Front Row Beauty

Giorgio Armani Eye Tint Review and Swatch – Flannel 08, Rose Ashes 11 and Gold Ashes 12

April 15, 2015

Both my boy and I caught the flu bug lately so the delay in posting reviews. I have finally recovered, and started playing with the Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in Flannel 8, Rose Ashes 11 and Gold Ashes 12 which I acquired months ago. They are the “new innovative eye shadows”, with an interesting twist in the texture so they add a fun element to makeup application. You probably would have seen that there are other brands starting to release similar products such as the Pop Water Full Metal Shadow from YSL.

Compared to the traditional powder eye shadow, the Eye Tints are the solution for ladies on the run or anyone who is simply after a quick and easy eye makeup. It does not require a primer, nor a dozen brushes for blending. All you need is to swipe and blend with your fingers for a lovely wash of luminous colors that add dimension without looking ‘made up’. It can also be used as a base shade underneath other eye shadows for a more intense and multi-dimensional finish, and it also helps to extend the wear time. Either way I really enjoy using them as the versatility of this product is endless.

The texture is liquid to a creamy finish. It takes a few seconds to dry and the color stays put for the whole day without creasing. I prefer to use them without the primer, otherwise it can look a little heavy. As usual, I picked up three beautiful neutral shades.

Shade 12 Gold Ashes is a shimmery champagne color. When it is blended, it leans more towards ivory in a high shimmer finish (slightly sparkly) which is great for highlighting.

Shade 11 Rose Ash is a beautiful warm copper color with a hint of rosy undertone in soft shimmer. A must-have for adding a wash of color to the eye crease area.

Shade 8 Flannel is a cool taupe color with an eggplant undertone in soft shimmer finish. This is another must-have color for me from the collection as it complements my cool skin tone really well.

Group Swatches:

Unblended

Blended

Bottom Line: If you love to experiment with eye shadows in a variety of textures, this product is ideal to try. Overall the Eye Tints give a more natural finish than other eye shadow types (think about lip tint vs lipstick), and it’s more forgiving to the makeup novices. You can find these at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus in the US. I bought mine at David Jones in Australia.

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Labels: EYESHADOW • Giorgio Armani

Shopbop Friends and Family Sale 2015

April 7, 2015

Shopbop is hosting a Friends and Family Sale at the moment which is always a very exciting event for enthusiastic shoppers like me! Take 25% off at any order value using code SPRING25 (some brand exclusions apply). I got myself some work wear including the Elizabeth & James Stripe Shirt and the Tibi Dress which are currently on sale, so this is an absolute bargain for me as there is a further discount on top of this! Happy shopping!

Time:

Shopbop and East Dane begin April 7^th 7AM EST (New York Time)

Shopbop ends April 10^th 4AM EST (New York Time),

East Dane ends on April 12^th 4AM EST.

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Labels: SHOP

Best Drugstore Hydrating and Moisturizing Face Masks – My Recommendations

April 2, 2015

I have been using face masks religiously (at least once every two days) for the past few years so I have had my fair share of them. I find that I am opting for wash-off type more frequently since I became a mum as I get really lazy at the end of the day, and sometimes I just fall asleep whilst wearing a face/sleeping mask! Here is the edition of some really affordable drugstore hydrating face masks that I would repurchase over and over.

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Concentrate (Asia exclusive)- This is the most refreshing, lightweight gel mask that is packed with hyaluronic acid. It is marketed as a sleeping mask, which means you can leave it on till tomorrow morning. I personally like to wash it off before I go to bed, since I find that the result is not significantly better than if I had left it on overnight. Overall the mask provides immediate hydration to the skin for up to a day, and my complexion feels more supple and plumped. I would recommend this mask to anyone who has oily, combo and normal skin but dehydrated. The texture is light enough to not cause any congestion or breakout.

2. Elizavecca Collagen Jella Pack – My absolute favorite mask. Each jar contains 50,000 mg of collagen peptide from pork rinds (not for vegans!) so it claims to provide hydration and collagen to the complexion. It has a firm jelly like texture which makes it fun to apply. It feels refreshing and non greasy, and it is more moisturizing than a typical gel/cream mask. Even during this change of season, it is nourishing enough to keep my dry skin at the bay for one to two days. Highly recommend this to all skin types. This product is parabens, mineral oil free.

