All posts tagged: beauty review

Decorte Whiteologist Bright Express Brightening Serum

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The Japanese are known for their skin-brightening products for fairer, brighter, healthy- and translucent-looking skin (sorry, not really that bleached, beached whale kind-of-white that some might assume Chinese/ Korean/ Japanese women want to have). As summer comes round, and the sun’s rays are at its strongest, Kose launches its latest trio of skin-illuminating skincare products. The latest version of the Whiteologist Bright Express Brightening Serum contains a proprietary active complex (comprising of seaweed extract, Japanese honeysuckle, saffron, mallow, wild thyme, glycerin, and kojic acid) that disperses melanin clusters. This helps to prevent melanin from becoming dark spots on the surface of the skin. This clear serum is very watery, so use it after an essence and before a more viscous serum. Perfect for layering of skincare. The serum now comes in a limited edition fancy silver 60ml bottle worth $260, and retailing at $330. Available at Cosme Decorate counters in Singapore. You can use all the skin-brightening serums you want but skin will not stay fair if you do not use a good sunscreen on …

Laneige Fresh Calming Morning Mask 

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Once again, Laneige proves that it is ahead of the beauty game. The brand launched its best-selling Water Sleeping Mask in 2002, so women too busy living their lives can indulge in a fuss-free leave-on mask.  This summer, it launches its new Fresh Calming hydrating range, featuring a “Morning Mask”. More than just another mask with a catchy moniker, the Morning Mask is a first with its texture and formula. Dispensed through a pump can, it is a relatively viscous mousse emulsion that envelops skin in a cushiony gel. It sinks into skin with a few minutes of massaging.  I was really impressed with the texture. Besides the dense foamy facial wash of Japanese brands, I’ve never tried anything else quite like this Morning Mask. Moisturising and soothing, it is a multi-tasking all-day mask and moisturiser that prepares skin for makeup. I also tried using this as a night mask, and it worked just as fine. The next morning, my skin looked clearer, and matte; signs that show it is balanced. The Fresh Calming Morning …

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Ink Liner and Color Paint

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Not for the faint-hearted and wimps, Make Up For Ever’s new eye make-up range is pigmented and made to last through stressful board meetings to sweaty gym sessions. The super long-wear Aqua XL range comprises of the Ink Liner liquid eyeliner and the Color Paint cream eyeshadows. The Ink Liner is a stiff sponge-tipped tapered applicator that is good for bold cat eye flicks, and graphic make-up looks. Each pump picks up enough liquid for a full wing-tip. Start each application from the thickest middle part of the cat eye flick as the applicator picks up quite a bit of liquid; leave the finer details to the end of the stroke. The Color Paint shadows make an awesome base for a super bold smokey eye. Just a teeny tiny bit of the cream shadow can be blended out with fingertips (or MUFE shader brush #226) to cover the entire eye socket area. Alternatively, apply with a stiff angle brush for bold coloured lines. Colour sets well and does not budge once dry. Both the Ink Liner …

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

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A good melt-on-your-lips pout treatment product is a must-have in any beauty pouch.  And if nothing in the market seems to treat your flakey pout, all you have to do is this: – Drink enough water (cracked and dry lips are a sign of dehydration) – Exfoliate dead skin cells with a cotton wash cloth – Get your hands on the Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil.  Don’t let the idea of coating your lips in oil put you off. The Clarins Lip Oil is more like a gloss, minus the thick stickiness but with all the shine. Plus, this lightweight formula contains moisturising jojoba and hazel seed oils that is easily absorbed to soften lips. The finger-tip shaped applicator makes use super easy too. The Lip Oil is now available in more colours, from bright pink tints to the beautifully sparkly Honey Glam. Wear the Lip Oil alone or on top of lipstick for extra shine and moisture. Click here for a swatch. 

Sulwhasoo’s 20th Anniversary and Time Treasure Renovating Eye Serum

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Luxury South Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo’s new Time Treasure Renovating Eye Serum comes with an ergonomic, and 24 carat gold-plated eye care massager, no less. But what’s inside this new eye serum is just as precious. Formulated with traditional Korean herbs like the brand’s other products, it contains red and white ginseng, pine bark, licorice root, white peony, and Indian lotus extracts as well as shea butter. This eye serum with a light ginseng scent is surprisingly lightweight. While easily absorbed, it plumps up the fine skin and brightens the dullness around the eyes. Perfect as a primer for eye concealer too. As Sulwhasoo marks its 20th anniversary this year, find out more about the brand and its parent company Amorepacific in this article; here and here.  

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.