A Touch of Blusher — Makeup, Skincare, Fragrance and a Bit of Fashion

Skincare Review: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF20

by PJ on Saturday, December 5, 2009

in -Clinique, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(image from www.clinique.co.uk)

Clinique‘s Even Better range is one of the brand’s latest ranges of skincare and foundation products. It aims to help create a clearer, brighter and more even skin tone. Today I am reviewing Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20.

The moisturizer has a creamy consistency that is not overly thick, and it feels quite emollient on the skin. (It is more emollient than Clinique’s Youth Surge SPF 15 that I reviewed earlier.) Some of its moisturizing ingredients include octyldodecyl neopentanoate, myristyl myristate, and butylene glycol.

It contains butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) as the anti-UVA ingredient. This makes it a suitable moisturizer to be used for daytime.

It features a nice array skin-benefiting ingredients, which are mostly antioxidants. They include (in the order which they are listed on the ingredient list) ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), betula alba (birch) bark extract, scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap) root extract, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), linoleic acid, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C). Skullcap root extract and linoleic acid also have anti-inflammatory properties.

It also contains cucumis sativus (cucumber) extract (listed right after betula alba (birch) root extract). According to Paula Begoun, the lutein component in cucumber “can have an effect on suppressing melanogenesis, or the process that leads to skin discolorations”. (Please refer to this link on Paula Begoun’s website for more information.)

There is very little silicone in this product, which might please those who are looking for moisturizers that don’t contain silicones as major ingredients.

It doesn’t contain alcohol, parabens, or fragrance. One ingredient that may be a skin-irritant is sodium sulfite. (But It is further down on the ingredient list.)

Overall, this is a competent daytime moisturizer. It would be too emollient for most people with oily skin, and it should suit those with normal-to-dry or dry skin.

(The product featured in this review is provided by Clinique.)

Daytime Moisturizer Update: Olay Complete Care

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

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YSL Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Monday, November 30, 2009

in -YSL, 2010 Spring, makeup

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Here is a look at YSL’s spring 2010 makeup collection. Personally, I prefer this collection to Chanel’s spring 2010 collection. There is a good balance between soft feminine shades and more intense colors.

The collection includes:

– Palette Y Mail Highlighter (above, limited edition)

– Palette Y Mail Blush (limited edition)

– Ombres 5 Lumières (1 new variation)

– Ombres Duolumières (2 new variations)

– Rouge Volupté (2 new shades)

– Gloss Volupté (2 new shades)

– Golden Gloss (1 new shade)

– Touche Blush (1 new shade)

– La Laque (2 new shades)

YSL Holiday 2009 Collection

YSL Fall 2009 Collection

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

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Sass, Style & Substance for November 29, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, November 29, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

Beauty Match
REVIEW: Lash Mantra Eyelash Growth Serum.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher decided to get Dior’s Cristal Boréal.

Splendicity Accessories
Yoox has teamed up with Maison Martin Margiela to offer some of the one of a kind “Artisanal Collection” for sale. You’re definitely going to take a peek at some of the amazing pieces!

STYLEnosh
Yes, you can eat a healthy holiday meal. Watch this video to find out how.

image: Stock.xchg

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Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Friday, November 27, 2009

in -Chanel, 2010 Spring, makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Here is a quick look at Chanel’s spring 2010 makeup collection. It strikes me as a very summery collection, with some warm brown and bronze shades. I have been loving neutral shades lately, but I think some of these colors are a little too intense for my preference.

The collection includes:

– Empreinte de Chanel (above, limited edition)

– Quadra Eye Shadow (1 new variation)

– Ombre D’Eau (1 new shade)

– Ombre Essentielle (3 new shades)

– Le Crayon Yeux (1 new shade)

– Rouge Allure (4 new shades)

– Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer (2 new shades)

– Le Crayon Lèvres (1 new shade)

– Joues Contraste (1 new shade)

– Soleil Tan de Chanel

– Poudre Universelle Compact

– Le Vernis (3 new shades)

Chanel Holiday 2009 Collection

Chanel Tokyo Happening Collection

Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights

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Bodycare Review: Dove Body Butters

by PJ on Wednesday, November 25, 2009

in -Dove, bodycare

(Dove Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin)
(images from www.dove.co.uk)

(Dove ProAge Rich Body Butter)

Last month I reviewed three of Dove’s body lotions. As we are heading into winter, some of us might need more intense moisture. Today I am highlighting two of Dove’s body butters.

Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin and ProAge Rich Body Butter have very similar formulations. The first ten ingredients of the two products are entirely the same and they are listed in the same order on the ingredient lists. (They are aqua, petrolatum, glycerin, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, stearic acid, hydrogenated polyisobutene, ethylhexyl cocoate, hydrogenated didecene, and glycol stearate.) The two products also contain cocoa seed butter and shea butter, while ProAge Rich Body Butter contains olive fruit oil.

Both body butters have a rich texture and are very emollient. The ProAge range is promoted as a very intensely nourishing range, and ProAge Rich Body Butter is indeed more emollient than Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin.

Unless you have exceptionally dry skin, body butters are generally for drier areas of the body only. (They can be used alone or on top of your usual body lotion.) I do personally find that both body butters are too emollient to be used all over the body, but they do work well on dry patches. For me, they also work well as hand creams. Overall, both are good choices if you want a very rich body moisturizer.

(ProAge Rich Body Butter has a slightly stronger fragrance. If you are worried about scented body moisturizers clashing with your fragrances, Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin should be a better choice.)

(The products featured in this review are provided by Dove.)

