Front Row Beauty

Chanel Le Rouge Lip Crayon De Couleur Review and Swatch – 02 Rose Violine and 04 Rouge Corail

January 24, 2017

The latest Chanel Le Rouge Lip Crayon De Couleur is amazing (also available on Chanel online). They have possibly the best formulas for lip crayons I have ever used, and I picked up two colors – 02 Rose Violine and 04 Rouge Corail that I fell in love with straight away. In total, Chanel has released 11 new colors, and although I only narrowed down to two colors (sticking to my makeup-shopping rule that I will only buy what I absolutely love), I strongly feel I need more backups of them!

The packaging of the Lip Crayon inherits the classic Chanel packaging in a twistable pen style that you can touch up on the go. The formula is flawless – it glides on like silk (not chalky at all) with a balmy-like texture, and it feels completely weightless on the lips and is super hydrating. The pigmentation is on the extreme intense side, as one gentle swipe is opaque enough and can be blended with your fingertip or a lip brush to cover the entire lips for a stain/gradient look (my preferred application). For a bolder finish, you can apply the color all over the lips. It has a nice slip for blending, but it doesn’t feather, and you can still get a precise control for lining the lips. Best of all, unlike other hydrating lip formulas, this crayon has an incredible staying power that is on par with a liquid lipstick. It lasts about 4-5 hour on me even with having drinks and food in between!

For the finish, it gives a medium gloss finish on a fresh application, and over time it settles down to stain like finish with a semi-satiny shine. Can’t rave enough about them and highly recommend it to everyone!

02 Rose Violine is a soft MLBB with a rosy tone, and it would look flattering on anyone!

04 Rouge Corail is a pretty bright true coral color. It instantly brightens up the complexion and can be toned down to create a softer just-bitten stain look.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • LIPSTICK

Chanel Camelia De Chanel Illuminating Powder Review and Comparison Swatch

January 9, 2017

If there is one makeup item that I consistently collect, it has to be the Chanel Highlighter! Most recently, Chanel has done it again with another elegant piece Camelia De Chanel Illuminating Powder that is both aesthetically pleasing and flattering to use as an everyday product that adds a soft glow. The highlighter is exclusive to the Chanel online and the makeup boutique stores.

This highlighter is embossed with Chanel’s iconic symbol – the camellia, presented in a special edition red Les Beige case. The quality of this highlighter is on par with the previous releases. It has a creamy and velvety texture, and the powder is extremely finely milled to give a second-skin effect that blends in seamlessly. The best thing with the highlighter is that it has a neutral champagne color that would look flattering on most complexions, and you can also use it as eyeshadow base color. It’s neither too warm nor too silvery, and it blends in perfectly with my complexion without adding much color to it. It gives a silky satin finish, with a gentle sweep across the high points of the face, it reflects the light softly and adds a luminous glow with a hint of dewiness that is just beautiful but not too overly done.

Swatch

Here is a comparison with some of my other favorite highlighters. Clockwise Camelia-de-Chanel; Dior Diorskin Nude Air Highlighter 001 (reviewed here); Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop (reviewed here); Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Highlighter Fair (reviewed here); Tom Ford Illuminating Duo Moonlight (reviewed here)

{ 8 comments }

Labels: BECCA • CHANEL • Charlotte Tilbury • DIOR • HIGHLIGHTER • Tom Ford

Eyeko Review – Liquid Eyeliner, Mascaras and Brow Gel

January 5, 2017

Eyeko is a brand that has been on my radar for a very long time, and I was so happy that I was sent the exclusive Eyeko David Downton Set. It contains a liquid eyeliner, mascara, and a brow gel. After trying out the eyeliner and the mascara, I was hooked and totally got the hype of their products and bought the Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara myself.

The set comes with a chic cosmetic bag from renowned illustrator David Downton which I really like, and I find it very practical and will make good use of it. It is made of a waterproof nylon-like material, and it is very well made and spacious so you can stuff a lot of products in which is perfect for travel! The pack contains three products that can also be purchased individually.

– Eyeko Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner: Possibly one of the best blackest and smooth liquid eyeliner in a smudge-proof formula I’ve ever used. It even beats the Japanese brands because it is even slightly darker, and the skinny tip gives a super precise application with one stroke. Best of all, it is black, but the formula is ink-like (rather than gel-like). So it stays put and doesn’t come off when you curl the lashes which is a problem with many liquid and gel eyeliners that I have used.

