BRUSHES

November Favorites – Flawless Complexion

December 7, 2011

For the month of November I was mainly focusing on achieving a flawless complexion. If you have read my previous posts you would know my skin was breaking out more than usual over the time in US, so I have spent a great deal of time on finding the right skincare products that can clear up my skin as soon as possible (I have zero tolerance for them!), as well as fading the acne scars. For makeup I opted for base makeup that offers a slightly more coverage than what I would normally go for, so they can help me to ‘fake’ a flawless complexion on a bad skin day.

Let’s start with my favorite skincare of the month. After I was let down by Tanda Zap that failed to clear up any blemishes, I went back to my trusted formulation – Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acid. I started with the Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel, which contains potent AHA and a high strength of BHA (2%). Then I couldn’t help but buy the MD Formulation Vit-A-Plus Clearing Gel which has an even higher concentration of salicylic acid (5%), and it also includes retinol. Combined with MD Formulation Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque, I saw visible results within 3 days, after 1 week my blemishes were almost all gone and they also prevented new blemishes from appearing. All of these products are extremely harsh to the skin, so I needed an extremely gentle cleanser to neutralize the harsh effects. The Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse is the savior.

At the moment I am focusing on having my skin repaired as I was left with some acne marks. The Creme de la Mer The Concentrate has recently been voted as the Best Skin Secret by Harper’s Bazaar Australia, and I can’t agree with them more. La Mer has always been marketed as a miracle for anti aging, but little did people know the healing power of their products. If you are familiar with La Mer’s signature ingredient – the miracle broth, it was initially developed by the founder to heal severely burnt skin, and I believe this is what some of their products are best used for. The Creme de la Mer The Concentrate contains the highest concentration of miracle broth, and is mainly used for treating scars, not for anti aging. It is the best I’ve used for repairing damaged and irritated skin, as it heals wounds, and fades scars quite miraculously!

The weather was somewhat dry in the States, and now it’s cold in Sydney. So I have been using Laura Mercier’s Moisturizing Foundation, finished with either Cle de Peau Beaute Translucent Loose Powder or La Mer The Powder. For concealing, I love using the Bobbi Brown Corrector in light bisque. If I want some extra luminosity, I topped it up with YSL’s Touche Eclat, of which I have now lost count of how much of this I have gone through. The Shiseido Foundation Brush made me fall in love with compact foundations again, as I have been using this brush with either Laura Mercier Mineral Powder or Edward Bess Sheer Satin Foundation (not in the picture) whenever my skin needed more coverage, and they have worked their wonders to fake a flawless complexion.

{ 33 comments }

Labels: BRUSHES • CHANEL • CLE DE PEAU • FOUNDATION • LA MER • Laura Mercier • MD Formulations • My Favorites • Peter Thomas Roth • SHISEIDO • YSL

Shiseido Foundation Brush 131 Review

December 5, 2011

I am very happy with my latest foundation brush purchase, which is the Shiseido Foundation Brush 131 – the Japanese Version. I have previously done a foundation brushes overview post and was quite happy with my current collection, but there is something about this brush that just really clicked with me.

The Shiseido Foundation Brush 131 was released a while ago in Japan. First of all, it has achieved phenomenal success in an already saturated brushes market. Almost every Japanese beauty magazine has done a feature on this brush. Secondly, this brush was designed and endorsed by THE celebrity makeup artist 山本浩未. She is known for her flawless and natural base makeup creation and is the magic hand behind all of the amazing beauty shoots for some of the most popular Japanese mags such as Voce, Vivi and Ray. Most importantly, it is a very affordable brush. I bought it for only USD$20 at Adambeauty. There is also a high end version of it released by Shiseido.

The Shiseido Foundation Brush is made of synthetic fiber, and it feels incredibly soft and bouncy on the skin. Most of the foundation brushes are made of synthetic fiber and this brush is the softest amongst all. The bristles are also the most densely packed – it’s important for a foundation brush as it means it will leave no foundation streaks if you apply it the correct way.

It’s a flat top brush but it is slanted, and don’t confuse this as a Kabuki brush as it is not meant for buffing. The application method is slightly different – in essence you dab the foundation on to the skin first, mainly focusing on the large pore areas and the under eye areas, then you gently smooth the foundation outward. I highly recommend that you view the following videos in which the makeup artists demonstrate the application method in detail.

