Estée Lauder Christmas Gift Sets 2017 Review

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The most joyous time of the year has arrived! As you indulge in the festive cheer, have you given some thought to your Christmas shopping? I am sure you did, since it is just 15 days away!

Apologies I have been busy and couldn't do up a more comprehensive gift guide featuring all my favourite beauty brands on a single blog post. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and you will see an assortment of different beauty gift ideas on my feed, all through November & December!

Since I only have time for ONE blog post for this Christmas season, I'd like to dedicate it to one of my top five most favourite luxury brands since the day I discovered my passion for makeup & beauty, and this is none other than Estée Lauder! (I can still vividly remember my first EL face wash I invested when I was 15, and how the ANR gift sets lured me to throw in my first full-time salary when I was 20!)

Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup and Pure Color Envy Lip Volumizer Review

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Exciting news for Double Wear fans - the wait is over! The brand new variant of the ever popular foundation : Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup is here in Singapore!

1st Impresions: L'Oreal True Match Cushion and Color Riche Paris Fashion Week Moist Matte Lipsticks

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Inspired by the runway of Paris Fashion Week, L’Oréal Makeup Designer takes another notch up with the latest 4 new makeup additions: 

1. True Match Blur Cream
2. True Match Cushion
3. Lucent Magique Mono Blush
4. Color Riche Paris Fashion Week Moist Matte Lipstick

These four products are conveniently packaged in exquisite packaging, and this makes them super travel-friendly. I adore all of them but I am only going to talk more about my number one & two passion - cushion and lipsticks. :)

*Above pic shows how these products reached me in a press kit form (not available for sale in a set though.)

L'Oréal Rouge Magique : Review, Swatches, Looks

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 Warning: Image-and-selfie-heavy post. View at your discretion. 

Nightmares begone! Sweet dreams only.

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L'Oréal  Paris Singapore launches NEW lipsticks again! 

We still haven't quite gotten over the stunning 24K Gold lipsticks last December; yet L'Oréal outdid themselves this time - enticing us with a set of matte lipsticks consisting of 20 shades that are rather unique and unlike most drugstore lip colours.  

Fun Fact: Singapore is the first country to be introduced to their FULL collection of 20 shades this March 2017!

 L'Oréal Rouge Magique

(SGD19.90 each)

 

Enriched with nourishing oils, pure matte pigments and hydrating honey, the ultra-gliding L'Oréal Rouge Magique delivers intense matte colours onto the lips. Housed in chic metallic pink & matte black cases, these lippies are designed to capture the heart of every lipstick lover. From wearable nudes, boldest browns, vibrant pinks & reds to trendy mauves & purples - you name it, this collection owns it!

Oh, lipstick swatch rainbow is your thing? It's mine too!

Too Faced Sweet Peach Collection : Unsponsored Honest Thoughts and First Impressions

Too Faced has experienced huge success in 2016 with its soft launch of  Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Palette. Sephora (Singapore and worldwide) saw a major soldout on the first few days it reached the shelves.

I missed the purchase opportunity too.

That's why when Too Faced annouced Sweet Peach is going to make a comeback with a FULL collection, everyone went crazy and waited...and waited.

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THE WAIT IS OVER IN SINGAPORE!

But one question that is on the many people's mind.... IS THIS WORTH THE HYPE?

As you can see, mine is not a full collection because I paid out of my own pockets (bought from the States during my last holiday). Hence, disclaimer first: THIS IS NOT A FULL REVIEW on the full collection. This post portrays a brief and honest first impressions of the two items I have in my stash at the moment.

SWEET PEACH GLOW Highlighting Palette (SGD62)

I swatched the whole collection back in New York's Sephora stores earlier this month. Although I have heard some negative reviews on this highlighter palette, I went with my gut and purchased it.

The peach-infused scent just gets to you... #resistanceisfutile. As for the "skin-loving ingredients" as per its claims, I couldn't be sure. The list sure is a long one. 

Texture-wise, it feels smooth...not buttery-smooth, but good enough. The pigmentation is a little lighter than usual Too Faced blushers/highlighters, but this could be a plus point if you're looking for something more natural.

This palette is warm-toned and suitable for almost everyone, unless you are not into shimmers. All three shades contains fine shimmers which illuminates the skin subtly. The highlighter is really pretty in real life and very visible despite it not showing up as well in photos here. The bronzer is more pale than regular bronzers and it definitely wouldn't work well as sculpting powder. However, when you layer over the coral blusher in the pan, the duo pairs perfectly and a natural glow instantly endows the face!

