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: Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme vs. Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Compact Foundation SPF25/PA+++

I recently came across a comic strip from my friend's Whatsapp which illustrated how girls, or female in general, tend to spend loads of time to make sure we've packed into our luggages every little thing that's possibly needed in a trip. Although I do have girlfriends who are experts in packing up for their business trips within 30 minutes...What?!...and others who will only bother to literally chuck things into their luggages, I myself tend to fall into the stereotypical I-bring-everything category. I can remember how irritating it was when I forgot to bring my Clinique concealer (many years back) and the same item was not available in Melbourne at all...you know, not everything from the same brand fits your skin, especially when it comes to undereye concealer...But this years-long mentality of mine is recently proved invalid ;)

I was waiting for my flight to Ireland for a conference when flashback images of my Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme (see previous review HERE) lying on my desk suddenly crossed my mind. I fished into my handbag. Not there. I dashed to the Chanel counter in Duty Free Shop, but my #20 Beige was sold out...Oh NO!!! I looked and looked and looked at the rest of the compacts. Should I get another Mat Lumiere Extreme or should I try something new? I ended up grabbing their Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Compact Foundation, which was the only existing Chanel compact foundation that I hadn't tried. Ah-ha! The experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise! In fact, I like it more than Mat Extreme. 

What I have been very happy about Mat Lumiere Extreme are its oil control effect and lasting power which can pretty much stay put all day with a teeny bit of oil blotting. In this regard, the Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Compact fares just as well, at least on my skin. Adding to the good things of Mat Lumiere Extreme is its slightly lighter shade (it's still in #20 Beige), which puts my skin under a natural-looking spotlight. Although Chanel didn't emphasize its hydrating effect, I do find this more hydrating than Mat Lumiere Extreme, and it smells way more pleasant as well. On a personal note, Mat Lumiere Extreme missed a mark when it comes to its fragrance, which smells too strong for me. As for the lasting power of this Le Blanc compact, like Mat Lumiere Extreme, it melts a bit after a few hours into a healthy glow. That said, I don't have to worry about how I look even in our hot and humid summer days and on days that I've to wear my makeup from morning till 11ish at night. In terms of coverage, the compact is very buildable. It can conceal the redness of my hormonal acne and some mild blemishes brilliantly. 

Weather conditions, and therefore skin conditions, vary a lot in different countries and regions. If I were to carry along a foolproof foundation in my travel handbag, this will absolutely be the one before anything new and better appears in my beauty junkie life. ;)  

Makeup Review: Chanel CC Cream

Though a hard-core fan of Chanel beauty products, this CC cream a real disappointment. The texture is way too thick for a CC cream, more like a foundation in fact. And with this, I'm definitely not referring to the sheer ones like NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, but the more traditional kind of liquid foundation. Ever since I've started using those feather-weight Korean BB creams, what I wear on my face is becoming sheerer and sheerer and I can no longer tolerate any detectable loads on my skin...My experience with Chanel CC cream is rather yucky - I'm sorry! I could feel the thick creamy layer on my face all day. Think partly because of the humidity here and partly because of the texture, my face felt like a disgusting sticky pad and the makeup started caking after two hours. Thank God the color didn't change...In fact, I've tried the BB creams by Lancome, Dior, Bobbi Brown and NARS, but none of them performed as well as those by Korean brands,  which are way cheaper! The European and US ones are either not sheer enough, not lasting, or both. Is there some sort of secret Korean recipes???   

That said, I'm so glad that I didn't purchase this CC cream in full size. After all, what matters when it comes to beauty products is not the brand, but how a product reacts on your skin.

Makeup Review: Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer

As mentioned in the previous review of my latest fave, Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder (See review HERE), I've recently abandoned Dior Dioskin Sculpt Concealer as it somehow begins to dry out, cake up and settle into the creases undereyes, and above all, it can't conceal my seasoned dark circles anymore!!! After some testings, the replacements are Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener in Peach (#8) and Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer (#3). 

