All posts tagged: beauty

An anatomy of a makeup bag

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There is no need to lug around a heavy cosmetics pouch – even if you think your life depends on it – if you stick to this check list (provided you already have a full face of make-up on before you leave the house). 1) Cushion foundation For touch-ups throughout the day. Usually lightweight with light to medium coverage, they’re perfect for smoothing over liquid foundation that becomes patchy by mid-day. Plus, most give skin an added glow, so you can also blend the cushion foundation on strategic areas (nose bridge, cheek bones) to highlight them.  And if you do not have much blemishes to hide, the cushion compact works as a concealer too. 2) Blush/ bronzer compact Blush comes off easily, so touching up is essential. To keep your face looking sculpted all day, get a blush/bronzer duo for convenience.  3) Black liquid eyeliner A wing-tipped liner adds drama when you need it. And if you already have black liner on, you could always do with another layer before heading out to dinner and …

Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial L’eau 

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Guerlain: “Fresh Amber. Delicate, enveloping, crystalline. Shalimar Parfum Initial L’Eau highlights an unexpected concentration of citrus notes, bergamot and neroli. Jasmine blends with the fresh top notes and leaves a delicate, sensual and luminous trail. The vanilla and tonka bean base adds a gourmand almond facet, the very essence of Shalimar. For Shalimar Parfum Initial L’Eau, the Guerlain Perfumer composed a unique jasmine absolute. Jasmine is used in a communelle, a blend of different natural essences. It combines grandiflora jasmine from Grasse, India and Egypt to give a subtle and evanescent character to the fragrance.” My notes: This reinterpretation of the 1925 classic by Jacque Guerlain is a light floral, with hints of the gourmand accord. Although much fresher than the original, it still maintains that old-world glamour character. 

Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light 

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Hand-held beauty gadgets are one of the best inventions around for beauty junkies.  Facial sessions get increasingly rare as one’s working hours become longer, or when  work-travel is a monthly affair.    A handy beauty gizmo makes up for all the missed sessions with the facialist, late nights and stressed days. The plethora of gadgets out there include the supersonic vibrating brushes for deep-cleansing; those with mild infra-red energy to lift skin; and rollers with micro-currents to firm skin while reducing water retention. Skin Inc’s Optimizer Voyage Tri-light is a multi-purpose tool. It emits three types of therapeutic light to heal skin (inspired by NASA technology to heal astronaut’s broken skin in space), as well as low frequency therapy stimulation to boost the penetration of skincare, and sculpt the face.  Red LED repairs and firms; blue LED calms and clarifies; yellow LED adds a glow.  To use: Apply a watery serum, such as any of Skin Inc’s encapsulated Skin Supplement serums.     Then apply a thick layer of gel mask (like my fave Skin …

Cle de Peau Beaute La Creme

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The ultimate luxury.   Every high-end beauty brand has its star creme de la creme.  La Mer’s pride is the Creme de La Mer; and La Prairie has its Skin Caviar Luxe Cream. For Cle de Peau, its jewel is the anti-ageing La Creme. The pink jar (pictured above) is a limited edition launched in 2012 to mark the brand’s 30th anniversary. The updated La Creme, which hits stores in March, comes in a jar carved like a faceted diamond.       So how is the new formula different?  The cream is as rich and nourishing, but it literally melts on warm skin and sinks  right into it.  There is no waxiness like most rich creams, and the after-feel is a satiny finish. Skin looks dewy and feels more supple. No need to warm the product between warm hands; just apply and press into skin. A little bit – a pea-sized amount – goes a long way.  Perfect for wintry conditions, as well as to veil skin in an air-conditioned room at night.   Made …

A classic beauty formula

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How many beauty potions out there are made with a formula concocted more than a hundred years ago?  Of course, the others that come to mind is the heavy Hazeline Snow cream (late 1800s) and Nivea Creme (early 1900s). But Shiseido’s Revitalizing Essence – launched in 1897 as the first pharmaceutical-based lotion – is unique.  Scented with “rain-washed peonies”, this lightweight watery lotion is made to soften and prepare skin for the deeper absorption of other skincare. At the same time, it moisturises skin lightly. Fast forward to 2016, watery skincare essences and lotions are a must-have in the beauty routines of Asian women. Shiseido was founded as a Western-style pharmacy in 1872. And today it is still on point with its Eudermine lotion, which continues to be part of Shiseido’s product line-up.  Of course, the original formula has been tweaked to better suit the skin of modern women. In my opinion, the sleek and modern red glass bottle (with the red glass stopper, and the unique lettering) is the epitome of chic. The faceted …

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

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   One of the most beautiful hand creams around. I love everything about Aesop: from its clean, fuss-free aesthetic, the stylish font that covers the tubes and bottles, to its natural scents. I am hooked on its hand balms. They smell great – nothing artificially cloying –   and sink easily into the skin. No greasy afterfeel and waxiness to deal with.  The nutritious natural ingredients make me feel good about applying the cream on my skin too. I get an eczema breakout whenever I apply scented creams and lotions; so far, I have not had any eruptions with this Aesop one. I like to keep a tube handy at my work desk to moisturise my cuticles and legs.