Operation Use It Up

Here's the bucketload of products that I managed to finish in November. With only one more month to go until the end of 2012, it seems like my beauty stash is still nothing short of overflowing. Need to be more disciplined in 2013 for sure!

1. DiorSkin Forever Compact worked pretty well for me, especially for days when I don't have the time to apply liquid foundation. However, I still prefer the more natural and seamless finish of liquid foundation. I probably won't re-purchase this since Dior comes up with new foundations virtually every year. Full review here.

2. Paul & Joe Protective Foundation Primer UV is a favourite of mine for its natural finish and ability to smoothen out the skin surface. It also does not make my skin more oily than usual. The tube contains only 26.9ml but it took me over two years to finish as I didn't use it regularly until recently. Good grief! Full review here.

3. Lancome Bifacil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover works well for whisking off eye makeup in a jiffy although with stubborn Japanese mascaras, it takes more elbow grease. It's not something I would purchase though as L'Oreal makes a much more affordable version. However, I keep getting samples of it as gifts with purchase.

4. Shu Uemura puRENovate Clarifying Balancing Moisturizer felt too heavy on my skin during the summer, but as the weather turned dryer with autumn, I was able to use this sample tube up quickly. It's not bad as a basic moisturizer but it didn't wow me.

5. L'Oreal Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is a daily staple. I go through one bottle virtually every month. It never stings the eyes.

6. Coast To Coast Rainforest Clarifying Facial Toner helps to refresh the skin without stinging or leaving it feeling dry. It has a fairly strong tea tree scent. I didn't find this to be particularly effective in combating acne. Ingredients list below.

7. Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil sounds pretty good until you examine the ingredients list and realise that argan oil is pretty far down the list. It's full of silicones, which I don't mind. It helps to tame the frizziness and doesn't make my hair feel greasy. Nevertheless, I doubt I will re-purchase this.



8. Vidal Sassoon Premium Conditioner works very well with my dyed hair, leaving it tangle-free. I actually never comb my hair, which I wash and condition once daily. In the mornings, I just use a hair serum to keep it tangle-free. This is made in Thailand.

9. L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Gentle Conditioner isn't as hydrating as the VS Premium although it does have a nicer sweet floral scent. Not something I would re-purchase as it's just too pricey.

10. Percy & Reed Finishing Polish quickly became a daily staple for taming the flyaway strands of my fringe. The scent is also delightfully fresh without being generic. I'll definitely re-purchase this. It's available on ASOS for £10. Ingredients list below.

11. Jill Stuart Body Milk has a sweet white floral scent that is just too cloying and syrupy for me. This light milk also leaves a greasy feeling on my skin.

12. L'Occitane Delice des Fleurs Rose & Violette Body Milk has a much more pleasing and elegant scent. It hydrates well without feeling greasy. This was from last year's limited edition holiday collection.

13. Clarins Extra-Firming Body Lotion also has a lovely scent and absorbs readily into the skin. However, I did not notice any firming effect.

14. La Mer The Cleansing Gel is a good basic cleanser that rinsed off easily without leaving the skin stripped or flakey. However, it doesn't seem special enough to justify the exorbitant US$65 price tag.

15. Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser is designed for oily, blemish-prone skin. While it does feel gentle on the skin, I did not notice any reduction in blemishes. It also takes several splashes to rinse off completely so I would not re-purchase this. Ingredients list below.

16. Murad Vitalic Energising Pomegranate Cleanser is also extremely gentle on the skin. It dispenses as an ultra light foam that rinses off very quickly, taking all oiliness with it. The 50ml bottle lasted barely two weeks.

17. Body Shop Rich Plum shower gel is another limited edition product from holiday 2009. Despite its age, it showed no change in consistency or scent. The rich plum aroma is intoxicating and luxurious. Wish the Body Shop would bring this back!


18. Lush Rub Rub Rub is a sea salt-based scrub that provides good exfoliating action without melting away too quickly. I like the refreshingly clean scent as well. The consistency always reminds me of 7/11 Slurpee drinks.

Ladies with an attitude... [a group blog]

Thankfully, I have been alive long enough to see each and every incarnation of Madonna's propensity and talent for reinvention, and I remember each one vividly. When has Madonna not been pretty much the coolest person in pop music? Even now, Lady Gaga with her hybridization of Marilyn Manson and Madonna, cannot hold a candle to the extremes Madonna has explored and conquered. Madonna is the Mother of Re-Invention, and she has flags planted in practically every arena-- including a bullfighting one.

So goes the theme of our group blog chosen this time around by Persolaise. Please take a few moments to check out the posts of my peers as well:

Persolaise
Candy Perfume Boy (our special guest)
Fragrant Moments

(Yep, just me and the boys this time-- just as Madge herself would have it)

I sort of thrive off of different arts coming together for any purpose, but music, fashion and perfume? That's the mother-lode. I'm going to share two of my favorite Madonna eras and pair them with what I consider to be the ideal perfume for that era.

