Guerlain Les Tendres Spring 2015 Collection Review and Swatches

Ever since the promo images for Guerlain Spring 2015 have been released, I've been waiting for ages for it to launch - and so it had! Allow me to indulge you with a pic-heavy post on the latest collection from none other than GUERLAIN!!

I have arranged products with marshmallows, candies and jelly beans...to tell you how delicious the collection is!

DiorSnow Fresh Cheeks Glowing Colour Powder Blush, 5 Couleurs in #874 Tenderness Swatches (Asia-Exclusive)

Hey Beauties, I'm THRILLED to show you 2 items from the Asia-Exclusive DIOR SNOW collection today. Take a deep deep breath before you proceed to read.

Burberry Complete Eye Palette #15 Sage Green Swatches

Burberry's latest spring offering - a Complete Eye Palette with shades of greens - gets me terribly excited. I"m not big on greens usually but I find this palette's colors extremely wearable. Knowing it's Burberry, it almost whispers "muted" to me so I'm not afraid the colors will be too 'loud' for my liking.

Chanel Ombres Tracees in Jardin Zen, Illusion d'Ombre in Rose Des Vents Swatches

I'm thrilled to show you the new quad from Chanel - Ombres Tracees in Jardin Zen, and the Illusion d'Ombre cream shadow in #94 Rose Des Vents today! It's been quite a while since I last featured Chanel on this blog and I'm ecstatic to procure these two pieces.

Guerlain Ecrin 2 Couleurs in 06 Two Parisian Swatches and Review

When Guerlain released their latest Ecrin 2 couleurs eyeshadow, I wasn't particularly thrilled at the color combinations (I stayed on the 'safe' side when it comes to eyeshadows, ho!). I played with the testers at the counter with Elaine and I dipped my finger to the pink shade in 06 Two Parisian, it was soooo soft the shadow crumbled right under my index finger. Needless to say it created a mess to clean up (lol) but I was hooked by this shade thereafter.

Giorgio Armani Kaleidoscope Collection Eyes To Kill Eyeshadow swatches

So today I dropped by the Armani store when I heard the Kaleidoscope Collection from Fall had been released, and I've got some swatches and close-ups for all of you.

Guerlain Fall sneak peek

Elaine and I met this Monday since she was visiting HK, and we spotted the Guerlain Fall release out already! We snagged up all the stock (4 pieces) for the new Madame Rougit blush, LOL

Burberry Summer Splash Palettes' Swatches

I received this promo in my inbox yesterday, Burberry is releasing LE palettes this summer! Who knew?

1028 Brownie Eyes Palette swatches / 1028 朱古力包裝的眼影盒

During the past 6 months I've been on a skincare kick and I realized I haven't been talking about makeup for a while already. So, today I'll be showing you something from the Taiwanese drugstore front. The beauty addict in me asked my mom to look out for this palette for me while she was in Taiwan, it's no other but "Brownie Eyes" palette by the brand 1028!

Doesn't it look like a box of chocolates? If you're a die-hard fan of neutral eyeshadows, chances are that you will drool just by looking at the box...

我近半年迷上了護膚和保養, 好似好耐無同大家介紹化妝小物咁, 所以今日會講下購自台灣開架品牌 1028既 Brownie Eyes Palette. 呢盒眼影是我媽搜購的, 呵呵! 外型很似朱古力盒嗎? 單是看包裝已經要吞口水了!

Easy breezy day and night looks with Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks // Bobbi Brown持久炫彩眼影筆 打造話咁易的日夜妝!

Today I'll be showing you how to create day and night looks using Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks, which had just been released! These play sticks and crayons, which are extremely easy and handy to work with!

今天和大家介紹如何使用 Bobbi Brown 新的持久炫彩眼影筆系列來打造話咁易既日夜 2 種妝效. 呢次推出既眼影筆很似蠟筆, 用起黎十分容易同方便!

I'd be using three shades from the range: 

Vanilla, a beige ivory color without shimmer;

Bark, a dark brown with slight shimmer;

Violet Plum, a deep plummy shade also with very fine shimmer. 

我揀了 3 隻色黎示範今次介紹的 2 種妝效: 

Vanilla 是象牙米黃色, 無閃粉的;

Bark 顧名思義就是樹幹的啡色, 微閃;

Violet Plum 是深紫色, 微閃.

