All posts tagged: beauty review

Nars Spring 2016 collection picks

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There is something about all the best colour cosmetic shades. They don’t look like much in the pot or barrel. But the subtle colours offer just the right tint for a perfect make-up look.    I am in love with Nars’ new lipstick in Banned Red #9401.  It is an easy-to-wear milky red marsala-coloured lipstick that is incredibly flattering. If you want that je ne sais quois quality that French women seem to possess, this red lipstick is a good place to start. The colour is not too flashy, but it makes you look mysterious enough without coming across as being pretentious. This sophisticated shade is opaque in one slick, and has a soft shine to it. It is long-lasting and stains the lips as well. See what I mean. The Beauty Gazette’s other top pick from Nars’ spring collection: the new Blush Duo in Hot Sand/ Orgasm. I’ve never reached out for another pink/coral powder blush after I got my hands on the iconic Orgasm shade for the first time. The perfect peachy pink with subtle gold …

Allies of Skin: 24/7 Kit

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It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a new honest-to-goodness Singapore label. Allies of Skin was recently launched, and it will be hitting some of the hippest multi-label beauty stores in town and beyond. After roadtesting the made in the US-of-A products in its new 24/7 kit, I think the label has plenty of potential. The Molecular Saviour Toner Mist is made to tone and refine pores, balance, calm, soothe, moisturise, and protect. In my opinion, a good rose mist is indispensable. It can help with soothing eczema flare-ups and provide extra hydration without messing up your make-up, at mid-day. I always have one on my work desk. The Molecular Saviour Toner is not your regular rose mist. When I spritzed it on, I could feel that it has a thin viscosity, not just a plain wateriness like most others. It feels more like an essence and leaves my skin feeling supple. Perfect for prepping the skin for the application of heavier creams, for all-day moisturisation. And like all rose mists, the light floral scent is …

Dr.Jart Dermaclear Trans-foam Clay 

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Best masks I’ve tried in a while. These from Korean brand Dr.Jart are one-of-a-kind. The texture is a cross between a bubbling oxygen mask, clay mask, and a foamy cleanser. It looks like a regular clay mask when you squeeze it out of the tube. It starts to bubble and  form a thick, foamy shaving cream-like layer when applied on the skin. And when you rinse it off after the clay mask dries, it cleanses the skin like a foamy mask. After I used the mask, my skin was super tight, glowy and clean.  But like most clay masks, it left my skin dry. So be sure to use a hydrating mask or thick oil or cream to replenish the moisture afterwards.  There are three formulas: Calming White (cheek areas); Moisturizing Pink (cheek areas); and Refreshing Green (for the oily t-zone and chin). All are made with French clay that cleanses the skin deeply. Perfect for multi-masking ✌🏻️

Clarins White Plus Tri-intensive Brightening Serum

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I love the sun (relatively).  I like to laze by the pool (on some days, but always under a huge umbrella), run in the outdoors (when there are pumping tracks on Spotify), feel the sun’s heat on my skin (after an entire day in a freezing office). But I want to stay as fair and spotless as possible.  If you are a Beauty Gazette reader, you’ll know what I mean.  I don’t mind my arms and legs looking a little tanned, but I can’t let my face go one shade darker without feeling guilty.  Perhaps because I think the skin on my face is alot more sensitive to UV rays and more prone to wrinkles and spots. So I’m always slathering on copious amounts of sunscreen on it, as well as skin-brightening products.    Clarins’ new White Plus spin-off is a recent discovery. I am loving its lightweight texture and barely-there floral scent (which surprisingly, does not irritate my skin which is intolerant to scented skincare).  If you have youthful, supple skin, this formula which feels like …

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani 

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I’ll say it here. Urban Decay’s Lipstick collab with Gwen Stefani is to die for.  The colours are so rich, creamy, so pigmented, so gorgeous. Best lippies from UD so far. They are long-lasting, stain the lips evenly, and are opaque in one slick. But because they are so pigmented, they tend to bleed a little. It isn’t a big issue. But if you are particular, you may want to layer a complementary lip liner underneath.  I really like Spiderweb (a bright blue-red), Rocksteady (a dark red), and Firebird (a hot orchid fuchsia).