I first apply Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener as a corrector on the lower edges of my dark circles with a concealer brush. Instead of blending in with the same brush, the Make Up For Ever SA taught me a trick - blend in with another concealer brush - cuz the Brush No. 1 will re-pick up some concealer from the undereyes as you attempt to blend the concealer in, and as a result, you can never blend it in nicely! This trick really works wonder for me. The effect is so sheer, yet effective and natural-looking! Using the same trick, I then applied the Lift Concealer to the edges of my dark circles and blend upward. The whole process only need a teeny bit of both products to effectively erase my dark circles. Other than its sheer and natural finish, what I like most is that the effect is moist enough to last the whole long day. And with a final touch using the HD Powder, it doesn't sit into my dry fine lines undereyes at all. I have to stress that the finish is really natural-looking. The combo perks up my undereyes with just the right amount of spotlight, as if I hardly have any dark circles, ha! 

The Lift Concealer is the most moisturising concealer in the Make Up For Ever collection. In fact, the SA initially recommended the HD concealer, but it's too dry for my prematurely ageing undereyes =(. While the Lift Concealer doesn't belong to the HD series, it feels and looks HD. You can't imagine how little I really need for my dark circles. The formula is highly pigmented and it's amazingly spreadable and buildable...almost like the kind of surprise one may get from molecular gastronomy! Though the texture is way thinner than that of Dior Sculpt, I probably needed at least double the amount to conceal my dark circles with Dior Sculpt...double the amount, but half the quality! 

On a last note, if you are thinking of using the Lift Concealer alone and your complexion is not really that fair (like the Caucasian, Korean, and Japanese girls) or has a yellow undertone, you may like to try #2 instead of #3 (a lighter tone). #3 works well on me because I'm applying the Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener in Peach (#8 - a darker peach tone) underneath the Lift Concealer to moderate the color. Also, #3 looks more and more natural as it oxidizes on your skin, so to speak, make your judgement only after blending it in properly!

Pros

- A little goes a long long way!

- Moisturizing

- Great lasting power

- Doesn't cake up or settle into creases/fine lines

Cons

- The packaging. Nothing's really wrong with the toothpaste packaging, but mine tends to ooze out...at least for the one I purchased. To avoid wastage, I always try to close the cap within 0.09s...!

Verdict

I'm seriously loving it! xx

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. ;)

  

The Godsend Treatment: Vitamin E Oil for Hormonal Acne and Allergies

Hurray! I found it!!! For many many months, I have been suffering from hormonal breakouts around my mouth and chin area every single month as my period came close and whenever I'd eaten any hormone-laden food, like milk, beef and soy - all my faves...And when it hit, it went quite out of control. 

Prayers granted as I popped into a health food store near my place and came across this booth displaying natural vitamin E oil of different dosages. I bought the one that contains 32,000 IU of vitamin E, originally meant for eliminating stretch marks and scars. But hey, acne and allergies are in a sense inflammation, which could be remedied by the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and repairing properties of natural vitamin E oil. 

I layered the vitamin E oil generously over the affected areas and a little over the good areas, massaged it in and leave it on as a sleeping mask. Believe it or not, it worked wonders overnight! After washing it off the next morning, my skin was tamed, soft and supple. The best part is, the angry pimples are calmed, bumps subsided and I even thought the pimple scars shrank a bit as well! Since then, I repeat this routine every night to replace my facial moisturizer - the very last step. I would still highly recommend you to hydrate your skin as per normal before using the oil. After all, this last step is supposed to lock in the moisture of your well-hydrated skin. That said, I still treat my skin with toner, essence and hydration cream-gel before massaging in this oil. My hormonal acne is pretty much in control these days, with only mild acne which dries up significantly faster and the blemishes diminish significantly faster than ever before...erm alright, since my teenager years. 

Makeup Review: Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble BB Cream

You're right! I almost bought the entire line of Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble. The skincare items are great so far (see reviews HERE), but I've mixed comments when it comes to their BB Cream.

Featuring the powerful natural healing ingredient, torreya seed extracts from Jeju Island, it vouches to calm troubled skin, reduce redness and control and prevent blemishes.

Pros

The best thing about this BB Cream is that it gives a matte finish, which can last for quite a while. Not only is the finish matte, it also feels drier than all the other BB creams I've tried. Pretty good medium coverage. I have a hunch that it really helps treat my blemishes...well it smells antiseptic and believe it or not, I'm delighted with the fragrance as it says I'm healing!. My bumpy spots are smoothed out as the day goes by. =)

Cons

The color turns a bit ashy in the afternoon. It still looked dull even though I tried to perk up my look with a bit of blusher. It's also relatively less lasting than Innisfree Air Skin Fit BB Cream (see review HERE). 

