Front Row Beauty

What’s in my beauty luggage

November 23, 2011

Hi everyone, I am back, with two big luggages full of goodies. I am still jet lagging so this is going to be a quick post. First of all I wanted to thank my dear readers who gave me suggestions as to what to do/eat/shop in USA. Thank you so much, I didn’t get a chance to reply so I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your lovely ideas. I had very limited internet access so there are still a lot of pending comments and emails that I haven’t replied. Please excuse for the delay and I will try to get back to you asap!

As usual I shopped more than what I had planned for…when you are on a shopping trip with your two best friends Amex and Visa, it guarantees a shocking bill at the end of the trip! And here they are..my beauty haul.

The breakdown

Giorgio Armani:

Bobbi Brown makeup

NARS

Le Metier De Beaute

Edward Bess

Chanel

Tarte

Laura Mercier

Miscellaneous

Replenished some skincare products from two of my all time favorite brands – La Mer and Bobbi Brown

Sunday Riley

This has to be the highlight of haul! I love to explore new brands and I am really glad I found Sunday Riley. They have an amazing skincare and makeup line that is only avaialbe at Barneys. As a newibe to their brand I bought some of their star products. I just started using the samples given to me, they are amazing. I highly recommend to you check out this line at Barneys if you can.

Stay tuned for my fashion haul 🙂

{ 41 comments }

Labels: SHOP

On Vacation

November 8, 2011

Hello everyone, apologies for the lack of posts lately! Guess where I am? Yes I am in LA now and I am having a blast! Love the shopping on Rodeo Drive and Melrose Ave (yes I was mostly there for the past three days :P) and I am star struck as I have bumped into some A List celebrities at my hotel. Highlight of the trip so far has to be that I was only 3 steps away from Robert Pattinson! Oh and Kristen was right next to him as well..

Okay that’s my update so far. I hope you all having a great time. I will be back in 2 weeks time and I will have lots and lots of things to show you 😛

Cheers

Rei

{ 15 comments }

Suqqu Cream Glow Lipsticks in SAEBANA and URUMISHU Review and Swatches

November 3, 2011

If people asked me “what was my holy grail lipsticks’ before I had my Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipsticks, I seriously wouldn’t have a clue considering I have a lot of them! I love lipsticks, and I share my love for them equally, they all have their own pros and cons. However after I have tried the Suqqu, I can confirm that they are the perfect lipsticks for me. Just like when you have met the one, at this moment my heart doesn’t have any spare space for other brands! So I got my friend to get me a few more shades from London which I haven’t received yet, but because I am going on holiday very soon I thought I will swatch the ones I have with me for you.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick has a soft and extremely silky texture – it reminds me of YSL Rouge Volupte which I adore for its buttery texture, but the difference is Suqqu applies smoothly, almost melts into my lips without a single streak,whereas YSL goes on streaky and can enhance lip lines. It feels moist and lightweight, completely camouflage the dryness of my lips and provides a subtle satiny glow. The coverage is medium, and what you see from the tube transforms accurately on to the lips.

I bought three shades from my first purchase, except for the red shade KARAKURENAI that I reviewed here, the rest are the best selling and most wearable shades from what I have heard prior to purchase.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick in 10 URUMISHU潤朱 is a persimmon coral and contains no shimmers. It’s one of those colors that is flattering on any complexion and looks appropriate for any occasion.

Overall Look:

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick in 01 SAEBANA冴華 is a neutral angelic pink. Still looking for a soft barbie pink? This is your answer! SAEBANA is also regarded as the must-buy shade by many Suqqu fans.

Overall Look: I am also wearing the Sleek blush in Rose Gold on my cheeks, isn’t it gorgeous?!

Bottom Line: If you love lipsticks, I urge you to try out the Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipsticks, you will not be disappointed! I can’t wait for more Suqqu that I have ordered recently 🙂

{ 37 comments }

Labels: LIPSTICK • SUQQU

Amazing – Essential Massage Mask by The History of Whoo Review

November 2, 2011

Still in the process of putting together a post for my skincare part 4, in which I will talk about my biggest skincare passion – Masks! I have way too many so I am still “shortlisting’ them which might take me a while. But I can’t wait to talk about this one – Essential Massage Mask by The History of Whoo. It’s one of my most recent discoveries and the result has truly blown me away.

For those of you who haven’t heard of the brand The History of Whoo, it is an exclusive high end Korean skincare line based on the oriental medicine. All products are formulated from rare ingredients that were used in the ancient royal family. They have limited production volume because these ingredients are hard to find. The Essential Massage Mask is the star product of this brand. It retails for around USD$80 depending on the vendor.