Some swatches on arm. You will see that Vanilla is a color-correcting shade basically, it's immensely useful to neutralize the discoloration on our eyelids. These shadow sticks are pigmented and glides smoothly on the skin so there's no tugging or blotchy patches, bonus!

在手背上的試色, Vanilla 很適合用來調色, 它的象牙色剛好蓋掉了眼蓋上的暗灰, 絕對是必買的顏色! 既可以做 corrector, 又可做底色, 畫在眉骨做 highlight 都仲得! 值得一提的是這個系列的眼影筆全都是很 '上色'的, 刷上皮膚絕不會有拉扯的感覺, 畫出來平均並且柔滑, 不會一韃韃, 超讚!

I'll create a timeless neutral eye using ALL THREE SHADES:

而家講下點畫一個乜場合都岩, 永遠唔會 outdate 既 neutral look, 我用晒以上 3 種顏色:

First, swipe Vanilla all over the eyelid to correct any discoloration, use your fingers to blend evenly:

首先在整個眼窩畫上 Vanilla, 用手指推開, 先中和眼蓋的暗沉:

Apply BARK to the outer 1/3 of the lid, just below the crease, then use your fingers to blend. Add a flick of black eyeliner on upper lash line. 

然後用 Bark 在 眼尾的 1/3 位置塗數下, 在眼褶以下停下來, 用手指往內眼方向 blend 開, 造出漸變效果. 我用了黑色的眼線筆畫上眼線.

Lastly, dab a bit of Violet Plum on the inner corner, use your fingers to blend again:

最後, 以 Violet Plum 在內眼角點數下, 用尾指推開:

After blending, you will see that the darker colors used on the outer and inner corners instantly gave more dimension to the eye, it resembled the deeply sculpted eyes. This is timeless neutral eye look with a twist ;)

推開之後, 你會發現內外眼角的深色令眼蓋中間位置更鮮明突出, 強化眼部輪廓, 令這個 neutral look 更有玩味 ;)

The second look I create below will be suitable for ladies who prefers more dramatic and sultry look. Here, I swiped Vanilla all over the eyelid again, then blend.

第 2 個 look 適合喜歡 dramatic 效果的女士們. 同樣地, 先塗 Vanilla 在整個眼蓋, 推開作調色之用.

Apply Bark as an eyeliner just above the upper lash, blend with fingers. 

把 Bark 用作眼線般在上眼線位置畫數下, 然後 blend 開.

Apply Violet Plum on lower lash line as eyeliner, stopping just before reaching the inner corner.

以 Violet Plum 畫下眼線, 在接近內眼角前停下.

Eyes instantly look more awake. 

眼晴即時精神起來.

I used the deep purple sparkle shade in Black Pearl Eyeshadow Palette, also released by Bobbi Brown earlier: 

我用了同是 Bobbi Brown早前出的 Black Pearl 眼影盤右上角帶有明顯閃粉的深紫色:

Swipe the dark sparkle shade on lower half of eyelid, stopping just beneath the crease, blend again. Apply black eyeliner on the upper lash line.

用眼影掃塗於眼褶以下的位置, 推勻, 再加黑色眼線.

Voila! The night sultry look is done! Isn't that easy breezy? The whole process took just a few minutes! 

這個輕易的晚妝便完成了! 整個過程才只不過數分鐘!

These Bobbi Brown cream shadow sticks are extremely convenient and easy to work with, all you need to do is: SWIPE, BLEND, and GO! If you haven't played with these yet, go and swatch them at the counters - there are a total of 8 new shades in the lineup! They are HK$260 each.

這次介紹的筆狀眼影膏十分方便帶出街使用, 連眼影掃都省掉, 只需畫, 推開, 搞掂! 一共有 8 色, 快 d 去專櫃玩下啦! 每支售 HK$260. 

Products I'm digging lately / 愛不釋手的產品

I intended to post this sooner but somehow a plethora of personal issues had eroded much of my spare time and mental energy. So here it is, a new post on the products I've been digging a lot lately! 

