Vivian's Beauty Pick

Jill Stuart III (end) - Pure brightening day care powder compact

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:40:00 +0000

This will be my last item on this trip's list, even my list is short, my bill is not short. :P

Still, I was sold over its package, as you can see, its cosmetcis line packaging is very consistent, they all came in plastic/metal and carving floral pattern, sometimes, it can also connect with a small charm.

This small compact is normally being called "Pressed Powder", but it is actually a translucent powder, which becomes transparant once applied on top of your makeup. Basically, it is to set the make up.

Other than MUF's HD set powder, (Make UP Forever High Definition), I need some other inspiration, this is one of my choice, but later on, you will see another one.

It shows pinkish / skin tone, but it is very light.

It can be used as Set Powder, or Touch Up powder, and both it shows very well.

Unlike professional make up brand (Mac or Make Up Forever), Jill Stuart tends to present a light yet natural finish look, therefore, it is very suitable for daily wear,

but I am not quite sure if it is perfect for studio look.

Here's the free jewelry box if you spend HKD1000 in the store. It is not bad, but kind of small.

I still can't think of anything to put inside the box :) Maybe I need some Jewelry.

Jill Stuart II - Illuminance Eye Shadow

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:54:00 +0000

Continued from previous post, other than the blush set, I also purchased a very nice eye shadow set from Jill Stuart. I just can't resist its packaging (and of course its colors).

Shopping for beauty stuffs for me is like an addiction, once you fall, it will be hard to get back on your feet and say no. You will chase after new products, new colors and new brands like a beauty product mainac.

I am not a loyal brand person, but now, I am totally addicted to Jill Stuart. Here's the Eye Shadow.

Originally when I stepped into the store, I gave myself a budget for just two items, for total under $500HKD. But as soon as I finished browsing everything in the store, I figured it is impossible.

I was sold over for its free jewelry box (picture on next post) if I spend $1000 HKD and become their member. Therefore, I decided to take this eye shadow home, without further hesitation.

And for the sake of becoming its member.

The eye color pallette belongs to Autumn collection, so it is kind of at darker/cool/silver side.

From left to right is : Silver/Pinkish/Earthy Brown/Midnight Blue

Color Code : Layered Gem, indeed, it does reflect gliter shines like a gem.

Honestly I have no idea how to blend all these colors on my lid, but I will figure out once Autumn comes. :)

A closer look at the colors, without any color adjustment.

This small package came with a small eye shadow applicator, which is ok, but I know it is not enough if you need to apply all 4 colors at once. Therefore, better prepare additional eye shadow brush/applicator if you like each of your color to be prominent.

The colors show well on J.S's eye shadow set. But I also like a new set I bought in Hong Kong, which is also very popular called - Majolica Majorca,(Short for MJ), I will talk about it next time :P

Jill Stuart 1 - Mix Blush Compact

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:36:00 +0000

Jill Stuart's cosmetics line has been very popular in Asian countries these couple years. But in USA, you can only find his clothing lines. During my trip to Japan and Hong Kong, I decided to explore more on their cosmetics products.

I can't locate any Jill Stuart in Japan, but luckily, I found a store by the subway exit in Hong Kong. And it was just grand opened. I was lucky. First thing that caught my eye was their multiple colored Blush set.

I was attracted to its package.

Though the package looks heavy metal and kind of heavy, but it was actually plastic cover with carved floral design on top of silver piece. It looks very fancy, and totally to girls' taste.

If you take a closer look, this compact also comes with a blush brush, connected to the compact with a very cute chain and charm. (not shown in the picture). Which is more convenient than most blush sets that didn't come with a brush.

The color I choose was a little bit on darker side,

surprisingly, you see dark rose and a light brownish color in this set, rather than most regular "rose" or "beige" blush color.

However, I have tried all of J.S's blush set, this color combination

has turn out the most beautiful blend of all.

Apply on your cheek, and you will be amazed of its color !

It turns out very light and natural, more natural than plain rosy or beige cheek !

I love this blush, but it is not very cheap, it cost me $360 HKD, exchange to USD it is about $40-50.00

But if I am going to Hong Kong again, I will try to get another one!

Absolutely LOVE IT!

[Made in Japan] Ume Water Cream

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:50:00 +0000

This is a very cool facial lotion that I have never experienced in my life, well at least in America, I have never heard of such texture (or ingrident) in facial lotion.

I happened to join a tour to Osaka this summer, and our tour guide was tryin' to sell me this product. At first, I thought it is just some regular facial cream, but after I tested it on my skin, it immediately stole me heart.

However, I couldn't decide to get it from my tour guide, coz I feel it is a little bit pricey. You know they always mark up so high. I didn't buy it right away, but my heart was torned. (if you are a beauty product maniac, you should know how I feel)

Luckily, we stopped by local sight seeing tourist area, my tour mate immediately spot this jar (package) at a unnoticed cornor, and I was right by him. He pointed to the jar and shouted to me that it is 1000 yen cheaper than my tour guide was tryin' to sell, after a couple test, I decided to take it right away, without further thinking.

Eversince I bought it, I always regret I didn't get 1 more jar. But I know I can always call the tour guide to get it for me, and this time I will try to bargin with him. If anyone is interested, it is about

USD$45.00 a JAR, directly imported from Japan.

Basically, this is a Hydrating Moisturizer, it is gel and not creamy.

