Bubbly Michelle

Clé de Peau Beauté Enhancing Eye Contour Cream Supreme Review

April 24, 2020April 26, 2020by Bubbly MichelleLeave a Comment

For as long as I remember reviewing eye care has been one of my favourite things to do here on Bubbly Michelle; and when Clé de Peau relaunched their eye cream last summer I packed my little golden jar to join me on summer vacay and been using it ever since.

Lately, i’ve also been enjoying a little extra pampering during quarantine and wanted to include their eye mask too; which is so perfect for these very strangely restless days when people are working from home and trying to get their minds off this current crisis! Just a little treat to keep the spirits up, if you may.

Cle de peau beaute eye cream

As most eye care in the luxury market, this new eye cream is packaged in a jar. There’s also the usual spatula (but!..dual ended), to massage product in for maximum absorption. I’ve found daily massaging really does help the product absorb thoroughly and increases circulation while also de-puffing in the mornings. If you haven’t tried it, it really is a game changer.

The Enhancing Eye Contour Cream Supreme is a light weight albeit deeply hydrating soft cream. The texture is silky smooth and absorbs very fast. I’d grab a rice grains amount for each application which is enough for both eyes. It’s the perfect prep if you wear makeup daily. There’s no issue of piling.

When it comes to anti-aging creams it always feels like it takes forever to see obvious results.. but with persistence and a good two months in to my routine I noticed my eye contour looking fresher and brighter. The circles and tiredness I normally see when I wake up had significantly diminished.

Around the 3-4 month mark, (I still had plenty left in my jar) and my wrinkles undoubtedly smoothed out. I don’t have severe lines, but with my eye shape I do have a noticeable few; obviously any help in this regard is always appreciated. Overall I see my eye area looking firmer and less saggy and just brighter.

Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask Review

April 3, 2020April 3, 2020by Bubbly MichelleLeave a Comment

Early January I got my hands on the ever illusive Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask. This initially launched a while back in selective regions & online at Tatcha, but now available in Singapore via (Sephora) & hopefully here to stay.

I always wondered if it REALLY was worth the hype?

Tatcha Kissu lip mask review

The Kissu Lip Mask according to the brand is an ‘ultra-soothing Japanese peach jelly that smooths, plumps and helps restore overnight for soft, pillowy lips.’

‘Formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil, sulfate detergents, phthalates, urea, DEA, or TEA. Non Irritating. Non sensitising. Dematologist tested’.

Tatcha kissu

The product is packaged in the cutest little acrylic jar with it’s own dedicated gold spatula. Ideally I wish it could be attached and stored on top of the jar like other Tatcha creams, but still handy and useful never the less for getting product out without having to dip fingers in (which can contaminate the product).

Even for the pickiest users, this feels super cushion-y on the lip and soft, with a lot of slip and no tackiness. What I like most is there’s no artificial fragrance. It’s near impossible to find a lip mask that’s fragrance-free these days and thank goodness someone decided to make one!

Tatcha kissu

On a regular day i’d scoop out a small pearl sized amount for one application. Within 1-2 hours all flakes are softened and can be scrubbed off to reveal the softest lips. It’s like a conditioning treatment.

Sadly I don’t find it very useful as an overnight treatment as most of it gets rubbed off on my pillow while I sleep; I like to bury my face into the pillow, one side at least… soooo, this i’ve been saving for days when I really need some TLC after an at home facial. Or when I just want to condition my dry lips as I work.

Bottom line

Overall I do love the product. It’s pretty spendy, and i’d classify it as a lip-luxury that’s more of a want than a ‘need’. If you constantly suffer from dry lips it’s a good product to invest in. I feel the appeal in it for me is that it’s fragrance-free and has a nice texture and most importantly gets the job done.

Lip mask leneige tatcha sulwhasoo

*To make this post more informative i’m rounding up some of the other masks i’ve used before. The most popular is one by Laneige. It comes in several flavours and freely available; also the most budget friendly at a great SGD27! (everything else is well over SGD45). Last year Sulwhasoo introduced their version of lip mask in a gorgeous pot, and quite similar to the Tatcha. I’ve been liking that too.

I would say the closest in terms of texture and conditioning capacity is the Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Mask. If you can’t get your hands on Kissu, this would be my next recommendation. It’s mildly fragranced.

The Estée Lauder Lip Repair Potion isn’t quite as remarkable as the others but a nice contender if you feel you could use some lip therapy on the go. I also like this as it’s a thin formula and can be worn under lipstick for more comfort.

Personally for daily (day time) use, i’m a fan of the Hera Lip Balms that I find are excellent for hydrating and bringing some extra colour. A true winner for dry chapped lips. I never knew a tinted lip balm (that looked like a lipstick with full on colour) could ever be so conditioning. I am blown away.

Another great lip conditioner that launched several years ago is the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil. I don’t think there’s still a formula to rival this. It’s one of those all time greats for me. I even hoarded multiple back-ups when it launched. The new Dior lip oils that dropped a few months were a poor copy. Thick & heavy, they feel more like a sticky gloss to me. I had zero good things to say about it; the only merit would be the luxurious packaging.

