CHANEL

Chanel Le Lift V Flash Serum Review

September 12, 2018

My quest for a magic potion that fixes the “morning puffy face” continues. I have mentioned earlier that I found my HG which was the Sisley Double Tenseur Gel (reviewed here) . It is fantastic and I am still loving it but honestly not the price tag, so I branched out to other brands and I found quite a similar product – the Chanel Le Lift V Flash (bought mine here in Australia). Chanel claims that it is a serum that helps to provide immediate anti-fatigue benefits for an instant lifted and smoother look.

The V Flash serum is a lightweight clear gel as well, and it is designed for immediately giving you a little ‘face-lift’ for a better V shape face. To me, this is a hybrid of skincare lotion and makeup primer, as I only use it in the morning as the last step of skincare. It holds makeup well and doesn’t go flakey unlike some other gel products. When I first started using the product, I thought it didn’t perform as well as the Sisley as it didn’t give me the tightening feel. But now I have mastered the trick of using the lotion – to apply it on a completely dry face. Because if the skin is already damp or moist with other products, this gel lotion won’t hold the lift. When applying the lotion, it is best to give a face a little massage in upward lotion and massaging the product in until it is fully absorbed. You will notice that the lower part of your face appears instantly more lifted and slimmer, the appearance of the creases around the nose and mouth is also minimized. Overall your complexion appears visibly refreshed and well-rested.

If you are serious about de-puffing and face lifting, I suggest you use a beauty tool in the morning with the lift lotion. I bought the Ya-Man RF Beaute Tornado Roller and OMG..it is amazing. I have had a fair share of expensive beauty tools such as the 24K Gold Beauty Bar (reviewed here), the ReFa Carat Face Roller and NuFace, and also recently I splurged on the Tripollar Stop, but nothing gives me a wow factor as much as this. I also lent it to my mum and she was also amazed, so I had to get another one for her! If you are interested in hearing the review for the tools, just drop a comment.

{ 13 comments }

Labels: BEAUTY TOOL • CHANEL • LIFTING • SKINCARE

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink 196 PRÉCIEUX Review and Swatch

July 30, 2018

I have another beautiful and highly popular lip color to share on my blog – the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink 196 Precieux from the Summerfall 2018 collection. This is the only item I picked up from the collection – luckily my beloved Chanel SA had put one aside for me as she told me this color literally sold out within a few days since its release in Australia. This color is hard to get in the department stores and I am not sure if it is yet available in the states. You can still find it here online in Australia.

Following the muted brown rose lip color trend, Chanel never fails to release makeup color that is right on point. The 196 PRÉCIEUX is a beautiful muted soft brown rose with very fine rose gold shimmer flecks. It is the hottest color that most girls would fall in love with right now – goes well with the warm tone eyeshadow trend. It is a universally flattering color that would look great on most complexion colors. I absolutely love it! In terms of formula, Chanel Allure Ink applies creamy and smooth and dries down to a semi-matte finish. It feels weightless on the lips and as a matte formula that doesn’t dry out my lips.

Closeup Swatch – with flash

From a distance – indoor natural lighting

FOTD wearing the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink 196

{ 7 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • LIPSTICK • LIQUID LIPSTICK

Balmain

July 11, 2018

I have a thing for tweed jackets – they are timeless, forever chic and goes well with everything. This season I have added two Balmain tweed blazers. They are both the same style but one in white and one in black (knowing my love affair of monochrome colors!). Even though I normally go for black as a safer option, I decided to get the white jacket first online because I could see that the white version was flying off the shelves at the time. It turned out my decision was right as I fell in love with the color and the pattern immediately. It just looks perfect in a more casual style and in warmer weather. As you can see in my ootds below, I love pairing it with denim and a white tee. The oversized cut makes it more street-style and modern. Since I have received tons of compliments on the jacket I just couldn’t take my mind off the black color. So here they are – I took the plunge and splurged on two of my favorite jackets that make me really really happy!

