How was your Christmas holiday?  I hope everyone had a great time!  I’m working from home this entire week, and taking the opportunity to grab some time to catch up on some backlog.  And so, I thought I would introduce you to a couple of compact powders that were launched here in Singapore just before the holidays… Lancome Teint Miracle Compact Powder Foundation & Teint Miracle Illuminizer!

I love a good compact powder for touching up my makeup at mid-day and before leaving the office for dinner.  If you have been following my blog for sometime, you’d know that I’m indifferent between regular compact powders for touch-ups, and powder foundations.  Of course it depends on how much coverage I’m already wearing on my face, but generally, powder foundations that I tend to prefer are on the sheer and silky side of things.  And I can always build up coverage in layers as needed.

Lancome first released the Teint Miracle foundation range in 2010, and it has been one of the brand’s top selling products since then.  It recently reformulated the compact powder foundation, and it now comes in a sleek vertical black case that houses the powder pan, 2-way sponge, and a full length mirror on the inside of the cover that allows the entire face to be seen during makeup application.  The powder is protected by a swing lid, so I’ve taken to snapping this compact open for touch-ups on-the-go for just about anything – lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, etc.  And I never have to worry about my powder getting dirtied along the way!

The accompanying sponge deserves special mention… I’m not usually a fan of those throw-away sponges that come with just about everything.  And to be honest I almost always prefer a compact that comes with just the powder so it is as slim as it can be, and just bring my own brush.  However, this sponge in the new Lancome Teint Miracle Compact has changed my mind completely about applying powders with a sponge!  It is double-sided, and one side is the “usual” sponge side that you may use wet or dry to pick up the powder for a heavier coverage.  The other velvet “flocked” side is oh-so-soft and smooth, and is designed to create a sheerer coverage, perfect for my touching-up needs!

With this newly reformulated Teint Miracle Compact, Lancome has blended Rosehip oil and Lotus Blossom oil in with the powder particles, to provide long-lasting comfort and nourish the skin.  Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid provide skincare-like benefits, plumping and smoothening the skin for an even more beautiful finish.  And to bind it all together, Lancome has used a new Wet Process Technology that allows an even dispersion of the ingredients, thereby ensuring a silky smooth, almost cream-like texture.

^{**click to enlarge}

In the half-faced comparison photo above, I had first applied a thin layer of By Terry Cellularose Moisturising CC Cream before sweeping Lancome Teint Miracle Compact Powder Foundation over the right side of my face (left on screen from your perspective).  As you can see, the powder is so fine and sheer, it basically looks like my skin but better!  There is absolutely no cakey or powdery look at all, but my skin still looks glowy without the excess shine.  Also, if you click on the image to enlarge, my pores and those tiny bumps on the surface of my skin all appear to be smoothened!

Together with the new Teint Miracle Compact, Lancome has also released this brand new Teint Miracle Illuminizer.  Just in time for the holidays, this nifty black case contains a round powder pan that comprises of a beige touch-up powder, a small pink sliver for brightening up the complexion, a tiny green bit to balance out excess redness, and a silver sliver that works as a highlighter!  And instead of a sponge, Lancome has designed a fan-shaped brush that is kept separate from the powder by a circular tray that rests over the top of the pan.

Here’s a closer look:

Just in case you were wondering, here are the swatches:

Now as you can see, the corrective shades of pink and green are really very light, and they are intended to be used together with the main beige shade and swept all across the face.  Both the pink and green contain some sparse shimmers, whilst the beige is completely matte.  The silver shade in contrast is quite shimmery even if you can’t quite tell from the swatch above.  There is also a fair bit of translucency to the base, so this is really meant for highlighting.  The fan brush is thin enough that you can pick up the silver using just the narrow top edge of the brush, and just dab it to the high points of your cheek bones, sweep down the nose ridge, and even on the cupid’s bow.

As a touch-up powder, this Teint Miracle Illuminizer is excellent as I found the beige shade to be quite mattifying.  However, those with dry or dehydrated skin will need to approach with a very light hand, and consider adding some of that silver shimmer into the mix and applying that all over the face to keep things from getting too flat.  Those with oily or combination skin will probably really enjoy this.  I like the idea of being able to bring a bit of highlighter around with me to touch up just before heading out after work.

Both Lancome Teint Miracle Compact and Illuminizer are already out in stores.  Have you checked them out yet?

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post Lancome Teint Miracle Compact & Illuminizer appeared first on Silverkis' World.

The cushion revolution does not seem to  be letting up anytime soon, in fact, Western brands seem to be eager to jump on the bandwagon as well.  To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Givenchy has released the Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion.  It is expected to be released worldwide in February, and we lucky folks in Singapore were the first in the world to experience this brand new piece of beauty artistry!

Barely months after the release of its Teint Couture Balm, Givenchy returns with yet another sheer natural-finish foundation… the Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion.  Just like any cushion product in the market, it comes in a portable rounded case with a sponge applicator.  As always, Givenchy takes things a notch up the luxury scale with a metal plate technology which protects the product from exposure to the air, thus keeping it fresh and hygienic.  The foundation is dispensed by pushing the plate down, and comes out in tiny droplets via tiny holes on the plate in the shape of the Givenchy brand logo – tres chic!

Apart from the fancy packaging, Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion boasts of a new long-wearing pigments that ensures my makeup stays fresh throughout the day.  The finish is a lovely balance between a healthy glow and satin matte, giving me that bright luminous look without having to matte things down with powder.  And the best part is, if desired, you could retouch by patting on more Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion throughout the day without fear of your makeup caking up!  Compared to Teint Couture Balm, this Teint Couture Cushion is sheerer and leaves a more luminous finish.  It is slightly buildable, though I would consider it light-medium coverage at best.

            ^{**Please click on image to enlarge}

As you can see from the half-faced before and after comparison above, the coverage is really very light, and gives a very naturally flawless no-makeup look.  It evens out my skin tone quite effectively, although I still need a good concealer for dark eye circles and to cover up any spots.  It has a beautiful blurring effect, making my skin appear smoother and pores much less obvious than in reality!

There are 4 shades available – #1 Fresh Porcelain, #2 Fresh Shell, #3 Fresh Sand and #4 Fresh Beige.  The one I have is #3 Fresh Sand which is a spot on match for me roughly NC15-20 skin tone, which is to say the shades run light.  On the other hand, it does oxidise on me, turning darker as the day progresses, so a touchup is definitely needed and/or a good makeup base!

In Singapore, Givenchy Teint Couture Cushion retails for SGD83 for 15ml, and is non-refillable.  It was completely sold out within days of its launch, but has since restocked.  I have really been enjoying wearing this since I got it, faking good skin has never been so easy! And on days when I need a bit more coverage, I layer this on top of a light BB cream like the Shiseido Maquillage Perfect Multi Base BB or a tinted primer like the Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer.  Whichever I choose, my makeup looks like 2nd skin, and feels feather light and perfectly comfortable all day long!

_{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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Every time Guerlain releases a new foundation, I feel like I have found my holy grail, and there’s no way to top it.  But somehow, they keep managing to surprise me!  I know this is a brand that does not seem to work for everybody, but for those lucky enough to find a good matching shade, Guerlain foundations can be your best secret weapon.  For me, my latest beauty secret is Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation!

Guerlain Parure Gold was a line that I had coveted for many years, but the previous formula was too dewy and heavy for our humid climate.  Part of the problem back then was that I had oilier skin before, but post-pregnancy my skin had switched to dehydrated with the occasional dry patches AND oily (though less severe than before) t-zone.  Thankfully for me, Guerlain finally got around to reformulating the Parure Gold line, and perfected things for me!

Guerlain’s Parure Gold range consists of a fluid foundation and a compact powder foundation.  They are inspired by the glow of pure gold, illuminating darkness and erasing signs of tiredness.  This is made possible by special dual-faceted ‘gold’ pigments, which diffract light to revive the complexion and enhance radiance.  Of course when it comes to Guerlain, things are always refined, and we are not talking about overtly visible actual gold flakes!  Nonetheless, I did find the older fluid foundation just a bit too yellow, something a yellow-skinned Asian like me really didn’t need more of!  With the new Parure Gold, Guerlain has rebalanced the color shades, toned down the yellow and expanded the range.

The texture of the fluid foundation is quite simply sublime.  It is lightweight, fairly thin and blends like a dream!  Even though it is billed as a full coverage foundation, I found it falls on the lighter end of spectrum, which is also more in line with current makeup trends.  Regardless, it is possible to build up coverage where needed, completely eliminating any red patches that are prone to erupting on my cheeks.

   ^{** Please click on image to enlarge}

Shortly after I received this Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Foundation, my skin erupted in a terrible bout of irritation.  It happened just before I had to fly to Hong Kong for a week-long business trip, and between the dehydrating cabin air and drier climate in HK, my skin just was in bad shape.  There was redness, dry patches, flakey peeling skin… absolute nightmare.  And this was a true test because I have quite frankly never seen a foundation that managed to conceal and yet be so forgiving on the skin!  The maestros over at Guerlain has managed to evoke some magic with this Parure Gold Fluid Foundation that it almost seem elastic, hugging the skin and blurring imperfections instead of falling into the cracks and emphasising defects!  By the time the comparison photo above was taken, most of the peeling had subsided, but there was still substantial redness on my cheeks (that is not blush!).  And as you can see, Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Foundation was able to conceal everything nicely without looking cakey, and it is so skin-like you can barely make out any trace of foundation at all!

Apart from the Orchidee Imperiale Cream Foundation, this Parure Gold Fluid Foundation is the most luxurious foundation from Guerlain.  It combines skincare elements such as collagen, elastin booster and myrrh resin extract to plump up the skin and stimulate elasticity.  The new formula also comes with SPF30 PA+++ which serves as a good daily protection.

Along with the reformulation of the fluid foundation, Guerlain has re-introduced its Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation.  I had really enjoyed the previous version of this powder foundation [reviewed here], which is still one of my favourite powders of all times.  And to be honest, I’m having a little bit of difficulty figuring out what magicks Guerlain did with this new powder, apart from the awesome packaging.

