'Inspire Kerala' tour guides review

Dineish and I recently went on a trip to India (Kerala & Chennai) for a friend’s wedding. We both took a week off work and arranged to do a quick 4D/3N tour of Kerala before heading off to Chennai for the big celebrations (Congrats to Mark & Priyanka!!).  We both had been to Chennai before and had a fair idea of what we wanted to do (mostly eat, shop and spend time with friends).

Dineish organised the entire Kerala tour with Inspire Kerala after reading up on some reviews on Trip Advisor. We thought it would be the best way to see the place considering a) we hadn't been there before and b) didn't know many people from there (my family were there earlier on in the year and said it was a must). Also it’s nice to know someone else has organized all the local tours, accomodation, car and food – it wasn’t another thing for us to have to sort out! The contact at Inspire Kerala was Murugesan - had a fairly good reputation online and when we got a quote from him he was fast, polite and very reasonable.

Our booking details (snapshot only)

I always have my doubts when organizing things with Indians, so me being me, I kept reminding Dineish to call Murugesan closer to the trip just to confirm the bookings for the hotel, the details of the driver he arranged for us and the early pick up from the airport (because we landed at 2am). Dineish prefers emailing so he got the confirmation via email and we were set to go :)

We arrived at Cochin (although tired) happy and excited to be starting the relaxed part of our holiday. We looked out for our driver who was due to greet us holding name boards from Inspire Kerala for almost 20 mins. He was nowhere to be seen, so we had to get an airport staff to kindly call him to inform that we were standing around waiting for him. He got mixed up between the arrivals and departures, and got irritated when we kept asking him to come around to the arrivals gate! It certainly didn’t start off well; it was too early in the morning and neither of us could speak/understand Malayalam. Eventually he drove around in a small Tata Indica (hatch back) that looked not so road friendly (to me anyway) and too small for us and our luggage! The driver (Munis) turned out to be a lovely guy from Tamil Nadu, so it was nice to be able to talk in our mother tongue (speaks good English also) and have an honest and caring guide for the 4 days we were touring.

The first hotel we stayed in was Hotel Elite Plaza, located about 5km from the airport. It was an additional option we chose to take considering that we landed so early in the morning and didnt have a place to stay before driving to the house boat the next day. The hotel was not more than 3-stars and was fairly decent and clean to spend the night before starting the tour. The room and bathroom was clean and breakfast was included as part of the package that Murugesan organized. However, the hotel charged us for the meal! We told them that as part of the tour it is was already paid for and when they didn’t agree with us, we had to give Murugesan a call. He wasn’t easy to reach, so Munis kindly settled the meal for us and paid them using his allowance from the tour operator. I think that it all gets sorted when he gets his final pay from them. I started to mention to Dineish that Murugesan doesn’t seem to communicate the fine print to everyone, so we find ourselves in little problems like this.

So on the first day of our trip, Munis picked us up promptly at 9am and drove us 3 hours to Allepey for the house boat experience. It rained a fair bit during that trip and although India in general is dirty with crazy drivers on the roads, I thought, compared to Chennai, Kerala was slightly more. We never paid any road tolls, parking fee etc because it was all included in the package. The drive there isn’t memorable, but once you get on the boat it is unreal. We were fortunate to have a clean house boat (one bedroom with in-built toilet and wash are, I wouldn’t call it a shower), 2 welcoming and friendly boat guides (stay with you over night on the boat, cook and take you around the back waters) and an unforgettable experience. Imagine being on your own boat, cruising around and not having to work about work or the outside world. It was relaxing and I really enjoyed my time with Dineish (I had him all to myself, no distractions NOTHING!!).

The 'lounge' area with captain's seat and wheel

Hallway connecting kitchen to lounge, bedroom on the right side of photo

bedroom

hand basin outside bedroom and before kitchen

otherside of bedroom and toilet behind the double doors (I just realised I forgot to take pics of the toilet/washroom!!! My bad)

Dineish taking a million photos, but I'm so glad he was relaxing and enjoying not being a busy body for once!

The following day we were picked up by Munis again at 9am for our 3 hour drive to Cherai Beach Resort. We settled the remainder of the package by paying one of Munis’s manager’s who we met him the day before just as we got off the boat and had no reservations in handing the money to him (the initial deposit was transferred into an Inspire Kerala bank account).

Again the drive wasn’t exciting, we drove through Cochi city (Ernakulam) and although 3 hours sounds as though you are going to cover great distance, in India the time is an estimate of getting through the mad traffic and the little sh*t box that you get carted around in, haha!! So if we were in Singapore/Australia/normal driving country, I have no doubt that trip would have only taken 1.5 hrs max!!

