bag in Nude that I have purchased from TheBoldDreamers a few weeks ago. The bag itself has a relatively big compartment- with a smaller pocket on the inside which is perfect for a klutz like me to store all the small important things that I might lose. (aka my keys) If you're interested in getting the bag  but not in nude, there are 4 different colours that you can choose from -red, navy blue, black and nude. (http://thebolddreamers.net/collections/zara-authentic-handbags).

Now for a bit of extras, as you all might already know, blogging is a relatively new thing for me. I've been getting really lovely comments from people but there are those who find that it's not really "me". And to be honest, as much as I love fashion and beauty and would really love to share all my reviews and recommendations with you guys, sometimes I feel slightly detached because there are so many more "personal" things I think you guys would really love too, things that are closer to me. I've been going through a bit of a rough patch the past  2 years and I constantly find myself lost in a sea of negativity( that really left me emotionally and physically spent). But I've been blessed with really really loving and kind people who have always stood by me, and giving me support in every decision that I make, everything I do. And there are also those who are so extremely talented and passionate in what they believe in and love to do. These people are my personal inspirations in life and with their permission, I would love to share the gift of them with you guys. There are those who are like me, who really love fashion and dance, there are those who create the most wonderful music, and there are those who genuinely want to make the world a better place by helping to address social issues. I really am quite excited about this but since I have yet to start preparations for this project, I would love to introduce you guys to Louise from SprinkleofGlitter. She is a truly lovely lady who stands for everything she believes in, and encourages people to do the same. You know how sometimes we feel really crappy and just can't seem to stitch everything together, then we go on tumblr and we are like "OH THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL". Well this is how she makes me feel. There are 2 posts that are precisely what I needed at this point in time, the first one is on believing in yourself (http://sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.sg/2015/01/motivational-monday-magic.html) and the second is on giving your everything to people who really matter. (http://sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.sg/2015/01/motivational-monday-head-space.html) Do give the articles a read if you have the time! (Or even if you don't because they are really worth a read)

Oh and thank you guys for reading my blog too haha *hugs*

And as usual,

with much much love,
Lan

P.S I know this post is too long and 1/2 of it is not focused on what the title says, but like I said, those are things that also matter a lot to me (if not more) and so I hope you guys understand:)

Adventures in Bali

It hasn't quite hit me that my days in Bali are over. The food, the water sports... and most importantly, the people. The lovely company that I had for the 4 days definitely contributed to the magic of this trip;)

Our flight was at 2am in the morning. Even though it was super early, I could hardly contain my excitement, and disbelief that a trip we have only talked about casually during recess was FINALLY happening.

Our first destination was The Bistro-a quaint cafe with a very unassuming exterior hidden behind a temple. Upon stepping into the cafe however, many of us were blown away by the beautiful two-story bistro. The place had a very retro feel to it with stone walls adorned with artefacts and antiques. I ordered the Eggs Florentine with a juice that has a name I can't seem to recall. It really seems like a trend in Bali to give their drinks really fancy names.

Most of us haven't had much to eat since the morning, so by the time our food came, we basically inhaled them. Within 30 minutes or less, we became contented people with food babies. Since we had so much time before our driver came, we decided to do a mini photoshoot in the cafe. 

Spot the pig who photobombed lol

We didn't have any programme planned for that day, so we decided to visit the shopping area to see what we could pick up. Much to our disappointment, there weren't many things we could buy. It might come as a surprise to some of you, but most of the things were too expensive. Because there wasn't much to do, our silliness soon took over and we began modelling baby marvel swimsuits.

It was time for us to check in to the hotel. We stayed at Kupu Kupu Jimbaran Suites and Spa by L'Ooccitane. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by their staff and brought to our rooms. OMG. Our suite was amazing. It had this huge open area with 2 rooms. Both rooms have their own toilets, televisions and balconies. 

Tired sleeping beauties hehe

By the time we settled in, it was time for dinner. We took the buggy that was provided by the hotel to the nearby beach and had our stomachs filled at one of the best seafood restaurants in Bali-The Menega Cafe. If you are into seafood, this is definitely a place that you should visit. Not only do you get to enjoy fresh seafood at really affordable prices, you get to enjoy a truly magnificent view of the sea.

Our favourite was the clams which were really fresh and had really yummy garlic sauce drizzled over them:) If it is your first time at the cafe like us, you can choose to order their seafood set that includes a mixture of different types of seafood for 2 at Rp 125,000 per person.

Took a little walk by the beach after.

Titanic shots of the couples- introducing Clalan and Kimcy.

That basically concludes our first day in Bali. Our second day was more exciting though. Our morning was jam packed with water sports such as Banana Boating, Jet Skiing, Donut Ride, Snorkelling and a trip to Turtle Island. We got to enjoy this entire package at only 27USD per person from Bali Water Sport which was a lot cheaper than signing up for individual activities alone.

Choo kept nearly giving us heart attacks by trying to stand up at the back or lie down on the sea. ._.

My favourite part is the Jet Ski. We each get to maneuver our own vehicle with an instructor guiding us at the back. My instructor kept encouraging me to accelerate and stand up, basically all the bat shit crazy things that I never thought I would have the guts to do. But omg, once you get over the fear, it was a truly incredible experience. 

Weix's mama who kindly offered to chaperone this trip for us:)

Post Jet Ski delighted faces

Had to replace parasailing with Donut Riding that day since the winds were too strong. Nonetheless, it was still really fun. The 4 girls on the boat just kept singing and screaming while being spun again and again on the waves.

