First Collective Haul of the New Year! ~

12:13:00 AM mandy 21 Comments

Darn!!! I took soo long to type up this post and blogger didn't actually save any of it...This is the first time this has ever happened. Why would it say Saving... periodically if it doesn't actually save?! All my hard work =.=

----------Rant Over----------

The first haul of 2012 and it's already filled with many many products! I've bought enough products to last me at least half a year to even a year! I think I need to limit myself a lot or ban me from buying altogether :X

Warning: Picture heavy post ahead!


Dove Clinical Protection Visibly Smooth Deodorant & Lush Butterball

I don’t usually post the deodorants I buy but this is the first clinical strength deodorant that I’m trying. In addition, it claims to minimize hair over time. I’ve used this for a little while and I actually prefer this deodorant over the regular stick-type ones. I can’t really tell how well the hair reducing properties work as of yet but I’ll keep an eye out!

Butterball is the first bath bomb I tried. I actually split this in half and let my brother use it as well. It was fun watching it fizz and disintegrate! It lets out small soap like particles that looked like butter. I do not know if it’s actually butter pieces or if it's soap, but it does melt away. While I was in the water my skin felt very soft. The feeling doesn’t last too long…too much of my disappointment. I will probably try other bath bombs in the future though! Maybe the others will be different?


Best friend had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong during the winter break. She offered to help me purchase some things. I felt bad since I had a pretty long list =X All of these were bought from Sasa HK. I wish Canmake and Kate products were available on their online store. Now if only I had the Kate foundation case…


Biore Acne Mild Care Oil Control Facial Foam & Canmake Cheek&Cheek in Candy Flower

I’ve been eyeing this cleanser ever since bubzbeauty mentioned this in one of her videos. I haven’t used this yet but I noticed that one of the active acne-fighting ingredients was Triclosan. I’ve never actually seen an anti-acne product use this. However, I know it's in antibacterial hand soaps (the ones that I have a home at least have it). But the percentage on this cleanser is 0.1% while on hand soaps were a little higher (I think 0.2%?).

My second Canmake blush! I’ve got to say it lives up to the reviews. It’s very soft and easy to apply. The color is also great. The only thing I wish was it was bigger because most of my blush brushes are bigger than the actual product itself. If I had the chance I would definitely try to collect the other shades as well! :]



Canmake UV Silky Fit Foundation in Shade 02

Why do these type of powder foundations appear mostly in Asia? It’s great how we can buy refills! The packaging is bigger than usual but it has its advantages. I’ve been using this foundation for the most of the month and I really like it. It offers more coverage than my usual MSF Natural. I could wear this alone or on top concealer/BB Cream and it doesn’t look too heavy or cakey. This is actually a matte foundation so I like to spritz a bit of mist afterward and/or wear a shimmer base to highlight underneath. Also, I tend to use this with a powder brush rather than the sponge, just personal preference because I’m not used to sponge application for powders.


Kate Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation in OC-C

I actually didn’t intend to purchase both powder foundations. But since she bought it I couldn’t resist a base product hehe I didn’t want to use this yet because I don't have a case for it. I’m glad that it came with a sponge in the refill though. Has anyone else tried this before?


Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes

I spotted this during my visit to CVS. Although I have a handful of eyeliners I need to use, I’m weak against natural looking colors =X All my smudging eyeliners do not help me restrain myself either…I like this trio. But I found that the lighter shade is barely noticeable. It could probably only be used as a lower waterline highlighter. Of the three I reach for the middle shade more. Similar to the other liners that I own, these smudge on me as well. Now I've come to the conclusion that it isn't the liners but my eye shape? The three shade all have shimmer specks in them, but the fine kind.


Naruko Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Peeling Gel & Naruko Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Eye Cream

Another bestie of mine gave me these as a gift. I think she got these at from the Taiwan site when they still shipped to the U.S. I’ve only used the eye cream and it’s very light in texture. I haven’t been paying much attention to the brightening effects though. This is a little hard especially when I have such an irregular sleeping schedule.


This is probably my biggest Sasa haul yet. Best friend and I combined our order. We went way over the needed amount for expedited shipping amount & came in just a few days! The main reason why I bought so much was due to the darn sale that was going on. I’m a sucker for sales >__< Even though they weren’t super big discounts, every little bit adds up to a lot!


Kokobu Foot Pad Healers in Chamomile & Lavender

I found these unique things while I was browsing for the bath powders. They apparently take out the toxins from the body. My health has always been a bit bad so maybe these will help internally? Lol Has anyone tried these or similar ones before?


Bison Bath Additives in Soda & Royal Honey Milk


Bison Finland Spa Relax Bath in White Birch & Searun Magma Sweating Bath Salts

My mom is always telling me that sweating is good for losing weight. She probably means through exercising or steaming it out but it doesn’t hurt to give these a try :P


Kokobu Sakura Princess Bath Powder & Kokobu Milk Bath Powder


Kokobu Soy Milk Bath & Bison FUNWARICH Vanilla Mousse Bath


Kokobu Assorted Bath Powders (5 Pack) – Sakura, Orange, Strawberry, Lavender, and Broccoli (I think…I can’t seem to find it on Sasa anymore to confirm)

After moving into a new house with a new tub, I’ve had the urge to take more baths. Rather than diving right into Lush bath products, I figured that these could be easier to use for multiple baths than a bubble bar/bath bomb/etc is. I have enough to last me for probably over a year of baths (since I take them only once or twice, at most, a month).


