Dior launched its Diorskin Star Foundation about 2 months back and it has quickly become one of the hottest new foundations in the market since then. “Inspired by the professional illuminating techniques and expertise of its makeup artists, Dior invents Diorskin Star, its 1st brightening foundation: a weightless fluid capable of recreating the spectacular and […]
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Tom Ford Beauty released the new Traceless Perfecting Foundation alongside its Fall collection last month, and I was looking forward to trying it out. I was a big fan of the original Traceless Foundation (reviewed here), so much that I was so close to ordering a bottle from the US just because I couldn’t wait […]
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Chanel recently launched a couple of base products that I’m loving immensely. Unlike their seasonal offerings, Chanel seems to have a practice of quietly releasing permanent products to very little fanfare (so different from their competitors!). I would have missed them completely if not for a very enlightening workshop which I attended recently. First up, […]
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I am always excited to try makeup that have skincare benefits, but so far, I’ve always been disappointed. Most of the time the textures are either too thick, or they simply don’t have good oil control abilities (is it really so antithetical to be moisturizing AND mattifying at the same time?). Given I’ve been underwhelmed […]
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Guerlain launched a new powder compact foundation sometime around summer this year, adding to their best-selling Lingerie de Peau collection. I had a chance to swatch it before it even hit counters, and it has been haunting me since then. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Powder Foundation comes in the same sleek black case as the […]
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Cle de Peau Beaute has a cult-like following for its many base products, and if the high quality of both its skincare and color makeup is anything to go by, the intermarrying of both its skin pampering ingredients and naturally radiant color should be quite something to behold. But the brand does not chase trends, and does not turn out a new base product every season. So it was quite a feat when it released not 1, but 3 new base products – 1 foundation and 2 primers, last September. I have been testing the Radiant Fluid Foundation paired with the Perfecting Cream Veil for a few months now, and would love to share them with you today.
Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation is a light-weight medium coverage fluid foundation that comes with SPF24 sun protection. It contains a new Micro Facets Technology that is akin to the multiple cuts on diamonds, reflecting light in a myriad of angles to give off that illuminated glow. A new Day Matching Powder pigment in the foundation helps to resist and regulate shine throughout the day. The combination produces a long-lasting glow without the being overly dewy.
A half pump of Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation on hand. Notice the light runny fluid texture of the foundation.
The icing on the cake for Cle de Peau’s Radiant Fluid Foundation is the incorporation of the brand’s iconic Illuminating Complex into foundation. This is a cocktail of hydrolyzed silk, pearl proteins, fruit extracts and more to soothe and moisturize. A nice way to experience a bit of Cle de Peau’s skincare capabilities at a fraction of the price of its infamous ($1k!!) La Crème. The SPF24 also gives some sun protection, not a whole lot, but enough for a day in the office or a couple of hours at lunch / tea.
The bottle is gorgeous with iridescent deep blue and a shiny beveled cap. I do wish the packaging didn’t feel so lightweight in my hands, and that the pump dispensed more smoothly than the squirt it produces, but I’m really just nitpicking. The most important thing to note is the lovely, lightweight and silky texture of the foundation itself. It goes over the skin smoothly, adhering beautifully for a very natural finish instead of just sitting on top of the skin and giving a flat appearance as some other foundations do.
Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation roughly spread out on hand. Notice the semi-sheerness and light velvety texture of the foundation against the skin.
However, lovely as this foundation was on its own, I must admit I was not instantly wow-ed by it. The trouble was that this is really fairly light in coverage, not completely sheer but certainly on the lighter end of the medium coverage universe. It is buildable though, and minimizes redness and smoothes out pores to a decent degree, but really at SGD$175 for 30ml, I was expecting to look like Amanda Seyfried! Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation will look fabulous if you already have fairly decent skin, but for those with oily / combination skin, you will not find it very long lasting.
The game-changer for me, was when I paired the Radiant Fluid Foundation with the new Cle de Peau Correcting Cream Veil. This is 1 of 2 new primers released, the other is the watery Sheer Fluid Veil. Correcting Cream Veil is a fluffy cream makeup base that smoothens and moisturizes the skin. It is better suited for those with dry or matured skin, whilst the Sheer Fluid Veil is more appropriate for oily / combination skin.
Swatch of Cle de Peau Correcting Cream Veil on hand. Notice the slightly pink tinge and cream texture of the product.
It contains the same Cle de Peau Illuminating Complex, and for some reason, I noticed the effect from this primer much more than from the foundation. It reminded me of what SK-II’s Clear Beauty Care & Control Cream said it would do, but much much better! After application, it instantly brightens up my face and gives it a very lovely youthful look, without the fake overly-pink/purple hues that other bases use to correct sallow skin. It also noticeably improved the look of my skin, minimizing flaws and smoothening out roughness. I also love the lightweight texture, but yet still feel very moisturizing and pampering on my skin. When paired with the Radiant Fluid Foundation, the Correcting Cream Veil helped provide better coverage, and also holds the foundation in place throughout the day.
Cle de Peau Correcting Cream Veil when fully blended into the hand. Notice how it completely “disappears”, but has a slightly brightening finish and leaves the skin looking well hydrated and more luminous.
As many of you know by now, my skin completely changed from being oily to dry sometime last year. And I’m not talking about a seasonal or periodical hormonal change, but a fundamental steady-state change. So, much as I find myself needing the additional coverage for my old-lady skin, I found it easier to layer lighter coverage than simply going over with a blanket heavy hand. Oil control has also taken a lesser priority in affecting my views on base products.
To illustrate the difference each product made, here are a series of before and after shots. First, a completely disheveled look with absolutely nothing on the face, although I cheated with brows and some lip balm. Notice the general uneven skin tone, dullness, darkness under my eyes and some red patches on my cheeks and an angry red patch over my left brow.
Notice the redness over my left eyebrow and uneven skin tone
After applying Cle de Peau Correcting Cream Veil, my complexion is visibly brighter and more radiant. Skin tone has been evened out, although the severe redness over my left brow is still visible.
After applying Cle de Peau Correcting Cream Veil, complexion is visibly brighter and skin tone is evened out. The redness over my left brow is still visible though.
And after applying Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation, most of the redness has been eliminated. There is still some redness over my left brow but much less noticeable now. Skin still looks glowy and very natural.
Complexion is luminous and glowy without being dewy. Most redness has been toned down, although the patch over my left brow is still slightly visible albeit less obvious.
At this point, I would then reach out for some spot concealer – Cle de Peau’s award-winning concealer (review is in the pipeline) works wonders. I try to strike a balance between creating a flawless canvas, and minimizing any potential creasing around my dry flakes. At the point when those comparison photos were taken, I actually had quite a bit of bumpiness in my skin (which you can see if you click on the individual pictures and ZOOM!), and I hope you can see the foundation + primer floated over those beautifully without emphasizing any peeling skin and lines.
And here is a finished look to demonstrate what magicks makeup can achieve!
Final LOTD featuring Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation over Correcting Cream Veil and with Cle de Peau Concealer under eye, around the nose and on selective patches. Also wearing Tom Ford Eye Color Duo Crushed Indigo on Eyes and Shiseido The Makeup Veiled Rouge in Rosalie on lips.
True to the brand’s philosophy, Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid Foundation and Correcting Cream Veil render an elegant lit-from-within look to the skin, without being overly dewy or flat-ish white. The combination feels comfortable all day on my skin, and lasts me well throughout the day.
Have you tried any Cle de Peau makeup bases before?
The products featured here were provided to me for my consideration. All the views expressed here are my own honest, unbiased opinions, and are not influenced in any way.
