Beauty

Holiday Look with Suqqu Holiday 2013 Makeup Kit B

December 21, 2013

I finally have the time to play around with all the new holiday makeups I bought! I have lots of gatherings and dinners to go in the next couple of weeks and this look created with the Suqqu Makeup Kit B from its 2013 Holiday Collection will make a debut! It’s a very bold and sultry makeup look that’s out of my character but it fits right into the holiday festive season.

I’ll just give a brief review of the Suqqu Holiday Kit B as there are plenty of reviews online. It contains Blend Color EyeShadow Quad Ex19, Mascara Volume Long N, Reset Cleansing Cream, Refining Foam and a grey pouch (not in the picture – quite hideous looking) and mirror.

The star of the set is the Blend Color Eye Shadow Quad EX19. The packaging is absolutely to die for, so as an avid Suqqu fan I bought this set in a heartbeat just for collecting. The colors are very earthy and neutral with a holiday twist. You can never go wrong with a soft shimmering peach and sandy taupe as your basic colors, whilst the midnight khaki green with silver glitters adds a punch of glamor to the quad. Some reviews said that this particular shade is dry, and I don’t have this issue. Compared to the other glitter eye shadows of other brands such as BB, MAC and Nars, I think this is one of the best I own – it’s pigmented, smooth and has no fall out.

Swatches with 1 swipe

The Eye Makeup:

Applied the creamy white shade as a base all over the lid, then the shimmery peach over the eye socket and the taupe on the outer v. I then smudged the sparkly dark green along the upper lash line, and finished with falsies.

For the lower lash line, the dark green is applied to the outer third, and the shimmery peach on the tear duct. I then lined the lash line with a red shimmery eyeliner pencil by Holika Holika (reviewed here) for an edgier twist.

Other Makeup Used:

Tony Moly Aqua Aura Moisturizing BB Cream

Dior Blush in Pink Happiness

MAC lipstick in MAC Red

Once again, I highly recommend this gorgeous Suqqu set if you can still get your hands on it as it has been sold out on Selfridges. Their makeup really is the eastern version of Chanel beauty – sophisticated and timeless in every aspect.

{ 9 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • FOTD • SUQQU

Best Volumising Hair Products

November 24, 2013

Styling my hair is a challenge – quote from my hairdresser. It wasn’t until my HD told me why – I have naturally frizzy and puffy hair but with very flat roots! So not only do I need products to make them sleek and smooth, I am also constantly on the lookout for the best root lifting products. I have tried tons and here are the products I recommend:

1. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – Absolutely my HG. I have mentioned this product in my past posts. Basically it’s a texture spray that goes on completely invisible and weightless, and adds lots of volume and refreshes the roots at the same time. It also keeps my hair dry and soft which is what I like the most. I normally used it on my roots but I have seen celeb stylists use it throughout the whole hair on their clients for some va-va-voom volume. The downside is that it is expensive for using as a dry shampoo, and it is not available in Australia! I am down to my last can now so I am saving it for special occasions.

2. Alterna Bamboo Volume Uplifting Root Blast – My second favorite product that I almost use everyday. It gives just enough volume and lift to my limp roots, and I like this product because it has holding power that lasts for several hours, and it doesn’t make my hair sticky nor stiff. The downside is that it’s not a dry spray so it may take some time for the product to dry if too much is applied.

3. SACHAJUAN Root Lift – Works very similar to the Alterna Root Blast. It’s a non-sticky styling spray in an aerosol can that adds volume and hold. I bought this because I was attracted to its clean and sleek packaging.

4. Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti Humidity Hair Spray – I really like the Alterna line so I bought this product to try after my success with the root blast. This is more of a flexible holding spray which also helps to control frizz. I normally use this product after I give the roots a hot blast with blow dryer, and it helps to hold the lift with a dry finish. The downside is that it gives the hair a harder texture (as most holding hair sprays do), and I have to run my fingers through to soften it.

5. Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray – I always like my ‘beach hair’ after a swim as my hair just dries up in natural waves with volume in a way that I can never recreate with any tools. So that made me purchase this volumising hair spray in the hope of achieving the same texture. I spray it on to the dry roots then scrunch it up, and it helps to add massive volume. The downside is that it feels quite heavy on the hair due to the salt content, and can make hair sticky and crunchy.

