Makeup Review: Chanel Les Beiges All-in-one Healthy Glow Fluid

This Healthy Glow Fluid is a newer addition to my staple compartment. To me, it's a multi-functional formula which I can use as a standalone perk-me-up, a sheer base underneath powder, and an undereye concealer. It has great hydrating property and light to medium coverage. Texture-wise, it feels more like CC cream than the Chanel CC Cream which I really dislike (see review HERE). After the disappointment I got from Chanel CC Cream, I'm so super glad that they have this Healthy Glow Cream in store...! I love wearing it alone in dry, wintry season to give my skin a natural and supple finish. In our humid, sticky spring and summer over here, I still prefer getting back to my all-time fave, Chanel Le Blanc Compact Foundation (see review HERE) for a lighter yet lasting touch. But don't get me wrong, I actually use this Healthy Glow Cream on a daily basis all-year round these days - How? What I love most is to use it over my Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Corrector (review coming up) to cover up my seasoned dark circles. I have to stress that the formula is very hydrating because it really is! In fact, I think it works on the undereye better than Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum CONCEALER - more buildable and lasting without settling into creases even after like 10 hours. Of course, if I only use it as a concealer, I can't imagine how many years it will take to empty the entire tube! With its multifunctionality and the amount of hydration it brings, it deserves going into your shopping bag.

Skincare Review: History of Whoo In Yang Neck & Face Sleeping Repair

I love sleeping masks. It's a brilliant invention of the century to busy city girls who can hardly have time to sit back for facial treatments. I'm sure Laneige Water Sleeping Pack is not new to those of you who live in Asian cities (a holy grail item for long-haul flights. Talk more soon!). I still adore it, but I adore this History of Whoo In Yang Neck & Face Sleeping Repair almost just as much.

For those who are not familiar with using sleeping masks, it's supposed to be the last things you apply in your bedtime skincare regimen, so it can form a nourishing and/or hydrating layer that promotes and supplements the absorption of other skincare products when your skin is in its most relaxed state during sleep. And if you are new to this brand, it is one of the major competitors of Sulwhasoo, and therefore with products marked within a similar price range. As with all other products of History of Whoo, this Neck & Face Sleeping Repair is marketed as a secret imperial formula churned out of a combination of Korean medicinal ingredients that aims to enhance skin conditions and overcome skin problems by balancing the In and Yang in one's inner system. 

It is a nourishing cream formula that comes in a gorgeous container designed with a traditional Korean touch. The texture is simply beautiful and the fragrance is very soothing as a bedtime regimen. Though rich and full, I can feel that some of the cream is already absorbed by my skin as I gently massage it in. Overnight, it leaves my skin very soft and supple after the morning wash. In fact, I personally find it more effective than Laneige Water Sleeping Pack. The entire experience, from scooping the cream out of the beautiful jar to applying and massaging the cream into my skin, feels like a pampering treat that puts a perfect end to the day. 

One thing to note is that although the product claims to restore skin texture and rejuvenate problem skin, on nights that my skin is sensitive and unstable, I still think Water Sleeping Pack, or better still, Bioderma Hydrobio Mask (see previous review HERE) will be better bets. It just feels safer to use a simpler formula when you skin is frail. But I have to confess that my spots literally vanished the next morning on a few occasions after wearing this Sleeping Repair cream overnight. 

You may be a bit hesitant seeing the price tag, but the good new is, I need only a dime size for my cheeks, chin and mouth area. It seems to take forever to finish the entire jar! With its brilliant performance, to me, it's definitely worthwhile.  

Makeup Review: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

                                         

It's my first time using something from Make Up For Ever and the purchase is deemed absolutely value-added. With a price range similar to that of Bobbi Brown, this HD Microfinish Powder, as well as the HD Blush and Lift Concealer I purchased, are simply brilliant!!! I will write another review to go through what I currently use to conceal my rather dehydrated dark circles in replacement of the Dior Sculpt concealer (see previous review HERE) that I'd been using for years. Let's look at the HD Powder first.

This powder is literally the best I've ever used. For your information, I tried Shu Uemura, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Shiseido, Clinique...Hmm, think that's all...At least for my skin, it is invincible for its lasting power and natural finish, which also makes it like the perfect powder to finish my under eye concealing work. Because it's so finely-milled, it won't settle into creases and fine lines even after 10 hours...unlike the ones I tried. The finer-than-dust texture...dust? Uh you get what I mean...doesn't give me the extra unwanted layer of color over my BB cream or liquid foundation, leaving my skin so much more supple and natural-looking. Mr. HCL actually thought I finally hung out without wearing any makeup, haha! 

The packaging is noteworthy as well. Gone are the days when you have to turn the case upside down to get the powder out and end up with a mess. The lid is specially designed with the centre converging downward, which fits perfectly to cover the meshwork, so it doesn't matter how you store or carry the box of loose powder in your bag now! The concave surface where you pick up the loose powder allows you to just swirl your brush swiftly in a circular motion to pick up the right amount of powder while leaving the case clean. 

Pros:

- Super sheer and natural finish

- Doesn't sit into creases and fine lines

- Can last over 10 hours on combo skin

- Smart packaging

Cons: Haven't observed any yet!

