Front Row Beauty

Accessory Report – Wrapped by Chan Luu

December 13, 2012

It’s summer in Sydney! And it’s all about sipping a glass of ~~cocktail~~ mocktail by the pool or on the beach. To complete my summer look, I bought the infamous Chan Luu Beaded Wrap Bracelets recently. This wrap bracelet is all hand crafted with semi-precious small stones on natural colored leather. It looked very understated and organic to me – nothing glamorous about it, but that’s exactly what I want. It goes well with any casual outfit, and adds a cool, relaxing and beachy spin to it. I’ve only got one so far, but as you all know – the more Chan Luu to stack up the merrier!

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Labels: ACCESSORY • Fashion

Contouring Tutorial for Asians

December 12, 2012

I find contouring is particularly challenging for everyday makeup. I have tried different ways of contouring my face over the years, and I have finally figured out a way that enhances my typical Asian bone structure. The reason I said that is because if you are an Asian like me – you would probably realize by now that there are a lot of makeup tricks that work on other races but do not work on Asians/Orientals. That’s because our bone structure, facial features and skin tone are completely different to that of Caucasians, so one solution does not fit all..

To make contouring work, you really need to study your face and this exercise is more important than the amount of tutorials you watch/read. I have made a few generalization of standard Asian features which might apply to some of you.

Cheekbones: Asians generally have a bigger, flatter and wider face (sad but true…) Contouring cheekbones is never a mainstream makeup application as the highest point of our cheekbones is already over the nose bridge. Hands up how many times you have given up a pair of sunnies because it is sitting on your cheekbones rather than on your nose bridge?! Whereas for the Caucasians it is the other way around. The placement of our cheekbone is slightly different too. They are normally more prominent (slightly protruding) on the side of the face (below the temple areas), whereas Caucasians’ cheekbones are more prominent to the front.

Jaw: The gold standard of Asian beauty is that we don’t want chiseled jaws. We want a v-shaped face!

Nose: Kindergarten knowledge! Asian noses are much flatter, lacking of a prominent nose bridge, with a rounder or wider nose tip.

So based on the above ‘general Asian features’, I have put together this contouring tutorial.

STEP 1:

Cheekbones: Apply the contouring product starting from the hollow of the cheekbones all the way up to the temples. More product is applied on the side of the cheekbone for a slimmer face effect.

Nose: Apply the contouring product starting from where your eyebrow begins to fake a v-shape for the nose bridge. Bring it all the way down to the bottom of the nose for a more refined nose tip. I also applied a bit of product along the nostrils for a slimmer nose effect.

Jaws: Apply the contouring product starting from the side of your chin up to the cheekbone. More product is applied to the side of the jaws.

STEP 2:

Blend, blend and blend. I find that a good blending brush really makes a big difference to the result. Start light-handed, and do not apply too much contouring product in the first place. Start blending within a small area then blend the residual product outward – that way it gives a natural looking gradient of shading.

STEP 3:

How much to blend is really your personal perference. I wish my face was that small (see pic)! I just blend the contouring shade to cover the areas covered under my hands.

Final Result:

Added cream blush to the apple of the cheeks

BEFORE AND AFTER

Left: With foundation only – my face is looking flat without contouring and highlighting applied.

Right: Final look.

Products Used: Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Intensity One, with Giorgio Armani Blender brush. Reviews coming soon!

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Labels: Giorgio Armani • Tom Ford • TUTORIAL

Lancome Le Crayon Kohl 015 Jazzy Taupe Review and Swatch

December 3, 2012

If you are looking for a perfect taupe eyeliner, look no further than the Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in 015 Jazzy Taupe from their Holiday 2012 Collection. I didn’t think I needed any more eyeliners after I got my hands on the THREE Flash Performance Eyeliners (reviewed here), but this one is just a must have for me!

