Some time late last year, Hada Labo released a bunch of skincare under the ES series meant for sensitive skin and I have been using several products for quite a few months now. The original line of products, the one made famous by promising ladies bouncy, bouncy skin, wasn’t suitable for me and I have ignored Hada Labo for a couple of years until the ES range came around.

My skin has been very dehydrated and was made worse by an allergy reaction from a sheet mask I tried, which resulted in flaky, bumpy skin. It was also very tight, painful and red. For several days, I had to endure looking like I had the remnants of sea barnacles stuck on my face.

And oh, be prepared for a very long post ahead because I am going through quite a few products and would like to give each of them fair coverage.

Anyway, I do have a lot of different skincare, some for whitening and some for anti-ageing but my favourite type of skincare will be the the ones meant for hydration. My skin can get dehydrated because I am exposed to air-conditioning almost all day and night.

I have been very impressed with the Hada Labo ES skincare and to be honest, I didn’t have high hopes when I first got their products. After the first week of usage, my skin felt so much better and actually stopped flaking. I was using the foam wash, lotion, moisture milk (during the day) and cream (for night). These were the only products from the ES series that I could find in our local drugstores.

The foam wash pumps out dense yet soft bubbles. It doesn’t make my skin feel tight after washing off and still cleanses my skin well. It won’t remove waterproof makeup completely and I would recommend using a separate makeup remover before cleansing.

The lotion is not a moisturiser per se and acts more like a toner, as it is meant to tone and prep your skin to receive moisturiser. The Japanese use the term “lotion”, which can be confusing. I’ll just pour a ten-cent coin amount on my palm and pat and pat and pat the lotion on my face. I find that the ES version absorbs faster than the original because I do not have to pat as much. It leaves my skin feeling soft and supple.

I will add the Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Essence, which performs as a serum, after the lotion. This essence can feel a little sticky as I’m patting the stuff on but just leave it to dry for short while and I am left with baby smooth skin. I only use one or two pumps and only at night, so this bottle will last me a few good months. I will immediately apply a moisturiser or the Hada Labo ES Cream because my skin is dehydrated and needs the extra moisture. I wake up to soft, well hydrated and less red skin even after sleeping in an air-conditioned room all night. I have only been using this essence for a week and am so far very happy with it.

The Milk and Cream are really good moisturisers. I use the Milk during the day as it has a lighter consistency and the Cream at night. As with the rest of my skincare, I prefer to spread and gently pat the product on my face as opposed to rubbing it in. Both moisturisers absorb and hydrate very well although the Milk takes a slightly longer time to absorb completely. They do not sting my face like how some moisturisers do and my skin feels very comfortable. Sometimes for added moisture, I like to mix both together and then apply on my face.

The final skincare step during the day is adding sunscreen. I keep telling people that the best anti-ageing product you can have is a good sunscreen. Living in the tropics, the sun exposure is very high even if you’re indoors most of the time. You still get exposed when you’re commuting to work or walking (even for a short while) outdoors.

I have been loving the Biore Aqua Rich UV Watery Essence sunscreen with SPF50 PA+++ for a while and they recently introduced a BB cream version, which is also very nice. Both products spread and absorb very easily without leaving a white cast. The BB version has a bit of a beige tint to it but it blends and fades very well into my skin. I use the regular version (in the blue tube) on my arms and neck too, basically any area that can get sun exposure.

These drugstore products have been working so well on me and I am very happy that they are easily accessible too. They all have a common key ingredient, which is hyaluronic acid and this ingredient is known for hydrating skin and locking in moisture.

So you see, I don’t really need the super expensive stuff and it looks like my skin is pretty happy with the cheapies. I spend quite a fair bit on skincare every year and will continue to use some of the higher-end products to supplement my existing routine. There are a few things that I will still splurge on, namely serums and eye care, and as my skin changes, so will the requirements.

