LA MER

Here is a roundup of my all time favourite skincare products! I have a huge passion for skincare and instead of reviewing individual productS, I really like recommending the best ones out of the thousands I have used!

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Best Treatment LotionJurlique Activating Water Essence (bought here in Australia). For the best all-purpose essence lotion, it is a tie with the SKII Treatment Essence (reviewed here).  Since I’ve been using SKII for years, and the Jurlique is my new discovery from last year so it deserves to be crowned. It’s a water-essence lotion that hydrates and plumps up the skin immediately and preps the skin for better absorption of other skincare products. The perk of this lotion is that it has no alcohol and feels gentle and invigorating to the skin. The scent is amazing and it makes you feel instantly soothed and relaxed. One of my favorite products from Jurlique! jurlique-activating-water-essence-review

 

Best ExfoliatorBobbi Brown Buffing Grains for Face. I really like this simple grain exfoliator, and it looks very pretty in the glass jar. A little goes a long way, and you just need to mix it with your other cleansers (preferably lotion/cream based). There is nothing fancy about the ingredients of this product, but the finely milled blend of grains does an amazing exfoliation job and gives the most satisfying baby-smooth skin afterwards compared to other exfoliators I have used.

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Best skin regeneration/repair serumLa Mer The Concentrate (available here in Australia). Best of the best for skin healing, improving the appearance of skin scarring, regeneration and anti-aging. We all know the healing power of La Mer’s iconic ingredient The Miracle Broth, and this bottle has the highest concentration. I love it so much so that I splurge on the large bottle – it is expensive but worth the money. A detailed review is here.

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Best anti-aging serum/oil111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil. If you haven’t heard of the brand, it’s developed by a leading cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides in UK who has an array of famous celeb clients. This product is extremely powerful and potent, as it contains a maximum strength of  1% pure retinol as an over-the-counter product. It is formulated with black diamond particles and the oil is moisturizing yet delivers powerful anti-aging and resurfacing benefits at the same time. It feels gentle upon application, but I think it is quite strong for daily use. I only use it 3 times a week, and over a short period of time I have noticed my skin texture appearing noticeably smoother and refined. To achieve the best results the brand suggests pairing the retinol oil with their best selling Y Theorem Repair Serum NAC Y2.

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Best day/night moisturizerLa Mer The Moisturizing Soft Lotion (bought here in Australia). Absolutely the best moisturizer I have ever used. I loved the La Mer’s cream to bits, but this lotion is wayyy better for absorption whilst delivering the same result as the original cream. The milky consistency feels ultra-luxurious on the skin and it instantly absorbs into the skin leaving the skin incredibly supple, smooth and moisturized. The consistency is perfection as it feels just right all year around– doesn’t feel too heavy in summer and it works well in winter.  I use loads of exfoliation products such as peel, scrub, AHA, Retinol etc and there is something about this lotion that just instantly calms my skin down. Really can’t gush enough about this lotion!

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Best Brightening EssenceHaku Melanofocus 3D. I like this brightening and whitening essence as much as the SKII Genoptics Aura Essence (reviewed here). Both of them deliver brightening results over time, helps to fade acne scars and gives a well-rested radiant glow to the complexion overnight. I thought I’d introduce this product in my post as it is much cheaper than SKII, and feels more moisturizing.

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Best Face Lifting LotionSisley Double Tenseur Instant & Long-Term Gel (bought here). Detailed reviewed here. I have gushed about this miracle gel over and over on my blog. It gives an instant face lifting effect that noticeably reduces the appearances of nasolabial folds and gives a better v shape to the face. It hydrates and sits beautifully on the skin as a makeup primer. I am up to my third bottle now!

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Best Sunscreen – ANESSA Whitening UV Protector SPF50 PA++++. Ultra lightweight with the highest sun protection. It feels like a light-weight moisturizing lotion that instantly absorbs, feels silky smooth and instantly makes the skin feel more soft and supple. If you are familiar with the Japanese sunscreen, you should know that Anessa’s gold bottle is the best seller but the consistency still feels a tad greasy and powdery in my opinion (so I use it on my body only), whereas the white bottle has the perfect formula for the face that doesn’t make you feel like you are wearing sunscreen at all.