Kokobu Funny Faces Sponges – for back, a mitten, and a regular sponge

These were just too cute to exist! & They were on sale, each was only around $1-2.


Genie in a Bottle Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Serum & Genie in a Bottle Arbutin Whitening Serum

After using 2 bottles of the hyaluronic acid serum I couldn’t wait to get these when I saw that they were in stock. It gives my skin the extra moisture boost. And for the price…it's even harder to look away! Since I’ve had such a good experience with the hyaluronic serum I also wanted to give the whitening serum a try. I plan to use the moisture serum in the mornings and the whitening serum at night.


Biore Gel Make-Up Remover & Beautymate Anti-Blemish Repairing Nano Toner & Beautymate Hydro Power Collagen Lotion


BeautyMate Hydro Power Collagen Cream


Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Night Eye Gelly

Most of the skincare products that I got from this Sasa haul is so I can replace out my current skincare regime. My Hada Labo products are running low and I was looking for something inexpensive & moisturizing, Beautymate fit that perfectly. I’ve also seen a few good reviews on them; hopefully, these will work well!


Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair Protect Body Cream

This was actually a last minute item that I added to my shopping cart. I’m not a big body care person but extra whitening caught my eye, which is very rare to find in a body product (particularly in the U.S). Also, my stubborn tan from a few years ago refuses to completely go away =.=


Milani Minerals Blush – Mai Tai, Sweet Rose, and Luminous

If it wasn’t for Nouveau Cheap’s notice on the 75% off certain Milani products at CVS, I probably wouldn’t have bought these blushes yet or at all. Now that I have them, I don’t regret purchasing them. I've only tried Luminous and it gives a natural light flush. Many people say this Luminous is a dupe for NARS Orgasm but I don’t own it so I can’t really say…


Best friend and I went to the new Brooklyn location of Naruko. The promotions and the SA got the best of us :P Together we only bought 3 products + another 3 for our other friend. It actually added up for some freebies that best friend let me keep to use.

For other New Yorkers: Although Naruko – Brooklyn is located on the populated 8th Avenue, it’s located a little further from the more popular streets (50-60th Street). If we didn’t already know the address beforehand, we probably wouldn’t walk down that far on a leisure walk. I noticed that the prices in the store were actually $1 or 2 higher than the listed website prices. It seems to be the norm because when I went to the Queens location, their prices were actually a few dollars (~$4-5)more than the website prices. I cannot say if all the stores elsewhere are similar, but this is what I observed. Also, as with a lot of other Asian beauty stores that I’ve been to, the SA’s are very…active. They tend to stick to you like glue, even when we said we’ll look ourselves. But they weren’t staring us down or anything, it seemed like they just really wanted us to make a purchase heh They didn't carry every single product available on the website. From what I remember the Job's Tears line wasn't there and neither was the Oil Cut Tea Tree Cleanser that some YouTubers raved about.

Despite all this, I probably will go purchase from the store again because it is more accessible. If I knew the products well and have tried and liked them, I might order online. But that is a long way from now...The next time I go I should ask them why their prices are different! The only other thing is I wish they sold the sets that the website offers as well...


Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Dew & Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Day Protector

I purchased this after the persuasion of the SA and seeing the words “promotional price.” It was and wasn’t in a way. From the store's normal price, yes it was discounted. But on Facebook, they listed these two products' promotional price as a dollar less than what I actually paid for! :O But that’s in the past. I’ll think of it as giving them a little for shipping costs…*sigh* Despite already purchasing skin care from Sasa, I could use those during night and Naruko for the day.


ampm skincare skin wakeup pack & Naruko Raw Job’s Tears Super Critical CO2 Whitening Mask & ampm skincare skin ecological complex

All the freebies that I got from the purchase.
For spending $20 = skin wake-up pack.
For spending $30 = whitening mask. Although the promotion was only 1, they gave us two since they knew that best friend and I combined our orders.
For spending $100 = choose a freebie from a few options. After thinking about it at home, I probably could have optimized my purchase by buying a night gelly instead of either the moisturizing dew or day protector and then for this freebie pick the dew or protector instead. That way I could also try a night gelly and toner and moisturizer! *hits heads*

When you buy multiple skin care products, do you switch your whole regime at once or one at a time?

21 comments:

  1. wow. report back when you try some of the products!

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    1. I'll defintitely try to! I have failed miserably at it so far =.= I'm a terrible blogger...heh

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  2. you did buy A LOOTTTT!!! haha :)

    http://dressmeupbuttercup.tumblr.com

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    1. Once in a while...no harm? Just a smaller wallet! haha But I'm going to put extra effort in to restrain myself better this month :X

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  3. The first thing i saw were the sponges with faces on them. Cute! hahaha this is a pretty big haul ( like last time). I like it. I think I'm going to start to combine my haul posts too. tehehe
    awww your bestie went to HK. I wanna go there and to Korea again. :P She was so nice to buy you goodies. Love shopping for cosmetics in Asia. The packaging is always amazing there.

