La Mer – Bubbly Michelle

A Guide to La Mer Moisturisers

May 9, 2018November 10, 2018by Bubbly MichelleLeave a Comment

My own experience with the brand began when I picked up a jar of their Soft Cream about 6 years ago. Since then, many formulations and new technology have been introduced within the moisturisers category, and i’ve finally managed to test them ALL!

Currently there’re three favourites I keep in rotation. These are my go-to’s which I constantly turn to when my skin needs extra TLC and moisture.

If you’ve been eyeing the moisturisers and unable to make up your mind on which formula to invest in, I hope my review would be of use to you. The options can be overwhelming if you are new to the brand. I know.

La Mer

The current portfolio of La Mer Moisturisers contain the original Crème de la Mer, Soft Cream, Soft Lotion, Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream and the Moisturizing Matte Lotion.

The latest release (just last month) was the Cool Gel Cream that replaced the Gel Cream. Perfect for summer months and anyone with combination skin.

All formulations of the La Mer moisturisers contain the nutrient rich ‘Miracle Broth™’. An ingredient derived from Sea Kelp which was discovered by Dr. Huber (the founder).

This Miracle Broth boasts an array of benefits. Accelerates skin regeneration, nourishes skin, heals and soothes. Over time skin looks radiant, with less visible lines and supple. Overall, younger looking.

Here’s a quick look at some swatches I took, so you get an feel of the texture.

(T-B) Lined up from the lightest to the richest formula.

• Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream – A translucent gel that’s cooling up on application. The formula delivers a burst of hydration leaving the skin supple to the touch. Skin immediately looks refreshed and healthy with a light radiant glow.

This formula is ideal for warmer months, humid conditions and anyone with combination skin. I use this as a morning moisturizer. Perfect to be worn under makeup as it hydrates well but doesn’t create an additional oily layer on the skin which could cause makeup to slide off. Suitable for normal, combination and oily skin types.

• Moisturizing Matte Lotion – The lightest cream formula of the 5 moisturizers. I find the hydration capabilities similar to the Cool Gel Cream. However in my personal opinion, I would pick a gel moisturiser over matte. I prefer my skin to feel really well hydrated throughout the day. This particular formulation, balances shine and softens the look of pores as it doesn’t create an overly radiant look. Ideal for oily skin types or combination skin.

• Moisturizing Soft Lotion – Provides intense hydration without the heaviness of a thick moisturiser. I would recommend this for day and night for normal or combo skin types. Personally this is my go-to for a night time skincare routine and the convenient pump bottle makes for easy use. The bottle although heavy, I find to be travel friendly as I don’t have to pack a additional spatula! Perfect for normal skin and combination skin.

• Moisturizing Soft Cream – Very similar in terms of texture although less runny in comparison to the Soft Lotion. It’s my old favourite.

With prolonged use, skin feels supple and healthy. The overall texture of the skin is improved and noticeably firmer.

This formula is perfect for night time routines if you have normal to dry skin. For the day time I would advice using lesser quantity and making it work. With my combination skin, the Soft Cream wasn’t a suitable option for the day time. Although personally I do enjoy some extra hydration at night, I suspect the rich texture caused a few whiteheads. Therefore hesitate recommending this to anyone with combination skin or tends to have pores that clog easily.

• Crème de la Mer – The richest formulation of the 5. More suitable for mature, dry skin as the texture is in fact very rich. I use this mostly in colder climates when my skin gets dry and starts to peel. I ALWAYS pack my mini when I travel, ‘just in case’. It’s great for instant relief for irritated peeling skin and winter weather; also good for hands and elbows or whenever you need some extra moisture. Suitable for dry or mature skin types.

The Cool Gel Cream, Moisturizing Soft Lotion and Soft Cream. The three I rotate in my routine.

Personally the new Cool Gel Cream is my favourite as it’s ideal for combination skin for day time. The hydration level is just right for me and doesn’t feel oily on the skin.

For the nights it’s usually the Soft Lotion or the Soft Cream. These days it’s mostly the Soft Lotion though as my Soft Cream takes a back seat.

Bottom Line

Apart from the positives, I do notice whenever I use the thicker formulations of La Mer, my t-zone starts to clog easily, which brings me to address a question that keeps popping up time and again. Mineral oils???!

The second or third ingredient in every La Mer moisturizer ingredient list i’ve checked contains Petrolatum. Mineral oil. It’s a known ingredient that can cause clogged pores. In an age where skincare is starting to get ‘cleaner’ it’s harder to understand the use of such a filler. My advice is, if you have generally congested skin or skin prone to white heads, possibly pick one of the lighter formulas or look elsewhere. In my experience I do think some of the creams can cause white heads.