原本打算早點寫起這篇文, 惟在數天之間, 各種生活煩腦接踵而來, 實在令我吃不消. 現在終於大功告成了! 以下會介紹幾種我近來都 keep 住用的產品:

Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick SPF 15 in Pink: I just adore the print on the lipstick tubes (both outer and the bullet!), they look like newspaper print, and the best part? This lip balm really moisturizes chapped lips, and it carries a very faint tint of pink as well. I had no hesitation to put it in my handbag since it has SPF protection as well. This is the tube I reach for whenever my lips are chapped and don't know what else would look good and at the same time, heal.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit: I've had this shadow for ages but kept overlooking it. Until I discovered Burberry Pale Barley, and Birthday Suit happened to resurface amongst my stash, I put them side by side to compare, and I love both. FYI, Birthday Suit is slightly more 'bronze' and more shimmery. I love how easily this shade applies to the lids, it brightened my eye and made them look awake. Do note though, cream shadows do start to dry out after sometime. 

Korres 潤唇膏 - 很喜愛那種報紙 print, 外殼和內膽都印了圖案, 還有防曬功效, 帶點微粉紅色的輕輕塗已很漂亮. 還有!!! 無敵的潤唇功效!

Benefit Birthday Suit 眼影膏 - 有了這瓶眼影很久了, 直至我愛上 Burberry 的 Pale Barley, 才發現2 者很近似. 這瓶眼影膏很易塗搽, 又持久, 對眼即時精神晒. 不過要小心關好瓶蓋, 要不很快便會乾掉!!

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation - My skin had been misbehaving for the past year (gasp!) and only this foundation could conceal the blemishes for the most part. I usually need some concealer on top and everything will be covered up. I'd totally recommend this to anyone who wants high coverage.

Le Metier de Beaute Eye Brightening and Setting Powder in Revive - I've terribly dark under eye circles and thought this might help. This little compact doesn't really offer coverage to eye circles, but at least it could help your concealer last longer. For the lines under my eyes (yes I know, pathetic, right?), they still do appear after using this. My point is, this is not a wrinkle-filler kind of setting powder, but I do feel more confident when using it.

Giorgio Armani Luminessence Universal Greige BB Fluid SPF 50++ - this product is not tinted according to skintones so that it has coverage, nor it is completely without tint. The name “greige” already suggested a blend of beige and grey together. It doesn’t translate to the face as a greyish color at all. The effect is pretty colorless and therefore, without coverage. I use this as primer mainly, due to its high sun protection. I could not remember why I bought this. It’s not bad, absorbs easily and gives a healthy glow (without shimmers) to your complexion. My trusted primer in the past, is a tinted sunscreen from Orbis. However, that became too drying on me since last winter. I needed something slightly less runny and I discovered this in my stash (I bought it but hid it away somewhere). The packaging is a squeeze pump once you open the cap, not a squeeze nozzle.

Giorgio Armani Designer Lift 粉底液 - 自從我的皮膚學懂了爆粒粒是不須要理由的道理後, 這粉底便成了我的好朋友 (真悲哀...). 單搽一層, 已經遮了 8 成的痘印, 只須加少少 concealer 便行了. 遮瑕度極高, 絕對推薦啊!

Le Metier de Beaute 眼部定妝粉 - Joyce Beauty有LMdB, 但應該沒有賣這個眼部定妝粉了. 這個粉不會有任何遮瑕的作用, 眼下的細紋照舊會存在. 不同的是, 它令 concealer 不會容易脫落.

Giorgio Armani Luminessence BB 底霜 - 這支底霜話它無色又唔係, 話它有色又唔係. 個名 “greige”就是混合了象牙色和灰色色調, 但搽上面又唔會變有色, 亦唔會有遮瑕度. 不太記得當初為何買了它, 但我用開的 orbis sunscreen 不再適合我的皮膚了(因為太乾了). 這支底霜質地不會太水, 防曬度又高, 唔錯. 打開了蓋後, 是個泵嘴設計, 不是唧的.

Alpha H Liquid Gold (with Glycolic Acid) - decided to give Liquid Gold a go and bought an Alpha H sample kit. I wasn't sure the idea of glycolic acid doing to my badly broke out skin in the first place, but after two uses, I'm a total convert! I couldn't say this eliminate ALL breakouts I have, because I don't think it's possible. However, it does leave my skin less bumpy and more smooth by the next morning! I've had a huge zit about to pop out and after using this, it shrunk size-ably the next day. One thing you should note though, if you have any broken out pimples/acnes/zits, or other 'wounds' on your skin, you will feel minor tingle and slightly pain like a small electric shock when you apply Liquid Gold to those area. I, however, continued to use under such circumstances. I suggest you to try a small bottle first.

