A Great Primer for Combo Skin: Shiseido Maquillage Sherbet Base

I should have reviewed this loooooong ago because I'd finished three bottles of it before I began falling for tinted primers and BB creams. It's a fun, refreshing, and pretty effective primer with a yummy name. If you are looking for a makeup primer that can control facial oil and keep your face feeling fresh the whole day, this one is for you.

I love the fluffy sherbet-like (or soufflé if you'd prefer) texture that melts into my skin instantly, leaving a smooth and mattified canvas for makeup. The minty scent and cooling sensation really perk me up too. The sale representative at Shiseido said it helps maintain the temperature of my skin under 25˚C, so the pores will be smaller and the skin less oily. Apparently, I didn't technically measure the temperature of my face, but all I know is that the gentle cooling sensation does last for quite a while. It did a pretty good job in oil-control and my makeup stayed pretty long. Although it was launched as part of Maquillage Summer Collection last year, I actually think the Sherbet Base is a brilliant makeup primer for combination skin all year round. I still use it from time to time when my skin (especially the T-zone) feels sticky and yucky.

Now that I'm obsessed with La Roche Posay Melt-In Cream (see review HERE) which gives me both SPF protection and light coverage, I sometimes wear the Sherbet Base underneath and finish with only MAC Blot Powder (see review HERE). The three items are pretty much enough to leave my face matt and even-toned for a no-makeup makeup look. With a bit of blush or bronzer, plus two swipes of Dior Addict in Nude (333) (see review HERE), I'm good to go!

As with all Shiseido products, I haven't experienced any allergic reactions or tingly sensations using it, not even over pimples. The only drawbacks are that it doesn't provide any SPF protection and it can't correct skin tone. But if these are not your concerns, you should really consider grabbing a bottle today!  

Makeup Review: Rouge Dior Voluptuous Care Lipcolor in Zemire Amber (539) vs. Chanel Lipsticks

As the weather is finally becoming drier, I was attempted to purchase Dior Rouge de Serum, more or less because of the word serum. But the makeup artist at Dior Beauty told me that the serum has actually diluted the pigments in the lipstick and the color will look lighter on the lips than how it appears in itself. So to speak, the coral that I spotted probably won't stand out against my rather dark lip undertone. Too bad...To help me overcome the disappointment, he tested out Rouge Dior in Zemire Amber (539) on my lips.

As you can see from the swatches (or can you???), it's almost identical to Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte (46), but more intense. For your information, the swatch of Zemire Amber (539) was only done with one stroke. And it's definitely more orangey than Rouge Allure in Désinvolte (86). So how is Zemire Amber (539) different from Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte (46)? Rouge Dior in Zemire Amber (539) stays longer and although my low-quality swatches look pretty similar, Zemire Amber is a relatively bold coral on my lips. It feels as rich as Rouge Allure, but looks more sheeny; yet less slippery and glossy than Coco Shine. The shade matches the latest makeup trend which draws substantial focus to the luscious pouts.

From left: Coco Shine in Liberte (46), Rouge Dior in Zemire Amber (539) & Rouge Allure in Désinvolte (86)

The golden rule for a trendy makeup look this fall is to sync the colors you wear, say wearing blush and lipcolor of the same shade. The matching blush for Zemire Amber is Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral (01). But if you find that too heavy, NARS Blush in Deep Throat will also be a perfect match. 

A Plumy Fall: Chanel Rouge Coco in Plumetis (79)

Plums are everywhere this fall! Many beauty brands have included a plummy shade in their latest F/W collection. Of course, Chanel is in the picture too. The newly launched collection features a Rouge Coco in Plumetis (79), a plum-rose shade, along with the compatible Levres Scintillantes in Pampille (156). But even being a BIG fan of Chanel makeup, the lipgloss is not appealing at all, especially if you already own other shades of Levres Scintillantes. All Pampille does is to intensify the color of Plumetis, which is itself already quite eye-catching.

Rouge Coco in Plumetis (79) does worth some special attention. I gasped when the sales representative removed the cap and revealed the brownish stick...How can it be plummy?!...But DON'T be fooled! As you can see from the swatches below, the plummy rosy shade looks like a sister of Rouge Coco in Cashmere (04), but more rosy and livelier. A swipe on the pouts gives a touch of sophistication. Honestly, now that the weather is still hot and sticky, I find Plumetis too intense to go with most summer clothes. For now, Dior Addict in Nude (333) (HERE), Rouge Coco Shine, and my favorite Rouge Allure in Desinvolte (86) will give a more refreshing and summery finish. But I'm sure it will be a perfect shade as wintry weather sets in.

