The Opera Populaire

I'm so in lurve with this movie!

Watched it two Saturdays ago at the new Filmgarde cinema in Iluma, the new mall opposite Bugis Junction. The cinema hall was a nice experience, with wider than normal leg space. But beware if you are paying for your ticket by credit card: let's just say that the staff had forgotten to pass them back to more than one customer within a span of two hours.

Back to the movie. Adapted from Charles Dicken's work of The Christmas Carol, the movie playfully spun it to place Matthew McConaughey as the confirmed bachelor who viewed marriage as an institution of doom. A string of his past flings came back one wintry night to awaken his subconscious.

I will divulge no more for the sake of those who have yet to catch the movie. On a personal note, I do think that some men (and also women, of course) need this kind of wake-up call, what with the new rules for dating and modern concept of commitment.

Labels: Review

If you are wondering why am I spending so much time on blogs these days, it's because I am trying to chill amidst all the nonsense in my life right now. Also, the air con in office just broke down and I simply can't concentrate on heavy stuff.

Anyway, presenting the most recent skincare range that I am trying out: the Shiseido Elixir Superieur.






I have always found Shiseido very suitable for my skin, which is of dry combination type. I use the White Lucent, combined with The Skincare range. However, I chanced upon the Elixir range in Tokyo's Narita Airport in February, while in transit to Washington DC. I had been told that Shiseido products are way cheaper in Japan, but found it untrue, probably due to the recent inflation in the Yen. Nevertheless, my 4-hour transit was spent happily browsing through the wonderful range of skincare and make-up products at Narita. The Elixir range happens not to be available in Singapore.

I had not wanted to buy anything especially after checking out the prices, but I found my skin severely dehydrated by the 6-hour plus flight to Tokyo. Having locked all my moisturisers in the luggage, I had little choice but to purchase a small sample bottle of Elixir's CE Emulsion II (last picture) or risk peeling skin in DC. The result was!!! The emulsion disappeared into my skin and left it baby soft. My skin felt as if it had finally "drank" sufficient water in the dry cabin air. I continued using it in wintry DC and was very satisfied with the result indeed.


I bought the aboveseen set upon my return transit in Narita. As I sleep in air-con room these nasty summer days, the result has been very satisfactory. Especially as my new air-con sucks moisture like nothing else. Thus, I seriously recommend the Elixir Superieur range for dry weather. If your skin tends to be oily or if you live in places with hot, humid climate, you may wish to use the range meant for oily skin; those labelled with "I".

Labels: Review

I seldom use perfume, unless I remember to or if there is a special occasion. And that is only if it doesn't clash with the scent of my soap. I have always been partial towards Bvlgari perfumes due to their delicate scent that never overpower, so I own a few of them. But the Omnia Amethyst was a surprise present from a dear friend and so hold a special memory.

If you are into a scent that is light enough for work, yet enchanting enough for that date, this is for you. Omnia Amethyst comes in a uniquely-shaped bottle, somewhat like two rings twisted together, which the newer Bvlgari perfumes come in.

Labels: Review

I've been using sunscreen for my face for a few years now. But I admit that I haven't been taking as much care when it comes to my body. I hated that greasy feel of moisturiser on my body. Especially when I tend to be allergic around the joints. However, with the stinging sunray this summer (although singapore is generally sunny all year round, we do have some months where it is sunnier than usual!), I have finally embarked on a mission to save my skin from photo aging!

One of my terrible demands is that, my skincare products must smell pleasant, or at least, have no odour. This is a difficult issue whn it comes to sunblock. Anyone who has slathered on some before going swimming will attest that most sunblocks in the market smell no different from the chlorine in the pool. But that will not do for everyday use, at least for moi.

I toyed around with some Korean brands, which I bought from those budget toiletry shops in People's Park. I had positive responses for Mazarin and Honey Flower, from Korea. Unfortunately, they always stop carrying these brands the moment I wish to buy my second tube. Why, oh why? Is my taste that unconventional? Anyway, I tried Opus, also from Korea. But I was annoyed to find that it turned brown upon contacting my clothes. So I gather that it must be for face and not the body, as the saleslady claimed.

Anyway, enter Avene, from France! http://www.aveneusa.com/sun-care/

I've been using some products from Avene for some time now and they are very good for sensitive skin. The sunblock fulfil my requirements of being non-greasy, non-staining and great-smelling. They apparently also have tinted version for the face. I bought the Emulsion version, with SPF 50. Just so that I don't have to keep re-applying throughout the day heh.

This brand is available in Guardian Pharmacy and other retail outlets such as John Little.

Labels: Review

Inspired by a good friend, I am trying out something new here: make-up/ skincare products review!

When Benefit from San Francisco hit the counters in Tangs, word has it that frenzy seized that corner of Orchard Road for a while. I wasn't aware of the storm until I picked up a copy of its product flyer two weeks ago. Boy, was the marketing attractive! Stuff that promises to deliver girls from princess to happily ever after. Now who can resist that!

