Spring’s Beauty

 

Credit: style.com 

 

This picture from Burberry Prorsum sums up THIS season’s beauty model. It’s extremely rare that the faces of models this season is left almost unscathed by bronzer, isn’t it? Don’t you remember a couple of years ago when self-tanner and a deep bronze tan reigned supreme? I think it was featured so strongly in Versace and other major labels.

 

I think this look  in the picture is super easy to achieve. Super smooth and flawless skin is obviously the main focus, so EXFOLIATE AND MOISTURIZE! I like Dermalogica’s Gentle Cream Exfoliant. Moisturizer is vital. Try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer (comes with SPF15, if you like). This leaves your skin surface moisturized and well primed. To give an extra radiance boost to your skin, don’t hesitate to use a primer. Try Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer SPF20. It leaves the skin with a great glow and just enough radiance to seem like you’re glowing from within. 

 

 

Now that you’ve gotten the base right, lightly highlight your face with the very fabulous and my number 1 must-have product YSL Touche Eclat in Number 2 Ivory. Apply it to the planes of the face – your cheekbones, down the nose, the inside of your eye and the brow bone. Now, what you’ve got to do is to contour your cheekbones very lightly – none of that whole harsh lines thing going on. Lightly brush a little of bronzer – I love M.A.C’s Bronzing Powder in Bronze – under your cheekbones to give it a little of definition. Don’t go overboard. Very-much-less is more.

 

 

As you can tell, the eyes were kept very natural – I reckon a touch of the YSL Touche Eclat can counter any darkness caused by late nights. As for the lips, a light pink gloss was used – those Stila lip glosses are superb at giving that shine!Tune in for more of my little tricks and tips! 

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish

 

Credit: kiehls.com

 

Hi all! Hope you had a good time celebrating the new year. What better way to start the new year than to scrub off the dead cells of 2007?! Ok, you should know by now that I love Kiehl’s range of body products and a couple of their  eye creams, and it’s no wonder that I received this in a gorgeous gift box from a couple of friends.

 

This scrub has got Luffa Fruit, jojoba Butter (super smooth!!), pure honey and soy milk protein. There’s also shea butter and sweet almond oil to leave the skin smooth and exfoliates without drying.

 

Pros: The scrubby particles are plentiful (unlike the awful Kiehl’s Liquid Body Scrub and Cleanser that contained SO FEW exfoliating particles!) and really feels like a scrub as you massage it over your skin. The texture is great and this leaves your skin very soft and luxurious after washing it off. 

Cons: Even though my skin feels so smooth and soft, it made my skin itchy – even after slathering the super rich and my holy grail of body moisturizers ( Kiehl’s Creme de Corps and L’Occitane Milk Body Moisturizer ). This is my only gripe about this product.

 

Conclusion: If vanity gets the better of you, and you don’t mind feeling itchy for a little while, but still have super soft skin, then GET THIS!! 

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 Limited Edition

 My favourite lip balm in the world has come up with 3 limited edition flavours! And they are: Pear, Cranberry and Mint. The pear scent is pretty real smelling.. and gives this really fruity smell when you apply it to your lips. The cranberry is sweet, and smells great! My favourite of the 3 is the mint. It smells so fresh and leaves a cooling sensation on my lips when applied. And the great thing is that the cooling sensation lasts for a pretty long time! This is definitely a must-get!

Body Moisturizers

The body is often neglected. Well, to me anyways. I used to use Kiehl’s Creme de Corps during winter as it was the richest moisturizer I’ve ever bought. Now, I’m not exactly one who would spend loads on my body, as I rather do it for my face, but Kiehl’s do really good moisturizers. Now that winter has bade goodbye, I’ve switched to a lighter moisturizer – Kiehl’s Sodium PCA Moisturizer. Ok, I know it’s supposed to be for the face, but because I’ve an overload of facial products, I started using this on my arms and chest. It’s extremely moisturizing, as the Sodium PCA draws water from the environment and binds it to the skin. I usually spray a thin layer of Avene spring water if I can remember. Maybe this is my way of recycling… Using left-over facial products on the body instead. Hehe. Don’t shoot me down, but I recently used Origins Modern Friction other than my face too, but I shall talk about that later. =)

P.S Feel free to leave comments! =)

Morning routine

I admit, I’ve been buying new products recently, and even my evening skin care routine has changed significantly. However, the basics are still there.