So anyway, we get to the hotel and find that they are preparing for a wedding/function of some sort. I thought that’s great, because it’ll be something to watch from the side and a lot of people = good resort, to me :P Boy, was I wrong!!!! The reception told us they had no booking under our name or Inspire Kerala at any point and the rooms were double booked for the MD’s son’s wedding (hence the prep work) - they were fully booked. They didn’t feel bad at all (had no reason to I suppose) and when we got upset they spoke to Murugesan on the phone after Munis got hold of him. Murugesan called them and it transpired that he had booked the room under our name but the hotel didn’t record it correctly and over booked (at least that’s what Murugesan told us, the hotel said he didn’t confirm our booking earlier and left it too late having known about the wedding). The hotel had cancelled it as it had been there for a long time and they had no means to confirm it. Murugesan had apparently known this for a while and had been calling daily to try to get us a room but they were booked - why on earth didn't he tell us instead of just booking another hotel??? This is my review on Murugesan: He doesn't like to be the bearer of bad news so he'd rather just not tell you at all!! What a douche!!?

Cherai Beach Resort - no go!



The car we travelled in (Inspire Kerala logo)



Preparations for the MD's son's wedding, pfft!

We ended up leaving and booked another nights stay in the hotel planned for the 3^rd night of our trip (3-star hotel in Cochi city called Pride Emerald). FYI – Cherai beach is not world class and not what they show on the pictures. As much as we were disappointed for not getting a night on the resort, the beach (which we walked to have a look at) was not great, we have been to so many beaches and this one does sit at the bottom).

The rest of the day was spent shopping in Cochi. The last day was spent touring the sights of Cochi city: Synagogue, The Fort and a Church. I was bored and none of the sights were maintained to preserve its history.

All in all, aside the little dramas, Dineish and I had a good time in Cochi. And I’m glad we had a nice driver (Munis). On the other hand, although Murugesan is trustworthy I don’t think he is good at dealing with difficult situations or telling the customer of updates or any problems. Would I recommend them Inspire Kerala to anyone of you? I think it’s a hit and miss with India (my thoughts never changed sadly!!), I don't think I'd use the tours next time because I’m better at planning all that on my own (control freak, yes) -  just book it yourself and perhaps use a company to arrange a driver for you, that's all you need.

Sorry if this was long and boring, I really wanted to get it up,
xS

Update as at 06/09/12: received an email from Murugesan last night, and I don't know if this is a coincidence because he has been reading my blog over the last few days (I can see someone returning from Kerala), but he sent a confirmation email from Cherai Beach Resort of the room being booked for us under our name on the agreed date. Now it looks like the resort was at fault double booking us with their MD's son's wedding. I think Murugesan wants to let us know that he did what was required of him and made all necessary reservations, but that just makes me furious at the Hotel's management!!

Update as at 19/09/12: Dineish and I sent an email (dated 09/09/12) to both the hotel management and Inspire Kerala regarding our experience and how CBR poorly handled the situation, however to date we have not received a response. SHAME ON YOU CHERAI BEACH RESORT!

Update as at 14/10/12: Sent an email to the GM (Raymond P.J.) about the email sent in Sept. We kept it short and sweet stating yet again how poor their customer service is and that they didn't have the courtesy to reply.

Scoot Airlines review

Dineish and I made our first trip on the newest long haul airline, Scoot. We were pleasantly surprised by the standard and hope that this review encourages more people to travel with budget airlines.

Scoot is a Singaporean-based budget airline; a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. It travels between popular destinations in Asia and Australia using aircrafts (Boeing 777) obtained from its parent company. They offer no-frills, low cost travel options for medium to long-haul routes and claim that the tickets are upto 40% cheaper than regular airlines. They offer 2 types of classes: ScootBiz and Economy.

We were on a trip back to Sydney to see the family for a few days and the flight took a little over 7 ½ hours. Check-in was the standard 2 hours before flight, however for the first time we experienced that 2 hours was not enough, because we almost missed out on getting seats together (on both trips) – the line was very long and surely it was because of the cheap tickets. I would recommend you either: 1) come earlier than 2 hours to checkin or 2): pre-book  your seats on the internet for an extra surcharge.

I have travelled with many other airlines to so many countries (let me know if you want a blog post on my travel adventures) and I think that this is the by far the BEST budget airlines I have travelled with! We booked 2 economy seats on the first day the tickets came out for SGP-SYD hauls with 20kg luggage. The tickets together cost us a little under $400SGD!! As with most budget airlines things like food, drinks and blankets are chargeable and on Scoot they rent out iPads for long haul flights for $22SGD (Dineish opted for this on the way back to Singapore because he knew I wouldn't be awake to keep him entertained).

