All posts filed under: Tried and tested

Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque

Published by

The first thing you’ll notice when applying this cool gel mask; it feels like you’re spreading a delicious citrusy marmalade on your face.  Blended with aloe vera and calendula petals, this rather viscous gel mask is formulated to cool and hydrate skin on hot days.  Apply a relatively thick layer on skin, leave on for five minutes. Then massage into skin before rinsing excess off. This quickie 5-min mask left my skin soft, smooth, and supple. It is the perfect complement to the bestselling Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner that is alcohol-free and soothing, as well as the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash (a little bit goes a long way, gentle and does not strip skin of oils).

IT Cosmetics Superhero and Je Ne Sais Quois palettes

Published by

The best products are always the ones created out of necessity. IT Cosmetics co-founder and CEO Jamie Kern Lima is a TV news anchor who spent years masking her rosacea and hyperpigmentation under copious amounts of makeup.  When she couldn’t find the right skincare and makeup for her skin type and needs, she created her own with plastic surgeons. These two products are the only ones from IT Cosmetics that we’ve tried so far, and we can now understand the hype. The Superhero palette comprises of colours that aren’t flashy. Just simple, flattering shades that make eyes look younger and brighter. The palette is called the “Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette” afterall.  It comprises of matte and slightly metallic shades in neutral and smokey tones. But what makes this product stand out from the  tonnes of other “basic” neutral shadow palettes are the Eye Foundations. These larger-size pot of shadows are made to colour-correct, and smoothen the appearance of lids. Apply these all over the eye area. The powders are also pigmented and smooth. …

NYDG Skincare

Published by

A new label headed by American dermatologist David Colbert, the NYDG Skincare range is a fuss-free line is designed by a team of dermatologists, physicians, chemists, and aestheticians. Formulated to heal and repair the skin, the products are made with antioxidants to protect from pollution and harsh environments. We tried three products and came away impressed. Formula 119 Cream: A soothing and rich cream that does not feel heavy, it contains sodium hyaluronate, shea butter, algae extract, chamomile, Vitamin E, peptides, ginseng, grape seed, green tea, and ginkgo leaf extracts. Easily absorbed by the skin, this cream moisturises well without leaving behind a sticky feeling. With its chamomile scent, the cream is a lovely addition to morning and evening routines. Chem-Free Active Defense SPF30: Made to be water-resistant for 80 minutes, and provide broad spectrum pretection. With zinc oxide as its main ingredient, it reflects the sun’s damaging rays (instead of absorbing it) so is less likely to irritate the skin. This formula is not lightweight and leaves a white cast if not blended properly; therefore …

Origins Flower Fusion Sheet Masks 

Published by

Origins is stepping up its game with new offerings (that come quickly and furiously) to lure Millennials; and its latest launch is a series of $5 quick-fix sheet masks. They tick all the right boxes. Made with sustainable bamboo pulp sheets, which are of the right thickness and absorbency level to soak skin in a watery gel serum. Although you are only supposed to leave this mask on for 10 minutes, it was still relatively damp when I removed it after 20 minutes. The material clings well to the face, so reading or Instagramming while masking with it is a breeze. The sheets are of the perfect size and shape. Many masks are too large for my face (I hate it when sheet masks get onto my hairline); this one wraps nicely just on the edge of my visage. Sealed in colourful packets, these are made with flower waxes and essential oils which make them extra pleasurable to use when all you want to do is relax. With colourful flowers as its theme, there are …

Urban Decay’s complexion primers and sprays

Published by

Beauty junkies – especially the variety who love going all-out with their make-up and need it to stay on all day – swear by Urban Decay’s complexion primers and sprays. We do not wear as much make-up, but still think these products are must-haves. Especially, the Hydra Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray with soothing and moisturising niacinamide and coconut water. Apply it as the last step of the skincare routine, before you start on your make-up. It will give the skin an extra dewy glow, while the complexion make-up would go on super smoothly. Love it. The other Setting Sprays also do as they promise. Spritz it on as a finishing touch when you are done with your make-up, and it will last all day. The sprays offer your face moisture while fixing the make-up to the skin. If you have combination skin, use the De-Slick Complexion Primer that mattifies skin, very sparingly. Just apply a small amount on the T-zone, nose, and chin, before applying your make-up to keep those areas oil-free. Alternatively, gently …