First of all, I like the unique packaging design, which is very over the top and it probably is the only thing that I own that has a touch of royalty to it!

The texture looks beautiful, filled with gold flecks. Since it is designed for massaging, it has a rich balmy consistency but not greasy.

It comes with a traditional Oriental massaging tool and is made of the most expensive wood – Rosewood. With this tool it allows you to massage your face following an ancient massaging technique that stimulates the pressure points along the chi (energy flow) pathway, for detoxing and bringing vitality back to the skin. Personally I have a very special attachment to this technique because I grew up watching my grandma massaging her face using this way.

Application Method:

There are some pictures enclosed in the pamphlet. Basically you spread the mask over the face, start massaging using the tool from forehead to cheeks and jawlines then all the way down to the neck following the steps in each picture. It is designed to stimulate lymph flow and blood circulation. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

First impression after rinsing the mask off was – wow my skin has never been that supple and bouncy. It gives my skin back the vitality as if I just had a 10 hours sleep. Skin tone appears more clear and radiant. Best of all my complexion appears visibly firmer and lifted, and the fold around the nose is noticeably faded. As the pressure points have been stimulated, the facial swelling as a result of water retention is gone. My face shape has changed from oval to V-shape! Of course as with any other mask, the lifting effect is temporary but with frequent use it will prolong the effect.

Bottom line: I love this! It gives me radiant and super soft skin, and it stays well hydrated for days. There are a lot of firming products on the market, but this is one of the few that can make my skin more elastic and visibly lifted immediately after use, without feeling that there is an artificial gluey product “tightening up” my skin. Whenever I have a party or special event where I want my face shape to look more sharp and lifted, (so looks better in the photos!) I have to rely on this one. Ladies with acne prone skin type need to stay away from it.

{ 27 comments }

Labels: MASK • The history of Whoo

Rosegold Obsession Continues

November 1, 2011

NEW IN: Please let me introduce to you my latest purchase from Shopbop: Candy Turnlock Exploded Katie Bracelet by Marc by Marc Jacobs. LURVE IT! Well made and it fits my wrist perfectly.

{ 24 comments }

Labels: ACCESSORY • Marc Jacobs • SHOP

October Favorites – Drugstore Products Edition

October 31, 2011

I haven’t done a monthly favorite for a while. Reason being I use way too many products throughout a month that is impossible for me to consolidate a list of things into a short post. So I have decided to resume my favorite posts as of this month but will focus on one particular category. For the month of October I would like to do a Drugstore Products Edition! Surprise?! I just feel like I always talk about high end products, but in the mean time there are some really wonderful and affordable products that deserve a shout out!

Western Brands:

PANTENE AQUA LIGHT Lightweight Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment:

These are absolutely amazing!!! I have been neglecting my high end shampoos and conditioners ever since I had them. They have made my hair feel soft, smooth, tangle free and most importantly as light as feather. The first few times I used them I literally could not stop swinging my hair (like the girl in the shampoo ad but in a clumsy way). It is the same feel as if you just had a hair cut – the hair just feels so healthy, manageable and light. I need to re-iterate, these are amazing 🙂

OPI NAIL ENVY

I wear nail polish everyday as a result my nail becomes yellow and dull. This product has completely rescued my nails and serves as a good base for nail polishes.

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara

An oldie but a goodie. It separates, volumises, holds the curl and doesn’t budge. May not be the best mascara in the market but definitely best value for money!

SLEEK Blush in Rose Gold

Gifted by my sweet beauty pal Joyce! She always raves about it and I totally understand why she loves it more than the Nars 0rgasm blush the minute I opened it. The color is gorgeous. I will do a comparison post later in the future, for now please check out Joyce from Atelier Beauty’s review here.

Asian Brands:

LAVSHUCA Eyeshadow Palette

Newbies to Japanese drugstore brands? Lavshuca is the brand to go! It is a affordable line of Kanebo. Though the packaging may not look as elegant Lunasol quads, the actual eye shadows are just as good – smooth, finely milled and great color payoff with a soft shimmery finish. If I only had 10 dollars as my budget for eyeshadow this will be the one.

K-Palette Liquid Eyebrow Pen

Big fan of liquid eyebrow pens because they last 24 hours on me. If you love the Suqqu liquid eyebrow pen, you would love this one. Actually they are pretty identical to me and K-palette is only a fraction of the cost.

Etude House Cream blush

They are housed in a sterdy glass jar with an adorable packaging. These are very pigmented, cool tone pink blushes. They have a perfect texture of cream blush that is not too creamy nor too dry, and give a dewy finish that lasts all day. What more can I ask for?!

