Review – Tom Ford Eye Color Quad No. 02 Cognac Sable

Also on loan from Jacqueline of My Beauty Hoard, today’s review is all about the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad No. 02 Cognac Sable. The colors are beautiful, and personally these are the type of colors i would have made a move on myself. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Product Description: (taken from Saks website)

The centerpiece of the Tom Ford color collection. Each Eye Color Quad is designed with four opulent complementing shades that achieve multiple looks, from a bold, smokey eye, to a sexy slash of color and everything in between. Formulated with advanced color processes, the four luxurious finishes – sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer, and matte – offer a spectrum of intensity and effects and deliver incredible shade fidelity and outstanding adhesion. Two custom applicators included.

My thoughts:

If you are in the market for quality eyeshadows that pack a punch, go visit the Tom Ford counter. Yes, it will burn a hole in your pocket at S$100 a pop. I say, even if you don’t buy it, go swatch it and feel for yourself. I don’t have many words for it but just remember that it is soft, buttery smooth and glides on like a dream. Even the glitter in that sparkly copper shade is so fine damnit! You are right, these colors are nothing unique, but i personally love the quality, and they are so easy to blend. However, despite how amazing i think this palette is, the dark brown shade (bottom most in the pic above) is slightly less pigmented than the rest, i had to swipe my finger over the pan a couple more times than the rest to achieve that intensity in the swatch above.

Here’s a FOTD where i’ve used the Cognac Sable palette on my eyes. On my cheeks i’m using Tom Ford Cheek Color 03 Flush (which i’ve reviewed here)
What do you think? Does this FOTD suit my coloring?

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and have not been influenced by PR companies or advertisers. Products featured/reviewed are purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.

Review – Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

This is an oldie, but definitely a goodie! I bought it in the US earlier this year, but forgot all about it till about a week ago. I’ve been having a bout of dry skin for a while now, and so i figured there was no better time than now to put the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief to the test. I’m not sure how much it retails for, but i paid about US$30 for this baby (50ml) at the CCO in the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

Before i go any further, let’s take a look at some of the pictures i have here for you.

My Thoughts:

This product features a light gel cream texture which is absorbed quite quickly into the skin. I did not detect any strong scent, and it doesn’t leave any sticky residue on the skin either. The texture is so light, it applies like a dream. I love it! Well…some of  you may have something to say about the lack of spatula for scooping the product. But…no complaints from me!

I’ve been using it for a week now, mostly at night. My skin feels plump and smooth even after waking up in the morning. The dry patches of skin on my cheeks have also disappeared. In fact, i was able to feel a difference in my skin just after 1 day. Sleeping in an air-conditioned environment wasn’t helping my already dry skin, so the ‘surge’ in hydration was extremely welcome! Over the weekend, i also tried using it under my sunscreen in the day. That worked out well too!

Overall, i’m extremely pleased with the results and it has fast joined the troupe of staples that i use during my night time skincare routine. If you’re having some trouble with dry/dehydrated skin, give this a go. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and have not been influenced by PR companies or advertisers. Products featured/reviewed are purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.

Review – Essential Nuance Airy Anti-frizz Serum

Sponsored Review

Today is all about the Essential Nuance Airy Anti-frizz Serum from Kao. Before i go any further, i’d just like to state up front that THIS IS A GEM! I really love it!

This serum is an Intensive Leave-on Treatment enriched with high purity honey oil & cuticle repair essence to provide continuous care for damaged hair. It instantly smoothens peeling cuticles while repairing damaged hair surface.

Usage:
- Apply from mid-length to tips, concentrate on damaged areas.
- Pump an appropriate amount of serum onto palm. Spread and apply evenly onto hair.
- Do not rinse off.