1. Cleanse with Bliss Fabulous Foaming cleanser. This removes any oil/dirt/grime and even leaves my face with minimal shine even after a couple of hours. I tried this last night, and was surprised to see that my skin was not as oily as before after a couple of hours. Also, this doens’t leave that awful tight skin feeling.

2. Tone with Clarins Toning Lotion or SK-II Facial Clear Lotion.

3. Ole Henriksen Truth serum. Not oily at all, and completely fantastic smelling.

4. SK-II Facial Clear Solution or Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion depending on what my skin feels at that point in time. Actually, I use Dermalogica’s Oil Control Lotion when I’ve got zits ‘cos it helps to prevent zits and kills them with the ingredients it has in them. The SK-II Facial Clear Solution is for days when my skin feels a little parched.

5. Kiehl’s Sodium PCA Moisturizer used only on my neck + collar bones to rehydrate the skin there.

6. Kiehl’s Abyssine Eye Cream or Bobbi Brown Hydrating eye cream. I can’t stress enough on the importance of eye cream. Prevention is better than (trying to) cure.

7. Clarins UV PLUS SPF40. You’ve heard me enough about ranting on about sunscreen.

After this, I just apply whatever concealer (Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage) on where is needed.

Share with me your morning beauty routine too!

P.S Feel free to leave comments! =)

Kiehl’s Abyssine Eye Cream

I’ve been using an eye cream since last year when I was merely 16+, and now that I’m almost 18, eye cream has been an integral part of my skin care regime. I used to use the Kiehl’s Light Nourishing Eye Cream when I was still in Singapore because it was very light. However, now in London and a some-what real and faux sun worshipper, an anti-aging eye cream is so damn important. This eye cream has got survival molecules and vitamin E that will help diminish the look of fatigue, and provide loads of moisture. I love this and one pot lasts ages. S$50 from Kiehl’s at Heeren.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1

This tube of lip balm almost never leaves my bag where ever I go. It’s got an SPF in it, which protects your lips from harmful rays that will cause those vertical lines around your mouth to be exaggerated. This lip balm has got loads of different oils in it, and leaves a very light gloss to your lips, but not too glossy as to make it seem like you’re wearing lip gloss, which makes it perfect for guys as well. $15 from Kiehl’s Singapore.

Evening routine

A friend asked me to write about my skincare routine, so here goes.
Every night, I religiously perform a little ritual for my skin.

1. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (for oilier days) or SKII Facial Treatment Cleanser (for normal-drier days).

2. SKII Facial Clear Lotion – has got AHA in it to remove dead cells.or Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner – it’s hydrating and feels great on the skin.

3. SKII Facial treatment Essence – it’s very light and helps to maintain the skin’s condition.

4. SkinCeuticals Phyto+ Gel – this is the star product to help fade and lighten scras, dark spots and is a great alternative to hydroquinone. It’s also got kojic acid and arbutin that help to break up hyperpigmentation. Also, it’s hydrating, so your skin is left moist and dewy for hours after application.

5. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel – this oil-free gel has got loads of botanical extracts with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to help soothe and calm irritated skin. Also, it’s got natural alternatives to hydroquinone and other chemical skin lighteners to help dimish the appearance of brown spots. Very recommended for acnenice skin and sensitive skin. It takes the redness away in a flash.

6. Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Oily-Combination Skin – a 10% hydroxy acid blend helps to efoliate the skin to leave a healthy, radiant complextion. It’s also got tangerine oil to clear acneic/congested skin and the exfoliation helps to fade those annoying blemishes as well. A very good product!

7. La Prairie Eye Caviar Eye Serum – a light gel to hydrate the eye area.

8. La Prairie Radiance eye cream – a richer cream to layer on top of the eye gel to provide extra moisture and helps to reduce fine lines and such.

9. Kiehl’s Herbal Blue Spot Treatment – for zits! This is THE zit zapper.

10. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream – hydrates the lips well and leaves my lips plump and smooth all day!

Always massage in the products and wait till the products are fully absorbed before applying the next one.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer

I’ve been hooked on this moisturizer since I discovered Kiehl’s at Scotts Road a few years ago with one of my best friends Evan. This moisturizer has got oils that are extremely similar to the oils in your skin. After application, the skin glows with vitality and is perfectly hydrated. A drop of moisturizer can also be mixed with 2 drops of foundation of your choice and this makes your very own tinted moistuizer. This moisturizer hydrates very well, but still light enough to use in the day in humid, warm Singapore. This has become a staple in make up artists all over the world. It works so well and leaves my face glowing.