Front Row Beauty

Mid-Blog Crisis?

February 27, 2017

I was meant to post a review today, and somehow it turned into a totally random ramble for me. I am currently going through a phase that I feel burnt out from juggling the demands between my full time job, blogging and looking after a 3 yr old who takes most of my time. I am taking some time to think how to re-prioritize and get my life more organised and efficient! If you have any good tips and ideas please don’t hesitate to share them with me.

I’ve seen so many of my fellow blogger friends quit blogging after becoming a mommy, and I have to say that this idea is always on the back of my mind as it will make my life much easier and less stressful. On the other hand, I love blogging very much. It is the only avenue for me to share my creativity, as well as my love for beauty and fashion! Hopefully I will have a better solution, so I can be more efficient with blogging and expand my blog with wider content, as I know many of you are interested in seeing more lifestyle posts from me such as a home tour, my wardrobe, my collections, and how I organise my makeup, shoes etc..They are work-in-progress I promise!

Found this cute picture with my boy who loves photo bombing and copying me! I have been literally living in these Bally Slippers (that can also be worn as loafers) ever since I got my hands on them (always sold out in Australia). On my boy he is wearing the Burberry Kids Polo and the cutest Mini Birkenstock.

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The New Chanel Le Blanc 2017 Whitening Compact Foundation Radiance Thermal Comfort Review and Swatch

February 21, 2017

I gushed about how much I was impressed with the new Chanel Le Blanc Whitening Compact Foundation Radiance Thermal Comfort from the Le Blanc 2017 collection when I first bought it, and I’ve been trialing the new foundation over a few weeks now (so the honeymoon period is over!), and I can honestly say that it is one of the best compact foundations I have ever used. It has the finest creamy texture, and is the most moisturizing powder that works great for dry skin or in the cold months.

The design is very minimalist – encased in a clean all-white case, and comes with a sponge applicator. The sponge has 1 side of velvety texture, and it feels ultra luxurious and plush against the skin. It is designed for application for a better coverage and a more air-brushed finish. The other side has a normal sponge finish that gives a more natural and traceless finish.

The powder is designed to work in all climate conditions as well as protecting your skin with SPF25 with PA+++. It is extremely finely milled that feels silky smooth and buttery upon touching. Best of all, the powder applies creamy and feels very moisturizing on the skin. It gives the skin a milky porcelain-like finish in a natural way that does not look overly powdery. It gives medium to high coverage without looking cakey. I personally prefer to apply it with my favorite Chanel Les Beiges Kabuki Brush, or with the sponge applicator for touch-ups.

It doesn’t enhance any dry lines and does a wonderful job to even out the imperfections with a hint of brightening effect and completely cover the pores. I have been using it solely as a foundation, with a sheer layer of primer underneath, and it stays put for the whole day (7-8 hours ) without creasing. Since it is a very moisturizing powder, it does not completely mattify the skin, and I notice some oil comes through on the t-zone after 5 to 6 hours of wear.

Color: I bought the color 20 Beige (FYI I am NC15-20, GA 3.5/4) and this shade matches me perfectly.

Swatch

Overall I highly recommend this compact foundation whether you need it for touch up or solely as a foundation. The texture is perfection for all skin types and particularly for the dry skin, and it feels ultra comfort and blends seamlessly!

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Labels: BRUSH • CHANEL • COMPACT FOUNDATION • foundation • POWDER FOUNDATION

Chanel Le Blanc Spring 2017 Makeup Picks with Le Vernis Blue Pastel Review and Swatch

February 9, 2017

The Chanel Le Blanc Spring 2017 collection was released recently, and as usual, I always find a lot of beautiful pieces that are more appealing to me than their seasonal collections. Unfortunately the collection is Asia-exclusive as of now.

