Taiwan makeup purchases - Chanel, Guerlain, Solone and My Beauty Diary

I recently came back from a short yet regenerating trip to Taiwan, where both cultural and foodie intakes reached all-time highs. After only 3 days, I have probably returned five pounds heavier - in makeup AND in weight! 

So, here are pictures of my Taiwan cosmetics weight gain: 

The Chanel box got a little smooshed in my tiny suitcase. I am so glad I packed lightly; I had no idea I would be buying so much! Got to admit, I was tempted to go all out and buy another suitcase for my makeup purchases, baller style. 

Clockwise L-R: Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Chamade, Guerlain Blanc de Perle Meteroties, Armani High Precision Retouch concealer no.3 and Solone Smoody Pencils in Black Caviar and Blue

I have tried the Armani concealer (above) only once before, and was sold immediately. It took a lot of restraint not to buy it at the inflated Chinese import prices! These are an elegant upgrade from my Garnier BB eye roll-ons and Maybelline Age Rewind, and do not cake or crease underneath my eyes. The coverage is also far better, and number 3 is a lovely natural colour on my skin. My dark circles are becoming harder to cover up with 'brightening' shades, so I am very grateful for what Lisa Eldridge would probably describe as a 'meatier' concealer. No pictures, because I favour colour products, haha. 

Speaking of colour, I succumbed to the beauty that is Chamade:

Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Chamade (#67) - aaahhh look at the colour!

The blush itself looks insane when I dot with fingers, but it blends out into the most natural red flush on my cheeks. Since I have acne marks on my cheeks, I actually appreciate the cream blush formula since it allows me to mix concealer on top of the blush, which I then blend out with a sponge for a truly flawless finish. With powder blushes, it's much harder for me to conceal retrospectively and I just end up with a blotchy application where pigmentation still shows through. 

For someone who still suffers from acne scarring and hyper pigmentation, cream blush really allows me to have the finish and coverage that I desire. 

Guerlain Powder Meteorites Perles Illuminating Powder - # 00 Blanc De Perle

I've been using this on good skin days, after spot concealing. I wonder whether it will also look nice as a very very subtle, sparkle-free highlighter in the centre of my face. Hmmmm.

Swatches of all the colour products below:

Two swipes of each in daylight, no flash (L-R: Solone Black Caviar, Blue, Chanel Chamade, Guerlain Meteorites Blanc de Perle)

The Solone Smoody pencils are nicely complex, although not as much as THREE Eye Pencils I am sure. But, they do however wear like iron and remove easily with my cheap Watson's brand oil cleanser. I bought one in caviar black, and the other in blue. I’ve come to realise that my eyes do not suit thick liner, and so it can’t showcase these liners to their potential. On my small eyes and tiny, hooded mobile lid space, there simply is not enough visual ROI.  :D 

Next up, false eyelashes! I purchased several boxes of false eyelashes, some made in Taiwan, some from DUP Japan. The pink set on the left is apparently the 'designated brand' used by Taiwanese popstar Jolin Tsai, and a Taiwanese you tuber whom I follow called Ariel (inset) is also a spokesperson for the brand. 

These all look very, very delicate and extremely well thought-out; there’s lots of nice criss-crossing at the inner corners, and they gently flare out at the end with the volume slowly increasing at the outer edges also. 

My Beauty Diary face masks (L-R: oil-control, soothing)

Lastly, I purchased these face masks are from a cheaper sub-range under My Beauty Diary. The packaging looks closer to Korean brand Too Cool for School than My Beauty Diary’s famous girly packaging. Each box also contains one of their more popular black pearl brightening masks, and I'm quite excited to try them all!