DIOR

Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette Review and Swatch

April 24, 2015

As soon as I saw the preview pic of the Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette, I knew it would be a must-have LE item to collect this year. Sometimes the “special edition makeup” with a big wow factor can be a little too fancy for use everyday, but this palette is equally practical and stunning. I was late to review this as I didn’t want to ruin the beautiful design of it! If you have been thinking about buying it then this is a good time as it is currently at 10% off on Nordstrom. I bought mine at David Jones in Australia.

The Eye Reviver Palette is encased in a glossy silver case, and contains 5 beautiful neutral eye shadows embossed with Dior logos, and 1 black gel eye liner. The texture of the powder eye shadows are as good as you can get – buttery soft, silky smooth to apply and easy to blend without fallout, and all shades are highly pigmented. Dior has totally nailed the the color combination of this palette. The 5 neutral colors of different finishes are in perfect homonany and complement each other when layered together. They are very wearable shades for me, with a degree of uniqueness and complexity to it that makes this palette particularly alluring to me. As for the cream gel liner it is a little on the dry side, so when it is applied it doesn’t feel as smooth as the better ones such as the Bobbi Brown. I would only reach for the gel liner if I don’t have other eyeliner options available.

Shade Description from left to right:

1. A semi-matte ivory color – it looks very clean on my skin-tone so it’s excellent for a base color.

2. A shimmery sandy beige champagne color that is great for highlighting or as a wash of barely-there color over the entire eye lid.

3. A shimmery medium mink brown color (leans slightly cool) with a hint of metallic sheen.

4. A true taupe color with a hint of mauve undertone that is also slightly metallic.

5. A dark chocolate brown in matte. Thumbs up for this color as it is very smooth and rich for a matte texture.

6. The gel eyeliner is medium black.

Swatch

Under natural sunlight

Indoor lighting

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Labels: DIOR • EYESHADOW

Les Neiges de Diorsnow Rainbow Powder Review and Swatch

April 20, 2015

If you have been drooling over this highly coveted limited edition as well as Asia Exclusive Les Neiges de Diorsnow Rainbow Powder, the good news is that it is available here worldwide. The bad news is that it is currently sold out on the site, but you can add the item to your wishlist and it will notify you once it is in stock. I did that and I was thrilled that I got a notification within a week!

When it comes to a limited edition or exclusive makeup, it is all about the design and the color. The DiorSnow Rainbow Powder is an ultimate collector’s item – it’s so pretty and whimsical, and makes my heart skip a few beats every time I look at it. The matching pink Dior brush is also a thoughtful design that “completes” the product. It is not the softest brush I have used, but it’s portable and cute, and is good enough to pick up the color for a quick application.

It consists of 4 different colors, in a beautiful mosaic print with a snow flake and the Dior logo laser imprint. The colors work together to softly brighten and counteract the yellow tone in your complexion. When it is applied it goes on almost translucent with a touch of lavender undertone. It is more of a setting powder than a highlighter that brings a subtle luminous glow to the skin but it doesn’t provide any coverage. The texture is very finely milled and silky smooth, and it sets beautifully on my dry skin (including the under eye areas) without enhancing the flakes and lines. The finish is very natural and semi-matte. If you don’t like shimmery highlighter, this product works particularly well for providing a subtle brightening effect and taking away the dullness in your skin.

The overall use of this powder does remind me of the cult Guerlain Meteorites Pearls in 02 Claire. The only difference would be that it doesn’t have any shimmer, and it provides a better brightening effect as the color is slightly more opaque.

Swatch of DiorSnow Rainbow Powder

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Labels: DIOR • HIGHLIGHTER • POWDER

All About Sunscreens

March 14, 2015

I have been road testing a lot of sunscreens in recent years, and in this post it covers some of my absolute favorites. As we all know, there are two different types of UVS – the UVA and UVB . What you probably aren’t aware is that UVB rays can burn the skin, whereas what we women really have to watch out for on a daily basis is the UVA rays that causes aging and pigmentation. SPF is only for blocking UVB. In most western brands, if the sunscreen also protects you from UVA it is indicated by the word “Broad Spectrum”, however how much coverage it provides is unknown. I personally prefer the Asian standard of labeling for UVA protection as it is denoted by the PA+. The more plus signs there are, the better job it does for blocking UVA which is valuable information for those who are sensitive to the sun.