Cle de Peau Beaute’s latest suncare collection

Published by

The Japanese are obsessed with staying fair. And that is clear from luxury Japanese beauty label Cle de Pau Beaute’s new luxurious five-piece skincare-suncare range. All formulas are lightweight, moisturising and nourishing, and does not leave behind a sticky after-feel or white cast on the skin. The UV Protective Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ ($165) is made for the face and body, and contains a nourishing blend of skincare ingredients: Asian ginseng extract, wild thyme extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, hibiscus flower essence, as well as mangosteen extract. Besides protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, this blend hydrates, and keeps away the damaging effects of air pollution. It is also subtly tinted so you can wear it on its own for skin that looks naturally even and glowing. While the UV Protective Cream Tinted ($120) is pretty much a high-end BB cream: it offers sun protection, moisturisation, skincare ingredients, as well as medium coverage for flawless-looking skin. Skin looks instantly porcelain-perfect. Choose from four shades. There are two versions of the UV Protective Emulsion for Body …

Shu Uemura Petal Skin Fluid Foundation

Published by

After all these years – five decades to be exact – Shu Uemura is still through and through, a Japanese beauty brand. Even though it is now owned by a French beauty conglomerate. Shu Uemura places plenty of emphasis on the basics, the skin, the blank canvas. Its philosophy: Colours are secondary, and they can only add to one’s beauty if the skin looks flawless. The new Petal Skin Fluid Foundation is not pretentious. It does not contain too much light-reflecting particles to make you glow like a beacon. It just makes your skin look naturally beautiful. With a satin-matte finish, it provides medium to high coverage (redness, pores, uneven skin, acne), a soft radiance, and is relatively long-lasting. Pair it with the Stage Performer Block:Booster for a fresher-looking skin tone, added su protection, and even longer wear.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment

Published by

To complement its award-winning Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution serum (19 awards, 4 million bottles sold), Kiehl’s has launched its new Brightening and Smoothing Moisture Treatment. The star ingredient in the skin-clarifying Spot Solution is Activated C, a Vitamin C derivative formulated to be more stable and effective in brightening. To create the Smoothing Moisture Treatment, Kiehl’s chemists worked on a gel-cream made with Activated C and Glycolic Acid.   The Glycolic Acid used in the Treatment softens skin without aggravating it (although this ingredient is usually used in harsher peeling products); preparing it to better absorb the Activated C for skin that is more even in tone. To moisturise, peony and white birch extracts are added.   Just a pea-sized amount of this rather slick gel-cream is enough for the entire face. It took some time for me to massage the formula into my skin, as it is relatively thick. But once it was absorbed, my face was left with a satin-matte finish. This makes it perfect as a make-up base. I layered this on …

Aesop’s 30th, and the new Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream

Published by

This month, Aesop marks its third decade in the business. The understated beauty label from Australia was launched from a hair salon in 1987, because its founder Dennis Paphitis wanted haircare products with essential oils that would keep his customers calm. The haircare products proved successful, and he moved on to creating hand and body formulas, as well as skincare. The basic idea behind Aesop? Using fewer but better ingredients in a smarter way. Thirty years on, the brand is famous for its effective formulas (that always soothe frayed nerves with calming scents) packaged in simple pharma-style bottles and tubes. All sold in beautifully distinct boutiques with exceptional interior design – just like how Paphatis designed his original salon as a sanctuary for his clients. It is fitting then that Aesop marks its 30th anniversary with a simple jar of cream. No limited edition collection, no celebrity endorsements, no fancy sets. With sage leaf, rosemary leaf, and lavender stem as the star ingredients, the Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream is made for normal, dry, and stressed …