Friday's Fragrance

Sorry been so MIA on the blog updates. I'll try to get back to my daily update routine.

So for Fragrance Friday, since it's almost pay day (hurrah!), why not splurge on yourself? Retail therapy is the best form of medicine for the soul.


COCO Mademoiselle Chanel
Eau De Parfum
100 mL | ~ HKD 1000

Love it! This is one perfume that I like to wear on rare occasions. I wouldn't use it everyday because of (1) financial reasons, (2) it has a bold and distinct scent. The scent from this is not very mature, (like the other Chanel perfumes), but it isn't suitable for teenagers either. It is long-lasting, feels new to wear to a good gathering, is sensual and feels like a personal luxury. Watch out for fakes if buying online!

Top Notes: Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit

Middle Notes: Litchi, Rose, Italian Jasmine

Base Notes: Indonesian Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver, Bourbon Vanilla, White Musk

This smells very similar to the Chloe perfume.

3LAB Perfect Lite Sunblock spf 30

Received this from COVERmagazine. 

3LAB Perfect Lite Sunscreen SPF 30

100 mL

45 USD

Summer is round the corner, so it's time to review some good sunscreen. When I first received this, I thought it was a cheap product as the packaging nor the label is fancy. Only when I looked up the price, I was really surprised. Would you pay HK $360 for a SPF 30 sunblock? Neither would I! 

As a sunscreen lotion, this product is quite smooth. It's not thick and is easily applicable. It is water-resistant, and doesn't leave white traces as other lotions might. However, with a bit of research, I found that this doesn't suit all types of skin. A lot of reviews mentioned that this clogged their pores, and caused them to break-out i.e. loads of pimples. It was fine on my skin though, so try at your own risk! 

Honestly, instead of spending so much on this, I'd rather get the Banana Boat/Neutrogena/Nivea Sunscreens. The one I use all the time is the SPF 50/SPF 80 Spray one from Banana Boat, and no complains. It's much more affordable too!

 Banana Boat Spray Sunscreen SPF 50
177 mL
11 USD

Double Eyeliner

So from my photoshoot a few weeks ago, I tried something new! I think it turned out pretty well. You like?

This look could work for the day. Just maybe not for office.

Armani Summer 2012: Écailles

This summer, Giorgio Armani will launch a new theme for their upcoming collection.

Their collection is more of a surprise compared to other major collections for the season. As opposed to bright summery colors, the Giorgio Armani Écailles Collection for summer 2012 aims to 'enchant the public with an oceanic beauty fantasy using cool, sea-inspired makeup products.' Their theme is quite dark, and they're using this depth of color to represent everything oceanic; such as the moonlight on the sea, black and white pearls. With all the bright shades out for the upcoming season, I wonder if they'll get some consumers in the mood for something dark and mysterious? That being said, I'd love to try out the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in Obsidian Black. Looks very interesting!

Écailles Luxury Edition Eye Palette ($150 CDN) – Limited Edition

Écailles Classic Edition Eye Palette ($59 USD)

Face and Cheeks Duo Palette ($60 USD)

Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows ($32 USD)

Left to Right (Top): #20 Obsidian Black (Limited Edition)
#21 Obsidian Grey

(Bottom): #22 Écailles
#24 Madre Perla (Limited Edition)

Gloss D’Armani ($28 USD)

#509 Pink Quartz

#510 Rose Crocoite (Limited Edition)

#511 Raspberry Zincite

#512 Red Andradite

Concealer

WHAT IT DOES

The name says it all. Concealers hide imperfections on your face or body. There are concealers that hide anything, from scars to tattoos, but the most common use is for lightening dark under-eye circles. The product should have a creamy texture for easy blending, and the shade should always be lighter than your skin tone to create the brightening effect.

QUICK TIPS

- Concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your skin
- don't use concealer to cover blemishes. The correct color for lightening dark circles will be too light to cover your pimple. It would make it stick out instead.
- Use fingertips to press in the concealer. Do not rub. 

HOW TO USE IT

You can wear concealer without foundation, but you can't wear foundation without concealer. Using a brush or your finger, apply the concealer under your eyes starting at the inner corner of the eye. Cover the entire area below your lashes, and then blend by using your finger to press in the concealer. Layer with loose powder/compact powder to lock in the concealer.

