Ahhh CATRICE. Whenever I am at Guardian I make sure I walk straight to CATRICE first thing as soon as I entered the store to check out what’s new. Sometimes I drove all the way just to check out CATRICE. The eagerness to find their latest new release has been an obsession. Being a CATRICE fan, I thought I knew it all! It is only recently I learnt even more about this favourite brand of mine. Some of you might already know this. To those who don’t, here is What You Didn’t Know About CATRICE Malaysia. Nothing fishy at all, don’t worry

On the new CATRICE Beautyshop at Guardian Mid Valley…

The newly renovated Guardian at Mid Valley also housed the largest CATRICE POS so far. It is called the “Beautyshop” due to it’s size. Beautyshop comes in various sizes. The largest I heard is 2 metres long and we do not have it here in Malaysia yet. The Mid Valley one is close . Besides being the biggest CATRICE POS, it will also be the pioneer in new product releases. Which means all new products is in Guardian Mid Valley now, while every other store will only get it somewhere in June. When in June? That, you have to keep stalking CATRICE like how I did. If you want to look for new products or product availability, I was told Mid Valley is the first place you should look for. Second option is Suria KLCC. Having to been to both, I say Mid Valley is well stocked up.

Side Note: Check out the new eyeshadow palette! Same price as the previous 6-eyeshadow palette of RM26.90, you get a rather big palette with 9-eyeshadow shades. That’s 3 extra eyeshadow pan compared to the previous palette. Currently available in The Essential Nude, The Modern Matt, and the Nude Blossom.

On lack of stocks and empty shelves…

I also took this opportunity to feedback to CATRICE Malaysia that most of their shelves are lack of stock and some are so empty that many of my readers has been asking me if CATRICE is closing down. The answer is NO. CATRICE IS NOT CLOSING DOWN . Many of us misunderstood that the lack of stock issue is because CATRICE has not been doing its job in replenishing their POS. The truth is, stock issue involves both Guardan and CATRICE. This, I have to agree as I was in FMCG before. Let’s take departmental store for example. If departmental store buying department did not place order to the brand involved, the brand couldn’t send the stock over and placed it on the shelves just like that. It has to be the exact protocol of Department Store Buying Department > Brands > Stores. The process could be more complicated. Who knows

On slow new collection arrival…

This one I am sharing based on my personal experience and also by chatting with other beauty brands. Sometimes we see new collection releases from the principal early of the year and we in Malaysia only getting it early next year. Why so? You see, the container of stock takes a few months to arrive our shore. When it does, someone has to get a few samples from the container, apply for licence, testing, get approval etc before the stock can be released to the market. That’s another few more months to a year of process. Some brands’ new products stay in the container during the process, some managed to get it to the warehouse. Not all products are approved. You’d be surprised to know many didn’t see the daylight and stay in the warehouse collecting dust because of approval issue.

On why there was no stock replenish at all…

This one is connected to the point above but I thought I should address this issue separately. Actually some products are replenished and sold off not long after. All this happened without us knowing because by the time we went back, we still see the same out of stock items. This one I can be a testament to it. There are a few occasion I did a few trial and purposely went back to the same store to check the stock availability and sure enough, like magic, the product appeared. It’s just the matter of right timing. That is because CATRICE is still pretty much limited and only available at certain Guardian stores. So people kept going back again and again to check the stock availability, like me. So when they spot it, they buy it off immediately. It all happened right under your nose

That is all from me today on CATRICE update. The most important one to remember is that Guardian Mid Valley housed the largest CATRICE POS so far. This large beautyshop housed all existing and new CATRICE products. That is your first destination if you want to grab new CATRICE products, or second choice would be Suria KLCC. And if you prefer to shop online, Guardian Online Store do have some CATRICE products. Not all but selected

The post What You Didn’t Know About CATRICE Malaysia appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Two weeks ago I wanted to paint my nails after what seems to be forever since I last painted them. I used to be very diligent in making sure I have colors on my nails but over the past few months I just did not have the time. And I was enjoying the bare nails look. However I started to missed my funky accent nail-do and I did not want to use the same ol’ nail polish I had so I went on a stash shopping looking for new nail polishes. As luck was on my side I found a few brand new nail polishes sitting in the drawer. I have three new CATRICE nail polishes but the CATRICE Ultimate Nail Lacquer wow-ed me and I cannot stop using them!

I had these CATRICE Ultimate Nail Lacquer from the brand launch event back in 2015. Now I am smacking my head wondering why the heck I have not used them because IT IS SO FREAKING GOOD! I must admit, I am at the most confuse state every time I am standing in front of CATRICE shelf, especially looking up at their nail polishes. They have so many and you know me, choices and I are not the bestest friend lol. I bought a few before but they were meh. But these ones, these ones blew my mind.

