REVIEW: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua & Le Correcteur De Chanel

The newest addition to my face makeup

Vitalumiere Aqua

~AG~

Been always been a big fan of Chanel Beauty face makeup. Tried a few of their products over the years and found their formula to be suitable for my skin. Since my HG Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup is more than 2 years old, it is time to get a new one for my skin health. Decided to try Vitalumiere Aqua as my next liquid foundation. It is described as an ultra-light skin perfecting makeup. The saleslady matched my skin to the shade 22 Beige Rose. This shade matches my medium skin tone well. This Chanel liquid foundation costs S$68.90 at Shilla Duty Free. It comes with 33ml of product. Since I do not use liquid foundation often, this bottle of foundation will be more than enough. Vitalumiere Aqua is lightweight and has low coverage. It gives a nice dewy finish. You are to shake the bottle before use. The saleslady asked how my makeup usually oxidises, and advised to apply a makeup primer prior. What are my thoughts about the Vitalumiere Aqua? The lightweight texture feels nice on my skin. The product provides a nice soft finish. Vitalumiere Aqua will be suitable for those who prefer minimal coverage. However, you would need to use concealer to conceal pimples and dark circles.

Le Correcteur

Bought the Le Correcteur De Chanel for $47.50. The shade that I chose was 20 Beige, which is similar to the Vitalumiere Aqua shade. At first the saleslady recommended a lighter shade for my dark circles, but since I do not use foundation on a daily basis, I opted for a shade that will match my skin tone. This is to avoid the reverse panda eyes look, which happens when the concealer is too light.This gel-based concealer is long-lasting. It provides medium coverage and is suitable to conceal my dark circles. The concealer comes with a sponge tip applicator for convenience. Even though this concealer has a gel texture, it does not melt in Singapore's humid weather. It is a great product to carry in your handbag. Overall, I am satisfied with the coverage and lasting power of this concealer.

REVIEW: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

Sleek packaging - long and slim

 ~AG~

This foundation works better than I had expected! It is very, very lightweight and feels like nothing on my skin. Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup is definitely my new favourite. This foundation provides light to medium coverage. It has a demi-matte finish with light-diffusing spheres that makes your skin illuminated. It works well to conceal my redness around the nose, and my blemishes. Though, it is not provide enough coverage enough for my dark circles. For those that prefer or need more coverage, you would have to layer the foundation over a concealer to get the desired look. Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup stays on well, even without a primer. It does not smudge off from my combination skin. *clap clap* This foundation will also work well for those with oily skin type, though prepping your face with a face primer will be advised. In addition, my sensitive combination skin did not have any adverse reaction to this foundation. No new breakouts, no bumps or no redness. Yay! Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup is paraben-free. 
My cousin who has an acne-prone skin tried my Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup and liked it. She said that the texture is nice, and looks very natural. The coverage provided was good enough for her. 

With a metal-finish pump dispenser

According to Urban Decay, infused with Matrixyl 3000 (a powerful anti-wrinkle peptide), protective and brightening Litchiderm, antioxidant green tea and vitamins. :

• 100% of participant in a clinical studies had a measurable improvement in the appearance of skin imperfections
• 96% of participants had a measurable improvement in skin radiance
• 90% of participants had a measurable improvement in skin firmness
• 93% of participants had a measurable improvement in the appearance of fine lines

Shade 3.0 matched my medium skin tone perfectly. For shade reference, I am Bourjois Shade 52 (Vanille), MAC NC 30, Bobbi Brown Beige (3) and Chanel Beige (10). 

Shade 3.0

 

It is pricey at S$52 for 30 ml worth of product. But I will still recommend this Urban Decay Naked Liquid Makeup especially for those who prefers a natural skin finish. It looks like you are not wearing makeup at all. This foundation works well for special occasions, and is also comfortable for daily use. 

NEW BUY: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

~AG~

My HG Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation is way past its shelf life, it has been in my beauty collection for almost two years. Yes yes, it is so BAD that I have yet to dispose of it. But within these two years, I probably used it less than 10 times. I am not a big fan of having face makeup on a daily basis, thus my liquid foundation is only reserved for special occasions. 

Introducing Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup!

• Naked Skin uses light-diffusing spheres to 'blur' imperfections for a luminous, demi-matte finish that feels invisible but looks professionally retouched. 
• Naked Skin is oil-free, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and loaded with nourishing ingredients: 
• Matrixyl 3000-Anti-wrinkle and lifting peptides restore and maintain skin's youthful appearance while increasing elasticity. 
• Litchiderm (derived from lychee fruit) – Protects the skin from dehydration, oxidative stress and accelerated aging, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion. 
• Green Tea & Vitamin E – These anti-oxidants neutralize free-radicals and promote collagen production for smooth and supple skin. 
• Sodium Hyaluronate – Holds and attracts water for optimal hydration, circulation and nutrient absorption, making skin smooth, soft and youthful.