Keyword here: Natural.

If you're looking for a Westernised, more obvious type of strobing/contouring effect, then this palette is not for you. Personally, I love it! It brings colours back to my pale face. I supposed fairer skin types who wants to look warmer will enjoy this palette most.

Beauty News: RMK COLOUR CHANGE Event + 1st Impressions of RMK 2017 Spring Summer Makeup Collection

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To mark RMK's 20th birthday, the brand has picked pink & beige hues to kick start its anniversary celebration. RMK's Creative Director, Kaori, came up with a refreshing take on these chosen hues and incorporated into the core of RMK Spring/Summer 2017 makeup collection.

RMK Colour Change SS 2017 is all about fun, vibrancy and creativity while expressing one self through her makeup regime. I had the pleasure to witness for myself first hand how the brand's senior makeup artist Mr Toru Kobayashi create different day & night looks using the new collection; which later on I will try my hands to replicate onto my face!

The entire collection consists of lipgloss, lipstick, nail polish, eyeshadow, blusher (which can function as highlighter), highlighter and bronzer (that can double up as eyeshadows). This is a massive line of make up that takes you as far as your imagination can!

RMK Face Pop Eyes, $58. 

6 Limited Edition Shades

With pink and beige as main themes, medium browns and dark browns are included in the eyeshadow collection to help create a beautiful blend on the eye lids. The shimmering pinks contains iridescent specks of glitter that is really attention-grabbing when applied on the middle of lids.

Peripera Peri's Ink Velvet Fall 2016 Lip Tint: Review, Swatches, MOTD

Matte lipsticks are all the rage in the recent two years especially in 2016. Every beauty lover you know of owns at least one matte liquid lipstick in her stash. Think Kylie Lip kits, Kat Von D liquid lipsticks and the likes. 

For Asians with yellow skin tones and on the constant hunt for a perfect MLBB (my lips but better) liquid lipstick, you probably didn't have much luck with Western cult brands. On the other hand, Korean lip tints usually don't quite make the cut of a MLBB matte liquid lip colour - their shades are mostly too bright.

So this is why Peripera Peri's Ink Velvet score with their latest Fall shades! They have a total of 10 shades, out of which 3 newest shades belong to the Fall 2016 collection:

• #6 Celeb Deep Rose
• #7 Dollish Beige Rose
• #8 Pretty Coral

Palladio Pop Shine Brilliant Lip Balm - reviews, swatches and FREE giveaway!

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By now you'd have heard of this drugstore brand that just landed Singapore shores some months back. They are known for their amazing quality at unbelievably affordable prices.

You can read more of my reviews of Palladio Pop Shine Lip Balm and other products here.

I won't be posting repetitive ramblings on how awesome I think this product is - I believe the product speaks for itself (You only NEED to try it!). What I will do here is to share the available shades and swatches you might want to view before heading down to Guardian Singapore to get yours.

Six available shades:

Socialite - a bright peach with pink undertones

Outrageous - a bright red with orange tones

Psyched - a bright red with pink undertones. Slightly cooler than Outrageous.

Get Real - mauve nude with cool undertones. Recommended for fair skin tones.

Flirtatious - sexy purple. Olive skin tones please avoid.

Scandalous - deep berry. One layer will reflect as red; Two layers as wine red, more layers = vampy dark red.

Texture:

Creamy and applies like a lip balm. However, because of its pigments, it is less moisturising than the usual lip balm. Dries to a slick muted sheen on lips. 

Lasting Power:

It's a balm, not exactly a lipstick (although the pigmentation totally looks like one) so please don't expect much lasting power. For me, all gone after a salad meal.

In my opinion, I think swatches and lip swatches are not visual enough/holistic. So I included my unabashed selfies/MOTD with each shade. #sorrynotsorry

Amazing Makeup Under S$20 - Review of Palladio Velvet Matte + First Impressions of other Palladio Picks

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Every girl deserves to be pretty; quality makeup should be made accessible to everyone.

That is my fundamental belief.

Although I am an avid collector of luxury makeup as well, I still believe the market needs more affordable and high quality makeup... so everyone can look & feel beautiful, anytime. In my quest for cheap & good makeup, I have met certain beauty brands that did not disappoint. However, these are only a handful...and sometimes even "drugstore" beauty products cost more than $25 for a single item.