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Since the start of this year, people have been commenting that my skin looked better than ever. I must admit that is partly due to my Thermage treatment [you can read more about that here] and some dietary supplements [more on that at a later stage]. Whilst boosting collagen from inside out works well in the long run to replump skin, the surface of the skin still suffers from environmental stresses and needs pampering and care from the right products. Now, even on my worst days when I’m down with a bad cold and my skin is looking dull and miserable, I am still confident enough to face the world. And that is all thanks to my new-found love… the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Makeup!
Estee Lauder’s Re-Nutriv line consists of an extensive range of skincare and makeup that harnesses the power of rare and precious gems to target mature skin with various anti-aging benefits. The Re-Nutriv makeup collection was recently reformulated, and consists of a cream foundation, my current obsession – the liquid foundation, a concealer & smoothing base duo, and a compact powder. I had the opportunity to try the liquid foundation and concealer & smoothing base, and have become irrevocably hooked!
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Liquid Makeup is a sumptuous fluid foundation that makes use of light-diffusing technology powered by precious gems. Incorporating the power of different colored light to brighten and create a more radiant complexion may not be a novel concept, but Estee Lauder takes this to the ultimate luxurious treat by using micro-fine powders from actual gemstones! Sapphires, rubies and jade help provide a flawless finish and jewel-like radiance; gold and south sea pearls give a look of plumpness, suppleness and luminosity. The red fluorescence from rubies bring a natural elegance and warmth to the skin, and complements the blue light of sapphires to create a vibrant light that boost skin’s clarity.
In case you think this is all marketing euphemisms, take a look at the ingredient list and note how ruby, sapphire, nephrite (jade), pearl powders and gold are all listed!
In keeping with the Re-Nutriv heritage, the Ultra Radiance Liquid Makeup also contains vitamins and anti-oxidants to pamper and care for the skin throughout the day. In particular, Rice Bran extract contains skin soothing enzymes and antioxidant properties; Gentian Root extract has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits; Luminara Digitata extract stabilizes the skin’s hydration and supports the skin barrier function. Lecithin helps regulate the balance of skin; Jojoba Seed oil provides all-day moisturization; and Wheat Protein soothes the skin. Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Liquid Makeup comes with SPF15 PA+++ protection which is just about adequate for a day spent mostly indoors, although these days we are all accustomed to a higher level of SPF.
The foundation is packaged in a solid glass bottle with a pump dispenser. To use, give the bottle a good shake first, and a full pump dispenses just enough product to cover the entire face thinly. I love that the pump works smoothly and does not squirt out too much, and I can squeeze out just a tiny bit to cover specific spots without having to do a full pump. The foundation is a light fluid that is easy to apply, does not streak, and feels comfortably lightweight on my skin throughout the day.
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Liquid Makeup gives a generous medium coverage and it is buildable to full coverage by patting on more as desired. I love that it easily conceals any imperfections on my skin, including the random pimples and dark eye circles and minimizes the need for concealer. It floats over dry patches and fine lines beautifully without emphasizing them. The foundation provides a blurring effect and emits a glow that makes me look refreshed and healthy. It lasts me all day without oxidizing or creasing, and does not dry up my skin! Priced at SGD132 (or USD90) for 30ml, this is certainly a luxury foundation, but well worth the investment!
For an even more flawless look, Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Concealer and Smoothing Base has all your base needs covered. The palette contains a clear Smoothing Base that conditions the skin and fills in lines and pores to enable makeup to glide over more smoothly. The accompanying concealer glides over makeup to provide additional coverage over blemishes like redness, dark circles, etc. There is also a dual-ended flat application brush included in the palette that is convenient on the go.
Although I have enjoyed using both the Smoothing Base and Concealer, I personally found the Smoothing Base to be somewhat heavy and silicon-y. It provides some retexturizing benefits but nothing exceptional that my all-over facial primer does not already do. The clear winner in this palette is the Concealer. It provides sufficient coverage for me – covers dark circles under my eyes and redness around my nose well in a single swipe, and yet not overly thick and heavy that it requires a whole lot of blending. It also stays in place well throughout the day and does not crease. The concealer also covered up the redness around my nose and on my cheeks well. If it was available separately, I would highly recommend everyone to go out and purchase one right away. As it is, priced at SGD84 (or USD60) for 1.2gm of product, and with the Smoothing Base half leaving me feeling somewhat ambivalent, this is an investment to consider carefully. Personally I love the luxe shiny metal packaging, but it is a finger-print magnet and rather bulky.
This post features products that were sent to me for my consideration by Estee Lauder Singapore. Regardless, all views expressed here are my own honest, unbiased opinions, and are not influenced in any way.
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Is it just me or does funky packaging and alien-sounding names capture your attention? When I first posted a peek at the new Too Cool for School Dinoplatz UFO Multibox on Instagram, I immediately received lots of interest and questions about it. I’ve always been a fan of Too Cool For School not simply for their fun packaging, but also because I believe the brand produces innovative products whose quality far surpasses their (very accessible) price points. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to their latest all-in-one BB cushion!
It seems the Western world is suddenly abuzz with cushion fever, and Lisa Eldridge’s recent foray into Korean beauty has fueled some of that excitement (in particular, she specifically mentioned this TCFS UFO in this video). For those who have not been quite as exposed to Asian / Korean beauty trends, BB cushions are these liquid foundations housed in a saturated “cushion” and are usually encased in a portable case handy for application on the go. It has proven so popular that all sorts of cushion stuff have started to pop up, from cushion blushes to cushion concealers, etc.
Too Cool For School is a niche Korean beauty brand originally launched by TODACOSA (the Sephora equivalent of Korea) targeting trendy youths and young adults, and has been known to be manufactured by Cosmax (the largest cosmetics ODM in Korea). For a quick rundown on some of the fun stuff TCFS offers, pop over to my earlier introductory post. There is some talk circulating on the Internet that a new BB cushion being marketed by a certain French luxury brand is actually manufactured by Cosmax, and alleged that Cosmax produces “low-quality” products for “drugstore” brands. Let me just state upfront that is pure nonsense, as Cosmax’s ODM clients include L’Oreal, LVMH, P&G, etc (read here); and has been known to have manufactured products for Amore Pacific, Shu Uemura, L’oreal, The Face Shop, Etude House, etc (read here). And if Amore Pacific is to be regarded as the “higher standard”, I can attest to the fact that not all the BB cushions from brands under the Amore Pacific group (Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Etude House; Innisfree; etc) are of the same quality. So, as the old adage goes, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz UFO Multibox (“TCFS UFO”) comes with a generous 12gm of product which features a BB cushion foundation on the top. As is customary with most BB cushions, there is a swing lid over the cushion to prevent the product from drying out. A thin sponge lies on top of the lid and it is meant for application of the BB foundation. About 2 years ago, the entire industry (by which I meant Korea) switched to these “rubberized” sponges as they have better anti-bacterial properties, which is important when used with a liquid product. Personally, I don’t care for these sponges at all as they tug and squeak when I try to glide them across my skin. They really are meant to be used for patting… but we all know patience is not one of my virtues. So I dip in with my makeup brush, or my own Dior Backstage Blender!
Every BB cushion in the market seems to feature a different type of “cushion”… some come with a pretty circular design, others have chosen to encase the entire cushion and dispense a tiny squirt when you press on it. TCFS has chosen a more porous-looking cushion for this UFO, and it works well for the product as it is rather watery and I reckon a denser cushion would dispense too much of the BB foundation when you press into it. If regular foundations can come in jars and pumps, why wouldn’t cushions come in different forms too?
The BB foundation feels quite watery and tends to sheer out if you swipe this across your skin. However, the coverage is decent at about a light medium (in the foundation-sense, not typical BB which tends to fall on the light end of the spectrum), so even when sheered out it still provides some measure of coverage. I also loved that this dries down quickly, so it is easy to build up coverage without causing any streaks. TCFS UFO gives a soft semi-matte finish which on my dry skin looks healthy and does not require powder blotting. However for those with oily skin, you may want to finish off with a very light powder to matte things down whilst keeping the glow.