A picture tells a thousand words doesn’t it?  But just in case your eyes are playing tricks on you, let me try to elucidate the complete awesomeness of this new palette.  When you lift the cover up, it goes almost to 150 degrees by my guesstimation, and the powder pan slides along with it!  And as it slides up, it reveals the bottom of the palette where the black sponge lies.  Slide it fully to the very max, and the tray on which the sponge lies actually tilts upwards to make it easy for you to lift the sponge out!

I have said this many times before, but I truly believe that Guerlain makes the best powder.  The Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation is so finely milled, it feels almost creamy to the touch.  Perhaps compared to its predecessor, the new formulation is slightly sheerer, and is even more forgiving on dry skin than ever.  This new sheerer powder works wonderfully as a finishing setting powder for me, even when I dust it over its fluid sibling, I don’t find it too much.

   ^{**Please click to enlarge}

On hindsight, trying on powder foundation on exceptionally bad skin times probably does not make for the best-selling images.  And because time has been a rare commodity lately, I’ve taken the comparison above with Guerlain Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation layered on top of Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Foundation.  Few people would actually need the extra coverage from a powder foundation on top of a full coverage fluid foundation.  But the Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation is so sheer, I use it anyway as a final touch.  And if you click on the comparison image above, you’d be able to enlarge it sufficient to satisfy yourself that the powder does not add any dryness to my skin, nor does it take away the beautiful inner glow from the fluid foundation.  Instead, it further blurs pores, and helps extend the wear of my fluid foundation.

A couple of other things I’d like to point out about the new powder foundation is that the powder is refillable, and the refill now comes with 10gm of product versus 9gm in the older version.  Also, the sun protection rating has gone up slightly from SPF10 to SPF15.

Overall, I am really loving Guerlain’s newly reformulated Parure Gold Foundations!  I found myself reaching for the fluid foundation both for days when my skin can’t stand any other foundations at all, and when I just feel like it.  Interestingly, it is so lightweight and comfortable to wear that I find myself unwittingly going for it even on casual no-makeup days!  Which all goes to say that it is such a pleasure to have and to wear, I highly recommend you to try it for yourself!

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all views expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post Guerlain’s Latest Foundation is Pure Gold! appeared first on Silverkis' World.

I love discovering new beauty finds, and was super piqued when a small mysterious black bottle arrived about a month back.  Since it was not accompanied by any materials nor instructions, I was completely mystified.  With a name like Foundation Essence…. it sounded like some sort of hybrid product to me.  And only Rouge Bunny Rouge could possibly come up with such a romantic descriptor as Skin Soul Drops!  I’ve experimented with it for the past few weeks, and am here to unlock the mysteries of the latest in makeup!

Rouge Bunny Rouge Skin Soul Drops Foundation Essence is quite literally the essence of foundation, it contains a high concentration of pigments in a wonderfully light texture.  It is designed to be used with any moisturizer, facial oil or primer to create a personalized level of coverage and finish.  This Foundation Essence is formulated with a blend of Jojoba, Mimosa, and Sunflower oils to closely mimic the natural texture of the skin for a flawless fit.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Skin Soul Drops comes with a dropper that allows you to measure out the exact number of drops you need.  On its own, the Foundation Essence provides high coverage with a super thin texture that is reminiscent of Dior Nude Air (the latter is a poor comparison of course because that is much sheerer).  There are only 3 shades at the moment – 062 Miriam (light), 063 Lalla (medium), and 064 Yeshe (dark).  For swatches of all 3, pop over to Sara’s review here!  The one I have is Lalla (063) and it is just slightly dark and a little too yellow for me.  So to get to my ideal shade, I needed to mix it with something lighter, which could be just about anything – moisturizer, white-based sunscreen, or primer.  Since I had a bottle of Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Primer Genesis lying around, I decided to pair them up for this review!

Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Primer Genesis is designed to create a velvety matte canvas that is perfectly smooth and devoid of pores.  Typically with such primers, the texture can get quite heavy and mask-like, but Rouge Bunny Rouge’s rendition is relatively lightweight and allows my natural skin to still show through minus all its imperfections!  For combination skin, the Original Skin Primer Genesis is excellent at controlling shiny t-zone, and creates a smooth base for foundation to float over.  I like that it holds my makeup in place all day, and does not fade, slide nor oxidize!

To get to my ideal shade, I found it best to mix 3-4 drops of the Foundation Essence with 1 pump of Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Primer Genesis.  For those with dry skin, Rouge Bunny Rouge recommends mixing the Skin Soul Drops Foundation Essence with its Aqua Primer Prelude in the Clouds for a radiant finish.  And for those with very oily skin, Mattifying Primer Metamorphosis will be the best complement.

^{**Please click on image to enlarge}

As you can see from the half-faced comparison above, Rouge Bunny Rouge Skin Soul Drops Foundation Essence + Original Skin Primer Genesis renders a very smooth skin-like finish.  I found it incredibly easy to blend and apply perfectly, which is not always true of such custom products.  The best part was, whether worn on its own or blended with something else, I always found it long-lasting, and never fades!

It takes some experimenting to figure out the perfect combination of products to get to your ideal shade, coverage and finish, which may seem daunting to some.  However, once perfected, it feels like a match made in heaven!  Along the way, I played with simply mixing in some moisturizer with the Foundation Essence to lighten it, and also it allows me to skip moisturizer as a separate step!  You may also add a drop of this to your tinted moisturizer or sunscreen to increase the coverage… the possibilities are really endless!  As my skin tends to vary considerably from day to day, it’s nice to have something that I can mix and match to cater to specific needs whilst still having that level of coverage.  I also tried mixing in a brightening primer like this and this, both helping to neutralize the strong yellow-tint and adding more radiance to my complexion.  Here is another half-faced comparison using 2 drops of Rouge Bunny Rouge Skin Soul Drops Foundation Essence + 1 pump of Tom Ford Complexion Enhancing Primer + 1 pump of Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin + 1 pea-sized drop of Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector.

^{**Please click on image to enlarge}

This may not be your everyday foundation if you need to dash out of the door in a hurry.  Regardless, it is something that is very useful if you often find yourself in between shades or are unable to find the perfect level of coverage.  In case you are interested to try this or other Rouge Bunny Rouge products, here is a 20% discount code for you – RBR-SILVERKIS20.  I am completely unaffiliated and do not earn anything whether you use the code or not!

_{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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This Spring has been all about new bases it seems!  I received these new items from The Body Shop some weeks ago, and have been using them from time to time… each time finding myself pleasantly surprised!  This is my first time trying foundations from The Body Shop, and to be honest I was skeptical at first, which was why I tested it so many times to finally be able to give my two thumbs-up!  Ladies, let me introduce you to The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation and a similarly new launch Shade Adjusting Drops!

I’ve tried and liked some of The Body Shop’s makeup in the past, but being the snob that I am, always stuck to higher end foundations.  I have very fussy skin, and I usually know straight away if a foundation was not going to work for me.  At first swatch, I liked how lightweight the new Fresh Nude Foundations were.  They are quite runny in texture, but not in that drippy kind of way like Dior Nude Air.  There is sufficient time to blend before they set, but they do dry down and set very nicely without feeling sticky and heavy on the skin all day long!

The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation is formulated with English rose water and aloe vera, to leave skin feeling hydrated and comfortable all day long.  It also contains SPF15 sun protection, which is not enough for most of us even staying indoors all day, but still nice to have.

There are a total of 16 shades available, although there are only 6 shades available in Singapore.  I have 4 of the shades – 010 Chelsea Porcelain, 020 Bali Vanilla, 024 Hawaii Macadamia, and 045 Atlas Dunes.  And here are the swatches for your information.  As a reference point, I found shade 024 Hawaii Macadamia to be a perfect match for me.

The coverage of these Fresh Nude Foundations is on the lighter end of the spectrum, though it is slightly buildable to a light-medium.  You will still need a concealer for dark under eyes and spots.  The foundation dries down to a lovely semi-matte finish with a healthy glow without looking oily, and extremely natural looking!  I do wear this over this primer because I have problems with my t-zone and I need my makeup to last all day; but I found that I really did not need any powder to set or blot out excess shine at all!

            ^{**Please click on image to enlarge}

As you can see from the comparison above, The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation is able to effectively cover up some of the red blemishes that I currently have on my face though not perfectly.  Most of the time I just let it go as it is, but I do still need concealer for my dark eye circles.  The finish is natural and luminous, in fact the side with foundation is clearly more radiant than the other imho!

Along with the new foundation, The Body Shop has also released 2 wonderfully creative Shade Adjusting Drops.  There is a white one for Lightening as shown above, and another dark brown one for Darkening.  These come with a handy dropper, and 1 drop mixed into any foundation will bring it half a shade lighter/darker depending on which you use.  Just in case you think the Lightening one shown here is just going to turn your foundation white, it is actually a pearlised white that contains pink pigments to neutralise any sallowness which often is resultant look when wearing foundation that is too dark.  Similarly, the Darkening Drops contains red pigments to prevent foundation from looking ashy when they are too light.

I am really happy with The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation!  It is perfectly comfortable to wear all day, and looks so fresh and natural it easily rivals any of the high-end brands.  The Shade Adjusting Drops are a wonderful addition to The Body Shop’s makeup offerings, and something that I’m finding very handy to keep in my stash.  And priced at SGD32.90 for 30ml and SGD29.90 for 15ml respectively, these do not break the bank at all!

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation & Shade Adjusting Drops appeared first on Silverkis' World.

So I spent Valentines’ Day flat-out on my bed alternately shivering under the covers with chills and sweating profusely with a burning fever, and sneezing my nose off silly. And gosh the pounding headache! So, a dozen of pills later, I find my complexion looking worse for wear, which is to say I look like the walking dead. My only saving grace, is Chanel Les Beiges Foundation which puts the glow back, and Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer helps cover up those dark puffy eyes and red Rudolph nose!

