REVIEW: Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer

~AG~

This best-selling concealer has been on my wish list for the longest time! With the pandemic and working from home situation, my makeup has not been touched in a long time. Decided to toss my long overdue Chanel concealer. It has been in use for over 2 years. It is way past the recommended shelf life for concealer. Formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan and sodium lauryl sulfate. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is great for those who are concerned of harmful ingredients in their cosmetics.

This highly raved concealer claims to lasts for 16 hours. Tarte Shape Tape concealer claims to smooth and brighten to make eyes appear lifted. Since the main use of concealer is for my dark circles, this product sounds perfect. The sponge tip applicator makes it easy to use. Tarte Shape Tape’s crease-proof formula would not cake or settle for 12 hours. Its trademarked tape technology helps to smooth and blur appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Tarte Shape Tape concealer is quite pricey at S$42. Though it is slightly cheaper compared to Chanel Le Correcteur, which is S$47.50. The texture of the Tape Shape Concealer is thicker than Chanel Le Correcteur concealer. You only need a small amount (less than a pea-size amount) to conceal the dark circles. When I tried the concealer under my eyes, the 27S light-medium sand was a better match for my overall skin tone. It conceals my dark circles without being too light. 27S is suitable for light to medium skintone with yellow undertones. 

For reference, I use:

• Chanel Le Correctuer in 20 Beige

• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Corrector in Medium

• Cle de Peau Beaute concealer in Ocher

• Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in Shade 22 Beige Rose

• Bobbi Brown Beige (3)

• Urban Decay Weightless Liquid Makeup in Shade 3.0 and 

• Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Shade 52 (Vanille)

NEW BUY: Becca Jet, Set, Glow! Prep & Prime Kit

 ~AG~

Purchased Becca Jet, Set, Glow Prep & Prime Kit from Sephora for USD 25 (SGD34). This set comes with 3 products: Backlight Priming Filter, First Light Priming Filter and Under Eye Brightening Corrector. 

Backlight Priming Filter is a product that boosts radiance and instantly filter the skin. It is infused with crushed pearls for a diffused and beautiful glow. First Light Priming Filter brightens the complexion for a healthy glow. Under Eye Brightening Corrector is a cream corrector to brighten and disguise dark circles. 

Cannot wait to try these products especially the Under Eye Brightening Corrector because of my severe dark circles. Stay tuned for my review!

REVIEW: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

 ~MG~

This NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer US$29 (S$39) comes with a sponge applicator. This concealer is very GOOD! One sponge tip amount is enough for concealing both eyes. I use the "inverted triangle" method for concealing my dark circles. NARS Concealer provides a medium to high coverage. The texture is creamy and rather smooth. Compared Cle de Peau, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is creamier. This NARS concealer is easy to use and to blend. The color match was perfect in concealing my blue tone dark circles. With setting powder, it can lasts through the night. It does not crease or melts off in Singapore humid's weather. The packaging makes it super easy to travel with. If you use the concealer daily, NARS creamy concealer will probably lasts for more than six months. 

When I am in a hurry to get ready, I will use this  handy concealer. It is a light concealer that disguises my dark circles. Though I won't say it truly brightens the under eye area. I also use it to conceal my acne marks and redness when I am too lazy to reach for other concealers. It works well for concealing redness, but cannot fully conceal my acne scars. I will definitely recommend. One of the best concealers I have used. Even though it has a heavy price tag, it is worth your money - easy to use and blend, generous with the product and is well-pigmented. NARS offer a wide range of colors for the Radiant Creamy Concealer, so find one that suits you!

REVIEW: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Corrector

~AG~
Bought IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Corrector in Medium US$29 (S$41) from Ulta Beauty when I was in the States last November. My younger sister, MG, said that I should check IT Cosmetics concealer out because of its raved review. So while browsing through Ulta Beauty, I thought this product was their best-selling concealer. Turns out it was the Bye Bye Undereye Corrector. Note to self: Remember to check the product name at checkout.