The photo above shows how TCFS UFO looks like on my face – on the right is my skin prepped with Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer, and on the left is with a thin layer of TCFS UFO BB cushion foundation. You can see how much brighter my skin looks, and it effectively covers up any uneven skin tone including most of the redness around my nose.
As is typical with Korean BBs, TCFS UFO is available in only 2 shades – #21 Pola and #23 Janna. The one I have is #21 Pola, which is just a bit too light for my NC15-20 skin. It does oxidize slightly after awhile but not a whole lot. Shade #23 Janna is darker and more yellow-based, so it will probably not work on me either.
But what good is a portable foundation product if you also need to carry a bunch of other base products to complete the look? To address this, TCFS UFO features a swivel-out palette on the bottom of the case, which contains a pore balm, concealer and a cream lip & cheek tint…brilliant! The pore balm is meant to go on specific areas before foundation, in particular the cheeks to hide pores and under the eye area to soften fine lines. The concealer has excellent coverage and a small dab of this is sufficient to cover up my pimple scars and dark circles. However, this did crease on my dry undereye area as the day progressed, so it is important to moisturize properly beforehand. I loved the coral pink shade of cream blush, it goes on smoothly on my cheeks, sets properly and do not slide around as the day progresses. I’ve not tried it on the lips as I don’t like mixing my face and lip products, so I can’t really attest to how well it performs there.
And this is the finished look featuring TCFS UFO BB cushion foundation as base all over my face, concealer and cream blush:
Those who are looking for skincare benefits in their makeup would be happy to know that TCFS UFO contains hydrolyzed collagen from Tremella Fuciformis Mushroom which increases moisture retention in skin, reduces wrinkles and smooths fine lines. It also contains Camu-Camu extract, which is rich in vitamin C, and has brightening properties. Macadamia seed oil is a great emollient and keeps my dry skin well moisturized throughout the day. Mastic gum provides pore control and has other anti-bacterial properties as well. Really quite an impressive list of ingredients, sufficient to dispel the myth that Cosmax manufactures”low-quality” products.
TCFS UFO also comes with SPF50+/PA+++, which contrary to skeptics, is not merely there for vanity, but the US FDA has established standards for testing the effectiveness of sunscreen products and regulations for labeling [read more here]. However, as with all sunscreens, in order to achieve the stated level of protection, it is assumed you apply at least 2mm thick of product all around. Obviously nobody wears that much foundation, but I don’t expect any of us wear that much of anything on our faces. Hence the higher the SPF number the better, or layer up with other products containing SPF, moisturizers and separate sunscreens included (however beware of ingredients that degrade each other – I explain it more here).
Fundamentally, I did enjoy Too Cool For School Dinoplatz UFO Multibox as the BB cushion foundation gave me a nice semi-matte finish and lasted me all day. The swivel-palette below contains a handy selection of pore balm, concealer and cheek & lip tint which makes this a true all-in-one travel palette! TCFS UFO retails for SGD68, and it can be found at 4 outlets throughout Singapore. For the full details, please head over to their Facebook page. If you are living overseas without easy access to a TCFS counter, it is available online here.
This post features a product that was kindly sent to me by Too Cool For School Singapore for my consideration. I am not affiliated with Cosmax or TODACOSA. All views expressed above are my own honest, unbiased opinions, and are not influenced in any way. All links provided are unaffiliated, but merely there for your convenience.
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Happy mid-week my loves!! I’ve had some bits of annoyances at work earlier this week, but I just spent all morning attending an Aesop’s Fables play outing with my little toddler, so all’s beautiful in the world again. It is his very first time at the theater… so exciting! And for this early morning mummy playdate / school outing, I decided a fresh-faced look is best. Nothing overly made-up, yet still well-groomed of course. And like all mummies know, the most important thing of all is the makeup has to stay in place without requiring any touch-ups. So I put aside all my high coverage makeup, and reached for the new The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural!
When cushion foundations first hit the Asia market, there were concerns about how constant exposure to air and physical contact of the liquid-soaked cushion may cause bacteria growth. And so very quickly, the market adapted by introducing various ways of minimizing such issues. The Face Shop’s response was to protect the cushion with an antibacterial net that is able to inhibit up to 99.9% of bacterial growth. It is only 0.028mm thin so it does not soak up too much product and is easy to pick up the foundation evenly. This net may also be removed for washing as needed, particularly if you plan on popping in a refill and reusing the case.
The newly reformulated Cushion Screen Cell – Natural is more lightweight and refreshing on the skin than before. It has a very thin fluid texture that goes on and melds with my skin to give a very natural finish. It has a slightly cool feeling when applied, but it goes away very quickly. Formulated with HD Blurring Powder, the new Cushion Screen Cell – Natural is able to even out skin tone and blurs away flaws. The Face Shop’s patented Mirroring Complex brightens and whitens, while plumping up the skin to minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural comes in a refillable plastic compact that has an inner lid that snaps over the cushion when not in use, and swings open when needed. A thin sponge puff is stored on top of the swing lid for application. A sticker seal keeps the cushion fresh upon arrival, and once opened, the cushion is good for 12 months.
Coverage is relatively light buildable to medium, allowing your natural skin to show through. As you can see from the before and after comparison shots below, The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural brightened my complexion and also lightened most of my dark circle although not completely. A concealer is still needed to completely eliminate dark circles, redness and random spots. However, the pores on my cheeks did get nicely blurred. The formula dries to a glowy matte finish, no dewiness at all, but glowy for that dimensional, lively look. For my dry skin, I did not feel like I needed a separate layer of powder to mattify, although those with oilier skin may still like to have it to set.
Notice how much brighter my complexion looks after application of The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural. However, my natural skin is still showing through. The finish is glory without any dewiness. Dark circles are minimized, but still visible, as are red patches on cheeks and around nose. Pores are effectively blurred – click on image to enlarge.
Consistent with most other Korean makeup, The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural comes with high sun protection at SPF50+/PA+++. It is also formulated with lily sap extract in place of water, to give additional moisturizing boost to the skin. I have been wearing this on top of this primer and it lasts me all day without drying out my skin, fading or oxidizing. Overall, The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell – Natural is perfect for days when I want minimal makeup, be fuss-free and still look well groomed. I’m also a little biased as I find the sweet lavender packaging to be utterly irresistible!
The new Cushion Screen Cell – Natural is now available at all The Face Shop outlets, and retails for SGD42.90.
This post features a product that was sent to me by The Face Shop Singapore for my consideration. Regardless, all views expressed here are my own honest, unbiased opinions, and are not influenced by any monetary remuneration.
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Another week, another foundation to review… are you ready? I’m trying to work through my pipeline, and hopefully clear out some of the warehouse before summer collections start rolling out. The foundation I am about to discuss today came to me slightly late, and so it is no longer “new” to the marketplace, but was actually launched last year. Nonetheless, it is a good one, and deserving of your consideration! And without further ado, let me introduce Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup!
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup marries the best of Estee Lauder expertise in skincare and makeup. It contains a good dose of Estee Lauder’s Perfectionist wrinkle-fighting technology to improve the skin’s texture over time.
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup is a fluid foundation that provides medium to full coverage and leaves a velvety matte finish. In comparison to the Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Liquid Makeup [reviewed here], Perfectionist feels slightly thicker in texture, with a corresponding increase in coverage. Interestingly, it was designed to be applied with the accompanying Sculpting Foundation Brush [sold separately at SGD80 or USD45]. Since I don’t have that brush, I used my Rae Morris Radiance brush instead [find out more here – unaffiliated link] and was able to achieve a nice, even finish with minimal effort. On the other hand, when I tried to apply the Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup with other smaller “normal-sized” foundation brushes, it tended to streak and required more effort to blend perfectly.