Chanel Les Beiges range of makeup is all about that healthy glow, and over years has grown stronger and better with each new launch. The latest Chanel Les Beiges Foundation is a medium coverage fluid foundation, with a satin skin-like finish. I was very curious when I first heard of this foundation as it is touted as an “invisible foundation” with a natural healthy fresh-from-the-sun glow. Formulated with kalanchoe extract, the foundation has hydrating and antioxidant properties as well to keep skin looking youthful in the long run. SPF25 / PA++ provides just about minimally acceptable level of sun protection, and is the highest among all of Chanel’s current fluid foundation offerings.

Chanel foundation all look the same to me in their bottles, and whilst I love how utilitarian and understatedly chic they are, I simply can’t travel with glass bottles. I do like that they don’t take up unnecessary space in an overcrowded drawer, and the square-bottomed design allows it to be stacked side-by-side with other Chanel foundations.

The texture is a somewhat thicker fluid, certainly thicker than the Vitalumiere and Perfection Lumiere Velvet. Nonetheless, it feels truly weightless on my skin, and I have no problems blending it out with a brush or my fingers.

  **please click to enlarge

Here you can see me in all my sick, puffy-faced, fully-drugged-out droopy eyes glory. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is able to cover up most of the imperfections on my face, and considerably lighten dark eye circles and the redness around my nose. Where Chanel Les Beiges Foundation excels, is its magical finish. It is a satin finish with a healthy glow, that is very much my skin but much much better, without any noticeable dewiness. This is all thanks to Chanel’s “Healthy Glow Booster” mineral pigments and Soft Focus powders that help to even out the complexion and enhance it. It has an elastic quality that allows the foundation to mould to the curves of the face beautifully, hence looking as natural as possible without looking like foundation at all!

I’ve read several conflicting reviews on the Internet about how dewy this foundation is and how it does not last very long, but in my experience, even living in a humid tropical climate, Chanel Les Beiges lasts all day without oxidizing, fading, nor oiling up in the t-zone. I do wear a primer though, as I do with any foundation. I’ve tried pairing it with both the Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base and the Le Blanc de Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base [reviewed here], and the latter feels like a match made in heaven.

I was also fortunate to be able to test out the new Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer, and I think I’ve found a new love! The white slim tube is impossibly chic and super portable. The concealer is super creamy, glides under my eye area without tugging, and provides a good level of coverage. What impresses me most is that the Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer layers on beautifully without turning cakey even on my dry, wrinkle-prone under-eye areas. The formula is quite slick though, so it sheers out easily, hence I recommend dabbing at it with a finger instead of trying to blend it with a brush.

Nothing beats some gory closeups right?!  Above, dark circles already semi-resolved after Les Beiges Foundation.  And then zapping the redness with Le Blanc Concealer.  Below, the effects on my red sniffling nose…

What I really appreciate about Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer is the high SPF40 sun protection. There are very few products designed for use around the eyes that have high sun protection, and most sun screens are for the face only (i.e. not for eyes). But we all know how aging the sun’s rays can be, and especially for the delicate skin around the eyes where I already have enough problems delaying those dreaded lines. So Chanel Le Blanc Light Whitening Concealer has become a daily staple for me! The good news is, with pearl pigments to reflect light and liquorice extract to correct yellow undertones, this nifty little tube is a powerhouse at brightening up my eye area!

And to put things into perspective… with the full finished works….. tadah!!

   Always and forever faking it!

Up until now, I’ve never had very much luck with Chanel foundations… they just don’t seem to sit or stay on my skin very well. And some of them even break me out. But Chanel Les Beiges Foundation is a complete game-changer, and the Le Blanc Light Creator Whitening Concealer with SPF40 is an essential to me! Have you tried either of them yet?

_{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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At a time when every other brand is heralding the release of their new cushions, Shiseido has chosen to give us instead a new liquid foundation.  It is a move I really applaud because even if cushions are the biggest thing right now, I still love a good liquid foundation.  And Shiseido’s latest Synchro Skin Foundation is definitely a cut above the rest!

Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation is a truly intelligent makeup that is designed to adapt to different skin conditions, and synchronize with individual qualities for the most naturally perfecting finish.  A specially designed micro-fit polymer repels sebum and sweat, so that the foundation stays fresh throughout the day.  This is complemented by a time match powder that is able to reflect the optimal amount of light depending on the amount of oil on the skin.  So, for oily skin, it is able to matte things down whilst on dry skin it increases the luminosity.  Imagine the perfecting finish on combination skin!

This foundation is incredibly lightweight, and has a texture that is very similar to Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation [reviewed here] with the biggest difference being that Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation is not oil-based.  It contains a transparent correcting polymer that lets natural skin tones show through while correcting unevenness like pores and rough textures.  A special color pigment reflects light to brighten up dull skin for a radiant look.

As always, coming from the skincare experts, Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation is formulated with skin-loving ingredients to maintain healthy skin.  Hypericum Extract helps to normalise skin turnover and reduces roughness on the skin surface.  Mother of Thyme Extract is a strong antioxidant and protects against environmental stress that may cause premature aging.

The foundation has an airy feel to it, floating over my imperfections and moulding to the curves of my face like the most natural thing in the world.  There is some time to blend it out, but it does dry fairly quickly so it is best to work in smaller sections of the face at a time.  The finish is satin smooth, with a natural glow without excess shine.

         _{**Click on image to enlarge and zoom}

I must pre-qualify the half-faced comparison photo above.  Prior to applying Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation to the right side of my face, I had first applied a thin layer of La Mer Perfecting Treatment [review coming up soon] over my entire face which had effectively smoothened out my pores.  Nonetheless, if you click on the photo above and zoomed in, you will still be able to see some pore-erasing action from Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation.  It also minimised the usual redness around my nose and reduced my dark eye circles.  But what I am most astounded by with this photo, is how incredibly natural the foundation looks!  The color match is spot-on, I’ve never used a foundation that blended as seamlessly as this, even though when I pumped it out of the bottle it looked darker than usual.  This is the intelligent formula at work, and I’m super impressed!

On me, Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation lasts all day without oxidising, fading or creasing. It does start to look a bit more lived-in after the 6 hour mark when my oily t-zone starts to creep up, but the overall look is still very natural and I don’t even feel like I need to blot.  Coverage is on the lighter end of the spectrum, though slightly buildable, you will still need a concealer for serious blemishes.  Overall, Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation is definitely a winner, perfectly comfortable all day!

_{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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Makeup offering skincare benefits is nothing new, but when Estee Lauder leverages its Crescent White Skincare’s full cycle brightening technology [reviewed here] to produce 2 new makeup bases, I am intrigued.  Ester Lauder Crescent White is built around the idea of skin’s inherent day/night circadian rhythm, providing the right type of skincare at all times to fight not only hyperpigmentation but also dullness and discoloration.  The latest line extensions into makeup, further extends this philosophy, and helps women look more radiant and luminous.

Estee Lauder Crescent White Brightening Makeup Base is a lavender-tinted fluid that has colour-corecting properties that reminds me of CC creams such as this one.  Lavender shade is best suited for Asian skin to neutralize the inherent yellowness in our skin tone, and bring radiance to sallow skin.

The Crescent White Brightening Makeup Base is a lightweight fluid that seems thick when initially squeezed out of the tube, but it spreads easily and a pea-sized drop is sufficient to cover my entire face.  It does not feel as heavy as a BB or CC cream, but it also does not dry down completely.  I personally feel that it is best paired with a powder foundation or a more mattifying liquid foundation on top, because I am out for more than 12 hours every day, and I don’t like to bother with touching up.  Of course for severely dry skin, or if you are traveling to a dry climate, this can be very helpful.  I like that it comes with SPF30 / PA+++ which is good for normal mostly-indoor lifestyle.

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I was rather apprehensive when I first put this to the test as lavender bases have a tendency to pull ashy on me.  Fortunately, it does exactly as it says, giving a visible brightening boost without turning grey.  As you can see from the comparison photo above, Estee Lauder Crescent White Brightening Makeup Base brings a dewy glow to my face, which is thankfully not overly shiny, and layers well under foundation.  However, those who are prone to getting oily easily, you may want to either layer this with a mattifying primer or keep this to the high points of the face like a highlighter.  On its own, this Brightening Makeup Base does help to extend the wear time of my foundation by 1-2 hours, but it does not provide much coverage for red patches and blemishes.

Along with the makeup base above, Estee Lauder has also released the new Crescent White Essence Makeup.  This is a light-weight, medium-coverage foundation.  It comes in a tall glass bottle with a dropper dispenser which is similar to this foundation; and a thin, watery texture that is popular with the recent wave of skin-like foundations.  The relatively high SPF30 / PA++ sun protection is also very welcome!

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In the above comparison photo, I had first applied the lavender makeup base all over, before layering on the Crescent White Essence Makeup on the right side of my face.  And as you may be able to see, the Essence Makeup provides noticeable coverage, evening out my skin tone and bringing a luminosity to my face.  Coverage is light, as the red patch on my cheek is still visible, but it is slightly buildable by dabbing on more where it is needed.  It feels slightly cool upon application, and is wonderful for those hot, hurried mornings!  It is sufficiently lightweight that it wears well in our heat and humidity,and stays color true all day without oxidizing.

I have really enjoyed adding Estee Lauder Crescent White Essence Makeup to my arsenal of sheer, skin-like makeup; and this is the only one that I can safely say would work well for those of us with dehydrated skin and prone to flakiness!  Unlike others of its class, it is not finicky to apply, and wears well all day.  The Estee Lauder Crescent White Makeup Base is probably the only lavender base that I’ve tried that actually brightens my face without pulling ashy, and is useful to have on hand for those dull moments.  Both are now out in Estee Lauder counters and retail for SGD86 and SGD89 respectively.

_{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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You know the season’s changing when the colors change, and base products turn richer.  This year we didn’t quite see too many super sheer, natural skin-like foundations; instead, the cushion technology has taken the world by storm.  Much as I like some of them, I still find myself reaching for my foundations; and with my recent bout of breakouts, prefer something with higher coverage and a cream texture that is able to smoothen out the bumps and accompanying dry flakes.  And so, it was perfect timing when I received SUQQU’s latest base duo – comprising of a Treatment Primer and Extra Rich Cream Foundation!