My Skin Type:
- relatively sensitive
- prone to redness
- dehydrated
- can suffer from minor breakouts / allergies
- combination (oily t-zone, dry cheeks)

Price Listing (of featured products):
* Hada Labo es Foam Wash (160ml) – RM39.90
* Hada Labo es Lotion (170ml) – RM55.90
* Hada Labo es Milk (140ml) – RM61.90
* Hada Labo es Cream (50g) – RM65.90
* Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Essence (30ml) – RM98.90
* Biore Aqua Rich UV Watery Essence SPF50 PA+++ (50g) – RM32.90
* Biore Aqua Rich BB Watery Essence SPF50 PA+++ (33g) – RM32.90

These products are available at most drugstores such as Guardian or Watsons and Sasa.

What is your existing skincare routine and your must-have product? Have you tried any of the products listed here? Do pop by and share your thoughts.
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When I found out Clarins released a BB Cream, I was quite excited because most Western brands had already launched their versions of BB and CC Creams and so far, I have not been particularly taken with anyone of them.

Clarins have been waiting in the wings before releasing their BB Cream as they were spending quite some time on R&D to make sure that the product will be something to cater to our needs. I admire that they didn’t just hop on the bandwagon like the rest of the lot.

The version we get locally is the Asia-specific one in a white tube and I’m not sure if the formula is similar to the one released in North America and Europe, which comes in a red tube. Also I was told that although they named it a “BB” Cream, it actually utilises the “CC” Cream technology and coverage (or something to that effect). I’m not quite sure what that means but I’ll take their word for it.

Being part of the UV Plus HP Range, the BB Cream offers a really decent SPF40 and is specially developed to suit Asian women needs. Formulated with organic blackcurrant bud extract, a substance known for antioxidant properties, the BB Cream is targeted to minimize and soothe any redness caused by a busy and stressful modern lifestyle. It’s a 100% mineral sun protection formula so it will be a good option for those who are sensitive to chemical sunscreens.

When I first squeezed out the product, I realised I may have an issue with the shade because it looked quite dark against my skin tone. The colour is a beige-tan with pink undertones. I think this will look better on someone who is a shade or two darker than me (possibly a MAC NC30 or NC35). Unfortunately the BB Cream only comes in one colour, which I don’t think is enough to cater to a variety of Asian skin tones.

The consistency is thick and it took quite a bit of work to blend out. I’ve tried a few ways to apply it, using my fingers, a brush and a Beauty Blender, and each method yielded slightly different results. I prefer using a Beauty Blender because I find that it blends a bit better with the soft, round sponge bouncing across my face. But it tends to drag due to the thick texture and because my skin is a little dehydrated, the product didn’t meld into my skin and sort of sat on top making my face appear very cakey.

The shade offered is just wrong for my skin tone and I can actually see a difference between my face and neck. It also oxidises, which is not good since the shade is already too dark on me. It will start getting patchy after a few hours and I normally have rather long work days, so I am very conscious that my face is looking worse and worse as the day progresses.

I can’t say I’m a fan of Clarins’ BB Cream and am extremely saddened because I have not found a Western BB Cream that actually works for me. I think this BB Cream may be more suitable for oilier skin types because oil-control is quite impressive. I know some people love the Clarins BB Cream and it has worked out very well on them. So I won’t knock it off completely because your skin may vary.

The Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection BB Cream is available at Clarins counters and boutiques for RM158. Each tube contains 30ml of product.

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MAC used to be a store that I would frequently visit many, many years ago. At that time, they were the only “pro” makeup store available in Malaysia and I was so enamoured with the variety of products and colours they offered. These days however, I don’t usually shop at MAC unless there is a limited edition item that I must have. I started finding the huge array of products overwhelming and the limited edition collections, which used to be seasonal (meaning four times a year), have been flying out of MAC nearly every month. It just got a bit much after a while and I couldn’t keep up.

Anyway, in one of the rare visits when I actually perused and played around with their makeup, I came across the MAC Lipstick in Rebel and immediately fell in love with it. I’ve been looking for a deep berry, fuschia lip shade and Rebel seemed to fit the bill.

From the bullet, it seems to have some purple undertones but when applied on my lips, the colour tends to lean more fuschia. The purple will start showing after a few hours as the colour deepens.

Rebel is in the Satin range, which means it is a cream lipstick with a slightly glossy finish. I find most of the lipsticks in this range to have comfortable wear without getting too dry over the day. If you suffer from chapped lips, I would recommend layering the lipstick over a balm because this colour will accentuate the dry bits. Also check your teeth after applying such a deep colour because it does transfer.