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Current Wishlist

November 7, 2017

My makeup shopping mojo is back in full swing so I’ve been shopping a lot, as well as adding a lot of things to my never-ending wishlist. I thought I’d share what I have bought lately, and what is on my mind! Clearly, I am going through a warm brown eye shadow phase – as you can see in my wishlist. Taupe is so last year so I have put all my cool taupe palettes aside, and I am now on a mission to collect every variation of warm brown color, particularly in the color families of terracotta, reddish clay and burnt rusty brown.

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1.   Huda Obsession Palettes – Huda just released a set of new eyeshadow palettes in smaller packages. I ordered the warm brown palette here as soon as they became available as I know they will sell out soon. Currently, CultBeauty is offering free international shipping for Huda Beauty (no minimum order value).

2.   Anastasia Beverly Hills Prism Eye Shadow Palette – Another beautiful highly sought-after eyeshadow palette that I just bought! I love the Modern Renaissance so much (reviewed here), so it’s a no-brainer for me to pick up her newest release, and the colors are right on point.

3.   Fenty Beauty Match Stix – Totally worth the hype and I am really impressed with the quality of Rihanna’s beauty line, and my favorite product of her line is the Match Stix. This MatchStix Trio Set in light is possibly the best contour and highlight set I have ever used! Review to come soon.

4.   Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palette – Just can’t resist the reddish terracotta shades, so I had to have the highly raved palette in the color Ablaze.

5.   Giorgio Armani Cushion Foundation – Absolutely amazing formula. It’s definitely a must-have if you like cushion foundations.

6.   Natasha Denona Sunset Palette – I heard so many good reviews about her eyeshadow palettes and her best seller is finally back in stock!

7.   La Mer The Sheer Pressed Powder – La Mer offers a lot more than their legendary cream. I am a big fan of their powder as they make the finest airy powder so I can’t wait to get my hands on their newest release.

8.   Suqqu 2017 Japan Christmas Collection – Trying to get hold of Suqqu is exhausting. I just received my Suqqu palettes from the UK 2017 Christmas Collection, and now I have my eyes set on the Japan Christmas Collection! If you know where to get them without the exorbitant additional margin, please let me know!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here is a quick rundown on some of my favorite products from my current skincare regime. Overall I am very pleased with the results, as my skin has been looking radiant and clear with a natural glow from within all the time – like I have had 8 hours of sleep every day! The texture is smooth and supple which also makes the makeup look and sit better on my skin.

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1. Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Refining Cleansing Oil – It’s very easy and quick to remove the most stubborn and waterproof makeup thoroughly with this oil, without feeling rich and greasy on the skin. Reviewed here.

2. SKII Facial Treatment Essence (bought here in Australia) – One of my holy grails as the first step after cleansing. Been using it on and off over the past ten years, and the formula is great for all skin types, as well as all year around.

3. Chanel Le Lift Serum and Cream – Effectively and noticeably firm, and lift the skin. It gives a more lifted contour and reduces morning puffiness. Loving the range and will post a full review soon.

4. La Mer The Concentrate – Miracle in a bottle. It significantly reduces the appearance scarring, and repairs and rejuvenates the skin rapidly!

5. Creme de La Mer Moisturizing Cream –  Holy grail moisturizer that I have been using over a decade! I go for the original cream formula in winter and prefer the new soft formula during the summer time.

6. La Mer Reparative Face Sun Lotion SPF30 – My favorite morning lightweight sunscreen that I use as my morning moisturizer. It has the same luxury smooth texture as a moisturizer that makes the skin super soft and supple without the sunscreen grease.

7. Le Weekend De Chanel – Really like the one-step skincare system from Chanel, particularly from a busy mommy perspective. I use this product in place of all other products every weekend. It is packed with glycolic acid complex so it is great for exfoliating, detoxifying the skin for a more clear and smooth complexion.

8. Philosophy Microdelivery Overnight Peel – Whenever I feel that my skin is starting to feel ‘rough’ and the makeup looks like it’s just sitting on top of the skin, I use the peel and it removes the dead skin cells and reveals new skin with finer texture. Reviewed here.

