All posts tagged: Tried and tested

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited, Amplified

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Lipsticks are the new eyeshadows. At least at Shu Uemura. The brand has always been known for its wide range of beautiful eyeshadows: metallic, glitter, matte. Now, it has expanded its lipstick colour range, to an impressive 155 shades. Encased in an acrylic bullet, the colours come in six textures. These include two new ones: amplified and amplified matte with extra pigment. All the lipsticks have also been reformulated with tsubaki (or camellia flower) oil, so that it feels extra moisturising on lips. For these textures, the colours are intense, with additional slick. Even for the matte version, there is no need to put on a coat of balm beforehand for smooth application. The Rouge Unlimited lipsticks are priced at S$42 each.

Nars Marks 25th Anniversary with Lipsticks

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Francois Nars launched his iconic eponymous makeup label 25 years ago. This year, the brand marks its anniversary with 60 new lipstick shades. To commemorate the 12 signature shades with their enigmatic names, Nars has also encased them in a red velvety bullet so you can pick them out straight: * Honolulu Honey (neutral beige, satin finish) * Blonde Venus (cool beige, matte) *Morroco (warm cinnamon, matte) *Casablanca (bold coral, satin finish) *Funny Face (bright fuchsia, matte) *Heat Wave (bright orange red, matte) *Jungle Red (vivid blue red, satin) *Trans Siberian (rich ruby rose, matte) *Red Lizard (full-on red, matte) *Shanghai Express (warm brick red, matte) *Transeurope Express (deep rose, matte) *Scarlet Express (rich blue red, matte) Flattering, intensely pigmented, and traffic-stopping; Nars lipsticks should be a staple in your makeup bag.

Aesop Seeking Silence Facial Hydrator

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Aesop’s new face cream is made to calm the skin while keeping its moisture levels balanced. The formula has an intriguing moniker – Seeking Silence Facial Hydrator – and is blended with antioxidants and humectants. The two star ingredients are a green micro-algae, the dunaliella salina extract; and an extract from the bulbs of narcissus tazetta. Both soothe irritation and reduce redness. While ginger root extract and bisabolol calm skin sensitivity. The humectants saccharide isomerate and aqualabel are also added to maintain the skin’s barrier function. To be used morning and evening on clean skin, this emulsion is ideal for those who prefer a fuss-free routine. It is also lightweight enough to be worn under makeup on a hot and humid day. It gained extra points for leaving a cooling sensation on the skin. S$80 for 60ml, available at Aesop Singapore stores 30 Sept 2019.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intense Reset Concentrate Serum

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intense Reset Concentrate

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These days, anything that promises to do more for my skin in a single step, or in lesser time, I’m up for it. So when Estee Lauder announced that it was launching a new product that would “reset” skin in a flash, my ears pricked up. Especially when it is from the iconic Advanced Night Repair line which is made to boost the skin’s repair process while you sleep. Made to complement the Advanced Night Repair Serum, the Intense Reset Concentrate promises to amp up skin repair when it is stressed. The gel emulsion contains: Concentrated Purification ingredients made from fermented yeast to boost skin cells’ natural purification process Estee Lauder’s patented Chronolux Technology, that supports the synchronisation of the skin’s nightly repair process Hyaluronic Acid and Anti-oxidants to fortify skin Multi-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Complex to keep skin plump and moisturised, while maintaining its own natural hyaluronic acid levels. Hyaluronic acid molecules of various sizes penetrate different levels of the skin’s surface to seal in moisture. Anti-Pollution Anti-Oxidants to protect skin from pollutants Gentle …

Christian Louboutin Lipstick Review

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At S$142 a pop, Christian Louboutin Beauty’s range of Rouge Louboutin lipsticks are arguably one of the most expensive in the market. But are they worth it? TBG does a quick review. With its hefty packaging, luxe matte black finish, and intricately carved cap threaded with a black sheer voile ribbon; the Rouge Louboutin lipsticks are clearly collectors’ items. Much like the namesake designer’s iconic red-soled heels. The lipsticks come in three textures: Silky Satin (20 shades), Velvet Matte (18 shades), and Sheer Voile (9 shades). Our pick is the super-pigmented Velvet Matte line which offers intense opaque colour, as well as a soft sheen. The bullet glides on easily for a coat of rich colour. We like how there is no drag. If you prefer a formula that is more wearable for everyday looks, go for the Sheer Voile options. It is translucent, glossy, and moisturising. The colour is poppy too. Another plus: the bullet has a more elaborate pattern. Watch a review here. Photos: Christian Louboutin Beauty

