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

Haul / Swatch : Make Up Store - Blusher in Glam Rose

The next few entries would be overdue haul posts that I've accumulated over the past 2 months... Will find time to do reviews when my workload starts to reduce come Mar 2011.. (I hope)..

Alright, this purchase was really an impulse buy. I had originally wanted to get a MAC Blush in Loverush during the Tangs 12% Rebate sale on 10th Feb 2011.

But after a long day of back to back meetings and a major presentation, I wasn't really in the right form to battle the long cashier queues, not to mention I was feeling kind of drowsy from my allergy medication.

Since I figured I wasn't really in need of a blusher, just the need to do some retail therapy, I gave up on the purchase while waiting for the MAC consultant to attend to me.

So feeling a little unsatisfied, I popped by Make Up Store during lunch the next day and came out with one of their blushers, the Glam Rose @ SGD32.00.

Make Up Store hails from one of my favorite European countries, Sweden and have been in Singapore for some time now. It's just that I never quite found the opportunity to browse their products. So, this blusher is actually the first item that I own, under the Make Up Store brand.

The packaging, product offering and prices are very similar to MAC and some may mistake it for being a MAC wannabe. But on a personal note, I find that the quality is actually better compared to MAC's. It is very pigment and the powder is more finely milled, compared to MAC.

So next time when you are near a Make Up Store, be sure to check their products out!

The item straight out from the store.

Minimalist packaging.

It was wrapped in a black thin tissue.

Love the chic details on the cover!!

Glam Rose - 2.5g at SGD32.00. Noticed that it's made in Canada (land of MAC).

Gorgeous pink.

The swatch. A little goes a long way.

Comparison swatch between NARS Deep Throat.

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: 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.

Spree Conquests!!!

Recently, I decided to open sprees for beauty.com and sephora.com due to the weakening USD and as sort of a christmas present to myself for working so hard this year...

And guess what I saw when I got home from work today???!!!! The parcels from the forwarder (Borderlinx), sitting nicely in the living room!!!

Hurray for my first ever successful spree from Sephora and beauty.com. Not to mentioned that we really did save a lot from the beauty.com 20% Family and Friends sale. My NARS blush costs less than SGD30.00 (inclusive of shipping)!!!

Anyway, some pictures first. I'll cover more in my next posts. Now, gotta sort out the loot for distribution to my BFsF, whom I tempted into joining me for the spree.

On the side note, I have to say this, I LOVE BORDERLINX TO BITS!!!! Vpost just pales in comparison given that the charges are almost the same after the 15% discount that's valid until 31 Jan 2011.

My whole experience with Borderlinx is so FUSS-FREE and they use DHL Express; meaning I can track my packages via DHL's tracking site and I got my parcels really FAST! I put in the request to ship the parcels last Thursday and ta-dah, I got it TODAY!

Lovelies from Sephora-@-Amazon

Lovelies from Beauty.com. Mostly NARS and UD products.

Musings: Foundation Epiphany...

Here I am, 3A.M local time. The TV is on, Spain Vs Holland, the half time whistle would be blown in another few mins.. We'll know who shall be crowned king of football in another hour. And end the spate between Paul the Octopus Vs Mani the Parakeet and 黃大仙， the chinese god on the predictions

Anyway, while my dad stared at the TV, I am peering over my laptop, trying to decided whether I should join an online spree to get the NARS foundation in Deauville from Sephora. Oh yes, I've no interest in football, that is.

Suddenly, I had an epiphany. Why would I want to get something new when I already have a HG foundation? My Diorskin Nude @ 020?

Frankly speaking, I don't know. It's not as if I'm looking for a cheaper alternative. NARS foundation don't come cheap either and all I had was some references from online beauty bloggers to base my color selection from. So why? I guess my inner foundation fetish is at work here. The unyielding quest to achieve better looking skin.

Anyway, I shall shelve my plans for new foundation. I still have 4 bottles to finish. Although I dont really like 3 of them. They make my face too yellowish looking. That includes the Lunasol Water Cream Foundation. They work on my skin, just that not as good as my Dior one.

I think I'm not suitable for Japanese foundations since I'm more of a neutral tone rather than yellow, which many Asians fall under. I tend to forget that my dad do have some caucasian blood in him since my features take after my ma, a pure chinese. But whenever I look at my sis, I'll be reminded of that bloodline. Yellow undertone foundations never did quite perform for us. Even my youngest sister is matched to MAC NW, albeit her dark complexion.