Video Demonstration by 山本浩未

Video Demonstration from Shiseido

The makeup artist was using a dry compact foundation with this brush in both videos, and that’s also what I love using this brush for. If you find that applying compact foundation/powder with a sponge gives a cakey and blotchy finish and hard to blend, then this is THE perfect tool for it. I have been using it with my Laura Mercier mineral powder foundation and the Edward Bess Creamy Compact foundation, and the result is so remarkable that it got me totally hooked!

Bottom Line: A remarkable and affordable foundation brush that is excellent for applying liquid foundation, dry or creamy compact foundations. I don’t think I can live without it!

{ 26 comments }

Labels: BRUSHES • SHISEIDO

Suqqu Eye Shadow Brush Medium Review

October 25, 2011

I bought two Suqqu eyeshadow brushes a while ago. I have already reviewed the Suqqu Eye Shadow Large and this is my review for the Suqqu Eye Shadow Brush Medium, also called Socket Brush. As you all know Suqqu brushes are expensive- this little socket brush retails for $48 pounds on Selfridges. But I am using this brush with so much joy everyday, so really it’s worth its weight in gold.

The Suqqu eyeshadow brush medium is a round crease brush that is made of 100% premium gray squirrel hair. The size is a little unusual – larger than a pencil brush and smaller than a normal blending brush (ie MAC 217). The hair is the softest you can get and it is densely packed which just gives enough control over applications such as contouring, and gentle blending for small areas.

Compared to some of my other pencil brushes, the Suqqu is relatively larger, and the softest and fluffiest. I have also included MAC 217 in the picture to show you the size differences.

Suqqu brushes are very unique and original as the the design is always different to the mainstream brushes for the same purpose, which makes them extremely versatile and practical. I personally find that this brush is great for the following uses:

– It is great for applying the eye shadows into the crease/socket line.

– My favorite use of this brush is for adding color to the outer edge of the eyes (as seen in many Lisa Eldridge makeup tutorial videos as that’s how she uses this brush). I normally like to apply a darker color on the outer v, and this brush picks the perfect amount of color as well as giving a full control on defining the edge on my small eyelid space.

– Gentle blending for small areas

– Adding a light wash of color along the lower line which is great for creating soft smoky eyes.

Bottom Line: My life (in the world of makeup) wasn’t complete before I had this brush. If you are on a constant lookout for brushes, Suqqu is the ultimate brush to go for.

FYI, Suqqu brushes are made in Japan by Chikuhodo, and the hairs are sourced from China.

Just a little information on Chikuhodo if you are interested. They are one of the best makeup brush makers in Japan – not only do they have the biggest cosmetics companies such as Suqqu, Shiseido and Kanebo as their clients, but their own series of brushes are even more amazing. For example, the Z-series is their second best series – all brushes in the Z-series are made of 100% gray squirrel hair and have a similar design to Suqqu. Some people say you only need to invest in either one. I personally find that the bristles of Z-series brushes are too silky and densely packed (been playing with them for the last couple of days), it lacks the fluffiness of Suqqu and picks up less color.

Now I want to talk about the P-series which is their best premium range. These brushes are the creme de la creme… can you believe the powder brush retails for 157,500円, that is equivalent to USD2000??!!!

{ 31 comments }

Labels: BRUSHES • SUQQU

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact 105 Sweet Lock Review and Swatches

September 3, 2011

Out of the entire Jill Stuart Fall 2011 Collection I was looking forward to the Mix blush compact in 105 sweet lock the most. The shades in the blush appear to be beige toned, which is different to the usual different variations of pink blushes that Jill Stuart has released. This limited edition has a white over-spray of the Jill Stuart signature.

The case also has a special jewel cast. As usual, it comes with a really pretty retractable brush that is detachable. I find these blushes are very handy as I like to keep one in my makeup bag, and it feels much better quality than the cheap retractable blushes you find at the drugstores.

Upon swatching I realized that this is just another pink blush! Quite disappointing for me as I anticipated it to be a beige and peachy blush judging by the colors from the pan. It contains 2 matte and 2 shimmery shades. Except for the pink shade on the bottom right, the rest of the shades are all on the sheer side.

Under direct sunlight

In the shadow:

FOTD: As said this blush is very sheer. When applied using a dense brush such as the attached Jill Stuart brush, the colors do show up on my NC15 skintone but the effect is very soft and subtle.

Compared to the Jill Stuart blush blossom dual cheek color in Classic Camellia, the colors are pretty similar but Sweet Lock is incomparably sheer. If I had known they were both pink blushes I would have only purchased one. I personally would buy the dual cheek color and pass up on this one, as dual cheek is more pigmented and it can be used either as a matte or shimmery blush.