Verdict

Frankly, I will only recommend this BB cream for oily, acne-prone or blemished areas. For me, I only use it on my T-zone and pat a bit of it over my pimples. But if it's not for the oil and blemish control, I'd recommend Air Skin Fit for the entire face. 

Skincare Review: Must-haves for the Hot, Humid Summer Days

Hi there! Suddenly realized that I'm approaching my 100th post very very soon! Having read about the long list of products that I loved/love, I believe it's time I update you all with the products that I'm still using or keep getting back to - Thanks to those who have reminded me of this! xxx

First on the My Faves series are the staple, holy grail items that I rely on over our sizzling hot and super humid summer here in Hong Kong. That said, these products are brilliant in controling sebum and I shall say pretty heat-resistant with great lasting power. Also for your info, I've combination skin with an oily T-zone which probably secretes enough oil for frying an egg in spring and summer. It's also pretty sensitive, especially to AHA, anything with soy, yeast and natural essential oils, and I get PMS acne pretty much every month. So the products below are all hypoallergenic. By the way, I'm not into beauty products that feature high-tech stuff like nanotechnology and stem cells.

1. Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel (Hypoallergenic)

Can't remember how many bottles I've used. I've tried other cleansers along the course, but still got back to it in the end. It effectively removes the grit and grime without stripping much of your natural moisture layer. My face feels fresh with no stretchy tightening sensation after wash. 

2. Bioderma Hydrabio Moisturizing Toning Lotion (Hypoallergenic)

If the main point of using a toner is to rehydrate your skin after wash, this Bioderma toner does an excellent job. To me, I never think a toner should do anything more than rehydration as I believe my skin needs to be strengthened with something simple and effective before it can take anything more advanced, like brightening and anti-aging. And in fact Bioderma is what I will turn to whenever my skin is fragile and hypersensitive. This toner has never failed to leave my skin soft and supple. The best is, I can use it on my eyes as well, which I love and insist for toners! This toner is in my staple item list...literally the water that quenches my thirty skin after every wash - NO GIMMICK! 

3. Laneige Water Bank Essence (see review HERE)

Again, I've been using this for ages, but it's really THIS good! For those of you who are not familiar with Laneige, it's a popular Korean brand under one of the giants in the korean beauty industry, Amore Pacific Group. The Water Bank series is their best seller which features great hydration power. This essence pumps water into my skin, leaving it...bouncy! Not sticky at all. And my skin feels absolutely hydrated and strengthened after use.  

4. Caudalie Radiance Serum (see review HERE)

The serum contains great anti-oxidants - polyphenols and resveratrol. I only use Radiance Serum for my undereyes on summer days as I really wanna keep my skin feeling light, fresh and supple. It provides a wonderful protective layer for the fragile undereyes by locking in moisture throughout the day. My undereye concealer manages to stay put without sinking into fine lines.   

5. *Innisfree Anti-Trouble Spot Essence W and Essence R
I highly recommend to use the two essence together as they work hand in hand to heal and soothe bumps and pimples, including hormonal ones. They feature the efficacious Jeju torreya seed oil and natural salicylic acid. Essence W feels more like a lotion than an essence. It provides a foundation for the skin treatment. In fact I'm also using the lotion from this Anti-Trouble series between W and R, topically on the affected areas. Essence R usually comes last in my entire skincare routine before bed and I use it sparingly on bumps, pimples and acne-prone areas. My skin is smoothened and the inflammation is usually tamed the next morning, as if nothing has ever happened - Hurray!

6. *Innisfree Capsule Recipe (Jejubija & Tea Tree)

This clay mask contains less kaolin than most other clay masks, which makes it friendlier to sensitive skin like mine. It supplements the Anti-Trouble products in use to tame and heal my sensitive and sometimes troubled skin, especially in times when PMS hits! It's one of the few products I found so far that can combat hormonal acne without strong chemicals. And because of the natural ingredients used, I use this mask every other night or sometimes on consecutive nights when my skin breaks out cuz of hormonal changes. Highly recommended!

