YSL

YSL 5 Color Couture Palette 02 Fauves and 04 Saharienne Review and Swatches

July 16, 2014

There are some great new collections of eye shadows being released this year – including the highly anticipated YSL 5 color Couture Palette. I bought them in 02 FAUVES and 04 SAHARIENNE recently and they look even more beautiful in real life than all the preview pictures I have seen online!

The packaging of the Couture Palette is picture-worthy – the sleek gold case is ultra luxurious and glamorous. My only gripe is that they tend to show finger marks easily.

The quality of these new eye shadows are divine and much better than their past collections. They are extremely finely milled and very firmly pressed so they feel quite solid and velvety to the touch. If you look closely there is an intricate woven print design on the eye shadows which I thought was very unique. The pigmentation of every single shade is highly rich, and you get the true color and intensity with only 1 gentle swipe needed. They are smooth and easy to blend. Contrary to the new Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quads (reviewed here and they are now available on Nordstrom!) which are best to be applied with brushes that tend to pick up more pigments (such as the Tom Ford or Hakohodo J series) , I like to apply the YSLs with very soft brushes such as the Suqqu eye brushes or the Chikuhodo z-series and GSN series (to be reviewed soon).

The YSL 5 Color Couture Palette in 02 Fauves is a saturated warm neutral quads that is perfect for creating smouldering soft smoky eyes.

Color description:

Top Right -shimmering vanilla with an icy pink undertone

Top Left – shimmering rosy copper color

Bottom Right -shimmering medium brown (leans warm)

Bottom Left -shimmering dark brown (leans warm)

Middle – charcoal

The YSL 5 Color Couture Palette in 04 Saharienne is a cool neutral quad. They colors are very versatile with mix of soft and intense colored shades which makes this palette more day time friendly, and the highlight for me is the stunning shimmery taupe shade.

Color description:

Top Right – shimmering pale golden champagne color

Top Left – shimmering pale pink beige (like a flesh color)

Bottom Right – shimmering true taupe color with an eggplant undertone

Bottom Left – shimmering medium neutral brown

Middle – shimmering intense dark brown (leans cool)

Overall the YSL Couture Palettes are one of the best new eye shadows to own. The fact that it has 5 colors in the pan gives you more choices and options to wear them in different combinations. I almost forgot how fun and delightful it is to play with rich and saturated eye shadows, and the YSLs brought it back. They are available online here or here.

{ 7 comments }

Labels: EYESHADOW • YSL

YSL CC Cream in Rose and Lavender Review and Comparison

July 12, 2014

The YSL Forever Light Creator CC Cream is my latest obsession, as you an see I have them in both the ROSE and the LAVENDER. I had them for about a month now and I have been using them every single day which is rare for me!

Before my review for the YSL CC cream, I thought I’d share my thoughts on CC cream in general first. Basically CC cream stands for color control, and they have been marketed as the “latest beauty breakthrough innovation” after BB cream. To me they are nothing new, I have similar products for correcting complexion colors many years ago, such as the Makeup Forever HD Primer Color Control which I absolutely love. After trying out many latest CC creams, I have concluded that the only difference is that the newer products have better texture (more creamy and fluid) and more moisturizing to the skin because they all contain some skincare properties. So they are good products to own, particularly for those of you who wish to correct the appearance of dull skin without using a dozen of products.

Many of you may also be confusing BB Cream with CC Cream. I have also purchased several CC creams of Korean brands that look and feel exactly like BB cream, but upon application the CC cream generally makes the complexion a lot brighter than the BB cream. I am not a big fan of those particular CC creams.

I was sold to the YSL version after I read that my favorite Asian MUA swears by the combo of YSL CC cream and Youth Liberator Foundation (to be reviewed soon). Since I really like the foundation so I thought why not to give the CC cream a try! They come in 3 different colors – ROSE; LAVENDER and APRICOT, and all have SPF35 and PA+++. As a pink makeup lover I purchased the ROSE one first, and the lovely sales lady also gave me a generous sample of the Lavender one which I loved so much I went back and purchased it again!

