Dior Rosy Glow Blush

Even when I decide to go out without makeup on, I would never leave without applying blush on my cheeks. There are times that I would omit foundation or bb/cc cream but not blush - it's a must step for me as an attempt to at least add a healthy glow. However, when I have a bare face, it is easy to over apply blush and look tipsy instead of looking glowy.  For this reason, I think it is important to choose a blush that would give you a natural glow and not a hot flush! 

Dior's Rosy Glow in 001 Petal(C$45) has a nickname of 'Healthy Glow Awakening Blush' and is perfect for daily makeup. 

The description on Sephora says that it effortlessly recreates a natural, flushed look with finely-milled light-pink blush. 

M.U.F.E. Star Powder 947

"The Star Powder is a silky powder that catches the light and gives the skin an intense sparkle and unparalleled shine. Its extremely fine, yet dense texture makes it easy to apply. Only a small amount is needed for visible results. The Star Powders can be used alone or blended together, applied over eyeshadow or mixed with any texture to highlight areas of the face."

Makeup Forever's Star Powder Iridescent Pale Peach 947($24) has been a steady seller in S. Korea being called as 'tear effect eye glitter.' 

A famous S. Korean actress, Kim Hye-Soo contributed to its fame by showing off her beautiful makeup years ago revealing its MUFE's star powder that helped create the look. Since then the product always comes up when you search for shimmery eye shadow on Korean search engines. 

M.A.C 5-Alarm

I noticed that other then YSL's tint in oil, I have been posting my old lipstick collection. Today, I finally added a fresh new product to my lipstick stand - actually 2.

The Red, Red, Red collection from MAC has been out for several months now but I haven'tbeen going out lately and wasn't able to see it until yesterday. They are in fact almost sold out now in stores and I was quite lucky to buy it. You can still get them online though! 

I bought 5-Alarm ($19) which is described as a soft orange-red lustre lipstick.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Stained Gloss: New Wave

(Sarah Hyland wearing OCC Lip Tar Nylon - Nylon Magazine)

Queen of pigmentation has joined my vanity at last. Every review I have read praised of their amazing long lasting pigmentation but also found lots of cons (staining teeth??? or difficulty fixing or reapplying after initial application). I am all about long lasting and bright pigmentation so... I still had to try it out myself.

It has not been very long I've noticed OCC section newly presented from Sephora. Amazingly various color selection - I thought! Plus 100% Vegan / Cruelty-Free sign is something that draws more attention these days. I picked out the New Wave Stained Gloss and Anime Matte at Sephora to see the color on my skin tone. I have more white (than yellowy) Asian skin tone and I actually liked both of them on my face. New Wave is more red/slightly fuchsia color with glossy effect. Anime is the perfect barbie pink that's more neon color. As you can tell what I look for in lipsticks and other makeup products, I am focused on more creamy or glossy texture. For instance, I love the pigmentation of Benefit Tints - but they always sit too dry on my lips to the extent I get the tingly sensation. So I ended up purchasing New Wave Stained Gloss only for now.

Chanel Rouge Allure 138 Fougueuse

One of my new favorite lipsticks! I'm 50/50 on this Chanel vs my YSL Volupte #12 (my previous review: http://natalieskirakira.blogspot.ca/2014/11/ysl-rouge-volupte-shine-12-coral.html?m=1)... Maybe more so 60/40 since I find YSL bit more creamy than Chanel's. 

Until recently though, I hadn't learned that Sephora Canada doesn't carry Chanel - kind of a shock for me, really. This Classic French brand probably is a statement piece by its packaging and the brand name itself. It is almost to the extent that it's all about "I'm wearing Chanel." 

Chanel Rouge Allure is a formula of lasting wear that is hydrating and easy to reapply. This #138 is also a color that could be worn all year around: bright pink /bit of strawberry/slight coral mix with subtle satin finish. Great pigmentation too - I normally apply 2-3 layers max and it stays on 3+ hours (until lunch time, really!). It is never heavy on your lips either. Like I mentioned earlier though, in comparing to YSL Volupte Shine lines, Chanel is not as creamy as YSL's - not to the extent that it feels dry on your lips still! 

 The left is after 3 times of application vs. 1 time on the right

Skinny Nail / 100% Nail Strips Review

I declare to the world I no longer will be visiting nail salons!!! I have seriously fallen in love with Skinny Nail Strips.