As I age, I find myself switching over from mattifying primers to those that offer more hydration and luminosity.  Those with dry/dehydrated skin and/or dealing with the change in weather may also benefit from the new SUQQU Treatment Primer.

Housed in a slender pale pink squeeze tube, this unassuming primer does so much more than just keep the oilies at bay and extend the wear of makeup.  It is a lovely multi-tasker that packs in some much-needed skincare benefits as well as SPF20 sun protection.  A blend of 4 intensely moisturizing oils seals in moisture and smoothens the skin surface:

• Safflower Oil is high in linoleic acid which is able to unclog the pores, reduce rashes and acne, and facilitate the regeneration of skin cells;
• Apricot Kernel Oil is a lightweight oil that gently moisturizes and rebalances skin, and is especially good for oily skin;
• Evening Primrose Oil is high in antioxidants, and is able to both calm flare-ups and sooth irritations; and
• Camelia Seed Oil is high in oleic acid and has a composition that closely resembles our skin, allowing it to be readily absorbed, helping to moisturize, heal and prevent pre-mature aging of skin.

For all its power-packed ingredients, SUQQU Treatment Primer comes in a delicately-light fluid texture that does not leave the skin feeling greasy at all.  Instead, it sinks into the skin immediately, and leaving the skin feeling smoother, plumped and more luminous.  The slight pink tint disappears once applied, but does leave my face looking brighter and more radiant.  I definitely felt my dehydrated skin feeling better hydrated throughout my long days when I apply a thin layer of this Treatment Primer before my makeup.  What is more important, is that it does not feel too much at all even when layered with SUQQU’s new Extra Rich Cream Foundation!

I have not been reaching for a cream foundation in a very long time, partly because the trend has been moving away for the past couple of years, and also I grew to prefer letting my own natural skin show through.  So I was curious to see how I would like the new SUQQU Extra Rich Cream Foundation… and I fell in love!  Unlike any other foundation I’ve tried, this unveils throughout the day according to the skin conditions.  When first applied, it leaves skin with a healthy glowy finish.  A few hours into it, the foundation starts to emit a warmer glow due to rose and champagne pearl powders, to give a brightening boost just as fatigue starts to creep up.  It is also intelligent enough to control excess sebum, keeping the makeup looking as fresh at the end of the night as at the beginning.

SUQQU Extra Rich Cream Foundation is a smooth thin cream that is easy to blend with your choice of fingers, sponge or brush, and leaves a flawless natural finish.  What I love about this Extra Rich Cream Foundation is that it feels as luxurious as any cream foundations I’ve ever tried [and trust me, I’ve tried some of the best like this and this], but it applies like a fluid foundation – smooth, fuss-free, completely devoid of that cakey effect that often accompanies thicker foundations.

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To be honest, I have not had a good experience with SUQQU’s Frame Fix Foundation in the past [reviewed here], and was very apprehensive about trying another SUQQU foundation.  The results spoke for the product in ways that I could never imagine though – it was beautiful and glowy, brightening up the dark and sallow spots, and providing adequate coverage for my dark undereye and other red pimple marks whilst still allowing my natural skin to show through!  In the comparison photo above, I had applied SUQQU Treatment Primer all over the face followed by SUQQU Extra Rich Cream Foundation on the right half.  If you click on the image to enlarge and zoom, you will be able to see that the foundation actually minimizes the appearance of pores on my cheeks, without any caking or creasing.

According to SUQQU, this Extra Rich Cream Foundation contains a blend of 12 oriental herb extracts to moisturize, protect the skin and promote natural healing.  What is impressive is that all this is achieved with a relatively lightweight texture, and also wears incredibly well all day.  I recently wore this on my trip to Germany, and even onto the plane on the way back.  In spite of the extremely dry conditions I was exposed to, SUQQU Extra Rich Cream Foundation wore better than I expected, with minimal fading and absolutely no creasing!

To accompany the release of its latest cream foundation, SUQQU has also designed an innovative dual-ended foundation brush.  SUQQU’s infamous brush collection has a cult-like following, and until very recently, had a long waiting list (I was part of that waiting list for their highly coveted cheek brush for a very long time!).  The new SUQQU Foundation Brush comprises of an angled brush and a domed sponge end, designed for swirling the foundation on broader parts of the face and buffing into smaller corners respectively.

The brush is made of synthetic bristles that are as soft as any squirrel-haired brush I’ve ever tried, and is easier to clean than natural hair.  It is quite unlike any other foundation brushes I own, as the bristles are quite pliable and loosely packed.  On the other hand, I found this to be a perfectly brilliant way of sheering out the foundation, giving it that perfect skin-like quality.  The other domed sponge end has a bouncy texture and is small enough to work well for dabbing out extra coverage under the eyes and around the nose / lips.

Overall, I am really in love with this season’s base products from SUQQU!  Both the SUQQU Treatment Primer and Extra Rich Cream Foundation are absolute godsend for those of us with dry/dehydrated skin, and I highly recommend you check them out if you can!  In case you are trying to order this online, I am using shade 202 for the Extra Rich Cream Foundation, which is just a little bit on the fairer side for me because I’ve gotten a wee bit tanned lately, but still looks good on me.  The SUQQU Foundation Brush is an interesting one and very affordable compared to its other siblings.  All 3 are now available in Japan, and will be released on Selfridges website from 22 September!  These are permanent though, so there is time to enjoy!

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post SUQQU Treatment Primer, Extra Rich Cream Foundation & Brush appeared first on Silverkis' World.

After giving us a truly fantastic cushion earlier this year [see here], Estee Lauder has taken a further step towards making applying and touching up our foundation on the go even more convenient!  The new Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is a truly innovative product that combines liquid makeup and applicator in one slim portable tube.

The Estee Lauder design team has really outdone themselves with this brilliantly designed tube.  The foundation is contained in a clear acrylic body that allows you to see at a glance how much product is left.  A domed sponge tip disperses the product and also serves as an applicator.  A simple twist of the body dispenses product up to the sponge tip, and it swivels back down too!  So you can be sure to only use what is needed at any point of time, without wastage nor contaminating the product.  And appealing to all our practical side, the sponge applicator tip can be removed (simply twist it off!) for washing and placed back again!!

Though it is handy, I personally found the applicator tip too small for all-over face application.  Though covered in sponge, it does not have the bouncy feel of a beauty blender or makeup sponge, and it does not mould to the contours of the face like a typical cushion puff.  The only way to make this work is to dispense just a tiny bit at a time and just gently tap it on the face.  This method works brilliantly for touchups and spot applications, but it can be rather time-consuming for a full-face application, and it tends to streak and keep on sponging out more product if you try to sweep it across the face.  The way I use it is to quickly sweep it in various spots all around the face, and then blend out using my fingers (or brush/beauty blender).

There are 8 shades available in Singapore (I believe there are more in the US), and here are their swatches:

Though billed as a member of the Double Wear family, Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is the sheerest of all the Double Wear foundations I have ever tried, on par with Double Wear Makeup To Go.  The biggest difference between this and the classic Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation is the finish.  Double Wear Nude leaves a glowy dewy finish, which is a big departure from the Double Wear Cushion’s matte finish, and closer to the Double Wear All-Day Glow BB [reviewed here].  On the other hand, it is lightweight on the skin and stays comfortable all day long.

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As you can see, I’m currently hosting 2 clown-like spots on both cheeks, and a little uneven skin tone due to my recent bout of adult acne.  Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup does even out my skin tone somewhat, and smoothens the look of pores and bumps.  However, a concealer is still needed, and the most telling is the marginal improvement to the look of my undereye darkness, which though not terribly severe, definitely still needs additional work.  On the other hand, I would like to point out that out of all the Double Wear foundations that I’ve tested so far, this is one of the most forgiving on dry flakey skin.  It certainly wears better on dry skin and will be especially useful in the drier seasons ahead.  In the hot humid climate here in Singapore, I found Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup to fade in patches after about 5-6 hours.

Personally, I think Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is an excellent alternative for those who have been toting around their cushions for touch-ups on the go because of its slim and thoughtful design.  I wouldn’t use it for all-over base makeup at home, but this is truly convenient to have in the bag at all times.  Also, this would be wonderful for gentle contouring – use a lighter shade on the tops of the cheekbones and forehead; and one shade darker in the hollows and jawline.  Just tap and swirl to buff in, no need to mess with brush and powder!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup is out in stores now.  Have you tried it yet?

_{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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It is the season for holiday collections, and I have lots to share with you.  But ever since I started at my new firm, the days are passing in a blur, and by the time I get home at night, I just pass out.  So, with a pipeline of goodies and limited bandwidth to express myself out here, the usual first in first out policy takes a back seat against prioritizing limited editions.  But even in spite of it all, what I have been burning to share with you, is something that I’ve been absolutely loving to bits lately…. the new La Mer Skincolor Collection!

La Mer is a brand that I hold dear to my heart as I have mentioned several times before, not only for their excellent skincare, but there are also a couple of gems in their Skincolor collection that have been my HG for a long time.  A couple of years ago, rumors started circulating that La Mer was going to refresh the line and so there was a mad rush to stock up.  And now finally the new collection is finally out, and let me tell you, they are excellent!  La Mer Skincolor Collection consists of 3 base products and 2 brushes.  I’ve been testing them out for the past month, and am just dying to share them with you.

La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation

I am a foundation buff, and so that is where we shall start our discussion today.  To set the record straight, I was not a fan of La Mer’s previous generation of foundations.  There were a couple of true gems that were (and still are) my HG, but the foundation was not 1 of them.  And I am genuinely pleased to see that La Mer had taken inputs from all their fans, and released a new formula that is so spectacular it has made it into my personal all-time favourite.

