My Masking Routine

I have been trying to stick to a regular mask routine as I feel that it maintains the condition of my skin. I have oily skin but they are dry underneath so I try to balance clay masks with hydrating ones.

Here are the masks I am currently:-

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Cleansing Masque

This is a clay mask aimed at drawing out impurities and oil from the skin. It is gentle on the skin and does not feel too harsh or drying afterwards. Overtime, it helps to loosen the blackheads, making them easier to be extracted. The clay smell is very distinct but not intrusive on the nose. It does not have any floral scent to it and thus good for sensitive skin. It dries relatively fast and I use a damp cloth to remove it after 10 mins. It comes in a large tub – definitely value for money!

Shiseido The Skincare Purifying Mask

This is another clay based mask. It is slightly opalescent and very light pink in colour. My camera was not able to pick up the colour properly but you can see it is definitely nowhere near grey, compared to Kiehls’ Deep Cleansing Masque. I find this the most gentle out of all the clay mask. It helps to reduce the oiliness of my skin and the soft floral scent is a treat to the nose. I can use this every other day and still do not find it too drying. I find it performs so-so and I prefer the efficacy of Kiehls. Nevertheless, a decent mask for regular maintenance. I believe this has been discontinued already but I am putting it in for reference.

GlamGlow SuperMud

As you can see, this little tub is well loved. It is the strongest mask I have ever used. A little goes a long way and it dries in 5 mins. I am almost scrapping the bottle of this tub and I have been using it to treat spots rather than a full face mask. I must warn you though, it is not suitable for those with very sensitive skin. The first time I tried it, it was quite stinging for a few seconds and I felt the urge to wash it off immediately. After awhile, it feels okay on my skin and the sensation passed. Subsequently, I did not encounter the stinging sensation again but I made sure not to be too zealous in the application. It has a little green tea leaves bits in it and I find it a little annoying. I pick them out when I use the mask.

It reduces my red bumps in one application and I take this out for face ’emergencies’. I would caution against keeping it too long after you have opened it as the contents will dry up. FYI, GlamGlow YouthMud is too painful for me. The stinging sensation never went away and I was forced to wash it off before it dried fully.

For Beloved One Delight Fresh Tea Tree Jelly Night Mask

This is a jelly mask meant for overnight usage. It has quite a strong tea tree scent and it will cause slight stinging to open wounds. I didn’t use to be so sensitive to this but as my skin changes over time, I find that the tea tree may be a little too strong for me. I use this at night as the last step of my skincare when my skin is behaving poorly as there is tea tree in it. I mostly sleep in aircon nowadays and this helps me to lock in the serums/moisturizers well. Truth be told, I have not seen great effectiveness in reducing shine or helping much. I am just aiming to finish this up.

DrGL Restore Gel Mask

I bought this kind of on a whim. It is another jelly type mask that can be used at night while you sleep. I find this quite hydrating and soothing to my skin. I have been using this after I use a clay mask to soothe my skin. It absorbs well and does not leave a sticky layer. I have not experienced any outbreaks while using this and I even use this while I am showering as a short treat to my face. A true testament to its soothing and hydrating nature is when I find my sister walking into my room and asking for this.

I used to use sheet masks quite frequently but I have finished up the few boxes I carried back from Taiwan. After you realise the markup in Singapore, you sort of don’t feel like buying them locally haha..

What are your favourite masks? They are such a treat to the skin and I would love to explore more!

Trying out more Tatcha

I have been trying out some Tatcha products recently and am happy to report that I am rather pleased with most of them. I took opportunity of the generous GWP recently to purchase some travel sized Tatcha items to try. Without further ado, here are the items I have been trying out recently:-

Deep Hydrating Firming Serum

This serum is a blend of Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid and is supposed to soothe and firm skin. There are little gold flakes added inside but does not make my face look shimmery or shiny. I like that the little flakes are a luxurious touch and makes me happy to use it. My face absorbs this very fast and I enjoy the comforting sensation on my dry cheeks. Currently my face is so crazily dry that my cheeks are parched, even in this humid weather. It provides hydration without making my face greasy or oily – something I appreciate. I will definitely get the full size once I am done with my Hydraluron.

