CHANTECAILLE

Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum Review

June 22, 2016

The Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum is an oldie but goodie. It’s such a classic prestige skincare product from Chantecaille that has been around for many years, and has never been reformulated as it just works, and people always go back to it. This is my second bottle, and it will always be a staple in my skincare regime to fight against gravity!

The Bio Lifting Serum is a powerful anti aging serum for skin regeneration, collagen rebuilding and promotes skin density and firmness visibly. It definitely sounds like a magic potion to those of you who are seeing the loss of volume and collagen in your face as you age. This is probably my biggest fear for aging – I can live with fine lines and pigmentation, whereas as soon as your cheeks drop and lose the plumpness, this is the first sign that gives away your ‘real age’.

On average, women start to lose collagen from the age of 28, and I always think this is a good age point where you need to start investing in some serious skincare products for prevention as well as correction purposes. Most prestige skincare products target at the age group of 40+, but why wait until then when you can resort to some powerful products now to slow down the breakdown of collagen, that help to maintain the skin firmness and contour at its optimum state?

I have personally used a lot of luxury skin lifting products, and the reason I like the Chantecaille the most is because it delivers an instant result for lifting. For such an expensive product, it’s always good to see a visible immediate result. With this serum, it gives a slight taut feeling to the skin upon application. Instantly my complexion appears more lifted and the contour appears more defined, and the skin also feel more firm. Best of all, the serum is lightweight enough to be applied around the eye areas, which also gives a lifting effect that makes your eyes appear less tired.

As with all Chantecaille products, this serum is hand made in France, mainly based on botanical ingredients and is paraben free. It has a patented active complex of peptides, rose stem cells, hyaluronic acid for a powerful anti-aging product. Apart from the outstanding lifting effect, this serum also delivers long lasting hydration. In an air conditioned environment, for my dry skin this serum keeps my skin hydrated and supple for the whole day. The consistency is light, but concentrated and 2 drops are sufficient for the entire face and neck. It spreads smoothly, smells like fresh roses, and completely absorbs into the skin, and also helps the makeup to glide on beautifully.

The Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum is available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus in the US, and NAP worldwide.

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Labels: CHANTECAILLE • SKINCARE

Skincare products that I am loving lately

June 1, 2016

Sharing some of my favorite skincare products of late. I go through lots of products at the same time, and once in a while, I like to do a round-up post on some of the products that I enjoy using.

NARs Multi Action Hydrating Toner – A lovely hydrating and refreshing toner in watery gel consistency, with some brightening properties that help to combat the formation of pigmentation. I bought the toner because I really like its sleek and minimum packaging, and its’ reasonably priced for such a large bottle. I enjoy using it in hot weather when my skin is not so dry, and it feels refreshing, lightweight and it mildly hydrates the skin. It also helps to clarify and deep clean the pores – If I apply this toner with a cotton pad even after washing my face with cleansers, sometimes there is still dirt and makeup residues left on the pad. It reminds me of the famous Clinique Clarifying Toner, but this is an alcohol free, and a much gentler and hydrating version of it.

Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus: I was a little skeptical about introducing retinol into my regime. My dermatologist highly recommended me to incorporate this 0.5% retinol serum nightly to start with, after I complained that I noticed some pores on my face becoming raindrop shaped which is clearly a sign of aging. I finally started using it about a month ago, and all I can say is what have I been missing out on all these years!! It has made a huge difference to my skin texture, as it truly visibly refines the pores over a period of one week. My complexion is looking more even, refined and the pores are more cleared, which in a way has improved the appearance of the pores. Retinol is also great for anti-aging, so if you start to see fine lines this is also a great product to consider. Not much firming and lifting effect from using it. Next on my to-try list will be the Chantecaillie Retinol Intense +.

Sulwhasoo Activating Serum: Reviewed here! Love this super hydrating and soothing serum which also helps to boost the benefits of other skincare products. The high concentration of ginseng also helps with blood circulation for a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Chanel Sublimage Regenerating Mask: As the mercury is dropping drastically in Australia, I am starting to appreciate this ultra nourishing mask more and more. You can see my full review here. In short, it’s a lovely luxury ultra moisturizing mask with anti-aging and regeneration benefits. It’s particularly great for those who are seeking the convenience of just using one product overnight (as a sleeping mask), and it gives you radiant, fully re-charged skin the next day.

Chantecaille Fruit and Acids Mask: This is an oldie but goodie which I really like to use once a week for exfoliating, clarifying the skin for a clearer complexion. It contains grapefruit and flower acids which help to take off the dead skin cells and re-texturises. It’s very gentle, and the result is instant to a brighter, more even-toned, radiant complexion after one use.