12:50pm flight and we were still in the long as queue boarding 5 mins before take off!

         The line to board again was packed and very long.

The on board staff (air hostess) were very polite and although they themselves had given up on the routine emergency procedures, were still delivering standard airline services. Honestly, no bit of the flight felt like a budget airline!

(Sorry about the shocking pictures guys!!)...

The leg space between the seats is roomy and enough for even Dineish to sit comfortably (he is tall remember).

The flight to Sydney had us at the very last row and although it was a midnight flight and I fell asleep almost immediately, the noise and turbulence was pretty bad. I think that’s the same with all aircrafts, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. We took it because it was the last seats available together. It's also close to the cabin crew area and because they have to stay awake through the night it gets quite loud (often hear heavy Singaporean accents). There is still space to put the seats back and that was great because you don’t have to sleep upright!

Roomy :)

All in all, I think Scoot is great. Personally, I’m not too fussed about the service I get on board, but considering it being a budget airline I felt like we flew with so much ease, except for some dodgy passengers of course :P

Online shopping with Nordstrom - Navoh Crossbody bag

It's difficult to travel with a large hand bag. I prefer to have my hands free for all the shopping or just to walk freely and take photos. When the Reebonz sale was on a few weeks back, I purchased yet another large hand bag and although I kinda regret it, I will use it for work.

I finally found a crossbody bag on the Nordstrom website that I loved the look of and took the initiative to purchase after hearing from a friend that Nordstrom ships popular American labels internationally (thanks Felicity!!).

Nordstrom online shopping experience

Nordstrom is an upscale department store in the US, similar to the likes of David Jones in Australia or Takashimaya in Singapore. They offer free delivery and returns in the US and ship promptly overseas. You can register for free and shop by catergory (female, male, kids, brands, sale etc). The site is extremely user friendly, automatically detects you country of origin and gives you the option to purchase in your preferred currency depending on the exchange rate on the day. Their financing is performed through a 3rd party, FiftyOne, who calculate all purchases and dispatches on Nordstrom's behalf. Their courier is DHL (Express) and tracking numbers are given once FiftyOne received the goods from Nordstrom and ship from their warehouse.

Live chat is available from 7am to 1am daily and the customer services is exceptional. They are always there to respond to your questions immediately and refer you to the relevant departments when they cannot help.

The only problem I faced was which to bag to buy AND not to get carried away buying other things, haha!!

Navoh Erin Crossbody

I purchased the bag below, for $91AUD, on Monday 9th July 2012 at 1pm and received it in exactly a week (10am Monday 16th July). There was shipping charges of $30AUD and the item was shipped from FiftyOne's warehouse on Thurday evening.

The Erin crossbody bag is from the luxury handbag designer Navoh from New York. It is available in black (pictured), orange, fuchsia and yellow and in my opinion is a versitle, fun and affordable bag to add a pop or colour or class to your outfit. For me, it's definately going to be the perfect bag to travel the streets of Asia with :)

Navoh offer a large selection of unique, trendy and functional pieces for your wardrobe and best of all most bags are less than $100! Go check them out!

This bag has 3 compartments; 1 large with mobile, coin and loose pocket, zipper pocket at back, and a flat pocket in the middle of these two compartments (for paper). I know I will be able to safely carry passports, cash/wallet, travel necessities, cellphone and valuables in here without having to worry about putting the bag down and forgetting about it! The zips are sturdy and the gold metal work is rugged/secure. And more importantly the bag ISN'T huge!!

Here are the bag details and dimensions:

• Turn key and top zipper closure
• Inner zipper pocket
• Back zipper pocket
• Envelope pocket
• Synthetic material, with soft lining
• 10" H x 8.5" W x 1.5" D
• 23" to 31" adjustable shoulder drop strap

Packaging was secure and no damages to back. Shipped to work for easy collection, tracked all the way.

Packed in original dustbag

front

back

Inside zipper compartment

What do you guys think of my latest buy? Tell me what you like travelling with and what your essentials are

 xS

Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy

My all time favourite hand cream is Crabtree & Evelyn's Gardeners Hand Therapy. I absolutely love it.
Seriously, I never fussed over hand cream before, but this one has me hooked and works well on young and ageing skin.