PALLADIO BEAUTY SINGAPORE 

Palladio is a US drugstore brand that retails at Ulta - a large chain of beauty stores in USA. Palladio is unique for infusing its cosmetics with botanical herbs and vitamins. This year 2016, Palladio Singapore officially launches at Guardian Singapore.

Their products are marked at incredible prices, not exceeding SGD20 for any one item.

I am thrilled to share some of my favourite picks from the brand, starting with their very popular...

Lancôme Juicy Shaker : Review, Swatches, MOTD. WIN these for yourself + FREE makeover!

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Welcome the new generation of lipgloss! Following the Juicy Tubes, Lancôme launches their new Juicy Shaker with an unprecedented shake it application, a biphasic formula inclusive of flavoured lipcare oils and finished with a unique cushion applicator.

There's BB cushion - NOW check out a LIPGLOSS cum Lip Oil Cushion!

If you're wondering what it means by "biphasic formula" - it actually simply means there are two phases in this new Lancôme invention: 1. Blend of Silky Oils, 2. Infusion of Pigments.

Oils in Lancôme Juicy Shaker:

• Peach kernel oil - softening and nourishing
• Sweet almond oil - leave the lips supple and re-structured
• Cranberry oil - High in Omega 3 and 6, filled with anti-oxidants, restores skin's protective barrier
• Musk Rose oil - regenerating and soothing

It contains a lot of pigment for a lip oil, thanks to its special formula. Also, the lip oils are flavoured with zesty fragrance - every tube/shade has got a difference scent to it. 

With a total of 20 delectable shades to select from, each shade exudes a different fruity & zesty fragrance, with its own attitude.

5 STAR Shades of Lancôme Juicy Shaker

Juicy Shaker #300 in Lemon Explosion 

and Juicy Shaker #400 in Mint To Be

I've gotten these two shades for review purposes. The first thought that struck me was: Wow, DARING! This combi of blue and bright neon pink really does reflect the assigned (daring) attitude to the shade Lemon Explosion. I mean, how you do actually wear a blue or a neon pink lip gloss? Haha! I will show in a while how I did it... now, Swatches first!

As you can clearly see from the swatches, this lip oil only gives a flush of colour. It's very subtle and natural. It's even more so, if you do not shake it up before application, as pictured below.

HOW I USED THE DUO 

Decided to spice up a little and adopt a DARING attitude! So I applied #300 in Lemon Explosion all over my lips first, followed by dabbing #400 in Mint To Be on just the centre of my lips!

 

MY THOUGHTS

At first, I was a little shocked by the bright colours assigned to me - thought it was too quirky, especially the blue. Upon application, I heaved a sigh of relief! #300 in Lemon Explosion is a sweet sheer peachy pink that gives me a my-lips-but-better look; whereas #400 in Mint To Be improves my natural lip colour by enhancing its own natural pink hues. When used as a pairing with other shades, it volumises the lips a little and provides a glow on top.

Absolutely loved wearing this lightweight lip oil on a daily basis. With this new biphatic formula, it feels so nourishing & moisturising to the lips that I could totally skip lip balm prior to application. END RESULT: Smooth, wrinkle-free lips with a juicy wash of colour.

Not to mention, shaking the tube enlivens my daily makeup routine! Shake shake!!

COMPLIMENTARY MAKEOVER WITH JUICY SHAKER!

Try this amazing lip oil yourself! Get a FREE makeover with other Lancôme products as well. Register your slot here -> http://dv.sg/juicyshaker-faith

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Pucker Up For A Showdown!!

Ready to #bantheboring? Take part in a beauty pageant just for lips with Lancôme!

Create your Shake Tape wearing a Juicy Shaker shade and hash tagging #juicyshakersg #lancomesg #bantheboring. You could be one of the two winners each week to walk away with three shades of the Juicy Shaker! The contest will end on 29 Jun. 

For a chance to win:

1. Go to dv.sg/shaketape-faith, create your Shake Tape video

2. Upload to Facebook and Instagram (No Instagram is okay too)

3. Use the 4^th pose of your Shake Tape as the thumbnail

4. Hashtag your video with #juicyshakersg #lancomesg #bantheboring

The Shake Tape with the most likes each week, wins!

Have fun peeps and good luck!