Product Review: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

by PJ on Sunday, April 22, 2007

in skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others


I received some samples of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion some time ago and have been using it for several weeks.

It is billed as a “shielding lotion”, which, according to their website, “keeps moisture-robbing irritants away from the skin while the proprietary ‘super’ humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day“. It can be used for face, hand, and body.

It is very light and non-greasy, and it absorbs well. Also, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, which is great. (It doesn’t have alcohol, which is a huge plus for me.) Occasionally, when the weather was really cold, its texture and consistency was not rich enough and I would still put on a thin layer of my usual moisturizer.

So currently, when the weather can still get chilly (when the drying indoor heating is still needed), I use it as a serum before my usual moisturizer. I find that the product works the best for me like this in this time of year. I look forward to using it alone in summer and see how it goes.

As a hand lotion, it has been working nicely. It dries up to a satiny finish while keeping my hands moisturized. It is particularly great for daytime (no greasy fingers), while I would go for something slightly richer and more emollient right before bed.

If you have dry and sensitive skin and want to bring a bit of an enforcement to your existing skincare routine, I think this product is well worth some consideration.

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Quintessentially English: Rose & Co. Apothecary’s Rose Petal Salve

by PJ on Wednesday, April 18, 2007

in skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others, stash focus


It is perhaps one of the best lip products I have ever used.

Back in 2004, I remember I was running out of lip balm towards the end of summer and I bought the Rose Petal Salve, Rose & Co. Apothecary‘s signature product, after reading about the Yorkshire-based shop’s launch in London’s Harvey Nichols.

At first, I was drawn to its elegant packaging and the very affordable price. (It wasn’t packaged like this then but it was equally nice.) After using it for a couple of nights, I realized I bought something really great.

It is very moisturizing but it doesn’t feel greasy or heavy. The lips look nicely moist and not oily. It also needs very little re-applying. The light rose scent smells divine but is never over-powering (I dislike lip products with any strong scent.)

It’s 5 pounds (about 10 US dollars) for 20 grams (the equivalent of around 5 stick lip balms). My previous one lasted about two years. Fantastic value!

It is also supposed to be multi-functional (as an eyebrow tamer and a cuticle cream), but I usually just use it as a lip balm and I only use it in the evening, as it doesn’t contain sunscreen.

Rose & Co. Apothecary products are available in the UK and Hong Kong.

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Stella McCartney’s New Fragrance: Sheer Stella 2007

by PJ on Sunday, April 15, 2007

in -Stella McCartney, fragrance, stash focus


(pictured: from left to right —
Sheer Stella 2004, 2005, 2006)

Stella by Stella McCartney is one of my favorite fragrances. I just adore the feminine and sophisticated rose notes and the calming amber base note. Apart from Stella, since 2004, Stella McCartney releases a Sheer Stella each summer, which is a lighter take on the original scent.

I am happy to announce that my three Sheer Stella fragrances have just got a new sibling yesterday:


It features the consistently wonderful rose note with a lemony zest as do all the previous Sheer Stella fragrances. The bottle is pretty as always, this time also with exquisite prints like the last two years.

A closer look at each of the previous versions:

Sheer Stella 2004:

I bought this on-line after I bought and fell in love with Sheer Stella 2005. It features a simple frosted exterior. A very minimal and structured look.
Stella Sheer 2005:


This is the first ever Stella McCartney fragrance I bought. I discovered this in her beautiful boutique in London. With floral patterns on frosted glass, the bottle looks so pretty and delicate, and I love the fresh and romantic scent. This kick-started my whole Stella collection.

Stella Sheer 2006:


By the time this was out, I had already collected quite a few Stella fragrances and I simply couldn’t miss out on this one. The clear glass bottle features prints of flowers, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

To my rather amateur nose, all the Sheer Stella fragrances smell virtually identical, even though one website indicates that they feature different top notes (green mandarin orange for 2004, and Granny Smith apple for 2005). I still think they are more or less the same. (Maybe someone can help me here…)

But that’s absolutely fine, since I love the scent anyway and I love collecting the bottles.

Apart from these, I also have the original Stella, Stella Rose Absolute, Stella Pure Parfum (I didn’t actually pay for it…thanks to my Boots loyalty points), a limited-edition Stella candle, and some body products.