My thoughts:

My hair is naturally wavy/curly, so it tends to be slightly coarse. Add daily blow-drying and frequent coloring into the mix, it’s not exactly a pretty picture. I’m not blessed with straight smooth hair, so i put in quite a fair bit of time and effort to make it look decent. And because of my hair texture, it tends to get frizzy with a lot of fly-aways especially if my hairdresser thins it down too much to remove the weight of my thick hair. I know… long and sad story.

I’ve tried many hair products before to tame the fly-aways and to keep the split ends under control. They were always too oily and rich and weighed my hair down. It was a nightmare! So i’m really glad to recommend this product. 2-3 pumps is all i need for my medium-length hair. I love that it is not oily at all, and it doesn’t weigh my hair down. My hair feels soft and silky-smooth, most fly-aways are tamed and my hair just looks good in general. Best of all, my hair smells great too.

I usually apply this to my hair after my blow-dry. If you’re pressed for time in the morning and don’t bother too much, do it at night before you go to bed and leave it overnight. It has done wonders for my hair so far and i’m really loving it. Before this came into my life, i was actually using the Macadamia Hair Oil Treatment for my hair. It works the same and provides generally the same results – but this of course more pocket-friendly! You have to try this!

Review – Amethystory Mineral Yogurt Mask

Sponsored Review

Today I’d like to put the spotlight on the all new Amethystory Mineral Yogurt Mask. They say it is as good for your skin as it is edible

So what’s the story and how can it help you and I?
The Amethyst Mineral Yogurt Mask builds upon the natural goodness of premium yogurt with the additional special blend of Amethyst, Tranexamic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Bio Energy Fluid, Ginseng and Olive Oil. Your skin becomes instantly brighter, feels more moisturized and soft. With regular use, a fairer and more even skin tone will give you a natural radiant glow from within.

What sort of results can one expect from frequent use?
- Intensively nourishes and rejuvenates skin, for a soft and smooth complexion
- Excellent whitening and brightening of skin, giving a naturally fair and radiant complexion
- Deeply hydrates and locks in moisture, for supple and healthy looking skin
- Helps to keep skin refreshed and cool
- Non-greasy formula for easy and deep absorption into skin

Here are some pictures to give you a better idea of what it looks like.

My Thoughts:

At first glance, the texture looks very similar to your gel-type facial masques. It even feels like it, with a somewhat creamier touch. If you like fruity smells, then you’ll probably kinda like this and best of all, it isn’t very over-powering. I just wish the product wasn’t housed in a tub like this – those of who you are very particular about hygiene will most likely agree with me. Throw in a spatula at least!

I usually remove my make-up, cleanse thoroughly then pat my face dry – before i apply this product evenly across my face. It doesn’t feel greasy, in fact it is very light and glides easily across the face which makes application a breeze. I leave it for on for about 20-30 minutes then wash it all off. I do feel a significant difference, in the sense that my skin does indeed feel softer and smoother. BUT, don’t expect the results to last too long though. If within the next hour i don’t apply some form of moisturizer, my skin starts to feel a bit itchy because it’s dry. That’s just how my skin reacts though cos i have sensitive skin. Many of you are not likely to face the same after-effects. Also, i have used this product just a few times now and i haven’t experienced any brightening or whitening effects – it may be too early to judge. So i will continue to use this and see if there are any further results.

Overall, i do think it helps to promote hydration and it is generally a no frills product that helps keep skin smooth and supple. And at such a pocket-friendly price of $18.90, i think it’s worth a try!

Disclaimer: Product featured was provided for review. Review is my complete and honest opinion. I am not affiliated with or compensated by the company.

Review – Mentholatum Sunplay Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++

Sponsored Review

Protecting my face from the harmful rays of the sun is an essential part of my daily skincare routine. What about you? Despite how sun care products are heavily promoted these days, i still know some people who don’t use sun block at all. There is a misconception that sun block or sun care products in general are only for those who are into “whitening” or for those who wish to maintain their fair skin. The fact is that the sun can do quite a lot of damage to your skin. Just because you don’t feel/see it right away doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I know some friends with pigmentation who wish they could have started using sun care products earlier.

