Haul-Review / Makeup: Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation in #4

Yes yes yes, another conquest for this foundation fiend... After an extensive online research and going through swatches after swatches, I finally took the plunge and got a friend to pick this up when he dropped by Hong Kong for a business trip.

Such a sweet man, I was expecting him to tell me that he wasn't able to find it, or bought the wrong item, since makeup isn't really his forte. But he actually took the effort to visit the boutique and duty-free to help me find it, despite his busy schedule.. *gushes*.. It's just too bad that he doesn't have the hots for me..

Anyway, it's the famed Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #4 (HKD430 for 30ml)!!! It comes up to approximately SGD70.00, which is actually cheaper than buying from US direct, RRP is USD59. And nope, they don't sell it here in Singapore.

Product Description from Manufacturer:

As seen in the press, capture the glow of perfect skin with this award-winning foundation. Luminous Silk foundation is an oil-free fluid with exclusive Micro-fil technology. So weightless, it redefines foundation. Its hydrating fluid glides on seamlessly with a silky texture and all-day, buildable coverage. For all skin types.

weightless and luminous oil-free fluid
natural finish
all-day sheer to moderate coverage


Why I bought it:
What can I say, this has been on the foundation IT-List for the longest. I've heard so much raves that I had to try it out.

Packaging:
Housed in a sleek frosted-glass bottle with a pump. Hygienic and fuss-free.

Texture:
Very runny and light consistency. But I feel that NARS Sheer Glow is more runny as compared to LSF though.

Price:
More expensive than my HG foundation. But I just got to try it.

Road Test:
The shade I chose was #4, which was deduced from online swatches and foundation matching matrix. So if you are a Diorskin Nude #20, LSF#4 should match you pretty well, more so if you're on the warm side than neutral.

I was really relieved that the shade did match my skintone. However, I do find that it's still a tad yellowish for my skin.

The foundation dries pretty fast, so be sure to apply with a quick hand, otherwise, it may end up being patchy.

I encountered some problems with trying to build up on the coverage, the top layer don't seemed to be able to blend in with the lower layer. I actually find that this foundation works better if it is stippled in, rather than spreaded. It gives an air-brushed look when stippled with my beauty blender.

Coverage wise I would say sheer to medium, which, is surprising given the runny texture of the product. But it did cover some of my redness.

It dries more to a luminous matt finish rather than the typical luminous dewy finish, which I am more used to. So I skipped finishing powder altogether since I didn't want to look like a mouldy pancake (Yes, I think too much..)

The foundation do last well. I wore it for more than 10hours and it was still intact by the end of the day. I didn't even bothered to blot it during the day.

Verdict:
Definitely a HG potential! However, given the price, I would say that if you 've already found a HG and don't suffer from an OCD like mine, you can skip this foundation altogether. It's good but it doesn't really WOW.

Below are some pictures:

I didn't bother to do a face application since weekends is my skin's off-days and my camera is currently with my sister, who is out of the country.

So, please do bear with my lousy camera phone that do not allow me to take high-def macro shots.

The beauty just out of it's box..

 The inside, with the pump.



The Swatch between 2 foundations

Base Makeup - Foundation Swatches & Lemmings

I have to admit, I'm obsessed with flawless skin and I'm always on the lookout for products that would help me look less ruddy and more polised.

Today is a showcase of the foundations that I own and a short introduction on them. Not a lot and I'm still a long way from building a foundation bible.

I do hope that this can help those who are trying to buy foundations with absolutely nothing to rely on, except for online swatches for comparison.

This idea came about when I realized that there were very little cross foundation swatches to be found on the WWW. Maybe my search parameters wasn't good enough, I don't know.

Anyway, I decided to pull out all the foundations that I currently own and swatch them. For the benefit of others, who like me, don't have the luxury of testing out products in person.

Click Image for larger pic

Lunsol Water Cream Foundation in YO02:
You can read my review on this foundation here.

RMK Liquid Foundation in 101:
I bought this out of impulse when it first re-launched in Singapore. Frankly speaking, I didn't quite use this foundation due to the heavy yellow undertone. Moreover, the coverage was not enough to cover old and blemished skin like mine.

Paul & Joe Liquid Foundation in 010:
The first Japanese foundation that I bought. The color is a tad too light for me but the undertone was perfect. The only drawback is that, it doesn't really provide the coverage that I need.

