Monday, May 27, 2013

Guerlain Blanc De Perle Smoothing UV Base

I don't often watch 女人我最大 because my wishlist will lengthen by a mile. The gurus take delight in enabling with the latest products to hit the market and Smoothing UV Base is the product to get in the episode that aired on February 28th, 2013.

Guerlain says:
This fluid transparent formula invisibly provides new perfection to every skin tone, sublimating the skin instantly. It smoothes over the smallest blemish, instantly reducing the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines and signs of fatigue. Protected, sublimated and luminous, the skin glows with perfection.


Name: Guerlain ゲラン Blanc de Perle ペルル ブラン Smoothing UV Base メイクアップベース ホワイト SPF30 PA+++
Price: RM 190 for 30 ml
Release date: 22.2.2013
Made in: France

Smoothing UV Base is a pearly white coloured makeup base. No more worrying about shades; the white colour practically matches all skin tones.


Despite what the thick, almost old-school sunscreen-like texture would suggest, it is creamy, non-sticky and blends easily without leaving a cast. Moreover, it is so light that I can barely feel it once smoothed on.


The broad spectrum protection from the Skin Shield Technology along with the whitening action of the P.E.A.R.L. Complex were converged to create a smooth surface by evening pores and fine lines for light to reflect, thus ensuing in a luminous and radiant (soft-focused glow comes to mind) appearance, all without any shimmer or sparkle.


With - Without

I can either use Smoothing UV Base alone (the option recommended by 小凱老師) or under foundation. In my case, I go sans foundation (why cloak the beautiful finish with a layer of foundation?) with a slick of concealer on problem areas. This combination really does help to create the illusion of a perfect skin.


One other perk? This primer has a divine white lily scent. It is fresh and light and it does not overwhelm one's olfactory senses. It may not appeal to everyone but this nose loves it.


Of course there is the small issue of the price... RM 190 is a price I am willing to pay for perfection, considerable as it may be.


Smoothing UV Base along with its sisters, Lightening UV Base and Correcting UV Base, are sold at Guerlain counters nationwide.

The full ingredient list for Blanc de Perle Smoothing UV Base:
Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Parfum (Fragrance), Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol Acetate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Faex (Yeast) Extract, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), BHT, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

See By Chloe Eau De Parfum


I had my nose on See By Chloé for a while now. On one fine evening, I was told that it was waiting for me in my room. I immediately barreled through the door and tore off the plastic packaging sleeve to paw at the bottle like a beast hahaha.


Name: See By Chloé シーバイクロエ Eau de Parfum オードパルファム
Price: RM 277 for 50 ml
Made in: France

The multi faceted bottle is designed to emulate a bird cage. The three feet beneath the bottle elevates the bottle to create a gravity defying illusion. So utterly bewitching!


The scent is described as floral fruity and has notes of sparkling bergamot trailed by an infusion of apple blossom and jasmine, grounded on a bed of sandalwood and vanila.


It is soft and smooth without being over-the-top but still very warm and sensual with a surprising hint of lightness. I think it is a scent that will appeal to many regardless of age. On me it is one of the rare scents that soldiers through the day without metamorphosing.


It lasts a good five hours before I have to flatten my nose to my flesh to smell it.


If you fancy giving See By Chloé a whirl, it is available now at major department stores where it retails for RM 187 (30 ml), RM 277 (50 ml) and RM 340 (75 ml).

The full ingredient list for See By Chloé Eau de Parfum:


Disclosure: Press sample.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Baviphat Sugar Girl All In One Collagen BB

Sugar Girl All In One Collagen BB is composed from Collagen (skin elasticity), Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Green Tea Extract, Grapefruit Extract (soothing) and Hyaluronic Acid (moisturising) - all the ingredients needed to make my skin happy!


Baviphat says:
This 4 in 1 multi BB Cream has small spherical particles to correct and fill the the appearance of fine lines, pores, freckles and blemishes.


Name: Baviphat 바비펫 Sugar Girl All In One Collagen BB 슈가걸 올인원 콜라겐 비비
Price: ₩ 5,800 for 30 ml
Made in: Korea

Golden yellow toned girls who are often frustrated by grey, ashy Korean BB creams will enjoy this BB cream. There is a typical cosmetic fragrance but it goes away soon after application. Anyways, the scent is so faint that one can disregard it.



It has a creamy texture that spreads and blends easily. As expected, coverage is sheer (perhaps I am able to stretch it to medium if I layer) given how light the formula is; I can barely feel it on my skin!

The finish is extremely natural - like my skin, but better. It evens out and brightens up sallow skintones.

Without.


With.


The BB cream mattifies my complexion once applied, but it turns shiny (for the lack of a better term, although some might replace it with greasy haha) through the day once my face starts to secrete oil. A powder is a must to prevent the shine from getting too much a few hours on.

One other catch? It does not last all day. By the fifth hour mark, I was looking decidedly less polished. I would recommend it for short excursions, any longer than that and you will need touching up.


Shop at baviphat.com!

