Front Row Beauty

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt Review

November 20, 2016

I’ve been flat out with lots of gatherings during this time of the year, and it’s taken a toll on my hair as I’ve been using lots of styling products and the dry shampoos. My holy grail hair care product at the moment is the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt, which is amazing for deeply purifying and detoxifying the scalp and hair. It was introduced by my friend who swears by how clean and weightless the hair feels after washing with this scrub, and I’m glad I bought it!

What it is

It is a sea salt scrub designed for targeting scalp issues and encouraging hair growth. It intensively cleanses and rebalances sensitive or oily scalps, and helps relieve post-coloring itchiness or stinging. The main ingredient Sea Salt is a natural exfoliant that eliminates impurities and boosts circulation.

My experience

I use it to substitute shampoo once a week. It gives a very mild exfoliation to the scalp and relieves mild irritation as well. It washes off all the build up and the impurities left on the scalp. During washing, the sensation is quite bizarre and is very different to any other shampoo I have used. The texture is like a thick paste and is not easy to massage over. It makes the hair tangle a little due to the sea salt, but it can be fixed with lots of conditioner. I don’t know how you feel with gentle shampoos, as they never seem to make the roots of my hair completely clean. What I love about this product is that it makes the hair feel so clean without drying the scalp, and my hair feels weightless, healthy with lots of volume. It is also great for post hair coloring, as it thoroughly removes the color residuals, and eliminates all the irritants left on the scalp which may cause sensitivity.

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Labels: CHRISTOPHE ROBIN • HAIRCARE

Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet Liquid Lipstick Review and Swatch – 505, 506 and 507

November 17, 2016

Another exciting launch of new liquid lipsticks from Giorgio Armani – the Lip Magnet Liquid Lipstick (bought here in Australia). I always feel Giorgio Armani is the pioneer when it comes to revolutionary makeup formulas, so I was very looking forward to the new improved formula of their liquid lipsticks. I loved their Lip Maestro to bits, and this year they released the Lip Magnets in a more hydrating and opaque formula in a matte finish that promises for a more moisturizing and weightless feel. Thanks to my reader for letting me know that GA USA is currently offering 20% off on all orders with code ARMANI20 (offer ends 01/12).

The design is very cute – chubby and round. Most of the colors from the range are on the bright side, but I did manage to find some beautiful soft and easy to wear muted colors –505, 506 and 507 (hint I noticed GA always seem to have the most popular colors in these numbers!). As they claimed, the formula is very creamy and hydrating to the lips, and the texture is so weightless that the pigment is completely infused with the lips and feels like second-skin. It goes on wet and takes about 5-10 seconds to dry down to a semi creamy satin finish. Compared to the Lip Maestro, the finish of Lip Magnet is not completely matte. The color payoff is intense with a stain-like lasting power – a little product goes a long way for a full opaque finish. In my swatches below, I have applied them with the applicator straight from the tubes. However, in real life, I like to apply them with a lip brush to sheer down the intensity for a softer look.

505 Second skin – It is a MLBB shade with a pink and coral undertone.

506 Fusion – Another MLBB pink shade with rosy beige undertone. Perfection!

507 Garconne – It is a muted mauve pink color with a plummy brown undertone.

Group Swatch

The GA lip magnets are available at David Jones online in Australia, and currently, they are offering an amazing beauty bag valued at $248 filled with lots of samples for orders over $250.

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Labels: Giorgio Armani • LIPSTICK • LIQUID LIPSTICK

Tom Ford Nightbloom Velvet Orchid and Guerlain Météorites Perles de Légende Light Revealing Pearls of Powder Review and Swatch

November 14, 2016

Today’s post I am covering 2 drop dead gorgeous products – the Tom Ford NightBloom Powder in Velvet Orchid and the Guerlain Météorites Perles de Légende (available here in Australia) from the Holiday 2016 Collection. Both of them are powders with a tinge of colors, and add a luminous glow to the complexion, so I thought it’s a good idea to have them combined.

The Tom Ford Nightbloom Powder in Velvet Orchid is a must have for me. Australia just received this collection, and at the moment the Nightbloom Powders have just been re-stocked in both colors online here. As usual, Tom Ford never fails to deliver a superior product from packaging to the finish. I love the idea of this powder – it’s not quite a blush nor a setting powder. It is more of a color correcting powder, or like a beauty powder (think of MAC) that adds a tinge of color to give your cheeks a softer and brighter look. Since the color payoff is so subtle, I love applying it over the blush for blending out the harsh edges to achieve a gradient, dimensional and doll-like finish as it transforms any blush color to more cool-toned.

The powder feels silky and smooth (not powdery). There is subtle shimmer in it and you can only see it under some certain angle of lighting. Once applied on the face, it goes semi-translucent with a hint of lavender tone. If you have a neutral to cool complexion, this powder is amazing to have.