IPSA Pure Protect Foundation in 100:
You can read my review on this foundation in my last post here.

DiorSkin Nude Liquid Foundation in 020:
What can I say? My perfect HG foundation. Gives the best finishes. You can read about my review here.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville:
One of the latest addition to my makeup collection. Color is a tad light for me but once it oxidizes, it's a perfect finish. You can read about my review here.

As for my lemmings:

Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation in Trench 4
Armani Luminouse Silk Foundation in 4
Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation in Sunny Beige
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe
Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation in Chamomile
Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation in Clair-Cameo


A good resource is the Foundation Matrix on Temptalia. Go take a look if you're interested.

Review / Makeup: IPSA - Pure Protect Foundation

This is another foundation review that I recently purchased. It's the IPSA Pure Protect Foundation in 100

Item Name: IPSA - Pure Protect Foundation - 100
Size: 30 ml
Price: SGD63.00
Available At: Tang Orchard
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com

Product Description from Manufacturer:

A brightening liquid foundation that evenly covers spots, freckles and pores with single application for a translucent finish. Provides a silky smooth texture and perfect adherence to the skin. Resists perspiration and sebum to prolong the initial beautiful finish. Prevents spots and freckles caused by exposure to the sun while protecting skin from dryness. Contains a highly moisturizing ingredient, hyaluronic acid

Why I bought it:
I've almost been interest in IPSA's products for reasons unknown to me. Maybe it's their packaging, maybe it's their product line.. It seems to be such an underrated brand in Singapore. So, I decided to purchase the foundation during the Tangs Closed Door sale.

I googled the product and wasn't able to find a swatch on these foundations. I had no choice but to go to IPSA's website. From the color chart, I figured that I would lie somewhere in 101.

However, I let the salesgirl sweet talk me into getting 100, which was actually too light for me. Lesson learnt: Always go with your gut instincts.

Packaging:
Housed in a sleek glass bottle with a pump. Which I like.

Texture:
The foundation wasn't as runny as compared to my other foundations. In addition, maybe because of the hyaluronic acid, it has a slight gluey feel to it.

Price:
The RRP is comparably to my HG, and so, I'm not complaining.

Road Test:
The foundation is too light for me, which made me look a little like Geisha. 101 would have made a better choice.

It's wasn't as spreadable as my other foundations. Coverage wise is from sheer to light. Definitely weaker than what NARS and Dior provides. Some of my larger pores and redness still came through even after I've patted in another layer of foundation. It wasn't as buildable as I thought it would be.

The finish is glowy but not shiny like a disco ball. But the finish was kind of patchy, probably due to the wrong shade and my dry skin.

The foundation did last well though and I only had to touch up a little in the late afternoon. But I had this feeling of my pores being suffocated after a long day. I think this foundation is just not meant for the tropics.

Verdict:

Well, I'm having mixed feeling over this foundation. The shade was wrong and it didn't spread well. I had really wanted to like this foundation but I just wasn't able to find a good reason to like it at all. Other than the fact that it's a Japanese foundation. I just don't understand why Japanese skincare works on me but never their makeup.

I'll give it another go again next week. The patchy finish could have been due to my recent skin problems. I was stressed, sleeping late, not having enough liquids and eating trashy food.

I'll update again on this foundation.

Below are some pictures.

Swatches. The below is meant for my next post but I got lazy..

Haul: Metro - DiorSkin Nude 020 Liquid Foundation + DiorSnow White Reveal UV Shield

Metro had their Ladies Night on 19 Nov 2010 and I got Ling's help to stock up on my Dior essential items, which was running low.

I replenished the DiorSnow White Reveal UV Shield (30ml @ SGD79.00) as I totally ran out of the product and had to use my Clarins sunscreen, which I don't exactly fancy. I was desparate enough to snatch my sister's to tide me over while I wait for my own to come in.

As for my DiorSkin Nude Liquid Foundation (30 ml @ SGD66.00). I've been using this foundation almost on a daily basis for months, and I've been feeling perplexed since months ago.

Not matter how much I use, I haven't seen a drop in the water level since opening the bottle. I approached the BA and she advised that it could be due to the nature of the product. There is an ingredient that makes the foundation clinge onto the sides of the bottle, making it difficult to gauge the remaining water level.

