Reviews

After I bought Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer, I came home to find that I had actually finished my usual concealer. Instead of stocking up with my old one, I decided to go to Laura Mercier to purchase their Secret Concealer.

Plus, on the day I bought the tinted moisturizer, the lady put this on me and once again, it looked flawless!

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer is a moisture-rich concealer designed specifically for under & around the eye area to conceal discolorations and dark circles.

I’ve been using Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer for the past few months now, and while I like it, I don’t know what I’m doing different than the lady, because I feel it doesn’t cover as well as when she applied it on me. Sigh! It’s a great concealer – very creamy and easy to apply, but somehow it doesn’t cover serious dark circles like mine.

If I were to compare it to another concealer I like; such as Benefit’s famous Boi-ing, I prefer this formula way better – the texture is amazing and goes on much more smoothly, yet I feel Boi-ing gives better coverage. I still decided to write this post because my friend adores it, and for those who don’t need too much coverage (this is only for under eye circles, by the way) I think it would work great. One little con, however, like all Laura Mercier products, it’s on the expensive side.

Does anyone use this concealer? What are your thoughts on it? I contemplated this concealer and the other one they have available; so maybe the other one is better suited for darker eye circles?

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I’m back!

Sorry for the lack of updates but I was on a cruise for a holiday, and spent my days sunbathing on deck, being fed grapes by some hot European waiter whose name I can’t pronounce … Oh, a girl can dream can’t she? Still, as you can see from my cheesy grin above, I had a lovely time!

Anyways, I did know I would be out in the sun a lot so I picked up La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Fluide Extreme Face Cream before leaving. I chose this because it is basically mentioned in every Allure issue, and was recommended and used by tons of dermatologists. Either way, I’m really glad I picked it up – I really love it, except one gripe that I must ask you guys about, ’cause I’m clueless.

First of all: the texture. It is amazing! The formula is quite runny and milky, and was so easy to apply. It was also made for combination to oily skin, so you don’t have to worry about looking greasy or oily – the sunscreen goes on matte and did not leave a white cast on my face, which I was really happy about. Basically, it ended up looking like I had nothing on my skin at all.

Apart from the texture and the flawless application, what really ‘sold’ me on this product is that whole “dermatologist” recommended and raved business. Still, one can’t ignore the benefits of this sunscreen (very high protection against UVA/UVB rays, Broad UVB/UVA Ultra protection thanks to the photostable filtering system with Mexoryl SX and XL filters) so this is a real winner for me.

But now on to the bad (that can hopefully be resolved then this sunscreen would be perfect!) So. There seems to be a problem when I apply this. I apply my Clinique moisturizer first, wait a few minutes for it to sink in, then apply the sunscreen. However, when I do apply it, some of it seem to “rub” off and looks like eraser rubbings (you know when you erase something on paper, those little weird things).

Am I not supposed to apply moisturizer first, do I have some kind of expired bottle, or is my skin flaking off?! I have a sneaky feeling it’s because my moisturizer is a gel formula, but I’m really not sure. I can’t tell what’s wrong because this is the only sunscreen I’ve tried that does this. I really want to continue using this sunscreen but something needs to be done about this! Can anyone help?

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I had been hearing so much about this tinted moisturizer, that I finally hunted it down and found a small shop that sells it last December.

My friend and I went to the store and asked to try some on, and we immediately went insane! Our skin looked flawless. We were pretty much broke by then, so the next day we went back to the store. I got the oil free version, though, because anything with oil makes me run for the hills.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – Oil Free is a sheer, lightweight, buildable foundation that can be worn by all skin types but especially those with acne prone, sensitive or oily skin.

Hydrating, oil-free formula softens skin offering a healthy glow. Helps to prevent excess oil from setting on the surface of the skin. Controls oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. Buildable coverage for those hard-to-cover places. Offers further protection from UVB rays & harmful effects of the environment with an SPF 20. Ideal for troubled skin.

First of all, I really like this product. In fact I love it! However, when writing this review, I made a list of pros and cons, and the cons do outweigh the pros. What I love about it is what the company said themselves: it is sheer, lightweight and gives a beautiful dewy, natural look. I also love how it stays on all day and the SPF is of course, a big bonus! One small gripe I have with it, is that though I love the ‘dewy’ look it intially gives, that changes to ‘oily’ after awhile, (though I think it’s because of the climate here) unless you apply a layer of loose powder over it.