Heavy swatch with 6 swipes

Each holiday Guerlain releases their signature Météorites in a limited edition packaging with a slight difference in the colors of the pearls. In my opinion, these multi-colored pearls work better for setting the makeup than a traditional loose powder. It is very light, and due to the mix of warm and cool colored pearls, it never makes your makeup look flat. There is also an elegant glow to it – unlike the shimmer and the over-the-top highlighters, this is the product that I would reach out to every day for swipe-and-go.

This limited edition contains gold and pastel pink and tiffany blue pearls with micro glitters. The pearls are more fragile and softer than the permanent editions, so they are prone to break. When applied, it goes on translucent for my NC15-20 and a hint of brightening effect. It adds a touch of radiance to it, takes away the shine and gives your makeup a polished and clean look without looking too matte.

A lot of people are concerned about the glitters. I too am not a fan of any glittery products, and I would not recommend any product that makes you look like a glitter ball. With this product, the micro-glitter is very fine and is almost undetectable on the skin. Under the sun, you can see the little glitters here and there if you look at your face very closely, and from a distance, it just creates a youthful and subtle dewy glow.

Heavy swatches

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Labels: GUERLAIN • HOLIDAY 2016 • POWDER • Tom Ford

The Perfect 9-9 Pants

November 12, 2016

This is the sort of outfit that I have been wearing to work lately. I used to be a dress and skirt person, but this year I tend to buy more pants. The Vanessa Bruno flared pants is my favorite purchase for black pants that looks classy, and it would also look great styled casually. If budget allows, I always buy designer pants because their tailoring is incomparable – just like a well-cut jacket as it just fits perfectly like custom-made, and the fabric is flowy and weighty and hardly crease.

Top – Christohper Esber

Pants – Vanessa Bruno

Sunglasses – Tom Ford

Bag – Hermes Constance

Necklace – Jennifer Zeuner

Nails – Chanel Velvet Nail Pink Rubber (reviewed here)

Lipstick – Givenchy Le Rouge 105 (reviewed here)

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Labels: CHRISTOPHER ESBER • Fashion • HERMES • OOTD • SHOP • VANESSA BRUNO

Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 Collection – Joues Contraste Blush Hyperfresh and Rouge Allure Gloss Super Nude Review and Swatch

November 10, 2016

Continuing with my review for the Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 collection. The Chanel Velvet Nail Polish Pink Rubber was reviewed here, and today’s post is for the Joues Contraste Blush in Hyperfresh and the Rouge Allure Gloss in Super Nude. These were the only two makeup items I picked up from the collection. I bought them in a heartbeat as soon as I saw them in the store. Both colors are very pretty, and most importantly, they look very flattering when they are applied and are great for everyday use rather than being limited to a festival makeup.

Hyperfresh is an ultra vibrant warm pink blush. Chanel is known for their subtle and elegant color payoff, but every now and then, they make the most vibrant and rich hues that you can’t miss such as this color. There is very subtle shimmer in it, but once applied the shimmer is not detectable on the skin. As usual, it gives a lovely flush of pink color with a soft glow. Since it’s ultra pigmented, I would suggest using a very soft and fluffy brush (such as the HG Suqqu Cheek Brush) for the application.

Hyperfresh is a vibrant neutral pink color with a hint of coral undertone. It may look like a hot pink blush from the picture but once it is applied the warmth comes through.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you would know that I have been obsessed with nude to brown lips lately. The Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Super Nude is perfection. I was wowed by how flattering it looked on me for a nude color. I would describe it as a medium beige shade with a peachy undertone so it doesn’t wash you out. To me, this color is right on trend but also elegant, and is easy to wear.

As for the formula, in general, the Rouge Gloss has a lovely moisturizing and creamy consistency, and you can find a detailed review here for other colors. It goes on semi-opaque in a high shine finish and gives a plump effect.

Super Nude Swatch

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Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL • Holiday 2016 Collection • LIP GLOSS

My Favorites Lately

November 7, 2016

Here is a quick round-up of the products that I have been loving a lot lately.

Capture Your Style – You probably would have seen a lot of pictures of this book on my insta! Love Aimee’s blog and style (well who doesn’t?!), and different to the usual photography books, this book is written from the fashion/beauty/Instagrammer lovers’ perspective of how to take and style your pictures with your phone – think about Song of Style’s feeds.

Tom Ford shades – Lately I love wearing aviators for a casual chic vibe and this pair by Tom Ford fits my typical flat Asian face perfectly!

Marc Jacobs Contour Powder – This is still one of my favorite go-to highlight and contour palettes that is easy to use and fool proof for a natural contouring effect.

Givenchy Le Rouge 105 Brun Vintage – It is a gorgeous MLBB color that is on trend. I didn’t think I needed a backup of any of my lipsticks as I never get to finish them, but Givenchy 105 was an exception. I heard there is a long wait-list in some countries for this color, so I decided to get another one in case it runs out in Australia! Reviewed here

Chanel Velvet Nail Pink Rubber – Must have for anyone who loves pastel nail colors with an edgy twist. Reviewed here

Dior Dreamskin Cushion Foundation – The more I use it the more I love it. Though the coverage is sheer, it is making my skin look poreless and refined. Reviewed here

Suqqu Concealer Palette– Love this convenient palette for covering every type of imperfection, and the result is never cakey! Reviewed here

Artis Brushes – I have been gushing about how much I love these brushes to everyone! They have completely surpassed my expectations as they deliver pro-blending results without any skill required. Review to come soon.

