Lancome – Bubbly Michelle

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.

Skincare

Skincare essentials – Travel edition

January 19, 2015August 1, 2015by Bubbly Michelle16 Comments

There are some things in life I just can’t live without, and that’s a decent skincare arsenal. Here’s mine, stripped down to a bare minimum. These are all I need to keep my skin happy during a short getaway.

Bare in mind that this is just what I packed for a couple of days at the beach so I haven’t included a heavy duty cleanser as I’m not wearing much other than a concealer and brows. Somedays I do a little eye liner, but that’s about it.

To me a good skincare routine includes an effective cleanser. For now I’m relying on this one by Murad. I’ve repurchased this and it’s been my go to cleanser for the last 5 years or so. It’s their Soothing Gel Cleanser formulated for sensitive skin. The texture is very light weight and jelly like. It doesn’t foam much but cleans my face without stripping it of all moisture. Skin feels comfortable and bouncy. I use this morning and night.

If i’m wearing any eye makeup, I use the Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover to cleanse it off at the end of the day. I pack this smaller travel size bottle and it doesn’t take up too much space in my travel pouch. For speedy eye makeup removal (even waterproof mascara) without any sensitivity I highly recommend this one.

After cleansing, it’s moisturiser and sun screen. No matter how humid or sweaty the weather is, it’s a non negotiable step. Ideally with my extra oily t-zone, i’d happily go without moisturiser, but since it’s something I don’t compromise on, next best thing is my Hydraluron hydration serum. It gives my skin a burst of moisture and absorbs immediately leaving NO oily feeling.

I then follow with my daily sunscreen which is the Avène Day Protector UV EX SPF 30 PA ++++. I like that it’s formulated for sensitive skin and also absorbs well into the skin leaving it velvety and supple. Again, no oiliness. On the down side, I am convinced this blocks my pores. But until I find something as good as this, it’s a necessary evil i’m willing to put up with. Sigh.

For eyes I always, always use an eye cream. Even during the day, under makeup, I use one.

For travel I mainly pack these three. One serum and two eye creams.

For the ultimate line busting solution, my go to is the Zelens Triple Action Advanced eye cream. It’s a light gel texture and feels amazing on the eye area (for those of you who have very dry under eyes or love richer night creams, this one will feel rather under nourishing as it absorbs completely).

Usually I apply this after I have prepped my under eye with the Lancôme Génifique Yeux. Which is a serum that absorbs immediately and leaves no greasy feel under the eyes. The reason I pair all my eye creams with the Génifique Yeux is that I notice it boosts the anti aging benefits of my eye creams and I love it.

For nights I prefer to alternate my Zelens eye cream with the Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Corrective eye cream. This is my holy grail hydrating/anti-aging eye cream. Although it’s not as effective on deep, stubborn wrinkles (compared to Zelens) I love it for how hydrating it is. It actually does an amazing job hydrating so I always repurchase this.

If you don’t have any major wrinkle issues and/or in the mid 20’s to early 30’s this is the one for you! It keeps eyes looking bright and youthful as well as controlling the appearance of any new fine lines.

The one thing I NEVER ever leave home without is my Lancôme Visionnaire Serum, reviewed here. It’s been my holy grail serum for the last three years or so.

If uneven, blemished skin with noticeable pores are your concern. This is what you need. It will make your skin look rested and glowing overnight. I have several of these at home, including this tiny version I use when I travel.

Lastly, I also pack two SOS treatment products where ever I go. One is the Avène Soothing serum. It’s what I rely on when my skin feels sensitized and red. If you suffer from sensitive skin, this product is gold. It instantly calms angry, red blotchy skin.

My second SOS product is the Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel. It’s god sent for banishing those pesky, holiday ruining breakouts. Apply this at the very first sign of a blemish and you could control the breakout as well as enable it to heal without leaving any discolouration or marks. Certainly a product worth investing in.

So there you have it. My skincare essentials for travel. They all fit into a relatively small pouch so by no means is it a burden carrying them around. And at the end of the day, my little bag of magic comes equipped with everything I would need for any holiday emergency!

Makeup

New blushes for rotation! – A transition to tanner skin

January 3, 2015August 1, 2015by Bubbly Michelle9 Comments

Hello! Welcome to the very first post of the year! And it’s something I am very passionate and excited to write about. Blushes.