The texture is relatively smooth when freshly applied. It is very long-lasting as the colour does set and will turn matte. I generally can wear this until I have to eat. Like most people, I have a habit of wiping my mouth after eating and it will leave a noticeable stain behind. I just need to touch up once and am pretty much good to go for the rest of the day or until my next meal. During touch up, do try to blot out as much of the leftover lipstick before reapplying because I find that it may go on a bit patchy over the old colour.

Although it doesn’t make my lips feel particularly dry, it is not the most moisturising lipstick and I need to add a lipbalm on top so my lips feel more emollient. I’m used to reapplying a lipbalm throughout the day so I don’t find it a bother as it’s already part of my routine.

I like Rebel for the colour and opacity. Although the lipstick does darken when worn over time, it is still very wearable even if you are not used to strong colours. I have also seen this lipstick work on many different skin tones so it’s quite an adaptable shade. The lipstick has the usual light vanilla scent but it’s not disturbing and I have actually come to like it over the years of wearing MAC lipsticks.

I purchased Rebel at a local MAC store for RM68 (yes, the prices have been going up). Like most vampy lip colours especially the matte-ish kind, it can be a bit high maintenance and tricky to wear. But I’d still give Rebel a thumbs-up just because it’s such a beautiful, versatile colour with a very long-wearing formula.

Have you tried Rebel before? What is your preferred MAC lipstick and do you have a favourite? Do pop by and share in the comments below.
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They are finally here! That’s right, I’m talking about the Maybelline Color Tattoos, yo. I don’t have to envy those on the Stateside anymore because we now have these bad boys (or girls) locally.

Maybelline Color Tattoos are touted to be intense, long-lasting 24 hour eyeshadows. I don’t usually wear makeup for such extended hours so my experiences are mostly based on 8 to 12 hours of wear time. These are cream-based shadows, something I like to wear on lazy days when I just want a wash of colour over my lids or to use as a base.

I went out and got Tough As Taupe #35, Bad to the Bronze #25 and Audacious Asphalt #15. I picked these shades because I thought they will look nice and perform well as base colours.

From left to right: Tough as Taupe, Bad to the Bronze and Audacious Asphalt

Out of three shades, only Tough As Taupe has a satiny-matte finish. It is a taupe with grey undertones and is the most pigmented of the lot. Bad to the Bronze is a shimmery tan bronze that appears more neutral than warm. It seems to be duo-chrome under different lighting. And finally Audacious Asphalt is a shimmery gunmetal dark grey. The shade doesn’t apply as evenly as the other two.

Application is generally smooth and the texture feels silky. They are blendable although they do set quite quickly. I normally use my ring finger to dab a bit of eyeshadow on my lids and then use the Real Techniques Domed Eye Brush to blend out the edges. I find this method to work quite well with the Color Tattoos.

I have worn this for more than 12 hours (without primer) and the colour pretty much stayed on the entire duration. It started to fade a little after the 6-hour mark but it didn’t get patchy. I don’t think these are completely crease-resistant because I did experience a bit of creasing. But it was rather slight and only noticeable up-close. With the insanely hot and humid weather we’ve been having recently, I honestly do not expect anything to last on my face. So the fact that the Color Tattoos actually adhered to my lids after so many hours is a testament to their longevity.

These can work well as a single wash of colour but I’d recommend layering on top of a primer if you have very oily lids and have a long day ahead. As mentioned, I prefer using the Color Tattoos as a base for my other powder eyeshadows. You can also use these as an eyeliner, so they are actually very versatile little pots.

I’d have to check back in another 8 months to see if the product dries out. The Benefit Creaseless Creams sort of shrivelled up after several months and didn’t apply as well because the consistency became rather hard. Many of the Color Tattoo display units were already dried out when I tested at the drugstore but they had been left in the open for a couple of weeks.

Overall, I do not have many complaints except I wish we will get more colours. There are eight different shades sold locally but Tenacious Teal (a vibrant blue) is not yet available at the time of writing. The Color Tattoo comes in a glass pot to help preserve the product longer and costs RM19.90 at local pharmacies selling Maybelline makeup. It is a very affordable option to most other cream eyeshadows available out there.

