Saturday, April 23, 2011

Shu Uemura - UV Under Base Mousse (Sakura Collection Spring 2011)

  
I'm very lucky to get my hands on this Limited Shade - BB Beige!!  I visited Shu Uemura store at Orchard ION last week and found out that it is sold out within 3 days since its launch date.  I managed to order at the Shu Uemura store and here it is:).

UV under base mousse (SPF 30 PA+++)- 65g S$78
Its like BB cream with lighter texture than normal BB cream
It is a makeup base to prepare the skin for "petal-soft" and pore-less complexion.
I've definitely fallen in love with this primer for:
(1) light texture with SPF 30PA+++
(2) uniqueness (it is in mousse foam just like chocolate mousse ^^)
(3) easy to blend with natural finish
(4) nice scent (I think its sakura)

I'm using it as part of my makeup routine now and also as tinted sunscreen for weekends without makeup on. 

Please refer to Fuz's video for her review on the Shu Uemura BB Beige:    Fuz's review and Shu Uemura Official website on Sakura Collection  http://www.shu-uemura.co.jp/sakura_collection/.


The Sakura Collection also comes with UV under base mousse in beige and pink shade, these two shades have already launched last year, just that the bottle is limited edition (decorated with "sakura" blossoms captured by Mika Ninagawa). 

Friday, April 15, 2011

My skin care routine - April 2011

Here's my skin care routine as at to date:)  I'm following the basic skin care steps as follow:

After cleansing -> Toner (day and night) ->  masks (at least once per week)  -> serum/essence (day and night) -> cream (day and night) -> sleeping mask (every alternate night)

My skin is combination/sensitive with visible pore, a few brown spots on nose and cheeks, a few fine lines on eyes area.

I will rotate the product and skip cream moisturiser depending on my skin condition for the day (Singapore has hot and humid weather all year round).  Currently, the product that I've used the most is The Body Shop (which I'm trying to finish up) eventhough it does not really work fantastic on me, but it still gives sufficient moisture on my skin.

Before I watch Fuz's video, my skin care routine is super simple (i.e. Vichy's toner, moisturiser and Clinique/Elizabeth Arden eye cream) due to hectic work loads and family commitment.  However, after watching Fuz's video, she has changed my perception totally.  I have started trying out new products and my skin does show improvement since then.

Toner
Product that I've used the most is L'Occitane purifying rice toner for pores and Shu Uemura whitening recovery lotion. So far, I have used about half of the product and sadly I don't see any significant improvements on my pores.
Blemishes treatment and eye roll-on
After toner, I will use The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil for my blemishes and Optimum cooling eye roll-on (with caffeine and hyaluron) for eye firming.  I started using the eye roll-on two weeks ago and so far my eyes areas are firmer and hydrated. 
Spot treatment
Lancome spot treatment for my freckles..  I have started using it since last December 2010 and my freckles have not lighten up so far...
Cheeks firming
Also using Aqualabel Moist Essence CL for firming on the cheeks, my cheeks are hydrated and supple. 
Wrinkle treatment
On alternate basis, I will use Eucerin Wrinkle Filler Concentrate.  I have just finished up one bottle and basically I apply it on the entire face.  My skin is smooth but again there is no significant reduction on my fine lines (which I thought if it is for wrinkle then it should work effectively for fine lines right?). In addition, it has an unpleasant scent which I don't really like. 
Emulsion
Laneige Perfect Renew Emulsion - loving this emulsion, it preps the skin for optimum absorption of moisture and nutrients for better absorption. 

Serum/essence
Next will be the Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Serum for day time and Estee Lauder Perfectionist - wrinkle lifting serum for night time.  For Estee Lauder's serum, it absorbs onto my skin instantly but no significant reduction on brown spots.

Moisturiser
I have used quite a few products here (in order of purchase time):
(1) Vichy Norma Derm Anti-Imperfections - Anti-imperfection care (almost finishing)
(2) Vichy Norma Derm Anti-Imperfections - Hydrating care (almost finishing)
(3) The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Day Cream (first signs of ageing) (About 60% left)
(4) Boscia Daily Hydration SPF 15 (About 40% left)
(5) Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Multi-Level Moisture Creme (just finished it :))
(6) Estee Lauder  Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF 15 (About 95% left)

For Boscia,  I like this product a lot as it is oil-free.  Overall result is better than The Body Shop which makes my skin oilier.

On Estee Lauder Hydra Complete, the texture is refreshing with the right amount of moisture, it is also non-oily with nice scent.  EL resilience firming cream is too oily for me and not suitable for weather here..  
Eye cream
Move on to eye care.  The products are:
(1) Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Eye Contour Cream (just finished)
(2) The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream (40% left)
(3) Estee Lauder Hydra Complete Multi-Level Moisture Eye Gel Creme (About 60% left)
(4) Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Eye Creme (About 80% left)
(5) Rexaline Hyper-hydrating anti-wrinkle smoothing eye contour cream (About 98% left?)

All the eye creams work well on me except for (5).  I bought Rexaline eye cream at Sephora when I was trying to top up the right amount for S$40 voucher.  Every time I apply Rexaline, my eyes get the itchiness and turned red after a while.  At first I thought I was sensitive to something but I figured out that it may be due to Rexaline.  I have stopped using it now.
Enhancer
After all the above steps, I will use Aqualabel  Enhancer to lock in all the products that I've applied.
Night cream
I will use either:
(1) The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream (About 50% left)
(2) Boscia - Recharging Night Moisture (about 60% left)
(3) The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Night Treatment (95% left)
Sleeping mask
Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_Ex - It is a leave on sleeping mask that gives hydration and brigthening effect during sleep.  This is my second jar^^
Masks/scrub
These are the masks/rice scrub which I'm using once a week (on rotation basis):
(1) Boscia Clarifying Detox Mask
(2) Shiseido Black Mask
(3) Love More Peptide Firming Duo Lifting Mask
(4) My Beauty Diary Cooling Mask
(5) Skin Food Rice Mask (Almost finishing)
(6) Iqqu Jasmine rice bran scrub (95% left)

More skin care to try...and Naruko haul coming up^^

I know that most working ladies find that taking care of the skin is time-consuming...  I always remember - "There's no ugly women, only lazy ones"

Special gift from Cutie Fishball ^^

Just received the 'love' package from Cutie Fishball tonight^^..

As mentioned in my previous post, Cutie Fishball is very talented in hand-made jewelry, I can see her passion in every piece of jewelry that she made.. very well-made, delicate and with love and care:) 

Please support and visit her online jewelry store at http://www.fishball.etsy.com/ and her blog at http://cutiefishball.blogspot.com/.  

I feel 'love' when I tried it on, very unique earrings with rare flower petal beads and rose quartz stones.
Another exquisite earrings with baby blue beads and freshwater pearls at the bottom.. very special^^
I will definitely wear it for work next week:)
I've been looking for makeup pouch that can fit into my purse,
Cutie Fishball made two makeup pouches just for me, thank you!!!
This is Cutie Fishball's first time making pouches.. Haha, glad that I'm the first one!   I love every details on the pouch, again well-made and very personalised.  The second one (in red flowers fabric) has my name embroided on the inside, so thoughtful :)..


Finally get my hands on The PF - Happy Booster (it is not available in Singapore yet).  The 'heart shape' blush is so adorable and it has sweet scent of violet.

The soft powder brush is just sooo cute^^ 
 The colour is so rosy with pearls shimmer and wearable :).. I feel 'love' and happy!

 My surprise was this one - Carmex!!!  I watched one of the YT gurus raving about this lip balm and been dying to get it!  I tried it on my lips and really amazing! My lips moistured instantly.

 Thank you cutie, I'm in HAPPY Mood now!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

I've got Chanel Rouge Coco Shine! Thanks Jess:)

* Rouge Coco Shine - 59 Elise (3.0g) - S$44*
Just launched on 1 April 2011!  I picked up Chanel Rouge Coco Shine (59 Elise) at Robinson department store during lunch time on the same day...     

An extract of the product descriptions:
(1) it glides over lips with all the charm and freshness of a snapshot
(2) it melt-away as a balm and its lip-embracing texture becomes fluid on contact with the lips and provides a stunning gloss effect with natural shine
(3) it has incomparable comfort of continuous 8-hour-long hydration thanks to the Hydratender complex

*First take but my handphone camera washed out the colour>.<*

*This is the closest colour, I think its pinkish-rose colour *

*Close up, isn't the colour looks so pretty??*

*The colour is sheer, in my opinion, its like tinted lip balm..*

*Tried it on my lips but the colour is a bit sheer to be seen, so I've printed the colour on a tissue paper (hope you all don't find it gloss, sorry>.<)
Likes:
(1) It is creamy and moisturing and can use as lip balm
(2) The natural-looking shine and the shimmer is very very fine as compared to Shiseido Maquillage Enamel Rouge
(3) It has rose scent but not overpowering (but if you dislike rose scent then it is not for you)
(4) The sleek design of the lipstick tube and love the 'click' sound when you put the cap on  
(5) of course, the Chanel logo!

Dislikes:
(1) lack of staying power
(2) put the cap back on carefully to avoid squashing the lipstick

There are 25 shades in the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Collection, each shade has a lovely and evocative name.  Sadly, only 20 shades are available in Singapore.  With reference to Chanel's website (http://www.chanel.com/en_CA/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipsticks-ROUGE-COCO-SHINE-121637), I have tried segregating the colours into: 

Beige
(1)   *Canotier #41
(2)   ~ Biarritz #42
(3)   ~ Sari d’Eau #44
(4)   *Misia #45
(5)   ~ Liberte #46
(6)   ~ Flying Claud #47
(7)   ~ Evasion #48
(8)   ~ Escale #49
(9)   ~ Rivage #50

Pink
(10) *Unique #51
(11) ~ Fetiche #52
(12) ~ Premice #53
(13) ~ Boy #54 (most raved on internet)
(14) ~ Romance #55
(15) ~ Chance #56
(16) ~ Aventure #57
(17) ~ Royallieu #58
(18) ~ Elise #59
(19) ~ Antigone #60
(20) ~ Bonheur #61

Red
(21) ~ Monte Carlo #62
(22) ~ Rebelle #63

Brown
(23) * Cavaliere #65

(24) * Bel Ami #66
(25) ~ Deauville #67

* denotes "not available in Singapore"

It is definitely a must have item for me and will try to collect all if I could!  Which one is your favourite or have you owned? Please share:)