Beauty

Coming soon – Dior Tie Dye Summer 2015 Collection

May 12, 2015

Here is a quick post sharing what I have picked from the Dior Tie Dye Summer 2015 collection recently. I bought all of these in Sweden, and in case you are curious if makeups are expensive in Sweden? Yes they are – about the same price as in Australia which is 50% more than the retail price in the US.

Clockwise:

Dior Tie Dye Eyeshadow Palette in 746 Ambre Nuit

Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye Blush in 01 Pink Sunrise

Dior ‘Addict It Line’ Liquid Eyeliner (not from the collection) – I ran out eyeliners over here so I decided to give this one a try based on the good reviews I have seen. I’m glad I bought it as it’s my HG eyeliner from now on!

Dior Tie Dye Vernis Nail Lacquer in 464 Sundown and 319 Sunwashed

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Labels: DIOR

What’s in my makeup bag

May 10, 2015

I have recently re-organized my makeup bag before my trip to Sweden, so I thought I’ll do a ‘what’s in my bag’ post. The makeup pouch is from Louis Vuitton 2015 Summer Collection limited edition. I really like the bright pink V graphic on it and its matching hot pink interior – it is very on trend and adds a playful touch to a rather classic style! The size is also quite compact, and I like the round shape (rather than a flat pouch) so it’s great for holding lots of makeup!

Clockwise:

1. Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette – reviewed here

2. Bobbi Brown Cheek Palette Pink – reviewed here

3. Suqqu Cheek Brush – The greatest investment you can make for a brush! I have been using it everyday for the past 3 years and it is still in perfect condition (reviewed here)

4. Chantecaille Corrector Concealing Pen – reviewed here

5. Beauty Bar 24k Gold – Highly recommend! I use this face massage tool whenever I can for an instant lifted contour (reviewed here).

6. Dior Rainbow Powder – I use it as a setting powder with a kabuki brush for a soft glow with a brightening effect (reviewed here).

7. BBrowBar Brow Pen – Best brow pen I have ever used (reviewed here)!

8. Charlotte Tilbury Liquid Pencil in Eye Cheat – Can’t live without this pencil now. I use it on the lower waterline and it instantly makes my eyes appear more awakened and bigger (reviewed here)

9. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Marron Glace – A lovely rusty brown color I like to use on the along the lower lash line.

10. Chanel Le Volume Mascara – This mascara gives the most feathery fanned out lashes.

11. Dior Addict It Line– Review coming soon. Absolutely addicted to this liner!

12. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Roussy – reviewed here

The interior

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Labels: ACCESSORY • Beauty Tools • BOBBI BROWN • CHANEL • Charlotte Tilbury • DIOR • Louis Vuitton • MASCARA • My Favorites • SUQQU

Chanel Beige Perfume Review

May 7, 2015

I am not the greatest reviewer for fragrances, though I buy a lot and I wear perfume everyday I don’t talk about it that much on my blog. One of my recent purchases was the exclusive Chanel Beige perfume which I am completely in love with. I was instantly drawn to its elegant packaging, and this is by far the most exquisite masterpiece of fragrance Chanel has ever made.

It has notes of white floral (Hawthorn, Freesia and Frangipani) with honey. Here is the description from Chanel which I really like:

“A stunning blend of white petals and yellow gold…in other words, a breath of beige.”

On me (I have quite a low body temperature), it smells clean; pretty and floral that is not overly sweet in a complex way. There are a gazillion of floral fragrances, but Chanel Beige is different from the norm. It has a refined elegance and smoothness that is unique enough to catch people’s attention. I am at this age where I stay away from anything that makes me smell like candies, teas or basils, and the Chanel Beige will probably be my signature scent for the next couple of years. It is an ‘expensive’ and classy scent, but on the other hand, it is soft, warm and modern. It is well suited to all occasions all year round. We often associate a fragrance with our fond memories, and I would say Chanel Beige reminds me of having myself wrapped in a cashmere throw, and sipping coffee on a beautiful street in Paris. Lasting power is about 8 hours on me.

Highly recommend! I bought mine at the Chanel Makeup Boutique, and it is exclusive to Chanel online.

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Labels: CHANEL • FRAGRANCE • PERFUME

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

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

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.