Dewy Skin Mist

My first mistake with this was thinking that it could be used like a normal facial mist like those from Evian/Avene.. I used it liberally to attempt to set my makeup and realised that a little goes a long way. It is not exactly water-y in texture but more like a diluted serum. Should have read the description, Tatcha describes this as a silky liquid moisturizer and does not contain high levels of alcohol and fragrance. I have been using this lightly after makeup or generously after the serum. They go well together and I feel my face being nicely hydrated even after sleeping in aircon for the entire night.

Camellia Beauty Oil

I got on the facial oil trend awhile back, purchasing Clarin’s Blue Lotus Facial Oil. Of course I could not resist picking up Tatcha’s Camellia Beauty Oil. With those gold flakes inside them, oh my, they are oh so luxurious! I use a few drops of facial oil whenever my skin is feeling extremely sensitive or very dry. I warm a few drops between my palms, deeply inhale the soothing scent before patting it into my face. The oil absorbs easily and does not a leave a greasy film on my face afterwards. I am giving this full marks for the scent (lightly herbal and not intrusive on the nose) and the fact that it is easily absorbed! Should really try this when I am having very bad eczema outbreaks.

I have yet to try the hydrating mask and eye mask and will report back when I have done so.

Life is indeed really short and it is very upsetting to learn of the recently MH17 disaster. My thoughts and prayers go out to the next of kin of those onboard the ill-fated flight. Please appreciate your family and friends more and do not take them for granted.

Burberry Summer Showers

Burberry’s summer makeup collection, Summer Showers, was officially launched last Friday. Attended the Launch Party where the professional makeup artist showed us how to achieve glowy skin with the latest products. I came home with almost the whole collection! I didn’t really haul much of the other brands’ Summer collection and I shocked myself with so many buys from Burberry!

Came home with the Fresh Glow Blush in Orange Poppy and Pink Azalea, Lip Glow Balm in Pink Peony, Pink Azalea and Orange Poppy ANNDDD nail polishes in Orange Poppy and Pink Peony. So many new things! I’ve seen quite a couple of blogspots expressing disappointment that the Fresh Glow Blush was sheer. I did some swatches, fresh from the tube.

Top is Fresh Glow Blush in Pink Azalea. The bottom is Orange Poppy.

This is the effect after swiping it about 3-4 times. I did not use much strength and there was no primer on my hand. I am rather pleased that the colours are sheer as we have seen quite a fair bit of cream blushes the past few seasons. The Fresh Glow Blush has a large percentage of water and there is a lovely cooling sensation when you apply it directly in your cheeks. I tried it out today and 3 swipes gave me enough colour for a healthy english rose complexion. I used my fingers to blend it out after application on the cheeks. You can also use a sponge wedge to dab the product on your face for a more controlled application (learnt this during the Launch Party). The lovely BA, Kym, taught me that I can use Orange Poppy as a light contour shade and Pink Azalea or Pink Peony to give radiance to the cheeks. I dusted a light veil of pressed powder on top of the blush to set the colour.

Lip Glow Balm in Orange Poppy, Pink Azalea and Pink Peony

Love the Lip Glow Balms. They give quit a fair bit of pigment and I find that the colour mesh well with my naturally pigmented lips to present a very natural lip colour.  Pink Azalea gives me a very natural MLBB colour and Orange Poppy presents itself as a sheer red-orange colour that does not overwhelm the face. If you shy away from orange lipsticks (like me), you would be pleased to know that Orange Poppy does not enhance the yellow-ness of your teeth and has enough cool tones so that you will not look to sallow with it. Pink Peony is a little light on me and is perfect for a there-but-not-there lip colour. The Lip Glow Balms are not intensively moisturizing but provide enough moisture to smooth those terrible lip lines and give the impression of soft kissable lips.

Pink Peony

Orange Poppy

Comparison photo with Orange Poppy on my index finger and Pink Peony on my thumb

Currently a little lazy to paint all my nails so I am just showing  finger swatch and comparison. Pink Peony is a slightly muted bright pink colour while Orange Poppy is a red-orange with slight shimmer. Both are 2 – coaters and I foresee myself getting away with application of one thick coat. These are my first Burberry nail polishes and I have not tested the longevity.

Oh oh, I got the Burberry Fresh Glow BB Cream as well! This is good when mixed with the Fresh Glow primer

It has rose hip, tea and lavander extracts in this BB cream and provides sheer coverage. If you are looking for a foundation or BB cream with high coverage, you can forgo this. This is for days where you just want to even out your skin tone. I find that it is good for ladies with normal to dry skin. I have oily skin and by mid-day, the shine is very obvious. It is scented (like all Burberry foundations) but the smell does not linger long. I apply it with my fingers and blend in quickly as it sets rather fast.