As you can see from the comparison photos above, Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup provides a good level of coverage, camouflaging any uneven skin tone even dark eye circles, and reduces the appearance of lines. It also brightened up my complexion, rendering a glowy matte finish without any dewiness. And to test out the anti-wrinkle claim, if you click on the above image and zoom into my forehead, you will notice it looks much smoother with Perfectionist. Of all the Estee Lauder liquid foundations that I have tested lately, this Perfectionist has the thickest coverage. However, it does not feel heavy at all, and stays in place well all day without creasing or sliding. On my dry combination skin, it lasts for about 7-8 hours, after which some shine starts to creep up which is easily resolved with blotting.
I was curious about Perfectionist’s anti-wrinkle claim, and took a look at the ingredient list:
Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium Dioxide 1.9%. Other: Water\Aqua\Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Silica, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Artemia Extract, Hydrolyzed Fish (Pisces) Collagen, Whey Protein\Lactis Protein\Proteine Du Petit-Lait, Fish (Pisces) Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Cholesterol, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Caffeine, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Decarboxy Carnosine HCL, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Disteardimonium Hectorite, C12-16 Alcohols, Dimethicone Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hexyl Laurate, Methicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, PEG-8, Hexylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Alumina, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol. [+/- Mica,Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Apart from a bunch of silicons, all which are common in foundations, there are some very interesting skin-loving ingredients as well. St Paul’s Wort extract, Chlorella Vulgaris extract, Artemia extract, and whey protein are skin conditioning agents to keep skin moisturized, protected and helps prevent aging. The introduction of fish collagen is something I’ve not seen before, and is supposed to help skin plump itself up, although topical application of collagen is unlikely to help the skin boost its own collagen levels. Instead, other ingredients such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and caffeine provides that instant “botox”-like effect of plumping up fine lines. Soybean Protein and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide are also novel to me as one appears to protect skin against hormonal-related aging, and the other help skin cells function more healthily. Overall, the ingredients sure look interesting, making Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup a genuine serum foundation (although it is not marketed as such) as compared to others making the same claim (looking at you, By Terry!).
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup comes in a glass bottle and a plastic pump. I found the pump to be slightly awkward to use, as I seem to be unable to do half-pumps, and a full pump is too much for me. It also tended to squirt and gets rather messy around the nozzle. But it is very much a matter of personal preference, and a minor inconvenience for an overall excellent foundation. Priced at SGD76 (or USD45) for 30ml, this foundation is priced in the medium range of high-end foundations. It also comes with SPF25 for daytime sun protection. I recommend this for those with dry skin in need of heavier coverage.
Have you tried any Estee Lauder foundations yet?
This post features a product that was sent to me by Estee Lauder Singapore for my consideration. Regardless, all views expressed here are my own honest, unbiased opinions, and are not influenced by any monetary consideration.
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I have been searching for the ideal product to perfect my complexion since forever, it has been a constant juggling act between skincare and foundation, and now it seems like the quest may be finally over. The idea that my natural skin can look perfectly flawless without being terribly made-up makes for a very compelling story. The Diorskin Nude Air range from the house of Dior takes its inspiration from the very air that we breathe, presenting us with textures so light it is a break of fresh air, and gives us natural-looking, healthy skin that glows with the light of life!
The Diorskin Nude Air range consists of a serum foundation, loose powder, and compact powder. All three boast of evanescent textures that are so fine and weightless the complexion never looks overly made-up. Instead, they create the perfect nude look with undetectable, flawless correction. More importantly, they allow skin to breathe, so as to maintain a thriving, glorious radiance day after day.
Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation is completely revolutionary in my opinion. Sure the dropper dispenser and light fluid texture with volatile oil formula is a clear nod towards the Giorgio Armani Maestro Fluid Foundation which many (including myself) had loved for years before. Whilst many have since tried to improve upon GA’s formula, most have failed in my opinion. Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation feels different to me as the texture is unimaginably finer, boasting of a completely talc-free formulation, and dries instantly upon blending out.
Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation is a true liquid-to-powder finish, and leaves the complexion satin matte. The dropper dispenses just enough product for you to work with each time, there is enough time for you to blend out before it dries completely. I normally take about 3-4 drops to cover my entire face, but sometimes I like to use just a bit more to cover up areas that have more redness, e.g. under my eyes, around the nose, cheeks, etc. No matter how much you layer on, it never looks cakey nor does it emphasize any lines. On my dry / combination skin, Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation lasts for about 8 hours before some slight shine starts to show, but it does so evenly to render an overall soft dewy effect. I did not experience any creasing or fading throughout the day, and I can either choose to blot off the shine or simply let it be. That is not something I can say of many foundations!
Apart from just being an incredibly beautiful foundation, Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation contains Dior’s new Oxygen ActivTM technology, which uses hyper-oxygenated oil to stimulate skin cells from within. It also contains cranberry oil which is rich in essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants to help skin retain its radiance.
To complete the Dior Nude Air ritual, there are 2 setting powders available in compact and loose forms. The Diorskin Nude Air Healthy Glow Invisible Loose Powder is perhaps my favorite powder from Dior so far. It is very finely milled, and is ultra lightweight on the skin. Although it is available in 4 different shades, the pigments are inherently transparent so it does not add a perceptible layer of color over the complexion, but melds with your natural skin tone to give a complementary finish.
I have tried dusting this lightly with a very soft fluffy squirrel brush, and buffing it in using a dense kabuki brush… both ways this Diorskin Nude Air Healthy Glow Invisible Loose Powder performed beautifully. Even when my under-eye area was freaking out and just horribly dry and creased, I was able to blend this powder out without emphasizing the problems.
And just in case you need a touch-up, the Diorskin Nude Air Healthy Glow Invisible Compact Powder is an incredibly chic one to tote around town! It is very smooth to the touch, in fact, it feels almost moist because it is so densely packed. Regardless, it applies equally well with a soft powder brush as with a dense kabuki. Just like the loose version, it moulds to the curves of the face beautifully.
Both versions of the Diorskin Nude Air powders are enriched with vitamins, minerals and sweet orange extract which helps tone and boost freshness in the complexion. What is even more interesting, is that these powders form an anti-pollution shield on the surface of the skin, limiting the absorption of harmful aggressors from our environment. It is certainly a nice skin-loving function, one that helps us maintain our youthfulness, and makes these powders even more useful!
Overall, I’m really loving the entire Dior Nude Air range so far! For my Singapore-based readers, Dior is offering a nice little treat for you! Simply show this blog post or my Instagram post at the Dior Boutique at ION Orchard B2 to enjoy an expert foundation consultation with the Dior Foundation Shade Analyzer, and receive an exclusive 3-pc Dior Perfect Complexion Trial thereafter! The Trial consists of Dreamskin 3ml, One Essential 3ml and Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation 3ml. While stocks last, limited to one redemption per customer, so hurry!
This post features products that have been kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
The post Nude Skin Has Never Looked This Good… Dior Nude Air appeared first on Silverkis' World.
I am finally coming to the last of my mini-series on the new generation of Estee Lauder foundations – I had earlier reviewed the prestigious Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Makeup and the anti-aging Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup. Today, I would like to introduce you to Estee Lauder’s Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup which promises “youthful, dewy skin anytime, anywhere”.
The Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup is specially formulated for Asian skin, and I believe it is exclusive to the Asian market [there is a different Futurist Age-Resisting Makeup for the rest of the Western world]. Just as with the other Estee Lauder foundations I have tried, the Futurist Aqua Brilliance foundations are loaded with skincare ingredients that target long-lasting hydration. Estee Lauder has formulated a special Revival Plant Extract from a wild flowering plant originating from the Balkans which has the unique ability to preserve itself from drying out. Even after it has completely wilted, the plant will recover and flourish again once water is re-introduced. A patented Sustainable Moisture Complex composed of hyaluronic acid, ceramide spheres and linoleic acid locks moisture deep in the skin, delivering long-lasting hydration. In addition, Water Lily Extract soothes and calms the skin to ensure maximum comfort throughout its wear.
Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance is available in 2 different versions – Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup, and Compact Makeup.
Estee Lauder Futurist Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup is a fluid foundation that provides medium to full coverage and leaves skin looking plumper and luminous. The packaging is very similar to the Perfectionist Makeup, but the texture feels lighter and more watery. As a result of this more fluid nature, I find this Futurist Liquid Makeup provides less coverage than Perfectionist, but still allowing a generous medium coverage. In addition to all the hydrating benefits explained above, this foundation also comes with SPF15 / PA++, which is probably too low for SPF-obsessed Asians, but still better than none.
On left: Bare face prepped with Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer. On right: With Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Liquid Makeup.
As you can see in the comparison pictures above, I am having some redness on my cheeks and near my brows lately [click to enlarge]. Estee Lauder Futurist Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup was able to camouflage the worst of it although there is still some unevenness on my cheeks. The finish is also very lovely, as I have come to expect from Estee Lauder, bringing a luminosity and even an almost imperceptible lift from the hydration boost. It dries down to a satin finish though, not the dewy effect (big sigh of relief!) as described.
Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup is an innovative aqua gel-emulsion formula with the portability of a compact. It comes in a round plastic case that opens up to reveal an anti-microbial sponge and a mirror. The actual foundation is kept air-tight and prevented from drying out by a second snap-on lid. Despite the fancy description, it feels like a cream compact foundation to me. In contrast to the Liquid Makeup, this Compact Makeup contains natural waxes and oils to hydrate, and veil the skin with a moist barrier to prevent water loss from the skin. It also comes with a slightly higher SPF20 / PA++, which is just about the right balance between sufficient sun protection and avoiding photography flashback (which you hardly hear from me because it doesn’t rank very high in my list of daily makeup requisites).
On left: Bare face prepped with Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer. On right: With Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup.
I have to say, this is not my favorite cream compact foundation. I had really dry flaking skin when I was testing it out, and it would emphasize whatever crease and flake that I had [feel free to click the image above to enlarge]. Also, it is just a tad too waxy, so if you try to apply this with a sponge or even a brush, you may find yourself packing too much on your face and having to spend more time blending things out. However, if you have a large fluffy brush like the Koyudo BP013 [reviewed here], the results could be quite lovely. The BP013 picked up just the right amount of product and blended things out for an air-brushed finish as I quickly swept it across my face. If you don’t own anything like this, then I would suggest simply dabbing (not swipe!) the sponge to pick up as little as you can possible manage, dab on the high points of your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin, then blend out. It is far better to start little and build up than the other way around. Dense brushes like the Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush and paddle-like brushes did not work well for me. Even with the fluffy BP013 sheering out the Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup, it still provided decent coverage for my redness, and was very comfortable on my skin all day. The finish is luminous, although I would not describe it as dewy, but instead it feels satin on me. On my dry skin, I do not feel like I need an additional layer of powder, although the waxy texture made me want to.
When I first received this, I remember trying out the Liquid Makeup and really loving it. But I got distracted with the others in the family and by the time I came back, they felt different. Not entirely in a bad way, but the ultra-smoothness of the Re-Nutriv Makeup and its gem-like glow had ruined me for anything else. Of course, at SGD58 for the Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup and SGD88 for the Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup (compared to SGD132 for Re-Nutriv!), this is probably the best of its class that I have encountered!
Which do you generally prefer – liquid or cream compact?
The post Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Makeup appeared first on Silverkis' World.
I’ve had it stuck in my mind for some time now, to talk about a bunch of base products that I’ve been trying out and then stashing away without ever reviewing. That is not to say these are no good, in fact quite the contrary, the working title for today’s post whilst it was brewing in my mind was “Favorite Face of The Day”. However, as life would have it, some other more time-sensitive (i.e. limited edition) things popped up and this fell on the wayside. After 3 very intense weeks of Summer 2015 makeup collections, I thought it might be a nice change of pace to talk about a handful of classic base products that have garnered a cult following… from Cle de Peau Beaute!
Before we jump into the product review proper, let me first state upfront that these are not exactly new products, but have actually been around in the market for many years now. At the time of preparing this post (which was quite some time ago), it seemed like a good idea to group them together. However, since then, I’ve realized that the base product is in the process of being discontinued in some markets, and the foundation and concealer have been repackaged although the formulae are still the same. Regardless, I decided to go ahead with this anyway, in the hopes that it may still be useful if you are able to access these products wherever you are.
Cle de Peau Base de Teint (pores) was 1 of 2 pre-makeup bases that was part of the original collection and is now gradually being discontinued, and replaced with the Perfecting Cream Veil (reviewed here) together with its fluid counterpart. The one that I have here today is designed to minimize the look of pores, and create a smooth canvas for a flawless makeup application.
Packaging is true to Cle de Peau’s practical sensibilities, with a simple squeeze tube that is hygienic and works well for the fluid-cream texture. The base itself is a pale ivory shade, which sheers out to be invisible when completely blended out. Even though it is slightly thicker than a true fluid, it feels relatively lightweight on the skin, and is much more elegant and skin-loving than the silicon-y formulas in the mass market.
Personally, I don’t care very much about pores (not that I don’t have any, just that they are of lesser concern to me in the greater scheme of things), but what this base did well for me was to keep my makeup looking relatively fresh throughout the day. My skin is currently dry dehydrated, which is a really odd combination because it does turn oily on the surface as my skin attempts to over-compensate its fundamentally dry state. And because of that, this base actually proved to be quite emollient for my dry skin, yet still helped to control shine. On the other hand, those with oily skin may find the newer fluid primers to be more suitable.
Cle de Peau Cream Foundation took me some time to understand, but I recently uncovered this gem from amongst my stash and it was wow! The tube packaging is understated, but is the most practical and hygienic form for a cream foundation instead of the hefty glass jars others usually use. It is easy to dispense just the right amount of product and you don’t have to mess your fingers up dipping into a jar, and it is easy to carry around.
The foundation is relatively lightweight for a cream, and it smoothes out to render a nicely satin-matte finish. Coverage is a buildable medium to high, and it is easy to sheer out for a lighter coverage if desired. What I loved was this foundation’s ability to float over any surface imperfections and does not cake up or emphasize flakes and lines. Instead, it gives a beautiful porcelain finish to the complexion.
When I first tried this on, I was not particularly impressed as it felt less nourishing than other foundations in its class – for example the Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale Cream Foundation (reviewed here) and Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Radiance Makeup (reviewed here). The shade that I have (I10) is also too light and pink for me, so it just felt weird. However, this turned out to be the foundation that garnered me the most compliments in recent memory from fellow beauty bloggers and industry insiders! Those who have relatively good skin that is free from flakes will find this foundation particularly beautiful. However, I do find it ironic as I tend to reach for my cream foundations most when my skin is at its worst. In which case, I found that I had to ensure my skin is very well prepped before application, and unfortunately the Base de Teint (pores) was not a good fit for me.
And finally, the Cle de Peau Concealer is one of those legendary cult beauty item that every beauty enthusiast swears by. It comes in a handy metal twist-up tube that is easy to use and handy to carry around. Shiseido recently released a dupe with a similar packaging (reviewed here) but that formula has much more slip to it than the original Cle de Peau version.