9.GLAMGLOW YouthMud – Another great deep cleanse mask for unclogging the pores, boosting radiance and smoothing out the skin. This gives you a ‘facial-like’ result that transforms the luminosity of your skin after only one use.

 

 

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If I could only have one skincare product, it would be the legendary La Mer The Concentrate (bought here in Australia). I first splurged on it about 5 years ago, and I’ve been hooked on it ever since though my heart bleeds every time I hand over my credit card.

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We all know the story of La Mer, whose founder was severely burnt and he invented this legendary formula of ‘miracle broth’ that healed his burnt skin. The miracle broth can be found in most of La Mer’s skincare products, and one of the most famous is of course the La Mer Cream which people swear by its moisturizing ability as well as repairing and healing of sensitive and irritated skin.  I love La Mer cream (one of my staples), but the La Mer Concentrate is totally on another level for healing and regeneration that really blows me away. At my sad age where the natural skin renewal process has gone down drastically – you will notice that if the acne scars/marks from your breakout never goes away, then this is when I need to heavily rely on premium skincare products for stimulating the regeneration process.

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Texture:

It has a clear milky white elixir consistency with silicone feel. Once it is applied, it makes the skin feel silky smooth and velvety (almost like a makeup primer) without feeling heavy and sticky. It also has an interesting slightly powdery minty scent.  If you look at the ingredients list, you will find a list of common ingredients but what makes this product so special is the patented treatment and process of the fermentation of seaweed, and The Concentrate contains the highest dose compared to all the other La Mer products.

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How I use it:

I use it sparingly, and 2-3 times a week due to the high price tag, and mainly along the lower jaw lines for a lifting effect, and the area of the skin where it needs to be ‘repaired’. If my budget allows, I really wouldn’t mind it using it twice a day like a normal serum.

My experience:

The most miracle serum I’ve ever used for skin repairing. If I get a new breakout, and the scar never goes away without using any skincare product. With the concentrate, I apply it for 3 consecutive days on the new acne scar and it completely diminishes the mark. On old acne marks, it also helps to heal and fade the marks visibly over time. If I am having occasional dermatitis, sensitive, and irritated skin due to season transitions, this serum heals my skin and brings it back to its normal state overnight. If my skin has been ‘traumatized’ ie. extractions from facial, laser treatment, then this serum calms it down within a few days. I don’t have any surgical marks on my body, but one of my girlfriends used it on her surgery scar from c-section, and it completely healed it as well!

Bottom line:

Truly a miracle product! As a loyal fan, I always go for the 1.7 oz (50ml), and the smallest size it has is the 0.5oz (15ml). If you only use it for mild acne scarring, a small bottle will last more than 6 months. A brief mention that please do not buy prestige skincare samples such as La Mer, La Prairie etc on Ebay, as 99% of time they will be fake.

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I often get asked about my updated skincare routine from my readers, and it seems a very big job for me to consolidate everything I use into one post. I am currently in the process of shortlisting a handful of products that I absolutely love. In the meantime, I like to share with you a selection of products that I am bringing along with for my upcoming 2 weeks vacation in Hawaii! These are the trial and tested products that I pulled from my current skincare selections (not just random samples), and they are mainly for keeping my skin clear, congestion free, hydrated and lifted (so more photogenic) on a hot destination.

best-skincare-routine-tutorial-normal-oily-skin-reviewCLEANSE:

TATCHA One Step Camilia Cleansing Oil: My holy grail cleansing oil for removing makeup. One pump is all you need for removing the makeup completely, and it emulsifies well and most importantly it doesn’t make my vision blur for days if it gets into my eyes accidentally.

SUQQU Eye Makeup Remover: It removes the eye makeup including waterproof mascara easily, and is super gentle for my sensitive eyes.

TATCHA Polished Rice Enzyme Powder:  Love this gentle powder exfoliator that also helps to brighten. It totally deserves a separate review post for it.

MASKS:

GLAMGLOW PowerMud DualCleanse Treatment: It is currently my favorite deep cleansing mask. I love it so much so I bought a mini size just for this trip. It is gentle (doesn’t sting), but very effective for lifting all the impurities and clearing out the pores.

SK-II Facial Treatment Mask: My go-to paper mask for ultimate hydration and glowy skin. I plan to use one a day so it helps to reverse the damage from the sun, and keep my skin hydrated and brightened.

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DAY & NIGHT:

La Mer The Reparative Face Sun Lotion SPF 30: If you want to simplify your skincare routine, this is possibly the only product you need in the morning. It is La Mer Moisturing lotion + SPF30 sun protection. This milky lotion is less richer than their famous cream, so it is light enough to use in the morning with the same repairing benefits as in all La Mer products.

La Mer The Mist: A very refreshing and hydrating mist that is great to use during the day to replenish the moisture and keep the skin cool.

Dr Ci LaboVitamin C Special100 Series: Pure vitamin c oil that moisturizes and also helps to improve pigmentation and brighten up the skin. It’s great for mixing in with other products.

For Beloved One Mandelic Acid Renewal Serum 20% . It is the newest ingredient that surpasses the effect of BHA+AHA which is trending everywhere in Asia now. It gives a deep exfoliation (like a mild peel effect) to the skin, and it is the most effective I have ever used for clearing up pores, and preventing pore congestion. If you notice your skin is not as smooth, or has white heads, and congested pores but difficult to remove, then this serum brings all the dirt and impurities to the skin surface and help to dissolve them after 2-3 uses. Continuous use will help the pores to stay clear longer. I use it twice a week, and always mix it with the vitamin c oil to make it more diluted and apply it over the areas prone to congestion.

Beauty Bar 24K Gold:  My favorite portable beauty tool for de-puffing and a temporary more lifted look (reviewed here).

Methode Jeannue Piaubert Visagist Facial Slimming Roll-On: This brand makes the best slimming and contouring body products. I was excited to find out that they also have a slimming skincare product for the face. I bought this in Europe earlier this year, and unfortunately I can’t find any stockist online.

HAIR & BODY:

Jurlique Hand Cream: Holy grail hand cream that I have repurchased over and over.

Original Mineral Frizzy Logic Shine Serum: A weightless serum that repairs the hair and control the frizzes. Similar to Argan oil but I prefer this one.

 

 

 

 

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A quick skincare post for the transition season from Fall to Winter. As always moisturizing is the core of my routine. I opted for some richer face products to cater for my very dry and sensitive skin in this weather. This post only covers the basic moisturizing products that I use daily, and I combine these products with a lot of other skincare products accordingly that target at specific skin conditions such as pigmentation, brightening, anti aging etc.

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La Mer The Radiant Infusion – is the most hydrating serum-like lotion I have ever used. It instantly re-hydrates and plumps up the skin upon application without the tackiness, and helps to improve the luminosity of the skin overnight.  And on a lazy day, I can get away with only using this lotion as it keeps my skin supple and hydrated for many hours. Not happy that this product is being discontinued, so next on my radar is the La Mer The Treatment Lotion!

Decleor Aromessence Angelique Nourishing Serum – I am a big fan of face oil, and after trialing tons of new oils I decided to go back to the old but good Decleor. Love the pure essential oil smell, as it helps to sooth and wind down the day for me. It does a great job for moisturizing and nourishing my dry skin for the whole day with only a drop, and I wake up with a glow. If you like the foundation to appear more dewy and radiant on the skin, this oil also serves as a good base.

Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil – Every model raves about rosehip oil – often found in affordable organic beauty brands. The Trilogy oil was completely sold out in UK after The Duchess of Cambridge credited her ultra radiant complexion to this oil upon receiving a bottle during her tour to New Zealand. I am quite neutral about it, as it does help to moisturize the skin but the oil is not as finely milled as the expensive ones so it tends to sit on top of the skin. Otherwise it is a lovely and affordable oil  to use for both the face and the body, and I like rubbing a thick layer on the scar areas with the use of derma roller and I have seen a great improvement.

FRESH Creme Ancienne Anti Aging Treatment – I have had the FRESH cream for over a year now and I am finally using it up! It is ultra thick, rich and heavy. It has a wax-like texture and you only need less than a pea size of this cream for the whole face. It feels a little heavy on the face, and forms an invisible barrier on the skin that traps the moisture for the whole day, and protects your skin from external hazards. This would be the perfect cream for very dry skin types, or if you live in an extreme cold weather condition. Otherwise it would be way too rich and may clog your pores. A lot of people compare this cream to the Creme de la Mer, but I personally prefer the latter for everyday use.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel (reviewed here) – This is my second tub – a multi-purpose luxurious vitamin E balm that can be mixed with other moisturizers that deeply nourishes and helps to repair the skin.  It can also be used as a lip balm and mixed with other products for a makeup base. This gel is more heavy duty than the face oil, and I normally go for this one at night if I want a boost of moisture and radiance the next day.

 

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What’s on my Wishlist

September 24, 2014

It’s been a busy week for me but I still have time to ‘window shop’ and put together my wishlist for this month!

1. Gucci Makeup!! – I am so excited about the new Gucci makeup line which is the talk of the town at the moment. The packaging speaks for glamour and luxury, and I sense that these following products will be mine very soon after browsing through the entire range over and over again.

– Gucci Lipstick Exposure and Hibiscus Thrill

Gucci Color Shadow Mono

Gucci Nail Lacquer

– Gucci Eyeshadow Quad Crystal Copper and Tuscan Storm

2. La Mer LE Illuminating Powder – The La Mer  loose powder is the best I have ever used (reviewed here) and it’s sad to see that it’s being discontinued. So thrilled to find this  limited edition illuminating powder set that makes me swoon.

3. La Mer Intensive Revitalizing Mask – If you have read my previous skincare posts, you would know that I am a big fan of La Mer. It’s a brand that you either hate, or you love and you will stick to their products for years and years, and I am the latter. I have seen visible and great results from their products, and I always wished for a more ‘affordable’ wash off type mask from La Mer. So my wish has been granted and I am definitely going to get this one! Also available in Australia now – here.

4. Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid foundation – Cle de Peau’s foundation is the crème de la crème for over a decade in the market. Very intrigued by their latest radiant foundation which sounds even better than the previous ones (reviewed here)! FYI Cle de Peau is currently offering a gift with purchase at Nordstrom.

5. Bottega Veneta Knot – Another amazing fragrance from this designer house! Been wearing the sample everyday and I am completely head over heels with the scent. If you love the Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino you would love this one! Fresh, unique and sophisticated.

6. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar On the Go – The latest Filmstar range is available on NAP now! I particularly love the color combination of this one.

7. Chloe Drew – Last but not least, a fashion item which is the IT bag at the moment that is spotted everywhere at fashion weeks.  I don’t normally crave for soft pink bags but somehow this bag just grows on me day by day. Such a delicate design with beautiful gold hardware that looks tres chic rather than overly cute. Sold out everywhere except here.

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2013 Holiday Beauty Wishlist

November 2, 2013

Whilst most people realize that the end of another year is fast approaching by noticing that the shops are starting to sell xmas goodies, as a beauty enthusiast I am reminded because of the Holiday Makeup Collections trickling into the stores! After scouring the internet for previews I have finally put together my 2013 holiday beauty wishlist. Except for the Suqqu Makeup Kit B which I have already ordered on Selfridges (in case you don’t know that Selfridges now ship Suqqu internationally with VAT deduction available!), I’ll just have to wait patiently for the rest of them to arrive in Australia.

 

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1.  Dior Sparkling Nail Powders Set (Nordstrom exclusive) –  love the over-the-top opulent finish for party nails

2.  Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Golden Flower – a perfect combination of warm neutrals

3.  Chanel Nuit Infinie de Chanel Collection Holiday 2013 – particularly the eye shadow palette which is another alluring set of neutrals that can be worn all year round

4.  La Mer Treatment Lotion – eager to try out this latest product from La Mer

5.  Suqqu Makeupt Kit B – bought this droolwhorthy set with a heart beat!

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