Have you picked up anything from this collection? Do share! 🙂

 

 

Tom Ford Fire Lust

Tom Ford released Fire Lust illuminator last Summer and it was released again for Summer this year! This time round, the cap is a stunning white instead of dark mahogany.

I missed out on this last year as I was really slow in getting my hands on anything TF. I popped by the counter during the sales period and did not see this being displayed. Dismayed, I shopped around a little before finally deciding to ask the BA if it was still in stock. Lo and behold, there were a couple of these sitting in the drawers! Of course I had to bring this home with me 🙂 (so much win!)

Fire Lust is very liquid. It melts seamlessly into my face and gives a sunlit glow on my cheeks. I am not exactly fair, so the peach/pink base just blends into my skin, leaving the golden shimmer and sparkle to bring the glow to my face. It is very difficult to overdo this illuminator. It goes on really sheer but it is buildable for more shine and shimmer. I have been using it as a base for my powder blushes and I find that it brings dimension to the matte blushes. Otherwise, I use a small stippling brush to dab this on the areas I want to highlight for some glow-y effect.

Trying to pluck some courage to mix this into my foundation for an overall glow but also worried that I will look like a shiny disco ball. The only drawback is the smell. It smells plastic-y and I wish that it could have at least have a little fragrance to mask it. I’m rather impartial towards some fragrance in my makeup. For skincare, strong fragrance is a no-no as it irritates my skin and nose.

Not sure if this is still available in Singapore as it was purchased some time back. Sorry to tempt you readers out there with something that may not be available any more. Perhaps the major US retailers still stock it.

I am very excited to show you Burberry Summer Showers collection. Had some time and good sunlight today and will be posting over the next few days.

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

I thought I was going to be able to resist this but after seeing some of my close friends getting it and raving about, I decided to head down to Nars and check it out. Had expected to go home with one but I ended up with two! Who could blame me? They are so fantastic!

The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows can be used both dry and wet. When dry, it is sheer but can pack a punch when used wet. After swatching the eyeshadows, I picked up Europa and Dione. I googled for swatches before I headed down and already planned to get Dione. However, Europa was something that called out to me after swatching at the counter.

Europa, Dione

Dione – Metallic Champagne Beige

Europe – Gossamer peach pink

Swatches – With Tom Ford Primer Duo underneath and without any primer

Swatches up close. You can see that Dione is quite pigmented even without a primer. With a primer, the eyeshadows are more vivid and the base colour is more obvious. Europe is very slightly duochrome and it surprisingly makes a good base colour for other eyeshadows. These two eyeshadows were not bought with the intention of using them together but I found that they make a good pair with Dione at the edge of the crease.

The Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows are a great buy and I certainly did not regret it. Will you be picking up any? They retail for SGD44 each, kinda ouch especially since it is quite small! If I have the budget for another, I will not hesitate to get Phoebe!

Infinity Cool Face Powder

Kose has released a new limited edition Infinity Cool Face Powder which is marketed as being a skincare face powder with a cool sensation. It can be used as the last step of your skincare at night or as part of your makeup routine in the morning. It is also said to be about 80% serum!

The powder comes with a brush and the packaging is just like a loose powder. I was initially a little confused when I opened the box to discover a brush rather than a powder puff. The tester at the counter had a powder puff instead! Ah, but it is okay, I shall just pop into Daiso for a puff 🙂 Don’t you just love the print on the cover of the powder?

The powder is white in colour with no shimmer. What was most amazing was that it felt like I was touching a damp powder! It felt very cooling on my skin and feels like liquid rather than powder. The only indication that it is powder is the slight white cast it leaves if I brush too much of it on my face. It instantly makes my skin more matte and plumped up. I apply this on top of my foundation in the morning and it acts as if it is a facial mist, instantly blurring lines and giving my face a soft focus. Very tempted to get another tub of this to use with my makeup so I do not contaminate the powder for my skincare use.

My only gripe? If you attempt to swish the product on your face like you would to loose powder, it will ball up slightly and not sit well on your skin. Fret not, you can overcome this by patting in the powder instead. Works like a charm!

I have not seen significant skincare benefits yet but this powder is definitely a treat on a hot day! Will you be picking this up?