Ingredients List

TRIISOSTEARIN, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, SQUALANE, SUCROSE HEXAISOSTEARATE, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, ALUMINUM DISTEARATE, DEXTRIN PALMITATE/ETHYLHEXANOATE, CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL, PRUNUS PERSICA (PEACH) KERNEL EXTRACT, PRUNUS PERSICA (PEACH) FRUIT WATER, CITRUS UNSHIU PEEL EXTRACT, ROSA CANINA FRUIT/(ROSA CENTIFOLIA/ROSA DAMASCENA) FLOWER EXTRACT, LITHOSPERMUM OFFICINALE ROOT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES/CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF/CLADOSIPHON OKAMURANUS/RICE FERMENT FILTRATE*, ALLANTOIN, STEARYL GLYCYRRHETINATE, TOCOPHEROL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, TRIBEHENIN, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-1, PYRIDOXINE HCL, AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPANEDIOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, PHENOXYETHANOL, IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), LAUROYL LYSINE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, SILICA

*HADASEI-3

Pricing and Availability

Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask SGD54 (9g) available via Sephora SG.

Makeup

Top picks from Dior Spring 2020 | Photos, Swatches, Review

March 10, 2020March 10, 2020by Bubbly MichelleLeave a Comment

Dior Spring 2020 makeup

For Spring 2020 Dior released 2 new limited edition Diorskin Nude Luminizers and i’m IN LOVE! I always tell myself I don’t need any more highlighters but when it comes to Dior I have zero self control.

Dior also released 3 new Backstage Rosy Glow blushes earlier this year as well. There were 2 new shades along with the original, all repackaged in a new sleek format. I honestly don’t get the hype of the original pink as it’s so dry and powdery, but the new limited edition colour Pearl caught my eye so I added to cart.

Dior spring 2020 makeup review

These limited edition Nude Luminizers have the most beautiful swirl embossing. They still come in the slim compact with the silver lid and clear acrylic base which I love. As far as packaging goes, Dior really nailed it with this one. It’s also lightweight and very portable too.

Here’s a look at the two shades, Coral Vibes and Rosy Vibes.

Dior spring 2020 highlighters

Coral Vibes is a peachy coral with a golden glistening sheen. The powder is harder pressed so not much kick up, but silky smooth when applied. The payoff is a medium opacity that can be built up.

Rosy Vibes is a pale pink with soft lilac and pink shimmers; it almost looks holographic and glittery in direct lighting. The lighter base in this makes it more suitable for fairer skin tones, however still wearable and look good on medium-light skin tones (like mine) without pulling ashy.

Dior rosy vibes coral

The texture between the two are slightly different. I feel Rosy Vibes has a tendency to go on sheerer when applied.

So far i’ve been using a moderately dense brush so there’s zero chance of overdoing it. However I feel it’s pretty safe to use even if you are a bit heavy handed.

On to some comparisons!

I swatched these alongside two newly released highlighters and some older Nude Luminizers in my stash for reference (in case you happen to have some of them).

As seen, Metal Peach has a distinct peachiness and Chantecaille Eclat Brillant an obvious gold.

Dior nude luminizer

Dior Rosy Glow 003 Pearl is a soft pink with subtle golden shimmer. It’s a very portable and handy size. Luckily the colour is also pretty nice! Swatched heavily this shade almost leans blue toned, but blended out it adapts n warms up on the skin. I feel the trickery is in the fact that it’s so sheer and almost translucent which is what makes it suit every possible skin tone imparting that veil of a rosy flush.

If you are on the look out for something pigmented and statement worthy this definitely won’t cut it; but more suitable for a natural flushed look or a ‘rosy glow’ as the name suggests.

Dior rosy glow pearl 003

Dior rosy glow 2020 blush

Here’re a few more comparisons. I know you most likely own NARS Orgasm so what better reference point! NARS clearly has more pronounced gold shimmers. In Dior they are more spread out and less noticeable. In real life it can look matte with a subtle sheen especially when it’s applied over a matte foundation. On bare skin it looks more satin to the naked eye when it melds with the luminosity of skin.

Another blush i’ve been really loving is this Hourglass one from the Holiday 2019 Ghost Quad. The base in this pulls a little more blue toned even though when I grabbed to swatch it, I was so sure they were identical.

Overall I believe it’s a beautiful blush. It depends on how barely there you like your blush to be. It’s definitely buildable but I can’t say it’s a must have, even though the packaging is sooo cute & irresistible.

Bottom Line

Coral Vibes is my favourite from my Dior Picks so far. I also grabbed one of the polishes, but yet to try it. I’ll swatch it for Instagram soon though.

What are your picks from Dior Spring 2020?

Makeup

Chanel Spring 2020 | Review, Photos & Swatches

March 2, 2020July 3, 2020by Bubbly Michelle2 Comments

Chanel spring 2020 beauty

Spring is fast approaching and this year Chanel delivered one of the prettiest drops for the season.

The collection includes some new and interesting products in a gorgeous colour palette!

I was most excited to see the Ombre Premiere Laque liquid eyeshadows. I love a good easy eyeshadow when i’m rushing off to meetings or running errands; these have been my go-to most days.

Here’s what I have for todays review :

Les 4 Ombre 354 Warm Memories

Ombre Premiere Laque 24 Rising Sun, 26 Quartz Rose, 28 Desert Wind

Stylo Ombre Et Contour Contour Brun

Les Vernis Day Dream, Mirage

Chanel Warm memories Eclat du desert

Warm Memories is a striking mix of reddened mauvy plums and a muted peachy orange.

Chanel warm memories

Overall the payoff of these are on the sheerer side, with quite a bit of powder kick up in the deepest plum (shade 3).

I’ve tried various looks but somehow the three mauves always tend to blend together into one and end up with pretty much the same look every time. The main culprit was the deepest plum, it applies on the lid much lighter than seen in the pan.

Other than that, the palette will work better paired with the liquid shadows to help them adhere better.

For todays look I chose eyeshadow placements that would clearly separate the colours so they don’t blend together too much.

Overall I feel it’s one of those rare ‘misses’ from Chanel releases in recent times. The palette should show up much better on someone with a lighter complexion even though the colours seem a lot darker in the palette.

Chanel Ombre Premiere Laque

The Ombre Premiere Laque are soft shimmery liquid eyeshadows with a transluscent quality to them. The pigmentation on these are good but sheer out when blended; fortunately they are buildable, and the formula is fairly thin so they won’t feel uncomfortable or heavy. Once set, these wear all day, (with some minimal creasing around the 6 hour mark on me) but more or less budge proof.

My verdict, they are awesome. The colours are sooo good! You really can’t go wrong here.

I reach for Desert Wind for a subtle eye look when I’m in the mood for something neutral; it’s a great everyday shade. In comparison to the others, this contained more pronounced shimmers that catch the light making it livelier. The sparkles are elegant and very typically Chanel. Never ott.

Quartz Rose as of now is my favourite and most worn. A must have in my opinion if you are keen to try these eyeshadows. It’s a sparkling metallic pink which on me tends to pull almost sandy and not outright pink. I find this adds a little something extra to the makeup look while keeping things polished.

Rising Sun is a medium copper. You can see why it fits so well into this collection! It perfectly compliments the Warm Memories Eyeshadow palette and brightens up the mauves. I like to use these as a base to extend the wear of powder eyeshadows on days I skip a primer. But on their own they look stunning too just a lot more sheerer than expected. I find the more you blend, the more pronounced the shimmers look as the base colour sheers out. I’d suggest a patting motion for application to retain as much colour possible on the lid.

Here’s a look at the Chanel eyeshadows along with one of my favourite liquid shadow formulas, the Armani Eye Tints.

If you already own these you probably LOVE them as well. The deeper shades are far more pigmented than the Chanel counterpart, and less sparkly. The lighter Armani Eye Tints can be blended out on the lids to look like what can be best described as a ‘glow’.

Stylo Et Contour are some of my favourite eye products from Chanel, I have a few from previous launches and Contour Clair is one the most used. I was happy to see Contour Brun (a medium brown) in this years Spring lineup and it’s perfect for a smudgy smokey eye (you can see it in action in todays makeup look below). The product is a twist up style jumbo eyeshadow stick and perfect to scribble on and blend with fingers (or a brush). The formula is emollient and doesn’t tug when applied, once set these are matte and long wearing,

Chanel Day Dream Mirage

For spring Chanel nailed it with the most gorgeous nail polish colours! There’s two shades, Day Dream and Mirage. Day Dream is a light mauvy nude, and Mirage a creamy grape.

For both colours I did two coats for a fully opaque finish; without a top coat it lasted beautifully for 4+ days with minimal tip wear.

I feel between the two Mirage was something I didn’t expect to love as much as I did, once applied I really appreciated the contrast Mirage provides and the somewhat unexpected colour choice for spring.

Chanel Spring nail polish day dream

Bottom Line

The must have’s from the collection are the nail polishes & the liquid shadows. I wouldn’t mind adding more to my collection. Rayon looks like a great highlight to compliment the lineup. The truth is i’m a sucker for easy wearable makeup and these fit the bill! The quality of the product is A+ with luxurious glass packaging. They are exactly what’s expected from Chanel.

On the flip side, Warm Memories palette wasn’t really WOW for me; the quality could have definitely been much better and the colours lacked enough contrast (when applied). Overall it looked dull on the eyes. I feel all the shades look better worn as singles rather than together.

The products I skipped were the highlighter palette and the other eye quad Elemental. The highlighter was too subtle for my skin tone and the eyeshadow palette barely showed up on my light medium skin. I usually prefer well pigmented deeper colours for decent contrast on my eyes. Taupes and shimmery bronze is usually my jam since i’m a light-medium in complexion.

Have you picked anything from this collection? I know i’m terribly late to post up the review but currently in the process of warming up to blogging more consistently again and clearing up the backlog.

I hope you enjoyed todays post and found it useful. x

Makeup

Rouge Allure Ink Fusion Review, Photos & Swatches

February 23, 2020February 24, 2020by Bubbly Michelle6 Comments

Late last year Chanel extended their shade range of Rouge Allure Inks while releasing a brand new matte version. The Rouge Allure Ink Fusions (SGD52 each).

Rouge Allure Ink Chanel

Rouge Allure Inks have been a staple in my lipstick collection. Ultra light on the lips with impressive wear these have come to be my go-to for night outs and events. See original review here.

The new Rouge Allure Ink Fusions come in 12 shades.

I was gifted some by the Chanel PR team but later added more to the collection since I loved them so much. Shockingly I’m obsessed with the deeper tones, something I never usually go for!

Top to bottom we have,

204 Metallic Bronze (Rouge Allure Ink) – A metallic bronze

208 Metallic Red (Rouge Allure Ink) – A metallic true red

224 Harmonie (Rouge Allure Ink) – A neutral rose brown

804 Mauvy Nude – A medium rosewood

806 Pink Brown – A rosy nude

812 Rose-Rouge – A vibrant hot pink

816 Fresh Red – A bright poppy red

818 True Red – A true red

822 Deep Pink – A deep rich pink

824 Berry – A medium toned berry

826 Pourpre – A berry with heavy purple tones

828 Rouge Noir – A deep burgundy red

The shades i’m missing are Beige Naturel, Vibrant Pink & Coral Peach.

Chanel rouge allure ink fusion

Chanel describes this formula as ‘A new generation liquid lip colour that immediately fuses with the lips to leave it’s imprint and make a bold impression. A second skin coating with intense, ultra matte colour that stays in tact all day for a weightless sensation of comfort’.

In my experience I found these to be truly weightless, pigmented (but thin) and ultra long wearing. I find these don’t accentuate lip lines (like cheap liquid lipsticks do) and have a subtle softness to them. They truly do look elegant on the lips.

Rouge Allure Ink Fusion

Between the original Rouge Allure Inks and the Rouge Allure Ink Fusions, I find both have their merits though I do like the Fusion formula better for the reds especially as they doesn’t wear off easily. It’s thinner consistency makes it super lightweight, dries down completely matte with no tacky feeling and lasts longer with minimal need for touch ups.

The wand of the new Fusion formula is a tapered doe foot as opposed to the flocked paddle type wand of the Rouge Allure Inks. It makes for easier application and gives more control for applying the runnier formula of the Rouge Allure Ink Fusions. I like that there’s plenty of play time to lay down the application too. Liquid lipstick can be tricky when the formula is thinner and takes time to apply carefully with neat edges!

The lipsticks have a slight floral scent. Something to keep in mind if you prefer minimally scented or unscented lip products.

So far my favourites are Mauvy Nude, Pink Brown, True Red (which I practically reach for every time I do a red lip) & Berry which was one of my faves for fall.

The deeper shades Rose Rouge, Berry & Pourpre seemed to swatch slightly runnier and needed a little layering to even out the application. However they apply a lot more evenly on the lips and a little smoothing out gives you good coverage free of streaks. This formula also can be layered a little and never feels heavy.

The only shade with tricky application is Rouge Noir. I found this really needed patience and a lip liner to help it go on streak free. I wish the formula was a bit more workable since the colour was just stunning, it’s probably the only vampy shade i’d ever consider wearing.

Chanel rouge allure ink fusion

On to some more swatches,

Chanel rouge allure ink fusion

Bottom line,

These are absolutely lovely and I can’t get enough.

Within the extended shade range of the Rouge Allure Inks, Harmonie is now my new love, they feel soft and cushiony on the lips and definitely something to look into if you prefer a less matte feel on the lips.

Have you tried these yet? If not, which shades are you keen on trying?

Makeup

NARS Blush Collection 2020 | Complete Swatches

January 30, 2020January 30, 2020by Bubbly Michelle2 Comments

It’s been a while since NARS has focused on cheeks and finally we have some new shades! I’m a massive fan of the NARS blush formula and thrilled to see new additions.

There’re 10 brand new blushes hitting the shelves this February for a total of 26 shades. The lineup is pretty comprehensive with almost every colour family well represented. I personally hoped for more nudes, especially since my all time favourite NARS blush Madly will be discontinued.. However, i’m loving the new additions and already stocked up with backups on what I’ll miss from the old collection.

At the preview I noticed some of the new shades had an improved formula in comparison to my old NARS blushes. It’ll be interesting to see how the beauty community receives these. The formula is now more pigmented, swatching a lot more smoother with much finer shimmer (in the shimmery shades)!

