Lancome UV EXPERT GN-SHIELD BB Base SPF 50

This is my HG BB Base for several reasons:

1.       The SPF 50 provides the strongest protection against the harsh rays of the sun, so when I’m wearing this I don’t really worry about going out midday.

2.       The light tint is perfect for those days when I don’t wanna slather too much product on my face.

3.       It doesn’t feel greasy and doesn’t oil me up compared to the Lancome UV Expert DNA Shield SPF 50 that I used before.

For days when I want some luminosity, I mix a bit of my MAC Strobe Cream into this. The effect is dewy, luminous skin! The consistency is a bit on the watery side, much like any sunscreens. It is easy to blend, and though it may at first leave a grayish cast; I find that after a while, it blends with my skin tone. For light make-up days, I use only this and pat Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder and I’m good to go. 

For days when I want fuller coverage, I use this under my Anna Sui Protective Powder Foundation or MAC Studio Fix Powder+Foundation. Since the formula is light, it doesn't feel heavy on my face even if I put on powder foundation on top. I usually do not use this BB Base under liquid foundation as I feel uncomfortable layering it with another liquid.

Has a bit of a greyish cast

Perfect for ladies who want high sun protection and a bit of coverage!

Available in 30ml tube

You can get this from any of the Lancome counters in Rustan's.

Kanebo Coffret D'or Haul

Bejeweled Compact Case, Silky Lasting Base UV, and Silk F Pact UV

Got my Coffret D'or loot! Can't wait to road test these!

Coffret D'or Silk F Pact UV (Long Keep)

What a pretty compact case!

Got this in OC-C Shade

Finally! Got my full-sized Coffret D'or Powder Foundation! Can't wait to try it out... As I have mentioned in my previous review, this powder foundation promises to be "the one." I have tried the generous sample I got a before, and I was very happy with the results! Now, I can't wait to try this full size! The sample I got was in a different shade though (OC-B); this full sized one is in OC-C. Coffret D'or foundations come in Ochre and Beige tones; the Ochre tones have a slightly pink tinge while the Beige tones have, well, beige tinge...

Will update this post after a few weeks of use :-)

Samourai Woman "One Love"

Aside from cosmetics, my other passion is fragrance. I think my love affair with perfume started way back in elementary; I remember how I used to sniff and try out my mother’s perfume (Her favorite that time was Estee Lauder’s Beautiful) and my grandmother’s as well (Hers was, still is actually, Tea Rose). From the time my mom allowed me to wear perfume, I have never left the house without any fragrance on. Somehow, I feel incomplete without it. I remember fondly how my high school classmates used to joke that they knew I was approaching because they could smell me from a mile away!

Over the years, I have tried quite a lot, from floral to fruity to powdery to sexy. One of my current favorites is from BFF Mayumi; she gave it to me about a year ago, but it has only been recently that I started using it. 

The name of the perfume is Samourai Woman One Love. I think the “One Love” is the name of this perfume, and it belongs to the Samourai Woman line of fragrances. I thought at first that it is Japanese made, but it turns out that the perfume is made in France.

Simple, but cute! There are some crystal beads inside the bottle...

It comes in a cute 40ml bottle; the bottle is transparent, and the liquid inside has a tinge of pink. When I got this, it didn’t have a box; but I think that originally it comes boxed. (I guess Mayu removed it, so it wouldn’t be bulky in her luggage.)

As for the smell, it is more on the fresh, after shower kind. Actually, when I first sprayed it, it immediately reminded me of Dolce and Gabbana’s Light Blue. The scent of both is similar, yet One Love’s scent smells fresher and crispier.

My husband definitely loves this scent; he told me that this is one of his most favorite among my perfumes. In fact, several times I caught him spritzing it on!

Overall, this is definitely one of my favorites! Sadly, this is not available in the local market, so I’ve been saving what’s left of mine for special occasions. Hehe!

Holika Holika's Magic Pole Mascara

I’m not usually a fan of mascaras because no matter which brand I try, I inevitably end up looking like a raccoon. Blame it on my oily skin or the humid weather, but no formula has worked on me…Until Holika Holika’s Magic Pole Mascara!

I got this mascara along with the Pore Magic Cover Mousse Starter (whew!) as a present from my Korean friend. I was intrigued by the “pole” at the end of the wand, and thankfully, the box of the mascara had illustrations on how to use the pole. I was very skeptical at first since all the other mascaras I’ve tried such as Lancome’s Hypnose, and Estee Lauder’s More than Mascara have failed me.  I decided to give the Magic Pole a try since my friend told me it was a “hot” item in Korea. So with fingers crossed, I curled my lashes with my trusty Shiseido lash curler and applied one coat of the Magic Pole mascara. I followed the directions in the illustrations carefully and used the “pole” to brush the tips of my lashes. 

Lo and Behold!

The first thing I loved about it is the way the “pole” seemed to magically extend my lashes. Two coats after, my lashes were lush and fan like! I actually looked like I had on falsies! (Might be a bit of an exaggeration, but since I don’t normally wear mascara; I was astounded by the effect!)