The concealer I have is in the lightest shade named Ivory, but it is clearly darker than the lightest shade of foundation in I10. Regardless, I found the concealer blends out easily, and worked well to conceal dark circles and other acne scars. However, I must state that this is perhaps not my favorite concealer of all time (*gasp* the utter shock of that!) as I do have particularly dry under-eye area and this concealer does tend to crease up as the day progressed if I am not extremely careful. On the other hand, it conceals beautifully, which makes it a dilemma. Having gone backwards and forwards, and tried quite a number of other concealers, my top spot still goes to La Mer (reviewed here).
I hope this post has not turned out to be too confusing for you. As I go deeper in my explorations about base products, I find myself getting rather analytical about product pairings and getting even more extreme in my expectations. And on hindsight, the elevated branding and luxury price point of these Cle de Peau products have set some unreasonably high expectations and are bound to fall short. For the most part, these are individually excellent products, and I highly recommend you try the cream foundation for yourself if you can. As for the base, I prefer the newer Correcting Cream Veil so there is no hurry to snap this up before it is completely gone. Finally, the concealer is almost perfect for those whose primary concern is spots and don’t have a lot of issues with flaky skin.
Have you tried any of these Cle de Peau base products and have any thoughts to share?
The post Let’s Talk About Base: Cle de Peau Base de Teint, Cream Foundation & Concealer appeared first on Silverkis' World.
The trend towards lightweight, skin-like makeup is still very much in vogue, and this summer, Shu Uemura has the perfect solution for beating the heat whilst keeping the makeup intact. The new Skin:Fit Cosmetic Water Foundation promises to keep your complexion looking fresh for 12 hours and remains lightweight and breathable throughout!
Shu Uemura’s Skin:Fit Foundation is a new bi-phase foundation that is completely oil-free. It contains a refreshing cosmetic water made from mint and pomegranate extracts that keeps the skin feeling refreshed and has antioxidant benefits to prevent aging dullness. Suspended in the cosmetic water is a special triple powder complex that is formulated with airlicium to absorb excess sebum and keep the face matte; perlite to absorb sweat and prevent the makeup from fading; and soft focus powder to help blur any imperfections.
To apply, first give the bottle a good shake. There are little ball bearings contained inside the bottle to help distribute the contents evenly, so make sure to shake hard enough that you can hear them rattling. Thereafter, simply pour a few drops into your hand. As you can see from the swatch above, the Skin:Fit Foundation has a very runny watery texture.
To aid application, Shu Uemura has designed a special dual-sided sponge to be used specifically with Skin:Fit. By now, this should not come as a surprise, as Shu Uemura has been introducing a unique sponge with every one of their foundation releases for the past few years. The Skin:Fit sponge is very light and fluffy (spongey comes to mind, but I realize that sounds rather silly), unlike the dense sponges that accompanied the Lightbulb foundations [reviewed here and here]. It has a flocked peach-colored “brush” side that is intended for picking up the foundation and applying it to the face. Thereafter, the other white-colored “sponge” side is meant to be dabbed over the foundation to absorb excess water from the foundation and set it into the skin. The pointed pentagonal tip is to make it easy to reach the sides of the nose and other crevices around the face.
Skin:Fit offers a light to medium coverage, although I find it falls more on the lighter end of the spectrum, and there is a limit to how much you can layer on. But it helps to even out skin tone, brightens, and minimizes the appearances of pores. What is really nice about Skin:Fit is that it gives a very lovely glow to the face, one that I personally consider to be a trademark of Shu Uemura. It gives a matte finish that is almost powder-like, but not cakey in the least. And on my dry skin, it actually lasts throughout the day without fading or creasing!
I’m sure many of you are curious as to how Skin:Fit compares with Dior Nude Air [reviewed here] which I had been favoring up until now. The 2 are actually diametrically different – Dior Nude Air is an oil-based foundation that does not contain any talc at all; whereas Skin:Fit is a water-based foundation with powder contained in it. Consequently, in terms of texture and application, the 2 feel very different. Although both are runny, Skin:Fit dries much faster, and does not apply well with fingers. It did take me a little bit of experimentation, and I eventually found that I favored applying it with a synthetic kabuki brush (the tiny Chanel one that came with the Vitalumiere Loose Powder foundation worked marvelously). The sponge that came with the foundation worked well, but I found the edges where the “brush” surface was attached to the body of the sponge to be somewhat scratchy.
Also, for my dry skin, I needed to ensure my skin was very well moisturized prior to application. It also helped to use a illuminating primer such as this one, or a very lightweight BB/CC cream works well too for that additional emollient base and coverage. For ladies with oily / combination skin, I believe Shu Uemura Skin:Fit would be a wonderful foundation for daily use as it is quite good at controlling shine and keeping the oilies at bay. However, those with super dry and flakey skin may have to approach with caution.
For those who are curious, I have attached the ingredients and other information from the back of the box. Shu Uemura Skin:Fit Foundation comes with SPF30 PA+++ to protect against sun damage. It is out at all Shu Uemura counters now, and retails for SGD68 for 30ml. The sponge is available separately in packs of 4 for SGD18.
This post featured a product that was kindly provided by Shu Uemura Singapore for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
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Lancome launched its cushion foundation to great fanfare in the West earlier this year, but was released rather quietly out here in Asia. It is understandable, as most of Asia has already been accustomed to this whole notion of cushion foundations, and so Lancome quite rightly chose to spend its marketing dollar and customer eduction elsewhere. On the other hand, it also made the right decision to market its cushion foundation with brightening properties and renamed it Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact.
The Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact comes in an all white case with silver rims and the signature Lancome rose printed in silver on top of the cover. This is different from the mirrored silver cover of the Miracle Cushion which is sold in Europe and US. The initial purchase will set you back SGD75 for 1 case which comes with 1 single cartridge and refills are sold separately at SGD55 each. This puts Lancome’s cushion on the upper end of the market, especially since most other cushions come with an additional refill in the box. And with only 14gm of product in each cushion, you will get through them fairly quickly (not to mention these things dry out too!).
Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact comes with SPF23 PA++ which is minimal, and far lower than other Asian-branded cushions, but still nice to have. A mixture of ester oil and glycerin keeps skin moist and plumped for up to 4 hours, which may seem short, but so far I’ve been wearing this all day and it hasn’t dried me out!
The cushion surprised me when I opened it up as it is the most porous cushion that I’ve seen yet, and it also felt softer to the touch. I first attempted to apply it with a foundation brush as I’ve always done with all my cushions, but due to the softness and porous nature of the cushion, my brush picked up way too much product and ended up looking quite cakey. As this Blanc Expert Cushion dries very quickly, I had a difficult time blending out all the foundation without it leaving streaks. I have also tried using the puff that comes included with the cushion, and as always, I simply can’t do with it. The best way to apply this, is to use a beauty blender or something similar like the Dior Backstage Blender. You don’t have to wet it, simply dab and apply on the face. This way, I was able to get a light-medium coverage which is buildable by dabbing additional product on spots as needed.
Please click to enlarge
As you can see from the half face comparison above, the effect of Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact is really very subtle. The shade I am using is BO-01, which is my Blanc Miracle foundation [reviewed here] shade match. When I first applied it, it seems lighter than my neck, but a good match for the actual shade of my face. However, within minutes, it actually oxidises to become a good match for my neck. Despite being fairly light in coverage when applied with a beauty blender, it adequately covers up my dark eye rings, and evened out my skin tone throughout. I found that on my dry skin, this Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion Compact leaves a glowy finish and just very slightly dewy. On those with oily skin, I’m not sure if this may end up being too dewy. Regardless, I found it wore well throughout the day without creasing or fading, and it feels incredibly lightweight on my skin.