Fresh Youth Preserve Serum: Last but not least, I can’t believe this lovely serum from Fresh is discontinued. It’s hydrating, lightweight and is absorbed into the skin immediately. Just a really lovely serum to use in the morning, and helps the makeup go on nicely. And the best thing about it is that it smells exactly like the Fresh Soy Cleanser – like heaven! I’m addicted to the smell of all Fresh skincare products!

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Labels: CHANEL • CHANTECAILLE • FRESH • JAN MARINI • NARS • SKINCARE • SULWHASOO

Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo Corrector Pen Review and Swatch

March 27, 2015

An under-eye concealer highlighter pen is one product that I can’t live without. For years I have been quite loyal to the renowned YSL Touche Eclat, and it has now been officially replaced by the latest Le Camouflage Stylo Corrector Pen from Chantecaillie.

Chanetecaille is known for their luxurious base makeup products. Yes they all have a hefty price tag, but everything I have used so far is truly worth the splurge including the Future Skin Foundation (one of my HG foundations reviewed here), the amazing Loose Powder as well as this new concealer pen. I was immediately sold to this product as soon as I read it contains hyaluronic acid and lots of other hydrating and brightening ingredients. And it totally lives up to my expectations, as this formula feels very hydrating so it makes the skin appear slightly plumped and less dull looking which is excellent for the delicate area under the eyes. It has a very lightweight milky texture (slightly more runny than the YSL ) that gives a natural and luminous finish. It sets crease-free and doesn’t settle into the lines. As an under-eye concealer, the lightweight formula is enough to take away my mild dark circles with just a small amount of product. And it also works brilliantly as a liquid highlighter as it gives a subtle light-reflecting brightening effect.

I bought the concealer in shade 1 (has a pink undertone), and fyi shade 2 is very similar to 1 but with a yellow undertone. Here is a swatch of Chantecallie Le Camouflage Stylo Shade 1 against the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in Alabaster.

Bottom Line: The best highlighter pen I have used so far! If you love the Future Skin foundation, you would absolutely love this one! The Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo is available at Nordstrom in the US, SpaceNK in the UK, and Net-A-Porter with worldwide shipping.

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Labels: CHANTECAILLE • CONCEALER • HIGHLIGHTER

Sunday Pamper

June 11, 2014

As much as I enjoy a pampering spa treatment every now and then, I often do a ‘home version’ on a weekly basis. Obviously it’s a lot cheaper, and to be honest, the result is pretty much ‘spa-like’ with the help of some good products. My current home-facial is as below – it’s my ideal Sunday night wind down activity with my favorite candle, music and magazines!

1. Deep Cleanse – After removing the makeup, I wash my face using my Clarisonic Aria with a foaming cleanser. I bought this wonderful cleansing tool about 2 months ago and I am completely hooked on it. It gives the skin a true deep cleanse and mild exfoliation which significantly improves the skin congestion around my problematic areas.

2. Massage – This is an essential step to improve blood circulation and lymph drainage hence your face appears more contoured and radiant. I often notice that my face appears significantly slimmer and more lifted after a professional facial. At home I always follow the famous Tanaka’s Face Contouring massage (you can watch her videos here – part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 shows the before and after result). She is the guru of anti-aging massage, and her book has sold millions of copies across Asia. Combining her massage technique with my Suqqu Massage and Mask Cream helps in firming, detoxifying and lifting the face. If your face is starting to show signs of sagging/fatigue, or you are prone to water retention, I highly recommend that you include this step into your skin care routine. Be aware not to massage on dry skin as too much friction will undo the benefits.

3. Purifying/Clarifying – I then put on the Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Acid Mask. It’s a very gentle clarifying mask that acts almost like a mild peel. It removes the dead skin cells, unclog the pores and brighten up the complexion. I have very thin skin and this one delivers the result without any irritation.

4. Hydrate/Moisturize – Now my skin is all clean and ready to absorb the miracle ingredient of Pitera from my all time favorite SKII’s Facial Treatment Mask. After trying out tons of paper masks over the years, this one still remains my top favorite. It hydrates, brightens and plumps up even the most tiring skin . When using a face mask make sure you are always lie down, because these weighty paper masks (as they are soaked in liquid) can drag your face down “discreetly” if you have it on while sitting/standing!

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Labels: Beauty Tools • CHANTECAILLE • CLARISONIC • SKII • SKINCARE • SUQQU

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation Review

July 17, 2013

The Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation will always have a special place in my heart. It is the product that drove me into the whole frenzy of high end makeup. I bought my first future skin foundation when I was in high school and have been repurchasing it ever since! Back then it was a lot of money for a high school student, but I’d rather buy less other things so I could afford this foundation, as it was considered as a revolutionary foundation and it truly outperformed every other foundation I had used.

