Something New

Something easy & something new. 

Ok, easy might be a big word but easier is more matching for my 2nd Sephora haul:

Despite various bloggers warning me about the quality of Marc Jacobs palettes, I still ordered his latest Dreamer. Truth is, I'm not dissapointed at all...

Koh Gen Do has already wowed me with the Maifanshi foundation: how will the Maifanshi powder perform?

I'll elaborate on Marc Jacobs in one of my next posts and will test the Maifanshi powder soon.

Used Up's / June

Late to the party for a quick round of my most important used up's...

Hair: 

I've been blogging about sampling up some Less is More hairproducts and I've finished up the Lindengloss conditioner. The 30ml has lasted me quite a while: about 7 times for long hair. I really liked how this organic conditioner performed: soft & silky feel, no heaviness or weird residue and it smells amazing. However, when I had the opportunity to buy full-sized I kind of steeped back from the price. The sample size is a reasonable € 6, but a full-size € 23. I still have some other quality conditioners to use up so I will consider, but wait before going full-size.

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 Makeup:

Paul & Joe's finishing powder is from the Sahara collection from 2010. Long long time ago...I had a darker colour (002) so I only use it in summer when having [faux] tan. It is really good, though: a micro-thin quality that doesn't alter the foundation underneath, and can also be used on a good skinday alone without foundation. I would gladly repurchase. 

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Mask:

Osmia Detox Mask has gotten quite the hype among organic and concious bloggers, and from that field it gotten known among everyone that wants a good, detoxing mask (like me, see here).  I really liked it when living in the Mediterranean: my skin gotten weirdly oily and pimply-> heat & polluted air. A good claymask helped to remove remaining sunblock, some oiliness etc etc. However, I liked it but it has not been the complete miracle worker. I'm somewhat convinced that there are cheaper clay-mask options out there, but the mix of ingredients are quite good.

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Lash:

I'm on my 3rd tube of YSL shocking mascara. It's not the complete HG but it has some excellent varieties of colours around. People with chameleon eyes like myself can have a cute effect by changing a hint around the colour of the eyes. E.G, a blue, burgundy or a purple can change my colour into a more green or blue, depending of what I like. YSL Shocking doesn't do dreadful 80s colours, only a slight hint. And the formula is delightfully thick and glossy without going clumpy. 

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RapidLash, I've finished my 2nd tube and I get a longer result every time I use it. I never get irritations from it either. In fact, I'm on the more expensive Revitalash right now, but I feel it irritates my eyes. I think I will just repurchase Rapidlash instead.

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Oil:

Caudalie has done an excellent job in creating their Polyphenol C15 line. This sample has been feeling both detoxing and youth-i-fying for my skin, and I've only been trying it for 2 nights! I will go for the bigger bottle.

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Serum:

I took the full plunge by buying a full size of Caudalie Polyphenol C15 antiwrinkle defense Serum. I've been using it superconsistently (morning/evenings) for one and a half month and I absolutely was stunned about the plumping effect. Moreover, the price was under €40 so not that ridiculously expensive price some companies ask for their serums. I'm not sure if it will be HG material if my skin gets sensitive (thinking winter) because the amount of fragance is somewhat present, but for the moment I really like this one.

Review: Kanebo Lunasol Coffret Xmas 2011

Hello, it's here!

Hold tight, because I will have pictures and swatches of almost everything, that is a lot for one post but I decided to keep it in one post.

The only thing I won't be swatching is the eyeshadow palette. (I'll keep that one for later).

I already had high expectations based on the promotion pictures I saw (talked about it here). I have been slightly enamourated with the clutch and I know from previous Lunasol Xmas editions that they seldom dissapoint...sometimes they repeat the best-sellers, but for me that is not such a problem because that has given me the opportunity to (finally) have one of the bestsellers that are always sold-out.

The shine on that clutch is already amazing.

But eventually I bought it for the shiny thingies inside, right?

Lunasol provides its coffret with 4 full sized products:

1. the Skin Contrast Face Powder in 01 Glow
2. Full Glamour Gloss in EX19 Tender Glow Pink
3. Cream Cheeks in EX 04 Tender Glow Pink
4. Eyeshadow palette in EX 01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

So let's look at everything in the same order!

1. Skin Contrast Face Powder in 01 Glow

I was most curious about this: I wondered if it would be an overly shimmery/glittery powder or a powder for blotting/diffusing the face. I hoped for the last.

And YES! It's mainly a face powder for setting makeup:

Still, if you click on the pictures you can see a tiny glitter/fleck appearing. I don't really mind. One of my favourite face powders is from Jill Stuart and they are based on the same principle -> with a tiny hint of shimmer to make the powder feel less flat on the face.

Blended in the skin:

I really like the soft-diffusion effect...I think you can see the difference between the powdered part and the non-powdered parts: but in a good way because the powdered parts have that softly-lit or airbrushed finish.

I think it holds away the oilies for a good couple of hours. It is also non-scented and that is brilliant. It doesn't irritate my skin as well and it feels soft on the skin.