La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation improves upon its predecessor with the inclusion of the famed Miracle Broth, antioxidants, and SPF20 sun protection.  At the same time, the texture of the foundation is much lighter and silkier than before, and is in fact such a pleasure to use sensorially that I am churlish to try anything else (even though I have at least 6 other high end foundations waiting for me to get started on)!  I brought the bottle with me on my 2-week sojourn to Australia, and for lack of tools, took to applying with my fingers and was happy to find that it is as easy to blend with my fingers as it is with a brush or sponge!  More importantly, it lasts all day without fading, no oxidation (which is rare in my experience despite product claims), and no creasing!

There are 15 shades, but only the 8 shades swatched above are available in Singapore.  Each of the shades have a 2-digit numbering system, the first digit corresponds to the intensity (0 – lightest and 4 – darkest) and the second digit corresponds to the undertone (1 – cool; 2 – neutral; 3 – warm).  I am using shade 13 Linen and it is the best matching foundation that I have ever owned!

The experience of applying La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation is like revealing your true natural flawless skin.  It is so imperceptible, you can not tell it is foundation at all.  The finish is so skin-like, with a natural lit-from-within radiance, and medium to full coverage ; so the effect is like erasing all the imperfections leaving only my own natural skin.  As you can see from the half-faced comparison above, a thin blended out layer of La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation is able to conceal any red patches (around my nose), minimize dark circles and the appearance of blemishes.  I was rather enjoying the fact that I woke up that day to 2 zits on my nose… 1 on either side, so you can compare the effects of the foundation all the better (blogger humour!).  Layering more of the foundation under my eyes will be able to adequately conceal my dark circles, but severe ones and red angry zits will still require a concealer.

La Mer The Concealer

I was (still am) a huge fan of La Mer’s previous concealer [reviewed here], and so it was a real test to see how much better it can get.  The most notable difference is the change in packaging – the previous Radiant Concealer was a pan housed in a small square compact with a built-in mirror and a tiny flat brush for application; and the new Concealer comes in a twist-up tube.  I think most people will agree the twist tube is more convenient and hygienic, and does not require an additional brush to apply.  The formula remains the same creamy texture that glides on easily, conceals imperfections without emphasizing lines and flakey skin.

Swatches of La Mer The Concealer shades #02 Very Light (left) and #12 Light (right).  Taken under different lighting conditions from the pair of swatches below, so the colors may appear different.

The good news too, is that there is now 1 additional shade (making a total of 4) to cater to those who are fairer… there were only 3 in the past.  I was unable to swatch all 4 shades at the time of my preview, but it appears that the shades now run lighter than before.  As a point of reference, I used shade #2 Medium in the old Radiant Concealer (which was the lightest available), but the new shade #12 Light is lighter in comparison, and the new shade #02 Very Light is even paler.

Swatches of La Mer The Concealer (new) shade #12 Light versus La Mer The Radiant Concealer (old) shade #2 Medium.  Taken under different lighting conditions from the previous pair of swatches, so the colors may appear different.

Perhaps because the shade #12 Light that I received is a tad too fair for me, I found it did not conceal my dark undereye circles as well as before.  If I tried to blend it out with a brush, The Concealer sheers out too much, so the best way to use it is to swipe the tube directly on the skin and then tap gently with a finger to blend out.

Lastly, La Mer The Concealer now comes with 5gm of product (vs. 3.5gm previously) which is a substantial improvement!

La Mer The Powder

The very first loose powder I bought and covet to this day, is La Mer The Powder.  I had reviewed it at length here, and compared it against a few other luxury branded loose powders.  The new reformulation feels very much the same as before, light as air and luxurious as cashmere.  It now features La Mer’s Miracle Broth, so arguably it does some good for your skin in the long run, especially when layered with The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation and La Mer skincare.

La Mer The Powder is one of the lightest and finest powder I have ever tried, and it may be my imagination, but it seems to be even finer than its predecessor.  It has built in shimmers, which is so incredibly micro the shimmers completely disappear once applied on the skin, leaving a beautiful luminous glow.  There is only 1 universal shade in Translucent (whereas there used to be 4), and it comes in a beautiful hefty glass jar with a cute little plush puff.  The bad news is that La Mer has shrunk the size of the product to 8gm, down from a generous 25gm in the past; and raised the price.  Though disappointing, if you consider the prevailing prices that other luxury brands charge for their loose powder, La Mer’s pricing is on par for its market positioning.  And for fans like me, it is good to have The Powder back again!

La Mer The Powder Brush

What is exciting is that La Mer has released 2 new brushes to accompany their latest Skincolor Collection, and they are really fabulous brushes.  I did not get a chance to try The Foundation Brush in actual application, but it feels incredibly soft and densely packed to the touch.  I’m intrigued by the shape, and will report back if I get a chance to test it out.  The brush that I have here is The Powder Brush, and it is huge.  The Powder Brush comes in a rounded domed shape and I don’t have anything quite like it.  I love the solid wooden handle, and find the white handle and pewter ferrule to make a very beautiful combination.

The closest that comes to it in terms of size and shape is my Chikuhodo Z-9 powder brush, but even that seems diminutive in comparison, and not as rounded as La Mer The Powder Brush.  The latter is of course made of synthetic bristles, but it is so soft it does not feel scratchy on my skin at all.  On the other hand, it is a rather densely packed brush which is perfect for buffing, but if you are looking for a very loose and airy powder application you will find the Z-9 better suited.

Conclusion

I’m really loving La Mer’s new Skincolor Collection!  Of course, The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation is a big hit for me, and I hope you will get the chance to experience and find your perfect matching shade.  I’m also really excited that The Powder is back, and I don’t have to worry about my backup stash running out (because the hoarder in me went and bought backups when I heard rumors that it was being discontinued!).  Although I still find myself reaching for its predecessor, The Concealer is a nice pocket-friendly addition to my makeup pouch.  Even with all the gorgeous holiday makeup proliferating, nothing is more important than having a flawless base.  So definitely check these out, and let me know your thoughts!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post The New La Mer Skincolor Collection is even more Luxurious than Before! appeared first on Silverkis' World.

I am rather excited to be able to share this post with you today…  When I first started blogging, I wanted to be as broad as possible, introduce as many interesting and new brands as I could, as quickly as I could.  But over time, I find my personal tastes getting narrower, and with an ever-burgeoning collection, storage is becoming a real issue.  For me, it has never been about wanting to own them all, but to choose the best of them… and sometimes the cutest of them all!  And this season, the most adorable award has to go to RMK’s 2016 Christmas Collection that is mysteriously themed “Once Upon a Dream“.

Up until now, I have not had the opportunity to experience much of RMK makeup.  Even though there are a couple of counters that are easily accessible to me, it just was not a brand that I naturally gravitated towards as the brand’s aesthetics is what I personally consider to be classically Japanese, filled with pale pastels and shimmers.  However, as with most other Japanese brands, I had no shred of doubt that the quality will be amazing.  And so, when this collection landed on my doorstep, I let out a real squeal, especially when I saw the beautiful illustrations by artist and fashion designer, Idoia Montero; and when I opened up this palette…

RMK Christmas 2016 Makeup Kit [SGD$123] features a very special limited edition eye and cheek palette that comes adorned with an illustration of a starry night on the cover, and a magically bedazzling navy blue eyeshadow filled with various shimmery-a-ding-a-ding.  It doesn’t hurt either that the cheek pan contains a tie-dyed melange of 4 shades melding from gold to pink to crimson and yellow.  The palette also comes with a small but proficient cheek brush, eyeshadow brush, and a sponge-tipped applicator.  I’m not sure if the brushes are made of natural bristles, but they sure do look and feel good.  What is even more clever, is that the palette is magnetic, and everything is removable, and hence customizable!

The Makeup Kit also comes accompanied by a beautiful fabric pouch bearing one of my favourite illustrations from Idoia Montero within this Once Upon A Dream collection.  The Japanese never lets a single detail slip, even the zipper tab on the pouch is shaped as a crescent moon with stars hovering over it.

Here is a closeup on the makeup palette:

And the corresponding swatches are:

RMK has labelled the shades A-D on the back of the palette, so that’s what I’m going with here.  For your information, the shades are:

• A – top left of palette – dark navy with silver, pink and light blue micro-glitters
• B – top right of palette – medium plummy brown with micro-shimmers
• C – bottom left of palette – pale matte pink.  This is intended to be a base shade and will not show up much when applied, took multiple layers for it to show up here.
• D – bottom right of palette – pale greenish silver shimmer with a semi-translucent base.  This is intended to be layered with shades A and/or B for dimension, or the inner corner of the eye.

This is my first time using RMK eyeshadows, and I have to say that their pigmentation is lighter than any of the other Japanese brands that I’ve tried so far (mainly Shu Uemura, SUQQU, Lunasol, Shiseido, etc).  Having said that, both shades A and B showed up well when I go at it with a brush, I do have to use a heavier hand with these, but it did not require much more layering or effort to achieve a visible effect.  In that sense, I found this palette did not lend itself well to the classical placement of thirds to achieve a smoky eye.  However, true to the Japanese makeup style, these shades layer well with each other, the combination of A+B+D surprisingly turned into a rather pretty bluish-purple… and you can pull it in either direction by varying the proportion a little.  As such, it is easier and rather pretty to just layer the shades one upon the other starting from the lash line and working upwards.  The eyeshadows do tend to have a little bit more bling, which I don’t mind and I kinda like that it stuck true to the dreamy, starry night theme of this collection.

I was quite taken by the beautiful tie-dyed ombre cheek pan in the palette, and set out to swatch each of the strips of colors.  At the onset, I knew Japanese blushes are traditionally sheer and not very pigmented, and so I was nicely surprised by how well the relatively small strips of colors showed up.  For lack of a better point of reference, I just decided to number them starting from the top.  What appears to be a yellow strip turned out to be a gorgeous pale gold highlighter with a semi-sheer base.  The largest pink stretch swatched a little chalky on my skin tone, but it wears beautifully when blended with the others.  The most intense is the smaller dark pink strip that looked redder in the pan but swatches beautifully on me.  I found it impossible to swatch the miniscule little bit of yellow at the bottom and left it out.  As far as I can tell, it is very similar to #1.  The pan is a good enough size for any regular cheek brush to pick up – I like to first concentrate my brush on the middle 2 pink strips for most of my cheeks, then go back for the upper half of the pan to highlight the tops of my apples.  I also sweep this on parts of my face that I’d like to highlight.