Vogue




Not many of us knew anything about the real Vogueing scene happening in NYC when this song and video came out, so Madonna's ultra-stylized version in her video gave us a taste of something new (to us, anyway). The best part about the statement that Vogue made at the time was Madonna's homage to the most fabulous women and men of the past, mostly in the Golden Age of Hollywood. When Madonna sings "Greta Garbo gave good face", no one could argue with that. Madonna shows love for those style mavens who came before her, and it's every bit as delicious as the dapper minimalist suits worn in the video.

All these classic references deserve a classic perfume, and to my mind, it must be a Guerlain-- more specifically, Mitsouko, an exemplary chypre created in 1919 by Jaques Guerlain.

The delicate but persistent anisic note in the classic Mousse de Saxe accord is my favorite part of the Mitsouko experience. Brightly aromatic and rich, spicy and overtly sexual, this is a fragrance for grown-ups. Even though the heart boasts a punch of peach, I think it suits men and women equally. If you're lucky enough to possess even a few drops of the vintage extrait, you understand the earthy power of natural oak moss. 

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Like most people fond of Madonna's particular brand of pop, I have a soft spot for her early days. Desperately Seeking Susan first hit theaters in 1985, and as we all know, the plot leaves something to be desired, but Madonna's sexy urban nonchalance as Susan made a lot of sense to me. Everybody tried to dance like her, look like her, and display the level of confidence she innately had. She made even the most questionable wardrobe pieces seem like she was born to wear them, which leads me to the song...

Into the Groove

Nobody does a healthy combination of the sacred AND profane like Etat Libre d'Orange, and Antoine Maisondieu's Encens et Bubblegum is the perfect example. Even the perfumer's surname fits right in.

Okay, so I can't ever recall a time when Madonna projected innocence exactly, but her music heavily leaned towards bubblegum in the early days. The incense represents the consistent use of religious symbols (whether they are subtle or meant to be obvious) in practically everything she's ever done. I mean, nothing says "I'm a reformed Catholic!" quite like sugary-sweet, hot pink bubblegum paired with the intoxicating, ecclesiastical cool of frankincense, right?

Have any of you tried Madonna's perfume Truth Or Dare? I love the visual aesthetic of the bottle and graphic on it, but I've not sampled it yet. I'm tempted to, though. The power of pop compels me!

Coffret D'Or Silky Fit Liquid Foundation

During my Japan trip, I purchased the Coffret D'Or Silky Fit Liquid Foundation SPF21 PA++ in Ochre B (3675yen, 25ml). Released in August 2011, the fragrance-free foundation is touted as containing 80% beauty essence fluid plus soluble collagen to help hydrate skin. The dimethicone and vinyl dimethicone cross polymer powder and Supple Skin Veil complex help to provide a soft silk-like finish. The ingredient list in English can be found on Ratzilla Cosme.

The squeeze tube packaging is easy to control and travel-friendly. The shade is a good match for my MAC NC20 skintone and does not oxidise on me.

It has a light fluid texture that blends easily, melding into the skin for a seamless finish. I usually prep my skin first with Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer. While Silky Fit Liquid is easy to apply without a brush, but I find that using the Becca foundation brush gives a more flawless finish and allows more precise layering on areas where more coverage is needed.



I like the natural satin finish that makes my skin look healthier and more even-toned without a heavy mask-like effect. The lightweight texture is just right for my oily skin, not too dry and flat but not overly dewy either. It also provides good coverage of pores although a separate concealer is needed for the under eye area, very red blemishes and more severe pigmentation. It provides better coverage than the Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream Light, which I reviewed recently.

In terms of oil control, it also performed well (although I should note that my skin gets less oily now that it's winter here) with blotting required every 2.5 to 3 hours. This together with the Paul & Joe Face Powder 001 (from the holiday coffret) have proven to be a perfect combination for me. Silky Fit Liquid has also been reviewed by Miss Elain-nio. It is available on Adambeauty.com.

Other products used for this look: Integrate Pure Big Eyes PK333, Fashionista Fashion Secret Gel Eyeliner in 24/7 Style, Lancome Blush Subtil in 02 Rose Sable, K-Palette Lasting 2Way Eyebrow S01 and 1Day Lash Perm, Bourjois Healthy Mix Correcting Concealer #51 and Addiction Miss You More Lipgloss.

For the second look, I used the same base products and Addiction Moroccan Rose holiday palette and Azalea lipgloss.

Of the four shades in the Moroccan Rose palette, the kohl eyeliner is the most impressive with its superb colour payoff and creamy texture. There is some fallout during the application process but this can be easily cleaned up.

FeelUnique 15% off code

Get 15% off FeelUnique.com with this code for a limited time only. There are no restrictions to number of times that the code can be used. (Excludes Stila, Gatineau, ghd, Ole Henriksen & Lily Lolo.)

Some of the attractive products on offer.