The smell of Patcholi is subtle, but enough to have pleasant smelling hands. It's moisturising and rubs in well without leaving a greasy residue. I think that it's longivity depends on how dry your skin is and whether the temperature is cold/hot. For me, my hands are fairly moist (except for when I wash them as they tend to dry out very fast), so a little goes a long way and now that I am almost at the end of the tube, I am looking forward to buying another one (currently retails for SGD$33 at Raffles City)!!

You can find it amongst my other necessities kit at work too!

Some might consider it a little on the expensive side at AUD$20/SGD$33 per 100g, but because I am making an effort to invest into my skin's well-being and seeing the results from using this product the price is fair. I carry it around in my hand bag and use it daily. It certainly leaves skin looking smooth, soft and moisturised :)

What's your favourite hand cream?

xS

Kate Spade unbagging

They are currently holding the Annual Reebonz sale (conveniently located at my work building), where they are selling everything designer up to 80% off. The entire floor is open to the public and its flooding with ladies trying to get their hands on the best deals.

I was on my hunt for a hand bag, a treat for myself having completed my CA. The sale runs for 3 days (28th - 30th June) annually and is famous under the Great Singapore Sales, kinda like the EOFY Sales in Australia.

I had a look around on day 1 and having gone in late (around 4:30) many designs had gone, the waiting lines were too long or bags were way beyond my budget.
I went back on day 2 knowing they had replenished the stock around morning tea when it was still hectic, but bearable.I found the Kate Spade Bow Bridge Helena hand bag quite early on and walked around with it while I was browsing for almost 2 hrs (my manager new I was busting to go and in fact told me to go :) ). I didn't want to let it go because already several ladies came up to me asking where I picked it up. It currently retails for SGD$1,050 and had a 45% discount as it was an American label + 5% if I used my Mastercard. A couple of the ladies (aunties :P ) from work found me while I was styling my fave bags in front of a mirror and told me which they liked the best. They have good taste! We walked around for a bit looking at what each other picked up. At the end, we all picked up something (some having come back for more on day 2!!) and when we paid together they gave us another $100 off on the bill because we gave a newspaper artical that entitled $100 off on a sale > $1000.

After all that, my bag was $569 and I love it. It's still bigger than I hoped but very elegant and SO ME!! I know I'll be back next year and pick up some more :)

Sana Power Style Super Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

If you know me, you'd know that the one makeup I cannot walk out of the house without is EYELINER! Ever since secondary school and doing Bharata Natyam (Indian Classicial dance), I have worn fairly heavy eye makeup (kohl for the waterline and liquid liner on the lid).

My eye's aren't a prominant feature, but once I do them up I think I get my signature look :)

In all these years I have tried many liquid liners, from drugstore to high end, and nothing seems to last all day. I have oily lids, and the liners tend to smudge, crease and fade and at the end of the day I have Panda eyes. However, I finally found my FAVOURITE liquid liner at Sasa stores in Singapore for SGD$24.90. Yes, it is pricey, but its worth every cent I paid!! Trust me, I'd know :)

Sana Power Style Liquid Eyeliner (Strong Black) is a super water proof liquid eyeliner.

The strong adhesive water proof film protects your liners from water, sweat, grease, and is smudge resistant (promise). The moisturizing ingredients, chamomile essence and algae extract, aids in the fast-drying process, and gives a workable fine brush tip to create the definition you are after (thick or thin).

Packaging front & back (notice that the red circles say its water and sweat resistent)

Bottle and brush applicator - swatch (right) v Maybelline Express liner (right, which is light in real life as the photo does not show) - after 5 hrs and having washed my hands with shop several times

I have used the liner for the last 6 months to work, nights out, the gym and in the pool. It is doesn't move or fade. I would recommend it to you to use daily, as it is light and easy to apply. Although it comes in a small tube (my only con), it lasts you quite a while (I have just started my second one) and doesn't become thick due to the weather (unlike many other brands I have tried, which turn into a paste like consistency after a few weeks).



(Unfortunately it is not available in Australia, but Sasa does ship internationally).

Hope the swatches help,

xS

TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo review

Hi guys, for the first time I am going to do a review that is on one of my not so favorite products. I think it is equally important to rave about something that doesn’t work as it is for something that does. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bought them! (Remember these are my personal experiences, and something I dislike may be something you love).

I have been styling my hair a fair bit recently, and unless I haven't been looking hard enough, I personally think that Singapore doesn't offer many dry shampoos and heat protectants simply because there isn't a market for it. I have searched all over the island for products that gurus rave about, only to find that most of the brands aren't stocked here.

So I tried out whatever I could get my hands on because all the years of neglect are catching up with me :(

TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for oily/straight to normal hair

This product, like all dry shampoos, promises to give you a clean head of hair without a drop of water for the next day or two. So when you notice any hint of oiliness to your hair, you spray the product at the roots of your hair, comb it out and apparently you are oil and odor free in an instant!

Dry shampoos have been out for a while, but I’m new to it and the trend is catching on. From the reviews I have read many products out there still give dark hair a greyish tint and take a while to completely brush out, so it was only fair to assume the same for TRESemmé’s dry shampoo. I bought it from Guardian pharmacy in Paya Lebar for SDG$13, although it isn’t expensive it’s not free either!

Packaging (161g) - Nozzle

I have used it over the last 2 weeks in the mornings on 2nd and 3rd day hair before heading out to work. Per the instructions, I shake vigorously and spray a fair distance from my roots and wait 1-2 minutes before combing out. 

Unfortunately in the mirror I noticed:

·         flat,

·         lifeless,

·         greyish,

·         greasy hair.

·         FAIL!!!!

It looked worse than before I used it! It looked really greasy as though I hadn’t washed my hair for 4-5 days, ewwwww!! Although the odor was gone and replaced with a pleasant smell, it didn’t look nice at all. Almost looked like the cheap costuming techniques we used back in primary to get that grey haired-granny look :|

Before applying dry shampoo (right side of photo there are the oily strands) - sprayed shampoo - after 2 mins and massaged into hair (its flat, greasy and grey)

Eventually through out the day, the product settled but slight greasiness was there and my hair looked flat with a tint of grey. Maybe this product isn’t so good on black hair?!

I cannot see any positive use for this product and will not be repurchasing. Of the hair products I have tried, this is the worst. So if you’re looking for a good dry shampoo, unfortunately I personally wouldn't recommend TRESemmé's dry shampoo – maybe you’ll end up disappointed.

(Can’t wait to get my hands on Batiste…people tell me it’s in Singapore, but I can’t find it).

I hope this helps you guys in your search and please share your thoughts with me!

xS

Online makeup shopping - beautybay.com

Hi guys! Hope you're all doing good :) It's the middle of the week and work is a little quiet having just come out of year end. So I thought it's a good excuse to blog :P

I do a fair bit of online shopping for beauty products because a) its so easy and b) because popular makeup brands in Australia and Singapore is so rediculously over-priced or not available! It's so unfair for us ladies (and guys) who have to pay a bucket load of money for something that is at least 1/2 price in America or Europe. I don't know why there is a huge mark up, when the makeup community is just as large and popular in Australia and Singapore. I mean every girl wants to look pretty no matter where they live!!

I'm an accountant and have a fair bit of idea about the economy, pricing, inflation, consumer supply and demand blah, blah, blah, BUT SERIOUSLY!!! Grrrrrrr, makes me so mad O_O....

I have had only nothing but good services with the company and although a few of my friends are aware of http://www.beautybay.com/ I thought it would still be worth while to let everyone else know because if its going to save me some $$$ its definately worth sharing!

  

BeautyBay.com are a UK-based online retailer specialising in high end cosmetics (Urban Decay, Stila, Clinique toname a few),  salon quality hair care (TIGI Bed Head, Sebastian, Wella SP, Keune etc), fragrances, nail products and men’s grooming products. They also stock professional accessories and tools from brands including Tweezerman, Ardell, St Tropez and Beauty Blender with a wide range of products such as tweezers, make up brushes, eye lash curlers and false lashes.

For competitive prices compared to what you can purchase in boutique makeup stores in Australia (such as Mecca Cosmetica) and Sephora Singapore, they offer free shipping worldwide that can take up to 20 days and in my experience satisfactory customer services.

I made my first purchase almost a year ago with the UD Naked palette and since then ordered 5 more times and spending over $400AUD between myself and my sister, I have been fortunate to have good experiences with the company. Although my products have never been damaged or incorrectly sent, customer services has been good assisting me in track my orders and tell me the status :)

The only thing to note is that you have to wait 20 working days to receive you order, so plan ahead. They accept all major CCs, payment is secure and processing takes 1-2 days to process and dispatch, depending on where you place your order from in the world and time. Their Facebook site is very active (and you will see some people with complaints) with both customers and the team themselves.

To date I have purchased 3 UD Naked palettes (original and # 2) and many Lip Junkies, Babyliss curlers, tongs and wands, 2 Stila foundations and compact powders. All products came in securely wrapped packaging, with bean foams and bubble wrap.

Here are some photos I took pre-blogging days:

For those curious, here are some price comparisions and I ensure you that you are getting a deal:

• Stila Perfect & Correct Foundation: $72AUD from Mecca Cosmetica v $37AUD on beautybay
• Stila Illuminating powder refill (empty): $24AUD from Mecca Cosmetica v $13.90 on beautybay
• Stila Illuminating powder refill: $45AUD v $25.10 on beautybay
• UD Naked palette (original): $80SGD from Sephora v $62SGD (or $49.90AUD) on beautybay
• Do I need to give you anymore??! :-)

Seriously, people I would recommend beautybay to you without a doubt and hope that if you do decide to buy that you have nothing but a good online shopping experience as I have been!

If you have any sites that you would recommend or your experiences with the company or any for that matter, I would love to know!! Please leave a comment below.

Go work that credit card,

xS

Nike Training Club app for iPhone

I first heard about the app when watching makeup videos on YT, when I came across cityandmakeup rave about how much she loved the Nike Training Club app for the iPhone/iPad.

I'm not a gym person and can't keep up with Dineish when he runs, so when I downloaded this app (500MB) I didn't have high expectations. I thought it was going to be another phase that I would soon get, however 3 weeks on and over 9 sessions later I am motivated to get changed into my gear and run down stairs to the gym for my workouts! (I have even managed to convince one of the girls at work to try it out and she loves it too!! We share our morning after pain stories and a proud of it).

NTC is a self motivating app that gives you your very own personal trainer - anywhere, anytime. It is a lifestyle changing and fitness app, that helps you lean, toned and strong with over 85 individual programs. As you progress with time and fitness levels, you can unlock special programs/tips used by the pros themselves. I have always loved Nike and have a few of their sporting gear, finally this app has put all them to justice!

The app has many 30-minute workouts, for all skill levels, and has broken them down further into high intensity intervals to push your limits. If you don't know what a routine is, not only does the app have really clear photos of the trainers and instructions on how to do the routine, but also video recordings of every single move to guide you along. This was good for me because there were a few routines I didn't have clue about and can be used as a quick reference in the middle of my workout.

Based on your skill set, pick a routine, set it to music you choose from you library and off you go. There are timed intervals where the beeps and photos will prompt you to move straight into the next move. You can pause and end workout when you have had enough and the time is recorded against your total.



Home screen tracking progess - show workout type - select level



Select program - 30 min breakdown by routine - start program - photo of moves (watch video using camera button)



I have used the app for 3 weeks no, 3 times a week after work and in the weekends. If you don't have a gym, it is perfect for working out at home and a yoga mat (add weights and other things as you progress along). I wish I found this app earlier and am keen to take it while travelling. 

But in the mean time I am going to keep up with my routine and tone certain areas of my body that have been neglected :P (To date I have maintained a stable weight and toned my buttocks, arms and calves - keen to start on the abs and back area).

Oh yeah and did I mention it’s free!!! Cheers Nike ;)

xS

Skindinavia review

I thought I would finally try a makeup setting spray just to complete my makeup routine and have it last all day. I hate coming home and realising in the lift that I look tired and puffy for Dineish. Although he has seen me worse, I like to look my best for him ;)

I have been deciding for a long time whether to purchase Urban Decay's  De Slick and Scindinavia, but when Gossmakeupartist, on YT, mentioned they are made by the same company (Skindinavia) I thought I would just give the pro's a try (besides UD spray is expensive in Sephora Singapore anyway).

I placed an order online, www.skindinavia.com, on the 16th May and exactly 2 weeks later received my parcel. It was very prompt (earlier than I expected according to their terms (3 weeks) and quicker than other online shopping I have done with overseas companies). Customer services was great answering my questions and as you will see in my photos, the packaging was done well for these liquid items.

I paid USD49.50 (inc. shipping to Singapore) for the large 8oz bottle of No More Shine (especially formulated for oily shine) and also got a complementary 20ml setting spray.

The two bottles I got (back: 8oz No More Shine, front: 20ml original setting spray)

Instructions

1. Apply your makeup as you would
2. Shake the bottle well
3. Spray about 20cm from the face in an 'X' motion and then a 'T' motion to cover the T-zone (in all about 3-4 times). That is all!

The solution

The spray has a very light and pleasent scent, that can easily go unnoticed for those of you who don't like fragrances. It is not greasy and does NOT tighten your face when spray to activate its formula. The product is oil-free, not tested on animals and dermatologist tested for those who are interested and have sensitive skin. Does NOT cause breakouts for me.

I have used it all week to work in the hot Singapore weather, walking to and from the station with my makeup on (obviously) and found that everything has stayed in place and I don't look oily. There is a shine to the face, but it gives me a natural dewy finish that I am very comfortable in. The makeup, eyeshadow, blush, everything just stayed all day.

Even the blotting papers at my work desk have not been used as much (only once)!! That tells you how well this product is working, because normally before lunch I use a paper, after lunch and when I come home I look like I just came back from a workout! The change is unbelieveable and it's all thanks to this spray! No More Shine hands down!!

Clockwise: parcel from the US - packing slip & instructions - bottles - packaging inside (no chance to damage) - stuffed paper to keep everything in place

Verdict

No More Shine did a great job of not only controlling shine and reducing the oil from my face but held my makeup in place for a long time. It is claimed to last 16 hours, I have not tried it for that long, but leaving home and coming back 12 hours later, I notice no change, if not marginal.

I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality setting spray and is definately be repurchasing this again :)

Would love to hear what you guys use and thoughts on this product for those who do already!

(leave a comment below please).

Hope this helped someone,

xS

Update as at 21/09/2012: for optimum results spray before applying any makeup and instead of a primer and let it set for 3-5 mins. I find that my makeup holds longer and reduces shine because the makeup is on a shine resistant base, rather than getting shining and trying to break through the setting spray - kinda like double protection ;)

Getting NAKED twice

 Although the Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette hype is over, I thought I would still do a review, especially for those with dark skin tones.

Clockwise: Packaging - the original - Naked 2

Compare and contrast
I found that N2 shadows were more pigmented than the first and easily lifted from the pan with a light touch of the brush (some times I make a mess if I don't tap the excess off properly). My pan's weren't filled to the rim as they were in the original - did anyone notice this?

Original palette swatches

Naked 2 swatches

• Foxy unique to N2
• Half Baked is a repeat
• Booty Call is a peachier version of Virgin (Naked 1), only its slightly warmer
• Chopper is more orange than Sidecar (Naked 1)
• Tease unique to N2
• Snakebite is not as golden as Smog (Naked 1), but it’s nowhere near as dark as Darkhorse (Naked 1); however, if you mix both Smog and Darkhorse together, you get something similar to Snakebite
• Suspect is little more beige compared to Sidecar (Naked 1).
• Pistol unique to N2
• Verve unique to N2
• YDK looks pretty similar to both Sidecar and Toasted (both from Naked 1). I think Sidecar is the closest match.
• Busted is quite similar to Hustle (Naked 1), but less red-toned
• Blackout unique to N2

Packaging & Extras

The original palette comes in a velvet covered cardboard case with magnetic locks. Below the 12 shades, there is a slot the eyeshadow brush that comes with the palette. In the inside lid, there is a small mirror, but I've rarely made use of it considering its small. The palette also comes with a travel-size Primer Potion.

I prefer the Naked 2 packaging, because its sturdy and the mirror is huge! The shadows sit inside a hard metal case and snaps shut. Its definately easier to travel with as I don't have to worry about the box getting damaged or shadows shattering. Again the palette has a slot for the duo blending and shadow brush and comes with a sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked (I'm repurchasing that!!).

I rarely use the brushes that come with the palette as I find that they are slightly rough and not the best to blend. The original palette brush is a packing brush which is compact and has smooth bristles, its great to apply any eye shadow. The duo brush in N2 (blending and packing) bristles, although descently sized, have course hairs and I find that it doesn't help in applying or blending the make up. But, if you dont have an alternative brush set, these will do the job fine. You don't have anything better to compare to, right!?

The Primer potion only comes in the first palette and is a great eye shadow primer. Although small in size, it helps the eye shadow stay on and reduces creasing throughout the day. The second palette doesn't come with the primer potion, instead they give you a small sample Lip Junkie in the colour Naked. I really like the texture of the balm as it gives a nice pink hint to my lips, isn't sticky, has a minty smell and keeps the lips cool (and tingly?!). Glad that Urban Decay didn't double up on the primer again, because for those of us who have both palettes, this would have been a disappointment. But for those who don't, I do recommend the primer over the lip junkie. So maybe, if you asked for my opinion, when it comes to the extras and brushes, the first one wins!