The reason I continue to use La Mer even with the mineral oil debate, is because I do notice my skin in better condition while on it. It’s healing and soothing properties make it perfect for sensitive skin like mine, that’s constantly battling redness and irritation.

Have you tried La Mer moisturisers before? I’m keen on hearing your thoughts on this. Please do leave a comment with your experience and which formulation you use, it’d be helpful to others too ❤

Skincare

Lip Balm Round-Up

March 10, 2018November 10, 2018by Bubbly Michelle7 Comments

Lip balm 2

Testing lip balms has to be one of my favourite things as a blogger. Constantly picking up ‘promising’ lip treats has been my mission in 2017! So finally here’s my thought’s on a few that’s been in rotation.

Chanel – Hydra Beauty Nutrition Nourishing Lip Care

It’s no secret Chanel is all about the ‘luxury experience’, and when they finally released this chic little lip balm a few years ago I decided to grab one. The key ingredient is an extract from the Camellia Flower, a flower closely associated with the house of Chanel. It’s to soothe and coat lips with a waxy formula for instantly hydrated lips.

The balm is mildly scented with a near perfect consistency. Not too heavy or too light, this one’s my everyday go-to in general. Unlike most lip balms in my rotation, it allows flexible use, day or night. Though I find it specially enticing at night just to ensure my lips don’t end up dry from the Air con.

If luxury beauty treats are your vice, this is a perfect addition. Get’s the job done, all the while looking sleek in your makeup bag or vanity top.

Clé De Peau Beauté – Lip Treatment

Unlike most deeply hydrating lip balms, the CPB Lip Treatment comes in the ever so favoured stick packaging. I love this for on-the-go use. Hygienic, nourishing and always in my bag for whenever my lips feel parched.

The formula of this is lighter, doesn’t feel waxy and comes with no noticeable scent. According to the official web site, it’s said to restore plumpness and reduce any peeling.

What I love about this is the consistency is perfect for pre-lipstick application. Of course there are many cheaper lip balms that do this job perfectly well, but I had to try the Clé de Peau one if only for the need to try all things Clé de Peau as a regular user of the brand. Btw, did you notice the pink marble style cap? Sooo cute!

Elizabeth Arden – 8 Hour Lip Protectant

Every beauty editors favourite SOS balm now comes in a travel friendly tin. At first it was the wanderlust inspired packaging that got me. Subsequently, the powers of the tried and tested 8 Hour formula won me over outta the blue. It’s a nourishing, thick oily balm for whenever your lips are going though that dry phase. What I love is that, this classic doesn’t come at a steep price. Keep one in your hand bag, on your bed side table or at office. It’s affordable and gets the job done.

P.S – you can rub in the excess on your cuticles too, this works great as a barrier balm to stop your nails/cuticles from drying out! An inflight staple for me.

Laneige – Lip Sleeping Mask

The Laneige mask is one of those incredible finds over the years. It’s been my best friend when my lips are beyond help and just needs some extra TLC.

Thick, but in a melty, buttery smooth texture, this little gem comes in several mouth watering flavours. It truly does smells DELICIOUS, and I’d say backup worthy.

The hero ingredients that make this balm a winner includes a Berry Mix Complex, berry extracts that contain vitamin C and anti-oxidants to restore lips to their supple state. Secondly, a Moisture Wrap technology that forms a moisturising film to lock in hydration (a mix of hydro ion mineral water, evening primrose root extract and Hunza Apricot extract).

This Sleeping Mask comes in several flavours, and when in doubt, choose Berry (the original). Smells like an absolute DREAM!

La Mer – The Lip Balm

One more beauty editor favourites. This one’s an OG! Infused with La Mer’s patented Miracle Broth, the Lip Balm hydrated DEEPLY and softens any dry flakes to be easily scrubbed off by morning.

It’s the very first luxury balm I ever owned.

As with all things La Mer, the ingredients are designed for anti-ageing and deep hydration. Keeping the lips looking younger by plumping and smoothing. Do you need such an expensive balm? Probably not. But this does work extra hard to keep those lips ultra kissable!

Ettusais – Lip Essence

The most affordable lip choice of the lot, and something i’d recommend to EVERYONE.

Not only does it soothe and soften dry lips overnight. I find this works even better as a lip mask than the Laneige.. A few consecutive nights of this lip oil repairs my lips like no other.

Unscented. Great packaging and handbag friendly.