So anyway, as you may have already guessed, today’s review is all about the new Sunplay Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF50+ PA+++ from Mentholatum. I’m pretty sure you have come across this brand several times before in Watsons or Guardian, and other departmental stores. This is my first time trying out a Sunplay product so i was definitely excited about doing this review.

The Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk (42g) is safe for use on both face and body. Formulated with Solarex-3, a 3-in-1 UV Defense system, this product claims to provide:

(1) long-lasting, superior UV protection with SPF 50+ and PA+++

(2) UV anti-aging protection with RonaCare Ectoin and French Golden Algae to help prevent pigmentation and wrinkles

(3) intense hydration with Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen and Pro Vitamin B5

The bottle comes with a screw cap packaging and is fitted with a nozzle-like opening to dispense the contents. With its narrow opening, it is easy to control the amount of product dispensed and of course, it is sanitary as well. You should shake the bottle well before use, and you can hear something like ball bearings inside the bottle.

The texture of the moisture milk is, as you may imagine, watery. However, it has somewhat of a slight gel texture to it. It was very easy to apply on my skin – no stickiness and best of all, no white cast!! It also dries fairly quickly, leaving my skin with a smooth satin-like finish and that’s probably because it contains silicones. This makes it suitable as a make-up base and i must say it has been a pleasant experience so far. It even helps to control the oiliness on my T-zone to a certain extent. Also, my sensitive skin has had no reaction with the use of this product.

The only thing i’d like to mention is that though it doesn’t dry my skin out or anything like that, my skin doesn’t feel very hydrated throughout the day. Otherwise, i think it is a great economical product that works like it should and you should check it out for yourself!

The Sunplay Skin Aqua range is available at Watsons, Guardian, Sasa, Unity and other major department stores. Do check out Sunplay’s Facebook page here for more information on their products.

Review – Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry

Okay… it’s gonna be a mouthful but here we go… the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm. I’ve come to love this product and would like to share a short review with you today.

Pdt Information (taken from Clinique website)

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm has a highly moisturizing formula that uses a special blend of decadent butters, oils and antioxidants to help protect and pamper lips with immediate and lasting moisturization. Infused with Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter and Jojoba Seed Oil, Chubby Stick delivers a surge of moisture in a sleek stick leaving lips soft, supple and soothed.

Here’s a swatch of 07 Super Strawberry on the back of my hand

My thoughts:

As its name suggests, the texture of this product is really like a lip gloss, only with more intense color than most other lip balms. It glides on smoothly and the color is buildable depending on how much color you’d like for your look of the day. I love how it’s packaged in a retractable barrel, and you’ll never need to sharpen this product. You can also the pointed tip to outline your lips first before filling in the color. Simply twist to release more product, then twist back before replacing the cap.

My lips feel really moisturized when i use the chubby stick. The only downside is that the lip color isn’t really as long lasting as i’d like it to be. But since it’s so convenient i don’t mind re-applying when necessary. It’s also really handy to bring around for touch-ups. The chubby stick retails for S$26 (or US$16). I’d really like to get Pudgy Peony and Mighty Mimosa.

Have you tried this product? Which are your favourite colors?

Here’s a snapshot of what Super Strawberry looks like on my lips.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and have not been influenced by PR companies or advertisers. Products featured/reviewed are purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.

Review – Shu Uemura Face Architect Smooth Fit Fluid Foundation

I’ve been using the Shu Uemura Face Architect Smooth Fit Fluid Foundation for the last 2 months or so, and it has fast become my all-time favourite foundation. It was through a personal recommendation from a colleague and several positive reviews that i decided to take the plunge with this one. I’ve tried several drugstore liquid foundations and bb creams, and since this came along those have found a place at the back of drawer. Not that those weren’t any good, but i’m enjoying this foundation far too much to paying any attention to my other products (for now!).