I picked up the Le Blanc Whitening Compact Foundation (amazing powder, and as the Chanel SA says “the best powder foundation Chanel has ever done!”), the gorgeous Plisse Lumiere De Chanel highlight powder and a nail color. The former two products will take me a while to review, so I thought I’d share some swatches for the beautiful Le Vernis in Blue Pastel first. It’s a pastel sky blue color in cream finish. I have been wearing nude and pastel colors a lot lately, so this color is right up my alley. It looks unique, clean and elegant at the same time. Consistency is slightly streaky for the first coat, but you can achieve a full opaque and smooth finish with a second or third coat.

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Labels: CHANEL • NAIL POLISH

Monthly Favorites!

February 5, 2017

Just a quick post on the weekend rounding up some of my favorite products over the past few months. Some have already been reviewed, and some are recently acquired that I fell in love with.

Clockwise:

1. Dior DreamSkin Perfect Cushion Foundation – Out of all the cushion foundations I have, this one is my top HG as it just enhances the skin to perfection! Not quite a foundation, more of a skin perfector – Reviewed here.

2. Suqqu Dual Ended foundation brush – This is the latest brush released by Suqqu, and you will never go wrong with them!

3. Zovea Nude Eye Shadow Palette – Been reaching out to this affordable palette a lot for an array of beautiful neutral shades in different finishes, and it is especially great for travel. Reviewed here.

4. Chanel Le Rouge Lip Crayon – Best formulas for lip crayons ever! Reviewed here.

5. Cle De Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation – It gives a beautiful natural radiant second-skin finish that lasts the whole day. Review to come soon.

6. Sisley Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel – My HG daytime skincare lotion as well as a makeup primer that hydrates and lifts the skin instantly. Reviewed here.

7. SK-II Genopitcs Aura Essence – A hydrating and brightening serum that gives the skin a beautiful radiance and glow. It truly works overnight as well as over the long run. Review to come soon.

8. Baby Quasar MD Plus – Can’t live without this tool and even got my mum hooked on to it. It is expensive but it’s the best beauty investment I have ever made for anti-aging treatment at home. It’s easy to use and gives a pro-salon result over a short time. Review to soon.

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Labels: BABY QUASAR • Beauty Tools • BRUSHES • CLE DE PEAU • DIOR • My Favorites • SISLEY • SKII • SKINCARE • SUQQU • ZOEVA

Sisley Paris Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel Review – An instant miracle face lift in a bottle!

February 2, 2017

You know it is true love and is in the holy grail category when I have a backup of the same product. Case in point – this Sisley Paris ‘Double Tenseur’ Moisturizing Gel. I was at the Sisley counter a few months ago and was mainly interested in their newest foundation. It turned out I did not like the foundation but got blown away by this new product which is a skincare and makeup 2-in-1. In fact I loved it so much that I bought a second one a week later (bought here)!

Basically, it’s a skincare lotion that can also be used a primer as it delivers a lifting effect both immediately as well as in the long-run . Sisley recommends to apply this product as the last step in your skincare regime, and just before you apply the foundation. It’s a miracle product that gives an instant lifting effect, and makes you look instantly refreshed and awakened. I am not sure what’s the technology behind this little bottle of gem, but according to Sisley, this gel creates a 3D mesh on your skin as a second-skin effect, and as it retracts, it gives a lifting sensation.

My experience – yes it works amazingly! I can see a noticeable difference before and after. It just instantly makes the jaw lines appear more v-shaped, and best of all the lines around the nose is improved. I have used lots of lifting face products and this one by far delivers the most outstanding results for me. Ever since I have incorporated this gel in my makeup routine, I feel my complexion appears more youthful and refreshed, and I can guarantee I will be using it for another few years!

The Double Tenseur Moisturizing Gel has a silky clear gel texture and it absorbs into the skin immediately. It has a mild herbal scent and mildly hydrates the skin which preps the skin for foundation. As a skincare product, it goes well with the other products I am using – there is no flaking, no stickiness and feels completely weightless. As a makeup primer, it works well with all types of foundations. I have used both liquid and powder foundations and they all sit nicely on the skin.

Bottom Line: Highly recommend if you are after a lifting product that truly works. Available here in the US, and here in Australia.