Bobbi Brown – Extra Lip Tint

I thought i’d include one lip balm that’s also a lip tint. And my favourite is by Bobbi. May not be as popular as the Dior Lip Glow, but this does the exact same thing. But only better (in my honest opinion).

Firstly, I find this provides longer lasting hydration with the same pretty tinted lip effect. Also, keeps the lips emollient even after meals and constant drinking though out the day.

If the sleek white packaging hasn’t swayed you already. I’d assure you it’s one of the best lip treatments you’ll find.

Bottom Line

Personally I find a use for all of these. They work for me in various situations and as someone who’d perpetually suffering from dry lips, these are saviours and therefore must-haves!

Do you have any balm recommendations that hasn’t made it to this post? Let me know i the comments! I’m always up for trying your suggestions! x

Makeup

Foundation recommendations for Dry & Normal skin

September 13, 2015September 13, 2015by Bubbly Michelle4 Comments

Todays post is all about foundations suitable for dry and normal skin. A chatty entry, just running through a few bases that i’ve been loving for their nourishing and smoothing properties. As you may know I have combination skin with cheeks that are slightly dry and on my search for the perfect base, I came across these gems which would work better for normal, dry or mature skin types. If you fit the description, this post is specially for you!

A. Medium coverage foundations

These particular suggestions also happen to be hybrids. Foundations infused with skincare which I highly recommend for mature skin types so that you receive some anti ageing action, while looking flawless!

1. Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Fluid Foundation.

A lightweight satin finish foundation that glides on like silk while correcting any redness and minor imperfections with ease. As the name suggests, this foundation is all about delivering a radiant, luminous glow associated with healthy youthful skin which instantly brings life to a dull complexion for a younger and well rested look.

This foundation was my everyday staple before I moved to a warmer climate. It has good sun protection (SPF 25) which made it great for day to day use but didn’t last too well in extreme heat, specially on my oily t-zone. The drier parts of my face do hold up well though, therefore best suited for normal to dry skin types.

2. Lancome Absolue Sublime Rejuvenating Essence Foundation

This too has a similar finish to the Clé de Peau. Coverage wise it’s a solid medium and buildable to a fuller finish. What makes this special though is that it comes with the skincare benefits of Lancomes premium skincare line, the Absolue range. Highly recommend this for mature skin types that are showing signs of ageing. It’s a beautiful lightweight option for those of you who like a skin like finish without compromising on coverage.

3. By Terry Sheer Expert

It was love at first sight. This foundation perfects the skin, colour correcting, blurring pores and imperfections without breaking a sweat. It’s still one of my favourite day time bases. Of course with my oilier skin this does slide off easily if I don’t prep well with a mattifying primer, but the extra work does pay off as this never fails to get me compliments on my very ‘healthy looking’ skin. As with the other two high end options, this too beats $100 price mark since it does contain skincare properties, but as they say, good things don’t come cheap and this is a splurge well worth the money.

*If you prefer a fuller coverage foundation, you can try the By Terry Cover Expert. A bit more perfecting in comparison to this. But just as good!

Here’re all three swatched so you get a rough idea of the formula.

B. Sheer coverage foundations

1. La Mer The Reparative Skin Tint SPF 30

This one’s more of a tinted moisturiser type base. Very lightweight, offering sheer but slightly buildable coverage. The finish is extremely dewy with luminosity like you’ll never believe! A nice option for glowy summer skin (incidentally it launched right on time for summer! Smart move La Mer.)

I found this lacking the coverage I am used to, but if you already have good skin and looking for something luxurious to splurge on, you might like this! It comes infused with the signature La Mer Miracle Broth promising skin luminosity while visibly smoothing skin and energising it’s natural repair process. It’s more skincare with a touch of colour.

As someone who’s already familiar with their skincare and it’s incredible regenerative properties, you’d see why I didn’t waste any time trying this. The only down side being the high price point and the very narrow colour selection of 5 shades (I use light medium 03). Anyway I like this one and you might too!

2. Make Up Store Ultra Light Foundation (best suited for normal skin)

This is a very light weight sheer foundation. Just a wash of colour while lightly colour correcting the complexion. This would also work great as a sheer base for a powder foundation providing the skin with light hydration maintaining the bare skin effect. You won’t feel like you have anything on to be honest!

A good option if you are new to wearing foundation and prefer a lighter coverage with the added perk of a more affordable price point. Also a nice base for summer time when you don’t want to look like you are wearing foundation but don’t feel comfortable heading out bare faced.

3. Chantecaille Future Skin

One of my all time favourite foundations. It’s ultra light weight and the most skin like base i’ve ever used. Future Skin has a very high water content which makes it hydrating without the rich and heavy feel of an oil based foundation. I’d recommend this for normal to slightly drier skin types (not so much for the very dehydrated and dry ones).

