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?

Foundation that lasts from Coffee to Cocktails - Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish SPF15 // 返工放工都緊貼皮膚 - Bobbi Brown全新Long Wear Even Finish SPF15粉底液

Sometime before Easter, I was invited by Anthia and Sylvia to experience an intense workout session after work, and of course to try Bobbi Brown's new liquid foundation. I arrived at the venue, changed into gym outfits in no time, and had my face patted on with the new Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation by Bobbi Brown. I was excited to see how this foundation fares after an intense 45-minute workout session!

復活節前，我被Anthia和Sylvia邀請體驗Bobbi Brown新的無厚持久粉底液。我到達會場，換上運動服，塗上無厚持久粉底液. 我很期待經過45分鐘劇烈運動後的粉底液會變成如何！

L'Oreal Curl Impact Collagene Mascara Review//全新 L'Oreal 震撼捲曲豐盈睫毛液試用

When I knew L'Oreal is releasing a new mascara, I was extremely delighted and thought "This is just in time!" since the mascara I'm now using smudges badly (more on that later in a separate review)! I was invited to a blogger party where the new Curl Impact Collagene Mascara was introduced, here's my attempt at creating an artistic photo of the mascara using my bracelet, the gold mascara tube goes very well with the vintage-style bracelet with ruffles eh?

當知道L'Oreal推出新既睫毛膏, 我超興奮, 因為係時候要換支新架喇. 呢排用開果支睫毛膏暈染得好緊要 (另開post再講) 感謝HKCOSME & L'Oreal Paris, 我有幸獲邀參加Blogger Party, 介紹新既Curl Impact Collagene Mascara. 今次呢支mascara全新包裝, 黑色+金色既配搭第一時間令我諗起我最近買既呢條手鍊:

Some quick photos from the party: I gotta say I love the gold and white balloons, it matches with the color tones of the mascara.

Party以金色和銀白色既氣球做theme, 同支mascara好夾:
A makeup artist demonstrating how to create bigger and dramatic eyes using the new mascara and the Open Eyes Pro eyeshadow palette:

現場有L'Oreal 既makeup artist 示範點畫大眼妝:
Here's my take on the mascara :)

回家試用 :)
The formula is easily removable using warm water and is smudge-proof. Have you experienced a hard time removing mascara using eye makeup remover? I have never tried mascaras that can be removed by warm water and I'm definitely curious to try this out.

盒上說明話呢支mascara既配方可以用溫水清洗, 唔會暈染, 唔洗驚有熊貓眼. 大家一定用過D好難落既 mascara 喇?!

It is said to volumize your lashes and holds your curls, containing Amplified Collagene elements to protect your lashes.

支mascara有捲曲(curl)同豐盈(volumize)睫毛既效果, 仲有骨膠原精華, 幫你保護經常受損既睫毛.
The brush has a special design, "Spiral Curler Brush" with 2 different sides, each side is designed to volumize and curl respectively, the brush is especially designed for Asian eye shapes. ("OMG did someone say especially designed for Asians?!")

個睫毛掃係為亞洲女性既眼部專設既, 個掃兩邊有唔同型狀既設計, 比較扁平既一邊用黎令睫毛濃密, 另一邊用黎保持睫毛捲曲.
Close-up of the brush bristles: one side is actually flatter than the other.

近鏡: 一邊係比較彎, 另一邊係平少少的.
Before-and-after application:

使用前-使用後既比較:
I'm liking how it adds definition to my eyes and makes them look bigger. My eyelashes are pretty non-existent before application =.= They look instantly awake after applying.

I also swatched a few lipsticks from the L'Oreal Color Riche line, my initial thought is, these aren't lipsticks, they have such a glossy finish to it and aren't drying on the lips at all!

用左之後, 分別好明顯, 對眼望落精神好多 :D

The Open Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palettes:

同場加映: Open Eyes Pro 眼影組合:

In better outdoors lighting:

室外燈光:

Swatches of the eyeshadow palette:

Close-up at the powder foundation, it's actually a two-way cake that can be used dry or wet. It comes with a small area for highlighting. I've never seen this before, it adds such a nice and thoughtful touch to it.

乾濕二用粉餅, 內置highlighter, 好細心既設計呢.

My thoughts on the mascara:

First, this mascara doesn't smudge, which is a HUGE PLUS. After 8 hours of wearing, I don't see any flaking-off or smudging under eye, that's pretty impressive to begin with. The price of this mascara is moderately priced and you got 11ml in it, plus you get a formula with collagen to protect your lashes. The brush bristles deserves a mention too, when applying the mascara in zig-zag manner, it doesn't clump. As you can probably see from the before-and-after photos, my lashes were virtually non-existent before application, this mascara however adds definition to my eyes and make them look instantly awake. It holds my curls and I removed this mascara with warm water and it's so quick and easy. I have tried a few mascaras before this and some of my lashes would come off when I use a cotton pad to remove the mascara.