3 MORITAYA Tofu Mask – This mask is extremely popular in Japan as it was constantly rated the best drugstore mask in the beauty magazines. It contains a mixture of soy based yoghurt to hydrate and brighten up the skin. The texture is like a delicious creamy yoghurt with a heavenly soy milk scent that I am obsessed with. It leaves my skin very moisturized but not greasy, soft and appears more evenly toned after each use. This is another really good value for money product that I highly recommend to anyone with all skin types.

4. NUXE Creme Fraiche 24hr Soothing and Rehydrating Fresh Mask – This is my last resort if my skin becomes very dry and irritated. It has a milky texture with a really lovely vanilla scent that feels very calming to the skin. Like most rich European masks, this one tends to leave an oily film on the skin that acts like a protective barrier. It guarantees to replenish moisture and repair my desert dry skin, but I only use this one in colder weather otherwise it would be too rich and might cause a break out.

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Labels: MASK • SKINCARE

Bobbi Brown Hot Collection – Cheek Palette Pink and Art Stick in Hot Pink Review, Swatch and FOTD

March 30, 2015

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.

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.

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.

The 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.

Group Swatch

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

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

I bought mine at David Jones, and the Bobbi Brown Hot Collection is also available at Nordstrom in the US.

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Labels: BLUSH • BOBBI BROWN • FOTD • LIPSTICK

Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo Corrector Pen Review and Swatch

March 27, 2015

An under-eye concealer highlighter pen is one product that I can’t live without. For years I have been quite loyal to the renowned YSL Touche Eclat, and it has now been officially replaced by the latest Le Camouflage Stylo Corrector Pen from Chantecaillie.

Chanetecaille is known for their luxurious base makeup products. Yes they all have a hefty price tag, but everything I have used so far is truly worth the splurge including the Future Skin Foundation (one of my HG foundations reviewed here), the amazing Loose Powder as well as this new concealer pen. I was immediately sold to this product as soon as I read it contains hyaluronic acid and lots of other hydrating and brightening ingredients. And it totally lives up to my expectations, as this formula feels very hydrating so it makes the skin appear slightly plumped and less dull looking which is excellent for the delicate area under the eyes. It has a very lightweight milky texture (slightly more runny than the YSL ) that gives a natural and luminous finish. It sets crease-free and doesn’t settle into the lines. As an under-eye concealer, the lightweight formula is enough to take away my mild dark circles with just a small amount of product. And it also works brilliantly as a liquid highlighter as it gives a subtle light-reflecting brightening effect.

I bought the concealer in shade 1 (has a pink undertone), and fyi shade 2 is very similar to 1 but with a yellow undertone. Here is a swatch of Chantecallie Le Camouflage Stylo Shade 1 against the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in Alabaster.

Bottom Line: The best highlighter pen I have used so far! If you love the Future Skin foundation, you would absolutely love this one! The Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo is available at Nordstrom in the US, SpaceNK in the UK, and Net-A-Porter with worldwide shipping.

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Labels: CHANTECAILLE • CONCEALER • HIGHLIGHTER

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour Review and Swatch – 426 ROUSSY and 444 GABRIELLE

March 24, 2015

Chanel has recently launched the newly reformulated ROUGE COCO Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour, and they tick every check box for a perfect lipstick. After playing around with 6 colors at the counter, I decided to bring 426 ROUSSY and 444 GABRIELLE home. The old me would have probably purchased them all, but I am definitely a lot more “choosey” with colors now and more sensible with makeup shopping lately..

The new formula is divine – it is ultra pigmented with a firm texture (not balmy), and feels extremely silky and luxurious to apply. As a full coverage lipstick, it is quite moisturizing, and feels exceptionally weightless and comforting on the lips. Both colors are on the vibrant side with a satiny finish that has a touch of jelly sheen depending on the angle you are looking at. They apply true to the actual lipstick colors, no feathering and one to two swipes gives a full opaque finish. For a more sheer finish I suggest to use a lip brush for application. Lasting power is about 4 to 5 hours wear time.

