Author: Beauty Gazette

Make-up for vampires?

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Who else remembers Twilight the book? I have to admit, I was never really a fan. I bought the book because everyone else was reading it. And I couldn’t get past the first page. I enjoyed the movie though! Kat Von D is finally launching in Singapore Sephora stores. And the gothic themed, coffin-shaped and shiny black packaging just got me thinking of vampires. Here are some of the brand’s classics. The Shade + Light Contour Palette is a perfect palette for sculpting the face. Unlike most contouring palettes that only come with two shades at most, this one has six. Three of the darker milk chocolate shades at the bottom are made for bronzing or sculpting. While the three lighter ones on top are for colour-correcting and highlighting. So you can blend and mix the shades to suit your skin tone. The textures are also completely matte, so they meld into the skin and make your visage look naturally sculpted. This palette, however, is only suitable for those with fair to tanned skin, not …

Clarins men’s skincare

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When men decide it is time to give their skin some TLC, most don’t know where to start looking for skincare.  So they look in their wives’ or girlfriends’ beauty cabinets for an idea. Just like how my husband rummaged through mine and spotted Clarins.  And when he discovered that Clarins made skincare for men as well, he made a beeline for the counters.  This was 2005, and today, he is a skincare “expert”, and Clarins is still one of his favourite brands. Here are four new products to look out for:  1) Fresh Moisture Toner with Apple Vinegar: Formulated for Asian men, this toner is to be used right after cleansing and shaving. It contains apple vinegar to balance out skin that has been exposed to hard water. Skin is also softened and prepared for better absorption of skincare applied afterwards. 2) Line-Control Eye Balm: A lightweight eye cream that de-puffs eyebags, smoothen lines and firms the eye contour. Feels cool against the skin too. Apply on clean skin. 3) Line-Control Balm: A lightweight, non-greasy serum made …

Urban Decay Vice XX Ltd Reloaded

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What does technology company Cisco Systems and beauty label Urban Decay have in common? The same co-founder, Sandy Lerner.  Lerner wanted “crazy” shades like purple or green that were beyond the regular offerings of sweet pink, reds and beiges available in the market.  Through serendipity, she met fellow makeup addict Wende Zomnir and teamed up with her to start Urban Decay.  Wende Zomnir Inspired by the unnoticed and ugly side of the urban landscape, they started Urban Decay with 10 lipsticks and 12 nail polish shades with names like Smog, Rust, Oil Slick and Acid Rain.  The successful cult indie brand has since been bought over by French conglomerate L’Oreal, and marks its 20th anniversary this year.  (Zomnir says she still roadtests every product with full make-up on as she surfs, snowboards and does yoga.) To celebrate, Urban Decay has launched the UD XX Vice Ltd Reloaded palette ($83, available June 16, exclusively at all Sephora stores and online at http://www.sephora.sg/brands/urban-decay).  Representing the 20 years of UD, the palette comprises of three new shades, five …

Clarins’ new trio: V-Facial Intensive Wrap, Enhancing Eye Lift Serum, and Beauty Perfector

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Clarins makes some of the best skincare made for getting rid of water retention on the face. The newly-reformulated clay-based V-Facial Intensive Wrap has a lightweight mousse-like texture. It contains zerumbet ginger, beautyberry and escin from horse chestnut to help reduce puffiness. Lady’s mantle extract is also added to help brighten skin, while the white clay mattifies and gets rid of impurities. I slathered this mask on after a gym session and it made my skin feel clean, firmer, fresher, and brighter. This clay mask did not leave my skin feeling tight and dry either. This do-it-all mask is a good option to bring along on trips.  Clarins’ new Enhancing Eye Lift Serum is a lightweight gel formula made to lift (with organic oat polyoses, kaki extract, zerumbet ginger, and guarana extracts) and brighten (lady’s mantle extract, horse chestnut escin) the areas around the eyes. The best part? It makes eyelashes darker and thicker (panthenol) too. It is easily absorbed, and feels refreshing on the skin. This new Beauty Perfector with SPF 30/ PA+++, anti-pollution …

All the swatches of Urban Decay’s 100 Vice Lipsticks

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When Urban Decay wants to make an impression, it does it with a bang. Like its new launch of 100 Vice Lipsticks. Available in six textures, a handful are classics while the rest are new. Priced at $29 each, it will be stocked at Sephora ION from July 22. The collection will be made available from August 4, at all Sephora stores in Singapore as well as the Urban Decay Free-Standing Stores at VivoCity 01-13, Bugis Junction 01-16 and online at http://www.sephora.sg/brands/urban-decay. Here is a closer look at all the shades, so you know which ones to look out for 💋 The Creamy Mattes: Intense colour with satin shine 1) 1993 – Medium brown (Existing cult shade) 2) Afterdark – Medium dark berry pink  3) Backtalk – Mauve nude pink (UD co-founder Wende’s pick) 4) Bad blood – Dark red (existing cult classic, my fave) 5) Bittersweet – Bright pink-purple 6) Blackmail – Deep, dark plum (existing classic, I love) 7) Checkmate – Pink fuchsia 8) Criminal – Soft pink nude 9) Disturbed – Deep …