The tub packaging contains 5g of product. IT Cosmetics Undereye Corrector comes in 3 shades: Light, Medium and Rich. It contains collagen and peptides to smooth the skin around the eyes area. Green coffee extract, caffeine and cucumber to reduce eye puffiness. Since my Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer is empty, it is time to try a new concealer that is targeted for dark circles. 

This corrector comes in a tub packaging, and contains a generous amount of product. I foresee this corrector lasting for more than six months, even with daily use. The texture of this corrector is super creamy, which reminds me of Bobbi Brown Corrector. Since my under eye area has been feeling dry, the texture of IT Cosmetics Corrector is suitable for my skin type. For those with oily skin type in Singapore's humid weather, you might need to set this product with a loose or pressed powder so that it would not smudge. 

My under eyes area is prone to milia that is triggered by overly rich eye creams or concealers. I was worried that IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Corrector will trigger milia because of its creamy texture. After using it for over four weeks, no visible milia has appeared. Yay! My under eye areas definitely look brighter with the application of this corrector. This salmon-tone corrector helps to neutralize dark circles. It claims to be 8 hours of sleep in jar!

Overall, this is a good under eye corrector. It helps to disguise dark circles and brighten the under eye area. The texture of IT Cosmetics Corrector is smooth and so easy to apply with your ring finger. You only need a thin layer of product to conceal the dark circles. This tub of corrector is packed with product and should lasts me for more than six months. I highly recommend this Under Eye Corrector for those with dark circles and need a product to brighten the under eye area. 

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

REVIEW: Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer

Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer

~AG~

This Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer is my new makeup must-have! This sponge-tip applicator concealer is handy to have in your makeup bag. It is easy to use and great for on-the-go. Having been plagued with severe dark circles ever since I was a teenager, there is this never-ending quest to find THE perfect under eye concealer. I have tried more than 10 under eye concealers/correctors - Bobbi Brown Corrector, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer, Laura Mercier Camouflage Concealer, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, Benefit Cosmetics Fakeup Hydrating Under Eye Concealer, Benefit Cosmetics ErasePaste, YSL Touche Eclat and many more. 

After trying a few other concealers at Sephora, the saleslady there recommended Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer. The shade she selected for me is Light Medium which has peach undertones. The saleslady mentioned that Too Faced Radiant Concealer contains Coconut Water which replenishes skin's moisture level. She noticed that my under eye area was dry and said that this concealer would be suitable for my skin type, as it also contains Hyaluronic Acid. When she tested Too Faced Radiant Concealer on my under eye areas, it matched my skin tone well and did not accentuate my dry patches. The texture of this concealer is not thick at all. It has a lightweight consistency and does not feel creamy. 

The true test of this concealer was whether this Too Faced Concealer will stay on well in Singapore's humid weather. Surprisingly, Too Faced Radiant Concealer was long-lasting. It did not crease in Singapore's hot and humid conditions. Even after 8 hours of wear, the concealer did not crease nor did it melt off. I put 3-4 dots of concealer on each under eye area, and then blend it with my ring fingers. I do not even use a powder to set the concealer, and it lasts all day! True to its claims, my under eyes area does not feel dry at all. It also contains Alpine Rose to brighten and boost skin's radiance. This concealer has medium coverage and works great for covering dark circles and minor blemishes. It blends well into the skin and creates a smooth finish. 

Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer is available in 10 shades. It comes with 0.7 ml of concealer and retails for US $28 (S$40). It is a rather expensive price tag for a concealer but you only need little product to cover your blemishes and dark circles. I highly recommend this concealer to those that have dry under eyes area or have dry skin. The lightweight texture is long-lasting and looks natural. 

NEW BUY: Ulta Haul

 ~AG~

Let me introduce you to Ulta Beauty which can be found in the U.S.A. Ulta Beauty is similar to Sephora though they also carry drugstore brands such as Maybelline, NYX, Cover Girl, as well as a variety of hair care products. I <3 walking through Ulta Beauty to browse their mini-sized version of beauty products.

Here are some things that I purchased from Ulta Beauty:

1) Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo US$12 (S$17)

For days when I wake up late and do not have time to wash my hair. I have tried several dry shampoo before and this dry shampoo is my favorite yet. It does not leave any white residue on dark hair. Plus, it really absorbs oil and leaves hair feeling fresh. 