The packaging is just downright ugly for such a high end brand. It reminds me of those really cheap eyeliners you get at the drugstore – a plain pencil type with a gold cap. No sharpener, no sponge applicator, and it was glad wrapped without a proper case… But do not get discouraged by its cover, the texture of this pencil is near perfection based on my holy grail standard of THREE . It’s a kohl pencil eyeliner with a buttery texture. If you ever wonder how soft are the THREE Eyeliners, this one is about 90% close! It gives a shimmery satin finish without any glitter. It glides on my sensitive eyes easily without tugging the skin, and stays put all day. Best of all, it is the most perfect brown taupe and it complements my mostly neutral eye shadows perfectly. I probably need a back up of it as taupe eyeliners are just so hard to come by!

Swatch of Jazzy Taupe

Compared to Urban Decay Underground, Chanel Rose Platine (reviewed here), and THREE 01

Le Crayon Kohl Jazzy Taupe is part of Lancome’s Holiday 2012 Collection in Australia (I believe in Europe as well..), but it is not in the Holiday Collection on the Lancome USA website. So I am a bit confused! Can any of you shed any light on this 🙂

I bought this for AUD$45 at David Jones. You can also get this here or here from UK.

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Labels: EYELINER • LANCOME

I’m on FACEBOOK!

December 1, 2012

Hi everyone, just a quick update about my blog. I am slowly getting myself (and my blog) into the social media so I am finally on FACEBOOK! I look forward to communicating with you all through this new channel. Highly appreciate if you could like my new facebook page if you like my blog 🙂

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Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum Spray Review

December 1, 2012

Hi everyone, happy weekend! Today I have a rather unusual product to review – The Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum Spray. I hardly review fragrances as I am really not that great describing scents, but I like this one very much so I thought I’ll share my two cents with you.

“Balenciaga Florabotanica is inspired by the woman who is beautiful but dangerous like many rare botanical flowers. This new scent twists Turkish rose with hemp and vetiver roots for an addictive trail”.

A lot of floral fragrances can smell too sweet for me, but this one is very unique, complex yet feminine. I didn’t think it was my type of scent when I first sampled it, but it grew on me day to day. So I bought the 100ml (3.4oz) bottle in the end! I would describe the first note as a fresh floral scent with a hint of violet, leaf and mint. Once it dries down, the main note becomes a powdery woody scent (vetiver) – it’s clean, sexy and slightly floral. If my ordinary description does not tick your fancy, I urge you to give it a try at a shop if you get a chance. It is such a distinctive scent! It lasts about 8-10 hours on me with 4 and 5 sprays.

This Balenciaga makeup pouch was a gift with purchase

I bought mine at David Jones for AUD$155. You can also get this at Neiman Marcus in the US.

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Labels: Balenciaga • FRAGRANCE

Obsessed with CAMEO

November 30, 2012

I found this amazing skirt by CAMEO at this shop. What can I say, other than it’s just so perfect! The cut is very reminiscent of Proenza Schouler’s signature’s skirts, but at a much affordable price and the quality is superb.

Sweater – Witchery

Skirt – Cameo (bought here)

Booties – ShuBar (similar here)

Bag – Chanel 2.55 Reissue

Necklace – House of Harlow

PS. If you are heading to Westfield for XMAS Shopping this weekend, they will be holding some great deals across all stores in all Westfields this Super Saturday. Check out more details here.

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Labels: CHANEL • Fashion • OOTD • Witchery

Makeup For Ever Smoky Lash, L’oreal Extra Volume Collagen and KissMe Impact Frame & Curl Mascaras Reviews

November 29, 2012

I received a large response from my last mascaras review post, and many of you have given me a lot of suggestions on other drugstore mascaras. Thank you all! I have indeed purchased a lot based on your recommendations, and here are the three mascaras I have been using for the past 3 months – the Makeup For Ever Smoky Lash, L’oreal Extra Volume Collagen and KissMe Impact Frame & Curl Mascara.

To recap: I have stick straight lashes with medium volume and medium length (Asian standard..). I need my mascara to hold the curl (I use my Shu eyelash curlers), volumize and separate the lashes and to be smudge proof. I also use mascara on my lower lashes so preferably the brush of the mascara is easy to work with, without staining my skin, and is black enough to make my lashes pop.