That's my temporary review: I will have to road-test it for a couple of days more to give out a definite review :D

2. Full Glamour Gloss in EX19 Tender Glow Pink

 

It's a clear pink gloss without any shimmers. The foot on the applicator is slightly bended for a better reach on the lips.

The colour:

I do not think it changes the lip-colour a lot, but it is perfect for that glossy finish without a tacky feeling. It almost feels like a high-end lip treatment. The pink/rosiness gives the lips that bit of extra.

Overal, a safe colour as an extra over lipstick or for a slightly fuller pout on its own.

3. Cream Cheeks in EX 04 Tender Glow Pink

I have seen a lot of raves blogwise so I was really glad this product is included in the set. I could finally get my hands on this blogger's favourite.

The colour is a warm but light pink, infused with flecks

 

I am somewhat surprised that it is quite light. I am already such a pale-face but this one looks more light a pink-toned highlighter than a blush. 

I might be used to liquid blush that has a bit more coverage/pigment in it, such as my By Terry liquid blush and my Inglot liquid blush/highlighter (here). But it is still perfect for creating a sweet highlight.

4. Eyeshadow palette in EX 01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

So I haven't swatched this one yet. But it looks so versatile and promising in the pan. I can already distinct 8 colours in a handy size!

As for the tiny strips? I don't mind. I cannot remember if I ever finished any eyeshadow in my life: I'm just too fickle for that and I like to vary my eyeshadows (or days I don't wear them at all).

I will swatch it as soon as possible ;D

The best surprise has been the clutch and the quality of that one!



It is of marvelous fake-fur quality: I love the taupe tones and the velvet brown ribbon:

The inside is such an ON-TREND velvet.

It truely can double as a fashion-item for toting around.

But it is not only beautiful: it has been zippered on both sides so you can divide your makeup/mobile/money safely and handily:

Lunasol's label is displaced on one side of the zippered compartments:

I sound like I am completely hired by Lunasol to pimp out their new Coffret, but I honestly have to say I am superenthousiastic by myself and it is probably the best Xmas palette from Lunasol ever, perhaps even the best Xmas set ever.

There are items inside that are normally $60 on its own (the eyeshadow palette) so the whole set is such a bargain.

I hope my pictures and review has helped you to make a decision. If you decide to buy it, adambeauty still have it up for $92 (here).


EDITED: I swatched and reviewed the eyeshadow quad in this post over here

some sasa stuff...

Last week I received my sasa haul. I loved their introduction of the Kevin Beautymaker brand, and I am always needy (;p) for Japanese hair conditioners...I will show you some of my new items, and give some mini-reviews of the things I tried...

My first interest was towards more of Kevin Beautymaker's things. Sasa already seem to have sold out on a large heap of the Beautymaker items. I regretted not being able to buy the Lip concealer.

I really wanted to try the Trans Pore Smoother after reading reviews and seeing results on Jamilla Camel's beautysite (here). I have pores on my nose that are in dire need for 'blurrification'. I picked up the Trans Pore Smoother in light.

I have tried this lovely product on several occasions, and I really like it so far. It does feel a bit silicony when applying, but it transfers in a light and lovely veil that magically dilutes my pores. It is a small jar, though. What it lacks is the power to keep my nose oil free during the day, however, that is not its primary task.

For oil-mopping I purchased some Palangton theatrical powder. Actually, I picked up a Palangton Gift set for curiosity reasons...

The set contains a small jar of Palangton powder, a concealer, and BB cream. I am not a fan of any BB cream I have tried so far, but this one is really light and does not sufficate my skin. I need to use it some more to see if my skin really tolerates or likes it.

The powder is really nice: it has a peachy beige colour and is so incredibly fine-milled. As for oil-reducing qualities...It is no magic tool for my stubborn oily nose, but it keeps my nose shine free for a couple of hours.

The next cleansing cloths were a big dissapointment. I have and love a couple of Kose Softymo cleansing products, but this was absolutely craptastic. First of all: the name. If you mention 'Oil Cleansing' on the box, I expect some kind of oil-dressed cloths. No, nada, the cloths were drizzled in a very alcohol-like lotion that stung my skin like mad...

Ascience had a Five star rating on Sasa.com. It is a hairmask/conditioner especially for....

All progressive Asian beauties...buy the conditioner ;P

But seriously, it is quite good. I have to use it a bit more to see how my hair reacts upon it with more usage, as some conditioners can become absolutely craptastic after a couple of uses, even though it seemed like THE HG in the beginning.




I also bought some Innisfree Trouble Care BB cream. I disliked it. It felt heavily, suffocating and the scent was somewere between a piece of old-fashioned soap and cat-litter...

That leaves me to the stuff I haven't tested yet:

Kanebo C-white tonic in M:

I am always on the lookout for a refreshing tonic that is gentle enough. The whitening and brightening proprieties would be quite helpful for my pigment spots as well.

Shiseido Ma Cherie End Cure Lotion:

Ofcourse, I was enabled by Lotuspalace review (here).