The RMK Christmas 2016 Makeup Kit also contains a rather pretty pink lip gloss that is full-sized.  It is a warm-toned coral pink with some gorgeous but subtle multi-colored micro-shimmers for added dimension.  The gloss itself packs a decent dose of pigmentation, but as with all glosses, it sheers out and goes away easily with eating and drinking.  I found it a very pretty shade for daily wear when layered over a liner, and it sits comfortably on the lips without leaving a sticky sensation.

The included nail color surprised me.  It looks purple in the bottle, but applies very sheer.  In the swatch above, I had applied 3 generous coats, and the effect is a barely-there pink with a subtle bluish-cast under fluorescent light.  There is plenty of micro-shimmers packed in there, but they are so tiny, it only leaves a pearlescent effect when applied.  This is perhaps best worn layered with a darker base, but I wore it on its own on a business trip recently, and I found it wore incredibly well – 4 days without chipping, and even when worn off at the edges, it was not noticeable in the least!

And here is a full makeup look featuring the RMK Christmas 2016 Makeup Palette and Lip Gloss (worn over a liner used to fill the entire lip):

In addition to their color makeup, RMK is perhaps best known for their base makeup, and there is no better time to try it out than with the RMK Base Kit for Christmas 2016 [SGD$123].

The RMK Base Kit features a full-sized RMK Basic Control Color in purple, which is one of their latest base makeup releases this year, and helps to correct for sallowness, perfect for perking up our yellow-based Asian skintone.  The kit also contains deluxe sizes of their Makeup Base, Liquid Foundation, their cult-favourite Gel Creamy Foundation, and Airy Powder Foundation.  There are 2 foundation shades available – 102 and 103 – for you to choose from.  Don’t be fooled by their cute sizes, each of the liquid base products contain 15ml (half of the usual 30ml), and the pocket-friendly powder foundation contains 4gm!  There is of course another covetable makeup pouch designed by Idoia Montero, which makes this kit all the more worthwhile!

The Japanese really know how to take care of themselves, and having a pair of well-groomed hands is one of the first signs of a lady.  So it is no surprise that RMK has released the RMK Nail & Hand Cream Kit 2016 [SGD43] which contains a trio of hand creams bearing the whimsical illustration of Idoia Montero.  The hand cream is a lovely lightweight fluid that is readily absorbed and does not get in the way of your regular activities.  They are generously sized at 40gm, and comes in 3 uplifting scents – lemon mint, fresh floral, and bergamot vanilla.  There is even a super adorable nail file shaped like a crescent moon with tiny stars on it!

This has been a fun introduction to the wonderful world of RMK.  The various kits make for wonderfully thoughtful gifts, and I think any makeup lover will fall irrevocably for the beautiful illustrations and design.  They are all out in stores now, so be sure to check them out for yourself!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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It’s 9 days to Christmas, how’s your gift shopping coming along?  I hope along with all the lovely thoughts that have gone into getting the perfect gifts for friends and family, you also managed to put aside something nice for yourself.    If you’ve been by the makeup department in the stores recently, you might have spied the new Chanel Sublimage Le Teint Foundation… and in case you are still wondering if that’s something to pick up for yourself (or put on your secret Santa wishlist), here are my thoughts!

Chanel Sublimage Le Teint is the latest member of my favourite Sublimage skincare range from the brand, and is formulated with the line’s signature Vanilla Planifolia water which improves skin’s cellular regeneration, supports the barrier function, and stimulates skin renewal.  A cocktail of plant-based glycerin, biosaccharide and phytosqualane works to keep skin hydrated, which is much needed in these cold blustery months.  This is the first product from Chanel that transcends the skincare and makeup bifurcation, and a luxurious one at that.  Apart from traditional color pigments, Sublimage Le Teint also contains very fine encapsulated diamond powder to reflect light off the surface of the skin, to give a luminous radiance.  For the full list of ingredients, please click here.

True to its luxurious origins, Chanel Sublimage Le Teint comes in a hefty glass jar and a flat plastic spatula to allow the product to be picked up hygienically.  A special angled kabuki is included to buff and blend the foundation all over the face.  I found the size to be just nice, sufficient to cover my entire face efficiently, and handy enough to easily work the small corners like the nose.  The bristles are synthetic, and though it feels soft enough on the back of my hand, it is slightly scratchy on my hyper-sensitive face.

I love the light creamy texture of Chanel Sublimage Le Teint, it is incredibly fine and smooth, easy to blend out.  It does not have too much slip in it that excessive blending is required, nor is it watery and drippy which can be equally difficult.  I have tried applying it with the accompanying brush, beauty blender and my fingers, and whilst all 3 work well, I have taken to applying this (along with most of my foundations lately) with a beauty blender moistened with a spritz of my favourite facial mist!  Le Teint moulds to the skin, and feels light as air, virtually weightless.

**Click to enlarge and zoom

The coverage is surprisingly light for a cream foundation, but it is buildable to medium.  It blurs out flaws and imperfections beautifully, but a separate concealer is still required for dark circles, redness around the sides of my nose, pimples, the usual.  What I find commendable is that I’ve worn this on the plane, and it lasted me throughout my trip without drying out my skin nor fading.  Even now that my skin has turned dry, bumpy and slightly flakey from my recent trip to Shanghai, Sublimage Le Teint is able to conceal those flaws without emphasizing the bumps and flakes.  The finish is skin-like, elegantly velvet with a luminosity devoid of shine.

This is the 3rd of a series of luxury foundations that I’ve been testing out recently, and I was surprised to find all 3 to be really different.  Chanel Sublimage Le Teint is perhaps the most matte, compared to SUQQU Extra Rich Cream Foundation [reviewed here] and La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation [here].  Interestingly, all 3 have released their own accompanying brush, but only Chanel has included it free, and personally I found Chanel Sublimage Le Teint’s brush to be the most user-friendly.  If you have been a long-time fan of Chanel’s foundations, this is one you must definitely try.  Everybody else who is in the market for a skin-pampering foundation, do check this out!

_{This post featured a product that was generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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I find myself in a little bit of a time squeeze right now, as the year is rapidly winding down and I still have several launches from this year that I have yet to share with you.  As a real Tom Ford fan, it feels a little strange that I have taken this long to share today’s topic with you.  But in my attempts to get you an early peek on the Winter Soleil collection [see here] and those Lips & Boys [here], these permanent releases had to take a back seat.  In any case, today we shall sit back and examine the new Face Focus 2016 collection from Tom Ford.

Tom Ford releases a new foundation every other year, and the last launch was the matte, full coverage Traceless Perfecting Foundation [reviewed here].  Living in humid Singapore, I’m always on for a matte foundation, and was really looking forward to the new Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer [SGD128].

In many ways, I found it refreshing that Tom Ford had chosen to package its new Waterproof Foundation and Concealer in a flat squeeze tube rather than the usual hefty bottle.  This is so much more convenient for traveling, and even for applying makeup on the go.  If it was ever imaginable to design a chic and luxurious looking squeeze tube, Tom Ford has managed it.  I like that there is a thoughtful transparent strip near the end of the tube so you can see when you are running out, and also allows you to see the shade contained inside (in case you have a few that you mix to get your perfect match).

There are 9 shades available in Singapore, and as you may have noticed from the swatches above, most of the shades seem to run rather close to each other in terms of color intensity, with just subtle differences in undertones between them.  I am using the shade Linen, which is a little light for me right now when compared against my current roughly NC20-25 skin tone.  Lately I’ve been gravitating towards a more natural match, but on days when I feel like going fairer like most Asians like to pretend, Linen works well.  Otherwise, Ivory would probably be a closer shade for me.

The first thing I noticed about Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer is that the texture is incredibly thin, not as watery as the likes of Dior Nude Air [see here] or Shu Uemura Skin:Fit Foundation [here]; but certainly thinner than its predecessor Traceless Perfecting Foundation.  It applies silkily, but goes on best over very moist skin surface.  For those with dry skin like me, I highly recommend applying it over a layer of hydrating base such as the Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Nourishing Milk [review coming soon].  It settles and dries very quickly, so be sure to work in small sections, and personally I find blending with a damp sponge to be the easiest way to go.  Once it is on, Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation is absolutely budge-proof, does not crease nor fade nor oxidize throughout my longest days, and is completely heat and sweat resistant!  It is incredibly lightweight, you will not feel it drying out your skin nor weighing it down at all!

Contrary to its claims, I found the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation to be somewhat light in coverage, though buildable to medium.  As you can see from the half-faced comparison shot above, any blemishes and dark circles are still visible, and a separate concealer is definitely required for me.  What I really appreciate though, is that for a very matte and waterproof foundation, Tom Ford has managed to create something that still looks skin-like, which moulds to the contours of the face and throws off radiant light to make my face look alive!

One of the most highly sought after item(s) from this collection is the Tom Ford Shimmer Shot [SGD60].  Unlike the other items discussed today, these are limited edition of course.  They come in a shortened round bottle with a twist-up pump dispenser that resembles the Traceless Perfecting Foundation.  There are 2 shades available:

Spin Spin Sugar is a very pale pink with a frosty finish and plenty of micro shimmers; and Lust for Life is a metallic bronze with its own fair share of micro shimmers.  These are designed to be mixed into any Tom Ford liquid foundation for a more luminous finish; and may also be used to highlight the high points of the face and bring out those cheek bones.  I don’t usually like to add liquid highlighters to my foundation as they tend to make me look even more drawn out, but I found a tiny pearl drop of Spin Spin Sugar does indeed transform the look of my foundation.  It adds a subtle luminosity to my face, pairs especially well with matte foundations; and I also sometimes apply to my cheeks underneath my foundations.  Lust for Life is a nice one to have if you are heading somewhere sunny (perhaps Australia?) this winter, and need something to add back some glow.