Jacket White – Balmain (available here, also it is on sale here with 50% off but with limited sizes)

Jeans – Camilla and Marc

Bag – Chanel Gabrielle Mini

Sunglasses – Pared Eyewear

Sock Boots – Rag and Bone

{ 2 comments }

Labels: BALMAIN • CHANEL • CHANEL HANDBAG

What Have I Bought Lately

June 6, 2018

Sharing a couple of things that I bought lately. One of the most exciting purchases this month had to be my two pairs of new boots. They are both sock boots which is the style I am obsessed with. The black pair is from Nicholas Kirkwood and I bought them on sale at 50% of here! I love them so much as they are super comfy. The style is cute but chic and his signature pearl heel just makes the boots more special. I’ve been on a hunt for a pair of white leather stretch boots for so long and I finally found a great pair from Barneys New York. This is my first purchase from Barney’s own brand and I am very impressed with their quality and styles. They are made in Italy and look and feel expensive just like designer shoes, it also comes in other colors such black, patent black and red.

Left Barneys New York Right Nicholas Kirkwood Sock Boots

The rest is all the new makeup that I bought lately. I am much more selective with makeup these days and I only buy the ones that are very special and stand out to me.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In Foundation – Big fan of cushion foundation so I cannot resist the new cushion-like foundation from La Prairie.

Tom Ford Shadow Extreme -I was lucky enough to pick up one of their most popular colors TFX5 Garnet Red (bought mine here), as it was literally all sold out everywhere. The color is right on point and is just as amazing as I have seen online. Highly recommend it if you can still find it!

Last but not least, my lovely Chanel SA has reserved these limited-edition Chanel No5 L’EAU Hand Creme and All Over Spray for me. They are great sizes for carrying around in a purse and the design in a frosted matte finish is just too good to pass.

{ 3 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • Fashion • La Prairie • SHOES • SHOPPING • Tom Ford

My current favorite cleansers

May 30, 2018

I thought I’d share a quick post about the cleansers I am using lately. Some of them such as the Chanel Cleansers have been holy grails for years. The others were the new releases that I have been testing out and I am very impressed with the Dr. Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel – it’s amazing. One of the biggest changes in my cleansing routine is that I have switched to milk or water-based products from cleansing oils. I much prefer the lightweight formula for the same result and my skin is definitely having less congestions in the pores and breakout.

Chanel Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes – Starting with my Holy Grail makeup remover. It is a beautiful milky cleanser with a soft floral fragrance that makes you feel instantly relaxed and pampered. I love the lightweight milky formula as it feels silky and spreadable and not greasy at all. You just need to massage it all over the face and it instantly dissolves all the makeup – same result as a heavy duty oil cleanser. Once you rinse it off with water, the skin feels very clean, supple and fresh. Chanel has recently released two new milk cleansers which will replace the old range soon. I have tested the samples already and I love them all. I feel they are very similar to the original version but it even removes stubborn waterproof eye makeup! If you have oily skin, I am loving the Le Lait Cleansing to Water that is even more refreshing. Whether you can still find the current one, or the new range I highly recommend to give the Chanel cleansers a try!

Chanel Mousse Foaming Cream Cleanser – This is another iconic and highly popular cleanser amongst the beauty lovers all over the world. I have been using it for years and there is no fault as a creamy foaming cleanser. It has the signature soft and soothing fragrance and it lathers up to the creamiest and dense milky foam. A little goes a long way and a tub in full size will literally last for a year! It makes the skin feel clean and fresh without stripping the moisture off. Even for my dry skin it doesn’t make my skin feel taut after using it, so it is suitable for both morning and night. Again I can see that the stores are rolling out the new version Chanel La Mousse that is very similar.

Dr. Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel – Loving it! It cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin that is soap and sulfate free. To my surprise, the gel formula of this cleanser feels so gentle and soothing on the skin. My skin looks more clear and brightened yet still feels hydrated after use. It is called pore refining because it has ingredients that deeply cleanses into the pores so they look more clear and refined over time. I bought mine here with international shipping.