– David Downton Mascara for Eyeko (Limited Edition): A great mascara. I love the curved and skinny brush with a tapered head. It catches every single lash and easy to get to the bottom of the lashes for a built-in-liner look. It’s also easy to use on the lower lashes without getting the product onto the skin. It gives perfect definition and separation to the lashes. It is not one of those ultra-thick mascaras, but I love how it makes the lashes look so fluttery and soft but still adds volume and length. It stays put and doesn’t budge throughout the day.

– Eyeko Brow Gel Clear (tinted version here): I don’t usually use clear brow gel (not for my sparse brows), but if you do, this is quite a nice brow gel to use with a chubby brush, and it applies the product evenly.

Also, I bought the Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara to try which has won the Allure Beauty Award. It is specially designed for wearing when you exercise, and the formula is ultra smudge and water proof (but still easy to remove) that stays put all day. It comes in a squeezy tube that I love! The brush is round and curved, and the formula contains lots of small fibers for lengthening the lashes. It adds natural volume and holds the curl all day.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: BROW • EYEKO • EYELINER • MASCARA

LANCOME La Palettes Des Reves Eyeshadow Palette and Le Dual Kohl Pencil Eyeliner Brun Glace Review and Swatch

January 3, 2017

I haven’t bought any makeup from Lancôme for a very long time(except for their mascaras), and from the past Paris En Rose holiday collection, there were several items released that I just couldn’t let go. I pursued the Lancome La Palettes Des Reves Eyeshadow Palette very hard as it was sold out at most stores, but you can still get it here and will be restocked here soon! The collection is stunning, and I also picked up the Le Duo Kohl Pencil Eyeliner which is also an essential everyday product for me.

I am absolutely besotted with this eye shadow palette, and I can honestly look at these beautiful colours non-stop. Despite its festive packaging, the actual product and the mix of lovely neutral colours is what I would go for all year around, and makes it a perfect palette for everyday use. The quality of all the eye shadows is also amazing. All shades are buttery soft, silky smooth and non-powdery, so there is no fallout during application. The palette has one matte colour, and the rest is in shimmer that is not over-the-top but still adds a wash of satin sheen to the eyes. Colour payoff and finish varies (see color description), and takes about 1 to 2 swipes to show the true colors on the eyes with a primer underneath.

Swatch and Color Description

Top Left: A matte vanilla

Top Middle: A high shimmer peach color with a hint of foil finish

Top Right: A soft shimmer taupe

Bottom Left: Shimmery silver white (slightly sparkly at some angles)

Bottom Middle: Shimmery Rosy Pink (slightly sparkly at some angles)

Bottom Right: Semi-matte charcoal black

The Le Dual Kohl Dual End Eye Pencil in Brun Glace is a product that I’ve been searching for a very long time. Since I only wear shimmery champagne and soft bronze colours along the lower lash lines, and having two of my all-time favourite colours in one pencil is a must have product for me. I adored it so much so I even acquired a back-up of it – one on my vanity, and one in my makeup bag. The formula is intense, creamy and applies silky smooth without tugging the skin.

{ 3 comments }

Labels: EYELINER • EYESHADOW • LANCOME • PENCIL EYELINER

Charlotte Tilbury Film Noir Nights Makeup Kit Review – Matte Revolution Lipstick Opium Noir and Eyeliner Bedroom Black

December 22, 2016

The Charlotte Tilbury Film Noir Nights Makeup Kit is taking festive makeup to another level. Every holiday season we have seen all the brands offer pretty gift sets to attract more customers, but I have never seen such a beautiful and unique gift box with vintage Hollywood glamor. The set includes Charlotte Tilbury’s best-seller Rock N Kohl eyeliner in Bedroom Black and her latest LE matte revolution lipstick Opium Noir. Just for the lipstick which is exclusive to this set and the box (which I will keep), it is worthwhile getting the set in my opinion.

The presentation of the box is inspired by the vintage vanity mirror. The box lights up upon opening, with 6 mini lights around the mirror. The mirror is also decent sized which is enough to show the whole face, and with the bright light, it makes it such a pro makeup mirror that gives you a very clear view of your makeup even in the dark!

The matte revolution lipstick from CT is one of my favorite matte formulas amongst all the brands. It glides on silky smooth, even and mostly importantly non-drying. It gives a matte finish with a hint of sheen. The color Opium Noir (LE) from this set is blowing me away. I thought it would look too vampy on me when I saw it from the tube, but once it’s applied, it translates to the most flattering vampy red with an edge. The beauty of this color is that it makes a statement but it is also flattering and wearable. I am completely obsessed with this color!