Formula is a lightweight gel/whipped consistency, and recommended that you use a brush or fingers as a sponge would absorb a lot of the product (after all it’s said to contain 60% charged water!). The best thing though is this colour corrects beautifully without much coverage (sheer to medium), leaving the skin hydrated and slightly glowy.

Onto swatches of the three.

C. Full Coverage Foundation

Just one option here as I don’t own any other full coverage foundation that’s nourishing and suitable for drier skin types.

1. Mac Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

I’ll keep it brief as I have just reviewed this foundation already, which i’ll link HERE. But here’s the gist of it.

Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof foundation is a lightweight, full coverage foundation suitable for all skin types.

This applies smooth without catching onto any dry patches and perfects skin to a flawless finish. It also has excellent oil control properties making it ideal for normal to combination skin alike although nourishing and smoothing on dry skin. An all rounder with impressive staying power, one of the best foundations i’ve tried this year and comes highly recommended!

P.S- If you have severely dry skin with flakiness, make sure you prime well with a moisturiser to make sure application is smooth. Eitherway, it’s something definitely looking into.

With that I conclude todays post. I thank you for reading and hope you found it informative. If you need any additional info on the bases featured here, please feel free to ask me in the comments! Hopefully you found something that suits your needs!

Wishing you a wonderful day! Michelle.

Lifestyle, Makeup, Skincare

5 Simple steps to get the ‘glow’

August 4, 2014August 4, 2014by Bubbly Michelle12 Comments

‘Lit from within’, ‘glowing skin’ phrases we hear almost everywhere. Personally I am sick of hearing it over & over, but then it’s summer, who doesn’t want to look healthy and glowy right?

So here’s a guide to achieving glowing skin. A 15 min manual if you may, cos I know we all are pressed for time!

I like to start with skincare. As no amount of makeup can make up for unhealthy skin.

Also since this is a quick guide. I am just focusing on speedy remedies. Starting with..

Exfoliation
As you may already know, our skin is made up of layers and layers of cells. The oldest layer being right on the top.
As skin renews its self and constantly pushes new cells to the surface, this older layer sits on top and starts to accumulate as a coating covering the new healthy skin underneath. This is how you find skin to be dull and lackluster.
In order to achieve maximum luminosity, the accumulated dead skin cells need to be gently brushed away. So we use an exfoliator. Personally I prefer a chemical exfoliator over a mechanical exfoliator (regular face scrubs or wash cloths) which is a very mild form of exfoliation using peeling products with fruit acids or lactic acids (which I shall do a separate post on later). But since many of you are most likely to have a scrub of some sort at hand, I say grab that. If it’s a brightening exfoliator, even better!

Gently exfoliate your skin with this. Vigorous, over enthusiastic buffing is not advised as this leads to broken capillaries and sensitized skin which leads to red and raw skin. Not the look we are aiming for.

Moisturize
For the new skin to be glowy we need to ‘water’ it.
Exfoliation temporarily takes away the natural layer of sebum on top of your skin. So we absolutely must moisturise after exfoliation. This stops skin from loosing its moisture as well as help retain and capture moisture to the upper layers with the help of ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid.
Moisturisers also help temporarily take care of dry flaky skin. Which is the key culprit that inhibits light reflecting off your face (which is what creates the said glow we are after). The best way to explain this is, think of how light reflects off a smooth flat surface as opposed to an uneven bumpy surface. You see where I am going with this right?

Bronze
So it’s summer and the hottest chicks around are sporting a tan. Why aren’t you? Let me break down the benefits of a little tan.
1) Bronzing instantly slims down your face. Especially if you concentrate it towards the outer areas of your face when you bronze. So Ideally you do a quick sweep all over and then go back again just around the outer parameter deepening the tan.
2) You are instantly able to wear brighter lipsticks and blushes than what you are usually confortable with, which in turn draw attention to your features. AND you can easily pull off more dramatic makeup looks! As much as the ‘pale and interesting’ look can be appealing, try a bit of bronzing if only for summer.
3) You look like you came back from an exotic vacation. To me, this is reason enough!

Highlight
So bronzing and highlighting go hand in hand. When a bronzer darkens and ‘recedes’, you need to ‘bring out’ certain areas of your face with a little highlighter. This instantly lifts your features and make them look more sharp and defined. A little highlighter dusted on the high points of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose and chin goes a long way.
If you are naturally oily around the t zone, you can skip the nose as you are most likely averse to highlighting that area.
However I find that if you use a good mattifier under makeup, then this is an extra step that makes your skin look beautiful. As much as I hate oil, I love a lit from within glow. And a highlighter is the quickest way to give you bucket loads of this.
*Of course less is more. Always keep that in mind when using a highlighter. In general use a very sparse, tapered brush or a fan brush for best results.

Finishing powder
This is the final step. A good finishing powder is like the invisible butler. You never see it but you know that the job is being done. So what exactly does a finishing powder do?
It essentially smooth’s out the complexion, like photo shopping an image.
Pores and fine lines are blurred and look less visible. Also the fine shimmer in these helps light reflect off your face better giving you ‘the glow’. It basically makes your skin look healthy and even. I personally never skip this step. Hence why I have my trusty Guerlain Meteorites with me no matter where I travel!

So there you have it. The secret to healthy and beautiful skin. Although it was a lot to read, this only takes a very little time when you actually get down to doing it. After which you are left with gorgeous youthful fresh skin that is luminous!
I hope you enjoyed this post and stay tuned for some body basics that will be coming up later this week to help you get the ultimate summer/beach ready body.

Wishing all of you a happy week ahead!
xx
Michelle.

Lifestyle, Makeup, Skincare

Current favourites

July 27, 2014July 27, 2014by Bubbly Michelle8 Comments

Hi Hi!

Todays post is all about products i’ve been enjoying lately. Random lifestyle and travel necessities kinda mix with a few beauty essentials thrown in as well.

I usually save posts like this for Instagram, but this time around I wanted to add some quick reviews too, so what better place to do a detailed post than right here, my outlet, my blog!!!

Let’s start out with the edit.

First up, some things I use when I travel.

My Benefit eye mask- A little treat from my visit to the San Francisco Benefit store on Fillmore street. I love how soft and silky this feels and is my inflight essential. I need this to get some shut eye while I patiently (Or impatiently rather) wait till we land.

Sleep sniff box- It’s a soothing mix of essential oils (Lavender, Cammomile & Neroli) that calms the mind and gets you into a nice relaxed state. I love to keep this in my carry on so I can take a whiff of this and go right to sleep.

Next, some mode essentials

Lace slippers – This is by far my most loved pair of shoes right now. Since i’m a jeans and tee kinda gal, they are super easy to mix and match and I always love how it shows off my pedicure too! It’s a very budget friendly find from Bershka and I really can’t get enough. Plus, they are virtually weightless! I can walk miles in them… Glad I packed these for my holiday.

Red Valentino bag – Just big enough to hold my phone, mirror, lipstick and maybe a perfume. But is oh so light and I love how the bright red instantly lifts any outfit. Plus these shoulder bags are always great when going sightseeing cos you can be ‘hands free’ to have your camera ready while making memories! I am glad I am finally putting this to good use, it’s been neglected for far too long.

Some beauty!

Clarins samples – Always a favourite for when I travel. There are quite a few that I use on a daily basis so I am glad I have them in a convenient travel size as well. The products I enjoy the most are their Defining eye lift serum, Hydra Quench moisture mask, Hydra Quench cream gel and the Instant eye makeup remover.

So a quick review on these.

Defining eye lift –

I am someone who wakes up with majorly puffy eye lids. Although they slowly ‘depuff’ by the time I get around to doing my makeup. I still like to use this to tighten my eye area. It’s a serum that can be applied before your regular eye cream and just a tiny amount will do. I apply it on my eye lid and smooth it out towards the brow in a patting motion so that it stimulates circulation and drains any water retention that causes the puffiness. If you are looking to add one more step to your eye routine, this could be a worthy contender!

Hydra Quench cream mask –

This is a Clarins product that I LOVE. It’s not expensive and works just as effectively as some of the more pricier moisture masks i’ve tried. I also love the nice fresh scent of this particular line by Clarins. I use the gel moisturiser of this same line for morning hydration and have talked about it before.

Instant eye makeup remover –

Just a good speedy eye makeup remover with no irritation. I love how this dissolves mascara without having to ‘rub’ too much. And I am glad I have this in a travel size. Clarins really are soo generous with samples. Kinda addicting in a way..

Back to the post,

Hand creams – I’ve been loving two actually. I use the thicker, more nourishing La Mer one as a night time treatment and this Diptyque Eau Rose as a day time hand cream since it’s smaller and I find is very easy to take around in my bag. Personally I wish La Mer would do a more travel friendly size of their hand cream. Have you seen how heavy the cap is??? It’s insane. I feel like I need a separate bag to carry this in!

Now onto some makeup bag essentials..