I’ve been playing with a few new colours that I received, and it almost seems NARS is on the verge of revamping their blushes like they did with the eyeshadows in these past two years.

nars spring blush 2020

The lineup, (new shades marked with an *)

Orgasm X* – shimmering coral pink with gold pearl

Tempted* – silky shimmering beige

Illicit* – warm peachy brown with a satin finish

Savage* – shimmering mid tone bronze

Zen* – neutral mid tone matte brown

Behave* – neutral matte mauve

Dominate* – reddened bronze chrome

Aroused* – matte deep berry

Thrill* – matte blue toned pink

Coeur Battant* – matte bright blue toned pink

Orgasm – peachy pink with gold shimmer

Bumpy Ride – a bright peachy pink in a satin finish

Deep Throat – soft peachy pink with a golden sheen

Sex Appeal – matte pale peachy pink

Gina – muted matte peach

Torrid – warm shimmery mid tone coral

Liberté – neutral toned brick red

Lustre – peach with gold shimmer

Amour – matte mauve-y pink

Taos – reddened brick with golden shimmer

Dolce Vita – dusty rose in a satin finish

Sin – neutral mauve with a golden sheen

Mata Hari – dusty mid toned muted pink

Exhibit A – bright orangey red

Taj Mahal – mandarine orange with shimmer

Impassioned – matte pale pink mauve

Nars blush 2020

nars blush swatch 2020

The most anticipated within the newly launched shades is Orgasm X. A brighter, bolder version of the original. The shimmer is a lot finer and smoother, which is perfect since I love my shimmers subtle!

Orgasm X NARS

Top to Bottom it’s, Tempted, Orgasm X and Dominate. My top three picks from the collection.

Nars Orgasm X Tempted Dominate

Swatched, Orgasm X is a bright coral pink. My first thought was how PERFECT this would be for summer when my tan starts showing. It’ll compliment medium skin tones so well!

Dominate on the other hand would be one for a bolder look, a burnished red that would balance a striking makeup look. I usually gravitate to shades like these for the night. The formula of all three were EXCELLENT. And for anyone with a medium deep complexion i’d highly recommend this one.

Tempted is more of a highlighter on me. It was the second blush that caught my eye. I loved how smooth and buttery this feels in the pan, the formula almost feels soft! It’s an unusual colour for blush and has a gorgeous sheen, on my medium fair complexion it’s almost golden. For even fairer skin tones this would almost be a very natural peachy nude. For reference, this looks very similar in finish to NARS Hot Sand delivering a very subtle/natural look.

Bottom Line

The colours are fantastic and i’m obsessed! There were a few shades I swatched that didn’t quite hit the mark (like Aroused which was very difficult to swatch as it felt a bit too dry, and Zen that was almost blending in with my skin tone and was also difficult to pick up). Other than a few misses, they are overall very promising.

I’d love to see more with the same formula as Dominate and the new Orgasm X. The quality was actually superb and i’ve got my fingers crossed, hoping they’d make some more!

Launch Date

4th February at the NARS Boutique at Takashimaya. With each blush retailing at SGD52

Makeup

NARS Afterglow Collection for Spring 2020| Preview, Photos & Swatches

January 28, 2020January 28, 2020by Bubbly MichelleLeave a Comment

Kicking off the new year with an exciting preview of the NARS Afterglow collection that’s launching soon!

With the success of last years Afterglow Lip Balm collection (exclusive to Asia), NARS has come back with new shades and an entire collection of Afterglow for Spring 2020. The existing lineup of Afterglow Lip Balms are to be phased out and replaced with these brand new shades.

The Collection launches early February & includes :

The Afterglow Eyeshadow palette $90

Overlust Cheek palette $90

Afterglow Lip Balm $40

Dolce Vita, Turbo, Wicked Ways, Torrid, Fast Lane, Deep Throat, Orgasm*, Clean Cut*

*existing shades.

Today i’ll be sharing swatches of the eyeshadow palette & new balms. Unfortunately the cheek palette wasn’t available for swatching at the time of preview; however according to the press release, it’s said to contain an all new formulation of highlighter called the Gel-to-Powder highlighter which is exciting!

For the lips there’re 6 new shades of Afterglow balm. The formula is undoubtedly more pigmented than before. Previously I found it impossible to get the colour to show up on a swatch but now there’s definitely more payoff (some more than others).

NARS Afterglow balms 2020

The new shades left to right, Wicked Ways, Torrid, Dolce Vita, Fast Lane, Deep Throat & Turbo.

If you snagged the cute Softcore stocking stuffers during Christmas you’d have already tried Dolce Vita or Torrid in the mini version. It’s identical to what’s releasing this Spring. More colour pay off but equally hydrating but noticeably creamier on the lips. I definitely think the new formula is even better.

NARS Afterglow balm swatches

Dolce Vita – is a soft nude rose

Torrid – an orangey coral

Wicked Ways – is a deep plum

Turbo – is a punchy cherry red

Deep Throat – is a soft peachy pink

Fast Lane – is a soft mauve pink

For the eyes NARS offers sorbet shades aptly combined into a neat little palette this spring. The overall feel is warm, with a hint of playfulness with the inclusion of pops of colour. The mattes were buttery. All smooth to the touch and infinitely pigmented. I also find the pop shades perfect for creating fun makeup looks through the season.