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Labels: SISLEY • SKINCARE

MAC Caitlyn Jenner Review and Swatch – Cremesheen Lipglass Beautifully Bare and Lip Pencil Soar

January 31, 2017

There are a couple of exciting launches from MAC lately that captured my heart, and one of my favorites has to be the MAC Caitlyn Jenner Collection! I picked up two beautiful lip products – the Cremesheen Lipglass in Beautifully Bare and Lip Pencil in Soar that are flattering for everyday use. It seems both her and her daughters have a talent for creating makeup colors that are right on point and you just can’t get enough of them!

The Creamsheen Lipglass comes in a special packaging with a gold cap that makes it look very expensive and glam in real life. It has a lovely non-sticky creamy smooth consistency and goes on semi-opaque in a cream finish (not shimmery and sparkly) with a glass-like shine. The color Beautifully Bare is perfection – deep toned beige color (MLBB) that is slighter darker than the natural color of my own lips. When it is worn alone, it still adds a tint of color to my lips for a pretty and soft finish. Or you can layer it over lipstick or lip liner in a similar tone to bring more color out.

The Lip Pencil Soar in is muted rosey beige color lip liner, and it goes perfectly with Beautifully Bare. I find that the MAC lip pencils from the permanent line to be quite average (much more prefer their pro-lip liners), but this limited edition color glides on much creamier and smoother, and not as chalky and drying.

Swatch of wearing Lip Pencil Soar underneath Beautifully Bare

More swatches and a selfie taken with my phone wearing both colors

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Labels: LIP PENCIL • LIPGLOSS • MAC

The Most Perfect and Dreamy Little White Dress

January 29, 2017

If you follow me on Instagram, you would know that I had recently spent 2 weeks in Hawaii. It’s one of my favorite holiday destinations in the whole world, and I tend to go there every year! I am still in the process of rounding up my stay there including the best resort to stay at, and lots of great places to eat which will take me a while to publish. Before the trip, I prepared lots of resort wear (you gotta look good on your holiday right?!), and my absolute favorite dress is this most romantic and dreamy LWD by Zimmermann. The details, the cut, and embroidery on the lace, and how it flows in the air – everything about this dress makes me swoon. I heart Zimmermann’s design as her dresses can be easily glammed up, but with a signature relaxed and beach vibe that gives an effortless look to it.

Dress – Zimmermann (bought here)

Shoes – Valentino (bought here, flats version here)

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Labels: Fashion • HAWAII • HOLIDAY • RESORT WEAR • SHOES • VALENTINO • ZIMMERMANN

Tom Ford Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes Warm and Cool Review and Swatches

January 26, 2017

The most anticipated collection of Tom Ford Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes has finally landed in Australia. Being his loyal fan, I bought both colors on a whim. The cool palette was purchased in Neiman Marcus while I was in the US, and the warm palette was recently purchased back home. Both palettes are still available online in the US, and they are also available online in Australia but the trick is to select ‘store pickup from a store where it has Tom Ford’ otherwise it shows ‘out of stock’ if you choose for home delivery.

I struggle to find words to describe how stunning these two palettes are. As usual, they are on the expensive side, but my justification is that you get a lot of products in one palette (4 eyeshadows, 1 blush, and 1 highlighter in the finest buttery texture) so it is not too bad given how pricey of each individual product is from the brand. The signature limited edition packaging of the glossy white packaging case with golden trim is also to-die-for and it looks and feels even better in real life.

Both palettes contain beautiful neutral colors that I would wear every day, and there is not a single color that I do not like. To me, Tom ford is one of the very few brands that offer many colors in a palette in such a complementary harmony but are not too boring nor too over the top. Apart from the colors, the difference between the two palettes is that the cool has 2 sparkly and 2 satin eyeshadows, whereas the warm has only 1 sparkly and 3 satin eye colors. So if you are not too big on sparkly, I would suggest to go for the warm palette.

Closer look at the Cool Palette