BOBBI BROWN

Here is a roundup of my all time favourite skincare products! I have a huge passion for skincare and instead of reviewing individual productS, I really like recommending the best ones out of the thousands I have used!

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Best Treatment LotionJurlique Activating Water Essence (bought here in Australia). For the best all-purpose essence lotion, it is a tie with the SKII Treatment Essence (reviewed here).  Since I’ve been using SKII for years, and the Jurlique is my new discovery from last year so it deserves to be crowned. It’s a water-essence lotion that hydrates and plumps up the skin immediately and preps the skin for better absorption of other skincare products. The perk of this lotion is that it has no alcohol and feels gentle and invigorating to the skin. The scent is amazing and it makes you feel instantly soothed and relaxed. One of my favorite products from Jurlique! jurlique-activating-water-essence-review

 

Best ExfoliatorBobbi Brown Buffing Grains for Face. I really like this simple grain exfoliator, and it looks very pretty in the glass jar. A little goes a long way, and you just need to mix it with your other cleansers (preferably lotion/cream based). There is nothing fancy about the ingredients of this product, but the finely milled blend of grains does an amazing exfoliation job and gives the most satisfying baby-smooth skin afterwards compared to other exfoliators I have used.

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Best skin regeneration/repair serumLa Mer The Concentrate (available here in Australia). Best of the best for skin healing, improving the appearance of skin scarring, regeneration and anti-aging. We all know the healing power of La Mer’s iconic ingredient The Miracle Broth, and this bottle has the highest concentration. I love it so much so that I splurge on the large bottle – it is expensive but worth the money. A detailed review is here.

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Best anti-aging serum/oil111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil. If you haven’t heard of the brand, it’s developed by a leading cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides in UK who has an array of famous celeb clients. This product is extremely powerful and potent, as it contains a maximum strength of  1% pure retinol as an over-the-counter product. It is formulated with black diamond particles and the oil is moisturizing yet delivers powerful anti-aging and resurfacing benefits at the same time. It feels gentle upon application, but I think it is quite strong for daily use. I only use it 3 times a week, and over a short period of time I have noticed my skin texture appearing noticeably smoother and refined. To achieve the best results the brand suggests pairing the retinol oil with their best selling Y Theorem Repair Serum NAC Y2.

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Best day/night moisturizerLa Mer The Moisturizing Soft Lotion (bought here in Australia). Absolutely the best moisturizer I have ever used. I loved the La Mer’s cream to bits, but this lotion is wayyy better for absorption whilst delivering the same result as the original cream. The milky consistency feels ultra-luxurious on the skin and it instantly absorbs into the skin leaving the skin incredibly supple, smooth and moisturized. The consistency is perfection as it feels just right all year around– doesn’t feel too heavy in summer and it works well in winter.  I use loads of exfoliation products such as peel, scrub, AHA, Retinol etc and there is something about this lotion that just instantly calms my skin down. Really can’t gush enough about this lotion!

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Best Brightening EssenceHaku Melanofocus 3D. I like this brightening and whitening essence as much as the SKII Genoptics Aura Essence (reviewed here). Both of them deliver brightening results over time, helps to fade acne scars and gives a well-rested radiant glow to the complexion overnight. I thought I’d introduce this product in my post as it is much cheaper than SKII, and feels more moisturizing.

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Best Face Lifting LotionSisley Double Tenseur Instant & Long-Term Gel (bought here). Detailed reviewed here. I have gushed about this miracle gel over and over on my blog. It gives an instant face lifting effect that noticeably reduces the appearances of nasolabial folds and gives a better v shape to the face. It hydrates and sits beautifully on the skin as a makeup primer. I am up to my third bottle now!