6. Aveda Pure Abundance hair potion – There is a lot of hype about this product when it was first released. It’s a root lifting product in powder form but turns into liquid wax as soon as it applied on to the hair. It volumises the hair by adding thickeness and texture. I think this would work great on fine hair, and as for me who has medium to thick hair, I find this product is too heavy and thick for my liking.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: ALTERNA • AVEDA • HAIRCARE • Kevin Murphy • Oribe

Updated Skincare Routine

November 8, 2013

Here is my current skincare regime as I am very pleased with the results.

1. Clinique Take the day off Cleansing Milk: A gentle and soothing cleansing milk that is effective to take off light makeup.

2. ALBION EXAGE Moist Crystal Milk: ALBION’s signature pre-toner lotion. When it is used in conjunction with the ALBION Skin Conditioner Treatment Lotion my skin stays moisturized and supple all day long. Absolutely love the combination.

3. ALBION Skin Conditioner: Japan’s best selling treatment lotion that tops the sales record every year (a bottle is sold every 13 seconds!). It is a refreshing yet highly hydrating treatment lotion which is made of high concentration of Japanese barley. It helps to keep the skin oil and water balanced and it purifies, brightens and moisturize at the same time. It is my all time favorite treatment water and I have gone through countless bottles of it.

4. Ipsa Premier Line ME Serum 1: The latest skin firming gel-type serum from Ipsa that claims it will give the same result as having a laser thermage. I almost used the bottle up, and although I have not noticed a significant slimming/lifting and anti-aging effect, it does keep the puffiness at bay.

5. Ipsa Premier Line Lift Up Roller: A special face massaging tool especially designed to be used together with the ME serum . It gives a temporary lifting effect and helps to stimulate the lymph notes and blood circulation along the jaw lines and the neck which helps to eliminate toxins.

6. Perricone MD High Potency Evening Repair: I really like this serum for night time. It is a very potent serum that helps to repair and resurface dull and aged skin, and I can see a great improvement overnight. As a bonus I have noticed it has some firming effect, as I feel the definition of my face appears sharpened and more lifted every time I use this product.

7. Sisley Day & Night Ecological Compound: Another holy grail product for me and I always keep one on my vanity table. Sisley is known for its state of the art botanical ingredients, and this silky moisturizing lotion has a lovely milky texture that is easily absorbed by the skin which is ideal all year round and is suitable for most skin types. It gives the skin a lovely glow, and is also great to be worn under the makeup.

8. Fresh Creme Ancienne: I was intrigued by this cream as it is comparable to cream de La Mer. The texture is even thicker and waxier than the latter, and it is extremely rich so a tiny dab is enough for the whole face even for the very dry skin type. I only reach for this cream on days when my skin is desert dry, and this cream works wonders.

{ 12 comments }

Labels: ALBION • CLINIQUE • FRESH • IPSA • My Favorites • PERRICONE • SISLEY • SKINCARE

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!

{ 5 comments }

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.

{ 7 comments }

Labels: ACCESSORY • DIOR • NAIL POLISH • Vita Fede

Shiseido Perfect Hydrating BB Cream Review

October 20, 2013

As we all know the BB cream and CC cream are taking the world by storm. The latest release of Perfect Hydrating BB Cream by Shiseido just hit the Australian shores recently, and I was extremely eager to try it out as I am going through the BB and CC cream phase at the moment, and have been reaching to them more frequently than the usual foundations.

I have been using BB cream on and off for years – when it was first introduced in Korea many years ago. Back then I thought BB cream in general was way too over hyped as most of them that I tried were quite ordinary. Fast forward to now, and there are much better BB creams in the market as the technology has evolved. I am very impressed with the new ones that I have purchased lately, and the Shiseido BB Cream is one of them.

Product Information:

– A multifuntional BB cream with a makeup effect and skincare benefits for bright, vibrant lookinng skin that is moistruized, and protected against UV damaage. It is oil free and has SPF30. For the ingredient list [;ease refer to the Sephora website.

My Thoughts:

Texture:

Unlike the traditional BB cream which is thick and heavy, the Shiseido has a silky fluid texture. The lightweight formula blends evenly and instantly assimilates with the skin, and leaves no traces of makeup on the skin. It is perfect for those of you who don’t like the feel of wearing makeup. It also keeps the skin quite hydrated and supple, so there is no need to prep the skin with loads of other products prior to using this one if you don’t have dry skin. However you might find this product not nourishing and rich enough if you have very dry skin.

Color:

The color match is also great for people with fair complexion. I bought it in Light Clare which is the lightest shade of the range. It matches me perfectly (I am NC15) without any grey cast and oxidation – as you can see in the comparison swatch below.