Have you been tattoo-ed by the Color Tattoo and which shades did you pick up? Do you like them? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
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This Spring, Lunasol brings us a bright and colourful collection of blues, greens and pinks themed Vivid Color Purification. The lip and blush products released in this collection were mostly neutrals and the items that stood out most were the eye palettes and nail polishes.

I have a couple of Lunasol nail polishes and really do like them. I honestly wanted to take all five nail polishes from the collection home with me but forced myself to pick only one due to my ever-growing stash. So I chose the Vivid Blue Green because I don’t actually have many teal blue polishes.

Vivid Blue Green is a pretty milky teal. I used the usual two coats but the coverage is not as opaque as I would have liked.

The formula is smooth and relatively thin. It levels out with three coats and definitely looks much better too.

From left to right: Dior Saint Tropez, Lunasol EX09 and China Glaze Audrey

Compared to Saint Tropez and Audrey, Vivid Blue Green is a tad bit lighter. Saint Tropez has a bluer tone and duskier finish. To date, it is still one of my favourite Dior polishes. However, any one of these shades is really pretty for spring and summer season!

If you’re looking for a bright pop of colour on your nails, I’d recommend taking a look at Lunasol’s spring collection. Other than the blue green shade, there’s a vibrant yellow, neon pink, crushed orange and hot red. Each polish is limited edition and retails at RM56.

* with three coats *

What are you wearing on your nails this season? Is it something bright too?
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You’d probably notice by now that I am quite a fan of Revlon lip products. I have loved the Lip Butters as well as their Kissable Balm Stains, so it was only natural that I got rather excited when they came out with the Ultimate Suede Lipsticks.

Revlon claims that the Ultimate Suede Lipstick provides all-day colour while giving lips a velvety, suede finish. The lip complex formulation includes a blend of shea butter, Vitamin E and aloe to add moisture to the lips. Now it all sounds really good, doesn’t it?

The packaging whilst cute and allows me to see the colours I’m grabbing, looks a wee bit cheap to me. But it’s not a major downside. I would have preferred a slicker bullet, not something see-through.

From left to right: Socialite, Womenswear and Preview

The pigmentation of these lipsticks (or at least the ones I received) were not as vibrant as I’d thought. When swatched on the back of my hand, the lipsticks glided on smoothly and they mostly had a glossy finish but will mattify after a few minutes. With one swipe, you can get decent colour pay-off except a couple of these colours were a wee bit sheer. Both Socialite and Womenswear had trouble showing up on my hand so I had to swipe a few times to get some colour to show.

When first applied on lips, the texture was relatively smooth and my lips did not feel dry. These are supposed to be matte, long-lasting lipsticks so it’s quite a pleasant surprise when my lips did not feel or look parched.

However it’s only good for the first 10 minutes or so, after which things tend to go to pot. The lipstick will start getting sticky, as if I have some duct tape residue on my lips. It’s a really strange sensation when my lips are sort of stuck together and it takes a bit more effort to just move them apart. As the day progresses, things seem to go further down the pot. The colour will settle into lines and look very patchy. And my lips will be little dry and a little sticky. Very, very weird, I tell you.

Preview held up better compared to Socialite and Womenswear and it did not get as blotchy as the other two. I have worn Preview to work a few times and reapplied lightly after lunch. The lipstick pretty much stayed on the entire day but the colour did fade off rather unevenly towards the evening.

I also need to mention that removal is a pain in the patootie. The lipsticks do set and set quite well. The first time I removed Preview, I had a WTF moment because the colour was coming off in chunky flakes. Flakes! I kid you not. If the residue didn’t look so gross, I would have posted a photo of it.

I thought I had received duds at first but after doing a bit a research online, there’s a commonality with most reviews… the strange stickiness. So it looks like the lipsticks are formulated to be this way? Whatever it is, I hope Revlon will read enough reviews and go back to the drawing board to reformulate these lipsticks. It’s a right shame because their other lipstick offerings are so much nicer.