The Rock N Kohl Eyeliner in Bedroom Black is a jet black eye liner that glides on silky smooth, creamy and doesn’t tug the delicate skin. The texture is creamy enough for smudging for creating smokey eyes, and once it’s set, the color stays put all day without smudging. It is also super pigmented so one swipe gives a clean and sharp line. Overall I can’t stop gushing about the formula of this eyeliner, and I do wish they have it in more brown and coppery colors!

{ 4 comments }

Labels: Charlotte Tilbury • EYELINER • Holiday 2016 Collection • LIPSTICK

The New Black

December 20, 2016

I love wearing all black – with updated details and silhouette so it does not look like the average black. Bought this new cute black ruffle top by Cynthia Rowley recently, love the ruffle details as well as the brushed suede finish. It looks so luxe and unique in real life. Also loving this black SJYP pants with side gold buttons at the bottom in a classic straight leg finish (similar pair here by Tibi). It is so chic and is also great for work!

Top – Cynthia Rowley

Pants – SJYP

Shoes – Gucci

Sunglasses – Victoria Beckham

Bag – Hermes Constance

Hair Clip – Alexandre de Paris

{ 2 comments }

Labels: ACCESSORY • BAG • Fashion • HERMES • OOTD • SJYP • SUNGLASSES • VICTORIA BECKHAM

Cle De Peau Beaute Essential Correcting Refiner Review

December 17, 2016

Cle De Peau Beaute is one ultra-prestige skincare line that I am always curious about. Unfortunately, Cle De Peau is not available in Australia, and buying them online from overseas is also not an easy job. After hearing lots and lots of raves on one of their star products – the Essential Correcting Refiner (also available here), I finally managed to get my hands on it a while ago, and I love it to bits as a gentle clarifying toner for re-texturizing and pore refining my combo skin.

It is specifically formulated for treating the pores and skin congestion (black and white heads). It can be used on all skin types (except for very dry), and the philosophy is to balance the water and oil level of your skin to keep the pores clean and clear for a refined complexion. I know many of us suffer from combo skin (oily and dry at the same time), and this little purple bottle of water may be your perfect solution to treat two skin issues at the same time.

The lotion has three key ingredients. The super hyaluronic acid for hydration, and refining and illuminating complex for retexturing the skin for a smooth and radiant complexion, as well as oil absorbing powder for oil controlling all day. It also contains alcohol (as with most famous Japanese essence lotions such as the SKII, Kose Sekkisei Lotion or Albion Skin Conditioner which I also adore), and I personally don’t mind it as my skin is not allergic to it.

I have used products with absorbing powder before, and I wasn’t so impressed as I find them quite drying. With the Cle De Peau, it is hydrating and clarifying at the same time, and most importantly it clarifies and deep cleanses the pores. For the application, give the bottle a good shake, then pat the lotion onto the skin. Immediately your skin feels hydrated, refreshed and incredibly velvety smooth, and the complexion appears more even-looking and refined with a semi-matte finish. For treating the problematic areas such as the nose and chin, I then wet a cotton pad with the lotion, and wipe the cotton pad in a circular motion, and you will see it dissolve the dirt and oil on the surface. Over time, this product helps to unclog the pores and minimize the white/blackheads.

{ 3 comments }

Labels: CLE DE PEAU • SKINCARE

My picks for the best neutral colors from Tom Ford Lips and Boys 2016 – Evan, Ashton, Julian and Addison

December 13, 2016

Everyone swooned over the 26 new shades of Tom Ford’s Lips and Boys 2016 released this November. Yes they are pricey for a mini lipstick, but they are Tom Ford – the epitome of the most luxurious lipstick in the world and worth the splurge for a few shades. After going through all the colors, I ordered Evan and Ashton online (bought here in Australia), and they are so beautiful and exactly what I expected. In this post, I am also sharing the swatch for Julian and Addison (from the previous release) which I had never shown on the blog before.

I have covered the review for Tom Ford Lipsticks in tons of other posts, so this post will mainly be showing the swatches. See my review for the other shades of Lips and Boys.

Evan (matte) – A true matte brown nude. Absolutely head over heels with this color!

Ashton (satin) – Another must-have new discovery for me. It is a medium rosey brownish pink that reminds me of my newly found HG lip color Givenchy Le Rouge 105 (reviewed here).

Julian (cream) – A cool medium pink with mauve undertone. If you think it might pull too cool on you, you can wear it on top of a pink-peach lip liner which is beautiful.

Addison (cream) – A medium peachy pink that is very similar to the famous Tom Ford Pink Dusk.

{ 5 comments }

Labels: LIPSTICK • Tom Ford

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →