SKINCARE

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.

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Labels: BEAUTY TOOL • CHANEL • LIFTING • SKINCARE

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.

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

Holy Grail Skincare Products Roundup

February 25, 2018

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!

Best Treatment Lotion – Jurlique 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!

Best Exfoliator – Bobbi 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.

Best skin regeneration/repair serum – La 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.

Best anti-aging serum/oil – 111SKIN 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.

Best day/night moisturizer – La 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!

Best Brightening Essence – Haku 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.

Best Face Lifting Lotion – Sisley 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!

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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Labels: 111SKIN • BOBBI BROWN • HAKU • JURLIQUE • LA MER • SHISEIDO • SISLEY • SKINCARE

Guerlain Midnight Secret Late Night Recovery Treatment Review – miracle product to revitalize and freshen up your complexion

January 19, 2018

Overnight treatment is definitely my go-to instant skin fix that fits well with my lifestyle, so I’ve been trialing a lot of them over the past year. The cult-fav Guerlain Midnight Secret is my absolute favorite – I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered this little gem! It has always been the ‘secret product’ for the celebs and beauty insiders as it claims to give you an ‘8-hour well rested radiant complexion’ that makes up for the lack of sleep, so the mask is infamously known as ‘an overnight treatment that smooths away any signs of fatigue for short nights!’

I don’t get much sleep at all – 6 hours on average, and the way my skin reacts is never the same as the younger days. I can easily look dull and tired in the morning, so this intensive treatment that works like a mask is a life changer for me. You only need to apply a thin layer of it all over the face as the final step of your night time skincare routine. Leave it on for 10 minutes before going to bed so it’s fully absorbed and doesn’t leave a sticky mark on the pillow. The texture is somewhat similar to a medium-rich night cream but absorbs slowly, and for my combo skin it works fine without feeling too rich. I love the effect when I rinse it off the next morning – my complexion appears noticeably brightened, revitalized with an amazing glow. My skin is hydrated and the makeup glides on beautifully.

My only pet-peeve is the tiny size which is only 15ml. I wish Guerlain would release a bigger size, but on the other hand this size makes it convenient for travel.

Bottom Line: Highly recommended! I bought mine here in Australia, and you can find it at Neiman Marcus in the US, or here with free worldwide shipping.

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Labels: GUERLAIN • MASK • SKINCARE • SLEEPING MASK

Chanel La Crème Main Review

October 18, 2017

The much highly anticipated Chanel La Crème Main Hand Cream is finally available online (you can find it here in Australia). It was love at first sight for me when I first spotted it online, and I knew I would just get it for the sake of its look! The design of this hand cream is definitely making it special and would make it a perfect handbag accessory.

The hand cream is housed in a cute egg with a cap. You just need to gently squeeze the egg to dispense the product. Apart from its innovative look, the highlight of the product is that the design is much more friendly and hygienic to use than the conventional “tooth paste” tube. Because of the ball-shape it has an air suction so it doesn’t over squeeze and the product also doesn’t flow out by itself and get stuck everywhere around the cap which always bugs me. The packaging also doesn’t change its shape over time, and the cap will never accidentally come off when you keep it in your handbag!

The formula is very lightweight and completely grease-free. The product is instantly absorbed into the skin, and provides instant hydration and protection without any sticky residue. The skin also appears more plumped and noticeably brightened and even-toned. It has a soft floral scent that is not overwhelming. Chanel also claims that it also helps to strengthen the nails by 70%. I have dry hands, and I like to use a heavy-duty hand cream before bed such as my HG Jurlique Rose Hand Cream, but during the day, this cream has the perfect on-the-go formula for keeping my hands hydrated, soft and crease-free for hours. It also looks way too cute to be kept at home, so it makes perfect sense to carry it around in your handbag!

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Labels: CHANEL • SKINCARE

Current Favorite Cleansers

October 12, 2017

Sharing some cleansers I have been using lately. As usual, I love to have a lot of products to choose from depending on my mood. There is a mix of Japanese skincare products in my routine now as I brought back a suitcase of them from my trip to Japan!

Shiseido ELIXIR WHITE Purify Cleansing Gel Cream – I really love this fresh gel cleanser in a clean white pot. It is a makeup remover that reminds me of the cult favorite Eve Lom, and it is best to be used together with a muslin cloth. The difference is that it’s much cheaper with a very lightweight jelly-like consistency. It applies like a creamy jelly – doesn’t feel balmy nor oily, but removes and dissolves the makeup including waterproof eye makeup thoroughly. It is ultra-gentle and feels very hydrating to the skin, and your complexion feels very clean, fresh and supple once it’s removed with a muslin cloth. Highly recommend it if you are after a non oil-based lightweight makeup remover but still does a good job.

Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lime – A luxury under-the-radar organic skincare brand. If you are into luxury spas, you will be quite familiar with ultimate heavenly Sodashi facials and treatments that are widely used in a lot of high-end hotels such as the Four Seasons Resorts around the world, and the Qualia resort in Australia. I couldn’t help but buy some products to try after having the Sodashi facial years ago. Since then I was hooked on the Clay Cleanser which I have repurchased over and over. It’s a luxurious, gentle cleanser with a milky clay texture. It cleans the face, helps to restore the moisture and balance, and the clay helps to calm and detoxify the skin. The amazing invigorating spa-like smell also instantly brightens up my mood when I use it in the morning. Totally love it.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser – Since I love their Exfoliating Treatment so much, I bought the cleanser version of it! It has a blend of AHA (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and enzymes that help to exfoliate and renew the skin mildly. It’s very gentle to my normal-dry skin, and doesn’t strip the moisture off. I love using it at night after removing my makeup. It has a creamy minty green clay texture that doesn’t lather much. Overall it brightens up my complexion after use and keeps the skin very clean and keeps the pores clear. Another big thumbs up from me!

Kanebo SUISAI Beauty Clear Powder – These cute little tiny pots of powder cleanser is trending everywhere in Asia now. It’s very affordable and I love the packaging which is very convenient for traveling. One pot lasts for two uses for me depending on the condition of your skin. The powder is quite grainy, and it lathers up mildly and cleans the skin thoroughly with a mild exfoliation effect. It is gentle and non-drying to my dry and sensitive skin. It makes a great and affordable dupe for the cult Dermalogica daily microfoliant.

Kose SEKKISEI White Powder Wash – I am going through a powder cleanser phase, so I also picked up this product to give it a try as well. This powder feels quite different to the Suisai Beauty Powder above, as it works like a typical Japanese foam cleanser that lathers up to an ultra-rich creamy foam, and deeply cleanses the skin with a squeaky clean feel. If you have combo to oily skin, you will like this one. I personally find it too strong for my dry skin during the cold days.

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Labels: CLEANSER • KANEBO • Kate Somerville • KOSE • SHISEIDO • SHISEIDO ELIXIR • SKINCARE • SODASHI

My Go-To Favorite Oils – Dior Prestige Oil Serum, OUAI Hair Oil and Omorovicza Oil Review

September 5, 2017

Sharing my thoughts on some of the best oils for face, body and hair that I have used so far – the Dior Prestige Replenishing Oil Serum, OUAI Hair Oil and the Omorovicza Firming Body Oil. All of them are ultra-luxurious aesthetically and the formulas are to-die-for with the most incredible scent. I have been using these 3 oils religiously every night, and they are my minimalist approach to taking care of my skin and hair in less than a minute instead of using 10 different products. They are effective, and I love how they make me feel pampered and relaxed. The amazing smell of each oil helps me to unwind from a stressful and chaotic day so I am very addicted to them.

Dior Prestige L’Huile Souveraine Oil Serum – I have a detailed review here. It is amazing for rescuing the driest skin along with the best anti-aging benefits. My skin appears moisturized, plumped and radiant day after day. It is pricey, but all you need is one/two drops per application. I’ve been using it every day for 3 months now and I am not even half way through. Best of all, this oil is derived from premium French roses, so it will literally make you feel like you are in a fresh rose garden.

OUAI Hair Oil -I bought this oil (from here) after hearing lots of great reviews. It has a very lovely musky jasmine smell to it, and the oil is lightweight and instantly absorbs into the hair. It nourishes the dry ends and smooths out the frizz without feeling greasy and heavy, and keeps the hair looking and feeling healthy. My HD recommended me to apply a drop of oil to the hair before bed, and I’ve been following her advice which seems to make a difference to the condition of my hair in the morning. My hair feels smooth and soft, and less tangled so it takes less time to style in the morning.

Omorovicza Firming Body Oil -I had an incredible body massage at a spa recently with this oil. I loved it so much I had to get one for myself (bought here) at home! It is a luxurious body oil serum with a blend of aromatic essential oils that targets at skin firming and toning. I love the smell as it instantly reminds me of a tranquil spa. Apart from using it all over the body for moisturizing, I particularly love applying it on the neck, shoulder, and décolletage every night. The heavenly aroma helps me to relax and gives me a good sleep. The oil has rosemary and chamomile that are anti-inflammatory and helps to relieve muscle tension. I was advised to apply this oil (as I have a stiff neck and shoulder) immediately after a hot shower which will help to soften the muscle and any tight knots!

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Labels: Body Oil • DIOR • FACE OIL • Hair Oil • HAIRCARE • OMOROVICZA • OUAI • SKINCARE

Dior Prestige White Collection Brightening Lotion (Essence Water) Review

July 7, 2017

I gushed about how amazing the Dior Prestige skincare line was lately. Along with the Huile Souveraine Replenishing Oil Serum (reviewed here), I am sharing my thoughts on this most luxurious hydrating toner/essence from the Dior Prestige White Collection Line. It is not easy to get hold of it unfortunately, as I noticed this special white line is only available in certain countries. In Asia, this product is called Satin Brightening Water, whereas in Europe it is called White Brightening Light In Lotion – but they are the same product.

When it comes to the first step in skincare after cleansing, I always like to prep my skin with a layer of toner/essence water. They tend to offer better anti-aging benefit with more intense hydration than a normal toner does. Dior has several different types of essence water in the Prestige line (also eyeing for the Rose Essence Lotion). I chose this because it has brightening ingredients along with their signature Rose Souveraine Absolute concentrate. For my prone-to-freckles skin type, it is always a good habit to incorporate as many brightening products into the routine as I can.

As usual, the packaging from the line is on another level – it is housed in a very weighty glass jar with a gold cap that looks so clean and pure, and instantly glams up your vanity! The consistency of the product is quite rich – like clear gel-water and a little bit goes a long way. With this product, I only need half the amount of other similar products for one application. You can either pat it into the skin and it takes about half a minute to fully absorb as it almost feels like applying a rich essence! Otherwise, you can apply it with a cotton pad for a more refreshing feel and it cleans the pores and removes any traces of dirt and makeup residues.

This Dior White Brightening Lotion is for the ultimate hydration and regeneration. My complexion feels immediately drenched with water and appears plumped up, even-looking and brightened. It is so hydrating that I even skipped the real essence since I have this in my routine! What I also really like about this product is that it is very long lasting, even if you don’t apply other skin care products after this, it keeps your skin moist and supple for many hours.

Overall, this is the best of the best essence water you can find in the market for normal to dry skin.

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Labels: DIOR • SKINCARE

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