CATRICE said that the formula for Ultimate Nail Lacquer provides professional coverage. I think they meant opaque. It has unique colour brilliance that last longer as well as high-shine results. Checked, checked and CHECKED! Made in Luxembourg, these nail lacquers are free of formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates. Initially I only wanted to use the berry shade – 94 It’s A Very Berry Bash. Oh I forgot to mention that all CATRICE products come with a funky shade name. Then I remembered I do not do single nail shade for all 10 fingers so I whipped out 99 Sweet Macaron Sin as well.

First of all, the applicator. I have really, really tiny nails and I have always been into small applicator. I notice that small round applicator can make the finishing a bit streaky. Flat applicator like the one in Bourjois that I like as well are too big. This flat applicator from CATRICE Ultimate Nail Lacquer is just perfect. Perfect size and fit even for my small nails (and toes too). It does it’s job in three quick swipe. I usually start from the middle, then right and lastly left. The opacity of this nail lacquer is just amazing. It is so high coverage that you can easily get away with a single coat if you do a medium thickness. I like my nails to dry fast so I prefer a thin layer and then reapply another layer so that they last longer.

It dries pretty fast too. And durable as well. I applied on last Friday, load and unload lots of stuff for #IWillBeOkay Trail Hike on Saturday and my nails are still as pretty as freshly applied today. It normally last one and a half week on me, depending how much chores I do.

It has high shine finishing so a top coat is not necessary. But I still apply a top coat not for extra shine but to drag the durability even longer. Sadly my top coat are gone by the 2nd day. Don’t ask me why. It just does not last lol.

As you know, CATRICE is my all time favourite affordable drugstore brand. I have said this so many times and I am going to say it again. The pricing for CATRICE products is just amazingly affordable. And when Guardian is having sale, it is even cheaper! This retails for RM15.90 each. When it goes on sale, it can be as low as RM10 . Sometimes. Don’t quote me

Disclaimer: Product was from brand launch previously. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post This Is What Happened When I Finally Take Out CATRICE Ultimate Nail Lacquer To Good Use appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Now. Everyone know how much I love the brand Catrice, which is only available at Guardian pharmacy. I am constantly on the lookout for their latest products whenever I am at a shopping mall because all their launches are kinda a surprise one. Today the shelf looks like yesterday but the next day boom! Something new . And when Guardian is having 30% OFF on all cosmetics, you go nuts stocking up on all Catrice makeup products.

I get this question a lot – “Fiona, what would you recommend me to try from Catrice?”. Well, if I have to name the must-try products from Catrice, it would be one long list. This is me not trying to confuse those who is new to Catrice. Here is my Top 5 Catrice Products You Should Try. Before I start, you have to forgive me for the lack of photos in this post because I sent my camera to the ER once again right before Chinese New Year. My iPhone 6+ is good enough to take decent photos but the sun has been playing me the day I took these photos. These are the only two photos I like out of the 50 LOL. So I am keeping this post short and sweet, aight!

1. My Holy Grail: Sun Glow Mineral Bronzing Powder

When I attended the official launch of Catrice cosmetics in Malaysia somewhere end of 2015, I went home with a swag bag full with products. Among the many products in the bag is the Sun Glow Mineral Bronzing Powder. I would normally use a bronzer as my contour and to warm up the perimeter of my face. Malaysians are not too fond with contouring or bronzing so getting the right product can be tricky. It is are either too muddy, too brown or too grey. This one gave me the right kind of warmth to the skin and gives a nice contour line. I have used up mine so much that the dome shape on top of the pan was long gone. The packaging has changed slightly, with a gold embossed writing on the packaging and gold rim on the inside.

2. Blush Artist Shading Palette

Catrice has so many blush that are beautiful to look at and goes on beautiful on the cheeks that choosing the one I like is tough! I actually have one that I adore, which I will do a separate review later on but this palette, I highly recommend. When the Blush Artist Shading Palette came out, I went to so many Guardian to find them and at last only found all three palettes at Guardian KLCC. I was lucky that day as Guardian rolled out their weekend sale so I scored each palette for RM16.75 only after 30% discount. Even without discount, each palette is retailing for RM23.90 and that is one heck of an affordable price for a palette of three shades. In each palette you have one matte satin blush, one shimmering blush and one highlighter. The one that surprised me is the highlight shade. It is so beautiful as highlighter. Totally underestimated. If you managed to find them, BUY THEM ALL

3. Matte Mousse Make Up

I still remember my first Catrice haul was on 2015 Chinese New Year eve. That time Catrice was unknown and even the testers are all new. I also remember I was so excited with everything and the one thing any beauty blogger would want to try when it comes to new makeup products is always the foundation. Back in 2015 I still have oily skin. Now I have somewhat dehydrated skin, which means my skin is not so much of an oil slick. Back then I am very much into matte foundation. I still am . So I decided to get this interesting looking foundation in a jar – Matt Mousse Make Up. I whipped out my phone, did a quick Google search and it has lots of positive reviews. I never quite get how to use it properly as it sets to a powder finishing and I am someone who always set my foundation with powder regardless. Now that I have drier skin, I start to appreciate this product more. I love this type of foundation that does not require any setting powder. As the day goes by, the foundation looked even better! Matt Mousse Make Up has gone through a packaging makeover and the shade numbering has changed too. I am on 011 Light Beige previously and now it is renamed to 025 Light Beige. Despite the shade numbering change, the shade remains the same.