The YSL CC Cream has a lovely milky and fluid texture. It is very refreshing and lightweight yet hydrating enough to the dry skin. It feels like a nourishing light skincare lotion, and it doesn’t enhance pores nor the dry patches. Both of them are very pigmented for a color corrector for the complexion, and I only need tiny a little bit (half of the pea size) for the face. They help to brighten, corrects and even out the complexion so it reduces the need for subsequent foundation. On days where I don’t feel like a full face makeup, I normally just wear this on my T-zone, under the eyes and along the cheekbone alone. It’s almost like an instant-highlighter-but-better that makes you look so fresh and well-rested.

ROSE brightens up the skin with a hint of pale rosy glow. It’s a pretty color that makes the complexion appears more youthful and radiant, and works great with other pink based makeup. However if you have some redness in the skin this product tends to enhance it.

LAVENDER helps diminish the look of sallow skin and yellow-looking skin. I love this because it makes my complexion appears so fresh and clean with a natural glow. I wore this on days where I had the worst flu, and I still got compliments on how great my skin looked, so this product must be doing something magical. I only apply this to the areas of the face where I would normally apply the highlighter, and the result is similar to “the moment you just take off your brightening mask”. Using this as a makeup base also helps other colored makeup show up better.

Swatch comparison with the Korean brands. On a quick note, Tony Moly Aura and Tony Moly BCdation makes me way too white and geisha-like. Hera CC Cream is more like a BB cream and isn’t worth its high price tag.

I bought these at David Jones for $89 each. You can get them here or here with international shipping available.

{ 6 comments }

Labels: foundation • HIGHLIGHTER • Makeup Base • YSL

Le Blush Cream de Chanel 65 Affinite and 63 Revelation Review, Swatches and FOTD

September 29, 2013

I finally get back into the swing of shopping and wearing makeup again! And my first purchase since my “break” was the Le Blush Cream De Chanel in 65 AFFINITE and 63 REVELATION. I wore these on several occasions and I absolutely adore them. They are now becoming one of my top three favorite cream blushes – on par with my Addiction Cheek Sticks and the Stila Convertibles.

My thought on these cream blushes is that the texture would go well with every skin type. The cream blush is extremely finely milled so it doesn’t settle into the pores. And it is extremely easy to blend into a natural and even finish. I only need a tiny dab of it to create a natural flush of color on the cheeks. The finish strikes a perfect balance between creamy and powdery (see the comparison swatch below), and it sets into the skin seamlessly without enhancing dry patches and pores.

There is no surprise that I picked up two of the most popular pink shades from the range. The must-have 65 AFFINITE which has been out of stock for a long time, and the 63 REVELATION that goes with any makeup look all year round.

65 AFFINITE is a bright strawberry pink with a hint of blue undertone that sets into a semi-matte finish. If you think the color looks quite ordinary when it is swatched on hand, then you should give it a try on the face. It’s one of those ‘magical’ bright pink shades that instantly transforms a dull and lifeless complexion into a fresh and youthful looking one.

63 REVELATION is a warm peachy pink. It is a no brainer soft pink shade that is easy to wear when you are on the go.

Comparison Swatches with Addiction Cheek Stick Amazing; Stila Convertible Gerbera, YSL Cream Blush 9 (reviewed here), Stila Convertible Lillium

FOTD 1 wearing shade 65 AFFINITE

FOTD 2 wearing shade 63 REVELATION

Other products used:

RMK Foundation, Lunasol Summer Eyes 2013, YSL Lipstick PINK IN PARIS in FOTD 1, and CORAIL INCANDESCENT in FOTD 2 (reviewed here)

Bottom Line: If these blushes can make me look like ‘have slept for 8 hours’ (which indeed I only sleep less than 5 hours a day…), then they really are doing something magical that’s worth the splurge. I bought the Chanel Cream Blush at David Jones for $60 each. Both shades are available here in the US. You can also get them from Harrods with international shipping and VAT Tax deduction available.

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Labels: BLUSH • CHANEL • FOTD • YSL

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks Review and Swatches

July 29, 2013

A very belated review for the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks! I had them as soon as they were released but I have this odd habit of keeping beautifully packaged lipsticks in brand new condition for as long as I can..so the long delay. Anyhow I finally decided to use them and they are totally living up to my expectations. I picked up the shades 06 PINK IN DEVOTION, 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT; 13 PINK IN PARIS, and 16 ORANGE IMPERTINENT which are all permanent to the YSL makeup line, so if you like any of them it’s never too late to pick up a few more!

The packaging of ‘Rouge Volupte Shine’ are identical to the classic ‘Rouge Volupte’ Lipsticks – they are elegant and glamourous. YSL have had this packaging for a while and I am still very smitten by the look of them to date. The texture is a great improvement compared to the original in my opinion. They still have this melting buttery and smooth texture, but with a much more hydrating formula so they don’t make my lips appear as dry as with the original Rouge Volupte. The pigmentation is fairy rich for a sheer lipstick – one to two swipes are enough to cover my original lip color, with a translucent finish. The sheer lipsticks have been a great hit these days, because they add a subtle watery shine to the lips without looking too ‘greasy’ which I absolutely adore. Compared with the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine, I agree with many reviewers that they are very similar in terms of texture and finish. However the YSL RVS have a longer lasting power and the colors are more pigmented.

06 PINK IN DEVOTION is a a bright hibiscus pink. Swatches with 2 swipes and it doesn’t show up as bright as it looks from the tube. The pink leans slightly cool that would look very flattering on people with a cool complexion.

12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT is a bright coral pink with a hint of watermelon red undertone. It is a universal flattering pink shade that helps to instantly brighten up your complexion.

13 PINK IN PARIS is a muted rose pink. It is warmer than 06 Pink in Devotion so it would be an easier pink to pull off if you are after a true pink on the lips.
16 ORANGE IMPERTINENT is not as orange as the name suggests. It is actually a coral pink that is quite similar to 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT, and it shows up more of a peachy pink coral that is less red than 12. I had a hard time choosing between them so I brought back both shades in the end!Group Swatches:

A compilation of lip swatches for you to compare:

Bottom Line: YLS Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks are totally worth the splurge. They have a wide range of wearable to dramatic colors to choose from and the quality is top notch for a high end sheer lipstick. They retail for $34 in the US and are available here or here. You can also get them from Harrods with international shipping and VAT Tax deduction available.

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Labels: LIPSTICK • YSL

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

Multiples

May 22, 2013

You know you can’t live without these products when you have multiple backups of them.

From left to right:

1. Shu Uemura Precision Volume Mascara Waterproof – suggested by my readers and they are absolutely amazing!! It does everything I want for my lashes (review to come soon).

2. Ysl Touché Eclat – an oldie but a goodie. I mix both shade 1 and 2 for everyday use. It doesn’t provide much coverage but it brightens up the skin without making it look cakey. The formulation is great for most skin types unless you have very dry under eye areas, then you need a good moisturizing eye cream underneath and it helps the product to set beautifully.

3. Suqqu Cheek Blush Brush– crème de la crème of brushes, reviewed here.

4. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – reviewed here

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Labels: MASCARA • Oribe • Shu Uemura • SUQQU • YSL

YSL Spring 2013 – Creme de Blush 09 Review and Swatches

April 22, 2013

The YSL Creme de Blush 9 from its 2013 Spring Collection is a stunner for anyone who is on the quest for a perfect shade of baby pink blush. I spotted this blush by accident when I was actually shopping for the Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks, and as soon as I swatched this blush on my skin I knew I had to have this one! It is a match made in heaven for anyone with a neutral to cool skin tone. YSL excels in coming up with nude and pale pink shades with blue undertone that helps to counteract the redness. These shades might not be for everyone, but once you find a good match for your skin tone, you will probably stick to it forever.

I adore the packaging of Creme de Blush which looks like a little gem-box. The texture is much better than what I expected for a cream blush. It is a silicone based creamy blush and although I don’t normally like makeup products overloaded with silicone, this blush is just right. It feels moderately creamy without the grease, and it has enough slip in it so it glides on to the skin smoothly and evenly. The blush is very finely milled and the silicone indeed helps with concealing the pores and dry patches. It sets into a powdery and semi-matte finish.