Alpha H Liquid Gold - 這支超級神奇的 skin treatment, 實在不知應該稱為 toner 還是甚麼名堂好. 它是含有 glycolic acid 的柔膚露, 似 toner. 隔晚使用, 用後不要用任何護膚程序, (我只塗了 eye cream), 便可入睡!! Zzzzz 岩晒我!! Zzzz 我試過有粒勁大既痘準備爆出來, 用了這個之後, 那粒痘起床時收細了勁多! 同埋佢令皮膚滑了很多. 不過喇, 都是先試一試牛刀啊, 畢竟不知道你皮膚受得了嗎? 還有, 如果你面已經有爆發了的粒粒, 或者有粒粒造成的傷口, 塗這個時你的皮膚會有觸電的微痛感覺, 但我在這些情況下還是會用的! 

How often and how do you use Liquid Gold? One might wonder. Easy Easy. You soak a cotton pad up once every two days, at night, apply to your face after washing. Do not follow with normal skincare, because this is the only way to allow Liquid Gold to work its best. This product is so cool because I have an excuse to allow myself to be lazy! Wash your face, apply LG with cotton pad, eye cream, and go to bed! Simplicity is what I craved when my skin broke out incessantly!

隔晚使用, 洗面後把這個倒在化妝棉, 再搽在面上, 不須任何護膚程序 (起初不太信), 便可睡覺! 我只塗了 eye cream 便睡覺了. 第2天醒來, 皮膚有一半以上地方變平滑了. 我在 beautybay.com 買的, zuneta.com 亦有售.

Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP - I bought this without a sniff beforehand, just based on the reviews online. After my first spritz, I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE THIS SCENT!! It's a very mysterious, strong, bold, and yet feminine scent. I'm not too sure what goes inside the bottle notes and the making of Black Orchid, but the perfume makers and Tom Ford has got it right!!! The scent really lingers still after 8 hours, which is AMAZING. None of my other EDPs really can compare in terms of longevity. The first time I wore it in office, my boss actually came and asked me what scent I"m wearing. To me, it's a very special scent which not only the girl in me loved. Black Orchid is bold, loud, and sexy. 

Tom Ford Black Orchid 香氛 - 買的時候未聞過 (網購的), 一聞了就不得了, 我完全愛上了這個味道! 我不再鍾情微花香, 果香那些了. 不太清楚入面的調子是如何構成的, 但都不再重要了. 這個絕對不是為喜歡 "淡香氛" 的人而設的, 我則十萬個喜愛, 因它味道很出位, 很sexy, 很有女人味, 連我老闆都忍唔住問我噴左乜, 話佢會買番支. 

That's all for my sharing, have you found any favourite products lately? What are they?

你近來有發現甚麼 products 令你愛不釋手嗎?

Paul & Joe Carousel Collection Swatches

This is going to be a very brief post. In short, the Paul & Joe Carousel Collection is simply too adorable to pass. Look at the elephant-print lipstick and eyeshadow! I love anything to do with merry-go-rounds, so that eyeshadows are a must-have. Speaking of cartoon drawings, I like cartoon drawings of cats, horses, elephants, giraffes and dolphins. Before I stretch too far away from the topic, let's get to see the real products in the Paul & Joe spring collection!

My staple products of late

It's been quite a while since I last shared my staple products. One of my resolutions for 2013 is to blog more, and here I present to you my staples for the past 2-3 months:

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadows #24, #25, #26, #27, #28 & #29 Swatches// Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill ACQUA 防水眼影試色圖

Hello beauties, I've had these little gems for over 2 months already and I've finally got around to posting swatches :P I'll let the vivid and intense colours blow you away now so you'll forgive my late posting haha. The newly released 6 ETKs (Eyes To Kill shadows) are part of the ACQUA Collection this summer. Their numbers are #24 - #29.

Without further ado, I'll keep this post short and sweet, and let the pictures do the talking.

Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Eyeshadows in Apparition and Destination Swatches// Chanel Apparition 及 Destination 眼影膏試色圖

Earlier on this week, I walked by a Chanel standalone store in Harbour City, I successfully got a friend to get the Illusion d'Ombre eyeshadows. I skipped the Illusion d'Ombres in Vision and Abstraction but fell immediately with Destination and Apparition, which were also a limited release only available in 3 standalone stores in Hong Kong.