Hakuhodo retractable brush – Fits perfectly in my little makeup bag and great to use with any powder I might be carrying. I love how it is encased in this holder so the bristles don’t mingle with the other contents of my bag. So hygienic.

VDL Blotting powder – I love this stuff. I remember how I tried this the very first day at the counter and all dewiness, GONE right in front of my eyes. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast cos it’s translucent, so even if you have darker skin, this works perfect for you too.

Diptyque Do Son – This is my favourite Diptyque perfume. It’s a heady scent of Tuberose, something feminine and floral but is still a bit creamy and smooth. I’ve had this for over a year now and I still can’t stop using it. I like to keep a sample in my bag so I don’t have to carry my bottle around when I travel. Works out perfectly for me. But I think I may need to restock my samples next time I visit a Diptyque store..

O.P.I Avoplex cuticle oil to go – Something I can’t live without! You really REALLY need to try this. It’s a little tube with a brush tip applicator which instantly hydrates dry cuticles. Normally for me hand creams alone aren’t enough, and I always rely on this baby to keep my hands looking well groomed and hydrated.

Sensai Lip treatment sample – So I have never owned this in a full size and it is my second sample pot (I got three!). But I am completely in love with this conveniently packaged coin size pot of lip treatment. It’s my nightly lip balm and I also keep it in my makeup bag to use as and when needed. The texture of this is not waxy or oily like normal lip balms, but a lightweight formula that feels like a light moisturiser. It keeps my lips in good condition, so I like to have this around.

Armani Flash Lacquer 520 – This is my go-to lipgloss these days. It’s a medium pink with a slight warm tone. Perfect to mimic youthful healthy lips. I also love that this can be layered over lipstick to make them more pinky and flushed. I believe it’s a fail safe colour for most skin tones.

concluding with some lifestyle products…

Penhaligons Endymion candle – Where do I even begin…. It’s an addictive creamy scent with a very sexy warm profile. I keep this in my living area and light it whenever I need to feel pampered and relaxed. I love love love this!

Breath luxury phone portable charger by M.Craftsman – Can’t count how many times this has been my saviour when my phone died. This portable charger can store up to 2.5 times your iPhone battery and is great for when you are on vacay so you can charge on the go if you are out all day. I actually have two. And how sleek is the packaging with the leather and suede mix? VERY!!!

Last but not least –

Some Fashion/Art in the form of Manolo drawings. Who doesn’t like shoes? And I think Manolo makes some of the most creative and exotic ones. I love to brows through this little book and dream of all the gorgeous shoes that I would just love to try on some day. These are more like works of art. Truly admire Mr Manolo.

So there you have it, a ramble about my current loves. Hope I didn’t bore you too much 🙂

In any case I plan to do more lifestyle type posts like this in future to break up the monotony of just beauty and skincare reviews.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Michelle.

Skincare

Night time skincare routine

April 29, 2014April 29, 2014by Bubbly Michelle8 Comments

So today’s post is about my night time skincare routine. I have been meaning to do this for quite some time, but as the requests kept coming in, I decided to dedicate this week to covering my routines and new skincare which I’m trying without further delay.
So the night time routine I am about to share with you is pretty much what I’ve been keeping to for the last 1 year with maybe just a few tweaks. Although just so you know, I do change my eye cream n my cleanser daily according to my needs at the time (as in I would use a richer cream if the skin around my eye is feeling dehydrated or maybe a cleanser for sensitive skin if my skins a bit irritated and red… so on and so forth).

Now I am no expert in skincare, and these products I’ve selected are based on reviews I read at the time of purchase.

Basically this me just sharing what has been working for me.

To start with here’s a look at how my nightly skincare is stored. Everything I might possibly need is kept in this single drawer Muji box.

And as you can see I have quite a little collection going on there 😉 But of course I don’t use them all at the same time! I am not that nuts, I promise!

So as all routines go. I start with taking off my makeup. If you want more details on that i’d suggest you read my previous post, which was about all my cleansing and makeup removing lotions and potions.

Then I move on to this new product, the Zelens PHA+ Bio Peel Resurfacing facial pad. Which is basically an acid resurfacing liquid.

This I use in place of the old fashioned ‘toners’. Basically it is a daily exfoliating pad which is gentle yet effective and is suitable for use twice daily and lightly clears skin of any dead skin build up. As you may already know, skin absorbs moisturizer and serums better when there isn’t a thick layer of dead skin acting as a barrier. So a daily exfoliant is ideal to keep skin ready and excited to receive it’s anti ageing treatments.

A little info about the genius scientist behind Zelens.