Bottom Line: A lovely soft pink blush that provides a sheer wash of color on fair skin. If your skin tone is darker than NC25 I doubt it will show up. I won’t say it’s a must have as it is not any different to the past pink blushes released by Jill Stuart. If you are interested in purchasing a Jill Stuart Mix Compact blush, I highly recommend you to check out the permanent line.

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Labels: BLUSH • BRUSHES • Jill Stuart

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush Large Review

August 23, 2011

Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush Large could be the best buy of the year for me. It is expensive (costs around USD$75) but it is worth every single penny! Ever since I got this brush I barely used any of my other blending brushes in my stash. It is made of 100% grey squirrel hair. The softness is on par with the Suqqu cheek brush (reviewed here). My eyes have been super sensitive lately – as a result I cannot use some of my usual go-to brushes because I find them irritating on my fragile skin around the eyes. This brush feels exceptionally silky soft and soothing, it makes applying makeup just that little bit more enjoyable!

The shape of this brush is wide and rather flat compared to the usual blending brushes such as MAC 224 or MAC 217. The brush is fluffy, voluminous and bouncy – you will love the feel of the soft resistance coming from an ultra soft brush, which is what a goat hair brush lacks.

Although this brush appears quite flat from the side, the brush head is just as fluffy as the MAC 217 and 224 but more tapered. Quite a multifunctional eye brush in my opinion. I like to use the wide side to apply the eye color over a large area, and the tapered tip for defining the crease and for swirling the brush to blend. This brush is designed to provide a sheer wash of color (not a laydown brush) so it picks up about the same amount of color as MAC217.

The amazing thing about this brush is that it applies the eyeshadows beautifully. I have no idea what magic has been cast on to this brush (could be the fact that it is made of super fine and silky smooth natural ending squirrel hair)..I have been using this brush with all sorts of eyeshadows ranging from sheer to rich, shimmery and powdery (ie baked version of Chanel). It never fails to distribute the color incredibly evenly over the area you apply, and it polishes to a smoother finish.

Bottom Line: A must have for anyone who loves a good brush! Definitely worth saving up for.

You can find Suqqu brushes on Selfridges.

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Labels: BRUSHES • MAC • SUQQU

Suqqu Cheek Blush Brush Review

August 6, 2011

What could be more exciting than a Chanel Fall Haul for me? It was my recent purchase of the legendary Suqqu Cheek Blush Brush! I have had it for about 2 weeks now – it was hard for me to contain the excitement for that long, but I really wanted to give it a good use before I jumped to the conclusion that this is the world’s best blush brush (as everyone has said it to be). Suqqu is a Japanese high end brand that I have long been fascinated with…out of all the high end brands I lust for Suqqu the most because of their superior quality as well as exclusiveness. Knowing that this is Lisa Eldridge’s favorite blush brush made me more determined to have it!

The brush comes with a paper box, both the handle and the ferrule are made of black lacquered plastic. It is a round and relatively flat brush that fans out slightly towards the tip.

Compared to the standard sized blush brush (ie MAC 129), Suqqu blush brush is considered just as small. It is about the same width as my Shu Uemura’s Blush Brush in 17, but rounder, fluffier and has more volume to it.

From Left To Right: MAC 129, Suqqu Blush Brush; Shu 17

The brush is made of pure grey squirrel hair. The softness totally lives up to my expectation – ultra soft and silky. When I first received this brush, I couldn’t stop sweeping it across my face over and over just to experience the sensation. Unlike some other brushes which can feel quite prickly if I dab the tips directly on to my face, with Suqqu..in the words of Lisa it felt like a kitten’s paw (as I cannot find a better description of it).

Here is a close up shot of MAC and Suqqu – although it doesn’t capture the softness, it certainly shows the visual differences in the hair textures. By no means is the MAC129 a bad brush, but when it is next to Suqqu, the hair looks coarse and lacks of this glossy and silky sheen.

I have been using this brush with many different blushes. The relatively small shaped brush is perfect for depositing the pigments precisely on to the cheeks and its softness and fluffiness is perfect for blending. Before I had this brush, my only worry was that it might lack some resistance for blending as many ultra soft brushes are like. I was so pleased to find out that the hair is just bouncy as goat hair, which is perfect for me as I like to feel the resistance of the hair when blending. For a highly pigmented blush, this brush is fool proof as it grabs the perfect amount of pigments. With a less pigmented blush such as the Chanel J/C Rose Ecrin which I have been using (baked version), it applies more sheer than a goat brush. I don’t mind to keep layering it on but if I’m rushed for time this is not the best choice.