2) Benefit Dandelion Mini US$15 (S$21)

Sharon Park, my makeup artist used this blush on me for the prewed shoot and it surprisingly showed up well on my skin. Since I still have a handful of other blushes in my collection, getting a mini version makes me less guilty. Hehe ^_^

3) IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Corrector in Medium US$29 (S$41)

My sister, MG, asked me to try the IT Cosmetics Undereye Concealer. 

What really attracted me to this product was the claim that it is "8 hours of sleep in a jar". It contains green coffee extract, cucumber, avocado, aloe, peptides, niacin and hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen. All these beneficial ingredients must be of some help to my dark circles. *cross my fingers*

The corrector has a creamy texture that is lightweight. 

4) Eco Tools Deluxe Fan Brush US$5.99 (S$9)

A fan brush has been on my wishlist for a while. A fan brush is great for applying a light finish of highlighters or powders. Eco Tools is a great drugstore brand for brushes. I bought some Eco Tools brushes 4 or 5 years ago, and it still works well! The bristles are soft and it does not shed much. 

5) Eco Tools Eye Perfecting CC Brush US$5.99 (S$9)

This is part of Eco Tools new collection, Complexion Collection. This rounded tip brush mimics the shape of a finger for easy application of cream, concealers and moisturizers around or under the eyes. This brush results in less tugging around the sensitive eye area.

REVIEW: Soap & Glory Kick-Ass Blur & Brighten Concealer Crayon

Crayon stick with a cap

A twist-out mechanism that extends and retracts

~AG~
The first thing that I came to my mind when applying this concealer was how soft it was. I was very careful to apply the concealer carefully, so as to not break off the crayon. The shade, Medium, matched well with my skin tone. My main use for this concealer is to disguise my severe dark circles. The Soap & Glory Kick-Ass Concealer helped brighten my under eyes area. The coverage is light to medium. In comparison, my HG Cle de Peaute Beaute Concealer has a higher coverage. I had to use about 3-4 swipes of Kick-Ass Concealer to decently conceal my dark circles. I cannot comment on its concealing power for pimples, or redness. The best thing about this concealer is the texture. The concealer was very smooth, had a similar  texture to that of a makeup primer's texture. It does not crease or accentuate fine line. Its creamy consistency is similar to that of Bobbi Brown's Corrector. I highly suggest that you set this concealer with loose or pressed powder. With that being said, I had no issues with it smudging or melting off. 

 Left under eye concealed with Kick-Ass Concealer Crayon. Right under eye without any makeup

 

Left under eye area much brighter than the right under eye area

At S$16, I will most likely repurchase this concealer. The only problem is that it is not available in Singapore. Soap & Glory, please bring your makeup range to Singapore! Or else I would just have to check out Boots during my next trip to Bangkok. The concealing properties of Kick-Ass Concealer Crayon satisfied my expectations (P.S: I have very high standards for concealer, as it is my must-have makeup product). Soap & Glory Kick-Ass Concealer Crayon is a great product to carry in your travel makeup bag.

NEW BUY: Soap & Glory Kick Ass Blur & Brighten Concealer Crayon

~AG~

Whenever I travel overseas, one of my favorite-st thing to do is to browse through the local drugstore. I love walking up and down the aisles, discovering new brands and products. During my time in Bangkok last month, I just had to pay a visit to Boots, a UK pharmacy chain that is commonly found there. Boots is similar to Guardian and Watsons stores in Singapore, though the products that they carry are slightly different. One of the brands available at Boots is Soap & Glory. You probably have heard about the brand before. It is famous for its body products such as the Flake Away Body Polish and The Righteous Butter Body Butter. I was particularly interested in Soap & Glory's makeup line. Though I have not heard much about their makeup products, I decided to try the Kick Ass Blur & Brighten Concealer Crayon. It retailed for THB 400 (~S$16). Not exactly the cheapest concealer at the drugstore, but the packaging and the texture of the concealer convinced me to purchased it. The texture felt nice, and was not too drying. The shade, Medium, also seemed to match my skin tone well when I swatched it on my hands. (I know I know, that is not the right way to color match a concealer, but I did not want to put the tester anywhere near my face).

