Things That I Have Been Loving This Summer

Hello, An image diary of things that I have been trying and loving this summer...  

Skincare 

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk is all natural and works like a dream for dry skin.  Not to mention, it smells delicious!

SK-II is not new to me, but I have not used anything from the line in a few years.  This SK-II Pitera Essence Set (similar set sold in link) was gifted to me from my relative.  It was purchased in Asia.

I bought the SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion to go with the set.  It offers mask like benefits and keeps my skin moist throughout the day.  This is the perfect toner/treatment when you do not have time to do facial masks.  Love!

Thanks to Rowena at rolala loves for telling me about La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk.  This is the best drugstore sunscreen!

Heliotrope is a San Francisco natural skincare company.  This purifying mist is the first purchase from the brand for me, I carried it in my purse wherever I went this summer.  It has a refreshing scent.  It can be used on the face and in the home.

Makeup

I have been reaching for pink blushes a lot this summer.  Bobbi Brown Blush in 9 Pale Pink is one of my all time favorites.

I have been a big fan of the Diorsnow sunscreen for years.  I picked up Diorsnow UV Shield BB Creme when it came out earlier this year.  It does not disappoint.  It has excellent coverage, color, and skin protection.  For me, it looks best without a setting powder.   This is my current HG BB cream.

Random 

If you are in the Bay Area, you need to try Simply Mochi.  They make the best mochi outside of Japan.  Interesting flavors and always made perfectly!   Mochi goodness!

What are you loving this summer?  Thanks for stopping by and until next post......

Best of June Roundup - Chanel, Burberry, Oribe

Hello, Happy 4th of July!!  It is that time again, let's jump right into my June favorite products:  

Skin Care - Chanel Le Blanc Skincare

When I visited the Chanel counter at Nordstrom a few months back, I received some samples of Chanel Le Blanc Skincare that had just launched at that time.  It is a line specifically for brightening.  I received the cleanser, brightening moisture lotion, brightening concentrate (serum), and brightening moisturizing cream.  I waited and took the samples with me on my recent trip to Los Angeles and tried everything for about one week.  

I did take a risk in sampling new products on a trip, but everything turned out fine.  In fact, my skin loved this line.  My skin felt moisturized enough, but not overly moisturized.  The line also helped keep my face clear at the same time.  

The cleanser is the foaming type, it lathers and cleanses quite well.  Next, I especially love the moisture lotion which is a toner, it exfoliates the skin and preps it for the serum and moisturizer.  The texture of the brightening concentrate and moisturizing cream are similar, they both have a light gel cream texture to them.   You can use the concentrate and moisturizing cream around the eye area too.  Multi-functional products are a big plus for me.  In fact, there are not too many brightening products out there that you can use both on the face and eye area.  The products have a light floral scent, not heavy.

My initial thoughts are I like this line a lot.  It is good to incorporate a brightening skincare line especially in the summer.  I am currently back to using SK II because I was gifted some items from a relative and want to use up everything first.  I would consider getting the moisture lotion and the moisturizing cream from this line next.

Makeup - Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in No. 22 Pale Barley

I have been really loving Burberry eyeshadows lately.  I currently own three Burberry brown eyeshadows and might acquire more in the future.  Today I will talk about No. 22 Pale Barley, it first launched a few months ago.  I fell in love when I swatched it for the first time, it is a beautiful pale taupe brown with gold shimmer.  It is a wearable color that looks good on many different skin tones.  The Burberry eyeshadows are creamy in texture and the formula is long lasting even if you do not use an eye base.  It has good color payoff as it is buildable.  And the packaging speaks for itself, Burberry chic.  LOVE!

Hair Care - Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

It is a hair texturizer and conditioning treatment in one.  I enjoy using it in the morning on my bed head.  Also, it is great for second day hair if you do not shampoo everyday.  Although I have only used it on dry hair, it can be used on dry or wet hair.  The scent is fruity floral and it is very pleasant, it actually smells like summer to me.  

I bought the travel size spray at Space NK in Bloomingdale's and it was around $19.50.

To my fellow American readers, have a safe holiday!  Until next post......