In conclusion, Lancome Blanc Expert Cushion is a lovely lightweight foundation in an easy to tote around cushion compact. It is slightly more expensive on a per gram basis than its competitors, and I was all ready to dislike it, but I surprised myself by falling in love with it (which is a tall order because I generally am not the biggest fan of cushions)!! The experience varies a lot with the tools you use, and I personally prefer applying this with a beauty blender. The only drawback of this is that it oxidises, although it does that quickly within minutes of application and then stops. So be sure to test this out on your face at the counters before deciding on a shade! There are now 8 available shades – BO-01, BO-02, O-01, O-02, P-01, P-02, P-03, P-04.
Have you tried this out yet?
This post featured a product that was sent to me for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
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Following the release of their hugely popular Radiant Fluid Foundation [reviewed here], Cle de Peau had released a Radiant Powder Foundation recently to complete the family. I have been thoroughly enjoying this for the past few months, and thought it is about time I got around to reviewing this properly for you.
Similar to the rest of the range, the new Cle de Peau Radiant Powder Foundation contains special has special light-reflecting pigments that is akin to the way light bounces off the multiple facets of diamonds, to give skin an illuminated glow. And as with all Cle de Peau Beaute makeup, it contains some skincare benefits as well that will improve skin’s texture and promote radiance over time.
Despite being already accustomed to how soft and smooth Cle de Peau’s powders can be [especially this gorgeous Holiday 2014 creation], I was still caught breathless by this latest Radiant Powder Foundation. On first swatch, it was so finely milled the pan felt almost creamy to the touch. The powder is so delicate it melds to the skin and does not show up powdery nor cakey regardless how much you apply.
The powder comes in the standard Cle de Peau size, so if you have an older powder compact, you can actually pop the new refill in. I personally found the new compact to be slightly bulkier, but that is designed to fit a new brush applicator specially created to complement the Radiant Powder Foundation. It is quite dense and thick, and is made of synthetic fibres. I was skeptical at first, and for a long time was toting around my own powder brush (because brush snob). Finally I decided it was plain stupidity to be carrying such a bulky case with a big empty spot and a separate brush, so I went out and bought the foundation brush… and never looked back! The brush is surprisingly soft (yes even for a synthetic!), and it efficiently covers my entire face in just a few sweeps. The fibres are well placed so that the powder is evenly distributed across and gives a natural, flawless finish.
Now that it is so insanely hot lately, I’ve taken to wearing only the minimal on my face. I sometimes skip additional moisturiser and sunscreen in the mornings when I’m rushing to drop my son off at school, and instead slap on this multitasking tinted sunscreen. Thereafter, I just sweep on the Cle de Peau Radiant Powder Foundation all over my face. In the picture above you can see the half-face comparison shot. The powder foundation kept the illuminated finish of my skintint base, yet manages to distribute it more evenly. It also blurs the appearance of pores and render a softly matte finish without taking away any of the glow.
Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Powder Foundation is a truly lovely powder which provides light to medium coverage while feeling completely natural and lightweight on the skin. However, with powders like these, it is normal to require a touch-up midway through the day. I don’t actually wear this on its own, but generally layered over another tinted base product (BB cream or tinted sunscreen, etc) or even as a setting powder over sheer foundation, and it is exactly what I need for my purpose. It does not oxidise on me, although those with oilier skin may experience differently. The only downside is that it is priced on the luxury end of the market as all CdP products generally are, at SGD130 for the refill, SGD45 for case, SGD35 for brush and SGD10 for sponge. I recommend the brush over the sponge as frankly at SGD35, it is a steal and useable for a much longer time than a sponge.
Do you use powders in the summer when it is crazy hot out? If so, which ones are you favouring at the moment?
The post Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Powder Foundation appeared first on Silverkis' World.
VDL is a Korean beauty brand that specialises in trendy makeup, and is helmed by Wendy Rowe, one of the top makeup artists in the US who has worked with backstage at fashion shows in London, Paris, Milan and New York. With VDL, she has created a full range of skincare and makeup targeting Asian women. What I like about the brand is that everything is priced very affordably, and do not resort to overly girlie design frills to attract buyers. Instead, all the products that I’ve tried so far are of a good quality that works well and lasts on the skin. I had the chance to try VDL’s award-winning Lumilayer Primer recently in combination with their Perfecting Last Foundation, and would like to introduce them to you today.
VDL Lumilayer Primer [SGD36 for 30ml] combines red and blue color pigments to create a violet light that reflects off the skin to create a 3-dimensional glow. It comes in a classy white glass bottle with a silver pump dispenser at the top. And it dispenses out of the bottle in a milky fluid that blends all over the face easily.
Once applied, it brightens up the face immediately, and would be ideal for ladies with dry and dull skin. The effect is as if several spotlights were focused on the skin, highlighting the features and giving a brilliant sculptural look. On the other hand, those with oily skin may find the effect too much, or this on its own may not be sufficient to help control and keep shine away. So what VDL typically recommends is to layer on their Satin Veil Primer on the t-zone to minimise the appearance of shine.
Here’s a before and after comparison for you to check out the effect of VDL Lumilayer Primer. First a bare-faced shot to start with:
And afterwards with a thin layer of VDL Lumilayer Primer:
Notice how much brighter and clearer my skin looks with the VDL Lumilayer Primer. It has some color correcting properties, effectively taking away the redness from my natural skin tone. I wouldn’t say it provides any form of coverage for uneven skin tone, which makes the VDL Perfecting Last Foundation the ideal accompaniment.
VDL Perfecting Last Foundation [SGD42 for 30ml] is a high coverage liquid foundation with HD photo finish. It is formulated using color pigments that are perfectly flat to ensure that the foundation goes on smoothly and does not clump nor streak when applied. It also contains a Bio Moisture Layer technology that helps to control water and oil level in the skin so that the foundation clings on well throughout the day. I like that it also contains SPF30 PA++ protection, which is good for all day wear.
I find that a tiny bit of this foundation like what I showed above is enough for covering my entire face. It covers up my dark undereye circles and any uneven skin tone effectively, leaving a luminous glowy matte finish.
And here is how it looks on me after applying VDL Perfecting Last Foundation on top of the Lumilayer Primer:
This is a foundation that photographs exceptionally well, although for daily use, I personally prefer something that is more lightweight and allows my natural skin to show through a bit more. You can sheer down this foundation by using a damp beauty blender, or mix in equal parts of the Lumilayer Primer to this foundation to give that glowy effect as well as sheer out the foundation. Whichever you choose, the result is exceptional. I would also advise applying some oil-control primer on the t-zone before the Perfecting Last Foundation to keep it looking fresh for longer.
Have you tried anything from VDL before?
This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
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I have not been the biggest proponent for cushion foundations for the past few years, but I feel the industry has improved the formulation to a point where I find myself embracing them with open arms. And my latest obsession is Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Pearl Aura, probably the first base product that have me determined to use up asap!
Etude House is a popular beauty brand in Korea known for its whimsical and girlie packaging. As with most Korean beauty brands, the products are trendy with a wide range of color options at very accessible prices. The brand offers several cushion foundations under the Precious Mineral Any Cushion line, and the latest is the Pearl Aura which offers a brightening effect and higher coverage.
The packaging is similar to most other cushions in the market with the standard round plastic casing, inner swing lid to keep the inner chamber air tight, and a foundation-soaked cushion that is refillable. What is interesting about the Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Pearl Aura is the cushion is ringed by 6 white “pearls” in the center. These contain the Precious Mineral Brightener, which is made from Black Pearl Extract and has excellent light reflecting properties. When mixed with the foundation, it gives off a very nice glowy finish to the skin. To use, simply dab the sponge puff or your choice of brush or beauty blender over the entire cushion, encompassing both the pearl and foundation, and apply to the skin.