As for how to use it, firstly, you apply on your face, or anywhere you want to, of course, try to apply it on a more needy area, because you don't want to waste such a precious cream.

When you apply on skin, it is gel, the rub it gently, it turns to water drop, within a snapshot, it is absorbed into the skin, and your skin will feel smooth and moistured and calm. (see picture)

The package looks just as the plain as it could be, since it is a very local brand. But its texture as turning to water drop on the skin then being absorbed, that was WOW! And it works relaly well on dry skin!

I would totally buy another jar if I have a chance!

Asian Beauty - BB Cream

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Before BB Cream became a big hit, it was generally called : Blemish Balm Cream.

It works like a regular concealer, but ever since Korean beauty industry has recreated its name, its funcation thus turned to be magical & powerful.

Luckily, a friend travelled to Korean and brought this magical power cream for me, it costs USD $20.00.

I have never need to use blemish balm cream in my life, and thus BB cream, so my first experience with this product was not so pleasant.

Firstly, I applied it as instructed on the package and many other ads suggested, directly on the face, but i figured it works merely as a concealer, it has great coverage, but does nothing as to create flawlessly natural look. And since it is very creamy (thick), my face turns dead white and plain. I had nothing to comment but disappointment.

However, as my make up skills improved, I have my way to use it correctly, and here's how I will apply this creamy cream. (if you happened to puchased a very thick type of BB Cream)

1stly, you apply a very thin layer under darker skin area or areas need to be highlighted - such as under eye, cheek, and forehead, just a small amount, not all over everywhere, and remember, VERY THIN layer only.

2ndly, apply regular foundation on top of it. then you can create a even toned, finished look with these two products combined.

3rdly, apply translucent powder at the end of your make up process (after eye shadow, blush, countour..etc)

My comments are BB Cream really, is nothing more than just a concealer.

During my trip to Hong Kong, I purchased this Skinlite BB Cream, which is a product made in Korea as well, the only difference is - it is light, and it has pearl glitter.

I love this new BB cream that I just bought, it could be used as highlighter, or can be apply under foundation as artificial light, that brighten up your skin tone. It doesn't offer great coverage as my 1st BB cream, but instead, it creates a more natural lighting effect of the skin.

Just apply fair amount, and wear it under regular foundation. You will feel the difference.

The good substitute to this product in case you can't get it elsewhere in USA, will be Smashbox's Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing primer. Check it out.

Below are some tests -

Apply a little bit on my hand

Rub it evenly, skin then shows a brighter pearl light. Wear it under your regular foundation, you can easily create a very natural skin light look.

I highly recommend it.

Anna Sui Lip Color Collection MD III

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Anna Sui is very popular in Asia Countries - Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but rarely seen her products, especially beauty lines available in USA. Which makes me wonder.

Since it is rarely found, when I get a chance to travel, I always try to look for it in duty free shops and get one just to satisfy my vanity.

I purchase this lip collection from Taiwan airport when trsfering to Hong Kong. It was about NTD 1190, so it is around $40 USD. It is not cheap, but at least there's not sales tax on top of the purchase price, which already makes me happy.

Other than its fancy Rose coated package, what Snna Sui's make up line surprised me is it was actually very good.

Open this package, it contains 5 lip colors, including light rose pink, nude, corel red, darker corel red, and fuschia (sorry I can't spell it right). All of them look just normal and nothing special, but when you apply them on your lips, that's where magic start to take place.

After you apply them on your lips, all the colors start to glow, it shows so well that it is not extravagant, but it adds glams and make you lips fuller and shine.

I feel very comfortable wearing all the colors on daily basis, and it is not intimediate at all at work place. The colors are just too pretty to be describe in words.

If I fly to Taiwan or Hong Kong again, I am sure I will get another set with different coloar combination.

Overall I think Anna Sui has done a great job on her cosmetics line - its package is just so fancy that I couldn't resist. I just hope Anna Sui cosmetics line can possibly set up their stores in USA.

Physiodermie Bio Peeling Mask

noreply@blogger.com (vivi) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:41:00 +0000

On June 13, I joined some friends to a esthetician show in Las Vegas. It was a wonderful experience.

Other than my eye opening experience by just browsing booths after booths, I have also invested a lot pro facial products on this trip.

The first thing that I purchased was from Physiodermie, it was the first stop of our skin care show tour.

Physiodermie was originally from Swiss, it is a salon used product, and rarely see on the retail market, however it receives high credibility, and therefore it was very popular among professionals, and all skin care field insiders.

At first, I thought it is just some super market product intimates, but after testing on my skin, I fall in love with it, and therefore I purchased a retail size tube, to start with.

Its full name is Bio-peeling mask, its function is similar to facial scrub/mask, but it is not peel off, nor rinse off, but rub off.

What you have to do is to squzze a small amount on your hand, apply them on your face, and gently massage your face with slightly wet hand, slowly, you will begin to feel dead skin has been rubbed off, and your face will turn much brighter. After finished, rinse off with warm water, soon your will see a color even, more refresh skin tone. It works like a exfoliater, eliminates dead cells, and support natural cellular renewal.

So far I have been using it on a regular basis, it is very mild, and does not irriate my skin at all.

I can feel my skin is glowing by progress. Now I just regret I didn't purchase a salon size at first. But I certainly will next time!

Highly Recommend!

Product : ◎◎◎◎◎

Price : $$$