All posts filed under: Tried and tested

Mamonde Micro Lip & Eye Remover 

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Infused with the lotus flower extract, the new Mamonde Lip & Eye Remover is a gentle but effective water-based makeup cleanser. It does not strip the skin of oils, and gets rid of long-wearing foundation at the end of the day; especially the pigment stuck around the corner of the eyes. Lightly hydrating and slightly viscous, you could even use this formula as an on-the-go, non-rinse face cleanser. For a more thorough cleansing, try the Triple Multi Cleansing Foam with Iris extract.  This cream cleanser gently exfoliates, with a slightly oily emulsion to get rid of stubborn makeup; but leaves skin squeaky clean. Best used on oily/ combination skin. Mamonde is now available at Sephora Singapore stores. 

Clarins Multi-Active Range Review

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Concocted for the busy over-achiever, Clarins’ new Multi-Active range is blended with potent botanical extracts and antioxidants for maximum skin-regenerating effect.  What we’re really impressed with at first touch are the comfortable and soothing textures of the new moisturisers in the Multi-Active day and night collection. Each feels cocooning and cushiony on the skin, wrapping it in moisture and goodness. These formulas target fine lines and other early signs of ageing. Multi-Active Jour for normal to combination skin is a light gel cream. Contains encapsulated teasel for targeted performance, as well as myrothamnus extract for its water-retaining property. Multi-Active Jour for normal to dry skin has a richer, soothing gel-cream texture. Multi-Active Nuit for normal to combination skin is a light creme made with the same encapsulated teasel, and ginger lily that stimulates the synthesis of collagen. The formula for drier skin is richer, but does not leave a cloying film on the surface of the skin. These moistuisers leave my skin generally brighter and clearer; and hydrated for longer. I find that I get …

Fenty Beauty Review

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If you’re still undecided on Rihanna’s anticipated Fenty Beauty line, here’s what you need to know. The collection is inspired by her own needs. Rihanna’s camera-ready “Fenty Face” is a three-step routine: mattify, highlight, blot. So the line comprises of the Prof Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer (S$48), Soft Matte Longwear Foundation (S$50), Invisimatte Blotting Powder (S$44), and Paper (S$26) for shine-free skin. And there are at least 10 kick-ass highlighters in the line. The formulas are fuss-free. Lightweight, easy-to-blend, and buildable for everyday wear. Available in matte and shimmer textures, the Match Stix (S$37 each) range is creamy and multi-purpose for the lips, cheeks and eyes. And we love how the packaging for the Stix range is magnetic and click together for convenience. We like: Chilli Mango, Riddiic, Mocha, Trippin, Yard Lyfe, Rum. The Kilawatt Freestyle Highlighter/Duo range is also multi-purpose for the cheeks and eyes (S$50 each). Used as a highlighter, the Killawatt has a killa shine. As eyeshadow, the pigment is subtle enough for layering, but pack a punch when more strokes are added. Be …

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask

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Luxurious. Cocooning. Pampering.  No other way to describe this new double-layered Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask: Gore-Tex material (found on waterproof windbreakers) on the outside to seal in the goodness of the mask; and a soft and pulpy inner sheet that soaks up the serum while adhering comfortably to the skin. And this is not another drippy serum sheet mask; instead, it is slathered in a viscous white cream emulsion that contains eight times more anti-ageing ginseng extract than its bestselling Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX. The formula comprises of skin-stimulating saponin from ginseng root, and skin-energising ginseng flower extract. For the mask to better fit the contours of the face, it comes in two parts that are individually packed for the upper and lower half.  When all you want to do is shut down after a stressful day, just wrap your visage in this Creamy Mask, forget your woes, and turn off the lights.  Apply serum first, then flip the mask on for 20 minutes. It did not dry out even after I …

Three Cosmetics Balancing Lotion and Makeup Review

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Launched in 2009, Three Cosmetics is a hit with beauty junkies because it pays attention to the small details. The texture is fine and luxurious; the scent soothing; while the products are gentle on the skin. Each skincare product contains at least 85 per cent natural ingredients, such as the essential oils of frankincense, neroli, rosa damascena, and eucalyptus leaf. They are also blended with ingredients from Japan: marine silt from Okinawa; bitter melon extract from Kyoto; Apple extract from Aomori; camellia seed oil and mandarin orange extract from Shizuoka; hot spring water of Oita; Yuzu seed oil of Kochi and fossilised coral powder from Yonaguni Island. The simple but luxe-feel of the packaging is another plus.  Besides skincare, the brand also offers base and colour cosmetics, as well as haircare.   The Beauty Gazette reviews four of the brand’s bestselling products. Three Balancing Lotion (S$95): A watery lotion that balances and lightly moisturises the skin. Contains sandalwood oil, frankincense oil, bergamot fruit oil, marjoram and rosemary oils; apple and rose geranium waters; bitter melon, …

