2011

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

Collagen Facial Mask

June 9, 2011

I haven’t talked much about skincare in my blog yet but I am just as crazy about it as I am with makeup. My approach with skincare is the same as makeup – I like to try out as many brands as possible and I am always eager to try the latest products. This post was inspired by BBB’s recent post on collagen facial masks (who btw is one of my favorite beauty bloggers). She introduced to her readers this very interesting type of mask, and I would like to share my experiences with them as well since I have been using them on and off for quite a few years, although not the same brand.

So what are they and what’s so special about these mask?

They are a plant-based collagen mask and they have been available in Asia for the past few years. Collagen is one of the most popular skincare ingredients in Asia – any skincare with the magic word of ‘Collagen’ always sells well. These masks normally have a very high concentration of collagen – apparently the collagen is blended into the face sheet which has a jelly like texture and is in the shape of human’s face (looks scary).

This first one I want to review is by an Asian Brand called:

Q10 Collagen Mask: Made in Korea

Quantity: One pack comes with 5 individually sealed masks (see pic above).

Price: $40 USD per pack

I bought this one because I was told this was the best selling mask at that time. It contains both collagen and Q10 (another amazing ingredient for the skin!). This mask claims to moisturize, firm and brighten your face. My overall thought about this mask is that it might not be the most moisturizing mask I have ever tried, but it is the best for its brightening (anti dull) or whitening effect. It is my holy grail mask if I feel like brightening up my complexion. In terms of anti-aging…it’s really hard to measure! On the back of the box it suggests that you to ‘recycle’ this mask by soaking it in hot water for 20 minutes after it is worn. This mask turns into collagen cream and can be used as a body lotion.

Collagen Mask 2:

Deluxe Nano Plantinum White Concentrate Face Crystal Mask: Made in Switzerland

Quantity: 5 individually sealed masks

Price: $65 USD per pack

This mask has a fascinating name so is the product itself. It contains 99% pure Platinum Powder (wow..I thought my Guerlain gold was a luxury) and the nano Platinum particle is only 1/2000 the size of our pore allowing it to easily penetrate into the dermis. Other than the key ingredient of Platinum Powder, it also contains Q10, y-PGA (for hydration) and Fibroin. The major function of this mask is to replenish collagen into your skin; repair skin cells and help brightening/whitening.

Each individually sealed mask.

Now it is the Most Spooky part, be prepared! I am wearing this mask!

It fits my face well but not a perfect fit. The jelly like texture allows the mask to adhere to my skin seemlessly. This mask is the same as the first mask – it gradually dissolves with body temperature and so it will decrease in thickness during use.

After 20 minutes of wear, my entire face is covered by the Platinum powder. I have to rinse it off and voila – a new me with crystal clear skin lasting for a few days.

{ 5 comments }

Labels: MASK

BECCA Makeup Brushes Review

June 8, 2011

I have been visiting the Becca counter quite regularly these days.. other than their makeup display, Becca brushes have also caught my attention. Not only are they so nicely displayed in the window, there are also a few unique brushes which I have not seen from other brands. These brushes scream my name because I am all about collecting all sorts of different makeup brushes.

BECCA Foundation Brush 58

Let’s start with the foundation brush… I featured this in my recent foundation brushes overview post. I really didn’t need another foundation brush but I caved in as this one looked so promising. It is made of tapered 3 tone Taklon fibers. The bristles are densely packed and soft – it doesn’t make the foundation go on streaky. They key attraction is the bullet like tip, which allows a very precise application around the hard to reach areas such as the side of the nose and lips and under eyes. In terms of finish, this brush tends to give a more sheer finish compared to foundation brushes in other shapes, hence it works the best with foundations with a creamy texture.

This brush is quite multipurpose in my opinion – good for those people who don’t like to own too many brushes. It can also be used to apply concealer, cream based blushes and highlighters. To give you a better idea of the size of the bristles, here is a side by side shot of Becca with MAC.

BECCA Extra Small Polishing Brush

Hair Type: A blend of both natural goat hair and synthetic fibers

This is my favorite brush out of the three. It is a tiny stippling brush. It is again another multipurpose brush – you can use it to blend eyeshadows as well as applying liquid and cream products. I use this one to apply concealer for the under eye areas – it is perfect. Previously I liked MAC 244, but this one outperforms MAC. It buffs even the driest concealer right into your skin and polishes, creating an airbrushed finish. It is probably the best brush to apply liquid highlighters since it buffs the product in so it gives a ‘glow within’ look. It is small enough for me to apply highlighter more precisely, such as on the bridge of the nose and temples.

As you can see, it is a baby version of MAC 188, about the same size as MAC 224.

BECCA Powder and Bronzer Brush 16

Hair Type: made of 100% Raccoon Hair with natural ending

This is the biggest brush in my entire collection. I always wanted an ultra big brush – with this fluffy brush it literally takes no effort to apply bronzers or powders. Two to three swipes would cover your entire face and give an effortlessly sheer sun-kissed look. I am quite a snob when it comes to brushes, so not a fan of brushes made of synthetic fibers. Most of my brushes are made of goat or squirrel hair – this is my first raccoon hair brush. Although the hair itself is thicker than squirrel hair, when you actually apply it to the face gently, it feels just as soft as squirrel hairs. I have read a mix of positive and negative reviews of this brush on MUA with some saying this brush is too coarse. I swear my one is super soft..maybe I just got a good batch.

Size comparison

Thanks for your patience to read through this long post! There are some general facts about Becca brushes which you may want to know from their site:

– All Becca brushes are individually hand crafted.

– The ferrule is drawn from annealed brass and then nickel plated to a satin finish.

– A wooden handle is used to ensure optimal weight of the brush

– Becca takes great care to ensure that no animals are harmed in producing their brushes.(very important to me 🙂 )

{ 11 comments }

Labels: BECCA • BRUSHES

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner – Rose Platine

June 7, 2011

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Rose Platine has been featured in many beauty blogs so far. It is definitely one of the must have items from the Chanel Summer 2011 Collection. A taupe eyeliner is just hard to come by – not many brands have a taupe eyeliner in their permanent collections. I am a big fan of this color so I bought this one without even checking out the tester.

Now you have seen the closeups and the swatch, here is my thought after using it for about a week.

Texture: It is not eye khol hence don’t expect this liner to be as buttery soft as your eye khol pencils. Nor it is hard. To get a decent color payoff as shown in the swatch above I need to swipe it 2 to 3 times.

Lasting power: Amazing in this department. It literally lasts on me for the whole day considering I have quite oily eyelids.

Usage: I won’t use this eyeliner to define my upper lash line. It just won’t do anything for my eyes – the shimmery silver taupe will make my eyes look more puffy than more awake. I need a liquid eyeliner for that.. On the other hand, I like to use it along my lower lash line as a highlighter – a good alternative for the usual white eyeliners. It creates a soft shimmery effect without looking too harsh. I used this eyeliner in the FOTD I did yesterday. Here is a close up shot of my eyes:

The only drawback is that it looks more silvery rather than taupey when it is applied against my dark brown eyes. The brown eyeshadow shades I used as well as my eye color bring out more of the silver tone – which is quite a disappointment to me.

I went through my stash and couldn’t find a close dupe of it. But I have found some of my favorite liners that serve the same purpose (but not the same color) as the Chanel, for a soft shimmery effect on the lower lash line.

From Left to Right

Korres Soft Eyeliner in 6S: yellow gold

Guerlain Crayon in Cupidon – My second top pick: a pinkish champagne

MAC Eye Kohl in I Get No Kick – My top pick: a champagne beige

Chanel Rose Platine