The Rouge Coco in 426 Roussy is my sort of color. At first glance you would think it’s a cool pink (almost bordering barbie pink) but once you apply on to the lips, there is the warmth that comes through which makes the color very wearable and pretty (if you love pink)!

The Rouge Coco in 444 Gabrielle is the color to buy from this new range (it is the color that Keira Knightley wears in the ad)! I was debating between a few reds and in the end I decided to go with Gabrielle. It’s a saturated deep military red, and since I am obsessed with the utility trend I thought this would be the perfect color to match with my clothes! In my swatches I have shown two ways of wearing it. The full coverage is more sophisticated and fashion-forward, whereas the gradient look is more girl-next-door, youthful and makes the lips appear uber juicy and kissable! I have done a tutorial for this look , and in this swatch I was using the Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Eye Pencil in Eye Cheat (reviewed here) for concealing the lip lines.

Full Coverage

Gradient

Group Swatch

I bought mine at David Jones , and the new Chanel Coco Rouge lip colors are also available at Nordstrom in the US.

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Labels: CHANEL • LIPSTICK

Resort Wear – Zimmermann

March 18, 2015

Resort wear, is obviously made for wearing at resorts (my interpretation!). I have this habit of buying a piece of resort wear every time I go on holiday as my “souvenir”, so overtime I have an archive of beautiful dresses that bring back the fond memories of my past holidays! This year, I got myself this special piece from Zimmermann Resort Collection. It is one extravagant piece that I would only wear at foreign places. It inherits Zimmermann’s signature dreamy design with an Australian beach vibe, and I love the vintage print and the sheer lace hem around the skirt.

Dress – Zimmermann (bought mine here but sold out, few left at Harrods)

Shoes – Prada (similar here)

Sunglasses – Karen Walker (bought here)

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Labels: Fashion • KAREN WALKER • OOTD • PRADA • SHOP • ZIMMERMANN

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liners and Liquid Eye Pencil Review and Swatch – Kiss n Tell, Pink Venus, Eye Cheat

March 16, 2015

I have been wearing makeup for as long as I remember, but I’ve only started wearing lip liners recently! So I decided to get some Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liners as I have heard nothing but good reviews about them. Just like my lipstick colors, I picked up a red (Kiss N Tell) and a pink (Pink Venus), so they match most of my lip stick colors. Along with that, I have also got the Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Eye Pencil in Eye Cheat. It is the item that I have been looking for for years since Guerlain discontinued theirs, and I am glad that I finally found the replacement!

The Charlotte Tilbury Lip liners are ultra pigmented, and feel soft and silk smooth to apply. Even if you use it over your entire lips like I do sometimes, it does not dry them out. And best of all, if I apply a lipstick over the lip liners, they really help to extend the color wear time by hours. As I always apply my lipstick straight from the tube, the lip liners play an important role for creating a perfectly defined pout, and these liners are effortless to use for drawing a precise line. It is also easier for creating gradient lip with a lip liner. I just color the center of my lips with a lip liner first, then apply a semi-sheer lip stick all over the lips for a super fresh and cute Korean inspired gradient lips.

The Charlotte Tilbury Kiss N Tell is a true scarlet red, and the Pink Venus is a muted rosey pink that blends with most variations of pink lip stick colors that I own.

Swatch From Left To Right: Kiss N Tell; Pink Venus; Eye Cheat

I use the Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Eye Pencil Eye Cheat as a multi-purpose concealing pencil. It’s an ultra pigmented flesh-colored pencil liner that has a creamy and soft consistency. When it is used for lining the waterline, it glides on like silk without tugging the skin nor does it irritate the eyes. I love using this on my waterline for a more fresh and awakened look. In addition, it also does a wonderful job for altering and concealing the lip lines or even a breakout as it is much more pigmented than a normal cream based concealer !

The Charlotte Tilbury Line is available at Nordstrom in the US, Selfridges in the UK, and I bought mine at NAP which ships internationally.

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Labels: Charlotte Tilbury • Lip Liner

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