First up, here are some pictures of the product.

And here’s a swatch of the liquid foundation. I’m using Shade 764 medium light beige. If you need an equivalent, i’m usually a MAC NC25.

My thoughts:

I like the frosted glass bottle packaging, the look and feel is simple and minimalist. The bottle feels solid and i have a good grip on it. It comes with a pump dispenser, which you all know i love because it’s so easy to control the amount of product that is dispensed and that really helps to prevent unnecessary wastage. Plus, it’s just much more sanitary that way.

The consistency is light, yet it isn’t runny. It provides a semi-matt finish which looks fresh and natural, and my skin feels hydrated. It’s very easy to blend, and i do that with a brush as it’s much faster to blend it out across your face. According to the SA at the Shu Uemura counter, this gives sheer to medium coverage, but i feel it’s more of a medium to heavy coverage. It’s very buildable, and even if you opt for heavier coverage which i’ve done so for certain nights out, it didn’t cake up.

I’ve received a few compliments from my colleagues/friends that my skin appears brighter with this foundation. In terms of oil control, i’m pretty pleased with the performance thus far ( i use a face primer as well so this combination works well). For 30ml of product, it retails for $65 and is made in Japan.

I’d totally recommend this product, especially if you’ve been having trouble finding one with a semi-matt finish that doesn’t dry out your skin. Thumbs up!

And here’s a FOTD where i’m using the smooth fit fluid foundation. Thanks for looking!

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and have not been influenced by PR companies or advertisers. Products featured/reviewed are purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.

Review – VMV Hypoallergenics Hydra Balance Smart Cleansing Scrub

Sponsored Review

VMV Hypoallergenics is a brand i discovered recently, and they cater specifically for people who have sensitive skin. If you’d like a quick introduction to this brand that just launched in Singapore back in September, read this. Skin safety for VMV Hypoallergenics – isn’t just a nice perk, it’s a complete lifestyle.

I mentioned in my previous post that VMV Hypoallergenics is the world’s ONLY brand that uses a validated hypoallergenic rating system. So how does a VH-rating system work? And what does that mean to you and me?

The higher the number, the more allergens are ABSENT from a product and the better the chances that you won’t develop a rash or other skin problems. The slash followed by a number shows the current maximum number of known allergens. The current highest VH-Rating is -76/76 (contains 0 of all 76 known allergens). If a product contains one allergen, its VH-Rating would change to VH -75/76* (contains one allergen out of 76). The asterisk is repeated on the product’s ingredient list so you can quickly identify which is the included allergen (it’s underline, too, so you can’t miss it).

Almost all VMV products are ranked VH -76/76. While lower VH ratings can work for many people, you can choose products with higher VH numbers if you have a history of allergies or hypersensitivity. This is the beauty of the VH-Rating System: you are empowered with a clear skindication of what allergens are included/excluded so you can more wisely choose what you can use.

So without further ado, let me introduce to you one of my favourite products from VMV – the Hydra Balance Smart Cleansing Scrub.

Pdt Information:
This moisture-balanced, deep cleansing, pore-clearing facial slougher gets combination skin really, yet safely, clean. It softens + hydrates even as monolaurin deals with acne + controls shine where needed.

Ingredients:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Paraffin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pumice, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate.

 To Use:
2x-a-day, massage a small amount onto damp skin. Rinse well with water. Do not apply pressure or rub vigorously–a gentle massage is all you need. Do not scrub any one area for longer than 1 to 2 seconds at a time.

Here are some pictures of the product for you

My thoughts: 

It’s pretty much been a challenge to find a facial scrub product that my skin doesn’t react to. Most scrub products tend to be overly abrasive and leaves my skin dry with that squeaky clean feeling. Even before VMV walked into my life, i’ve been using a soapless facial cleanser to avoid upsetting my skin for the longest time. Though at the back of mind, i’ve always wondered if my skin is clean enough?