4. Limited Edition Contourious Sculpting Powder Palette

This Contourious Sculpting Powder Palette has got me running around town hunting for it. Versatile palette is very much in trend now especially a palette like this that has contour, blush and highlight. It comes in two different palette shade; one a cool tone contour and one a warmer tone contour. I decided to go with a cool tone palette (C01 Pale Perfectionist) as usually this type of contour shade would suit our Asian skin tone better. The cool tone brown will be able to give a more natural looking shading on the cheekbone. This palette is just perfect. The blush is a matte muted pink while the highlight shade gives a subtle but visible highlight. The name is just too funky. Contourious!

5. Highlighting Eyeshadow

Highlighting Eyeshadow is a new addition to the Catrice family. I have been eyeing on this for ages and lucky for me I did not pick up any as it was out of stock at my nearest Guardian store. I managed to find all three shades during the 30% sale but I went with just one that I like the most among the three. 020 Rosefeller Center is the perfect shade for the brow bone and inner corner of the eyes. It is not blind your eyes type of white as Rosefeller Center has a bit of pink tint to it. For RM10.45 I say this is a good deal

There you have it! My Top 5 Catrice Products You Should Try. I will do one every few months for new Catrice recommendations. I have been following Catrice on Instagram for quite some time and their new upcoming product line up would be an interesting one so it only make sense for me to do an updated recommendation every now and then

Did any one of you managed to pick up anything from the recent Guardian cosmetics 30% sale? What did you get? Do follow Catrice Malaysia on Facebook for more updates.

The post Top 5 Catrice Products You Should Try appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

I cannot believe I have not tell you about my absolute favourite setting powder of the whole wide world and it is super affordable too!

I go through setting powder very fast. And I own a lot at the same time, rotating each of it everyday so that I could used them up on faster rate in order to buy new one. Recently I find it very hard for me to use other powder than CATRICE All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder. To be honest, I still cannot find anything that gives me the same finishing and coverage as this CATRICE one.

I like my base product to give me a matte finishing. Everything have to be matte as usually I would be out the whole day so I need to ensure my face stays oil-free for the rest of the day. Of all matte settting / finishing powder I have tried, so far the best is still CATRICE All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder.

The CATRICE All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder is said to be a micro fine powder. As the name suggest, it is a mattifying powder that gives the skin a long-lasting matte smooth complexion. It comes in a five shades but so far I have only spotted 4 shades – 010 Transparent, 015 Natural Beige, 025 Sand Beige, and 030 Warm Beige. I want some coverage so I went for 015 Natural Beige. It turns out to be the perfect match for me, not too light, not too beige, not too pink. Just nice.

The All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder comes in a pressed form. It is VERY densely packed. Even though so, there are still a tiny bit of fallout, which I am not bothered by it. I swirl my brush like crazy on this pressed powder. No matter how hard or how many times I used it, there is still no dent to it. It took me VERY LONG to hit the pan. Talking about value for money, eh?

Now, why I love this powder so much besides the extremely affordable price of RM18.90 (when it goes on sale it’s MR14.17!) is the indescribable finishing it gave me. Let’s talk about the shade. 015 Natural Beige came out nearly transparent on me but it gave my skin just the right hint of shade. I like to swirl my Real Techniques Buffing Brush with this powder onto my face to blend the liquid foundation WITH this powder. Not only it sets my liquid foundation, it gives my skin a tiny bit of coverage and if you are like me that hate sticky face, this powder will remove all the stickiness from the liquid foundation. Some may think it will look too powdery that way but to me it does not look powdery at all. What I like to do sometimes is to take a setting spray like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water to get rid of the powdery look. I do not do this often as I happen to like it to look powdery at the beginning and my face natural sebum will “sort of” blends everything in less than an hour

I have many many photos of me with this powder (in fact all of my photos are with this powder on) but I am going to show you just one from a recent product review I did.

The powder will make your makeup look even better on the skin with the natural face sebum. I would not say my face stays 100% oil-free the whole day but it does keep the oil at bay on every other part of my face except for my stubborn nose. I will only see shine peeking through on my inner cheeks, chin, and forehead after a good 5 hours, more or less. I really do like how the powder blends with my liquid foundation. Other powder either clings onto dry patches on my face or moves when my brush swirl on it. This one? No problem at all!

The only downside I find is the packaging. As much as I like the clear plastic casing, the small plastic part at the back connecting the top and the bottom case together tend to broke with everyday open / close. The plastic seems sturdy but turns out it was not as sturdy as I thought it is. I only wish CATRICE will enforce the plastic part so that it does not broke off like that. It is not cool to bring the powder out when it is broken like that . Other than that, I am a happy girl! I bet you know judging from the stock pile I have. I cannot help it. It is now RM14.17 at Guardian stores

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought the product on my own.

The post CATRICE All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder: My absolute favourite setting powder of the whole wide world appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona