2016年5月31日星期二

MAC versus Light Medium Light Plus: The Truth

Oh no but we talk about POWDER COMPACT guys, that laughs at all, it is at least as important as the presidential campaign!

If you have not seen the irony of the beginning, farewell, I can not help you.

Still, I have something to say about the Skinfinish Mineralize Natural Powder MAC (my favorite compact powder), with the stroke of Light Medium is replaced by the Light Plus. That would supposedly exactly the Sami.


Doubtful, I went with my compact Christian Light Medium (object now collector) preciously tight in my bag to compare.

And well I was right dubiter we went on the sidewalk with Christian for the true colors with real daylight, look, the Light Plus is a mini bit more yellow. While the hair is mini, meanwhile it is not strictly identical to the Light Medium.

Oh I know you will say that really it's not worth it to take the cabbage for so little (but I said I was taking my cabbage? And that the planet is experiencing far more serious problems (but have I denied ;-); no doubt, but I still wanted to keep you not, like the new product that replaces the old is not quite the same (Christian agreed in itself).

Cécile de Brest, carefully keeps your compact Medium Light is now extinct!

The Bobbi Brown Summer 2015 Sandy Nudes Collection

Under normal circumstances, I adhere to a very strict no-nudity policy when it comes to sand.
In other words, I do not like being nude on or around sand; or, conversely, sandy and nude. Because I don’t like spending 20 minutes trying to get all of the sand out of the places where the sun doesn’t/don’t shine.
However, seeing as Bobbi Brown’s new 2015 summer collection, despite being called Sandy Nudes, doesn’t actually have anything to do with being naked or covered in sand, my no-nudity sand policy doesn’t apply.
Yup, it’s another beach-themed collection from Bobbi, to which this wanna-be surf bum says, “Cowabunga, dude!” As you probably guessed from the name, Sandy Nudes features a lot of nude shades — bronzes, beiges and browns. Not a ton of crazy colors.
The collection contains a limited edition neutral eye palette with 12 powder eyeshadows (not shown here in these pictures). I’m really looking forward to seeing that one because all of the shades are new (YES!). Also, since Bobbi loves bronzers, of course there are two face and body bronzing duos (also limited edition) in the release, as well as two LE nail polishes.
There’s also something called a Face Mist ($32, this one headed to the permanent line). It’s a finishing spray and contains green tea, chamomile and cucumber. I just started using it, and I like it so far. It has a lovely light lavender and geranium scent, and my skin just inhales the moisturizing formula.
Here are some quick pics of the Bronzer/Blush duos and nail polishes…
I’m all about the Bronzer/Blush Compact Duo with Antigua Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Golden Light Bronzing Powder. It’s angling to become my new favorite bronzer/blush combo.
I like how the matte Golden Tan Bronzing Powder warms up my skin tone all nice and toasty (but without any orange, yay!), and it’s delightfully easy to blend.
Peachy pink Blush Antigua looks kinda like a NARS Orgasm with muted golden shimmer. It reminds me a lot of the NARS Laguna and Orgasm duo, but I think it’s much easier to wear (especially if you have pore issues like I do!), because the bronzer’s matte, and the blush isn’t super shimmery.
You can also mix the two together, by the way. I’ve done it, and I think it looks quite natural.
As for claws, I’ve really been into blue and green paw polishes lately, so these pale pink and pale peach shades aren’t calling my name…but I did a quickie swatch of both on my currently hairy toes (TMI!), and they applied smoothly and without streaks, for what it’s worth. You’ll probably need two or three coats for full opacity.
I’ll be playing with these and other products from this collection in the coming days. Keep your eyes peeled for Bobbi’s summer 2015 collection when it arrives at Bobbi brown Metallic Lip Color Lipstick.

Which Too Faced La Matte Color Drenched Lipstick Is Right for You?

Never shy of a great matte lip, I leaped on these new $22 Too Faced La Matte Color Drenched Lipsticks the first chance I got.
Too Faced recommends warming them up against your lips before applying them, and I positively agree with them on that. Amazingly enough, the initially dry texture, doesn’t actually dry your actual lips. In fact, my favorite thing about the formula is how little product actually sits on your lips. The texture’s very thin and comfortable.
Too Faced introduced 10 shades of La Matte Color Drenched Lipstick, and here are pics and swatches!

The new Too Faced La Matte Color Drenched Lipsticks: Swatches

When In Doubt is described as a matte cool beige, and it has a lovely subtle pink tinge to it.

A matte peachy nude, Sorry, Not Sorry is a perfect my-lips-but-better shade. It’s one of my favorites among the new lighter colors.
As If is an almost neon pink lemonade, which sounds quite wonderful, doesn’t it? I normally don’t wear bright colors, but this one has grown on me.
Rebel Heart is a cool-toned red on the darker side compared to the other new colors, but it looks classic and elegant.

These are available now for $22 each at Sephora, Ulta, Macys. I hope you see something you like enough to take home.
See you in the next.

2016年5月25日星期三

SPRING SKINCARE FAVORITES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Today I've teamed up with Nordstrom to share a roundup of my favorite tried-and-true skincare products for spring - ones that I find particularly good for my super sensitive skin. When it comes to skincare I like to rotate through different products depending on the season and how my skin feels during a particular moment in time but many of you have asked for a list of my most re-purchased beauty items so I'm sharing a roundup of some of those items with you today. I just turned 35 and anti-aging is a big focus for me. For right now my main concerns with skincare are finding products that have anti-aging ingredients, help maintain a healthy glow and most importantly help keep texture smooth.

First up is my favorite toner of all time which is the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. It's which is one of the skincare items I find essential to my daily routine. Having a good toner keeps the skin clear and break-out free by removing dirt, dead skin cells or any remnants of soap/cleanser residue on the skin that may remain after washing the face. The SK-II toner helps rebalance or soothe my skin. It works wonders to help smooth texture, makes it feel clean, isn't sticky, makes pores smaller, softens the complexion, doesn't irritate and doesn't leave a film but still hydrates. I've purchased numerous bottles and no matter what other toners I try, I keep coming back to this one.

Using cleansing oils to double cleanse is also really important to help me have clear skin. I alternate between cleansing waters and cleansing oils to remove face makeup as a first step, then follow with a regular liquid or clay cleanser. I've found a lot of loves for cleansing oil, but the SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil is the best for sensitive skin. It took me a long time to decide to splurge on this one because it's on the pricey side. There are definitely a lot of more affordable options that will work just as well (even for sensitive skin) but the one from SK-II has one of the most pleasant unique smells that is soothing. It almost has a cushiony feel when you apply it to the face. It's soothing, emulsifies well with warm water, removes all traces of face makeup without leaving any residue. I feel like I'm hypersensitive to any kind of residue from makeup removers and this one leaves the skin feeling softly hydrated and clean but not tight and there's no film leftover.


Finding a good facial cotton is important to me because tiny little fibers often stick to my lashes and irritate my eyes. The Cle de Peau Beaute Facial Cotton is hands down worth the splurge and my most repurchased face cotton since discovering. Many have said in previous posts they feel that the Shiseido Facial Cotton is identical for a fraction of the price. I've tried both and used Shiseido for a long time (I still do). I personally didn't believe there would be a difference either - I'm glad I gave it a chance because it's thicker and more sturdy while still being super soft. The size is perfect to remove all face makeup and eye makeup with 1 pad while with other brands I find I often have to use 2-3 to remove eye makeup and then all the face makeup.

Another game changer for me has been the Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment Swaps. These are the one-time-use on-the-go version of the original Kate Somervillle Eradikate Acne Treatment (which comes in a bottle). These contain the highest level of sulfur allowed to treat acne and it really helps keep skin clear of new breakouts - if I feel one surfacing I use this at night because of the pink tint and it helps dry out the area without making it sting or peel. The full size bottle is a better buy but the individually packaged swabs are super easy to use, convenient and you can take them anywhere with you. These work on my husband's skin too. He uses them on a regular basis for spot treatments. Really anything in the Eradikate line is good. I've tried several items during a few Kate Somerville facials - the Eradikate Mask Foam is amazing!

It took me a long time to get into beauty oils because I felt like a regular cream just felt better on the skin. However two I swear by are the Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate and Kate Somerville Dilo Oil. Both recommended to me by Beauty Look Book readers and friends. With so many raves I knew I had to try them and I'm glad I did. There have been a few oils that were too rich for my skin and caused tiny bumps (a few from Lancome and some other brands) so I'm always very nervous to put these on my skin. My personal go-to is still the L'Occitane Divine Youth Oil which I've used up entirely and repurchased but several of my friends who tried it said it wasn't hydrating enough. I have normal combination skin (not oily though). Friends with normal to dry skin said they needed something more and I had them test out the Kiehl's and Kate Somerville as well. Both are really good at restoring the skin's moisture but are quick to absorb. They leave the skin feeling well hydrated without the greasy feel and both are suitable for super sensitive skin. For me and a couple of my friends - no break outs, no irritation and no clogging with these.

The Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate has antioxidants to protect the skin from daily pollutants. It leaves the skin feeling refreshed and glowing. I find it suitable for my combination skin but if you're on the oily side you may find it too rich. The Kate Somerville Dilo Oil helps restore the skin's moisture but has a firming feel to it. It smooths the skin's appearance and helps reduce fine lines and has the most amazing scent ever.

For the lips many of you know I'm a lip balm addict but am also highly allergic to some formulas (like the one from Kiehl's unfortunately). The AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment is my favorite unscented and unflavored no fuss option. If you want one that's easy to use and adds a good amount of hydration without feeling too goopy or too runny, this is the perfect in between.

Last but not least - the two best anti-aging skincare products I've tried that help with my skin's surface texture are the Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift (for day) and DermalQuench Liquid Lift with Retinol (for night). Both have been featured before on the blog. The original DermalQuench is something I use every other day to daily. It's designed to help combat wrinkles and sagging and although I don't have sagging yet, I do have some forehead wrinkles and firmness under the eyes has started to decrease. With regular use the daytime DermalQuench has noticeably improved my skin's texture and radiance - skin is smoother and it does feel firmer without feeling tight.

The DermalQuench with Retinol is gentle enough for my sensitive skin to use nightly and it's worked wonders with skin discoloration from acne scars - although I will say my scars aren't too bad but linger for a while. This works over time to even out the skin tone, brightness and texture. It helps with fine lines - I've tried to convince my husband to use it because he's developed more fine lines around the eyes (sides and underneath). He tried it for a week and I think it helped his skin too, but he hasn't been disciplined in using it although I think it would really help his skin as well.

I hope you found this roundup helpful! I feel like I have quite a few favorites - enough to repurchase items on a regular basis, but these are my absolute favorites for sensitive skin. Let me know in the comments if you're looking for any other recommendations or want another roundup post. I don't think I've ever done a full skincare routine post since my routine changes frequently but if you're interested I can definitely put one together.

BUXOM WILDLY WHIPPED LIGHTWEIGHT LIQUID LIPSTICKS

Buxom Cosmetics launched a new liquid lipstick formula called the Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipsticks($21 each for5 ml/0.18 fl oz). These are indeed very lightweight in feel with a whipped texture that has a soft velvety matte finish. Unlike most matte finish lip products though, it doesn't feel matte at all, but rather has a cushiony soft moisturizing feel almost like a balm. I personally do not like matte finish lipsticks or matte liquid lipsticks because I find them drying in formula, make the lips look wrinkled because of the intense pigment and the colors usually darken or look dusty once they've dried. There are few exceptions with really good matte formulas I am willing to wear including Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, Anastasia liquid lipstick and Tatcha Kyoto Red - the Buxom Wildly Whipped formula also now falls into that category.



There are 12 shades total that come in a wide range from neutrals, to reds, corals, plums and pinks. All the shades offer full coverage with a single stroke although to cover the entire lip and get application precise around the edges I like to swipe a few times to apply. The tips come with a beveled sponge which makes application easy (I really appreciate well-designed applicators). They do have a plumping formula to make the lips look full, but they don't tingle like the Full On Lip Polishes or Lip Creams (several shades swatched here). I liked that they did not dry out my lips and the days after swatching and test wear - my lips did not show any signs of peeling or flaking. Lasting power is medium - I would say they last for a few hours as long as you don't snack, drink or touch your lips. There will be color transfer if your lips touch anything - but other than that they do stay fresh looking for a relatively long time.

Most of the shades have very smooth streak-free coverage. I found the darkest shade Criminal to be very patchy but dark shades can be hard for me to wear because the contrast makes it where if any of my natural lip shows through - it really shows through. As soon as I saw all the corals reds I thought they would all look the same, but after swatching them I really do see the difference in undertone. Some are deeper or brighter, others have more pink or orange undertone. If you like reds - there are quite a few options to choose from.

My top picks and favorites are Devious Dolly, Instigator, Centerfold and Lover. They're all on the bold side but I like that there are wearable shades mixed in for the neutral lip lover. I've been reaching for Devious Dolly a lot because I think it's conservative enough for everyday wear but has enough color and pigment in it that makes it more fun than the everyday pink nude or neutral.

GLOSSIER BALM DOTCOM UNIVERSAL SKIN SALVES IN ROSE, CHERRY, MINT AND COCONUT FLAVORS

Glossier just launched three new flavors of their Balm Dotcom Universal Skin Salve ($12 each for .5 fl oz/15 ml) in Rose, Mint and Cherry and they are super cute. Everything from the pink plastic pouch, design on the boxes and color block design of the tubes screams fun. I've been a fan of the Coconut one and liked it enough to repurchased it (and ordered multiples as gifts for friends) so when I heard there were more launching I knew I had to try them. Right now they have a Trio Set for $30 which I think is affordable - plus how can you resist the cute packaging?

  • Mint is a clear shade that has a very nice mint flavor and scent. I find mint hit or miss - yes it can be refreshing and cooling, but some scents or flavors are ones I don't want to wear. Mint is one that can have a toothpaste vibe which I like for toothpaste, but not to wear. Luckily the Glossier Mint is one of the good variations. 
  • Rose has a soft rose scent that isn't overpowering and isn't overly sweet. This one has a soft pink tint but after a few minutes it basically looks clear. It feels smooth and lush on the lips.
  • Cherry smells exactly like a candied cherry and has a cool-red-pink tint that shows up on the lips like a soft stain. I personally do not like cherry at all (I won't eat anything with cherries or cherry-flavored) so this one is a no-go for me. I'm not sure if it's my aversion to cherries that affected my opinion on this one but I felt this one to be on the thick side - and not in a good way.
  • Coconut is one I reviewed when it launched last year. It sold out quickly and was out of stock on their website for months. I thought it was a limited offer and would never come back but I'm glad that it did. If you compare the old post to this one and look closely you may notice they changed the packaging slightly. Now there is a longer tube with more product but the overall design is pretty much the same.
Formula-wise these are described as universal skin salves that you can use on lips, face, cuticles - basically anywhere you have dryness. These have a medium to thick texture that I prefer to use on the lips or cuticles only (I haven't been brave enough to test on the face). They add moisture to my lips and because the flavors are fun (cherry excluded) I don't mind reapplying.


If you're one who doesn't like reapplying product or if you want something more intense, I do think the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Masks are better - but the ingredients, concept, packaging and purpose is completely different. The Bite Beauty Agave Lip Masks are designed to be a leave-on lip mask and they don't have any petroleum (while the Glossier products do). They are also more than two times the price (but I don't mind). Below a look at Champagneand Smashed reswatched on the lips.

After I reviewed Coconut last year, a few of my friends asked me, "it looks cute but do you think it's worth the price?" These are friends who are ok with a higher price tag for foundation, concealer, powder and some skincare, but for lip balms they are type who won't spend more than $5 and will always go for what they can find at the drugstore because according to their assessment of the ingredients, they say "they're exactly the same."

I do think these are worth it. I love the packaging, the marketing and the cute zipped pink pouch they come inside. When you order these from Glossier the box it's shipped in is also very cute, but I have a lot of appreciation for little fun touches. Things like a simple printed interior of the box with fun branding and cute sayings, adorable stickers (even though I won't ever use them, I gift them away) and extra touches on the actual product boxes all get me excited. Even though the boxes are a throw away kind of thing, I still like them. If you're budget conscious and also ingredient conscious (or perhaps as some may say more practical and less frivolous) then stick with your staples and what you love.

I really like the new launches, but my heart still belongs to Coconut because it's like summer fun in a tube. Out of the new ones, I was surprised to find I really liked Mint because I'm really not a fan of mint-flavored beauty products. Rose is also really lovely. Cherry is a no-go for me but that's primarily because I don't like cherry anything (lemon or blueberry would also have been a no-go for me).

You can find the Glossier Balm Dotcoms in four flavors, Coconut, Rose, Mint and Cherry for $12 each. Right now they have a Trio Set for $30 (with Rose Coconut + Mint) which I believe is a limited-edition offer. If you click this referral link here you can save 20% off your first order. At this time I believe the only place you can buy these is directly on the Glossier website.


When I ordered these, there was a website glitch for the trio sets and they sent more than I ordered. Apparently it happened to more than one person and the Glossier team sent out a nice note saying we could keep our extras for ourselves or for friends. I'm giving away three sets + the coconut flavor and you can enter in the widget below. Details are as follows:
  • 3 distinct winners will be selected at random to win 1 pack of flavored balm dotcoms (coconut, rose, mint and cherry and pink pouch will be included!)
  • open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to enter
  • enter through widget below (comments to the blog post are welcome but will not be considered valid entries)
  • entries will be collected through May 21st, 11:45 PM PST 
  • winners will be selected via widget the following week after giveaway ends and contacted by me directly, names will be announced on widget in this post
  • prizes will be mailed out by May 28th to the 3 selected winners
  • please refer to all terms and conditions in the widget for more details.