The texture of this product is very creamy and the natural pumice is quite fine. You only need a small amount for your whole face. I’m glad to share that so far my skin is pleased and it hasn’t caused any irritation. My skin feels really silky smooth after the use of this product. Just try a little on the back of your hand if you do go down to the store, you’ll know what i mean.

They say you can use it twice a day, but i usually stick to twice a week, just to give my skin some deep cleansing action and to clear the pores of grime and dirt. I love how clean my skin feels without that overly-dry squeaky clean feeling. It gives me that added assurance that i’m doing my due dilligence in keeping my skin clean, without using harsh products that might irritate my skin.

If you suffer from sensitive skin, i’d highly recommend this product. I’m loving it so far.

Disclaimer: Products featured were provided for review. Review is my complete and honest opinion. I am not affiliated with or  compensated by the company.

Review – Duwop Crush 18 Karat Eyeshadow Trio

Today i’d like to share with you my review on the Duwop Crush 18 Karat eyeshadow trio. This was a gift from my friend and fellow blogger, Carot! Thank you so much, i really love it!

As you can see from the picture, it is a trio of beautiful jewel-toned hues. They give a velvety, metallic finish which looks pretty awesome really. Crush is paraben-free, sulfate-free, petrochemical-free, free of synthetic fragrance and pthalates, contains no GMO’s, no PPG’s, no MEA’s, DEA’s, TEA’s and is formaldehyde donor-free, and triclosan-free. I’m sure that was a real mouthful, but you get the picture. ;p

Here are the swatches on the back of my arm. Aren’t they pretty? This picture was taken in natural light, indoors.

The texture is smooth, and they apply beautifully, giving you great color pay-off. Blending was a breeze, though there was some minimal fall-out. i like how the intense the colors are and the sheen you get with this simple trio of colors. You can get a lot of mileage from colors like these, cos they are easy to use for everyday looks. Nothing over the top, but the metallic sheen really makes your eyes pop! In a good way of course

And here’s my FOTD using all the colors from this eyeshadow trio. I used minimal blush on my cheeks and used a colorless lip balm to keep the rest of the face simple.

What do you think? Do you like it?

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed on this blog are my own, and have not been influenced by PR companies or advertisers. Products featured/reviewed are purchased with my own money, unless otherwise stated.

Review – Benefit Porefessional

Sponsored Review

Today, i’ll be doing a review on the Benefit Porefessional. I’ve been wanting to try this product out for the longest time, so i was more than happy when i was asked if i would like to review it!

A PRO balm meant to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines, it possess dual-action to both prime and touch-up during the day. It also contains a Vitamin E derivative known to protect skin from free radicals.

One of the best things about Benefit cosmetics is definitely their awesome packaging – always girly and fun.
Here are some pictures for you

You will see from the swatches below that it is a silky, lightweight product. That was kinda a surprise to me, i was expecting it to be thicker in consistency for some reason.

I’m not one who’s really big on primers as it takes up too much time in the morning. (i love my sleep!) However, my experience with this product has been more than pleasant so far. I love that it performs fairly well as a primer underneath my make-up and also helps to minimize the pores on my nose, side of my nose and my cheeks. It has a mattifying and smoothening effect which is great for my oily skin. I also believe it should work fine on sensitive skin, as i haven’t experienced any break-outs so far.

You’ll only need a pea-sized dollop for your T-zone, and it blends in really fast. I’m pretty sure the 22ml tube will last a pretty long time. The product looks like it’s tinted when swatched on the back of my hand, but it is color-less after blending it out. So no worries there about color matching!

To use under make-up: Apply to moisturized skin to help make-up stay put. Focus on problem areas and blend with fingertips. Pat it on, and don’t swipe!

To use over make-up for touch-ups: Pat on lightly over makeup and blend

Disclaimer: Product featured was provided for review. Review is my complete and honest opinion. I am not affiliated with or  compensated by the company.