From top left: Rouge Coco in Cashmere (04), Plumetis (79), Rouge Allure in Desinvolte (86), and Instinctive (78)

From left: Rouge Coco in Plumetis (79) and Dior Addict in Nude (333)

Stay-Put Makeup for a Day of Sunshine

I went on a boat trip at Sai Kung after days of hard work and a long morning. To ensure that my colleagues would see a normal-looking me throughout the whole-day social events, I had to be very cautious with the choice of beauty items! Here are what I picked from my makeup compartment:

1. A reliable sunscreen

Never try to skip your sunscreen thinking that your lotion or foundation already provides UV protection. In most cases, the SPF in lotions is not high enough to last through the day and don't forget your foundation will more or less melt or crack after long hours of staying under the blazing sun. So do spare one more minute to apply a good sunscreen under your makeup to top up the UV protection you get. My all-time favorite, as you may already know, is Chanel UV Essentiel SPF 50+++ (HERE and HERE). Topped up with the multi-functional licorice extracts, It brightens, nourishes, and protects your skin round the clock!

2. Sheer and lasting complexion

No matter how good your foundation is, it's will melt in the sizzling hot weather! The point is use one that melts and blends naturally into your skin without causing any embarrassment. My pick is Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact with SPF 34+++ (HERE). It's so far the sheerest compact I've ever used. It literally gives the second-skin kind of natural finish. Plus it's pretty much sweat-proof, of course provided that you dab rather than wipe your skin dry! I usually use blotting papers to get rid of the excess oil, touch up my nose bridge, the side of my nose and my jawline with the sponge that came along with the compact, and I will look fresh and picked-up again! 

3. Oil blotting paper

Honestly, I haven't deliberately compared the quality of different oil blotting paper. I tried Shiseido's, but it didn't seem to outperform the cheaper alternatives in any ways. The one that I have always got back to is Gatsby's. I find it super duper oil-thirsty...not excessively though. Perhaps its appetite for oil (my apology if you feel disgusted) owes to the brand's focus on the Men's skincare market. But anyway, it has never failed to leave my skin feeling fresh in a flash! It doesn't stick off my Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk either. Perfect for retouches!

4. Coral blush

Although Bobbi Brown says pink looks nice on all women, I do find coral more natural-looking, especially on a tired face. It also feels more summery than the sweet dolly pink. I still adore Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Calypso Coral (2). Oh, if you still prefer to go pink, I would recommend Pot Rouge in Powder Pink (6) for more natural beach makeup look. The texture is so spreadable, which makes it pretty fool-proof. The color is also very lasting. So no matter how haggard you are, you won't lose the natural flush! 

5. Plump and healthy pouts

If you are going to wear your sunglasses under the blazing glaring sun, it will be a good idea to draw the focus to your pouts. Personally, I don't think crimson red goes well with most Asian skin. For a lightweight and hydrating highlight, my pick for this summer is still Chanel Coco Shine in Aventure (57) (HERE). The better-than-natural-lips coral shade can definitely give you a flash pick-me-up...plus the watery touch of Coco Shine...it's simply irresistable!

Makeup Review: Dior Addict Lipstick in Nude vs. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine

I know it's a bit late of me to review Dior Addict lipstick in Nude (333) that's launched in the S/S 2011 collection, but well, it's never really too late since it's a permanent color in the collection.

It's become one of my everyday lipsticks lately because of its sheer watery finish and the healthy kinda nude look it creates, which definitely won't make me look ill! The texture actually feels like Coco Shine (HERE and HERE), but creamier, slightly less watery, and slightly more intense. It gives a comfortable sheeny touch, and like I just said (I ought to repeat!), it's in the right kind of nude! I always find the range of hues that can go under the "nude" category terribly broad. Some made me look too cold, stern, or ill. But this one sits just at the point of equilibrium that should fit most people. Honestly, because my natural lip color is more to the darker rosy side, the lighter shades in the Coco Shine range are all too sheer to cover my lip color. For this reason, I can only go for the brighter shades of Coco Shine, say Liberte (46), Aventure (57), and Boy (54). Although the trend for bold lips is back and Coco Shine is still more sheer, hydrating and foolproof, I will opt for Dior Addict on days that I prefer to have a more tender natural look. A perfect match with my summer whites! 

Review: Giorgio Armani Rouge D'armani vs. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine/Rouge Allure

I have to admit that I'm a sucker for Chanel makeup, especially their lipsticks and lip glosses, which are practically the only ones I use because my beauty experiments told me it's truly the most moisturizing lipsticks! Of course, the most moisturizing line in the entire Chanel lipstick collection is Rouge Allure. I can write an essay on why I adore Chanel lipsticks soso much, but hey, I'm supposed to show you a comparison between Chanel and Giorgio Armani lipsticks today! So let's get started!