For those who wishes to try out Benefit products, let me advise you: buy the stuff online. "That Gal" costs $60 in Tangs, but I managed to get it for only $36 (with shipping!) on Ebay. Or else, get it from its official US website: http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/home.html

Mine arrived with its box a bit damaged from the shipping. But boy, was I excited about trying on a primer for the first time! Especially as my powder foundation is blah compared to my previous Korean Esly liquid foundation. This primer promises to brighten your complexion and foundation. As my close ones know, I do not put on make up on normal days, even for work. But I really wanted something that will even out my skin tone and also something that I can use for the series of weddings that are coming up. So here it is!

Note: a little goes a long way for "That Gal". Made the mistake of letting out too much *oops* The result was having to blend, blend, blend it in. Not too good as, it doesn't exactly "disappear" into your skin. And I did not like the way it becomes powdery around dry areas and highlight flaws there. I have to try this out with my foundation in order to fully assess its usability, though. More to come, peeps!

Labels: Review

HY's last posting said simply:" I'm sick and tired of all this rubbish." Which basically sums up what I'm feeling at this point in time. Preparation for the event, crashed expectations about scholarship, family affairs as well as a whole solid week of lack of sleep finally made me snap yesterday.

I am a highly sensitive creature by nature. Age has added some element of wisdom so some of the allergic reaction wrought by youthfulness has been shaved off. But woe to some people who believe in stepping on others based on their real or perceived sense of superiority!

For girls out there, have you ever encountered Queen Bees in your office, home or among your acquaintances? Some are perhaps more beautiful or richer than the others; some perhaps more intelligent. But all feel the need to shoot others down, especially women. I've come to believe that this breed is basically the same inside. Scared, insecure individuals who need to lord it over others in order to make themselves feel better. And I notice a common tactic among them: the usage of excuses to make their agenda seem justifiable, even beneficial to the society as a whole. And when confronted, that false expression of innocence. Well, Miss/ Mrs/ Madam Queen Bees everywhere, listen up. Your cover has been blown. Long ago. And you know what? Despite whatever you may think about yourself, nobody likes you. If you need the namelist of those who will actually feel glad when you leave the room, I will gladly provide it to you, foc. On top of my head, even. And please realise this, the problem is not with the rest of us. It is with YOU. Now, you know that I'm saying this for your own good, do you?

Labels: Rambles

I wonder why do I possess patience in an increasingly decreasing measure nowadays.

Spent this afternoon purchasing toiletries at my favourite store in People's Park and I met Her again. Despite loving the store for its very affordable toiletries, I vehemently dislike, hate, loathe this particular saleslady and sought to avoid her everytime just to make sure I will never create a scene there by shouting at her. But I always had to contact her somehow whenever I wish to take something from that rack with Korean products.

That was what happened again. I was glad for a moment when another salesgirl attended to me today. I had been particularly displeased because a sunblock I just bought the week before stained my clothes. This should not have happened if it is supposed to be for the body, should it not?? Besides, which sunblock for body uses the caption: "for natural make up effect"?? So I told her the problem and requested for a different sunblock. But the idiot had to find Her. Before I could run away, She arrived.

What do you do when a customer has a problem? You listen to her first, do you? But not Her! She went on asking many assumptive questions first. "Do you sweat a lot???" (asked that abt 3 times) etc , etc. I gathered that she thought the sunblock turned brown on my skin and not upon contact with my clothes. I actually told her sharply to LISTEN TO ME! After "listening" to me, she said no customer has ever complained. I told her yes it is good, but what I'm trying to tell you is that it is just not for the body!

She also allowed me to try a little of another sunblock. When I gently rubbed it into my arms, she asked if I usually do it (that is, rub it gently into my skin). She said that when she rubs sunblock into her doughter's skin, she RUBS it in hard. Golly! This woman is thick. I told her I read that you are not supposed to do that. She responded by saying that it's what she learnt in school in Japan. And before I left (cos my patience with this dimwit was quickly running out), she told me that I need to learn the proper way of putting on sunblock as my face is fairer than the rest of my body!

Pissed as I am, I feel extremely sorry for this uneducated dimwit. She looks reasonably pretty on the outside, but is definitely not bestowed with equal measures in terms of brains. Because that was not the first time she tried to make me buy products from her by pointing out (in a rather rude manner) my physical flaws.

I also realised that there are a great many ladies out there who are, like her, not too bad to look at (or even great-looking), but there are not many with the intellectual capacity. Which kinda leaves their beauty hollow at the end of the day. I would think that what they do are probably their one and only skill. Selling products at some low-end market, modelling etc. Although that is a generalisation, because there are intelligent ladies who do the same work as well. But I hope you get my point.

Labels: Rambles