According to Soap & Glory official website: This multi-action, no-nonsense concealer crayon blurs imperfections and banishes shadows for a flawless finish. With long-lasting coverage that leaves skin looking revived and refreshed, this roll up, multi-tasking concealer crayon is perfect for girls on the go!

Though, I still love my Cle de Peau Beaute concealer, I was on a lookout for a decent concealer that I can carry around in my bag for touch-up. A more affordable concealer that will provide coverage for my dark circles and redness. Soap & Glory's Kick Ass Concealer's crayon applicator makes it super convenient for traveling with. I cannot wait to try it out! I hope the shade and texture works for me :)

All about Under Eyes Concealer

 

~AG~

Ever since Secondary School, I have been plagued with dark circles. It has been over 10 years since my search for the best under eyes concealer. My dark circles are exactly that of a Panda's. T_T
Some friends have commented on how severe my dark circles it. Though some articles mention that dark circles are caused by the lack of sleep. But from my personal experience, no matter how much restful sleep I get at night, I will still have dark circles. Thus, concealer is my long-term best friend. Over the years, I have tried quite a few highly-rated under eyes concealers. Right now, my #1 concealer is Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer. See below for my comparison of other under eyes concealers.

Bobbi Brown Corrector
THE GOOD: This salmon tone Corrector is meant to be worn under the yellow-based Bobbi Brown concealer. Though, I usually wear this Corrector on its own. It was designed specifically to cover severe dark circles. It covers my dark circles well.

THE BAD: This product can be too thick. The thickest under eyes concealer out of the rest on the list. It tends to cake up even when eye cream is applied beforehand.

Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer
THE GOOD: Provides high coverage, stays on well. You only need a little bit to fully cover your dark circles. Plus, it does not melt in Singapore's humid weather!

THE BAD: Super expensive! US$80 for this stick concealer. But it lasts for a long time, I have been using mine for almost two years, and still no signs of defeat. Though on some days, I wished it has a more salmon tone to neutralize my dark circles.

 

Benefit Erase Paste
THE GOOD: Value for money, US$26 for more than 6 months' worth. The texture of this concealer is very creamy. You only need a tiny bit to cover your dark circles.

THE BAD: Due to its creamy texture, it tends to melt in humid weather - even thought I set it with a loose powder. This is the creamiest under eyes concealer out of all on the list. It would work better for those with dry under eyes areas, or for people who live in drier climate.

Benefit Fake Up
THE GOOD: Nothing

THE BAD: Not much coverage and tends to crease in Singapore's humid weather. A gimmick product!

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
THE GOOD: It has a salmon undertone to conceal dark circles, and brightens the under eyes area. Its creamy texture is great for those with dry under eyes area. But it is not as creamy as Benefit Erase Paste. It does not melt in humid conditions.

THE BAD: It does not provide enough coverage for very severe dark circles. Coverage not as high as Cle de Peau Beaute concealer, but better than other concealers on the list. It provides good enough coverage for an everyday concealer.

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot
THE GOOD: It comes with a Secret Concealer, a Secret Camouflage as well as Translucent Setting Powder. 3-in-1! With that being said, Secret Camouflage is more of a blemish concealer. It does not work well for dark circles. The Translucent Setting Powder is alright.

THE BAD: Expensive at US$34. Since I did not use the Secret Camouflage and Translucent Setting Powder as much, I rather buy Laura Mercier Secret Concealer which only cost US$25.  

REVIEW: The Face Shop Face It Radiance Concealer Dual Veil

A compact concealer

~AG~

This product is such a disappointment! This award-winning concealer provided little to no coverage for my dark circles and pimples. See my previous post about this concealer highly reviewed by Get it Beauty. NEW BUY: The Face Shop Face It Radiance Concealer. First off, the shade of the concealer does not match my skin tone. The shade that I bought was NB21, which was the medium selection available. While trying the testers at The Face Shop, I hesitated between purchasing the NB21 or NB23. But opted for NB21 because it matched better with my skin tone. NB23 did not blend as well to my skin tone. When I applied NB21 stick concealer on my under eyes area, it had an ashy undertone instead of a warm undertone. It was very unflattering. 