Fast forward to now, I have a greater exposure to a lot of high end foundations these days, and this foundation still remains one of my holy grail products. I love the image of the brand in general – it is one of the very few exclusive high end cosmetic companies that still runs in a family, and they are renowned for their unique approach to natural beauty with their high concentration of natural botanical formulas. They don’t do as much advertising as other giant cosmetic companies do, so you know most of your money is paying for the supreme quality of their products!

What does Chantecaille say:

An innovative, oil free gel foundation containing 60% charged water and seaweed. Skin looks totally perfected and dewy; sebum is balanced. Aloe, Chamomile and Mica calm irritation. Rosemary, Green Tea and Rice Bran help prevent oxidation. Adjust coverage from medium to full.

My Thoughts:

The texture of this foundation is a hybrid between gel and cream. Ultra lightweight, and it does not feel like you are wearing makeup at all when it is applied. It goes on smoothly and melts into your skin, and it does not enhance any dry patches or pores. It makes your skin look flawless, dewy and illuminated. The coverage is sheer to medium – I would use less than a pea size of it for daytime wear for a “no makeup makeup look”, and it is buildable to an airbrushed and flawless finish (and with a bit of help of concealer if required). The beauty of this foundation is that it always applies and sets beautifully no matter what your skin condition is. My skin has transformed from combo-oily to normal-dry throughout all the years, and this is the only foundation that just works with it. It helps to control oil on the t-zone and lasts all day without any oxidation when my skin was oily, whereas it also feels really hydrating and gives this soft glow to my dry skin.

My shade is Alabaster

Ingredient List:

Bottom Line: My HG foundation. A luxurious foundation that is suitable for most skin types (even for very sensitive) all year round as Chantecaille is known for its natural and botanically based formulas. It is expensive, but a little bit of it goes a long way, and a tub will last you a long time. I have used many products from the Chantecaille line, and if I can only recommend one product from this brand, it’s gotta be this one!

The Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation is available here in the US, or here with worldwide free shipping.

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Labels: CHANTECAILLE • foundation

Les Merveilleuses Laduree Summer 2013 Collection – Mixed Pressed Cheek Color 101 and 102 Blushes Reviews, Swatches and FOTDs

July 3, 2013

The Les Merveilleuses LADUREE makeup collection has caused a stir when it was first released in Japan about a year ago, and many girls fell head over heels with their French-inspired packaging and their dreamy line of products. I have been resisting the temptation for so long…until I spotted the new Les Merveilleuses by Laduree Summer 2013 Collection. It was love at first sight for the two new Mixed Pressed Cheek Color 101 and 102 Blushes released as part of the collection for me. Everything about this blush is calling my name!

Firstly let’s talk about the packaging. As with most Japanese makeup, the blush and the case are sold separately. The design of the case is on the vintage-side with a Victorian flair. I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of anything vintage…but they are growing on me in an inexplicable way and they do look ‘more appealing’ in real life!

The mirrored-case is made of plastic but it feels quite sturdy. There are two compartments with a brush included.

On to the most exciting part of the review – the blush itself! As you can see, the blush has a beautiful marbled design of different colors. It is very densely packed with a velvety texture, with absolutely no powder debris fall on to the side of the pan when swirling a brush over it. Pigmentation is moderate (as with most Japanese makeup), which means 2-3 swipes is enough for the color to show on my face (NC15).

101 is a neutral pink mixed with of watermelon pink and ivory. Mixing them it gives a wash of perfect soft neutral pink (leans slightly cool on my cool tone skin) that is very girly and fresh.

102 is a peach color mixed with muted lavender and tangerine. Mixing them gives a luminous wash of soft peachy pink, which is the most versatile color for most complexions.

Les Merveilleuses LADUREE Pressed Cheek Color Swatches: Left 101 Right 102

FOTD 1 – wearing Mixed Pressed Cheek Color 101

FOTD 2 – wearing Mixed Pressed Cheek Color 102

Other products used:

1. Cle De Peau Brightening Enhancer Base (reviewed here)

2. YSL Rouge Volupte 13 Peach Passion in FOTD 2

3. Addiction Sugar Rusk Eye Palette (reviewed here)

4. Shu Uemura Eye Brow Pencil Seal Brown

5. Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation

6. Dolly Wink False Eye Lashes 01 Dolly Sweet

7. YSL Glossy Stain 15 Rose Vinyl in FOTD 1

8. Shu Uemura Precise Volume Waterproof Mascara

The Les Merveilleuses LADURE Mixed Pressed Cheek Color LE 101 and 102 can be purchased here.