My verdict? I highly recommend this HD Powder, particularly to those of you who love wearing no-makeup makeup. ;)

  

Makeup Review: Chanel Mat Lumiere Perfection vs. Mat Lumiere Extreme

For at least the past one year, I have been using Chanel Vitalumiere Éclat to finish my makeup and for mid-day touchups. It worked wonders, BUT...somehow my T-zone has become oilier than ever no matter how I tried to hydrate it...not to mention the irritating humidity of over 90% and 30 deg C on most days lately...my skin, especially my T-zone feels really disgusting in the afternoon. Just the other day, a friend of mine who has very oily skin recommended me to use Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme. Her recommendation was definitely convincing as it's really the first time I saw her with normal-looking matte skin (sorry...but really!). The Chanel SR however stressed that Extreme is meant for acne-prone and very oily skin, and not so much for combination-dry skin like mine. She suggested the newly-launched Mat Lumiere Perfection which offers both oil-control and hydration, which sounded perfect for combination skin! Yes, I said sounded perfect...the fact is close to perfection. The purchase was a total regret and I went to another Chanel branch to buy Mat Lumiere Extreme right on the next day - grrrr what a waste of money!

What's wrong with Perfection? While the official description says:

MAT LUMIÈRE PERFECTION is the ideal balance between a matte finish, comfort and luminosity. Shiny areas are matified, imperfections instantly covered and the radiance of the face revealed. The silica coated pigments give the complexion a flawless matte finish with a soft glow from within.

Skin stays fresh and pure all day long, even in heat, humidity and during non-stop activity, thanks to a combination of powders controlling sebum and sweat.

The silky lightweight texture gives a second skin feeling and a delightful sensation of moisture. From morning to night, the complexion is perfect: velvety, even, radiant.

its beautiful velvety finish only lasted 30 minutes on my face! Absolute disappointment. In fact, it became so super sticky and I was pretty sure I didn't even get this disgusting stickiness from Vitalumiere Éclat! 

In contrast, if you're looking for an oil-balancing compact, Extreme could be a fabulous choice. It's become my holy grail item now! The description says:

Enriched with vegetal lipides and Lilium extract, MAT LUMIÈRE EXTRÊME mattifies the complexion with lasting results: sebum production is perfectly controlled and the appearance of pores is minimized. Coated powders and treated pigments ensure optimum makeup and colour hold all day long. With its SPF 20 / PA+++, it protects the skin from damaging UV rays. The soft focus pigments allow MAT LUMIÈRE EXTRÊME to conceal dark spots and imperfections while offering a luminous and even makeup result. Peach Extract, renowned for its moisturizing and emollient properties, offers the skin an excellent sensation of comfort.    

That's truly what it does! The super natural-looking finish can survive the entire summer day with no patches, no streaks, everything's brilliant! On a normal working day, my makeup has to pull through at least 12 hours, from 7ish in the morning to at least 7ish in the evening by the time I reach home after work...and that's if I'm not dining out. With Extreme, I only need to touch up once or twice just around my nose area. If I happen to be really lazy that day, I only blot my nose area with tissue and I'll still look fine with a natural glow. Please don't get me wrong! Its oil controling power is absolutely the best among the compacts or foundations that I've ever used. Can't love it more!  

Why I love Mat Lumiere Extreme? 

- Excellent for oil control

- Long-lasting

- Natural-looking

Anything I dislike?

- The sponge that comes with it, which is simply a personal preference. I like using the brush that comes with Vitalumiere Éclat. It makes touchups a breeze when I'm on the go!

Makeup Review: Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat

Long time, everybody! I'm back to review Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat, which fascinates me as much as Dior Forever (see review HERE) does.

I carry it in my makeup bag every single day lately for midday touch-ups and it's simply brrrrrrilliant! The silky sheer texture can blend perfectly with my 10-hour-old makeup without caking at all. The brush that comes with the palette is also unexpectedly good. Though I still prefer using a baby kabuki brush for touch-ups, that complimentary brush can still do a pretty great job on days that I'm either too lazy or too busy to fish out my baby kabuki. It gives me a fresh makeup look in a flash and my face no longer says I'm drained when I meet my friends for dinner! 

And the best is, even without any touch-ups, it melts into my skin without any patches or whatsoever, giving me a bit of dewy glow in the afternoon which I think more or less blurs the imperfections. My colleagues find my skin "poreless" (of course it's not...) and the foundation remains natural-looking even at the end of a working day! Great for combination skin. Or rather, it's the best I've used so far!

Love it! xx  

Eye Care Review: Elemis Absolute Eye Serum

I'm very delighted about my experience with Elemis Absolute Eye Serum. I know it's nothing new, but I reckon it does deserve at least one more round of applause online - by me! *Bravo!* 

I have been using it for months and there is apparent improvement in the suppleness of my under eyes area, even in the midst of dry seasons. Like I said in my previous review on the Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential serum (see review HERE), I prefer this one over its (equally) luxury rival. It is easily absorbed, leaving your under eyes with zero stickiness. So it won't clump or melt your under eye concealer and powder. Although the serum vanishes upon application, it works! I realize my fine lines under eyes are plumped and erased to a large and visible extent. The only thing is, while I make it sound like an anti-wrinkle eye serum, it's actually meant to combat against dark circles. In this regard, I haven't observed any visible effects...as with most, if not all, of the eye serums I'd used. For dark circles, I believe the best antidote is sleep, sleep at the right time with the right duration of time. I know it's difficult, if it's ever possible for you (and me!).

A good news before I go - I only need at most a drop for my under eyes at each go. I never think my eyes are small and I've always found it dehydrated for my age (I'm 30...Shhhh!). Neither can I imagine how I can ever drench my under eyes with two drops of the serum as instructed. That said, it's not as costly as it seems. *Hurray!*