The saleslady tried the shade 2.0 on my hands but it was too light. Then she watched the shade 3.0 on my jaw and it matched perfectly. I fell in love with the feel of the liquid foundation, it was very lightweight! UD Naked Liquid Makeup comes in a pump packaging, which is my favourite type of liquid foundation packaging. The hygienic pump packaging means it can be good-to-use for much longer. Shilla Duty Free retails UD Naked Liquid Foundation for S$52. It was the more affordable option compared to lightweight options from Chanel makeup, YSL, or Shu Uemura, which were all in the $60+ price range. Stay tuned for my review of UD Liquid Makeup!

NEW BUY: VDL BEAUTY METAL CUSHION FOUNDATION

 

~AG~

This is the beauty buy from Korea that I am MOST excited about. Introducing VDL Beauty Metal Cushion Foundation. It is different from your typical CC Cushion in that it has a metal pan for application. How cool is that?!?

 

When I tried this product in store, the coverage and finish was great. It had a natural colour that did not have white or grey effects on my skin. Good job, VDL! The coverage was light and did not feel thick at all. The finish was not too luminous, but rather a nice healthy radiance.

 

It comes in 4 shades: M101, A205, A203 and A201. It costs me KRW 27,800 (~S$34) at Lotte Duty Free.

 

I am not a big fan of skin makeup or foundations. I reserve liquid foundations for special occasions only. In regards to that, I prefer foundation that does not feel like anything at all on my skin. A light-to-medium foundation that still lets my skin breathe is my top choice.

 

I CANNOT wait to try this product and let you all know how it is. :)

 

Please check out VDL official website for more details. http://www.vdlcosmetics.com/eng/product/detail.jsp?pid=EN38000798

TO BUY: Bourjois Foundation 123 Perfect CC Cream

~AG~

While on my lunch break, I stumbled upon the Bourjois section at Watsons. Since this particular Bourjois showcase had many testers on display, it was the perfect opportunity for me to explore the products. I have been a BIG fan of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation. Its light-to-medium coverage feel comfortable on my skin. Click link for my review of it. http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2014/04/review-bourjois-healthy-mix-serum.html

One of the products that I tried was the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. It is available in four shades: Ivory, Light Beige, Rose Beige and Bronze. The shade that I tried was Light Beige, which is the second lightest colour. A tip for testing foundation shade: apply the foundation on your jawline/cheek area instead of testing it on your hand to get a better colour match. It retails for S$25.90, which is comparable to that of Korean CC Creams. I was VERY VERY tempted to buy Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, because the texture was so smooth and the colour matched my skin tone perfectly.

 

THE COLOUR CORRECTION OF A FOUNDATION:

Thanks to its 3 colour correcting pigments that smooth away imperfections

. APRICOT pigments > anti-fatigue

. GREEN pigments > anti-redness

. WHITE pigments > anti-dark spots

Result: luminous complexion & flawless skin in one step.

 

According to Bourjois UK official website:

Bourjois UK official website - 123 Perfect CC Cream

91% of women agreed that:
Their complexion is perfectly evened out
Their dark spots are concealer
Their skin is left flawless

 

However, in the light that I will be going to Korea at the end of the month, I decided to hold off on this purchase. Since Korea is a land filled with abundant choices of CC Creams and CC Cushions. If I cannot find a Korean brand CC Cream or CC Cushion that matches my skin tone and is suitable for my sensitive skin, I will definitely buy Bourjois CC Cream.

Lancome Miracle Cushion

~AG~

Lancôme is following the Korean beauty trend. Foundation in a cushion form! Hoooraayyyy!
Lancôme USA official website is selling it for US$46.50. The price point is similar to that of high-end Korean brand, Hera UV Mist CC Cushion, which retails for about US$45. But Lancôme's Miracle Cushion is more expensive than Banila Co., IOPE, Laneige and innisfree. For comparison purpose, these are the more affordable CC Cushions:
Banila Co it Radiant CC Cushion - US$35
IOPE Air Cushion - US$35
Laneige BB Cushion - US$34 
innisfree Cushion - around US$20

The plus point about this product is that it comes in 11 shades! You will be able to find the shade that is most suitable for your skin tone. Whereas for Korean brands, only two or three shades of CC Cushion are available. Sometimes, the shade offered by the Korean brands are too light for medium to dark skin tones. The shade offered by Lancôme will definitely work better for medium to dark skin tones.