So, I decided to stock this item up too. I do not want to wake up one fine morning to find that I ran out of my HG foundation, when I need it. I would probably go into a hissy fit.

That's all for now.. Small stock up haul...

Review / Makeup: NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation

Today, I'm going to review one of my latest foundations buy, the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville.

Item Name: NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation @ Deauville
Size: 30 ml
Price: USD42.00 + ~SGD3.00 (Shipping)
Available At: Beauty.com
Picture Source: klutzbeauty.blogspot.com

Product Description from Manufacturer:

A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, skin is hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves skin brightness, radiance and texture. For normal to dry skin types.

* Minimizes visible discoloration

* Brightens and clarifies overall skin tone

* Improves skin luminosity and radiance

* Hydrates for softer and smoother skin

* Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Fragrance free.

Why I bought it:
I've read raves of this foundation online. Being a foundation fiend, the bug just couldn't rest until I had a go with this foundation. I had to see whether it was as good as the rest made it out to be.

The opportunity came when beauty.com was offering 20% off for their Family Sale, and so, I took the plunge. The total amount came up to SGD47.00 (inclusive shipping), which is comparable to a MAC foundation.

I did a lot of research by using my DiorSkin Nude 020 as reference and decided on Deauville ultimately.

Packaging:
Housed in a sleek glass bottle, with NARS trademark rubberized texture cap. There is actually a smaller screw cap hidden by the bigger cap, to prevent spills I suppose.

The bottle doesn't come with a pump but it can be purchased from NARS website. It didn't occur to me to purchase the pump when I placed my orders.

I guess I can only buy it during my next spree. Anyway, it is definitely not as messy as my Lunasol Cream Foundation. So, it's not a major issue for me.

Texture:
The foundation is actually quite runny and definitely feels lighter than my DiorSkin Nude Foundation.

Price:
The RRP is definitely steep had it not been for the 20% discount. However, given the price of my current HG, I would think that it is comparable.

Road Test:
The first time that I used it, I layered the Ipsa Pore Clear base underneath it and by mid afternoon, I was a melted mess.

The second day, I decided to go only with the RMK makeup base and the foundation stayed throughout the whole day.

The coverage is from sheer to medium. Definitely buildable and works well enough to cover my enlarged pores. It even covered a good part of my redness on the cheeks.

Deauville matched my face but I think it's a tad light and yellowish for my skin. Well, nothing a blush and bronzer can't fix.

The foundation did oxidize a little and made my face look darker but it did not turn me into pumpkin soup.

Verdict:
It's still too early to elevate this to HG status but this foundation certainly have the potential. As of now, my DiorSkin Nude 020 is still my to-go foundation when it comes to special occassions.

Probably it's due to the shade. I find that it's still a little off as compared to DiorSKin Nude 020, which matched me perfectly. I had read somewhere that some of the ladies on NW20/NC20 uses Santa Fe. And the swatches on KarlaSugar does suggest so, when I compared with my DiorSkin Nude 020.

Maybe, I will get the Santa Fe if I have the chance.

The finished look is more of satiny, rather than glowy.

So do I recommend? Yes, if you're a foundation junkie like me or has a NARS counter somewhere to do a match.

No, if you can't be sure of your shade and you don't need a new foundation.

Anyway, next are some scary pictures. *Beware!!!*

Without Makeup - Enlarged pores, wrinkles, spots and redness.

Product distributed on the face and ready for blending.

 End result after first round of blending

I patted on additional foundation on the cheeks where the redness is.

Haul: Tangs - IPSA Pure Protect Foundation + Pore Clear Base

Tangs was having their closed door Christmas Preview Sale on 16 Nov 2010 and I decided to get the Ipsa foundation that I've been lemming for so long now.

The crowd wasn't as bad as I thought when I got there in the evening and I went straight to the counter. I was contemplating between the liquid and cream foundation but I went for the liquid in the end as I liked the texture better.

IPSA Pure Protect Liquid Foundation in 100

SGD63.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

The BA matched me to 100, the lightest available shade and I was kind of taken aback since I usually sit on the second lightest shade instead of the lightest. However, the BA explained to me that since I'm more inclined towards neutral, 100 suits me the best. She tested on my jawline and I have to agree with her.

