All posts tagged: beauty review

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 …

Aesop’s latest bodycare for swimsuit season 

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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 …

Nars Orgasm blush

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When I first discovered this shade of blusher, it became my all-time go-to product. Once, I forgot to bring it on a trip and I had to go buy a new one ASAP. A peachy-pink shade with subtle gold flecks, it makes skin look sunkissed, healthy and glowing.  Building on the success of this awesome shade that gives skin that sexy, post-coital glow, Nars subsequently launched a matching lipstick, illuminating stick, and nail polish.  According to Nars, tonnes and tonnes of Orgasm has been sold world wide.  If you ask me, this is one classic must-have beauty item. 

Skin Inc Pure Serum Mist

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A good mist spray is always handy. Why? 1. Use it like a skin softener. Spray it all over face to soak skin before applying serum and moisturiser for better penetration of active ingredients. It’s quicker than using an essence soaked in a cotton pad. 2. Add dewiness to your make-up finish. Spritz on skin after makeup is done to get rid of that powdery finish, and add a little glow. Or dampen sponge with it to blend foundation seamlessly into skin. 3. Hydrate skin on a hot day.  Or in an air-conditioned office. I like to keep one on my desk to keep skin supple. 4. Refresh makeup at mid-day. Nothing I hate more than to touch-up a greasy face at mid-day.  Spritz mist over greasy face, press tissue onto face to lift grease and surface dirt. This refreshes the skin too. Re-apply makeup. Your foundation would sit better than if you just packed on more without giving the skin a quick spray to perk it up. Skin Inc’s new Pure Serum Mist contains …

Dr Jart Ceramidin Derma Technology sheet mask 

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A good sheet mask is hard to find. This one by Korean label Dr Jart is a pretty  decent one. The sheet mask material is sturdy, slippery and pulpy with a smooth gel-like texture. It clings well to the face even when I am going about my chores in the home. It also holds enough of the serum to soak my face with moisture for 20 minutes before it felt a little dry. And there was plenty of serum in the packet. There was enough for me to slather my face once more with the serum, my entire decolletage and the length of both arms.  After peeling off the mask, I tapped the remaining essence into my face and followed up with my regular skincare routine. The next morning, my face felt considerably smoother to the touch.