Aesop’s latest bodycare for swimsuit season ï»¿

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I always have a soft spot for Aesop’s skincare.  The ones that work for me (the handcreams, Fabulous Face Oil) perform superbly.  The brand’s latest Petitgrain Reviving Body Gel is a new favourite in my bodycare regime.  This hydrating gel is cool to the touch, especially on sun-kissed skin.  It is lightweight, does not leave behind a sticky finish when absorbed (you get a satiny smoothe-feel instead), and smells of lovely fresh-citrusy-floral petitgrain.  The formula contains aloe vera, minty panthenol,grapefruit and lemon to soothe sunburnt skin.  But try not to even get your skin to the sunburnt level please. Wrinkles and pigmentation cannot be reversed.  Plus, Aesop has reformulated its Protective Body Lotion SPF 50 so it is less thick and cloying.  It feels so light, I would use it on my face too.  Packed with the usual skincare goodies (that you would expect from Aesop) , this moisturising sunscreen is formulated to provide up to eighty minutes’ water resistance, says the brand. It also contains ingredients rich in Vitamin E to protect skin from …

Estee Lauder’s new Nutritious Vitality 8 additions

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Made for Asian skin, Estee Lauder’s Nutritious Vitality 8 range is most suitable for women in their early 20s to early 30s. Infused with antioxidants, the line promises to keep skin supple, looking youthful, and radiant. Basically to treat the early signs of ageing.  The skin-softening lotions in the range has been re-formulated:  The Nutritious Vitality8 Radiant Energy Lotion – Intense Moist ($76) is a viscous liquid that soaks the skin with moisture.  Perfect for days when the skin feels really parched (or really oily because it is dehydrated), and you need to soften it quickly before applying the rest of your skincare.  It has a slippery texture, so you could even use it as a super-light moisturiser. The more lightweight version of this lotion is Fresh Moist ($76); best used to soften normal skin.  Even if you have good skin, a skin-softener is an essential first step to making sure that your skin better absorbs skincare applied afterwards. To keep skin perky on-the-go, the Radiant Energy Mist ($40) is another option.  The watery solution …

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

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You’ve heard of face oils, but ever heard of a lip oil? Clarins’Bestselling Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil is finally making its way to Singapore counters in a couple of weeks. Apparently, it is always sold out in Europe. Why? Because it performs so much better than your average lip balm.  This lightweight lip oil formula doesn’t feel sticky or greasy. The plant oil formula of hazelnut, annatto and organic jojoba plumps lips while protecting them too. The high-shine glossiness also makes lips appear fuller.  Two of the lip oils lend the pout a subtle red and pink tint, while the golden one goes on clear. All are surprisingly long-lasting. With its finger-shaped applicator, the oil can be slicked on in seconds.  Layer over red or pink lipstick for extra #vavavoomness. 

Gucci Flora Anniversary Edition Eau de Toilette

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Gucci says: “The Flora Anniversary Edition opens with fresh mandarin and pear edged with the vibrancy of pepper.” My thoughts: A juicy floral with that signature slightly animalic Gucci sexiness (think of that oomph of Gucci Guilty) . A good everyday scent if you love that extra sensuality to complement your outfits. I am loving the brand’s pretty signature florals printed on the base of the bottle. 

Miacare Acne Patch

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I’ve been fortunate enough to not have had to deal with an acne problem when I was in my teens. But as I grew older, I get adult acne occasionally on my chin and around my nose. It is deeply frustrating as the deep cystic bumps spoil the overall look of my makeup. So often, I just try to find the quickest way to get rid of the acne, while trying my best to not squeeze or poke them. For fear that I will be left with dark patches of pigmentation (I don’t get scars so much).  I also dislike strong salicylic-infused formulas that cause my skin to peel, and don’t really work for me. So besides this Aesop Fabulous Face Oil to clear the bumps, I swear by this Miacare acne patch. The way it works is surprisingly simple.  The small patches – the size of a pimple – are made from medical grade hydrocolloid dressing usually used by medical professionals to heal wounds.  These patches seal off the oxygen in the area, so the skin works …