Dr. Marko Lens is a plastic and reconstructive plastic surgeon who’s also renowned internationally for his work in the fields of skin ageing and skin cancer. He combines his knowledge in skin ageing and chemistry to bring this line of skincare which is high tech and prides itself on it’s clinical proof.

And best of all his skincare is formulated without Parabens (which I’ll talk to you more about in a later entry). But for quick reference Parabens are basically preservatives which are now a dirty word in the world of skincare as it’s suspected to cause cancer. So yeah, I know. Important to slowly switch all my skincare to Paraben free products!

So after I wipe my face with this, I then go in with a lotion. The Avène Deep moist lotion. And before I confuse you, this is not your everyday ‘moisturizing lotion’, it is more like an extra step before any serums are applied. Almost a hydrating toner (it’s a liquid, slightly ‘fuller/thicker’ than water) if you may. It’s designed to add moisture after cleansing. And I really love to sneak in an extra dose of moisture into my routine wherever I can cos dehydration is one of the main culprits behind premature wrinkles and fine lines. I love how this makes my skin feel super hydrated and supple. And since I have sensitive skin, I have come to love the brand Avène over the years.

Another thing I must mention is that even though I have combination skin I never try to go crazy with oil control, more so in my night time routine cos it’s a known fact that oily skin ages slower than dry skin and I like to keep the natural oils going during the night to help my skin stay youthful.. Trapping moisture and keeping it there. That’s what the oil does! So I wont complain.

On a side note, if you have combination skin and love that ‘squeaky clean’ feel after cleansing. Don’t! You need to keep your skin hydrated. So try not to overdo it with toners and cleansers that strip your skin. Although you might not realize, oily skin can get dehydrated too… And stay away from foaming cleansers! Unless you are a teenager, these are not for you. At least switch to a gel type, they are milder and don’t dehydrate skin as much.

Bottom line, if your skin feels ‘comfortable’ and not tight after cleansing. Then you are using the best suited cleanser for your skin. If not, time for a change, opt for a milder version of what are currently using.

So back to the routine, the application of Avène lotion was the last step of my prepping. Which I understand is a bit of a process as you read it, but in order to allow better penetration of my serums and moisturizer it’s a necessary sequence that can’t be skipped (it all only takes me about 2-3 mins max!).

My power duo when it comes to serums is by Lancôme. I have become so attached to them that it’s a bit scary. Nothing makes my skin look radiant and supple like the Lancôme Visionnaire serum. I have been using this for years (and was recommended by the lovely Alex to whom I’m forever grateful). Recently I added the Advanced Génefique Youth Activating Concentrate to the mix. All thanks to the super kind folk at Lancôme Singapore who sent me a load of the Génefique line to try out which I am slowly incorporating to my routine. It’s a bit too early for me to comment on how this combo works but I will definitely do a separate post on just these two when I feel the time is right.

Next up is moisturizing. I really have not been using anything but this La Mer Soft Cream for the past year and a half. In the mornings my skin feels plump and youthful and just healthy. I know some of you read the ingredients list and freak out cos it has mineral oils, silicones and Parabens and all those bad stuff. But at the end of the day this worked. And you can’t deny it. Would I have repurchased this if I hadn’t researched up all that info? YES! But after everything I’ve read about how mineral oils and silicone clog pores and Parabens being a health risk obviously I’d rethink my purchase. So yeah, for the time being this is my savior. But once this jar is done… onto new stuff 😉

The last step of my routine is eye cream. And all I can say is, it’s a never ending quest for the right one…. So far I have found a few that work well. Namely this lovely one by Shiseido, the Bio-Performance Super Corrective Eye Cream which I LOVE for hydrating and general anti aging. It’s what a sip of water is to a man lost in the desert. I only use this when my eyes feel tight or tired and I wake up with my eyes feeling refreshed and alive! If you don’t have major wrinkle concerns and mostly dryness issues with anti ageing, GET THIS ONE. It’s amazing.

But of course I am on the look out for heavy-duty wrinkle killers so I settled for this Sensai cream that’s said to have rave reviews and was recommended to me by a SA at Neimans. I’ve been using it for a while now and I can’t really say it’s doing a fab job. But it’s been only like two months into using this, so I wont trash it. Eye creams take time to work. Also should note, this is loaded with Parabens…. Sigh.

My third eye cream is the Lancôme Absolue Eye Premium, which was a GWP I received when I was in San Francisco. Although the SA recommended this for mature skin, I like the consistency a lot and it’s a good hydrator. Also it’s from Lancômes premium line, and I get a bit excited trying expensive things!

So those are the three I keep in rotation for my night time eye care.