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Best Sunscreen – ANESSA Whitening UV Protector SPF50 PA++++. Ultra lightweight with the highest sun protection. It feels like a light-weight moisturizing lotion that instantly absorbs, feels silky smooth and instantly makes the skin feel more soft and supple. If you are familiar with the Japanese sunscreen, you should know that Anessa’s gold bottle is the best seller but the consistency still feels a tad greasy and powdery in my opinion (so I use it on my body only), whereas the white bottle has the perfect formula for the face that doesn’t make you feel like you are wearing sunscreen at all.

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Hoping everyone had a good weekend. I happened to have some spare time, so I took the opportunity and made a tutorial. I have always been asked by my readers to post more tutorials on the blog, so today I wanted to share my current favorite way of wearing the brown lips. I adore the brown lip color which is trending everywhere now, but if you find that the color is too retro and grown-up for you, then I think mixing it with a soft peach color makes it more pretty and youthful.

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Products Used:

  1. MAC Naked Liner / 2. Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Salmon / 3. Kat Von D Lolita (reviewed here) / 4. Hakuhodo Lip Brush (my HG!)

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Step by Step Guide

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I have recently re-organized my makeup bag before my trip to Sweden, so I thought I’ll do a ‘what’s in my bag’ post. The makeup pouch is from Louis Vuitton 2015 Summer Collection limited edition. I really like the bright pink V graphic on it and its matching hot pink interior – it is very on trend and adds a playful touch to a rather classic style! The size is also quite compact, and I like the round shape (rather than a flat pouch) so it’s great for holding lots of makeup!

louis-vuitton-lv-cosmetic-pouch-monogram-v-summer-2015-makeup-bagClockwise:

1. Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette – reviewed here

2. Bobbi Brown Cheek Palette Pink – reviewed here

3. Suqqu Cheek Brush – The greatest investment you can make for a brush! I have been using it everyday for the past 3 years and it is still in perfect condition (reviewed here)

4. Chantecaille Corrector Concealing Pen – reviewed here

5. Beauty Bar 24k Gold – Highly recommend! I use this face massage tool whenever I can for an instant lifted contour (reviewed here).

6. Dior Rainbow Powder – I use it as a setting powder with a kabuki brush for a soft glow with a brightening effect (reviewed here).

7. BBrowBar Brow Pen – Best brow pen I have ever used (reviewed here)!

8. Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Pencil in Eye Cheat – Can’t live without this pencil now. I use it on the lower waterline and it instantly makes my eyes appear more awakened and bigger (reviewed here)

9. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Marron Glace –  A lovely rusty brown color I like to use on the along the lower lash line.

10. Chanel Le Volume Mascara – This mascara gives the most feathery fanned out lashes.

11. Dior Addict It Line– Review coming soon. Absolutely addicted to this liner!

12. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Roussy – reviewed here

The interior

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I have been eyeing some Bobbi Brown blushes for as long as I can remember – there are some really beautiful pink shades in their individual blush range. And I am glad I waited that long as Bobbi Brown has recently released a limited edition Cheek Palette in Pink from the Hot Collection that contains all the pink blush shades I have been longing for! Of course I had to get this palette (as it’s a lot cheaper than acquiring the blushes individually), as well as the matching lip Art Stick in Hot Pink.

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The Cheek Palette is housed in a classic Bobbi Brown black glossy case. I was told by the SA that this case was all hand made so I have to handle it with care. I examined the case inside-out and up-side down, and I really couldn’t tell the difference between this case and the other Bobbi Brown non hand made case. The palette contains 3 variations of pink shades in different finishes, which is what I love about buying a palette as I love layering for different looks.

Shade Description (from left to right):

Pale Pink – A blue based bright pink in matte finish. It is non powdery, has a matte finish and is easy to apply and blend.

Pink – A pale pearly pink shimmer with a hint of golden peachy sheen. It can be used alone as a highlighter or layer it over the blush for a subtle glow.

Powder Pink – A neutral baby pink in matte finish. I absolutely adore this shade as it looks so soft and pretty alone , or can be layered with Pale Pink to add some dimension for a more fresh look.

