BOBBI BROWN

Loving it – Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse Review

November 30, 2011

Wow…what can I say about the Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse Cleanser, other than I am totally in love with this. I’ve used up quite a few tubs of the Eve Lom Cleanser in a row so I felt a little bored and I had the urge to try something different. As you all know Eve Lom is my all time favorite cleanser, so finding something as good was a difficult mission. I spotted this cleanser while shopping for other Bobbi Brown skincare stuff, and it was flagged as “Bobbi Brown’s award winning cleanser”. Naturally I wanted to find out what’s so special about this cleanser, and the minute I opened the jar it was instant gratification so I had to bring it home with me.

I use this cleanser every night to remove my makeup – it does a wonderful job. I have previously used some cheap Japanese cleansers that also removes my makeup perfectly, for only $10. So I question myself why do I prefer to use such an expensive cleanser? The answer is it’s all about the experience and the sensation I am getting out of a product. What matters to me the most is the way the cleanser makes me feel. After a day of stressful work, removing makeup every night can be a chore. The Bobbi Brown Balm Rinse ticks every single box to wind down a day of stress and makes me feel relaxed and pampered. I love the look of this elegant glass jar sitting on my vanity, I love the bright yellow texture of the cleanser (yellow is a happy color!), and I love the fresh citrus scent. It is extremely soothing, refreshing and smells expensive. You just know it is made of premium essential oil, and this smell reminds me of all the expensive day spas I have visited in the past. If money wasn’t an object I would go for a spa treatment every week, right now I am really happy that the Bobbi Brown is reminiscent of the day spa.

Very similar to the Eve Lom , it has a balmy consistency but thicker. It also has a warming sensation when it is first applied to the face, which helps to open up the pores for a deep cleansing. I massage it onto dry skin for about 5 minutes before rinsing it off. My skin feels very calm, clean (but not squeaky clean), soft and fresh after washing without a single trace of oily residue. It felt so gentle to my skin I was worried that my makeup might not be removed completely, so I wiped my face with the Bioderma as a test and it passed with flying colors! Because it is made of essential oils I won’t use it to remove my eye makeup – I did it once and it stings a little.

It contains orange oil to leave the skin feeling immediately refreshed, and olive oil for a smooth, cushiony finish.

Full Ingredient List:

The Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse is quite expensive for a cleanser, as it retails for USD$55 + tax (also available here in Australia for AUD$90) but it comes in such a huge tub and I think it will last me more than 6 months.

Bottom Line: A little luxurious spa quality-like cleanser for women who like to spoil themselves 🙂

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Labels: BOBBI BROWN

Suqqu KAKITSUBATA Eye Color Palette FOTD

October 9, 2011

I have an important mission to complete today, which is to convince many of you that Suqqu KAKITSUBATA 杜若 (reviewed here) applies just as beautifully as it looks in the palette. I had the same concern as many of you with the blue shade as it is out of my comfortable zone. But I am very confident with Suqqu – just like Visionary Beauty said, it is such a sophisticated brand that is just wearable across the entire range. (her blog also has many wonderful reviews on Suqqu products, check it out!)

EOTD (I have decided to include brushes in this post as this is one of my most frequently asked questions)

Upper Lid:

Applied the matte cream beige color as a base from lash line to brow bone.

Using the Suqqu eyeshadow brush large (reviewed here), applied the shimmery peachy shade all over the eye socket area.

Apply the blue shade along the lash line and the outer v.

Using the Suqqu eyeshadow brush medium (not yet reviewed), layer the shimmery mocha shade on top and blend slightly outward past the crease of the eye.

Lower Lid:

Using the Chanel precision eye brush 24 , intensify the outer corner with the blue shade.

Using the Laura Mercier smoky eye liner brush, smudge the mocha shade into the lower lash line.

Applied the peachy shade on to the inner corner for highlight.

FACE:

Since the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation is about 1 and a half shades darker on me, I mixed it with the Shiseido UV White Protect Base in Green to match my current skin color.

Dior Radiant Base is applied along the cheekbone for extra radiance.

Shiseido natural finish cream concealer is applied under the eye areas.

CHEEKS:

Applied the peach side of Suqqu Balancing Cheek OSHAGECHA from the centre of the cheeks towards the temples.

Contour using the darker side (which is THE perfect contouring shade for fair complexions) along the jawlines, and along the sides of the nose bridge.

Highlight the cheekbones with the purple side of the MAC Hang Loose Mineral blush.

LIPS:

Prepped my lips with the Chanel Hydramax Lipbalm first, then add color with Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Salmon.

OVERALL LOOK:

Are you convinced yet that Suqqu KAKITSUBATA is wearable?

{ 24 comments }

Labels: BOBBI BROWN • EYESHADOW • FOTD • SUQQU

Bobbi Brown Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette Swatch and FOTD

July 17, 2011

Being a neutral shades lover I always pay attention to Bobbi Brown’s new releases. Their latest Tortoise Shell Collection has really captured my heart. It is a collection consisting of only neutral shades that would look flattering on any skin tone. There are two limited edition eyeshadow palettes – the SAND and the BRONZE from the collection. I opted for the Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette after I swatched both at the counter as I prefer the color payoff and the texture more than the other.

This palette comes in a tortoise shell case and has a unique two tier compact design. Perfect size to carry it around in the purse or travelling.

This Bronze palette contains 8 warm neutral shades in 3 different finishes, with 5 of them being the new shades:

Top Tier

Banana – matte

Gold Nugget – New, sparkles eyeshadow

Olive – New, sparkles eyeshadow

Bronze: – New, metallic eyeshadow

Bottom Tier

Tiger’s Eye: New, metallic eyeshadow

Espresso: Matte

Copper Cocoa: shimmer wash

Amber: New, shimmer wash

According to Bobbi Brown’s website, the Bronze Tortoise Shell Eye Palette is designed for medium to darker skintones. Although I am nowhere near that I find all of these shade are easy to work with and look flattering against my skintone after playing with it for a few different looks.

There are millions of looks you can create with this versatile palette. I went for a simple look today wearing the new shades.

EOTD

Olive as a wash over the eye socket. Then applied Tiger’s Eye at the outer corner and defined the outer v with Copper Cocoa.

Along the lower lashline, I had Tiger’s Eye applied then layered with Gold Nugget at the tear duct area and Copper Cocoa towards the outer corner.

Overall Look:

Bottom Line: I really like it. These shades don’t pull too warm on me and it is a palette that I can use all year round. Having all of these wearable shades in an elegantly designed compact is a bonus for women (like me) who like to travel light.

FYI the eye palette retails for $130 in Australia.

{ 18 comments }

Labels: BOBBI BROWN • EYESHADOW • FOTD

Chanel Fauve and Taupe Grise FOTD

May 23, 2011

Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Fauve is the eyeshadow I have been reaching for the most ever since I bought it. As I mentioned in my previous review post, I like to use it as a wash all over the eye socket area, it just really complements my skin tone. This is a complete FOTD using Fauve pairing with Taupe Grise.

Eye products used:

1. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

2. Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Fauve all over the eye socket area as a base and along the lower lash line

3. Bobbi Brown in Taupe along the crease

4. Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Taupe Grise at the outer V and along the outer part of the lower lash line

5. Nars Larger than Life volumising Mascara on the lower lashes

Princess Lee cross 7 False Eyelashes is used on upper lashes, my holy grail lashes!!

A closer look at the lashes. Princess Lee looks so natural whilst making your lashes look fuller, people can never tell I wear falsies if it is by princess lee.