From LTR:

Dolly Wink 02 Sweet Girly: super long and dramatic, wore them in this post.

Dolly Wink 04 Feminine Style: these are cute corner lashes, very natural and suitable for daytime wear. Wore them in this post.

Dolly Wink 01 Sweet Dolly: the perfect style for a sweet and dolly looking eyes. Wore them in this post.

Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Feline Extravaganza Waterproof Mascara (AUD$48)

Okay I am cheating… this is not a drugstore brand. I am just loving this one too much that I have to include it in this month’s favorite! HR Lash Queen Feline Extravaganza WP Mascara is my Holy Grail Mascara. I have tried tons and tons but nothing else beats this one! I always get a few backups whenever I get a chance to shop at DFS Galleria.

{ 21 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • DOLLYWINK • Etude House • FALSE LASHES • HAIRCARE • Helena Rubinstein • KANEBO • MASCARA • My Favorites • OPI

Chanel 2011 Holiday Collection – Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss Triomphal and Le Vernis Rouge Carat Reviews and Swatches

October 30, 2011

Along with the Lumiére Sculptée Highlighting Powder, I have also picked up the Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in 517 Triomphal and the Chanel le Vernis in Rouge Carat from the Chanel 2011 Holiday Collection, which explains why I am painted in red today.

To be honest I wasn’t that excited about this collection after seeing the testers. There were some lovely lippies in pink, rose and beige, but none of them really stood out for me as I am sooo in love with my Suqqu Creamy Glow lipsticks at the moment, so I would rather buy more Suqqu as the formulation is just perfection. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in Triomphal was a black horse as it wasn’t on my shopping list initially, but after putting in on my lips there was a ‘wow’ moment. I always adore the formulation of Rouge Allure Extrait De Glosses (reviewed here), and this one is just as good – semi opaque with a watery and translucent finish.

Triomphal is a striking rich red with fuchsia flecks but without grittiness. If you are scared of wearing red lips, Triomphal is a good starting point. The translucency and the moist finish makes it more wearable and youthful looking.

Chanel Le Vernis Rouge Carat is a stunning shimmery red with tons of magenta micro glitters! If you are into Chanel nail polishes, this one should not be missed.

Compared to Chanel Le Vernis Pirate

FOTD wearing Triomphal Allure Extrait De Gloss and Rouge Carat Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss retails for AUD$50 and Chanel Le Vernis retails for AUD$39.

So ladies, what is your must have from the Chanel 2011 Holiday Collection?

{ 32 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • FOTD • LIPGLOSS • NAIL POLISH

LUMIÈRE SCULPTÉE DE CHANEL Highlighting Powder Review and FOTD

October 29, 2011

I am wearing the Lumiére Sculptée De Chanel Highlighting Powder today and I am loving it more than I thought I would be!

As you all know the Lumiére Sculptée is the star product of the Chanel 2011 Holiday Collection. I bought it simply for the sake of “I can’t miss out on Chanel Limited Editions”. However upon playing with it for the past 2 days I found that both the quality and finish are beyond my expectations. Here is a close up picture of the Lumiére Sculptée – such intricate design can only be seen from the best cosmetics houses.

The texture has a velvety touch to it and is amazingly buttery soft for a highlighter. Compared to the Chanel Ombres Tissées Beiges, it feels smoother hence less powdery. I much prefer the finish of the Lumiére Sculptée as it provides a more natural radiance in daytime – it imparts a soft glow to the face that is not too shimmery but is still visible as a highlighter. If you think highlighters such as Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick has too much of shimmers, then this is a toned down version. On the other hand, if you prefer a rich intense highlighting effect, then Lumiére Sculptée may not be your cup of tea.

Swatches don’t lie do they? The Lumiére Sculptée powder is more finely milled with no visible glitters, therefore it glides over the skin smoothly as opposed to Ombres Tissées Beiges that appears to be sitting on top of the skin and enhancing the lines. Color wise, Lumiére Sculptée shows up less beige on the skin when swatched heavily. However, when applied on the skin softly it is translucent without much color.

FOTD: Applied the Lumiére Sculptée along the top of the cheekbone, combined with a contour powder (the Suqqu OSHAGECHA), it definitely sculpts my cheekbone in the most flattering way.

The Chanel Holiday 2011 Collection has arrived in Australia. I have picked up a few other items from the collection which I will be showing you in my next post. The Lumiére Sculptée De Chanel Highlighting Powder retails for AUD$90.

{ 19 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • HIGHLIGHTER

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