7. Avene Cleanance K Cream-Gel (see review HERE)

Although I'm mainly using Essences W and R for acne treatment these days, Cleanace K is still on my desk for intensive treatment. It goes well under makeup. The only thing is, don't use it too generously as it will still burn and peel your skin since it's acidic. Very effective though! ;)

8. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

This is the eye cream that I keep getting back to. I love its luxurious texture and above all, its moisturizing power that goes well under makeup the entire day. Unlike many other moisturizing eye cream I've used, including the high-end ones, it seeps into my undereyes to plump them up without getting sticky or oily. It won't clump my undereye concealer even after long hours. Love it! xx

9. Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light (Cream)

I use it as a night cream on summer nights cuz it's a bit too rich for me in the day. It's soothing and moisturizing, just enough for replenishing my skin at the close of the day. It doesn't break my skin even when I use it sparingly. 

10. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream

This watery cream is one of my new discoveries and I love it upon my first application. The sherbet-like cream seeps through my skin in no time and leaves my skin soft and supple without any burdens on these hot, humid summer days. Beautiful texture and great hydrating power. It's absolutely a delight applying it every day!

The Korean brands I introduced are carried in many online shops (e.g. http://www.ibuybeauti.com which offers free international shipping), as well as eBay. 

*Innisfree is another Korean brand under Amore Pacific Group - the mother company of Sulwhasoo. The brand vouches to be environmental-friendly. Their products feature powerful natural ingredients from the beautiful, pollution-free Jeju Island. All their products are hypoallergenic and free of parabens, mineral oils and artificial colorings. 

Indulgence in Korean cosmetics: Innisfree Air Skin Fit BB Cream vs.Face Shop Face it Aura CC Cream

Oh my goodness! I have been in this almost-fatal addiction over Korean beauty products since my trip to Seoul in April. Somehow I just can't stop doing online and physical search of products from the popular names like Innisfree, Banila, The Face Shop and Nature Republic. I even have this deadly tendency to browse through online shops to reward myself for reading or writing a few paragraphs...And yes, I have new items to try out practically every single week...that's not good!...Oh dear...what a s***ty researcher I have become...!!!

One of the beloved items in my haul lately is this Innisfree Air Skin Fit BB Cream (#2 Natural Beige/Light Touch). Erm, I didn't purchase its full size with an empty head. It's really the samplers I got in Seoul that pushed me to buy it (I'm beginning to hate samplers - sinful marketing innovation!). If you have read my previous post, I also bought The Face Shop Aura CC Cream (see review HERE), which I loved. This adventure into Korean cosmetics is simply amazing. I seem to be discovering wonders after wonders as I try out the different products I bought. If I were to compare between the two, I will definitely give more ticks to this Innisfree BB Cream though the Face Shop CC Cream is really pretty good. 

Texture

As with all CC Cream, the Face Shop CC Cream does feel significantly sheerer. In fact, I was amazed by how little of it I need for the entire face if I want the finish to remain natural-looking. But for a BB Cream, Innisfree Air Skin Fit feels just as airy as it's named. It feels...nothing! And it's very buildable - great over blemishes.  What's more, I like its non-sticky, matte finish. I actually love how it looks before setting with powder (I'm using Chanel Mat Lumiere Extreme - see review HERE). If where you live is dry, I would highly recommend you do without any loose powder over it. 

Effects

What I like most about this Innisfree Air Skin Fit is that it gives my skin just the right amount of perk-up and it lasts the entire day! It brightens my complexion by like half a degree, in other words, fairer yet natural-looking. It blends beautifully into my skin, literally becoming my a second skin. I know it sounds a bit crappy, but I still have to say that the Innisfree Air Skin Fit gives a significantly better coverage compared with the Face Shop CC Cream. The best part is, even till the end of my working day (after dinner), my complexion is still appropriately brightened without a tinge of ashy or grayish tone. In fact, if I don't bother to touch up at all, which I usually do once or at most twice a day, it will just melt into my skin with a radiant glow. Perfect for concealing my haggardness...erm...