With my tanned skin making an appearance, I have been scrambling around to find a blush that suits my now richer, golden tone. Although I don’t really have many blushes with me, I still managed to scrape the bottom of my travel makeup kit to grab these goodies.

So far, all I have been wearing has been NARS Ukraine from the holiday release this year (I have already reviewed it here in case you want to take a peek) but thankfully here’s the new bunch i’m travelling to the beach with next week (give or take a few) and I won’t have to stay bound to one blush!!

As you can see there’s a good variety of blushes suitable for day as well as night, although I mostly picked golden & russet shades which go really great with a tan.

Some swatches (On bare skin, no primer).

and a closer look,

Lancome Rose Paradis

Reviewed once before over here. This is a bright, medium hot pink with excellent pigmentation. Rose Paradis is very smooth and blends well and I never experience any powderiness or dryness which is actually quite common in matte blushes.

My preferred method of use is applying this over a neutral blush just to the apples of my cheeks for an added pop of colour. But of course, this looks stunning worn all by itself too.

NARS Ukraine

Already reviewed here. A deep russet brown with red undertones.

This pairs really well with winter pale skin and red lips, as well as tanned skin with coral or nude makeup, therefore an ultimate multitasker with excellent pigmentation and soft blendable texture.

Gucci Soft Peach

This one’s a new addition and my very first Gucci blush, all thanks to my lovely friend Sandy also know as The Beauty Banker.

Soft Peach is a medium peach blush with slight red undertone.

And according to first impressions, it’s one of the most pigmented high end blushes I own. I also love how finely milled and soft the formula is.. I definitely will need to get more!

Chanel In Love

In Love is a golden beige with soft coral tinge and gold shimmer.

As per all Chanel blushes, the pigmentation is medium, finely milled and blends effortlessly for a natural looking flush.

RMK Matte Shiny Cheeks 01

This RMK blush is the lightest pick from todays 5 blushes, and it was an unexpected love affair with this peach baby. Although the ‘heart’ does swatch slightly powdery, thankfully it doesn’t look powdery when worn and is a very easy to use colour.

The golden beige that surrounds the heart can be used on top of the peach or used separately as a highlighter. It’s an ingenious design which combines functionality with value for money something I appreciate.

Final Thoughts

From this selection, the best pigmentation and quality was the NARS and Gucci. Both amazing in terms of formula.

On a side note, the Gucci makeup line truly blew me away with it’s incredible quality. Which is expected at that price bracket to be honest and stay tuned for more Gucci reviews soon!

Recommendations

For dark medium complexions (NC 35 – NC 45) – NARS Ukraine, Gucci Soft Peach & Lancome Rose Paradis

For light medium complexions (NC 25- NC 35) – RMK Matte Shiny Cheeks 01 (LE release from Autumn which should still be available at the counter, fingers crossed), Chanel In Love.

Lastly, thank you for stopping by, I hope you found this post useful. And happy Saturday to you!

Skincare

Visionnaire + Advanced Génifique Serum Duo Review

September 9, 2014September 9, 2014by Bubbly Michelle12 Comments

So today is the day I let you in on a little anti-ageing secret. Here’s the miracle duo that I turn to when my skin needs regenerating, refining and aluminizing. The fabulous Visionnaire and Génifique combo!

I’ve been quite the devoted user of Visionnaire and Lancôme skincare for the last 2-3 years. All thanks to Alex who put me on to this fabulous serum that he swore by. Back then I used it mostly to treat my annoying acne and allergy scars.

Visionnaire according to Lancôme,

‘The innovation of Visionnaire is the first skincare with LR2412, a molecule designed to penetrate throughout all the layers of the skin’s epidermis, triggering a range of micro transformations. With Visionnaire skin perfector treatment, wrinkles are visibly reduced, pores minimized and imperfections such as uneven skin tone are corrected for a perfectly even complexion’.

Packaging

Visionnaire comes in a blue plastic pump bottle, a hygienic and easy to use form of packaging. The pump dispenses a very little product at a time, so there is no wastage. Only drawback was though I always am caught by surprise when my bottle runs out as there is no indication of how much product has been used up unless you hold it up to direct light (which I don’t do on a regular basis!).