As you can see from the comparison picture above, Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Pearl Aura provides a very natural and glowy finish to the skin. Although touted as providing higher coverage, it is still relatively light, buildable to light-medium at best. The best way to get more out of this, is to gently apply it all over the face using quick strokes as it dries fairly quickly. Thereafter, dab more over the areas where you require more coverage. I found the brightening effect most noticeable on my dark circles, lightening them without emphasising lines.
By now, brightening and giving a glowy finish are no longer unique as many other cushions and foundations give the same effect. What propelled this Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Pearl Aura to my daily staple is the color match. There are 3 shades available, and the one I have – Natural – is a good match for my roughly NC15-20 skin tone. Most other Korean cushions are available in either 1 or 2 shades, and many tend to be too light for me. It also works well dabbed over another layer of tinted sunscreen or BB cream, to generate more coverage when needed. I love that it lasts me all day without oxidation, creasing, sliding nor greasing up. And the SPF50 / PA+++ sun protection is also a nice touch for maintaining my skin’s natural fairness.
This post featured a product that was kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
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Natural glowing skin is the hottest trend this year, and the latest foundations are all skin-like in texture and finish. Givenchy has taken things up a notch, and brings us the first ever makeup-balm and a 2-in-1 “contouring” concealer.
Givenchy Teint Couture Balm is the latest fluid foundation from Givenchy that offers “custom correction” whilst maintaining a lightweight texture on the skin. It comes in a convenient squeeze tube that is perfect for traveling and toting around in a bag, and dispenses out in a mousse-like liquid that blends out like a cream. Here are a couple of swatches to give you an idea of the texture…
What I found most interesting is that even though it almost seemed quite “thick”, like a cream foundation, it blends out easily and seems to float over the surface of the skin to give a flawless finish. It does not sink into lines and pores, nor does it emphasise the flakiness over my zits. Givenchy Teint Couture Balm contains a new Light & Blur complex made of reflective diamond powder to blur away imperfections and brighten up dull complexions. The result is a natural glow that is devoid of shine!
The adaptive nature somehow turned the foundation which at first sight seemed a tad too peachy to a lovely match. If you click on the image above and zoom in you’d be able to see the magical pore-blurring effects of Givenchy Teint Couture Balm. And although coverage is light, it still managed to lighten my dark undereye circles and minimise the redness around the corner of my nose.
In terms of coverage, Givenchy Teint Couture Balm is somewhat light though slightly buildable. To help eradicate those pesky dark undereye circles and cover up those zits, I am currently loving Givenchy Teint Couture Concealer!
This is a sleek twist-up pen containing a beige corrective ribbon together with a thin stripe of pink highlighter. The 2 shades fuse together to conceal under eye darkness well, and brighten the area to give an overall luminous appearance.
To use, simply swipe the entire pen across the under eye area and blend. I used 2 swipes because my dark eye circles extend quite far down, but feel free to use any many or little as you need! I was amazed at how well this little pen covered up my dark circles without having to add on extra layers! Blending is a breeze with this silky formula, and it does not pil, crease nor emphasize my lines!
Beyond just using it for dark circles, the 2-in-1 pen also doubles up as a highlighter. You may angle it such that you only apply the pink stripe, and use it under the brow bone, on the cupid’s bow of your lips, even along the cheek bones for a brightening touch. Or angle it the other way and apply the beige concealer on any spots or imperfections. The size was perfect for reaching the hidden corners around my nose to remedy those redness!
Overall, I have been reaching for both the Givenchy Teint Couture Balm and Givenchy Teint Couture Concealer on a daily basis since I got them. The result is an effortless my-skin-but-better look that lasts me all day without fading nor creasing. Have you tried it yet?
This post featured 1 product (out of 2) that was kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
The post Givenchy Teint Couture Balm & Concealer appeared first on Silverkis' World.
Hope everyone had a good start to the new week… there are only 10 more days to Christmas!! Have you gotten your party looks all planned, and gifts prepared? For me, I like a bold matte lip, and there are 2 Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipsticks that would be perfect for a glamorous look. And for those luncheons, what better way to get prepared and touch up on the go than with Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact? Let me show these to you today!
Estee Lauder is perhaps one of the most established beauty brands around, and yet, it seems to sort of fly under most trend-chasing beautyjunkie’s radar. For me, this year has been a pivotal year for the brand as it not only proved that it can turn out cool collaborations (such as the Courrèges Estée Lauder collection), Estee Lauder has also introduced several new innovative products. And just before the year ends, it has brought us their version of a liquid compact – Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go.
Double Wear Makeup To Go is a liquid foundation in a portable compact form. The case resembles a typical cushion foundation in size and shape, but instead of an exposed moist foundation-filled cushion in the center, the product is safely kept within a sealed compartment, and dispensed by the push of a button.
This is a new formula that contains Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Muru Muru Butter to keep skin hydrated; and is designed to last for 8-hours (after which it is easy to touch-up given the portability!). Argireline and Milk Thistle Extract help to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin tone. To celebrate the launch, there were a limited number of pieces bearing a special illustration by Grace Ciao, as the one I have here! Unfortunately it is non-refillable, so once I am done with this, the case remains solely as a souvenir.
**click on image to enlarge
I’ve enjoyed quite a number of Estee Lauder liquid foundations in the past, and so I had high hopes for this one. Despite bearing the Double Wear moniker, this Makeup To Go is much sheerer than the original DW foundation. In fact, it is probably the sheerest of all Estee Lauder foundations that I’ve tried so far (which includes Futurist Aqua Brilliance, Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup, and the Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance Makeup). In comparison to the Double Wear All-Day Glow BB, Makeup To Go has higher coverage and does not feel as lightweight on the skin.
My skin is going through a rough time right now, and you can see a lot of coarse bumpiness on the surface, especially around my lips and on my cheek bones. And unfortunately, Double Wear Makeup To Go did not manage to float over those textural imperfections. I don’t necessarily think that it emphasised those flaws, but it did not have the blurring and skin smoothening effect that I need right now. The light coverage also meant that my red patches are not completely covered, although it is possible to build up coverage by patting on more where it is needed. On the plus side, I did not have any problems with the wear time, as it lasted me longer than the stated 8 hours, without fading. I did develop an oily sheen around lunch time, which can be easily fixed by blotting and touching up.
As I had mentioned earlier, Estee Lauder has a new Pure Color Envy Matte Lipstick range. Globally, there are 12 shades available, but only 8 have been released in Singapore. Regardless of which you pick (save except for 1), you are bound to end up with a super pigmented, boldly saturated lipstick. The 2 I have here today are Decisive Poppy and Irrepressible.
Decisive Poppy is a cool-toned to neutral crimson red as shown above. The color becomes much bolder and more dramatic when swiped on directly from the bullet.
And here is a full look in context, with Decisive Poppy worn in its full glory.
Irrepressible is a warmer-toned dark brick red as shown in the lip swatch above. And the full look in context below:
As far as matte lipsticks go, these Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte lipsticks are some of the boldest and most pigmented that I’ve tried. However, they are not the most comfortable on the lips, and I clearly had difficulty getting the color to apply smoothly as it tends to skip over lines. I would recommend applying a layer of lip balm before hand. I much prefer the formula of the original Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks [reviewed here], although the lasting power of these Mattes are just as good if not better.
Overall, the long-lasting stay and bold pigmented color of the Pure Color Envy Matte lipsticks make for a good evening lipstick. Both Decisive Poppy and Irrepressible are much more exciting on the lips than they appear in the tube, and definitely worth trying if you are after some drama! The Double Wear Makeup To Go Liquid Compact is handy for traveling or for everyday wear, although I think it is perhaps not the most flattering choice for those with dry skin and textural problems.
Have you tried anything shown today?
This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
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