Tom Ford is all about that handsome brow, and to expand their brow offerings further is the new Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel [SGD65]!  These come with a small spoolie applicator that works well to comb the product through the brow hairs, even on my rather narrow and sparse brows.  The formula contains some fiber to fill in and create the illusion of fuller brows.  It also helps to keep strays in place for a neater look.  There are 4 shades available as swatched below:

Finally, I just want to draw your attention to the new Tom Ford Angled Brow Brush [SGD88].  I am a big fan of Tom Ford brushes because they are truly high quality, incredibly soft against the skin yet perform beautifully.  They never lose their shape after washing, and so far I’ve never encountered any shedding!  This Angled Brow Brush is very thin though wide, allowing you to be very precise with the outline of your brows and draw life-like hair to fill in sparse brows.  I also tried using it as a liner brush for my eyes, and it worked beautifully without irritating the sensitive skin around my eyes at all!!

The Tom Ford Face Focus 2016 Collection is available in stores now.  Definitely check out the Shimmer Shots while they are still available as these are limited edition.  If you have oily skin and / or have problems with humidity affecting your foundation, you will find the new Waterproof Foundation and Concealer quite helpful.  I have really enjoyed using the Fiber Brow Gel for the past couple of months, and I suggest you check it out too.  The Angled Brow Brush is a bit decadent for its stated purpose, but if you double it up as a eye liner brush as well, it’s well worth the investment!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Happy Chinese New Year!  It’s been 3 continuous days of non-stop feasting and visiting with relatives, and in my free time I’ve been trying to catch up on some photography.  I started formulating this post last night, but fairly soon into it, I decided that I wanted to expand the topic slightly.  Hourglass only recently arrived at Sephora Singapore last fall, and today I’d like to introduce 2 of their recent base makeup releases – Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation and Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Luminous Light.

Hourglass’s first claim to fame was its line of finely-milled Ambient Lighting Powders [see here] that refract light to smoothen the skin’s appearance, and mimic the play of light on the skin’s surface for that luminous glow.  Building on that successful franchise, Hourglass has now released the Ambient Light Correcting Primer.  This is essentially the liquified version of the original powders, and is designed to be used either on its own as a skin perfect for those bare-skinned days, or underneath makeup for light correction.  It contains light correcting pigments to neutralize, brighten, and soften light.

There are 3 colour variants, the one that I have here is Luminous Light, which is also the one that appeals most to me.  It comes in a lightweight, handy squeeze tube, which is great for traveling.  Luminous Light is a soft champagne that warms up the skin under indoors lighting, but under sunlight actually leaves me looking brighter.  It is a silky texture that has very little slip to it, and dries almost immediately so I recommend working in small sections and very quickly.

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer is unlike most other correcting primers in the market as it does not come in specific shades to target sallowness / redness / etc.  Instead, the 3 colour variants work in the same way as their powdered cousins – Dim Light to warm up the complexion and soften the light; Mood Light to bring about a fresh glow; and Luminous Light for a candlelit glow.

When I first tried this, I did not take to it immediately as I found that the Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer needed a very moist base to adhere to properly.  If you have very dry skin, you may find the primer emphasising flakiness on the skin, and I would recommend spritzing on some facial mist or a facial oil designed to be used with makeup such as this immediately prior to applying the primer.  However once on, the Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer smoothens out the appearance of pores beautifully, and gives a subtle glow to the face and blurs any visible pigmentation.  It also helps to keep makeup in place nicely all day.  With luminizing drops and liquid highlighters all the rage these days, Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer is a lovely alternative that allows you to skip a separate step and the mess of having to dose the right amount of luminizer to your makeup!

The latest Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation is the first cream foundation in a stick that I tried that I absolutely loved!  It comes in a novel triangular shaped tube that is handy for reaching tight to reach corners such as the sides of the nose and undereyes.  This is a full coverage foundation, by which I mean the highest possible level of coverage I have ever encountered, whilst still miraculously maintaining a light-as-air texture.  There is also enough slip in this product that allows you to blend and sheer out to your desired level of coverage.  I personally like to swipe this quickly across my cheeks, forehead and jawline, then blend out using a moistened beauty blender.  This way, I get to a nice medium coverage that feels natural, and then I use a small concealer brush to pick up more product and apply on specific spots.

_{**Click to enlarge and zoom}

I am a little disappointed that the comparison shot I have here is a little fuzzy, but you can still click to zoom in to examine specific areas.  To be honest, there is not much to conceal at this specific point, and I had applied the Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer prior to this which had also worked it’s own dose of miracle.  But hopefully you can still see how effectively the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation had eradicated the redness around my nose, and the darkness under my eyes.

On my dry skin, the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation wears fairly well throughout the day, with some shine showing up by mid-day, but not in an unacceptably oily sort of way.  I do think the combination of this foundation with the Ambient Light Correcting Primer in Luminous Light is a powerful duo, and it is one that I have been reaching for whenever I need some extra coverage or when my skin feels blah.  The tube form also makes it handy for touch-ups, and I really recommend it for when you are traveling to colder climates!

Have you tried either products?  If so, what are your thoughts?

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When I heard that Shu Uemura was launching a new liquid foundation, my thoughts immediately went to the Lightbulb franchise… it’s about time a new version came along.  However, I was intrigued when I found out the new foundation is in fact completely brand new, and it replaces the older, much-loved Face Architect.  Ladies, let me introduce you to the new Shu Uemura Petal Skin Foundation!

Shu Uemura is inspired by the beauty of petals, and has designed the new Petal Skin Fluid Foundation to help women attain “natural transparent skin” with a soft radiant finish.  The foundation itself has a light fluid texture that volatizes to disperse the fine pigments to create a thin, even layer across the skin for a smooth, poreless finish.  Shu Uemura liquid foundations are always super fine and smooth, and this Petal Skin foundation is no different.  Using spherically shaped pigments, light is diffused and reflected in a way that gives the complexion a beautiful soft radiance.

In true Japanese fashion, Shu Uemura has also drawn on Asian botanicals to give the sensation of freshness.  Deepsea Water is used to hydrate and keep skin moisturized, white lily extract prevents dryness, white jasmine extract brightens the complexion, and a botanical oleo-veil seals in the skin’s surface and makes it appear smoother.  As a result, the Petal Skin Fluid Foundation applies smoothly on my dry skin and stays on well and remains comfortable throughout the day.  Full list of ingredients can be found here.

**Please click on image to zoom in

As you can see from the half-faced comparison above, Shu Uemura Petal Skin Foundation brings about a noticeable glow to my complexion, but it is a brightening radiance rather than dewy.  Coverage is medium and buildable, though I still need a separate concealer for pimples and acne scars.  In the hot, humid climate here in Singapore, I found noticeable shine showing through on my t-zone after about 6 hours, though the foundation is largely intact and all I needed was just a gentle blot.

As with all their bases, Shu Uemura has designed the special Petal 55 Foundation Brush to ensure a streak-free finish.  This is a fairly large sized flat-topped kabuki brush made of the softest synthetic bristles I have ever touched.  The size allows for foundation be evenly applied with minimal strokes, and the densely packed flat top pushes the foundation into the skin for a seamless pore-less look.  I am very much attracted by the gorgeous red and black brush at the media preview, but unfortunately this is a special edition that is not available for sale.  The retail version is identical except the bristles are dyed brown instead of red.

Shu Uemura Petal Skin Foundation will be available from 1 April in Singapore, and retails for SGD68 for 30ml.  The Petal 55 Foundation Brush will be sold separately at SGD80 each.

_{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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With every beauty brand fully on board the cushion wagon, Sulwhasoo now goes one step further with a luxurious new offering that combines skincare benefits with coverage – the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense!

Sulwhasoo was one of the first luxury brands to introduce the world to cushion foundations, and has been treasured by ladies in the know for years.  The latest Perfecting Cushion Intense is beautifully presented in an elegant mahogany brown casing with golden trims.  The accompanying puff applicator feels nice and plush on my skin, and does a good job of diffusing the product on my face.

Leveraging on Sulwhasoo’s holistic approach towards skincare, the Perfecting Cushion is formulated with Red Pine extract, which is featured in the brand’s Timetreasure range designed for mature skin.  Red Pine extract contains DAA which heightens the skin’s natural resilience and rejuvenating mechanisms.  The cushion also contains Plum Blossom extract which is a good source of antioxidants to prevent pre-mature aging from external aggressors.  Furthermore, I like that it has SPF50+ / PA+++ to protect skin against UVA/UVB rays.  For the full list of ingredients, please click here.

  *Please click to zoom in and enlarge 

I’m always wary of Korean cushions for their propensity to go overboard on the dewiness, so I was relieved to find this Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense leaves a nice luminous glow whilst giving my dry skin a satin-matte finish.  The coverage is definitely good as you can see the noticeable improvement to my dark circles.  There are 7 shades to choose from, and I tried both shade 21 (used in the comparison shot above) and 23.  Both would have been suitable for me – 23 would be much more closer to my neck, but I opted for 21 for a slightly brighter effect.

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense is a nice option for those who need additional coverage and a bit of skin-pampering never hurts!  Have you tried it yet?

_{This post featured a product that was generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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RMK first fell onto my radar for its glowy base makeup many years ago, and I’ve enjoyed using its signature Make up Base since then.  To mark its 20th anniversary, RMK has given its extensive range of base products an overhaul, and today I’d like to walk you through all the wonderful pieces that are available.

For the relaunch, RMK has completely redesigned the packaging of its base makeup range.  The bottles are now sleeker, the front design is cleaner and more modern, and the cap is adorned with a stylized “R”.  Here is a comparison of the older bottle design (left) for its Liquid Foundation and the new design (right).

RMK has listened to its fans, and incorporated a pump dispenser to its bottles, particularly is signature Make Up Base.  The only base product now that does not have either a pump or a squeeze nozzle is the Creamy Foundation N, which is somewhat understandable due to the thicker texture.

The formulation of the products has been slightly tweaked with better ingredients, although I don’t have a comparison of the full ingredient lists of both the old and new.  What can be ascertained though, is that the new formula now carries better SPF ratings.