Burberry Vintage Gold event at Tangs 15-16 Dec

Discover the new Vintage Gold collection from Burberry Beauty at Tangs Orchard with expert tips from Elle 2012 Makeup Artist of the Year, Larry Yeo. You can register via TANGS eStore or simply call 6836 5516 or email to burberrybeauty@luxasia.com by Wed 12 Dec.

Date / Time:
15 Dec 2012 (Sat): 2.00pm - 4.00pm, 7.30pm - 9.30pm
16 Dec 2012 (Sun): 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Venue: Burberry Beauty, TANGS Orchard L1
Fee: $30 for one, $50 for two (Fully redeemable for Burberry Beauty products)

First 50 customers to register by 5 Dec 2012 (Wed) will receive a complimentary Burberry Body Milk 35ml (worth $27). Complimentary pampering express manicure for the first 10 customers per session (on a first-come-first-serve basis).

For reviews and swatches of the new Eye Palettes, the best resources are:
Beauty Look Book
Miss Bitter
Front Row Beauty
Indigo Kir Royale

Maquillage True Cheek (Spring 2013)

For a sneak peek at the new Maquillage True Cheek which will be released on 21 January in Japan, do check out this Japanese blog and Kuri's Beauty Report. Available in two shades RD321 and PK332, the blush powder is dispensed through the built-in brush.

Cosme Decorte AQMW Spring 2013

Cosme Decorte AQMW will release its Spring 2013 collection on 16 January in Japan. It includes:

1. Eyeshadow quads #20, #21 (beige/brown) and #22 (green) (5985yen)

2. Secret Glow: Three-tone highlighting powders in SP001 and BE301 (6825yen; 4200yen for refill)

3. Blend Blush: 1 new variation (5565yen; 4200yen for refill)

4. Rouge Balm: 1 shade (2625yen)

5. Nail Enamel: 3 shades (2100yen)

See more pics and the ad visual on Runa, here, here and on Shimozuma. Pic below by Marisol.

The Secret Glow includes a brush with bristles in three tones. It comprises a glow shade (top), a luminous shade (middle) and a nuance shade (bottom). Pic below by Abe Sawako.

Chanel Le Blanc 2013 and Les Delices du Chanel

Each spring, Chanel releases a limited edition makeup collection along with new whitening skincare products as part of its Le Blanc range. According to beauty journalist Tomoichi, the Les Delices du Chanel collection will be released on 22 February in Japan. Looks like it will include a shimmery white Joues Contraste, eyeshadow quad, Illusion D'Ombre, two lipsticks, two lipglosses and a pink face powder. Although the Le Blanc makeup collections are supposed to be Asia-exclusive, in recent years they have been available in the US usually as an exclusive for Nordstrom's Anniversary event in July.

There will also be a new Le Blanc Fluid Lumiere liquid foundation with SPF30 PA++ (6825yen, 6 shades) and makeup base in four shades. Pic below by Marisol.

Pic below from Voce.

The new whitening skincare products include an Intensive Night Whitening Treatment (34650yen, 7mlx4), which is supposed to be used over four weeks, and UV Essential sunscreens in SPF50 PA+++ and SPF30 PA++ versions (6300yen each). Pic below by Frau.

Pic below by Marisol.

While researching this post, I also came across this adorable Chanel snow globe, do check it out!

Shiseido Spring 2013

For Spring 2013, Shiseido will release two Luminising Eye Color Trio (4200yen, 3g) in RD711 Pink Sands and RD299 Beach Grass and a Luminizing Sating Face Color OR308 (4200yen, 6.5g) on 1 January in Japan. Formulated with Micromatic Color Pigments and Satin Smooth Pearl particles, these glide on with a silky consistency while the Dual Optimizing Powder provides lasting power and the S Hydro Wrap Vitalizing DE provides hydrating benefits.




Shiseido will also launch a revamped version of their popular Perfect Rouge (3675yen, 4g). The new formula incorporates a Red Illuminating Pearl and Micromatic Color Pigment for a silk-like shine and fresh, vibrant color. Volumising Oil provides a creamy texture while lips remain moisturised thanks to hyaluronic acid and S Hydro Wrap Vitalizing DE. It looks like the shade range is a mix of old and new, with favourites like RD514 Dragon being retained in the new line-up. The fifteen shades are: OR341, OR544, RD142 (used in the ad visual), RD304, RD305, RD514, RD732, PK303, PK307, PK343, PK417, RS306, RS320, RS347 and RS745.

There will also be a new Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer in 10 glossy, shiny shades (3675yen, 4g) with a chic red packaging. Aside from the ingredients listed above for Perfect Rouge, the Tender Shine formula also incorporates a Dewy Oil. The shades are PK301, PK410, BE302, BR503, RD205, RD304, RD506, RS307, RS508 and RS509.

The new global face of Shiseido for 2013 is Chinese model Sui He. See a video clip on Models.com of her being made up by Shiseido Artistic Director Dick Page.