Packaging

The only thing is the packaging, or I don't know if I'm simply being too lucky to end up with a tube that's a bit leaky. Not that the BB cream really leaks out and stains my stuff, but there's always a bit around the opening when I remove the cap. So that said, I've never carried it out and I may double-wrap this particular tube if I really wanna travel with it. But this is really my one and only complaint about Innisfree Air Skin Fit BB Cream.

Pros

- Sheer texture

- Natural, matte finish

- Long-lasting

- Great for combination skin

- Doesn't turn ashy or grayish

- Brightening

- Highly buildable

- Gives a healthy radiant glow after long hours with the brightening effect intact

Cons

- Insecure packaging (at least for the one I got)

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: The Face Shop Face it Aura Color Control Cream (CC Cream)

Long time, everybody! I just went to Seoul for a great great holiday and have hauled back loads of skincare and makeup items with a similarly huge amount of samplers...Oh my...Seoul is such a girls' place!

By CC, it means color correcting or color control. It usually comes in a lighter texture than BB cream since it can't always substitute your foundation. But for people like me who only go for a little perk-up, I suppose CC cream is good enough to replace my BB cream and foundation. 

According to the official info, this Face it Aura CC Cream by The Face Shop offers anti-wrinkle, moisturizing and whitening properties with SPF30/PA++. 

I love this CC cream (02-Natural Beige) for its sheer second-skin finish and its color correcting effect. Many BB creams I've tried, whether it's Korean or French, tend to turn ashy or greyish on my skin. This CC cream brightens my complexion just to the right extent without turning ashy at all. That's exactly why they name it Aura! The texture reminds me of Diorskin Radiant Base - equally sheer, but better...despite the price difference. It blends beautifully with my natural complexion and puts it under a picture perfect spotlight. Because of the humid weather here, I finish up by dusting over some Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat (B20) with my fluffy Bobbi Brown Face Brush. Perfect for a no-makeup makeup. The best part of this CC cream is, it manages to stay put from 7ish in the morning to 11ish at night even under the 29-degree heat. I was surprised to see the natural glow and great complexion when I reached home after such a long day!

I will definitely purchase it in full size after using up these samplers! ;) 

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  

Skincare Review: SK-II Cellumination Mask-In Lotion

Long time, gals! I have been slacking and slacking since I wrapped up this 4-year research weeks ago. What a treat! Pretty sure I deserve some fresh air before moving on again! My auto-detox system however began to break my skin out with effect from the wooh-I-am-done! moment, as usual. But I gathered over these few weeks that SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (see my previous review HERE) is really like a godsend skincare item. My zits plus the scars that follow are recovering so much faster than they used to. Despite the blemishes that are, thank God, fading out now, my skin is smooth and radiant. I am finishing my first bottle of this magic potion and it's added to my staple list if I haven't already told you. 

With this fascination in mind, I tested out SK-II Cellumination Mask-In Lotion, which turns out to be pretty good, but not fantastic for sure. As the name speaks for itself, it's a translucent fluid that does what sheet masks do for you, but this one, in a flash. It contains a high concentration of the signature Pitera and you can tell without using a calculator that it's rather affordable compared to the real SK-II sheet masks! The texture of this Lotion is brilliant. The fluid seeps through my skin in no time. I tried rubbing it at the center of my palms before patting it directly onto my skin. Unlike Sulwhasoo First Care Serum (see review HERE), there's literally no traces of the Mask-In Lotion when I removed my palms. Yes, I'm sure something got through my skin! But of course, the bottle can survive longer if you apply it with cotton pads. Upon application, my skin does feel like I have just used a sheet mask - quenched and soft plus you know that sticky hydrated sensation you get after using a mask? I have to confess that this item is definitely not imperatively needed, rather it's more of a treat, a luxury to your skin. I honestly don't see any further improvement in skin radiance, on top of the exhilarating effect of the Treatment Essence. At most, it boosts my skin's suppleness...yes, it really does. I can feel it. So the ultimate question is whether you want to add yet another pre-serum item (if you are already using the Treatment Essence or its equivalents, e.g. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum) to your skincare regimen.

Skincare Review: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence has been advertised as the Magic Potion in Asia. I always thought it's a hype, but after using it for a month now, I really am impressed!