Genifique 3 — Visionnaire droplet (top) Genefique drop (bottom)

Application

Visionnaire is a milky white solution with a slight pink pearlescent look . I don’t detect any fragrance in this, which is something I like.

Normally I go for two pumps. And this is enough for my whole face. It absorbs fast and I am prepped to go onto my moisturizer next.

Testimonial

So let’s get down to the good stuff!

Throughout the course of the years I used Visionnaire, the most noticeable benefit was that it refines skin and treats pigmentation. Any unevenness in skin tone is basically sorted.

I also use this as a treatment for sensitized skin, whenever my face get’s itchy duo to acne or allergies I apply a thick layer on the affected area and go to bed. My skin feels calm by morning and most often than not, breakouts are pretty much controlled.

Recently (3-4 months ago) I was sent the new Génifique- Advanced Génifique. And was suggested to use this as a pre serum before my Visionnaire.

According to Lancôme Génifique is said to give you,

‘Visibly younger skin in just 7 days. Skin looks as if lit from within – breathtaking radiant. Its youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even, its texture dramatically refined’

Packaging

Génifique come’s in a very clinical looking glass bottle with a dropper dispenser.

The twist up cap ‘sucks’ up just the right amount of product needed for one application and dispenses it with a click of the button. And I love that the very bottom of the bottle is transparent, so you know just when you are about to run out! genius design!

Application

Génifique is a runny transparent liquid. Not as runny as water but a slightly thinner solution than Visionnaire. One pump of the dropper allows the right amount for one application and I spread it all over my face. It does take slightly longer to absorb than the Visionnaire and leaves skin feeling moist and supple.

I then follow it with Visionnaire.

The revelation!

After years of using Visionnaire by itself I was astonished at how amazing the results of the duo were.

Génifique took anti ageing to a whole new level. Within a couple weeks I noticed one of the three wrinkles on my forehead had faded. No longer was it deep! I also noticed my skin more supple, moist and looking healthier. The regenerative powers of Génifique were clear.

It’s evident that Génifique has a ‘booster’ effect on Visionnaire and I love using these two on a daily basis.

Together they work well to keep my skin young and radiant.

Makeup

Lancôme Taupe Au Naturel Hypnôse palette.

May 17, 2014May 19, 2014by Bubbly Michelle7 Comments

It’s been a while since I did an eye palette review, so I thought I’d share two eye looks created with the new Lancôme D08 Taupe Au Naturel Hypnôse palette, which was one of three palettes that were created for the 10 year anniversary of their iconic, award winning Hypnôse mascara.

‘Eye colour artistry made easy’, that’s Lancômes tag line for the Hypnôse palette. And in my opinion, it’s a pretty accurate description. I find that all 5 colours work very well together, harmoniously. Even those with minimal makeup skills could create these two looks without breaking a sweat. Here are the swatches, numbered according to sequence.

1. A neutral light brown shade (matte) – The colour pay off is medium and blends well.

2. A deep brown with slight warm, red undertones (satin finish) – A found this one to be a little bit on the dryer side. Applied sheerer than expected and a bit patchy.

3. A neutral medium brown shade (satin finish) – This had the best pigmentation from the bunch and applied very smooth and blends easily.

4. A neutral shell shade (sparkly finish) – This one was tricky. major fall out and applied quite patchy. I’d suggest patting this on lightly, no blending.

5. A neutral pinky beige shade (shimmer finish) – This had good pigmentation, applied very smooth and blended easily.

So onto the exciting part!

For the first look I concentrated more on a light wash of colour with slight crease definition using 1,3 and 5 from the palette.

I started off with 5 applied all over the lid with a flat brush and added 1 to the outer corners to deepen the colour and lastly used 3 to define the crease and add depth. I lined my eyes with black khol liner and dressed up the lashes with Hypnôse mascara.

For lips I used Lip Lover in shade 321 and for cheeks Blush Subtil in 041 Figue Espiègle. All by Lancôme.

A fresh everyday look, perfect for work or lunching with the girlfriends.

I then went onto the night time look, using the day look as the starting point.