Guerlain by Emilio Pucci 'Terra Azzurra' Summer 2012 Sneak Peek

Via Nordstrom.com

Hello, Guerlain by Emilio Pucci 'Terra Azzurra' Summer 2012 is Guerlain's latest makeup collection.  I played with the colors at Bloomingdale's a few days ago.  I was in awe of Guerlain's quality as usual and fell hard for the packaging.  The Pucci blue and green print on the packaging and pouch is gorgeous and it just works for Guerlain's summer makeup collection.  In terms of colors, tangerine or coral, pink, blue are colors you can expect to see a lot of this summer.   

Going in, I knew I wanted to replenish the Meteorites Powder, so Pearls d'Azur Illuminating Powder was at the top of my list to get.  The Meteorites Powder has a huge following.  I have used the original in Teint Rose 01 in the past and enjoyed the soft focus look from it.  The old packaging I had before was made out of card board, but this collection offers it in a dark blue tin with a Pucci print lid.  I had to take advantage of the lovely limited edition packaging.  Imagine how nice it would look sitting on the vanity table!

For those who are not familiar with the Meteorites Powder, this is a brief description for this particular powder from the web:  

Multicolored little pearls are adopting their summer wardrobe. Encased in Emilio Pucci–adorned packaging, they are enriched with a corrective blue pearl to create a flawless complexion. Formulated like the classic Meteorites Pearls, the Pearls d'Azur beautifully adapts to the demands of the sun by combining six colors that even out and correct every skin tone.

Featuring blue and pink to counter the yellow tones in tired complexions for a corrective effect, beige and orange to warm up the complexion and create an even tan for an evening effect and ivory and white-gold light reflectors for an illuminating effect.

The second item I was drawn to was the Powder Bronzer and Blush, housed in a jumbo sized wood compact that is quite heavy and not really practical for carrying in your bag or traveling.  The compact is made from two separate pieces of wood which fit and close together by small magnetic rivets.  One piece contains the mirror while the other piece contains the bronzer and blush.  The colors of the bronzer and blushes are magnificent, you can fake the perfect summer tan by swirling the bronzer and blush colors together or use them individually.  It can be a bit dark on lighter skin tones.  Guerlain makes the best bronzers, I am a fan of Guerlain 'Terracotta' Light Sheer Bronzing Powder in No. 3 Brunettes.

Lastly, the SA introduced me to Terracotta - Terra Inca Khôl Kajal in 01 Black Frida.  This color is not from the summer collection.  Indigo blue is the new color in the summer collection.  The SA told me this is wonderful and safe for tight lining and can be used on the water line.  I have not used the traditional Middle Eastern or Indian kohl eyeliner before, I am not sure how this one compares to those.  This one seems very easy to use though.

I purchased everything from Bloomingdale's, but everything in the post has been linked to the Nordstrom website because the Bloomingdale's website has not been updated with the new collection yet.  Once I get to try all the products, I may review and do swatches in due course. In the meantime, there are some awesome pictures of swatches from this collection at naturalNchic makeup blog.  Go check it out!

Have a nice weekend!  Thanks for reading.

Until next post......

Best of February Roundup - Algenist, Benefit, and Lavanila

Hello,  I have some exciting new and old products to share with you today.  Let's jump right into Best of February Roundup...

Skin Care - Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask

I am a big supporter of local businesses.  Algenist is a biotech company located in San Francisco that focused on developing micro algae-based renewable energy solutions.  The team of scientists unexpectedly discovered Alguronic Acid in the process.  It is a compound produced by a specific type of algae, you can read up more about the Alguronic Acid and its skin benefits here.

I picked up Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask at Sephora.   It is a gel mask that contains key ingredients such as Alguronic Acid and peptides.  It has a cooling and soothing sensation on the skin and it is safe to use around the eyes.  I use this mask before big events or whenever my skin needs a pick me up.  What it does for me is it calms redness and de-puffs the skin.  I see immediate results of smoother and tighter skin after using it.  Though I feel that it can be hard to remove with just water, I recommend using Clarisonic or a face cloth to help remove the product.  It can be used up to twice a week.  I look forward to trying other Algenist products in the future.

Makeup -  Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup SPF 25 PA+++ and Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up SPF 15

Continuing my support for companies from San Francisco, I have been a big fan of Benefit Cosmetics for a long time.  They came out with their new liquid foundation in February called Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup SPF 25 PA+++.  The name is a mouthful, but they are known for very unique and catchy product names. 