Cle de Peau Beauté Key Radiance Le Serum

Cle de Peau Beaute Key Radiance Range

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If you are looking to invest in an anti-ageing skincare routine, give Cle de Peau Beaute a shot with its new Key Radiance Range. The luxurious skincare label has launched its latest series of products to keep skin youthful, supple and radiant. Not many skincare brands offer an almost immediate effect for mature skin, but Cle de Peau Beaute does. The Key Radiance routine begins with the Le Serum, a watery formula with an algae complex to refresh and revitalise skin. Next, the Hydro-Softening or Clarifying Lotion exfoliates skin with Scutelleria Baicalensis (Huang Qin). For best results, use with the brand’s pillowy silk-woven cotton pads to smoothen skin. To finish the day routine, slather on the Protective Fortifying Cream or Emulsion; and use the Intensive Fortifying Cream or Emulsion for the night. Interestingly, the brand says it uses a proprietary “Time Tune” formula which is “attuned to the skin’s circadian rhythm”.

Crystal Tomato: Beyond Sun Protection SPF 75+

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Any beauty junkie worth her salt would be popping a revolutionary Crystal Tomato supplement tablet every day. We have had it in our beauty regimen for years, and the results on our skin are crystal clear: smaller pores, and brighter, firmer and overall healthier looking skin. We saw results within a week, after we started popping the pill. And the clinical results prove it. Now, to complement the Crystal Tomato supplement, the brand has launched the Beyond Sun Protection sunscreen that was five years in the making. Lightweight, non-greasy and sheer on the skin, this formula packs a punch: More than 50 per cent protection against High Energy Visible (HEV) light. Also known as Blue Light, it can cause hyperpigmentation, redness, and stimulation of the production of free radicals that can accelerate skin ageing. (The scariest part about Blue Light? You’re staring at it now. Besides the sun, sources of this skin-damaging light are the screens of electronic devices and LED lights.) Persistent Pigment Darkening Protection 17+ and PA++++; highest ratings possible Anti-pollution and antioxidant …

Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk

Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk

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Not all cleansers are made equal (or sudsy). Aesop’s new Cleansing Milk is one of the gentlest we’ve come across. Containing moisturising panthenol, grapeseed and reinvigorating sandalwood, this milky emulsion is a pleasure to use. I’d recommend including this into your routine at the end of a long day, to help you unwind before bed. This Cleansing Milk glides on like a cream. Massage onto a dirty but dry face to lift away dirt and impurities. Then rinse with water. The formula left my skin clean, soft and supple. This product is perfect if you hate that squeaky clean but dry feeling after using a regular sudsy facial wash. It would also work well on drier skin types.

Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment

Full Review: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment

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Intensive skincare treatments can be tricky. With the high concentration of ingredients, they could either work magic on the skin, or leave it irritated and prickly. And it seems Elizabeth Arden’s premium Prevage range may have gotten the formulas of its four-week Progressive Renewal Treatment right. The genius is in the four-bottles labelled 1 to 4. Each contains an increasing concentration of peeling and rejuvenating ingredients, to minimise irritation of the skin. This treatment range is made with polyhydroxy acid, and alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate and encourage cell turnover. It is also blended with the antioxidant idebenone as well as phosphate salts to maintain a low PH level on the skin for more effectiveness. The active ingredients are kept active and more potent with a push button mechanism that mixes the idebenone only upon the first use. See it in action here (from 2:21). Each bottle is enough for at least a week’s supply. (Although because I prefer to be conservative when it comes to using intensive treatments, and use only one pipette each …

Luxurious yet lightweight: Armani Beauty Crema Nera

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Armani Beauty has made its mark with its liquid lipsticks, foundations and molten eyeshadows. The colours are beautiful and striking; like the brand’s iconic fashion collections. But its skincare range? Almost non-existent until the recent launch of the Crema Nera range. And the star is the luxurious Crema Nera Extrema Supreme Reviving Cream. Lightly scented with a refreshing floral, the formula is gel-cream that is easily absorbed into the skin. It immediately gives skin a reflective sheen, and suppleness See how it works here.