All posts tagged: Tried and tested

Clarins White Plus Pure Translucency

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Clarins is one of those rare European brands that already had its finger on the pulse of skin-brightening trends from way back when; 20 years to be exact. It started in 1996 with the Whitening Essence, and now into its seventh variation for 2017, the White Plus Pure Translucency. The star of the latest range is the antioxidant-rich acerola fruit, which resembles a cherry. While doing extensive research on how melanin production takes place in the skin (which leads to dark spots), Clarins scientists also discovered the potent benefits of the acerola. The fruit contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help to protect the plants from damaging UV rays. Apparently, the younger the fruit, the more polyphenols it contains; therefore Clarins harvests the early fruits and freezes them to get the best extracts. These extracts proved to reduce melanin production by almost 25 per cent during in vitro tests. There are six new formulas in Clarins’ White Plus Pure Translucency collection. The Brightening Creamy Mousse Cleanser is lovely. Lightly scented with an uplifting floral fragrance, the cleanser …

Skin Inc Pure Recovery Dew

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Hands-down, this new hydrating formula is the most lightweight one that I’ve come across. Described as a “gel-to-dew” moisturiser, it is dispensed from the pump as a translucent white gel. But when you spread the dollop onto the skin, it turns into droplets of water. So you’ll feel like you’ve just applied an essence on your skin. Or splashed some water on your face, except that it does not dry out your skin. Emollients are added to keep the skin hydrated for longer. This Skin Inc Pure Recovery Dew ($72) concotion contains Japanese onsen water from the famous Izuma Yumura hot spring that is rich in minerals and soothes; hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturised; and the antioxidant French pine bark. I like the fact that this formula is easy to layer between my extensive day skincare routine: essence, <Recovery Dew>, serum, cream moisturiser, sunscreen, primer, foundation. Because its texture is watery when applied onto the skin, this moisturiser also blends perfectly with the rest of Skin Inc’s water-based serums. So you can continue to customise …

Shu Uemura Stage Performer Block:Booster Protective Moisture Primer SPF 50 PA+++

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When you need your makeup to last from the morning board meeting to evening cocktail drinks, a good primer is your secret weapon.  Shu Uemura’s new Stage Performer primer is a good option.  The multi-tasking formula moisturises with a lightweight gel formula, protects skin from pollutants to a certain extent, contains good UV protection – SPF 50 PA+++, and colour corrects (I like Fresh Pink) for that healthy glow.  Of course, it also smoothens the skin for easy makeup application, and helps the face paint stay on for longer.  My foundation lasted all day with the Stage Performer. Without it, my foundation is almost always gone by mid-day, and I’ll have to touch-up with a BB cushion compact. This make-up base can also be worn on its own for off-duty days, for smoother-looking and more even-toned skin.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In-Lotion

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This new extension of La Prairie’s signature caviar skincare line is a viscous, watery lotion. Absorbed easily and leaves skin with a satiny afterfeel. Like a skin softener, it prepares the face for serum and moisturiser; and adds an extra layer of suppleness to the skin. Or use it alone so the foundation goes on more smoothly. It contains panax ginseng root extract, caviar extract, a patent-pending cellular complex, lentil seed extract, oat kernel extract, yeast extract, and lactobacillus ferment, among others. The scent of this product is pretty strong; so best used on those without skin sensitivities.

Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Pearl Mask

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I’ve tried many masks, but nothing like this.  The active anti-ageing ingredients apricot oil and hyaluronic acid are encapsulated in a pearlescent jelly material, so they remain fresh.  This pearlescent jelly material cannot be dissolved when rubbed onto the skin.  The pearls are submerged in a clear gel made of a pea extract and moisturising peptides. So, you put a spatula of the pearls into a muslin sachet (each box comes with 12 disposable sachets).  Then press onto the pearls in the bag to burst and apply them onto the skin.  The watery serum is very lightweight and even foams up a little as I gently rub the bag in circular motions onto the skin. The best part? My skin is gently exfoliated at the same time.  This product feels more like an exfoliator and serum more than a mask.  I used this Pearl Mask on clean skin before bed, in place of my serum and noisturiser. But if you have dry skin, layer a cream on top.  The next morning, after one use, my …

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. 

Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense sunscreen duo

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I can’t stress enough the importance of sunscreen.  It protects the skin from wrinkles, spots and sagging.  But yes, sunscreen can be too sticky, oily and thick. Causing clogged pores, and eventually acne. Kiehl’s sunscreens are one of my favourites. Especially the Ultra Light Daily UV Defense.  The watery cream spreads easily; does not leave a white cast on the skin; and there is no greasy afterfeel. Even though it offers a high broad spectrum protection of SPF 50 PA++++ I could layer it in between an oil serum and my foundation with no issues.   For those with sensitive, acne-prone skin, Kiehl’s has launched its new Mineral sunscreen. What’s a mineral sunscreen?  It contains mineral sunblocker ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide which deflects the sun’s harmful rays.  On the other hand, chemical sunscreen ingredients – such as oxybenzone – absorbs the sun’s rays and turns it into heat. This reaction can cause irritation on those with intolerant skin. Even though chemical sunscreens have better cosmetic properties as it smoothes on more …

Isshindo Honpo Animal Face Pack and Kabuki Face Pack

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The Japanese pay attention to every detail of the packaging. I can’t read Japanese but I guess the wrapper is a sort of newsletter on the endangered pandas and tigers. —- The Kabuki Face Pack is a product of the Tokyo Midtown Award design competition. The contest showcases Japanese art and cultural tradition, as well as its expertise in beauty care. Similarly, the inside of the packaging is a newsletter with interesting nuggets of info on the art of Kabuki. Characters with red faces are good, while the blue and dark faces are evil. The blue and red strokes apparently highlights the facial muscles and veins in the human face. Collagen, camellia seed extract, tea leaf extract and satozakura flower extract infused in the mask keeps it moisturised and soft.