I've already opened the bottle to try as I write this post.  And the foundation matched my skintone perfectly! It almost became my dupable HG until it started to melt on me by afternoon. But it does have a lot of potential.Will do a review entry on it when I find time.

IPSA Pore Clear Base

SGD48.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

I also bought their Pore Clear Base. This is supposed to help fill my pores and cover light freckles. As usual, it's the pores that I'm more concerned about.

IPSA Foundation Sponge

SGD13.00 - Available at Tangs Orchard

Lastly, I got the foundation sponge to top up to SGD150.00 to enjoy a direct 10% off on top of the Tangs 12% rebate.

As usual, the BA stuffed me with lots of their latest Metalbolizer sample to try out.

For those interested in Ipsa products, please note that the one and only one Ipsa counter in the whole of Singapore is located at Tangs Orchard.

Haul: NARS, Smashbox, Urban Decay and Dior

The christmas season is round the corner and with that, comes the flood of Christmas sales! Last week was pure retail extravagence for me.. To the point that I'm feeling a little guilty now for spending so much. But oh well, it's not as if I don't need the items.

In addition, I've been a real good girl this year. So, it doesn't hurt if I materialize a little of my lemmings, I rationalize.. Yes yes, my feeble attempt to justify my purchases. Anyway, the next few posts would be entries on the things I bought and received last week.

This post is a closer look at the items that I bought from Beauty.com and Sephora@Amazon. There was a lot of other things that came with the parcels but those don't belong to me. So, I'll just cover the stuff that belongs to me.

First up is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville (~SGD47; inclusive shipping). I'm a foundation junkie and I'm always on the look out to try new foundations. After reading through all the online reviews, I was really intrigued by this foundation. However, since it's not available in Singapore, I could only stash away my lemmings.

The opportunity came when Beauty.com was offering a 20% FF sale. I took the plunge and purchased. I did an extensive research online by using Diorskin Nude 020 as reference and finally decided on Deauville. I was really apprehensive but to my relief, the tone matched, although it was still a little yellow for me but it was no major concern.

I received the NARS Cleansing Oil sample for the foundation purhase.

Next up is the NARS Powder Blush in Deep Throat (~SGD30; inclusive shipping). I was deciding between NARS or Cargo blush. But decided to get the NARS blush because of it's cult status. I had originally wanted to get Orgasm but decided that Deep Throat may be more suitable for me after looking the swatches and reviews online. It was a little peachy for my liking but I love it still the same!!

Next one is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer on the Go (~SGD18.00; inclusive shipping). This is actually the smaller sized 15ml. I've heard raves about this product and so, when I saw that they have the smaller trial version, I decided to purchase it to try it out.

Next, is the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Yeyo. This is actually a white eye liner glittery eyeliner and I'm thinking of using it to line my inner eye corners for the pop effect.

Lastly, is the Dior Mascara Duo Set (~SGD28.00). I usually don't like to spend on mascaras, as I don't see the need to spend a bomb on something that covers only a small portion of the face. But ever since I've read raves about Dior's mascaras and their performance, I've been wanting to try it. So, when I saw this set on Sephora@Amazon, I didn't hesitate since this was the perfect chance to try out the mascara without commiting too much money on it.

My thoughts: This purchase was really a rushed and unprepared one, and was kind of haphazard. But I was really glad that my first attempt in an online spree turned out well.Next time, I would defnitely be more prepared.

Blog Sale....

Just to advertise a little... I'm letting go of my MAC foundations.. Details here

Please do email if you're interested...

LuxAsia Haul.....

This is way overdue, like the next few entries to come... This entry would be focusing on the items that I bought during the LuxAsia sale. True to be told, I was kind of disappointed by the sale, given the short shelf life of many items. I wasn't exactly pleased with the condition of many items. I've learnt my lesson, instead of spending money on something dirt cheap and end up not daring to use the products, I rather wait for departmental store sales to get the items I want. At least I'm guaranteed of the quality of the products.

The Helicopter view. There were other stuff but I've given them away by the time I found time to take the pictures.

First item, Phytomer Radiant Complexion Program Start-up Kit (S$3.00). Phytomer is a salon brand and this kit offers a trial of the product without commiting too much money. J.Low saw an auntie that took one whole bag of these kits.

 

Next is the Guerlain Pearly White Foundation in 031 (S$18.00). I think I bought a little too fair for my skin. However, it isn't too obvious and so, I guess it's alright.