Tom Ford Spring 2016 collection

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Tom Ford’s makeup collection always makes my heart beat faster.  Ford’s glamourous image and branding, the sleek packaging, the innovative formulas, and the intense colours all make up a winning formula. This latest spring collection is a hit with me, especially with the new Patent Finish Lip Color. A combination of an intense lip stain and gloss, the lightweight liquid lipstick is dispensed through a click-pen velvet-tipped applicator for precision. Despite the formula’s viscous consistency, it is comfortable on the lips with no sticky afterfeel. The liquid lipstick is also relatively long-lasting and stains the pout.     Available in eight shades of red and pink.  The Cream Eyeshadow is smooth and silky, and offers sheer, buildable coverage with a fine iridescent, metallic finish. Perfect as a powder shadow base for longer-lasting eye make-up, and for lining the eyes lightly.     Ford’s Eye Colour Quads are my all-time favourites. The pigmented colours and textures (matte, metallic, glittery, iridescent), all complement each other well for interesting and dimensional eye make-up.  Disco Dust, one of the latest palettes, …

Foreo Luna 2

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The key to a glowing complexion is simple: cleanse and exfoliate well.  Honestly, the best scrubs, cleansing oils and facial wash alone cannot clear clogged pores as the well as a vibrating sonic cleansing device. When I get congested pores around my chin and nose, I rely on the gadgets to cleanse them thoroughly. Sonic brushes with fine bristles do the job; but sometimes, they can be a little harsh on the skin, causing it to be more prone to sensitivity. This is where the Swedish Foreo comes in. Shaped ergonomically like a bar of soap, it has a curved egde with ridges on one side, and silicon bristles on the other.   I feel that the slippery bristles cleanse and exfoliate the skin with lesser friction than the brushes. The blue one pictured here is made for combination skin, with longer bristles at the edge for deep cleansing the corners of the nose and chin that turns greasy easily.  Flip the gadget to the other side and it can be used as an anti-ageing …

BodyBlendz Coconut Delight

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Coffee body scrubs – the caffeine supposedly boosts circulation and temporarily smoothens skin – are all the rage now.  I’ve tried more than a few, and BodyBlendz is one of my faves. Blended with ground and roasted Arabica beans, extra virgin coconut oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil, jojoba oil, organic dessicated coconut shreds, and Himalayan pink salt; the scrub smells good enough to eat. The aroma of coffee and coconut filled the warm air in my bath; pretty much the perfect way for me to unwind after a sweaty circuit-training session. The coconut shred and granules of salt (that are not too coarse) gently exfoliates, while the oils soften the skin. All you need for a simple at-home spa session. BodyBlendz left my skin alot smoother. And I liked how the formula did not leave my skin feeling tight and dry like some body scrubs ✌🏻️

Shiseido Maquillage Dual Colour Rouge

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I am loving these new lippies that are hitting stores soon. Each is a fusion of two complementary shades, so you get two lipsticks for the price of one. Wear the shades alone or layered one over the other; or one on the top lip and one on the bottom. Feeling adventurous? Use a lip brush and create an ombre lip; with the brighter colour on the inside. These lippies are moisturising, have rich opaque colours, and a semi-glossy finish. Relatively long-lasting too.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation

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Touted as a smart foundation (like smart cars, smart homes, smart cities etc. 😁), this formula is ultra-lightweight. Yet, just one pump of the watery foundation was enough for my entire face. It is also easy to apply with warm fingertips. Coverage is light to medium but buildable to an almost full concealment of flaws. With the foundation’s satin-glow finish, my skin looks naturally healthy and even in tone.  The oil-free foundation lasted all day too. I only had to touch-up a little before dinner.  Other plus points: SPF 20 for extra sun protection, and skincare ingredients like St John’s wort and thyme extract to help keep skin healthy.