However, I can’t really get over the price. This thing is expensive, and while I don’t use it everyday (or much of it each time), buying it here is too much. Since it’s imported, they have marked up the price and the only place it is sold here is a small boutique, which adds more to the price (from what I can see from prices online).

I’m torn! I really love this product but I refuse to spend almost $90 for each tube; I’m sure I can find something just as good for less.

Oh and just to add – one other con is that my friend, (not the one who bought it with me) who has acne-prone skin, broke out after using this. So for those who have a similar skin type, you may want to ask for a sample first to try it out and see if your skin can take it.

In conclusion – if you have the money and your skin is relatively good, I highly recommend this. It is a wonderful product! However, personally, I will be looking for a cheaper alternative (that gives a matte finish instead) when the tube I have is done. I think I would also prefer something more natural for the skin, so I will be looking into organic or mineral makeup lines. If anyone has any recommendations, please do tell!

Has anyone tried this product out? Do you like it? Does the price bother you or is it just me (and where I live)?

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One of my best beauty finds ever has been Clinique’s famous moisturizer (apparently one is sold every 4 seconds), Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion.

Hydrated skin doesn’t just look smoother and healthier-it’s better able to function as a barrier against external aggressors.

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is the moisture “drink” developed by Clinique dermatologists to maintain skin’s optimal moisture balance.

Works to soften, smooth, improve the condition and texture of your skin.

I first found out about this product when I was on holiday in Thailand. I had gotten a sample size of it from a shop, but was too paranoid to try it on my face for fear of breakouts (this was at least 3 years ago, when I was still in my teens and had acne-prone skin).

Instead, I decided to use it as a hand moisturizer (you know how cold hotel rooms get) and I was amazed at how crazily-smooth my hands felt! I got the courage and started using it on my face, and when I got back home, I went to buy the full bottle immediately.

[click to read more...]

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I had originally written this post over a month ago, and was thinking of deleting it because I thought no one really cares about hairspray – but boy, how wrong I was! After reading a whole feature about it in November’s issue of Allure, I realized that this hairspray was not sold in the US and every one’s been dying to try it out!

In fact, Allure says; “The maddening fact that it was difficult to find Elnett in the U.S. has been part of the spray’s appeal.”

Elnett Satin hairspray was the first styling product I ever bought and used (and to this day, the only thing I put in my hair. (Apart from shampoo of course!).

I’m very glad to say it did everything you would expect from hairspray, so I never felt a need to change. In fact, now that I read that article in Allure, I see how much I’ve been taking it for granted – it just works, and I never really thought about how good it was.

The only real time I need Elnett is to set my hair when I do an updo (which is often) and it really is amazing how this fine mist has such strong hold and staying power. My updo looks natural, never stiff and is soft to the touch.

What’s even better is that if are too lazy to wash your hair after and just want to sleep (guilty) just take a brush and comb your hair – the hairspray completely disappears and hair is back to normal again.

I have nothing bad to say about it (except the hairspray smell is annoying, but goes off after awhile) – this product is pure gold. It is cheap, works wonders, and lasts the bottle lasts for a long time. I highly recommend it.

Anyone else swear by this product? I read it’s used by all the top stylists on the catwalks.

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My school is right next to a shopping mall, and if that’s not a sign to shop everyday, I don’t know what is. The other day when I was early to class, (what, actually go to class early? Please.) I decided to go to the department store to see what was new. And anyone who knows me well enough will know that eyeliner is my must-have. Yet, ironically I’ve been using the same one for the past 3 years, so it was time for a bit of a change. I walked past the Chanel counter, and  Chanel’s new La Ligne Professional Duo Eyeliner caught my eye at their counter and immediately I wanted it.

Eyeliner? Black? Smokey Eyes? Beautiful packaging? Black? Eyeliner? Black, black, BLACK?! I was sold.

At US$45, my poor wallet suffered, and this may just be the most expensive makeup item I have ever bought. But oh how it was worth it! The eyeliner (on the left) glides on like a dream and gives this amazing black, while the shadow on the right gives a deep, sexy black with slight shimmer. What’s great is that this can be both a liquid liner – just add water to the slim brush and apply – or a kohl, powder liner. And surprisingly, the two small brushes that come with it are really good.

I really can’t praise this little baby enough – it is perfect, and this impulse buy was a great success.

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