It began raining when it was time for us to go snorkelling. I was a tad upset when it came to this part though. Don't get me wrong. The sea will always be my favourite place in the world and one day I really do hope to live under the sea. But because I have never been a very good swimmer, when we were asked to drop into the water, I started to panic. Thankfully, I had the others to help me get through the anxiety and guide me along the way. We did get to see a few schools of fish here and there but according to the rest who have previously gone on other snorkelling trips, this was a far cry as compared to Phuket or Bintan. The water was quite dirty and there weren't many fish. But since it was my first time, it was still quite magical for me to swim with the fish. This made me smile a lot which was really bad because the water kept going into my mouth. So a tip for those of you who have never gone snorkelling: do not smile.

Our dear CT reps doing the "71"

Left for turtle island after but didn't manage to get any photos because we left the cameras on the main island. It was quite cool though, you get to see and even play with turtles, snakes and bats. There were also monkeys, eagles, iguanas and hedgehogs.

We were all quite shagged by the time all the water activities ended so we headed back to the hotel to wash up before we head to dinner at the Rock Bar, Ayana Resort and Bar. 

The bar is located along the coastline and it is basically built into rocky enclaves facing out to the sea. According to the website, it was heralded as Bali's best bar and one of the world's best by The New York Times and Forbes Travel. 

We got to enjoy an incredible view of the horizon- and I swear, watching the sunset at the bar was truly one of the highlights. I really felt the tingles in my heart as the sky changes colour with the symphony made by the waves as they come crashing against the shore. Ahhhhh *cues contented face* Haha okay sorry if I traumatised you with a really bad description, but an important take-away will be that you MUST visit this place if you ever come to Bali.

What the girls shared. The curry mayo that was provided was damn good?!

 The food and drinks were good too, and quite reasonably priced. The cocktails are around Rp 135,000 to 150,000 while the small bites such as Popcorn Chicken, Calamari Fritti and the assortment of fried food are around Rp 100,000 each. This might not be the ideal place for dinner as the savoury portions are quite small and you might have to order quite a bit to fill you up properly.

As usual, we started fooling around and taking photos again while waiting and after gobbling our food.

A few of us tried to take photos right next to the sea but Claire and Kim were unfortunately quite drenched after taking their step photos. So do be careful!

Featuring my lovely dears:

Claire's fishy pouty face 

On the third day, we went white water rafting with Alam Adventures. We pedalled for 16km for 2.5 hours. It was quite relaxing- a good break from the hectic lifestyle we have in the city.  Lunch was provided and we were given certificates for having completed the entire route. Cute lol. But for those of you who want to give this a go, Claire would strongly recommend going for the route provided by Bali Adventures instead.

BOB THE BUILDERS CAN WE FIX IT.

Dinner that day was at The Metis- a restaurant that specialises in French Mediterranean cuisine. The place offers a brilliant view of the sunset and paddy fields that were located in the compound. 

And then it was time for the food. The food was spot-on. The mains were quite reasonably priced between Rp 200,000 to Rp 235,000. We also ordered the medley of deserts and each set costs about Rp 155,000 each. The set was meant for 2 people but after the mains, even with the 6 of us, we could barely finish everything. 

Claire's favourite part of the dinner were the towels at the end of our dinner. Our resident comedian who was really on a roll that day even said that she would recommend the place just for the them haha.

Watch how the paper towels grow in the lemon water thing!

Day 4. Last day. It was just too fast. We headed to the place we have always wanted to go since arriving at Bali the first thing in the morning- the beach.

 Looking human:

Where are the humans?

And our attempts at making Weix's, Choo's,  and my face. Guess whose face we are trying to imitate in each of the respective photos!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand more photos.

Played frisbee in the sea and tried to ride on the waves by bouncing on them right after. Still kids at heart eh;)

We did a bit of shopping after checking out of the hotel at the Galleria and Brasco. Galleria main focus is on the duty-free items that you can get at the airport so there really is no point in going  and Brasco's is on really really cheap pieces of clothing. 

Playing around in Galleria:

ELSA AND ANNA!!!!

Elsa and Anna Wannabes

We stopped by a nearby shop that specialises in Pia Legong- Bali's famous traditional pie. This is an ideal souvenir to get for friends or family. I thought it was quite tasty. Jiax and Hua tried some and they said it was good too. They come in 3 flavors- chocolate, cheese and mung bean. You can ask for a box of mixed variants if you want to give them all a try. Each box of 8 is around 90,000.

By the time we finished all our shopping, we were all dead tired and quite hungry. Our plan was to go El Kabron for dinner- a highly raved Spanish bar with a view of the sunset. Unfortunately, the van we hired was too big to manage the steep roads that will lead us to the place. Plan B was to go Potato Head for dinner but the waiting list was too long so we ended up taking photos instead.

We ended up having our dinner at Merah Putih- an elegant restaurant that specialises in Indonesian cuisine. That was the only Indonesian meal we had there lol. So who knows? Maybe it was fate that brought us there. Which didn't turn out to be a bad thing because the food was really really yummy. It wasn't expensive either. A meal for 8 people excluding the drinks came up to be around Rp 180,000,000.

We have come to the end of the Bali trip. I'm still having pretty bad Bali withdrawal symptoms though:( Thank you guys for making this trip extraordinary my dears:) Love y'all to the moon and back<3 and outing before AND after the guys shave hehe.

Extras:

Weix with Stacy's Snow White

Terrible photo but finally managed to play a prank on Choo!!!

Camera shy poop who FINALLY agreed to take a selfie

 Breakfasts provided by the hotel: (INCLUDED SO IT WAS FREE AND SO GOOD)

Tea also provided by the hotel: (FREE)

With much much love,
Lan