I used 2 from the palette and lined the lower lash line and extended it out and upwards. I then added more of 2 closer to the lash line and intensified the look. the colour was easily buildable and with more layers, a smokier effect was created. I also used a more of shade 3 on the crease and blended it in. I then went back again with 1 to blend the outer edges of the crease. Lastly I took 4 and highlighted the inner corners of the eye to instantly liven up the look creating brighter eyes.

Lastly I applied a thick liquid liner as a base to add some lashes for an even more dramatic effect. Hypnotic!

Here’s the final look with a touch of lip colour, I used Lip Lover in shade 314 layered over Tom Ford Sable smoke and intensified the blush I already had on with a golden coral shade, Blush Subtil in 030 Éclat de Corail.

Overall thoughts

The pigmentation of two shades were a bit disappointing, but applied over an eye primer (which I always recommend using) the colours do turn out quite nice.

Also should be noted that all Hypnôse palettes could be used wet or dry. And if you want more dramatic colour, i’d suggest using it wet. Though I hardly felt the need to!

As far as versatility goes, this particular quint is something that most makeup lovers can get good use of. It’s a nice mix of neutrals. One thing I missed though was a satin or a matte base shade. the only base shade in this palette (no.5) was shimmery and I never see myself using a shimmer base all the way up to the brows.

Lancôme Hypnôse palettes are available at all Lancôme counters and Sephora stores, retailing at SGD 90.

*Mine was a press sample sent for review by Lancôme Singapore. Thank you Yanny! 🙂 xx

Here’s the product list :

Blush – Lancôme Blush Subtil in 030 Éclat de Corail, 041 Figue Espiègle

Mascara – Lancôme Hypnôse mascara

Eye Primer – Lancôme La Base Paupieres Pro 01

Liquid Liner – Tom Ford eye defining pen

Brows – La Scourcil Pro

Eye liner – Khol Hypnôse waterproof liner

Lip glos s- Look a: Lip Lover in shade 321 , Look b: Lip Lover in shade 314

Lip Stick- (Look b) Tom Ford Sable Smoke

Lifestyle, Skincare

Mothers day treats with Lancŏme Advanced Génifique Yeux

May 8, 2014May 8, 2014by Bubbly Michelle4 Comments

Kicking off the launch of new Advanced Génifique Yeux eye cream, Lancŏme dresses up Orchard road with it’s beautiful parisian themed pop-up store!

A feast for the eyes! In more ways than one!

I wanted to share a (pic heavy) post to tempt you to head on over. Cos every girl needs a bit of pampering now and then right?

A look at what you’re greeted with while passing Tangs……. I had to take a moment to take in the view… So beautiful!

And inside… the beautiful Génifique vanity, lined up with precious bottles of youth activating serums, creams n potions….

So before we head any further, here’s a quick look at what’s on offer.

There are basically two treatments to choose from, completely free of charge!

The Génifique eye treatment (15 mins) using the Génifique Yeux light pearl eye serum combined with the new Advanced Génifique Yeux Youth activating eye cream.

The Génifique facial treatment (15 mins) using the Advanced Génifique Youth activating concentrate.

Upon completion of the chosen treatment you also receive a Génifique trial kit which you could take home with you and indulge further!

Also on Mothers Day (Sunday, 11th May), there’re even more delightful treats to indulge in.

You could book yourself AND your mom a duo treatment and receive a flash beauty service plus a makeover complete with a photograph courtesy of the photographer on site!

And here’s me enjoying my eye treatment! (First time trying this LED light device on my face, it helps the serum penetrate more effectively!)

And of course since my makeup was taken off for the treatment, the lovely Lina Tock gave me a quick makeover once we were done. She used all my Lancŏme favourites!

Other info,

An appointment before heading to Tangs would be advised as the pop-up store gets a bit busy by afternoon.

Here’s the number of the Lancŏme counter at Tangs where you can make the booking – 67370095

P.S- all treatments will be from now until Sunday! So hurry 🙂

Also a special thank you to lovely Yanny from Lancŏme for the invitation and Lina Tock (Lancŏmes National Makeup Artist) for pampering me with the treatments!

Makeup, Skincare

April Favourites 2014

May 5, 2014May 5, 2014by Bubbly Michelle5 Comments

Another month gone! So it’s time for a favourites post. Yeah thooooose patchy entries lol!
So this month was pretty much mostly about lipstick. Nearly every brand I loved, released one form or the other of liquid lipsticks. Matte AND gloss versions!