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The Bobbi Brown Art Stick is a hybrid between lipstick and lip liner that comes with a sharpener. It has a creamy crayon-like texture that is blendable, and doesn’t feel heavy to be used over the entire lips. It is not as moisturizing as the good lipsticks, but it’s not drying my lips out either. It applies quite creamy and sets to a semi-matte finish. The pigment is very intense so a little goes a long way, and it lasts a good 6-8 hours on me.

bobbi-brown-art-stick-hot-pink-hot-collection-review-swatch-1The Art Stick in Hot Pink is an ultra saturated neon bright pink.  It may not be the shade for everyone, but as for me I love how it looks against my complexion as it just instantly brightens it up and makes me appear more energized. Since it’s so bright and long lasting, I also love the fact that it fades into a softer pink throughout the day.

bobbi-brown-art-stick-hot-pink-hot-collection-review-swatch-2Group Swatch

From left to right: Pale Pink, Pink Highlighter, Powder Pink, Art Stick Hot Pink

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FOTD wearing all 3 blush shades layered together, and Hot Pink on my lips.

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bobbi-brown-cheek-palette-pink-hot-collection-art-stick-hot-pink-review-swatch-fotd-2I bought mine at David Jones, and the Bobbi Brown Hot Collection is also available at Nordstrom in the US.

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November Favorites

November 30, 2014

Just in time to post my favorite products for the month of November!

frontrowbeauty-november-favorite-products-1Clockwise:

Diptyque Mimosa Candle – I love the smell of Mimosa, and when this fresh and enchanting scent is packed into a candle by the magic hands of Diptyque it’s a must have for me! I have used this one for the home all year round.

YSL Le Tient Touche Eclat Illuminating Powder Foundation (Asia exclusive, also available in Australia) – Currently obsessed with this one. I can’t stop looking at my complexion when I dust this one on top of the foundation – it makes skin look incredibly radiant and air-brushed but so natural with a decent coverage.

YSL Touche Eclat  Foundation –  I thought the performance of this foundation was on the average side for me (reviewed here), however when it’s used in conjunction with the Touche Eclat Powder I am more than amazed! It is currently 20% off at YSLBeauty Online.

Gucci Cat Eye Sunglasses (Take up to 25% off use code GOBIG)– Love the subtle cat eye shape and it is extremely lightweight so I can wear this for the whole day without leaving marks along my nose bridge!

TATCHA Deep Hydrating Lifting Mask – A luxurious paper mask that guarantees to make your skin appear more plumped and glowy.

Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle – Reviewed here.

BEATS Mixr White – I cannot workout without music. So I rely on my BEATS Headphone to help me get through the sessions as I am hitting the gym more often now to get myself in shape before the holiday starts!

Ipsa Premier Line Cleansing Creamy Paste – A gentle creamy and refreshing cleanser that I use in the morning. The texture reminds me of Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser, but 100 times more luxurious overall.

Bobbi Brown Smokey Nudes Eye Shadow Palette – My workhorse lately (reviewed here).

Nars Audacious Lipsticks – I reviewed Natalie here, and went back and bought the shade Grace as I just love this new formulation. They are currently 20% off at NarsCosmeticsOnline.

 

 

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Beauty Wishlist

July 27, 2014

My current beauty wishlist include some neutral eye shadow palettes, a foundation and some fragrances which are the 3 main things I am obsessed with lately. The most exciting product has to be the new Tom Ford’s Traceless Perfecting Foundation that has just been released – I haven’t bought any Tom Ford’s foundations yet because I was eagerly awaiting for this one! My second must purchase item is the Bottega Veneta Essence Aromatica as my all time favorite fragrance is the Bottega Veneta Eau De Parfume, and this lighter and fresher version of it sounds alluring!
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Bobbi Brown is the queen of neutrals, and I love her eye shadow palette if the colors are done right for me. My last palette from BB was from 2 years ago, and finally she released this Nectar and Nude Eye Palette from her recent Nudes in Bloom Collection that captured my heart again. It retails for $95 in Australia (I bought here) which is double the price than in the States, and I made sure I absolutely wanted it so I dropped by the counter 3 times to swatch the colors!