Coverage:

It offers a sheer coverage that helps to even out the complexion with a natural, translucent and slightly dewy finish. It helps to conceal the pores and redness moderately, and does not enhance any dry skin. I personally like to use this product first, then followed by using a concealer to cover up the problematic areas.

Bottom Line: If you have good skin to begin with, you would love this product as it offers the most natural and comfortable even-toned finish with a soft glow. It also serves a great foundation primer as it is extremely lightweight and comes with a decent level of SPF30.

The Shiseido Perfect Hydrating BB cream is available at Sephora and Nordstrom in the US, and House of Fraser and Harrods in the UK with international shipping available.

I bought mine at David Jones for AUD$52.

{ 5 comments }

Labels: BB Cream • FOUNDATION • SHISEIDO

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 86 Discretion Review and Swatch

October 9, 2013

I popped into the Chanel Makeup studio to check out the new Vitalumiere Compact Douceur. To my surprise I also spotted two new Joues Contraste Blushes 85 Evocation and 86 Discretion just being released. In the end I decided to pass on the powder foundation as it just feels too dry for my desert-dry skin at the moment, but I couldn’t resist the beautiful Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 86 Discretion.

The texture of Discretion reminds me of Fleur De Lotus that was released as part of the Le Blanc Collection last year (reviewed here) – it feels noticeably more buttery softer than the other JC of baked version in the permanent line. Even though the color is very light, the color payoff is greater than I expected. I only needed 1 to 2 swipes for the color to show on my face, as opposed to multiple swipes needed with other JC blushes that have a harder texture.

The color is also quite interesting. It looks like a pale baby pink with iridescent micro shimmer in the pan. When it is applied it shows up as a pale pink with a hint of coral undertone. As you can see in my comparison swatches below, going by that Narcisse is a true baby pink, Discretion is more warm and brighter. As with most Chanel JC, the finish of Discretion is natural and soft with a lit within glow, and you will never go overboard with this blush.

Bottom Line: A must have pretty and soft pink blush from Chanel in my opinion.

{ 7 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL

Le Blush Cream de Chanel 65 Affinite and 63 Revelation Review, Swatches and FOTD

September 29, 2013

I finally get back into the swing of shopping and wearing makeup again! And my first purchase since my “break” was the Le Blush Cream De Chanel in 65 AFFINITE and 63 REVELATION. I wore these on several occasions and I absolutely adore them. They are now becoming one of my top three favorite cream blushes – on par with my Addiction Cheek Sticks and the Stila Convertibles.

My thought on these cream blushes is that the texture would go well with every skin type. The cream blush is extremely finely milled so it doesn’t settle into the pores. And it is extremely easy to blend into a natural and even finish. I only need a tiny dab of it to create a natural flush of color on the cheeks. The finish strikes a perfect balance between creamy and powdery (see the comparison swatch below), and it sets into the skin seamlessly without enhancing dry patches and pores.

There is no surprise that I picked up two of the most popular pink shades from the range. The must-have 65 AFFINITE which has been out of stock for a long time, and the 63 REVELATION that goes with any makeup look all year round.

65 AFFINITE is a bright strawberry pink with a hint of blue undertone that sets into a semi-matte finish. If you think the color looks quite ordinary when it is swatched on hand, then you should give it a try on the face. It’s one of those ‘magical’ bright pink shades that instantly transforms a dull and lifeless complexion into a fresh and youthful looking one.

63 REVELATION is a warm peachy pink. It is a no brainer soft pink shade that is easy to wear when you are on the go.

Comparison Swatches with Addiction Cheek Stick Amazing; Stila Convertible Gerbera, YSL Cream Blush 9 (reviewed here), Stila Convertible Lillium

FOTD 1 wearing shade 65 AFFINITE

FOTD 2 wearing shade 63 REVELATION

Other products used:

RMK Foundation, Lunasol Summer Eyes 2013, YSL Lipstick PINK IN PARIS in FOTD 1, and CORAIL INCANDESCENT in FOTD 2 (reviewed here)

Bottom Line: If these blushes can make me look like ‘have slept for 8 hours’ (which indeed I only sleep less than 5 hours a day…), then they really are doing something magical that’s worth the splurge. I bought the Chanel Cream Blush at David Jones for $60 each. Both shades are available here in the US. You can also get them from Harrods with international shipping and VAT Tax deduction available.

{ 20 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL • FOTD • YSL

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