Bottom Line: My blush brush ranges from MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel etc…but my Suqqu brush truly makes them incomparable in terms of softness, ease of use and the amount of joy it brought me! It was certainly worth the high price tag for me. However, is it a must have? We all have handbags right? Do you consider having a Birkin as a must have?..some would..some wouldn’t. The same with this – this brush won’t make a significant difference to the final result of your makeup. It really comes down to how much you appreciate luxury makeup.

Suqqu brushes are avaiable here.

All the pictures of the Suqqu brush in this post are post wash.

I have also purchased some Suqqu eye blending brushes which I will report back on soon 🙂

{ 38 comments }

Labels: BRUSHES • SUQQU

June Favorites

July 2, 2011

June is a happy month. I never realised until my colleague pointed out to me the other day – June is the only month we receive 3 pay days because there are 5 Wednesdays in June! How cool is that?! So of course the money has to be well utilized..:-P I did quite a few huge hauls lately and hopefully they will be reviewed in this blog soon. Before I open a set of new makeup and skin care products, these are the products I have been actively reaching for throughout June.

MAKEUP ORGANIZER:

I really like this makeup holder, it is big enough to hold all the makeup I use for a month. It also looks nice on my dresser as it is made of crystal like acrylic.

FACE MAKEUP:

Guerlian L’OR Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Makeup Base: You all have heard me complaining my skin has been dehydrated lately and I came to appreciate how hydrating this primer is compared to the others. It really makes a difference to the way my foundation sits on my skin.

Les Tissages De Chanel in Tweed Pink: My On-the-Go blush as mentioned in my previous review.

By Terry Highlighting Powder: One of my favorite highlighting powders as it gives an airbrushed glow.

Clinique Blush Powder in 108 Cupid: Just a nice and easy to wear fall shade.

Becca Loose Powder: Very finely filled and looks natural on the skin.

BRUSHES:

Nars Yachiyo Brush: If I could only use 1 brush for the face it would be this one! It has multi functional design that is perfect for blending, applying blush as well as highlighting.

Calvin Klein Face Brush: What can I say..this brush is softer than my Mac, Chanel and Nars brushes and it’s only $15!

EYE MAKEUP:

Been layering these shadows to create different neutral looks

Nars Dogon Eyeshadow Duo

Nars All about Eve Eyeshadow Duo

Giorgio Armani Intense Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow in 08 Nola

LIPS:

MAC Cremesheen in JAZZED

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani Lipstick in 105: perfect nude for me.

Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Volage

LIP TREAMENTS:

Lush Lip Scrub: Love the pink sugar and the bubblegum scent!

Chanel Hydramax Active Nutrition Lip Care: I like to use a lip treatment rather than lip balm before I go to bed. Chanel Hydramax Lip care gives me baby soft lips the next day.

Sportsgirl Lip Balm: My new discovery. It has a pleasant rockmelon scent and the texture reminded me of the By Terry Baume de Rose. It also leaves a hint of baby pink color on the lips.

HAIRCARE:

Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner: Frederic Fekkai and KERASTASE are my two favorite hair care lines. Their products always meet my expectations. This color technician range preserve the hair color while moisturizing and having a pleasant peachy scent.

Aveda Brilliant Damage Control: It is a heat protective spray – I like to use it on my 2nd day hair for heat protection; detangling and refreshing my hair. It has a unique soothing herbal scent that lingers on my hair for the whole day.

SKINCARE:

Jurlique Balancing Cleansing Lotion: I always prefer to use a gentle cleanser with a natural aroma scent in the morning to start my day off. This one leaves my skin soft and supple.

Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Mask: It used to be called Deep Penetrating Cream Mask. I think the former name is a much better description of the product. It is more of a refining mask that tightens up the pores, brightens up the complexion and clearing up the breakout pigmentation. It is not just for moisturizing.

Shiseido Benefiance Firming Massage Mask: I went through tons of this mask. One of the best nourishing, moisturizing and firming masks I have used!

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Labels: AVEDA • BRUSHES • CLEANSER • Frederic Fakkai • JURLIQUE • LIPBALM • MASK • My Favorites • SHISEIDO

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.