ORIGINS Cleansing Makeup Removing Jelly – It feels ok to use but it’s not something that I would repurchase. The name is misleading because it doesn’t have a jelly texture. It has a balmy consistency that feels very rich and oily. The good thing is it does remove makeup thoroughly and doesn’t leave any oily residue on the skin. It is also almost fragrance-free which is good for sensitive skin; as for me having the right fragrance in a skincare product is really important that will elevate my user experience. If you are after a formula in between oil and milk, you may be interested in this product.

{ 3 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • CLEANSER • Dr Dennis Gross • ORIGINS • SKINCARE

Current favorite Nail Colour – Chanel Le Vernis Aurore

March 7, 2018

I haven’t bought any nail polishes for a while as I prefer the lazy option of getting shellac done at the nail salon, but when I spotted the new Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 606 Aurore (limited edition and available here in Australia), I felt like I needed this color in my life! It’s a very pretty medium true pink with gold shimmer. It stands out for me as it has the right balance of pink intensity whilst still looking quite delicate and flattering on my skin tone.

The lasting power of the re-formulated Chanel Le Vernis line is quite amazing as it stays put for nearly two weeks without chipping on me. To extend the longevity I normally apply a layer of my HG Jin Soon Power & Base coat which helps to keep the nail polish on for a lot longer and finish with a layer of Chanel Gel Top Coat. Aurore applies smooth and streak free. Swatched below with two coats.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • NAIL POLISH

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Foundation Review – A complexion enhancer that hydrates, adds glow and erases your pores

January 15, 2018

Finally here is a review of my current beloved base product – the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Foundation SPF25 PA+++. There was a lot of anticipation for the first cushion foundation ever released by Chanel last year, and it has been my most used base product ever since. Apparently, it is extremely popular in Asia with 1 sold every 2 seconds. The light shades are sold out at many department stores in Australia as well.

The packaging of Chanel makeup is always beyond gorgeous – the square case makes the cushion foundation more unique looking and classic. It has a refreshing aqua-gel formula packed with hyaluronic acid that feels ultra hydrating and lightweight on the skin. The consistency is quite wet and watery, so it applies very dewy and cooling (feels like a mist), and it instantly makes the complexion look more fresh, youthful and plump with a dewy glow. It is perfect for the midday touch up to erase any signs of fatigue, as this foundation gives an instant boost of hydration and will make your makeup look fresh again. The other bonus is the sun protection of spf25 and PA+++ that you can apply anytime and anywhere.

Coverage:

The coverage is sheer which is what the product is designed for. Here is a before and after shot with one coat of the foundation. As you can see, it instantly brightens and makes the skin appear more even-toned and luminous. The skin still appears translucent, natural and poreless. Both pictures were taken at the same angle and lighting with no editing nor filter applied.

Color / Lasting Power:

My shade is N20. This foundation runs lighter than usual – if you are a N20 with other Chanel liquid foundation, you might need to go N30 (a shade darker) with this cushion. Lasting power is about 5-6 hours, and if you set it with loose powder it extends the wear time up to 7-8 hours with indoor conditions.

Application:

As I normally go for sheer to medium build coverage, I like to apply a layer of tinted base underneath such as my fav Shu Uemura CC UV base mousse, and the Chanel Concealer under the eyes, then pat the Chanel cushion all over my face as a “top coat” in the morning with Chanel retractable foundation brush, and it gives the most perfect natural-looking creamy and radiant complexion. Finishing with a sheer dust of Givenchy Prisme Libre Powder over the t-zone.

Bottomline: Overall, this is a perfect complexion enhancer that adds a sheer coverage, radiant glow, and makes the complexion looking absolutely poreless and fresh.

{ 4 comments }

Labels: CHANEL • CUSHION FOUNDATION • foundation • Makeup Base

Club Monaco

December 28, 2017

I received a lot of questions about this top so I thought I’d share it on my blog because it is currently on sale for under $50! It’s from one of my favorite affordable brands called Club Monaco and every season they never fail to deliver some great trendy but not-over-the-top pieces of decent quality (much better than Zara and Topshop). You can find the brand on Shopbop, Neiman Marcus, or from their website directly which ships worldwide for free. On a side note, Shopbop is having the additional 25% off on all sale items with code JOY25,I have just added this pair of boots to my shopping cart…yay!