June 2011

Nars Dogon Duo Eyeshadow Review and FOTD

June 19, 2011

In the past 3 days I felt I lost my mojo for makeup!! Thank god Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Dogon (along with some other makeup which I will show you tomorrow) arrived at my door on time and immediately resuscitated my lost mojo *phew relieved..*

Dogon fits my usual preference of neutral shades and it’s versatile enough to create a look from natural everyday to the more dramatic. The attraction of this eyeshadow duo has to be the shade on the left – it’s a really complex taupe shade which is unlike anything else I have seen. The Nars website refers to it as a metallic taupe with an icy green sheen, but it appears more complex than its description on me. The shade on the right is true to its description – it looks navy blue with fine green shimmer in the pan but shows up as a matte charcoal black on me.

When swatched on my arm without any base: the taupe shade has a warm undertone to it, looking less grayish and metallic.

On my eyes with an eyeshadow base underneath the taupe shade shows up as a cool toned stone taupe with a grayish sheen.

Here is the overall look of using Dogon for soft smokey eyes.

{ 8 comments }

Labels: FOTD • NARS

Giorgio Armani Intense Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow in 8 Nola Swatch

June 17, 2011

There is no way I can leave the Giorgio Armani counter empty handed. Along with my recent lipstick purchase, I also bought a few GA Intense Eyes To Kill Silk Eyeshadows. Today I want to talk about the shade 08 NOLA which is a beautiful champagne color that really wowed me when I swatched it in real life.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with these shadows, basically they have a hybrid texture of powder and cream. They are extremely pigmented and have a high voltage shimmer. I have previously reviewed the shade 15 NOIGA and 13 NOIFA – they were released as Limited Editions from the Holiday 2010 collection and now they have been re-promoted to the permanent line.

My overall thoughts about the new ones remain the same as these previous two. The only difference I want to mention is that I feel the new shadows are more loosely packed compared to the LE ones – the texture is more of a hybrid between cream and pigment as opposed to powder. Some of the testers at the counter all shattered into pigments..the SA recommended to use the included insert to press firmly onto the shadow to make it stay intact after use each use.

The shade 08 NOLA is a peachy bronzy champagne color in the pan, but shows up as a true champagne color on the skin.

Judging by the picture below, you will know that I am quite obsessed with champagne colors. It is just the most flattering color to highlight the inner corner, and I always prefer to use cream based products because they last longer on the tear duct area than the pencil eyeliners.

CLOCKWISE:

MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow in Beach Honey

Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten

Stila Shadow Pot in Honey

Just to compare these products:

1. Mac Paint Pot is so dry and chalky after a few months of use (as you can see in the picture) so I won’t buy anymore paint pots…

2. Bobbi Brown Beach Honey is a nice base for the eyelids, but not shimmery enough as a highlighter.

3. Stila in Kitten and Honey appears to be the closest dupes, but I prefer GA Nola which has a purple tinge to it.

4. Giorgio Armani is the most pigmented and long lasting shadow out of all these – a little goes a long way and both the color and the sheen stays on for an entire day. So this one is definitely the keeper!

FYI Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow retails for $49 in Australia.

{ 12 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • Giorgio Armani

How damaging are your nail polishes?

June 16, 2011

I have learnt this little trick from an Asian Beauty TV show and I was absolutely astounded so I would like to share it with you all. It’s a really simple and fun test to find out how much acetone your nail polishes contain! We all know too much acetone will make your nails thinner, weaker and more yellow right?!

All you need is a piece of polystyrene foam (also known as packaging foam), get your nail polishes in different brands ready, then place one drop of each on the polystyrene foam… Don’t sneeze, don’t blink your eyes..because you don’t want to miss out what is going to happen. The foam will start to dissolve – the depth of the hole will be a good indication of the level of acetone the polish contains.

So here is my little test, I tested it out with a mix of high-end and drugstore brands, as well as the nail polishes that are formulated with 3 FREE (Formaldehyde, Toluene, Parabens free)that are non toxic. The results are..*drum rolls*….haha I don’t want to say in case the cosmetic companies come and shoot me. I’ll leave it to your girls to test it out! However I do want to mention that my favorite brand Chanel didn’t fail on me, it has the shallowest hole!

So will I stop using nail polishes? Probably not because I love them too much, but I certainly know which brands I will be buying more 🙂

Labels: NAIL POLISH

Blush of the Day – Les Tissages De Chanel in Tweed Pink

June 15, 2011

Chanel Tweed Jacket is one of the most coveted items for me..I hope one day I can cross this item off my ultimate wishlist..one day… For now I am happy with Les Tissages De Chanel in Tweed Pink. It looked so beautiful when it was brand new, a two toned pink in the signature Chanel tweed pattern covered in an overspray of gold shimmers. Sadly the gold shimmer will disappear once it is used.

It contains 2 shades of pink – a light pink and a bubblegum pink, and it translates into a soft neutral pink with a hint of shimmer onto my skin. The pigmentation is quite sheer, typical of Chanel, but can be built up to full color. I tend to reach for this blush when I just want a natural flush of pink with a soft glow on my cheeks – one of those fool proof blushes that is office appropriate.

This blush blends in to the skin beautifully. I am normally only half awake in the morning when I do my makeup. With this blush I can apply it with my eyes closed and it would look like I spent a lot time blending it.

What is your favorite get up and go blush?

{ 19 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipsticks 102 and 105 Swatches

June 14, 2011

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipstick in 102 is my most recent lipstick acquisition. It is a very close dupe of Rouge d’Armani in 105 which is my all time favorite lipstick and unfortunately it was released as limited edition.