1. Estee Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Brightening UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++: My top favorite and I would repurchase it over and over. It has all the protection I need, and the texture is like a lightweight gel cream that feels invisible and hydrating on the skin. It is neither greasy nor drying. And unlike other gel sunscreens, this one does not flake up and sits well under makeup. Highly recommend! (Asia version here)

2. DIOR DIORSNOW White Reveal UV Protection SPF 50 PA+++: It’s a sunscreen with moisturizing and brightening ingredients, so it doubles up as a makeup primer as it helps to brighten up and even out the skin tone. The texture feels very rich upon application – almost like a heavy moisturizer for dry skin but it absorbs into the skin after a few minutes without the oily residue, leaving your skin supple and slightly dewy. A lot of my friends who have dry skin really love this sunscreen because of the dewy finish. (Asia version here)

3. Lunasol Control Essence UV SPF34 PA+++ : It feels just as good as the Estee Lauder -very lightweight, and has a luxurious serum-like lotion texture that feels refreshing and hydrating on the skin without changing the skin color. I would rate this one as my second favorite because it has a lower SPF.

4. BECCA Mineral SPF30 Face and Body Sunscreen: This is a mineral sunscreen so it is better for sensitive as well as acne prone skin types, and more importantly, they become effective immediately upon application as opposed to the classic sunscreens that should be applied at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. The texture of this is lovely – it is creamy but non greasy, feels refreshing on the face but it might leave a white cast if your skin tone is darker than NC30.

5. ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen FACE SPF34 PA+++ – A Japanese drugstore brand and their UV CUT line that is highly raved about and just blows the western drugstore sunscreens out of the water. This is a mineral sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has a watery milky lotion texture with more than 80% moisturizing ingredients that just melts into your skin and prevents oxidization. It sets immediately to a semi-matte finish without feeling drying nor powdery. I love using this one on days I don’t wear makeup, as it is tinted with a pale beige color that makes the complexion look really fresh and clean. My top pick for an affordable sunscreen!

6. ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen SUPER SPF50 PA++++: Offers maximum protection, and the texture is very similar to the face product without the beige tint, so it can be used for both the face and the body without leaving a white cast as it goes on invisible. Since it has the highest PA protection, it is great for prevention from being tanned.

7. Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral: Another mineral sunscreen but in powder form! I thought this is a brilliant idea as I like to re-apply sun protection every few hours without having it messing up my makeup! It applies pretty much like transparent loose powder, but the brush feels coarse and it doesn’t fit into the cap so it can get messy for carrying it around.

Swatches from left to right: Estee Lauder; Dior; Lunasol; Becca; Orbis Face; Orbis Super

slightly blended

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Labels: BECCA • DIOR • ESTEE LAUDER • LUNASOL • ORBIS • Peter Thomas Roth • SKINCARE • SUNSCREEN

Dior Lady Nail Lacquer Swatch

March 7, 2015

I have not been posting about nail polishes for a long time so a quick post on the Dior Lady 294 Nail Lacquer today. The reason I have not been writing about nail polishes is because I completely stopped wearing them for several months. My nails became so damaged after having shellac gel several times – they became very brittle and thinner, and the surface got very rough as I had to sand them off each time. From this experience I would probably never having them done again (sorry shellac!).

Dior Lady is a muted dusty pink with flesh undertone in cream glossy finish. It’s a very classy and elegant shade and would suit most skin tones. The quality of Dior nail polishes is the best in the market – 2 coats give you a smooth, streak free, and opaque cream finish with a gel-like shine. Unfortunately for this post I still can’t take close up shots of my nails as they have not returned to the tip-top conditions, hope you get the idea of what the color looks like when it’s painted!

I bought mine at David Jones, and it’s also available here in the US. Other products featured in the pictures include Vita Fede mini bracelet; Vita Fede mini v ring; Vita Fede mini pearl ring; Diptyque mini candle from the mini candle set.

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Labels: DIOR • NAIL POLISH

SHISEIDO MAQUILLAGE Dramatic Melting Rouge Lipstick Review, Swatches and FOTD – PK227 and RD425

February 11, 2015

Sheseido Maquillage has released a new line of lipsticks this year called Dramatic Melting Rouge. Since I am a devotee of their highly popular lip gloss (Essence Glamorous Rouge that has won many beauty awards in Japan), I was excited about this new launch. Similar to the lip gloss that was enriched with hyaluronic acid, this new lipstick claims to have a high concentration of their unique blend of ‘beauty oil’ that hydrates your lips like moisturizing essence, and provides a full coverage with a mirror shine gloss.