早前經過 Chanel 專門店, 成功誘導朋友包下了最新及限量的眼影膏, 我也不例外, 呵呵. 之前推出的 Vision (金) 及 Abstraction (珊瑚橙紅) 我都乖乖跳過了.  是次介紹的 Destination 及 Apparition 只在 3 間Chanel 專門店有售.

Going "Minimal" and "Pop" for Fall 2012 with Maybelline offerings! // 以Maybelline產品創造秋季''Pop" & "Mineral" look!

The Maybelline trend of F/W 2012 makeup emphasizes on "Minimal" with beige nude lips and "Pop" look with daring red lips. And good news to your wallet, you only need two different lipsticks and two different eyeshadow palettes to create the 2 looks which could bring you anywhere from lazy days-out to the red carpet. 

Maybelline 的F / W 2012重點在創造 "Minimal" 及 "Pop"的妝容 。你只需要兩種不同顏色的唇膏和兩款不同的眼影色便足夠應付懶洋洋的日子和紅地毯場合了。

 

Step 1: Create a smooth canvas with Pure Mineral BB Base.

This lightweight BB base conceals, preps, provides SPF 26/ PA+++, evens out your skin tone in no time. Coverage is medium-sheer and texture is light. The minerals in it helps to control oil throughout the day to ensure a long lasting wear.

Step 1: 用純礦物BB 底霜打造順滑肌膚。

這支超輕量的BB底霜遮瑕，為肌膚打底，防曬, 在任何時候均勻你的膚色。 遮瑕度中等偏輕。它的礦物質有助整天控制面油，確保持久。

Step 2: Line your eyes with Hyper Sharp Liquid Liner. The liner once set, does not smudge or budge. It can be removed with soap & water, application is easy and dries fast.

Step 2: 在你的眼睛畫上眼線。Hyper Sharp 眼線液不塗抹或暈染。可以用肥皂和水清除，畫上後乾的速度很快。

Step 3: Curl and Coat your lashes with False Lash Volume Express Waterproof Mascara. Create a look which looks like you have put falsies on (yet minus the hassle).

Step 3: 捲曲睫毛和塗上與假睫毛般卷曲濃密效果的 Volume Express防水睫毛膏。

 

Step 4: For "Minimal" Look, pick Hyper Diamonds Eyeshadow Palette in BR-1. The palette consisted of earth-toned and office-friendly colors (see swatches above). Use the lightest color (golden champagne) on inner 1/3 of your lids and blend the third color on your lid. Smudge the darkest color onto your crease and outer 1/3 of your eye. Dab the fourth color all over your lid for some diamond sparkle.

Step 4: 要達致 "Minimal" look，用鑽石眼影BR-1, 包括大地色調和適合辦公室的啡色調（見上面試色圖）。使用最淺的顏色（香檳金）塗於內1/3眼蓋上, blend 中間的顏色於整個眼蓋。把最深的顏色塗抹到眼摺位和眼睛外1/3的位置。然後在整個眼窩搽第四色, 令眼神更閃耀.

Step 4: Alternatively, for "Pop" Look, pick Hyper Diamonds Eyeshadow Palette in WN-1, which consisted of royal-looking violet hues and lilacs (see swatches below). Apply second lightest color on the inner 1/3 of your eye and the medium color all over your lid. Smudge the darkest color on crease and outer 1/3 of your eye. Apply the lightest color all over your lid for extra sparkle and on the browbone for highlighting.

要達致 "Pop" look，用鑽石眼影WN-1, 色調包括貴族氣質的深紫和淺粉紅（見下圖試色）。使用第二淺的顏色塗於內1/3眼蓋上, blend 中間紫色於整個眼蓋。把深紫色塗抹到眼摺位和眼睛外1/3的位置。然後在整個眼窩搽第四色. 用最淺的顏色在眉骨上作 highlight.

Step 5: For "Minimal" look, use ColorSensational Lipstick in #721 Iced Brown, a warm brown beige color to warm up your lips for the My Lips But Better pout. For "Pop" look, use lipstick in #475 Coral Diamonds for a daring red pout. And voila! Two easy looks are done!

Step 5: "Minimal" look 可使用ColorSensational唇膏＃721，一隻溫暖的棕色，令整個妝容warm up。"Pop" look 可使用＃475 - 大膽的鮮紅色與紫色眼影的配合令人一見難忘。2個截然不同的 look 便大功告成了!