Apart from the lip products there’s also new base products I’ve been trying out as well.. so read on and I hope you like the mix of things I plan to share with you today!

…Starting with lipsticks…

The Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato sticks which were the first to release. They are a matte liquid lipstick formula that can also be used as a cream blush for cheeks. In general I am not all for matte lipsticks as they can be pretty drying and uncomfortable to wear. However I feel the Gelato sticks are something in between matte and cream lipsticks and are of a whipped texture. They aren’t drying and don’t have that extreme matte feel.

My most go-to is PK03, the one I initially thought was unflattering on me! >.<

Next to release were the Dior Fluid Sticks. A hybrid between gloss and lipstick. This wore with an intense shine while at the same time packing on some serious colour! I found the feather light formula comfortable to wear and was quite long lasting (as far as gloss lipsticks go). And if you have a weakness for red, as do I, this collection is heaven sent.

The last installment of the liquid lipstick was the Lancôme Lip Lover. They just released in May but I had the opportunity to sample them before they hit the stores. I felt they were very well pigmented lip glosses and not necessarily lipsticks. The one thing that stood out though was that they looked so juicy when applied. My lips looked plump and lip lines were visibly reduced so they looked more luscious and ‘kissable’. I also loved how the colours mix well together and you could do a no fuss ombre lip with these in 30 secs.

Apart from the liquid lipsticks I also enjoyed #18 Colour Crush Shine lipstick by The Body Shop. It was a perfect non fussy lipstick (coral peach) for everyday use, which didn’t break the bank. I’d highly recommend that one if you are looking for something new to try.

Now onto base products!

I am very happy to say that I think I may have found the perfect foundation for myself colour and finish wise. The Chantecaille Future Skin foundation.

I really love how light the texture is and that it looks soo skin-like. There’s no way anyone would detect this on your face EVER! And given that I find it soo darn hard getting a proper foundation colour match (without having to mix two shades). I was ecstatic that the shade Chamomile matched perfectly.

It’s an oil free water based formula, so it doesn’t add to an already oily situation which we deal with in hot weather like this. What’s more, it’s specially formulated to keep skin feeling hydrated all day! So your makeup stays looking fresh throughout.

Another excellent new find is the Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Luminous foundation. This is a more fuller coverage foundation compared to the Chantecaille one. I love the smooth finish and it sits on the skin well. It also doesn’t oxidise on me and is perfect for mixing with Future skin if you want higher coverage with a more skin like finish. Both wore very well, although blotting was inevitable around the 4-5 hour.

You can read more about this foundation over here at my sweet friend MonsiieurAlexx’s blog 🙂

And finally onto something I’ve been steadily using since January but never did a full review on! The amazing Clé de Peau concealer. This is the best concealer I have ever tried. And I love it for the undereyes as so far nothing I’ve tried has managed to achieve such opaque coverage with a lightweight formula. It’s slightly on the dryer side so I recommend never skipping eye cream when using this.

One of the pluses of a dryer formula is that they don’t slide around and migrate as your day goes on. It stays put. Although many claim that this doesn’t settle into lines, I find that it does. Minimally though. Maybe cos my two wrinkles are pretty deep >.< Anyhow, overall I am in love with this and would recommend it to everyone who is on the look out for a good concealer. On the downside, it’s not the most wallet friendly option!

Come Spring/Summer I start including my trusty old Guerlain Terracotta bronzer in my daily routine! This little fella and I go a long long way back. Been almost two years now and we still love each other very much. If you are looking for a bronzer without that evil orange undertone, you need to stop by the Guerlain counter. They make the best. I use this to warm up my complexion whenever I tan so that my face matches my arms.

My current shade is 03, meant for beige complexions (01, 03 are for warm undertones and 02, 04 are for those with cooler undertones). Unless you are very fair, the shade 01 might be a little too light of a bronzer. I feel many could get away with 03 depending on how much product you use in one sitting. I actually need only a very little to warm up my face as this is a significantly dark shade. But the slight satin finish and the weightless formula is undetectable and I love that about it.

Another good one to try is the 4 seasons bronzer by Guerlain which was a newer addition to its range of permanent bronzing powder products.