Here’s a quick look!

NARS Afterglow palette

… and some swatches!

NARS Afterglow palette swatches

Overall I find the colour mix interesting and allows a variety of looks. If you are on the look out for a neutral palette, with options for some colour this would be ideal. The quality of the shadows are pretty much on par in comparison to their existing mattes and shimmer formula.

Bottom line

The collection is exactly what I love for spring, beautiful neutrals with pops of pink & soft sorbet shades for added interest. I love, love, LOVE the NARS Afterglow balms from last year so obviously these new ones are a must-have for me.My top pick would be Dolce Vita, Deep Throat and Turbo. Dolce Vita is that ideal MLBB shade which is bound to look great on everyone and Deep Throat another winner b’cos we love peachy pinks over here in this part of the world!

P.S- Click here for swatches of all the existing shades PLUS the limited edition Chinese New Year Afterglow balm Nuits de Chine (in limited edition red & gold packaging).

Launch dates

Collection launches beginning of February. I feel the Afterglow balms should fly off the shelves as soon as they hit, it would be a good idea to waitlist your favourite shades in store as restocks take time once they are sold out.

What’s on your beauty radar this spring? I’ll be reviewing a bunch of spring releases including the NARS blush edit for spring 2020. So stay tuned!

Lifestyle

Wellness & Fragrance Gift Guide 2019 (for the Guys)

December 19, 2019December 20, 2019by Bubbly Michelle1 Comment

Mens gift guide

Happy Thursday! 5 more days to Christmas and that very last weekend to get your holiday shopping done is around the corner.

Today i’ve rounded up some fragrance and wellness gift ideas for the guys. Some which my husband loves and enjoys, and a few unisex products I’ve discovered that also make perfect gifts.

1. Molton Brown Bizarre Brandy Gift Set

I love Molton Brown and find their shower range truly special. The fragrances are quite unique and elevate the whole bath experience. If you are looking for luxe body care options for guys, Molton Brown is one of the first places I’d suggest exploring.

This particular gift set includes a body lotion and a shower gel in their limited edition festive fragrance Bizarre Brandy. Soo delicious!

2. Diptyque Amber candle

Amber is one of my favourite fragrances for all year round. It adds that warmth and cosiness to any space and makes a great addition to one’s study or bathroom. What I love about these candles is that the fragrance tends to linger in a room regardless whether the candle is lit; and in smaller enclosed spaces such as powder rooms; not only do they add a decorative touch, they keep it from smelling musty or stale.

3. Le Labo Neroli Shower Gel

Is one of the best sellers they make. It’s light, fresh with a hint of Neroli but unlike most mainstream Neroli fragrances out there. Le Labo Neroli is a sophisticated blend of Rose, Musk, Jasmine and Vanilla and a medley of other essences that make this one stand out.

If you enjoy Neroli fragrances, i’d urge you to try this one. You’d be hooked!

4. Diptyque Car Diffusers set

Makes one luxurious fragrance gift! It’s a boxed set that comes with a scent diffuser and 4 cartridges. Baies, Rose, 34 and the new Tuberose.

Baies and 34 are great unisex home fragrances and two of my top favourites! This set will make a fantastic gift for any car enthusiast or just about any guy who loves his car.

5. Diptyque 34 Scented Oval

Since 34 is one of my favourite Diptyque scents I also picked out this scented wax oval that makes a great addition to any wardrobe to keep clothes smelling fresh. If you are already a fan of the brands candles, the scented ovals are a nice place to add a bit more luxury to other parts of your home.

6. Jack Black Balm Squad

It’s no secret Jack Black Lip Balms are some of the best lip care products out there. Why not gift a good supply that will last a while? This one’s a great stocking stuffer for guys. If you don’t feel like giving socks (again) this year 😉

7. Herbivore Detox Bath Salts

Is one of my best bath discoveries. It’s scented with refreshing Eucalyptus that alleviates muscle pain and soothes body aches. Perfect for running a hot bath after a long day.

8. Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Makes for a great everyday scent. I also love Blackberry & Bay. Both which hubby has been LOVING ever since I gifted them last year. Overall I find fresher scents to be more on the safer side for gifting as they are universally appealing.

9. Acqua di Parma (Bergamotto Di Calabria)

Is a classic. They are the masters of summer fragrance. I would also recommend checking out the deodorant body sprays and the gift sets which are usually a good deal during the holidays.

10. Jo Malone Travel Collection

Is a luxury set of 5 mini (100ml) Body and Hand Wash. It contains their top selling unisex fragrances: Basil and Neroli, Blackberry & Bay, Wild Bluebell, Orange Blossom (another fave!) and Wood Sage & Sea Salt.

Ideal for the man who’s a frequent traveller or enjoys an elevated shower experience.

Lifestyle

Luxury Holiday Gift Guide 2019

December 18, 2019December 18, 2019by Bubbly Michelle1 Comment

For me Christmas is all about spoiling the loved ones. Nothing excites me more than discovering that perfect gift for a friend or family member that I KNOW will bring a smile to their face.