The stick concealer

The texture and shade of the stick concealer

The stick concealer end which I though would be similar to my HG Cle de Peau concealer was nothing close to it. Even after applying a generous amount of the stick concealer, it did not brighten my under eyes area at all. Contrary to what I had though initially, the liquid concealer provided more coverage than the stick concealer. The liquid concealer was somewhat better in concealing my pimples. Though, it did not provide as much coverage as Cle de Peau concealer. 

Liquid concealer with a sponge applicator

Creamy texture of the liquid concealer 

Overall, I would not recommend this concealer to anybody. It does not meet the basic function of a concealer which is to hide skin imperfections. It retails for KRW 10,900 (~S$14), which is not that cheap. I rather pay more to have a quality concealer, since it is the one beauty product that I use almost everyday. Sorry, The Face Shop, this concealer is No Good in my books. 

Korean Beauty Products Haul - Face Products

~AG~

Korean stars are famous for their flawless and luminous skin. Korea is a country where BB Creams, CC Creams and CC Cushions are must-haves. So, without any question, I had to buy some base makeup to bring back to sunny Singapore. My makeup collection is lacking of base makeup. There are only a few products that I use consistently - Bourjois Healthy Mix Skin Foundation, Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact and Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer. 

At the top on my shopping list was to find a CC Cushion that will perfectly match my skin tone. Additionally, I also wanted a CC Cream that did not leave my skin looking white or grey. Sounds simple enough? From my past experience, it is tough to find a CC Cushion or CC Cream that match my medium skin tone, since Koreans tend to have fairer skin tone. For shade reference, I am Bourjois Shade 52 (Vanille), MAC NC 30-35, Bobbi Brown Beige (3) and Chanel Beige (10).

Below are the base makeup that I purchased on this trip:

>>> Hera CC Cream (KRW 31,000 = S$38)
This is MG's most raved about CC Cream. Click link for MG's review of Hera CC Cream. She loves it so much because it gives her radiant, flawless skin. It has a heavy pricetag, but it is worth it! People always compliment MG's skin whenever she wears this CC Cream. It is also Allure Korea's 2013 Award Winner for CC Cream.

>>> VDL Metal Foundation (KRW 27,800 = S$34)
This product was not on my shopping list. While at the VDL store, this metal foundation was placed at the very front. It is their newest product! Being the makeup junkie that I am, I had to try it. When I tried the foundation on my hand, the texture was Grrreeeaaatt! It felt very light and natural. However, I hesitated buying it at first, because I really wanted to buy the Hera CC Cream. On the last day at the airport, I looked high and low for this VDL Metal Foundation. I finally saw the VDL section when I was almost at the gate. This was the very last-minute buy before boarding the plane. I felt so HAPPY afterwards. :)

>>> The Face Shop Velvet Skin Primer (KRW 14,900 = S$18)
This primer accidentally sneaked into my shopping basket. I only realized that I had bought this product when I was unpacking my stuff. This product has a Get It Beauty sticker at The Face Shop store. So, I guess it should not be too bad. I hope it works for my sensitive skin and does not clog my pores *fingers crossed*

>>> The Face Shop Concealer (KRW 10,900 = S$13)
This was my must-buy from The Face Shop because it won Get It Beauty blind test in 2013. Concealer is an essential makeup product for me. I wear it almost everyday to disguise my dark circles, and conceal my blemishes. I hope this affordable concealer works well to hide my imperfections.

 

 

I will do a separate review of each product some time in the near future. Stay tuned :)

NEW BUY: The Face Shop Face It Radiance Concealer Dual Veil

~AG~

The Face Shop Face It Radiance Concealer Dual Veil won a popular Korean beauty show, Get It Beauty, blind test in 2013. Even though it is 2015 now, this product is still one of The Face Shop's bestseller makeup products. It retails in The Face Shop Korea for KRW 10,900 (~S$14). It comes in 3 shades: NB17, NB21 and NB 23. The shade that I chose was NB21. For shade reference, I am Bourjois Shade 52 (Vanille), MAC NC 30-35, Bobbi Brown Beige (3) and Chanel Beige (10).

