DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum Review

Everyone should be cray about their lashes - be they short and stubby, or medium length lusting after intensity and drama, it should be a step one shouldn't overlook in their beauty routine. This is why I bring you a review of Dior's Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum today. I snagged it at half price off (almost), and it was too good a chance to pass.

Burberry Summer Splash Palettes' Swatches

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

Glycel Aqua Power Hydra-boosting Daytime Protector SPF30 Review

When you're reading this, dear reader, I'm packing my luggage and will be flying off soon on holiday. However I do want to get this review done before vacation, so you could give it a go before deciding what moisturizer to switch to for the sweltering heat of summer, so here you go! I will have internet access and will be replying to comments though, if I'm not too exhausted from the trip ; ) !

Lately I had the pleasure to be invited to the new launch event from GLYCEL, their White Ice whitening line had left me pretty impressed last time, so I was really looking forward to their latest release. It was a very enjoyable night with hearty home-made food. 

Black & White review ALERT: Rouge Bunny Rouge Prelude in the Clouds Aqua Primer

Disclaimer: this review is pretty much in black & white, you shall see why!

I know I'm a bit late to write about this. Anyone would tell you the same story: once you fell into the rabbit hole, there's no turning back......Well, I"d say it's true for Rouge Bunny Rouge's eyeshadows and lipsticks (Amazing texture...and maybe blushes too, but I haven't tried theirs), but for their primer? Hmmm maybe. 

RBR logo on top of the primer's outer packaging...how very posh.

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?

Chanel Le Blanc collection & Guerlain blanc de perle collection swatches

Hello beauties! I'm very excited to share the latest Chanel Le Blanc Collection and Guerlain Blanc de Perle Collection lineup and some swatches with you!!

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!

Latest drugstore gems //開架自有黃金屋

I have never been one who paid much attention to drugstore brands (don't get me wrong, I'm by no means a beauty snob), it's just you see those brands nearly every day and don't care much about them. Yet, if you look closer, you'd be able to find affordable beauty gems that deliver results comparable to high street brands! Today I'm sharing my latest finds:

我一向不太留意開架式品牌, (我當然不是 "非專櫃品牌不用" 那種人), 只是開架式品牌到處都是, 甚少會注意它們的新產品罷了. 不過, 細看之下, 其實有不少便宜又好用的美容新品啊! 近期和大家分享的新發現是:

1. Maybelline Pure BB Mousse Mineral Instant Skin Smoother SPF 30 PA+++

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 :)

Buh-byes and WELCOME TO...

Hi ladies! In this post I will be saying goodbyes to the products which I finished using and will be going to the bin. They are:

Benefit That Gal Primer
Benefit BadGal Blue Mascara
Clinique All About Eyes Rich (deluxe sample size)
Clinique Clarifying Lotion/Toner (travel size)


The Benefit primer is nothing special, I just like the smell of it and the pinkish tone (which really brightens up my complexion), but nothing more. I finished 2-3 tubes of this primer (coz it's really really tiny) and somehow I feel this product is more for winter, as I have the sticky feeling when applied in humid/warm weather. Since this primer does not have SPF, I tried applying sunscreen before hand and it didn't work with this primer, there were tiny particles (like the kind of suds you get from rubbing an eraser on a paper, eww) falling off my face. Therefore I prefer primers with high SPF. Bye-bye, That Gal Primer!

(oh and did I mention that my bf likes to play with this empty tube just because it sounds and looks like those machines you get your minced beef/pork from? lol)

Concerning the blue mascara, I was in the blue-eyed phase and I got this mascara brand new from a swap. I heard that blue mascara will enhance the contrast between the black and the white parts of your eye, it performed okay for this purpose. But this mascara weighed down my curled lashes (-.-) so I can't see any difference in terms of lengthening and volumizing. I won't be purchasing it in the future.

For the Clinique All About Eyes Rich eye cream, I finished 3 full size of this cream before, and this is a deluxe sample size I bring along for short trips. While I do not notice that much of a difference after use, but until I find the ultimate HG eye cream, I am settling on this one. This cream moisturizes the under eye area, and if you find the "All About Eyes Rich" formula a bit thick, you can try the watery formula called "All About Eyes" I think. I still have another deluxe sample size with me and I aim to empty this jar before I return to Hong Kong. Yay for more luggage space!

This clarifying lotion ( I prefer to call these toners) from Clinique has an overwhelming alcohol smell which makes me dizzy, I had to hold my breath while applying it with cotton puffs. I remembered the SA telling me to use cotton balls and pat on the skin, but anyhow, my skin felt cleaned (like sanitized kind of clean) after using. It works at clearing the dead skins on my face I believe, but due to the smell I won't be buying this formula. I also tried the toner without alcohol by Clinique, but I forgot how it was (like 3 years ago). Since then I switched to the CLEAR line from Orbis, the toner from this line was raved by many Japanese girls, because it has a special ingredient in it to help fading acne marks.

In this post I also wish to say a huge welcome to... Dior Addict Lip Glow with SPF 10! This is my first lipstick like thingy in my life, I don't really use lipsticks (thankgod my obsession with lipsticks hasn't started). This Lip Glow is more like a lip balm for me, only better, with SPF 10. I also noticed they claimed this lip balm will adjust into a shade that is unique on your lips according to body chemistry? This sounds like Smashbox's O-glow to me.

Please share your thoughts on this lip glow :)

Review: Illamasqua Satin Primer SPF 20

A few days ago I was putting on makeup and I twisted my Benefit That Gal primer, and nothing came out! WHEEEEE I kinda hit pan with a product this time!! This is the second tube I finished :) Regardless of whether I am in Project 10 pan or not, this is something remarkable (I never hit pan on anything except powder foundations). Goodbye Benefit That Gal!! (I won't be buying you anymore...lol)

Then I remembered some while ago I received this Illamasqua primer from Helen's giveaway, so I dug it out and here it is:

The instructions on the back read:

"Use under foundation or on its own for a smooth, even base that is protected from the elements. With SPF 20, Illamasqua Satin Primer lifts and highlights the faec, creating a stunning dewy effect to enhance the siren within."

Volume: 30ml. Bottle comes in a weird shape (see the pics below):

As you can see in this pic, the primer is milky white, the texture is also a bit runny (means easy to blend). The product carries a faint candy smell, very much like a combination of vanilla and coconut.

When spreaded out:

My honest thoughts:

Pros:

- does not leave a white cast to your face

- texture is runny so it is easy to blend

- faint scent which might appeal to some of you (but vanilla is certainly not for me lol)

- makes your face smoother for makeup application afterwards

- it is kind of dewy when put on alone

Cons:

- only moderate degree of SPF, I would have needed much higher (at least SPF 25 for me)

- does not control oil (and product does not claim to do so), but for people with oily skin it means the 'dewy' effect can easily become 'greasy'

- does not conceal pores

- broke me out on the forehead

- does not 'lift' and 'highlight' the face contrary to the product claims

- product is difficult to dispense given the weird packaging (you can't squeeze at the bottom of the tube, you can only do so at the top of the tube)

This primer does not come close to "something that I will occasionally use". It gave me breakouts on the forehead. Oh well, neither am I sticking to Benefit That Gal primer lol!

Do you have a HG primer? or something that comes close to a HG? Share with us :D