Breydo Handcream Suede – Smells amazing (soapy with a hint of leather) and very moisturizing without feeling greasy.

Tom Ford Velvet Bloom Nightbloom Powder (just released in Australia) – Oh I can’t let this powder go. It’s a beautiful brightening powder for people with cool to neutral complexions. Review to come soon.

Shu Curler (LE) – I always wanted a black lash curler, so happy to see my HG eyelash curler come in the black version from the 2016 holiday collection.

Bottega Veneta Fragrance – This is a lovely sophisticated all year round fragrance for me. It has a perfect blend of soft floral notes (with jasmine and gardenia) and accented by a modern twist (with pink pepper and bergamot).

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Labels: ARTIS • BOOK • BYREDO • DIOR • FRAGRANCE • GIVENCHY • LIFESTYLE • MARC JACOBS BEAUTY • MONTHLY FAVORITES • My Favorites • PERFUME • SUQQU • Tom Ford

Chanel Le Lift Serum and Cream Review

November 5, 2016

It is very clear that my biggest skincare obsession now is fighting against gravity. I am a firm believer in that if we start caring for our skin from an early age for preventative purposes, we can delay the skin from sagging and aging relatively. The Chanel Le Lift range is my current favorite because the products really work. I was given a couple of samples of the Le Lift Cream when it was first launched, and I loved it so much, so I bought a full-size jar, as well as the Le Lift Serum for the best optimum result.

LE Lift CREAM RICHE (bought here in Australia)– It is housed in a weighty black glass jar, and comes in 3 different textures – fine, normal and riche.

Since I have dry skin, I go for the rich version which works well for my skin in winter. It actually doesn’t feel that rich compared to other well-known heavy duty moisturizers such as La Mer Cream or Fresh Creme Ancienne. It has a lightweight creamy texture and absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy, but it still leaves a nice moist and soft touch to the skin. It makes your skin appear smooth and radiant and works wonderfully as a makeup base for the day. I have been using it every day, and it keeps the skin well moisturized even in the season transition time.

As for firming, it is a mini ‘face-lift’ in a jar for a quick fix for getting rid of morning puffiness, as well as making the face shape appear more toned and lifted. Since it has a nice slip consistency, you can massage the product in an upward motion for 1-2 minutes. If I apply this product liberally, I notice an instant tightening effect around the cheeks and jaws, and the contour appears more defined with a more V-shaped face. The lines around the nose are also less visible. Overall, I am impressed with this moisturizer and will re-purchase!

LE LIFT SERUM

I would give 9/10 to the moisturizer, and 7/10 to the serum. One pet peeve is that it is packed in a plastic bottle which does not equate to the high price tag. It has a milky texture, and feels lightweight and absorbs completely into the skin upon application. It adds mild hydration to the skin and makes the skin appear more plumped. There might be some long-term benefits over a period of use (which is hard to measure anyway), but for delivering an instant result, the moisturizer is more superior for lifting. I feel the serum is giving an anti-oxidant and hydration boost to the skin and supplements the moisturizer for achieving the best firming and anti-aging results.

Bottom Line: I am very pleased with the result they deliver, as I see an improvement in my skin in the texture and firmness from using the Le Lift Range. Overall they are worth looking into if you are after firming skincare products that really work. Once I finish the serum, I will try out the new Chanel V-Flash which is already launched in the US but not yet in Australia.

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Labels: CHANEL • SKINCARE

Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 Collection – Velvet Nail Colour Pink Rubber Swatch and Review

November 3, 2016

I haven’t bought new makeup from Chanel for a while, as I felt their past few collections just fell short of my expectations and the colors did not appeal to me. Really pleased to see that the Chanel Libre Holiday 2016 Collection brought me back again! This collection is not boring, and the products and the color theme are wearable for me. The items I picked up include the LE travel brush kit (been longing for a set of Chanel mini brushes for years!), the breathtaking Blush in Hyperfresh , and super polished Rouge Allure Gloss in Super Nude, and last not least, the VELVET Nail Colour in Pink Rubber (LE) – The entire holiday collection is available here in Australia.

It was love at first sight with this nail polish, as it is so right on point. Velvet is the big trend this season, and I just love how Chanel translates fashion to beauty. Pink Rubber is a pale ballerina pink nail color with a hint of salmon peachy pink undertone to it. On the nails, it looks very polished and clean, yet unique and edgy with the special velvet finish. The formula is relatively smooth (but not as nice as with a gloss formula) and opaque. The first coat is streaky, but you can achieve an even and streak-free finish with 2 thick coats. Drying time is phenomenal, as my nails were fully dried within 5 minutes without any additional fast drying topcoats.

Swatched with 2 coats

Compared to the traditional matte finish, the velvet finish is more gel-like and opaque which reminds me of the buffed acrylic nails before having any nail colour applied.