Review: shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse

I L.O.V.E fair and translucent skin. I love it when my skin looks crystal clear and rosy, and hate it when its dull and patchy. That is why I always include brightening products in my daily skincare regime, be it a serum or moisturiser. 

My latest attempt at whitening is shu uemura's new brightening UV under base mousse. It's a makeup base, to be applied before powder or liquid foundation.

shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse,  50g,  $80
Image from http://www.chicprofile.com

Unique features of this product:

1. Lightens existing spots and limit the formation of future spots.

2. Corrects yellowness of skin to give instant rosy complexion.

3. It's 20X lighter than any other makeup base, which makes the texture of the product light and suitable for humid weather like Singapore.

4. Pore tightening & line filling, to give skin flawless appearance before makeup application.

5. Comes with SPF30 PA++

Mousse is pink purple, which corrects yellowness of skin to translucent and rosy

Left: After, Right: Before

From above photo, the result after using the product is clear! My skin looks brighter, more rosy and more matte. It doesn't give coverage, but corrects my skin tone. I like the product for its lightness and non-greasiness. I feel like my skin can breath, with SPF protection. It's also nice to know that the product is somehow working hard to limit formation of pigmentation in the deeper layers of my skin. LOL. The only thing is that my t-tone is still shiny after the usual 2 hours. But well, this product doesn't really promise oil control effects. 

I apply a golf ball size of product with shu uemura's pentagon sponge every morning. The product should last me about 2 months. I am already halfway through the can and am going to purchase the pink one as soon as I finish this! 

Overall rating: 4/5. -1 point for the price and not so good oil control!

Review: Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder, Water Bank Essence & Water Bank Eye Gel

In the recent months, I have become a fan of Laneige skin care. Most of their stuff really work for me. I am currently using their whitening range, which I have reviewed here before. My opinion of the range now and then remains more or less the same, just that I think I would rate it 4.5/5 instead of 4/5 now. Perhaps my skin has become more mature and love the richer texture of the products, especially the night cream. So, after falling in love with the range all over again (after trying many other products in between), I bought a few more products from Laneige to compliment the few I am using!

Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder SPF50+++, 19g, $49

The powder comes with 2 puffs and a very modern holographic packaging. It's just like a compact powder and easy to apply on face. It can be used after foundation as sun protection. It also can be touched up over makeup multiple times. 

I was excited to try out this product, because I had the idea that I could use it as a touch up powder for my makeup. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone -- touch up my sun protection and matte-tify my face throughout the day! To my disappointment, the beauty advisor told me that no, I cannot use it as a compact powder, as it doesn't have coverage -- only as sun protection powder! Despite her advice, I decided to try using it as a compact powder anyway (ya I know, I am stubborn). OF COURSE, that didn't work out. The powder left whitish residue at the side of my nose, and my liquid foundation became blotchy after a while. So, clearly, this powder is only meant for protecting my skin from the sun! Silly me, but I just had to try.

As you can see, there is no coverage, except that the skin is slightly brighter after use. 

The product contains vitamin C that prevents sebum oxidation under UVrays. It also contains Comfrey extracts to sooth dulled skin reddened by sunlight. 

It is convenient to carry around and for application wherever you are!

Overall rating: 3/5. If only I can use it as compact powder. A bit troublesome for me to touch up my foundation, then touch up sunblock.

Laneige Water Bank Essence, 60ml, $62 or $68 (I forgot, sorry!)

I usually use a whitening essence as step 3 of my skincare routine every morning, then at night I would replace with another essence, anti-ageing or in this case, a hydration essence.

As I grow a bit older, I think my skin needs a bit more hydration, or else the aging process will become faster and i would get lines on my face! 

The texture is like most essence, light and easily absorbed. Skin feels hydrated without the sticky feeling. I can't say the texture of my skin has improved over a month of usage, but I am assuming the essence is doing its job deep within my skin. Usually I can tell whether an essence is effective if it is like a whitening one, as I can see actual improvement of skin tone; but honestly, since I don't have very dry skin to begin with, I can't really say I can see any change in my skin. I guess this is one of the products that I would use to put my heart at ease that I am giving my skin extra moisture!!