Other items that might work well for you in winter:

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Lotion

E45 Endless Moisture Range

Garnier Hand Repair

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Weekend Beauty Reads for November 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, November 22, 2009

in Weekend Beauty Read

Fresco Phyrra shows you how to look for quality mineral makeup. See what seven things you need to be aware of!

A Touch of Blusher reviews blushers from Lily Lolo.

Beauty Anonymous looks forward to OPI spring/summer 2009 Hong Kong Collection.

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Sass, Style & Substance for November 22, 2009

by PJ on Sunday, November 22, 2009

in Weekend Sass Style and Substance

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Clear LiftUltra Wrinkle Cream.

eye4style
Things are getting “curiouser and curiouser” this season. eye4style tells all on the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows!

Splendicity Accessories
Shoe designers have been combining some interesting materials to create booties & boots that are as stylish as they are warm.

image: Stock.xchg

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Holiday 2009 Focus: Dior Cristal Boréal

by PJ on Saturday, November 21, 2009

in -Dior, 2009 Holiday, makeup, makeup - lip color, makeup - lip gloss, stash focus

I always look forward to Dior’s seasonal makeup collections, especially the limited-edition Star Products. Sometimes I am excited by the Star Products, and sometimes I am underwhelmed. For me, Dior’s holiday 2009 collection is probably one of the best holiday collections that Dior has brought out, and Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel is certainly one of the reasons why I love the collection.

One thing I like about Cristal Boréal is that it is housed in a proper box, which does justice to the Swarovski crystals on the oval-shaped pendant. I am not really a fan of the velvety pouches that Dior’s seasonal limited-edition items usually come in, as they get dusty very easily. It is good to see Cristal Boréal much better presented. (As one of my readers, Kiks, so rightly said, this time it is more Dior than Dior Beauty.)

Four of the crystals are Aurore Boréale crystals. They reflect the light in colorful hues and they all have a nice depth to them.

According to the information leaflet (that comes with the pendant), the pendant features 52 Swarovski crystals.There are 52 crystals on the pendant itself already (I have counted them), so I am not entirely sure whether the one on the metal tag is also a Swarovski crystal.

(the back of the pendant)

The pendant contains a lip gloss, which is available in two shades (silver and pink). I went for the pink one (#251 Pink Crystal). Both shades are quite sheer and they mainly show up as subtly multi-colored shimmer.

The pendant flips open on both sides. There is no mirror, but the inside of the lid and the back of the pendant can work as mirrors.

Dior’s makeup accessories are usually statement pieces, and Cristal Boréal continues the tradition. While the Princess Ring is still my favorite seasonal Star Product from Dior, Cristal Boréal is among my favorites too.

I also like some of the other items in Dior’s holiday 2009 collection. (It is a very purple-toned collection.) The two 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow palettes are quite stunning. I prefer the softer Purple Crystal (which looks similar to 129 Pearly Lilac in the Lilas Addiction collection, which has not been available in the UK), even though the orchid purple in Smoky Crystal is my favorite shade in the whole collection.

(Purple Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

(Smoky Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

Another item I tested is Cristal Boréal Cristal Eyeshadow in Purple Gem. It is a low-key medium purple with sparse glitters. Personally, I would like it better if it didn’t have the glitters.

(image from www. dior.com)

Overall, with purples and greys, this is another trend-sensitive collection from Dior. (It is a good extension from Dior’s fall 2009 collection.) The two Cristal Boréal shades might not be very original, but I think they do have a solid collectibility factor.

Updated on November 23rd, 2009:

Blogger.com seems to have failed to publish one of the comments for this post. If you believe it to be yours, I am sorry about this and please, if you would, kindly consider posting it again. Thank you very much!

Lady Dior in French Chic
(spring 2009)

Dior Night Diamond
(holiday 2008)

Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel
(summer 2008)

DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(holiday 2007)

Dior Diorissime Palette
(fall 2007)

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Lunasol Spring 2010 Collection

by PJ on Thursday, November 19, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo Lunasol will release its spring 2010 makeup collection in Japan on January 15th. The purification theme continues, and the theme for spring 2010 is Scenic Purification. Each of the five Nature Color Eyes palettes portrays one of the five scenes of nature (sea, greenery, earth, sand, and flowers).

The full lineup includes:

– Nature Color Eyes (5 variations)
– Shining Water Eyes (5 shades, limited editions)

– Full Glamour Lips G (10 new shades)
– Full Glamour Gloss N (5 new shades)
– Contrasting W Lip Liner (3 new shades)
– Coloring Cheeks (3 new shades)

(Shining Water Eyes)

At the moment, I am warming to the two neutral-toned Shining Water Eyes shades. Since they are limited editions, I will have to make a relatively quick decision…

(Please have a look at this post for the link to the five Nature Color Eyes palettes and this post for the link to some swatches.)

Lunasol Holiday 2009 Collection

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol

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Swatches: Lunasol Spring 2010 & Addiction Fall 2009

by PJ on Wednesday, November 18, 2009

in -Addiction, -Kanebo, -Kosé, -Lunasol, 2009 Fall, 2010 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(Addiction’s Eyeshadows)
(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

– Please have a look at this blog post, which features swatches of three of Lunasol’s five eyeshadow palettes for spring 2010. It seems that the purple in 05C Nature Colorful is a little too pale for my liking. (It seems paler than Lavender Coral‘s purple, which I adore.) At the moment, it is not likely that I will pick up this palette.

– If you are interested in Kosé’s Addiction, do check out this blog post for swatches of all of Addiction’s current eyeshadows and blushers.

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