REVIEW: VDL Metal Cushion Foundation in A205

~AG~

VDL Metal Cushion Foundation has been in my beauty chest for over a year. It is about time that I try it out. The reason I bought VDL Metal Cushion Foundation is because of the unique functional packaging. Unlike the usual CC Cushion packaging, VDL Metal Cushion Foundation has a metal plate to deliver the foundation. Moreover, the foundation shade tested in-store matched my medium skin tone well (for reference I am NC 30-35 and Urban Decay 3.0). Most Korean face makeup tend to be for the fairer skin tones, and it is difficult to find a match for my warm skin tone. VDL Metal Cushion Foundation has a surprisingly lightweight texture. I do not like when foundation or BB creams feel heavy on the skin. My ideal foundation is one that does not feel like I have any makeup on.

So what can I say about VDL Metal Cushion Foundation?
VDL Metal Cushion Foundation has a low coverage. It works great for those with good skin and do not need much coverage. For myself, I still need to apply concealer to disguise my dark circles and blemishes. The shade A205 (Vanilla Beige) matched my medium skin tone well. For shade reference, I am Bourjois Shade 52 (Vanille), MAC NC 30, Bobbi Brown Beige (3), Chanel Beige (10) and Urban Decay Shade 3.0. VDL Metal Cushion Foundation comes in 4 shades: M101, A201, A203 and A205.

Unlike Korean BB Creams, VDL Metal Cushion Foundation did not leave a white or grey cast. The foundation blends well with the skin, and does not feel heavy on the skin. VDL claims this metal cushion foundation will deliver 24-hours of bright and clear skin. It claims to provide a glowing radiance through hydro-rich prune water.

VDL Metal Cushion Foundation is pricey at KRW 27,800 (S$34). This VDL Cushion Foundation is good in that it is lightweight and the packaging makes it more hygienic. But other than that, I would not repurchase this Cushion Foundation as there are other Cushion Foundation on the market that I want to try.

REVIEW: Vaniday Benefit Cosmetics Brow Waxing @ Sephora Bugis+

~AG~

For some reason, brow waxing is not as popular in Singapore. When I lived in California, there were many options to go for brow waxing. I tried the Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar at Ulta Beauty, Anastasia Brow Studio at Nordstrom and a local beauty salon. In my opinion, brow waxing is not as painful as threading or tweezing. Plus, brow waxing seems to better for my sensitive skin than threading. The only cons of brow waxing is that it takes a longer time than threading. A regular brow waxing will take 20-30 minutes while threading takes less than 10 minutes. As the strips of paper come in a standard size, it is difficult for 100% waxing to get the perfect brow. Not to worry, a professional eyebrow person will also tweeze some areas of the brows for more precision. 

Brow waxing by Benefit Cosmetics is done at almost all Sephora Singapore stores. It costs S$26 and takes about 20 minutes. There is some pros and cons of having the Benefit Brow Bar at Sephora stores. The biggest pro is that there are numerous Sephora stores in Singapore, so it is convenient for the customers. There are ten Benefit Brow Waxing Locations @ Sephora. The cons would be the waxing is done in an common area so there is no privacy. The seating is not as comfortable as you sit straight. It would be better if the seat could recline.

My review is for the brow waxing service at Sephora Bugis +. My eyebrow expert was Noli, and he is the only eyebrow expert at Sephora Bugis+. First off, Noli asked whether I had done brow waxing before and whether I was on any medication. Secondly, he asked about my preferred eyebrow shape. Before the waxing process, he tested a little wax on my hand. 

He worked on my left eyebrow first - carefully waxing the top, bottom and sides. Additionally, he also tweezed and used a scissor to trim the brows. After he was done with my left eyebrow, he showed me the finished look before moving on to the other brow. As there was one area which had an odd strand by itself, I asked him about it. He asked that if he removed that one strand, my left brow will not be the same length as my right brow. Without asking, he told me not to worry as he will show me how to fill in my brows later. After he was done with my right eyebrow, he cleaned up the waxed area and then applied aloe vera to soothe the skin. As my skin was red, he applied some powder before filling in my brows. He showed me an easy way to fill in the brows. Basically, you fill in the outline of your brows lightly and then blend the colors by using the spoolie brush.

As Vaniday had a 20% off promotion, the brow waxing costs only $20.80. What a good deal! I would recommend brow waxing at Sephora Benefit Cosmetics if you are looking for an alternative to threading and tweezing. The eyebrow expert, Noli, was highly skilled and professional. I especially like the after-care service. I would definitely come back to Sephora Benefit Cosmetics for brow waxing in the future. 

NEW BUY: Living Proof No Frizz Travel Kit

Living Proof No Frizz Travel Kit

No Frizz Shampoo, No Frizz Conditioner and No Frizz Nourishing Cream

Bonus: No Frizz Leave-in Conditioner

~AG~

Bought this Living Proof No Frizz Travel Kit from Sephora Singapore many months ago. I cannot remember how much I paid for, probably close to S$40. It retails for US $29 on sephora.com. 

This No Frizz Travel Kit comes with: No Frizz Shampoo (60ml), No Frizz Conditioner (60ml) and No Frizz Nourishing Cream (60ml). Since Singapore is a high humidity place, this No Frizz products come in handy to combat frizziness. My wavy and unruly hair is especially prone to frizziness. 

No Frizz keeps frizz at bay so hair stays soft and smooth even on the days you don't wash and style. Powered by our Healthy Hair Molecule (OPFMA), the biggest breakthrough in anti-frizz technology in over 30 years, No Frizz blocks humidity 70% more effectively than silicones

The claim that it can block humidity 70% more effectively than silicones is interesting. Silicones are not my preferred anti-frizz ingredient as it can weighs hair down. Stay tuned for my review of the No Frizz Travel Kit. Hope it can work as well in Singapore's extreme humidity. 

NEW BUY: Sephora Haul

~AG~

Sephora, Sephora, Sephora!
This time around, I was rather selective on purchasing products from Sephora.com. Let me let you in on a secret. I discovered that the Shilla Duty Free priced their products very competitively. Often it is cheaper to buy cosmetics there than in Sephora USA. The only two products I bought from Sephora.com were:

1) Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer (US$28) in Light Medium
This concealer was recommended by the saleslady at the Sephora store. After trying a few other concealers for my under eye areas, we concluded that Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer works well for my dry under eye area. Most importantly, the shade Light Medium matched well with my skin tone.
2) Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed (US$38) in Opal
This popular highlighter by Becca has been on my wish list for a long time! Lisa Eldridge, the wonderful makeup artist, first talked about this powder highlighter on her Youtube videos many years ago. 

The other items on my cart were birthday gift and point redemption. I <3 free stuff! Who doesn't?
Redemption of 500 Sephora points for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Covetable Couture Beauty Icons. 
It includes mini-sized versions of: Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils, Touche Eclat Blur Primer, Volutpe Tint-in-Oil and Black Opium Eau De Parfum

Redemption of Birthday Gift which was Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Rose Face Mask. 

This Day-of-Soiree Swag Sample Bags was also complimentary from Sephora USA. It is their Holiday Sample Bags that contains mini version of beauty products. The one I received included:

Make Up for Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick in C211, Cover Fx Custom Enhancer Drops in Moonlight, Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion, Dr Jart+ Every Sun Day UV Sun Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 30, Erno Laszlo Timeless Skin System Cleansing Duo (Sensitive Skin Duo) - Sensitive Cleansing Oil and Sensitive Cleansing Bar,  Chloé Chloe Eau de Parfum and Elizabeth and James Nirvana White