According to the Benefit website, it is an oil free liquid foundation with brightening properties.  It comes in 9 shades and my shade is Petal, the second lightest shade.  It is a very good match for NC25 skin tone.  To me, it delivers an equal balance of luminosity and natural finish.  It has a runny texture and feels very comfortable on my dry skin.  It has light coverage and can build up to medium coverage.  I am pleased with the air tight plastic bottle with a pump and the built-in sunscreen of SPF25 PA+++ is wonderful.  Overall, I am happy with this new addition to my makeup collection.  I think this would be a great foundation for the warmer weather to come.

I also picked up the companion powder, Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up SPF 15 in Petal.   It is a powder foundation that can be worn alone or over any liquid foundation.  It comes with a brush and sponge in the compact, but I prefer to use a kabuki or powder brush to apply the product.  It helps set the liquid foundation and makes it last longer.  I think the two products together create a flawless look that can last up to six to seven hours.  Both products are available in department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's.  They are also available at Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics Boutiques.

Fragrance - Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum Roller-Ball 

For those who are new to Lavanila fragrances, here is a brief introduction according to the Sephora website:

LAVANILA carefully infuses pure essential oils with 100 percent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing. With each spray, proprietary natural technology wraps the skin with super antioxidants goji berry and kakadu plum, soothing willowherb, and hydrating olive leaf for a healthy dose of 30 essential vitamins and minerals and 19 amino acids. Imagine, a fragrance that not only smells good but also is good for you!

I have been wearing Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum for about five years.  I had purchased the full sized bottle fragrance with the body lotion in a set years ago and fell in love with the scent.  The notes are grapefruit, lime, cedar wood, and Madagascar vanilla.  After I finished my first bottle, I decided to pick up the roller ball version because it takes me quite a long time to finish an entire bottle of perfume and it is more travel friendly.  I am also trying Vanilla Coconut Eau de Parfum Roller-Ball.  The notes are young coconut, Monoi Tiare, and Madagascar vanilla.  It smells heavenly as if I have been transported to a tropical island!  These fragrances are long lasting and good for all seasons.


What are your thoughts on these products?  Do you support your local businesses?  Until next post......

MAC Glitter and Ice Holiday Colour Collection - Six Snowglobe Eye Shadows in Warm, Mineralize Eye Shadow in Snow Season, Technakohl Liner Eye-Liner Kajal in Practice Makes Perfect

Hello, Time flies since I picked up some makeup from the MAC Glitter and Ice Holiday Colour Collection.   I finally got around to trying some of the items from the collection.  As I said before, I was really drawn to the limited edition white packaging and everything about it exudes the holidays upon us.  I find that some of the colors from this collection to be repetitive and re-promos from MAC, nonetheless, there is something for everyone for the special occasions in this holiday season.  Here are some of the highlights from the items that I had picked up before:

Six Snowglobe Eye Shadows in Warm

This is a six neutral eye shadow palette that comes with a brush.  I am a sucker for neutral eye colors, I can't get enough of them.  The color that stands out for me in this palette is Gaelic Gold (Veluxe Pearl) in the bottom right in the picture above.  It goes on so smooth and the gold will make your eyes pop for the holidays.  This palette costs $38 and the other two palettes come in Cool and Sultry.  Karla Sugar did a great job with the swatches for all three palettes here.

Mineralize Eye Shadow in Snow Season

Mineralize Eye Shadow in Snow Season is a neutral champagne eye shadow with traces of brown, gold, and silver.  It appears to be a champagne color once all the colors are blended together.  It is pretty by itself or great to combine with the colors from the Six Snowglobe Eye Shadows in Warm.  This costs $21 and it comes in a total of six shades.

Technakohl Liner Eye-Liner Kajal in Practice Makes Perfect

Technakohl Liner Eye-Liner Kajal in Practice Makes Perfect is a mechanical eyeliner in teal blue with subtle glitters.  I often switch to blue eyeliners for a change from my day to day black eyeliner.  It costs $16 each and it comes in a total of six shades.

All of the products mentioned are still available at MAC, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Macy's.

Thanks for reading.  Until next post......