I went for the Astalift makeup workshop this week and enjoyed it. 
For $15, I had dinner at Typhoon Cafe (#04-63) in Plaza Singapura, learnt about the auspicious colors for this year, and received a goodie bag at the end of the session. 
Well worth that $15 fee, I think. So here’s a quick review. First up, I liked that the session was scheduled for 6.30pm to 8.30pm. In fact, I was the first customer to show up. And I think there were some 49 people who had similarly signed up for the event. And since we paid beforehand to book our seats, it meant the company collected $735 from the sale of tickets. This would help offset the $1000+ I think they paid to Typhoon Cafe (saw the printout which had the dinner menu together with the cost, supposedly, for the venue rental and food).
Upon arrival, I was asked if I would like to take a photo with the product display and post it on IG with their official hashtag, so as to get a set of red packets. HUH? It wasn’t enough to post a picture OF the display, but I had to take a picture WITH it. Too much trouble. Sorry. 
(If we were given travel sets or some other premium, maybe…)
Anyway, here’s the display. A little haphazard. Would look nicer with a more CNY theme? Maybe some mandarin oranges or a platter of pineapple tarts? (To emphasize that your lip color stays on even after the feasting?)
As for the food, we had a choice of oyster meesua or san bei chicken (三杯鸡) with rice. I chose the meesua of course, and it kind of blew my mind. Firstly, the oysters are battered and fried and served separately. And there’s black fungus (still with some crunch, instead of being soggy) provided too. And the braised intestines are so good!
Luckily I didn’t order the rice, which I’ll probably not be able to finish. That said, the lady sitting across from me did not finish her meesua! I was rather surprised but didn’t question her. She seemed to have a really terrible cough (but still ordered an icy drink) and I had offered her my Strepsils lozenges for which she was very thankful.
As for the drinks, we had a choice of either apple yoghurt juice or brown sugar soya milk w/red bean. I don’t like red bean in beverages (for buns or mochi, that’s fine but NOT in drinks). And the apple yoghurt drink was, similarly, better than expected. This Typhoon Cafe is pretty good, I’d say.
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As can be expected, I took some notes during the session. I’m just going to copy-and-paste them here so if you don’t mind reading my notes, you can go ahead and see if you’ll learn something, ok? The presenter was a Mr Jason Wong, Astalift’s Regional Trainer who also happens to be a former Bio-med engineer.
There were 2 makeup demos. With the same ‘model’ called Olivia. Because the first makeup look was not removed before the second was done, she had so much color / product on her face at the end, it was just too much for me to look at. (@_@)
Notes:
1934: Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd was established
2007: Astalift
Flarosso codevped by fujifilm japan and makeup experts in italy
japse makeup is nvr cheap. so gd but not enuf makeup artists using cos cheaper alt
spotlighting effect look gd in any lighting
clear-coloring effect easy to apply n blend. no mess
3D effect. diff angles diff colors e.g. on eyes
2020 lucky colors
white peace
blue health (water)
yellow (prestige earth)
orange wealth metal
red luck fire
blue plus yellow green success (wood)
light beige bb cream. brings out features
concealer lighten spots n color correct
(under eye)
*dont use sponge to spread. use ring finger to pile on
loose powder holds makeup a lot better. tho usually not necess after bb cream. use puff to conceal more. otherwise brush
brown 1 and brown 2 brow colors. brow shd be lighter than hair color. otherwise looks fierce. no sharpening needed.
use brush to pick up pigment from pencil and brush on. lighter on the inner corner.
zigzag to pick up color. picks up more and wun cause a dent in ur palette. windscreen wiper mthod.
moss green – sponge applicator – face upwards prevents fallout onto face. impt esp when smoky eye. dun want it all over face
waterproof but can remove with normal cleanser. sweat resistant
metallic brown
coral and pink blush
coral festive cny. 2sec for blush
astalift lip cream to moisturize. always sold out. edible sun protection. asthaxanthin. safe sunblock for ur lips
highlighter whole face.
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Here’s the doorgift or goodie bag, which we had to collect downstairs at Astalift’s store, located across from Sephora:
The stuff inside:
I’m not sure why we were given brochures and stuff all in Japanese. A waste of paper resources though I did put mine in the recycling bin.
And, as you’d probably have guessed, we were offered special prices for purchases that evening. And here are the notes I took:
puma eyebrow. $32. 35% off $20.80
green palette gold palette
$65. $42.25
flarosso lip $46 $29.90
f. luci highlighter (gold/pink) $55 $35.75
blush $55 1-for-1 (beige for contouring)
25% off storewide
across from sephora
35% off makeup brushes bb cream (6hrs after application still moisturizing)
new astalift facials
$180 gets u pwd brush (worth $77) natural goat hair.
brushes hand assembled. every strand of hair handselected n placed
$480 meyer chopper n blender
accelerated skin rejuvenation (face) treatment. cool not hot like laser treatments.
1 free mini service:
scalp msg
eye therapy
cryo-therapy (reduce surface temp of skin)
$138 20min 1 session
$39 for first time cust
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I think the prices are pretty steep, especially for the facial treatments. For a brand that doesn’t really splurge as much on commercials (unlike, say, SK-II), I’m not sure people hear or read enough about the brand to want to fork out, for example, $55 for the blush.
Would be nice to have product testers at each table so we can ‘play’ with the products while the demo is happening. ‘Cos at the end of the session, I just wanted to quickly find their store, grab the goodie bag, and head for the train station. Won’t be keen to speak with the consultants, test some products or even buy anything. You have 2 hours to get me hooked on whatever it is you’re selling, and then I’m out.
Since this is their first workshop in something like 2 years, I believe the next one should be a lot better. 