Overall rating: 4/5. Nice and light texture. Skin feels 'happy' after application. Assuming the essence is doing its work in my skin's deeper layers.

Laneige Water Banc Eye Gel, 25ml, $59 

Ok, like I always say before I review an eye cream, I am the type who don't expect too much from this kind of skincare as I have never seen one that can really reduce dark circles or eliminate puffiness. All I need is something non-sticky and be able to hydrate my skin. This gel does just that - hydrate my eye area!! I like it for it's fresh finish and light texture, and somehow my eyes look less tired after using it. 

I recently reviewed L'oreal's Youth Code Rejuvenating Anti-wrinkle Eye cream. If I were to compare these 2 eye products, I might choose to purchase the L'oreal one as it's slightly cheaper, and also has anti-aging properties!

Overall rating: 4/5. Good, but feels a bit 'boring' to repurchase.

Note: Other then swatch images, the rest of images are taken from http://www.laneige.com.sg/main.jsp

Spring makeup and hair: Garden Tea Party Look

The 1st set of photos for my makeup portfolio are finally out!!! 

I am so excited to share o(^____^)o

On the day of portfolio making with the makeup school, we had time to create 4 different looks. This is the last look I created for the day: Garden Tea Party Look.

This is an Anna Sui inspired look. I didn't really want to spend on accessories, so I made do with what I already had at home.

For the eye makeup, I opted for strong contrasting colors: blue, purple, yellow and white for the eyelids, pink and green for lower lash line.

As the eye makeup is the focal point of this look, I used natural blush and a soft shade for the lips.

For my model's hair, I wanted to create a soft, romantic look. I curled her hair, pinned them up by sections and left a few strands of curls at the side to frame her face. 

This is one of my favourite looks of that day!

NEW! Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color & Nail Art Color N

As a fan of both Anna Sui and red blushes, there is no way I will let pass the new Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color!! It is available in 6 variations, mainly pink, orange, coral, red, brown and lavender + blue (for highlighting). 

I picked up #400, a combination of pink, rose and red.

Anna Sui Rose Cheek Color #400, 6g, $49 each

Casing is quite standard for Anna Sui

I swatched the 4 colors in the palette separately first:

In artificial white light

The pink on the far left is really a shimmer. The rest of the colors look like a variation of reds to me -- even the rose color in the palette turn out red at the back of my hand.

Natural daylight

The following 2 photos show how the cheek color looks when all 4 shades are mixed together.

In artificial white light

In natural daylight

#400 might look very red when swatched, but the intensity of the color could be easily controlled. I applied the colors thick so that they will show up in the photos. I have many friends who have the impression that red blush is too red, which I totally disagree. Red blush is really very natural (depending on how much you apply). Just like Benefit's famous benetint… it's supposed to be very natural, and it's red!

I definitely like the Rose Cheek Color better than the old range Anna Sui Color Accent because the pigment is better, has a little bit of shimmer, lasts longer, and the color shows up clearer!

I also couldn't resist picking up some nail colors, in the new packaging :)

Anna Sui Nail Art Color N, 8ml, $24 each

#071
Glossy opaque black

Some might be curious why I would choose such a plain black from Anna Sui. Well, just like reds, I prefer to buy from a good brand where intensity of color is achieved with just 2 coats :)  

#270
Medium berry, more to purple than pink

What I really like about these polishes is that the finish is really really glossy! Both colors I applied 2 coats without top coat, and they are already super shiny. The polish in the 2 photos are surface dry, but they remain glossy enough for me not to put top coat after painting! 

The formula is good and easy to apply. The brush is ok, though not as good as OPI's blushes, but good enough to apply streak free nail polish. 

I am very happy with my purchase this time!