Verdict
I like both palettes and if you are a beginner or just want my opinion on which to purchase, I would suggest the second one (even though you don't get the primer). The colours are fairly similar to the original, but appear to suit darker skin tomes better and you get a range of mattes and shimmers. I have played more with N2 due to this reason BUT, I need both for some reason :p

Swatching the shadows - original (left) vs Naked 2 (right)

Hope this helped some of you and for those who have both, I would love to hear your fave :)
xS
*Photos courtesy of my husband

Foundation review & matrix

Hi everyone, I haven't blogged for a while and its been about a month since the last post! I've been a little busy with myself and Dineish - started to get back into reading again (at the moment its The Palace of Illusions by Chitra B Divakaruni - I am a of fan of books by Indian authors), been busy setting up our house (we bought a buffet, which I am totally in love with and can't wait to add pieces to), sewing (found a Spotlight in Singapore to repair some damaged clothes) and in general enjoying the post-studying phase of my life!

End of rant/update.

Anyway, my friend made a good point the other day during our Skype sessions about make-up for women of color and the limited information that is out there about what suits and doesn't.
There are so many makeup gurus on YouTube, both professionals and amateurs, who give people advice about makeup trends and how-to's, but I rarely find a guru with skin color who actually suits my skin tone! Maybe its because many of them are much lighter than me. This is not to say that there aren't Indian/Asian girls doing a similar thing, but I find that there are a very few that I would go back to (Uma Preve is great though and I think she is my match).

I am not a pro to give anyone advice about what will suit you the best. To be honest, its hard to say without having a look at you in person. So I suggest you consider the following before going out hunting:

• Skin type - are you oily, dry or combination? If you're oily, look for "oil-free," "oil-control" or "mattifying" foundations. For dry skin, try and go for moisturizing foundations with "hydrating" or "moisture-rich" formulas. Foundations containing glycerin glide on easily. For combination skin, determine if you're more oily or dry and work from there. Cream-to-powder bases work great for combination skin. Mineral foundations work well on all skin types, especially sensitive skin. 
•  Coverage - do you want a light, medium or full coverage? If you have good skin, but want to even out a few ruddy areas, consider a light coverage or just use a concealer to cover up marks and some loose powder to set that. For women with really uneven skin tone or blemishes, consider a medium to full coverage foundation. Some women swear by mineral foundations, so you might want to try these out as well.
• Under tones Go for the yellow-based foundations, which look most natural on all skin tones. However, if you're very fair, try a pink, cooler shade.

Foundations I use regularly

I don't have a wide range of foundations, because I generally tend to stick with what works best with my skin (oily remember) and repurchase it.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC4 ($47 SGD) - I use this for occasions where I know I'm going to doll up and want full coverage. The foundation gives me a natural matte finish and medium-buildable coverage with SPF 15. It's light on my skin and although its long-wearing, I have to set with powder. It helps minimize imperfections and has a smooth finish. It's oil-free; absorbs and disperses oil (reduces shine on my T-zone).

Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - almost blended into skin

bareMinerals Matte SPF15 Powder Foundation in Medium Tan ($35 SGD) - I use this on a daily basis with my Stila foundation as a setting powder. It gives buildable full coverage and guarantees to absorb excess oil without drying out my skin. I use it on its on after moisturizing for days when I want to give my skin a break and allow it to breathe. And even then, it looks like I have flawless skin (so glad that I use this more often, because the liquid foundations were clogging my pores).

Clockwise: applied with Coastal Scents Kabuki brush - packaging - completely blended into skin

Stila Perfect & Correct foundation in Tan - ($60 SGD) - I use this every day to work with my bM powder foundation and its great. It gives me a mediun coverage enough to cover any imperfections I have and because the formula comes with primer and moisturizer (explains the swirl), I find that it helps against the shine and nourishes my skin at the same time. It has a mousse-like texture and blends smoothly and lightly onto the skin - minimal effort.

Clockwise: applied with MAC 187 stippling brush - packaging - blended completely into skin

Along with these foundations, when I need the extra coverage (when I'm going all out) I use:

• Prime time primer by bareMinerals to reduce oilyness
• bareMinerals All Over Face Colour in warmth as a contour
• bareMineral Mineral veil as a loose powder at the end
• Skindinavia No More Shine finish spray to set my make up to avoid it moving throughout the day

Foundation matrix (who put this together is a genius!!)
For those of you wanting to try out any of the above products, I would definately recommend them to you. My favourite has to be the Stila, its so light and doesn't damage my skin.
If you know what colour you are in a certain brand, then follow the link http://www.temptalia.com/foundation-matrix and enter a few basic details to find out what other options are available to you. This matrix suggests other brands of similar colour to you and is great if you are an online shopper like me because you avoid buying a product that doesn't match. *Make up is very expensive in Singapore (so I always buy online).

Hope this helped some of you :) Please let me know if you guys use other products that are great I would love to try them out!

No amount of makeup can mask an ugly heart.

- Kevyn Aucoin