1. L’oreal Extra Volume Collagen Plumping Mascara Blackest: This is a mediocre mascara for me. I like the brush which reminds me of the infamous DiorShow. The formula is on the dry side and is quite waxy, so it tends to clump my lashes but are fixable using an eyelash comb (I love mine which is by tweezerman!). It gives medium volume and length, holds the curl and stays put all day. Overall it is quite a satisfactory mascara but there is no aspect of it that blows me away.

2. KissMe Heroine Make Impact Frame & Curl Mascara: I am a big fan of the original KissMe Heroine Make Volume and Curl, so I was very excited to try out their newer version. It has a comb style, and the teeth is finely spaced so it separates the lashes amazingly. I absolutely hated this mascara when it was first opened, as the formula was so wet it made my lashes look spidery. I gave this mascara a second chance after letting it ‘dry’ for 2 months, and an amazing thing happened – it worked so well for my lashes as the result was even slightly better than my beloved Maybelline Falsies. It adds medium volume and length, but the unique comb just really helps to separate and fan out the lashes beautifully. It holds the curl all day without smudging, so a big thumbs up from me! I probably would repurchase this one, but the fact that I had to wait till it dries is off putting.

3. Makeup For Ever Smoky Lash Jet Black – Compared to the above two, this is a very dramatic mascara. It is ultra black and thickens the lashes a lot! The effect is more of a doll-like (thick and slightly clumpy lashes) rather than natural-but-better lashes effect. I like it because it is so black and I only needed a little bit on my lower lashes which really helps to open up my eyes. I only wish it had a better brush design for separation.

Whilst the quality of makeup is generally improving in newer releases, I think the overly saturated mascara market can be a little gimmicky with their newer inventions (ie. the 360 degree rotation brush). So I don’t keep track of the new mascaras, but if you have discovered any new ones that knock your socks off, please let me know!

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Labels: KissMe • L'oreal • Makeup For Ever • MASCARA

Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick Black Orchid Review and FOTD

November 27, 2012

Tom Ford’s Private Blend Lipstick Black Orchid is the one and only vampy lipstick that I have bought this season. It is a very bold and daring deep wine color with the most intense pigmentation – it’s one of those dramatic shades that gives you an attitude and a ‘bad-girl’ look, and makes you feel powerful!

I have expressed how I feel about Tom Ford’s lipsticks in my previous post, so I won’t repeat that again here. In short every inch of Tom Ford lipstick is totally luxurious and I just absolutely love them. From packaging to the most fashion-forward color selection, I cannot pick a single fault. I love the texture with most of the shades that I have tried, but I have some issues with this particular shade.

Black Orchid gives a satiny finish. The texture feels the same as the others and it still glides on ultra smooth. Unfortunately it enhances every single dry patch/skin on my lips which I was not even aware of, so the finish looked very uneven on my lips. You may not be able to see this in my FOTD, but that’s because I had spent a great deal of time to make it work with a lip brush by applying a thin layer over and over until it looked reasonably even. This lipstick will not work for me if it is directly applied from the tube. However, to be fair, I have experienced the same issue with vampy lipsticks of other high-end brands as well. The highly raved Chanel and YSL also added more dry lines to my lips than I thought.

In this FOTD, I am wearing the Tom Ford Black Orchid in full opaque layer. I probably applied 5 thins layers of it and I blotted my lips between each application. I am also wearing it as a blush (as suggested by Claire – check out her awesome blog here!) I applied the color on the back of my hand and mixed it with Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè so it turned into a cream blush. It goes on pink with a plummy undertone, and the Embryolisse Cream gives a lovely dewy finish.

If you don’t feel comfortable wearing such a bold shade out (including me…), you can wear it as a lip stain. I have a FOTD showing this, and I paired it with a clear lip gloss to take away the dryness.

I bought mine at David Jones for a record high of AUD$65. It is available in the US here and here. Good news to the fellow Aussies – international delivery of Tom Ford makeup is now available at Harrods with 10% VAT deduction off the retail price.

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Labels: BLUSH • FOTD • LIPSTICK • Tom Ford

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