Personally I believe there are no ‘terrible gift givers’, just lazy ones and some who just don’t have the time to be out shopping. Whatever reason for being behind on checking off that gift list (me included this year), i’ve rounded up a few luxurious gifts that are sure to be enjoyed.

Holiday gift guide luxury

As you might have guessed, there’s a theme for todays gift guide. All things golden and shiny! Who doesn’t love a little extra sparkle during the holidays right? Gold packaging has this magical ability to instantly transform the most simple everyday things into something decadent!

1. Louboutin Beauty Metallic Eye Colour

Finally Louboutin Beauty has made its way to Singapore this year and now easily accessible. My very first Louboutin Beauty product was a lipstick from a few years ago and I remember being smitten. When I finally got to see everything in real life I found the eyeshadows to be just as Ah-mazing, if not better! There isn’t a huge shade range but the colours are beautiful and are super long wearing (read budge-proof).

I chose two shades, Morganite (shimmering pink) and Black Sapphire

2. Chantecaille Eclat Brilliant Highlighter

is total packaging goals! But of course Chantecaille do in-fact make fantastic highlighters. This years holiday collection featured a gorgeous true gold highlight Eclat Brilliant, just perfect for the festivities coming up! The texture is ultra silky and applies without looking powdery. I find the quality excellent!

P.S- While you are browsing, do check out the three limited edition Lip Cristals for some extra shimmer this holiday season. The packaging is gold of course with a chic, almost jewelled bullet that is a pearl pigment formula.

ALSO for each lipstick purchased Chantecaille continues with the 1 lipstick = 1 tree campaign, where they pledge to plant one tree in Kenya for each lipstick sold! It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

More swatches here.

Chantecaille holiday 2019 Lip Cristal

3. Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow Holiday Trio

If it’s gifting glitter, Hourglass is the way to go! I’m a sucker for adding some extra shimmer to my holiday makeup looks and nothing quite does it for me like these. They can be applied with fingers and add the most brilliant sparkle to the lids. This year (again) Hourglass have released a gorgeous limited edition holiday trio . The pots are slightly smaller than the regular size but just perfect to dip a finger in to grab some iridescent sparkle!

Hourglass scattered light glitter

4. Byredo Perfume Sampler Set

Personally I dont gift perfume unless it’s for my girlfriends or family. It can be tricky picking something without knowing their preferences and generally fragrance is a very personal thing.

However I make an exception for mini/trial sized perfume sets, I think it’s a great way to try a brand and also ideal for gifting. Byredo, one of THE most luxe fragrance houses out there does a sampler kit called La Selection. There’re several fragrance groups to pick from. If you know what the recipient normally favours, why not let them try something new! I have been loving my La Tulip Roll On for quite some time now, the smaller handy size makes it great for keeping in my makeup bag and travels so well! Most of all why I love Byredo is the fragrances are so unique and special, they make the most lovely gifts.

5. YSL Sequin Crush Eyeshadow.

YSL Sequin Crush Eyeshadow

What’s the point of Christmas if you don’t get to throw on some extra glitter…right? ,I guess I just successfully justified another glitter shadow as a gift idea 😉

Have you seen YSL’s new(ish) Sequin Crush Eyeshadow . I spotted a gold and a silver and couldn’t resist picking them up! Packaging is A+, and so is the glitter inside! It’s pigment galore with these. The overall effect is a high sheen foiled look rather than outright glitter. Count me obsessed!

6. CHANEL Gabrielle Shower Gel

Luxury shower gels are a total splurge and make the best gifts. I know I love receiving them.

CHANEL Gabrielle is for the floral lover. A mix of Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Orange Blossom with a hint of Tuberose. This comes in a decent 200ml bottle that’ll look perfect in anyones shower.

For other delectable gift worthy shower gels, check out Aerins selection. I love the Tuberose Body Wash and the Body Cream. A must have if you love white flower fragrances. This one’s extra decadent with it’s silky, creamy formula!

Chanel Gabrielle Shower Gel

7. Chanel Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser

Skincare is always a welcome gift in my books, and one of the most luxurious additions to my shelf is the newly launched Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser. It’s a major love for me. Review here!

Cleansers are pretty much fool proof, so I like to make it extra luxe so it’s truly special. A very lucky someone deserves to have one slipped in their stocking.

8. Silke London Hair Wrap

Something extra luxurious and a truly unique gift is a silk hair wrap by Silke. It protects your hair from tangling and eliminates frizz therefore minimizing hair damage while you sleep.

Also great for keeping the hair away from the face when you get ready in the morning. Order via Net-a-Porter! They deliver within 2-3 days, definitely making it in time for Christmas.

9. COVETEUR Coffee Table book

Gifting Coffee Table books will never go out of style. One of my favourite books to date is Coveteur. Be it flipping pages taking in the drool worthy editorial photography or reading about celebs wardrobes dripping in couture. This one’s for the girl who enjoys the finer things in life. Plenty of inspo in here.

