All posts filed under: Tried and tested

Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter and Afterglow Highlighter Palette

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With its new palettes that make skin look nakedly sexy, Urban Decay proves that it knows exactly what women want. (Or make them think they know what they need.) Urban Decay’s new products are handy with beautiful My-Skin-But-Better flattering shades for blending, contouring, sharpening, highlighting, adding shadow. So you have the freedom to chisel your face without having to go under the plastic surgeon’s scalpel. All you need are good brushes, mad skills, and these palettes. The Naked Skin Shapeshifter is the extension of the super successful Naked series that shaped Urban Decay from a hardcore punk-rock colour cosmetics label to a more sophisticated one that can also do nude shades to a T (or actually, a sculpted V). The first Naked products are the eyeshadow palettes that come with 12 shades of browns, taupes, nudes and everything in between. Easy to use colours for everyday looks. The Shapeshifter follows suit: packed with nine generous pots (up to 3.7g each) of pigmented and easy-to-blend cream and powder for colour-correction, contouring, and highlighting. The powders comprise of a …

Clarins Everlasting Foundation+, Fix’ Makeup, Instant Light Natural Perfector

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Our must-haves from Clarins’ make-up collection. If you only have five minutes to get your face ready every morning, reach out for these… Everlasting Foundation+ with SPF15: The 107 Beige shade with pink undertones perfectly blends with my natural skin tone, which is relatively fair with yellow undertones. This foundation provides medium to full coverage, with a satin-matte, long-lasting finish. It also contains organic quinoa extract. Fix’ Make-Up: Spritz this on to set make-up for an extra long-lasting hold. Blended with organic rose water, aloe vera, and grapefruit extract. Can also be used to refresh skin in the middle of the day. Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector: A luxe lip balm that gently exfoliates, plumps, moisturises, and protects. Made with shea butter. Supra Volume Mascara:  For lush, dark, longer and curled lashes; even lifts poker straight lashes. Does not get clumpy even with multiple coatings; long-lasting effect.      

Mamonde Floral Hydro Ampoule Toner and First Energy Firming Mask Honeysuckle

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The South Koreans have always been known for their innovative cosmetics. Afterall, Amorepacific invented the BB cushion and single-handedly launched an entirely new category for the global beauty industry. Now with Mamonde, it has possibly launched a world-first gel-textured toner. Unlike your usual watery toner, the Floral Hydro Ampoule Toner is viscous. Lightweight and refreshing, it disappears into the skin with a few gentle rubbing movements. And the formula leaves the skin lightly hydrated, softer and ready to receive serums and moisturisers.  On hot days, place this in the fridge before application to soothe skin. This toner completes the hydrating Floral Hydro range for oily/ combination skin.  The main ingredient in this line: the narcissus with its long-lasting blooms. An extract from the narcissus bulb supposedly improves the moisturisation levels and circulation in the skin.  For best results, use the toner with the bestselling Floral Hydro cream, a relatively heavy-textured gel cream that envelops skin in a layer of moisture. Complete the beauty routine with one of Mamonde’s wide selection of pulpy and squishy sheet …

For Beloved Girl Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask: Benefits and skincare ingredients

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We first reviewed the For Beloved Girl Extreme Moisture Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask earlier in the year (and we still think that is one of the best masks we’ve tried so far). Now that the full Mineral Cloud-Silk range has been launched in Sephora stores, here are more deets. All Cloud-Silk masks are made with a fine cotton fabric that is super absorbent, does not dry out easily, and clings well to the face. They are of a perfect size for smaller, Asian faces too. There is a mask for every occasion. When it is that time of the month… Skin Renewal Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask (Ca). Calcium lactate is an astringent that can help treat pore and acne issues. The serum is made to soften dead skin, cleanse pores; also contains roselle, rosehip, hibiscus extracts. Oil Control Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask (Zn). Contains Zinc Gluconate and Tea Tree Oil to treat inflammation and keep sebum production in control. When you have a special night out… Flawless Brightening Mineral Cloud-Silk Mask (Fe). Made with Ferric Citrate, a kind of citric acid, for …

Elizabeth Arden Sheer Kiss Lip Oil

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To appeal to its regular customers who have been loyal to the label over the decades, as well as the Millennials, Elizabeth Arden has found a balance with its new Sheer Kiss Lip Oil. It has the viscous texture and sheer tint of a gloss, but the moisturising goodness of a lip oil and trendy shades.  Containing coconut, avocado, tsubaki, sunflower seed and meadow foam oils; the product sinks into the skin easily and plumps up dry lips, without leaving it sticky like traditional glosses.  Available in six shades at $34 each: Pampering Pink, Nude Oasis, Coral Caress (TBG pick), Rejuvenating Red, Purple Serenity, and Heavenly Rose (TBG pick). Each gives lips a sheer wash of colour and soft shine. The formula comes in an interesting pod-like container; remove the cap, squeeze the soft centre and apply the product directly onto lips. I prefer to apply it with a lip brush for better precision. The lighter shades Nude Oasis and Pampering Pink also make a good lip-softening base for smooth application of a bold lipstick.

Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert, and SPF 20 Brightening Body Veil

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The first products that masseur Jacques Courtin-Clarins sold out of his salon in 1954, were body treatment oils. Almost six decades on, Clarins is still known for its body treatment products that promise to smoothen skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. The new Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert is a lightweight gel moisturiser that leaves the skin with a velvety finish, and lightly perfumed (we are loving the refreshing floral scent). Think of it as invisible Spanx. After application, my skin immediately looked smoother, and feel just that tad firmer and tighter. Its star ingredient is a quince leaf extract that acts on the adipose fat cells to smoothen the dimpling on skin caused by cellulite. Eight plant extracts are also added to lift, and firm the skin. For sure, applying this gel alone will not give you a firmer and tighter cellulite-free silhouette. Use the Body Fit with regular exercise (be it circuit training at the gym or the #BBG at home), and a sensible diet (which includes the occasional burrata rucola pizza and …

Origins Mix & Mask Pods

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Masking frequently is the best thing you can do for your skin, even when you are on the road. Origins’ new Mix & Mask set lets you pick any six handy 10ml mask pods at $20 with $80 purchase at Origins stores located in Singapore at Ion Orchard, Nex Serangoon, Centrepoint Orchard. Each pod is generous, and good enough for at least three uses. These sample-sized pods are also perfect if you want to give Origins’ range of best-selling masks a try before you decide on a full-sized tube. The options: Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask to treat dehydrated skin through the night: rose, myrtle leaf, and bitter orange flower waters, chamomile flower extract, black currant seed, bitter almond kernel, camphor bark, orange peel, apricot kernel oils; osmanthus flower, rosa damascena, bitter orange flower, aloe leaf, rice, oat kernel, olive fruit extracts; orange peel wax, mango seed butter; apricot kernel, and avocado oils. Drink Up 10 Minute Mask to hydrate thirsty skin in a jiffy: carnauba wax, apricot kernel oil, algae extract. Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask for …

Skin Inc Facial In A Flash Mask Series

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Keeping true to its customised, made-to-measure skincare formulas, Skin Inc has launched a multi-masking series it claims to be a world first. The concept is simple but clever: three kinds of hydrogel masks themed on precious metals are split into half. So you get to mix and match the upper and lower halves based on how your skin feels. Because maybe your eye and cheek areas need extra hydration, while the areas around your mouth and jawline need lifting. Some brands have already produced masks that are split in half for a better fit, but none offer different versions of the halves for a customised masking experience. Skin Inc offers its masks in Rose Gold, Platinum, Black Gold. Rose Gold: For anti-aging and lifting, with Vitamin A, rose extract, gold, centella asiatica, peony root extract. Platinum: For brightening, infused with Vitamin B3, platinum and floral extracts (matricaria, Japanese cherry flower, lotus, lily). Black Gold: To soothe and purify, containing Vitamin C, charcoal, gold, wild yam root, peony root, willow bark, matricaria flower extract, oregano, soybean …

Sulwhasoo 20th anniversary edition First Care Activating Serum EX and Mask

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When Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum was launched, it caused a stir because it was touted as a pre-serum, the very first step in the already elaborate multi-step Korean beauty routine (of essence, serum, emulsion, cream, suncare, primer, makeup). The slightly viscous gel-like serum is lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin, thus priming it for the subsequent skincare products that will be layered on top. The First Care Activating Serum EX, an improved version of the original concotion and a bestseller in the premium Sulwhasoo’s line-up, is formulated with traditional Korean medicinal herbs that promise to regenerate the skin. Made to hydrate and delay skin-ageing, the serum contains rehmannia, peony, solomon’s seal, lotus, and white lily.  To celebrate Sulwhasoo’s 20th anniversary, the serum now comes in a limited edition 120ml bottle. To complete the skin pampering, Sulwhasoo also launches its new First Care Activating sheet mask. The paper sheet mask is thin yet absorbent, and adheres relatively well to the skin. It is easy to use as it has a soft and thin mesh …

Estee Lauder Pure Color Love Lipsticks

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The new range of Pure Color Love lippies from Estee Lauder are clearly targeted at Millennials.  Available in 25 shades with four finishes: matte, creme, metallic chrome, and pearlescent shimmer. While most of the collection is made up of regular pretty pinks and reds, there are a couple of bold metallic shades – black (Moon Rock), deep burgundy (Nova Noir), and a dark plum (Pocket Venus).  The Beauty Gazette‘s picks from the collection:  Strapless, a creamy, sexy pink nude  Radial Chic, a soft coral pink with a creme texture Bar Red, a true matte red Pocket Venus, a fun metallic dark plum with shimmer Proven Innocent, soft pink with a matte texture Pigmented and opaque in two slicks, the texture is lightweight. The creme versions are relatively moisturising with a soft shine, while the mattes are super pigmented (full colour in one coat) and are not too drying on the lips either.  Layer the textures to give lips extra dimension and colour: like a creme or shimmer over matte, or shimmer on creme for extra …