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    1. If I posted my hauls individually there might be one every few days :X
      I really want to go visit HK and Korea. I haven't been to HK/China in 17 years! I think US should learn a thing or two about package from them hehe

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  4. Whoaaaaa what a big haul! I like!! haha =P I hope you will like the Naruko products as much as I did!! Looking forward for some reviews :)

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    1. I hope so too! I've been eyeing Naruko products ever since fuzkittie raved about them a long time ago. If I hadn't purchase from sasa a week earlier, I probably would have switched my day & night products to Naruko :P

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  5. Ah! Your hauls always make me super envious :P I love all the asian skincare goodies you got! I have a lot to use up but I've been meaning to place a Sasa order for some time :) I usually try to switch out one product at a time because if I totally switch my skincare routine there's a high chance that my skin would be very irritated from all the new products and I wouldn't know which ones were doing good or bad. Can you do an updated skincare routine post? ^^

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    1. Sasa is a beauty junkie's haven for asian products! lol I can't even imagine how I'd feel in one of their stores..
      I'll try to post it soon. Maybe when I start to switch the products up. Hmm, I hope I don't get too excited and switch them all in one go then :X

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  6. Oh god that's like my worst fear!!! It happened to me before but it was because my Internet connection was stupid... =X I'm sorry!

    Hahaha maybe you shouldn't be on a makeup ban =P... whenever I put myself on a ban everything just looks even more tempting -.- and I end up buyging a TON in one setting when I finally gave in hahaa. but that's just me though lol. I gotta say watching youtube videos DOES NOT HELP either. lol!
    Ohh you have to keep us updated about the deordorant! I don't use one cuz I don't sweat that much... but less hair would be nice XD
    Does the kate foundation fit in the canmake foundation case?? =P if it does maybe you should just stick it in there once you're done with canmake XD

    Hahahaha sweating is good! even if it's just from hot baths. I think it mostly gets rid rid of water weight though. But it does help boost metabolism and flush out toxins XD make sure to rehydrate your body after though =P

    You bought so many bath products! I guess I don't care that much about my body (all my $$$ goes to my face XD) I really should give my body more love. lol!

    When I have new skincare products I like to replace stuff one at a time... just so I can really see if it's making a difference :P After I get a solid feel I would switch in other products if that makes sense? =D

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    1. What's there to be sorry about? lol It was terrible..I finished typing this whole post and it was not saved =.=

      Hmm, I think you're right. I think I would probably end up being very tempted as well...Maybe an unofficial no-buy :P

      The kate foundation pan is a little different. If only they all made them the same! *sigh...

      My body is my last priority haha I figured I'd give it a try since I already stocked up on skincare xD

      Thanks for your input! I guess I'll switch it little by little. Whether it's to see if anything doesn't agree with my skin or to see if it works :]

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  7. You hauled so many lovely things! Avoid talking about Lush stuff with me cause I would enable you like crazy. Especially now that you have a bath tub to soak in ;P

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    1. Maybe after I finish the ones that I just got :P I'll know who to go to!

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  8. Whoa...whatta haul!! XD I haven't tried the Genie in a Bottle serums but I like their sheet masks!

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    1. How'd I miss their sheet masks? Wishlist! lol How do they fair against the more popular brands?

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    2. Pretty nice actually. It's up there w/ MBD for me. ;D

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  9. I LOVVE your haul!!!!! :D So much stuff! Naruko is pretty nice. I really like their skincare stuff :)
    Those bath salts... they look very familiar. Have you seen Nic Nic's blog? She loves them! LOL And she's reviewed many of them. I remember seeing angry looking bubbles on the packages :)

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    1. I've just started to use 2 of their products and I like them. Especially the night eye gelly...made my concealer go on much better than normal! :O I've seen the sweating bath salts on Nic Nic's blog before. Now I have to look back to her bath blogs, I don't remember seeing a lot of them :X I'm a little intimated about using them! haha

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  10. Wow, that's so many products! I'm sad that I live so close yet so far away from New York! I'm tempted to make a trip out there just to visit these stores you are speaking of...will you be able to share a list of Asian beauty stores in new york sometime? I'm originally from California and connecticut for school right now, so I'm a stranger to the east coast. There's barely anything "asian" in CT but it'd be so easy for me to visit NY and all of it's glory lol.

    I'm currently using the Genie in a Bottle Hyaluronic Acid serum right now and liking it thus far. =] Will you be doing reviews of the Naruko products? I just found out about Naruko products sometime last week so I'm still relatively new to all their skincare lines.

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  11. Shelly: If I don't manage to put the stores in a post, just e-mail me & I'll tell you of the stores. I haven't tried most of the naruko products yet, but I will definitely share when I get the chance to try them :]

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