It is a double-ended concealer. The lipstick-shaped end provides more coverage, while the wand end provides a lighter coverage. The compact packaging makes it a great concealer to have when travelling. An easy concealer to apply on-the-go.

Double-ended concealer

The lipstick-shaped end of the concealer

The sponge wand end of the concealer

I cannot wait to try this concealer! I hope it does well to conceal my major dark circles and red blemishes.*cross my fingers*
Click The Face Shop official website for more details:
http://international.thefaceshop.com/english/product/productView.jsp?ctgr=ctgr&search=ca&prdidx=393&prdtype=222&pageno=1

Marie Claire: 20 Concealer Hacks Every Woman Should Know

Marie Claire: 20 Concealer Hacks Every Woman Should Know

1) If you use foundation, apply it first, and then apply your concealer.
If you apply your foundation first, you'll find that you don't need to use as much concealer. If you apply concealer first, however, you'll remove most of it while applying your foundation.
 

2) The most flattering way to apply concealer is to draw a triangle with the base under your eye and the point toward your cheek.
This shape not only conceals dark circles, but it also instantly creates the illusion that your face is lifted. Think of it as holding a flashlight against your cheek, shining the light right underneath your eye, and drawing the focus upward.
 

3) To prevent your eye shadow from falling off your lid and settling in the creases, prime your eyelids first with a dab of concealer.
If you can't justify spending extra on eye shadow primer, a dab of concealer works just as well.

4) When concealing a pimple, first use a green concealer, then cover the area with a concealer that matches your skin tone.
Cancel out a pimple's redness by applying green concealer with a clean brush to only the pimple (not the skin around it) to avoid spreading the bacteria. Then, use a cotton swab to dab on a high-coverage liquid concealer that matches your skin tone to camouflage the pimple. Blend it into the surrounding skin and finish with setting powder.

5) If you have a pimple on your chest or back that you need to conceal, cover the trouble spots with a concealer that matches your skin tone and then top it lasagna-style with a translucent powder.
Continue to alternate concealer and setting powder until the blemish is undetectable. The concealer will hide the blemish and the setting powder will prevent it from wearing off.

AG & MG Beauty Award 2014

AG'S TOP 5 PRODUCT FINDS FOR 2014

People always ask me what products are good. To tell you the truth, a product is subjective to many different factors. But after trying numerous beauty products, I can share a few advices on what is worth buying and what is not worth trying. In the year 2014, I discovered a few beauty products that have quickly became my favourites. Here are five products that have become holy grail (HG) products in my book.

Favourite Concealer: Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher
The best concealer ever! It works well on dark circles as well as redness and zits. Great coverage and super smooth. Review Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer




Favourite Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 52 Vanille
This foundation has a light to medium coverage. I LOVE that it blends in perfectly to my skin, and gives a nice natural glow. It gives a more dewy effect than matte. Review Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum


Favourite Eyeliner: Lancôme Artliner Precision Felt Tip Liquid Liner
Waterproof. Long-lasting. The felt tip is very precise, and relatively easy to use.



Favourite Makeup Remover: Bioderma Sebium H20
I truly cannot live without this product. It has changed the way I remove my sunscreen and makeup. This is the best beauty product ever! Everyone should have a bottle of Bioderma in their beauty arsenal. It can be used to clean makeup brushes too. Review Bioderma Sebium


Favourite Skincare Product: Lancôme Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate
A serum that keeps my skin soft and smooth. Even my boyfriend commented on the improvement of my skin texture. It is a must-have in my skincare regimen!
Short Review of Lancome Advanced Genefique

MG'S TOP 5 PRODUCT FINDS FOR 2014

Bringing you my favorite 2014's beauty finds!

Favorite Moisturizer: Lanegie Water Bank Gel Cream_EX
The perfect moisturizer for Oily/Combo/Acne-prone skin! Already went through tub and tub of this gel-cream and am still using it because I really really love love it!