The full ingredient list for Sugar Girl All In One Collagen BB:
정제수, 사이클로테트라실록산, 사이클로헥사실록산, 카프릴릭/카프릭트리글리세라이드, 글리세린, 티타늄디옥사이드, 메칠메타크릴레이트크로스폴리머, 세틸피이지/피피지-10/1디메치콘, 소르비탄세스퀴올리에이트, 디메치콘, 디메치콘/비닐디메치콘크로스폴리머, 비즈왁스, 소듐클로라이드, 스테아랄코늄헥토라이트, 마그네슘알루미늄실리케이트, 페녹시에탄올, 황색산화철, 적색산화철, 흑색산화철, 트리에톡시카프릴릴실란, 향료, 비사볼올, 마치현추출물, 자몽추출물, 녹차추출물, 하이알루로닉애씨드, 콜라겐, 카퍼트리펩타이드-1.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Eau De Toilette

I got the chance to sample Guilty Black Pour Homme from Gucci (which hit the shops on March 15th) and thought I would share my thoughts on it with you all. It is the fragrance to cool down the summer heat!



Name: Gucci 구찌 Guilty Black 길티 블랙 Pour Homme 뿌르옴므 Eau de Toilette 오 드 뚜왈렛
Price: RM 240 for 50 ml
Made in: UK

The House's entwined Gs and iconic green (and red) web stripe play a big part in the flacon's design. Green for its hero whereas red is reserved for its heroine.



And while it is not the most attractive bottle around, it does have some charm. A hip-flask comes to mind every single time I look at it. Doesn't help that the leading man for the Guilty Black campaign - Chris Evans of Captain America fame - sits amongst bottles of alcohol in one of the pictures packed in the press release.


The description listed notes of green coriander and lavender laced with orange flower and neroli. An undercurrent of patchouli and cedarwood adds depth.

It is a clean, modern and green scent that will suit the cool urban man or in Korean, 차도남. I certainly don't mind coming across guys smelling like this!


After testing it thoroughly, I would place it in the minimal sillage category. I can't imagine this subtle scent leaving a trail behind...


Guilty Black Pour Homme is available at major department stores nationwide for RM 240 (50 ml) and RM 314 (90 ml).

The full ingredient list for Guilty Black Pour Homme Eau de Toilette:
Alcohol Denat., Aqua (Water), Parfum (Fragrance), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Methylparaben, Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Citral, Geraniol, CI 60730 (Ext. Violet 2), CI 14700 (Red 4) , CI 19140 (Yellow 5).

Disclosure: Press sample.

Friday, May 3, 2013

My Beauty Diary Moisturising Wishing Box

These Wishing Boxes from My Beauty Diary were unveiled at the pharmacies this time last year. Waiting till now to snap one up made me save 50% off the retail price! There are three boxes to choose from: lifting, moisturising and whitening, and believe me, it was not easy to make a decision.

(Source: qiweisi.com/)

Name: My Beauty Diary 我的美麗日記 Moisturising Wishing Box 滋润保湿许愿礼盒
Price: RM 119.90 for the following
Aloe 芦荟 (23 ml ×7)
Bird's Nest 燕窝 (23 ml ×6)
Hyaluronic Acid 玻尿酸 (23 ml ×7)
Natto 纳豆 (23 ml ×6)
Lemon & Verbena Body Lotion 送柠檬 & 马鞭草身体乳 (100 ml ×1)
Made in: Taiwan

Bird's Nest


Price: ★★★★★★★ RM 3.46/sachet
Scent: ★★★★★☆☆ brings up fond memories of me rotting my teeth by eating too much chewy candies. Would anyone care for some Sugus?
Moisturising level: ★★★★★☆☆ +16.4%
Whitening degree: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ zero brightening
Recommend: No. This mask does not make the cut if you want your mask to nourish as well as brighten.

The full ingredient list for Bird's Nest:


Hyaluronic Acid


Price: ★★★★★★★ RM 3.46/sachet
Scent: ★★★★★☆☆ almost scent-less! I can not decide whether this is a good or bad thing.
Moisturising level: ★★★★★★☆ +24.8%
Whitening degree: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆ minimal
Recommend: Yes. When I used this, I feel that it makes my skin look plump. Thumbs up!

The full ingredient list for Hyaluronic Acid:


Natto


Price: ★★★★★★★ RM 3.46/sachet
Scent: ★★★★★☆☆ surprisingly pleasant. It does not bear any traces to its namesake, the pungent and foul fermented soybean.
Moisturising level: ★★★★★★☆ +22.3%
Whitening degree: ★★☆☆☆☆☆
Recommend: Yes! It is the best at brightening amongst the three masks reviewed here and it really hydrates the skin.

The full ingredient list for Natto:


My verdict:
#1 Natto
#2 Hyaluronic Acid
#3 Bird's Nest

You can read my old review on Aloe over here. Lemon & Verbena Body Lotion will get its own entry!

Over to you! Have you taken a liking to any masks recently?