Urban Decay Primer Potion

I’m always game to experiment new beauty products to satisfy my beauty fixes.

Another must-have make-up item in my cosmetic pouch is Urban Decay’s Eden eyeshadow primer potion.

For about a year, I’ve countered my oily eye-lids with Smashbox’s Photo Finish Lid Primer. It did help to hold my eye make-up till noon and prevented creasing. Unfortunately, given Singapore’s tropical and humid weather, my eyeshadow always runs by evening time.

Late last year, I pondered if I should purchase Smashbox or I should give Urban Decay a try. After reading a long list of reviews on Urban Decay versus Smashbox, I thought “Heck, let’s just give Urban Decay a shot.”

I purchased Eden - the eyeshadow primer created for oily eyelids.

Pure genius I have to say.

Eden is slightly oily in texture and takes some time to apply. It is best to apply generously over the lids and smoothen the texture evenly. I do like the tilted wand - it makes application that much friendlier. After application, I like to add an eyeshadow base and a dash of colour. Amazingly, the colour stays on till mid-day and requires an optional touch-up for a night out, whilst the eyeshadow base holds on till nightfall.

Retailing for just over $30, it helps my eyeshadow go the distance. And for that I’m grateful.

Urban Decay Primer Potion can be purchased from Sephora. It comes in 3 different formula. Original, Sin and Eden. I personally have not tried original as the SA told me that Eden is better for people with oily lids. Sin is a little shimmery.

Laneige Renew Perfect Trial Kit

I have been a huge fan of Laneige since 3 years back. I can’t emphasise more that I’m a long time user of their dual eye-cream. It’s really difficult to find an eye cream that really works. The dual eye-cream doesn’t eradicate the fine lines entirely, but it does help to slow the process quite substantially.

Cutting straight to the chase…

Picture: Laneige SG Facebook

I’m totally delighted that Laneige relaunched their ever so popular renew perfect trial kit!!!! I lost out in the Christmas edition, so I’m jumping for joy that I was so lucky to have spotted this trial kit at Takashimaya this afternoon.

The trial kit retails for $39. It comes with sample size of the perfect renew range. I purchased it for the mini eye cream container. Finally I can bring my favourite eye cream on my travels!

If you have been hesitating to purchase Laneige’s eye cream, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  =)

BS: Serums that I love

From my New Year resolution, you probably figured out that I’m a beauty junkie. To be exact, I splurge on beauty products. Serums, moisturiser, cleansers, toner… You name it. Blame it on having a bad bout of acne breakout in my teenage days; it started my quest to eradicate those reddish pimples.

In my previous beauty post, I introduced you ladies to some serums that I love. I’m adding two more to that list.

Lancome’s Genefique is no stranger to Singapore’s beauty scene. It was first introduced in mid 2009, backed up by tons of advertising.

It took me one year before I was swayed to buy a bottle of it; and I purchased my first in Taiwan no less. Hooray to duty free.

I’ve been using this daily since June 2009, and I’ve got to say, my skin developed a glow after a while. Unlike most women who have tried this product, the effect wasn’t instant for me. it took about 2 weeks before I saw a significant improvement.

To test if it did add value to my face routine, I experimented by removing it from my daily care routine for a week. Sure enough, I noticed a difference. So, I stuck it back into my daily routine and I won’t be without it.

Now this other serum that I love is Sothys’ Clarte and Confort serum concentrate.

What it does is that it soothes the redness of the face and tries to strengthen weak capillaries. The beautician at the Sothys’ clinic told me that women often care about the fairness of their face, but neglect to protect weaken capillaries.

Sometimes, these weaken capillaries might break after our skin is being probed and prepped countless of time. Once broken, only surgery can remove the redness - it would take years for it to subside by itself.

Sadly, my capillaries are weak, so I rely on this to help flush away the patch of redness that I suffer from. I have to be honest to say that I can’t stop relying on it - my face would be flushed without it - but it appears that with time my skin is starting to require a heavier dosage of the serum.

The bad news is… this is being discontinued and so my hunt for the next serum to reduce red patches begins once more.

BS: Prep yourself for the countdown!

So you are a week away from the great partying down to 2011 and your skin is still recovering from the crazy Christmas partying with booze and what not.

I’ve conjured up a list of beauty wonders that will stretch its dollar to prepare you in time for the big night of the year. All the products mentioned here are products that I’ve personally tried and tested… And simply can’t stop raving about.

Note: I’ve combination skin that is slightly sensitive and relatively thin.

It’s all about the Eyes..

Early December, I passed by Lancaster’s counter in light of getting its Skin Therapy. On a whim, I decided to give its eye serum a try. After all, our beauty queen of Caldecott Hill, Fann Wong, is a long time user of Lancaster.

Within three days of using this serum, I was sold.

My fine lines were less obvious. My skin felt more plumped. Despite using a generous amount - you really don’t have to, just one pump is enough - no oil seed formed.

I don’t like the orange packaging, but I do like that it’s small and handy to bring with you. And the application is easy. Just pump and pat.

As this is a serum, you can use it with your regular eye cream. I pair mine with my all time favourite eye cream is Laneige’s dual eye cream. I previously wrote a review and I’m still a huge fan of it. The result was noticeable.

Now one of my major find this Christmas season is an incredible concealer.

The Amazing Concealer.

This is one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets and honestly, thank God the secret is out.

I’ve heard tons and tons of good review on this baby, and decided to get it at Sephora. I got the tiny tube as the bigger tube was sold out. But never mind that, it is a good travel size.

One tiny minuscule drop is all you need to cover the eyes. Mind you, a small small small drop is all you really need.

What I love about it is that it is non-drying. I think that it is absolutely important for eye concealer as a drying concealer, even if it covers well, will cake and cause fine lines to be more obvious.

After an entire day out at sea - I courageously took it to trial at the salty sea at Phuket - snorkel and all. It was surprisingly intact!

But I have to add that method of applying the concealer is crucial. You need to tap in the concealer slowly. Start from the bottom part of the dark eye circle and pat the concealer upwards. This would ensure an even look.

I’m rather fair and I use golden light.

It’s the Glow in your the Face…

I’m not a great believer that only expensive products work well.

Face masks by My Beauty Diary is a case in point.

It retails for $14.50 for 10 packs. So that makes it to be $1.45 per use. If you use this 5 days a week for a month, it adds up to be $29 a month. Cheaper than going for facial.

The best seller is the black pearl mask, which is unfortunately almost always out of stock.

Personally, I love their Q10, red wine and birds’ nest mask more. My skin looks fairer and dewy after each application.

Another plus point of my Beauty Diary is that it has slits at the side to make the mask fit well on the face.

Now this last product is a current favourite of mine. It is relatively low-key in Singapore and is advertised through word of mouth.

Agediscuss by Soigne, CP Cosmetics. CP Cosmetics is the beauty arm of Sony. The company that is famed for producing cameras and laptops.

What this does is that it lifts the face, making it taunt and slimmer. True to its word, I saw a difference within a week. Do remember to follow the suggested application process to increase its potential.

CP Cosmetics is solely sold at Face Bistro. I do love their service. For one, I have to thank my beautician for saving me from my agonising break-out days, when my dermatologist couldn’t.

Another fabulous product to try is Aquafit. I practically lived it in for two years to rectify the damage that the tropical sun had caused.

I hope you are ready to party!

BS: Monsooner Me, Dear Santa.

I only can afford to indulge in a luxurious pedicure and manicure once every year before the Chinese New year. Partially because I can’t justify paying $100 to get my nails pampered more than I can justify paying a similar amount on facial. After all, I can jolly well paint the nails myself.

So with the years, my taste in nail colour has gone from subtle to outrageous.

I got my nails painted bright orange-red. All I need is blonde hair, a swimsuit and I can hit the beach.

These are currently, my favourite colours from OPI.

Girlify me.

From left: Ladies & Magenta-Me, Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot.

A tinge of Alice in Wonderland.

From left: Yoga-Ta Get This Blue, Absolutely Alice, Disco Ball Sparkle (only available in Japan)

Festive Chinese

From left: Dear Santa (I heart this colour so much!), The Thrill of Brazil, Monsooner or Later (The colour I have on my nails at the moment).

Happy Chinese New Year!

BS: Foot Scrub

One of the best joys in life, is to have your aching feet scrubbed, polish, and pampered.

Six months of regular scrub sessions using Body Shop’s pumice foot scrub has left my feet happy!

Slather the foot scrub mix onto wet feet. Using the grey side of the foot file, gently scrub at the patches of dead skin on the sole of the feet. Thereafter, use the pink side of the foot file and target at the smaller patch of dead skin, this is to allow a smoother finishing at the sole of your feet.

This is probably one of the most economical foot care that I found, that really works.

Another product from Body Shop that works well with the foot file is the Lemongrass foot polishing.

Do remember that the product works well only on moist or wet feet.

BS: CK blusher

After many years of hiatus, Calvin Klein cosmetics was re-released in Singapore sometime last year. Debuted at the Changi Airport transit duty free beauty bar at T2, not sure if other outlets do carry the brand ever since.

I bought CK’s blush in 101 shiver, 102 spare, and 109 fiery.

101 shiver is of a peach tone, and gives a natural glow to the face. You will need to apply more as it is a little light.

102 spare is of a pink base. Similarly, it is a little light, so you will need more blush. There is no drastic difference between 101 and 102. And I would recommend both of them as daily blusher ( for that natural glow on the face). Just add a pop of colour on the apples of the cheek - I use Nars blush in Deep Throat.

109 fiery is more intense. A little goes a long way. However, the blush tends to wear off really fast and the difference becomes apparent (unlike 101 and 102 because they are lighter), so touch ups are necessary. I would recommend using a make-up primer before applying the blush. I use Bare Escentuals make-up primer.

Also, I really like the modern packaging. It is definitely an improved design from the initial metal cases. The CK blush also comes packed with a mini brush, which is useful when you are in a rush, but does not do a good job in applying the blush evenly, so I use a travel brush instead.

CK stand up bar at Naunce-Watson at Departure / Transit Mall Central, Changi Airport Terminal 2. Telephone 6546 8254.

BS: Neck Creams

It is often said that neck care is one of the most neglected part in our beauty regime. And, one of the tale-tell sign of a woman’s age, is the condition of the neck.

Neck creams are expensive, because our neck’s skin is thicker; thus our neck needs richer ingredients. And for young working adults, we don’t want to invest in rich neck creams too early, because that’ll mean we need ultra rich creams when we’re 50.

For now, I have been using richer face creams instead. Do you have instances where you purchased a face cream, only to have your skin suffering from a break out? Or, the product clogs your skin, simply because it is too thick? I have. And I find it a waste to throw them away, so I apply them on my neck instead. And have found that whatever my facial skin can’t take, my neck is happy to slurp them up. And it stays moisturised.

Over a period of about two months of using a whitening face cream for my neck, it seems that my neck has gone fairer too!

So when you’re thinking of throwing away that can of rich facial cream, perhaps you can offer it to your neck instead. =)

BS: RMK Concealer

After using Bobbi Brown’s concealer for two years, I decided to try RMK’s concealer. After all, RMK is one of the top selling cosmetic houses in Japan - and all Japanese women takes their make-up regime very seriously.

The RMK’s concealer comes in a mirrored compact case and is packed with two brushes. The concealer comes in two different shades - which is useful in covering uneven skin tone. It also comes with a compact finishing powder, which helps to set the concealer, making it last longer. Overall, it is portable and creates minimal mess.

I mainly use the concealer for covering up dark under eyes, and I feel that it does a fine job at it. I don’t do touch up at all throughout the day and the concealer remains intact after a long day at work.

The coverage is light, thus you need to dab on a little more concealer to ensure proper coverage; but this allows you to moderate your use of the concealer. Upon application, the concealer is not drying, thus there is no caking, and the illusion of fine lines forming around the eyes lessens.

If there are two things that I wished the concealer would deliver would be that 1) there is an additional cover for the concealer brush to keep the brush palette clean, and 2) there is an SPF component which would be awesome! Otherwise, the RMK’s concealer is great for busy ladies who likes fuss free make up.

BS: Bare Escentuals basic kit

I have finally gotten my hands on the Bare Escentual (BE) mineral foundation. Just to be sure, I spent about two weeks to test the product out.

Using only minerals as the base of their products, BE prides itself as being au natural. Their foundation feels flawless, so much so I feel like I ain’t wearing any make-up at all! My skin feels naked. BE’s foundation gives you a light to medium coverage, so if you dread the feeling of wearing thick make-up, or if you fear that your make-up will melt because you perspire a lot, BE’s product is for you. On the flip side, if you need full coverage, I would suggest sticking to compact powder - you would require lesser time to cover the same amount of coverage.

I’m still trying to get over the fact that the foundation feels like my second skin and I’m loving the fact that it fills the fine lines so well.

That is why, I love love love using BE’s foundation as concealer. For about a year, I have been using a creamy eye concealer. Even though the colour fits perfectly, I really hated that it left the delicate skin around the eyes dry and crinkled. I was delighted that in contrast, application of BE’s powder was so gentle on my skin, it prevented more harsh lines from forming. I did use the tip of my finger to blend the powder in.

Another product that you should get is mineral veil. Don’t be fooled by its sheer outlook - mineral veil subtly wraps up your make-over with a polished look. It radiates off a hint of glow. And that is essential in looking fresh for the entire day.

Because BE’s foundation is so revolutionary, it does take some effort to learn how to apply their foundation - swirl, tap, buff. Also, unlike traditional foundation, BE’s foundation requires more application; more time is needed to cover blemishes.

A note of caution is to test the foundation prior to purchasing it. It has been said that BE’s foundation do cause skin irritation to those who are sensitive to Bismuth Oxychloride.

But all is well! The foundation will not cake or turn creeky after a day’s worth of activities. Touching up is a breeze, as you just need to buff some powder on. Dabble a bit of thier bronzer - warmth, and you will look sun-kissed.

Beginners can purchase their basic set consisting of two foundation (our skin tone might change colour due to the season. I used one as foundation, and the lighter one as concealer), mineral veil, bronzer, make-up primer, and three brushes (kubuki buffer brush, bronzer brush, concealer brush) for SGD140. Quite a good deal considering a tub of foundation retails at SGD48 and the buffer brush at SGD 68.

Bare Escentuals is the number one selling foundation in America. What are you waiting for?

Buy Bare Escentuals at Sephora: 391 Orchard Road #B1-05. Ngee Ann City. Phone: 6836 5622. Or 2 Orchard Turn #01-05/06. Ion Orchard. 6509 8255.