Ummm…I seem to have a bit too much of Stella! But I remain unexcited about 2006’s Stella in Two. They smell just as nice (all the same notes are there) but the packaging doesn’t do anything for me.

I like the freshness of Sheer Stella, and I love the sensitively somber touch of Rose Absolute. One is great for daytime and the other is surprisingly calming for bedtime (I tend to think any fragrance can be distracting for bedtime). I’ll come back to talk more about Stella McCartney’s fragrances later on.

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Lunasol Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 13, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup

(pictured: my Lunasol stash)


Blue is going to be so in for this coming summer, and Lunasol’s summer 2007 collection reflects this trend. Aqua and navy blue take the center stage among a shimmering beige and bronze backdrop. It is a collection with a clear identity.

The collection includes:

two eye palettes (beige and blue)
three eye colors (jelly-texture; white, beige, and blue)
one bronzing powder
three mascaras
three lipglosses
three nail colors

I think the blue eye palette will be a hit. All the jelly eye colors will probably be hugely popular too, as jelly- or mousse-textured eyeshadows are selling very well in Asia at the moment.

The collection is out on May 11 in Japan. All are limited-editions apart from the lipglosses and nail colors.

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Lavshuca Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

in -Kanebo, -Lavshuca, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup


(pictured: my Lavshuca stash)


One of the summer launches that I am really looking forward to is Lavshuca‘s collection. Without a clear color scheme, the main focus is on the 11 new colors of Jewel Lips and the launch of a new blusher collection (packaged in the same way as the single eye color).

The collection includes:

Two Jelly Pot Eye Colors (brown and silver)
Four Cheek Colors
Three Nail Colors
Eleven Jewel Lips

As always, the packaging is cute and princessy, just how I love it!

The launch of the cute little Jewel Lips this spring has obviously been so successful that Lavshuca is bringing out 11 more colors. I have got two of them and I will be reviewing them later this month.

As a blusher lover (hence the name of my blog!), I am also excited about the new blushers. I wasn’t keen on the previous Cheek Select. I think I might get one of these new ones.

More new summer 2007 items next time!

(Edited: You can read my Lavshuca brand review here.)

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YSL Summer 2007 Collection

by PJ on Sunday, April 8, 2007

in -YSL, 2007 Summer, makeup

(pictured: my YSL stash)


It is the time of year again when major brands start to launch the limited-edition summer items.

Summer collections can be a bit dull (bronzers and more bonzers…surely we haven’t finished whatever we might have bought last year…or the year before that). But YSL’s summer 2007 collection features some interesting products.

It is an all-around collection to give you the polished sun-goddess complexion. There are a face (bronzing) palette, an eye palette, lip glosses, lip plumpers, eyeliner, mascara, among others. One interesting item is Nail Touche, which is a nail color pen.

Here are some photos for you to drool at:

Face palette, eye palette, eyeliner, and nail color pen

Lip glosses and mascara

Lip plumper (SPF 10)

(Edited: If you use Firefox, turn off Adblock Plus to view the photos.)

Some of the colors seem a bit too dark for my liking, as I usually go for light and sheer colors in summer. However, I will be interested to check out the eye palette. I love anything aquamarine and turquoise!

More summer items later this week!

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Sofina Update: Raycious 2007 Glamorous Skin Powder and Aube 2007 Summer Collection

by PJ on Friday, April 6, 2007

in -Kao, -Sofina, 2007 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, stash focus


(my latest Raycious cases)

(part of my Raycious case collection)

Sofina is one of my favorite brands and I love collecting some of their cute stuff.

Within the brand, Raycious, the foundation line, launched Glamorous Skin Powder, its 8th-generation powder foundation. (Read the full review of their new base products here.) I have got the cases. (I didn’t get the foundation cakes because I still have several ones of previous generations…but I am an avid Raycious foundation case collector and I put the cakes in the new cases.)

The new case is, as always, a blue one. Gone is the three-way mirror in the 7th-generation and now there is jewel-like detail on the edge of the case. The pink one is a limited-edition and it looks so gorgeous.

The color makeup line, Aube, will launch the summer 2007 collection. The Gloss Fruitina feature 8 sparkling, fresh, and fruity colors. It includes the third minty/aquamarine lipgloss that is going to be lunched this summer (along with those from Dior and Guerlain), and I am very eager to check it out.