This Miracle Cushion claims to be ultra lightweight with a refreshing and cooling sensation upon application. It also claims to hydrate and brighten the skin, while leaving a nice dewy finish. This product allows you to create a buildable coverage - from sheer to moderate coverage.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this, and compare it to Korean CC Cushions.

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)!

REVIEW: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

~AG~

It has a sweet fruity scent. The foundation is very lightweight and blends easily. The shade matches my skin perfectly. It has more of a beige undertone that I find flattering for my light-medium Asian skin tone. The foundation also does not oxidize to an unflattering shade. I find that it stayed true to the colour throughout the day. The only thing bad I have to say about this foundation is the fact that it has very little coverage. On days when I need more coverage, a concealer is needed on top of the foundation. 

I've tried applying the foundation with: 1) my fingers, 2) a makeup sponge, and 3) a foundation brush.

What I have to say about each method:
Applying Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation with my fingers is the fastest and easiest way to apply it. When I first tested it, I find that it has a similar texture to that of BB cream. That is why I decided to try using my fingers to apply it. If you are in a rush and just need minimal coverage, this is the best way. 

The second method, using a makeup sponge, this is my least favourite method. Because I find that a good amount of foundation is absorbed by the sponge and goes to waste. Using a makeup sponge does give a more even coverage, but I am not willing to waste any foundation, especially if it is a more expensive one.

The third method, using a foundation brush. I usually put some foundation on the back of my hand, and then use my foundation in a criss-cross motion to pick up the product. Then I apply the foundation from the centre of my face working towards the edge. I focus on the areas around my nose and chin were I am more prone to redness and pigmentations. Usually after this, I notice that there is some criss-cross lines on my face because of the foundation brush bristles. So I usually go over with a sponge to even it out. 

Overall, I still like this foundation and will definitely recommend me to my friends, especially for those that do not like foundations that feel heavy on the skin. 

My previous quick overview of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation.
NEW BUY: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

NEW BUY: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

HEALTHY MIX SERUM FOUNDATION

16 HOUR RADIANCE BOOSTER*
EVEN & REVIVED COMPLEXION

Give your skin a radiance boost with Bourjois’ Healthy Mix Serum Gel foundation – made from a vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula for an even complexion and an instant anti-fatigue result!

Its fresh and instant blending gel texture blends and glides onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no mask effect. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed and the skin’s radiance is boosted for up to 16 hours*.

Made from an instant anti-fatigue vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula with litchi, goji berries and pomegranates.

Available in 6 radiance-boosting shades.

Tested for you:

69% more radiance after 4 weeks of use!**

And…it’s good for my skin!

· Hypoallergenic, lets skin breathe

· Dermatologically tested

Tested for you** :

• Complexion is perfectly even => 97% agreed

• Skin looks rested => 94% agreed

• The complexion is radiant => 89% agreed

• The product feels light feel on the skin => 91% agreed

~AG~

While walking by the mall last weekend, I saw that Bourjois was having 20% at my local department store. I walked past the place twice then finally decided to stop and take a look at their selections. Since I had a wedding that weekend and did not have much complexion makeup products apart from Missha BB cream and some concealers. I have been having some redness on my cheeks due to the Retin-A cream. So, I wanted a foundation to lessen the Retin-A glow. I've heard about Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation before and have always wanted to try it. However, as it is usually sold at drugstore, it is rather difficult to find a good match for my skin tone. I tried the Healthy Mix Foundation first but the saleslady told me that the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation has less coverage, which to me meant being more lightweight on the skin. I decided to go ahead and tried the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation instead of the Healthy Mix Foundation. I asked her what shade I was and she selected 51 (Vanille Clair), which was the lightest shade on display. I tried the shade on my back of my hand, and it was okay. But I have never been of the lightest shade, so I told her that I rather go with the next darker shade which was 52 (Vanille). I was a little hesitant to buy ut at first because it was not a proper makeup counter where I could try the foundation on my face. It was one of those pop-up sale stand. Anyway, I decided to go ahead and try it. The foundation costs me S$27 (US$21), I don't know how much it usually retails for. 

I was worried that the foundation will be too light or too dark on my skin. And whether it would accentuate my dry patches - because I had some flakiness around my chin area.

When I tested the shade, I did not use a foundation brush or makeup sponge, I simply used my fingers to blend the foundation onto my skin. Surprisingly, the foundation blended very easily into my skin, like a tinted moisturiser/BB cream texture. It was very light-weight, and I did not feel anything on my skin. Plus, the shade matched perfectly to my skin. I was very happy with it!

Fast forward to the wedding. My friend, who has a very good complexion, asked me what foundation I was using. She said my foundation coverage looked good. That made me like the product even more.

I will have to use the product a couple more times to give an in-depth review. But so far, I am loving it!