使用後感:

用左8小時都無暈染, 又無甩黑色既一點點落面, 同埋佢保持到D睫毛捲曲. 價錢唔貴, 搽完又唔會令睫毛打 'cake', 配方仲有骨膠原精華保護到睫毛. 使用前同使用後分別好大, 令眼部好突出,落妝用溫水就得. 唔會好似有D mascara咁落妝時會整甩D睫毛.

Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post are provided by PR for consideration and this does not affect my judgment and views on the product quality. My product reviews will always be honest and impartial.

Project 30-days results + giveaway WINNER!

About a month ago, I started this project 30-days (post here). Now it's time for the results!

I realized the pics are taken at different times and it's hard to adjust the lighting and the angle, size LOL......sorry about that!

First we have....

a small but noticeable tip in the Canmake Cream Highlighter. I used it for highlighting the brow bone and nose bridge.

Next we have my everyday powder foundation: Benefit Hello Flawless in Honey. Wow the pan's diameter enlarged XD!
Length of Urban Decay Bourbon eyeliner has gone a bit shorter when compared to the unsharpened/untouched Zero:
Ettusais loose powder. I can't really judge how far this has been consumed within one month...the results aren't significant eh? I applied with a powder puff, maybe that's why? (since a puff takes up less product than a brush through the sift?)

One of my HG blush: Cargo Blu-Ray HD blush/highlighter in pink shimmer (i believe...). Blush surface has been disturbed even more in the middle, in real life a tiny tiny dip is beginning to form...it didn't show up much on pictures though :/ The latter pic is more similar to the original thing in terms of color.
Marc Jacobs EDP:
Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand cream. Whee it's getting less product inside. I use this only at night before sleep.
Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver balm - completely finished yay! (previous review here)
Jill Stuart Day Care Essence - a month ago there are about 10 uses left, same as the Dior lip glow I chose these two to include in the project because 1) they're the easiest to finish up; 2) can't wait for them to be gone/binned. XD I have used this Day Care Essence as a primer (with SPF) for about half a year, although not regularly. This should be long gone by 4-5 months of uses.
My thoughts on project 30-days:

It's easy to stick with the same foundation, primer, eyeliner, hand cream, highlighter, perfume; yet it's not the case with blushes, lip products and loose powder. If you have a huge stash, it's even more difficult! I found that I can stick to a blush for at most 3 days (unless you have determination and self-discipline of a saint, haha) but after that my hands tend to *drift* towards the others (oh well but I didn't!). It's freaking hard to stick to the same blush :/ especially when you have too many to choose from XD With lip products it's the same case, it's hard to stick to one item when you don't like it in the first place!

I would continue sticking to the same powder foundation, concealer and hand cream, but that's all LOL.

p.s. I just remembered I forgot to take a pic of the Canmake concealer! The tube itself is opaque so it's hard to judge how much it has in the beginning/after 30 days. I'm going to stick to that concealer until it's completely used up/dried up. I am even thinking of dismantling it like people do to their UDPP, but not sure how to cut through the tube -.-.

On another note, the giveaway winner is.....*throws confetti*

fleur!

Congrats hun! Please email me your info and details within 48 hours :)

Thanks to you all who participated!! ^_^

It's NOT a haul! *AHEM*

I've probably said this many times already that I'm 'on a no-buy'. But every single time the results proved the aforementioned phrase was a epic fail. LOL To give you some insight into my uncurable obsession and hobby, here's what I did today: sorting out a CP (custom purchase) with the wonderful Justine today (thanks to Sheila for introducing us to each other!). I was struggling to get some NARS blushes but then I abandoned the idea.

In case you didn't know, I offer CP for Kanebo Lunasol Christmas Coffret ^_^ along with other brands like Canmake, Shu Uemura, Shiseido Maquillage, Sofina, RMK, Majolica Majorca, Jill Stuart, Paul & Joe, well pretty much every brand that has stores in Hong Kong.

What you see in the picture below is not my haul, they're items given to me by my friend who worked in a beauty magazine.

On the left is Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (launched a month ago I guess?), it's a beauty serum, so far I've only tried a few times intermittently, will do a full review on it later. Then is the Burberry eyeshadow in Pale Rose (review here), MAC Tartan Tale Follow Your Fantasy eyeshadow (review here), FANCL Liquid Foundation, MAC Antique Green pigment, MAC Venomous Villains eyeshadow single in Vile Violet. And Bliss roller-ball EDT on top of the picture. There's also a lip liner from MAC unpictured here.

The EDT from Bliss: looks so sleek and the scent makes me think of the ocean, which resembles the bluish color of the tube too.

My right eye is feeling a bit weird for few days, think I might be having an eye infection @_@ meaning I have to stop using mascaras for a few days even though it's in my plan to use it up.

On an unrelated note, here's some dessert porn...haha!

Do you have a sweet tooth?

xoxo

Products I'm digging into this month + giveaway note

While I was reading this post on MWS, I figured it'd be interesting to see how makeup products will turn after intensive use within a month XD This is because I never finish anything, with the exception of mascaras being tossed because they passed their date of 4-5 months. The closest I've come to finishing a product is with sunscreen-primers (I only use primers with SPF and also use as sunscreen alone). You're supposed to wear sunscreen everyday so this doesn't really count I guess? The second closest occasion is hitting pan on 2 foundation compacts, and one concealer - that's the *only* items I've hit pan on. I have way too much blushes, eyeshadows and the like so none of them gets regular love. *shame*

And I picked the following items:

- CARGO Blu-Ray High Definition Blush/Highlighter in Pink (HG!)

- Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV #02 (HG!) (previous review here)

- Canmake Cream Highlighter

- Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Bourbon (HG!)

- Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy

- Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum

- YSL False Lash Effect Sample in Black

- Dior Lip Glow (previous review here)

- Jill Stuart Day Care Essence (transferred into a small jar due to small amount remaining)

- Ettusais Medicated Acne-control loose powder

- Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation in Honey (HG!)

Phew, picking which items for this month is not an easy task! I recently 'shopped' my stash and took out Benefit Hello Flawless and it was my HG powder foundation up to now, and since I've hit a medium-sized pan on it, I want to see a larger pan XD. Choosing eyeliner is the easiest - black liners look too harsh on me, browns are perfect for everyday use if I can't switch. Canmake concealer is my HG and I've been using it for almost a year (easier to finish up?) so that's definitely on the list. Canmake cream highlighter is included because application is fast, and it contains so little product so easier to hit pan on LOL! Jill Stuart primer - needless to say, only 6-7 uses left, the tube was already dismantled by me, HAH! Ettusais loose powder because it's been used for more than a year (O_o just realized up to this point) and seems never be able to finish it. YSL mascara sample because it flakes and smudges in my undereye area - throwing it away is kind of wasteful...(let's see how long I can tolerate this mascara). Dior Lip Glow is chosen since only 1cm of the product is left in the tube and I disliked this product so much and wanted to use it up. Marc Jacobs EDP is a signature perfume of mine and the scent is perfect for fall and winter. Since winter is approaching and I often reach for hand creams, so it's included. Eyeshadows are left out because I don't wear eyeshadows often.

The hardest part was choosing which blush to use...finally CARGO Blu-Ray blush was chosen because I love the formula - it applies dreamily like melting butter (short for words...). And the blush changes color according to your skin or lighting I think...so much fun to see it show up in different hues of pink everytime! :D

Before heading to bed - please meet this fellow:

They're the new glasses I got. These are the first pair of thick-framed glasses I have. And why am I digging it this month? 'Cause November is the season for assignments, revisions and exams!

Have you had similar experiences of choosing particular makeup products and tell yourself to use it intensively? How did it go? How do you choose which products to include?

p.s. In case you haven't, check out my giveaway here :)

Swatches and Review: MAC Tartan Tale blushes in My Highland Honey, Her Blooming Cheek

In today's post I swatched MAC My Highland Honey and Her Blooming Cheek blushes, both from the Tartan Tale collection. As mentioned before, I'm a huge orange and peach blush fiend, so My Highland Honey is definitely on my wishlist, I made a mistake telling the MUA to try Her Blooming Cheek on me, oh well, I'm glad she did. Now you will see why you NEED Her Blooming Cheek blush! :D

Swatched on the arm:
My cheeks with foundation only (Laneige Snow Crystal Dual Foundation liquid #31):

With My Highland Honey on top!

Pretty satisfied with the glow it gives me. This is a true orange blush, and is different if compared with MAC Utterly Game (from Fabulous Felines), the latter is more coral. And they DO look different in the pan. My Highland Honey brings a sun-kissed glow to my apples, what more could a blush fiend ask for? :D

Another shot with foundation only:

With Her Blooming Cheek on top:

Now the pink really is something isn't it? It's INTENSELY PIGMENTED. Really a light dap of the brush on the pan is enough to give you a lovely glow. I was applying more than I needed for this photo :) I was in AWE in the store when the MUA swept this over my cheeks - my friend was with me and she was surprised at how it showed up too! I knew then I had to get this. I don't own anything that bright or fuschia pink in my stash, and certainly there isn't a dupe in my stash for comparison.

This is my second foray into MAC blushes and I'm pleasantly surprised by Her Blooming Cheek! I can foresee it making its way to my HG list.

Those of you who have NARS Angelika or Desire (or any bright pink/fuschia pink blushes for that matter), OR if you think you know a dupe for this, please let me know ^_^!

On another note, I will announce giveaway details tomorrow (yes finally!)!