Swatch

I pulled out some of my cool pink (varies from baby pink to bubblegum pink) cream blushes. Although YSL 09 leans cool, its still has some warmth compared to the other shades which makes it very versatile and wearable on most skin tones.

From Left to Right: YSL Cream Blush 09, Etude House Lip & Cheek 02; Canmake Cream Cheek 03; RMK Light Pink ; Addiction Cheek Stick Amazing (review coming soon!)

Bottom Line: Gotta have it! I bought mine at David Jones for AUD$65. It is available here in the US , or here with international shipping with VAT deduction upon checkout.

{ 16 comments }

Labels: BLUSH • YSL

Dior 5 Couleur Grand Bal Eyeshadow Palette 524 Fairy Golds Review, Swatches and FOTD

November 17, 2012

This is another eyeshadow review for the Dior 5 Couleur Grand Bal Eyeshadow Palette in 524 Fairy Golds (Limited Edition) from the Grand Bal Holiday 2012 Collection. My compulsive makeup hoarding is getting a little out of control lately as I am completely engulfed by the waves of new eye shadows being released at the moment. But what could be a better time to shop than this festive time of the year?!

Before I start my review, please allow me to ramble about the sub-par service at various Dior counters. The SAs were either busy chatting or showed no interest in doing their jobs at 3 different counters I visited! Whilst most of the other cosmetic counters thrive to deliver the best possible customer service in such a competitive economy, it was such a let down experience from a premium beauty house like Dior.

Nonetheless, this did not distract me from buying this uber gorgeous eyeshadow quint. It’s a neutral eye shadow palette with some of the most beautiful sparkly shimmery shades I have ever seen – and that is what drew me in the most! I love a sparkly shade when it is done right. It needs to have the perfect spongy creamy texture (not gritty) and adheres without any fallout, and most importantly it needs to be sparkly in a grown-up way. And the color is important too, as it needs to be subtle but you can still see the color with some translucency so it doesn’t overpower the base eye color when you apply the sparkly shade on top. This Dior quint ticked all the boxes.

COLORS

Top Left: Shimmery champagne pinky beige

Top Right: Rusty gold with a sparkly finish

Middle: Silvery white with a sparkly finish

Bottom Left: Shimmery mushroom taupe

Bottom Right: Shimmery chocolate brown

All shades are rich in pigmentation, feel buttery soft and blend so well. As mentioned above, the two sparkly shades are exceptionally superior and rivals the Tom Ford which I thought were the best!

SWATCHES:

FOTD:

Upper Lid: Applied the beige color all over the eyelid, then I blended the light taupe color from the upper lash into the eye socket. The dark brown shade was only added to the outer-v, and I used my finger to pat the gold sparkly shade on the inner corner, and the silvery white shade on top for an ultra sparkly festive look!

Lower Lid: The white sparkly on the inner third, and the brown on the outer third.

It is worth nothing that I have been obsessed with highlighting and contouring lately, so I have used more-than-the-usual amount of base product to create a luminous complexion that also looks more defined.

OTHER PRODUCTS:

Face: Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation (discontinued) mixed with Dr Jart+ Waterfuse Moist BB Cream.

Highlight & Contour: Prescriptives Contour Stick (discontinued) + Nars Copacabana Illuminator. YSL Touche Eclat for under eye concealing.

Blush: Chanel JC in Rouge

Lipstick: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine SS BG 957 (reviewed here) + MAC Dazzleglass Glamour

Bottom Line: A perfect eye shadow palette for a touch of sparkly glamour this festive season.

I bought mine at David Jones for AUD$99. The Dior Palette can be purchased here in the US. You can also get this new collection including the palette here with free international delivery, and use the code GIFT10 for 10% off!

{ 22 comments }

Labels: BB Cream • DIOR • EYESHADOW • FOTD • FOUNDATION • HIGHLIGHTER • Laura Mercier • MAC • Makeup Base • NARS • Shu Uemura • YSL