Fashion Makeup/makeover for more friends/performances!

A quick sharing of some of my recent work - makeup related :)

Makeup: Ashura

Photography: Jensen

Model: Audrey 

The 2 photos above are taken for my makeup portfolio by my photography com web designer friend Jensen. This is 1 of the 3 looks I came up with last week during the photography session. More photos will be uploaded once I am free to go choose the rest from Jensen! 

Natural sweet and feminine makeup for LX, who was going to attend her friend's wedding dinner :)

Chic 'going out' makeup for XQ. Sassy and not over the top.

Smoky eyes for my friend W. She has such big eyes that I just wanted to do makeup for her! 

Bridal makeup and hair for WA. My hairstyle are more of the unconventional sort. I like braids and soft curls - more of those romantic looks.

Makeup for Indonesian performers at the Orchard Road Christmas performance 2011. Gold and turquoise eyes!

Blue and black eyeshadow for the Japanese performer, who wanted less eyeshadow after I was done. LOL.

The last performer I did makeup for that day (out of many many many others), who wanted the same smoky eye makeup I had on myself! Hahaha!

Hope you liked these looks ^_______^

NOTD: OPI Ski Teal We Drop

First time painting my nails after a long long time!

Today's shade is a lovely dark blue green ~ OPI Ski Teal We Drop :)

Photo taken under artificial light, without flash

Same as above

Natural daylight

Artificial light, with flash

Color is very dark, but it's very obviously teal!

MISSHA Flower Bouquet Maylily Cleansing Cream and Cleansing Foam

This is my first time trying Missha skincare. I am really not very sure what to expect. I stepped into the shop looking for facial cleanser, and instantly I got attracted to these:

I bought these because I so LUVVV the lily scent of the products. So light and calming and floral. I simply love floral scents!

Maylily Cleansing Cream, 182ml, $19.90

I started using cleansing creams upon recommendation by the beautician who does maintenance facials for me every month. She once commented that I had too many white heads, and asked if I used cleansing oil. I told her positive, and she told me that cleansing oils are really bad because they clog my pores. At first, I did not believe her, as I only used the best cleansing oils out there.

Nevertheless, I started using cleansing cream about 1.5 months ago, and I have never been happier!! I didn't have pimples anymore, until 2 days ago when one popped out suddenly (grrrrrrrrrrrr). Really, 1.5 months and only 1 pimple - pretty impressive :) White heads on nose, forehead and side of cheeks are noticeably reduced, and I don't really need to use pore pack for my nose anymore. I am so glad I started using cleansing cream!

Anyway, the Maylily cleansing cream does deep cleansing for my skin. I use a cherry size amount each time, and I only use it at night. I massage the cream all over my dry face for about a minute to remove makeup (nothing waterproof), then rinse with water. I repeat the same process for a second time. If I do not put makeup on that day, I will just wash with the cream once instead of twice. 

I have used other creams before, long long time ago (like Kose and Kanebo), and I am glad to say that this one feels less greasy on the skin as compared to those I had used before. The result is fresh, not to mention the process absolutely pleasant because I love the lily scent. I like it!

Rating: 5/5. No reason not to give it full marks. It's reasonably priced, does its job, and smells great! For me, at least.

Maylily Cleansing Foam, 232ml, $19.90

This tube of stuff is HUGE. I have never seen such a large tube of foaming cleanser. I believe I will take many many months to finish it.

Texture is really stiff. Interesting~

Very foamy!! So fun to play with! HAHAHA

I bought this to use for mornings. It has the same awesome scent as the cleansing cream. It is a very normal tube of cleansing foam. After the wash, my face feels clean and refreshed, however slightly tight. I am not too bothered by it, as I always put toner, serum and moisturiser immediately after that. I think I will still be using this next year this time ^_________^, but I don't think I will repurchase after I am finally through with it!

Rating: 3/5. Great value for money, but slightly drying for skin. There are better cleansers around.