Pat McGrath Labs Dark Star 006 UltraViolet Blue Review

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“WARNING: UltraViolet Blue pigment can cause a temporary staining of the skin.” We have not come across any eyeshadows with a warning label, until the legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath‘s Dark Star 006 UltraViolet Blue. Then again, so many things about this set of eyeshadows are different. 1) The packaging: With the holographic bag and sequins as stuffing, it is a visual feast from the get-go. Perhaps this is eyeshadow the aliens would wear? 2) The pigment: The star of this set is obviously the UltraViolet Blue shadow. This is pure metallic sparkling blue pigment. Full-on colour in one swipe with finger or brush. Use with eye makeup primer to prevent staining of the skin, says the instructions. The others; Astral White, Mercury and Dark Matter pigments, do not disappoint. These sparkly metallic colours come through easily. We have never seen a darker black eyeshadow 👌🏻. Buildable and blendable. The lighter colours are beautiful as highlights or all over the lids. And all with minimal fallout, so it does not get messy during application. The …

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

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The latest extension to Estee Lauder’s signature Advanced Night Repair line (created to boost the skin’s repairing function while you sleep) is the Eye Concentrate Matrix. The lightweight serum comes with a round-tipped applicator for quick eye massages so you get brighter peepers. On the ingredient list: glycerin, urea, cucumber, barley, lady’s thistle, soybean and chamomile extracts; lactobacillus ferment; algae, birch, mulberry root extracts, and caffeine. This eye care product is lightweight enough to be used in the day as well, under make-up. It kept the fine skin under my eyes moisturised all day; not many eye creams can do this. If you’ve been staring at the computer all day and want to give your eyes a full-on treat, follow the application of the serum with the Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask. Then of course, rest your eyes.    

Dr Barbara Sturm skincare review

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Popular with Hollywood celebrities, Dr Barbara Sturm is a German doctor who turned her expertise in orthopaedics into innovative solutions for an aesthetic practice and skincare line. She is known for her MC1 “blood cream”, for which a trip to her clinic is necessary. Fortunately, Dr Sturm also has a superb skincare line that is now available on Net-A-Porter. When we met over lunch last week for a tete a tete, she urged me to try only her products for a week, just to see what a difference it would make to my skin. And I’m glad I did. The made-in-Germany line is relatively simple, with all the basics to keep the skin healthy. The Eye Cream is a lightweight creme containing macadamia seed oil, antioxidant-rich purslane ferment extract, glycerin, radish root ferment. It is absorbed easily and immediately plumps up the skin; and leaving it so the entire day. The skin on my undereye area gets crepe-y and dry extremely easily, so I am pretty impressed with this eye cream. The Hyaluronic Serum is …

Cle de Peau Beaute Rouge a Lèvres Lipstick

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The new Cle de Peau Beaute Rouge a Levre lipsticks come with a new lipstick bullet shaped like a wave, so that it hugs the lips closely for intense and precise application. Currently the top picks in our lipstick collection, these are moisturising and lightweight while offering opaque colour in one swipe. Relatively long-lasting, the formula has a high-shine finish. Because the texture is so creamy, it does not pull or drag on lips during application so you get perfectly-shaped lips every time. Available in 12 shades; The Beauty Gazette picks are: No.7 Dragon Red, a true blue red (watch the swatch); No.9 Silk Thread, a dusky rose pink; as well as No.10 Chinoiserie, a light coral pink.  

Origins Clear Improvement and Modern Friction: Gentle but effective deep cleansing

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Origins’ launches this year have been impressively effective. Its new trio of skincare products offer a deep yet gentle cleansing of the visage. The Modern Friction Cleansing Oil is as pretty as it is beneficial for the skin. The formula has a gold and lavender gradient, as it is made up of radiance-boosting white and purple rice oils that are mixed only when you pour the viscous concoction into your palms. And something interesting happens when you apply the oil onto your face: a soothing warm sensation that softens skins, melts away makeup, and widens pores for deep cleansing. Add water to turn oil into a milky emulsion, and rinse. This formula – which contains rice bran oil, camphor extract, and soybean oil – left my skin supple, clean, smooth, and actually clearer. Origins’ new exfoliating products are made for different skin types. For those with oilier skin, pick the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder. Add a splash of water (or even a light watery toner) to the fine sooty charcoal powder with …