Nail strips can be easily found at any drugstore/shopping centres now including Sally Hansen. I had purchased Incoco previously via their online website and I liked the quality and durability. The only trouble I had with Incoco was very strong nail polish smell that we're all familiar with from wearing nail polish. I also remember being extremely disappointed with Sally Hansen's nail strips as it was not water resistant as they claimed. It was not durable at ALL quite frankly. In very harsh terms, they were pretty band-aids and felt very bothersome on my fingertips - they did not last on my nails more than couple days. However - Skinny Nail Strips are a huge hit in South Korea now, and knowing what a picky consumer market it can be, I decided to give it a try.

Currently sold exclusively online at www.nailistic.com, I was thrilled to find FREE SHIPPING SIGN! Nailistic offers more than 20 patterns to satisfy everyone's different taste. I chose Modern Boy (CA$12.99 after 15% Opening Sale!) but I'm already eyeing on few other patterns. 

YSL Tint-in-Oil on Lip (No. 4 & No. 5)

Hi! I am back with photos of how YSL's Tint-in-Oil product when applied on lips as promised.

Hope this post helps you see the the actual colours of after application. 

The shape of the applicator is designed with science so just the right amount of oil remains.  The hole in the middle of the tip holds the oil and the outer part helps spread the product on the lips.

This is the colour of no. 4 I Rose You under vanity light. I used a bit of foundation on my lips to cover my natural lip colour prior to applying the product. 

YSL Tint-in-Oil

I am finally compelled to admit that I am a big follower of YSL cosmetics. Despite the high price tags to other comparables, I do believe that their products are that much higher quality, and of course I cannot exclude the fact that they have the prettiest packaging. What's there not to love? Enough with my silly excuses - let's get to the point. My new orders from Sephora for new Tint-in-Oil has arrived! Not just one though - TWO of them! (...should not have browsed Sephora)...

I bought 2 different shades: #4 I Rose You for myself and #5 Cherry My Cherie for my Mom.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (Candid Review)

There are those days where I am simply too lazy to wear foundations. There is an undeniable truth though, that I can't possibly have everying: comfort vs. concealing my dark circles and dark spots. During Sephora VIB sale, I thought I should invest money on buying a good concealer that would enable me to catch both bunnies with one shot. My solution?

As an avid beauty blog reader, I have heard so many good things about Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (C$35).  I was a bit hesitant to choose a shade without trying it out but since many Asians who seemed to have my skin tone chose honey - enough with your Photoshopping please - I just went with it. 

Fresh Skincare Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream Review

Pro: fresh products have never let me down! Every one of their item's I've tried so far has worked out perfectly as if customized clinic care. Their website kindly outlines all the ingredients used and are of natural ingredients like sugar.

Con: a bit expensive compared to other options available. I've heard the strong floral fragrance is not for everyone.

I have just an average skin type: bit oily around T-zone, dry elsewhere, lately (in my late 20s now) concerning for appearance of wrinkles around eyes and mouth, etc etc. It's not super sensitive other than the blemishes I get after playing with my cat.




Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream

It hasn't been very long I have started using the fresh lotus face cream ($42). In fact I'm just going through the second jar. However I'm already a fan of this fresh product and you will be too once you've tried. Unlike Vivian, my nightly skincare routine is very simple (if any). I have to confess that I may not remove my makeup off my face before passing out once-in-a-quite-often-while. Other nights, I do what the other least human beings do: wash & apply moisturizer!

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream is very easy to spread. I do my usual 5 dots on a face and just spread them out. It has this distinct but very subtle lotus smell that's similar to cool cucumber and I love it. Sitting in room temperature, the cool cream has a calming effect to it, too.  Fresh website states that their formula is "proprietary Super 7 that provides 24 hours of moisture."

(Fresh.com)

The above photo is before the cream set into my skin yet. It has no artificial chemicals to trick my eyes. And the below is after the cream has been well absorbed into my skin. It is really soft and evened out when you feel it with your fingertips. And definitely more moisturized! 

It isn't whole lot oily either. And when I test the test with another piece of oil control film some time after the application (10 minutes?) you get minimal darkened area. 

I do agree for the long lasting moisture. It might be the brisk weather too but I find my skin condition being the same hours after having washed my face & applying my cream immediately. Of course I can no longer smell the fresh cucumbery scent that excites me anymore though. It is not heavy on your skin and never oily at all. I alternate evening application between this and another balm type cream for more stickiness to tighten my skin. Fresh cream is perfect for morning application before makeups! Personally it is hard to tell of enhanced radiance but I do admit I have no complaints on my conditions of my skin ever since I started using Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream (phew, such a long name!). I do get comments on the brightness of my face but I....think it's more my foundation. :-P) Vivian has also bought a jar recently, so you'd be able to make a direct comparison very soon! *Hint: Viv has more dry skin.