Next week, I’ll review more summer 2007 collections.

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Guerlain – Pucci Collaboration for Summer 2007 (available in the UK from April 14)

by PJ on Wednesday, April 4, 2007

in -Guerlain, 2007 Summer, fashion, makeup

Both owned by LVMH, Guerlain and Pucci have put together a makeup collection that is going to be the talk of summer 2007.

Most items feature the iconic Pucci print. Look out for Guerlain’s equally iconic meteorites powder sporting the classic pattern.

I am not really a Pucci fan. But I will be very interested in checking out the collection, especially the new lipgloss in Sparking Sea, which is a sheer aquamarine lipgloss (the sort of sheer, blue/green lipgloss I love to collect).

In the UK, the collection will be out on April 14 in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Harrods, and will be available nationwide on May 19 (information from Grazia magazine).

(Edited on April 24, 2007: The collection is now available online at Harrods.)

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Key Item for Spring/Summer 2007: White Eyeshadow

by PJ on Sunday, April 1, 2007

in -Boots, -Lancôme, 2007 Spring, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow, stash focus


White eyeshadows are some of the key items this season. In Shu Uemura’s Spring 2007 makeup look, white is the only color around the eyes. This season, a white eyeshadow is not only used as a browbone highlighter but also all round the eyes to create a clean, sophisticated and edgy look.

I have some eyeshadow palettes that feature a white eyeshadow but I decided to experiment different finishes, so over the last couple of weeks, I have bought some more:

1 Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow (241 Matte White)
2 Rimmel Color Rush Mono Eye Shadow (244 Moonstone)
3 Boots Natural Collection Eyeshadow (Sea Shell)
4 Boots No. 7 Stay Perfect Eyeshadow (25 Opal)
5 Lancome Color Design (904 Pearly Angel)

(I was tempted to buy Maybelline Dream Mousse Shadow (in 00 Vanilla Veil) just to try a different texture, but the finish was a bit too glittery for my liking.)

Finish-wise, 1 & 3 are completely matte, and 2 & 4 have a pearly finish. 5 also has a pearly finish but with minimal glitter.

Between 1 & 3, 1 is completely white, while 3 is a very pale beige, which doesn’t show very much on my skin.

Out of these five, I am particularly impressed with the texture of the two Rimmel ones. Very smooth and velvety.

So far, I like 1 the most. The matte white looks very good on me and I think the matte finish is the concept in Shu Uemura’s seasonal look as well.

Don’t go overboard with white eyeshadows, though. It should look like there is a soft and flattering spotlight around your eyes, which makes your eyes pop.

Also, sporting too much of a glittery white eyeshadow all around the eyes can backfire spectacularly under heavy pale florescent lighting…You don’t want the reverse-panda look!

I think it is best to use a matte white eyeshadow as an overall base and to use any pearly or glittery white eyeshadow sparingly and strategically (on the browbones or in the inner corners of the eyes), especially when you have to switch between daytime and nighttime looks.

White eyeshadows have always been very basic items, but now you can use them to create a whole new (and flattering) look!

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One of a Kind: SUQQU Spring 2007 Eyeshadow in Daichi (Mother Earth)

by PJ on Wednesday, March 28, 2007

in -SUQQU, 2007 Spring, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - eyeshadow

I have talked about SUQQU several times, and I have praised its strong themes and stunning ad campaigns for its seasonal makeup collections.

Sometimes it only takes a single unique product in the collection to warrant all the building up to it:

Powder Eye Shadow in Daichi (EX-51)

Why? On the website and on the leaflet I got, it just looked like any ubiquitous deep brown eyeshadow. But when I tested it on the back of my hand, I realized that I had never tried anything else like this before.

The smooth (almost-creamy) texture, typical of SUQQU’s eyeshadows and blushers, is still there, but this brown eyeshadow has twinkly deep midnight blue sparkles. The finish is so absolutely gorgeous. It is still predominantly matte, while the sparse diamond-dust deep-blue particles really stand out and shine against the matte brown background.

It must be like a clear night in the desert.

If you happen to be near a SUQQU counter, you simply have to try it.

Again and again, SUQQU shows that their products epitomize Japanese sensitivity and sensuality. It’s all very subtle but it is enough to have you in awe.

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