Favorite Facial Oil: Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

I loved using it when I was living in the U.S. Thought I won't be able to enjoy using it when I moved back to Singapore because of the hot and humid weather but I was wrong. Now every night, I have to pour this gem on my face to keep it feeling moisturized and comfortable. 


Favorite CC Cream: Hera CC(Complete Care) Cream
I think I have said enough of my love for this product. Definitely it will continued to be in my makeup pouch till at least December 31, 2015! ❤❤


Favorite Face Primer: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
It is truly a beauty-must have! It helps your makeup lasts longer, brighten your skin and most importantly, it helps protect your skin from the makeup and dirt because it acts as an invisible mask.


Favorite Lipstick: 3 Concept Eyes Jumbo Lip Crayon in Popping P
What attracted me to it was the vibrant and unique purple-plumish color! The color is great. The pigmentation is great too. It's fairly moisturizing. Plus, according to Pantone, the Poppin P's purple shade is the Color of the Year 2014 (Radiant Orchid 18-3224)!

NEW BUY: Benefit Cosmetics Perfect Hideaway

~AG~

I bought this in December when Sephora Singapore was having 15% discount for UOB cardmembers. This is a value set from Benefit Cosmetics, which retailed for S$42.90. My friend, Stephanie, told me that she liked Benefit Fake Up for concealing dark circles. So I decided to buy a value set to try it out. The reason why I bought the smaller version is because sometimes Benefit Cosmetics under eye concealer can be too creamy and might not work well for Singapore's humid weather.

 

Previously, MG had bought Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional primer and I have had the chance to try it out. It was a decent primer and did not caused my sensitive skin to breakout. POREfessional will be a great addition to my makeup kit. The only primer that I had in my makeup kit is Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance.  I only use Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance for special occasions. I do like it but it has an illuminating effect that can sometimes be too "shiny" for Singapore humid weather. Another primer that has a matte effect will be good to have especially for outdoor makeup looks in Singapore.

 

Please stay tuned for my review on Benefit Cosmetics Fake Up and POREfessional.

REVIEW: YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

~AG~

This iconic YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch costs me USD $41. While browsing through the Macy's Beauty department, I decided to pick this up. It is expensive for such as small item but it is supposedly a miracle product. Previously, I have tried a similar product, the Dior Skin Flash. However, it was not a must-have item in my makeup collection. The reason I am trying this product is because sometimes I need a more brightening effect for my dark circles. The current concealer that I am using, Bobbi Brown concealer, provides coverage but does not illuminate the undereye area. Plus, its click pen/brush packaging makes it a convenient product to have for on-the-go.

A trick that the YSL sales assistant told me about click pen packaging. With a new click pen, it takes ages for the product to come out initially. However, instead of clicking the pen countless time and waiting patiently for the product to come out, she said a few gentle knock/tap to the side of the pen will allow the product to come out more quickly. When the YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch is being "resistant", I would tap the side of the pen a few times and soon the product will emerge.

This product provide little coverage for my severe dark circles. I only use it on days when I am in a hurry or when I don't feel like using much makeup. It is easy to use because you do not need a separate concealer brush to apply it.

Left under eye with YSL Touche Eclat. Right under without. It does brighten the eye area but does not fully conceal my severe dark circles.

One thing I learnt from using this product is that it is NOT a concealer. To get a brightening effect under the eye, first, conceal dark circles with a concealer and then layer it with Touche Éclat Radiant Touch, or vice versa. This create a soft and healthy effect.

You can also use YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch for highlighting your face. I tried doing this several times but I find that this shade does not work well. It is too light for highlighting the facial features.

In conclusion, YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch is a not must-have makeup item in my beauty book. It is not worth that money. I rather pay that amount for my favourite concealer, Cle de Peau Beaute concealer or Bobbi Brown Corrector & Concealer. Even though it is a highlighting product, it does not significantly help brighten my under eye areas. Also, I cannot use it to highlight my cheek bones or other areas, the shade is not illuminating enough. Overall, I would not re-purchase this product.