All posts tagged: Tried and tested

Clarins Double Serum – 8th Generation

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Clarins’ biggest launch in 2017 – and possibly the last couple of years – is the 8th generation of its Double Serum. The all-in-one anti-ageing serum (or as Marie-Hélène Lair the brand’s scientific communication director calls it, a “Swiss-army knife”); is made to improve the skin’s regeneration, hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, and protection. As its name suggests, the Double Serum has a unique dual-phase formulation: two-thirds hydric (water), and one-third lipidic (oil). The pump bottle contains two different vials for one important reason: when the hydric and lipidic solutions are kept separate until the point of application, the efficacy of the potent ingredients are preserved. The first-generation Double Serum Multi-Regenerant Concentre was bottled in 1985 in exactly the same way – the formula literally came in a set of two dropper bottles, with the contents to be mixed upon application. The latest Double Serum has been formulated based on the findings from the School of Medical Studies in Namur, Belgium, which has discovered the link between skin-ageing and cell receptors that regulate cell activity for skin vitality, …

Codage Paris Prescription: On The Road Again

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The latest niche beauty label to hit Escentials’ shelves is Codage Paris, the French brand which prides itself on potent serums.  The range of seven serums are made to suit different skincare needs and lifestyles.  A good way to start experimenting with this new-to-market brand is to pick up the On The Road Again “prescription”. Packed to treat skin that is imbalanced due to the drying cabin conditions and unfamiliar weather, it contains: 1) Micellar Water (50ml) – a gentle but effective cleanser that also hydrates skin. It does not leave the skin tight and dry, and there is no need to rinse. Just dampen a cotton pad with the solution, and wipe skin clean. 2) Serum No.1 (10ml) – for intense moisturisation, the clear serum is lightweight but soaks skin easily. It contains complexes and ingredients to stimulate the skin’s own natural moisturisation levels (hyaluronic acid, aquaporin stimulator peptide) for long-lasting hydration, as well as antioxidants to protect. 3) Serum No.3 (10ml) – for radiance and energy. Also formulated with ingredients that deeply moisturise, …

SK-II RNA Power Magnetic Kit

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A good beauty gadget can do wonders for the beauty routine. SK-II launched its first gadget, the Magnetic Wand, for use with its Stempower Eye Cream some two years ago. Made to boost absorption and gently massage the delicate eye area, it taps on the waves of bi-polar magnetic particles. Earlier this month, SK-II debuted its second gadget act with the new Magnetic Booster – which looks like a spinning top but with a flat base – at Shilla Duty Free in Changi Airport. To be used together with the RNA Power Cream and RNA Essence, the Magnetic Booster uses a magnetic micro pulse technology to deliver up to 7,000 gentle vibration per minute, so skin is massaged and the active ingredients are absorbed deeper into the skin. After application of the the skincare product, slide the Booster from the centre of the face, outwards. Powered by two LR 44 batteries (the small tablet-sized, flat and silver ones), the Booster definitely worked for me. The RNA cream is relatively rich and hydrates the skin thoroughly. With the …

Kenzoki Belle de Jour Sacred Lotus skincare range

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Kenzoki is one of those skincare brands which is understated, and not that super well-known for its skin-nourishing formulas.  Kenzo Parfums – the fragrance and beauty arm of the Kenzo brand – is better known for well, its perfumes. But, give Kenzoki products a chance and you will be more than pleasantly surprised. The skincare textures are luxurious, beautifully scented (without irritating the skin), and moisturising. The new Belle de Jour Sacred Lotus skincare range is case in point.  Formulated with sacred lotus extract, as well as antioxidant-rich seaweed and plankton, the luxurious line is great for pampering and hydrating the skin. The Face Oil ($120 for 30ml) is a lightweight dry oil with a calming floral scent; the Serum ($143 for 30ml) is a viscous and rich gel formula which cocoons the skin; while the Face Cream ($143 for 50ml) is relatively lightweight and absorbed easily. I use the trio day and night in this order: oil – serum – moisturiser; it calms and soothes my dehydrated skin for the entire day. Great products …

Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

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The latest extension of the best-selling Naked range is a 12-shade teracotta brick-themed shadow palette. The product is as sexy as its name: Naked Heat 🔥🔥🔥 The on-point warm colours – ranging from red earth, burnt orange, to burgundy – are all super flattering on Asian and darker skin tones. The complementary shades are pigmented but builda-ble and easy to blend. So you can get soft smokey looks easily, even for beginners. You just need your regular trusty eyeshadow tools. I often rely on around three to four brushes for the different corners of the eyes to complete a look. The Naked Heat range comes with complementary 24/7 Glide On liners and Vice lipstick. I like the pink-burgundy Torch, and the pink beige nude Fuel lipstick. Click here for the swatches.

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 …

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 …