In general the Rouge d’Armani lipstick line is fantastic. They have medium coverage, are moisturising, long lasting with a glossy finish – everything you ever want from a lipstick! My lips are really dry lately due to the miserable cold weather here and many lipsticks make my lips look even more dry and flaky. Rouge d’Armani is an exception because it layers on the lips in a silky veil that feels like a lip balm and doesn’t accentuate any dryness.

A closer look at 105 and 102.

Although 105 and 102 look pretty identical in the tubes, when swatched on the skin 105 is more beige whereas 102 has a more pink tone it.

I have previously reviewed 105 but I felt the pictures in my previous review didn’t do its justice. It looked so much better in real life so I’ve decided to take some better swatches of it as I have got a better camera now. It is a beautiful nudish beige with a glossy sheen.

Swatch of Rouge d’Armani in 102, slightly less beige if you pay very close attention to it.

Verdict: Although they are pretty similar my preference still goes towards 105. It just has this transparent sheen that makes my lips look really soft and delicate.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: Giorgio Armani • LIPSTICK

Puppy Eyes Makeup Look FOTD

June 13, 2011

Puppy Eyes Makeup look is the opposite of cat eyes look. It has been the most popular eye makeup in Japan since it was featured in some of the top beauty magazines. A lot of girls are ditching the cat eyes for the puppy eyes look to have a more innocent and cuter appearance. With this kind of makeup, no one will have the heart to say ‘NO’ to you haha

Basically rather than flicking the eyeliner up, I draw the eyeliner following the natural curve of my eyes till the outer corner of the lower lash line, to create a droopy eye look. Then I used a pair of corner lashes to complete the look. The rest of my makeup is kept at minimum – just a sheer wash of color on the cheeks and lips.

Final Look:

The star product of this makeup is the Dolly Wink Corner/ Partial False Eyelash in No 4 – Feminine style. Quite expensive for false eyelashes imo but worth every penny. So easy to wear and both the hair and band are super soft.

Other than the false lashes, everything else used was really simple:

Nars All About Eve Eyeshadow Duo: perfect shades just to add a touch of sheen to the eyelids.

Shu Uemura Partial Eyelash Curler: to curl the middle part of the lashes only. It is important to keep the outer part of the lashes down.

Fairy Drop Volumising Mascara on the lower lashes. The beautiful Jade from Jade Musing did a fantastic review of it, so check it out!

Mac Creme Sheen in Partial Pink on the lips.

Close-up of my eyes:

From the side:

FACE PRODUCTS:

Dior Radiant Base as a highlighting primer on the top of my cheek bones; temples and nose bridge.

Dior Nude Skin Natural Glow Foundation

Canmake Cream Blush in 03 on the cheeks, reviewed here.

More pictures of completed look:

{ 14 comments }

Labels: CANMAKE • DIOR • DOLLYWINK • Eyelash Curler • FALSE LASHES • FOTD • MAC • NARS • Shu Uemura

Diorskin Forever Extreme Fit Foundation Review

June 12, 2011

Diorskin Forever Extreme Fit Foundation was a beautiful mistake for me. I was meant to buy another Dior foundation but accidentally picked this one at the duty free shop. I never heard of this foundation before I had it, so when I read the name “Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup”, I was under the impression that it was going to be a heavy foundation for people who like full coverage.

To my pleasant surprise, it is a really nice foundation. It lives up to its claim – giving you a flawless coverage but the finish is no way as cakey and heavy as I thought it would be. Some general facts

– Contains SPF 15 and PA+: always a bonus to have more SPF!

– It has a patented Nano-stretch Network Technology, which means this foundation does not transfer, is waterproof and lasts even in extreme conditions. The Hydra gel system also helps to regulate moisture.

MY OWN THOUGHTS:

Texture: I would say the texture feels like a hybrid of cream and gel. Doesn’t feel as oily and greasy as a cream foundation but feels richer than a gel texture. As soon as it is applied it melts into the skin and fills up the pores really well. Since the texture is not as watery, it dries up really fast so I have to spread out the foundation as fast as I can, otherwise it can become hard to blend.

Finish: Flawless! Hides most of my imperfections whilst still looking natural. When first applied, it has an airbrushed satin finish which I appreciate but it can be “unnecessary” for a good skin day. What I love about this foundation the most is that it wears better and better as the day goes by. The look becomes more natural and radiant.

Long-Lasting Ability: Probably the best long lasting foundation I have ever used. It doesn’t oxidize on me considering I have quite oily skin. The coverage stays as it is for at least 8 hours of wear – no retouch required.

The only downside I can think of is that it is not as spreadable as a fluid foundation. It is easy to go overboard with this if it is applied with a brush.

My Rating: 9/10

Will I buy it again: YES!

{ 18 comments }

Labels: DIOR • FOUNDATION

NOTD – Chanel Mimosa

June 11, 2011

Chanel Mimosa has brought a ray of ‘warmth’ to the dull weather in Sydney. It is growing on me. I wasn’t sure about this shade at first, but I can see myself rocking yellow nails in summer time.

Overall Thought: I have had Chanel Mimosa for a while but this is the first time I am wearing them out. I was prepared for the worst as most of the reviews I have read were that Chanel Mimosa has the streakiest formulation out of all the Le Vernis. To my surprise it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It was streaky for the first coat, but by the 3rd coat I was able to achieve an even and opaque finish. Unlike Morning Rose, the beautiful golden shimmers showing through the bottle is almost invisible once applied on the nails.

{ 5 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • NAIL POLISH

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