Thanks for reading! :-)

DIOR VERNIS 338 MIRAGE

My outings for makeup products always is a vicious cycle of DIOR vs. CHANEL. It's the pretty packaging, bold yet elegant colors, and the brand name itself - that almost arms me up like my power-suits do. It is also functional displaying "I am here" statement.

It must be the crisp fall/winter weather that draws me towards rich wine, rouge red, and lux purple colors. I personally like having different colored nails. A friend of mine was wearing violet, lavender, and slightly dark tone of gray across her 10 fingers and I thought that is the most perfect combination; wasn't too much nor any slight understatement. I really should have taken photos of her nails!

 More photos to be found after the jump!

MAC Paradisco

MAC Cosmetics was founded in Toronto 1984 and since then the company has developed its own empire in the industry. I consider one if the reason how they became so successful is because they have a wide range of colours to choose from. Walking into a MAC store makes your eyes wander into their colourful makeup products. To avoid that, I always make a shopping list before I go in the store so that I won't get hypnotized!

I picked up Paradisco from my last visit to their The Bay store. The eyeshadow was C$19 but they were having a 10% off Event for The Bay Card Holders.  I'll be sure to post any Bay Promotions going forward as well! :-) 

maccosmetics.com

Dior Addict Extreme 987 Black Tie

Seeing our blog's number of lipstick review posts, we look like lipstick addicts. Well, I will take that title happily! In fact I will shout it out loud; I am a LIPSTICK ADDICT! And to prove that, I present you another review of my lipstick collection.

Dior Addict Extreme 987 Black Tie

You can get this beauty for C$34 at sephora.

Burgundy is a must colour for fall and winter. It might feel too much to use as daily lipstick but Natalie says a bold lipstick is like a powersuit to woman.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine 12 Coral Incandescent

Despite the colourful tights that fills up my bottom drawer, black is my favorite color. All black fashion is what I enjoy - although may not be as frequent - especially in winter. Specifically: black bodycon, black stockings, my favorite black purse, & black high heels.  The only color I insist on me is on my lips - and maybe the statement necklace. 

Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Volupte Shine has such pretty case that itself is a fashion item. This #12 coral incandescent is my recent purchase and this will be my color for this coming winter. This almost looks tad bit fluorescent and brightens up this weather. 

Watershed Naturals: Lavender Avocado Shea Butter

I take my skin care routine very VERY seriously since I am in my late twenties. My skin cells generate 80% less collagen than in my early twenties. And hence, more and more wrinkles and sun damages become visible. *Sigh...* Moreover, and especially in winter, my skin gets so thirsty! It dries up so fast even after treating it with moisturizing mask! I have the desire for the perfect silky smooth, however I still have my dignity to undergo any plastic surgeries or laser treatments. My only rock is to spend spend a lot of time & effort with my skin care routine. I will explain in more detail on another post very soon. Instead for today, I would like to share a product that I have been quite satisfied with for overnight protection from dehydration.

Natalie has already introduced you all with "Watershed Naturals" in her precious post about their bath salt (fyi: http://natalieskirakira.blogspot.ca/2014/11/potion-9-bath-salt.html.) At the Circle Craft Christmas Market, I picked up this little jar hoping it to saving me from dry morning skin.  It was only $18 and considering other brand name products at Sephora I cry for help with, I think it is a pretty good deal. It's been less than a week and yes I have already used it a lot cuz I love it so much! I should have taken a picture before using it if I knew I would be posting about it.  Please read more after the jump!

YSL Volupte Shine 09 Nude in Private

Hello all! It's Vivian again:)

Ever since I started blogging, I've been falling back in love with my old makeup purchases. The product that I rediscovered its charm the most is YSL's Volupte shine and Volupte sheer lipsticks. They are perfect for the fall/winter weather when my lips are usually very dry  because of their butter-like texture.

Today I would like to introduce you to my YSL Volupte Shine 09 Nude in Private.

Barr-co. Eau De Parfum

Hello, this is Vivian. How was your day? I don't know if it is because of the rain and gloomy skies but I have been feeling a bit depressed lately. In the futile attempt to make you feel you've got the glass half full, please watch the following video called 'My Cousin Oskaar'!

But if I were to blame the weather for my recent depression, I like to pamper myself wearing my favorite fragrance as a cure. Recently, I have fallen in love with Barr-Co.'s Eau De Parfum.

YSL Baby doll Kiss & Blush: 8, 10

Hello, this is Vivian! 

Today I brought you a review of YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks 08, Pink Hedoniste and 10 Nude Insolent. These colors were particularly popular in S. Korea because the heroine of the hit drama "It's okay It's love (괜찮아, 사랑이야)" wore the colors in the show.

I believe the South Korean Actress Hyo-Jin Gong is wearing 10 Nude Insolent in the above photo.