Next, I anxiously awaited the inevitable raccoon eyes…Yet, hours later, my under eye area remained clean. Still a few more hours later, no sign of dark circles! Finally, I had to admit; this mascara is a winner! I remained smudge-free the rest of the day!

Last, I wanted to see whether the smudge-free formula would be hard to remove like the other long last formulas I’ve tried before. To wash it off, I used my Shu Uemura cleansing oil; it was enough to remove all traces of the mascara. My eyelashes didn’t have any leftover clumps of mascara. So on top of being smudge proof, it is also easy to remove. Now that’s what I call MAGIC!

Bare lashes

Uncurled and without mascara

Curled lashes

Uncurled

With Magic Pole Mascara~ Notice how you can't tell the difference between the two? Although I curled my lashes on the right eye, and I left the left eyelashes untouched; with Magic Pole mascara, you won't be able to tell the difference!

Such pretty colors! One of the things I love about Holika Holika is their color motif!

8 hours after applying Magic Pole. Look, Ma, no smudges!

Kanebo's Coffret D'or Silky F Pact UV

Oh MyGosh! I think I might have found my Holy Grail powder foundation…foundation period.

So my BFF Mayumi got me this sample from her recent trip to Japan (she never fails to get me samples, bless her soul!), and when I tried it; I just fell in love! I just cannot stop raving about this! It’s perfect! It’s magic! It’s the stuff of dreams!

Ok, without further ado…Kanebo’s Coffret D’or Silky F Pact UV Longkeep (I know, I know…seriously that’s the name! I spent hours on the web looking for it since the sample didn’t have any English transalation.)

Anyway, never mind the baffling name…This powder foundation seriously rocks! I got this sample together with the base/primer (aren’t the Japanese generous with their samples?)

This shade is BE-C; it's perfect for me! for reference, I'm nc30-35 in MAC.

The Sample for the base came in  a small pack though...

I immediately tried the combo after I got them. I put on the base, and immediately I felt a tightening sensation. A minute after application, I felt my skin become smooth and soft and matte. I applied the powder foundation all over, and I could see an almost airbrushed finish to my complexion. I was on cloud nine!

Hours later, lo and behold…1^st, the foundation didn’t oxidize on my acidic skin, 2^nd there was no hint of shine on my T-zone, and 3^rd, I still had that same airbrushed look I had when I left the house! And this was in the middle of summer! (Last April).

Sadly, I’ve almost finished the sample…and since the sample of the base was quite little, I was only able to try it twice. I didn’t have the chance to try it out with other powder foundations and see if it works just as well.

But! My BFF Mayumi will be going to Japan at the end of the month, so I’ll be getting the full sized products soon! Yey! I just hope that they still have this product. Japanese companies such as Kanebo are known for releasing limited edition stuff that they replace regularly (grrr…).

I guess the point is not to gat too attached to their products??? Go figure Japanese sense! I tried to purchase this from the Kanebo counter in Rustan’s, but I was told that the Coffret D’or line has been discontinued. So I’m really hoping that Mayumi will be able to still find my new found HG, otherwise; I’m back to square one in my quest for the perfect foundation!

Will update this post as soon as I get (hopefully) the full sized powder and base!

Chanel Rogue Coco Shine in Effrontee

Last month, I got a new Chanel lippie from the Summer Collection of Rogue Coco Shine.

Color: 72 Effrontee  (googled it up; the English meaning is “cheeky”)

Effrontee is a soft rose pink that, i think, will flatter most complexions.

As with all Chanel products, this one comes in an elegant rectangular lipstick case with the logo of Chanel prominently embossed on the cap. One word: luxury!

I think this more of a glossy type of lip color because the coverage is sheer and very light. The description from the Chanel official website says:

ROUGE COCO SHINE makes an irresistible desire for lightness flit over your makeup. With its mischievous touch, it glides over lips with all the charm and freshness of a snapshot.

As melt-away as a balm, its lip-embracing texture becomes fluid on contact with the lips and provides a stunning wet effect with natural shine. Deliciously fresh and tender, it delivers an unforgettable sensation of well-being.

Lips are enveloped in the incomparable comfort of continuous 8-hour-long hydration thanks to the Hydratender complex, the secret of softness of the ROUGE COCO range.

Sparkling with vitality, your smile takes on sheer colour, from candid beige to tangy red.
ROUGE COCO SHINE comes in 18 shades infused with luminosity so that your smile adapts to every emotion and desire of each day.
From her first successes to magical encounters, their names tell the story of Coco Chanel at the dawn of her destiny.

I usually go for full coverage when it comes to lipstick since I hate having to constantly retouch, but I love the feeling of this lip shine. It glides on smoothly, and makes my lips feel softer and moisturized. I use this with my HG lip liner, MAC in Spice. The result is soft, glossy nude-y pink. Perfection!

Overall, I give Rogue Coco Shine two thumbs up!

LOVE:

-makes my lips feel soft and smooth

- has a pleasant scent

- love the glossy finish it imparts

HATE:

- staying power is low since as I've said, the formula is more on the gloss/balm side.

Availability:

Rustan’s