RMK’s impressive range of base makeup consists of both primers and foundations.

RMK Make Up Base (SGD57) is perhaps one of its best known product, and it is a light fluid that has a refreshing almost gel-like feel upon the skin.  It gently hydrates with its Silk Essence to keep skin moisturized for a smooth even texture throughout the day.  It is best suited for those with dry or dehydrated skin, or in the drier climates, and leaves skin with a beautiful luminous glow.

RMK Long Lasting UV (SGD57) has become one of my favorites ever since I got a hold of it as it comes with SPF45 PA++++, and is a great alternative for those who are sensitive to sun screens.  This primer has a fresh liquid texture that dries quickly and does not leave a heavy nor greasy feel on the skin.  It tightens the look of pores and leaves a smooth satin finish.

RMK Creamy Polished Base N (SGD58) is a light fluid primer that is available in 1 colorless and 2 tinted versions.  It contains 3 different types of powder particles to help conceal pores and diffuse the appearance of imperfections to create a flawless canvas.  Shade 00 goes on translucent, whilst shades 01 and 02 provide very light tinted coverage to help even out skin tone.  Infused with superior moisturizing Royal Jelly Extract, βCarotene, and pore-tightening Rosemary Extract; RMK Creamy Polished Base N provides skincare benefits as well so it only gets better with use.  It also contains SPF14 PA++ for some basic sun protection.

RMK Basic Control Color (SGD30) is a range of color correctors to even out skin tone.  Infused with near transparent gel particles, it veils over pores and unevenness seamlessly, leaving the skin surface smooth and polished.

There are 4 shades – 01/Silver provides a luminous dewy skin look, 02/Purple lifts dullness, 03/Green counteracts redness, and 04/Coral is great for erasing dark circles.  The texture is a little heavier than the other RMK primers, but I recently woke up with severe red patches all over my face, and the green shade really helped me look decently presentable.  They all come with SPF20 PA++ for some basic sun protection.

Moving onto RMK’s vast range of liquid foundations…

RMK Gel Creamy Foundation (SGD89) is so named because it combines the fresh feel of gel and the coverage of cream for a flawless radiant skin.  In reality, it is a fluid foundation that provides light-medium coverage and feels light on the skin.  It contains hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to keep skin moisturized, and sebum-absorbing powder particles to keep skin matte all day.  For my dry dehydrated skin, this Gel Creamy Foundation sits best over the Make Up Base, but can be slightly drying if used on its own.  Those with oily / combination skin will probably enjoy this best.  Comes with SPF24 PA++, there are 7 shades available and the one I swatched above is shade 102.

RMK Liquid Foundation (SGD70) is the key to creating RMK’s signature natural flawless skin.  It has a lightweight fluid texture that blends seamlessly and provides medium (slightly buildable) coverage.  The finish is porcelain smooth and leaves skin with a luminous glow that is lit-from-within.  It is formulated to resist sweat and sebum, and lasts all day in Singapore’s tropical humidity without budging, fading nor oxidizing.

There are 9 shades to choose from, including Coffee Brown which is a deep cool-toned shade that may be used on its own or mixed with one of the others for a deepening effect.  The shades beginning with number 1xx are beige-based whereas those beginning with 2xx are pink-based.  All shades contain SPF14 PA++ sun protection, except Coffee Brown.

I swatched the shades in a different arrangement to show you the difference the undertone makes.

RMK Creamy Foundation N (SGD82) is a cream foundation that melts on the skin and provides good buildable coverage without any visible cakiness.  It is infused with Argan Oil and Shea Butter to hydrate and enhance the skin’s barrier function, resulting in a supple and glowing skin.  It is perhaps one of the lightest cream foundations I have ever tried, and stays on well in the hot tropical humidity I live in.  As mentioned earlier, this is the only product in RMK’s repertoire now that comes without a pump dispenser nor a squeeze nozzle, but it does come accompanied with a spatula built into the twist cap, and there is also a smaller one in the box for getting out the last bits of the product towards the end.  Available in 7 shades, the one I have swatched above is shade 102; and all the shades come with SPF28 PA++.

RMK UV Liquid Foundation (SGD70) is the perfect base makeup for those with oily skin, and also for running around outdoors on the weekends.  This is a super lightweight fluid foundation that provides sheer to medium coverage.  It contains an impressive SPF50+ / PA++++ sun protection without creating a white chalky impression.  I found it highly resistant to sweat and sebum, and lasts all day even with constant running about under the sun.  It is available in 7 shades, and the one swatched here is shade 102.

There are lots of base makeup options offered by RMK to suit just about every skin type out there.  If you are able to find your perfect combination, you will be sure to fall in love with the smooth porcelain finish as I did!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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I can’t seem to get enough of Shiseido’s foundations!  Their Synchro Skin Glow Cushion [reviewed here] has become a permanent feature in my purse, the formula is perfect for wearing on its own and touch-ups.  And just as I’m running out, the brand has launched the Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation!

Shiseido extends its family of smart-skin foundations with the new Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation.  It is able to sense changes in the skin’s sebum and moisture levels as the day progresses, and synchronize throughout the day for a perfected complexion.  Whereas the first Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation [reviewed here] was designed for oily – combination skin types, this new Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation is better suited for those with dry – dehydrated skin.

The Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation is formulated with Argan Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil and Yuzu Seed Extract to boost hydration and help skin retain moisture for youthful suppleness.  There is a Super Bio-Moisture Network that prevents an uneven finish caused by dryness, leaving skin with a beautiful lustrous look.  Wild Thyme Extract helps provide anti-oxidant benefits; and broad spectrum SPF 20 protects the skin from UV damage.  Please click here for the full ingredient list.

I have the same shade Neutral-2 for all 3 of the Shiseido Synchro Skin foundations, and have swatched them side-by-side here for your reference.  As you can see, the new Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation is slightly pinker in tone, giving a slight brightening effect, but is otherwise quite similar.  In comparison, the original Synchro Skin is more yellow-based.  The cushion version is closer in shade to the original, but is in fact somewhere between the 2 fluid foundations.

**Please click on image to enlarge in a separate window

Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Fluid Foundation is sheerer and less buildable than the cushion with the same name.  However, it has the same beautiful my-skin-but-better finish, and a natural luminosity that looks fresh and healthy.  It works well on uneven skin tone, and minimizes the look of pores, whilst keeping my dehydrated skin comfortable and does not emphasize dry patches.  I would recommend this for the summer months ahead when you want to look your best without looking like you’re trying too hard.  Check it out in stores now!

_{This post featured a product that was provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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No matter how many foundations I test and review, I still get excited every time a new one crosses my path.  And of course, when YSL announced a new liquid foundation based on one of my favourite cushions [this!], I knew the stars are aligned.  The latest YSL All Hours Foundation is the best from the brand yet!

YSL All Hours Foundation is the latest full coverage longwear makeup base from the brand.  It promises to be transfer-proof, and so resistant to sweat and wear that it requires no touch-ups for up to 24-hours.  I was a little confused initially, as both this and the Fusion Ink Foundation bore the same Encre de Peau label, and are marketed to be long-wearing.  To dispel any myths or misgivings you might have, I found this All Hours Foundation be to quite different.  From the convenient pump nozzle dispenser (versus the quill-tipped applicator), to the lightweight texture and skin-like finish, I find myself gravitating more towards the All Hours Foundation.

For my own curiosity, I swatched the YSL All Hours and Fusion Ink Foundations side-by-side to examine the different finish.  Though the lighting was not ideal, it appears that All Hours is more matte and sheerer than Fusion Ink.  YSL All Hours goes on beautifully with a fine, smooth texture that is easy to apply and blend.  It sets reasonably quickly, though still with more than adequate time for you to work.  I sometimes struggle with matte foundations, because I have inherently dehydrated skin that overcompensates with an oily t-zone combined with dry cheeks.  Thankfully, YSL All Hours floats over my pores, lines and flaky bits without emphasizing them; and miraculously does not get drier as the day progresses!  I found that it fares impressively well in keeping my t-zone from turning too shiny, although in this insane heat we have been experiencing lately, I can still do with a blot at the end of the day.

What is really cool is that for the first time, we will be receiving the full 22-shade range in Singapore!  In addition to the usual “neutral”-toned shades, the YSL All Hours Foundation will also be available in cooler tones as denoted by “BR”, and warmer tones marked as “BD”.  Also, there will be much deeper shades in store… I did not swatch all 22-shades because of the dim lighting when I previewed these, but I did attempt my best for the 3 darkest shades that will hopefully give you a good sense.

As is the current trend, YSL All Hours Foundation offers what I personally consider as medium-buildable coverage.  I actually much prefer this to the dated full, opaque coverage of past trends; as it creates a much more natural, genuine look.

_{**Please click on image to enlarge and zoom}

For your reference, I wear YSL All Hours Foundation in shade B30.  In the comparison picture above, you can see how skin-like the finish is, and how well it conceals my dark circles and redness around my nose without caking or creasing.  Huge love!

As excited as I am about the new foundation, I was even more thrilled to see the YSL All Hours Concealer.  Much as I enjoyed the famed Touche Éclat, I was never quite able to conceal my flaws perfectly with it.  The All Hours Concealer has many characteristics that I love, not least of which, it reminds me of this other one that has been on constant rotation for the past year.

_{**Please click on image to enlarge and zoom}

In the comparison image above, I had applied YSL All Hours Concealer to my undereye, the red patch on my cheek, and around my nose.  Although admittedly, the YSL All Hours Foundation had already lightened most of my dark circles and the redness around my nose, there is still a minimal amount left, which is eradicated by the All Hours Concealer.  I found the liquid texture to be lightweight and smooth enough to not emphasize my dry under-eye area, even until the end of a long day.  I was able to conceal most of the red patch on my cheek, without any caking or dry flakiness.

Both YSL All Hours Foundation and YSL All Hours Concealer are winners in my books.  They are comfortable and last all day without fading or creasing.  The ingredient list for the foundation is here in case you are interested.  They retail for SGD98 and SGD49 respectively, and are out in stores now.

_{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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