I am happy they brought in eight shades to Malaysia but I believe folks in The States get twenty colour variants. The shades range from neutrals to bolds and they are all very nice colours. It’s just too bad that the formula of the Ultimate Suede Lipsticks didn’t quite work out on me.

I would still recommend to try them out if given the opportunity. You may be one of the lucky people who won’t face issues with these. Each Ultimate Suede Lipstick costs RM39 and can be found at most local pharmacies (drugstores).

Have you tried the Revlon Ultimate Suede Lipstick and how did it work for you? If you have a different experience with the lipstick, please let me know too.

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I love Spring! It’s a shame I do not live in a seasonal country because this time of the year is usually lovely, with pretty blossoms in bloom and a feeling of love and happiness in the air. Nowadays, I only get to enjoy the spring season when I travel or through makeup collections.

This month, my fellow Blush Fiends and I decided on showcasing our favourite springtime blush. For those who are not familiar, the #blushfiend group is made up of a bunch of ladies who are really into blush. I couldn’t participate in the first collaboration back in January and thought I’d better not miss out again.

My pick for the perfect spring blush is Chanel’s Joues Constraste in Ultra Rose. This blush was from an Asia-exclusive release late last year and is part of their permanent collection, so you should be able to find it at most local Chanel counters.

Why do I think this blush is so apt for spring? I mean, look at how vibrant and pink it is! The colour reminds me of the deeper, almost magenta cherry tree flowers I came across in Beijing a few years ago (pictured above). Ultra Rose is an extremely bright pink with a satiny finish. I would say the colour is rather neon-like and is very pigmented, so a light hand is recommended. I normally use my Lunasol Cheek Brush or the Real Techniques Blush Brush to gently dab some colour onto my cheeks. Trust me, a little goes a long way.

I reckon this bubblegum pink colour makes me look a tad bit younger too (at least I’d like to think that) and any product that can shave off a couple of years from my face is good with me Although Ultra Rose has relatively cool undertones, it should still look pretty on warmer skin tones if used sparingly.

Ultra Rose comes in the Europe/Asia baked form and I usually have trouble with such products hardening over time. However it seems that Chanel has reformulated a few of their recent blushes and eyeshadows, so even if they come in a baked form, the texture remains soft and smooth.

Although Ultra Rose came out as a fall/winter release, I honestly think this blush fits nicely into spring. I purchased the blush from Chanel for RM140. Each pan weighs 4g and you are actually getting a lot of product because you’d only have to use very little at a time due to how pigmented this bright blush is.

Are you curious to see what the other beautiful Blush Fiends have picked out this season? Do check out the links below and enjoy the reads. I can’t wait to see what the lovely ladies have in store too!

• Beautyholics Anonymous
• Bronzer Bunny
• ChloeAsh

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There is a real difficulty for me to turn down a new Chanel makeup offering, especially from their Spring collections. There’s always something about these collections that make my heart thump rather wildly. This time around, I fell in love with the Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Merveille.

The packaging of the Rouge Allure is absolute luxury. The sleek black tube is very solid and the golden cap at the end with the double C’s embossed adds an understated class that Chanel is known for.

The Rouge Allure in Merveille from this year’s Printemps Precieux de Chanel collection is not what I will call a gloss per se. Compared to a regular lipgloss, the Rouge Allures are more pigmented and opaque. They also impart a lovely sheen that is not too shiny or oily, but more to enhance the lustre and shade of the formula.

Merveille (which means marvel) is described as a lilac rosewood but I think it has more rosey, mauve tones with a tinge of lilac in the undertone. It has very fine golden shimmer that will show up slightly sparkly in bright lighting and under normal light, it adds a hint of dimension and interest to the lips.

What I really adore about Merveille lies in the formula. It feels quite lightweight and is not too tacky or greasy. One of the reasons why I don’t wear lipgloss all that often is because they tend to be rather sticky. The tapered doefoot applicator makes application a breeze too and it coats the lips with just the right amount each time.

It is surprisingly long-lasting. I had it on throughout an 8-course Chinese wedding dinner, with lots of eating, drinking and chatter in between. At the end of the evening, my lips still had some colour showing albeit slightly worn off. On a normal work day, it will last a good 4 to 6 hours until meal time. With less eating and drinking in between, I have no doubt that the colour will stay on for quite a while.

The smooth, liquid formula helps cover any flaky bits on my lips too. Seriously, this stuff is rather moisturising. Anything that helps keep my smackers hydrated is heaven-sent in my books. I am also relieved that it is fragrance-free and doesn’t have that signature Chanel rose scent, which is why I don’t fancy wearing the Rouge Coco lipsticks as much.

Merveille is definitely my favourite lip product this Spring. The Rouge Allure line has been very impressive so far and I can see myself picking up a few more shades in the future. Each Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss retails at RM95 and Merveille can still be found at most local counters or boutiques. It is not limited edition so you don’t really need to make a dash to your nearest Chanel

What have you been wearing on your lips this Spring? Do you have a favourite lip colour that you cannot get enough of? Do share in the comments below.
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I honestly did not mean to drop off the face of the planet for such a long time but since Christmas last year, my time has been occupied with work, family commitments, more festivities (Chinese New Year) and life in general. Every weekend I tell myself to write something but things got in the way and I have to admit I did lose my blogging mojo for a while.

I really need to get back on track and am already planning my editorial calendar (yes, I know it’s hard to believe but I actually have one). I have not stopped buying beauty goodies and have quite a number of stuff to talk about, but I’ll try not to showcase some of the limited editions that are now hard to find.

And oh, I just wanted to share with you my latest um… craze. My husband and I have been influenced by our work mates into this juicing / blending / smoothie trend. In fact, one of my colleagues is planning to start a juicing / smoothie club at work. We have been doing this since a month ago and recently got a super-duper powerful blender-deliprocessor thing. We have a regular Philips juicer as well but to be honest, we don’t use it as often as that darn thing is a pain in the patootie to clean.

Anyhoo, you should be seeing more food related posts around these parts because I’m trying to cook as many homecooked meals as possible and also am attempting to rekindle my love for food photography. If you visit my flickr sets, you will probably notice that I have the most photos in the Food & Drinks album This also reminds me that I need to be more active on flickr!

It feels good to catch up again. If you happen to see this post, do drop by to say “hi”!

Lots of love,
~Lyn~
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When I first saw the promotional pictures popping up here and there, I knew that the Chanel Harmonie du Soir will find its way home to me. Can I just say that this eyeshadow quad is absolutely beautiful? Just beautiful!

The Harmonie du Soir palette is in the same Regard Signe design and formula as Top Kapi, which was released last year. At that time, I did not gravitate towards Top Kapi as it was a gold and brown palette, which didn’t strike me as particularly interesting. And I’m kicking myself because I am soooooo into golds lately.

Anyway, all is good as Harmonie du Soir is sitting pretty on my dresser now.

The formula is different from the usual European baked eyeshadows that we get from Chanel locally. Baked eyeshadows tend to harden over time and they will become quite difficult to blend. However the Regard Signe version is pressed and finely milled. The texture is buttery and blends smoothly. Colour pay-off is pretty decent too and I don’t get any fallout although the consistency is relatively soft.

I like to wear all four shades at the same time. I use the pale pearly pink as a base and brow highlight. The taupey brown shade is absolutely gorgeous as a lid colour and the deepened cranberry pink is lovely as an outer corner accent. The sparkly gold goes onto the inner corner of my eye and it also works well as a highlight. I tend to apply colours a bit sheerly during the day because I do not want to wear over-dramatic eyes to work and scare people off.

The standout colour for me is the pinkish cranberry shade with a lovely satin-sheen finish. I don’t think I have anything quite like it in my current stash. I’m one of those strange folks who actually likes wearing pinks on my peepers and am rather thrilled to have this colour in my collection.

The Harmonie du Soir is definitely a keeper! I would recommend trying it out in person because the colour combination may not be something you’d come across very often in a palette. It’s a beautiful addition to all the gorgeous collections this season and I am very stoked that I didn’t miss out this year.

Each palette is sold for RM198 and it is limited edition from the Eclats du Soir de Chanel Holiday 2012 collection. I believe it is still available at most Chanel counters and boutiques.

What will you be wearing this holiday and will you be singing in “harmonie” too?
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