DIY Make Up Brushes

Looking for something new to do with your make-up? Try this! A perfect little project to keep you busy over the weekend, and it'll cheer you up every morning while getting ready.

Use your current brushes, or run to the art supplies store to pick up a few new ones. You can do this at home!

1. What you'll need:

• Wooden makeup brushes
• Martha Stewart craft paint
• Sanding Block
• Paintbrushes

2. Sand your brush handle in a downward motion, unless the wood is already rough. This will help the paint to stick to the surface.

3. Paint a base coat.

4. Choose your design! Have fun.

This is a quirky spots and stripes design. They'll look cute in a glass container on your shelf. Can't wait to try out something similar. If only the art store was closer.

Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow

Up for review today is Benefit's new liquid foundation. 

 Benefit | Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow | Brightening Makeup

US $34

The details:

• Brightening make-up
• Oil-free
• SPF 25
• PA +++ protection
• hydrating benefits
• Available in 9 shades
  
  My thoughts:

Love it, would be an understatement! Benefit is a brand I've never bought from before, and it was thanks to COVERmagazine that I got to try this product. After trying this, I would gladly dispose of all my liquid foundation, and just use this. This is really good for light to medium coverage, and has light diffusing properties. Usually, when a foundation is labelled is brightening, its mainly filled with glitter. This one instead, provides a natural finish.  

As for the brightening, it lives up to the label. It really does brighten your skin, and makes you look fresher. The SPF and the PA are a bonus. Moreover, this foundation isn't thick, it's quite creamy and hydrating. 

Overall, a must-buy! 

Splash a Little Colour

Hey everyone! Happy Holi!

Holi is a traditional custom in our Indian Culture, where we throw colored powder on each other. It's symbolic of an event in our Mythology, and also to celebrate a new beginning, Spring.




So let's splash a little color into each other's lives in this Festival of Colors. Less words, and more actions! =) Enjoy!

 

 

Some cream

 

Concealor

 

Powder Foundation 

 

Blush 

 

 

Eye primer

Eyeshadow

 

Eyeliner

  Mascara

 Kohl

 Some tinted Lip balm

 For details on products that I used, check out my previous posts! Peace.

MAC Hot 'n' Saucy

MAC 

Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder | Flower Fantasy | US $28

Tendertone Lip Balm | Hot 'n' Saucy | US $15

Shop MAC Lipstick | Innocence, Beware! (Cremesheen) | US $14.50

Crushed Metallic Pigment | Aloha | US $34

That leaves us with the last item to review from the MAC SHOP MAC COOK Spring 2012 Collection.

Tendertone Lip Balm | Hot 'n' Saucy | US $15

Available in 4 shades. 

Top row (left to right): Hot 'n' Saucy, Hush Hush

Bottom row (left to right): Purring, Tread Gently

 From left to right: Tread Gently, Purring, Hot 'n' Saucy, Hush Hush

I believe I got the best shade to review! ;) 

 Love this lipbalm! It is my new favorite. The red tone in it is just perfect to give you some color, while not making it too red. It is creamy, leaves your lips moisturized for hours, and gives a good hint of color. SPF 12 too, which is an added bonus! Love it!

Available now in MAC stores and online. 

PS - Check back tomorrow for a full sequence of the photoshoot! =) 

MAC Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder

Check on the lipstick and the pigment.

MAC 

Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder | Flower Fantasy | US $28

Tendertone Lip Balm | Hot 'n' Saucy | US $15

Shop MAC Lipstick | Innocence, Beware! (Cremesheen) | US $14.50

Crushed Metallic Pigment | Aloha | US $34

Day 3:

Vera Pearlmatte Face Powder

 Available in 2 shades!

 

Flower Fantasy

 

Sunday Afternoon

I received the shade in Flower Fantasy for review. 

Just judging by the swatch, Flower Fantasy looks more of a warm shade and Sunday Afternoon looks more of a cool shade. For darker complexions, I'd say the Flower Fantasy would be a better choice. There's a healthier glow of blush in it, and it won't be too pink-y.  For fairer skin tones, you could pull off the Sunday Afternoon giving your cheeks a pink glow. 

Overall, I'd say this is an average buy. 

It's a good blush + highlighter, but I'm not a total fan of the product.  I say so because it's not something unique. It doesn't give you the "I have to get this" effect. Maybe if there was gold dust on it? ;)