I picked the colors PK227 and RD425 – a pink and a bright red as they are my go-to colors these days. The texture completely lives up to my expectations as they are ultra smooth and glides on like silk that just melts into your lips. It nourishes even the driest lips without enhancing any dry skin and lines, and make them appear fuller and youthful. It feels very lightweight and extremely hydrating on the lips. The coverage is excellent and it’s opaque with a degree of translucency. It also has a jelly like shine without any shimmer which I absolutely adore. Best of all, they are very long lasting for a glossy lipstick. The colors remain at full intensity even after 4 hours of wear and I even had snacks in between!

Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge in PK227 is a beautiful girly and soft neutral pink that is neither too cool or nor too warm. You probably would have seen a gazillion of them on my blog, but this shade just guarantees to make me feel happy and pretty which is the most important purpose of wearing makeup!

Lip Swatch with a single swipe – natural day light

FOTD wearing PK227

Shiseido Maquillage Dramatic Melting Rouge in RD425 is a bright cherry red in high gloss. You can either apply this color to the center of your lips for a gradient look, or you can apply it to your entire lips for a more glamorous look but still stay young and fresh.

FOTD wearing RD425

Group Swatch

Left PK227 Right RD425

Other makeups used in the FOTDs include

DIOR Diorskin STAR Studio Foundation

CHANEL Natural Finish Loose Powder

YSL Touche Eclat

NARS Illuminator Limited Edition

HOURGLASS Ambient Blush Palette Limited Edition (reviewed here)

JILL STUART Ribbon Couture Eye 03 Vintage Satin (reviewed here)

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Labels: CHANEL • DIOR • FOTD • HOURGLASS • Jill Stuart • LIPSTICK • Maquillage by Shiseido • NARS • SHISEIDO

2013 Holiday Beauty Wishlist

November 2, 2013

Whilst most people realize that the end of another year is fast approaching by noticing that the shops are starting to sell xmas goodies, as a beauty enthusiast I am reminded because of the Holiday Makeup Collections trickling into the stores! After scouring the internet for previews I have finally put together my 2013 holiday beauty wishlist. Except for the Suqqu Makeup Kit B which I have already ordered on Selfridges (in case you don’t know that Selfridges now ship Suqqu internationally with VAT deduction available!), I’ll just have to wait patiently for the rest of them to arrive in Australia.

1. Dior Sparkling Nail Powders Set (Nordstrom exclusive) – love the over-the-top opulent finish for party nails

2. Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Golden Flower – a perfect combination of warm neutrals

3. Chanel Nuit Infinie de Chanel Collection Holiday 2013 – particularly the eye shadow palette which is another alluring set of neutrals that can be worn all year round

4. La Mer Treatment Lotion – eager to try out this latest product from La Mer

5. Suqqu Makeupt Kit B – bought this droolwhorthy set with a heart beat!

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Labels: CHANEL • DIOR • EYESHADOW • LA MER • SUQQU

Loving right now – Dior Trafalgar Nail Polish and Vita Fede

October 31, 2013

Dior Vernis Trafalgar which was released recently in Australia quickly became my top favorite red nail lacquer – it’s a true stunning poppy red in a glossy gel-like finish. There are different variations of red, and my preference always lean towards this kind as it’s young and fresh. On my ring finger I am wearing the Ultra Midi Mini Titan Ring (also available here) by VITA FEDE. I am completely obsessed with everything from this brand at the moment and I will show you what I have collected so far in a future post.

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Labels: ACCESSORY • DIOR • NAIL POLISH • Vita Fede

Dior Summer Mix 2013 Collection – Le Vernis Creoles #678 Review and Swatches

July 8, 2013

I wanted to pick up some new Dior cream blushes from the Summer Mix 2013 Collection but there just wasn’t anything that caught my heart. Instead the stand out from the collection were the nail polishes, particularly the Dior Le Vernis Creoles #678. It’s a hot pink (no shimmer) that is just incredibly vibrant and deliciously fresh. It’s freezing in Sydney now and it’s just uplifting to see a pop of bright pink color on the nails in this kind of gloomy weather – I call this color therapy!

The quality of Dior Le Vernis is also phenomenal (yes it’s better than most Chanel Le Vernis…). It is extremely opaque and ultra smooth to apply, and with only one coat you can get an even, opaque and ultra shiny finish. I have this on my nails for more than a week now and there is still not a single chip!

Dior Le Vernis Creoles #678 can be purchased here in the US (link to the entire Summer Mix 2013 Collection). It is also available at Selfridges (link here) in UK.

I bought mine for AUD$38 @ David Jones in Australia.

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Labels: DIOR • NAIL POLISH

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