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Labels: BLUSH • CHANTECAILLE • FALSE LASHES • FOTD • Les Merveilleuses Laduree • YSL

My Picks for the Best Base Makeup 2011

January 5, 2012

This post is inspired by some of my favorite bloggers who have done an extensive summary of the beauty products they loved the most in year 2011. I thought it was such a good idea to show you some of the amazing products that I came across last year (or years before..). As a beauty junkie I have way too many products to showcase so I will be breaking them into several posts, and today’s post is all about the best base makeup products that I have absolutely been in love with, and I am pretty sure my appreciation for them will be carried over to year 2012.

Unfortunately I haven’t had the time to review many products in this post yet, but I am sure they will appear sometime in the near future!

Best Makeup Primer: the award goes to By Terry Teint De Rose. The most luxurious primer I have ever used – the hydrating texture, the scent and the pink rosy color just blows me away every time I use it.

Best Illuminating Makeup Base: the award goes to Dior Radiant Base. It gives a “your glow but better” effect.

Best Tinted Moisturizer: the award goes to Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer. One of their signature products. I was at Barneys shopping for Sunday Riley skincare, and I noticed there were so many (gorgeous) girls dropping by just to purchase this primer over a short time! So I had to have it and it is my holy grail makeup base now on a good skin day.

Best BB Cream: the award goes to Dr Jart Blemish Base BB Cream, love the hydrating yet lightweight liquid texture.

Best Liquid Foundation: the award goes to Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Firming Foundation (reviewed here). I don’t know one single person who doesn’t love this foundation?!

Runner up: Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation. This was my first high end foundation that I got it when I was in High School, and I was hooked on to it ever since. There is always a backup in my vanity drawer.

Best Compact Foundation/Powder: the award goes to Tom Ford Translucent Finishing Powder. My new discovery and this is THE most finely milled powder I have ever used!

Runner Up: La Prairie Cellular Treatment Powder Foundation (old packaging). A little goes a long way and it gives a flawless coverage.

Best Contouring Powder: the award goes to Suqqu Balancing Cheek in OSHAGECHA (the shade on the right). Provides a perfect subtle contouring that just blends in with my natural skin color.

Best Concealer: the award goes to Cle De Peau Concealer (have discussed in this post)

Best Under Eye Brightening Concealer: the award goes to YSL Touche Eclat (have discussed in this post)

Best Loose Powder: the award goes to La Mer Loose Powder. The most finely milled loose powder inthe market and gives a soft focus finish. This is my second tub and my first one lasted me a few years!

Runner Up: Cle de Peau Loose Powder. It has a slight pink tinge to it rather than totally translucent. Provides a brightening effect and a flawless finish.

If you haven’t read the 2011 picks by these beautiful bloggers yet, please do check them out.

Atelier Beauty’s 2011 Picks.

Delicate Hummingbird’s best picks for the foundations/powder/concealers 2011

Rouge Deluxe 2011 Loves and Thoughts

Miss Elaine-Nio Year 2011 Favorites, I am VERY sad to hear that she will no longer be blogging…

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Labels: BB Cream • BY TERRY • CHANTECAILLE • CLE DE PEAU • DIOR • FOUNDATION • Giorgio Armani • LA MER • Makeup Base • My Favorites • POWDER • Sunday Riley • SUQQU • Tom Ford • YSL

Chantecaille Sea Turtle Palette Review and FOTD

April 30, 2011

I have a lot of unopened make-ups, the Chantecaille Sea Turtle palette is one of them. I bought this one from Mecca a while ago but never had the heart to spoil the embossing because it is just too beautiful to look at. It is time for me to use it as I have way too many makeups to be reviewed in the near future.

From a makeup collector point of view, Chantecaille limited edition palettes are pieces of art. Their palettes look and feel like true luxury. Unlike other brands, Chantecaille only release a few palettes a year, the quality has always been consistently superior. What I love the most is the color coordination of their palettes. I rarely come across a face or eye shadow palette where I like every single shade. Chantecaille is an exception – it only comes with the most refined and elegant neutral shades that are designed to enhance your natural beauty.

This palette contains 3 eye shades and 1 cheek shade, all inspired by the beauty of the sea turtles and their nesting grounds.

These shadows are buttery soft and easy to blend. Pigmentation wise they are on the moderately sheer side as they are designed to leave a sheer veil of color on the skin with a subtle glowing effect.

I created a smokey look using this palette – using the champagne color all over my lid, the brown shade over the crease and the dark teal color along my lash line and on the outer v.