On to more powder products that I have been loving lately, this gorgeous Chanel Blush in the shade In Love. I totally forgot to take a close up of this beauty but it’s a blush that would universally flatter warmer skin tones. I love this satin peachy beige, as it pairs extremely well with smokey eyes or on days when you want to go for a natural look.

Now moving on to a few eyeliners that made it into my HG products.

The Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink liner and the Long Lasting Soft Gel Pencil. Both are incredible as far as pigmentation goes. The blackest black I have ever seen. I have tried many drugstore and high end liners and they don’t even compare to these. Pure love!

You can read more about this product in a comparison review I did a few posts back.

And finally as we near the end of my favourites post, I want to sneak in this new UV protection I’ve been trying. It’s by Avène. Their Day Protector UV EX which has SPF 30 .

Possibly the best sunscreen I have used as far as texture goes. I love that it feels more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen and absorbs easily without leaving any oily residue. A full review on this will be up hopefully by next week. Just in time for you to stock up on sunscreen for Summer!

So last but not least brushes!

I know some of you love brush reviews so here are a few that I’ve been really enjoying this last month. All are new brushes from my last Hakuhodo haul. Initial entires here and here.

First up is this magnificent brush, the Hakuhodo Kokutan blush brush H2282. Possibly the most luxurious brush in my possession. And yes! Love it more than the Tom Ford one.

The soft bristles are tapered and apply blush with the lightest feathery stroke. Although I looks similar in shape to the Chikuhodo Z4 I find this one a tiny bit smaller and a very good size for my face. Between the two if I had to pick, it would be the Kokutan brush, as it has a softer, lighter touch.

Apart from performance, it’s very hard to ignore the beauty of a wooden handle with signature carved Japanese lettering. Just a work of art. I will most certainly be buying more of those!

Second up, no surprise here, is the J5523. The work horse of my brush collection. This is actually the second one I purchased and I use them everyday! It’s so easy to use and is very soft and blends all eye makeup without causing any irritation. If you love your Mac 217, then this is something you need to try. It’s the Mac 217 on steroids!

Lastly the final final favourite of the month, the Hakuhodo B133 a flat eye brush made of Canadian squirrel hair. This is used for placing and building up eyeshadow on the lid. I really love it for it’s impossibly soft feel. And the size is just perfect without it being too big or too small. Something luxe to have in anyone’s collection.

With that I conclude my lengthy favourites post! Thank you for dropping by,

Michelle.

Skincare

Morning skincare routine

May 4, 2014July 30, 2014by Bubbly Michelle4 Comments

Here it is, the final entry for skincare week!

I know I seem to have worked backwards as far as sequence goes.. but that’s how my world works!

So this is going to be all about morning skincare. I basically keep it very simple and never really go overboard with any anti ageing skincare during the day time as I feel the benefits of skincare are delivered more effectively in the p.m, as skin repairs itself at night while we sleep.

I normally start off with a mild cleanse, as there is no makeup or dirt to be removed. All a morning cleanser needs to do is take away last nights left over skincare (if any) and clear out any dead skin cells.

For that I rely on this Murad one.

Also around three times a week I sneak in a bit of Clarisonic action skipping my Murad cleanser for some extra deep cleaning and literally sweep away any dead cell buildup. I pair it with this Soy face cleanser by Fresh.

Finally on to the good stuff,

During the a.m I like to use this Facial Treatment Clear lotion by SK2 which is a clarifying toner to refresh and wipe off dead cells and prep skin for the next step.. moisturizer!

Moisturiser is something I take very seriously as my combination skin can be a real pain in the a** if not hydrated well and the dryer areas such as my cheeks can be especially uncooperative when I am applying foundation, and rebel with flakey patches. The key is to find a product that works great at hydrating as well as being light enough to not cause an oily mess on my t-zone as the day goes on.

I really love the Clarins HydraQuench range for this. It hydrates but is light enough for the daytime. It’s also a great basic moisturizer that pairs well with most serums as it doesn’t necessarily have any specific anti ageing or treatment properties that may conflict with the serums that you may currently use. It has a lovely light texture, a refreshing soft smell and absorbs really fast.

I’d highly recommend the cream gel version to anyone with oily or combination skin for effective oil free hydrating . Two thumbs up!