10. A Spa voucher

If you made it at least halfway through holiday shopping by now, you KNOW how hard the holidays can be! Every friend deserves a little pampering and some me time especially after Christmas. Be it a new mom, a corporate rockstar or even Mommy dearest who deserves a little me time of her own. It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to make someone happy! I’m all for gifting experiences, it’s less stress on our planet and eliminates any need for unnecessary packaging. Do you think of zero waste gifting ideas too?

That wraps up todays guide. I’m working on a few more linked guides before the weekend since it’s the very last weekend before Christmas! I hope you manage to pick up the perfect presents for your loved ones before it’s too late. ❤ Happy Shopping!

Skincare

CHANEL Sublimage Cleansing Collection Review

November 14, 2019November 17, 2019by Bubbly Michelle1 Comment

CHANEL just launched a new line of cleansers under the Sublimage range. Their most premium (anti-aging) line especially formulated for mature/dry skin. Sublimage has been missing a ‘Cleansing Ritual’ in their lineup, therefore super excited to see these new additions!

The packaging for the collection is next level! All the jars are glass, including the Cleansing Water that instantly registers as ultra luxe in it’s hefty glass bottle. I find glass packaging very travel unfriendly, though I doubt the collection was created for on-the-go use if you get what I mean!

Chanel describes the collection more than just a cleansing ritual; rather an opportunity to enjoy a peaceful moment in the morning and evening to calm and relax the mind.

This ultra sensorial cleansing experience is enriched with natural-origin Vanilla Planifolia Water and Harungana extract for their antioxident and detoxifying properties. Promising real results for skin that appears more luminous day by day.

The collection consists of,

Sublimage Vanilla Grain Scrub (50g)

Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser (150ml)

Sublimage Cleansing Water (125ml)

Sublimage Soap (115g)

Among these new additions the Vanilla Grain Scrub is one of my favourites! It’s made up of vanilla pod seeds to gently exfoliate and tiny jojoba microbeads that lift away any residual impurities.

Sublimage Vanilla Scrub

The grains are suspended in a very thin gel and feel ultra fine, I use two scoops with the spatula that’s provided.

The round beads ensure skin isn’t damaged and exfoliated gentlest as possible without dragging or scratching. Once rinsed off, skin is left feeling silky without any tightness or dryness.

P.S- The scent of the Scrub is a very subtle vanilla (a true vanilla and not the artificial kind) which makes the experience that much more enjoyable as you polish off dull skin for that luminous glow!

P.P.S- The other cleansers of the range have more of the original Sublimage (perfume like) scent. Though not overpowering.

The Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser is a clear thick gel; to be used by applying directly onto the skin and massaged in till it transforms into an oil.

Sublimage gel to oil cleanser

Once rinsed, this leaves the skin ultra soothed and comfortable to the touch, without any tightness. It doesn’t leave any residue and rinses off completely taking with it all impurities and makeup.

Usually a single step cleanse isn’t enough when I wear makeup, however with this I feel it does an exceptionally good job and don’t feel the need to double cleanse. Hands down the best luxury cleanser i’ve tried.

Luckily the tube contains quite a generous 150ml, which makes parting with $100+ for a cleanser a little easier. A really good buy nonetheless and one of my favourites from this collection which i’d recommend trying.

Sublimage Cleansing Water.

A luxurious (oil-free) water cleanser that’s perfect for your morning skincare routine. Ideal for sweeping off impurities and residue skincare from the night before. The thicker lotion is suspiciously reminiscent of an essence. Leaving the skin deeply hydrated and already prepped for your next step.

Since a water cleanser is not meant to be rinsed off, the antioxidant benefits of the ingredients can be fully appreciated. This would be a great start to a morning routine delivering a healthy dose of antioxidant protection to keep the skin shielded through the day.

The fourth and final installment to the Cleansing Ritual is the Sublimage Soap.

A generous bar that lathers into thick lush foam with it’s natural-origin emulsifier and combination of shea butter and humectants. It allows for a very gentle cleanse without stripping the skin of it’s natural oils.

I myself tend to avoid soaps and feel it’s something of a personal choice being partial to liquid or bar cleansers, however as far as soaps go, I do believe this one’s rather nice. However in all honesty I don’t think i’ll ever bring myself to really purchase one at $100+.

Sublimage cleanser

In my opinion this would make an incredibly luxurious Christmas gift for any skincare lover, since the season is just around the corner! Maybe a combo of the luxurious Vanilla Scrub to make an even more precious!

Bottom line

If you are looking to splurge on just one product from the collection, i’d urge you to try the Gel-to-Oil Cleanser or the Cleansing Water. Both exceeded expectations in terms of sensorial experience and overall effectiveness. I love that these leaves the skin so soft & soothed. If you have dry skin, this line is a must-try if your budget allows.

Pricing & Availability

The collection launched on the 1st November and already available at CHANEL Beauty counters.

Vanilla Scrub – SGD114

Gel-to-Oil Cleanser – SGD134

Water Cleanser – SGD134

Soap – SGD121

Thank you CHANEL Beauty Singapore for this generous PR gift!