The Essence vouches to enhance your skin texture and regulate your skin's natural pH balance, making your skin refined and crystal clear. It features Pitera, a secret ingredient churned out of rice yeast fermentation process which is said to keep the old brewers' hands soft and smooth. As the star item of the Pitera line, the Facial Treatment Essence is said to contain an intense dose of up to 90% Pitera. Because of its watery consistency, it is easily mistaken as a toner. But listen, it is an essence! In one way or another, it also serves as a pre-essence which promotes the absorption of the skincare products that follow. 

For me, the first sign of improvement was visible within days of using it. My skin was noticeably softer and smoother. Weeks passed by, my skin became less prone to irritation and the blotches and spots that did surface appear to recover much faster than before, most of time under control the next morning - Hurray! Another obvious improvement is the healthier and more even complexion I now get in the morning, except for those mornings of monthly discomfort...otherwise I'm pretty presentable indeed, I think. I love the glow on face so much that, on a few occasions, I deliberately tilted my face at different angles to admire the way light was reflected...Uhem, a bit narcissistic I know...In a word, my skin is calmed and refined, with the dull areas brightened and the entire face radiated after a month.  

So how is this different from Sulwhasoo First Care Serum (see my earlier review HERE)? My observation is that this essence   gives a more refreshing finish and it works faster in terms of skin 'retexturing' while the First Care Serum helps make my skin plumped with moisture and elasticity. Although many people regard them as two mutually-inclusive pre-essences (i.e. you only need one of them), I actually find them complementary. I tried using either one of them, but the result is not as...complete...in one way or another. Of course, that said, I will have to increase my budget for skincare, but I personally think it's worthwhile as these two are the most impressive serums I have ever used so far. For your information, I have only survived with Laneige Water Bank Essence (see review HERE) for hydration and no other whitening serum after using these two 'pre-essences' lately. And guess what? I actually find my complexion fairer and more even than before (you know, the truth reveals in the morning)! As it's advertised, I think it's functional, and it's multifunctional. My apology for harping on about how magical SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is, but that's because I'm so truly super duper impressed and I have already listed it as my staple beauty item, though again, that's simply my personal experience for your reference. 

Makeup Review: Chanel Le Blanc Light Revealing Whitening Makeup Base SPF35+++

Chanel UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care SPF50+++ (See my earlier review HERE) has been one of my favorite beauty items ever, but this is my very first time trying out her latest tinted sister, Le Blanc Light Revealing Whitening Makeup Base with SPF35+++ and it's just as fabulous!

It comes in the same silky emulsion texture and carries the same fragrance as UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care does. The weightless formula is infused with whitening and moisturizing ingredients which can maintain your skin's natural moisture balance while brightening and protecting your skin from the damaging UV rays. A tick for combination skin. It is very spreadable and it leaves my skin brightened. But in terms of hues, Rosee (pink) appears to be a bit too fair on my yellow skin undertone...still acceptable though. I believe it will be more suitable for Caucasians or Japanese and Koreans whose skin undertone is often closer to the pinkish end. I haven't tried Mimosa (yellow), but for the time being, I'd prefer the subtle pearly white hue (like Lys, the white one in the Le Blanc range) in UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care that can already pick me up at the right dose. Not to mention the better UV protections it provides. 

To conclude, if you don't already own a UV Essentiel Multi-Protection Daily UV Care, Le Blanc Makeup Base will be a good option for skin brightening and corrective purposes. It can also make a pretty good alternative to foundation if you don't need any significant coverage. I only dust Mac Blot Powder over it, followed by blush and lipgloss on my causal, relaxing evenings. I have to stress that it's absolutely weightless and I have always loved this gentle and soothing fragrance which reminds me of nothing but feathers and pillows.  

Eye Care Review: Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Extrema Youth Memory Eye Serum

I have just tested out this sample of Giorgio Armani Youth Memory Eye Serum which managed to survive 5 days and nights. The eye serum feels more nourishing than Elemis Absolute Eye Serum perhaps since it targets mature skin...uhem, but like I mentioned in my previous review, I don't find Dior Eyes Essential (see review HERE) nourishing at all. So I suppose the correlation between anti-aging products and extra nourishment is not always valid. Anywayz, I personally think the name of this GA eye serum sounds like one of those advanced products appears in the worlds of Star Wars and AI. Unfortunately, I haven't used it long enough to experience the groundbreaking technology and I can only tell you what I gathered from the 5-day trial.