And with that we come to the end of my lengthy nighttime skincare routine post. Hope I was able to bestow upon you some valuable skincare ‘secrets’ or tips 🙂

let me know your thoughts on the whole ‘toning’ and peels etc. I would love to hear your opinions. And also if you have any tips of your own!

And as always don’t hesitate to ask me any questions that you may have about this post.

Big kisses,

Bubbly M.

Makeup, Skincare

February Favourites

March 2, 2014by Bubbly Michelle8 Comments

So first week of February I packed my bags and headed to California taking with me, all my skincare essentials and makeup. I knew the weather wasn’t going to be hot and humid like Singapore. It was Winter over there, dry and slightly chilly; so obviously my current skincare and makeup routine needed to be tweaked to accommodate these changes. This post is all about the products that stood out this month helping me cope with all these changes…

…..my favourites for February.

La Mer hand cream – The most hydrating hand cream I’ve ever used. This was the first purchase I made the second I got to SF. My hands were dry and felt so parched after that long flight and I needed an SOS solution to take care of them and this was it. What I love the most is, even though it’s a thick cream, once you spread it on and massage it into you hands, it doesn’t feel horribly greasy, which is a good thing. It protects your hands from loosing moisture and keeps them feeling comfortable and supple; I carried this in my handbag everyday. In case you were wondering if there was any added SPF, no. This is just purely for hydrating purposes.

Tom Fords Spring 2014 lipsticks – If I had to pick one thing from all the Spring releases. This would be it. I adore the white packaging. Although I initially felt the need to rebel and whine that I prefer the mahogany casing, the white was a refreshing change for Spring 🙂 And I am happy I managed to snag a few of them before they go out of stock. To me, the colours that stood out the most were Summer Fling and Firecracker. I used Summer Fling almost everyday in Feb, and still not tired of it!

Giorgio Armani Flash Lacquer in 107 – This was my favourite gloss to layer over my TF Summer Fling lipstick. I love how light and moist it is without being sticky. Such a great colour for a polished look.

Lancôme Absolue foundation – There was a reason I packed this for my trip; back in Jan, I tried Absolue out and although I loved the texture and feel of this, I found it could get a little too dewy. So I thought since it’s deeply hydrating and has added skincare in it, why not test it out in dryer weather. It turned out to be the perfect companion! I shudder at the thought of how my skin would feel with Chanels Perfection Lumiere on. >.<

The Body Shop Shimmer cubes – These are the cutest things ever! Although they are meant for the eyes, there’s nothing stopping me from using these pretty much on any part of my face. You see, when I was packing, I deliberately didn’t pack a daytime highlighter since I was planning on getting the Armani Belladonna that was due to be released soon. So in the mean time, I was highlighterless! It was chaos basically, since highlighters are a must have for me. So I compromised, used the lightest shade in this quad as a highlighter one day and it was love at first swipe. I also love that it’s not gonna burn a hole in your wallet!

Clé de Peau concealer stick – This is by far the best concealer that I have ever come across. It’s the perfect balance between pigmentation and creaminess. I love how smooth this is without being overly emollient, and covered everything so effortlessly using just a teeny tiny amount of product. Of course it’s not a steal at $70! But given how little you need to use of this product, it would last you at least two years 🙂 Definitely a good investment.

Éclat de Corail blush by Lancôme – This along with another 3 Blush Subtil colours were packed in my pouch ready for review, and from the lot, this was my favourite. It was a very wearable, simple everyday shade which pretty much compliments any outfit or makeup look I wear. A warm peachy coral shade with a subtle gold shimmer to it. I just loved it so much!

Chanel Joues Contraste in the colour Rose Petale – Another one of my vacay purchases and I got to use it a lot throughout the month. Rose Petale is the perfect muted rose shade and I love the US formula of these blushes and was happy to pick it up. If you are used to the baked version, let me tell you the pressed one is very very different. I personally love how soft and pigmented this version is, and no longer will I ever buy another baked Chanel blush again!

Diptyque Rosa Mundi – I was just sooo excited to visit the SF Diptyque boutique just to get my hands on this, so I splurged and came home with the entire range, the Rosa Mundi Candle, Eau Rose body lotion and hand cream. The body lotion is my favourite so far. And I used it everyday. Since the Eau Rose perfume isn’t that long lasting, layering it with this helps with keeping the scent going for longer:-) Although the hand cream and the body lotion are permanent releases (thank god!) the candle isn’t. So if you want to get your hands on this, act fast!

That concludes my list of favourites for the past month, hope you enjoyed reading. What have been your favourites for February? I’d love to know!

Wishing you a fabulous March!

Michelle.