The next product is a fairly new addition to my routine. It’s this really nice Soothing Serum by Avène. It’s heaven sent for days when I wake up with a nasty red blemish or any irritations in general. This baby calms skin like nobody’s business! If you are plagued with sensitive skin as I am, you’d know the woes of dealing with hot, flushed red patches all over your face. The Soothing Serum calms redness caused by irritation within 15 mins and works really well for me. I just love it. (I use this before moisturizing btw and only when needed, not everyday)

Next up, eye creams

In the mornings I choose light or lifting eye creams. I find that my regular night eye creams are too heavy for the day time and would cause my concealer to migrate and shift as it makes the under eye area very slick.

So the SK2 Facial Treatment Essence eye cream is perfect for that. It’s a very light texture and delivers just enough hydration to create a good base for applying any concealer.

Another eye cream I really love for day time is this one by Lancôme. The Rénergie Yeux Multi Lift. I am so drawn to eye creams that lift the eye lid and deflate any puffiness. And in the mornings it’s essential to have depuffed under eyes to stop them looking tired. And this one is not too heavy and hydrates just the right amount. A big plus for me.

One more eye cream I really loved for it’s lifting action is the Clarins Defining Eye Lift. It instantly lifts up the eyelid and gives it a more youthful appearance. It also tightens the under eyes. Sadly I only had a sample of this and never really purchased it as it’s not necessarily hydrating enough to use on the whole eye area (it’s a runny liquid type serum). But I hope to purchase this in future as it did a good job as far as lifting goes, and I can use this strictly on my lids.

With that, I conclude my a.m routine.

Hope you found this post interesting.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday, and if you are a residing in Singapore there is a little giveaway happening on my IG (which ends tonight). Pop by there and leave a comment to win a whole bunch of Yves Rocher goodies that were so generously sent to me by Yves Rocher Singapore specially for my lovely followers. There are two sets up for grabs 🙂

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

Lancôme La Base Paupières Pro [long wearing eyeshadow base] ; review, photos and swatches

April 14, 2014April 24, 2014by Bubbly Michelle7 Comments

On the 1^st of April Lancôme launched a series of eye makeup to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Hypnôse mascaras. Part of which was this brand new product, the eye primer.

Incidentally, the last couple of months I happened to be on the lookout for an eye priming base when this little thing landed in my hands! So thank you Lancôme for the lovely gifts 🙂 they definitely came at the right time!

If I guessed right, you probably are wondering, is an eye primer essential? Well, eye primers are used to intensify the colours and help eyeshadow stick to the eyelids better, giving longer wear and also stop the shadow from creasing and migrating. So yes! it’s something which everyone should invest in!

The Lancôme eyeshadow base comes in two colours.

01-Beige Rosé – beige toned

03- Rose Tendresse – peach toned

It is a creamy waterproof formula, which evens and illuminates eyelids to create a bare skin effect, guaranteeing a more intense and long lasting make-up result (up to 16 hours)

I received the colour 01 Beige Rosé. Which is a good colour match for my eyelids and gave a nice natural effect.

As you can see, the primer comes in a weighty glass jar type packaging with a screw on lid. I really love this type of packaging as it looks lovely on any vanity 😉 Tube type packaging lacks that luxe factor and I am always a sucker for something that’s packaged beautifully.

Application method

I applied this after I used an eye cream. I feel it goes on smoother than when applied alone and my choice of tool was a concealer brush of synthetic bristles. Although I believe fingers work just fine as well.

The product itself is a very thin cream with an emollient feel to it, like lip balm. And though it has a colour, once spread out on the lids it pretty much disappears, leaving a glimmering base to work with.

*Also worth noting, the shimmer in the base did not alter the finish of matte eyeshadows.

And here is an eye look I created using the Lancôme La Base Paupières Pro as a base.

As you can see, the baby pink eyeshadow looks beautiful and vivid without disappearing onto my lid and the primer helps it stick on well without moving around.

Final thoughts

Although I can’t attest to the 16 hour claim, I can say that it did last all day on me. Also, my eyeshadow hadn’t creased and still looked great with no fading.

Price point wise I believe it’s value for money as it only costs $33. Which is a steal!

Other info

Lancôme La Base Paupières Pro contains 5g 0.17 oz of product and is available at all Lancôme counters at department stores.