I quite like the texture of this serum as it feels...thick and rich...sensation-wise...it feels like spreading lip gloss over my under eyes...why will I ever spread lip gloss over my under eyes?!!!...anywayz, I felt like my under eyes are protected by an invisible shield! And despite its lip-gloss-like texture, the serum will be absorbed completely after a short while, leaving not even a tinge of stickiness. To find out how this serum fares, I tried doing with and without the serum under my Elemis Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream (see review HERE) and the difference is pretty obvious judging from the state of my undereye concealer at the end of the day. The serum kept my under eyes quite plump throughout the day, with my concealer pretty perfectly in place. Doing without the serum and any eye serum would leave my under eyes dehydrated and the concealer a bit clumpy (as expected). Of course you may argue that I probably just need to wear an eye serum, any eye serum, underneath my eye cream to make the concealer stay put. Trust me, NO! I'd used serums that did practically nothing to my dehydrated under eyes. So although I can't deny that this is not the only serum that works on me, my mini experiment can at least show that it is doing something commendable.  

You're welcome to fill me in with how it works on you if you're on a full size. Cheers!

Skincare Review: Laneige Water Bank Essence

I have been relying on Laneige Water Bank Essence to quench my skin this entire winter and it has become a staple item by now. For those of you who are new to Laneige, it's a younger skincare and cosmetics brand under Amore Pacific, the group that Sulwhasoo belongs to...something like the relationship of Clinique and Estee Lauder...My first great experience with this essence was actually last summer when I was flying over to Paris. My skin was literally cracking out of dehydration. I was sooooo glad that I'd slipped a sample sachet of Water Bank Essence into my handbag - it's super duper skin-quenching! The lightweight gel seeped into my skin and the unbearable tightness was soothed almost instantly, leaving my skin as soft and 'lively' as it is in normal days! I felt great for rest of the long-haul journey, but somehow I forgot all about this essence until the dry seasons set in late last year.

I finally purchased it in full size. I need one and a half pump on dry days and only one pump on humid days. What I like most about it is that it quenches my skin very well, and I really mean very well, without adding a tinge of oil to my skin. I feel like my skin is literally plumped with water - bouncy, soft and smooth. It's a splendid hydration product to use after your toner (which slightly rehydrates your skin...and tightens pores perhaps) and before your moisturizer (which locks in moisture). As a matter of fact, the belief that toners can rehydrate your skin sufficiently is wrong, neither can moisturizers do so. Moisturizers moisturize your skin and lock the aqua in - they don't do hydration! It's almost like the layer of oil floating on chicken soup...it's not the chicken soup itself...uhem, doesn't sound like a good analogy, but you get what I mean...Another thing is, our pores are like stomata cells, they tighten when enough aqua is available - that's when your skin looks silky smooth and flawless! Water Bank Essence helps you achieve in this regard. Plus, the price tag is very inviting!

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!*  

Eye Care Review: Christian Dior Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential Eye Zone Boosting Super Serum

Despite my love for Dior Beaute and Dior fragrances, this Dior Capture Totale Eyes Essential Super Serum is a déception totale to me. I used it for 14 days. No visible improvement of the fine lines under eyes. Believe it or not, although not an anti-wrinkle formula, Elemis Absolute Eye Serum has actually done a better job in ironing out my fine lines. Hmm, perhaps I'm supposed to use this Super Serum for a longer period of time. But at the very least, it's not as superb a serum as it's named. You may have a splendid experience with this Capture Totale Super Serum if you've used it for...say a month...or two...??? Do let me know then.

Sensation-wise, I don't quite like it either. It carries the fragrance of...Dior Forever and Ever, I think...which I personally dislike both as a body fragrance and in any of my skincare products. As with many anti-aging products, there was this short period of tightening sensation after application, which delighted me for a while. But the serum seemed to form a transparent film over my under eyes which came off when I applied my foundation - this is a minor yet annoying issue. Hmm, of course, one possible reason is that the particles of my foundation are too large to blend harmoniously with those of the eye serum. I don't know, but this product has been added to my list of dislikes.