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The palette contains 4 matte and 2 shimmery/sparkly eye shadows, with the latter two being the standout for me. They are very smooth to apply and blend, and complement any matte neutral shades for a multi-dimensional look. They bring the matte shades to life, and in my opinion without these two this would be quite a boring palette!
Pale Cream (new shade and matte) – exactly the same color as my skin so it doesn’t show on my skin in the swatch below. It’s excellent for using it as a base color.
Soft Buff (new shade and matte) – matte taupe with mauve undertone. It’s relatively smooth for a matte shade and easy to blend.
Golden Bronze (new shade and metalic) – shimmery pale golden bronze. It’s the most buttery soft and smooth shade out of the palette. Stunning!
Pink Bellini (new shade and sparkly) – very smooth with pink micro glitter for a fine sparkle
Earth (new shade and matte) – a true medium brown shade which would be the most used color out of this palette for me.
Rich Cavair (new shade and matte) – goes on dark chocolate brown. Not as pigmented as the other shade, and it is dry and not easy for blending.

bobbi-brown-nectar-nude-eye-palette-review-swatch2Here is a tutorial of how I would use this palette for a natural eye makeup.

bobbi-brown-nectar-nude-eye-palette-review-swatch-2bobbi-brown-nectar-nude-eye-palette-review-swatch-tutorial-3Brushes used in this tutorial include CHIKUHODO Z5; Edward Bess Luxury Eye Brush; Suqqu brush Medium, Suqqu brush F, Laura Mercier Smoky Eye Liner Brush , Laura Mercier Smudge Brush

Overall this is a classic neutral and very versatile eye palette and will be a staple in my makeup rotation. My next Bobbi Brown will definitely be this new stunning palette!

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Bobbi Brown’s skincare products are just as divine as their makeup line. Though it is primarily a makeup brand, the skincare products I have used are just far more superior than some other major big brands. A case in point is the Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base that remains as their best seller for many years..

Bobbi-Brown's-Vitamin-Enriched-Face-Base-review-2This is a double duty product – it can be used as a moisturizer or makeup primer. I bought it for the purpose of using it as a makeup base. The minute I took it out from the box, I was drawn to its simple and sleek glass jar design, and its signature luxurious citrus scent. The texture is creamy but silky and lightweight, and it glides on skin soft and smooth like cashmere. It gives the skin an instant boost of moisture with a radiant glow, so it gives the appearance of more plumped skin.  This is a product for people with normal to dry skin, or anyone who wants to achieve a natural glowy complexion for a photo shoot. It makes the skin slightly emollient (but doesn’t feel like a film) with plenty of slip, so it allows the foundation and other base product to adhere to the skin much better as well as for ease of blending. The only drawback would be it makes my T-zone slightly oily after 5-6 hours of wear (which is fine with me as at this old age I appreciate any natural oil on my face!), so this will not be the right product for anyone with oily skin or living in humid/hot weather condition for daily use.

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I personally do not like any primer that feels siliconey with a matte finish. My skin is dry, so I need a good moisturizer-like primer that is packed with nurturing ingredients that makes my complexion more smooth and dry patches free for subsequent makeup application. The Bobbi Brown is a savior for people with normal to dry skin as it turns any foundation into dream-like application for a radiant finish. It’s a just a classic product to have in your makeup kit.

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I have used quite a few BB skincare products and I absolutely love them all – here are the backups of some of my favorite Bobbi Brown products!

Intensive Skin Supplement; Buffing Grains; Hydrating Gel Cream; Vitamin Enriched Face Base. I have also reviewed the luxurious Extra Rinse Balm here.

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