You may already know that I'm one of my recent favorites are GA Lasting UV Silk Compact. This passion tempted me into giving GA Rouge D'armani a try! I can hardly remember my last time purchasing any lip color other than Chanel's. After a makeup consultation at the GA counter, I purchased Rouge D'armani in Beige 103.

The Pros:

Strictly speaking, it's a nude pink-beige that's like a more baby pink version of Coco Shine in Boy 54. The color subtly adds a bit of life to your natural lip tone and can definitely be worn as an everyday color. There's a tiny little bit of shimmer, but I shall say the finish is rather matt (which also adds to the nudeness), especially when I think of Chanel Coco Shine. 

The texture is very sheer. At a closer look in the mirror, the pigments look very evenly spread and velvety. Perhaps I'm too primed with the fashion & garment background of GA, their makeup products always remind me of a fine piece of silk, intricately and delicately woven, smooth and flawless. 

On a more surface level, I was and I am again thrilled by its sleek packaging. The gorgeous black-lacquered case is kinda ergonomics-friendly, impressively fitting for you to grip on! And don't forget the signature magnetic closure! It's a demonstration of exquisite craftsmanship rather than just a lipstick.

The Cons:

Besides the above pros, I however think that it's slightly less pigmented than Coco Shine, and definitely for Rouge Allure. It takes roughly 2-3 strokes of Rouge D'armani to give the same intensity of just one stroke of Rouge Allure. 

Another thing I don't really like that much is its hydration level. Rouge D'armani is supposed to be the most moisturizing range in GA's lipstick collection, but it still dries out my dehydrated-but-prepped lips. Coco Shines don't (not to mention Rouge Allures)! 

The verdict is, GA Rouge D'armani is a fantastic summer lipsticks if you're fortunate enough to have hydrated pouts. But for the 'unfortunate' me, my tick still goes to Chanel. 

Makeup Must-Haves for Your Summer Haul!

We're into a season of beach and sunshine, of vibrance and radiance! Byebye to the meticulous, sophisticated look. We're back to nature!

Here's the checklist for your Summer Haul!!! 

1. Luminous Gold

NARS Illuminator in Super Orgasm

The gel formula makes it easier to spread, more natural-looking and more lasting than NARS Multiple. The golden shimmer contours while adding a healthy, sexy touch to your skin. 

Bobbi Brown Face Highlighter Pen in Bronze

The new summer launch is packaged in a twist-up pen, making it easy for you to pop it into your makeup bag or anywhere in your bag. What really makes it great for summer is its lightweight liquid formula that provides just the right amount of golden bronzy sheen to highlight your facial contours and decolletage. 

Tip: Remember to fade out all the edges by dabbing with your ring finger. Leaving sharp edges will make you look stiff and artificial, if not horrible...

2. Barely-there

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream (SPF 27)

As mentioned in an earlier review (HERE), it's a super lightweight and nourishing alternative to foundation. I actually prefer this to most tinted moisturizers. Although its more luxurious siblings from Dior, Lancome, and Biotherm are indeed tempting, the quality of this Korean branded BB Cream is well-assured considered where BB Cream was 'born' (Korea). Unless you're going for something as formal as the Royal Wedding where you may need a medium to full coverage, why bother to overload your skin with layers of makeup under the sweltering heat?

Tips: Remember it's a many-in-one formula, so you practically don't need any primer underneath. Your makeup will last longer with fewer layers piled on your skin. For blemished areas, just apply in thin layers as needed.

3. Nude Rouge

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

This hybrid of Chanel Aqualumiere effortlessly glides on to give your pouts a dewy and shiny, yet not too dewy and shine, finish. Coco Shine in Boy is a rosy beige shade that suits practically all lip undertones. It adds life to your dull, matt lips (alright, perhaps not yours, but mine) without breaking the subtlety of nude makeup. 

*Tips: Always prep your lips (say with Chanel Hydramax + Active Lip Care or Mac Prep + Prime Lip HERE) before wearing your rouge to plump your pouts, increase the lipstick's staying power, and prevent feathering. For even longer wear, you may lightly brush on a bit of powder between your lip treatment and lipstick.  

4. Balance

Mac Blot Powder

Although it's not a new product, it's a must-have all year round! Celebrity makeup artists Lisa Eldridge (HERE) and Christophe Danchaud (HERE) both recommend to powder and matify only the T-zone, leaving the natural shine glows from your cheeks and contour. I prefer using Mac Blot Powder to any other loose powder or compact for setting makeup (HERE and HERE). It works like a super blotting paper that not only controls oil, but hold your makeup without caking. It's also perfect for midday retouches!

Tip: It's best to do the first application with a powder brush (e.g. Mac 134 HERE) to evenly and not excessively powder your skin.