The next one was a total disappointment. It's the Guerlain Issima Foundation (S$10.00). The foundation had already separated when I opened the bottle and the consistency was of a type that I don't really want to take the risk with. Totally wasted my money on this...

The next one is REN Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask. I wanted to try a new cleansing mask and came across this product. Have heard good revies of this product before and decided to get it. And the expiry date is way back to 2012.

Coming up is Decleor Ultra Soothing Cream. This is also a salon brand and I came across this brand some years back when I went to facial with another friend. The facial gave me good results but I later signed up with another facial salon using Dermalogica and I haven't revisited that facial salon since. My skin sensitivity sometimes will strike so hard that I'll feel absolutely helpless and lost. So, bought this cream and see if it'll help my worst times to come.

Next is the Lancaster Infinite Bronze Blush Variation in Natural. I totally love the various shades of blushes.

Next one is a RMK makeup base. The one that I have in my stash is the more watery version. So I decided to get the creamier version to see whether it works just as good.

The next item is the Phytomer Seaweed Soap. No particular reason why I bought this item. The price was good and so decided to try this out. I might make it into a giveaway, we shall see.

The last item is Calvin Klein Eternity set. This was also a disappointment. The shower wash and body lotion tubes had already turned yellow. And for the perfume, the liquid had already turned yellowish and the smell was muted and somewhat different from the Eternite that I'm used to. Probably there are some chemical changes due to age.

Lastly, Guy Laroche was on sale and I bought 4 card holders and 1 key pouches to give away as Christmas presents.

On the whole, this was not exactly the best warehouse sale that I've been to. I've been to better ones. Would be more careful when I go for future LuxAsia sales.

Review / Makeup: Lunasol - Water Cream Foundation

Item Name: Lunasol - Water Cream Foundation
Size: 30g
Price: S$77.00
Available At: Kanebo Counter @ Takashimaya
Picture Source: Klutzbeauty

Product Description from Manufacturer's Website:
We've taken our Water Cream Foundation, a much-loved product since its release, and made it even better.


With its remarkable spreadability and lightness, you won't believe it's a cream. This level of comfort could only be realized by its approximately 60% water composition.


It melts into your skin just like water as soon as it touches your face, giving you ideal skin full of fine shine and clarity. Its luxurious beauty essence formula retains moisture all day long, even for dryness-prone skin.
And its flawless finish keeps for hours, emitting clear glow from deep inside the skin.

Why I bought it?:
I was looking for hydrating base makeup and narrowed down to either Dior or Lunasol after thronging through reviews online. I got the Dior and is now hooked on it. However, I decided to try the Lunasol too, given the raves by many gurus and users alike.

Pakaging:
The product is housed in a translucent jar and a spatula is provided. Very messy and not convenient at all. Not to mention the germs that goes into the whole jar if the spatula is not cleaned properly.

Texture:
Light airy whipped cream texture. Although it is stated as cream foundation. But the texture is more fluid compared to conventional cream foundations.

Price:
Price is on the steep side. A good $10-$20 more expensive compared to other brands in the market.

The Road Test:
First and foremost, the product was messy and inconvenient to get to. A spatula is provided but I'll wipe down with alcohol after each application. And the spatula meant that I wasn't able to gauge how much to scoop out accurately, unlike conventional pump bottles. Sometimes, I'll scoop out too much. However, I do realize that given the nature and texture of the foundation, I can actually decant the whole jar into a squeeze bottle and still wont choke the opening.


Coverage is sheer to light and the finish is both dewy and glowy. It had a natural sheen although the shade was a little off for me, making my skin unaturally yellowish. Maybe OC02 would have worked better on me but I can't be sure.

As for staying power, the foundation started to melt after lunch and by the end of the day, it was pretty much gone.

Verdict:
Despite the raves, I would have to disagree with the majority. Although I like the natural finish, it wasn't giving the correct coverage I need. Not to mention that it started to melt on me in the afternoon, despite using makeup base.

This foundation would definitely thrill ladies who dont have a lot of blemishes, and looking for something light, with a dewy finish.

So would I buy when this runs out? Nah, I guess this foundation won't be missed by me. Oh gosh, what am I to do if Dior ever decides to discontinue their DiorSkin Nude range???!!!